A/N: Here is chapter two f my four-part finale that will take us to the halfway point of the events of the movie.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or Strike Witches but, I do own the original characters here
In his office, the Prime Minister of Fuso Shiro Hinamora sat at his desk phone in his hand. His twenty years old assistant Mari stood in front of the desk.
"All of he phone lines are dead." said Premier Hinamora clearly upset.
"Yes sir. It was confirmed three minutes ago missiles successfully impacted NERV." replied Mari.
"To think, this whole time NERV was secretly engineering Instrumentality to incited Third Impact! It makes me sick!" spat the Premier.
"Humanity is the only creature capable of trying to eradicate it's own kind." said Mari.
"The only option we have is to destroy NERV." replied Hinamora.
"Will Karlsland or Xing begin redeveloping?" asked Mari.
"No. Humanity will not make the same mistake again." answered Hinamora, "I want it certain that nobody can touch NERV for twenty years. Just like Tokyo-1."
Outside NERV, Marshal Aizen stood watching the headquarters like a hawk with Major Enma by his side. His men were reporting in the smoke caused from the bombardment of NERV was clearing and NERV had suffered heavily.
"Central Dogma and Unit-01 have been secured." reported the Major to her commander.
"What about Unit-02?" asked Aizen.
"It's been dropped into the lake seventy meters. We're not sure whether the pilot is even alive." answered Enma.
Inside the pod deep in Lake Ashinoko Hanna sat in her Strikers. Comatose since her failed suicide attempt the explosions from the missiles barrage stirred her awake.
"I'm still alive." said Hanna faintly as suddenly FMSDF depth charges exploded around her pod violently shaking the girl, "I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die.
"You're still alive Hanna. You cannot die yet." came a disembodied voice.
"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die." said Hanna repeating this statement.
"You're okay Hanna. You're still alive and I won't let you die." said the voice.
"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die." continued Hanna.
"You will keep living Hanna." said the voice as the words "Die with me" echoed in her head.
"You must not die. You must live. I won't let you die." repeated the voice.
"I don't want to die!" screamed Hanna who then found herself as a little girl face to face with her mother, "Mama, you've been here all along."
Hanna then grabbed her mother's hand and felt born again. Hanna then exploded out of the opening of the escape pod and shoot out of the lake like a bat out of hell.
"What the hell is that?!" asked one of the soldiers stationed outside.
"Fire!" cried his commanders the FGSDF began firing artillery shells at the girl along with a FMSDF destroyer stationed in Lake Ashinoko.
Hanna quickly ducked under the attacks and began flying over the lake drawing artillery fire from both sides while staying one step ahead thanks to her special Deflection Shooting magic. Flying a seemingly random pattern across the lake, she wanted until her position was just right before diving suddenly toward the water. FGSDF and FMSDF shells, targeted on the Striker, to bypassed or destroyed one another other before those that were left went on to take out both the ground soldiers and the destroyer.
"I get it mama. My shield. You were always protecting me." said Hanna as she dodged more FGSDF artillery shells and Mitsubishi AAM-4 air-to-air missiles fired by FASDF Mitsubishi F-2 fighter jets.
"You were also with me." said Hanna smiling as she fired a short burst from her FN-P90 destroying the missiles, "You never abandoned me."
Inside NERV the security of Unit-01 by the FGSDF was currently being compromised. The soldiers had gotten overconfident and were not expecting Sakamoto to charge at them with her car. The aimed their weapons anticipating she'd stop and get out but, the Major instead simply ran them over without a second thought.
"Unit-02 is activated! Hanna is taking on the FSSDF! She's alive!" reported a stunned Lynne over the pilfered radio which Sakamoto had reconfigured.
"That girl is something else!" said Sakamoto amazed.
Outside the FSSDF was doing everything in it's power to slow Hanna down but, it had no effect as Hanna's magic allowed her to consistently dodge attack and coax the FSSDF into firing on it's self with risky but, effect maneuvering.
"She'll ran out of magic eventually! Keep firing!" cried an FSSDF officer.
The FSSDF kept firing but, continued to miss. However, they got a lucky break when a Mitsubishi AAM-4 closed in on Hanna. She protected herself with her shield minimal harm.
"Scheiße!" snapped Hanna before quickly shrugging it off, "Just a minor set back. I'm still the greatest damn witch on the whole freaking planet and my mama is with me!"
