2023-07-01: You Can (Not) Stand Alone (SIDE A)
- Log: 2023-07-01 You Can (Not) Stand Alone (SIDE A)
- Cast: Rei Ayanami, Gridman, Kaworu Nagisa, Shinji Ikari, Zan, Chloe
- Where: Tokyo-3
- OOC - IC Date: July 1, 0097 (2023)
- Summary: The Eleventh Angel descends. It's up to NERV to stop it.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Blue, blue sky.
The skies over Tokyo-3 are perfectly clear. There are not even the common passenger aircraft that distribute people in shorter regional hops, when the trains are not a perfect fit, or when you must cross the islands too small or too remote to have rail tunnels.
The trains, too, have stopped.
Tokyo-3 has been evacuated -- a simple and affirmative statement. Civilian population, which has never been a huge percentage, has moved elsewhere, to relative safety in Nouvelle Tokyo, or in Sendai, or in cities elsewhere. Some even resorted to Nagoya, Osaka. Area 11 is a dreadful place to visit for many, but it is, at least, not in the target zone.
Rei Ayanami sits in the throne of her soul; in the entry plug of Eva-00. She is, in many senses, in the safest place imaginable. The core components of an Evangelion are enveloped by many fruits of Man's knowledge and technology. Eva-00 will likely continue to exist, even if they should fail.
Beyond the sky, endless space.
Instructions come and Rei steers the Evangelion downwards. Eva-00 has been positioned in the northeastern portions of Tokyo-03, near where erosion breaks and preparatory works for erosion control have been placed, in the side of the mountain whose shape was changed in Operation Yashima.
A runner's stance; legs set just so, like a sprinter awaiting the starters' pistol. The Evangelion must weigh many tons but it rests its weight upon spread hands with ease. There are great sounds, subtle ones, from the limbs and the many-layered interlocking special armor on the Evangelion.
The monoptical head raises, to gaze up at the sky again.
The question of a last will and testament crosses Rei's mind. She did not fill one out; there seemed to be no point.
Is every star an ally?
Is every star an enemy?
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
"Access... Flash!"
Gridman has spent the past few days in Tokyo-3, accompanied by Max and Calibur. Borr and Vit remain in Tsutsujidai, protecting the city (and Rikka Takarada. Gridman was very, very clear on his instructions.). It's been nice, having a few days with his partners, even with the specter of an Angel attack looming over them all.
But now, the time has come. Gridman goes through the transformation alone, enabling him to grow to his maximum size of 70 meters. Calibur and Max spread out in the city, quick and resilient enough not to fear the Angel's destructive powers. If a moment they can help appears, they'll be ready.
Crackling with lightning, the Giant of Light rises in the city. His unmoving expression gives off a grim countenance. Angels are always terrifying to fight. Really... Gridman wishes he wasn't here. But there's no way he'll leave his friends and the people of Tokyo-3 to suffer!
"I'm ready." Gridman says, his voice echoing across the city, somehow coming through everyone's radios loud and clear. "I think I can see something up there?"
With an internal shudder, he takes a combat stance. No matter what comes, he won't turn away.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Yesterday, Kaworu had been in Paradigm City at the urgent summons of what we'll call an associate. Today, he has returned to Tokyo-3 to tend to that which has occupied the lion's share of his attention over the last several days: the incoming fall of the Eleventh Angel, Sahaquiel.
He stands today not in an entry plug for any of the Evangelions, but at the bridge of Central Dogma, next to one of the stations, his red gaze on one of the massive screens overlooking the area where NERV's pilots and allies have gathered like runners at the start of a race to intercept the Angel in real time. Col. Katsuragi has already briefed everyone, but even without it, he knows what's going on.
The skies are achingly blue. The Orbital Ring's evacuation was completed the other day; Kaworu had been present to oversee it. Tokyo-3 has been evacuated; Kaworu was not present to oversee it, but Misato had it well in hand.
He leans forward to send his gentle voice to the units assembled under his purview--Acting Chief Shishioh is with the rest. "I see you're all ready. It's all right; you don't need to be too tense. Everything will work out."
Shinji's slightly shaky laugh comes back through the comms. "When you say it, Kaworu, it feels like it really will." It doesn't stop all the nerves in his voice... but there is a distinct note of relief there, too.
They were all offered the chance to fill out a last will and testament. Kaworu didn't fill out one, either.
Kaworu himself smiles, a ghost of a chuckle on his breath. "It's because I know you can succeed, Shinji." He shifts his attention more broadly to the others. Rei is here as a matter of course--she, too, is a Child bound by the scenario--but Zan and Chloe and especially Gridman, who isn't even a member of NERV... He's glad to have all of their support.
"Rei, Gridman, Zan, Chloe... The Eleventh Angel will be imminent," he states aloud. "Be ready to launch presently."
And indeed, it will only be a moment after Kaworu says so that a black orb--almost like an egg--appears high, high above them.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
Having been on the ground when the alert comes, Zan wastes no time in launching. Tokyo-3 being in danger means his Friends are in danger.
That being said, one of the designated points for starting has the loud train whistles of the Iron Railer as it approaches. The orange form of Zan launches from it before the entire thing rises up into the air and begins to change shape, along with Zan himself.
"RAIL CHANGE!"
The engine folds under itself, and the other cars line up as they connect to the engine's parts. The first two become legs, followed by the last two becoming arms. All the cars extend to form joints. Zan himself turns into a large head and chest area before connecting.
The massive completed robot lands with a flare of jet turbines before bringing it's arms up, a classic strongman pose as it stands tall, "IRON ZANRAILER, GROUND RAIL MODE!"
Turning it's head towards the sky as it lowers it's arms is the most reaction shown before it lowers itself down in preparation to run.
"Iron Zanrailer, in position to assist." The robot transmits.
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
Chloe stands within the cockpit of her Makhia, watching the holographic screen in front of her showing the details of the mission briefing. Her machine has been stationed towards the outer edges of the city. Since, while comparable in size to an Evangelion, it's no where near as nimble so it needs all the space it can get.
The mission briefing ends. The holographic window describing the comms connection from Colonel Katsuragi vanishes. But before Chloe has a chance to even move, another one pops up. A private comms this time, simply with the name 'Julie'.
<"God, I thought she'd never shut up.'>
Chloe's response is simply a greeting, "Ma'am."
<"Tch, stop calling me that! I'm not a soldier. Anyway... Ohhhhhh, I'm so excited! It's about TIME that I had a chance to see one of my darlings go up against an Angel.">
Chloe tilts her head a little, "Are you refering to me, or the Makhia?"
<"Both! I created both of you, after all. Now, make sure to get as much data as you can. OH! Also, try to use the Energy Conversion Barrier as much as possible. I'm DYING to see how it interacts with an AT Barrier.">
Chloe simply acknowledges the command with a nod, before asking, "Is there anything else?"
