Rise of the Defender
by StraightedgeWingZero
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
I own nothing
Beta read by TOAT
Chapter thirteen
(NERV HQ three hours after the attack)
"The good news is that some of the munitions and supplies are still salvageable. Others will have to be sent to the Matsushiro facility to be repaired and retro-fitted again." Hyuga reported to the group.
Kaji, Misato, Ritsuko, Sub-commander Fuyutsuki, and Commander Ikari were watching NERV's salvage crew pick up the pieces from the Insectoid attack.
"We got lucky, plain and simple. It could have been a lot worse if he hadn't shown up." Kaji said.
"Yes, Indeed," said Fuyutsuki.
"Captain Katsuragi," Gendo spoke in the usual manner.
"Yes, sir?" Misato replied.
"What did you say these creatures were called again?"
"Insectoids, sir," she answered.
"And how did you come across this information again?" Gendo asked.
"By chance sir. The Magna Defender came to the parking lot of my residence. That's how I learned the name. He said he had been tracking them. Supposedly, one of them was at my complex." Misato reported professionally.
"Hmm…"
"Insectoids? Nice name." Kaji commented.
"Was there any indication or evidence that there was an Insectoid on the premises like he claimed?" inquired Fuyutsuki.
"Near the generators that run the power to my complex. There were puncture marks on the generators that run energy inside the building, but they were sucked dry taking out half the power."
"Doesn't your complex have cameras, Misato?" asked Ritsuko.
"I asked my landlord about that. He said there was some magnetic interference that shut off all the cameras."
"So the only way we'll get anything is from the Magna Defender himself. So he must have a way of tracking them." Ritsuko surmised.
"Akagi, haven't you gone through the last of the insectoid remains from the docks?" asked Gendo, still watching the operation move forward.
"I'm down to the last one, sir, but I found the remains give off specific isotopic readings made up of different chemicals, all in a perfect cocktail mixture," Akagi said. "I just haven't cracked what kind they are or how they are made."
"I see. Agent Kaji." the commander said.
"Yes, sir," Kaji said.
"You will be heading up a task force. Your priority will be to capture the Magna Defender for questioning."
"It won't be easy. He moves around frequently and is hardly seen in Tokyo-3, only showing up where's there's trouble," Kaji replied, causing Misato to scoff.
"And you only disappear when there's trouble," Misato snarked.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll have no problem starting trouble, Kaji," Ritsuko smirked.
The unshaven man had no retort to that. They watched as the last of the damaged munitions were loaded onto the flatbed and military-grade trucks and were being shipped off in different directions. Misato, Ritsuko, Maya, and Kaji all headed back down to HQ.
"The lack of munitions could definitely be a problem when another Angel attacks," Fuyutsuki said.
"It will not. The Insectoid did not destroy all the munitions," Gendo revealed.
"Pardon?"
"It was merely half of what we originally required. The remaining munitions I had arraigned to be smuggled through underground channels. Of course, I had to "jump through a lot of hoops" to accomplish this, as they say."
"So, that's why you weren't too concerned. I'm impressed." the elder replied.
"Indeed."
"Do you think this temporary ruse will fool whoever or whatever created the Insectoids?"
"No, sensei, I suspect whoever or whatever this is, they will strike again. In fact, I am counting on it."
Then the reconstruction crews started their work on the road. Thankfully, enough the damage to the roadway was minimal so it wouldn't take more than four short hours. Unaware to the group, there was a probe hovering above them, recording every bit of NERV's chain of command's conversation, then the probe floated off into the distance.
On the hillside overlooking the sea below the night sky stood the cloaked figure. The probe returned to his side and played back NERV's conversation.
"Hmm. This NERV organization could pose an annoyance, as does these "Angels" as they call them," the figure mused. "I will have to dispatch the next one myself before I can begin."
He pressed a button on his wrist device. Sure enough, his ship reappeared right in front of him. The ramp opened, he quickly boarded and then the ship vanished into the night.
(Tokyo-3 JR high the next day )
Shinji, Satoru, Asuka, Rei, Hikari, and the rest of the students, parents, and faculty were in the school auditorium dressed in full formal school attire with memorial armbands on their biceps, attending a memorial ceremony to honor the fallen students who were killed by Tarantulas.
Shinji felt extreme guilt and sadness for not getting to the monster in time, although he managed to save others which brought him a little comfort at this time. As names and pictures were being shown and read off the screen, by the principal and faculty of the school.
Samui Takahata.
Usagi Higurashi.
Taro Ichijoji.
Ryuto Sarutobi.
Kenja Mizuno.
Shinji had to steel himself to contain the emotions he was feeling. Regret, sadness guilt, and anger. Anger at Tarantulas and himself.
