Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned by Studio Gainax and Hideaki Anno and Utraman is owned by Tsuburaya Productions
Chapter 8: Miracle of Ultra
Rei's New Apartment
Rei stared intently at her left hand, lost in thought. Her mind kept coming back to that day, when Ultraman Mebius seized control of her body for his own purpose, in order to protect Unit-02's pilot of all people. He hasn't said a word to her since.
Rei felt disgusted. For him to violate her body with no regard to how she felt, it reminded her of Unit-00. It wasn't as extreme, but she still didn't expect that Ultraman Mebius could act so cruel, and based on her dreams, he's done more than just take control of her hand. Is this how they are in the Land of Light?
Rei decided to go outside to clear her thoughts, as Captain Katsuragi told her that she should go out more and that staying in her room all day isn't good for her. She never felt any issues with this before, but she trusted the captain.
To her surprise, the captain was also on her way out of her own apartment. On her way to NERV, Rei assumed.
"Good morning, Captain," Rei greeted. Eyeing her outfit, Rei realized that her badge now has two stripes on it.
"Forgive me. I meant Major," Rei bowed. "Congratulations."
Major Misato smiled. "Thank you, Rei-chan." She headed out of the building, but Rei felt some kind of forlorn feeling within her.
Rei waited for Ultraman Mebius to say something, only to remember how they are not on speaking terms right now. It gave Rei a strange empty feeling, but she couldn't explain what it was.
Rei shook her head. She didn't come out just to do more thinking. Taking a deep breath, Rei headed outside as well.
Later, the pilots are called to perform a Harmonics Test.
"Shinji-kun, you did very well," Dr. Akagi praised.
"What did I do?"
"Your harmonics levels are up eight points from the last time. Those are impressive numbers."
"But he's still 50 below me!" said Unit-02's pilot.
"That's eight points in ten days. That's a big deal."
"That's no big deal at all!" Unit-02's pilot argued. She turned to Ikari, probably about to mock him, but she also saw Rei who gave her a light glare.
"Whatever." Unit-02's pilot stormed off, leaving only the First and Third Children.
"Good job," said Rei to Shinji, but he didn't seem happy about it.
"Are you not happy, Ikari-kun?"
"Not really," Ikari admitted. Curious. He's just like Major Katsuragi.
Rei didn't know what to say, but fortunately Ikari decided to change the subject. "We're throwing a party for Misato-san later. Do you want to come?"
"I'd appreciate it," said Rei.
Antarctica has become a desolate place. Although hardly habitable 15 years ago, it has since become a barren wasteland. Even the once blue sea is now blood red, as if to symbolize the death and destruction that Second Impact caused. The only sign of life there currently was the giant red ball hovering above the ocean.
This is the jet of Ultraman Hikari. The blue Ultraman received a call from his ally and friend, Ultraman Mebius to help investigate what happened in the world that he was currently assigned to. Hikari, curious about this strange occurrence, decided to lend his hand. He traveled to where it all began, and what he found were opening more questions in his mind.
There were still traces of particles and excess energy left from the explosion that occurred 15 years ago. Hikari needs to examine them and compare them to the Angels as Mebius called them, to see if there's a connection. He must tell Mebius to bring him a sample.
Hikari sensed the presence of other lifeforms. Two humans. He saw from the distance a still functional ship coming his way. He must take his leave for now. He can't be seen like this.
Hikari's travel sphere quickly took its leave. He'll have to come back later. He'll camp outside of Earth in the meantime.
As he left Earth's orbit however, he realized that he still wasn't alone.
Looking around, Hikari saw a giant eye.
NERV HQ
"It appeared out of nowhere two minutes ago."
"Re-tasking OBSAT no. 6 to target's orbit."
"Contact in two minutes."
"We have the target on visual."
The screens turned static.
"An AT-Field?!"
The Tenth Angel has been spotted. A floating creature from space, it has the novel ability of manipulating its AT-Field in creative ways, such as jamming signals, and more worryingly, using it as a bomb. The Angel has already dropped parts of its own biomass in the Pacific region twice. It's likely to head their way, planning on using its body to destroy Tokyo-3.
"We're detecting signs of Pattern Ultra!" said Lieutenant Ibuki, referring to the term coined by Lieutenant Kirisaki to refer to the signature of the Silver Giant.
"Major! We're getting reports of a Blue Giant engaging the enemy!" said Lieutenant Hyuga.
"A Blue Giant?" questioned Misato, which Lieutenant Hyuga confirmed.
(She ignored the look of shock at the normally stoic Lieutenant Kirisaki's face. This was a surprise for all of them.)
"They say he's unable to penetrate the Angel's AT-Field."
At that moment, a plan downloaded itself within Misato's brain. It would be difficult as this was not the giant they've been working with in the past, but it's a risk they'd have to take.
—
"You want us to do what?!" Asuka asked incredulously.
"Intercept the Angel before it hits the ground. Let the Blue Giant handle the rest," Misato explained, specifically to Shinji and Asuka, who will be the ones to accomplish this.
"You can't honestly risk the success of this mission to that damn giant. We don't even know how he'd respond!" Asuka argued.
"Why not? We've collaborated with the Silver Giant before."
"Well that clearly isn't him out there." Asuka pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why are we even working with this new giant?"
"Because the alternative is for all three of you to intercept it and destroy the core yourselves. You know the odds of what would happen."
Asuka shuts up as she thinks about it. There was a moment of silence before Misato continued.
"We're granted a miracle here, but it wouldn't matter if we won't take advantage of it. And besides, it all starts with trusting."
Shinji briefly looked at Rei, who paused for a bit before nodding.
"Alright," said Shinji. "I'll go."
Asuka sighed. "Fine. Better me than wonder girl at least."
Misato smiled. "Don't worry. Once this is over with, I'll treat you to a steak dinner."
The Angel was almost near the ground. The time for the operation is near. Unit-01 and Unit-02 stood opposite to each other, awaiting the Angel's arrival. The Blue Giant was in the sky, observing the proceedings.
"Mission start!"
Unit-01 and Unit-02 ran towards the Angel. Once they reached the target, they used their Progressive Knives to cut through the Angel's AT-Field.
The Blue Giant understood what was going on. He engulfed himself with light and was now covered by some kind of armor. He flew towards the Angel as well.
The Blue Giant inserted himself below the Angel and shot a beam. As the beam penetrated the Angel's core, the giant moved forward, pushing the Angel upwards, away from the two Evas, and eventually Earth's orbit.
The Blue Giant let go, and the Angel exploded.
The Tenth Angel has been defeated.
The operation successful, the three pilots and Misato went ahead with the planned steak dinner.
Or rather, ramen. Asuka decided that this was the cheaper option, knowing of Misato's financial issues. That and so this way, Ayanami can come as well.
As Shinji ate his ramen, his mind wandered back to the debriefing earlier, when his father praised him. It made Shinji happy.
But he also remembered how Rei praised him so many times, as well as Mebius by extension, and earlier during the train ride to the ramen place:
"Ikari-kun?" whispered Ayanami.
"Yeah?"
Ayanami opened her mouth, then hesitated. This went on for a while, before finally deciding to say, "the Blue Giant, Ultraman Hikari. He says thank you."
All those things also made him happy.
He was beginning to think that the reason he pilots is so his father would praise him like that, but the praises of other people, especially Misato and Ayanami, they matter to him just as much.
Maybe more…
Shinji shook his head. Sure, his father may be… distant, but that doesn't mean that his attention means so little to him.
Right?