A/N: This fic takes place sometime after episode 15. I don't mean to offend anyone. Some of
the language may be derogatory, but it is used to make a point. Emi and Natsumi belong to me,
no one else does, and I'm not making money off this. Enjoy!
*************************************************************************
He Who Talks to Angels
By Veronica Cereta
*************************************************************************
Misato looked across the table at the two pilots. Shinji was sitting strait up; hands folded in his
lap. Asuka was taking a more casual stance, slumped down in the wooden chair, her arm slung
over the back.
"This was all Ritsuko's idea, so don't blame me." Misato found herself already apologizing.
"Well . . . we can't really get mad at you until you tell us what the idea is," Shinji replied.
"Oh, yeah. She thinks that you guys are having trouble deciding why you're fighting. You lack
focus."
"What! That's crazy!" The red head interjected.
"Quiet, Asuka. It's not so bad. She just wants you to do some volunteer work in the community.
You know, get to know the people you are fighting for."
"Humph," the red head turned away. "I see wonder girl isn't here. Does she know about this?"
"Rei is totally focused. It was decided that she will not participate in this . . . activity. She
knows why she fights; it's for humanity; she understands."
"I fight to save humanity, too!" The second children whined.
"Don't give me that crap! You fight because you want everyone to know what a talented person
you are. You said so yourself."
The dark haired boy broke the argument. "Where exactly are we to be doing this volunteer
work?"
"Oh, it's a really cool place. I have a friend who works in a group home with three disabled
people. When I mentioned the idea to her she explained that two of the kids could really benefit
from mentors. I think you two will do just fine."
"What! This sucks! I don't want to waste my time with a bunch of retards!"
"Asuka, that is uncalled for! If you talk like that tomorrow. . ."
"Tomorrow! You mean we have to go then, that's so soon."
"Yes, you have to go then. Ritsuko thought that the sooner you go the better. You'll be
spending a couple hours there twice a week."
"I don't believe this!" The fiery haired girl stormed to her room."
Misato looked at the boy across from her. "You're okay with this, ne?"
Shinji sighed. "What choice do I have," he muttered as he slowly walked away.
"Well, that went well." The colonel got a beer from the fridge and closed the door to her room.
Once inside, she picked up her phone and dialed.
"Hello," Ritsuko answered.
"Hi. I told them."
"How did it go?" The blonde already knew the answer.
"Not well. Asuka is totally against it, and Shinji isn't thrilled either. May I ask a question?"
"Of course."
"Why now, and why did you insist on the group home? You practically ordered that I pair one
of them with the little boy with autism. Is there something special about him?"
"Not really; we just think that contact with someone who has some real problems might get those
two to quit feeling sorry for themselves for a change. I know a thing or two about autism.
Whoever works with him will learn a lot about persistence, and that is something that both Shinji
and Asuka can benefit from. Plus we want them to know what they're fighting for."
"Wait a minute, 'we'? I thought this was your plan."
"Actually, it was mostly Commander Ikari's idea."
"Commander Ikari. Ritsuko, there is something you're not telling me. I hate it when you do
this."
"I don't know what you're talking about. By the way, who did you decide to pair with the
autistic boy?"
"Asuka; I think she needs it the most."
"I see. Well, have a nice night, Misato."
"You, too, Ritsuko." The colonel knew her friend was hiding something. 'What could be so
important about such a little boy, so important that Commander Ikari would take notice?'
*****************************************************************************
"I don't believe this!" The red head stormed into Shinji's room later that evening, looking for
someone to hear her complain.
"You've been saying that all night, Asuka." The third children was sitting on his bed. He had
been listening to his headphones, which he removed as he spoke.
"Well, it's true. How can she say that we don't know what we're fighting for? I know why I
fight."
"It's probably not you as much as it is me," the boy sighed. "They probably just included you so
I wouldn't feel singled out."
Asuka thought for a moment. It made sense. "Hey, I bet your right! Thanks, Shinji! You're not
as dumb as you look. That's why I was included in this dumb activity, so you wouldn't feel
bad."
Shinji knew that it was a lie. If the only reason Asuka had been involved was to make him feel
better, then Rei would have been included as well. No, there was a reason that he and Asuka
were the ones participating, and a reason Rei had been left out. However, the second children
looked ten times happier, now that she didn't feel punished or in need of correction. It was
worth a little lie to see her smiling, and to get her to stop complaining.
Asuka got up to leave. "Well, see you in the morning." She hovered by the door as if trying to
say something, or waiting for something to be said.
"See you," Shinji replied as she turned and slowly walked out of the room.
**************************************************************************
School passed uneventfully. At lunch Shinji explained his plans for the afternoon with his
friends. "Yeah, they seem to think it will be good for us."
"That's terrible!" Toji remarked, "They've got you doing extra work and I suppose you don't
even get paid more?"
"Well, it's not like we get a regular salary as it is."
"Yeah," Kensuke broke in, "and if Misato thinks it's a good idea, it can't be that bad."
"Actually," Shinji remarked, "she didn't really say what she thought of it, just that we had to do
it because Ritsuko said so."
Toji shook his head, "Unbelievable."
"Well." Kensuke was thoughtful. "You said the person working there was a friend of Misato's. I
bet she's a babe, too. Maybe you could introduce us."
"I don't know."
"Ah, come on, Shinji!" Toji complained.
"Okay, if she's cute, I'll see what I can do." Shinji smiled at his friends then became lost in his
thoughts while the two other boys ooggled about his guardian.
************************************************************************
"Isn't it just awful?" Asuka had been griping to her best friend.
"I really don't think it's all that bad," Hikari commented, angering her friend even more.
"What! It's just a waste of time! I have more important things to do."
"I guess." The girl was staring longingly at a boy who was sitting with Shinji. Asuka could see
she was not going to get much sympathy out of her lovelorn friend. She smiled inwardly and
watched Hikari watch Toji.
******************************************************************************
Misato picked the two children up from school. She didn't want them trying to stall and arrive
late for their first day. "Now pay attention, because this is the way you will be walking."
"Hai." Shinji made a mental map of the drive.
Misato had more instructions. "After your time each day is completed you will each fill out
detailed reports. These reports will be sent to Commander Ikari. They should explain exactly
what you did, what your assigned child did, and what you learned. It is important that these
reports be submitted the next time that you report for duty. Don't put off doing them."
"This is dumb," Asuka interrupted. "It's like we're in grammar school, writing essays on what
we have learned."
"These aren't essays," Misato replied, "They are official reports, and they are very important."
'Though I have no idea why,' she added silently.
The group pulled into the driveway of a white wooden house. It looked a bit odd set against the
apartment high rises of Tokyo Three. However, there were several houses built by people who
loved the quaint look and could afford that much space. This house had been donated by a very
wealthy patron. "Here we are," Misato smiled. They got out and walked slowly to the door.
Asuka arrived first and rang the doorbell.
A middle-aged man with sandy blonde hair and small beady black eyes opened the door. He
looked down at Asuka. "I like you. Your pretty."
The red head screamed, "Get away from me you pervert!" The man looked dumbfounded.
"Don't mind her, Aibu," Misato apologised, shooting the second children a nastey look. "She
doesn't take complements well."
"Hi, Misato!" Abiu's smile took up most of his face. "You look pretty as usual."
"Domo Arigato. May we come in?"
"Sure, sure." The man stepped back from the door allowing the three to walk by.
In the kitchen they found a woman with thin blonde hair writing in a large binder. It appeared to
Shinji that he wouldn't have to worry about introducing anyone to his companions if this was
Misato's friend.
Misato spoke, "Hello. Is Kathryn working today?"
"No," the woman was quick with her reply.
"Well, would you please tell her I stopped by."
"And you are?"
"Kasuragi Misato."
"Alright. May, I ask what you are doing here? If you came by to talk to your friend you should
know that staff aren't allowed to have guests while they're working."
"No, these guys are going to be mentoring Emi and Natsumi." Misato nodded at Shinji and
Asuka.
"Fine, the children are outside." She motioned to the sliding door that led to the back yard.
"Arigato." One of the things Shinji admired about his guardian was her ability to be very polite
to rude people.
The three went outside. In the yard there was a swing set and a trampoline. A little girl in a pink
dress and a white helmet was swinging, while a boy stood in a corner looking at the trees.
Misato called, "Emi, Natsumi, would you please come here?" Asuka hoped she wouldn't get the
one with the helmet. She looked a little odd.
The girl got off the swing and ran over. The three waited for the boy When it was evident he
wasn't moving, Misato went over, took him by the hand and led him to the other children.
"Well," she turned to the pilots, "these are the children you will be working with. Shinji, this is
Natsumi." The red head breathed a sigh of relief as her roommate was introduced to the girl with
the helmet.
Shinji held out a hand which the young girl shook, grinning broadly. "Hi, I'm five!" She
exclaimed.
"Wow," Shinji replied for lack of a better response.
Misato smiled in approval, then turned. "Asuka, I would like you to meet Emi."
Following the third children's example the red head extended a hand to the little boy. He looked
at it and ran back to his position on the lawn. Asuka looked at her guardian questioningly.
"Oh, Emi can't talk. He has autism."
"No fair!" yelled the pilot. "Shinji's can talk. I want one that can talk!"
"Enough, Asuka," Misato said angrily. "Emi probably wants a mentor who isn't so selfish, and
can control her temper." Shinji looked up at the colonel; she continued, paying no attention to the
boy. "It looks like neither of you are getting what you want."
Asuka wondered why she was being so hard on her. 'She must have deep feelings about this
place, about that boy.' "Fine!" replied the second children.
"Great!" Misato looked happy again. "I'll be going now. Think you two can find your way
home?"
"Hai," Shinji replied quietly.
