Disclaimer: I don't own anything, never have, never will. Writers and artists remain forever poor. So I don't own Evangelion or any of it's character's. Gainax does, they are the smart ones with the money, not to mention lawyers. So I want to ensure them that this story is not going to make me any money, because people would never, ever pay to read it. So, fear not Gainax all rights and copyrights remain reserved.
A/N: This is my first attempt at a fan fiction. And as such I had to do something for myself. So this story is a self insert, goodbye Shinji! Hello Hinote!. Pretty much because I have said a million times "Man if that was me..." and as the writer I can make it me. My friends call me Donny Blaze, Donny not being very Japanese so I translated blaze over to Japanese and the best option I came up with was Hinote. Also I have read lots of stories and I haven't read one yet where just Shnji was substituted out. All the self inserts I have read are either a new American pilot or in some other spot all the characters are changed. So please all of you traditionalists out there give me a chance. You will see that I am going to stay pretty close to the story line. In fact I'm using a lot of the scenes from the anime and manga to keep the time line. A few things will change due to how I'd react rather than Shinji. Also some things that I disliked or felt should have went differently will be changed, as well as a few twists to keep it original and interesting and not just a recap. I would love any and all criticism that has to do with my writing especially things like grammar and flow. Also any likes or dislikes about how I am doing this, like content or chapter length I am having a hard time deciding it I am going too long.. This will be one of the few authors notes I write and hopefully the longest.
So without further ado...
Bold - English (there will be dialogue that takes place in English rather than the Japanese that you are so skillfully reading you don't even realize.)
Italics - Inner Thoughts
Apotheosis
One's Descent into Heaven in order to become God
Prologue
The Fall Begins
His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle,
and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
Job 18:14
Steady...
Calm...
Long deep Breaths...
Think...
Watch...There!
I move forward swinging with my right then following up by a straight left. My opponent blocks them both then counters with a kick. I am more than quick enough to dodge, and once again we come to a stand off. Watching...
This time he swings first, a few jabs with his left then a big right. I simply shy just out of range of his jabs and when he comes in with the right I quickly move just to the outside of his swing grabbing his wrist as it passes my face. I yank it forward taking him off balance and I punch him clean across the face. Usually we wouldn't be so vicious but this was our last match, a clear winner must emerge.
I back off, not even in an all out match will I hit a man on the ground. He gets up, and again we play the waiting game. He is still feeling the shot I gave him, he shakes his head and blinks one too many times.
The smallest opening is all I need. Stepping into my enemy I knock his guard up with my arms and bring my foot into his chest. He staggers back and I follow up with a savage roundhouse that connects clean with his temple; his eyes go blank as he drops to the floor.
"That's enough Hinote!" The sensei's voice brings me back.
I shake my head and look down at my training partner. "Oh my God, Omar you OK?" I drop to his side as he struggles to get his bearings. Everyone in the dojo is silent.
"Damn. Nice kick man but what the hell was that?" He shakes his head and sits up blinking.
"I don't know, suddenly I totally forgot who I was fighting." I look down at the floor. "I'm really sorry man, I have a lot on my mind. I know that's no excuse but ever since I got that letter..." My only friend stops me mid sentence.
"Don't say another word. I more then understand after everything that bastard put you through"
He's ready to stand so I give him a hand up and then put my hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what I'm gonna do without you." I now looked into the eyes of the only person alive I knew cared about me, and I knew I could trust, the person I was leaving behind.
As we walked home I realized how surreal it was to me, that at this time tomorrow I would be on a train that would take we away forever. I had gotten the letter two weeks beforehand. From Him. Why after all this time? Why now? Is it because he heard I had finally found a friend. Or maybe that I was enjoying the Martial Arts tournaments that I had finally gotten good enough to compete in. I haven't lived with him in 10 years and we haven't seen each other in more than 3; So why now? These thoughts cycled through my head over and over again until me and Omar arrived at my front door.
"Well I guess this is it?" My friend was absolutely amazing at keeping his spirits up. I almost couldn't see through that smile to the glistening in his eyes. He offered his hand for a final handshake and I took it, embracing him with my other arm as he did to me.
"I'm gonna miss you man." I choked out with tears in my eyes. I was never good at hiding this type of emotion. Every other kind I can lock away, but when you lose someone who matters most to you, there's no holding back. "You're the only person I can call family." Omar couldn't take it.
"Yo Hinote relax. I'm not dead or anything. You can still call me and we can take trips to see each other." He stepped back and threw a mock punch at me, starting one of our shadowboxing matches. After a few minutes we break it up laughing, both telling each other how badly we messed the other up. I saw his entire attitude shift as the same thought crossed both our minds. We might never do this again. He took the opening and hastily made a retreat yelling back, "I'll talk to you soon, call me once you get settled in!"
I had been fighting for a while, mostly in mixed martial arts tournaments. I knew 6 different forms, so I didn't normally fight in the single style tournaments. I had tried, but i got disqualified for using a different style every time. I spent so much at the dojo training most people my age couldn't hope to compete. 14 with several black belts, not a normal skill level. But then I came to one and all I heard about was this amazing American student who hadn't lost a match. Of coarse this pissed me off to no end so I vowed to show this kid what a real fight was like. Well, that didn't work out. I didn't take him seriously and before I knew it I was on the floor. When all was said and done he won that tournament and I swore that I would get him back at the next one. Which I did and it became a mutual respect, soon we started going to the same dojo. We figured it was the only way either of us could get any decent competition. And ever since we have been pretty inseparable. Living in Japan but not being able to speak Japanese made it so Omar couldn't do much socially. But with martial arts you only need to learn so many words and you can get by. I learned English half from him half from classes and I helped teach him Japanese. We still speak to each other in English just so we can keep most people out of our conversations. I watch him run down the street trying to absorb that I wasn't going to see him tomorrow or the next day. Hell it might be months or years before the two of us actually managed to get together again.
