Disclaimer: The story, its original contents and ideas, and any original characters belong to the author and cannot be used or reprinted without the author's permission.  All other characters belong to their respective owners.

 

I was looking over a few of the past chapters and decided to change something just to make reading my fics easier.  Instead of using italicized quotation marks (“”), I’ll be using these: <>.  Sorry for the change, but it was sorta buggin’ me when I reread them.

 

Also, in the last fic when Asuka calls Chekov an oberarche, it should have been Superarschloch.  Someone – I don’t remember who – had told me that oberarche meant super asshole.  I just looked it up recently and found out that it really meant upper ark.  Superarschloch is the actual term for super asshole.  I apologize for the mistake.

 

Genesis 1.06

The Proposal and The Martyr

 

EVA docking bay

 

            Raiu jumped down off EVA-07 and faced the assembled pilots.

            “That oughta do it.  The EVAs’ armor has been enhanced among other things.  The S2 engines are in place and working perfectly.  And the Entry Plugs are now ready to be used.  You’ll find the interfaces are easier to use.”

            “All that in under a day.” Krystal whistled. “Damn good job.  What was that stuff you sprayed on them?”

            “A chemical I designed.  It doubles strength and endurance, sky rockets the power efficiency, thus draining the S2 engine less, and triples the strength of the armor.”

            “Amazing . . .” Yisiu stated.

            “That ain’t all.” Raiu stated, grinning. “I’ve even installed some built-in weaponry on each of the EVAs.  EVA-05 has a prog sword – it’s nothing compared to yours, Shinji – stored in its left thigh, and its right arm can transform into a positron blaster.  EVA-06 has a pair of battle-axes in its back, and both arms can transform into short-range gattling guns.  EVA-07’s left arm can transform into a rail gun with a sniper sight, and has a prog lance stored in its right leg.  The shoulder-mount blades still hold extra prog knives and handguns.”

            “Isn’t that a bit overkill?” Shinji asked.

            “Nah!  Like Misato said, we’ll need the extra firepower.  Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve somewhere to be right now.”

            “Yeah.” Krystal whispered to Yisiu, her Japanese slightly better than before. “Makin’ out with Rei, I bet!  She’s got him whipped!”

            Raiu stopped in his tracks as Yisiu giggled.  Raiu didn’t even turn around to face them.

            “If you have something to say to me, come out and say it.” Raiu stated, surprising Krystal and Yisiu. “Don’t go whispering behind my back.  Nine times out of ten, I will hear you.  No, Rei does not have me whipped.  Anyway, shouldn’t you all be at school?”

            “Oh, shit!” Shinji exclaimed, remembering it was Monday.

            As the pilots scrambled off, Raiu chuckled to himself.  He was still chuckling when he made it to the control room.  Hyuga looked at him curiously.

            “What’s so funny?”

            “Shinji and the others.  It’s a Monday, but they forgot it’s a holiday.  They’re on their way either home or the school right now.”

            “Ooh.  That’s just mean!” Shigeru replied, but couldn’t keep from smiling. “But funny nonetheless.”

            Raiu walked out of the control room and headed down the hall.  As he left the Geo-Front, he heard Rei speak to him telepathically.

            <Raiu.  I thought we’d have some fun.  Find me if you can!>

            Raiu shifted to gargoyle form and flew off.

            “Man, this is gonna be easy.”

            Raiu flew around for a few minutes until he got near the cherry orchard and got a weird feeling.  He headed for the orchard and landed in his human form.  He walked around, then jumped into a tree.  He scanned the area and saw Rei hiding in another tree.  Raiu jumped from tree to tree as silently as he could, circling around behind Rei as he went.  He landed without a sound on the tree branch behind Rei and poked her in the back, startling her.  She spun around and almost fell off the branch to see Raiu smiling at her.

            “How’d you find me so easily?!” She demanded.

            “I just flew around until I had this feeling that you were nearby.  I guess we’ve got some sort of organic homing device if we’re near enough to each other.”

            “So that’s the funny feeling I got a minute ago.”

            “Well, now that we’re here, whatcha wanna do?”

            “First, I want to ask you a few things.”

            “Okay, ask away.”

            “When I was watching your memories in my coma, your creator called you Dark Heart.  Why?”

