Tales of Eva CH6
A Link
The morning dawned on all. One person was up before the sun, cooking in the small, primitive second floor kitchen. Everyone floated into the dining area from the smell emanating from the kitchen. Lloyd and Genis drooled at the fragrance as Shinji walked in carrying a large pot.
"Oh, you're all awake. Good, at least I don't have to call you all for breakfast." Shinji smiled.
"What's on the menu today? That smells awesome!" Genis praised.
"Hmph." Asuka pouted, "Miso stew again, Shinj-idiot?"
Shinji spooned out the stew into some bowls. "Sorry. I didn't know what else to cook this morning."
"THAT'S MISO STEW?" Lloyd, Genis, Collette, Raine, and Sheena exclaimed at the same time.
"What? Sorry. It's not that good is it?"
Lloyd almost dropped to the floor after he tasted it. "Not that good? This is incredible!"
"There is no way I could match this stew." Regal took another spoonful.
Shinji noticed that Rei wasn't eating. "Ayanami? Something wrong?"
"You are aware of my food preferences. Therefore I...."
"Can most definitely finish that stew. Don't worry, Rei. I didn't forget you're a vegetarian. I wasn't sure of anyone else's preferences either, so I just made it a vegetarian stew."
"THIS IS A VEGGIE MISO STEW??!!" The five from before cried again.
Sheena slurped, "Compared to this, we've been eating dust our entire journey."
Raine gulped down her bowl, "The Wonder Chef would bow to this stuff. Is there enough for seconds?"
"I made enough for thirds just in case."
"That does it." Lloyd stood up and walked over to Shinji, holding a large spoon. "From now on, you're in charge of cooking while we're on this trip together."
Shinji took the spoon and everyone applauded other than Rei, Presea, and Asuka. Shinji turned beet red. They all finished their meals.
They checked out of the hotel (and saved the game, lol), and went to the town limits. Here, Lloyd stopped.
"Hey, what's going on, Lloyd?" Genis inquired.
"We'll be traveling on foot, so that means we'll be doing some fighting. Before we get started, I'd like to switch around the battle assignments."
"About time. I'm just itching for some action." Sheena grinned.
"That's the herbal salve I put on your ankles, Sheena. Try not to scratch it. And no, you're feet are too tender to go into battle." Raine said.
"But..."
"I told you. I'm putting you on fighting leave for three days, not an hour sooner. Clear?"
"Crystal." Sheena mumbled.
"Well, Sheena's out." Lloyd thought out loud, "I'll stay in as usual, and I want Presea in as well. As for our magic users, Genis and Raine. Normally I'd put Zelos in instead of Genis for a quick healing as well as physical and elemental attacks, but with our new cook, we won't have to worry about that. Is everyone okay with this?" Everyone but Sheena acknowledged in the positive. "Then let's head out."
Out in the field, the group exited the Ozette region. They looped around the mountain that hides it from view most of the time, and trudged through the forest on the other side. The bad thing about forests is you can't see bad guys when they sneak up on you, which happened once they entered their third dense patch of trees. BATTLE SCREEN!
A Mantis, a Tropical Worm, and a Boxer Iris stood in front of them. Presea began the battle. "50% output should be sufficient." She charged the monstrous group.
Lloyd was the first to get a hit though, as he began with his signature starting ability. He jumped high into the air and dove towards the Tropical Worm. "Rising Falcon!" He slashed the Worm on impact and also slid into and through the Mantis as well.
Raine began to charge as a white ring encircled her. Genis was the first to attack though, as he finished charging his purple ring. "Wanna charge? Thunderblade!" A giant purple and blue sword crashed through the Mantis and its shockwave spread out around it and the Worm. The shockwave receded and touched the blade of the sword, where a secondary electrical shock hit both of the monsters three times.
Presea swung her axe high above her head in preparation for attacking the Iris. "Deva..." The fighting plant gave her two jabs to the ribs. "Aah!" Her attack didn't complete. Instead, she swung it horizontally left, then right, cutting at least 750 HP from the target. Before it could reciprocate, she blocked with her axe. "No!" She cried as it did two more right jabs and a left hook.
Lloyd turned around and attacked the Tropical Worm from behind. "Fierce Demon Fang!" He slammed both of his swords into the ground, creating a small shockwave that pulled out five hits from the target. The Mantis crawled up next to him and put its mandibles around his waist. "Aagh, aagh, aagh!" A three hit combo and it released him, he backed away. "Pretty good."
Raine finished charging. "Ready? Ray!" A blinding white light appeared above the Mantis. It began to rain down strikes of light all over the field. One glanced the Worm, and the Iris took a direct hit. The Mantis was forced down when it got hit vertically by the last Ray strike.
Lloyd took this opportunity to exact his revenge on the Mantis. He switched it to his target and began his assault. He jabbed the Mantis at blinding speed. "Sonic Sword Rain!" Then he pulled up close to the still staggering Mantis and lifted his blade up and down twice. "Twin Tiger Blade." The last hit forced the Mantis to collapse on the ground. It was slow getting up.
Genis began to charge up an ice attack, but the Tropical Worm curled into a ball and rolled into him, canceling the charge. "Don't bother me!" He tried to back away and started again, but once again, the Worm stopped him.
Lloyd noticed and switched targets back to the Worm. Raine charged up another attack. Presea swung towards the Iris again. "Destruction." The blade landed squarely in the ground, shooting rocks up, and creating another combo hit against the fighting plant. Before she could continue her assault, the Boxer swung left and right six times as it smiled. It finished with an uppercut that sent the girl flying. She flipped over in midair and returned to battle, ignoring her injuries. She made another overhead swing. "Finality Punishment!" When the swing made contact, she spun the blade a full 360 degrees, forcing the Iris into a dizzy spell. She closed in and swung two more times melee style, then slammed her axe into the ground again. "Eternal Damnation!" Rocks flew up, then she swung upwards in an arc twice, and brought the hammer down on the enemy once more. The Boxer Iris exploded into a black puff. "Die!" Presea turned her attention towards the assaulting Worm like Lloyd.
