Chapter 3: The Phantom Menace
Shinji slowly opened his eyes, and as they gained focus he realized he didn't recognize the ceiling. "It's a nice ceiling…"
"Captain Katsuragi, he has awoken," Shinji heard Rei's voice, and glanced in the direction of her voice.
"Rei… there's three of you…" He blinked rapidly.
"It seems you have a concussion, on top of your other injuries," Rei frowned, "Just because you informed me that you were not actually invulnerable, did not mean I required a physical example."
"What… happened…" Shinji rubbed his face.
"What do you remember, Shinji-kun?" Misato asked bringing him a glass of water.
"I remember hearing the Angel Alarm, I snuck out of class and changed into All Might… then… nothing," Shinji groaned.
"There was an Angel…" Misato nodded.
"And it kicked your ass," Rei stated, earning a stare from Shinji and Misato. "Did I not use the phrase correctly?"
"So, did I at least take it down with me?" Shinji asked.
"So, do you want the good news first or the bad news?" Misato said after a moment.
"Bad News first…" Shinji laid back and closed his eyes.
"Angel didn't get a scratch on it, and currently drilling toward NERV HQ and Central Dogma as we speak… It'll still take several days for it to reach it, so relax…" She said pushing him back down.
"Ok, so what exactly the good news?" Shinji sighed.
"Don't have to hide your double life from Toji and Kensuke anymore…" Misato smiled sheepishly.
"What?"
-MHA-
(A few hours earlier)
"Toji, I need you to stay still," Kensuke said, using him as a tripod for his long zoom camera lens. "We gotta get a good shot of All Might smashing this diamond thing."
"They're called Angels dude…" Toji said.
"Silence, Tripod," Kensuke said, looking through the camera. "There he goes!"
The Diamond-shaped Angel opened before All Might could even get close, and fired a massive plasma blast at point blank, sending the hero flying.
Kensuke and Toji barely made it away as All Might crashed at their feet unconscious. It was shocking enough to see their hero knocked unconscious with open wounds and burns. But then he began to release steam and turned into their classmate. "IKARI?!"
-MHA-
(Present time)
"I already sworn them to secrecy," Misato said smiling tightly.
"At the penalty of a slow painful demise," Rei added.
"I'll talk to them …" Shinji groaned.
"Wait till they get out of the hospital, they received some burns too," Misato stated.
"How did that happen?" Shinji asked concerned.
"the Angel apparently was going to finish you off, Rei here saved you at the cost of Unit 01's armor plating.
"Thank you," Shinji said to the girl, who flushed slightly.
"You saved me first. We are even now." Rei said, finding her shoes interesting.
"Alright then," Shinji pulled himself to his feet, "Time to try to smash it again."
"Are you really going to just go running back and try to hit it again?" Misato asked. "You're hurt!"
"First, I heal quick," Shinji said, popping his knuckles, "And yes, but I'll try something else."
"Like what?" Misato crossed her arms.
"Hit it harder."
"Really?" Misato blanched.
"It's always worked before," Shinji shrugged.
"It will kill you," Rei stepped up beside him.
"I'm open to suggestions," Shinji finally shrugged in defeat.
Misato nodded at the two teens. "Good, let's go talk Ritsuko and the others. We may have an idea."
-MHA-
Rei cocked an eyebrow as Shinji slapped his face.
"So, running up and punching it again was a bad idea," Shinji sighed, "Shooting me out of a cannon at it. Good to go."
"This is obviously a dangerous enemy," Ritsuko said, before the screen showing the diagram. "And it's not a cannon, it's a sniper rifle. We load you in the in an armored shell, while in your Shinji form," Ritsuko stated again. "Rei fires it with the prototype Unit 00 from a safe distance. We are confident that the Angel will hit it with its energy cannon or stop the bullet with an AT field. Either way, it will trigger the shell to fire you forward. At that point you can transform into All Might and punch the hell out of it."
"Was this Father's idea?" Shinji asked, glancing around.
"Commander Ikari is on a business trip, he had nothing to do with this plan," Ritsuko stated.
Shinji sighed and Ritsuko crossed her arms. "Do you have a better idea?"
"Maybe… can I think on it?" Shinji asked.
"You have twenty-four hours, we'll go ahead and prep if that's ok?" Ritsuko said with a bite to her voice.
"Whatever…" Shinji waved her off and walked out of the war room.
"I get the feeling you do have another idea," Misato asked as she walked in time with Shinji.
"Yeah, I use 100% of my power," Shinji said softly.
"100%? How much have you been using?" Misato asked.
"Typically? Around 25%, I've maxed at 50%. If I go any farther, it starts to destroy my body." Shinji stated, "But if I take it beyond that and hit it, there's no way it wouldn't be annihilated."
"Absolutely not," Misato said firmly.
"If I can take this thing down, even at the sacrifice of myself, isn't it worth it?" Shinji asked, "A Hero must always stand to keep anyone from being hurt."
