Chapter 4
2 days later.
Commander Mist peered around the rock she was hiding behind. She then raised her hand and pointed. Six Valkyries raced from behind cover and charged across the clearing before hiding behind a large tree. Mist peered around the rock in the opposite direction and motioned again. Six more Valkyries charged to find new cover. Mist then looked up towards the sky.
* Anything? * she sent.
*No ma'am. Nothing. * came the reply.
Mist swore quietly in old Norse before looking at her remaining squad of Valkyries.
*Squad C, Charge up the center. Squads A and B are to provide covering fire. Squad D continue to provide aerial support. *
* Yes Ma'am. * came replies from all around.
The Valkyries began to charge from their cover. As they did, music began to blast out from around them. The Valkyries took a few more steps before freezing. As the music played, the Valkyries faces changed from one of shock, to one of shear annoyance.
Mist growled. "Wagner.. I hate Wagner."
The Valkyries began to pick up their pace, moving faster and with even greater purpose then before. They had moved about 100 yards when force bolts ripped through the forest.
"DAMN!" shouted Mist, "GET DOWN!"
Her orders where in vain as the squad of Valkyries was cut down. The squads on either side tried to respond, but could only guess where to shoot.
* Squad D report! * ordered Mist.
Silence was her reply. The music continued to play.
* Squad A and B moved forward and flank them. Bring them towards me. *
* Roger. * came one reply.
Mist frowned. * Squad A report. *
Silence.
Mist grit her teeth. 'Damn damn damn damn.' * Squad B Report. *
* Nothing yet ma'am. Wait...I think I....* Silence.
* Squad B! Report! *
The music seemed to get louder.
Mist let out another growl and looked around.
Snap!
Mist whirled about and fired off several force bolts, obliterating several trees, but nothing else.
'Damn damn damn.' Mist turned about looking left and right. The music seemed to be getting even louder. A shadow fell over her. She looked up just in time to see a gloved fist coming at her.
Everything went white....then dark.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"You think we were too hard on her?"
"She's the one that set this up."
"Yeah but she's been out for almost 2 hours now."
Mist groan.
"Hey she's waking up!"
"Commander? Commander Mist?"
Mist opened her eyes. "I hate Wagner."
Standing over her were 4 people, two males with dark hair, a female with red hair and a female with blue hair. The blue haired woman smiled at Mist.
"You alright Commander?"
Mist sat up and glared at the four. "I'm fine."
The red head glared back. "Well you don't have to be such a bitch about it Mist."
"I'm not being a bitch." muttered Mist, "And it's Commander Mist to you."
"GRRRRR!" the red head turned and walked off, followed closely by one of the males. The other smiled at Mist.
"Don't worry about Asuka. She's just being her typical demon self."
"You sure you're alright Commander?" asked the blue haired girl.
Mist let out a sigh and bowed her head. "I'm fine Rei. You can go."
"Yes Commander." Rei turned to the male. "Come on Touji. Let's go help Shinji with Asuka."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Asuka stormed through the hallways of the Yggdrasil Building. Gods and Goddesses leaped out of her way as she stormed passed. She didn't stop until she reached the Grand Corridor, enormous open area at the front of the building that was 40 stories tall or more. After the battle for the Heavens, the Yggdrasil building had to be rebuilt and repaired. The Grand Corridor had been added where the main entrance had once stood. From it, many of the offices and sections of the Yggdrasil mainframe could be reached. Asuka reached the railing and looked down at the main floor, 4 stories below. Gods, Goddesses and the souls or mortals moved about their business. As Asuka watched, someone moved next to her. She didn't even have to look over to know who it was.
"They're always so..high and uppity." she said, "Why?"
"Well they have been Gods for almost 1,000 years or so." replied Shinji, "To them we're just mortal upstarts."
"But we didn't ask for this to happen! They came to us...or it did or...you know."
"Yeah," replied Shinji, "I know."
Asuka sighed and looked over the corridor. "I just thought..They'd be more...I mean..They ARE Gods. And this is heaven."
"Sayoko did say that not all god's were happy about our new status." Shinji and Asuka turned to see Rei and Touji approaching. "Heaven is very diverse after all," continued Rei, "Not everyone is like Sayoko and her family."
"There you are."
The four turned to see Lind approaching them.
"I was wondering where you had run off to." Lind gave a small smile. "I assume from Mist's cheerful entrance to her office that you won?"
"Oh Yeah." said Asuka with a smile, "We took them out with no losses. What did Mist do?""
"Shattered her secretary's desk with her fist when the secretary asked how it went." Lind crossed her arms. "I can understand her being upset at losing, but what did you do Asuka?"
Asuka paled a bit. "What makes you think I did something?"
Lind stared at Asuka.
"Alright alright! I had music played in the forest during the fight."
"What music?"
