Koros45 doesn't own Mazinkaiser, Getter Robo, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 14: [The Guardian]
Mazinkaiser fell a second time as Baron Ashura pounced, Mazinger Z shoving a hand on Kaiser's face. The Chogokin hand blocking the Photon Beam and Rust Hurricane attacks as it slammed the silver crown into the ground.
"Ha-ha-ha! Kaiser may be all but impervious, but your human body is not! I'll rip you to pieces using your original Mazinger!" Baron Ashura jeered as they slammed Mazinkaiser's head into the ground again.
"Urgh!" Kouji felt his helmet slam into the back of the seat as he fought the urge to let his dinner loose all over the controls. He'd have bruises, that's for sure.
"Get . . . off, Baron!" Kouji yelled as he slammed down on a control.
"Not a chance, Kabuto! Not when I can splatter you all over the inside of Mazinkaiser's cockpit. Then I'll just – ehh!?"
Baron Ashura was so busy repeating the same attack that he didn't noticed the heat gradually increasing, conducting through Mazinger Z to his own Hell Pilder. He glanced down with Mazinger Z's eyes and saw the blazing panels on Mazinkaiser's chest surge with red energy, the crimson glow now interlaced with light.
"FIRE BLASTER!" Kouji roared as the red and white tide of flame blasted Mazinger Z straight into the air.
Baron Ashura screamed as Z landed on it's face. The pilot had to act quickly as Kaiser was back up now. But with just one arm, Baron Ashura had the edge, even with Kaiser's larger bulk, armor and improved weapons. And Mazinger Z was sentimental to Kouji. He would rather die than even think about destroying his Grandfather's final gift to him while he was still alive.
Baron Ashura's mind went through all of these things while they saw Mazinkaiser walk towards Mazinger Z, shoulders shuddering with each step. The logical points stopped mattering when Baron Ashura admitted that they were scared out of their mind.
"Combine with Z, Ashura Scrander!" Baron Ashura commanded. A mechanical beast, one half black and one half white flew above Mazinger Z, clearly modeled after Baron Ashura's two halves. It was the machine they'd used to face Ryoma's Black Getter and Tetsuya's Great Mazinger to quite an effect until it had been damaged. Now it was no longer a machine that Ashura would use for battle, yet it had another use now.
The white half and black half each folded out into a wing of sorts that connected to Mazinger Z's back and folded around it's waist.
"With this set of wings, Ashura Mazinger is powered up! Faster, and ready to overwhelm you! Prepare yourselves, Kabuto Kouji, and Mazinkaiser!" Baron Ashura warned.
/
Getter Dragon formed, proud mustache and coral horns aligned on the crimson face as it landed on the ground in a battle-ready position. The EVA team readied themselves as they were the only ones conscious in Getter Dragon to fight against Brocken's stolen Getter Dragon with.
"All right Count, this is where we kick your ass!" Asuka yelled.
Meanwhile, Rei struggled in the cockpit of the Poseidon component as she felt strange. Mechanical tubes attached themselves to the sides of her head as wires crept from the Getter machine's seat to integrate through her wrist and connect to the veins in her arms. A hallucination, of course.
Yet it gave her a headache and also some self doubt as well. She moved backwards, her body brushing against Gai's, the Getter pilot groaning as he came to his senses.
"Let it happen." Gai said resolutely to her.
"Let it all happen." He repeated.
Rei closed her eyes and focused again on the machine's controls. She sat up straight and felt the headache disappear. Now it was more like a faint ringing than a pain. And it seemed to be inviting her. She opened her eyes and saw crystal clear.
The First Child ignored whatever it was and glanced through Poseidon's cameras to the battle at hand. Currently Great Mazinger was looking across from Getter Dragon. Count Brocken addressed them, answering Asuka's challenge.
"Did you really think you could stop Doctor Hell's forces with just some children? His ambition is such to eclipse even the great Adolf Hitler! His dreams of world conquest exceed even that of the Third Reich!" Brocken yelled.
"Oh right. So you're some damn Nazi, huh?!" Asuka yelled. She couldn't believe it. As someone who was half German she took the Count's brazen pride rather personally.
"What? Yes I am. Doctor Hell took me in after the War and let me lend my power to his own. With it I was reconstructed and -"
"I don't really care about any of that! Evangelion Unit 02 or Getter Dragon – the machine doesn't matter! I'll kick your ass so hard, you'll wish that you died for real in that damn war!" Asuka yelled out.
"Getter Tomahawk!" She cried out, pressing the control and expecting the finely honed blades to shoot from Getter Dragon's back for her use.
Nothing happened.
