Neon Genesis Evangelion: Little Angel

by CoolJosh2002

Defeating the Angels. That is NERV's purpose after all. But, it turns out there is more to them than NERV once thought. An AU rewrite of NGE, with elements from the Manga, Rebuild and even some Video Games. Comedic and Serious in one. Story is quite appropriate for anyone, although some things might get a bit sexual later on, as such, is recommended for 13 . (Mainly with Ireul)

23. Changing Hearts, Immutable Hearts

Well hi there! It's been a little while, a little thing called University got in the way of me being able to really write this chapter at all, but the past month or so I've been able to really crack down and finish it so there you go! The start of our next Angel is here, adapting the events of a Video Game this time! So, enjoy Chapter 23, I'm quite proud of it! Enter the Nineteenth Angel!

---

September 12th, 2015

The dust and grime swept across the desert in a usual sweeping pattern. The building ahead-looking dark and dusty. Long abandoned against the backdrop of the landscape. Kaji glanced around him, as he trudged carefully towards the building. He pushed past the nearby fence, the rickety and rusty thing falling to the ground by a simple touch. He stood near the front door, hand in his jacket, where his gun always sat. He placed a hand on the door, and slowly opened it into the dark space beyond.

What he saw was what he had seen every other time he had done this. A normal office-like room, with chairs and objects strewn about the floor. Desks either upturned or obviously had everything hastily removed and gone. It was the same. Every single time. Nothing was different.

'Why is this the case?' Kaji thought as he stood in the middle of the darkroom. Hoping to find something, anything that could link him to the Marduk Institute. '108 firms. The first 105 turned out to be some dummy corporations. All of them are supposedly linked to the Marduk Institute. And here I am… at Number 106… No surprise here.' Kaji pulled the chair out, sitting himself down on the chair and lighting a cigarette, letting the smoke blow through his nostrils. 'Just what is the Marduk Institute? Supposedly an advisory body that operates under the direct authority of the United Nations Human Instrumentality Committee.' He glanced up at the ceiling, wonder and thoughts running through his head. 'The supposed purpose is to select the Evangelion pilots. Yet, there's nothing here, and I've yet to figure out exactly what's going on here…' He stood up, heading back towards the dusty world beyond, an idea already forming in his head. 'If there's nothing here, then what are all these 108 strings really trying to pull. Or…' He thought, stepping outside and letting the hot dusty air hit his face all over again. 'There's someone else pulling all the strings. This just doesn't feel right. Could it be… that someone I know… Someone I work for is pulling all the strings.' As Kaji stepped along the dusty and grimy ground, a man watched him from the distance, pushing his glasses upon his face, ignoring the dying world around him.

Gendo Ikari smirked at the man far in the distance, as he watched. "Soon…" He muttered to himself, as he headed back towards his helicopter, sitting running quietly in the background. Getting inside as the doors shut tightly. Quietly leaving the space, and the building to its abandoned state once again.

---

"Jesus Christ!" Kensuke muttered as he wandered the streets of Tokyo-3 with Toji and Shinji. "I can do without School thanks. All these dumb tests and work that we need to do… I'd much rather be in an Eva! Piloting to protect the world!"

"We know, Kensuke," Shinji muttered, as Toji also grumbled about school. "You would rather do anything to protect yourself and others. But School is not enough."

"I'd like to go a few hours without you reminding me about School, Kensuke." Toji idly commented, growling to himself. "Might as well go check out the local cemetery, Kensuke believes we'll end up in there for some reason."

"I guess we can always be ready for the worst…" Shinji said, causing Sachiel to pop out of the shirt pocket, a smile on his second (but not first) face.

"What are you talking about, Shinji!" Sachiel gleefully replied, floating up to the boy's face. "You're fine! You do well don't you!"

"Yes, he does!" Toji said, slinging his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Probably gets straight A's!"

"I wouldn't be surprised about that!" Kensuke said, pushing his glasses up his face, setting them in a satisfactory position.

"Hey!" Shinji replied, pushing Toji's arm off his shoulder. "Don't speak like that! For all you know I'm doing crap! I haven't had a chance to study at all since I got here! Piloting the Eva and everything…"

"Alright!" Toji replied, setting off immediately for the apartment. "We'll settle this at Ikari's crib! We'll discuss the battle plans to stay on top of all the school work!"

"I second that notion!" Kensuke replied, following Toji with a spring in his step.

"I third that notion!" Sachiel replied.

"Yes."

"Now wait one minute!" Shinji called out, having not moved from his position. "Why my place!? Why not yours or Kensuke's?"

"Geez, Shinji, you really are a bit of buzzkill aren't you."

"What does that mean!?"

"Why do you think, because Misato will be there!" Toji replied as Kensuke swooned in the background.

"Wow. Now there's something I've never heard in my life." Shinji replied sarcastically, watching as Toji pumped his hand in the air. "You know, she's not actually home from work yet, so she's not there to be ogled at…"

"You talk too much Shinji," Kensuke muttered as Toji grinned, raising his fist once again.

"Don't you worry, Shinji! We'll wait for her!" Shinji groaned as the group ascended the lift towards the apartment. The doors opened with a soft ding, the group walking towards the front door.

As the door opened, Toji stepped into the room, a massive smile on his face. "Good afternoon, Misato!"

"You know, calling for her won't make her come!" Came the pleased and slightly german voice of Asuka, stepping into the room, her red hair flying backward.

"What are you still doing here!?" Kensuke called out, turning to the new arrival in annoyance.

"She's still here!" Toji called out, recoiling as Asuka moved towards Shinji. "No! Leave my friend alone!"

"Schneiden sie es aus, du Moron!" Asuka replied, giving the boy a glare. "Why do you even care anyway!? Besides, I decided to keep living here after Israfel was defeated. I do have a life of my own, you know!"

"Not much of one, if she decided to live here," Toji stated, glaring at the girl.

"Hey, stooge! Just so you know, I could've decided to live by myself, but I didn't! I'm living here, so you'd better deal with it!" Asuka replied, pointing her finger at the jock.

"Oh yeah! What does Shinji have to say about this!?" He replied, turning to the boy, who was wisely staying as far out of everything as possible.

"I'm fine with it," Shinji replied, shocking the other two stooges.

"Don't worry!" Asuka replied, standing near Shinji. "I'll take good care of Shinji, so you two don't have to worry about a thing! He'll be a perfect little stress reliever…" She muttered, giving the boy a wink.

"Oh god… The devil wants Shinji to help please her!" Toji called out, stepping back in shock and horror. Asuka shrieked, hitting the boy hard, sending him backward.

"Pervert! Letch! Fiend!" She ranted. "Nothing like that! Ew! Never! Besides, you wouldn't want me telling Hikari exactly what you've been thinking about!" She said, giving the boy an evil grin.

"You wouldn't!" He replied, staring hard at her. "Shinji, tell her she wouldn't!"

"No can do, Toji!" Shinji replied, walking towards his room. "I don't want to get in Asuka's way."

"Get back here and talk to me like a man!" Toji replied, leaping forward immediately. Kensuke sighed as he relaxed against the wall, glancing at his camera.

"Oh, the peace and tranquillity…" He muttered sarcastically, as Shinji waved Toji off, heading towards his room. He opened the door and was immediately dunked on the head with a bucket of water, drenching him from head to toe.

"What the…?" Shinji said to himself as Asuka gasped.

"Oh god… I forgot about them…" Asuka muttered.

"Who?" Shinji replied, as a loud whoop resonated in the apartment, a gold human-like body floating out followed by an identical twin, coloured silver.

"Yes! A genius prank as always, sister!"

"You know it, brother!" The silver one replied, laughing at Shinji's misfortune.

"Well, I guess Israfel has arrived," Shinji said, glancing between the two identical angels.

"Yep! Israfel Part A, I prefer to go by Alpha though, at your service!" Alpha stated, theatrically bowing in joy and happiness at the outcome of their prank. "I'm bound to you, Shinji!"

"That's precisely right, brother! Nice to meet you, Shinji! I'm Israfel Part B, but you can call me Beta! I've got your esteemed redhead friend!" Beta said, floating over to Asuka and nodding.

"I gather that you've heard this already?" Shinji asked Asuka, who nodded.

"Yeah, they tried to prank me earlier, but they weren't able to get me though. I was very aware of my surroundings, as I'm still unpacking my stuff."

"Ah!" Alpha said, wiping his face with a fin. "It was such a good plan though, so intricately thought out!"

"Such a shame a brilliant prank like that will never ever see the light of day!" Beta fake sobbed, rotating around in the air.

"Don't worry, sister! Always got to keep prank ideas stored in our brains!" Alpha said, nodding in satisfaction. "Now, where are our siblings?" Alpha asked, glancing around the small hallway.

"They would be here!" Sachiel called out, floating forward immediately. "I haven't seen you guys in forever!"

"Sachiel!" Israfel stated as one, floating forward to hug their older brother in happiness.

"Obviously, some things haven't changed…" Shamshel stated as he floated out, Ramiel close behind, the shiny blue form nodding in acknowledgment.

"Shamshel, Ramiel!" Israfel cried out again, attacking their next two siblings much the same as they did to Sachiel. "Always a pleasure to see you again! You can thank us later!"

"Yes, yes. We're happy that the Angels have joined us! Can we continue now!" Asuka cried out, intent on getting on with her day.

"Afternoon everybody!" Misato called out as she entered the apartment with a smile on her face. "How are we all doing!?"

"Yeah, we're doing just great!" Toji drooled at the older woman, not noticing the Israfel twins taking notes immediately nearby in attempts to prank him later on. "We're just wondering what Asuka was still doing here?"

"Well, you see… After Asuka and Shinji defeated Israfel, Asuka asked if she could keep living here. I didn't know whether she would want to stay or not after defeating the Angel. And since I decided to take Shinji in, I thought it couldn't be that much harder to take in another one!"

"Yeah…" Shinji replied, deadpan. "Because taking care of one person is so easy, that taking care of another, and of the opposite gender will be just as easy…"

"Misato obviously didn't think this through very much didn't she?" Kensuke asked.

