Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or GAINAX, Sam-I-Am. And I do not like green eggs and ham.^-^
Picking Up The Pieces – Part2Hey Hey I saved the world today
Everybody's Happy Now
The Bad Thing's Gone Away
And Everybody's Happy Now
The Good Thing's Here to Stay
Please let it stay…
Eurythmics- I saved the world today
Although the buildings of Tokyo-3 stood triumphant in the shadow of despondent ruin and twisted metal, the typical aftermath of yet another destructive day, the survivors were far from happy. Despite the apparent victory, the main damage to the concrete and streets that now looked gouged apart in deep wide furrows, like citywide battle scars, were hardly a cause for celebration. Especially when, rather embarrassingly, they were not even the work of the attacker. The same applied for the roads and shops that populated the busy market area and now appeared to have been crushed by tanks or blown to bits by enemy missiles. Which would have been bad enough, except missiles did not leave footprints the size of small oil tankers on the flattened remains of what was once your brand new car…and your house…and your school…and your entire neighbourhood. In fact, missiles might have been infinitely more preferable.
All in all, the Evas had done a better job than the Angels.
But at least the city was saved…well, what was left of it anyway.
While a long sleek black limousine coasted silently through the empty streets, the man reluctantly sitting in the back seat was experiencing an intense feeling of déjà vu. He supposed that was to be expected. After all, Kouzou Fuyutsuki had been kidnapped before. The former Sub-Commander of Nerv vaguely wondered if this was going to become a habit of SEELE. He had no illusions it was those cantankerous old men who had organised this little surprise trip. SEELE obviously had an itch for some payback and with Gendo being beyond them, he was the next best thing. This time though, they were being sloppy. There was no blindfold and he wasn't even handcuffed, not that it would have made much of a difference. The side doors were locked and only the driver, a.k.a.-his kidnapper, had the power to open them. Despite the distressing situation, Fuyutsuki mused if he should feel insulted at the lack of kidnappers and security. SEELE apparently did not think him worth the bother. Of course, that hadn't stopped them sending one of their agents to intercept him at Nerv and bundle him into the backseat of a sinister black car at gunpoint.
Kouzou sighed and tried to see out the side windows. Unfortunately the smoky-misted glass obscured any sight seeing attempts and after a few minutes of squinting he gave up. His reflection mirrored the frown of his growing unease and unwanted dark thoughts. Perhaps this is what he deserved. After all, he had not exactly been an innocent bystander. Not when you considered the man he was standing by.
Ironically, Fuyutsuki had never wanted to be anywhere near Gendo. His cold sardonic ex-student radiated danger right from the day he met him. He just didn't appeal to the older professor's introverted gentle manner and the less he saw of Mr Rokobungi and those dark sunken eyes of his, the better. However, things soon changed and suddenly personal opinions didn't seem to matter anymore. Second Impact uncovered a terrible truth about the world and it was something he could not ignore. Mad men ran it. Devious manipulative puppet masters and no one could touch them. No one that was, except perhaps their most trusted pawns, Gendo and Yui Ikari.
Fuyutsuki felt a pang whenever he thought of Yui. Beautiful and brilliant Yui Ikari. She and Gendo had a plan and despite certain reservations, Fuyutsuki had respected what they had tried to achieve. If it had all gone well, they would have cheated the devils out of their due right under their damn noses. However, the 'accident' happened and Gendo's own twisted desire warped and perverted the original idea. As Gendo grew darker in his exploits, so did the older man's dread. Here was a devil that was no better than the original monsters they were supposed to be defying. Their game had changed and Yui's dream had turned into a nightmare. But by then it had been far, far too late. All Kouzou could do was walk arm in arm with Gendo and step over the ever growing pile of bodies. There was no turning back because the outcome in the end had promised that it would all be worthwhile. It was this hollow promise that became his constant inner mantra.
It would all be worthwhile.
He had to follow the scenario and say nothing.
It would all be worthwhile.
He saw no evil, heard no evil, spoke no evil. Even though he was saturated in evil.
It would all be worthwhile.
The suffering of the Children, the fall of the Akagi family, the abominations in the name of the progress of science…To make all those deaths MEAN something…
It would all be worthwhile.
He remained Gendo's loyal friend.
