Vertigo, Part 5

Please Read and Review. I'd like to know what I'm doing right (to keep doing it), and what I am doing wrong (to correct it)

Notes, the parenthesis indicates languages other than Japanese, in this case, English and German.

Day Three

Nanda Parbat

Wildcat paced around the old halls of the monastery, full of nervous energy and dread. He pulled back his mask, and washed his face with cold water. As he looked his reflection on the mirror, he rubbed his cheeks, hearing the scratching sound from the stubble on his skin.

He took an old style straight razor, sharpening against a whetstone, he wished for a brush and real shaving soap. He missed that way to shave, but even back in the 2000s, that small luxury was really hard to find. An obsolete relic from a dead past.

As he was applying the foam, his reflection changed. He almost jumped back in readiness for a fight. "I'll be damned! Stranger?" He asked the mirror.

"Wildcat." The image nodded respectfully. "My apologies. I've been out of action, and recovering my strength has been unconveniently slow."

"Playing battery for years does that to you, pal." The former bóxer wiped soap foam from his mouth. "So, what's new? The kids okay?"

"Shinji is fine, though he should not engage in hard activities for a few days, I'll bring him to Nanda Parbat as soon as we are both able. Asuka is… not in this plane of existence. Deadman reported a visit from Dream. The Lord of Stories has taken an interest."

"Sheesh…" Wildcat shook his head, leaning on the lavatory. "The Endless are getting involved?" (1)

"They have been involved for years, at least Delirium, Despair and Dream; Destiny is watching, as always. Death allows Deadman to help us. I had a run in with Despair a few weeks ago. She tried to collect Asuka."

"Bad business that, then. I'm guessing you got her back."

"She is safe, at the moment. She and her Mother are in the Dreaming, Despair wouldn't dare to incur Dream's wrath should she try something there. Anyway, she has me on her sight."

"Man, that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy." Wildcat shook his head ruefully. "Hmm… back to the usual ring, when will the kid come back? I have the feeling things are gonna heat up soon."

"You're right. The 14th Angel has just been defeated, only three more remain. Both SEELE and Gendo Ikari are close to the Endgame. Once the 17th Angel has been defeated, both will force Third Impact. Deadman informed me that SEELE is very interested on the energy generating organ that Unit-02 developed."

"I Can see where they are going. The Dummy Plugs, the engine, the budget to make more EVA Units… they are basically supervillains ashamed to admit they are supervillains! That plan is as hare-brained as Per Degaton's!" (2)

"Yes. They plan to create autonomous Evangelion Units to enact the Black Moon Summoning Rite. Still, they need a pilot to cast it successfully, it wouldn't work without a human soul." (3)

"And them want one of the kids fer that role, the bastards."

"Yes." The Stranger answered succinctly.

Wildcat's fist shot like a bullet, leaving a web of cracks on the wall. "If I ever get to put my hands on those sons of…." He growled. Inhaled and exhaled deeply a couple of times, tempering his anger. "You're not letting them get away with it, will ya?"

"One of your old JSA friends has the same opinion."

"Alan? Ain't he the only one of us JSAers still alive?"

"Not Green Lantern, he is occupied keeping the weather as balanced as possible."

"Then who? Everybody else is…" Wildcat interrupted himself, and a nasty smile creased his craggy face. "Dead." He chuckled. "Oh-hoho. I'd like to watch. From very far away. And with a big bag of popcorn and a few beers." He added, "I guess you should save energy and recover, have you checked on with Shinji?"

"Not yet, I asked Deadman to inform him that I'm recovering."

Wildcat sighed, "You should mirror call him too. I'm sure he's climbing up the walls with worry. And not only for you, but for red too. Those two are made fer each other."

NERV Germany
Sub-Level 15
Pilots' Quarters

Lorenz Kiehl stopped for a moment in front of the door. It was identical to every other door at the base. Standard issue door. No decorations on it. Not even a name. Everybody who had access to this area already knew who lived there. Or rather, what occupied that set of rooms. On Kiehl's instructions, no one should address the clone as a person, for it was merely a tool. Created from a mixture of Adam's angelic matter with human DNA. Kiehl had no interest in knowing who was the donor, only that the mix of genetic materials was viable. Those two idiotic supervillains had cracked the code of soul manipulation, and adding the treacherous lunatic made possible the hybrid cloning (4) The kryptonian/human clone (5) proved that it was possible to mix human and alien cells to produce a human looking hybrid.

