Title: Neon Genesis Evangelion (The 2nd Season): Forever Intertwined
Author/Writer: Malkin Rivera
Words from the Author:
I'm doing a great job with how long it takes me to finish my episodes. When I wrote the 2nd Branch Story, it took me over two years to finish it and it was only fifteen episodes long while some were quite shorter than the others. With Forever Intertwined, I'm already at episode 8 and they're each of significant lengths. This is a huge improvement considering I've made it this far in only three weeks. Now let's get started and once again, for good measure, I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. This story is just a Fan Fiction that I just wanted to write.
Episode 8: Offer Accepted From A Mysterious Child
Although the issue with Touji's rejection wasn't resolved, it was pushed aside for the time being as everyone hopes that it won't arise again when they have to fight against SEELE's Evas. Many days then go by until arriving to the 9th grade entrance exam. Mari also participates in taking the test so that all the children can have the possibility of going into the next grade together, even though she doesn't really need to since she's technically already qualified. The examination's roughly five hours long and for Touji, who's been freaking out the most over the exam, thinks that this is torture. Once they finished, the teens will have to wait a few days before discovering the result, amplifying Touji's torture due to believing he failed while still bothered by his unsuccessful sync test with Hikari trying to make him feel better, but doesn't get anywhere.
Meanwhile, another problem transpires in the apartment because of Mari's interest in Shinji continuing, causing Asuka to enter into multiple arguments with the glasses-wearing female. During that, Shinji tries to reassure Asuka that she has nothing to worry, however, the redhead maintains her guard around Mari. The day persists, reaching 11:00 PM while NERV's personnel are working hard, which includes Misato thanks to her work lasting until very late. The focus is now on Gendo and Fuyutsuki, who are in the Commander's office, prior to Gendo's phone suddenly starting to ring while attached to the right side of his desk.
Gendo, in his usual pose, looks at the phone out of the corner of his eyes before slowly maneuvering his right hand to reach for it while putting his left hand on top of his desk. He promptly answers the phone placing it onto his right ear and observes the space in front of himself. "Ikari."
A boy's voice responds in a smart-ass manner. "Guess who?"
Gendo's eyes widen a little and peers at the ceiling while surprise shows itself. "Is this...?"
The boy cuts Gendo off with a vaguely urgent tone. "Don't say it. Knowing you, Fuyutsuki should be next to you, right?"
In response to the mysterious character's words, Gendo calmly glances at Fuyutsuki as he sees that the Sub-Commander's watching him from his right with seriousness notably exhibited. Following that, NERV's leader peers down at his desk and says with a composed tone, "It's been a long time."
The boy chuckles with a casual tone swiftly replacing his previous one, "Well, since the last time we chatted, some time has passed for sure... Enough with the small talk tough. I called 'cause I want to know something."
Gendo sets his gaze ahead of himself and emanates a hint of tension. "What would that be?"
Having heard Gendo's question, the boy's displayed to be inside a dark room, sitting atop a bed with his legs crossed while his right hand is placed on the bed for leverage, as his face isn't visible due to the room solely receiving light from a laptop on a desk located beside the individual. The laptop is currently directed in the opposite direction from the boy and possess his cellular up to his left ear with the hand that it corresponds to while cheerfully smiling. "The offer you once gave me... Can I accept it now?" He momentarily pauses and tilts his head to the right. "Or is it too late?"
Gendo's rendered profoundly surprised as his eyes widen again.
Fuyutsuki notices Gendo's conduct, becoming a bit concerned, and leans toward him. "Ikari?"
Gendo immediately commandeers his head away from Fuyutsuki while lifting his left hand to permit him a period of silence as skepticism can be noted etch onto the glasses-endowed adult's person. "That was roughly half a year ago. It took you until now to decide?"
The boy gingerly laughs, lying upon his bed with the bottom part of his feet placed on its surface, puts his right hand behind his head that's now straightened and nonchalantly replies. "I needed time to think. Anyway, a lot of intense things happened to me, so you can't expect me to be hasty in contacting you. And, as they say, 'Better late than never'." He grins with a hint of arrogance brimming.
Gendo shuts his eyes as he lowers his left hand to rest onto the desk before turning his head to aim his vision ahead of himself once more and unintentionally lets out a content smirk. "Alright. So you accept, correct?"
