Shinji Steel 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

As Shinji sleeps in the recovery room after his battle, his mind is back to the night his life changed. Forever.

Shinji blearily opened his eyes and saw the ceiling moving above him. Looking to his left side, he saw Kat before looking to his right and seeing Josh. The man had a very worried expression on his face and was talking ahead of him.

"How's he looking, Berto?"

"The same thing the first version did with you, hermano. The probes integrated to his systems. They need transphasic energy to survive. They're literally starving to death."

"What about the backup generator?"

"Not powerful enough. Best bet is to take Shinji down into the transphasic reactor core and strap him in."

"Damn that 'Smiley'! If he was here right now, I'd bash his face in." Kat's angered voice got Shinji's attention as she went on. "With a 55 ton wrecking ball!"

"Now that'd be something to see, Kat." Shinji turned back to Josh and saw him smiling reassuringly. "You're going to be alright, pal. Don't worry about a thing."

"What's going on? Where are we going?"

"In a nutshell, you got heavily dosed with the next generation of nano-probes." Shinji's eyes can't help but go wide at Josh's words. "However, they'd been on minimal power since they were made, which is why you're weakening. They're sapping your energy."

"How can that be? You only find that in comic books, right?"

"Sometimes, hermano, comic books can be inspired by real life or so far-fetched, some nut finds a way to make them work in real life."

"Ah. So, where are we going?"

"A prototype transphasic reactor that we had built in Okinawa." Kat grinned wryly as she added, "Didn't expect to have to use it so soon, though."

"How was it supposed to go originally?" At that, Berto took the chance to reply.

"Much like the first version, they were for the military/medical fields. Military for weapons that can reduce casualties on our and the other side by disabling soldiers' weapon arms. With no lethal effects at all. Medical for treating injuries too risky for standard surgeries like paralysis."

"And I ruined all that hard work." Shaking his head, Shinji said, "Please, stop. I'm not worth saving."

"Don't you dare say that, Shinji." Josh's voice got Shinji's attention as Josh went on. "If you hadn't gotten up and gone through that doorway, who knows what would've happened if Psycho got his mitts on the new probes?"

"You know that guy?"

"Oh yeah. Berto, Kat and I know 'Smiley' quite well."

"But, how though?"

"When we've given you a jump start, we can tell you then. Okay Shinji?"

"Okay Kat." Shinji then groaned and said, "I was kinda looking forward to seeing Ritsuko on the beach tomorrow too."

"If you mean today, not happening loverboy. You're in for some serious briefing by us. Then, if you're up to it still, you can go see your future wife."

"KAT!"

At that yell, Shinji went back unconscious. Only to wake up again, strapped to a chair within a dome with revolving rings.

"I'm going to go on a limb here and say I'm in a reactor. Transphasic, I believe you said."

"That you are, Shinji. Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, Josh."

"Okay, Berto. Fire it up."

"Right." Softly, he muttered, "Hang tough, hermano."

Seconds later, Shinji could see the rings start rotating. With every rotation, he could feel the energy coursing into him. Permeating his very being and energizing it right down to the core. Ten seconds later, the rings started winding down to a stop. Shinji's eyes bolted open and he looked to his side, seeing Josh and Kat heading toward him.

"How are you feeling, Shinji?" Josh's query was welcome in Shinji's opinion as it was a very good question. As Josh and Kat undid his bindings, Shinji gave his reply.

"I'm actually feeling better than I was just a short while ago." Curious, he then asked, "How often do I have to go through it? Just so I know."

"Once a month without using the probes. Using them, weekly." Berto's voice got Shinji's attention as it went on. "I'm guessing you'd like an explanation that's long overdue."

"Oh yeah. Why was that weirdo in the house? Psycho was his name?"

"In that order, we have no idea. We were kinda hoping he mentioned something to you about why he was there because he didn't take anything. Just smashed the tube the probes were in." Josh's grimace told Shinji all he needed to know about Psycho's name. "And yes. Psycho is his name. The name fits him quite well, too."

"I'm in the dark myself. I don't… Father." At Shinji's utterance, Berto, Kat and Josh gave him their undivided attention. "He said my Father sends his regards."

