Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 15: [Conspiracy]
Shinji gave a sigh as he leaned back in the warm water. Earlier Benkei had kept talking about the Moon Wars and it was really quite boring after a point. Now he was relaxing with Kaworu and with only his peer around, Shinji felt much more at ease.
"Curious. Benkei pilots a machine that speaks, yet he cannot hear it's true voice despite being aware of it." Kaworu said once Shinji had asked the Fifth Child about his thoughts on Getter Robo.
The question had come once Kaworu brought up piloting EVA Unit 02 again. He had wondered whether he should stay the pilot or not, considering Asuka's stellar performance piloting Getter Dragon. Then the other machines were brought up as Shinji told him of his experiences in Dragon.
"The machine's . . . voice?" Shinji repeated as he sank slightly deeper into the water.
"Yes. The Getter Rays have a song of there own. Yet it is one I sense only certain lilan can feel. It is difficult for me to interpret." Kaworu responded.
"Well I don't know about any of that. You seemed to co-pilot Dragon just fine." Shinji said.
"I suppose that's true. But for me it was just a machine. Did you hear anything?" Kaworu asked.
"Well, no. A feeling. And I see these . . . angular green lines in my vision. I've started seeing them when I'm in Unit 01 as well. But only when I'm around a Getter, it seems." Shinji said.
"Hmm. Then perhaps it is due to continued exposure? Still, you are lilan, so you should be quite alright to such an agent."
"But Kaworu, you're human too. If 'lilan' is a term for human, than you surely should also feel that same energy." Shinji responded.
"Yes, however I'm a bit of a . . . special case. I'm sorry, I cannot elaborate any further on that subject." The Fifth Child answered.
"Ah. Strict NERV orders I see." Shinji commented and frowned. "That's not fair. I wanted to know more about you."
"Honestly there's not much to tell. I was born in the year two-thousand and was raised by a special group of individuals for most of my life. These past hours with you have by far been the most exciting of my life." Kaworu answered.
"Oh. So you're also a shut-in then?" Shinji asked, blushing slightly.
"I suppose one might say that. But Shinji, there's nothing wrong with your question." Kaworu said.
"I guess so. I feel that Ayanami's the same. . . but she's so different. I don't think she ever had any friends." Shinji said.
"I believe you'll find her circumstances are also special if you ask. Though it is not my place to say such things." Kaworu finished.
Shinji laid back in the water, floating on his back and exhaling. It was hot and steam was all in the air. Just right for calming himself down and just relaxing.
"Shinji, I have relaxed enough. I'll get out and get changed before I get some rest. And I think I will see if these green lights of the Getter affect me as well. That being said, please take all the time you need." Kaworu said and exited the bath.
/
"Fools! The both of you!" Dr. Hell roared upon the return of his henchmen. He snarled as he kicked Count Brocken's head across the stone corridor in his fortress. The disembodied head of Brocken's screamed as it rolled to the far side of the room, bouncing a few times before rolling to a stop.
Baron Ashura had little time to enjoy their rival's punishment as a jolt of lightning from the Staff of Bardos struck them, sending to their knees, screaming in pain.
The mad scientist kept yelling as the attack continued to strike Ashura. "Baron Ashura, you may have succeeded at destroying Mazinger Z, but that was to be only as a last resort! I remember telling you two to retrieve Mazinkaiser with Great and Z intact! This turnout of events makes me stealing the Mazingers all for naught! Now there is no easy path to Photon Power!" Dr. Hell finished, letting the attack cease.
"B-But this will surly weaken the lab's defenses! If we had more reinforcements, we could-" Ashura began to speak.
"Fools! NERV personnel were there as well! And because of your shared incompetence, there are still two Mazingers there! It was the perfect chance to attack without worrying about Shin Getter Robo! Now in addition to THAT, we may have to deal with a potential Evangelion the next time an opportunity presents itself!" Dr. Hell growled.
Ashura took time to bow and Dr. Hell looked down at them with disappointment.
"Baron Ashura, if you have time to grovel at my feet with more useless apologies, you have time to begin my next project." Dr. Hell said as he looked down to Count Brocken.
"A-at once my lord!" Ashura said, quickly rising to kneel at his master's feet.
"And as for you, Count Brocken, I told you to focus on Mazinkaiser. I have seen the footage from the Hell Pilder. Why did you break off your attack?!" The Doctor demanded.
"I – I was attacked by Getter Robo G! I had to defend myself!" Count Brocken explained.
"Irrelevant. I told you to detonate if you could not handle the situation, yet Mazinkaiser stopped you from doing even that. And against those NERV children. . . It seems perhaps you need a break from the front lines." Dr. Hell said and Count Broken shut his mouth, simmering in rage.
