SHIELDs of NERV 4
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or X-Men: Evolution. Wish I did, though.
Author's Notes; I'm so sorry I'm taking so long, but in between work and writer's block, along trying to finish up 'Shinji Steel'… it's such a pain. This chapter will have some darkness and an extra special guest appearance of six. Kudos if you can guess where they're from.
(NERV HQ; Terminal Dogma; EVA dump; same time)
"Okay, Agent, I want you to run full tilt into that wall." Akagi's words can't help but get the Section 2 Agent she addressed to raise an eyebrow.
"Say again, Doc?"
"Run full tilt into that wall." The Agent blinks before looking toward the wall before looking toward Akagi. Wall, Akagi, wall, Akagi.
"Any particular reason, Doc?"
"Yes. To see where the weak spot on the wall is."
"Right. And what brought this about?"
"I saw what most would consider impossible."
"What'd you see?"
"A girl walk into that very wall and come back out like a ghost."
"Let me guess. You want to see if it can be duplicated."
"Pretty much."
"Well then get that girl you saw do it."
"No. She was the impetus of this experiment. It must be known if another person can."
"Sort of like a control?"
"Exactly!" Akagi's eyes emit an eerie glee before she adds, "You. Wall. Now." The Agent sighs before nodding.
"Okay. But just so you know, not everything can be explained through science."
"Nonsense. So, if you will…" Nodding, the Agent narrows his eyes and rolls them behind his shades before running right into the wall.
BAM
As the Agent falls to the floor unconscious, Akagi grits her teeth in annoyance.
"Not enough velocity it seems. Next Agent!" As another Agent steps up, he sees his unconscious colleague on the floor before he looks toward the seemingly crazy woman.
"What's with Earl?"
"He couldn't fulfill the experiment, Edward. So it falls to you. Run into the wall." Edward blinks at that before giving his reply.
"You're nuts. If Earl got like that because he ran into the wall, I'm not gonna fare much better." Going to Earl's side, he gingerly picks him up into a fireman carry. He then starts walking out of Terminal Dogma, getting Akagi to protest.
"No! I must know!" Edward can only give Akagi a scowl at that.
"You wanna know that badly, Doc, run yourself into that wall." With that, he exits Terminal Dogma, leaving Akagi to grit her teeth before sighing.
"I'm going to need Maya for this." Reaching into her lab coat, she brings out her phone and punches an extension. "Maya, I need you to come down to Terminal Dogma, please. I need you to help me with an experiment."
"Yes, Dr Akagi." Five minutes later, Maya arrives in the elevator and blinks at the video equipment. "Dr Akagi?"
"Over here, Maya." Maya looks over toward Akagi's voice and sees the woman looking at one of the walls. "You're just in time, too." With that, she starts walking backwards toward the equipment, getting Maya to blink.
"So… what's the experiment about?"
"An acquaintance of the 3rd Child walked and vanished into the wall I'm facing before coming back out."
"Okay. And… you're thinking…"
"We have a bad spot in the armor somewhere. But, so far, there's no sign of it."
"Well, if there's no bad spot, then she has an ability not very common."
"I refuse to believe that, Maya. Which means…" Akagi then bolts toward the wall. Maya can only go wide-eyed in shock just before Akagi makes contact.
BAM
"That's… going to leave a mark." Watching as Akagi falls unconscious to the floor, Maya goes to her side and sighs. "There's also going to be an egg. A very big egg." Bringing out her phone, she shakes her head while punching an extension. "This is Lt Ibuki. Dr Akagi has been rendered unconscious. I need a Medical Team in Terminal Dogma."
(Heli-carrier; same time)
Watching as Chiron is hefted onto a gurney, Shinji and Laura are quickly engulfed in a celebratory Misato's arms. The woman cackling in glee before she speaks.
"I've been waiting for the day for something like that to happen to him!" The two can only chuckle at that as Sabretooth walks up to Shinji and looks him over.
"So, you're 'The Slicer', huh?" At Shinji's bewildered blink, he goes on. "Those golf balls you sliced into those five racist jerks the other day."
"Oh yeah." Shinji can only smile sheepishly before Sabretooth grins widely and reaches to behind his back. Misato notices the movement and before she can react, he brings his hands forward.
"Can I have your autograph?!" Misato blinks at the black-white spotted composition notebook in his hands and notes the starry-eyed expression on his face. Along with the indignant expression on Asuka's face.
"Uh… sure." Shinji accepts the notebook and, noticing a pen within it, signs it. "Here you go."
"Thank you." Grinning widely, Sabretooth turns around and says, "I got it, guys! Couldn't you just die?!" With that, he walks away, leaving a perplexed Shinji blinking behind. Just as Asuka storms up to him.
"Why did he ask you for an autograph and not me, 3rd Child?!" Before Shinji can even reply, someone else does.
"It's because young Ikari made Sabretooth laugh and anyone that can make Sabretooth laugh is quite alright in his book. Matter of fact, I nearly busted five ribs myself, given that Pyro had gotten a copy of the 'Great Slice Assassination' from the news station that Ms. Gilmore is employed by. All in all, it seems you made his day just now, young Ikari."
