Tale of Ono

Chapter 10: The Crucible

It was not a pleasant Saturday morning for Toji Suzuhara as he awoke to the new alarm Nerv had provided for him. It sounded like a siren hailing the end of the world, or so the groggy boy thought. He had to admit testing inside an Eva Unit was as terrifying as the last time he'd been in one. The cockpit filling with LCL with him strapped in painted the image of an animal trapped in a cage drowning in blood. Shinji was right in that it smelled like death in that thing they called an entry plug. It was all worth it though if it meant saving his sister from life as a paraplegic. Toji was willing to destroy however many Angels it took to save her. The weapon he would rage war with was moved to the Geofront here in Tokyo-3 last night. The athlete shivered knowing they would call upon him to synchronize with it again later in the afternoon. Thoughts of his fellow pilots eased the boy, because the Red Demon's usual competiveness and the opportunity for banter with his good friend Shin-man would distract Toji from the unease he felt.

For two weeks Toji saw Shinji only in the afternoon due to Nerv taking the Third Child out of school for some kind of special training. The boys didn't talk much about their service to the organization to avoid conflict and spreading dread between them regarding the chaos of battle. Instead the Geofront was used as a place to run, workout, and talk of simpler things. Kensuke was distant as of late most certainly caused by the fact his friends were living out his dream and refused to detail every moment spent doing it. At first the two pilots tried to avoid the subject of the Eva Units but fearing he'd do something drastic they told of simulation tests against previous Angels which were lies. Toji found great joy in teasing about the girl with the long black hair that would kiss Shin-man on the cheek to before beginning afternoon jogs. Shinji eventually started striking back with jabs at how the big lug should wise up and ask their pigtailed class representative out. Sachiko sounded like a gentle girl to the athlete and seemed like a perfect match for his sensitive buddy. Now if only that redheaded menace would stop invading Shinji's personal space and handing out scowls like a charity worker handing out soup.

One day while on their usual trek Shinji revealed to his fellow pilot and best friend what the special training was about. He said that someone was in possession of an Angel embryo in Britain and he needed to be there in case it awoke. The Third Child spoke of how he was learning English and how to act like a gentleman according to the standards of the country. What struck Toji as strange was the mention of using a body double for Shinji. That seemed pointless unless somehow this British official had access to Nerv security cameras. Shinji explained that was exactly the case for the man they were after was anticipating a mounting action against him. Precautionary actions were necessary if Nerv was to infiltrate and neutralize the threat. Toji was made to swear he wouldn't tell anyone about how much he now knew. The Fourth Child agreed to keep the secret, but only if Shinji promised to make it back in one piece.

Standing in the cold parking garage of Nerv Headquarters the boy with blue eyes wearing a violet button down shirt and white chino trousers turned to the two girls seeing him off on his dangerous mission. Misato sporting a cream colored business outfit and Kaji in a pinstripe blue suit were already in the black van that would drive them to the airport watching the display. Rei in her new outfit of an orange polo shirt and blue plaid skirt opted to hug her friend that took precious time to spend with her the past two weeks. Shinji made a habit of cooking for her at Misato's idea of a Pilot + Angel Get-together every other night. He would speak with her as if she were his equal rather than a pawn such as with the Commander or like she was a child like the Second Child would often do. It was his shows of affection that truly stood out in Rei's mind with calm handholding and encouragement to try new fashion or foods capturing her thoughts when he was away training. Asuka in black jean shorts and a red track jacket simply placed a reassuring hand on Shinji's shoulder and told him to watch himself out there. She then proceeded to run her hand through his new blond locks courtesy of one Ritsuko Akagi.

"This is your first time visiting England isn't it Satoshi?" enquired a curly haired Misato in English as the plane began to take off.

"It sure is Auntie Michiko," responded Shinji in his rehearsed haughty tone as he gazed from his window seat across the rest of the full cabin, "Did we really need to take a public plane?"

"Of course," Kaji said from the two seats away toward the aisle scratching his now pitch black mane severely lacking a pony tail, "We don't want to spend too much money on this trip."