Raine finished charging her attack. "Light! Photon!" The orange light enveloped the Mantis as it took the initial hit. The Photon exploded for the final hit. Unfortunately, the damage was reduced as the Mantis just began to get up. Raine started to power up again as the Mantis slowly crawled towards her.
Presea and Lloyd began melee attacking the Worm from behind, breaking its guard. Genis became encircled in orange-red as he charged up another attack. "Reduce these evil souls to ashes."
Lloyd and Presea continued to hack at the Tropical Worm, and soon it was no more. They turned their sights towards the Mantis. But before they started moving, Raine finished her spell. "Help is on the way. Healing Circle!" A blue and green circle spread out under Lloyd and Presea's feet. They recovered HP each second they stood there. After they were fully healed, they charged the Mantis side by side.
The Mantis came within striking distance of Raine as Genis finished his spell. "Explosion!" A meteor came down upon the Mantis and it expanded into red fire as the bug raised its claws to land on Raine. The damage destroyed it before it could ever touch the woman.
"I'll protect you, Sis." Genis said.
"I'm counting on you." Raine countered in a sweetly innocent voice.
"Heh heh heh heh."
They obtained Rosemary, Grapes, and an Orange Gel from the battle, and Shinji made a quick sandwich for everyone.
They all exited the forest into open field. It's much easier to see monsters in the open field than in the forests. They ignored the monsters that just walked around patrolling their territory or just seemed curious and watched them. The crater was just ahead, in a semi-arid region. Before they were able to reach the crater, a black blob with grey eyes jumped up and down, then charged the group. (Note: There are only two types of monsters in the Field Area, grey eyed "Blobbos" and green eyed "Stompers." These are just small representations for different groups of creatures.) BATTLE SCREEN!
It was a marauder band. A Sorceress, two Archers, and a Thief faced off against the heroes. Genis opened up the battle. "Let's get this over with."
Lloyd started out once again. "Rising Falcon!" He swept through the Thief, but just short of the first Archer. Presea took aim at the second Archer, but flinched when his arrow shot her. The Sorceress charged a purple spell, while Raine did so (all her spells are white). Genis charged a blue spell.
As Lloyd took to the first Archer, and Presea the second, the Thief just waited. It became a battle of spells. Genis finished his spell first. "Get 'em! Aqua Edge!" Four small disks of water shot out from under him and clipped the heels of the Thief and the first Archer.
The Sorceress was next to attack. "Die! Like that?!"
A lightning bolt began to target Raine, but she pulled out of her spell fast enough to call forth to raise her defenses. "Force Field!" A green and yellow sphere surrounded her, dampening the damage. She resumed her charge.
The Thief decided to go on the attack as Presea removed the Archer's life. She went to attack the Sorceress. As Lloyd continued to slash the other Archer, the Thief attacked from behind with a dagger thrust to his back. "You ain't goin nowhere. Thanks."
Being unable to block the attacks, Lloyd did the only thing he could think of. "Psi Tempest!" He twisted in the air, slashing the Archer on the head five times as he spun forward. The Archer fell to the ground, never to get up again.
Raine finished charging her ability. "Light! Photon!" The Thief was taken by the light. The second explosion dealt enough damage to end his life.
Presea took the final swing against the Sorceress and ended the fight. She dusted herself off. "It looks like it is over."
They gained a Magical Cloth, and an Apple for their troubles.
Back in the field, they walked straight towards the crater. The monsters seemed to stop appearing. Z-Skit: Missing Monsters.
Lloyd looked amazed: Strange. The monsters have disappeared.
Raine: I'm not surprised. The impact most likely scared them off.
Genis with his complaining half eyed look: But these are monsters we're talking about. If those ugly little beetles aren't afraid of us, why would they be afraid of a crater?
Lloyd's normal face: He's right Professor. I don't think these creatures would leave just because of a hole in the ground.
Raine: Perhaps you're right. I am sensing an odd quantity of Mana in this area. We should be careful.
They took a few more steps, and reached the edge of the crater.
-Terminal M-
A: Enter
B: Leave
A: Enter.
The group reached the very edge of the crater. Lloyd whistled. "Wow, this thing is huge!"
Sheena stared. "What could cause so much damage?"
Rei spoke, "An N2 mine."
Shinji turned towards her, "Ayanami?"
"An N2 mine or an Angel exploding. The crater lakes in Tokyo-3 are this large."
"Just how many lakes are you talking about?" Genis asked.
"Two for the Third, two for the Seventh, one for the Tenth. A total of five lakes."
"Such power amassed and released in one area. Your home must be a very dangerous place." Regal spoke.
Shinji responded, "It is, and yet people still continue to live there."
Collette launched into the sky. "Hey, I think there's a way down over there." She smiled as she pointed to a moderately slanted part of the crater not too far off. She landed and pulled her wings back in. "Let's go!"
Raine spoke up as she examined the path. "The dirt isn't packed. The footing is extremely poor. If we made it down in one piece, we wouldn't be able to come back up."
"Just leave that to me." Sheena pulled out a spell tag. "I call upon the servant of mother Earth. I summon thee. Come, Gnome."
The giant mole with a pick axe and a bow on his head appeared before them. "Oh hey Sheena. Hey, tough luck about the feet. Hope you HEEL quick, ha ha. Get it? Heel?"
"Ugh. Thanks. I think. Look, do you think you could pack this dirt and make us some steps to get down into the center?"
"Hey, it's not dirt okay? It's sediment."
"Fine, fine, whatever. Can you do it?"
"Ya sure, piece of cake. Speaking of cake, you don't happen to have some on you would you? I'm starved."
"Summon Spirits don't eat, Gnome."
"They don't? Oh, well now someone tells me. Anyway, here I go." The Summon Spirit disappeared in a flash of brown light, and the dirt, sorry, sediment shifted and became more solid. It turned into blocks. At the end, Gnome left a simple message on the first step. "Ta-da."
Shinji was in awe. "Summon Spirits come in handy."
