Chapter 2: Unifying Forces
"Is this real, Misato?" Shinji asked in his usual, timid voice as he sat in the passenger seat of Misato's beaten-up, old sports car.
"Looks that way, Shinji-kun," Misato replied, glancing out her rolled down window to see the large, idling, red semi rumbling as the two vehicles were being lowered through the Geofront. "Wait, we just passed our usual exit." Misato said as the elevator continued lower than usual.
The elevator stopped, and Optimus followed Misato into the large parking complex. She parked her car, and the Commander of the Autobots came to a stop and let Gendo exit before transforming. "Come, Major Katsuragi." Commander Ikari said as the four made their way toward a large hallway. "We've constructed a new more efficient Operations Command Center. You and Commander Prime will work closely together here."
"Yes, sir," Misato said evenly.
"Pilot Ikari, you will perform a synch test to show the Autobots exactly what our systems are capable of. Understood?" Commander Ikari asked, turning to the young teenager.
"Whatever …" Shinji sighed indifferently, not noticing Prime's gaze as they walked down the hall.
"Very well, I'll leave you to it." Gendo said, taking an side hall toward his office.
"Major Katsuragi," Prime spoke up.
"Yes, Commander Prime?" Misato's wide eyes turned to the giant.
"Please, call me Optimus or Prime, whichever you're most comfortable with. We'll be working together, so no point in being awkwardly formal." Prime nodded sagely, "Anyway, Spi- Commander Ikari, has he been this cold for a long time?"
"As long as I've known him," Misato responded, "And Optimus, if we're going to give informality a shot, call me Misato."
"Very well, Misato," Prime nodded, looking forward as they walked, "He seems so different from the boy I once knew."
"Second Impact changed a lot of people," Misato said, looking away while gripping the cross that hung over her hidden scar.
"So it seems," Prime nodded again as they stopped before a large sliding door.
The door slowly slid open, and Misato and Shinji both gasped at the massive command complex. "How long has he been building this?"
"Apparently, Commander Ikari," Prime paused at the name, "Has been constructing this complex since he contacted us two weeks ago."
"So, what is it we're up against, Optimus?" Misato said as they entered the circular command complex bustling with activity of both NERV officers and Autobots around a large, central, holographic monitor.
"Ironhide?" Prime spoke up, "Have you uploaded the updated Decepticon information into the Magi?"
A large, red Autobot stood up, "I got the Decepti-chops info in there, Prime. No problem."
"Excellent," Prime nodded, "Bring up the file on Megatron."
"Maya, you heard the man," Misato spoke up.
"Yes, Major," Maya spoke from her terminal.
A silver and black robot appeared on the monitor. Megatron was tall, had a proud expression his face and a massive cannon attached to his outer right arm. "This is Megatron, commander of the Decepticons. Though insane, he is a strategical genius." Prime informed. "He is not unlike the human historical figure Adolf Hitler. He has built a massive army of Decepticons, many of which are Autobots who turned to his way of thinking. Also, he has been receiving aid in recent years."
Prime let out a loud sigh as he approached the Autobot-sized computer terminal. He opened a compartment on his forearm, removed a data disk and placed it in a drive. "Access code: Optimus Prime Beta-Gamma-Zulu-Two-Niner."
A moment later, what looked like a robotic planet replaced the hologram of Megatron. It was green and gold in color with a massive mechanical ring around it. At the front of the machine was a large spiked hole, like a mouth, with two large, horn-like spikes on either side. "This … is Unicron."
"We don't know where he came from, who created him, or what his original purpose was." Prime continued, "He has destroyed countless worlds, but before he attacks, he would send a series of heralds to weaken the planet's defenses, usually around seventeen, one at a time."
The NERV personnel all collectively turned very pale some gasped while most just stared in awe. "Unicron has found favor in Megatron and his forces for reasons that are beyond me." Prime continued after a short pause. "But he and Megatron have a 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' relationship. It's safe to say since you destroyed his heralds, which to my knowledge has yet to be accomplished by anyone else, he'll send the Decepticons to destabilize the defenses."
"So, how can we destroy this Unicron?" Misato asked, staring at the planetoid.
"That … is easier said than done, Misato," Prime stated, "Unicron is roughly three times the size of your moon."
"Shit …" Shinji murmured before shrinking back from Misato's glare.
