/The Last Exodus/
- Lawless Priest -
/An Unlikely Duo/
Huge shells the size of cars fell from Asuka's guns as she fired at the blue enemy Armor. It kept dodging out of the way and used the buildings around it to cover itself as it tried to flank her.
'Not likely, little Ms. Steal my EVAs. I've been training for far too long to be beaten by a bunch of amateurs.' Asuka waited for her chance as the blue EVA ran out of buildings to hide behind. It ran strait for her even as it was being peppered by Asuka's riffles and the base's automated defenses.
'Ha ha, she's going to run right into my AT Field. That Baka. This is going to be too easy' she thought to herself as she got prepared to deal with the coming menace and ending the contest properly.
Asuka's malevolent smirk was wiped from her face as red lights begin flashing all over her entry plug. There was no time to move and she was barely able to raise her AT Field to maximum before both EVAs were engulfed in a white light and pain erupted from the very air itself.
For a moment time stretched on to infinitely and Asuka felt the pain last her whole life. Then time sped up, almost too fast for her brain to comprehend. When she could think again the red head found herself a few miles from where she had last stood. The blue EVA was even further behind her lying in the ruins of some building.
In front of her was a trail traveling back toward the outskirts of the city that resemble the path of a fallen meteor. The ground was upturned and everything in the surrounding area was in flames and rumble. In the center of the destruction stood a creature out of one of hell's nightmares.
"Mein Gott! An Angel!"
It was lean yet densely muscled, and roughly the size of her own EVA. The creature's skin was the color of rust with tarnished bone like spikes jutting out from its breast and along its shoulders, going down the spine of its back at old angles. Three huge overdeveloped claws hung from its weak looking hands.
"This day just gets better and better, doesn't it?" the sarcasm in the pilot's voice was heavy.
For an divine being it was a far cry from beautiful. The creature had so many bones protruding out of it, you'd think it wouldn't still be standing from the blood loss, but the thing was clearly evil and somehow these simple matters, such as mortality, didn't seem to concern it.
It walked through the fiery ruins of the city as if it had claimed the land as its own. The air itself seemed to burn around it, making it hard to breathe as if it was corrupted just by the Angels presence.
Asuka's snorted at the Angel's arrogance and ran towards the nearest weapons cache and grabbed a rocket launcher, since her riffle had been destroyed by the initial attack. Letting her rockets fly, she sped towards another cache, grabbing what she could. All of her shot's aim were true but none of them landed. A field of green erupted around the Angel preventing any further attack.
'A green AT Field? What's that about? Doesn't matter, I'll neutralize it anyway.' With that thought in mind the red headed pilot tossed every weapon at her disposal at the being.
/TLE/
Inside the command center Ritsuko Akagi and her crew were franticly trying to gather as much information on the creature that they could. The techs were all good, but they didn't seem to have the stomach needed, it seemed, for the job. Emanate danger at hand and military training aside, their guts were telling them to get the hell out of town. The unease was palpable and it showed in the numerous mistakes they made.
"What are you doing! Run the scan on a Kelgin wave and cross it with the other data. We need to know what this thing can do before it takes out our pilots!" The techs scrambled to do as the Dr. ordered, trying to focus on the job at had. 'God, what I wouldn't give for better assistants and a cigarette.'
"Ma'am!" Tari, One of the newest members of her team called out. "There's something happening to the Angel's AT Field." Ritsuko looked over the young girls shoulder to her screen.
"Isn't the pilot neutralizing its field?"
"No ma'am, it...its doing the opposite."
"What! Contact Knight Sohryu immediately." Ritsuke cried, they needed to warn her before it attacked again.
"We can't ma'am! The Angel's attack seems to have disrupted her communications." Tari's report did not sit well with her. But that didn't count them out yet.
"I see, what about the other one?"
"The enemy EVA, ma'am?"
"Yes, that one. Does its comm unit still work?"
"I don't know, but we can try." the girl seemed skeptical, but she did what she was asked and hoped the enemy would listen.
/TLE/
/: What in the hell? Why won't you die! :/
Asuka's scream blasted over Kaoru's comm link, nearly deafening him. He had his machine crouched behind a downed building trying to get to Ayanami's position without being seen while letting the other angry pilot deal with the enemy.