<"No, no, that'll do. Just don't get destroyed out there. Those Makhia aren't cheap or easy to create, you know!">
The comms window vanishes, leaving silence within the large open cockpit. Chloe briefly ponders those last words for a moment, before stepping forward and saying, "Activate Mikani Link." The holographic arms and legs mimicking those of the Makhia appear and Chloe steps into them. Feeling the control connection establishing in her head, she raises her arm to test. Through the large screens on the forward wall, she can see her machine's arm rise up, following her movements.
Finally, Chloe reports over the allied comms, <"Warrant Officer, First Class Chloe. Ready to engage.">
Warnings start to appear, the Makhia's sensors reporting the arrival of the expected object. Turning her head to look up towards the sky, the Makhia follows suit. Cameras in its eyes focus on the target, a zoomed in image appearing on Chloe's main screen. She shows now real reaction to the sight of the black orb.
FPT: Chloe has acted with Sight and Targeting.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Gridman may find Tokyo-3 to be curiously... comfortable looking now that he has assumed this mighty form. It is a subtle thing, one that mostly makes the new-built parts of the city seem rather more like Britannian cities' top-levels or that of Zaftran cities rather than Japanese cities' more organic growth.
But now it all seems to make sense.
Rei turns her eyes, and Eva-00 turns its head. Kaworu echoes this assessment. Are the eyes of Gridman sharper than what Tokyo-3 can detect?, Rei wonders.
Somewhere in the skies, a shape has entered the atmosphere. What is an arduous passage even for well built craft and a harrowing rite for those who re-enter under fire...
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/126109060008247298/1124140298981875832/Sahaquiel_Rebuild_Form_1.webp
For the Angel, it is nothing.
It is a sober time. Grim, one might say. A time for warnings and optimism. The input from Julie and her well wishes, as well as her encouragement to avoid being destroyed. (Generally good advice.) Silence, then, in the space of Tokyo-3. Confirmation of readiness.
Those great open avenues aid Zan, too. Perhaps it would be better if there were more rails, but if Zan is able to leverage such infrastructure, oh, it surely is there. Some of the station houses may have been sealed with armor shutters, but it is one thing to withdraw a building and another to conceal track and switching-machinery.
Time passes. Inside of the machines, it is subtly unbearable. And then --
Gridman had spotted the subtle space first. Purple; a purple spot in a blue sky, like a bruise. Coming from the northeast, more east than north. It does something, and expands - and that expansion makes it easier to see. The shape begins to resolve, and it is quite like an eye. Even with the sighting, there is tension on the bridge.
And--
"It's not going to hit the Orbital Ring," confirms Hyuuga on the bridge. Nobody is particularly relieved by this news.
Moments... and...
Screens light up! The Angel is close enough that its trajectory space is beginning to reduce -- the circle of potential places where it CAN be is shrinking, if very slowly, on the data feeds into those present. And whoever it is who says it, the order is clear --
"GO!"
FPT: Rei Ayanami's party has drawn a new Challenge!
FPT: Drawing Card 2 for Round 2.
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
GO!
Gridman races forward, leaping from one armored building (are they buildings?) to another, moving acrobatically rather than relying on his running speed. The Evas must be faster than he is, especially as they know the terrain best, but Gridman's determined not to fall behind!
"H--hang on," The Giant of Light calls, watching red liquid burst as it hits the ground, "Is it crying? Why would it be--"
"Gridman!" Max's voice rings out in Gridman's mind. "Those are not tears! Stay focused!"
As if to prove the Hyper Agent right, Sahaquiel's 'tears' begin to take shape. Gridman shouts a warning to his companions. Redoubling his speed, Gridman brings his foot down on one cluster of odd liquid shapes.
"They're going to destroy the city! We have to stop them!" Gridman knits his fingers together, raising his arms above his head. With a resounding cracking sound, the Giant of Light brings his fists down on another nearby group, leaving a crater in the ground.
Ring! Ring ring!
Gridman... seems to be receiving a call. With a thought he 'answers'. "Hello? I'm a little busy--"
"Don't worry." Calibur's voice is steady. "We're with you, Gridman."
Twin bursts of speed arrive on the battlefield. Max roars, a crystalline weapon consuming one of his arms, as he charges into a pack of Sahaquiel's creations. Steel flashes in the low light of evening as his comrade joins him -- Calibur launching himself into the air to slash through the necks of several more creatures.
Gridman nods in thanks, turning to kick monsters into a nearby building. "Please be careful, but I'm thankful for the help! Everyone--" Gridman addresses his companions in their own robots. "Watch out for Max and Calibur! They're on the ground helping us fight these things!"
FPT: Gridman spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Gridman has acted with W-Space and Targeting.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Kaworu had given his forewarning; it's enough that someone else, likely Misato, shouts out that, "GO!" Sahaquiel not hitting the Orbital Ring is a relief, but it won't really matter if the Eleventh Angel is not stopped.
It will be stopped, though. Kaworu knows.
(But that's something that only he knows of those present. Even the diaphonous entity living in the Tsutsujidai PLANT known as Duma, who has been watching their brethren's approach in sudden silence--their global transmissions halted--doesn't know. They simply observe, this time from a considerable distance. Sandalphon had taught them well of caution.)
As Sahaquiel falls, it seems to shed strange tears. 'Seems' being the operative words, for they are no tears at all. Kaworu watches them form, then directs his voice to the team.
"They're fragile, but the Eleventh Angel will produce a great deal of them. Strike them down, but do not stop for them. They are nothing more than a distraction to slow you from your true goal."
His smile grows a bit as he watches Gridman in particular--his acrobatics, rather than sheer speed. It reminds him of his dancing, both in Tsutsujidai High's club and at last year's Deculture Festival cosplay and cross-dressing pageant. Max and Calibur's arrival to help ward off Sahaquiel's legions is timely indeed, too.
FPT: Kaworu Nagisa has acted with W-Space and Piloting.
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
The Angel grows closer. Its form grows larger on Chloe's screens. Looking at it, she gets the same feeling of uncertainty that she gets from looking at a Meteora. Except far more amplified. This is not a simulation, after all. Chloe briefly wonders if this is what it'd feel like to fight a Meteora for real...
... But time for such thoughts quickly vanishes as the 'Go' signal is given. The projected impact point is narrowing. Chloe has to move! She starts walking, the large, lumbering Makhia following her movements.
As Chloe begins to make her way forward, she spots the 'tears' falling away from their host. Once they start to move of their own accord, it doesn't take Chloe long to realize their purpose. The Angel is breaking off parts of itself to attack them.
Not unlike a Meteora.
As confirmation comes in from Gridman, Chloe is feeling much more confident as she falls back on her training. She only has the one weapon currently equipped that is designed to handle multiple, smaller foes. So she reaches up to her back, the Makhia following suit. Grasping at one of the weapons there, she brings it back down into both hands.
Raising the railgun rifle to aim, she radios in response to Kaworu, <"Understood. This is Chloe. Engaging."> Pulling on the holographic trigger, the real version begins to spit out a rapid barrage of metal shards, aimed to rip through the tears before they can reach the Makhia.