Father... Damn him! That son of a bitch, this is all his fault. Why couldn't he just leave me alone, I would have been perfectly happy never speaking to him again.
I walk up to the house that I have lived in for the last ten years, basically all my life and I realize that it has never been a home to me. Never once did I feel the security or the comfort that is afforded to one in their own home. I haven't felt that warmth since mother died. My Uncle and Aunt have always been very caring and polite, but the truth is they never really accepted or loved me like family. I could always tell that they tolerated me because of my father. At first, I thought it was out of fear but not too long ago I found out that a portion of the money my father sent them was intended for me and they had been keeping it. Individually the amounts weren't much but when you added them up it was a serious number. It shattered what little respect and trust we had built up and since then we only speak in passing and I regard them with only contempt.
I walked through the door looking around for any signs of my "guardians", and to my dismay I found my aunt in the living room. I vaguely heard her say something about dinner being on the table to which I simply replied sure, as I walked through to my room. I closed the door and leaned against it, closing my eyes I let out a deep breath.
This is the last day of my life here and other then not wanting to leave Omar and the dojo I have absolutely no feelings about it. No regrets, no thoughts about the things I'll miss. It's amazing that I have lived here so long and still I feel absolutely no attachment to it. Well other than my best friend. I guess that could say a lot about me, hell if it hadn't been for that time he kicked my ass back then I probably wouldn't even be friends with Omar.
Ten years and all I have is a sense of profound indifference. I walked over to my bed and took off my training clothes and put on a pair of black sweat pants and a white undershirt. I turned on my TV and my PS4, I was too restless to go straight to bed. So instead I began playing the most recent installment to the Street Fighter series, SF5 Omega. It was great it had almost 500 characters, and I could play pretty well with almost all of them. I had spent more hours than I'd care to admit playing the game. I was very proficient with about one hundred and fifty of the characters and I could beat any computer setting with over 400 of them.
Surprising I had found something out about the games. Despite the unrealistic moves that these people do, there are many of their moves that can be done. With all the varied styles, I'd say over a two thousand can be used in a real fight. While you couldn't fight with just these moves adding them to my existing training has given me quite an advantage. All I have to do is carefully watch the mechanics involved and copy them, some people laugh but that's only before they find out how serious I am. I have used more than one street fighter inspired move to win a match.
I played through it twice, easily beating the computers highest level with two randomly chosen characters. But it didn't seem as fun as it was when I played versus Omar. So I decided to stop, I turned off the TV and PS4. I looked around but couldn't find anything I really wanted to do so I decided it was bedtime.
I laid down on my bed and took out my 660 gigabyte mp3 player, it was an older model but I had gotten it with a full 170,000 song library from a previous user in America. I had gotten it online directly from this slightly older gentleman who was a huge collector of pre-second impact music. It mostly came from the 1990's and 80's but some went as far back as the 40's. In the years following Second Impact there was chaos, most of the reveled information age was destroyed or abandoned in a time where only survival mattered. A lot of music, art, and literature was lost in this time, a reliving of the dark ages. But of course thanks to some good people and the amount of distribution that had taken place during those years most of it survived. But I still have the most impressive collection I knew of. I have everything from Frank Sinatra's "Fly me to the Moon", to Jay-Z's "The Watcher". I had shortened the list considerably deleting roughly 45,000 songs in the time that I have had it, some history is better forgotten. If I ever again saw the names Hanson, and the Backstreet Boys it would be too soon.
I settled down, letting my mind wonder as I listened to the various songs that played through. Thoughts swimming in my head, fighting off the sleep I would so thankfully welcome. Father, why now? What could you possibly need me for? And why must I drop my whole life here? It didn't sound like I would be coming to live with you. Hell it didn't even seem like you wanted to see me, just that you required my presence. You know I don't want to see you so what is it? You Bastard. I drifted to sleep eventually, and my sub-conscience wishes I hadn't.
Flashes across the back of my eyes...
People rushing past...
It's loud, people yelling to one another, frantically...
The light pours in from another larger room, while a red flash makes a strobing image of the people rushing all around me...
"Why is everyone yelling?"
I see a familiar face but in an unfamiliar way. My father... he's screaming, and crying. What is this? Why am I so scared?
Suddenly, someone unfamilar to me, a man lifts me into his arms carrying me away from the light and telling me everything will be ok.
I wake up in a cold sweat. My breathing is out of control, and it takes a few minutes to settle into the fact that I'm not in that place anymore.
I haven't had that dream in a very long time.
The next day there is very little ceremony between me and my "guardians". Just a general, "Do you have everything? Are you sure you will be alright?". To tell you the truth if you didn't know for a fact that these were members of my family you would have thought I was an exchange student. At no time did they come within three feet of me. They left before the train got there. I sat down with my head phones in my ears waiting for the train and Deep Purple's "My Woman from Tokyo" came on. I laughed to myself remembering the picture in my pocket. Pulling it out, I took a long hard look at the purple haired goddess that smiled back at me. "Well I guess I can't be too mad at him, at least he sent a total hottie to meet me, rather than coming to get me himself. Damn, Mi-sa-to huh? It will be a pleasure, at least it will be if I have anything to say about it."
