2022-11-20: Musou ~UNRIVALED~

• Log: 2022-11-20- Musou ~UNRIVALED~
• Cast: Alexis Kerib, Kaworu Nagisa, Seolla Schweizer, Ennil El, Takeshi Todo, GBR-04 Volfogg, Mari Makinami Illustrious, Alouette Pommier, Rei Ayanami, Guy Shishioh, GaoGaiGo Team, Renais Cardiff, Yuta Hibiki
• Where: Tsutsujidai
• OOC - IC Date: 0096-11-18/0096-11-19
• Summary: During the early morning hours of the weekend, a kaiju comes to rest in Tsutsujidai... as dawn creeps up on the northeastern part of the city.

---

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

"Even in dreams, I can't reach them."

Akane huddles up on the construction crane, drawing her knees up into herself. She can't handle any of this. The outside world is pressing in on her and she simply cannot take it anymore. No more miracles. No more. If miracles were meant to be at all, they would have been for her.

Her head isn't throbbing.

A deafening crash echoes through Tsutsujidai as Bujack's feet dig into pavement, tear up asphalt. It is as real as anything in Tsutsujidai ever has been.

Was it Gridman's Grid Kinesis -- entering the dream, tearing the creature's ephemeral wings apart -- that forced it into the real world? Or is it simply Akane Shinjo -- confronted with the horror of rejection, made that much more painful by Rikka's gentle reminder of her kindness, by Yuta's acceptance of the world she constructed as a gift, of Utsumi's honest opinion that if she could cede control over these moments they could be beautiful -- giving up on her new strategy, just as she's given up on each one in the past?

Does it matter? The beast stands here -- its spell is broken.

Half torn apart and split between layers of reality, the place where wings ought to be now bleeding a bright red light, the beast is here. And shunted from the realm of ideas...

Its spell begins to break.

Akane can feel it -- feel the countless threads she's put out into other minds snapping. It's fine, she tells herself. It has to be fine. The understanding she reached through kaiju is surely not so fragile that it was only ever held up by the kaiju, right?

(She doesn't even notice the threads around her own mind snapping. Her first priority -- however panicked, however ashamed, however twisted -- it may be... isn't entirely herself.)

She sends out VERTEX messages one at a time -- to the friends she'd made of her enemies. They're the same each time, though it's in direct messages -- it's best if she breaks this one to them as individuals.

> Hey
> I know I said I was kind of done with this
> But there's kind of an emergency
> My kaiju will be fighting Gridman or his friends or something. Maybe it's already fighting him
> I don't really get how it works in a situation like this
> (sticker of Nalgus with a 'brain cooked' frustration spiral)
> Anyway
> Do you want to come watch it happen?
> After this we can figure everything else out
> It'll be fun right? Like
> (sticker of Tarabaman Mika punching Tarabaman Zora)
> Gridman is a threat to this world still
> That didn't change
> That didn't change at all
> Haha seriously though
> Kaiju fight! It'll be great.
> (sticker of Nalgus doing the clippy hands)

And to her other enemies turned allies... A more formal, more demanding set of VERTEXes.

(Her head can't be throbbing.)

> Now's a GREAT time for you guys to fulfill your end of the deal.
> There's people coming.
> I'm counting on you. Remember, Mikoto says this is a nicer way for miracles to end than just killing everyone.
> Fight as hard as you can for me! Don't leave anything on the table.
> That's what heroes are for.
> If you lose, don't show your faces here again.

---

The Gridman Alliance has been abruptly, unnaturally asleep for a few hours already; it's given the Neon Genesis Junior High Students plenty of time to reach out to allies -- and their allies, in turn, a chance to reach out to their own allies.

It's no trouble at all to be in position for the beast as it emerges into the real world.

---

Alexis Kerib has abandoned Akane to her own devices at the crane. He stands atop one of the floodgates of Tsutsujidai, deep in thought on his own.

"I suppose it would be too much to hope for, for Akane's unfortunate alliance to hobble the forces of the Dawn as well," Alexis reflects. It has been a long time since something plausible felt too much to hope for.

He doesn't like it.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        A deafening crash echoes through Tsutsujidai as Bujack's feet tear up asphalt. From where he stands atop a street light over an underground downtown substation, Kaworu Nagisa's smile twitches not one millimeter. He's been in Tsutsujidai for some point--has been going back and forth between it and the Tokyos for most of a year now. And now...
        
        "The time has come," he remarks to the air.
        
        Yuta sent him warning; Max gave him details. It was enough for him to send word to NERV, and specifically to Orbit Base, to send a transport of pilots and their mobile suits to deal with whatever threat would come of Bujack being grounded. He himself is prepared. Lo: he clicks a button on his wrist; the dark plug suit whooshes vacuum-tight around him.
        
        Forward he steps, off the street light and down to the street some twenty feet below. He lands lightly, as if gravity were merely a suggestion rather than any true concern. Sauntering towards a subway station across the street, he dips down from ground view to a certain spot below he prepared earlier--not that much preparation was needed, since it had already been set up. It's a trivial matter to reel it up and attach it to the substation.
        
        A short time later, four eyes blaze light into the darkness.
        
        The motion has all the inevitability of a mountain's movement. One crimson arm crumbles the streets above it; then a second; then, as if emerging from a pleasant bath, Unit-02's head shatters the pavement as she rises from her hiding spot below.
        
        "<This is NERV Administrator Kaworu Nagisa,>" Kaworu transmits calmly from within her entry plug to the assembled forces, both on foot, in mobile suits, and otherwise. "<Unit-02 has been retrieved. Now securing a route to return to HQ. Any obstacles will be dealt with accordingly.>"
        
        Rubble rains down around the red giant as she rises, rises, carefully rises, using broken railing and intact buildings as hand- and foot-holds to aid in her ascent. Once she's out, she brushes some lingering concrete off each of her shoulders. The damage she sustained from the space battle with the Ninth Angel's second instance is still there, but only for a second; even as she emerges, a shimmer of light closes up the material beneath. The armor's puncture wounds anyone's only hint that she'd suffered anything at all.
        
        For a moment, she lifts her four-eyed gaze to peer out across the city, dozens and dozens of blocks away, at where Asuka has come to watch the battle about to unfold.
        
        Then, at Kaworu's bidding, she turns and starts to lumber away, umbilical cable trailing in her wake.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has deployed in Evangelion Unit-02.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has deployed in Evangelion Unit-04.
KTS: Ennil El has deployed in AMX-009 Dreissen <Sleeves>.
KTS: Ennil El has changed loadout.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has deployed in Kakuseijin GaiGo.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has deployed in GaiGar.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has deployed in Kyodai Alexis Kerib (Empty).
KTS: Yuta Hibiki has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Mari Makinami Illustrious!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has deployed in Gridman Sigma.
KTS: Seolla Schweizer has deployed in RGZ-95 ReZEL <WR Mode>.
KTS: Renais Cardiff has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Guy Shishioh!
KTS: Alouette Pommier has deployed as a Sub Pilot for GaoGaiGo Team!

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        If hope could have been found in a dream, was it wrong to dream? Was it wrong to wake up? If the happiness you could offer someone was never built to last, was it wrong to offer it to begin with? Or was it the only right thing to do?

        And at the end of it all...

        Is it even Seolla's place to judge?

        "...tch. Well, I've been put in this position whether I like it or not. That thing over there that's caused this whole pain in the ass mess...it's falling no matter what. It's like a cancer that's gotten out of hand by now."

        Launching from the GGG transport, a baleful blue ReZEL soars at g-forces that could kill a lesser person, Seolla's hands stiff and tightened around her control sticks as she performs a little recon circle around the wounded Bujack, keeping her distance well and away from it - an eagle gazing upon the wreckage it's wrought from far off.

        But the message relayed is anything but out of the distance. Seolla shouts, with all her passion and intensity- <"Oooooy, Shinjoooo!! Wherever you've run off to among all this mess, I'm still gonna have you take responsibility! I'm not leaving this little hidey hole of yours until you know damn well you don't need a dream monster to make people happy, and you can take that as a promise!">

        A momentary pause. Then, a more blustery, <"And I only say that because it's my responsibility too! It's nothing too personal, so don't get any weird ideas!"> ...Even in these circumstances, a few things are fixed variables.

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Ennil'd thrown off the casual outfit for her usual pretty much as soon as she'd gotten back. Akane told her she might need to be prepared for violence. So she's not at all surprised when VERTEX lights up.

> You got it.
> I'm a professional, remember?
> So just hang tight.
> We're gonna send you home with a smile. :)

It's more confident than she is, but that's the advantage of not being face-to-face. Still... Sinking into the cockpit is as natural as ever. The mono-eye sweeps through its full range, left to right, top to bottom, orienting on the ReZEL flitting above the streets. She grips the reins, eyes narrowing as the cool steel exterior of the Dreissen warms with ghostly light. Her lips split, revealing sharply gritted fangs.

Standing among the Braves hasn't inspired any particular sense of justice in her. Everyone else could sort out who the heroes were. There was always a reason to fight. And fight. And fight. The universe would keep burning, keep bleeding, as long as heroes kept finding reasons not to leave well enough alone.

It was time for things to end.

"This place... is going away, just like everything else. All you can do by fighting here today is cause more pain! If you think you can push past me and take what you want, I'll tear you apart!"

Her tone is flat and harsh. The aura of Dawn is flickering across the skin of her machine... but rather than blazing out as a beacon, it's pulling inward, pulsing towards the heart of the Dreissen. It's hard to look directly into that haze.

Another ghost of Zeon.

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

You know what's a real miracle?

What is a real, honest to goodness, true miracle--?

That He hasn't found this place yet.

But as in all things, as with all miracles, this one couldn't last. It can't possibly last.

Takeshi Todo, Math Teacher, stands atop the roof of Tsutsujidai High School, his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks. His tie and shaggy hair flutter in a stiff, cold wind. As he looks to the sky, his glasses glint with the not-so-distant light of dawn.

"I suppose it was inevitable, wasn't it?"

"Partner?"

In the sky above Tsutsujidai, hidden within the clouds, there is an unnatural light. Or rather, a light that is so natural, so fundamental, that seeing it here, now-- in a universe where extant life-forms dwell, where the foundations of physical law have been laid and cemented, where the vast, infinite, instantaneous electron sea of the world's afterbirth has been left in the distant past-- is simply impossible.

It is the light of the universe's birth.

Maybe not this universe's, but in a way, this universe would not exist without that light, either.

A channel is ripped in reality, a gate that resembles far too closely the very same portal that Gridman materializes from-- but cast in the cosmogonic hues of Dawn. There's a sound like a digitized roar as a bolt of vermilion lightning shoots down from the hole in the world and comes crashing down into the cityscape below. When the light fades and the smoke disperses, what is standing there but a giant of dawn, its body roiling like the surface of the sun.

Gridman Sigma looks to the sky. "How... odd." Sigma's voice rumbles, clenching a hand into a fist and then back again. "Something about this place is... familiar. Renais... If you had told me before, then..." But she did tell him before. He's known about this place for a long, long time. He looks to the horizon, eyes fixed upon the kaiju Bujack in the distance. Is he here to defend it? What terrible irony would that be?

The others blessed by the Oath Over Omega begin arriving in their own ways. But Gridman Sigma remains standing stock still. "Ah," he says, his gaze slowly drifting across the cityscape, eyes like the beacon of a pharos shining into the haze. "So that's why."

"This is Todo," Sigma transmits to the other forces of Dawn. "...Sorry, everyone. I can't help you here. Not for this." There. His gaze fixes on it-- on the river, on the floodgate, the jet black figure of Alexis Kerib would, for a brief and terrifying instant, be awash in the scrutinizing, hate-filled gaze of the Vessel of Dawn. "I see you there, parasite. Did you think I wouldn't notice?" It's a spoken question, one that vibrates the very air and punctuates each thundering step as a slow stride becomes a sprint. "Hyper Devil! What are you doing in this world!?"

Gridman Sigma, the Vessel of Dawn...

Is not going to be defending Bujack.

He has other business.

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

Volfogg studies the communication from Akane, the scroll of texts, and the little threat there at the end. He'd been "enjoying" the dark solitude, the calm before the storm, the pleasant shroud of darkness in the corner of the lower floor of a parking garage. Now, the silent serenity is over, and he's called to arms, to support this bizarre kaiju-- he's not going to think too hard about that, instead tearing out onto the street in his vehicle mode.

He musters his own quiet spirit, using a mixed mantra of This more merciful. This is the best route. This is what must be done. Mic could probably do a better job at boosting his morale, at least more so than his current sense of righteousness. When he draws in on the outskirts of Bujack, he's perhaps slightly delayed. He had to obey the traffic laws!

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

                                ~* B e f <3 r e *~

        o/` "Why do I feel so wistful,
             when I look at the sky as dawn breaks?
             Because my existence was lived within a day
             That's already disappeared from my memory~
             Who woke me from my long slumber?
             All so I'd meet you my dear, much like a gust of wind~?" o/`

There's a girl sitting on Evangelion Unit-01's shoulder where it stands, immersed in the pool of LCL within its hangar bay. Despite her pink plugsuit, she's not Unit-01's pilot nor should she be rightly able to access it right now, but that hardly stops her from looking like she belongs, legs tucked beneath her and cuddled comfortably against Evangelion Unit-01 as she sings to the otherwise empty air.

        o/` "'I hope you're the last person I ever meet,'
             laughs the person with warm eyes.
             Find the smallest star...
             I'd like to keep breathing in your dreams,
             Even if time fades away..." o/`

The brown-haired girl lets slip a content sigh, stretching arms above her head. Her hands drop to frame the sides of her face, fingers seeking something that's not there. Bright blue eyes, free from any obstruction, blink -- and then she smiles in amused recognition.

"Aah, the bewitching spells of old habits~" she coos. "Just one more irrefutable proof of the human heart!" Almost bonelessly, she slumps against the side of Unit-01's head, cheek resting along the violet ridge that connects to what amounts to the would-be mech's cheekbone.

"I gave them away, you know," she confides to the Eva. "To someone who needed them more than I did. Just like you. I threatened to steal them back if she couldn't find herself, though. I don't think you would have done that. But that's just one of the many wonderful ways you and I saw things differently, isn't it?" She watches the closed bay door for a long time; her nostrils flare, taking the scent of LCL and the nuances in nature it shows her as her eyes shut contentedly.

"I'm heading off to decide that right now, but I'm betting on her impressing me. I think you'd be proud of her; she's nothing at all like what she was meant to be." Plugsuit-gloved fingers strum along that curving ridge gently, and her smile grows, just a bit.

"As for your puppy... well, I guess I don't need to tell you that, do I? You'll have the front row seat there. Just like you always do. Don't worry, though -- I'm still gonna keep an eye on him. He's just too interesting not to!"

The sound of footsteps echo distantly behind her. And the girl calling herself Mari Makinami Illustrious pats Evangelion Unit-01 companionably on the cheek before she stretches to her feet on its shoulder.

"Guess that means it's time for me to get ready!" A little smile touches the corners of her lips, as she looks at the mass of metal platings beneath her. "Wish me luck, senpai~?"

The door to the hangar bay hisses open a second later, issuing the arrival of the fluffy-haired Hideki Tama. He could have sworn he heard something... but there's certainly no one here now save Unit-01, maintaining its lonely vigil.

        ~* N <3 w *~

The call comes. Unit-02 is acquired. Bujack was grounded. A route secured...

Everything is in place. And how could a girl resist such an open invitation?

Evangelion Unit-04's arrival is heralded by the whipcrack of an umbilical cable's extension cord as the silvery-white Evangelion comes to a land near where Unit-02 rises up from the ground. Rubble crashes around Unit-04 as it comes to an eloquent, flourishing kneel, like someone offering warm welcomes to the return of an honored guest.

It's almost completely undone, of course, by the "YA-HO~!" that accompanies it as Mari Makinami Illustrious bounces cheerily in her LCL-drowned throne.

"Well, that's one dear friend taken care of," she muses, (mostly) to herself as her blue eyes track the direct Unit-02's four-eyed stare turns. Her brows lift, but they don't lift over anything.

Today, Mari Makinami is utterly bereft of her most cherished glasses.

"I know," she assures Unit-02 - mostly. "Don't you worry. We've got our Top Puppy on the case; he'll get your princess back." Of this, Mari sounds certain. Certain enough that she does -not- pursue the same goal as Shinji here today. No -- that spectacle-free stare sweeps the streets for someone else entirely as conflict begins to rise.

"Guess it's time to make good on my promise," she muses. Blue gaze looks sidelong towards Unit-02 once again, a cattish curl to her lips.

"You ready for our obstacles, Tabby Cat? Personally... I can't wait~."

