Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Chapter 12: Deadly Stratagems
Since the day she had been given the board, Rei's emotions had steadily grown more and more pronounced. It had been a slow process, a subtle one, but it had been happening. And with her being welcomed into Shinji and Misato's home, her feelings had become even more pronounced. Feelings like happiness, gratitude, and even sorrow.
However, as Rei lay in bed one night, the emotion that was weighing the most heavily on her was frustration. The frustration of dealing with someone who had a great deal of knowledge, and very rarely deemed it necessary to share that knowledge.
Please answer me, Lilith, Rei pleaded, looking up at the ceiling with narrowed eyes. I know you can hear me.
I can hear you, child, Lilith returned slowly. Almost shamefully.
If that is the case, then please answer my question, Rei persisted, quickly seizing on the break in the Lilith's silence. What do you know about the energy that I sensed? Who or what is the Gladiator?
The result of many tragedies, child, and the purveyor of still many more, was Lilith's typically enigmatic answer. And a mistake that I had hoped would never live again.
Heaving a breath that was laced with the irritation she felt at the non-answer, Rei sat up in her bed, folding her arms on her knees. Lilith, please, don't do this to me again, the albino pleaded. This is exactly what you did with Storm. You refused to tell me about her, and as a result, I was unprepared for her attack. Nor was I aware of why she attacked me.
You were aware of her existence, and her animosity, when she revealed herself after you aided in Israfel's defeat, Lilith pointed out, resulting in Rei's mouth quirking in annoyance. As for my not telling you more about her, that was because I myself do not know a great deal of Storm. Though she was once human, once fully of me, she has taken on the role of the Angel of Thunder, one of Adam's children. As such, I am incapable of sensing her thoughts, and my knowledge of her capabilities is limited at best.
But you still knew of her, Rei persisted determinedly. You knew that she was born of Ramiel, and you did not tell me even that much.
Would such knowledge have made such a difference in your confrontation with her? Lilith asked rhetorically.
This resulted in Rei's frown deepening. She had gained enough insight to recognize an evasive maneuver, and this question certainly qualified as one. Lilith, please don't change the subject. While you may be ignorant of Storm, you are not ignorant in regards to this Gladiator. Please, if it poses a danger to me or anyone else, then I need for you to tell me as much as you can about it. When the 2nd Angel remained stubbornly silent, Rei tried a different tact. I don't want Ikari-kun or Misato…or anyone else to be hurt if I can prevent it.
When silence once again ruled, Rei remained silent as well, and contented herself to wait. She continued to wait, until finally, relief flooded her when Lilith once again spoke. Very well, child, the 2nd Angel spoke unhappily. But know this; this story will take time to tell, for the story of the Gladiator is but a small tale in the history of both Adam, and myself.
Very well. Please, tell me this story, Rei requested, relaxing as she lay back down.
It would be much easier to show you this story, then to simply tell it, Lilith spoke in way of explanation.
Very well, Rei replied, not really caring how the story was told, as long as it was told..
Then, please, relax and close your eyes, child. And I will reveal to you the origins of the Gladiator…and so much more, Lilith told her.
Heeding Lilith's word, Rei closed her eyes. Only to find them open again, to gasp as she found herself floating amongst the stars. Whipping her head about at the empty void she suddenly found herself in, she asked, "Lilith...where am I?"
This is the past, child. The past of this world that was to become home to myself, and to Adam, came Lilith's voice. Do not be afraid, for there is nothing in this that can hurt you. This is only a memory.
"I…I understand," Rei returned, settling down despite the incongruity of apparently standing in the emptiness of space. As she drew calmer, however, she realized that she wasn't just standing. She was moving, and quickly. Moving towards one particular star that steadily grew larger in her eyes, and kept growing closer. But as she was floated as if on an invisible string, she saw something else coming closer as well. A fiery mass of stone and molten magma that seethed and shifted about in perpetual violence.
Falling into orbit around this frightening world, Rei could only watch from her vantage point, until something caught her eye. The albino looked up, and watched as two orbs came into view. One sphere was dark as the perpetual night of space itself, and the other was pure white. Watching intently, she observed saw the two massive orbs as they drew closer and closer to the fiery orb that she hovered over, until they both crashed into it. The white orb slammed into the planet directly, burying itself in molten fire, causing a massive shockwave to ripple through the molten mass.
As for the black orb, its impact was less precise. Catching the edge of the planet, the dark sphere dragged against the planet, miring itself with the molten material. Cracking from the indirect impact, bits and pieces of the black orb's material dropped into the fiery planet. Finally, the black object managed to free itself from its seeming prison, skipping off the planet's surface, and before Rei's eyes, it set into a gentle orbit.
As Rei watched these events unfold, her eyes went wide with awed realization. She knew precisely what she had seen, and yet was barely able to believe it. "Lilith…?" she began, barely able to bring herself to break the silence. "Is that…did I just see…?"
Yes, Rei Ayanami. What you saw were the Black and White Moons. The vessels that carried both myself and Adam to this world, sent forth by our creators to seed worlds with life, Lilith explained. When the Black Moon collided with the planet that would one day be known as Earth, the part of it that contained myself broke off and fell into it, while the rest of the Black Moon, coated with material of this world, became the moon that you see in the sky.
Rei was unable to say anything to this. She could only watch as time passed at an accelerated rate. The once molten, deadly world slowly changed over time. The rock cooled and settled, clouds began to form, raining water down upon the craggy surface, and eventually, green began to spread across this world, as well as primitive animal life. Life the evolved over the course of many millions of years.
It was the presence of Adam's White Moon within the Earth that seeded it with the capacity for life, Lilith continued. And thus, the animal life that formed was created in line with Adam's philosophies, his purpose. His very identity.
"The dinosaurs," Rei whispered as she saw the first of these mighty creatures emerge.
Yes. Animals of great strength, but of little intelligence, Lilith agreed. For a time, Adam was content with these creatures, for they gave him the freedom to experiment. A freedom I was denied.
"Because you were separated from the Black Moon," Rei gathered, taking a moment to stare into the sky, to see the grey-and-white orb hanging above her.
Yes. When I fell from it, I lost access to all of the power and resources it could have offered me, along with my greatest weapon; my divine spear, the weapon you refer to as the Lance of Longinus, Lilith admitted with a measure of sadness. But at the same time, if this had not happened, I would not have had access to this world. And though my resources were limited, I made use of what I had access to, and began to experiment myself.
Though Rei did not at first understand what the 2nd Angel meant at first, she continued to watch. And while the albino heard the savage roar of the mighty tyrannosaurus rex, her crimson eyes took note of something else as well. Tiny creatures scurrying in the dirt. So far beneath the notice of the massive predator that it was almost pathetic. A small pack of mice.
My attempts at creation were tiny, but like Adam's, they bore fruit. Creatures of superior intelligence, of superior thinking, Lilith thought with a hint of pride. Little by little, my capabilities grew, but still beneath Adam's notice. Until something happened that neither of us foresaw. That irrevocably changed the balance of power between us.
Rei never even had the chance to ask what this was when she once again spied something in the skies above. Like before with the Moons carrying the 1st and 2nd Angels, a comet was now approaching the Earth, its tail stretching far behind it as it approached. But unlike the two Moons and their promise of life, this object from the stars was a harbinger of death and destruction.
Watching helplessly as the comet crashed into the Earth with the force unequaled by anything short of Second Impact, sending plumes of debris into the atmosphere that would obscure the sun, even as the great forests burned, and life was turned to death. Rei was a helpless witness to Armageddon, watching as Adam's creations fell in droves. For those that were not extinguished by the initial destruction caused by the comet, were later felled by starvation and cold caused by the lack of sunlight, and the blight upon plants and everything else.
The dinosaurs were mostly annihilated, but some survived. Some even evolved under my influence, becoming smarter, growing wings, and finding the power of flight, Lilith explained. Still, Adam was dealt a heavy blow, and was forced to begin anew, even as my own influence upon this world was growing stronger. A conflict between the two of us seemed inevitable, and yet, both of us knew that this world would not survive if we could not come to terms with each other.
"Then…what did you do?" Rei wondered, all but feeling the clash of powers that were Adam and Lilith.
We came to an agreement. Instead of dabbling in our own exclusive creations, we would work together, and create a new race. A sentient race, borne of everything we had learned, and granted both the Fruit of Knowledge, and the Fruit of Life, Lilith explained, and soon, Rei saw. She saw the two giants standing upon the Earth, Adam a glowing giant with a dark core and eyes, and Lilith…a tremendous, female figure with ten wings, and a face that was a mirror image of Rei's own.
Of course. I was cloned from Lilith, Rei recalled, trying to put what she saw into perspective. And yet, to see such a being with her own face was a disturbing prospect, to say the least.
As Rei watched, the two giants raised their hands and placed them together. Tightening their grips, the two of them cut into each other, and from their grasps came flows of LCL. Their power, their very essences mingled together, spilling across the land, and touching upon some of the creatures that had already resulted from their earlier experimentations. Most notably, the simple primates that had already evolved by that point.
The result of this union of our powers was the 1st Race. The Golden Race, Lilith explained as the vast changes quickly became evident. Where there had once been simple primates, there were now a complex and variegated menagerie of humanoid beings. The most prominent amongst them were what looked like modern men and women, sporting brilliant, white wings. Their eyes were deep red, and their hair shown as silver in the sun.
"They…look like Horaki-chan as Spirit," Rei got out, astonished by this development.
Yes. Your friend Hikari Horaki carries a gene similar to those carried by the simple primates of that time. It was what enabled her to absorb Adam's DNA and power. But there were other beings as well, as you can see, Lilith spoke with a voice heavy with maternal pride. No sooner were these words spoken did some of the other types become evident. Human-beast hybrids loped about on land and in the water, and other stranger things were seen.
As Rei looked about, her attention was drawn to one particular entity. Human in appearance, save for the fact his entire body was a mass of coiled muscle, and his skin was bright green. "Lilith...that creature there…"
Yes. It is similar to the being that Misato Katsuragi may become, if the beast within her is awakened. But that is no mindless monster, Rei Ayanami. What you see is the first race of sentients to walk the Earth. A people whose souls shone bright and noble, possessing the gifts given them by both Adam and myself. Serene, kind, and beautiful both in body and spirit, Lilith spoke, her sadness all but palpable. And yet, despite the power they wielded, the fledging knowledge I gave them, they were already doomed.
