[Aquis Hydro]

Okay, I've finally got round to posting Chapter 2 of NGE: Fire Bird. Sadly the rest will have to wait until after next week as I'm in Berlin with my college mates. So with no further ado;

NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION

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FIRE BIRD
Chapter 2

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EVA-01 stood motionless. Shinji felt too scared to move as the new EVA-unit dropped off the building and stalked towards him. It bladed tail-tip twitched like that of a cat ready to pounce. It flexed its steel-feathered wings again, before it stopped within stone-throwing distance of EVA-01. Shakily, Shinji brought EVA-01 into a fighting stance. The new EVA opened its mouth and let out an ear-splitting roar at his challenge, before striding back to the base. Shinji noticed the legs of this strange EVA-unit were very different from those on any EVA he?d seen, the shins were slightly shorter and the feet were large and hoof-like. But it moved much quicker than he had expected, already it had reached the lift that had brought it to the surface. Hastily he returned to the lift that brought his own EVA up and returned to the hangar.

Back in the hangar, Shinji noticed the restraints being put back on the new EVA. He was surprised to see how many extra restraints that were used. A pair of clamps held the wings tightly together, another pinned the end of the tail to the floor and the strangest yet was a large muzzle, which fitted over the new EVA?s face, between the horn-like plates on the sides of its head. Asuka came running up, Rei walking slowly behind her. ?Hey 3rd Child! Have you seen that new EVA yet?? she asked. ?Sure, it?s right over there, next to Rei?s.? Asuka stared open-mouthed at the green and brown EVA, its orange eyes glowing in an unfriendly manner, as if it was unhappy at being restrained. Rei just looked at it without a trace of emotion on her face, but her red eyes betrayed her curiosity. Misato walked up to meet them ?Hey there Shinji! I see you?ve met Balrog. Now?? A deep growling from the EVA known as Balrog interrupted her. ?As I was saying, how about we go meet the new pilot?? The three teenagers nodded and trotted off towards the new EVA, Misato walking close behind.

As the approached, they saw a boy, clad in a green and brown plug-suit that matched his EVA, touch the gigantic arm of Balrog, then make a set of hand gestures to it. Misato walked over, touched his shoulder and pointed to the others. The boy nodded and hesitantly came over to the others. He was a little taller and more robust looking than the other three pilots. He wore his sandy-coloured hair in a short ponytail held by a strip of brown leather. Just above the ponytail he wore two green clips just like Asuka?s. As he stopped in front of the others he pulled these out and looked around before grabbing Rei?s hand and placing them in her palm. There was a look of confusion on her face as the boy did more complex gestures with his hands. Asuka, Shinji and Rei just looked at him, unable to understand what he was doing. Misato soon cleared it up for them. ?This is Mikel, the 6th Child and pilot of the Experimental EVA, Balrog. Rei don?t worry about the clips, he just asked you to hold them for him so he could speak to you guys.? Asuka cut in. ?What do you mean by ?speak?? He?s not saying a word!? ?Mikel can?t talk, so he speaks by using sign-language. But he can hear and understand every word you?re saying.? Shinji was suddenly taken aback by the colour of Mikel?s eyes. The irises were bright orange, just like his EVA?s. ?Whoa! Your eyes, they?re?? Orange? I know. Mikel signed. Misato translated for him. ?He says he knows his eyes are a strange colour. Balrog?s used to be blue, but when Mikel tested it for the first time, they turned orange just like his. We don?t have any idea why but they certainly look very fitting.? She turned to Mikel. ?Hey, do you mind if we all came round to your place?? Mikel shook his head and signed, Go ahead. I could do with company every now and then. Misato nodded, and turned to the others. ?Mikel says we can go visit his apartment if you want. How about that?? Rei nodded, Asuka cried ?Yay!? and Shinji agreed, ?Sure, why not??


Also I was wondering if anyone could draw an interpretation of the EVA called "Balrog". I'd be very interested to see what people make of it.