Koros45 doesn't own Mazinkaiser, Getter Robo Armageddon, or Neon Genesis Evangelion
Stage 40: [Senshi no Nemure – Warriors' Sleep]
Captain Katsuragi's relief at the second spacial rift's collapse was immediately replaced with worry. Shin Dragon's sensors were damaged and the explosion had been powerful. There would be no way to tell if their fighters were unscathed.
Of course she knew that the advanced armor of the group meant she was likely worried for no reason but she still was tense.
If any of the EVA pilots died on her command, she'd never forgive herself.
Following that there were the other pilots, who, while volunteers more so than the EVA Team, still risked their lives against Mazinger ZERO.
Sho exhaled and looked at the sensors from Shin Dragon's pilot seat.
"Checking our sensors. Too much interference from the collapse. I still can't detect any of our pilots."
With that, the cheering stopped. Maya awkwardly backed away from Ritsuko as Misato's worst fear grew.
"Please let them be alive." Misato thought, staring out at the cloud of energy scattered out in front of them."
"Photon particle levels are dropping." Ritsuko noted, immediately taking any readings she could.
"Looks like our screen's clearing up." Benkei noted as the whole crew looked ahead to the debris in front of them.
A red speck could be seen from the distance, getting closer to reveal the battle-damaged frame of Shin Getter Robo, carrying EVA Unit 00 in its' arms carefully.
"We made it." Go said as from the comm.
Maya couldn't help but wipe her eyes at the sight of the Getter Team's victorious return. Shin Getter Robo landed upon the dragon head and set Unit 00 down, the orange and white EVA standing up once its' feet were firmly on Dragon's surface.
"Mission complete." Rei stated.
Then a red and a black figure appeared from the void. Tetsuya arrived, Great Mazinger towing Asuka's Unit 02 behind it.
Misato felt hope grow in her heart. Her initial fears were almost extinguished.
Leaving Shinji and Kouji - the last two combatants to be visible.
/
"Kouji! Shinji! This is just one form that the Getter Rays can lead to!"
/
Shinji woke up from the voice and was certain he knew who was speaking to him. In the vision? The dream? Something that had already happened? Shinji wasn't sure – only that the one piloting that massive Getter from before was the speaker.
Now both the humongous Getter, and the equally imposing Mazinger it faced were both gone.
Darkness surrounded him and he wondered if he was dead.
"Shinji?" His Mother's voice spoke from the EVA he piloted.
Shinji remembered the battle against The Invaders. Ryoma's sacrifice. The ensuing arrival of Mazinger ZERO.
They had managed to survive all of it.
His sync rate had dropped. Now he was too out of focus to summon the power of flight at will. He was stuck inside of Unit 01 and had no way of knowing if everyone else was OK. The situation was similar to when he was trapped inside of Liliel's body. This time he was surrounded by the darkness of space rather than light.
This time he knew his mother was with him. Now he wasn't alone in the darkness. Still - that didn't help him deal with the strong emotions that he was able to process. Now that ZERO had been vanquished, Ryoma's disappearance felt fresh.
Shinji felt the loss like a gut punch. Ryoma's earlier speech telling Shinji that even he had run away from that Getter. Shinji felt anger at the man suddenly. Of course running away would be preferable to – whatever the hell Ryoma thought he could do to a Getter that big. Yet – Ryoma had made that Getter move.
He recalled the battle between Mazinger ZERO and the equally large Getter, Ryoma's unmistakable cry of "GETTER BEAM!" quaked the universe itself, shaking the space around Shinji and Kouji.
The fact that Ryoma was alive in some capacity still didn't matter to Shinji much. It didn't change the fact that he was gone.
He could feel a sympathetic aura from Unit 01 as his mother tried to console him – but as the Sync rate was dropping, so did his understanding. Her encouragement was less made of words he could recognize and more general feelings directed towards him.
Shinji had sworn to himself that they wouldn't lose anyone else. Not after Kaworu's second death.
And that promise had been impossible to keep.
He glanced at Shin Dragon, a crimson speck in the distance. It had been damaged by the final attempt at a Shine Spark, crimson body scorched and arms warped and crushed after blocking ZERO's Iron Cutters. The state of it made him wonder if they'd be able to make it back.
"Shinji?!" He heard a familiar voice cry out.
Then he saw the form of Mazinkaiser, the Super Robot's form intact as it floated in space.
The image was familiar, Ryoma's assistance with Liliel in Shin Getter now evoking the same emotions – the only visual difference being the void was a dark one rather than a pale canvas of the Angel's innards.
That was not the only similarity. The strong and seemingly invincible body of Mazinkaiser as an equal match to Shin Getter's raw power. Then there was Kabuto himself. As spirited as Ryoma, but with the potential to be as crafty as Hayato, and a team player like Benkei.
Even without Ryoma, there was Asuka. There was Rei. There was the rest of the Getter Team. Tetsuya. And right in front of him there was Kouji. From these thoughts, Shinji got a feeling everything would be alright.
"Shinji? Can you hear me?" Kouji asked again. The sadness was still there but now it was something Shinji could push aside as he reached out with his mother's assistance.
Shinji extended Unit 01's hand and clasped Kaiser's own, the larger robot pulling him close.
"Can you use your AT Field to catapult us to Kaiser Scrander? At that point we can reconnect it and see if it's got enough juice to get back." Kouji explained.
'Just like Ryoma's plan to use Getter Rays on Unit 01.' Shinji thought. And like Ryoma's earlier plan, this also relied on his use of EVA Unit 01. Despite the feelings of sorrow, Shinji managed a smile as he focused what power he and Unit 01 had left.
/
With the crimson wings re-attached, Mazinkaiser came into view, EVA Unit 01 being grabbed gently around the waist.
The crew of Shin Dragon cheered as the last two machines came into view.
"We did it!" He heard Gai yell out suddenly. "We won!"
"This is Captain Katsuragi. We see you're all doing alright. You all performed excellently. Now return to the ship. It's time we turned Shin Dragon around and went home."
They had done it. Even against something as strong as Mazinger ZERO. They had survived.
/
Shigeru was the first one to break the ice on the bridge once their pilots were accounted for.
"We're alive. We're finally able to relax." He said, leaning back and Mikoto and Maya both nodded to him.
