Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Third Annual Mediaminer.org Big Fanfiction Contest/Award Ceremony/Oscars/Emmies/Golden Globes Thingie! ❯ Science Fiction/Fantasy ( Chapter 9 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: PsyWeedle 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Drama / | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 02.22.2005 | Pages: 9 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 432 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Drama / | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 02.22.2005 | Pages: 9 | Words: 8.1K | Visits: 432 | Status: Completed
Special thanks to all of Mediaminer.org for helping in the contest.
Special thanks to the creators of anime for giving us inspiration for stories.
Special thanks to NBC for letting us borrow the auditorium.
No thanks to those responsible for censorship laws.
Special Thanks to Beanie Babies.
Special Thanks to Battlestar Galactica. The name just rolls off your tongue, doesn't it? ^_~
**
The commercial break ends and Psy and Fan are back on stage at the podium, waiting for their chance to announce the Judge of the second to last category.
“Welcome back! I'd just like to take this opportunity to say that the fourth season of Enterprise has been really kick ass and I'm sorry to see it go.” Psy announced to everyone.
“Author's own viewpoints coming into things again?” Fan asked.
“Better believe it. All right, folks! And now, the Judge of Scifi/Fantasy - Sonicwind123!”
The man walked out onto the stage, taking the podium from the two officators of the contest. Sonicwind123 smiled and began:
“Our first award is the `Man is a Feeling Creature Award.' This is named off of the final lines of dialogue that Peter Graves spoke in the movie It Conquered the World. Essentially, this is about the Best Moral or theme displayed in a science fiction or fantasy story. And the winner is... Hearts and Minds by Bizmarck and the theme of: Inactivity is a choice, you can never blame others for anything that has happened to you, somewhere somehow it was your choice, and you can change things any time you like, right now in fact!”
*Excerpt*
Unit 00 swayed for a second before collapsing forward into the dirt.
Kaworu, still kneeling in his last pose, calmly stood back up, sheathing his
sword slowly, he looked around. All around him were fallen Evas and their
discarded weapons. Given the cleanliness of the now exposed bedrock, the debris
looked almost clinical, the metal and organic matter shining and steaming in the
hot afternoon sun. Casually Kaworu walked over to the edge of the crater.
Looking down he could see the end of the lance sticking up.
About to move Kaworus eye caught a figure standing opposite him on the other
side of the crater. It was unit 01.
Shinjis comms link flicked on in Kaworus Eva.
“Kaworus, what have you done?!” asked Shinji exasperated, all around he could
see the fallen Evas of his friends.
“Merely what had to be done” said Kaworu calmly. “The will of the Lilin is
strong, though your decisions are never unanimous, it is the stronger amongst
you that forge a path for the masses”
Shinji eyed his opponent warily. He had heard this type of talk before, looking
down at his consol he had only 3 minutes of power left. Looking around it was
clear that no one remained capable to help destroy the lance, there was only one
alternative, Kaworus had to be destroyed. Tears welling up in his eyes, Shinji
made up his mind.
“Come on you bastard this ends here! Once and for all!!” screamed Shinji,
preparing his sword and racing down the crater side. Kaworu, standing calmly on
the far side simply said.
“If that is you wish” calmly and curtly. Drawing his own sword, Kaworu also
started to run down his side of the crater. Meeting roughly in the middle the
two Evas leapt the last 100m towards each other, the swords clashing violently.
Landing roughly Shinji spun around and soon the two were in a close combat
exchange. Swords clashing heavily, they caught each other in alternative sweeps,
the blades coming to rest against each other as both sides used brute strength
to try to push the other away. Thinking quick Shinji deployed his progressive
knife. Using his left hand he snatched the hilt sending it towards the head of
the dark Eva. Kaworu however, was ready, catching Shinjis Evas wrist with his
own hand. Now locked in two grips, the two pilots struggled against each other,
for the first time Shinji saw Kaworu really strain himself, as Eva unit 01
started to apply all its hidden power to accomplish its pilots desire. Countdown
continuing, Shinjis cockpit turned red as the final 180 seconds of his power
began to run down.
Unaware to Shinji, Rei had ejected from the entry plug and had made her way to
the edge of the crater. Looking down she saw the two units strain against each
other, locked in the final struggle.
“Damn it Kaworu if only there was more time!!!” screamed Shinji, as he prepared
for his final effort.
“More time” said Kaworu breaking his mask of concentration. Now calm, Kaworu
looked up at Rei, standing there normally, as if nothing in the world were the
matter. She seemed relaxed, looking back at Kaworu, Reis form began to glow.
Smiling Kaworu looked back at Shinji .
“Time is relative” he said simply.
Shinjis world went black. Blinking once or twice in the new environment, he was
completely disorientated. Then in front of him he saw a single drop of liquid
hit an invisible sea, the ripples extending out rhythmically.
“Hu?” he said aloud.
Changing to a more relaxed pose, Shinji blinked a bit more.
Finally looking to his left he saw the white naked figure of Rei, standing
alone, a way off, seemingly standing on nothing at all. She calmly began to walk
over to Shinji. Shinji didn't react, simply turning his head back. And there,
standing right in front of him, was the figure of Kaworu. Shinji jumped back a
bit, the sudden appearance of the naked boy so close to him giving him a start.
“Nagisa!” said Shinji surprised. Smiling, Kaworu tilted his head.
“You know my second name?” he said pleasantly. Shinji still a little
disorientated, calmed a bit.
“Yes of course I do Kaworu, we've met before” said Shinji.
“Ahh yes” said Kaworu in his usual casual tone. “In my last life. I was told we
had fought.”
His face, as always, gave nothing away other then pleasantness. Shinji wondered
what else he had been `told'.
“Kaworu, where is this, why are we here.” he said more businesslike, remembering
the mission. Kaworu looked across at Rei.
“This is simply a different plane of consciousness” he said. “One not so
effected by the restraints of time”
Kaworu bowed slightly as Rei got closer, Rei in return simply looked at him.
“I was simply curious why a Lilith and one half born of Lilin would have the
same request” he said finally. Rei had moved next to Shinji and had looped one
arm around his.
“And what request would that be” said Rei calmly.
“To find an alternative to combat, of course.” he said smiling, and with that he
sat on the invisible floor, legs crossed in front of him. Shinji looked over at
Rei then back at Kaworu.
“Of course we don't want to fight, I don't want to hurt you” said Shinji again,
he and Rei joined Kaworu on the floor.
“You have destroyed me before” said Kaworu, still not hinting at any malice at
all.
“That was at your request!” said Shinji defensively, almost getting back up
again.
Kaworu simply observed Shinji for a second, facial expression not changing from
one of contentment.
“It is true, you sacrificed yourself so that Shinji alone would decide the fate
of mankind” said Rei calmly. She was still holding onto Shinji.
Kaworu looked from one to the other.
“Under what circumstances?” he said pleasantly.
“You were in unit 01s grasp directly in front of Lilith. Your and my AT field
encased all these elements as well as having contact with Adam” said Rei. The
three looked at each other for a while longer.
“Yet here I am again.” said Kaworu after a while. “Once more trying for the
instrumentality of mankind”
Kaworu calmly raised his hand, making one sweep from left to right. All around
him Shinji saw the appearance of figures. He could see Musashi, Keita and Asuka,
as well as a woman next to Asuka, looking to his left he could see his mother.
“Mother?” he said surprised. He looked at her for a while, she was floating,
eyes closed in a standing position, her hair playing in an invisible wind, head
back but otherwise limp. He looked at her for a second then back around, in the
distance he could make a faint dot of light.
“Mana” he said softly to himself. Looking closer he could see other figures as
well. Next to Keita and Musashi were other figures, they were Kaworu. Looking
back to where Rei had come from he could see another Rei, this one floating just
like his mother.
“The souls of Evangelion” said Shinji, obviously amazed at what he was seeing.
“Not all of them” said Rei, keeping a fixed stare on Kaworu. “Some of them are
the shadows of souls” she said coldly, looking back at the shadowy Rei, Shinji
noticed that it was relatively transparent, no where near as brilliant as the
sleeping form of Asuka or the floating form of who he assumed to be Asukas
mother.