"Wagner."
Lind raised an eyebrow. "I'm not familiar with mortal composers. Who is it?"
"German composer." replied Shinji, "The music she had playing was 'Ride of the Valkyries'."
Lind's face visible darkened. "That song I know..."
"Why does everyone hate that song?" asked Asuka.
"They didn't always.." replied Lind, "But it does get old when you hear it day after day after day."
"Oh." Asuka then looked around. "Where's Skuld? She's usually here by now."
"Not coming."
"Why not?"
"She is on earth, helping Belldandy." Lind looked off towards the ceiling high above. "Morisato's condition is not good."
The four Guardians looked at Lind in surprise.
"He's going to..." began Rei.
Lind nodded. "Mortals only live for so long. A blink of an eye compared to the lives of some of the gods."
"When?"
"That is not known. Not even Skuld knows when, only that the time is close at hand."
"Does Sayoko know?"
Lind shook her head. "Belldandy does not wish her to know."
"Why not?!" asked Asuka, "She's his daughter!!"
"Belldandy's reasons are her own." Lind then looked at Asuka curiously, "Why were you waiting for Skuld?"
"We usually go out to eat after a training fight." Asuka sighed, "Guess we just go off on our own." She looked up at Lind. "Care to join us?"
"I'm honored."
"Sorry guys." said Touji, "Hikari will have breakfast ready for me and I want to see Kirika before she goes to school. See you later." Touji waved and headed off to the teleportation area of the building.
"Well then," said Asuka, "Let's go. I'm hungry."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I'm telling you guys it was unreal!"
Hyosuke and Matagu were standing in front of their friends in the school yard, relating their experiences from several nights before. Kaede, Ichigo, Koishi, and Kei sat on the grass in front of them listening.
"I don't know." said Kaede, "It just sounds so..."
"Unreal." said Ichigo.
"Unlikely." added Koishi.
"Impossible." finished Kei.
"You guys said that about aliens," said Hyosuke, "and then Marie showed up."
"Yeah well." said Koishi, "Aliens are one thing. But people that can spit fireballs from their hands and vanish into thin air?"
"Besides, we have something else to worry about." say Kei.
"This assembly that the entire school has to attend?" asked Matagu, "Any idea what it's about?"
"No." Ichigo said with a frown, "They wouldn't tell me anything about it." She then looked at Kei. "How did you find out about it anyway?"
Kei began to turn red. "I uh..that is..I uh."
He was saved by the sound of tires squealing and the roar of an engine. The students turned to see a blue car racing into the parking lot at high speed. At the last possible second, the car turned and spun around backwards perfectly into a parking spot. Almost immediately, a passenger got out of the car and fell to their knees and began to kiss the ground. The driver then got out. All males present stared in awe at the woman. Yeah, she was a bit old, but she was beautiful. She was wearing a red jacket over a black dress, a red beret on her head. The driver glared at her passenger and said something. The passenger then looked up and glared back at the driver.
The first woman caused the male students to stop and stare. This woman started them drooling. Long brown hair cascaded down her back. She wore a red jacket over a simple skirt and blouse.
The driver said something else, then turned and walked into the school, leaving her companion alone.
"Wow." muttered Hyosuke, "She's gorgeous."
"Ummm Excuse me." Hyosuke turned and found himself being glared at by Kaede. "She's what?"
"I uh.that is I errr."
"Great." said Ichigo, "You broke him. Who do you think she is?"
"Don't know." said Koishi, "But I'm going to find out." She grabbed Kei. "Come on let's go."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I'm going to go see where they want us." said Misato, "I'll be back." She vanished into the school.
Sayoko looked up at the school.
'Doesn't look anything like Tokyo-2 High school.' She thought. She bent over and started brushing the dirt from her skirt and legs. 'If Misato would actually learn how to drive safely...I'd."
"Excuse me?"
Sayoko looked up to see two of the students, one a brown haired girl, and the other..a gray haired boy(?) had approached her.
"Yes?" asked Sayoko. The girl seemed curious, but the boy..when she had spoken..he had actually looked surprised.
"Who are you?" asked the girl, "No offense but you seem a bit old to be a student."
"I'm not a student." replied Sayoko, "I'm here for some lecture."
"A lecture?" asked the boy, "A lecture on what?"
Sayoko waggled a finger at the students. "Not gonna tell. It's a surprise."
The students frowned. "Can you at least tell us who you are?" asked the boy.
Sayoko took a closer look at the boy before answering.
'Something off about that one. He feels older then he looks.' "My Name is Sayoko Morisato."
The girl nodded while the boy seemed deep in thought.
"Koishi Herikawa. This is Kei Kusanagi. You can't even give us a hint?"
Sayoko smiled. "I just did. Got to go."
"Huh?"
"Sayoko!"
