This is the story of the unknown being that is the Third Child. Based on the original works by Hideaki Anno and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, this tale will change the many of the events that transpired both in the anime and the manga. Taking place just after the 14th Angel, Zeruel, it explores the possibility of what might have happened had the Third Child possessed secrets of his own, secrets that may have surpassed even those of his father. With the introduction of characters from other series as well as novel characters from the author's imagination, the course of the story, as well as its past will be changed. Taken from the fantasies of the mind, I give this tale to you not for your pleasure, but for your thoughts.
Disclaimer: The author of the story does not claim ownership either to the characters or to the story itself. Should anyone wish to make a parody, side-story, or any other change to the original writings, they may do so on the condition that they claim the entirety for their own.
Secrets Unknown
Cobalt eyes opened to the vision of immaculately white walls. The owner of those eyes sat up in his bed, and murmured two words, "Unfamiliar ceiling. . ." Taking a look around, he saw his reflection in the corner window. A young boy of 14 looked back at him, dark brown hair and a gentle face, melancholy and serious.
Suddenly a voice, spoken like the wind whispered into his mind. "Are you all right?" it asked, the tones conveying concern, the words sounding decidedly feminine. That is, if he did not already know whom the voice belonged to. "I'm fine", he replied, careful not to let anybody hear his soft-spoken words. It wouldn't do for him to be classified any more of a mental instability than he already was. 'Then again', he mused, isn't hearing voices in your head supposed to be a sign of mental instability?'
If the voice heard his unspoken thoughts, it did not respond to them. Instead, its next words conveyed more anxiety for the boy. "That was the third time I felt something from you like this."
"Don't worry." he said "I can handle myself for a little while longer. I'd need to if those relatives of yours keep attacking us like this."
"They are not my relatives and they are the least of our worries."
"You're right. But they are for most everyone else. I'll have to worry about them too, at least for a while longer. Then I'll have other things to worry about."
"I'm worried about you."
"I'm sorry."
"Your comrade was right about one thing. You apologize too much."
He smiled, a gentle line sloping across his face. "That was one of the few times you agreed with her."
"Considering how she treats you, it's bound to stay as a few."
Footsteps were now audible, approaching the door to his chamber. "They're coming."
"Then I'll talk to you later. I have another mission myself."
"Hope it's not as dangerous as the last one."
"Not as dangerous as what you are doing. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye", he whispered just before the door to his room opened.
Bright light streamed into the room from the doorway. A figure wearing a lab coat and glasses came through followed by a few others in similar uniforms. The first figure walked towards the bedridden boy, the ID on his coat identifying him as a member of the NERV medical staff.
"Well I'm glad to see you're awake, Pilot Ikari."
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Katsuragi Misato walked briskly to the NERV infirmary, where her charge was being kept. Relief mixed with concern was in her mind as she thought over the events that had transpired the day before. Her brow furrowed gently as she remembered the gruesome transformation of the Evangelion Unit 01.
"That was the third time that it has happened, and I'm still in the dark as to how it does that. At least Asuka and Shinji are okay. I'll have to remember to take them out again for this one. I wonder if Kaji or Ritsuko knows anything. Why won't anybody tell me?"
She continued on her way as she thought over everything that had happened, her body performing automatically as she walked into the elevator and punched the button for the Infirmary.
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Amber shades hid Commander Ikari Gendo's eyes as he perused over the facts of their latest encounter with the Angels. A flicker of concern came over his features but lasted for only a second. The last battle, although won according to the scenario, had come close enough to failing for his taste. He didn't like the fact that things had come to such a situation. 'I must have more control over the battles in the future' he thought.
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Behind the Commander, Sub Commander Fuyutsuki, stood in casual attention, watching his superior. He wondered what the Commander was thinking right now. 'Though if I were to bet on it, it would be something about Yui or Project E. Still, I better keep my silence when it comes to such matters.'
The beeping of a console hidden in the Commander's desk alerted him to an incoming report. He picked up the piece of paper and quickly read it.
"What is it?" the Commander asked.
"A report from the infirmary. The Third Child has awoken and is currently being diagnosed for any mental instabilities in his system."
"Mental instabilities?" Gendo smirked. "Just how many more do they expect to find?"
"They are referring to the aftermath of the recent battle."
"Rely on those so-called scientists to be so unreliable."
Fuyutsuki said nothing in reply. The Commander spoke again.