Sheena smiled at him. "You should see them in battle." They all began to walk down the newly formed stairway towards the center of the crater.
Zelos was slack jawed, "Okay. There is no way this thing could have survived the explosion."
They stood in front of a giant hexagonical structure with a very large door.
Raine began to go into ruin mode. "Incredible! There isn't a single scratch or blemish anywhere! Feel the smooth surface."
Asuka rubbed her fingers against the building. "This is stainless steel!"
Presea spoke, "It is illogical that something this large would go undiscovered for so long."
"Maybe it was buried and the explosion uncovered it." Lloyd looked back towards her.
"That theory is sound." Rei spoke monotonically.
Raine grinned from ear to ear, "I wonder what kinds of artifacts we'll find inside."
Lloyd walked up to the door. "I can't seem to find a lock. How do we open it? Push this little square?" He did so and the doors slowly slid open. "Oh, I guess that was how you open it." The others sweatdropped. "Let's go everyone."
It was dark inside. Once everyone was through the door, it shut automatically with a large clang. The lights turned on. The walls were covered in circuits and small hatches. On the far side of the room sat a small ball on a pedestal in front of a sealed door.
"Wow! This place is incredible! It's like a Desian base, but cooler looking." Lloyd grinned. Genis coughed and Raine leaned on her staff. The teenage swordsman took notice. "Professor, Genis? You okay?"
Raine breathed heavily. "Give us a minute."
Genis coughed again. "The air around here is hard for us to breathe. The Mana level is extremely high. We just need to get used to it first."
After a few moments, they stood up straight again. "Okay. I think we're ready." Raine said with conviction.
"Are you sure?" Zelos asked.
"We're fine, we're fine. Let's keep going." Genis waved them on.
"All right then." Lloyd walked towards the next door.
As the others followed him, Asuka whispered to Shinji. "I'm getting a distinct nostalgic feeling. Are you?"
"Nostalgic? What does that mean?" Shinji blinked.
"Idiot." Asuka frowned.
Lloyd looked at the ball in front of him. "Hmm, what is this thing?"
"It appears to be similar to the security system at the Toize Valley Mine. But this one doesn't seem to be malfunctioning. Even so take great..." Lloyd placed his hand on the ball, "care."
Lloyd was blown backwards and the lighting turned red. A female voice echoed in the chamber. "Warning. Intruder Alert. Begin security measure Alpha." The small hatches opened and ten Cybit sentry robots floated out and encircled the party.
"We're surrounded!" Collette looked worried.
"Security measure Alpha complete. Submit Omega Level clearance or security measure Beta will commence."
"Can we take down all of them?" Zelos looked around.
"There's probably more where they came from. It would be useless." Raine spoke, with her rod at the ready.
"Beginning weapons charge. Submit Omega Level clearance or firing will commence."
"We'd better do something or we'll have more holes than Swiss Cheese." Asuka pulled out her blade.
"We will not die." Rei spoke as she walked towards the ball. She placed her hand on it.
"Rei, what are you doing?!" Shinji cried and took a step towards her.
"DNA scan accepted. Subject: Rei Ayanami. Standing down weapons."
"What in the...?" Asuka stared at the girl.
"State passcode for entry."
"Passcode: Omega, Epsilon, Projection, Omega, End Line." Rei announced.
"Passcode accepted."
Rei removed her hand from the ball and the doors swung open.
Raine walked up to her. "Ayanami, explain."
"Upon entering, a mild nostalgia surfaced in me. On Earth, I have Omega level clearance."
"So then, this building...." Lloyd spoke.
"Is most likely from Earth." Rei finished his sentence.
"But how is that even possible?" Genis echoed everyone's thoughts.
"Unknown. We may find the answers further in." The group followed her through the door.
They looked around the even larger room. There was a large rectangular pillar that reached up from the floor with sliced off corners in the center with stairs going up to the top. To the left and right were doors to other rooms, but had no visible way of entering them. "So Rei, do you know what this place is for?" Genis walked next to the girl who shared his hair color.
"No. Though it feels familiar, this location's design is foreign to me."
A blinding white flash permeated the area. Then it disappeared as quickly as it came. "What was that?" Shinji asked as he opened his eyes.
The computer answered his question. "Scan complete. Subject Rei Ayanami accompanied by ten humanoids. All medical problems addressed. Detecting damaged mechanical components." A robotic flatbed cart rolled out in front of them. "Place items that need repair on the receptacle."
"Damaged mechanical components?" Sheena looked lost.
Raine understood, "It must mean the Reihard. Zelos, drop the Reihard on the table."
"Do you really think that an Earth piece of technology can fix Tethe'-allan technology?" He said.
"We can at least try. We're at a disadvantage as it is right now." Raine said matter of factly.
"Fine." The Reihard hopped out of his Wing Pack.
"One unit slated for reparation. Unknown technology. Requires a working model. Awaiting model. Awaiting other three damaged units."
"'Other three damaged units?' Man, why can't this thing talk normally?" Lloyd moaned.
"They must mean the entry plugs. They were pretty dinged up." Asuka said.
"That's true. Zelos, just drop the whole pack on that thing." Shinji said.
Zelos did so, and the automated robot wheeled over to the right hand door, and entered. "Reparation will commence. You will be informed upon task completion. The recreation room is now open." The door on the left slid open. "Permission granted to use the facilities of this base."
Regal smiled, "It appears this building likes us." They walked into the recreation center.
Raine turned towards him, "Or it could be a trap."
The rec room was nothing really special. Just a few tables and chairs, a computer terminal, and a small kitchen. There was also a small bedroom with three beds in a secondary chamber.
Raine's jaw dropped as she saw the computer terminal in the wall. "This...this...is amazing! This predates the holographic imaging technology of the Desians."
Asuka shrugged, "What are you getting so excited about? It's just a computer. Everyone on Earth has one."
"Com...pew...ter? What does it do?" Lloyd tapped his hand on his leg.
"This particular one connects to a network of computers in a moderated mainframe managed by the MAGI supercomputers that store vast amount of information." Rei sat down at the terminal.
