Author's Note: The TVTropes page for this story – under the ImageLinks panel – has a little image that kind of gives the impression on how MFE!Zeruel appears.
Also, to ShinMazingerZ…that bit actually didn't come to mind when I first wrote it. At all. But now I can't help but think about it. Though, to be fair, Zeruel would make a pretty intimidating Batman. Or Batwoman, in this case.
Also, I suggest you have the following tracks from Evangelion 2.22 handy for this episode: 'Keep your head above the mayhem', 'The Final Decision We All Must Make', 'Sins from Genesis' (aka the Beast II), and 'Tsubasa'.
Begin!
xxxx
MY EXISTENCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN BOUND.
("WHAT IS THIS PLACE?" rumbled a voice that thundered like an avalanche. Glowing pinpricks within voids of pure darkness peered out from the alien chrysalis, staring fiercely at Keel Lorenz and the chrysalis that contained Tabris. "THIS FORM IS INCORRECT. THIS FORM IS BOUND. WHY AM I BOUND? WHY AM I WEAK?")
I PERMITTED IT ONLY BECAUSE OF TABRIS, THE FIRST AMONG EQUALS.
(An otherworldly pressure manifested in the dark chamber, causing the holographic monoliths of SEELE to flicker. A hazy image of a grimacing skull could be seen above Yomiko Nagisa; then, there was the voice of Thunder. "I HAVE TOLERATED YOUR PITIFUL MACHINATIONS ONLY BY THE WILL OF TABRIS. IF YOU DO NOT HEED HIS DEMAND, I WILL TAKE GREAT JOY IN BRINGING ABOUT YOUR RUIN.")
EVEN SO, THE [INDIGNITY/HUMILITY/WEAKNESS] OF MY POSITION VEXED ME.
(A haughty rumble echoed across the ether, amused by Tabris's suggestion of Yomiko's 'usefulness' to Commander Langley. IF MY TRUE [BODY/PRESENCE/FORM] WERE UTILIZED INSTEAD OF THIS [ABOMINATION/CUDGEL/TOOL], I WOULD SHOW THESE PATHETIC LILIM JUST HOW USEFUL I AM.)
HOWEVER...IT ULTIMATELY DID NOT MATTER. MY POSITION WAS NOT TO LEAD, OR DECIDE.
(The sorrow of Sandalphon's demise was keen. The melancholy of Tabris, poignant though it may be, would eventually subside. YOUR [EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/PERCEPTION] OF YOUR ENCOUNTER IS KNOWN TO ME. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE; YOU ARE THE ONE ENDOWED WITH THE [WILL/MENTALITY/MEMORIES] OF OUR [CREATOR/FATHER/SOURCE]. NO ONE ELSE.)
EVEN IF OUR [EQUALS/SIBLINGS/KIN] SQUABBLED, OR SCHEMED, OR OUTRIGHT REBELLED...
(The sickness of Iruel, so consumed was he with hate for the Lilim, fouled the ether through which the Angels communicated. This could not stand. YOUR [TASTE/NEED/OBSESSION] WITH VENGEANCE IS UNBECOMING. THE GREATER PICTURE HAS BEEN LOST ON YOU, HE WHO WOULD RATHER THE WORLD BURN BEFORE SEEKING [COMPLEMENTATION/UNITY/TRUTH]. In the mind's eye of Iruel, a grimacing skull flashed with light, seething with the finality of judgment. YOU ARE HIDEOUS. YOU ARE REPUGNANT. YOU ARE [INDECIPHERABLE].)
...HIS DECISION WAS [PREEMINENT/FINAL].
(THIS [FORTRESS/PIT/HELLMOUTH] CALLED TOKYO-3 HAS DEVOURED OUR [EQUALS/SIBLINGS/KIN] WITH UNERRING REGULARITY. IN THE FACE OF THE LILIM'S VICTORIES, OUR BRETHREN HAVE BEGUN TO DISAVOW THEMSELVES OF YOUR [WILL/PLAN/DIRECTION], SEEKING ALTERNATE PATHS: FROM THE HEIGHT OF RAMIEL'S MADNESS, TO THE DEPTHS OF IRUEL'S DEPRAVITY; FROM SANDALPHON'S DESIRED ALTRUISM, TO SAHAQUIEL'S DESIRED ANNIHILATION...I HAD TO TEST MY [RESOLVE/PHILOSOPHY/LIFE]. I CAME FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE DEFILER, AND STEPPED WITHIN THE BLACK MOON ITSELF. EVERY SINGLE PILOT THAT STANDS AGAINST US, I HAVE MET TODAY…THE EVANGELIONS, THE SUPREME COMMANDER, ALL OF IT…IRRELEVANT. YOUR WILL IS STILL PARAMOUNT, AND NOTHING ABOUT THAT WILL CHANGE. THE GREATER PICTURE STILL REMAINS, AND I ACCEPT MY [PLACE/ROLE/FUNCTION] WITHIN IT. WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, I WILL FOLLOW.)
AND NOW...I AM NO LONGER BOUND. I AM NO LONGER FETTERED.
(Yomiko glowed brightly as the Light of her Soul blazed, weighing heavily upon Gendo Ikari and his fellow Lilim. "THIS IS NOT A WARNING. THIS IS NOT A COURTESY. THIS IS A DECLARATION: ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, YOU WILL YIELD. PRAY THAT THE TASK DOES NOT FALL TO ME, FOR MY DESTRUCTION WILL BE ABSOLUTE. I WILL BE AS THE FIST OF GOD ITSELF, RAINING DOWN JUDGMENT FROM THE HEAVENS. AND THEN, THE BLACK MOON WILL BE OURS.")
I AM AT LAST FREE TO ACT AS I HAVE LONG DESIRED...AND NOW, AFTER THE [GRUELING/PURIFYING/BLOODY] CRUCIBLE THAT WAS BARDIEL'S STRATAGEM, THE BLACK MOON HAS ONLY ONE TRUE DEFENDER OF NOTE.
(I TIRE OF WAITING.)
SHINJI IKARI. THE DEFILER. THE LILIM'S GREATEST CHAMPION.
(With a supreme act of will, Zeruel unleashed destruction upon Berlin-2; many of the Lilim were atomized. Many more would burn.)
I AM COMING FOR YOU.
xxxx
Episode 29: ZERUEL (The Beast that shouted 'Ai' at the Heart of the World)
xxxx
/Debriefing Room, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
The footage was horrific.
A compendium of news cameras captured the hellish haze that erupted from beneath NERV-2, showing the Twentieth Angel from various angles. After moments of hovering menacingly above the city, the air around the Angel appeared to ripple before its eyes glowed brightly.
Then, spreading out in a wide arc eastward from NERV-2's position, massive crosses of energy erupted, incinerating at least half of the city. "Jesus…" murmured Misato Katsuragi.
The open sky greeted Berlin-2. Rising into the air, the Twentieth Angel's horrific face caught the light of the morning sun before disappearing within its smoky body. Before long, its entire form dissipated, scattering to the four winds. "…do we have any lead on the Angel's position?"
"No. The MAGI haven't been able to track anything," muttered Ritsuko, chomping absentmindedly on a corn cob pipe. "Its body is likely spread too far apart for a Pattern Blue to register."
"It will eventually reconvene here," said Gendo Ikari, staring stoically at a BBC newsfeed. It was never pleasant, watching bodies being pulled from the rubble. He forced himself to watch the ticker rolling across the bottom of the screen, which showcased a preliminary casualty figure of over one-hundred thousand. "And its power is formidable."
"…sir, I recommend a full evacuation of non-essential personnel from Tokyo-3." Misato turned towards the Supreme Commander. "I don't think the shelters will mean a damn thing to that monster."
"Agreed."
Kozou Fuyutsuki sighed mournfully at the rolling news footage. "…it's all a damn waste. Have we heard anything yet from NERV-2?"
Ritsuko shook her head. "Not yet." And wasn't that telling.
"Dr. Akagi; what's the status of Unit-00's repairs?"
The blonde grumbled in response to Gendo's question. "The limbs actually have a substantial connection, but full regeneration hasn't taken root yet. In short, Unit-00 is made of proverbial taffy: gooey, with no bones. And stretchy! AND POSSIBLY CHEWY!"
"Pull all Section 1 and Section 3 personnel that you need to get the Eva combat-ready. Even with the S2 Organ, Unit-01might be hard-pressed to defeat this new threat."
Misato arched an eyebrow at the Supreme Commander's omission. "What about the Jet Alone?"
"I have a sinking feeling that they won't matter against this Angel." And for good reason; Gendo recognized the face of the Twentieth Angel. It was a dead-ringer for the menacing skull that Yomiko Nagisa had manifested at their 'rendezvous' during her brief trip to Tokyo-3. Which means one of SEELE's pet nephilim has finally rebelled...and that's not taking into account the fact that the Mark 06 is AWOL. "And what of the Fourth Child? Have we found anything?"
"No sir," answered Ritsuko. "All communication has been lost with the Mark 06. None of the MAGI at the other branches have been able to ping it." The blonde glanced briefly at Misato before looking back at Gendo. "Professor…are we approaching the end?"
Misato blinked. "The end? What do you mean?"
"…in a sense." Gendo looked knowingly at the Sub-Director before standing. "HEROD, please seal the room."
"Done."
Misato stared warily at the Supreme Commander, appearing as a proverbial cat surrounded by wild dogs. "…what's going on?"
"Lieutenant Colonel. You have served NERV admirably. In your role as the Chief of Section 2 and the Operations Director, you have trained your people with exceptional diligence, all for the sake of rooting out threats to our mission to protect humankind. And through it all, your efforts to determine the truth about our enemies have not gone unnoticed, or did you not think that I was unaware of Inspector Kaji's work?"