At the new voice, Shinji and Asuka both turn and see Xavier with a man that Shinji had only ever seen on video.
"Few humans have ever managed to do so. And I do mean few."
"Magneto-san, I never… thought I'd meet you." Magneto can only chuckle at that while Asuka blinks.
"Wolverine told me about my news appearance. So it would stand to reason to think that way." Next thing they know…
"What kind of name is Magneto? For that matter, who in their right mind would name their kid 'Magneto', anyway?!" Asuka's tone can only get her one response.
WHACK
"What was that for, 3rd?!"
"Your rude obnoxiousness, 2nd."
"All I did was ask him what kind of name it was. You didn't have to slap me in the back of the head."
"Yeah, I did. Magneto-san's ability is magnetism." Asuka can only drop her jaw at that.
"You're kidding."
"Nope. He's also an old friend of Professor Xavier's." Asuka looks both men over and opens her mouth before Shinji says, "Don't even go there, Pilot Sohryu."
"You can't possibly know what I'm going to say next."
"Not taking any chances. So, until you learn some manners, keep your mouth shut."
"I've got great manners, 3rd Child." Shinji can only snort at that.
"I'll believe that when I see and hear it." Next thing he knows, Fury clears his throat.
"Much as I'm proud that you two 'passed', I'm afraid it's time for a discussion."
"Apocalypse, sir?" Shinji's query gets Fury to nod before he responds.
"With me, you two."
"Sir." With that, he and Laura follow Fury. With Asuka making to follow, only for Misato to stop her.
"The Colonel did say the discussion's for the both of them, Asuka."
"But…"
"I'll fill you and Rei in. But it'll sound convoluted." Asuka can only snort at that as Misato's phone rings. Getting her to roll her eyes as she brings it out. "Katsuragi." Misato listens intently before her eyes go wide. "She did what?!" Misato listens again before she sighs. "Alright, Maya. I'll ask around over here." Ending the call, Misato sighs while groaning, getting Rei's attention.
"What has happened, Major Katsuragi?"
"Ritsu basically rammed herself into a wall down in Terminal Dogma." Rei's red eyes can't help but go wide in shock while Asuka snorts.
"Always knew she'd snap sooner or later."
"She didn't snap, Asuka. She was doing an experiment…" Looking the crowd over, she asks, "Which one of you can go through walls?!" A petite Caucasian brunette with blue eyes raises her hand, getting Misato to nod. "Kitty, right?"
"Yes, Misato. Is there, like, something wrong?"
"Yes, Kitty, you can say that." Kitty kinks her head to the side while Asuka blinks.
"Did you… just say… go through… walls, Misato?"
"Yes, Asuka, I did. So, if you'll hold off on passing out…" Asuka snorts before rebutting.
"I don't pass out, Misato."
"You did yesterday, upon finding out the status between JOFAs Ikari and Howlett, Pilot Sohryu. So your statement is invalid." Rei's matter-of-fact tone gets the redhead to grit her teeth.
"He just caught me off guard, Wondergirl!"
"For him to do so must not be very often then, but will likely increase."
"Yeah, right." Rolling her eyes, Asuka declares, "I promise you, Wondergirl, the next time someone says something out to lunch, I won't pass out!"
"Um, Major Katsuragi?" Misato looks toward the shy female voice and sees a tanned brunette smiling softly. "Is there a volcano I can swim in nearby?" Asuka blinks at that three times before slowly looking toward the girl.
"What… did… you… just… ask?"
"If there's a volcano I can swim in nearby. Is something wrong?" The next thing Asuka knows, her brain decides it's time for another nap. As Asuka falls back, Misato catches her while Rei looks toward the girl.
"Were you serious about swimming in a volcano?"
"I was and am. You won't believe how long it's been for me to do so."
"Amara…" Charles' voice is accompanied by chortles from Magneto and Mystique both.
"Charles, I hardly doubt Miss Aquila was testing Miss Sohryu's statement about not passing out."
"I realize that, Erik. It's just… every time someone here sees or hears something…"
"I know, Charles. I know." Yet Magneto has a soft smirk on his face. "Matter of fact, there are few humans that impress me. There are fewer that scare me. And even fewer that do both. Young Shinji is in the third category." Charles can only sigh at that.
"He doesn't mean to be, Erik."
"I know, Charles. But he still does." Mystique cuts in herself.
"He scares me too, Xavier. But at least he's a good scary." Misato can only cut in on that.
"Shinji's much too nice and sweet to be scary." Smiling softly, she adds, "If only I was that age again…"
'It seems her feelings are deeper than what she projects.' Xavier's thought has Magneto and Mystique both grinning softly as Asuka groans.
"I'm here, Asuka."
"Misato, please tell me I didn't hear something crazy."
"Define crazy, Asuka."
"That a girl that knows baka Shinji wants to swim in a volcano."
"Actually, Miss Sohryu, you did hear Amara express a desire to do so." Xavier's voice gets the redhead to blink before groaning as she stands up.
"Oh great. What other abilities will I come across next?" Asuka rolls her eyes before fixing them onto Dani. "What's your ability?"
"I can make a person's worst fears come to light." Dani's reply gets Asuka to snort and smirk.
