FicWad

Chapter 2: Unifying Forces



"Is this real, Misato?" Shinji asked in his usual timid
voice as he sat in the passenger seat of Misato's beaten up old sports car.



"Looks that way, Shinji-kun," Misato replied glancing out
her rolled down window to see the large idling red semi rumbling as the two
vehicles were being lowered through the Geofront. "Wait, we just passed our
usual exit." Misato said as the elevator continued lower then usual.



The elevator stopped and Optimus followed Misato into the
large parking complex. She parked her car and the Commander of the Autobots
came to a stop and let Gendo exit before transforming into his robot mode.
"Come, Major Katsuragi." Commander Ikari said as the four made their way toward
a large hallway. "We've constructed a new more efficient Operations
Command Center.
You and Commander Prime will work closely together here."



"Yes sir," Misato said evenly.



"Pilot Ikari, you will perform a synch test to show the
Autobots exactly what our systems are capable of. Understood?" Commander Ikari
asked turning to the young teenager.



"Whatever ..." Shinji sighed indifferently,
not noticing Prime's gaze, as they walked down the hall.



"Very well, I'll leave you to get to work." Gendo said
taking an side hall toward his office.



"Major Katsuragi," Prime spoke up.



"Yes Commander Prime?" Misato's wide eyes turned to the
giant.



"Please, call me Optimus or Prime, whichever you're most
comfortable with. We'll be working together so no point in being awkwardly
formal." Prime nodded sagely, "Anyway, Spi- Commander Ikari, has he been this
cold for a long time?"



"As long as I've known him," Misato responded, "And Optimus,
if we're going to give informality a shot, call me Misato."



"Very well, Misato," Prime nodded looking forward as they
walked, "He seems so different from the boy I once knew."



"Second Impact changed a lot of people," Misato said,
looking away while gripping the cross that hung over her hidden scar.



"So it seems," Prime nodded again as they stopped before a
large sliding door.



The door slowly slide open and Misato and Shinji both gasped
at the massive command complex. "How long has he been building this?"



"Apparently Commander Ikari," Prime paused at the name, "Has
been constructing this complex since he contacted us two weeks ago."



"So what is it we're up against, Optimus?" Misato said as
they entered the circular command complex bustling with activity of both NERV
officers and Autobots around a large central holographic monitor.



"Ironhide?" Prime spoke up, "Have
you uploaded updated Decepticon information into the Magi?"



A large red Autobot stood up, "I got the Decepti-chops info
in there, Prime. No problem."



"Excellent," Prime nodded, "Bring up the file on Megatron."



"Maya, you heard the man," Misato spoke up.



"Yes, Major," Maya spoke from her
terminal.



A silver and black robot appeared on the monitor. Megatron
was tall and had a proud expression his face and a massive canon attached to
the upper side of his arm. "This is Megatron, commander of the Decepticons.
Though insane, he is a genius at strategy of war." Prime informed. "He is not
unlike the human historical figure Adolph Hitler. He has built a massive army
of Decepticons, many of which are Autobots who were turned to his way of
thinking. Also he has been receiving aid in recent years."



Prime let out a loud sigh as he approached the Autobot-sized
computer terminal. He opened a compartment on his forearm and removed a data
disk and placed it in a drive. "Access code: Optimus Prime, Beta, Gamma, Zulu
Two Niner."



A moment later what looked like a robotic planet replaced
the hologram of Megatron. It was green and gold in color with a massive
mechanical ring around it. At the front of the machine was a large spiked hole,
like a mouth, with two large horn-like spikes on either side. "This ... is
Unicron."



"We don't know where he came from, who created him, or what
his original purpose was." Prime continued, "He has destroyed countless worlds,
but before he usually attacks he would send a series of heralds to weaken the
planets defenses; usually around seventeen, one at a time."



The NERV personnel
all collectively turned very pale some gasped while most just stared in awe.
"Unicron has found favor in Megatron and his forces for reasons beyond me."
Prime continued after a short pause. "But he and Megatron have a 'you scratch
my back, I'll scratch yours' relationship. It's safe to say since you destroyed
his heralds, which to my knowledge has yet to be accomplished by anyone but
you, he'll send the Decepticons to unstable the defenses."



"So how can we destroy this Unicron?" Misato asked staring
at the planetoid.