Sayoko glanced over to see Misato standing in the doorway.
"Come on Sayoko!"
"Coming Misato!" Sayoko turned and waved at the students. "Just gave you another clue. See you later!"
Sayoko then vanished into the school.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"They are giving the lecture?" Matagu said. "Oh man! I think this is going to be the best lecture I ever had!"
"But we still don't know what the lecture is even going to be about!" said Koichi. She turned and looked at Kei. "What's wrong with you? You've been quiet since she said her name."
Kei looked up to see everyone staring at him.
"She told you her name?" Hyosuke looked at Kei in awe. "What is it? Who is she?"
"She said her name was Sayoko Morisato and she called the other one Misato." Kei looked at his friends. "I know I've heard that name Morisato before." 'It was weird, she sounded like Mizuho.'
"That woman Misato," began Koishi, "She there were patches on her jacket. It also looked like she had some kind of pins on the neck of the jacket."
"What kind of patches?" asked Matagu.
Koishi shrugged. "Couldn't really tell. But one of them was black with a red leaf..."
"NERV!"
Everyone turned and looked at Hyosuke. "What?"
"NERV." repeated Hyosuke, "The red leaf is a symbol of NERV."
"You mean the EVAs?" asked Kaede.
Hyosuke nodded. "Yeah. NERV was around for the purpose of defeating the Angels during the Angel War. They were dissolved shortly after the destruction of Tokyo-3. The EVAs went to Toyko-2."
"So this woman was a part of NERV?" asked Ichigo.
"They both were." They turned at look at Kei. "I used to live in Tokyo-2."
"When?" asked Koishi.
Kei looked at Ichigo. "I got sick once" Ichigo nodded, understanding. "I came here to live with my Uncle when I got better." Kei then looked at the others. "I was really young at the time, only 5, but I remember there was a funeral for a commander of NERV. I'd have to check the library, but I think one of the EVA pilots was a Sayoko Morisato. Misato Ryoji was the commander of Tokyo-2 UN."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sayoko and Misato sat in the teacher's lounge while teachers began to prepare for the beginning of class. The Principal had introduced them to several of the teachers before he had to go and check on other preparations. While they waited, Sayoko thought about the boy she had met.
'Kei Kusanagi.' She thought, 'What is it about you that I'm sensing? Red eyes like Rei..and gray hair...'
"Oh hello. You must be here to give the lecture."
Sayoko looked up in surprise at hearing her mother's voice. The person standing there was not her mother however. The woman standing before her had red hair..and purple eyes?
"I'm Mizuho Kasumi, a teacher here."
Misato smiled at the woman and shook her hand. "Hi. I'm Misato Ryoji. This is Sayoko Morisato."
Mizuho turned to Sayoko. "Nice to meet you."
Sayoko took Mizuho's hand. "Likewise." As they shook hands, Sayoko began to sense there was something...off about this woman. Her aura was completely wrong.
"How much longer until school starts?" asked Misato.
"Actually the bell should be ringing any.." RING!! " second." Mizuho smiled. "Sorry, but that's my cue. I have to see to my class. Hopefully I'll be able to speak with you more at lunch."
"Of course." replied Misato as Mizuho and the other teachers hurried off towards their classes. Misato looked back at Sayoko to see her frowning. "What's wrong?"
Sayoko looked up. "That teacher....Mizuho.."
"What about her? Other then that she sounds like your mom, I didn't think anything was wrong."
"There was something off about her aura." said Sayoko, a very serious look on her face. "I've never encountered one like it."
"Is she a demon?" asked Misato.
"No." Sayoko looked at Misato. "No she's not a demon. I'll check the Yggdrasil Mortal Database. It should have something in there about Mizuho Kasumi."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
The students gathered in the auditorium chatted eagerly away. Word of who was giving the lecture had spread around. All knew there had been a war involving large monsters vs. large biomechanical robots many years before. The EVAs had spawned a whole line of toys that were still very popular. But their history lessons and books only glossed over the war and the events thereafter. Many knew that EVAs had been deployed in Tokyo-2, but then they disappeared, never to be seen again. The students were very eager to hear what these woman had to say.
"This is so cool!" shouted Hyosuke, "A real EVA pilot!"
"I thought he cut down on his caffeine." said Ichigo.
"So did I." said Kaede.
The six friends were sitting up towards the back of the auditorium. Kei sat near the end of the row, with Koishi on his left, an empty seat on the aisle to his right.
"What do you think Kei?" asked Koishi.
"I think it could be interesting." said Kei, "It'll be better then listening to stories about second impact. They were actually there and involved."
"Excuse me? Mr. Kusanagi?"
Kei recognized the voice right away. "Yes Miss Kasumi?"
Mizuho smiled at Kei. "Is this seat taken?"
"No."
Mizuho sat down next to Kei.
