Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 18: [Angel Attack]
Asuka and Rei walked around the mall, Asuka picking out a light blue and a white shirt for Rei to wear at night as well as extra socks and underwear. Then she got her some art supplies, crayons, and a sketchpad. And finally she picked out a new pair of shoes for Rei.
"This is a bit excessive." Rei said and Asuka shook her head.
"Not if you don't have a hobby. Besides, I'm sure that a little variety might go a long way." Asuka said.
Rei payed for the items with her NERV stipend and Asuka was shocked seeing just how much money Rei had leftover..
They went to Rei's apartment and Asuka peeked inside before making a face and dragging Rei out of the bare and unsightly building.
"Hold on, First! You really live like this?!" Asuka said incredulously.
"Yes." Rei responded.
" . . . Did Commander Ikari give you these . . . quarters?" Asuka questioned, looking stunned.
"Yes. They have been adequate for my life here."
"Adequate!? Does your family know about this?"
"I don't have any family."
The statement was disarming. Asuka looked around to try and think of what to say next. Looking around proved to be easy as there wasn't much in Rei's spartan apartment to notice.
It was getting to be later in the afternoon now and she would feel terrible just going away from the squalor of Rei's home to the clean and comparatively well managed apartment of Misato's to relax. Leaving her here would bother Asuka, even if it was Rei's home in a sense.
"Come on." Asuka said, picking up the bag again as she slammed the door and started walking away.
"Where are we going?" Rei asked.
"We're going to a real – I'm going to invite you to my place tonight. If you're OK with that."
"That is fine. However, I must ask why."
"You live in a dump! To think I believed you lived in some mansion or something! If Commander Ikari thinks these are decent living conditions for his favored pilot than I'm glad Shinji is distant with him!"
"Why don't you like Commander Ikari?" Rei asked and Asuka glanced back, aware that Rei respected the man.
"That's something we need to have the Third around for to talk about in full - but the Commander keeps a lot of secrets from us that could have helped us in the past. The Spear! The Dummy Plugs! There are more examples but – the point is that we could be more prepared to fight the Angels if we knew about these things." Asuka said and looked to Rei.
"I knew of the Spear of Longinus. It was used successfully against Arael as per the Commander's orders."
"Well he obviously told you about it! But me and Shinji? We didn't know about it at all! If he expects us to follow his orders, we all should be on the same page!"
"That is true. I must admit I did not think that would be an issue. However, until recently I have not found issue with Commander Ikari. Yet – Shinji. The Getter Team. Professor Yumi. Kouji Kabuto. All of them have expressed they do not like working with the Commander."
Rei narrowed her eyes the slightest margin as she thought about what to say next.
"In Shinji's case, I do not understand his frustration. The Commander is his father. Yet he – confided? - in me that he was upset. I slapped him for it and he did not pursue the topic further. However you and I both heard that he wants his father's approval. That is the reason he stated he pilots Unit 01, is it not?"
"Again – he can tell you his side of the story when we meet up. What about you, First? No family so were you an orphan?" Asuka asked Rei.
Rei paused and decided that hearing out Shinji could wait for later.
"Correct, No family. NERV has been all I've known for most of my life." Rei answered back.
"And you've always lived in that – dump?" Asuka voiced the question.
"It has been adequate." Rei responded.
"Adequate. That word again. A home should make you feel comfortable, not like you're in some slave hovel." Asuka stated, crossing her arms in anger.
They left Rei's new things in her apartment and boarded a subway train. The ride was mostly uneventful. Rei reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture from the party, Kei and Benkei smiling as they crouched around Rei, Kei putting up a peace sign right behind Rei's head.
"What does this mean, Asuka?" Rei asked her.
"Oh, that's rabbit ears. You know?" Asuka said, holding up a hand behind her own head and making the gesture.
"You do it when you're having fun." Asuka remarked and looked at the picture.
"Kei and Benkei are smiling in this. They are happy." Rei said and looked to her own face, which was stoic and emotionless.
"They're happy because you were there, dummy."
"But – I didn't speak to them much." Rei said.
"Doesn't matter. You showed up. That's the important part."
"Thank you for explaining this to me. Now regarding Commander Ikari and the present situation - I am not sure what happens next." Rei said.
