Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Crossroads ❯ Blazing New Trails ( Chapter 1 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Isamu 
A random dimensional rift takes a group of mercs from their Post-Apocalyptic Earth, to an Earth on the verge of Armagedon...
Anime/Manga: Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mecha | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 09.06.2001 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 340 | Status: Work In Progress
A random dimensional rift takes a group of mercs from their Post-Apocalyptic Earth, to an Earth on the verge of Armagedon...
Anime/Manga: Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mecha | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 09.06.2001 | Pages: 7 | Words: 4.1K | Visits: 340 | Status: Work In Progress
Crossroads:
A Neon Genesis Evangelion and Rifts crossover
Neon Genesis Evangelion is used without permission. It is copyright by
Gainix (wonderful folks!). Rifts®, Palladium Books®, Mechanoids® The
Mechanoid Invasion®, Rifts®, Megaverse®, RECON®, and After the Bomb®
Are registered trademark owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books, Inc. Cyber-Knight(TM), Coalition States(TM), Triax(TM)
Nightbane(TM), Nightlands(TM), Heroes Unlimited(TM), Villains Unlimited(TM),
Beyond the Supernatural(TM), Boxed Nightmares(TM), Ninjas & Superspies(TM),
Mystic China(TM), Palladium Fantasy RPG(TM), Mindwerks(TM), Vampire
Kingdoms(TM), The Juicer Uprising(TM), Phase World(TM), Wormwood(TM),
Psyscape(TM), Mega-Damage(TM), S.D.C.(TM), I.S.P.(TM), P.P.E.(TM), SAMAS(TM),
Splugorth(TM), Cyber-Knight(TM), Glitter Boy(TM), Juicer(TM), Mind Melter(TM),
Psi-Stalker(TM), Coalition States(TM), Northern Gun(TM), Erin Tarn(TM),
Naruni(TM), ... and other names and titles are trademarks owned and licensed
by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books, Inc."... and are also used without
permission. Please don't sue me; I am a poor college student! If you sue
me I won't be able to waste my money on your wonderful products! 8^)
Introduction:
Sometime in the 21st century AD, mankind entered a golden age of
peace. The sciences, arts, and a sense of concern for fellow man were
the hallmarks of this tranquil age. But, as with all good things, it
came to a crashing end. What few accounts remain speak of hostility,
violence, and paranoia escalating overnight. Small wars broke out and
quickly spun out of control. The technologies developed for peace (and
during it) quickly became the new weapons for war. Mind over Matter
(M.O.M.) implants, Juicer augmentation, and cybernetic conversions were
used to create elite forces of super-soldiers. New breakthroughs in
the fields of armor and robotics made it possible to create the flying
SAMAS (Strategic Armor Military Assault Suite) and the laser resistant,
rail gun toting robot the 'Glitter Boy.' Even the immense submersible
super carrier, the USS Ticonderoga, was made possible through the
golden ages technological advances.
It is not know exactly when or how, but from salvaged military
reports, top secret files, and old news print, several events are
though to have catalyzed what would later be know as the Coming of the
Rifts. In South America, battalions of 'glitter boys' laid waste to
several major cities. At the same time, a nuclear exchange happened in
the Middle East. Elsewhere, in a secret military lab in Texas, an
experimental 'transdimensional engine' was activated. In the heavens
above, a rare alignment of the planets took place. With a
metaphysically deafening roar, life energy (also called PPE-potential
psychic energy), the fuel of magic, flooded the long dormant and
shallow ley line field of Earth. Like a flash flood, the PPE swelled
over the lines meant to contain it and crashed over into the physical
world, causes disasters of biblical proportions. As more and more
perished to the forces of war and nature, rips began to appear in the
fabric of space-time. Millions of them. From these tears, these
Rifts, came all manner of beings, creatures, and monsters. The killing
continued, but it was now a slaughter at the hands of the demons that
had once plagued man's nightmares that had suddenly stepped violently
into reality. Dragons flew the skies, vampires fed upon the unwary,
and horrors previously unnamed butchered for the pure joy of death.
Man's mighty civilization crumbled into dust.
Several hundred years later, humanity was able to rise from the
ashes and begin to rebuild civilization anew. But now things were
different. Not all that had come out of the Rifts were hostile. Some
were simply refuges, explorers, or just unlucky. Mankind began to not
only relearn what they had lost, but to acquire new skills. New powers
became commonplace and old were rediscovered. For the first time since
Merlin, true mages walked openly among their fellows. The once
scoffed-at psionic gifts became more potent, and more commonplace.
Mankind was no longer alone, now we shared our world with inhuman
creatures, given the generic name of dimensional being, or d-bee for
short. However, some could not bring themselves to trust these inhuman
and often monstrous creatures. From this fear and paranoia, the
Coalition of States (the CS) was formed on the bones of the American
Empire. Xenophobic and militant, the CS declared magic users and d-
bees abominations to be banished from our world at the very least,
hunted down and exterminated if necessary. So from the territories of
the CS (the areas once known as Texas, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois,
and parts of several others former US states) war was eventually waged.
Among the first targets of their emperors 'campaign of expansion' was
the independent kingdom of Tolkeen. Built on the ruins of Minneapolis
Minnesota, this kingdom embraced magic and accepted the inhuman to it.
