Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Stage 36: [Harbinger of Tragedy]
As Getter Poseidon appeared, the tide of battle shifted again. Asuka decided not to question a good thing as she advanced Unit 02 through space.
The Invader's miniature Sun wasn't complete yet and they'd beaten all the Angels save one hybrid. Now it, Ashura, and Stinger and Cohen were all that was left other than the countless small fry Invaders that attacked in waves. Asuka could break through the smaller Invaders without a sweat. Her Mother's synchronization meant they could use the AT Field in several new ways. Her favorite was expanding it to slice the Invaders clean in half, just like she'd done to Gaghiel.
Despite his Father's resurrection as an Invader, Shinji was still able to fight - against the Angels and Invaders. Asuka thought he might shut down seeing his own father appear as an enemy, but then he went on to defeat Sachiel and Shamshel by himself. Once that was done, Shinji moved to face the Invaders in formation with Asuka. She felt he'd be safer while she was close by, especially if Gendo decided to attack him personally. They had been joined by Rei and Tetsuya as Unit 00 and Great Mazinger fell in. The four hovered back to back and fired a hail of gunfire and lightning, dispersing the latest wave of Invaders.
The swarm was cleared away just in time as Shin Getter 2 was now visible to them, struck by a Drill Hurricane from its' Angel counterpart.
The hybrid showed it had at least another multiple form in a Shin Getter 2 variant, though Asuka could guess it was likely a triple-changer, just like the Getter it was based off of.
This form was extremely sleek, the aspects of the Angel Zureul even clearer as the forearms and shins almost seemed bone like yet the shoulders and thighs had the same heavily plated armor as the Angel the hybrid was based on.
The Invader piloting the machine spoke as Shin Getter went flying through space, spinning out of control. Asuka had expected Gendo to speak but heard a far different voice.
"Commander Jin. It is truly an honor to fight you in person."
It was The Fifth Child.
"Shit." Asuka whispered.
Shinji getting over the Invader looking like Gendo was one thing. Kaworu Nagisa, however, was a completely different matter.
Asuka looked at his comm screen and confirmed the worst had happened.
Shinji's worries and despair had returned. Once again Kaworu's death was required to proceed onward.
/
"Kaworu! It's Kaworu!" Shinji yelled from his comm, looking overwhelmed at the presence of the two enemy pilots.
"Shinji, they're not Kaworu or your Father. They are approximations created by the Invaders." Tetsuya said in a level voice.
"I don't care! He can't die again! Not while I'm here!"Shinji yelled.
To this, Asuka wasn't sure how to respond, other than with frustration. "Well Shinji, what are we supposed to do? While we're here talking, they're killing our friends out there! You heard Tetsuya - that's not the real Kaworu – it's just some Invader copy!"
The duplicate of Kaworu responded to her in his usual level tone. "Just a copy? Is that how you really feel, Second Child? I thought you wanted to prove to me that you were the better pilot? And can your feelings for Shinji ever be enough to replace my own?"
The pilot was smirking calmly even as he dodged a Drill Hurricane before swiping at Shin Getter 2 with his machine's own claw arm. Even if it was a copy, he sure knew how to get under her skin.
"Don't pretend like you're him! I'm not about to waste time talking to something that's going to be dead soon!" Asuka shot back.
The reflection of Shin Getter 2 blocking a drill thrust and its' claw arm extended suddenly, the organic tentacle limb throwing Hayato's machine down through space with force.
Then it fired shards of the Lance from the tip of its' drill, striking Shin Getter 2 right in the chest. The EVA team could hear Hayato yell in pain up until his comm cut off.
"HAYATO!" Ryoma screamed in panic before the whole Getter stopped, the lights in its' eyes dimming. Shin Getter 2 stopped moving – its still body floating in space. They couldn't hear any more from the pilots on board.
The hybrid Angel looked at the trio of EVA pilots as Kaworu addressed Asuka again.
"If I am to die soon, then I suppose I should be blunt. You must know how hurt your Mother was knowing that you saw her as a mere tool for so long." Kaworu's Invader said with his usual laid back voice.
"What?!"Asuka breathed.