"I swear on the honor of the Magna Defenders and Power Rangers that preceded me, Tarantulas, the next time we meet, I'm gonna squash you like the bug you are. I will avenge those kids!" Shinji swore, clenching his fist.
"Hey, you alright?" Satoru whispered, glancing at Shinji with a bit of concern.
"I'm fine, Satoru. It's just messed up that this happened. Those poor kids." Shinji whispered back.
"I hear you. I just take comfort in the fact that the Magna Defender saved the others." the boy replied.
"Yeah," Shinji agreed solemnly.
The ceremony concluded and everyone filed out of the auditorium, paying their respects to the dead students and their grieving families along the way.
Shinji saw little kids grieving with the adults and assumed they were the siblings of the students that died. This only served to strengthen his resolve to find not just Tarantulas, but Deceptica, too.
He needed to be ready for her next attack. Shinji followed behind Satoru, bowing in a show of respect to the parents. Without a word, they filed out of the room. The ceremony concluded with school letting out for the day.
Shinji, Asuka, and Rei all had to report in for their sync test that day after school. They took an unmarked NERV-issued van. As the vehicle drove, the three sat in silence. Shinji was staring out the window while Rei sat in silence Asuka was bragging about how she would finish first. Shinji began dozing off; fighting crime at night and battling mutant insects while trying to keep up in school tends to wear one out. As Shinji drifted off, images began to invade his mind.
On a distant planet, a large-scale battle was taking place, one side stood warriors of different alien species, six unfamiliar armored warriors, with the Magna Defender at the front with an unknown warrior by his side.
Without wasting a second, they rushed toward each other and began to battle. The sounds of blades clashing and blaster fire filled the skies above, bodies were dropping like flies on both sides, and explosions rocked the very planet itself. Fires were raging, and the soil was burning. In the middle of the chaos, two figures stood across from each other. The Defender and another warrior clad in black facing off-
"Hey, wake up, stupid!" Asuka yelled.
Shinji's eyes jolted open, He shook himself back to reality and saw that they had arrived at their destination.
"Shinji, are you well?" Rei asked him.
"I, uh, I haven't been sleeping well," he answered.
"What do you do at night?" Asuka asked snidely. "Looking at girly pics online?"
"Loud noises in my apartment complex, very noisy troublesome neighbors, and I'm still not quite used to the time difference here in Japan."
"Yeah, right, you're a real delinquent, you know that? Disrespecting authority, ignoring orders, getting into fights, pushing down our CO. Why the hell did they even recruit you if you're so disrespectful?!" Asuka asked.
"Recruit ain't the right word. I told you, I was strong-armed, Asuka. I'd be happier if I never saw those walking junk piles or came here at all." Shinji replied, and then he yawned.
"Hey, don't go insulting my Unit-02! Don't go comparing my Eva to your inferior Eva!"
"That goes double for the tacky-ass purple trash can. Seriously, whoever thought that was a good idea for that color ought to be shot."
No more words were said when they pulled up inside the parking garage. The trio was quickly led through to their respective locker rooms. Whilst on the route through the lower levels, the pilots could see the wreckage from last night's attack.
"What the hell happened here?" Asuka questioned.
"Our supply of munitions was attacked by those mutant insects," Ritsuko answered, walking up with Maya in tow.
"Why would they do that, Dr. Akagi?" Rei asked.
"The reason is unknown, but fortunately, that thing didn't get all the Evas' munitions. There was another supply convoy line that came from the ruins of old Tokyo." Ritsuko said.
"Figures, I should have let Hornet finish the job before we fought." thought Shinji.
"The damages could have been much more severe if the Magna Defender hadn't shown up when he did."
"That guy," scoffed Asuka. "What the hell is his deal?"
"Deal or not, Asuka, his assistance was timely. We could have lost a lot of supplies, more on this later. It's time for the sync test."
With that, the trio went ahead to the locker rooms to get changed, unaware that a certain spider was slinking in the shadows, underneath conveyors and large machinery.
"So, Hornet couldn't get the job done, eh? Well, no matter, it'll be advantageous for me, heh-heh-heh." Tarantulas cackled, silently crawling away.
(In the Outpost later that day a training simulation area)
Shinji was in his morphed form in a training area outside the Outpost built by Alpha almost shortly after his arrival. The robot was behind a console, pressing some buttons behind the said console.
"I don't know about this, Alpha. Are you sure this thing is gonna work?" Shinji asked, staring at the wrist mount device on his left gauntlet. (Think Whistling bird from the Mandalorian)
"Of course, this projectile was developed by one of the finest scientists on Eltar," Alpha assured. "You need to work on your defensive capabilities, in the event you are disarmed."
"Been talking to Adam again?"