Then there was silence as Dr. Hell turned from his subjects in thought.
Then after a moment, he spoke. "Excavate the rest of the ruins below. We need to keep moving if we wish to stay pace with Dr. Saotome. Both of you will be able to at least do that together." He said with a tinge of venom in his voice.
"Yes Dr. Hell!" Both of them yelled, a spare body for Count Brocken picking up the head as it and Baron Ashura both bowed.
"And as for me . . . it's time I upgrade my ultimate mechanical beast." Dr. Hell said aloud, chuckling for a moment as he walked away, stepping onto a gigantic gear that floated away from his two humiliated cronies.
Another moment passed and Ashura looked to Count Brocken with anger on both sides of their face. "Imbecile! If you had assisted me, we'd have been more than a match for Mazinkaiser!"
Count Brocken's head pivoted so he was looking right at Baron Ashura and grinned despite the bruises on his face. "You did a fine job commanding that plan, Baron. Destroying Z certainly pleased Dr. Hell." Count Brocken said with a chuckle.
"Silence! You are to blame as well!" Baron Ashura countered and looked down to the vast chasm that they'd found the Kedora in.
"Still, I can forgive this if we are able to complete this task for Dr. Hell." Baron Ashura said and Count Brocken nodded.
"We can resume our rivalry once we are both in Lord Dr. Hell's good graces." The Count agreed as they each stepped on a large flat gear that doubled as an elevator and descended to the vast ruins below.
/
Hayato frowned at the sight of Kei bowing to him, despite the bandage around her head.
He knew it could be important. "Kei, you should be resting. What's wrong?" Hayato asked.
"Commander Jin, I remember Shinji bringing up a 'Human Instrumentality Project' up to me a while ago. I don't know anything about that, but was wondering if you did." Kei explained.
Hayato raised his eyebrows. That was certainly information Gendo Ikari wouldn't ever dream of letting his son know of, and he seriously doubted that Misato would break several dozen NERV protocols to explain the proposed project to the boy.
"I know about it, but lack specifics. Did Shinji give you any other information about it?" Hayato asked Kei.
Kei shook her head. "He just asked me about whether I knew about it. But the name seemed important to him." Kei said and clutched the side of her head.
"I see. I will speak to Major Katsuragi about this soon regarding Shinji's knowledge. At the moment she wishes to think about what I have discussed.. Now, Kei, get some rest. I don't want to see you or Gai walking around for at least ten more hours, so get some sleep."
"Yes sir." Kei answered saluting before grabbing the side of the wall for support as she exited the room.
Hayato frowned once Kei left and narrowed his eyes. He wished he'd known that the boy knew about the project but it would have to wait for morning. Hopefully Misato would be willing to speak with him again about official business at that time.
/
Misato sighed and lay down in the break room. Currently Shinji and Kaworu would use Tetsuya's room and Asuka and Rei were in Jun's room as the two pilots were currently gone. As such, Misato was out a room. Of course there was always going into Go or Ryoma's room but Misato didn't want to impose on the absent pilots. Plus Ryoma's room was messy while Go's was disturbingly spartan.
She had a lot of things to think over. Tonight they would stay the night, but they'd need to be on the road bright and early. Given it was Asuka's birthday and they'd just stopped Dr. Hell a second time, the Major felt staying the night was a good idea.
The Major pulled out the capsule Kaji had given her and decided she'd hear what her lover had to say before she went to sleep.
/
Asuka had no interest in interacting with Rei, the redhead turned herself away and grimaced, hoping sleep would claim her soon. She unclenched her jaw and tried not to tense up even in the current situation. The situation at hand being only a few feet away from Rei Ayanami.
As for Rei, the blue-haired girl simply lay flat, staring up at the ceiling. Both of them were wearing white night shirts borrowed from Sayaka and a sheet and comforter were over the two of them. Asuka did her best to take deep breaths and control her breathing but at the same time she felt a well of anxiety in her stomach.
The last night she'd talked with Shinji had been the most relaxed sleep she'd had in a long time. She wasn't sure if it had been due to all the hugging or just them both opening up, but being in his presence had been wonderful. Now she had to share a room with Rei Ayanami, and the difference was frustrating. Asuka felt it was a cruel joke. While she was stuck with Wonder-girl, Shinji was surly chumming it up with his new best friend.
Asuka grabbed a fistful of sheets and rolled over on her side, getting further away from Rei as she isolated herself. The other girl was so different from her and the fact that Rei didn't even have to try to get Shinji's attention had been a point of contention in the past. Now Asuka wasn't sure where she was in regarding Rei Ayanami but she still didn't want to spend time with her if she could avoid it.