My name, is Hinote Ikari. I am a tall, thin 14 year old student. I have short brown hair, and deep green eyes. Other than that I know nothing about what my life will be like after tomorrow.
If only I had an idea of how right I was...
End Prologue
A/N: I decided to combine my prologue and chapter one. It's kinda long but makes for some good reading.
Apotheosis:
One's Descent into Heaven in order to become God
Chapter One
The Monster Awakens
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth;
and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth,
and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes:
but know thou, that for all these things
God will bring thee into judgment.
Ecclesiastes 11:9
It was 12:25 the next afternoon when I reached the Tokai train station. I stepped off the train with my headphones on, listening to a group called The Lost Boyz from 1995. I had to wait for a transfer train that was supposed to arrive at 12:31. It'd taken too long to get here, and from here Toyko-3 was a mere stones throw away. I took out the picture in my pocket, the note on it barely distracts me from the picture itself. Not to mention this woman obviously knew how beautiful she was, as the teasing arrow to her chest was more than evidence of that. Misato Katsuragi, a purple haired woman who probably caused more than one traffic accident per day. Hey at least she'll be the first person I'd meet here. I mean that's one hell of a start. I hear a little murmur and take out my headphones.
It turns out to be the PA system. "Today at 12:30, a state of emergency has been declared all over the Kanto and Chubu districts around the Tokai district. Please take refuge in the designated shelters. Repeat. Today..." I look up at the destination board and all lines are currently suspended.
"Just perfect... This isn't even where i am supposed to be. Damn it." The statement is said more or less to myself, being that there is no one around to hear me. I have no idea where these shelters are and I wouldn't what to wander to far and risk missing the person who was coming to get me. I walk over to a telephone and when I pick up it says "All lines are being used for emergency purposes. Please try again later. I put my head phone on and stared at a poster on the wall behind the phone. I should have stayed facing that way. If I had known, I would have. But the sound of a jet, and a rhythmic thumping made me turn...
"Why of all times, why did i have to lose him now? Shit, what am i going to do?" Captain Katsuragi frantically raced towards the next stop alone the train line that ran between Tokyo-3 and Nagoya, where Hinote was coming from. Damn it, this is not the way to impress the commander. Losing his son is a quicker way to get fired than a promotion. And that was only her first worry.
The young boy who's file sat on the seat next to her, Hinote Ikari was one of the third chosen savior of mankind. A child no less, and he had no idea what he was about to be getting himself into. Or more appropriately what his father was about to get him into.
"What the fuck is that?" A giant monster was walking across the countryside. There were aircraft flying all around it but they seemed almost as frozen as I was. None of them were attacking it or anything just flying along side. I wonder if they could even damage that thing. "Now I would have said before coming here that I wasn't necessarily used to city life, but their isn't a brochure, commercial or book out there that says anything about GAINT FUCKING MONSTERS! What the hell is going on here?" Now I was ranting to myself, all in an attempt to not completely flip out over what I actually just saw. "No wonder they have shelters around here, though I doubt being in a shelter would save you from that thing." I had no idea how right I was.
Deep under Tokyo-3 there was a room full of people who knew exactly how right I was. The Nerv command center was a shaken snow globe. People were in action everywhere many of them frantically moving around in circles not really sure what to do. Alarms were going off and people were shouting commands and information back and forth. Many worked at terminals so absorbed in the information that the realization didn't reach them.
"The unidentified object is coming directly towards us!" A female voice relays over the PA.
A male voice now, "We have a visual. Putting it on the main screen now!"
Only two men in the whole building appeared not to be in a state of panic. They were on a separate platform high above the confusion. A man with grey hair stood and another with dark hair and a pair of tinted glasses sat looking over his hands at the screen. The man standing spoke first. "It's been fifteen years, hasn't it?"
If you could have seen his face, you would've gotten the strange honor of seeing Gendo Ikari's expression change. This lips curled up slightly into a thin calculating smile. "Yes, we finally know for sure... It's the Angel's." It takes a special kind of man to find anything to smile at a time when the fate of the entire human race was at risk.
Missiles race past directly above my head as the planes finally break their holding pattern. They fire at the creature from every angle, I'd say at least 20. Every single one hit it dead on and I shielded my eyes from the blast. Damn, they're a lot closer than I thought. It'd really be nice to know where one of those shelter's were. No matter how little protection they offered it was better than the middle of the street. I looked back to see what effect the missiles had. Damn I hate being right sometimes.
Just like I had thought the thing wasn't even phased. It simply stopped and raised it's hand. If it wasn't for the fact I was staring at a huge monster I wouldn't of believed what I saw next. From the things hand a beam of light extended piercing the nearest of the fighters. I was shocked to see that it didn't immediately explode. Rather the creature retracted it's weapon and sent the planes soaring. And of coarse as my luck would have it the thing was coming almost right for me. I made a break once I could tell where it was going to land. It didn't get me far though as the plane crashed into the store fronts less than fifty feet from me. I had jumped to the ground to avoid shrapnel, and I turned over to face the wreck and make sure it wasn't about to explode. I was way too close for comfort if it was.
