Soul Nomad Evangelion 2- For Reals this time!
Chapter 1: An Ill-fated meeting
(three days before the Fourth Angel's attack, inside a gunmetal gray storage room...)
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Misato?" Shinji asked, unsure of what Misato had just finished telling him.
"Trust me! It's just training to help you get used to using the progressive Knives!" Misato said cheerfully.
Shinji eyed the weird-looking black sword Misato was offering him with suspicion. "But…why use…that?"
Misato set the sword down and scratched the back of her head. "Well, we don't have any practice knives around, So I kinda…had to use what I could find. Besides, it's just to get you used to the…i..dea. Idea! Yeah, it's just to get you used to the ideaof holding a weapon until the real ones show up. Okay?"
"O…okay." Shinji conceded. It would probably be easier to acquiesce to his guardian's wishes than to point out the flaws in her plan. So he hesitantly accepted the sword from her. Wait, if the Eva uses knives, why am I using this thing? It's almost as big as I am! "So…I hold it like…this?" He experimentally hefted the sheathed sword, finding it surprisingly heavy. Is this thing a sword or a sharp club? "So…what now?"
"Now? Well, unsheathe it and just wave it around. Y'know, to get the feel of it."
Shinji blinked. "But, isn't waving a sharp sword around dangerous?"
Misato laughed. "Oh come on. Don't be such a wet blanket. This is a golden chance to act out one of those teenage fantasies, isn't it? Besides, boys love things with sharp edges! It's practically a rule!"
"B-but-" Shinji's eloquent reply was cut off by the ringing of a cell phone.
"Oh, hang on." Misato fished the phone out of her pocket and flipped it open. "Captain Katsuragi here!...Oh hey Ritz! Yeah, I'm just teaching the kid to- What? …But wasn't it tomorrow?...Okay, okay, I get it. Fine, I'll be right up." Misato flipped the phone shut and sighed. "Well, looks like you're on your own, Shinji. Ritz wants me up for some meeting or something, so you can practice by yourself. Just take a few swings, and just wait for me to get back, okay?"
"…Okay."
"Great! Seeya later!" With that cheery farewell, she slipped out the door, leaving Shinji all by himself.
Guess I should humour her… He picked up the sword, and gave it a few practice swings.
What's this thing made out of?! It felt like he was trying to swing a lead bar around…which, since the sword was still sheathed, he pretty much was.
…Maybe I can get the sheath off? Probably be a little lighter, anyway. With that thought, Shinji took hold of the ebony sheath and tried to slide it off.
It didn't move an inch.
"Huh?" Shinji narrowed his eyes, and tried again.
Still nothing.
Is it not supposed to come off?...Well, it is supposed to be for training, so I guess it's to keep me safe?...But Misato said it was sharp, so…is there a trick to it…? He mused, turning the thing over in both hands.
He was holding it by the blade when something caught his eye. "…Hang on…this part looks like you can press it-Ah!" Shinji yelled, jumping back as the sword slid out of the sheath and almost onto his foot.
Ow! Careful you moron!
"…God, why am I so stupid? I should've been more careful…" He eyed the black sword on the floor carefully. It looked like one of those old European swords he'd seen in one of the books at his uncle's place. Aside from being jet black, (and huge) it was almost a perfect match.
Huh say what? …Wait this is perfect! Okay dumbass, go on and pick up the sword. It'll be fun!
But it's strange. It's just a sword, but it feels…dangerous? Shinji tilted his head. No, not dangerous, but close…Like I shouldn't touch it. "Maybe I'll just tell Misato that I wasn't feeling great after she left." He sighed, turning towards the door.
Aw come on! All the cool kids love to play with swords! I'll even let you annihilate a country or two!
He was about to open the door when a thought came unbidden to his lips. "…But I said I'd practice with it, and if it's for the Eva, I'll probably have to do it later anyway…" he shook his head. "Besides, even if I did lie, she'd probably figure it out, or that doctor would." He sighed, turning away from the door and walking back into the room."
Heh. Just as I thought. Now come on, pick up the sword like a good little tool!
He reached down…
That's a good schmuck.
He firmly grasped the sword…
Almost…
He lifted it…
Now!
And then everything went dark.
Shinji awoke with a start, only to find himself floating in a black void. "…What just…?"
"Ahahahahaha! Finally!It's good to be back!" Laughed a rough voice. Shinji spun around, scared of who might be here with him.
"Wh-who are you?" Shinji asked fearfully, staring at the striking young man in front of him. The black pants, shoes, grey vest and green brooch made the man look somewhat normal, but the rest of his attire wiped that impression out. With ashen hair, black bangles on his wrists, two massive metal shoulder pads sticking out like veined wings and a maniacal grin on his pale face, the young man in front of Shinji looked positively terrifying.
The man shrugged, his shoulder pads bouncing slightly. "Me? Oh, just the most hardcore ass-kicker to ever walk the planet, that's all. The destroyer of everything! The commander of the World Eaters! But hell, you can call me 'Gig'."
