Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 33: [Beast Machine]
Rei was another place now. The confined and cramped space that was Unit 00's pilot seat was gone. The presence of the malevolent other was no longer in her mind. Her neck was no longer bothering her, yet she still felt her heart pounding from the near death experience. She was shaking and took a moment to analyze just where she was.
Rei could only describe the place she was in physically. Attempting to do so abstractly would be tiring.
Simply put, it was a big white space. Not of the physical realm, yet still different from the great pool of LCL that she had seen while she was part of Lilith. This particular place had some sort of 'ground' or 'floor'. As the world had a surface to sit on, that meant Rei could do so.
The scenery was barren, but it didn't matter much to Rei. Especially when she heard another girl call her name. It was a voice she recognized and she felt a pang of relief as the girl was not alone.
Shinji and Asuka were there, running to her and both pulling her up, supporting her as she rose. Being held by them was a special warmth that she only shared once prior, back at the Photon Labs. The state of togetherness was a luxury to Rei. She held onto the feeling as she stood in the present.
She found she didn't feel sore at all. Between Shinji and Asuka, she felt almost weightless.
Then the feeling stopped. Rei froze up as a middle aged woman appeared in the white space in front of her, standing with purpose in her step. She was of average height and with short dark brown hair, wavy sideburns, and hard eyes. She wore a long white lab-coat and a yellow turtleneck underneath it. The same feeling as when Rei was trapped moments ago returned. Whoever this was, they were connected to Unit 00 in some way.
"I don't know how we're here, but you're still mine." The woman said with confidence. The voice was the same as the EVA's.
"Then you're the same as Unit 00." Rei confirmed, tensing. She could feel Shinji and Asuka do the same as they both shielded her.
"You want her? You go through us!" Asuka huffed, raising her free arm up in a fist.
"Not just you, Child. She'll have to get past me first." Another voice said, alerting the trio. They turned to see the newcomer on the right.
Yui Ikari appeared plain as day now, wearing a dark purple suit that had all the coloration and aesthetic design of Evangelion Unit 01. Yui's fingers were splayed open in case she needed to act.
"Mom?!" Shinji asked and the woman gave him a half smile.
"Shinji. I can't begin to apologize for what I've put you through. But – I can at least keep you safe."
Yui looked conflicted even as she faced the other woman. Rei did not feel at ease despite Yui's words. They had the same rough and jagged feelings to them as Rei felt when she was in Unit 01, feeling nothing but the wild fury of the EVA.
A third woman appeared in front of Rei,spreading her arms out to block the advancing scientist from the Children.
"No! Don't fight here! Keep them safe!" Her voice was another EVA, though one Rei had not heard before.
Her yellow - orange hair and white lab coat were enough for Asuka to know who it was.
"Mama!"
"That's your mother, Asuka?" Shinji asked. "Then if she's your Mother – and that's mine, who is that?" He questioned, staring at the woman glaring at Rei.
The first woman smirked at Yui.
"Are you sure you want to fight me, Yui? Ayanami's memories tell me Gendo is dead. And I have no quarrel with your son or the Second Child." Though she spoke, her gaze was still on Rei.
Yui grinned, her eyes appearing cold as she responded. "I don't need a reason to want to rip you apart, Naoko. I've been an Evangelion for too long to pretend I hate killing. Gendo has nothing to do with this."
"It appears we have yet another guest." Rei said as an emerald light shone on the left and then faded, the form of Go Ichimonji forming in his red bodysuit.
"Hold on." Go said, looking to the three woman as he stepped between all of them. "You are the EVA series." He stated and Kyoko nodded, backing up as Go walked next to her, glaring at the first woman.
"That's right. What of it?" The first woman asked and Go tensed at her words.
"Who are you really, Unit 00?! Why did you try and kill Rei?!" Go shouted.
Rei felt the raw emotion and wondered how she'd never seen this side of Go before. He had been desperate before, of course. An intense fire of battle pumped through his blood in combat against both Invaders and Angels. But rage – that was Ryoma, Asuka's and Kouji's domain. It seemed wrong seeing Go afflicted with it.
"Why are you so concerned about Ayanami? She's just a clone of Yui." The woman responded and Go grit his teeth, unable to respond at the moment.
"Rei's much more than that!" Shinji said, looking overwhelmed at the situation. "I agree with Go. Can we all stop for a moment?!"