His eyes dripping tears, Shinji let out a sob. Only to feel a pair of arms encircling him gently before moving him forward. The feel of Kat's torso against his, along with her hands rubbing his back, started to lull him to a restful state.

"Shh, it's okay, Shinji. It's okay, baby." Giving him a tender kiss on his neck, she murmured, "That bastard's not going to hurt you anymore if you don't want him to."

"Which one?" Shinji's question got a slight chuckle out of Kat, Berto and Josh before he went on. "Just how do you guys know Psycho anyway?"

"We're enemies of his." Josh's blunt statement got Shinji's attention as Josh went on. "Psycho once worked for a man named John Dread. Dread was a criminal mastermind that had aspirations for goals less than admirable. Psycho, Vitriol, and Dragonelle worked for him."

"How bad was he?"

"He could have given your old man a run for his money. Or maybe even vice-versa. Dread died when our Del-Oro Bay complex suffered damage during a plot to destroy the UN offices."

"He died during Second Impact?"

"Nope. This was some time before that, hermano. At the time of the incident, N-Tek was a front for an anti-terror squad called 'N-Tek'." At Shinji's raised eyebrow, Berto nodded, saying, "Not much of a change, I know. But N-Tek's founder decided it'd be best to keep things simple, yet complicated at the same time."

"Isn't that a paradox or something?"

"Yeah. But what can I say? The founder loved paradoxes."

"So, what happened with Dread?"

"The Del-Oro transphasic generator was destroyed when Jefferson and I had to overload it. Dread went up with it. Only, the detonation wound up blowing our cover wide open for the Government."

Berto shook his head dismally, allowing Kat to take over.

"Because we'd been blown by Dread's stunt, we were effectively barred from activities regarding saving the world. N-Tek's front was allowed to continue operations, but only as a sporting goods business. But that didn't mean we sat idle either. There were still cases going on. Those that local Police couldn't really handle."

"Okay. Let me get this straight. You're retired spies that dabble in the field every now and then."

"Semi-retired, but yeah." Sighing sadly, Josh added, "If we'd been active still, we could've stopped Second Impact as we had the equipment to stop a meteor. Maybe then, Jefferson would still be alive with us so he could meet you."

Shinji could only nod before hearing Josh's cell phone ring.

"Josh McGrath." Josh's eyebrows went up and his mouth curled up into a grin. "Well, hello Ritsuko. Can you speak with Shinji? I don't see why not. Hold on." Smirking, Josh added, "It's for you, Shinji."

"Thanks, Josh." Shaking his head, Shinji said, "Hey, Rits. How're you doing today?"

"I'm doing okay, Shinji. I swung by your home but no one's in. Where are you?"

"I don't know. I just woke up under an unfamiliar ceiling. Maybe Josh can tell me so I can tell you."

"No, no, it's okay. I was just wondering if you'd like to scuba dive with me tomorrow. I figured since you were learning as well, we could learn together. Just you and me, together alone in the ocean. What do you say?"

"I'm in, Rits. See you tomorrow, say about noon?"

"Perfect, Shinji. See you then. Bye-bye." Once Ritsuko's call had ended, Shinji handed the phone back to Josh and sighed.

"Something tells me life just got even more complicated." Not seeing Josh, Berto and Kat nodding, Shinji looked at his hands and asked, "Just what can I expect to do with these probes?"

"You can look forward to increased muscle strength. More endurance. Faster movement and more perception. This and that, mainly."

Berto's reply got an incredulous look from Shinji, prompting Josh to take over. But not in the way Shinji'd expected. Josh's features soon switch to a slightly older brunette man. Shinji's eyes can't help but go wide before he started stammering.

"But… but… how… what…"

"As an Agent of N-Tek, I needed a side identity so I could fight people like 'Smiley' and still try having a normal life. Max Steel was my side identity." His face going serious, the man added, "It cost me a relationship with Laura Chen."

"What happened?"

"I freaked out during a mission that took me close to where my parents died. During my freak-out, I kissed a woman that wasn't Laura. I don't want that for you, Shinji."

"But, I want to help. I want to do what I can to stop people like 'Smiley' before innocent people can get hurt."