"Okay, see you at home!" With that Misato spun around and walked away leaving the slightly
confused pilots.
"Now what!" Asuka looked to Shinji.
"I guess, we get to work."
"Work!"
The dark haired boy was already bending down to be eye level with the little girl, "What would
you like to do?"
"I like to swing!"
The two took off towards the swing set. Asuka stared at her assigned child. He was just looking
at the trees, not really doing much of anything. What was *she* supposed to do with him? She
walked over and watched the trees for a moment. The sunlight was filtering through them,
making bright dancing splotches on the grass in front of her. The boy had his hand out and was
watching it play with the light. Sighing, the second children extended a hand. She blocked some
rays, and allowed others to slip through her fingers. When she turned and noticed that Shinji was
staring at her she quickly dropped her hand, sat down and prepared to wait out the two hours.
Shinji wondered why she had stopped. She had seemed so innocent, so childlike reaching out for
the sun. It was a side of her that he rarely saw, but one that he thoroughly enjoyed. He went
back to pushing Natsumi on the swing. As he pushed the young girl excitedly told him all about
dinosaurs, her favorite topic. He nodded and feigned interest; however, the pilot was used to his
monsters being a bit more contemporary. Still he was impressed with her knowledge on the
subject as she explained to him which dinosaurs lived in the Jurassic and which were Cretaceous.
She knew which ones ate meat and which ones were herbivores. He soon found that while he
wasn't relishing this natural history lesson, he did enjoy the enthusiasm of his teacher. Suddenly
the girl turned the conversation. She wanted to know about his life. He told her about living
with Misato and Asuka. He talked about his school and a little about the difficulty of his job.
She was simply amazed by every aspect of his life. She listened intently and added 'wow's and
'cool's from time to time. Every now and then she would star off into space in the middle of the
conversation, at first he thought he was boring, but then realized that there was no way to rouse
her from these spells. If he waited them out she soon returned to her perky, talkative self. He
had to admit, this wasn't a terrible to spend an afternoon. As the boy looked up, he saw his
roommate going into the house.
Asuka was grateful. Finally Emi was going to do something. He had left his position on the
yard and went to what the girl assumed was his room. The bed was unmade; clothes, books and
toys were spread across the floor. The books were mainly Disney related, and there were plenty
of model horses. The walls were lined with Disney posters and pictures of horses. "Oh, you like
horses?" The question was more for her benefit; she didn't expect an answer. The boy sat down
in the middle of the room, picked up a yellow bucket, and threw five, large, multi colored blocks
into it. Then he began to spin the blocks inside the pail. He seemed delighted as they spun
around making a gentle whooshing sound. 'Great!' Asuka thought. 'I wonder how long he will
keep this up.' The pilot picked up a few horses and looked at them, trying to identify the breeds
she knew.
As soon as the two hours were up she bolted for the door. "Shinji!" she called. "We're
leaving!" The third children came quickly. They left without saying goodbye to anyone.
On the way home Shinji was talkative. "You wouldn't believe all that Natsumi knows about
dinosaurs. She's a very bright child. Do you want to know what she said when I left? She said,
'I can't wait to for you to come over again.' It was actually kind of fun."
"Just shut up!" Asuka snapped. After a long pause she added, quieter, "It's not fair. You always
have all the luck."
The two walked in silence the rest of the way home. At the house Misato was waiting. "How
was it?"
Shinji smiled, "It wasn't bad."
"It sucked," screeched Asuka going to her room and slamming the door.
Shinji looked at his guardian. "She didn't have a very good day."
"I can see." She frowned. "Well, tell me about your day."
Shinji explained all about Natsumi, even recalling a few facts she had taught him about
dinosaurs. "She seems so intelligent. What's wrong with her."
"Well, you noticed the helmet. Did you also notice how sometimes she just didn't seem to be
there? You guys would be talking and all the sudden it was like her mind was elsewhere."
"Uh huh."
"A year ago Natsumi was in a car accident. She got hit in the head pretty hard. She has a
Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. Because of the damage to her brain, she has seizures.
Sometimes she falls down and can't control her movements. That's what the helmet is for.
These are called grand mal seizures. They're pretty rare with her, since her medication controls
them quite well. Other times she just stares off into space. These are petit mal seizures. They
are more frequent and less serious. Still, if she continues to have them, she will never drive a
car, or hold a very competitive job."
"I see." Shinji left for his room.
*****************************************************************************
The next day at the office Commander Ikari fingered Asuka's report.
"So the autistic child still isn't talking?" Fuyutsuki watched the Commander.
"No, Emi didn't say anything to the second children."
"Then there's still time."
"Presumably so."
"What I don't understand," the gray haired man continued, "is why you have the pilots do it.
Why not just place the kid under surveillance."
"If we did that, people would get suspicious. The government would get involved and everyone
would want to know what we know about him. This way, no one notices. Nobody cares if two
kids do volunteer work at a group home. It's a cover, of course."
"I see. Aren't you going to read Shinji's report?"
"It's irrelevant."
"Still, you're making him write it, and it shows some real understanding."
"He writes it so that no one thinks we are singling out Emi or Asuka. There is no need to look at
it."
******************************************************************************
Two days later the two pilots were back at the group home.
"Hi, Aibu," said the dark haired boy. Asuka simply walked past.
Natsumi ran up and hugged Shinji, almost knocking him down. Asuka had to smile, 'what a
good father he'll make someday.' She trudged up the stairs to Emi's room. He was there,
spinning blocks. The girl sat down next to him. She watched for a long while. Eventually the
bucket was placed on the floor between to two. Asuka grabbed it and started to spin. It was
harder than it looked. She couldn't get the blocks to move uniformly, and rather than a
whooshing noise there was a harsh clunking sound. The red head handed the bucket back to the
little boy. He spun the blocks effortlessly and beautifully, then allowed her to try again. As she
worked on her block spinning technique, she happened to glance over at the boy. He was
smiling at her. She smiled herself. "Now we're getting somewhere," she beamed at the child.
He made shrieking noises and ran down the stairs to get away from her. As Asuka watched him
go, something inside snapped. Her pride finally kicked in. She decided that she would become
good at this. If Shinji could get along with his assigned child, she could connect with hers. They
all would see what a good mentor she was, and then they would know that she really could do
anything. She wouldn't fail. Sohryu Asuka Langly got up and went downstairs to look for the
boy.
She found the boy in the back yard jumping on the trampoline. The pilot took off her shoes and
hoisted herself up onto the trampoline. As the two jumped they looked at each other and
laughed. Emi stood in front of Asuka held his hands up for her to grab them. She took the
outstretched arms and they jumped higher, giggling and smiling.
Shinji looked over at his roommate. He and Natsumi had set up a table in a corner of the yard
and were playing checkers. Low tree branches that made it difficult for anyone to see inside
surrounded them. The little girl had called this her thinking spot. The third children watched the
second jump. She looked really good in those cut off shorts and yellow spaghetti strap shirt. Her
eyes sparkled and she never stopped smiling as she jumped with the little boy. Soon the time to
leave arrived. Shinji said goodbye to the girl who had just captured his last checker.
He went to the trampoline and offered a hand to Asuka. She jumped down refusing his hand, but
smiling at him none the less. He waited patiently as she put on her shoes, and waved goodbye to
a boy who didn't even acknowledge that she was leaving. It was okay though; she was getting
much better at this mentoring thing.
Asuka talked much of the way home. She told Shinji about how connected she had felt when
Emi had looked at her and smiled. "It's funny. People look at me all the time, (I mean I am
incredibly attractive) but I never feel a connection with them. When Emi did it; though, it was
wonderful. Maybe that's because it is so hard for him to open up to other human beings."
"That's probably it," said Shinji, looking deeply at Asuka.
She blushed very slightly. An intent look from Ikari was just as remarkable as a look from Emi.
The two had a lot in common.
"How was your day?" she asked and actually listened intently as the first children told her all the
intelligent, cute things Natsumi had done. Maybe this activity wasn't as bad as she had been
making it out to be. It certainly wasn't necessary, but it was turning out to be challenging and
fun.
When they arrived at home the two settled on the couch to watch TV. Asuka wasn't paying
much attention. She turned to Shinji, "What do you think it's like not to be able to
communicate? Do you think Emi knows what he has to say, but just can't?"
"Probably."
"That must be horrible. I'm glad my mind is intact and functioning. I don't know what I would
do if anything ever went wrong up there." She pointed to her head.
"I don't think you really have to worry," he wondered what had brought on this sudden
contemplative attitude. 'Why would anything bad ever happen to Asuka's mind? Why was she
so concerned?' Then he thought of Natsumi and three words flashed through his mind.
Traumatic Brain Injury; it certainly could be a threat in their line of work. Still, nothing terrible
had happened yet. 'Why worry now.'
The red head stood up to go to her room. It always took her twice as long to do her homework,
because she had trouble translating the kanji. Her college in Germany hadn't required her to do
such things. She figured she had better get an early start on that night's mathematics assignment.
However, she stood for a second, staring at her roommate.
Shinji was getting very sick of her lingering. It seemed every time she left him, she waited. She
probably wanted him to do or say something but he had no idea what. He just wasn't good at
this type of thing. "Good night, Asuka," he said poorly.
She smiled, "Good night, Shinji."
******************************************************************************
The angel appeared early the next morning. It came from nowhere, as if it just materialized.
Because of this there wasn't time to evacuate the citizens, and evacuation during the attack
would be too risky.
The three children stood in their plug suits awaiting instructions.
"This should be fairly standard." Colonel Kasuragi was confident. "Shinji and Asuka will take
the offensive."
"Hai!" responded the two children.
"Rei, you will back them up."
"Hai," Rei said quietly.
