Disclaimer: I do not any Evangelion characters or anything in their likeness.
AN: Well... New fic from me. Sort of got bored and wrote this so it's not really good. Just read it, waste your time :P
'Were sorry. Due to the stay of special emergency, no lines are currently available. This is a recording.'
"…Damn phone doesn't work.. I shouldn't have come here"
Shinji looks at his watch. "She's late…"
Halfway across Tokyo 3…
"Shit, why'd I have to lose him now? Ritsuko will chew me out real bad…"
'Oh, there he is'
Misato nearly does a 180, almost running Shinji over.
"Hey kid, get in."
"What the hell, you crazy woman. You almost ran me over!"
/grumble/ "Yeah, I'm thinking about doing so right now. Get in."
Shinji just stared at her, then the picture. "Ohh… your Misato"
"Uh huh, now for the third and final time GET IN!"
He quickly complied and Misato sped off at racing speeds. Shinji stared out the window, watching the explosions in the distance. (What is that thing?…) Misato stops the car and takes out field binoculars. (Weird, why would they retreat… Oh shit…) "GET DOWN!" Misato grabbed Shinji and lay on top of him. "Wha- What are you doing? Get off m-"
A huge explosion ensued, flipping Misato's sky blue sports car on it's side.
"Ugh… you okay, Shinji?"
"…I just swallowed some dirt"
"Whatever, you'll be fine. Now help me flip this car over."
(Damnit, I'm still paying for this car. My dress is ruined…)
"..Miss Misato?"
(I looked so good in it too…)
"Misato?"
"Huh, What's that?"
"Those batteries, isn't that theft?" Shinji points to the many batteries in the back seat.
Misato puts on a sheepish smile "Ah well, this is an emergency. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"..I doubt anyone will buy that…"
"You're not as cute as I thought you were"
"Hmm…" Shinji stares out the window.
"Ooh, angry now huh? You're just a kid."
"You're not as mature as I thought you'd be either"
"Grrr…"
"Ahh! What the hell you're gonna hit that light post!" Shinji screamed as Misato drove the car through trash cans and any unfortunate furry animal.
Meanwhile in NERV…
Fuyutsuki was staring at the live video screen. "The UN Forces are exhausted. What are you going to do?"
Gendo laced his fingers in front of his face "Activate Unit One."
Fuyutsuki frowned "Activate it? But we have no pilot."
Gendo held a small smile "Not anymore, another spare is being delivered."
NERV corridors…
"Isn't this the right way…" Misato looked at the map on the wall with confusion.
Shinji had an unimpressed look on his face "We passed this spot twice…"
"Well… Hey! Let's take that elevator"
The elevator door opened, revealing a slightly annoyed blonde.
Misato quickly straightened up "Ah! Hi there, Ritsuko..."
Ritsuko didn't waver "Why are you wasting my time, Captain? Don't you know we're short on time and manpower?"
Misato laughed nervously "Ahh yeah, sorry…"
The blonde scientist turned to Shinji "So, this is the boy?"
"Right, the Marduk Report named him as the Third Child."
Ritsuko put on a fake smile "Nice to meet you"
"Hmph… sure"
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree eh Ritsu?"
As they made their way towards the EVA cage Misato explained to Shinji why NERV was created. "…to protect mankind and… Gendo Ikari is the commander of NERV…"
Shinji really wasn't listening until she mentioned his father.
"What was that?"
Misato replied in mild annoyance "Weren't you listening to me? NERV was created to combat ang-"
"No. after that. About my father"
"Your father is the commander of NERV"
"Is that so…"
Misato may be a slob but she was quite observant. She noticed Shinji's mood turn sour but she decided to pick on the matter later.
"We are here"
"It's dark"
"These are the EVA's" Ritsuko turned on the lights for dramatic effect.
Shinji replied unimpressed "So, it's a giant robot. Did my father build this?"
"Yes I did, Shinji."
Everyone looked up to see Gendo standing above the EVA.
"It has been a long time, Shinji"
"No, too soon" Shinji replied coldly.
Gendo didn't even blink "Finally grown the spine to say it."
"No thanks to you, bastard"
Misato and Ritsuko stood in the background. You couldn't get a word in edgewise.