“All that you see around you” said Kaworu, looking around “All this has been
created by Lilin, by your own kind… Rei, I myself and even your own Eva, have
been created for one purpose” he looked at Shinji “Human instrumentality.”
Kaworu smiled for a second. “And now, you would use the same tools to stop that,
for which they were designed for?”
“It was a mistake” said Shinji, a little desperately, he was starting to get the
impression that he was on trial.
“One would not think that a mistake could exist over such a long period of time,
consume so many resources, effect so many people, and not be recognised as
such.” said Kaworu.
“This mistake was perpetuated by one organisation, by only a small group of
people, they don't represent the desires of mankind!” said Shinji desperately.
“Yet mankind did nothing to stop this” said Kaworu evenly. “New Ideas and
interpretations must always come from an individual, or a small group. But it is
societies choice whether to follow or not.”
“Mankind was never given a choice in this!” replied Shinji angrily. Kaworu
looked at Shinji for a second as if reading his mind, then calmly as always
said.
“Inactivity is a choice, everyone's choice” Kaworu said. Shinji, stunned,
remembered back to his fight with Tojis Eva, his inactivity had been his choice,
choosing not to act did not absolve a person of responsibility.
As if reading Shinjis mind Kaworu continued “And just as what can effect an
individuals choice, is the individuals responsibility, so is what can effect a
society, societies responsibility.”
Shinji listening to this, strained a little mentally to follow.
“Mankind has allowed for this circumstance to occur, through its own making. The
collective choices of all Lilin have culminated in the control over its fate by
a small organisation, and now by a small group of individuals.” he said looking
from Rei to Shinji
“That should never be the case” said Shinji, steadfast.
“Perhaps not, but it is.” replied Kaworu. “It has already occurred once before.”
he said looking at Shinji.
“That time you allowed Shinji to decide for all mankind” said Rei calmly.
“It would appear so” replied Kaworu.
“Why then would you go against his wishes now?” continued Rei.
“An individuals choices are dependent on circumstance, the effect of that choice
is also dependent on circumstance” said Kaworu, and looking at Rei, he added.
“And the individual.”
Rei looked at him for a second.
“The last time your choice was Shinji” said Rei.
“I am also tied to the bonds of circumstance, my decisions are reached by the
environment I find my self in, and by past events that I have experienced, just
as you have.” he said pleasantly. Reis eyes opened a little as she contemplated
her own mind set, would she have simply followed orders? Even just after her 3rd
reincarnation? Realisation came hard, she would have still simply followed
orders, regardless of her experience in the past life, she could remember
nothing, doing the will of Gendo was her only purpose, doing the will of Lilin.
It had only changed after her interaction with Shinji. Rei looked over at Shinji
who, by his expression, was obviously contemplating things. It had been his
choice to interact with her on a personal level, he had been the first. And
through this she had begun to value the choices of others, of people other then
Gendo, the commander. Looking back at Kaworu she gave him a small knowing smile,
he simply smiled back as always, she then turned to Shinji, saying.
“Choices are dependant on circumstance, dependent on experiences, dependent on
the individual” she said softly. “You will make the right choice.”
Shinji, looking a little confused, looked at her. Looking back at Kaworu the
images began to fade, “Kaworu! Rei! Wait!” yelled Shinji. It was too late, the
images were gone, suddenly however he could see a light, waiting for their
return he was somewhat shocked to find himself back in his Eva, Kaworu right in
front of him, they were both straining in their struggle to kill each other.
Looking at his screen he had 3 minutes left.
“I will not let this happen!” he screamed. Allowing Kaworus weight to push him
backwards Shinji twisted the body of his Eva, guiding Kaworu past him. Spinning
around 360 degrees his hands were able to break Kaworus grip and he swung around
fully with the blade sweeping around in a graceful ark behind him, quick to
react Kaworu was ready, having turned around to deflect. Shinji pressed the
attack, dropping the progressive knife he swept up in a low ark knocking Kaworus
blade vertical. Still using the same sweep Shinji curved the blade back down and
around 270 degrees to deliver a powerful double handed horizontal slash to the
side of Kaworus now vertical blade, cutting it in two just above the hilt. Not
finished, Shinji continued to spin around with his momentum delivering a kick to
Kaworus mid-section, causing him to fall backwards and slide a way on the
ground. Standing back erect, Shinji calmly walked over to Kaworus Eva. Kaworu,
unfazed and still lying on the ground, simply leaned up on the dark Evas elbows.
Shinji, sword still in hand, pointed it loosely at Kaworus middle.
“So what is your choice, Lilin?” said Kaworu in his usual cool manner, unknown
to Shinji his palm had begun to glow. Shinji looking down at him, still panting,
waited a few seconds, battery down to 2 minutes.
“I will not destroy you” said Shinji determinedly, in-between heavy pants, the
adrenaline still cursing through his veins.
“You will help me destroy the lance” he finished. Kaworu, still smiling, said.
“And if I do not?”
“I would rather postpone the destruction of the lance, and the ending of the
threat of instrumentality, and even risk the possibility of SEELE still gaining
future control of the lance, then destroy your existence again. If you do not
help me, I will simply throw the lance back into orbit.” he said, serious in
every way.
With that Eva unit 01 walked over to the lance, pulling it up from the ground
with its free hand. Kaworu in the meantime had gotten back up, and walked slowly
towards Shinji.
“You have decided for more time, but in such a way that you are once more risk
the possible future abortion of mankind. And all this to allow for your Lilin
compassion, and this for a creatures life that is not even human, and one that
many would consider your enemy.” said Kaworu calmly.
“You are truly a species borne of hope, yours is not the future that should die”
he said evenly. Shinji smiled, thinking back to similar words Kaworu had said
during their first fight. Noting that he had only about 1 minute left Shinji
threw the sword he was still holding to Kaworu, who caught it casually, as if
expecting it. Spreading his feet apart Shinji held out the lance in front of
him, Kaworu only meters away. Shinji screamed out.
“AT field maximum!” The hexagonal field appeared suddenly, accompanied by the
usual rush of wind and bright lights. Twisting and turning the field began to
distort around the lance, until the lance changed color from red to purple.
Walking up, and without another word Kaworu raised the sword and brought it down
hard, connecting with the centre of the lance. Shinji, looking down, closed his
eyes, it didn't help, the flash of light went straight through him.
From orbit you could see the cross, standing 1000s of km out of the atmosphere,
glowing like a galactic beacon, almost half the globe could see the massive
column of light towering above the horizon, hands of the cross stretching across
almost half the diameter of the earth.
Back on earth Shinji was yelling, the light and sound overloading his senses,
his hands burning with unfeeling energy, it lasted almost a full 30 seconds.
Finally loosing breath to yell Shinji calmed as the light slowly faded.
Expecting to find himself back in his Eva the fading light revealed something
totally unexpected, the open air. Shinji blinked. The light was still very
bright, but now he could clearly make out his surroundings. Looking around he
could see bright traces of light, they were floating upwards, thousands of them,
as far as the eye could see, great beacons of light slowly floating upwards into
the heavens. Against the still dusty backdrop the scene was quite simply
beautiful. Smiling, Shinji couldn't help but admire the view. Looking forward he
saw Kaworu, arms stretched, floating 20m or so above the ground. Looking back
around he could see nothing of the unit 01, or for that matter any trace of any
Eva. Looking around he saw Asuka a way off, looking closer he could see that she
was talking to a figure, one standing just in-front of her, floating 1m above
the ground. Asuka, as if feeling his gaze upon her, turned to look at him. She
gave him one of the most heart-warming smiles he had ever seen her give, turning
back, she started to talk to her mother again.
`Mother' Shinji suddenly thought to himself. Spinning back around he was not
shocked to find the naked, floating figure of his mother.
“Mother!” Shinji said overjoyed, but unable to move.
“Hello my little Shinji” said Yui tenderly. Tears were present in her eyes,
Shinjis eyes were also beginning to well up.
“I am so proud of you” Yui said. Shinji, still struck dumb with joy, simply
continued to grin.
“You were able to undo what I had started.” she said, still smiling.
“Mother, no. Its not your fault” said Shinji in a caring tone. Yui just looked
at him, smiling.