"I for one am glad they stocked up on food." Mikoto said.
"We'll have to get used to calm for a while." Maya joked. "I'm hoping we won't get too bored on the bridge."
The bridge crew continued to speak to one another, which led the rest of the bridge to relax. Ritsuko even stopped typing for a moment to observe their discussion. Benkei was congratulating Sho while Hayato silently watched, amused at their junior's change in behavior. The normally composed and serious Sho was now shy.
In the moment of peace, Misato closed her eyes and exhaled in relief as the last two pilots had made it out. Then Shinji was truly alright.
"Thank you, Father." Misato murmured, clutching her necklace.
/
Mazinkaiser and Unit 01 boarded Shin Dragon. The purple EVA landed, gravity affecting it as it walked to the assigned area to rest. The EVA stood in its regular posture and was still as the restraints added by the crew were set in place. Then the entry plug rose and Shinji emerged from the LCL.
"You OK, kid?" Boss asked, pulling him from the plug onto the catwalk. Shinji took a moment to respond after a deep breath of air.
"Boss. I'm . . . I'm alright. We won. We won." Shinji said, walking away and feeling the connection between his mother and himself stop. He barely heard Mazinkaiser's Pilder detach and land on the ground floor of the hangar.
The exhaustion combined with the sense of loss felt almost like an open wound. Shinji felt numb and was shaking, barely able to keep himself upright and looking normal as he took the elevator to the ground floor and waited for Rei and Asuka to meet up with him.
Kouji was there, giving him a smile and a tired thumbs up. He had left his helmet in the Pilder, grabbing onto the guardrail and leaning against it.
"Great work there, Shinji! You're the one that saved me that time!"
The other boy's presence was a relief. Just like Ryoma's had been. Shinji supposed they were all lucky that Kouji had managed to survive Mazinger ZERO's presence three times in a row at this point.
Shinji blinked and felt the praise even if he was too exhausted for it to mean much. All he could do was nod.
/
Hayato walked into the hangar at a brisk pace, followed by Benkei. Sho had volunteered herself to stay at the bridge while the senior Getter Team checked on the new one. Benkei turned to Hayato as they waited for Shin Getter Robo to land following Unit 00.
"Longinus is secure." Rei said, Unit 00 placing the gigantic red lance on a storage rack before the EVA docked into its' personal station.
Once she moved, Shin Getter took a few steps forward, pivoting into its own area, Getter Wings retracting as the Super Robot stood upright before it powered down, eyes glancing to the catwalk in front of it as Go exited from the 'mouth' region.
Go said something inaudible to the Getter as Benkei and Hayato looked on.
"It won't be the same with Ryoma gone." Hayato admitted while Kei and Gai were next to get out of the machine.
"Bastard. Of course he'd do that. Leave us behind to look after Earth while he goes and fights whatever he wants forever. I'm almost jealous." Benkei said, shaking with disbelief and emotion as he looked on at the pilots exiting the Getter.
"I'm struggling to imagine the power that he has now – if that's our Ryoma in that Getter, he should be able to match Mazinger ZERO blow for blow." Hayato said.
"Well with that, at least we know Getter's on our side." Benkei said with a smile.
"It seems like it chose humanity again. This time." Hayato said, narrowing his eyes a bit.
The conversation was interrupted as Kei noticed them. Benkei chuckled as Kei's tired frame sprung up at the sight of her foster father.
Kei slid down the ladder to the bottom floor and ran towards them. Benkei's mood immediately lifted as she finally reached where he was standing.
"Dad . . . we're OK! We did it!" Kei exclaimed.
Benkei couldn't help but shed a tear as he pulled his foster daughter into a hug.
"Of course we did! You're a real Getter Pilot now, Kei!" He said as Hayato chuckled.
The reunion was a good way to avoid his own fatalistic thoughts regarding Getter Rays. Besides, Benkei was hopeful that the thing Ryoma was now part of was an ally. After all, believing in Getter had always led them on the right path.
/
"Idiot. Why are you looking like that? I knew you'd survive. That's not a look the Invincible Shinji should have."
The voice pierced through his negative thoughts and Shinji turned to see Asuka glaring down at him. Rather the glare was likely due to the reason he was shaking.
"Asuka. I'm glad. We survived it."
She was rigid, standing as upright as she could and crossing her arms.
Shinji exhaled and hoped Asuka would stay.
"Well Shinji – ." She began, sighing as she looked away from him. "I – hate this. I wanted a victory to mean something. Instead its' just - ".
"Emptiness." Shinji said, looking down at his hands. "He's gone. Mr. Nagare."
They were shaking. He saw a tear hit his open palm and then another.
When had he started crying?
/
Shinji was a wreck, of course. She almost felt the loss through the memories he had shared with her. His father was not the reason for his tears. It was Kaworu's – and Ryoma's absence that had hit him hard.
Shinji had just said Ryoma's name and kept speaking.
" - and Kaworu. I know it – it was for the best but – it still hurts."
Then a red – clad hand set itself gently over his and gave it a squeeze. Asuka didn't like looking vulnerable but he was a mess at the moment.
"Shinji. Don't keep kicking yourself. We won." Asuka said. She had stooped down to his level and raised the hand she clasped.
"Y-yeah." He managed to say.
Asuka took a breath and kept speaking.
"So – why don't we both stand up and celebrate? I think we can be sociable for a bit. That might help us shake off these nerves." Asuka suggested.
"There's no shortage of other pilots to talk to. Let's meet Rei and see what the Getter Team's talking about."
"Ok." Was all Shinji could say, standing up. He felt his arm move to the side, looking to see she was still holding his hand.
"Asuka, you don't have to do that for my sake."
"I'm doing it because I want to. Sorry – but I'm not letting go. I want you all to myself. So wherever we go, we go together." Asuka said, giving his hand another squeeze. Her confident look and smile hit Shinji when he realized they were due to him being there.
Shinji looked down to their clasped hands and couldn't believe Asuka was being so public about their budding relationship. Part of him was too stunned about the recent battle. The other part of him just wanted to hold her hand forever.
/
"He is – Mr. Nagare is - gone." Rei stated.
"Yes. Ryoma is gone." Go repeated, looking down at her. He had just exited Shin Getter and she, Unit 00.
