I'm sure everyone who knows Evangelion remembers this little bit. This time, Jet Alone is neither going to be a serious yet unnecessary battle, or a complete joke. And you'll see why once we get into the chapter. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Evangelion, or Anarchy Reigns.

Cruel Angel's Thesis Chapter 7: Jet Alone

Back in Japan, a crowd was gathering for a demonstration of a new device. The presenter was addressing the crowd that had gathered. "The Speedwagon Foundation has taken to developing several mobile battle platforms for the purpose of combating the threat of the Angels. Now some of you might be wondering how we intend to break through the AT Field that Angels are able to project. The thing is... We don't. This project is strictly to aid the EVAs by performing hit and run tactics designed to draw attention away from them and giving them an opening to attack. It can also prove useful in retrieving the cores once an Angel has been defeated."

He motioned to the giant curtain. "And with that in mind, allow me to introduce... The Jet Alone!" The curtain fell, revealing a humanoid mech that looked like it was designed after old-school Super Sentai mecha. "The machine is equipped with a Strong AI developed by Doctor Mirai Idabashi. One could almost call him Keebo Idabashi's giant younger brother." The crowd gave a good-natured laugh. "In addition, Jet Alone can perform other functions not Angel related, such as attacking enemy bases. Its outer coating is made from duralumin, meaning it could easily survive an attack from any Angel seen thus far, though future modifications are intended to take future Angels into account."

Before he could keep speaking, another Speedwagon agent got his attention and started whispering in his ear. The presenter nodded in understanding. "It would appear Jet Alone is required for an impromptu field test. Rest assured we'll be having drone surveillance on it at all times, so you can get a good look at its capabilities." He pressed a button on a controller he had, and Jet Alone sprung to life. It paused, clearly downloading something, then activated a set of rockets in its feet and took off, heading for the island in earnest.

While this was happening, Shinji had discovered something interesting about Toji. Not only was he more intelligent than his jock persona suggested, he also had a crush on Hikari. It had been strictly by accident, with Kensuke teasing Toji about how he was always looking at Hikari and Toji spilling his heart out about his feelings for her. So Shinji went out on a limb and more or less got Toji to just up and talk to Hikari. It been nerve-wracking, but Toji was able to successfully ask Hikari out on a date. Rei was convinced to tag along, but she didn't want to feel like a third wheel. Imagine the entire class's shock when she up and asked Kaworu to go out with her, him especially.

As Toji and Hikari were getting into their own conversation, Kaworu talked with Rei. "So, why ask me out? I mean, I think a lot of people would have pegged you as wanting Shinji more, since you've been with him longer." Rei just shrugged. "Well, to be honest, he seems a little too wild for me. You have to remember I was raised by a doctor and a warrior shaman. And Dad mentioned Shinji reminds him very much of Joseph Joestar. Which is no surprise since Shinji was practically raised by Joseph's son Josuke. I'm more surprised you agreed."

"Well," Kaworu said, "Most of it was the idea of getting more human interaction. It'll be some time before the next of my siblings makes their move, so it's good to get it in while we have the downtime. It doesn't hurt that you and I can connect on an emotional and intellectual level." He smiled. "And you're very attractive." Rei blushed as she smiled. "Thanks. I owe a lot of that to my Gigan genetics. Most of Dad's race can be compared to supermodels of both genders. I must admit, the physical form you were given is also quite attractive." Now it was Kaworu's turn to blush.

The budding couple's fun was interrupted by a sudden call. 'Hate to break up the date,' came Cadence's voice, 'But we just caught wind of a secret lab on the outskirts of the island that belongs to SEELE. Speedwagon had just sent their new pet project to help us crack into it. Shinji's already on his way there.' "We should probably head there too," Rei noted, "But do you think Toji and Hikari will be okay?" Kaworu looked at the other couple as they laughed over a table hockey game. "I think they'll be fine. But for now, I have a few grievances against SEELE that need to be settled."

