Chapter 16
The Beginning of the End
Cranial Ward Room 407
The only sound heard in the room was the repetitive beeping of the heart monitor. The girl lying in the bed had not spoken or moved in almost 3 months. Two nurses were checking on her.
"What happened to her?" asked a Nurse.
"She was a pilot. Her mind was overwhelmed during an attack. She is not expected to make it."
"You mean……"
"She's a vegetable. I feel sorry for that boy though. He's been here almost every single day to see her. He comes in an sits and talks to her for hours."
"That's so sad. Is he her only visitor?"
"No. There are the two other pilots. They come to see her also."
The second Nurse turned and looked at the unconscious girl. "Is there any chance for a recovery at all?
"It would take an act of god."
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"Why are we on alert? Didn't we destroy all the Angels?" asked Hyuga.
"Yeah, they're all gone." said Aoba.
"So isn't there supposed to be peace?"
"Then, what'll happen to NERV? And the Evas?" asked Maya.
"I suppose they'll disband NERV. Who knows what will happen to us."
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SEELE 01: The promised time has come. Without the Lance of Longinus, complementation using Lilith is impossible. Our only hope is to proceed with EVA-01, Lilith's sole clone.
Gendo: A change from SEELE's original scenario...
SEELE 09: We have no intention of giving up our human forms simply to enter the Ark called Eva.
SEELE 12: It is merely a rite of passage... To bring about the rebirth in those who are imprisoned.
SEELE 05: The fate of destruction is also the joy of rebirth.
SEELE 04: A sacrament to unite God, humans, and all other life forms in death.
Ikari: Death gives birth to nothing.
SEELE 01: Then death is what you shall have.
One by one, the black monoliths disappear, leaving only Fuyutsuki and Ikari.
Fuyutsuki: We are entering a dangerous time.
Gendo: I know Professor, I know. We must ready ourselves.
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"All must be ready to carry out their tasks."
"Yes my Lord" reply many voices.
"The mortals have brought this upon themselves, while we cannot interfere with this trial, we can't ignore it either. There is risk to us as well should 3rd Impact occur. That is why Sayoko, Goddess 2nd Class was allowed to become a pilot. Her influence has greatly increased our chances. Now proceed to you duties."
The assembled Gods and Goddesses depart, all but 3.
"You know of my orders?"
"Yes sir."
"Then you may proceed." Two of the goddess left, leaving one.
"What is it my child?"
"Father, What of Sayoko? She will not like the orders I am to relay to her."
"I understand your concerns, but you must reinforce the importance of her orders. Otherwise all may be lost."
"What about the Eva, Unit 04. What will we do about Bel……"
"When the time comes I will deal with that personally. Now go to your niece."
"Yes Father."
The remaining goddess got up and left.
Kami-sama turned and sat at his desk with a loud sigh. Another person entered the office through a side door.
Kami-sama didn't even need to turn to know who had entered. "Don't you know it's impolite to enter my office unannounced."
"Sorry, old habits die hard."
"So, in your opinion, What do you think will happen?"
"Kami-sama, the Lord, the Head man himself, is asking my opinion?"
"Humor me."
"There may be unexpected difficulties. From my prospective, no plan is flawless."
"I knew I had you brought up here for some reason."
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Shinji sat quietly in a chair next to Asuka. He held her hand as he talked to her.
"I talked to Hikari. She and Sayoko's Aunt Megumi have been hanging out together. Megumi is almost like a mom to Hikari, and Hikari is almost like a daughter to her. Hikari can't wait till we can visit." Shinji brought his free hand over and brushed some hair from Asuka's face. "Please come back Asuka, I need you."
"How is she?" came a voice from the doorway. Shinji turned to see Sayoko and Rei.
"She's still unconscious." Shinji turned his head back to Asuka. "Maybe I'm fooling myself. Asuka will never wake-up."
"Don't say that! Don't ever give up Shinji!" said Sayoko.
"But it's hard to see her like this! She's been here for 3 months! She's been wasting away." Shinji bowed his head to the ground. "Maybe I don't deserve her."
Rei stepped forward and put her hand on his shoulder. "Shinji, She cares for you. I saw her when you were taken by the 14th. She was worried about you, but she never gave up on you returning. You should not give up on her." Shinji put his hand on Rei's and smiled at Rei.
"Thanks Rei."
A strange ringing then filled the air. Shinji and Rei looked at Sayoko as she pulled the 'cell phone' that her Aunt had given her.
