Summer 2024
"FREEDOM!!"
Urd, Skuld, and Yui Ikari looked at their friend as she danced about on the pavement like a little school girl.
"Geez Misato," said Urd, "Can you look any more undignified?"
Misato Ryoji turned and smiled at Urd. "You haven't been cooped up indoors with a screaming baby for the past year have you? This is my first chance to get away and I intend to make the best of it."
"How?" asked Yui.
"Easy!" Misato put on her best commanders face. "We will proceed to invade the Bar and immediate consume large quantities of beer!"
Both Skuld's and Yui's faces drooped while Urd's lit up.
"You heard the order!" shouted Urd. "To the Bar!"
Urd and Misato quickly moved off in such of their beloved drink. Skuld and Yui stared at them a second before looking at each other.
"Why did we agree to go with them?" asked Skuld.
"They said it would be fun." replied Yui.
"Fun for them..."
".while we baby-sit them and make sure they don't get sick on someone."
Skuld sighed. "Now I wish Belldandy had come."
"Why didn't she?"
"Because Sayoko is taking care of Taro while Misato.."
"Drinks herself to oblivion?"
"Yep."
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The Morisato/Wishbringer Apartment.
Loud screams and cries from the kitchen filled the apartment. The noise could drive any person up the wall had they listened to it for 10 minutes or more. And this had been going on for the past hour. Stress was beginning to show on the two woman who sat in front of the angry crying child. The only man in the apartment was sitting in the living room, oblivious to the noise as he was wearing a large set of headphones. If only the two woman could be so lucky....
"Why won't he shut-up!" cried Sayoko Morisato, Goddess 1st class, Type 2 Unlimited.
Her mother, Belldandy, Goddess Class 0, type 2 Unlimited, gave her a weak smile.
"He's just a baby. He's communicating the only way he can."
"I know that Mom! But what's he saying? I've checked his diaper, I sang to him, I rocked him, and nothing!" She held up a bottle. "I even tried to feed him and he just pushes it away! Misato said he was picky but this is ridiculous!" Sayoko brought her head down on the table, the cries of little Taro echoing in her ears. Suddenly she sat up as a thought crossed her mind. "You don't think Misato feeds him..." Sayoko's voice trailed off. "Nah..not even Misato would give THAT to a baby."
"Give what?" asked Belldandy.
"Beer."
"...."
"Yeah I know...dumb idea."
"No, not dumb...just..somewhat unlikely."
Sayoko sighed and stared at the screaming child in front of her. "I wish you could just tell us what the problem is..."
"Well...he can..sort of."
Sayoko looked over at her mother. "What?"
Belldandy looked down at the floor and shrugged slightly. "Before I joined the GRO, I did go around blessing the newborn children. While I was working, I developed an ability to read the children's minds."
Sayoko frowned. "I can read minds. That's one of the first things I tried with him. It didn't work."
"But you haven't been around as many babies as I have." Belldandy moved across and turned Taro to face her. A look of concentration appeared on her face. Sayoko closed her eyes and placed her head back on the table.
'That's it...Mom's lost it. There's no way she can read Taro's mind. It's not possible. The very idea she could...' Sayoko's thoughts trailed off as something reached her eyes.
Silence.
No crying. No screaming. Nothing.
And it was good.
Sayoko looked up to see Taro staring at her mother curiously, while Belldandy herself was very red in the face.
"What?" Sayoko asked, "What is it?"
"Umm.Well..you see.." Belldandy began, "I know what he wants..it's just..."
"What is it?"
Belldandy, still blushing heavily, looked over at her daughter. "Well, he's hungry."
Sayoko frowned. "But we tried that." She held up the baby bottle. "He didn't want it."
"Well that's true, he didn't want the bottle. But he still wants his milk..."
Sayoko frowned. "So how is he gonna get the milk? I mean there's nothing else around here that can.."
"Actually," her mother interrupted. "There is."
Sayoko continued to frown. "Where?"
"Well.." Belldandy raised her hand and pointed.
Sayoko followed her mother's finger to.....oh no.she does NOT mean...