"What do you mean?" Asuka followed up.
"Commander Ikari's plan – and the Photon Labs and Getter Team's mission to stop Dr. Hell and Shin Dragon. Both of them contradict each other. I was under the impression that Commander Ikari was able to work in tandem with them, but now I see he is not. These other people risk their lives for us and Commander Ikari does not do the same." Rei finished.
"Because he can't control them like they're his-" Asuka began and stopped.
"-dolls." Rei finished.
Asuka stopped.
"Rei – I'm sorry." Asuka said, looking to the other girl with what she hoped was sincerity.
"Why?"
"I should never have called you those names. Especially when I have bad memories concerning them. I'll explain everything when we get back . Then we need to meet with Shinji outside of NERV HQ. It's high time the three Children all sit down and share what we have in common. How can we be like the Getter Team and save the world if we're too busy butting heads?" Asuka said.
Then a noise was head similar to that of an air siren was heard and Asuka froze as people outside of the subway began to panic, running away from the area. It was the most intense alarm that NERV had, in the case that the world could end at any second. The subway stopped and the pair exited, pushed by the running crowds.
"That alarm means-!" She began.
"An Angel has attacked and breached the Geofront." Rei said simply. The two had little time to do anything at all as they prepared for the potential end of the world.
/
"I am out of control." I say. I hear Kaworu Nagisa's voice – my voice say this, yet no one can hear it. The EVA Unit 02 marches on, walking straight towards the Geofront as sirens blare. There is a moment where Tabris and I are both aware of the implications – that I have lost control and the Call is too much for even the Angel of Free Will to resist.
I hear the commands from the main deck as Doctor Akagi yells frantically.
"Kaworu! Pattern Blue is detected in Unit 02! Tell me what's going on!" The Doctor yells to me.
"He's an Angel. So we need to stop him now." Ah yes. The voice of Major Katsuragi.
"The Third Child will suffice for this task. Ready Unit 01." Commander Ikari's voice says.
Ikari. The man who usurped part of Adam for himself. I am amused by the irony of the situation. Despite his NERV taskforce at the ready to kill the Angels, he seems committed at playing God.
The Geofront is waiting. Yet I pause for a moment as another servant of the lilan's roar is heard. Unit 01. Shinji. He will face me. Suddenly I feel unease. Worry. Ending all life will mean ending his life. And that is something I cannot bear to dwell on.
/
Misato was frantic as Unit 02 lept down towards Terminal Dogma. The shaft was enough for the raging Evangelion to fit through as it fell. The Geofront had been breached in seconds and luckily Shinji was on site. He launched in minutes hearing that an Angel had taken control of Unit 02. Misato could only wonder how he'd react knowing that his foe was Kaworu.
She could see Kaworu on the screen, grinning like a savage creature as he leaned forward in Unit 02's cockpit.
"If Shinji fails to stop him-!" Misato said frantically.
Mikoto was firm as he looked to her. He explained that he'd detonate the place if the Third Child failed.
"I don't mind as long as it's with you."
She heard and was grateful to the man's honesty. He gripped her hand as the short haired man put on a brave face.
"Thank you." Misato said as the visuals from Unit 01's cameras cut, leaving them with only the sounds of battle between both EVAs.
/
"Hayato, are you sure about this!?" Ryoma said as Shin Getter 2 drilled underground at a fast pace.
"Yes. If NERV is unable to stop this Angel, the task falls to us. We'll just have to intercept it at the source!" Hayato said simply.
"And Benkei's happy about us leaving him behind again?" Ryoma asked.
"He's looking over Neo Getter's specs and replacement pilot at the moment, as well as explaining what he thinks the Dinosaur Empire did to that EVA's pilot. He doesn't have time to be unhappy about us."
"And you! Are you sure you want to be here?" Ryoma scowled, looking over his shoulder at his own co-pilot. Kaji gave Ryoma a serious glance as the man was for once at attention given the stakes of things.
"Ryoma . . . let him be. He has every right to be here." Go said from the cockpit of Shin Bear. "Now we wait to see if we're needed here. It's not much further."