"What?" Rei wondered, but even as she watched, proof of Lilith's words was seen. The winged humans aged horrendously and fell from the sky, the mighty green creature shriveled away, and all of the others fell prey to the hidden death. "What happened?"
Treachery, Lilith spoke simply, her grief too great to express. Adam never intended to share this world with me or my children. His ideals were far too different from mine. His vision of perfection was that of the hive mind, with him as the master of all that lived. So when the 1st Race was created, he tainted his gift to them. They were born without the ability to reproduce, and their Fruits of Life were flawed, leaving them vulnerable to sickness, disease, and ultimately, death.
What happened next was almost too fast for Rei to follow. She watched as the great figure that was Lilith fell, her every move conveying her misery. And while Lilith wept, Adam summoned a force of his own. Titanic figures that, while completely alien, had a presence that was all too familiar to Rei. While I was vulnerable, trying in vain to find a way to save my – our children, Adam put into motion the creation of fifteen beings of power, the 2nd Angel explained in a sad voice. Powerful, intelligent, armed with the few souls that had been inside the White Moon, souls that he had shaped to be loyal only to him. The 2nd Race of sentients. The Silver Race.
"The first Angels," Rei gasped, watching helplessly as Lilith was assaulted, and soon defeated, by Adam's children. Taken away to the fragment of the Black Moon that had once been her home, and was now her prison, Lilith lay trapped while Adam's children reigned supreme. To make sure that she stayed that way, her she was mounted upon a huge crucifix created by Adam, which then became her prison.
The effort of creating the 1st Race had weakened me, and my grief at their death stole even more of my strength. And without my Lance of Longinus, I was powerless to defend myself from the coming onslaught, Lilith explained, pain and hatred showing in her words. With me defeated, Adam was free to begin the destruction of the world that had been shaped by both our powers, so that he could reshape it in his image.
Rei watched as Adam wrought his vision of perfection upon the world. All other forms of life died as Adam began to once again scour the world clean. Intent on ridding the world of Lilith's influence. All the while Lilith herself was trapped, her blood seeping out to form alakeofLCL. Apparently powerless to stop the rape of the world.
Adam left me alive for one reason. Despite his efforts, the destruction caused by the comet weakened him, deprived him of important resources. As such, he was determined to make use of me as one such resource. And when I was imprisoned, he felt that I was no longer a threat, and that he was free to go about his work unopposed, Lilith told Rei. Then, her voice took on a more hateful tone. But in that, he was mistaken. I still had one recourse to me. And as loathe as I was to do it, I knew I could not leave Adam in control of this world.
At this, Rei's vantage was shifted from the Geofront to the few remaining survivors of the 1st Race. Before the albino's eyes, their AT-Fields were dissolved, transforming them into LCL.
I gathered up as many souls as I could save, returning them to me. Once this was done, I took fifteen of them, fifteen priceless souls…and gave them to Adam's children, Lilith explained. While Rei was absorbing this information, her eyes widened at what happened next. The fifteen great giants that were the first Angels stopped as one. Grinding to a complete halt, they then remained as still as statues, refusing to heed the commands of the All-Father.
It was a long time before the Angels moved again, and when they did, their eyes or what passed for them lit up with brilliant whiteness. And the world was plunged into madness as each and every one of them went berserk.
The souls I had infused into the Angels, once again in living bodies, slowly reconstructed the minds they had once had, as well as the memories of the 1st Race. When that happened, they also remembered who had betrayed them. And with their own, independent minds, were able to dominate the subservient souls that could only obey Adam's will...and take their vengeance, Lilith intoned even as the world of the past was plunged into madness. The very Angels Adam had sent forth against Lilith, to cleanse the Earth of everything Lilith had wrought, went insane with rage as they attacked Adam as one. A titanic battle in which Adam fought with all his might, wielding his own Lance of Longinus against his own children.
One by one, Adam was forced to slay his masterpieces, and in the process, was able to capture the very souls I had given them, Lilith continued, her sadness plain to Rei. But the battle had taken its toll, and the effort of creating the fifteen Angels had drained Adam's own resources. So he was forced to retreat to his lair, the section of the White Moon where he resided. In what was once known as Antartica, and there he remained, regaining his strength.
While Rei considered the view of Adam, badly ravaged and at the end of his strength, she narrowed her eyes. "But you were still trapped within the Geofront."
True. And as I was, I knew I would never be able to escape my prison, but I still yearned to fulfill my purpose. The creation of life, Lilith explained, even as Rei saw LCL spilling out of the Geofront. Mixing with the waters of the Earth…and spreading to the world. So I did what I could, and set in motion a different form of creation. One that would require the span of thousands of years, but it would still be accomplished. The 3rd Race. The Bronze Race.
"Humans," Rei gathered, watching the much slower process of evolution. With simple primates developing tools, gathering food, and residing in caves.
Amongst others, Lilith corrected. At first, I was forced to rely on natural evolution to carry my children forward. But I also knew that Adam was slowly regenerating his own power. And if he were able to recreate the fifteen Angels, then my children would once again be imperiled. So I searched for a way to guide them, to help them and myself.
Once more, Rei looked at Lilith, trapped in the Geofront. As the albino hovered in mid-air, she saw the pool of LCL beneath Lilith begin to swirl about, and from it came a series of objects.
By channeling my power into my blood, I was able to beget a series of artifacts. Artifacts that were imbued with the noble spirits of the 1st Race, Lilith explained, even as the many objects flew forth, seeking out certain humans. These objects have had many names amongst my children, but to myself, Adam, and all other Angels, they are simply known as the Angelic Arms.
"Just as you did with me," Rei realized. "Then…the board is…"
Yes. An Angelic Arm itself, but unique in that it is bonded solely to you, Lilith confirmed. Upon choosing an appropriate bearer, these artifacts would bond with him or her, endowing the bearer with power akin to the 1st Race, as well as knowledge and wisdom in how to use that power. And the bearers became as of gods to humanity.
"Gods?" Rei gasped, even as she watched the process continue over many centuries. A Babylonian man donning a gauntlet, and being reformed into a great leader with strength and knowledge. A Norse Viking picking up a great hammer, and having his body transformed with muscle, his hair flowing with gold as his garbs changed from simple animal skins to brilliantly sculpted armor. Just two examples out of many across the vastness of time.
Her mouth hanging up at what she saw, Rei thought back to her history classes. "Then…the gods of the past…they were real?"
Yes. The very soul of this world was transformed, and much was set in motion. The chosen bearers used the power of the Angelic Arms to guide and protect their people, and lead them to greatness. And over time, I was even able to guide them to help me. To free myself of the Lance of Longinus, Lilith spoke with obvious pride. Rei watched as Lilith was able to summon a force to guard her within the Geofront, and to extract the Lance from her body. When that happened, I was able to accomplish so much more, and even more beings came into existence.
Again, Rei watched as evolution was jumpstarted, and many strange beings were seen. A centaur, a true centaur, was seen galloping across the plains. A unicorn calmly grazed in verdant field, even as a dragon spread its wings and caught the wind.
For a time, all was peaceful. For although there was the occasional conflict between various cultures, these were minor, and short-lived, Lilith continued. Then her voice darkened. But Adam had finally recovered, and found a world that was not to his liking.
"Then…he brought back the Angels?" Rei guessed.
Many times over the millennia, and they came in various forms, wreaking much destruction and eradicating many of my children, Lilith agreed sadly. It was only in the last war between our respective children that my forces were able to invade his lair, and use his Lance of Longinus to plunge him and those born of him into dormancy. Then the 2nd Angel fell into a deep, unhappy silence before admitting, But before that came to pass, Adam won his own battles. For not only did he attack without, he also struck within the heart of the 3rd Race, using temptation and greed as his weapons as he sent forth his own Angelic Arms. Arms created to seek out those that could readily be turned against other of my children. Corrupting them, making them more susceptible to Adam's will.
Once again, Rei watched as Adam did as Lilith had once done, conjuring many objects from a spring of LCL that rained down upon the globe. An Egyptian man donning a mask and becoming a god of cruelty that demanded slave labor. A Roman god that set in motion war and destruction. And many, many others. And even worse happened when the wielders of Adam's Arms worked in tandem with Adam's Children.
"Those with Adam's Arms...they are having temples built," Rei observed as the past continued to replay before her eyes. "Temples for the worship of his children."
Those influenced by Adam's Arms encouraged such things. They spoke in favor of the destruction of humanity, gathering together cults devoted to the idea that Adam's Children were more deserving of this world, and thus my children deserved to be extinguished, Lilith explained with a great sadness. And so Adam would send his children to those wielding his Arms, attempting to beget the Cycle of Rebirth.
Before Rei could ask what that meant, she watched as a mammoth creature that resembled a stone head similar to those seen on Easter Island floating through the sky made its way towards one of the temples. Ignoring the massive battle that was going on, the Angel descended upon the temple, where it was met by a human bearing an Angelic Arm. Before the albino's eyes, the transformed human merged with the Angel, which immediately began to transform. It's stony surface bulging like flesh and blood, it assumed a more human form, shining with the light of its S2 organ, before releasing that energy through its AT-Field.
What happened next was something out of a nightmare. As the energy spread across the battlefield, every living being from simple plants to human beings melted away, dissolving into LCL. Within the span of seconds, the liquefied bodies formed a perverse ocean of death surrounding the temple. Leaving nothing but the transformed Angel standing.
"Third Impact..." Rei gasped in horrified realization.
Not precisely. This is a limited version of the calamity that Adam intends to befall my children, Rei Ayanami. And one that those bearing my Angelic Arms could withstand, and ultimately restrict to a limited area, Lilith explained in a saddened voice. Nonetheless, the Cycle of Rebirth resulted in the destruction of many thriving civilizations in this world's history. Clearing the way for Adam's Children to spring up anew from the oceans of death.
As Rei continued to watch, the Angel that had merged with the human began to shrink, it's S2 organ pushed beyond its limits. Just as Adam had been regressed to its embryonic state by the release of its power, the Angel slowly disappeared, along with the human that had been corrupted into triggering the limited cataclysm. There it and other Angels would eventually rise up again, restored from the ashes of their previous lives.
This was the main purpose of the Arms created by Adam; to clear the way for his children when he was still too weak to unleash Armageddon with his own power. But not all of the Arms were wielded directly by those they were given to. Some were used as tools to build empires of cruelty by other Arm wielders. And one such Angelic Arm is the Helmet of the Gladiator, Lilith spoke, the image of the helmet appearing before Rei. A dark purple that was almost black, with a series of dark purple spikes forming a line across the center. This Arm enslaves the will of the wielder, who then must obey without fail the will of whomever awakened the Helmet's power, transforming the bearer into a warrior of incredible strength and stamina, with access to powers comparable to those granted you by the board.