Hanna then used her shield to deflect several more missiles before grabbing one and charging at the Mitsubishi F-15J that fired it. Hanna got mere feet from the jet before letting go of the missiles and taking the interception fighter out. She then noticed a pair of F-4 Phantom II jet headed her way.
"I can't lose!" cried Hanna who charged the two jets.
As the jets began firing, Hanna who used her magic to avoid being hit, then opened fire herself. Shells smashed into the cockpit of the nearest jet, right into the cockpit of the first jet killing the pilot ans sending the wreckage crashing into Lake Ashinoko. The other jet closed in but, she quickly advanced on it until she was in front of the cockpit of that jet. She used her gun to smash the canopy. Pulling out the bayonet she slit her wrist with, slashed of the pilot's throat before falling back to watch as he too crashed into Lake Ashinoko. Several more FASDF jets approached but, none lasted even long enough to even attempt an effective attack.
"Mama with me!" cried Hanna varying the old motto of Imperial Karlsland "God with us".
In their meeting room the SEELE monoliths had gathered. They were following the events at NERV and were happy with the progress at first, but now Hanna was threatening everything single-handle.
"That pesky witch is threatening everything. Luckily, we do posses an ace in the hole." said Maloney.
In the skies over Kangawa, nine bizarre planes were headed to Tokyo-3. They circled over head before transforming into mecha.
"So, these are my new opponents." mused Hanna.
"That son of a bitch Maloney has sent his Warlock series here. He's really showing no mercy." said Ferrara watching the battle for the bridge with the three technicians as a sudden realization hit her, "He's going to start right here."
Hanna was unsure what to make of the bizarre creatures before her. The only thing she knew was they were enemies and she would defeat them. The nine Warlock encircled Hanna who at that moment got a message from her ear piece.
"Listen to me Hanna, I need you to destroy the Warlock. I'll have Yoshika there soon enough. Good luck and may God be with you." said Sakamoto on her cellphone. The Major was currently in the depths of NERV next to her damaged car and Yoshika.
"Yes ma'am." replied Hanna as Sakamoto was then transferred back to the bridge.
"Amaki, we can still reach Unit-01if we take rout-20 correct?" asked Sakamoto.
"That's right ma'am. If you can get there in the next several minutes it'll take you right to Unit-01." answered Amaki as Sakamoto hung up and faced Yoshika.
"Let's go." said Sakamoto grabbing Yoshika by the wrist and dragging her.
Outside Hanna stood surrounded by the Warlock. To make matters worse, she was totally out of ammo. However, the Star of Africa didn't flinch confident in victory.
"So I have to destroy these ugly things. To easy." smirked Hanna as she slung her gun over her shoulder, "I might be out of bullets but, unfortunately for you I received extensive swordsmanship training back home. I might have used a broadsword then but, my bayonet will suffice. You bastards a have the distinct honor of being slain by a Dame of the Bailiwick of Brandenburg of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the Hospital at Jerusalem! "
Hanna reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out her neck cross and slipped it over her head. She let out a fierce cry and charged the Warlock smashing her bayonet through the screen it used to see.
"Oh yeah." grinned Hanna.
Inside NERV, Sakamoto was dragging Yoshika to the elevator that would take her to Unit-01. The Third Girl drug on the ground like dead weight as she and Sakamoto stopped just outside the elevator shaft.
"Almost there." said Sakamoto.
Just at that moment a group of FGSDF soldiers saw the two and opened fire with their M4 Carbine assault rifles, wounding the Major as she dragged Yoshika ran through the door seconds before it could be destroyed by a Type 06 rifle grenade.
"They escaped!" cried the soldier who had fired the grenade.
"The target has escaped. Should we pursue? Over." asked the commanding officer over his radio.
("Negative. That area has be designated for demolition. Fall back immediately.") answered his superior.
"Roger." replied the solider.
In the dark elevator shaft, Yoshika stood staring at Sakamoto. The Major had been shot in the right kidney area, and was leaning against a wall using her right hand to prevent too much blood loss.
"So, the Special Forces Group is here too. I should have figured. At least that should buy us enough time." said Sakamoto through labored breaths, "Don't worry Miyafuji, I've felt worse. I did survive Second Impact after all."
Sakamoto then staggered to her feet, and pulled herself toward the nearby elevator. Pressing the button to summon the elevator, she was relieved to find it still working.
"Thank God we still have power. We have time." said Sakamoto before pinning the back of Yoshika against the gated door to the elevator, "Listen to me Miyafuji, from this point you're on your own. You'll have to make your own decisions what to do. Nobody can make these for you."
