Rise of the Defender
by StraightedgeEpyon
Summary: Darkness falls upon the earth as the angels begin their attacks. But when there is darkness there is also light as a new Magna Defender rises to fight the darkness and protect the earth.
Beta read TOAT
I own nothing
Chapter seven
"Prepare to feel my sting Magna Defender!" the metallic beetle declared powering up its horn
Steelsting fired an electric blast at Shinji, which he narrowly avoided by rolling out of the way. Quickly he shifted his sword back to blaster mode and fired off a few shots hitting the beetle monster square in the thorax.
Zap-Zap-Zap
"Gah!" Steelsting grunted stumbling back "Lucky shot."
"That was more than luck!" Shinji retorted shifted his blaster to sword mode again.
Shinji rushed forward, hitting a few horizontal slashes pushing the creature back, Steelsting used his horn to parry Shinji's sword. The two were deadlocked for a brief moment, Steelsting used his raw strength to push the defender back, Shinji slipped to the other side and backflipped away getting some distance, the beetle creature powered his horn again, this time firing on all sides.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Shinji rolled out of range barely managing to avoid getting hit.
" I will destroy you and bring your head back to my Mistress!" the creature cackled
"Mistress?" Shinji repeated getting back to his feet
Like a bull Steelsting rushed forward again to only to collide with Shinji's blade again, Shinji easily maneuvered around the larger monster and slashed at his hard shell barely making a scratch on its metal surface, the beetle monster swiped at the Defender with his claws but missed since the armored warrior was far more agile.
"You'll have to do better than that!"
Steelsting snarled and opened his wings casings and flew into the air, he circled around the defender firing more shots before angling himself to attack.
Shinji poised to defend himself, thinking on a way to turn this to his advantage, and a sudden idea came to his mind, angling himself one foot back, his sword in a right-handed grip, and his two left fingers held up in a pointed up position. (Obi Wan's lightsaber form Soresu)
"I will crush your bones!" the monster beetle bug exclaimed
"Bring it bug." Shinji challenged
Steelsting wasted no time, rushing spiraling downward lighting up his horn toward the Magna Defender, he got close enough, Shinji stepped lightly, spun around in a horizontal swing.
"Yah!"
SLICE!
"Argh!" Steelsting screamed dropped to the ground in pain as two of his metal/organic arms were sliced off, green goo spraying everywhere.
Shinji saw the chance to end him once and for all, before he could attack, Steelsting flew high into the air holding his stumps of upper arms.
"We'll meet again Magna Defender!" the beetle creature shouted out disappearing from sight
"Next time you're getting squashed," Shinji replied sheathing his sword and went to pick up the one of the metal arms that he severed.
"Hmm..." Shinji mused looking up into the air where the beetle monster disappeared
(Next day at NERV)
Shinji walked into his side of the locker room after a long arduous and boring sync test, although he was annoyed when Dr, Akagi grilled him because he was only a point behind Rei, no big deal, they made it seem like a competition between him and her, but he could still properly sync with Unit 01 that was an important thing(to them, not too important to him), not that he was in any hurry to get back into that piece of junk, he much rather preferred Torozord or any other Zord from Rangers past to fight the angel, something that wouldn't cause him unnecessary pain.
His mind wandered back to Steelsting as he walked into the shower and turned on the wall, he was unlike anything Shinji had ever seen before, he had hoped that Kendrix might find something from the arms he severed.
Turning off the water Shinji got dressed in his street clothes and walking out he thought about heading the other sites in Fukushima to see what he could find, but sadly Misato had him and Rei on standby for that day in case of a sudden angel attack.
"Pilot Ikari ." a voice caught his attention, he looked up to see the sub commander, with a folder in his hand
"Sub Commander." Shinji addressed remembering meeting him after his second angel battle,
"Would you follow me to my office? There are somethings I'd like to discuss with you, it should only take a few moments" he said
Seeing no alternative he reluctantly nodded and walked along aside him. Reaching his office, which was average-sized compared to the Commander's large dark office. Its walls were a dull gray, a bookcase on the wall to the right, a few photos on his desk, some awards and doctorates on the wall on the left. Shinji took a seat in front while the old man took his seat behind the desk.
