Right I might do one more after this to wrap things up. This is mainly just interactions between various characters and setting up the final chapter. Officially the second to last chapter and I hope you have all enjoyed this long story, as of yet I have no idea what my next story will be, might do a few more one shots just to pad things out a bit but we'll see.
At the end of this chapter I'll give a few stories that I've still got in the pipeline that already have a few chapters worth done but haven't been looked at in a while.
Balalaika strolled through the halls of NERV once again, only this time she was by herself.
Boris had taken it upon himself to return their troops to their temporary accommodations, of course she would take the full force of Makashima's wrath herself, she knew there would be repercussions after her actions but she did not care anymore.
SEELE was now either dead or in prison, the head of the snake had been successfully cut off, and even if something did manage to crawl out of the wreckage of their organization they would hardly be a threat after the sheer amount of information they had uncovered during their own investigation and assaults on their compounds.
Shaking her mind clear she put on a small smile as she remembered she was there for a much more joyous reason.
Seeing the door open she looked inside and saw Yui Ikari in the flesh, the warm smile she had as she flipped through a book made her wonder whether she was enjoying the book itself or the action of actually reading something when she had been stuck inside the Evangelion for ten years.
"Miss Ikari. It is a pleasure to finally meet you face to face." she announced herself, "You must be Balalaika. Shinji has told me so much about you, I have to thank you for giving him your support through his life, especially his time here…" she could have let the mother of her favourite trouble maker continue but she stopped her with a small hand gesture, "No thanks is necessary Miss Ikari. Shinji is family, I protect my family. That is all there is to it." she said keeping a cool head only for Yui to start giggling.
"Is something amusing?", "Yes. Its far more than that, I've seen the inside of my sons mind while in Unit-One. Your connection to him is much more than that, you see him as a friend as much as you do a surrogate nephew." Balalaika sighed, she was hoping that she could keep this conversation clear of her feelings towards Shinji. "I guess there is no point hiding it then…yes, Shinji is not only family but a dear friend as well, I can call him such as he is not one of my soldiers, a business partner or someone trying to secretly wrestle power from me. I can trust him.".
"You gave birth to a remarkable young man Miss Ikari.", "Please call me Yui, and I still have much to catch up on. The last time I saw my son before my imprisonment, he was only four years old.", "But he always thought of you." Balalaika spoke, sensing the woman's silent grief about missing so much of his life. "On my birthday from when he was old enough, he would give me a private Cello performance. I was touched of course but he would always drag another chair next to me, when I asked why do you know what he said?" Yui shook her head.
"He said it would always be so you had a seat. He always thought you were watching over him and since you enjoyed the Cello so much he would always set an extra seat for you whenever he played." Balalaika remembered the hug that she had given Shinji, she hadn't wanted to let him go.
"I never knew that…even when he opened up his mind to the Evangelion…", "Never forget that he missed you deeply. But now I don't think I have ever seen him so happy as he was when he found out you were still alive, and now that you are free I suspect that will only increase." she explained as Yui fought back the tears, only for them to be wiped away by the Russian crime boss.
"I came here to find out the kind of person you really are, Rock and Shinji always spoke so highly of you I wanted to see if the stories where true. I'm glad to see they are." she said to the point, "We've barely talked for more then five minutes.", "I am a very good judge of character, so is Shinji and Rock. I highly doubt they would of spun false information about you just to humour me." leaning back she folded her arms with a small smile.
"Besides you haven't started screaming after you found out that the majority of us are criminals.", "That maybe true…but my cousin for example, he'll always be family first. The same can be said for the rest of you, as strange as it sounds.", "Well if it makes you feel more at ease we only go after people who deserve it or can afford the losses." she chuckled darkly.
"Am I interrupting?" Shinji asked from the doorway holding a couple of bento boxes and sporting a rather large bruise under his left eye.
"Shinji!? What happened?" he sighed as he set the bento's on the side table next to them, "Asuka cornered me after I split up from Mari, figured she would focus on me since I switched out her shampoo for hair dye. I was right.", "What next?" Balalaika asked in a teasing manner.