/
Unit 02's, form fell before him as it crashed into the surface of Terminal Dogma. The area was dark, the surface of the floor looking a pale white. The blood red EVA a stark contrast as it's body was still.
"Well done, Shinji. You helped me refocus myself. Whatever the Dinosaur Empire had down there was able to devolve humans. As such the human part of myself lost control. And as a result – my AT field is not working properly." Kaworu said as the entry plug to Unit 02 ejected.
"But now that does not matter. I will end everything here and now, even if I don't have full control of my abilities."
Kaworu smiled as him as he began levitating and passed by Unit 01, moving at a speed that would reach whatever his destination was in a matter of minutes. His body was gaunt, his back hunched and arms and legs spread in excitement. Even with a cleared head, the Dinosaur Empire's devolution atmosphere had some lingering effects.
It was not enough as Unit 01's arm snaked out, wrapping around the Angel and restraining him in the EVA's massive grip.
Shinji was speechless as he held the other boy, wondering what to do. A minute passed by as his brain tried to process what to do next – and to no avail.
The Evangelion took that moment to speak though Shinji and the boy was terrified.
"Shinji, I will do it so you can hate me instead of yourself. I have already committed so many acts of death in this body. One more will not change me."
Yui's voice flowed in his mind even as he clutched the controls to hold Kaworu in place over the fallen Unit 02. It had been so long since he'd heard her directly speak to him.
"Mother – I - !" Shinji couldn't think coherently as Kaworu simply gave him the same relaxed smile as before, the words he needed to say already said.
"Shinji, I must thank you for waking me up. I really don't mind being killed if it's you. I want you to live in this world. I predict that will give you the chance to be happy." Kaworu spoke.
Shinji didn't get a chance to respond.
The EVA's fist closed in on Kaworu Nagisa's body. Shinji Ikari's pained scream was joined by Unit 01's own.
/
"The Angel is beaten. We should go to HQ and report." Rei said and Asuka was inclined to agree with the First Child.
The two made it through the busy city to find the HQ locked down. The trip took a while considering no one had time to evacuate and there was an overall panic. Despite that, they were let in after a few minutes of waiting.
Misato emerged with Shinji in tow as he cried. The two walked to a nearby beach. Asuka pursued them and Rei was quick to follow once Asuka convinced her it was important.
"Shinji." Rei said as they got closer to him. Shinji was shuddering and making unintelligible sounds as he cried, shoulders shaking as his head bobbed up and down with them.
Rei sat next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, just like she'd done during martial arts practice with Ryoma. "Shinji?"
"Rei, Kaworu he-" Shinji began before breaking down again. Asuka sat on his other side and wasn't sure what to do. She crossed her arms and just watched, decided she'd figure out what to do after they heard out Shinji.
"Ikari, would holding you be appropriate?" Rei asked him, putting her hand next to his in the sand. Shinji didn't respond, but put a hand on her own, gripping it tightly as he kept crying.
"Did Kaworu – die?" Asuka asked, feeling that it would be unbelievable if true, judging by the way the boy fought off Gamia and the Iron Masks recently.
"He – he - he. The Angel – He." Shinji breathed as he kept shuddering.
Rei grabbed Shinji and let him sob against her shoulder as he sat up and clutched her in kind. More intense than when Rei held her, Asuka noticed. But not unwelcome as Shinji leaned against her.
"Kaworu – turned out to be-" More sobs were heard. "He was the final Angel." Shinji finished. Rei looked up to Asuka, who was taken aback.
"No way! But he was – an EVA pilot?" Asuka half yelled and half asked.
"He could control Unit 02 because he was an Angel. He almost got to Terminal Dogma as well with it. I had to stop it with Unit 01 and then-"
Shinji stopped speaking as he held onto Rei tighter, eliciting more sobs as he trembled.
Asuka frowned and sat next to Rei so she could hold onto Shinji as well, rubbing his back and keeping the other two stable.
"Then what happened?" Asuka asked, wanted to know just what transpired.
"I had to kill him. And Kaworu decided he wanted it too. He told me that he wanted me – the one he loved – to keep living." Shinji finished and resumed a fresh bout of sobs. Asuka looked to Rei and Rei met her gaze before putting her head down so that it was against Shinji's.