"I can't hear what you're saying!" Misato cheerfully called out, watching as Asuka moved around in her room, really deciding to decorate it to her liking after defeating the most recent Angel. "Besides, she was the one that asked to stay in the first place. We were originally going to get her quarters at NERV HQ like you were originally going to do, but she decided to stay. Seems like she really enjoyed the six days you two spent with each other!"

"She did, did she?" Shinji asked himself, watching as the girl made her way around the room. He smiled to himself, not noticing his two friends.

"We're losing him!"

"To the devil!" Kensuke cried out, deciding to tackle him immediately.

"It is imperative that you don't fall for the devil!" Toji cried out, as Shinji covered his ears.

"Calm down won't you!?" Shinji replied. "Besides, what about Hikari, Toji?" Shinji asked, questioning dawning in his eyes as his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"What about her?" Toji replied, giving his friend the stink eye.

"Just you know, falling for the Class Rep is against your reputation. Right, Toji?"

"So what if it is!" Toji replied.

"This is the first I've heard Jock not vehemently deny that he has feelings for Hikari!" Mari called out, as she let herself into the apartment. A blushing Hikari followed not far behind, stammering at the girl to stop for five minutes.

"So is Misato's place the get-together location now!" Asuka said as she stepped into the hall. "Because we always seem to end up meeting up here."

"Well we're not all here…" Shinji muttered, glancing around at the group. "Rei is currently away…"

"She's been called into NERV all day." Mari supplied, a frown on her face.

"That's right, she wasn't at school again," Hikari said, glancing at the floor, thoughts in her mind. 'She's away very often. It's a miracle she hasn't flunked out yet…'

"Mein Gott… I hope that bitch of a doctor is as far away from her as possible!"

"Asuka!" Shinji replied, shocked. "I'm sure Dr. Akagi isn't doing anything bad to Rei."

"Don't be so sure, Shinji," Asuka replied, a dark frown on her face. "She was one of the people who ordered Rei to take those pills that caused her to become an emotionless doll that is only used to obey every order given to her!"

"We know, Asuka. We'll help her through this. We all will." Hikari supplied, her face still red from Mari's earlier teasing.

"Yeah! Besides, nothing will get past us again!" Sachiel commented, Gaghiel nodding frantically in reply.

"I'm assuming this 'Rei' is another pilot?" Alpha asked, floating into view, Beta not far behind. "Greetings fellow-subjects!"

"Oh boy, we got another one!" Mari cried out in happiness, stepping forward immediately. "Mari Makinami at your service! You'll know who I am because I have the biggest chest of everyone here!"

"Mari!"

"We know Freckles! You've got the smallest chest of everyone here! That's okay, you're the youngest, I'm sure you'll fill out in the future!" Mari replied, playfully grabbing at Hikari's chest. The Class Rep immediately pushed her away, her face incredibly red.

"More information for my testing. Interesting." Sachiel commented, idly noting Mari's comments down in his brain.

"You're still on that?" Shinji asked while the Israfel twins looked at their brother in confusion.

"What's he going on about?" Alpha asked while Beta continued to look at Sachiel confused.

"Don't worry about Sachiel," Shamshel said. "Ever since he got here he's been very intent on finding out exactly what it means to be a human female and has been completely fascinated with their breasts ever since. He likes to disguise it as a scientific experiment though."

"Yes, I have it noted down in this order from people who I see most of the time," Sachiel said, pulling out a whiteboard from nowhere once again. "It goes, in order from largest to smallest." He coughed dramatically, then noted them down. "Misato, Ritsuko, Mari, Maya, Rei, Asuka, and then Hikari." Sachiel bowed, obviously very proud of himself.

"You've spent way too much time on this Sachiel…" Shinji idly commented, not even bothering to look at Sachiel's rather crude drawings.

"Nah, it's the most important thing ever."

"You know, if any of us guys were doing this we'd be called a massive pervert," Toji commented, to which Asuka and Hikari nodded profusely, both of them a bit red in the face from Sachiel's comments on their chests.

"Well, I think it's just swell!" Mari said, clapping her hands together. "Besides, the Angel knows his stuff!"

"I'm just not going to comment on this," Kensuke said, glancing at the ceiling. "We'd all be dead if we did."

"Oh, you definitely would be," Shamshel said, shaking his head.

"Don't worry yourselves so much about it! Besides, I came over here for another reason anyway." Mari said, getting everyone's attention again. She loved being the centre of attention after all. "We really came over here to get you all out of the apartment for a bit. You know that Karaoke place I found soon after I arrived, Shinji?" Mari asked, fluttering her eyebrows at the boy.

"Yes, you decided to jump up and sing a song for everyone. I don't remember much of it though…"

"Exactly! We're all going over there now!" Mari said, spreading her arms wide.

"Do any of us get a say in this?"

"Nope, Princess! We all need to learn to lighten up a bit, and Karaoke is the best way to do it!"

"Great…" Asuka replied, not really wanting to go anywhere, but knowing that the bespectacled girl would be dragging them along whether they wanted to or not.

"Great! Then let's go!" Mari said, leading the group towards the front door, most of them following behind very slowly, as if they weren't really wanting to go anywhere for the afternoon. The Angels followed dutifully with their holders, curious as to what Karaoke was.

---

"Didn't think I'd be back here so soon…" Shinji idly noted as Mari had immediately gone up and registered all their names for Karaoke as soon as they had arrived. Leaving the rest of the group to find a suitable table for the six of them. Soon after they'd found one, Mari had returned.

"Look on the bright side, Shinji," Sachiel commented from his miniature form inside Shinji's shirt pocket. "This place has so much food! It's a bufet as well!"

"It's actually pronounced buffet Sachiel!" Mari said as she returned to the table. "And we're all good to go! We'll be on shortly, one at a time, so make sure you have a song in mind before you go up there!"

"Didn't even bother to ask us if we wanted to even sing… Stupid Four-Eyes…" Asuka muttered under her breath, glaring slightly at the girl in front of her, who was very eager for the rest of them to sing.

"Just for that, I think you can go first! How about that, Princess!?" Mari asked, giving the German a wink. Asuka gagged slightly but smirked at the girl in front of her.

"Fine, I guess I'll go first. Better watch closely, Four-Eyes. I'll be the one giving the best performance of all of us!" Asuka replied, a smug smile on her face as she headed towards the DJ, and started a conversation about what she was going to sing.

"Oh, this is going to be good!" Mari called out, happily resting against the seat. "The Princess is going to sing to the world!"

"I'm very curious about what this Karaoke is," Shamshel said, waiting patiently from his spot in Shinji's hair. "Seems to be a fun pastime."

"Indeed it is!" Mari replied. "And don't you worry Angels, everyone here will be going up!"

"Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it could be effectively used in a prank, right, sis?" Alpha said, turning to Beta, who nodded enthusiastically.

"Indeed, brother!" Beta replied. "The ideas are being formed in my brain as we speak!"

"Excellent!" Alpha replied, playing a bit of air guitar for fun.

"Yay! Here comes Asuka!" Gaghiel called out, pointing towards the stage, where the Redhead stood under the spotlight, microphone in hand. Asuka glared over at her Angel enthusiastically waving at her, while Beta gave her a thin thumbs up to encourage her. Mari was grinning like a cat, so Asuka smirked, intent on putting on a show that she would struggle to beat.

"Hi there, I'm Asuka! Asuka Langley Soryu! Charmed, huh?" She started, giving a warm smile to everyone in the small restaurant. "I'll be singing a song by Bruce Springsteen for you all today. This is one of my favourites, it's called Thunder Road." Asuka nodded over at the DJ, who gave her a thumbs up.

- Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen –

The lights dimmed as the combination of Harmonica and Piano reverberated through the small building, as Asuka stood, the stage lights making her red hair stand out more than ever as she brought the Microphone to her lips and started singing the words to the artists' breakthrough hit.

The combination of the Guitars, Piano, Harmonica's, and Asuka's voice was a sight to behold, as the German girl waltzed around on stage. Her English, being part American, was pretty decent, although there were an obvious amount of intonation issues, due to being born and raised in Germany.

Hikari cheered for her friend, the shock and terror and needing to go up on stage and sing for people starting to leave due to her friend absolutely killing it in her eyes. She was feeling a lot better about going up on stage herself now.

Mari smirked, she now had competition for the best karaoke singer, and she was going to put on a show to rival that of Asuka's performance. Yes, she had a plan. She knew exactly what she wanted to do now.

Toji and Kensuke couldn't believe that the devil of all people actually had a decent singing voice. They were a bit scared now, as these developments hindered their own singing ability, and now they felt like they would make fools of themselves.

The Angels all cheered and whooped in excitement. This was something entirely new to them, and they were loving it! Next time, they were definitely going to sing themselves… If they could of course!

Shinji couldn't take his eyes of the girl currently on stage. He was stuck in what seemed like a trance to those around him. He happily got along with Asuka, but she was doing something completely different now. Something unknown to him. He felt… light inside. Like this feeling would persist forevermore. He didn't know what to think.

- End –

The song came to an end shortly after, Asuka breathing deeply as she finished singing, a challenging smirk on her face as she faced Mari. She stepped down, handing the microphone back to the DJ, and took a seat back at the table.

"That was really good, Asuka!" Hikari said, smiling over at her friend.

"Thanks, Hikari," Asuka replied, breathless. "Beat that, Four-Eyes…" Asuka said, staring up at the ceiling, still catching her breath.

"Don't worry, Princess. I will, but first, we're going to send the Jock up!" Mari said, pushing said boy out of his chair and sending him towards the DJ.

"I wonder what Toji will sing?" Sachiel commented, deep in thought.

"Why are you thinking like that?" Shamshel asked curiously. "You don't know any songs to begin with…"

"It makes me look smart!" Sachiel replied, huffing and crossing his arms. "Besides, I know some songs…"

"It'll be something for Freckles I bet…" Mari said to herself, her plan still in effect as Toji took to the stage.

