********************
Asuka refused to ear for three days; she sat in her room, that was never unguarded, and wept all the time. The best friend she'd had in all her life had been taken from her, and what made it worse, what really twisted the knife in her gut was that Starscream was in his condition because she failed to keep her mental defences up and fell to weakness and pain. For this he had thrown himself in the path of a death meant for her.
"Why Starscream and not me? I've done people wrong and been nothing other than cruel to anyone who tries to help me or love me" Asuka was so convinced of her own self-worthlessness
She remembered the first time Starscream took her Air-Boarding. It had been the thrill of her life; sure she got a thrill from Eva piloting but that was an adrenal thrill, one borne of the will to survive. When she went Air-Boarding, it was like her soul was free and she felt as if she could fly beside Starscream on the wind; he'd set her free of fear and doubt with the promise that he would always be there, and would die to protect her.
"Ironic, a robot, something I think Rei was like, showed more feeling and was so much more full of life than I was" Asuka would never forget the spirit that she saw every time she looked into Starscream's optics
Outside her room, Thundercracker sat on guard duty; in his hand was a diary that belonged to Starscream. He wasn't reading it out of spite of mischief but he was curious if it held the answer to the riddle of Starscream's behaviour of late. He'd notice Starscream was more vigorous in his combat training as if he was trying to work off excess energy and he wanted to know why.
"There has to be a reason for- oh Primus" Thundercracker said
The entry he'd come across answered all his questions in full: Starscream had fallen in love, not that that one its own was a bad thing. What shocked Thundercracker was who the object of his older brother's intentions is: Asuka. He closed the journal down and sat to ponder the ramifications of this revelation.
[How is it possible for a Transformer to love a human?] the whole thing just when around in his head like a spinning wheel and still it evaded him
However when he thought about it; Thundercracker wasn't all that shocked in the end; love was love, no matter who it was between and why; it simple existence was good enough for Thundercracker and should his brother find a way (distant hope that there was) to pursue these feelings then he was cool with it, Skywarp wouldn't care either was cos he was mind warped at any rate.
"I hope you pull your sorry ass out of this one soon Screamer, this chick is going to die without you" Thundercracker said
******************
Shinji was in the arcade in Tokyo 3: Toji and Kensuke were at a movie theatre and Hikari was taking Rei clothes shopping so they could have, 'girl time and girl talk'. In reality Shinji knew these were merely distractions so as to take their minds off Asuka's condition, they'd tried to help but it was evident that the only one who could help her was herself.
[I'm being watched] Shinji was now highly adept at blocking people's thoughts from his head, but it still left him with a highly tuned sense of his surroundings
Some of the people there were his classmates and they watched him with a sense of wonder: they were convinced what had saved them from the attack by that small army had something to do with Shinji and they were both terrified and intrigued by it. The looks of wonder turned to bemusement when a western looking teen went and said hello and began chatting with Shinji
"Having a good time Shinji?" Rumble asked
"Yeah, thanks Rumble, I appreciate this" Shinji said and returned to his game
"No worries, you guys needed out of there before you got shack whacky" Rumble said and looked over his shoulder
"You know Shinji there are dozens of people looking at you; I hope to god its hero worship" Rumble said off hand
"Why?" Shinji asked
"Cos if it isn't those are the horniest teenagers I've ever seen" Rumble chuckled
"Ha, ha very funny" Shinji shot as he lost his credit
"Shit, come on, let's go and find Misato and Kaji" Shinji grumbled
"Well if I remember correctly the love motels are that way" Rumble was giggling inanely now
"You're off the deep end you know" Shinji sighed
"And proud of it" the small Transformer declared
A yellow Volkswagen pulled up and opened its passenger door; the windows were tinted so one could not see inside the car and identify its driver, or lack thereof. Bumblebee took them to the mall in the city where he'd dropped Hikari and Rei a few hours earlier. Toji and Kensuke, their movie finished, were waiting for them. As Shinji and Rumble got out, Rumble muttered a message to Bumblebee
