Standard Disclaimers Apply: Evangelion is not mine.
Thank you, everyone, for reading and posting reviews. Domo arigato! DarckRedd, thanks for both review and tip. It really helped. Arigato! Here we go. Chapter eleven. Hora...! On with the story.
Evangelion: Nigeru
Chapter Ten - Choices
02.05.2006
What are you two within my heart?
Hope. The hope that people might be able to understand one another.
And the words 'I love you'.
-EoE
x
x
Ikari Shinji, Third Child, sighed as the panels around him blinked green and Misato's voice came through the communications link.
"Good work, Shinji-kun. Get ready to launch."
He had been determined never to step into an Evangelion again, the one place where he could so easily hurt others. He had sworn, dammit, that if his guardian ever gave him the order to come back and pilot, he would say no.
And yet, here he was – sitting in an Eva entry plug once more. Immersed beyond his eyeballs in fluid that reeked faintly of blood, and synchronizing with the monstrosity with distressing ease.
It was with a grim but steady voice that Ikari Shinji answered the Major's orders. "Hai. Ready."
The lift rocketed to the surface at tremendous speed and halted at the top amidst the screeching of brakes and gears. With a whoosh of the metal doors, the Third Child found himself out in the open, just in time to see the first golden tendrils of light streaking the horizon.
He sat there for a moment enjoying the dazzling display and feeling the steady thrum of power in the Eva's S2 engine. Like a pulsing heart sending hot blood to muscle and sinew, the boy felt it as if it were his own.
He fed more energy into the Eva's legs and bent low over the ground. He crouched there for only a second and then he leaped, erupting in flight into the dawn sky of Tokyo-3.
It feels different, Shinji realized vaguely, getting his bearings and then turning in mid-air to fly south. This wasn't like the welcoming and almost familiar melding that was typical of Unit 01. This was more like the time he tried synching with Unit 00. He remembered that occasion; it had not ended well.
Shinji shifted uneasily in his seat, aware that the people on the bridge would pick up on his nervousness.
"What's the matter?" Shinji heard Misato query.
"Nothing. ETA to New Oshima, fifteen minutes."
Despite the lack of difficulty so far, still uppermost in the boy's mind was that several of these grinning red-lipped 'creatures' had ripped Unit 02 apart. Asuka… Iie, no time for that now…
"Shinji-kun, increase altitude and maintain at 10,000 feet. There's an MD Freighter in your flight path."
"Hai. Climbing." Shinji checked his console, feeling the Eva ascend, wings beating strongly, solenoid engine humming with power.
So much, the boy thought warily, senses full of the wind as his Eva rose effortlessly. Too much…
x
x
x
Shinji and Asuka's Hill
Several Mornings Earlier
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Asuka! I'm sorry! I was just…"
"You were what? You think I can't do this on my own? You think I need the Invincible Third Child bargaining so that his girlfriend can do what she wants? You're much more of an idiot than I ever thought!"
"It's not like that…"
"Haven't you learned anything at all? Pilot, don't pilot, I don't care. Just leave me out of it! I don't need you doing this for me."
"Asuka…"
"Leave me alone, Baka-Shinji! I don't need your pity. I don't need your help. I hate you… you… you Invincible Third Child!"
"Mein Gott! Did I really say that to him?"
Asuka Langley Sohryu sat atop the edge of a precipice with the city of Tokyo-3 sprawled below her. She was sitting outside the white fence that enclosed the cliffside using it as a backrest, and she was hot and sweaty from her climb up the hill. The noonday sun smirked uncaringly at her from his place in the sky and sent waves of sizzling air to bake the ground she was sitting on.
She had been ensconced there for the last few hours, eyes red from a recently concluded bout of crying. At first it was from anger; at Nerv, at Misato, at Shinji, at the rest of the world, at the unfairness of it all; then at herself, for speaking as she did to the boy.
The baka! She knew what he had been trying to do. And although she understood it, she did not approve. The idiot was making her his excuse. Stupid Shinji. She couldn't let him do it, even when the results, if he succeeded, was something she wished for. And what did he think of her anyway? She was no slouch. One way or another Asuka Langley Sohryu always gets what she wants. There was never any question about that!
Still, stupid mouth! The girl flinched, once again replaying that morning's scene and recalling how Shinji paled when she flung those hateful words at him.
How could I be so harsh? Shinji…
After several more minutes of angrily castigating herself, the redhead became aware of a presence standing right behind her. Hastily rubbing her face on her sleeve she twisted around to yell at whomever it was who dared to invade her privacy.
"You…!"
