Disclaimer: Same as the previous chapters.
Opening Omake: The hot girls from Naruto who have been sent to me via past updates appear in a forest scene, wearing skimpy, revealing ninja outfits. They were Temari, Anko, Tsunade, Shizune and Kurenai.
Tsunade: Okay, girls…he must have gone past this area. We split up and subdue Kusanagi-sama before he gets to see what his Christmas presents will be before he gets them. Don't be afraid to use your jutsus if necessary to keep him in place.
As all the chicks agreed with Tsunade, they left for their destinations, when from a nearby pond, I suddenly got out of a nearby pond, wearing Eva Unit 01's head as a camo and holding the Stunner Gatlin Rifle.
ShardclawK: Surprise, fans. Sorry for the delay, but I wanted to do one more COE chapter for the holidays before the year is done. But now I'm here to get the plot moving, since that's what you've been wanting for a while now. I was going to do some more chapters with some more surprises later, but why wait? Just let me know if you love or hate the twists of what's going to happen next, I've pulled all my resources to make this event happen the way it should be. Big shout out and thanks to GreyWolf4, DarkFusion, Tempest and Rune once again for the suggestions, and inserts for the following scene of this story.
Tsunade: There he is! Surround him, girls!
Before I could react, the Naruto chicks have already ganged up on me in all directions.
ShardclawK: Oh, crap! Look, girls…I was really never interested in finding the gifts! You know what a binge of SnakeEater can do to me!
Kurenai: No excuses, Shardclaw-sama! Now, you're going to get punished for being so naughty the entire year, flaunting with so much chicks at the same time.
ShardclawK: I can only guess how…anyway, I won't drag on anymore. While I get occupied by the ninja chicks, who are now changing into skimpy swimsuits, read on with the chapter. Enjoy as always.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Metal Gear Solid: Children of Evangelion
Chapter 24: Hallowed Hopes, Part 1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dark, gloomy memories of her past kept on playing in her head, which was becoming a daily routine. Asuka Langley Sohryu thought she could deny the facts of her past as long as she lived, though through current circumstances, it wasn't possible. The memories of her deranged mother had changed her to suppress emotions, and most importantly, her need for others to help her. The only thing she can rely on these days was her Unit 02 and herself…no one else.
"Asuka! Your synch ratio is dropping! Try to concentrate like you used to!" Ritsuko's voice shouted from the com unit to the German redhead in her Eva's cockpit. The teenager only bellowed back at her.
"I'm trying to, already!" Asuka replied. Herself, Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami were conducting tests as usual with Dr. Ritsuko Akagi and Maya Ibuki.
"This isn't good, ma'am." Maya said as she looked over Asuka's monitor. "She hasn't been improving since the last test."
"Which were just a couple days ago after she moved into Garland's quarters." Ritsuko said, before glancing to her side. "Misato, didn't you suggest that this was a good idea to help her?"
Misato Katsuragi, who happened to be observing the tests all along in silence, stepped forward and spoke.
"At first, I thought it would have worked…but the real problem that lies is her." Misato replied.
"No kidding…but then again, I'm often worried how she is used to living with that sniper from the FOXHOUND group." Ritsuko said. "At times like that, I don't know which scenario is more scarier than the other…"
"At least Rei has a place to live in now where there's people…and Shinji's opening up some more to others." Misato replied.
"Is that your number one priority these days?" Ritsuko asked.
"Asuka's no longer in my hands, remember? She has Garland to look after her now, but I don't think that's going to change things…" Misato said, before she felt her Codec receiver ring in her left ear. She sighed a bit before speaking one last time to Ritsuko.
"Handle the rest of this, please. I should be expecting good results." was all she said before she left the room. As soon as Misato was out of listening range, she touched her left ear and logged on her screen. On the other end, it was Emma Emmerich.
"Emma? What is it?" Misato asked her.
"Sorry if I was interrupting you from something important, Sub Commander…" Emma said in a near apologetic tone. "But Makoto and Hal bumped into some information that you should know right away."
"Don't worry, Emma…I wasn't doing anything important." Misato said. "Does this have anything to do with what's happening with SEELE and Dead Cell at the moment?"
"Yes…and no." Emma replied. "Can you meet us out on the GeoFront, near Arsenal Gear?"
"I'm on my way." Misato said as she logged off. (This is going go be another long week…)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After the three Evangelion pilots had entered into their private changing rooms, Asuka was already changed into her school uniform, when her Codec rang. With a near angry sigh, she simply reacted and pressed the 'Call' button to answer. On the other end was Greg Kinezono, who appeared to be preparing himself for another new important mission from his location in the United States.
"Ah, wrong frequency again…I got to stop doing that…" he said, then he noticed Asuka's face who didn't seem to pleased. "Oh, I'm sorry, kid…I really wanted to talk to James, and I ended up getting this one."
"Hey, you're that loudmouth psychic who everyone's saying you killed the Commander, am I right?" Asuka asked. "The one who stopped that last Angel from blasting NERV to bits some time?"
"Don't listen to everything you hear on the news…most of it is not true." Greg replied with a grin.
"What are you doing calling me of all people?" Asuka asked in a near angry tone.
"I wanted to leave an important message with Garland or James, but it looks like it will have to wait till I'm done with my new mission." Greg replied. "Personally, I was curious in finding out how my family is doing…"
"They are doing just okay…an unusual bunch of people, but I see why you try so hard to protect them." Asuka said.
"Yeah…you're dead on about that." Greg nodded his head. "But tell me something…how's your living situation with James so far?"
"How the hell would you know about that?!"
"Garland contacted me about it sometime after he took you in, just part of conversation, I guess." Greg said.
"What I feel about anyone is none of your damned business!" Asuka replied. But Greg only showed his trademark, devilish grin. "What's so funny?"