"In any case, events are proceeding according to plan. Those old fools are suspecting us but that's to be expected. Tell me Sensei, what do you think of our current scenario?"
Fuyutsuki struggled to find the right words. "It is . . . necessary."
"That it is."
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Akagi Ritsuko, head scientist and programmer of NERV, came into the infirmary only to find the Third Child already in the arms of a certain major, a position that to most males would have been highly desirable. To the said Child however, such a position was highly embarrassing, inappropriate, and at times, very dangerous.
"I am so glad you're alright Shinji. I'd cook for a week just to show you how glad I am."
"Really Misato-san, that's quite alright, but can you let go of me now?"
"Plus, I'm sure that any dietary changes you make would just send him back here much sooner." was Dr. Ritsuko's supportive addition to the conversation, which earned her a glare from the major.
Misato was a bit disgruntled by her supposedly best friend's criticism of her culinary skills, but since such comments were neither serious nor unusual she let it pass. Turning to the good doctor, she asked, "How long does he have to stay here?"
"Only a little while longer. I'll have to give him a physical and then a mental check-up as well as a diagnostics to check any abnormalities with his piloting and then you're free to go."
After which, Ritsuko then started performing said tests.
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Ayanami Rei was currently exiting NERV Headquarters with the purpose of heading towards her own apartment via the elevator. Since much of the facility had been destroyed due to Zeruel's attack, her own presence was currently not required. Unfortunately, she was not the only one in such a state.
She glanced at the elevator's only other occupant, Soryu Asuka Langley, Pilot of Unit 02 and designated Second Child, as she would like to refer to herself. Looking at the Second Child, Rei suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu but considered it to be irrelevant. Just as she was about to turn away, the redhead spoke.
"Don't even think about it."
"About what?" the blue haired albino replied.
"You're thinking about lecturing me, aren't you? First the Invincible Baka beats the damn Angel by himself, now you think you're better than me."
Rei chose not to reply which only got the German frustrated.
" Well?"
Just in time, the elevator doors opened and Rei stepped out into the hallway, instantly turning towards the exit. She could feel the glare from the other girl but chose not to engage in a meaningless confrontation. 'I wonder if her attitude is a contributing factor to Ikari-kun's personality?'
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Aoba Shigeru sat at his terminal, humming a tune from a 20th Century rock band. Beside him, Hyuga Makoto was organizing files and reports from the last battle. He heard the hum of an electric door opening and turned to see the third member of their team, Ibuki Maya entering the room with a tray of coffee. Taking one of the cups, she offered the rest to them. They wordlessly accepted, their minds still on the work before them or rather, the lack of work before them.
Maya was the first to break the silence.
"So . . . what now?"
Makoto replied without turning from his terminal. "Now we do as we always did. We follow orders, submit reports, organize files, prepare for the next invasion, and hope we can live to the end of this mess."
Shigeru added, "Besides, aren't you the one who knows the most among the three of us? Do you know anything else we don't know about what happened?"
Maya shook her head.
"No, Akagi-sempai wouldn't tell me anything when I asked her. All she said was I shouldn't worry about it."
Shigeru grunted. "Somehow, that doesn't keep me from worrying. I have a feeling we'll be having more trouble soon enough."
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At the terminal of another computer, Kaji Ryouji, rouge agent of SEELE, and former member of NERV sat trying to dig his way deeper into the secrets of the great organization. One could only hope that he did not dig himself a grave in the process.
"Hmmm. . . Wonderful firewall Ritsuko. It'll take me a few hours yet to get past this. But once I know the truth, it'll be worth it."
He looked outside the windows of his apartment, where the red sun was just beginning to set. Shadows seemed to move as the light drew farther and farther away. Turning back to the screen, he wrote in a new series of codes that would hopefully spell success and continued to do so into the night.
Outside, the shadows didn't stop moving.
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A circle of monoliths appeared in a dark room, the only visible source of light from their bases. The meeting of the twelve members of SEELE began as it had for the past several decades. But this time, the members were in doubt as to the feasibility of their scenario. Five opened the discussion with a heated statement.
"Ikari has deviated from the scenario too many times. We must bring back our control of this project."
"I agree." said Three. "We cannot depend on a man who has so many times flaunted his lack of loyalty towards us. This scenario is much too important."
