Evolution Shinji 21
Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or X-Men Evolution. Wish I did, though.
(Bayville sidewalk; same time)
As he runs along the sidewalk toward the Fujioka residence, Paul can't help but feel concerned. When he spoke to her five minutes ago by cell phone, Taryn had sounded sad. Upon seeing his destination ahead, he slows himself down to allow himself to get his breath before knocking on the door. When the door opens, he sees Kiyone smiling sadly.
"What happened, Mrs Fujioka? I just spoke with Taryn and she sounded sad."
"It's best you step inside, Paul." As the blond youth does so, Kiyone goes on. "Taryn's in her room. I expect her door to stay open while you two are alone together." Paul blinks at that before blushing furiously, getting her to softly giggle before sighing. "Thank you for that, Paul."
"Um, you're… welcome." As he steps along the hallway, he sees a closed door with Taryn's name on it before knocking on it. "Taryn, it's Paul." A sniffle is heard before Taryn's voice chimes up.
"It's okay to open." Paul does so, only to see his girlfriend curled up on her side on her bed, a brown stuffed bear within her body's embrace. Her face with fresh tear marks on it, her body lightly trembles in sorrow before she quietly speaks. "Close the door, please."
"Your Mom says otherwise, Taryn." Stepping away from the open door, he goes to her side and sits down on the side of the bed before running his fingers through her hair. "And I'm not about to do something that'll cause your parents to disapprove of us being together." Taryn gives a soft snort of mirth, getting Paul to grin. "We'll get you laughing again."
"I don't doubt that, Paul." Enjoying the feeling of his fingers going through her hair, she asks, "Where were you when I called you, anyway?"
"I was at 'Gut Bomb' and I saw… ughk! Disgusting!"
"What was it?"
"A stack of papers promoting 'Friends of Humanity' and to join them. They seem to be some kind of anti-mutant bunch. Soon as I saw the papers, I walked right back out the door."
"That is disgusting." Slowly uncurling herself, she wraps her arms around Paul's torso and gently squeezes him. With him returning the embrace. "But I'm glad you're here."
"What's wrong, Taryn?"
"It's the adoption for Shinji." That murmur is accompanied by a tremble before she goes on. "It's on hold until further notice because… his war's not over."
"How do you mean, Taryn?" As his girlfriend snuggles into him, he feels tears drip from her eyes onto his shoulder before he hears her speaking.
"He's being forced back to his world by Apocalypse. Apparently, the 'Smurf' reject considers him to be a threat." Paul can't help but be perplexed about that.
"How can Shinji be a threat to that schmuck? Unless Unit-01 is present and the reject's an Angel of a different type…"
"That's what I suggested when Shinji and Agent Pierce were here earlier. Shinji said that Apocalypse is certainly 'blue' enough, but the only way to know for sure is if a wave pattern comes up blue and the only ones that can determine wave patterns is in his world. He said he'll resist as much as possible, though."
"I've heard of your raw deals, but this…"
"I know. At least he had the guts to tell us in person with a SHIELD Agent present. I don't think we could've taken a phone call like that."
"That sucks. Him being forced back, I mean." Taryn gives him a nod before snuggling into him further.
"Yes. It… sucks." She then presses her lips to his neck before asking, "You sure you can't close the door, Paul?"
"Much as I'd like to, it won't really be proper." The sight of Hidoshi standing in Taryn's doorway, sheathed katana at his side, with one hand on the hilt and stern frown on his face, is more than enough incentive for Paul to keep it open. Taryn, however, looks toward the door and groans at seeing her Father frowning.
"Daddy, are you seriously trying to kill my love life?"
"Not at all. I just don't want to become a Grandfather until you've graduated from college and married, my little lotus blossom." His frown, however, becomes a soft grin as Taryn's face takes on a pink hue.
"You haven't called me that since I turned 13."
"You will always be my little lotus blossom, Taryn." Taryn's blush goes deeper at that as she smiles before he goes on. "Now, the day is much too nice to be cooped up inside. So why don't you two go out and get some fresh air? It'll do you both some good. But first, I need to speak with Paul." Both teens nod before Taryn pecks Paul on his cheek and they both rise from her bed. As Taryn exits her room, she sees mirth dancing in her Father's eyes, prompting her to roll her own before speaking in Japanese.