Great Mazinger fell from the sky, swinging a Mazinger Blade down at Getter Dragon.
Asuka's arm went to an arm lever and raised the left arm defensively, the spiked groove on Dragon's arm catching the blade and blocking it.
"The correct attack is 'Double Tomahawk.' The voice system won't recognize the wrong command."
Kaworu said without concern despite what they were faced as he glanced at the attack names on a far off monitor.
Great Mazinger punched Dragon in the face and the Getter fell, slamming into the ground with a shudder. The Second Child grunted as she slammed into the padded back of the seat, opening her eyes and pushing the closest button she could recognize.
"How about this one then!? Getter Beam!'" Asuka yelled and the pink laser beam shot from Dragon's head, striking Great Mazinger in the face and causing it to stagger back a few steps. It was enough space for the Getter to move.
"Now pedals to stand . . . " Asuka said out loud, working the twin pedal system connected to her feet and Getter Dragon followed suit, standing tall and alert.
"Now – Double Tomahawk!" Asuka commanded. Two double-bladed axes sprung out of Getter Dragon's body, and the robot caught one in each hand.
"Then a duel to the death!" Count Brocken screamed as the Mazinger Blade hit fast and hard, knocking one of the axes away. He was very serious about that statement as the blade swung at Getter Dragon's face – where the cockpit was lodged in the 'mouth' area.
"Oh no you don't!" Asuka countered, having Dragon grab the second axe with both hands and stopping the swing as the two machines struggled to gain leverage. Double Tomahawk and Mazinger Blade scraped against each other as both pilot pushed their machine to it's limit.
Great Mazinger moved again, a hidden spike in the knee extending as it slammed the weapon into Dragon's chest. Asuka winced from the impact of the attack, her brain instantly wondering how Shinji and Kei were doing – yet also working to move Getter Dragon backwards. She shoved against the Mazinger Blade, the force of the move dislodging the knee -spike as Dragon recovered its footing.
"Hang on everyone!" Asuka yelled.
/
The Ashura Scrander gave Mazinger Z both flight and quite the speed advantage as Ashura could pepper Mazinkaiser with various attacks from the sky – it was hard for Kouji to focus as Breast Fire hit Kaiser's back, shortly followed by a Rust Hurricane to the legs, a Rocket Punch to the head, and a Photon Beam to the shoulder.
But it was working and that bothered Kouji. If Baron Ashura thought about it, an attack on the base with Z would be far more troubling than striking at Mazinkaiser over and over. Keeping him engaged might be a good strategy while the Getter Team dealt with Great Mazinger. But it wasn't a fair match. Dragon was outdated and less combat ready than Great Mazinger, even with Count Brocken at the controls.
"Hey Baron, look at how pathetic you are! Using some piece of junk like that to give Mazinger a fake Scrander! Come on and fight me on foot! Isn't me having just one arm enough of a handicap?!" Kouji taunted.
"Heh heh heh!" Baron Ashura chortled. "I know that you're stalling! And I also know that Mazinkaiser is resistant to most of my attacks! But still – your response time is slower! I just need be patient to deliver the killing blow! But if you insist, Kabuto, I will fight you on the ground!"
The Baron laughed as the twin wings flew off of Mazinger Z's back, each one slamming into Mazinkaiser's sides and sending violet lighting through the machine. Kouji let out a howl as the electricity surged through the Pilder once again.
Then Mazinger Z landed right in front of Mazinkaiser and began punching it in the face over and over like a persistent boxer. The attacks continued as Kouji felt his body start to give into the pain from the impacts, his earlier hot-blooded resolve waning as the beating continued, reinforced by the shocks from the Mechanical Beast Scrander he was pinned against.
There was still an option though. Kouji shoved his foot into one of the pedals as hard as he could and Mazinkaiser responded with a quick forward kick to Mazinger Z, knocking the black iron castle backwards.
"I won't be beaten that easily, Baron!" Kouji yelled as Mazinkaiser used it's remaining arm to punch further back.
"Hmph! Then I'll stay out of range and do this!" Baron Ashura said as the stomach armor on Mazinger Z swung out, revealing a missile port.
"Missile Punch!" The Baron yelled.
The missile shot out, missing Kouji and Kaiser but striking the lab. Kouji's eyes widened as cracks began to appear in the now active Photon barrier.
Baron Ashura began gloating at the damage they'd caused. "Hmph! That's so simple I feel almost cheated. Of course Photonic weapons from one of the strongest Super Robots can pierce the barrier! There's nothing Kaiser can do to stop-"
"Back at you! Gigant Missile!" Kouji retorted as a much larger missile fired from Mazinkaiser's naval, striking the ground next to Mazinger Z and causing the other machine to stagger backwards.