"I don't see why I couldn't take the seat next to Satoshi," muttered Leliel in her usual raven-black hime hairstyle and traditional french maid attire, "as his personal servant I must tend-"

"Miss Sugawara for the last time you are the family maid, not Satoshi's personal servant," whispered Misato harshly, "the Shōda Clan hired you because your mother promised you wouldn't act this way around him yet I'm beginning to think she was lying."

The flight stretched from morning into late afternoon arriving a day before the event they were set to attend. Shinji found the whole experience surprisingly relaxing despite the cramps from sitting still for several hours. The philosophical books gifted to him by Rei and Kensuke's recommended portable game system took his mind off the peril awaiting him once the mock rich family reached their destination. A hotel room in the style of gothic décor with black walls, checkered floor, and red furniture was reserved for the Shōda Family several blocks away from Manchester Hall. It took approximately three hours to unpack their baggage for each room was combed for monitoring devices. Two bedrooms connected by a den, dining room, and kitchen combination were diligently scanned with subtle devices in each Nerv agent's pocket. Once the domicile was proven clear of intrusive tampering, a Japanese supper was set with groceries supplied in a fridge that resembled an obsidian armoire accented with silver engravings. Afterword Kaji, now Mister Hideki Shōda, announced a visit to a Crown & Kettle for some drinks and an exchange with an old friend of his in town.

"Uncle Hide," said Shinji uneasily, "Doesn't that mean you're leaving me alone here with the maid?"

"We'll only be gone a couple hours Sato," answered the man jovially, "you can amuse yourself can't you?"

"Yeah," murmured the boy while sneaking a glance at Sachiko, "I guess."

"Don't even think about it," chimed Misato in an uncharacteristically strict tenor, "If any funny business happens Miss Suguwara will be sent back home immediately."

"Leliel," began Shinji anxiously nearly a half hour after the two chaperones left, "I've been thinking about if something goes wrong tomorrow…"

"I'll protect you and the others," responded the Angel.

"I know, it's just I'm kinda stressed about all this and was wondering if you'd help me um…"

"Shall I perform a back massage?"

"No, though that does sound nice, I-I more m-m-meant…"

"I'm teasing you. I've thought about what you're implying since we kissed in the park."

"I don't know how to even st-," stuttered the blond boy only to be cut off by a touching of lips.

"Shall we solve this conundrum in your assigned bedroom?" spoke Leliel alluringly.

The morning of celebration orchestrated by UN Representative Argreas was bustling with multiple limos hauling various United Kingdom officials. Most were high ranking members of the Ministry of Defense, the Department for International Trade, and the Foreign Office. Those that were not servants of the government fell under the category of spouses and friends of Agreas's wife. The Shōda Clan arrived twenty minutes after the festivities began due to being invited late by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Argreas only agreed to allow it once their background was screened and their luggage checked by men chosen by the Committee member himself. The friend Kaji met the night before was none other than Lieutenant Aoba with a map marked with every point in Manchest Hall where Argreas could be pulled away for an intimate meeting. A coin sized ear piece was placed in the women's bathroom for Leliel to use. The Angel would relay all instructions to the rest of the team telepathically.

After some meandering conversations in slightly accented English all four operatives spotted the target simultaneously. He was dressed in a grey tuxedo and was looking quite roguish for a bureaucrat. Argreas's short cropped corporate hair heavily drew attention to his shifty hazel eyes. Wherever he strode black suited guards circumspectly watched his every move. Shinji, despite holding his role of arrogant wealthy youth together well, desperately needed to use the restroom in what could be an opportune moment. He sent the thought through Leliel who relayed back that the time to strike had not come just yet. Upon reaching an ornate sink after conducting his business Shinji spied a peculiar figure in the mirror. It was silver-haired boy in a purple plugsuit staring with vermillion eyes. Losing his nerve the undercover teen rushed to the exit only to find the door had ceased to exist. A solid wall filled the space where the door once stood imbuing Shinji with trepidation.

"I have a message for you Shinji Ikari," spoke an ethereal young man's voice, "abandon all illusions of control."