"Go – I did not know – this would be a loss. Rather – I did not know what a loss felt like. He was . . . not someone that I predicted would leave." Rei admitted.
"Rei – I feel a tremendous weight now. He bore it with pride as our Getter Leader. He did not mind being that strength for us. It was his purpose. Yet I – despite being made to fill that role – I am uncertain. It is not a feeling I'm used to." Go admitted.
Rei could agree to that. Feelings of fear facing ZERO. Of thinking of a life where she wasn't constantly dependent on NERV's endless orders to give her life a structure. Feelings she might lose people she cared about.
She looked around to how Benkei and Kei greeted each other and decided it was alright to perform the greeting herself.
"Go. Come here." She said, spreading out her arms.
Go did the same and Rei stepped forward, letting the taller man hold her. He was warm and moved just as stiffly as she did. Obviously performing physical affection was new to him as well.
Rei spoke up as she tightened her embrace, thinking of what she could do in this situation.
"Fighting against the Mazinger ZERO I was afraid. When my AT Field broke apart. When even Shin Getter – 2 couldn't stop Rust Hurricane. Logically I knew we could all die. However I did not want that to occur."
"We're human. Even if we're part of something else. It was your instruction Kei followed to save everyone." Go pointed out.
Rei's response was quick. "That thought struck me quite suddenly and Naoko wanted me to vocalize it. I am still – learning how to speak them aloud – but at that moment I felt like if I did not speak I would regret it."
"Emotions are a natural part of being human. Though I admit – this worry about stepping up as Getter Leader is weighing on me."
He moved back so they were seeing eye to eye, keeping his arms on Rei's wrists. It was a first for Rei seeing Go look a bit uncertain about something so serious. Just like when Shinji helped her out of the Dummy Plug against Ramiel, she was at a loss for words.
Still – words came to her despite that. "Go. You are strong. Able to lead the Getter Team when needed. Though you do not enjoy combat to the extent of Mr. Nagare – you are capable in areas he is not. For instance – you keep calm in the face of danger and are able to speak with others more gently."
Hayato approached them, walking on the ground floor until he was close enough to speak and be heard.
"Exactly. Having different strengths and weaknesses means you're unique. That's why we're a team. If you can't do it all alone, we're here to back you up." He said with a half smile.
"Commander Jin." Rei said, taking a step back from Go to acknowledge Hayato.
Then she climbed down the ladder, followed by Go. The two joined the Commander.
Rei extended her hand and Hayato shook it quickly, managing to be both firm and serious despite the short amount of time they'd actually spoke.
"Miss Ayanami. I'd like to congratulate you personally. In addition to what Go just said and your piloting of Getter Poseidon against Brocken, I'd like to add something else. Go couldn't have used Shin Dragon to the extent he did without your help."
"Thank you." Rei said, not used to the praise.
"That's right! Your words saved us! I needed someone to remind me just how fast Shin Getter 2 can go." Kei said, running up to Rei.
"Kei. I used the times you gave me. I would not have known we had a chance otherwise." Rei said back.
"Regardless, my brother and Commander Jin both agree – you're fantastic!" Kei said, offering a hug which Rei accepted.
"Does this mean I get a little sister?" Kei whispered to Go even as she leaned into the hug.
Go could only nod and give her a smile as Gai approached, out of breath.
The group turned as more pilots approached them.
"Don't make this only about the Getter Team, Hayato!" Kouji said, staggering as he approached, followed by Asuka pulling Shinji along.
"Ah yes. And as for you, Kouji - Glad to see you didn't let that bastard eat you. Instead you gave it a taste of Mazinkaiser's true power." Hayato stated and looked around the hangar.
"The Getter Team performed excellently. I'm pleased to see you all handle a beast like Shin Getter Robo so well." To this, Gai blushed while Kei pumped a fist of victory.
"And as for our EVA pilots – we couldn't have done this without your assistance. Without your AT Fields, ZERO would have crushed us all." Hayato said, before he shifted his gaze to Tetsuya.
The other man simply gave him a nod and held up a hand to deny any praise thrown his own way as Tetsuya spoke.
"I'm glad we won – but I'd still like to be cautious regarding Ashura's warning. Go – your fears of upholding Ryoma's duty are felt by all of us. During this time, we'll step in to fill Ryoma's absence as much as possible."
"Though at the moment that's negligible. We're this far out in space. And with no reactor to get back to Earth." Kouji stated, realizing all eyes were on him as his peers looked a range of Shinji's worry to Asuka's frustration.
"So we're stuck here then?" Gai asked, looking dejected from the thought.
"Not quite. Doctor Akagi and I did some brainstorming and we have a fix for that." Dr. Yumi said as he was joined by Ritsuko, the two scientists presented sheets of hastily made notes and theories.
"At first I thought we were dead in the water when the obvious hit me." Dr. Akagi said with a smile, looking beyond the pilots to the purple Evangelion standing still in the hangar.
"The S2 organ gave Unit 01 a source of infinite power. So - we're going to use EVA Unit 01 as a battery to get Shin Dragon back to Earth!"
"All pilots, I demand you get at least eight hours of rest! I don't want to see you return to this hangar until that much time has passed! Finish up your business here and then either have a meal or get some rest. I'm going to be on duty for the next shift and I don't want to see any of you up at the same time! In two hours, I want you getting some sleep!"
Misato gave the order as the pilots dispersed. Shinji stayed behind to speak to his mother about the arrangement using her as a battery while Asuka insisted she say goodbye to her mother since she didn't know when she'd see Kyoko again. As for Rei, she stayed behind to speak with Dr. Akagi about something.
Alone, Tetsuya sat across the hangar bay, staring at Great Mazinger as Boss and his crew began their maintenance of the hangar.
/
Misato left the bridge to Mikoto and the reserve Getter team. She had a few things to deal with as acting Captain before it was smooth sailing so to speak. The first was Ritsuko's briefing, which made sense until Dr. Yumi started going on about the density of Photon Particles and how they could amplify Getter Rays. How that related to Unit 01 was anyone's guess. The rest of it went over Misato's head but the gist was they could get back. That was all she needed to know. Misato switched off the view-screen and checked on her other concern.
She entered the room as the former Subcommander talked to Kaji, the two each having a rough set of steps they'd each written down.