"Hi…" He said awkwardly. Obviously not in his comfort zone at all. "I'm going to be singing a bit of ABBA for you today…" He said, stumbling over his words. "Now, I can't sing high, so I'll be singing something led by a man!" He said, proudly sticking out his chest. "This is called… Does Your Mother Know." He said, giving the DJ a thumbs up.

- Does Your Mother Know by ABBA –

"Oh, this is going to be good!" Mari said, pulling out some popcorn and sharing it with Skeletal, who eagerly took some. "Whoo! Let's go, Jock! Sing your heart out to Freckles!" Toji blushed as the familiar opening beat of the song started, and Toji began singing the song. His singing wasn't bad in any case, but it was obvious that he had never done something like this before.

Mari laughed along the entire time, just generally having a lot of fun with everyone right now. She turned to Shinji with a laugh. "We need to bring Blueberry along next time!"

"Rei would be here if she wasn't busy at NERV," Shinji replied, as he watched his friend, a small smile on his face. "But enough about Rei. I think Toji has realised that he has feelings for Hikari."

"I agree." Asuka cut in, wonder and shock on her face. "He's obviously never done something like this before, yet he can still sing for her. Would you look at that, the idiot can do something."

"You still don't understand how Hikari can have feelings for him back though can't you?" Shinji asked, watching as Kensuke watched in silent thought. Ready for his own song.

"Yep." Asuka simply replied, watching as the Angels looked at Hikari the entire time.

"I think she's dead…" Alpha said, waving a hand in front of the pigtailed girl's face. Her eyes not having left the stage.

"S-she's n-not d-d-dead…" Skeletal replied, clanking around. "S-she's just p-p-petrified…"

"You've been reading too much Harry Potter recently…" Sachiel noted, staring straight into the girl's eyes.

"H-H-Have n-not!" Skeletal indignantly replied, pushing Sachiel out of the way.

"Focus!" Shamshel called out, pushing the two siblings away from each other.

"Besides, she's just star stuck!" Beta called out, prank thoughts already going through her head.

"Yes."

"Oh! Does she have feelings for someone!? Is it Toji!? It's Toji isn't it!?" Gaghiel fussed about, causing the entire group to shake their heads at the ecstatic Angel.

- End –

Toji finished his song soon after. Giving the microphone back to the DJ and giving him a fistbump. Hikari blushed hard as Toji came back to take his seat beside her again, ducking her head so he wouldn't see her.

"Well that was lovely, but it's my turn now!" Mari said getting up and quickly heading towards the DJ. "It's time that I show you all how it's done!" She said, earning exasperated looks from the rest of the group.

"She really loves doing this doesn't she?" Hikari said, her face still a bit red.

"Of course she does," Kensuke replied, glancing up at the stage. "She's right in her comfort zone here.

"Hello, everybody!" Mari called out, alerting everyone in the small building to her attention. "Lovely to see you all again! I've got another song for you all, this one is called, You Get What You Give!"

- You Get What You Give by New Radicals –

The song started immediately afterward, and Mari started strutting around the stage as if she was the star of the show. Showing off as much as she could. She was confident, much more so than Toji was, and this showed in her performance.

Asuka growled in a challenge. Mari wasn't kidding when she said that she was good. Asuka knew that the next time she went up there she would be trying to beat her performance again. She smirked to herself. 'Watch yourself, Four-Eyes. I've got more up my sleeve…'

Hikari was feeling more and more out of touch with the current situation. Asuka and Mari had both killed it on stage or in the case of Mari, currently was killing it. She also thought Toji was pretty good as well despite not being much of a singer. But every performance that went by made her feel more and more self-conscious about her own singing, and Mari wouldn't disclose who would be going next.

Kensuke was rocking out! He had an excellent idea for his own song and was loving what the others were doing as well. He enjoyed Asuka's song, he thought Toji's was an interesting choice but still loved it, and Mari's was the best so far! But he knew his song would probably go over the best with people. He'd just have to wait and see.

Toji was still recovering somewhat from his own performance but was generally enjoying himself. He largely let Mari's performance wash over him though. He was more interested in what Hikari would do.

Shinji simply laughed along with the Angels, who were having an ecstatic time at Karaoke. The Angels were strutting along, copying the performer as much as they could. It looked incredibly silly to anyone who could see them and their antics. Especially Ramiel, who continued to shift her body into various shapes and sizes as Mari brought the song to a close.

- End –

With a smile and a wink, Mari handed the microphone back to the DJ and happily sat back down at the table with the rest of the group. "Well, that was fun!" Mari said, as all the Angels nodded quickly in agreement. "Alright, who will be next…" Mari said, looking between Kensuke, Hikari, and Shinji. "My inner eye tells me that Nut will be going next!" Mari said, pointing at Kensuke, who gulped as the pressure of what he was about to do suddenly came to him.

"You got this, Kensuke!" Toji called out, giving his friend a thumbs up. Shinji gave the bespectacled boy a smile, as Kensuke slowly headed towards the DJ. A few words later and Kensuke was standing on stage ready to go.

"Good evening, everyone!" Kensuke called out, his misgivings going away just as quickly as they came. "I've got a lovely song for you all tonight! Sing along, please! This is called, Don't Stop Believin', by Journey!" Kensuke gave the DJ the thumbs up, as the familiar piano intro started.

- Don't Stop Believin' by Journey –

"Well, the Nut is definitely doing a well-known song that's for sure," Mari noted, very quickly getting into it. It was a favourite for everyone there.

"Well, would you look at that. One of the stooges is actually pretty decent at singing." Asuka said a small smile on her face. "He picked a good song as well, didn't think he'd be capable of it…"

"Asuka…" Shinji said, giving her a small look. "You know Toji and Kensuke aren't that bad." He said, watching his friend as he wandered around on the stage, taking in the area around him. "Maybe if you actually talked to them like a normal person."

"I will when they stop calling me a devil," Asuka replied, flicking Shinji's forehead. "Until that time, they're both idiots." Shinji just smiled as he listened to Asuka continue to rant about his two best friends.

Toji was just enjoying his friend's song. He didn't know that Kensuke actually had at least some singing ability, so he was a bit surprised when he went up. But now that shock had passed, as Toji continued to make loud cheers towards Kensuke up on stage.

Hikari was pleasantly surprised, but focused more on herself, as she knew that her turn was coming up. She had an idea for a song to sing, but she was scared of what her friends would think of her singing. She was never formally trained, and Asuka and Mari's performances had left a high bar to follow. She was more interested, however, in what the boy beside her would think of her coming performance, blushing slightly as she thought about it.

The Angels were just having a ball. Dancing around and singing along… kind've… they were really just making up their own lyrics to the songs to sing and dance to. Sachiel led the group on their work as Shamshel watched from the sidelines, preferring to watch and inspect rather than do the hard work. Gaghiel led Ramiel in their interesting dance, Gaghiel seemingly very high on… something. Skeletal shaked, rattled, and rolled around on the table, while the Israfel Twins used their made-up lyrics to plan for upcoming pranks.

The song came to an end soon after, Kensuke pushing his glasses back up on his face due to the excessive amount of movement he'd been doing. He handed the microphone back to the DJ, giving him a smile as he wandered back to the table.

- End –

"Wow, Nut. Who'd have thought you could sing." Mari said, clapping the boy on the back as he sat back down.

"Hey, when I like the song, I'll give it my all okay," Kensuke replied. "Although next time I should do the opening to Gundam! Yes! Exactly!" Kensuke proceeded to gush on about Gundam, his face lit up in happiness.

"And while Nut goes on and on about Gundam…" Mari said, everyone, watching as Kensuke left into his own world, one that was filled with Gundam and Eva and he was the only one who could pilot.

"Yeah, let's just send the next person on stage," Sachiel commented, facepalming.

"Yes."

"Oh! Is it Hikari next!?" Gaghiel asked, getting in the pigtailed girl's face.

"Yes, Freckles is next!" Mari commented as Hikari stood up slowly, turning towards the stage. In one swift movement, Ramiel transformed and removed Hikari's pigtails all over again, letting her hair flow freely.

"Yes." Hikari didn't notice the Angel, heading up towards the DJ, letting him know what her song choice was.

"Well, this could be very interesting," Toji said, watching the stage carefully, Hikari taking her position in the centre, under the stage lights.

"It'd be interesting to see how she handles being up there." Shinji said as Hikari brought the microphone to her lips."

"Um… Hi." Hikari started, her persona on stage nothing like the usual stern Class Representative that the group knew all too well. This Hikari felt very much out of place. She took a deep breath before she continued. "I'll be singing a song called Don't Stop, by Fleetwood Mac…" She nodded at the DJ, and the song started.

- Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac –

The Piano kicked in, as Hikari stood still, waiting for the music to get to a point where she could sing. As she started singing, her feeling of unease started to dissipate, and as it disappeared she started moving around a bit more on stage, being a bit more lively as the song continued.

Mari was pleasantly surprised, thinking that Hikari's song choice was quite good and a good showcase of what the Class Representative could do in the Karaoke situation. "Let's go Freckles!" She called out, as Hikari glanced over at her, her unease now completely gone.

Kensuke was shocked. The mean, evil Class Rep could actually sing decently well, and she had good taste in music as well. Yep, Kensuke approved of Hikari's song. There wasn't much he could fault her on.

Shinji by this point was just enjoying being with his friends. Everything felt great like nothing could go wrong tomorrow. It felt great. He knew he was next, the Grand Finale of their little group of friends. But he was satisfied, happy with what it was they were doing now. Providing entertainment for the people in the small karaoke bar.

Asuka was cheering her friend on as she continued to sing to the bar. She'd always suggested that Hikari get out and have some fun and loosen up a bit. Being the Class Rep did a lot to cement Hikari's personality, and Asuka felt that Hikari needed to get out more and loosen up a bit so others could see that she was more than just the Class Rep. She'd say it was getting somewhere in Hikari's mind, and she was now starting to loosen up a bit and be more fun to be around.

Toji was in a trance, as the girl he tried his hardest to hide his growing feelings for moved around up on stage. He was starstruck by the way the stage lights shone off her brown hair, flying around her face as the song started to reach its end. She locked eyes with him, and he gave her a warm smile. It was all she needed to finish the song.