FPT: Chloe has acted with W-Space and Piloting.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Eva-00 bursts into a run, surging forwards even as the Angel sheds its strange tears. They fall and the sky dims. A supply building pops up near Eva-00's passage and Rei pivots just a little, grasping onto the handle of a massive gun - an artillery piece contoured like an assault rifle.
When Rei grasps the weapon there are dozens of the tear-things. When she has resumed her run, there are hundreds.
Beyond that it is almost impossible to tell. Rei can see Calibur smash down a ways away before the thick array of things presses upon her. That is when she pulls the trigger; fifty 440mm shells with high explosive payloads burst outwards, smashing into the flimisiest echo of an AT Field and then THROUGH - in several cases the shell itself is enough to rip the things apart into a reddish spray.
The sight sickens Rei, subtly. Mostly. It's a complex thing. Part of her, of course, is glad to see this sort of thing.
Rei's breathing echoes through the communication grid; she does not speak. Not until she has time to urge, "Do not stop," towards the others. It's a soft statement, almost an affirmation which would be easy to miss if long experience had not adjusted Rei's plug-sound levels for moments like this.
The circular-error-probable continues to shrink. Approaching sixty-five percent now, but they do not seem to be getting thinner. Another weapon delivery pops up and serves Rei a belt-fed multi-barrel weapon but *its very emergence* from the ground smashes through three of the tear-things.
FPT: Rei Ayanami spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Rei Ayanami has acted with W-Space and Targeting.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
The narrow ways may be good for an Evangelion, but Iron Zanrailer is indeed broader in form. That lessens his reactions and requires some fine tuning to get to his spot as well as to engage.
Unlike the Evas, however, Zan is bristling with tools to make up for his lack of mobility as he heads for the possible drop point. Switching to a limited hover mode, gun turrets appear on the side of the legs. Odd ones, but still turrets all the same as weaponized welding lasers unleash on the 'tears' that have formed as he advances.
A final move is made to clear the way so he can advance through the horde easier as he brings an arm back and turbines extend from the wrists.
"ROCKET--" The arm punches forward and the fist launches on a long, long tether with rockets firing from it as Zan hover-charges after it, "PUNCH!"
Needless to say anything in the way of that is going to have a really bad birthday.
FPT: Zan spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Zan has acted with W-Space and Targeting.
FPT: Rei Ayanami's A.T. Field Ability assists!
FPT: Gridman's Ringing Bell Ability assists!
FPT: Round Complete!
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
"Right, Kaworu!" Gridman shouts, breaking away from the monsters. As he begins to move forward again, several of the creatures wind their long arms around the Giant's legs, and with a cry, Gridman topples to the ground. His fall crushes several of the monsters, thankfully -- but he's stuck for the moment.
Chloe's railgun tears through dozens of the Angel's tears. Despite her efforts, some of the blood-colored creatures identify her as a threat and race toward her, crawling up the Makhia to try and disable it.
The Makhia isn't alone in being attacked -- Rei's ballistic attacks destroy the monstrous, simple beings, leading their endless doubles charging Rei's machine. Gridman shouts in distress at the sight, pushing himself on on his arms. "Rei!"
While his allies struggle, Zan presses forward unhindered. Despite the narrow city paths, the Iron Zanrailer takes the lead! Turrets and lasers obliterate the 'tears' as he moves forward. In the wake of Zan's rocket punch, hundreds of monstrous beings vanish, crushed to pieces.
"We have to keep going!" Gridman cries. "Rrgh, let go--!"
Max and Calibur flash to Gridman's side, slashing at the arms of Sahaquiel's creations.
"Go!" Max shouts. "All of you! Calibur and I will slay these beasts!"
Righting himself, Gridman charges on again. He doesn't look back -- trusting in his comrades.
FPT: Rei Ayanami's party has drawn a new Challenge!
FPT: Drawing Card 3 for Round 3.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
The 'tears' slow many of the others down--but Zan and Unit-01 press forward at speed. Unit-01 is dubiously lucky, even, for she happened to be stationed closest relative to the others to where Sahaquiel is falling. At this rate, she and Shinji will definitely make it there first.
Not that Kaworu had any doubt. Though several of them may struggle, all of them will break through sooner or later, leaving the legions behind as Sahaquiel itself stops 'weeping' and burns brighter in its fall. The wisps do give chase, and even with Max standing up to stop them, they might surge past even him--but then the ground opens up, and buildings begin to rise up. Those who've been in Tokyo-3 for any amount of time will find it a familiar sight: after all, the buildings withdraw and rise every day. Right now, they rise to open up high-velocity anti-MS fire on what remains of the humanoid things, joining Max in cutting them down so the others can focus on moving forward.
"We will ensure you aren't impeded further, and assist you in gaining ground. The MAGI have an updated estimate on the Angel's landing site, which we will forward to you. Keep going," Kaworu urges. Indeed, even as he speaks, data flows in to the machines and the Giant of Light, indicating a clearer direction and a tighter circle for them to head towards in order to intercept Sahaquiel.
All around him, the bridge crew, from Hyuuga to Ibuki to Aoba and beyond, shout and trade commands, unleashing weaponry on the weak but numerous things--and rising buildings underneath some of the crew to give them better vantage points for pressing on--or in taking this chance to get revenge and help mop up the remaining wisps. Kaworu has already said not to stop for them, though, so it really depends on the individual.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
The sight of buildings coming up and giving aide to them has the Iron Zanrailer turning towards the designated coordinates. He looks back to his allies, "We need to get there quickly."
Leaning forward, turbines fire on the massive robot's back as it's footsteps shake the ground with each step, and it uses those to boost it's run.
Internally, programs run as it's sensors scan for obstacles before it settles for leaping over buildings and other objects in it's way. One batch of 'tear' creatures ends up in it's way only to end up being summarily ran over quite literally.
The reminder that a good portion of the massive robot is a train may be all too real as it picks up speed.
Magnetic lightning starts to appear on it as the robot focuses on it's task of getting to the drop point to stop the destruction.
FPT: Zan spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Zan has acted with Sight and Reactor.
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
The sheer numbers of tears begin to overwhelm Chloe's ability to shoot them down. Soon enough they manage to reach her. And through her link to the machine she's piloting, she can feel them starting to climb over her.
It's an unsettling feeling.
"Mirror Generator online. Activate Energy Conversion Barrier!" There's a rising hum that can be heard within the cockpit.
Hexagonal panels of light appear all around the Pallas Makhia, impeding the approach of the tears. As the fragile horde crashes against that barrier, they are torn asunder just as surely as if they had been hit by weapons fire. Though with each attack, the energy from it is converted, feeding into the Makhia's systems.
Chloe has to briefly pause her approach towards the quickly narrowing landing zone as a structure pops up in front of her, a large gun attached to it starting to mow down the tears and free her approach forward. Chloe has of course heard about the mobile nature of Tokyo-3's buildings, but this is her first time seeing it.
Another structure pops up beside Chloe, large doors folding open to reveal the weapons cache within. She turns to look at them, spotting one which might actually prove useful. A large particle cannon. Given the energy boost she's been receiving, it might come in handy!