"You watch that language, young man!" Misato scolded.
"Right, I'm sorry, Misato," Shinji murmured automatically, looking like a whipped puppy.
"It's alright, son," Optimus spoke up, turning his gaze on the boy, "he gets that reaction a lot, it seems."
"Optimus," a red and blue Autobot with what looked like a giant microscope viewer attached on his shoulder walked into the command center. "I've finished my analysis of the recovered Angel samples, sir."
"Yes, Perceptor?" Optimus nodded, as the group turned to the Autobot scientist.
"After a total of fifty tests and twenty-five comparative studies, I have come to a ninety percent expectancy that the DNA in the samples recovered from the invading entities has at least a twenty-five to eighty percent comparison to Cybertronian and Unicronian technology." Perceptor stated with a nod.
"Umm … huh?" Shinji scratched his head.
"Does that mean what I think it means?" Misato asked, looking toward Optimus.
"Your so-called 'Angels' come from Unicron." Perceptor clarified.
"Great." Misato groaned, "Just... fucking great."
"You watch your tone, young lady!" Shinji said in a passable imitation of Misato. Misato looked stunned for a moment and then gave a big laugh. "So, I'll have to fight again, huh?" Shinji said dejectedly, staring at his feet."Not necessarily," Optimus spoke up before Misato could respond. "You don't have to do anything. You were drafted to defeat the invaders. The invaders are destroyed. Your mission is accomplished. You don't have to fight, Shinji." Prime said, going down to one knee before the boy to try to get close to eye level. Prime then glanced around at the NERV officers and Autobots. "This goes for all of you. If you're fighting because you're told to or you feel you HAVE to, get out now. When I took up arms in the Autobot forces so many years ago, I didn't do it out of necessity. I did it because I had something to fight for, something to defend. Look at yourselves, look at yourself, Shinji. Do you have someone or something worth fighting for? Something or someone you'd choose to fight for? I have studied your battles, Shinji," Prime said to the stunned boy, "You're a proud warrior, one of the greatest I believe I have ever seen. Now, I'm asking you, will you fight again, fight by my side in this campaign?""I … I …" Shinji stammered in total shock. Never once had he been given a choice in his life; he'd always been told what to do, where to go, and what to fight. Now stood a living legend before him, a warrior that commanded authority, and he was holding out his hand, asking for his help.
Shinji glanced to the equally surprised Misato, whom he was quickly considering a second mother. Then, his mind wondered to Asuka, whom he had failed to help twice. "I'll do it."
"Excellent, I was hoping you would," Prime said with a hint of joy in his deep voice, "You're a model of a hero, son. I'm sure we'll have a much greater chance with you in a command position on the field."
"WHAT?" Shinji and Misato gawked.
"Prowl," Prime spoke up, "Begin assembling an Autobot unit for Lt. Ikari."
"B-But I'm just a pilot …" Shinji stammered.
"In NERV, perhaps," Prime said, standing up, "The Autobots are always looking for some good fighters, if you're willing of course."
"I … I …." Shinji couldn't get the words out. "Yes, sir, I'll do my best to make you proud!"
Misato gawked at the smile spreading on Shinji's face.
"I know you will, son," Prime stated, "Wheeljack, after Lt. Ikari's synch test, I want you to place an Autobot symbol or two on Unit 01."
"I'm so proud of you, Shinji-kun!" Misato chimed, pulling Shinji into a bone-crushing hug, smothering his face in her chest.
"Lucky bastard," Makoto murmured, watching Shinji writhe in Misato's embrace, trying to gain some air.
Misato finally released Shinji, who fell back gasping for air, his face glowing bright red, "MISATO! PUBLIC!"
"Oh, calm down, Shinji-chan, they still don't know what we do in private," Misato said teasingly, enjoying every minute of Shinji's embarrassment.
"MISATO!" Shinji bellowed, glowing even brighter.
"I'm just playing. Now, get a move on to the synch test, Lieutenant." Misato said in mock-commanding tone.
Shinji started to run toward the elevator, but stopped and started walking with his head held high. "Shinji." Prime spoke up.
"Sir?" Shinji turned back to face the Autobot commander.
"Till All Are One." Prime said in a proud voice.
"Huh?" Shinji cocked his head to the side.