The pilots entered their entry plugs and began the preparation for launch.
******************************************************************************
Commander Ikari and Fuyutsuki watched from above the control room as the angel terrorized
Tokyo Three. The monster was roughly humanoid, except much larger, more triangular, and
completely blue. There was a large red circle in the top of its head. It didn't attack like other
angels. In the past the monsters had been systematic in their pursuit to destroy Nerv
Headquarters or some other integral piece of the corporation. This attack was wanton
destruction, like a very powerful child throwing a temper tantrum.
"It's a bit early to be *his* angel," Fuyutsuki reasoned.
"Not necessarily."
"But the second children's reports confirm that Emi hasn't spoken yet, at least not in her
presence."
"There is more that one way to control an angel."
"That's skin a cat," the gray haired man muttered under his breath.
If the commander heard the comment, he didn't let on.
******************************************************************************
When everyone was into position Misato looked up at the commander. He nodded almost
imperceptibly. "Launch!" She yelled as the Evas were propelled to the surface.
Asuka spotted the angel first. Without waiting for her partner she ran up to grab hold of it. As
Unit 03 reached out for it, the angel turned transparent. The huge metallic arms went right
through their target.
Ritsuko looked on in disbelief. "That's impossible! It can't do that!"
Asuka looked down at her Eva's empty hands. As soon as the angel was clear of the mecha he
became solid again and resumed his assault of Tokyo Three. Shinji took the opportunity and
fired a volley. As the beams approached the angel, he went again went transparent. The shots
went harmlessly through the beast.
The Evas were not accomplishing anything. Misato got on the communication link. "Everyone,
form an equilateral triangle encompassing the target. Shinji, take the head, directly in front of
the angel. Rei and Asuka, take positions behind it." The three deftly moved their Eva's into the
positions the colonel had specified.
"We are going to confuse that angel. Shinji, fire first. Rei, fire one second after Shinji. Asuka,
fire half a second after Rei."
"Hai!" The pilots did as they were told, and the angel easily avoided the attack by becoming
transparent.
"Again!" yelled Misato. "Rei, start."
Unit 00 fired, followed by Unit 03 and then Unit 02. Again the transparent angel avoided the
attack.
In the control room, Fuyutsuki looked down at the commander. "He certainly gave his angel
some new techniques."
Gendo merely crossed his fingers in front of his mouth.
"Again! Asuka, start!" Once more the pilots fired and once more the angel avoided all the shots.
"This isn't working!" Ritsuko yelled.
Misato needed time to plan. "When the angel is transparent, he can't do any damage," she
explained to the children. "You've got to keep it transparent. Make contact with it as much as
possible."
The children and angel continued their deadly game of tag for almost an hour. They managed to
keep the citizen fatalities to a minimum. Around noon as the angel was going transparent
because of a shot from Unit 03, it became fainter and fainter until it just disappeared. The
Evangelion looked around quickly. When they failed to find the target, they were ordered back
to headquarters.
****************************************************************************
Misato went out that evening, and Asuka had a pretty good idea with whom. Her and Shinji
ordered had ordered a pizza and ate it in the disordered kitchen.
"How's Natsumi?" the second children asked.
Shinji replied with a fatherly smile and a nod. "She's doing great."
Asuka really loved how her roommate talked about his assigned child. She was beginning to feel
the same affection towards Emi. There was a pause. "That battle this morning sucked!"
Shinji nodded again. "Do you think it will be back?"
"The Angel?"
"Yeah."
"I really hope not. I have no idea how we will ever beat the damn thing."
"Yeah." 'This is nice,' thought Shinji. They were talking like two friends having a normal
conversation; well, normal for Nerv personal. "How did you do on the math homework?" he
continued
"Not so good."
"Really?" Usually his roommate was astounding at mathematics.
"Yeah, the story problems are difficult for me to read."
"Oh, well . . . I can help you with tonight's homework."
"Okay." The red head left to get her book. "I just need to read them for someone and see if I
have it right," she called from her room.
"Fine."
Back in the kitchen they went over the problems. Shinji was a gentle, understanding tutor,
always taking time to explain where she went wrong in her translation. He was very impressed
with her improvement. Sometimes the kanji were difficult for him, and he had lived in Japan all
of his life.
"Arigato, Shinji," she smiled as she returned to her room to work out the problems.
"You're welcome." Shinji happily put away the dishes, and went off to do his homework.
An hour later Asuka had finished and was very bored. 'No, not bored, lonely,' she decided.
Eventually she found herself outside the third children's door.
"Come in." Shinji was on his bed, still doing homework.
Asuka searched desperately for something to talk about, a reason she had come. "Are you
bored?" she asked weakly.
"Umm. . . not really."
"Okay." She stood at his doorway for a moment. "Hey, I know what we could do!"
"Nani?" Shinji asked hesitantly.
"We could give that kiss another try!"
As shocked as the first children was by this request, his next words shocked him even more.
"You said you would never kiss to kill time again." 'Baka, baka, baka!' he chided himself.
"Maybe this time, it isn't about being bored, maybe. . ." She trailed off. "Oh forget it!" The red
head stormed out of the room.
"Asuka, wait!" Shinji got up to follow. "What did I do? Asuka!"
It was too late. She had already slammed her door and turned up her music excessively loud. He
couldn't be heard over the din. Why was he such a jerk? Why didn't he just kiss her? That was
probably what she had wanted all along, and it was certainly what he wanted. He returned to his
room hating himself.
****************************************************************************
The next morning the angel was back. Again it was without the warning necessary to evacuate
the citizens. The Nerv staff had gathered in the control room while the children got into their
suits.
Ritsuko made the obvious observation. "This angel seems to choose morning to attack."
From the center of the room came a faint song. "Just call me angel of the morning, Angel"
The blonde scientist glared at her friend.
"Sorry, just whistling in the dark." Misato apologized as she went to brief the children. From
down the hall she heard the argument.
"You never do anything! It must suck to be so scared of everything!"
"Well at least I don't expect people to read my mind! How am I supposed to know what you
want all the time?"
"Any human being . . ." Asuka trailed off as the colonel entered the room.
"What is going on here?"
Rei supplied the answer. "It would appear that the second and third children are having a fight."
Shinji looked at the floor. Asuka stared defiantly at the ceiling.
"Well, put it behind you. We have work to do. We are going to determine how long the angel
can maintain its transparent state. Shinji, Asuka you will hold a net between your two
Evangelions. Keep this netting or your Evas in contact with the angel at all times. Rei will back
you up." She looked pointedly at the two. "Can you work as a team or do I have to substitute in
Rei for one of you?"
"We can do it," Shinji replied.
"Yeah," said Asuka, determined.
"Okay, then get to your Eva's!"
In a few moments everything was prepared for the battle.
"Launch!" shouted Misato.
The three Eva's rose to the surface. There they saw the angel tearing up Tokyo Three. Shinji
and Asuka put the angel between themselves. Unit 02 threw the net that had been supplied. It
slipped away from Unit 01.
"Nice catch, Loser!" Asuka yelled.
"Well, if you could throw. . ." came the muttered reply as Unit 01 stooped to retrieve the net.
The angel was caught between the Eva's. It tried to run, but they kept up with it, heading it off at
every turn. Rei watched as it got visibly distressed. She prepared to fire if there was trouble.
With a cry the angel faded from view. This time it reappeared, right behind Rei's Eva. The
beast grabbed Unit 00 by the neck. The two other Eva's dropped the net. Shinji arrived first and
was pushed away by the angel. Unit 00 seemed to be fighting for air.
Asuka fired a volley. "Take that, you bastard!"
The angel went transparent, dropping Rei. Once the shots had passed through, it began to kick
and tear at Unit 00, fighting like a scared child. Unit 01 had gotten up and began firing a
continuous stream into the target. Unit 02 joined in and the angel remained transparent, flailing
and screaming. After several minutes it vanished. Misato looked up at a clock. It was
approaching noon.
******************************************************************************
Rei looked up from her bed in the Nerv hospital. This ceiling was very familiar. She noticed
that there were several tubes connected to her body: an I.V., electrode to monitor heart beat, one
for brain waves, and other tubes with unknown purposes. There was a searing pain shooting all
the way from her left calve to her stomach. Her throat was bandaged and gauged. 'Emi
Jinchino,' she thought. 'You have to stop this now.'
************************************************************************
That afternoon the children went to work at the group home. They walked in silence. Once
there Asuka ran up to Emi's room nearly knocking down Aibu. "Boys!" she told the child.
"They are such jerks!" Emi was looking at a book. It was a Disney book, opened to the inner
cover. A plethora of characters from the movies filled the page. The red head took a seat behind
the boy and he leaned up against her. She laid a hand on the book, this was taken by Emi who
used it to point at the characters. Asuka commented on each one, "Oh, she's pretty."
"Look, he's flying."
"That's a mouse, I think. He's not as cute as Diddle though."
Sometimes it seemed Emi was laughing at her weak descriptions. After they had "read" the
book for a while he turned around and hugged the Second Child. She welled up with pride and
affection.
*************************************************************************
Shinji pushed Natsumi in the swing for almost two hours. He had been trying to talk about
childlike things, but there was only one thing on his mind. "Why are girls so silly?" he asked at
last
"Nani?" the young child was obviously bewildered.
"Girls expect you to read your mind. I don't like that."
"You're funny, Shinji," Natsumi remarked before her expression went blank.
Shinji looked at his watch. It was time to go. He waited for the little girl to come out of her
petit mal, said goodbye, and went inside. His roommate came bounding down the stairs. Seeing
him, she slowed her step. They walked out together.
Finally Asuka had to talk, though she hated being the one to break the silence. "I love Emi!" she
exclaimed.