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

After her emotional reunion with one Mikoto Utsugi, Alouette never quite settled into a relaxative state. She is certainly wearing what she would call sleepwear - a long, flowing chemise dress - but sleep has all but evaded her. Alouette thinks about Mikoto's soft rejection of her wish for everyone from 3G, living peacefully together. She thinks about her own rejection of Akane's offer to have a world of her own, by herself. In this dimly lit apartment building, Alouette feels so very alone.

Those thoughts are interrupted by her phone, incessently flashing from her nightstand. Alouette slowly reaches for it and sees a series of texts from Akane. And then her eyes widen - a kaiju, and it's fighting Gridman. Akane offers her to come watch and a frown forms upon Alouette's face. There wasn't supposed to be any more fighting... wasn't that right?

>Really? A kaiju?

Alouette finds it hard to put emotions out through text. Does that look worried? Upset? Skeptical? Confrontational? She definitely wasn't expecting there to be a kaiju fight ever again. She writes out another line.

>I'll try to be there. Please take care, Akane-chan

She slips on a white blouse and blue skirt overtop the chemise and heads into the dark foggy midnight of Tsutsujidai. To the south, a loud roar pierces through the skies - a kaiju's roar. The fighting has began and the ground is already beginning to shake.

As Tsutsujidai is, there are no evacuation procedures to be seen. Akane and Mikoto both promised to keep Alouette safe, and yet... She makes her way up north, away from the kaiju and towards a beacon of terrible, glowing orange.

KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has deployed in Big Volfogg.
KTS: GBR-04_Volfogg has deployed as a Rival.

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

Rei Ayanami decided to spend the day in. She had gotten up to take her medications - it's ultimately futile, perhaps, but she might as well run them out, if only for the sake of Akane's worries - and then after eating a meal--

-- which is to say, approximately ninety grams of raw firm tofu, washed down with one of her last remaining nutrient drink packs --

She had lain back in her bed.

Something about the slow motion of the light on the ceiling...

... does it mean something?

But then messages begin to come into her phone. She ignores the first several, but the repeated number makes her frown, with the same mild annoyance of someone discovering a pebble or sunflower shell in their shoe. Rei turns, feeling some sort of subtle bleak exaltation dissipate from around her, and walks over to pick up the phone and pull up VERTEX.

Rei reads.

There is a sound as if of distant thunder.

Would it be fun?

Would anything be fun?

Perhaps if she lays back down she will see the day die in reflection.

but not the m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crlLB-EaJco

Rei blinks several times and replies to Akane.

> I will try.
> Where are you?

There is more distant thunder. Rei approaches the window and shifts the blinds, despite their sticking. The thin sliver of city she can see does not contain any kaiju or monsters, but something else makes a mechanical noise.

I ought to get started.
She will be nearer to the noise.

Rei takes approximately eighty seconds to get dressed. As she is straightening the little ribbon-tie on her clothing - her school uniform, looking somewhat threadbare now - there is an enormous red FLASH

and then a BANG

and Rei winces and grimaces, but she doesn't duck or cringe. There is a chaos of additional noise that settles after fifteen seconds. Rei opens the door out of the very comfortable little studio apartment, with all the modern conveniences, and looks out into a hallway. There should be another apartment there, but at this point there is not; that thin building across the street with the wide face has toppled.

People are making meaningless noise. Rei remembers that she forgot something and steps back inside. Twelve seconds later, her phone is in the pocket of her dress, and she leaves, heading towards the emergency stairs, which, given everything, really ought to have more people into it. She reaches the street soon enough, having been only on the fourth floor.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

The fog is thick still, inside and out. But he can feel it. A G-Stone just slightly changing gears, as its attuned heart comes unshackled. It's time.

As Bujack shrieks its pain on the horizon, he appears from the fog. Not in the frumpy suit he wore at first, nor even in the black coat of a GGG Chief he wore after receiving his own miracle. Even in the soft, diffuse light of the Tsutsujidai gloom, Guy Shishioh's ID Suit gleams gold. On his left arm, the bracer it used to have terminates now in the GaoBrace, the lionhead falling just short of obscuring the back of his left hand: Exposed still. The G-Stone light on the Brace glows, piercing the gloom.

His gaze is set. When the signal came through from Kaworu, he made his way here - as soon as Wadatsumi was close enough for him to jump the distance, while they navigated docking. Now the Mobile Units are flying past, en route to engage the enemy Kaiju. But he followed his G-Stone to her, the thread of their nature showing him the way. He knows Ikumi and Mamoru, the other two Kings of Braves, are behind him. They all have something to do first. People to see, first. For Guy's part, he wanted to be sure.

He wanted to be sure that the first thing she saw with unclouded eyes was a miracle.

And so Guy Shishioh's golden boots touch asphalt before where Renais has emerged. He smiles. "I told you. Something amazing would happen."

He holds up his GaoBrace, baring the lion's face of its tip toward her. "You asked me what the GaoBrace was for? I told you it's a promise."

"It's my promise to you. My promise that I will do the impossible for you as many times as you need!"

He raises the GaoBrace higher, and it whines, a system inside energizing fully in milliseconds, and the lion head on the GaoBrace slides slightly forward. The GaoBrace KEENS, a shrill whine piercing the air as it casts a light into the cloudy sky. And above, in a clean circle, an image known to any who fought in the era of the Primeval War: The face of a Mechanoid Lion, silhouetted against green.

"GALEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!" Guy roars, and leaps straight up. He touches a lamp post, then his feet connect with the side of a building and he runs STRAIGHT UP the side, sprinting inhumanly fast.

"I've been waiting," he calls out, legs pumping in all defiance of gravity. The words bubble out of him, elation and hope burning his Evoluder heart, a huge grin splashed across his face in defiance of the Tsutsujidai gloom. "I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT OF COURAGE!"

He leaps from the top of the building and flips into the open sky. "Initiating....!"

BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xPMfvsAZs0&t=21s

"FUSION!!"

Galeon the Mechanoid Lion surges in from the horizon and bites him out of the air. Galeon, GGG's first and greatest ally. Galeon, the bearer of the Black Box that brought so much of the Green Planet's vital technology to the Blue Planet in the hopes of saving it from Mechanization. Galeon, who ferried the precious cargo of an innocent boy to a world that could save him, and that he could save. Galeon, whose soul was Mamoru Amami's father, and whose body was Guy Shishioh's partner.

Galeon, the magnificent hero who sacrificed himself to ensure at least Guy would escape Triple Zero's corruption.

Galeon, the peerless devil who should be trapped in the universe's dawn.

His legs shift down, locking into a vertical position. His body shifts up. The claws retract from the ends of his forelegs, revealing mechanical humanoid hands. Galeon's lion head slides over and down to become a mount on the torso, while a head slides up from within, with gleaming orange eyes, and a blazing G-Stone shining brilliant upon its brow.

He lands, fists clenched. A guardian who sits as the core of the King of Braves. A hero who should be lost to all. He screams his name, defiant of fate, and time, and gods, and devils, accompanied by a lion's roar.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!"

The Mechanoid GaiGar crashes down on the rooftops, the sensor on his head scanning the city. Seeing the distant kaiju, he starts leaping toward it, rooftop to rooftop, before jumping into the sky. "STEAAAAAAAAAAAAAALTH GAAAAAAAAO!" he screams, and s Stealth Gao Mark I roars in from behind him, catching GaiGar and beginning to soar deeper into the city.

He will, presumably, be interrupted.

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

As Guy approaches from the fog, so, too, does Ikumi approach Alouette.

He doesn't have Guy's boundless energy. But he does have something Alouette may never expect from the quiet, stoic young man - a broad smile.

"You were right, Alouette. I wasn't thinking of myself. I was being too selfless, thinking of only what the team needed."

As Guy speaks so loudly, Ikumi listens. And then...

"I almost gave up, like you did. But then I learned what you meant, through the power of music. And I realized what I wanted..."

Ikumi floats backwards, moving to float up.

"My selfish desire is to bring you back with us! So, hell or high water, whether you want to or not - I'm bringing you home! We're a family, and I'm not letting you change my mind! Watch me out there, Alouette! Feel my desire and drive!"

He disappears into the fog, floating into GaiGo and climbing into the cockpit, where Mamoru has already reached the oher half.

"You did good, Ikumi. Let's go show your heart! Wa-ha!"

Ikumi grins wildly. "Wa-ha."

They move after GaiGar, proceeding to try and follow. They, too, will be interrupted.

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        It's hard to overlook the rampaging monster - but there's more that's appeared on the horizon. That distressingly bright, golden aura - the thing which the rest of NERV has known as 'Oath Over Omega'. A few agents of this primordial force are...bothering Seolla's eyes, an affront in and of itself. It's hard to look directly at them-

        But one is clearly donning the armor of a Zeonic remnant, and all the sudden, a decade of training kicks in. After all, any weapons project of the Federation's would instinctively want to be purging at the remnants of mono-eye suits: so all it takes to awaken the fierce enforcer instincts in Seolla is for that baleful little Dreissen to gaze around.

        <"Halt! By order of the G-Hound Autonomous Squadron, state your name and affiliation right away! I have orders to place you under arrest at once!"> Seolla doesn't even think about saying this. It is just words she is supposed to be belting out. For all her talk of arresting, though - that blue eagle swoops down at awfully ferocious speeds, laying down a hailfire of suppressive beam shots - largely at Ennil's arms and legs. The unsettling vibe of Triple Zero is put entirely out of mind - she can't let the scum of Zeon's refuse threaten her mandate!

KTS: Seolla Schweizer targets Ennil El with ReZEL Beam Rifle Shot!
KTS: Ennil El partially guards Seolla Schweizer's ReZEL Beam Rifle Shot, taking 2055 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Last night, Renais Cardiff dreamt of waking up from surgery.

A surgery that never happened. One where they'd replaced her cyborg parts with civilian versions, and solved the cooling problems. Akane was there, as... her sister?

She hasn't given it much thought. Much of the day was spent preparing for dinner, cooking a paella and frying a plateful of croquettes. A meal for two people precious to her, to show Leina Ashta, and particularly Sayla Mass, that she still cares. That she's still here, that she still cares, no matter how far away she is.

It's been a few hours now since they left, and she's cleaning up the dishes, mind reeling from what might be one of the best days of her life. She has a family. No matter how far away... they still care about her, too.

But something's scratching at the back of her brain. Why is it so important that she not leave Tsutsujidai? Why can't she go back? She's been treating it as gospel, as an immutable fact... but why?

Distantly, she recalls the sensation of a pinched pipe, the familiar rush of coolant arrested as pumps begin to strain.

It's hot. It's so hot...

'Do you trust me?'

Why... is she here?

Before she can explore the question, her phone chimes with the opening notes of Ultraman Eclatant's theme song, several times in a row. Akane's texting her.

A kaiju attack... that sounds fun to w--

Fun? What's she thinking? What's *Akane* thinking?

>a kaiju?? what
>are people safe
>akane i need you to get the others together
>have them people to shelters

With that, she grabs her old coat. Cream-pink over a heavy gold jacket, hissing lightly as the seals expand into place...

And she's out the door. Questions of 'why' can wait. She's here now, and the city needs her.

"EEEE-QUIP!" she yells out. The body of both coats snaps to stiffness, spread out behind her in a two-layer quartet of radiator 'tails'. Long hair spreads behind her, sidelocks now chains of batteries; her glasses melt away, a single-eyed golden visor forming into place over her right eye instead.

Heavy motors piston in her legs as she speeds down the city streets, cutting through an alley, out the other side, and--

Face-to-face with Guy Shishioh. She skids to a stop, eyes wide. "Guy...!"

A promise... a promise that he'll do the impossible for her, as many times as it takes.

Her eyes follow the beam from the GaoBrace. At first, she thinks it's theatrics. He knows as well as she does where Galeon is right now. WHAT Galeon is right now.

But as the lion's jaws catch the King of Braves, as it takes on the aspect of a man, there's no denying what she's seeing. He's done the impossible.

For her...?

<"Shishioh, you handsome son of a bitch,"> she laughs incredulously over her comm, leaping up onto a rooftop to survey the scene--

And sees Gridman Sigma. <"No. Triple Zero... here...!">

She whips out her phone for another text to Akane.

>evacuate now
>GET AWAY
>RUN
>GET EVERYONE AWAY
>000

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

'We're gonna send you home with a smile.' Akane likes that well enough. She favors Ennil with a,
> I'm counting on you!
in response. Seolla calls to her from her unit -- and Akane's genuinely startled. 'You don't need a dream monster to make people happy' -- laughable on its face. She doesn't respond.

Akane remains where she is. For Rei, she replies,
> I'm on the other end of town from your apartment.
> Honestly this is spilling all over the place, so maybe just watch from where you are?

Alouette... oogh. This is rough, but,
> I'm up somewhere safe. Don't do anything dangerous, okay?
> We still have to watch Hammer!

It gets worse with Renais. Akane struggles to find the words there -- but find them she does.

> They're playing defense for us. They want this world to keep going just the way it is.
> Even if they're like this, they're still heroes. They just can't stand the idea of someone being in pain, I guess!

Spotting GaiGar and GaiGo, Akane rolls her eyes. "They can't even fuse," she mutters. "What's the point?"

---

This suits Alexis perfectly. It's only natural that Takeshi would point himself at Alexis. Akane had described the Devil of the Hyper World as a 'cosplayer' -- and his chosen costume dredges the depth of memory.

As Takeshi approaches, demands the truth of the matter... Alexis's teal panels light up in a smile. "Ho~oh? Vessel of Light... no, are you a simulacrum? The only light in you is the light of the Dawn."

Drawing twin blades from seemingly nowhere, he announces, "What indeed. I'd hoped to let you and those so-called heroes clean up each other's messes all on your own --" Here, he steps off the sluice gate, flames flaring around him. In one instant, he is small; in the next, he stands on the other end of the colony's simulated river, taller than 'Sigma' himself.

"-- But Takeshi Todo put through the wringer by one like myself is a nostalgia I simply must indulge!"

In the next instant, in turn, he is simply upon the Vessel of Dawn, twin blades screaming through the air to meet him. "Your creative spark always did surpass Akane-kun's, you know," he says, staying in close. "The difference between viewing kaiju as a science and as an art, I suppose!"

KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Takeshi Todo with Sword Hammerblow!
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to rush.
KTS: Takeshi Todo partially guards Alexis Kerib's Sword Hammerblow, taking 4756 damage!
KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Takeshi Todo!

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Gridman only woke up on one side.

As the Giant of Light destroys Bujack in the cognitive realm, Yuta watches. Even more than usual, he feels distant, as though he's watching his body move on its own. It really does feel like a dream... Bujack screeches, but it feels far away. Is that..?

Discovering he can turn his gaze away from Gridman's, Yuta glances around the mist-filled arena. Through gaps in the fog, he can make out familiar shapes. It's Tsutsujidai! And beyond that --

"Everyone..." Yuta murmurs to himself. His voice doesn't come from Gridman's mouth, but it echoes all the same, brushing the fog away, revealing a larger window for Yuta to watch through. It's a battle. The city is going to be torn up in a bad way, and Yuta's heart twists not to be able to be there and protect the civilians.

Seolla's blue ReZEL flies over the city, making Yuta wince with its speed. Is the pilot really okay in there? It's so fast... Yuta can't help but worry. It only takes a moment for an enemy (he thinks) to appear, someone in a Dreissen glowing with that horrible orange light. "Be careful." Yuta says, whispered.

An orange gate appears, and Yuta glances around. That looks like Gridman's portal -- but they're firmly in the dream realm, still. Once the body of Gridman Sigma comes into view, the young man gasps. A part of him wonders if he should get his own Gridman's attention. If Sigma is here, in Tsutsujidai, it can only be for bad reasons. Panic makes the young man's heart beat faster.

Thankfully, the appearance of Mari distracts Yuta from his fear. He can't help but smile, watching her antics. It was worth having to watch that Angel die in those horrible tunnels if it means NERV helping to defend Tsutsujidai. The red Eva is here too, but if Asuka isn't piloting it, then the only other option is... "Kaworu." Yuta smiles to himself.

More than combatants take to the streets. Alouette makes her way toward one of the orange-glowing beacons, something that makes Yuta clench his incorporeal fists. Rei soon appears as well. Yuta wishes he could shout to them -- It's not safe! Please go back inside! What are they thinking, wandering around at a time like this?

More allies appear. GGG, with a -- Lion? Yuta blinks in surprise. He's seen a lot of unusual things during his partnership with Gridman, but this is definitely up there... Renais is on a roof, watching the Lion soar.

Akane had really overextended her reach. Bringing this many people to Tsutsujidai to retrieve their loved ones is incredible. Part of Yuta worries for the city's future. Even the Verona are going to have a hard time cleaning up after this intense of a battle.