"Don't lie to me, Second Child…I can clearly sense it, even just by looking in your eyes. Your feelings about James are very confused, aren't they?" Greg asked. "One side of your thoughts seems to not want to get close to him, while another side does and also finds him physically very attractive."
"I do not!" Asuka protested, blushing furiously.
"Your entire face now says otherwise." Greg continued. "How long will you keep playing hard to get with James, huh? You think your pride is the only reason that you are still alive?"
"My pride…?"
""I know that pride is important." Greg admitted. "But if you're too stubborn, you'll just end up dead. So what's the point? Pride really doesn't mean very much if you're dead, right?"
"I could care less what happens! I have me and myself alone to depend, no one else is going to be better than me!" Asuka shouted.
"You're taking this the wrong way, kid." Greg warned her. "I used to think I was invincible myself to a certain degree until some time ago, and if it wasn't for the group of friends I have with me now, I would be dead already. If you're not a team player, that kind of thinking of yours will only result in disaster."
"I don't have to listen to you or anyone else about this!" Asuka logged off, cutting the conversation, then kicking the locker. In a fit of pent up rage, she sat down on a bench behind her. She has no time to understand why everyone is trying to help her, but she could care less. Taking the schoolbag with her, she exited the room and started to head for home.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Yeesh, try and teach the youth of this generation something and this is what I get?" Greg replied, turning off his Codec. He was leaning at the side of an outside wall, approaching a mansion in the dusk of morning, when the sun haven't even begun to rise yet. It was still bitter and cold, especially in the marsh he was hiding. He was dressed in his custom 'Soldier X' Sneaking Suit, with a tattered cloak hanging at this right side and his High Function Lance, the Ascension was jutted into the ground next to him. He then took out a custom made M9 gun and after he checked its ammo count, he then pressed his 'Call' button again to contact his partners over the Codec.
"Riku? Nagi? Are you two in positions yet?" he asked, when he saw Riku's face appear.
"We've just now approached our sneaking points, Greg." Riku replied from his screen. "Did you send the message to the rest of FOXHOUND about what we're going to do?"
"I tried…but I ended nearly getting my head chewed off by Garland's student." Greg replied. "And all I was doing was offering her some advice…well, I didn't bother anyway. That could wait until we complete our mission."
"Sounds like you didn't want anything to do with those guys anymore, sempai." Yuina said from her Codec screen.
"Hmph…I just want to get this thing done and over with, so I can get back to Japan as soon as possible." Greg retorted. "Whatever goes on over there is no longer my business…"
"Greg! How can you say that about your own buddies?" Rio exclaimed from right behind him.
"At least this is a little better than having old man Sanada hang around with us at this point…" Greg said, waving it off. "I'm going to show everyone at FOXHOUND my way of dealing in a sneaking mission, and I can't afford anyone trying to cramp my style by telling me what to do."
"But still, Greg…" Rio tried to talk, but was shut off by another one of her surrogate son's sensei's, Aika Sumeragi.
"Be quiet, Rio! It's late in the morning and we can't afford to wake up any of these people staying here!" Aika warned her, holding unto her stun gun.
"And we certainly can start an Alert mode either at this time." Tot spoke from her position.
"Yeah…according to sensei Geese, this cult we're investigating seems to be old fashioned, but I'm betting my 50 cents that this monastery must have an armoury somewhere." Greg said, cocking his gun. "Okay, everyone…you each have your objectives…and try not to stir up too much trouble, unless I say so."
"Looking for a good time to raise hell, huh, Greg?" Rie's voice asked him from her position.
"If this mission can at least help me clear my name, I'll be one step closer to getting to Reese." Greg grinned. "Alright….we have sixteen hours to complete this mission…remember that we shouldn't engage the enemy, even though they are a group of sick, cultists. The Patriots may also be pulling strings in this one as well, so be on the extra watch."
"Alright, Greg." Everyone replied at the same time.
"Okay…let's get a move on." He said, logging off. After he got up, he took out the Ascension and looked at his sneaking target, pointing the lance at it. Then with a small grin, placed it over his back, ready to proceed.
"Commencing 'Operation Devil Slayer.'" Greg said, as he started his mission.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back in the GeoFront, near Arsenal Gear…
"Is that really true?" Misato asked while she was seated at a park bench, while Emma, Makoto and Otacon stood by. "Construction of other Evangelion units had been confirmed? At several other locations around the world?"
"Yeah, this just came from the China branch. Our sources are reliable." Makoto replied.
"Why would they pick now of all times to do it?" Misato asked.
"Well…considering all that's been happening recently…from the second US branch's disappearance and the loss of Unit 04 and not to mention Unit 03, then the nature of our branch since the former Commander Ikari's death, I'm guessing the Committee has decided to create a defence force for Angels." Makoto added.
"But currently, SEELE is still under the siege of Solidus and his terrorist group, so someone else must be pulling strings behind this whole thing." Otacon said.
"The Patriots, huh?" Misato asked.
"Most possibly…" Emma answered for her.
"But they really couldn't do anything from their positions that could hamper NERV…not just yet." Misato said. "The Committee may have doubled the existing budget, but thanks to Greg Kinezono's donations from his embezzlement from one of the Patriots secret projects, we've managed to keep stable, while getting spare parts that were originally intended for Units 05 and 06."
"You guys can spend it off all that you want…Greg's got friends in places you don't want to go where even NERV can be financially secured." Emma said.
"Do you think this so called reserve force for the new Evas is for anticipation for a multiple probe of Angels, rather than the singular ones we've seen thus far?" Makoto asked.
"It could be…but there wouldn't be a need for it." Misato said, leaning back to think. (Damn it…the Patriots may have killed Gendou Ikari for the good reasons, but they have only just put all of us into something even I can't predict that's coming. They are playing with us in a little game they have constructed, which they make the rules and they alone will come out the winners.)