"We all know that." Eight interjected. "The issue is whether we can afford to lose a man like Ikari. If he is disloyal, he is also quite competent. We would be hard pressed to find a man like him."
Finally, the leader of the secret sect, Lorenz Keel spoke.
"Ikari is the least of our worries. We have another matter that needs to be addressed before we can continue with the scenario."
"Another matter?" The question was from Ten. "What could be so important that we would ignore Ikari in order to address it?"
Four spoke. "Recently, our devices placed in space and around the globe have detected large quantities of energy signatures. Each is different from the other and number more than a hundred. However, they are all reminiscent of the pattern detected from the Angels."
Uproar followed the words.
"How could this be?"
"Did the scrolls say anything about this?"
"Where did the resorts come from?"
"Of all the things to happen!"
"Over a hundred Angels! Are you sure about this?"
"Silence!" Keel raised his voice to be heard. The din immediately dissipated. "This is a matter that is of utmost importance. None of the scrolls predicted this and as a result, we are in the position of having to face a possible hindrance towards the scenario without any measures against it. Now does anyone have a suggestion as to how we proceed?"
"I do." Seven answered.
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Night had fallen across Tokyo 3 and in the Katsuragi household, all was silent. In the room of the Third Child, a soft music could be heard, a classic symphony, one of Beethoven's most treasured creations.
There was only one member in the symphony's audience. Right now, this member was stretched out on futon thinking.
"I'm glad Rei is okay as well as Misato, but Asuka seems to be in a bad mood. Probably because they say I was the one who destroyed the Angel. Still, I'd rather have her angry at me than dead."
"From her past behavior, those two seem to be the only possible aspects of her treatment towards you."
Shinji's eyes opened.
"Is your mission finished?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"If I am unwell, I would not be attempting to converse with you."
"Yes, you would."
"Maybe."
Shinji frowned. He decided to speak his mind.
"Did something happen?"
"Not to us. However, there seems to be some new patterns emerging, many like ours. Have you sensed them?"
He concentrated.
"I do now. Strange, I did not notice them before."
"I do not know what they are or what my superiors would have me do with them."
"Do you need help?"
"Not at the moment. But I suspect that I may soon. If they are what I think they are. . ."
"Then we'll be seeing each other sooner than expected." Shinji finished. He looked at his clock and found it to be midnight. "I'll talk to you tomorrow morning."
"It is afternoon where I am."
He chuckled softly. "Considering your missions, I would not be surprised if it was morning."
"Good night, Shinji."
"Good night."
End Chapter
Disclaimer: The author of the story does not claim ownership either to the characters or to the story itself. Should anyone wish to make a parody, side-story, or any other change to the original writings, they may do so on the condition that they claim the entirety for their own.
Secrets Unknown
Cobalt eyes opened to the vision of immaculately white walls. The owner of those eyes sat up in his bed, and murmured two words, "Unfamiliar ceiling. . ." Taking a look around, he saw his reflection in the corner window. A young boy of 14 looked back at him, dark brown hair and a gentle face, melancholy and serious.
Suddenly a voice, spoken like the wind whispered into his mind. "Are you all right?" it asked, the tones conveying concern, the words sounding decidedly feminine. That is, if he did not already know whom the voice belonged to. "I'm fine", he replied, careful not to let anybody hear his soft-spoken words. It wouldn't do for him to be classified any more of a mental instability than he already was. 'Then again', he mused, isn't hearing voices in your head supposed to be a sign of mental instability?'
If the voice heard his unspoken thoughts, it did not respond to them. Instead, its next words conveyed more anxiety for the boy. "That was the third time I felt something from you like this."
"Don't worry." he said "I can handle myself for a little while longer. I'd need to if those relatives of yours keep attacking us like this."
"They are not my relatives and they are the least of our worries."
"You're right. But they are for most everyone else. I'll have to worry about them too, at least for a while longer. Then I'll have other things to worry about."
"I'm worried about you."
"I'm sorry."
"Your comrade was right about one thing. You apologize too much."
He smiled, a gentle line sloping across his face. "That was one of the few times you agreed with her."
"Considering how she treats you, it's bound to stay as a few."
Footsteps were now audible, approaching the door to his chamber. "They're coming."
"Then I'll talk to you later. I have another mission myself."
"Hope it's not as dangerous as the last one."
"Not as dangerous as what you are doing. Goodbye for now."
"Goodbye", he whispered just before the door to his room opened.
