Record That
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN EVANGELION, NOR ANY OF THE SONGS! DON'T SUE ME!
Chapter 10: Creep?
The blinding light had faded, he could finally see properly again. His partner, who was laying on top of him pulled back, making the first thing he looked upon being her beautiful face. Of which had been healed by those so bright he couldn't make them out. He was perplexed by this, but at the same time grateful. For now, she had two crystal blue eyes to compliment her red hair.
After both noticing that her eyes had been healed, they looked around to see where the ones made of light had gone. Yet, they found nothing in the remains of their world. The barren land filled them with sadness and reminded them that they were the only two now left of humanity. Instinctively, their hands entangled each other. It's then that they noticed that her arm had healed as well.
This caused them to look back at each other. The feeling of them holding hands for the first time. Drove them to instinctively tense up, yet at the same time feel comfortable in each other's grasp. Slowly, while looking into each other's eyes, they drifted towards each other. Until their lips touched again. They held themselves there, slowly making out, the boy broke the kiss and looked to the stars. Under the guise that he was kissing her neck, in order to see if they were still being watched.
Nothing seemed wrong however, and the girl made sweet moans as the boy smooched her neck. His attention turned to her again, as he took in the moment. Something that he had wished for sense he had been abandoned by his father. Companionship, someone who brought him warmth not only physically, but psychologically as well.
"Hallelujah." He whispered.
Time quickly began to pass by. Moments flowing past in flashes between the two. A moment such as the time the girl cut the boy's hair, which had been growing too long. There were no more barbers left, so who else was going to do it? Then there was also the time they stood on the slopes of Mt. Fuji, overlooking the green overtaking the barren cities.
Though, nothing looked and felt as good as the night they became one. The feeling was as good as people told him it was. They both even made fun of it afterward.
"All of this suffering, isolation, and hatred towards each other. Caused because of something that only lasts a couple minutes." He spoke.
"Well, next time, make it last a little longer, Baka. It felt so good the first time." She responded.
The two of them smiled at each other and cuddled up together in one of the few beds left in the remains of the city. It's within these remains that they had their child. Raising him to survive in a place that held the last remnants of electricity. Despite their living conditions, they all seemed happy.
It was peaceful, they were away from the constant chaos of war. Isn't it nice? Have you taken your fill of my previous life?
"Previous life?" (Shinji asked.)
(Time froze, as the reflection turned to face the boy.)
"What are you doing here?"
"I…I don't know." (Shinji tried backing away but couldn't.)
"Then wake up. Fight the Angel and stop watching what I've done with Asuka, you fucking perv. Are you jerking off again?"
"What!? No! Why would I-"
"It's not a question of why, but when?"
"I…. what am I doing here? Why do you look like me?"
"Jesus Christ, are you always this dense?"
"Well…I'm you, you're me. How about you explain to me what's going on?"
"I thought it was obvious. I just said that this was my previous life."
"But…. this looks like the end."
"It is, it was, and it will be."
"Why?"
"Because…of you."
"No, it's got to be more than just me, one person can't cause all of this."
"You underestimate your own incompetence."
"Then why not directly stop it? Why not kill me?"
"I'm working on it, but I think you can agree with me. That before I do so, the innocent don't deserve to suffer because of your mistakes."
(Shinji smirked)
"Our mistakes."
"ENOUGH!" (The reflection shouted.) "You don't deserve to speak." (Shinji's jaw felt like it had suddenly become sealed. His lips were still there, but his mouth refused to open.) What you deserve to do is wake up and face the Angel! NOW AWAKEN!"
(Silence.)
"WAKE! UP!"
(Silence.)
"Speak!"
(The reflection unsealed Shinji's lips.)
"I can't move."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't move anything. My limbs don't respond to anything that I want them to do."
(Silence.)
"I can fix that, shame though. I was going to play that song you love. The one that's so fucking special."
"Like you are to Asuka?"
(Silence.)
"One more question. Now I don't know the full answers to these, but for the most part. I know why? I know how? I know when? And I know who? But I don't know what you are."
(The reflection stayed silent for a minute. Pondering how to explain this. This wasn't as simple as messing with the NERV staff or civilians. If it wanted to scare Shinji, it needed to think this one out.)
"I'm…. you, but not entirely you. At least, not anymore."
(Silence.)
"Imagine, after everything you went through. Despite all your flaws, you eventually found peace. Then, they took it all away. You saw them, right? The ancient ones? So bright that you could barely make them out?"