"Getter pilot. Move and I'll make it quick." Yui said, looking across from her. "Naoko's all bark and no bite."
"Brave words. Let's see you back them up!"
Naoko retorted and Yui's grin deepened. Both woman looked like they were about to exchange blows.
"STOP."
All heads turned to Rei, who started glowing.
Rei's body grew, the form elongating and glowing with pure light. Two hands rose from the 'floor', elevating everyone else upwards inside of the palms. Now her body was far larger than the room itself, the scenery changing to open space. The six others all rose in her cupped hands into what resembled a starry sky.
"As I see Yui's body has taken on attributes of Unit 01 in this space – as she visualizes herself as the Evangelion – I have done the same."
The form of Lilith looked down on them as the eyes fixated on the first woman.
"Naoko Akagi. Yui Ikari. If you want to leave this conversation properly, I suggest you listen." Lilith's voice boomed.
/
Shinji clung to Asuka, terrified at the sight of Lilith once again.
"I – is it going to happen again?!" He asked and Lilith smiled at him.
"No, Shinji. I am stil' Rei Ayanami. This form is just a way to get their attention." The gigantic body said even though her lips didn't move from the gentle smile. "Now – this woman is Naoko Akagi. The mother of the Dr. Akagi we know."
"So I'm guessing that taking over Unit 00 again is out of the question? Then let's hear your terms, copy." The hard-eyed woman said, crossing her arms as she looked up at Rei.
"Let's ask an obvious question first! What the hell are you?!" Asuka yelled.
"Second Child, as Rei just stated, my name is Naoko Akagi. I am the original core of Evangelion Unit 00." The newcomer explained.
"The – original core?" Go asked.
"Yes. I imagine I was replaced by a core using the first Rei sometime later. We did both die on the same day if my final memories are accurate."
"Your terms are?" Yui asked Rei, looking bored at the scenario.
"We all saved the world using the Evangelion series. Alongside Getter Robo and the Mazinger army. I would like you all to fight beside us to save not just the Earth, but the entire universe." Rei said. Lilith's form vanished and Rei re-appeared beside Shinji and Asuka.
Yui sighed. "Shinji and I will talk about this later." The last word had an edge in it that set off Asuka.
"Yeah, and if you end up harassing him just like his Dad did, I'll kick your ass! My Mom and I will make you sorry you ever abandoned him!"
Yui looked to Asuka. "Can you truly stop me – as my true self? The berserk Unit 01?"
The question hung in the air as Yui looked around to see everyone's surprise other than Naoko and Rei.
"Hmph. Forget about it. I don't really care what you all of me." She said, closing her eyes as she smirked.
"Asuka . . . I want to talk to you too." Her mother said. Asuka nodded, her glare receding as she grabbed her mother's hand.
The dark haired woman looked annoyed at the other two's interactions with their children.
"Fine. I accept the terms. But let me talk to her. Let me talk to Ritsuko as well." Naoko said and the starry sky faded. They were back in the earlier white space.
"I will do what I can, but I make no promises. Captain Katsuragi will have the final say in what happens." Rei stated.
Naoko sighed. "I still don't like this situation. But – I suppose this still beats being dead."
Yui shrugged. "It does have its' perks. After a while the killing becomes fun."
At hearing this, Shinji looked at her with disgust.
"What? As an EVA you get used to it. Is this talk really bothering you?"
She asked, looking to her distraught son.
"Considering you killed Kaworu with him, I'd say it's quite enough." Asuka said, moving between Shinji and Rei, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Yui sighed at this, but did not respond.
"A-anyway, I think we've all calmed down enough." Shinji said.
His mother gave a conflicted smile and vanished from the space.
Naoko chuckled. "I suppose I'll have quite the talk with Ritsuko as well." Then her form faded away.
"Thank you." Rei whispered as she stepped away from the other pilots. "I apologize if my incident led to such a personal event."
"Not your fault."Kyoko said with a smile. "Asuka want to help her friend. Thank you Asuka. Shinji. Go."
"Let me be with Mama for a while longer." Asuka said as she embraced her mother in a full hug.
"Asuka. I will always be with you in Unit 02. We can speak whenever you want. I love you."
"Mama. Ok, but I'm talking to you right after training is over." Asuka whispered before her mother let go and faded away.
