NGE Old School, Chapter 4: ANGEL ATTACK!
I'd listen to the words he'd say But in his voice I heard decay The plastic face forced to portray All the insides left cold and gray There is a place that still remains It eats the fear it eats the pain The sweetest price he'll have to pay The day the whole world went away
The boat pulled close to shore, sailing perfectly despite the high winds. A flash of lightning illuminated the sails. Dark clouds blotted out the sun, yet the ship was completely unaffected. It's image was... unsettling. The sails were tattered, the cannons rusted, holes had rotted in the decks. There was no crew. A lone figure stood on the deck. It landed against a sandy beach, a thick forest beginning only yards away, and the ramp lowered. The single figure descended to the ground, feeling the sand of Japan beneath his feet. The majority of his body was hidden by a heavy black cloak, the hood pulled up, shrouded around his white, bird-like mask. He raised one hand, the sleeve sliding up to reveal a black gloved hand, the sleeve of a black robe tucked into it. The ramp withdrew back into the ghostly ship, and it sailed into the night. He lowered his hands and lowered his head, concentrating deeply. He reached out, feeling for the energy of his brother and sister. Finding the thread of energy that bound them all together, he raised his head and began to walk. One thing not seen beneath his heavy clothing was a tattoo. It covered his wide, bony shoulders.
Sachiél.
He calmly entered the forest, beginning his search.
Agent Misato Katsuragi stood at attention in Councilman Ikari's office. The lamps had been dimmed, and a chill made her shudder. Gendo watched her from across the floor, Fyutski behind him and to his right.
"Agent Katsuragi, you have been brought here to discuss your next assignment. Are you familiar, with the Angels?" "Yes, sir." "We have received word that they have reappeared."
"What?!" "I have dispatched Rei to deal with it. You are to escort her to the target." "Do you think that Rei is capable of destroying an Angel? Even with the Dragon?"
"You are dimissed, Agent Katsuragi." Misato's face slackened.
"Yes, sir." She repeated, this time with a bit less enthusiasm. Misato executed a crisp about-face and exited Gendo's office. He sat up again and opened a spy vortex.
"Katsuragi." Ritsuko grabbed her attention as Misato exited the high- security zone. "Priestess Akagi. What's going on?" Misato began walking for the nearest elevator.
"The Third Angel has been sighted outside Tokyo. Rei is waiting for you at the exit node. Where's Shinji?" "I sent him into Tokyo to run a few errands." "Bad idea, the Third Angel is entering Tokyo as we speak." "How was I supposed to know this would happen?" The elevator doors closed behind them. "Imperial soldiers have attempted to slow it's advance. They have proved ineffective."
"The Meiji must be very scared."
Ritsuko ignored Misato's random statement.
"I suggest you escort Rei, and then contact Shinji. Your primary objective is to ensure Rei destroys the Angel. Your second primary is that she return to base alive. Are you clear, Agent?"
"Yes."
The elevator stopped.
"Get going."
Shinji craned his neck to look around, carrying a basket of vegetables. The city seemed so alive, so full of bustle and action; street hawkers, Jesuits preaching Christian dogma, men with swords laughing over cups of sake. He almost smiled. He bumped shoulders with a boy. They stopped, and looked each other over. The other boy stiffened and tried to force a smile. He seemed very uneasy. He put his hands on his hips and shuffled away as fast as he could without drawing too much attention. Before he had gone, a wind blew his jacket back a bit, away from his flank. Shinji managed to catch a glimpse of a NERV tattoo.
"Rei, have you been briefed?"
"Yes."
Night had fallen Misato and Rei rode on horseback towards Tokyo, Rei's arms around the older woman's waist. They rode at a swift gallop, the wind wipping their hair about. Rei wore the same black ninja-wrapping as she had during her mission in Shanghai. Misato held a flintlock pistol in a crude silk holster across her shoulder. Together, they approached the part of the city the Angel had passed through.
Or, at least, what was left of it. Misato pulled the horse to a halt to survey the scene.
"My God..."
The buildings on both sides of the street blazed uncontrollably. They cast off a heat that made Misato's face burn even standing a good distance away from it, where the city bordered the surrounding farmland. Corpses were strewn across the street. Men that held swords had been ripped apart. The body of a woman was missing it's head, still clutching a child whose neck bent in a sickening direction. No one had survived the wrath of the Third Angel.
