Disclaimer: The same as before and always. But who cares about that that now on a time like this?
Opening Omake: When Cast Members Strike Back…
I was seated in his formerly Gendou's high chair, laid back with my feet on the desk and reading the slew of fan mail and reviews from the posting of last chapter.
ShardclawK: Damn…where did all these new fans come up from all of a sudden wanting more of this story? I must say I really appreciate the kind words and comments, but why rush it when I can take things one thing at a time?
Just then, Misato enters wearing EVA's jumpsuit, only a small bikini top can be seen over her cleavage. All the fan boys go mad at this. Just behind her, were Asuka and James Masterson.
Misato: Shardclaw! Why are you sitting around on your lazy butt and not doing any writing? You promised these two that you'd get them hooked up as soon as you've finished the previous chapter!
Asuka: Yeah! And if you don't get anything done, I'm going to use Unit 02 to destroy your base, while Scorpion will go after your girls and snipe them down!
ShardclawK: Ha! Nice try, guys…but you already know what happens if any of my cast members dare scratch my chicks…I strip them of all fanfiction privileges, so there's nothing you can do about that, PIDAH!
James: Damn…alright then, seems we have to call the big guns for you. Should we call them in, Asuka?
Asuka: Why of course...they want to do what they can to get Shardclaw writing again…even if it means shutting off the limiters they have.
ShardclawK: You don't mean…?
With a snap of Asuka's finger, Lina Inverse, Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune, Sylphiel Nels Lahda, Filia ul Copt, Martina Zoana Mel Navratilova, and Naga the White Serpent of the great fantasy/comedy anime series The Slayers enter the office. My body instantly turned white as I see the look of hunger for the insatiable fan boy who writes good fics on their faces.
ShardclawK: Aw…crap.
Misato: Heh, heh…I'm certain DarkFusion would appreciate how much…'service' these ladies are willing to offer you to make you progress faster, don't you, girls?
Naga: Oh, yes! We certainly want to do our outmost best to get Shardclaw-sama's gears working again. And we don't care if we have to set off our limiters VOLUNTARILY to make it happen!
Sylphiel: Be a good boy and do your writing, or else, we will gang up on you with our sex appeal and voracious appetites!
ShardclawK: Okay, okay…you win! I give! I'm working right now, see? Ah, hell…why must I have to be THE one to go through this? Anyway, before I start, big shout out and thanks to the new set of reviewers for all their kind words and comments so far: Crazy baka, eye of the tempest, magician boy, zantetsuken, Neo Exodia, Majin Naraku and Prince of War. You all wanted romance and action? You want to see a movement in plotline? You got it in this chapter and a lot more where it came from if that's what you wanted later on in this fic. Now, on with the chapter, because even now, Naga is getting ready to suffocate me with that chest of hers if I don't get any work done!
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ShardclawKusanagi presents:
Metal Gear Solid: Children of Evangelion
Chapter 25: Hallowed Hopes, Part 2
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"Man…this is just too intense." Nanvel Candlestick said to herself as she watched the monitor along with the remainder of Team Warrior, Nan-bot and several NERV technicians watched in utter shock and horror at the sight of Garland Durev, standing near Evangelion Unit 02's entry plug. With them were Kari Mondeau and Mana Kirishima, who had been watching the events unfold thus far since Asuka had been 'attacked' by the 15th Angel.
"Yeah…this is surely one of the reasons why I wished Greg was never part of that group to begin with sometimes…" Maki Kawasaki said. "The stuff that Rio told us about Garland and his reputation as 'Bloody Hands' was certainly not just a tale…not anymore."
"We should contact Greg about this…tell him what's happening." Yuji implied.
"I did as soon things got wrong, but I got the 'No Response' from his end. And neither Riku's or Nagi's Codec's are replying as well." Lilica Ebett stated.
"Of course…Greg is still in that Virtuous Mission that Geese gave him while he was staying with the Uruha ninja clan some time ago, so he's totally cut off from us for the next twenty or so hours." Yuji said, tapping his head in frustration.
"At least Rio and Aika are with him…" Maya Jingu said. "But what can we do about now?"
"Remember, Maya…this is something beyond our abilities as Team Warrior to handle. It seems that this is something only FOXHOUND and NERV are capable of handling thus far…" Maki said, then glanced over to the younger, female recruits. "You two think that he can get the pilot out of there safely?"
"He should…'D' cares for Asuka a lot, just as the same with Garland more than anyone else." Mana explained. "They may be separate entities, but they share each others thoughts and feelings. The only thing that separates them is the unlimited strength 'D' possesses. He can easily rip through that plug if he could just to get to Asuka."
A set of gasps and sudden sounds of awe past the room, as Mana got up.
"I'm going over to the Command Centre to check up on Michael and everyone else, hope to see that they are holding up because of this…" Mana said. "Kari, are you coming?"
"I'd rather stay here and keep Greg's family safe, just in case. I'll be fine…I hope." Kari spoke as stood closer to Lilica and Maki.
"BZZT…I SHALL COME WITH YOU, KIRISHIMA." Nan-bot spoke, stepping forward. "ANALYZING THE DATA GATHERED FROM THIS BATTLE SHOULD PROVE USEFUL FOR THE COMRADES I HAVE BEEN PROGRAMMED TO ASSIST. You HAVE MY SUPPORT."
"Uh…right. Good suggestion." Mana spoke, as a small teardrop fell from behind her head. "Let's make haste."
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Meanwhile at the Command Centre, Snake had been giving vague details about the alter ego that resided within Garland, known as Berserker Demon. Several of the NERV technicians and high ranking officials, including those such as Misato and Ritsuko, were in utter shock to hear what damage this single man can do once he is unleashed.
"And…you had that man go out there to further endanger the pilot at a time like this?!" Misato exclaimed. "What is it with you people and your problem to keep your…your so called 'talents' to themselves?!"
"Misato, now isn't the time to debate on that." Ritsuko said sternly. "For now…we have to trust what they said on Garland…I meant, 'D' on rescuing Asuka at the moment, there is no available choice at the moment."
"Aren't you supposed to be the famed battle strategist of this base, Katsuragi? Surely you would agree with Ritsuko." Michael simply said, trying his best to keep his emotions in check, due to the current circumstances of the situation. Misato only stared at him in silence from the side and clenched her fists.