"That's great." Shinji replied. There was a long, painful silence while he contemplated his next
remark. He was terrified that he would say something wrong. "Look, I'm sorry that I don't
always know what to do."
"Don't apologize. You are always apologizing, even when it's not your fault!" She softened.
"Like now. I overreacted. Don't worry about it."
"Hai."
The red head smiled inwardly at her roommate's trained response.
When they arrived home they found their guardian in her suit, preparing to leave. "I'm going to
work this evening," Misato explained. "We are going to develop a plan for tomorrow morning."
"Shouldn't we be there too?" Asuka demanded as she put her school things away.
"No, you guys deserve a break. Here," she handed Shinji a wad of cash, "order dinner in and get
yourselves a movie."
"Are you sure?" Shinji chimed in.
"Yes, now enjoy yourselves for once!"
"Hai!" The two determined that they would do just that.
Once Misato was gone, Shinji picked up the phone and dialed the Chinese restaurant next to the
video store. He ordered for himself, then handed the phone to Asuka and got their coats. When
Asuka was finished he helped her on with her jacket. She giggled.
"Nani?" Shinji was afraid he had done something wrong.
"It's nothing. You're just . . . cute." She smiled.
The dark haired boy blushed very visibly as they left the apartment.
At the video store Asuka mentioned that she had never seen a Disney movie.
"They're okay, I guess. But they're for little kids," her roommate informed her.
"Well I would really like to see one."
"Why?"
"I just want to okay!"
"Fine." Shinji didn't want to ruin the nice evening they were having. "Well. . . lets start at the
beginning." he said, taking 'Snow White' off the shelf.
"Great!" replied Asuka flashing him another smile.
Shinji was beginning to love that smile. He paid for the movie and the two went to pick up their
food. They walked back, happily chattering about their day at school and with the children. At
home they took their food to the living room and started the movie. They ate and watched in
silence until the Evil Queen started plotting. Then Asuka bolted upright.
"She's trying to kill her daughter?" the girl quivered.
"Well, it's not really her daughter; it's her step-daughter, and it's just a cartoon."
Asuka just repeated, "She's trying to kill her daughter." She was staring straight ahead and
rocking slightly back and forth. Shinji didn't know what was going on, but he could tell that
Asuka was in pain. He reached over and took her by the shoulders. She folded into his chest and
he wrapped her tightly in his arms. Suddenly she burst into a torrent of tears. She was shaking
and shuttering.
"What's wrong, Asuka?" Shinji genuinely wanted to know. He would kill whomever had done
this to the second children. He finally caught on to something. Quietly he questioned, "Did your
mother do something to you?"
Asuka buried herself deeper into him. Eventually she was composed enough to sputter out a
sentence. "Shinji, just hold me, okay?"
"Sure, Asuka," he said quietly, "Sure."
"Parent's suck!" She spat the words.
"Yeah they do." Shinji whole heatedly agreed.
*****************************************************************************
Misato glared up at the two people towering over her. Ritsuko had told her to sit down because
the news might be a bit shocking, but the colonel had the feeling that her sitting gave the scientist
and the commander the advantage of looking down on her.
Collecting herself, Misato spoke slowly and deliberately. "You are telling me that Nerv
monitors the brain waves of civilians?"
"It's not like that," the blonde interjected. "We do a broad sweep of the area. It's much like the
technology that helps locate the angels. We don't track individual brain waves unless we find
something suspicious."
"Well, what have you found, Big Brother?" Misato's voice was dripped with sarcasm.
"That is why you were called here," Gendo began to explain. "A few weeks ago we got suspect
readings from a certain area. We traced the pattern to the group home, specifically to Emi
Jinchino."
Ritsuko took over. "There was a blue tinge to his pattern. He was definitely a human, but linked
to the angels. It seemed that in his mind was the seed or beginning of an angel. He was
somehow able to create this angel and control its actions. We knew that this was coming but we
didn't know when. Figuring that two children doing volunteer work would be more humane than
a surveillance team. . ."
"You mean less suspicious," Misato hissed.
"Right," Ritsuko continued calmly. "We had Asuka do the observations."
"I don't believe this! The dark haired woman was close to loosing it. "You took risks with
Asuka's emotions just to save yourselves some inconvenience!"
Gendo was ready to end this meeting. Having his morals brought into question wasn't
something he generally stood for. "We are not sure if this angel belongs to the boy. You will
have Asuka observe his actions tomorrow morning when the angel attacks."
"I understand," Misato snarled. She composed herself for her next question. "Are we going to
evacuate the citizens tonight?"
"No," Ritsuko said. "We need an accurate reading so we don't want to alarm him. Plus we are
not sure that the angel will attack again, and with all the problems we have been having with the
budget and the public, it doesn't seem wise to take unnecessary actions."
"But people will be killed."
"Only a very few," replied Gendo, "and the third children can keep the angel from doing much
harm. The sacrifice is necessary."
Misato seriously considered resigning then and there. She didn't want to be a part of any
organization that manipulated others. However, her desire to defeat the angels overcame her
reservations. She needed to win and Nerv provided the only method to achieve her goals. "Is
there anything else?" She hissed.
"No, that will be all," the commander smiled.
Misato silently got up and left the room.
The scientist and commander shared knowing glances. Of course the could count on Colonel
Kasuragi.
******************************************************************************
The colonel arrived home still in a state of rage. When she noticed that Shinji was holding his
roommate on the couch, she had to smile. 'It's about time,' she thought. Then she noticed
Asuka's tear streaked cheek, the half eaten Chinese dinners getting cold at their feet and the way
Shinji was doing his best to comfort the girl. She motioned to Shinji, indicating that she needed
him in her room. Letting him know that there was no hurry she rushed to her bed and lay down.
How was she going to tell Asuka?
Shinji looked down at the seraph in his arms. He was astounded at how frail her confidence and
strength really were. She had always made herself out to be so powerful, but she was really just
a scared little child, she was really just like him.
The tears were mostly dried on her face and her breathing was becoming heavier and longer.
Her eyes had been closed for a long while. "Asuka?" he whispered. Realizing that the girl had
cried herself to sleep, Shinji gently eased her out of his embrace and lay her on the couch. He
knocked on Misato's door.
"Shinji?"
He entered, "Yes."
"What happened to Asuka."
"I don't know. We were just watching 'Snow White' and she started bawling. She mentioned
something about parents. Do you know anything about this?"
Misato nodded slightly. "She's had it rough. I don't think I can explain it to you without
betraying her trust. Just understand that the earliest years of life were not easy for her, as they
were hard for you. What is she doing now?"
"She fell asleep on the couch."
"Arigato, Shinji."
"No problem." The dark haired boy could tell that there was something bothering his guardian.
However, he knew from experience that Misato would share what she intended to share, no
matter what he did or said. Slowly he walked to his room.
The dark haired woman sat down next to her ward on the couch. She rubbed the second
children's back for a while. "Asuka?"
"Hai," came the resigned response.
"I have some bad news." She related exactly what she had been told by Ritsuko and Commander
Ikari.
Asuka's eyes grew big and tears welled up a second time. "I don't believe it! Emi is not an
angel!"
"No one is saying that he is. We know he is human; we just need to know if he had anything to
do with this angel."
"And what if he does?"
"I don't know." This was a lie. Misato had a very good idea what Gendo would order done to
the boy who created angels, but there was no way she was upsetting the second children any
more than necessary. Besides, the look in Asuka's eyes told her guardian that she also knew the
answer. Saying it would only intensify her emotions.
"Fine," said the red head quietly and she ran to her room.
***************************************************************************
The next day Asuka showed up at the group home very early in the morning. She asked the staff
there if they noticed anything different about Emi in mornings.
"He doesn't do well with mornings," said a girl with short black hair. "It just started a few days
ago." "We have been letting him tantrum until it gets close to noon."
'So what,' thought the red head, 'Lots of kids have difficult mornings.' She went up to the little
boy's room. The Disney posters lining the walls brought back a sharp image of the night before.
Cold tears formed behind her eyes. Determined, she held them back and sat down on the floor.
She didn't have to fight tears long for within minutes Emi woke. He let out a scream and ran
down the stairs, crying and kicking. It wasn't like a normal tantrum. Sometimes it seemed he
was tearing at the air, other times he grabbed objects to throw.
"What's wrong?" Asuka yelled.
Seeing her for the first time that morning, the boy ran away from her, outside. She followed
quickly, and then she saw it. The angel was fighting Unit 01 a few blocks away. Every motion
that the angel did was mirrored by Emi, and vice versa. It didn't seem that Emi controlled the
angel, more that they were somehow linked. Each controlled the other mutually. Emi was
obviously in pain. He wanted this to stop and Asuka wanted desperately to stop it for him.
Shinji's Eva fired on the angel, which was running away from the threat, towards the group
home. The second children tore at the little boy, trying desperately to get him to stand still. It
was no use. Emi ran in place, and the Angel ran towards them. Unit 01 was following closely
behind the angel.
The beast was desperate to find a way to get the Evangelion to stop chasing it. The way was
discovered in the form of a red headed girl. Recognizing the pilot, the angel grabbed Asuka.
She screamed and fought to free herself, but the angel help up his prize so Shinji could see. The
third children stopped cold, terrified that the slightest more would cause the angel to harm its
captive.
Above the screaming of the second children, the roaring of the angel, and confusion of people
everywhere, a single voice could be heard. It was a clear, strong sound, and it was coming from
Emi. "Stop!"
The angel and boy disconnected, their movements no longer simultaneous. The beast looked at
the boy, then at the girl in his hand. Screaming, it opened it's hand and set Asuka harshly on the
ground. Then with a final cry, it vanished.
*****************************************************************************
Author's note: I'll try to get chapter two out as quickly as possible. I hope you liked this.
