Evangelion is property of Studio Khara and GAINAX.
Street Fighter and Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist are property of CAPCOM.
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: SENSHI NO MICHI
Now.
"And?" Gendo asked.
"And then you had me thrown in that cell," Asuka grunted. "Must have been in there for twelve hours, at least…"
"Pilot," The Commander said, sharp, "Stay on topic."
Asuka sighed. "You asked about the angel. How I destroyed it. I told you!" She groaned, looking between Gendo and Fuyutsuki. "Well? What now?" She shouted, exasperated at their silence.
"You've still elected to omit how you came about such power," Gendo said, finally, "And until then, we cannot –"
Three knocks sounded from the doors at the rear of the room, and the Commander quieted, the barest hint of a frown on his face. "Come," he called, and Asuka turned, watching as Dan poked his head into the room.
"Sir. It's Captain Katsuragi, she wants to see you," the man called, expression strangely serious.
"See her in," Gendo replied. Dan opened the door wider, and stepped to the side as Misato strode through, stepping into the shadowy office.
As the door closed behind Misato, Asuka spoke again, frustrated, but still grateful to see her guardian. "Misato," Asuka breathed, "You've got to help me out here! They won't let me go, or see Shinji –"
"What is the status of the Third Child, Captain?" Gendo inquired, casually. Misato's expression was implacable, stoic, but her gaze lingered on Asuka as she spoke.
"He's suffering from a concussion, but MRIs show no sign of brain damage. He got off lucky." She reported, voice clipped.
"Very well," Gendo replied. "How soon before he can be discharged?"
"In one, maybe two days. Provided he wakes up," the Captain grunted.
Asuka opened her mouth, but the words died in her throat as she took Misato in; the bags under her eyes and slightly slouched posture indicated the Captain was just as worn out as she was. She remained silent, staring ahead at the Commander.
"Will that be all?" Misato asked, and Gendo remained silent, seeming to think for a moment.
"That will be all, Captain. Notify us whenever the Third Child wakes up," he said.
Misato turned around, beginning to move towards the door, whenever a shout rang out.
"You!" Dan roared, from the other side of the door, "What the hell are you doing – stay back!"
Misato narrowed her eyes, her hand slipping inside her jacket and resting on the grip of her holstered sidearm. Asuka watched the door, apprehension clear on her face, whilst both the Commander and Vice Commander remained stoic.
From behind the door, several crashes resounded, along with grunts and shouts. As the sounds of the struggle echoed from behind the door, Misato thumbed off the safety of her gun.
The doors shook as something slammed into them, the lock holding and keeping whatever had collided with it at bay. Then, a shout went out, one that had Asuka's eyes widening at the familiar voice.
"Denjin Hadoken!"
The doors exploded off their hinges, splinters flying as Dan was blasted into the office with a cry of pain.
He landed a few feet away from Asuka and Misato, face bruised, witching and steaming as his body crackled with static.
Gouken strode into the office, clad in a dark suit and tie. His jacket was open, and his hair was slightly mussed, but there was no bruising, or any injury to suggest he'd just gotten into a fight.
"Gouken-sensei!" Asuka gasped.
Misato's eyes widened slightly, her hand falling away from her holster, but only just.
Behind his folded hands, Gendo smirked.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Gouken," he spoke calmly, as if his head of security hadn't just been blasted through his office doors like nothing.
"Spare me, Ikari," Gouken hissed, his fists crackling with yellow electricity, "I've come for them."
"Them?" Gendo asked, seemingly oblivious.
"The children," Gouken growled, fury plain on his face. "I've seen what you've done – forcing them inside those machines, making them fight for you."
"The children are absolutely invaluable to the continued survival of humanity. Surely you can understand –"
Gouken interrupted the Commander again, stepping over Dan's beaten form. "I understand full well what you're doing here," he grunted. "And I've come to take them back."
"W-wait, sensei!" Asuka spluttered, reaching out lamely as Gouken moved past her. Misato blinked, grasping her weapon again and drawing it as Gouken approached the desk.
Suddenly, something leapt out from its hiding spot in the shadows of the office, and Gouken whirled around, blocking a kick aimed at his head and stepping back.
Rei stood between him and the Commander, in a fighting stance. Gouken looked her over, slipping into his own stance.
This girl – she's using Hibiki's joke of a style. But this power, this strength I feel – what is it?
"You will not harm the Commander," Rei murmured, her voice carrying the faintest hint of venom, red eyes glinting in the faint light.
"I do not wish to hurt you," Gouken replied, slowly, "But I will have the children."
"You cannot," came the simple reply, and Rei leapt forward.
Gouken's initial analysis had been correct; she had obviously been trained by Dan, but somehow, she was managing to make his fighting style work. She obviously lacked the years of experience he had, but she was fast, and deceptively strong, as Gouken found out when he blocked a hook, feeling the wind from the force of the attack across his face.
I don't want to hurt this girl…but she may very well take advantage if I extend too much mercy. I must defeat her, and quickly.
Gouken and Rei exchanged quick jabs and kicks with one another, attempting to figure each other out. It was Rei who made the first, real move, leaping forward with a flying side kick that was easily avoided. Gouken managed to deliver two quick strikes to the girl's side, aiming to cause more pain than injury.
If Rei felt the attacks, she gave no indication, stepping back with the force of the blows and lashing out with a spinning heel kick. Gouken dashed underneath the kick, and parried the jabs and hooks that followed as he moved inside Rei's reach. The girl attempted an uppercut – Gouken slammed his forearm down on the inside of her elbow as her fist came up, stopping the attack dead, and let out a kiai as he delivered a palm strike to the centre of her chest with his free hand.
Rei stumbled back, and Gouken took the advantage, dashing forward and leaping up, his fist colliding with the girl's jaw as he jumped.