"She kicked me in the shin then slapped me before I could apologize after that she punched me…only woke up about an hour ago." Yui looked very worried as Balalaika chuckled at what had befallen Shinji, "You certainly have a way with women Shinji. But I would suggest in the future not angering Asuka again…at least until she washes the hair dye out." she chuckled.
"I'd prefer never." Yui pleaded, "I want grandchildren." she pouted, eyeing Shinji with big pleading eyes while sticking out her lower lip for maximum effect only to have Shinji last less then a second before he sighed, "When we're old enough mom…we've been through this, several times.".
"Good because I'm not getting any younger Shinji-kun. You wouldn't quash your mothers dreams would you?", "Don't…" Shinji warned, "You can pout all you like but your not dropping a guilt trip on me. Now do you two want food or not?" he asked holding up the bento's.
Revy sighed as she was poked and prodded by the blonde doctor, she had begun to wish she wasn't pregnant anymore as she continued her check up. "Well you seem to be in good health, blood pressure is a little high but nothing that warrants action." she said as Revy shot up as quick as she could, "Thank fuck for that…you really need to work on your bedside manner doc.", "Well if you stopped moving you wouldn't be so uncomfortable. I honestly don't think I've had someone such as tetchy as you." Ritsuko sighed.
"You suck doc…" Revy moaned, "But thanks anyway I guess." getting to her feet she began to leave the room only for the doc to stop her, "You still have to have a ultrasound. I need to make sure the baby is healthy." sighing loudly she turned around and slumped herself back onto the bed.
Without being asked she lifted up her black vest, she hadn't gone through many of these but it was still creepy for her, especially when they would put the gel on, 'That stuff is so damn cold.' she thought as Ritsuko wheeled over the ultrasound machine. "How are you feeling about being a mother?", "Ask me after the first four years, from there I'll be fine.", "I shouldn't worry, given what I know about you I think you can overcome anything." Revy was a little surprised at the praise but merely shrugged in response.
"But you've got Yui as well, if you have any questions I'm sure she'd be more then happy to help.", "I'm terrified…" Revy said suddenly, "What?", "This kid is Rock's and mine but I keep thinking what if I mess the kid up more then I am? I drink, smoke have…temper problems and swear like its going out of fashion. What is my kid going to be like?", "Would you love them?" Ritsuko asked, "What kind of question is that? Of course I would.", "Then you have nothing to worry about.".
"My mother didn't really love me that much, all I was to her was a continuation of her legacy. After my father passed away I just felt as if I was always in the way. When she found out my IQ and skill set with computers and bio-technology…" Ritsuko sighed as she remembered all of the disappointment she felt living in her mothers shadow, "I think that's when I took up smoking.".
Ritsuko ran the scanner over Revy's stomach, and smiled when the image came up on the monitor, "Well Revy, your baby seems to be doing just fine." she was glad to see the look of relief on her face, "Good…I thought I had fucked up, I was still smoking and drinking during the early stages…", "What about more recently?", "Haven't touched anything for the last few months. Rock has been keeping a close eye on me, and I think he's stopped smoking around me as well now that I think about it.", "Guess he doesn't want to be a distraction and tempt you into sneaking one." Revy rubbed her eyes, feeling her eyes wet with tears.
"You dumbass…why do you always do this?" she asked herself, "Every time he does this I feel like I don't deserve him…", "I would say your very lucky to have someone who loves you so much." Revy gently tapped her shoulder, "If your talking about that walking sack of shit that used to be your boss, I wouldn't worry about him but I think your assistant…well use your imagination.".
"I already do." Ritsuko said before she started laughing before Revy joined in, only for her to stop as she looked to the door. "Hey Blue. What you doing down here?" Ritsuko turned and saw Rei silently standing there in her school uniform, "Sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if I could ask Dr. Akagi some questions in regards to my health?" she asked tilting her head to one side slightly.