"He's got you there, Max." Knowing where this is going, Josh nodded.

"Yeah, Kat, he does. But Shinji Ikari just can't go around, fighting criminals and still expect to lead a normal life."

"Shinji Ikari is out of the picture." All three turned toward Shinji and saw him changing his appearance to what Max would've looked like as a teenager. A seventeen year old Caucasian teen with brunette hair and blue eyes. "The name is Max Steel Jr."

"Looks like you lose, Steel Sr."

"So it would seem, Kat. Now I understand what Jefferson went through when I decided on my path." Sighing, Max added, "Sorry, Jr."

"I am too, Dad. But I won't let you down. Not anymore." At the sound of the word 'Dad' coming from the boy's lips, Max Steel Sr. can't help but grin.

"Oh, if only Gendo could hear you calling me that. He'd probably die of heart failure."

"He'd need a heart for that first." At that burn toward Gendo, Shinji resumed his true form and asked, "When do we eat?"

Shinji soon finds himself returning to the world of the awake in time to see Doctor Akagi making notations on a clipboard. Looking upward, he sighs.

"Another unfamiliar ceiling."

"Oh, good, you're awake, Third Child."

"I do have a name, you know."

"Nonetheless, you're now an employee of NERV. As such, anytime you're on duty, you are to be called 'Third Child' or 'Pilot Ikari'. That is by your fellow Pilots, the Bridge crew, myself, Captain Katsuragi and the Commanders. Is that clear, Third Child?"

"Very clear. But let me make something clear to you, Doctor Akagi. I don't appreciate being bushwhacked or blindsided. Do it again and I'll see if the big horny robot can eat people. Starting with you and my 'Father'. Is that clear, Doctor?"

For some strange reason, Doctor Akagi can't help but grimace in fear. Knowing full well that the young man before her meant what he said. Or, at least, it sounded like it. Making a face like she's not intimidated, and slightly slipping, she nods.

"In any case, Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki wishes to meet with you before you get your quartering assignment." Bringing Shinji's clothes up, she puts them down in front of him. Without saying anything more, she exits the room. Allowing Shinji to get dressed.

(NERV Lab; Level 10; ten minutes later)

"Doctor Akagi, I've got something strange on my readout here about the Third Child's physiology during the battle."

"What is it, Maya?"

"I'm not really sure off-hand, but it's reading like bio-mechanical interaction."

"It's supposed to do that, Maya." Akagi rolls her eyes before going on. "You know that as well as I do. Just ignore it."

"Yes, Doctor." As a satisfied Akagi resumes her work, an unsure Maya pores over it. 'The strange part is it's coming from within him. And it flowed into the EVA. But, that can't be right. You can only find that stuff in comic books or sci-fi manga books. Oh great! I'm thinking like Hyuga now!'

(On the way to Fuyutsuki's office; same time)

"So that's the situation, Shinji."

Shinji can only shake his head, murmuring, "There are days, Berto, when it just doesn't pay to check the mail." Berto's laughter lightly cheers up Shinji before he goes serious. "How am I supposed to do this and date Ritsuko if I'm here and she's there?"

"The Sparrow, Shinji. It's keyed to your bio-link. Thinking of, how's it holding up so far?"

"If you're talking about the bio-link, no real problems aside from a slight itch every now and then."

"Some anti-itch ointment should help on that front."

"Yeah." Shinji looks down at his left hand, as if he could see the implant through his skin before asking, "Were you expecting what happened to the EVA when I 'went turbo' on that freak's ass?"

"If you're talking about the added strength transmitted from you into the EVA through the LCL, not really. Then again, back in the day, Josh wasn't exactly piloting bio-mechanical monstrosities."

Shinji lets out a light chuckle as he reaches the Vice-Commander's door.

"Yeah, that's a good point."

Before he knocks on it, Berto adds, "We'll make it work somehow, Shinji."

"Yeah." Knocking on the door, he's surprised to hear a male voice reply quickly.

"In." Lightly shrugging, Shinji opens the door and sees an elderly man with grey hair and a soft smile. Standing in the office is Misato. "Pilot Ikari, I trust you slept well?"