"Better tell Ironhide to pick us up, knowing women like I do; they shop big and you're to small for their swag" he said
"Done and done" Bumblebee said as he drove off
"Toji, Kensuke; how was the movie?" Rumble asked
"Meh, not the best film I've ever seen in my life" Kensuke said
"Then you sir do not know a good action film" Eject, also disguised as a human, said
"What did you see?" Shinji asked
"Spartacus, my friend, a great sword and sandal epic of the days of true acting" Rewind said
"Speaking of sandals" Toji said and pointed to the two fast approaching girls; and their fully laden pack horse; Frenzy
"Those sandals flatter you Hikari" Frenzy said
"But flattery is going to get you nowhere, now keep up" Hikari said
"Toji, you're her boyfriend, you ought to be doing this" Frenzy grouched
"Yeah, but I can't lift 8000 pounds on a pinkie finger, you can" he shot back as he hugged Hikari
"No I can't" Frenzy protested
"You can't?" Toji replied
"Yeah, he uses his index finger" Rumble quipped
"Fuck you" Frenzy snarled
"I told you he was into weird shit" Rumble continued to practice his rapier wit
"Okay that is it, I swear to god, Rumble, when I die your ass is haunted" Frenzy hissed
"You're going to sodomize me when you're a ghost; man, I never thought you'd go as far as necrophilia, or is it different cos you're dead and sexually molesting me?" Rumble scratched his chin in mock thought
By now Frenzy realised he was defeated and just cursed in Cybertronian to himself and swore to kill his brother at the earliest possible moment. Currently ever other member of their group was doubled over in laughter at Rumble's witticisms, aside from Rei who was content to smile and giggle. To the casual observer they were just a bunch of kids having a good time. Shinji on the other hand was staring, goo-goo eyed at Rei.
[My god, she's beautiful] he thought, incapable of speaking
Rei was dressed in a blue single piece dress that went to just above her knees; and she was wearing a pair of black stockings and black heels, she looked so damn good people were staring. So Shinji did the one thing he could; he walked up to her, bowed his head and then kissed her. Rumble grinned and looked at his internal clock
"What are you smiling about?" Eject asked
"In about 5 minutes, two people shall be getting notes to meet the other at that restaurant" he grinned
"What are you playing at?" Rewind was getting an odd feeling in his fuel tanks
****************************
Ritsuko sagged into her quarters and slumped on the bed feeling miserable at Asuka's condition. As she let her head fall backwards it came to rest on an envelope. Wracked with curiosity and a girlish giddiness, she opened it and in the most well written hiragana she'd ever seen, a simple invitation was given
'Dear Ritsuko
I humbly request that join me for dinner at this restaurant; one of the Transformers has agreed to drive you. Dress casual but comfortable.
Yours truly,
Kouzou Fuyutski'
Ritsuko read the letter again; and again and then a third time to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. She had just got a formal invitation to dinner with Fuyutski, she couldn't believe it. With a flush on her cheeks and a school girl like nervousness, Ritsuko went to choose a dress from her (now relocated) wardrobe. After much searching she decided on a burgundy 3-quarter skirt, stockings and black knee length boots. A simple white blouse and a black turtleneck sweater made up her upper attire. Some rouge and a bit of mascara plus earrings and she was ready.
[Oh well, here goes nothing] she said and opened her door; a tall red Transformer stood outside her room
"Hello Ms. Akagi, I'm Sideswipe and I'll be your transportation for the evening" the robot spoke in a polished tone
"Thank you, well, I suppose we better get going" she said nervously
Sideswipe smiled and transformed into his Lamborghini form and opened a door. With a purr of his engine and a squeal of tires, Sideswipe was away; he only hoped that his associate on the other side was on time.
***************
Fuyutski had received an invite similar to Ritsuko's and was dressed in pair of good pants, and a red business shirt. He was riding inside Dead End, a most interesting character to talk too but Fuyutski felt slightly depressed at the atmosphere inside the car. He was glad when he was dropped off at the address; Fuyutski waved goodbye to the polite Stunticon and when he turned around, his breath was whisked from his chest.
"By all that is good in the world" he said
The moon had risen and Ritsuko was standing in such a way that she was bathed in its light, making her red lips stand out on her attractive face. To Fuyutski Ritsuko was the very picture of tragic beauty at this moment in time. She was smiling at him, a Mona Lisa smile, not happy not sad.