"He loved you." Rei said. Not a question but a statement.
"Y-yeah." Shinji responded weakly. "Unconditionally."
"'Unconditionally' – meaning without any expectation or circumstance." Rei clarified.
"The only one who ever did that for me was Kaworu – and now he's dead. Because I – I k-killed him!" Shinji spat out like it was poison before starting another fit of sobs.
They sat there for a few more minutes, letting Shinji finish crying.
Asuka could blame all she wanted – blame herself for being away from NERV HQ today – blame Rei for following her rather than Shinji – blame Commander Ikari for everything really – blame Kouji or Ryoma for not arriving in the nick of time to save the day with their Super Robots – blame Kaworu himself for getting so close to Shinji in such a short time that it tore a hole in his heart – even blame Shinji for letting the Kaworu's affections wound him as much as they had. But it wouldn't matter. Blame wouldn't fix what had happened.
"He was an Angel, Shinji. The fact that you stopped him from getting so close is remarkable. Especially considering he was using MY Unit 02." Asuka added. "Your love just saved the world. Nagisa wouldn't have stopped if Wonder-girl or I had been there in your place."
Shinji finished crying – he was out of tears even if he wanted to keep sobbing.
"I – I'm really glad you all found me. Otherwise I might've run away again. I might've just pushed everyone away like before." Shinji said as they helped him stand up.
"No one's running from anything now. And we've got you this time." Misato said and helped him up.
"Plus we pilots don't need the Getter Team around for a group of three idiots, it seems." Asuka said.
"If Kaworu was the first to love you so much – then we should do the same for each other." Rei said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"What?" Shinji asked, sounding tired and confused.
"Asuka saw the state of my quarters and wants me to visit you both now. I think we could follow Kaworu's example. Trying to love unconditionally. Especially if we want to be more effective as a team. And since at this point there is not much time left." Rei said.
Asuka looked to the two of them and was going to say something snide but thought better of it, stooping down and putting one of Shinji's arms around her shoulder as she supported him with walking.
"Well how about we get Rei's stuff and take it home. Shinji, if you want I can cook tonight." Asuka offered as she picked up one of the bags and Rei grabbed the second. Asuka blinked and realized that they both were holding Shinji.
"You're feeling better?" She asked.
"A little. But I still miss him so much. I can't believe he's gone and that I -" Shinji breathed.
"We are with you, Ikari." Rei cut Shinji's train of thought off, giving his hand a light squeeze.
"Kids, you all look pretty close. Shinji, you ah – you doin' ok?" Misato asked and Shinji closed his eyes.Misato sighed and remembered just why she'd been drinking so quickly after work. Even if Hayato was right about the man being alive, Kaji's message had been clear. The tryst with him earlier might just be the last time she'd see him again.
It drove her crazy that he could very well be alive or dead, and she wouldn't know until she either saw him again or he never came back. He didn't return her calls or anything like that. He may very well be dead right now. To think he wanted to go serious with her. And to leave it in his final message. It was cruel.
Misato tried to wedge the bad thoughts away with the odd spectacle in front of her. Since when did Rei show physical affection for anyone? And as for Asuka, was that a blush for Shinji? She saw that one coming but never really thought it would develop.
"Shinji, do you need to talk about it?" Misato asked.
"I do but right now I can't. Asuka wants to talk about pilot stuff with Rei and I. Right now I can't even add to it. Kaworu – he – I can't believe he's gone even though - Unit 01 and I crushed him in our hand."
Our hand. As though he himself was the Evangelion. Misato immediately found herself torn between slapping Shinji and hugging him. The words came out of his mouth so naturally.
"Shinji. Asuka. Rei. Now that the last Angel's dead, NERV has no practical reason to keep the Evangelion Units." Misato said through her buzz and Shinji shook his head.
"You're wrong." He said, even with his tired eyes and voice.
"Evangelion Unit 01 is my mother." He continued. "And NERV used the EVAs in the past to cause Second Impact." Shinji finished.
/
Shinji shook again and Asuka sighed. It seemed holding him wasn't going to help much right now.
"Misato, I didn't believe it at first. But earlier in the week I was doing a sync test with Shinji, I felt my Evangelion moving around and breathing – as though it was alive. NERV has to have some kind of reason why even us Pilots don't know the first thing about them."