Watching as one such man took the helmet and placed it on his head, Rei was shocked as a purple-skinned titan ripped his way free of the man's tiny frame. A titan that would go on to wage war, betray friends and family, and enslave the innocent, all at the whim of the one that had awakened the Helmet. The only limitation to the Helmet is that whoever dons it must do so willingly. It cannot be forced upon the bearer. Otherwise, the Helmet would not be able to tame his or her will.
"Then…what Horaki-chan and I felt was someone putting on the Helmet?" Rei spoke, completely aghast. "Lilith…why didn't you tell me this sooner? I could have stopped it from happening. I could have gotten Horaki-chan to help me as Spirit, and we could have -!"
No. There was nothing that could have been done, Lilith returned somberly. The Helmet of the Gladiator is one of the most dangerous of such artifacts, and Storm was present as well, to insure that the bearer put it on willingly.
"Storm?" Rei got out, shaken by this latest development. "How did Storm find this Helmet? And why would she use it?"
I do not know the answer to these questions, Rei Ayanami, but I do know this: If you or Hikari Horaki had simply rushed off in an attempt to stop the chosen bearer, you would have found yourself in battle, Lilith assured her. If the bearer had been killed before taking the Helmet, then it would have sought out another host. And then another, and another after that, with battle being the result every time. Battle, destruction…and death.
Pressing her lips together, Rei was uncertain as to the veracity of Lilith's words, but she ultimately found that she could not argue against the 2nd Angel's logic. Especially seeing as she knew more about these artifacts then Rei did.
"Is…there any way to free the bearer from the Helmet?" Rei finally asked expectantly. Once again, Lilith fell silent, something that frightened the girl. And when the 2nd Angel finally spoke, Rei's fears were made real.
With most Angelic Arms, all you would need do is to remove it from the bearer, as it is with your board. Deprived of the Arm's influence, the bearer would soon return to normal, Lilith explained sadly. But the Helmet of the Gladiator is different. Because it can only be worn willingly, it can only be removed with the bearer's consent. Something that is impossible while the bearer's mind is under the Helmet's influence.
Slowly closing her eyes as if she were in physical pain, Rei thought of what Lilith had told her. That a powerful new enemy had been born, probably some innocent bystander who had been unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong, and was apparently at Storm's command.
Making things even worse was the fact that Rei had no idea what Storm intended for her new servant. A fact that made her shudder in fear.
"Oh! Commander Fuyutsuki! Good morning, sir!" Ritsuko spoke as she got on the subway train. Looking around the bundle of laundry that she had recently picked up from the cleaner's, the faux-blonde watched as the older man lowered his newspaper enough to look at her.
As Ritsuko moved to take a seat next to the Sub Commander, Maya and Shigeru stood up perfectly straight, somehow managing to salute without actually doing so. A necessity borne of the bundles they both carried. "Good morning, sir!" the two of them said as one.
"Uh-huh. Good morning," Fuyutsuki replied somewhat anemically before once again burying his eyes in his newspaper.
"Well, I see you're up early today, sir," Ritsuko noted with a smile, even as the train began moving.
"I've got to represent Commander Ikari uptown," Fuyutsuki answered blandly. Like the very thought of discussing that topic made him want to pass out from sheer boredom.
"Ah, that's right," Ritsuko responded, recalling what day it was. "Today's the city council meeting, isn't it?"
"Oh, an exercise in sadism. Ikari always dumps the most boring and tedious assignments on me," Fuyutsuki grumbled. Ritsuko couldn't help but smile at the old professor, who was basically the only person at NERV save for Misato who would dare complain about Gendo so openly.
Then, lowering his paper again, Fuyutsuki fixed Ritsuko with an inquiring gaze. "By the way, how're repairs going on Unit 00?"
"They're almost done," Ritsuko stated proudly. "We still have to do some checks on the internal circuitry, but once that's taken care of, it'll be better than it was when we first built it."
"We've made a lot of additions to its armor and weapons," Maya added. "The new jet boosters will give it a great deal more maneuverability."
"Good. At least that will be one less thing for Ikari to complain about," Fuyutsuki commented, giving his newspaper a quick shake while Ritsuko just smiled.
"I know the feeling," Ritsuko said, shaking her head. Wincing slightly as she did so.
"Say, Doctor, are you all right?" Shigeru asked.
"Hmm?" Ritsuko returned, looking at NERV's resident guitarist. Giving him a reassuring look, she waved away his concerns. "Oh, it's nothing. I just…pulled something, that's all."
Many miles away, just off the coast ofJapan, a disturbance appeared in the water. It veered about unsteadily as it drew closer to the shore, until finally breaking water. The first thing that was seen was an enormous, spider-like leg, which was even taller than some skyscrapers. Then a second leg followed, until all four legs were above the water's surface. It was only then that body of the creature was seen. Roughly circular in shape, the hub of the Angel was very small in comparison to its ludicrously long legs, and had several blue and yellow eyes dotting its surface. Eyes that were continuously shedding tears of acid as it finally arrived on shore.
Staggering drunkenly about, the Angel's eyes shifted about, unable to focus in any one direction. Its legs wobbled horribly, always seeming to be on the verge of spilling outwards, leaving the Angel's body to fall to the ground beneath it. This didn't quite happen, however, and with hesitation, the 9th Angel began to advance on Tokyo-3, leaving a trail of acid behind it.
Advancing towards the mountains, the Angel once again stopped, as if unsure how to deal with this particular obstacle. Its body swayed one way, then the other, as it studied the barrier that now stood between it and its ultimate goal.
Which left it a perfect target.
While the Angel was trying to figure out how to move forward despite the mountains that were inconveniently in its way, a brilliant, silvery star was seen across the horizon. A star that grew brighter and closer with each passing second. At the last second, the Angel seemed to become aware of the object, stumbling about on its own legs as it tried to turn, but it was already too late.
Streaking towards the Angel like a comet, a corona of blue lighting surrounding it, the silver object slammed straight into the Angel's main body, which exploded into a cloud of sparklers. This left the Angel's legs hanging comically in the air, completely still for a few seconds after the passing of the silver projectile. Then, with the slowness of timber being felled, the legs collapsed to the earth, causing a minor earthquake in the process.
With the Angel's body effectively vaporized, the silvery star that had killed it swung about, shedding the electric blue halo that had surrounded it. As it approached the Angel, a figure that seemed to be made of the same substance as the board slowly rose up from its surface, and looked down upon her figure.
"There. That should take care of it," the Silver Surfer smiled in satisfaction. With any luck, the Angelic collective would not have registered what had caused the Angel's untimely demise, and thus would lack a focus for its rage. Hopefully minimizing Storm's burdens, and not provoking her to undue action. While the highflying heroine was forced to acknowledge that there would undoubtedly be a backlash from this death, it certainly was a better alternative to letting an Angel attack Tokyo-3, forcing NERV to deploy the Evangelions to destroy it. Causing the Angels to become even more enflamed towards humanity, and perhaps allowing someone to die in the process.
Now, all I need to do is get back to school, and wait for a chance to summon my shadow to the girl's lavatory, the Surfer thought, thinking of how simple it had been for her to escape from school and deal with this Angel. It is unfortunate that all of my battles cannot be this simple.
Even as she thought this, the Surfer had no idea how soon she would learn how right she was...
"Aaaarrgh!" Mayumi cried out, bringing her hands to her head as her mind exploded in pain. Unaware of how her classmates were now staring at her, the bespectacled girl stood, her eyes wide with horror.
"Ms. Yamagishi, what is it?" the teacher demanded, caught between the irritation of her class being interrupted and the sudden fear that something was wrong with one of her students. A fear that was reinforced when Mayumi convulsed madly before falling to the floor.
Tabris…what's happening? Mayumi asked desperately, even as her body went numb.
Matariel has just been slain! None of our brethren even know how it happened! Tabris reported, his voice showing the strain he was under. The pressure of the madness smashing against his mental barriers with ever-growing force. We are still waiting for her soul to return to us, but...!
Groaning miserably, Mayumi struggled to regain herself, to put on the appearance that everything was normal even as her brethren screamed with outrage. No...how could this have happened...so quickly...?
Ramiel, we have no other choice. I know you dislike this, but we must begin the revival of the All-Father, as well as do something to quell the rage of our brethren, Tabris declared almost desperately. If we don't, the madness will soon overwhelm me, and you soon after.
I…I understand… Mayumi returned, choking down a sob. Ignoring her teacher as she asked what was wrong, she channeled her thoughts in a different direction. Reaching out with her mind to that of another. Gladiator…please, hear me.
I hear you, milady, came the resolute voice of the Gladiator persona, still hidden within the mind of its host body. What is it you wish of me?
Listen to me very carefully. As soon as possible, I need you to go to NERV Headquarters…and retrieve a sample of organic tissue from one of the Evangelions, Mayumi ordered, even as the rage of Adam's children leaked through her own mental shields. And at the same time…I need you to give the Lilim…a demonstration of power. One that will…soothe the rage of my brethren...
So you will it, milady, Gladiator answered. So it will be done.
Hearing the distinctive sound of the elevator signaling her floor, Misato watched the doors slide open, and was about to step out of it…only to grimace in absolute disgust.
"Hey! Hold the elevator!" Kaji cried out, dashing towards her as fast as the Captain had ever seen him move.
Her lips curling in hatred as her former lover drew closer, Misato watched as Kaji ran right up to the elevator. She hadn't seen her former lover much in recent times, something she was truly grateful for. If only because then she wouldn't have to put up with the lies and excuses he would certainly make for smuggling the most evil thing to have ever existed.
"Hey, c'mon, Katsuragi!" Kaji cried out again as reached the elevator, getting his hand in the door. Snarling menacingly at this invasion, without care for the consequences, Misato fired off a kick that struck the unshaven man's two best friends with devastating force.
His eyes bulging clear out of their sockets, Kaji groaned in pain and groped at his injury. Tottering off-balance, he was helpless to stop Misato as she placed her hand on his forehead, and sent him sprawling to the floor. Taking a moment to admire her handiwork, the purple-haired woman watched as the unshaven man writhed about on the floor. "Sorry. Wrong floor!" Misato growled, before pressing a button that would send her to another level of the base. "Better luck next time!"