"It's very crowded in here." She said.
Kei nodded. "Yes it is."
Farther down the row, Ichigo glanced curiously at Kei and Mizuho.
The lights dimmed down and the students fell silent. The Principal stepped out onto the stage and walked to the podium.
"Good Morning." He began. "Today is going to be a rather interesting day. Instead of listening to your teachers talk about history, we are going to have those who were part of the history speak about it. As many of you now know, we have two very special guest speakers today. First is the former Director of Operations of NERV. She commanded the Evangelions and their pilots in battle against the Angels. Later she became the commander of Tokyo-2 UN Base. Please give a warm welcome to Mrs. Misato Ryoji."
Misato stepped out onto the stage to the applause of the students and a few wolf whistles. The Principle waited for the applause to die down before continuing.
"The second guest speaker was on the front lines of the Angel War. During her time as a pilot, she went into battle against 4 Angels, defeating 2 of them. Allow me to introduce the Fifth Child, designated pilot of EVA Unit- 4, Sayoko Morisato."
The applause was louder this time and the whistles more frequent. Sayoko only smiled at the student body before moving next to Misato.
"At this time, I'd like to turn things over to Mrs. Ryoji." The Principal stepped off to side and sat down in a chair that was to the left and behind the podium. Sayoko took a seat next to him. Misato stepped up to the podium.
"I was asked to come here today to talk about my part in the Angel Wars, and about NERV." Misato looked out over the auditorium. "In order to really give you an idea of what we faced, I was able to get a hold of some of the footage of the EVAs in action against the angels."
Hearing that Hyosuke stood up and shouted out.
"SWEET!!!!"
The Principal held his head in his hands, while the student body laughed. Sayoko gave a weak grin. Misato stared up at the student.
"You might say that now, but I think when we're done here, you might have a different prospective." She pressed a button on the podium. A screen lowered itself down and a picture appeared on it.
The Third Angel.
"This is an Angel. The first of many that attacked Tokyo-3.." As Misato talked, the students watched in awe as VTOLs and other aircraft and tanks attacked the Angel with no effect. The student cheered as the N2 mine exploded, then gasped when the Angel reappeared.
Then Unit-01 was launched.
At first all the students cheered....then Unit-01 fell flat on its face. The students watched in horror as the Angel picked up the EVA and smashed a hole in its head before tossing it into a building.
Misato, knowing what was about to happen, watched and waited. The students all reacted in shock when Unit-01 rose to its feet and let out a blood curdling roar. One of the students, a green haired girl instantly fainted. Another, a red head, was quickly at her side. Misato smiled as she watched the students, and even some of the teachers, react.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Mizuho stared in shock at what she was watching.
'Humans..made that...monster?' she thought, 'I never saw that in any briefing.'
As she watched the EVA rip apart the Angel, she reached over and grabbed Kei's hand. A small smile appeared on Kei's face and he gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Further down the row, a pair of red eyes widened at the display between teacher and student.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Thank you for coming Miss Ryoji." The Principal said as he sat in his office a few hours later, "I'm sure the students and teachers found it to be a mind opening experience."
"Probably stomach opening too." said Misato with a smile, "I'm glad I didn't bring the more...nauseating footage."
"I'm sure our janitors appreciate it as well."
"The student that passed out? Is she.?"
"Karen Onodera? She's fine. She just has these spells."
"I'm glad." Misato then stood up and shook hands with the Principal. "If you ever decide to do this again, feel free to call."
"Thank-you. I will."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
That night.
Misato had long since gone to bed. Sayoko sat in a chair staring at her laptop screen. She stared at it for a longtime, yet it remained the same.
Yggdrasil Mainframe Mortal Database Search Mizuho Kasumi Searching.....
1 File Found.
Kasumi, Mizuho Galaxy Reporter Level C Planet Inspector Last Assignment: Post Delta Des-8228 (Earth)
Taken from Galactic computer: Condemned to Capital Punishment by Investigation Committee for revealing her true nature to earth being, having physical contact with said being, and Psychologically intervening with said being wasting system energy. Memories of those involved on Delta Des-8228.Ordered to return to Galactic Headquarters, she has since vanished from the her homeworld along with her computer, designated Marie. Mother Hatsuho Kasumi and sister Maho Kasumi under surveillance. No sign of the fugitive. Mizuho Kasumi is to be apprehended and held. This is of the highest priority.
Terrestrial System alert: 107: Mixing of beings from different worlds before time specified. Procedure 5 recommended.
'Procedure 5?'
? What is Procedure 5?
Procedure 5 All memories of incident to be purged from minds of the mortals involved and new memories to be implanted. Extra-terrestrial mortal to either be returned to their planet with memory erased and new memory implanted or elimination.
Recommended solution: Elimination.
Sayoko continued to stare at the last line.
'Elimination...'
