The striking blade
Author's notes:
Before starting this chapter, I wanted to thank Shadowdragon66, Leonard and dosei no otohime for their very positive and inspiring reviews. It is so good to know, that at last some people liked this story.
Leonard, if you want to help me out, then I will humbly ask you to give me a bit more detailed reviews about each separated chapter of this story. Short reviews, which are telling that all is fine, are good, but personally, I prefer much longer reviews, which are telling me about strong and weak points of the chapter, pointing me at my mistakes and incorrections. While such semi-critical or even critical reviews aren't always pleasant, I like them even more then short and inspiring reviews, because they help me to improve my writing skills and help me to make further chapters more interesting to you and the rest of the readers. So, if you or any other readers would be able to leave me such long reviews, it would be really great. That is how you can help me out.
Dosei no otohime, I also wanted to thank you for your support, it really means a lot to me. However, as I have admitted in my previous chapter, Brax, Neohowler and the Seldon Planner weren't really wrong when they criticized me, because unfortunately my English skills indeed leaves a lot to be desired, despite the fact, that I constantly try to improve my English skills. But anyway, dosei no otohime, I thank you for your support.
The night has come (Three hours later, in Slicer apartment in Tokyo-3)
"The night has come" - thought Alan Slicer sadly - "No more thinking, no more memories, no more dreams and no more regrets. I will do what has to be done."
With that, Alan Slicer gracefully leaped from the window of his apartment. However, as Alan started to fall, large sharp blade formed from the air just below him. Alan landed on the flat side of the blade, and it carried him ahead in impressive speed. Finally after fourteen years of ignorance and one month of nightmares Alan came in terms with his recently discovered powers. The blade carried Alan toward the crater, where used to be one of NERV ground facilities.
"They wouldn't be able to resist me!" - thought Alan proudly - "At last not now, after Second One and Third One caused so much damage to them. I would prevent this apocalypse from happening!"
Another alarm (Ten minutes later, in NERV command office)
Gendo was drinking his sixth cup of coffee in order to stay awake. Oh, God, how he wanted to go to sleep, but there were still too much work to do. They had to develop some successful tactic to fight against Devils, before they would strike again. While Gendo's victory over Third Devil earned him some respect and trust in eyes of SEELE council members, Gendo knew very well, that just one serious mistake, and they would suspect him to be weak point of organization once again. And now, when all seventeen angels were finally dead, he needed to be respected and trusted by SEELE council members even more then before. All his plans depended from SEELE council members respect and trust.
"Is it all information, you was able to get about them?" - asked Gendo blond-haired scientist who set in front of him, drinking her third cup of coffee.
"Yes, Gendo" - answered Ritsuko, who was too tired to address Gendo with proper formality - "I could have get more only if we had found Devil's body. But unfortunately, it seems that, Devil body has disappeared."
"You have done well, Ritsuko" - answered Gendo - "At last our little victory earned me some respect and trust from SEELE council members."
"Is their respect and trust is all you are fighting for?" - asked Ritsuko.
"You know, what I am fighting for, Ritsuko" - said Gendo.
"Indeed, I know what you are fighting for too well" - said Ritsuko - "The only thing I can't understand is: why I am still helping you."
"You know it too well, too" - said Gendo - "Okay, you have done a good work, Ritsuko. I guess, you should have some rest now. Good night."
"I…" - started Ritsuko, but she was interrupted by Maya's voice.
"Commander Ikari! Dr. Akagi!" - said Maya - "Unknown flying object is approaching opened entrance to Geofront in the recently created crater. Apparently we are under attack!"
"What?!" - screamed Gendo - "Another attack so soon?! But we are unprepared! Lieutenant Aoba, raise alarm and try to establish contact with Major Katsuragi! Lieutenant Hyuga, activate all remaining NERV defense systems and by all means block the entrance to Geofront! Lieutenant Ibuki, put this unknown flying object on the screen!"
As NERV command office personal proceeded with their orders, large blade-like object, flying toward crater, created by explosion of twenty N2 Bombs, become visible on the screen. It appeared, that there was human-like figure, riding this blade as if it was some kind of skateboard for him.