"A little bit. He sends his regards. Now, step into the simulator so we can begin your training." Alpha instructed him.
Shinji sighs in his helmet and steps into the new virtual simulator built by Alpha himself. The robot pressed some buttons on a console and holograms of Cog foot soldiers appeared, armed with spears.
"Cog soldiers. This should be fun."
Shinji unsheathed his sword and got into position. The simulated cogs formed up and began to rush towards Shinji.
Shinji began clashing with spears from two Cog soldiers at a time. He kicked one and cut another one in half, causing it to disintegrate in pixels. He blocked a punch from another Cog and slashed at the Cog's upper body.
A set of Cogs lined up and aimed their spears straight at Shinji and fired.
PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW.
"Ugh, argh!" Shinji grunted, shaking his left arm once.
The projectile device projected small but powerful munitions, and Shinji took aim and fired.
PEW PEW PEW PEW PEW
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
The Cog soldiers were destroyed instantly.
"Not too bad," Shinji remarked, looking at the weapon.
More Cog soldiers appeared in rows, all lined up to take aim and fire, and Shinji got into a defense position as all lasers fired rained upon him. Shinji dashed forward, deflecting the blasts with his blade, and began slicing the Cogs down one by one, up and down, side to side.
SLASH SLASH SLASH
"Hi-Yah!"
SLASH! SLASH!
Several more virtual Cog soldiers went down in pieces.
"What else you got, Alpha?" Shinji asked, ready for more.
"Try this, then," Alpha said, pressing some more buttons on the console.
The image of Ecliptor appeared in front of him, sword drawn and ready for battle.
"Now, that's what I'm talking about!"
Shinji began to clash with the virtual Ecliptor, vertically and horizontally matching him strike for strike. Shinji then landed a sidekick, followed by a quick stab, which Ecliptor blocked, and then Ecliptor nailed Shinji with the hilt of his sword.
"Gah!" Shinji grunted.
Shinji blocked a swift heavy strike and countered with a shoulder tackle. Then clashed swords again.
"You are no Red Ranger," virtual Ecliptor sneered.
"I'm the improved version." Shinji shot back.
Before either one could follow up, the alarm sounded.
RING-RING-RING
With that, Alpha deactivated the simulation and the two rushed back inside.
"What's the trouble?" Shinji asked, looking at the monitor in front of him.
"Let's see… Oh, my! It can't be!" the robot gasped.
A large, familiar giant cockroach monster was terrorizing south Shinjuku.
"Spikaka! How is that possible?! The Galaxy Rangers destroyed him on Onyx decades ago!"
"And if I remember my history correctly, he has the power to shape-shift. Why would he make himself known now?" Shinji asked.
"No time to worry about it. You need to get down there now!"
"Right. Back to action!" Shinji called, teleporting from the outpost in a flash.
(South Shinjuku station)
Spikaka was seen stomping around Shinjuku Station, damaging property, and causing the citizens to scatter in fear. The monstrous cockroach was swatting and tossing away any and all cars that came his way.
"RARHHHH!" he roared, tossing a car into a building.
WRIRRRRR WRIRRRRR WRIRRRRR
The sounds of the police sirens echoed throughout the block. Police and SWAT teams quickly swarmed the area, all geared up personnel-filed out AK-47's drawn out and all aimed at the monster. Seeing this, Spikaka curled into a ball, charged up and shot towards them while they opened fire, knocking them all down like bowling pins.
BLAST! BAM BOOM!
Spikaka unfurled himself and cackled at the devastation he caused, all in the name of his creator.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha," the roach-like monster cackled evilly.
One of the SWAT members, badly injured, moved his arm to take his radio from his side and spoke into it.
"Code eight, need back-"
His words were cut short when a gauntlet-wearing hand took the radio from him. Looking up, he saw it was the Magna Defender.
"Belay that. Requesting Medevac. We have a lot of good men down." said the Defender.
Without waiting for a response from the other end, Shinji passed the radio back to the injured SWAT member.
"Rest easy. I'll squash this bug," he said.
"No, I can help," the man groaned, getting up whilst still in pain.
Shinji glanced back at the man who rose to his feet, despite his injuries and nodded.
"You want to help? You get your guys to a safe location, and then look for other civilians that might need medical attention ASAP."
"Alright. Good luck," he said, proceeding to gather his squadmates.
Shinji switched his sword to blaster mode and rushed after Spikaka, took aim, and fired.
BLAST! BLAST! BLAST!
"Ghargh! Ghar!"
Spikaka turned around to see his assailant. The enemy of his creator had arrived, but, strangely enough, he felt a sense of familiarity towards the warrior, like he had encountered him once before.
"Magna Defender," growled Spikaka.
"Spikaka," Shinji responded.
"You've heard of me?"
