Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is Owned by Gainax. Buy the DVD's of
the Series and the Movies from them. I did, and it was worth every dime.
I don't own anything except my DVD's, and this is done for my own
satisfaction.
Episode 2:17 The Arisen.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is March 1st, 2018
"Today's the day," Shinji said, looking down upon the Cherubim, like a proud father.
"Who do you think will be chosen?" Misato asked him.
"Well, we have a pretty good selection of potential candidates, all of them will make good pilots. Those that aren't chosen today will be able to try again when the next two are ready," he said, indicating two of the half dozen large forms now taking shape in tanks at the end of the facility.
Although the four at the end of the tanks looked like indistinct blobs, the nearer two were beginning to look something like Evangelions. They weren't though; they were Shinji's Cherubim. Smaller than an EVA by maybe 10 or 15%, they were eerily similar to the Mass Production EVA's that Seele had produced for the final assault of Instrumentality.
Today the first two large white bodies would be joined to their new pilots. A dozen individuals had been chosen from nearly a hundred volunteers, to attempt the first bonding, and the plan called for any individual who was unable to bond with a cherub to be replaced by someone else, until all the new cherubs had a pilot.
'Pilot,' Shinji thought to himself, 'that's not exactly a word that really applies to what they will become. What I already am.'
Being a pilot implied that one was operating controls of some kind. These pilots would physically merge with their Cherubim, the bodies merging, becoming one, until the Cherub would be no more than the extension of the Pilots body.
"Soul Mates," was the term one of the men had suggested, noting that although the bodies were different, the soul that was within the body was the same used to inhabit the Cherub.
By consensus though, "Pilot" was decided upon as the term that would be used.
'If only because Kensuke pushed for it so hard,' Shinji thought.
His young friend had wanted more than anything to be chosen for an EVA pilot, but hadn't, and now saw this as his great opportunity. He'd been the first candidate Shinji had chosen. The next ten candidates were made up of young men and women that Shinji was only barely familiar with. Teenagers, and some in their early 20's, with training in martial arts, and/or with military backgrounds.
Shinji looked down at the twelve gathered over in the corner, awaiting the word from Ritsuko that it was time to begin.
Twelve.
The last choice for Pilot Candidate had worried Shinji, and he'd agonized over it for weeks. Even Misato had urged him to reconsider, but he knew he had to at least offer.
"Toji Suzuhara has suffered enough," she'd said, "let him be at peace."
But Shinji had finally replied, "We'll never be at peace again Misato. None of us. I'm not saying he has to be a pilot. I just want him to have the opportunity. I know he still caries demons around inside of him because of the Unit-03 incident, I do too. Maybe this way we can both bury those demons."
Misato had relented, and Shinji had asked Toji to come to his office at NERV the next day. Shinji had asked him if he knew why he was here, and Toji looked him straight in the eye and said yes. So Shinji skipped the twenty minute pep talk he'd planned to give Toji and asked him straight out, man to man, if he would consider being a Pilot Candidate.
Toji had sat there silently for a minute before nodding. Looking up at Shinji, he seemed on the verge of tears, as he explained to Shinji that he wasn't sure he could do it, but he knew he had to try. For the sake of himself, and his new family. If he could Pilot a Cherubim, and keep them safe, he'd do it.
Shinji had almost cried in relief, but held it in, not wanting to upset Toji any more.
Now, standing down there, Toji seemed as relaxed as ever. He was rubbing the heads of Kensuke and a couple others, as they were all gathered in their flight suits. They had drawn lots early that morning to see in what order they would attempt to the Bonding. Kensuke was first, and Suzuhara had been chosen fourth.
Shinji looked down at them. They were a good group, he decided, and they'd all worked hard. Sensei had agreed to take them all on as his students, and now Shinji was no long the only one getting tossed around the gym by the old man. The door opened at the end of the Catwalk, and Ritsuko walked in, carrying her ever-present clipboard.
"Would the Candidates please come to attention," she shouted over the noise of the room, and silence descended. There were a fair number of people gathered here, to watch the ceremony, mostly the friends and family of the Pilot Candidates, but a few others as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my friends, we are gathered here today, on this solemn occasion to celebrate a new period in the existence of mankind. No longer will we be victimized by the forces arrayed against us. Instead, we now control our destiny. I present to you the architect of that destiny. Pilot Shinji Ikari," Ritsuko stated in a booming voice.
There were applause, and Shinji waved his hands, and the room quieted. He was still extremely nervous, but Misato had helped him prepare a speech, and he'd practiced and practiced until he could repeat it without thinking. He took a deep breath, clearing his throat, and began to speak.
"My friends. When I was first told of my destiny by the Warrior Angels, I wondered how I would ever be able to accomplish such a daunting task. I realized immediately that it was not a task that one man could accomplish alone. So I asked Doctor Akagi to help me; to help me insure a future for mankind. And now Our hard work is finally rewarded, because today EVA Unit- 01 is no longer alone."
Thunderous applause and shouts met this final statement, and Shinji waited until it died down to continue.