Jet Alone landed right outside the pyramid-shaped building. Several drone fighters came out, but fell quickly to the Jet Alone's ballistic munitions. During the fight, Jet Alone struck off the top of the pyramid, revealing a chute that lead down into the lab underneath it, which the five heroes took advantage of. Cadence and Shining took a look around. "What could they be making in here that's so important?," Cadence wondered. Rei gasped and pointed to in one direction. "That!" The group looked and realized what was going on.

Along the wall were several tanks containing the still-growing forms of several new EVAs. "A crude version of the technology of the Makers," Kaworu noted, "As if they're trying to reverse-engineer it. Those infiltrators Nu mentioned weren't just trying to get used to the EVAs, they were trying to learn how to build one." "It may be crude," came another male voice, putting the group on guard, "But it's effective." A young man sporting what appeared to be a cybernetic bodysuit came out from behind one of the tanks. "And the more these are studied, the better they become."

"Don't tell me you and the others we encountered are supposed to be the pilots," Shinji said, "Without the enhancements we provide to our EVAs, they require a human soul just to have the power to match the Angels." "A few sacrifices for the sake of billions," the man pointed out. Kaworu scoffed. "I've seen SEELE's plans. They plan on sacrificing more than a few. So who are you supposed to be?" "Name's Leo," the man replied, "It'll be the last name you ever hear. Positron Blade!" The cybernetics in his arms reconfigured to reveal glowing energy blades in his arms.

He made a spinning leap right at Kaworu, who put up his guard. Instead of the expected slicing, Leo found himself stopped by a familiar hexagonal field that seemed to conform to Kaworu's body, crackling with electricity. Kaworu grinned. "Did you forget I'm an Angel too? I have my own AT Field, bolstered by an electrical power fostered by my time training with the Speedwagon Foundation." Leo quickly leapt away before adopted a muay thai stance. "An electric Stand, an electric mode, and now an electric AT Field. Electricity seems to be a running theme with your group."

"The armor on our EVAs was originally designed as a limiter to control their power," Rei explained, "But by reversing the flow of electricity, it can be changed into a powered armor suit, giving the EVA more power with a pilot than it ever had on its own." The three pilots each took a fighting stance. "Of course," Shinji said, "It only works because we have such a strong bond with our EVAs. We don't even have to worry about testing for Synchro ratings. It's ultimately a more efficient system, and no one gets sacrificed."

Leo scoffed before moving to attack, only get blocked by Kaworu and punched in the gut by Cruel Angel's Thesis. Leo backed off before dodging out of the way of Cadence's Stand, which she was able to maintain for a while before having to breath. Leo moved in to attack her, only to get blocked when Shining stepped in. "Radioactive!" Leo felt his Positron Blade hit a solid sphere, stunning him from the block. Cadence grinned. "Deathharmonic!" She gave a mighty scream, blasting Leo right in the face, sending him flying for a loop and slamming into one of the tanks. Luckily for him, the glass was reinforced.

However, his cybernetics were starting to spark from the damage. "Not good... I didn't imagine they'd be so strong. SEELE needs to be warned about this." He called in a passing fighter and hopped on it, speeding away. "Still trying to get away," Rei noted, "So what do we do about this place?" "I can't imagine this is the only area where SEELE is developing these things," Cadence noted, "But at the same time, taking out this lab will surely cripple their efforts." The headed outside, signaling to Jet Alone to finish destroying the lab.

Lorenz was not happy to hear about the lab being destroyed. 'We still have Site B in the jungles, but Site A was an important staging area to unveil our new products when the time came. We'll have to lock Site B down, and hard. But more important is how strong the pilots are. And that woman... Cadence. Her power seems weak at first, but in reality it is just simplistic. And if Leo is any indication it packs a punch. Clearly more study into the Stand virus is needed. There's clearly something we're missing. Regardless, we still have the appropriate number of EVAs for our plans. But it looks like we'll need to do our own research into the Dummy Plug system.'

As always, Lorenz is ultimately several steps ahead of everyone. But sooner or later, you run out of steps on the ladder, and that's when the competition catches up. But we'll see more of that next chapter. Read and review.