FOREWORD

I really should stop making rods for my own back. I should ignore the plot bunnies as they merrily fuck away in the mephitic warren that is my mind. But sometimes, there are story ideas that come to the fore and demand to be told. And sometimes, I look for interesting crossover concepts that haven't been done before.

I'm surprised at a relative lack of Neon Genesis Evangelion crossovers on this site, especially compared to other anime series like Naruto. Hell, even Highschool DxD and most of the iterations of Yu-Gi-Oh! have more crossover fics! It was an Evangelion fic (not a crossover) that helped inspire me to write fanfic: Gregg Landsmann's Nobody Dies. In addition, I've meant to write at least a few Evangelion fics, but to date, have only done one: namely Harry Potter and the Blue-Haired Angel.

Oddly enough, it's because of my own Harry Potter crossovers that I come to this story, which seems to be the first marked crossover between Final Fantasy VIII and Evangelion. Namely, two crossovers I have done with Final Fantasy VIII, Ultimecia's Knight and Mnemosyne's Son, along with my one and only 'pure' Final Fantasy VIII fic, La Vita Nuova. In all three of these fics, I engage in a humanisation of Final Fantasy VIII's key villain, the Sorceress Ultimecia. Given that we are only given tantalising hints of her backstory and motives, she is rich fodder for a fanfic…and also able to be made into a more sympathetic character in the process.

The first part of this fanfic will take place in the future of the world of Final Fantasy VIII, the time when Ultimecia is still growing up (in this fic, set at least a decade if nor more before she confronts Squall and company, she is Shinji's age, 14), while the second part of this fanfic (or else the sequel) will take place back in the world of Evangelion.

The title, Anchor of Ultimecia, actually wasn't the original title. This story was originally called The Eva, The Witch, and the Third Child, but as I was writing the second chapter, I wrote a line quite by accident where Ultimecia calls a Sorceress' Knight an anchor. And in Japanese, the name 'Ikari' means 'anchor'.

Anyway, onto the usual disclaimers. Firstly, there will be annotations up the wazoo. You don't like it? Well, there's the door. I ain't putting up with any whining.

Secondly, this is an M-rated work. Violence, language, and sexual references will be present. You have been warned.

Thirdly, there will be spoilers for both Final Fantasy VIII and Neon Genesis Evangelion, especially the latter. Again, you have been warned.

Finally, the following is a fan-written work. Final Fantasy VIII and Neon Genesis Evangelion are the properties of their respective owners. Please support the official release. Otherwise, instead of a Giant Naked Rei, you'll get a Giant Naked Ultimecia turning you into Tang…