"Of course Rei, just take a seat while we finish up here." she said as she turned back to the ultrasound as she began to finish up her examination, "Is there something wrong with you Blue?" Revy asked, "No…at least I do not think so? Why do you call me Blue?" she asked her voice as calm as always, "I don't know, because your hair is Blue. It's not meant as an insult or anything.", "I see…", "Besides Shinji says your alright so…Ouch! Watch what your doing doc!" Revy hissed, "I forgot again." she said in frustration as she ran her hand down her face.
"Forgot what!? Bare in mind doc you've got two lives in your hands so watch what your poking.", "Well Shinji has… a sister." Revy shot upright, completely forgetting about the ultrasound. "What? Who?" she asked eager to know, but when Ritsuko pointed to Rei who merely nodded. "Wait, wait…wait. You knew Shinji was your brother?", "Half-brother, but yes. I am made from the DNA of Yui Ikari.", "Why the hell didn't you tell him?" Revy asked trying not to get angry.
"I was told that it was not important and no one told me to do so, so I did not.", "That's fucked up…right we're sorting this out right now." using a cloth to wipe the gel off her stomach she sat upright and grabbed Rei by her wrist, "Doc your coming too. You can answer her questions on the way.", "But…" Ritsuko was silenced by the icy glare Revy gave her and suddenly felt very small, "Your coming…".
Marching towards Yui's room Revy could only suffer and silence as Ritsuko and Rei discussed the young girls health, all she could make out was that she was having a shit load of meds for whatever reason and Ritsuko said that she could begin to come off them when she was ready. It was yet another reason to hate Gendo as she explained that Rei's medication not only supported her immune system against the Angel side of her DNA but also acted as suppressants for her emotions.
Part of her really wanted to punch the 'good' doctor in her jaw but after doing so much to help them she decided against it, besides she helped get Yui out of that tin can so she wasn't all bad.
Walking into the room that Yui was resting up in they saw that Shinji was already there and that Balalaika was sitting down as well, each eating from a bento. "Two-hands? What brings you here?" Balalaika asked setting her finished meal aside, "Well sis…the doc here has something to tell Shin here…I'm here to make sure that she does it this time.".
"Shinji…there is no easy way to tell you this but please understand that partially I did not know how to tell you and partially because Gendo still had his own plans in place.", "Tell me what?" he asked, "Rei is your sister…well half sister." a series of emotions crossed over his face in a flash just in time for confusion and fear to set in, "You mean…I've seen my sister naked?" the women watched as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed back into his seat.
"Well that went better then I expected…" Ritsuko said after a moment of silence, checking his vitals she found she was right and that he had merely fainted, though she wasn't expecting such a reaction.
"I was hoping to tell him this a little more gently." Yui sighed, "When?" Revy asked, "When did you know?", "I guessed. Look at the two of us and tell me there isn't a close connection between us." Revy looked and had to admit that the resemblance between the two was uncanny and one could say they were mother and daughter with little trouble.
"Alright…you got me there…but I want to know what he meant by seeing her naked. I knew Shin has a…mature mind but didn't think he would go this far." Revy chuckled as she started to poke at Shinji to try and wake him up. "He merely delivered my new ID to my apartment, as I had just showered myself I was not dressed." Rei explained, "However he did not faint then.", "Don't worry Rei, once he wakes up we can sort this all out. And besides now that he knows your related you can have more interactions with other people.".
"I do not understand?", "Rei…the suppressants you have been given are effecting your emotions, once we start to lower the dosage and eventually off them completely, you should start to experience emotions again.", "If that is what you wish…" Rei started to say but was cut off, "Enough!" surprisingly it was Yui who had shouted at her.
"Rei. What Gendo put you through was horrible, what he planned to use you for was unforgivable. Please. Please live a long happy life being your own person." Rei looked unsure as she felt tears, "Why? Why would people care for me? I am replaceable after all.", "No your not Rei…" Ritsuko admitted, "All the clones were destroyed. You are Rei Ayanami. The only Rei Ayanami.".