Happy Birthday to me, Asuka thought as she tried to sleep, hoping that nightmares would once again stay away from her sleep.
/
Shinji walked into the room and quickly got in the bed. Tetsuya was a tall man and would reportedly share the bed with Jun at times, so the bed was very accommodating for both Kaworu and himself.
Then Shinji paused. Kaworu wasn't there. Then he remembered his friend wanted to see the Getter again.
He found Getter Dragon turned on, the mouth unit in the head blazing green as someone was sitting in the pilot seat. Shinji rubbed his eyes and took the elevator up to the top level to take a closer look.
"I'm here, Shinji." Kaworu said in the chair of the Dragon unit, sounding focused.
Shinji went into the machine to see Kaworu looking serious, hands gripping the armrests of the seat as the cockpit glowed with energy from the machine's Getter Reactor.
"What are you doing there?" Shinji asked.
"I feel . . . something compelling me. I'm not sure what it is but I have suspicions." Kaworu responded.
"Compelling you? To do what?" Shinji asked and Kaworu turned to him and smiled, the boy's earlier dour look vanishing as he beamed.
"That's classified as well." Kaworu said and Shinji frowned.
"Well I don't think it's regulation to start up a Getter either." Shinji said and Kaworu laughed softly.
"Benkei said I could look at the monitor systems as I was a co-pilot for some time." Kaworu answered and smiled as he stood up and turned to look at Shinji.
"In any case, the machine's output has a suppressing effect on whatever is compelling me." Kaworu said.
"I think that if you're seeing these lines, a trip to a doctor would not hurt. However, I do not think they are harmful to lilan." He finished.
He walked out of the cockpit onto the catwalk, having shut down Dragon's computer, the clear canopy of the mouth changing color from a vibrant active green to a deactivated blue.
"Are you ready for bed?" Shinji asked. Kaworu nodded.
"Yes. You are ready to sleep as well?"
"Yeah." Shinji said, blushing slightly as Kaworu frowned.
"Shinji, am I bothering you?" The white haired boy asked.
"No. I just – I've never shared a bed with another guy before." Shinji said.
Kaworu smiled as though it wasn't a problem for him. "Well, I will give you all the space you need. Just let me know if I'm disturbing you."
"Thanks." Shinji responded quietly and with a smile.
/
"Shin Getter's really able to go this far underground?" Kaji asked as he wiped sweat from his brow.
"That's right." Go said. "According to these readings, we should be far away enough from NERV to begin the second phase of the operation."
Ryoma gave them both a spirited grin as Go said those words. "All right! Then let's keep going. I'd hate to wait another second longer to see the look on Gendo Ikari's face."
Shin Getter 2 changed trajectory and began to loop around as it kept going. The scanners didn't lie as their target was right in sight.
"Incredible. I thought I was dead last night. And then you two summon this machine to rescue me. How did you know they'd be after me?" Kaji asked.
"Hayato had a hunch SEELE and NERV wouldn't want you around if they expected you were a double agent. We couldn't just let someone be killed by them if we could do something to stop it. Especially when he's also our contact." Ryoma explained.
"Hmm. So that's why you left Shin Getter Robo in NERV custody?" Kaji asked.
"That's right. Since I can summon Shin Getter Robo at will, I wanted it to be nearby. NERV and SEELE may control the political and military landscape around here, but they'd need to bring all their strength to bear just to match Shin Getter Robo's raw power." Go added.
"And we'll know everything we need in just three hours?" Kaji asked incredulously.
"If Shin Getter keeps going at the rate it is, then yes. NERV was smart to hide underground – even the Angel Ramiel wasn't able to strike it there. But an invasion from below – can they stop what they can't see coming?" Ryoma asked.
Kaji clapped. "Very clever. Though I imagine Commander Ikari will have some kind of countermeasure ready for you."
"Regardless, we're going now." Go said as Shin Getter 2 accelerated through the layers of rock towards it's destination.
/
Shinji stared at the ceiling as Kaworu and himself lay parallel to one another, two feet or so between them. The other boy didn't impose and the feeling he had around Kaworu was the same comfortable one as always. He closed his eyes and stifled a yawn as he felt the bruises he'd taken from when Great Mazinger's Knee Impulse Kick had impaled Getter Dragon's chest – the component of the Liger unit he'd ridden in – and hoped he'd be less sore by tomorrow.
"I am glad to share this time with you, Shinji." Kaworu said and Shinji started.
"What makes you say that?" Shinji asked.
"You . . . I still feel you had a heart of glass until recently. But now I am certain . . . something has changed." Kaworu stated.
"Changed?" Shinji asked.