"There's got to be some reason for all of this…" Misato said in a serious tone. The others agree with her. There's more to this than meet the eye and it was just barely the start of a new conspiracy brewed by the enemy.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later that evening, at the Katsuragi residence during dinner, Misato had explained to Snake about what she discovered earlier, while Rei and Shinji sat apart at the same table they were seated at ate their dinner. The best part about it was since Misato's cooking had gotten better, it actually gotten more edible.
"So, you really think the Patriots are responsible for calling the shots of having more of those Evangelions created?" Snake asked, finishing his meal and taking out a cigarette. Misato got up and after following Snake a distance away from Shinji and Rei's listening area, she answered.
"It could be…one can't help but wonder why." Misato replied with a tired tone as she let her beer can hang from her hand, while she rubbed her forehead with the other.
"What's the matter, Misato?" Snake noticed the look on her face. She didn't seem to please about this.
"This doesn't seem right in anyway…after all that has happened, why would SEELE want to create a reserve of Evas, especially now that Solidus has them under his thumb?" Misato asked. "You're not thinking…?"
"That Solidus has actually allied himself with the chairmen of that group? It could be of one possibilities…" Snake answered. "Or maybe he's using his power of influence to make this happen?"
"You mean his former position as a President?" Misato asked.
"Yeah…but it doesn't end there." Snake looked out at the horizon. "He could be using SEELE's technology against us, now that we got Arsenal working and in our possession."
"He's still after that Ultimatum Gear that was rumoured to have existed…you think he's having the reserve force of Evas for finding it?" Misato queried.
Snake thought long and hard about this. He was certainly stumped on this one as to figure out what the Patriots are doing. His other concern lies with what Solidus and Ocelot are doing as of now. He placed an arm over Misato's shoulder.
"Look…I don't think it would be Solidus' intentions to use Eva in his plans, but he will have others that can cause just as much the concern." Snake said. "Your main concern is to see about the welfare of the pilots and the base. If things just get even more out of place, me and Jack will have to set out foot down on this matter."
"So, this means that you're going after them soon?"
"We won't be left with a choice if this city comes under attack courtesy of them." Snake replied. "Someone has to get to the bottom of this and find out what they are up to."
"We have our roles, I guess…we should be ready to play them out before something happens…" Misato spoke. As she looked to her side, she noticed Shinji and Rei getting up from the table at the same time to help each other with clearing the table. It was then Misato got an idea.
"Hey, David…?" She asked him. "You think Shinji's comfortable now, that Rei's with living with us here?"
"He is showing the signs. He is improving in every little thing he does with confidence, that's for sure." Snake replied.
"We should do something to get the two together, after all they've gone through." Misato said.
"Is that so? You have something in mind?" Snake could see what Misato was plotting. Over from where Shinji and Rei were, the Third Child can't help but wonder what's going on with Asuka right now, though he was overly concerned for her right now.
( I hope she is managing over there a little better than she was with us…) Shinji thought to himself as he and Rei started to clean the dishes together.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile at Garland's apartment, also, Asuka's newest living quarters at the same time…
It was rather silent at dinner time with Garland, James and Asuka over their meal. Since Asuka had a vague idea of what they were doing most of the day, she didn't bothered to speak, whilst James remained silent as well while he ate. Even out of the battlefield, his codename is still proven its rank. Garland looked on at the two in silence.
(This silence is rather frightening…why is it that Asuka won't take the chance to talk to James?) Garland thought to himself, but before he could say a word, the phone rang and he got up to answer it.
"I got it." He said, picking it up. "Hello?"
After a moment on it, he started to speak in native German, and it was then Asuka seemed to have noticed.
"Yes…she's here alright. I'll tell her you'll want to talk with her." Garland said, handing the receiver to her. "Hey, Asuka…your mom wants to talk to you."
"A call from my mother?" she asked first to confirm, which Garland nodded his head at her. "Give me that!"
Snatching the receiver from Asuka, she began to converse in German cheerfully, while Garland and James looked on.
"Hey, Garland…" James called out to his comrade, finally speaking.
"Yeah, James?"
"Is that really her mother she's talking to?" he asked. Garland got closer to James and spoke to him more silently since he didn't want to disturb Asuka.
"Her real mother died years ago in an accident, and I only know she is not on speaking terms with her dad either." Garland told him.
"Hmm… "
"Hey, come and get this table cleared up and go check our equipment before we call it a night." Garland said, starting to clear the table. "Maybe then, you'll think off something to tell her."
"Maybe I should…" James said, assisting Garland with the cleaning.
Twenty minutes later, after Asuka had finished talking to her step mom, she had a more or less satisfied look on her face, as she saw James cleaning out his PSG-1, his Fate katana lying next to the couch he sat one. She still is having trouble getting used to that sort of this new kind of living.
"So…James…you do this for a living, huh?" Asuka asked him, getting closer to Fate.
"I've been doing it as long as I can remember. Let's leave it at that." He replied.
Asuka looked at the hilt of the Fate sword and noticed it had a signature in Japanese. Though she can't read Japanese, she instantly knew what the kanji meant from some of Garland's and Kaji's lessons.
"Hey…is that really a…" Asuka asked ahead.
"Hanzo Hattori sword? Yes, he made an exception and created it just for me years ago." James replied for her.
"For you to expand your fields of killing people while on a mission?"
"It works that way sometimes. That is the way of the world." James replied, looking at her. "Like your mother…I'm not sure about you, though…"
"What do you mean by that?" Asuka asked.
"I was told by Garland on how you lost your mom…in a way, you are fortunate." James spoke while remembering Sniper Wolf and how she was the closest thing to a mother to him. "My mother…I had to…I had to kill her as part of a test of how good I've gotten from the lessons I've learned from her and the time I spent with her."
"You did WHAT!?" Asuka couldn't believe what she just heard. "How can you do such a thing?"
"Look, Asuka…at first, she wasn't my real mother, okay? Just someone who moulded me into someone I am now." James explained, speaking out his heart. "That's how it is in this world, and I was trained to be like since I've been with her."