"Katsuragi, wait!" Kaji cried out desperately, to which she replied by waving her middle finger. Delighting in the helpless expression on Kaji's face, she continued to grin cruelly as the doors closed and the elevator started downward again.
Riding the elevator a floor down, Misato waited for the doors to open before calmly exited, pausing only to glance about the corridors, making sure it was clear of any similar vermin. She then started down the hall, humming a merry tune.
Until all the lights in the hall went dark.
"Huh?" Misato gaped, looking about in confusion at the near, complete darkness she found herself in. With only the minimal emergency lighting still allowing her to see anything around her. "You've got to be kidding me! The power's out?"
Frowning as she listened to her cell phone, Rei finally decided to set it aside before looking at her fellow Children. "It's disconnected."
With a definitive frown, Asuka hung up the green emergency phone she held. "This one, too," the German announced. "The main and emergency cables are all down!"
"So…what now?" Shinji asked, holding up his own cell phone.
With a slight frown, Rei held up her backpack, not liking the situation at all. Ever since the three of them had arrived at one of the entrances to the Geofront, only to find the card readers dead, they had tried every means available to either gain entrance, or contact Headquarters. With all their efforts being in vain.
Which left only one option; the manual that Rei was pulling out.
Gasping as she realized what Rei was doing, Asuka began fishing around in her own bag. Furrowing his brows in confusion, Shinji looked at the two girls. "What are you two looking for?"
"What do you think, dummkopf?" Asuka snarled in response. "I'm looking for my emergency manual! Or don't you think no power qualifies as an emergency?"
"We should go to NERV Headquarters ourselves," Rei read aloud, looking up from her own manual to see Asuka smirk superiorly.
"That's right, but before we do that, we're going to have to decide which of us will be this group's leader," Asuka declared while Shinji and Rei just looked at her. "Of course, I have the best qualifications. Any objections?"
"Hey, wait a minute!" Shinji protested, looking Asuka right in the face. "What do you mean, you have the best qualifications?"
"Just what I said, 3rd Child!" Asuka countered, never once losing her smile as she gestured at herself. "I'm the best pilot, a natural leader, a -!"
"Give me a break! You've been here for barely two months, rookie!" Shinji countered before pointing his finger at Rei. "If anybody should be the leader, it's her!"
"What? Rei?" Asuka demanded, giving the albino an incredulous look before returning her attention to Shinji. "Why her?"
"Well, because she's been here the longest," Shinji returned easily. "So she probably knows the base better than either of us!"
Sneering in the face of perfect logic, Asuka never lost pace. "Maybe, but there's a lot more to being a leader than just being here first!"
"Pilot Sohryu, Ikari-kun, this is accomplishing nothing," Rei broke in, carefully positioning herself close enough to interfere should it come to blows. And given Asuka's penchant for violence, the blue-haired girl was worried that that might be the case. "We need to get to Headquarters as quickly as possible."
"What are you saying, Wondergirl? Do you want to be the leader?" Asuka demanded, glaring irately at Rei. "Come on! Out with it!"
Blinking as she fell back a pace, Rei looked solidly at the redhead. "I…do not care either way, Pilot Sohryu."
Sniffing as she drew herself up, Asuka then smiled as she looked at Shinji. "There! All settled!" she decreed before turning about. "Well, let's go! Follow me!"
"NERV is over this way," Rei stated, looking in the direction Asuka had just turned her back to. Ignoring the darkening expression on the redhead's face, the albino moved in the direction she had indicated. "We can use the access port for Red-07."
"But…the doors don't work," Shinji protested as he eyed the heavy door. Only to gasp in realization as he spied the large crank level. "Oh, I see! We can open it manually!"
"Well, there you go, Shinji!" Asuka smirked as she approached the door. With her hands on her hips, the redhead looked at him with a sadistic smile on her face. "I'd say this would be your department, wouldn't you?"
Frowning in the manner that he was tempted to argue the point but feeling it would be a waste of breath, Shinji instead went to the lever and got to work. "You're the one who wants to be in charge, but you can't even open your own door?"
"Hey, I'm the brains of this bunch! I don't do the grunt work! That's for little bakas like you!" Asuka decreed, even as Rei frowned worriedly.
I suspect that surrendering leadership to Pilot Sohryu was a mistake, Rei thought unhappily. I only hope we do not encounter further difficulties.
"Man, this sucks!" Kensuke declared as he ran down the streets of Tokyo-3, surveying the darkened city. "How the heck did this happen, anyway?"
Sweating as the sun beat down upon him mercilessly, Kensuke was unsure why he was running so fast. He didn't like running to begin with, and yet he couldn't help himself. It was like he absolutely had to be someplace…only he wasn't exactly sure where that someplace was or why he had to get there to begin with.
It's not like there's going to be anything on TV with this blackout! Kensuke grumbled inwardly. And on the same day that the Gundam Mega Marathon was supposed to be on, too! Talk about lousy luck!
Just as Kensuke felt things couldn't get any weirder, his legs seemed to develop a mind of their own, causing him to run down an alley. "Huh? Hey, wait a minute!" he cried out, not able to understand why he was going this way. "What's going on here, any -!"
Before Kensuke could say another word, the Helmet of the Gladiator resolved into existence upon his head. A gasp of surprise managed to escape his lips before his mind began to shift about as a sculpted purple body tore its way of his slightly frame. His clothes replaced by a red and purple costume.
The transformation complete, Gladiator stood proudly upon the streets of Tokyo-3. "Milady! " he called out, sending his words across the void between their minds. "I stand ready to carry out your word!
Then…begin… Storm got out, her mental voice strained and heavy.
Frowning in concern, Gladiator replied, "Milady, is there something wrong? Can I be of assistance to you?"
Do not...worry about me! You must…complete your mission, Gladiator! Storm cried out almost desperately. That is the only way…to soothe my brethren.
"As you wish, milady," Gladiator answered with a sharp nod. "Is there any particular way you wish for me to handle my mission?"
Just…try to remain undetected by NERV for as long as possible, and…do your best to avoid hurting any innocent people… Storm managed to get out. I…leave the rest up to you.
"As you wish, milady!" Gladiator returned before taking to the sky. Set on locating the most effective means of entering NERV Headquarters without giving them any advance warning.
"You know, this usually only takes two minutes," Shinji commented unhappily, his words echoing about the maintenance tunnels he and the girls were making their way through. Scowling somewhat at the dust and the obvious signs of disuse. "Are you sure you know where we're going?"
"Of course I'm sure!" Asuka returned instantly and officiously. "We'll be at the Geofront any minute now!"
"Haven't you said that four times already?" Shinji noted with growing displeasure. Hoping that Asuka would get the hint.
Naturally enough, she did not. Instead, she turned about and glared irritably at Shinji. "Give it a rest, 3rd Child! Why do you have to nitpick everything? You're always so negative!"
"Huh? Me?" Shinji got out, looking in disbelief at the girl who was rapidly becoming the bane of his existence.
"Yeah, you!" Asuka declared, turning to scowl in Shinji's face. "You're always worrying or whining about something, Third Child! You let every single little thing that might go wrong get under your skin!" Placing her hands on her hips in a superior manner, the redhead then sneered, "Honestly, try growing a spine and be an actual man, for once, you pathetic little baka!"
For a brief, terrible moment, Shinji was sorely tempted to show her what kind of man he could be when he felt like it. For while he didn't like fighting or conflict of any sort, Asuka was quickly wearing thin his very last nerve. Only for his anger to be defused when a quiet voice cut through the tension.
"Excuse me," Rei spoke, causing the both of them to look at her. "Our focus should be on reaching NERV Headquarters. Arguing like this is only slowing us down."
"Hey, I am perfectly aware of that, Wondergirl!" Asuka growled in return, sparing a moment to lance her with irritation before returning her attention to the boy. "It's not my fault that Shinji is criticizing every single thing I say!"
Letting out a growl of exasperation and taking a moment to wonder exactly what it took to penetrate the Geofront that was Asuka's oversized head, Shinji looked wearily at the other girl present. "Rei, do you know how to get to Headquarters from here?"
Ignoring the growl that was building in Asuka's throat, Shinji was elated to see Rei give him a slight nod before turning in one direction. "This way leads to the Geofront."
"Great!" Shinji replied before moving over to Rei's side, leaving Asuka to sputter in disbelief. "I can't wait to get out of these tunnels."
"If you wish to get to the Geofront as quickly as possible, there is a shortcut," Rei admitted as she and Shinji started forward. "However, it would require traveling through the ventilation ducts."
"Uh, I think I'll pass on that," Shinji admitted with a rueful smile. "No offense."
"None taken," Rei returned.
"Hey! What do you two think you're doing? Get back here!" Asuka demanded incredulously, with Shinji wincing at her harsh voice. He didn't stop, however, and neither did Rei. "I'm the leader here, remember?" Asuka tried again, but to no avail. For a time, Shinji found himself almost hoping that the redhead would just skulk away somewhere else and leave them alone.
Unfortunately, he soon heard the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching from behind. A quick look confirmed that the German was again behind them. Noting the fury that was still in Asuka's face, Shinji couldn't help but smile a bit. "Don't give me that look, Third!" the bad-tempered German immediately sneered. "I'm only here because you two would be completely lost without me!"
Sighing as he once again looked forward, Shinji rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
For the next several minutes, the three of them traveled in blessed silence, something Shinji was deeply thankful for. A silence that was unsurprisingly broken by Asuka. "By the way, Wondergirl, you never did tell me why you moved in with Misato," the German spoke in a deadly calm. When Shinji looked over his shoulder at the redhead, he saw a knowing smile on her face. "Why would you do something like that when you're Commander Ikari's favorite?"
"Huh?" Shinji got out, surprised by this statement.
"She doesn't have to deny it. I've seen the way they act around each other," Asuka commented, causing Shinji to furrow his brows in confusion. It was true, he had to admit. Even with the way he had treated her, Shinji had never seen Rei act anything but glad to talk to him. Though they didn't interact nearly as much since the blue-haired girl had moved in with them, Shinji had yet to see Rei act at all unpleasant to the man who had subjected her to such squalor.
I wonder why she acted that way with him? Why she doesn't hate him for everything he's done to her? Shinji wondered, still unable to comprehend the way Rei had formerly smiled only for Gendo. But even as he wondered this, the 3rd Child frowned, thinking of his own dealings with his father before admitting, Then again...I guess some people might ask the same thing about me. I...