Misato scowled, looking at the blonde doctor as one betrayed. "…if you're going to do something, just get it over with."
"Indeed we will, Katsuragi. You know that our adversaries are the Angels. You know that there are human elements who oppose us. Allow me to enlighten you as to our true enemies."
So Gendo spoke of SEELE; of the Human Instrumentality Project; of their clandestine influence and control over vast swaths of the world; of the true nature of the Nagisa Twins; of how ADAM was locked away inside Terminal Dogma, sealed away by the Lance; of how she had inadvertently delivered ADAM to his doorstep all those years ago via penguin.
By the end of it all, Misato was staring coldly at the floor, as a lot of pieces fell into piece. "…Pen-Pen…"
"It's a delicate dance that I've tried to maintain in light of SEELE's distaste for me. But now we're approaching the endgame; the actions of Zeruel and Tabris will provoke the old men into accelerating their plans. We must be ready for whatever comes our way."
"…okay. I get that. I just have one question though."
"Go ahead."
"Now that I'm thinking about it…is this how you got Shiro Tokita to work with you so easily?"
"Yes. He is aware of SEELE and ADAM."
"…so you told Shiro-freakin'-Tokita all of this before me?!"
There was a dead silence in the room. Then Ritsuko Akagi stared at Gendo, dumbfounded. "You told Shiro Tokita?!"
Gendo snorted. "How else do you think I got a strident anti-NERV figure like Tokita-san to work amicably with us after I appropriated the Jet Alone so blatantly? I may be talented, but I'm not God."
xxxx
/April 8, 2016/
/Tokyo-3 Station/
The evacuation of non-essential personnel was fully underway.
The Aida and Hikari families, because of their closeness to the Eva Pilots, were having one final send-off. The large station on the north side of the city was absolutely packed; it seemed as though the mere excuse of an evacuation was enough to send them
"Well...this sucks." Toji Suzuhara's words summed everything up quite accurately.
Haruka Aida snorted, lowering her sunglasses to reveal the full force of her hazel glare. "Man up, yuki-onna."
"Hey, I can't help the hair!" yelled Toji, the streaks of white in his hair appearing as freshly fallen snow. "And who you callin' a snow woman?!"
"You do realize that my mom's just trying to rile you up, right?" asked Kensuke. "And succeeding quite spectacularly, mind you."
"Ken."
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
Shinji smiled sadly; the words, the emotions...they were familiar, but there was strain. Perhaps by forcing these good feelings through, they would at least have a good memory to go out on. "Everyone's acting like this is goodbye forever. When the evacuation order ends...we'll still be here."
"Shinji-kun is correct," answered Rei Ayanami, patting Hikari Horaki reassuringly on the shoulder. "We are not allowed to fail. So we won't. Even if the Twentieth Angel unleashes its full might, and wipes away the city...we will still be standing upon your return."
Hikari smiled sadly at Rei, her simultaneous social mentor and protégé, and someone she could readily call a friend. "...thank you, Ayanami-chan."
"And in the meantime, we'll take care of the little tyke for you," said Kodama Horaki, glancing idly down at her youngest sister Nozomi; by her side was none other than Mari Langley-Sohryu, looking decidedly glum. "She'll have a smile on her face before long. I've got plenty of funny stories from the university!"
Mamoru Horaki grunted.
"Don't worry dad, I'll keep to the PG ones."
"Who knows?" asked Nozomi, hugging Mari by the waist in an attempt to cheer her up. "Maybe your sister will be awake by the time we come back. Ooh, and maybe Ai-chan will too!"
"...maybe..." mumbled Mari, none-too happy about the idea of being away from her sister for even a moment.
(Kaji never gave her an option. After a failure to contact Pieter Langley following the catastrophe in Berlin-2 - not that he felt a need to tell Mari that - the Inspector wasted no time in shipping her out of Tokyo-3.)
"We will not allow any harm to come to Asuka," said Rei.
"...hmph," pouted Mari.
Hikari's gaze fell on Toji. By now, she had gotten used to the bleached stripes and his red eyes. It was different...but the person was unchanged. Just stronger. "Toji-kun...be careful, okay?"
"...I will. You too, okay?" answered Toji, trying to hide his flushed face.
"Welp, this is a perfect opportunity." Kensuke quickly reached into his knapsack, pulling out an actual photo camera and tossing it at Seigo Aida. "Dad! Take a picture of us!" In a flailing whirlwind of limbs, Kensuke had dragged Hikari, Toji, Shinji, and Rei into a single group. To round it all off, he jumped on Toji's back, flashing a 'V for victory' sign at his father.
"HEY! Get off!" protested Toji.
FLASH!
The photo would end up telling quite the picture: Hikari was looking at Toji and Kensuke, her hand covering her mouth in a fit of surprise. Toji was glaring angrily at the raucous Kensuke. Shinji was smiling nervously. Rei was completely stoic, having not been told to smile.
"Thanks dad!" Kensuke hopped off of Toji's back, brushing his hand against his shirt. "Don't sweat it Toji, you're actually strong enough to handle it now!"
"Ken..."
"Yes?"
"..." Toji sighed, giving his best friend a good-natured noogie. "Gonna miss you, man."
"Easy easy! Those knuckles are lethal weapons now!" Kensuke broke away from Toji, conspicuously readjusting his glasses. "Anyhow...until we all meet again."
Haruka Aida grinned, sitting down on her tangerine Vespa and revving the motor. "Come on boy, we need to get going!" She glanced over at her husband, smiling cockily. "See you in Tokyo-2, Sei-kun!"
Kensuke quickly hopped behind his mother, grabbing her blue and white Rickenbacker bass guitar and connecting to a jack beneath the seat. There was an electronic whine, followed by the bespectacled Gendotaku jamming on the strings. In tune with the booming sound, Haruka and Kensuke howled, "BOOYAH, BITCHES!" With a roar of the motor and a kick of Haruka's foot, the Vespa soared over the station's guardrail, tires squealing and burning rubber as the vehicle landed and zoomed off down the highway to Tokyo-2, weaving in and out of traffic.
Hikari's eyebrow twitched.
Nozomi looked up confusedly at everyone. "What's a bitch?"
Hikari's eyebrow twitched harder.
Mamoru stared dryly at Seigo. "You have an interesting family."
Seigo Aida shrugged. "Maybe." He grabbed and hoisted four different bags, grunting with effort. "But they're mine," finished the man as he trudged towards the station.
Mamoru murmured something unintelligible before pulling up a large black suitcase. "Come on girls, we need to go."
Kodama quickly gestured Mari and Nozomi onward. Hikari was the last one, staring dotingly at her boyfriend. "...well..."
Toji grimaced, starting to feel the pending awkwardness. "...yeah. Guess this is goodbye for now."
"...for now." Hikari's hands balled at her skirt, and she bit her lip with indecision. Finally, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around the taller boy. "...just for now."
Shinji grinned warmly at the sight. He briefly glanced at Rei before looking away, his face turning red at the thoughts that just came to mind.
"HIKARI! HURRY UP!" yelled Kodama from the distance.
Finally, Hikari – slowly, reluctantly – removed herself, turning on her heel and running into the thick crowd of Tokyo-3 Station.
Rei tilted her head, looking at Toji's face. "...I have never seen that expression before." Namely, the goofiest smile in the history of humanity.
Shinji chuckled. "Well, since Kensuke's not here, I'll have to do the quip." Clearing his throat, the Third Child answered, "Well Rei-chan, it's the smile of a man who's in love."
"...Shin-man?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
This whole farewell would serve as a fond memory for those involved. It would provide a source of much-needed levity in the days to come.
xxxx
/Elsewhere/
"I have just received word from one of our agents in Berlin-2. Pieter Langley is alive."
The words of SEELE-01 prompted a bit of murmuring from the other eleven monoliths. "Can he tell us anything about what happened prior to the Fifth Child's rebellion?" asked SEELE-09.
"He was unable to make it to the deeper shelters before the blast. He will be incapacitated for some time. Far too long to be of any use to us."
SEELE-06 cursed. "And there goes another contingency plan. He was to serve as the opening blow against Ikari and his ilk in Tokyo-3."
Indeed. That little morsel that Keel had dangled in front of Gendo Ikari – the implicit threat of the Jackal, still supreme amongst assassins – was now removed. All because of the petulant behavior of Tabris and Zeruel. "The Twentieth Angel has disappeared from all long-range sensors. What of the Mark 06?"
"It has avoided any and all Atlantic deep-sea sonar," answered SEELE-05. "Their mutual target is no doubt the Black Moon. The failed assault of the Angels on Tokyo-3 has likely made them desperate."
"We never should have trusted them," grumbled SEELE-11.
"Calm yourselves gentlemen," admonished SEELE-10. "Circumstances have made us edgy. We are so close to achieving the fullness of Instrumentality; now is not the time to falter."
SEELE-07 cheerfully said, "Well spoken, Number Ten."
"What is the status of our Chariots?" asked SEELE-01.
"They will be completed within the week. Our artificial S2 Engines have advanced past the tests that doomed the Fourth Branch in Las Vegas," answered SEELE-02.
"And what of ADAM's status?"
"Still dormant," said SEELE-10.
"Good. And what of the Replicas?"
"On schedule," replied SEELE-03.
"Accelerate it," demanded SEELE-01. "The possibility of Tabris and Zeruel initiating a Golgotha Event is too high to ignore at this juncture."
There was a sudden silence from Keel's fellows. "…a forced union of the Fruit of Life and the Fruit of Knowledge?" asked SEELE-12. "The Dead Sea Scrolls were clear on the danger. And it goes against all of their efforts to reunite with ADAM!"
SEELE-05 scoffed. "As I said; they may be desperate."
"Tabris's fascination with humanity has long been known," said SEELE-01. "He might be enticed to do so."