"And for any good reasons, why was that?" Asuka asked.
"It's been part of me, that's all. There's no sense trying to deny this instinct I had." James spoke.
"And you think people will just accept that truth so easily?" Asuka asked him. "Then tell me this…you claim to be the best sniper this group has right now, did you get there by yourself, huh? To become you're really are?"
"I've had my ways of bringing up myself in the ways of an assassin. Whether I did it alone or not actually wouldn't be your business now, wouldn't it?" he simply replied.
"Ugggh! How much longer must I deal with these strange people?" Asuka simply fumed, as she got up and headed for her room. James simply hung his head, as he proceeded for his room to lie down and crash for the night.
One thing was for sure with him…Scorpion hated night.
It was the one time when he felt most susceptible to his conscience. He told everyone that he didn't have one, but it was a lie. During the day, the work he had to do kept him from thinking but when trying to get to sleep, was a different story. He could hear his own voice whispering to him from the walls.
"Murderer…"
"Sociopath…"
Scorpion turned to his side and looked at his weapons, the only things giving him comfort these days. Without another thought in mind, he simply laid himself back and closed his eyes to sleep.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back at NERV, the next day and in another synch ratio test…
Ritsuko couldn't help but shake her head at the results in front of her. Asuka's test was gradually getting worst by the day.
"Synchograph minus 12.8. That's barely over the starting level." Maya said.
"This is pathetic! This score's even worst than yesterday's." Ritsuko replied in a tone of bewilderment.
"Asuka's not feeling well…it's her periods." Misato said coolly.
"These tests aren't determined by psychical changes. This deals more into her sub conscious." Ritsuko said. After standing up straight, she looked at Misato with a stern look.
"Misato…if this continues, she will have to be replaced." Ritsuko said. "And we really can't afford any pilots at the moment under present circumstances."
"I know…Garland's trying his hardest too." Misato replied. "But Asuka just won't let it be…"
Ritsuko simply thought it was best to call it a day and announced to Asuka over the P.A. "Asuka, you're finished now."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some time after the test, Asuka emerged from the ladies restroom, holding unto her abdomen. With a disgusted look on her face and tone in her voice, she loathed on what she must go through.
"Why do I have to suffer through this, just because I'm a girl?" she asked herself. "It's not like I want to have children anyway."
Stopping in front of an elevator, Asuka waited for it's doors to open, unknowingly that it was already occupied…by the First Child, Rei Ayanami. Simply trying not to let her anger rule her at the moment she set sight on her, Asuka reluctantly stepped in and stood in a corner, far from Rei, as the elevator proceeded it's trip. For several seconds, there was a dead silence between the two…until it was Rei who spoke up first and told Asuka…
"If you don't open your mind to her, your Eva will not move."
"You're saying this is my fault? I'm blocking myself?" Asuka asked back.
"Yes. The Eva has its own mind." Rei replied in a calm tone, without looking back at Asuka.
"It's just a big toy."
"And you don't know?" Rei was still calm, despite Asuka's growing anger at the matter.
"Ha…now I know something's wrong when Wondergirl starts talking to me." Asuka lamented, then after seeing she didn't get a reply, she continued.
"What's up? Are you happy that I'm having trouble with my Eva now? Well, don't worry…we'll just leave it up to the invincible Shinji to go out and destroy it! We little girls won't have to fight anymore!" Asuka shouted furiously at Rei's back. "I thought it was bad when he was nice…then with all these freaks from FOXHOUND begin to bug into my problems, as if they care…but when an emotionless doll like you starts being sympathetic, I'm doomed."
"I'm not a doll." Rei replied simply.
"Of course you are!" Asuka said. "You would do anything you were ordered to, don't you? If Shinji's bastard father was still alive, I'm sure you would have killed yourself if he ordered you to, wouldn't you?"
Rei didn't reply to Asuka for a few seconds at first, which got Asuka to face Rei, because she was becoming more aggravated by the second about this. But she never expected the First Child to reply with her answer.
"No…I would not." Rei said.
In a way, this would have shocked Asuka, and at the same time, bewildered her.
"What? You're actually going to go against his command?" Asuka asked. "Why would you?"
"I…I really don't understand why…" Rei said.
"Then that means you are a robot! Just like I thought! An emotionless, windup doll not capable of thinking for herself." Asuka said, raising her right hand to hit Rei. But the First simply caught it before it touched her face.
"What are you…? Let me go now!" Asuka tried to fend herself away from Rei's grip, but the look in Rei's eyes was focused in keeping Asuka at bay while she defended herself.
"I'm not a…tool." Rei said to Asuka, gripping unto her wrist, and weakening her at the same time. "And the same goes for the Eva…you should be aware of that by now. If you do not, your own existence will be the price to pay."
Rei finally released Asuka's wrist, allowing the German redhead to step back. To her amazement, she saw a small swelling where Rei gripped her. Asuka became even more furious now, that she know Rei just protected herself using one of a variety of simple counters based from CQC (close quarters combat) trained by Snake, Michael and Garland.
"I hate you! I hate everyone!" Asuka shouted to a now closed elevator door. She has decided to put her foot down, she can no longer take the growing shame. She simply turned around and headed to her destination, which happened to be the Evangelion cages.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Asuka was already in her plug suit, and standing in front of the head of Unit 02, she thought a talk of sorts would straighten things out.
"You're my doll and you're supposed to do whatever I tell you to without arguing, understand?" she said, her hands on her hips. "Why does a weapon need a mind anyway? It just causes more problems."
After a few seconds, Asuka spoke once more to it. "Anyway, you got to obey all of my orders, do you hear?"
More silence from Unit 02, and Asuka simply shook her head. "Ahh…this is stupid."
Just then, she heard a male announcer over the comm. Speakers inside the cage.
"All personnel, go to first stage alert. Prepare for aerial assault."