The road to Hell was indeed paved with good intentions. And now, here he was, literally travelling to such a destination. Or he might as well be.
Suddenly, his morbid metaphorical road began to get a little bumpy and jerked Fuyutsuki out of his thoughts. The car was running over some uneven surface and seemed to be slowing down. The tires rolled across what must have been rocks, making Kouzou grip the leather of his seat as it shuddered slightly. A few minutes more and the car turned, then slowed to a stop. Although he had promised himself that he was going to be brave and accept whatever awaited him with dignity, the ex-professor found he was gripping his seat even tighter at the prospect of getting out. Before he could dwell on it, he heard the driver shut off the engine and step out the car. Gravel crunched under rapidly approaching footsteps and the old man couldn't help but flinch when his door sprang open courtesy of the kidnapper.
Fuyutsuki looked up at the man who had so easily spirited him away from Nerv and thought of Kaji. Certainly, he was roughly the same height and build, even quite possibly the same age, but that was where their similarities ended. Unlike the scruffy double agent, this man was dressed impeccably smart, the midnight blue tone of his suit seemed especially fitting against his deep dark coffee coloured skin. An immaculate short-cropped black head of hair framed a firm but friendly clean-shaven face, which now regarded him with an air of patient understanding.
"Please come with me, Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki. It would not be wise to keep them waiting."
Although he was obviously not Japanese, he spoke with smooth fluent efficiency. Warily, the older man got out and took a shaky step away from the car, squinting at the sudden brightness of the outside world. Kouzou's eyes narrowed as his sight adjusted to the light of a dappled sunrise shimmering on the lake before him. He knew this place well. This was the result of Unit 00's self-detonation during the 16th Angel attack. A beautiful newly created landmark that seemed to signify the peace that followed oblivion. The kidnapper walked ahead, unaffected by the landscape and continued to the edge of the lapping water. Fuyutsuki briefly considered his options, but because he was in the middle of no-where, with no weapons and no means of contact, he found that he only really had one choice. He reluctantly followed the younger man.
By the time he stood at the edge, the sub-commander was very confused. He had been expecting to be dragged off to some torture chamber or simply taken away and shot. Isn't that what they did to all their scapegoats? This lake, although quiet, was not helping his situation. What was going on? Were they going to drown him? The kidnapper seemed to sense his confusion and turned to give him a reassuring smile. Silently he stretched out his arm and pointed to the middle of the lake. Fuyutsuki frowned as he peered at nothing, looked questioningly at the man then back at the lake. He gasped a little in shock at the sudden appearance of a black monolith floating before him. Then his shock turned into a icy stab of fear as one by one, more monoliths appeared and hovered around him like ominous shadowy slabs. If nothing else, SEELE liked to make an entrance.
Fuyutsuki felt his teeth clench together as he pressed his lips into a thin firm line. He had been under the scrutiny of these powerful men before and had lived to tell the tale. But that was different. They were only interested in Gendo and his secrets. Now this time it was personal and that fact alone did not bode well for him.
"Welcome Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki," the black monolith called SEELE 01 began. "We trust you had a pleasant journey?"
Fuyutsuki fought the cold fire of his emotions churning inside and willed his voice to remain sure and steady. All those years beside Gendo seemed good for something after all.
'Dignity…take it with dignity…'
"Well…apart from my abduction, it was fine, thank you." He was inwardly amazed at his own almost flippant tone.
"A man with a sense humour…" commented SEELE 06. Fuyutsuki felt that if the monolith had lips then it would be smiling.
"We apologize for summoning you so suddenly," said SEELE 01, not sounding the least bit sorry, "We trust our escort did not mistreat you in any way?"
Fuyutsuki shook his head. "No. He was fine." Something was wrong here. Why were they so concerned about his welfare?
"Then you must be wondering why you have been brought here," continued the monolith.
"The thought has crossed my mind." Kouzou admitted, wishing for the games to be over.
"It is quite simple, really. We wish to talk to you of matters concerning very old promises."
The Sub-Commander looked puzzled. The monoliths seemed to glower.
"You were privy to much undisclosed information during the Angel Wars, were you not?" SEELE 02 stated testily.
"Information of a very sensitive nature, yes?" SEELE 07 hissed.