2 days later.
Commander Mist peered around the rock she was hiding behind. She then raised her hand and pointed. Six Valkyries raced from behind cover and charged across the clearing before hiding behind a large tree. Mist peered around the rock in the opposite direction and motioned again. Six more Valkyries charged to find new cover. Mist then looked up towards the sky.
* Anything? * she sent.
*No ma'am. Nothing. * came the reply.
Mist swore quietly in old Norse before looking at her remaining squad of Valkyries.
*Squad C, Charge up the center. Squads A and B are to provide covering fire. Squad D continue to provide aerial support. *
* Yes Ma'am. * came replies from all around.
The Valkyries began to charge from their cover. As they did, music began to blast out from around them. The Valkyries took a few more steps before freezing. As the music played, the Valkyries faces changed from one of shock, to one of shear annoyance.
Mist growled. "Wagner.. I hate Wagner."
The Valkyries began to pick up their pace, moving faster and with even greater purpose then before. They had moved about 100 yards when force bolts ripped through the forest.
"DAMN!" shouted Mist, "GET DOWN!"
Her orders where in vain as the squad of Valkyries was cut down. The squads on either side tried to respond, but could only guess where to shoot.
* Squad D report! * ordered Mist.
Silence was her reply. The music continued to play.
* Squad A and B moved forward and flank them. Bring them towards me. *
* Roger. * came one reply.
Mist frowned. * Squad A report. *
Silence.
Mist grit her teeth. 'Damn damn damn damn.' * Squad B Report. *
* Nothing yet ma'am. Wait...I think I....* Silence.
* Squad B! Report! *
The music seemed to get louder.
Mist let out another growl and looked around.
Snap!
Mist whirled about and fired off several force bolts, obliterating several trees, but nothing else.
'Damn damn damn.' Mist turned about looking left and right. The music seemed to be getting even louder. A shadow fell over her. She looked up just in time to see a gloved fist coming at her.
Everything went white....then dark.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"You think we were too hard on her?"
"She's the one that set this up."
"Yeah but she's been out for almost 2 hours now."
Mist groan.
"Hey she's waking up!"
"Commander? Commander Mist?"
Mist opened her eyes. "I hate Wagner."
Standing over her were 4 people, two males with dark hair, a female with red hair and a female with blue hair. The blue haired woman smiled at Mist.
"You alright Commander?"
Mist sat up and glared at the four. "I'm fine."
The red head glared back. "Well you don't have to be such a bitch about it Mist."
"I'm not being a bitch." muttered Mist, "And it's Commander Mist to you."
"GRRRRR!" the red head turned and walked off, followed closely by one of the males. The other smiled at Mist.
"Don't worry about Asuka. She's just being her typical demon self."
"You sure you're alright Commander?" asked the blue haired girl.
Mist let out a sigh and bowed her head. "I'm fine Rei. You can go."
"Yes Commander." Rei turned to the male. "Come on Touji. Let's go help Shinji with Asuka."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Asuka stormed through the hallways of the Yggdrasil Building. Gods and Goddesses leaped out of her way as she stormed passed. She didn't stop until she reached the Grand Corridor, enormous open area at the front of the building that was 40 stories tall or more. After the battle for the Heavens, the Yggdrasil building had to be rebuilt and repaired. The Grand Corridor had been added where the main entrance had once stood. From it, many of the offices and sections of the Yggdrasil mainframe could be reached. Asuka reached the railing and looked down at the main floor, 4 stories below. Gods, Goddesses and the souls or mortals moved about their business. As Asuka watched, someone moved next to her. She didn't even have to look over to know who it was.
"They're always so..high and uppity." she said, "Why?"
"Well they have been Gods for almost 1,000 years or so." replied Shinji, "To them we're just mortal upstarts."
"But we didn't ask for this to happen! They came to us...or it did or...you know."
"Yeah," replied Shinji, "I know."
Asuka sighed and looked over the corridor. "I just thought..They'd be more...I mean..They ARE Gods. And this is heaven."
"Sayoko did say that not all god's were happy about our new status." Shinji and Asuka turned to see Rei and Touji approaching. "Heaven is very diverse after all," continued Rei, "Not everyone is like Sayoko and her family."
"There you are."
The four turned to see Lind approaching them.
"I was wondering where you had run off to." Lind gave a small smile. "I assume from Mist's cheerful entrance to her office that you won?"
"Oh Yeah." said Asuka with a smile, "We took them out with no losses. What did Mist do?""
"Shattered her secretary's desk with her fist when the secretary asked how it went." Lind crossed her arms. "I can understand her being upset at losing, but what did you do Asuka?"
Asuka paled a bit. "What makes you think I did something?"
Lind stared at Asuka.
"Alright alright! I had music played in the forest during the fight."
"What music?"
"Wagner."