- End –

Hikari sighed in relief when she finished her song, giving the microphone to the DJ with a small smile, she moved back to the table, settling herself down as quietly as possible. "Alright, let's go Freckles!" Mari said, turning to the Class Rep. "You need to let your hair down more often!"

"Yeah…" Hikari replied, still getting over the fact she had just performed a song in front of a group of people, who she largely didn't know. "It just… happened I guess…"

"Don't beat yourself up, Hikari," Asuka said, coming to her best friend's side. "You were amazing! Hell, I think you got Jock Stooge all worked up." She whispered, indicating to Toji, who still sat with a dazed look on his face.

"Yeah…" Kensuke said, waving his hand in front of his friend's face. "I think you killed him."

"Well, Shinji can go wake him up then, right!" Alpha said, bringing his head up from his position next to his sister.

"I will be a most excellent prank!" Beta said, high-fiving her brother in happiness.

"Indeed it is!" Mari said, turning on the boy, who realised that Mari had purposefully ordered everyone so that he would be going last. "Make the Princess blush hard, Shinji!"

"What!" Asuka replied, crossing her arms tightly. "As if! I wouldn't blush within twelve feet of that animated turnip!" She said, turning away from everyone. As Shinji headed up towards the stage, he glanced back at Asuka, who winked at him, her eyes following him the entire way.

"Could Shinji be the best one yet?" Hikari wondered to herself, her unease mostly gone.

"If we are talking about my pilot, and we are," Sachiel said. "Then I would say yes, he will be the best!"

"Pfff, he's not going to be better than me!" Asuka replied. "Mari, yes absolutely, but not me!"

"This is the point where I say, you winked at him, you obviously think he'll do the best," Shamshel said, glancing at the redhead.

"I did not wink at him!"

"Oooohhh! Sounds like the Princess doesn't want anyone to know she's flirting with Shinji!" Mari said, cackling the entire time.

"I'm not… Why would I… Just Shut Up!" Asuka replied, huffing and crossing her arms against her seat, the darkroom hiding the small blush on her cheeks.

In the time it took to tease Asuka, Shinji had taken the stage. He looked a bit uncomfortable, his timid nature coming out a bit. "Give it up for Shinji Ikari, the elite Eva Pilot!" Mari called out, to help ease the tension a bit. It worked, as Shinji gave Mari an exasperated look.

"Yeah, yeah… Well, I guess I've got to sing a song for you all. Here's a song by Hall & Oates, called Out of Touch."

- Out of Touch by Hall & Oates –

The song began, the combination of the Synths and Drums boomed out of the speakers nearby, as Shinji began singing.

"Damn… I didn't think Shin-man could sing…" Toji commented as he watched his friend on stage. "The more you know."

"Don't think about it too much Toji, I think we've found out a lot about people tonight," Sachiel commented, as he watched his pilot on the stage. "Let's go, Shinji!"

"He really is very good," Hikari said, deep in thought. "It almost seems like he has some musical talent already. Does anyone here know if he plays an instrument?" She asked, glancing around at the group. They all shook their heads, besides Asuka, who wasn't paying attention to Hikari.

"You have a point, Freckles," Mari commented, as she got into the song all over again. "He really knows his way around that stage. I wonder if we gave him a guitar and he'd just continue on as if nothing has changed."

"To be fair, he does have a case holding something in his room," Shamshel said. "That could be something."

"Well, whatever it is…" Kensuke said, a bit bored of the conversation that was taking place before him. "We can find out later, Shinji's still up there and absolutely making fools out of the rest of us."

"E-e-except A-A-Asuka…" Skeletal stated, pointing over at the redhead.

"Yes."

"Hey, Asuka! Don't listen to them, I think you did the best! Obviously! Oh, Asuka! Can you show me how you did it!?" Gaghiel said, flittering around in front of Asuka's face. She didn't move.

"Uh… Earth to Princess?" Mari asked, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Is this a prank, brother?"

"I don't think so, sister…"

"She's dead to us all." Sachiel shrugged, returning his attention to the stage. "Woo, Shinji!"

"Or she's realising that she's getting feelings for Puppy up there!" Mari said, clapping her hands together. "This is great!"

Indeed, Asuka had been paying no attention whatsoever to what was happening beside her, as soon as Shinji had started singing, all her attention was on him. She was star-struck. The Third Child had the gall to try and one-up her! And he didn't, Asuka would never admit that, but she couldn't deny that he was good… Really good.

- End –

The song came to an end soon after, snapping Asuka out of her trance. She crossed her arms in front of her chest again, turning away from everyone so no one could see her red face. Shinji came back to the table soon after. The group congratulated him on his performance, and soon after the group had taken their leave, Toji trying to take as much food as possible with him that he could.

"You boys only have one thing on your minds. Food." Hikari commented, rolling her eyes at Toji's actions as they left the Karaoke Bar. "Can you keep your mind off food for more than five minutes?" Toji glanced over at Hikari, shrugging.

"But food is the best part of the day, Hikari!" Toji replied, a massive smile on his face as he walked. "You should never get between a man and his food."

"Mein Gott, ich hoffe wirklich, dass nicht alle Jungs so sind. Idiot stooges." Asuka muttered under her breath, as the group of friends came to the center of the city, their splitting off point.

"Well, it's been, fun boys and girls!" Mari stated as the sun started to set over the heights of the city. "I'll see you all tomorrow! Hopefully, we'll have a Blueberry with us next time!"

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST III – Track 12 – Crime of Innocence –

"That's if Wondergirl can get out of NERV for more than five minutes," Asuka commented, worry and concern for the girl washing across all of them.

"Rei will be fine," Hikari commented, her hands folded together. "If anything was happening to her she'd let us know. That's what she said."

"It still doesn't feel right," Kensuke noted, pushing his glasses up his face. "We never really thought much about why she's constantly absent from school before Shinji arrived here and actually brought us all together. Mari and Asuka only added to this."

"You're thinkin' that it's something to do with her medication?" Toji asked with his mouth full.

"Possibly," Kensuke replied, while Hikari reprimanded Toji on talking with his mouth full. "It's just something that's been on the back of my mind, ever since she told us about the pills." The group stood in silence for a moment, thoughts on the missing member of their group on the output of their minds.

"Maybe we can go visit her?" Sachiel asked, floating into the middle of the group. "She lives nearby right? We can go say Hi!"

"Is she back from NERV yet?" Shamshel asked, not knowing whether the girl would be finished for the day.

"Should be." Mari said, glancing at Shinji. "Well, you know where she lives Shinji. Lead the way!" Shinji frowned slightly, nodding as he led the group into the darker, dank parts of the city. The group grew warier and warier as they entered the demolition zone.

"What in the hell!?" Kensuke commented as they walked. "She lives here!"

"Yeah," Shinji replied, staring up at the barely-holding building next to them. "This is it."

"Was ist der Fick falsch mit dem Kommandanten!?" Asuka shouted in German, as she stomped up the stairs. "This is no proper way to live!"

"Asuka!" Shinji shouted, running after the redhead. "Calm down, look, I know it's bad. But there's nothing I can do about this."

"At least try, dummy!" Asuka replied as the group came to a stop at a door. Shinji knocked as Asuka continued to rant in the background. "Someone has to know about this!"

"I'm sure NERV already does, Asuka," Sachiel noted, watching as the door opened, Rei standing behind the door.

"Evening, Rei," Shinji said, watching his friends out of the corner of his eye. "Can we come in?"

"Yes." Rei simply replied, moving out of the way so the group could come in. Rei's apartment hadn't changed much since the last time Shinji had been here. The noticeable difference being the lack of pills sitting near the lone bed.

"Oh my god," Hikari said as they stepped inside. "This is worse than I thought."

"You think?" Asuka replied, staring at the apartment in disbelief.

"You seriously live here, Rei?" Kensuke asked, glancing at the girl, who nodded silently in response.

"Yes. Because that's what I was ordered to do." Rei replied, looking down.

"This is ridiculous!" Mari said, turning to Rei. "There's no way you can keep living like this!"

"Why?" Rei asked, tilting her head to the side. "It has all I need. What's wrong with it?"

"Looks like a mess for one." Alpha stated, glancing around the place. "Geez, this place needs a clean-up."

"Great for pranks though!" Beta replied, high-fiving her brother. "Think of all the things we could come up with!"

"You're right, Sister!" Alpha replied, flying up to the new girl they hadn't seen before. "Name's Alpha, one half of the prankster extraordinaire, Israfel! The silver one is my sister, Beta! You're charmed I'm sure." Rei stared at the new arrivals, simply taking them in.

"Okay." She replied, her usual monotone coming through.

"She's weird." Alpha commented to Sachiel, who nodded.

"She's certainly interesting." He replied as Asuka continued to look around.

"Wondergirl! This place is set for destruction!" Asuka said, replying to Rei's earlier question. "You can't live here! Especially on your own! No girl should ever need to live like this!"

"Then what's your plan, Asuka?" Shamshel asked, glancing at the redhead.

"Well, Miso needs to have a look at this, for one," Mari replied, glancing around. "Does she know about this, Blueberry?"

"No. Major Katsuragi has not needed to know about my living quarters."

"You've got to be kidding me…" Asuka mumbled as Hikari moved towards Rei.

"I think it's best if you get out of here for the evening. Shinji, Asuka, can Rei stay at your place for tonight?" Hikari asked, glancing between the two pilots.

"I'm sure Misato wouldn't mind," Shinji replied, as he subconsciously went around picking up rubbish. "She can sleep in my room for the night."

"You'd better hope so, Third. The First isn't sleeping in my room." Asuka said, giving anything in the small apartment she could the stink eye.

"Ikari?" Rei asked, tilting her head to the side again. "What are you doing?"

"Cleaning." Shinji idly replied. "I hope that's okay…" He said sheepishly as he continued to pick up various pieces of rubbish.

"It is… acceptable." She finally said, watching him carefully the entire time.

"Alright, while the Puppy cleans up," Mari said, turning to Hikari. "Let's get Blueberry out of here Freckles. She needs somewhere that's not so… drab."