"Now, the final step in the process. Candidates will come forward, and attempt to bond with a Cherubim as I bond with my EVA. If they are successful, they will become part of a new elite corps under my command. Pilot Candidates," he said, looking down at them, "I wish you luck, and tell those of you who will leave this room un-bonded, that there is no dishonor. It is simply not your time."
He paused.
"Mister Aida. If you would do us the honor of passing between the Cherubim."
Kensuke nodded, and stepped out into the pathway Shinji had indicated. The bodies of the Cherubim had been stood up against the wall, on either side of the great hall, Before them each was a scissor lift unit that would lift the chosen pilot up, and allow the selected Pilot Candidate to come into contact with the Cherub's S2 Unit.
Kensuke began a slow processional walk from his position with the other candidates, executing a sharp right turn, in military fashion, and proceeded to walk between the two white giants. Shinji could see him glancing from side to side, hoping for a reaction from one of the giants. He could see Kensuke tensing as he prepared to pass directly between the two S2 Units, and nothing had happened. Then, a soft glow emanated from the Cherubim on the right. Shinji almost cried in relief as Kensuke turned to face the unit, and the S2 Unit pulsed in response. He approached it, almost at a run, and the pulsing increased, until it was almost a steady light. He stopped and looked up at Shinji.
Shinji looked down at Kensuke and silently mouthed, "Go for it."
Kensuke jumped into the Scissor lift, and hit the controls, lifting himself up into the air, until he was before the now steadily glowing S2 Unit. Trembling, he reached a hand out to touch it.
And vanished.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd, and then an even louder gasp came from the Cherubim.
"YEAH" boomed the things voice, and everyone within the chamber covered their ears. The Cherubim's color began to slowly change, and, after a few moments, it looked the spitting image of EVA Unit-00, complete with the white highlights accenting the stunning blue body.
"Oh, sorry," Kensuke's voice repeated, softer, as he realized that this new body was much louder than his normal speaking voice.
"Congratulations Pilot Aida. Please remain where you are, as the other pilots are chosen."
Kensuke nodded, and kneeled down, silently watching and awaiting his friends chance to join him.
"He looks like Unit-00," Misato whispered to Shinji.
"Makes sense to me, I always suspected Kensuke had a crush on Rei," he said softly.
Shinji looked down and saw that the next candidate was ready to begin his walk. Shinji nodded and the young man walked forward. Nothing happened as he passed before the second Cherubim's S2 Unit, and Shinji felt slightly let down. Oh well. There were still ten candidates to go.
He looked down again, and nodded to the next candidate, a young woman, but she also failed to have that certain something that would make this Cherub's S2 Unit react. Oh well, today wasn't her day; Shinji was sure that it would come for her one day though. He had confidence in all of his chosen Pilot Candidates.
Then he looked down a fourth time. Toji was ready to begin his walk.
"Pilot Candidate Suzuhara. You may begin your walk, however, know this. There is no dishonor in withdrawing now. All of us here know what you have gone through, and there will be no shame if you decide to decline."
Toji bowed his head, looked up at Shinji, then over to Hikari, who was standing on the catwalk, her little sister Nazomi, and his little sister Mari, and, smiling at them, began his walk.
Before he'd even gotten to the place where the others had turned to walk before the S2 Unit, it had begun to glow. He approached the lift, hesitantly, as the Unit continued to throb, almost as if he were fighting down his own fears, which Shinji was sure he was. But he knew Toji would do it. There was never any doubt in his mind. Repeating the actions of Kensuke, he boarded the Scissor lift, and raised himself to the S2 Unit of the Cherubim. There was a small, final, hesitation as he reached out and touched it's surface.
And vanished.
The Cherubim showed no sign that anything had occurred, until its coloring subtly began changing. Soon, it was black with red highlights, mirroring Toji's old Unit-03. The EVA that had been destroyed as an Angel by Shinji's Unit-01.
"Toji?" Shinji shouted.
"I'm alright Shinji. This is just very different from piloting an EVA," replied the Cherub.
Shinji nodded, and looked down from his friend to the remaining candidates.
"Pilot Candidate's thank you for your attendance. The pilots for the first two Cherubim have been chosen, but it is my hope... damn" Shinji started as his beeper went off. As he pulled his beeper out, he could hear cell phones going off within the facility. Then the Alarm sounded.
He looked at Misato. "Legionnaires."
"Ladies and Gentlemen you are dismissed," he shouted, running for the elevator banks. He keyed his private lift, and shot up to where his EVA waited for him. Running into the large room, he extended his AT field as he went, and suddenly was snatched up by the light.
He jerked, and lifted his head, looking up as the hatches above him snapped open, all the way to the surface. It had taken a lot of work, but there was now a lift system installed almost identical to the old one at NERV HQ. Shinji reached down and slapped the large panel beneath his right hand, and he was catapulted to the surface.
Hurtling upwards he opened his comm. channels.
"Situation?"
"Three Legionnaires are coming ashore about 15 kilometers south of here. Looks like they want to crash our little party," Hyuga said.