Fuyutsuki's abruptly baffled while keeping his focus on Gendo and thinks, "He is genuinly happy?! I do not often him like that unless it involves Yui!"
The boy soon states with a bit of cockiness, "But there are some stipulations to me agreeing to your offer."
Concern dwells withing Gendo a tad. "What would they be?"
The boy randomly yawns with the cellular moved away from him prior to regaining his composure and wipes the water off his eyes that were created via his left hand while retaining his grip on the cellular. Afterwards, he sits upright with his legs folded for the second time as his right arm is placed over them and firmly demands, "You can't tell anyone who I really am."
Gendo hurriedly inquires with a stern voice, "Why would you want that? Also, do you not think there will be an issue when you meet the others in terms of your appearance?"
The boy cocks his head slightly towards the left, situating his head on top of his right arm with his sight locked upon the bed. "Not really. I'll handle the whole thing with them. Just back me up." He promptly says with an unwavering tone, "So promise me you won't tell anyone. Not even Fuyutsuki."
Gendo briefly becomes quiet as he navigates his gaze towards the left and ultimately returns his attention to the area in front of himself during his solemn answer, "I promise."
The boy smiles with delight radiating. "Good. On a seperate case, I got a problem with my transportation to Japan." He grows substantially curious amidst asking with minimal worry, "By the way, which Eva will I be piloting?"
Gendo peers toward the ceiling while remarking. "I received word that there was a peculiar circumstance concerning one of the pilots when he attempted to synchronize with his Eva. If this continues, that would be your lone option."
Fuyutsuki's overwhelmed by astonishment, fixing his posture in the process, and thinks, "Why did he mention the 4th Child and Unit 03...?!" Seriousness rapidly comes back to Fuyutsuki's constitution while thinking, "Who could he possibly be talking to?"
The boy sharply nods to himself. "That'll do. What about my transportation? I'm in America."
Gendo mounts his attention onward as he methodically taps his fingers against his desk. "I will notify you of the details. Most likely they will merely take you halfway through. I must send someone to retrieve you."
The boy chuckles again. "Fine by me. It was nice talking to you, I guess. Try to have the arrangements ready as fast as possible. That way, I can join without having to wait too long."
Gendo plainly nods. "Understood." The Commander swiftly hears the line disconnect, symbolizing the boy's departure from the conversation after obtaining Gendo's response, and hangs up the phone on his end while giving it a cold look.
Simultaneously, the boy emits a calm demeanor and drops his cellular on the bed while lying back down in a spread out stance with his left hand atop the upper-half of his face to cover it. "It's perfect time to see both of them. I'm actually somewhat excited." He releases another chuckle.
Back in his office, Gendo turns his gaze towards Fuyutsuki while reverting to his vintage pose and questions with no real emotion presented, "Something on your mind?"
Fuyutsuki doesn't hesitate to do exactly as Gendo requested. "Who was that?"
Gendo smirks, although it isn't detected by Fuyutsuki thanks to his hands blotting his mouth and replies via an indifferent tone. "Our new pilot."
Fuyutsuki moderately leans towards Gendo with bewilderment established. "A new pilot?!"
Gendo leisurely nods at Fuyutsuki. "Correct."
Fuyutsuki makes a tensed expression while fairly worried. "Their identity is...?"
Gendo deviates his concentration ahead. "You will see, eventually."
That said, the scene ends with a few days going by. The children find out they all passed their exams as that is a huge relief, especially for Touji. In addition, the teens learn that school begins next week, and in a way, are excited because they will start to have more of a normal life again. During that course of time, Kaji returned and confirmed that SEELE isn't stationed neither in Africa nor Australia with his next search being in the Americas, commencing with South America. Until then, the former double agent will be spending a bit of time with Misato and the children, but his timing could have been better. This is due to SEELE choosing to launch their next attack the following day.
It's 5:47 PM as it has been confirmed that there are three enemy Evas in the mountain region while attacked by NERV's defense system, with even the JSSDF helping out this time. Each one of the trio contain a few distinctive qualities and appearances that allows them to be told apart while all the same color, which is grey with purple stripes on their limbs.
