A beautiful day in Tokyo-3, marred only by the large sphere-shaped object floating in the sky. Huge and clear as crystal, the object has been stationary over the city for the past hour.
The Evangelions and Danner emerged from NERV HQ each primed to do battle. For the first time, all four machines confronted a single enemy
"Do we even know what this thing is? "asked Asuka "It's not like it's done anything"
"Somehow I doubt it's here for sightseeing" responded Shinji
"We're not getting any kind of wave pattern off of it" Ritsuko replied over the comm
"So it's not an Angel?" asked Draven
"It doesn't matter what it is," said Misato "If it's hostile, destroy it"
"What if it's just hanging there doing nothing?" asked Shinji
"We get some strobe lights, turn up the music, and throw a city wide party. " answered Draven
"Cut the jokes" ordered Misato. She didn't like it. Angels she knew how to fight, this was something completely different. There had been no warning and it hadn't made any attempt to attack or enter NERV HQ.
"You got anything Ritsuko?" asked Misato
The blonde woman looked over the scant data they had collected.
"No wave pattern, no energy emission, not showing on radar or any of our instruments. If I wasn't seeing it I'd say the thing wasn't even there"
"So it's an illusion?" asked Misato
"If it is, we can't find a source for it"
"Great," said Misato bitterly "I don't want to attack until we know what we're dealing with"
Behind the women Commander Ikari and his Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki looked on
"Ikari what is that thing?"
"It doesn't matter " replied Ikari sternly "If it's our enemy we will destroy it"
"You don't have a clue either do you?" asked the older man
Ikari's body stiffened "No, I don't"
"Something's happening" called Hyuga
All eyes turned to the large viewing screen. Light began to pour out of the crystal sphere
"What's it doing?" asked Misato
"Nothing" shouted Ritsuko "There's nothing on our instruments"
"How do you explain this?" Misato shouted back "What's the status of the pilots?"
"We've lost contact" replied Hyuga "Whatever that light is, it's blocking our communication with the EVAs and Danner."
As suddenly as it began the light faded and the crystal vanished
"Open communication with our pilots" ordered Misato
The video feed of the children came on the screen. Misato and Maya gasped in horror.
Each child slumped against the controls of their respective machines.
None of them seemed to be breathing
"no" whispered Misato the shouted, "GET THEM BACK DOWN HERE, NOW!"
The tactician ran from the control room doing something she never thought she would ever do, pray. She was praying that her team and her family were alright.
Shinji wasn't sure what was going on. A blinding light had poured out of the crystal. It felt like he was being lifted and pulled from his entry plug into a place where nothing made sense. Down was up and left was right. It felt like he was falling and flying at the same time. He could see his friends around him but could hear nothing, not even his own screams.
Finally, after an unknown amount of time, the pilots landed gently on a cool stone floor in a large empty camber.
"What the hell was that?" Asked Asuka trying to stand but her legs were unsteady and she collapsed back to the floor.
Shinji looked around, Rei had managed to steady herself enough to stand. Asuka not wanting to be outdone was still trying. Draven sat nearby, his hand over his mouth
"I think I'm going to be sick" he muttered.
Then Shinji saw a large pool in the middle of the room. It was the size of a swimming pool, and whatever was in it was the color L.C.L. It shone brightly in the dark room.
"Ah you have arrived" a voice called from the darkness "You may wish to stay still a few moments more, the Transportation Spell can have some nasty side effects"
The teens looked to see an old man dressed in long red robes approach them. Despite his obvious advanced age he stood tall and walked with confidence. His white beard extended down to his chest, while his head was as bald and shiny as the orb he carried. The orb looked much like the thing they had faced back in Tokyo-3 only much smaller.
"Who are you?" asked Rei calmly.
"I am the ancient wizard Merklynn, I have summoned you to this land for a purpose" spoke the old man
"Where are we?" asked Shinji finally finding the strength to stand
"In the land of Prysmos" replied Merklynn "It is the Age of Magic"
"Magic?" asked Asuka, she too had finally been able to stand and keep upright "There's no such thing"
"Then explain how you were transported here" replied the wizard sharply
"I have need of you"
"Why us?" asked Draven
"Because I chose you" replied the old man simply
"What are we? Pokemon?" replied Draven
"But why did you choose us?" asked Shinji
"Because I have need of you" replied the wizard irritation creeping into his voice
"How do you know of us?" asked Rei "This is not Earth"
"I have viewed your exploits through my crystal orb" answered the wizard holding the orb up "They have been most amusing"
"Oh my god! You've been watching me in the shower!" shouted Asuka
"Be silent foolish girl" the wizard responded angrily "If I wish to indulge in such perversion I would not waste my time on a child!" The orb he held shone brightly as if it too was angry at Asuka's accusation
"So what do you want from us?" asked Draven.