"She's a clone?" Revy asked surprised, "Yes. She was meant to be used as a tool to help start third impact. According to Gendo's plan, anyway.", "I…I'm not sure what to say…" Rei managed to get out, she was confused as to what to actually do in the current situation.
"I think what you should do first is ask Rei if she would like to be part of your family?" Balalaika asked, "Her DNA is yours after all is it not? Therefore she is legally your daughter.", "It's up to Rei, she can make her own choices now. What do you think Rei? Would you like to be Rei Ikari?" Yui asked, secretly hoping that the young girl would say yes.
Shinji woke up from the strangest dream. For some reason he had thought that Rei was his sister and that he had seen her naked.
"How long was I out?" he groaned rubbing his head, "Not long Shinji-kun.", "Rei? Had the weirdest dream, I thought someone told me you were my sister?", "That is correct. Please refer to me as Onee-chan." she said calmly with a slightest hint of a smirk on her face.
Shinji could only stare at her as he tried to figure out what was about to happen next, if a bunch of his friends would pop out with cameras like some annoying reality show. "Is that right?" he asked his mother who nodded, "Rei Ikari is your older sister.", "By three months…" Revy said with a smirk, "So you have to call her Onee-chan." she said trying not to have a giggle fit.
"Alright your not going to tease me alright? Just saved the world etc etc, cut me a little slack.", "No." all three women said at once as Rei and Ritsuko merely looked on, "Fine…tease Shinji it is then." he groaned, "Wish Rock was here, at least then I wouldn't be the only target.", "Shinji…have you consummated your relationship with pilot Makanami?" Rei asked out of the blue, "I…I…What!?" Shinji gibbered out, "You and Pilot Makanami were in a relationship then you were separated and now you are back together. Correct?".
The room was silent apart from Revy snorting with laughter as she tried to hide it, poorly. "Well…yes. But Rei you can't say that out loud…especially around our mother." looking over he saw that Yui had an almost face splitting grin on her face. "I'm so proud of you Shinji! Already trying to give me grandchildren!" she teased, "Alright I'm out…" Shinji said getting up to leave, "And welcome to the crazy family Rei." he said giving her a hug before leaving the room.
Makashima growled in frustration as he looked at the wreckage in front of him, it was still in the process of being recovered from the water, so he only had a few parts of the plane. "I won't be happy until I either see a body or that I'm sure he's dead." he said more to himself than his captain who stood next to him.
"I'm sure sir. A lot of people feel the same way after all this mess. Only by gods grace that we managed to uncover the truth before they started their plan.". Makashima chuckled dryly, "I know there was more to it then gods grace, we had some damn fine people on our side. Only wish some of those people would bloody listen…", "You mean about this?" the captain asked gesturing to the wreckage.
"It's complicated but yes…I warned them not to do it.", "Then I think it would be best if we did not discuss it further sir. Never know might be listening in.", "Alright captain." he knew the captain was a smart man and wouldn't say exactly what he was thinking so haphazardly.
'I can't believe it. I warned her not to do it and what does she do? Blows up a private jet in Japanese airspace.' he thought, 'If the wrong people start looking into this they'll label her a terrorist.' as much as he did have a duty to do, he could not simply turn in the woman who had handed much of the information on SEELE to them and had a hand in arresting Gendo. 'Besides that kid of hers…just saved the world. Can't really see why I have to ruin that…' he sighed loudly as another section of wreckage was brought in.
"Sir! We've got something here!" one of the techs called out from the wreckage, "What is it!?" he called back, "Remains!" Makashima rushed over and saw a section of severed leg from the upper thigh if he had to guess, but it showed signs of heavy charring from one would expect from an explosion. "Someone get DNA from this and match it to KEEL! And search every inch of every section! If there is anymore remains I want them found!" he ordered.
As the techs rushed around to carry out the orders he pulled out his phone and dialled Fuyutski.