The Makhia stows its railgun on its back once more, before reaching out to the weapons locker and retrieving the large cannon. The energy port in the Makhia's hand registers the connection to the weapon, starting to feed it with the converted energy.
Briefly bringing her arms up to look at the weapon on her screen, Chloe radios, <"Thank you for the assistance. Continuing forward."> The Makhia begins moving again with heavy steps.
FPT: Chloe spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Chloe has acted with Sight and Reactor.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Gridman is out there. He's calling her name. Rei glances towards Gridman and then there is a sudden tensioning as Eva-00 is briefly restrained in its run down the alleyways. (Avenue-ways.) Rei pulls just a little further -
With a hiss of retro-rockets and a sudden chime of warning, Eva-00 transits to internal power. "North, I think," Rei says breathlessly, before the enemy around them begins to thin outwards - enough that Rei briefly sees Zan through his ROCKET PUNCH. Other emergences from the ground begin to open fire, and for a moment Rei can see the sky in the distance (and, not incidentally, the Pallas; which is, after all, rather easy to spot against the background).
"Zan," Rei says, even as she abandons the chaingun (without much fanfare she had discharged its entire ammunition load to the southwest, removing a veritable tide of the tear-things from this plane of existence, before they could surge forwards).
"You may be the first there. ... Take care of yourself," Rei concludes, fumbling for the words, looking upwards. Which way is she facing? 'Towards Gridman' is not a grid-coordinates direction, but the very thought makes part of Eva-00's navigation support suite become more visible.
Eva-00 turns at the next intersection and sees --
IT, looming in the sky.
Sahaquiel is already large enough to be the clearest object in the sky, larger in relative terms than a full moon near the horizon. (It is, of course, considerably higher than the horizon.)
Even the shape is disorienting, but the MAGI are not fooled, and the MAGI guide them. Armor-plating begins to lift upwards, forming a routing course forwards. Rei leans forwards, and now she runs as she did before the tears fell.
FPT: Rei Ayanami has acted with Sight and Reactor.
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
Shinji is far in the lead, now -- Gridman feels a pulse of worry at the thought of his friend arriving first. Shinji is so gentle and shy. It's not right to expect him to carry this burden. With a growl, Gridman sparks with lightning, racing forward as fast as he can possibly push himself.
"Shinji! Please be careful!"
Heralded by Kaworu's voice, Tokyo-3 opens up, bristling with weaponry. Max and Calibur flash between pockets of teardrop-monsters, avoiding NERV's anti-MS fire.
Gridman brings one clenched fist over his heart. "Thank you, Kaworu." He murmurs. Then, more loudly: "And everyone! We won't stop!"
As the Giant of Light propels himself from one building to the next, he follows the path Kaworu provided him. Should Gridman take one of the weapons? Definitely not a gun, but one of these knives... Lunging down, Gridman grabs one, spinning it in his hand as he continues to run.
It's not Calibur. It's too small, and the weight is totally off. But it'll be better than touching that creepy Angel with his bare hands.
This feeling of having the whole city behind them as they fight... Gridman thinks of Tsutsujidai. No matter where he goes, people always find strength in their bonds. They honor their heroes and protectors. It sends a flash of strength through the Giant's body, and he practically glows with determination.
With one last flip, Gridman lands at Rei's side. The two run together toward Kaworu's target... It won't be long now.
FPT: Gridman has acted with Sight and Mobility.
FPT: Kaworu Nagisa's Attrition applies!
FPT: Kaworu Nagisa's Kaworu of the Seashore Ability assists!
FPT: Round Complete!
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
There's both a certain thrill and a terror in coming in first. Thanks to Zan's train speed letting him literally rough roughshod over the wisps, Chloe's Energy Conversion Barrier letting her ignore the wisps' attacks to a certain extent to focus on advancing, and Rei's transition to internal power to allow her to no longer be impeded by her umbilical cable, all of them are gaining a lot of ground--but Shinji and Unit-01 were already in the lead, and NERV raising weaponry to mow down the wisps only meant that he had nothing in the way.
Gridman of course voices his warning towards the pilot of Unit-01, but ultimately he chooses to land next to Unit-00 and join Rei, sacrificing a little bit of time to double up their forces. It's not a bad choice--but Sahaquiel has blossomed like hell's flower, the black orb littered with eyes unspooling to spread almost hand-like appendages wide to either side of itself.
The center alone is several times the size of any of the units they have assembled. If it makes groundfall unimpeded...
The thought doesn't even need to be completed. And that's why Shinji pours all of his focus, all of his willpower, in making it to the finish line first. Before even the Angel.
Even so, with urgency in his voice, Kaworu warns him, "Shinji, Gridman is right. You mustn't run too far ahead--to face an Angel of that size on your own will definitely make you suffer."
"But it's already here!" Shinji calls back to both of them without hesitation, without taking his eyes off the target for even an instant. There's the frenetic energy of adrenaline in his voice, even as Unit-01 vaults one last building and makes the final dash as the Angel descends. "I can't wait--I've got to stop it right now, or everyone will suffer!"
"Shinji!!" Kaworu calls--but Shinji has already made up his mind.
Besides, he's right. If Shinji waits for back-up, Sahaquiel will land, and it will be the end for all of them.
And for that, his decision is rewarded. Unit-01 makes it to the epicenter of Sahaquiel's drop first, only seconds ahead of it. Unit-01 raises her arms as if to greet it as Shinji shouts, "<<AT Field, full extension!!>>"
The Evangelion and her pilot raise the light of their hearts just in time for Sahaquiel to impact. Both of them resonate off of each other, waves of orange and crystalline energy shearing forward from the point in space where Angel and Evangelion meet.
The force is incredible. But Unit-01's A.T. Field holds, coruscating at the edges of her fingertips. As impossible as it seems, this single Evangelion, dwarfed as she is by the behemoth from space, looks as though she'll end up absorbing and dispersing the energy of that fall through her iconic barrier. In Central Dogma and in Federation offices around the world, breaths are held and eyes widen with a distinctly un-childlike wonder.
But then--
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Eva-01 races ahead of them - Rei, for a moment, looks towards Gridman, and by the time she looks back she is in wonder for a mere moment. It is possible? It would seem so; the purple Evangelion is moving so fast that --
Yes, that distant THOOM -- however marginally, it burst the sound barrier, though it may be thickening in the condensation of air beneath the arisal of
THAT
Sahaquiel is enormous now. It is disorienting, even deceptive, in how fast it has come. Perhaps it has learned to mimick the visual distortions of Minovsky particle density, or perhaps it is simply well camouflaged for its single great impact. If the impact is its goal.
Shinji speaks -- a moment of resolution. He crests the mountain and he reaches for the sky and the sky burns violet as the AT Field erupts and intersects and the miracle happens. The Angel is stopped, its great feathery hands (for those fingers have great protrusions and it might have a fractal infinity within it, legion without name) spreading slowly outwards.