The wizard walked closer "Some time ago I bestowed magic on several of this world's warriors." The orb created an illusion showing several men in armor running through a maze
"Each was given an animal totem, among other powers. They divided themselves into two groups the Spectral Knights and the Darkling Lords, then began a petty feud. I have called upon them several times for tasks I required them to perform"
"So why not call them? Why bother us?" asked Asuka still angry at the idea that this old man had seen her naked even if it wasn't true
"The Spectral Knight have been captured by their rivals. In a flash of brilliance I had thought far above them, the Darkling Lords have placed Wizard's Bane around the castle so I cannot enter." explained Merklynn "I want you four to go and set the Knights free."
The pilots looked at each other, then back to the wizard
"Of course" spoke Merklynn again "I do not expect you to do this for free. I shall empower you with magic as I have the others, I shall also give you armor and weapons that will allow you to battle the Darkling Lords as equals"
"What if we refuse?" asked Rei
"Then you may leave" responded the wizard.
"Great find someone else" snapped Asuka
"Then go," said Merklynn as he gestured to a door at the far end of the room.
"Will that take us home?" asked Shinji
"I said you may leave" replied Merklynn "I did not say I would send you back to your world"
"WHAT?" shouted Draven "So we're stuck here?"
"If you do as I ask I will return you home as a final reward"
"Great, Wizards are di..." Draven muttered to himself
"You would be wise to watch what you say young one," said Merklynn interrupting him " You cannot hide behind unknown tongues here. I added a Spell of Translation to the Transportation Spell, this allows you to understand this world's native language. In turn, anything you say will translate into the native speech of this world."
"Oh hell" whispered Draven
"Now," said the wizard "To the business at hand. First your armor "
The old man held his crystal orb high as the light began to pour out of it once again.
The children's normal combat outfits began to glow brightly. When the light faded each found armor had attached itself above their plugsuits the chest, forearms, and legs. The armor reflected the battle machines they had left back in Tokyo-3
A dark purple armor appeared on Shinji, including a helmet with a long thin horn on the forehead.
Rei's armor was blue with a red visor on her helmet.
Asuka's red armor blended perfectly with her red plugsuit, her helmet had four green stones at the four corners of the visor.
Over Draven's dark blue uniform, light blue armor appeared with a golden headband around his helmet.
Each armor had a large six-sided gray plate on the chest.
"Now for your weapons," the wizard said
Light flew from the orb again into each of their hands.
Shinji's became a single-sided sword, much like a traditional Japanese katana
"There is nothing that blade cannot cut" spoke Merklynn
Draven received a large twin-heaed battle axe.
He examined the weapon "It should weigh a hundred pounds but I can swing like it's nothing"
"That is because of the enhanced strength granted by your armor." replied the wizard
Asuka was given a small crossbow
"That weapon fires a bolt of magical energy" explains Merklynn "While it never needs reloading it does have a small recharge time. In close combat, it is useful as a hand weapon but I advise against it"
In Rei's hand was a glaive, a single-bladed weapon on the end of a pole roughly 18 cm long. "An elegant weapon for an elegant young lady," the old man said.
"Now finally your animal totems," said Merklynn as their chest plates began to glow and on each, a different animal appeared.
"Asuka Soryu, proud and vicious, the tiger totem is yours" Asuka turned briefly into a large tiger made of blue light, letting out a roar before becoming herself again
"Rei Ayanami, swift and graceful, the leopard totem is yours" The blue-haired girl became a blue leopard. She ran swiftly across the room and back before turning back into a human., looking a bit embarrassed at her actions
The wizard continued
"As much as I dislike using a totem twice. Draven Dunway loyal and fierce, you shall have the wolf totem"
A blue wolf appeared howling at an unseen moon before becoming a teen again
"Finally Shinji Ikari you yearn to spread your wings, to seek your destiny, you shall wear the hawk totem"
Shinji became a hawk, soaring through the air before landing and reverting back.