"You're mean, Daddy."
"Not at all. I'm just going to make a few things clear to Mr Haits." Taryn can only sigh before snickering softly.
"Okay, Daddy, but please don't scare him away."
"Who, me? Never."
Taryn's snicker gives way to a soft giggle, getting Hidoshi to softly smirk as she goes into the bathroom. Once she's inside and the door's closed, Hidoshi's smirk fades to a flat expression before he switches back to English.
"I hope you don't mind, Mr Haits, but what I have to say isn't for Taryn's ears. If you'll follow me."
"Yes, sir."
(Xavier Institute; same time)
"You gonna be okay, Shinji?" Logan's voice gets Shinji to quietly nod before the teen smiles faintly toward Fury.
"I bet you're disappointed, sir."
"In you, no. In Gendo, yes. I came across quite a few men with large burdens in their psyches in my time. They'd not once let themselves go freely and paid a heavy price. Your burden, however… it would break anyone at any age. So it was good for you to let it out. How'd the Fujioka family take the news?"
"As well as possible. They're not happy about it, but they understood and expressed their hope I survive the rest of war and come back to them." Smiling, he adds, "I told them I'd do what I can to do so."
"As long as you do what you can, that's the main thing." Giving Shinji a smirk, he then asks, "You use the card yet?"
"Not yet, sir. Agent Pierce and I went to the Fujioka house after letting off Agent Neville and Laura. When we were done there, we picked up Agent Neville and Laura from some place called 'Gut Bomb', with a look of irritation on Agent Neville's face."
"Odd. I've never seen her irritated. Annoyed, maybe, but… I wonder what could have caused that." Shinji can only shrug silently at that, causing Fury to add, "I guess we'll find out on the heli-carrier. In the meantime, though, what say we give those cards a workout at the mall?" Logan can't help but snort mirthfully at that.
"I'm glad the 'Firecracker' ain't here to hear you say that, Fury. Any time someone would say 'mall', she'd be ready to go. Even if nothing is ultimately bought." Shinji's blink gets Logan to grin gently. "She's another student that left here when her parents took her home. Same with 'Wolf Girl'. If the world hadn't freaked out when mutants were revealed, you'd have met them as well as they'd have been here still. In fact, I think they'd have liked meeting you."
"I think I'd have liked meeting them as well." Curious, he then asks, "What are their names?"
"Jubilation 'Jubilee' Lee and Rahne 'Wolfsbane' Sinclair. Jubilee's able to project sparks so intense, it can blind an opponent and Wolfsbane is able to change into a half-wolf humanoid to a full wolf at will."
"Nice. Danger Room and Blackbird?" Logan can only give Shinji a proud smirk.
"I guess you'll have to know about 'em sooner or later." Giving Shinji a gentle pat on his shoulder, Logan says, "First up, the Danger Room." With that, Shinji and Fury follow Logan down a corridor before Logan stops and opens a door. "This is the control room for the Danger Room, yet you can easily see what it's about."
As they go inside, Shinji sees Charles and Ororo operating the control console, with Ororo turning back and giving Shinji a greeting nod. With Shinji returning it before she returns her attention to the console. The teen's eyes can't help but go wide at the sight past the window. The teens, avoiding blasters and obstacles. Or, in some cases, destroying the blasters outright.
"It's kind of like a confidence course, only more intense."
"That's actually an excellent definition of it, Shinji." Charles' reply gets Shinji's attention as he goes on while watching the teens exercise. "The Institute is more than a school for mutants to learn to control their abilities, it's also a training facility for the X-Men." Shinji mulls it over before he pieces it together.
"The X-Men are a contingency plan, to ensure those that feel that humanity should be ruled by mutants are foiled. Also, to protect mutants from harm by those that desire to harm them as much as possible."
"Yes, much like the basis for NERV fighting to defeat the Angels, only with the lives of the planet being at stake." Shinji nods silently at that before Charles adds, "I meant what I said about how you would've made an excellent X-Man, Shinji. Life snubbed you cruelly by denying you an X-gene, even though you were born in a different dimension."
"Yeah, well, different circumstances..." Shinji's trail-off gets a chuckle from Logan before the teen shrugs. Looking back down toward the Danger Room, he sees Kitty literally go through a blaster-equipped arm before shaking his head. "No matter how many times I see it, I can't help but want to warn Pryde-san that she's about to collide with something." Logan gives a soft snort at that.