"Excuse the cramped accommodations, my office is not as large as the commander's." Fuyutsuki began
Shinji waved it off
"No trouble sir, so what did you talk about?" Shinji asked seeing him lay down a folder before him
"You, of course, I read your file pilot, and so far you seem to be making progress in adapting here, despite your …..lack of military decorum." the sub commander expressed
"It was an... adjustment, sir, I just found it hard to believe this was actually a paramilitary agency, honestly I thought something like this wouldn't exist in the real world, only on TV and movies," Shinji said nonchalantly
"And how do you feel about Nerv now?" Fuyutsuki inquired with interest
"If I can speak freely and honestly?" Shinji asked
"Yes, you can be honest here," Fuyutsuki replied
Reclining in his chair a bit Shinji replied
"I don't like it, not one bit, I don't like this place, the Evas, the staff and the commander mostly," Shinji expressed "I had a good life in America, living in Angel Grove, I had family and friends and suddenly I'm yanked away from it all and dragged here with no real explanation, you all just expect compliance, sir. That doesn't sit well with me. I'm not a soldier, that's not a life for me, no offense sir."
"None taken, and I understand son. Personally, I too have been questioning the commander's decision to bring you here, clearly, you were unwilling then and are obviously unwillingly now." Fuyutsuki said
"That's partly the reason, the other reason is that well, he the "commander" was willing to use someone injured to pilot that thing, that's something you don't do, I understand it was a very intense situation at the time, but that's still no excuse for something like that," Shinji said to his surprise the old man nodded in agreement
"I'm in complete agreement with you son, the truth is we should have been better prepared for the situation, we took a gamble on you, when the Angel arrived, and we nearly lost."
'Then the Magna Defender arrived and did the work the work for us.' the old man thought
Shinji remained silent,
"I know it may not mean much now, I'm sorry for that, the commander often employs dirty tactics to get what he wants," Fuyutsuki explained
'That much I figured.' the boy thought
"I am sorry for dragging you into this against your will," Fuyutsuki said solemnly
"Are you apologizing for yourself, sir? Or the commander? Cause I would rather hear the apology from the commander himself although I don't expect it given how selfish and cowardly he's proven to be. I don't blame you or anyone else in NERV for my being here, just him."
Fuyutsuki studied the boy carefully. Clearly, he was more than meets the eye. Before the sub commander could reply
Ring Ring
"We'll talk more at a later time, you're excused."
Shinji nodded and quickly went out the door shutting it behind him
"A giant hole in the ground where the dead angels are," said Fuyutsuki in disbelief "Are you certain? Alright, I'll be there at once."
However, Shinji was in earshot when the old man said that loud, remembering, that was a large hole back at the storage place in Fukushima.
'That sounds familiar.' thought Shinji moving away from the sub commander's office door
The sub-commander walked out of his office, Shinji himself as he was a good distance away from sight, discreetly followed the old man all the way to the down to the deeper-levels. Shinji was fortunate that there were so many dark areas and heavy machinery around, slowly carefully, weeded his way between the machines being careful not to be seen.
Sure enough, he had spotted a large group of NERV staff gathered around a large hole, with Fuyutsuki, Misato and Ritsuko at the front, wondering what could have made this large hole.
"How could this have happened?" asked the sub-commander
"We're not sure sir," Misato said, "Crews had called this in moments ago."
"Has forensics been called?"
"Yes, sir they are on their way now," Ritsuko answered examining the hole more closely.
Kouzo approached the breached containers, with a concerned look on his face.
"I thought we had gotten rid of the remains of the last Angel. What happened?"
"With the Commander's permission, I thought it best to keep some of the samples for research purposes. To find a much easier way to beat the Angels." the fake blonde answered
"Hmm... that is logical, but still who could have done this?"
'Not who, more like a what Sub-commander.' Shinji thought slinking away silently unbeknownst to anyone
"We have to make sure nothing else was compromised. Hyuga, Adoba." Fuyutsuki addressed and the two snapped to attention immediately.
"Yes sir," the pair said
"Run a checklist on every piece of equipment we have. Weapons for the Evas, armor specs whatever we have. Leave no stone unturned." the man ordered
"Yes, sir."
"Katsuragi, Akagi a word, please."
Fuyutsuki leaned in and whispered to the pair
"Until we know for certain what the hell happened here, we keep this quiet. And instruct everyone here to do the same. The Commander has been having a difficult time holding on to our funding. If word of this gets out, then it could be the excuse for the UN to decrease our funding, or worse cut it off entirely. So until such time, this is to be kept under wraps, understood?"
"Understood." they both replied with full understanding
Nothing else was said as Fuyutsuki looked back at the hole that was now being examined by the forensics unit. Wondering who or what could have made it, and more importantly why.