Kaji gave her a wave before he turned back to Fuyutsuki. Misato sat beside Kaji and looked over the notes.
"Lorenz Keel is the key" One of Kaji's notes read.
"They're anonymous – public exposure and threat of investigation could make him talk" another point read.
"MARDUK" was another point, circled and underlined. Misato didn't need any briefing to see their battle plan's main idea was sound.
"Looks like a good place to begin." Misato said with a grin.
"Well – that's certainly a start." Kaji said as he looked over what Fuyutsuki and himself had written.
"It won't exactly arrest SEELE for everything we know they've done – but it should at least let us start seriously investigating who they all are."
Fuyutsuki nodded. "That's what I was thinking as well. Though we'll need to ask Dr. Akagi for her input later. As she's more involved just like I am I'd like her perspective on it."
"Don't be afraid to talk to Hayato about it either. He owes me. And he could probably steal the divinity from a God with the right incentive." Misato said. Fuyutsuki nodded but his mouth was a serious line.
"And what about myself and Dr. Akagi? We were part of NERV in a way you weren't – we knew what Commander Ikari was planning. To be honest – I'm surprised you let me onboard."
"Well - " Misato began. "You're clearly trying to make up for what you did. Same with Ritsuko. Considering you're part of a group that saved the universe, I suppose that counts for a lot. Mind you – I'll like it if you testify along with Ritsuko about SEELE but beyond that, I've no mind to punish you. Especially if we can make SEELE pay for what they did."
"I see. That works for me." The older man said, leaning back as he set down his pen.
"Alright. Well gentlemen – I'm off. Be seeing you." Misato said as the other two nodded.
She left the room as Kaji spoke afterwards. "Then – I'll have to speak with you later, Sir. I have to rest too."
Fuyutsuki spoke next. "Then rest. We'll have more time to work on this later."
"Hey!" Misato heard as Kaji walked behind her, before catching up and keeping pace with her, parallel to her right.
"Hm? You're all done?" She asked.
"Yeah. Now – let me prove what I said about wanting to be with you." He said, trying to give her a smile. It looked goofy and Misato smiled even as she sighed.
"Big talk. Let's see if you can back that up, Mr. Ryoji." She said as she made a beeline for the hangar, Kaji right beside her.
/
"Naoko wanted to say goodbye for now. Additionally I wish to know why I am able to use Unit 00's systems as the core is no longer my other self." Rei asked, not blinking as Ritsuko felt strange.
Rei was direct but this close felt new. The girl had always been under Ritsuko's watch and now her request made some part of Dr. Akagi question the change.
"Commander Ikari had me inject you with a sample of the core – precisely my Mother's DNA. I didn't know who it was until I ran tests after Unit 00 went wild again. Comman – Gendo – told me to inject it directly into you as soon as possible."
"I had assumed as such. Though I wonder if you could speak to Naoko yourself. I have had enough of piloting Unit 00 for now. Goodbye." Rei stated. Then she walked away, going to a far away platform to wait next to Unit 01's form.
Ritsuko felt frustration though it was obvious as to why. Rei's behavior was nothing new – she just was acting with her new freedom – no longer under Ritsuko's constant supervision under Gendo's orders. The girl was not angry – only tired. Considering Rei's prior work saving the ship, Ritsuko supposed she could accept that.
The woman looked up to Unit 00 and gave it a smile.
"Well, that's about all I need to do here." She said, looking over to Unit 01 as it's retrofitting to the ship's power supply was about finished.
"Goodbye, Mother." Ritsuko finished, giving the yellow EVA a wave as she turned to leave.
/
Sho frowned as she sat around a table with Gai, Sho, and Kei. The newer Getter pilots helping themselves to a meal as soon as the mess hall was open, courtesy of Kouji Sayaka, and Jun.
"Getter Quartet doesn't work for me! I know that and I'm fine being the reserve pilot!" The redhead said. "It was the position I was originally hired for, anyway."
Kei sighed. "But we all put in work! We all piloted Shin Dragon! I'm just saying that we should all be recognized one way or another!"
Gai frowned and Sho grinned at him.
She passed him her full rice bowl even as he looked surprised. "I'm not hungry so you enjoy. Don't want our food to go to waste."she said.
"What? We were practically fused during Instrumentality. You dig in. Besides – now I know you were crushing on me the whole time I was on base. Sorry I didn't notice! Otherwise I think I would have to let you down."
Gai blushed, sticking the chopsticks he was holding into the new bowl of rice as he exhaled.
"Well I – didn't see – that you were obviously - " Gai began, mumbling as Kei looked over to him and then to Sho.
Sho closed her eyes. "Yeah. Don't worry about it. It's not like I can be open about that sort of thing." The pilot said, looking to Gai. "That, and I'm pretty oblivious to people if they're not upfront with me."
"Yeah. I just – feel like I should have noticed you weren't – you know."
"Gai – people don't come with instructions like they're machines. Besides – I hid this part of me for most of my life. It's not like I'm mad at you for not knowing."
Kei smiled. "Sho's just glad you're not mad because she didn't return your feelings. You know some guys would be really mad about that."
"But – because of Instrumentality people might be more accepting." Kei offered. "After all – we all saw the good and the bad in each other and still banded together. I'd say we're as close of a Getter Team as can be."
"Even if Go wasn't there." She finished, suddenly looking frustrated.
"Sho – you're a chatterbox compared to my brother. He's competent but can't socialize to save his life."
"Right. Go's hardly around to celebrate. We even brought out Dr. Saotome's old alcohol from storage. Luckily he kept most of his things on Shin Dragon. Even with an Invader parasite in his head." The woman said, pouring a glass of Sake for herself. "I guess you can still have good taste even as an Invader."
"Kei – will you at least have a toast with us? To the ones that made the Dragon move again." The woman said as the other two joined her.
"Let's hope there's still some left in that bottle when Go comes back. This is good stuff! Keep it coming, Kouji!" Gai exclaimed to the pilot. Gai beamed, setting the glass down and reaching for the second rice bowl.
/
"You are finished speaking to your mother?" Rei asked and Shinji nodded to her as he exited the entry plug a second time, shaking the LCL from his arms.
"Yeah. She's OK with it. Though I had think really loudly to get my point across. She really doesn't like that she has to go back to Earth."