"What is it?" - asked Ritsuko in astonishment, all her tiredness was instantly forgotten - "A human?"
"It appears so, Dr. Akagi." - answered Maya - "Wait! I detected AT Field, extremely powerful! It can't be human!"
"Commander Ikari" - said Makoto meanwhile - "If he will approach us from the side of this crater, we will be completely defenseless against him. I can try to close all barriers, but I doubt, that they will be able to stop him."
"What about Evangelions and their pilots?" - asked Gendo.
"Both EVA-01 and EVA-15 are ready for combat, Commander Ikari " - said Maya - "However, both Shinji and Kensuke are at their homes. Commander Ikari, it would take them at last half an hour to get there, most likely even an hour. Judging from enemy's powerful AT Field, he would finish with us before they would get there. What would we do, Commander Ikari?"
"Maya, what is Asuka's condition?" - asked Gendo - "Can we use her and EVA-02?"
"No, Commander Ikari." - answered Maya - "She is still in coma in hospital room number three zero three."
"I order to transport Asuka into Entry Plug of EVA-02 immediately!" - ordered Gendo.
"But, Commander Ikari" - said Maya - "Asuka is still in coma! Transportation could be dangerous for her."
"If enemy will decide to get rid of Evangelion pilots" - said Gendo - "Then staying in hospital bed would be more dangerous for her then any transportation. At last, she wouldn't be so vulnerable in her Evangelion's Entry Plug, as she would be in hospital bed. And if there are even small chances of activating EVA-02, then we must take these chances. Proceed with your orders, Lieutenant Ibuki."
"Yes, Commander Ikari." - said Maya.
"Commander Ikari" - said Shigeru - "I contacted with Major Katsuragi. She and Shinji are already on their way. But, Major Katsuragi insisted, that before going directly to NERV headquarters, she would go to Aida apartment and take pilot Aida with her to NERV. She didn't believe, that Shinji would be able to stop enemy alone. But it would take some time. Major Katsuragi said, that she expects to arrive to NERV command office in about forty minutes."
"Too slow" - said Gendo - "Lieutenant Hyuga, did you prepared our defenses?"
"Yes, Commander Ikari" - said Makoto - "All security squads took positions, along enemy's optimal way to Terminal Dogma. All inner barriers are closed. But personally, I don't know what good would all these preparations do, if enemy indeed has AT Field."
"At last we can try to slow enemy down, until Shinji and Aida will arrive." - said Gendo - "Ritsuko, did you analyzed enemy?"
"Yes, I did, Commander Ikari" - said Ritsuko - "As Maya has already reported, the enemy has very powerful. According to this information, I classify enemy as Fourth Devil. It appears, that blade, which Fourth Devil is riding is manifestation of his AT Field. If this is true, this blade is powerful enough to cut through anything, and our defenses won't have any success."
And then, all NERV command office personal could only watch Fourth Devil's progress, and pray, that Misato, Shinji and Kensuke would arrive in time to stop the Fourth Devil.
Seventh Savior's progress (five minutes later, outside NERV headquarters/inside NERV headquarters; Alan Slicer's point of view)
I stopped my blade just above the crater, which leaded into depths of NERV headquarters, into mysterious place, know as Geofront, where, as mysterious brown-haired boy from my dream told me, Adam was kept.
But before taking Adam, I decided to face their inventions know as Evangelions. So far, I have heard only rumors about these giant bio-machines. Would they be match for my power? That remains to be seen.
Then I looked down into the crater. I wasn't surprised to find out, that further way was blocked by massive metal doors. Well, these doors wouldn't be any problems for somebody like me. With a mere though, I created a few smaller blades from air, and command them to cut massive metal doors before me into pieces.
And after a few second the way was clear, and I proceeded into depths of NERV headquarters.
Automatic defense turrets and squads of NERV guards tried to stop me, but it was all in vain. My AT Field was as strong as ever, and all enemy shots were deflected by it.
I created more and more sharp blades from air and hurled them into my enemies. Automatic defense turrets exploded. Whole squads of NERV guards were butchered by my blades.