"An Angel? Another one already?" she said as she started preparations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile at the Command Centre, a number of both NERV and FOXHOUND factions were already there to witness the new Angel's arrival. Those from FOXHOUND and Philanthropy were Solid Snake, Raiden, Otacon, Meryl, Naomi, Emma, Michael, Garland and Silent Scorpion.
"We have visual confirmation on the Angel." Shigeru reported. "Maximum magnification."
On the giant monitor, they saw an image of a bird like version of an Angel, its' size and width alone was larger than people originally expected and it was surrounded by a bright, emanating light. Several of the FOXHOUNDers gaped at this.
"Look at the size of that thing!" Raiden exclaimed.
"Yeah, just looking at it just gives me the chills…" Emma said, gripping unto Makoto's shoulder tighter.
"You guys think the kids got a standing chance against that?" Snake asked Misato.
"Hyuga…what's the status of the Angel?" Misato asked.
"The orbit is just outside our defence envelope." He replied.
"And it's maintaining a constant distance from us." Shigeru pitched in.
"So, does that mean it's looking for a comfy place to land?" Misato asked. "Or that's its going to destroy us from way up there?"
"We can't attack it from this distance." Makoto told his superior officer.
"Yeah, and if it does comes within our range, there's not much we can do offensively." Misato said. "The Evas were not designed to for combat an Angel that's still in orbit. How's Rei?"
"Rei and Unit 00 are ready and waiting." Maya replied.
"Understood." Misato said. "Roll out Unit 00 and equip it for long range firing. Asuka, get ready to back her up in Unit 02."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile, in the cockpit of Unit 02…
"Back her up?" Asuka asked. "You want me to back Wondergirl up?"
"That's right." Misato replied through the cockpit speakers. "Take the rear guard position."
"You can't be serious!" Asuka said, now ignoring the order. "Eva Unit 02, launch now!"
At the command of her voice, her red Eva was ejected out of the cages and was heading towards above ground.
"Asuka!" Ritsuko shouted, but her call was unheard.
"It's okay." Misato replied simply, with her arms folded. "Let her take point, if that what she wants."
"Are you sure about that?" Makoto asked.
"If she screws this one up, she won't be allowed to pilot anymore." Ritsuko said to Misato.
"You're saying this is her last chance?" Maya asked.
"Start preparing her replacement…just to be safe." Ritsuko told Maya in a low tone.
"Right."
"You can't be serious!" Michael shouted from behind Misato. "You certainly can't let her go out like that! That's just too dangerous! You're not putting your foot down with her, Sub-Commander!"
"I can't go against what she wants, Hansen." Misato replied, looking at him from her side. "Besides, I'm still the head of operations around here…she may use this as a chance to prove herself one more time she's able of piloting an Eva."
"That won't matter anymore by the time her life, as well those of others are in jeopardy!" Michael said to her, as Snake stepped in between the two of them.
"Enough, you two…or I'll have to call Greg back here to deal with you both, but since he's in the middle of an important mission right now, he can't afford any interruptions." Snake put out his arms, then looked at Misato. "Aren't you taking this a little off the procedure with the kid? In a way, I agree with him…you should have tried to stop her…"
"And risk setting her off if she gets a hint that she won't pilot anymore?" Misato said. "I'm trying to save us the pressure of getting ourselves into something rash she may do."
"Is that your only concern?" Michael asked her. "What about the safety of herself and her comrades as well?"
Misato looked at him in silence before she looked back at the monitor. "We'll just have to leave this to her and see what determines that now, would we?"
"Excuse me…aren't we going to use Eva Unit 01?" Makoto asked.
"Unit 01 stays in cryo-stasis. Those are the new Commander's orders." Misato said, then started to think to herself. (And after what's happened…you'd better accept that.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Outside in a desolate, and wet, raining day of Tokyo-3In Unit 02's cockpit, Asuka had already set herself to aim the giant, sniper rifle like cannon upwards to the atmosphere. While the crosshairs set themselves to align with the Angel as the target, she kept talking to herself to give her a boost of confidence.
"If I fail, they won't let me pilot anymore. You can do it, Asuka." She said to herself. "You must."
"The target is still out of range." Shigeru reported over the speakers.
"Damn! Why are you so slow?!" Asuka demanded. "Come and fight, Angel!"
The crosshairs of the rifle finally come close to targeting the Angel, but before Asuka was ready to fire, her sight and Eva was engulfed by a white, ray of light that emitted from the Angel. Meanwhile back at the Command Centre, the 'Alert' and 'Emergency' alarms went off on the three bridge bunnies monitors.
"What the hell just happened!?" Otacon asked. "What is that light?"
"Does the enemy have a particle beam weapon?" Misato asked.
"No…energy emissions detected." Shigeru said.
"Oh my God!" Maya exclaimed. "I'm getting abnormal readings in Asuka's zincograph. Mental contaminations imminent!"
"What does that mean!? What's happening to her?!" Garland asked, starting to get nervous for his old time student and friend. He didn't need a full explanation, by the time he looked back to the monitor, Asuka was throwing tantrums around in her Unit 02, her pitching screams echoing in the Command Centre, as the light caused her to lose control of herself, while invading it. Shots were fired at random places of Tokyo 3, destroying several buildings and other areas in the process.
"The Angel's attacking her quasi-ego borderline…inside her mind." Ritsuko said in utter shock. "I never thought that they can understand our way of thinking that well!"
"Good God…" Garland stepped back in shock, while James started to hold his stomach.
"What is that beam of light made of?" Misato asked Hyuga.
"It's…it's some kind of energy oscillation, using a visible wave-length." Makoto replied. "It's similar to an AT-Field."
"How is she?" Ritsuko asked Maya.
"The mental contamination is crossing her ego borderline!" Maya said in a state of panic.
"This…this is what happens when you don't take your priorities seriously!" Michael said to her from behind, making her divert her attention to him. "Because of you allowing her going out there like that, she is now in trouble because you didn't stop her!"