And so, war was waged, magic vs. technology. Many eyes from across the
megaverse watched as the drama unfolded, for Earth had become a
crossroads to countless worlds, and a great deal of interest was vested
in this struggle.
It is a time and a place when the slightest of things or the most
unexpected of people can alter the balance of power.
This is just such a case.
Chapter 1: Blazing New Trails
Tolkeen knew that to win their war against the CS would require
resources, powers and allies not regularly at their disposal. So, the
ruling counsel sent agents far and wide, and across the dimensions, in
search of anything that could shift the balance in their favor. The
agents returned with weapons of magic, bloodthirsty monsters willing to
swear allegiance to Tolkeens cause, and other powerful magic artifacts
and knowledge. Unfortunately these were not enough. Despite Tolkeens
early victories the Coalition's relentless advance and military might
proved to be the match to any thing that they could muster. As the
mages and their allies were pushed back further and further towards the
heart of their kingdom, they could see no hope. Then, out of nowhere,
one of the groups sent out in search of a mighty artifact resumed
communications. Not only that, but they were returning with the
artifact that they were sent for! However, the road was long and hard
and despite the courage and conviction of the mages and warriors sent,
it proved too much. But, before the last of them died, they entrusted
the enscrolled case holding the artifact to a group of wandering
mercenaries. This group of unlikely heroes (the best type of heroes,
in my opinion) were now charged to complete the last leg, and perhaps
the most dangerous, of the long journey. Tolkeen now rests it hopes on
the shoulders of the Ley-Line Walker Alister, the Wolfen Headhunter
Techno-Hound Ferris Bloodclaw, the Elven Mind Melter Amber, the AWOL
Coalition Ranger Anika Blake, the Headhunter Techno-Warrior Kyle, the
City Rat hacker and amateur mage Melissa, and the Pythonan Scholar
Hec'tarasss (Hector to his friends).
Even though they have only recently been entrusted with the case
holding the mysterious artifact, they have acquired quite a few
enemies. Most notably, the CS military. The agents of the CS had been
relentlessly perusing the case since its arrival in North America,
knowing full well the potential of a magic super weapon to turn the
tide of battle against them, and the change of couriers didn't throw
them off it's trail. For the five days that the box has been in their
possession, our heroes have been hounded by the CS fearsome Skelebots.
These Fully Automated Self-Sufficient Assault Robots required neither
food nor sleep, unlike their comparatively frail mortal targets. For
three days and nights, the mercs had been moving through the war zone
towards Tolkeens territories under the cover of Alister's spells.
Unfortunately the strain has taken its toll on the young mage; he is on
the verge of collapsing from exhaustion and can no longer maintain the
demanding spells that hide them from their pursuers. Detecting that
their targets are close at hand, the Skelebots have called on their
human masters to assist in the final confrontation. Three armored
squads as well as mixed groups of Commandos, Special Forces, and Psi-
corp agents are converging on their target. The only thing that might
save them is the approach of midnight and the coming of the Autumnal
Equinox, a time of power.
-Time- September 22nd, 112 PA; 11:54 pm.
-Place- The North American Midwest, Somewhere in the war zone between
the Coalition of States and the Kingdom of Tolkeen.
"So Alister, what's your plan?" the partial-conversion cyborg
mercenary Kyle asked.
"In a few minutes the Autumnal Equinox will begin. I believe
that when it does I can draw enough magic in from the nexus to... coax
a small rift to open." The wizard replied, a weary edge to his voice.
"However, I don't have the strength to control WERE it will send us."
"We could end up worse off then we are now" the 9-foot tall
humanoid wolf Ferris commented. He then looked over to where he knew
that the skelebots were waiting patiently for their backup. He
suddenly grinned, "But that would be an accomplishment, even for you."
"Ya, but I would rather take a chance ta get the hell outa here,
then sit around and wait for the CS to come get me." Melissa
countered.
"Listen, if those CS troops get here, we're dead. If we
surrender we end up in one of general Dougue's 'happy camps.' I'd
rather die. I've seen what it's like inside..." Anika's voice trailed
off. She had once been a soldier in the CS and the others knew not to
press her for more information. Besides, they knew about the camps
too.
"I for one don't relish the thought of being in CS custody again
anytime soon, or ever. Well Hector, we've followed your advise this
far and it's kept us alive. You think jumping a rift is worth the
risk?" Kyle asked. The others turned to look at the large snake
coiled up in the weapon mount on the groups armored personal charier
('liberated' some time ago from the CS, they all had death sentences
out on them for that alone).
"I would agree that it iss indeed a rissk to just jump through a
random rift like thisss. However, I would rather have a chance at
life, then asssured death." The snake replied.
"I hate to interrupt but, we got company!" Amber called from the
pilot compartment of the APC. "I just picked up a whole bunch of very
unfriendly looking blips on the long range radar. We got a few minutes
at best."
"All right, mount up and hold 'em off. We only need to buy some
time." With that Kyle climbed into his X-2000 Dyna-Max assault mech.
Ferris also climbed into his IR-2040 Destroyer. Either one of these
machines was the equal to a 20th century tank battalion. Hector,
despite his lack of arms, used the telekinetic powers natural to his
race to control the rail gun. Amber started the engine to the APC and
Melissa opened its back hatch. Anika mounted her hovercycle, started
its engine, and began to train her rifle towards where her former
countrymen would be approaching. The CS army didn't disappoint.