"After all, I'm sure you get all kinds of special treatment," Asuka went on carelessly. Completely unaware of Rei's lips pressing together, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly As close to annoyance as he had ever seen her. Something that grew more distinct with the German's next comment. "Being the 1st Child does have its perks, after all."
Frowning at the German's error, Shinji remembered how he had once felt similarly, having even been jealous at the congenial interaction the two of them enjoyed. Only to see the reality of his father's mistreatment of Rei in the form of her old apartment. Gathering up his voice, he hesitantly started, "Well, actually, Asuka…"
"You always look so smug, too," Asuka declared, even as Shinji fumbled. Something made worse when the blue-haired girl didn't respond, resulting in the German growling. She then rushed ahead of the two of them, and stood face-to-face with Rei. "Hey, just because you're everybody's favorite, doesn't mean you can act so superior!"
"W-what?" Shinji sputtered in disbelief, all thoughts of setting the German straight flying out of his mind. "Hey, you're the one who's always acting like you're better than everyone!"
"Oh, stuff it, Third!" Asuka sneered, turning about on her heel and starting away.
"Where are you going?" Rei asked.
"To the Geofront, of course!" Asuka decreed with a hateful look over her shoulder. "Don't expect me to bother having tea ready for you or anything when you get there! If you even make it!"
As the German stomped off, Shinji gave a sigh of exasperation. Oh, what's the use? She hasn't listened to a thing Rei or I have said so far! Why should she start now?
"We should go follow her," Rei spoke, causing Shinji to look at her in shock. "There are many incomplete tunnels and cave-ins," the albino explained as she met his gaze. "There is a possibility of Pilot Sohryu becoming further lost, or injured."
Blinking at the blue-haired girl, Shinji couldn't help but smile. "You're a lot nicer person than me, Ayanami," he spoke honestly. Looking at the boy in surprise, Rei blushed lightly before starting after the German. Sighing as he resigned himself to once again having to deal with the girl that was referred to by Toji and Kensuke as the Red Devil from Hell, Shinji followed after her.
It didn't take long for the two of them to catch up to Asuka. It didn't take long for the German to notice their presence. And it certainly didn't take long for her to start acting officiously again. Looking over her shoulder at them, the German sneered, "Well, I see you two decided to come crawling back in search of my leadership."
"Pilot Sohryu, this is not the way to the Geofront," Rei announced in a perfectly amenable, reasonable voice even as Shinji groaned in dismay.
As usual, however, reason and Asuka were like oil and water. "What are you talking about?" the German demanded incredulously. "Of course it is!"
"I don't think so," Shinji noted, feeling the incline of the hall they were. "It feels like we're…going up."
"Hey! Enough with the nitpicking already!" Asuka growled, only to let out a noise of surprise as she looked up. As Shinji followed her gaze, he saw the outline of a door ahead of them.
"See? There's the Geofront right there!" Asuka decreed, racing ahead. As Shinji and Rei followed, they watched as the redhead worked the release mechanism of the door. After several seconds of struggling with the cumbersome crank-operated lock, she then took hold of the doorframe, hanging from it as she kicked the door wide open.
Instead of the Geofront or any other portion of NERV Headquarters, the door opened to reveal one of the streets of Tokyo-3.
While Asuka was gaping in surprise, unable to comprehend just how thoroughly lost she had managed to get them Shinji's hands were clenching and unclenching as he stared at the sunshine-filled scene. He felt as if his blood had just reached its boiling point, causing him to clench his teeth, noises of barely restrained anger frustration slipping out between them before he exploded. "I don't believe this!" he bellowed in a voice rife with anger and disbelief. "You mean after all of that, you led us right back up to the streets?"
"Hey, quit it! Stop contradicting me!" Asuka snarled, turning to face Shinji and placing her hands to her hips. "I know exactly what I'm doing!"
Waving this ridiculous statement aside, Shinji countered, "Are you kidding me? You don't know anything! You have no idea where the Geofront is! You probably don't even know where we are right now!"
"Stow it, Third, before I clean your clock!" Asuka snarled, raising a fist at the boy.
But Shinji had had enough. He had been taking it and taking it and taking it ever since they had descended into the tunnels, and the revelation that they had spent all of that time for nothing was the absolute last straw on top of a mountain of similar straws. With a shout of pure outrage, the boy rushed Asuka and grabbed her by the shoulders. Completely surprised by the abruptness of Shinji's charge, the German was unable to stop him from sending her tumbling out of the tunnel.
Not wasting time to gloat or any of the things Toji would likely have done in his stead, Shinji hurriedly took hold of the door and slammed it shut on her, locking it in the process. Safe from Asuka and her hateful mouth, he then let out a sigh of deep relief as he leaned back against the door, slowly sinking to the floor.
Only to wince and look over his shoulder at the sound of fists pounding on the door, accompanied by German curses.
As he stared at the wall in question, he became aware of Rei looking at him. "Pilot Sohryu is apparently displeased," she noted with severe understatement. "Was it wise to force her outside?"
"She's always displeased," Shinji sighed wearily. Then he smiled at Rei. "But at least she won't be lost in the tunnels, right? And she won't be slowing us down anymore."
Looking at the door, Rei seemed to consider Shinji's words before giving him a tiny smile. "True."
Getting to his feet and smiling himself, despite the Red-Haired Terror doing her best to huff and puff and blow her way back in, Shinji approached the 1st Child. "Rei, could you please get us to the Geofront?"
"Yes," Rei said agreeably, and as one, they started off again.
The problem with reaching the Geofront undetected was the undetected part, Gladiator had long since reasoned.
The mind of Kensuke Aida was quite familiar with the primary entrances and exits to the colony that was NERV's domain, but these were monitored by NERV, and the hallways were undoubtedly populated by many innocent bystanders. And while Gladiator didn't care about the consequences to these people himself, Storm had decreed that no innocents be harmed unnecessarily. And his lady's words was Gladiator's law.
This didn't change the fact that he wasn't entirely certain how to best carry out Storm's wishes. So he had taken to the air, trying to decide which entrance would best serve his needs.
As he soared over the city, however, Gladiator's pointed ears detected German curses that seemed very familiar to him. Frowning as he looked about, he saw a redhead down below, pounding savagely against the wall of one of the buildings. The Red Devil, came a thought from Kensuke's memories as Gladiator decided to investigate further.
Descending silently, he watched as Asuka pulled back from the wall somewhat, revealing a panel of some kind. Almost like…a door.
A way into the Geofront? Gladiator wondered, his hopes rising. Then he looked down at the German, and frowned unhappily. Storm had commanded that he do everything in his power to remain undetected by NERV, and allowing Asuka to see him unnecessarily would be going against those orders. He would have to wait until she left or seek out another door.
Unless we shut the bitch up! piped up Kensuke's exuberant persona. His eyes narrowing, Gladiator considered the matter. If Asuka were unable to raise the alarm, then surely there would be no problem. And as an Eva pilot, a slayer of Storm's brethren and a person of great cruelty and unfairness in Kensuke's eyes, she certainly did not qualify as an innocent.
A devious smile stretching across his face, Gladiator floated closer to the German. "I'll get you for this, you little baka!" Asuka screeched hatefully, staring at the door. "You and that stupid albino whore of yours! I'm going to -!"
"Be silent, wench!" Gladiator ordered, causing Asuka to spin about and face him. Her eyes widening, she looked up…and up…and up until she finally was looking him in the face.
At first, the German was taken aback by Gladiator's appearance. But it didn't take long for her to regain her normal temperament, at which point Asuka sneered, "And who are you supposed to be? Captain Bad-Hair Day?"
"I am the enforcer of milady's will," he declared, raising her arms and flexing his mountainous muscles. "I…am Gladiator!"
"Yeah, yeah! Whatever, freak!" Asuka sneered before returning her attention to the door. Only to gasp in shock as Gladiator picked her by the scruff of her shirt. Kicking wildly as she hung in mid-air, the German directed an outraged look at the caped warrior. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
"Silencing you, and dealing just punishment to those who would stand in my way!" Gladiator declared, noting the silent cheers of Kensuke in the back of his mind. Cheers that had him smiling as well.
There was no doubt. They were both going to enjoy this.
"Sorry it's so hot, you two," Misato apologized as she led Shinji and Rei to one of the cafés within NERV. "Ritsuko's still trying to get the power systems up and running again, but it shouldn't be much longer now."
"Oh, that's alright, Misato," Shinji replied easily as he and Rei sat themselves down. Smiling despite the heat and stuffy air. "Do you…know what caused the blackout yet?"
"No, not yet," Misato answered with a shake of her head. It had been a while since Shinji and Rei had emerged onto the bridge, only to find it lit by candles and everyone sweating profusely, with only Gendo and Fuyutsuki somehow coming off as cool and in command. The Captain herself had long since shed her flight jacket, and was definitely looking forward to when the air conditioning was switched back on.
Taking a moment to be thankful that she had been able to go to the bathroom at least, a slight frown appeared on Misato's face. "Though…" she started, thinking of the concerns raised earlier. About the possibility of sabotage.
"Though what?" Shinji wondered, as Rei leaned forward in greater interest.
For a time, Misato considered her next words, frowning as she did. The she smiled brightly, waving aside the concerns of both of them. They were only children, after all, despite their roles in the Angel War. They didn't deserve to be burdened any further. "Oh, it's nothing," she finally said. She then looked at Shinji with an impish twinkling in her eyes. "Still, I can't believe you locked Asuka out of the Geofront!"
His smile quickly erased, Shinji lowered his gaze to the table. "I'm sorry, Misato. It's just…"
"No, I understand, Shinji. Asuka had no right doing what she did, wasting all that time like that. After all, if an Angel were attacking right now, her actions would have put the entire world in danger," Misato told him in thoughtful manner. "Besides, when she hears about all the fun we've been having here today, she probably won't complain too much."
"I doubt it," Shinji commented mildly, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can't believe her. How can Kaji stand to live with someone like that, anyway?"
A hint of sadness in her eyes, Misato walked over to Shinji's side, placing a caring hand on his shoulder. "She's not all that bad, Shinji. In fact, I got know her pretty well, back when I lived inGermany."
"What?" Shinji gaped.
"Yeah. And…well, I can't go into it right now, but…let's just say that she hasn't had it very easy," Misato admitted. While she was considering what to say next, the Captain was almost blinded when the gentle lights of the café turned on, and the life support systems began blowing clean air once again.
Smiling as cool air blew against him, Shinji commented, "I guess Akagi-san's done."
