We now get into the introduction of our next pilot, and she's a lot different than canon. Also, this is the reason why I chose to reintroduce Hamon back into the story way back in Stone Ocean. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Evangelion, or Anarchy Reigns.

Cruel Angel's Thesis Chapter 8: Angel of Fish, Gaghiel

Lorenz sat in his office watching a timer, a countdown until the next Angel attack. He turned around at his desk and was joined by the holograms of his fellow inner circle. "Gentlemen, as you are no doubt aware the Sixth Angel is due to arrive within a few hours. And according to the Dead Sea Scrolls, it will make its attack by sea." "That's not good," SEELE-02 noted, "Thanks to Speedwagon, our only true influence is the island. Making a move in international waters will have the governments of the world after our heads."

"I assume you mention this because NERV is making a grand scale operation, yes?," SEELE-04 asked. Lorenz nodded. "Our agents have reported them transporting pilots, personal, and the three EVA Units via helicopter. Their intent is obvious, intercept the Angel before it can reach the waterways of the island to seek out Adam. In addition, I've gotten wind that the German government has signed off on allowing the Third Child to join the fight." He hit a button on his console, revealing the four EVAs, the new one having lion-themed armor in yellow.

"Personally I can think we can let this one go," SEELE-05 suggested, "Focusing on our pride is only going to cause us to lose. And we need the Angels defeated anyway so they can't initiate Third Impact before we can." Lorenz nodded. "Agreed. We risk too much trying to intervene, and nothing at all if we just stand back and let this one play out. In the meantime, give our Stand users some rest. They're going to need it for the operations ahead." The others nodded. "Once the fight returns to the island we'll resume our plan," Lorenz declared, "Everyone be ready to act."

Each of the giant carrier choppers had a crate slung underneath it, each carrying one of the EVA Units. In a fourth helicopter was Shinji, Rei, Kaworu, Yui, Naoko, and Cadence. Misato was in another chopper with Shining, Toji, Hikari, and Kensuke. Shinji had wanted his new friends to experience what they were about to see. "So why bring the EVAs with us to meet the Third Child?," Shinji asked, "You even had us grab our plug suits." "The Sixth Angel is due to attack soon," Yui explained, "It'll be coming in from the water, and we want to be in a position where we can intercept it."

"We're coming up on the UN Pacific Fleet," came the pilot's voice, "We'll be landing on the Over the Rainbow." "So what is the Third Child like?," Rei asked. "Her name is Asuka," Naoko replied, "And she's been trained in Hamon and fighting arts by the Zeppeli family. She's a real prodigy, having successfully completed the Hell Climb Pillar at only fourteen years old. Even Joseph and Caesar were around eighteen when they took the test together. Her Hamon powers are how she can power up Unit-03, since under the armor it's a very living creature."

The choppers landed, and Shinji noted that the Jet Alone had already been moved out onto the aircraft carrier. Meeting them was a young woman with bright red hair. Yui smiled. "Hey Kyoko! Everyone, this is me and Naoko's friend and colleague, Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu." 'Hey there," Kyoko replied, "Thanks for coming over. My daughter's been eager to meet you guys." "So your daughter is Asuka then?," Kaworu asked. Kyoko nodded, as a younger girl around the pilots age with red hair and wearing a sundress approached. "Glad to meet you," she said with a pilot bow, "I'm Asuka Langley Soryu."

The other chopper landed, with the rest of the group disembarking, just in time for a huge gust of wind to blow over the carrier. Asuka quickly clamped down on her dress to keep her panties from showing. "Seriously Asuka," Kyoko said, "I warned you not to wear that dress. These aircraft carriers are like wind tunnels." "I wanted to make a good first impression," Asuka pointed out. She then looked around. "I thought only the other three pilots were going to be here. Did they also bring the Fourth Child?" "No," Misato clarified, "She's still receiving a few final tune-ups before arriving."

Asuka chuckled. "You make her sound like some kind of robot." Misato gave a knowing grin, which Asuka missed. "Anyway," Misato said, "Allow me to introduce First Child Shinji Ikari, Second Child Rei Akagi, and Fifth Child Kaworu Nagisa." "Oh, by the way, Misato," Kyoko said, "I should tell you that Kaji is also with us." Misato blanched. "Who's Kaji?," Toji asked. "Ryoji Kaji, Misato's ex-boyfriend," Shining explained, "She's still raw about it, even though she's the one who left him." "HEY! I had every reason to!," Misato called out. "Oh yeah?," Shining retorted, "What reasons?" Misato just stayed silent.

"Was Misato perhaps more into Shining, but realized he had married before her breakup?," Rei wondered. "She never expressed any attraction to Shining," Cadence replied, "As far as I know they've only ever been friends." After Misato signed off jurisdiction of Unit-03, the group moved to the mess hall. Sure enough, Misato saw her former flame sitting there with a big grin on his face. "Yo. It's been a while Misato. Really missed you." Misato looked like she was about to burst a blood vessel. The others wisely chose to take a completely different table.