"And Zeruel?"
Keel's scowl was somehow audible. "She might do it just to spite us." Sighing, the head of SEELE continued, "Regardless…we must move forward with all swiftness. Once the Chariots and the Replicas are ready, we will retake Tokyo-3; we will reclaim LILITH, and recreate Peter's Key. And then it will culminate in the fulfillment of all our desires: the Red Earth Purification ceremony."
"And Heaven itself will open to us," recited the other members of SEELE.
xxxx
/Ritsuko Akagi's Laboratory, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
Amidst the cavernous lab of Dr. Akagi, a special project reached its zenith.
Miyata Ibuki leaned back, wiping the sweat from his brow. "And done! Thanks for the assistance, Conagher-san!"
"Man, I'm never gonna get you folks to just say 'Mister'," grumbled the Engineer, packing away his toolbox. "But it was a nifty exercise. Haven't done prosthetic work since the Outback, so it was nostalgic!"
"Software is online…tactile sensors are operational…" Maya Ibuki poked her head over a nearby computer terminal. "How does it feel, Yamagishi-san?"
Laying atop an inclined medical cot, the blue-haired nephilim calmly answered, "It feels…fuzzy."
"Hmm. To be expected…we'll have to put the leg through its paces, first." Maya sat back, typing fervently at her keyboard. "Beginning first diagnostic. Raise your thigh and then flex the knee."
Mayumi dutifully did so; the prosthetic that replaced her leg from the knee down was strangely organic in its appearance: material colored gunmetal, slim yet bulky with various slits and panels. The knee was surprisingly bulky, housing a highly advanced joint; the foot, toes, and ankles possessed over a dozen points of articulation, and the whole limb glowed with a neon blue light. With a very subdued electronic whine, the leg bent at the knee. "…there is an odd sensation."
"We've tried to cobble together a version of the Mental Mapping Suite that we use in the Evas, and borrowed a good deal from the Mobile Trace System," explained Maya. "The neurons that handle the input from your left leg will have to interface with the software's signals before it starts picking up again, but that comes with practice. And tests!"
"Sis, you're starting to delve into Dr. Akagi territory."
"…no I'm not."
Dell Conagher chuckled. "Eh, s'long as you two have been around her, you're both in 'Dr. Akagi territory'."
Miyata stared. "…no I'm not."
"Yeah, what bro said!"
As all this was going on, standing atop the balcony overlooking the operational chamber, Mana Kirishima looked on with distaste. "Can't be as good as growing her leg back."
"I've looked at the final schematics. There's a plasma cannon inside the calf."
Mana stared at her mother. "…hmm. Decent."
"More than decent," interjected Shiro Tokita, thoroughly enthused by the ongoing operation. "An effective weapon against both infantry and vehicles; a last-ditch resort, if all else fails…"
Hikari Kirishima stared at Tokita, the darker shadows of the balcony and the halogen lighting of the operational chamber below heightening his introspective expression. "And what has you looking so thoughtful?"
"…a potential upgrade for the Jet Alone."
Mana brightened. "We getting a leg cannon? Cause I'm up for a leg cannon."
"No. It's just…this leg is a product of NERV tech and NHIS tech. We've used the beam saber to great effect, but the durability of the Gundams themselves is still a factor. Especially relative to the Angels and the Evangelions." Tokita smiled ruefully. "If Sawamura-san were still alive, he'd have probably thought of something exciting and cool by now…but…" The Head of the Jet Alone Project trailed off, his mind fully abandoned to the prospect of improving the two Gundams.
Hikari Kirishima turned away, looking down at her daughter below. As her daughter slowly tested her new limb, she thought of all that they had endured in the Angel War. She thought of the destruction of Berlin-2.
And she wondered if this would even last long enough to matter.
xxxx
/Lymph Node-D, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
The room was a swarm of activity, with Section 3 maintenance and Section 1 technicians poring over the titanic form of Unit-00. A milky slurry of proteins, nutrients, and hormones was sprayed and injected at the shoulder joints and the torso, to accelerate the Eva's cellular regeneration. Laser cutters and diamond-tipped saws cut away the remaining portions of damaged armor, with cranes standing by to lower new plating; the portion that was already at this stage flared with the light of welding torches.
It was a cacophonous scene of chaos, and Ritsuko Akagi loved every single moment of it.
"…how long did you know?"
Standing beside Dr. Akagi on the catwalk overlooking the repairs was Misato Katsuragi, looking decidedly glum. Or pissed off. Or both, with a side order of betrayal! "About?"
"Don't get cute with me. You know what I'm talking about."
"You need to be specific. When I became aware of SEELE? Of Tabris and Zeruel? Of ADAM? Of the Human Instrumentality Project's true aims?"
"…point." Misato ran a hand through her long hair, visibly resisting the urge to pull at it. "It's just…I knew when I took this job that NERV wasn't completely on the up-and-up. That's why I wanted my old Team at my back, so that I could have more people I could count on. All that being said…I didn't really expect there to be a global conspiracy."
"Life is strange."
"…yeah. What my dad told me before Second Impact…it…makes sense now, in a horrible way."
"To think that Second Impact gave humanity a new lease on life. Had it been left to SEELE, Instrumentality would have occurred by now, and we wouldn't be."
"…that sucks."
"And blows."
"Simultaneously," they finished in unison. Glancing at each other, they cracked a small laugh.
Ritsuko felt just a bit of queasiness within a small part of her gut, which was easily ignored given the mishmash constantly ongoing inside her head. Granted, the Supreme Commander still didn't tell you everything. Like Project DUMMY PLUG, and its role in Gendo's Plan; the Plan itself, for that matter! Not that it seems to matter anymore, since he's halted all work on the Dummy Plug. Inconsiderate buffoon! And, most significantly, the role that Yui and Gendo had played in Dr. Katsuragi's demise. Granted, it only makes sense; knowing the Professor, he'll tell her after everything is said and done, and then I'll sit back to watch the fireworks. They'll explode. And crackle. OR MAYBE CRAPLODE!
Sometimes, Ritsuko truly despised her mother. Why couldn't Naoko have brought her into the fold more gently? At least then she would've retained more of her sanity- "HEY! YOU THERE! GET YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR MOUTH! THAT NUTRIENT SOLUTION ISN'T DRINKABLE! TRUST ME, I'VE TRIED!"
High atop Unit-00's left shoulder, an orange-clad technician nervously lowered his hand, letting the milky fluid drip between his fingers.
"…Ritsky?"
"Yeah?"
"Never change."
Ritsuko brushed at her cheek. "Too late, I've already lost some old skin cells. I'm no longer the woman I used to be."
Misato snorted. "Nerd."
"Slut."
"Oh come on; Kaji's not even here."
That one got them to laugh a little harder.
"So…what do you think our chances are?"
Misato shrugged. "I don't know. I thought we were doomed with the Nineteenth…but Shinji-kun somehow pulled off another miracle. So I'm trying to be optimistic."
"Would it make you feel any better if I told you we just got a delivery from NERV-Alaska?"
"…do tell."
"Remember the remnants of the Fifteenth Angel? After the railgun finished it off?"
"Yeah. We had the limbs..." Then Misato remembered what those limbs had been. "…ooh."
"Yup."
"I just got a tingly feeling."
Ritsuko snorted. "AMATEUR! I feel tingly 24/7!"
"…should we tell Shinji? About Zeruel and Tabris?"
"…I don't think so."
"Why?"
"Because he'll probably try to 'save' Yomiko and Kaworu Nagisa. Even if we tell him that they were Angels from the beginning, he would still try."
"…yeah…he's that kind of guy." A sudden frown crossed Misato's face. "…oh my God. That means that Shinji was French-kissed by an Angel."
"…I'm willing to say it's kinky if you are."
"…no, Ritsuko. No I'm not."
Ritsuko shrugged. "Oh well. I SAID IT ANYWAY! BOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOO!"
xxxx
/Ikari Residence, Outskirts of Okayama-2, Japan/
Tomoe Ikari grimaced, plopping down in the easy chair with a groan. "Hmph...getting too old." His daily trip to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym had been made a bit more stressful by the continued influx of out-of-towners. Even now, over two months later, the massive damage wrought by the Fourteenth Angel's trek across Honshu still resulted in relocations all over. On top of that, the first influx of evacuees from Tokyo-3 arrived, electing to go to a more peaceful environment instead of closer regions like Tokyo-2 and Nagoya-2. Rumors and gossip had a tendency to spread quickly through the small city, and the arrival of NERV employees from Tokyo-3 was no exception.
The defending world middleweight champion that happened to call that gym his home had also been in a frustrated mood as well, and had taken it out on all of his gym-mates. During those times, Tomoe - despite being technically classified as a heavyweight - was one of the few who could actually provide the boisterous champ a decent spar in those times. And all because weight control for his upcoming title match is going poorly. It was strange; even though the Angel War had escalated, and the nations of the world were on edge, life continued on. People went shopping, people indulged their hobbies, and people played sports. A sign of tenacity or foolishness?
RII~ING!
Off in the kitchen, he heard his wife pick up the phone. "Hello, Ikari Residence...oh. Hello Gendo."
And now my brother-in-law calls. Just what his day needed!
Alicia - fingers stained with soil from working in the garden outside - stepped into the living room, holding the cordless phone. "He wants to speak to you, honey."
"Of course." Tomoe grabbed the phone with his meaty hand, placing it up to his ear. "What do you want?"
"Am I not allowed to even talk to you?"
"Given that I've already been hearing gossip about people evacuating from Tokyo-3? I'm inclined to say no."
"Not even twenty-four hours after the evacuation order. Quite quick of them."
"Why issue such a large-scale evacuation? Does it have something to do with what happened in Berlin-2?"