While the SEELE Evas are occupied, the children get ready and ultimately are in their Evas, waiting patiently for launch. However, before that, Misato has them do a quick synchronization test due to what transgressed with Touji the other day as the worst possible situation is the result.
Misato watches the individual screens that show the pilot's sync ratio on the main monitor with seriousness brimming. As she does this, the Colonel's arms are crossed prior to specifying her vision onto Touji's status screen and shouts in frustration, "Damn it! I was worried about this!"
Kaji stands to Misato's right with concern emitted as he also observes Touji's information. "This is what you meant. He's definitely having a hard time synchronizing."
Misato steers her gaze toward Kaji, sadness in her eyes, and nods. "I was hoping it was just a one time thing, but seems there is something very wrong. Unfortunately, we don't even know if it's the Eva or the pilot."
Ritsuko promptly walks up to the two of them from Misato's left, having a firm demeanor. "We don't have the time to figure this out now. Our weapons and the JSSDF won't last much longer."
Misato glances at Ritsuko before nodding in acceptance and then concentrates upon the large monitor that still displays the children's status as she yells out in a stern tone, "Launch all Evas except Unit 03!"
Touji's voice abruptly comes through the intercom while sounding substantially upset. "But Misato! I can do it! Just give me a chance!"
Misato's image displays itself on Touji's right side screen as she says with a hint of sadness, "Sorry, Touji. You can't synchronize with Unit 03. Sending you out there, hoping you'll be able to do it when you're in a dangerous situation, is nuts. I really am sorry." Her depiction disappears.
Touji gawks at the right sector of his entry plug, stunned momentarily. Eventually, irritation consumes the jock as he grits his teeth and directs his attention downward. "Why doesn't it listen to me?! If this keeps up, I ain't gonna be able to help!"
After registering Touji's cry, Misato's sadness persists with her eyes locked upon the immense monitor and sees the other NERv Evas ascending to the surface.
Kaji suddenly wraps his left arm around Misato, grasping onto her left shoulder, while issuing her a sympathetic look. "I know it's hard, but you did the right thing."
Misato nods as she retains her concentration towards the main screen that's currently exhibiting the mountain area the Evas have been sent to. "Yeah, although the worst part is that Touji's going to feel like he's useless. I understand how terrible it is to experience that."
Depression starts to dwell within Kaji and turns his gaze to the giant display prior to lightly commenting, "You're right."
With those words from Kaji, the children's Evas finally arrive while surrounding the Dummy Evas in a form of a triangle due to how they are spread out in three groups of two. Shinji and Asuka are one at the top of the formation with Kensuke and Rei in the bottom right while Mari and Hikari are the western counterpart. *Side note: Mari's Unit 05 looks like the same one from the Rebuild of Evangelion. To get a really good image of its appearance, watch the movie* Meanwhile, each enemy faced toward a different direction to focus on a pair of Evas.
Dummy Eva 06 confronts Unit 01 and Unit 02, holding a black sword in both hands, as the behemoth possesses a skull-like head with white long, spiky hair that covers most of its back and mouth is presently opened. In addition, the giant stands on two legs, something all three of the SEELE Evas do, and has two, black eyes.
Seeing that, Asuka tightens her grip upon the controls and analyzes Dummy Eva 06 with a solemn demeanor. "I'll end it quicker than last time, for sure." She glances slightly towards her right to view Unit 05 as she thinks while arrogantly smiling, "I'll show you the right way to use my Eva."
Shinji's looking towards his right to have Unit 02 in his sights while thinking with concern lingering, "I wonder if Asuka's focused on the opponent, or she's still worrying about the whole thing with Mari?" He shuts his eyes and sighs with his head lowered prior to mumbling, "I'll figure it out, I guess."
Concurrently, Unit 05 towards the left side of Hikari's Eva as Mari observes Unit 01 with a disappointed attitude while her face can't really be seen thanks to the helmet she wears to operate the green machine. "Why is it that I couldn't be paired up with Shinji?"
Hikari's image appears onto Mari's right side screen with a small quantity of nervousness exhibited and answers her fellow pilot's question. "It could be because they've been working together for a long time. They once had to synchronize with each other to defeat an angel that could split in two."
Mari switches her attention to Hikari with minor confusion arising. "I don't get what that has to do with it." She smirks while saying confidently, "I bet I could synchronize real well with Shinji if I was given the chance!" Mari giggles.