"Hello?" Sayoko listened to whoever was one the other end. At first Sayoko's face brightened, but then it began to get pale. Sayoko replied to the caller in a language that Shinji had heard only once before; when Skuld and Sayoko had had a conversation in front of Misato, Asuka, and himself. Sayoko hung up and seemed very unhappy.
"Shinji, Rei, I have to go meet someone."
"Who?"
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Skuld stood quietly in the observation area looking down on the Geofront. The sound of a door opening caused her to turn around. Sayoko entered and walked right up to her Aunt.
"Alright, What the hell is going on?"
Skuld gave a small smile. "Nice to see you too."
"I'm serious Auntie. What kind of order is that?"
Skuld sighed, "It's Kami-sama's order. There is to be a final trial."
"What?"
"From the information we have, the Angel behind heaven's gate is Lilith. But that is not the only Angel NERV has. Apparently the Angel Adam was brought here when Asuka arrived. We have not been able to find any trace of Adam so far. Either he's dormant, or…."
"So…. We get rid of Lilith." said Sayoko.
"We…..can't do that."
"What! Why not?"
"It goes back a few millennia. When…"
Sayoko interrupted. "I overheard that earlier from the 17th Angel. Now what does this have to do with Lilith?"
"When Lilith saw that her brethren were not going to leave quietly, she made a deal with Kami-sama. She wanted the mortals to thrive, as did we, so she helped us to defeat them. They never knew what hit them."
"So what did we give her in return?"
"A promise. In return for helping us, Kami-sama promised we would not harm her, or her brethren, that we would help the mortals to prosper."
"What went wrong?"
"Mortals woke them up. They were not very happy."
"So what's with the trial?"
"According to our information, a group of mortals is going to attempt the Red Earth ceremony, which will bring all the souls together as one."
"What's wrong with that?" asked Sayoko.
Skuld gave Sayoko the look. "Basically, if it occurs, it will cause Yggdrasil to crash, starting Armageddon."
Sayoko's eye's widened. "OH!"
"Exactly. Now, where is Rei?"
"What do you want with Rei?"
Skuld turned to look at Rei. "You know she is part Angel."
Sayoko looked at her Aunt. "Yeah so?"
"The other portion of her DNA comes from Lilith."
"How do you…?"
"We do. Look, I'm not going to hurt her, but I need to talk to her."
"Why?"
"Because, the Trial will directly affect her."
"But why can't I…?"
Skuld closed her eyes. "Why me?" she asked quietly. "Sayoko. Kami-sama's order stands. You are not to interfere with the trial that is to come. Further orders will come later via the communicator. Do you understand?"
Sayoko did not look happy, "Yes."
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Misato sat deep inside the core of the MAGI. She had her laptop in front of her, the chip taken from Kaji's office inserted into it. Information flew by on the screen as she scanned it. Finally she stopped and sat back.
"So that's what happened. Sayoko was right, Second Impact was started by man, not god. And now they want to……." Alarms began to sound and lights flashed.
"What the..? Have I been detected?"
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Central Dogma
"We've lost communications! All outgoing network and data lines are being cut off!" shouted Hyuga.
"Are they after MAGI?" asked Fuyutsuki.
"Data entry from all external nodes. They're hacking the MAGI system!" shouted Aoba.
"Who?"
"It's at least 5 MAGI type units." said Hyuga, "Hacking verified from Germany, China, the U.S...
"SEELE is mustering all of their forces." muttered Fuyutsuki, "5 to 1 odds... Not good."
"No. 4 firewall breached!" shouted Aoba.
"Locking the main database... Negative! We can't stop their invasion!" shouted Hyuga.
"It's entering a deeper level!" shouted Maya. "Even the back-up circuit can't stop it!"
"If they capture the MAGI system, they'll get everything." muttered Fuyutsuki.
"Then we won't let them be captured." replied Ikari.
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Rei walked to the observation area. She had been with Shinji, heading back for the apartment, when Sayoko had called her cell phone. She had no idea why Sayoko's Aunt wanted to see her. Upon arriving, Rei noted that Sayoko was nowhere in sight. Skuld stood by the windows looking down into the Geofront.
"You asked to see me Skuld-sama?" said Rei.
Skuld continued to look out the window. "You don't need to add the '-sama'. Skuld is fine. Rei, do you know why you were created?"
"My purpose is to pilot Eva, and to obey Commander Ikari. Yet I find myself unable to pilot at this time, and I no longer wish to obey the Commander."
Skuld smiled but continued to look out the window. "You are aware of what your DNA is composed of?"
"I know."