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Keiichi sat still reading his paper in the living room. His earphones were now off. He sighed as he now enjoyed the newfound silence.
'I knew Belldandy and Sayoko would calm that kid." He thought, "I just didn't think it would take so...'
"ARE YOU CRAZY!?!??!" came Sayoko's voice from the kitchen. Immediately the crying began anew.
'..long.' Keiichi bent over to grab his fallen earphones. He had almost placed them back on his head when he heard his daughter again.
"NO ONE IS GONNA LAY A HAND ON MY BREASTS! NO ONE!"
Keiichi dropped the headphones in surprise.
'What brought that on?' he thought. Then he smiled. 'But that's just the thing I want to hear from my daughter.'
"At least not until we've dated for a while..."
'...not the thing I'd like to hear..'
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The neighbors, who had finally gotten used to the crying, leaped into the air as two parents cut loose with a "WHAT!?!"
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The Bar.
Misato and Urd stood in the doorway of the bar, a big smile on their faces. Yui and Skuld had the look of people being led to their doom.
A waitress walked up to them. "How many this evening?"
"Oh we don't want a table." replied Misato, "We'll be right at the bar."
"Alright." replied the waitress, "I should warn you though, there are some sailors here."
"Sailors?" Urd asked, a gleam appearing in her eyes.
"Yes, American Sailors. And they have been very..loud."
"How so?"
"OH MY GOD!" came a voice in English, "She was Ugly!"
"That loud." replied the waitress.
"HOW UGLY?" came a few responses in English.
"She was so ugly that paint pealed off the walls when she walked into a room."
"HOW UGLY?" a few more voices had joined in.
"So ugly that strong men fainted, children screamed, and even horses ran away."
Yui and Skuld were just staring stunned at the sailors. Misato had only raised an eyebrow, while Urd openly grinned.
"HOW UGLY?" Now most of the back of the bar had joined in.
"Women tore their hair, the sky got black, and the earth trembled."
"THAT'S NOT UGLY!"
"I'm telling you guys she was so goddamn ugly that mirrors cracked, dogs went berserk, fire mains ruptured, Eva Unit-01 ran away in fear, and one man who had smiled at her at night dropped stone cold dead when he saw her in daylight. THAT, my friends, is the gospel truth."
Urd's smile got bigger. "I love Americans." She immediately headed towards the sailors.
Misato shrugged and headed towards the bar, leaving Yui and Skuld still shocked at the door.
"What did we get into?" asked Yui, "Those Sailors are repulsive!"
"Yeah, they're repulsive." said Skuld weakly, "But that's not what scares me."
"What is it?"
"That guy..WAS telling the truth."
Yui shivered. She then took another look around the bar. "I wonder how Shinji and the others are doing?"
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"Not good."
"Very unwise."
"Geez Demon. Even I know not to insult her. What were you thinking?"
Asuka glared at the other three Guardians.
"We can't just let her push us around! After all! WE defeated Unit-01 when the gods and demons couldn't!"
"But still Asuka," said Shinji, "You shouldn't have called her a blue haired bimbo."
"ARE YOU TAKING HER SIDE?!?"
Shinji shrank back. "No, I'm just saying you should apologize to her."
"Please Asuka." said Rei, "Don't fight her."
"ASUKA LANGLEY IKARI NEVER BACKS DOWN FROM A FIGHT!"
Behind her, a battle ready goddess stepped out. The goddess's helmet and face shield hid most of her face, but her lips could be seen drawn into a tight line.
"Are you ready?" the Goddess asked.
Asuka twirled about, willing her helmet into place and pulling out her staff.
"Bring it Bimbo!"
"She doesn't listen does she?" asked Touji, as the Goddess let loose a battle cry, and charged at Asuka.
Just before she reached Asuka, the Goddess raised her hands. A Large Battle- Ax formed in them. Asuka's eyes went wide in surprise.
"Shiest!" Asuka ducked, just barely avoiding the Ax. Asuka lay on the ground a second.
