Pic by Frogstar
The Gospel Of Malachel is a Neon Genesis Evangelion fanfiction written by Frogstaff. Author's summary:
"The 17th angel is dead."
"With its death, the last obstacle to the Instrumentality of Humanity has been removed. There is nothing to prevent the next step in humanity's evolution…or is there?"
"Factions both within NERV and without are vying for control of humanity's destiny and are willing to use any means to ensure the success of their plans."
"As the citizens of Tokyo-3 attempt to rebuild their shattered city, a new enemy threatens, an enemy more fearsome than even the greatest of the angels…"
"Let the heavens be rent asunder and the Gospel of Malachel ring forth."
"The fate of the human race rests on the shoulders of a unique group of children. Should they fail, then the Heavens save us, for there will be nothing on earth that can."
It can be found in FF.net and Frogstaff's old site.
Compare with Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genocide and Neon Genesis Evangelion R, other popular Evangelion fanfics which branch off canon continuity after episode 24.
Tropes:
- Alternate Universe Fic: Seele does not attack the Geofront right after the death of Kaworu. Instead, a new Child is chosen, and a new breed of Eldritch Abominations make their appearance.
- Apocalyptic Log: The captain of a merchant ship sends a distress right before his vessel is destroyed by the first Harbinger.The deck shook under his feet and the bow of the ship tilted downwards, throwing him against the console. The ground had a distinctive slope and the ship began to slide forward, picking up speed.
"Mayday! Mayday! This is the transport vessel Malheureux! We're currently—!" His voice stopped as the ship suddenly cleared the edge of the ground. He could see the sea very far below, glittering in the sunlight. "—airborne," he squeaked as the ship tilted forward and began the long fall towards the water. - Coincidental Broadcast: Kensuke's music program is interrupted by the kind of emergency broadcast which uses to prelude the coming of an Angel."Hey, Shinji?" he called, his voice sounding uncertain.
"Yes?" Shinji replied, looking up from his desk.
"Are you sure that the Angels are all dead?"
Shinji grunted in annoyance. "Kensuke, how many times do I have to tell you? There are no more—" He was interrupted as Kensuke shoved the camera in his face. Looking through the viewfinder Shinji saw a still image of mountains with a text message superimposed on top of it:
"A state of special emergency has been declared for all prefectures within the Kyushu-Shikoku-Honshu region. Please proceed to your designated shelters at once."
At that moment, emergency sirens began to sound across the city. - Death Glare: Asuka hurls a vitriolic glare at Kensuke when he quips that her next birthday will be indeed unforgettable... since she will never let them forget it."Well, you don't want to wait until the last minute. You may have been willing to let your birthday slip by unnoticed, but I'm not. The fifteenth birthday of Asuka Langley Soryu," she declared with a flourish, "will be an event to be remembered."
"If only because you won't let us forget," Kensuke cut in.
Asuka shot him a glare of pure acid, but before she could come up with a suitable retort a shadow fell over her. - Door Slam of Rage: Misato proposes increased security measures after an attack on the pilots' lives, but she is completely brushed off by Commander Ikari. Enraged, Misato goes back to her office and slams the door loudly.Misato kept her temper under control until she was out of the Commander's office, but as soon as she was away she turned and kicked the wall, swearing violently as pain shot up her foot. She hobbled back to her office, hoping that she hadn't broken her toe.
She slammed her office door and hurled her proposal onto her desk. He'd completely brushed her off. - Driven to Suicide: After a harsh argument with Terry reopens old wounds, Asuka throws herself off Misato's balcony. Fortunately, She is saved by Shinji.
- Eldritch Abomination: The Harbingers are powerful alien monstrosities somehow related to the Angels.
- Evil Takes a Nap: The Harbingers have spent untold eons sleeping until they are awakened by the deaths of the Angels.
- Expendable Clone: Ritsuko is trying to grow a new batch of Rei's clones. Most of them are dying, some of them are developing violent tendencies, and Ritsuko treats all of them as failed experiments which may need to be disposed of.
- It Can Think: The Children become shocked when the first Harbinger -which resembles a giant, floating sphere- talks to them telepathically.
- Lap Pillow: In the first scene, Asuka kneels next to a sleeping Shinji and cradles his head in her lap, stroking his hair softly.Asuka slid herself to the front of his bed, cradling his head in her lap. She surprised herself by the rush of sympathy she felt for him.