"We are entering a dangerous time Rei. The future has become clouded. What happens today will either insure that there is a future, or destroy it." Skuld turned and looked at Rei. "Kami-sama wants there to be a future, but we require your help. It will be dangerous, and might end up killing you. But if we succeed, you will be rewarded."
Rei stared at Skuld. "With what?"
"Life."
Alarms caused both Rei and Skuld to jump.
"Its too soon!" shouted Skuld. She turned to Rei. "I need your decision."
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Deep inside NERV.
A NERV security guard walks up to a cell door. After typing in the code, the doors open to reveal a blond woman sitting on a bed.
"Dr. Akagi. I'm to…."
"I know. He has a 'use' for me." replied Ritsuko. "What does HE want?"
"Lt. Ibuki has the details in Central Dogma."
"Even an abandoned woman has her uses... How egotistical." muttered Ritsuko. 'I wonder how Rei is doing?'
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Misato entered the Command area.
"Status report?"
Hyuga turned to face her.
"Tokyo-2 has just issued Special Order A-801."
"801?"
"The abolishment of special legal protection for NERV and transfer of all command to the government of Japan. The MAGI are currently being hacked. Things aren't looking good.
Maya spoke up. "Dr. Akagi has just begun protective countermeasures."
Misato turned and looked at Maya in surprise. "Ritsuko?"
"Yes. Only two-and-a-half more minutes until deployment of a primary firewall."
Overhead the Commanders watched.
"Hacking the MAGI is only the first skirmish. Their objective is the direct take-over of headquarters and the two remaining Eva units." said Fuyutsuki quietly.
"Yes. With not only Lilith, but even Adam in our hands..." said Ikari.
"No wonder the old men are so worried."
A quick flash, and the screen showing the hackers progress into the MAGI clears.
"Hacking against MAGI has been stopped." called-out Maya. "External access is impossible for the next 62 hours."
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SEELE 06: Ikari has executed a Type-666 protection program on the MAGI system. It won't be easy to breach.
SEELE 07: It appears that we will have to forego acquisition of MAGI.
SEELE 01: I had hoped to solve this peacefully, but that is not possible now. Take over their Headquarters, immediately!
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Outside Tokyo-3
A man in JSSDF fatigues listens carefully to his combat phone.
"Roger. All right, we have a go signal! MOVE OUT!"
A around him, military equipment begins to move towards the city. The officer watches this then turns to another soldier.
"Take out their sensors."
"Yes sir."
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"We're losing radar stations left and right!" shouted Aoba. "JSSDF forces are moving in from the countryside! Our forces have engaged"
"Air squadrons are moving in!" shouted Hyuga.
"General Quarters. Put us at First Level Battle stations." ordered Ikari.
"Forces have invaded sector 4, Level 1 has been breached!"
"They'll be going after the Evas and the Pilots. Have Shinji go to Unit 01, Sayoko to Unit 04, Rei will be back-up, move Asuka to…."
"We are unable to find the 1st or the 5th Child!" shouted Maya.
"Keep looking for the other 2 pilots! Have Asuka moved into Unit 04."
Maya turned to look at Misato. "But….She's in a coma! She won't be able to pilot!"
"She'll be safer in the Eva then she will be in her room. Launch her into the lake, she'll be safe there."
"But when Sayoko arrives, How will we….."
"Don't worry about it. Just carry out your orders." Misato turned and watched the monitors as the JSSDF moved in. 'Sayoko where are you?' "Is Unit 01 ready?"
"No Shinji hasn't arrived yet!" shouted Aoba.
"WHERE IS HE!"
"He's trapped on Level 3. JSSDF have begun breaching that Level."
Misato stared at the diagrams. "I'll get him. Try and give me a clear route." She turned and left Central Dogma.
Fuyutsuki turned to Ikari.
"There're sending an entire division against us. We can only hold them for so long."
Ikari stood and walked to his elevator.
"Professor, I have something I must take care of. Handle this for me."
Fuyutsuki smiled, "Of course. Say hello to Yui for me."
Ikari vanished into the floor.
"JSSDF have begun to invade Level 4!" shouted Aoba.
Fuyutsuki turned and looked down at the crew. "Begin to flood Level 4, sectors 2 thru 8 with Bakelite. Have our troops withdraw to sector 10."
An explosion rocks Central Dogma. JSSDF troops enter and begin shooting towards the command tower. The bridge crew dives for cover. Hyuga opens a panel and passes around weapons. Maya looks at the weapon.
"But…..I can't shoot anyone!"
Aoba looks at her. "It's just like training. Only they shoot back."