"I shall send you as close to the Darkling Lords castle as I am able, after that, you will be on your own," said Merklynn
His orb once again shone brightly and the children vanished from the chamber.
TOKYO-3
"Well? Anything?" asked Misato
"That's the fourth time you've asked in the last hour Misato," said Ritsuko irritated.
"I want answers Ritsuko" replied Misato sternly
The two women were in the NERV medical wing. The children were lying in beds hooked up to several machines monitoring their vitals.
"All we know is they're alive, just not responding," said Ritsuko looking over her notes.
"I can't find anything physically wrong with them"
"Then how do you explain their condition," said Misato angrily.
Ritsuko sighed, she took a sip of her coffee and grimaced. Misato must have made it.
"A more religious person might say their souls are missing"
"How do we get them back?" asked Misato "That thing vanished after it attacked"
"I don't know," said Ritsuko "Hope that I'm wrong and they wake up on their own"
PRYSMOS
The children found themselves on a dark moor. Ahead of them was a gloomy foreboding-looking castle.
"This reminds me of a horror movie we watched" muttered Draven
Merklynn had sent them as close to the Darkling Lord's castle as he could, without alerting their leader Darkstorm.
"So any idea of how we get in?" asked Shinji
Asuka walked boldly to the head of the group "We smash our way in there and kick everyone's ass!"
"I thought you were a college graduate Pilot Soryu," said Rei moving up "Such a foolish plan would only come from the mind of a child"
"Oh yeah, First Child? " growled Asuka "You got a better idea?"
"Any idea would be better" replied Rei "Perhaps we can sneak in."
"In these outfits?" Asuka countered "Have you looked at yourself lately? That wizard has no sense of style"
"Will you two knock it off?" said Draven, he turned to the last member of their team "Any thoughts Shinji?"
Shinji wanted to break down laughing. They were in a foreign land, wearing techo-medieval armor with the ability to turn into animals and they were going to storm an evil knight's castle to rescue good knights. It was almost too much for his mind to take. Yet even in this world, he couldn't escape EVA-01 as his armor mirrored its appearance. Shinji paused a moment, looking at his armor.
"Not sneak," he said finally "Blend in"
The other turned to him "If sneaking in was the way to do it, why not give us armor that helps hide us?
"So we hide in plain sight?" asked Draven
"Exactly," said Shinji then he pointed " Look!"
The four turned to see a larger group of people wearing odd assortments of armor. They were heading towards the dark castle.
"This is getting weirder and weirder," said Asuka
TOKYO-3
"What is the status of the pilots" Commander Ikari asked
"No change. They are still unconscious" reported Ritsuko. "We've tried everything we can think of, stimulants, antibiotics, even an L.C.L injection. If we continue it may do more harm than good"
"We need the EVAs ready should an angel attack. Prepare the dummy plugs" ordered Ikari
"But the dummy system is far from ready" gasped Ritsuko
"We have no choice." responded NERV's Supreme Commander "Dismissed"
When Ritsuko was gone, Fuyutsuki spoke "That's a dangerous gamble Ikari"
"If you have a better suggestion I would like to hear it," said Ikari "That object was not in our scenario"
"Could it be SEELE?" asked the older man
"Doubtful, they would not want the pilots hurt just yet." answered Ikari "They need the Angels defeated for their scenario to take place."
"The Angels then?"
"If it was the Angels they would have attacked us. This is an unknown player"
"So what do we do?" asked Fuyutsuki
"I don't know" replied Ikari calmly
"Why are you in charge again?" asked the older man exasperated.
Commander Ikari did not reply. The loss of his son and the German pilot was a simple inconvenience and the loss of the Danner's pilot was no consequence at all. Rei however meant his plans would be delayed. The Angels were attacking, and time was short he needed Rei back or he had to start now with a new one. NERV's Commander stood "Fuyutsuki, take over. I have matters to attend to"
PRYSMOS
The teens easily joined the group of oddballs in armor. They were able to enter the castle without effort.
"Welcome knights to be" a loud weedy voice called. The children looked up to see a bearded man standing on a balcony.