And I proceeded further and further, leaving only destruction, blood and death in my wake.
Was it really my purpose? Was I really born for something like that? I didn't have the answers. I only knew, that I was doing this for greater good, that I was doing it for whole humanity. Was I really doing a good thing? I wasn't sure in that right now. With each passing minute, more and more people were killed because of me.
And most horrible was the fact, that I couldn't stop this madness. I couldn't stop, knowing that my failure could mean end of the world, end of humanity. And so, I had to go only. I proceeded further and further, deeper and deeper into NERV headquarters. And I hoped, that there was somebody, who could stop this madness. I hoped, that there was somebody, who could stop me. But there weren't anybody, who could stop this madness. There weren't anybody, who could stop me. I was avatar of death and destruction, and nobody was able stop me. Their fate was sealed.
The problem with no solutions (Meanwhile, in NERV command office)
There was nothing, which any of NERV command office could do about this situation. All of them were tired. Gendo was tired from giving useless orders. Ritsuko was tired from trying to find any weakness of the Fourth Devil, for it seemed, that he didn't had any weaknesses. Professor Fuyutsuki, who was woken up from his sleep and now was sitting beside Gendo at NERV command office was tired from trying to think some solution of this problem, for there weren't any solution. In other words, without active Evangelions NERV was defenseless.
"Commander Ikari" - said Shigeru - "Major Katsuragi has just contacted me once again. She said, that she would be here in twenty minutes and that Shinji and Kensuke are with her."
"It is hopeless" - said Gendo - "After twenty minutes, all of us would be already dead."
"Commander Ikari" - said Makoto - "The Fourth Devil overpowered all our defenses, which he encountered in his way. It appears, that his target isn't Terminal Dogma, but hangar, where we keep our Evangelions. Commander Ikari, the enemy plans to destroy our Evangelions while they are still unpiloted! What we should do?"
"Launch all three Evangelions" - ordered Gendo - "Even if Fourth Devil will follow them, it would buy us some time to find solution for this problem. And if Fourth Devil won't follow them, then it is possible, that Shinji and Kensuke would arrive in time to defeat the Fourth Devil, before he would reach Adam. There is no doubt, that Adam is the Fourth Devil's final objective. Proceed with launching Evangelions, Lieutenant Ibuki."
"Yes, Commander Ikari" - said Maya - "Preparing EVA-01 for launch… EVA-01 is prepared for launch… EVA-01 was launched successfully… preparing EVA-02 for launch… EVA-02 is prepared for launch… EVA-02 was launched… Wait! There is something wrong! EVA-02 wasn't launched!"
"What?!" - asked Gendo - "EVA-02 is activated?"
"I don't know, Commander Ikari!" - said Maya - "Apparently EVA-02 wasn't activated. Yet something is wrong with launching operation. It almost seems, as if EVA-02 refused to launch, but it is impossible! Oh no, contact with EVA-02 was terminated!"
"Proceed with launching EVA-15, Lieutenant Ibuki." - ordered Gendo - "If it is what I am thinking about, then there is no reason to worry."
"Proceeding with launching EVA-15" - said Maya - " Preparing EVA-15 for launch… EVA-15 is prepared for launch… EVA-15 was launched successfully."
"Please" - thought Gendo - "Rise, Asuka. We need you."
If there was somebody, who could stop me (Meanwhile, in EVA-02's Entry Plug; Asuka's point of view)
"Synchronization rate zero" - I thought bitterly - "I have no capacity to be the Second Child. I have no capacity to be pilot of my Evangelion."
"You can be pilot. It is in your blood."
"I have no reason to exist. There is no reason for me to live."
"You must continue to live. It is easy to choose death. Chose life."
"Nobody needs me anymore."
"They need you."
"What?!"
"They all need you. The whole world needs you. Rise, Asuka! Rise and live!"
Solution for the problem (Meanwhile, in NERV command office)
"Commander Ikari!" - said Maya - "I have response from EVA-02! EVA-02 is activated."
"I knew it!" - thought Gendo triumphaly.
"Try to establish contact with Asuka." - ordered Gendo - "Lieutenant Hyuga, do we still have some time?"