"BUT I WASN'T SHOOTING PEOPLE THEN!"
"They don't care what you think. If you want to live, shoot."
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Outside on the outskirts of Tokyo-3
3 people sat quietly in a tree watching. Two had Goddess markings, one had Demon. All watched the battle.
"There are times that I really hate being on the surface." said Peorth. She indicated the battle. "This is one of them."
"Yeah." said Mara, quietly.
Urd eyed Mara. "I thought you like wars?"
Mara turned and looked at Urd. "Yeah, wars are nice." She pointed to the battle. "That is not a war. That is a slaughter."
Peorth flinched as a loud explosion and fireball came out of a nearby ventilator. "I wonder what Skuld and Sayoko are up to?"
Urd shrugged. "They have their orders as do we. We were told to wait here." Urd turned back to the battle. "And so we'll wait."
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Shinji ran as fast as he could. He had been leaving for home when the attack began. Now he was trying to survive. He had avoided several groups of soldiers, and had found the bodies that they had left in their wake. He started to turn at an intersection when he ran into a squad. They all leveled their guns at him.
"We have found the 3rd Child." One the soldiers spoke into a radio.
The reply crackled back. "The Children are to be eliminated."
"Roger." The soldier then aimed his gun at Shinji's head. "Sorry kid. No hard feelings."
Shinji stared at the barrel, waiting for the bullet. 4 shots rang out and someone shoved Shinji out of the way. When he looked up, he saw Misato pressing the last soldier up against the wall, her gun underneath his chin.
"Non taken." Misato replied, then pulled the trigger. The soldier slid to the ground. Misato then turned to Shinji.
"Come on, let's get you to your Eva."
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Rei stood quietly in the dummy plug room. Behind her the door opened to reveal Gendo Ikari.
Ikari smiled. "I knew you wouldn't stay away. The time has come. Let's go."
Rei walked quietly out the door, following Ikari.
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Misato listened to a JSSDF radio she had 'found' as they moved through the corridors.
"Yamagishi squad at No. 7
cage, report your status, over. Purple unit secured.
No problems
with Bakelite infusion. Silver unit appears to have been launched...
Currently searching for launch route used."
"Dammit!" shouted Misato, "Comon Shinji! They're going to cut you off from your Eva."
"What about Asuka! I won't do anything until she's safe!"
"She's in Unit 04. I launched her into the lake."
"You what! Where's Sayoko!"
Misato shrugged but didn't stop walking. "I don't know. We couldn't find Rei either. Now come on!"
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"Block access to Terminal Dogma! Make that your priority!" ordered Fuyutsuki.
"They're destroying everything else. Why not the commander area?" muttered Hyuga.
"Because we're sitting on the original Magi." answered Aoba.
"Do they really want the Magi that badly? Seems they could use BC weapons."
"Or N2 weapons."
The entire command area rocked as a bomber, high above Tokyo-3, had dropped a N2 bomb, vaporizing the remains of the city, and opening a giant hole into the Geofront.
Aoba looked up at the ceiling. "Speak of the devil."
Fuyutsuki also looked up. "Well that was overdoing it a bit."
Outside of the city, 2 goddesses and one demon would agree as they lay on the ground, blown out of their tree.
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Office of the Prime Minister of Japan, Tokyo-2
"The phones are dead."
"Yes sir. The warhead impacted just 3 minutes ago."
"This Instrumentality project that NERV was working on, Third Impact. It scares the hell out of me."
"Yes sir."
The minister stood up and looked out his window. People moved about their business, having no idea what was going on several miles away. He turned back to his aide.
"Take out their Headquarters. Level it."
"Sir, will we be bringing in anyone for redevelopment?"
The minister turned back to the window.
"I don't want people to be able to use it for 50 years."
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The JSSDF commander stood by his command tank, listening as his men moved through the NERV facility. An aide ran up to him.
"SIR! We have found the Silver Unit! It's at the bottom of that lake." He indicated the lake.
"The Pilot?"
"Unknown Sir."
"Very well. Assume it's manned. Take it out."
Several trucks moved to the edge of the lake. They began to fire charges into the water. Explosions and columns of water flew into the air as they went off.
At the bottom of the lake, Unit 04 rocked slightly as the charges detonated. Inside the plug, Asuka lay unconscious.
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Somewhere else.
Asuka was holding herself tightly in a ball, floating in gloom. Memories from her youth had assaulted her constantly since her last battle. She kept seeing her mother, dead, over and over. But now all was quiet, except for Asuka's voice.