Misato nodded. "I have several questions as well. And I know who we can get all the answers from."
"We're going to get some answers before we officially drop you off before your father demands an explanation." She said seriously.
"And before that we need to talk about Pilot stuff." Asuka said, giving Shinji a shake.
"Anything you want to add?" She asked him.
"I guess I just have never understood Father's choices about us pilots. We're operating the only things that can reliably kill Angels. And he treats us all like garbage." Shinji said as though it was plain as day – the grief he was going through effectively killing his normal filter created by fear and politeness.
Misato frowned. What Shinji was saying had truth to it but she still didn't know enough to use that information. "Elaborate."
"Well – he sent me away for years right after Mother's – accident. And the only thing I've ever gotten from him were words of praise over a – goddamn – transmission.
"On top of that, Rei's the one he gives 'special treatment' to and she lives in a hovel. No comforts. No family. Nothing." Asuka said, omitting the last name he shared with Shinji.
"Previous Rei?" Misato asked, squinting in confusion. Asuka swore in German. "Right. That's a whole other can of worms." The Second Child said.
They explained the situation to Misato and she fought the urge to go get a beer from the nearest convenience store. She stopped Asuka and Shinji from speaking for a moment to paraphrase what she'd heard.
"So – Rei's a clone. Go knew this and used those Getter Rays I keep hearing about to restore some of her memories. But it doesn't change the fact that NERV on the surface acts like she's the same Rei Ayanami as before. And what about you, Asuka?" Misato asked.
"Well - my case is really personal. I really don't want to go into it now. But I told Shinji about it earlier." She said, looking away as she gave Shinji's shoulder a squeeze.
"It resurfaced from the Angel's attack on Unit 02? During the fight against the Double Mazingers?" Misato asked and Asuka nodded.
"And now my Pilot status is put into question?! Bullshit! You saw how well I piloted Getter Dragon! NERV or someone knows how much I value being an EVA Pilot. Not being able to be in Unit 02 – my Evangelion – is maddening. There's no more excuses to keep me from piloting it!"
"And what of you, Rei?" Misato asked.
"I didn't even think of my situation being bad or even objectionable until yesterday. After the Mazinger and Getter teams victories over Baron Ashura and Count Brocken, Sayaka Yumi gave me a hug upon my asking what the purpose of one was. I never felt anything like that before."
She stopped for a moment and kept speaking. "Then today I found myself missing the times I spent with everyone at the party. The Getter Team has been very accommodating. When I visited Asuka today I wanted to hold onto that feeling. I have never been in very many social situations before and did not expect anyone to care about me outside of NERV." Rei finished.
"Right. So we've got Shinji with his father being the furthest thing from a father, Asuka with not being able to pilot her EVA despite her skills with it, and Rei, a clone, whose never been able to socialize outside of NERV. Is that all correct?" Misato asked. All three of the Children nodded.
"Dammit. I wish we could've talked about this before the Angels were all gone. Be that as it may, Rei's expected back at base soon. Come on, let's go there. Best not keep anyone waiting." Misato said.
"Remember while we're at HQ this conversation never happened until we're in the clear again." Misato said and the three Children nodded as she led them all away from the beach.
/
Shinji deserved to know the truth, Ritsuko figured as Kaworu certainly did not deserve his fate, Angel or not. He seemed human enough to her, after all.
Shinji entered the chamber and immediately his jaw dropped as he stared ahead, walking towards the vats containing the spare bodies of Rei.
He wasn't alone it seemed, as Misato entered the scene, pointing her pistol at Ritsuko. Then two more entered as Rei and Asuka walked in. Asuka was stunned while Rei was stoic looking as usual despite being around so many copies of herself.
/
"For all your talk of dreams, you killed Michiru in cold blood!"
Ryoma heard the words he yelled to Professor Saotome so long ago in his head and exhaled. He was more tired than he'd let on, the energy tracking down Kaji and saving him from the assailants taking a bit more out of him than he'd want to admit. Confronting the man who'd set him down the path of Getter Robo was the last thing he'd care to do today if he could help it.