"I don't know what you just said, but you can get it to work, right?"
"Yes." She turned on the computer and it booted up. "Pilot Ikari. Pilot Soryu. I believe you would wish to see this."
Shinji and Asuka looked over her shoulders as the others crowded around them. The screen read, VIDEO DIARY: AKAGI RITSUKO, LATEST ENTRY. Ayanami pressed the play button.
"This is it. We have one hour left before we destroy the Twelfth Angel. I really wish we could have saved Shinji, but Gendo's orders were absolute. If the Twelfth doesn't die, the world is doomed. If Unit 01 is destroyed, the world is doomed. If the pilot is dead...well, we'll find a replacement and the world will survive.
"Even so, without Shinji's piloting skills, I'm skeptical about the outcome of this war. I've pushed up the schedule to give us the slightest chance of pulling him out alive, but it's highly unlikely. I've convinced Ikari to speed up the acquisition of Unit 03. I have already received a report from the Marduke Institute on the next pilot. If we use the right incentive, he'll pilot, but his relationship with Shinji worries me. He's seen what it's like in Eva, so he'll be very hard to convince, but he WILL join us.
"Time is running short. I must return to my post. Misato, please forgive me for not being able to save Shinji."
"Shinji, was it that grim of a situation?" Regal stood next to him.
"Unfortunately, yes. I almost died there. For a while, I thought I did."
"I'm sorry you've had to endure so much pain." Collette whispered.
Asuka ignored the conversation. "But how is this possible? Wondergirl, where are all these entries stored in memory?"
Rei looked up towards her. "The MAGI. Each individual file is saved in two of the three MAGI for a backup if one fails."
Asuka didn't hear a word she said after "The MAGI." She dashed out of the rec room and into the main chamber. She climbed the steps up to the top of the tall pillar. She placed her hands on the large flat surface and felt the engravings on the top and gasped. She flew down the steps faster than ever before. She ran into the room yelling "Shinji! Wondergirl!" She was out of breath when she reached them.
"Asuka? What's wrong?" Shinji looked concerned.
"It...it's...Melchoir. The computer is the MAGI Melchoir!"
"What?! That isn't possible, is it? The MAGI were no where near the battlefield."
"How certain are you that it is a MAGI computer?" Rei asked, not taking her eyes off of the screen as she worked.
"On the very top of the podium are the engraved letters of its title, exactly like what the computers look like in Central Dogma."
"Show me." Rei stood up and walked to the door. Asuka took the lead in the small hallway as the rest of the group filed in behind.
A spindly looking robot blocked the door to the central chamber. "Apologies. Organics may not pass."
"What is the meaning of this?" Rei answered sharply, "We wish to see proof of the identity of the computer system. Override protocol Angelus and let us through."
"Override overridden. Organics may not pass until construction is complete."
"You let me through a moment ago." Asuka placed her hands on her hips.
"Construction had not commenced. Work conducted is dangerous to organics, therefore organics cannot pass. If the organics mission necessitates proof of Melchior, search the memory of Melchoir."
"Geez, does everything around here talk weird?" Lloyd tapped his hand on his leg.
"I believe it means that we should check the memory banks with the computer in the rec room for proof." Raine turned to him.
"Affirmative."
"When will construction be complete?" Rei got to the point.
"Estimated time: twelve hours. Recommend use of sleeping quarters until then." The party turned around, despondent.
Shinji cooked a fabulous dinner, and everyone went to their own separate functions afterwards. Rei returned to the computer to do some more investigating. Zelos walked up to her with a chair and sat on it.
Zelos watched the computer screen flash by words that made no sense. He shook his head free of them and turned towards admiring Rei. The girl spoke without diverting her attention. "You are bothering me."
"I didn't say a word."
"Your presence is disturbing. Do you have something to speak with me of?"
"I'm just wondering if you can actually read all that Cockatrice scratch." He pointed his thumb towards the screen.
"I can. I am versed in the basic codes of the MAGI language. My purpose requires me to."
"And just what is your purpose?"
"Nothing you should concern yourself with. If this conversation is over, please leave me to my work."
"Fine, suit yourself. I just thought you could use some company." He got up and took his chair, but before he left completely, he turned around. "It's sad to see you like this Rei. No woman, especially one as beautiful as you, should ever have to be like the empty shell you seem to be."
He left and Rei missed a keystroke. It was quickly corrected and she continued on working.
The group retired to their beds. In some cases, the floor, due to the bedchamber being too small. Rei still continued to type through the night. Asuka stood up with a glazed look in her eyes. She went to the bathroom. Still glazed over, she took her blankets and plopped them next to Shinji's. She laid down on them, and went to sleep again.
From the noise, Shinji slowly opened his eyes to see the redhead sleeping inches from his face. He gasped quietly, and sat up, breathing heavily. He saw the computer monitor's glow on Rei's face and decided to go talk to her. A small frown appeared on Asuka's face. Shinji sat next to Rei.
"You should be sleeping." He said.
"As should you."
"Asuka woke me up. She's sleepwalking again."
"I see."
"Making any progress?"
"I believe I have discovered the final entry into the MAGI computer bank before Melchoir arrived here."
"Why has it taken so long to find?"
"For by some unknown reason, Melchoir continued its functions even after separating from the other two MAGI."
"Odd. So what does it say?" Rei hit the enter key.
TIME OF ENTRY: 1906.48 HOURS
WARNING. AT FIELD DETECTED. PATTERN BLUE. DETERMINING LOCATION:
LOCATION DETERMINED: CENTRAL DOGMA.
WARNING. AT FIELD INVERSION DETECTED. SEA OF DIRAC CONFIRMED.
WARNING. DIRAC SEA INSTABILITY DETECTED. INCREASING ENERGY READINGS.
WARNING. CONNECTION LOST WITH BALTHASAR.
WARNING. CONNECTION LOST WITH CASPAR. SWITCHING TO STAND ALONE.
END OF LINE.
"So it saw the Dirac Sea coming." Shinji read on.