"Maybe there is something good in this world after all" he mumbled and with regal dignity, walked over to Ritsuko
"You look beautiful" he said upon arrival
"And you look very handsome" she replied
"Thank you. By the way, my mind is boggled, how did you organize this with all that was going on?" Fuyutski asked with a chuckle
[But I thought…] Ritsuko looked over the road and saw Rumble, only just sticking out form his hiding place
[That little….] she stopped and gave a laugh
"We've been set up haven't we" Fuyutski said
"Yes we have, well, we're here now. Hungry?" Ritsuko asked
"Famished actually, shall we?" he offered her is arm in a gentlemanly gesture
They strode to the concierge's desk and asked if there was a reservation under either of their names. Their was one under Kouzou's name; while Ritsuko was getting a menu, Fuyutski suddenly realised he had very little in his account
"Crap, some first date this will be with no money" he muttered
"But sir, a large sum of credit was wired to this account to be used by you a few hours ago, roughly 3, 000 US Dollars" the concierge said
"Oh, great, thanks. Ah, a wine list if you please good sir" Fuyutski was going to find the person who pulled this and thank them, then kill them
Rumble looked up and zoomed in on the pair; this was working a little better than he thought it would, he assumed the whole thing may have been stiff at first but they were relaxed in each other's company. Rumble figured he'd seen enough for now and went to return home. He took one last look at Ritsuko and Fuyutski; the rest was in their hands, he'd done all he could.
"May Primus bless you both" he said and activated a Transport Gate, stepping through it
*****************
The restaurant Rumble picked was a mixture of new and old, while it had a pretty normal seating style, there was a dance floor to which couples danced the swing bands of old. Fuyutski and Ritsuko were having a very nice meal; steamed vegetables and Peking duck. They were laughing and having a good time as people do. As they finished eating, a rather upbeat song 'Ballroom Blitz' began playing courtesy of the live band. With a smile on his face, Fuyutski stood up and offered his hand.
"Would you like to dance?" Fuyutski asked
"Sure" Ritsuko took the proffered hand
Fuyutski took her onto the dance floor in true style and lead her in an old fashioned bit of fast paced dancing. As they swung in unison; Ritsuko felt elated. Not since her first boyfriend in high school had she felt so good and truly loved; it was like a warmness that started in her stomach and radiated outwards in all directions. They danced for what seemed like hours but it was only the length of the song. When it was finished they sat down at the bar and ordered a drink.
"I haven't had this much fun in years" Fuyutski said and drowned a whisky shot
"Me neither" Ritsuko ordered a cocktail
"Ritsuko, tell me; even though this was a set up; would you have come even if I hadn't have been one?" Fuyutski asked
"Yes, I would have" Ritsuko replied and sipped her drink
Fuyutski smiled and placed a hand on Ritsuko's. Then he noticed a tear sliding down her cheek and as a reflex action, Fuyutski cupped her face and brushed the tear away with his thumb. Ritsuko fell into Fuyutski's embrace and sobbed in silence.
"You shouldn't be crying, you of all people you deserve to be happy" he said, although his words were slightly jumbled and nervous Ritsuko felt the sentiment.
"Thank you" Ritsuko sniffed
Ritsuko looked up into the kindest eyes she'd ever known in her stay at Nerv; for a brief moment she believed because of her involvement with Gendo Ikari she was undeserving of anything like this. These thoughts were quickly quashed; had she never been allowed to stay with the Transformers and become their friend then she'd have believed these self-defeating thoughts. But all her contact with the amazing robots from space had helped her to rebuild her self-esteem and self-respect. Fuyutski decided then to take a risk and leaned in and softly kissed the scientist.
[He, he's kissing me] Ritsuko was overjoyed and wrapped her arms around the older man's neck
However, as the citizens of Tokyo 3 learnt from the beginning, fate is cruel and relentless in her pursuit of karma and the alarms sounded once more. An Angel had appeared Tokyo 3 and at this moment, they were unsure how to proceed: night attacks were uncommon among the Angels. Fuyutski and Ritsuko left the restaurant and saw a helicopter land on the road: it was Vortex and Misato.