Thanks so much for reading.
the language may be derogatory, but it is used to make a point. Emi and Natsumi belong to me,
no one else does, and I'm not making money off this. Enjoy!
*************************************************************************
He Who Talks to Angels
By Veronica Cereta
*************************************************************************
Misato looked across the table at the two pilots. Shinji was sitting strait up; hands folded in his
lap. Asuka was taking a more casual stance, slumped down in the wooden chair, her arm slung
over the back.
"This was all Ritsuko's idea, so don't blame me." Misato found herself already apologizing.
"Well . . . we can't really get mad at you until you tell us what the idea is," Shinji replied.
"Oh, yeah. She thinks that you guys are having trouble deciding why you're fighting. You lack
focus."
"What! That's crazy!" The red head interjected.
"Quiet, Asuka. It's not so bad. She just wants you to do some volunteer work in the community.
You know, get to know the people you are fighting for."
"Humph," the red head turned away. "I see wonder girl isn't here. Does she know about this?"
"Rei is totally focused. It was decided that she will not participate in this . . . activity. She
knows why she fights; it's for humanity; she understands."
"I fight to save humanity, too!" The second children whined.
"Don't give me that crap! You fight because you want everyone to know what a talented person
you are. You said so yourself."
The dark haired boy broke the argument. "Where exactly are we to be doing this volunteer
work?"
"Oh, it's a really cool place. I have a friend who works in a group home with three disabled
people. When I mentioned the idea to her she explained that two of the kids could really benefit
from mentors. I think you two will do just fine."
"What! This sucks! I don't want to waste my time with a bunch of retards!"
"Asuka, that is uncalled for! If you talk like that tomorrow. . ."
"Tomorrow! You mean we have to go then, that's so soon."
"Yes, you have to go then. Ritsuko thought that the sooner you go the better. You'll be
spending a couple hours there twice a week."
"I don't believe this!" The fiery haired girl stormed to her room."
Misato looked at the boy across from her. "You're okay with this, ne?"
Shinji sighed. "What choice do I have," he muttered as he slowly walked away.
"Well, that went well." The colonel got a beer from the fridge and closed the door to her room.
Once inside, she picked up her phone and dialed.
"Hello," Ritsuko answered.
"Hi. I told them."
"How did it go?" The blonde already knew the answer.
"Not well. Asuka is totally against it, and Shinji isn't thrilled either. May I ask a question?"
"Of course."
"Why now, and why did you insist on the group home? You practically ordered that I pair one
of them with the little boy with autism. Is there something special about him?"
"Not really; we just think that contact with someone who has some real problems might get those
two to quit feeling sorry for themselves for a change. I know a thing or two about autism.
Whoever works with him will learn a lot about persistence, and that is something that both Shinji
and Asuka can benefit from. Plus we want them to know what they're fighting for."
"Wait a minute, 'we'? I thought this was your plan."
"Actually, it was mostly Commander Ikari's idea."
"Commander Ikari. Ritsuko, there is something you're not telling me. I hate it when you do
this."
"I don't know what you're talking about. By the way, who did you decide to pair with the
autistic boy?"
"Asuka; I think she needs it the most."
"I see. Well, have a nice night, Misato."
"You, too, Ritsuko." The colonel knew her friend was hiding something. 'What could be so
important about such a little boy, so important that Commander Ikari would take notice?'
*****************************************************************************
"I don't believe this!" The red head stormed into Shinji's room later that evening, looking for
someone to hear her complain.
"You've been saying that all night, Asuka." The third children was sitting on his bed. He had
been listening to his headphones, which he removed as he spoke.
"Well, it's true. How can she say that we don't know what we're fighting for? I know why I
fight."
"It's probably not you as much as it is me," the boy sighed. "They probably just included you so
I wouldn't feel singled out."
Asuka thought for a moment. It made sense. "Hey, I bet your right! Thanks, Shinji! You're not
as dumb as you look. That's why I was included in this dumb activity, so you wouldn't feel
bad."
Shinji knew that it was a lie. If the only reason Asuka had been involved was to make him feel
better, then Rei would have been included as well. No, there was a reason that he and Asuka
were the ones participating, and a reason Rei had been left out. However, the second children
looked ten times happier, now that she didn't feel punished or in need of correction. It was
worth a little lie to see her smiling, and to get her to stop complaining.
Asuka got up to leave. "Well, see you in the morning." She hovered by the door as if trying to
say something, or waiting for something to be said.
"See you," Shinji replied as she turned and slowly walked out of the room.
**************************************************************************
School passed uneventfully. At lunch Shinji explained his plans for the afternoon with his
friends. "Yeah, they seem to think it will be good for us."
"That's terrible!" Toji remarked, "They've got you doing extra work and I suppose you don't
even get paid more?"
"Well, it's not like we get a regular salary as it is."
"Yeah," Kensuke broke in, "and if Misato thinks it's a good idea, it can't be that bad."
"Actually," Shinji remarked, "she didn't really say what she thought of it, just that we had to do
it because Ritsuko said so."
Toji shook his head, "Unbelievable."
"Well." Kensuke was thoughtful. "You said the person working there was a friend of Misato's. I
bet she's a babe, too. Maybe you could introduce us."
"I don't know."
"Ah, come on, Shinji!" Toji complained.
"Okay, if she's cute, I'll see what I can do." Shinji smiled at his friends then became lost in his
thoughts while the two other boys ooggled about his guardian.
************************************************************************
"Isn't it just awful?" Asuka had been griping to her best friend.
"I really don't think it's all that bad," Hikari commented, angering her friend even more.
"What! It's just a waste of time! I have more important things to do."
"I guess." The girl was staring longingly at a boy who was sitting with Shinji. Asuka could see
she was not going to get much sympathy out of her lovelorn friend. She smiled inwardly and
watched Hikari watch Toji.
******************************************************************************
Misato picked the two children up from school. She didn't want them trying to stall and arrive
late for their first day. "Now pay attention, because this is the way you will be walking."
"Hai." Shinji made a mental map of the drive.
Misato had more instructions. "After your time each day is completed you will each fill out
detailed reports. These reports will be sent to Commander Ikari. They should explain exactly
what you did, what your assigned child did, and what you learned. It is important that these
reports be submitted the next time that you report for duty. Don't put off doing them."
"This is dumb," Asuka interrupted. "It's like we're in grammar school, writing essays on what
we have learned."
"These aren't essays," Misato replied, "They are official reports, and they are very important."
'Though I have no idea why,' she added silently.
The group pulled into the driveway of a white wooden house. It looked a bit odd set against the
apartment high rises of Tokyo Three. However, there were several houses built by people who
loved the quaint look and could afford that much space. This house had been donated by a very
wealthy patron. "Here we are," Misato smiled. They got out and walked slowly to the door.
Asuka arrived first and rang the doorbell.
A middle-aged man with sandy blonde hair and small beady black eyes opened the door. He
looked down at Asuka. "I like you. Your pretty."
The red head screamed, "Get away from me you pervert!" The man looked dumbfounded.
"Don't mind her, Aibu," Misato apologised, shooting the second children a nastey look. "She
doesn't take complements well."
"Hi, Misato!" Abiu's smile took up most of his face. "You look pretty as usual."
"Domo Arigato. May we come in?"
"Sure, sure." The man stepped back from the door allowing the three to walk by.
In the kitchen they found a woman with thin blonde hair writing in a large binder. It appeared to
Shinji that he wouldn't have to worry about introducing anyone to his companions if this was
Misato's friend.
Misato spoke, "Hello. Is Kathryn working today?"
"No," the woman was quick with her reply.
"Well, would you please tell her I stopped by."
"And you are?"
"Kasuragi Misato."
"Alright. May, I ask what you are doing here? If you came by to talk to your friend you should
know that staff aren't allowed to have guests while they're working."
"No, these guys are going to be mentoring Emi and Natsumi." Misato nodded at Shinji and
Asuka.
"Fine, the children are outside." She motioned to the sliding door that led to the back yard.
"Arigato." One of the things Shinji admired about his guardian was her ability to be very polite
to rude people.
The three went outside. In the yard there was a swing set and a trampoline. A little girl in a pink
dress and a white helmet was swinging, while a boy stood in a corner looking at the trees.
Misato called, "Emi, Natsumi, would you please come here?" Asuka hoped she wouldn't get the
one with the helmet. She looked a little odd.
The girl got off the swing and ran over. The three waited for the boy When it was evident he
wasn't moving, Misato went over, took him by the hand and led him to the other children.
"Well," she turned to the pilots, "these are the children you will be working with. Shinji, this is
Natsumi." The red head breathed a sigh of relief as her roommate was introduced to the girl with
the helmet.
Shinji held out a hand which the young girl shook, grinning broadly. "Hi, I'm five!" She
exclaimed.
"Wow," Shinji replied for lack of a better response.
Misato smiled in approval, then turned. "Asuka, I would like you to meet Emi."
Following the third children's example the red head extended a hand to the little boy. He looked
at it and ran back to his position on the lawn. Asuka looked at her guardian questioningly.
"Oh, Emi can't talk. He has autism."
"No fair!" yelled the pilot. "Shinji's can talk. I want one that can talk!"
"Enough, Asuka," Misato said angrily. "Emi probably wants a mentor who isn't so selfish, and
can control her temper." Shinji looked up at the colonel; she continued, paying no attention to the
boy. "It looks like neither of you are getting what you want."
Asuka wondered why she was being so hard on her. 'She must have deep feelings about this
place, about that boy.' "Fine!" replied the second children.
"Great!" Misato looked happy again. "I'll be going now. Think you two can find your way
home?"
"Hai," Shinji replied quietly.