"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Don't kill me momma. I don't want to die."
A figure began to appear in the gloom.
"You don't have to die." said a female voice.
"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die." Asuka had not heard the voice.
"You can live." came the voice.
"Don't kill me momma. Please don't kill me."
"I won't kill you, Asuka." the voice said. Asuka stopped talking at the sound of her name. She looked up and saw the figure, but she could not make out who it was.
"Momma?" Asuka asked quietly.
The figure came into view, revealing a person that Asuka had never seen before. And yet, she looked very familiar, she almost looked like…..
"Sayoko?"
The person smiled. "No. I am Belldandy."
Asuka's eyes went wide. "You're her mother?"
"Yes."
"Does that mean……I'm dead Mrs. Morisato?"
Belldandy smiled. "No, and please, call me Belldandy. No you're very much alive."
"But…where am I?"
Belldandy came closer. "Right now, you are in Unit 04. From what I've felt from Sayoko in her last battle, you've been in a coma."
Asuka looked shocked. "A coma? How long?"
"Maybe 3 months, its hard to tell time here."
"What am I doing here?"
Belldandy's face became serious. "I'm not sure, but something has happened. There are explosives being dropped on us." Belldandy then gave Asuka a warm smile. "I've healed you the best I can. So you'd better wake up. Shinji misses you."
"Shinji?"
Belldandy began to fade. "He cares for you, I can tell. Sayoko is right, you are a wonderful person."
"WHAT? WAIT! BELLDANDY!"
Asuka sat up. True to Belldandy's words she was inside an entry plug. The plug then rocked as another explosion went off nearby. Asuka grabbed the controls.
"Alright Belldandy, Let's show them what we've got."
The Eva's eyes glowed blue.
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The JSSDF commander had turned from the lake when there was a bright flash. He turned back to see a cross shaped explosion.
"What the hell?"
Unit 04 rose out of the water, carrying an abandoned worship with it. JSSDF tanks began to open fire on the Eva. Unit 04 turned and blocked the oncoming shells with the ship. It then threw the ship into the tanks, causing a massive explosion. A few tanks that survived continue to fire at the Eva. The Eva simply crushed them beneath it.
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Misato was looking, trying to find the correct corridor that would take her in Shinji to Unit 01, when Maya's voice came over the radio.
"UNIT 04 IS ACTIVATED! ASUKA'S ALIVE! SHE'S ALRIGHT!"
Shinji turned and grabbed the radio. "Asuka?"
"BAKA! Where are you?" came Asuka's voice.
"Hold on, We're trying to get to my Eva. I'll be there soon."
"Misato got you lost didn't…." an explosion comes over the radio. "…you little basterds, comere you….." CRUNCH " sorry, minor distraction, Misato's lost isn't she?"
Misato just sighed. "Just stop them Asuka, I'll get him there shortly."
"Roger."
Misato grabbed Shinji and pulled him down a corridor.
"Come on, your Girlfriend is waiting."
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The JSSDF Commander watched as his forces were eliminated by the Eva. Nothing seemed to be able to affect it. Then he remembered something from his briefing.
"Find the Cable! It can't fight without power!"
"Uhhh Sir." said his Aide quietly.
"What?"
"This one has no cable."
The Commander looked at it, then looked in his report. "Dammit. Intel got the Units mixed up!"
The Commander tossed the file away and looked at his Aide. "Give me the damn radio!"
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SEELE 01: The loathsome Evangelion... Do they stand in our way yet again? It seems that we must fight fire with fire.
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High above the remains of Toyko-3, 9 large transports moved into formation for a drop. Underneath, humanoid forms ride in their bellies. Slim red plugs are inserted and hatches are closed. As one, they are released. The 9 Production Evas, pure white and controlled by Dummy Plugs, open their wings as one and begin to circle above NERV HQ and its lone defender.
Asuka looks up into the sky and watches them circle.
"The Production Series? They've been completed?"
Outside in the forest, Peorth, Urd and Mara watch the Evas circle. They then turned to each other.
"That's it. Time to move." said Peorth.
Urd and Mara nod at each other then they vanished. Peorth turned and watched the circling Evas just a bit longer before she too vanished.
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In his office, Kami-sama watched several monitors. One showed the circling Evas, with the NERV pyramid and a Silver Eva below. Another showed Misato and Shinji making their way through NERV. Yet another showed Gendo and Rei moving towards Terminal Dogma. The final screen showed Central Dogma and the command deck.
"The players have been assembled," he said quietly to no one. "Let the trial begin."
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