Fuyutsuki just nodded not sure where this was heading. Why were they so bothered about the scrolls? There was no way they could have their precious Third Impact now. It was over. They had lost. If this was truly the end, then at least he could die happy knowing SEELE would soon be joining him. He would gladly take that as his consolation prize.
"Come, come, Professor," sneered SEELE 08, " I thought you were an educated man. We know you can do better than that."
Kouzou inwardly frowned but kept his features masked with his most polite poker face.
"Yes. I know about the scrolls and the prophecy," he replied. "At least the parts Commander Ikari was kind enough to share with me."
A growl rippled through the circle of monoliths.
"Ah yes. Our dear late lamented Commander." SEELE 09 bit out with anger. "He was indeed well versed in the translation of the scrolls. You must have had interesting little talks together…"
Fuyutsuki could almost taste the bitter accusation in the air. "He dropped the odd hint. But nothing substantial until after the fact."
' Not that I could do a damn thing about it anyway.'
"Hmm. True. He was such a…careful man," agreed SEELE 06. "It was a pity he became a victim of, shall we say, tunnel vision?"
"Yes. A great pity and an even greater disappointment." confirmed SEELE 01. "Tell us, Fuyutsuki. Did Ikari ever mention to you about the consequences of the prophecy should it be broken?"
Kouzou blinked. This was new. "Ah. Not quite." Despite being a fully-grown man, the Sub-Commander couldn't shake the feeling that he was being lead by the hand like a child. A completely and utterly helpless child.
"Then it seems we need to enlighten you."
Suddenly the air shimmered and a huge solid vision of the scriptures appeared in the middle of the monoliths. Although Fuyutsuki couldn't quite read the strange language, he found that the picture below was translation enough. It depicted a scrawled drawing of a red moon raining blood on the screaming people below. It looked like a slice of Hell. A phrase from years pouring over old bibles took voice in his mind.
'…And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood…'
"Is…is this…?" he whispered.
"Armageddon. The Apocalypse. One of many." stated SEELE 01. "This is the next possibility of the scenario. It will come to pass now Third Impact has failed."
Fuyutsuki visibly paled at this revelation.
"Instrumentality is void but the events still turn against us," continued SEELE 01. "The war has upset the balance and the failure of Third Impact has opened a window of opportunity for old enemies. One that they will take very soon."
Kouzou licked sudden dry lips. His throat felt constricted. Very constricted. "Do you mean…the Angels?"
SEELE 01 sounded both impressed and grave. "Yes, Fuyutsuki. Mankind will face yet another Judgement and we will all once again be under the tender mercy of the Angels."
"But that's…that's just not possible," the Sub-Commander whispered. "We no longer have Adam, and Lilith is gone…"
"They have new targets now," countered SEELE 09 almost gleefully, "A new purpose with the rise of the red moon. They are the Bringers of our Penance, old man. They seek to punish us for our sins. Like the Tower of Babylon they will come and smite us down with the Wrath of Heaven! Had Instrumentality been achieved, it would not have mattered. But now we must pay the price for Man's failed attempt at elevation."
"However, although we share the same fate as those besieged ancient cities of the scriptures, we have an advantage they ultimately did not." SEELE 05 said, sounding slightly less maniacal.
"As in an immensely great advantage." SEELE 12 supplied not wanting to be left out.
Fuyutsuki narrowed his eyes understanding exactly what they meant. "The Evas…"
"Yes, we still hold the Evangelions and through them the only means of our escape." confirmed SEELE 01. "The scrolls indicate we have been given a reprieve. We have until the rise of the red moon before the first Messenger falls from the stars. The Harvest moon."
Fuyutsuki was amazed he was still standing. He could not believe what he was hearing.
'Damn you, Gendo. You never told me this!'
"That is why we must be ready." SEELE 01 continued. "Nerv is the key to defeating the Angels and must be protected. You may have noticed the beginning of our mobilisation of forces at the Geo-Front."
Fuyutsuki nodded. It was pretty hard not to notice a full-blown army parking itself right on top of your doorstep. Bristling with guns, tanks, bombs and god knows what else, it could hardly be called a subtle invasion. In less than two days they took over the Nerv base and placed key personnel within their own command structure. The official important papers they brandished could not be argued with. Although Misato did threaten to break a few heads if any one of the UN goons laid a finger on the Children. Thankfully no one had tested her resolve.