"Okay, see you at home!" With that Misato spun around and walked away leaving the slightly
confused pilots.
"Now what!" Asuka looked to Shinji.
"I guess, we get to work."
"Work!"
The dark haired boy was already bending down to be eye level with the little girl, "What would
you like to do?"
"I like to swing!"
The two took off towards the swing set. Asuka stared at her assigned child. He was just looking
at the trees, not really doing much of anything. What was *she* supposed to do with him? She
walked over and watched the trees for a moment. The sunlight was filtering through them,
making bright dancing splotches on the grass in front of her. The boy had his hand out and was
watching it play with the light. Sighing, the second children extended a hand. She blocked some
rays, and allowed others to slip through her fingers. When she turned and noticed that Shinji was
staring at her she quickly dropped her hand, sat down and prepared to wait out the two hours.
Shinji wondered why she had stopped. She had seemed so innocent, so childlike reaching out for
the sun. It was a side of her that he rarely saw, but one that he thoroughly enjoyed. He went
back to pushing Natsumi on the swing. As he pushed the young girl excitedly told him all about
dinosaurs, her favorite topic. He nodded and feigned interest; however, the pilot was used to his
monsters being a bit more contemporary. Still he was impressed with her knowledge on the
subject as she explained to him which dinosaurs lived in the Jurassic and which were Cretaceous.
She knew which ones ate meat and which ones were herbivores. He soon found that while he
wasn't relishing this natural history lesson, he did enjoy the enthusiasm of his teacher. Suddenly
the girl turned the conversation. She wanted to know about his life. He told her about living
with Misato and Asuka. He talked about his school and a little about the difficulty of his job.
She was simply amazed by every aspect of his life. She listened intently and added 'wow's and
'cool's from time to time. Every now and then she would star off into space in the middle of the
conversation, at first he thought he was boring, but then realized that there was no way to rouse
her from these spells. If he waited them out she soon returned to her perky, talkative self. He
had to admit, this wasn't a terrible to spend an afternoon. As the boy looked up, he saw his
roommate going into the house.
Asuka was grateful. Finally Emi was going to do something. He had left his position on the
yard and went to what the girl assumed was his room. The bed was unmade; clothes, books and
toys were spread across the floor. The books were mainly Disney related, and there were plenty
of model horses. The walls were lined with Disney posters and pictures of horses. "Oh, you like
horses?" The question was more for her benefit; she didn't expect an answer. The boy sat down
in the middle of the room, picked up a yellow bucket, and threw five, large, multi colored blocks
into it. Then he began to spin the blocks inside the pail. He seemed delighted as they spun
around making a gentle whooshing sound. 'Great!' Asuka thought. 'I wonder how long he will
keep this up.' The pilot picked up a few horses and looked at them, trying to identify the breeds
she knew.
As soon as the two hours were up she bolted for the door. "Shinji!" she called. "We're
leaving!" The third children came quickly. They left without saying goodbye to anyone.
On the way home Shinji was talkative. "You wouldn't believe all that Natsumi knows about
dinosaurs. She's a very bright child. Do you want to know what she said when I left? She said,
'I can't wait to for you to come over again.' It was actually kind of fun."
"Just shut up!" Asuka snapped. After a long pause she added, quieter, "It's not fair. You always
have all the luck."
The two walked in silence the rest of the way home. At the house Misato was waiting. "How
was it?"
Shinji smiled, "It wasn't bad."
"It sucked," screeched Asuka going to her room and slamming the door.
Shinji looked at his guardian. "She didn't have a very good day."
"I can see." She frowned. "Well, tell me about your day."
Shinji explained all about Natsumi, even recalling a few facts she had taught him about
dinosaurs. "She seems so intelligent. What's wrong with her."
"Well, you noticed the helmet. Did you also notice how sometimes she just didn't seem to be
there? You guys would be talking and all the sudden it was like her mind was elsewhere."
"Uh huh."
"A year ago Natsumi was in a car accident. She got hit in the head pretty hard. She has a
Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. Because of the damage to her brain, she has seizures.
Sometimes she falls down and can't control her movements. That's what the helmet is for.
These are called grand mal seizures. They're pretty rare with her, since her medication controls
them quite well. Other times she just stares off into space. These are petit mal seizures. They
are more frequent and less serious. Still, if she continues to have them, she will never drive a
car, or hold a very competitive job."
"I see." Shinji left for his room.
*****************************************************************************
The next day at the office Commander Ikari fingered Asuka's report.
"So the autistic child still isn't talking?" Fuyutsuki watched the Commander.
"No, Emi didn't say anything to the second children."
"Then there's still time."
"Presumably so."
"What I don't understand," the gray haired man continued, "is why you have the pilots do it.
Why not just place the kid under surveillance."
"If we did that, people would get suspicious. The government would get involved and everyone
would want to know what we know about him. This way, no one notices. Nobody cares if two
kids do volunteer work at a group home. It's a cover, of course."
"I see. Aren't you going to read Shinji's report?"
"It's irrelevant."
"Still, you're making him write it, and it shows some real understanding."
"He writes it so that no one thinks we are singling out Emi or Asuka. There is no need to look at
it."
******************************************************************************
Two days later the two pilots were back at the group home.
"Hi, Aibu," said the dark haired boy. Asuka simply walked past.
Natsumi ran up and hugged Shinji, almost knocking him down. Asuka had to smile, 'what a
good father he'll make someday.' She trudged up the stairs to Emi's room. He was there,
spinning blocks. The girl sat down next to him. She watched for a long while. Eventually the
bucket was placed on the floor between to two. Asuka grabbed it and started to spin. It was
harder than it looked. She couldn't get the blocks to move uniformly, and rather than a
whooshing noise there was a harsh clunking sound. The red head handed the bucket back to the
little boy. He spun the blocks effortlessly and beautifully, then allowed her to try again. As she
worked on her block spinning technique, she happened to glance over at the boy. He was
smiling at her. She smiled herself. "Now we're getting somewhere," she beamed at the child.
He made shrieking noises and ran down the stairs to get away from her. As Asuka watched him
go, something inside snapped. Her pride finally kicked in. She decided that she would become
good at this. If Shinji could get along with his assigned child, she could connect with hers. They
all would see what a good mentor she was, and then they would know that she really could do
anything. She wouldn't fail. Sohryu Asuka Langly got up and went downstairs to look for the
boy.
She found the boy in the back yard jumping on the trampoline. The pilot took off her shoes and
hoisted herself up onto the trampoline. As the two jumped they looked at each other and
laughed. Emi stood in front of Asuka held his hands up for her to grab them. She took the
outstretched arms and they jumped higher, giggling and smiling.
Shinji looked over at his roommate. He and Natsumi had set up a table in a corner of the yard
and were playing checkers. Low tree branches that made it difficult for anyone to see inside
surrounded them. The little girl had called this her thinking spot. The third children watched the
second jump. She looked really good in those cut off shorts and yellow spaghetti strap shirt. Her
eyes sparkled and she never stopped smiling as she jumped with the little boy. Soon the time to
leave arrived. Shinji said goodbye to the girl who had just captured his last checker.
He went to the trampoline and offered a hand to Asuka. She jumped down refusing his hand, but
smiling at him none the less. He waited patiently as she put on her shoes, and waved goodbye to
a boy who didn't even acknowledge that she was leaving. It was okay though; she was getting
much better at this mentoring thing.
Asuka talked much of the way home. She told Shinji about how connected she had felt when
Emi had looked at her and smiled. "It's funny. People look at me all the time, (I mean I am
incredibly attractive) but I never feel a connection with them. When Emi did it; though, it was
wonderful. Maybe that's because it is so hard for him to open up to other human beings."
"That's probably it," said Shinji, looking deeply at Asuka.
She blushed very slightly. An intent look from Ikari was just as remarkable as a look from Emi.
The two had a lot in common.
"How was your day?" she asked and actually listened intently as the first children told her all the
intelligent, cute things Natsumi had done. Maybe this activity wasn't as bad as she had been
making it out to be. It certainly wasn't necessary, but it was turning out to be challenging and
fun.
When they arrived at home the two settled on the couch to watch TV. Asuka wasn't paying
much attention. She turned to Shinji, "What do you think it's like not to be able to
communicate? Do you think Emi knows what he has to say, but just can't?"
"Probably."
"That must be horrible. I'm glad my mind is intact and functioning. I don't know what I would
do if anything ever went wrong up there." She pointed to her head.
"I don't think you really have to worry," he wondered what had brought on this sudden
contemplative attitude. 'Why would anything bad ever happen to Asuka's mind? Why was she
so concerned?' Then he thought of Natsumi and three words flashed through his mind.
Traumatic Brain Injury; it certainly could be a threat in their line of work. Still, nothing terrible
had happened yet. 'Why worry now.'
The red head stood up to go to her room. It always took her twice as long to do her homework,
because she had trouble translating the kanji. Her college in Germany hadn't required her to do
such things. She figured she had better get an early start on that night's mathematics assignment.
However, she stood for a second, staring at her roommate.
Shinji was getting very sick of her lingering. It seemed every time she left him, she waited. She
probably wanted him to do or say something but he had no idea what. He just wasn't good at
this type of thing. "Good night, Asuka," he said poorly.
She smiled, "Good night, Shinji."
******************************************************************************
The angel appeared early the next morning. It came from nowhere, as if it just materialized.
Because of this there wasn't time to evacuate the citizens, and evacuation during the attack
would be too risky.
The three children stood in their plug suits awaiting instructions.
"This should be fairly standard." Colonel Kasuragi was confident. "Shinji and Asuka will take
the offensive."
"Hai!" responded the two children.
"Rei, you will back them up."
"Hai," Rei said quietly.
The pilots entered their entry plugs and began the preparation for launch.