            “That’s what my name translates to in, as I call it, Ancient Terran – my birth language.  My surname translates into Soul Blade in Ancient Terran.  I gave myself that name after I learned all of my powers.  Basically, I am Dark Heart Soul Blade.  When you speak my name in that language, you understand it as the translation.  When spoken in any other language, it comes out as what it is: Raiu Kusanagi.”

            “How can a name spoken in two different languages sound different in each?”

            “Try it,” Raiu suggested.

            “Alright.” Rei cleared her throat and spoke a sentence in Ancient Terran.

            A surprised look crossed Rei’s face as she understood the words.

            “Now repeat the phrase in Japanese.”

            “I love you, Raiu.  Ah, I see now.  Also, when you said my name was beautiful, what did you mean?”

            “In Ancient Terran, your name translates into ‘hope.’  All my life, I’d had no hope aside from hoping to live from day to day without being caught.  One time I had sunk so low that . . .

            “Your name just struck me as beautiful since you’ve given me hope.”

            The couple smiled in unison and kissed gently.

            “Now, enough about the past.  Whaddaya wanna do?”

            “Let’s go clothes shopping!” Rei said happily, causing Raiu to groan and lean his head against the tree trunk.

            “Do we have to?  We just went last night!”

            “Oh, come on!  It’s not that bad!”

            “I’m a guy!  You have no idea how weird it is to walk around in the female underwear department!”

            “I know!  I just dragged you there last night to get to you!”

            “And spend almost two hundred thousand yen on clothes!”

            “Hey!” Rei retorted. “I needed a new wardrobe!”

            “Enough about clothes.” Raiu said quickly. “Is there anything else you want to do?”

            “Aside from just be with you also?  Hmmm, I don’t know.”

            “I’d take you for a joyride on one of NERV’s motorcycles, but it’s sorta pointless now that you can fly.”

            “Then let’s do that!”

            “What?”

            “Just fly around, see the sights!”

            “Sounds good to me,” Raiu stated before dropping to the ground and shifting to gargoyle form, Rei following suit shortly.  The winged couple flew off a few moments later.

            “While we’re flying, let’s stop by the new clothing outlet store that just opened in the downtown mall!”

            Raiu’s strangled cry could be heard from several hundred yards away.  Several flocks of birds that had been nesting in the orchard flew off in surprise.

 

NERV HQ, Misato’s new office

 

            Misato looked over the report on EVA-03.  It was almost completely repaired.  All that had to be done was finish placing the armor on the head.  She called Maya to her office.  The female lieutenant walked through the door a minute later.

            “Yes, Commander?”

            “First off, don’t call me Commander.  Misato is fine.  Also, we need to find a pilot for EVA-04 and get a hold of Shinji for me. I need to see if Touji’s willing to pilot EVA-03.”

            “I’ll get right on it, Misato.”

            “Oh, Maya.” Misato stopped the younger woman. “Before you go.  We need to rebuild NERV’s command staff.  How would you like to be my second in command?”

            “As much as I’m honored, I’d rather stay the head of the E-project.”

            “Alright then.  We’ll have to hire all new staff members.  If we can find the time, that is.  With just you, me, Hyuga, and Shigeru here, we’ve got our hands full.”

 

A road heading toward the High School

 

            Shinji and the other pilots trudged along glumly, each complaining at different times about school.  Shinji and Asuka held hands the entire way.  About halfway between Misato’s apartment and the school, the group ran into Hikari, Touji, and Kensuke.  They were heading in the opposite direction as the pilots.  The two boys were carrying a couple bags of stuff.

            “What are you all doing?” Hikari asked after the two groups stopped to say hello and introductions were made.

            “Heading for school.” Shinji explained. “Even though we’re going to be really late.  Why aren’t you there?”

            “It’s a holiday.” Kensuke stated. “No school today.”

            “What?!” the pilots all exclaimed in unison.

            “That sheistkopf!!” Asuka growled. “I’ll get him for this.”

            “Who?”

            “Raiu fooled us into thinking it was a school day after Krystal whispered something to Yisiu about him.”

            “Well, Touji has something he wants to say to you, Shinji,” Hikari replied.

            The two looked at Touji, who was staring slack-jawed at Shinji and Asuka holding hands.  Asuka glared at him.

            “You . . . huh?  Um, wha . . .”

            “Yeah?” Asuka asked angrily. “You got a problem with it?”