"Under the circumstances, sir, I suppose so." The man lightly chuckles before nodding.

"I am Kozo Fuyutsuki, NERV's Vice-Commander and your Father's Second-in-Command." Shinji's scowl tells Fuyutsuki all he needs to know. "Of course, if you prefer not mentioning him in the near future…"

"I would really prefer that, sir. Far as I'm concerned, he may have fertilized the egg, but he's no 'Father'. At all." Misato's wince of sympathy gets a mental eyebrow raise from Shinji before he mentally shrugs. "Lately, I've been giving serious thoughts to getting my last name changed to the one that raised me up best he can with his friends' help."

"Well, before you give those thoughts action, keep this in mind. Ikari was your Birth Mother's name. Not 'his'. Clear?"

"Yes sir." Blinking, and he's pretty sure Berto's blinking as well, he asks, "You knew my Mother, sir?"

"Oh yes. Yui Ikari was one of my best students. But, that's for another time. This is about your tenure here at NERV. Mainly terms, conditions, how much you'll be paid… etc, etc." Opening a folder on his desk, he goes on. "First of, as a Pilot of NERV, you are on call 24/7. We never know when the Angels will attack. Second of all, no one outside of NERV can know about what you do."

"A little late for that advice." The corners of Shinji's lips twitch upwards, but Shinji catches on. As does Fuyutsuki. Putting it out of his mind, he goes on.

"Third, seeing as you are now in a war, it is not good policy to foster personal or intimate relationships. You could die at any time, or someone you know or care for can die."

"I'm glad Ritsuko ain't there right now. She'd be screaming at him to no end." Shinji gives a barely perceptible nod. Only Misato catches it, but shrugs it off. Figuring that Shinji understood.

"Your terms of payment are as follows. 500,000 yen every other week, tax-free. With another 1,000,000 yen as hazard pay per survived mission. Meaning, if you survive this all, you can come out a relatively wealthy young man. Sound good?"

"I guess. It's only money, though." Shinji shrugs just before Misato yells.

"ONLY MONEY? HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SO CASUALLY?"

Once Shinji's gotten the ringing out of his ears, and sure that Berto's still working on his, Shinji gives his reply.

"Just that. It's a tool mainly for making life a little easier."

"One thing about Captain Katsuragi you should really understand, Pilot Ikari, is that she lives vicariously. She doesn't think the same way you do."

"Vice-Commander!" As Fuyutsuki and Shinji share a chortle, Misato grunts haplessly before asking, "Where's he to live anyway, Vice-Commander?" Fuyutsuki pores over the paperwork before grimacing.

"Commander Ikari has him slated for D-block, building A, apartment 789."

"D-BLOCK? THAT'S THE SLUMS!" Reaching into her jacket and bringing out a gun, snarling as she does so, she adds, "If you'll excuse me, I have to go give a bearded asshole a 9mm enema!" Berto's laughter at Misato's tone brings a smile to Shinji's face before he grabs her arm to stop her.

"He's not worth it, Misato."

"Oh yes he is, Shinji!" Trying to shrug Shinji's grip off, she finds it rather difficult to do so. 'He's got a grip like a steel clamp!' Giving up, she re-holsters her gun and gives Shinji a soft smile before turning back to Fuyutsuki. "Sir, I'd like to propose an alternative arrangement for Shinji's housing."

"I'm listening."

(Three minutes later)

"Are you crazy, Misato? You can't possibly watch over a fourteen year old boy. Not with the way you live."

"I'm not crazy, Ritsu. Shinji deserves better than what the Commander had in mind for him."

"Maybe in your book, but you know how he feels about those under him going over his head."

"If he has a problem with that, he can just kill himself."

"I think it'd be more along the lines of him killing you."

"He's more than welcome to try. I just hope he's got his funeral plot picked out. Just to be on the safe side."

"I'm not going to be able to dissuade you from this, am I?"

"Nope." Misato's cheerful reply gets an exasperated sigh from Akagi before Akagi gives her reply.

"I just hope you're not going to put the moves on him."

"Not much use in doing that if he's got a girlfriend already."