"For once….this will be an exception. We have to let 'D' do his job." Misato spoke. "But what about James?"
"I want to suggest some ideas to him, but he isn't responding to his Codec." Michael answered.
(Great...this is just fucking great.) Misato cursed to herself thinking. (From one unfortunate thing to the next, I'm just hoping this day won't catch the Patriots's attention if they know what is happening…but I have to worry about that after this mess is over with.)
"Do you think he can get through to the pilot from there?" Ritsuko asked. "There's no way a mere human could get through something that thick…the plug's been made out of the newest Second Impact technology made, reinforced titanium for armour."
"Don't underestimate the power of 'D'." Linn said in the background. "Your questions of doubt will be answered soon enough."
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Back outside in the rainy afternoon of the Tokyo 3 city, where Unit 02 had seemed to have come to a standstill, while the mysterious light emitted from the Angel shone from orbit, unto the red, towering Evangelion…and 'D' himself. From the suppressed, no entry zone where the light shone, Scorpion only watched in awe from the cockpit of his friend's Harrier 2 through the visor at 'D' standing near the entry plug. His hands still on the trigger controls, he started to shake at the sight of what was happening in front of his eyes.
(So…this is what that loudmouth psychic meant from our conversation some time ago…) he thought to himself. (A.N: See Soldier X chapter 18 for more details.) (Worry not, dear Asuka…WE are not so willing to let you fall into darkness so easily!)
"Asuka…hang on a little longer, we're coming for you." James muttered to himself silently, starting to think back on his own life. For someone who had been so accustomed to death, having blown a few people to kingdom come not a few months ago, James couldn't help but feel that the idea of losing Asuka terrified him. He had killed a number of soldiers and civilians in the frontlines without blinking and had never been afraid to die himself, yet...
All of a sudden, he wanted to live longer...
But he sure as hell wasn't going to admit that to anyone. He was already having a difficult time admitting it to himself and now that it was because of a certain German red headed girl, he knew that life was worth living right now.
Before he could react to the sudden instinct to do something more to help, a ravaged cry from 'D' was heard, as he started to punch and claw the armour on a single spot with his inhumane strength. The damage from the earlier gunfire that James fired was enough to penetrate it slightly, but the pace that 'D' went was beyond normal. The brutal beating on the entry plug's armour resulted in the heavy bruising of 'D's hands, but he simply ignored the growing pain as it only pushed him even further to rescue Asuka.
The people at NERV and FOXHOUND both were in utter shock as 'D' concentrated his attack on the single spot of the entry plug, blood now covering his fists and arms as the metal protecting the plug started to dent inwards. 'D' started to quicken the blows even faster, as he knew he was getting closer to Asuka.
"Impossible!" Ritsuko said in exclamation.
"Not for 'D'…Michael, James and myself in FOXHOUND have only seen something like this rarely before, but this is probably how it is when he goes full force." Linn said, trying not to faint at the sight. Just then, Mana and Nan-bot entered the room.
"How's it looking?" Mana asked.
"Not too good…'D's getting through the armour, but is risking injury at the same time." Raiden told her.
"That doesn't matter by the time he gets to Asuka…" Michael replied. "If he continues to concentrate on the same spot with his attacks, he will get through."
"Right…." Linn nodded her head, worried for her trainer and comrade. Misato stepped forward and started to talk to Makoto.
"How's Shinji and Rei?" she asked.
"Rei is already in Unit 00, while Shinji's still on standby...in Unit 01." Makoto said simply.
"Have Rei act as backup. While Asuka's out there defenceless, the Angel could attack if we're open." Misato said. "Just don't let Unit 00 go anywhere near that light!"
"Unit 00 is being taken several meters from the attack position. The First Child will make her attack from her new, allocated position." Shigeru said. "Her range of fire has already been set to fire away from Unit 02's position."
"Rei…be careful out there." Misato said.
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Outside in Tokyo-3, Unit 00 was already set and prepared to fire it's energy rifle. Rei Ayanami had her sights set on the Angel, though from a far distance from her, she can still see the chilling sight of 'D' now grabbing unto piece of the entry plug's metal, trying to tear it off. She would have been stunned to see the sight of this, but now wasn't the time to be distracted.
"Accelerator synchronization initiated." A male NERV technician reported over her Eva's comm. Unit., getting her prepped for the point which she can be ready to fire.
"Voltage is increasing, adjusting pressure zone."
"Composing focus convergence activated. Concentration in the Earth's rotation and gravity 00.3."
"Pressure in the chamber is at maximum."
"Release the final safety locks. All personnel prepare for firing!" Makoto said, as Rei gritted her teeth, pulling the trigger on the energy rifle. A mass of the energy fired from the gun shot upwards and into orbit at the Angel, but it suddenly dispersed as a large orange shield surrounded it.
"Damn! It's an AT-Field!" Makoto said.
"No good…there wasn't enough power input to penetrate the target's AT-Field. It's too far from our weapons." Shigeru said.
"Cancel the maximum power output. We can't get anymore power." Makoto replied.
"Unit 02's synchograph is getting weaker!" Maya said.
"What's the status on the LCL mind barrier?" Ritsuko asked.
"Negative! We can't even hope for a buffering effect from here on." Maya replied.
"Switch back to life support. Don't let it feed back into her."
"I'll try." Maya said, now getting work on trying to save Asuka from there, as Ritsuko began to think.
(Somehow, that wave seems to scan the depth of Asuka's mental wavelength.) Ritsuko though. (Are the Angels trying to analyze inside a human mind?)
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"Ahhhhhhhh!" Asuka's screams of torment continued as she held her head, writhing all over her cockpit of her Evangelion. "Get out of my mind! Leave me alone!"
James couldn't take the sight of seeing and hearing Asuka like this anymore. He had to do something, even if it meant suicide. Swallowing his fears, he can see that 'D' has finally managed to create a makeshift, yet bloodied opening to the entry plug. He flew the Harrier closer to Evangelion Unit 02, and pressed the hatch door open.
"Hmm?" 'D' had just finished made the opening and already eyes to his side, as James suddenly leaped out of the flying Harrier, and near the plug's opening. As the Harrier 2 mindlessly flew out of control away from Unit 02, James stood there silently, staring at D, both of them wet from the rain. To everyone surprise back at NERV, they were in for quite a twist to the event.