(Shinji nodded.)
"It was all part of their plan. Everything, including us, were part of their plan for endless entertainment. I was merely one of billions. Thus, I couldn't sit by any longer, once they died."
(The reflection and Shinji turned to the right, Asuka and her child were dead. Their vacant eyes staring right at Shinji, with notable bite marks. When Shinji turned back to the reflection, it's mouth and body were covered in blood. It smiled at Shinji's horrified expression.)
"Didn't you hear what I said, they killed them, not me. Their dead bodies held power and I was alone. I assure you with every fiber of what's left of my soul. You would've done the same."
(The reflection approached the horrified Shinji.)
"Do you wish to change this outcome? So that way there is more than just the three of you at the end?"
(Shinji nodded.)
"Then do what they do. And Hit. The. Lights!"
The reflection had begun to play the first couple of notes of Creep by Radiohead. Only, it suddenly stopped around the point that the lyrics would come in. Aside from instinctively playing a few notes every couple of seconds. It just froze and stared out towards the horizon. Seemingly talking to itself, but no one could hear what it was saying.
People on the hillside were in awe of the song that it had just played, even if most of them didn't understand it. Sakura was brought to tears, as yet again, she could understand it. Though, this time she was getting a bit of a headache. Toji made sure to comfort her though, so she pushed through the pain.
Rei remained out of sight in the meantime, taking in the sight of a massive Angel acting like a child. Desperately running through the streets in search of the song. A tune that she would've gone to find as well, if it wasn't for a strange feeling. Something that came off as a boundary between her and the reflection. So, she hanged back, though slowly flew past Shinji and EVA.
Those down in the Central Dogma were feeling the same as those on the surface. Though, much like Sakura, nearly everyone was nearly brought to tears. Their education allowed them to understand fluent English. So, there were no headaches happening here. Instead, a grim reminder of what their lives could've been, causing all of them to start sobbing a little. All except Gendo of course, who noticed how strained the reflection was while playing.
As they watched the reflection with bated breath. They all jumped when Sachiel broke free of its hypnosis and swung at the reflection. It had grown tired of this thing's antics. This boy-like creature had sent it flying, made it fall through the world to a spot where an explosion went off. The Angel would've been sick due to the amount of g-force that it went through. Though, it was distracted by the massive bomb blowing up in its face.
Needless to say, the Angel wanted this thing dead. Its swing left the top part of the building completely destroyed. Large chunks of debris went flying towards the hills. People tried to run, or even braced and hoped for the best. Only for the large debris to bounce right off of an invisible barrier. They hit the ground only a kilometer away from the people. Now giving everyone a true scope of the barrier that now surrounds Tokyo-3. The Angel took notice of this as well, but didn't think too much of it. Nothing could match its laser beam; it would use that to break free of the barrier later.
Though, the barrier would most likely disappear if it disposed of the reflection. Which Sachiel thought it already had done, as the reflection seemed to have disappeared. Perhaps it was laying around with the debris. Only for it to feel something walking around on its shoulder.
"That was very rude of you. I was talking to my other half." It said, sitting down with its legs dangling off of Sachiel's exposed shoulder bone.
The Angel was about to shake the reflection off. Only for the thing to whisper in its mind.
"You just made this personal, you know. I was thinking about sitting this one out, but if you insist."
(Hit The Lights - Metallica)
(0:00 to 0:15)
The ground began to shake, all the way from the hills to the central dogma. It was like an Earthquake slowly building power, as the reflection built up rhythm on its guitar. And while the people in Tokyo-3 might have been struggling to stand. Sachiel was at the center of it, falling and being pinned to the ground by the sheer force of the music.
The reflection didn't fall with Sachiel, however, it simply stood up and floated in thin air. As with every continuing riff, it shook its guitar. Causing the tremors to grow more sporadic and minimal, than spaced out and much more powerful. Nearly crushing the Angel's bones. Everyone nearly fell to the ground as well, except for Rei who was lucky enough to still be floating.
(0:16 to 0:19)
As the sound of drums and bass came from mysterious shadowy figures nearby on one of the roof tops. They then completely disappeared. All the lights suddenly turned on to the beat of the drums, and focused on the reflection, the Angel, and the EVA. Making Tokyo-3 look like a stage, and now with a bigger source of light. The shadowy figures that played the other instruments, became as big as shadows of the buildings, stretching across the land.
Though, while the drummer and bassist were accounted for, one was missing.