"Three?" he asked, stunned. The last time he'd had to fight three Legionnaires at once, he had almost been killed. Only a miracle at the last minute had saved him. He hoped that whatever Angels had been watching out for him last time were still around.
He arrived at the surface, and the hatches snapped shut behind him.
He turned and looked south. There, three large beings were wading out of the surf. As one, they turned to look at him. They were huge, larger than his EVA, and each looked at him with undisguised hatred. Two of them had dull read skin, and four huge muscular arms. Each arm ended in a three fingered hand, and on the end of each finger a claw or blade was visible, glowing with an eerie green light. In the center of their chest was a dull glowing S2 Unit.
The third creature was even larger, but instead of arms it had two long tendrils trailing out of its shoulder joints. These Tendrils sparked and flashed with the same energy as the other claws.
Shinji spun the Lance of Longinus before him, and laid it over his left forearm, letting it rest there comfortably, before assuming a ready combat stance. The things howled a challenge, and Shinji charged.
He transformed the Lance into two smaller pieces, and willed each to change into his favorite paired Katana's. Then he was on them, a whirling dance of blades, poking and slashing. He scored dozens of hits, but watched as only small wounds appeared on the bodies of the three Legionnaires. His hits just weren't penetrating their armored hides.
"These things just keep getting tougher and tougher," he said.
Then the thing with the tendrils grabbed his legs from behind, and he fell. The other Legionnaires blurred before him, as it spun him, and threw him across the city. He slammed into a small hill, making a sizable dent.
Shakily he got to his feet, still gripping his Katana's.
"Well this isn't going well," he said.
The Legionnaire with the tendrils moved forward, while the other two stayed back. Evidently they were going to wait to see if this once could finish him first. So much the better. He knew he stood a better chance one on one than three against one. He braced himself for the attack.
The creature was on him in a flash, energy tendrils flashing, and Shinji was thrown back by the initial flurry. Shinji's hands moved equally fast, blades dancing in and out, weaving a complex pattern to defend himself from the attacks. His head and shoulders constantly in motion, he bobbed and weaved back and forth, avoiding the attacks of the Legion.
Shinji felt he was losing his momentum, if he stayed on the defensive, the creature would eventually get a shot in, crippling him. He had to try something else. He shifted his foot back, and when the next attack came, he leapt into the air and flipped backwards, gaining some small breathing space from the creature. It was a short respite.
The creature waded in again, tendrils leading the way. One of them closed around his arm, and he felt the armor burn beneath its' touch. Desperately he slashed high and low with his blades. The Low blade bit into the things torso, splashing green ichor across the two of them, and the ground. The High blade bit into the Legions shoulder, above the source of the right tendril.
The creature howled in pain, and the tendril released Shinji's arm. Shinji stepped up the pace of his attacks and stabbed both blades at the creatures belly, knowing that the perverted S2 Unit had to be there. A tendril snapped up and blocked the way, deflecting the blades. One of them pieced the creatures side, but the other was thrown out wide.
Shinji tried to retract both blades quickly, but too late, the thing saw it's opening and struck. The energy tendril snapped forward, and pierced him, punching through his AT field and his armor, tearing at his flesh. A searing cold began to spread from the wound, and Shinji could feel the tip of the tendril snaking under his skin, reaching for his S2 Unit.
Shinji brought his blades up, cutting from desperate, impossible angles. Although unable to sever the tendril, he forced it out of his body. It tore through his abdomen, taking a large portion of his armor with it. The exposed and torn flesh cried out in agony.
Shinji worked through the pain, pushing the thing back. Every time it tried to launch an attack, the tendrils were met by slashing blades. Shinji launched a series of daring attacks, slashing and stabbing in tandem. The tips of his blades penetrated the creatures outer armor, flicking bits of the creatures armor away, and causing ichor to well up in the wounds.
Suddenly the creature launched both tendrils in low at Shinji's abdomen, and Shinji swept the tendrils away and down, having to use both blades to push them aside. He threw his weight onto his left foot, and launched spinning kick with his right. The blow connected with the Legions head and the thing was knocked off its feet, tumbling away from him.
He rushed in, blades flashing, but the thing was back up on it's feet too fast. Now smashed and bleeding from numerous wounds, it was beginning to slow. Shinji felt that this was his time. He increased the speed of his attacks, and added in the occasional kick and punch keeping the thing off guard. More ichor spilled from the thing as he attacked.
He watched the creature as it continued to defend itself, and even launch the occasional attack. Suddenly it's left tendril snapped out straight, attempting another attack on his abdomen. Shinji saw his opening, and slipped his blade up the tendril, maneuvering so that it met the things shoulder right where the tendril came out.
The blade bit, and then slipped free. And the things shoulder was lying on the ground, dripping ichor. The tendril went limp, and flopped loosely on the ground, still attached to the shoulder. It no longer glowed with the eldritch energy, but was listless and gray.
The thing howled in agony.
Shinji grinned, and let out a soft growl that would have terrified any human within hearing range.