            “No!  No problem at all!” Touji replied quickly, not wanting to get into a fight with Asuka.

            “Well?!” Hikari asked, exasperated with Touji.

            “Huh?  Oh!  Um, well, Shinji, I just want to say . . . I’m sorry for what I said to you in the hospital that day.  I was still angry for no reason and shouldn’t have said what I said.  Sorry I didn’t apologize sooner.  Friends?”

            Jeez, he’s starting to sound like I did, Shinji thought to himself as Touji finished, apologizing twice for a single problem.

            The dark haired boy held out his hand for Shinji to shake.  Just as the two friends shook hands, Shinji’s cell phone rang.  He pulled it out and turned it on.

            “Hello?  Okay, I’ll wait.” Shinji waited for a few seconds before speaking again. “Hi, Misato.  Touji?  Well, he’s here with us.  So are Hikari and Kensuke . . . Okay.”

            Shinji handed Touji the phone and shrugged.

            “It’s Misato.  She wants to ask you something.”

            Touji turned from the group and spoke with Misato for a few moments.

            “WHAT?!” Touji shouted, surprising the others. “YOU REBUILT THAT THING?!  NOT A CHANCE IN HELL!!  IF I NEVER GO NEAR THOSE THINGS AGAIN, IT’LL BE TOO SOON!!”

            Touji tossed the phone back to Shinji, who just barely caught it.  The tall boy stormed off a few yards and fumed.  Shinji spoke with Misato some more.

            “You want me to what?” Shinji asked flatly. “Alright . . .”

            The young teen turned to Hikari and Kensuke with a nervous look as he lowered the cell phone.

            “Misato wants to know if either of you would like to pilot an EVA.”

            “Sure!” Kensuke replied with a glee that could only be matched by a boy who’d been denied a bike all month only to find it in his living room on his birthday.

            Hikari’s reply was much less animated.

            “Me . . .?” She asked in a small voice.

            Touji’s response was extremely unexpected.

            “NO!! I WON’T LET EITHER OF THEM BE PUT THROUGH THAT!!  I WON’T LET YOU ENDANGER TWO OF MY FRIENDS!!”

            “It’s their choice to make, Touji.” A voice stated from above the teens. “Not yours.  Just like it was your choice not to pilot EVA-03 this time, not someone else’s.”

            The children all looked up to see Raiu and Rei in their gargoyle forms, hovering a few yards above them.  What surprised the pilots was that Raiu was weighted down with bags of clothes.  As the two landed and returned to human form, Raiu glared at everyone.

            “Don’t even think about asking!”

            Hikari, Touji, and Kensuke just stared at Rei in shock.

            “You’re . . . like him, too?” Hikari asked Rei.

            “Yes.  It’s actually not that bad.”

            Raiu walked over to Shinji and held out his hand.

            “Let me talk to Misato.”

            Raiu took the phone and smiled as he greeted Misato.

            “Hi!” Raiu stated happily. “I just have a couple questions.  Why THE HELL WASN’T I INFORMED ABOUT EVA-03 AND EVA-04?!?!”

            Misato waited for a few moments before replying.  Raiu’s expression changed from on of anger to one of mere annoyance.

            “Now, for my second question.  Do you have any other little surprises for us?  None?  Thank you.  Here’s Shinji.”

            Raiu handed the phone back to Shinji, shaking his head.  He turned back to Hikari and Kensuke as Shinji said goodbye and shut off the phone.

            “Well, if either of you wants to pilot the EVAs, Rei and I’ll fly ya to the base.”

            “I’m not too sure about this . . .” Hikari stated nervously.

            “I’ll go!” Kensuke exclaimed.

 

EVA docking bay

 

            Kensuke, Hikari, and – surprisingly – Touji stood on the catwalk, waiting for Raiu to finish enhancing EVA-04.  The dark haired teen jumped down off the EVA and turned to the other teens.

            “Done.  It’ll work fine now.  Let’s just hope it let’s Kensuke or Hikari pilot it.  I won’t let anyone pilot EVA-03 until I’ve piloted it once.  I’ll try it out first, find out if the Angel still resides within it.  You sure you wanna do this, Kensuke?”

            “I’m positive!”