"That ... is easier said then done, Misato," Prime stated,
"Unicron is roughly three times the size of your moon."



"Shit ..." Shinji murmured, before shrinking back from
Misato's glare.



"You watch that language, young man!" Misato scolded.



"Right, I'm sorry, Misato," Shinji murmured automatically,
looking like a whipped puppy.



"It's alright, son," Optimus spoke up turning his gaze on
the boy, "he gets that reaction a lot it seems."



"Optimus," a red and blue Autobot with what looked like a
giant microscope viewer attached on his shoulder walked into the command
center. "I've finished my analysis of the recovered Angel samples, sir."



"Yes, Perceptor." Optimus nodded,
as the group turned to the Autobot scientist.



"After a total of fifty tests and twenty five comparative
studies, I have come to a ninty percent expectancy that the DNA in the samples
recovered from the invading entities has at least a twenty five to eighty
percent comparison to Cybertronian and Unicronian technology." Perceptor stated
with a nod.



"Umm ... huh?" Shinji scratched his
head.



"Does that mean what I think it means?" Misato asked looking
toward Optimus.



"Your so called Angels come from Unicron." Perceptor
clarified.



"Great." Misato groaned, "That's just great."



"So I'll have to fight again huh?" Shinji said softly,
staring at his feet.



"Not necessarily," Optimus spoke up before Misato could
respond. "You don't have to do anything. You were drafted to defeat the
invaders. The invaders are destroyed. Your mission is accomplished. You don't
have to fight, Shinji." Prime said going down to one knee before the boy to try
to get close to eye level. Prime then glanced around at the NERV officers and
Autobots. "This goes for all of you. If you're fighting because you're told to
fight or you feel you HAVE to fight, get out now. When I took up arms in the Autobot
forces so many years ago, I didn't do it out of necessity. I did it because I
had something to fight for, something to defend. Look at yourselves, look at
yourself, Shinji. Do you have someone or something worth fighting for?
Something or someone you'd choose to fight for?"



"I have studied your battles, Shinji," Prime said to the
stunned boy, "You're a proud warrior, one of the greatest I believe I have ever
seen. Now I'm asking you, will you fight again, fight by my side in this
campaign?"



"I ... I ..." Shinji stammered in total shock. Never once has he
been given a choice in his life, he's always been told what to do, where to go,
and what to fight. Now stood a living legend before him, a warrior that
commanded authority, and he was holding out his hand
asking for his help.



Shinji glanced to the equally surprised Misato, who he was
quickly considering a second mother. This his mind
wondered to Asuka, who he had failed to help twice. "I'll do it."



"Excellent, I was hoping you would," Prime said, a hint of
joy in his deep voice, "You're a model of a hero, son, I'm sure we'll have a
much greater chance with you in a command position on the field."



"WHA?!?" Shinji and Misato gawked.



"Prowl," Prime spoke up, "Begin assembling an Autobot unit
for Lt. Ikari."



"B-But I'm just a pilot ..." Shinji stammered.



"In NERV, perhaps," Prime said, standing up, "The Autobots
are always looking for some good fighters, if you're willing of course."



"I ... I ...." Shinji couldn't get the words out. "Yes, Sir,
I'll do my best to make you proud!"



Misato gawked at the smile spreading on Shinji's face.



"I know you will son," Prime stated, "Wheeljack, after Lt.
Ikari's synch test, I want you to place an Autobot symbol or two on Unit 01."



"I'm so proud of you, Shinji-kun!!" Misato chimed pulling
Shinji into a bone crushing hug, smothering his face in her chest.



"Lucky bastard," Makoto murmured, watching Shinji wraith in
Misato's embrace trying to reach air.



Misato finally released Shinji, who fell back gasping for
air, his face glowing bright red, "MISATO!! PUBLIC!"



"Oh, calm down, Shinji-chan, they still don't know what we
do in private," Misato said teasingly, enjoying every minute of Shinji's
embarrassment.



"MISATO!!!!!!" Shinji bellowed,
glowing even brighter.



"I'm just playing. Now get a move on to the synch test,
Lieutenant." Misato said in mock-commanding tone.



Shinji started to run toward the elevator but stopped and
started walking with his head held high. "Shinji."
Prime spoke up.



"Sir?" Shinji turned back to face
the Autobot commander.



"Till All Are One." Prime said in a
proud voice.



"Huh?" Shinji cocked his head to the side.