His foot lashed out, and caught the thing under the chin, lifting it up off the ground. It crashed to the ground, sprawled out, and bleeding. Shinji stepped forward, pinning the remaining tendril to the ground with his foot, and glared down at the creature. He brought the pieces of the Lance-blades together, and they reformed into the Lance of Longinus.
The creature howled up at him. He glared down at it balefully, and lifted the Lance high for the strike. He could see the things S2 Unit glowing dully through a hole in its right chest.
"Tell your master, you failed," he said, and thrust the Lance home. It pierced the creatures S2 Unit, and the creature arched its' back in pain, as ichor and eldritch energy arched from its body in great founts. The light became too intense to look at, and Shinji shielded his eyes with his hand. There was a soft explosion, and the creature blew itself across the hillside, bits and pieces landing everywhere.
He turned to face the last two creatures.
"Who's next?"
As one they charged him, finger blades glowing. He braced himself and leaped. Straight up over their heads, but he hadn't counted on them being so fast. Before he could touch the ground on the other side though, one of them had spun and grabbed his ankle as he went by. It jerked him around by the leg, and slammed him into the ground. Using him like some sort of lump in a sack, it continued to batter him into the unyielding surface.
His head was spinning, and he was hurting too much to think straight. Damn, this thing was strong. He felt a pop, and knew that his left shoulder had just been dislocated. His left hand dropped limply to the ground, releasing the Lance of Longinus from the grasp of his now nerveless fingers.
Suddenly there was a blur, and the thing holding his leg dropped it.
"Shinji, get up. Are you alright?" Kensuke asked, his blue Cherubim leaning over Shinji's EVA and helping him to his feet.
"I've been better," Shinji replied.
He looked around. Evidently Ritsuko and Misato had managed to get the Birthing Chambers hatch open, and the two Cherubs had come to his rescue. No, not the Cherubs; his FRIENDS had come to his rescue. They were both armed with the blades that he and Ritsuko had designed; basically an EVA sized Katana, and a long bladed staff, called a Naginata.
"Don't you think you'd better fix that?" Kensuke said in a mildly sarcastic voice.
"Um, right," Shinji said, and concentrated his AT field on his ruined shoulder. There was a flash, and the ruined joint repaired itself. Shinji flexed his hand, and accepted a hand up from Kensuke
Shinji glanced between his friends, imagining that this was how a father felt at the birth of his first child, and discovered he'd been blessed with twins.
"Okay guys, lets hand these things their asses," Shinji said. Toji and Kensuke drew their swords, and took up ready positions on either side of Shinji. The Legionnaires were unafraid, and unimpressed, however. They had roamed the Earth since the dawn of time, destroying and defiling everything they came into contact with. They had never known fear. The two of them simply stood there, smiling, and then, suddenly, they were a blur, diving in and around Shinji and his friends, striking here and there at will, cutting and slashing as they went. Shinji watched, helpless, as Kensuke expertly blocked one attack with his Katana, but then was bowled over by the sheer strength of the blow.
It took several seconds of furious effort on the NERV defenders part, but they were soon on the offensive, surrounding their prey, and the Legionnaires had been driven together, back to back. They began to lash out with their claw tipped arms, turning slightly as each arm struck, so that within a few moments they had completely reversed positions, and the one that had been on Shinji's right was now on his left. Shinji, Kensuke and Toji took turns striking the things, rarely scoring a hit, and never doing much damage. Even concentrated attacks hitting their S2 Units directly did only minor damage that was instantly repaired.
Shinji watched the attacks, trying to formulate some way to beat these things, but realizing that they were making little headway. Then he saw it. Toji hit the first one's S2 Unit at the same time Kensuke hit the second one's S2 Unit. And the things were visibly shaken.
'Asuka. Image training,' the thought flashed through his mind.
"Simultaneous two point attack, targeting the S2 Unit. Prepare to strike on my mark. Three... Two... One... STRIKE!" he shouted.
All three friends moved, Shinji, using his reformed twin Katana's to distract the four arms closest to him, while Toji and Kensuke stabbed, driving through the opening for the S2 Units. Kensuke and Toji's blades went clear though the S2 Unit's of their targets and into the body of the creature standing behind the other.
There was a shimmering glow, and the two creatures raised their heads and howled in unison. They slumped over and collapsed, as the Cherubs withdrew their weapons. Shinji walked forward, and struck each of the throbbing S2 Units, and they shattered, going dark, and taking the last of the Legionnaires life with them.
"We won?" Toji said.
"We won. We won. We won." Kensuke said, chanting happily.
Shinji stood there, smiling inwardly at his two friends. Kensuke had been granted his greatest dream, and Toji had faced his demons and conquered them.
"Well not exactly how I had planned to spend this first day, but a better beginning than I'd dared hope. Come on, lets get back to the base. I have a feeling Misato's going to have a party waiting for us."
Next on Episode 2:18 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Asuka has adapted well to her life on the Russian Steppes, but something is troubling her. Sophia spends time trying to help her friend work through some of the issues she's hiding from. But Asuka is finally driven to leave her friend behind, and begin her journey again.