"It's the Autobot battle cry." Prime informed.
"Oh, ok," Shinji nodded then smiled. "Then … T-Till All Are One." He blushed slightly when the Autobots in the room echoed him. He gave a shy nod and walked into the elevator.
Meanwhile, in the office overlooking the Command Complex, Gendo Ikari scowled at the scene he just witnessed.
-
"Ok, Shinji," Maya's voice came over the speaker of his Entry Plug. "We're inserting the Plug now … insertion complete, filling with LCL." Shinji took a deep breath before the strange-tasting yet breathable fluid filled his confined plug. "Are you alright, Shinji?"
"Never better," Shinji said with a shy smile before jumping when the loud voice filled the com.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING, TOKYO-3!" the happy-go-lucky sounding voice boomed, "This is Evangelion Rock, all Rock, all the time! And I'm your DJ, Blaster!" a window popped up with a smiling, red, yellow, and gray armored Autobot's face looking at him. "How're you holding up in there, Lil' Buddy?"
"I'm … I'm ok." Shinji blinked.
"Sweetness!" Blaster cheered, "You ready to rock and roll, then?"
"Um … yeah, I guess …" Shinji stammered shyly.
"Sorry, bro, not good enough," Blaster grinned, "I said, are you ready to rock and roll?"
"Yes," Shinji nodded, still hesitantly.
"I can't hear you."
"Yes, I'm ready!"
"Ready for what?"
"Rock and Roll!"
"Good boy," Blaster smiled before Shinji watched him Transform and shrink down into the form of a red and yellow boom box. "YOW! Hook me up, Babe, and let's see what the Heartbreak Kid here can do!"
"Don't call me Babe," Maya groaned, hooking a few cables into Blaster, and then turned back to the camera. "Alright, Shinji, you know the drill."
"Right …" Shinji nodded and began synchronizing with EVA-01.
-
"Pilot Ikari is a member of NERV, Prime," Gendo spoke hatefully from the risen area of his office balcony, so that he could look the Commander of the Autobots face to face. "You overstepped your boundaries. Pilot Ikari …"
"Shinji is your son," Prime spoke harshly, "And he has a heart of a warrior, like you once had."
"Shinji has a purpose," Gendo growled, "And being a commander of a unit of Autobots will conflict with it."
"You mean Human Instrumentality?" Prime asked casually, causing Gendo to visibly blanch.
"How did you …" Gendo stammered, glaring at the Transformer.
"You shouldn't keep important files like that in the MAGI, even under the security measures you used." Prime stated, "To properly protect this fortress and this world, I had to properly know everything about this instillation. Perceptor and Prowl had a hard time getting through the safety measures, and when I saw what you were planning, I didn't want to believe it… Spike, what's happened to you?"
"Spike's dead," Gendo hissed, "He died when your war took his wife and son."
"I understand," Prime stated sarcastically, "You lost Carlie and Daniel, so you're now forsaking Shinji, your living son. How do you think Yui will greet you, Gendo? You used her son to destroy mankind, exactly what this SEELE was trying to do. Yes, she'll definitely look over that."
"…"
"If Sparkplug could see you now…" Prime shook his head.
"Don't bring my father into this!" Gendo snapped angrily, "I will accomplish my goals, Prime, and no Decepticon, Autobot, or Angel will get in my way!"
Prime narrowed his optics at the man he once considered a friend. "Then you're no better than Megatron." With that, Optimus Prime turned his back and walked away from the stunned human.
-
"Excellent job, Shinji, you have an 80 percent synch ratio. That's really good." Maya said as Shinji felt his Evangelion beginning to move. "Now, we've got another pop quiz for you."
"Huh?" Shinji asked worriedly.
"Commander Prime wants your leadership assessed, so you're going to be given a trial run with your unit." Maya said, "I'm going to give the com of to Major Katsuragi now."
Shinji nodded as the Evangelion was placed on a launch platform.
"Hiya, Shinji!" Misato beamed at him.
"Um … what's going on?" Shinji asked nervously.
"Optimus didn't waste time, Shinji-kun," Misato winked, "He's got you an Autobot unit assembled and we're going to have a mock-battle."
"Unit?" Shinji asked as a series of pictures appeared before him.