The soft sound of music coming from inside stopped Kiehl for a moment. A year before, the clone had asked for a simple electronic keyboard. And as a reward for its good behavior and academic performance, Kiehl decided to grant it. Surprisingly, the clone was a supernaturally gifted musical genius. With an unmatched appetite for music. It had needed only a couple of months to play at a professional level. It consumed all type of music at first, but eventually settled on the classics. Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Bach. A pity such talent couldn't be really encouraged, except as a reward.

Kiehl opened the door without bothering to knock. "(Kaworu. Have you studied the Third Child's dossier?)" he asked, not willing to waste time with social niceties.

The gray-haired clone kept on playing, its eyes closed for a moment. Raising its head, it answered, without missing a note. "(I have, yes. Very interesting reading. I can barely wait to meet him.)"

"(It is very important that he plays his part in the renewal.)"

"(Of course. Though it is a pity to treat him this way. But, as you know, it is the only way for him to enact the Rite.)" It answered, though seemingly lost in the music.

Never having been a music lover, Kiehl couldn't appreciate the complexity or the beauty of the music, or the inhuman perfection of each note. "(Good. We count on you to guide the lost child to the right path.)"

"(I will do as I must.)" He finished playing, reverently closed the lid of the keyboard, and opened his disturbing scarlet eyes. "(I am somewhat curious about the others. Will they be helpful to the Scenario?)"

"(The First Child was created for it. But I mistrust Gendo Ikari. It is very possible he has subverted her instructions. It is safer to act through the Third.)"

"(And the others? The Second and the Fourth? The second Fourth I mean.)"

"(Inconsequential. The Second is expendable, even before the Ceremony. The Fourth has been incapacitated. Ikari has asked for authorization to acquire a Fifth Child. Ostensibly, to replace the Fourth, but our Agent believes it might be an attempt to coax the Second Child out of Unit-02's Core. It must be the Third.)"

"(Ah. I see. The hidden reason is clear.)"

"(Obviously clear, knowing his background.)"

"(Can he And his scientific crew actually recover Dr. Ikari?)" Kaworu asked, eager curiosity clear in his always smiling face.

"(Doubtful. It's been too long. The whole being of Dr. Ikari was completely integrated in the core. The only way to get her out would be the destruction of the core. Her soul wouldn't have time to integrate and create a body.)"

"(I see. And if he could manage Dr. Ikari's recovery, he wouldn't proceed with the Scenario.)"

"(You have studied his psychological profile, haven't you?)" Kiehl growled, sarcastically.

"(Of course. I am familiar, to a variable degree, with all NERV Japan personnel. Fascinating reading material.)" Its smile grew even wider. The clone was practically immune to sarcasm. Its sense of humor was very simple, to say the truth.

Tokyo-3, Japan
Katsuragi-Ikari Apartment

"Keep your voice down, Shinji. Inspector Kaji is not aware of my presence."

"Oh, sorry." Shinji whispered and looked down for a moment, "are you… are you Okay?"

"I'm recovering at a good pace. Bardiel's arrival caught me by surprise and the damage I received in the explosion was severe enough to incapacitate me. I need a few days more to recover completely. Wildcat sends his regards. And reminds you to continue your training once the medical staff clears you."

"Sure. I'll ask the dentist next chance I have." He looked around. "Do you know about Asuka? I mean, the same thing that happened to my mother happened to her! And to her mother too! Is she… can we do something?"

"Not at the moment. According to Deadman, Dr. Soryu's soul has reintegrated and returned to a sane state, Asuka is with her in Unit-02's core. Most probably, they are in the Dreaming. Under the protection of the Master of that realm. I'll tell you more about that later." Shinji nodded, and the Stranger continued. "The Science Staff at NERV will work to recover Asuka, starting with an in depth analysis of the failed attempt to rescue your mother. It will take some time before they are completely ready. In the meanwhile, have faith. Not only for yourself."