"I can't. I'm not good enough. I can't pilot Striker as long as it means hurting and killing people. I thought I had to pilot Striker but, that was a lie. I can't pilot Striker. I can't help anybody else. I did something awful to Hanna. I murdered Eila. I'm horrible. I'm a coward. I'd rather do nothing." replied Yoshika.
"I'm not feeling sorry for you. If you don't like pain then just sit here and the let the FSSDF kill you." snarled Sakamoto as Yoshika began to cry, "Crying won't help either Miyafuji!"
Yoshika didn't reply instead she stood silently as tears welled up in her eyes. Seeing this Sakamoto took a sigh.
"You hate yourself. That's why you hurt other people; you know deep down when you hurt someone else then if you get hurt. But Miyafuji, it's an acceptable choice because you made it on your own. It has value because you wanted it. You do have options, then just accept the choice you made." said Sakamoto.
"You're not me! You don't understand! You don't know what I go through!" cried Yoshika causing an angry Sakamoto to slam her against the gate.
"So fucking what if I'm not you?! That doesn't mean you can just quit!" yelled Sakamoto who then put her hand son the face of Yoshika, "I'll never forgive you if you do. I'm not perfect; I'm made my share of mistakes that I've later regretted and I've done it multiple times. Just a bitter cycle of hollow joy and then self-hatred. Regardless, I always learned something new about myself thanks to it. You have to pilot Striker for yourself. Find out why you're here What the proof of your existence even is. When you've answered your questions come back; I'll be waiting."
Sakamoto then removed the katana off her back and placed it in the arms of Yoshika. The Major then grabbed the younger girl by the shoulders and pulled her in for a deep kiss as the elevator doors opened.
"I'll see you when you get back. Just remember, there's nothing a witch can't do." said Sakamoto who then shoved Yoshika through the door.
As the elevator with Yoshika descended to the Striker cage, Sakamoto could be happy she had done her part. The Major then fell hitting the wall and slowly falling down until her body lay on the floor with a pool of blood forming around her.
"So, this is how it ends for me." said Sakamoto weakly before looking upward, "Shirley, I did the right thing, didn't I?"
Just then a phantom Sanya appeared before Sakamoto. Before the Major could react, the FSSDF explosive went off killing Sakamoto.
Inside the descending elevator, Yoshika stood whipping the tears from her eyes. Finally noticing the blood on her hand she realized she'd never see Sakamoto again and broke down weeping once more.
Outside, Hanna was continuing her person war against the Warlocks. She managed to grab one and stab it through it's screen as she slamming into the lake with it. She shot back out of the water and turned her attention to another, but just as she reached it; the mecha grabbed Hanna by the throat.
"Scheiße!" snapped Hanna but, the Karlsland witch was undeterred.
Hanna managed to slip out of the clutches of the Warlock. The girl then charged and put the Warlock into a sleeper hold before using her bayonet to cut the wires to the head.
As she finished that Warlock off another came at her using the sun as cover. Hanna shielded her eyes with her hand and saw the Warlock just in time to avoid being hit. She charged the Warlock avoiding multiple beam strikes.
"Damn the bastards won't quit! Of course Miyafuji is nowhere to be seen!" cried out Hanna.
Yoshika had made it to Unit-01 but, it was covered in Bakelite. As a result, she couldn't go anywhere if she wanted to.
Hanna continued to duel with the same Warlock. Eventually, she caught a break and stabbed the mecha in it's throat with her bayonet. Two more then charged, Hanna slashed the first with her bayonet then stabbed the second under it's head. A third Warlock jumped in Hanna but, she simply stabbed it with her bayonet.
Inside Terminal Dogma a woman was ready to put her plans into action. Minna stood on the platform across from Lilith still pinned to the cross. The naked Sanya stood next to her also staring at the Angel.
Nearby, Minna noticed Perrine sitting by the lake of LCL nearby.
"I've been waiting for you to arrive, Commander." said Perrine as she stood up, faced the duo and pulled a Taurus PT92 semi-automatic pistol out of her pocket and aimed it at them, "Commander, when I installed the new firewall to keep SEELE out I also changed the programming without permission."
Minna stood unphased while Sanya stood behind her. Perrine looked up to the heavens.
"This is the final act of a loving daughter dedicated to her mother. I'm ending this for you." said Perrine.