"Agreed." Hikari's face told everyone exactly what she was thinking. She wasn't exactly happy that one of her friends was forced to live in a place like this. "You'll let Misato know, right?" Hikari asked Asuka, who was still growling under her breath.

"Of course I will. We'll try and find time tomorrow to bring her around and see this. Shinji! You can stop cleaning now! If all goes well Wondergirl won't need to live here anymore!" Shinji stood up with a smile on his face, depositing the rubbish in a bag by the door.

"Maybe I can ask my father about it." He muttered as he returned to the group. "I'm meeting him for food soon… Maybe he has some idea about it?" Shinji said, in deep thought.

"You're meeting your father?" Shamshel asked as everyone turned to Shinji.

"Yeah, he said he'd be available to meet with me after we tried to see if he'd be down for Lunch. It was while Asuka and I were training for Israfel. He wasn't available then but said he'd be available in a week or so. He messaged me today telling me he'd like to meet for dinner today."

"We're talking about Gendo Ikari?" Toji said, staring at his friend with a hand halfway to his mouth. "Your father, Gendo Ikari? The king of all things dark and gloomy Gendo Ikari?"

"Yes, Toji," Shinji said, smiling at his friend. "The very same Gendo Ikari. Thanks for the dark and gloomy comment, I'll be sure to tell him you said it." Shinji replied, looking down again. "Guess we'll see how this goes."

"Didn't think I'd see the day. Gendo Ikari actually being somewhat nice and maybe respectful." Mari mused. "I'm dreaming. Someone hit me!"

"How about we focus on the task at hand?" Shinji said, indicating to Rei and her apartment. "Like maybe getting Rei out of here and to Misato's?"

"Good idea!" Gaghiel shouted out, as he flittered excitedly over to Rei, who watched curiously. "Pack up your stuff, Rei!" He shouted out, happily flying around.

"While Gaghiel enjoys himself, we'll all be able to help you grab some stuff, right?" Shamshel said, glancing at his siblings.

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

"I-I-Indeed…"

"Just leave the planning to us, brother!" Alpha said, an enthusiastic Beta nodding along with him.

"Okay, that's a terrible idea," Sachiel said, keeping a stern eye on the Israfel twins.

"Well, you're just no fun, Sachiel!" Alpha replied, Beta nodding beside him.

"We plan very well, thank you very much!" Beta said, crossing her arms and humphing exactly as Asuka would.

"That's something I never thought I'd see…" Hikari said, glancing at Asuka.

"The Angel just copied Asuka's signature move," Kensuke said, wide-eyed.

"Okay, enough of this argument!" Shinji said, separating the Angels. "We need to get some stuff together for Rei so she can get out of here for a while."

"Are we leaving?" Came the soft voice of Rei standing near the front door, a small bag in her hands.

"Is that everything you've got?" Hikari asked, pointing at the small bag.

"Yes, it is all my essentials," Rei replied. "Any more questions?" Rei asked, her head tilted again, glancing at them all equally.

"Alright, let's go then!" Mari called out, walking past Rei and out the front door. "We have to get to Miso's as soon as possible! So now we move out!"

"Good idea as always, letting Mari take charge. Why has no one detained her yet?" Shinji asked sarcastically as they left the apartment, heading out onto the street below.

"Btw, Wondergirl," Asuka said, Rei turning to see what Asuka wanted.

"Yes?"

"We're getting you some proper clothes tomorrow. Only having uniforms is not good for you. Besides, Shinji could use some proper clothes too." Asuka said, a smirk on her face directed towards Shinji.

"Eh!?" Shinji glanced at her, shocked eyes.

"That's a good idea!" Hikari said. "All three stooges need some different clothes!"

"Shopping trip!" Mari called out, a hand raised in the air.

"What did we get ourselves into?" Shinji asked his two male friends.

"I don't know, but it looks like we're being dragged out to get clothes," Toji replied, disbelief on his face.

"Joy," Kensuke said, a sigh escaping his lips as the sun finally set over the horizon.

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 5, Track 19 – A-4 (Piano Only) –

"You don't know what her home looks like, Misato! It's a mess!" Asuka cried out in annoyance, at odds with her guardian, who was idly sipping her beer in her hands.

"I heard you, I just think you're overdoing it a bit. It can't be that bad? Right, Rei?" Misato asked, giving Asuka a slight look.

"It's… adequate," Rei said, glancing around her.

"See? She says it's adequate." Misato replied her beer back at her lips.

"You didn't see it, Misato!" Asuka angrily replied. "Tomorrow, we are going to show you Rei's apartment!" She said, crossing her arms.

"Alright, geez. I still don't think it's as bad as you say it is." Misato replied, Shinji walking past and out of the kitchen. "Bye, Shinji! Don't kill your father out there!"

"I'll try not to!" Shinji replied with a laugh as the door shut behind him, the sounds of the occupants of the house moving around inside. He smiled to himself as he headed towards the restaurant his father had booked for that evening.

He glanced up as he came to the small place that his father booked. It was a nice-looking restaurant, sitting silently in the corner of the city. The lighting inside presented a calm and warm presence, tons of small booths, cut off by nice curtain-like objects, made of small tubes of bamboo, with a small table sitting inside the booth. Red cushioned seats making up the sides.

Shinji sighed as he stepped inside, the warm room washing over him immediately. He relaxed as he took in the inside, the smells of food wafting from the kitchen. He smiled as he took it all in. It comforted him. That feeling disappeared very quickly when he heard the steps behind him.

"Table for two. Gendo Ikari." Came the cold voice of the NERV Commander. Shinji glanced over at his father, who indicated him to follow, leading them towards one of the booths.

'Not even a hello…' Shinji thought as he sat across from the man, the menu blocking his view of his father. 'I should've known…'

"What would you like, Shinji?" Gendo asked, a slight pause coming before saying his son's name. Shinji glanced up, surprised at the use of his name.

"Um… I'll just get whatever you're having…" Shinji replied timidly, looking away from his father as Gendo turned to the nearby waitress.

"Two plates of Sushi." He said, handing her the menus and dismissing her. Even outside of NERV, Gendo Ikari was a force to be reckoned with.

"So…" Shinji stated, staring at the table. "Why did you ask for dinner?"

"You asked if I wanted to eat Lunch," Gendo replied simply. "Before the Seventh Angel was defeated. I told you I'd be free in a few days. Here I am." Shinji blushed slightly, glancing up at his father. He was doing his usual pose, hands folded in front of his face.

"I was wondering… Father." Shinji said, swallowing the bile in his throat. "Why did you say that? That you'd be free? I thought that…" Gendo dropped his hands, staring straight at his son.

"It was something Yui said."

"Mother?" Shinji said, staring at his father in disbelief. "I thought…"

"Well, not only Yui. Fuyutsuki also said I should… talk to you." Gendo replied his hands right back in front of his face.

"The Sub-Commander?" Shinji asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. He knew your mother." Gendo replied. "He was her professor when she went to Kyoto University years ago."

"Before Second Impact?"

"Yes. I met her there soon after." Gendo said. "She always told me I'd be a great father, but I never thought I would be."

"That's why you…"

"Yes, after she died I felt that I couldn't raise you properly. So I sent you to your Aunt and Uncle's, they looked after you much better than I could."

"Until you needed me."

"Correct."

"Why? Why then? Why not earlier?" Shinji asked, staring hard at his father.

"Because… That was the best time. Unit-01 was now available to be used in combat, and we needed you, the Third Child."

"What about Sachiel?" Shinji asked, wondering whether the Angel's attack coincided on purpose.

"The Third Angel's attack was not planned. The Angel attacked without our knowledge."

"So, going out in Unit-01 was completely out of the left field."

"You could say. We had to send Rei out in Unit-01 to hold it back while we waited for you to arrive."

"She was still hurt after her activation test."

"Yes."

"You knew that. So, why'd you send her out?"

"It was better than doing nothing at all," Gendo replied as the waitress arrived with their two plates of Sushi. They were placed down quickly, but carefully. The NERV Commander's presence demanded this after all. "We couldn't afford to let the Angel reach their goal." Shinji glanced up.

"What's their goal?" Shinji asked, wondering if he could find out anything.

"That is classified," Gendo replied, silently eating his Sushi.

"Of course it is…" Shinji bluntly said, slumping back on his chair.

"How are you doing in… school?" Gendo asked, feeling very uncomfortable as he tried to be a parent.

"You've never said that before haven't you?"

"No."

"Of course," Shinji said. "School's fine. I have good friends."

"Yes. Close?"

"Yes, they are. Even if some of them are out risking their lives with me."

"Indeed," Gendo replied, the silence coming between them once again.

"Father? Today we went to Rei's apartment…" Shinji started, glancing up at his father. "Did you know that she lives there? It's a mess."

"It is adequate for Rei," Gendo replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering… Maybe Rei should be moved in with Misato?" Shinji said, running various thoughts through his head. "Wouldn't it be better to keep all the pilots together anyway?" Gendo considered Shinji's idea for a moment, resting his hands on the table.

"It's a possibility." He simply replied. "However, I'd have to have Major Katsuragi come to me with the idea. She's the one who is your guardian."

"Right," Shinji replied. "Just, I want her out of there. No one should have to live in a demolition zone." Gendo stayed silent. Looking at his son in interest. He'd expected the boy to be lonely, have no friends. But he'd somehow been able to overcome all of this and become a better person than Gendo ever thought he himself could be.

"Shinji." Gendo inquired, watching as his Son glanced up at him. Questioning in his eyes.

"Yes?"

"I've been having some discussions with Fuyutsuki. We've come to an agreement. Your work in the Eva is… shall I say excellent. We've decided to give you a promotion."

"What?" Shinji replied, shocked at what the man was saying. "But… aren't pilots the lowest ranking or something? I know pretty much nothing about NERV."

"We're following the same train of thought we had when we decided to promote Major Katsuragi." He said, the plate of sushi sitting finished beside him. "Your work is indeed, extremely helpful. We're promoting you to Captain of the Evangelion Pilots. Congratulations, Captain Ikari." Shinji blushed at his father's words. Feeling a sense of warmth wash over him.