With a silent charge, the skelebots came into firing range. The
two big 'bots opened fire on the automaton soldiers, each the equal to
several 20th century tanks themselves. But, before the skelebots could
close, the Equinox came. Alister felt it in every fiber of his being,
the power that rushed into him as he drew from the nexus beneath him,
swollen with magical energy. Alister twisted and shaped that raw power
that permeated all life and the whole of the megaverse itself to coax
an opening in the fabric of reality. On the other side, anyone who was
looking could see a sunlight forest.
With this last great effort, Alister collapsed from exhaustion.
Before he could even hit the ground though, Melissa caught him and
lifted him into the APC. As soon as they were inside, Amber drove
through the portal, followed by Anika, with the two robots bringing up
the rear. Under a storm of rail gun fire and blasts of energy that
turned night into day, they escaped.
The forces of the CS swarmed about the phenomena like angry
flies. While eager to chase their prey, the soldiers were hesitant to
go through a rift. About a mile away, in an armored command vehicle,
the colonel in charge of the operation listened to the report from the
lieutenant in the field.
"The mage must not have been as weak as our intelligence reports
indicated. It seems he was able to open a rift due to the astrological
timing. Do you want us to pursue them through?"
"Negative. Return to base camp. But leave a squad of skelebots
there just in case they try and pull some sort of trick on us."
"But sir" can we just let them get away like this? I thought
General Dougue said it was imperative to the war effort that we stop
them from delivering the artifact to the kingdom of Tolkeen or any of
its allies. How can we be sure that they won't somehow get it there?!"
"Are you offering to lead a team through after them lieutenant?"
The Colonel was getting tired of this and wasn't ready to damn any of
his forces to an alien world. "If you are, then I suggest that you
move your ass and get through that rift before it closes."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the comlink
before a reply came: "No, sir. Understood, sir."
"Well then, mop up and let me deal with Dougue. That's my job."
"Yes sir."
As the com channel was taken up by other orders the colonel mused
about whether this would be his last report to his CO. The general
didn't like failure.
After a few minutes the rift flickered and winked out of
existence, the two enemy war machines still standing sentry on the
other side.
-Time- Saturday, November 12th, 2015 AD, 12:58 pm
-Place- Japan, the third city of Tokyo, the Jr. High School, room A-11
"Stand up. Bow. Dismissed." called out an authoritative female
voice.
As the students shuffle out, two head towards a desk in one
corner of the room. The three are soon deeply engrossed in an
obviously important conversation.
"No Toji, I will not help you take pictures of Asuka."
"Aww, come on Shinji! Please! Do you know how much pictures of
Asuka in her plugsuit could get us?" Toji asked his friend.
"I don't know and I don't care. That's about as good of an idea
as trying to take pictures of Misato." Although she probably wouldn't
care Shinji thought to himself. "I have to work and live with these
people you know." Shinji addressed his two 'friends.'
"Well, we don't want you to get in trouble over it Shinji..."
Kensuke said. "However, we are ready to cut you in fair on the profits
if you can!"
"For the last time no. Take your own damn pictures." Shinji
replied.
"Ok, ok! Shesh... If you don't want to help that's ok." Then Toji
nodded his head sagely and continued. "We understand. After all, it
is only right to fear the red-haired devil."
"I'm leaving now," Shinji said as he put the last of his things
into his school bag, and stood up. "See you two later."
"Well, if you're sure you don't want to come along. After all,
we might catch a glimpse of Rei too." Kensuke crooned evilly. He
probably would have said more if not for a shadow suddenly looming over
the three of them. A shadow originating from a very angry red head.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the three stooges, plotting and
scheming. I have a plan for you, though. I think you should maybe
give up amateur photography." With this she dropped a choice selection
of photos on the desk in front of them. "In fact, I have some VERY
convincing arguments about the health hazards associated with amateur
photography."
"Ahhh, Asuka. It's, it's... not what you think! Really!" Kenskue
stammered. Asuka simply cracked her knuckles as she silently
approached.
Shinji, knowing when to choose his battles, escaped in the
confusion.
Despite the global devastation caused by the Second Impact,
nature had made a definite comeback, and had in many cases even
succeeded in adapting to the state of eternal summer that the world was
locked in. Shinji thought about this as he wandered through the woods
near Tokyo-3. The same woods where he had gone when he ran away soon
after he arrived. He remembered how he had encountered the military
nut Kenskue while the other was camping and playing soldier. About how
he had made a friend that day.
Shinji never really had that much in the way of friends before
Toji and Kenskue, and his friendship with the two of them was odd to
say the least. Kenskue, well, worshiped him. Shinji was an Eva pilot,
lived with Misato and Asuka, worked in a top-secret military base,
quite literally everything Kenskue wanted out of life and then some.
Toji, on the other hand, hated Eva. His younger sister was hurt in the
fight between Eva 01 and the Third Angel, Shinji's first battle.
Because of this, Toji had borne a grudge against Shinji for a while,
but they were now good friends. This train of thought led him on to
other subjects. Eva. His job as a pilot. His fellow pilots, Rei and
Asuka. His roommate, guardian, commanding officer, friend, and maybe something
more, Misato.