Bright light streamed into the room from the doorway. A figure wearing a lab coat and glasses came through followed by a few others in similar uniforms. The first figure walked towards the bedridden boy, the ID on his coat identifying him as a member of the NERV medical staff.
"Well I'm glad to see you're awake, Pilot Ikari."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Katsuragi Misato walked briskly to the NERV infirmary, where her charge was being kept. Relief mixed with concern was in her mind as she thought over the events that had transpired the day before. Her brow furrowed gently as she remembered the gruesome transformation of the Evangelion Unit 01.
"That was the third time that it has happened, and I'm still in the dark as to how it does that. At least Asuka and Shinji are okay. I'll have to remember to take them out again for this one. I wonder if Kaji or Ritsuko knows anything. Why won't anybody tell me?"
She continued on her way as she thought over everything that had happened, her body performing automatically as she walked into the elevator and punched the button for the Infirmary.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amber shades hid Commander Ikari Gendo's eyes as he perused over the facts of their latest encounter with the Angels. A flicker of concern came over his features but lasted for only a second. The last battle, although won according to the scenario, had come close enough to failing for his taste. He didn't like the fact that things had come to such a situation. 'I must have more control over the battles in the future' he thought.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Behind the Commander, Sub Commander Fuyutsuki, stood in casual attention, watching his superior. He wondered what the Commander was thinking right now. 'Though if I were to bet on it, it would be something about Yui or Project E. Still, I better keep my silence when it comes to such matters.'
The beeping of a console hidden in the Commander's desk alerted him to an incoming report. He picked up the piece of paper and quickly read it.
"What is it?" the Commander asked.
"A report from the infirmary. The Third Child has awoken and is currently being diagnosed for any mental instabilities in his system."
"Mental instabilities?" Gendo smirked. "Just how many more do they expect to find?"
"They are referring to the aftermath of the recent battle."
"Rely on those so-called scientists to be so unreliable."
Fuyutsuki said nothing in reply. The Commander spoke again.
"In any case, events are proceeding according to plan. Those old fools are suspecting us but that's to be expected. Tell me Sensei, what do you think of our current scenario?"
Fuyutsuki struggled to find the right words. "It is . . . necessary."
"That it is."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akagi Ritsuko, head scientist and programmer of NERV, came into the infirmary only to find the Third Child already in the arms of a certain major, a position that to most males would have been highly desirable. To the said Child however, such a position was highly embarrassing, inappropriate, and at times, very dangerous.
"I am so glad you're alright Shinji. I'd cook for a week just to show you how glad I am."
"Really Misato-san, that's quite alright, but can you let go of me now?"
"Plus, I'm sure that any dietary changes you make would just send him back here much sooner." was Dr. Ritsuko's supportive addition to the conversation, which earned her a glare from the major.
Misato was a bit disgruntled by her supposedly best friend's criticism of her culinary skills, but since such comments were neither serious nor unusual she let it pass. Turning to the good doctor, she asked, "How long does he have to stay here?"
"Only a little while longer. I'll have to give him a physical and then a mental check-up as well as a diagnostics to check any abnormalities with his piloting and then you're free to go."
After which, Ritsuko then started performing said tests.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayanami Rei was currently exiting NERV Headquarters with the purpose of heading towards her own apartment via the elevator. Since much of the facility had been destroyed due to Zeruel's attack, her own presence was currently not required. Unfortunately, she was not the only one in such a state.
She glanced at the elevator's only other occupant, Soryu Asuka Langley, Pilot of Unit 02 and designated Second Child, as she would like to refer to herself. Looking at the Second Child, Rei suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu but considered it to be irrelevant. Just as she was about to turn away, the redhead spoke.
"Don't even think about it."
"About what?" the blue haired albino replied.
"You're thinking about lecturing me, aren't you? First the Invincible Baka beats the damn Angel by himself, now you think you're better than me."
Rei chose not to reply which only got the German frustrated.
" Well?"
Just in time, the elevator doors opened and Rei stepped out into the hallway, instantly turning towards the exit. She could feel the glare from the other girl but chose not to engage in a meaningless confrontation. 'I wonder if her attitude is a contributing factor to Ikari-kun's personality?'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aoba Shigeru sat at his terminal, humming a tune from a 20th Century rock band. Beside him, Hyuga Makoto was organizing files and reports from the last battle. He heard the hum of an electric door opening and turned to see the third member of their team, Ibuki Maya entering the room with a tray of coffee. Taking one of the cups, she offered the rest to them. They wordlessly accepted, their minds still on the work before them or rather, the lack of work before them.
