Chapter 8: Armageddon part 2: Arise, Evangelus Prime
"Evangelus Unit! Transform and roll out!" Shinji bellowed as Unit 01 leapt into the air with the force of its catapult elevator.
The Decepticons were all over the place, and making plenty of targets for Shinji and his unit to use as targets. "Watch it, Shinji!" Bumblebee called out and Shinji just turned in time to see an even more demonic-looking Evangelion flying toward him and tackling him to the ground.
"Hello, meatbag," Galvatron growled as he pinned Unit 01 to the ground. "I believe the odds are more in my favor this time."
"Oh boy …" Shinji whispered, before he kicked the Decepticon/Evangelion hybrid off and rolled back to his feet.
---TF---
The Constructicons, while still unable to form Devastator, remained in a tight unit. "There's an entrance!" Bonecrusher called out pointing to an elevator shaft. The group froze when from all around them the Dinobots stomped out growling but not making any more moves.
"What are they waiting for?" Scavenger asked as the green and purple Decepticons drew close to each other with their weapons prepared. A loud hissing sound from the elevator shaft drew their attention.
Less then a second later a blue and white blur rocketed from the shaft and Bonecrusher felt sharp teeth sinking into his side before he was lifted and thrown through the air. The remaining Constructicons looked up at the giant raptor-shaped machine as it hissed at them before bringing its clawed feet down on them. A few moments later the Constructicons laid wounded as the raptor transformed into Evangelion Unit 00.
The Dinobots roared in victory as Rei brought the Evangelion's foot down on Scrapper's back. A smirk crossed her face as Unit 00's face turned to the Dinobots. "Hail the Queen, baby."
---TF---
"What's the situation?" Ultra Magnus asked as he roared onto the battlefield with Gendo Ikari seated in his driver's seat.
"Remember the firefight of Mondecarde?" Kup asked over the communication system. "It's a bit worse than that."
"That bad huh?" Magnus sighed, before swerving to dodge a bomb blast. "Are all the civilians moved to the safety zones, Commander?"
"Yes, Major Katsuragi what's the situation with the Evangelions?" Gendo asked turning to the monitor as Misato appeared on the screen.
"Unit 01 has engaged the new Decepticon calling himself Galvatron, Unit 00 and the Dinobots has engaged and defeated the Constructicons and Unit 02 is in defense of the main entry. Asuka's fighting but her Synch Ratio is just barely in the green." Replied Misato, as Ultra Magnus swerved to dodge an explosion.
"We're getting pounded and so is the Geofront," Gendo growled as he rolled down the window and fired his blaster at a Decepticon. "Major, evacuate Central Dogma, get everyone out from under the Geofront."
"What?" Misato asked blinking in surprise.
"Don't ask questions, Major, do as I order," Gendo snapped, "Ikari and Magnus out." He said as he cut transmission. "Magnus, how much punishment can you Autobots take?"
"We can take a pretty good licking, why?"
"Order all Autobots to get to the outer most area of the city but keep the Decepticons toward the center." Gendo replied with an evil smirk. "This is crazy but it just might work."
Magnus did as ordered and a short while later Magnus pulled up to Iron Hide and several other Autobots firing into the city. Gendo climbed from the cab as Magnus transformed. "What are you planning Spike?" Magnus asked looking down at the human.
"Tell everyone to hold on to something." Gendo said as he climbed onto up Ultra Magnus' arm to hold on to his shoulder. "Is everyone out of the way?"
"Everyone but Shinji, Rei, and the Dinobots," Gold Bug said pointing to the central area of where they were keeping Galvatron and several of the Decepticons occupied.
"They'll survive." Gendo said, "The Evangelions' AT field can survive this and the Dinobots have taken worse…" he said as he pulled out a small communication unit. "Access ID: g25811i, password: Instrumentality." Gendo waited for the confirmation. "System access Geofront control. Activate self-destruct system. Thirty second timer."
"This is nuts …" Magnus said turning a shocked expression on the human clinging to his shoulder.
"I blame growing up among you Autobots for any and all cases of insanity in my profile," Gendo replied getting a firm grip on Magnus' shoulder.
---TF---
"I'm going to peel that armored monstrosity till I find that human inside you," Galvatron as he grappled with Evangelion 01.