"Mazinkaiser has more of these left, so think again, Baron! Even pinned down, I'll fight you!" Kouji challenged.
/
Getter Dragon pushed back and Great Mazinger did the same. Mazinger Blade and Double Tomahawk both flailed about, a thrust from Great was dodged and a swing from Dragon's tomahawk barely missed.
"Hmph! So you know your basic combat in a duel! Well let's change this then!" Count Brocken's voice boomed over Getter Dragon's speakers as Great Typhoon fired, knocking the Double Tomahawk out of the Getter's hand. Then Great Mazinger grabbed the stunned Dragon with both arms as Scramble Dash deployed again and the iron robot took to the skies with Dragon in tow.
"Dammit, Third? Shinji! Are you ok?!" Asuka yelled even as she struggled to make Dragon break Great Mazinger's grip.
"Kei and I are alright. It was a close shave but we're in one piece! Now if you can take the time to yell at me, use it to fight back!" Shinji yelled, sounding panicked.
"You're still learning all of Getter Robo G's attacks! So I wonder if you can figure out how to survive this!" Count Brocken said with a laugh as Great Mazinger flew higher and higher into the skies before it dropped Getter Dragon, the multi-colored robot falling quickly as the four remaining pilots did their best to hold on.
"Use the Getter Wi-" Kaworu's yell was cut off as the sky began to surge with lighting.
Asuka fought back her lightheadedness due to the fall and screamed.
"Getter Wing!"
Two triangular structures warped and extended from Getter Dragon's shoulders, creating two mantles of sorts, the machine swerving upwards and avoiding the impending Thunder Break. The formed structures gained length and becoming triangular wings. Dragon took to the skies and kept rising to keep a steady pace with the rival Mazinger.
"Now Getter Dragon's got wings, so you're vulnerable to its dragonfire!" Asuka yelled as the Getter flew higher in the air in range of Great Mazinger.
"Now take this! Getter Beam!" Asuka yelled as the voice command system fired the attack.
"Thunder Break!" Brocken countered, the yellow lighting firing from Great Mazinger's fingertip.
Both attacks struck as the twin combatants reeled from each, falling through the skies.
Great Mazinger was first to recover, the blast having struck the left eye, the yellow photon energy in it dimming from the damage, the cracked glass on the eye visible as the light winked out. Getter Dragon recovered second, the right side of the angular facial horn resembling a mustache blown clean off it's face – close to the cockpit where Asuka and Kaworu were.
"We need to end this now! Shinji, what was that final attack you used with the old men?!" Asuka yelled.
"You mean - Getter Dragon's Shine Spark!? But - we all need to hit the same controls at once though – if we don't, we'll all -" Shinji began.
"Alright! If that's what it takes, let's all put our lives in Getter Dragon's hands!" Asuka yelled as she readied herself to press on the lever.
"Shinji! Ayanami! On my count!" Asuka stated as Great Mazinger charged up another Breast Burn attack.
"Three! Two! One!" Asuka screamed, pressing the lever as the canopy around her started to shake.
Then the entire mecha they were in started glowing white, the energy of the maxed out Getter Rays shielding them from the Breast Burn attack.
"Shine Spark!" Asuka growled as Getter Dragon's ultimate attack struck the possessed Mazinger, making it fall from the skies and land to the Earth with a definite crash.
/
Benkei woke up and realized where he was. The hangar. In Mazinkaiser's hand. Misato was in the corner, her gun drawn as she glanced around the room for Iron Mask intruders. Benkei moved and the fingers of Mazinkaiser loosened, letting him out. He'd been hit and felt it in his back.
"Katsuragi, little help?" Benkei asked as the NERV officer assisted him as it was clear, moving to the side of the hanger.
Benkei grabbed a radio and spoke into it, set to the Kaiser Pilder's channel.
"Kouji, I'm ok. You've got both arms free now." Benkei said.
"All right, Benkei! Now it's a more fair match up! Turbo Smasher Punch!" Kouji yelled as the dormant arm's wrist blades spun rapidly before the arm rose and it fired off, shooting out of the hangar and spiraling towards the machine it was part of.
"Are the Children alright?" Benkei asked and Misato nodded. "They're in Getter Dragon. Kei and Gai are with them."
Benkei nodded. "Then I think they have a chance. Now let's hope Kouji can end this before things get too out of hand."
/
"Photon Beam!" Kouji yelled as the beams projected from his machine's eyes, hitting one part of Ashura's Scrander. The white part stalled and the Scrander disconnected from Mazinger Z as the super robot fell to the ground. Ashura didn't waste the movement however, as a double rocket punch struck Mazinkaiser and knocked it back.