"Indeed, I have. I heard you were tough, and now I have a chance to find out how tough you are." Shinji said.
"And I wanted a chance to decimate you!"
With that, the Cockroach monster charged, materializing a sword and enlarging his spikes.
"That's new."
Shinji and Spikaka began clashing. Spikaka used his strength and bulk to his advantage, attempting to overpower the black-armored warrior. But Shinji spread himself out a bit and hit a knee to the lower side of the abdomen, followed by a slash.
"Gah!" Spikaka groaned out in pain.
Spikaka responded in kind by using his full body weight and ramming the Defender into a street lamp.
"Argh!" Shinji grunted but quickly hopped back to his feet.
"Yha-shi."
Shinji thrusts his sword forward while Spikaka blocked downward. Both released their blades and clashed vertically, with Spikaka using one hand, while Shinji used both hands. Spikaka used his one free hand to strike at his opponent, but Shinji blocked and struck back with a head-butt. Then unleashed several, underhanded slashes.
SLASH SLASH SLASH SLASH
"Ghp! That's it now I'm about to-"
ZAP BLAST!
"What?" Shinji went.
Spikaka's words were cut short when a sudden laser energy strike tore through the cockroach monster. His body fell down and exploded.
BOOM!
And with that, the threat had ended, albeit in an anti-climatic fashion. Shinji was stunned and looked around for the source of the blast. Tapping his helmet, he contacted the Outpost.
"Alpha, come in," Shinji said.
("Shinji, what happened? Are you alright? Has Spikaka been defeated?") the robot asked eagerly.
"Yeah, but…it…wasn't me." the boy replied.
("What?")
"Can you run a scan for other energy signatures in Shinjuku?" Shinji asked.
("I'm checking…there's nothing there, Shinji. Nothing or no one but you.")
"That can't be! I know there was something or someone else here." Shinji hissed, looking up at all the buildings, trying to find something.
It was then that emergency vehicles began to pull in, and Shinji gave one last look around before he teleported back to the Outpost. Little did he know, the cloaked figure emerged from behind an alleyway nearby and folded his arms.
"Hmm," hummed the figure.
(Two days later)
Misato was looking at the progress of the probe inside the volcano. Headquarters had been quite alarmed by the report of the scientific team at Mt. Asama that there was some kind of foreign object in the lava stream. The pictures had been vague, but good enough to warrant sending her and Lt. Hyuga to Mt. Asama in order to check if there was an Angel hiding in the volcano.
"Trust an Angel to ruin my day," Misato thought, hoping this was just a false alarm.
Things didn't look good, however. The lava inside the volcano was strangely clear and had a much thinner consistency than one would expect. It almost was as if something in it was changing the lava to make it easier to maneuver in. Also, such a big lava chamber normally should have resulted in a lava flow down the flank of the mountain, yet the pressure still wasn't high enough to cause an eruption.
"We can't go deeper without damage!" one of the scientists warned her, seeing that the danger indicators of the probe were all red. He had no wish to ruin their expensive equipment just for a hunch.
"Oh, yes, we can! Get it 500 feet deeper!" she commanded.
The probe was lowered even deeper, the pressure starting to damage it.
"Captain, the probe is starting to collapse! We will lose it soon!" the scientist warned again; these things were expensive as hell and it would be a real loss for them if it was destroyed by the pressure.
Misato knew that he was right, but she couldn't allow a possible Angel to escape. "NERV will pay for any damages that happen, so go deeper!"
"There! Analyzing now!" Lt. Hyuga reported when seeing something on the screen.
Seconds later, they heard a shrill warning sound, then all screens went blank.
"Well, you did it. The probe has imploded under all the pressure. We will send the bill to NERV."
Misato knew she would hear about this from the budget department, but that could wait. More important was what they had found while she waited for Makoto's report. Finally, he looked up.
"A blue pattern. This is an Angel," he told her while looking at the picture of the Angel, its form was disturbing to him a little.
"You little bastard. You tried to hide from us", Misato thought when looking at the picture.
"This operation is from now on being led by NERV!" she announced to all of the scientists. "No calls to the outside until this crisis is over and all data of the last few hours is top secret from now on!" After this announcement, she quickly told Hyuga, "Contact HQ! We need clearance for an A-17!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Misato glanced back sending a side glare to the newly-discovered Angel, unaware of something crawling upon the high dark ceiling. She walked out of the command center and headed toward the commander's office. As the staff carried on with their work, a certain spider lowered himself slightly.
"Hmmm…interesting, heh-heh-heh," Tarantulas cackled quietly, formulating a plan should NERV capture the Angel.
(Commander's office)
"I'm requesting a Special Command A-17," Misato said.
"You're gonna try to capture it?" Fuyutsuki asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Yes, sir."