"Hah! The Great Asuka Langley Sohryu fears nothing!" Misato gulps and Rei blanches as a dark smirk crosses Dani's face before her eyes start glowing.
"We shall see about that, won't we?"
(Asuka's mindscape)
"Where the Hell am I? Last thing I remember was seeing that girl's eyes glowing." As she looks around, Asuka sees people walking along. "Maybe they can tell me." Stepping to in front of one of them, she asks, "Can you tell me where I am?"
Instead of stopping, the person she'd stepped to in front of goes right through her. Getting her to blink.
"Am I in a ghost world or something?" Next thing she knows, she hears a familiar voice. Hers.
"Step right up folks and hear the story of how I saved the world from the Angels!" That strikes Asuka's fancy and, eager to her it, steps right up. Noting that she was in her mid-20s. along with her tattered clothing and general state of uncleanliness as she draws near. Even as people walk by her. "There I was, all alone, with no one…"
"Ah, give it a rest, will ya?!" Tattered Asuka narrows her blue eyes as the heckler goes on. "The Angel War was long ago and there were other Pilots besides you!"
"But they're not here now, are they?!" Tattered Asuka's smug tone has shakiness within as she adds, "But I am!"
"Only because they moved on with their lives. You should do the same." With that, the heckler moves on.
'What does that mean? They moved on with their lives?' Next thing Asuka knows, she sees Shinji and Laura together. Content, in their mid-20s, dressed for comfort, with her belly swollen in pregnancy as Shinji holds Laura from behind. What gets her attention most are their wedding bands.
"How was work today, Shinji?"
"It was pretty good. Heard from the orchestra. They want me to sit in on cello for a concert this weekend." Laura beams widely before she kisses the underside of his chin. The scene zooms out to show Tattered Asuka gazing at the tender scene. Her body shaking in sobs as she walks away.
The scene shifting again shows Rei contentedly working in a library. Smiling softly at children as she reads to them. Once again, the scene zooms out to show Tattered Asuka with tears in her eyes, openly bawling.
The scenes shift from one to another. From Misato and Kaji and Hikari and Touji being together as couples to Fuyutsuki happily teaching at Tokyo-2 University and the Bridge Bunnies happily working on the MAGI for the JSSDF. Asuka can only shake her head in disbelief before her tattered self appears before her. Snub-nose revolver to her head as her sorrow-filled blue eyes look right at her.
"Please, Asuka, move on with your life so you won't wind up like me." Asuka can only be horrified as her tattered self closes her eyes and, with a final tear, pulls the trigger.
"NEIN!"
Next thing they know, Asuka starts screaming before she curls up into a fetal position on the floor. Misato and Hikari go to her side as the redhead starts crying. Dani's eyes shed tears before she edges away from the others, with Kitty behind her. Meanwhile…
(Fury's office; same time)
"Have a seat, you two, as you'll need to be sitting down for this."
"Yes sir." At that, Shinji and Laura both sit across from Fury.
"Okay, first off, continuing from earlier, JOFA Ikari, despite your lack of fluency in Ancient Egyptian, you were able to guess correctly most of what the glyphs said. That's good work."
"Thanks, sir, but I only went by what it looked like to me."
"Yep. Like I said, you correctly guessed most of it. But what you weren't able to guess was that Apocalypse is to be a contingency plan for if humanity survived the Angel War. Hence his coming here." Shinji and Laura's eyes both go wide before the former mulls it over.
"That makes some kind of sense… but there's… something smells, sir."
"Oh? What're you smelling?"
"I think… a double cross." Fury's good eye goes wide as Shinji goes on. "That's what's been bothering me since we got back onto the heli-carrier. If Adam hates humanity, and Apocalypse is a mutant that forgot he was also human himself by thinking himself as an all-powerful mutant…"
"That'd make him a patsy, and a loose end." Laura's words get them both to look toward her before she goes on. "If Adam hates humanity, why else would he make a deal like that, if not only to eliminate him afterward?"
"So… not only do we have to survive the Angels, we also have to give the 'Smurf' reject one heck of a wake-up call." Shinji rolls his eyes and sarcastically adds, "Outstanding." Laura and Fury both chuckle at the sarcasm before Fury sighs.
"In any case…" Reaching down, he brings up a sheathed katana and hands it over to Shinji. "A gift, from the Fujioka clan."
"Oh? They didn't have to buy me one."
"It wasn't bought." At Shinji's blink, Fury adds, "They made it. They even etched an expression onto the blade." Curious, Shinji unsheathes the sword and sees the kanji.
"Yippee-ki-yay, Motherfucker." Laura smirks at that before giggling, getting Shinji to grin as well. "I see they like the 'Die Hard' movies as well, sir."
"Yeah, well, they felt it'd be appropriate for if you come across human enemies."
"Like HYDRA or SEELE's goons?"
"Yep."
"Cool." Frowning, he then adds, "But I don't know the first thing about using a sword."
"Ask Wolverine for lessons." At seeing Shinji kink his head to the other side, Fury adds, "Long before he got his claws, he learned to handle a sword. Unfortunately, however, his teacher was a nutjob. Of the evil kind."