"You ain't the only one. Of course, any time we warn her, while she's behind the wheel of a vehicle, she just phases right through. Of course, sometimes, it doesn't exactly go well if you get my meaning."
"Just like a younger version of Misato. Only Pryde-san has inhibitions, doesn't drink nor does she have a penguin that lives in a modified freezer." Blinking, he asks, "Or does she?"
"Nah. 'Half-Pint' can't stand the smell of alcohol and as far as penguins go, no. She does have a stuffed dragon named Lockheed, however." Blinking, Logan asks, "Did you just ask if Kitty has a penguin? And if Kitty's like a younger version… Misato has a penguin?"
"Yep." Next thing they know, Shinji's stomach growls lightly, prompting him to sheepishly grin. "You mind if I make a snack for everyone, Professor?"
"Not at all, Shinji. I think the others can do with something to eat after exercising." Shinji gives Charles a nod.
"Barring interruptions, I should have something ready by thirty to forty-five minutes." Giving Shinji a nod, Charles watches the youth exit the control room. Logan and Fury grinning after him before Fury opens it.
"He better hope 'Cookie' doesn't find out about his skill in the kitchen, otherwise he just might take him on as an apprentice."
"I take it 'Cookie' doesn't know his whole story?"
"Nah, Logan. It'd give him nightmares and a sleep-deprived 'Cookie' is the last thing the heli-carrier needs as he tends to get nuts."
"That bad, huh?"
"Yeah. About two months ago, 'Cookie' watched 'The Muppets Swedish Chef' on 'YouTube' when he couldn't sleep. When I woke up the next morning, I heard gunfire coming from the galley. Upon my arrival, I saw 'Cookie' throwing flat discs of dough into the air and shooting them with a 9mm Glock."
"Trying to make donuts, huh?"
"You got it. Of course, the ceiling was dented because most of the shots missed. Pincer was so incensed, when he asked 'Cookie' what he was doing, 'Cookie' only smiled at him and spoke almost like 'Swedish Chef'. And I mean almost."
"You mean… he spoke in total gibberish?" At Fury's nod and chortle, Logan says, "I hope someone got that on video."
"Oh, INTSUR got it on video alright. They even approached 'Cookie' with the idea to do more 'Swedish Chef' impressions." That sets Logan off in laughter, prompting Charles and Ororo both to lightly snicker.
(Kitchen; same time)
Rubbing his hands together, Shinji sets about seeing what's available for him to work with. Opening one of the pantries, he can't help but sweat-drop while grinning at the thirty boxes of chocolate chip cookie mix and brownie mix. Fifteen of each.
"These will work. Let's see how many servings a box has for each here." Bringing down a box of chocolate chip cookie mix, he looks it over before his grin widens and he brings down a box of brownie mix. Grinning once again, he brings down two more boxes of each before his eyes go wide in glee.
"Wonder if they have any oatmeal material here."
Opening another pantry after closing the first one, he softly snickers at seeing twenty boxes of maple brown sugar oatmeal and ten canisters of 'Quaker' oats.
"Ah yes." Bringing down one canister of oats, he rolls up his sweater's sleeves, glad he and Laura had taken off their coats, hats and gloves earlier. 'This'll be my first time doing something like this. Let's see how I do.'
(Danger Room control room; forty-five minutes later)
While watching the tired students walk out of the Danger Room, Logan and Fury catch up. With Ororo exiting and Charles starting to make his way to his office, only for delightful aromas get their attention and their mouths to water before Fury speaks up.
"It seems I made the right call in keeping Shinji's ability hidden from 'Cookie' because his cooking would probably be enough to make the hardiest of foes spill their plans. All just for a taste of exquisite cooking."
(Kitchen; same time)
"Good thing I haven't seemed to have lost my touch. Of course, this is my first time doing it." Opening the oven before putting insulated gloves onto his hands, Shinji brings out three trays of oatmeal chocolate chip cookie brownies. With chocolate chip cookie on top, brownie on bottom and oats mixed in. "I hope I made enough for everyone."
Next thing he knows, Ororo comes into the kitchen, her nose twitching before Shinji gives a light chuckle. Getting the woman's attention before she smiles softly at him.