'Asuka what have you gotten yourself into?' Then something drifted past her face. Asuka frowned and grabbed at the objects. It was strands of red hair. Asuka moved her hand to the hair coming out from under her helmet. The right side felt a lot shorter then the left.
"MY HAIR!! YOU BITCH!" Asuka screamed as she charged at the goddess.
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5 minutes later.
"Owww." groaned Asuka as Shinji treated her bruises.
"It's all your fault." said Shinji, "You deserve every bruise she gave you."
"Ughh I know." Asuka glanced over at Shinji, "Why didn't you stop me?"
"We tried to. But a certain German girl I know thought she knew better then the rest of us."
Asuka hung her head. "I piloted Eva for almost 14 years. I was trained for close combat and excelled at it. For her to tell me I was still an amateur...."
"Belldandy did warn us about her. After all, she's been doing this longer then us. And then there's her title 'The Fighting Goddess'."
Asuka sighed. "Remind me to never ever EVER piss off Lind ever again."
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Misato leaned back and chugged a 32 oz. Beer before the stunned bartender.
"YEEEEAHHHH!" shouted Misato, "God I haven't done that in ages."
Skuld and Yui just stared at Misato.
"My son told me about it.." said Yui quietly, "But I thought he was exaggerating."
Skuld nodded. "Now I know why Urd and Misato get along so well."
"Hey!" said Misato, "Knock it off. I'm not that bad. Besides...Are you or are you not related to her."
"We're related." replied Skuld.
"So.explain that." Misato pointed to the back of the bar.
Urd, now sporting a sailors cap, was surrounded by a dozen or so ogling drunken sailors and seemed to be enjoying herself very much.
"I can't explain it." said Skuld, "She just has that effect on men." Skuld then smiled. "Much like a certain unshaven spy."
Misato muttered something and took a drink out of her fresh beer.
"Where is Kaji?" asked Yui.
"Out saving the world.." muttered Misato, "He doesn't tell me anything."
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Germany
It was called 'the castle'. Really it was just a large mansion, but from town it looked just like a castle. It even had guards walking along its walls. Unlike the castles of old, these guards were armed with machine guns.
One such guard walked along the wall smoking a cigarette. He stopped just for a moment and looked out towards the town. Seeing nothing of interest, he took a long drag from his cigarette and then tossed it over the wall. As he did so, a gloved hand grabbed his arm and pulled him over the wall. The guard's fall ended with a sickening thud. The arm was soon followed over the wall by a figure dressed all in black. The figure looked around before pulling off his mask, revealing the face of Kaji Ryoji. He tossed the mask back over the wall.
"Smoking can kill you." He said to the fallen guard. He then turned and entered the castle.
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"I'm the Commander of Tokyo-2 UN for crying out loud!" said a slightly intoxicated Misato, "I mean..I handle secrets every day! Why can't he tell me where he's going or what he's done?"
"Everyone has secrets." said Skuld, "Everyone has something to hide, even to their loved ones."
"Like your little secret with Sentaro?"
Skuld just looked away. "Everyone has secrets."
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Kaji moved quietly from room to room inside the castle. Finally, he found the room he wanted. He quietly entered the bookcase lined office. On one wall was a portrait. Kaji frowned at the man picture.
"Old man.. If you were still alive...I'd have killed you for what you tried to do."
The man in the picture, Lorenz Keel, said nothing.
Kaji moved to the desk. He sat down in the chair and began to pry open the desk. Just as he popped the drawer open, the room went white. When his vision returned, Kaji found himself strapped to a chair in the middle of a column of light. He could see nothing beyond the edge of the circle. He struggled to free himself, only to have the straps grab him tighter.
"Well this isn't good." muttered Kaji.
"Welcome Agent Ryoji." came a voice, scrambled by an electronic device.
"It's great to be here." replied Kaji, looking around, "Forgive me if I don't stand and shake your hand."
"Ahh the famous Ryoji whit. Now I see why you were to die."
Kaji smiled. "Unfortunately, I had a prior engagement."
"Ah yes...The Goddess..."