(0:20 to 0:32)
The Reflection was surprised when it noticed that the sound of the guitar wasn't coming from its own. It was instead, coming from the hills. So, it teleported to the location of the noise. Who else could it have been? It was Sakura, surprising both the reflection, along with everyone else around her at how well she played. When she noticed the reflection nearby, with a tired look on its face, she thought she had messed up.
Though right before she could apologize, it walked up to her with a smile.
"Try to keep up." Is all it said.
(0:33 to 0:52)
Sachiel realized that the high gravity had stopped. And stood up as quickly as it could to regain its composure. Then, a massive object came screeching towards it, sending it flying. The Angel didn't even notice how well it matched with the guitar riff. When it hit the ground, it noticed the constant overbearing music.
The Angel didn't know what to focus on, the music, or the constant fists that were hitting it to the beat of the drums. It decided to focus more on the fists more than the annoying sounds. And even tried swinging back at the source of them. Which moved so fast it couldn't keep track. None of the Angel's attacks seemed to land, and all it could do for now was dodge.
Until, whatever was attacking it swept at its legs, knocking it off its feet. Then kicking while it was in the air, the Angel hit the barrier with a massive boom. Making the ground vibrate like the gravity attack from before.
WHOA!
The Reflection shouted as it noticed that the Angel would've hit him and the rest of the people if the barrier wasn't there. Though, it quickly went back to focusing on keeping time with the new rhythm guitarist. Both of them watched as the EVA quickly caught up with the Angel despite sending it flying a great distance. With it being spurred on by the music. Only to be helped even more with the reflection's lyrics.
(0:53 to 1:01)
No life 'til leather!
We're going to kick some ass tonight!
Sakura had the biggest smile on her face as she shredded on her guitar. And it only grew bigger with the Reflection swearing. She even nearly stopped due to the EVA closing the distance and kicking the Angel in the butt. Right as it hit the ground, and the Reflection sang 'kick some ass', causing her to start falling off tempo. At how hard she was laughing. Though, she focused when the Reflection turned to her with a stern look, as well as more lyrics.
(1:02 to 1:12)
We got the metal madness.
When our fans start screaming it's right.
Well alright, yeah.
When we start to rock.
We never wanna stop again.
As EVA dodged every one of the Angel's attacks while landing plenty of its own. Sachiel shot a laser beam that the EVA also dodged. At a reaction time that rivaled the speed of light. The laser exploded on the barrier near the hillside. Everyone watched as a massive cross shaped blast formed in front of them. Though no fire or debris hit them, it was all absorbed by the invisible wall.
While the light casted silhouettes around the two kids rocking out. Banging their heads, letting their short and long hair fly to the beat of the song.
(1:13 to 1:27)
HIT THE LIGHTS!
HIT THE LIGHTS!
HIT THE LIGHTS!
The Reflection stopped its head banging to sing the lyrics. Which caused the EVA to move so fast, it couldn't be seen by the human eye. There was only an after image, then the sound of a punch landing on the Angel's skin. This happened every time the Reflection screamed the title of the song. Which Sachiel picked up on quickly, and was able to block the third time.
It also noticed that the lights around the city shined on both the guitarist, the EVA, and itself. And it followed the EVAs exact position. So, using this visual que, it was able to keep up with the blows the EVA started to land. While countering with a few blows of its own. Though it quickly became apparent, either due to the durability of the EVA. Or the adrenaline brought upon by the solo, that its blows were having no effect on the machine.
It just continued to keep on fighting, despite the clear physical damage.
(1:28 to 1:36)
You know our fans are insane.
We're gonna blow this place away!
Sachiel decided to try another laser blast, despite being so close that it was sure to cause some splash damage to it. The Angel had to risk it, because it was getting pummeled. As it charged up the attack, the EVA grabbed both sides of its shoulders and brought the Angel's head down to its knees.
Not only that, but the EVA had also rerouted its AT Field into its knee in order to counter the laser beam. Reversing it, and having it explode out of the Angel's face. Its bird mask disintegrated, as it flew up in the air at the force of the blast.
(1:37 to 1:47)
With volume higher,
than anything today!
The only way, yeah!
When we start to rock.
We never wanna stop again!
(1:48 to 2:03)
As Sachiel shot up into the sky, it hit the top of the barrier. Causing the beam to stop and start falling to the ground.
HIT THE LIGHTS!
The EVA then jumped up into the air, higher than what was thought possible for such a massive machine.
HIT THE LIGHTS!