"You didn't deny it in the past. Unit 02 was – She was a machine to you. Just a tool." The third pilot of the hybrid said. Their voice surprised the EVA team as she appeared on the comm, an exact duplicate of Rei Ayanami.
"I see." Rei said. "The identity of the third pilot is the Invader with my face."
"Not Rei too . . . " Shinji said, shaking even as Asuka came up with a response to the Invaders.
"I always loved Unit 02, so don't try and play games with me!" Asuka yelled back at the Invader.
"Games? No. This is an accurate assessment of your abilities, Second Child." The copy of Gendo said.
Then the false Rei continued."And as I have Ayanami's memories up to my 'death', I know the truth. You put on a brave face because that's all you have to protect yourself. It is only logical that Commander Ikari would replace you with the Fifth Child." her voice spoke from the hybrid.
Asuka felt her teeth grind as she was ready to ditch any kind of plan and attack. How dare they insult her?! After she'd come so far! Asuka got ready to attack even as her Mother cried out for her to stop.
/
"Asuka! EVA Team! Great Mazinger – respond!" Misato yelled, and heard nothing.
"Ritsuko, we JUST got power back. What's wrong?" The Captain asked.
"They're cut off from us. It's either from Ashura or – Stinger and Cohen are jamming us. Looks like you were right – they've wanted this to happen from the start." The scientist said, looking ahead at the gigantic fused Invader in front of them.
"Correct. We are preventing you from contacting your Super Robot Army. Now – your flagship will fall to our power." Cohen said, the Invader opening his large mouth.
A swarm of Invaders flew from the gaping maw, all speeding towards Shin Poseidon.
"Finger Net!" Gai yelled, the Getter casting a gigantic net made of energy it threw at the swarm. The net didn't affect them but wrapped around the large Invader, sealing its' mouth shut.
"And now – Getter Punch!" Gai yelled, swinging the mace hand forwards, swatting away several Invaders with one swing.
"There are too many to get rid of like that." Ritsuko remarked.
Gai nodded and looked to Go. "Then we'll just use Shin Dragon again!"
Go agreed and took the controls.
"CHANGE - DRAGON!" Go yelled as the large Getter changed into its' crimson form.
"GETTER BEAM!" Go yelled as both the Dragon's beams fired, slicing through the remainder of Cohen's forces.
"Hmph. As expected. It will take more than that. Now – see if you can endure this!" Stinger said as his body struggled and ripped through the net.
Then the Invader fired a sheer blast of heat at Getter Dragon, causing everyone on board to scream out in pain.
/
The Second Child clenched her fists, ready to rush at the hybrid when a blast of blue surged. Lighting struck the Hybrid's AT Field. When it faded, the form of Great Mazinger was present, hovering between the EVA team and the hybrid.
"Invaders! If you want to waste time playing psychological games, Great Mazinger and I will tear you apart!" Tetsuya yelled as the Mazinger boosted towards the hybrid Getter.
"Shinji! Go assist the Getter Team! The rest of us can take it from here!" Tetsuya ordered.
"R-right!" Shinji said as Unit 01 flew towards the downed Getter – 2.
Then Tetsuya directed the other pilots.
"Asuka, back off for moment. Don't let them get in your head! Ayanami, follow my lead! ATOMIC PUNCH!"
The Angel Getter changed again, this time the mass morphing into a giant white blob. Great's Atomic Punches missed as the hybrid's shape started to become clear.
A base appeared first, two large pods, undersides similar to that of caterpillars with small organic tendrils serving as feet. Then the waist, which was relatively thin considering the bulk of this form. The shoulders and body were hunched over, a small white head a cross between a Getter and Sachiel's own skull like bird mask.
It wasted no time firing a volley of missiles at Great Mazinger. They were intercepted as Unit 00 boosted forwards, Rei's AT Field stopping the mass of projectiles.
"The third form! Then you must be the mimic of Getter 3!" Tetsuya said as Great Mazinger's arms returned.
"Yes. And I have seen enough of your battles to counter your machine as well. Rei Ayanami faced Great Mazinger twice prior to this. Any strategy either of you have will not work." The other Rei's voice said as several tendril arms fired out of the Getter hybrid's wrists.