“No Shinji, I and your father were simply wrong, we should not have looked to
science to bring man closer to god, we were seduced by SEELE, blinded by our
arrogance.” she continued.
“But you did not know that” said Shinji, still concerned.
“You are right” said Yui sweetly. “Yet we continued anyway”
“Knowledge without wisdom is a dangerous thing.” she added.
“And it took someone, so young.” Yui reached out with her hand touching Shinjis
face lightly “to see the basic wisdom, we, with our knowledge and arrogance had
forgotten”
Shinji lifted his own hand placing it on his mothers.
“I'm not sure I understand” said Shinji smiling again. Yui chuckled lightly to
herself, bringing up her other hand she held Shinjis face in her hands.
“That's O.K” she said lightly. “Just remember, no matter how old you get, no
matter how complicated the world gets and how much you change, simply be human.”
She lowered herself to kiss Shinji tenderly on the forehead and floated down a
little, taking Shinji into a tender embrace. They stayed like that for a while,
simply enjoying the moment. Shinji released his mother, he looking at her fondly
for a second.
“Thank you Shinji” Yui said simply. Beginning to float up slowly.
Shinji, completely at a loss, as to what to say, simply said.
“I love you”
Looking up at her he added “And thank you.”
He continued to smile.
“I will always love you Shinji. Remember I will always be there for you” Yui
said smiling. And with that final smile she slowly vanished. Shinji, blinking,
continued to smile for a while and then slowly looking back around, he noticed
that Asuka was hugging her mother, she did not appear to be going anywhere.
Shinji smiled to himself, he knew where his mother had gone. Turning around he
saw Musashi and Keita on the ridge, they had made their way over from their
final positions, both looking up into the sky, amazed. Rei was already halfway
down the Ridge. Shinji gave her a smile, which she returned. Turning back Shinji
took a couple of steps towards Kaworu who was slowly floating back to the
ground. He landed, lowering his arms and opening his eyes, he smiled at Shinji.
Shinji walked over to him.
“You have done all this?” Shinji said, smiling.
“You still do not see the truth?” said Kaworu with a smile. Shinji gave him a
puzzled look.
“I have done nothing but the will of Lilin” he said “I could not do otherwise,
the choice has always been, and will always be yours”
Shinji was still confused. But remembered back to their earlier discussion on
society.
“And just as what can effect an individuals choice is the individuals
responsibility, so is what can effect a society, societies responsibility.”
Kaworu had said.
“I am also tied to the bonds of circumstance, my decisions are reached by the
environment I find my self in, and by past events that I have experienced, just
as you have.” he had said.
Shinji thought about the comment. How close had mankind come to its own
annihilation? Would it ever know? Would it ever learn? Shinji smiled, humanity
has no choice but to continue, to keep trying.
“How powerful are you Kaworu?” asked Shinji. Kaworu simply looked at him, as if
waiting for him to continue. Shinji recognising a bit of Rei in his manner so he
continued.
“Can you cause third impact on your own?” Shinji looked back around, admiring
the view.
“You know the answer to that question” Kaworu said with a smile. Turning a
little he faced Rei who had walked up to the two standing boys, she was still in
her plug suite.
“Hello pilot Ayanami” said Kaworu pleasantly. Rei smiling, looked at him,
stopping she tilted her head a little as if contemplating.
“You intend to stay amongst us, do you not” she said. Shinji, surprised by her
action, looked at her a little bemused.
“Yes, that was my intention” he said still smiling.
“Then as a new friend, I think you should call me Rei” she said with a smile.
Kaworu responded with a slightly bigger smile then usual. The upwards travelling
lights started to fade a little, and the number of lights emerging from the
ground began to slow, hearing a voice Shinji turned around, Asuka was running
down the side of the crater, shouting out.
“Hey Shinji!” Asuka yelled, running fast.
“Shinji, Rei! We did it! We won!! Its over!” she yelled, still running towards
the small group. Shinji hadn't even thought about it, but the idea slowly began
to sink in. This was it, it really was over, only now had it struck him.
“Its over” he said smiling, allowing the emotions to take over he got a little
more enthused.
“We did it!” he said, excitement growing. He looked over at Rei as if seeing
her for the first time.
“Its actually over!” he said to her. Smiling broadly Rei replied.
“And we all made it through.”
Shinji, moved over, giving her a huge hug and spun her around on the spot. Rei
returned the hug and the two laughing. Shinji had barely released her when Asuka
finally closed the distance, jumping at Shinji to exchanging another big hug.
That accomplished, she moved onto Rei, joy overtaking the two human pilots.
Behind them Keita and Musashi had run up to join them, caught in the moment the
young pilots exchanged handshakes, hugs and slaps on the back as they allowed
themselves a celebration. Musashi, Asuka and Keita however were slightly taken
aback by the fact that Kaworu was naked, but without any other form of clothing
there was little any of them could do about it.
“Is Mana O.K” asked Musashi to Shinji, while they were congratulating each
other.
“Yep, she's fine” replied Shinji with a grin. “We should make our way over”
Agreeing the small party headed off.
Kaworu, still kneeling in his last pose, calmly stood back up, sheathing his
sword slowly, he looked around. All around him were fallen Evas and their
discarded weapons. Given the cleanliness of the now exposed bedrock, the debris
looked almost clinical, the metal and organic matter shining and steaming in the
hot afternoon sun. Casually Kaworu walked over to the edge of the crater.
Looking down he could see the end of the lance sticking up.
About to move Kaworus eye caught a figure standing opposite him on the other
side of the crater. It was unit 01.
Shinjis comms link flicked on in Kaworus Eva.
“Kaworus, what have you done?!” asked Shinji exasperated, all around he could
see the fallen Evas of his friends.
“Merely what had to be done” said Kaworu calmly. “The will of the Lilin is
strong, though your decisions are never unanimous, it is the stronger amongst
you that forge a path for the masses”
Shinji eyed his opponent warily. He had heard this type of talk before, looking
down at his consol he had only 3 minutes of power left. Looking around it was
clear that no one remained capable to help destroy the lance, there was only one
alternative, Kaworus had to be destroyed. Tears welling up in his eyes, Shinji
made up his mind.
“Come on you bastard this ends here! Once and for all!!” screamed Shinji,
preparing his sword and racing down the crater side. Kaworu, standing calmly on
the far side simply said.
“If that is you wish” calmly and curtly. Drawing his own sword, Kaworu also
started to run down his side of the crater. Meeting roughly in the middle the
two Evas leapt the last 100m towards each other, the swords clashing violently.
Landing roughly Shinji spun around and soon the two were in a close combat
exchange. Swords clashing heavily, they caught each other in alternative sweeps,
the blades coming to rest against each other as both sides used brute strength
to try to push the other away. Thinking quick Shinji deployed his progressive
knife. Using his left hand he snatched the hilt sending it towards the head of
the dark Eva. Kaworu however, was ready, catching Shinjis Evas wrist with his
own hand. Now locked in two grips, the two pilots struggled against each other,
for the first time Shinji saw Kaworu really strain himself, as Eva unit 01
started to apply all its hidden power to accomplish its pilots desire. Countdown
continuing, Shinjis cockpit turned red as the final 180 seconds of his power
began to run down.
Unaware to Shinji, Rei had ejected from the entry plug and had made her way to
the edge of the crater. Looking down she saw the two units strain against each
other, locked in the final struggle.
“Damn it Kaworu if only there was more time!!!” screamed Shinji, as he prepared
for his final effort.
“More time” said Kaworu breaking his mask of concentration. Now calm, Kaworu
looked up at Rei, standing there normally, as if nothing in the world were the
matter. She seemed relaxed, looking back at Kaworu, Reis form began to glow.
Smiling Kaworu looked back at Shinji .
“Time is relative” he said simply.
Shinjis world went black. Blinking once or twice in the new environment, he was
completely disorientated. Then in front of him he saw a single drop of liquid
hit an invisible sea, the ripples extending out rhythmically.
“Hu?” he said aloud.
Changing to a more relaxed pose, Shinji blinked a bit more.
