Chapter 4
Earth
Neo-Tokyo (formerly Tokyo-2/3)
The city stretched across the land for miles. It also went down almost a mile below the surface, and soared upwards towards the sky. Massive towers blocked out the sky, so that those at ground level couldn't tell if it was day or night.
It was down in this darkness that 2 men ran. They ran as if the devil himself was after them. They ran down an alley and only stopped when they reached a T crossing.
"Which way?"
"I dunno." He looked right then left. "I'll go this way, you go that way."
The first man nodded and started to run in the indicated direction. He ran for a bit then stopped.
"HEY!" He started to turn around to argue with his friend, but rapidly approaching footsteps caused him to turn and continue. He had only gotten another 50 yards when he tripped. Sitting up, he looked around, but couldn't see what he had tripped on. He stood up and was about to start running when something cold pressed against the back of his head. He turned his head slightly to see a woman with blond hair and fiery red eyes.
"In the name of God," she said in English, "Impure souls of the living dead shall be banished into eternal damnation."
The gun barked, echoing throughout the alley. The man fell, headless. As soon as he hit the ground, his body collapsed into dust.
"Amen." She said as she holstered the massive gun. She took a deep breathe, then glanced off to the side. "You can come out now."
Stepping out of the shadows was a cloaked figure, hood pulled down hiding the face from view.
"Nice shot Celes." The figure said, "But you let one get away."
"He'll be found." replied Celes Victoria, "Now don't we have somewhere to be?"
The figure nodded. "Of course."
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The man continued to run, oblivious to what had happened to his partner. He finally can to stop and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"Oh man." He muttered, "I thought I'd never get away from that bitch."
Soft quiet steps came from behind him. The man turned around.
"Is that you………. ARGHH!" A strange blade stabbed into his neck and out the back. He fell to his knees, struggling to remove the blade. Something on it burned him painfully. He looked up to see a figure standing before him, light reflecting off the figures glasses gave them an eerie glow.
"We are the ministers of God." The figure said, pulling out two more identical blades, "In flaming fire, we take vengeance on those that know not God, and obey not the Catholic gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power – this honour have all his saints………..Amen."
"What….are you?" the man gurgled.
"I deliver thee to hell," the figure said. In a flash, the mans head was removed. Both body and head turned to dust. The figure looked down at the dust and smiled. He then turned towards the sky. "I will find you yet Celes Victoria, Dust to dust, for dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return."
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"Where are we going dad?"
The man smiled at his son as they walked the streets of Neo-Tokyo.
"Well Shinji," he said, "Do you remember the story I told you?"
Shinji shrugged, "No."
"Well then let me remind you." The father said with a smile, "My father's Grandparents were very kind people and very wealthy. They always helped the sick and the poor. They were also very spiritual, going to church every Sunday. But for all they did, they lacked the one thing that would make their lives complete, a child. They had tried for many years, but were unable to have a child. Finally, one day on his way home from work, your Great Great Grandfather passed the Memorial Church, where the children of the Evas are supposed to be buried. He walked in and knelt before the tomb where our Ancestor, Touji Suzuhara is said to be buried and prayed to God that he and your great great grandmother might have a child, to keep the Suzuhara family alive. As he prayed, her heard a woman weeping. He followed the sound until he found a young woman, kneeling before a lit candle. He asked her 'Why are you crying?' To which she replied, 'I cry every year on this day. This is the day my love died.' He took pity on the woman and knelt beside her, placing his arm around her. 'Do not worry,' he told her, 'I am sure he is with God and even though he cannot be with you in person, he is in your heart always.' The young woman smiled at our ancestor and told him 'Thank you for your kind words. In return, I grant you that which you desire most.' Our ancestor was confused by her words, after all, what did this woman know of his want for a child. He merely nodded to her and remained with her awhile longer, before she rose and left. He started to follow her, but upon exiting the Church, he discovered the woman was nowhere in sight. Upon returning home, his wife had wonderful news for him, she was with child. 9 months later, he was the proud father of a baby boy. One year to the day that he first entered the Memorial Church, he returned with his wife and child, hoping the young woman was there. She was, and he introduced her to his child. Both he and his wife thanked her for helping them. She told them that thanks was not necessary, that their unselfish work helping others had brought them before the eyes of God, who deemed them worthy, They returned every year after to be with the woman on that day. His son continued the tradition, as did my grandfather, and then my father, and now me."