About now I figured things couldn't get much worse. Of course, I was wrong. The creature took to the air and came slamming back to the earth crushing the fallen jet under one of it's massive feet. I had reacted quickly but that really didn't mean much and the force of the explosion knocked me down. I looked back to see an approaching wall of flame as well as debris. Something told me about now was a good time to put my head between my knees and kiss my ass goodbye. I had just took what I thought was to be the last breath of my life, without even the will to scream i simply closed my eyes. I knew I should have stayed home. I hope you're happy with yourself for bringing me here father.
The sound of screeching tires coming to a stop a few feet away made me open my eyes. A blue sports car had filled the space between me and the fire saving my life. Damn that is what I call timing. She must be the hero. Only they come in dramatically at the last possible moment.
The passenger side door of the car swings open and across the interior I recognize the purple haired woman from the picture. She's wearing sunglasses but there is no mistaking a girl who looks that good. She gives me a killer smile radiating with the, 'Yeah I just saved your life smugness'. "I'm sorry, were you waiting long?" I leap into the car. As I do, I notice the squadron of fighters launching everything they have at the creature. Hundreds of missiles, no effect at all.
"Yes but the flashy entrance saving my life makes me inclined to forgive and forget. You must be Miss Misato Katsuragi. I'm Hinote Ikari, pleased to meet you. Though I wish it had been under better circumstances." I spit forth the programed pleasantries that come with first meeting someone. Despite how much I would love to get to know this woman next to me I doubted that would happen so no sense in getting too friendly. But hormones wouldn't let me get through this without a little flirtation. "I like to have a proper chance to impress the beautiful ladies that come into my life." Man that was shameless.
"Well thank you very much, you can call me Misato. Are you always so flattering? I might have to keep you around to stroke my ego every so often." Her tone was flirtatious as well. She was playing along.
I would stroke more than your ego you sexy little... Barely managing to stop those words before they came out of my mouth I simply added, "It would be my pleasure." As the blood in my body began to flow back to the head above my shoulders I remembered a small nagging question that was lingering. "By the way, excuse me but... WHAT THE FUCK.. WAS THAT? I get to this god forsaken place and the first thing to welcome me is a two hundred foot monster. What the hell kind of city is this?"
My question goes unanswered as a giant foot destroys the road in front of us. Misato throws the car into reverse as the showering debris of the continuing military assault rains down on the car. The giant above us stops to swat a few of the flies it has attached, as the planes aren't much more then that. Misato pushes her car to it's limits, desperately trying to get clear of the battle ground. We do just that as we get to the highway to Tokyo-3. With the battle a mile or two away, Misato stops the car and uses her binoculars to look back at the battle after a few seconds there she gasps. All the planes in the area suddenly break from the target and speed away at top seep.
"They're going to use an N2 mine? Shit get down!" She grabs me shoving my head into the seat and jumping on top of me. I am half between enjoying her body against mine and getting ready to angrily find out why the hell she did it when I heard the blast and even with my head facing down i saw the flash. A second later the shock wave hit and sent the car tumbling as a cloud of dirt and dust encased the car. Wow what a day this is turning out to be.
"Shock wave Approaching."
The command center at Nerv is alive with cheers. The U.N. Generals all celebrating their obvious annihilation of the target even though the shock wave had knocked out the camera's and sensors. Some of the less experienced techs also joined the celebration. Once again only two people seem unphased by the commotion.
"We did it!" A general addressed the man sitting down. "Sorry, but it looks like you won't be getting a shot at it Ikari." You could almost hear him boasting simply in the tone.
The man behind the desk showed absolutely no emotion, the hands in front of his face weren't hiding anything. "What is the status of the target?" he said coolly.
A tech responded, "We're unable to confirm due to all the EMP interference."
The general quickly and arrogantly said, "It must have been finished. You saw the size of that explosion."
"Sensors restored."
The room went silent as the main monitor came back online. "We have a high energy read at the explosion's epicenter!"
The general stood up and screamed, "It can't be!"
"Visual display restored" The monitor blinked and now showed a fiery scene of the area. At the center of which was the large dark shadow of the target.
The defeated general slumped back in his chair,"That was our last resort. No effect, I don't believe it. It's a god damn demon."
Again, it takes a very special man to smile at a time when most fear that the destruction of humanity is imminent. Gendo Ikari was a very special man indeed.
My world was spinning, being in a car that is tossed like a rag doll will do that to you. I am covered in dirt and I ache in parts I didn't know existed; But I am alive. I've had more than one very near death experience today and it's not even 3:00. But, I am alive. I wasn't sure if this was two for two or three for three. Did the helicopter landing and then the giant blowing it up count as two separate ones? Hell if I count when the thing almost stepped on the car i could be four for four. I was pulled out of my inner rant when I heard Misato's voice.
"Are you okay?" she was looking over at me dusting herself off a little.
"Yeah for the most part, but I think I have eaten more than my daily allowance of dirt." Still amazed that I was in one piece, I had no reason not to smile.
"OK good, lets get going." She made a suggestive motion towards the car which was on it's side.
I understood, so we got into position and gave a good hard push. It went over relatively easy. I was surprised really, I mean I'm tall for my age but what I have extra in length I am missing in width. I was already 5'10, but I only weighted 130 lbs. And Misato was anything but butch. I mean she was a nice sized woman not petite but she was certainly not overly powerful either. More curves than muscle.
"Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it." Misato said giving me another flirtatious smile and a wink.
"I should be the one thanking you. I'd be dead right now if it weren't for you. I'm starting to think you might be my guardian angel. And I don't believe in angels." I laughed a little at my own smart ass comment. Even if they were sometimes out of line, I usually amused myself with them quite nicely.