Finally looking to his left he saw the white naked figure of Rei, standing
alone, a way off, seemingly standing on nothing at all. She calmly began to walk
over to Shinji. Shinji didn't react, simply turning his head back. And there,
standing right in front of him, was the figure of Kaworu. Shinji jumped back a
bit, the sudden appearance of the naked boy so close to him giving him a start.
“Nagisa!” said Shinji surprised. Smiling, Kaworu tilted his head.
“You know my second name?” he said pleasantly. Shinji still a little
disorientated, calmed a bit.
“Yes of course I do Kaworu, we've met before” said Shinji.
“Ahh yes” said Kaworu in his usual casual tone. “In my last life. I was told we
had fought.”
His face, as always, gave nothing away other then pleasantness. Shinji wondered
what else he had been `told'.
“Kaworu, where is this, why are we here.” he said more businesslike, remembering
the mission. Kaworu looked across at Rei.
“This is simply a different plane of consciousness” he said. “One not so
effected by the restraints of time”
Kaworu bowed slightly as Rei got closer, Rei in return simply looked at him.
“I was simply curious why a Lilith and one half born of Lilin would have the
same request” he said finally. Rei had moved next to Shinji and had looped one
arm around his.
“And what request would that be” said Rei calmly.
“To find an alternative to combat, of course.” he said smiling, and with that he
sat on the invisible floor, legs crossed in front of him. Shinji looked over at
Rei then back at Kaworu.
“Of course we don't want to fight, I don't want to hurt you” said Shinji again,
he and Rei joined Kaworu on the floor.
“You have destroyed me before” said Kaworu, still not hinting at any malice at
all.
“That was at your request!” said Shinji defensively, almost getting back up
again.
Kaworu simply observed Shinji for a second, facial expression not changing from
one of contentment.
“It is true, you sacrificed yourself so that Shinji alone would decide the fate
of mankind” said Rei calmly. She was still holding onto Shinji.
Kaworu looked from one to the other.
“Under what circumstances?” he said pleasantly.
“You were in unit 01s grasp directly in front of Lilith. Your and my AT field
encased all these elements as well as having contact with Adam” said Rei. The
three looked at each other for a while longer.
“Yet here I am again.” said Kaworu after a while. “Once more trying for the
instrumentality of mankind”
Kaworu calmly raised his hand, making one sweep from left to right. All around
him Shinji saw the appearance of figures. He could see Musashi, Keita and Asuka,
as well as a woman next to Asuka, looking to his left he could see his mother.
“Mother?” he said surprised. He looked at her for a while, she was floating,
eyes closed in a standing position, her hair playing in an invisible wind, head
back but otherwise limp. He looked at her for a second then back around, in the
distance he could make a faint dot of light.
“Mana” he said softly to himself. Looking closer he could see other figures as
well. Next to Keita and Musashi were other figures, they were Kaworu. Looking
back to where Rei had come from he could see another Rei, this one floating just
like his mother.
“The souls of Evangelion” said Shinji, obviously amazed at what he was seeing.
“Not all of them” said Rei, keeping a fixed stare on Kaworu. “Some of them are
the shadows of souls” she said coldly, looking back at the shadowy Rei, Shinji
noticed that it was relatively transparent, no where near as brilliant as the
sleeping form of Asuka or the floating form of who he assumed to be Asukas
mother.
“All that you see around you” said Kaworu, looking around “All this has been
created by Lilin, by your own kind… Rei, I myself and even your own Eva, have
been created for one purpose” he looked at Shinji “Human instrumentality.”
Kaworu smiled for a second. “And now, you would use the same tools to stop that,
for which they were designed for?”
“It was a mistake” said Shinji, a little desperately, he was starting to get the
impression that he was on trial.
“One would not think that a mistake could exist over such a long period of time,
consume so many resources, effect so many people, and not be recognised as
such.” said Kaworu.
“This mistake was perpetuated by one organisation, by only a small group of
people, they don't represent the desires of mankind!” said Shinji desperately.
“Yet mankind did nothing to stop this” said Kaworu evenly. “New Ideas and
interpretations must always come from an individual, or a small group. But it is
societies choice whether to follow or not.”
“Mankind was never given a choice in this!” replied Shinji angrily. Kaworu
looked at Shinji for a second as if reading his mind, then calmly as always
said.
“Inactivity is a choice, everyone's choice” Kaworu said. Shinji, stunned,
remembered back to his fight with Tojis Eva, his inactivity had been his choice,
choosing not to act did not absolve a person of responsibility.
As if reading Shinjis mind Kaworu continued “And just as what can effect an
individuals choice, is the individuals responsibility, so is what can effect a
society, societies responsibility.”
Shinji listening to this, strained a little mentally to follow.
“Mankind has allowed for this circumstance to occur, through its own making. The
collective choices of all Lilin have culminated in the control over its fate by
a small organisation, and now by a small group of individuals.” he said looking
from Rei to Shinji
“That should never be the case” said Shinji, steadfast.
“Perhaps not, but it is.” replied Kaworu. “It has already occurred once before.”
he said looking at Shinji.
“That time you allowed Shinji to decide for all mankind” said Rei calmly.
“It would appear so” replied Kaworu.
“Why then would you go against his wishes now?” continued Rei.
“An individuals choices are dependent on circumstance, the effect of that choice
is also dependent on circumstance” said Kaworu, and looking at Rei, he added.
“And the individual.”
Rei looked at him for a second.
“The last time your choice was Shinji” said Rei.
“I am also tied to the bonds of circumstance, my decisions are reached by the
environment I find my self in, and by past events that I have experienced, just
as you have.” he said pleasantly. Reis eyes opened a little as she contemplated
her own mind set, would she have simply followed orders? Even just after her 3rd
reincarnation? Realisation came hard, she would have still simply followed
orders, regardless of her experience in the past life, she could remember
nothing, doing the will of Gendo was her only purpose, doing the will of Lilin.
It had only changed after her interaction with Shinji. Rei looked over at Shinji
who, by his expression, was obviously contemplating things. It had been his
choice to interact with her on a personal level, he had been the first. And
through this she had begun to value the choices of others, of people other then
Gendo, the commander. Looking back at Kaworu she gave him a small knowing smile,
he simply smiled back as always, she then turned to Shinji, saying.
“Choices are dependant on circumstance, dependent on experiences, dependent on
the individual” she said softly. “You will make the right choice.”
Shinji, looking a little confused, looked at her. Looking back at Kaworu the
images began to fade, “Kaworu! Rei! Wait!” yelled Shinji. It was too late, the
images were gone, suddenly however he could see a light, waiting for their
return he was somewhat shocked to find himself back in his Eva, Kaworu right in
front of him, they were both straining in their struggle to kill each other.
Looking at his screen he had 3 minutes left.
“I will not let this happen!” he screamed. Allowing Kaworus weight to push him
backwards Shinji twisted the body of his Eva, guiding Kaworu past him. Spinning
around 360 degrees his hands were able to break Kaworus grip and he swung around
fully with the blade sweeping around in a graceful ark behind him, quick to
react Kaworu was ready, having turned around to deflect. Shinji pressed the
attack, dropping the progressive knife he swept up in a low ark knocking Kaworus
blade vertical. Still using the same sweep Shinji curved the blade back down and
around 270 degrees to deliver a powerful double handed horizontal slash to the
side of Kaworus now vertical blade, cutting it in two just above the hilt. Not
finished, Shinji continued to spin around with his momentum delivering a kick to
Kaworus mid-section, causing him to fall backwards and slide a way on the
ground. Standing back erect, Shinji calmly walked over to Kaworus Eva. Kaworu,
unfazed and still lying on the ground, simply leaned up on the dark Evas elbows.
Shinji, sword still in hand, pointed it loosely at Kaworus middle.
“So what is your choice, Lilin?” said Kaworu in his usual cool manner, unknown
to Shinji his palm had begun to glow. Shinji looking down at him, still panting,
waited a few seconds, battery down to 2 minutes.
“I will not destroy you” said Shinji determinedly, in-between heavy pants, the
adrenaline still cursing through his veins.
“You will help me destroy the lance” he finished. Kaworu, still smiling, said.
“And if I do not?”