Finally, Yuta follows Gridman Sigma's path, his eyes widening in horror as Alexis grows, coming clearly into view. "What... Why would they fight? They're not on the same side..?"

There has to be something he can do. Yuta is connected to Tsutsujidai, there has to be a way for his thoughts to reach everyone! Bringing both his hands together, he whispers out a wish -- for his allies safety. For the city's safety. And for Akane.

KTS: Yuta Hibiki has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Kaworu Nagisa
KTS: Yuta Hibiki targets Akane Shinjo with Pass!
KTS: Akane Shinjo fails to react to Yuta Hibiki's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Ennil_El has deployed as a Boss for 3 opponents.

KTS: Ennil El has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Seolla Schweizer
KTS: Ennil El targets Seolla Schweizer with Tri-Blade Trio Toss!

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

<<"I'm under no obligation to you.">>

The ReZEL swoops in. A precious little falcon. Beams score against the armor, but vanish in the haze - there's a little less Dreissen, but not enough.

What is it in the pilot's tone that wounds her so much? Why can she feel venom dripping out of her heart? Demanding, screaming, as the little bird swoops down --

That she take a bite and break its damn neck.

The Dreissen rockets forward. It's moving in two dimensions while the ReZEL flits in three, but it doesn't matter. That kind of speed requires commitment. There's always a point where it's simply too late to stop.

Ennil El is waiting there as the Dreissen's fangs burst forth.
POT: Asuka Shikinami Langley is now set observer.

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

"Hah! As if I'd turn down a chance to excise another parasite. Taking you down means I'm three for three. Pretty sure that means I get to retire in Hyper Heaven after all's done!" Nevermind that he's also partial responsible for trying to burn down the entire universe-- but then, that's one of those things that Triple Zero does to the mind. From his perspective, Takeshi Todo is only doing the best for the world.

But maybe, speaking objectively, right now he is fighting for something that can be considered 'right.'

After all...

There's no way he could have ever ignored a Hyper Devil.

Alexis Kerib grows to a truly prodigious size. One which eclipses even Sigma himself. The Gridman surges into the Hyper Devil's blow, and--

Is taken, completely, by the attack. There's an ear-splitting scream as the twin blades trisect the Hyper Agent's body, tearing it to shreds...

...And then there's a terrible blaze of light as Sigma's ruined form sluices forth in a flood of dawnlight, wounds closing upon themselves in a blaze of cosmic energy. "I see my reputation preceeds me. Has the name 'Takeshi Todo' already become something to be feared in the Hyper Devil circuit?" Sigma surges, the Giant of Dawn's body inexplicably having grown in size to match its opponent's, swelling up like a star going red giant. His regeneration finishes just as he leaps into the air, driving a single fist down hard toward the back of the Hyper Devil's head. "So, she's your host, is she? Does she know what your kind does to people? Does she realize that you're just here to feed?!"

In the distance, an impossibility emerges. GaiGar forms. For a moment, Sigma double-takes. Has the King of Ruin advented here...?

No. It's not that Galeon. But... how...?

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It's good to have a private conversation with an old friend from time to time. It's those precious moments when it's just you and them that one has the best chances to deepen that relationship. But there's much to be said for moments when there are several, even many together, chasing the same desire with hearts burning and hands outstretched. As Guy fuses with Galeon and forms GaiGar and he roars his exaltation to Renais, as Ikumi calls out to Alouette and declares he'll take her back with Mamoru, Kaworu watches and smiles his approval. Their hearts beat with both passion and courage... It's truly wonderful to see. Renais and Alouette are in good hands.
        
        Then he turns his gaze in a certain direction, where Rei descends to street level from her would-be home. His smile becomes more muted, but no less sincere for it. For a moment, he stays that way, Unit-02's march paused; then he gazes up as Seolla soars past in her machine, and in particular as Mari descends in Unit-04 to join in the brewing fray. Those of the Dawn emerge as well, glowing golden-orange as they answer Akane's call. His smile does fade then as he gazes upon them, expression now neutral. But that lasts only a moment.
        
        Unit-02 looks to Unit-04 as his pilot reassures her. Kaworu chuckles, his grip relaxed on the controls. "It's true. He's sure to free her heart." His eyes soften in bittersweet fondness. "There's no deterring him once he's decided to save someone, and she's special to him in particular."
        
        Unit-02 doesn't outwardly reply, but there is a subtle shift in the atmosphere within the entry plug. Kaworu dips his head and chuckles, then looks over to the video screen that pops up to one side of him, displaying Mari.
        
        "That's so very you, Mary," he replies, brimming with amusement. He focuses back on the Apostles of the Dawn--in particular on Gridman Sigma, who once imitated the Angel known as Ireul, who has never existed in this world, to nearly convert the MAGI to his cause and destroy NERV Headquarters. It seems his attention is on Alexis Kerib, and that attention is returned in kind.
        
        Kaworu leaves them to it. He has no reason to assist either of them.
        
        Volfogg, too, is a personal matter for Guy, Mamoru and Ikumi; he might have assisted in the attack on NERV Headquarters along with Gridman Sigma, but it's best to leave him to them. Which leaves... His gaze turns towards an unfamiliar Dreissen, gleaming with Triple Zero energy. Seolla has already swooped in to engage with her ReZEL. For her and Ouka's sakes... Kaworu nods to Mari via the communication window, and Unit-02 turns towards the Dreissen.
        
        As he does, he senses a certain presence--Yuta's kindness, suffusing him with encouragement and strength. He chuckles, looking up at the air with a fond smile. "Thank you. We'll be sure to bring Rei back," he says.
        
        Then he opens up a line of communication to Seolla and Mari both. "<This is Administrator Nagisa. Seolla Schweizer, Mary and I will be heading that way to assist you in battle,>" he transmits. Unit-02 focuses her four eyes on the Dreissen's mono-eye, and Kaworu considers the message of its pilot. "<I'll decide for myself what I will accomplish by fighting,>" he tells Ennil politely.
        
        Unit-02 hunches over for a breath; then she launches forward into a dash that means to end itself with a punch aimed for the Dreissen's fangs, in an attempt to interrupt its would-be counter for Seolla's ReZel.

KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Alexis Kerib with Cyber CQC!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Seolla Schweizer retreats from the attack!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer fails to evade Ennil El's Tri-Blade Trio Toss, taking 4260 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Ennil El with EVA-02 Martial Arts Strike!

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

The distant roar of Stealth Gao's engines brings a measure of dread to Volfogg's mind. Focus. Get the job done. No interruptions, to hesitation, no shoddy work. The sooner it's over, the better. GunDober and GunGlue pull in beside him, and with a lengthy slide of momentum, he springs up out of his vehicle mode in tandem with the GunMachines, trailing a ribbon of orange light as he forms up for something more battle-ready.

This dread only grows when Volfogg spots the familiar shape of GaiGar and the less familiar GaiGo. There's already a volley of beams somewhere, the crash and impact of energy against armor. His optics pass over the battlefield of buildings, searching for other opponents. Different threats. Anyone else. But no such luck. It's not resignation so much as anger that drives (Big) Volfogg to launch himself up atop the nearest rooftop. He braces, lifting his arm to aim a barrage of superheated charges straight at GaiGar.

KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets Guy Shishioh with 4000 Magnum Focus Fire!
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to rush.
KTS: Takeshi Todo anchors Alexis Kerib, forcing him into close range.
KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Takeshi Todo's Cyber CQC, taking 2450 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Alexis Kerib!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets GaoGaiGo Team with Pass!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team fails to react to GBR-04 Volfogg's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Guy Shishioh successfully evades GBR-04 Volfogg's 4000 Magnum Focus Fire

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Akane's response gets an uneasy smile from Alouette, as she looks down on her phone.

>Of course! I'm looking forward to it.
She begins to type that and hit send until she is faced with a very familiar sight - a glowing red figure emerging from the fog. Ikumi Kaidou... she thought she would never see him again. She's initially not even sure how to process his words and his demeanor. She never saw him smile so widely before.

A thread begins to snap, as the words sink into her brain - selfishness and selflessness. She had pushed away Ikumi because she assumed he couldn't stand her presence... hearing the opposite is almost alien to her, as he repeats her words.

"...I still don't know what to do," she admits, as her spirit tugs itself in two directions. "Family... I didn't realize I meant that to you." Her eyes swell - not quite tears just yet, but something resembling it. "I'll watch you fight. Don't lose, okay?"

Alouette, quite fast for your typical teenage girl, dashes into the midnight fog, chasing after that red glow, as it forms the neuronoid GaiGo. Even after everything she did to them, they're still choosing to fight for her sake... she isn't sure how to feel.

And ahead of Kakuseijin GaiGo, is a miraculous sight indeed. If Kaidou and Mamoru came, she figured Guy might be here too but... it looks he brought another companion, no matter how impossible it is. She watches the fusion sequence as Guy takes on a form she's never seen in person before: GaiGar. "That was the miracle up your sleeve," she notes to herself. The mechanical lion Galeon, precursor to her "little one", PhantomGao. "Don't lose either, GaiGar." she whispers.

All the players in place, a scene she came to Tsutsujidai to desperately avoid sprawls across the city streets. GaiGar and GaiGo versus Ruin Apostle Volfogg.

Erasing her previous typed message, she quickly types up something else in its place. She still doesn't quite hold the courage - the agency to challenge or confront Akane in full, but the implication is there.

>The Ruin Apostles are here.
>Miss Mikoto visited me earlier. You never told me about your alliance.

She makes a dash for the nearby buildings. It's not for shelter. She needs anything with a computer. This little hard drive she kept may come in handy.

KTS: Alouette Pommier has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting GaoGaiGo Team
KTS: Alouette Pommier has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

Ikumi is on top of the world, if for one day. Confidence overflows him, a true King of Braves. Mamoru's happy to allow Active Mode to take the reins, allow Ikumi to prove his words.

"Volfogg!" Ikumi Kaidou's mature voice rings out, as GaiGo pushes forward, not attacked. A tactical mistake. Is Volfogg underestimating a machine he doesn't recognize? No, he'd be able to guess who's in it...

One free shot, solely because of sentimentality?

"I can't lose to you!" His speakers echo out. "Alouette has to go home! Orbit Base is waiting for her! *Her mother* is waiting for her! I'm not the lonesome child from all those years ago!"

Kakuseijin GaiGo rushes in, a flurry of punches straight for Big Volfogg's speedy frame!

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        The overwhelming ferocity of Ennil's Dreissen snaps Seolla right back out of her auto-enforcement thoughts, the looming closeness of the Dawn instilling a sheer -uncertainty- / or is that an almost overwhelming -certainty-?

        By any rational standards, Seolla is overcommitted to this dive. Stopping would be nearly impossible - but the extremely harsh braking maneuver the ReZEL undertakes, fierce enough to start setting the underbelly on fire from air friction like she's descending from orbit, puts her just at a velocity slow enough to reposition. Not without damage of course - to both herself, and the Mobile Suit - her own nose is bleeding quite fiercely from the sudden jerking deceleration, and her vision whitens around the edges...and the Dreissen absolutely tears a few gashes in the underside.

        "Ghhh, way more power than one of these old heaps ought to have...that's right. Get it together." Kicking away from Ennil, Seolla quickly shifts her ReZEL into its upright mode to land in a graceful arc on its feet - right in time to get backup from two much more towering EVAs.

        <"...Nagisa, Makinami. Thank you for backing me up. Bit of more than I can chew back there, and I figure you two have dealt with this Triple Zero stuff moe than me...any pointers? I doubt it comes with a big obvious weak point, eh?"> Shield at the ready for another charge, Seolla keeps her distance for now - though the three barrels at the cover's front blaze out a hotter hailfire of energy to keep Ennil suppressed.

KTS: Seolla Schweizer targets Ennil El with ReZEL Shield Burst!

KTS: GaoGaiGo Team targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Rushing Punch!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to parry GaoGaiGo Team's Rushing Punch, taking 3500 damage!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

Rising smoothly from from its kneeling position, Evangelion Unit-04 interlocks the fingers of its hands together as its stretches its arms out in front of it.

If it sounds like there's joints popping with the motion, it's probably just thanks to how the metal joint-plates scrape and snap against each other, of course.

"Hum, hum," exhales the Evangelion's pilot as she crosses one long leg over the other and takes stock of the battlefield. Bujack is being expertly taken care of. The orange that smells of annihilation and - obviously - orange suffuses several of the units here -- including the Gridman who attacked NERV. Mari's brow lifts fractionally.

But as Kaworu indicates towards the Dreissen instead, Mari and her Evangelion quite easily and literally pivot, turning on their heel to face a machine from out of the depths of the First Neo-Zeon War.

"Oho," she breathes, brows lifting. "Keeping your existential endings vintage, huh? A figure of the past is a very respectable way to try to end the future, as far as those things go."

No judgment to be found in her voice for the cosmos-killers. Why should she? They're just doing what they think they have to, after all. But all the same...

Evangelion Unit-04 snaps off a saucy salute to Evangelion Unit-02.

"Roger~."

... all the same, it doesn't mean she hesitates to tear off in the Dreissen's direction, one Rapidborer snapping into place as Unit-04 advances at high speeds, literally sprinting across the cityscape. It lands upon an abandoned building with a violent CRUNCH of impact, crouches upon the crumbling framework --

-- and then SPRINGS upon Ennil's Dreissen in a full on pounce, rapidly-spinning drillbits of its Rapidborer gauntlet looking to collide -violently- with the smaller machine.

"<Ahoy-hoy~! I'm going to have to interrupt your day today, sorry-->"

Any pointers?

"<You must attack them with a sullied heart~,">

she offers to Seolla in what -she- thinks is a helpful coo, seconds before she starts to - perhaps recklessly - divert her attention to dial up a number. A specific number. Belonging to a specific phone.

Belonging to a specific, First Child.

KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious targets Ennil El with Rapidborer - Pummeling!
KTS: Ennil El partially guards Kaworu Nagisa's EVA-02 Martial Arts Strike, taking 2590 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Ennil El!
KTS: Ennil El fails to charge.
KTS: Ennil El partially guards Seolla Schweizer's ReZEL Shield Burst, taking 3450 damage!
KTS: Ennil El fails to parry Mari Makinami Illustrious's Rapidborer - Pummeling, taking 2400 damage!
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has engaged Ennil El!

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

GaiGar's articulated mouth curves up in a grin, the same as the one on Guy's own face within Galeon's mouth. "I thought you'd appreciate some theatrics," he says to comms, the voice echoing across the city as well. "Now...!"

Volfogg. The 4000 Magnum's scattering pellets of light roar past him, but GaiGar nimbly evades. He's fast...no, he's too fast!? Was GaiGar EVER this nimble!? StealthGao veers left and then right, clearing the assault in each direction, and then it DIVES. "Volfogg!" GaiGar's eyes sweep up to see the far-distant form. "CK-12 is in sight. Branch Order Room, do you confirm as well?"

And not so very far away at all, as the Wadatsumi crests into Tsutsujidai's airspace, the GGG Branch Order Room buzzes with activity.

"We see it, GaiGar!" Ayame Ushiyama calls. "All GaoMachines are showing green, use them at your discretion!" And then, rolling her shoulders a bit to loosen up between tasks, she asides, "Jeeze, so that's the thing that got in Alouette's head? Gross."

"I don't think it literally got in her head," her husband Tsuguo quips from the Engineering table.

Advisor Urchin Prickle waves his fist at the happily married couple chattering away during an operation, barking, "Cut the chatter, lovebirds!!"

"I am REMAINING LOOSE AND FOCUSED you HUMAN BUZZARD!" Ayame yells back, waving a fist in return.

At the Research desk, Hinoki Sai sighs heavily, head in her hands. "Come home, Alouette...before Ayame and Urchin kill each other..."

Back at the fight, GaiGar says, "I'm maneuvering to engage Big Volfogg. Looks like the space over by CK-12 is in good hands already! Kaworu, let Shinji know we're all counting on him!"

And then GaiGar does, in fact, just disengage from the stealth bomber it's attached to, taloned claws gleaming in the gloomy light as they come down in a flying kick to slash across the larger Big Volfogg's chest! "Volfogg! It's personal, today! I won't let you interfere!"

KTS: Guy Shishioh targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Lion Claw!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to evade Guy Shishioh's Lion Claw, taking 2520 damage!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

Rei's phone buzzes as she looks out at the devastated street. She takes it out and glances at it.

Akane's messages are noted as Read, and are left that way for now, but this probably isn't the first time this has happened with Rei. That's just how she rolls.