/: Ayanami, can you here me? Ayanami? Rei, are you there? :/
There was no answer over the static. She was going to be of no use. Running was not an option. Even if he could take her with him the Angel would surely attack and strike them down. And besides, the way things were going it didn't seem like the other pilot was going to be able to defeat the Angel alone.
'This may not be my city but I cannot leave it to that creature's mercy.'
So, Kaoru did what he was trained to do. He scouted the Angel's movements and it's actions. 'Nothing is getting past it's AT Field, but that is not all.' The gray hair pilot noticed as each time one of Asuka shots hit the Field the creature's core would glow. Also the three spikes that jutted out from around it seemed to do the same. He hadn't notice those in his initial assessment. He checked his radar and his scanners.
'There was a power spike just a minute ago and it's in time with the hits on the At Field.'
/: Pilo....ease respond. I rep..t, Pilot plea... respond. :/ a voice crackled over his EVA's comm system. There must've been something very wrong if Nerv was trying to contact 'him'.
/: This is pilot Nagisa. What is the situation? :/
/: Pilot, this is Dr. Akagi. You must get Knight Sohryu to stop firing. The Angel is only absorbing the energy from her attacks. :/
/: I understand, I speculated as much. Have you deduced any of its weaknesses yet? :/ 'That would be very much appreciated.' Kaoru thought to himself.
/: No, but we are still working on it. Just stop her from attacking. You'll have to find some other way to attack it. :/
'Figures. It seems we are on our own then.'
/: Understood. :/
'Now, lets hope I can get the Knight to listen.'
/: Ms. Sohryu. I think you have a problem.:/ When in doubt Kaoru always went for the direct approach. It was just easier, if not as well thought out.
/: No Sheist, red eyes and I'm the one trying to deal with it while you're hiding like a coward in a ... ! :/
Kaoru cut in before she could finish. /: Have you noticed that it has not attacked again. It has had plenty of time todo so and you have obviously caught its attention. :/
There was a pause before she answered /: So what are you saying? :/
/: It is using you, Ms. Sohryu. :/
/: What? ;/
/: Its attack must have taken a lot out of it and now it is trying to gain that energy back. :/ The girl said nothing as she attacked. /: Every attack you make, every shot you take, the Angel is converting that energy for its self. :/
Finally Asuka stopped shooting, knowing that it was useless. /: So what now Ms. Strategist? :/
/: We will have to use hand to hand combat.:/ He answered while he position his EVA for the task at hand.
/: We? Oh, it's 'we' now. I'm sooo glad you decided to help. I was starting to wonder if you were a man or just another boy playing games. :/ She retorted sarcastically. Then she told him seriously, forming a new plan of attack.
/: Ok, Nagisa, here's the plan. You distract the enemy and get its attention while I come around it, using the buildings as cover. I'll flank it and go in for the kill. You get all that red eyes.? :/
/: I heard you Ms. Sohryu, but don't you think this plan is a little too simple? :/ The uncertainty in his voice was clear to her even in that unwaveringly calm tone of his. and both were starting to get on her nerves.
/: It's the simple plans that usually get the job done best, now just get to it! :/
Moving her EVA into position to better illustrate her point. 'I have to do this right or all the crap I went through back home was for nothing.' Asuka steeled herself for the coming assault. This was her chance to show to Nerv HQ just what she was made of. She would not fail them and most of all, she would not fail herself.
/: You ready Nagisa? :/
/: Hai. :/ was his answer over her comm unit.
/: Alright then, lets do this! GO! :/ She took off, her plan in motion.
/TLE/
Hikari stood, all dress up in her pink and white plug suit, before the last towering bio mechanical behemoth left in the EVA Cages her gaze unwavering. Unit - 03 stared back at her with its own menacing gaze. The dark black paint scheme and the sinister look of the EVA series gave it the upper hand in such competitions.
Silently the Special Knight Sergeant cursed the techs who had decided on upgrading the things on such short notice, especially since they only had one fully operational Armor. And the ones that had been completely outfitted with all the new gear had been taken by the enemy.
'This is just great. Here I am, ready and waiting in front of a half finished super weapon while my best friend is outside fighting, and with an Angel no less. Yep, this is just great.'
The feeling of helplessness was weighing heavily on everyone in the command center. Everyone was just trying to do their duty, but only the three outside had any chance of defeating the creature and one of them was already out of the fight.