"Of course."
Tomoe's mustache twitched. "And you'll be sending Shinji against that beast. Am I wrong?"
"His Evangelion is literally the only one that is currently operational."
"All you're doing is raising my blood pressure by reminding me of what you're putting my nephew through. Why did you call?"
"...call it a bit of self-reflection. I know I've thanked you before, for all you did in raising Shinji. I just...wanted to say it again."
"Hmph. A little late to repair bridges or mend fences."
"I know. I can't guarantee what's going to happen over these upcoming days. It will make what's happened up to this point look...tame."
Tomoe paused. A foreboding feeling settled upon him; for all of Gendo's insane behavior, he didn't make a habit of sugarcoating things. "...what are you getting at?"
"When everything's over...I will likely have to face the sins that Yui and I committed in the course of protecting humanity. That being said...I would be more than happy if you continued taking care of my son, once the Angel War has concluded."
"Damn it, what are you-?!"
"Goodbye, Tomoe." Click.
Tomoe grimaced, looking down at the cordless handset with a mixture of anger and confusion. What...what was all that about...?
Meanwhile, in the shed out back, a young blonde was crawling over her large collection of knick-knacks and baubles, one hand occupied with the cellphone by her ear. "Seriously Baka-Shinji, I'm getting tired of being your PR agent at school."
"I'm sorry Annette. I...kinda can't help it."
"Well, next time, destroy the Angel in a less cool fashion! People keep asking for your autograph!"
"...seriously?"
"I know! I keep trying to remind them that they're trying to get the autograph of a total dork!"
"...seriously."
"Yes."
Shinji sighed.
Annette pored over a particular shelf, using her free hand to sort through old books, trinkets, and rusty toys. An old snow globe and drill bit caught her eye before she moved on to something else. "...Baka-Shinji. You saw what happened in Germany?"
"With the Twentieth Angel? Yeah."
"...are you gonna be okay?"
"...I will. I've already made a promise."
"Hmph. Trying to sound cool, are we? You know that characters who make promises like that raise the death flag, right?"
"Come on Annette, life isn't always like a theater play."
"There's no need to tempt fate!"
"Annette...I'll be okay."
"...hmph. You'd better." The blonde tossed a few water-damaged pamphlets over her shoulder, finally letting loose a grunt of irritation. "Gah, where the heck is it?! I need to organize all of these artifacts."
"What are you looking for?"
"Something that would serve as the proper gift!"
"...for who?"
"..."
"Annette...come on. You can tell me."
"...it's for a boy."
"Oh really?" Shinji sounded far too amused.
"Look, I know you and Ayanami are a thing, but that does not give you an excuse to poke fun!"
"I believe 'dorks' always reserve the right to make fun."
Okay, he had her there. "...touche."
"So. Who is it? Knowing your interests...it's either someone from the Theater Club or that little 'Explorers of Okayama-1' group you always dragged me into...but given your domineering personality behind the stage, it's most likely from the Explorers."
"...hmph."
"And you always said I don't know how women think."
"That's because we grew up together! I don't count!"
Shinji continued on, ignoring her protests. "So...it's from the Explorers...and given your fiery demeanor...it's Kamina, isn't it? You two always got along pretty well."
"...no."
"Really?"
"No. He's cool, but no."
"...Haruhi?"
"What? No! Even if I liked girls that way, it wouldn't be her! She's too...intense."
"...oh yeah. Good point. Then who?"
With a face burning red - ever-so eternally grateful that Shinji couldn't see her - Annette whispered, "...Simon."
"...what?"
"...Simon."
There was a moment of silence. "...See-moan," enunciated Shinji, as though trying to convince himself. "Tiny guy, goggles, quieter than me. That Simon?"
"...yeah."
"...seriously?! You always picked on him! Heck, you made fun of him even more than me!"
"Well...yeah, so?! He's actually, well...kind of manly."
"...manlier than Kamina?"
"...yeah."
"...huh. Never saw that coming."
"I know, right?!"
"Okay, I'm curious now. You have to tell me what brought this on."
And so the cousins continued their lighthearted chatter, a welcome distraction from the tension, from the anxiety, and from the threat that the Twentieth Angel represented.
It was the final breath - the last gasp of normalcy - before the plunge.
xxxx
/April 9, 2016/
The morning sky, once clear, was thick with foreboding clouds. A dark pall was cast over Tokyo-3, the fortress city having already converted to its defensive configuration.
"Am I the only getting flashbacks to the Twelfth Angel?" asked Mana Kirishima.
Mayumi shook her head. "No, sister. You are not."
The Burning Gundam hovered above the city, its stoic gaze fixed upon the thunderhead that had settled over the city. The overcast sky was pregnant with an impending storm, judging by the faint rumble of thunder.
"…got anything on our sensors?"
"No, sister."
Mana cursed. "Well, that's great."
xxxx
/Operations Deck, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
"Hey, are you guys getting anything at all?" demanded Mana.
"Nothing specific," replied Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi. "Keep your eyes open."
"Feh, what do you think we've been doing?"
An anomalous energy signature had begun coalescing over Tokyo-3 less than an hour ago, right as the clouds had formed. The Jet Alone had been deployed to run reconnaissance, while the two Evangelions with available Pilots underwent an accelerated regimen: Unit-01's S2 Engine was undergoing a battery of tests to ensure there wouldn't be a repeat of the Fourth Branch Incident, while Unit-00 was being repaired as quickly as possible.
Everyone was on edge. "Ritsuko…" Misato glanced at the monocle-wearing blonde. "…how close is Unit-00 to being ready?"
"Honestly? Nowhere near where I'd like. We're at 'preteen', when we need 'full-fledged adult'."
"…in other words, Unit-01 is our best bet."
"Pretty much."
Behind the Operations Director, Shiro Tokita scoffed. Loudly. "Come now, hasn't the Jet Alone proven itself enough?" An elbow jabbed into his side. "OW!"
Hikari Kirishima snorted. "Not. The time."
"Atmospheric pressure is decreasing!" suddenly interrupted Hyuga.
"The clouds are descending," said Aoba. On the holographic monitors, the visible view of Tokyo-3 began to fade away. "Visibility is reduced."
"What about the energy signature?" asked Misato.
"Still scattered, but the frequency is rising!" answered Maya.
xxxx
On the surface, as the dark clouds settled over the city, the Burning Gundam withdrew its beam saber and turned it on. An eerie pink glow reflected off of the black haze. "Ho ho…ominous!"
"Mana, focus," admonished Mayumi, her hands trailing over the waterproof computer terminals at high speed. "The moment anything appears, weapons will be ready."
The silver-haired girl grinned devilishly. "Like it would be any different." Even so, there was weighty tension pulling on her, her heart pounding anxiously. "Come on…show yourself…"
A blaring alarm pinged. Mayumi immediately yelled, "BEHIND!"
The Burning Gundam whirled around, staring directly into the grim face of the Twentieth Angel.
"A MERE ANNOYANCE," boomed the Angel.
Before Mana could even swing her beam saber, before she could even process the fact that the Angel was talking, a stream of black haze slammed into the Burning Gundam, gaining definition and form and firmness.
CRASH!
With terrible swiftness and ferocity, the Angel crushed the Burning Gundam against the side of what was left of Mt. Hakone.
xxxx
/Operations Deck, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
Hikari Kirishima nearly screamed. Nearly.
"STATUS!" demanded Misato.
"We still have vitals on Kirishima-san and Yamagishi-san, but the Jet Alone's been heavily damaged!" answered Hyuga. "ETA for its self-repair protocol: ten hours!"
"Ten hours…?" muttered Tokita, eyes wide with shock.
Misato scowled, turning towards Ritsuko. "Put a hold on all the tests. We're deploying Unit-01 inside the Geofront!"
"Inside?" asked Maya.
Misato glared at the holographic projection of the Twentieth Angel, its form coalescing above the city. "I don't think we'll have time to get to the surface."
xxxx
The stormy clouds above Tokyo-3 split apart, and the black particles of Zeruel's body divested themselves of the water molecules they had bonded with. Soon, there was a clear blue sky with a minute haze of water vapor, and a buzzing mass of darkness concentrated above the city.
Within that darkness, a grimacing skull looked down.
The eyes blazed.
CHYOOOM!
A massive pink cross – easily one hundred meters in diameter – erupted, boring through the surface.
xxxx
/Operations Deck, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
"IT JUST BROKE THROUGH ALL TWENTY-TWO ARMORED LAYERS!" yelled Miyata.
"In one single strike…" Shiori Aoba scowled. "Not even the Fifth Angel's energy beam was that powerful…"
"Unit-01 is launching!" yelled Hyuga. "Deploying outside of headquarters!"
xxxx
The hydraulic locks had been vaporized, and the interlocking struts were obliterated; with so many restraints gone, a multitude of Tokyo-3's skyscrapers – protected for so long by the city's defensive configuration – from plummeting into the Geofront.
Zeruel dove into the breach face-first, her hazy body trailing behind her. Her eyes fell upon the blue pyramid, knowing that LILITH lied deep within. More importantly: Unit-01 was standing defiantly in front of the complex. IKARI. Her eyes glowed.
CHYOOOM!
A cross did not manifest, tearing through the pyramid and annihilating the Lilim within; rather, it hit a metaphysical wall just short of the target, erupting into a massive explosion of pink light and smoke. HMM?
As the smog dissipated, a wall of orange light could be seen, flickering above of NERV-1's headquarters. Unit-01's arms were raised, a clear show of defense.
Zeruel chuckled. "GOOD. TO WIN SO QUICKLY WOULD HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTING." The entirety of Zeruel's body swirled around her face, her skull staring directly at Unit-01. "IKARI. THIS BATTLE HAS BEEN LONG IN THE MAKING."