He wondered, mused, and contemplated as he wandered, meandered,
and strolled through the lush forest. He was so deep in his thoughts
that he didn't notice the flash and flicker of blue light that heralded
a new arrival to his less then tranquil world; but he did notice the
voices suddenly intruding on his silence.
["Is he going to be ok?"] asked a female voice, thick with
concern.
["He isss jusst exaussted, he will be fine after he resstsss."]
an oddly pitched, male?, voice replied.
"English?" Shinji thought to himself, "Who would be speaking
English?"
["Well, at least we lost those CS troops. Anyone got any idea on
where we are?"] Came another male voice.
Shinji's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to
investigate. He tried to go carefully through the underbrush but he
only succeeded in making slightly less noise then required to wake the
dead. As Shinji got closer he realized that the voices had gone
silent. Even as he thought that this was beginning to look like a bad
idea, he felt something circular and metallic press into his back.
Shinji froze.
["Walk forward"] a female voice ordered.
Shinji simply nodded his reply and did as ordered. ["I didn't
mean to interrupt"] Shinji said in not unskilled English. ["I just
wanted to see if you needed any help..."] Shinji's voice again trailed
off as he entered the clearing and began to process that he saw.
The two 20-foot-plus-robots, bristling with weapons, didn't
startle him much, hell, he piloted a 150-foot-tall 'bot. The massive
APC with all the gun emplacements was odd, but he did work in a
military complex. Their outfits were strange and somewhat alien, but
he had lived with Misato for a few months now, so he was used to that
too. No, what really caused him to be taken aback was the 8-foot tall
wolf... thing. Shinji 'eeped' and froze up. He was totally unprepared
for the next thing that happened. A giant snake slithered over to
where he was standing, coiled itself up and lifted its head level with
Shinji's. Then it spoke.
["Who, may I assk, are you?"] The snake said in excellent
English.
["Ask 'em where we are, too"] the giant wolf-thing said.
["I will, don't worry. I am trying to ssee if we even have a
common language first."] The snake replied.
["That might be kinda hard, boys"] the women who 'escorted'
Shinji into camp said. ["I think he fainted."]
Sure enough, Shinji Ikari, who had faced down giant monsters,
angry CO's, and the Red Devil herself, fainted dead away at the sight
of a talking wolf and snake.
...to be continued
Authors Comments:
Hello out there in Eva land. This idea for this fic has been
rattling around in my head for about 5 months now. It will be at least
20 or so chapters long (I have 6 hand written right now). Please,
please, please, c&c is more then welcome, even flames! You can email
me at isamu@evangelion.com, if you have ICQ, my number is 20130664. If
that isn't good enough, tuff shit, like hell am I giving you my phone
number or something. Now, for you Rifters out there, at the end of my
fics I'll try to pass along a few new spells or any new equipment that
I have my characters using. Most of it has been playtested to some
degree, but a clever player can twist anything, so think before you
allow. The spell Alister used to open the rift is a pseudo ritual
called 'Manipulate Nexus' (if you have a better name, tell me!). Game
info is as follows:
Manipulate Nexus
Level: 10 (or so)
Range: Special
Duration: 15 seconds per level of spell caster.
Saving Throw: None
P.P.E.: 350
When this spell is used, the sorcerer must be at a ley-line nexus
at a time of power (i.e. noon, nightfall, eclipse, equinox, etc.) and
have uncontested control over it. If these conditions are met, the
mage has two options. The first is to prevent the opening of a random
rift at this location. There is a danger to doing this though. If
there is too much P.P.E. at the location, the mage will not be able to
prevent the rift from occurring, and will be more than likely be
seriously injured by his attempt to contain it. First, the GM should
secretly role to see if a rift will even be opening at this time. If
one is, the mage has to roll percentile against his level as a mage
times 5 plus 5. For example, if the mage Alister wanted to prevent the
opening of a rift, he would need to roll under 60% (he is level 11).
Simple, ne? The other effect possible with this spell is to coax open
a rift during a time of increased power. As before the GM should role
to see if there will be a rift occurring naturally. If one is, the
mage can try to influence the area where the rift will open. This
cannot be an exact location, although it could be a planet, or even a
specific content with a good role. Another example could be the mage
trying to open it to someplace safe (GM's discretion.) The chance to
exert control over the rift uses the table that follows.
Percentile Roll Amount of Influence
01-50 No Control: Rift is Random
51-75 Some Control: Simple request
like "some place safe," or "not
a different dimension" are
possile.
76-90 Good Control: Planet (like Worm-
wood, Motherhome, or Rifts
Earth, no control over where)
91-97 Great Control: Planet and
and simple condition. (like,
"someplace safe on Wormwood")
98-99 Spectacular Control: A content
(or at least a general area) of
a specific planet.
00 Near Perfect Control: Planet,
area/contintent and simple
condition.
If no rift was occurring there naturally, then the mage has a
base percent chance to open a rift that is equal to his or her level
time 5. Alister had a 55% chance to open a Rift. At 8th level and
higher, a mage can also try to gain some control over where a forced
open rift will go. There level times 2 is used to see if any control
can be gained. Even then, the mage must roll under 30% plus one per
level to get a simple condition, no more control can be gained then
this.
Next I would like to thank my prereaders
Annie the Laughing Kookaburra
Draven Killjoy
Chris
Vash
Alan Slaughter
And the other friends who read and gave me side comments
(hopefully I'll pick up a few more before next time)
Well, that's all for now. See ya next time!