"Evangelus Unit:" Misato started shifting to her professional persona. "EVA-01 in command, followed by Jazz, Gold Bug, Cliffjumper, Kup, Blurr, and Springer."
"O-Ok, who're we supposed to fight?" Shinji asked.
"Prime Unit," Misato beamed, "Led by Optimus Prime, followed by Ironhide, Red Alert, Arcee, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Ultra Magnus."
"I'm dead …" Shinji gulped.
"Relax, Shinji-kun," Misato chuckled, "All the weapons will be on stun only, and it's only to see how the Evangelions can handle on the field. Just remember your representing NERV out there!"
"Gee … thanks, Misato …" Shinji grumbled.
"EVANGELION LAUNCH!" Misato ordered, and Shinji felt his stomach go to his feet as the Evangelion rocked to the surface through the tunnel.
Shinji squinted his eyes, adjusting to the light on the surface before he felt the restraints come loose from the Eva. "Restraints are clear, Evangelion away," Misato stated.
"Roger that, moving out," Shinji said as he willed EVA-01 to walk off the launch platform.
"Slag …" he heard one of the Autobots gasp as he approached his unit.
"Is that an Evangelion?" Springer, the green and gold Autobot said, looking up and down the purple, black, and green behemoth.
"Um … hey, guys …" Shinji said shyly.
"Hah! Reminds of me of the Goliaths of Planet Randor." An older looking Autobot, Kup, said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Yourethebosssowhatdowedobosshuhhuhhuhwhatdowedo?" a blue Autobot rambled.
"Blurr, right?" Shinji asked, glancing to the hyper robot. "Um … I guess we spread out and find the enemy," Shinji said, trying to think like Misato.
"Works," Gold Bug, the shortest, gold-plated Autobot said as they started to track forward in the forested area.
"Stupid trees," Jazz said, glancing around the thick forest, "not enough room to drive!"
"Never really had a problem before," Shinji said with a smirk. "Hey …" he said, noticing the vehicular parts that made up Jazz's armor, "You look familiar."
The Autobots and Eva finally made it out of the clearing. "Where are they? Misato, any chance of giving me the location of the ones we have to fight?" Shinji asked as the Evangelion looked around searching for any signs of their opponents.
"Sorry, Shinji-kun, you're on your own this time." Misato replied with an apologetic smile.
"It's ok …" Shinji nodded and then snapped his eyes opened at the sound of twin truck horns. "What the?" He asked just before something hit the ankles of his Eva hard.
Shinji cried out as his Eva's feet flew out from under it, sending it tumbling to the ground. "Hey, you ok?" Gold Bug asked, looking down at the downed Evangelion.
"Yeah, what hit me?" Shinji asked as the Eva got back to hits feet to see the other Unit standing before them in Robot-mode with the exception of the semi trucks Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. "survive Angels … get taken down by trucks … figures …"
Shinji narrowed his eyes as Optimus transformed, "Alright, you guys keep his support off me; I'll handle the leader."
"This I gotta see," Cliffjumper said with a smirk before getting kicked in the face by Arcee. "HEY! I thought this was supposed to be testing him!"
"You're just making excuses about getting hit by a girl," the female Transformer smirked, resting her hands on her hips.
"You really want to fight, sir?" Shinji asked, the Evangelion looming over the much smaller Optimus Prime like a lion over a mouse. "I mean … it doesn't seem fair …"
"You're right, Shinji," Optimus replied with amusement in his voice, "It's unfair for you."
Optimus drew his blaster and fired on the unsuspecting Evangelion. Shinji barely dodged the blast. Though set on stun, it was easily the thickness of the Eva's arm. "Crap, that's a cannon!" Shinji gasped, ducking another blast.
01 reared back and slung a massive blow toward the smaller Autobot, but Prime easily dodged, the attack. "Stop, Shinji, don't hold back. I won't break." Prime ordered, kicking Shinji in the bend of the elbow, to push him up to smash the Eva's jaw with the butt of his blaster. "Stop trying to hit me and hit me!"
"He's getting killed out there," Makoto covered his eyes.
"This is ugly …" Maya winced.
"GO, PRIME, GO!" Misato cheered, earning stares by the NERV crew. "What … I can't cheer my childhood hero?" she asked, earning glares from her crew and chuckles from the Autobots.