"So it seems. Take note of the time stamp."
"1906.48 hours, so?"
"1903 was the exact time the Angel began to crack and fissure. When you escaped."
"So the MAGI got split up the exact same time as we were transported to this world, right?"
"Correct."
"But why did the MAGI go? They were no where near the fight, right?"
"There have been references to a theory that Melchoir came up with recently. I require a bit more time to find it."
"Do you mind if I sit and watch? No one should be alone in times like this."
"Your presence will not hinder my progress."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Shinji watched her type, and the rhythmic typing relaxed him. He laid his head down in his arms and fell asleep.
A few hours later, Shinji slowly awoke to a voice in his ear. "Ikari."
Shinji rubbed his eyes and looked up. "Umm...Ayanami? What is it?"
"I believe I have found the file."
"File?" He yawned. "Oh, that MAGI file you were looking for. You found it? What does it say?"
"The information itself is very complex. I will attempt to translate. The MAGI found a correlation from the Twelfth and a fungus. You are familiar with the biology of fungi's roots correct?"
"If you mean a mushroom cluster's roots spread out in a circle, and at the end can sprout other mushroom clumps, then yes."
"The Twelfth was similar to an intelligent fungus. It controlled its Sea of Dirac and forced it to emerge in different places in its desperation to survive. The orange lines Pilot Soryu and I observed when you were breaking free most likely were those roots. It stretched out towards the MAGI and formed a Dirac Sea there. But upon its death knell, the Angel lost the stability of the Dirac Sea and it sent us and Melchoir here."
"Wait. If all three MAGI were in the midst of the Dirac Sea, then where are the other two?"
"Unknown. As I said before, this is only Melchoir's theory. There is no way to test such a theory. They could be here somewhere, or they could have been destroyed in the unstable Dirac Sea."
"Hmm. Okay, that's a problem. But let's not worry about that right now. What time is it?"
"Approximately 0530 hours."
"Good, then I should make some breakfast. Feel like helping, Ayanami?"
"No. There is still work that must be completed. I must decline."
Rei returned to her work as Shinji left for the kitchen.
Asuka awoke to the smell of a heavenly breakfast: Pancakes and bacon. All the others drooled in their sleep as Shinji continued to make the fluffy concoctions. 'I really love that idiot's cooking, especially when he makes pancakes. Not like I'd tell him that.'
Shinji slid a plate under her nose. "Good morning, Asuka. Sleep well?"
"Ya, sure did. I won't bother asking how well you slept."
"What does that mean?"
"So how long did you and Rei make out for in the middle of the night?!"
"Wh..what?! How can you say such things?!" Shinji blurted out as he turned red.
"Of course I'm sure it was rather easy for you, she being a lifeless shell and all." She smiled as she stuffed some bacon into her mouth. The redhead pointed with her fork. "And your pancakes are burning."
Shinji squeaked, "Aah!" as he attempted to save his batch of pancakes.
Asuka sighed. "I take it back. You wouldn't have the spine to try something with that living doll."
"I am not a doll."
Asuka realized who was sitting next to her and jumped. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough." Rei said as she took a plate of pancakes handed to her. "I am not a doll, and as long as we are on this mission together, I would request that you not designate me as such."
"Like that'll happen. I don't take orders from dolls."
"It was not an order, but a request."
"Hmmph."
Rei heard a faint dripping from behind her, and turned around to see Zelos. For the first time, he didn't need to be roused, and he was drooling onto the floor from the smell of breakfast. Asuka turned her head as well and laughed. "Oh yeah, sure Zelos, that'll make the girls want you. Wipe your face off and start eating."
Zelos snapped out of his stupor and walked to another chair. "Another Earthen piece of perfection today, Shinji?"
"I wouldn't call it perfection. They are kind of lopsided today. These pans aren't exactly the most even in the world." He slid a plate in front of the young man.
"What is this stuff?"
"That's called Pancakes and Bacon. It's a specialty on the western part of our world. Try it with that brown syrup and some butter."
Zelos took one bite of the meal and stood up. He walked around the counter and enveloped Shinji in a hug from behind. "You. Are. My. Hero! If I didn't already have one at home, I'd hire you as a chef. What's your secret? Huh? Come on, you can tell me."
Shinji shook free of his embrace and continued cooking. "Nothing special. I just make the food like I would normally. I don't know why you think it tastes so good."
"I believe I may have an answer to that." Raine said as the rest of the group approached. "Shinji, may I observe while you cook?"
"Um, sure." He continued to fry and flip the pancakes. After everyone had received a plateful, Raine and Shinji sat down. Compliments to the chef came from all directions. "Um, so why does my food taste so good Professor?"
"Mana."
"Huh?"
"Every being exists because of the Mana within them. When we eat, we gain the Mana that the being before it had. And when we cook the food, some of our own Mana gets placed into it. This amount is proportional to the amount of Mana inside the cook's body and their skill at cooking. Though Genis and I have high Mana reserves, Genis is the better cook, and therefore gives more Mana to everyone. Shinji, your Mana reserves are extremely high, and with your skill as well, you provide a substantial amount of Mana to all of us. That is why your dishes are so delectable."
"So the Wonder Chef's Mana reserves are also very high?" Collette looked up from her plate.
"Most likely, yes."
"That's actually really interesting." Lloyd said. "I always thought it was talent alone that did it. Shinji, you rock. Do you have a recipe for this too?"
"I think so. Here it is."
"Obtained the recipe for Pancakes."
Breakfast was completed, and the dishes were finished. Rei completed her work on the computer and logged out. A few moments later, the spindly robot entered.
"Announcement. Construction complete. Central hall is now open to organics. Announcement. Repairs to mechanical equipment complete. Awaiting pickup in Central hall. Announcement. Thank you for your patience. Melchoir hopes organics enjoyed their stay. Announcement. Central hall performance shall begin shortly. Organics presence requested."
"Well it's about time we were allowed to leave. This place is getting old." Sheena said.
"So we came here for nothing?" Genis complained.
"Not necessarily. We have gotten the Reihard repaired." Presea walked up next to him.