Lind raised an eyebrow. "I'm not familiar with mortal composers. Who is it?"
"German composer." replied Shinji, "The music she had playing was 'Ride of the Valkyries'."
Lind's face visible darkened. "That song I know..."
"Why does everyone hate that song?" asked Asuka.
"They didn't always.." replied Lind, "But it does get old when you hear it day after day after day."
"Oh." Asuka then looked around. "Where's Skuld? She's usually here by now."
"Not coming."
"Why not?"
"She is on earth, helping Belldandy." Lind looked off towards the ceiling high above. "Morisato's condition is not good."
The four Guardians looked at Lind in surprise.
"He's going to..." began Rei.
Lind nodded. "Mortals only live for so long. A blink of an eye compared to the lives of some of the gods."
"When?"
"That is not known. Not even Skuld knows when, only that the time is close at hand."
"Does Sayoko know?"
Lind shook her head. "Belldandy does not wish her to know."
"Why not?!" asked Asuka, "She's his daughter!!"
"Belldandy's reasons are her own." Lind then looked at Asuka curiously, "Why were you waiting for Skuld?"
"We usually go out to eat after a training fight." Asuka sighed, "Guess we just go off on our own." She looked up at Lind. "Care to join us?"
"I'm honored."
"Sorry guys." said Touji, "Hikari will have breakfast ready for me and I want to see Kirika before she goes to school. See you later." Touji waved and headed off to the teleportation area of the building.
"Well then," said Asuka, "Let's go. I'm hungry."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I'm telling you guys it was unreal!"
Hyosuke and Matagu were standing in front of their friends in the school yard, relating their experiences from several nights before. Kaede, Ichigo, Koishi, and Kei sat on the grass in front of them listening.
"I don't know." said Kaede, "It just sounds so..."
"Unreal." said Ichigo.
"Unlikely." added Koishi.
"Impossible." finished Kei.
"You guys said that about aliens," said Hyosuke, "and then Marie showed up."
"Yeah well." said Koishi, "Aliens are one thing. But people that can spit fireballs from their hands and vanish into thin air?"
"Besides, we have something else to worry about." say Kei.
"This assembly that the entire school has to attend?" asked Matagu, "Any idea what it's about?"
"No." Ichigo said with a frown, "They wouldn't tell me anything about it." She then looked at Kei. "How did you find out about it anyway?"
Kei began to turn red. "I uh..that is..I uh."
He was saved by the sound of tires squealing and the roar of an engine. The students turned to see a blue car racing into the parking lot at high speed. At the last possible second, the car turned and spun around backwards perfectly into a parking spot. Almost immediately, a passenger got out of the car and fell to their knees and began to kiss the ground. The driver then got out. All males present stared in awe at the woman. Yeah, she was a bit old, but she was beautiful. She was wearing a red jacket over a black dress, a red beret on her head. The driver glared at her passenger and said something. The passenger then looked up and glared back at the driver.
The first woman caused the male students to stop and stare. This woman started them drooling. Long brown hair cascaded down her back. She wore a red jacket over a simple skirt and blouse.
The driver said something else, then turned and walked into the school, leaving her companion alone.
"Wow." muttered Hyosuke, "She's gorgeous."
"Ummm Excuse me." Hyosuke turned and found himself being glared at by Kaede. "She's what?"
"I uh.that is I errr."
"Great." said Ichigo, "You broke him. Who do you think she is?"
"Don't know." said Koishi, "But I'm going to find out." She grabbed Kei. "Come on let's go."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I'm going to go see where they want us." said Misato, "I'll be back." She vanished into the school.
Sayoko looked up at the school.
'Doesn't look anything like Tokyo-2 High school.' She thought. She bent over and started brushing the dirt from her skirt and legs. 'If Misato would actually learn how to drive safely...I'd."
"Excuse me?"
Sayoko looked up to see two of the students, one a brown haired girl, and the other..a gray haired boy(?) had approached her.
"Yes?" asked Sayoko. The girl seemed curious, but the boy..when she had spoken..he had actually looked surprised.
"Who are you?" asked the girl, "No offense but you seem a bit old to be a student."
"I'm not a student." replied Sayoko, "I'm here for some lecture."
"A lecture?" asked the boy, "A lecture on what?"
Sayoko waggled a finger at the students. "Not gonna tell. It's a surprise."
The students frowned. "Can you at least tell us who you are?" asked the boy.
Sayoko took a closer look at the boy before answering.
'Something off about that one. He feels older then he looks.' "My Name is Sayoko Morisato."
The girl nodded while the boy seemed deep in thought.
"Koishi Herikawa. This is Kei Kusanagi. You can't even give us a hint?"
Sayoko smiled. "I just did. Got to go."
"Huh?"
"Sayoko!"
Sayoko glanced over to see Misato standing in the doorway.