"And like I said before we entered, this isn't an attack. The Angel is asleep inside a volcano." Ritsuko argued again. "You're the one who wants to try and capture it. Which would probably wake it up and cause it to attack anyway."
"Exactly. It would move us from a defensive state to an offensive one. We'd be taking the fight to them for a change." the female captain argued.
"I really don't think this is a good idea, but… Commander?" the blond scientist asked.
"If we were to wait, then the enemy will be at full strength and it will decide the course of battle. Request approved." Gendo said.
Ritsuko sighed. "Fine."
"Begin right away, Katsuragi. We have not one moment to lose."
"Yes, sir."
With that, Misato hastily walked out of the office.
"Dr. Akagi," the commander addressed.
"Yes?"
"48 hours ago, an Insectoid creature attacked Shinjuku. Reportedly, the Magna Defender engaged it and defeated it. We sent the Hazmat units to retrieve any remains left behind." Gendo reported.
"Were they successful?" the doctor asked, getting a surprising nod.
"Indeed, the remains were transferred here discreetly. I expect you to examine them thoroughly once this situation with the angel has resolved."
"Understood."
Ritsuko walked out of the large office afterward, leaving the commander and sub-commander to themselves.
"We're taking big steps, Ikari, which could possibly lead to a big fall," Fuyutsuki commented.
"I know, Sensei, but these are necessary steps in order to gain and keep the advantage."
(Several minutes later)
Several minutes later, the pilots were gathered in the briefing room, with Dr. Akagi and Lt. Ibuki explaining the mission to them.
"That's an Angel? Yuck… it looks like a human embryo," Shinji exclaimed when seeing the picture of the proto-Angel on the big floor screen.
All of them had been surprised when they had been called because of an Angel crisis, ordered to report at once to this briefing room. It was even more confusing when they noticed that Tokyo-3 had not gone into Angel alarm mode. Something was really off this time. Asuka, for her part, didn't care. She looked as if she couldn't wait to get into the fray.
"A little crude, but fitting. The Angel isn't developed yet and is resting in a sort of cocoon. One EVA will dive into the magma, held by a special cable, down into the volcano. It is our primary objective is to capture it alive, meaning you can't damage the cocoon or we are in deep trouble." Ritsuko explained further.
"What if it does get damaged?" Asuka asked.
"Then we must destroy it at once. We can't take any risks. Got that?" Seeing all of the pilots nod, Ritsuko went on. "Good, the pilot for this operation…"
"Me! Me! Please let me do it, I love diving!" Asuka interrupted, hoping for her chance to redeem her damaged reputation.
"Nice try, but I was about to say your name anyway. Unit-02 is right now the only one that can use the Class-D special equipment for the extreme conditions within the volcano," Dr. Akagi said, not angered by Asuka's enthusiasm.
"And what is our role?" Rei asked.
"Unit-01 is going to observe the operation from the top of the crater. Unit-00 will remain hereby, orders of Commander Ikari, in case the Angel does manage to get on the way to Tokyo-3," Lt. Ibuki explained.
"Ohh, poor First Child has to stay here, missing all the exciting stuff!" Asuka mocked.
Knowing that Rei would ignore these taunts, as usual, Shinji felt that he should draw a line.
"Asuka, stop picking on Rei and just shut up." He received a growl from Asuka in response,
Ritsuko had watched this but now felt that they had to go into action.
"Your quarrels can wait until later. The operation starts now, so suit up."
Twenty minutes later, Asuka compressed the special suit skin-tight in the locker room beside the loading facility.
"Dr. Akagi, is this really a special suit against heat? It doesn't look or feel any different from my regular one."
"Push the button on your right wrist…" Ritsuko said, checking some last things on her clipboard. She knew what would happen, but she wouldn't tell.
Asuka pushed the button, and…
"AHHHH! Was Zur Hölle?" Suddenly, the suit inflated until Asuka looked like a balloon with legs, arms, and head. "In what the hell did you put me into?!"
Ritsuko bit back a smile, the situation was too serious and put on her professional face.
"The special suit against high pressure and heat. Of course, under current conditions, it looks like this. I think Unit-02 should be ready by now as well."
Asuka feared the worst and ran to the loading facility.
"Oh Noooo! What have you done to it?!" Asuka whined when she saw the condition of Unit-02. It now was in a sort of hard-shelled deep-sea diving suit. "My poor EVA-02 will get claustrophobic in there!"
"This is a Class-D special equipment suit for battles in extreme conditions. Against heat, cold, radiation, and pressure," Ritsuko explained, pretending not to have heard Asuka's whining.
"No chance!" She might be eager to get her second solo kill, but she did have her pride! "I won't present myself as the living balloon! Take Shinji, he would make a great balloon!"