It's Evangelion Episode 2:18 Perchance to dream.
Episode 2:17 The Arisen.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is March 1st, 2018
"Today's the day," Shinji said, looking down upon the Cherubim, like a proud father.
"Who do you think will be chosen?" Misato asked him.
"Well, we have a pretty good selection of potential candidates, all of them will make good pilots. Those that aren't chosen today will be able to try again when the next two are ready," he said, indicating two of the half dozen large forms now taking shape in tanks at the end of the facility.
Although the four at the end of the tanks looked like indistinct blobs, the nearer two were beginning to look something like Evangelions. They weren't though; they were Shinji's Cherubim. Smaller than an EVA by maybe 10 or 15%, they were eerily similar to the Mass Production EVA's that Seele had produced for the final assault of Instrumentality.
Today the first two large white bodies would be joined to their new pilots. A dozen individuals had been chosen from nearly a hundred volunteers, to attempt the first bonding, and the plan called for any individual who was unable to bond with a cherub to be replaced by someone else, until all the new cherubs had a pilot.
'Pilot,' Shinji thought to himself, 'that's not exactly a word that really applies to what they will become. What I already am.'
Being a pilot implied that one was operating controls of some kind. These pilots would physically merge with their Cherubim, the bodies merging, becoming one, until the Cherub would be no more than the extension of the Pilots body.
"Soul Mates," was the term one of the men had suggested, noting that although the bodies were different, the soul that was within the body was the same used to inhabit the Cherub.
By consensus though, "Pilot" was decided upon as the term that would be used.
'If only because Kensuke pushed for it so hard,' Shinji thought.
His young friend had wanted more than anything to be chosen for an EVA pilot, but hadn't, and now saw this as his great opportunity. He'd been the first candidate Shinji had chosen. The next ten candidates were made up of young men and women that Shinji was only barely familiar with. Teenagers, and some in their early 20's, with training in martial arts, and/or with military backgrounds.
Shinji looked down at the twelve gathered over in the corner, awaiting the word from Ritsuko that it was time to begin.
Twelve.
The last choice for Pilot Candidate had worried Shinji, and he'd agonized over it for weeks. Even Misato had urged him to reconsider, but he knew he had to at least offer.
"Toji Suzuhara has suffered enough," she'd said, "let him be at peace."
But Shinji had finally replied, "We'll never be at peace again Misato. None of us. I'm not saying he has to be a pilot. I just want him to have the opportunity. I know he still caries demons around inside of him because of the Unit-03 incident, I do too. Maybe this way we can both bury those demons."
Misato had relented, and Shinji had asked Toji to come to his office at NERV the next day. Shinji had asked him if he knew why he was here, and Toji looked him straight in the eye and said yes. So Shinji skipped the twenty minute pep talk he'd planned to give Toji and asked him straight out, man to man, if he would consider being a Pilot Candidate.
Toji had sat there silently for a minute before nodding. Looking up at Shinji, he seemed on the verge of tears, as he explained to Shinji that he wasn't sure he could do it, but he knew he had to try. For the sake of himself, and his new family. If he could Pilot a Cherubim, and keep them safe, he'd do it.
Shinji had almost cried in relief, but held it in, not wanting to upset Toji any more.
Now, standing down there, Toji seemed as relaxed as ever. He was rubbing the heads of Kensuke and a couple others, as they were all gathered in their flight suits. They had drawn lots early that morning to see in what order they would attempt to the Bonding. Kensuke was first, and Suzuhara had been chosen fourth.
Shinji looked down at them. They were a good group, he decided, and they'd all worked hard. Sensei had agreed to take them all on as his students, and now Shinji was no long the only one getting tossed around the gym by the old man. The door opened at the end of the Catwalk, and Ritsuko walked in, carrying her ever-present clipboard.
"Would the Candidates please come to attention," she shouted over the noise of the room, and silence descended. There were a fair number of people gathered here, to watch the ceremony, mostly the friends and family of the Pilot Candidates, but a few others as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my friends, we are gathered here today, on this solemn occasion to celebrate a new period in the existence of mankind. No longer will we be victimized by the forces arrayed against us. Instead, we now control our destiny. I present to you the architect of that destiny. Pilot Shinji Ikari," Ritsuko stated in a booming voice.
There were applause, and Shinji waved his hands, and the room quieted. He was still extremely nervous, but Misato had helped him prepare a speech, and he'd practiced and practiced until he could repeat it without thinking. He took a deep breath, clearing his throat, and began to speak.
"My friends. When I was first told of my destiny by the Warrior Angels, I wondered how I would ever be able to accomplish such a daunting task. I realized immediately that it was not a task that one man could accomplish alone. So I asked Doctor Akagi to help me; to help me insure a future for mankind. And now Our hard work is finally rewarded, because today EVA Unit- 01 is no longer alone."
Thunderous applause and shouts met this final statement, and Shinji waited until it died down to continue.