Sachiel and EVA made contact, with the EVA wrapping its legs around it and turning around to face the front of the Angel, all while in mid air.
HIT THE LIGHTS!
Then, the EVA landed a flurry of blows all while they both fell to the ground. All to the speed of the guitar solo that the Reflection was shredding. Needless to say, everyone watching it was awestruck. Except for Sakura, who was too invested in having fun. A feeling that spread over to not only the Reflection, but her brother and friends too.
Soon, everyone was headbanging to the sounds and sights of a robot boxing with an alien at the speed of sound.
(2:04 to 2:11)
WITH ALL-OUT SCREAMING!
We're gonna rip right through your brain!
With no eyes or ability to see, Sachiel immediately poured all of its remaining energy into its other senses. Giving it a surprising strength boost, able to survive the crash and land a lucky headshot on the EVA. Managing to get the robot off of it. The Angel pressed its luck by getting up and running into the EVA, picking it up and driving it into the barrier.
(2:12 to 2:33)
We got the lethal power!
It is causing you sweet pain!
Oh sweet pain, yeah!
When we start to rock.
We never wanna stop again!
With all its strength, the Angel tried to crush the EVA up against the barrier. It was working, as there were the sounds of cracking and pieces of metal flying off of the robot. Though, the EVA didn't look in distress. It didn't even make any visible attempt to break free. Until…
HIT THE LIGHTS!
HIT THE LIGHTS!
HIT THE LIGHTS!
HIT THE LIGHTS!
Despite causing some of the metal to come off of its head, once the EVA started headbanging. Nearly breaking the Angel's back at the sheer force of the impact. Sachiel quickly fell to the ground, crying in pain. Though the EVA didn't continue its attacks, it simply stood there, watching.
(I suggest pausing here, but if you think you can read all of this within 2:34 to 2:58, then go ahead. I'll set the time again at the end of this side of the story.)
Meanwhile, down in the Central Dogma, they had lost contact with the Entry Capsule camera. Meaning they couldn't view Shinji's current physical state. His mental state was through the roof though, according to Maya:
"His synchronization readings are perfect. No, really, they're at one hundred percent!"
"But this doesn't make any sense! He could barely make the EVA move earlier. How was he able to go into a full-on offensive mode?" Ritsuko questioned.
"Perhaps it's berserk?" Misato suggested.
"No, it can't be, we don't have any readings!" Makoto answered.
"We can't even figure out what's causing that barrier. Are our scanners malfunctioning?" Shigeru added with clear frustration.
"Our sensors are working perfectly I'll have you know!" Ritsuko nearly shouted.
"Oh really!? I didn't notice." Shigeru shouted back.
While everyone else started arguing with each other. Fuyutsuki and Gendo watched with annoyance, as they could already tell that the Reflection was up to something.
"I never liked this music." Fuyutsuki remarked.
"That's why it was picked." Gendo responded.
The commander had secretly pulled up a camera that viewed the hills on a screen in his desk. Where he watched the Reflection and Sakura play guitar. It's here that Gendo noticed that the Reflection was visibly sweating.
'Interesting.' Gendo thought.
"Do you have any idea what it might be planning?" Fuyutsuki asked, louder than usual. As to get everyone's attention so they would all stop talking over themselves.
Gendo simply looked at all of them with visible disdain. They were all put in their place as he looked them all in the eyes. It was clear that he was piecing together something, but they were all just distracting him. Though, one of them was brave enough to stand up to him.
"Could you at least tell us what you're thinking instead of us having to play catch up?" Misato asked.
This got Gendo to smile a little bit. Something that even Ritsuko never thought she'd see.
"I thought I hired you all so you could do just that. Besides, the more you know, the more likely you all will get killed."
He let that last sentence linger for a moment. Setting the mood for what he was about to say next.
"But if you must know…it's trying to lure something out."
Before anyone could fully process what he just said, the control panel made a noise.
"We have visual contact!" Makoto notified everyone.
"Put it on the main screen!" Misato commanded.
(2:34 to 4:15)
Shinji had forgotten what he used to be. All he could see was the Angel, who needed to be killed. All he smelled and tasted was blood, all he heard was the sound of guitars blaring in his ears. And all he felt was pain. A feeling that he shared in kind with Sachiel, to a point where it looked as if he had won.
Despite the fact that the guitars were still playing. Shinji needed to slow down, so he simply made the EVA stand in one place. Looking down at the Angel, shrieking in pain, and slowly healing. Meanwhile, the boy was frothing at the mouth, waiting for his energy to return. To hear the next guitar solo so that he would spring into action.