"No thanks, I don't want to look like a Macy's Day Parade balloon," chuckled Shinji.
"Oh, that's too bad. And here I thought you would be eager for your second solo outing, considering your stellar performance with the 6th Angel when we arrived."
Looking up, she saw Kaji standing on a catwalk.
"Oh, nein!" She ran into the corridor to hide. "You are all doing this on purpose! Admit it!"
Shinji chuckled, seeing Asuka the great beach ball, wishing he had his camera. But then he realized that they somehow had to get Asuka to do it, and he knew, how.
"Rei, I think there's one way to convince her to do it, play to her ego" Shinji whispered to Rei.
Rei briefly glanced at him, then looked at the second child again understanding his logic, and knew what to do and spoke out, "Dr. Akagi, if necessary, I can pilot Unit-02 as well to fulfill this mission."
It did have the desired effect.
The mere idea that someone else - especially Rei Ayanami - could pilot her EVA-02 made Asuka see red. "On nein! You won't get into the entry plug of my EVA-02! Nur er meine Leiche! I will do it and no one else!"
That said, Asuka walked up the stairs to the entry plug, constantly telling Unit-02 that it would soon get out of that suit. Dr. Akagi couldn't help but mentally thank them, otherwise, it would have taken them precious time to convince Asuka to do it, or force her with orders. She left to go into the transport plane to meet with the rest of her crew.
"Well done. You saved us quite some trouble," Lt. Ibuki thanked them and then followed Ritsuko.
Shinji looked at Rei.
"Rei, see ya after this is over."
"Come back unharmed, Shinji," Rei replied, watching him walk to Unit-01.
"Yeah, I definitely need to work with her on her vocabulary", thought Shinji.
"Shinji!" Misato called, getting his attention.
"Listen to me carefully, pilot." Misato began sternly glaring at him. "No going off on your own. You follow the plan exactly. No hotdogging around the way like you did last time!"
Shinji was just unfazed by her glare.
"You said to engage the Angel. You didn't give any specifics on how." he shot back.
"Regardless, you will follow the plan exactly and hold your position."
"Right… Noted." Shinji stretched out, going to his Eva. "And very much ignored in case things go south."
Misato just glared at his retreating form, feeling disrespected.
(Much later, MT Asami)
"Hey, Misato, if we get out of this alive, can we visit the hot springs resort of Karuizawa nearby? We risk our asses, so I feel we should get something in return," Asuka asked Misato over the comm while Unit-02 was readied at the crane that would lower it into the volcano, the electromagnetic cage in its hands.
"All right, Asuka, you've got a deal, but now back to business!" Misato told her.
"I almost forgot. Asuka, the Class-D equipment also has emergency boosters. It's the button on your right. Should you need to get out of there really fast, eject the cable and ignite them. But only use them if really necessary; otherwise, we would have a huge mess to clean up," Ritsuko instructed her.
"Yes, yes. I got it." She didn't think that she would need that particular feature.
Shinji, meanwhile, noticed something while waiting beside the crane. Zooming in on the picture, he saw what it was.
"Why are there military jets circling over the volcano? Please, don't tell me they are again planning to drop a bomb if we fail," he asked.
("These are from the UN. They are here to minimize the damage in case of emergency,") Lt. Ibuki told him.
"So, they do plan to drop an N² bomb if we screw it up," he concluded, remembering the last time all too well.
("Should they drop an N² bomb into the volcano, it would cause a huge eruption, destroying the surrounding area. So this better be successful,") Lt. Hyuga explained further. "Commander Ikari himself wants it to be this way."
"Perfect…" Shinji sighed. "So here we are, with the coward from the safety of his office, having the finger on the red button to blow all of us sky-high. Didn't think I'd go out like this." He really wished that this wouldn't have happened. He didn't trust Gendo with anything.
("You need to show some respect to the commander." )Shigeru inputted
"When hell literally freezes over and pigs fly sucker," Shinji replied back briefly turning off the comm line
("Asuka are you ready?") Misato Asked
"You won't see me more ready than this!" Asuka said, very confidently.
"Good, then start the operation!"
At once, the crane started to lower Unit-02 into the volcano. Asuka didn't want to show it, but she was quite nervous about being lowered into a volcano.
Unbeknownst to all those below, a cloaked ship was positioning itself high above the volcano. The occupant inside set its weapons system to target the Angel. Meanwhile, Asuka inside was lowered deeper and deeper into the lava.
The Class-D equipment was holding, but Asuka wasn't seeing much in the mess around herself. It actually was boring for her, with nothing to see, nothing to do, and sweating like a pig. She hoped to get done with this as fast as possible. She sometimes heard the protective outer shell of the suit protesting against the pressure with a metallic groan, but she was sure it would hold.