Rough Draft: v 1.0 10-10-2000
Rough Draft: v 1.1 11-29-2000
Rough Draft: v 1.2 12-25-2000 (Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!)
Final Draft: v 2.0 12-28-2000
A Neon Genesis Evangelion and Rifts crossover
Neon Genesis Evangelion is used without permission. It is copyright by
Gainix (wonderful folks!). Rifts®, Palladium Books®, Mechanoids® The
Mechanoid Invasion®, Rifts®, Megaverse®, RECON®, and After the Bomb®
Are registered trademark owned and licensed by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books, Inc. Cyber-Knight(TM), Coalition States(TM), Triax(TM)
Nightbane(TM), Nightlands(TM), Heroes Unlimited(TM), Villains Unlimited(TM),
Beyond the Supernatural(TM), Boxed Nightmares(TM), Ninjas & Superspies(TM),
Mystic China(TM), Palladium Fantasy RPG(TM), Mindwerks(TM), Vampire
Kingdoms(TM), The Juicer Uprising(TM), Phase World(TM), Wormwood(TM),
Psyscape(TM), Mega-Damage(TM), S.D.C.(TM), I.S.P.(TM), P.P.E.(TM), SAMAS(TM),
Splugorth(TM), Cyber-Knight(TM), Glitter Boy(TM), Juicer(TM), Mind Melter(TM),
Psi-Stalker(TM), Coalition States(TM), Northern Gun(TM), Erin Tarn(TM),
Naruni(TM), ... and other names and titles are trademarks owned and licensed
by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books, Inc."... and are also used without
permission. Please don't sue me; I am a poor college student! If you sue
me I won't be able to waste my money on your wonderful products! 8^)
Introduction:
Sometime in the 21st century AD, mankind entered a golden age of
peace. The sciences, arts, and a sense of concern for fellow man were
the hallmarks of this tranquil age. But, as with all good things, it
came to a crashing end. What few accounts remain speak of hostility,
violence, and paranoia escalating overnight. Small wars broke out and
quickly spun out of control. The technologies developed for peace (and
during it) quickly became the new weapons for war. Mind over Matter
(M.O.M.) implants, Juicer augmentation, and cybernetic conversions were
used to create elite forces of super-soldiers. New breakthroughs in
the fields of armor and robotics made it possible to create the flying
SAMAS (Strategic Armor Military Assault Suite) and the laser resistant,
rail gun toting robot the 'Glitter Boy.' Even the immense submersible
super carrier, the USS Ticonderoga, was made possible through the
golden ages technological advances.
It is not know exactly when or how, but from salvaged military
reports, top secret files, and old news print, several events are
though to have catalyzed what would later be know as the Coming of the
Rifts. In South America, battalions of 'glitter boys' laid waste to
several major cities. At the same time, a nuclear exchange happened in
the Middle East. Elsewhere, in a secret military lab in Texas, an
experimental 'transdimensional engine' was activated. In the heavens
above, a rare alignment of the planets took place. With a
metaphysically deafening roar, life energy (also called PPE-potential
psychic energy), the fuel of magic, flooded the long dormant and
shallow ley line field of Earth. Like a flash flood, the PPE swelled
over the lines meant to contain it and crashed over into the physical
world, causes disasters of biblical proportions. As more and more
perished to the forces of war and nature, rips began to appear in the
fabric of space-time. Millions of them. From these tears, these
Rifts, came all manner of beings, creatures, and monsters. The killing
continued, but it was now a slaughter at the hands of the demons that
had once plagued man's nightmares that had suddenly stepped violently
into reality. Dragons flew the skies, vampires fed upon the unwary,
and horrors previously unnamed butchered for the pure joy of death.
Man's mighty civilization crumbled into dust.
Several hundred years later, humanity was able to rise from the
ashes and begin to rebuild civilization anew. But now things were
different. Not all that had come out of the Rifts were hostile. Some
were simply refuges, explorers, or just unlucky. Mankind began to not
only relearn what they had lost, but to acquire new skills. New powers
became commonplace and old were rediscovered. For the first time since
Merlin, true mages walked openly among their fellows. The once
scoffed-at psionic gifts became more potent, and more commonplace.
Mankind was no longer alone, now we shared our world with inhuman
creatures, given the generic name of dimensional being, or d-bee for
short. However, some could not bring themselves to trust these inhuman
and often monstrous creatures. From this fear and paranoia, the
Coalition of States (the CS) was formed on the bones of the American
Empire. Xenophobic and militant, the CS declared magic users and d-
bees abominations to be banished from our world at the very least,
hunted down and exterminated if necessary. So from the territories of
the CS (the areas once known as Texas, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois,
and parts of several others former US states) war was eventually waged.
Among the first targets of their emperors 'campaign of expansion' was
the independent kingdom of Tolkeen. Built on the ruins of Minneapolis
Minnesota, this kingdom embraced magic and accepted the inhuman to it.
And so, war was waged, magic vs. technology. Many eyes from across the
megaverse watched as the drama unfolded, for Earth had become a
crossroads to countless worlds, and a great deal of interest was vested
in this struggle.
It is a time and a place when the slightest of things or the most
unexpected of people can alter the balance of power.
This is just such a case.
