KRZZTT.

"Dammit, not again." Shinji opened his tape player and groaned as it again almost ruined another one of his cassettes. He really should just get a phone to listen to his music, he thought to himself. Unfortunately he lacked the money to do so, and most of the time the white noise of the static relaxed him. He looked at the sky and scowled at the clouds hanging over his head. "Should go see if Kaze can fix this thing. He stared at it and briefly considered chucking the thing into the canal. 'Coward.' He said to himself due to the fact that he considered throwing away the tape player everyday but couldn't muster up the courage. It was one of the few things left behind by his father, and often his escape from the world around him. "Doubt today could be more underwhel-ACK!" His sentence interrupted by a box tripping him up in front of his buildings door. Rubbing his head he glared at the box before he noticed that there was a dog next to somewhat old looking package, in good condition, but old. What surprised him more was that it was addressed to him. When he picked up the box the dog perked up and wagged its tail as it seemed to smile at him. Something about the black dog felt familiar to him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. "D-do you want a treat?" this seemed to make the dog more excited and confirmed with a bark.

Taking the box inside it felt a bit heavy, but Shinji wasn't the most fit anyhow. He lived by himself but his old teacher checked in on him since he lived nearby. He was surprised by the fact that the address on the package was his current one, as well as the dog that was seemingly nudging him inside. The parcel itself looking like it was sent out far before he ever lived there. Curiosity getting the better of him as he decided to open the package and found what looked like a long orate case in the box and on top inside was a letter. He was able to detect a specific smell that came from the letter as he shook his head. "No, it couldn't be…" He hesitantly opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Shinji

I'm sorry that I have to send you this letter, and cant tell you this myself. Please forgive me and please understand what I'm going to tell you and know that everything I've ever done was to protect and give you a happier future. You come from a very old family on my side. A family that once protected and safeguarded the world from darkness and brought light back to the world. I'm sorry as I could only see glimpses of how you'd grow up.In this case holds the Glaive of your many times over great, great grandfather. As well as in my letter a ring I carried all my life but could never use to its full potential. I give it to you and ask you to please wear it, and know that no matter what that you are never alone. I pray that Umbra will be able to get these to you, I'm sure he's missed you since you two last saw each other, and with a heavy heart and all the love I can convey as well as all I cannot in this letter.

Always with love, your mother,

Yui (Lucis Caelum) Ikari

A portion of the letters paper held what looked like dried tear stains as the final words of the letter look like they were barely able to be written. Tear drops hitting the edge of the paper as Shinji's shoulders shook, he was sad, confused, but oddly felt slightly happy reading his mother's words. He flinched as he felt the wet nose of Umbra touched his skin. Looking at the dog memories of a slightly smaller dog flickered through his head as he moved out of the chair and held the dog close. Umber understanding Shinji's distress and smelling his previous owners scent on the letter. Shinji jumped slightly as he heard a solid clunk as something that had fallen on the floor. He looked seeing a black ring inlaid with gold on the inside of it, and what looked to be a small white jewel in the center of it. He looked at it surprised as he recognized it. He picked it up feeling an odd tingle but ignored it as he inspected seeing the knight staring back at him inlaid in the black metal. It was the same ring he remembered reaching for while being held in his mothers arms when he was younger. He looked at it sadly before setting it down on the table. His attention had been brought back to the orate looking case in the box, and saw it looked like a expensive rectangular case. Carefully setting it on the table out of the box he saw a note taped to a combination lock.

Your Birthday.

He then dialed in his month, day and year of his birth, and heard a click and saw two latches pop open as a low, quiet hiss of air coming out as he opened the case and was surprised to see a sword. He inspected it as it looked very impressive. The blade of it was black with gold designs at the base of it, the hilt was silver with was looked like wings sprouting from one side and a thin hand guard parallel to the handle that was wrapped in a black grip. He also noticed a bit of cloth that he pulled showing there was more in the case, he saw a few random items. The saw what looked like a suit bag with a note saying it'll fit better when he's older. The only other thing of note he could notice in his confused state was a journal, but he decided to focus his attention on the ring. The words of his mother's letter echoing in his mind. Taking it in hand he stretched out his left hand, holding the ring in his right's thumb and forefinger. He pushed on the ring as he suddenly saw it flash and everything around him went quiet he was confused since just before he could hear birds outside.

When he looked out the window he only saw a dark void. He started to panic when all of a sudden he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning toward the owner of the hand he came face to face with a figure that looked slightly transparent and held a faint glow.

"Hello Shinji, it's nice to finally meet you. I know this all must be extremely confusing but if you please be pacient, I promise to answer all your questions. But first to introduce myself, My name is Regis Lucis Caelum, I was once the owner of that blade there." The ghostly man said indicating toward the blade on the table. " Without saying the word great till it became redundant, lets just say that I am your great, great grandfather to save time." Shinji for a moment that he had lost his mind before Regis shook his head showing that he knew what he was thinking. Whether from reading his mind or just his facial expressions Shinji couldn't tell.

"So…you know who I am?" Regis smiled as he gestured to the chairs next to the table for them to sit, Shinji noticing the older man carried a cane.

