Eva ˝ by John Rossmaier the_rossmage82@hotmail.com Disclaimer: The series Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ranma ˝ are not mine, but I'm sure you guys know that already. Plus, suing me will get you nothing. Just don't try to sell this. As if it has any monetary value anyway. * * * * * Prologue * * * * * [Scene opens to dramatic music, which flows through a powerful series of chords and phrases that just makes you tear up upon listening. By the way, the soundtrack is available at our online website... http://store.jrossco.com/eva˝/product.html. Limited supply, so place your orders as soon as you read this.] [Ahem... At any rate, scene is pitch black, but fades slowly in to reveal a table with five seated figures. One is looking into a computer monitor mounted within the table. The five appear to be discussing something important, seeing as how the dramatic music has now faded into a low-volume bass thrum that screams tension. Moments later, a few chimes are heard.] FIRST FIGURE: Finally! Damn Windows 98. I can't wait until they upgrade to something that boots up faster. SECOND FIGURE: Of course, sir. Now, I do believe we're ready to begin the Human Instrumentality Project. The question remains, though... who shall "head" our organization? THIRD FIGURE: The information should be present within the computer... FOURTH FIGURE: Provided that Windows didn't crash and delete our data again. [A few moments of silence follows, save the throbbing bass melody that is still screaming tension. Silently, the fifth figure stands and wanders out of view. The others don't seem to notice. After a few moments, the computer twitters and a data file loads onto the screen.] FIRST FIGURE: Let's see... Hmmm... I don't believe I know this person. SECOND FIGURE: That doesn't sound good. The committee was supposed to select a candidate that could be trusted not to step outside our schedule's bounds. Someone that would follow protocol and adhere to our timetable to a 'T'. THIRD FIGURE: If the committee selected him, then I suppose we should rest easy. FOURTH FIGURE: Of course. They wouldn't have left anything to chance. [Ominous music filters in, but is quickly replaced by the throbbing bass melody, which is still screaming tension.] FIRST FIGURE: [frowning] Will someone shut that damn stereo off? That music is driving me up the wall. SECOND FIGURE: Of course, sir. [The third figure stands up and wanders out of view. A horrible smashing sound reverberates throughout the room. The thrumming bass dies abruptly, leaving behind the ominous music. Slowly, the third figure walks back in and takes his seat.] FOURTH FIGURE: Don't you think that last scene was extremely tedious and unnecessary? FIRST FIGURE: Truth be told, this entire story is extremely tedious and unnecessary. SECOND FIGURE: Ah. [The four sit in silence for a few minutes.] THIRD FIGURE: Wasn't there something that we should be doing? FOURTH FIGURE: Correct. Back to business. FIRST FIGURE: [pointing towards monitor] Yes. Prepare a team. We must contact this... "Soun Tendo" at once. Then, the Instrumentality Project will be underway. THIRD FIGURE: Yes, sir. SECOND FIGURE: Hey! It was my turn to speak! THIRD FIGURE: Sorry. FIRST FIGURE: You've screwed up the order. [sighs] Now we'll have to do the scene over again. FOURTH FIGURE: Why? [Silence... except for a low thrumming bass screaming tension.] FIRST FIGURE: I thought you took care of our little music problem? THIRD FIGURE: [sighs] One moment, sir. [Scene fades to black, after a horrible smashing sound.] * * * * * [Scene opens in a small darkened room. A short figure crouches before one of four lit computer monitors. Wires and objects trail like tentacles from each box, snaking back into the darkness to connect to wall terminals. The little man is cackling madly as he types on one of the keyboards.] SHORT FIGURE: [grinning] That'll teach them who's boss around here. * * * * * [Tendo dojo. Soun and Genma are sitting on the back porch, admiring the scenery while sipping hot tea recently supplied by Kasumi. Well, Soun is admiring the scenery. Genma is admiring his favorable position on the shogi board.] SOUN: [sighs] It's a beautiful day, eh, Saotome? GENMA: [removing another of Soun's pieces] That it is, Tendo. That it is. [A breeze rushes through the