"Breast Fire!" Baron Ashura yelled as the attack charged, shooting out and knocking Mazinkaiser down once again. Kouji yelled as his head hit the back of his seat again. He was glad he was wearing his helmet or he could've been really hurt.
"Hmph! If I really can't kill you, I'll just use Z's final attack to destroy the Photon Labs!" Baron Ashura said with a laugh as yellow photon particles began leaking from Mazinger Z's forearm, knee, and thigh joints.
"Overloading the Photon Reactor?! Then-!" Kouji realized just what Baron Ashura was doing.
"That's right! I'll use Mazinger Z's self-destruct mechanism at full power! It might not kill you, but your base will fall! This detonation will activate my bombs even if it won't destroy the base in one shot!" Baron Ashura said with a laugh as more and more energy began leaking out of Z's body.
Then the second Turbo Smasher Punch flew by, boring straight through the Ashura Scrander as it re-attached to Mazinkaiser's arm.
"Yeah, well now that I'm fully armed, I'll stop that plan!" Kouji yelled as he charged forwards.
Mazinger Z's Rust Hurricane struck his machine as he got closer. Kaiser could withstand it, but the ground could not and Kouji was forced to stagger at a slower pace as Mazinger Z shone brighter and brighter.
"At this rate, the Photon Lab will be destroyed! Move, Kaiser!" Kouji yelled.
Ashura's Pilder disconnected and they laughed as the black flight machine took off, getting away from the battle at hand.
"Turbo Smasher Punch!" Kouji yelled as Mazinkaiser's arms fired off, striking at Mazinger Z and pushing it back, but not far enough away.
The arms flew back to Mazinkaiser and Kouji was able to move his machine forward now that Rust Hurricane had ceased firing. Mazinkaiser grabbed Mazinger Z and tried to move it, but the robot's legs were planted firmly in the ground. Kouji estimated he had ten seconds at most before his Grandpa's last gift to him while he was still alive detonated.
Then the Mazin Power kicked in. Kouji screamed and pulled upwards as the machine he was piloting followed suit. Kaiser struggled and picked Z out of the ground, taking slow steps from the base. Kouji raised Z in the air, unsure of what he'd do now. Kaiser's arms were hard to move from using Turbo Smasher Punch in succession and there was still too far to go to save the Power Labs from the impending detonation.
"Mazinger Z!" Kouji yelled, closing his eyes as he couldn't bear to watch what happened next.
Then he saw a yellow flash and opened his eyes as Mazinger Z put a hand tenderly on Kaiser's hand before it's own right arm began firing off it's own Rocket Punch, simultaneously pushing Kaiser back and propelling Z backwards as well as the Photonic energy reached it's limit. Koji was sure that Mazinger Z was smiling at him from it's metal grille as it flew backwards, thrusters in the legs firing off to give the Super Robot even more distance from the Labs.
It vanished in the surge of yellow. A sphere of golden light that blinded Kouji even as it expanded. The blast knocked Mazinkaiser backwards and the Photon Barrier held just enough to withstand the blast.
"MAZINGER Z!" Kouji yelled as the explosion cleared, leaving no trace of the machine behind.
/
Great Mazinger fell from the Shine Spark striking it and Count Brocken grunted as his body tried to move Great's controls but couldn't. The nearby explosion shook the ground and Brocken blinked his eyes and tried to see, his red monocle assisting in this case.
"Count! Copy what I did! Detonate Great Mazinger to destroy Getter Dragon and devastate the lab! At this range, it should still work!" Baron Ashura yelled.
Brocken grinned as he pressed a button and ejected the Brain Condor from Great Mazinger's crown.
"Hahahahaha! You'll all die now! Burn and be grateful that you perished to me rather than to Dr. Hell!" Brocken laughed.
"No! Only one Mazinger goes down today!" Kouji yelled as Mazinkaiser walked through the haze of smoke created by Z's detonation.
"I still have one attack left to stop you! Freezing Beam!" Kouji yelled as the two golden and angular horns on Mazinkaiser's head rotated to point at Great Mazinger, shooting out a frigged blast of light blue. The beam froze Great Mazinger in a rapidly expanding sheet of ice on contact, preventing it from heating up further.
"That's Tetsuya's machine! And I'll be damned if you destroy yet another Mazinger today!" Kouji yelled as Mazinkaiser stopped moving, the quick burst of extra power from activating Mazin Power overheating the systems temporarily.
"Hmph! But without power, you can't stop my escape!" Brocken yelled with a grin.