Gendo's eyes narrowed "You know why you are here, I have a use for you. You are to pilot the Evangelion."
"You expect me to pilot that giant robot?" Shinji laughed. "You're really crazy"
(He may need convincing) Gendo spoke into a microphone "Ready Rei for piloting, the spare is useless."
Ritsuko's eyes went wide "WHAT! She can barely walk!"
Gendo silenced her with a glare. "She is better than a useless pilot, prepare the system for Rei"
/ambient work noise/
(Who is that?) Shinji thought while Rei was being wheeled in. (I know what he's trying to do… I won't give in.)
Above ground explosion
Shinji looked up and saw a lighting fixture coming loose. "NO!" He ran, arm outstretched toward the fallen girl.
The EVA's eye's lit up then it's right arm broke the restraints, shielding Shinji and Rei from the falling debris
Ritsuko was almost speechless "How is that possible? There isn't even an entry plug inside it!"
(You win this time…) Shinji thought as he cradled Rei in his arms.
He slowly stood up, taking care not to hurt the girl. "I..I will pilot it. Let me pilot it!"
Gendo smirked "Good, prepare EVA for launch"
Ritsuko went through many preparation procedures and instructions. Shinji was mildly surprised as orangish liquid filled the entry plug. He doubted they would kill him but the smell to him was unbearable. (It- It smells terrible, yet familiar..) Shinji gagged when he swallowed some, the coppery taste making him almost vomit in the LCL.
"This stuff… it's sick"
Misato was in Operations Director mode. "Stop your whining, you're a boy aren't you?"
Shinji decided not to talk as more of the liquid filled his mouth whenever he did.
Everyone let out a gasp as Shinji made the EVA walk. (This isn't so hard…) The EVA misjudged a step and fell over. (Damn… never mind)
"Shinji! Get up!" Misato screamed.
"Huh.." He looked up to see the dark green and white monster from before. Shinji was too shocked to do anything as the angel grabbed his left arm and began to squeeze.
"Shinji, that's not your arm. Calm down"
Misato's words were in vain however since all he was focused on was how much pain he was in. Shinji let out a scream as his 'arm' was broken. Before he could look back up a blinding light was ramming into his head. The pain was almost unbearable, when he felt like he wanted to die a familiar feeling came over him. (What, what is this? I've never felt this before... yet it's so familiar…) That was when his EVA shut down. (Is this death?)
After a few minutes his EVA went back online, the angel nowhere to be seen. (What happened? Damn, so confusing) He looked through one of the external cameras and saw what resembled a face. Suddenly an eye appeared and seemingly focused on him. Darkness clouded his vision.
NERV hospital
/EKG beeping/
Shinji opened his eyes, noting that his left arm was numb.
(I can move my arm… but the pain still lingers… Blood. I remember this smell, this taste… I almost forgot why I did this… That would be bad, huh Sakae?)
Shinji went back to sleep with thoughts lingering in the past.
-Dream-
Children playing and laughing
"Let's make another sand castle!"
"I can't my mommy says it's time to go"
"…"
"Bye bye!"
As the child left Shinji felt the loneliness once again envelop him. It was so hard to forget the pain. In anger he wrecked the sand castle, not noticing a person step behind him.
"Hi, my name is Sakae"
"…" Shinji didn't turn around.
"I'm new here, can I play with you?"
"…" Shinji turned around to see a girl around his age. She had dark brown shoulder length hair and had an infectious smile. What caught his attention were her eyes.
"Red…"
She looked at Shinji strangely "? Oh, you mean my eyes. My great grandma has red eyes too. So, you wanna play?"
"…Sure"
-End Dream-
"Shinji"
The pilot turned over, still asleep.
"Hey, I have good news. So don't go back to sleep!"
Shinji suddenly felt an annoying prodding on his side. He turned over to see the raven haired woman from before.
"What is it?"
"I checked your profile and saw that you were living alone, so guess what?"
Shinji sighed "What?"
"Your living with me!" Misato inwardly jumped for joy (YES! I hope he can clean!)
"Great… who decided that?"
"Me"
"Oh… where's my stuff?"
"It's been delivered already, so get dressed and we can leave."
Apartment complex…
Misato stopped in front of the door.
"We're home!"
As the door was opening the rustling of cans and other instant food packages promptly told Shinji that she was a slob. (Is this why she wanted me here? To clean?)