"Well thank you that is a very sweet thing for you to say. But I'm afraid that pretty soon you are going to change your opinion on that subject." Misato's laugh seemed a little half hearted, as if there was more to the story. I just went on playing the game though, to early to pry.
"How could I? Facts are facts and the fact is you saved my life. Which in my book means I'm indebted to you. And will be until I can do something to return the favor." This was all true, not to mention a good way to keep myself around her, which couldn't be a bad thing.
Misato chuckled this time obviously knowing something I didn't. "Oh I didn't mean about me, how could you think anything bad about me? No, I meant about believing in Angels. Not only are you wrong about their existence, they certainly aren't guarding anyone."
My eyes narrowed trying to figure out if she was patronizing me or not. I saw nothing to indicate that she was being anything but one hundred percent serious. Suddenly my mind ran with this information. "Say what?"
We'd gotten the car on it's tires already and miraculously it actually started. We were back on the road again in no time. I hadn't even thought about it until this very moment but I wondered if that bomb worked. I stared out the window in the direction thatI thought the creature was in but there were mountains in the way
"Yes that's right, don't worry about it. His safety is my top priority... So could you have a car train waiting for us? The express one... Right... Well I volunteered to pick him up so it's my duty to make sure he gets there. See ya!" Misato hangs up. I can see by the look on her face she is pissed off about something.
"What's wrong?" Sensitivity in a man is a highly sought after trait especially in older women. So I gave it a try.
"I just got this car restored and it's wrecked already! I have 33 payments still left on it, now add the cost of repairs. Not to mention I had just bought this dress andI was looking so good and feeling good too."
"Well I think it would take more than a little dirt to change how good you look, and hell I didn't think you would get it running. Even if it did take some 'borrowed' parts".
"Hey it was an emergency, besides I am a government official." She said quickly in her own defense.
"Don't get the wrong idea i wasn't being negative. I certainly didn't want to stay there. Let alone question my savior." I couldn't help but laugh a little.
I got the intended response, she smiled and loosened up. "You know you are just as cute as I thought you would be, too bad you're a kid. But I am glad I've finally met Hinote Ikari." A rare sight for me, I saw a genuine smile staring back at me.
My face was on fire when Misato called me cute, I couldn't help myself. "Please just Hinote is fine, but I am glad as well. And your picture hardly did you justice." If it wasn't for how crazy things had been I probably could never talk this way to a woman like her. But at this point I wasn't totally convinced I wasn't dreaming. Hitting on Misato was nothing after dodging Godzilla back there. Well maybe things here wouldn't be so bad after all. Misato's crazy driving forced me into silence making me hold on for dear life. As we entered an underground tunnel, I saw no light from the exit.
"As we predicted, it's regenerating itself." Sub Commander Futuski observed from the main monitor in the command center.
His superior replied flatly "If it couldn't, it wouldn't be a very effective self-sufficient weapon."
Just then the Angel looked up at the satellite that was being used to observe it and wiped it out of existence. Futuski frowns, "Impressive. It looks like it can adapt and upgrade it's abilities. Not to mention it's getting smarter."
Gendo coldly stared at the static of the viewer, "It will renew it's attack any minute now."
An automated voice spoke, "The gates are now closing. Please stand clear." The entire car began to descend and Misato handed me a folder. I read the cover. "Special Organization NERV?"
Misato started to spout off like a tour guide, "Yes it's a secret organization under the control of the United Nations."
I had a feeling that I would be hearing the word secret a lot. "So this is where my father is huh?" He'd never been what I would call forthcoming about his work. Despite how it basically ruined our family.
Misato almost sounded surprised, "Well, yeah. Do you know what your father does?"
"Not really, my uncle told me it was something very important to the safety of the human race. But I figured that was just to make me feel like my father left me for a decent reason. It didn't work." I have never been good at masking contempt. Ironically at that very moment my father was proving me wrong.
Gendo Ikari stood in front of a military operational tribunal. He was trying his best not to look smug. "From this point forward all command of this operation will be entrusted to you. Show us that you are capable."
Gendo flatly answered, "Yes, sir."
"Mr Ikari, we must admit that our weapons have no effect on the target. But are you sure that you can beat these things?" The generals question was almost taunting.
"That is what NERV was created for." he answered
"We pray that you are correct" The generals exit the room as a tech gives a status report.
"The target is still stationary. Our current ability to intercept is only 7.5."
Futuski adds, "Even the UN forces are completely exhausted. What do you intend to do?"
Gendo walks over to the access elevator and states, "I intend on activating Unit 01."
Even the level headed Sub commander cannot hide his shock. "Unit 01? But we don't have a pilot."
"It's not a problem, another spare will be delivered soon.
It had been such a roller coaster ride that I had forgotten the worst part of all this. "Are you taking me to my father?"
Misato had been cleaning herself up. "Yup that's the plan."
"Damn" I said to myself. I had started to hope I would just stay with Misato.
"Oh yeah, didn't you get an ID card from your dad?"
I reached into my bag, "Yeah, here it is."
"Thanks." Now Misato hands me another folder this one has the words TOP SECRET written across it and also, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. "Here read this."
"NERV is my father's agency? Am I going to be working for him? Ah of course; I was wondering why he would call me, he must need me for some odd reason." I looked over the information. I was beginning to realize that there was a lot going on in this place.