"Oh yeah? Well this Dragon can!" Asuka Langley Soryu's voice challenged. "Double Tomahawk!"
The gigantic axe blade slammed into the wing of Brain Condor, causing it to stall and veer to the ground.
"Dammit! I'm ejecting! You'd better catch me, Ashura!" Brocken yelled as the canopy opened and the headless and uniformed body of Count Brocken grabbed the disembodied head and leapt from the falling vehicle.
Baron Ashura swooped down and grabbed the head, pulling it into the Pilder, letting the body fall.
"Be lucky, Count! Dr. Hell will at least be pleased we destroyed Mazinger Z!" Ashura said as the Pilder flew away.
/
Taurus D-7 finally fell from Boss and Sayaka's combined efforts, the beast exploding once Diana's missiles hit it's underbelly. There was little time to cheer, however, as Kouji was almost catatonic, trembling as he stared out at Mazinger Z's scattered remains by the base.
"Kouji . . . are you alright?" Sayaka asked him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm fine, Sayaka. But Mazinger Z. . . it's gone." Kouji said, not caring that he was stating the obvious to her.
"Well . . . I'm sorry, Kouji. We wanted today to be a happy one, but instead we lost something important to us." Sayaka said.
"Well, we still have Great Mazinger and Mazinkaiser. I think we'll be OK. Those bastards won't come back for some time." Boss re-affirmed, patting Kouji on the back.
" . . . Thanks, guys. Z was so important to me. I wanted to save it for Shiro once he was old enough to pilot it. But now . . . I guess I'm glad that Z went out like a hero." Kouji said.
"That's right. Now let's stop moping and go back inside." Boss said, pulling Kouji up as he and Sayaka moved Kouji away from the wreckage.
/
Asuka had passed out as the fight ended, the Second Child collapsing in her seat as Kaworu was there to recover her.
"Nagisa, you said that we were the same, yes?" Rei asked as they sat on the roof of the Photon Labs.
Shinji was fast asleep in Kaworu's arms, the back of his head resting on Kaworu's shoulder. Rei had mimicked his holding of the Third Child with Asuka in the same position. The Third and Second children breathed softly as the red-eyes children conversed.
It was darker at night now and Misato had been clear about them getting out of Getter Dragon as fast as possible. The roof had been the best place for that. But now with Mazinger Z's self destruction, and the recovery of Great Mazinger, things weren't so simple. The staff below was buzzing even as Kouji grieved for Mazinger Z.
"Yes. We both possess our own AT Fields we can manipulate at will. The Lilan think us their equal but we are different to them." Kaworu said.
"I am Rei Ayanami. I an not entirely what you claim me to be." Rei answered.
"And what of your differences to the others? Can you explain them? No recent memories? No attachments?" Kaworu asked.
"No. I have both attachments and memories. Even though I am different, I am still my own person." Rei looked down to Shinji and Asuka.
"Ikari looks at me like we have been friends for some time. And Asuka has recently been agreeable as well." Rei said.
"Friends? So they care for you." Kaworu said and smiled as he started to hum a song.
"Ode to Joy." Rei stated after listening for a few seconds.
"Yes. I find music to be the highest creation in all of Lilan culture." Kaworu said as Shinji stirred.
"Kaworu? Rei? And Asuka?" Shinji asked as he looked around and glanced up at the stars.
"Yes. We are all here Shinji. That was an intense struggle. I am pleased we all pulled through." Kaworu said.
Shinji felt a hand on his shoulder as Asuka stirred and gave him a big grin.
"With me at the controls of Getter Dragon, you had nothing to fear!" Asuka said, leaning close to Shinji before she noticed who was holding her.
"Hey, Wonder-girl!? What gives?" She asked, looking up at Rei.
"Nagisa is giving Ikari the same treatment. I only wanted to assist you sleeping. You looked relaxed." Rei said softly.
"Hmph! Well thanks for the concern, but that's enough." Asuka said as she pulled herself free of Rei's arms and stood on the roof. She looked down at the hangar bay and frowned, her hands on her hips.
"Geez. How much longer are we going to stay up here?" She asked.
Shinji sat up but still let Kaworu grab his wrist as he looked to the scientists and workers running about to work on the robots in the hangar.
"As long as it takes for the area down there to be safe I guess. Is Mr. Kuruma alright?" He asked.
"Fine. As are Kei and Gai." Kaworu said. "Mr. Kabuto and Miss Katsuragi did an excellent job of keeping Benkei safe. Even with the complications caused by Dr. Hell's minions."
"That's a relief." Shinji said as Misato waved at them.