Kensuke listens to Mari's conversation with Hikari, sympathy displayed, while thinking, "I feel bad for Shinji in a way. With all the arguing between Asuka and Mari, I can't imagine he'll ever have any peace." The glasses-wearing male chuckles and continues to think. "Although, he's one lucky guy to have two girls fighting over him." Kensuke veers his vision to Unit 00, which is on his right, and smiles as he thinks, "But... I'm very happy with my present relationship with Rei, so I got no complaints."
Rei's voice suddenly enters through the intercom as she urgently yells out of desperation, "It's coming!"
Due to Rei's outburst, Kensuke aims his concentration forth with concern emitted and witnesses that the foe is sprinting towards him.
Dummy Eva 08 runs up to Unit 04 while the beast's head has a circular guard enveloping it that resembles a motorcycle helmet. This doesn't permit anyone to see the upper part of the Eva's face as its mouth is open while carrying a grey chainsaw inside each hand. Dummy Eva 08 then swings the weapon that's in its right limb in a downward, diagonal angle with a grunting sound expelled.
Kensuke's unable to deploy his Eva's A.T. Field fast enough, so in reaction, pulls Unit 04 backwards as its chest plate is grazed a little.
Following that, Unit 00 draws out its Prog Knives from its pylons and tries to strike Dummy Eva 08 with both of them in a thrusting motion.
Dummy Eva 08's A.T. Field effortlessly blocks the assault prior to diagonally navigating its left chainsaw upward via a backhand movement while continually confronting Unit 04.
Rei hastily establishes Unit 00's A.T. Field to defend against the chainsaw, although it's shattered easily. Then, both top halves of Unit 00's arms are sliced off thanks to the 1st Child not retracting the Eva's arms in time and causes Rei to feel an extreme amount of pain, red lines flashing on both limbs, while screaming with her head tilted back amidst letting go of the controls.
Shinji watches Unit 00 lose its arms as he yells in dread, "Rei!" Unit 01 hurriedly takes a step ahead with the Japanese boy having the thought of going to Rei's aid, however, is abruptly detained by Unit 02 grabbing onto its right shoulder via the red machine's left hand. This leads to Shinji focusing upon Unit 02 with astonishment. "Why are you stopping me, Asuka?!"
Asuka swiftly shouts in panic, ignoring Shinji's inquiry, "Watch out!" Unit 02 immediately yanks Unit 01 towards it.
Shinji's bewildered by Asuka's outburst with Unit 01 not resisting until the 3rd Child hears a loud impact from beside him, steers his attention to his left and discovers that he barely dodged both of Dummy Eva 06's swords. The weapons have been stabbed into the landscape while Dummy Eva 06 is holding them upside down since it attempted to slice Unit 01, but missed and struck the ground instead. This results in the terrain to crack significantly from the collision before the SEELE Eva glares at Unit 01 with intensity, invoking an alarmed demeanor out of Shinji, as the purple behemoth strives to back away.
Unit 02 steps right in front of Unit 01 and crouches a little with its structure bent forward mildly as Asuka shouts via a commanding tone, "Raise your A.T. Field to maximum capacity, Shinji!"
Shinji hesitates briefly while gazing at Unit 02's back, however, snaps out of it via shaking his head rapidly as his head is hanging a tad with his eyes shut. Determination then consumes the lad as Shinji nods with his focus onto the red beast again. "Got it, Asuka!" Unit 01 promptly deploys its A.T. Field.
Asuka grins as she declares optimistically, "If I'm right, this should work!" The blue-eyed girl also utilizes her Eva's A.T. Field while pointing Unit 02's shoulder pylons toward the foe as the top part of them open, instantly shooting out the multiple black spikes that are inside towards Dummy Eva 06. Because of the assumption that its A.T. Field will block the attack, Dummy Eva 06 doesn't attempt to elude the spikes whatsoever.
Unfortunately for Dummy Eva 06, its A.T. Field is neutralized by the combined efforts of Unit 02 and Unit 01's A.T. Field, resulting in some spikes piercing the monstrous machine's cranium while others pierce its chest. Due to that, Dummy Eva 06 releases a horrific roar of agony while cocking its head rearward as the behemoth's body is bent that way too.