"Come on Sayoko!"
"Coming Misato!" Sayoko turned and waved at the students. "Just gave you another clue. See you later!"
Sayoko then vanished into the school.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"They are giving the lecture?" Matagu said. "Oh man! I think this is going to be the best lecture I ever had!"
"But we still don't know what the lecture is even going to be about!" said Koichi. She turned and looked at Kei. "What's wrong with you? You've been quiet since she said her name."
Kei looked up to see everyone staring at him.
"She told you her name?" Hyosuke looked at Kei in awe. "What is it? Who is she?"
"She said her name was Sayoko Morisato and she called the other one Misato." Kei looked at his friends. "I know I've heard that name Morisato before." 'It was weird, she sounded like Mizuho.'
"That woman Misato," began Koishi, "She there were patches on her jacket. It also looked like she had some kind of pins on the neck of the jacket."
"What kind of patches?" asked Matagu.
Koishi shrugged. "Couldn't really tell. But one of them was black with a red leaf..."
"NERV!"
Everyone turned and looked at Hyosuke. "What?"
"NERV." repeated Hyosuke, "The red leaf is a symbol of NERV."
"You mean the EVAs?" asked Kaede.
Hyosuke nodded. "Yeah. NERV was around for the purpose of defeating the Angels during the Angel War. They were dissolved shortly after the destruction of Tokyo-3. The EVAs went to Toyko-2."
"So this woman was a part of NERV?" asked Ichigo.
"They both were." They turned at look at Kei. "I used to live in Tokyo-2."
"When?" asked Koishi.
Kei looked at Ichigo. "I got sick once" Ichigo nodded, understanding. "I came here to live with my Uncle when I got better." Kei then looked at the others. "I was really young at the time, only 5, but I remember there was a funeral for a commander of NERV. I'd have to check the library, but I think one of the EVA pilots was a Sayoko Morisato. Misato Ryoji was the commander of Tokyo-2 UN."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sayoko and Misato sat in the teacher's lounge while teachers began to prepare for the beginning of class. The Principal had introduced them to several of the teachers before he had to go and check on other preparations. While they waited, Sayoko thought about the boy she had met.
'Kei Kusanagi.' She thought, 'What is it about you that I'm sensing? Red eyes like Rei..and gray hair...'
"Oh hello. You must be here to give the lecture."
Sayoko looked up in surprise at hearing her mother's voice. The person standing there was not her mother however. The woman standing before her had red hair..and purple eyes?
"I'm Mizuho Kasumi, a teacher here."
Misato smiled at the woman and shook her hand. "Hi. I'm Misato Ryoji. This is Sayoko Morisato."
Mizuho turned to Sayoko. "Nice to meet you."
Sayoko took Mizuho's hand. "Likewise." As they shook hands, Sayoko began to sense there was something...off about this woman. Her aura was completely wrong.
"How much longer until school starts?" asked Misato.
"Actually the bell should be ringing any.." RING!! " second." Mizuho smiled. "Sorry, but that's my cue. I have to see to my class. Hopefully I'll be able to speak with you more at lunch."
"Of course." replied Misato as Mizuho and the other teachers hurried off towards their classes. Misato looked back at Sayoko to see her frowning. "What's wrong?"
Sayoko looked up. "That teacher....Mizuho.."
"What about her? Other then that she sounds like your mom, I didn't think anything was wrong."
"There was something off about her aura." said Sayoko, a very serious look on her face. "I've never encountered one like it."
"Is she a demon?" asked Misato.
"No." Sayoko looked at Misato. "No she's not a demon. I'll check the Yggdrasil Mortal Database. It should have something in there about Mizuho Kasumi."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
The students gathered in the auditorium chatted eagerly away. Word of who was giving the lecture had spread around. All knew there had been a war involving large monsters vs. large biomechanical robots many years before. The EVAs had spawned a whole line of toys that were still very popular. But their history lessons and books only glossed over the war and the events thereafter. Many knew that EVAs had been deployed in Tokyo-2, but then they disappeared, never to be seen again. The students were very eager to hear what these woman had to say.
"This is so cool!" shouted Hyosuke, "A real EVA pilot!"
"I thought he cut down on his caffeine." said Ichigo.
"So did I." said Kaede.
The six friends were sitting up towards the back of the auditorium. Kei sat near the end of the row, with Koishi on his left, an empty seat on the aisle to his right.
"What do you think Kei?" asked Koishi.
"I think it could be interesting." said Kei, "It'll be better then listening to stories about second impact. They were actually there and involved."
"Excuse me? Mr. Kusanagi?"
Kei recognized the voice right away. "Yes Miss Kasumi?"
Mizuho smiled at Kei. "Is this seat taken?"
"No."
Mizuho sat down next to Kei.
"It's very crowded in here." She said.