"Hey, you four! The hanger's clear! The staff's working to reset the table for dessert. You can come down and be sociable while we wait." The major yelled up to them.
"Sounds like a plan!" Asuka said, the first one to the ladder.
/
The four entered the base of the hanger, Mazinkaiser now moved inside along with Great Mazinger and Getter Dragon.
Rei followed the other Three Children and felt a shudder as she looked to the combined form of Getter Dragon. Repairs on the current Getter were important for the individual Get-Machines to separate and function independently. The same feeling as when she was in the cockpit. Her stomach churned and Rei covered her mouth and wondered if she would get sick. Thankfully nothing happened but she got the feeling that something was wrong.
"The machine's voice. Why can I hear it?" Rei asked the empty air.
"That must be the call of the Getter Rays." Kaworu answered.
Asuka and Shinji stood by Sayaka as they talked about something in the distance. Kouji's back was to them as he stood on the edge of the catwalk, looking straight at Mazinkaiser's face.
"I see." Rei said, turning to climb on of the service ladders to join her peers.
"Wonder-Girl. Choosing to hang out with us for once?" Asuka questioned, looking half surprised and half annoyed.
Orders. That's what Rei would have said days ago. Yet she decided such a reason would not be adequate. There were other reasons as well that were also just as legitimate.
"I am here to pay respects. Even though we grieve the death of a machine, it is one that has been very important against Dr. Hell, The Invaders and the Angels." Rei said.
"Death of a machine?" Asuka said but looked as though she was hesitant to continue her sentence as Kouji looked at her over his shoulder.
"That's right! Mazinger Z was my partner! Not just some damn birthright or inheritance! Make no mistake, even though I still have Mazinkaiser - that doesn't just replace Mazinger Z to me! Rei's right saying it died – but none of you were there to see it. Mazinger Z . . . sacrificed itself so this lab could keep going!"
Kouji was crying yet he didn't flinch or run. He simply turned back to Mazinkaiser and spoke.
"Mazinkaiser, hear me! I'll never let Baron Ashura, Doctor Hell, or anybody do that to you, you hear me?! I swear it, on my life's worth!" Kouji said, clenching a fist as he pointed to the robot's face with an extended finger.
He stopped and exhaled, turning around and looking to them with a tired expression.
"I'm done yelling. We all fought well today." Kouji said simply, slumping and sitting down as Sayaka opened her arms and shrugged. Kouji nodded and she sat by him, giving him a squeeze as he returned the hug.
"Well if you're going to be that obvious, I'd best leave you up there, unless you want a room." Asuka said.
"We've all had a long day. I think we all could use a hug." Sayaka shot back, giving Asuka a glare. "Even if it's your birthday, I'm not going to just let you get the last word in like that."
Sayaka had never given her lip before. Rei noticed Asuka wasn't mad about it, however.
"Fine. Just teasing you, don't you know?" Asuka responded.
"Oh well maybe I'll just tease back as my revenge." Sayaka said, narrowing her eyes and giving Asuka a smirk as she put a hand on Shinji's shoulder for a moment.
"R-revenge? How?! I have nothing to do with the Third Child!" Asuka said.
"Oh really? Well maybe I forgot your earlier phone-call?" Sayaka said and Asuka winced.
"I – I'll leave you two be then. You don't have to bring up something like that, you know?" Asuka said and looked to the others.
"Hey, are you all going to watch them forever or are you coming along?" The Second Child asked the other Children.
"I do not see a reason why staying here is inappropriate. I wish to ask Kouji and Sayaka some questions once they are finished consoling each other."
"Yeah. We need to say we're sorry, you know." Shinji said. Kaworu said nothing but remained where he was.
"Suit yourself. I'll go wash up then." The Second Child responded.
She left and Kouji and Sayaka looked to Rei with curiosity as they held each other. The sound of Asuka's footsteps faded and Rei was certain that Hayato and Misato were elsewhere, finalizing whatever important meeting they were having.
"Well? What questions do you have, Rei?" Kouji asked and Sayaka nodded as the pair stood up, letting go of each other as they gave her time to respond.
"If you do not mind me asking you two – what is the purpose of a hug?"
/
"Exactly what I'm saying. GEHIRN worked with Dr. Hell in the past. They were desperate for researchers so they hired him and a Professor Rando to help with their studies in biology. Dr. Hell left when his original designs were rejected, but Rando stayed on." Hayato explained and Misato frowned.
"But – Rando fought Getter Robo in the late 80's to early 90's, right?" She asked.