"Then anticipate this! Great Boomerang!" Tetsuya yelled as he threw Great's chest plate, cutting through a lot of the tentacles speeding towards him.
/
"How's Getter-2?" Ryoma asked as Hayato assessed the damage.
"We're OK. We just have to be careful moving. Those spears need to be removed before we can Get-Change." The current pilot said.
"And seeing as our Getter – 2 has no actual fingers, that might be a problem. Plus our communication is cut. Working on that now." Benkei said, sighing. "Still – they all missed my cockpit. That was close." The man said.
Then they all noticed the golden light right outside. It highlighted a slender purple form. Unit 01 had arrived.
"Getter Team?! Are you OK?" A voice said as they looked to their monitor and saw the EVA's golden wings.
Benkei smiled grimly at the sight. "Shinji. Just in time for me to get communications back on line. I see you're here for us just like that day we all used Dragon together. That feels nostalgic now."
Unit 01 hovered down to look at the injuries to the Getter.
"Shinji. Sorry you had to see me fight your old man like this." Ryoma said.
"No – I should be sorry. Since they're copying Father and Kaworu I can't fight them – not to kill them anyway." He began.
"Kid – it's OK. The Invaders are bastards to the very end. They're doing this on purpose to mess with us." Benkei said. "Now – can you help us remove these shards?"
"Y-yeah. Hold on." Shinji responded, grabbing one of the shards and tugging it out as lightly as he could.
/
"Its armor is thicker than what I'd expect!" Tetsuya yelled as Breast Burn's searing heat ray did minimal damage to the Getter – 3 form. "Since it's combined with something else – its power is unpredictable!"
"It's not even bothering with the AT Field!" Asuka yelled as she boosted towards it and chopped at one of the arms with her battle axe. That was at least something that could be damaged, though the hybrid could regenerate quickly as well.
"Our machine is a merge between a Getter and Zeruel. It was designed to destroy you all. Defending is redundant when our offensive power surpasses your own." The other Rei said.
The tendrils struck Great Mazinger and Unit 02, forcing them to back off as it released a volley of missiles at the pair.
"Then we must use every available weapon to eradicate you." Rei countered as her AT Field shielded her allies from the projectiles.
"Well – if it can withstand this level of punishment without using its AT Field, that might be a moot point!" Tetsuya said as he shoved the hybrid back with Great Typhoon. "We've hit it with everything we can think of and it still keeps coming. It really is the combination of Zureul and a Getter."
"As stated, your attacks will not faze this Getter." Gendo's voice spoke as the thing warped again into the white Shin Getter – 1 mimic, the white Angel wings spreading wide as the red orb in its' waist shone crimson.
The beam that was fired out shattered Rei's AT Field and sent Great Mazinger and the two Evangelions flying backwards.
"We are connected to Zeruel. We see your struggle as its' own. Without the berserker form of Unit 01 to interfere you are all powerless before it." Gendo Ikari's voice stated.
Tetsuya tisked as Great drew a Mazinger Blade and readied himself to go on the attack. "Clever. Make a machine strong enough so that we need Unit 01 to fight it. Then put pilots in it that Shinji has trouble confronting. I have to admit that's a decent strategy."
The Mazinger pilot's observation was cut short as a Mechanical Beast slammed into him, boosting away at such a speed that Tetsuya was stunned for a moment. It was Ashura.
Tetsuya grunted as he was taken away from the fight, Baron Ashura's machine attacking him with missiles from its breast. Tetsuya made some quick calculations and threw the Great Boomerang, the attack slicing the missiles apart.
Then the machine raised a hand and its fingers shot out as tentacles, grabbing onto Great and heaving him away from the EVA team.
"If I can't kill Kabuto myself – then I'll make do with you – Tetsuya Tsurugi!" Ashura said as they charged and was able to land a savage left hook into Great's face, knocking Tetsuya back into his seat with a grunt.
"Scramble Off!" Tetsuya yelled as Great Mazinger's wings retracted into its back. Great hovered in place, pointing at Baron Ashura.