            Without another word, Raiu and Kensuke got into separate Entry Plugs.  The Plugs slid into EVA-03 and EVA-04, respectively.  EVA-03 came alive as the group watched from the control room.  For a few moments, it just stood there then began speaking in Raiu’s voice.

            “No problems so far.  Synchronization is normal from what I can tell.  Systems are responding just like EVA-01’s.  S2 engine performing optimally.”

            “How’s it feel, Kensuke?” Misato asked over the comm. “You’re finally piloting an EVA.”

            “Pretty cool, actually.  I just don’t want to screw up my first time out.”

            “If you don’t screw up,” Shinji stated, smiling, “you’ll be the first person to do so.  If you mess up, don’t worry about it.  You’ll get the hang of it.”

            “Oh, boy,” Kensuke groaned.

            The two EVAs stepped onto the launch pad and were whisked up to the surface.  Once there, Raiu stretched EVA-03’s limbs as if something was wrong while Kensuke watched, trying to get the hang of walking.

            “Is anything wrong, Raiu?” Rei inquired over the comm.

            “Hmmm.  Joints are a bit stiff.  Other than that, everything’s just peachy.”

            Raiu performed a few stunts that a karate master would envy.  Once that was done, he walked over to EVA-04.

            “How ya doin’, Kensuke?  Having any problems?”

            “Just having a little trouble with walking right now.” Kensuke replied. “Even though Shinji and everyone is giving me advice on what to do, its hard not to move my legs when I concentrate on walking.”

            “You’ll get the hang of it.  But for now, let’s head back.  Now that we know you can synchronize with EVA-04, we need to see if Hikari can synchronize with EVA-03.  Oh, by they way.  Do you feel any strange emotion toward anybody else or the EVAs?”

            “Like what?”

            “Hatred, loathing, a lust to kill and destroy either?”

            “What the fuck are you talking about?!  Hell no!”

            “Okay, good!” Raiu replied happily, seeming to ignore Kensuke’s attitude. “I was just slightly worried since I had heard that Samshiel’s core was used as the S2 engine in EVA-04.  But, I guess we have nothing to worry about.”

            Kensuke just stared at EVA-03 in open-mouthed surprise for a few moments before following the black EVA to the launch tubes.

 

EVA docking bay

 

            The two EVAs walked over to their cages and ceased moving.  The Entry Plugs ejected and the pilots stepped out of them.  Without warning, Raiu morphed into his gargoyle form and flew out in front of EVA-03.

            “Impulse,” Raiu hissed.

            A string of blue and white energy spheres shot from Raiu’s extended hand to strike EVA-03 in the chest, tearing open the armor and revealing the flesh beneath.  He fired another blast into the wound, rending a hole into the EVA’s chest, exposing the S2 engine.

            “This’ll teach ya to try and possess me, Bardiel!” Raiu shouted. “This time you stay dead, Angel.”

            The S2 engine slid out of Unit-03’s chest and floated out halfway between Raiu and the EVA.  A red sphere formed around Bardiel just before Raiu could shoot another blast at the Angel.  The sphere collapsed and folded in upon itself until the Angel could be seen.  It looked like a human sized EVA Unit with skeletal wings.

            Raiu snorted and summoned the Kusanagi sword.  This time however, the blade didn’t appear in his hands.  Raiu’s right arm blades merged together and disappeared into his arm.  Almost immediately afterward, a flaming sword blade about three and half feet long emerged from Raiu’s arm, just behind his wrist.  Raiu looked at his arm in surprise, then grinned evilly.

            He flew backward several yards, then shot toward Bardiel like a rocket, his sword-arm extended before him.  Bardiel barely had time to twitch before his core was impaled on the sword blade running through his body.

            The Angel imploded slowly, almost tearing Raiu’s arm from his body.  He ripped the sword blade out of the shrinking monster and flew over to the catwalk.  He landed and returned to human form just as Bardiel exploded with the force of several pounds of C4.  Raiu walked over to examine EVA-03.

            “Damn!” Raiu snapped. “Now I’ll have to build an S2 engine from scratch!  And repair the armor!”

            Rei and Misato ran over to him once they were out of the elevator.

            “Why didn’t you tell us about the Angel still being in EVA-03?” Misato angrily asked.

            “Because it didn’t try to possess the EVA until the Entry Plug was about to eject,” Raiu explained.

            “Are you alright?” Rei asked anxiously.