"And I have passed on Naoko's latest words to Dr. Akagi. Regardless of what your mother thinks, I am glad we can return to Earth. Experiencing life as my own person is something I look forward to." Rei said.
"Well Rei – Asuka and I have been dealing with each other's problems for the past few days. So we agreed to give you some attention now. What would you like to do?" He asked.
Rei's response was to give him a hug and Shinji reciprocated, wondering how much longer Asuka would take.
"For now – I would like to wait for Asuka. Then we shall eat. However, I would like to hold you until then. I said I would protect you, so let me watch over you."
She paused and then spoke again. "Shinji, you should not overexert yourself. You are likely still feeling loss from the earlier battles." She said. It was a tight squeeze.
"Yeah. This time though – this time it was freedom for Father, Kaworu, and the other you. Ryoma – I'm not sure he's really dead." Shinji responded. "It still hurts that he's gone."
"That being said – everyone else in our crew has survived. In addition – it was Mr. Nagare's choice to confront that Getter. In a way, this lets the previous me be at peace. I am content with that."
Beyond the red EVA was Great Mazinger, its' pilot looking out at it. Shinji turned to address Tetsuya.
"Mr. Tsurugi. I never thanked you for helping in that battle. You helped Unit 01 launch and then fought the MP's with us."
"Not needed." The veteran said with a smile. "I should be thanking the EVA team. Otherwise we'd all still be one giant glob the Invaders could control. Asuka gave me time to Fire On with Great Mazinger. Her and Evangelion Unit 02." He said, shifting his gaze briefly to the crimson EVA.
/
"I am glad . . . you want to see me. Asuka."
"Mama! I'm always glad to see you! I still have so much to talk about!"
"I know. However – first you should live your life. I will always be with you as Evangelion Unit 02."
Asuka knew this and still recalled her latest experiences with her Mama. Most of it was redundant as Unit 02 had seen the same things.
"So, Shinji convinced Yui to – take us back to Earth?"
"Well – I guess he did. He was still in the process of doing that when I boarded you again. It looks like he's done though. She's really stubborn – even more than me. A real piece of work. I could never talk to you like that, Mother."
"Yui was never one to give up her goals easily. Though I think returning her son home will convince her to agree with this plan. From what I can tell, she seems proud of him, if a little conflicted. I am glad you are happy. Asuka – you have people who love you."
"I do. That's right! I need to get back to Rei! We need to catch up!" Asuka said, flustered for a moment as her mother laughed.
"As I said. I will be waiting. Now go see your friends."
/
Asuka exited Unit 02 for a second time. Now the hangar was halfway shut down, the majority of the light coming from the Photon power packs connected to Unit 01. She glanced around, seeing the abandoned hangar, save for three other pilots and a the maintenance crew.
The first two were a sight for sore eyes to her. Shinji and Rei leaning on each other as they watched her step onto the catwalk. The third was someone Asuka would now call a mentor, or even a friend at this point.
Tetsuya Tsurugi looked at Great Mazinger, his arms crossed as he kept a sharp gaze at the machine.
"I'm saying goodbye to Mama for a while. The First and Third are waiting for me. What's your excuse?" Asuka wondered, speaking up to the only person left in the hangar.
"I'm saying goodbye in my own way." Tetsuya answered. "Great Mazinger is a warrior – seen only as a weapon to strike down evil. Though it is a hero, it only exists for battle. Any assistance it will provides beyond that will be minimal."
"I see." Asuka said to him. Rei's talk of seeing the EVA as more than a puppet resurfaced in her mind, as did Kouji's talks about the Mazingers. "Though I'll be honest – it's hard to see Great Mazinger as more than an extension of you."
"The same could be said of yourself and Unit 02." Tetsuya responded with a smile and Asuka felt anger as his remark.
"That's my mother! It's different."
"No. Not at all. Great Mazinger is the last thing my father gave me. As such – I see it as part of me." Tetsuya reaffirmed. "Even if it is not 'alive' in a literal sense, I believe it has what we might call a soul."
"I guess. Seeing Shin Getter's expressions – and Mazinkaiser's berserker rage back that up. Kouji said something like that too." Asuka said, shifting her gaze from Unit 02 to Great Mazinger. "In that case, I should thank it personally rather than you for the assist against those MP bastards." she teased, turning to give Great Mazinger itself an exaggerated bow.
"You had already won the fight against them. I merely eliminated your time limit and provided assistance due to the situation. In a fair world, Great and I wouldn't have needed to appear like that."
"Well – I still guess I owe you one, Mr. Tsurugi. And believe me – I make good on my debts." Asuka said, looking the man in the eyes.
Tetsuya chuckled. "Well – for now I'm just glad you're ready to leave the hangar. I'm usually the last one here."
"I just – didn't get to talk to Mama much. Not since I knew it was really here. And now – I might not for a long time."
"I understand. I felt the same about Great when I left the Photon Labs. But Asuka – your bond will only get stronger to Unit 02. When I returned to Great Mazinger – when the Brain Condor docked with it – all the power and ability returned. I could feel the strength Great Mazinger was letting me borrow. It was the strongest its ever been. Remember that it won't be goodbye for forever."
The group looked over to the hangar bay, the three Evangelions standing still as they were not active. Beside them, Shin Getter Robo stood, flanked by Great Mazinger and next, Mazinkaiser. Boss Borot and Venus A stood off to the side of the Kaiser.
"Now they can sleep – as their battle is won." Rei said. "Even Shin Getter is resting. For now its' mission is accomplished."
She glanced to the crimson giant and gave it a nod. The once alert pupils had vanished, leaving blank yellow lenses as the machine was still.
"Hm. Then it won't wake up until it's called to action, just like the Mazingers." Asuka said, gesturing to the Mazinger Brothers.
"I hope the EVA series can rest too." Shinji said, the three bio-mechanical titans standing in the default position.
Then Unit 01 moved, extended its' right arm to the assembled pilots as it steadied itself on its' left arm in a kneeling position. For a moment the pilots knew a tinge of fear and Tetsuya looked to the elevator closest to the Brain Condor.
"Wait!" Shinji yelled, prompting Tetsuya to stop and look at the Evangelion.
Before the Children, Unit 01 had bowed, holding out her palm.