"Thank you…" Shinji replied.

"This means that you'll be in charge of operations on the battlefield itself, only below Major Katsuragi, who still has full control as Operations Director. You will listen to her, and possibly provide any changes necessary depending on your experiences against a target." Shinji glanced up.

"What about Asuka?" He asked, staring at his father. "She's just as good, if not better than I am? Will she be promoted to?" Gendo sat in thought for a moment, contemplating.

"We don't hand out promotions, Shinji," Gendo replied. "If she can showcase good leadership on the battlefield, then I might consider it. For now, however, I'm just giving you the promotion."

"Right," Shinji replied, finishing his meal. "Thanks… father…"

"Indeed," Gendo replied, standing quietly. "Don't disappoint me." Shinji nodded, as the man headed towards the front door, having already paid for the meal.

"Wait! Father!" Gendo turned his head slightly, glancing at Shinji out of one eye. "Why were you so concerned with Rei?"

"That is classified," Gendo replied. "I can say… she is… like your sister." With his words, Gendo left the restaurant, leaving the boy by himself once again.

'Leaving again? Some things don't change do they, father?' Shinji stared up at the ceiling. 'At least we actually spoke like real people.' One thing stood out to him though. The few words his father said about Rei. 'Rei… She's always been an enigma… And now my father says she's like my sister?' Shinji scrunched up his face. 'Just what exactly… is Rei?'

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST III – Track 9 – In the Depths of Human Hearts –

September 13th, 2015

The normally silent, quiet girl woke up that morning in a massive sweat. 'I feel… odd…' Rei thought to herself, as she sat up in the bed. She glanced down at herself, covered by an oversized blue shirt that Asuka had given her the previous afternoon. She was feeling extremely nauseous, a feeling she had never experienced before. 'Something's… wrong…' She thought to herself as she quickly got up and dashed to the bathroom, flicking the light on and sitting beside the toilet, emptying her stomach inside.

Shinji opened his eyes from his spot on the couch. He'd come in late the previous evening, and everyone else was already asleep. He'd deposited himself on the couch in silence, but the sounds of someone scurrying around at 3 am woke him up. He stood up slowly and headed towards the noise, finding Rei's pale form sitting in the bathroom.

"Rei?" Shinji asked, glancing at the girl as she shook silently. Her face was telling him that something was wrong.

"Y-Yes… S-Shinji…" She replied in her shivers, puking once again.

"Are you alright?" He asked, kneeling right beside the blue-haired girl, watching her carefully.

"No…" Rei replied quietly. "I don't know… Why I feel like this?" She said, mostly to herself.

"I'm going to get Asuka, alright? She'd probably have a better idea of what's happening." Rei nodded, puking again as Shinji stepped out, moving towards Asuka's room. He had a feeling relating to Rei's sudden sickness, but he wasn't completely sure. He opened the door quickly enough so the snoring redhead started to slumber awake. Shinji walked in, shaking the redhead slowly. "Asuka?" Shinji asked, watching as the girl's eyes opened, blue meeting blue.

"You'd better have a damn good reason to be waking me up, Third Child," Asuka growled in a half-whisper, a frown on her face.

"I'd say Rei being sick in the bathroom is a good reason," Shinji replied, watching as Asuka stood immediately, heading towards the bathroom to check on her fellow pilot. "Asuka?"

"Verdammt! Ich wusste, dass so etwas passieren würde!" Asuka cried out when she found the young pilot shaking on the floor. "We should've realised that weaning her off her drugs would cause withdrawal symptoms."

"They look pretty bad," Shinji said, watching as Asuka tried her best to help Rei.

"Pretty bad!?" Asuka replied in indignation. "Commander Asshole and Dr. Bitchface had her on so much crap that it's a wonder she was still alive, let alone functioning! Come on, work with me, Wondergirl!" She said, shifting Rei so she was leaning on the wall.

"This is what being sick feels like?" Rei said to herself as she sat there, colour slowly coming back to her face.

"Damn right it is!" Asuka replied. "I can't believe them!" She ranted as she rested a hand against Rei's forehead. "Scheisse! She's burning up!"

"Burning up?" Shinji asked as Rei continued to shiver on the floor. "What's happening, Asuka?" Asuka gave him a glare as she carefully helped Rei back into a standing position, moving her back to Shinji's room.

"Remember how Rei told us about those pills she had?" Asuka asked as the trio of pilots moved Rei onto the futon, lying her back down.

"Yeah?" Shinji replied, questioning.

"She's experiencing withdrawal symptoms!" Asuka replied as she pulled the oversized shirt of Rei. "Don't fight me, Wondergirl. Your body is burning up, you're feeling way too hot right now."

"O-Okay… P-P-Pilot Soryu…" Rei replied as the removal left the pilot nude from the waist up. Shinji glanced away quickly, keeping his eyes on Asuka as she pulled the blankets over Rei.

"Yeah, yeah," Asuka replied, glancing at Shinji out of the corner of her eye. "You'd better not be looking, Third Child."

"It does not… matter…" Rei replied sleepily, relaxing back to a tired state. "He's… already…" Rei fell asleep soon after, the girl's light snores filling the apartment. Asuka stood, moving back towards Shinji, standing in the doorway, relief flooding his face.

"I should've known something like this would've happened…" Asuka muttered. "With the amount of crap she was on…" She turned towards Shinji, stepping right into his personal space, a finger on his chest. "So, Mr. Ikari, what exactly was Rei about to say?" A wicked smile on her face.

"Nothing!" Shinji replied very quickly, his memories of that day coming back to him very quickly, a day he would've rather forgot.

"Sounds like it wasn't!" Asuka cackled. "Got a handful or something?" Shinji blushed hard at her words, the redhead laughing again. "I'm messing with you!" She laughed, leaning against him. Shinji tried to calm his red face as he held the thin girl softly, preventing her from falling.

"You don't need to worry about it, Asuka. It was nothing." Asuka glanced up, pushing herself out of his hold.

"Wait, something actually happened? I was joking!"

"Nothing bad!" Shinji replied, blushing again. "I had to deliver her renewed ID card, that's why I'd been to her place before."

"And?" She asked arms crossed over her chest.

"She was in the shower at the time… She was still completely drugged up at the time… so I saw everything…"

"You're kidding me?"

"No…" Shinji replied sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.

"Mein Gott," Asuka replied. "She was so drugged up she didn't care at all didn't she."

"Well… she was able to find enough emotion to tell me to get off, and also to slap me later that day when I kind've gone off about my father…" Asuka smirked, the view of Rei, the normally quiet girl, getting angry enough to slap someone was priceless.

"Wow, Wondergirl, through her drugs, managed to get angry enough to slap you! This is too good!"

"Yeah, laugh all you want," Shinji replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm going back to sleep."

"Okay, Shinji!" Asuka replied, her wicked smile still on her face. "Don't dream about Wondergirl too long okay!" She laughed as the door closed behind her, her laughs filtering out in the dead of night.

Shinji frowned as he drifted back to sleep that night, being overtaken in the dream world again.

- End –

---

There she was again.

The one from his childhood.

The young girl laughed again, she always did that.

Her red hair flowed around her again.

She's speaking? I don't know what she's saying.

Her face is blurry. Like it always is.

I know you.

But I don't.

Just.

Who.

Are.

You?

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 4, Track 2 – B-21 (Rhythm Only) –

"How's Rei doing?" Misato asked as she peeked into Shinji's room, where the blue-haired girl was fast asleep, her soft snores still filling the room.

"She's doing better I think," Shinji replied, staring at the girl who was still an enigma to him.

"Do you know why she was suddenly so sick?" Misato asked, glancing at her charge in concern. Shinji shook his head.

"No, sorry," Shinji replied. Misato sighed at getting no information.

'It happens way too much…' She thought to herself as she straightened up.

"Well, look after her okay," Misato replied, pulling on her red jacket over her cream top. "I've got some business to attend to at Rei's apartment and NERV today. So, keep yourself occupied okay?"

"Yes, Misato," Shinji replied, letting the woman give him a quick hug before leaving.

"One more thing," Misato called out as she left the apartment. "Tell Rei, Asuka, and Mari you've all got sync tests this afternoon. Don't be late!"

"We won't!"

"Good boy! Bye!" Misato replied, ruffling Shinji's hair before leaving the apartment, the door closing with a click behind her. Misato sighed as she wandered down to her Blue Renault, getting in and running the engine. It wasn't long before she was zipping around the city at breakneck speeds, heading towards the location Asuka had told her about.

She started getting concerned when she entered the demolition zone of Tokyo-3. The part of the city that wasn't a massive issue, and wasn't a problem if it got destroyed in an ensuing Angel attack. She found the dilapidated building very quickly soon after.

She pulled herself out of the car, staring up at the flaking walls and rusted metal everywhere.

"You've got to be shitting me…" Misato muttered as she took a few steps forward. She didn't even want to see the inside of Rei's apartment, but she felt that she had to. 'Rei's living situation is looking on the cards right now…' She thought as she stepped in a puddle of muck. 'Of course. Great.' She grumbled as she pulled up to Rei's apartment.

She slowly opened the door.

"What. The Fuck. Was the Commander thinking!?" She said to herself as soon as she saw the inside of Rei's apartment. The small space spoke volumes to her about the living conditions the First Child found herself in. Very simple, with only necessities.

"No wonder Asuka was so concerned. This place isn't fit for anybody to live in!" Misato said to herself, taking a look in the dirty bathroom, and the worst bed she'd seen in a long while.

"Okay. Definitely on the fucking cards." Misato muttered, storming out of the small apartment immediately, heading back to her car. "Ritsuko and I need to have some words." She said as she sped off towards NERV HQ, the wellbeing of one of her pilots on the front of her mind.

---

"Morning, Shinji!" Hikari said as she entered the apartment that morning, Shinji glanced at the Class Rep, surprised as she let herself in.

"Hi, Hikari," Shinji replied, shock on his face. "Uh… what are you doing here?" Hikari turned to him with a smile.

"Asuka called, she told me that Rei was really sick last night, so I've come over to help make sure she's alright." She said, glancing around. "Where are they?"