"That smells delightful, Shinji."
"Thanks, Storm. Just thought I'd see if I lost my touch when it comes to making a light snack."
"From the smell of things, I think it's safe to say you haven't." Looking the trays over, she nods and says, "Provided 'Multiple' doesn't make too many duplicates of himself, you've enough for everyone here. Maybe even for you to take with you back to the heli-carrier." Shinji looks them back over before back to Ororo.
"How many can he make altogether?"
"At last count, twenty-five." She can't help but giggle at Shinji's wide-eyed expression before he chuckles haplessly.
"Guess I'd better make one more tray before the others come back out."
"How about I ask 'Multiple' to limit himself to five duplicates so you don't have to fret about that?" Before Shinji can even reply, Laura, Amanda, Arcade, Kate and Val come into the kitchen. When Laura sees Shinji standing beside the treat-laden table, with a tear streaming from her left eye, she can only smile softly before saying five words.
"Marry me, give me cubs." That gets Shinji to blink, along with Val, Kate and Ororo to softly giggle before Laura snaps out of it and blushes beet red. "Did I happen to say anything off-kilter just now?"
"Well, if you consider saying for me to 'marry you' when you saw me by the table, along with 'giving you cubs' off-kilter…" Her blush goes even redder before she strides up to Shinji and looks him in his blue eyes with her green. "Laura?"
Gently palming the left side of his face with her right hand, she moves her right thumb around below his eye. Shinji gently brings his right hand to the left side of her face before running his fingers through her hair. Next thing he knows, Laura locks her lips against his, prompting Amanda and Arcade to go red and setting Val, Kate and Ororo off in a bout of laughter.
"I think I'll go back to the lab now." Amanda nods at Arcade's words before she speaks up herself.
"I'll go with and help you." Before they can even move, however…
"What in tarnation is going on in here?!" The group, minus the kissing teens, looks toward the doorway and see Rogue. Clad in her training outfit. But before they can even reply, she sees Shinji and Laura kissing passionately before going red herself.
"Oh. Carry on." Her nose then twitches before her mouth starts watering. "What is that wonderful smell?" At Rogue's query, Shinji and Laura reluctantly end their kiss.
"Oatmeal chocolate chip cookie brownies, Rogue." Shinji's reply gets the Southern girl to blink before taking in one more scent and licking her lips.
"Laura, can ya do me a favor?" At Laura's nod, Rogue goes on. "Given my… 'ability', can ya please give Shinji a peck on his forehead for me?" Laura gives Rogue a nod before doing so, with Rogue adding on, "They smell delicious, Shinji."
"Thanks, Rogue. It was my first time doing a mix." Ororo arches an eyebrow before smirking.
"Funny, because from the wonderful scent, one would be inclined to think you'd done a mix before." Shinji can't help but go beet red while grinning sheepishly. He then rubs the back of his head before non-guised Kurt pops, literally, into the kitchen.
"What a wunderbar scent!" Before Shinji can even reply at Kurt's comment, the others come into the kitchen. Causing Shinji and Laura both to blink before looking toward each other. Laura's green eyes are alit in mirth while Shinji sweat-drops again.
'All I did was a mix of dessert. It's not such a big deal.'
'To us, Shinji, it is.' Jean's voice in his head gets him to look toward her, a soft smile on her face. 'But it's nice to see you being modest.'
'I find I like being modest more than cocky as cocky can be quite problematic.' Kitty then walks up to him before kneeling on one knee on the floor in front of him. Her head bowed down.
"Ikari-sensei, please instruct me in the true way of the kitchen arts." Shinji only smile bashfully before Jean and Laura share a giggle. Next thing they all know, a gust of wind kicks up and a blur speeds around. Once it's gone, half a tray of brownies is gone as well. Yet with a note.
'They look good. We'll let you know what we think, Shinji. Pietro.'
"Looks like Fred's nose picked up the scent through the window." Rogue gives Shinji a shrug before going on. "At least he didn't take all of them."
"That's true." Bringing out a knife from a nearby holder, Shinji adds, "Might as well go ahead and cut them into portions."
(Brotherhood House; basement; five minutes ago)
As she watches Toad go through his forms from the middle of the stairs, Wanda silently nods in approval. The week of hard work and perseverance is finally starting to pay off for him. His stance is fully upright, instead of his usual slouch, and his movements are fluid instead of clumsy.