"Why don't you come to me, Ashura! Great Mazinger and I will accept your challenge!" The pilot yelled.
Ashura smirked as their Mechanical Beast crossed its arms. "Please. We baited Kabuto with that tactic. So I won't move unless you do!"
"That works for me!" Tetsuya responded as his Great Boomerang returned, grazing the side of Ashura's machine on the way.
He caught the weapon in one hand as he pointed at Ashura with the other.
"Great and I don't need to be close to hit you with this! Thunder Break!"
Ashura snarled as their machine split into two halves, dodging the attack before responding. "Please! It will take more than that!"
/
Kouji groaned as the pressure was getting to him. Even if the Pilder had been adjusted to make him more comfortable in combat, there was little he could do to deal with the forces Mazinkaiser was exposed to. He could feel his body ache just from being stuck in what he guessed was the epicenter of the hole in space.
"Mazinkaiser - we have to move!" Kouji yelled as he tried to move – yet he had no indication of whether the machine followed his command. He couldn't see or hear anything. The only thing surrounding him was darkness as the pressure kept increasing. His mild headache had become a throbbing drumbeat in his skull and it was hard to even think. Would this be it then? Would this be how he died?
A golden spark ignited the pitch dark area and suddenly Kouji could see the outline of a machine. It was a Photonic robot, that much was clear. Its eyes blazing yellow as its continuous Photon Beam kept pouring into the void.
But how? Kouji didn't bother to ask why as he noticed all of Mazinkaiser's energy gauges were rapidly rising.
/
It had been a risky plan but Sayaka wasn't going to sit there twiddling her thumbs while the EVA and Getter Teams were in so much trouble. Jun went with her, Diana and Venus flying through space and taking readings for Professor Yumi. The miniature black hole was close to Shin Dragon and since Stinger and Cohen were too busy fighting the Shin Dragon in question, it was the right time to get Kouji free.
"That's not a true Black Hole. If it was, Kouji would be dead." Sayaka's father explained, before theorizing why the Invaders were using three of them to create nuclear fusion. Sayaka half listened to the technobabble and got Diana in position.
"Sayaka – I've modified Diana's Photon Beam in two different ways. Now it has the ability to supercharge other photonic power sources. In other words, Diana's photon energy will be serving as a brand new battery for Kaiser. However the beam has another effect. Using it we can shift the space around Kouji. If that space around him condenses and draws all that photon energy into its' center – we can overload Kaiser's energy output."
"I see. And if we condense that micro black hole, it's less Kouji has to deal with." Sayaka realized.
"That's right! At full power, he should be able to break free!" Dr. Yumi said.
"That I can understand! Then let's do it, Jun! Photon Beam!" Sayaka yelled, pulling the lever and yelling as the recoil of the blast sent Diana flying backwards.
She was caught by Jun's Venus A, the companion machine to Great Mazinger holding her steady so she could keep hitting the same area.
"Keep it up, Sayaka! If Dr. Yumi's hunch is right – that'll save Kouji!" Jun urged.
Then Diana's eyes dimmed as she expended her power, the robot going limp as Sayaka's cameras, audio and life support were the only things that still functioned.
"No! That's all of it - !" Sayaka said, feeling herself on the urge of tears as the golden shimmer of Photon Beam faded into the black hole.
She suddenly felt alone – even with Jun backing her up. If this final battle meant Kouji would die, Sayaka would never be the same. The thought of him just dying was new to her. Even when he had Mazinger Z he was still the same. Always willing to stake his own life to restore peace. And so far he'd been very, very good at coming back.
Mazinkaiser had always seemed invincible. However now it just felt like a big fish in a small pond. Against universal forces and abstract concepts like a Mazinger ZERO that could consume all reality, it felt rather modest for an upgrade to Mazinger Z. Sayaka certainly didn't think she'd have to come to Kouji's aid while he was behind Kaiser's controls.
She was glad she'd tried. Even if it had been in vain, she had acted. If she chose to stay on the ship while even Boss was pulling his weight, she'd have never forgiven herself.
Sayaka was about to notify her father that it was done when a red flash occurred in the center of the black hole.