"What is this 'performance' you reference to?" Raine stared at the robot.
"Farewell festivities and thanks for utilizing these facilities."
"I see. Shall we go?" Raine asked the others.
"My interest is peaked." Lloyd smiled.
"Your interest is always peaked until you get bored with it." Genis looked back at him.
"I too am interested. This is not in the MAGI's original programming." Rei spoke up.
"Then we must hurry if we wish to attend." Regal passed the robot as it slid aside.
The others followed behind him, with Rei, Shinji, and Asuka at the back of the group. Asuka whispered. "If this isn't a part of a MAGI program, then what is it?"
"Unknown." Rei whispered back.
"Do you think it could be...." As the main group entered the Central hall, three glass containers slid down from the hallway ceiling onto the pilots. Shinji completed his sentence. "A trap!"
Zelos felt the hotness level of the party drop drastically and turned around. Upon seeing the three pilots' plight, he drew his blade. "Everyone, draw your weapons!" As the others turned to see what was going on, a brown circle of light surrounded the redhead. "Hang on guys. We'll get you out. Stone Blast!" A few rocks erupted from the floor and bounced off of the glass. The bottom dropped out from Rei's feet and she dropped from sight.
Lloyd drew his swords and charged Asuka's capsule. "Get back!" He did an up, down, up, down slash. "Twin Tiger Blade!" The only result was a small scratch in the glass. Asuka disappeared from view.
Collette unfurled her wings and pulled out her Chakran. She was instantly next to Shinji's capsule. "This just has to work!" She spun three Chakran in midair, attempting to slice through the glass. "Triple Ray Satellite!" The cuts were enough to knock the top off of the glass, and Shinji jumped out just before he was sucked under as well.
"Asuka! Rei!" He climbed to his feet.
"SHINJI!" Asuka's voice came from the Central hall. Everyone dashed into the vast room. At the bottom of the staircase going up to the top of the computer pillar was a capsule, containing Asuka. "Get me out of this thing, idiot!"
On the top of the pedestal hovered the three regular Reihards, attached by cables to the three entry plugs, which were anchored to the platform. In between the plugs was Rei, standing, but only semi-conscious. Lloyd cried out, "What's going on here?!"
The computer's voice boomed, almost evilly. "NERV's purpose: To identify and eliminate all Angels to prevent the destruction of the world. Angelic properties detected in subject Rei Ayanami. Elimination must take place."
Shinji ran up to Asuka's prison. "Asuka, are you okay?"
"Just shut up and get me out of here!"
He pulled back and rammed the glass capsule. It didn't budge. "Do it together! On three. Ready?! Three!" Both pilots slammed the capsule in an attempt to make it tip over. Shinji held his shoulder. "This isn't working!" Then the screaming started. "Rei!"
Rei was being electrocuted by the three entry plugs, supplied with power by the three Reihards. Her cries of pain were overshadowed by the unfeeling voice of the computer. "Elimination commencing."
"Shinji, stand back! Asuka, get down!" Regal cried and they both obeyed. The burly man charged the capsule. He swiped his legs at it three times and made an upward kick as he jumped. "Crescent Dark Moon!" In the air, he struck straight down at the pod. "Eagle Fall!" He hopped backwards. "Presea!"
The pink haired girl swiped upwards twice at the spot Regal hit. "Resolute Infliction!" A small crack appeared on the glass. "Now Zelos!"
Zelos formed a red ring around him. "Fire Ball!" Three balls of flame landed in the same spot as the crack. "Genis!"
A light blue ring formed around the half-elven boy. "Icicle!" A chunk of ice erupted from the floor. The crack spread wide from the change in temperature. "Lloyd, now it's up to you!"
Lloyd jumped high into the air. "Rising Falcon!" On impact, the crack spread around the entire circumference of the capsule and it shattered. The top piece fell away, freeing the redhead girl from her prison.
Asuka jumped out, with revenge in her eyes. Rei's screams drove Shinji and Asuka up the staircase with the rest following close behind. Halfway up, the fourth Reihard floated into their path. The spindly robot rode it and wrapped itself around it. "Do not interfere."
"Release Ayanami, now!" Shinji yelled.
"Negative. Elimination must commence. Non-compliant organics will be destroyed."
"You'll pay! No one traps Asuka Langley Soryu!" The enraged girl drew her dagger.
"Those who attempt to stop Melchoir will be destroyed by Melchoir. Begin elimination sequence."
(Organize your party to include Shinji and Asuka.)
1. Shinji
2. Asuka
3. Raine
4. Genis
"START!" Shinji charged. BATTLE SCREEN!
"Organics will fall to mechanical superiority."
"I don't think so!" Asuka growled.
"You forget that machines have one glaring flaw, Melchoir." Shinji snarled.
"And that is?"
"THEY WERE MADE BY HUMANS!"
The battle was on. "Bring him down to his knees!" Asuka yelled. Raine dug into her pocket and found an item.
She raised it to the sky. "There!" She used the Magic Lens on the Reihard/robot combination.
Melchoir
50000/50000 HP
1000/1000 TP
S: Wind, Light, Darkness
AA: Lightning
Asuka was first to reach the floating robot. She sliced its underbelly with an icy cut and flipped the dagger over in her hand and jumped, attempting to plunge it into the robot's head. An electric beam fired from the front of the Reihard at point blank range before that could happen, and she spiraled to the ground, landing with a hard thud. She blinked red as she slowly got up.
Shinji headed towards the opponent and ducked below the attack, watching Asuka fall to the ground behind him. He rose high into the air and slapped his Lightning cards onto the wings of the Reihard. As they shocked it, he dropped and attacked from below with two more strikes. The Reihard's engine flipped over and blew him backwards, damaging him, but still keeping him on his feet. He kept up his relentless charge.
Genis surrounded himself in a powder-blue ring as he bounced his Kendama. "Cool off. Ice Tornado!" The hovering craft became surrounded by a white vortex. Chunks of ice hit it at varying speeds, doing 5 combo hits of damage.