"And what about those who you leave behind?" Misato glared. "I've gotten to like my roommate a lot, and Rei has taken a shine to you more than she has to anyone … ever."
"Rei was right, relationships are liabilities…" Shinji rolled his eyes. "Fine, you can shoot me out of Dr. Akagi's gun."
"Good. Knew you'd come around. I had this made for you." She said holding out a box. Shinji opened it and found a body suit, it was mostly blue with a red stripe that ran up the middle and split off across his chest around the shoulders with a single red stripe going horizontally in the middle of the red stripe across his chest. "Your suit was damaged so figured you'd need a new one. This one is made like Rei's plug suit. It'll remain skintight no matter if you're All Might or Shinji. And it should add more protection as well."
"Thank you," Shinji smiled, "Do you still have my old suit? It's got some sentimentality even if damaged. Maybe I can patch it up."
"I figured you did, it's back in your room at the apartment," Misato nodded, "C'mon, let's go home so you can rest before the mission."
-MHA-
(Somewhere in Europe)
Keel Lorenz frowned as he walked into a hidden meeting hall joined by eleven other men. "Good evening, Gentlemen," He said to the rest of the SEELE council.
They each took their seat, "I must say, meeting in person is a rare occasion, I am uncertain why you called it." He said looking to SEELE 12.
SEELE 12 looked confused, "You called this meeting, SEELE 01…"
"That would be me," another voice spoke from the shadows. "I had purpose to meet with you all in person."
"Who are you? Who do you think you are?" Keel growled.
"Both of those questions are insignificant," the voice spoke. "I am the one who needs information. Any information you receive from this point is purely insignificant."
A tall figure walked out of the shadows wearing a black suit-jacket and slacks and a button downs shirt, an armored neck and shoulder piece and full black helmet. "But if you must have a name of whom will end your existence…" He said as his hands morphed into black tendrils. "I am known as … All for One."
-MHA-
Shinji walked into his room and saw the burnt and tattered suit laying on his bed. A sad smile crossed his face as he lifted it up.
"Shinji!" He could hear the excitement on Nana's voice as she came into the gym. "It finally came in! I know your birthday isn't until three months from tomorrow, but I can't wait. You gotta open it!" The woman beamed at the hero in training.
"What is it?" the young Shinji said reaching out for the box in the excited caped woman's hands.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise!" Nana beamed at her ward, "Open it and see!"
He opened it to find suit and cape. "TADA!" Nana exclaimed, "You wanted to be the Symbol of Peace. You can't do that without some style."
"You have to look good!" Nana said, "BE PROUD, SHINJI!" She said beaming at him as he looked at his suit, "And don't forget to smile. Always smile!" she sat down beside him on the workout bench. "When you have to save someone, they're usually in a very scary situation. A True Hero saves not only their lives, but also their spirits. That's what I believe!" She put an arm around him and smiled proudly at him. "So, no matter what happens, Shinji. No matter how scary things get. Always give them a big smile! As if to say, 'Everything is A-OK!'. The people in this world who can smile are always the strongest."
"Thank you, Nana," Shinji closed his eyes, folded the damage suit and placed it in his drawer. "I'm not sure I'm even close to being one of the strongest people…"
-MHA-
Rei sat on the scaffolding where the NERV personnel assembled Unit 00's sniper rifle. She drew her knees tight to her chest as she stared at the diamond shaped abomination and it's single tendril that was digging into the ground below it.
"Penny for your thoughts, Rei?" Shinji asked walking up. She glanced up and gave a slight smile at the sight of his new suit.
"Red White Yellow and Blue… are your colors." She stated, looking over the suit.
"I do kind of like it myself," Shinji said, "Now, don't change the subject."
"We just have one shot," Rei said, glancing back to the Angel. "There is only enough energy in the city to fire one shot, and … well, we only have one of you too." She took a deep breath, "And last time we activated Unit-00, it… did not end well…"
"I saw the damaged test chamber," Shinji said, leaning against the railing.
"The Commander saved me," Rei said, catching Shinji by surprise. "He rushed in, through scalding hot LCL, and forced open the release of my entry plug with his bare hands." Rei glanced down, "He has… traveled down a dark path. But I … know there is good in him. He didn't have to save me… and… it's been twice now my life has been saved by an Ikari."
"Maybe he did then," Shinji sighed, "But I have a hard time believing it now…"
Rei face took a sad expression as she stared out at the stars. "If you, of all people, loose hope in someone, then they must not have any hope at all…"
-MHA-
(Europe)
Dark hair flowed freely behind her like a cape, as a young girl in white and black spandex leapt from rooftop to rooftop, using a whip to help when she needed to swing. Her blue eyes danced behind her domino mask as she flipped onto the next rooftop.
She stopped when she felt a breeze. "So, find out why that council of twelve were killed?"
"You know," a man in yellow and white suit, and helmet walked out. The helmet was the same shade of yellow with a black visor over his face. "You could be killed for knowing anything about that?"