"You don't suppose… nah!" Shinji's comment gets them to arch eyebrows before he shrugs. "Just wondering if the teacher I stayed with before coming to Tokyo-3 was this world's version of Mr. Logan's evil nutjob teacher. But that's nuts, sir."
"Nuts or not, JOFA Ikari, it should be investigated." Passing a pad of paper and pen to him, Fury adds, "If you'll be so kind as to write down his contact info."
"Yes sir." As Shinji does so, Fury looks toward Laura.
"How was your first day of school, JOFA Howlett?"
"Other than the teacher's mind-numbing lecture about 2nd Impact, sir, not too bad." Yawning, Laura adds, "Just remembering it is making me tired."
"I see. JOFA Ikari, write down that teacher's info as well, please."
"Yes sir." Once he's done so, Shinji asks, "How'd it go with the Commander, sir?"
"I'll put it to you like this. He's not even close to being half the man you're shaping up to be." Fury then snaps his fingers before reaching down into his desk drawer and bringing out an envelope. "Pierce left you both a letter since he didn't want to chance being late to report being an Instructor at Kirby." Shinji and Laura both nod their understanding as Fury rises from his desk.
"With that done, what say we go back to the others?" Nodding again, the two follow Fury out of his office and go down the corridor to the stairwell. As they descend the stairwell, they hear soft feminine sobs. Kitty's voice murmuring soothingly as the three view them.
"It wasn't your fault, Dani. It was that arrogant brat's fault for making a boast like that."
"I… I know, Kitty. It's just… I didn't expect that kind of fear."
"Miss Moonstar? What happened?" Fury's query gets Dani to gulp before looking toward him. Tears dripping from the Cheyenne girl's eyes.
"One of the girls that Shinji knows from here asked me what my ability was. When I told her…"
"Dammit, Sohryu." Shinji grits his teeth before kneeling in front of her. "Moonstar-san, I apologize for Sohryu's arrogance. It caused the both of you tremendous pain." Dani wipes her eyes clear of tears before smiling sadly at him.
"It wasn't my intention to make her cry. Only to open her eyes even further that everyone has a fear. No matter how strong they are or claim to be." Dani's reply gets a nod from Fury, Kitty and Shinji.
Laura, however, has a pained grimace that she quickly wipes from her face before Dani rises to her feet with Kitty and Shinji's help. Once they're back upright, Fury speaks again.
"Now that that's settled, let's go see to Pilot Sohryu, shall we?"
With that, they nod in agreement and follow him back to the 10th Level. Upon arrival, they see Misato comforting a shaken Asuka and a frowning Hikari. The pigtailed girl's frown deepens as she sees Dani.
"What did you do to Asuka?! Have you no shame?!"
"What'd happened to her was a result of her boast of fearing nothing. A boast that's quite false."
"Oh really? And just what is her greatest fear?"
"Being unable to move on from the War ongoing after it ends. She hopes her role in it will result in fame and glory afterward. The term 'Fifteen minutes of fame' fits best. Afterward is the rebuilding and recovery from your war."
"Alright. But what about Ikari?! He's in the same mess, as is Ayanami!"
"Rule 11, Class Rep Horaki." Shinji's reply gets Hikari to blink, along with Asuka and Rei. With Rei taking it.
"What does Rule 11 mean, JOFA Ikari?"
"It means 'When the job is done, walk away', Pilot Ayanami." Shinji's reply causes Asuka to scowl toward him.
"You can't possibly mean… leaving NERV." At his nod, she grits out, "Why?!"
"When the war's done, there won't be a need for NERV anymore. After all, NERV's purpose is to defeat the Angels. Once they're gone, NERV won't be necessary." Shrugging, he adds, "I'm going to move on after the war's over with. What're you going to do with your life when the war ends?" Asuka is so stunned, she can't reply. Hikari, however…
"So that's it? You'll leave without even a 'good-bye', Ikari?"
"I'll still say good-bye when the time comes." Sighing softly, Shinji changes the subject. "Logan-sensei, can I talk to you about sword lessons?" Logan gives Shinji a soft grin before noticing the sheath in Shinji's hand.
"I see Fury gave you the sword that the Fujioka clan made for you." Musing thoughtfully, he adds, "It's been a while since I last wielded a blade that wasn't already part of me. I may have forgotten some, so I'll teach you the basics. But, make no mistake, I'm as hard a taskmaster as Fury, if not more. Especially when it comes to using a sword."
"I understand, sir." Logan then bows deeply to Shinji, with him returning it.
"We start tomorrow after school. Because I think you and Laura will be quite busy catching up with the others on here."
(9th Level; fifteen minutes later)
"Shinji!" Cookie's elated shout can only get the young man to chuckle shyly before the Head Chef wraps him up in his arms and swings him around. "You won't believe how worried we all were about you and your future wife!" Laura blushes beet red as Asuka grits her teeth in irritation before Cookie releases him and goes on. "Well, except maybe for Pinhead. You up to eating something?"
"Somehow, I'm not really surprised." Shinji shrugs at that before sighing. "In any case, I'm afraid I don't have time to eat for right now. I have to get changed so I can have Commander Ikari 'arrange for a meeting' of sorts." Cookie blinks at that before shrugging as well.