"Now, the final step in the process. Candidates will come forward, and attempt to bond with a Cherubim as I bond with my EVA. If they are successful, they will become part of a new elite corps under my command. Pilot Candidates," he said, looking down at them, "I wish you luck, and tell those of you who will leave this room un-bonded, that there is no dishonor. It is simply not your time."
He paused.
"Mister Aida. If you would do us the honor of passing between the Cherubim."
Kensuke nodded, and stepped out into the pathway Shinji had indicated. The bodies of the Cherubim had been stood up against the wall, on either side of the great hall, Before them each was a scissor lift unit that would lift the chosen pilot up, and allow the selected Pilot Candidate to come into contact with the Cherub's S2 Unit.
Kensuke began a slow processional walk from his position with the other candidates, executing a sharp right turn, in military fashion, and proceeded to walk between the two white giants. Shinji could see him glancing from side to side, hoping for a reaction from one of the giants. He could see Kensuke tensing as he prepared to pass directly between the two S2 Units, and nothing had happened. Then, a soft glow emanated from the Cherubim on the right. Shinji almost cried in relief as Kensuke turned to face the unit, and the S2 Unit pulsed in response. He approached it, almost at a run, and the pulsing increased, until it was almost a steady light. He stopped and looked up at Shinji.
Shinji looked down at Kensuke and silently mouthed, "Go for it."
Kensuke jumped into the Scissor lift, and hit the controls, lifting himself up into the air, until he was before the now steadily glowing S2 Unit. Trembling, he reached a hand out to touch it.
And vanished.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd, and then an even louder gasp came from the Cherubim.
"YEAH" boomed the things voice, and everyone within the chamber covered their ears. The Cherubim's color began to slowly change, and, after a few moments, it looked the spitting image of EVA Unit-00, complete with the white highlights accenting the stunning blue body.
"Oh, sorry," Kensuke's voice repeated, softer, as he realized that this new body was much louder than his normal speaking voice.
"Congratulations Pilot Aida. Please remain where you are, as the other pilots are chosen."
Kensuke nodded, and kneeled down, silently watching and awaiting his friends chance to join him.
"He looks like Unit-00," Misato whispered to Shinji.
"Makes sense to me, I always suspected Kensuke had a crush on Rei," he said softly.
Shinji looked down and saw that the next candidate was ready to begin his walk. Shinji nodded and the young man walked forward. Nothing happened as he passed before the second Cherubim's S2 Unit, and Shinji felt slightly let down. Oh well. There were still ten candidates to go.
He looked down again, and nodded to the next candidate, a young woman, but she also failed to have that certain something that would make this Cherub's S2 Unit react. Oh well, today wasn't her day; Shinji was sure that it would come for her one day though. He had confidence in all of his chosen Pilot Candidates.
Then he looked down a fourth time. Toji was ready to begin his walk.
"Pilot Candidate Suzuhara. You may begin your walk, however, know this. There is no dishonor in withdrawing now. All of us here know what you have gone through, and there will be no shame if you decide to decline."
Toji bowed his head, looked up at Shinji, then over to Hikari, who was standing on the catwalk, her little sister Nazomi, and his little sister Mari, and, smiling at them, began his walk.
Before he'd even gotten to the place where the others had turned to walk before the S2 Unit, it had begun to glow. He approached the lift, hesitantly, as the Unit continued to throb, almost as if he were fighting down his own fears, which Shinji was sure he was. But he knew Toji would do it. There was never any doubt in his mind. Repeating the actions of Kensuke, he boarded the Scissor lift, and raised himself to the S2 Unit of the Cherubim. There was a small, final, hesitation as he reached out and touched it's surface.
And vanished.
The Cherubim showed no sign that anything had occurred, until its coloring subtly began changing. Soon, it was black with red highlights, mirroring Toji's old Unit-03. The EVA that had been destroyed as an Angel by Shinji's Unit-01.
"Toji?" Shinji shouted.
"I'm alright Shinji. This is just very different from piloting an EVA," replied the Cherub.
Shinji nodded, and looked down from his friend to the remaining candidates.
"Pilot Candidate's thank you for your attendance. The pilots for the first two Cherubim have been chosen, but it is my hope... damn" Shinji started as his beeper went off. As he pulled his beeper out, he could hear cell phones going off within the facility. Then the Alarm sounded.
He looked at Misato. "Legionnaires."
"Ladies and Gentlemen you are dismissed," he shouted, running for the elevator banks. He keyed his private lift, and shot up to where his EVA waited for him. Running into the large room, he extended his AT field as he went, and suddenly was snatched up by the light.
He jerked, and lifted his head, looking up as the hatches above him snapped open, all the way to the surface. It had taken a lot of work, but there was now a lift system installed almost identical to the old one at NERV HQ. Shinji reached down and slapped the large panel beneath his right hand, and he was catapulted to the surface.
Hurtling upwards he opened his comm. channels.
"Situation?"
"Three Legionnaires are coming ashore about 15 kilometers south of here. Looks like they want to crash our little party," Hyuga said.