Misato reacted to my harsh words and tone. "So I take it you don't get along with your father? I'm the same way." She seemed to be trying to comfort me. But before I could thank her the elevator that had been carrying us down broke out of the dark tunnel into a bright new world under ground."
"Holy Shit!" I couldn't help it. The sight was absolutely breath taking. A whole city underground including what looked like a sky. Talk about impressive. "So this is what they call a geofront?"
Seeing my astonishment Misato proudly said, "Yeah that's right. This is our secret base. NERV Headquarters. This is the key to rebuilding our world. A fortress of all mankind."
"You know Misato, if they ever give tours of this place you should run them." My jest was all in good humor, but she really did sound like a tour guide.
By now the sun is going down by the time we reach the actual structure that is Nerv it is dark outside. And that is only the beginning of our journey. Upon entering NERV I realized the size of the place as I looked at a directory. It spanned several miles on several levels, in the shape of a hexagon. Misato had a map but as is often the case, that did not stop us from getting lost.
"What the...! Isn't this the right way?" We were standing on a moving walkway. At least it saved me the effort of actually walking all the distance we're covering. And gave me a chance to read some of the TOP SECRET info I wasn't quite sure why I had yet. "The passages that aren't officially open yet are still sealed, this would be so much easier if they weren't. Where the hell is Ritsuko anyway? I'm sorry Hinote, I'm still not totally used to this place myself."
"Well not to be a pain but, you do know we passed this spot a little while ago, right?." I can't help myself from saying smart ass comments sometimes.
"Ah, Don't worry about it, besides they made these walkways to be used don't they?" Her embarrassed laugh had just a twinge of nervousness, she was probably afraid of what my father would say. I can't believe that my father is her commanding officer, hell everyone here's commander.
I vaguely heard an announcement say, "Would the chairperson of Project E Technical Department Division 1, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, please contact Captain Misato Katsuragi Operations Division 1, immediately."
"Calling in the search party?" I said with a small laugh. But in truth I was distracted by what I was reading. Most of it was just general information about the supposed work these people were doing here. But it didn't take a genius to see that they were entirely too vague and ominous which probably meant that this was just a fabrication. I spent my time trying to read through the inferences.
Somewhere deep inside NERV a woman stripped off her scuba gear as well as her wet suit. As she stepped away from the pink lake she had been swimming in she sighed with frustration. The blond haired Dr. Ritsuko Akagi listened to the same message I did shaking her head, "I don't believe it. Has she gotten lost again?"
We were now riding an elevator. I really wasn't paying attention to where we were going but when the door opened. I saw something I really didn't expect. "Um... Hiya Ritsuko", Misato barely gets the words out she's so nervous. The woman stepped into the elevator she was wearing only a lab coat and a one piece bathing suit. Not exactly what I was expecting of The Chairperson of Project E Technical Department Division 1. I was assuming she'd be a older woman wear conservative clothing. Not a hot bodied, half dressed woman with a look in her eyes that could melt ice. I was starting to think I'd ruled out the dream possibility too soon.
"Why are you wasting my time Captain Katsuragi? You know we don't have the time nor the manpower for this nonsense." She sounded like a mother reprimanding her child.
Sure enough, Misato reacted just as any kid would. "I'm sorry"
The doctor simply rolled her eyes and sighed, then she looked over at me. Almost caught me checking out how the wet bathing suit clinged to her body. "So is this the boy?"
Misato smiled and nodded, "Yup, according to the Marduk Report, he is the 'Third Child'."
Ritsuko looked over at me, "Pleased to meet you."
Dr. Ritsuko Akagi looked over the new candidate. He's tall for a kid, almost 6 foot. A bit thin for a boy so tall. His hair is just like his fathers, that deep brown. But, he must have his mothers eyes. Green rather than his father's pale blue. His features were still slightly feminine due to youth, but already you could see his father's chiseled features in his face. All in all, he's a good looking kid. And he has something about him, an "air" if you will. Not to mention, with all that's going on, he seems almost calm. Hmmm..
I absent mindedly said "Yeah, you too." I was too absorbed in the file. There was an interesting piece of fiction in here about my father. Saying how great a humanitarian he was. Only problem in my eyes was that he was disqualified on the basis that you would have to be human to be a humanitarian.
Misato saw thatI wasn't paying attention and made an excuse for me. "Don't let that fool you he's normally a lot more talkative. I just think he has a lot to take in right now."
Back in the Command Center, Gendo Ikari's last words to his subordinate before leaving were simply, "Handle the rest of this." He doesn't even wait for a reply as the elevator descends.
Fuyutsuki stares at the vacant space. "Their first meeting in over three years." He begins to wonder about the relationship involved and all the history attached to it. His thoughts are quickly interrupted.
"Vice Commander, the target has started moving again." A tech calls out.
"Right. Assume Level One battle stations."
"Repeat. Level One battle stations. Prepare for ground unit interception." The voice on the intercom rings through out the facility. Currently Misato, Ritsuko, and myself were ride an open lift up to somewhere. I still had my head in the file, if I didn't I might have noticed the gigantic arm that was floating in the pink sea that was on the other side of a wall behind me.
Hearing the announcement Misato frowned, "Here we go. Sounds pretty serious... So, how is Unit 01?"
The Doctor flatly responded, "It's currently undergoing refrigeration using the B-Type equipment."
"Does it really work? It's never worked before, has it?" Misato seems doubtful.
Ritsuko didn't give much to be hopeful about either, "The possibility of activation is 0.000000001 We call it pathetically enough the 0-9 System."