Rei looks across the shadowed street and walks forwards. There is no car traffic. No foot traffic, either, which, honestly, makes a lot of sense; Rei has not thought of it but surely people try to get to shelter when they can. She enters the unlocked stairwell of a 9-story commercial building, and begins to climb past the 2F karaoke place and the 3F Korean BBQ. It is on the 4F flight of stairs that she takes the phone back out of her pocket.

She blinks several times at the code on it.

She hesitates in the middle of 4F's landing.

Rei Ayanami answers the phone.

Click!

She doesn't say anything afterwards. In fact, she takes the phone a little away from her ear. She doesn't look at it, grasping the handrail and continuing her ascent upwards.

5F. Her breathing is a little heavy. (Five flights of stairs in relative swiftness isn't trivial, at least if you aren't a trained athlete.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_rndhTCy-8

"Why?" Rei says, and it actually finishes as a sentence because she actually stumbles a little. There is an echo of a distant sound, which seems much closer to wherever Rei is. The breathing continues for long moments.

"... I am occupied," Rei continues.

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais' heart starts to race. Over on the other side of town, she can see the kaiju Akane meant earlier. That's its own danger... but the bigger threat is in front of her.

Takeshi--Sigma--is engaged with Alexis. She remembers now, and rage starts to fill her... but for now, they're a match made in Heaven. An immortal and a Dawn-fueled regenerator. They can deal with each other.

Guy, however... "Big Volfogg, too... dammit," she mutters, pulling a pair of sub-machine guns out of her coat. (Those weren't there when she left the house.) The moment she's got a clear shot, she trains both on the ninja and sprays him with a hail of small-arms fire. Certainly not enough to do damage...

But maybe enough to distract him. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" she yells at Big Volfogg from the rooftop, her voice full of venom.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Alexis sticks close -- he doesn't want to cede even an inch of ground to even the illusion of a Hyper Agent. It's pride -- the kind you construct around a wound. "I suppose that is how you would see it, yes," Alexis says, even as Takeshi whirls around him; he moves to meet 'Sigma' in the air, only to get driven back down to the ground with a vicious fist. He's back to his feet just as quickly, though -- and as he stands, it seems his blades replace themselves with a larger, heavier lance. Sleight of hand -- or something more?

"But really, 'Vessel of Light,' rest assured -- I am hardly the arriviste monster your dear friend was. Akane-kun asks of me, and I answer! Such a pity that relationship is something incomprehensible to you."

Seizing on the Vessel of Dawn's distraction, Alexis lashes out with a quick, probing strike from his lance. He doesn't commit yet -- bit by bit, he's building up to something.

... It's taking too much time, though. As he is, Alexis is incomplete.

---

Being prompted about her alliance makes Akane freak out -- just a little bit.

> Yeah
> I mean like I said
> Unfair relationships are the kind I'm good at
> But this way we don't have to fight them anymore
> They think it's right that people shouldn't have to fight anymore
> I want to invite her to graduation. Mikoto I mean
> If we don't have to fight then you two can be friends again

While Akane is normally inclined -- at least over the last week or so -- to leave Rei on mutual 'on read,' she's... starting to slip a tiny bit.

> Everything okay over there?

Akane decides to send Renais another round of texts, too, for good measure.

> I get that you're probably freaking out
> This is REALLY not a big deal
> Wouldn't it be nice to be able to snag coffee with them? Just a nice little nothing
> that goes on forever. they won't need to end things if we do it this way

She asks a question, while she's in the frame of mind to ask it.

KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Takeshi Todo with Lance Pierce!
KTS: Ennil El targets Kaworu Nagisa and Mari Makinami Illustrious with Shock.
KTS: Ennil_El Changes attack to Kaworu Nagisa and Mari Makinami Illustrious with Giant Bazooka Pellet Spray.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Kaworu replies, and Yuta, somehow, hears him. "I can make a difference from in here?" Yuta says, his voice soft. With new determination, he watches the battle. Who is struggling? Who needs help? If he and Gridman can't fight -- maybe his encouragement will be enough to turn the tides, just a little.

The one in the quick, small robot. Yuta focuses his attention on it. "I don't know if you can hear me, and I don't know who you are, but -- thank you. Thank you for coming here to fight for us. Please, be careful."

KTS: Yuta Hibiki targets Alexis Kerib with Pass!
KTS: Ennil_El Changes attack to Kaworu Nagisa and Mari Makinami Illustrious with Shock.

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

There's vague annoyance in a shot missing it's mark. Volfogg clings to that thread of irritation, desperately spinning in to that spool of growing anger. Useful anger that hones his attention, sharpens his resolve as he remains solidly locked on GaiGar. Not that Guy isn't extremely painful to attack as well, it's just-- Volfogg didn't witness tears from him lately.

Volfogg can't muster much banter here. Thankfully, a lot of people handle that for him! Including young Ikumi, who is not so young anymore. And he had to mention Alouette. Perhaps this is why he hesitates to guard, jerking back as GaiGo rushes in and slams him with a barrage of fists.

There's no bargaining anymore. Volfogg-- can't even process this point because he's a heavy rake of lion claws across his chest. The impact sends him reeling, and for those few harsh seconds, he registers the friends pitted against him. Renais' voice reaches him, earning a bit of a glower.

"Everything I must!" Volfogg answers. Proverbial ice forms over the casing of his GS-Ride system, and he ejects GunGlue's rotor blades, split and thicked into proper weapons that he rushes both GaiGo and GaiGar with.

KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has activated the Attune Spirit Command.
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has activated the Attune Spirit Command.
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets GaoGaiGo Team with Fangs of the Wolf!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets Guy Shishioh with Talons of the Eagle!

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Light blazes off the Dreissen as the ReZEL descends into shredding blades. An instinctual response to the first shed blood. A heat saber snaps to life, the other forearm coming up around the Dreissen's core as Ennil prepares to pounce again.

And then...

An enormous pale giant thunders into her. The bracer can't bear the weight, and she slides off her footing, gliding smoothly across the street and crashing into one of Tsutsujidai's lifeless buildings as the ReZEL's fire pushes her back further. She snarls, but there's another set of eyes on hers, a red face staring down at her. This one she's ready for - especially with his attention divided between closing on her and interposing for the little bird. The EVA pounds down, but the Dawn curls around her, blunting its momentum.

<<"Nasty beasts. Not a shred of humanity in you, is there. You'll ruin everything for your own satisfaction.">>

The venom in her heart washes out, distorting the air, pressing itself against the EVAs and their enveloping Fields. Shrapnel joins it in the air, a cloud beneath which Ennil descends.

She won't be satisfied until she feels the crunch of bones between her jaws.

KTS: Guy Shishioh fails to parry GBR-04 Volfogg's Talons of the Eagle, taking 4000 damage!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has engaged Guy Shishioh!
KTS: Ennil El shocks Kaworu Nagisa, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trust Spirit Command.
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Takeshi Todo's Adjudicator of Cosmic Law activates, and his spirit is adjusted.
KTS: Alexis Kerib enervates Takeshi Todo, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to parry Alexis Kerib's Lance Pierce, taking 3000 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Hollow activates, causing Insight L1!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Shallow activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Alexis Kerib's Superficial activates, causing Deject!
KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Takeshi Todo!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Alexis Kerib
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team blocks GBR-04 Volfogg's Fangs of the Wolf, taking 2450 damage!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has engaged GaoGaiGo Team!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg begins a Formation attack!
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Yuta Hibiki's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Ennil El shocks Mari Makinami Illustrious, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Ennil El targets Kaworu Nagisa and Mari Makinami Illustrious with Giant Bazooka Pellet Spray.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa successfully avoids Ennil El's Giant Bazooka Pellet Spray
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious's EN Barrier activates, negating 1500 base damage.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious fails to evade Ennil El's Giant Bazooka Pellet Spray, taking 3540 damage!
KTS: Ennil El targets Seolla Schweizer with Heat Saber Combo!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Seolla Schweizer fails to evade Ennil El's Heat Saber Combo, taking 5520 damage!
KTS: Ennil El has engaged Seolla Schweizer!
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It's true that Gridman Sigma is the most sensible target for Kaworu and Mari. Yet at the same time... something about fighting alongside Alexis is just too vile to ponder.
        
        Besides--
        
        "<You're welcome, Seolla Schweizer. Ouka Nagisa needs you,>" Kaworu replies warmly. "<As for the Apostles of the Dawn, I'm afraid I have little more experience with them than you. The Dawn's Light empowers them beyond their normal abilities, and as you say, there aren't any particular obvious weak points. I suggest-->"
        
        'You must attack them with a sullied heart~,' Mari declares.
        
        He laughs quietly. "<Hmmm... An interesting suggestion. Will you try it, Seolla Schweizer?>"
        
        GaiGar calls to him. "<Even without being told, Shinji knows,>" Kaworu replies, calm with confidence. "<But I'll pass the message along.>"
        
        Ennil spits her venom, and Triple Zero reverberates the sentiment outwards to ring dissonant towards the Evangelions and their pilots. It's deeply unpleasant, and the hatefulness behind it jangles against his senses, shreds against his heart, just as that shrapnel does its utmost to shred through Unit-02's A.T. Field. But the words themselves...
        
        "<Hm?>" Kaworu transmits. "<Were you talking to us?>"
        
        ...It's only because of that psychic assault, the openness of Ennil's empowerment, that he realizes that. After all, how many non-humans are there on this battlefield, and who is it ruining all for their own satisfaction?
        
        He smiles upwards at the air, at someone who isn't there whom he can nonetheless feel. As Yuta turns his encouragement to another, Kaworu leaves him be and focuses back on the empowered relic before him. As it unleashed shrapnel against Units 02 and 04, he bids the red giant to answer in kind: one of her shoulder pylons opens up, and with dizzying speed, a burst of nails fires outwards towards Ennil's Dreisser.
        
        "<Mary, are you all right?>" he calls to his companion then. In the corner of her connection with one Rei Ayanami (perhaps in a window in Unit-04's visuals reading SOUND ONLY), a communication line attaches itself, originating from Unit-02, to join in on the call. It's understated, but obvious; Kaworu makes no effort to hide himself from Mari, though he doesn't yet speak to Rei, either. It was Mari who initiated the call; it's her right to respond first.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Ennil El with Pencil Roc Nailgun Surprise!

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

GaiGar is about the same height as Big Volfogg - a little higher, on the specs sheets, but close enough that they're essentially eye-level to each other. ...Optic-level. But that means that in a brawl, they're essentially even.

...which means GaiGar has the disadvantage, being not particularly intended to operate unassisted.

Volfogg's slash with the Murasame Sword, GaiGar tries to meet with its lion talons, claws sliding into place over the right hand to punch it away. Volfogg's faster and his weapon heavier; it punches past the claws and saws right cross GaiGar's chest, earning a scream from Guy as pain feeds right into him. Light runs through him, now, as it never did before. Literally: Lines of light run up his chest and along his face, gathering in his eyes, packets coming in and out of his brain as he commands GaiGar with his thoughts.

        *

"These readings from GaiGar are wild," Ayame says. "I've never even Operated for it before but no machine from that side of Axis Shock should have readings like this!"

"That's Guy," Hinoki notes from her Research desk. "In the Trinary Solar System, when he Fused with Genesic Galeon, his body was optimized to communicate perfectly with Galeon's systems. The Galeon out there may not have been Genesecized yet, but the principles are the same. Guy as he is now will pull powers out of Galeon that were impossible during the Primeval War!"

Tsuguo's teeth click shut, because he was about to say that part. He nods. "Yup!"

        *

GaiGar watches Renais open fire on Volfogg, demanding answers. "Renais!" he calls out, but he still can't quite hide a grin at that. "...Glad for the help!" He'll trust her. He does trust her. That fragile spark of courage....burn...!

"Volfogg..." GaiGar says, finally turning his attention to his friend. He lunges at him. He snaps forward, lashing out with fierce sweeps of his claws to tear at Big Volfogg's armor. "We won't fall to you today! That thing you're protecting has quieted our courage for too long!"

KTS: Guy Shishioh targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Lion Claw Fighting!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to parry Guy Shishioh's Lion Claw Fighting, taking 3500 damage!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

As sharp blades from Volfogg attack GaiGo, heavy fists go up, deflecting the blow even as they're pushed backwards. "You've still got it, Volfogg...but hope lives on! Life goes on...until the day we're done fighting all threats!"

Ikumi's still got that adrenaline, as he calls out. "Mamoru! Synthesize something caustic to metal!"

"Right! What to brew that'll react with Volfogg..." Mamoru thinks, as he inputs chemistry calculations from memory. The resultant metal 'powder' that sprays out of the Synapse Claw, which rises upwards, starts lightly eroding Volfogg's armor, trying tto build up damage for either their or Guy's next atack.

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

Venomous words reach out with an orange hiss. They're demoralizing in their directness, wringing shame out of a simple truth.

It -is- demoralizing. Distracting, even. Between this and the sudden *click* of a certain Rei Ayanami answering her <3 MYSTERY CALLER <3, it leaves Mari momentarily open to the blistering cluster of shrapnel that heralds Ennils' descent. White-hot pellets collide with the octagonal ripples a blooming, multi-colored A.T. Field, but at best the hastily-assembled defense provides the merest buffers to dilute the incoming offensive. Pieces of shrapnel rip through and collide with white plating; at least a few manage to stick -in-, sizzling orange against pieces of white as Unit-04 stumbles backward, Rapidborer ratcheting into place at its elbow.

The first thing Rei will hear on -her- end is a "GNUH" of exhilarating pain as little bubbly bright spots alight across various parts of Mari's plugsuit. Her head hangs back limply.

'Mary, are you all right?'

Demoralizing. Shameful. Distracting.

<"... of course~. It's not often I get to feel this way!">

Thrilling.

<"It's electrifying!">

With that, Unit-04 rips backwards. From its back, one of its assault rifles is launched into the air and subsequently snatched out of it. Mari takes aim.

<"Being able to feel shame and still willing to ruin everything for my own satisfaction -- don't you think that just makes me bursting with humanity, Ms. Orange~?">

Aims, and--

<"Bingo.">

Fires, in a hellacious spray of superheated slugs perfectly punctuated by Mari's joyous laughter ringing out through the air -and- through her open communication line.

'Why? ... I am occupied.'

"What a funny coincidence, so are we!" Mari Makinami announces cheerfully over the sound of excessive gunfire. "But some things are more important, right? We've got unfinished business, y'know! And I think we both hate leaving things without closure."

Blue eyes bereft of glasses slide sidelong.

"Right, Tabby Cat?"

KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious targets Ennil El with Assault Rifle - Single Fire!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Rapid Synthesis!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to parry GaoGaiGo Team's Rapid Synthesis, taking 4200 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] GaoGaiGo Team's Roar! activates, causing Insight L1!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] GaoGaiGo Team's Shout! activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team begins a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais' phone chimes again, and she drops the empty magazines onto the rooftop, moving back out of view to read.

The color drains out of her face as she reads, and she types rapidly in return.

> you dont understand
> when i was with them i wasnt sure i could get them to spare this place
> at best i think i couldve gotten them to save it for last
> but that was before any of us knew what this place was

> tsutsujidai is a miracle
> a violation of material physics and the cosmic law
> it is what theyre sworn to destroy
> i promise you this place is not safe

That rage surges again, and she slaps a pair of magazines into her SMGs once again, peppering Big Volfogg from above as Guy goes in for the strike.

She knows it's impossible to reason with him. Instead of yelling, she seethes in silence.

Fuck you.

Fuck you all for lying to her. For using her.

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        "<Attack them with a sullied heart...?>" Seolla fumes as her saber flashes to meet Ennil's - while she's not as confident with a blade as with her gun, she's used to being able to hold her own. With a normal Dreissen, a suit she's probably spent thousands of simulation hours tussling with, she ought to have the upper hand, but she just...

        Well, Ennil rips a nasty gash right across the ReZEL's upper torso, one that leaves the inner, most durable layer of cockpit-protecting material exposed.

        Beads of sweat pour down her face. Her own heart. What is the shape of that? She needs to protect the one important to her - but that's not -herself- right now. She never looks there.

        It'd be. Too painful.

        "<...that thing. That light. It definitely...it doesn't -speak-, but it does...pull. Is that what you mean? It's trying to...purify me of something? They do talk a lot...like their cause is something of justice, and I read that it's the dangerous part...>"

        It all clicks together.

        "<...Kaworu...Mari...no, I can...I know just how to do...that.>"

        Right as Ennil finishes her slash, Seolla hoists out the Mega Beam Launcher, struggling with the ungainly weight - and then sets every vernier in her suit backwards as fast as possible while it's preparing.