******************************************************************************
Commander Ikari and Fuyutsuki watched from above the control room as the angel terrorized
Tokyo Three. The monster was roughly humanoid, except much larger, more triangular, and
completely blue. There was a large red circle in the top of its head. It didn't attack like other
angels. In the past the monsters had been systematic in their pursuit to destroy Nerv
Headquarters or some other integral piece of the corporation. This attack was wanton
destruction, like a very powerful child throwing a temper tantrum.
"It's a bit early to be *his* angel," Fuyutsuki reasoned.
"Not necessarily."
"But the second children's reports confirm that Emi hasn't spoken yet, at least not in her
presence."
"There is more that one way to control an angel."
"That's skin a cat," the gray haired man muttered under his breath.
If the commander heard the comment, he didn't let on.
******************************************************************************
When everyone was into position Misato looked up at the commander. He nodded almost
imperceptibly. "Launch!" She yelled as the Evas were propelled to the surface.
Asuka spotted the angel first. Without waiting for her partner she ran up to grab hold of it. As
Unit 03 reached out for it, the angel turned transparent. The huge metallic arms went right
through their target.
Ritsuko looked on in disbelief. "That's impossible! It can't do that!"
Asuka looked down at her Eva's empty hands. As soon as the angel was clear of the mecha he
became solid again and resumed his assault of Tokyo Three. Shinji took the opportunity and
fired a volley. As the beams approached the angel, he went again went transparent. The shots
went harmlessly through the beast.
The Evas were not accomplishing anything. Misato got on the communication link. "Everyone,
form an equilateral triangle encompassing the target. Shinji, take the head, directly in front of
the angel. Rei and Asuka, take positions behind it." The three deftly moved their Eva's into the
positions the colonel had specified.
"We are going to confuse that angel. Shinji, fire first. Rei, fire one second after Shinji. Asuka,
fire half a second after Rei."
"Hai!" The pilots did as they were told, and the angel easily avoided the attack by becoming
transparent.
"Again!" yelled Misato. "Rei, start."
Unit 00 fired, followed by Unit 03 and then Unit 02. Again the transparent angel avoided the
attack.
In the control room, Fuyutsuki looked down at the commander. "He certainly gave his angel
some new techniques."
Gendo merely crossed his fingers in front of his mouth.
"Again! Asuka, start!" Once more the pilots fired and once more the angel avoided all the shots.
"This isn't working!" Ritsuko yelled.
Misato needed time to plan. "When the angel is transparent, he can't do any damage," she
explained to the children. "You've got to keep it transparent. Make contact with it as much as
possible."
The children and angel continued their deadly game of tag for almost an hour. They managed to
keep the citizen fatalities to a minimum. Around noon as the angel was going transparent
because of a shot from Unit 03, it became fainter and fainter until it just disappeared. The
Evangelion looked around quickly. When they failed to find the target, they were ordered back
to headquarters.
****************************************************************************
Misato went out that evening, and Asuka had a pretty good idea with whom. Her and Shinji
ordered had ordered a pizza and ate it in the disordered kitchen.
"How's Natsumi?" the second children asked.
Shinji replied with a fatherly smile and a nod. "She's doing great."
Asuka really loved how her roommate talked about his assigned child. She was beginning to feel
the same affection towards Emi. There was a pause. "That battle this morning sucked!"
Shinji nodded again. "Do you think it will be back?"
"The Angel?"
"Yeah."
"I really hope not. I have no idea how we will ever beat the damn thing."
"Yeah." 'This is nice,' thought Shinji. They were talking like two friends having a normal
conversation; well, normal for Nerv personal. "How did you do on the math homework?" he
continued
"Not so good."
"Really?" Usually his roommate was astounding at mathematics.
"Yeah, the story problems are difficult for me to read."
"Oh, well . . . I can help you with tonight's homework."
"Okay." The red head left to get her book. "I just need to read them for someone and see if I
have it right," she called from her room.
"Fine."
Back in the kitchen they went over the problems. Shinji was a gentle, understanding tutor,
always taking time to explain where she went wrong in her translation. He was very impressed
with her improvement. Sometimes the kanji were difficult for him, and he had lived in Japan all
of his life.
"Arigato, Shinji," she smiled as she returned to her room to work out the problems.
"You're welcome." Shinji happily put away the dishes, and went off to do his homework.
An hour later Asuka had finished and was very bored. 'No, not bored, lonely,' she decided.
Eventually she found herself outside the third children's door.
"Come in." Shinji was on his bed, still doing homework.
Asuka searched desperately for something to talk about, a reason she had come. "Are you
bored?" she asked weakly.
"Umm. . . not really."
"Okay." She stood at his doorway for a moment. "Hey, I know what we could do!"
"Nani?" Shinji asked hesitantly.
"We could give that kiss another try!"
As shocked as the first children was by this request, his next words shocked him even more.
"You said you would never kiss to kill time again." 'Baka, baka, baka!' he chided himself.
"Maybe this time, it isn't about being bored, maybe. . ." She trailed off. "Oh forget it!" The red
head stormed out of the room.
"Asuka, wait!" Shinji got up to follow. "What did I do? Asuka!"
It was too late. She had already slammed her door and turned up her music excessively loud. He
couldn't be heard over the din. Why was he such a jerk? Why didn't he just kiss her? That was
probably what she had wanted all along, and it was certainly what he wanted. He returned to his
room hating himself.
****************************************************************************
The next morning the angel was back. Again it was without the warning necessary to evacuate
the citizens. The Nerv staff had gathered in the control room while the children got into their
suits.
Ritsuko made the obvious observation. "This angel seems to choose morning to attack."
From the center of the room came a faint song. "Just call me angel of the morning, Angel"
The blonde scientist glared at her friend.
"Sorry, just whistling in the dark." Misato apologized as she went to brief the children. From
down the hall she heard the argument.
"You never do anything! It must suck to be so scared of everything!"
"Well at least I don't expect people to read my mind! How am I supposed to know what you
want all the time?"
"Any human being . . ." Asuka trailed off as the colonel entered the room.
"What is going on here?"
Rei supplied the answer. "It would appear that the second and third children are having a fight."
Shinji looked at the floor. Asuka stared defiantly at the ceiling.
"Well, put it behind you. We have work to do. We are going to determine how long the angel
can maintain its transparent state. Shinji, Asuka you will hold a net between your two
Evangelions. Keep this netting or your Evas in contact with the angel at all times. Rei will back
you up." She looked pointedly at the two. "Can you work as a team or do I have to substitute in
Rei for one of you?"
"We can do it," Shinji replied.
"Yeah," said Asuka, determined.
"Okay, then get to your Eva's!"
In a few moments everything was prepared for the battle.
"Launch!" shouted Misato.
The three Eva's rose to the surface. There they saw the angel tearing up Tokyo Three. Shinji
and Asuka put the angel between themselves. Unit 02 threw the net that had been supplied. It
slipped away from Unit 01.
"Nice catch, Loser!" Asuka yelled.
"Well, if you could throw. . ." came the muttered reply as Unit 01 stooped to retrieve the net.
The angel was caught between the Eva's. It tried to run, but they kept up with it, heading it off at
every turn. Rei watched as it got visibly distressed. She prepared to fire if there was trouble.
With a cry the angel faded from view. This time it reappeared, right behind Rei's Eva. The
beast grabbed Unit 00 by the neck. The two other Eva's dropped the net. Shinji arrived first and
was pushed away by the angel. Unit 00 seemed to be fighting for air.
Asuka fired a volley. "Take that, you bastard!"
The angel went transparent, dropping Rei. Once the shots had passed through, it began to kick
and tear at Unit 00, fighting like a scared child. Unit 01 had gotten up and began firing a
continuous stream into the target. Unit 02 joined in and the angel remained transparent, flailing
and screaming. After several minutes it vanished. Misato looked up at a clock. It was
approaching noon.
******************************************************************************
Rei looked up from her bed in the Nerv hospital. This ceiling was very familiar. She noticed
that there were several tubes connected to her body: an I.V., electrode to monitor heart beat, one
for brain waves, and other tubes with unknown purposes. There was a searing pain shooting all
the way from her left calve to her stomach. Her throat was bandaged and gauged. 'Emi
Jinchino,' she thought. 'You have to stop this now.'
************************************************************************
That afternoon the children went to work at the group home. They walked in silence. Once
there Asuka ran up to Emi's room nearly knocking down Aibu. "Boys!" she told the child.
"They are such jerks!" Emi was looking at a book. It was a Disney book, opened to the inner
cover. A plethora of characters from the movies filled the page. The red head took a seat behind
the boy and he leaned up against her. She laid a hand on the book, this was taken by Emi who
used it to point at the characters. Asuka commented on each one, "Oh, she's pretty."
"Look, he's flying."
"That's a mouse, I think. He's not as cute as Diddle though."
Sometimes it seemed Emi was laughing at her weak descriptions. After they had "read" the
book for a while he turned around and hugged the Second Child. She welled up with pride and
affection.
*************************************************************************
Shinji pushed Natsumi in the swing for almost two hours. He had been trying to talk about
childlike things, but there was only one thing on his mind. "Why are girls so silly?" he asked at
last
"Nani?" the young child was obviously bewildered.
"Girls expect you to read your mind. I don't like that."
"You're funny, Shinji," Natsumi remarked before her expression went blank.
Shinji looked at his watch. It was time to go. He waited for the little girl to come out of her
petit mal, said goodbye, and went inside. His roommate came bounding down the stairs. Seeing
him, she slowed her step. They walked out together.
Finally Asuka had to talk, though she hated being the one to break the silence. "I love Emi!" she
exclaimed.