"Has anyone ever told you, you talk too much?" Shinji asked with a small smirk as he pushed against the Decepticon. "And what is it with you trying to get to me in this. Do you have some kind of human fetish? You know they say increased violence and anger are sure signs of deep rooted and suppressed feelings of longing and caring. Would you like a hug?"
"I'm going to enjoy making you bleed human …" Galvatron's optics narrowed.
"Worth a shot," Shinji said taking a step back to try to increase his balance.
"Hang on, Pilot Ikari, we are on our way," Rei called as Unit 00 in Raptor-mode along with the Dinobots barreled toward them. But before they could aid Unit 01, the ground began to tremble.
"What have you done, human?" Galvatron growled as the ground beneath their feet cracked before exploding violently as Tokyo-3 collapsed in on itself in a series of explosions.
The Autobots along the outskirts of the now destroyed city slid down with the rubble to the now buried Central Dogma. "Is everyone ok?" Gendo asked looking around at the dazed Autobots. "Magnus?"
"Spike," Goldbug said rubbing his head, "Do us all a favor and don't do that again, please?"
"We're all ok," Ultra Magnus replied shaking his head.
"Major Katsuragi, did everyone get clear?" Gendo asked into his radio.
"Yes sir, everyone's fine, but ..." Misato asked, before Asuka broke into the signal.
"Where's Shinji and Wonder Girl?" she asked trying to mask her worried voice.
Meanwhile in the middle of the rubble Unit 01 slowly pushed itself out from under wreckage and glanced around. "Ayanami, Ayanami are you alive?"
The blue and white Raptor pushed itself out as well and shook the dust and rubble from its armor before transforming into the Eva-mode. "I am uninjured Pilot Ikari, are you ok? Grimlock, Dinobots?"
The Dinobots slowly followed slightly dented but no worse for ware. "Grimlock say have enough fall, Grimlock ready for winter."
"Swoop want go again, Swoop want go again!" the Dinobot pterodactyl cackled before being smacked by Grimlock's tail.
"Do you think that got them?" Shinji asked looking around the destroyed city. "Did father really do this?"
"The answer to your second question, Pilot Ikari, more then likely," Rei said narrowing her eyes on her monitors.
"Shinji!" Unit 02 made its way through the rubble toward them. "Shinji are you alright?" Asuka asked as she joined the two Evas and the Dinobots.
"Grimlock say Dinobots and Dinobot Queen ok. Thank you for worry." Grimlock said as he transformed and crossed his arms.
"Pilot Sohryu, Ikari, watch out!" Rei called out as several Decepticons rose from the rubble around them including Galvatron.
"I was in a decent mood, humans," Galvatron sneered, "Now I'm angry. What?" he asked as all present looked up to see large planes flying overhead.
---TF---
"What's going on?" Jazz asked as he Gold Bug, Ultra Magnus and Gendo glanced around at the planes. "Did you call for backup?"
"No I didn't …" Gendo said before picking up his com unit. "This is Commander Ikari of NERV to UN planes, what is your purpose here, please respond, over."
The response was quick and to the point, but not vocally. The planes deployed several N2 bombs over the ruins of the city throwing the battle between Autobots and Decepticons into farther chaos.
On the other side of the city Misato gapped at the explosions before shielding her eyes. "Get everyone farther back! Hurry!" Misato ordered, "Hot Rod, I need to get to Commander Ikari and Shinji-kun, can you get me there?"
"Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride," Hot Rod said as he transformed into the sports car.
Misato climbed into the passenger seat and slapped the steering wheel. "Ok you stupid foreign scrapheap move!" She said before being pushed back into the seat.
"Hey I thought they were just three Evangelions," Hot Rod asked as drawing Misato's attention to the skies.
"Huh? Shit, it's the Mass Production Models … Hot Rod gun it!" Misato said as she gripped the steering wheel.
"Your wish is my command, babe," Hot Rod replied, accelerating.
---TF---
"Humans are such pathetic creatures," Galvatron said looking around at the burning debris destroyed even farther from the bombing. "Are you still willing to protect the human race, Evangelion? After they turn on you and show no concern for your well being?"
"It's call compassion, Galvatron," Shinji replied blindsiding Galvatron with an uppercut. "It's something a Decepticon could never understand."
"Heh, do you know what the interesting thing about the Mass Production Model Evangelions, Eva?" Galvatron replied standing up, rubbing his jaw but not making any offensive or defensive move.