“I would rather postpone the destruction of the lance, and the ending of the
threat of instrumentality, and even risk the possibility of SEELE still gaining
future control of the lance, then destroy your existence again. If you do not
help me, I will simply throw the lance back into orbit.” he said, serious in
every way.
With that Eva unit 01 walked over to the lance, pulling it up from the ground
with its free hand. Kaworu in the meantime had gotten back up, and walked slowly
towards Shinji.
“You have decided for more time, but in such a way that you are once more risk
the possible future abortion of mankind. And all this to allow for your Lilin
compassion, and this for a creatures life that is not even human, and one that
many would consider your enemy.” said Kaworu calmly.
“You are truly a species borne of hope, yours is not the future that should die”
he said evenly. Shinji smiled, thinking back to similar words Kaworu had said
during their first fight. Noting that he had only about 1 minute left Shinji
threw the sword he was still holding to Kaworu, who caught it casually, as if
expecting it. Spreading his feet apart Shinji held out the lance in front of
him, Kaworu only meters away. Shinji screamed out.
“AT field maximum!” The hexagonal field appeared suddenly, accompanied by the
usual rush of wind and bright lights. Twisting and turning the field began to
distort around the lance, until the lance changed color from red to purple.
Walking up, and without another word Kaworu raised the sword and brought it down
hard, connecting with the centre of the lance. Shinji, looking down, closed his
eyes, it didn't help, the flash of light went straight through him.
From orbit you could see the cross, standing 1000s of km out of the atmosphere,
glowing like a galactic beacon, almost half the globe could see the massive
column of light towering above the horizon, hands of the cross stretching across
almost half the diameter of the earth.
Back on earth Shinji was yelling, the light and sound overloading his senses,
his hands burning with unfeeling energy, it lasted almost a full 30 seconds.
Finally loosing breath to yell Shinji calmed as the light slowly faded.
Expecting to find himself back in his Eva the fading light revealed something
totally unexpected, the open air. Shinji blinked. The light was still very
bright, but now he could clearly make out his surroundings. Looking around he
could see bright traces of light, they were floating upwards, thousands of them,
as far as the eye could see, great beacons of light slowly floating upwards into
the heavens. Against the still dusty backdrop the scene was quite simply
beautiful. Smiling, Shinji couldn't help but admire the view. Looking forward he
saw Kaworu, arms stretched, floating 20m or so above the ground. Looking back
around he could see nothing of the unit 01, or for that matter any trace of any
Eva. Looking around he saw Asuka a way off, looking closer he could see that she
was talking to a figure, one standing just in-front of her, floating 1m above
the ground. Asuka, as if feeling his gaze upon her, turned to look at him. She
gave him one of the most heart-warming smiles he had ever seen her give, turning
back, she started to talk to her mother again.
`Mother' Shinji suddenly thought to himself. Spinning back around he was not
shocked to find the naked, floating figure of his mother.
“Mother!” Shinji said overjoyed, but unable to move.
“Hello my little Shinji” said Yui tenderly. Tears were present in her eyes,
Shinjis eyes were also beginning to well up.
“I am so proud of you” Yui said. Shinji, still struck dumb with joy, simply
continued to grin.
“You were able to undo what I had started.” she said, still smiling.
“Mother, no. Its not your fault” said Shinji in a caring tone. Yui just looked
at him, smiling.
“No Shinji, I and your father were simply wrong, we should not have looked to
science to bring man closer to god, we were seduced by SEELE, blinded by our
arrogance.” she continued.
“But you did not know that” said Shinji, still concerned.
“You are right” said Yui sweetly. “Yet we continued anyway”
“Knowledge without wisdom is a dangerous thing.” she added.
“And it took someone, so young.” Yui reached out with her hand touching Shinjis
face lightly “to see the basic wisdom, we, with our knowledge and arrogance had
forgotten”
Shinji lifted his own hand placing it on his mothers.
“I'm not sure I understand” said Shinji smiling again. Yui chuckled lightly to
herself, bringing up her other hand she held Shinjis face in her hands.
“That's O.K” she said lightly. “Just remember, no matter how old you get, no
matter how complicated the world gets and how much you change, simply be human.”
She lowered herself to kiss Shinji tenderly on the forehead and floated down a
little, taking Shinji into a tender embrace. They stayed like that for a while,
simply enjoying the moment. Shinji released his mother, he looking at her fondly
for a second.
“Thank you Shinji” Yui said simply. Beginning to float up slowly.
Shinji, completely at a loss, as to what to say, simply said.
“I love you”
Looking up at her he added “And thank you.”
He continued to smile.
“I will always love you Shinji. Remember I will always be there for you” Yui
said smiling. And with that final smile she slowly vanished. Shinji, blinking,
continued to smile for a while and then slowly looking back around, he noticed
that Asuka was hugging her mother, she did not appear to be going anywhere.
Shinji smiled to himself, he knew where his mother had gone. Turning around he
saw Musashi and Keita on the ridge, they had made their way over from their
final positions, both looking up into the sky, amazed. Rei was already halfway
down the Ridge. Shinji gave her a smile, which she returned. Turning back Shinji
took a couple of steps towards Kaworu who was slowly floating back to the
ground. He landed, lowering his arms and opening his eyes, he smiled at Shinji.
Shinji walked over to him.
“You have done all this?” Shinji said, smiling.
“You still do not see the truth?” said Kaworu with a smile. Shinji gave him a
puzzled look.
“I have done nothing but the will of Lilin” he said “I could not do otherwise,
the choice has always been, and will always be yours”
Shinji was still confused. But remembered back to their earlier discussion on
society.
“And just as what can effect an individuals choice is the individuals
responsibility, so is what can effect a society, societies responsibility.”
Kaworu had said.
“I am also tied to the bonds of circumstance, my decisions are reached by the
environment I find my self in, and by past events that I have experienced, just
as you have.” he had said.
Shinji thought about the comment. How close had mankind come to its own
annihilation? Would it ever know? Would it ever learn? Shinji smiled, humanity
has no choice but to continue, to keep trying.
“How powerful are you Kaworu?” asked Shinji. Kaworu simply looked at him, as if
waiting for him to continue. Shinji recognising a bit of Rei in his manner so he
continued.
“Can you cause third impact on your own?” Shinji looked back around, admiring
the view.
“You know the answer to that question” Kaworu said with a smile. Turning a
little he faced Rei who had walked up to the two standing boys, she was still in
her plug suite.
“Hello pilot Ayanami” said Kaworu pleasantly. Rei smiling, looked at him,
stopping she tilted her head a little as if contemplating.
“You intend to stay amongst us, do you not” she said. Shinji, surprised by her
action, looked at her a little bemused.
“Yes, that was my intention” he said still smiling.
“Then as a new friend, I think you should call me Rei” she said with a smile.
Kaworu responded with a slightly bigger smile then usual. The upwards travelling
lights started to fade a little, and the number of lights emerging from the
ground began to slow, hearing a voice Shinji turned around, Asuka was running
down the side of the crater, shouting out.
“Hey Shinji!” Asuka yelled, running fast.
“Shinji, Rei! We did it! We won!! Its over!” she yelled, still running towards
the small group. Shinji hadn't even thought about it, but the idea slowly began
to sink in. This was it, it really was over, only now had it struck him.
“Its over” he said smiling, allowing the emotions to take over he got a little
more enthused.
“We did it!” he said, excitement growing. He looked over at Rei as if seeing
her for the first time.
“Its actually over!” he said to her. Smiling broadly Rei replied.
“And we all made it through.”
Shinji, moved over, giving her a huge hug and spun her around on the spot. Rei
returned the hug and the two laughing. Shinji had barely released her when Asuka
finally closed the distance, jumping at Shinji to exchanging another big hug.
That accomplished, she moved onto Rei, joy overtaking the two human pilots.
Behind them Keita and Musashi had run up to join them, caught in the moment the
young pilots exchanged handshakes, hugs and slaps on the back as they allowed
themselves a celebration. Musashi, Asuka and Keita however were slightly taken
aback by the fact that Kaworu was naked, but without any other form of clothing
there was little any of them could do about it.
“Is Mana O.K” asked Musashi to Shinji, while they were congratulating each
other.
“Yep, she's fine” replied Shinji with a grin. “We should make our way over”
Agreeing the small party headed off.