"Listen, there's something I have to tell you..."
x
x
x
Evangelion Cage-05, 06The Next Morning
"You want me to synch with that?" Shinji's voice quavered in outrage.
"Yes."
"You must be kidding." He shot Misato an affronted look. "Those things tore Unit 02 apart."
"No, these are different ones, although similarly mass-produced. Units 14 and 15."
"Oh," he abruptly deflated, "Why can't Asuka pilot then, if there are two of them?"
"Because Unit 15 is going to Germany. Only 14 is staying here in Japan."
"Well, then if you only need one, why can't Asuka pilot instead of me? It means so much more to her."
"And it still doesn't mean anything to you? After everything that's happened? Everything you've done?" Misato asked displeased. She gave Shinji a steely fed up glare. Sometimes she despaired of Shinji ever doing anything without trying to run away.
"It's not that simple, Misato-san," Shinji answered earnestly, "You've always known how I felt. If someone else could do it, I would have refused. As it is… well, Asuka could do it… and I thought everyone in class could be pilots."
"Yes, but at this early stage it's not feasible to train another Child so nothing's going to change anytime soon. Asuka can't pilot Unit 14, there's nothing I can do about that either."
Shinji grunted and turned back to gaze at the waiting giants. The silence grew until Misato couldn't help but break it. She was saddened that Shinji still felt the way he did. She was worried, too. What will he do when he finds out?
"Shinji-kun… you shouldn't have to do this. You shouldn't feel that you have no choice. You shouldn't…"
Shinji turned to his guardian and smiled guiltily. "Hey, it's alright. I'm not being forced into anything. As for not liking it… well, that can't be helped. I just need to go to Izu, right? Examine some of the volcanic isles?"
"Yes. We've had reports of new impact craters appearing in that region lately. We need to find what's causing them. But Shinji, your involvement with Eva doesn't end there."
"It doesn't? But… there are no more angels..."
"Nerv has been dissolved and we are officially part of the JSSDF now. The government has put in a lot of money to rebuild Tokyo-3 and, even with violent objections from the international community, they want to continue Eva."
Misato steeled herself, expecting Shinji to balk at her words. But the boy just blinked surprised eyes at her; eyes that quickly turned grave as he regarded the woman thoughtfully.
"The Defense Force, huh? Military. Misato-san," he caught her gaze and said quietly, "I don't think I like warring amongst ourselves. You can tell them that now."
Taken aback, Misato looked closer at Shinji, and the boy looked curiously back.
He actually meant it! Not a very vocal refusal. Just a certain tone in his voice and that gleam of stubbornness in the eyes. But there was no doubt about it, he was drawing his line - the Generals could go eat their hats.
"I understand…" Misato agreed slowly, "Shinji-kun, when did you learn to do that?"
"Do what?"
"What you just did."
The boy looked at her, puzzled and trying to think, "Misato-san, I'm not sure what you mean," he finally answered, a sheepish smile on his lips.
Shinji-kun… Misato blinked back a small tear. Oh, Kaji… he'll be okay… you were right…!
Shinji watched the unexpected play of emotions on his guardian's face. Why is she crying? He thought, a bit concerned. Gosh, women are confusing…
"Misato-san, are you all right?"
She nodded sniffing.
Glancing at the woman beside him, Shinji remembered the last time she had shed tears. I should apologize. I owe her much.
"Anou, Misato-san, that time… when Kaji-san died…" he heard Misato gasp, "Eheh? I'm sorry! Please don't cry!"
Idiot! How do I manage to screw up these things? Shinji stepped closer and awkwardly patted the tearful woman's shoulder.
"Um… I heard you that time, but I was afraid to do anything. I'm sorry."
Misato brought out a handkerchief and started blowing noisily on it.
"Um… and also that other time... you know…when Asuka was fighting those things... what you er - did, and said...it helped, so- eh? Misato-san!"
It was several minutes before the weepy Major could let go of the discomfited boy and get herself under control. She managed it though, with a lot of help from the good doctor whose acerbic comments came through loud and clear via the speaker system in the cages. Shinji watched embarrassed as Misato, mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like 'my baby's growing up' shook a good-natured fist at her friend. The boy had realized too late, they were standing near a sensor and everything had been seen and heard on the bridge.
"Misato-san, before we start, I know you said you can't do anything about it but… why can't Asuka pilot? She's better at it than I am."
Better? Is she? Yes, but... also no. "She's still not talking to you?" Misato couldn't look at him.
"No. It's a mess." Shinji hung his head. "She said she hated me."
"Are you giving up?" She asked softly.
"No!" He shook his head, "We just need to talk. Soon."
"And you really want to know why she can't pilot?"