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"James!!" Linn shouted, as she saw James got closer to 'D' into the wave of light. This was getting too much for her, as her body started to get weak watching the events.
"What does he think he is doing?!" Snake shouted.
"Someone…anyone...has to stop James before he is effected by the Angel!" Otacon shouted.
"The Angel is the least of everyone's worries at the moment…it's 'D' that I'm worried about…" Meryl said. "He will probably kill James on the spot."
"He…he won't do it. I'm certain." Michael spoke sullenly.
"How do you know that?" Misato exclaimed suddenly.
"This something only James is capable of now…even if it means facing his own fears, because of the Angel." He spoke. "We just have to leave it up to them…"
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"Do you have intentions of interfering?" 'D' asked James in a wicked and murderous tone. James only shook his head bravely, despite what was happening right there and then. The only thing protecting James for now was the visor he got from Greg's now out of control Harrier 2.
"I'm only trying to help! I want to do something for her too, you know!" James shouted back.
"Heh…since when does someone like you does care for someone? Garland may have known that you want to help her, but I'm not allowing anything to harm her any further!" 'D' spoke.
"Dammit…stop being like this! Trust me on helping her at least!" James said. "I don't want to fight even you, but I know when even I'm beat. Give me a chance, please."
'D' stood there, his crimson pupils staring at James, as he allowed Scorpion to enter the LCL filled plug. Suddenly, 'D' ended up grabbing Scorpion by the drape of his new nanosuit and looked at him directly in the face.
"This is an exception. But hear this, boy…" The dark alter ego warned Scorpion. "You fuck up, I'll rip you apart!"
Before James could say something, he was suddenly lifted off his feet and was thrown by 'D' into the entry plug. James knew clearly what he meant by that and had to take the warning seriously. James could sense it all, the smelly liquid which was hard to intake got to him at first, but for young a sniper and expert knife thrower who had been killing since he can walk, he had thought the scent smelt just like human blood, so he had suddenly got used to it the moment he entered the plug.
He then found himself right into the cockpit, and right near Asuka, as she continued to hold unto her head in agony. James put his Fate katana aside as he got close enough to touch her.
"Asuka! Asuka!" Scorpion called out to her, grabbing her shoulders. "Get a grip on yourself! It's me, James!"
"Don't touch me!" Asuka shouted, as the relentless attack from the Angel seemed to affected her seriously. She didn't even bother to look at James, as her past memories of pain, hatred and shame was making her worst by the second. It was then James suddenly felt his mind being pulled apart as well by the light, everything seemed to warp around him into a twisted vision.
He suddenly blacked out holding unto Asuka, and then found himself in a large gym like room. It looked just like the advanced VR simulator rooms back at FOXHOUND HQ, only that it was dark, except for a single light bulb burring above him.
He looked around to get familiar at first to his surroundings, trying to get a grasp of what has happened.
"This is like VR Training…" Scorpion said to himself.
"Who are you?" A voice asked from behind him.
Scorpion whipped out Fate and turned around. Rei Ayanami looked at him with her blood red eyes while standing in her plug suit.
"Rei? Aren't you supposed to be with Shinji getting up here to save my ass?" James asked her, but she only replied with a question of her own.
"Who are you?" Rei asked him.
"It's me, Scorpion!" he shouted. Then he came to a small realization. "James?"
Greg Kinezono materialized to his right, wearing the outfit he wore just before he went off to fight Psycho Mantis, holding unto his High Function lance. "Are you sure of that?"
"What the…?! Greg!?" James exclaimed, shocked to see Greg now.
"How do you know who you are?" Solid Snake said then, stepping out of the shadows.
"Because I kept the name given to me! I decided…it is mine!" Scorpion shouted, gripping Fate even tighter.
Shinji Ikari, Raiden, Michael Hansen, Misato Katsuragi and Mana Kirishima came forward from the surrounding darkness. It was Shinji who then spoke. "Why are you here? This is her punishment, not yours."
"This isn't a punishment…this is invading what is mine!!! This is my mind, get the hell out!!" James protested.
"I have never seen one like you before." Misato Katsuragi said. "One who is loved, but refuses to love, one who denies guilt, yet is filled with eternal remorse, one who hates the life given to him yet continues it."
"Do whatever you want to me… but leave Asuka alone." James simmered down, not trying to resort to start begging.
Greg's image smiled. "So...there is one you love. No, this is part of the plan for when the last one comeths."
The others gave a wide berth to the last two people to appear before Scorpion's eyes. Sniper Wolf, whom he had killed weeks ago in Cuba, and the one who would forever haunt his dreams… Shalashaska, also known as Revolver Ocelot.
"James…," Sniper Wolf said. "Leave, there is at least one who you must confront before you die, and one who will need you before the end."
Ocelot smirked. "Though you continually run from the day when you meet me, you also yearn to spill my blood. For when…ah, she has come."
Then suddenly before Scorpion's eyes, the bodies appeared to turn into a large puddle of LCL. He started to hold his head in agony, as he started a host of other corpses laid about him, now turning into LCL.
"Ah…no! Get out of my head now, dammit!" James shouted, grabbing unto Fate. "LEAVE ASUKA ALONE!"
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"Oh, no….James is being affected by the Angel as well!" Maya shouted.
"What other damage can this Angel do…someone like him?" Ritsuko said. She then glanced at Misato. "We have to get those people out of there NOW, Misato!"
"I'm working on it, for their sakes!!" Misato shouted back. "Retrieve Unit 02 now! Reverse the umbilical cord!"
"No response! It's jammed from the interference!" Makoto shouted.
"Unit 02 has ceased activation." Maya reported. "Life systems crashed! Pilot's life signs are in danger zone!"
"Just beautiful…" Misato muttered sarcastically. "What about the Angel?"
"It hasn't moved from its original position." Makoto said. "The possibility of the target coming into Unit 00's range is 0.02."
"Could we airlift one of the Evas for an airborne attack? No, that wouldn't work. If that Angel attacks again, we'll be defenceless." Misato said, only to hear Shinji Ikari's voice.
"Misato, let me fight in Unit 01!" Shinji called out from the Codec's frequency.
"Forget it, this Angel has the ability to attack the pilot's mind. It's too dangerous." Commander Fuyutsuki said.