"Three?" he asked, stunned. The last time he'd had to fight three Legionnaires at once, he had almost been killed. Only a miracle at the last minute had saved him. He hoped that whatever Angels had been watching out for him last time were still around.
He arrived at the surface, and the hatches snapped shut behind him.
He turned and looked south. There, three large beings were wading out of the surf. As one, they turned to look at him. They were huge, larger than his EVA, and each looked at him with undisguised hatred. Two of them had dull read skin, and four huge muscular arms. Each arm ended in a three fingered hand, and on the end of each finger a claw or blade was visible, glowing with an eerie green light. In the center of their chest was a dull glowing S2 Unit.
The third creature was even larger, but instead of arms it had two long tendrils trailing out of its shoulder joints. These Tendrils sparked and flashed with the same energy as the other claws.
Shinji spun the Lance of Longinus before him, and laid it over his left forearm, letting it rest there comfortably, before assuming a ready combat stance. The things howled a challenge, and Shinji charged.
He transformed the Lance into two smaller pieces, and willed each to change into his favorite paired Katana's. Then he was on them, a whirling dance of blades, poking and slashing. He scored dozens of hits, but watched as only small wounds appeared on the bodies of the three Legionnaires. His hits just weren't penetrating their armored hides.
"These things just keep getting tougher and tougher," he said.
Then the thing with the tendrils grabbed his legs from behind, and he fell. The other Legionnaires blurred before him, as it spun him, and threw him across the city. He slammed into a small hill, making a sizable dent.
Shakily he got to his feet, still gripping his Katana's.
"Well this isn't going well," he said.
The Legionnaire with the tendrils moved forward, while the other two stayed back. Evidently they were going to wait to see if this once could finish him first. So much the better. He knew he stood a better chance one on one than three against one. He braced himself for the attack.
The creature was on him in a flash, energy tendrils flashing, and Shinji was thrown back by the initial flurry. Shinji's hands moved equally fast, blades dancing in and out, weaving a complex pattern to defend himself from the attacks. His head and shoulders constantly in motion, he bobbed and weaved back and forth, avoiding the attacks of the Legion.
Shinji felt he was losing his momentum, if he stayed on the defensive, the creature would eventually get a shot in, crippling him. He had to try something else. He shifted his foot back, and when the next attack came, he leapt into the air and flipped backwards, gaining some small breathing space from the creature. It was a short respite.
The creature waded in again, tendrils leading the way. One of them closed around his arm, and he felt the armor burn beneath its' touch. Desperately he slashed high and low with his blades. The Low blade bit into the things torso, splashing green ichor across the two of them, and the ground. The High blade bit into the Legions shoulder, above the source of the right tendril.
The creature howled in pain, and the tendril released Shinji's arm. Shinji stepped up the pace of his attacks and stabbed both blades at the creatures belly, knowing that the perverted S2 Unit had to be there. A tendril snapped up and blocked the way, deflecting the blades. One of them pieced the creatures side, but the other was thrown out wide.
Shinji tried to retract both blades quickly, but too late, the thing saw it's opening and struck. The energy tendril snapped forward, and pierced him, punching through his AT field and his armor, tearing at his flesh. A searing cold began to spread from the wound, and Shinji could feel the tip of the tendril snaking under his skin, reaching for his S2 Unit.
Shinji brought his blades up, cutting from desperate, impossible angles. Although unable to sever the tendril, he forced it out of his body. It tore through his abdomen, taking a large portion of his armor with it. The exposed and torn flesh cried out in agony.
Shinji worked through the pain, pushing the thing back. Every time it tried to launch an attack, the tendrils were met by slashing blades. Shinji launched a series of daring attacks, slashing and stabbing in tandem. The tips of his blades penetrated the creatures outer armor, flicking bits of the creatures armor away, and causing ichor to well up in the wounds.
Suddenly the creature launched both tendrils in low at Shinji's abdomen, and Shinji swept the tendrils away and down, having to use both blades to push them aside. He threw his weight onto his left foot, and launched spinning kick with his right. The blow connected with the Legions head and the thing was knocked off its feet, tumbling away from him.
He rushed in, blades flashing, but the thing was back up on it's feet too fast. Now smashed and bleeding from numerous wounds, it was beginning to slow. Shinji felt that this was his time. He increased the speed of his attacks, and added in the occasional kick and punch keeping the thing off guard. More ichor spilled from the thing as he attacked.
He watched the creature as it continued to defend itself, and even launch the occasional attack. Suddenly it's left tendril snapped out straight, attempting another attack on his abdomen. Shinji saw his opening, and slipped his blade up the tendril, maneuvering so that it met the things shoulder right where the tendril came out.
The blade bit, and then slipped free. And the things shoulder was lying on the ground, dripping ichor. The tendril went limp, and flopped loosely on the ground, still attached to the shoulder. It no longer glowed with the eldritch energy, but was listless and gray.
The thing howled in agony.
Shinji grinned, and let out a soft growl that would have terrified any human within hearing range.