*End Excerpt*
Bizmarck gladly took the award and spoke. “Firstly thanks to the judge for reading the long Excerpt, secondly, leave a review!! These things take ages to write, and to read so even just saying `nice job' can mean a lot… well keep reading, and have fun.”
He ran back down to the audience as Sonicwind123 opened up the next envelope. “Next we have The Tolkien Award for Best Fantasy. At this point, if you don't know who Tolkien is, where have you been? And the winner is... Forbidden Heroes: The Black Art of Pokémon by Neko Kurama!”
*Excerpt*
Quart squinted his eyes, there was one dark spot in the purple tinted crystal. He limped over, his legs too torn up to run, jog, or even walk. Even at its base, the dark point in the crystal was too hard to pick out detail of the object, though what it was Quart knew. A human.
Eager to save the man and make a name for himself as a hero, even if it's not a big one, Quart drew his sword and shattered the crystal. He thought this was strange, it wasn't hard, like the crystal wanted to shatter. He dropped his sword and his mouth hung wide. It wasn't a human he saved, but a very humanoid Pokémon.
“Do not fear me...” It said. Though, “said” was stretching it. The Pokémon's mouth never moved. Its mind implanted the words directly into Quart's brain. Quart flinched and took a few steps back. He spun and made a mad sprint for the door, only to find that the Pokémon was in front of him. It opened its vaguely human hand and held out a clear glass-like sphere. “Do you want to be strong?” It asked.
“Well...” The prince was too afraid to actually consider it, once it clicked in his brain what had been said he responded slowly, “yes...”
“Take it.” The Pokémon commanded. Quart slowly reached out and touched the sphere, the moment he did it light up and the Pokémon was sucked into it. Quart yelled out in fear and fell backward, the sphere now floating at waist height, the Pokémon nowhere to be found. The sphere started to move forward, Quart's heart jumped a little. The sphere shot to him, impaling his stomach.
The pain overwhelmed him, he tried to scream in agony but all that came out of his mouth was blood, lots of it. He tried to get up, running dizzily to the door, and gripping the hole in his gut. He was already losing consciousness from the lack of blood. He fell to the floor, but he didn't feel the impact.
The moment after he hit, everything felt fine. All the pain was gone, even in his legs. “I'm dead...” He concluded gravely. His eyes opened and everything looked amber brown. The color faded revealing the room. “If I am dead, this isn't the place I want to be as a ghost...”
“What's wrong with it.” The Pokémon's familiar voice rang in his head. “I live here, well, not any more.” The voice chuckled.
“Where are you!?”
“Haven't you been paying attention, or are you just stupid. I am inside you.” The voice responded in a way that made Quart panic. He lifted his shirt, revealing no hole where the sphere had entered him. “Recover.” The voice said, “A physic Pokémon technique, when your life was in danger you instinctively used it.
“But I'm not a Pokémon!” Quart yelled frantically.
“You are now. Well, half and half. I gave you my powers if you will allow me to use your body as a carrier so I can find my own.”
“Who are you?” The new Pokémon-human hybrid asked, now very interested in what he could do.
“Think about your sword, think about it returning to your hand. Focus hard.” Quart did so, he closed his eyes and saw the sword in his mind. He heard the scratching of metal on the unknown stone that made the floor. The dragging stopped, Quart opened his eyes and saw the sword by his side. “You need practice,” The voice said, showing no sign that it was disappointed or that it was ordinary to fail at first. “Now, focus on the door to the shrine.”
“Okay.” Quart responded, he did.
“Remember what you felt when you where there, remember what it looked like, every detail!” The voice yelled to him.
“I'm trying!” Quart yelled back.
“You're trying too hard! You need to relax! Just let the thoughts of the door fill your mind, nothing but the gate to the shrine...” The voice said in a soothing tone.
Quart took a deep breath and sighed, letting the thoughts fill him, his emotion of surprise when he got there, it felt like he was dreaming. The voice startled him, “Good. Now think you're there.”
This caught Quart off guard, he didn't know what the Pokémon in his head had meant. But he did, letting the thoughts fill him again, then thinking that he was there. He opened his eyes, revealing that he had somehow gotten outside.
“Teleport.” The voice said simply.
“Wow...” Quart was in awe at his new powers.
“Pokémon are usually enchanted into weapons and armor, I have enchanted your body as a whole. Don't reveal your powers, we will both be executed.”
Quart nodded in understanding. Then he asked, “What type of Pokémon are you?”
“I am an Alakazam, you may know me as the Black Plague.”
Eager to save the man and make a name for himself as a hero, even if it's not a big one, Quart drew his sword and shattered the crystal. He thought this was strange, it wasn't hard, like the crystal wanted to shatter. He dropped his sword and his mouth hung wide. It wasn't a human he saved, but a very humanoid Pokémon.
“Do not fear me...” It said. Though, “said” was stretching it. The Pokémon's mouth never moved. Its mind implanted the words directly into Quart's brain. Quart flinched and took a few steps back. He spun and made a mad sprint for the door, only to find that the Pokémon was in front of him. It opened its vaguely human hand and held out a clear glass-like sphere. “Do you want to be strong?” It asked.
“Well...” The prince was too afraid to actually consider it, once it clicked in his brain what had been said he responded slowly, “yes...”
“Take it.” The Pokémon commanded. Quart slowly reached out and touched the sphere, the moment he did it light up and the Pokémon was sucked into it. Quart yelled out in fear and fell backward, the sphere now floating at waist height, the Pokémon nowhere to be found. The sphere started to move forward, Quart's heart jumped a little. The sphere shot to him, impaling his stomach.
The pain overwhelmed him, he tried to scream in agony but all that came out of his mouth was blood, lots of it. He tried to get up, running dizzily to the door, and gripping the hole in his gut. He was already losing consciousness from the lack of blood. He fell to the floor, but he didn't feel the impact.
The moment after he hit, everything felt fine. All the pain was gone, even in his legs. “I'm dead...” He concluded gravely. His eyes opened and everything looked amber brown. The color faded revealing the room. “If I am dead, this isn't the place I want to be as a ghost...”
“What's wrong with it.” The Pokémon's familiar voice rang in his head. “I live here, well, not any more.” The voice chuckled.
“Where are you!?”
“Haven't you been paying attention, or are you just stupid. I am inside you.” The voice responded in a way that made Quart panic. He lifted his shirt, revealing no hole where the sphere had entered him. “Recover.” The voice said, “A physic Pokémon technique, when your life was in danger you instinctively used it.
“But I'm not a Pokémon!” Quart yelled frantically.
“You are now. Well, half and half. I gave you my powers if you will allow me to use your body as a carrier so I can find my own.”
“Who are you?” The new Pokémon-human hybrid asked, now very interested in what he could do.
“Think about your sword, think about it returning to your hand. Focus hard.” Quart did so, he closed his eyes and saw the sword in his mind. He heard the scratching of metal on the unknown stone that made the floor. The dragging stopped, Quart opened his eyes and saw the sword by his side. “You need practice,” The voice said, showing no sign that it was disappointed or that it was ordinary to fail at first. “Now, focus on the door to the shrine.”
“Okay.” Quart responded, he did.
“Remember what you felt when you where there, remember what it looked like, every detail!” The voice yelled to him.
“I'm trying!” Quart yelled back.
“You're trying too hard! You need to relax! Just let the thoughts of the door fill your mind, nothing but the gate to the shrine...” The voice said in a soothing tone.
Quart took a deep breath and sighed, letting the thoughts fill him, his emotion of surprise when he got there, it felt like he was dreaming. The voice startled him, “Good. Now think you're there.”
This caught Quart off guard, he didn't know what the Pokémon in his head had meant. But he did, letting the thoughts fill him again, then thinking that he was there. He opened his eyes, revealing that he had somehow gotten outside.
“Teleport.” The voice said simply.
“Wow...” Quart was in awe at his new powers.
“Pokémon are usually enchanted into weapons and armor, I have enchanted your body as a whole. Don't reveal your powers, we will both be executed.”
Quart nodded in understanding. Then he asked, “What type of Pokémon are you?”
“I am an Alakazam, you may know me as the Black Plague.”