"Yeah." Shinji caught Misato's sorrowful gaze.
"I'm sorry Shinji, Germany wants Unit 15 and their pilot back. Asuka… is going to Germany."
x
x
Like an old broken record stuck on the same sad refrain, Shinji's brain repeated the line – Asuka is going to Germany.
It persisted throughout the entire drill, running endlessly at the back of his mind – Asuka is going to Germany.
It was a miracle he got through the morning.
Afterwards, Shinji quickly walked to the boys' empty locker room, still unable to grasp what he had been told. Misato had said a lot more (something about why the European branch wanted the German-made Unit 15 and Asuka back) after she had answered his question, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what.
The boy staggered to a bench and bent a forlorn head into his hands. Damn. Damn. Damn. It's just so unfair.
She's leaving! There was no way he could keep her from this. Nor did he wish to. Stupid life.
x
x
Katsuragi Apartment
The Same Night
The Second Child was looking out her window thinking it was going to rain when a knock sounded at her door.
"Hey, we're home," the whispered voice of their guardian carried clearly through the rice paper.
"How did it go?" Asuka asked, after she quickly let the woman in.
Misato sank down on the redhead's bed and gave her a long look. "It went well. Considering."
Asuka sighed and gave her a small smile. "So he's finally made up his mind. That's good. I'm proud of him."
"Don't you think you ought to tell him that?" Misato asked pointedly.
"No, not yet. I d-don't know what to tell him… and I-I'm afraid I might say something I might regret… again. Where…?"
"He's cooking dinner."
x
x
"Asuka, we need to talk." Shinji caught the girl right after supper, before she could disappear back into her room. He stared at the redhead, wondering if she already knew.
"Shinji! No, I can't right now!" Asuka answered frantically. "Please, j-just let me be…" she hurried to her room and quickly closed the shoji behind her.
Shinji retreated into his room. He stood silent for minute, head bowed in the dark, and then in a fit of sudden temper he kicked the side of his bed.
"Ouch! Ouch! Dammit!" He hopped to his bed on one leg and sat down. She still didn't know. Stupid boy. She's leaving. Soon. He could feel it. They couldn't waste time fighting.
Shinji stood up and strode determinedly to the door intending to nag some sense into the redhead, but he stopped abruptly just inside of it.
"She can't right now. What reason do I have to force her? I can't tell her I know…" Shinji leaned his head weakly on the jamb and then slid to the floor in a slump. "Tomorrow then. Definitely, tomorrow."
x
x
x
x
It was a night like no other. To be remembered in the collective minds of Tokyo-3's population as the night the wind blew the school roof off.
It was actually an old roof, in need of much repair, but on the night it came loose and disappeared unfettered into the dark, a storm raged and howled with maniacal glee, inundating the city with such sudden swiftness that it caught the people unaware.
Undercover of this gale, a shadow crept, silent and stealthy, into the Third Child's room. It paused for a moment to regard the slightly open window, and then it moved to stand beside the boy's bed. Eyes gleaming and face twisted, it stared hungrily at his sleeping form. It stood unnaturally still for what seemed like ages, and then suddenly it hissed… and pounced.
Shinji never had a chance.
"Ooof…!" he cried, voice muffled by the weight on his face and chest. He struggled to see, pushing an abundant amount of red hair out of his face.
Shinji managed to free himself but was struck speechless the minute sight returned, because the redheaded intruder was now pulling his sheet up and climbing into bed with him.
"Asuka," he whispered stupidly, throat suddenly dry, "You're here! I… I thought you hated me..."
"Baka-Shinji! I-I'm s-sorry… I was angry… it's not your fault." Asuka couldn't help smiling at the look on the boy's face. "Budge over, dummkopf. I can't sleep, been having those nightmares again." She huddled into the crook of Shinji's arm using it as a pillow and pulled the sheet up to their necks. "Much much better. Goodnight, Shinji."
That seemed to get the boy going and he squeaked in a hoarse whisper, "Asuka… you can't sleep here!"
"Why not? Not the first time we've snuggled together."
"B-but… that was different! We hadn't… we weren't… yet…" Shinji struggled from his bed and the girl in it. His feet got entangled with the blanket and he fell to the floor with a muffled thump.
Asuka sat up and gusted mightily. "What now?" She reached out, gave Shinji a hand up, and then started pulling him back to bed.
"No, no! Asuka, I won't be able to keep my hands off of you," he moaned, loosening the girl's hold on his wrist.
"Yes, you can." The boy tried to back off but Asuka grabbed a fistful of shirt.
"Hah! You'd enjoy that, won't you? Driving me crazy…" Shinji accused trying to pry her hands from his clothes.