Shinji's eyes widened when he glanced around and saw the squad of smiling winged white Evangelions attacking both Autobot and Decepticons with the exception of Galvatron. "Do you want to take a guess human?" Galvatron grinned insanely. "They are my brothers!" Galvatron laughed before Shinji felt incredible pain cut through his back and midsection.
Shinji glanced down and saw a Spear of Longinus piercing through the Evangelion's body, and a matching wound on his own body inside the Entry Plug.
"Shinji!" Rei and Asuka called out in unison but Rei was quickly tackled by one while the leaving Asuka to take on the Evangelion who was removing his spear from Unit 01's back.
Asuka dove for the white Eva, but screamed in pain as the spear pierced through Unit 02's head, through the eye, and Asuka's hand went right to her eye which was gushing blood into the LCL. Asuka cried out in pain as the Evangelion jerked the spear from her. "Shinji … Baka … get up and run …" she warned as she fell to her hands and knees and tried to crawl to where Unit 01 was laying on its back.
"Let's see if you're dead yet," Galvatron smiled as he took the spear from the grinning Eva. "What's wrong, not mocking me now? How about now?" he asked before pushing the spear into Unit 01's side.
Galvatron then turned to Unit 00 before slashing it and Grimlock with a single swing, sending them both to the ground in pain. "Most impressive weapon the humans have created…" he said gripping the spear.
--- TF ---
Misato and Hot Rod met Gendo and the other Autobots at the destroyed Pyramid-like Central Dogma fortress. She hopped out of the car just as he transformed back into his robot mode. "This is bad, Commander," Misato said as she approached them.
"Decepticons we could handle alright, but these things are scrapping us," Ultra Magnus said looking over the battlefield.
"We may have to retreat …" Gendo said his jaw jerking.
"But Shinji, and the others …" Misato asked with heavy concern but any reply was broken off by the sound of bending and twisting metal behind them and five metallic fingers digging out through the remaining metallic wall of Central Dogma.
You've got the touch …
"Prime …" Ultra Magnus eyes widened as the red and blue Autobot commander tore through the wall and narrowed his eyes toward the center of the battlefield.
"It's not over just yet," Optimus Prime replied before falling forward as he transformed into a larger tractor with a massive Evangelion ground carrier slid forward and attached itself to him.
You've got the power
Optimus roared through the debris filled battled field pushing wreckage and decepticons out of his way as he went.
After all is said and done
You've never walked, you've never run,
You're a winner
"What in Cybertron …" Galvatron blinked at the oncoming vehicle. "Optimus … so good to see you again!" he said in realization.
You got the moves
You know the streets
Ignoring the Decepticon/Evangelion hybrid he shot toward the fallen Unit 01. "Shinji, get up. Your fight's not finished," Optimus shouted.
And despite the pain from his wounds and the spear still impelling his side, Shinji fought to his feet. "P-Prime?" Shinji asked in a near daze.
"Shinji, Transform Unit 01, activate the Hyperlink system, now!" Optimus instructed as he increased speed toward the Eva.
Break the rules, take the heat
You're nobody's fool
"Hyperlink?" Shinji asked before looking around the controls and noticed two new controls just below handles with Hyperlink labeled above them. He reached down and gripped them, pulled them out and twisted them into the on position before pushing them down. A second later the LCL around him turned a bright shade of light blue.
You're at your best when the goin' gets rough
The armor on Unit 01 began to shift around. The Evangelion's upper helmet and armor on the forearms and lower legs slid backwards while the torso and shoulder armor shifted position slightly awaiting new components. Once it was prepared Optimus still in vehicle mode leapt into the air as he and his blue and red trailer exploded into multiple pieces and flew toward Unit 01.
The Red plated windows and windshield portions of Prime's body quickly attached to the Eva's chest as new robotic gloves and boot sections attached to his arms and legs. Rounded Shoulder pieces latched on with the large fins still rising through them The Evangelion gave a slight roar as a purple helmet very similar to Optimus' replaced the old one and a blue faceplate covered the mouth section. And four metallic wings attached themselves to the Eva's back.
You've been put to the test, but it's never enough
The Unit's chest opened up to reveal the core as the Autobot Matrix of Leadership floated before him spinning like an atom. As it slid forward inside the Eva, Shinji looked downward as the monitors cut off and the base of the plug opened up. He took a deep breath as the control throne slid downward into the Eva's core at the exact moment the Matrix entered the Eva, widening and taking the core into itself.