"Does that mean it doesn't work?" Now Misato almost sounded nervous.
"Don't be so insulting, it's 'O' not 'Zero'." Ritsuko defended her pride coolly.
"Well it's just a number right? Anyway, it's a little late to be saying 'Sorry it didn't work.'"
Just then the lift comes to the top and we step off. Ritsuko slides a card through a panel on the side and a pair of large metal doors open up revealing a pink lake in front of us. I can't help but mutter a small. "Wow." We get on a small rubber boat and it takes us across the 'water' to a small platform on the other side. I notice a huge section of the wall is not like the rest. It was totally out of place. First off in a building with just about every surface being gray, white, silver or beige, it was purple and green. It had UNIT-01 written on the side in the middle of a large circle section that protruded a bit further into the room than the rest. I also noticed it wasn't actually flat like the rest of the wall was it had an arc to it. Before I could do any further inspecting we were walking through a door into a room of utter darkness. Only the light from the previous room stretched out like a carpet from the door.
"How dramatic." I said just as the door shut enclosing us in darkness. And I paid for the comment, the lights finally did come on and i was left staring right into a giant face, and not a pretty one. I almost jumped out of my skin, "Holy shit! What the hell is that? A giant robot?" I started flipping through my TOP SECRET file. Surely I would have noticed this.
Ritsuko was almost laughing, "You wont find this in there. This is man's ultimate humanoid fighting machine. The first model of the synthetic life form Evangelion Unit 01. Built here in secret, it is mankind's last hope."
The only way to describe whatI was feeling at that moment was awestruck. This was better than any candy store in the world. A giant robot? And it's real? They've gotta be kidding me. They better let me get a crack at this thing once the whole emergency is over. It would be just cruel to show me this if I wasn't going to get a chance to use it. I mean this is like any video game players wet dream. "So is this what my father's been up to for all this time?" My voice was thick with disdain and had I've known who heard me I would have said something a lot harsher.
"That is correct." A voice from above echoed down and when it did my entire body went rigid. I felt rage well up inside me and I clenched my fist and closed my eyes trying to contain my anger...
"Father." It's all I could say without screaming in anger.
He was completely emotionless. "It's been a while."
I was almost shaking with anger, but I knew I couldn't let him get the best of me. "Well if you'd have told me that this was the reason you abandoned me I might not have thought you were the worst father in the world."
He simply smirked at my words, "We're moving out."
Misato jumped, much to my surprise she was questioning his orders rather than following them. "Moving out? Unit 00 is still in cryostasis, isn't it?" She gasps with a sudden realization. "Wait a second! You're gonna use Unit 01?"
Ritsuko answers coldly, "There is no other way."
Misato had a feeling where this was going and she didn't like it. "Now wait. Rei can't do it yet, can she? We've got no pilot."
Again the doctor spoke flatly, "We've just received one."
"Are you serious?" Misato asked. She wasn't the only one who saw where this was going.
I already knew what she was going to say when the doctor turned to me. "Hinote Ikari. You will pilot it."
Yup, that was the bomb shell I was waiting for. My eyes went wide for a second, and it felt like a lifetime. Thousands of thoughts streamed through my mind all in an instant. I don't know which was first, it was either YES! or; YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME! I wanted to pilot it more than anything in the world. Yet something told me that I wouldn't be doing it for fun. Most likely I'd be put up against that monster that I'd seen earlier. And unlike my coveted video games, in real life there's no reset button. And any good gamer knows you die at least once before you really get the hang of any game. And dying once is a lot more than I can afford. While all this is going on in my head, Misato answers in the real world.
"But even Rei Ayanami took seven months to synchronize with her Eva! It's impossible for him to do it. He just got here."
Dr. Akagi didn't seem phased by her objections, "He just needs to sit in the seat. We don't expect more than that." Misato went to say something else but she was cut off, "Repelling that angel is our ultimate priority. If putting someone who has the chance to synchronizing with the Eva Unit into it gives us even the slightest chance we have to do it. You do understand that don't you Captain Katsuragi?"
Misato starts to reply, "I suppose..."
But that's when I realized this conversation has nothing to do with either of them so why are they the ones making the decisions. "Um, excuse me but don't I get any say in whether or not I go and risk my life for you people? Father, is this why you sent for me? To tell me you had this huge robot that you built for me and want me to pilot it against some monster that can take a N2 mine to the face? Is this your sick idea of making up for the lost years and missed birthday presents? Why am I here?"
"You know exactly why I sent for you. I have a use for you."
Damn that cold son of a bitch, I thought parents were supposed to protect their children. "So you want me to go out in this thing and fight that monster?"
"Precisely." The man didn't even flinch
"How the hell can you ask me to do something like this? I knew you didn't bring me here because you wanted to see me. You would never do something so... human. Well I got news for you father, I'm not doing it and you can't make me. There are hundreds of other people who can do it. Why don't you do it?"
"I called you because I had a need for you. You are wrong though, you are the only person who can pilot it. No one else can do it but you."
"What are you talking about? I thought I was the Third child, what happened to the other two? Or did you already send them to their deaths? Isn't one of their names Rei? Where's she?"
"That is enough." His voice commanded. "The second child is in Germany and Rei is here but it is unlikely she will be able to pilot Unit 01."
"Well I didn't come here to die, so you can just forget it. I've got no reason to help you, not after all you've done." I had decided, I would not be a pawn in my father's game.