"It's the Autobot battle cry." Prime informed.



"Oh, ok," Shinji nodded then smiled. "Then
... T-Till All Are One." He blushed slightly when the Autobots in the room
echoed him. He gave a shy nod and walked into the elevator.



Meanwhile in the office overlooking the Command Complex,
Gendo Ikari scowled at the scene he just witnessed.



---



"Ok, Shinji," Maya's voice came over the speaker of his
Entry Plug. "We're inserting the Plug now ... insertion complete, filling with
LCL." Shinji took a deep breath before the strange tasting yet breathable fluid
filled his confined plug. "Are you alright, Shinji?"



"Never better," Shinji said, with a shy smile, before
jumping when the loud voice filled the com.



"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING TOKYO-3!!" the happy-go-lucky
sounding voice boomed, "This is Evangelion Rock, All Rock, All the time! And
I'm your DJ, Blaster!" a window popped up with a smiling red yellow and gray
armored Autobot's face looking at him. "How're you holding up
in there, Lil' Buddy?"



"I'm ... I'm ok." Shinji blinked.



"Sweetness!" Blaster cheered, "You
ready to rock and roll then?"



"Um ... yeah I guess ..." Shinji stammered shyly.



"Sorry, bro, not good enough," Blaster grinned, "I said, are
you ready to rock and roll?"



"Yes," Shinji nodded, still hesitantly.



"I can't hear you."



"Yes, I'm ready!"



"Ready for what?"



"Rock and Roll!"



"Good boy," Blaster smiled, before Shinji watched him
Transform and shrink down into the form of a red and yellow boom box. "YAOW! Hook me up, Babe, and let's see what the Heart Break
Kid here can do!"



"Don't call me Babe," Maya groaned, hooking a few cables
into Blaster, and then turned back to the camera. "Alright Shinji, you know the
drill."



"Right ..." Shinji nodded, and began synchronizing with
EVA-01.



---



"Pilot Ikari is a member of NERV, Prime," Gendo spoke
hatefully from the risen area of his office balcony so that he could look the
Commander of the Autobots face to face. "You overstepped your boundaries. Pilot
Ikari ..."



"Shinji is your son," Prime spoke harshly, "And he has a
heart of a warrior, like you once had."



"Shinji has a purpose," Gendo growled, "And being a
commander of a unit of Autobots will conflict with it."



"You mean Human Instrumentality?" Prime asked casually,
causing Gendo to visibly blanch.



"How did you ..." Gendo stammered, glaring at the Transformer.



"You shouldn't keep important files like that in the MAGI,
even under the security measures you used." Prime stated, "To properly protect
this fortress and this world, I had to properly know everything about this
instillation. Perceptor and Prowl had a hard time getting through the safety
measures and when I saw what you were planning I didn't want to believe it...
Spike, what's happened to you?"



"Spike's dead," Gendo hissed, "He died when your war took his wife and son."



"I understand," Prime stated sarcastically, "You lost Carlie
and Daniel, so you're now forsaking Shinji your living son. How do you think
Yui will greet you, Gendo? You used her son to destroy mankind, exactly what
this SEELE was trying to do. Yes, she'll definitely look over that."



"..."



"If Sparkplug could see you now..." Prime shook his head.



"Don't bring my father into this!" Gendo snapped angrily, "I
will accomplish my goals, Prime, and no Decepticon, Autobot, or Angel will get
in my way!"



Prime narrowed his optics at the man who he once considered
a friend. "Then you're no better then Megatron." With that Optimus Prime turned
his back and walked away from the stunned human.



---



"Excellent job, Shinji, you have an 80 percent synch ratio.
That's really good." Maya said, as Shinji felt his Evangelion beginning to be
moved. "Now we've got another pop quiz for you."



"Huh?" Shinji asked worriedly.



"Commander Prime wants your leadership assessed, so you're
going to be given a trial run with your unit." Maya said, "I'm going to give
the com of to Major Katsuragi now."



Shinji nodded as the Evangelion was placed on a launch
platform.



"Hiya Shinji!" Misato beamed at him.



"Um ... what's going on?" Shinji asked nervously.



"Optimus didn't waste time, Shinji-kun," Misato winked,
"He's got you an Autobot unit assembled and we're going to have a mock-battle."




"Unit?" Shinji asked as a series of
pictures appeared before him.