"We must hurry," Rei says, with urgency unusual for her. Eva-00 casts aside the burden of its weapon to run upwards, and the run comes with a few sudden gasps of the strange, immense burden as the Evangelion enters that maximum power output, but --
ATOP THE MOUNTAIN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XNDg7OTbLE
The pupil of the Angel's eye...
It is not a pit.
Something is within that material. Its true color is veiled now by the profound light of the boundary between souls, but a being emerges outwards. Spindly-armed, thin, gaunt, spidery. However you might term it.
It is, just, possible to make out this thin extrusion towards Eva-01, which seems so small even from its great mountaintop perch. Thin hands reaching outwards, towards the upraised palms of the Evangelion. Reaching against the barrier. So close. Too close. The barriers erode one another, and fingers --
-- are a lie --
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/126109060008247298/1124182929027907605/lav5ndxyg12a1.jpg
Sudden lancing projections spike downwards and you can see them go into *and through* Eva-01's hands and forearms. Thin freshets of the red internal fluids of the Eva spray outwards, and milliseconds later, you can hear Shinji Ikari scream.
Rei makes a strangled noise. Eva-00 stumbles against a two-story building, which is now more or less gone; but it does not quite fall...
FPT: Rei Ayanami has acted with Mobility and Hit Points.
FPT: Rei Ayanami spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
Racing forward, Zan has an internal fear of being too slow in the Ground Rail configuration. About to switch to Orbital to speed himself up with it's jets, he pauses as he hears the scream.
Impossibility is something that Zan should be used to facing now. Hearing that scream has something change in him as he charges forward.
Mid-way to the Evangelion, the Iron Zanrailer's turbine starts to increase in speed.
Minute calculations run through Zan's internal computers, along with the newest addition to him in the Carpenters as his frame crackles with magnetic lightning.
"Adjusting aim to assist in the push." Zan transmits before he brings his arms up. It's a classic pose for any super robot as the arms curl towards his head and then another solid roar joins the screams of Shinji.
"TURBINE TORNADOOO!"
A roar of thundering lightning as a vortex of electricity rises up to push back against the Angel and attempt to take some of the pressure off of Eva-01 to give the others time.
FPT: Zan has acted with Mobility and Skill.
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
This one... has wings. Gridman shudders again watching it descend, looking at those five-lobed wings. Almost hypnotized by the eye of the monstrous creature, Gridman loses track of everything but his forward motion. It isn't until Shinji screams in pain that he comes back to himself, eyes locking on Unit-01 in horror.
"Shinji! Get--!" Gridman wants to shout at Shinji to fall back, to get away, but if he does... that Angel will reach the ground for sure. With a choked-off noise, Gridman can only try and keep up with Rei's sudden burst of speed.
Clutching the knife in one hand, Gridman makes it to Shinji's side. How is he holding this thing back?! For a moment, the Giant of Light has no idea what to do, watching that... thing crawl from the enormous eye.
"What the hell is that?!"
Shinji screams again, and Gridman reacts immediately. With a shout, he hurls his knife at those lancing projections. Eva-01 is bleeding, Eva-00 -- with Rei inside -- stumbles against a building..!
Everything freezes for a moment.
A decision has to be made. And in this moment, Rei comes first. Gridman reaches out, feeling as though he's moving terribly slowly (despite the truth of his speed, his agility, remaining the same as they always have been) -- grabbing Eva-00's shoulder and pulling it back to its feet.
"Rei! Stay with me, he needs us!" Gridman calls. Kaworu screams Shinji's name, and something ignites in the Giant of Light's heart. Electricity leaps from his metal form to the armored buildings around him, and once he's sure Rei is steady, he turns back to the spindly horror-creature extending from the eye.
Gridman takes a step forward. Raising his arm, he carefully angles his line of sight to avoid striking Shinji.
"Grid..." Light gathers around the Giant, faster than normal, spurred on by his desperation to save his friend. "BEAM!"
Yellow brilliance tears into the sky, scorching up to the Angel with the power of Gridman's determination and anger. Unlike previous instances of the Giant of Light's ultimate attack, this Grid Beam is short and explosive, vanishing almost as soon as it appeared.
"I won't let you hurt anyone here!" Gridman bends his knees and propels himself off of the ground, leaping until he comes face to face with the Angel's... spindly manifestation. "Just--!"
With a quick wind-up and a quicker strike, Gridman punches the monstrosity square in the face.
FPT: Gridman has acted with Mobility and Sight.
FPT: Gridman spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
As the numbers of the Angel's 'tears' are thinned out by the city's defenses, the Pallas Makhia's defensive barrier fades. The large machine continues lumbering forward, trying to close in towards the landing position of the falling Angel. However, the large machine is still a fair distance away. And it is not built for speed.
On her screen, Chloe can see the large creature descend out of the sky, about to hit the mountain. Then suddenly, it's stopped! The large barrier projected out across the sky to halt the Angel's progress.
A large blast of wind created by the opposing forces washes over Chloe's position. She raises her arm instinctively in front of her face, her Makhia following suit.
After the initial airblast passes, Chloe focuses once more on the Angel and Unit-01 in the distance. She can only watch as that form unfolds from within the Angel's eyes. She can only stand there as those spiralled spikes pierce the Evangellion's hands. She can only frown as the cries of Shinki Ikari echo over the radio.
She's too slow. She'll never be able to get there in time to help.
But that's why she's trained as a Buster type pilot. Why her Makhia is equipped the way that it is.
The Pallas Makhia stands its ground, raising the large particle cannon in its hands to aim towards the large Angel in the distance. It starts to send its gathered energy flowing into the weapon. Alerts start to appear in the cockpit, warnings of a potential overload due to the amount of energy being pumped in exceeding the weapon's standard operating specs.
Chloe doesn't care as she settles the aiming reticule on the monstrous creature. Gambling on just how much more the weapon will be able to take before she fires it. As she waits for what feels like an eternity, the only thing she can say to the brave pilot holding the monster back is, <"Hang in there...">
FPT: Chloe has acted with Mobility and Sight.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Of course, Kaworu knows well that to defeat this Angel, everyone's efforts are needed. That includes Shinji's--especially his, first on site and grappling with Sahaquiel until their A.T. Fields erode each other and it spikes spiraling Longinus-like appendages down through Unit-01's hands and forearms. That doesn't make his screams any more pleasant to have to listen to, especially from here at Central Dogma, where he can only lend him his voice.
But Zan drives up and unleashes a Turbine Tornado to try to blow the Angel back, and Chloe begins to charge a cannon with the understanding that it will be faster than charging up personally, and Gridman helps Rei in Unit-00 right herself before following up with a Grid Beam and a punch to the Angel.
"Remaining forces are imminent," Kaworu reports, a subtle tightness in his voice that isn't usually there. Indeed, there are several other mechs closing in to provide their own support, and together they'll all join in to defeat the Angel decisively.
But it isn't over yet. Shinji knows that--and he knows that he isn't alone. His agonized screams shift to agonized but determined grunts through grit teeth. Even the sensation of having his forearms skewered isn't enough to make him back down, especially now that victory is imminent.