"You are here to see if you have what it takes to be a Darkling Lord. We have room for seven new knights. If you are successful you will have the honor of severing the great and powerful, Lord Darkstorm. I am his most loyal servant Mortdredd"
"I was going to say Smithers" whispered Draven
"Shh" hushed Shinji
"Now what?" asked Rei
"We break away from the group and find where these Spectral Knights are" whispered Draven
The group of hopeful dark knights was being led to a large open arena. When the group passed an open door, the four children slipped in, taking care to close the door behind them.
" That was easy," said Asuka
"What's this now?" a nasty voice called out
They turned to see several knights each in olive-green armor, none had the six-sided chest piece.
One man obviously the leader of the group spoke "You brats should go play dress up somewhere else, Lord Darkstorm don't like kids"
"Your Lord Darkstorm can kiss my..." Draven began
He didn't get a chance to finish, the soldiers charged forward each brandishing a weapon
The fight was over quickly with a few swings of our heros weapon's their enemies lay on the floor out cold.
"A simple fight for the Great Asuka Soryu," said Asuka triumphantly
"I think it has more to do with our weapons and armor than your skills," said Draven bending down next to the unconscious body of the leader.
"Hmrph" I could have handled them all myself" Asuka boasted
"Yes, if you had started your usual ranting, I'm sure they would have run away in terror," said Rei,
"You looking for a fight Wondergirl?" snapped Asuka drawing her crossbow
"If you think you can defeat me," Rei said calmly reading her weapon
"Stop it," said Shinji in a commanding tone of voice. Rei had heard that tone in Commander Ikari many times, seems Shinji had inherited some things from his father.
"What are you doing Pervert?" asked Asuka turning to Draven
"Just getting the spoils" he replied
Draven held up a bag he had taken from the leader's side. Opening it, they could see gold coins and gemstones
"Might come in handy or at least make a good souvenir " he said grinning
The children continued to move through the castle. It seemed most of the guards were out watching the competition. They met no further resistance until an intersection of two corridors they met a man in mustard yellow armor, on his chest was a six-sided chest plate, baring the image of a lizard, they had finally met a Darkling Lord
"Well, what do we have here? Intruders? Thieves? Or just more potential boot licks who got lost?" the man sneered. He noticed the animal emblems on their chests "Oh? Maybe Junior Spectral Knights?"
"Who the hell are you calling a bootlick" Asuka snapped "You're a Darkling Lord, like that guy in the courtyard"
The man removed his helmet, to reveal a bearded man of about thirty-five. "Do not confuse me with that idiot Mortdredd" he said angrily "I serve Darkstorm only for profit. I wonder how much he will pay me for tripping this alarm?"
The man pointed to the push panel on the wall "Just one push and the whole castle will know you are here" he said wickedly
"Mercenary huh?" Asked Draven, he held up the bag taken from the soldiers "Half this bag of gold says you never saw us. The other half says you answered a couple of questions for us" he tossed one coin to the man as proof
The man examined the coin "A fair payment. I supposed you want to know where the Spectral Knights are?"
"Exactly," said Draven "I also want to know about the other Darkling Lords"
The older man shrugged "Like you they have animal totems but those are nothing to be concerned with. It's the Power Staffs you need to watch. Four of them have staffs, each with their own type of magic, Destruction, Fear, Invulnerability but the one you need to be most wary of is Darkstorm's Decay Staff. If he uses its power you will all be aged into almost dust"
"Decay means aging?" asked Shinji "That's a bit of a stretch"
The man shrugged "Ask that wizard, he's the one who made it. The drawback is, each staff can only be used once before it must be re-charged at the wizard's shrine."
The man pointed down a hallway to his right "Follow this corridor and pass over the ramparts then you will come upon two sets of stairs. The upstairs leads to the throne room, the other leads down to the dungeon." Draven tossed the rest of the bag to the mercenary.
The man turned down the left hallway " A pleasure doing business with you"
Without another word he left, his payment jingling on his belt.
The children continued on their way across the dark stone corridor. Even with torchlight, the hallway was dim and cold. At the end they saw daylight, soon they would be over the ramparts.
As they neared the doorway a huge green shaped attacked, swinging massive arms. Shinji was knocked to the floor. A large green gorilla blocked their progress. The second Darkling Lord and this one was ready for battle.
In a flash of light, Asuka became a tiger and charged the ape claws and teeth bared. She sank her teeth into the gorilla's shoulder, it roared in anger and threw her to the ground.