"With the Angels in my room," Shinji replied, returning to the kitchen where breakfast was still being cooked. Hikari watched silently as Shinji moved around the kitchen with grace similar to herself. She smiled fondly at her friend's skills, moving away and leaving the boy to himself.

"Hikari?" She was startled by the voice of her best friend, turning to find Asuka standing in the doorway. "Finally!"

"How's Rei?" Hikari asked, glancing at the girl in concern.

"She's doing better. She's got colour in her face now if that's good."

"That sounds better," Hikari said, walking inside the room to find the topic of their discussion lying under a light blanket. "She certainly looks better."

"Yeah."

"You've never really done much of this, haven't you?" Hikari asked as she moved around the room, kneeling beside Rei.

"No…" Asuka admitted, leaning against the wall. "Shinji came in and got me last night, he was the one that found her."

"Right," Hikari replied, watching carefully as Rei slowly woke up, her red eyes scanning the room.

"H-Hikari…?" She muttered, as she slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Hikari blushed hard as the blanket fell down past Rei's chest. Asuka threw a shirt at the half-nude girl.

"Put that on." She said, smirking at Hikari. "I don't think Hikari is particularly interested in seeing your body." Rei nodded in compliance, pulling the shirt on and covering herself up.

"Well, Rei," Hikari started, the blush disappearing quickly. "Are you feeling up to going out today?" Rei glanced at the Class Representative, considering her options.

"I feel… better. I think that will be fine." She said, pulling herself up. "Is Shinji making breakfast?" She asked, tilting her head to the side again. A common occurrence now that Rei was starting to become more open.

"Yeah, he is," Asuka replied, frowning. "Although I wish he'd make something German! All this Japanese food is boring!"

"But isn't Shinji a good cook?" Hikari asked as the group came out into the kitchen, where Shinji was placing the finishing touches on the food.

"He is," Asuka replied, sitting down at the table. "I just wish he'd cook some German food!"

"Yes, Asuka!" Shinji replied, putting the finishing touches on breakfast when the usual Angelic presence made itself known.

"Good morning humans!" Alpha called out, laughing happily as he entered the room. "What's on the radar today!?"

"Pranks, brother!" Beta said, also flying into the room and laughing with her brother.

"Remind me to keep you two under control," Shamshel stated, idly floating into the room.

"Shamshel!" Beta replied in mock outrage. "How dare you assume that we'd do anything dumb and stupid!"

"You think too lowly of us, Brother!"

"I'm still the wisest of all of you."

"Isn't Sachiel older?"

"Yes…"

"So, shouldn't he be wiser?"

"I heard my name!" Sachiel called out, followed immediately by Gaghiel, who excitedly flew around.

"Yes, you did. We're just saying that I'm wiser than you." Shamshel stated, glancing at his favourite brother, not that he'd admit that.

"Oh, Shamshel! Of course, you are! I'm still older though!"

"Yes."

"Morning guys," Hikari noted, giving the Angels a wave.

"Morning Hikari!" Sachiel replied, turning to the pigtailed girl. "Let me introduce you to our siblings, the Israfel twins. Alpha and Beta!"

"Hello!" Alpha replied, floating over to the girl. "Would you by any chance be interested in helping out with a totally excellent prank!?" Beta floated beside her brother, very important business as usual.

"Well…" Hikari replied, unsure of what to say. "I'm not completely interested in pranking, but I know a couple of people who would."

"You're talking about the Stooges, right?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, I am," Hikari replied, smiling. "They're dorks, but…"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Asuka replied, giving her friend a smirk.

"Shut up!" Hikari replied, glaring at Asuka with a smile.

"I do not understand…" Rei replied, a bit confused at her friends' antics.

"Don't worry about it very much, Rei," Shinji replied, placing some food in front of her. "They're just acting like friends. It sounds bad, but it really isn't." Shinji returned to the kitchen, quickly bringing out the rest of the food for everyone else.

Shinji glanced up a few minutes after returning to the table with his food. "Rei, you okay?" He asked, noticing that she hadn't touched her food.

"Nothing's wrong," Rei replied, glancing up at the boy. "I just… don't eat meat," Rei replied, indicating to the sausage that Shinji had given her.

"Sorry, Rei… I didn't know you were vegetarian…" Shinji replied, scratching the back of his head.

"It's fine… Shinji." She replied, giving him a small smile. "What isn't meat is… nice. Thank you, Shinji."

"No problem, Rei," Shinji replied, a brotherly instinct overcoming him.

"All right! Time for adventure!" Sachiel called out, floating directly out the front door.

"We should probably go after him…" Hikari said. "Toji and Kensuke are waiting for us, and knowing Mari, she's probably found them already."

"We've all got Sync Tests later today, so we'll need to head out later anyway," Shinji replied, grabbing all the plates and washing up.

"Alright. We know what we're doing today!" Alpha said, punching the air.

"Yes! Prank planning time!" Beta replied.

"Can I help?" Gaghiel asked, very excited as usual.

"Of course you can, Gaghiel!" Beta said. "This is going to be the best prank ever!"

- End –

---

"Oh my god, you guys are so adorable!" Mari cried out when the group came together for the morning. "Look at you two, you're identical except for the occasional colour!"

"Hey, Sis?"

"Yeah."

"I like this one."

"Me too!"

"We're going to have so much fun!" Mari cried out, high-fiving the Angels, in her common sign of friendship.

"So they're twins?" Toji asked, turning to Sachiel.

"Yes." Sachiel nodded. "As you can tell, they love pranking."

"Sounds awesome!" Kensuke cried out, laughing in happiness as he recorded the Angels.

"He does realise that we can't be recorded, right?" Shamshel asked Shinji, who shrugged.

"No, he doesn't." He replied. "I generally just let Kensuke do what he wants to."

"Fair enough," Shamshel replied as the Israfel twins immediately started planning a new prank with Mari.

"So we could get a massive bucket full of water, and dump it on the NERV staff!"

"Excellent idea, sister! We could make it slime, for extra annoyance!"

"I love it!" Mari replied, laughing. "I'll handle getting everything into NERV, and you guys can handle the prank!"

"Great!" Alpha replied, shaking Mari's hand. "We're going to have a lot of fun together, aren't we?"

"Indeed we are!"

"Großartig. Jetzt gibt es drei von ihnen..." Asuka muttered under her breath, glancing at the trio of planners.

"Well, what are we doing?" Rei asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Oh my god, Blueberry! I completely forgot about you!" Mari cried out, wrapping the girl in a hug. "How are you doing?"

"Wow, Mari switches quickly," Sachiel noted, having watched as the brunette immediately went to Rei from her conversation with the Israfel twins. "Is she always like this?"

"Y-Y-Yeah…" Skeletal replied, rattling beside the other Angels. "She's u-usually like this…"

"Hmm," Sachiel replied, scratching his chin. "Interesting."

"Mari's certainly a character," Shamshel said, nodding at Shinji. The boy shrugged, talking to Toji and Kensuke.

"I'm doing fine… Mari." Rei replied, still slightly pale. "Just felt a bit sick yesterday. But I feel better now. Thank you…" She said, the words unfamiliar to her.

"You felt sick!" Mari said as Gaghiel halted in his flitterings.

"Rei, are you sure you're okay?" Toji asked the compassion he saved for only his sister coming out.

"I'm fine." Rei simply replied, smiling at her friends.

"What actually happened?" Mari asked Asuka, who'd stayed relatively silent.

"She's experiencing withdrawal symptoms," Asuka stated. "From her drugs that she was taking. She can't go into NERV, she's still feeling a bit unwell."

"I feel better, Asuka," Rei replied, her voice still very monotone.

"No, you don't," Kensuke stated, coming over to the girl. "Just because it passed once doesn't mean it won't come back." He placed a hand against her forehead, feeling for a fever. "She's still quite warm."

"So keep her away from NERV, essentially?" Hikari said, glancing between everyone.

"Pretty much," Kensuke said.

"They'll definitely notice, won't they?" Asuka said, thinking back on Commander Ikari and Doctor Akagi.

"Unless Rei is a really good actor…" Mari said, using one of their actual names for once.

"I'll be fine," Rei replied.

"I believe you Rei," Shinji said, giving her a smile. She returned it very quickly.

"Thank you, Shinji."

"So, Ikari, didn't you see your father yesterday?" Toji asked.

"Yes, and?" Shinji replied, glancing at Toji, raising his eyebrow.

"Just wondering how it went," Toji replied. "You said he was not the best father, so I was wondering if you got at each other's throats or something."

"We didn't actually. It was rather… pleasant? It felt strange." Shinji said, recalling his father's words about Rei.

"Something Commander Asshole doesn't usually do I assume," Asuka said, as the Angels came towards Shinji.

"Well yeah," Shinji replied. "He's never really done something like this before, especially since…" He trailed off, not wanting to disclose that part of his life to his friends.

"Since what?" Hikari asked, wondering what Shinji was hiding.

"Don't worry about it," Shinji said, forcing a smile. "It's nothing." Everyone gave him a look of disbelief.

"Alright then," Kensuke said, picking up his camera.

"Don't worry about it so much Shinji," Sachiel said. "You're probably just overthinking his actions."

"What if there is something behind his actions though? I can't shake that feeling." Shinji replied, his head down, hiding behind his bangs.

"Don't think about that," Shamshel said. "He reached out to you, let you into his life again. Even if it is not exactly the most interesting and fatherlike way."

"You can't let that get you down, Shinji!" Gaghiel said, floating beside Asuka.

"Yes," Ramiel said, nodding at her holder, all in an attempt to cheer him up.

"Yeah, Ikari," Toji said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Even if it turns out he has ulterior motives, you've still got all of us!"

"You're never going to get rid of us, Ikari!" Kensuke said, laughing with his friends.

"You're stuck with us, Shinji!" Mari said, hugging the boy.

"Is that alright, Shinji?" Hikari asked, giving the boy a warm smile.

"Yeah…" Shinji replied, giving them all smiles. "Thanks, guys."

"Don't worry so much Shinji," Asuka said, leaning on his arm. "Remember, you'll always have us, even if you don't have your father." She said, giving him a brief hug.