Shinji frowned, "But how can she still be alive? She must be over 100!"
"Actually she's around 545."
Shinji stared at his father, "You can't be serious."
"Oh but I am." The father replied, "Wouldn't you like to meet her?"
Shinji shrugged, "I think I'll go and read the inscriptions on the other tombs. Is it true what they say? That only the Children are here?"
"400 years ago, The city couldn't expand much further. So it was decided to use the old cemetery. Those who were buried their were moved and reburied in the great cemetery on the moon. Those whose graves were empty, were honored by having their name inscribed on a wall in the tombs of the church, thus it is the Memorial Church, so that they will always be remembered."
They entered the church through the massive bronze doors. Shinji immediately took off and headed toward the tombs. The father entered the main hall and took a quick glance around. Five chapels lined the walls, one for each of the children of Eva. He walked over to the Suzuhara chapel and lit a candle, joining the many already there. He then crossed over to Morisato Chapel, and lit a candle there. He then knelt down and waited. Within a few minutes he heard soft footsteps walk up to the Chapel. Another lit candle joined his, and a cloak figure knelt down beside him.
"How was your trip.?" The father asked.
"The city keeps changing." The figure replied, "Sometimes I wonder if he'd even recognize the earth as it is now." The figure looked over at the father. "How is Shinji, Touji?"
Touji Suzuhara the third smiled, "He's growing up fast. I told him the story again."
The figure chuckled. "Ahh That story. Doesn't get dull though the years does it?"
"No." replied Touji, "His sister thinks it gets more beautiful with age. As do you Sayoko-sama."
The figure pulled back her hood to reveal the blushing face of Sayoko Morisato.
"I thought I told you to knock that off."
"You did back when I was………24 I believe." Touji smiled, "But you still are beautiful."
"And you are happily married." added Sayoko.
"Yes I am. But even my wife agrees." Touji glanced over his shoulder to see a blond hair woman with red eyes watching them. "You brought her again. I'm surprised, I thought she didn't like it here."
"She tolerates it for me." Sayoko said, "And so long as she doesn't touch any silver or get splashed by Holy Water, she'll be fine." Sayoko then bowed her head down. Touji, not wanting to interrupt her silent prayers, remained silent.
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Several hours later
Celes didn't really mind being in the church. She thought it was actually quite pretty. It was just that she was………allergic certain things in the building. She had been in the Church several times over the past 500 years, but she never got tired of reading the inscriptions. It was while she was walking along the tomb that she noticed something out of place. Something seemed to be sticking out of the wall. As she got closer, her blood ran cold. A sword was stuck into stone, holding a piece of paper tightly against wall. A paper with prayers all over it.
Written in Latin.
"Oh now…." muttered Celes, "It can't be him. Not him."
Soft footsteps echoed from further down the tomb. Celes turned and ran, not wanting to meet the person whom those footsteps might belong to.
She entered the main hall at a run and looked around. Everything was as it had been when she left, only the descendant of Touji Suzuhara had left for dinner. Celes moved up silently behind Sayoko.
"We have to go."
Sayoko didn't move.
"What?" she asked softly.
"HE is here."
Sayoko frowned, though Celes couldn't see it.
"He?"
"Yes HIM."
"Celes I have no idea what you are talking about."
"The one I told you about." Celes said through clenched teeth. "The Regenerator."
Sayoko's eyes popped open.
"Father Anderson?"