"No big deal. Just come in when you're ready."
"I will." Grinning lightly, he adds, "In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you to the 1st and 2nd Children of NERV, Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Sohryu. Director of Combat Operations Major Misato Katsuragi and NERV Special Agent Kaji." As Cookie greets them, Shinji goes on. "Our Class Rep, Hikari Horaki and classmates Touji Suzuhara and Kensuke Aida."
"Nice to meet ya, young ones." Upon seeing Touji blink, he asks, "What's eatin' ya?"
"Uh, nothing… it's just… how much about Shin-man do you know?"
"A fair bit. Though it blew my mind when the Colonel announced that the Heli-carrier's going to be crossing dimensional planes to where Shinji's from. He even warned me to make certain I have enough sweet items to last for three years just in case. All because there're no dessert materials here in this world."
"I'm guessing a lot of the Agents on board have seriously 'sweet teeth', then." Misato's comment gets Cookie to nod before she sighs wistfully. "I miss desserts too. 2nd Impact did more damage than simply wiping out the population."
"Yep, from what I gathered. In order to make the supply last that long, however, I'm gonna have to ration them. There was some grumbling about the announcement, but…"
"Right. Adapting to the situation as it occurs." Misato then notices Shinji inching away before she asks, "Where do you think you're slinking off to?"
"The quarters I share with Remy and Arcade, Misato. A change of attire is called for."
"Oh… okay. But, what are you going to change into?" Misato can't help but blink at Shinji's grin.
"You'll see, Misato." He then resumes exiting, only…
"Shinji, need any company?" Laura's query gets a grin and nod from Shinji, getting her to grin as well. "I've been dying to try mine on as well."
"Sure." With that, they exit side-by-side, well aware of the conspiratorial glances aimed at their backs.
"Okay, what'll be the best time to plan their wedding?" Asuka grits her teeth in annoyance, which Jubilee notices. Prompting her to turn to McCormick, hoping to distract the redhead.
"Say, 'Skid', I was wondering about something."
"Sure Jubes. What is it?"
"Why is there only one 'Coyote-X', anyway?" Jubilee notes Asuka's scrutiny, with McCormick noticing as well. Getting him to muse thoughtfully.
"It involves a bit of a history lesson. And as I recall…" Jubilee lightly giggles before nodding.
"Okay, 'Skid'. You'll have my full undivided attention." McCormick nods right back before he begins.
"Have you ever heard of 'Cody Automotive Industries', Jubes?" At her headshake of 'no', McCormick asks, "Have any of you?" With that, Warren raises his hand.
"I have. It was a company that went bust when the CEO went to prison for murder. I was seven when it happened and my Father was considering investing." Scowling lightly, he adds, "When he found out Martin Cody had been indicted for murder, he didn't invest." Garrett nods his head at that.
"I remember hearing about that. It made the international news scene." Before McCormick can resume, Asuka butts in.
"What does Martin Cody have to do with the 'Coyote-X', though?!"
"His company was contracted to build the 'Coyote' for mass-production. With 30% of the sales revenue going to its designer." Frowning deeply, he adds, "Johnny 'Flip' Johnson. He was a genius ahead of his time when it came to race cars. The 'Coyote' was considered to be the first street legal race car. Enough to give the Mustang, Firebird and Camaro a run for their money." Misato blinks before smirking softly at that.
"How about a Renault Alpine A310?" McCormick strokes his chin thoughtfully before grinning.
"Sounds like it could be fun to race against. But finding one would be pretty tough."
"I wouldn't say that, 'Skid'. Not by a long shot." McCormick blinks at Misato's sure tone before noticing her smirk going wider before she sighs. "We'll get into that later, though. What happened to 'Flip'?" Meanwhile…
As they ascend the staircase to their respective destinations, Shinji notices Laura's quieter than usual demeanor. Her face pensive and sad. Deciding he doesn't like to see her sad, he gently takes her hand into his and gets a soft squeeze from her.
"Wanna talk about it?" Laura doesn't look toward him, yet looks down toward the steps.
"Where do you see us in eighty years?"
"Eighty years, huh?" Shinji ponders it before gently turning her face toward his, with Laura giving no resistance. "I see us, watching our grand-cubs playing with our cubs, content that they're happy. With us doing what we can to keep up with them." Laura gives a shaky chuckle with tears dripping as he goes on. "Our hair will be grey and we'll have lots of wrinkles that come from years of laughter. Then, when it comes, we go into the 'Big Sleep' and still be with each other."
"I'd like that, even if…" Her trail-off gets Shinji to blink, along with more tears.
"Even if what, Laura?" Shinji's query gets Laura to wipe her tears away before she sighs.
"Shinji, you know how old my Dad is right?"
"Let's see, if he knew Captain America in the war and looks like… oh." At Laura's nod, Shinji asks, "You have his AHF."
"Yes. In all likelihood, I'll outlive you and our cubs by decades, maybe even a century." Laura starts sobbing as Shinji wraps his arms around her as she adds, "I don't want to be without you at that age." He doesn't say a thing. He just holds her as she cries, nuzzling into his frame. Gently rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head, he mulls over how to cheer her up. Next thing he knows, a soft smirk creases his face. Which Laura quickly picks up on before she rubs his chest with a finger.