"Optimus …" Shinji breathed feeling Prime's energy all around him.
"Arise …" Shinji heard Optimus' voice in his head. "Evangelus Prime."
The Eva's chest plate closed and he stood tall and straight as he glared at the shocked Galvatron, before ripping the Lance from his side and holding it as a weapon. Galvatron marveled as the wound closed itself and the armor became good as new. "Ready for round two, Megatron?" Evangelus spoke with both Prime and Shinji's voice in unison.
You got the touch
You got the power
When all hell's breakin' loose
You'll be riding the eye of the storm
Galvatron didn't see the Autobot Evangelion hybrid move before he felt the lance pierce through his shoulder forcing him backwards and sending him to the ground. He then turned to the Mass Produced Evas attacking Asuka, Rei, and the Dinobots. He grabbed the two clawing at Asuka by the back of the heads before slamming them together and throwing them into the others.
Evangelus narrowed his eyes as the Mass Produced Evas got back their wounds rejuvenated. "Based on Unicron's Angels …"
He glanced around at the Evas and the Transformers and NERV fighters they were terrorizing. "Dinobots get Rei back," Evangelus ordered as he picked Unit 02 up in a cradle and carried her away from the growling hissing Evas. "I'm stopping this." He said laying Asuka and her Evangelion on the ground at a safe distance.
You got the heart
You got the motion
"S-Shinji?" Asuka coughed in pain, "Don't do anything …dangerous … Baka …"
"Rest, it's going to be ok." Evangelus spoke as he passed the Dinobots and Unit 00 back toward the center of the battle field, the Mass Evangelions backing off from where they followed not sure what to make of the new threat.
"You can't stop us…" Galvatron growled as he struggled to inch the spear from his shoulder.
"Maybe, but I can slow you down," Evangelus said as the chest plate opened and Evangelus reached in to gently grip the handles of the large hybrid Matrix Core.
You know that when things get too tough
You got the touch
"No …" Galvatron started firing his weapons at the hybrid, but the light escaping from the Matrix Core seemed to absorb the laser fire.
"Power and Wisdom of those that came before …" Evangelus spoke as he slid his fingers through the grips and gently pulled, only cracking the container the slightest bit, but a blinding light erupted pushing outward creating a blue bubble of energy slowly growing across the battlefield.
You're fightin' fire with fire
The Mass Produced Evangelions screamed in pain as the bubble covered them before they melted into a yellowish white fluid. Galvatron seeing this and feeling the energy as it touched his hand burning him, he quickly transformed into his fighter mode and flew off abandoning his own Decepticons. "DECEPTICONS, SAVE YOURSELVES!"
You know you've got the touch
The energy field continued to grow passing over damaged and weakened Autobots instantly repairing and recharging them. And as it passed over the damaged Evangelions their damage was instantly repaired.
"W-What?" Asuka blinked as her systems came back on line and she blinked and rubbed the blood from her now perfectly fine eye. "Shinji?" She asked in awe at the massive hybrid standing before them, in the center of the bright blue light.
"Till All Are One …" Evangelus said as he held the Matrix Core above his head, and the light became so intense the humans and Autobots had to shield their eyes.
You're at your best when the road gets rough
You've been put to the test, but it's never enough
The bubble continued to spread pushing the UN Air Troop Carriers away from the ruined city and continued outside the orbit of the planet far into space.
You got the touch
You got the power
Unicron came to a screeching halt just outside the range of the energy field. And the monster planet seemed to growl angrily at it.
Back in the ruins of Tokyo-3 the Autobots and NERV cheered as the Decepticons ran in different directions. "They did it," Misato beamed in pride at the red, blue and purple Eva/Autobot hybrid. "Shinji-kun turned the tide again."
Asuka and Rei quickly climbed out of their Entry Plugs and Hot Rod and Grimlock helped them to the ground respectively. "Is it finally over?" Asuka asked glancing around the wreckage. "It really doesn't look like a win …"
"Casualties were low despite the destruction, Asuka." Evangelus said as he approached. "Cities can be rebuilt, life cannot."
"Um … why are you still like that?" Misato asked looking up at the giant. "You … you can change back can't you? Shinji-kun can come out right?"
