A/N: I'd like to thank everyone that read and reviewed the last chapter. Hopefully, writing this will help me plow through the writer's block and keep going with my other story. By the way, this isn't going to be a fan fiction where just about every sentence has cursing in it in case the first chapter gave you any misconceptions about this story. Sorry for the long wait but college is sucking right now. I must ay though, a band I like, Ra, helped it go but much easier and much quicker.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Gainax. Argh! I know! I'll use Japan's greatest weakness against them. God I hope Godzilla works on contract. Here's to hoping. crosses fingers
Caution: It's an SI. Yeah, I'm sorry too.
Speech.
Thought.
Thoughts of another.
-Phone/Similar-
Report/File/Etc.
Chapter 2: I Don't Wanna Meet The Devil!
Ah, the vessel of light has awoken. Maybe one of my brethren will succeed where I have failed.
I snapped my eyes open and immediately wished I hadn't.
"I swear to god I hate overhead lights." I mumbled to my self.
After the spots went away I eased my eyes open. I had heard a voice when regaining consciousness, what could it have been. It didn't sound like the one from before that was for sure.
I paused for a moment to take in my surroundings. I was lying in a plain white bed with an IV drip hooked into my right arm. There was a window to my left and the door out was directly in front of me with generic landscape prints to either side. I glanced to my right and saw what I assumed to be a door to a bathroom as well as a nook to hang clothes and a small bedside dresser.
Hmmm. Generic hospital room. Figures. Now to figure out what this 'alternate reality' the big guy was talking about is like.
It was when I started to get out of bed that I realized there was something very different; I was a lot shorter and a lot skinnier than before. I pulled out the IV, not one of my better ideas because it stung like a mother, and padded over to the bathroom. I opened the door and turned on the light. When I turned to the mirror I was stunned by what I saw. I looked like I was 14 or 15 again! I was now back to being a 5'7" sack of 160 or so pounds. At least my hair was still black and, thank god, I was still a guy. I also noticed I didn't appear to be japanese, or even asian for that matter. Weird… I guess I get to hold on to my identity as an American though. I was wondering what was with the bandages wrapped around my forehead though.
I gotta remember to get all the details before agreeing to something like this from now on. I mean, good lord, what if I had been thrown back to the dark ages or gasp turned into a girl! It wouldn't be able to take it.
Realizing my new body was tired from the sudden activity I walked back over to the bed and that was when I saw it. It was a giant, floating blue diamond that had to be a few hundred meters across and just as tall. It suddenly sunk in where I was and the possibilities of what could happen. I didn't have enough fingers and toes to even count the ways I could realistically die here. Then I remembered what it was God had told me: "…you will have far more opportunities to change the world like you've always wanted…"
Almost as if on cue the door to my room opened and in walked Dr. Ritsuko Akagi followed by another doctor who looked as if he had just been yelled at for doing something wrong.
"Ah, I see you're up and about. I would have been here sooner if someone had done as told and notified me as soon as you woke up. I'm sorry, I almost forgot. I'm Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, pleased to meet you."
"Hello. I'm…"
That was when it first sunk in; she was speaking japanese. And I understood it! Before I could understand maybe five words in the language and here I was beginning to introduce my self in japanese. Then I also realized that I very well couldn't give her my name from before, they'd probably have me committed…or worse if I started spouting off about Instrumentality and a future that might not even happen now that I'm here. Meh…I'll pretend to have amnesia.
"Actually…I can't seem to remember what my name is or where I am."
"Well that's normal for someone who has experienced severe head trauma. As a matter of fact I'm a bit surprised that you woke up this soon."
"How long was I out?"
"Oh, about three weeks. Then again, with what happened I'm surprised anyone held hope of you waking up at all." At this she seemed to react as if she had said something that she shouldn't have.
"What happened?"
"Uh…maybe I should let your guardian explain that to you." She clearly hoped that having just woken up I would be easily distracted. She was right.
"Guardian?"
"Yes, guardian. She'll be here tomorrow morning to find out if you're going to accept our offer again."
"What do you mean again?" I wonder what Nerv tricked "me" into agreeing to before my little nap.
"We, and by "we" I mean the organization your guardian and I work for, Nerv.Nerv is a…you know what, here; read this and get a good night's sleep; Misato will be here about 10 tomorrow morning to find out your answer. Have a good night." And with that she handed me a massive folder and left the room.
M-Misato! Dear god! I swear if I have to live with her I WILL go crazy.
It's not that I didn't like her character in the series it was just…well…I know I'd go crazy living around her. I mean, I could barely take the teasing from my sister and cousins in my old life. I'd either end up blushing till my head explodes or just jumping in front of a truck if the teasing Shinji got in the series was any indication.