        <"That's right...you 'apostle'...I...I'm not at all in the business of caring about the world, just so you know! I'm here for someone important..."> Something alights in Seolla's eyes when she hears Mari laughing so merrily over the radio.

        ...something that feels a little intoxicating.

        <"...and I'm here...to prove that -I- can do it. That's what I'm here for...to push harder, to push faster, to soar above everyone else! You know what?! I think this 'dawn light' . . . is PATHETIC!!! You heard me right!!! I feel kinda sorry for you - that you need something so ridiculous just to keep up with me!!">

        A slight smile quirks on Seolla's lips - and the pull of her trigger blazes a symphony of light towards Ennil...
Seolla Schweizer transforms to RGZ-95 ReZEL <MS Mode>

KTS: Seolla Schweizer has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Seolla Schweizer targets Ennil El with ReZEL Mega Beam Launcher Full Power Shot!

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

'Sigma' likewise keeps himself in close quarters. It may be a mistake, considering his adversary's apparent preference for melee combat, but--

Well, there's a certain satisfaction to be had from punching something that looks like Alexis Kerib in the face. There's a very well defined part of Takeshi Todo that can't help but relish in the act. Even if it means getting hurt, he can't not.

He can't not fight.

"Just because your abuses aren't obvious, that they don't show in the burns or the bruises, doesn't change things," Takeshi answers with a snarl, grasping the tip of Alexis Kerib's lance with both hands-- only for the sudden lunge to catch him by surprise, the violent edge raking across his midsection in a terrible gash. And still he carries on.

"I know you, Alexis Kerib. I know the kind of thing you are," Takeshi answers, a blade like a sliver of sunlight materializing in his hands. "You're why we're here to begin with. You take what Akane creates, the bits and pieces of herself that she puts into her work-- and you turn them into kaiju. Do you think I'm so blind as to not know what that means!?"

The Sigma Saber blazes, flashing through the haze as he strikes once, then twice, darting backwards with a third and final fencer's moulinet. Over his shoulder, he notices the presence of the Evangelions. So, the rest of NERV is here too? If they decide to engage him now, out of revenge for what he did to their home...

...It could be bad, given who and what he's dealing with.

"Kaiju... are beings of the Heart," Takeshi growls, his blade held at the ready, "To create a Kaiju from a human is to take pieces of them, bit by bit, until they're all used up...! No matter how you look at it, that's the work of a parasite!"

KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Alexis Kerib with Sigma Saber Strike!

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Alouette continues to frown as she reads Akane's texts. It's... she wants to believe it so bad. She was so glad she got to meet Mikoto, but she knows that anything further than temporary is a miracle. It's a miracle that would make Alouette more than happy.

> I think that would be lovely.
> But look outside, Akane.
>I don't know if it's possible to run from this fight anymore.
> Not even in Tsutsujidai.

After that barrage of texts, she arrives at her destination: Junk Shop Aya... only to find the Gridman Alliance passed out on the couch. Isn't Gridman supposed to be fighting the kaiju...? She turns to Rikka's mama, presently watching over them, who likely recognizes Alouette as one of Rikka's friends. "I'm sorry if this is a bad time, Takarada-san," she apologies, hoping her presence won't disturb Yuta and Rikka from their rest. She'll be quick.

Geez, this thing is a junker, she comments in her head. "Apologies if you're in there, Gridman. I have to do this!" The hard drive plugs into junk and it seems to freeze for a moment as it processes the information. But this code, for all it holds, is an efficient one. First of all, she makes a connection with GaiGo. Junk is still, well, a Junker, so the best she can do is simple text messages in the operating screen. But maybe the fact that she could even get through is a miracle.

>Kaidou, Amami. This is Alouette. I've set up a communication window with GaiGo.

With her current set-up she can hardly offer her services as a proper operator but...

>Are the GaoMachines on standby? No reason.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

It doesn't look like the pilot of the ReZEL can hear him. Yuta turns his gaze elsewhere, determined to try and do what he can. Gridman continues to battle the draconic kaiju, but Yuta has no part to play in it. As he serves as Gridman's host so often... This time, he's not really needed.

Just as Yuta's about to turn his gaze elsewhere, reality seems to freeze, and then ripple around them. "W--what is this?" Yuta asks, and even Gridman looks up.

"Someone is accessing Junk." Gridman offers, his voice lagging a bit. "I believe we are not in danger."

"If you're sure..." Yuta tries hard to look, only to find -- Alouette! He smiles. "Alouette! I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm glad to see you! Please be careful out there!"

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

As Alouette sends her message, Mamoru receives it. He responds.

>"This is Mamoru, we read you loud and clear. All six are on standby!"

And then, Mamoru hovers his finger over a message. Should he say it pre-emptively?

Hell, why not.

>"Welcome back, Alouette! Wa-ha!"

KTS: Ennil El has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa rattles Ennil El, making her next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Ennil El fails to parry Kaworu Nagisa's Pencil Roc Nailgun Surprise, taking 2250 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Ennil El!
KTS: Ennil El partially guards Seolla Schweizer's ReZEL Mega Beam Launcher Full Power Shot, taking 6380 damage!
KTS: Ennil El partially guards Mari Makinami Illustrious's Assault Rifle - Single Fire, taking 1890 damage!
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Accel Spirit Command and Has Engaged with Seolla Schweizer
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El targets Seolla Schweizer with Heat Saber Combo!
KTS: Ennil El targets Kaworu Nagisa with Tri-Blade Detonation!
KTS: Ennil El targets Mari Makinami Illustrious with Tri-Blade Detonation!

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

That soft voice again. The dismissal sets her teeth on edge. When Tsutsujidai was calm, she was able to borrow its peace. Now...

they're in the way

they're in the way

The nails rain down on her. The saber sweeps out, batters iron from the sky. Enough? Maybe not. She feels full of punctures either way, and the tang is in her mouth.

They won't break. Not that she expected it to be that easy. But as much as she hungers for it, the bloodshed doesn't bring her any joy. If the quiet scraped against her heart, this laughter makes it creak like frozen glass. How can they be so cruel?

She seizes on that jaggedness, waiting for her moment. Whirling blades slice towards each Evangelion - designed to burst against their shields, hammer down the barriers separating them from her.

And then the little bird pipes up. <<"Why do you have the RIGHT!?">> It tears out of her throat bloody and raw - and entirely hers. <<"Don't you think I'm trying to be happy too?">> Light swells from the ReZEL, but Ennil's too far gone to heed the danger. The Dreissen's skin is raw and boiling. It's worth it. It'll all be worth it to feel her hands around that neck.

KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to parry Takeshi Todo's Sigma Saber Strike, taking 2240 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Alexis Kerib!
KTS: Alouette Pommier has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting GaoGaiGo Team

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

Rei looks at her phone. The VERTEX app notification has come up.

Akane replied?

But -

Rei clicks to that app. She moves up the stairs, if less quickly given the divided attention. Still, with a hand on the handrail it's doable.

> Yes
> My building was damaged.
(That one may echo a little.)
> I crossed the street.

To get to the roof, one presumes?

She's halfway past the fifth floor then. She keeps on going, if at a steadier pace. It's too far to dash, so she doesn't dash. It doesn't seem likely to quiet down. What is the danger, that she will miss the fight?

It is not as if she would be seeing it with Akane in any case. She is on the other side of town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzWkRjATwFQ

Sounds come through the phone. Unpleasant sounds. It's Mari. Something is hurting Mari. Rei can put two and two together quite easily and get (Unit-0)4; she is in the Evangelion. This phone call... it makes sense, Rei supposes.

Mari laughs, but Rei lingers, having just crested the first step up to the 7F landing. "... you're in battle," Rei says. "Don't -"

don't call this line
don't bother me at a time like this
don't disturb me
don't get in my way

Each thought comes with a step.

don't make such noises
don't get hurt
don't distract yourself
don't
be

Rei stumbles in between the flights of the seventh floor, just where they turn direction around.

"... it's hurting you... are you defending...?" This place, presumably, if you read between the lines.

Something loud happens outside of the building. This time Rei does flinch a little, huddling against the further wall. She is alone in the stairwell; as is often the case. "The kaiju..." *Are* there kaiju? That thought occurs to Rei, with a sneaking creak of suspicion. A ripple in a very, very still sea.

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

Volfogg is well aware of his limits, which bump right up against going toe-to-toe with BRAVE KINGS. Priorities shift, emotion shoved aside for the moment. Need to get distance. He fails to bring one of his blades up in time, and GaiGar's claws rake all the more, digging through armor, snapping cables and fibers with the terrible sound of twisting metal.

"You will fall, Captain," Volfogg growls, pained. "I'm not losing to you!" Locked in a momentary grapple, GaiGo manages to dust Volfogg with that nasty corrosive. And, of course it's painful. Everything is painful. Volfogg is straight-up not having a good time.

For the moment, however, Volfogg's rage is centered on Guy. EVEN as Renais continues to pepper him with her gunfire. It is... incredibly distracting, and finally prompts him to push back. He literally falls to pieces, his components breaking off and transforming.

It's a quick maneuver, a blur of motion as Volfogg, half-sized, and GunDober and GunGlue in their robot modes launch a three-pronged attack on GaiGar, rushing him from various angles, darting in and out even as GaiGo's corrosive eats away. It's all swift blades, the swipe of a familiar shuriken, the bite of flung kunai. Volfogg manages to reform quickly, one way or another.

KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has activated the Attune Spirit Command.
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets GaoGaiGo Team with Pass!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg targets Guy Shishioh with Deadly Art of the Body-Split!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team fails to react to GBR-04 Volfogg's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa fails to rush.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa partially guards Ennil El's Tri-Blade Detonation, taking 6060 damage!
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious fails to evade Ennil El's Tri-Blade Detonation, taking 5100 damage!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh fails to evade GBR-04 Volfogg's Deadly Art of the Body-Split, taking 5200 damage!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Seolla Schweizer blocks Ennil El's Heat Saber Combo, taking 5520 damage!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer has been defeated!
KTS: Ennil El has engaged Seolla Schweizer!
KTS: Seolla Schweizer's RGZ-95 ReZEL <MS Mode> has been disabled.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Mari Makinami Illustrious

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

"Then what of you, a vessel's discarded vessel twice over? I see the emptiness in you, you know," Alexis says, as his lance meets Sigma Saber. The two press into each other for just a moment -- but it's a press that Takeshi wins, this time, forcing Alexis's weapon aside and biting into him. It does, at least, prompt a very satisfying "YYYYEAARRT --" as Alexis experiences pain, or at least decides there's stimulation to be had in the pretense.

His body seems to be -- slowly -- knitting back together. This creature of the Hyper World, of the Makai World, of another world altogether -- is he immortal?

"The pieces you've given to giants of light, the pieces you've given to the darkness -- they outlive you, you know. Sentiment is a powerful, enduring thing!" He squares back up, musing aloud, "I wonder what Akane-kun could do with the sort of sentiment you've wielded against yourself."

... he'll give him this one for free, he thinks, as he sets his spear.

"Or would it be what she's already done?"

Alexis takes to the artificial sky and then plunges straight down, wreathed in flame and brimming with malice.

---

Orie peeks into the shop proper again, seeing three sleeping kids, no adult junior high students, and -- a blur of gold and red, moving like she's in a hurry until she addresses her.

"Huh," she says, scratching at the hair on the back of her neck. "Guess there's always someone who wakes up in the middle of the night at a sleepover." With a slightly goofy smile, she notes, "Try not to break anything. It's for sale."

She goes right back to what she was doing.

---

Akane looks at her texts, worry spreading across her face. First, she handles the easiest -- Rei.

> Oh okay just take your time
> It's not urgent like if you miss this that might actually be better

... then she gets an answer she didn't expect. Now her fingers dance frantically across the face of her phone -- Renais first.

> uh yeah so actually you were
> totally right on this one uhhhh
> Just stay still. You don't need to do anything about this. I'm telling her to leave.
> I know you probably want to do something but you're just going to hurt yourself.

Akane's final set of texts, to Alouette, is... slightly less panicked. She got through the worst of it with Renais.
> Yeah uh Mikoto just told me she kept half of the story here from me. I was expecting forever. Not weeks.
> I guess this has been coming
> Ever since I met Renais
> I screwed this one up too.
> But I'll take care of it. When Renais and I got in an argument one time I told her I thought my kaiju could take her. I still think that.
> If you can't take it just go back to bed. Please. I'll take care of it by the time you wake up.

Uughghh.

KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Takeshi Todo with Scourge!

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        'It's electrifying!' Mari calls, joyous even in her shame, and Kaworu laughs with her. How can he not? "<You truly are a joy to work with,>" he replies warmly.
        
        "<The Light of the Dawn. Yes. They who have been affected by it, the Ruin Apostles, have been made to believe that 'miracles' will prematurely end the universe, and humanity and other intelligent life, as premier sources of such things, must thus be eradicated for the good of all. Presumably they intend to end their own lives once all others are gone,>" Kaworu explains to Seolla--but he transmits this just as much to Ennil. "<But while they are still themselves, it's not really what they truly believe. It's they who are infected, and they who must be purified to be returned to their true selves. They are to be pitied.>"
        
        And so, as Seolla declares her pity and her defiance onto Ennil as she attacks, Kaworu smiles for her, too. "<Splendid,>" he praises Seolla. She may refrain from looking inwards, but even so: "<You shine with a light all your own.>"
        
        Ennil shouts back, perhaps trying to convey her own feelings in a more conventional way. Whether she means those words for him or not, he wonders, "<Are you saying that you seek to achieve happiness through death?>"
        
        Perhaps so. In her rage and frustration, Ennil draws those blades and lashes out, physically as well as verbally. They cut to the bone, or at least through armor, and as the sensation of steel sinking through steel into flesh stabs through him, Kaworu makes soft noises of agony, the pain registering in the tremble of his lips.
        
        Such an understated reaction might not be very satisfying to Ennil. But the damage is significant all the same. Unit-02 rears back, her motions now jerky and stiff from where blades have severed nerves.
        
        Seolla and her machine fall to them, even. Kaworu moves Unit-02 in the way of any attempted finishing shot; it's only reasonable to expect that a Ruin Apostle would try to end her at this point. "<Retreat. We'll cover you,>" he tells her, matter-of-fact. In the same motion that he moves before the Dressier, he has Unit-02 pull her prog knife from her other shouler pylon. As the blade vibrates, he brings it down onto the Dressier with a violence simple and straightforward--until, should he manage to strike true, he twists it to one side, attempting to decisively disable the machine.
        
        But not to kill the pilot. That much is quite clear in how he avoids the cockpit either way.
        
        Mari hails Rei with good cheer, and seeks his agreement. "It's true," he replies, adjusting communications so that this line is for the Evangelion pilots only. "We're not defending this place, to be clear, though we're not here to destroy it, either. We've come to assist with ending the kaiju that Akane Shinjo has been fielding for several weeks now. It seems she's called upon the Ruin Apostles to help defend this place. I don't think that's a wise decision, but Akane doesn't tend to act with wisdom in mind." (This isn't intended as criticism. To Kaworu, it's merely a statement of fact.) "But more importantly...
        
        "Rei. We've come to pick you up."

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Ennil El with Progressive Knife Twist!

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

Seolla goes down. Yuta watches, fearful for the pilot. His gaze quickly shifts back to Kaworu. If he knows his friend -- yes. Kaworu catches the doomed pilot, and the young man can't help but cheer.

"You're amazing, Kaworu!" Yuta feels half-hysterical after all this, torn between gratitude and fear. "But be careful. This enemy pilot isn't messing around. I know you can hear me. I won't say too much." Yuta takes a breath. "I believe in you, and I trust you to protect my city!"

KTS: Yuta Hibiki has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Kaworu Nagisa

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

"Yuta!" Alouette exclaims. "I, well... took over Junk because I thought it was the only way I could support my friends." It's a lot safer in here, but out there... she hopes they can hold their own against Volfogg. No, she knows they will. They promised her, they wouldn't lose. "Did the kaiju do this?" Alouette asks, in regards to the situation on Aya's couch. She has a couple working theories, but her head still feels so very fuzzy.

Her phone once again buzzes, a response from Akane. She says she'll take care of it. For the past month and a half or so, Alouette truly believed Akane could take care of anything. This feels beyond "anything". It's all too much.

>Akane. If the Ruin Apostles have their way, everything and everyone in this city will be turned to light.

>You said kaiju were born to die. Isn't this a task too far for them?

>I can't go to sleep knowing that.

She clicks the phone off once again. Once Mamoru, welcomes her back, she knows... she committed to her decision.

>Wa... ha! I'm going to signal Chief Guy. Be ready for Final Fusion!
 
She types, fiery passion in her eyes. Another window opens, to GaiGar.