Chapter 1: Blazing New Trails
Tolkeen knew that to win their war against the CS would require
resources, powers and allies not regularly at their disposal. So, the
ruling counsel sent agents far and wide, and across the dimensions, in
search of anything that could shift the balance in their favor. The
agents returned with weapons of magic, bloodthirsty monsters willing to
swear allegiance to Tolkeens cause, and other powerful magic artifacts
and knowledge. Unfortunately these were not enough. Despite Tolkeens
early victories the Coalition's relentless advance and military might
proved to be the match to any thing that they could muster. As the
mages and their allies were pushed back further and further towards the
heart of their kingdom, they could see no hope. Then, out of nowhere,
one of the groups sent out in search of a mighty artifact resumed
communications. Not only that, but they were returning with the
artifact that they were sent for! However, the road was long and hard
and despite the courage and conviction of the mages and warriors sent,
it proved too much. But, before the last of them died, they entrusted
the enscrolled case holding the artifact to a group of wandering
mercenaries. This group of unlikely heroes (the best type of heroes,
in my opinion) were now charged to complete the last leg, and perhaps
the most dangerous, of the long journey. Tolkeen now rests it hopes on
the shoulders of the Ley-Line Walker Alister, the Wolfen Headhunter
Techno-Hound Ferris Bloodclaw, the Elven Mind Melter Amber, the AWOL
Coalition Ranger Anika Blake, the Headhunter Techno-Warrior Kyle, the
City Rat hacker and amateur mage Melissa, and the Pythonan Scholar
Hec'tarasss (Hector to his friends).
Even though they have only recently been entrusted with the case
holding the mysterious artifact, they have acquired quite a few
enemies. Most notably, the CS military. The agents of the CS had been
relentlessly perusing the case since its arrival in North America,
knowing full well the potential of a magic super weapon to turn the
tide of battle against them, and the change of couriers didn't throw
them off it's trail. For the five days that the box has been in their
possession, our heroes have been hounded by the CS fearsome Skelebots.
These Fully Automated Self-Sufficient Assault Robots required neither
food nor sleep, unlike their comparatively frail mortal targets. For
three days and nights, the mercs had been moving through the war zone
towards Tolkeens territories under the cover of Alister's spells.
Unfortunately the strain has taken its toll on the young mage; he is on
the verge of collapsing from exhaustion and can no longer maintain the
demanding spells that hide them from their pursuers. Detecting that
their targets are close at hand, the Skelebots have called on their
human masters to assist in the final confrontation. Three armored
squads as well as mixed groups of Commandos, Special Forces, and Psi-
corp agents are converging on their target. The only thing that might
save them is the approach of midnight and the coming of the Autumnal
Equinox, a time of power.
-Time- September 22nd, 112 PA; 11:54 pm.
-Place- The North American Midwest, Somewhere in the war zone between
the Coalition of States and the Kingdom of Tolkeen.
"So Alister, what's your plan?" the partial-conversion cyborg
mercenary Kyle asked.
"In a few minutes the Autumnal Equinox will begin. I believe
that when it does I can draw enough magic in from the nexus to... coax
a small rift to open." The wizard replied, a weary edge to his voice.
"However, I don't have the strength to control WERE it will send us."
"We could end up worse off then we are now" the 9-foot tall
humanoid wolf Ferris commented. He then looked over to where he knew
that the skelebots were waiting patiently for their backup. He
suddenly grinned, "But that would be an accomplishment, even for you."
"Ya, but I would rather take a chance ta get the hell outa here,
then sit around and wait for the CS to come get me." Melissa
countered.
"Listen, if those CS troops get here, we're dead. If we
surrender we end up in one of general Dougue's 'happy camps.' I'd
rather die. I've seen what it's like inside..." Anika's voice trailed
off. She had once been a soldier in the CS and the others knew not to
press her for more information. Besides, they knew about the camps
too.
"I for one don't relish the thought of being in CS custody again
anytime soon, or ever. Well Hector, we've followed your advise this
far and it's kept us alive. You think jumping a rift is worth the
risk?" Kyle asked. The others turned to look at the large snake
coiled up in the weapon mount on the groups armored personal charier
('liberated' some time ago from the CS, they all had death sentences
out on them for that alone).
"I would agree that it iss indeed a rissk to just jump through a
random rift like thisss. However, I would rather have a chance at
life, then asssured death." The snake replied.
"I hate to interrupt but, we got company!" Amber called from the
pilot compartment of the APC. "I just picked up a whole bunch of very
unfriendly looking blips on the long range radar. We got a few minutes
at best."
"All right, mount up and hold 'em off. We only need to buy some
time." With that Kyle climbed into his X-2000 Dyna-Max assault mech.
Ferris also climbed into his IR-2040 Destroyer. Either one of these
machines was the equal to a 20th century tank battalion. Hector,
despite his lack of arms, used the telekinetic powers natural to his
race to control the rail gun. Amber started the engine to the APC and
Melissa opened its back hatch. Anika mounted her hovercycle, started
its engine, and began to train her rifle towards where her former
countrymen would be approaching. The CS army didn't disappoint.
With a silent charge, the skelebots came into firing range. The
two big 'bots opened fire on the automaton soldiers, each the equal to
several 20th century tanks themselves. But, before the skelebots could
close, the Equinox came. Alister felt it in every fiber of his being,
the power that rushed into him as he drew from the nexus beneath him,
swollen with magical energy. Alister twisted and shaped that raw power
that permeated all life and the whole of the megaverse itself to coax
an opening in the fabric of reality. On the other side, anyone who was
looking could see a sunlight forest.