"Then why did you have info about that?" the girl placed a hand on her hip and smirked.
"Because, Midnight, I am, A. an adult, B. a spy, C. smart enough and humble enough to play dumb," he said ticking off a finger for each point, "And D. I am your teacher and you are my apprentice."
"Oh, forgive me, Great Jedi Master Gran Torino!" Midnight mock bowed.
"Your mouth is going to get you in trouble one day," Gran Torino said, pulling back his glove to look at his watch. "I've gotta go, I'll be gone for a while. You stay out of trouble…"
"And the little redhead?" Midnight smirked.
"Keep her out of trouble, too."
-MHA-
(Tokyo-3)
"Are you ok in there, Shinji?" Misato asked as the customized bullet was being loaded into the rifle, and Unit 00 was being moved into place.
"This isn't very comfortable…" Shinji complained, holding tight to the handles.
"Isn't 'sposed to be," Misato said, "Status report, Rei?"
"All systems green," Rei responded.
"How's her sync with Unit 00?" Misato glanced to Ritsuko.
The doctor nodded, "All points are in the green."
"Prepare to begin operation," Misato said, "We're about to send in a group of drones to trigger the Angel's defense system, it'll reveal the Core. Rei, lock on and fire as quickly as possible. Shinji, you smash the crap out of it, and don't die. Everyone clear?"
"Roger!" came the replies.
Rei bit her lower lip as she focused her eyes through the target scope, she kept it close to the center, where the core usually showed itself. Patiently she sat while the wing of drone fighters flew toward it. She watched as they fired uselessly at the Angel's AT field. As expected, their weapons did nothing, but make it angry. And as according to plan, the Angel opened into a cross like shape. And Rei quickly moved her targeting center on the red core. "Ready, Shinji?" Rei asked, but didn't wait for a reply, and pulled the trigger, sending the projectile flying toward the target.
'I'll have to use everything I can to get through this one's AT field… All for One… fifty percent …" He thought and instantly felt the power begin to flow through him.
He felt the bullet slam into the AT field, and explode, propelling him forward and he released his power fully, transforming into All Might. He through a forward punch and hit the field, but to his surprise, he began slowing down. "No…" He growled, "I have to push it a little farther… fifty… five… percent…" He growled, and had the vision of the energy beam flying through the seven stars ending with his very soul. And he began to push through the field again.
"Hey, Rei…" All Might said into his com piece, pain and determination both in his voice. "I named … this one after you…"
"AYANAMI…" He yelled, throwing his other fist forward with everything he had, "SMASH!" He screamed, as he pushed all the way through the AT field and through the core.
The Angel exploded in LCL, and the teams by Unit 00 and in NERV HQ cheered wildly.
"Rei, you alright?" Misato asked.
"Affirmative," Rei replied.
"All Might, you alive?" She asked, and nothing. "Shinji, respond."
"I'm on the way," Rei said before Misato could even issue a command.
Unit 00 ran to where All Might's beacon read, and Rei quickly exited her Eva and climbed down.
"All Might?" Rei called, looking around, "All Might, Shinji? Where are you?" She asked, an unusual feeling clinching her heart.
Her eyes finally settled on a large blob of LCL and Angel debris as a hand lifted out of it. Rei ran and pulled Shinji out of the mess. "Shinji? Are you ok?"
"I need …" Shinji groaned against her chest as she held him, "A shower… and some electrolytes…"
Rei smiled and held him tightly, neither noticing the tears that cornered her eyes.
-MHA-
(Europe)
Gendo Ikari sat patiently with Kozo Fuyutsuki in a helicopter that hovered over the burning NERV headquarters.
A breeze blew past them, and Gran Torino sitting across from them, with a brief case sitting on his crossed legs.
"SEELE?" Gendo asked.
"Someone found them, and killed all twelve of them. It was a trap." Torino explained.
"Do you know who did it?" Gendo said, a smile trying to play at the corner of his lip.
"I have my suspicions," Torino nodded.
"Very …interesting," Gendo said, cautiously, "And please, take that stupid helmet off, Agent Ryoji."
Kaji Ryoji removed his helmet and smiled at the NERV commander. "Happy?"
"Thrilled…" Gendo said dryly. "Did, whoever this bold person was get the asset?"
"The old men didn't talk about where it was hidden in the base," Kaji said, "Or whoever it was… wasn't interested in taking it." He said, offering the briefcase to Gendo.
"Curious on why else this person would have attacked them," Gendo said, opening the case to see a life support device holding what looked like a human embryo.
"You don't seem broken hearted about your bosses being killed, Ikari," Kaji pointed out.
"They were useful for their time but had not only outlived their usefulness but had began to become an obstacle to the Plan." Gendo exclaimed, "Whoever this was, they did us a favor. We are closer than ever before." He said staring at the embryo, ignoring Kaji's stare.
To Be Continued…
Next chapter: Somewhere Over the Rainbow