Kaji froze. A chuckle was heard from the voice.
"Yes Agent Ryoji, I know all about your trip to the heavens with the Goddess Skuld."
"Who are you?" asked Kaji.
A black shape appeared before Kaji. Kaji's blood chilled as his mind took in what he was seeing.
A black monolith with red letters. Kaji didn't even have to read the letter to know what it said.
SEELE 01.
"Agent Ryoji, you were an Agent of SEELE." continued SEELE 01, "You failed in your mission. Your death was ordered. It will be carried out."
Kaji began to get nervous. "Uhhhh, wait, can we talk about this?"
"There is nothing to talk about." replied the monolith, "Make it long and painful."
"Of course." Kaji turned his head to see a brunette demon walking out of the shadows. "It will be my pleasure."
Kaji turned back to the monolith. "Wait a second! SEELE!" The monolith disappeared. Kaji turned and looked back at the demon. "I don't suppose we could talk about this?"
The demon smiled as she pulled out a short sword. "You can say anything you want to. I especially love it when my subjects plead for their lives as I work." She then leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "And within minutes, they're pleading with me to kill them." She stood up and walked around in front of him. "My last subject lived for almost 50 minutes. A new record. Especially when you consider how much of him was gone." She looked right into Kaji's face. "Let's see how long you last."
"You know I'm friends with the goddesses." said Kaji, trying to move his body as far away from the knife as the restraints would allow him. "They'll know I'm in trouble and come here."
The demon smiled. "Come now. I'm a Class 0 Demon. They'll only hear you if I want them to hear you." The knife plunged downward.
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Tokyo-2, Japan
Several hours later.
The group of 4 woman moved slowly towards the apartment. Two of them were leaning heavily on the other two.
"That was fun." said Misato, who was leaning on Yui.
"Oh yeah." replied Urd, who was still wearing a sailors hat, "Most fun I've had in months."
Skuld glared at her sister. "I thought you were quitting."
Urd shrugged. "I said I'd cut back. Remember, it's still my back-up power source."
"We're here." said Yui as the group arrived in front of the Ryoji.
"Lemme get my key." Misato said as she dove into her purse.
"Wait." said Skuld quietly.
Misato looked up at her. "What?"
"Do you hear that?"
Everyone went silent. From inside the apartment came the sound of warking.
"Ohh That's Pen Pen." said Misato, "He must be singing along with the TV again."
Misato started to reach for the lock when Urd grabbed her arm. Misato looked up to see Urd had become sober very quickly.
"Misato, give me the key."
Misato looked at Urd surprised. "What?"
Urd looked at Misato very seriously. "Give me the key."
Misato looked questioningly at Urd, but handed her the key. Urd walked up to the door and unlocked it. The door side open to reveal a very upset penguin. Misato scooped him up.
"Aw.What's the matter Pen Pen? Did you miss your..Hey!" Misato looked down at Pen Pen's feet. "What have you been walking in?" The penguin's feet were covered in red.
"WARK! WARK! WARK!" Pen Pen cried.
"Oh shit.." muttered Skuld. She flew into the apartment, floating almost 2 feet above the ground. Misato and Yui started to follow, but Urd held them back.
"It's for your own good." said Urd softly before Misato could protest.
Misato frowned at Urd, then took another look at Pen Pen's feet, as did Yui. Yui suddenly paled.
"Oh no."
"What?" asked Misato, "What is it?"
"It's blood."
"Blood?!? From where? Pen Pen?"
"No." Everyone turned and looked at a very pale Skuld who floated out of the apartment. Skuld was staring at a mask she held. "Not him."
"Then who?"
"I..I.." Skuld looked up at Misato. "I think its Kaji."
"Kaji?!?!" Misato began to get upset. "What do you mean you think its Kaji? What's wrong with him?"
"I can't recognize him." said Skuld. "I found this." She held up the mask. It was black with 7 eyes. The mask of SEELE.
Misato dropped Pen Pen and pushed past Urd into the apartment. "Kaji?! Kaji?! Ka...."
Her scream echoed throughout Tokyo-2.