"So I saw the fights you guys had so far," Asuka said, "Shinji, I gotta admit you did pretty good during your first battle. Not to mention I had no idea that an EVA could fly." Shinji smirked. "Well, don't forget it's because of my Stand that the current system for the EVAs even exists." He then turned serious. "But really, I'm doing this because people will be in danger if the Angels are allowed to run wild. What about you? Why are you doing this?" "Hamon is connected to the source of all life energy," Asuka explained, "My training has gotten to the point where I can feel a person's emotions just through reading that energy."

She closed her eyes. "So many people on that island are in fear, both because of the Angels, and because they have to live under SEELE's thumb. I pilot to break through that fear, and help the people remember what it feels like to know hope." Just then, klaxon horns could be heard from outside. "Verdammt," Asuka muttered in German, "The Sixth Angel is already here." "Gaghiel," Kaworu realized, "He's the only one of my siblings that can traverse the water easily." The four pilots hurried to the locker rooms to change.

Gaghiel had already spotted the carrier containing the EVAs, but paid it no mind. "As long as I keep to the waters, I should be able to slip by undetected. My other siblings were too obvious in their attempts, and were confronted and defeated. All I need is one stream linking me to Father's location, and I can easily slip inside." Just then, he felt something scrap against his skin. It was Unit-02, swimming through the water with all the grace and ferocity of the shark its armor was modeled after. "Impossible!," Gaghiel called out, "How did they spot me!? Not even their sonar should have been able to detect me!" He didn't realize NERV had devices specifically designed to track Angels.

Gaghiel swam after the EVA, knocking into the Over the Rainbow in the process. This caused the ship to rock a little, causing Kaji to fall over, Misato falling right on top of him. Misato expected Kaji's hands to be somewhere inappropriate, but instead he had just grabbed her shoulders to stop her from falling to hard. She sighed. "Thanks..." Outside, Rei had Unit-02 leap out of the water, causing Gaghiel to follow her, jaws wide open, only to get stopped by Unit-03, which was radiating energy that seemed to paralyze Gaghiel. "Ugh... This power... It's fusing into my very being... Locking my nerves in place..."

Inside her cockpit, Asuka was grunting. "Someone find the core and grab it, I can't hold him forever!" "It should right inside his mouth," Kaworu replied. Sure enough, Asuka could see the bright red core right inside the gaping maw. She transmitted the location, and Jet Alone sprang into action. With Asuka's Hamon freezing Gaghiel in place, he couldn't put up his AT Field, leaving Jet Alone free to grab the core and start pulling. Units 01 and 05 leapt in to give assistance, finally pulling the core out and leaping out of the shell's mouth just as Asuka lost control and released her Hamon, causing Gaghiel's body to sink into the depths before exploding.

Back on the island things got more hairy, as a group of Drones, including some designed after ninjas, made an attack. Leading them was a young Chinese woman. "Greetings. I am Rin Rin. And I must insist you leave your important artifacts here." She swirled around to reveal a bladed fan that seemed to spew fire. "Or me and my Yanlong will see you burned to cinders." "That's direct," Asuka noted, "But unfortunately we can't acquiesce. We kinda need this gear to save the world." Rin Rin chuckled. "I was hoping you'd say that."

She rushed at Asuka, but got shocked when she found herself parried and knocked into the nearby wall. The other pilots were already dealing with the Drones. Some embers still clung to Asuka's arms, but she wasn't concerned. Channeling her breathing, she charged right at Rin Rin. "Scarlet Overdrive!" The embers were fed into a raging fire, and luckily for Asuka, Rin Rin wasn't as fireproof. She quickly dove into a nearby lake to douse herself, only for Asuka to leap in after her. The lake began to crackle with Hamon, before Asuka leapt out, having caught Rin Rin under her chin using her forearms. "Next time," Asuka said, "Leave the Stand shenanigans to those with actual talent. Turquoise Blue Overdrive!"

The Hamon flooded the water still clinging to Rin Rin, shocking her into unconsciousness. Asuka grabbed her by the waist as she landed. Nearby, she saw Shinji spinning a Drone's head on his finger. "Gotta admit, you're kind of a showoff. But it was pretty hot watching you fight." Asuka smirked. "You're not so bad yourself. Maybe I'll get the chance to teach you a few moves." Shinji grinned. "Or maybe I'll teach you some." Nearby, Kaji was helping Misato to shore. "Well, that escalated quickly." "It's time like this I'm reminded you can actually be a gentleman," Misato muttered.

Yeah, some people who write Evangelion fanfics pair Shinji with Rei, some with Asuka, some with Misato, some with all three. For this fic I'll be sticking with Asuka, especially since her new personality meshes well with Shinji's. Read and review.