(Underground in an Undisclosed location)
Steelsting was seen getting new arms one metallic and one organic attached to his body, the metal arm was a tad painful to attach because of the part of him that was still organic.
"Argh," he grunted in pain
"Heh Ha, just as I expected Steelsting, you couldn't get it done, the Magna Defender still lives." a voice cackled from the shadows
The figure emerged from the darkness laughing, his body was purple, lean mostly metallic, and organic with pincers for hands-on each arm, with four spider limbs on the biceps, his legs were also organic and metal-colored purple, and his head was medium-sized with a lined mask over his mouth and yellow visor eyes.
"He was lucky Tarantulas! That's all it was! "Steelsting snarled back walking out with newly attached limbs
"That better be all it was." a smoother metallic voice said lowering himself from the air,
This figure was just tall as Steelsting, he was mostly black with yellow lines, he had three prong black talons for hands, two tentacle-like stingers on the back of the shoulders his head was that large-sized with yellow glowing eyes.
"Would you have done any better Hornet?!" questioned Steelsting hearing the taller monster chuckled
"But of course, my sting is much sharper than yours is brother," replied Hornet
"Grrr," Steelsting growled stepping forward in a challenging manner
"Enough!" Deceptica shouted stepping into the area,
Immediately the trio bowed before as she walked into the center of the room.
"My mistress I-Argh! the beetle creature was cut off when she fired a surge of electricity through his entire form.
"Silence! Do not speak unless I tell you! Yelled Deceptica seeing the beetle creature nod in response
"I did not expect you to destroy the Magna Defender as soon as you encountered him, you were only supposed to distract him long enough to acquire what we needed. We have it and more, Moldarach! I'm waiting."
A gray and black-figure emerged holding a box, he had thick pincers for arms, a long stinger on his back, a green gem in the middle of his chest, and metallic and organic legs his head was smaller and more scorpion-like compared to the others, three Insectoids behind him dragged along several large sliver containers, to the room, and these containers had the Nerv insignia stamped on the front. Deceptica gently stroked the front of the container.
"Arrogant humans, to think they could just dispose of something that might still have its uses" she mused, as her generals gathered around.
"Steelsting, if you wish to redeem yourself, draw out the Magna Defender and finish him!"
"As you wish mistress," he replied flying out of the cavern
"Mistress, what would you have us do in the meantime?" asked Hornet
Deceptica looked down in thought before responding
"Monitor your brother, stay in his vicinity until otherwise ordered soon it will be time to introduce ourselves, Moldarch! Come," she said before departing with Scorpion creature in tow
"Yes Mistress." both Hornet and Tarantulas said
(Back at NERV)
Shinji was outside the patio of the break room listening to his music, minding his own business trying to at least pretend to enjoy the scenery hidden in the Geo front.
'Hard to pretend to enjoy this when you've been to jungle and forest planets." thought Shinji in amusement
" Ikari," Rei spoke stepping to the side getting his attention
"What's up," Shinji answered taking one earbud out of his ear
"You were a point behind in our sync test today," she said in a monotone voice
"Yeah, I noticed," he replied in a noncaring tone."Its just one point no big deal."
"Being able to sync properly with the Evas is essential, you are aware of that correct?"
Shinji gave a brief smirk
"I'm reminded now, not like the fake blonde or Misato was just repeating the same thing earlier," he said sarcastically the term still lost on her.
"Captain Katsuragi also mentioned you ran inside a burning building recklessly, is that true?" Rei asked he merely chuckled
"Yeah, it's true, but I did for a good reason"
"What reason is that?"
Taking off his other earbud Shinji answered seriously
"To help people, that was my reason," he replied
"Is that also the reason you defended that parent and child the other day?"
Shinji was surprised that she saw him in action.
"Yes," he said slowly
"Why did you do it?" she asked
"Do what? Like run headfirst into a burning building? Or save the mother and her son?"
"Were you ordered to do those things?" Rei asked
"No one told me to do those things, not everything is about duty, even if Misato told me not run into the burning building to help those people, I still would have done it, I wanted to help those people, I wanted to help that mother and her son, because no one else would, I had no right to do less."
Rei just blinked at him in fascination, he would disobey orders to help someone in need, endangering himself in the process, he was different from the commander, they were so different from each other, Her musings were cut short when Shinji got up and pushed the chair back into the table.