They'd seen what Kaji had suspected and it hadn't been pretty. No doubt NERV would know someone had been snooping around but at this point it didn't matter. They had what they needed.
But now they'd dealt with a new Angel and the return of the Dinosaur bastards. And on top of that a second Angel had attacked. Thankfully, Unit 01 and Shinji were there once again to stop the threat. That said, it made Ryoma uneasy. Any closer to whatever Angel NERV kept in hiding and it could've been catastrophic.
Once Shin Getter was repaired and refueled, Hayato himself led Ryoma, and Go back down to the source of the Angel they'd detected. Even if this particular life-form was still, the mission was not over. There was something else. Multiple life signs that Shin Getter seemed to be drawn to. The Getter moved on its own, slightly deviating from the original course.
"Shin Getter wants to improvise!" Hayato warned as the white Getter focused on a group of smaller lifeforms on the monitor.
"It's gonna kill them all! Dammit, Hayato!" Ryoma tisked.
"No. We can swim through the metal with Shin Getter." Go said as Ryoma blinked. It was true. The Getter was – flowing through the steel structures and corridors, leaving each structure intact as it passed.
"This is the only way to get by NERV's security. An obvious break in would bode ill for us." Go clarified.
"Then – lead the way, Shin Getter." Hayato said.
/
Shin Getter 2's head rose through the ground and several alarms were immediately set off, the sounds of bulkheads slamming shut as they tried to cut off the immediate room.
"Shin Getter Robo?!" Dr. Akagi yelled as she saw the white armored robot's head gaze at her.
The Doctor stood next to Misato and the three Children, Shinji and Asuka looking around the room in shock. Then they all looked to the white Super Robot that looked around the room with its own gaze as its large head was the only thing able to fit in the room.
"All right Dr. Akagi, we're just here to see what dirty laundry NERV's got, and what the hell they're planning." Ryoma's voice spoke up from within the Getter.
"Yeah Rits, time to come clean. What the hell's an EVA? What's with all the copies of Rei? And why is does Shinji think Unit 01 is his mother?" Misato asked.
"That's because it's true – Evangelion Unit 01 houses the soul of - Yui Ikari." Ritsuko said, closing her eyes as she started to shake.
"Then Unit 02 really is my mother-?!" Asuka's eyes widened as she kicked Ritsuko in the leg.
"Dammit! I thought Mom went crazy for all those years! But you put part of her in Unit 02?! My mother! And you didn't tell me!?" Asuka looked furious, clawing at Dr. Akagi as Rei got in front of her, stopping her from striking Ritsuko.
"Asuka, pleasestop. This is the only source of reliable information we have at the moment." Rei said, keeping the angry girl away as Misato and Shinji both helped intervene.
"My mother KILLED HERSELF! You had NO REASON to keep that from me!" Asuka roared. "Why?! Why didn't we know!? . . . Why didn't we know?!"
"Asuka. . . . " Shinji said, pulling a hand on her shoulder.
The yelling stopped as she shook and grabbed the front of Shinji's shirt, clutching to him to both keep herself between him and Doctor Akagi and secondly for someone to hold onto.
Rei took the chance to ask another question.
"Dr. Akagi, what are these . . . duplicates of me?" Rei asked as several carbon copies of Rei Ayanami floated in a giant cylinder full of LCL liquid.
A large circular orange vat made up a large part of the room, several still, but laughing and statuesque forms of Rei Ayanami in the glass aquarium. The Rei clones were more than enough to investigate NERV's underbelly if the Getter Team played their remaining cards right.
"I - " Dr. Akagi's eyes widened as Rei looked her in the eyes with determination.
The alarms kept blaring and Misato frowned.
"Talk now, or leave with us and talk later!" Hayato's voice was heard as a side ladder deployed from Shin Getter's head.
"Kids, you go on. I'll get Ritsuko." Misato said, giving the three a serious glare.
Shinji gulped and looked to Shin Getter 2, Hayato poking his head and upper torso out of the large machine's open canopy.
"You kids better be good at hide and seek in small places, because these cockpits are about to be cramped." The man said with a brief smirk despite the situation.
Rei looked to the copies of herself and then turned, the first to board as Asuka and Shinji followed.
