Neon Genesis Evangelion
WAR
Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or any of its associated properties/materials. Evangelion belongs to A. and Gainax and any other companies associated with its creation and development.
A cold wind blew through the platform. Dusk was approaching fast, yet remnants of the sun's light remained in the sky. The distant echo of a train caught the attention of the lone figure on the platform. As the solitary figure turned to stare at the approaching dim lights in the distance, he could see the faint outline of a distant blue streak traveling at a speed that rivaled those of the trains that frequently passed through the station. A deep, weary sigh filled the air; he knew what was going to happen. The serene silence of the night air was then interrupted by the blue streak swerving around the corner and just missing the street light.
A solemn faced woman with unnatural purple hair, no doubt due to the effects of Second Impact, wearing the standard issue blood red uniform opened the driver's door, only to have it collide with the street light. Cursing at the new addition to the collection of dents that were found throughout the worn out machine's body, the obviously disgruntled driver from hell rose from the car and turned her gaze onto the still turned back of the soon to be passenger.
Back on the platform, his nostrils detected the smell of regrets and cheap, old, booze. Mentally counting the seconds until the train finally arrived, he finally decided to break the unnatural silence that filled the air.
"You found me." he stated the obvious. Before the purple haired wreck had a chance to respond with protests and what he knew were meaningless and empty words, he breathed out a quick and apathetic follow up.
"You can say what you want, but it'll be useless. I'm not changing my mind."
"You have to listen to me Shinji!" she began, her voice drowned in desperation. She paused after seeing him flinch at the use of his name. She let out a hefty sigh.
"I do realize that this past year has been a difficult one, but running away is hardly the answer. Shinji," he flinched again. "You need to learn how to face your problems. Damn it, you can just keep running away from everything! You have to let people in, whether you like it or not, and you're going to have to grow up sooner or later and realize that you can't keep us or the rest of the world out! This is a part of growing up, and it is going to happen." She was using her assertive leader tone, the tone she always used when she was giving her lectures that he received so many times since the day that unfortunate circumstances had caused them to meet.
"Shinji," her voice softened. "Just tell me what I could do to help you. Please!"
His monotone voice managed to drift to Misato's ears. "Misato, what has happened over the past two years can hardly be considered a normal part of growing up. There…there is nothing you or anyone else could do."
"The train from Urawa to Tokyo-3 is now entering the station. The train will soon be departing for Yokohama-2." announced a mechanical man. "When the train is entering the station, please keep all limbs and luggage behind the yellow line. If you are…" the man rambled on.
"Please." his voice finally managed some emotion. "Just go."
The metal beast had finally pulled into the station, causing a light breeze to cut through the air, blowing about stray plastic bags and scraps of paper while disheveling Shinji's dull brown hair. The doors were finally open, and the school uniform clad teenager began the final march towards the artificial light of the train's interior. The cocking of a firearm, a military issue Heckler & Koch USP to be exact, echoed through the platform and caused Shinji to freeze mid-stride. Misato took small shaky steps towards the wayward youth and spoke with a sharp and precise voice.
"I didn't want this to end like this, but I can't let you move any further Shinji Ikari." declared the women he once considered an impromptu mother. "On behalf of NERV and my duty as the Deputy Commander, I am placing you under arrest. Any further attempts to resist and I promise you, I won't hesitate to shoot."
"Misato, threatening me isn't going to work either. Please!" His voice was now turning quite desperate, "Just let me leave me alone."
"Damn it Shinji! At least face me! Why are you trying to hide from me?"
Stopping at the open doorway, Shinji's body shook with one massive sigh. It was akin the final shudder of life an ancient man would give before the light would disappear from his eyes. The teen's body lurched to the side and turned to face the woman who once gave him a place that he could finally call home. The unintentional drama ceased as his head finally moved and the two sets of eyes met. One pair was dull and lacked any life while the other was overwhelmed with regret and soon to be misplaced anger.
Misato's angst filled face contorted into a slight grimace upon looking at the boy's face for the first time in what seemed to be two weeks. The once shy face was now filled with a form of bitterness and held distinct attributes that were found in the cold and unnerving stare of the seemingly forgotten former Commander of NERV. The stand out feature was the deep, dark rings surrounding eyes that would occasionally stare off into oblivion. Over all, the budding insomniac looked like he had been through hell, and then some.
"Misato, please tell everyone that…" Shinji's face turned into a portrait of misery and lament over the thoughts of everyone that he knew he had caused pain to. He wanted to cry, but like before, nothing came. "Tell everyone that this is for the best." Shinji merely whispered out.