            “I’m doin’ great.  I just need a few hours to build an S2 engine and repair the EVA, then it’ll be fine, too.”

 

Rei’s apartment

 

            Raiu walked in, dropped the clothes’ bags on the floor, and fell down on the bed, exhausted.  Rei came in behind him and lay down beside Raiu.  He kissed her gently before pulling Rei into a hug.

            “Man.  That better be the last time I have to build an S2 engine from scrap.”

            Rei smiled and leaned her head against Raiu’s chest.

            “I hope so, too.  I’m glad Misato didn’t make you stay after you finished repairing EVA-03.  I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, but every time you work on or pilot an EVA, you look like you’re extremely worn out.  What are those things doing to you?”

            Raiu thought back to the times he had piloted each of the EVAs, testing out new weaponry or enhancements.  The times when he’d worked himself past the limit to finish designing and installing those weapons and enhancements.  Each time, he had felt exhausted and weak.

            “I don’t think it’s what they’re doing to me, Rei.” Raiu stated after several minutes of silence. “I think the problem is me.  Each time I pilot an EVA, I go to the extreme and wear myself out faster.  Plus, you’d be surprised how hard it is to maintain a Synch rate of over a thousand percent in an EVA that was designed to max out at 400%.  When I design and install new gear on an EVA, I don’t let myself stop or even rest until it’s done.  And each time, I’ve been working by myself.  No one to help me.  Like when you walked in on me that night, just before I partially explained my past.”

            “What about when you change into your gargoyle and dragon forms?” Rei asked, worried about him. “Does the same thing happen?”

            “No.  Most of my internal organs dissolve when I’m in those forms to make room for an S2 engine now that my EVA DNA has been activated.  How else do you think I’m able to use all those high-powered attacks without a major drain in stamina?”

            “Let’s not talk about this anymore.” Rei whispered. “I just want to stay here like this forever.”

            “I agree.  Rei, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

            “Yes?” Rei asked, her eyelids drooping slightly.

            “Will you marry me?”

            Rei’s head snapped up to look at Raiu in shock.  He smirked at her and pulled out a small box.  Rei opened it to see a gold ring with diamonds embedded in the top half of it.  She picked it up out of the box and marveled at it.

            “Well?”

            “But, aren’t we a bit young?” Rei asked.

            “I was looking that up during some free time one day,” Raiu stated, sliding the ring onto her finger, “and the legal age for marriage is only sixteen.  I’m already that, and if the NERV database didn’t lie, you’re going to be sixteen in a few months.”

            Rei didn’t answer, merely kissed Raiu more fiercely than ever before.  After almost fifteen minutes, the two slowly broke the kiss.  Raiu smiled up at her.

            “I’ll take that as a yes.”

            “You really didn’t need to ask.” Rei stated, hugging Raiu. “Of course I will.  I was just worried about our age.”

            “Oh, shit,” Raiu hissed.

            “What is it?”

            “I just realized that I’ll have to buy a birthday and a wedding gift for you.  Unless . . .”

            “Unless what?” Rei asked coyly.

            “Unless we get married on your birthday.”

            “That sounds good to me,” Rei replied, before closing her eyes.

            Raiu smiled at her, only to join her in dreamland a few moments later.

 

EVA docking bay

 

            Touji watched from the control room as Hikari hesitantly walked toward EVA-03, glancing up at the control room every now and then.  Just as she was about to step into the Entry Plug, Touji spoke.

            “Stop.”

            Since he was near the microphone for the intercom, everyone stopped and looked at him.  Misato turned to him slowly and scrutinized the boy slowly.

            “Why?  We need a pilot for EVA-03 and you don’t want to.  Who else would be willing to do this?”

            “Fine.” Touji hissed in a low voice. “I’ll pilot the damn monster.  You’re just like Ikari.”

            “I’m sorry Touji.  I didn’t mean to do that.”

            Misato sent Touji to the locker room.  He found his old Plug Suit in a locker by the door.  He quickly changed and met Misato at the elevator.  They rode down to the catwalk in silence.  Misato finally spoke as they approached Unit-03.

            “What changed your mind?”