>This is 3G Blue Mobile Corps Operator Alouette Pommier. I never sent in my formal resignation, you know. Requesting Final Fusion for GaiGo and GaiGar, and awaiting your approval!

She imagines Renais must have made a very similar decision, she knows so. So...

>If Renais is with you, tell her to cover fire! Give him hell, so to speak.
She's counting on everyone, to make this risky operation work.

KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trust Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trust Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trust Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo parries Alexis Kerib's Scourge, taking 2100 damage!
KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Takeshi Todo!

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

Final Fusion is approved. Once it activates...

>"This is Ikumi Kaidou. Welcome back, Pommier - no, Alouette. I think I'll start calling you that."

As the GaoMachines fly forth, a magnetic whirlwind spins around, tossing vehicles in the already-open destruction and shearing off corners of rooftops.

The units combine with GaiGo, creating drill knees, turbine wings, and stealthjet arms.

A King of Braves has returned, and it's all thanks to the powers of courage. Ikumi should take the finisher...but they have a chance to try and end this.

"Volfogg! We're bringing everyone home! And tha means you, too!" Ikumi shous out. "MAMORU! YOU HAVE CONTROL!"

Mamoru nods. He can feel his clone-brother's heart - exactly what he means. "I HAVE CONTROL!

"Volfogg! I told you before! I'm a Brave! And yet, you still are, ttoo!" Mamoru shouts out. "Whether or not this works...remember that in your heart! We still care about you, and I can tell, the feeling is mutual!"

BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJn5teyd9tA

"HELL AND HEAVEN!"

GaoGaiGo's right arm turns red, while the left turns gold. Energy surges through them. Volfogg knows what this is. He knows exactly how dangerous it is.

The hands start closing together, slowly. "Gemu giru gan go gufo..."

And then, the energy comes together from both hands, protector and destroyer, and unleashes a vortex straight at Volfogg. In this moment, GaoGaiGo surges forward. "Graaagh....HAH!"

And attempts to remove Volfogg's AI block in one fell swoop. Even if it doesn't succeed, even if he evades the final melee blow, the sheer vortex is enough to do colossal damage.
GaoGaiGo Team transforms to GaoGaiGo

KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team: Will Barrier Activates.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Hell and Heaven!

<Pose Tracker> Seolla Schweizer has posed.

        The defiance is exhilirating. The anchored sureness of Seolla's heart in her own desires - the rest of the world be damned - it feels clear. Refreshing.

        Until the light of the dawn blinds her.

        It's a pittance to crush the ReZEL's neck once Ennil gets closer - the sheer willpower to do so emanating from the apostle making Seolla feel like she's choking herself. She has to convince herself it's not her real neck for a bit - but what's clear as day is that her monitors are all shot, the Mobile Suit left utterly headless, with only a few backup cameras here and there online.

        "Hah...hah! It's not over yet, not by a long shot! I've got you right where I want-" Seolla takes stock. No, actually, she does not have Ennil anywhere close to where she wants her. She can't see anything really. The Mega Launcher's out of juice. The sabers would take more sight than this.

        All she has is the burning willpower to keep going. To prove a point. To be defiant to the end.

        ...And that's always gotten her in deeper, hasn't it?

        Kaworu's words are a clarion call of wisdom. He's right. He's always right. <"...ghhhh...it's a -pain in the neck- how always right you are, Kaworu...oy. Mari. Give her hell for me. And Kaworu...I dunno what drives -you- in a fight, but give whatever that is for me too. Don't get yourselves killed!! If everything goes south...I'll come back in something else that can put up a fight...!"> And with that, the battered ReZEL pulls away...

        ...And the need to push Seolla's feistiness to the limits fades out. She can take a deep breath, and let it all sink in. Oath Over Omega...

        "...it's annoying how scary that is."

KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to react to GaoGaiGo Team's Hell and Heaven, taking 9000 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] GaoGaiGo Team's Roar! activates, causing Insight L1!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] GaoGaiGo Team's Shout! activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

Are you defending...?

"Humm. Nope! I'm only defending my own interests, Vanilla Bean. Don't you remember what I told you?"

Mari Makinami Illustrious has only got time in her life for the things she wants to do.

Tsutsujidai is very interesting. She could spend weeks exploring and riddling out what every person and sign post and building and company means. Who ever has the opportunity to stroll through a heart-in-progress?

But it's the people here she wants to see flourish, wants to see safe. Wants to see grow.

And in the immediate sense -- it's Rei who Mari wants to defend.

With a completely unnecessary flourish Unit-04 ratchets that rifle back into place. Mari spares a second to flash a thumbs up Seolla's way - an act echoed by Unit-04 itself - as Seolla has her violent epiphany.

<"That's right! What a beautiful sight~.">

Not that aggression doesn't have its consequences. Mari's eyes widen as the Dreissen advances on the ReZEL. There's nothing she can do about -that-, though, as spinning blades launch through the skies as Ennil's angry accusations ring through the air. Evangelion Unit-04 tries to outpace them with the blurted "Ah crap--!" from its pilot, but even Mari can only do so much when her focus is being reprioritized. She pays for the fragmentary attention she pays to the fight itself in how small blades -chew- straight through A.T. Fields and -carve- through the center mass of Unit-04 to terrifying effect. Armor is sheered through; the Evangelion stumbles back as Mari lets out a strangled gasp of pain that blooms from her stomach and rapidly screams towards her chest.

And viscous fluid that looks disconcertingly like blood gushes like a waterfall from the would-be Cursed Evangelion's wound as it collapses backwards, barely catching hands across cracking and concaving street as the ground close to the building Rei scales trembles violently.

Kaworu saves the ReZEL. Through that enlivening burn of raw pain, Mari can't help but smile as she stirs in her cockpit. "Good. It'd be a shame if someone that fun didn't live to fight another day," she muses, mostly to herself, despite the open line. Kaworu explains the situation to Rei, but Mari...

"... I came like I promised... Vanilla Bean. It's sudden... but it's time. I need you to answer that question for me."

The conversation the three of them had. Rei's first experiences. How they all felt. And...

"Do you think any of those things didn't matter, Rei?"

Would she trade them just to not know the other side of the coin?

Evangelion Unit-04 drags itself back up onto its feet until it is crouched in place. Blood - blood? - 'blood' drools between armor creases as it presses forward like a cat ready to --

<"NYAAGH!">

--pounce.

And so does Evangelion Unit-04 spring upon Ennil's Dreissen, intent to -crash- into at full speed and use that larger size to send it -careening- towards the ground seconds after that knife plunge comes. It's not nearly as violent or powerful a blow as the Evangelion -could- have mustered, but that's because...

'Why do you have the RIGHT!?'

<"Why do you think you don't?">

Mari Makinami Illustrious has caught something new she wants to pursue.

KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious targets Ennil El with EVA-04 Unarmed Combat Tackle!
KTS: Ennil El fails to parry Kaworu Nagisa's Progressive Knife Twist, taking 5400 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Kaworu Nagisa's The Light of His Heart activates, causing Jam L1!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Ennil El!
KTS: Ennil El fails to parry Mari Makinami Illustrious's EVA-04 Unarmed Combat Tackle, taking 4230 damage!
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has engaged Ennil El!

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

The Branch Order Room is, of course, receiving signal from across the battlefield. At Takeshi's cries, at Alexis' replies, Kamuy at Intelligence and Hinoki at Research exchange a grim nod. Flagged for later review.

GaiGar watches as Volfogg directs his entire anger on him. The burn of Volfogg's courage is undiminished by its infusion of Dawn, and the Deadly Art of the Body-Split proves it three times over. But it's Guy, after all: "Renais! Watch out!" is GaiGar's warning, because to be on foot near Volfogg in full motion is a dangerous prospect indeed. GaiGar tries to move - tries to leap itself away, but that just gets it caught by GunDober, then by GunGlue. GaiGar screams as he's pummeled, up and then down, finishing with a savage blow to the back that should shatter its spine.

But he doesn't break. Guy breathes through gritted teeth, pain pulsing through his body in ways he'd almost forgotten the sheer intensity of. "And I won't lose to you," Guy says. "That kaiju...it made them forget, Volfogg!"

GaiGar rises to one knee, and the G-Stone on its forehead gleams in lieu of its own face being able to glower. "It made them forget...the courage in their own hearts. It made them forget the bravery they've always held. The heroes they've always been!! I had to watch them say they weren't strong enough knowing it was a bolt driven into their heads! I won't allow that to continue. Not one more day, one more moment! You know as well as I do Volfogg...illusions must break!"

A signal on his systems. He perceives it like a spatial sense, an awareness that his thoughts are needed.

And he grins. The reply is in text, of course.

>"I never did get around to telling you we filed you as on vacation, did I?"

Three files arrive. One is the digitally stamped and sealed Final Fusion request for GaoGaiGar. And the other two are the GGG Green Chief Approval for Final Fusion for GaoGaiGar and GaoGaiGo.

Guy screams it out loud the same time as the text goes through, GaiGar vaulting into the air:

"FINAL FUSION! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED!!"

An electromagnetic tornado roars across the battlefield, emitted by GaiGar as its hips rotate. Only one thing echoes beyond its walls:

"RENAIS! KEEP HIM BUSY!"

        *

In the Branch Order Room, Ayame yelps. "Uh! System's showing another Operator panel!?" she squawks, looking over to the second operator panel which currently contains Nobody. "Iiit's receiving Final Fusion requests!? IIIIIT'S PROCESSING FINAL FUSION REQUESTS!?"

Yang bolts to his feet in the back, and then emits a loud laugh, open mouthed, as he falls back into his seat. "Unbelievable! That girl's full of surprises. Don't interfere! If she's requesting it, we can trust her work."

        *

From the rail lines that go out to the edge of Tsutsujidai, a bullet train that doesn't run that line suddenly surges off the rails.

From deep beneath the colony substructure, a two-bore digging machine punches through the concrete.

And from the sky, a stealth bomber roars forward. All three dive into a deep green electromagnetic tornado. GaiGar's shoulders break open, the arms rotating back into what will become guide rails. LinerGao slots neatly within, steam blasting out as it comes to a halt. The drill machine splits in half, mounting to the two legs, which socket in and LOCK with a loud click hiss BANG of interlocks. StealthGao I roars down vertically, interlocking with the arm-rails. There's a loud whine of motors as two mechanisms lock, slide into each other, and BAM piston each other in place.

And finally, the helmet slides down, and the G-Stone fits into its socket anew. It whines, a high, keening thing, as the G-Stone circuit shines - and for the first time, when GaoGaiGar flexes its left arm, it shines with Guy's Evolual G-Stone circuit.

A King thought lost to time. A hero who should no longer be. But when the people of this world cry out, he will appear, even acros the seas of time and stars. Made possible by a succession of courage, hands joined in hands in the name of defeating despair, he rises anew, the first of all Kings of Braves! His name is!

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAO! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAI! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!"

The electromagnetic whirlwind scatters, and there the Black Robot stands, hands flexing in time with Guy's human testing of his fingers.

And then GaoGaiGar's eyes flash. "GaoGaiGo! Let's end this right now!"

Guy thrusts the two hands of GaoGaiGar together, power crackling between them. "HELL! AND! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEAVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!"

The G-Stone Shines Brighter...

"Gemu giru gan go gufo..." Guy breathes, as he forces the Left Arm of Protection and the Right Arm of Destruction together. Their union creates a massive explosion of force. At the same time as GaoGaiGo searches with his own Hell and Heaven, GaoGaiGar charges forward, feet rooted, StealthGao providing all propulsion, and Guy screaming the sacred word that Cain taught them all in the depths of Jupiter:

"VIIIIIIIIIIIIIITAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Guy Shishioh transforms to GaoGaiGar

KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

Akane sends her another message.

Rei falters at it. Finally, she responds, if a little dizzily:

> understood

And her shoulder slumps against the stairwell wall.

She's breathing swiftly. It isn't just the effort. Her eyes widen as a signal comes through her phone - a second voice. The voice of the A-- of Kaworu Nagisa. Rei stares at the phone as Kaworu speaks cataclysmic words that outline something that feels like having the skin of her mind forcefully removed. A kaiju -- wielded -- several weeks, but how long...

The tattered remains of vegetables in a garbage bag.

Rei feels her pulse. The Ruin Apostles have been called. They're fighting *them*. The dreaded things, stealing the colors of LCL and the shapes of the innocent. And - they've come -

Stock-footage of a Federation naval ship detonating due to a beam weapon from the One Year War, seen in the classroom.

- to pick her up.

A cigarette pack, the photodegradatory cellophane eroding in the sunlight, the ink on the box running in the rain.

It feels like something hurts. Scrubbed skin in the ocean. A foot firmly struck and the dread running up the nervous system. The dreadful pangs wash over Rei, and the placidity of the sea is ruined; meteoric impact, the water column thrown into turmoil as she breathes loud enough to be heard on the phone.

"Triple Zer-- zero-- you should not... I can -"

But she's only defending her own interests~

There is something furtive, almost vestigal. Frustration. Rei makes a strangled noise into the phone, and it sounds almost like a sob. She curls over in the stairwell even as something in the distance explodes again and the building - slightly, but discernibly - sways; the light flickers.

"It's too loud and it's too fast and everything's coming into my eyes and I don't know why and it hurts and, and, you are making it, you," Rei blurts - blurts! - and then falls quiet with more of those shuddering, snuffling breaths. Just minutes ago she was laying there, in a quiet room, in a quiet building, watching the lights. Lights...

Something lands on the screen of Rei's phone. (It does not hang up, thankfully.) Rei looks upwards for a leak, and sees none.

She reaches up to touch her face. Something landed there. There's... Her hand comes away. Rei expects to see blood, but only sees wet fingertips.

Tears...?

But the phone is still open. The connection alive. There is sound, chaos, through it, from Mari's end. Rei wants to say things. A rare occasion, but they're blooming outwards. Four things. Twenty-seven. Five hundred thousand. They're choking in her throat.

She used the other name.
The name of Rei Ayanami.
the...
That is to say, the name of -

Rei's head tilts downwards. She has been making quiet, strained sounds that the phone may have picked up, but now there's a deeper effort. An effort to restrain a mouth that's spasming, as far as Rei can tell. A throat that's in open revolt. She can't say anything. But...

"ih," Rei says.

Then, "iiieh,"

a deep breath and

"if i can get one wish..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fZCDl0hC-U

Her voice is shaky and she is not staying on note. There are entire measures which are just sort of... saying the words aloud; but she remembers them.

She keeps going, as she starts to climb the stairs again. To floor 8 - a little more, this one's shorter, because the 9th floor opens out onto a deck, loosely enclosed with railings, some of which have been obliterated by some stray object or other. The wind tugs at Rei's hair.

KTS: Alouette Pommier targets Guy Shishioh with Prospect!
KTS: Alouette Pommier assesses Guy Shishioh's prospects, increasing his SP!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Hell and Heaven!
KTS: Alouette Pommier targets GBR-04 Volfogg with Shock!
KTS: Alouette Pommier shocks GBR-04 Volfogg, reducing his Morale significantly.
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg fails to react to Guy Shishioh's Hell and Heaven, taking 9000 damage!
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg has been defeated!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has engaged GBR-04 Volfogg!
KTS: Guy Shishioh roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

'Discarded twice over.' Sigma's expression is a static thing, locked as it is behind an unarticulated mask, but somehow the way that the shadows-- as much as something so suffused with dawn can have 'shadows'-- catch across his face seems to brim with menace. Wrath compels his sword arm, driving deep into the Hyper Devil's weapon and raking into his flesh. "I killed the first thing to have 'discarded' me. The second I'm working on. If I'm empty, it's because your ilk have carved me out. But that's the thing your kind never want to tell us-- because if you did, we'd never be small enough for you to devour!"

Even as injured as he is, Alexis Kerib's body mends itself. How many times would he have to carve into it until the Hyper Devil would just stay down? Is violence not the answer...?

No. He clearly just hasn't used enough of it.

"We can heal. No matter how many chunks you and yours have hacked out of us, as long as we get the chance to breathe, we can find ourselves again! The human heart isn't so weak, Alexis Kerib! The parts of us we cast out into the world, to light or to dark, live beyond us, but--" The Hyper Devil descends, ablaze with hungry, greedy, all-consuming flame. Flame that is its very nature made real.

A blade meets it, surging with the infinite blaze of creation-- shining with a will that has not been this sure of itself in so very, very long. The irony of what Takeshi is saying, given his circumstances, is entirely lost on him. In this brief moment, his will shines brighter than Triple Zero.

From a distant rooftop, an observer gently adjusts his glasses, and smiles.