"FREEDOM!!"
Urd, Skuld, and Yui Ikari looked at their friend as she danced about on the pavement like a little school girl.
"Geez Misato," said Urd, "Can you look any more undignified?"
Misato Ryoji turned and smiled at Urd. "You haven't been cooped up indoors with a screaming baby for the past year have you? This is my first chance to get away and I intend to make the best of it."
"How?" asked Yui.
"Easy!" Misato put on her best commanders face. "We will proceed to invade the Bar and immediate consume large quantities of beer!"
Both Skuld's and Yui's faces drooped while Urd's lit up.
"You heard the order!" shouted Urd. "To the Bar!"
Urd and Misato quickly moved off in such of their beloved drink. Skuld and Yui stared at them a second before looking at each other.
"Why did we agree to go with them?" asked Skuld.
"They said it would be fun." replied Yui.
"Fun for them..."
".while we baby-sit them and make sure they don't get sick on someone."
Skuld sighed. "Now I wish Belldandy had come."
"Why didn't she?"
"Because Sayoko is taking care of Taro while Misato.."
"Drinks herself to oblivion?"
"Yep."
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The Morisato/Wishbringer Apartment.
Loud screams and cries from the kitchen filled the apartment. The noise could drive any person up the wall had they listened to it for 10 minutes or more. And this had been going on for the past hour. Stress was beginning to show on the two woman who sat in front of the angry crying child. The only man in the apartment was sitting in the living room, oblivious to the noise as he was wearing a large set of headphones. If only the two woman could be so lucky....
"Why won't he shut-up!" cried Sayoko Morisato, Goddess 1st class, Type 2 Unlimited.
Her mother, Belldandy, Goddess Class 0, type 2 Unlimited, gave her a weak smile.
"He's just a baby. He's communicating the only way he can."
"I know that Mom! But what's he saying? I've checked his diaper, I sang to him, I rocked him, and nothing!" She held up a bottle. "I even tried to feed him and he just pushes it away! Misato said he was picky but this is ridiculous!" Sayoko brought her head down on the table, the cries of little Taro echoing in her ears. Suddenly she sat up as a thought crossed her mind. "You don't think Misato feeds him..." Sayoko's voice trailed off. "Nah..not even Misato would give THAT to a baby."
"Give what?" asked Belldandy.
"Beer."
"...."
"Yeah I know...dumb idea."
"No, not dumb...just..somewhat unlikely."
Sayoko sighed and stared at the screaming child in front of her. "I wish you could just tell us what the problem is..."
"Well...he can..sort of."
Sayoko looked over at her mother. "What?"
Belldandy looked down at the floor and shrugged slightly. "Before I joined the GRO, I did go around blessing the newborn children. While I was working, I developed an ability to read the children's minds."
Sayoko frowned. "I can read minds. That's one of the first things I tried with him. It didn't work."
"But you haven't been around as many babies as I have." Belldandy moved across and turned Taro to face her. A look of concentration appeared on her face. Sayoko closed her eyes and placed her head back on the table.
'That's it...Mom's lost it. There's no way she can read Taro's mind. It's not possible. The very idea she could...' Sayoko's thoughts trailed off as something reached her eyes.
Silence.
No crying. No screaming. Nothing.
And it was good.
Sayoko looked up to see Taro staring at her mother curiously, while Belldandy herself was very red in the face.
"What?" Sayoko asked, "What is it?"
"Umm.Well..you see.." Belldandy began, "I know what he wants..it's just..."
"What is it?"
Belldandy, still blushing heavily, looked over at her daughter. "Well, he's hungry."
Sayoko frowned. "But we tried that." She held up the baby bottle. "He didn't want it."
"Well that's true, he didn't want the bottle. But he still wants his milk..."
Sayoko frowned. "So how is he gonna get the milk? I mean there's nothing else around here that can.."
"Actually," her mother interrupted. "There is."
Sayoko continued to frown. "Where?"
"Well.." Belldandy raised her hand and pointed.
Sayoko followed her mother's finger to.....oh no.she does NOT mean...