"Yes, I and many others have watched over you for many years since Yui sadly passed." Regis looking genuinely saddened at talking about his mother's death. "But we thought it best you merely met me first so not to overwhelm you. We all care for you Shinji, especially your mother, that's why she sent Umbra to deliver you the package, the others… some of us will show it more than most of us, we all merely want to see you secede and have a fulfilling life." Shinji felt floored by this and didn't know how he felt at this, at the genuine care in Regis voice. Never once in his life since his mother did he feel that someone wanted to help him and be on his side. " Sadly it seems that soon dark days will be upon us, but know that you will have our strength, and we will help you to prepare for the coming days." The words shocked him as he'd would normally feel afraid by this kind of news. However he felt almost inspired by Regis and the conviction in his voice. His posture and presence almost giving a warm and protective aura as if the simple wooden chair he sat in was a grand throne. Feeling a seemingly impossible amount of confidence build up in himself and looking at the black pooch looking at him expectantly. He clenched his hands tightly in his lap and nodded toward Regis. Whom smiled and stood and held out his hand toward Shinji, the latter slowly taking the hand. "Then let us begin."

Three months time flew by as Shinji met the spirits of the twelve other Kings. He was surprised that a few of them where woman but didn't call themselves queens since they were the primary rulers during their time. Some of them scared the young fifteen year old as they showed themselves in their armored forms, and at Regis request as well as Shinji's took on the appearance's of themselves when they were alive. Teaching him the history of their line, what was something that shocked Shinji was learning that even before the second impact or even farther back long before even the first impact that the world seemingly reset. Even they did not how the world did so, as Regis told him that when he was alive the land of Lucis as it was called was similar to his own especially with technology. He told him that it was possible that something similar to the destruction of a land called Soulhiem may had happened.

Learning magic however was something both incredibly intriguing and difficult to Shinji. When he started and failed to produce even the smallest of results, this brought the annoyance and ire of some kings such as the ones known as 'The Fierce' and 'The Tall'. While others such as Regis, 'The Oracle' and 'The Just' would console and encourage him to try again and be pacient. Ones such as 'The Mystic' and 'The Wise' were somewhere in the middle. But in each of their own ways they showed their care for the young man. As he trained and learned the power of his royal blood, his focus was able to stay on something other then his music.

After a long jog with Umbra he came home surprised that he had gotten a letter. It had a logo on it that he recognized, as well as the city it had come from. NERV, in Tokyo-3, the place where his father had gone to and worked, abandoning his son. After getting a towel to wipe off some sweat, he felt the letter was quite full. Grabbing a bottle of water and pouring some in a bowl for Umbra, he opened the envelope and found two letters and what looked like a I.D. card. He started with one that looked like it was typed and without surprise it was the one from his father.

Dear, Shinji Ikari.

Your presence is required in Tokyo-3 in two days time. You will be given transportation by Captain Misato Katsuragi, she has stated in the letter provided by her stating time and location of where you will meet her.

Nerv Commander Gendo Ikari.

"Of course, always formal and nothing to even suggest he even cares how I am and just demanding I come." He scowled at the typed emotionless letter before crumpling it up and tossing it for Umbra to catch and tear apart. Shifting his view to the second letter, he was at least pleasantly surprised that it was hand written.

Dear Shinji

My name is Misato Katsuragi, as stated in your father's letter (or lack of one it seems) I will be picking you up in the nearby city near where you live in two days around two thirty at the exit road toward Tokyo-3. Please make sure to pack everything you need as you'll hopefully be staying in Tokyo-3 for awhile, and don't want you to lose or forget something. I cant wait to meet you, and hope that we can become fast friends.

Sincerely, Misato Katsuragi

p.s. I've included a photo for you of me so you know how I look. ;3

He already enjoying the friendliness of the woman's words he found said photo taped to the back of the letter and was immediately surprised by the photo of the older woman whom was quite beautiful and was showing off in cut jean shorts and a v-cut shirt. There was a note of saying 'pay attention' the implication seeming to what she looks like but the arrow from the note pointed directly toward her quite big ample breasts. Shinji was now feeling slightly nervous about this woman now, since she now seemed somewhat too friendly.

"Hmmm, I like her, not afraid to show off and isn't bad to look at to boot." The spectral form of ' The Wise' said as he leaned over Shinji's shoulder to look at the photo rubbing his chin and with a thoughtful expression on his face. " I approve." Shinji looking at the spirit in shock at his words felt his mouth gape in shock and confusion.

"What's that suppose to mean?! She's got to be at least ten years older than me, though she looks like she could be younger." He said momentarily looking again at the photo. "B-But that's besides the point. I don't even know if I should even go at all." The spirit chuckled at the young man's antics and ruffled his hair.

"You'll understand sooner than later, but whether to go or not is up to you, I'd suggest going to at least meet the beautiful woman."

" Prudens, stop teasing Shinji. I agree though, she is quite beautiful." Shinji sighed as the spirit of Lustitae 'The Just' joined the conversation having acted as the de facto mother figure for Shinji. "Though, I think you should at least hear what your father wishes to speak to you about. However we merely follow you and your choices. None of us will force you to change your mind." Regis appeared as well as the rest.

"As she said Shinji, it is your decision. As well as every choice you've made since we came to you, you are in control of your life. " Regis stated as each of them including Umbra looked to him. Three months prior he'd have gone into a nervous mess and ran off by all the attention but these were those he'd come to see as family he never had didn't .

"Were going." All of the spirits smiled and nodded at the conviction and determination in Shinji's voice. They left him be as he began to start packing.