"Evangelus Unit:" Misato started shifting to her professional
persona. "EVA-01 in command, followed by Jazz, Gold Bug,
Cliffjumper, Kup, Blurr, and Springer."



"O-Ok, who're we
supposed to fight?" Shinji asked.



"Prime Unit," Misato beamed, "Led by Optimus Prime, followed
by Ironhide, Red Alert, Arcee, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Ultra Magnus."



"I'm dead ..." Shinji gulped.




"Relax, Shinji-kun," Misato chuckled, "All the weapons will
be on stun only, and it's only to see how the Evangelions can handle on the
field. Just remember your representing NERV out
there!"



"Gee ... thanks, Misato ..." Shinji grumbled.



"EVANGELION LAUNCH!" Misato
ordered, and Shinji felt his stomach go to his feet as the Evangelion rocked to
the surface through the tunnel.



Shinji squinted his eyes adjusting
to the light on the surface before he felt the restraints come lose from the
Eva. "Restraints are clear, Evangelion away," Misato stated.



"Roger that, moving out," Shinji said as he willed EVA-01 to
walk off the launch platform.



"Slag ..." he heard one of the Autobots gasp as he approached
his unit.



"Is that an Evangelion?" Springer, the green and gold
Autobot said looking up and down the purple, black, and green behemoth.



"Um ... hey guys ..." Shinji said shyly.



"Hah! Reminds of me of the Goliaths of
Planet Randor." An older looking Autobot, Kup, said, crossing his arms
over his chest.



"Yourethebosssowhatdowedobosshuhhuhhuhwhatdowedo?" a blue
Autobot rambled.



"Blurr right?" Shinji asked,
glancing to the hyper robot. "Um ... I guess we spread out and find the enemy,"
Shinji said trying to think like Misato.



"Works," Gold Bug the shortest gold-plated Autobot said as
they started to track forward in the forested area.



"Stupid trees," Jazz said, glancing around the thick forest,
"not enough room to drive!"



"Never really had a problem before," Shinji said with a
smirk. "Hey ..." he said noticing the vehicular parts that made up Jazz's armor, "You
look familiar."



The Autobots and Eva finally made it out of the clearing. "Where
are they? Misato, any chance of giving me the location of the ones we have to
fight?" Shinji asked, as the Evangelion looked around searching for any signs
of their opponents.



"Sorry, Shinji-kun, you're on your own this time." Misato
replied with an apologetic smile.



"It's ok ..." Shinji nodded, then
snapped his eyes opened at the sound of twin truck horns. "What
the?" He asked just before something hit the ankles of his Eva hard.



Shinji cried out as his Eva's feet flew out from under it,
sending it tumbling to the ground. "Hey, you ok?" Gold Bug asked looking down
at the downed Evangelion.



"Yeah, what hit me?" Shinji asked as the Eva got back to
hits feet to see the other Unit standing before them in Robot-mode with the
exception of the semi trucks Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. "survive Angels ... get taken down by trucks ... figures ..."



Shinji narrowed his eyes as Optimus transformed, "Alright,
you guys keep his support off me, I'll handle the leader."



"This I gotta see," Cliffjumper said with a smirk, before
getting kicked in the face by Arcee. "HEY! I thought this was supposed to be
testing him!"



"You're just making excuses about getting hit by a girl,"
the female Transformer smirked resting her hands on her hips.



"You really want to fight, sir?" Shinji asked, the
Evangelion looming over the much smaller Optimus Prime like a lion over a
mouse. "I mean ... it doesn't seem fair ..."



"You're right, Shinji," Optimus replied with amusement in
his voice, "It's unfair for you."



Optimus drew his
blaster and fired on the unsuspecting Evangelion, and Shinji barely dodged the
blast. Though set on stun it was easily the thickness of the Eva's arm. "Crap,
that's a canon!" Shinji gasped ducking another blast.



01 reared back and slung a massive blow toward the smaller
Autobot, but Prime easily dodged, the attack. "Stop, Shinji, don't hold back. I
won't break." Prime ordered, kicking Shinji in the bend of the elbow, to push
him up to smash the Eva's jaw with the butt of his blaster. "Stop trying to hit
me and hit me!"



"He's getting killed out there," Makoto covered his eyes.



"This is ugly ..." Maya winced.