Twitching, spasming, but still in control, Unit-01's fingers close over the Angel's protrusions and hold them there. To make sure it's as immobilized as he is.
And strangely, for an instant, it feels as though Kaworu isn't just watching from Central Dogma, which Shinji knows achingly well will self-destruct if the Angel makes it through. It feels as though his hands are resting over Shinji's--as if they're easing some of that pain. Just enough to help him make it through.
It might just be a sensory hallucination, but it's more than enough for him. "Come on--please, everybody--Asuka, hurry!!"
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Zan's engines scream. The bursting storm of exhaust goes from back to front, accelerated by enormous release of electromagnetic energy. It surges upwards and the force of it buoys Eva-01. Zan can feel the return force - it's IMMENSE. The Angel is doubtless slowed, but by how much? How much does it *weigh*? How much Angel is there?
He can see a brief red gleam...
Chloe gathers energy. To gather immense energy and unleash it is a strategy she may have read about. Ramiel, perhaps the most dangerous of the Angels when taken in terms of 'how close it came to success,' was defeated with all of the Japanese archipelago's power resources. And as she gathers, she watches.
After the flash of the Grid Beam, she can see a shiny space, somehow. A divot in what seems to be a textured surface. Perhaps a weak spot? But she knows from the briefing where to 'actually' shoot. The Core.
Gridman pulls Eva-00 back upwards and then he races forwards. Gridman can tell Rei is behind him but it seems that despite everything she is at her maximum speed. Perhaps Eva-01 is simply the fastest? Someone has to be, after all. Even so, the GRID BEAM fires outwards. It seems oddly *washed out* in the chaotic interface of the AT Field, but he scores a strike against the Angel and against its horrid den. He can see that parts of it are simply gone even if they seem to fly back together, or perhaps more accurately -- *boil out*, like clay or a bursting polymer-- soon enough smoothing out. The repair isn't perfect; what had been a rugose surface now has about five percent as a smooth, scarlike surface, forming a kind of 'divot' with a visible curve.
Perhaps more satisfying is when he comes close enough to punch the Angel in its 'face'.
The mask breaks, and the Angel, for a fleeting moment, regards him. In that moment Eva-01 is able to PUSH UPWARDS, and Sahaquiel RISES -- an enormous windstorm ripples out simply because something that fast just *moved upwards* about ten meters. The Angel's regard returns to Eva-01.
Shinji's pained breathing echoes through the communications system, even if he has found the resolve to hold the Angel in place. And at this point others seem to be moving even if they cannot be well seen in the horrid light. A large fraction of Sahaquiel's eastern limb (for on this scale, east and west are better than left and right) simply VANISHES as GaoGaiGar takes its toll.
Gridman sees it first, though Chloe's optics reveal it to her a moment later, and Zan's optics a mere moment after that. The Angel's Core - that enormous red jewel which seems to hold the 'real' Angel, the operational center, the brainheartsoulcommand uniteverything in one, which was included in the briefing and clearly outlined.
It's there... and someone stabs at it and it begins to *roll*. The pupillary pit that the Angel is extruding in is easily the size of a football field, and the Core, though hardly tiny, is moving on its own power. It skitters and it skits. Blows come in, scoring at most glancing nicks before this centerform simply *moves away*. The Angel's AT Field is strongest here, stealing its toll of momentum and energy even if Eva-01's erosion of its AT Field is sufficient to allow the blows to strike.
And there is not time to strategize. "Asuka, hurry," comes an agonized plea. But the Core continues to roll away, dodging merrily, a mockery at the last ditch.
This is when Eva-00 catches up.
Gasping for breath already from sympathetic neural exhaustion, Rei places a hand on the back of Gridman as Eva-00 pushes forwards and she leaps upwards and forces the hands of the Evangelion through the burning cobweb-mesh of the AT Field. There isn't a weapon but she does not need one right now.
Eva-00's hands clasp onto the sides of the Angel's core. A burning yellow iridescence immediately melts the armor on the Evangelion's palms and soon enough echoes inwards. Inside of the plug the synchro reaction throws similarly yellow light and a cavitating froth as Rei arches her back and lets out an agonized gasp, feeling her eyes scrunch shut as the pain -
It's immense, like salted cables coated in thorns shoved into the centerline of her hands and into the bones, but --
"Hurry," Rei pleads as Eva-00's feet hit the ground and it lowers its heads. The hands have fused into slowly-expanding slag but they still clasp the Angel's Core, and perhaps more to the point, hold the core in place. And it is there, and she caught it, because when it hit that carved-smooth place that the Grid Beam burned; it jumped just a bit, on that smooth scar-tissue. Just enough to break contact, and to be that smallest bit closer.
FPT: Rei Ayanami spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Rei Ayanami has acted with Skill and Armor.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
Steam flashing everywhere from him as his servos take on some of the pressure along with the rest of his frame, Iron Zanrailer is frozen for a moment as it exerts magnetic pressure to push back.
It can't hold the attack forever, of course, but it can increase it.
And it can unleash something else. Gridman punched it, after all. And that means the Angel can be hurt. But it needs to be slowed down immensely as his optics track the core.
It's a realization that the Iron Zanrailer is not fast enough to catch it. But it has something that can aide in coralling it.
Still straining with the Turbine Tornado to keep pressure off of Eva-01 as much as it can, hatches pop open on the Iron Zanrailer's body.
"CARPENTERS!" The massive robot calls out.
And out comes six of the miracle workers of 3G as they charge the Angel's Core, using a variety of means to try to coral the quick moving thing. Cutting into flesh, burning it, even spreading some very strong looking concrete in it's path.
The Iron Zanrailer transmits to Shinji, "Hold on! We can see the Core!"
FPT: Zan has acted with Skill and Hit Points.
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
Sahaquiel's mask breaks, and Gridman stares into its 'face'. Horror races down his spine, chilling him, even as he pulls his fist back. This is... Somehow, Gridman knows this is a creature utterly unlike himself. Maybe beyond his comprehension entirely. The Giant of Light lets out a shocked noise.
And then, the Angel's gaze returns to Shinji. Gridman shakes his head, landing gracefully with his knees bent to absorb the shock. He takes a second, looking at the ground, trying to come to terms with the sheer alien nature of the Angel. The core reveals itself, and Gridman shouts, "There!"
"Wait, what?!" The Hyper Agent cries, as the core rolls, scuttling and dodging attacks. "We don't have time for this! I'll--!"
Gridman looks back at Rei as Unit-00 touches him, realization dawning as she pushes forward. "REI, NO--!" He screams, panicked, as Rei reacts in pain. "Let me do it, I can do it!"
But there's nothing he can do. Rei's already thrust her hands into that hot-cold-painful corespace. Gridman looks around, frantic. Without Calibur, can he even damage Sahaquiel's core? There isn't time to figure it out. With a desperate cry, Gridman wrenches the knife he tossed into the Angel's fingers, recoiling at the sound it makes exiting Sahaquiel's body.