"Uh?" Shinji gasped. "Rei and Misato." He paused, "And the others at school."

"Yes. Don't let them fall to despair. Be their rock. Draw on the certainty she will come back. You two are connected. Be her beacon, guide her back when the time is right."

A determinated look settled on Shinji's eyes. "I will. I'll ask Misato permission to be there when they try to recover her."

"That would be for the best. I'll contact you before that. At the moment, I must rest and recover my strength."

"Get well, Stranger." Shinji whispered, as the image in the mirror vanished, replaced with his own reflection. He surprised himself at his own image. Before the Stranger appeared, he felt himself crumbling slowly, and it was evident in his face and body language. Now, he stood straighter, and he could look at his reflection without having to remind himself to raise his head.

Smallville, Kansas, USA
Kent Farm
Kitchen

Sue Dibny sat down on a bench, next to Barbara Grayson. The former Batgirl tapped efficiently at the keyboard of her laptop. "(Hi, Babs!)" She said, putting a tray with lemonade and glasses on the table. "(Thought you'd be thirsty.)"

Barbara wiped her forehead with a handkerchief, "(Thank you, Sue. Hacking is harder work than it seems in the movies.)" she paused in her work, and took a sip of the glass. "(It's not a few minutes of frantic typing. It's more of a trial,and error process, preparing programs to probe for weaknesses in the software. And SEELE's software is incredibly good.)"

"(Any progress?)" Sue poured another glass.

"(Some. Dick's programs are probing for back doors. He says there's something familiar with the MAGI's code. Especially Casper. But he can't put his finger on it. My own programs are infiltrating that one, but haven't made progress with the other two.)"

"(One is not enough?)" Sue took her own glass and drank a couple of sips.

"(Naoko Akagi programmed them with a triple system. Every computer functions by itself, and manages specific systems in Tokyo-3. But, for any mayor decisions, the three vote and follow the majority vote. We need to subvert at least two of them to get control, and even then, if there's no unanimity, there could be a stalling.)"

"(I see. Most of this computer stuff goes over my head, but you explain it in a very understandable way.)"

Barbara fanned herself with a folder, "(Lady Blackhawk's influence (6). Being born in the 1920s, she didn't have any idea of computers, beyond some very bad science fiction in the pulp magazines. Computers could very well have been magical to her.)" She closed her eyes for a moment, and stretched like a cat, "(I've been too focused on this. How are the kids integrating?)"

Sue laughed, "(Bruce Jr. is butting heads with Hal, both want to be the leader. Barry and Diana are more mellow, they prefer to follow. The other kids are kinda waiting to see who wins.)"

"(What does Dick say?)"

"(Well… he's in favor of splitting them into different teams. Bruce is quite smart, good with computers and a good strategist. Barry is a good tactician, Can evaluate situations quickly, and is good with people.)"

"(All qualities of a good leader.)" Barbara sighed.

Suddenly, a conference window opened in the corner of the screen. "(Ohhh… boy!)" A blue-white glow coalesced into the face of a teenager. He had blonde, spiky hair, a narrow, pale face. The blue eyes looked around. "(Toto… I don't think we're in Kansas anymore! How long has it been? I was bored! Where are my buddies? Who are you, and what do you want?)" He said, and the background of the image and the boy's clothes changed with each sentence.

Surprised, Barbara almost dropped her glass. Her fingers tapped a shortcut and a schematic, female face, with severe expression appeared on the screen.

"(Wait a cotton-pickin' minute! I know that face! Never met you, but you are the love of my life! No, wait,)" he covered his mouth with a hand, "(just a burp.)" (7)

Tokyo-3, Japan
Ayanami-Soryu Apartment

"I… I don't know what I'm feeling." Rei said, looking absolutely miserable. "I feel like I'm missing something inside me, but Dr. Akagi would have told me if that was the case." She leaned forward on her sofa, wringing the hem of her skirt nervously.

Shinji sighed, and took Rei's hand in his. He held it softly. "I know what you feel. I miss her too. I keep expecting her to stomp in and demand we get up and do something."

"I feel the same. But she can't." Rei lowered her eyes.