Then, a figure. A black silhouette, standing in the very center. A chill ran down Misato's spine. No human could stand the heat in the heart of those flames. His clothes should have burst into flame, he should be dying, screaming and furiously trying to put out his burning flesh.
But he wasn't. He moved towards them, and seemed not so much to walk as to glide over the ground. The flames licked at his face, and as he emerged from the blinding glow around him, Misato saw the mask that he wore. "Rei, go!"
Rei did not need any further orders. She flew from the back of the horse, dashing towards the angel. The Dragon dagger drawn and brought back, ready to strike. Misato watched, still on horseback. She met the angel. The Dragon struck...
Rei stood behind the Third Angel. He had not moved. His cloak had been ripped open, and Misato could see the flesh of the Angel. Black, oozing, decaying, Sachiél's true body was that of a rotting corpse. Foul-smelling black fluid dripped from the wound Rei had inflicted. As Misato watched, the wound began to close up.
"Incredible. It's regenerating itself."
"Yes."
Rei turned to face it again, ready to attack. She ran at it... Sachiél, not turning, raised a hand, and Rei met an invisible wall. Still facing Misato, he moved the hand forward, casting Rei through the air like a rag doll. She hit the ground and rolled to her feet, coming up in a three-point stance, the Dragon held behind the small of her back. She charged at him again. Sachiél pointed at the ground beneath her. It rose up in an explosion. Rei was cast through the air again. The explosion rose high, Misato could not even begin to guess how high, and formed a crucifix. She stared in awe. This time, Rei's landing was not so graceful. She flew towards Misato, landing at the feet of the horse. Her hand released the Dragon, the twin gemstones that formed it's eyes going dark. She looked up at Misato with the same expressionless eyes she always had. Then, she grit her teeth and winced with pain as she tried to get up. Sachiél began to move towards them.
"Rei, don't!"
Rei forced herself to a sitting position, her right arm limp and dangling. Misato could only think of one thing to do. She snatched her pistol out of it's holster and fired.
The bullet hit Sachiél squarely in his bird-like mask. The mask shattered, but stayed firmly planted on his head. The light from the fire blotted out any glimpse of his face. Besides, Misato had seen his body. She had no desire to see what was beneath his mask. For his part, the Angel froze in his tracks, absolutely motionless.
"They will have to withdraw." Fyutski said.
"Agreed." Gendo spoke into open air, "Katsuragi, retrieve Rei and return to Central Dogma."
'Yes, sir.' Misato thought, Gendo's words sounding in the back of her thoughts. She hated it when he did that. Any of the magicks he performed made her uneasy. She dismounted and snatched Rei up in her arms. The girl cried out in pain. "Ms. Misato!"
She looked over her shoulder. Shinji was running towards them. "Shinji! Come on!"
Misato set Rei on the saddle. The girl slumped forward onto the horse's mane.
"But you can't fit three people on one horse!" As if on cue, a horse that most likely belonged to one of the bodies strewn about Sachiél's feet ran by, still with reins fit around it's nose, although there was no saddle. Misato grabbed these.
"Hop on."
Shinji looked a bit confused.
"Get on, or I'll leave you here with him!"
Misato jerked her head at the disabled Angel. Shinji didn't need to be told again. With some difficulty, he mounted the horse. They rode.
"Misato, bring Shinji here."
Misato exited the elevator, cradling Rei. She handed the injured girl off to a pair of techs. Shinji stood a little ways behind her, unsure of what to do. Misato clarified it for him. "Follow me, Shinji." He did. She led him to the entrance into Gendo's office.
"What are we doing here?" "We're going to meet with the Councilman."
"Councilman?"
"Councilman Ikari."
Shinji's eyes went wide.
"I-I-Ikari?!"
"Yes Shinji. Your father."
"My father disappeared! He left me! He..."
The doors opened. Misato strode in, and Shinji had no choice but to follow.
"Agent Katsuragi, you have brought the spare."
Misato snapped to attention.
"Yes sir!"