"When I took your place, it wasn't about duty Rei, I did it because they were going to force you in your injured state, that wasn't right regardless, maybe you should start questioning their methods, I know I am," he said walking away
Rei just stared at his retreating form tilting her head contemplating his words
As Shinji walked out of the cafeteria his Morpher in his pocket went off
Beep Beep
Seeing the coast was clear he took it out and answered
"Kendrix, what's the trouble?"
("Steelsting is attacking downtown again. Hurry and get down there!") she said urgently
"On my way," he replied
Shinji began to walk fast towards the nearest elevator, reaching it he pressed the button furiously and waited until the doors opened, there Misato and Ritsuko were inside bickering about something, both stopping when they saw Shinji in front of them, they stopped short when they saw Shinji in front them, and an awkward silence fell over the trio.
"I'll take the stairs." Shinji deadpanned closing the door before they could say anything
"Hey wai-" Misato starts to say before the door closed
(Much later downtown Tokyo-3)
"Run puny humans run!" Steelsting cackled as he kept blasting everything in sight making the people run scared
"Where are you Magna Defender?! Come out and face me!"
His wish was granted when he was hit was green blaster fire, and from the smoke, the Magna Defender emerged blaster drawn ready to fire again.
"Looking for me?" Shinji asked,
Steelsting growled getting to his feet and faced off against his opponent.
"Ready for round two, bug." he taunted
"This time I will destroy you!" the beetle declared charging him like a bull.
Shinji quickly shifted his to his sword and clashed again with Steelsting's horn, Shinji avoid his claw strikes with a few backflips and clashed with the beetle's horn again, the beetle used his thorax and pushed the defender back.
Before Shinji could react he was quickly grabbed by Steelsting's arms and began to put the squeeze on him.
"Argh!" Shinji groaned in pain
"Now I will tear you limb from limb!" cackled the monster applying pressure on his arms and body
"Sorry I happen to like my limbs. "Shinji retorted headbutting the beetle in the face, then followed up with a swift kick to the chest free himself, then getting some distance. Steelsting fired several more blasts destroying more property, and damaging the area,
"Time to finish this," Shinji said sword held up(Djem so style)
Steelsting powered up his horn for another blast, Shinji rushed forward, he charged up his sword with a blue energy and jumped into the air.
"Sh-yah!" Shinji cried slashing into the thorax of Steelsting cutting him in half.
Surges of electricity coursed uncontrollably all over Steelsting as Shinji landed behind him. Steelsting exploded in a flash of fire.
With the finesse of a samurai, the armored warrior sheathed his sword and looked back at the spot where Steelsting stood making sure there was nothing of him left.
Hearing whimpering and crying Shinji walked to a ruined building and found a father and daughter huddled together taking cover from the monster attack. The two looked up and instantly cowered away.
"It's okay, you're safe now, the monster's gone now, " he spoke assuredly
The man looked to see if Steelsting was truly gone and then sure enough he was and breathed a sigh of relief
"Thank you, who are you?" he asked
Shinji looked down in thought for a brief moment before answering
"I'm the Magna Defender," he answered
(Across the upper buildings)
"Steelsting has failed, no surprise there," remarked Hornet watching the battle
"Indeed, we must take great care in not underestimating the Magna Defender," Tarantulas said
"Brute strength won't be enough, to destroy him, Steelsting's failure made that clear, we still have the element of surprise, he only destroyed one of us, he won't be so fortunate next time," said Hornet
"We'll have our chance brother, come we must return, Mistress said something about creating the ability to make us grown through the DNA of those dead creatures the humans called "Angels" " Tarantulas said walking away.
Hornet looked at the Magna Defender again before flying away
End Chapter
End Notes: Here is Rise Of the Defender C7, I said I would make it more Ranger like in the last chapter. Tarantulas was taken from Beast Wars, Hornet was inspired from Yellowjacket from Ant-Man and Moldarch was inspired by a combo of Skyward sword monster and Beast Wars Scorpnox. Since Rei's conversation with Shinji, she will slowly begin question Gendo and his motives and begin to spend more time with Shinji the seeds have already been planted within her. Originally I wanted to make Shinji into an almost maverick like character when it comes to piloting Eva, like the Gundam Wing Pilots or any other maverick types, but I don't know if it's a good idea now, only time will tell through. Next chapter tell me what do you want to see, Defender Torozord and the Jet alone or Unit 01 and Jet alone. Pick the second option and Shinji will be a bit maverick, telling Misato "Screw you I'll do this my way." Let me know, til then read and review. happy new year to all and be cool