"See? Your things are right by your room" Misato pointed out a few boxes on the floor. (He doesn't have very much…) A small box caught her eye, it was dark red with gold trim. She picked it up and was about to open it.
"What the hell, don't touch that!" Shinji yelled while snatching the box from her hands.
Misato fell over in surprise "Sorry! I didn't know…"
Shinji held the box a little tighter "…J-just don't touch it … it's all I have" With that Shinji headed into his room and closed the door.
(Weird kid) Misato thought and sat down for a beer.
Shinji lay on his bed, reflecting upon what happened ever since he met her. (I used to be a kid, who couldn't care less what happened in the world. Now I pilot a robot to save it. Life is funny isn't it Sakae?) He drifted off to sleep, reflecting on the past.
-Dream-
The weather was fair, not too hot or cold. A slight refreshing breeze whispered through the trees. Two children walked side by side along a lakeshore, not talking but enjoying each other's presence.
"Hey Shinji?"
"Yeah?"
"I have something to give you"
"You don't have to give me anyt-"
"No, I want to" The chocolate brown haired girl reached into her bag and produced a small red box. It had golden trim and a red ribbon "It's for you Shinji"
Shinji slowly took the box, as if he did not quite register its existence. "Thank you, this means a lot."
"Well? Open it!"
"Right…" Shinji slowly pulled the ribbon, taking care not to damage it. He pulled out a framed picture. "This is when we first met"
"Yeah, a picture is a thousand words!" Sakae giggled.
-End Dream-
Sunlight streamed in through the blinds, hindering any chance of sleeping in. (Unfamiliar ceiling…)
"Shinji! Breakfast!"
(I didn't eat last night… She's just trying to be nice…) Shinji opened the door and made his way to the kitchen.
"You didn't eat last night so I took the responsibility of making instant soup. You should be grateful."
Shinji sat down and began to eat. Bad mistake on his part. He choked on the soup, the taste causing him to cough and possibly killing his taste buds. "Ugh, what is this?"
"Oh it's my own special recipe. The trick is to add less water and make sure the eggs are ripe"
Shinji poked the soup warily "I think it's moving…"
"You just don't appreciate fine cuisine" Misato huffed.
"I'm going to take a bath."
"That's a good idea, after all bathing cleanses the mind and soul" Misato said matter of factly.
Bathroom…
(Misato Katsuragi... She's not a bad person.)
-Flashback-
"Bathing cleanses the mind and soul."
-End flashback-
(But bad memories always seem to find me in the bath… Like my Father...)
"And the day...she died" Shinji fell asleep, a single tear falling from his face.
-Dream-
The sky had a light orange hue, the sun dipping low in the sky, the night air was cool, crisp. Despite the surrounding city the park was quiet, peaceful. A popular place for couples, especially young couples, cherry blossoms bloomed every year, the wind carrying them like so many love notes. A lone lake stood in the middle, it's edges lapping the beach, creating a soothing rythm.
"Oh... I should've brought my coat..."
"Here, you can have mine" Shinji put his jacket around her. AN: That is so old.
Sakae took in the scent of him in his jacket, squeezing it tighter around herself. "Thank you, Shinji"
Shinji blushed "Anytime, Sakae. You want to get some coffee?"
She nodded.
"Okay, lets get out of here."
As they made their way hand in hand towards the city a ragged looking man came out from behind a tree.
"Give me your money!" He was holding a pistol, his hands shaking. "Hurry up!" He yelled.
Shinji and Sakae froze, too shocked to do anything. A shot rang out, Shinji felt her hand go limp. He looked to his left and saw her fall on her back, her mouth opened in shock. Something snapped in Shinji. He never really acted on his anger, for fear of pain but this was too much. Shinji screamed and tackled the man, taking his gun and emptying the remaining shots into him. He was still pulling the trigger even when the gun was empty.
Shinji turned back and knelt down to her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of thi-"
Sakae's hand slowly rose up and rested on his cheek. "I..It's not your fault... The only regret I have... is... I didn't say it sooner..." She grimaced in pain. "I-I love you...Shinji" Her eyes became dull, lifeless. Shinji knelt over her, sobbing quietly. "I love you too..." He let out a scream.