"That's Ritsuko for you," Misato nodded, heaving a deep breath of relief. "Ah, air conditioning. You gotta…"
Before she could continue, however, she felt something chill her to the bone. Like something had just stepped on her grave. "Misato?" Shinji asked, looking worriedly at his guardian as she struggled with the strange sensation. "What is it?"
"I…I don't know," Misato admitted, trying to relieve Shinji's concerns as she tried to decipher what had just happened. "I just…got a little dizzy, and…"
Once again, however, Misato was cut off. This time by a massive crashing sound from someplace distant, followed by the blaring of alarms.
"What's happening?" Shinji asked as he looked wildly about. Rei, on the other hand, was the picture of calm, her young face focused, her eyes narrowed in concentration.
"I don't know, but we should get to the bridge!" Misato declared, even as Rei rushed off ahead of them.
"What is that thing?" Ritsuko cried out as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. The dummy program she had run through the MAGI had just finished running, even as she completed the process of restoring power to the Geofront. It would still be many hours before Tokyo-3 was back online, but that was acceptable, and the end of the blackout was well within sight.
Then the sound of metal being ripped apart had sounded through the bridge, causing all eyes to fall on the Eva cages. As everybody on the bridge was sent scrambling about, trying to get a better view of what was going on, they saw a huge man flying about the base, a long, red cape fluttering behind him. Ritsuko had no idea who sounded the alarm, but as she scrutinized the being that hovered about, a fierce scowl decorating his purple face, she felt a yawning pit of fear opening up in her stomach.
"Hear me, heathens of NERV!" the flying man called out, his forceful voice drawing the eyes of all those watching him. "I am Gladiator, enforcer of milady's will. I am her tool, her voice, and her weapon! And I am here to deliver a message to you."
While Ritsuko just stood there, standing in awe of what the being, Commander Ikari came forward with Fuyutsuki at his side. The bearded man narrowed his eyes as he looked up at Gladiator, not a trace of fear in his features. "I am Commander Ikari of NERV," Gendo announced, unflinchingly resolute. "What is this…message of yours?"
Looking down his nose at Gendo, Gladiator boomed, "You who have dared to stand against Adam, the All-Father, and have consistently lashed out at his children, have tempted milady's wrath! And now, I will show you the penalty of your arrogance and imprudence! The penalty that is my power, and my fury!"
Gladiator then brought his fists down upon his chest, upon the broken golden triangle that decorated it. Helpless to do anything but watch, Ritsuko saw the break in the triangle be erased, and the whole triangle glow, sending forth a rippling glow that covered Gladiator's entire body. As the glow passed, his costume changed, becoming a heavy metallic armor with massive shoulder and knee pads.
"What in the…?" Maya gasped as Gladiator smiled fiercely. The interior of his golden triangle then glowed brightly, before spitting out two bolts of light that shot into his hands. When the purple-skinned warrior took hold of the bolts of light, they resolved into massive broadswords that looked like they weighed a ton apiece.
Ritsuko's gaze was torn from Gladiator by the sound of feet pounding towards her. Looking about, she saw Misato, Shinji, and Rei arrive, various looks of concern on their faces. "What's going on here?" Misato demanded as she came up alongside of her friend. "And who's that?"
"He calls himself Gladiator!" Makoto spoke up, his eyes owlishly huge behind his glasses. "He says he's here to punish us for fighting the Angels!"
"What?" Misato screeched, trying to get closer, to get a better view. She was just in time to see Gladiator float towards Unit 02, which was still held securely within its gantry.
"Behold now the penalty of your foolishness!" Gladiator cried out, crossing his swords in front of his chest before slashing them downwards. The twin blades extended into huge beams of light that sliced through the shoulders of Unit 02 without resistance, leaving its arms to fall away into the depths of its LCL bath. Not losing momentum, he then spun about, cleaving through Unit 02's neck and waist with equal ease, shattering the gantry and sending the LCL bath that nourished the Eva spilling all over the interior of the cages.
"No!" Misato screeched, her face twisted with horror as Gladiator rose up to survey his handiwork. Almost immediately, her horror shifted into rage. "Damn you! Stop this at once!"
Turning about in mid-air, Gladiator moved closer to the bridge, scanning Misato's face. Much to Ritsuko's surprise, the purple titan's face seemed to soften as he nodded to her. "I have no reason to continue," he spoke, much to everyone's surprise. "I believe this display of power makes for a sufficient demonstration."
"A demonstration?" Misato snarled wrathfully. "What the hell kind of game are you playing here? Why are you attacking us?"
"Because that is milady's will," Gladiator answered nonplused. "And her will is my law." Returning his attention to the broken Eva, the caped warrior floated towards it once again. All the while Ritsuko and everyone else were helpless to do anything but watch.
But this did not hold true for everyone. Something that was made clear when two bolts of electric blue appeared from out of nowhere, and slammed directly into Gladiator. The mighty figure cried out in pain, convulsing within the corona of lightning that now surrounded him. Then, with a fierce growl, he flexed his muscles and ripped his way free of the blasts.
"Who dares to strike me so?" Gladiator demanded, his eyes lighting up with red fire as he swiveled his gaze about in search of his assailant.
"I did," responded a quiet, female voice, at which Gladiator looked about, narrowing his eyes dangerously. When the NERV personnel looked in the same direction, they saw a girl made of living quicksilver riding a board of the same material come into view, power dancing about her hands.
"Her…" Gendo growled under his breath, his frustration and hatred plain to all those who heard him.
"You are the Silver Surfer," Gladiator commented, looking over the silver-skinned girl. "For what reason do you attack me?"
"To stop you from hurting anyone here, Gladiator," the Silver Surfer returned, showing little emotion as she confronted the purple titan. "That is your name, isn't it?"
Nodding, the flying warrior responded, "I am Gladiator, but my reason for coming here is not to bring harm to any innocents."
"Then what is your purpose in coming here?" the Silver Surfer asked with deceptive mildness. "Why did Storm order you to attack NERV?"
The widening of Gladiator's eyes was the only sign of shock he allowed to slip through his emotional armor. "You know milady's name?" he murmured, speaking with a tone of supreme reverence.
Nodding, the Surfer answered, "I do. And I ask you again; why did Storm order you to attack NERV Headquarters?"
The silence spread out into an uncomfortable length before Gladiator spoke once more. "That is none of your concern," he finally retorted. "But know this; if you seek to impede my mission, I will not hesitate to slay you, should it prove necessary."
That said, Gladiator began to float away, once again moving towards the shattered Unit 02. Only to stop when the Silver Surfer skimmed in front of him, taking up position between the titan and his goal. "The fate of humanity is my concern, and if your actions here endanger this world, then I have no choice but to stop you."
"Your actions have already endangered this world!" Gladiator retorted savagely. "Milady has ordered me to undo your foolishness! Now stand aside and allow me to accomplish my mission!"
This time it was the Surfer's turn to fall silent. When she finally spoke, however, her voice was dangerously quiet. "You're trying to revive Adam."
"What?" Misato gasped out in horror.
"Yes," Gladiator admitted. "It was the loss of the All-Father that sent his children into madness. Now milady commands me to rectify your mistake! Now…let me pass so I can claim what is mine!"
"Don't do it!" Misato shrieked. As Ritsuko turned to look at her friend, she saw an almost green caste in her eyes. "If that thing is helping the Angels -!"
"Be silent!" Gladiator roared, locking gazes with Misato. Though startled, the purple-haired woman refused to back away, and just stood there, staring at Gladiator. Neither aware that the caped warrior had made a deep error in judgment. Taking full advantage of his distraction, the Silver Surfer fired two bolts of raw power straight at him, slamming him directly in the chest. Off his guard, the purple warrior was hurled directly into the far wall, the metal dented by the sheer force of his impact.
"Listen to me, all of you! It is too dangerous for you to remain here!" the Silver Surfer cried out as she turned to face them. "You must get away from here as quickly as you can!"
"What?" Misato retorted, but was too late as the Surfer shot off to face her enemy.
"Misato, she's right! We have to get out of here!" Ritsuko said pleadingly to her friend, even as most of the staff turned and started running from the bridge. When the Captain returned her look, the doctor took hold of both her shoulders. "There's nothing we can do here, and there's no way we'll be able to mobilize the Evas with that monster out there!"
"Agreed," Gendo hissed, looking at the two women. He looked tempted to say something further, but then he looked at the confrontation that was now brewing and decided to escape as well.
Looking mad enough to chew through solid steel and spit it back out in the form of a hailstorm of bullets, Misato finally looked at her friend. Then she looked at Shinji and Rei, who were still standing there at her side. Then, with immeasurable reluctance, she nodded. "Alright."
Not wasting any more time, Ritsuko joined the other three in fleeing for their lives.
"I won't let you revive Adam!" the Silver Surfer declared, her voice far fiercer than she had ever heard it before. Shooting forward on her board, she came to float before Gladiator, who had already recovered from the earlier attack. "He has already caused death and destruction beyond what you can imagine! I won't let him cause any more!"
"You have no say in this! Milady commands the All-Father's revival, and what she commands, I will make come to pass!" Gladiator retorted. His eyes narrowed, then glowed before spitting out twin beams of crimson destruction at the Surfer. With both of their AT-Fields already spread and neutralizing each other, the silver-skinned heroine quickly shielded herself with her board while firing a bolt of lightning blue at her enemy.
To her surprise, the golden triangle on Gladiator's chest glowed brightly, before sending a bolt of light into his left hand that transformed into a circular shield. Easily deflecting the attack, the purple warrior locked his deadly gaze on his opponent. "Very well. If your intention is to stand against me…then I will make certain that you fall before me!"
Once again, the triangle glowed fiercely, spitting out a series of disk-like blades at the Surfer. Once again shielding herself with her board, the Silver Surfer was unprepared when Gladiator shot at her, spreading out his right arm and catching her across the waist. Torn free of her board, the girl's skin shifted from silver to a metallic grey as Gladiator tossed her up, his eyes once again shining death at her.
Agony flooded every nerve in her body as the beams burned into her flesh, sending her flying higher before the board finally was able to respond to her distress. Coming between the Silver Surfer and Gladiator, it quickly embraced its mistress in its protective sheath, mending her wounds before she once again surfaced.
But Gladiator would allow his opponent no respite. Shooting at her again, a broadsword forming in his hand, he caught the Silver Surfer just as she was emerging from the board and drove his bladed weapon straight into her midriff. Her jaw falling open in sudden pain as she was once again torn free of her board, the metallic girl could only hang there helplessly while he whipped his sword, slicing her in two.