Then she saw a white horizontal line appear from within the black hole, as though it slashed through the entire area. This line was followed by a diagonal one, and then another horizontal one.
"A white Z." Jun said, Sayaka's eyes widening as she realized what this meant.
Then both pilots heard a far away and incomplete yell – but it was very audible.
"KAISER! NOVA!"
The dimensional space shattered apart, replaced by a white sphere of light. Within the light, Mazinkaiser hovered, it's body exuding golden-white Photon Energy, making the machine glimmer and appear the same color.
"Kouji!" Sayaka yelled, wiping away her tears as new ones formed just as quickly.
Her boyfriend responded with both relief and vigor.
"Sayaka! I don't know what you and Jun did, but all of Kaiser's systems are supercharged! Thanks! I thought I was a goner!"
"We're glad you're safe, but while you've been gone the Invaders have been giving us a real challenge." Jun stated. "Tetsuya's dealing with Ashura right now, but the EVA team's got their hands full."
Kouji nodded on her view screen and scanned the area.
Professor Yumi was next to speak. "That hybrid has the composite power of Shin Getter Robo and the Angel Zureul. And the pilots are mimics of Gendo Ikari, Kaworu Nagisa, and Rei's second clone." Yumi said. "As such, the EVA team is having a hard time facing them.
"And what about Shin Dragon? Are you guys alright?" Kouji asked.
"We're hanging in there, Kouji." Ritsuko reported. "Go's managing to match Stinger and Cohen so far. Now go and help us out. We all can take Stinger and Cohen down for good!"
"Communications from Shin Dragon to the rest of our troops has been cut. I'll get Sayaka back to the hangar! Make sure our other pilots have things under control, then back up Go! He's holding his own against Stinger and Cohen now, but I don't think even he can keep that up for long!" Jun said.
"I hear you, Jun! Alright, you Invader scum! It's payback time!" Kouji declared as his machine took off.
/
Mechanical Beast Baron Ashura hissed as it went on the attack. The metal tentacle wrapped around Great Mazinger's neck and Tetsuya snarled, responding with a head-butt to Ashura's machine. The other pilot grunted as Tetsuya pummeled its stomach with three solid punches. Ashura was nothing if not persistent, the grip only tightening as they recovered and started pummeling the top of Tetsuya's Brain Condor with their free hand. The fighter craft endured the hits but Tetsuya felt the impact, biting the inside of his lip on accident, the pain searing through his body as Ashura hit him again.
"PHOTON BEAM!"
A lance of yellow pierced through Ashura's arm, the Mechanical beast stopping its' attack.
The sudden attack gave Tetsuya the wedge he needed to drive Baron Ashura away. Breast Burn charged and the heat ray forced Ashura to retreat, his machine breaking in half to avoid the heat ray. Tetsuya kept the Mechanical Beast running with a Navel Missile.
Then Great Mazinger turned to see Mazinkaiser fly by, its' Z core shining as it released its' signature weapon.
"FINAL - !
- KAISER - !
- BLADE!"
Kouji yelled as his machine unsealed its final hidden sword, the golden pommel shining as he grabbed it and swung it behind him with Kaiser's right hand.
"What?! Mazinkaiser is free?!" Ashura asked.
"That's right! Did you really think a trap like that would keep Kaiser down? Especially when we've got Professor Yumi and the Photon Labs with us?!" Kouji responded.
"TURBO SMASHER PUNCH!" Kouji shouted as Kaiser's spinning knuckle grazed the side of Ashura's machine.
"Thanks for the assist, but I've got Ashura handled, Kabuto!" Tetsuya said as he deflected one of Ashura's metal tentacles with a Mazinger Blade.
"Alright Kaiser! Let's go assist our friends! Back to Shin Dragon!" Kouji said as Mazinkaiser's fist returned to its' arm and it boosted away.
A white blur cut through the area, the hybrid Angel-Getter now facing off against Mazinkaiser. Kouji readied the Kaiser Blade for a mighty swing.
"Take this, Invader! DIYAAAAAAAH!" Kouji yelled as the blade struck the hybrid Getter's shoulder. The Angel fusion spun around, trying to shift modes but unable to do so.