"Aww, don't be such a baby. What's a little pain and torment? It's good for the soul."
Shinji snorted and stopped his half-hearted thrashing. Damn, she's strong. Okay, he chided himself, this is what you get for not taking her seriously. By this time, the redhead had him pinned to the bed with her whole weight.
"Get off, please… this is not a good idea." He said trying to sound stern.
"Baka-Shinji! Why? I miss you, and I sleep so well when I'm with you. I feel safe…"
"Don't…"
"Why not? You've never done anything…" Asuka trailed off and her eyes widened when Shinji glared at her meaningfully.
"That's right." Shinji dropped his eyes and waited for Asuka to move.
"Baka Shinji!" She clouted him on the chest until he met her eyes squarely. "When?"
"Wh-when you were in a coma. I was trying to wake you and somehow your clothes…"
"You touched me?"
"No! B-but something just as bad…" he said miserably.
"Verdammt wichser!" the girl glared at the boy. "When were you planning to tell me?" She asked, poking him painfully in the ribs.
"Ow! I don't know." He confessed truthfully.
The redhead frowned at the unhappy boy pinned underneath her and came to a decision.
"Idiot," she growled, "Do you do that as a habit?"
"What? No. Er – just you… sorry…"
"I thought so. Great. At least the pervert thinks I'm special," Asuka raised a sarcastic brow. She got off the boy and resumed her snuggling.
"What are you doing?"
"Baka! What does it look like?"
"I just told you this wasn't a good idea."
"What? Go back to my room and my nightmare and miss the chance to mess with my very own pervert's mind and traumatize him a bit more? Hell no! Take this as your punishment, dummkopf! I love you… but you better not try anything!"
Shinji groaned, his arm around the girl tightening. "Asuka…" he tried one last time to talk some sense into her.
"Will you stop whining and go to sleep?"
Stop whining…? Go to sleep…? Oh brother…
Shinji tried to calm himself and obediently closed his eyes. Afraid that he wouldn't be able to stop himself, pervert that he was, he imagined Asuka leaving.
"Ouch, Shinji, not too tight."
"Sorry."
His body eventually relaxed, getting used to the comforting feel of the girl beside him. When he was sure she was asleep, Shinji placed a chaste kiss on the redhead's forehead. Then he shifted sideways still hugging her, tucked her head under his cheek and tried to sleep.
Be happy, Asuka. And be well. I'll miss you.
x
x
x
x
Shinji knew it was coming. Asuka had been acting funny for the last two days. He had caught her several times already; lost in deep thought, a small smile frozen on her face, and a sad expression in her eyes.
Soon, he thought. He wondered if he was ready. Probably not…
When it finally happened, it hit him like a horse's kick to the groin. An extremely strong metal shod horse's kick right smack on the dangling duo.
It took all he had to smile for her.
They were sitting side by side pretending to watch television when Asuka suddenly turned to him.
"Shinji…" she began hesitantly, placing a light hand on his knee, "They asked me…"
"I know." Shinji took her hand and smiled.
Asuka sought the boy's eyes and saw… that he understood.
"What about…?"
"It's alright, I'll be okay. Don't worry about it. You need to go, Asuka. There was never any question about that." Shinji knew he was babbling but he couldn't seem to help it. "I'll miss you though. So don't forget to write me, or call me. I'll… do the same… "
"If only…"
Shinji shook his head, stopping her words. "Just make sure you take care of yourself, or else…!" he made a fierce face at her.
Asuka laughed, and nodded, knowing that his threat was empty. Because there was no way Shinji could make good on it, half a world away.
She wanted to hug him and never let him go. Maybe she could beg them to let him come with her. It's not fair. I need more time!
Asuka composed herself and turned to Shinji, "What do we do now?"
"When are you…?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'll help you pack."
x
x
x
So this is how it feels to get used to pain. It's not so bad. Okay who am I fooling…?"Shinji…" Asuka extended a hand and plucked at the boy's sleeve. He smiled lovingly at her and then enveloped her in a crushing hug. Baka! Don't let me go. Don't let me go. Don't let me go…
"Take care of yourself, okay?" Shinji said, releasing her, and tucking a stray curl around her ear.
Asuka nodded, tears welling in her eyes and threatening to fall. "Goodbye, dummkopf…" She nodded to Misato and then turned and ran, unwillingly hearing the baka's softly spoken words as it was carried by the wind.
"Sayonara, Asuka…"
The Nerv aircraft lifted vertically off the runway in a rush of black smoke and exhaust. Shinji shielded his eyes, watching the craft's wings angle outward with a metallic whine.