"He's right, Shinji. And besides, James and Garland are trying their best to help Asuka…" Snake replied.
"But that can't happen as long as I'm not defeated!" Shinji replied.
"We have no means of attacking the Angel head on…it would be a waste, kid." Snake replied, then looking at Fuyutsuki. "Any suggestions, Commander?"
After a few moments of silence, Kouzou sighed as he told Rei the command. "Rei…withdraw for now and get the Lance."
"The Lance of Longinus?" Misato exclaimed. "We certainly can't use that, Commander! You do know what could happen when Adam and Eva were to come into contact, it will cause the Third Impact! It's much too dangerous!"
"What you may have heard about that, Major Katsuragi…is certainly falsified." Commander Fuyutsuki replied.
Misato's eyes widened as she started to think. (So…that story was just another lie by Gendou Ikari. If an Angel didn't cause the Second Impact, what did?)
"Misato?" Snake approached her closely. "You certain it's even right for them to use that thing…?"
"I'm not sure myself, David." Misato replied, staring at the large monitor. "All we know is that we both have comrades suffering out there and we have no weapon to counter an Angel that powerful."
"What about Asuka, Garland and James?" Raiden asked.
"Yeah, surely the mental damage from the wave is a bigger problem we all have to deal with." Otacon said. "There's no telling what's happening right now out there…"
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The pitch back darkness was the only surrounding Asuka found herself in when her vision blacked out. Her mind already ravaged by the Angel releasing her suppressed memories, she was too weak to fight back, especially against the image of her younger self in front of her.
"No, I swore I'd never remember that!" Asuka cried out, seeing herself cry. "Please…don't show it to me any more! I beg you!"
"Asuka…" a woman's voice called out from behind her, and the young German redhead knew right away who it was. It was her own mother calling out to her. "Come to me…come die with me…"
"NOOO!" Asuka shouted, starting to run away from the direction of where the voice came. Before she dared to look back, she ended up falling down. Stumbling to get back up, she noticed a set of corpses on the floor around her, most of them were decapitated around certain parts of the body. Asuka stumbled back as her back ended up touching another person within her mind scape…Silent Scorpion's.
"J…James?!" Asuka said, stuttering. James only stared back at her silently, the feeling of fear etched in his eyes. He too had been brought here from the Angel entering his mind.
"Asuka…where are we?" he asked her. "Why are YOU in my mind now?!"
"That's my question! Have you come to hurt me too?" she cried out.
"No, not me…" James said sullenly. "I only came to help you…"
"No one will ever help a failure like me! Just leave me alone! Leave me alone…" she cried out, falling to her knees. James only pressed on to help her, but his mind was weakened too by the memories of the feelings of torment he had buried deep within himself. They were still starting to affect Asuka as well, as she too started to feel the anguish he has felt through his life as a young sniper and killer, while James started to feel and witness the past pains Asuka went through in her own life. It was too much that it was drawing both of them to the point of near insanity.
"No…stop this! Stop this now!" Asuka shouted, feeling the pain Scorpion went through. "No one…deserves…any of this!"
"Oh…but you certainly do." A voice that James knew was heard clearly, as he looked up. He suddenly saw Revolver standing in front of the two, twirling one of his Colt Action Army guns. His sight was notably on Asuka's the entire time. "So, James…after all that I've taught you…after what I sacrificed to make you who you are…this is your way of thanking me? How weak of you…falling for someone as yourself."
"That…is not true!" James said, clutching to his Fate. "Do what you want with me, but leave Asuka…"
"I'm afraid I must say no. I can't allow you and her to become one…I still need your skills. I still need you to be the cold blooded bringer of death that I raised you to be!" Ocelot said, pointing the gun at Asuka's temple. "Say goodbye to her..."
"Stay away from HER!" another voice was heard from behind him, as Garland suddenly entered the mindscape and punched Ocelot in his face, suddenly dispersing into LCL. He then started to pant heavily as he sighted the two youngsters staring at his combined normalcy and 'D' strength, which was known to fellow FOXHOUNDer's as his state of 'True Dread.' However, he was still in his Berserker Demon form…not too good for the two people in front of him.
"G…Garland?!" both FOXHOUND and NERV's defenders' stuttered in shock at the sight.
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Back in the Command Centre…
"Garland….what happened to him?" Michael asked, seeing the image of Garland, or rather still 'D', now breathing heavily from exhaustion. He had managed to use his power as the Berserker Demon to withstand the Angel's mind intrusion light since he got unto Evangelion unit 02, but the Angel had already overpowered him and sent him into a state of shock, due to the beating 'it' gave to the entry plug.
"BZZT…SENSORS INDICATE THAT HE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANGEL." Nan-bot spoke. "I'M ALSO RECEVING AN INCREASE IN MENTAL ACTIVITY DETECTED…WITHIN THE PILOT'S, INCLUDING MASTERSON'S AS WELL."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Emma Emmerich spoke.
"It must means that all this time, 'D' must have been able to hold off from the power of that light until he got James in that plug." Michael said. "It won't be long until it starts to affect him as well, as it did to James."
"Seems that the Angel had penetrated their minds at the same time…" Meryl said. "Damn…this is like the time Mantis jumped into my mind back at Shadow Moses…only different. I can sense them…all three of them…in one place at the same time. Only if Greg was here to find out what's really going on…"
"Only at a faint sense, Meryl can tell what's going on out there" Snake spoke, before turning back to Misato. "You think he is able to get to them?"
"We may have to rely on that if we have to see Asuka alright." Misato said. "But I'm more worried about…the Lance. If something like this won't start Third Impact, what REALLY happened to cause the 2nd Impact?"
Snake stared on in silence as he started to hear the technicians report Rei entering the Central Dogma areas to get the Lance of Longinus.
"Opening Central Dogma areas 10-15. Now opening 16-20." A female spoke over the P.A down below NERV, as Unit 00 approached closer to the Lance.
"Pilot's EG dropping to 0.06" Makoto spoke.
(Oh, God…at least perform some kind of miracle for us. Please.) Linn prayed silently.
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Back at the three way mindscape, caused by the Angel…
"You two…why are you letting this thing get to you?" 'D' asked the two youngsters in front of him.
"Why…why are you here, Garland?" James said in shock. "The Angel got to you, didn't it?"