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Keiichi sat still reading his paper in the living room. His earphones were now off. He sighed as he now enjoyed the newfound silence.
'I knew Belldandy and Sayoko would calm that kid." He thought, "I just didn't think it would take so...'
"ARE YOU CRAZY!?!??!" came Sayoko's voice from the kitchen. Immediately the crying began anew.
'..long.' Keiichi bent over to grab his fallen earphones. He had almost placed them back on his head when he heard his daughter again.
"NO ONE IS GONNA LAY A HAND ON MY BREASTS! NO ONE!"
Keiichi dropped the headphones in surprise.
'What brought that on?' he thought. Then he smiled. 'But that's just the thing I want to hear from my daughter.'
"At least not until we've dated for a while..."
'...not the thing I'd like to hear..'
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The neighbors, who had finally gotten used to the crying, leaped into the air as two parents cut loose with a "WHAT!?!"
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The Bar.
Misato and Urd stood in the doorway of the bar, a big smile on their faces. Yui and Skuld had the look of people being led to their doom.
A waitress walked up to them. "How many this evening?"
"Oh we don't want a table." replied Misato, "We'll be right at the bar."
"Alright." replied the waitress, "I should warn you though, there are some sailors here."
"Sailors?" Urd asked, a gleam appearing in her eyes.
"Yes, American Sailors. And they have been very..loud."
"How so?"
"OH MY GOD!" came a voice in English, "She was Ugly!"
"That loud." replied the waitress.
"HOW UGLY?" came a few responses in English.
"She was so ugly that paint pealed off the walls when she walked into a room."
"HOW UGLY?" a few more voices had joined in.
"So ugly that strong men fainted, children screamed, and even horses ran away."
Yui and Skuld were just staring stunned at the sailors. Misato had only raised an eyebrow, while Urd openly grinned.
"HOW UGLY?" Now most of the back of the bar had joined in.
"Women tore their hair, the sky got black, and the earth trembled."
"THAT'S NOT UGLY!"
"I'm telling you guys she was so goddamn ugly that mirrors cracked, dogs went berserk, fire mains ruptured, Eva Unit-01 ran away in fear, and one man who had smiled at her at night dropped stone cold dead when he saw her in daylight. THAT, my friends, is the gospel truth."
Urd's smile got bigger. "I love Americans." She immediately headed towards the sailors.
Misato shrugged and headed towards the bar, leaving Yui and Skuld still shocked at the door.
"What did we get into?" asked Yui, "Those Sailors are repulsive!"
"Yeah, they're repulsive." said Skuld weakly, "But that's not what scares me."
"What is it?"
"That guy..WAS telling the truth."
Yui shivered. She then took another look around the bar. "I wonder how Shinji and the others are doing?"
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"Not good."
"Very unwise."
"Geez Demon. Even I know not to insult her. What were you thinking?"
Asuka glared at the other three Guardians.
"We can't just let her push us around! After all! WE defeated Unit-01 when the gods and demons couldn't!"
"But still Asuka," said Shinji, "You shouldn't have called her a blue haired bimbo."
"ARE YOU TAKING HER SIDE?!?"
Shinji shrank back. "No, I'm just saying you should apologize to her."
"Please Asuka." said Rei, "Don't fight her."
"ASUKA LANGLEY IKARI NEVER BACKS DOWN FROM A FIGHT!"
Behind her, a battle ready goddess stepped out. The goddess's helmet and face shield hid most of her face, but her lips could be seen drawn into a tight line.
"Are you ready?" the Goddess asked.
Asuka twirled about, willing her helmet into place and pulling out her staff.
"Bring it Bimbo!"
"She doesn't listen does she?" asked Touji, as the Goddess let loose a battle cry, and charged at Asuka.
Just before she reached Asuka, the Goddess raised her hands. A Large Battle- Ax formed in them. Asuka's eyes went wide in surprise.
"Shiest!" Asuka ducked, just barely avoiding the Ax. Asuka lay on the ground a second.