"World Eaters?" Even through his all-consuming fear, Shinji still had enough brainpower left to be confused.
The young man's ever present grin twisted into a snarl, like he had just tasted something unpleasant. "What? You don't know what the World Eaters are? Man, you're…" The man trailed off, before shutting his eyes. "…Hang on…What the hell? Where are they?" The man snarled, the veins on his shoulder pads pulsing a bright purple. "...Geh, so they managed to get themselves killed. Oh well. Just means more fun for me, now that I've got you!" Gig shrugged, turning back to Shinji, his grin returned.
"Wh-what are you planning to do?" Shinji cried fearfully, backing away from the terrifying young man.
Gig chuckled. "Man, I haven't even done anything yet and I feel right at home….Do you seriously not get it? I'm taking over your body, dumbass!" Gig declared, advancing on Shinji with a toothy grin.
"No, I won't let you!" Shinji declared, his voice wavering. This declaration seemed to stop Gig in his tracks. Huh? That worked?
Gig put a hand to his forehead and sighed. "Dammit, why can't this ever be easy... Okay, look. We have to make a deal before I can use your body. Once we've done that, you can command power totally unknown to the average peon. And if you need more, then you can call on me! I'll lend you power surpassing even a god…for a price. The more of my power you use, the more control I gain over your body. You scratch my back, I crush yours. Pretty awesome, huh?" Gig spread his arms, his smile widening into an ear-to-ear grin.
"…Really?" Shinji said, his curiosity piqued by the freaky young man's offer. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to at least listen to him… "What kind of powers do you have?"
Gig laughed. "Anything you want, kid. I've got more than enough power to burn the entire world to nothing but ash. Anything you want would be yours to have! With my power, nothing in the world could stop you! What do you say?"
Figures. "No."
Gig's face fell for a moment, before regaining a slight grin. "Well, do what you want. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me…I'll be waiting! Ahahahahahahaha!" Gig continued to laugh as Shinji's vision darkened, and he fell unconscious.
With a gasp, Shinji catapulted up to a sitting position on the cold floor. He swung his gaze around wildly for a few moments before he calmed down. "Did…Did that just happen?" He mused, massaging his temples for a moment. So he'd just had one really weird encounter in a black void with a crazy ash-haired boy…asking him to give up his body? Wasn't there a book on stuff like that? Didn't it say that stuff like that meant he was gay?
He really hoped it didn't.
"No way, that couldn't possibly have happened…"
"Oh really?"
He'd learned that voice. "Gah! M-Misato! When did you-I was just-" Shinji jumped to his feet, already trying to fumble an excuse. How did she-? And when? How long was I out!
Misato smiled. "I walked in while you were sitting there mumbling to yourself. What happened?"
It's probably not a good idea to tell her I had a crazy dream about some weird albino person who said they were a god or something and wanted me for my body. "Uh…Nothing." He lied, hoping she'd buy it.
Misato snorted. "…Right. Mind telling me the truth?" she asked, crossing her arms and gazing levelly at him.
Dang. "I…think I hit my head after you left." Shinji rubbed the back of his head for emphasis. That kinda makes sense. Yeah, I must've picked up the sword and then fallen over because it was too heavy. So I hit my head and that made me have that crazy dream. Yeah….that makes perfect sense!
"…Mmhmm." Misato was nonplussed. "Well, in that case, I'll have Ritsuko take a look at you." She motioned towards the door. "Head injuries aren't something to just write off."
"…O-Okay." He conceded weakly, trailing after her. But, did I really dream that up?
Misato folded her arms. "So, how long's he got, doc?" She ventured, leaning against the cold concrete wall of the office.
The place was nice, but spartan. Aside from a big oaken desk and a few plants, the place was empty.
The blonde doctor sighed, slipping into a nice leather chair behind her desk. "First, don't call me that. And second, he's fine. Aside from a slight concussion, he's completely unharmed. "
Misato smiled. "Oh, that's good."
Ritsuko narrowed her eyes, leaning back in the chair. "You know, you could've just taken him to the medical wing, instead of giving me even more to do."
The smile on Misato's face was a bit too wide to be genuine. "Eheh…well, I trust you, Ritz. Can't say the same for the guys in medical!" She laughed nervously.
Ritsuko rolled her eyes. "Translation: you forgot where they were." The suffering in her sigh was practically ancient.
Misato pouted. "…shut up. Anyway, thanks for checking him out. Guess I was worried for nothing." She relaxed, standing up from the wall and turning to leave.
Ritsuko raised an eyebrow. "Worried?" She ventured, catching Misato in mid-exit.
Misato turned back and shrugged. "I thought he was lying about the concussion, he stammered and wouldn't say anything about how he got it." She called back, still standing in the doorway.
Ritsuko chuckled. "He's probably just embarrassed. The whole world's depending on him, and you've seen his desire to please. It's only natural he'd want to cover up being injured like that." She shook her head and turned to her computer.