"That's great." Shinji replied. There was a long, painful silence while he contemplated his next
remark. He was terrified that he would say something wrong. "Look, I'm sorry that I don't
always know what to do."
"Don't apologize. You are always apologizing, even when it's not your fault!" She softened.
"Like now. I overreacted. Don't worry about it."
"Hai."
The red head smiled inwardly at her roommate's trained response.
When they arrived home they found their guardian in her suit, preparing to leave. "I'm going to
work this evening," Misato explained. "We are going to develop a plan for tomorrow morning."
"Shouldn't we be there too?" Asuka demanded as she put her school things away.
"No, you guys deserve a break. Here," she handed Shinji a wad of cash, "order dinner in and get
yourselves a movie."
"Are you sure?" Shinji chimed in.
"Yes, now enjoy yourselves for once!"
"Hai!" The two determined that they would do just that.
Once Misato was gone, Shinji picked up the phone and dialed the Chinese restaurant next to the
video store. He ordered for himself, then handed the phone to Asuka and got their coats. When
Asuka was finished he helped her on with her jacket. She giggled.
"Nani?" Shinji was afraid he had done something wrong.
"It's nothing. You're just . . . cute." She smiled.
The dark haired boy blushed very visibly as they left the apartment.
At the video store Asuka mentioned that she had never seen a Disney movie.
"They're okay, I guess. But they're for little kids," her roommate informed her.
"Well I would really like to see one."
"Why?"
"I just want to okay!"
"Fine." Shinji didn't want to ruin the nice evening they were having. "Well. . . lets start at the
beginning." he said, taking 'Snow White' off the shelf.
"Great!" replied Asuka flashing him another smile.
Shinji was beginning to love that smile. He paid for the movie and the two went to pick up their
food. They walked back, happily chattering about their day at school and with the children. At
home they took their food to the living room and started the movie. They ate and watched in
silence until the Evil Queen started plotting. Then Asuka bolted upright.
"She's trying to kill her daughter?" the girl quivered.
"Well, it's not really her daughter; it's her step-daughter, and it's just a cartoon."
Asuka just repeated, "She's trying to kill her daughter." She was staring straight ahead and
rocking slightly back and forth. Shinji didn't know what was going on, but he could tell that
Asuka was in pain. He reached over and took her by the shoulders. She folded into his chest and
he wrapped her tightly in his arms. Suddenly she burst into a torrent of tears. She was shaking
and shuttering.
"What's wrong, Asuka?" Shinji genuinely wanted to know. He would kill whomever had done
this to the second children. He finally caught on to something. Quietly he questioned, "Did your
mother do something to you?"
Asuka buried herself deeper into him. Eventually she was composed enough to sputter out a
sentence. "Shinji, just hold me, okay?"
"Sure, Asuka," he said quietly, "Sure."
"Parent's suck!" She spat the words.
"Yeah they do." Shinji whole heatedly agreed.
*****************************************************************************
Misato glared up at the two people towering over her. Ritsuko had told her to sit down because
the news might be a bit shocking, but the colonel had the feeling that her sitting gave the scientist
and the commander the advantage of looking down on her.
Collecting herself, Misato spoke slowly and deliberately. "You are telling me that Nerv
monitors the brain waves of civilians?"
"It's not like that," the blonde interjected. "We do a broad sweep of the area. It's much like the
technology that helps locate the angels. We don't track individual brain waves unless we find
something suspicious."
"Well, what have you found, Big Brother?" Misato's voice was dripped with sarcasm.
"That is why you were called here," Gendo began to explain. "A few weeks ago we got suspect
readings from a certain area. We traced the pattern to the group home, specifically to Emi
Jinchino."
Ritsuko took over. "There was a blue tinge to his pattern. He was definitely a human, but linked
to the angels. It seemed that in his mind was the seed or beginning of an angel. He was
somehow able to create this angel and control its actions. We knew that this was coming but we
didn't know when. Figuring that two children doing volunteer work would be more humane than
a surveillance team. . ."
"You mean less suspicious," Misato hissed.
"Right," Ritsuko continued calmly. "We had Asuka do the observations."
"I don't believe this! The dark haired woman was close to loosing it. "You took risks with
Asuka's emotions just to save yourselves some inconvenience!"
Gendo was ready to end this meeting. Having his morals brought into question wasn't
something he generally stood for. "We are not sure if this angel belongs to the boy. You will
have Asuka observe his actions tomorrow morning when the angel attacks."
"I understand," Misato snarled. She composed herself for her next question. "Are we going to
evacuate the citizens tonight?"
"No," Ritsuko said. "We need an accurate reading so we don't want to alarm him. Plus we are
not sure that the angel will attack again, and with all the problems we have been having with the
budget and the public, it doesn't seem wise to take unnecessary actions."
"But people will be killed."
"Only a very few," replied Gendo, "and the third children can keep the angel from doing much
harm. The sacrifice is necessary."
Misato seriously considered resigning then and there. She didn't want to be a part of any
organization that manipulated others. However, her desire to defeat the angels overcame her
reservations. She needed to win and Nerv provided the only method to achieve her goals. "Is
there anything else?" She hissed.
"No, that will be all," the commander smiled.
Misato silently got up and left the room.
The scientist and commander shared knowing glances. Of course the could count on Colonel
Kasuragi.
******************************************************************************
The colonel arrived home still in a state of rage. When she noticed that Shinji was holding his
roommate on the couch, she had to smile. 'It's about time,' she thought. Then she noticed
Asuka's tear streaked cheek, the half eaten Chinese dinners getting cold at their feet and the way
Shinji was doing his best to comfort the girl. She motioned to Shinji, indicating that she needed
him in her room. Letting him know that there was no hurry she rushed to her bed and lay down.
How was she going to tell Asuka?
Shinji looked down at the seraph in his arms. He was astounded at how frail her confidence and
strength really were. She had always made herself out to be so powerful, but she was really just
a scared little child, she was really just like him.
The tears were mostly dried on her face and her breathing was becoming heavier and longer.
Her eyes had been closed for a long while. "Asuka?" he whispered. Realizing that the girl had
cried herself to sleep, Shinji gently eased her out of his embrace and lay her on the couch. He
knocked on Misato's door.
"Shinji?"
He entered, "Yes."
"What happened to Asuka."
"I don't know. We were just watching 'Snow White' and she started bawling. She mentioned
something about parents. Do you know anything about this?"
Misato nodded slightly. "She's had it rough. I don't think I can explain it to you without
betraying her trust. Just understand that the earliest years of life were not easy for her, as they
were hard for you. What is she doing now?"
"She fell asleep on the couch."
"Arigato, Shinji."
"No problem." The dark haired boy could tell that there was something bothering his guardian.
However, he knew from experience that Misato would share what she intended to share, no
matter what he did or said. Slowly he walked to his room.
The dark haired woman sat down next to her ward on the couch. She rubbed the second
children's back for a while. "Asuka?"
"Hai," came the resigned response.
"I have some bad news." She related exactly what she had been told by Ritsuko and Commander
Ikari.
Asuka's eyes grew big and tears welled up a second time. "I don't believe it! Emi is not an
angel!"
"No one is saying that he is. We know he is human; we just need to know if he had anything to
do with this angel."
"And what if he does?"
"I don't know." This was a lie. Misato had a very good idea what Gendo would order done to
the boy who created angels, but there was no way she was upsetting the second children any
more than necessary. Besides, the look in Asuka's eyes told her guardian that she also knew the
answer. Saying it would only intensify her emotions.
"Fine," said the red head quietly and she ran to her room.
***************************************************************************
The next day Asuka showed up at the group home very early in the morning. She asked the staff
there if they noticed anything different about Emi in mornings.
"He doesn't do well with mornings," said a girl with short black hair. "It just started a few days
ago." "We have been letting him tantrum until it gets close to noon."
'So what,' thought the red head, 'Lots of kids have difficult mornings.' She went up to the little
boy's room. The Disney posters lining the walls brought back a sharp image of the night before.
Cold tears formed behind her eyes. Determined, she held them back and sat down on the floor.
She didn't have to fight tears long for within minutes Emi woke. He let out a scream and ran
down the stairs, crying and kicking. It wasn't like a normal tantrum. Sometimes it seemed he
was tearing at the air, other times he grabbed objects to throw.
"What's wrong?" Asuka yelled.
Seeing her for the first time that morning, the boy ran away from her, outside. She followed
quickly, and then she saw it. The angel was fighting Unit 01 a few blocks away. Every motion
that the angel did was mirrored by Emi, and vice versa. It didn't seem that Emi controlled the
angel, more that they were somehow linked. Each controlled the other mutually. Emi was
obviously in pain. He wanted this to stop and Asuka wanted desperately to stop it for him.
Shinji's Eva fired on the angel, which was running away from the threat, towards the group
home. The second children tore at the little boy, trying desperately to get him to stand still. It
was no use. Emi ran in place, and the Angel ran towards them. Unit 01 was following closely
behind the angel.
The beast was desperate to find a way to get the Evangelion to stop chasing it. The way was
discovered in the form of a red headed girl. Recognizing the pilot, the angel grabbed Asuka.
She screamed and fought to free herself, but the angel help up his prize so Shinji could see. The
third children stopped cold, terrified that the slightest more would cause the angel to harm its
captive.
Above the screaming of the second children, the roaring of the angel, and confusion of people
everywhere, a single voice could be heard. It was a clear, strong sound, and it was coming from
Emi. "Stop!"
The angel and boy disconnected, their movements no longer simultaneous. The beast looked at
the boy, then at the girl in his hand. Screaming, it opened it's hand and set Asuka harshly on the
ground. Then with a final cry, it vanished.
*****************************************************************************
Author's note: I'll try to get chapter two out as quickly as possible. I hope you liked this.
Thanks so much for reading.