"Commander Ikari" - answered Makoto - "If Fourth Devil will move with same speed, he will be in Evangelion hangar after about a minute."
"Asuka! Asuka! Do you hear me?" - said Maya meanwhile through the comlink.
"I guess… yes" - said Asuka still a bit weakly - "What is going on?"
"Asuka, we are under attack by mysterious being called Fourth Devil" - answered Maya through the comlink - "Asuka, you must…"
"Connect me with Asuka, Lieutenant Ibuki" - interrupted her Gendo - "I will instruct Asuka personally."
"Asuka" - said Gendo through the comlink, after Maya established communication between him and Asuka - "You must not kill Fourth Devil in NERV headquarters. Fourth Devil possesses very powerful AT Field, and if Fourth Devil will be killed in NERV headquarters, then underground explosion would be powerful enough to destroy whole NERV headquarters. So, you must either carry enemy out of NERV headquarters, or force him to follow you out of NERV headquarters. After enemy will be out of NERV headquarters, you must use any means in your disposal to kill Fourth Devil. Understood, Asuka?"
"Understood, Commander Ikari" - answered Asuka through the comlink.
"What is Asuka's synchronization rate, Lieutenant Ibuki?" - asked Gendo.
"Commander Ikari, Asuka's synchronization rate is 41,1%, and it keep raising, even if a bit slowly" - answered Maya - "It isn't very high, but it is more then we could even hope for. After all, she has just rose from hospital bed."
"I hope, that it would be enough to penetrate or neutralize Fourth Devil's AT Field" - muttered Ritsuko.
"It has come!" - said Makoto - "The Fourth Devil has blasted hangar doors, and right now he is ready to engage Asuka."
The battle against Fourth Devil begins (Meanwhile, in NERV hangar; Asuka's point of view)
I wasn't really sure, what has happened with me. It was almost as if the whole episode was just cut out of my life. Only some separated images and sounds remained, but I couldn't bind them into whole picture. One moment I was walking aimlessly through the ruins of Tokyo-3, and in the next moment, I was in my Evangelion's Entry Plug once again. At last, this time it seemed, that I could control this thing. Big progress from my side. Ok, let just this new enemy come.
As if following my thoughts, the great doors to the Evangelion hangar were cut into pieces and I saw boy, who rode some kind of weird looking blade, as if it was skateboard for him. Showy, but unpractical. If this was so-called Fourth Devil, then he is as good as dead.
*Flashback*
"Asuka" - I heard Gendo's voice coming through the comlink - "You must not kill Fourth Devil in NERV headquarters. Fourth Devil possesses very powerful AT Field, and if Fourth Devil will be killed in NERV headquarters, then underground explosion would be powerful enough to destroy whole NERV headquarters. So, you must either carry enemy out of NERV headquarters, or force him to follow you out of NERV headquarters. After enemy will be out of NERV headquarters, you must use any means in your disposal to kill Fourth Devil. Understood, Asuka?"
"Understood, Commander Ikari" - I answered.
*End of flashback*
"All right" - I thought - "I'll do it just like Commander Ikari had ordered. I'll carry this Little Devil outside, and then, I'll squash him!"
With that, I make my Evangelion run toward the enemy and tried to grab him with my left hand. At first it seemed, that enemy wasn't going to resist at all. But when I understand, that something was wrong, it was already a bit too late. The Little Devil smiled, and suddenly another large blade appeared from nowhere and quickly flied toward me, neatly separating my Evangelion's left arm from shoulder! And I could only screamed from a terrible pain!
Through red curtain of pain I saw, that Little Devil smiled once again, and then it seemed, that pain filled whole my body. I felt as if thousand of small needles were plunged into my body.
"Damned!" - I though - "I won't give up that easily!"
And gathering all my strength, I pushed my Evangelion into a run.
"If I can't carry him outside" – I thought – "Then I'll make him follow me outside. And then, we shall see who is better."
Swift death to my enemies (Meanwhile, in NERV headquarters; Alan Slicer's point of view)
"How pathetic!" – I thought, as I watched my enemy struggle in pain, after multiple small blades cut through its body – "And this is one of these legendary Evangelions? I though that they were supposed to be better then that. Okay, it is time to finish this game!"