"That's true. But even so, his skill was enough that he was hired on to GIHREN's staff despite his past. And as for Dr. Hell, he reportedly renounced his ways shortly after Juzo Kabuto's Mazinger Z was joined by Great Mazinger on the battlefield, right before the beginning of the Moon Wars. He had a decade of jailtime and was able to reduce a bit of it by working for GEHIRN." Hayato said.
Then Yumi spoke up. "It was enough of an opportunity for him to escape once the Contact Experiment went haywire. The rest matches up pretty well. Adam awoke and Rando's base was at the epicenter of it. The man's very dead, glad to say."
Dr. Yumi finished and Misato scratched her head.
"The only thing I don't understand is why NERV was founded after this just with the pretense of killing all the Angels? What purpose does it serve that it goes as far as to shut down other projects? It reorganized itself from the remnants of GEHIRN and shut down the Jet Alone Project." Misato brought up.
"My guess is to eliminate rivals." Hayato said. "It's easier to cause Human Instrumentality if it's through the will of just one organization."
"Human Instrumentality Project. I'm getting sick of hearing that phrase." Misato admitted and sighed.
"And Second Impact was a clean slate for them to muddle the truth. From what we know, NERV used what clout it had to bury the past wars with the Dinosaur and One-Hundred Demon Empires, as well as the battles with Dr. Hell as mere skirmishes with their propaganda. It was genius." Yumi continued. "That way they wouldn't have trouble disproving the deeds of potential rival robots as mere press events."
"But then the Moon Wars began. And Dr. Hell returned." Misato said and Hayato nodded.
"And on top of that, the orbital nuclear missile launched at Japan by the Invaders Stinger and Cohen was intercepted by an unmanned Mazinger Z on autopilot. It tanked the explosion from space and saved countless lives." Dr. Yumi said.
"Right. That's why the common people see Mazinger Z as a hero. And two years ago, Kouji deciding to inherit the machine and use it to publicly fight against Dr. Hell only solidified that. And as for the Getter Team, the Invaders and the Moon Wars gave them and Great Mazinger enough press to mean they'd be a problem for NERV. Hard to defund a project that's been around longer than you, after all." Hayato finished.
"So . . . if this Dinosaur Empire is really still around, than this Instrumentality Project would be effectively resetting the globe for them?" Misato asked and Yumi nodded.
"And on top of that, it would mean the Invaders would have a buffet of human souls to feed on. My guess is that Dr. Kabuto knew about the danger that GIHREN was provoking as soon as Dr. Hell joined their staff. He sent his daughter in law, Nishkiori Tsubasa, to monitor the project while he worked on a new prototype of machine."
"Mazinkaiser." Misato said and Yumi nodded. "His son Kenzo created Great Mazinger in this time and displayed it to the world right before Second Impact. Father and son were rivals in a sense. It was due to petty pride, since Tsubasa vanished shortly after the contact experiment ended, but in the end it gave humanity not one, but three protectors."
"I don't know. NERV still exists to defeat the Angels. I can't just change allegiances and agree to this. Not when they're still out there." Misato said. "And of course in the end, I'd like to see Dr. Hell's forces and Shin Dragon destroyed as well."
"That's understandable, Major Katsuragi. We only hope you got the answers you wanted from us." Hayato said with a nod.
"The Children deserve to know the truth. That's one other thing I want. And on top of that, we all want to keep the world safe. Once the Angels are taken care of – that's when I'll discuss this with you again. Until that time, this conversation never happened." Misato said, giving them a salute.
"Then let's all enjoy the party. We've certainly all earned it, after all." Doctor Yumi said and the group was dismissed.
/
"Like that?" Rei asked as she leaned forward and put her arms around Sayaka.
"Yes, that should do it." Sayaka said and gave Rei a squeeze. "Now you squeeze back."
Rei breathed and did the same before breaking off and taking a step away.
"Nice!" Sayaka said. "That's something we do to say we care about someone. It's only used for someone you trust and care about, but sometimes it can help when words fail." Sayaka finished and Kouji nodded.
"I see. So it is like smiling at someone in a sense." Rei commented.
"Right. But it's more that that." Sayaka said, holding up a finger.
Kouji spoke, having trouble with what to say at first. "It's like . . . you're comforting someone on the most basic level. For instance, Sayaka knows I'm feeling pretty bad about Z so she's giving me a lot of hugs." Kouji said and Sayaka huffed and crossed her arms.
The First Child narrowed her eyes slightly in surprise and responded. "Is this . . . an abnormal occurrence?" Rei asked.
"Well . . . usually we're at each other's throats to be honest. But we still do hug when Kouji's not being a hot-head." Sayaka said with a giggle.
"I see. Then is this something you partake in as well, Shinji?" Rei asked and Shinji looked flustered.