"Now – are the three of you alright?" Go asked now that they were by themselves.
Shinji nodded. "Yeah. I guess Mom sees killing as a natural thing. That's going to take some adjusting to."
"And I feel like I want to see Mama as soon as possible." Asuka said. "We've all got things to work out."
"Thank you, Go." Rei said. " I feel ready to return. Now – we should all get back."
/
"Hold on. Rei's condition is stabilizing. Whatever Go did – it's working." Maya said, Ritsuko looking over her shoulder.
"Rei! Are you alright?" Maya asked.
The EVA shuddered within the hangar and Shin Getter and Great Mazinger applied pressure, keeping it still.
"Rei, is that you in control?" Ryoma asked.
"Dr. Akagi. Miss Ibuki. Mr. Nagare. I am fine. Unit 00 will respond to my commands once again." Rei said from the comm. Shin Getter and Great Mazinger relaxed their grips, letting Unit 00 stand as Unit 01 and 03 flanked it, looking ready to act if it lost control again.
"Rei!" Misato exclaimed. "Let's hear your report!"
"Yes, Captain Katsuragi. The EVA has ceased trying to harm me. It wishes to speak to someone here."
"It wants to talk to someone on this ship? Well – I'm half a mind to say no considering it just tried to kill you." The woman said, looking at the EVA with concern.
"It is a condition we will have to meet if Unit 00 is to cooperate with us." Rei replied, taking shallow breaths.
"Well, who does it want to talk to?" Misato asked.
"Evangelion Unit 00 wishes to speak directly with Dr. Akagi." Rei answered.
/
"They're still going through with the training?!" Jun asked and Misato smiled.
"Our crew's just that good, I guess. But given what happened, Unit 00's sitting it out. Ryoma and Rei already trained earlier, so its' a moot point if they spar again. Plus, I think Ryoma and Go both want Rei to rest before she enters real combat in Unit 00."
Jun nodded and looked over to the far side of the hanger where Unit 01 faced Mazinkaiser.
"That's it, Shinji! Punch Kaiser as hard as you can! I guarantee Yui Ikari will be tired out before Kaiser will!" Kouji taunted. His voice could be heard from the comm as he stood still, letting Shinji unload as many hits as he could.
"While I'm piloting – it's EVA Unit 01!" Shinji responded, giving Mazinkaiser an uppercut and then a headbutt, followed by a knee to the chest, causing the Super Robot to take a step back.
"That's the spirit I'm looking for! Now stand up to this attack! Turbo Smasher Punch!" Kouji yelled as Kaiser's fists began rotating.
"Kouji, Shinji! Don't destroy the hangar! Kaiser has a Scrander and Unit 01 has wings now, so take it outside!" Misato ordered. Kaiser took a step back and Kouji cheered.
"All right! Then I can see how well you can fly in Unit 01 too!" Kouji exclaimed.
Jun grinned. "I see you're making sure Kouji blows off steam without endangering the ship."
"That and it gives Shinji some time with a peer. That's the least I can do for him in this training." Misato said, looking a bit sad. "He didn't really get to say goodbye to his school friends. Kouji's the closest thing to that."
"Bonding by beating the snot out of each other." Jun chuckled. "Juuzo had Tetsuya and I do that in Great and Venus. Are you sure having Shinji spar with Asuka wouldn't be a better idea?"
Misato shook her head. "Shinji and Asuka need space. They're both going through a lot with Instrumentality. They can't be just rivals anymore. Not after they started sharing more. Them being merged at some point means I don't want them sparring just yet. They're just now re-adjusting to being their own person."
"I see." Jun Hono said, looking to the open hanger doors, a seal in place to keep air in the ship while Mazinkaiser docked with Kaiser Scrander, boosting away. Unit 01 followed , golden angular wings of light appearing behind it. The EVA followed the Mazinger to start fighting in the distance.
Misato looked from the space combat to the left of the hanger. While Kouji and Shinji had changed the location of their fight, the same could not be said about the other two comabatants.
With a clang, Unit 02's prog knife deflected a Mazinger Blade. Great Mazinger followed through with the swing and Unit 02 stepped back, readying the blade for another attack.
That's it, Asuka! You'll have to focus as much as you can to keep up with Great!" Tetsuya urged as EVA and Mazinger struggled against the other.