Sparks fly from where the blades have locked. Alexis' blaze licks away at Sigma's form, consuming little by little the seemingly endless inferno of Dawn, but the Sigma Saber refuses to yield, refuses to break. From behind it, Sigma's eyes shine bright, "--Creatures like you, that take and take and never create, never give, only gain immortality from what you can fit your mouth around! If you're responsible for giving her those kaiju-- MY kaiju--!"

Suddenly, the Sigma Saber gives way. No-- it deflects! Alexis slides into the ground, smashing into the riverside. Takeshi reaches up at the same instant, grabbing hold of the Hyper Devil's head. With a roar, he takes off like a bolt of lightning, surging across the battlefield, past the Evangelions. He drives Alexis into the boundary of GaoGaiGo's electromagnetic tornado. He hurls his opponent, aiming to skip him like a stone over GaoGaiGar's own emerald vortex and into a nearby building. "Then it's my responsibility as her predecessor-- to make sure that she SURVIVES YOU!!" Finally, he dives down like a vermilion meteor, ablaze with cosmogone flame, blade aimed to plunge deep into the Hyper Devil's visored face...!

KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Alexis Kerib with Sigma the Hyper Agent!
KTS: Alexis Kerib blocks Takeshi Todo's Sigma the Hyper Agent, taking 4080 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Alexis Kerib!
KTS: Ennil El targets Kaworu Nagisa with Giant Bazooka Barrage!
KTS: Ennil El targets Mari Makinami Illustrious with Tri-Blade Detonation!

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

"Are you saying that you seek to achieve happiness through death?"

...

The blade sinks in. The mercy is sharper. How dare he. How dare he. She should tear out his fucking throat; she should squeeze his heart in her hands till it bursts. Anything to teach him --

That beasts with hearts deserve to be put down.

She'll simply hammer him to dust. Then she'll stop feeling so awful.

Then the other one springs. The weight is pressing down on her, the Dreissen is buckling. There's a slow snap, snap, snap of straining cable and bending steel.

"Why do you think you don't?"

The metal screams. The world is spinning. Something... creaks, then snaps, and there's a brittle ache thrumming down her chest. Not that it matters. As long as the Dawn has its fingers inside her, mending her hurts...

She doesn't need a heart to live.

The Dreissen, too, feels the touch of the Cosmic Will. It gnashes its jaws and spits more broken fangs into Mari's face.

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

Move. Move. Stop hesitating. Volfogg's inner monologue is increasingly cruel to him as he's struck with Ikumi's voice insisting that they're going to save him. He can mostly ignore it.

But not Mamoru. Volfogg's armor rattles, his grip tightened around his twin blades as he braces for the next blow.

A blow that he does not expect to be a two-fold HELL AND HEAVEN. Volfogg staggers backwards in an abrupt attempt to evade, but there's no escaping the twinned vortex of shear power that paves the path for GaoGaiGo's fists.

Volfogg... panics. There's been a ton of colorful emotions throughout all of this, but nothing this dire. He's about to fail. He's about to give up, and under no circumstances can he GIVE UP. And yet, he has no choice here, as his consciousness frays. Signals disconnect, machinery stops responding, and GaoGaiGo pries his AI block from his upper chest in what's probably a gruesome show of robotic carnage-- as Guy's massively explosive attack literally blasts what's left of Volfogg's frame away. It's hard to discern where it ends up in the blossom of light, if it remains intact at all. No no no...

KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: GBR-04 Volfogg's Big Volfogg has been disabled.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious successfully evades Ennil El's Tri-Blade Detonation
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa's EN Barrier activates, negating 1500 base damage.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa fails to react to Ennil El's Giant Bazooka Barrage, taking 4260 damage!

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

It worked. It worked...

There's no time to waste. As Volfogg's core is pried out of his body, GaoGaiGo lowers it, but does not release it. Mamoru and Ikumi both float outwards, green fairy wings and red aura surrounding them.

"Ikumi! Now!"

Mamoru raises his left hand, extending his middle and index fingers, chanting before pointing at the core.

Curatio teneritas, sectio, salus, coctura...

Ikumi, meanwhile, raises his arms and extends them outwards.

Temperum mundus infinitum redire!

The power of purification emerges from both young men, a miracle in process. The world around them glows, but more importantly, it envelops Volfogg's AI block.

They're bringing him home.

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

> fine
> you play with fire a lot
> please don't get burned.

Renais lies that she's backing down, dropping her phone into her pocket. She discards both of her submachine guns, attention focused on the whirlwind around GaiGar as it undergoes Final Fusion. It's protective, but she knows Big Volfogg's Mirror Coating can pierce right through...



So it's up to her to provide a wall of her own. Reaching into her coat, she pulls out a beam launcher that looks like it was pulled off a Wanzer and hastily adapted to be man-portable.

How she managed to hide that is anyone's guess.

"Aye! COVERING!" she yells.

She flips the golden plating off the top of one of her coat's shoulder connector plates, exposing a coolant and power pass-through. The shoulder mount on the beam launcher slots into place atop the mounting point with a quiet hiss, and she flicks a series of switches to power the weapon on, flipping out an aiming sight. A gentle, rising whine fills the air beside her as it powers up. She kneels on the roof's edge.

The weapon targets the space between Big Volfogg and GaoGaiGar, sending a megaparticle beam streaking from the rooftop and blasting apart the asphalt of the street below, sending dust and debris flying.

She fires again and again, drawing a line in the street, making it as dangerous as possible for the ninja to cross, and only lets up once the tornado dissipates, splashing mist across her body. It rapidly evaporates, rising off of her body in curling wisps.

She tosses the launcher aside, watching as GaoGaiGar and GaoGaiGo plow forward with Hell and Heaven.

You'll be back with us again soon, Big Volfogg...

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Oh, Akane thinks, staring out at the electromagnetic tornadoes forming twice over. She can hardly make anything else out off in the distance, because of them.

"They fused."

Of course they did.

Akane... decides to finally give Rei her distance. It's not hard to feel whatever binds them together fraying and snapping.

... that concern from Renais stings in a way that starts to wake her up by halves. She meets it with a simple,
> Yeah, I do. It didn't seem like you minded.

Maybe if she makes Renais angry enough...

As for Alouette,

> Ugh. This would be so much easier on both of us if you did.
> That's exactly why I have to be the one to handle it.

---

Even empty -- even stitched together from power and The Power -- a Hyper Agent is a Hyper Agent still. Alexis skips across both of the Braves' vortexes of power, and each time he does, a part of him cleaves off with it. "Ngh!" He lets out a strained grunt as he finally comes to a stop on the ground, where 'Sigma' returns the favor to Alexis -- plunging down toward him.

"... Aaah... the same angle of attack as me," Alexis murmurs, half-a-laugh.

Energy flares out from him, and for a moment he is nothing but a flaming void -- himself in flame and shadow. This part of Takeshi's blow does not land flush -- it passes through Alexis harmlessly, and he seems to burst across 'Sigma's' vision before coming to rest behind him.

"An agent of the Dawn, insistent on someone's survival? Oh, the contradictions in you are truly your last remaining beauty, 'Gridman.' But you and yours remain impediments to me!" Power gathers in Alexis's hands -- the time for weapons has passed in full.

"Please -- don't bother this place again, if you would?" In this last moment, he pivots back to that sickening politeness, just before raining destruction -- a black beam tinged with purple and red energy. It threatens to destroy one, or even both, of Tsutsujidai's sluice gates. A pity to lose a nice spot to brood, even just for a night --

-- but Alexis has never demonstrated qualms with tearing apart Akane's heart for the sake of his own satisfaction. Why begin doing so here, with someone so contemptible before him?

KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Takeshi Todo with Black Hole Beam!

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Beasts with hearts deserve to be put down.
        
        Do they, though? Or is it simply that having a heart is too painful for some to tolerate?
        
        Ennil doesn't speak her venom aloud, so Kaworu doesn't respond. But it's not hard for him to pick up on her rage, her fury, her sense of vengeance. Those who've succumbed to the Dawn are to be pitied, but even without that...
        
        A broad smile blossoms across Kaworu's lips as Yuta gushes with praise for him. He's always such a kind young man and enthusiastic friend. "Thank you. I won't betray your trust, Yuta."
        
        Seolla's grousing gets her a fainter laugh, but his smile remains all the same. What is it that drives him to fight? "<Love,>" he replies, simple and sincere. As for the rest: "<Don't worry. We'll meet again.>"
        
        Other parts of the battlefield erupt with furious will--both Guy and his Heaven and Hell against Volfogg, and Gridman Sigma tearing across the city past the Evangelions to take advantage of the GaoGaiGo's attack to force Alexis into it. Kaworu's attention turns that way for a moment. Sigma and Alexis's conversation hadn't been beyond his attention, of course. It's simply that there were more pressing matters at hand. But now...
        
        His slight smile remains in place. His responsibility as her predecessor--a moment of will that shines brighter than the Dawn...
        
        "Godspeed," he murmurs, and leaves Sigma to his battle.
        
        The Dreissen may be carved up and pounced upon, but the will of its pilot--the Light of the Dawn that knits her wounds--presses both of them onwards, to unleash that barrage of missiles that explode against Unit-02's A.T. Field, then through it, then against the red giant, tearing away chunks of armor as though they were chunks of flesh. Within the entry plug, Kaworu arches with the searing pain, hands twitching against the controls as he refrains from clutching at flesh that is not torn, blood that is not cooked. Unit-02 is less fortunate; if she doesn't bleed as Unit-04 does, it's because the flames of those explosions burn it away before it can spill.
        
        Over the communications line, Rei spills out words like Kaworu doesn't spill blood, frustrated and fearful and so full of the emotion she usually never shows. She said before that she doesn't understand; she said before that they should help someone else. Mari and Kaworu had both made it clear they're here for her, and the same is true now. Even if it pains her to see them hurt, they--he--won't back down.
        
        Because...
        
        if i can get one wish granted, then please, give me wings...
        
        Kaworu's eyes widen as his unneeded breath stills, the corners of his lips tilting up as his imaginary heart surges.
        
        The sound of her song. Though it may be amateur, and uncertain, off-key and off-rhythm, it is nonetheless the sound of her song, which he had so wished to hear.
        
        He speaks only one word--only one syllable. But it overflows with quiet, trembling emotion, the likes of which he rarely displays:
        
        "Rei."
        
        His fingertips dance along the buttons of the control switch before he squeezes and pulls. Unit-02 flips her prog knife around as she rips it back out of the Dreisser, and then she drives it down, down, down, all the way down, to carve off the antique machine's limbs until there is no choice but for her to retreat. Or that's the intent, at least. There is no murder in his heart, for all Ennil's best and most vicious efforts. Instead...
        
        "How beautiful," he murmurs, eyes serenely shut.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Mari Makinami Illustrious
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Ennil El with Progressive Knife Drive!

<Pose Tracker> GBR-04 Volfogg has posed.

If Volfogg can even react like this, he certainly gives no indication, just a silent block of Super AI, held in place by GaiGaoGo's grasp. Purification envelops it and peels away the orange glow, revealing the purple beneath.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Prospect Spirit Command targeting Mari Makinami Illustrious
KTS: Takeshi Todo successfully evades Alexis Kerib's Black Hole Beam
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trick Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

>Thank you, Kaidou-san. It's an honour to be back!

She types, before backspacing out 'Kaidou-san' and replacing it with 'Ikumi-kun'.

She can almost see Guy's ever-wide grin through the screen. Filed for vacation, huh... they really never gave up on her. As much as she would love to banter right back, there's something urgent she must do.

BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xa-hCJdx0I

It's not exactly a traditional Final Fusion sequence, with Junk fragile as it is, and a couple of sleepyheads in the room with her. She'll still give it her all, though! "Roger! Final Fusion! Double Program DRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!" She shouts, to no one in particular, a couple decibels lower than normal, and firmly presses down on Junk's enter key.

All that's left to do is to rush outside and watch the spectacle, as two powerful electromagnetic tornadoes form. The glowing bright light of the G-Stones seem to concentrate into tornadoes of their own, and overpower the sickening orange Triple Zero glow until there's nothing left. "Double Hell and Heaven... did they really?" she whispers to herself.

It would be wonderful if they could bring Volfogg home with them, too. One step closer to that dream of hers coming true.

Once she finally gets a chance to check her phone again, she taps out another response to Akane.

>It's too late for that
>I think they're purifying Volfogg right now.

She just stares at the screen for about a minute. And it's fuzzy, but she remembers. She remembers the sensation of the 3G Blue uniform falling from her body, her courage along with it. Akane whispering "It's okay to give up". Everything begins to make sense in a deeply unsettling way. She hesitates, and fires off another text, dropping all pretenses of metaphor.

> Why did you do it? The dream.

She has a feeling she understands why, but she wants to hear it from Akane herself. She wants to hear her honesty or dishonesty.

<Pose Tracker> Yuta Hibiki has posed.

All over the city, battles reach a fever pitch. Yuta can't do anything but watch, clasping his hands together still. It's horrifying, watching the city being torn up from this perspective.

Gridman seems to be finishing off the kaiju. It never once fought back, in this realm -- all its fight must've been in reality. The Giant of Light shows no mercy, ripping its wings off and tearing the creature in half. There's no wires in this version -- it looks and feels like a real creature. Yuta would close his eyes, if he could.

Choosing to keep his focus on Kaworu helps. The other young man looks so serene, even in the middle of a battle. Yuta wishes he could emulate that grace, instead of the fear and distress he always experiences. With Kaworu's abilities, his opponent is clearly on their last legs. Who was this corrupted person who came to Tsutsujidai to fight? Why are all these Triple Zero people here, anyway? It's something to talk to Dr. Mass about.

Alexis and Sigma rage against each other. Yuta knows he should be paying attention, but it's... Yuta just can't bear to see that weapon in the Devil's hands. Something about it makes his body ache, and he doesn't want to look.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

Hell and Heaven is a dangerously precise dance, but Guy just, JUST pushes his side over toward Destruction, allowing Mamoru and Ikumi to focus on Protecting their own precious cargo. What he pulls free from Big Volfogg amounts to a few motive cores - GaoGaiGo got the critical prize.

Guy steps back, watching as the scattering parts from the shattered Big Volfogg start to lose their orange luster.

"GaoGaiGar here," he reports, because there's now enough people he has to do that. "...Volfogg is retrieved. Big Volfogg has been disposed of. Order Room, you seeing the same?"

"Z0-Similar, readings...well, they're not zero colony-wide! But nothing on the scope you're sending us, GaoGaiGar!" Hinoki calls.

"Goldy paid the other side o' town a visit, though, so that's, uhm," Ayame says. "... uh, gone. It's gone, mostly."

Guy emits a tight "Tch! Goldy always does take it too far...How are we on the other Apostles?"

He's the Captain, he can't exult just yet.

"Looks like--" Ayame begins.

"Guy," Yang says. "Guy," Chief Shigeru adds.

"Eh?"

Focus on your end, Captain," Yang advises him. "We'll appraise you if anything requires you or GaoGaiGo."

Guy chuckles, nervously. "Ahehehe...yeah...alright."

So first, comms: >"Alouette. Good work. ....thank you."

...he hesitates, actually. He's been so PASSIVE with them that pushing feels almost wrong on its own. Still.

>"We can talk soon. See you back at Wadatsumi?"

And then GaoGaiGar takes a knee, and Guy emerges out of Galeon's mouth, standing there and watching the field with his own Evolual eyes. And then he hops, once to GaoGaiGar's arm, and then vaulting over to approach Renais.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Akane gets a question -- and a stark one. She has an answer all picked out, though.
> I thought it was really obvious after France.
> If you wanna go back out there and end up like High Tension's pilot I can't stop you.
> I guess I thought we'd understand each other better than we did when I just handed you the answer like in June

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

'Mari. Give her hell for me.'

Despite the pain - because of the pain - Mari's answer from within the cockpit of Evangelion Unit-04 is a fang-flashing grin as sharp as a knife.

<"Your wish is my command, my gal~!">

No answer to Mari's question comes from the Dreissen's pilot in the form of words.

But there's a simple truth to life: sometimes you can only get the clearest answers through actions. Like silence...

        Or violence.

Mari Makinami Illustrious speaks the language of violence. She knows it so well she could compose songs with it. The Dreissen is compelled by something greater than the pilot within, unleashing the cleansing will of orange with the spit of penetrating fangs. Mari's been on the receiving end of this, not moments ago. She knows how much it hurts. But there is something that happens in that same moment.

Choking sounds.

Blurted words.

And...

'if i can get one wish...'

A trembling song.

Mari Makinami's eyes briefly widen. And then a smile graces her lips.

She told Rei, once before. It's not the same, as that voice in Mari's memories.

But that's why she likes it so much. After all... Rei has her own kind of charm.