"What're you smirking about, stud?"
"We never went on an actual date before." Shinji's reply gets Laura to blink before nodding as he goes on. "Since the weekend starts the day after tomorrow, let's go do something together. Just the two of us." Laura looks up at him, her green eyes shining softly from the tears.
"Will cub-making practice be involved?"
"Maybe afterward. Though, I gotta let you know. It'll probably be boring as Hell."
"With the excitement we've had during our group activities, I can stand some boredom." Grinning cheekily as she reaches down and cups his crotch, she murmurs, "As long as we can make some time for 'practice'." Bliss is the next thing Laura feels as Shinji starts Frenching her, with her returning it eagerly.
Feeling his hands wander down to her ass, she grins smugly as he cups her ass before hefting her up. Wrapping her legs around him, she enjoys the feeling of him grinding against her. Reluctantly ending the kiss, she pants while looking into his blue eyes.
"Think we have time to go to our 'IZ', Shinji?" At his sad sigh, she murmurs, "I was afraid not as well." Releasing him from her hold, she feels her feet make contact with the floor panel through the soles on her boots. "Tonight, maybe?"
"Yeah." Giving her a tender peck on her lips, he feels her lips deepening and is only too happy to oblige. One minute and thirty seconds later, they reluctantly end their passionate Frenching and move on up the staircase.
(6th Level; Shinji, Remy and Arcade's quarters; five minutes later)
'How good it is to see this place again. Even if only after a day or five days.' Opening his wall locker, he blinks upon seeing two 'Miss You' cards from Remy and Arcade both. 'Those guys…' Smiling softly, he brings out his Class-A uniform and, after removing his pistol belt, dresses down from his BDUs. Before he can even start putting them on, however…
"Blimey, Huntie Wuntie, where are we?" Shinji can only smirk softly at the British-accented feminine query before a California-accented male voice chimes in.
"No idea, Colleen." After a minute, the voice adds, "Looks a lot better than Parvo's last lair, though."
"I'll say it does." Before Shinji can even wonder who Parvo is, another male voice, with a German accent, cuts in.
"Wherever we are, Hunter, I hope to bite some tushies soon." Shinji is torn between laughing at how the voice is talking and cringing in fear before another male voice, with a Russian accent, pipes up.
"Don't be weird boy." Shinji loses it and starts snickering softly as to not give away his position. Only…
"Where's that coming from, love?" Colleen's voice gets Shinji's attention before Hunter's voice comes back.
"It's coming from this hatch right here." A knock is then heard against it. "Hello?"
"Just a moment, please." Shinji quickly dresses in his dress blue slacks, blue undershirt and light blue blouse shirt before going to hatch and opening it. Only to blink at seeing six tall dogs. 'If I didn't hear Colonel Fury's rule of thumb about expecting to see weirdness that day at the Institute, I might think I'm hallucinating right now!' Shaking it off, he notes their details.
Five of them standing erect with the sixth one on a hand-truck and in a muzzle and a straightjacket. Of the five standing, four of them are wearing armor-appearing outfits. The armored ones being a male-appearing Goldador, a feminine-appearing Rough Collie, and two male-appearing Doberman and Siberian Huskie. The ones without outfits are a Sheepdog and a Rottweiler. Shinji blinks again before the Doberman grins sinisterly.
"At last! A tushie to bite! I hope it's nice and tender!" Before the Doberman can even move, however, the Siberian Huskie smacks the Doberman on the back of the head.
"Down, Blitz!"
"Ah, Exile, why?! I just wanted to bite his tushie!" Shinji can only blink as Blitz whines and Exile glowers at him before the Rough Collie sighs heavily and turns to him.
"So sorry, gov, but he's new and we're trying to get him housebroken." Blitz stops whining and glowers at the Rough Collie before gritting out.
"You know who I am already, Colleen!"
"Do I?" Colleen blinks innocently before she taps her chin and pacing in thought before shrugging. "Sorry, gov. I haven't the foggiest who you are. So, for now, put a name sticker on your armor. I'm sure I'll get it eventually." Before Blitz can even blink, the Sheepdog hands him a 'Hello my name is' sticker and a marker.
"This joke is really getting old." Shinji can only tremble in suppressed laughter at the interplay as he saw the mischief in Colleen and the Goldador's eyes before he recovers his composure.
"Okay." Bowing to them, he adds, "SHIELD JOFA Shinji Ikari." Exile and Blitz both look toward him before Exile speaks again.
"SHIELD? What is SHIELD?"
"It means 'Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-Enforcement Division', Exile-san." Before Exile can even nod, Blitz chimes in.
"But if it means all that, wouldn't it be 'SHIELED' instead?" Blitz's query is met by a sigh from Shinji before the young man gives his reply.
"Not if 'Law-Enforcement' is hyphenated, Blitz-san."
"Now that makes better sense." Next thing Blitz knows, Exile slaps him on the back of the head again. "What was that for, Exile?!"
"For being dumb weird boy." As Blitz bares his fangs toward Exile, the Goldador sighs and turns to the Sheepdog.