Misato nodded. "I guess. Anyway, thanks Ritz!" She called, bounding down the hall outside the office.
Ritsuko waved her off. "Yes yes. Now get going."
Shinji laid down in his bed, trying to clear his mind of what had happened today. It was late afternoon by the time Shinji and Misato returned home. He'd had the vague sense throughout his 'examination' that Ritsuko was only doing it to satisfy Misato. He'd not voiced this concern, because he was a-pussy-fraid that he'd offend either Dr. Akagi or Misato. So he'd been told to get some rest and stay home for a couple days.
Misato had glanced at him repeatedly during the trip home, needling him with the same three questions: the old standby 'are you okay?', the effort requiring 'Are you sure?', and quite possibly the most terrifying thing he'd ever heard 'You get some rest while I prepare dinner.' He'd have to be missing an arm and a leg for him to let that happen.
Unfortunately, she was dead set on him 'relaxing', so despite his best efforts over both the rest of the car ride and the trip up the elevator, Misato had cooked dinner, and…made him eat it.
Shinji shivered at the memory. I didn't think Tofu could ever turn that kind of green. Shinji sighed, popping in the earbuds for his SDAT player. Now at least, he could listen to some soothing classical music before he fell asleep. He shut his eyes, content to listen to his wonderful music.
…
…
…
"….Do you listen to anything made after, oh I dunno, nineteen-oh-suck?"
Shinji's eyes snapped open as he yanked the earbuds out. "Who's there?" He called, looking back and forth around his tiny, spartan room. Thought it was fairly dark, there wasn't anywhere for someone to hide. "Did I imagine that?" He breathed, trying to recall where he'd heard that voice before…the Dream! Yeah! That's where I heard it before! So, I guess I must've dreamed that up too! He smiled. Yes, that explanation made complete sense. He shook his head, and laid back down.
It was just my imagination-
The voice coughed. "Hardly. Your imagination is way too lame to come up with someone half as awesome as I am." The disdain reverberated throughout Shinji's head.
To Shinji's credit, he didn't scream or bolt out of his bed. However, he did start quaking at the rough voice that was coming from inside his head. "Wh-Who are you?"
It laughed. "Did you forget? I'm the totally indestructible Gig! I jumped into you when you picked up the sword, moron. I'm kinda grateful an idiot like you got hold of that thing. Cause now I can beat this meat puppet to hell and back! Gahahahaha! Now hand over the reins, useless!"
The pause that followed felt like an eternity. Shinji lay stock still for a moment. Then he blinked.
Twice.
"I…don't feel any different…?" He offered weakly, now more confused than scared.
Shinji could feel Gig's snarl. "Shut up, it'll be any second now…oh come the hell on! A barrier? The hell is this! You're just some two bit chump! How do you have a barrier? And why, of all things, did you pick orange octagons? Did you draw this up when you failed math class?"
"Ummm…" Shinji would freely admit he had no idea what the weird angry voice in his head was going on about. "I…don't know? But…"
"Hold it chump, the man is thinking right now…" Gig muttered, not even paying him the slightest heed. "Hah. Guess there's no getting around this one."
Shinji sat up straight. "Huh?" Shinji had the feeling he wasn't going to like the answer.
Gig sighed, his frustration evident. "Much as I hate to say it, looks like I've gotta share this body with you. At least until I figure out how to get past these stupid hexagon things. Then all bets are off." Shinji could almost see Gig's malicious smile.
Shinji shook his head. This is so weird. "…So we're stuck like this?"
"Pretty much. " Shinji had the distinct feeling that Gig, had he control of the body, would be shrugging right now.
"oh…"Shinji relaxed a bit. Well, maybe this won't be so bad. It's not like he can do anything to hurt anybody like this…
"By the way kid, cook more meat." Gig flatly ordered.
Shinji blinked. "Huh? Why?"
"Cause I don't wanna taste that green crap that purple-haired babe made again. Ever. Plus, I've seen twigs that are better fed than you." He stated matter-of-factly.
Shinji's eyes went wide. "…You could taste that?"
Gig snorted. "Duh. I feel and see everything you do, stupid. And I gotta give you some credit. At least you've got half-decent taste in floozies…Speaking of which…I'm guessing she was a seven?" Gig asked, his voice strangely...friendly.
Shinji, while dense and socially stunted, knew a little bit about dating. As such, instead of answering the question, or asking what Gig meant, he uttered a strangled little squeak, turned a bright, shiny red, and buried his head in a pillow.
Gig laughed openly. "Wow. I possessed a complete bitch. What did I ever do to get stuck with someone this lame? ...Oh right, all the killing. Well, if you won't answer that, what about that doctor chick? She didn't look half bad either!"
This pattern of questioning continued long into the night, as Shinji was powerless to shut the mocking voice in his head up. At least I know I'm not gay now! No, I'm even more messed up!
"Ha, you can't even swear. You really are a complete bitch."
Shinji just groaned and tried to burrow deeper into his pillow.
"So that was the prologue? Not bad!"