'Could be why he had so much trouble to begin with.' Remembering what'd prompted it to begin with, Wanda can only snicker softly. 'All because you thought a Karate book was about a guy named "Karate" indeed! Only you, Todd!' Next thing she knows, Toad stops and looks up toward her.
"How long have you been standing there, Wanda?"
"Long enough to see how much you've improved over the week." Seeing he's about to go bashful, she adds, "I mean it, Toad."
"Thanks, yo."
"You're welcome."
Up in the living room, Fred's nostrils pick up a delicious scent, prompting the massive teen to lick his lips. Lance and Pietro noticing him do so.
"Got something, Fred?"
"Yeah, Lance." Sniffing again, Fred goes on. "Smells like brownies and chocolate chip cookies, but they seem to have been smashed together."
"Probably a bake sale going on, Blob. Very popular you know."
"If that was the case, Pietro, it'd be held outside, in spring. Not indoors in near winter. With the window being closed, no less." Pietro can't help but snort incredulously.
"How can you tell that?"
"Don't tell me you forgot, Quickie." At Pietro's blink of befuddlement, Lance can only smirk before taking it.
"Blob's nose is so sensitive, he can pick up on delicious treats through glass across town." Seeing that Pietro's about to scoff, Lance asks, "Don't you remember what happened at the bakery four months ago, Pietro?" Pietro nods while shuddering.
"I'd never been more terrified of you than that day, Blob. I thought you were actually going to trample all over me just to get in there. And the place wasn't even open yet!"
"If you don't stop being an arrogant ass, that option works just fine and the day's still young." Lance's cheerfully blunt retort gets Pietro to gulp before the former looks toward the group's 'food radar'. "Can you tell where it's coming from?"
"It's faint, but I think it's coming from the area of the Xavier Institute. I'll be able to narrow it down more when we get closer to the scent source." Lance nods as the two rise, Pietro still sitting.
"What are we waiting for, then? Let's get Toad and Wanda and go." Wanda's voice then wafts up the basement stairs to Lance's ears.
"Go where, Lance?" Before Lance can reply, Pietro does.
"Blob thinks there's some delicious treats across town at the X-Geeks' place. But he can't narrow it down unless we're close by there." Next thing he knows, his twin sister and Toad come up the stairs, causing Pietro to roll his eyes. "Tell you guys what. I'll save you the trip and take a look. If it's confirmed, I'll swipe some for you." Before they can even respond, Pietro speeds out the door. Wanda and Toad can only blink before looking at each other.
"What's with him?" Their eyes then go wide at having spoken at the same time, causing Lance and Fred both to burst out laughing. Along with Toad and Wanda to blush.
(Bayville sidewalk; same time)
"Ah! It's good to get out of the house!" Paul can only smile softly at his girlfriend's recovering exuberance before she stretches her arms outward. Noticing his smile, Taryn smiles right back at him before asking, "What'd my Dad want to talk to you about, anyway?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you just yet, Taryn." Seeing her pout gets his smile to fade slightly before he goes on. "Please, Taryn. Don't be upset. It's just… I can't tell you just yet."
"When can you?"
"When I do, Taryn, that's when I can." Paul's smile returns as Taryn rolls her eyes.
"I guess I'll have to wait, then." Next thing the two know, a horn beeps behind them, causing them to turn around and grimace. With Taryn giving their response. "Crap!"
"Hey, Paul, Taryn! Haven't seen you guys in a while!" The blond male driver of the red sports car grins at them both. "Of course, working in the mine does tend to take my time away from having social time."
"I'd imagine so, Duncan." His eyes internally narrowed, Paul asks, "Splash anyone unfortunate enough to cross your path lately?"
"Other than that freak several days ago, no." Duncan then snorts and adds, "Of course, I used Cindy's car to do so after I told her I was going to splash a mutie or two. Matter of fact…" Reaching down to beside him, he brings out a flyer and nods for Taryn to take it. As she does, the former jock goes on. "An interesting group's starting to take root to combat the mutie menace. Wanna check it out?" Taryn and Paul exchange a glance before the former gives a smirk. She then balls it up and throws it back into Duncan's car.
"That's our reply, Matthews. It's trash, just like anyone that joins a bunch of jealous morons."