"Well – I usually don't-!" Shinji yelped as Kouji put a hand on his shoulder and laughed.
"Asking him that right after Asuka left is trouble, Rei." Kouji said with a grin.
"Trouble?" Rei asked, blinking. "Ah, so this is something that Shinji has done with Asuka. Yes. I remember now. They embraced while looking after me at the hospital."
Shinji blurted out his next statement. "Y-ou were awake for that, Rei?" He asked.
"Yes. Go's treatment did not keep me unconscious for long. However I simply wished to observe the two of you without me being a distraction." Rei quickly responded.
Kouji put a hand to his face as Sayaka bit her lip and tried hard not to giggle.
Shinji turned red and looked to Kaworu for some kind of answer but the Fifth Child only shrugged.
"Then . . . is it alright if I try giving you a hug, Shinji?" Rei asked.
Shinji blinked. "Uh. . . what's the occasion?" he asked in response.
Rei had a very slight smile as she responded in kind. "You showed me my smile. I will never forgot that memory. We are victorious and a Getter Team all together in our own right. I only wish Asuka stayed behind so we all could share this." Rei explained.
Kouji was quick to swoop in with a suggestion. "Oh! Like a group hug then?" Kouji asked.
"Ah, so it can be achieved with more than two people?" Rei asked.
"Yes! Boss ropes Sayaka and I into them all the time. I have to be involved just to make sure he's keeping his hands off of her." Kouji grumbled.
"Then let us partake." Kaworu said as he grabbed Shinji and walked closer to Rei, the First and Fifth Child starting the action. Shinji joined in after the two of them held him and each other.
Rei's smile slightly deepened. "Yes. This certainly does convey a stronger feeling than just a smile." Rei said. Kaworu chuckled.
"Agreed. Though from what I can tell, the Japanese lilan do not often perform such actions publicly." Kaworu stated.
"Depends on who you're talking to." Kouji said. "And besides that, what the hell's a 'lilan'?"
"Never mind that, Kouji. Looks like we're ready." Sayaka said, looking down to see Misato giving them a V victory sign while Boss waved at them to come down to eat.
"Thank you, everyone." Rei said as the group hug ended, leaving a red faced Shinji in between the stoic First and Fifth Children.
/
"Professor, you're alright?" Boss asked as a slightly tired looking Professor Yumi sat at the table and sighed.
Professor Yumi nodded to Boss. "Fine, Boss. Ashura thought they'd killed me, but thankfully Lori's driving and quick thinking got us out alive. And Hayato's communication kept me safe from the rest of the Iron Mask unit. Then I just had to stay hidden and make it back here.
Once I heard the sounds of fighting, Lori and I knew we needed to hurry. Hayato and Major Katsuragi have made sure the base is free of intruders.
Now, I believe some apologies are in order. Miss Soryu, I apologize for your party being interrupted. And of course Kouji, I'm sorry about Mazinger Z." Professor Yumi finished, making eye contact with both pilots.
Kouji nodded quietly as Sayaka handed them each slices of chocolate cake, starting with Asuka's.
"Well, let's all remember that Mazinger Z acted at the last second to save these labs. And the EVA team was essential to stopping Count Broken as well." Sayaka said with a grin, giving Kouji a squeeze.
Asuka nodded at the phrase and spoke up. "Yeah, we were awesome of course. Even when Kei and Gai passed out for a bit. And Kouji was fighting Z and Great at once. From experience, that's difficult, and Kaiser just had one arm for most of that fight." Asuka said.
"And Kabuto . . . I'm sorry about Mazinger Z. I know I'd feel like I lost a family member if anything happened to my Unit 02." She revealed. Kouji nodded but said nothing in return.
"Now that that's all out of the way, let's celebrate!" Boss yelled.
"Happy Birthday, Asuka!" The majority of the group yelled out in celebration, despite the mess the dining hall was in.
"But! Before we eat. One last thank you. To the invincible iron guardian that has protected this Photon Lab and the Earth for so long. To our . . . friend and ally of justice. To Mazinger Z." Asuka added, raising her glass to a thunderous applause.
/
/
Author's note: Thank you to Ultimagnum for your review. I'm glad you like this story and how it's juggling the three different narratives together. To answer your question, it will contain some things from the Mazinkaiser movie as well as the OVA. For instance, Yumi discussed giving Great Mazinger the same in space treatment as Kaiser in the OVA. There will be more things included but as to what, I won't say.
EDIT: Thanks again to Ultimagnum for catching some mis-named attacks for Mazinger Z and Getter Dragon, as well as the group GEHIRN, and the mispelling of 'Mazin Power'.