"Attention." It seemed the lifeless man decided to grace the platform with his cold mechanical voice once again. "The train will now be departing for Yokohama-2. Please board now if you have not already done so. If you have any luggage…"
His head turned away and faced the doorway again. Misato, who was brought back to the living by the mechanical voice, could do nothing but look on in dismay. She knew that she couldn't do it anyway. Despite what years of military training screamed at her to do, she wouldn't be able to actually bring herself to shoot him.
Shit! How did it actually get to this, she briefly pondered. Hell, between trying to rebuild what was left of NERV and the god-forsaken city while trying to take care of a seemingly shell shocked Asuka, she was never able to console Shinji and help him face whatever (what she assumed to be) horrors he witnessed during Thir….she still couldn't bring herself to say the name. A year since what some called Judgment Day, and she was still in a state of perpetual shock at what happened.
"Shinji, wait! You forgot something!" shouted Misato as she rummaged through the papers and files that would follow her home from work ever since she was promoted. Upon finding what she dubbed "Her Last Chance", she quickly ran onto the platform just as Shinji's backside disappeared into the belly of the train.
After hearing her voice for what could very well be the last time, his head slowly turned to see a fist being shoved out in front of the train's door. Shinji immediately diverted his eyes from the one object that held more painful memories than the monster he used to commandeer. It was his almost omnipresent SDAT player.
With one last sad gaze thrown at her, he quietly says, "You can let her keep it." The doors shuddered and finally closed, seemingly ending the strained friendship between the two.
Misato stood on the platform, a cascade of emotions washing over her, but only one stood out. It was Anger. She reached for her holstered pistol and fires three rounds in an infantile attempt release the emotions that had been building over the last two weeks. Unfortunately, those three rounds found the perpetually damaged Renault's front right tire.
"Shit!" the crestfallen woman screamed and threw the German made weapon at the soon to be scrap metal of the car.
If only we still had Section Two. If only I spent more time with him. If only he hadn't come here in the first place. If only…. Misato's mind raced as she slowly grabbed her cell phone out of her jacket's pocket and hit speed dial.
The ringing stopped. "Well?" questioned the raspy voice of the new commander of NERV.
"I was…" Misato took a quick breathe to try and compose herself. " I was unable to retrieve the Third Child."
"Mmm…Very well." Misato didn't have to be there in person to know that the Commander was rubbing his head's temples to try to ward of an incoming headache. "I suppose it was bound to happen. I just wonder why it wasn't sooner…" Another sigh came through the speaker. "I'm sorry Misato, but I need you back here now. This event brings up certain information we must discuss."
"But!" The line went dead. Her free hand moved to her eyes to try and stop the waves of tears from flooding out.
"Kaji, what would you have done?"
The train lumbered along the tracks at a moderate speed. However, it was still not fast enough to help Shinji escape from everything that plagued his increasingly frail mind. Outside, the large corporate buildings and shopping centers of Tokyo-3, or at least the remains, were passing by. However, Shinji's eyes were focused on his two pale and sweaty palms.
The events of Third Impact were still remarkably fresh in his mind, it almost made it seem like it happened yesterday instead of the year that had passed by. Ever since what happened, he had not been able to get more than two hours of sleep. The nightmares involving those who had choose to not return to the material world as they once were and their screams of anguish at being denied perfection made sure that he remained awake. Now, rest only came when the exhaustion would simply become too much. Shinji's hands slowly approached his face until they met. He now realized the predicament he was in and was causing another migraine to flare up.
Mother…what am I going to do now? I'm such a fool… He had no home, no source of income, and only a few pairs of clothes. Shinji let out a muffled sob. His body lurched, and fell sideways onto the cold metal bench of the train's car. It was all just too much for him to bear all at once. As exhaustion began to overcome him once again, one thought lingered on the mind of the so called "Savior of the World".
I should have kept the SDAT.
To be continued.
A/N: I hope that you've enjoyed this little preview of what's to come. Honestly, I'm a little nervous myself. This is the first story that I've published and intend to continue. I'll be trying to update all summer, and we'll see where it goes from there. And before anyone asks, I do intend to reveal what happened during the first year after Third Impact. Trust me, it'll be in the later chapters.
Please take the time to review, or criticize, etc. I have a feeling that I've made more than a few mistakes, so if you find any, please point them out. If you have any questions, feel free to either email me or send me a message. I'm available all the time.
As a side note, I'm currently without a beta, so if you have any interests in helping me out or improving the story, please let me know. I'll take anyone.