"I think Mother wants to see us off before we're on our way." Shinji said.
The three Children climbed into the palm and the EVA brought it up to her faceplate.
Shinji touched the metal mask next to the yellow eye.
"Mother. We are all glad that you helped us. Even though there were – and there still are some unresolved things. I want you to see Earth again. There's still so much I have to do – and as your son, I'd like you to see that." Shinji said.
The EVA did nothing to protest. Shinji held his hand there for a moment until Unit 01 moved its' head the slightest bit forward, touching Shinji's forehead with the slightest bump of its' own.
"Cute. Miss Ikari wanted to give you a goodnight kiss." Asuka said with a grin. Rei said nothing to this as Unit 01 set them down, returning to its' standing position.
Tetsuya was the first to go, then the EVA team left the hanger, Asuka holding Shinji and Rei by the hand.
"With that, it's done." Asuka said now that the EVA team was finally together again, and able to put piloting behind them for a short period of time.
/
"Unit 01's S2 Organ is linked to our power supply and charged with Photon Power. We'll be able to make the jump sooner than I anticipated." Dr. Yumi noted as he looked over to Ritsuko.
"Hmm. Well, the Evangelion is independent in its power generation at this point." Ritsuko noted, knowing she'd have to do additional tests on the three EVAs once they returned to Earth. The Children as well, but Misato had ordered her to give the three space for now. Given her last conversation, Ritsuko was more than happy to follow that order.
"Dr. Yumi?"
"Yes, Dr. Akagi?"
"How did you adjust to Kouji being around the Photon Labs?"
The Dr. paused and looked in thought. "Hmm. Patience. I'd say it was patience."
"Mmm. Does he cause you trouble?"
"To be honest, not so much anymore. Kouji's responsible. Additionally he knows he and his brothers' stay in the Photon Labs depends on trust. Though at this point I more or less already consider him family." Yumi said.
"What's this about, Dr. Akagi?"
"Rei. I feel like I'm responsible for a lot of – no. I know I'm responsible for a lot of the sad things in her life. I wanted to see how you connected with Kouji. That might give me an idea on how to approach her."
"I see." The man sighed. "I'm not exactly a people person. I merely set rules for Kouji to follow. He's a rebel so I didn't expect him to obey them perfectly."
"Anything serious?"
"Ask Sayaka. Most of the complaining I heard secondhand from her. At first I gave Kouji second chances. In one case an ultimatum. However he eventually was able to compromise with Sayaka and myself. I suspect – at some point – Kouji will ask for Sayaka's hand in marriage. Even if that is not the case, I consider him and Shiro family. Living with – and working with family can be a challenge. However it's rewarding in its own way."
"I don't think I'm ready to deal with Rei's temper if she ever directs it at me. I might not ever be."
"Rei and Kouji are both teenagers so you need to expect attitude from them. Not to be presumptuous, but you will have to reach out to Rei if you want to mend things between the two of you. Ritsuko, what brought this on?"
"Well – my mother. Unit 00. And – I knew Rei was going to be sacrificed. I knew all of the plan and just let it happen. All because of my damn pride – and my feelings for the late Commander. Rei deserves a happy life. Even if I don't reach out to the extent you did with the Kabutos – I'd at least like to give Rei a heartfelt apology."
Yumi smiled. "Recognizing that is a good first step. I reached out to Kouji for two reasons. Of course I was sorry for him losing his grandfather – but he also brought Mazinger Z to our Photon Labs. I was damned if I was going to let the American military forces get their hands on a great hero like that!"
"Thank you. Looks like that's one more relationship I'll consider mending. I keep this mostly to myself but – you're a peer. I'd like to ask how you deal with it. You're certainly better at being sociable than Commander Jin."
Yumi chuckled to this. "Like I said. Time and patience. In your case, you'll need to make Rei feel more comfortable. I don't know her situation very much except from what you've told me."
"Long story, she was part of Lilith and a partial clone of Yui Ikari – Shinji's mother. Gendo wanted to use her and Unit 01 to cause Instrumentality. In this end she was seen only as a tool."
"Hmm. Then she will have to discover who she is as a person. Despite the Photon Labs using Kouji as the pilot of Mazinkaiser, we give him freedom to do as he pleases. This has always been the case. For Rei – she will have to find out what freedom means to her. If she chooses not to interact with you, that will be a choice you have to respect."
"Perhaps you should speak to Captain Katsuragi regarding this? She has experience living with both Shinji and Asuka."
"As if I want to give Misato another thing to tease me about. Still – if she can look after two kids, I imagine I can at least make it so Rei and I are on good terms."
"Why are you so fixated on this? Other than feeling guilty?"
"Kaworu Nagisa died. As the Doctor of NERV, he was my responsibility in a sense. Seeing him die a second time along with the second Rei and Gendo Invaders – it made me realize I could never say sorry if Rei died."
"Other than feeling guilty, Dr. Akagi."
"Rei pilots my mother. I should have been the one to do so as soon as that new core was installed. Yet – she did so without a complaint. Given – my mother murdering her first self – I was moved by her strength of character. That and she deserves a safety net. Even if she doesn't want anything to do with me."
"I wish you luck. It takes time to heal wounds you've dealt others. I imagine Rei will be glad to have you as a support as she grows as a person. Just figure out how much you're willing to commit to this before you decide anything with her."
Ritsuko smiled. "Thank you. I – certainly hope I can repair things between Rei and I."
/
"We're too late?" Kaji asked.
"You're very late." Tetsuya said. "Just me and the EVA team are left. Unless you needed to speak with Boss' repair crew."
Misato ignored that as she walked up to Asuka and extended a hand. "In any case - good work, Asuka."
The girl rolled her eyes. "Geez. You're so – official about it. What happened to my silly roommate? You can stop being the Captain for five minutes." Asuka griped, giving the hand a light shake before pushing it to the side.
"Thanks for looking after her, Mr. Tsurugi." Misato said, changing gears to look at the soldier.
Tetsuya chuckled.
"She made it pretty easy. She's a soldier in her own right. A little rough around the edges, but much more professional than Kouji was at first."