"That's the best explanation to why I'm here." 'D' replied. "I was able to fight it off for a while, but it was much stronger than I and Garland's strength put together. It's also why we are all here together…but I'd prefer a place with a much more…comfortable setting."
Before Asuka and James could say anything, they suddenly saw themselves in an even worst nightmare…James and Asuka found themselves in a room, 'D's own private
room, that is. It was a bloody dark room filled with corpses, only a single flickering light swinging back and forth in the nonexistent wind. To the side of the room are windows that reveal a devastated city of burning wrecks of vehicles and toppled towers. 'D' stands in the middle of the room, hidden in the darkness. The light reveals him standing there with fresh blood dripping from his hands as the lamp passes the centre of its swing.
"Welcome…to my world." 'D' simply told them, as started to cackle heavily. Both Asuka and James stepped back to the sight, but 'D' simply looked at them with a reassuring, yet malevolent grin.
"Are you two frightened of me? Or of that Angel?" 'D" asked. "Or maybe perhaps…of one another and the people that surround you?"
"What do you mean by that?" Asuka said, fear still gripping every part of her body.
"Heh…what I meant, dear Asuka…you and James should not fear me, Garland has been through much in his own lifetime, despite me haunting him time and again." 'D' spoke. "You should trust me as a good friend, for I need both of you as you need me."
"What for?" James asked first, stepping forward in front of Asuka, readying his Fate as if he didn't trust 'D' words.
"We're not looking good against that Angel…aren't you two supposed to be stronger to let this happen to you?" 'D' asked them. "Of course…you have not been part of the horrors that Garland faced in his life before…he faced many horrid things, yet still he has not intention of giving up on you Asuka, and the same will go for me."
"How can you ever help me? No one has dared to help before…" Asuka said harshly at 'D'.
"You're wrong…YOU are the one who has been pushing away help whenever we offered it, and this is your consequences." 'D' spoke. "You've also brought James into it as well, to experience your own hell while in return see his. How much more will you drag further along with you down that road, dear Asuka?"
"I'm not…I was only trying to stay a pilot…" Asuka said simply, miserably. "But now…it's all over…they would just throw me away like I'm nothing, now that I've failed!"
"Of course you have, but you can always bounce back again." 'D' spoke, his voice starting to shift between his and Garland's own. "Asuka…there's a reason why 'we' want you two here…to experience what I have gone through. Then tell me…how after all that, am I able to keep going on despite what has happened?"
The light bulb then stopped moving and was fixed in one place over them, as it got brighter and they found themselves in a new environment…one of them happens to be one of Garland's own worst memories, flashes of his past being revealed to them as they encountered. From the constant teasing when he was just as young as six, to the loss of his own family at the time Second Impact hit and the failure of his duty to his KSK squad. The sudden memory trip took them through indescribable horror, pain, agony and death of those he failed, and those whose lives he took as a mercenary, and as the Berserker Demon.
Both James and Asuka stood there, trying to fight off the negativity that resonated from the nightmares and bad memories within Garland's mind, which were being opened up from the Angel. It was then Garland who began to speak once more.
"You must realize that your trauma is nothing compared to what I went through in my life, as well as 'D's." Garland spoke seriously. "But that didn't stop me…I continued to live and learn from my mistakes…and I'm using the chance to live, so I can share my experiences with others, people who has been hurt like you two."
"How can you say that?!" Asuka said, shaking her head. But James suddenly took hold of her.
"We should trust him, Asuka…these are only memories and fears that are haunting us. We can beat them if we work together to fight back against the Angel." James said as he realized this from Garland.
"Work…together?" she asked him.
"Garland alone may have the strength to keep going on, despite all that has happened to him…we can certainly do the same thing as well." James said, now looking into her eyes. "Asuka…please, you have to be strong for those who believe in you. Like me. I believe in you, as you should believe in me and everyone else to help you."
"Then, tell me….how can I be, when I can't even pilot my EVA right anymore?" Asuka said, shaking her head.
"If you cannot find it yourself…let me help." James simply replied. "You should let everyone help Asuka. Everyone is willing to lend a hand to you if you stop pushing them away, and you have to trust them even more. We can't lose someone as precious as you like this…we still need you. You have a role to play in this world and we can't let you to leave us like this just yet."
Asuka only stared at James as she shut her eyes for a brief moment, as some tears ran from the sides of her closed eyes. James came forward, dropping Fate and touched her face to wipe her tears.
"It's going to be okay, Asuka…I'm here for you and I won't leave your side ever. If you want me to stay with you to show you the way, I am happy to see that happen." James said, as he took one of her hands. Asuka opened her eyes and saw his hand in hers.
"James…" Asuka simply muttered, feeling safe than ever before, clenching James' hand even firmer.
"Asuka." Scorpion replied, as they continued looking into each other's eyes, they suddenly began to draw close to one another. But before they could finish got closer, they mindscape suddenly came to an end and they found themselves back in Evangelion Unit 02 entry plug. James started to shake himself suddenly, as he saw Asuka beginning to mumble to herself, sitting up straight.
"What…just happened?" Asuka said, then reanalyzing Scorpion was there with her. "James…was that really…?"
"I guess that was Garland trying to help. We should be moving out of here." James said, moving about so Asuka could get to sit properly. But Asuka suddenly grabbed one of his arms and looked at him seriously. "What?"
"Not yet…we have to…show everyone we can work together to beat this thing." She said, smiling at James. "You're a sniper, aren't you? Are you supposed to at least pass on some of those skills to me if you want to help?"
James couldn't help but smile a bit. "I guess so…but not even you will pick up so soon."
Asuka only huffed and let James just behind her and the two of them gripped the Eva's controls, their two hands touching each others, their bodies in their protective suits huddled together.
"Okay, Angel…let's see what we can do from here." Asuka said, feeling her strength return.
"Let's do this…together." James replied, looking at Asuka from the side with a gentle nod.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Back at the NERV Command Centre…
"I…I don't believe this!" Maya exclaimed. "Major, everyone…Asuka's synch ratio is starting to rise over the average starting level! Her life support system's starting to go back to normal!"
"What?" Misato exclaimed. "How is that possible?"
"I'm reading a slight, gradual recovery in her linkograph." Maya said. "The mental contamination has suddenly ceased within her mental barrier and is now broken."
"And what about James and Garland?" Snake asked.