Sheer agony burning through her segmented body, the Silver Surfer flailed her arms about helplessly as gasps of pain escape her lips. Gladiator filled her eyes, the golden triangle glowing before spitting out a volley of missiles to rain down upon her. Pain and terror overwhelming her entirely, she brought up her hands, her mind crying out desperately for her board.
As before, the board shot down to her, absorbing and restoring her broken body before flying through the floor of the Eva cages, allowing Gladiator's assault to explode harmlessly.
Phasing through the metal as if it were air, the Silver Surfer was allowed a brief reprieve, and quickly considered her situation. It was obvious that Gladiator easily wielded powers equal to her own, and was clearly skilled in close combat. Whether this was due to the native mentality of the bearer or the influence of the Helmet, she didn't know, but she did know that the person she was fighting was now utterly without remorse, and would not leave without accomplishing his mission.
I cannot allow him to revive Adam! was the Silver Surfer's one thought. The destruction caused by the 1st Angel and everything he created in the past cemented this resolve, even as she directed the board back towards the Eva cages. I have to stop Gladiator!
This did not change the fact that the Silver Surfer would have felt better if she was certain she could do so. Especially with the knowledge that, somewhere within Gladiator's hulking frame was someone who was completely innocent. Someone who just been luckless enough to be caught up in all of this madness, and was now a puppet in this battle.
Still…I have to try! the Silver Surfer thought fiercely as she emerged from the protective embrace of the board, girding herself for battle. The very metal of the Eva cages rippling as she reappeared, she quickly searched for her opponent, and saw him. He was standing atop the shattered Unit 02, ripping away the metal, as if he were searching for something.
Not wasting a moment, the Silver Surfer fired off twin bolts of destruction at her enemy. Staggering Gladiator, the mercurial girl watched as she sent him flying backwards once more. Only to gasp as he shot backwards and then up, where he gazed at her with deadly intention. Blazing red launching from his eyes once more, the quicksilver girl quickly dodged while firing off her own desperate counterattack. Evading the ill-aimed blast, Gladiator charged directly at her, a sword once again appearing in his hand.
Fully aware of what would happen if he were allowed to close in on her, the Silver Surfer skimmed along the walls of the Eva cages, launching bolt after bolt of power at her enemy, only to see him parry them effortlessly with a new shield. Utterly relentless in his pursuit of his enemy.
Realizing that her current tactics weren't effective, the Silver Surfer decided to try something different. Shooting up to the ceiling, she continued to look back at Gladiator, firing at him the entire time. The purple titan effortlessly fended off her attacks and continued to close the gap between the two of them, flying as fast as he was able. Only to cry out in surprise when she melted into the ceiling.
Though she couldn't see Gladiator through the reinforced metal, the Silver Surfer could still sense the tremendous crashing din that resulted when he impacted with the ceiling. An impact that would hopefully leave him dazed and confused for the precious few moments she needed. Losing no time, the mercurial surfboarder shot back down into the Eva cages.
When she reemerged into the impromptu battlefield, the Silver Surfer found her foe glaring at the ceiling in an accusing manner. Without hesitation, she hammered Gladiator, pouring all her power into twin blasts of pure destruction that sent him flying backwards. Giving her enemy no quarter, no chance to regain control of this battle, she slowly pushed him back. The death that would be Adam fueling her onslaught as she forced Gladiator towards a wall.
"Gladiator! Tell Storm that no matter what happens, no matter the danger, Adam must never be revived!" the Silver Surfer declared. "The danger to both our races is too great to let that happen!"
Snarling savagely, Gladiator looked at the Surfer with burning eyes. "I will deliver your message…upon the completion of my mission!" Screaming red death shot forth from his eyes once again, forcing the Silver Surfer to duck beneath the attack. Allowing him enough of a respite to take his shield and whip it at the girl. The shield scattering the superwoman's beams, it spun about like a Frisbee, forcing her to dodge it even as Gladiator once again charged her.
In a desperate gambit to get some distance from her enemy, the Silver Surfer dived into nearest available shelter; the LCL in which Unit 01 was still immersed in, hoping against hope that Gladiator would follow her in. She was not disappointed, for the warrior soon appeared, firing disks of destruction from his chest that shattered the purple Eva's armor. Shooting up and around Unit 01, the Surfer shot through the metal dividing Unit 01's gantry from Unit 00. As soon as she was in the next area, she turned about and readied herself.
With all the subtlety of an N2, Gladiator blasted his way through to the next bath, shattering the metal with the power of his eyes and blasting apart Unit 00's leg in the process. Just as the Silver Surfer angled herself so that she was out of the path of his assault, putting her in a perfect position to attack. But instead of attacking the purple titan directly, she transmuted the LCL surrounding him into a boulder of crystal. Only his head remained exposed, allowing her to see the shocked expression on his face when he found himself utterly helpless.
Satisfied that she was now victorious, the Silver Surfer rose up and out of the LCL bath, her power wrapped about the crystal boulder like a tractor beam. Soon, both the girl and Gladiator were hovering about in mid-air, with her carefully angling her prisoner so that he could not attack with his optic beams. "This battle is over, Gladiator," the Silver Surfer announced, recalling Lilith's words. "Now, allow me to remove your Helmet, and I will set you free."
Visibly stung by the superwoman's words, Gladiator snarled at her wrathfully as he struggled against his prison. "Never! I am milady's servant!" he shouted, every word reflecting his determination as his muscles bulged against the crystal. As an ominous cracking fill the air, the Silver Surfer could only stare as the warrior concluded, "Even if I were to die doing so, her bidding will be…done!"
With a final flexing of his muscles, Gladiator shattered the boulder as if it were made of rock candy. Surprised by this demonstration of might, the Silver Surfer was unable to avoid the many shards of crystal, and with a squawk of pain, she was again torn free of her board. Within seconds of losing contact of her board, she found herself gasping in even further pain as a massive set of fingers wrapped about her wrist. "Understand this, Silver Surfer," he declared, lifting her up to look her in the face. Something solemn peeking out from behind his eyes. "I bear you no ill will, and I understand why you fight. But I must obey milady's commands."
Seizing this opportunity, the Silver Surfer scowled with as much force as she could muster. "The only reason you obey Storm is because the Helmet forces you to," she spoke, buying her board the time it needed to recover her. "You are not even acting according to your own will!"
While Gladiator raised an eyebrow at this, the Silver Surfer watched as her board came closer…only to knocked away by a slash of the sword that had just appeared in the titan's hand. "Perhaps, but that does not change the fact that I must obey milady's will. Nor can I allow you to interfere any longer." With that, the triangle on his chest once again glowed, and the Silver Surfer was sent flying through the air, in agony even before she crashed harshly into the wall.
Grunting in torment, the Silver Surfer looked down at herself to assess the damage done to her. Only to gasp in horror upon seeing a human-sized double of the Lance of Longinus sticking out of her stomach. Her breathing coming that much more quickly as blood streamed down from her grievous injury, her hybrid physiology likely the only thing keeping her alive, she instinctively grabbed hold of the Lance and tried to yank it free. When this failed, she looked about wildly, searching for her board, waiting for it to come and save her once again.
There was no sign of it.
Lilith? Where's the board? Why won't it respond? the Silver Surfer asked, reaching out with her mind. Her horror deepening when there was no response. Lilith? Please answer me! I need your help! Lilith!
"Do not bother trying to summon your board, Surfer." Gasping aloud, the metallic girl looked up to see Gladiator descending towards her, his stern expression showing no triumph. "Though the Lance that holds you captive is an imperfect copy, its disruptive effects prevent you from using the light of your soul to command your board."
At these words, the Silver Surfer's eyes went wide with horror. Her vulnerability driving even more deeply into her than the duplicate lance. She was alone. She could not summon her board. She could not contact Lilith. She was utterly and completely helpless, unable to do anything to protect herself.
Unable to escape Gendo when he came to punish her for her defiance.
"No…" the Silver Surfer got out, trembling in fear as she imagined what Gendo would happily do to her as a helpless prisoner. "You would…leave me trapped here? For NERV to find me?"
"That is not my intent. Once I am gone, the Lance will dissipate, allowing you to summon your board," Gladiator stated with a measure of compassion. But then his face hardened even more as he said, "But know this, Silver Surfer. I have spared you only because milady commanded me to not harm any innocents if at all possible. So consider yourself fortunate this day. For if you attempt to interfere with me again in the future…I may not be so generous." With that, Gladiator shot away from the Silver Surfer, leaving her helpless to hang high above the floor, watching her blood stream down her battered body.
True to Gladiator's word, less than a minute later, the Lance he had impaled her with dissipated. Gasping as she began to fall, the Silver Surfer almost fainted with relief when she saw her board fly up towards her, responding to her peril as it normally did. As she was absorbed into its quicksilver substance, she could feel her battered body being restored.
But even as she emerged from the board, again sheathed in silver, the Silver Surfer frowned at the damaged Eva cages, and more importantly, the bloody stains that remained from her impalement. For while the board had healed her body, it could do nothing to change the fact that she had been thoroughly defeated that day.
And in her failure, the Silver Surfer may well have allowed the Angels to come one step closer to fulfilling Adam's grim vision for the world.
"Eeeerrgh!" Asuka groaned miserably as she sat at her table, glaring pure hatred at Shinji. "Just so you know, 3rd Child…I'm gonna kill you for this!"
"Oh sure, blame someone else for what happened! That's what you always do, isn't it?" Shinji retorted, a sour expression decorating his face.
"Well, you're the one who shoved me out on the streets and left me with that big purple monster, remember?" Asuka told him with a snarl that was half-whimper. Shaking her head hatefully, the German seemed to be on the verge of tears. "That big, ugly monster…how could he do that to my Eva? To me…?"
Resisting the temptation to hold her hands to her ears, Rei thought back to how Asuka had been brought down to the Geofront a short time after Gladiator had departed. Apparently, Storm's servant had found the German and used the hatch Shinji had pushed her out of to affect his entrance into NERV.
As for Asuka, Gladiator had made certain that the redhead would not be able to sound any alarms. For when Section 2 had found her, she was hanging from the top of a streetlight that had been wrapped around her, and her posterior was glowing bright red. Which was why she now had a bag of ice situated beneath her buttocks.
Wincing as she recalled the look of absolute horror on Asuka's face upon seeing what Gladiator had done to Unit 02, as well the way she had screeched her outrage, sending everyone within earshot fleeing, covering their ears, Rei frowned and tried to focus her thoughts on the ancient being she was connected to. Lilith…why didn't you warn me that it was possible to block my link to the board?