Meh. I'll go to sleep and let Misato know that I'll accept the offer in the morning. Just so I know what I can discuss I better read the 3-inch folder too. My head hurts already.
The next morning a nurse woke me up about eight to shower and change. At least the clothes she brought me were something I would wear: blue jeans and a sleeveless shirt under a dress shirt.
I finished reading the Nerv folder Dr. Akagi had given me after the light breakfast the nurse brought after my shower. It's was pretty weird to read about the past of the person I had become.
Name: Joshua Shuujaku
Designation: Sixth Child
Birth date: 06 May, 2000
Blood Type: O+
Mother: Classified (Deceased) - Japanese
Father: Classified (Deceased) - American
Sibling(s)/Other Family: None/All Deceased
Mental Disposition: Stubborn yet readily willing to follow a superior's orders. In short: Nearly ideal soldier.
Additional Notes: Competent with a few martial arts styles due to training in the United States. Their apparent paranoia has made the Sixth Child the perfect embedded security that could be hoped for the pilots. It is also of potential import to know that has also been trained with various firearms of common U.S. and U.N. use. According to tests administered by U.S. the Sixth Child possesses an IQ comparable to that of the Second Child although he seems to lack the focus to come to his full potential. The Sixth Child also possesses exceptional problem-solving skills, perception and awareness.
After finishing the folder I was amazed by how much and yet how little it told me even knowing what I did about the events to come. By now it was nearly ten and I was beginning to wonder if Misato would actually be on time.
Later the nurse knocked. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was 11 a.m.
Must be Misato, she's late.
"There's a Miss Katsuragi here from Nerv to speak with you. Are you awake?"
"Okay, you can let her in." I replied as I sat in one of the two chairs I had pulled in front of the window.
"Hello Joshua," Misato greeted as she walked over to the chairs. "Do you mind if I sit?"
"No, please do Miss Katsuragi," I replied as I motioned to the empty chair to my right.
"Thanks, and Misato will do; 'Miss' makes me feel so old. So…did you read the folder Dr. Akagi gave you?"
"Yes I did. And I have to say it told me pretty much nothing."
At this she burst out laughing. "You'd be surprised how few people actually figure that out about the packet. I see the files on you still apply even after you've been smashed in the head."
She stopped laughing after she noticed my straight face and raised eyebrow. "Yea…Dr. Akagi said you would explain all of that to me."
"She did huh? Well, I'll explain it after we figure out if you'll be joining Nerv ok?"
"Sure. I've already decided that I want to help in any way possible. I mean, it isn't like I have any family or anything to go back to is it?"
"That's true. Well, since you've decided let's go to Nerv and I'll give you the official tour."
"I'm ready to go." I replied as I stood up and stared at the Fifth angel through the window.
Apparently Misato noticed and mistook my blank stare for fear. "Don't worry, Shinji and Rei are going to kill it as soon as he wakes up and is briefed."
Even though I already knew talking about it as if he were taking a nap I just had to ask. "Wakes up?"
"He's been unconscious since the angel's initial attack. It hit him square in the chest."
I couldn't help but cringe at the thought of the attack I saw from the series.
Ten minutes later I was released and we were walking towards Misato's infamous sports car. We got in and, predictably, she was the perfect driver she was known as from the series. That was the second time in my life I'd actually thought I might die. We managed to reach Nerv in one piece in about 5 minutes when we had to drive all the way across town.
About a half hour of wandering Nerv later…
"Uh…Misato? Maybe we should, I don't know…get directions?"
"Nonsense. I know this place like the back of hand." Misato replied with a wave of her hand from her spot a few feet ahead of me.
I'm gonna be here for the rest of my life if something doesn't happen soon.
Then the last person I ever expected to rescue me did, Rei Ayanami. Misato seemed overjoyed that she found something to draw attention from bad sense of direction.
"Hey Rei! What are you doing here?"
"The Commander asked me to retrieve you and the Sixth Child and escort you both to his office to prevent you getting lost again." Rei replied in her trademark voice.
Honestly it kind of annoyed me now that I was hearing it myself. Who is that emotionless, really?
Misato brought me back to earth telling Rei to lead us to the Commander's office.
It only took five minutes to get there but with every step I dreaded the meeting more and more. What if I didn't become a pilot? Actually that wouldn't be too bad but with this world it's best to know you can at least control your own fate.
After arriving Rei left and Misato knocked on the door to the Bastard King's office. The only answer we got was what I recognized as Fuyutsuki's voice telling Misato to send me in and wait for me in the cafeteria.
Taking a deep breath I pushed open the large, black doors to Gendo's office.
To Be Continued…
A/N: Well. What do I have to say for myself? I'm sorry for the long update? Not gonna cut it eh? Ok. I'm gonna try and have another out this time next week. Don't forget to review and have a good weekend, I know I will. THIS! IS! SPARTA!