His foot lashed out, and caught the thing under the chin, lifting it up off the ground. It crashed to the ground, sprawled out, and bleeding. Shinji stepped forward, pinning the remaining tendril to the ground with his foot, and glared down at the creature. He brought the pieces of the Lance-blades together, and they reformed into the Lance of Longinus.
The creature howled up at him. He glared down at it balefully, and lifted the Lance high for the strike. He could see the things S2 Unit glowing dully through a hole in its right chest.
"Tell your master, you failed," he said, and thrust the Lance home. It pierced the creatures S2 Unit, and the creature arched its' back in pain, as ichor and eldritch energy arched from its body in great founts. The light became too intense to look at, and Shinji shielded his eyes with his hand. There was a soft explosion, and the creature blew itself across the hillside, bits and pieces landing everywhere.
He turned to face the last two creatures.
"Who's next?"
As one they charged him, finger blades glowing. He braced himself and leaped. Straight up over their heads, but he hadn't counted on them being so fast. Before he could touch the ground on the other side though, one of them had spun and grabbed his ankle as he went by. It jerked him around by the leg, and slammed him into the ground. Using him like some sort of lump in a sack, it continued to batter him into the unyielding surface.
His head was spinning, and he was hurting too much to think straight. Damn, this thing was strong. He felt a pop, and knew that his left shoulder had just been dislocated. His left hand dropped limply to the ground, releasing the Lance of Longinus from the grasp of his now nerveless fingers.
Suddenly there was a blur, and the thing holding his leg dropped it.
"Shinji, get up. Are you alright?" Kensuke asked, his blue Cherubim leaning over Shinji's EVA and helping him to his feet.
"I've been better," Shinji replied.
He looked around. Evidently Ritsuko and Misato had managed to get the Birthing Chambers hatch open, and the two Cherubs had come to his rescue. No, not the Cherubs; his FRIENDS had come to his rescue. They were both armed with the blades that he and Ritsuko had designed; basically an EVA sized Katana, and a long bladed staff, called a Naginata.
"Don't you think you'd better fix that?" Kensuke said in a mildly sarcastic voice.
"Um, right," Shinji said, and concentrated his AT field on his ruined shoulder. There was a flash, and the ruined joint repaired itself. Shinji flexed his hand, and accepted a hand up from Kensuke
Shinji glanced between his friends, imagining that this was how a father felt at the birth of his first child, and discovered he'd been blessed with twins.
"Okay guys, lets hand these things their asses," Shinji said. Toji and Kensuke drew their swords, and took up ready positions on either side of Shinji. The Legionnaires were unafraid, and unimpressed, however. They had roamed the Earth since the dawn of time, destroying and defiling everything they came into contact with. They had never known fear. The two of them simply stood there, smiling, and then, suddenly, they were a blur, diving in and around Shinji and his friends, striking here and there at will, cutting and slashing as they went. Shinji watched, helpless, as Kensuke expertly blocked one attack with his Katana, but then was bowled over by the sheer strength of the blow.
It took several seconds of furious effort on the NERV defenders part, but they were soon on the offensive, surrounding their prey, and the Legionnaires had been driven together, back to back. They began to lash out with their claw tipped arms, turning slightly as each arm struck, so that within a few moments they had completely reversed positions, and the one that had been on Shinji's right was now on his left. Shinji, Kensuke and Toji took turns striking the things, rarely scoring a hit, and never doing much damage. Even concentrated attacks hitting their S2 Units directly did only minor damage that was instantly repaired.
Shinji watched the attacks, trying to formulate some way to beat these things, but realizing that they were making little headway. Then he saw it. Toji hit the first one's S2 Unit at the same time Kensuke hit the second one's S2 Unit. And the things were visibly shaken.
'Asuka. Image training,' the thought flashed through his mind.
"Simultaneous two point attack, targeting the S2 Unit. Prepare to strike on my mark. Three... Two... One... STRIKE!" he shouted.
All three friends moved, Shinji, using his reformed twin Katana's to distract the four arms closest to him, while Toji and Kensuke stabbed, driving through the opening for the S2 Units. Kensuke and Toji's blades went clear though the S2 Unit's of their targets and into the body of the creature standing behind the other.
There was a shimmering glow, and the two creatures raised their heads and howled in unison. They slumped over and collapsed, as the Cherubs withdrew their weapons. Shinji walked forward, and struck each of the throbbing S2 Units, and they shattered, going dark, and taking the last of the Legionnaires life with them.
"We won?" Toji said.
"We won. We won. We won." Kensuke said, chanting happily.
Shinji stood there, smiling inwardly at his two friends. Kensuke had been granted his greatest dream, and Toji had faced his demons and conquered them.
"Well not exactly how I had planned to spend this first day, but a better beginning than I'd dared hope. Come on, lets get back to the base. I have a feeling Misato's going to have a party waiting for us."
Next on Episode 2:18 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Asuka has adapted well to her life on the Russian Steppes, but something is troubling her. Sophia spends time trying to help her friend work through some of the issues she's hiding from. But Asuka is finally driven to leave her friend behind, and begin her journey again.
It's Evangelion Episode 2:18 Perchance to dream.