Kei nodded. "Yes it is."
Farther down the row, Ichigo glanced curiously at Kei and Mizuho.
The lights dimmed down and the students fell silent. The Principal stepped out onto the stage and walked to the podium.
"Good Morning." He began. "Today is going to be a rather interesting day. Instead of listening to your teachers talk about history, we are going to have those who were part of the history speak about it. As many of you now know, we have two very special guest speakers today. First is the former Director of Operations of NERV. She commanded the Evangelions and their pilots in battle against the Angels. Later she became the commander of Tokyo-2 UN Base. Please give a warm welcome to Mrs. Misato Ryoji."
Misato stepped out onto the stage to the applause of the students and a few wolf whistles. The Principle waited for the applause to die down before continuing.
"The second guest speaker was on the front lines of the Angel War. During her time as a pilot, she went into battle against 4 Angels, defeating 2 of them. Allow me to introduce the Fifth Child, designated pilot of EVA Unit- 4, Sayoko Morisato."
The applause was louder this time and the whistles more frequent. Sayoko only smiled at the student body before moving next to Misato.
"At this time, I'd like to turn things over to Mrs. Ryoji." The Principal stepped off to side and sat down in a chair that was to the left and behind the podium. Sayoko took a seat next to him. Misato stepped up to the podium.
"I was asked to come here today to talk about my part in the Angel Wars, and about NERV." Misato looked out over the auditorium. "In order to really give you an idea of what we faced, I was able to get a hold of some of the footage of the EVAs in action against the angels."
Hearing that Hyosuke stood up and shouted out.
"SWEET!!!!"
The Principal held his head in his hands, while the student body laughed. Sayoko gave a weak grin. Misato stared up at the student.
"You might say that now, but I think when we're done here, you might have a different prospective." She pressed a button on the podium. A screen lowered itself down and a picture appeared on it.
The Third Angel.
"This is an Angel. The first of many that attacked Tokyo-3.." As Misato talked, the students watched in awe as VTOLs and other aircraft and tanks attacked the Angel with no effect. The student cheered as the N2 mine exploded, then gasped when the Angel reappeared.
Then Unit-01 was launched.
At first all the students cheered....then Unit-01 fell flat on its face. The students watched in horror as the Angel picked up the EVA and smashed a hole in its head before tossing it into a building.
Misato, knowing what was about to happen, watched and waited. The students all reacted in shock when Unit-01 rose to its feet and let out a blood curdling roar. One of the students, a green haired girl instantly fainted. Another, a red head, was quickly at her side. Misato smiled as she watched the students, and even some of the teachers, react.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Mizuho stared in shock at what she was watching.
'Humans..made that...monster?' she thought, 'I never saw that in any briefing.'
As she watched the EVA rip apart the Angel, she reached over and grabbed Kei's hand. A small smile appeared on Kei's face and he gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Further down the row, a pair of red eyes widened at the display between teacher and student.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"Thank you for coming Miss Ryoji." The Principal said as he sat in his office a few hours later, "I'm sure the students and teachers found it to be a mind opening experience."
"Probably stomach opening too." said Misato with a smile, "I'm glad I didn't bring the more...nauseating footage."
"I'm sure our janitors appreciate it as well."
"The student that passed out? Is she.?"
"Karen Onodera? She's fine. She just has these spells."
"I'm glad." Misato then stood up and shook hands with the Principal. "If you ever decide to do this again, feel free to call."
"Thank-you. I will."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
That night.
Misato had long since gone to bed. Sayoko sat in a chair staring at her laptop screen. She stared at it for a longtime, yet it remained the same.
Yggdrasil Mainframe Mortal Database Search Mizuho Kasumi Searching.....
1 File Found.
Kasumi, Mizuho Galaxy Reporter Level C Planet Inspector Last Assignment: Post Delta Des-8228 (Earth)
Taken from Galactic computer: Condemned to Capital Punishment by Investigation Committee for revealing her true nature to earth being, having physical contact with said being, and Psychologically intervening with said being wasting system energy. Memories of those involved on Delta Des-8228.Ordered to return to Galactic Headquarters, she has since vanished from the her homeworld along with her computer, designated Marie. Mother Hatsuho Kasumi and sister Maho Kasumi under surveillance. No sign of the fugitive. Mizuho Kasumi is to be apprehended and held. This is of the highest priority.
Terrestrial System alert: 107: Mixing of beings from different worlds before time specified. Procedure 5 recommended.
'Procedure 5?'
? What is Procedure 5?
Procedure 5 All memories of incident to be purged from minds of the mortals involved and new memories to be implanted. Extra-terrestrial mortal to either be returned to their planet with memory erased and new memory implanted or elimination.
Recommended solution: Elimination.
Sayoko continued to stare at the last line.
'Elimination...'