I turned the blade, which I rode, directly at Red Evangelion's chest and make it rush forward, knowing that my AT Field would protect me from explosion anyway. However, at last moment, Red Evangelion dashed aside, and run into the corridor, which leaded to surface. I wasn't able to turn the blade, which I rode, in time, and so I and the blade, which I rode, crushed into the wall. Well, not really crushed, for my blade and my AT Field easily cut through the wall without any harm for us. But still, this unexpected turn of delayed me long enough to give Red Evangelion a good running start.
But I wasn't going to surrender so easily! Before stealing this Adam, I will crush anybody, who would dare to oppose me!..
What I am thinking about?! Just a few minutes ago I wanted to stop this killing and destruction, and now I am looking forward to it?! Did I went mad?!
I had no answers for these questions. But anyway, I followed the Red Evangelion to the surface. Red Evangelion was an enemy, and it was never in my style to let my enemies flee away.
The battle against Fourth Devil continues (ten minutes later, outside NERV headquarters/in NERV command office)
After ten long minutes of constant avoiding blades, which Fourth Devil kept throwing at her Evangelion, Asuka finally reached surface. With mighty jump, EVA-02 leaped from the crater, and landed its legs, barely keeping balance. And despite the fact, that her Evangelion was badly damaged, Asuka sighed in relief, for at last she was free to fight your enemy.
Fourth Devil rose high above the crater on his blade, then dived downwards, heading straight for EVA-02. Asuka drew her Progressive Knife with still functioning right hand of her Evangelion and get ready for combat, preparing to strike down Fourth Devil, when he will be in her reach.
"It is just a Little Devil" – though Asuka confidently – "Now, when I can kill him without fearing to blow up entire NERV headquarters, he is no match against me!"
But back at NERV command office, some people weren't as confident in Asuka's ability to defeat this enemy, as Asuka was.
"Commander Ikari" – reported Maya to Gendo – "Asuka's synchronization rate reached 42,6%, but Fourth Devil's AT Field is too strong for her to penetrate. Commander Ikari, she can't possibly survive the impact with Fourth Devil!"
"Commander Ikari" – reported Shigeru to Gendo – "I just received call from Major Katsuragi. She will deliver Shinji and Kensuke to their Evangelions in about a minute. So, Asuka will need to hold enemy for just a minute."
"Okay" – said Makoto – "Commander Ikari, with your permission, in Major Katsuragi's absence, I will instruct Asuka personally."
"Go ahead, Lieutenant Hyuga" – said Gendo.
"Asuka" – said Makoto through the comlink – "At all costs, avoid direct contact with enemy. Shinji and Kensuke will arrive in about a minute, and together, three of you will be able to kill Fourth Devil. Alone, you have no chances against the Fourth Devil, for Fourth Devil's AT Field is too powerful for you to penetrate. Understood, Asuka?"
"Negative, Lieutenant Hyuga" – answered Asuka through the comlink – "I don't need any help from either Shinji or Kensuke. I will deal with this Fourth Devil myself."
And then Asuka cut off communication.
"Damned!" - said Makoto - "I can't believe this! She openly disobeyed us!"
"It doesn't matter" - said Gendo - "Anyway, she would be able to distract Fourth Devil for long enough for Shinji and Kensuke to get into their Evangelions. However, it is pity, that she chose to let herself killed in hopeless attempt to kill Fourth Devil by herself. She was a good pilot, even if she was expendable. Her death is great loss for NERV."
Meanwhile at the battlefield, Asuka was completely unaware about Gendo's pessimistic mood. Instead, she concentrated on her enemy.
"It is a good thing, that he chose to finish me personally" - thought Asuka - "If he would just keep throwing his blades at me from a distance, I wouldn't even have a chance against him. But now, resolution of our battle will depend only from skill."
As Fourth Devil was getting closer and closer to EVA-02, Asuka noticed almost invisible AT Field, which surrounded Fourth Devil and the blade, which he was riding.