The smiling Gallian then contently closed her eyes and pressed the button on a controller in her left jacket pocket. This was supposed to self-destruct the base but, after a minute nothing had happened.
"What's wrong?!" asked Perrine worried as she pulled the controller out of her pocket to find Caspar had denied the self-destruct sequence, "I've been betrayed by the aspect of my mother as woman. First you chose Ichiro over me and now her daughter. How shallow."
As Perrine stood devastated by his revelation, Minna saw it fit to bring an end to the situation. The Commander pulled a Luger pistol out of her pocket and aimed it at the Gallian.
"Perrine Clostermann; the truth is, I've always loved Major Sakamoto." said Minna.
"You're a bitch." replied Perrine.
The Gallian girl was then killed with one gunshot to the chest. Her body fell backwards off the platform landing into the LCL with a splash. However, she saw a phantom Sanya appear before her in her final moments alive.
On the bridge, the FSSDF had not given up their attack despite the success Hanna had outside. They knew the technicians here were less trained and thus refused to relent.
"How's things going?" asked Amaki as all three technicians were currently ducking heavy gunfire.
"Hanna is fine but, she just recovered. She's bound to run out of magic quicker." answered Lynne monitoring the girl on her laptop.
"I cannot lose! I have mama watching after me!" cried out Hanna slamming a Warlock into a bridge nearby.
"Mother." said Yoshika thinking about the word in her head.
Hanna took the Warlock she had slammed into the bridge and threw it into another. As the two collided she immediately went after them.
"This is the coup de grâce!" screamed Hanna slamming into the two.
Tired and exhausted, Hanna floated over Lake Ashinoko, surveying what she'd done. However, before she could rest an unseen enemy fired a beam at her. She deployed her shield but, too weak to resist the attack for long. The beam destroyed the shield, sending the girl spiraling to the ground. She crashed through many tree branches just before impact, breaking many bones but, slowing her impact enough for her to survive. Battered and smeared with the blood of it's user, Unit-02 lay pieces around her.
"Unit-02 has been destroyed. The last of Hanna's magic is gone. She's a sitting duck." reported Lynne solemnly before horror replaced it, "The Warlock has regenerated."
Outside the Warlock had finished healing and were ready for the kill. Rising high into the sky, they began to circle around Hanna.
"They're going finish her." noted Nishiki grimly as she and Amaki had sat next to Lynne watching the scene unfold from her laptop.
Outside the Warlock had finished healing and were ready for the kill. The Warlock rose high into the sky and circled around Hanna.
"I can't watch!" cried Lynne adverting her eyes to the screen.
"She's finished." said Amaki.
The. Warlock looked down the the barely alive Hanna. The nine mecha then took aim and began readying their beams for one final shot.
On the ground, Hanna clung to life. The girl was bloodied and had both of her legs were broken by the fall but, she refused to give up. In her right hand she clutched the blade of her bayonet, the handle had been broken in the fall, and in her left hand she clutched her broken medal.
"I won't give up. I won't give up. I won't give up." snarled Hanna dragging herself on the ground, still determined to kill the Warlock.
Hanna kept dragging herself and at that moment a small amount of magic resurfaced and a red aura enveloped Hanna.
"She's going berserk!" cried Amaki.
"Stop Hanna." said Lynne to afraid to watch.
Hanna tried to lift herself off the ground but, it was to avail. Just then the Warlock fired their beams at the injured girl. Hanna managed to deploy a weak shield but, the beams easily penetrated it killing Hanna in an explosion that shook NERV.
"Hanna's dead!" cried out Lynne which Yoshika heard in the Striker Cage.
"I can't reach Unit-01. I'm useless." sighed Yoshika.
Just at that moment the hanger began to shake. Yoshika first though it was from the explosion outside but, as the Bakelite shattered a glowing Unit-01 sat waiting to be launched.
"Mother." said Yoshika astounded.
"Unit-01 has awoken at last. Perfect." said Minna down in Terminal Dogma.
Yoshika hoped in Unit-01 and quickly headed outside.
"It's Unit-01!" exclaimed Major Enma.
"God help us." added Marshal Aizen.
Yoshika rose into the sky ready to take action. However, the first thing she saw was a large cloud of smoke rising out of a crater. Realizing Hanna was gone, Yoshika let out a cry.
A/N: That concluded the first half of the ending. The majority of action is mostly done but, of course, there's still some more to come as next time the end begins. Please review.