"Funny. That's never stopped you before."

"I was in college, much like you were, Ritsu. Don't forget, you did your own move-making too from what I recall."

"MISATO!" As Misato cackles, Akagi grumbles out, "There are still days when I think you'll be death of me. Alright."

"Thanks, Ritsu." Before Misato can hang up, Akagi's voice comes back.

"Oh, be sure to get Shinji here bright and early tomorrow for fitting and training."

"You got it, Ritsu. Later." Hanging up the phone, she turns and gives Shinji a wide smile. "Now seeing as that's cleared up, let's get some party supplies!"

"Somehow, I don't think I like the sound of that." Shinji doesn't say anything, only silently following Misato. Strangely enough, the way out is easier than the way in. "That could be part of the problem with her piss-poor sense of direction. She doesn't like being inside." Little does Berto realize how wrong he is.

For once they get into Misato's battered car and get up to the surface on the car train, she begins driving recklessly. Berto's startled yelp soon becomes a scream as the car starts leaping the hills. Shinji simply sits back and relaxes. Misato catches his relaxed demeanor while taking a sharp turn at high speed and smiles.

"You've been through this before, haven't you?"

"Kinda. Raced in a road race/demolition derby seven months ago."

"Second?"

"Nope. First."

"Where at?"

"Hokkaido." Misato scrunches up her face before realizing it.

"You're the guy that won the derby with that insane reverse and 360 flip after the collision, aren't you?"

"That I am." Berto's voice comes back, slightly weak.

"Please, don't remind me. I still get nightmares from that." Snapping his fingers, Berto adds, "By the way, Ritsuko called this morning. In a panic. She wants you to call her back." Giving a slight grunt of acknowledgement, Shinji smiles.

'Soon as I'm alone, I'll call her.' Fifteen minutes later, Shinji's jaw is dropped at how much beer Misato bought. Along with ramen, hot dogs, hamburger patties and steaks. "Do I even want to know what you have in mind for this stuff?"

"Sure you do. It's for the party of a new roomie!" At the sound of Misato's joyful shout, Shinji can't help but be amused. Remembering what Berto said about Ritsuko calling, he smiles bashfully.

"Can I borrow your phone, Misato? I need to call Ritsuko and let her know I'm okay."

"The Ritsuko here or the one in Kyoto-2?"

"Kyoto-2." Misato quietly hands him the phone and he says, "Thanks." Punching in her number, he waits until she picks up.

"Takamiya house, Ritsuko Takamiya speaking."

"Hey, Rits."

"SHINJI! THANK KAMI YOU'VE CALLED!" Ritsuko's relief is without bounds as she goes on. "I SAW THE NEWS ABOUT TOKYO-3! I WAS SO WORRIED WHEN I REMEMBERED YOU HAD TO GO THERE TO SEE YOUR BIRTH FATHER!" Shinji smiles warmly while Misato loads the groceries into her car. Ritsuko calms down significantly before asking, "When are you going back to Old Osaka? Or at least to Kyoto-2?"

"Old Osaka, I know not. Kyoto-2, soon as I can. Depends on how well things go for me here."

"It's one of those things you can't tell me about. Isn't it?"

"Yeah." Ritsuko's voice is so dejected, Shinji can't help but feel bad. "In any case, I…"

"You finish that and I'll give you a reason to be sorry, mister. Okay?"

"Okay. I just wish I could…"

"I know. But it's probably for the best I don't know. Less I know, safer I am."

"Definitely." Ritsuko lets out a sniffle and a light giggle.

"You just stay alive and come back to me. If things get too crazy, don't be brave. Just run."

"Okay, Rits. Talk to you later when I get my own phone. I'm on my new guardian's phone."

"Can you put me on, please?"

"Sure." Holding the phone out to Misato, he adds, "For you."

"Thanks." Clearing her throat, she says, "Katsuragi here."

"What's your first name?" The sound of the voice has ice within it and Misato can't help but smile.

"Misato."

"Very well, then, Misato. I'm entrusting my darling boyfriend to your care. If one hair on his head is out of place, you will answer to me. Clear?" Before Misato can even reply, Ritsuko hangs up.