"Asuka!" shouted Draven becoming a wolf, slashing at his enemy with claws and snarling in rage
Rei charged forward with her weapon, she blocked the animal's first swing but its return swing caught her off guard. She tumbled to the ground her helmet knocked from her head and sent rolling down the stone hall. The green monster paused, looking down at the blue-haired girl. It flashed green as a man appeared. He was older than the first, gray-haired, and without the nasty look in his eyes, the mercenary had. In his hand was a large metal club
"I not fight children," he said in disgust
"Then may we pass?" asked Rei
"No" he replied simply "Darkstorm will not like it"
"Do you always do as Darkstorm says?" asked Asuka standing up. "You're as bad as Wondergirl over there. Just another doll"
"Shut up Asuka" snapped Shinji
"Who the hell do you think you are Third Child!" shouted Asuka "No one tells me to shut up!"
"I tell you," said the old man angrily slamming his club into to wall, the sound was deafening and the hallway shook.
The old man looked at Rei "You are like me, little one?"
Rei was able to stand, looking into the man's eyes. "I have been told to never question my orders, to only do as told my whole life"
"Is your lord mean to you as well?" he asked.
"Damn right he is," Shinji said stepping up "She's forced to live in a filthy home, her life is always in jeopardy, and..." Shinji wanted to go on but Rei raised her hand, signaling him for quiet.
"He has been as kind to me as he can be to anyone, which is very little, The man has shut away his ability to love" replied Rei
"Darkstorm loves nothing except power and money" grunted the old man "He is always pushing me around"
"That is because he fears you," Rei said quietly
"Fears me?"
"He fears what would happen if you stopped following him. He needs you to battle the Spectral Knights. Without you he would be short a powerful warrior" explained Rei
She could see the gears turning in the man's head, albeit slowly. He was strong but far from the sharpest knife in the drawer.
"You should choose your own path," said Rei
"Yes little one" The man nodded " You may pass"
"Thank you," said Rei "May I ask your name?"
"I am Cindarr" he replied "Go now. I have much to think about"
Shinji handed Rei her helmet and then walked through the doorway onto the rampart.
They could see the courtyard, Darkling hopefuls were still competing for slots in Darkstorm's army
"FOOLS!" came a scream. The voice was horrible, like nails on a chalkboard.
Ahead of them children was a knight in red and black armor, on his chest was the emblem of some odd dragon creature.
"Stupid fools, I will destroy you!" he shouted. Green light flashed the man became the dragon creature on his chest plate. He grabbed the still-wounded Rei by the shoulders, soaring high into the sky with her.
"REI!" Shinji shouted as blue light shone and a hawk took flight. Hawk Shinji attacked the dragon creature with a ferociousness the boy Shinji never showed. His talons raked the monster's eyes. It screamed in pain, as Rei dropped free of its claws.
Her chest plate flashed and a blue leopard landed on the ramparts gracefully. When Rei was herself again "I am enjoying this totem animal"
Seeing Rei was now safe Hawk Shinji attacked his enemy with renewed vigor. The hawk was far more maneuverable in the sky than its scaly adversary. Shinji soared above his enemy and then resumed human form, he landed on top of the scaly creature forcing it towards the stone floor of the ramparts
The creature became a man as well "What are you doing? We'll both be killed!" he shouted
Moments before the pair hit, Shinji resumed his hawk form, leaving the Darkling Lord to hit the ground with a sickening crack.
"Brutal" commented Draven as his friend landed.
"He tried to kill Rei," Shinji said angrily.
The knight lay still on the stone floor, they could just make out weak breathing
"Well he's still alive," said Asuka
"Yeah but he's gonna be sore for a long time" responded Draven
They continued on their way, across the ramparts entering another corridor. Along the wall, they found three long poles, each with a portrait of a strange creature on top
"These must be the Power Staffs that Merc was talking about," said Draven he reached out, grabbing the one with an image of a dog-like demon on it.
"There's writing on the back, that must be the spell to use the power. I think this is Destruction"
Shinji grabbed what looked like a cross between a skull and a spider "This is Fear. That translation spell must work on writing too"
Rei looked at the third staff, it held a golem-like creature "Invulnerability"
"Which means Decay isn't here," said Asuka
"Don't worry your pretty head about that. We'll take you to Lord Darkstorm, he can show you all about Decay"
A group of ten soldiers entered the hallway and advanced on the teens
"Here we go again" muttered Draven
Shinji held up the staff and chanted "O mist-filled pits, dark dank, unclear, touch all before me with frost-fingered fear!"