"Well, yes. I was under the impression I would be the only friend you had. Yet I see light in the other Children, in Major Katsuragi, in the Getter Team and Kabuto, Sayaka, and Boss. It perplexes me." Kaworu said, sounding in thought.
"Why?" Shinji asked.
"Is it not difficult for you to make connections with others?" The Fifth Child asked.
Shinji paused. That was certainly true. But at the same time he'd still found people he'd call his friends.
"Even if it's hard for me to try and connect – it doesn't stop others from reaching out." Shinji said, thinking of how direct Ryoma had been the entire time Shinji had known him. "And you met several of my friends yourself, Kaworu." Shinji said.
"This is true. I have been led astray by a first impression. And it was a false one at that. You are always far more than I think you will be, Shinji Ikari." The other boy said.
"I don't think I'm so special. Well, besides being the pilot of Unit 01." Shinji answered.
"I do not have control over what I see in other realities, yet as I said you are always special, Shinji. EVA pilot or not." Kaworu said. "Now, we should sleep. I only hope you continue to surprise me." Kaworu finished.
"Other realities?" Shinji asked and sighed. "Classified as well, I bet." He said and rolled over to get some sleep.
/
"Mother."
Rei heard the word and wasn't sure what to do. It had taken Asuka hours to fall asleep and the spoken words from her dream had woken Rei up. Asuka tossed in her sleep, rolling over and facing Rei. The situation was foreign to the First Child. For starters Rei had never shared a bed with anyone before. And on top of that, Asuka was sobbing in her sleep. Tears fell down her face in two horizontal swaths, illuminated by the faint light from the night lights of Tokyo – 3 in the distance.
Rei recalled Asuka pushing her away before. Perhaps this was a situation where the Second Child would prefer to be left alone.
"Mother." Asuka repeated with more urgency.
/
The dream was as it always was. The victorious dash home as she ran through the fields. Mother would know. She had to know. She would be so proud of Asuka.
Yet the door opened again and the girl's soul was prepared to be crushed. The sight she saw felt fresh, though it was one she'd seen countless times in her dreams.
Then things changed. The light distorted and the image ahead of her melted away. Then she felt her mother touch her shoulders and Asuka pushed herself into the embrace. Unit 02's face hung in front of the two, observing Asuka with light in each of the four green sensors on the red and white face while her mother embraced her back.
"I did it, Mother! I'm the EVA pilot of Unit 02!" Asuka managed to say with pride, even as the tears rolled down her face.
"Asuka . . . I'm so proud of you." Her mother whispered and Asuka felt like she was floating on a cloud.
/
"Another Getter detected high up in the air! Coming in fast – right towards us!?" Go yelled.
"That's too fast to be Shin Dragon!" Ryoma said urgently.
"No. Not . . . Shin Dragon. But . . . it's definitely part Getter Dragon." Go said as Shin Getter 2 had finally burst through the surface far away enough from Tokyo – 3 to be suspicious.
"Whatever it is, it'll be in Tokyo – 3's airspace in a few minutes!" Kaji said and Ryoma narrowed his eyes.
"Dammit! We'll have to investigate this fully later! Go! It's still headed right for us! Can you intercept!?" Ryoma asked.
"Roger." Go said as Shin Getter 2 took to the skies, thrusters firing as it neared the mystery. The late night sky was jet black, illuminating both machines as they neared one another.
The thing was white and sleek. It was the same rough shape of the standard Getter Dragon, yet there were some key differences. The main color was bone white, with slight wavy alterations to the angular wings and mustache like face plate. Black gleaming under-plating complemented the main details. Finally, where the original Dragon's gems inset in the chest were blue, this ones' were blood red and seemed to slightly protrude as though the frame of the Getter was struggling to withhold them. Finally, the eyes were an eerie and dead white, gleaming in the night.
"Attention approaching Getter! This is Getter Leader Ryoma Nagare! State your name and business. And stop accelerating!" Ryoma warned.
The craft didn't slow as a pink Getter Beam fired from the forehead of the attacker. The blast lit up the sky as Go took evasive action. It was easy for Shin Getter 2 to dodge but any closer to the ground and the beam would have damaged the surrounding area rather than simply dispersing as it traveled.
"All right! Let's beat it to a pulp and ask questions later!" Ryoma said as Go went on the attack, Shin Getter 2 extending its drill arm outwards.
"Drill Hurricane!" Go cried out as a vortex shot from Shin Getter's drill arm, the blast striking the enemy.
The mysterious Getter was blown back from the winds but it's body jerked unnaturally as it re-oriented its form and fired off the Getter Beam again. Shin Getter 2 flew higher in the sky to avoid the beam's wrath from hitting the city.