But before that, he heard familiar voices. Shouting to him, asking him if he was alright. He looked up from the Angel, and to the surrounding screens. Where everyone down in the Central Dogma were horrified at the animal-like state Shinji was in. Many were too scared to even ask him a question when he looked their way. Except for one.
"Shinji! Oh my God! Can you hear me!?" Misato asked.
Shinji was breathing heavily, looking Misato up and down. Making it clear what he was really thinking, until he looked at her scared look. It wasn't one of fear, but concern. The look helped to reorient the boy into thinking somewhat straight. Until he felt a pain in his right side. Sachiel had gotten up, healed to a point where it could function again. Then, clawed into the EVA's side.
Though the boy didn't even fully feel it. All the pain seemed to be blending together. It didn't truly affect him, until he looked into his father's dead eyes. The same expression that he had worn when he first went out into battle. And presumably as he watched his own son lose his mind. This really fired Shinji up, perhaps after he was done with this Angel. He'd bite his father's face off.
Misato saw this hatred on his face.
"Shinji! Retreat! Get out of there!" She commanded.
Shinji looked down at her.
"I'm sorry." Is all he said, in a deep gravelly voice.
The EVA grabbed the arm of the Angel, flipped it around, and slammed into the barrier. Then, as the guitar solo kicked in, Shinji ran while keeping Sachiel's face pressed against the barrier. Leaving a massive green streak across the invisible wall. The screams of Sachiel couldn't be heard. It tried to self-destruct, but even its core was too damaged to activate it.
Then, when Shinji was done with that. He pulled the Angel away, and continually slammed it into the barrier over and over again. Until even its upper torso was almost completely gone. Then, he threw the Angel up in the air and drove his fist through it while it was coming down. He used the opportunity to whip the Angel around until it flew off his arm.
Where for the last few seconds of the song, Shinji just unleashed a fury of fist. Reducing the Angel to nothing but a puddle of green liquid. The core, along with the body, died out as its color faded and rolled out of the way of the constant punches. Which went at the pace of the drums, until eventually, two last blows at what used to be the remains of Sachiel.
(End)
As the Shinji pulled the EVA back to standing up. He looked to the right, where he noticed that he was able to see the head of the robot. From there, he saw a massive ominous green eye looking right at him. And with that, he passed out due to exhaustion. Causing the EVA to fall down with him.
The lights all went out as the ground shook at its impact. Everyone who wasn't watching the Reflection and Sakura rock out. Watched the EVA shut down, then looked over to the two children. Well, one was a child, the other was something completely different. Sakura was looking around with a bright smile on her face, bowing and taking in all the compliments. While the Reflection looked tired and sweaty.
It had its hands on its knees, breathing heavily as if to catch its breath. Which Sakura took notice of.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "That guitar solo sure was epic!"
The Reflection looked at her with a reassuring smile and then turned to the EVA. Where he could see Rei approaching it. Despite her best efforts to pierce the barrier, she couldn't get through to save Shinji. She stayed on the ground, so it wasn't surprising that no one saw her.
"Is your brother, okay? He was the one piloting that thing. He sure put in a lot of effort; I only caught the fight in glimpses." Sakura remarked.
"It was AWESOME!" Kensuke shouted, surprising her. "The two were jumping around, shooting beams at each other, but the EVA. HOLY COW! It was a beast!"
"For once, I agree with you! HOLY SHIT!" Toji joined in, just as wide eyed as his friend.
"Watch your language!" Sakura shouted at them, but with a smile on her face as well.
It was these smiling faces that gave the Reflection a triumphant feeling it hadn't felt in a while. Though, it had to attend to the other observers and quickly. Less they get too close to the EVA. But one last time, before the Reflection disappeared. It took in the sight of all these smiling people, some trying to ask the Reflection questions. Others realized that the battle was over and tried to head back home.
It took it all in, just in case that this might be the last time he might see any of these people again. For even with all this power, who knows what could happen in an altered timeline. Especially with one of them on the way.
Nothing says Merry Christmas like Hit The Lights by Metallica, aye? Sorry if this took so long, I've been busy with life as usual. And I hope that the wait has been worth it. Let me know if you guys have any criticism about this series. Obviously don't write death threats or hate speeches but do let me know if I can fix some things.
I hoped you enjoyed the chapter.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and hey, how about one more for the road?
HIT THE LIGHTS!