The monster in the image jumped from its portrait and ran at the soldiers. A moment later they were all screaming in terror and feeling back the way they had come.
"That gives me an idea'" said Draven, running back to the entrance of the corridor
He held up the dog demon staff "By nature's hand, by craft, by arts, what once was whole now flies apart!"
A huge creature emerged from the staff, It jumped over the rampart edge and began to destroy castle walls, scattering the assembled mob in the courtyard below
"That should cause a nice diversion," said Draven when he returned to his friends.
They left the now powerless staff and continued down the hallway, finally seeing the staircase down.
At the bottom of the stairs, they found a cell door with a large padlock on the outside of it. They could hear voices inside the locked room. Along the wall, four more Power Staffs sat.
"End of the line," said Draven.
"How right you are"
A metal gate slammed down across the doorway they had just come through.
Part of the wall slid open.
"I detest rats in my castle," a man in dark green armor said, he was holding a power staff like the ones they had left in the corridor above. This was Darkstorm.
"Please Master allow me to deal with the rats" a man in light green and purple armor. It was the man they had seen talking to the recruits.
"Be sure to put your tongue back in your mouth when you're done boot-licking Mortdredd" said a man in blue and red armor
"How dare you speak to Lord Darkstorm's most loyal servant like that!" Mortdredd shrieked "Lexor you have gone too far this time!"
"Shut up you idiots" Darkstorm shouted angrily. "Destroy these rats,"
Shinji and Draven readied their weapons. Mortdredd wielded a weapon that looked like a scythe minus the long pole.
He clashed with Draven "Come one bootlick, let's see it you can fight!" taunted the teen
Lexor's weapon was a small hand thing that had a hook on each end with spikes jutting out from just in front of the knuckles. He threw a punch at Shinji, but the teen blocked with this sword. Lexor hooked the blade and struggled to disarm Shinji.
Rei stepped forward to oppose Darkstorm. The vile man laughed "What now little blue rat? Do you think you can defeat me? Pity Virulina is not here, I would so enjoy feeding this rat to her shark"
Asuka watched the warriors square off. The sound of clashing metal echoed in the small room.
Idiots, why did they insist on doing things that hard way?
She raised her crossbow and fired at the lock holding the Spectral Knights prisoner.
Darkstorm saw what Asuka was doing "Stop her you idiots before she frees the Spectral Knights"
A hard blow from Rei's weapon dazed the vile man. Fortunately for him, it was the blunt end
"Yes Master," said Mortdredd, abandoning his battle with Draven and running toward Asuka
"Where are you going?" asked the American teen
"My Master calls I must answer"
"Commander Ikari would love this guy" muttered Draven. "Get back here!"
Shinji and Lexor's weapons were hopelessly tangled. "
"Let go," said Shinji trying to wrestle his blade free.
"You let go!" the man said panicked. In a flash of green light, the man vanished, and a green armadillo scurried across the floor.
"What kind of totem is an armadillo?" asked Shinji
"My Master commands you stop little rat" declared Mortdredd raising his weapon
Draven ran up and slammed his shoulder into the older man sending him flying.
The teen grits his teeth "You don't lay a hand on her."
"You are all useless!" shouted Darkstorm. He let out a high-pitched squeal and dropped to the floor holding his privates. Rei stood calmly behind him, after having brought the pole end of her weapon right up into a very sensitive area of her enemy.
"Master" shouted Mortdredd, abandoning his battle to see to his master's needs.
Asuka finally managed to destroy the lock with her crossbow, six men and a woman came charging out of the room.
One in blue armor with a lion totem led the charge "Spectral Knights forward" he shouted.
"Damn, you all" shouted Darkstorm holding up his staff. "I will show you the power of Decay! By what creeps What crawls, by what does not...arrgh" he did not finish the spell for a shot from Asuka's weapon struck near his eyes.
The Decay Staff flew from his head as the Spectral Knights charged forward to capture their enemies
"Hey Shinji I got an Idea" called Draven standing over the Decay Staff.