Maya was the first to break the silence.
"So . . . what now?"
Makoto replied without turning from his terminal. "Now we do as we always did. We follow orders, submit reports, organize files, prepare for the next invasion, and hope we can live to the end of this mess."
Shigeru added, "Besides, aren't you the one who knows the most among the three of us? Do you know anything else we don't know about what happened?"
Maya shook her head.
"No, Akagi-sempai wouldn't tell me anything when I asked her. All she said was I shouldn't worry about it."
Shigeru grunted. "Somehow, that doesn't keep me from worrying. I have a feeling we'll be having more trouble soon enough."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the terminal of another computer, Kaji Ryouji, rouge agent of SEELE, and former member of NERV sat trying to dig his way deeper into the secrets of the great organization. One could only hope that he did not dig himself a grave in the process.
"Hmmm. . . Wonderful firewall Ritsuko. It'll take me a few hours yet to get past this. But once I know the truth, it'll be worth it."
He looked outside the windows of his apartment, where the red sun was just beginning to set. Shadows seemed to move as the light drew farther and farther away. Turning back to the screen, he wrote in a new series of codes that would hopefully spell success and continued to do so into the night.
Outside, the shadows didn't stop moving.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A circle of monoliths appeared in a dark room, the only visible source of light from their bases. The meeting of the twelve members of SEELE began as it had for the past several decades. But this time, the members were in doubt as to the feasibility of their scenario. Five opened the discussion with a heated statement.
"Ikari has deviated from the scenario too many times. We must bring back our control of this project."
"I agree." said Three. "We cannot depend on a man who has so many times flaunted his lack of loyalty towards us. This scenario is much too important."
"We all know that." Eight interjected. "The issue is whether we can afford to lose a man like Ikari. If he is disloyal, he is also quite competent. We would be hard pressed to find a man like him."
Finally, the leader of the secret sect, Lorenz Keel spoke.
"Ikari is the least of our worries. We have another matter that needs to be addressed before we can continue with the scenario."
"Another matter?" The question was from Ten. "What could be so important that we would ignore Ikari in order to address it?"
Four spoke. "Recently, our devices placed in space and around the globe have detected large quantities of energy signatures. Each is different from the other and number more than a hundred. However, they are all reminiscent of the pattern detected from the Angels."
Uproar followed the words.
"How could this be?"
"Did the scrolls say anything about this?"
"Where did the resorts come from?"
"Of all the things to happen!"
"Over a hundred Angels! Are you sure about this?"
"Silence!" Keel raised his voice to be heard. The din immediately dissipated. "This is a matter that is of utmost importance. None of the scrolls predicted this and as a result, we are in the position of having to face a possible hindrance towards the scenario without any measures against it. Now does anyone have a suggestion as to how we proceed?"
"I do." Seven answered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night had fallen across Tokyo 3 and in the Katsuragi household, all was silent. In the room of the Third Child, a soft music could be heard, a classic symphony, one of Beethoven's most treasured creations.
There was only one member in the symphony's audience. Right now, this member was stretched out on futon thinking.
"I'm glad Rei is okay as well as Misato, but Asuka seems to be in a bad mood. Probably because they say I was the one who destroyed the Angel. Still, I'd rather have her angry at me than dead."
"From her past behavior, those two seem to be the only possible aspects of her treatment towards you."
Shinji's eyes opened.
"Is your mission finished?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"If I am unwell, I would not be attempting to converse with you."
"Yes, you would."
"Maybe."
Shinji frowned. He decided to speak his mind.
"Did something happen?"
"Not to us. However, there seems to be some new patterns emerging, many like ours. Have you sensed them?"
He concentrated.
"I do now. Strange, I did not notice them before."
"I do not know what they are or what my superiors would have me do with them."
"Do you need help?"
"Not at the moment. But I suspect that I may soon. If they are what I think they are. . ."
"Then we'll be seeing each other sooner than expected." Shinji finished. He looked at his clock and found it to be midnight. "I'll talk to you tomorrow morning."
"It is afternoon where I am."
He chuckled softly. "Considering your missions, I would not be surprised if it was morning."
"Good night, Shinji."
"Good night."
End Chapter