Fangs fly. Mari speaks the language of violence so well she could sing it. But right now --
        o/` "In this huge sky, I wanna
             Spread my wings and fly~!" o/`

She chooses to answer it with a song from another part of her heart she knows infinitely well.

Unit-04 is bloodied and ragged, its - mechanical? is it though-- - body torn through here and there, red fluid obscuring whatever lies beneath; but the Evangelion's movements are still remarkably fluid as it -jerks- backward, just out of the path of the first fang. It is -still- fluid as it -backflips- back, head cresting just over the first, red splattering like thick raindrops from its damaged frame as it flies. Another, it lands -low- to fall just -below-.

And throughout it all --

Mari sings with Rei. Her voice is surprisingly quiet, on purpose; she has no intention of drowning out Rei's voice for a single second. But she still sings. Serene, and warm.

And ineffably joyful, even as that last fang catches against the blistering bloom of Unit-04's A.T. Field.

The last time, those strange weapons tore through the Field like nothing -- like they were designed to. But against all logic, this time -- it catches. It strains. And that momentum stills into nothing, until it falls to the feet of the rising Evangelion. It doesn't make sense. But then again --

Human hearts so rarely do. It's why they're so frightening.

<"... Sorry,"> exhales Mari's voice over those loudspeakers, as her singing comes to a brief respite. She sees the orange will behind that violence. But also something that hurts. <"I wouldn't mind poking you some more some time. You've got an interesting smell, past all that orange.">

how could she have possibly--

<"But... I've got an important date I can't possibly hold up a single second longer.">

She is impossibly, deathly serious.

And that's why, a second later, those assault rifles are shunting up. A second later, Unit-04 is grabbing them like a quickdraw.

A second later, Mari is double-barrel unloading on Ennil and her Dreissen, eyes alight with delight as she fires. And fires. And FIRES, until all ammo is depleted --

Until both barrels are nothing more than ruined slag.

<"So let's consider this <3 to be continued~! <3"

KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Mari Makinami Illustrious targets Ennil El with Assault Rifles - Forever Firing!
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El parries Kaworu Nagisa's Progressive Knife Drive, taking 1620 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Kaworu Nagisa's The Light of His Heart activates, causing Jam L1!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Ennil El!
KTS: Ennil El fails to retreat.
KTS: Ennil El fails to evade Mari Makinami Illustrious's Assault Rifles - Forever Firing, taking 7370 damage!
KTS: Ennil El has been defeated!

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

The same angle of attack-- and a terribly similar means of avoiding absolute annihilation. In a strange, twisted way, these two are... mirrors of each other. In motion, perhaps-- but more than that. The way that they both use the transience of their physical forms to evade oblivion. The way that 'pain' no longer matters to their seemingly immortal lives.

That, more than anything-- more than even the rankling parts of his brain that blaze orange and scream sacrilege at the implication that he's somehow anything other than a loyal agent of Dawn-- disgusts him. To be the same in any way to a Hyper Devil-- to this Hyper Devil specifically--

It's disgusting. It crawls in his skin. It feels like rancid pork fat in his ear canal.

Is this what 'immortality' does to something like him? Whether born of Dawn or whatever it is that powers Alexis Kerib-- that power is twisting him.

The sooner the work is done and he can finally end it, the better. Better than ending up like that.

An apocalyptic, utterdark beam sluices through one gate, then the other. It surges towards him, a single point of Dawn amidst a flood of darkness. "Nobody deserves to be eaten alive. Not like this. Not by you. We bring oblivion, but we don't torture. We don't tear people apart piecemeal, or make anyone suffer. Akane... does not deserve to be twisted by a monster like you!" Light gathers in the Gridman's hands. He sweeps his arms overhead, accumulating a brilliant aurora of roiling dawnlight. "She deserves better. She deserves to be happy, to be whole! To give parts of herself to those who love her! Not this-- not you! Grid...!" The darkness presses towards him, threatens to swallow him up, but Sigma stands his ground-- and thrusts his arms forward.

"BEEEEEAAAAAAM!"

A flood of light crashes into the current of dark. Golden light, tinged with the colors of daybreak and morning screams into Alexis Kerib's beam. The two blasts collide, blending into a coruscating, pulsing sphere of antipodal energies...!

Roaring, Sigma presses. Pushes harder. The beam surges, forcing the swirling globe closer and closer to Alexis. It won't be long before those utterly incompatible energies can hold together no longer.

And Sigma-- Takeshi-- aims to catch Alexis Kerib in the catastrophic blast...!

KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Alexis Kerib with Grid Sigma Beam!
KTS: Alexis Kerib blocks Takeshi Todo's Grid Sigma Beam, taking 6490 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Takeshi Todo's Hyperdevil Survivor activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Takeshi Todo roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais watches as Volfogg's AI block is purified, silent... happy, perhaps. It's bittersweet, today.

She lifts the beam launcher off of her shoulder, cables extending out from it to link it to her shoulder. She disengages the link, draining coolant back into herself and pulling the link plate off of her. Setting the weapon down, she looks at Guy, a little sheepish.

"I'm... not supposed to be here, am I?" she asks.

As the fog clears from her head, she remembers, and takes her phone from her pocket.

Beside Guy, she simply looks at her phone. At the Vertex thread.

She knows she was deceived. Pulled into an illusion. But even so...

>this wasnt okay.
>but
>thank you.

"Thank you, Guy... for not giving up on me." She smiles at him.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Akane fires back a response quicker than Alouette was expecting - it creates a knot in her stomach, comparison to High Tension hitting her right in the trauma. The knot fades and only after that, does Alouette respond - only a fraction of that pain emerging in the text.

>If that's what you think, you understood me less than I thought.
>I want to do everything I can to prevent tragedies like that too.
>But not like this, Miss Shinjo.

She should just... discard this cellphone now that she'll have access to her work phone again. But it's the last remaining lifeline between herself and Akane. She can't bring herself to do that, to give up on Akane Shinjo. If Alouette can do anything for her, it's to prevent that tragedy from taking her. One last pair of texts.

>I hope the next time we meet, our understanding can become more honest. For now...
>Au revoir, Miss Shinjo.

<Pose Tracker> GaoGaiGo Team has posed.

The purification works, orange shedding off to reveal a familiar purple. Mamoru and Ikumi look at each other, smiling, before floating back into GaoGaiGo. A hand of the machine, no longer containing such power, grabs Volfogg's core very carefully. They'll need to get both it and the machine back safely to HQ.

>"Hey Alouette, it's Mamoru again. We did it."

>"He's coming home."

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Alexis is no hero. He sees no reason to strain that hard, frankly; running interference for a catastrophic loss on the part of the agents of the Dawn is its own reward. When Takeshi tells him Akane deserves better than himself, he gives a momentary glance back to the purified Volfogg.

"Hm. It seems this part of the game is over for now -- and I have to receive Akane-kun," Alexis notes, as the beams press against each other. "Still... you've skimmed some interesting memories to the surface."

The beam envelops him. It's hard to be sure what happens -- whether Alexis disappears, reverts to his normal size, or some kind of -- secret third thing. What matters is that the second the fight turned against him -- while at the same time, the strategic posture changed against Takeshi's friends --

-- Alexis just up and decided he was done.

In the end, he remains a coward.

---

Akane looks down at her texts from Renais, too.

Oh.

And then from Alouette, too.

... oh.

'Miss Shinjo.'

Maybe she'll just... put her phone back in her pocket.

Things stay so much more straightforward when she doesn't reach out.

KTS: Alexis Kerib's Kyodai Alexis Kerib (Empty) has been disabled.

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

There! They were so close, Rei thinks for a moment as she holds the phone in one hand. The wind whips at her. So much of it up here, so fast. So cold. But she doesn't really feel it.

That strange blurry feeling. Maybe she injured her eyes. The explosion? They're clearing up and going; it's alright.

Kaworu says her name, and it's heartfelt; and Rei stands in the wind, holding the phone up near her mouth to be sure it comes through over the wind. She does not want to stop.

"Towards the free sky without any sadness; I wanna flap my wings... And go

It was a simple song. Something to practice. She had never learned it, of course, but that made it easier, in some ways, to learn the basics. Other songs are more complex, and this one has a slow and simple progression.

"I still dream of those things
"that I've dreamed about when I was little

And it's strange, in its way; the feeling is something like what she felt, watching the light move across the ceiling...

But it's stronger. Vibrant, somehow. This one is -

Better?

She might not say that.

But perhaps she would say she prefers it.

<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.

Back at Junk's terminals, messages from both Guy and Mamoru. She responds to the good news about Volfogg first.

> We did it... I'm glad.

It's a strange feeling, helping to rescue one of the Braves who rescued her in turnso long ago. And to Guy...

>Yes, I'll see you all on the Wadatsumi. And Volfogg too.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

"Feel like that's something I should let you decide," Guy replies to Renais...but he's smiling, just the same. "But no, I don't think so."

And then, when she's done with her phone, he gives her a much more tired smile than he'd ever give anyone else in this situation, and admits, "The hard part was keeping myself from just throwing you over my shoulder and making a run for it."

He watches - Tsutsujidai is burning. He can hear fire trucks. Wadatsumi looms in the sky. If not for the Maintenance Kaiju, he'd have ordered the Carpenters out to deal with the area Goldy photonized. But...right now...

Right now what he does is reach over and, with a body clad in an ID Suit that can actually handle her heat for a time, pull Renais into a short hug.

"I told you I'd have your back," he says. "I'm sorry it took a little bit."

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

The knife rises and falls. Rises and falls. The rhythm would be hypnotic, even comforting --

If it just came with a moment of silence. But he won't even give her that. The saber hisses, meets the blade, orange light searing in punctured joints. The beast is keening, bleeding, thrashing --

<<"...she's going to hate me.">>

The Dawn seizes at her. It doesn't matter that her limbs are broken. It doesn't matter that all the joy has gone out of the violence; she has an obligation.

Until the universe is quiet, she won't be allowed to rest.

The Dreissen's arm snaps up, pressed against the field that coruscates out from the red giant. Orange light coruscates, three barrels scorching hot, a shot at this intimate range as likely to blow off the machine's wrist as make any lasting impact.

Fortunately, Mari chooses this moment to perform her own act of kindness. There's only so much that even Triple Zero can do -- There has to be enough body to move. Forced to choose between violence and preserving itself, the Dreissen lurches, the barrels cool...

<<"Yeah? ...then go ahead. Don't let me ruin it for you.">>

The Dreissen is crumbling. Sheer physical impossibility is catching up with it. It blasts through the streets, peeling apart, dragging her with it.

At the very least, she won't let go of this.

<Pose Tracker> Renais Cardiff has posed.

Renais tenses up as she's pulled into a hug, arms at her sides--not sure what to do.

But after a few moments, slowly, she raises them, and they wrap around Guy's middle, hugging him tight. She's conscious to keep her gauntlet hand against the metal of Guy's armor, rather than the bodysuit. She squeezes, burying her face in his shoulder.

"Thank you. Thank you for helping me, and..."

She lets go, pushing herself away from Guy. She doesn't want to hurt him.

"Thank you for not pulling me out by force. I know it must have been hard... but in a state like that..."

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

The dust clears. In the wake of it all, Alexis Kerib is... Gone.

Not dead. Definitely not dead. Sigma-- Takeshi-- can tell, that... was not the way that Hyper Devils go down. Not as a side-show to anyone else. Certainly not without first trying to take everything and everyone else down with them.

Volfogg... Is lost. That was a given, admittedly, as soon as the two Brave Kings unleashed their Double Hell and Heaven simultaneously. The fact that there was anything left of the ninja is testament to his resilience, and their unwillingness to hurt a friend, presumably.

But it is nevertheless a loss they will feel keenly. Even then...

Even then, they learned much today. That GaoGaiGar has somehow returned. That Alexis Kerib both exists and is a nigh-immortal monster.

Takeshi stares long after the disappeared Hyper Devil. His colossal form remains in Tsutsujidai for a moment longer, before vanishing in another portal of dawn-light.

This isn't the end. He has the Hyper Devil's scent, now. He'll... have to come back. He can't just let this go.

But, only after making a few preparations.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        As Kaworu brings down that knife to sever the Dressier's limbs, it spitefully unloads a blast to attempt to snap Unit-02's wrist. It doesn't quite manage that, but it does catch on the blade of the prog knife, redirecting the thrust to avoid fully severing anything. But it still keeps them in place long enough for Mari to unleash with both barrels. Unit-02 nimbly leaps to one side to get out of the way, and she and Kaworu both watch as Ennil is forced to retreat.
        
        She isn't the only one. Alexis Kerib is also gone; Volfogg has been cleansed of the Dawn. And through it all, Rei sings her clumsy, wonderful song.
        
        Eyes still shut, Kaworu hums along, Unit-02 standing vigil over the battlefield. He'll join in on Mari's 'date' with Rei in a moment or two. For now, he simply basks in this sound, and in the freedom that now rings through the city.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

Just a moment. Guy's always been a physical person with people he cares about, from Mamoru all the way to Mikoto. Maybe it shows how far he's come from walking past Renais in the halls to actively looking for ways to bridge this gap.

He does step back to let her have space after she pushes back. Neither of them is all too familiar with it - and it is, indeed, not quite safe. Not just yet. "It wouldn't have worked," he says, and nods. "Just made it worse, probably. Maybe even scarred you for after, too. I guess Intelligence will get their profile out soon, but my best figuring was it...preyed on pain that was really there, just buried deeper than you'd usually act on."

"So I trusted you," he says, turning and watching as Sigma vanishes. "In the Brave I know you are."

<Pose Tracker> Mari Makinami Illustrious has posed.

'Don't let me ruin it for you.'

<"Of course not!"> assures Mari, watching the falling Dreissen as it falls apart; she doesn't pursue. Instead -- Unit-04 wiggles its bloodied(?) fingers as the Triple Zero-warped machine flees.

<"You helped enrich it!">

It's a sing-songed "until we meet again~" that sees Ennil off, before the Evangelion turns about. After all, she meant what she said: she has a date to keep. The singing continues. And slowly, Unit-04 walks forward, past ruin and fire, past its bloody trails as it scores more in its wake...

... until she can hear that song from within the cockpit, from that open line of communication -- and from the open air.

Until she is close enough to the roof of that building, that Evangelion Unit-04 can turn, back faced to it, back faced to Rei singing upon it, crouch...

... and release a hydraulic hiss as its entry plug is half-ejected from its back.

The hatch pops open. And from it emerges Mari, dripping LCL, glassesless and grinning an easy going grin.

"I generously accept your answer," announces Mari to the open air. "You may keep my gift."

And with that -- the brown-haired, unnumbered Child of NERV grips the open hatch of her Entry Plug, using it like an anchor so that she might lean forward across the gap separating Evangelion from rooftop...

... and offer Rei her hand. All else, she doesn't notice. Not right now.

"I'm here to escort you home, Ms. Rei Ayanami~."

After all, dates are very important to Mari Makinami Illustrious.

<Pose Tracker> Rei Ayanami has posed.

The Dreissen - a Zeon mobile suit, Rei recognizes abstractly. (That wasn't a school class, of course.)

(It was a spotting course when she was, perhaps, twelve. In case.)

But it was aflame with that strange orange light. The breath of the Oath Over Omega. Rei thinks back, for a moment, as the song finishes; as the magic leaves her lips; to Orbit Base.

And yet -

And yet, Eva-04 prevails. Or at the least, drives the enemy away.

The great machine comes closer. For once, that cosmic feeling, the sense of great motion, is before her, not behind her. That cloudiness in her eyes is gone. The shift of the Evangelion makes her hair waft the other way, and when the hatch opens, and Mari comes out, Rei -

smiles -

despite the tear tracks on her face, and she steps forwards, and she reaches out with tentative caution to make that single great step across a nine-story gulf. Inwards - letting herself roll ahead, into the Entry Plug, a place of safety, a seat for a soul.

Once she is in, Rei reaches up to her blouse pocket. She digs in there and finds something.

"Mari," Rei says.

There is a subtle crisp click-tap, very tiny, easily overlooked.

"..."

Her head tilts down, back still turned to Mari in relative terms.

"... I don't want to be alone."

She looks over her shoulder, and shifts round; actually standing up to turn, though not quite all the way. (The entry plug isn't that large.) She reaches forwards, holding the glasses to which she was entrusted - she maneuvers them carefully, perhaps with terminal guidance from their owners.

To put them back on Mari's face.

"I have room, I think."

"Stay with me," Rei says, although her head turns away afterwards, pushing out a breath. Perhaps in shyness, perhaps simply to get ready for the familiar surge of LCL.

(Later, during the return - whether journey or portage or some combination - Rei says, with a sort of shyness, "She was, I think, lonely; but I think her heart was kind.")