"GO PRIME GO!" Misato cheered, earning stares by the NERV
crew. "What ... can't I cheer my childhood hero?" she asked earning glares from
her crew and chuckled from the Autobots.



It was almost a dance out on the training field. The support
units had for several minutes stopped fighting and just watched the almost choreographed
battle. Despite the size difference, Optimus Prime was giving Shinji the fight
of his life. But for the first time since he was forced into the Entry Plug of
Unit 01, Shinji was enjoying himself.



"C'mon, Shinji, lets see what an Evangelion can do," Prime
said leaping toward him again, forcing his fist into the Eva's stomach. Shinji gasped
at the feedback, but quickly recovered with a weak chuckle,



"Alright, try this one for size!" Shinji said backhanding
Prime hard in the chest, sending the Autobot Commander crashing into the
ground.



The Autobots were more then a bit stunned when Optimus didn't
leap back to his feet, but stayed on his hands and knees for a moment shaking
his head. "Good, keep fighting like that."



Shinji dove for Optimus, but in mid leap, he saw Prime's
hand retract into his arm and a large energy mace erupt from the arm. He had no
time to react before the blow struck his Eva right between the eyes like a bat
hitting a baseball.



This time, it was the NERV officers turn to go into a
stunned silence as the mighty 'Demon' Evangelion 01 stumbled backwards and
landed hard on its back and laid there.



Shinji blinked several times, trying to get the stares to
leave his vision, and when they finally did, he was looking down the barrel of
Optimus Prime's barrel. "Oh snap." Shinji sighed letting his head drop back,
and the Evangelion mimicked his movement.



"This exercise is over." Prime stated, "Excellent match,
Shinji, you almost had me a few times."



"He ..." Makoto blinked.



"Lost ..." Maya finished for him.



"Ok, people, pay up!" Misato grinned at the bridge crew. The
NERV officers glanced at each other, but begrudgingly removed their billfolds
and began placing large bills in Misato's waiting hands.



"I can't believe you bet against your own ward," Maya
complained as she dropped her yen into Misato's greedy grasp.



"Don't get me wrong, I love my Shinji-kun, but ... It's
Optimus Prime! C'mon!" Misato said as she counted the bills.



---



Elsewhere in the fortress, a single figure roamed the hallways
in confusion. Ayanami Rei was confused enough, with her blank places in her
memory, and her lack of purpose without
her EVA-00, but to add to it with the complete reconstruction of the NERV
headquarters without even a warning was too much.



"It was to serve a purpose ... Everything is to serve a
purpose." Rei said softly to her self as she continued to search for the
Command Complex. "but ..." she stopped as a train of
thought hit her, "what is my purpose?"



Her purpose as far as she knew was to obey the Commander. "But
to serve my purpose I must locate Commander Ikari ..." She said, her soft voice raising slightly with a strange emotion flooding her. "Frustration
..." She guessed from her study of other human beings around her.



Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt the hall vibrate
for a moment, but only a moment. Her violet eyes blinked when she felt it
again. She glanced up and cocked her head to the side in curiosity as five
robotic creatures approached her. "Hello? Do you speak?" Rei asked in a
monotone voice as the group of Robots stopped before her.



"Why little human not run?" the leader asked.



"Why would I run away?" Rei asked, her nose scrunching up in
thought, "I am not Pilot Ikari, who has a reputation for doing such."



"You no scared?" the
leader inquired, "We could crush little human easily."



"Yes, your size could aid you in easily extinguishing my
life," Rei mused, "It is said to die is when you learn to live. I wish to learn
of that so it would prove to be my final goal. Why would I be afraid of that."



"Little human strange ..." the leader shook his massive head.



"Yes ... I have been told this," Rei said with a small bow.



"Little human lost?" the leader asked.



"Yes, I have ... I am uncertain where Commander Ikari's office
is," Rei said a small hint of pink appearing on her cheeks, "Apparently he has relocated
and I am unaware where."



"We know, Spike is near Command Complex," the leader nodded.




"I do not know where that is either ..." Rei said the pink
turning to a full blush.



"No get embarrassed," the leader gave a small chuckle, "Big
place, easy get lost. We take you where you want go."



"I thank you," Rei said giving another bow. "I am Pilot
Ayanami Rei. What may I call you?"



"Me Grimlock and we Dinobots."



To Be Continued ...



Next Chapter: A Girl's Best Friend.