"Yes General?", "We found some remains in a section of wreckage, they are too badly damaged to visually ID them but after a DNA check I hope that it could be Keel.", "How much is it?", "Part of the upper thigh. I have techs running over looking for anymore so we can confirm its him. But regardless…anyone who was on that jet didn't stand a chance.", "So if it comes back as Keel we can confirm his death?" Fuyutski asked, "That is right.".
"Good then all of SEELE will be accounted for.", "What about Gendo?", "He's under guard at a private hospital. Turns out it wasn't just us who wanted to get a few punches in. He received a fractured skull, two broken ribs and a number of lacerations." he explained and Makashima could not feel the slightest hint of concern over the mans new injuries.
"Lets hope he gets more when he's in prison." the general said, "I concur. But I sense there is something more to your call?" hearing the general sigh he knew it would cause him problems, "Tell Balalaika that she went too far…We've got a huge mess on our hands because of what she did." wishing him luck Fuyutski ended the call, deciding that it would be the best time to stretch his legs.
Misato sighed loudly as she relaxed into her bath, it had been an endless stream of paperwork and meetings with the UN security council. She swore when she looked at the mirror earlier she could see a grey hair.
"I need this…" she mumbled as she just let all her pent up stress out into the relaxing waters, with everything that had been happening recently she had not even had the time to visit Yui properly, rather it had been a fleeting visit which lasted all of a couple of minutes.
'I'm glad Shinji finally got the answers he was looking for. And for his family to be back together.' she felt a nudge from her bath mate and saw PenPen floating on his back and looking at her as if asking what she was thinking.
"Sorry PenPen just thinking…Have to wonder what will happen next though…Shinji's back with Mari, Yui is alive and well, SEELE is finished…and me…" she chuckled, "I'm now the sub-commander of NERV, lucky me." sighing she should have realised the amount of work involved but part of her hoped that with the change in leadership would have changed the amount of work she was meant to do.
"I'll be happy as long as Shinji stays here. It's never boring with him around." sinking further into the bath she suddenly thought about her own future, 'Would staying with NERV be worth it?' she thought and guessed that if she ever went to find another job then the fact that she used to work for an organization that planned to end the world would not exactly put things in her favour with any possible employers.
"Screw it…I'm a survivor PenPen." she grinned as she watched the penguin splash and nod before finally hopping out of the bath and wrapping a towel around him before leaving her to finish off her bath alone.
Shinji heard a yell of pleasure from the kitchen the moment he entered the apartment, hearing Misato's joy from something as simple as a beer was something that reminded him about the simple things.
"Get one for me Misato!" he called out, only to get a loud burp as his answer, "Thank you.", "How's your mom?", "She's fine. I had a chat Ritsuko before they drove me out with the teasing and raising insanity in the room, and she will back up and walking in about a week.", "That's great Shinji!" she said tossing him a beer from the fridge.
"Oh and guess what?", "What?" she asked taking a seat in the kitchen, "Rei's my sister.". Shinji would be lying if he said he wasn't expecting a reaction but for her to spit out her beer all over his face, "…thanks." he said reaching for a towel to dry himself.
"What? Rei's your sister? When? How?", "Yes…turns out Rei is cloned from my mother…and was meant to be a trigger to third impact. But I think want pisses me off the most is that Gendo had her drugged to keep her under control.", "That's…that's horrible Shinji. I really hope that bastard gets what's coming to him.", "Don't worry…on the way over I made a few calls. I found out he has a target on his back if he ever mixes with the prison population.".
"Can't say I would be sad to hear he got stabbed by accident." she chuckled, "Or better yet stabbed himself while shaving." Shinji added, not knowing just what Gendo was in for during his life term.
"You wanted to see me general?" Balalaika asked walking up behind him as he stood watching a the pond of the small garden they had agreed to meet in, "You crossed the line…I warned you not to do it. We wanted KEEL alive!" he bellowed turning to face her.
"But you didn't." she stated calmly, far from intimidated by the mans attitude, "You wanted him dead as much as I did. And you try and deny it general…you are a poor liar.", "Shut up…you committed an act of terrorism on Japanese soil. I cannot simply overlook this." he said trying to keep his anger in check.