"Both of them seem to be okay…it seems the mental contamination has been broken off on them as well the moment the Angel's power was weakened due to the increase of Asuka's mental state." Makoto spoke.
"Unit 02 is now reactivated…we're moving it away from the wave for the retrieval teams to pick them up." Shigeru reported. ""Unit 00 is passing through vent 2. Should be coming unto the surface."
As Evangelion Unit 02 slowly was being removed from the Angel's light, Misato muttered to herself at the sight of it in Unit 00's right hand.
"So, that's the Lance of Longinus…" Misato said to herself, secretly.
"Unit 00's in position to throw. Target sighted. Error corrections have been made." Shigeru said. "Starting countdown…"
As Unit 00 prepped itself for the right stance while the countdown continued, the people of FOXHOUND got to look at the large, red, and twisted Lance that Rei held. Otacon, Emma and Raiden started to get the suspicion about the weapon that it was more than it seemed.
Rei finally was set to throw the giant spear, as the countdown had already closed in on zero as the Lance seemed to have come alive and closed it's hilt, showing a more lethal edge. After taking some steps forward, she then threw the Lance with the might of Unit 00, causing the clouds to split open as the Lance made its ascent upwards into space, piercing the Angel through it's AT-Field, thus destroying in a form as if it never existed.
As this was happening, Garland could see that the rest of the Eva team had done their part when the light faded away, but the adrenaline had gotten to his bruised body. He tried to hold unto whatever footing he can get, but his body won't cooperate, and he suddenly fell unconscious. He started to tumble over and off the red Eva.
"Garland!" Linn shouted, as several people in the room saw Garland began to fall from where he stood on Unit 02.
"Rei! Save Durev!" Misato ordered, as Unit 00 sighted the falling soldier and suddenly rushed over to the position Unit 02 stood and extended a open hand. As gently as it could, the one eye Evangelion piloted by Rei manages to catch him safely without injuring him.
"Phew…THAT was close." Raiden said, shaking his head. This was being too much for him. "I'm glad that's over."
"Target annihilated." Shigeru spoke.
"Unit 02 has been released." Maya reported.
"Status update on the Lance." Fuyutsuki spoke.
"It reached escape velocity and it's now heading into a lunar orbit." Makoto replied.
"So it almost impossible to recover it."
"Right. There are no methods available to recover an object of that mass." Makoto spoke.
"Unit 02's psychograph is returning to normal." Maya spoke. "It is being returned to the second cage via access path 67."
"What's Asuka's status?" Misato asked.
"We've confirmed she, James and Garland are alive, but we put them in quarantine because of the contamination." Makoto replied.
"Right." Misato said, then looking at Commander Fuyutsuki. "Commander…I should be expecting a report about what happened today, am I right?"
"Certainly, Major. As soon you've taken care of things here for both our comrades, you and Snake, along with the Emmerichs shall join us for a discussion if you want answers."
Misato only replied with a nod, now facing Michael and the few remaining people in the room, as Linn, Mana and Nan-bot left the room previously as soon Asuka had recovered to check up on her.
Just then, the Codec ring tone was heard from several of the FOXHOUND members, as Michael answered it.
"Michael…we did it…" Garland spoke from his end, exhausted. "They are…going to be fine now…"
"I know, Garland…we all seen it." Michael said. "You just take it easy and rest…I'll make sure to take care of everything here."
"Thanks, bro…" Garland smiled as he slowly drifted off to sleep, shutting off the Codec. Michael looked at the crew and spoke to him.
"Make sure he gets some medical attention when he gets here." Michael said to Maya, as she nodded her head. He then stared at Misato, who was sitting down with a miserable look on her face. "Are you alright, Major?"
Misato was quiet at first, before she looked at Michael. "Why did you put in your two cents into this, when you know that this is not just your average war?"
"I can't help but not to, being a strategist and someone who cares about those children." He replied. "Be thankful that we were here to help you today, or else Asuka would have never been saved. What gets me is that why you allowed her to got out there alone in the first place?"
"Because…I thought it would give her the chance to get back being a pilot, but even I was just lying to myself." Misato said.
"You are right…it wasn't really the right way to go about it. Your responsibilities as a commander and to the other pilots must come first and you should emphasise more on practical matters." He told her. "You have to remember as well that the Eva Pilots are NOT just kids, they are the ones who risk their lives on the line to defeat the angels, it is they who put their lives on hold to fight an enemy they don't know much about and that they are the ones fighting the front line in the war against the Angels."
"I…know that is the case every time one of those Angels attack." Misato spoke. "But…I have been living on a vendetta against them for as long as I can remember…"
"You won't do much about that if you only care for revenge against them…you have to remember your duty and responsibilities." Michael talked. "For myself, any Commander who sacrifices subordinates needlessly in the name of something like personal revenge is the worst form of low-life subhuman. My first experience of command, I ended up making a mistake that cost three men under my command their lives, and I couldn't allow myself to grieve over them how it came later. One of the things about being a commanding officer is about having the courage to admit your mistakes, to learn from them and not repeat them. Just 'Don't do more, simply do better.'"
Misato simply nodded to this as he continued to talk to her.
"Also, confidence is a good thing vital for command ability. Being a commander is not about being always right and the conviction you're always right eventually gets the people under you killed especially. when you ignore the advice of others and he would also ask her how much confidence he has." He said. "You have a choice…you either face up to your fear and hatred of the Angels, before you continue to pursue revenge, or else you won't have the right to be commander anymore."
"He's obviously right about that, Misato. You should listen to others more often for more help in a battle next time." Snake told her.
"Okay, I get your ideas now." Misato got up and held her hand out. "Sorry if I seemed out of way before…it must have gotten to my head."
"It's no problem…this is little compared to what I have to deal with concerning a certain Lieutenant from FOXHOUND." Michael replied, shaking her hand, returning the apology.
"I'm going to check up on Asuka, hope she's okay…" Misato said as she left the door. Snake and Raiden simply followed her, while Michael and Ritsuko was right behind them.
"That Misato…she acts like a child. Sorry if she caused you so much inconvenience." Ritsuko told Michael.
"As I said before to her, it's not a problem." Michael said, looking at her from the side. "She only needs the correct set of disciplining, to get her act together before someone gets killed, for now she knows what I told her was true."