"Ritsuko, jump in, Sub Commander, Ultra Magnus will be here shortly to collect you" indeed as Misato finished talking, said Transformer arrived and opened his door
"Jump in Kouzou, we need to be going" Magnus said
"Right" before left however, Fuyutski gave Ritsuko another kiss, deliberately in front of everyone for a single reason; he wasn't afraid
"I'll see you in a few hours, I love you" he said as he jumped into Magnus's cap and was driven off.
"Me too" Ritsuko whispered as she climbed aboard Highbrow and was whisked into the air
"Well, you do have diverse tastes in men" Misato prodded
"He's a good man, that's all that matters" Ritsuko snapped
"I didn't say diverse taste was a bad thing, and in a way you two look good together" Misato was glad for her friend; and for the sub commander too: she also considered him a good and honourable man
*********************
The Angel was a helix ring, but it had no eyes or other appendages outside of its shape and the computers in Nerv ran blank on the substance analysis. The ADA computers had a bit more luck and found that this Angel was composed entirely of matter, held in place with a thin field of antimatter around it that was constantly adjusting itself to stop the Angel from blowing up. Aside from that; no other data.
"Okay, listen up everyone; given the current change of tactics in the Angels from physical assaults to mental and psychic, I'd advise against getting too close" Optimus Prime said over the comm nets
"Okay; any idea how we can kill it?" Shinji asked
"No, I'd say do disrupt its matter/antimatter balance but I'm not sure how big an explosion that would create" Soundwave put in his advice
"Okay bit-" Shinji was cut off by Rei
"It senses me" she whispered
With the speed of a whip, the Angel changed shape and as quick as greased lightning, went for Rei, and despite Shinji's vision and her forewarning she was still unprepared for its attack and it buried one end of itself inside Rei's abdomen. Instantly pain was felt all over Rei's body as the Angel attempted to merge with her. Shinji drew his sword and made a strike. It was deflected by the AT Field.
"Shit!" Shinji exclaimed
"Try this sucker" Superion threw Shinji a Pulse Gun
Shinji stuck the barrel of the gun point blank to the field and fired: this succeeded in only knocking him over and dazing him. While this was going on outside the Eva, inside it, or rather in Rei's mind; she was being interrogated by this Angel. It had taken the form of the one person who held a true hatred of Rei: Naoko Akagi.
"So, the commander's doll, we meet again" Naoko spat
"What do you want?" Rei hissed vehemently
"Funny, last time we met you weren't even capable of a childlike groan, now you have a grasp on what appears to be a full range of feelings, both spiritual" she paused and sniffed the air
"And physical ones as well, we have been a busy little girl haven't we?" the figure taunted
"I'll ask you again, what do you want?" Rei repeated her request
"To break you, why else would I, the one who hates you, be here" Naoko replied
"Then good luck, bitch" Rei bit out with one of the few swear words she'd learnt: the Dinobots were like a group of sailors with their language and Rei had learnt one or two of the more colourful words and phrases of her language
"You've even leant to swear: I am impressed" the scientist replied
Rei said no more as the woman continued to size her up, ask her personal questions and prod her with accusations and disgusting ideas. Rei grit her teeth and ignored the pain in her body from the Angel's invasion. Soon it became too much and she fell to her knees. Naoko laughed manically and was convinced she had won
"See, they do not love you, no one does. Otherwise they'd have saved you by now" she mocked the girl
"I do, have friends, and right now, they are saving me as best they know how" Rei smiled and made Naoko look outside
Jurrasitor and Shinji were bashing at the field and trying break it but its strength was beyond that even of Dark Eva's AT Field alone and with Asuka still in her depressed state she was no good as a pilot and this couldn't help them. Rei lowered her AT Field as best she could to lessen the strength needed to get through and help her. She was sure she'd be okay when she came to and heard the Eva initiate its self destruct sequence at a 20 second countdown.
"WHAT, WHO DID THAT?" Fuyutski bellowed across the command deck; then on every monitor the face of Gendo Ikari appeared
"I did; I always anticipate interference in my affairs. I set the Eva to self destruct 20 minutes into combat with the 16th Angel. No one will get in my way, not you, not the Transformers not Seele and not even God himself" the recording stopped
The every single console in Nerv went into lock down and no one could do anything about Eva 0. Ultra Magnus got on to the Stronghold and asked them to open a secure link to Eva 0 and get Code-Line to break the security seal on the Eva's destruct sequence.