"Shoryuken!"
The attack lifted Rei off her feet, but before Gouken had landed, she had already kipped up, moving forward again. She attempted her own pastiche of the move, the Ansatsuken master barely managing to avoid it, the pale fist barely brushing his cheek as the girl travelled into the air.
"Koryuken."
As Rei landed, recovering from the move, Gouken leapt forward, spinning, leg extended.
"Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku!" He shouted, his heel connecting with the girl's face once, twice, before she fell to the ground. A second later, she was already on her feet again, despite the bruises that were blooming on her pale skin. Gouken grimaced as he moved back into his stance, meeting Rei's steely gaze.
What will it take to bring this girl down?
Misato and Asuka watched the fight, awed at both the fighter's skills, and at Rei's perseverance. Misato let out a gasp as Gouken unleashed a Hadoken, the bright blue light from the attack filling the office as the energy streamed towards Rei.
The girl threw one palm forward, a small orb of shining gold in her hand.
"Gadoken."
The golden ki travelled only a few feet before it met the blue, a rush of air and blinding light flaring as the two energies met. Misato held an arm in front of her eyes, wincing, but Asuka kept watching, as the fight went on.
Both Gendo and Fuyutsuki remained still, unmoved – but the older man failed to hide the concern that flashed across his face every time Rei received a hit.
Again and again, the girl was sent to the floor, clearly outmatched by Gouken, but she would nearly always rise within moments, despite her injuries. Gouken grimaced as he watched blood trickle from the girl's mouth and nose, and felt that same blood wet on his knuckles.
Fall, you fool! I don't want to do this!
Finally, after Rei had recovered from a second Shoryuken, Gouken sighed, stepping back and dropping his hands.
"I concede," the master murmured, hands held up in surrender. Misato was suddenly reminded of the fact that while she knew full well that Gouken only had the safety of his charges in mind, he was an intruder, and he had threatened to attack her commanding officer. She levelled her gun at him, stepping behind him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rei dropped her own stance, and let out a breath. She slouched, but only just, her back still straight.
"As I was going to say," Gendo began, "I was planning on contacting you, but wanted to discuss the finer details with Asuka first."
The redhead snorted, rolling her eyes as Gouken stood beside her.
"For what purpose?" He asked, still somewhat on edge.
"Shinji and Asuka have both proven invaluable in protecting this city, and all of humanity from extinction. Their abilities are crucial to that cause, and we would simply ask that you continue to teach them."
Gouken frowned.
"And," Gendo continued, "that you take Rei as your student as well."
The albino in question stood just to the side of Gendo as he went on, like a bodyguard.
"She has had previous experience in the martial arts, although I am unsure about the quality," he glanced down at the still unconscious Dan pointedly, "of the training she received."
Gouken remained silent, contemplative, until Asuka spoke, voice quiet.
"Sensei – those things would have killed everyone in the city if it hadn't been for you, what you taught us. I know it doesn't feel right, but…" Asuka looked at the two men behind the desk, and then at Misato, before looking back at her teacher, "but it needs to happen."
Gendo watched the exchange, expectant gaze hidden behind his tinted glasses. Finally, Gouken let out a sigh, shoulders slumping, before he nodded. "Very well. But I want to see Shinji. I want to make sure he's alright."
"Of course," Gendo replied. "NERV will prepare accommodation for you, so you can be close to the children."
"Accommodation for two, actually." Gouken murmured. Asuka raised one eyebrow, staring at her master curiously. Gouken glanced at her, and shrugged. "I brought Senzo."
"Why'd you bring Senzo?" Asuka murmured, disbelieving. "What was he going to do?"
Gouken suddenly seemed uncharacteristically sheepish, glancing away for a moment.
"He was…going to drive the getaway car."
Asuka snorted quietly. "You mean the truck?"
"He's a good driver," Gouken retorted.
"You wanted to pick us up and then hightail it out of here in the old truck?" Asuka murmured, disbelieving.
"I didn't have a lot of time to plan. And…I was a little angry," Gouken supplied.
As master and student sniped at one another, the mood of the office lightened. Misato holstered her weapon again, and let out a breath.
This job is nuts.
Misato stepped beside Asuka and Gouken, coughing lightly and pulling them out of the conversation.
"I can take you to see Shinji now," she offered, and Gouken straightened up again, nodding stiffly.
"Yes. Thank you," the master replied, still trying to banish the last remnants of mirth from his voice.
"Rei," Gendo murmured, catching the attention of the albino, "Go with them. Have your injuries tended to."
"Yes, Commander." Rei replied, tone tired, but as neutral as possible.
As the trio of Asuka, Gouken and Misato stepped out of the office, Rei followed them, footsteps silent. Fuyutsuki glanced down at Gendo, raising one eyebrow.
"What now?" He asked.
"Now, we wait. Let him teach the children. With his power at our command, the Angels will pose far less of a threat," Gendo replied.
"As far as we know," Fuyutsuki murmured. "The scrolls did predict many more messengers."
"If and when they do pose a threat – we will deal with them," Gendo replied.
Still sprawled out across the floor, Dan let out a painful groan.
"And you," Gendo said, as he glanced down at the injured man.
"You're fired."
Glossary
-Gouken
Hadoken - Surge Fist
Tatsumaki Senpu-kyaku - Tornado Hurricane Leg/Kick
Shoryuken - Rising Dragon Punch/Fist
Denjin Hadoken - Electric Blade Surge Fist
-Rei Ayanami
Gadoken - Self Way Fist
Koryuken - Dazzling Dragon Fist
Phew! And that's the first real 'arc' out of the way. Let's hope I've managed to keep you entertained until now, despite my awful update schedule. This is where it all begins, people! Read and review!