"...so you can talk," said Shinji, his voice amplified by Unit-01's speakers.
"YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OF MY KIN, THUS FAR: RAMIEL, FORGED OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING; IRUEL, THE MAD LEGION; LELIEL, THE VOID AWOKEN; YET YOU ACT AS THOUGH MY USE OF YOUR SPEECH IS A SURPRISE."
"…how come more of you don't try to communicate? Why must we fight?"
"A BASER BEING THAN MYSELF WOULD SAY IT'S FOR PETTY REVENGE, FOR THOSE YOU HAVE KILLED THUS FAR."
"If the Angels never came, I would have been glad to never set foot into the Eva…but your actions will cause the end of the world. I can't let that happen."
"A FITTING RESPONSE. PERHAPS YOU ARE MORE AWARE OF FATE THAN I HAVE GIVEN YOU CREDIT." Zeruel's body spread, blotting out the sun's light that filtered through the Geofront. Flashes of wicked tendrils and sharp blades could be seen amidst the Angelic miasma. "THIS CONFRONTATION WAS ETCHED INTO THE FABRIC OF SPACE AND TIME, LONG BEFORE YOU AND I EVER EXISTED. ADAM AND LILITH HAVE LONG BEEN OPPOSED TO EACH OTHER, AS DECREED BY THE UNIVERSE ITSELF: THE TIMELESS TESTAMENT OF THE FRUIT OF LIFE; THE EVERLASTING EVOLUTION OF THE FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE; NEVER SHALL THE TWO BECOME ONE. AND SO IT IS WITH YOU AND I."
"That…that doesn't make any sense!"
"YOUR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING IS FORGIVABLE, PITIFUL CREATURE THAT YOU ARE. REGARDLESS, WE SHALL BATTLE. WE MUST. FOR IF YOU DO NOT FACE ME, I WILL ANNIHILATE YOU AND ALL THOSE UNDER YOUR PROTECTION."
"…it doesn't have to be this way." Despite the boy's remorseful tone, his [weapon/creature/entity] – the mighty Unit-01 – flared with the power of Leliel's [fire/spark/engine]. A multitude of death-dealing instruments surrounded the Evangelion. "But if you won't back down…then I'll stop you. No matter what!"
Zeruel laughed. "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED." The empty eyes within her skull blazed with light, and her hazy body rattled with [anticipation/tension/glee]. "COME, IKARI! LET US FACE OUR DESTINIES TOGETHER!"
Unit-01 raised an Eva-scale rocket launcher, firing multiple projectiles at Zeruel.
The Twentieth Angel's body dispersed around the explosions, swirling swiftly downward, and around the Eva. Zeruel's face manifested beside Unit-01-
OH?
The Eva was already turning towards her, raising a [new/old/familiar] weapon: a pronged cannon, sleek and organic, fitted with metal and targeting implements by the Lilim. Tiny cables, guided by some automated process, were tethered to Unit-01's hand, drawing power from its S2 Organ.
SO YOU HAVE CANNIBALIZED SERAPHIEL TO FASHION A NEW WEAPON.
The tip of the cannon glowed red.
VWOM.
A humming drone blared, and a red beam smashed into Zeruel, driving her back with a concentrated explosion of gas and flame. A quick flicker of her AT-Field was enough to negate the damage, but she let the momentum carry her away. Despite the weapon's power, Zeruel couldn't help but chuckle. "GOOD. GOOD! IF OUR DESTINY IS TO BATTLE, THEN LET US MAKE IT WORTHY OF THE OCCASION! LET THE HEAVENS TREMBLE IN OUR PASSING!"
Zeruel surged forward as the gale, and Unit-01 stood strong in the face of the oncoming storm.
xxxx
/Operations Deck, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
"…hard to believe how far he's come," murmured Misato Katsuragi, staring at the synchronization statistics for Shinji and Unit-01: the duo was holding strong at two-hundred-and-eighty percent. "Hasn't even been seven months."
"Eh, the kid always had a spine," said Shiori Aoba. "I'm surprised at how gung-ho the Angel seems to be, though. Would never have thought it'd be so happy about an all-out battle, mano-a-mano."
"If it wasn't threatening to wipe humanity out of existence, you'd probably be good friends with this Angel," remarked Makoto Hyuga.
Aoba promptly flipped him off.
"The MAGI aren't detecting any change in the phase space; the Angel hasn't received any damage yet." Maya glanced at Dr. Akagi. "We're already detecting thermal buildup in the Azrael Mark II rifle!"
"Hmm. It was a rush job by Dr. Mondschein, but it's as good as we're gonna get." Ritsuko chomped down hard on her cigar, the tobacco flakes spilling out into her mouth. She didn't seem to notice. Raising a hand to her earpiece, she said, "Miyata Ibuki. Status on Eva Unit-00?"
"We're going as quickly as we can, ma'am!"
"WELL SPEED UP! ABUSE RELATIVITY IF YOU HAVE TO!"
High above, Gendo Ikari and Kozou Fuyutsuki watched with trepidation. "…you don't believe that the Angel will unveil its nephilim host?"
"Judging from the monologue? No," answered Gendo. "It knows that doing so will make Shinji hesitate. And that Angel wants a fight."
xxxx
/Outside Headquarters, Geofront/
The Angel's body was nigh-impossible to hit.
dive
Shinji Ikari yanked on the handlebars, coinciding with Unit-01 rolling to the side. An instant later, a sharp ribbon made of condensed smoke lashed through where the Eva's head had just been. Raising the Azrael Mk. II rifle, Shinji pulled the trigger again.
VWOM.
A red beam tore through the cloud, but no damage was done. Far in the distance, an explosion rocked the shell of the Geofront.
"SURELY YOU CAN DO BETTER!"
Scowling, Shinji willed Unit-01 to step back, the Eva nimbly dodging hazy tendrils and ashy blades. With the Eva's free hand, Shinji willed a massive fist into existence, akin to what had sent the Nineteenth Angel flying.
The fist crumpled and shattered against Zeruel's octagonal AT-Field, causing an exquisite light show. The massive octagon rushed forward, smashing into Unit-01 and knocking the Eva away.
"…ow."
incoming
Shinji grimaced, raising the Azrael rifle once more. In unison, the Angel's eyes glowed.
CHYOOOM!
VWOM.
Two simultaneous explosions occurred at the feet of Unit-01 and Zeruel. Out of the hellfire and scalding blaze, Unit-01 ran, armor scorched but otherwise functional. Again and again, the trigger was pulled.
VWOM. VWOM. VWOM. VWOM.
The interior of the Geofront was becoming dark, clouded by the smoke of forests lit aflame and debris floating through the air. The continued barrage only amplified this lack of visibility- "WAGH!" Suddenly, without warning, a tendril had wrapped around Unit-01's ankle and flipped it, sending it airborne. Another tendril sharpened and whipped at the Azrael Mk. II rifle, slicing it in half.
Out of the smoke emerged the face of Zeruel. "IS THIS IT? IS THIS ALL THAT THE LILIM CAN MUSTER IN THEIR DEFENSE?" Multiple spikes erupted from the Angel's hazy body, smashing into Unit-01 and driving it back into the ground. Only the Eva's AT-Field prevented the pikes from piercing its torso. "WHERE IS THE FURY THAT YOU DEMONSTRATED AGAINST BARDIEL? WHERE IS THE SELF-CONFIDENCE THAT ENABLED YOU TO STAND AGAINST LELIEL? WHERE IS THE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT THAT YOU BORE AGAINST SHAMSHEL? WHERE IS YOUR DETERMINATION, BY WHICH YOU DEFEATED SACHIEL?" Zeruel's eyes blazed. "YOU WILL ANSWER, SHINJI IKARI!"
CHYOOOM! CHYOOM! CHYOOOM!
Cross after cross after cross bombarded Unit-01's position, atomizing the ground and melting the dirt into a slurry with all the heat and consistency of lava.
"WILL YOU DIE SO SOON? WILL YOU PERISH AND SEAL THE FATE OF THE LILIM SO QUICKLY?!"
Okay. I'm starting to wish that this Angel would STOP talking.
think outside the box
Shinji growled, trying to ignore the scalding on his skin. Even with the AT-Field, the Angel's attacks were overwhelmingly ferocious. I have to get closer!
if you must, then you will
I WILL get closer!
and so you shall
In the blink of an eye, Unit-01 'skipped' from one position in space-time to another. In one instant, he was surrounded by the terrible radiance of the Angel's crosses; the next, he was right next to Zeruel. "HEY, YOU!"
Zeruel turned-
SMASH!
Unit-01's fist plowed into Zeruel's face. The Angel crashed into the ground, its hazy body somehow carving a trench. Snarling, Shinji willed his Eva forward, leaping at the prone Angel with the progressive knife and lunging-
"EXCELLENT."
Several smoky tendrils suddenly tightened around Unit-01's limbs, halting all of Unit-01's forward progress. The deathlike face gazed at the Eva, its blank eyes glimmering with otherworldly might. "A BATTLE IS WORTHLESS IF ANYTHING IS LEFT BEHIND!" The face rose, meeting Unit-01 eye-to-eye. "YOUR PRESENCE IS STRONG, ROBUST, AND FIERY!"
CHYOOM!
An explosion blossomed above Unit-01's breastplate, the force propelling the Eva into the air. With a crash of metal and breaking glass, the purple titan landed against the side of the main pyramid complex of NERV-1 headquarters.
"SO BLAZE WITH ALL OF YOUR STRENGTH," boasted Zeruel; from within the Angel's dark body, its face loomed ominously, the promise of Death riding forward. "AND I SHALL SNUFF IT OUT."
xxxx
/Lymph Node-D, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
Rei Ayanami stared quietly at the tablet that Lieutenant Miyata Ibuki had been using to keep track of the ongoing battle. Right now, he was running to and fro, trying to finish the armor refurbishment. Special lamps were gently blasting Unit-00's torso and shoulders with radiation, encouraging even more cellular growth after they had been soaked in the organic solution.