"How?" The pilot asked. Their voice was familiar but Kouji couldn't place it at the moment.
"This refined Kaiser Blade can slice through even the densest Super Alloy armor! And in addition - it can disrupt whatever your machine's made out of! Meaning Angels' usual size changing and AT Fields won't do a thing against me!"
"Then – we will have to change tactics." The pilot said. Kouji paused, now recognizing the voice of Gendo. The hybrid created a Lance of Longinus from its' back, the two spear tips sprouting bright red axeheads.
"This weapon has the same properties as the Lance. It will be enough. You will not rendezvous with Shin Dragon. This area of space is where you and your machine will fall." Gendo responded as the axe clashed with the blade.
"Hmph! Gendo Ikari, I see! I see the Invaders didn't waste any time making you their crony!" Kouji said as Kaiser pushed against the Tomahawk and headbutted the Getter hybrid. "This works for me though – now that Ryoma's not in the picture, I can kick your ass myself!"
"Mock me at your peril."
The hybrid's eyes flashed white and a cross shaped explosion knocked Kaiser back.
"Still have all the standard Angel abilities too, I see!" Kouji observed. He was quick to stop trash talking as he realized the hybrid was rushing right at him.
Then the Tomahawk reformed into the Lance, striking Mazinkaiser right into the gaping hole in its' chest plate.
"Guh!" Kouji grunted as the impact made him lurch forward as though he'd been punched in the gut.
The Gendo Invader spoke in his same monotone as his orange glasses shone in the light."An obvious flaw. Your final weapon exposing a vulnerability in your machine's construction."
"Not from where I'm sitting!" Kouji declared as he let go of the Kaiser Blade and grabbed onto the lance with both his machine's hands.
"What – are you doing?"
"Taking advantage of your machines' flaws! Your AT Field is disrupted - so let's see you handle THIS!"
"FIRE BLASTER!" Kouji screamed as the burst of fire struck the hybrid, boiling the pale white skin and causing the Angel half to shriek in pain.
"But how – that attack should have damaged your machine - " A second Invader who sounded like Kaworu spoke up.
Kouji looked to all three of the enemy pilots on his comm and felt angrier than he already was. Of course the Invaders would do something like that – use people important to the EVA team in different capacities to affect their combat abilities. He looked to the Kaworu Invader and responded.
"Hmph! It would've too! If we hadn't refined every part of Mazinkaiser with Super Alloy New Z! From every screw to each control panel!" Kouji responded, pulling the Lance out and holding it in its' free hand.
The Angel split into three separate masses, grabbing the replica Spear as they re-formed into the Getter – 1 form and wrestling it away using both of its' arms. Then it twirled the Spear to deflect a swing from Kouji's Kaiser Blade.
"That's still not enough." Gendo said as the crimson equivalent of a Getter Beam shot out, knocking away Mazinkaiser. "We have regenerated enough to transform again."
The Rei clone was next to speak."Now – we will finish you off, Kabuto Kouji. Though your machine is powerful – you are facing a creation equipped with an S2 organ. We have infinite power – while you do not. Against this hybrid machine, you all stand no chance."
"Not quite. I can keep going – but I'm going to save some of this supercharge to take on Stinger and Cohen!" The other pilot chuckled. "Kaiser's blade has done enough to you. Plus now the others have caught up. So, you've got more company. I was behind Ryoma but now you have to fight who's next in line after me."
"Next – in line?" The Gendo Invader asked.
His question was cut short as a single bladed axe struck behind the Getter copy. The crimson EVA that wielded the weapon swung again, knocking the hybrid forward.
Asuka yelled in his comm as she kept the hybrid busy with her AT Field attacks. "Kouji! I guess we owe you one! Now get Shin Getter over to Shin Dragon! It's damaged pretty badly."
Kouji nodded and looked to Shinji and Rei. "Just don't let the Invaders' trick fool you. They're depending on you all to hold back due to their hosts." Then he boosted away, finally able to head back to the ship.