- Original Character: Terry St. John, the Sixth Child.
- The Peter Principle: Maya Ibuki is promoted from bridge bunny to head of Project E after Ritsuko's fall from grace. However, her new job is utterly overwhelming her, and she ends up calling Ritsuko and asking her help.
- Punch a Wall: Misato kicks a wall after an argument with Gendo Ikari regarding the Children's security.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: When an assassination squad which has hit the Eva pilots' classroom gets captured by Nerv's security, Gendo expects to treat his prisoners however he sees fit and get away with it because Seele controls the U.N.Gendo Ikari: "Out of twelve attackers, eleven were killed. The one that was taken alive, who, incidentally, was also the force's commander, is currently undergoing interrogation. Should he survive, he shall be turned over to the U.N for trial and sentencing. They have been tentatively identified as American in nationality, although as of yet there is no evidence linking their actions the United States government of military."
Seele 12: (icy) "'Should he survive?' There are rules for the treatment of prisoners that the U.N. abides by."
Gendo Ikari: (grinning) "NERV security does not have to answer to U.N. protocols. Treatment of prisoners is whatever NERV deems fit." - Screw Your Ultimatum!: The first Harbinger sends a "Join me or you will be destroyed" telepathic message to the children, which is promptly rejected by Asuka.Harbinger: YOU CHILDREN HAVE SLAIN OUR BROTHERS AND SILENCED THEIR VOICES IN THE HARMONY. OUR VOICES ARE STRONGER, OUR PURPOSES CLEARER. WHERE THE DISCIPLES FELL WE SHALL CARRY ON. FOR WE ARE AS FAR BEYOND THEM AS THEY WERE BEYOND YOU. [...] JOIN US CHILDREN, FOR YOU ARE OF THE BROTHER. [...]
Asuka: "Not on your life you stupid pinball!" - Ship Tease: There are considerable teasing between Shinji and Asuka since the first scene where he is lying unconscious and Asuka cradles his head in her lap.
- Sinister Geometry: The first Harbinger looks like a massive, perfectly round sphere.
- Taking the Bullet: When an assassination squad attempts to gun Terry down, security guard Thomas Vail pushes him aside and gets shot in the gut. Fortunately, he survives.Vail's attention suddenly seemed to focus on something behind him. "Get down!" he yelled, giving Terry a violent push.
Terry heard a sharp crack and something whizzed by his ear; Vail doubled over, falling to the floor. The entire world seemed to slow around Terry as he fell and he desperately tried to remember everything he'd ever learned about martial arts. He rolled, turning his fall into a forward dive and he could see four men dressed entirely in black charge through the security gate, their guns already trained on those inside. - Telepathy: The first Harbinger can communicate with the Children telepathically.
- We Used to Be Friends: Downplayed. Shinji tentatively befriended Terry and even moved to his apartment; but when Terry balks at helping Shinji stop Asuka from committing suicide, and he bluntly states he would have let her fall to her death, Shinji calls him out and moves back to Misato's place. Shinji does not openly declare their friendship over, but he does not talk to Terry again.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Shinji calls Terry out on saying Asuka is unfit to pilot an Evangelion even though he will not lift a finger to save her life.Terry: "Shinji, what do you think you're doing?"
Shinji: "I'm moving back to Misato's."
Terry: "Why?"
Shinji: "I don't know if it matters to you but Asuka just tried to kill herself. Someone needs to be there to watch her, to make sure that she stays safe."
Terry: "Just wait until Misato hears about this."
Shinji: (hissing) "You will say absolutely nothing to Misato!"
Terry: "Are you insane, Ikari? She just tried to kill herself! What if an Angel was to attack tomorrow? Do you really want her in an Eva?"
Shinji: "You're unfit to pilot for exactly the same reason! You wouldn't have grabbed Asuka's hand if she hadn't been about to pull me over too. You would've let her die. If an Angel attacked right now, I would rather have her by my side than you, because I know that my life holds some value to her!" - You Have Failed Me: When one member of Seele goes behind the group's back and attempts to get the Eva pilots assassinated, Kihl gets him executed immediately, and afterwards he warns his subordinates he will not suffer fools or tolerate their blunders.