            “I can’t let Hikari be hurt by those – those . . . things.  I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”

            Hikari stared at Touji in confusion as he spoke.  She blushed as she realized what he was saying.  Touji smiled at Hikari and stepped past her into the Plug as the EVA’s core was reconfigured to his settings.  The still blushing girl followed Misato back to the control room.  Once the Plug was in EVA-03 and he was ready, Touji moved the EVA forward clumsily, almost falling over several times before reaching the launch pad.  After that, Touji’s testing went by fine.  He achieved a Sincro Rate of almost 150% just before the test was over.  Misato just stared at the read out in surprise.

            “150%.” Misato stated. “No one has done that good on their first try.”

            “That’s because they all tried before Raiu redesigned the EVA they piloted.” Maya countered. “Everyone does almost that good now.  Kensuke peaked at almost 110%.  Plus, Touji had already partially synchronized with EVA-03 before.”

 

NERV lounge

 

            “Man, this is so cool!” Kensuke exclaimed. “I’m finally piloting an EVA!!”

            “You’re just now saying that?” Krystal smirked, her Japanese already improving.

            “Yeah.  Eh . . . the initial surprise has worn off.  Now I’m totally pumped about it!”

            “You sound just like my dad when he talked about his troops and his assignments.”

            Kensuke quickly turned around to look at Krystal with a strange gleam in his eyes.

            “Your dad’s in the military?!”

            Shinji and Touji groaned in unison when they heard the tone of Kensuke’s voice.

            “Ooh, you’re gonna get it now, Krystal,” Touji commented.

            “I hope you realize Kensuke has just made you his best friend in the entire world,” Shinji added.

            “Huh?”

            Before Krystal could say anything more than that, Kensuke was bombarding her with questions about life with the military.  Krystal tried her best to answer at least some of them, then looked at the others in desperation.

            “Sorry!” Touji exclaimed, bringing his hands up in an apologetic gesture. “You brought this on yourself.  He’s into the military almost as much as he is EVAs.”

            Krystal gave them one last look of pure desperation before standing up and almost sprinting out of the room, Kensuke right on her heels.  The group laughed for a few seconds before quieting down.  Hikari turned to Touji and whispered in his ear.

            “I just want to say thank you for taking my place in EVA-03 today.” Hikari said, small tears forming in her eyes. “I was really afraid of it after I saw what it did to you.”

            Touji smiled and put his arm around Hikari’s shoulder, pulling her close to comfort her.

            “You’re welcome.” He whispered back. “I was afraid of it too, but I couldn’t risk the same thing happening to you.”

            Touji heard something at the door and looked up to see Shinji standing in the doorway.  Touji saw that he was the only other person there, besides Hikari.  Shinji winked at him and grinned before walking out and shutting the door behind him.  Touji smiled and fully hugged Hikari.

            “Don’t worry, Hikari.  I won’t let anything happen to you.  I promise.”

            Hikari looked up at Touji and smiled warmly.  The two hugged each other close and stayed like that until sunset.  Then the new couple left NERV and headed for Touji’s apartment.

 

Misato’s apartment

 

            Misato slumped down in the chair and turned on the TV as Shinji and Asuka walked through the door.  Pen Pen came waddling out of the kitchen, squawking.

            “Quuuaaaaaaaa!” the penguin cried out. “QUUUAAAAA!!”

            “Alright, alright, Pen Pen.” Shinji sighed after several moments. “I’ll get you some food.”

            Shinji followed the small bird into the kitchen.  He reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a can of Yebisu and some frozen fish.  Shinji thawed the fish, then gave them both to Pen Pen.  The penguin took a few bites of the fish then opened the can and began sipping from it.  Shinji went back to the living room and was about to sit down when Misato stopped him.

            “Shinji, would you get me a can of Yebisu?”

            The boy obediently stood up and went back to get another can of beer.  He gave the can to Misato, waited to see if she wanted anything else, then started to sit down as she opened the can.

            “Shinji, would you get me a soda?” Asuka asked, grinning to herself.

            Shinji groaned and stood up again, only to have Asuka pull him onto the couch next to her.  She put her arm around his waist and giggled.

            “I was just kidding, baka Shinji!  I’m not really thirsty.”

            Shinji smiled slightly and put his arm around Asuka then turned his attention to the TV.  On the screen was a news program about the last Angel attack.

            “It seems that the new EVAs that were brought here have been ineffective against the Angels thus far.” The reporter stated. “What will happen next is unknown, as we have not been able to contact Gendo Ikari, the Commander of NERV.  What is truly interesting is that it looks like NERV has allied itself with an Angel, the very creatures they are supposed to be protecting us from.  More on this after the commercial break.”