Shinji stared across the floor at his father. Another man stood behind his father, one that Shinji was unfamiliar with.
"Shinji."
Shinji stepped forward.
"Our first attempt at repelling the Angel failed. You will have to do it."
"What?" Shinji finally lost his calm, after all this time.
"What do you mean? Fight... fight that thing, back there? I can't do that! Why would you even..." "You can." Gendo interrupted.
"But... the Dragon isn't enough of a weapon!" Misato countered. She thought.
"Wait a minute... You're going to use Eva?!"
Shinji now noticed that his father held something. A sword. Gendo lifted it up a few inches from his desk, and released it. It floated in the air, then towards Shinji. The sheath was purple, decked in gold. The hilt was one of the most ornate Shinji had ever seen.
"A sword?" Shinji asked. He held out his hands, and it fell neatly into them. The butt of the hilt ended in a demonic face, two rubies inset as the eyes. They glowed with evil intentions for a moment, then dimmed again.
"The Sword of Evangelion." "But... I can't fight that thing!"
"You simply need to hold the sword. That's all we expect of you."
"But... but... I can't!"
The Sword of Evangelion dropped to the floor. Shinji's arms returned to his sides, his fingers opening and closing on nothing.
"Very well then. Leave."
"What?" "Rei will fight it again."
Misato spoke up again.
"Rei? But, she can't..."
"She will. There is no other choice."
Rei. Rei's eyes, looking at him for a brief moment. The pain she felt. She couldn't fight it.
The Angel's mask finally reformed completely. He pointed at a nearby building. It exploded in a dazzling show of light, a crucifix forming from it's fiery center.
The office rattled. The gemstones glowed again.
"Misato. Fetch Rei."
"But... sir,"
"That's an order, Agent!" Gendo's voice rose. Misato straightened up.
"Yes, sir." Her voice cracked with some hidden anger at Gendo for forcing the girl through this. She turned a crisp about face and...
"I'll do it!"
She stopped.
"I'll fight it." Shinji knelt and lifted the sword. It seemed so light in his hands.
"Agent Katsuragi, escort him to the target."
Things are coming to a head. Deep within the Earth, Evangelion grows restless.
I'd listen to the words he'd say But in his voice I heard decay The plastic face forced to portray All the insides left cold and gray There is a place that still remains It eats the fear it eats the pain The sweetest price he'll have to pay The day the whole world went away
The boat pulled close to shore, sailing perfectly despite the high winds. A flash of lightning illuminated the sails. Dark clouds blotted out the sun, yet the ship was completely unaffected. It's image was... unsettling. The sails were tattered, the cannons rusted, holes had rotted in the decks. There was no crew. A lone figure stood on the deck. It landed against a sandy beach, a thick forest beginning only yards away, and the ramp lowered. The single figure descended to the ground, feeling the sand of Japan beneath his feet. The majority of his body was hidden by a heavy black cloak, the hood pulled up, shrouded around his white, bird-like mask. He raised one hand, the sleeve sliding up to reveal a black gloved hand, the sleeve of a black robe tucked into it. The ramp withdrew back into the ghostly ship, and it sailed into the night. He lowered his hands and lowered his head, concentrating deeply. He reached out, feeling for the energy of his brother and sister. Finding the thread of energy that bound them all together, he raised his head and began to walk. One thing not seen beneath his heavy clothing was a tattoo. It covered his wide, bony shoulders.
Sachiél.
He calmly entered the forest, beginning his search.
Agent Misato Katsuragi stood at attention in Councilman Ikari's office. The lamps had been dimmed, and a chill made her shudder. Gendo watched her from across the floor, Fyutski behind him and to his right.
"Agent Katsuragi, you have been brought here to discuss your next assignment. Are you familiar, with the Angels?" "Yes, sir." "We have received word that they have reappeared."
"What?!" "I have dispatched Rei to deal with it. You are to escort her to the target." "Do you think that Rei is capable of destroying an Angel? Even with the Dragon?"
"You are dimissed, Agent Katsuragi." Misato's face slackened.
"Yes, sir." She repeated, this time with a bit less enthusiasm. Misato executed a crisp about-face and exited Gendo's office. He sat up again and opened a spy vortex.