"Now. Talk." Misato said as she pointed her pistol to Ritsuko's back.
"No! Kill me! I don't want to live like this anymore! You'd be - doing me a favor." Ritsuko screamed and Misato frowned, letting the pistol arm hang loose as she slapped her former roommate with the other.
"No. I won't kill you. You still need to answer a lot of questions, and I'm not going to just kill a friend." Misato said. "Now let's move!"
"That's right. A much crueler fate awaits you, Doctor Akagi." Hayato said and his gaze froze the blood in her veins.
Ritsuko looked terrified but complied as she ran to the ladder of Shin Getter 2, helped by Hayato into the canopy as Misato followed.
"These copies are for Commander Ikari's master plan. I want to destroy them – as revenge! Against him! Against SEELE!" Ritsuko said, holding up a detonator as the open cockpit sealed shut.
"Not yet. First I want everyone in this Getter securely. I didn't think Major Katsuragi would bring the Children along. Then we'll talk about how we're leaving." Hayato said as he pointed to a solid metal ladder behind his chair leading down to the other Get Machines making up Shin Getter 2.
"Major Katsuragi, go down two levels to the Eagle Unit. I think you'll like our little surprise party. And you kids as well. There's enough for Dr. Akagi and I to talk about up here." Hayato said as he pressed himself further in the seat to allow the three children to crawl over him to the ladder.
"Rei." Go said with a smile as the girl stopped on the second level. Rei lept off the ladder and walked around to the front of the seat.
"You. I remember you. Go Ichimonji." The girl said and Go nodded stoically.
"Good to see you again, Rei Ayanami. How are you?" Go asked.
"Despite the state of things I am well." Rei said casually as Go nodded to her. Both smiled faintly as they were both accustomed to relative silence.
"Asuka, keep going. I shall stay up here with Go." Rei said and helped Shinji down into the cockpit of Shin Eagle. Then she stood behind Go's chair and looked around the interior of the Bear Unit's frame.
Misato was quick to move down the ladder and couldn't believe it as she saw the disheveled man in the small space, the informant giving her a smirk with his laid back but strong eyes.
"Hey there, Misato." Her lover said and she let go of the ladder to fall on him.
"Kaji!?" Misato whispered and embraced the spy. Shinji was quick to move out of the way as Asuka was also moving fast to join Misato in the hug. Ryoma yelled at the multiple new presences in the Eagle's cockpit.
"Dammit! Too many people down here! Hayato, I'm cutting controls to Eagle so we don't accidentally break apart if somebody presses the wrong lever!" Ryoma yelled.
Kaji groaned as Misato's hug was both strong and tender. And crushing his waist. While Asuka's was a vice grip around his upper chest and neck.
"Shinji! He's alive! K-" A hand was put on Asuka's mouth as Kaji managed to put a finger to his lips.
"Sensitive information, Pilot. Dr. Akagi still thinks I'm dead." The man said with a knowing smirk before he was cut off from Misato's lips pressing on his own.
"Geez! At least ask for some space before you start going at it!" Ryoma whispered, standing against the side of the Eagle's chair so that Kaji could sit in it, Misato on his lap. Moving also give Asuka and Shinji a space to stand against the chair.
"I'm just glad he's OK." Asuka said as she blinked and wiped her eyes. "Thank goodness, Kaji. But really – is this really how adults greet each other in situations like these?"
/
"Copies of me." Rei said, looking to the orange tanks. "If we get rid of these, it will hinder Commander Ikari's plan." She said, looking to Ritsuko's face on the monitor.
"But – you're OK with that?! They're part of you! You're OK with me – doing this?!" Ritsuko yelled.
"I am myself. Living as a single person. Not as a vessel for the Commander's whims. And I wish to be the last Rei Ayanami to be created in this way through his orders. You have the knowledge to make it happen. So I am fine with it." Rei said.
Hayato flipped open a switch in the cockpit of Shin Getter 2.
"Doctor Akagi, can you bypass NERV's security firewall? Given the recent attack by the Dinosaur Empire, they may be unsure just what happened here. We'll leave this area and NERV can think what they will of it. We're already so far along this path that SEELE and NERV will have to catch up to us." Hayato said, giving the control to Ritsuko.