            “Bullshit!” Misato exclaimed, spitting out her mouthful of beer accidentally.

 

NERV HQ

 

            “C’mon!  Tell me more!”

            Krystal walked away from Kensuke as fast as she could without running.  Kensuke followed her step for step, pestering her to know more about life in the military.

            “For the last time,” Krystal began, not even stopping, “I’ve told you everything!”

            “Well, how did you like moving from place to place all the time?”

            “We didn’t,” Krystal replied without breaking her stride.

            “Um, did you get to ride in any of the tanks or jeeps?”

            “You already asked that question.  Yes, I got to ride in the tanks and jeeps.  And yes, it was fun.”

            “Uh, well . . .”

            When she heard Kensuke stop asking questions and begin searching for something to say, Krystal stopped and turned around.  Kensuke didn’t notice this and ran right into her.  He looked up just in time to feel their lips accidentally press against each other as their legs got tangled and they tripped each other.  The two teens landed with a thud and were dazed for a few moments.  When they came to, they found their lips still pressed against each other.  Kensuke felt a drop of blood begin to leak out his nose as he realized what was happening and immediately pulled away, wiping his nose with the back of his hand.  He got off Krystal and helped her stand.  He grinned nervously and apologized for knocking her down.

            “Were you bugging me about being a military brat because you were just curious about the military,” Krystal smirked, “or did you have other reasons?”

            “It was just curiosity!  Honest!”

            Krystal smirked again and shook her head.  She glanced at her watch.

            “Crap.  I gotta go.  I haven’t even found a place to stay yet.”

            “What about last night?” Kensuke asked.

            “We all stayed here so we could be briefed on everything that’s been happening.”

            “Oh.  Well, how about staying at my place?” Kensuke offered. “My parents probably wouldn’t mind.”

            “Okay.  Just as long as you don’t try any funny business, mister!”

            The two teens laughed for a little while then went back to the lounge and got her stuff, then headed for Kensuke’s house.

 

EVA control room

 

            Yisiu dragged Chekov into the room and stood waiting for the lieutenants to acknowledge her.  Maya turned around to go to another terminal and was surprised to see the two pilots there.

            “What are you doing here?”

            “Well, we don’t have a place to stay, and were wondering if we could stay with one of you.”

            Chekov made a snide comment in Russian, but the others ignored him.

            “You can stay with me.” Maya offered. “I don’t mind.  Why did you wait for one of us to see you before saying anything?”

            “In China, I was taught to wait until an adult acknowledged me before speaking,” Yisiu explained.

            “You’re in Japan now, Yisiu.  You don’t have to wait until we say something to you.  If you need to get our attention, just say something.”

            “I will try to do so.”

            “Alright, just let me finish up here, then we can go.”

            After Maya finished up her work, they picked up the children’s stuff and left for her house.

 

            Saturday

 

            The week passed by uneventfully for the pilots.  They were put through a few tests, but nothing really important.  On Saturday, they had another test scheduled.  Everyone was on the outskirts of town in one form or another except for the bridge crew.  Raiu stepped forward and faced the EVAs.

            “This actually isn’t a test.  There is an Angel approaching Earth at Mach 1.  We will intercept and eliminate it.”

            The pilots gaped in shock at Raiu.

            “How do you know there’s an Angel approaching?” Rei asked. “Misato says the scanners haven’t picked up anything.”

            “It’s cloaked against human technology.  EVA and Angel technology, however, can not be cloaked against.  I knew it was coming since yesterday.  I don’t know how I knew, I just did.”

            As if on cue, a large ball of fire appeared in the sky.  The group scrambled out of the way as it approached.  The flaming sphere hit nowhere near the EVAs, though.  It stopped in midair and seemed to dissipate.  In its place was a female, bronze-colored, humanoid dragon.  She landed and stepped toward Raiu.

            “Who are you?” Raiu snarled.

            “You may not remember me,” the female replied, “but I remember you very well.  We’ve been watching you for quite some time now.  You’ve changed greatly since last we met in person.”

            “Answer the question.”

            “My name is Lunahr.  You’re friends handled the Angels fairly well – for humans.  I never expected you to kill Kea so easily, though.  He will not be missed, even though he served his purpose.”