"Yes." hissed Celes, getting more and more agitated.
Sayoko rose calmly and pulled her hood over her head.
"Then lets go."
Celes was more then happy enough to lead the way out as they left. Behind them, a man in gray priest robes walked up to where Sayoko had just been kneeling. He then looked just in time to see Sayoko's robe vanishing through the massive bronze doors.
"Until next time Abomination." He said softly.
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"First asteroid coming up." Panther said.
"Targeting." Luchs flipped several switches. "And firing."
For the past several days, the Saber Dolls had been flying about in space, destroying those asteroids that would cause significant damage Terra 2, or breaking them up into smaller pieces. Some did get by however.
"What's the word from the surface?" asked Tiger.
"Lord Faust says that there have been several hits on the surface." Luchs reported, "All in outlying or in uninhabited areas."
Tiger nodded.
"Alright Panther, where's the next target."
"The next target is….." Panther frowned, "What the? There's another ship!"
"A ship? Where?"
"Twenty degrees to port. About 20,000 yards."
Tiger piloted the ship towards the location. Soon they had arrived at the location. Through the large front window, they could see the shattered hulk of the other ship. Luchs stared hard at the ship, allowing her sensors to look it over. Her eyes widened in shock.
"It can't be……"
"What is it Luchs?" asked Tiger.
"It's the Neomesopotamia." replied Luchs.
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"You found what?" asked Faust.
"The Neomesopotamia." replied Tiger, "The back end is pretty much shattered, but the front still appears to be intact. There's even a few lights on. We're going to attempt to board it."
"What about the Asteroids?"
"Our latest scans show none closer then 3 days to Terra 2."
Faust nodded. "Very well. I'll inform the 6 countries."
Faust broke the connection with the Saber Dolls, then informed the 6 leaders. He then tried to get a hold of Lorelei and Otaru.
He only got static.
Even if they couldn't have answered the call, there would have been some kind of response. But it was like Otaru and Lorelei were not even there. Faust typed in a command and brought up the locations of the meteor hits.
One of them had hit right in the area where Otaru and Lorelei's house was.
"Oh no." He quickly turned and called another number.
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Cherry walked over and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Cherry's eyes widened. "Oh! Hello Uncle Faust. How is……WHAT?!" Cherry's face went white. Bloodberry looked over in concern.
"Yes sir. I understand. We're heading right over." Cherry dropped the phone and raced to the stairs. "LIME!"
"What!?" Lime came down the stairs. "What is it?"
Cherry looked at her two sisters. "That was Uncle Faust. He said that a meteor had hit near home. He can't reach Mom or Dad."
Lime immediately turned and raced for Keima's room. She flung the door open and raced to his side.
"Keima! Wake up!" When he didn't respond, Lime began to shake him. "Come on wake up!"
"Hey! Ow! Stop! I'm up!" Keima slowly sat up. "What is it?"
Tears were rolling down Lime's face. "A meteor hit the house. Dad and Mom aren't answering any calls."
Keima wrapped his arms around Lime.
"Maybe they just can't get to a phone."
"Maybe." Lime looked up at Keima's face. "Can…..can you take us there?"
Keima nodded, "I'll get Arael. She can teleport us all there."
"Thank you Keima."
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Neomesopotamia
"See anything?" asked Tiger.
"Yeah," replied Panther, "A whole lot of blasted nothing." She kicked a girder out of the way. "Why are we here?"
"To see why this ship still has power." Luchs said as she pushed a door open. She then peered inside. "Oh……."
"What is it?"
"I think I found Dr. Hess. And some kind of marionette." Luchs pulled the door shut. "You don't want to see, it's not pretty."
"Hey over here." shouted Panther.
The other two Saber Dolls walked over to where Panther was standing. Part of the flooring had buckled from the blast and peeled back to reveal a glowing sphere.
"Plasma Tank." Luchs said, "Still fully charged. If that goes off………."