"Impossible." Go said and narrowed his eyes. "It's part Angel." The pilot finished.
The arm of the sleek and white Getter Dragon hybrid warped until it also was wielding a long and wicked looking tomahawk. It dove from the sky and slammed into Shin Getter 2, the Super Robot barely able to block the axe swing with its drill.
"It's fast-! With our power so low-!" Go began as the Angel Getter warped its body again into a loop, reforming behind Shin Getter 2 and striking its red back thrusters.
"Ugh-!" Go yelled from the impact as Shin Getter 2 started to fall.
"Go! We'll use Getter 1!" Ryoma ordered.
"OPEN – GET!" Go cried out as the Getter split into its three components, the Eagle Unit taking the lead.
"I'll stop it right now! This thing can die right here! Change, Getter 1!" Ryoma shouted and shoved his lever forwards as the three machines merged again in a flash of light, Shin Getter Robo's blue wings extending from it's red body as it took off. The super robot looked upon it's foe as Ryoma locked on to the enigma.
"Getter Beam!" Ryoma cried out as the emerald beam fired from his Getter's chest, striking an orange hexagonal barrier in front of it's target. The beam bounced off of the barrier and Ryoma grit his teeth.
"Damned AT field! Then we'll have to improvise!" Ryoma said as his Getter banked to the right, dodging another beam.
"Go, I'll use the Getter Tomahawk! You deploy the Scythe!" Ryoma ordered.
Go was not sure what Ryoma had planned but used manual control to access his own personal weapon while in Shin Getter Robo.
"Getter Tomahawk!" Ryoma cried out.
"GETTA SCYTHE!" Go seconded as both weapons shot out of the Getter's back, it grabbing each one as the hybrid monster fired another Getter Beam at them.
"Tomahawk Boomerang!" Ryoma yelled once Shin Getter was clear of the other Getter's beam and hurled the weapon so it spun in at arc towards its target. The Angel Getter dodged effortlessly but Ryoma grinned at this.
"RIGHT THERE!" Ryoma declared as he spun with the Getter Scythe, striking the Angel Getter as he passed by it. The Getter Scythe stayed embedded in the hybrid as it struggled to remove the weapon.
"I was right - a blunt attack is the best way to injure it." Ryoma stated as the Angel Getter slowly began to regenerate.
"But this fusion . . . was it a result of the Invaders combining with the Angel earlier?" Go questioned as they avoided another Getter Beam.
"I don't care! It exists and needs to die! This has to end now before we run out of power!" Ryoma cried out as he flew upwards, locking onto the Getter Scythe. Then he fired a Getter Beam at it, striking the weapon and causing it to detonate in the Angel's face.
"Again! GETTER BEAM!" Ryoma repeated as the stronger Getter Beam from Shin Getter Robo's chest blasted at the stunned hybrid, blowing off a section of the chest, right below the red markings.
The Angel Getter hovered in the air as the cockpit was visible. The Getter and Angel fusion had been damaged, the attack stopping it from advancing as it looked from Shin Getter's position to the far away ocean. Go narrowed his eyes when he locked his eyes on the pilots' own - even as the regeneration obscured them from his vision. Then the hybrid was gone as it vanished from radar.
"Dammit! That thing interfered with our comm systems! We can't even track it now. Let's stick around up here for a while to make sure it doesn't stick its nose in Tokyo – 3's airspace. We'll have to deliver our report to Hayato and Professor Yumi the old fashioned way." Ryoma said with irritation as he plotted in a course for the Photon Power Labs. With the damage Shin Getter Robo had taken, it would be a slow journey.
/
Morning struck and Rei found most of the protocols on the base was against NERV regulation. But then again, everything about the Getter Team and the staff of the Photon Power Labs seemed to go against NERV's regulations one way or another. For some reason, Rei found she didn't mind that so much. As for the why that was, she didn't know. But she did feel a pit in her stomach when she woke up and remembered they'd have to leave the premises as soon as possible once it was safe.
She woke up before Asuka had and quickly got out of the bed, giving the redhead space. Rei washed up and got dressed in a hurry before walking to the dining hall. She helped herself with some eggs Kouji had made in the morning. He'd had trouble sleeping after losing Mazinger Z and cooking helped him focus on something. She could only wonder how long the boy had been at it but regardless the eggs were delicious.
Misato was across from her and they all ate in silence as Kouji set the table for more guests. The other Children slowly filed in and soon almost everyone was there.
"I'm going to take all of you to school on my way to work." Misato directed.
"What?! But with the attack, we're not technically required to go to school." Kouji said with a pout.
"Oh come now. Most of the day will be a memorial service for Mazinger Z anyway. You can spend that time saying goodbye if you have to." Sayaka said and Kouji made a gagging noise.