/
Before the false Getter could recover, golden wings flashed and Unit 01 appeared. Shinji acted and Gendo's machine was sent flying from a powerful kick. Unit 01 kept up the kick's momentum, sending both itself and its' foe crashing into one of Jupiter's moons. The hybrid barely had time to recover as Unit 01 stood before him with a snarl.
"Yui." The Invader said, startled at Gendo's strong feelings, even while possessed by the parasite.
"Father! I'm going to end this!" Shinji declared, grappling with the hybrid and slamming it deeper into the surface of the moon.
"You won't be able to. You can't possibly kill Kaworu Nagisa a second time. In this case - you cannot advance." The secondary pilot said and Shinji wavered.
It was enough for Gendo to strike back, the blow knocking Unit 01 backwards. The opening allowed the Getter hybrid to recover even more, healing enough from the Kaiser Blade's wounds to shift at full speed again. The Getter – 2 form appeared as the Lance of Longinus Drill began to spin, targeting Shinji's location and preparing to fire.
"He won't have to do that!" A voice cried out as the rest of the EVA team arrived. Unit 02 threw small AT Fields like disks at the hybrid. It was able to avoid them but had to retreat to do so.
"Shinji's not alone – not this time!" Asuka said, helping up Unit 01 as fire from a Pallet Rifle kept the Kaworu Invader busy dodging.
Unit 00 landed beside the pair, keeping up her rate of fire.
"I will not allow my other self to remain as the Invaders' plaything. The dead should rest." Rei said.
The other Rei was next to speak."We merely wish to become one with you all – much how the Lilin are the final Angel. We can do this through the Invaders' ability of symbiosis. Then we will not need to fight one another."
Kaworu smiled as he spoke up.
"Think of it, Second Child. If you join us, we can all be happy together. We don't need to carry pride or jealousy over Shinji's affection."
"Ayanami. You will get your wish. As one in this hive-mind you will be able to 'die' in a sense."
The other her spoke.
"And in the case that we all merge - I will be able to unite with Yui again. Shinji – obey your Father and stop fighting. We'll all get what we want if you just stop."
The Invader of Gendo said.
The comm was silent for a moment as Shinji collected his thoughts.
"I won't let you do that. Agreeing to that is just a worse version of your Human Instrumentality Project. You weren't alive to see it happen, but I stopped Instrumentality!"
"I see. Your psyche was far more durable than I gave you credit." Gendo admitted. "Still – it does not matter. Even with Unit 01, You cannot stop us. Much like you cannot face your own Father!"
"If the Getter Team, Tetsuya and Kouji faced you – I will too! As your Son it's my responsibility to let you rest!" Shinji retorted as the golden wings returned and he took to the skies, preparing to lunge at the hybrid.
"Engaging the target. I require support." Rei said as she charged.
"On the way!" Asuka said, deploying her Prog Knife as she followed Rei. Meanwhile Shinji swooped downwards, ready to attack with the rest of the EVA team.
The hybrid shifted into the Getter – 3 approximation and fired a volley of missiles at the three EVAs.
Unit 00 stopped as the AT Field Rei fended off the attacks. Asuka vaulted over her back to keep up her charge.
The hybrid changed again in an instant, the thick body warped again into the slender Getter – 2 form, drill at the ready.
Asuka was prepared for such a weapon this time. An AT Field she formed at Unit 02's own feet sent her far into the air, avoiding the lunge as she flipped into a diving pose, firing the spike launchers at the hybrid. A few of the spikes hit, stabbing the Getter's neck and shoulder. The Getter hybrid lurched as the spike launchers took it by surprise. It leapt back and withdrew. Just in time as Asuka landed and tried to hit it with her best sweeping kick.
She was met with a claw hand pinching her EVA's ankle. Kyoko was mildly frustrated as Asuka tried another AT Field as a response only for it to be neutralized by the hybrid's own.
"Kaworu!" Shinji screamed as Unit 01 arrived, two fists extended as he crashed into the hybrid. Unit 02's ankle was freed as the fusion warped again into its' first form, the bulkier Shin Getter – 1 body more suited to hand to hand combat.
Gendo was fast to respond."I see you are willing to face the Fifth Child. But can you really kill your own Father?"