"Listen, we have to keep hope. Dr. Akagi and the others are working to get Asuka back from Unit-02."

"But… what if they can't. I… I feel incomplete. I don't like that feeling. This place is too quiet without her."

"They will. I'm sure. They are the best scientific minds in the planet. We do the impossible every time, Rei."

"Like Mr. Miracle?" Her voice was tinged with a desperate hope. "He did the impossible too. Back in the circus."

"Yes, Rei. Asuka will need some help to escape Unit-02, but she will. She won't leave us to fight alone, you'll see."

She tried a tentative smile.

Shinji continued, "She's too stubborn to just stay idle."

"She is, yes. She just can't stay still for a minute." Rei looked around, at the comfortable mess around her. Their apartment was still just as they had left it, before the last Angel attacked.

"I think it will be best to re-order things here. I don't want her to come back to a disordered place." She grabbed three magazines that had been left on the coffee table, and put them back into the box reserved for that purpose.

Shinji stood up. "I'll help you. You pick things up, and I'll get the broom and dustpan, okay?"

The Dreaming
The House of Secrets

Abel's voice was almost hypnotic as he narrated the story, Asuka watched the fire in the chimney, and could almost swear she saw images as Abel narrated.

"It was the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, they said, and believed in the bottom of their hearts that love and peace would triumph in the end, if only they, the young, believe in it with enough strength. That they just had to believe and love all living creatures and be at peace with the world. They were three friends, three hippies, Cindy, Paul and Nick, they were; they lived in an old clothes store, full of colorful fabrics and inhabited by a few old, discolored mannequins, made of wire and rough cloth. Cindy, Paul and Nick were firm believers in flower power, in the innate goodness of people, peace through understanding, and the stars and the moon."

"But such dreams always must face the world, and in doing so, they either face or grow strong. For Cindy, Paul and Nick, there would be a trial, in the shape of a violent, wandering gang, the Mongrels were called, and as wild dogs they behaved. One night, they caught Nick and Paul, and beat them for the crime of not being angry at the world, like they were. They left them, bruised and bleeding, in a dirty alley."

"Now, you could say that after such an ordeal, Nick and Paul would renounce their dreams of peace and love. But you would be wrong. Nick and Paul limped back to the store, took off their bloody and torn clothes and put them on a mannequin to dry. They treated their wounds, took a bath, listened to some music to settle their nerves, and went to sleep."

"They forgot about their clothes, just leaving them on the dummy, and went on with their lives, still loving the world."

Asuka took breath to speak, maybe to complain, but Abel continued. "For a few months, the dummy simply stayed there, as a good dummy should. Soaking on sun, music, and love. For some reason not even they knew, Nick, Paul and Cindy took on calling it Brother Power." (8)

And in her minds eye, a new image appeared, a strange man shaped rag-doll. A full size rag doll, with yellow yarn for hair, a face painted over white cloth, sewed with blue yarn, and with two red dots for cheeks. It wore an orange shirt, decorated with a big flower, and an upwards arrow pointing at its head. Blue pants and boots completed the ensamble.

The image faded.

"One night, two storms came. One, a storm of wind, lightning and rain. And rain came through an open window, soaking the dummy. And lightning stroke, hitting the dummy, yet the dummy didn't burn, for it was soaked in sun and music and love. The other, a storm of rage and violence, as the Mongrels returned, ready to hurt and maim and burn. But fate had other plans. For the lightning had brought the spark of life to the mannequin. Brother Power awoke, and saw. Brother Power moved and… used his power. The Mongrels fled when they realized the dummy was alive and they couldn't kill him. They were never seen again, though rumors say at least one became a monk, but no one knows for sure."

"Paul, Nick and Cindy adopted Brother Power as one of them, and taught him their world view. He was wise and friendly and peaceful. He never raised voice nor hand. And he was happy to be with his friends. Later, he got into politics, and tried to run for congress, but was deceived, and was sent to space in a capsule. He stayed up there, in orbit around the world, for many years. A few years before Second Impact, the capsule returned, and a disoriented Brother Power landed near Tampa, Florida. Accidentally, he caused the destruction of several buildings when he grew to gigantic size, trying to find his old friends, and many people died, until an old hippie talked with him, convincing Brother Power to return to normal size. After the situation was under control, Brother Power disappeared, wandering through America. He found his friend Cindy again, who had suffered much in the meanwhile, and disappeared again. No one knows where they are, but Brother Power is still around. Looking for a place to belong."