He raised his axe high "On three"
"Three" the two boys shouted together driving their weapons into the offending staff. An explosion of magic power sent the boys flying, the light blinded all in the room. When it faded the Darkling Lords were gone.
Draven and Shinji were lying against the wall,
"Not one of your better ideas' Shinji mumbled
"Yeah, well..." Draven began "They can't all be winners"
MERKLYNN' S SHRINE
"It would seem we owe you a great debt," said Leoric, the blue-armored wielder of the lion totem
"That cell blocked all magic and they took our weapons" spoke Feyrl the knight who shared the wolf totem.
"As a reward, I hereby make you all Junior Spectral Knights!" Leoric exclaimed
The added word 'Junior' stung the pride of the four teens. After all, they had faced far worse than the Darkling Lords.
"Do not be a fool Leoric" scolded Merklynn "So childish name for a competent set of warriors.
They have battled the Darkling Lords as well as your knights have, and done far more damage by destroying the Decay Staff and sowing seeds of dissension in one of Darkstorm's most loyal knights."
"Impressive work for those so young," said Witterquick a white armored knight who bore a cheetah totem
"In their world, they are all that stands between salvation and destruction" exclaimed the wizard
"Such a burden for children to bear," said Galadria a female knight with a dolphin totem "Are there no adults?"
"There are but they can't do what we do," said Shinji
"Then I proclaimed you four true Spectral Knights," said Leoric. "May the light shine forever"
"May the light shine forever" repeated the other adult knights raising their hands in a salute
The four teens looked at each other. Draven shrugged his shoulders then, as one, they answered
"May the light shine forever" returning the salute
"Now it is time to do as I promised and return you to your world," said Merklynn. "You cannot take your armor or weapons, however, the animal totems shall continue to watch over,and guide you"
The armor and weapons vanished into nothingness
"I give you a final warning, your greatest enemy is closer than you realize"
The orb filled the chamber with a blinding light. When it cleared the teens were gone.
TOKYO-3
"It's back! The object is back" shouted Hyuga
In the skies above Tokyo-3, the giant orb appeared again. The sky filled the blinding light then quickly as it arrived, it was gone.
Misato didn't have time to reach the bridge before the orb vanished. Once the report that it was gone came through she ran immediately to the medical wing
"What's the status?" asked Misato walking into the room
Ritsuko was staring through the observation window and answered "See for yourself"
Misato looked, her heart jumped with joy as the four pilots were stirring and sitting up.
Ritsuko held her back "Hold on a moment, before you go running there hugging them or anything else we need to make sure they're all OK"
"Right," said Misato finding it hard not to run in there and gather the four of them up in a giant embrace.
It was several hours before Ritsuko finished
"Well?" asked Misato both anxious and relived
"Shinji and Draven have developed some bruises but nothing life threatening. Over all they are healthy." said Ritsuko looking over her notes "The strange thing is each one had a marking or tattoo on their left forearm"
"A tattoo? I told Asuka she couldn't get one. Wait you mean they all have it, Rei too?" asked Misato
"Correct, each one was a different animal," said Ritsuko
"What do you mean 'was'?"
"The marks were there when we first examined the children but after an hour they faded away" explained Ritsuko
"Did you ask where they came from?"
"I'll leave that debriefing to you," said Ritsuko with a smile "Take them home and get some dinner it's been a long day"
"Right," said Misato enthusiastically "I'll make them a dinner they'll never forget!"
Ritsuko cringed "Misato just order dinner and bill it to NERV. We don't need them getting food poisoning after everything they've been through today"
"Right...HEY, what are you suggesting?"
"That you can't cook," replied Ritsuko lightly
MEDICAL ROOM
"Well that was different," said Draven sitting up in his bed.
"Did that really happen or did we dream it?" asked Shinji
"Are you an idiot? Of course, it happened! Those animal totems were on our arms when we woke up weren't they?" said Asuka
"I suppose," said Shinji weakly,
"May the light shine forever" said Asuka "Can you believe they use such a lame expression?"
"Could be worse." said Draven "I've heard dumber "
Shinji lay back in bed. He was more concerned with Merklynn's final warning but he also knew about the voice recorders, this was not the place to discuss it.
He and Draven would need to discuss it next time they were practicing. Right now he was tired, sore and hoping Misato wasn't about to try cooking tonight