"All right, you are there. Do you see it?" Misato asked.
"No, nothing. It isn't here," Asuka answered, checking her scanners. "Where could it be?"
"The lava currents must be stronger than in our calculations. This also means it has drifted further away," Lt. Hyuga reported.
"Then make new calculations. Lower Unit-02 further!" Misato commanded.
Everyone was taken aback for a second. They knew that was dangerous, as it went over the limits of the equipment. They complied, but Ritsuko looked less than thrilled.
Unit-02 was lowered further, the outer suit starting to protest more and more. Suddenly, there was a loud snap.
"Scheiße… I lost my prog-knife," Asuka cursed, not that she thought she would need it, but still…
"This is madness! We are now over the limit. This isn't an unmanned probe," Ritsuko protested to Misato.
"I know this! But I'm responsible, and we haven't found the target yet. The operation will be continued!" Misato made it clear that she didn't want to hear anything more in that line.
"Asuka, are you all right?"
("Of course, I am. Don't worry about me.") She sounded quite assured of herself.
Ritsuko felt that this would have happened sooner or later.
"You'll really risk her life just to satisfy your hatred against the Angels Misato?" Ritsuko thought glancing at her friend
"Unit-02 has reached the newly-calculated position," Maya reported.
"Asuka, can you see something?" Misato asked her.
("I don't…wait!" She saw something slowly forming into her view, and it looked exactly like what they had searched for. "There it is!")
"All right, get ready! You have only one chance; otherwise, the currents will drive it away from you!" Dr. Akagi cautioned her.
("Don't worry about that…") Asuka said confidently, readying the cage.
She did the maneuver exactly as told and the cage surrounded the cocoon, capturing it inside the force field.
("I got it! Easy work. Now, please pull me back up, all right? I think I'm losing my body weight in sweat.")
Asuka felt the tension go while she was pulled back up with her freight.
("I can't wait to go to the hot springs at Karuizawa. I'll hold you to your promise,") she said while being pleased with herself; the operation was a success and she had managed to show off that she could really do it.
"Don't worry, Asuka, I will hold my promise," Misato promised, all tension having fallen from her.
Outside, Shinji felt relieved also. Everything had gone according to plan without any trouble.
"Good that I wasn't needed at all this time." He expressed. "Or the other guy wasn't needed today,"
"That's really a relief that in the end. Everything went all right," Misato said.
But they would soon find out nothing was that simple.
-EEEAAAHHHHHHT- -EEEAAAHHHHHHT- -EEEAAAHHHHHHT-
"This thing is going bonkers!" Asuka screamed all her gauges over the limit.
"Oh, no! The Angel is hatching! Earlier than we thought!" Ritsuko realized when seeing the form of the Angel shift rapidly. "Can the cage hold it?"
"Holding a fully-grown Angel? No chance!" Shigeru answered, now hectically using his controls in the sudden crisis at hand.
Like a fully-formed, huge prehistoric Anomalocaris predator, Sandalphon simply ripped through the electric barrier, swimming with high speed into the surrounding lava.
"Eject the cage!" Misato ordered, and the cage was blown away. "We have to destroy the Angel as fast as possible! Asuka, get ready!"
("I have no weapon!" Asuka was now quite afraid, despite her earlier outer calmness. "Oh, shit, he is trying to ram me. I must get lighter!")
Blowing off the extra weights, Unit-02 shot upwards, the Angel missing it by mere meters.
"I've lost the Angel… Damn, is that thing fast! We need a plan! Fast!"
"Shinji! Throw your knife down to her!" Misato ordered.
"All right!" Shinji acknowledged. "Here!"
That said, he threw his knife down at her.
"Come on, come on! The Angel is attacking again!" Asuka pleaded while waiting for the knife. "You stupid thing…finally come to me!"
Grabbing the knife at the last second, she was surprised by the Angel not ramming her, but holding her like an octopus and suddenly ripping open its teeth-filled mouth, biting onto Unit-02.
"It wants to eat me!"
Asuka tried to stab the Angel, but the prog-knife only created sparks and nothing more, despite her having neutralized its AT-field through contact.
("It's not working!") Asuka shouted.
"The Angel is perfectly adapted to its surroundings. If it can withstand the lava and the sheer pressure, the knife won't bother it at all," Ritsuko realized when seeing the ineffectiveness of the weapon. "It's right now invulnerable to any kind of attack."
-crraaiiik-
"The Angel is starting to break down the outer shell!" Maya reported, looking in horror at the screen.
"Why won't you die?" Asuka cursed, trying to kick the Angel, but its many arms held her in place while it slowly started to chew through the helmet of the suit. An alarm warned Asuka that the coolant circuit was damaged.
Asuka maneuvered around as best she could, finally managing to create separation.