compound, whistling as it snakes through the tree limbs. The chimes sound. A koi jumps out of the koi pond, lingers in the air for a moment, before splashing back into the clear waters. All in all, a picture perfect day. The kind of view that would make you tear up with suppressed emotion. As a side note, this animation cel is also available for purchase at our website... http://store.jrossco.com/eva˝/product.html. We now return you to your regularly scheduled fanfic.] SOUN: It's a magnificent afternoon. Bright sun, beautiful weather, a good game of shogi... who could ask for more? GENMA: [moving one of his pieces to a more favorable position] Perhaps that our stubborn children could see the light and admit their feelings for each other? SOUN: Hmmm... yes, that would be ideal. [Both pause to take a sip of tea. Inside the house, Kasumi is heard bustling about, cleaning the kitchen in preparation for dinner. Nabiki is lounging in the living room, paying half an ounce of attention to the TV as she figures the day's monetary gain. Akane is busy with a project at school, and Ranma is having a duel with Kuno on the other side of town. All in all, a pretty normal and relaxing afternoon.] SOUN: [taking a sip of tea] Yes, well... we can't always have everything, eh, Saotome? GENMA: [slipping a piece onto the board] Right you are, Tendo. SOUN: The peace and quiet is enough for me. It seems that ever since Ranma arrived, things have been insane around this household. GENMA: Well, my son does know how to accumulate trouble. [slips another piece onto the board] The trouble is, the ingrate never takes responsibility for it. SOUN: At least he gets good martial arts practice because of it. GENMA: Quite so, Tendo. [Both sit in silence for a few more minutes. A duck with glasses flies by, quacking something that sounds suspiciously like, "Where is that cursed Saotome? What has he done with my Shampoo?" Genma points towards the other side of town. The duck nods thankfully, drops a 100 yen piece in Genma's lap, and flies off quacking angrily. Genma pockets the change and another of Soun's shogi pieces. Soun continues to stare out over the Tendo compound.] SOUN: You can't blame Ranma for all his trouble, though. He does have a hard time. And he does have you for a father. GENMA: [stops in mid-cheat] What are you saying, Tendo? [quickly places another tile on the board] SOUN: [turning back around] Nothing at all, Saotome. Nothing at... hey, how did you win already? GENMA: Dumb luck, I suppose. SOUN: I see. [The doorbell sounds.] KASUMI: [from indoors] I'll get it. SOUN: [looking indoors] Hmmm... I wonder who that could be? Not one of our usual visitors. GENMA: [clearing shogi board] Quite right, Tendo. Most of the regulars don't even knock anymore. Is there no respect in this world? SOUN: [sweatdrops] ...look who's talking. GENMA: [eyes Soun] That was uncalled for, Tendo. KASUMI: [appearing at back door] Excuse me, father, but you have a visitor. SOUN: A visitor, eh? Well, send him in. [gets up] [Genma looks sadly at the cleared shogi board for a moment before deciding to follow Soun indoors. The two sit down at the table, while Kasumi ushers a man wearing a black suit into the room. Three more men in suits follow behind, choosing to stand to the rear of the room while the first sits across from Soun and Genma at the table. Kasumi leaves for a moment, then returns with some tea and cakes.] SOUN: [grabbing a cup of tea] So, you wanted to talk to me? * * * * * RANMA: [stretching his arms] Jeez, what a moron. [Ranma is walking on a fence, eyeing the sky with a less than happy expression on his face. Casually, he hops over a broken section of fence before resuming his nonchalant gait.] RANMA: When'll that idiot catch a clue? First of all, he's never gonna beat me. Second, I AM the "pigtailed girl," so whatever romance he thinks he's got with "her" is all in his tiny little brain. [shakes his head] Provided he's got one. [Ranma looks up and spies Akane on her way home from school. He rushes to catch up.] RANMA: Hey, Akane! AKANE: [turns around, surprised] Ranma! What are you doing here? RANMA: [shrugs] Eh, just got back from beating Kuno. Ya know, it's not even any fun to clobber him anymore... AKANE: [closes eyes] Yeah, I know what you mean. He doesn't get any less annoying either. RANMA: Sometimes I wish things would just change. AKANE: [starts] What? How? RANMA: [shrugs] I dunno. It's all too crazy around here. I just want to head somewhere else and start a different life. AKANE: [looks away] So, you want to leave, is that it? RANMA: [blinks] I never said that. AKANE: Yeah, but it sure sounded like it. RANMA: [frowns for a moment, then looks away] Why do you care anyway? AKANE: [frowns] You're right. I don't care what you do. Go ahead and move out. RANMA: Fine, I'll just do that! AKANE: [closes eyes, quickens pace] Hmmph!!! [Ranma stops on the fence, growling a bit at Akane, before shaking his head. He jumps from the fence to a nearby building and continues roof hopping towards the Tendo dojo. Akane blinks and watches him go for a moment before resuming a slower pace.] AKANE: [sadly] Stupid jerk... * * * * * SOUN: What?!? [Soun stares wide-eyed at the man before him. Genma stares wide-eyed at Soun. Nabiki and Kasumi stare wide-eyed from the doorway. The man coolly stares back. There is much staring going on.] MAN: [frowning] I was hoping for a different reaction. A little bit of recognition would be helpful. Are you sure that you're Soun Tendo? SOUN: [stuttering] D-did you mean what you j-just said? MAN: Of course. You, if you are Soun Tendo... [looks at Soun questioningly] SOUN: [nodding] Y-yes, that's me. MAN: You have been selected by SEELE to be the chairman of... [checks paper] ...of a company called AGMA. Tomorrow, you will be sent to Tokyo to assume your duties as Commander. SOUN: But... but I... Mr.-- MAN: Fuyutsuki. Kouzou Fuyutsuki. SOUN: Mr. Fuyutsuki, with all due respect, I know nothing about this. Surely this isn't some mistake? KOUZOU: SEELE doesn't make mistakes. SOUN: [swallows] Well, then. Can I reject your offer? KOUZOU: [sighs, turns to the side] I've done a bit of research before I came here. It's come to my attention that you are a martial artist. SOUN: [more serious] That I am. [A clatter sounds from the roof. Everyone but Soun and Kouzou glance upwards. Nabiki turns and rushes up the stairs. Kasumi watches her younger sister for a moment, before turning back to the discussion at hand.] KOUZOU: Then you understand the matters of honor and duty, correct? SOUN: [uncertain] Yes... KOUZOU: [turns forward] The fate of the entire world rests in the successful completion of this project. Would you shirk that duty for your own peace of mind? SOUN: No... KOUZOU: [serious] Then you know what you must do. [Soun bows his head for a moment. Genma and Kasumi watch tensely. A clatter of footsteps announces Ranma and Nabiki's arrival at the doorway. Eyeing the men in suits, Ranma opens his mouth to interrupt, but Soun raises his head.] SOUN: [eyes glinting dangerously] I, Soun Tendo, accept the position of Commander of AGMA. [Kouzou smiles. Ranma's eyes widen. Kasumi heads towards the kitchen, looking worried. Nabiki turns, heading towards her room. After a moment, Kouzou and Soun begin discussing Soun's new duties, the new living arrangements, and the like. Genma, spying Ranma in the doorway, stands and walks over, pulling his son into the hallway.] RANMA: Pop, what was all that about? GENMA: [admonishing] Quiet, boy. Soun has just accepted a position at a major company in Tokyo. RANMA: What's this mean, Pop? GENMA: [turning away] Well, ma'boy. I guess it means there'll be some changes around here. [Genma walks off, as Ranma glances blankly at the floor.] RANMA: [whispering] Changes... [Scene fades to nothingness. As a note to all readers, this fanfic can be acquired in an animated format at our website... http://store.jrossco.com/eva˝/product.html. The product comes in either subtitled or dubbed, or in most any other language you wish to acquire it in. Plus, at the end of the tape, there are a few extremely wonderful-- *URK* *BOOOM* *sizzle*] [Lina Inverse wanders onto the black field of nothingness.] LINA: Sorry about the author. He gets carried away sometimes. [brightly] Thank you for reading this fanfic. Stay tuned for Episode 1: The Phantom Mena-- er, Here's Ranma, Again! [Lina walks back out of view.] * * * * * End of Prologue * * * * * Afterward stuff: This is just a prelude for things to come. Tell me if you like it so far. Just no flames... I'm not sure if I can stomach it. My email address is the_rossmage82@hotmail.com.