Tiger looked up. "How big a blast are we talking about?"
"Big."
"Are there anymore?"
"Maybe." Luchs looked at Tiger curiously, "Why?"
"Because if we set them all off, maybe we can send the asteroids off in a different direction."
"Or we could send them to Terra 2 even faster." Panther said.
"So we'll shoot them down. Or that Angel will get them." Tiger looked at Luchs, "Where are rest of the Plasma Tanks?"
"There should be a diagram on the bridge," Luchs said, "along with their status."
"Alright then." Tiger turned and started walking, "Lets go to the bridge."
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With a grinding creak, the door to the bridge slid open. Luchs carefully peered inside, her eyes flashing as she scanned. The bridge was heavily damaged. Pieces of equipment had pulled away from the walls and smashed themselves against the opposite wall or other equipment. Debris was everywhere.
"Well?" came Panther's voice from behind her.
"It's a mess." replied Luchs as she continued to look about.
"Is it safe to enter?" asked Tiger.
"It seems so." replied Luchs, "I'm not seeing any serious………" Luchs' voice trailed off.
"What is it?" asked Tiger.
"I can see an arm." Luchs said softly, "I think it's Cherry's."
"Oh." Tiger really did NOT want to see what was left of them, but they had a job to complete.
"Maybe we could take them back?" asked Panther.
"We'll see. Let's see about the ship first." Tiger said, "Luchs, where is the panel for the Plasma Tanks?"
"Over there." Luchs pointed to where a large computer display had smashed against a terminal.
The three marionettes walked through the room quietly, as if it was a tomb. They tried hard not to look at the floor, as every time they did, they saw a part that was once in a marionette. On three occasions, they spotted limbs, only one was readily recognized as belonging to Cherry.
"Panther can you….." Tiger pointed at the computer display laying against the terminal.
Panther grabbed hold of the display and with a grunt, shoved it off to the side. The three then gasped. Sitting on the terminal was a marionette head, most of it's skin blasted away. One eye remained in it and it stared blankly at them.
Tiger finally found her voice, "Can you tell who……?"
Luchs shook her head.
"Not without………closer inspection………the serial number would be…….somewhere."
"Can we hurry up and get out of here?" Panther said, "I hate this place."
"Luchs what about the other Plasma Tanks?" Tiger looked over to see Luchs still staring at the marionette head. "LUCHS!"
"What?!" Luchs spun and looked at Tiger.
"Just….don't look at it. Check the Plasma Tanks. If they have enough will blow the ship and end the asteroid threat."
"Right." Luchs looked over the terminal, avoiding the stare from the head. "There are four tanks, two of them are full. The other two are only 1/3 full. All four have enough plasma to do what we want."
"Alright." Tiger glanced at the marionette head. "Panther, go back to our ship. Find something we can put………them into."
Panther nodded and hurried off, leaving Luchs and Tiger alone.
"Let's start gathering them up." Tiger said quietly.
After several minutes of gathering, Luchs called over to Tiger.
"Do you still miss them?"
"In some ways, yes." Tiger replied, "I like the girls, but……..They don't remember anything from before. It's strange to see them all grown up. They look so much like they did back then, but their personalities have changed over time."
"They're only human." Luchs replied, "Humans change based on life experiences. Take Lord Faust for instance."
Tiger nodded, "From world domination to world peace. Seems like a lifetime ago some…….."
Thump.
Tiger looked around. "Did you hear that?"
Luchs shook her head. "Hear what?"
"I swear I heard something."
Thump.
"There it is again!"
Luchs eyes lit up. "That time I heard it." Her eyes narrowed on an area of the bridge. "There's something over there."
Tiger and Luchs made their way across the bridge. They came to a spot where a lot of debris had piled up. Carefully, they began to move the pieces away. Suddenly Tiger gasped and backed away. Luchs looked to see what had scared Tiger.
Laying amongst the debris was a marionette hand………..
And it was twitching.