With this last great effort, Alister collapsed from exhaustion.
Before he could even hit the ground though, Melissa caught him and
lifted him into the APC. As soon as they were inside, Amber drove
through the portal, followed by Anika, with the two robots bringing up
the rear. Under a storm of rail gun fire and blasts of energy that
turned night into day, they escaped.
The forces of the CS swarmed about the phenomena like angry
flies. While eager to chase their prey, the soldiers were hesitant to
go through a rift. About a mile away, in an armored command vehicle,
the colonel in charge of the operation listened to the report from the
lieutenant in the field.
"The mage must not have been as weak as our intelligence reports
indicated. It seems he was able to open a rift due to the astrological
timing. Do you want us to pursue them through?"
"Negative. Return to base camp. But leave a squad of skelebots
there just in case they try and pull some sort of trick on us."
"But sir" can we just let them get away like this? I thought
General Dougue said it was imperative to the war effort that we stop
them from delivering the artifact to the kingdom of Tolkeen or any of
its allies. How can we be sure that they won't somehow get it there?!"
"Are you offering to lead a team through after them lieutenant?"
The Colonel was getting tired of this and wasn't ready to damn any of
his forces to an alien world. "If you are, then I suggest that you
move your ass and get through that rift before it closes."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the comlink
before a reply came: "No, sir. Understood, sir."
"Well then, mop up and let me deal with Dougue. That's my job."
"Yes sir."
As the com channel was taken up by other orders the colonel mused
about whether this would be his last report to his CO. The general
didn't like failure.
After a few minutes the rift flickered and winked out of
existence, the two enemy war machines still standing sentry on the
other side.
-Time- Saturday, November 12th, 2015 AD, 12:58 pm
-Place- Japan, the third city of Tokyo, the Jr. High School, room A-11
"Stand up. Bow. Dismissed." called out an authoritative female
voice.
As the students shuffle out, two head towards a desk in one
corner of the room. The three are soon deeply engrossed in an
obviously important conversation.
"No Toji, I will not help you take pictures of Asuka."
"Aww, come on Shinji! Please! Do you know how much pictures of
Asuka in her plugsuit could get us?" Toji asked his friend.
"I don't know and I don't care. That's about as good of an idea
as trying to take pictures of Misato." Although she probably wouldn't
care Shinji thought to himself. "I have to work and live with these
people you know." Shinji addressed his two 'friends.'
"Well, we don't want you to get in trouble over it Shinji..."
Kensuke said. "However, we are ready to cut you in fair on the profits
if you can!"
"For the last time no. Take your own damn pictures." Shinji
replied.
"Ok, ok! Shesh... If you don't want to help that's ok." Then Toji
nodded his head sagely and continued. "We understand. After all, it
is only right to fear the red-haired devil."
"I'm leaving now," Shinji said as he put the last of his things
into his school bag, and stood up. "See you two later."
"Well, if you're sure you don't want to come along. After all,
we might catch a glimpse of Rei too." Kensuke crooned evilly. He
probably would have said more if not for a shadow suddenly looming over
the three of them. A shadow originating from a very angry red head.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the three stooges, plotting and
scheming. I have a plan for you, though. I think you should maybe
give up amateur photography." With this she dropped a choice selection
of photos on the desk in front of them. "In fact, I have some VERY
convincing arguments about the health hazards associated with amateur
photography."
"Ahhh, Asuka. It's, it's... not what you think! Really!" Kenskue
stammered. Asuka simply cracked her knuckles as she silently
approached.
Shinji, knowing when to choose his battles, escaped in the
confusion.
Despite the global devastation caused by the Second Impact,
nature had made a definite comeback, and had in many cases even
succeeded in adapting to the state of eternal summer that the world was
locked in. Shinji thought about this as he wandered through the woods
near Tokyo-3. The same woods where he had gone when he ran away soon
after he arrived. He remembered how he had encountered the military
nut Kenskue while the other was camping and playing soldier. About how
he had made a friend that day.
Shinji never really had that much in the way of friends before
Toji and Kenskue, and his friendship with the two of them was odd to
say the least. Kenskue, well, worshiped him. Shinji was an Eva pilot,
lived with Misato and Asuka, worked in a top-secret military base,
quite literally everything Kenskue wanted out of life and then some.
Toji, on the other hand, hated Eva. His younger sister was hurt in the
fight between Eva 01 and the Third Angel, Shinji's first battle.
Because of this, Toji had borne a grudge against Shinji for a while,
but they were now good friends. This train of thought led him on to
other subjects. Eva. His job as a pilot. His fellow pilots, Rei and
Asuka. His roommate, guardian, commanding officer, friend, and maybe something
more, Misato.
He wondered, mused, and contemplated as he wandered, meandered,
and strolled through the lush forest. He was so deep in his thoughts
that he didn't notice the flash and flicker of blue light that heralded
a new arrival to his less then tranquil world; but he did notice the
voices suddenly intruding on his silence.
["Is he going to be ok?"] asked a female voice, thick with
concern.
["He isss jusst exaussted, he will be fine after he resstsss."]
an oddly pitched, male?, voice replied.