Because only a weapon like the Lance of Longinus would have that capability, Lilith responded instantly. I was unaware that Gladiator was capable of generating such a weapon, however. Neither he nor any wielding an Angelic Arm created by Adam had ever demonstrated such a capacity in the past.
I see, Rei spoke mildly, considering the logic of it. Adam had created his Angelic Arms to wage war on humanity. If any of their bearers were turned against him in the manner as the first Angels, the last thing he would want was for them to wield weapons capable of doing him genuine harm.
I am truly sorry, child, Lilith continued, her woe plain to Rei. Believe me, if I had known Gladiator was capable of such a thing, I would have warned you.
Sighing, Rei nodded her belief. Though she was long since used to Lilith withholding information when the 2nd Angel saw fit, she had never out-and-out lied to her. And she doubted she would start now, when things were so dire. Which brought to mind another problem. Lilith...during the battle, I saw Gladiator ripping through Unit 02. He must be aware that the Evas were cloned from Adam.
A logical assumption, child, Lilith concurred.
It's also logical to assume that he was able to retrieve some of its organic tissue before he left, Rei frowned, her failure still burning at her. Lilith…is it possible? Could Storm use a piece of Unit 02 to revive Adam?
There was an ugly pause before Lilith answered, the kind that Rei was all too familiar with. With only a sample of flesh from the Evas cloned from him, no, it is not. There was another, even uglier pause before she admitted, But…if other things were used, and if Tabris, who was bequeathed Adam's full soul upon his death, were to aide in the process…then there is a danger.
Closing her eyes, Rei lowered her head. I see, was all she said in response. All she could say after so much had gone wrong.
As Rei was becoming further lost in her gloom, she was brought out of it by the sound of the doors hissing open. At once, Shinji and Asuka stopped arguing as Rei looked up to see Misato enter the café. With a decidedly unhappy expression on her face.
Blinking in the face of his guardian, Shinji asked the obvious question. "Misato? Is…something wrong?"
"Not exactly," Misato responded, looking somberly at the three of them. "Look…I need the three of you to come with me to the bridge. Commander Ikari has something he wants to show you."
"Father?" Shinji asked. "What does he want?"
Her lips parting slightly, Misato looked like she was about to explain. After a moment, however, she lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, Shinji. He told me to come and get you three, and nothing else." Sighing wearily, the Captain looked about at the three pilots before shrugging and asking, "So…could you please come along?"
"Oh, sure! That's easy for you to say!" Asuka complained, before adding to her commentary in German. However, her tone of voice was sufficient to make Rei glad that she did not understand that language.
With great reluctance, the three of them stood and followed Misato to the bridge. When they reached their objective, they found Ritsuko and the usual bridge personnel present. Commander Ikari was seated in his usual position, seated above the bridge. The perfect vantage point for him to look down upon those who worked for him, almost like a king surveying his many vassals.
However, Gendo didn't look very kingly at the moment. His face was a mass of dark clouds swirling about him, his fingers interlaced so tightly it seemed inevitable that he would snap them all off. "Commander Ikari," Misato spoke as she and the three pilots looked up at him. "The Children are all here as ordered, sir."
"Thank you, Captain," was Gendo's terse response. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at them, his expression sufficient to paralyze a basilisk. "I just received word from the JSSDF. According to them, an Angel appeared on the shores ofJapanseveral hours ago."
"An Angel? Now?" Misato howled, her eyes expanding in horror. "But Commander, the Evas -!"
"The Angel is no longer an issue, Captain Katsuragi," Gendo announced, his voice causing chills to run up and down Rei's spine. "Approximately two minutes after it broke water, it was completely destroyed."
"What?" Asuka blurted, fresh horror filling her face.
"Does the JSSDF know who or what is responsible?" Misato asked while Shinji looked on in confusion.
"Yes. They sent us recordings from one of their surveillance satellites," Gendo announced before looking from them to Ritsuko, ordering her without speaking.
"Right. Maya?" Ritsuko spoke, hesitation and fear marking her features.
"Alright," Maya answered, her fingers soon dancing about on her keyboard. Soon, a holographic display appeared, showing the Angel taking its first steps onto land. After staggering about for a while, it approached the mountains…only to be intercepted by a silver projectile rimmed with blue lightning. A silver projectile Rei knew only too well.
"No way…" Asuka gasped out as the video continued, ending with a close-up of the Silver Surfer surveying the decimated Angel before shooting back to Tokyo-3. Leaving the German to stand there with her eyes bulging in horror. "That bitch…got another one?"
"Wow! I'm calling that the Silver Bullet!" Makoto announced with geekish glee. Completely ignoring the stares that were leveled at him as a result.
A sneer curling the corner of his lip, Gendo shifted his gaze from their resident otaku to Misato and the pilots. "I'm certain you are all aware of the Committee's official position on such vigilantes," he continued, his anger held under tight, waning control. "To put it very bluntly, when they learn of this disaster, they will not be pleased. With any of us."
If Gendo had something else to say, Rei never learned of it. For a moment later, Asuka growled mightily before completely exploding. "Nooo!" the German cried out hatefully. Shaking her fists impotently at the holographic image of the Silver Surfer. "I don't believe this! IT'S NOT FAIIIIIIRRRR!"
Author's Notes: Well, I hope the battle between the Silver Surfer and Gladiator satisfied! Please, read and review! And maybe check out some of my other stories?
Now, in going over my stories, I've noticed a great many flaws creeping in. In particular with this story is that I often forgot about AT-Fields in combat. I apologize, simply because it often seems like the Fields rarely have any real impact in the series, with neither side benefiting from them. And I got so caught up in the battles that I tended to forget. So I've gone back over this story, one chapter at a time, and began patching up my mistakes. I hope you all like what I've done.
Also, I hope none of you are too disappointed with the quick demise of the 9th Angel, but that one always struck me as sort of the deadweight of the enemy. All it really did was sit around, dripping acid, and it was finished off with one burst of gunfire. So I decided to just get rid of it quickly and get it out of the way.
00idiot, I hope you are satisfied with the explanation of the Helmet and how it and the other artifacts came into existence.
Archdruid-Sephiroth, I'm glad you like my little addition to Storm's arsenal.
Brax the Great, I'm just going to have Happosai stick to the omakes. And speaking of which…
Omake 1
"Thanks! Come again!" Kensuke spoke cordially as one of his fellow students happily walked away with one of his photographs.
"Man, Kensuke, you are a miracle worker!" Toji gaped as he counted all the thousands of yen that were currently in his hands. "How the heck did you get these awesome photos, anyway?"
"Well, to be honest, I'm not exactly sure," Kensuke admitted as he waited on the next person in line.
"Huh?" Toji gawked, raising an eyebrow at his friend and fellow entrepreneur. "What do you mean, you're not sure?"
"Well, I found the pictures and negatives next to my bed when I woke up this morning," Kensuke explained. "It was pretty strange. I had just had the most awesome dream, too!"
Frowning, Toji considered the matter. On the one hand, he didn't like not knowing how his buddy had gotten such pictures, especially since they were so hormonally inspiring. Then again, considering the amount of money they were raking in, he decided he really shouldn't complain.
Still, I wonder who the big purple dude with Asuka is? Toji wondered, examining one particular picture that displayed a heavily muscled man with purple skin and a strange costume. He was standing right next to Asuka, who was wrapped up in a streetlight, and was holding up her skirt so that the camera got a perfect view of her posterior, even as he hefted a paddle suggestively in his other hand.
"Step right up, folks! Pictures of the Red Devil getting what's hers! Only 2000 yen per picture!" Kensuke called out to the unending line of clients.
Omake 2
Gladiator, do you hear me? Storm asked pleadingly.
"I hear you, milady!" Gladiator responded instantly as he soared over the streets of Tokyo-3. "I am happy to report that my mission to NERV Headquarters was a resounding success!"
I'm glad to hear that, but I have another mission for you, Storm informed him. This may be the most important mission I ever give you, and it is absolutely essential that you complete it at any cost!
"Command me, milady!" Gladiator responded, steeling himself to this task. "No matter what it is you wish of me, your will be done!"
Very well. There is a man you must find for me, Storm explained, slowly detailing the essentials of Gladiator's assignment…
"Woohoo! Whatta haul! Whatta haul!" came the demented cackling of an old man running at a speed that would be considered far in excess of what a man his age should be capable of. A bandana on his head and sack filled with women's lingerie on his back.
"Halt, you fiend!" came a strong voice. When the old man turned about to look for the source, he saw a man with purple skin descend from the sky, wearing a red and purple costume.
"Hey! What do you want?" the old man demanded.
"Are you the one called Happosai?" the purple man demanded.
"Yeah, that's me," Happosai returned, losing what little patience he had. "So? What do you want?"
"I am Gladiator!" the caped warrior declared fiercely. "Milady sent me to retrieve that which you have stolen from her!"
"Oh, really? Well, here's what I say to that!" Happosai retorted, pulling down the lower lid of his right eye while sticking out his tongue. He then took off like a shot, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
"You will not escape my wrath, fiend!" Gladiator declared, taking off after the old man.
"Ooh, catch me if you can, you snot-nosed little punk!" Happosai chortled maniacally as he bounded about the various buildings and corners, never once losing pace.
Gritting his teeth as he hastened his pursuit of the fool who would dare steal the remains of the All-Father (not to mention Storm's lingerie), Gladiator continued to round the various corners and buildings. Then, much to his surprise, he saw the old man standing still, looking in a window.
"There you are!" Gladiator declared, landing right next to the old man. Happosai looked at the caped warrior and placed his finger to his lips, but Gladiator was having none of that. "Now, return what you have stolen, or -!"
"Ahhh! Perverts!" came a female screech. His eyes widening in surprise, Gladiator looked through the window, and saw many nubile young ladies covering up their bare bodies while screaming in horror.
Whoa, baby! Kensuke's hormonal mind shouted just before both Gladiator and Happosai were pelted with towels, soap, shampoo bottles, and just about anything the girls could grab hold of.
"Sorry, girls! Gotta run!" Happosai cried out before leaping away.
"Stop right there, you -!" Gladiator shouted, just before a safe crashed into his head, which was soon follow by many other heavy objects. The result was the purple titan falling from the roof, stars and comets flashing about in his head.
Milady, I'm afraid this might not be as easy as I once thought it would be, Gladiator thought unhappily, just before he slammed down to the ground headfirst.
(Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.)