With a sigh Hikari walked back toward the command center. At least there she would be able to watch. 'Besides it's not like you get the chance to see an Angel attack everyday, thank god. One has to learn about one's enemy right?'
/TLE/
Crown King Gendo Ikari of the Empire of Nerv watched from his vantage point in the palace's command center. On the huge screen the three EVA Armors and the Angel were displayed in high definition and great detail along with the status of Nerv HQ's progress concerning data collection.
On his right stood his head General Kouzo Fuyutsuki and on his left his head Adviser and personal Knight Guard Ryouji Kaji. Each watched the battle with knowing looks.
"I hadn't expected them to attack so soon. It seems I was off by a week." Kaji said, his eyes still on the battle.
"It matters not. As long as it is destroyed. We must continue as we have either way." Kouzo stated, also not turning his gaze away from the screen. "What are your thoughts on the Second? Do you believe she is competent enough for the job, Knight Kaji?"
The unshaven man reported without hesitation "She is, yet she will need back up. I've reviewed the new pilot recruits and none of them have what it will take. Only our Special Knight Sergeants that were specifically trained for this, like Knight Sohryu and Horaki, are anywhere close to being prepared."
"Then the Third must be brought in at once. There can be no more delays. He has had ample time to train." King Ikari spoke for the first time. His hands locked before him, his gaze unwavering as the giants battled on the screen. It was all coming to a head. They couldn't afford to misstep at this juncture, failure meant death, and death was not an option, not yet.
/TLE/
'Now how am I supposed to get it's attention?' Kaoru thought to himself. 'I could always shoot at it, but that would only serve its own agenda... hmm? What to do, what to do?'
A smile crossed his pale face. 'Miss Sohryu is going to have a fit.'
Taking a quick search of his surroundings, the fair haired young man found what he had been searching for and set off to a suitable location for the deed at hand. He had reached his location safely and was ready for action. Yet he still could not hold back the chuckles from coming.
'This has got to be one of the most foolish endeavors I have been involved in. And Ayanami will surely glare me to death when she wakes up.'
He sited his foe, and took aim.
'Ah, but I can't help but take this opportunity.' So with a almost maniacal grin splitting his face in half, Kaoru let loose his bombardment as the creature's raged cries split the air.
"Haha, feel the might of Nagisa Angel and fear for your life. Hahaha!"
/TLE/
"I don't believe it?" Asuka said to herself as she continued to sneak up on the demon terrorizing her city.
"That bastard is throwing stones at an Angel?" She watched as cars, buses, blocks of stone that were once buildings fly across the city at the Devine being which didn't seem to be liking the crazy punks little gifts as it began to head toward the annoying menace.
"I am sooo kicking his ass when this is over. But first things first." While the it was distracted she headed for the weapons cache she had been searching for and armed herself with a Progressive Axe and Spear, locking the smaller of the two onto the back of her machine and set off once more.
'I've got to do this fast. Any mistakes and it'll be all over. Come on Asuka, you can do it, you can do anything.'
She had to smile to herself as her mechanical beast peaked over the top of the building she was using for cover. The damn thing had no idea what was in store for it.
'Hmm... where's the core, there, I see.' The German girl positioned herself and readied her mind for the coming assault. 'This is it. Time to make you bastards pay for what you did to Momma.'
The red bio weapon leaped out from its cover high into the air, its weapon ready. There was no time, no chance for it to retaliate as the enraged girl came down upon it with all of her might.
/TLE/
Her aim was true, but Kaoru had his gun out anyway. The moment she leapt for the enemy he tossed one last bus at the creature's head and took up his own weapon and sprinted for the beast.
'With its AT Field down it is open to attack, even gun fire. Miss Sohryu may yet need my assistance.'
He watched as the 40 foot tall denizen of hell was speared through the middle, right in the core. The scream that erupted from the beast's mouth was terrifying in its own right yet a fitting death cry for such a creature.
But it wasn't over and what happened next should have been impossible. The Angel reached up and grabbed the red Armor lifting it into the air and began to rip its arms out of their sockets and soon the red head's screams were added to the Angels own chorus.
Even so this did not stop the other pilot and neither did Kaoru. As she used her free legs to beat against the things face, screaming out of rage and pain all the while.