*End Excerpt*
“I would like to thank everyone I have ever met that didn't hate me. Only recently have I discovered that isn't the minority I thought it was. I would also like to send much thanks to Kitsuneko, my fateful beta-reader.
”I've always been a fan of pokémon. Not really the show, but the concept behind it. When the show first arrived at the shore, even though I was still in 5th grade and was obsessed with it, I thought it could be better. And ever since I was enlightened with the concept of fan fiction, I wanted to create a serious pokémon saga. I could never come up with a decent plot, and fearing to create the infamous “retelling of the story with a few changes”, I put the idea on hold.
”It wasn't until I played The Legend of Dragoon did I think of a plot. I used an idea similar to the Dragoon Armor to create a new form of pokémon battle. I was never fond of the trainers getting the credit for what their pokémon did, thus the birth of the pokémon sorcery idea. But you can find all about how that works by reading the story, which I implore you to do. Peace out.”
”I've always been a fan of pokémon. Not really the show, but the concept behind it. When the show first arrived at the shore, even though I was still in 5th grade and was obsessed with it, I thought it could be better. And ever since I was enlightened with the concept of fan fiction, I wanted to create a serious pokémon saga. I could never come up with a decent plot, and fearing to create the infamous “retelling of the story with a few changes”, I put the idea on hold.
”It wasn't until I played The Legend of Dragoon did I think of a plot. I used an idea similar to the Dragoon Armor to create a new form of pokémon battle. I was never fond of the trainers getting the credit for what their pokémon did, thus the birth of the pokémon sorcery idea. But you can find all about how that works by reading the story, which I implore you to do. Peace out.”
There was some brief applause from the Pokémon table before the man went back down to join them. Sonicwind123 took the podium for the last award.
“And finally we have the Babylon Trek Wars Award, named after Babylon 5, Star Trek, and Star Wars - three of the best scifis of all time according to the author. And the winner is... Angel's Art by Katrina Kadabra!”
*Excerpt*
The room was in the shape of a rectangular prism, built of rectangular
blocks of equal size, approximately 8 by 14 inches each. But that could
be off by several millimeters, making the full dimensions of the room
illogical to calculate without accurate readings. Although if she were
to do it, it would of course, be 11 times 8 times 14 times 15, times
whatever the width of the room was, but since that was made of ceiling
tiles and not the rectangle blocks, it threw off her estimations
further. By the time Angel's mother invited her to sit down in one of
the cushioned round chairs that sat in the room, she had concluded that
it was more or less 210 by 88 by 105, giving the whole place a rough
volume of 1,940,400 inches, discluding the desk at which the teacher sat
and the three seats in which she and her parents were now sitting.
"Perhaps you don't know exactly who our daughter is," her mother was
going on.
"I know perfectly well who she is," the teacher replied, whose name was
Ms. Portrait; Angel had heard her mother say it a few days ago and
recorded it down in her temporary memory, just in case it was important.
Ms. Portrait leaned over her desk and took a sip of tea of a cylinder
shaped mug, which if Angel were to guess about that...
"The miracle girl she's been dubbed, am I right? Contrary to the belief
of my peers, I do watch the news now and then." Ms. Portrait's words
interrupted Angel before she make approximations on the radius of the
mug's circular shape.
"So you understand," said Angel's father. "That our daughter is far too
advanced for a third-grade curriculum."
"And surely you understand, sir," she went on. "That school is not only
a matter of mastering logic and facts, although that's certainly a good
part of it. It also consists of the arts." For the first time in several
days, Angel's ears perked with some interest. She knew what "art" meant
of course. She had finished committing all the a-words in the unabridged
dictionary to her permanent memory months ago. It was a lengthy task,
for although her mind would memorize any definition instantly, she still
had to actually read the thing, which took some time. "Art" was one of
those simple words, but very vague in its description. Angel was curious
to know more about it.
"Arts?" her father exclaimed. "If someone wants to be an artist, they
can go to an art school for that. Public school is about educating
practical material for the real world."
"I'm afraid I'm inclined to disagree with you," Ms. Portrait said,
shaking her head. "Art is an essential part of any curriculum, and no
matter how brilliant your little girl is, she still needs a rounded
education." She wrote some things down on a piece of paper and handed it
over to Angel's father. "You don't have to worry. My class is strictly
music, art, and a little bit of creative writing. It will all be very
new to Angel and I'm sure she'll enjoy it very much."
"It sounds interesting, Daddy," Angel said quietly. Her father glared at
her; her mother looked a bit shocked. It was the first time Angel
expressed an interest in something in the past (approximately) 16 days,
9 hours, and 45 minutes. Her mother looked somewhat pleased, but her
father seemed unsure of how to react, so he simply said quietly,
"Angel, how many times have I told you it's not polite to speak out of
turn?"
"In the past month, I believe four times," she replied, not with
sarcasm, but as an honest truthful answer. "But I've also observed you
breaking this rule several times, which leads me to believe that it
doesn't apply in all situations."
Her father's face turned a bit red and Ms. Portrait giggled.
"Tell me, Angel, how old are you?" she asked. Angel looked over. The
teacher had a certain degree of pleasantness in her voice, but she
couldn't quite determine what was causing it.
"8 years, 4 months, 21 days," she replied.
"Well," said Ms. Portrait. "Isn't that a coincidence? We have several
8-yeared children in our class as well. I'm sure you'll get along quite
well with them."
"This is ridiculous," Angel's father muttered.
"Maybe, but we've tried everything else," her mother whispered back.
"Just let her take the course. She certainly won't lose anything from it."
"I suppose that's true," her father finally admitted, and reluctantly
pulled out a pen to enroll Angel in the elementary after-school arts
program.
Before the class began, Ms. Portrait announced that she wanted to have
an interview with Angel. That was nothing new or different; she had
experienced interviews many times. Only this one was a little different,
in that Ms. Portrait wanted to meet in their perspective classroom as
opposed to an office or meeting room. The place was very colorful, Angel
observed, as she sat there fingering the white-blonde tips of hair in
one of her braids. She wondered how long it would take her to estimate
the HEX-code for all these colors, between the posters along the wall
and the various paintings pinned to the strip of cork that bordered the
room.
It took about two minutes and thirty-five seconds for Ms. Portrait to
arrive. Angel had to admit, it was the first time she really got a good
look at her; the first meeting she had been paying more attention to the
wall. She observed that Ms. Portrait had that teacher kind of look to
her. Dark brown hair that ended at her shoulders, the tips curling under
and tickling her neck. Her ears were pierced, jade-colored stones to
match her green turtleneck. A pair of small spectacles topped her nose
and she carried herself with a confident air, like she knew anything and
all you had to was ask to find out.
"So," said Ms. Portrait, sitting down. "Why don't you tell me a little
bit about yourself Angel?" The girl looked at her perplexed.
"You already know about me," she said.
"I know a little bit. But I want to hear what you have to say about
yourself."
The young girl looked down at her feet, still years away from touching
the floor, swinging them back and forth a bit. "Won't that be
redundant?" she questioned.
"Okay, first rule of my class, we're not going to worry about things
being redundant or impractical. All artists go through a ton of
impractical and redundant things before they achieve what they want."
That seemed like a reasonable enough explanation to Angel. "Very well.
When I was three years old, my Mommy and Daddy and I... we got in a bad
car accident. They were okay, but my head was hurt. Severe brain trauma.
If I were to recover without anything other than regular intervention, I
wouldn't be able to talk, walk, or even feed myself. So, my parents
allowed a special doctor to try an experiment on me. They took the parts
of my brain that were damaged and replaced it with a computer version.
They also gave me this..." She indicated to the inferred sensor embedded
into her skin just above the eyebrows. At first glance, it looked like a
small oval-shaped jewel. "My eyes are better too. So... I suppose that
would make me a cyborg."
Ms. Portrait listened to Angel's story with fascination. Her vocabulary
was astounding for a child so small, yet her emotions were just like any
child. And when she talked about an event that changed her life so much,
it was clear from the way her small rounded face tensed up that it made
her uncomfortable. "Do you want to be called that?" Ms. Portrait asked.
Angel shook her head sharply, sending her two braids whipping to the
sides. It was probably the most emotional thing she done so far.