Raine charged up her spell. "I'll help. Field Barrier!" A magical wave spread out from her and enveloped the members of the team. Their defense stats were raised.
Asuka got up and raised her blade to her face. A red ring appeared around her. "Enough of this crap! Flaming Drive!" Asuka slammed her blade into the ground and a pillar of fire erupted and slid towards the enemy. It did its work, doing three combo hits, but it didn't flinch.
Shinji shot at its underbelly again, but jumped away as it dipped low to blow him away again. "Seal Barrage!" He sent 5 cards flying at the enemy, and it did a 10 hit combo from the electric discharge. Melchoir reciprocated with another laser blast, and it spun the boy to the ground. It also clipped Genis, making him drop his white charging ring.
Raine closed in on finishing another charge. "Root of all creation, grant us the breath of life! Revitalize!" An odd purple scrawl covered the floor, and all of the children returned to full health.
Asuka heard a chime, and she knew what she had to do next. She closed in on the enemy, and forced Melchoir to lower itself. Then she did a 1 HP slash. "Let's get it started, shall we?" The Unison attack began. "Demonic Thrust." She created a three hit shockwave and stabbed the machine for a fourth hit.
"Seal Barrage." Shinji fired his cards at the enemy, making the combo count at 14.
"Indignation!" Genis called and a purple light enveloped Melchoir. Some odd scrawl in purple covered the ground around it as well.
"Ray!" Raine's ball of sparks appeared in the sky. It rained down three direct shots, including the final one straight down. That brought the combo count to 17. Genis' Indignation struck a giant lightning bolt down upon the floating enemy, tossing it aside as it did around 3000 points of damage. Combo count: 18. Raine and Genis glowed. "Get ready!" She said.
"Prism Stars!" Genis called as both raised their magical weapons to the sky. Rainbow colored diamonds blew through Melchoir at high speeds, doing an insane amount of damage. The unison attack ended with a final combo count of 48.
Melchoir lowered to the floor, and Asuka took a low slash to it. Melchoir glowed black as it entered Over Limit mode. It rose up and pulled back to its original position. There, it uncoupled itself from the Reihard and let it drop to the ground. It began to float on its own, and all six of its thin spindly legs curled upwards. As Asuka and Shinji continued to hack and slash and shock it, Genis finished charging up a white ring. "Gravity Well!" A dark half sphere covered the robot and it slowly got damaged, but didn't flinch. After 5 hits, the sphere disappeared.
Melchoir launched the spiny tips of its legs into the air and they rained down on the field, exploding on impact. Raine was knocked to the ground, as well as Shinji. But Genis and Asuka still stayed on their feet. The black cloud disappeared from the evil mechanoid.
Asuka, burning with rage, went at a dead run towards the metallic monster. Melchoir stretched out its legs horizontally and spun into her, doing a very painful 6 hit combo. Asuka became stunned and dizzy. Melchoir pulled back all of its legs behind it and plunged them into Asuka for another 6 hits, where she fell to the floor. "Shin...ji." She cried out in her last breath.
"No! This can't be happening!" The boy cried as he got up, witnessing the whole attack. Raine instantly enveloped herself in a white ring, but Shinji didn't take notice. He drove himself to the edge of insanity as his heart beat in his head. He hovered four cards in the air like the points on a compass. He pressed his hands in the center where the four cards met. A hundred cards flew out of that center and through Melchoir. They surrounded the mechanical monstrosity. Shinji's face was zoomed in upon, his eyes wide and "Gyyyaaaaaahhhh!!!" screaming like a madman. A two pronged red spear came down from the sky and pierced the creature. Shinji fell to the floor, along with his opponent. His Seal of Final Judgment was complete.
Melchoir rose faster than Shinji, but not fast enough to prevent Raine from using her attack. "Bring back this soul from purgatory! Resurrection!" A red and pink ring surrounded Asuka's body and purple wings spread out above her. She got up, recovering a third of her health and TP.
Melchoir was angry that his recent kill was brought back, so he began to head towards the confused girl. Shinji got up and saw Asuka in her plight. He became enveloped in black. "I mustn't run away." Instead he ran towards the relentless monster.
Genis bought Shinji some running time as he pulled out another spell. "Dreaded Wave!" The ground below Melchoir became indented and waves of dirt shook out of it at an amazing speed, doing enough damage to make the robot flinch.
Shinji slapped the robot hard with his cards, and he put two on at the same time. "Shock Seal!"
Two white waves, one horizontal and one vertical emerged from Melchoir. "Test complete. Identity confirmed. Worthiness proven." The evil machine collapsed to the floor. The battle was over.
Shinji said the last words as they gained 2 Brass and 3 Fine Pellets. "You're just like the Angels. You got what you deserved."
The spindly robot fell to the stairs and rolled off the side, crashing to the floor. Shinji and Asuka jumped over the fallen Reihard. Rei's screams turned into whimpers. As the two other children reached the pedestal, her body convulsed and she screeched. A pale blue orb appeared in her necklace and glowed.
The spindly robot staggered up, and looked to the stage above. "Objective complete. Assembly shutdown."
The Reihards were released from the cables and they floated softly to the ground. The electric charge stopped passing through the entry plugs, and Rei was released from her shock treatment. Shinji and Asuka caught her before she fell, and she lost consciousness. The two pilots laid the third on the pedestal, awaiting Raine and her medical abilities. Collette and Zelos were the first to bound up the steps. They both jerked back a step upon seeing Rei.
"Is that what I think it is?" Zelos was wide eyed.
"Its color is different, but it has to be." Collette looked closer at the sleeping Chosen.
Asuka looked at both of them, "What's with you two? Professor Raine will fix her up, right?"
"It isn't that. Shinji, look at her necklace." Collette motioned to him.
The boy noticed the blue sphere embedded in the necklace he made on her chest. He also noticed a small trickle of blood running from the skin around it. "Is...is that...a Cruxius Crystal?"
Raine ran up the steps, her staff at the ready. She gasped when she noticed the jewel, but smiled a short time later. "This should make it easier to treat her now."