Shinji momentarily smirks before stress envelopes him while thinking, "Shit!" He frantically directs Unit 01 to grab Unit 02's shoulders with both hands.
Asuka's immediately bewildered as she peers behind herself to witness Unit 01. "What are you doing?!"
Without answering, Unit 01 pulls Unit 02 to swap places and confronts Dummy Eva 06 as intensity is shown on Shinji's demeanor.
Bright lights suddenly begin to shine out of Dummy Eva 06 until a huge explosion erupts.
Shinji has his Eva's A.T. Field deployed, although shatters because of the massive blast with the male teen crying out in pain.
As the explosion continues, Asuka's clearly worried about Shinji while safely out of the destruction's reach prior to screaming with tears building up, "SHINJI!"
Mari instantly keys onto the eruption while listening to Shinji's cries through the intercom, concern overrunning her completely, and thinks, "Shinji..."
Right after that, Hikari yells with an urgent tone, "Look out above you, Mari!"
Mari quickly peers skyward and discerns that Dummy Eva 07 is descending towards Unit 05, baffling the female pilot while gasping a tad.
Amidst that, it's noted that Dummy Eva 07's head is skull-shaped like Dummy Eva 06, but doesn't possess hair as its eyes are red and has a closed mouth. In addition, the giant holds a pair of short-handled, large bladed axe and swings both of the tools at Unit 05.
Mari temporarily continues to be surprised for a bit longer until growing quite irritated. "You think you got me, shit-head?!" Unit 05 swiftly thrusts its right javelin, which the Problem Child's Eva has within each hand, and breaks through the enemy's A.T. Field. The javelin then goes right between the opponent's arms and pierces Dummy Eva 07's chest. This leads to some blood leaking out of that wound as the SEELE Eva's descent is instantaneously halted.
Dummy Eva 07 hastily drops its arms while letting go of both axes as it's motionlessly held up in the air by Unit 05's weapon, defeated because of its core unit being struck without causing the machine to blow-up.
Mari displays a proud smirk at the sight of her victory and mutters, "That's for trying to be sneaky, asshole." She then has Unit 05 toss Dummy Eva 07 behind it while turning toward where Unit 01 and Unit 02 are supposed to be with concern returning. "I hope Shinji's fine. He stopped screaming while I was busy winning."
Simultaneously, Asuka yells out to Shinji with worry persisting, "Shinji! Are you alright, Shinji?! Talk to me, damn it!"
Shinji hears Asuka's cry as he's breathing heavily with his head down, gripping his torso via both arms wrapped around himself thanks to the agony he's still feeling from the explosion. "Yeah... But how's Rei and Kensuke?"
Asuka rapidly emanates realization. "Right!" The teen shifts her vision accordingly to verify the condition of Unit 00 and Unit 04 as she gasps out of astonishment.
The reason for that was because of Dummy Eva 08 having stabbed one of its chainsaws into Unit 04's stomach while the other one is embedded within its head, rendering Kensuke's Eva incapable of moving and lies upon the terrain that's before the enemy. At the same time, the opposing Eva's holding up Unit 00 by the neck with its left hand while that arm is extended away from Dummy Eva 08 and is facing toward Unit 04 with the blue beast toward its western area.
Asuka's stunned until focusing upward with a distraught attitude overflowing. "What happened?!"
Misato watches the main monitor with her hands clenched into fists and radiates an upset personality. "It took them out effortlessly! Once it slashed Unit 00's arms in half, the son of a bitch was on the verge of striking Unit 00 with both chainsaws, but Unit 04 intervened and took the attack instead!" The Colonel strives to calm herself. "Luckily, we were fast in severing the synchronization. If not, Kensuke would've been seriously hurt. We decided to cut the synchronization between Rei and Unit 00 as well since its arms are useless. Plus, the bastard had the ill intent of breaking Unit 00's neck."
Asuka concentrates on Dummy Eva 08 with curiosity shown as she thinks, "That thing hasn't noticed that Unit 00 isn't active anymore." She smiles amidst nodding to herself with determination. "This is my chance!" Unit 02 runs toward the adversary as the German girl passionately shouts, "With it distracted, I can get the jump on it!"
Mari observes Unit 02 hurriedly heading to Dummy Eva 08 with a plain composition until grinning while Unit 05 unpredictably rushes toward the SEEELE Eva. "Don't think you can do it by yourself!"