"Katsuragi." Ritsuko grabbed her attention as Misato exited the high- security zone. "Priestess Akagi. What's going on?" Misato began walking for the nearest elevator.
"The Third Angel has been sighted outside Tokyo. Rei is waiting for you at the exit node. Where's Shinji?" "I sent him into Tokyo to run a few errands." "Bad idea, the Third Angel is entering Tokyo as we speak." "How was I supposed to know this would happen?" The elevator doors closed behind them. "Imperial soldiers have attempted to slow it's advance. They have proved ineffective."
"The Meiji must be very scared."
Ritsuko ignored Misato's random statement.
"I suggest you escort Rei, and then contact Shinji. Your primary objective is to ensure Rei destroys the Angel. Your second primary is that she return to base alive. Are you clear, Agent?"
"Yes."
The elevator stopped.
"Get going."
Shinji craned his neck to look around, carrying a basket of vegetables. The city seemed so alive, so full of bustle and action; street hawkers, Jesuits preaching Christian dogma, men with swords laughing over cups of sake. He almost smiled. He bumped shoulders with a boy. They stopped, and looked each other over. The other boy stiffened and tried to force a smile. He seemed very uneasy. He put his hands on his hips and shuffled away as fast as he could without drawing too much attention. Before he had gone, a wind blew his jacket back a bit, away from his flank. Shinji managed to catch a glimpse of a NERV tattoo.
"Rei, have you been briefed?"
"Yes."
Night had fallen Misato and Rei rode on horseback towards Tokyo, Rei's arms around the older woman's waist. They rode at a swift gallop, the wind wipping their hair about. Rei wore the same black ninja-wrapping as she had during her mission in Shanghai. Misato held a flintlock pistol in a crude silk holster across her shoulder. Together, they approached the part of the city the Angel had passed through.
Or, at least, what was left of it. Misato pulled the horse to a halt to survey the scene.
"My God..."
The buildings on both sides of the street blazed uncontrollably. They cast off a heat that made Misato's face burn even standing a good distance away from it, where the city bordered the surrounding farmland. Corpses were strewn across the street. Men that held swords had been ripped apart. The body of a woman was missing it's head, still clutching a child whose neck bent in a sickening direction. No one had survived the wrath of the Third Angel.
Then, a figure. A black silhouette, standing in the very center. A chill ran down Misato's spine. No human could stand the heat in the heart of those flames. His clothes should have burst into flame, he should be dying, screaming and furiously trying to put out his burning flesh.
But he wasn't. He moved towards them, and seemed not so much to walk as to glide over the ground. The flames licked at his face, and as he emerged from the blinding glow around him, Misato saw the mask that he wore. "Rei, go!"
Rei did not need any further orders. She flew from the back of the horse, dashing towards the angel. The Dragon dagger drawn and brought back, ready to strike. Misato watched, still on horseback. She met the angel. The Dragon struck...
Rei stood behind the Third Angel. He had not moved. His cloak had been ripped open, and Misato could see the flesh of the Angel. Black, oozing, decaying, Sachiél's true body was that of a rotting corpse. Foul-smelling black fluid dripped from the wound Rei had inflicted. As Misato watched, the wound began to close up.
"Incredible. It's regenerating itself."
"Yes."
Rei turned to face it again, ready to attack. She ran at it... Sachiél, not turning, raised a hand, and Rei met an invisible wall. Still facing Misato, he moved the hand forward, casting Rei through the air like a rag doll. She hit the ground and rolled to her feet, coming up in a three-point stance, the Dragon held behind the small of her back. She charged at him again. Sachiél pointed at the ground beneath her. It rose up in an explosion. Rei was cast through the air again. The explosion rose high, Misato could not even begin to guess how high, and formed a crucifix. She stared in awe. This time, Rei's landing was not so graceful. She flew towards Misato, landing at the feet of the horse. Her hand released the Dragon, the twin gemstones that formed it's eyes going dark. She looked up at Misato with the same expressionless eyes she always had. Then, she grit her teeth and winced with pain as she tried to get up. Sachiél began to move towards them.
"Rei, don't!"
Rei forced herself to a sitting position, her right arm limp and dangling. Misato could only think of one thing to do. She snatched her pistol out of it's holster and fired.