"Still – I can match your Mazinger with Unit 02's speed! I'm merged with my EVA, but you still have to give Great Mazinger manual commands!" Asuka bragged, blocking a punch and shoving the arm away as she went on the attack.
Jun watched the fight with interest.
"Asuka's got spunk, but Tetsuya's got more experience. I'm baised to my boyfriend, but even with that - I can't see Asuka winning this." Jun said and Misato sighed.
"I'm hoping this training helps her with her ego. Ryoma's lessons didn't help much with her additude, as she thought he was looking down on her the whole time." Misato admitted.
"Tetsuya and Asuka are practically the same." Jun said, shrugging. "I'm sure I'm not the only one to say that."
Unit 02 leapt away from Great Mazinger, expanding her AT Field to trap Great between two shimmering yellow octagons.
"Using your AT Field to trap me, huh?! That's a temporary setback!" Tetsuya warned as Great Mazinger struggled. The Super Robot started marching forwards, resisting the barriers with each step.
"Unit 02 and Great Mazinger are very different. I can see either one winning if you just compare the machines. Still – even if Asuka's trained her whole life to be a soldier, Tetsuya's still got more combat experience. It's how he managed to pilot Great so well."
Misato looked over to the fight in space between Unit 01 and Mazinkaiser. She narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
"I hope once this is over - we can build a world where that kind of thing never has to happen again. It's like Ryoma said. We're depending on kids to save the world, and we're ignoring that they're going to snap at times. Just because you and Tetsuya were trained just like Asuka it doesn't mean we should keep adopting that as a standard practice."
Jun nodded at this. "You should talk to Benkei. He feels the same way about that. I'll admit I didn't like the experience but it did make Tetsuya and I prepared for the Moon Wars. And when Dr. Hell returned." Jun said.
In the space far away, Unit 01 pursued Mazinkaiser, Kouji turning to face the EVA. The two clashed and struggled as the Kaiser Scrander and The EVA's golden wings kept them both in place.
"I'm proud of them. Even with all of Commander Ikari's draconian orders, they beat all of the Angels." Misato said. "Now – I need to ask you a question."
"Sure."
"Jun – how am I doing as the Captain? I can't ask someone biased about it."
"I think you're doing a good job. That said – I can't give you a real answer until we have actual combat. That speech was something else though. And you have experience commanding NERV before."
"I just wonder if it's fair I took command so suddenly."
"You're keeping everyone together. That's enough for most of us." The other woman said with a smile.
Misato supposed that was all she could do at the moment. Her true trial by fire as Captain would begin soon enough.
/
"What could the EVA want with me?" Ritsuko wondered as she watched the training wind down. The sparring lasted for about twenty minutes considering Unit 02 was connected by her umbilical cable but stopped once all parties had entered a stalemate.
Meanwhile, Kouji let Shinji get the hang of flying around in space, knocking around Kaiser while Kouji tried to beat in the AT Field with Kaiser's brute strength. It had been a good call as they both were tired out by the end of it.
As for Asuka and Tetsuya, the two were going at it with as much energy as they had been since the start of the training, both refusing to give in. Eventually Misato had to command the two of them to stop.
The entry plug ejected and Asuka got out, walking up to the Brain Condor. Tetsuya exited his craft and the two stared one another down for a moment.
"Geez. Right when I had you too!" Asuka said, crossing her arms and Tetsuya stared at her, returning the glare for a moment before he closed his eyes and laughed.
"I think you mean the other way around."
"Oh please! Like I wouldn't see your next attack coming considering you yell them all out first!"
The two grinned and neither broke the competitive tension.
Misato spoke up to get their attention. "Stop it! Both of you did a good job! This exercise showed we can continue to rely on the EVA series – even with the complications that come with your cores all being former NERV staff."
"Now – from what you say, Unit 00 - wanted to talk to Ritsuko." Misato finished.
Shinji and Kouji walked next to the other pilots.
"Rei, what about you? Going to stay in Unit 00 with her?" Ryoma asked.
"Yes. I will translate for the EVA if it cannot directly speak with Dr. Akagi. And Unit 00 may not respond as - violently now that we have conversed."
Asuka spoke up. "I'd like to monitor this from Unit 02 if possible, Dr. Akagi. Someone's got to keep us all safe."
Ritsuko nodded and looked to the remade yellow EVA. "Then let's get this over with."