"It was hardly an act of terrorism. I removed a monster from the world that took the form of a man. Need I remind you what he did? What he was planning to do?", "You don't! But the fact remains we wanted him alive!", "You are a fool then…How long do you think he would have been before he found a way to get out of prison? Placed under house arrest and then he can start all over again." she asked knowing just how far the mans reach actually was.
The information she had supplied the UN and the General had been enough to get the job done but also had just been the tip of the iceberg. There was much they still did not know and what she had read had genuinely scared her, something not easily done.
"You know that would never happen." he said sternly, "He would be shot the moment he left the prison by someone, and considering the entire population would have reason too kill him we are better off leaving him in there then policing the entire world.", "If you haven't noticed General my rules of engagement are different to yours. And while I do not have anything but respect for another officer I will not stand by while you all but label my men as terrorists.".
Balalaika folded her arms, her officers coat swaying gently in the wind as she stared down the general, "If there is anything else…", "Natsumi. My sister and only family died because of second impact. So yes you are right, I did want that man dead. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to watch the life drain from his eyes as I ringed his neck.".
"I lost many good men because of that tragic event…some were with me from the beginning of my journey to where I am today. So I know the loss of family." Makashima could have rebutted her saying that it was not the same but knew first hand the bonds between soldiers on the field could easily rival that of a bond between family members.
They stood silent. Not sure as to what to say. "So General what will you do now? Turn me in?", "No…as much as I should I couldn't look at myself if I did. Plus I'm sure that kid Shinji would be on the warpath if I did." he said with a small smile, "But this is going to be our deal Balalaika…break it and I will bring you in myself." he said firmly.
"You can come and go as you please. I doubt I would keep you from your ties here in the first place…but you will not bring your own private army again." she kept a calm expression and mentioned for him to continue, "A small guard team is fine. This however is the one that I cannot stress enough, any shootouts or murders that take place while you and your people are here I will make sure the police are the first to knock down your door. Any acts of terrorism like this again and I will be the last person you ever see outside a jail cell.".
"Well it seems you have everything thought out General…I must admit I am impressed. But your terms are… reasonable. But I will remind you about something you may have forgotten, I would never put Shinji's happiness at risk." the man nodded in understanding, "I actually figured as much, the kid is one in a million and I respect what he's done at his age.".
"Well…some of my more legal enterprises are listed in his name. When I pass on he will become a very wealthy young man.", "Please you've got plenty of time left." he said earning a sad smile from the woman, "In my line of work General there is always someone out there who wants you dead and many of my enemies are still alive. I am merely making sure that the people I care about are taken care off, the men and women under my command can continue after I die.".
"Fair enough…I'm sorry to bring you out here for all this.", "Nonsense General I am glad to have cleared the air between us. Let us hope that nothing like this happens again." Makashima gave her a short glare, "Well I know it wouldn't be because of me…just don't cause any more trouble in my home country again.".
"Walk me to my car General." she ordered with a teasing smile, "It is a nice day after all." as they walked Makashima briefly wondered if she had been using him in her plans the entire time, but at the moment he did not care, it was finally over.
Well I know this chapter isn't much but talking but its all set up for the last chapter now. And it will be good. I won't say what I've got planned exactly but it will be worth it. Plus a few surprises as well.
As mentioned back at the top of this chapter I do have a few stories.
Dead Space x Eva - Shinji gets sent over to the Dead Space universe and ends up joining Isaac in venturing through the Ishimura as his fellow engineer.
Project Zero 3 (Fatal Frame 3) X Eva - After running away Shinji finds himself lost in the woods where he comes across a familiar looking mansion. Upon leaving he meets an older woman who has more knowledge of the occult then most would think.
Un-named story - A man arrives at Misato's door after the Angel war claiming to be Shinji's father. While he is haunted by his own past and actions he has only one goal, to connect with his son. Fuyutski is the only one who knows the truth and he is missing. (This is not a long story. Six or Seven chapters at most.)