"Jealous?!" Duncan can't help but be incredulous at that. "Why would we be jealous of a bunch of mutie freaks?!"
"Oh, because they can do remarkable things and still manage to be as human as we are." Paul smiles serenely as he goes on. "While I admit some envy, I don't disguise it with hateful remarks. No time for hate as hate is idiotic. Much like you are, dumbass." Taryn can't help but giggle at the shocked look on Duncan's face before it becomes a frown.
"So, what Cindy said was true, then. You've chosen to betray your race." Taryn shakes her head, a smirk on her face.
"No, Matthews, we didn't. Scott, Jean and the others at the Institute are humans as well. They just have something extra. If anyone's betraying humanity, it's bigots like you." Duncan snorts at that before driving away. Only for his car to suddenly stop and fall apart.
"MY NEW CAR! I JUST GOT THIS THING TO REPLACE MY OTHER ONE! DAMN YOU, MUTIES!"
"Was 'Duncan the Dumb' giving you two lovebirds a hard time?" At the voice behind them, Paul and Taryn turn around and see a snidely smirking Pietro. "Can't say I'm surprised if he was."
"A bit of one, but seeing his car fall apart like that is fair compensation." Paul then smirks himself before adding, "I hope his car insurance covers unexplained self-disassembly." Pietro gives a cackle at that before speeding off. Taryn blinks at that before looking at Paul.
"Since when were you on semi-friendly terms with Pietro Maximoff?"
"Since we were both of the same opinion when it comes to Duncan being dumb as dog shit." Taryn's snort gets him to shrug, adding, "Gotta build a bridge from somewhere."
Next thing Paul knows, Pietro speeds back to them, slowing down enough to talk and for them to see he has a plate in hand. Said plate having an unusual type of chocolate chip cookie/brownie mix.
"You guys gotta check out what's at the Xavier Institute!" With that, he laughs and speeds off again. Looking to each other, the two resume walking. Passing Duncan as he's loudly cursing on his car phone.
"It could very well merit our scrutiny, Paul. But, do you think we should mention to them what's ahead for Shinji?"
"Unless they bring it up, no. I've got a hunch that Shinji doesn't want them to know about it until after it happens." Taryn can only blink in bewilderment at that.
"How so? You barely got to meet him." Shrugging, Paul gives his reply.
"He strikes me as the kind of person that puts priorities on situational aspects. If you were in his shoes, and something big is on the horizon, would you want the others to concentrate on it or know?" Taryn thinks about it before sighing.
"I'd not tell them, wanting them to concentrate on the 'something big on the horizon'. If I were to tell them, they wouldn't be able to concentrate as their minds would be wandering back and forth. Making for a precariously dangerous situation." Shivering, she adds, "I'm sorry if it sounds cold, but I'm so glad I'm not in his shoes, Paul."
"Quite frankly, anyone that would want to be in his shoes has got to have problems." Giving her a side hug, Paul feels her snuggling into him and smiles faintly. 'I just hope the four months end favorably for the both of us.'
Behind the two, Duncan glares balefully.
'Just you wait, Haits and Fujioka. You "mutie lovers" will wish you never betrayed the human race!'
(Brotherhood House; same time)
"Oh, this is heavenly!" Savoring the taste of the unique mix, Wanda closes her eyes in bliss. "And you're sure Shinji made them?"
"Why else would Kitty Pryde be kneeling like a samurai or a ninja on the floor before Shinji?" Snickering, Pietro adds, "Of course, the chances of her becoming one are as likely as me to take Fury's suggestion seriously."
"I wouldn't recommend tempting her or giving her ideas, Pietro." Lance smirks softly after he swallows the last of his brownie. "She just might take you up on it."
"Lance has got a point, yo." Smirking softly at him, Toad adds, "Of course, seeing as he's still sweet on her, I can't really say I'm surprised, yo." Fred guffaws at that before throwing the last oatmeal chocolate chip cookie brownie into his mouth. Chewing slowly to savor the taste, Fred then swallows it and sighs happily.
"I don't care what Professor Xavier says. X-Gene or not, Shinji's one of us."
"By us, I'm guessing you mean 'mutant', Freddy?"
"Well, yeah, Lance. I mean, think about it. He does remarkable things while looking ordinary."