Shinji narrowed his eyes, trying to come up with his own plan when his musing was cut short by a bright ping in the sky that caught his eye.
PING
"What?!" Shinji asked, looking up with the Evangelion.
("Shinji, what are you?!-") Misato was saying until…
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
From the sky, a large bright beam of light descended upon the danger zone, heading straight for the volcano.
BLAST!
The very force of the blast sent Unit-01 flying from the top of the mountain.
"Gha!" Shinji grunted, feeling the Eva tumble down.
The beam of light had engulfed the Angel.
"Eahhh!" the Angel screamed in pain, feeling its body being ripped into pieces.
The beam completely disintegrated the Angel, causing a massive explosion. Blowing Asuka back above the surface, with damages to her unit…and the volcano erupting.
BOOM!
"What the Hell was that?!" She demanded.
("Asuka! Can you hear me?! Are you alright?!") Misato shouted over the comm.
"I'm fine, Misato, the Angel is-"
("We know, the blue pattern has disappeared.")
"What the hell was that light?!"
("I don't know, our long-range scans couldn't detect it.")
Asuka could only look up at the clear skies, only seeing nothing out of the ordinary.
"Was it him?"
("Shinji? Shinji?! Are you alright?!") Misato asked over the comm.
("Oh, wow, I didn't know you cared.") Shinji said sarcastically.
("Remember what I said, pilot!")
Shinji ignored her and looked at the sky, wondering where that beam of light came from. He got the Evangelion up back to a vertical base.
"Something's up there. I know it, but what?" he whispered.
(Hot springs later on, that night)
"What could this be and why would Mr. Kaji send something here?" Shinji wondered, opening a freshly-delivered express package, only to be greeted by…a penguin!
"Is this Misato's penguin?! Well, someone in America had a tiger for a pet, and I've always wanted a fox for a pet, so who am I to judge." Shinji said shrugging.
Shinji wondered how Kaji knew to get Pen-Pen sent to the resort, but then again, he didn't want to know. Some things were better left unanswered. A little later, the warm-water penguin was swimming around in the hot water pool on the men's side, while the slowly-setting sun cast everything into a beautiful orange light - the beautiful colors also being a result of the dust thrown up in Second Impact.
Before he could go to the locker room to get changed, his cell phone rang.
RING RING
Taking it out, the caller ID read AL. As in Alpha. Going off to the side. Shinji answered.
"Yeah?"
("Shinji, come to the Outpost right away. It's urgent!") Alpha said.
"Alright, I'm on my way," he said.
With that, Shinji hung up and sighed.
"Oh, well, there's a bathhouse near my apartment. I'll be alright." he shrugged.
Shinji walked briskly out to the door, strapping his Morphers on.
"Young man?" the old female clerk asked.
"If those "nice" ladies ask, please tell them Don't wait up," Shinji replied, walking out the door.
Shinji was lucky it was early evening and no one seemed to be out. Pressing the silver button on his Morpher, a black energy field engulfed him and went up into the sky.
(Hot-spring Women's side)
Asuka, enjoying herself in the water, had noticed quite an ugly, old scar on Misato's chest.
"How did that happen? I've never seen you without a top before," she asked her.
"It's an injury I got during Second Impact. I've learned to live with it and it doesn't bother me much anymore. Don't worry about it," Misato answered, not wanting to tell Asuka how exactly she had received that particular injury. This was something she didn't want to share. Changing the topic, she leaned back.
"I hope this compensates you for the missed class trip."
"It does, but that light from the sky?"
"I know, where did it come from?" Misato asked, looking at the darkening sky.
"Excuse me!" the old clerk said, getting the pair's attention.
"Yes?" Misato said.
"That boy that was with you, he wanted to me to tell you and I'm quoting him, "Don't wait up", and then he left," she said.
The pair blinked in confusion.
"Why would he leave?"
"Geez, what's his deal?" Asuka muttered.
"I don't know. Many boys like that tend to go looking for trouble," she said, departing from the area.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Misato sighed. "I'm gonna have to set that boy straight."
End chapter
End Notes: First off Zero, would like to apologize again, for being silent, my stories aren't dead, I've been dealing with a lot, mainly health issues, but here is chapter 13 of ROD. The mysterious visitor is making his presence, felt. Gendo got one over Deceptica, but not Tarantulas, he is beginning to spin his treacherous web. And Shinji's new weapon was of course inspired by the Mandalorian whistling birds. What will happen next, well, someone links Shinji to Magna Defender, another Monster from Ranger history makes his presence felt, and Rei takes her first step into becoming a Ranger, I haven't forgotten what everyone wanted for her and starts to like Shinji a bit more. As always read, review, and leave Suggestions til then stay prime.