"The UN will protect the Heart of the Geo-Front." SEELE 01 explained. "It is expected that the Angels will attack those that can stand against them and so their target will naturally be Nerv."
'Naturally.' Fuyutsuki dryly thought.
"Which now brings us to our most pressing reason why you were summoned here today, Sub-Commander. With the unfortunate…departure of Gendo Ikari, it seems Nerv has an opening for a very important position."
All of a sudden the air around Kouzou felt very thin.
"We have watched you, Fuyutsuki," said SEELE 01 in a deceptively warm tone. "We have witnessed how you have dealt with the pressures of human life in your hands. You understand the politics of war. You possess the strength needed to make the necessary decisions and sacrifices to win the coming battles. You have experienced great darkness and ultimately prevailed. I believe I speak for us all when I say you have been found most worthy, Fuyutsuki. And so we ask, will you accept the post of Commander and join us against the Angels once more?"
Kouzou's mind raced. This was not happening. It had to be a dream, a sick horrible nightmare. They were giving him a promotion? What the hell was he going to do? Could he go through that entire trauma again?
"We will need an answer now, Fuyutsuki." SEELE 01 prompted. "Alas, time offers one little luxury when it is marching ever closer to Doomsday."
Fuyutsuki closed his eyes and focused his thoughts. Do or die. He had no doubt he was a dead man if he chose to decline SEELE's 'generous' offer. That thought alone made him very close to just giving up and throwing it back in their faces. But he had a problem. He didn't want to die. Not now. Not after what he just heard. Not when he had a chance.
What would Gendo do?
Fuyutsuki opened his eyes and gave a little mental grin. It was the road to Hell indeed.
"I apologise for my hesitation. This was most…ah…unexpected."
Kouzou willed his heart to stop thundering in his chest. It would not do to keel over with a stroke at this time. No matter how tempting
"However, I understand the importance of this offer," he continued, bowing with reverence to the black monoliths, "And I humbly accept the duties invested to me as Commander of Nerv."
SEELE rumbled in what he hoped was approval.
"Very good." said SEELE 01. "You have chosen wisely Fuyutsuki. We will expect great things from you. Do not give us cause to regret this decision."
The new Commander stood very tall before them. He clasped his hands tightly behind his back to stop them shaking.
"Of course. I will not disappoint you."
SEELE 01 seemed satisfied with this admission of loyalty and turned to new matters of attention.
"Now, we believe an introduction is in order."
The kidnapper, who had been standing quite still, moved directly towards the older man. "Commander Kouzou Fuyutsuki, this is David Molinari." The kidnapper respectfully inclined his head. "He is your new second in command and represents both UN and Nerv interests. You should find him most beneficial during the up coming war." Molinari offered no comment and just politely waited while SEELE 01 continued their instructions.
"When you return to your office, you will be de-briefed on the upcoming events and how you should prepare. Sub-Commander Molinari will provide you with guidance in regards to the alternative scriptures. A copy will be waiting for you. Tell no one but those under direct clearance what they contain. The scenario has changed. Our goal is no longer Instrumentality. It is simply survival."
Fuyutsuki nodded. "I understand." He felt both blessed and cursed by this strange turn of events.
"Then go now, Commander. We will expect favourable news when we next meet again."
The man known as Molinari took that as his cue to bow and leave. Fuyutsuki without another word followed his lead, walking back on legs that felt stiff and unreal.
The monoliths seemed to linger as they watched the two men return to the car. Then, with a virtual sigh they disappeared back into the void, taking their apocalyptic vision with them.
Only SEELE 01 remained.
"One down…" Keel whispered, then faded as the car drove away and out of sight, into the bright horizon of a coming new day.
Author's Mad Ramblings- *Yippee!* Another chapter down. This one has actually been sitting on the ol' hard drive since the dawn of time…so it's nice to see it finally out and about.
*waves it off in a motherly fashion*
Run my little chapter! Run! Be free!
Anyway, thank you for the reviews. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this as much as I am writing it! Although I hope you don't mind me beating you senseless with my great big foreshadowing stick. It just wouldn't be Evangelion without it! ^-^;
Oh…and…um.. to answer the question..I think Vaterliebe means something like "Father's Love" or maybe "Love of the Father or Parent". But please don't quote me on that! ^^;