On the other screen Misato nodded, pushing what looked like a man away from the view-screen.
"Wait a minute." Hayato said as Shin Getter 2's eyes looked to the vat of clones, extending its claw arm to the gathered copies of Rei Ayanami. The claw hand warped through the metal in the floor and made contact with the orange vats.
Hayato blinked at this development. "Rei - are you seeing all of this?" He asked.
"Commander Jin, Shin Getter says it can absorb them." Go said and looked to Rei for permission.
"Yes. The Getter may proceed. I trust whatever it wishes to do." The girl said and Go nodded.
"Do it, Shin Getter." He spoke out loud.
A green surge spread from the metal claw, filling the containers with bright light. Then they faded away as the Getter's eyes widened and the various screens and panels in front of Hayato blazed brighter as they started turning on all over Hayato's control panel. Then the entire assembly of vats and copies within the room were gone.
"It – absorbed the copies into itself?!" Ryoma blurted out and Hayato chuckled.
"Doctor Akagi, it seems that the Getter has it's own idea of how to clean up here. Now, let's finish what it started." The current pilot of the Getter suggested.
"Alright then." She flipped the switch and the explosion engulfed the area in a blossom of flames.
/
"The backup area is destroyed?!" Gendo heard Fuyutsuki ask, the elderly man containing his shock as he answered the call.
"I see. Moving forward we'll ensure Rei is away from any Evangelion combat at all times. Contact Major Katsuragi and inform her of this change. Both Doctor Akagi and The First are to be confined on base until further notice." Gendo said as Fuyutsuki relayed the orders.
"And we lock down any other entrances below. I don't know what SEELE used to hit us, but they won't do so again." Fuyutsuki added before hanging up the phone and looking to Gendo.
"So SEELE makes its next move. First they eliminate our spy and now the backups of Rei are eliminated." The elderly man said.
"Perhaps. To ensure all outside factors do not interfere, perhaps it is time we sever all alliances with the Photon Labs. We're so close to the promised day, these other factions no longer matter. As long as we have the First, Third, and Unit 01, we may proceed." Commander Ikari spoke.
"Are you sure it's such a good idea to support what the Prime Minister is proposing?" The other man questioned.
Gendo kept staring ahead. "All obstacles must be removed from our path if we want to reach our goal."
"And the Children? How should we proceed with them?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"The self worth they feel piloting the Evangelion series will be enough. The Second Child especially. The Third is the same, wanting my approval even as he stays distant from me. And as for the First Child, Rei will comply with my orders." Ikari finished.
"Then soon. Soon we'll see Yui." Fuyutsuki said and for once, Gendo Ikari repeated him.
"Soon we'll see Yui."
/
Brocken and Ashura screamed as the ruins caved in, the deepest parts revealing a long chasm. Two gigantic green hands burst from the shadows and wrapped around both of them. And then they were met by the face of a gigantic ogre in black armor.
"Who . . . dares?!" The warrior giant whispered, voice sounding strained from a long slumber.
"W-we are Baron Ashura and Count Brocken!" Count Brocken was first to speak. "We are here under the orders of the great Doctor Hell!" The Count finished.
The green skinned giant looked surprised and stood taller, revealing a second face on the stomach, the face of a wise looking sage with a long white beard. He looked surprised as he regarded Baron Ashura.
"You are Tristan. And Isolde. Why are you joined as one like this?" The being asked, the creature's torso turning from side to side so the face could view Ashura's form with both of its eyes.
"W-what!?" Baron Ashura exclaimed, looking shocked.
"Baron Ashura, you know who this is!?" Count Brocken asked with surprise.
Baron Ashura stammered, unable to respond.
"That patchwork human you call your ally is our Mycenae Empire's Tristan and Isolde! The two guardians we sealed away to awaken our armies!" The gigantic being stated.
"Now, headless man, bring me this 'Doctor Hell'. I would have words with him."
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As per the last chapter, it's EVA centric again and considering what's going on the story that's to be expected for the next few chapters. Also an author's note that this fic may be on a hiatus in a few weeks. I am busy with life stuff but will write more if there's time to do so. There are a few chapters after this one written but they also will need revision before positing.