Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or any of its characters

2015 A.D

'Empty'

The word echoed in Shinji's mind, a silent mantra that reminded him who he was. A shell, a husk, an empty soul of something that once was a boy. The Midnight moon brought him no comfort and the darkness of the night kept him awake. His empty eyes stared up at the ceiling refusing to yield to the mere thought of sleep. His cassette player finished playing his music and with his ear buds on, left him alone with his thoughts.

His body was laid peacefully on the floor in the eerie silence of his bedroom, though the comforting sound of the night train still came and went by his window. He could faintly hear Misato's snores and Pen-Pen's chirps from their bedroom and it brought him a small reminder of the day's graphic earlier events. He almost died. He almost lost his life trying to stop the first angel from destroying NERV HQ and causing the end of the world. But strangely the thought of being on the brink death didn't bring shivers down Shinji's spine or make him cringe with fear but instead brought him the grim reminder of one fact. He was still alive. Thanks to EVA-UNIT-01.

'Unit 1'

The familiar face of the demonic robot emerged in his head. It's angry narrowed eyes and it's tightly clenched jaw brought a small smile on the boy's face. A rarity these while he was undergoing a severe panic attack then passing out due to the severe pain in his eye, the robot brought a soothing and comforting presence as it viciously fought and defeated the Angel. When he woke up hours later after the recovery team brought the Unit and himself back to NERV HQ he was immediately transferred to the emergency room for a mental and physical evaluation. They examined his eye for any sign of blindness, at which they found none, and evaluated his mental health which was found at the normal "Shinji" level.(Which by all means is not normal.)Shinji could feel the mixture of celebration and nervousness in the air of HQ. Even Misato, who stayed by his side throughout his entire hospital visit, was unusually quiet and reflective. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. After all the victory did come at a cost and came very close to failure. And the complete demise of the entire human race.

But strangely they didn't give that a second thought instead they were worried mostly about UNIT-01 and the chances of it going berserk again. Since there was an earlier berserk incident involving Rei and the experimental UNIT-00 they took the entire situation seriously and the investigation was proceeded with caution. Shinji then was released from the hospitals after an hour of evaluation and he proceeded to walk over to the launch bay to catch a glimpse of Unit-01. As he traveled down the expansive path towards his destination the NERV HQ staff raced past him in different directions, completely ignoring his presence. It did not surprise him. He was used to being ignored. After all top priority goes to UNIT-01 and not the wellbeing of its pilot. Pilots were replaceable.

But there were some staff members who looked back and shouted a 'congratulations!' or a 'good job Shinji!' and those who slowed down gave him a pat on the back or ruffled his hair. He offered them his own thanks before they remembered that they have a job to do and race down the path again ignoring the 14-year-old boy. It took him a few minutes before he entered the launch behind the large bulletproof panels. He remembered he instantly saw UNIT-01 sitting in the pool of LCL, confined by the locks and restraints and with one eye completely shattered and covered with burn marks. Staff raced around it desperately trying to repair it before the next angel was to arrive. He expected to see Ritsuko leading the entire recovery operation, with her billowing lab coat and blonde hair would be easy to spot in the crowd of brunettes by Shinji. Then he noticed she wasn't there. He didn't see her anywhere near Evangelion or it's barracks but instead he found someone he did not wish to see. He found his father.

'Father'

An image of his father entered his mind as clear as day with his black hair, angled face, dark jacket and clothes with his piercing gaze contained by orange lensed glasses. Shinji's fist clenched instinctively, anger bubbling from the pit of his stomach. But he continued on with the memory. The memory of him silently watching his father bark out orders and huddle over a table with some members of his staff examining the expansive blue prints of UNIT-01. Fuyutsuki was not far behind him as he standed on Gendo's left peering over his commander's shoulder.

Fuyutsuki was also the first to notice Shinji behind the glass watching them both. Shinji remembered that he tapped on his father's shoulder and whispered in his ear telling him that his son was behind him. And then they both turned to look at him with his father wearing his usual scowl and Fuyutsuki wearing a small mask of indifference. Shinji and his father locked eyes with each other for the briefest of moments before his father turned back around engrossing himself in the blueprints once more. Fuyutsuki gave him a final look, one that expressed his apologies and his thanks, then he returned to his post. Shinji then looked at the beast like UNIT-01 once more, who's piercing gaze seemed to be glaring back at him, before Misato approached him symbolizing it that it was time to return home. Now here he was sitting alone in his room with nothing but silence and the thoughts in his head. Especially those of UNIT-01. And slowly more and more questions raced his head at the speed of light.

Why did the EVA bring him comfort? Why doesn't the thought of controlling it frighten him? What did NERV plan to do with him and UNIT-01? (He wasn't that daft to not notice the secrecy shrouding the Evangelions and even the organization itself.) Why did it remind him of someone he knew from the past? Shinji didn't know.. And he didn't want to know the answer.

'Shinji'

A feminine voice called out in his thoughts and Shinji looked around to find its source. It was like he knew who it was but at the same time he didn't.

'Who are you?'

Shinji called out in his thoughts, hoping to get an answer.

'Shinji'

'What do you want from me?'

'I want to understand you…'

'Why?'

'It is my duty to understand you.'

'Why is it your duty to understand me? Why?'

'You will know in good time..Tell me Shinji, do you want to be alone?'

Shinji paused briefly. They didn't answer his question but it didn't stop him from answering theirs.

'No.. I don't.'

'But no matter what you do.. You always find yourself alone.'

'Yes but how do you know that?'

'You cannot hide your thoughts from me. Especially when we are one and together'

'When we are one? Who exactly are you?'

'You know who I am Shinji… You just have to think..'

'I don't….understand.'

'You will soon enough.. Tell me, do you want to understand this world, Shinji?'

'I…. Do. But how will I understand it if no one will show me?'

'Do not worry… I will show you.'

'But who are you?'

'I am whom you wish me to be…'

'Whom I wish to be?'

'Your Guardian, your confidant, your friend...You will understand Shinji in good time..'

'But what if I don't understand? How will I know?"

'You ask so many questions Shinji Ikari… and you repeat those you have already said often as well...Humans are so curious… It's strange..'

'Wait, are you an angel?'

'I wouldn't say that.'

'Who are.. No.. What are you then?'

'Do not worry… I will show you'

And from NERV HQ, in its confined and barren barracks, Evangelion UNIT-01 awakened.

Well Hello Readers! Tis I, the Frenchiest Fry, Kirana Lockheart! Evangelion is one of my favorite Animes of all time and I hope I do it some justice in this fic. This is probably one of the fics I will be keeping and updating on this site. I'll be starting three fics and hopefully finishing at least one before the summer comes! I love to hear from you guys, it makes a writer feel like their work is appreciated, and constructive criticism is welcome (as long as it's written RESPECTFULLY). I'll see you on the next update and perhaps in my other upcoming fics!

~KL