It was almost a dance out on the training field. The support units had, for several minutes, stopped fighting and just watched the almost choreographed battle. Despite the size difference, Optimus Prime was giving Shinji the fight of his life. But for the first time since he was forced into the Entry Plug of Unit 01, Shinji was enjoying himself.
"C'mon, Shinji, let's see what an Evangelion can do," Prime said, leaping toward him again, forcing his fist into the Eva's stomach. Shinji gasped at the feedback, but quickly recovered with a weak chuckle.
"Alright, try this one for size!" Shinji said, backhanding Prime hard in the chest, sending the Autobot Commander crashing into the ground.
The Autobots were more than a bit stunned when Optimus didn't leap back to his feet, but stayed on his hands and knees for a moment shaking his head. "Good, keep fighting like that."
Shinji dove for Optimus, but in mid-leap, he saw Prime's hand retract into his arm and a large energy mace erupt in its place. He had no time to react before the blow struck his Eva right between the eyes like a bat hitting a baseball.
This time, it was the NERV officers turn to go into a stunned silence as the mighty, 'Demon' Evangelion 01 stumbled backwards, landed hard on its back and laid there.
Shinji blinked several times, trying to get the stars to leave his vision, and when they finally did, he was looking down the barrel of Optimus Prime's barrel. "Crud." Shinji sighed, letting his head drop back, and the Evangelion mimicked his movement.
"This exercise is over." Prime stated, "Excellent match, Shinji, you almost had me a few times."
"He …" Makoto blinked.
"Lost …" Maya finished for him.
"Ok, people, pay up!" Misato grinned at the bridge crew. The NERV officers glanced at each other, but begrudgingly removed their billfolds and began placing large bills in Misato's waiting hands.
"I can't believe you bet against your own ward," Maya complained as she dropped her yen into Misato's greedy grasp.
"Don't get me wrong, I love my Shinji-kun, but … it's Optimus Prime! C'mon!" Misato said as she counted the bills.
-
Elsewhere in the fortress, a single figure roamed the hallways in confusion. Ayanami Rei was confused enough, with the blank places in her memory, and her lack of purpose without her EVA-00, but to add to it the complete reconstruction of the NERV headquarters without warning was too much.
"It was to serve a purpose … Everything is to serve a purpose." Rei said softly to herself as she continued to search for the Command Complex. "but …" she stopped as a train of thought hit her, "what is my purpose?"
Her purpose as far as she knew was to obey the Commander. "But to serve my purpose, I must locate Commander Ikari …" She said, her soft voice raising slightly with a strange emotion flooding her. "Frustration …" She guessed from her study of other human beings around her.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt the hall vibrate for a moment, but only a moment. Her crimson eyes blinked when she felt it again. She glanced up and cocked her head to the side in curiosity as five robotic creatures approached her. "Hello? Do you speak?" Rei asked in a monotone voice as the group of robots stopped before her.
"Why little human not run?" the leader asked.
"Why would I run away?" Rei asked, her nose scrunching up in thought, "I am not Pilot Ikari, who has a reputation for doing such."
"You no scared?" the leader inquired, "We could crush little human easily."
"Yes, your size could aid you in easily extinguishing my life," Rei mused, "It is said 'to die is when you learn to live.' I wish to learn of that, so it would prove to be my final goal. Why would I be afraid of that?"
"Little human strange …" the leader shook his massive head.
"Yes … I have been told this," Rei said with a small bow.
"Little human lost?" the leader asked.
"Yes, I have … I am uncertain where Commander Ikari's office is," Rei said, a small hint of pink appearing on her cheeks, "Apparently, he has relocated, and I am unaware where."
"We know, Spike is near Command Complex," the leader nodded.
"I do not know where that is either …" Rei said, the pink turning to a full blush.
"No get embarrassed," the leader gave a small chuckle, "Big place, easy get lost. We take you where you want go."
"I thank you," Rei said giving another bow. "I am Pilot Ayanami Rei. What may I call you?"
"Me Grimlock and we Dinobots."
To Be Continued …
Next Chapter: "A Girl's Best Friend" The Autobots and NERV have murged and the first official day of business has been a successful one, but will it continue to be a smooth operation, especially when a certain hot headed German girl is released from the hospital? And what's this? Has Rei made a new friend? UPDATE: fixed the error of Rei's eye color.