"Asuka's right about you. Gendo Ikari died the instant you Invaders made contact with him. Even if he's in there somewhere, he wouldn't want you Invaders to use him as a tool. Even if they promised Unit 01 to him!" Shinji said, clashing his own AT Field with the Invaders' own.
"Yet – you're still outmatched. Even with the Awakened Unit 01 – you still lack the power to stop us." Gendo said, standing and pushing Shinji away.
"I see you all reject our offer. Then hear this. My ultimatum. Once I defeat you, I'll tear you out of that EVA and merge with her myself. I will be one with Yui forever."
Then it truly was using Gendo as a host – though now his Father looked conflicted. The combat had knocked his glasses off and Shinji could see the man was twitching. Gendo's eyes were wide and full of desperation. It looked so unlike his Father. Gendo wouldn't make his emotions so known unless it was by his own hand.
"Mother doesn't want that! Now – it's time for you to go to sleep, Father."
"Do it, Shinji. Kill me." Gendo managed to say, grabbing his own throat and squeezing as hard as he could. Then the right hand grabbed onto the left, an Invader tentacle forming and slicing off the offending hand.
"Damn human. He's not like the other two." Gendo mumbled, now sounding alien as the tentacle receded back into his arm. "His own desire is so great I can feel it affecting me."
"The one known as Tabris does not care – so long as he still has freedom. In this case the freedom to die." Kaworu's doppelganger said. "Still – I think we should at least fight back."
The Getter retorted with its' most powerful cross explosion, knocking Shinji back. He barely had time to raise his own AT Field to ward off the crimson Getter Beam that followed.
Gendo's Invader spoke again and Shinji found himself disgusted by the parasite."You do not have the strength to stop me. Your last stand will die here and humanity's future will end."
"I – may not have the strength alone - ! But! I'm not alone!" Shinji yelled as a massive dome of yellow – orange appeared around the Moon's surface, trapping the Invader machine.
"Hmmm?" Kaworu's replica said as he looked around, seeing the field around him was a complete seal.
"This AT Field is from all three of us! You're fighting a united EVA Team, Wonder-Boy!" Asuka yelled.
"You are trapped. Now – compacting AT Field." Rei said as her EVA dropped the Prog Rifle to grab the surface of the planet with both hands, bracing herself.
"Then – you planned this strategy?" Gendo asked.
"Like you Invaders, Father will never think of us as your equals. We're just tools to you both." Shinji began.
"So it's obvious you'd underestimate us!" Asuka seconded as the AT Field cage pulsed and began to shrink.
"Then – we'll use the Lance to break free." Kaworu said as the Getter – 1 formed the Getter 2's standard Lance drill and struck the ground with it, the lance piercing through rock at first but halting as it hit something else, sending the Getter hybrid crashing into the top of the barrier.
"The barrier is not just limited to the ground. I had the idea watching Ashura and the other Invaders trap Kouji. That Lance is just a replica – and this is no ordinary AT Field." Rei explained.
"That's right. It's made all three of us, together with our EVAs! Father – it's time to go." Shinji said as the cage compressed again, the light intensifying.
The three pilots' comms were displayed to the EVA team, an Invader parasite struggling to escape from each of their hosts' bodies – yet they were trapped.
"Foolish Invaders. Giving this hybrid the ability to create AT Fields means you doomed yourselves. It means we retain our humanity – and by extension our own free will." Kaworu stated.
The possessed Rei nodded and gave them a smile. "I can rest. It is selfish to ask but – Ayanami. Please look after them. I died learning that I loved them. So live. Live the life I could not."
"Asuka – I'm glad – you got to face me. Even though the Invaders used me to taunt you – I got to see Unit 02's best pilot for myself. And Shinji . . . once again, thank you." Kaworu said with a smile.
Gendo looked panicked as the field shrank yet again.
"Let me see Yui. I never told her - "
"Tell her yourself. She's right here." Shinji countered as Unit 01 roared.
The man stopped for a moment and then took a breath, looking straight at Shinji over the comm.
"Yui . . . Shinji . . . goodbye - " Was all Gendo said as the hybrid was crushed by the shrinking AT Fields.