Abel closed the book, and relaxed. The storyteller gave way to the man once again. Asuka looked at Abel for a long time. "Are you for real?"

"Mm? Oh, Y-yes. It's a s-s-strange tale, I k-know. But it is real."

"And I must keep it secret? That's more like the meta humans Shinji admires."

"Your friend is w-wise to study t-them."

"And what's the big secret?"

Abel opened the book again, and showed it to Asuka. She read the page Abel indicated. "Oh." She said.

And said no more.

She leaned back on the cushioned chair.

Author Notes.

(1) As far as I know, Wildcat is not aware of the Endless in regular continuity. So I took the liberty of having him aware of them, after his death/s and exile to Nanda Parbat.

(2) Per Degaton is one of the Justice Society of America recurring enemies. He started as the helper of a scientist, and used a Time Machine to alter history, so he would be ruler of the world. He has gone from a relatively simple villain, to a really dangerous individual, as his knowledge of time has increased. He debuted in All-Star Comics issue 35 (Jun, 1947)

(3) Hence the careful psychological manipulation of Rei Ayanami, and to a lesser degree, Shinji. It's inferred from the series, that Rei was to be the original "officiant" of the Ritual, while Shinji was merely a "spare". His bonding with Unit-01 threw a wrench in the original plan.

(4) Kiehl is referring to Professors Ivo and T.O. Morrow, on the soul manipulation front. With the latter addition of Dr. Dabney Donovan, for the hybrid cloning part.

(5) Superboy, was created in Project Cadmus, it is very probable Donovan got access to the files about him and the cloning process.

(6) Lady Blackhawk (Zinda Blake) was a member of the WW2 Ace squadron, the Blackhawks. She was sent forward in time during the Zero Hour event, and was stranded in modern times. She was a member of the Birds of Prey during her coronal exile. She debuted in Blackhawk 133 (Feb, 1959). Extra note, technically, she joined the Birds of Prey in 2004, but I liked the idea of her having been stumped by computers. Enough to push Barbara into finding simple ways to explain their quirks. For the purposes of this fic, Lady Blackhawk died during the Impact Wars, along with the other members of the team.

(7) This is Channelman/Channel, a member of the teen hacker team known as the Psyba-Rats. He, and the other Psyba-Rats, worked as mercenary hackers, and debuted in Robin Annual, issue 2 (Aug, 1993) as part of the much maligned Bloodlines event. His fellow hackers were Razorshap, Hackrat, Megabiter, and Output (who seems to be a former member). When an employer decides to cut loose ends, he murders Megabiter, and while the others are fleeing, Razorsharp and Channel are ambushed by one of the alien parasites, and their meta genes activated. Hackrat rescues them while they recover and was the only Psyba-Rat without powers. Razorshap could turn her hands into blades, and Channel's mind was turned into software and has been living as a kind of ghost in the machine ever since his body died. He tends to speak in cliches and catch-phrases, while his appearance and background images change accordingly.

(8) This is one of the weirdest and most obscure characters in DC's long story. Brother Power, The Geek. His title only lasted two issues, and was heavily political, even including then California governor Ronald Reagan as antagonist in issue 2, arranging Brother Power to be sent into space! The character was mostly forgotten, apart from an entry in Who's Who in the DC Universe (issue 3, May 1985) , until 1989, when he was featured in Swamp Thing Annual issue 5 (Aug, 1989). After that, he was featured in his own one shot (Vertigo Visions, The Geek; Jun 1993) and forgotten again until his last appearance, in The Brave and the Bold, issue 28 (Jan, 2010). I'm ignoring the last one, as it retconned much of the story. And, as the Swamp Thing annual feature a still pregnant Abby, I'm moving them to the mid 1990. About the events in the Vertigo Visions issue, Abel is being very sparse in the details, as the story itself is quite crude; and after all, Asuka is still a minor.