Wrapping both hands on the blade's hilt, Gridman raises it high above his head and brings it stabbing down. Rei, and Zan's Carpenters, hold the red orb steady. He can't let that be in vain!
"D--die already! Stop hurting them!" Gridman wails, bringing his knife down again and again -- however many times it takes.
FPT: Gridman has acted with Skill and Hit Points.
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
Chloe can see the other machines making their way closer. Having stopped, she's definitely fallen far behind at this point. But that's okay. This is her role. It's what she was trained for. She is not the vanguard. She lets the vanguard do their job, so she can do hers.
As the warnings on her screens are getting more and more insistent, Chloe focuses on the Angel itself. The eye. And she waits. She knows what she's waiting for. She's not fought an Angel before, but she's heard the primers. The true target. And then, it appears...
The core.
... Just like a Meteora. It's disturbing how similar the two are... But Chloe doesn't bother dwelling on it. No doubt greater minds have already pursued that line of thought... Though whether they've come to a conclusion on it doesn't matter right now. What matters is that this is what Chloe exists for.
The core is moving around quickly, making it difficult to get a bead on it at the range she's at. But Chloe is patient. She waits for the right opportunity. Doing what has been drilled into her. Waiting for the vanguard to create the opening. And they must create one. Because if they don't...
... They'll all die.
That doesn't actually bother Chloe that much.
... The world will die.
Beyond her understanding to grasp, or care.
... Coco will die. Chloe closes her eyes for a moment.
... No.
Unit-00 grabs a hold of the core, halting its movement.
Chloe opens her eyes and pulls the trigger.
The particle cannon in the Makhia's hands, glowing and arcing with energy in ways it's definitely not supposed to, unleashes its charge. The heavily concentrated beam of light lances out of the barrel, rapidly crossing the city's skies into the distance towards the Angel and its core. If Chloe's aim is true...
FPT: Chloe spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Chloe has acted with Skill and Intuition.
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
At this point, there isn't anything further those in Central Dogma can do. All they can do is watch and pray that the forces converging on Sahaquiel will be enough to vanish it. For his part, Kaworu watches intently, hands in his pockets as he usually does, frowning slightly as he usually does not. He doesn't speak; he is focused on something, or rather someone, else. He can't unveil the light of his own heart--the MAGI are right there--but his is a large soul, and he is connected by fate to Shinji. If Shinji has chosen to suffer, then Kaworu can at least do this little thing to ease his burden.
But that's only a temporary reprieve. The Eleventh Angel must be defeated.
Rei reaches up to pin down the skittering core--Zan calls upon the Carpenters to come assist--Gridman brings knife in with intent to kill--Chloe pulls the trigger to unleash a massive beam of light--
And of course, Asuka, Guy, and the others bring their own various forces to bear.
Kaworu's eyelashes sink shut.
"Farewell," he murmurs to the air.
FPT: Kaworu Nagisa spends 1 ID Charges! They will apply this coming round!
FPT: Kaworu Nagisa has acted with Skill and Intuition.
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Does the Angel see you, Gridman?
What IS the Angel? Is an Angel a being from another stage of reality, like the Hyper Agents themselves? Like Alexis Kerib? What ARE they? Perhaps Gridman will survive even if the Angel succeeds in their mission. Will he wish it had been otherwise?
Rei holds the Angel's core. The pain washes through her body, first hot and then oddly cool. It is glacial in its extent, enormous. She doesn't say anything else. But neither does she release the core.
it's alright
this is why I am here
Zan unleashes the Carpenters, in lieu of his own physical presence. The half-dozen repairmen of the Gutsy Galaxy Guard fall upon the Angel's core. They may be consternated and astounded to find most of their tools simply GLANCE OFF the core -- Eva-00 has SOMEHOW grasped onto it but it has some sort of eerie extradimensionality to it, preventing contact -- one of them has a plasma drill!! THAT makes contact! Even if it doesn't seem to be breaking through, you can see a heated place grow. Two of the Carpenters move out of the way as
Chloe unleashes Hell: The particle beam washes forwards. The immensity of its passage superheats parts of Eva-00's forearms which Rei barely feels given the overload on her nervous system. There is a strangled, choking noise of teenagers in agony. The superheated place has expanded outwards and part of it is a sort of sickly bruise-purple instead of simply shades of red.
And that is when Gridman stabs in the Progressive Knife. The AT Field is distorted enough that though it feels like stabbing through a two-inch-thick sheet of taut rubber, he *can* do it - the progressive knife glowing as the vibro-engine fulfills its destiny. He hits that bruised point and it feels like cracking a candy full of liquid --
There is more happening. A spear smashes into the pit and bifuricates, chasing decoy cores. It is possible despite all of Rei's agony that she grabbed the wrong one, but if nothing else the chance is averted. The conversion of light coming from the eastern side of Sahaquiel draws closer, outer rootlike fringes touching at this pit even as parts of the Angel are knitting themselves back together *behind* the wrath of DoubleMarg...
The Core twitches and rips loose of Rei's grip partway, taking with it a significant portion of Eva-00's right hand. Rei makes a sort of half-mewl half yelp as she leans to try and regain her grip but it is needless -- Eva-04 reaches forwards from around the side, the two Evangelions pinning the core into a stable place even as it tries to recover from that bruise.
Two more Progressive Knifes come in, the tripled stab shoving inwards. Deeper, deeper, as active timers howl downwards. Deep deep deep the core is trembling and the air is all but liquifying in turmoiled pressure when --
CRACK
The blades skitter off of each other as the core suddenly fractures like a great red jasper. It breaks into two large fragments with smaller secondary ones flying outwards, like a moon broken by some cosmic impact.
A moment later the core disintegrates into a red soupy material. Distinct from the fluid in the Evangelions. *Thicker*. It cascades outwards over the arms, surging over one of the Carpenters and the others. It boils into a nasty, clinging residue that nonetheless eases feedback pains in the remaining few seconds of active time remaining for Eva-00 and Eva-04. Mari and Rei get this wonderful treatment; Shinji may not be so lucky, but...
The air is drawing upwards. Sahaquiel is raisng its arms. The fingers reach for one another, lacing together...
And then comes the explosion.
A hammer blow downwards that smashes everyone present into the ground -- Chloe may be spared by not having approached the ground zero of Eva-01's seizure of the Angel. It is approximately one kiloton of explosive force; an immense explosion and one angled down. Armor will crack and the ground, already tormented, fractures and gives way, the pitted space that had burned into the mountaintop gaining a deeper 'punch' in the center.
Above them all the Angel's great bulk is erupting into strange materials. More of that thick red fluid pours downwards, a sudden torrential rain in a clear blue sky as it pours and it pours and it pours. The crater swiftly fills, spilling over and cascading down. The size of the Angel is such that it takes nearly fifteen seconds for image collapse to remove its entire bulk, but the fate was sealed by the blades.
Flood'waters' pour down through the streets of Tokyo-03. Parked cars, struck at the right angle, are drawn downwards, as are loose bicycles and immeasurable small things found on the first and second floors of buildings. Some may be found far away; others will reach where everything flows eventually, in the ancient depths of Lake Ashi, which soon enough blooms red and will stay that way for days to come.