"Don't remind me. I only spent all night thinking about it." Kouji said "I don't need the whole school telling me they're sorry." The teen declared.
Hayato stood and made eye contact with Misato.
"Major, before you go, I'd like to talk again." Hayato said and Misato stood to comply.
The two left and Shinji cleared his throat as he pulled out his Cello and set up to play a song accompanied by Kaworu on piano.
"We got up early and – well – we wanted to give you all something ourselves as thanks for your support." Shinji stated. Then he began.
The gathered staff were enthralled with how quickly Kaworu matched Shinji's melody with his own, the light rap of the piano keys perfectly complementing the Cello's drawn out sounds. It was a slower melody and evoked sorrow even though it was a beautiful piece. The gathered staff there clapped as the song finished and Rei even mouthed the last few lines to herself.
"I wanted to play earlier but things got out of hand with Ashura." Shinji said as they finished to a big applause.
"Happy Birthday Asuka." Shinji finished quickly and Kouji gave him a thumbs-up where Asuka couldn't see him. As for the redhead, she was amused, giving him a big smile as she clapped for the duo.
/
"What is this?!" Misato asked, frowning as Hayato showed her a picture of Kaji.
"Mr. Ryoji is alive and well." Hayato said and Misato blinked in confusion.
"W-what do you mean?" She asked, trembling for a moment as the thought he might be dead had crossed her mind.
Hayato glanced around for a second and looked her in the eye. "I wondered whether telling you was wise or not but I'd like to earn your trust, Major."
"Why?" Misato asked with some skepticism in her voice.
"You're good to have in a fight and pulled your weight in that attack last night. My teammate Benkei might not have been so lucky had you not been there."
Where is Kaji?"
"I don't know. But I'll give you a hint. He's with Shin Getter Robo."
"So that things' appearance in Tokyo – 3 was for him?"
"Yes."
"Why is that so important to you?"
"Mr. Ryoji is a spy. And also a man with secrets we can use to expose this SEELE to the world once this is all over."
"You already told me a lot the other night. You must be desperate for competent workers."
"Not exactly. I just see you as one of the few people in NERV's hierarchy that I respect. And as such, I won't get in your way. It's likely NERV knows about Mr. Ryoji's situation but is keeping it under wraps."
"Like the Jet Alone project's defunding." Misato stopped and thought for a moment.
"Yes. And Kei has told me that she heard Shinji mention the Human Instrumentality Project but that he didn't really know what it was about. It is not my place to ask him what he may or may not know. However any amount of information we have will be helpful." Hayato said.
"Shinji knows what it is? Then I have some things to think about then, Mr. Jin. Thank you for the information. I will – have to consider what you've told me." The woman said.
/
"Rei has to go directly to NERV for testing. But you kids have fun!" Misato said with a wave as the Second, Third and Fifth Child exited the car.
Then Kouji and Sayaka arrived, each parking at the school on a motorcycle.
"Show-offs." Asuka muttered as Shinji shut the door to Misato's vehicle.
Rei frowned. "Before I go, I would like to give departing gifts."
Sayaka and Kouji were a bit surprised at Rei giving them each a hug but didn't argue as they returned it.
"Have a pleasant day." Rei said.
"You too." Sayaka said and Kouji gave a tired wave.
Then Misato took Rei as they went back to NERV HQ. Rei found herself inside of Ritsuko's lab once again. She wished the car ride had been longer as she floated in the orange LCL and felt a desire to be free of the restrictive tube.
"Rei, how was your trip?" Ritsuko asked, looking up from her monitor.
"Despite the battle, it was pleasant." Rei answered, opting to give short answers.
"Hmmm." Ritsuko frowned and looked up to Rei from her computer screen. "I'm detecting a spike in your endorphins. And your heartbeat is pretty strong. Are you still feeling that headache?" the doctor asked.
Rei frowned. "There was a mild headache when I was piloting the Getter, but after that it subsided. Now I am fine."
"I see. Well I think that you're clear but just to be sure I'm going to check up on you tomorrow. I don't want any irregularities to stop Commander Ikari's plan, after all." Ritsuko said.
"Doctor Akagi, I agree." Rei said as the tube of LCL drained, opening at the top and letting Rei exit. Despite what she'd said, Rei felt a surge of anxiety wash over her, the unfamiliar feeling making her want to run away as fast as she could. Yet she stood slowly and got dressed as usual.
Rei took time to think as she put a leg through the white plug-suit. If things really did end the way Commander Ikari wanted, perhaps she'd have the joy of knowing she'd never feel that way ever again. Yet something bothered her about that thought. It was too self-serving.