"Misato-san, what did Asuka say when she found out?" The boy asked, making conversation.
"That it's unfair."
Yes, it is. He wholeheartedly agreed.
"They briefed her when you did your first synch test."
Shinji turned wide eyes at the woman as realization clicked into place. Then his head snapped back to watch the transport as it climbed higher and higher and disappeared into the clouds.
He had wondered why Asuka had forgiven him so easily for his so unforgivable act.
That night, in his bedroom - she had already known.
x
x
x
"ETA five minutes. Misato-san, I have a visual of Mt. Mihara. But I need to slow down, I'm flying too low and I don't think the folks are happy to see me."
"Roger that, Shinji."
"Where do you want me to look first?"
"Do a fly by of all the islands so we can document those craters. Then you'd have to land, we'll decide where later."
"Okay."
There were seven craters in all, scattered among the volcanic isles ringing the southern side of the island of New Oshima. Shinji landed in the center of the largest one and started feeding close ups to Nerv.
"Shinji, we need photographs of the walls as well." Dr. Akagi's voice interrupted Shinji's examination of what looked like metal fragments. "Don't forget to send us everything you have."
"How?" the boy asked, obediently striding to the edge of the crater.
"Just feed all your console readouts to us."
"I see, yes. Here it comes."
x
"That seems to be everything." The doctor said after a good thirty minutes. "Good work. Return to base."
"Hai. Returning to base." Shinji extended and unfurled Unit 14's wings and was soon airborne. "Dr. Akagi…"
"Yes, Shinji?"
"These don't look like meteor craters."
"I agree."
x
Shinji was over flying the northernmost isle of Izu when a blur of motion caught his eye.
"Misato-san, there's something in the water. I'm going to land."
"No. Can you tell what it is?"
"No… kuso…!"
x
The isle had been formed by lava and pyroclastic flow from seven volcanic centers. However, the last eruption was apparently years in the past since much vegetation had sprouted on the isle's fertile soil.
Shinji reacted on instinct.
Retracting his wings and dropping like a stone, he narrowly avoided the projectile that arced over his head. He landed heavily on the ground. Feet making dents on the hard soil and throwing up dirt and greens.
Blue flames billowed from the projectile's rear end as it turned in a wide semicircle and zoomed straight for him.
"Shinji! What's happening?"
"Rocket. No problem." The boy responded as he expanded his AT field, detonating the missile harmlessly.
"Who could be shooting at you? This is still restricted airspace."
"Um… I think it's that black fella over there. Shit! I don't even have a knife?" the boy asked, frantically searching for the familiar button.
"Calm down, Shinji, we've modified Unit 14's design so you are equipped with a progressive knife. It's on your right thigh, button's lower, still on the right."
"Great! You have to tell me these things ahead of time... that's what drills are for... uh-oh!"
"We didn't expect... Shinji?"
The black giant darted closer, stopping just outside of the Eva's reach, long black extensions whipping from its back like striking twin snakes.
Shinji slapped the pneumatic switch and his thigh compartment sprang open. He snatched his prog knife just as violently undulating coils wrapped rigidly around him.
Gears whirred, the whips retracted, Shinji lurched dangerously near his adversary.
Crap, that looks like it's going to hurt! he thought as he eyed the gleaming scythe the machine brandished from behind its back.
He hooked a hand around the taut cords between them and dug his heels into the ground, hard.
Eva jerked to a halt.
A quick slice. A strong yank. And he was free.
In time to face his foe now hurtling towards him, deadly blade in hand.
Shinji spun to his left to avoid collision, ducked a lethal swipe. Gripping the prog knife two-handed, he gave a hard upward slash.
The blade buried itself in the machine's armor, cleaving it easily from belly to shoulder.
His momentum taking him well beyond the enemy, Shinji turned on his heels to face it again.
It was leaking green fluid. But it went down on one knee and aimed, then fired multiple rockets.
Once again, Shinji's AT field went up. Stopping the projectiles in a violent flash of debris and flames.
When everything cleared, his black foe was nowhere to be seen.
x
x
x
Iie - No
Hai - Yes
Verdammt wichser - damn jerk-off
Author's Note: Gomen nasai! Don't hurt me please... I really can't say anything except life's like that and the next chapter will be up soon. Promise and hope to die. (slinks off with word processor to hide under rock)
I hope I didn't muddle the tiny bit of non-waff too much. I've always wanted to try my hand at some action but it took me two whole days to write and polish the measly 500 words of it in the fic. I tip my hat off to everyone who has ever written an exciting piece!
Feedback (good or bad) would be lovely. Review or email me. I would really like to know what you think. Ja!