'She will not be able to take much more of this. I must do something soon.' He was almost upon it now, his mecha running at optimum speed from the Angel's side.
"You will release her, demon!" The white on black stolen Eva Armor leapt into the sky, weapon in hand, and drop kicked the speared beast.
The resounding crash of their impact shock the city as the Angel was forced to drop its load, hit the ground with another thunderous crash. Kaoru didn't was time as he rolled up from his own fall and immediately began blasted away at the enemy. His shots tore into the creatures hide, shattering bone and flesh with equal fury.
'This will not kill it. It should already be dead. Miss Sohryu made a direct hit to its core, so why does it still breathe?'
/: The head... :/ the German girls sore voice crackled over his comm.
/: You are well, Miss Sohryu? :/
/: No... time ... for bullshit. It's face. Shoot... it. :/
'The head?' Not questioning her logic, he fired upon the new target. Obviously this did not suit well with the Angel as it lifted itself off the ground in rage.
He didn't even see the blow coming before he was laid on his back as the Angel's arm stretched out beyond physical standards, catching him in the chest and sending him flying, but his mecha was picked up by its head before Kaoru even had time to register the first hit.
Its arm held the black and white Armor above the city with ease and used its superior strength to its advantage as it tossed the Eva clean over its head.
And as the Angel turned to further damage its new prey it caught site of its original, but that wasn't all it caught. Once again the divine being had no chance to dodge the incoming blow, and like the first attack, it was never meant to get to get another chance to do so.
/TLE/
/: DIE YOU BASTARD! :/
These were the first words Rei heard as she regained consciousness. And from her position she had a perfect view of the battle as the Red Armor's Axe succeeded in decapitating the Angel's head from its shoulders. Said head flew out of the city limits only to explode on impact in the country side.
Luckily the things body did not share its fate and merely fell to the ground, lifeless.
/: Is it dead? :/ The blue haired girl heard Nagisa ask over her comm unit.
/: Not sure. I could have swore it was dead the first time? Only one way to make sure. :/ The Red Armor's pilot answered back as she whipped out her Axe and began hacking away at the enemy and Nagisa ran to a better position and took aim, firing at areas she had not yet hit while taking precaution not to strike her with any of his shots.
Finally the red mecha ended her attack and ripped the spear out of the fallen foe. standing ready for any sort of retaliation. But none came.
/: It seems that it is over Miss Sohryu. You skills are exceptional, but all the same we were lucky. :/
/: Maybe, but we have to take them as they come.. It's not like they're going to give us an easy go at it. :/
/: True, but how did you know to go for the head? The reports never said anything about Angels have more than one core. :/
'A second core...?' Rei, blinked, but added the information for later. 'This may be more difficult than we had originally believed.'
/: I saw it when it was trying to cripple me. 'Never expect your enemies to play be the rules' one of the first rules of combat red eyes. :/
/: I see. Well, this could cause problems in the next attack. The more cores they have, the stronger they will undoubtedly be. :/
/: Whatever Nagisa. I'll take them all out no matter what they bring on next. Oh, and what the hell did you think you were doing out there? :/
Even Rei heard the gray haired young man's chuckles, she could almost see his coy smirk.
/: I'm afraid I do not know what it is you are ... :/
/: Don't bullshit me red eyes! You were throwing stones at it. Stones! At an Angel! I told you to get his attention, not annoy it to death. :/
/: Ah, but what better way to go about it than this, eh? :/
/: You really are an asshole aren't you? :/
/: Once again, I do not know what you are talking about. :/
/: Sure, Nagisa, sure. :/
/TLE/
"They did well, considering the situation." The General was saying. "Property damage aside, the Armors themselves have proved their usefulness in battle."
'True, but it's the pilots we have to worry about.' Kaji thought to himself.
"And what of the other two. Are we to put out a search for them?" he asked. "We can't just let them get away."
"No, let Seele have them." The king replied.
"But sir?"
"We have what we need to defeat the Angels, and so do they."
"And we probably don't have to worry about the old men looking over our backs so often now." Kouzo offered.
"But what about the two out there now?" Kaji had to ask as the three men survey the scene on their view screen. "They may have helped us this time, but they are still the enemy."
"Then we will just have to enlist their aid." King Ikari said from behind his gloved hands.
"And how do we go about that, sir?"
The King only smiled.