"No, I don't. I want to be a normal girl. I want to think like normal
girls think."
"Tell me how you think that's different."
"I think in numbers. Always. Everything has to make sense in my mind.
And usually since I don't need explanations on things, I get bored. So
I'll just do calculations in my head."
"I see," said Ms. Portrait. "Well, hopefully you'll be doing a lot more
than calculations in our class. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Likewise," Angel replied, standing up and gathering her belongings. She
reached out and shook her teacher's hand politely before heading out.
Just like parents had told her to, it was yet one more thing she would
never forget. At least until instructed to.
blocks of equal size, approximately 8 by 14 inches each. But that could
be off by several millimeters, making the full dimensions of the room
illogical to calculate without accurate readings. Although if she were
to do it, it would of course, be 11 times 8 times 14 times 15, times
whatever the width of the room was, but since that was made of ceiling
tiles and not the rectangle blocks, it threw off her estimations
further. By the time Angel's mother invited her to sit down in one of
the cushioned round chairs that sat in the room, she had concluded that
it was more or less 210 by 88 by 105, giving the whole place a rough
volume of 1,940,400 inches, discluding the desk at which the teacher sat
and the three seats in which she and her parents were now sitting.
"Perhaps you don't know exactly who our daughter is," her mother was
going on.
"I know perfectly well who she is," the teacher replied, whose name was
Ms. Portrait; Angel had heard her mother say it a few days ago and
recorded it down in her temporary memory, just in case it was important.
Ms. Portrait leaned over her desk and took a sip of tea of a cylinder
shaped mug, which if Angel were to guess about that...
"The miracle girl she's been dubbed, am I right? Contrary to the belief
of my peers, I do watch the news now and then." Ms. Portrait's words
interrupted Angel before she make approximations on the radius of the
mug's circular shape.
"So you understand," said Angel's father. "That our daughter is far too
advanced for a third-grade curriculum."
"And surely you understand, sir," she went on. "That school is not only
a matter of mastering logic and facts, although that's certainly a good
part of it. It also consists of the arts." For the first time in several
days, Angel's ears perked with some interest. She knew what "art" meant
of course. She had finished committing all the a-words in the unabridged
dictionary to her permanent memory months ago. It was a lengthy task,
for although her mind would memorize any definition instantly, she still
had to actually read the thing, which took some time. "Art" was one of
those simple words, but very vague in its description. Angel was curious
to know more about it.
"Arts?" her father exclaimed. "If someone wants to be an artist, they
can go to an art school for that. Public school is about educating
practical material for the real world."
"I'm afraid I'm inclined to disagree with you," Ms. Portrait said,
shaking her head. "Art is an essential part of any curriculum, and no
matter how brilliant your little girl is, she still needs a rounded
education." She wrote some things down on a piece of paper and handed it
over to Angel's father. "You don't have to worry. My class is strictly
music, art, and a little bit of creative writing. It will all be very
new to Angel and I'm sure she'll enjoy it very much."
"It sounds interesting, Daddy," Angel said quietly. Her father glared at
her; her mother looked a bit shocked. It was the first time Angel
expressed an interest in something in the past (approximately) 16 days,
9 hours, and 45 minutes. Her mother looked somewhat pleased, but her
father seemed unsure of how to react, so he simply said quietly,
"Angel, how many times have I told you it's not polite to speak out of
turn?"
"In the past month, I believe four times," she replied, not with
sarcasm, but as an honest truthful answer. "But I've also observed you
breaking this rule several times, which leads me to believe that it
doesn't apply in all situations."
Her father's face turned a bit red and Ms. Portrait giggled.
"Tell me, Angel, how old are you?" she asked. Angel looked over. The
teacher had a certain degree of pleasantness in her voice, but she
couldn't quite determine what was causing it.
"8 years, 4 months, 21 days," she replied.
"Well," said Ms. Portrait. "Isn't that a coincidence? We have several
8-yeared children in our class as well. I'm sure you'll get along quite
well with them."
"This is ridiculous," Angel's father muttered.
"Maybe, but we've tried everything else," her mother whispered back.
"Just let her take the course. She certainly won't lose anything from it."
"I suppose that's true," her father finally admitted, and reluctantly
pulled out a pen to enroll Angel in the elementary after-school arts
program.
Before the class began, Ms. Portrait announced that she wanted to have
an interview with Angel. That was nothing new or different; she had
experienced interviews many times. Only this one was a little different,
in that Ms. Portrait wanted to meet in their perspective classroom as
opposed to an office or meeting room. The place was very colorful, Angel
observed, as she sat there fingering the white-blonde tips of hair in
one of her braids. She wondered how long it would take her to estimate
the HEX-code for all these colors, between the posters along the wall
and the various paintings pinned to the strip of cork that bordered the
room.
It took about two minutes and thirty-five seconds for Ms. Portrait to
arrive. Angel had to admit, it was the first time she really got a good
look at her; the first meeting she had been paying more attention to the
wall. She observed that Ms. Portrait had that teacher kind of look to
her. Dark brown hair that ended at her shoulders, the tips curling under
and tickling her neck. Her ears were pierced, jade-colored stones to
match her green turtleneck. A pair of small spectacles topped her nose
and she carried herself with a confident air, like she knew anything and
all you had to was ask to find out.
"So," said Ms. Portrait, sitting down. "Why don't you tell me a little
bit about yourself Angel?" The girl looked at her perplexed.
"You already know about me," she said.
"I know a little bit. But I want to hear what you have to say about
yourself."
The young girl looked down at her feet, still years away from touching
the floor, swinging them back and forth a bit. "Won't that be
redundant?" she questioned.
"Okay, first rule of my class, we're not going to worry about things
being redundant or impractical. All artists go through a ton of
impractical and redundant things before they achieve what they want."
That seemed like a reasonable enough explanation to Angel. "Very well.
When I was three years old, my Mommy and Daddy and I... we got in a bad
car accident. They were okay, but my head was hurt. Severe brain trauma.
If I were to recover without anything other than regular intervention, I
wouldn't be able to talk, walk, or even feed myself. So, my parents
allowed a special doctor to try an experiment on me. They took the parts
of my brain that were damaged and replaced it with a computer version.
They also gave me this..." She indicated to the inferred sensor embedded
into her skin just above the eyebrows. At first glance, it looked like a
small oval-shaped jewel. "My eyes are better too. So... I suppose that
would make me a cyborg."
Ms. Portrait listened to Angel's story with fascination. Her vocabulary
was astounding for a child so small, yet her emotions were just like any
child. And when she talked about an event that changed her life so much,
it was clear from the way her small rounded face tensed up that it made
her uncomfortable. "Do you want to be called that?" Ms. Portrait asked.
Angel shook her head sharply, sending her two braids whipping to the
sides. It was probably the most emotional thing she done so far.
"No, I don't. I want to be a normal girl. I want to think like normal
girls think."
"Tell me how you think that's different."
"I think in numbers. Always. Everything has to make sense in my mind.
And usually since I don't need explanations on things, I get bored. So
I'll just do calculations in my head."
"I see," said Ms. Portrait. "Well, hopefully you'll be doing a lot more
than calculations in our class. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Likewise," Angel replied, standing up and gathering her belongings. She
reached out and shook her teacher's hand politely before heading out.
Just like parents had told her to, it was yet one more thing she would
never forget. At least until instructed to.
*End Excerpt*
Angel and Katrina walk up to the stage. Angel takes the award and bows.
"Thank you very much, everyone. I had calculated the statistically
probability of winning this award to be in correlation with the number
of entrants, that is to say... everyone did a really great job... I'm
glad you like me." Angel steps off blushing and Katrina promises her
artwork will be on display after the ceremony.
"Thank you very much, everyone. I had calculated the statistically
probability of winning this award to be in correlation with the number
of entrants, that is to say... everyone did a really great job... I'm
glad you like me." Angel steps off blushing and Katrina promises her
artwork will be on display after the ceremony.
Sonicwind123 leaves, as well, so Psy and Fan can take the stage for the final award.
“After this commercial break, the Final and most important awards! Yay!” Psy said with thumbs up.
To Be Continued...