            Without warning, Raiu charged Lunahr.  He tackled her to the ground and began launching punch after punch at her chest and head.  She finally managed to break free and get away from the silver dragon.  The EVAs stepped forward to attack, but a gesture from Raiu held them back.

            “Why do you attack me?”

            “You were in league with my brother.  Any who meet that requirement are added to my list of people to kill.”

            Rei stood beside Raiu and glared at Lunahr.

            “I too have no love for those who were allied with that bastard!”

            Lunahr stared curiously at Rei for a few moments before turning to Raiu.

            “Who is she?  I do not recall any other female dragons.”

            “My name is Rei Ayanami.  He saved my life by giving me half his heart.  It gave me the power to become a dragon.”

            “So, you’ve chosen a little playmate.  Too bad she won’t be able to come back with us when we return home.”

            “Home?” Rei asked.

            “What are you talking about?” Raiu hissed.

            “I am here to take you back home with me.” Lunahr replied. “Didn’t you know that?”

            “Whoever told you that is grossly misinformed.  Earth is my home.  Always has been, always will be.”

            “You must come back with me and return to your people.”

            “My people?” Raiu snarled. “My people are here.”

            “You’re joking!” Lunahr snorted. “These are mere humans!”

            “I may have Evangelion and Angel DNA.  I may have been born in a tub of LCL.  I may not have been raised as one.  But I am human.”

            “LIES!  You were born a dragon!!  I know because we’re twins!”

            “You’re full of it then.  I am a human, and I will protect that which I call home and those I consider friends and loved ones.  You will not harm any of that.”

            “I will destroy this planet to bring you back if I have to!” Lunahr shrieked.

            Raiu charged Lunahr, his arm blades flashing with reflected sunlight.  The armored dragon slashed upward with his left arm blades, cutting a deep wound in her right arm.  He stabbed forward with his right arm blades, rending a gash in the bronze dragon’s stomach.  The female stumbled back in pain, snarling slightly.  Before she could strike back, both of Raiu’s forward arm blades were repeatedly stabbing her in the chest and throat.  As Lunahr fell to her knees, blood pouring from her wounds, Raiu stepped back.  He raised his right arm before him and clenched his fist.  The Kusanagi sword emerged from his arm.  The silver dragon would have struck her down if not for one thing.

            “I guess this is goodbye, Runarak.”

            Raiu’s hand stopped in mid swing.

            “What did you call me?”

            “Runarak.  You are Runarak Dion, Lost Angel.”

            Raiu let loose with a long stream of laughter.

            “You think I am Runarak Dion?!  HAH!!  Not a chance in hell.  I am Raiu Kusanagi.  I will admit that what happened to Runarak Dion was a mistake.  He should have never been experimented on.  As far as being your brother, my only family through blood ties was Kea.”

            “No . . .” Lunahr croaked before Raiu thrust his arm forward, stabbing his sword through her core.

            The last thing she felt was her body collapsing to the ground.  Raiu walked up to her and brushed his hand across her face, closing her lifeless eyes.  He shook his head and stood.

            That will be the last time I kill a female that does not fight me, Raiu vowed to himself.

            “Raiu,” Rei began, “who was Runarak Dion?  I remember hearing his name mentioned when I was living out your memories in my coma.”

            “A failed experiment.  This isn’t the first time Angels have come to Earth.  Another group attacked Earth a couple centuries before my birth.  They were led by a being called Shriak.  Him, his father, siblings, and several other Angels killed millions of people before they were defeated.  Shriak and his family could not be killed by any method then, so they were put into stasis.  Only one of the other Angels was left alive.  That bastard Tcharka.  It never said why he was left alive though.  Runarak Dion was Shriak’s son.  Humans tried to make him pilotable.  Much like an EVA.  The Ancient Terrans tried many methods, but the final one they tried proved to be their undoing.  When they tried to implant a human being directly into his core, a Sea of Dirac was created.  He disappeared into it with the entire installation.  I believe the same happened with EVA-04.  But, unlike the EVA Unit, Runarak was never found.  He was a black dragon.  I guess he looked exactly like my first dragon form.  My Angel DNA might even be from him, for all I know.”

            “What do we do now?” Sularos asked.

            “We do what we’ve always done.  Continue on with our lives and prepare for the next attack.”

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