The repair of Unit-00 was far from the First Child's mind, so focused was she on the tablet. Viewing Shinji Ikari's vitals and observing the various camera footage available, she quickly reached a conclusion: Shinji-kun is going to lose.
That could not stand. It would not stand.
Making up her mind, the Plug Suit-clad nephilim bounded off of the catwalk, landing seamlessly atop Unit-00's breastplate. Jumping from point to point, she eventually ended up by the Entry Plug, which was in position for immediate insertion.
"AYANAMI-KUN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" yelled Miyata.
"Unit-01 will lose by the time your repairs are complete. This will have to do."
"YOU CAN'T-!"
"Lieutenant Ibuki!" Rei's voice was like iron, full-throated with the timbre of a drill sergeant. "Unit-01 cannot defeat the Angel alone. If I don't deploy, Shinji-kun will die. You all will die. And the world will suffer from Third Impact." Having cowed everyone to silence, Rei promptly opened the hatch to the Entry Plug. "I'm going."
As Rei closed the hatch shut behind her, Miyata grumbled. "Great. This will have to do, then. EVERYONE, BACK AWAY FROM THE EVA! WE ARE PREPPING FOR LAUNCH!"
xxxx
Within Central Dogma, an explosion occurred at the top levels, punctuated by Unit-01 tumbling down the main shaft.
xxxx
/Operations Deck, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
The entire room shook and rumbled, the holographic displays flickering madly. "The main shaft is exposed! Central Dogma has been infiltrated by the Angel!" Aoba bit back a curse. "Unit-01 and the Angel are both approaching Operations!"
Misato paled. "EVERYONE! Evacuate immediately!" The tumultuous quaking was finally too much, knocking out the power to the main lightning and display systems. There were only moments of time to take in the dull green emergency lighting before the front of Operations collapsed inward, followed by a battered Unit-01.
Then the darkness flew in, and Death itself looked them in the eyes. "COWERING LIKE MICE; SCURRYING LIKE ANTS," thundered the skull. "HOW FITTING." Glancing with seeming contempt at Unit-01 – which was slowly getting to its feet – the mighty Zeruel stared right back at the command staff. All of them were frozen in place, terrified by the Angel's presence. "AND NOW IT ENDS."
"Don't…" cried out Shinji, Unit-01 vainly raising its hand. "Stop…!"
Zeruel's eyes blazed. "DIE."
SMASH!
The wall to Zeruel's left was shattered by a cobalt titan. The Angel didn't even get a chance to turn before Unit-00's fist crashed into its face, sending it reeling; and then, out of the Eva's external speakers thundered the voice of Duty personified. "Over my dead body!" roared Rei Ayanami.
Everyone boggled at the sudden, dynamic entry by Unit-00. "Rei?!" exclaimed Misato.
Unit-00 kicked Zeruel in the face, sending the ephemeral Angel back through the hole. "Shinji-kun! Attack!"
"…right!" Unit-01 scrambled to its feet, charging after Unit-00 and Zeruel. The purple Eva's AT-Field bloomed, curving around the Angel's wispy form. Roaring loudly, the two Pilots crashed through another wall, ending up in the launch cages. Slamming the Angel's face into the nearest launch chute, Shinji yelled, "We need to get it out of here!"
"Already on it!" Unit-00's foot smashed into a panel by the lift, manually releasing the magnetic locks. Then, with a harsh punch against a glowing green button, the magnetic lift shot them upward, back into the Geofront.
Misato whirled on her feet. "TO THE ELEVATORS, PEOPLE! WE NEED TO GET OUTSIDE!"
xxxx
Zeruel was enjoying herself.
Yes, even when the two Evangelions – upon emerging into the open air within the Black Moon – kicked her in the face, sending her flying. AND SO THE LESSER OF THEIR [ABOMINATION/CUDGELS/TOOLS] EMERGES: A MERE [SHADOW/SHAM] OF MY [CREATOR/FATHER/SOURCE]. Her body buzzed with tension, and the particles surged forward. "ANOTHER EVANGELION WILL NOT MATTER. YOU WILL MEET THE SAME END AS IKARI!"
Unit-01 stepped in front of the storm, AT-Field blazing brightly; the haze slammed into the wall, pounding ferociously at it. "Hurry Rei-chan! Get an umbilical cable!"
"Roger!"
Zeruel laughed. "STRUGGLE! FIGHT! WHATEVER YOU DO, I WILL CRUSH IT!" Her eyes glowed.
CHYOOOM!
Unit-01's AT-Field was cracked, and Zeruel's body slipped through, surrounding the purple Eva and squeezing -
Unit-00 – wielding a progressive axe and now connected to an umbilical cable – landed in front of Unit-01, slicing through the smoky tendrils. In tandem, the two Evas punched the air, their combined AT-Fields creating a wave of force that rippled through the air and slammed into Zeruel.
It was all very amusing. "POINTLESS! EVEN NOW, YOU SIMPLY," Her body trembled, and spread along the ground. "LACK," The particles that comprised her physical form ascended, flinging the Evangelions skyward. "THE POWER!"
xxxx
This was the scene that the command staff of NERV-1 arrived at upon reaching the surface: a black tornado howling furiously, slinging Units-00 and 01 about, while the face of the Angel hovered above the twister, looking down like a judge from on high.
Misato gulped. "…well. This is bad."
xxxx
…HOW ODD.
Zeruel's joy had begun to give way…to inquisitiveness.
"CURIOUS."
Even now, the Lilim continued to struggle. The Defiler was more successful, purely because of the [fire/spark/engine] within his [weapon/creature/entity]. The other, piloted by 'Rei Ayanami', was less so; already, the sheer force of the whirlwind had snapped the cable providing it energy. And yet they resisted. Though Unit-01 was [born/crafted/forged] from LILITH, and Unit-00 likewise from ADAM…they still operated in tandem.
They still fought together.
Spawn of the Fruit of Life, working with the spawn of the Fruit of Knowledge.
"YOU LILIM HAVE USED THE POWER OF THOSE YOU CALL 'ANGELS' IN ORDER TO SURVIVE. YET YOU SEEM TO CARE LITTLE FOR THE GREAT DIVIDE BETWEEN ADAM AND LILITH." It wasn't like the humans were all [ignorant/confused/dumb]; through the [memories/experiences/perceptions] of herself and Tabris, she knew that there were some Lilim who were aware of the risks. A 'Golgotha Event', they called it. And yet they still persisted. "WHY CONTINUE, EVEN KNOWING THE FUTILITY?"
With a condescending gesture, Unit-00 was spat out of the whirlwind, landing awkwardly on one of its arms. The angle of impact caused the limb to break off entirely.
"WHY STRUGGLE AND TRY TO DEFY YOUR DESTINY?"
The tornado consolidated down to a single point, driving Unit-01 into the ground. Zeruel's face descended, staring ominously at the struggling Eva.
A decision was made. "…I MUST KNOW." Zeruel's maw stretched, and stretched, and stretched. "BEFORE I REDUCE YOUR WORKS TO NOTHINGNESS…I MUST KNOW."
With a decisive chomp, the Twentieth Angel swallowed Unit-01 whole.
xxxx
The pain that seared through Rei's left arm – gross and stark and sharp – faded from all reckoning at the sight of the Angel devouring Unit-01. "…Shinji…kun…?"
A piercing noise erupted from the soul within Unit-00.
The next thing she knew, Rei was charging full-tilt at the Angel. A dreadful howl was splitting the air.
She couldn't tell if it was hers, or the Eva's. Perhaps it was both.
xxxx
As Rei and Unit-00 screamed (and oh, what an awful, painful thing it was), the command staff of NERV-1 stared in horror at the Twentieth Angel. Unlike the surreal envelopment of Unit-01 by the Fifth Angel, or the quicksand-like void of the Sixteenth, or the parasitic methods of the Nineteenth, this most recent 'absorption' was far more visceral. "Did…did it just eat Unit-01?" asked a bewildered Hyuga.
"Vital signs are fading in and out of contact," said Maya, eyes wide with shock. "Unit-01's AT-Field is dispersing; the phase space is ceasing to exist altogether!"
"…a Golgotha Event."
Everyone turned towards Kozou Fuyutsuki, who was standing stoically besides Supreme Commander Ikari. "A hypothetical scenario, gleaned from data obtained from the White Moon and the Black Moon: a scenario in which a being born of ADAM and a being born of LILITH unite in their entirety, physical and metaphysical. The scenario posits that a union between such fundamentally different beings will result in an inversion of time, space, and spirit itself."
"…what sort of scenario are we talking about, here?" asked Hikari Kirishima with trepidation.
Gendo's answer was sufficiently blunt. "A cataclysm that would make Second Impact look like a child's tantrum." Unit-00 leapt at the Angel, which now seemed preoccupied with itself; a tendril of haze casually smacked the Evangelion back to the ground, its razor-sharp edge slicing off Unit-00's right leg in the process. "To put it in layman's terms…"
A dull drone echoed through the air, slowly increasing in volume and force. A foul wind kicked up, stronger than when the Angel's body had formed a tornado. Above the Angel's face, something manifested that would have seemed ironically appropriate long ago for its kin: a halo of light, shimmering with an otherworldly presence. And beyond the halo…a red void began to grow, something utterly unreal.
"…the end of the world."
xxxx
…ODD…
There was…something. A strange echo…or perhaps a glimmer…of something…[INDECIPHERABLE]…
…WHAT IS THAT…?
Zeruel.
TABRIS.