"Hey, for one thing, this is certainly not YOUR fight, Hansen!" Misato said. "You're here to deal with terrorists, which are your enemy, not with OURS, which is the Angels. No one asked for your suggestions or help."
"Well, from the way things are right now, you certainly are in need of it!" Michael replied, bitterly angry at the situation. "You're certainly are not capable of making the right decisions when it comes to the children!"
"What do you know about that?!" Misato glared at Michael, before Snake stepped in front of her one more time.
"YOU placed YOUR needs before the needs of your comrades, damn it girl…you can never EVER do that!" Micheal shouted at her.
"Enough! Now! And I mean it this time!" Snake shouted. "This is obviously not the time for this shit. We got to focus on getting her out of there before it's too late! We should be putting our heads together for something like this, not arguing!"
"He's right, you two!" Raiden came at Michael's side. "We can debate about who is more right later, you have find a way to get Asuka away from that light."
After a moment's silence between the group, Misato simply turned back to the monitor, pushing aside her anger.
"This is not over, Hansen." Misato warned him.
Michael just stared back at her in silence before he glanced at a trembling Garland, who couldn't to anything but stand there in shock, watching Asuka being tormented like this. Her screams of agony continued as the powerful Angel ravaged her inner mind.
"No! Don't! Don't come inside my mind!" Asuka shouted, clutching her head. "Get out of my mind! God, please, help me…it's raping my mind!"
"Psychograph critical!" Maya shouted.
"We got to get her out of there immediately." Ritsuko said. "Any longer and her mind will be permanently damaged."
"You got to retreat now, Asuka!" Misato ordered.
"NO!" Asuka shouted back, still clutching her head.
"That was an order! I'm ordering you to retreat!" she demanded.
"No, never!" Asuka shouted. "If I'm going to die, it's meant to be now!"
"Asuka!!" Scorpion screamed, as he watched Unit-02 clutch its head. He rushed past the others to get to a bathroom.
"James!" Naomi called out to him, but Meryl stopped her.
"Leave him alone…he needs to be by himself now at a time like this." Meryl said. As she turned around to see the tension Michael and Misato was brewing, she noticed another reason why she should stop panicking…or just beginning to.
"Garland's gone too!" she exclaimed, as everyone turned to see a now empty spot where Garland Dare stood. Michael's eyes widened as he saw this.
"Shit! He isn't going to…?" Micheal said, gritting his teeth. (Oh, God…he just might do it. And so will 'he' as well.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Somewhere in the NERV restroom areas…
It had been five minutes since Scorpion was still in the men's restroom. Once there, he vomited the remains of his breakfast. Scorpion had to do something. There was only one thing that he could do. He started to sprint through the long sloping halls of Central Dogma and got to the hangar in minutes. Greg's Harrier 2 shone there like an angel about to rain fire on the enemies of God.
"James!" Garland Durev then stepped in behind Scorpion. "You think going out there by yourself to save Asuka is going to work like this?"
"I'm going to use Greg's Harrier and get her away from that beam using it's weapons. It's the only way." James said, but was cut off when Garland placed an arm on his shoulder.
"I don't think so…" Linn Aramaki said as she came forward from behind it, as if she was standing guard for her one of her lover's personal treasures. "That will be far as you will go, James."
Scorpion put his hand to Fate's hilt. "I'm going whether you like it or not."
"Listen James, the other Evangelions are being prepped for battle as we speak." Linn replied, only to get a harsh remark from Silent Scorpion.
"Yeah, but that could take up to 20 minutes! By that time, Asuka might be dead." he shouted.
Linn shook her head. "I'm glad that you found a girl you could like, but just because of that, it doesn't give you clearance to go and get yourself killed."
"Greg has done it for you before…and he has never stopped doing it since I know him." Scorpion said while glaring. "Please, Linn…don't make me beg anymore."
Linn looked up, suddenly knowing the sentiments in Scorpion's voice. Just how much times since she met Greg all those years ago when they joined FOXHOUND together has he risked his life just to protect hers? Countless times...and neither of them seemed to be getting tired of it. With a sad sigh in her voice, Linn moved out of the way and threw James the ignition keys for the Harrier.
"Go. And good luck." was all she said, without bothering to look at James one more time, as the sadness in her voice grew.
Scorpion nodded his head, not being able to express the words of gratitude he wanted to say. He rushed into the Harrier and prepped take-off initiations. But before he clutched the throttle for lift off, Garland Durev called out to Scorpion.
"Damnit, kid, what the hell are you doing?!" Garland shouted at James.
"Look, Garland…someone has to do SOMETHING about this, because…" He suddenly stopped, gritting his teeth. "I care too much for the girl to be standing around and do nothing for her!"
James began to use the throttle and the Harrier began to rise off the docking ground. Linn and Garland both look on in silence, until Garland started to shake his head, as he made a dash towards the jet and hitches a ride on one of the Harrier's Maverick missiles.
"Garland! What the hell are you….?" Linn shouted at her comrade, but the noise from the engines alone had blocked out the sound and already, the jet began to take off. All Linn can do was shield her face from the wind it created as it exited the hangar. Looking towards the empty space in front of her, her body began to shake. This was one of the worst case scenario that could happen to her, but she has to be strong for Greg's sake.
(Get a grip on yourself, Linn…I got to head back inside and clear my head a bit.) Linn thought as she went back inside into the Command Centre.
Luckily being a FOXHOUND recruit meant that he had gone under VR Training to make sure that he could pilot if need came to it. Though he was trained in the original Harrier, the controls were not that much different to his friend's own.
"This is Scorpion to Command, am I clear for takeoff?" Scorpion asked in the pilot's seat to his Codec.
Snake's voice came on the jets comm. Channel in an angry tone. "Kid? What the hell are you doing in there?"