"Then I have to penetrate his AT Field as well in order to kill him?" - thought Asuka - "Piece of cake!"
And then, Fourth Devil was upon Asuka. The blade, which Fourth Devil was riding, plunged deep into EVA-02 chest…
Horrified Maya turned back from the screen, unwilling to watch EVA-02's death…
And in the next moment, it all was over…
Fourth Devil's blade sliced through EVA-02's AT Field and armor and then…
And then, it disappeared, losing its source of power, as two parts of Fourth Devil's body, cut apart by Asuka's Progressive Knife, fall to the ground…
And then, huge explosion covered all the battlefield, engulfing both remains of the Fourth Devil and EVA-02…
Maya burst into tears… Gendo watched the huge explosion at the screen, with mixture of approval and regret upon his face… Shigeru sadly took a few chords on his imaginary guitar… Makoto removed his glasses and sadly closed his eyes… Ritsuko gave a short look at the huge explosion on the screen, and then returned her attention to the computer terminal… Professor Fuyutsuki lowered his head, even though nobody could tell, whatever he did it sadly or tiredly, or perhaps both…
Despite the terrible heat, Kensuke, Misato and Shinji get out from Misato's car, which have just arrived to the scene of battle, and silently watched the flames, which roared at the battlefield. Nothing could possibly survive there…
"At last Asuka killed the Fourth Devil before her death" - broke silence Misato.
Shinji was horrified. He kept replaying last moment of Asuka's battle against Fourth Devil over and over. The Fourth Devil's blade plunged deep into EVA-02's chest, but at same time, Asuka's Progressive Knife cut Fourth Devil apart. And then, this damned huge explosion engulfed both of them. He was never able to understand her before, and now he didn't even had another chance to try to understand her.
"How did you dare to leave me, Asuka!" – shouted Shinji aloud.
Right now, he didn't cared, what others would think about him.
"Hay, look over there!" – shouted Kensuke, interrupting Shinji's thoughts.
The flames began to calm down. And among the flames, among the devastation stood Red Evangelion, as if it was monolith to human bravery. Its frontal plate of armor has fallen apart, revealing its unscratched core. The rest of its armor was molten and covered by multiple deep cuts. Its left hand was cut off by Fourth Angel's blade, and its power cable was cut off by explosion. In fact, Red Evangelion could barely stand. But despite all these, Red Evangelion was impressive sight to behold, because it was sight of victor.
Another watcher (Meanwhile, at the rooftop of the still standing building nearest to the crater, created by explosions of twenty N2 Bombs)
Kensuke, Misato and Shinji weren't the only ones, who looked at Red Evangelion with astonishment. On the rooftop of the nearest still standing building the dark figure was studying Red Evangelion and the rest of the battlefield, and was considering his options. For a moment, he thought about attacking them right now, but then, he quickly discarded this idea, for while Red Evangelion was badly damaged and unprepared for further combat, both Purple Evangelion and White Evangelion were totally undamaged and fully prepared for combat. And even in the middle of the night, when his powers were in their height, he wouldn't dare to fight three Evangelions at time. Despite the fact, that one of them wouldn't be able to hold its ground against him, two others Evangelions were more then enough to defeat or even kill him. It was suicide.
"Brother" – he suddenly heard familiar voice in his mind.
"What is it, Brother?" – he thought, and then he sent his thoughts across the world to the only person, who could fully understand him.
"There was disaster in NERV research laboratory number five" – answered voice in his mind – "They did something wrong, while they were trying to built another Evangelion, and it blown up. Right now, they are almost defenseless, and they would be an easy prey for somebody with your powers. I would have deal with them by myself, but you well know, that at night I am almost powerless. Are you coming?"
"Count me in!" – he thought once again, and then he once again sent his thoughts across the world to the only person, who could fully understand him – "There is nothing for me to do here anyway. I am not fool, and I won't fight three Evangelions by myself."
Then dark figure leaped into air, and cold night winds grabbed him and took him away into a place, distant from Tokyo-3 and these damned Evangelions. Indeed, night was his domain, and nobody could oppose him in the middle of the night. Well, almost nobody.