"You wanna take this one, Shag?" Shag gives a reply in garbled gibberish before wheeling the hand-truck to between the two. Putting a paw on the Rottweiler's muzzle. Which calms them both down considerably. Along with frightens. "Thanks, Shag." Shag nods before gibbering again and the Goldador turns back to Shinji before frowning.
"Okay. That answers some, but what exactly is this place?"
"This is the SHIELD heli-carrier, 'Wave of the Orca'. Currently, it's setting atop the sea outside of Tokyo-3 in Japan." Exile can only blink at that before bringing out a map from behind his back. Opening it, he quickly locates Tokyo before frowning.
"I do not see a Tokyo-3 on my map, Comrade Shinji. I see a Tokyo, but not a third one."
"That's because you guys are in another dimension. And I have a suspicion as to how you got here too." Colleen blinks before she grins widely.
"How do you mean?"
"Did you, by any chance, encounter a man wearing a red/black outfit with weapons?" At their dropped jaws, even the Rottweiler, stretching the muzzle, Shinji sighs. "Deadpool. It just had to be him." The Goldador notes his exasperated tone and nods his understanding.
"That explains things. But, I gotta admit, you look awfully young to be with a bunch like SHIELD, Shinji."
"It's part of a program Colonel Fury runs for teenagers."
"Ah." The Goldador then says, "We're the Road Rovers. I'm Hunter." Hunter bows in return to Shinji before Colleen chimes in.
"As you've undoubtedly already heard, I'm Colleen." Shinji bows in greeting before she bows back and, upon going upright again, glomps Shinji in a hug. "You're just so adorable! Can we keep him, Huntie Wuntie?!"
"I dunno, Colleen. He does look housebroken enough, though." Shinji can only sigh before chuckling as Colleen partially releases him. Yet keeps her paws on his shoulders before Hunter goes on. "You already sort of met Blitz, Exile and Shag. The Rottweiler's our secret weapon, Muzzle."
"Ah." Curious, he then asks, "Why is Muzzle-san wearing a muzzle, straightjacket and on a hand-truck?"
"He's insane." Gently petting Muzzle on the top of his head, Hunter adds, "But when he's needed, he's quite formidable."
"No, Hunter, he's quite brutal." Blitz shudders as he adds, "I still have nightmares of mutated fish becoming filets." Hunter shrugs at that before looking Shinji over and grinning.
"You sure look sharp, Shinji. What's the occasion?"
"I'm about to request a meeting from the Commander of NERV with the members of SEELE." At their blinks, with Shag's being covered yet Shinji can see movement. "Long story. Matter of fact, I still need to finish getting ready."
"Ah. Okay." With that, Hunter nods for Colleen to let him loose. With a slight pout, Colleen does so. As Shinji recedes into the quarters and closes the hatch, Hunter gently rubs Colleen's shoulder. "It'll be alright, Colleen."
"I know, Huntie Wuntie. But with each answer he gives us…"
"More questions arise." Hunter's eyes narrow as he adds, "I saw the pain in his eyes too, Colleen. Exile, Blitz, if we ever come across the one or ones responsible…"
"It's time to 'Muzzle' them." Grunting eagerly, Muzzle jumps his hand-truck up and down in response to Blitz and Exile's united reply. Shag nods and gibbers himself before bringing out a rocket launcher from his fur. Which gets Hunter to grimace.
"Have you practiced with that thing lately?" Shag sheepishly replies in gibberish while rubbing the back of his head. "I see." Next thing they know, the hatch opens again, revealing Shinji wearing his blue dress uniform. Blue beret on his head. Colleen can only gasp in awed joy.
"You look so sharp, love. I imagine the ladies won't be able to resist you."
"I'm pretty sure Laura won't be able to. I don't know about any other ladies, though."
"Oh? Who's Laura?"
"My girlfriend." Colleen then wraps Shinji in her arms again in a tight hug.
"She's such a lucky girl!" Curious, she then asks, "Why are you wearing your hat inside though? It's quite rude."
"I'm under arms, so it's authorized for me to wear my cover." Hunter blinks at that himself before he chimes in himself.
"Under arms? You mean…"
"Yep." Hunter can only shake his head before commenting.
"Yet another unexpected twist." Shinji can only grin and nod as he strides toward the stairwell. The Road Rovers behind him as they go down the stairwell. As they descend, Hunter asks, "How big is the heli-carrier, Shinji?"
"It has twenty-five levels. As far as I know, two of them are dedicated to functions of two other levels."
"Oh? Which ones?" Before Shinji can answer Colleen's query, he sees Laura in her Class-A uniform. Blue skirt down to just below her knees, black flat heels, blue jacket over her light blue blouse shirt, black tie and blue beret. The sight gets Shinji to release a breath of awe. Colleen notices and grins softly. "Unless I miss my guess, you're Laura."
"I am." Laura kinks her head to the side and asks, "Who're your new friends, Shinji?"
"Oh… these are the Road Rovers. Hunter, Colleen, Exile, Blitz, Shag and Muzzle. Road Rovers, my girlfriend, SHIELD JOFA Laura Howlett." Laura nods in greeting to them before blinking at Muzzle. Shinji noticing her gaze before he intercepts. "He's their insane secret weapon." Laura can only nod at that before smiling wryly.