"English?" Shinji thought to himself, "Who would be speaking
English?"
["Well, at least we lost those CS troops. Anyone got any idea on
where we are?"] Came another male voice.
Shinji's curiosity got the better of him and he decided to
investigate. He tried to go carefully through the underbrush but he
only succeeded in making slightly less noise then required to wake the
dead. As Shinji got closer he realized that the voices had gone
silent. Even as he thought that this was beginning to look like a bad
idea, he felt something circular and metallic press into his back.
Shinji froze.
["Walk forward"] a female voice ordered.
Shinji simply nodded his reply and did as ordered. ["I didn't
mean to interrupt"] Shinji said in not unskilled English. ["I just
wanted to see if you needed any help..."] Shinji's voice again trailed
off as he entered the clearing and began to process that he saw.
The two 20-foot-plus-robots, bristling with weapons, didn't
startle him much, hell, he piloted a 150-foot-tall 'bot. The massive
APC with all the gun emplacements was odd, but he did work in a
military complex. Their outfits were strange and somewhat alien, but
he had lived with Misato for a few months now, so he was used to that
too. No, what really caused him to be taken aback was the 8-foot tall
wolf... thing. Shinji 'eeped' and froze up. He was totally unprepared
for the next thing that happened. A giant snake slithered over to
where he was standing, coiled itself up and lifted its head level with
Shinji's. Then it spoke.
["Who, may I assk, are you?"] The snake said in excellent
English.
["Ask 'em where we are, too"] the giant wolf-thing said.
["I will, don't worry. I am trying to ssee if we even have a
common language first."] The snake replied.
["That might be kinda hard, boys"] the women who 'escorted'
Shinji into camp said. ["I think he fainted."]
Sure enough, Shinji Ikari, who had faced down giant monsters,
angry CO's, and the Red Devil herself, fainted dead away at the sight
of a talking wolf and snake.
...to be continued
Authors Comments:
Hello out there in Eva land. This idea for this fic has been
rattling around in my head for about 5 months now. It will be at least
20 or so chapters long (I have 6 hand written right now). Please,
please, please, c&c is more then welcome, even flames! You can email
me at isamu@evangelion.com, if you have ICQ, my number is 20130664. If
that isn't good enough, tuff shit, like hell am I giving you my phone
number or something. Now, for you Rifters out there, at the end of my
fics I'll try to pass along a few new spells or any new equipment that
I have my characters using. Most of it has been playtested to some
degree, but a clever player can twist anything, so think before you
allow. The spell Alister used to open the rift is a pseudo ritual
called 'Manipulate Nexus' (if you have a better name, tell me!). Game
info is as follows:
Manipulate Nexus
Level: 10 (or so)
Range: Special
Duration: 15 seconds per level of spell caster.
Saving Throw: None
P.P.E.: 350
When this spell is used, the sorcerer must be at a ley-line nexus
at a time of power (i.e. noon, nightfall, eclipse, equinox, etc.) and
have uncontested control over it. If these conditions are met, the
mage has two options. The first is to prevent the opening of a random
rift at this location. There is a danger to doing this though. If
there is too much P.P.E. at the location, the mage will not be able to
prevent the rift from occurring, and will be more than likely be
seriously injured by his attempt to contain it. First, the GM should
secretly role to see if a rift will even be opening at this time. If
one is, the mage has to roll percentile against his level as a mage
times 5 plus 5. For example, if the mage Alister wanted to prevent the
opening of a rift, he would need to roll under 60% (he is level 11).
Simple, ne? The other effect possible with this spell is to coax open
a rift during a time of increased power. As before the GM should role
to see if there will be a rift occurring naturally. If one is, the
mage can try to influence the area where the rift will open. This
cannot be an exact location, although it could be a planet, or even a
specific content with a good role. Another example could be the mage
trying to open it to someplace safe (GM's discretion.) The chance to
exert control over the rift uses the table that follows.
Percentile Roll Amount of Influence
01-50 No Control: Rift is Random
51-75 Some Control: Simple request
like "some place safe," or "not
a different dimension" are
possile.
76-90 Good Control: Planet (like Worm-
wood, Motherhome, or Rifts
Earth, no control over where)
91-97 Great Control: Planet and
and simple condition. (like,
"someplace safe on Wormwood")
98-99 Spectacular Control: A content
(or at least a general area) of
a specific planet.
00 Near Perfect Control: Planet,
area/contintent and simple
condition.
If no rift was occurring there naturally, then the mage has a
base percent chance to open a rift that is equal to his or her level
time 5. Alister had a 55% chance to open a Rift. At 8th level and
higher, a mage can also try to gain some control over where a forced
open rift will go. There level times 2 is used to see if any control
can be gained. Even then, the mage must roll under 30% plus one per
level to get a simple condition, no more control can be gained then
this.
Next I would like to thank my prereaders
Annie the Laughing Kookaburra
Draven Killjoy
Chris
Vash
Alan Slaughter
And the other friends who read and gave me side comments
(hopefully I'll pick up a few more before next time)
Well, that's all for now. See ya next time!
Rough Draft: v 1.0 10-10-2000
Rough Draft: v 1.1 11-29-2000
Rough Draft: v 1.2 12-25-2000 (Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!)
Final Draft: v 2.0 12-28-2000