The words stoked Asuka's ego and Tetsuya grinned. "Between us we tore those MP EVAs apart. I look forward to training with you all in the future. For now – Jun is waiting for me. I promised we'd eat together if I came back. And I need to check on my brother. He puts on a strong face, but he's relieved we dealt with ZERO."
The man turned and walked away, leaving the EVA Team with Misato and Kaji.
The feeling of being with the two adults evoked feelings Asuka wasn't prepared for. She wasn't ready to see Misato in the way Shinji did yet. The idea of them as a family wasn't a bad idea, but to her Misato Katsuragi was not a parent. Not for now at least.
Hell, being with Shinji and Rei gave her more complicated emotions as well. She gave Shinji's hand a squeeze and quickly grabbed Rei's with her free hand, doing the same. The good news was the feelings she felt were all positive.
"Asuka. Everything OK?" Shinji asked and she found her usual front of superiority wasn't cutting it. Nor was her escape of anger. She was just too tired for any of it. If Asuka had her way she'd shower, change, and then make a beeline to bed. Yet she found being with the other two pilots was wonderful.
"I'm just glad we're all here." She said, remembering how she felt about Kaji when he appeared to her through Lilith. As though he was her father. That was one person she could accept as a guardian.
"It is a miracle, simply put." Rei said, still looking as stoic as ever, though she had returned the squeeze. Asuka felt the response and turned to Rei with a big grin. The fact that Rei was giving her attention was too good to pass up.
"I thought you didn't believe in miracles, Wonder-girl."
"Asuka Langley Soryu has let down her AT Field and let us approach her at long last. This also can be seen as a miracle in itself." Rei retorted, closing her eyes.
The red-clad EVA pilot realized Rei was joking as the two adults behind them tried to stifle their laughter.
"She got you there, Asuka." Shinji said and Asuka shifted to him, sticking out her tongue at him, letting go of Shinji's hand to point at him with her now free hand.
"If there's a miracle in all of this, it's that I consider you good enough to be boyfriend material, idiot!"
Shinji didn't know how to respond but returned the grip on her hand. "Likewise. Or we'd still be separated by your wall of Jericho!"
"I'm glad its' official. I was wondering if something would happen between the two of you." Kaji said, giving the two applause that made Asuka blush even harder.
"'Wall of Jericho? Well that aside, I see you both overcame Ritsuko's 'Hedgehog's Dilemma' theory." Misato stated with a smirk.
"I don't care what psychobabble crap she said about us this time!" Asuka yelled, pulling Rei and Shinji closer to her and putting her arms around them.
"The EVA team is stronger than ever now! Don't just make this about me and Shinji! I bet we could even give the Getter Team a run for their money at this point!"
"I guess that's true. It took a team effort to stop that fake Shin Getter – and its' pilots. And they even gave Ryoma's team and Shin Getter a hard time. We were the ones that ended up defeating it, after all." Shinji responded, looking down even as the group around him looked to him.
"I couldn't have done it without you two." Shinji said, looking to Rei and Asuka. "Thank you. If you both weren't there – "
Asuka nodded to him. "Same here. It was your attack that saved me from Wonder-Boy back there."
"The two of you engaged them while I set up our finish. We had to unite our powers to win. I could not have created that AT Field by myself. It took all three of us." Rei finished.
Then they stopped to notice Misato was now done joking, looking seriously at Shinji.
"Shinji? If I may speak, both as Major Katsuragi and as your roommate? Last time I wasn't – I didn't respond how I should've when Kaworu died so - " Misato began. She put a hand on his shoulder.
"I am sorry for your loss, Shinji. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know. I understand that using Unit 01 to finish him again was hard for you."
"Misato. To be honest – I feel like I have the support I need right here. Thank you for believing in me." Shinji said, stepping away from the hug once he made it clear he was alright.
"Don't just make this about me either. Rei had to see her other self go too."
"Correct. My other self was happy I could fulfill her last wish - To be with those she cared about, as I am now."
Rei paused for a moment.
"I am glad I was not destined to be Lilith's vessel and nothing more. Although I am not sure what our future will hold."
"Well we all walked off Second Impact pretty well." Misato said. "Coming back from Instrumentality won't be as bad. Let's not forget this moment though. You three deserve phrase. Much more than that, but that's all I can give you as Captain for now." She finished, patting both Rei and Asuka on the shoulder with her hands.
"In any case - " Kaji began, clearing his throat as he looked to the EVA team.
" - to all the Children, congratulations!"
/
Kouji finally sat down at the table, Sayaka sitting next to him as Tetsuya and Jun joined them.
"It's a bit crowded but we had to see our men return." Jun said, pouring the four of them drinks.
"We're still minors, you know." Kouji said and Tetsuya scoffed.
"Kouji. We just saved the universe. So I think you've earned it." The man said, taking a sip of the drink and giving Jun a smile.
"Dear. Thanks for helping us back there. If you and Sayaka here hadn't freed Mazinkaiser, things could've gotten hairy."
"Ditto." Kouji said, putting down his glass and cutting into his portion of steak he'd prepared the team. "I'm still here because you two pulled a stunt like that!"
"Well I'm sure Mazinkaiser appreciates it too!" Sayaka said, laughing as she squeezed Kouji's arm. "But I'm the happiest you're back!"
Kouji closed his eyes as he swallowed the bite of food.
"Mm. Thanks for saving me out there. I'm just glad I could pull Mazinkaiser's weight." Kouji said.
The group was silent as they ate. Despite the quiet, they were all content, enjoying the meal Kouji had made for them.
After a while the EVA team appeared along with Captain Katsuragi and Kaji. The tables could only sit four people, so Rei insisted that Shinji and Asuka eat with Misato and Kaji as she was personally invited to eat with the Getter Team. Kei insisted her 'little sister' be allowed to join them. After all – Rei was one of Shin Getter's pilots for a short time.
Kouji had made some vegetarian food so Rei could indulge herself. The Getter Team watched as Rei ate silently.
Meanwhile, Shinji and Asuka were quiet as well. Kaji and Misato watched as well, transfixed with just how hungry the pair of pilots was.
Eventually the three bridge operators joined them, Maya pulling Ritsuko along with them. The four helped themselves and sat at a free table.
The eating went on for a few minutes but was stopped as Tetsuya had an announcement, standing up and clasping Jun's hand before getting down on a knee and presenting a box to her.