Scorpion flipped the boosters on. "Trying to figure out how to destroy a mass of light with twin Vulcan cannons and sidewinders."
"Get back in here!!! The Evas are going to be launched in 4 minutes and counting."
"Sorry, Snake, but for once, I am going to go against your orders." Scorpion replied as the screen switched to Michael's face.
"Garland! What do you think you are doing?" he asked.
"I hope that you and the Sub Commander will find the time to stop arguing, James and I are going to at try and save her, while you guys think of a way to attack the Angel!" Garland replied.
"It…it wasn't what it seemed…" Micheal replied.
"Just work on the offence. We'll work on getting her out of there." Garland replied.
"But entering that light will…" Naomi was cut off.
"It won't happen…that is a guarantee." Garland spoke. "We're approaching the Eva. I hope to see some good results from your end."
"Garland! James!" Both Micheal and Linn's voices called out at the same time, before the Codec was logged off.
As the Harrier gained rising momentum, James seemed to have ignored Garland surfing on top on one of the Mavericks. He heard his Codec call as he saw Garland speak to him.
"James. I care for her as much, if not, more than you. I'll be damned before I let you go off alone on some suicide mission to save her!" Garland shouted.
"You have any bright ideas?" James replied.
"A Harrier might not be able to do anything to Evangelion armour... but a Berserker can." Garland answered.
"You're not saying…?"
"I think that is necessary, it's the only way we can get to her through the plug." Garland spoke. "I have a plan…you'll unleash all fire upon a spot on the armour to weaken it somehow, then launch the Maverick I'm on for the insert riding on to insert him in."
"You got to be kidding me!" James exclaimed.
"It's the only way we can get to her!" Garland shouted. "I'll let 'D' handle the rest of it."
"Whatever you say, man…" James replied, knowing exactly what could happen next. He then focused himself in flying the Harrier out of the base and it went straight up the tunnel until it reached the streets of Tokyo-3. From this view he would say it is beautiful, but right now he was flying toward Unit-02.
Scorpion flew past the cringing Eva, towards the atmosphere and the light. Garland set himself up for a ready position. Stopping the Harrier several metres from the Eva, he fired a volley of the rapid gunfire from the jets' turrets on the open area of the Angel's back where the entry plug area laid. Several bullets pierced the armour, but not much that it penetrated it much.
"I'm firing the Maverick now, Garland!" James shouted. "Hang on tight!"
Garland nodded at the command and felt the missile just below his feet fired from the jet and towards Unit 02. Garland timed the distance he should land at and waited for it to get closer, even though the missiles awkward speed and angle was a bit off, James aimed so, that he wouldn't damage the Eva severely. Once it was close enough over Unit 02, he made a dive for it and leaped off the missile. As the missile flew off into the horizon, Garland made his landing and ended up near the entry plug, where the gun fire to it seemed to have dented it a bit.
"Good…the plug's armour seemed to have become less dense from the gunfire." Garland said to himself. "Okay…it's time, 'D'. Are you ready to show these people of NERV why I'm called 'Berserker Demon' and to help our little Asuka?"
"I've been ready ever since she got attacked." A dark, malevolent voice replied within the recesses of Garland's voice. "We will not fail her again…we saved her life before years ago. We can certainly do it again."
"Right…but don't do anything harmful to James. He cares for her now as much as we both do…now more than anyone else." Garland said. "But for now…we must…AAAGGGHHH!"
It wasn't before long that the light the Angel emitted started to affect Garland as well, though the effect was different. Garland was going to bring out his famous, and dangerous alter ego, 'D' voluntarily, but the Angel pushed first. This was the moment 'D' would finally break free in this city known as Tokyo-3.
"So…we are to be tested as well?" 'D' asked. "Fine then, Angel…just bring it!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back inside the Command Centre…
"Linn! I still can't believe you let the two of them go out there!" Meryl said to Linn, who was sitting down next to Maya with a slight look of shame on her face.
"I'm...sorry, Commander!" Linn replied, bowing her head. "It was James who won out…and then I had to think of Greg, but…"
"It would be more understandable if it was Greg himself who let them go, but still…this was uncalled for!" Meryl said. "What would you think Roy will think when he hears of this?"
"It's not my fault, ma'am. Greg has done it for me more than once and he has never gotten tired of it. So I made the choice for James to experience the same thing for the one he loves." Linn confessed. "I'm sure he won't have to die for it if something goes wrong."
"What's happening to Garland?" Misato asked, as she and the others in the room began to hear his screams along. But these screams were a mix, not only of anger and pain, but of unbridled rage. A rage so inhumane, that it was more of a monstrous howl that came from Garland Durev. It actually made some of the NERV technicians shudder at the tone.
"Oh, no…of all the people to show up…" Micheal said in silence. "'He' had to come out at a time like this…but will he be of any help?"
"Who are you talking about?" Ritsuko asked him, starting to become frightened herself.
"Magnify the image to Garland's position, now!" Misato demanded to Makoto.
"Uh…right." He said as he punched in the commands. Upon the close up of the entry plug area, they saw Garland, but his appearance had slightly changed from an average soldier of FOXHOUND to something close to a reincarnated monster. His stance was a slouching forward manner, as his arms dangled loosely. His hands were twisted into claws, while his hair shadowed his eyes.
"Good God…is that really…Garland?" Maya asked, before Snake answered for her.
"Not anymore." Snake said seriously. "This was the main reason he was called 'Bloody Hands' during his old merc days. Everyone at NERV…I want you to meet the alter ego of Garland…the Berserker Demon."
From the area where the Eva stood still, they can hear at first, a throaty cackle, which slowly entered into a full blown demonic laughter as he threw his head back, revealing to those watching him a different kind of face that made everyone's blood run cold. His grey-blue eyes are now the bloodiest, crimson red, and a warped grin adorned his face. Everyone at NERV, Philanthropy and FOXHOUND can sense what's going to be happening next, will only add to the terror that is already ensuing.