Hikari sees Unit 05 dash towards Dummy Eva 08 like Unit 02 with worry brimming. "Is it me, or does Mari view this as a competition with Asuka?"
Concurrently, Rei's attentive of the ceiling, having heard both Asuka and Mari's outburst since the intercom is the sole thing in her Eva that continues being on, while mumbling with a content personality presented, "Here they come."
Dummy Eva 08 swiftly commandeers its body to face Unit 02, considering the red Eva is the first one that will reach it.
As Unit 02's about to arrive, Asuka tenaciously smiles while pulling out a Prog Knife with her Eva's right hand from the lower part of its right pylon. "So what if you saw me! That's not gonna' stop me!" Unit 02 promptly navigates its right arm above its head, angling the Prog Knife upside down and swings its arm southward once the gap is fully narrowed.
Sadly for both Asuka and Rei, Dummy Eva 08 protects itself from Unit 02's attack via putting Unit 00 in the path of the strike.
Asuka wasn't able to stop in time, so Unit 02 thrusts its weapon into the back of Unit 00's head while briefly invoking surprise from the 2nd Child, but ultimately becomes enraged and grinds her teeth a bit. "You son of a bitch! How dare you use her as a shield?!" Unit 02 promptly removes the Prog Knife from Unit 00's and tries to assault Dummy Eva 08 with it again by swinging Unit 02's arm in a right sideways trajectory.
In response, Dummy Eva 08 unexpectedly throws Unit 00 at Unit 02 and retreats sufficiently to elude the attack.
As a result, Unit 00 crashes into Unit 02, preventing Asuka from chasing after the enemy, and causes her to be consumed with anger prior to yelling at the opposing beast while supporting Rei's Eva, "You cheap piece of crap!"
Following its successful evasion, Dummy Eva 08 veers itself around and leans towards Unit 04 while trying to reach for its chainsaws still stuck to the NERV Eva's head and stomach.
At that instance, Unit 05 demonstrates itself beside the enemy Eva's right with Mari smirk in a determined manner while declaring, "You're way too slow, dumbass!" The green behemoth thrusts its left javelin into Dummy Eva 08's head and pierces it all the way through the back.
Once that transpires, Dummy Eva 08 ceases its movement as the light in its eyes go off, drops to its knees with its head sliding off the javelin and falls to the landscape, face first.
Asuka's momentarily baffled amidst witnessing the evil beast lying atop the ground before annoyance overcomes her and glares at Unit 05. "What the hell?! I almost had it!"
Mari's image abruptly shows up on Asuka's right screen while exhibitng an innocent smile as she rebuttals with a hint of sarcasm, "I'm sorry. I'll let you get the next one." She giggles in amusement.
Asuka brims a fierce attidude with no other change to her composition. "Just go to hell!"
Mari quickly says with a malicious grin, "Not without Shinji."
Asuka immediately becomes furious. "In your dreams!"
During the heated discussion, Hikari listens to the two girls as she stays a considerable distance away prior to sighing in disappointment with her eyes shut, tilting her head slightly to the right, while thinking, "Maybe they BOTH see it as a competition."
Misato also sighs, dropping her head with her hands upon her hips, and closes her eyes. "Those kids are going to be the death of me."
Kaji faintly smiles at Misato. "You can't die on me yet." He chuckles.
Misato smirks while gazing towards Kaji out of the corner of her eyes. "You're right." She lifts her head to view the main screen once more.
Aoba turns his chair to the left to mount his attention onto Misato from his post with worry arising. "Um... Colonel Katsuragi?"
Misato focuses her vision to Aoba with a curious expression. "What is it?"
Aoba responds with some sadness included. "Touji hasn't left his entry plug yet. He's been in there the entire time."
Misato hurriedly portrays a stern conduct. "Patch me through to him."
Aoba nods with mild determination surfacing, turns back to his monitor and starts to type.
Misato looks up at the large screen with concern replacing her previous behavior as she crosses her arms.
Meanwhile, Touji continues to sit inside his entry plug while significantly masked by its darkness, presently deep in thought with an upset personality as he's staring downward. "Dammit! I couldn't help 'em! Why didn't it sync with me?! Could it have somethin' to do with that voice?!"