"Something has to be done to curb her flighty attitudes and irresponsibility." Ritsuko said. "Hope Snake can do that for us…"
"Normally, she would disregard any advice from her subordinates, as well her combat experience." Ritsuko spoke.
"Yeah…I totally agree with you there." Michael replied. " Takes me back to my own experiences of command...Misato should not keep thinking she is always right, for if she does keep on, it will inevitably lead to a disaster, no matter how competent Misato is. If she can't accept advice or suggestions something might happen. As there is a term I go by all the time, it's 'I am called a brilliant tactician, but I always heed the advice and suggestions of those who serve under me."
"How true…" Ritsuko said.
"Does Misato have any combat experience?"
"Of course not. Why did you ask?"
"One of the first experiences of a battle ended quite miserably." He told her. "I was at Kosovo at the time, and I failed to protect a young civilian girl. She ended up stepping unto a landmine and was actually blown away…I can still remember how much the blast took her from my protection, and how she actually got blown away to pieces right in front of me."
Ritsuko's heart sank to hearing this from Michael as he continued with his story. "When that happened, I lost control of my feelings then, but if it wasn't for the people who helped trained and raised me, I don't know what I could have turn out. I just don't want Misato to go down a similar path, that's all."
"That's pretty understandable…oh, Michael…I'm so sorry for what happened in the past." Ritsuko spoke, only to see a small smile curl on his lips. "What is it?"
"You know… it's funny. You are the first person outside of my close circle of friends whom he ever told my story too." He said to Ritsuko, who smiled back at him.
"Well, I find that an honour to hear, Michael." She replied, as they all found themselves in the Evangelion cages, as James had just stepped out of the entry plug of Unit 02. Stretching an arm over the open plug, Asuka reached for it and held unto his arm to come out without falling. From below, Shinji, Rei had just been joined by Snake and company.
"Hey, Asuka! I'm glad to see that you're alright." Shinji called out from a distance as he stood a few feet away from the quarantine area, where Asuka sat down close by on the ground, while James sat closely next to her, arm in arm. The red German then looked away from Scorpion for the moment to look at her comrades.
"Of course. You can't expect the great Asuka Langley Sohryu to be beaten THAT easily!" she said, now looking back at James. "Thanks to you, James…for helping me."
"Same here, Asuka. You just remember that I'm here for you now from now on, always." He said, lifting her head by touching her chin.
"Oh, James…I'm sorry for being the way I was to you…" Asuka said as she suddenly embraced him in front of everyone. From the distance where everyone was watching her, Garland simply smiled at the sight seeing the result. Today would have gotten worst if 'D' hadn't opted to help, as the experience from the Angel's battle have now made Asuka Langley Sohryu and James Masterson stronger people in mind and body, and have brought them closer. James has also discovered something new today, as he had a newfound respect for Garland, while Asuka had found another reason to lover her teacher, and guardian.
"Well…isn't this nice?" Emma said, smiling.
"Good for those two…they seemed just right for one another." Otacon spoke.
"Nice work, Asuka." Shinji spoke, nodding his head happily.
"Yeah, too bad Greg isn't here to take pictures of this." Linn spoke, with a light smile. Just then, she noticed three males who regularly participate in helping her maintain Greg's Harrier 2. "Have you three found it yet?"
"Yeah, Boss Lady…we've recovered your aircraft. It landed somewhere just outside the city, into the forest." One of them spoke. "Nothing serious, though….all it got was some scratches, a damaged wing, a missing Maverick missile and an empty tank of gas. Nothing we couldn't fix."
"Phew…better slightly damaged than TOTALLED." Linn sighed. "I should contact Greg and tell him everything's okay."
"Yeah, he has to hear the details." Michael spoke as he heard this. Linn touched her Codec receiver and still, the 'No Response' message was brought up.
"Ah…not again. Why won't he answer?" Linn said, worried. "Maybe he is still mixed up in that mission of his…"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in the United States…
"You can't do this to me!" a man shouted angrily, as local police authorities handcuffed him, outside a partially destroyed mansion, and a new variation of Metal Gear. Riku, Nagi and Tot stood near a couple of police cars, talking to several police officers, while Yuina, Rio, Aika and Rie were watching the mess that Greg Kinezono caused in his mission, as he simply was sighted laid back, taking a smoke of a cigar. "That Metal Gear was the goal to realizing humanity's goal!"
"Now, it's no more. Thank God for that…are the new Metal Gears supposed to be this hard, Riku?" Greg asked as he flung the cigar aside.
"According to our training, nope. We faced RAY's, not any of the new variations before." Riku replied, as Rie brought some bandages for him.
"Be thankful, old man….I'm letting you off the hook today." Greg stepped closer and stared at the assigned man he has been sent to apprehend. "But you must tell me all that you know about the Patriots the moment the good police are reading you your rites."
"Never! You will have to kill me!" he shouted, trying to fight off the officers, but Greg had already pointed the Ascension in front of his face.
"Remember when I warned you that I could have castrated you on the spot when you activated that thing? I'm still itching to do it, even in front of these people." Greg warned him with a smirk. "And not one of them will stop me…so, better start talking if you want to keep your jewels."
"I'll…I'll explain what you need to know…" he replied fearfully.
"Good boy." Greg said smiling.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Ocelot…you claim that it wouldn't happen." A mysterious voice said in the darkness.
"I have underestimated their combined strengths. It will certainly not happen again."
"Of course not…we are drawing closer to the revelation of Ultimatum being unleashed, but you have to take drastic actions now, that both Scorpion and the Second Child have been brought closer together."
"Solidus has already set patrols of Tengus and some of the brainwashed JSSDF troops to take the city under siege soon. It will not hamper our plans."
"Dead Cell's…or SEELE's?"
"No…yours, of course."
"Good. What about Kinezono?"
"He has managed to complete the Virtuous Mission…just as planned. I take it that he is to return to Japan as soon he has gathered enough intel?"
"Yes…we shall play with him and his group a little longer."
"Soon…we shall prove to those underlings both at SEELE and NERV that the rightful rulers are the Patriots!"
"And what do we do about the interloper?"
"Which one?"
"The one who assisted Snake in the revelation of the 3rd Impact that Gendou Ikari was plotting? Or the one who assisted Kinezono just before the Virtuous Mission began?"