If the project did indeed go as planned, she would be responsible for eliminating humanity, replacing them with a hive-mind controlled by the Commander. It had been described to her as a glorious sacrifice but Rei now had her doubts. She wondered just how she'd be able to explain this quandary – if at all – to Shinji if he listened.
/
Asuka frowned as the image was in her mind. Getter Dragon's Double Tomahawk was in her hand, the crimson alloy of the Getter clutching the axe tightly. Her foe was Count Brocken as she pried the sword from Great Mazinger's grip and bashed the axe into the Brain Condor, causing the count to shriek as his machine fell from her strike.
Then she stepped on him, ending the bastard's life once and for all. Of course she would. She was unbeatable, in a Getter or an EVA. And she had Shinji and Rei to back her up so the Count was outnumbered either way.
"Asuka!"
The girl blinked as Hikari glared at her, the brunette's freckles and glasses coming into view as the daydream shattered. Still in the classroom, after all. It was doubly frustrating as she had only been there for about ten minutes.
"Hikari. Sorry. I'm more tired than I thought." Asuka said, rubbing her eyes and sighing. "What's going on?"
"Nothing. Just reminding you it's your turn to take attendance." Her friend said.
"Hmph. Fine." Asuka grumbled, standing up to grab the attendance board and begin going through names. Her eyes went to Rei's empty seat and Asuka took pause for a moment.
"Why do I care about these people? Shinji's different I guess since we talked. And I respect Kouji and Sayaka. But Rei? I guess I don't hate her but she's no friend. Still . . . . last night I still slept just as well as when Shinji held me. Was that because of Rei?" She asked herself.
"Whatever. I'll figure it out later. For now there's a bigger problem at hand."
Asuka frowned as she looked to Shinji, the boy talking to Kaworu. The sense that she'd lost again crept up on her but she swatted it away and put the clipboard down on the teacher's desk once the task was finished. She was the very image of confidence walking back to her seat to listen in on the conversation.
"Like I said, I want to do something else for Kouji. I don't know. He's at least as good as I am at cooking." Shinji said.
"You may surprise him. And I am sure he would enjoy anything you make for him." Kaworu responded. Asuka had to admit, the white-haired boy was smooth.
"Right. You make pretty good food. That's definitely a perk of working with you." Asuka chimed in and Shinji turned, looking surprised.
"Oh, Asuka. Thanks." Shinji said, looking as surprised as he'd been when she'd complemented his Cello playing.
"No need for that. Just reporting the facts." She responded but found herself smiling.
Then Kouji walked in with a yawn, stretching his arms as Sayaka walked behind him, looking embarrassed at him.
"Dammit. Right before class starts! And right when I finish attendance too!" Asuka griped, standing to retrieve the sheet and add Kouji and Sayaka as present.
Class was boring but after that things were alright. Benkei was recovering from his injuries so gym was pretty easy as he didn't exert anybody.
"Ryoma's not here and I remembered he gave you guys a task while he's gone." Benkei said as Kouji, Shinji and Asuka groaned after class ended.
"Come on! He just wants you all to make a pyramid! That can't be too bad!" Benkei said with a smile.
It was that bad. Asuka was elected to be the top of the pyramid and Kouji and her arguing sent the three of them falling down.
"Man! For once I wish Wonder-girl was here! Then we wouldn't' have to deal with your stupid complaining, Kabuto!" Asuka said.
"Hey, those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones! Maybe Shinji and Rei can stomach your griping but I sure can't! Save the trash talk for the Angels!" Kouji retorted.
"All right! Enough! We'll try that again later! For now that's enough. Be glad I'm nicer to you than Ryoma would have been. And have a good day." Benkei finished. "You're dismissed."
"I should hope so! Making us stay after class for that!" Kouji said with a huff.
"You ready to go, Sayaka?" Kouji asked.
"Sure. You all, have a good day!" Sayaka said as the two went outside to ride back on their motorcycles.
"And now back to NERV HQ. Hooray." Asuka said dryly, glancing at Shinji's back as he walked ahead of her, wondering when her day would end with hopefully peaceful sleep.
/
"It's complete! As long last, Hell King Gordon is resurrected!" Doctor Hell laughed as his modified machine was truly a masterpiece of his genius, chest reinforced with additional plating and an entirely new head. While the first model had been made for mobility, this one was created for power, thick arms and legs the most obvious modification other than the three open-mouthed faces on the head.
"Now the curtain to the final battle can begin! And once it does, both Photon Power and the entire world will be in my grasp!" Doctor Hell declared as his laughed continued.
Then he heard an alarm. A shudder was felt through Bardos Island as something crashed into its side. Doctor Hell's eyes widened as the cameras throughout his fortress showed him the perpetrator.