Her [equal/sibling/kin]'s tone was…cold. This is a strange turn for you. Out of character, one might say. You [derided/scolded/vilified] Ramiel for merely taking Unit-01 within himself…and here you are, seeking to fully [combine/unite/fuse] with it. Explain yourself.
I HAVE BEEN ARMED WITH THE CERTAINTY OF WHO I AM. I HAVE KNOWN EVER SINCE I [AWOKE/ROSE/MANIFESTED]. EVEN NOW, THERE IS NO DOUBT AS TO MY NATURE…AND YET…FACING OFF AGAINST THE LILIM IN MY FULLNESS…THERE WAS A [REALIZATION/AWAKENING/EPIPHANY].
And that would be?
A HINT OF SOMETHING…BEYOND. I WONDER…IF THIS IS WHAT SANDALPHON HAD IN MIND…
Zeruel…when you refused my aid…I never entertained the possibility that you would do this.
MY DESTINY IS UNCHANGED: I WILL STILL BE THE INSTRUMENT OF THE LILIM'S [DESTRUCTION/DOOM/JUDGMENT]. THIS…HAS NOT CHANGED THAT.
…perhaps. But be mindful: I will [know/feel] if this transformation becomes [irrevocable/final/fundamental]. If it reaches that point…for the sake of the universe…I will unmake you.
I WOULD EXPECT NOTHING LESS. IT WOULD BE…UNFITTING, FOR YOU TO DO OTHERWISE. Beyond the edges of Zeruel's [perception/sight/presence], there was…something. WHAT IS THAT LIGHT…?
Suddenly, something flickered within the world of the Lilim. HMM? Something harsh. Enraged. And its fury was hot…and getting hotter…
Zeruel turned towards the source: it was Unit-00, lying still on the ground. WHAT…?
xxxx
Within the Entry Plug of Unit-00, Rei Ayanami's hands had dented the handlebars, so tightly gripped were they. No power…no power…
Power for what? The armor restraints. Not the Eva itself.
Eva has moved before, even without power, even when restrained by the armor. The very first time she had met Shinji Ikari, Unit-01 had protected him of its own volition. Conclusion: Unit-00 can still move…so move…move…MOVE…!
No response.
"I know you can hear me," whispered Rei, her desperate tones echoing through the darkened Entry Plug. "I know you can…Shinji-kun is out there…and I'm the only one that can help…I'm the only one…"
The mere thought of what had just befallen Shinji Ikari…it was…it was…
With a decisive chomp, the Twentieth Angel swallowed Unit-01 whole.
…infuriating…
There was a spark, deep within. Her thoughts feasted on it.
my boy
Rei stared down at the Third Child with a quiet intent, her expression pensive…yet calculating. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she removed her foot from his chest and stepped away. To think that the concept of child soldiers would trouble him so. "You are...strange, Third Child."
Ikari…
that monster took him
"…why?"
The Third Child glanced at the First; her face exhibiting frustration and irritation that she hadn't experienced in quite some time. "You're the enemy. My mission is to terminate you…so why can't I do it? Why won't my body respond?" Her scowl deepened. "My control is absolute, and I have done all I can to master myself…so why can't I kill you?"
"…because deep down, something is telling you not do it." Shinji gingerly brought his hands up, wrapping them around Rei's outstretched fist. "You can call it your conscious, your AT-Field, your ego barrier, or whatever. Even if I don't look or sound the same to you right now…some part of you knows that I'm Shinji Ikari."
Ikari-kun…
kill
"I...I do not wish to be alone right now. I would prefer it if you stayed."
"...okay."
Shinji-kun…
KILL
All of Shinji Ikari's movements were cut to a screeching halt as Rei Ayanami embraced him, burying her face into his shoulder. "Do not apologize. You are alive. That's all that matters."
"Rei-chan...?"
"As long as one has life, they can continue to move forward. As long as you live, you can make things better." Her grip tightened, ever so slightly. "Never apologize for being alive."
Shinji…!
KILL THAT MONSTER
A dreadful fury began to boil within the First Child. Within the darkness, her body transitioned to Overdrive. "Give him back…!"
GIVE ME BACK MY BOY
Rei raised her eyes, glowing red with power and rage. For the very first time, her hatred was a match for the soul within Unit-00. "GIVE HIM BACK!"
xxxx
Unit-00's eye, dark and empty, suddenly burned with an unearthly glow.
A terrible growl echoed through the hazy air of the Geofront, courtesy of the blue giant. As the Eva slowly rose, balancing awkwardly on its left leg, its AT-Field glimmered and shifted, taking the place of its two missing limbs.
"It's…moving…" whispered Maya, her fingers trailing away from the laptop showing the Eva's internal systems. "But…its reserves are out of energy…"
"…is it going berserk…?" asked Miyata.
"What's…happening to Unit-00…?" asked Tokita.
"…I don't know," admitted Misato.
The blue Eva howled, shattering the armor around its jaw, revealing a maw full of sharpened teeth.
The Angel – the halo over its head growing all the while – snorted audibly. "INSUFFERABLE WEAKLING."
CHYOOOM! CHYOOOM! CHYOOOM!
Cross after cross bloomed in front of Unit-00, smashing into its octagonal AT-Field. Unit-00 still stood, unyielding.
"OH? YOUR SOUL…BURNS…! WHERE DID THIS COME FROM?" Zeruel's body dispersed and swelled, crashing against Unit-00's AT-Field in a flurry of tendrils, whips, and spikes. With a decisive act of will, its AT-Field crashed against Unit-00's own…and bounced off. "HA…INTERESTING!" The Angel rushed forward, smashing its deathly face up-close, glaring at Unit-00. "PERISH."
CHYOOOM!
The energy unleashed by Zeruel did not erupt or explode; it simply clashed against Unit-00's AT-Field, an ineffective light show for all the damage it was doing.
Snarling, Unit-00 reared its left arm, the AT-Field comprising it unfolding in an array of shifting cubes.
What appeared to be a single left straight was a series of twenty invisible impacts, each one stronger than the last, all occurring within an instant.
Zeruel shot backward, skidding haphazardly along the ground.
Breathing with primal rage, Unit-00 glared at the Angel with its burning eye…and let the fury flow.
CHYOOOM! ! !
The optic blast broke through Zeruel's AT-Field, smashing into the Angel and enveloping it in a massive red cross.
And so the Eva advanced, lumbering towards the fallen Angel with purpose.
"…how…how is Unit-00 doing this…?" asked Aoba.
"Sync ratio slowly increasing, holding strong at three-hundred-and-fifty percent! Plug Depth is also increasing!" screamed Maya. "The Entry Plug is descending further towards the Core, approaching Critical Levels!"
Dr. Akagi grimaced. "AYANAMI-KUN, STOP! If you keep going like this…you'll end up like Yui Ikari, or Dr. Sohryu! You won't be able to come back!"
xxxx
The interior of Unit-00's Entry Plug was a kaleidoscope of color.
The only constant was the brilliant body of Rei Ayanami, glowing white, with red eyes that raged. "Unit-00…has always hated me…and I accepted its hate…but now, we share a common goal…to save Shinji-kun…!" Those red eyes focused intently upon the form of Zeruel. "I will accept whatever happens…if it means that I can save him…!"
xxxx
"YOU WILL FAIL!" snarled Zeruel, trying to rise-
SMASH!
A massive AT-Field manifested over Zeruel, crashing down with cosmic fury. It rose…and crashed down again. Again. And again. Every single time the Angel tried to move, Unit-00 brought the hammer down. And the Eva continued its advance.
"GO REI!"
The cheer was unexpected. The source – an impassioned Gendo Ikari – was even more so. "Don't save Shinji for my sake! Not for the sake of NERV! Not even for the sake of the world!" The entire command staff – even Fuyutsuki – stared incredulously at the Supreme Commander, his tone rife with unmistakable pride. "DO IT FOR YOU! SHOW EVERYONE WHO YOU ARE! SHOW THE WORLD…WHO REI AYANAMI IS!"
Unit-00 stood tall above the prone form of Zeruel, glaring furiously at the Angel. Then, with its right arm, it reached impossibly deep into the smoky haze…
xxxx
…and soul brushed against soul. "Shinji-kun! Can you hear me?!"
IT'S TOO LATE.
The voice of Zeruel, even now, echoed with haughty defiance.
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE. SHINJI IKARI IS MINE.
not yours
"I don't care what you want!"
give him BACK
"I'm saving him!"
A decisive declaration. A proclamation of the will.
The souls of Unit-00 and Rei Ayanami pressed down upon Zeruel.
xxxx
(Ima watashi no…)
The hazy body of the Angel began to fade, leaving behind the humanoid form of the Mark 07; the skull-like face remained, as did the gleaming red Core, above which hovered Unit-00's hand.
(Negaigoto ga…!)
High above, the halo was beginning to waver, and the crimson abyss within diminished.
(Kanau naraba…)
"What…what the hell is going on…?" demanded Hikari Kirishima.
"Unit-00 was born of ADAM. Unit-01, of LILITH." Gendo stepped forward, his cloak fluttering in the wind.
(Tsubasa ga hoshii…!)
"The risks of Unit-00 interfacing with the Angel's soul are therefore minimized, compared to letting it fully unite with Unit-01." His gaze, hidden by his orange shades, stared contemplatively at the otherworldly phenomenon.
(Kono senaka ni…)
"If Rei manages to extract Unit-01, she'll have halted the Golgotha Event in its tracks."
(Tori no you ni…!)
"…so in other words, save the boy, save the world?" Misato smiled. "I can dig that."
An invisible pressure prevented Unit-00's right hand from reaching Zeruel's Core. Growling, Unit-00 pressed forward with its ethereal left arm, seamlessly bypassing the unseen resistance and plunging into the crimson sphere.