"Jun Hono. Will you marry me?" he asked.
She opened the box and her eyes welled up with tears.
The room stopped as everyone present waited for Jun's answer.
"Yes!" Jun said as she cried tears of joy.
Then the congratulations were heard from everyone. Shinji felt a sense of nostalgia even as he joined into the chorus of clapping hands, uttering the word himself to them.
/
Misato requested the others follow her to the bridge as she addressed them for the final time before they moved Shin Dragon again.
"We should have enough power now to make the jump. Whether it ends here or not – I'm glad we're all present to see this through." Misato said to the bridge as they made final preparations for the jump.
"Our machines are all juiced up and at your ready!" Boss reported.
"Once we get back, the hanger will be on standby. Our Super Robot army is ready in case Ashura was right." Professor Yumi said over the comm.
"Then we'll be ready for the worst case scenario. Go, are you ready?"
"Yes. We may proceed."
Misato smiled. "That's what I want to hear! Now let's go!"
Shin Dragon shone with the white light of the Shine Spark as it made the final jump.
/
Earth greeted them with an orange sea. The Moon still kept the red splash of Lilith's blood.
"I'm not detecting any human life-signs." Ritsuko stated as Shin Dragon tore through the atmosphere, making a beeline for Japan.
"Not even any big animals. I don't want to say Ashura was bluffing – but – there's no evidence they were right from where I'm sitting."
"Then we can focus on reconstruction." Misato stated and looked to Dr. Yumi.
"Are you ready on your end?"
"Yes." Was all Yumi said as Shin Dragon slowed down, Japan coming into view as the Getter's thrusters drastically cut their power.
"Set us down at Atami. That's going to be the first thing we restore." Yumi said.
"That small town? You're sure about that?" Sho asked him.
Yumi nodded to her. "We won't have enough people for a functioning large government for some time."
"Then the real struggle begins." Benkei stated. "It'll be just like when we had to overcome Second Impact. And the fallout of the Moon Wars. Humanity's struggle to survive will not be an easy battle."
"However we'll make it. If we all could make it out of Instrumentality – and come all this way together."
"Right. We've earned a hero's welcome and no one will know. At least not until we have enough of society back to prove it." Kouji said.
"In any case, we're back. Welcome back to Earth. This is your final message as Captain Katsuragi." Misato said, standing from her chair and leaving her hat on the seat before she stood and joined the EVA team, putting her hand on Shinji's shoulder.
Then she heard the boy she now considered her own son speak.
"I'm home."
/
Things were gradual as life resumed on Earth. A lot of it was ordinary. The humans that returned were directed to temporary shelters until the population was big enough to sustain itself.
The Super Robots that saved the world were seen as the heroes they always were, the EVA project now seen in the same light.
They heeded Ashura's warning, the three separate groups working as a whole, keeping vigilant watch over the Earth as humanity continued its' return.
Upon humanity's rise from the LCL sea, the Earth knew peace once again.
/
That's the final chapter of the fic. With it I have a few things to say. The first of which is there will be an epilogue.
If the ending felt too rushed – the out of nowhere endings of both EoE and the original Neon Genesis series don't do this fic's ending any favors. On top of that Getter Robo Armageddon ended vaguely, with the Invaders losing but we don't know what the Getter Team did after that. As for Mazinkaiser's ending – things seemed to start being fixed after Mazinkaiser won the last battle, in both the series and the OVA. That was the frame I wanted to end the fic on more or less. Of course there are still a lot of plot threads to resolve but there's enough stated to draw your own conclusions.
Watching Evangelion made me see how much Anno was inspired by – and pays homage to a lot of things, from Mazinger Z and Getter Robo to stuff like Ultraman to Devilman. This fic made me think about how the EVA team would change being solely around some of their earlier Super Robot contemporaries, and how NERV and the Children would make these other characters react.
Things like the Getter Team interacting with NERV and Asuka's parallels to Tetsuya were easy to see, and images like the berserk Mazinkaiser facing off against the berserk Evangelion Unit 01, and Great Mazinger fighting beside Unit 02 against the MP EVAs were too powerful not to write about. Add in Dr. Hell, The Invaders, Kaworu, and a surprise return of the Dinosaur Empire and Ankoku Daishogun and I couldn't NOT write this fic.
I also liked the idea Getter Robo Armageddon had with the old Getter Team leaving the next generation to take care of things at the end of the anime. As such, having Ryoma leave the story hurt but also gave it some teeth. I did not expect Ryoma leaving the Getter Team for a while to be a conversation he had with Shinji about running away. Nor did I think about Rei's similarities to Go at first but both interactions fit like a glove. And of course Kouji and his friends were a good way to give the EVA trio some more friends they could talk to.
All in all I'm very satisfied with this story and think that – given enough time to reflect on it and maybe see how the Rebuild movies end – a sequel could be in the works one day. There's certainly enough material from each franchise to do some interesting things.
I'd like to thank Panther2G of the ongoing Evangelion epic Advice and Trust for their support and advice discussing my ideas about this fic in its' infancy.
It's been about a year since I started Dynamic Clash and I'd like to thank all of my reviewers who contributed some of their thoughts.
Here are some specific shout outs to reviewers who gave me input multiple times.
Nmorrow: Thank you for your thoughts on the Mazinger ZERO fight! They reflect just what I wanted to show in the battle and it was hard to write given they had to fight an enemy with unlimited power. I really appreciate the near constant reviews you've given since you got caught up in the story.
Gnaw55617: I liked your thoughts on Go and Rei's interactions considering how similar Armageddon Go is to Rei in terms of both plot and characterization. Also your enjoyment of the Getter segments of the story really helped me going into some of the crazier parts of Armageddon and beyond.
Zeon Paralysis Crystal: I'm pleased you liked how I handled some of the EVA characters. It's the franchise I'm the least familiar with, so seeing you enjoying the EVA bits of the story made me really happy.
Ultimagnum: I'm really glad you gave this fic some reviews in its early life. It really motivated me to push myself with this fic. The corrections on some of the super robot attacks and NERV acronyms was very, very helpful to me.
To my other reviewers, thank you for your reviews as well. It really made a difference seeing a review in the inbox when I updated the story.
Lastly to all my readers - thank you very much for reading. As always, please review if you feel so inclined.