The bullet hit Sachiél squarely in his bird-like mask. The mask shattered, but stayed firmly planted on his head. The light from the fire blotted out any glimpse of his face. Besides, Misato had seen his body. She had no desire to see what was beneath his mask. For his part, the Angel froze in his tracks, absolutely motionless.
"They will have to withdraw." Fyutski said.
"Agreed." Gendo spoke into open air, "Katsuragi, retrieve Rei and return to Central Dogma."
'Yes, sir.' Misato thought, Gendo's words sounding in the back of her thoughts. She hated it when he did that. Any of the magicks he performed made her uneasy. She dismounted and snatched Rei up in her arms. The girl cried out in pain. "Ms. Misato!"
She looked over her shoulder. Shinji was running towards them. "Shinji! Come on!"
Misato set Rei on the saddle. The girl slumped forward onto the horse's mane.
"But you can't fit three people on one horse!" As if on cue, a horse that most likely belonged to one of the bodies strewn about Sachiél's feet ran by, still with reins fit around it's nose, although there was no saddle. Misato grabbed these.
"Hop on."
Shinji looked a bit confused.
"Get on, or I'll leave you here with him!"
Misato jerked her head at the disabled Angel. Shinji didn't need to be told again. With some difficulty, he mounted the horse. They rode.
"Misato, bring Shinji here."
Misato exited the elevator, cradling Rei. She handed the injured girl off to a pair of techs. Shinji stood a little ways behind her, unsure of what to do. Misato clarified it for him. "Follow me, Shinji." He did. She led him to the entrance into Gendo's office.
"What are we doing here?" "We're going to meet with the Councilman."
"Councilman?"
"Councilman Ikari."
Shinji's eyes went wide.
"I-I-Ikari?!"
"Yes Shinji. Your father."
"My father disappeared! He left me! He..."
The doors opened. Misato strode in, and Shinji had no choice but to follow.
"Agent Katsuragi, you have brought the spare."
Misato snapped to attention.
"Yes sir!"
Shinji stared across the floor at his father. Another man stood behind his father, one that Shinji was unfamiliar with.
"Shinji."
Shinji stepped forward.
"Our first attempt at repelling the Angel failed. You will have to do it."
"What?" Shinji finally lost his calm, after all this time.
"What do you mean? Fight... fight that thing, back there? I can't do that! Why would you even..." "You can." Gendo interrupted.
"But... the Dragon isn't enough of a weapon!" Misato countered. She thought.
"Wait a minute... You're going to use Eva?!"
Shinji now noticed that his father held something. A sword. Gendo lifted it up a few inches from his desk, and released it. It floated in the air, then towards Shinji. The sheath was purple, decked in gold. The hilt was one of the most ornate Shinji had ever seen.
"A sword?" Shinji asked. He held out his hands, and it fell neatly into them. The butt of the hilt ended in a demonic face, two rubies inset as the eyes. They glowed with evil intentions for a moment, then dimmed again.
"The Sword of Evangelion." "But... I can't fight that thing!"
"You simply need to hold the sword. That's all we expect of you."
"But... but... I can't!"
The Sword of Evangelion dropped to the floor. Shinji's arms returned to his sides, his fingers opening and closing on nothing.
"Very well then. Leave."
"What?" "Rei will fight it again."
Misato spoke up again.
"Rei? But, she can't..."
"She will. There is no other choice."
Rei. Rei's eyes, looking at him for a brief moment. The pain she felt. She couldn't fight it.
The Angel's mask finally reformed completely. He pointed at a nearby building. It exploded in a dazzling show of light, a crucifix forming from it's fiery center.
The office rattled. The gemstones glowed again.
"Misato. Fetch Rei."
"But... sir,"
"That's an order, Agent!" Gendo's voice rose. Misato straightened up.
"Yes, sir." Her voice cracked with some hidden anger at Gendo for forcing the girl through this. She turned a crisp about face and...
"I'll do it!"
She stopped.
"I'll fight it." Shinji knelt and lifted the sword. It seemed so light in his hands.
"Agent Katsuragi, escort him to the target."
Things are coming to a head. Deep within the Earth, Evangelion grows restless.