A violet cruciform light, surrounded by myriad coruscating rainbows -- droplets? the marking of the Angel's passage? something else? -- shine in the afternoon sky.
<Pose Tracker> Chloe has posed.
The particle cannon in the Pallas Makhia's hands is smoking and partially slagged. It's unlikely to work again.
Hopefully that wasn't anyone's favourite weapon.
Chloe releases her grip on the wrecked weapon, letting it fall to the ground. Just in time for a river of blood, or at least blood-like... Is it blood? Chloe isn't actually sure. She hadn't actually heard of that part about fighting Angels. Regardless, the liquid washes down the street her machine is currently standing on.
Turning her focus back to ground zero of that large impact, which she had managed to just barely avoid at the edge, Chloe tries to find signs of life. It's hard to tell amidst the fallout and the interference from the battle. So she tries the radio, <"... Chloe to allied units... Status report?">
<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.
Back at Central Dogma, a collective breath releases. Misato hunches over one of the many control boards, all of the tension she'd been carrying as she overlooked the battle releasing all at once.
"Well done, guys... and thank you," she says.
At her back, Hyuuga reports that long-range radio is back up, and that they can finally patch the Commander and Vice-Commander through, who had both been away during the attack. Kaworu glances sidelong as Misato accepts the call and apologizes, saying she'll take full responsibility, but soon his gaze turns forward to the massive flood of core fluid.
The Eleventh Angel is dead. There is nothing to feel about it, save the usual acceptance. Kaworu focuses not on that but the Evangelions, mobile suits, Giants of Light, and Super AIs caught under the rainbow and the cross. Chloe might not be among them, but that's okay, because his gaze is actually zeroing on Gridman, Unit-00... and Unit-01.
The internal power has of course run out by now. All that reminds is the barest power to allow life support and communications. Shinji, within, pants, as ghost pain lingers in his arms, paralyzing them momentarily. It's not exactly satisfaction that wells up in him, but there is distinct relief that it's over. They've made it through another battle, alive.
Chloe asks for a status report. "I'm... I'm okay," he manages, voice hoarse raspy after all that screaming. It's all he can manage, though. It'll thus have to do for everyone else, too--for Kaworu, for Zan, for Gridman and Rei--for Asuka.
Which is just as well, because suddenly a certain communique gets patched through to him. SOUND ONLY, it reads, but that sound is unmistakably his father's voice.
"I've heard the news. Good work, Shinji," Gendo Ikari tells his son.
And that's all.
But it's more praise than Shinji has heard from him in a long time, maybe even ever. Stunned, Shinji stares at the communique, stammering, "Uh--er, th-thank you."
And the conversation proceeds without him. But that isn't what matters to Shinji in that moment. He can only keep staring, flummoxed and wide-eyed, as if he'd been visited by a ghost.
The ghost of what could have been, perhaps.
<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.
"Rei," Stab. "Shinji," Stab. "Please," Stab. "Hang on!"
Gridman, if he had human eyes, would be crying, sobbing from the overwhelming emotion of trying to kill. Hearing Rei and Shinji suffer more and more... It's too much. Again and again, the Progressive Knife descends, until--
Crack
"H--huh--?"
Somehow, it's the most surprising thing in the world, despite being the one and only thing he was hoping for. Gridman only has time to pull his arm back before thick, horrible liquid comes pouring out. With a cry, the Giant of Light is struck with a disgusting wave of 'blood'. At least, it seems like blood.
In the distance, Calibur puts a hand on Max's shoulder, pointing at the destruction of Sahaquiel. Both Hyper Agents vanish in a blur of motion -- not stopping until they reach the interior of NERV HQ where Junk waits. Gridman is going to need them once he returns.
And then comes the explosion. Gridman is not spared, crushed down into the ground. Screaming, the Giant of Light takes damage, barely noticing as his blue gemstone begins to flash. Debris rains down on him, cracking his brilliantly colored armor.
"Rei--!" Gridman yells, despite the liquid surrounding him. He doesn't need to breathe, after all, being a Giant of Light. But Rei needs air. As the crater fills with that horrific fluid, Gridman drags himself toward Unit-00. Nearby, Unit-01 looks to be in just as bad shape... but there's no way he can pull two Evas at once.
"I'll be back, Shinji!" Gridman promises, then hooks his arms under Unit-00's armpits and pulls it to the 'shore' of this horrible version of a lake. With frightened noises, Gridman touches the shoulders, then torso of the Eva -- not sure how to help.
"R--Rei. Are you okay? Please..." Gridman makes a choked-off sobbing sound. "I'm gonna pull Shinji out. I'll come back!"
With that, he wades back into the crater, grabbing Unit-01 and dragging it to lay next to Unit-00. "I'm so sorry, Shinji, I should've been faster. I'm so sorry..."
Once both units are safe, Gridman falls to the ground beside them. His lamp flashes urgently. "I think this is all the time I have. Sorry..."
With those words, the Giant of Light vanishes in a burst of pixels and light.
---
Back at NERV HQ, a young redhead bursts back into existence from within Junk's screen. Max's arms catch him before he can fall, and Gridman takes a sobbing breath. For a long few minutes, all he can do is hide his face in his comrade's chest, Gridman's shoulders trembling.
<Pose Tracker> Zan has posed.
The Iron Zanrailer was busy with coordination among other things. Then comes the explosion.
The Carpenters were washed away in the blood flow, chasing after their covered brother. And end up with the half dozen covered as they are pushed away from the impact zone.
The Iron Zanrailer cuts out the turbine attack, and can barely brace as it ends up knocked over flat on it's back and sliding along with the flood waters.
Eventually there is a swirling in the waters before the massive robot rises up. It slumps a bit as thick fluids rush out of it.
A minute or two more and the Carpenters rise up from snow, mostly covered in red and white as they fly over to land.
Transmitting back, Zan sounds remarkably tired. "Myself and the Carpenters are functional. Repairs, and a good serious cleaning is needed. Enough I am hesitant to separate at this time or let the Carpenters return. Permission to power down for a while?"
<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.
Gridman can soon enough find Unit-00. It is not hard to find; the pool is THICK and UNPLEASANT but none of them landed neatly. It had, however, ended up pitched upside down.
(In the entry plug, Rei floats in cooler darkness. The life support is functioning, or will for at least twelve hours on dedicated secondary power. The memory of the pain has strained her nerves; to be here, safe, alone, cool, is pleasant.)
(But there is a voice, and it is a pleasant voice.)
"Gridman," Rei says.
"..."
"... thank you," Rei tells him, quietly, and he may later reflect it is the first time that she has said as much to him. After this she lapses into a half-sleep, and is silent.
"Confirm, Pallas. Zanrailer," comes a crisp woman's voice through the radio. "The area is secure. If you have motile power, return to the 7th access route for recovery. Zan: Proceed. You should wake up in load cage 14. Have a good rest." There is high speed typing occurring throughout this message.