Just then an explosion on the surface sends a tremor that shakes the room. My father looks up "It must've discovered our location. If you are not going to pilot leave now."
"We don't have much time Hinote." Ritsuko adds.
Misato gives me a cold look, "Just get in."
That's it, "I've had enough, I'm done with you people. Who the hell are you? Or better yet what the hell is wrong with you? I am 14 years old, and you are about to send me out in this thing with no training to go fight that thing? Misato, you've been with me all day you've seen what the hell I have been through, and I thought I was taking it all pretty well. But now this? You people are insane, fuck you all! You're supposed to be this big bad agency saving the world, why the hell do you need me? Do it your-damn-selves. I don't care what you say I won't do it.
My Father hit a button and spoke to the intercom, "Fuyutsuki, wake up Rei."
He answered, "Can we use her?"
True to form my father said something that surprised even me. "She isn't dead yet."
"I understand." Was the only response as the com turned off.
Then he spoke again into the com, "Rei, our spare is unusable. You will do it again."
A frail female voice answered, "Yes sir."
Ritsuko looked at me with disappointment then began yelling out orders. "Reconfigure Unit 01's system for Rei then re-activate."
People began new tasks as the orders were relayed over the load speaker.
Ritsuko and Misato began walking away. I just stood there looking at the Eva. What am I going to do now? I thought i was going to have a place here, but what now? Just then the door on the far side of the room. A group of doctors rushed in with a stretcher. On it was a girl have wrapped in bandages. Around her head, arm and most of her torso. The doctors came to a stop about ten feet past me, the girl struggled to sit up as the doctors detached her for her IVs. Just then another explosion rocks the complex. This one is much closer though, it shakes the room making the girl fall off the bed, me fall to the ground. The lighting fixtures above me came loose falling towards me. All could do was watch as Misato yelled look out. So I dodge the plane and the giant monster, survive that explosion and I am going to get killed by the damn lights.
All at once a huge purple hand raises out of the water and then it is above me, shielding me from my impending doom. Everyone in the room is frozen, obviously no one expected this to happen. If I could have seen my father's smile I would have known that one person did. He didn't even flinch when the metal bounced off the protective glass in front of him. "What the fuck?" I whispered.
"The Eva moved! How could it? It broke off the right arm restraint." A voice for the control room said.
Ritsuko who was on the floor picking up papers yelled, "No that's impossible. It didn't even have an entry plug inserted. It's not possible."
Misato was shocked too, "It reacted without an interface? Or was it protecting something.." She looked at me under the hand. "It protected him?" She smiled at what she considered a sign."We can do it."
Meanwhile I run over to the fallen girl. She's struggling to get up despite her injuries. She falls and lays there shaking. I kneel down taking her in my arms, I look her over to make sure she's not hurt any worse. She moans in pain. I take my hand off of her back and I see blood on it. This was the girl my father was about to send out there in my place. It's me or her? I can't let her go out like this. Even if it is my first time I stand a lot better chance than her. GOD DAMN IT! So he'll get what he wants anyway. Well no choice now.
I stand up placing the girl on the bed and look up at my father. "I'll do it. I'll pilot the Eva."
Well at least it was my decision and not his order. At least I can die knowing that...
End Chapter 1
A/N: See not too much changed but don't worry the more the story goes on the further I will deviate. Hell by chapter 12 or so it won't even seem any thing like the original. Some small changes and a few earth shattering ones. With this story I am going to have a running omake short crossovers with Naruto characters and the funny situations the Ninjas could produce against Angels. they will get increasingly funny But for now I just need to set it up. So here goes
Naruto Uz-omake #1
( And as an added disclaimer I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters either.)
...The smallest opening is all I need. Stepping into my enemy I knock his guard up with my arms and bring my foot into his chest. He staggers back and I follow up with a savage roundhouse that connects clean with his temple; his eyes go blank as he drops to the floor.
"That's enough Hinote!" Sensei's voice brings me back.
I leap back, "Yes Kakashi Sensei." When he speaks, you listen, he might seem like an easy going guy. But when it gets right down to it the man is dangerous, pure and simple. He even put his book away, I was shook, now was probably not a good time to be me.
"Hinote, today you leave Kanoha. I want you to take this kunai." He handed me an odd shaped kunai with a scroll wrapped around it. "A kunai like this was given to me by the 4th Hokage once. If you are in a desperate situation use this and you will have no more troubles."
I took it and bowed I was about to thank him when he said, "Well I hate long goodbyes so see ya."
But before he could leave, "Wait Kakashi sensei, can I have the picture back." I stuck my hand out.
He smiled nervously and scratched the back of his head, "Oh yeah sorry." he said as he took out a picture of a certain lavender haired woman. "Can't believe I almost forgot." I looked at him like I knew he hadn't forgotten, he simply shrugged in response.
Poof! And in a cloud of smoke the man vanished.
"I fucking hate it when he does that. Where the fuck does he go?" My opponent had gotten up with me realizing. "Well I don't care if you're going, datte bayo!" He wakled forward and clenched a fist in front of my face. "But don't think that you are going to get the one up on me so easily. I am going to train harder and then come find you in Tokyo-3,datte bayo! So you better be ready, because next time, you're finished. Believe..." his voice cut out.
Possibly because I had taken my special kuni and put it to his throat. "If you finish that, I'll kill you. Stick with the original"
The yellow haired boy who was wearing all orange gulp and weakly said. "Datte bayo?"
"Good little fox."