'Asuka what have you gotten yourself into?' Then something drifted past her face. Asuka frowned and grabbed at the objects. It was strands of red hair. Asuka moved her hand to the hair coming out from under her helmet. The right side felt a lot shorter then the left.
"MY HAIR!! YOU BITCH!" Asuka screamed as she charged at the goddess.
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5 minutes later.
"Owww." groaned Asuka as Shinji treated her bruises.
"It's all your fault." said Shinji, "You deserve every bruise she gave you."
"Ughh I know." Asuka glanced over at Shinji, "Why didn't you stop me?"
"We tried to. But a certain German girl I know thought she knew better then the rest of us."
Asuka hung her head. "I piloted Eva for almost 14 years. I was trained for close combat and excelled at it. For her to tell me I was still an amateur...."
"Belldandy did warn us about her. After all, she's been doing this longer then us. And then there's her title 'The Fighting Goddess'."
Asuka sighed. "Remind me to never ever EVER piss off Lind ever again."
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Misato leaned back and chugged a 32 oz. Beer before the stunned bartender.
"YEEEEAHHHH!" shouted Misato, "God I haven't done that in ages."
Skuld and Yui just stared at Misato.
"My son told me about it.." said Yui quietly, "But I thought he was exaggerating."
Skuld nodded. "Now I know why Urd and Misato get along so well."
"Hey!" said Misato, "Knock it off. I'm not that bad. Besides...Are you or are you not related to her."
"We're related." replied Skuld.
"So.explain that." Misato pointed to the back of the bar.
Urd, now sporting a sailors cap, was surrounded by a dozen or so ogling drunken sailors and seemed to be enjoying herself very much.
"I can't explain it." said Skuld, "She just has that effect on men." Skuld then smiled. "Much like a certain unshaven spy."
Misato muttered something and took a drink out of her fresh beer.
"Where is Kaji?" asked Yui.
"Out saving the world.." muttered Misato, "He doesn't tell me anything."
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Germany
It was called 'the castle'. Really it was just a large mansion, but from town it looked just like a castle. It even had guards walking along its walls. Unlike the castles of old, these guards were armed with machine guns.
One such guard walked along the wall smoking a cigarette. He stopped just for a moment and looked out towards the town. Seeing nothing of interest, he took a long drag from his cigarette and then tossed it over the wall. As he did so, a gloved hand grabbed his arm and pulled him over the wall. The guard's fall ended with a sickening thud. The arm was soon followed over the wall by a figure dressed all in black. The figure looked around before pulling off his mask, revealing the face of Kaji Ryoji. He tossed the mask back over the wall.
"Smoking can kill you." He said to the fallen guard. He then turned and entered the castle.
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"I'm the Commander of Tokyo-2 UN for crying out loud!" said a slightly intoxicated Misato, "I mean..I handle secrets every day! Why can't he tell me where he's going or what he's done?"
"Everyone has secrets." said Skuld, "Everyone has something to hide, even to their loved ones."
"Like your little secret with Sentaro?"
Skuld just looked away. "Everyone has secrets."
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Kaji moved quietly from room to room inside the castle. Finally, he found the room he wanted. He quietly entered the bookcase lined office. On one wall was a portrait. Kaji frowned at the man picture.
"Old man.. If you were still alive...I'd have killed you for what you tried to do."
The man in the picture, Lorenz Keel, said nothing.
Kaji moved to the desk. He sat down in the chair and began to pry open the desk. Just as he popped the drawer open, the room went white. When his vision returned, Kaji found himself strapped to a chair in the middle of a column of light. He could see nothing beyond the edge of the circle. He struggled to free himself, only to have the straps grab him tighter.
"Well this isn't good." muttered Kaji.
"Welcome Agent Ryoji." came a voice, scrambled by an electronic device.
"It's great to be here." replied Kaji, looking around, "Forgive me if I don't stand and shake your hand."
"Ahh the famous Ryoji whit. Now I see why you were to die."
Kaji smiled. "Unfortunately, I had a prior engagement."
"Ah yes...The Goddess..."
Kaji froze. A chuckle was heard from the voice.