"We have already smoked the rogue agent out…we have to deal with the other. He can cause a major problem if he reveals to Kinezono whatour intentions are."
"Then, waste no time, Ocelot. Have Solidus take the city under his control, until further notice."
"Yes. Thanks for your time, gentlemen. You will not be disappointed." Ocelot replied as he disconnected.
"Snake…our little game has just barely started…"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ShardclawK: Ack…can't move another finger…chapter…totally taxed me out…must activate…emergency stamina program…(pushes red button near me as Taeko Minazuki, Tina Foster and Miyabi Kagurazaki step in, wearing sexy cheerleader outfits.
Taeko: Oh, Shardclaw-sama! You look beat!
Tina: I'm sure you're up for some good rewards from all the hard work you put yourself through…like having us for dessert?
ShardclawK: Aye…that makes me feel better. Thanks, girls…you may as well stick around a bit, so I don't pass out while I chat with the audience a bit. (Ahem.) Well…that was one, messed up chapter, glad to have done it to the best of my ability before you guys go crazy from the suspense. Happy it had a good ending to it too…for a while. I'm hoping now that you all enjoyed what you read, but that's just the beginning of great things to come. Starting next chapter, you'll encounter something…different, so be on the ready for what happens next. Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about the bad guys or Kaji completely…the next chapter will be pretty much about them and if you haven't been reading the side stories for this fic lately, you're still in for some surprises. (Evil grin.)
Anyway, to close off this chapter, I won't be bashing Gendou this time around. (Sorry, guys…I've actually run out of ideas.) Instead, there's a recorded, but deleted scene of an omake which actually took place while filming this update. I do hope you don't get jealous of this one, though…this really happened just when I was getting done with this update.
Omake: Shardclaw's Holiday Disaster?
The stage open up and reveals the Weiss boys sitting on their stools, getting ready to introduce the chapter. Ran paces up and down on the stage, looking at his watch.
Ran: He's late! What could Shardclaw be doing right now that he will keep the fans back?
Omi: Must be something important, I guess…
Just then, my bad ass OC, Greg Kinezono enters the stage on his motorcycle.
Youji: Greg! Why are you here?
Ken: Yeah, you should be in your side story, Soldier X, causing more hell to your enemies. Did something happened to Shardclaw?
Greg: You can say that. I came here in his place to take over the hosting thing for the time being. You see…he tried his best to work on the next COE chapter some time he was able to get the good reception from the last chapter from a lot of fans, but real life and his job caught up to him, that he never got the chance to work on it in time for Christmas.
Ran: Well, that's understandable, but it doesn't explain why he didn't show up to help us host this update!
Greg: You wouldn't believe me if I told you what happened to him on Christmas day.
Youji: Try us.
Greg: Okay…I really can't give out much of the details, but at the eve of Christmas, the collection of girls Shardclaw had gathered from past updates of both his COE/SX stories started to act…well, out of control.
Ran: What is it that you meant by that?
Greg: It was both TempestDynasty and DarkFusion, two of Shardclaw's close online buddies and co authors of this fic, who had released the limiters for the shipments they have sent to Shardclaw. The girls that Tempest sent all range from 1/20, to 1/50, then 1/100…meaning they had a outbreak of a FREAKING HUGE MASSIVE increase in energy, lust, stamina, and "hunger" for "meat."
All the Weiss boys stare on in utter shock while hearing this.
Ran: Damn…an all out harem attack on Shardclaw himself…who would have taught?
Youji: He deserves it anyway, flaunting with so many girls every time we help him host a chapter…
Greg: That's not the worst of it…because it was Christmas, Shardclaw also has to deal with the presents that they sent…oh, here are they now.
From the other end of the stage, a large number of hot chicks step in. They were Shana, Rose, Meru, and Miranda of the Legend of Dragoon, while the rest was Sodina Dawnfried, Wyna Grapple, Kyleen Nelphe, and Nelsha Stylus of Thousand Arms.
Sodina: Excuse us…can you please tell us just where we can find Shardclaw-sama's master bedroom?
Wyna: Yeah, so we too can be part of the 'action' as well!
Greg: You must be DarkFusion's presents to him, right? When last I saw him, he was now getting it on with a few of the Negima, Ikkitousen and DoA girls. They are all in that room over there, keeping him hostage.
Rose: Come on, girls! Let's gang up on him while our limiters are now off!
Ran: That's it…I'm now starting to feel sorry for Shardclaw.
Greg: Not yet, Youji. That's just the prelude of gifts Shardclaw is getting, now here comes Tempest's shipments are here as well for him.
The girls from the anime, Green Green enter, wearing skimpier versions of their school uniforms. They were Midori Chitose, Futaba Kutsuki, Wakaba Kutsuki, Sanae Minami, Reika Monmura, Chigusa Iino. With them were another group of girls from the anime, Bakaretsu Tenshi, which were, Jo, Meg, Sei and Amy, all of them wearing sexy, swimsuits, while Jo was in her usual, yet attiring costume.
Chitose: Okay, girls…remember the orders given by Tempest…have as much fun as we can with Shardclaw-sama! We won't stop until he has overcome us, now that our limiters as well are off!
Meg: Good thing we brought along the Soldier Pill machine, capable of creating all the required pills Shardclaw-sama will need, also including a super large shipment of SPARTAN II and ONMI level pills as well.
So, all the girls left the stage and followed the other chicks, while Greg shook his head.
Greg: That Shardclaw…I do hope he has enough stamina to deal with the 1/100 type girls, but at least he was spared from the likes of Excel Excel and Yao Sakurakouji…those are the only chicks whose limiters aren't activated.
Ran: Sounds like he has a slim chance of surviving…it may take him a while to recuperate.
(End footage)
ShardclawK: Sigh…I just hope Tempest and DF don't make it an annual thing, though. Anyway, from what we have just seen at the end of this chapter, I haven't forgotten about the bad guys of this story and what they are up to. You think this story would have went on without putting a Shardclaw twist to it, haven't you? You thought wrong. I'm sure once Shardclaw's up to it, he will give a double post next update, considering just will happen soon in this story. Anyway, in place of Shardclaw, he is hoping for some good reviews and hope you bear with the wait for the next one. I'm just going to get a cardboard box and hide in it from the Green Green and the rest of the Negima girls as well till then…
Collis aka ShardclawKusanagi.