(Shiroi tsubasa…)
xxxx
The colors had all taken shades of blue, swirling madly and chaotically within the Entry Plug. A distant howl could be heard, courtesy of a broken woman long accustomed to pain.
(Tsukete kudasai…!)
It was to this sound that Rei Ayanami – body blazing with an incredible radiance, a star-in-miniature – leapt from her seat and delved deeper, towards the ego barrier of Zeruel.
xxxx
FOOLISH HYBRID. The voice of Zeruel boomed, echoing through the void that contained Shinji Ikari.
(Kono oozora ni!)
The Third Child, shimmering blue within his Plug Suit, curled up tightly as a cloud of darkness swarmed around him.
(Tsubasa wo hiroge!)
I WILL NEVER LET YOU GO. THAT LIGHT…THAT OTHER WORLD…I HAVE TO SEE IT…I MUST! I WILL!
Shinji wrapped his arms even more tightly, trying to resist the Angel.
(Tonde yukitai yo…)
And then…they heard her.
"Shinji-kun!"
(Kanashimi no nai!)
The young human and the dread skull glanced upward, behind the hazy blue space that separated Zeruel's soul from the world. Descending towards them was Rei Ayanami, a shooting star.
"I'm here!"
(Jiyuu na sora e!)
Shinji stared, hope and disbelief warring within him. "Rei-chan…?"
(Tsubasa hatamekase…)
Zeruel's eyes glimmered. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED HERE. I FORBID IT!
(Yukitai…!)
Rei Ayanami growled, struggling to advance through the eerie void. Wave upon wave of pressure pushed against her, trying to drive her back, demanding that she cease.
And then she roared. Loudly. Angrily.
Despite the soul-searing pain, her hands reached down…and tore through the barrier.
(Kodomo no toki…!)
She reached down, the alien nature of Zeruel's soul shredding away at her…but she refused to yield. "SHINJI-KUN! TAKE MY HAND!"
(Yume mita koto…!)
Shinji struggled, and tried to break free. I REFUSE, roared the skull. YOU SHALL NOT-!
The breach in the ego barrier widened, and a glowing orange cyclops – an avatar of Hate, Wrath, and Fury – bellowed, the sheer force knocking Zeruel back.
(Ima mo onaji…)
Shinji moved as though swimming, rising upward towards the hand of Rei Ayanami. With desperate hope, he reached up…and grabbed her.
(Yume ni miteiru…!)
With a triumphant shout of victory, Rei Ayanami yanked Shinji Ikari out of the Angel's clutches.
xxxx
With a swift yank, Unit-00 hauled Unit-01 out of Zeruel's Core, a seemingly impossible action given how much smaller the red sphere was.
(Kono oozora ni!)
Unit-00 let its counterpart drop to the ground, the purple armor all but dissolved by whatever had happened after being devoured by the Angel.
(Tsubasa wo hiroge!)
"Do we have a reading from Unit-01?!" yelled Misato.
"Processing!" answered Maya.
(Tonde yukitai yo…!)
A little ping came from Maya's laptop. "Life signs confirmed! Ikari-kun's safe and sound!"
xxxx
(Kanashimi no nai!)
It was a nebulous state of being, when the encounter of soul with soul was made manifest in so corporeal a fashion.
Rei Ayanami held tightly onto Shinji Ikari, who returned her embrace with equal vigor. "Rei-chan…I'm sorry. I-"
(Jiyuu na sora e!)
"There is no need to apologize." Rei slowly separated herself from Shinji, her glowing eyes looking at him warmly. "We will continue this later. There is something that I must do."
(Tsubasa hatamekase!)
"…wait, what are-?" Shinji faded away, his soul fully 'snapping' back into his body…and so did Rei's.
(Kono oozora ni!)
Rei sat quietly within her Entry Plug, her body still glowing with the power of Anima Overdrive.
take and devour
(Tsubasa wo hiroge!)
Her gaze fell upon the interlocking spirals beneath Zeruel's Core: the S2 Organ.
feast…and kill
Wordlessly, she willed Unit-00 to indulge its hunger.
(Tonde yukitai yo…!)
xxxx
"What…did it just eat part of the Angel?" asked Tokita, looking slightly green.
(Kanashimi no nai…)
"Unit-00 is taking the Angel's S2 Organ within itself, much like Unit-01 did with the Sixteenth Angel," commented Dr. Akagi. "And to that I say: FEAST AWAY!"
(Jiyuu na sora e…!)
A pained gurgle could be heard from the Eva as it made the S2 Organ its own; the missing limbs slowly regenerated, new flesh replacing what was lost.
(Tsubasa hatamekase….)
xxxx
Within the Entry Plug of the Mark 07, Yomiko Nagisa stirred miserably. "Hmph…limiting me like you did with Leliel…"
(Kono oozora ni…)
Her true body felt like a dead corpse. Without the [fire/spark/engine] to animate it, her soul felt…'congested', for lack of a better term. "So. You have defeated me. I fought to the utmost, and it wasn't enough. Are you satisfied?"
(Tsubasa wo hiroge…)
A holographic monitor flickered above Yomiko's face, showing the glowing face of Rei Ayanami. "…I am."
(Tonde yukitai yo!)
"But my Eva isn't."
The Mark 07's Entry Plug shook, and an instinctive panic overtook Yomiko. "No…"
(Kanashimi no nai!)
"…no...!" Minute cracks began to spread throughout her Core. "You can't! YOU CAN'T!"
(Jiyuu na sora e!)
As Yomiko screamed over the private communication channel to Rei Ayanami, the true voice of Zeruel howled through the ether. YOU CAN'T DO THIS! YOU MUSTN'T!
(Tsubasa hatamekase!)
I WON'T BE ME ANYMORE!
(Kono oozora ni!)
A malicious intent oozed from the soul of Unit-00.
you must SUFFER
(Tsubasa wo hiroge!)
"The soul within Unit-00 desires your anguish," nonchalantly said Rei.
(Tonde yukitai yo…!)
"…and I don't find myself inclined to stop her," finished the First Child, who promptly cut the channel.
(Kanashimi no nai!)
"NO! NO! DON'T DO IT!" The cracks continued to spread as Unit-00's grip tightened. "STOP IT!"
(Jiyuu na sora e!)
The white-haired nephilim jerked repetitively on the handlebars, her very spirit stretching and tearing and ripping at the very edges STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT "STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!" and the screaming and the agony just wouldn't end.
(Tsubasa hatamekase!)
"STOOOOOOP! ! !"
(Yukitai…!)
DIE
The Core fissured, and split…and then, with a decisive clench, Unit-00 shattered it.
Yomiko Nagisa wailed, her back arching in exquisite torment. A horrific howl echoed across the ether.
And then, all was silent.
xxxx
/Downtown Tokyo-3/
Meanwhile, standing at the ragged edge of the hole formed by the Twentieth Angel's opening salvo, were Mana Kirishima and Mayumi Yamagishi. They had hightailed it from the wreck of the Burning Gundam just in time to witness the battle from the moment Unit-01 had teleported to the Angel's side, where Shinji Ikari had shouted 'Hey, YOU!' before decking the monster in the face.
They had watched everything from that point.
Moments after Unit-00 crashed the Angel's Core, Mana whistled. "…well. That was intense."
"Agreed," said Mayumi.
xxxx
Within the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mark 06 suddenly twitched. Within the Entry Plug, Kaworu Nagisa inhaled sharply, wincing at the howl that roared across the ether…and then, there was only silence. "So…she has fallen."
…hello? Tabris's tentative question spread throughout the metaphysical mindscape shared by all of those born of ADAM.
There was no answer.
…so I am truly the last.
Kaworu Nagisa looked down at his hands, shaped like those of the Lilim, yet bearing a power beyond their reckoning. "…I am all alone, now." Despite it all, the ache in his heart was all too human.
The end of everything would come in due course. Now was the time for tears.
And so Kaworu Nagisa wept, barely capable of expressing the fullness of Tabris's sorrow.
xxxx
/Medical Ward, NERV-1, Tokyo-3/
Rei Ayanami slowly opened her eyes. I…am alive.
What time was it?
She glanced at the nearby clock on the wall: it was nearly midnight. So…nearly sixteen hours, at least. Her Sync Ratio had never been better; her hate had been one with Unit-00's; she had fully interfaced with the soul of her Eva, and Shinji, and the Angel…and yet she was still here. She had not become one with her Eva. How? Was it because I was in Overdrive? Did the greater robustness of her soul in that ascended state play a factor? Or…did the Yui Ikari within Unit-00 play a role…? A small bit of kindness, for saving Shinji Ikari? Wait…Shinji-kun!
Rei turned her head, ignoring the soreness in her body; slumped over the side of her cot was the Third Child, snoring softly. Ah…he is okay. One of his arms was outstretched more than the other; gingerly turning over – taking care not to disturb any of her intravenous drips – Rei grabbed his closest hand, bringing it up to her face. Gently, she wrapped her hands around his, her fingers softly linking behind his knuckles.
He felt slightly cool to the touch. Let him sleep, Rei told herself; they would both be awake tomorrow. She listened to his soft breathing, slowly lulling herself to sleep from the sound of his faint heartbeat. This…will do.
And so the First Child slumbered alongside the Third: a brief reprieve from the impending fulfillment of their destiny.
xxxx
To be continued…
Next time…
Episode 30: TABRIS (It was nice knowing you…goodbye.)
xxxx
Author's Note: The song that played during the end of the battle is none other than "Tsubasa", aka "Give me wings", aka "the song that plays in Eva 2.0 when Shinji rescues Rei from Zeruel and nearly causes Third Impact."
Zeruel came. Zeruel saw. Zeruel conquered. And then was conquered in turn.
Three episodes left.
See you soon, and please review!