"Yes Agent Ryoji, I know all about your trip to the heavens with the Goddess Skuld."
"Who are you?" asked Kaji.
A black shape appeared before Kaji. Kaji's blood chilled as his mind took in what he was seeing.
A black monolith with red letters. Kaji didn't even have to read the letter to know what it said.
SEELE 01.
"Agent Ryoji, you were an Agent of SEELE." continued SEELE 01, "You failed in your mission. Your death was ordered. It will be carried out."
Kaji began to get nervous. "Uhhhh, wait, can we talk about this?"
"There is nothing to talk about." replied the monolith, "Make it long and painful."
"Of course." Kaji turned his head to see a brunette demon walking out of the shadows. "It will be my pleasure."
Kaji turned back to the monolith. "Wait a second! SEELE!" The monolith disappeared. Kaji turned and looked back at the demon. "I don't suppose we could talk about this?"
The demon smiled as she pulled out a short sword. "You can say anything you want to. I especially love it when my subjects plead for their lives as I work." She then leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "And within minutes, they're pleading with me to kill them." She stood up and walked around in front of him. "My last subject lived for almost 50 minutes. A new record. Especially when you consider how much of him was gone." She looked right into Kaji's face. "Let's see how long you last."
"You know I'm friends with the goddesses." said Kaji, trying to move his body as far away from the knife as the restraints would allow him. "They'll know I'm in trouble and come here."
The demon smiled. "Come now. I'm a Class 0 Demon. They'll only hear you if I want them to hear you." The knife plunged downward.
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Tokyo-2, Japan
Several hours later.
The group of 4 woman moved slowly towards the apartment. Two of them were leaning heavily on the other two.
"That was fun." said Misato, who was leaning on Yui.
"Oh yeah." replied Urd, who was still wearing a sailors hat, "Most fun I've had in months."
Skuld glared at her sister. "I thought you were quitting."
Urd shrugged. "I said I'd cut back. Remember, it's still my back-up power source."
"We're here." said Yui as the group arrived in front of the Ryoji.
"Lemme get my key." Misato said as she dove into her purse.
"Wait." said Skuld quietly.
Misato looked up at her. "What?"
"Do you hear that?"
Everyone went silent. From inside the apartment came the sound of warking.
"Ohh That's Pen Pen." said Misato, "He must be singing along with the TV again."
Misato started to reach for the lock when Urd grabbed her arm. Misato looked up to see Urd had become sober very quickly.
"Misato, give me the key."
Misato looked at Urd surprised. "What?"
Urd looked at Misato very seriously. "Give me the key."
Misato looked questioningly at Urd, but handed her the key. Urd walked up to the door and unlocked it. The door side open to reveal a very upset penguin. Misato scooped him up.
"Aw.What's the matter Pen Pen? Did you miss your..Hey!" Misato looked down at Pen Pen's feet. "What have you been walking in?" The penguin's feet were covered in red.
"WARK! WARK! WARK!" Pen Pen cried.
"Oh shit.." muttered Skuld. She flew into the apartment, floating almost 2 feet above the ground. Misato and Yui started to follow, but Urd held them back.
"It's for your own good." said Urd softly before Misato could protest.
Misato frowned at Urd, then took another look at Pen Pen's feet, as did Yui. Yui suddenly paled.
"Oh no."
"What?" asked Misato, "What is it?"
"It's blood."
"Blood?!? From where? Pen Pen?"
"No." Everyone turned and looked at a very pale Skuld who floated out of the apartment. Skuld was staring at a mask she held. "Not him."
"Then who?"
"I..I.." Skuld looked up at Misato. "I think its Kaji."
"Kaji?!?!" Misato began to get upset. "What do you mean you think its Kaji? What's wrong with him?"
"I can't recognize him." said Skuld. "I found this." She held up the mask. It was black with 7 eyes. The mask of SEELE.
Misato dropped Pen Pen and pushed past Urd into the apartment. "Kaji?! Kaji?! Ka...."
Her scream echoed throughout Tokyo-2.