"Must be a heck of a story." With that, they resume their trek down to the 9th Level. When they arrive, they hear Asuka's voice loud and clear.
"So, let me get this straight. Cody had 'Flip' and his lawyer killed just to keep from paying 'Flip' 30% of the revenue from sales?!"
"Now you're cookin'!" At Asuka's baffled blink, McCormick adds, "It's something Hardcastle loved to say any time I got something correct. It's practically the family motto, seeing as 'Hardcase' and his niece, Warren, were and are fond of saying it." Shrugging, he grins sheepishly. "You never know how much you'll miss somebody until you wish you could hear them say a certain phrase."
"You must've really looked up to him." At McCormick's nod, Asuka snorts out, "In any case, Cody should've left well enough alone and accepted the contract so he wouldn't have gone to prison."
"Yeah, well, he had his Attorney try everything to get him out of his life sentence. His Attorney even tried bribing the Judge presiding over the case and got locked up as well." Sighing, he adds, "Five years into his sentence, Cody hung himself in his cell."
"Pathetic loser." At McCormick's nod of agreement, Asuka then grits out, "Just where is the 3rd Child and his future wife at?! They're missing a Hell of a story!"
"We just managed to catch your summation, actually." Shinji's reply gets the redhead to turn around to face them. Only to blink three times before closing her eyes.
"Hikari, would you please tell me I'm hallucinating?!"
"If you're seeing four dogs wearing armored outfits and a Sheepdog pushing a hand-truck with a Rottweiler wearing a straightjacket and muzzle, Asuka, then I can't." Asuka's brain shuts down, again, causing the redhead to fall backwards. Touji catching her in time, with Hikari sighing while face-palming. "Poor Asuka. She doesn't take surprises very well these days, it seems."
"It seems that she forgot the most important rule of being a Pilot, Class Representative Horaki."
"That being, Ayanami?"
"Expect the unexpected. This counts as unexpected, I believe."
"True, but this is far too unexpected!"
"Not really, Class Rep Horaki. It's just another day for us." Shinji's reply gets Laura to lightly giggle before Misato smirks herself.
"I see, Shinji. So, who're your new friends?"
"NERV Major and SHIELD Liaison Misato Katsuragi, everyone, the Road Rovers. Road Rovers, everyone." Shrugging haplessly, he adds, "I'll let you introduce yourselves to each other."
"That's fair enough." Hunter's reply gets Shag to nod in agreement before speaking in gibberish. As he listens, Hunter nods and smiles widely before adding, "I couldn't have put it better myself, Shag." Before Misato can even ask what Shag said, however…
"GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY! Who let the big weird mutts onto the heli-carrier?!" Pincer's voice gets the group and Road Rovers to scowl and Shinji to face-palm.
"Of all the days…" Looking toward Blitz, he sees the Doberman snarling toward Pincer. "If you're still looking for a tushie to bite, Blitz-san…" Blitz looks toward Shinji, an eager expression on his face, before the youth says, "Go nuts."
"Thank you, Shinji! I hope it's nice and tender!"
"It looks like it, anyway." But Blitz is already racing toward Pincer, his jaws open wide.
"Tushie!" Pincer can only scream in panic before running away from the Doberman. As the group watches, Misato can't help but smirk before turning back to the Road Rovers. Upon seeing them being irritated, yet happily watching, she frowns concerned.
"Aren't you guys going after Pincer as well?"
"Nah. We'll leave him to Blitz." Exile shrugs before he adds, "Normally, I don't like when he's weird boy. But this time I can make exception. Although…" Looking toward Hunter, he asks, "Shall we 'Muzzle' him as well, Comrade Hunter?"
"Let's just leave that as a 'Just in case' for if the jerk doesn't learn his lesson." Shrugging, he adds, "In the meantime, Exile, see if you can chill him out or trip him up a bit."
"Okey-Dokey. Comrade Shag, you pass him off at head." Leaning down to him, Shag gibbers, getting Exile to blink. "Head him off at pass? Are you sure?" As Shag gibbers again, Exile can only shrug. "American expressions are so weird." With that, the two join in the fun while Hunter and Colleen stay with Muzzle. Ready to let him loose if needed.
"Come back so I can bite your tushie!" Blitz's yell is answered by Pincer's scream. Which rouses Asuka from her 'pass-out' spell.
"Misato?" Opening her blue eyes blearily, Asuka asks, "Is it possible to be on an LCL-trip?"
"I'm afraid you'll have to ask Ritsu when she regains consciousness." Asuka can only groan in dismay before she looks toward the three remaining Road Rovers. Before she can even ask, Misato chimes in. "The other three are 'playing' with AD Pincer."
"AHH! HELP ME! CALL THEM OFF!" Asuka blinks at Pincer's scream and sees him just barely ahead of the Doberman.
"Come back, juicy tushie!" Blinking at the surreal sight, Asuka looks back toward the group and sees them watching with amused interest.
"Who'd have thought that jerk can run so fast?" Shinji's query gets a snickering Laura to nod before he checks the clock on the wall. "We might as well get going so we can request that meeting."