The Berserker Demon has been set free once more, and this time…it has his sights set on saving Asuka, or else, there would be grave consequences…
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ShardclawK: One of my darkest, and twisted pieces of writing yet. I hoped everyone enjoyed it. And it has only just begun. It is a dark twist is not just for Asuka, but for James and Garland as well. I hope that got your taste for suspense wet until later on. I'm going to leave this as it is until the next update, because I want to see your reactions for this chapter. I know it sounds like an evil cliffhanger, but we need more of those around. Anyway, I hoped I used Scorpion and Garland just right for this particular part of the story, so for those who haven't seen their side stories to understand them better, read them now as not to get confused.
Easter Eggs:
1) I got a mail from a fan some time this month, asking me if he can write an AU side story to this one, pitting the FOXHOUND guys for this fic against the bosses from MGS 3. That's right, folks…Having agreed to his ideas and suggestions, I'm going to assist him in anyway to make it come possible, so fans of this story and the OC's can be entertained by that one as well. However, I'm letting anyone who owns them know about this before confirming what's going down in his story, so be sure to mail me as soon as you get the chance when you get the chance. I would have put them in this fic myself, but there's enough bad guys in this fic to keep everyone occupied currently. But that won't stop me from making references from the game in this story later on.
2) And to those who haven't seen the Evangelion Solid video yet can find a small 'how to' tip in my profile for those interested.
3) I can't help but not make the Kill Bill reference for the Fate sword. Actually, that was Rune's idea and I thought it was cool that he would do it, so I went along with it as well. It can't be helped…of the four writers that helped me with this fiction, three of them, including myself loved that movie!
And now…one more Gendou bashing omake for old times sake and more chick receiving. Enjoy!
Shardclaw can be seen in his room, being huddled by Mahoro from Mahoromatic, Yomiko Readman from Read or Die, Hakafu Sonsaku from Ikki-Tosen and Magerete G. Zelle from Shadow Hearts who were all wearing thin negligee while I was playing SnakeEater.
ShardclawK: Damn you, The End! Where are you hiding, you damned old coot?
Just then, Gendou Ikari enters the room, bearing the wounds he had gained from the previous bashings.
Gendou: Shardclaw…how much more will you keep on doing this to me? You have no right to do this to me?
ShardclawK: Nothing personal, well…actually it is personal, because personally…I just don't like your ass! It's my fic, and I own the title of being your grand killer, wankster! And besides…everytime I see you in that episode where you order the Dummy Plug to be activated and hurt my poor hero, Touji, I just hate your ass even more!
Gendou: And what are you going to do about that? What done is done, Shardclaw…it was fitting he got what he deserved.
My ears suddenly shot up at that comment as I started to glare at him. The girls stepped back.
Yomiko: Yikes! Shardclaw-sama is really pissed now!
Magerete: Bad call saying that about one of Shardclaw sama's favourite anime heroes! You're going down for that…
Hakafu: Down the to the torture room he goes!
A rope appears next to me I suddenly pull on it, letting Gendou fall into a hole below him and right into a secret torture room made just for him, where Guilty Gear's Sol Badguy, MGS 3's The Boss/The Joy and Orochimaru from Naruto.
Sol: Che…I hope you're ready to suffer for your deeds. I didn't come here to waste time, but to waste you.
The Boss: Now, we're going to show what happens to men like yourself who ruin people's lives…
Before Gendou reacted, The Boss had already crippled him by breaking his legs out of their joints before she grabs him and throws him right into Sol, who used a Tyrant Rave on him, then landed in front of Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: We are just getting started now. There is no escape from us. Time for your suffering to begin.
From the television set, I shuddered at the sight of Gendou being punished by a few of my favourite icons.
ShardclawK: Damn…I knew I should have paid them less to do this to that man…
Woman's voice: No love loss there, Shardclaw-sama. At least it gets the job done.
ShardclawK: Sounds like the new shipments are here…and what do I got here this time.
From the door, four chicks from the anime, Galaxy Angel appear enter wearing sexy Santa Claus tank tops and mini skirts with edible undies on. Milfeulle Sakuraba had on a strawberry flavour, while Forte Stollen had on Cherry, sexy Ranpha had on a vanilla cream, and Chitose had a mix of blueberry and grape.
Ranpha: Seasons' Greetings, Shardclaw. Hope you are prepared yourself for what's to occur during your Christmas season.
Milfeulle: But that's not all…oh, Mizhuo! You can enter now!
ShardclawK: Eh?
Just then, Mizhuo Kazami, Ichigo Morino, Koishi Herikawa and Kaede entered wearing those ultra skin-tight black bodysuits.
Ranpha: Oh, my…we got one last surprise from Tempest that you must have…
ShardclawK: Ahh…you mean there's more?
The other group that came in was Read or Die: The TV's Maggie and Michelle King, Nenene Sumiregawa and the OVA's Wendy, all of them wearing nothing but paper.
ShardclawK: Yeesh…so much chicks…so little time. I don't even deserve such kindness…
Mizhuo: You think we alone will give you fun for Christmas alone? Guess what, Shardclaw-sama…Tempest has got more girls for you come Christmas day, not to mention that he's going to turn off all limiters for the past shipments he has sent to unleash an attack like never before upon you!
At this point, a normal author would pass out upon hearing this, but for me…I just grinned at this.
ShardclawK: Then, I better start putting that training with the Ropponmastus to good use…since they have been installed with their new ultra-compact micro fission reactors will be, as well as an upgrade to their "Kama Sutra Evolution" software…I've been making sure to keep myself fit. Oh, well…if that's what you girls want…it should be enough to carry me into the New Year. I just hope DF don't try this stunt as well…anyway, I'll be working on the follow up to this chapter soon enough, so just hang on for an update soon. Seasons Greetings and see ya around very soon. For now…the chicks summon me…
Collis aka ShardclawKusanagi.