A pair light cracks were heard beyond the barrier making Shinji baulk in alarm. One moment he was staring at a wall the next the bathroom door returned as if nothing bizarre had occurred. The blond boy burst out of the lavatory with great urgency only to be met with a chilling sight. Everyone present within the Main Hall was frozen in place. Looking closer it could be seen that each guest was still breathing. Shinji after frantically skulking about for a few minutes received a call from Leliel to come to the open door in the private meeting room section of the establishment. The Third Child shook with dread as he sprinted into what appeared to be a luxuriously bedecked blue office with oil paintings. Time slowed down as Shinji begrudgingly took in the horrifying sight before him. Leaning against one another in dark wood chairs were Kaji and Misato both bearing fatal head wounds that appeared to have been caused by a smoking pistol lying on the oak desk in front of them. Overcome by a sudden influx of severe stress the boy fell to his knees and vomited on marble tiles. He lost himself in shock to the point of not noticing Leliel standing a meter away until she approached and placed a hand upon his cheek.

"I'm sorry Shinji," exclaimed the Angel through continuous tears.

"W-w-what h-happened?" croaked out the bedraggled young man.

"I couldn't sense you for a moment so I tried to check the bathroom you were in," said the red- eyed girl clenching her lover's head between her palms, "the door was locked and my earpiece suddenly went dead so I panicked trying to pull it open then I tried to get Misato and Kaji to help and couldn't find them…"

"W-where is Argreas?" inquired Shinji whose eyes began to glaze over.

"At the desk," declared Leliel breathlessly, "I immobilized him after bursting into the room but-"

"Did you project into his mind yet?"

"No-"

"Do it now!" shouted the boy trying with every fiber of his being to not fall apart into a wretched pile of misery.

"This will take a minute," said the telepath as she rubbed away her tears and reached out into Argreas's psyche.

"Mi-Misat-t-to," whimpered Shinji as he caressed his guardian's hair, "I-I'm…dammit!"

"The other Seele members are located on Earth's moon," spoke the Angel.

"How the hell are we supposed to get all the way up there!?"

"Do you have the Lance of Longinus?"

"Why do you ask?"

"If you combine it with an S² Organ you would have the power to travel to the moon right now."

"We need to get th-them out of here before we go looking for an S² Organ."

"There's one at the Nerv Geofront here in Britain," stated Leliel in concerned tone.

"After we contact Aoba," murmured Shinji feeling as though he were about to lose himself in a bottomless pit of misery, "also let's take care of Argreas."

Starting at his socks the Third Child summoned his symbiotic suit to unfurl and engulf his entire body. Donning the persona of Lilith he waltzed to the desk the Seele member sat behind and proceeded to raise the man off the floor by the throat with his right hand. In Shinji's left hand the Lance of Longinus, only the size of a fork, broke free of the flesh covering his palm and hastily grew to the sized of short sword. Leliel allowed the Argreas to regain consciousness so that he may witness his own death. The cult follower tried to struggle placing his hands around Shinji's wrist but his efforts were futile against the iron grip compressing his neck. The Lance extended to effortlessly puncture the stomach of the murderer. Argreas cast a stricken gaze into the seven crimson eyes of Lilith's envoy clearly experiencing the indescribable pain of having his viscera split apart by two prongs. After few more moments of anguish the man was dropped onto his back resulting in disembowelment. He was forced watch as the red polearm was brought down upon his head by shivering hands.

Aoba was contacted by Kaji's cellphone and told to pick up the four operatives in the back parking lot of Manchester Hall. Leliel used all the energy she could muster to keep everyone present at the event frozen as the bodies of Misato and Kaji were levitated out of the building. The lieutenant nearly lost his mind upon seeing the body of his superior and the secret agent he'd come to call a good friend reduced to corpses. An argument quickly broke out between Aoba and the two teens on what to do next for Shinji wanted to procure an S² Organ while the Nerv Technician made a point that the mission was blown and the Vice Commander needed them back home as soon as possible to avoid anything else going wrong. Wracked with a fury that seemed endless Shinji ordered Leliel to stop Aoba's mind for ten minutes granting them an opportunity to escape and pursue their own agenda.