Misato suddenly becomes visible to Touji via the upper front screen and maintains her worried demeanor. "Time to get out of the Eva, Touji. The others already defeated their opponents."
Touji bluntly asks without diverting his concentration, "Misato? Do ya think I'm useless?"
Misato replies in a caring voice while vaguely slanting her head to the left. "No, Touji."
Touji swiftly sets his sight upon Misato with turmoil established as he desperately attempts to retain his composure. "Then why couldn't I do anythin?!"
Misato's immensely saddened by Touji's inquiry. "I don't know. What I do know is that you aren't useless. No one thinks that. Believe me." The adult issues the 4th Child a sincere grin and utters with optimism arising. "I bet you'll be able to synchronize with Unit 03 after we figure out what the problem is, but I promise, it's not you."
Touji's briefly rendered speechless from surprise prior to smirking and nods at Misato. "Mm-hmm."
Misato displays a pleased conduct, compliments of Touji's acceptance of her words. "Good. Now get out of there, so we all can celebrate our third victory."
Touji enthusiastically responds. "You got it!"
At the same time, Gendo watches on from his seat with a solemn behavior while thinking as he's in his vintage pose again, "This confirms it. I have no choice..."
Fuyutsuki calmly observes Gendo from the Commander's right with his hands interlocked at his rear. "What do you think, Ikari?"
Gendo views Fuyutsuki out of the corner of his eyes and blandly says, "Simple. We will have Colonel Katsuragi retrieve the new pilot, having the children accompany her so they can meet him."
Uncertainty engulfs Fuyutsuki as she draws close to Gendo and whispers, "Are you sure you don't want to reconsider? You still haven't even told me anything about this new pilot."
Gendo deviates his attention from Fuyutsuki. "That is irrelevant. Just remember that I have complete confidence in him. That should be good enough for you." He glances at Fuyutsuki. "This will be the exact thing I will tell Katsuragi. Don't believe you'll be the only one with a lack of information."
Fuyutsuki's moderately astonished while straightening himself and ultimately thinks with concern, "He normally tells me everything. What is it about this mysterious person that he can't seem to confide in me?"
As Fuyutsuki mentally contemplates that, Gendo resonates seriousness amidst looking ahead of himself and thinks, "It is unfortunate, but I promised him I would not tell anyone." He smirks with his thought process continuing. "At least the two of them will be together again."
With that, the scene switches to the boy Gendo had spoken to earlier, who's currently sitting alone at his desk that has his laptop upon it with his eyes on some information that's exhibited.
The character smiles after placing his right hand onto the cheek it pertains to for the purpose of holding up his head. "Every detail on NERV's pilots is right here." He chuckles as he shifts his head toward the side, shutting his eyes, and mutters, "I'll be able to finish reading all of it in an hour or two." The lad sighs while plainly saying, "Memorizing it as well..." The boy steadily opens his eyes to set them towards the screen again prior to typing in a name via his left hand.
Following that, the laptop reveals a picture of Shinji with his information as the male sees it while portraying minimal emotion. "I wonder how your life has been in comparison to mine." The boy closes his eyes once more, folds his arms atop the desk and rests his head upon his limbs. "I guess I'll experience it when I join you, Shinji." He softly laughs. "It's amazing. We haven't seen each other in almost twelve years. You probably don't remember me at all."
The boy temporarily pauses and peers at the screen with no other movement applied. "Let alone know that I even exist." He commandeers his focus to the ceiling with a spaced out expression shown while sustaining his head on his arms. "What would it be like once I'm there with all of the other pilots though?" The lad smirks with amusement rapidly appearing. "That really shouldn't matter. Can't forget what's important. Messing up like I did last time isn't an option. I have to be distant from everyone so there won't be a single possibility of things turning out badly." He's then consumed by sorrow. "That's all there is to it."
*Scene Cuts To Black*
To Be Continued...
Ending Statement:
In the next episode, I guarantee that there will be action. What I gave in this one didn't seem to last that long. I'll be displaying that a little more in future episodes, but it won't be that many and that necessarily isn't terrible by my opinion. I'm starting to feel very sluggish since I've been writing a lot of episodes within a small time-frame, so let's see how stuff turns out.
That's it. Talk to you all later.