It was a bone white Getter Dragon, unlike any he'd seen before. Organic in nature. A pilot had exited the craft and Doctor Hell was perplexed. His systems should've detected the craft and alerted him ahead of time.
Still, there was little one pilot could do against his forces. An Iron Mask Unit surrounded the enigma and brought her before him. Doctor Hell was surprised twice over when the pilot turned out to be one of NERV's own, a teenage girl named Rei Ayanami.
She was looking down, restrained by a cross that the Iron Mask Unit had tied her to. It was a crude way to interrogate but Doctor Hell had no visitors and he didn't want this to distract Baron Ashura or Count Brocken from their own task.
"Why come here with that Getter?" Doctor Hell asked, extending out a blue hand to his captive who was at the far side of the long room.
"Rei Ayanami did used to have a death wish. But now . . . things have changed." The girl said as her blue hair obscured her eyes.
The Staff of Bardos erupted with purple lighting and the girl screamed as it coursed through her body.
"Why did you come here!? Answer me!" Doctor Hell yelled as he stood up and started walking towards her.
"I . . . I came here to deliver you a message." Rei said between breaths, shaking from the blast.
"A message. Then speak it." Doctor Hell said as he took another step towards her.
"It is a message I cannot just say." The girl said and Doctor Hell narrowed his eyes.
"You stated that a death wish was something you once desired. But it will be something you gain if you do not speak." The man said, feeling impatient.
He took another step forward and she looked up from the restraints. Her expression changed entirely, right eye changing pitch black with three yellow pupils looking all around. And her grin was the polar opposite of the calm and collected pilot that had been brought before him. She grinned with amusement as the truth as to what she was dawned on Doctor Hell.
"Invader!-" Doctor Hell yelled as her arms shot forwards, black tendrils extending from the tips of her fingers. The attack dug into Doctor Hell's chest and the man screamed as he fell to his knees, the black tendrils piercing through his back.
"My message, Doctor Hell. That you will join with the Invaders to conquer the entire universe." The girl said with her calm voice, juxtaposed by her feral grin.
The Iron Mask Unit was quick to turn and fire at the attacking Invader with a barrage of gunfire, filling both the body and cross with lead bullets. Black ichor obscured the scene of violence as the Invader inside of the host body thrashed about.
"Doctor Hell! Is he alright!?" One of the Iron Mask soldiers asked.
" . . . It will take more than that to kill me!" Doctor Hell declared as he stood up once again and slammed the tip of his staff into the ground, his body completely healing from the attack. "I have reconstructed my own body to make me immortal! Truly the body of a conqueror!" Dr. Hell boasted.
The Iron Mask Unit stopped firing and looked to Doctor Hell with salutes. The man waited for his guests' Invader body to regenerate before speaking to her.
"Then I have your message, Rei Ayanami. I agree to Saotome's plan." He said, raising the Staff and frying the restraints connecting the Invader's body to the cross. She dropped to the ground and stood up calmly.
The mimic of Rei smiled. "Then all is as should be. Doctor Hell and Doctor Saotome will henceforth combine their complete resources to move against both NERV and the Photon Power Labs." The Invader said back to him.
Doctor Hell paused. "Yes . . . but now you see my knowledge. . . you know that we need to prepare ourselves." he stated.
"Yes. . . but your knowledge also shows me a distraction we can use against NERV . . . something they thought they'd buried long ago." Rei's Invader said as her smile widened into a grin.
"-Of course! They would serve as a fine distraction! Then let both NERV and the Getter Team deal with the ensuing calamity! And as for Mazinkaiser . . . Juuzo Kabuto's finest Super Robot and his pest Grandson Kabuto Kouji-!"
Doctor Hell turned and a shaft of light shone down on his completed Hell King Gordon. None of the Iron Mask Unit saw the extra pupil emerge in his left eye as his grin widened.
"If they have the courage to continue on despite losing Mazinger Z, I will strike them down!" Doctor Hell cried out, making a fist.
"And as for you . . . now I see the being known as Lilith in NERV's underbelly. The origin of life along with the Getter Rays, some might say." Doctor Hell stated, looking back at her over his shoulder. "Then all makes sense! We will shed our former humanity together and conquer a planet that has been purified through the Human Instrumentality Project!" Doctor Hell roared.
"Then it is done. I shall need to return to Shin Dragon to recover myself and my Angel Body. Then I will pay NERV a visit and claim Lilith for myself. Afterwards, all that remains will be for the others to absorb the sacrifice." The Invader said.
"And then we will toast a great victory that will shake the very cosmos!" Doctor Hell shouted.