"Yes … but first … where's Dr. Akagi? She may be needed." Evangelus said awkwardly.
"Ritsuko! Get over here!" Misato bellowed above the crowd.
"What's wrong?" Ritsuko said pushing through the crowd to where Misato.
Before a response could be made, the extra armored pieces ejected from Unit 01 and reformed Optimus Prime who landed on one knee slightly dazed. Rapidly Unit 01's armor shifted back to its normal positions and began to sway. "EVERYONE GET CLEAR!" Prime yelled as the Evangelion fell face first limply.
"Get the Entry Plug ejected!" Ritsuko said as several NERV officers and a few Autobots scaled the Eva's back and ejected the plug. Gold Bug, Trailblazer, Iron Hide and Wheeljack carefully lifted the plug and carefully carried it down to the ground. Everyone watched with worried fascination as the officers worked and Asuka and Misato held their breaths.
Optimus himself came over and gripped the upper portion of the plug and forced it open as hot LCL poured from the now open hatch. "Shinji, are you ok" Ritsuko said as she climbed inside. "Shinji! Someone help me!" Ritsuko called as she carefully hoisted Shinji's limp body from the plug.
"What's wrong with him?" Misato asked quickly coming and helping her old college friend lay the boy on the ground on his back.
"He's not breathing," Ritsuko said as she started CPR.
"What? NO! Shinji you can't pull this shit now!" Misato snapped helping Ritsuko attempt to revive him.
All the while Asuka watched in horror as the scene played out before her blue eyes turned to Optimus who was watching in silence. "What did you do?" She asked taking a single step then another toward the Autobot Commander. "What did you do to him?"
"It was an emergency situation plan," Gendo said coldly as Prime continued to watch helplessly almost as if he was unaware of the human girl giving him a look that could kill. "We had no idea what merging Shinji with the Evangelion's core and Prime's spark would do to him, but if we hadn't gone through with this operation we would all be dead right now."
"You knew this could happen?" Asuka asked in shock. "And did Shinji know about this?" She asked Prime. When no answer came she turned to Gendo. "Did Shinji know about this?"
"We had hoped to experiment with it with a dummy plug first, unfortunately we had no opportunity," Gendo sidestepped the question.
"Did Shinji know? Answer me!" Asuka screamed.
"Answer the question, Commander Ikari," Rei said, and if this was another situation Asuka would have marveled at the coldness in Rei's voice.
"Yeah … I … knew …" Shinji breathed weakly from Misato's arms, who was crying and sobbing in his hair as she held him tightly. "Didn't … want Misato… or any of you to worry … about me … didn't want … you to worry about me …"
Shinji you're ok! I mean …" Asuka covered herself quickly. "What makes you think I'd worry about a stupid baka like you?"
"Thanks … now … I just … need to …" Shinji head lolled a little before sliding against Misato's shoulder. "I just … need to … rest … my … eyes … for a … few minutes … so … tired …"
"Never again," Prime finally spoke up, glancing at Gendo as Misato and Ritsuko gently loaded Shinji into the Autobot Ambulance Ratchet. "It doesn't matter the situation. We'll never do that again. The risk is too great for him."
"We'll see, Optimus," Gendo said watching as the Ratchet drove off. "We'll see."
---TF---
At the hidden Decepticon Ship several miles from Tokyo 3, Galvatron watched with an angry glare as the damaged and beaten Decepticons regrouped. He glanced down at his damaged hand and cursed Prime, the Matrix, and that Evangelion pilot.
Megatron …
"Unicron?" Galvatron asked glancing around. "I am known as Galvatron now."
What you chose to call yourself means nothing to me, Megatron.
"What do you want now?" Galvatron said, resting his chin on his good palm.
You have failed me not once but twice, and for that you will suffer the same fate as the Evangelions and the Autobot who bears the Matrix of Leadership…
"I do not fear you, Unicron, so you might as well go and harass someone else," Galvatron snapped, getting odd looks from the other Decepticons.
Earth will soon be destroyed. If some how you survive, I will hunt you as I will the others. I will destroy any world you seek shelter on, if you are there or not.
"I FEAR NOBODY, UNICRON!" Galvatron screamed into the air. "I will crush Evangelion 01 and its pilot then I will destroy Optimus Prime … ALL with my bare hands!"
I am coming, Megatron… You will not escape me … you will not escape me …
To Be Continued