******************
Shinji did the only think he could; he opened a telepathic link to Rei and tried to speak to her, although it was tough getting through to her he did and managed to speak to her; see her even.
"Rei' what's going?" he asked, terrified
"Shinji, I'm not sure but I think I'm going to die" Rei answered, a little shaky
"No, you won't die, Dark Prime and I won't let you die, and neither will the Dinobots. I swear it" Shinji was getting hysterical
"Shinji, in the short weeks we've been together, I've felt things I never thought I'd feel in a lifetime; if I die now it will be happy" Rei tried to reassure him
"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DIE?" Shinji screamed, tears in his eyes
"I don't know, but please remember that I love you, and keep me in here" Rei placed her hand his heart: Shinji grasped it and squeezed
"I love you" he sobbed and hugged her
"I know" Rei spoke her final ways before she seemed to turn to sand in Shinji's arms.
Rei felt only the comforting contact between her and her lover before there was a flash and then nothingness and in her final seconds she saw a vision: she and Shinji were in a field with children, their children. Shinji sent her this memory he of his time in Dark Eva to her as a final reminder of what they will have together, in this life or the next. Outside the entry plug however there was a massive explosion and Shinji's pained screams
*********************
"Dear god in heaven" Aoba muttered and crossed himself
"SIR, the Angel is still alive!" Maya screamed
"What, impossible" Magnus was stunned
"Not for long it isn't" a deathly calm voice went across the airwaves
Shinji was feeling a rage he'd never felt before, it was powerful, dark and frightening. He knew then what he had to do and he embraced the idea. With eyes like blue flame he held one hand out and spoke to the Angel.
"I know you can hear me, beast from space. You took from me that which I love, for this you will pay dearly" Shinji then concentrated as hard
He entered the Angel's head and began to engage in a similar assault as the one perpetrated on Asuka but with a cruel difference: whatever he subjected this creature to it would appear on the body, this way the pain would not only be mental but physical. Shinji did not realise it but so great was his power that every human on earth was seeing him: he projected his thoughts given manifestation into the minds of others. They saw a hand reaching out and squeezing a mind, the Angel's mind
"AAGGHHHG" the Angel squealed in agony, a sickening sound like that of a stuck pig
"FEEL THAT; IT IS BUT A TASTE OF WHAT IS TO COME!" Shinji screamed: his eyes now did glow like the fire they had in them
What happened next is recounted as the most horrible sight since the Second Impact: the Angel seemed to curl up as if it were being crushed by a hand, it bled and split open and was compacted until there was little more than a lump the size of a pebble floating in the air. A second explosion ripped the air, but it was smaller than the last one.
********************
In the general area of the Stronghold, the command level Transformers and Nerv staff met, including Fuyutski who was seeing the place for the first time. He only wished it was under better and happier circumstances. Shinji was nowhere to be seen at the moment but they figured after his little outburst it was better that he was on his own to calm down. Asuka had been coaxed out of her room to the gathering. The other guests of honour were Toji, Kensuke and Hikari's fathers
"Everyone, first I must ask a moment of silence for our comrade, Rei Ayanami" Optimus Prime said; everyone bowed their head and even Maximus was silent for a whole minute.
"Now, I do have something that resembles good news; Hot Rod" Optimus handed over
"Toji, I believe you know this young girl" Hot Rod said and stepped aside; Mari Suzaharra came running out towards her father and brother
"Mari?" Toji was stunned beyond words as his sister leapt into her father's arms and pulled them both into a hug
"Yep, it's me" she said
While everyone gushed over Mari, another figure silently walked out from behind Skywarp and over towards Asuka who was still away from the rest of the group. Asuka didn't hear anything till the young man put a hand on her shoulder and said something.
"I told you I'd never leave didn't I?" a familiar sounding voice said
"What?" Asuka gasped and spun around
Before her was a youth her age with dark tan skin, a red vest over a silver shirt and a pair of silver pants and blue sneakers; but his most striking feature were his eyes, a soft red colour that held a spirit Asuka had seen before, and it hit her like a freight train; by now everyone was looking and most had figured it out
"Starscream?" Asuka asked