Shinji overheard some voices below, and he looked over the side. Lloyd, Regal, and Genis were surrounding the spindly voice of Melchoir. They all had their weapons at the ready. "You little metallic snake! You tried to kill one of my friends!" Lloyd pressed his blade on what he hoped was the robot's neck.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take you apart bolt by bolt." Genis bobbed his Kendama menacingly.
"Answers. Now." Regal towered over the robot.
"Subject Ayanami in danger of spark extinguishing. Electric shock necessary to save. Objective complete. Subject Ayanami saved."
"That's a lousy excuse. Why didn't you tell us?" Lloyd pressed against it harder.
"Internal programming. Identity test necessary for second objective. Deception necessary for identity test. Objective two complete. Subjects Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Soryu confirmed."
"Why? Why all of this? Why did you need to check for Shinji's and Asuka's identities?" Genis snarled.
"Objective three. Final security lock releasing." The entry plugs lowered to the floor next to the Reihards and the back wall slid out, revealing a small inset.
Shinji and Asuka turned to look inside. There were two small white stones on the floor, a smooth glass panel with lights on it at mid level, and at eye level of them were two stone engravings. One had a picture of Unit 01 in berserker mode with its mouth open, and the other had a picture of Unit 02 with its faceplate stretched to its limits revealing its four white eyes. Shinji spoke without looking away. "Asuka those are...."
"Our Evas. Could it be that our Evas are here?"
Shinji and Asuka walked towards it in a trance. Zelos yelled after them. "What do you think you're doing? It's obviously another trap!"
Shinji looked back at him. "And if it isn't? We may never be able to save our home if we don't find our Evas."
Asuka whirled back at the redheaded man. "We have to try."
"But..." Zelos's words stopped in his mouth as they turned back towards the inset and stepped onto the stones.
An image of a left handprint appeared before each of them. They placed their hands on it in synch. It scanned their hands, and the stone tablets slid away with a grinding sound. They each reached into the small chambers and pulled out a small sphere each. They stepped away from the panels and examined their little treasures.
"Objective three complete. Returning to normal computer functions. Melchoir hopes organics enjoyed their stay. It is now safe to turn off your robooooooooooooooot." The machine shut down and the wall returned to its normal place.
Collette carried Rei down the steps as Shinji and Asuka became mystified by their purple and red gems respectively.
As Presea retrieved the Wing Pack from next to the fallen Riehard and returned the Riehards and the Entry Plugs to it, the group met down on the ground floor. Rei began to come to, and she stood, with a little support from Collette. Raine noticed her. "Take it easy, Rei. You've been through a lot, but you should be able to recover fast."
"What transpired?"
Presea returned. "Your capture was a deception to save your life. The Cruxius Crystal will no longer pollute your body in the way it has been. The key crest on your chest now holds its power."
"It looks like that was its goal the entire time." Lloyd said, shrugging.
Shinji and Asuka remained strangely quiet, still mesmerized by their trinkets. Sheena limped over to them. "Hey, you two all right?"
Shinji pulled out first. "Huh? Oh yeah. Just thinking is all."
"What's that you've got in your hands?"
Asuka pulled out. "These? We got them from up on the pedestal. It seems like they were supposed to be for us. But mine is way cooler looking than Shinj-idiot's over here."
Sheena moved closer to get a better look. "So what are they?"
"You tell us." Asuka responded.
Sheena almost fell over as they opened their hands, revealing the two orbs. "Ll...Lloyd! Look at this!"
"Hmm?" Lloyd walked over to them as Sheena pointed to the pilots' hands. He took two steps backwards upon seeing the objects. "Woah! No way! I didn't think they came in those colors!"
"You're confusing me." Shinji blinked.
"That's easy for you to do, idiot." Asuka sneered.
Shinji muttered something unintelligible, and Lloyd grinned a huge grin. "Well you'll finally get your wish, Asuka. It looks like we'll be able to put you in the fight now that you have Exspheres."
Everyone else took a step back, and Collette lost her balance and fell to the floor. "EXSPHERES!?"
"Yep, that's right. Though I've never seen a purple or a bright red one until now, those are definitely Exspheres."
Shinji looked down at his new belonging. "This thing is really an Exsphere?"
"Take good care of it, Shinji. Because..." Genis looked down at his own Exsphere. "These things are made at the cost of a person's life. They wouldn't want to be lost or thrown away. At least, I know Marble wouldn't want that."
"But who's life?" Shinji spoke aloud to himself. "I wish I knew."
Asuka nudged Shinji. "Who cares who they were as long as we fight on their behalf, right?"
"I suppose so."
"Let us go." Rei stood up straight.
"Are you sure, Rei? You did get electrocuted after all." Regal looked concerned.
"I will be fully healed soon. This will not hinder our travels."
"All right then, let's get out of here!" Lloyd chuckled as he raised his fist.
The group walked up the dirt steps out of the crater. Shinji looked back at the odd tower. As the others walked around him, Presea stopped next to him and looked back as well.
"Something troubles you, Shinji."
"We may be leaving the only link I have to home."
"Why are you concerned?"
"It feels so comfortable there. So familiar, so...earthy. I don't really want to leave."
"If you stay, you will not find Earth, only a portion of it that will keep you existing, but not living. To search is the only way to find what you are looking for. You must search for your true happiness."
"I suppose you're right. Thank you."
"You are welcome."
They turned from the sight and continued walking up the stairs towards the others.
"So where to, Lloyd?" Zelos said.
"I believe we have a Summon Spirit to make a pact with, right Sheena?" He responded.
"That's right. Celsius is supposed to live in the Temple of Ice, which is nearby Flanoir in the northwest continent."
"Alright. Then we're off to Flanoir! Is everyone ready?" The original group acknowledged in the affirmative. "How about you three?" He asked to the pilots. Shinji and Asuka smiled as they held up their hands, showing off their Key Crest encased Exspheres. They and Rei nodded.
Soon the group was airborne, flying on the newly repaired Reihard, towards the northwest, and their next adventure.