/
Ritsuko didn't know what to expect as she stepped into the Entry Plug. Yet here she was, sitting right behind Rei as she entered the LCL.
Then she felt another mind. It was around her, like an old familiar blanket. One she found she missed dearly.
"Ritsuko. It's really you." The voice said.
"Mom?!"
"Yes. It's me, Ritsuko. I'm sorry. I never was able to properly say goodbye to you."
"You were the original core?! But how?!" The scientist asked. It was hard enough to believe that the spare core for Unit 00 had been her mother - moreso to process her mother had almost killed Rei.
Naoko explained the sad story to Ritsuko, who could only wonder how Rei was taking it. The situation was easy to describe as a mix between touching, heartbreaking, and a bit awkward.
The conversation was strange. It was her mother she was hearing. And yet – it was also the voice of Unit 00.
"If it means anything to you, I want to keep working with NERV. With Captain Katsuragi. Gendo used all of us here but – if we use the EVAs to save the world – we can redeem our mistakes." Ritsuko told her mother.
"I see. I have – apologized - to Ayanami. Her clones' choices were at the whim of Commander Ika - of Gendo. I understand that Unit 00 will be monitored due to this incident."
"Yes. That's true. But now we know Miss Ikari, Miss Soryu, and you are all here. That means that in some messed up sense – the EVA project was a complete success." Ritsuko said, feeling sick to her stomach.
"You two should get out. I – am sorry to give in to rage. I felt her presence and the moment of my death. I thought if I killed Rei, I would somehow wake up from this existence. It was the only thing spurring me on. Nothing I say can fix anything."
"Will you fight with me?" Rei asked.
"Yes, but that doesn't fix our situation."
"Yes it does. If you fight alongside me in the Unit 00, then I will forgive the past. Gendo Ikari is dead. We are free to live outside of his plans now."
/
Asuka had been talking to her Mama for at least an hour, telling her all there was to tell about the battles she'd had and the experiences she'd been through. It was like she was a kid again, her Mama beaming at her while she listened to her daughter.
Asuka could feel Mama's warmth as she conveyed her feelings.
There was so much to talk about and Mama had no shortage of questions.
'Who was Shinji?', 'Who was Rei?', 'What happened to NERV?'
That was just the beginning of the questions. Asuka started to feel overwhelmed telling her Mama everything that had happened.
She exited the EVA once her mother noticed the headache. The hangar was mostly empty of pilots now the excercises were done. Still, Rei was there, having helped Dr. Akagi out of the Entry Plug. Asuka left the hangar, Rei following her.
"Asuka. Are you well?"
"I'm fine. The training was fine. Just – I wish I could talk to her more. We're about to fight the Invaders again and there's so much more we need to talk about."
"I see. Though I do not quite understand the feeling."
"It's not fair to complain about it to you. I don't imagine you want to talk to Unit 00 unless the situation calls for it." Asuka responded, stopping to face Rei.
Rei stopped moving as Asuka spoke to her.
"Now – can I have a look at your neck? It looked like Ritsuko's mom was trying to kill you."
There were some bruises where Rei's own fingers had been. Asuka's fingers moved Rei's head upward slightly as she looked at the marks.
"As Unit 00's pilot you have to deal with her whenever you fight. Are you going to be alright?"
"I have discussed that with her. We have reached a compromise with Dr. Akagi." Rei's hands found both sides of Asuka's waist and the half German girl let go of Rei's neck, unsure of what the other would do.
Asuka paused as Rei held her.
"Additionally I have spoken to Go on the matter. If anything were to happen to me, he will directly interfere."
Go. Right. He was with her when Shin Dragon had risen from the LCL. The only other human on the ship for who knows how long. The Second Child reminded herself that Rei had no shared experience with Instrumentality. Asuka had neglected her, even if she had the excuse of being merged with Shinji for some time.
The memory of seeing Rei's messy apartment hit. Asuka suddenly wished she'd thought of her isolation sooner while they were on the ship. It wasn't fair to just assume Rei would look after herself. Not after they all agreed to be there for each other after Kaworu died. Speaking of that event, Shinji was still processing it. Both Shinji and Rei would need some attention, especially when Asuka had just seen her Mama – and would do so again in the next battle.
"Do you want to come over? Share our last meal before we finish off the Invaders?" She asked, wondering what Rei's answer would be.