"Thanks, Asuka," Shinji said as they stared at each other, smiles on their faces.

"As much as this moment looked very heartwarming…" Alpha stated, glancing at the group. "Just want to cut in."

"Yeah?"

"Because there's a weird feeling we're both having." Beta said. "I know we're both the new Angels, but this is weird. We've never felt like this before." Sachiel glanced at his brothers and sisters.

"I feel it too," Sachiel said, glancing up at the nearby news reports. "Something tells me an important alert will be appearing very soon."

Suddenly, loud alarms blared all over the city, alerting everyone on the streets and in homes. "Warning! A state of emergency has been called for the surrounding Tokyo-3 regions! Please head towards your nearest shelter immediately!"

"Seriously?" Toji called out, angry.

"There was an Angel attack two days ago!" Mari cried out in mock shock. "How dare you do this to us!"

"Think it's another Angel?" Asuka asked, turning to Sachiel.

"Definitely, this one doesn't feel familiar to me though."

"I-I-It does t-to m-me!" Skeletal called out, everyone turning to the otherwise in the background Angel. "I-I-It's my brother!"

"Who is it?" Shinji asked, wondering about his face.

"It's… M-M-Morphel!" Skeletal said, rushing immediately towards NERV HQ.

"Hey, Skeletal! Wait!" Mari called out, rushing after her Angel companion.

"So much for Rei not going to NERV…" Hikari said.

"Look, we'll handle Rei, you guys get to a Shelter!" Asuka said, rushing after Rei who'd already started heading towards NERV HQ.

"Got it!" Hikari replied as the group went their separate ways, half heading to NERV HQ for another Angel battle, half heading towards the nearest shelters.

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 1, Track 14 – A-8 (Angel's Arrival; Quiet and Eerie) –

Far out at sea, the new Angel wandered towards the nearby city. Its body was quite humanoid, similar to Sachiel and Israfel were. It was largely coloured grey, with fin-like arms and webbed feet which looked to be very sharp. Four small shoulder pylons sat on the shoulders of the creature. It had a long tail with a sharp spike at the end, intended to be used as a possible spear in an obvious Melee attack.

Now… to find the mother. Take back what was once ours.

The Angel was alerted to the sounds of raining fire. He glanced up to find the nearby defence systems already up and firing at him.

Hmmm. What a strange contraption? None of that will hurt me though.

As the Angel said he would, the upper half of his body immediately morphed into an armoured ball, the armour taking all the bullets sent his way. The tail swished out afterward, slicing through the defences easily. Repairs would be needed again.

First impressions… Not impressed.

The Angel took its first step towards the city. The overwhelming presence of the mother overcoming him.

I hope you've got something worth my time.

Morphel had arrived on the scene, slicing his way through another set of defences. The ball morphed back to the usual humanoid form. Morphel stepping once more towards the city.

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST III – Track 4 - Harbinger of Tragedy –

"Get me status immediately, Hyuga!" Misato called out as she entered Central Dogma, a mere two days after Israfel had been defeated. "Tell me something!"

"The target was spotted out near the Mount Chubu region. It took out our initial defences really easy." Makoto replied, turning towards the Major.

"Do we know what it is?" Misato asked.

"The MAGI is running analysis now, Major!" Maya noted, watching the text scrolling quickly past her screen.

"Well, we'd better get that result quickly!" Misato replied, turning to Shigeru. "Aoba, where are the children?"

"Already here, Major. They're suited up and ready to go." Shigeru replied.

"Good. Hyuga?"

"It's a Pattern Blue. Nineteenth Angel confirmed." Makoto confirmed, glancing at the Major.

"Alright! Prepare Unit-01 and Unit-02 for launch! Unit-00 will only be launched as a last resort!" Misato called out as Gendo and Fuyutsuki sat up above.

"The Nineteenth Angel…" Fuyutsuki commented, glancing over at Gendo.

"Indeed," Gendo replied, hands folded in front of his face. "The old men certainly didn't expect this. First the Eighteenth at Bethany Base, and now the supposed Nineteenth showing up here. Nothing is following their scenario anymore."

"There were only Seventeen Angels noted in the Dead Sea Scrolls weren't there?"

"Yes, the appearance of the Nineteenth only confirms it. We don't know how many Angels there are, so SEELE's plan is sent into… uncertainty." Gendo commented, glancing up at the main screen.

"Let's just hope they don't catch on so quickly," Fuyutsuki commented. Gendo smirked.

"The old men are too set in their ways. It'll take them a few months before they realise their sacred Dead Sea Scrolls are not as correct as they think they are." Gendo replied, a smirk on his features. The Angel had entered the city itself.

"Shinji, Asuka!" Misato called out, as both pilots appeared on the main screen. Both were already decked out in their plugsuits and synced up to their Evas.

"Yes!"

"The target is already in the city limits, we're launching you both immediately. Flank the target and take it out quickly! Our defences aren't up to standard after the last Angel attack!"

"Roger!"

"Where's the target?" Misato asked, turning to Makoto.

"Just entered the city ma'am. It's walking towards us, very slowly."

"Odd, not something I would've expected from the Angels," Misato replied, turning to Maya. "Talk to me, Ibuki!"

"The Eva's are passing the absolute critical. Borderline has been cleared. Harmonic values are fine. Shinji is holding at a 65.4% Synchronisation Rate. Asuka is holding at 62.1%. Eva's are ready for Launch!" Maya replied, shifting through the information presented in front of her.

"Great! Then let's get it going! Remove final safety locks! Launch the Evas!" Misato replied the launch of the catapult sending both Purple and Red Eva's towards the surface, another Angel to take out on their hands.

"Ready, Shinji?" Asuka asked as they slammed into place above, Asuka maneuvering Unit-02 out into the city.

"When aren't I, Asuka?" Shinji replied, moving Unit-01 to face the new target. The Nineteenth Angel stared at the new arrival.

Well… what an interesting specimen. My first impression of you is… I'm impressed, definitely more so than the previous attack.

"Well, there he is," Sachiel noted, glaring at the new arrival. "How dare you attack our soil!"

"Do you need us right now, Shinji?" Shamshel asked, glancing at the pilot. Shinji just shook his head, taking in exactly what was in front of him.

"Hey, Shinji!" He was knocked out of his thoughts by Misato's voice coming through the link. "What are you doing!? You're supposed to be attacking the Angel not staring at it!"

"I know that, Misato!" Shinji replied as the Angel sent its spear-like tail directly towards Unit-01. The Unit jumped out of the way, hiding behind a building as it sat in wait once again.

"It doesn't attack much," Shinji commented, glancing out at the weird Angel.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't be watching your back, Shinji!" Misato replied. "We need to be handling this carefully."

"Right!" Shinji replied, running for the nearest weapon depot and grabbing a Palette Rifle. He turned quickly, centreing the target on the Angel and pulling the switch. The fire immediately alerted the new Angel.

What do you think you're doing?

With a leap, the new Angel, Morphel, jumped away, landing elsewhere. Its tail flipped out immediately, heading straight towards Shinji's spot.

"We're leaving again!" Shinji replied, jumping out of the way as the tail headed towards the nearby building. The tail was incredibly sharp, slicing cleanly through the normally hard concrete and metal.

"Shinji! What are you doing!?" Asuka called out, leaping above, spear in hand, an attempt to sneak up on the Nineteenth Angel, failing as the tail whipped around again, catching Unit-02 in the jaw, Asuka flying backward against the nearby building. "Scheisse!"

"Don't worry, Asuka! I have an idea!" Shinji replied, watching Morphel's movements carefully. "Alpha!" He asked, turning to the new arrival.

"Yes!" Alpha replied, raising his hands in a salute towards his owner, a smile adorning the Angel's face. "What do you need me to do, Master!?" Alpha laughed at his own joke.

"Good one, brother!" Beta called out from Unit-02, her voice cutting through the comm system. "That was the best joke you've made so far!"

"Thank you so much, sister!" Alpha replied, bowing dramatically for extra effect.

"Mein Gott, they're as bad as each other!" Asuka replied, rolling her eyes.

"That's just what we've got to deal with in this messed up world," Shinji replied, his eyes still trailing the Angel as it stalked around the city, wondering where the Eva's were currently hiding.

Where have you gone? I need you in my sight!

"Okay, Alpha, what do you think you can do for me?" Shinji asked, hiding in the streets as the Angel prowled, his eyes on the virtual map of the city laid out in front of him, a red spike indicating Morphel's current location.

"What do you mean?" Alpha asked, genuinely confused by the Pilot's question, turning to his siblings for help.

"Basically, we found out we have the ability to enter the Eva's core and give it unique abilities. Considering all our abilities have been transferred in some way or another when we're in there, I have a feeling it might be something to do with your ability to split with your twin." Sachiel replied, glancing at the target.

"Considering Morphel has really good physical attacks, using Sachiel or I is not a good idea," Shamshel said, thinking back on their own abilities. "And considering that Ramiel's beam takes a while to charge, Alpha and Beta might be our best bet."

"What about Gaghiel?" Asuka asked from her Eva. The Red Evangelion sitting snugly in a small corner of the city after being attacked rather ruthlessly by the Angel.

"I don't think so," Sachiel replied. "Given Gaghiel is right at home in the water, his ability might have something to do with that."

"So Alpha and Beta are our last chance?" Shinji asked, glancing between the Angels and Asuka.

"Yes," Ramiel replied, moving her entire form to nod at the boy.

"Alright, then let's do it! Alpha!" Shinji called out, watching as the Angel zipped out of the Entry Plug and into the Eva's core. Glancing up, the feeling of the Angel inside the core became apparent as a completely golden copy of Eva Unit-01 appeared beside the real Unit-01.

"Well, that could be useful," Asuka noted, watching as Shinji directed the clone towards the Angel's location, golden Pallet rifle in hand, stalking towards Morphel. The Angel turned, the grey panels on its shoulders started to glow an intense red as the tail whipped out towards the golden clone. With a swipe, the fake Umbilical Cable was severed and Golden Unit-01 fell backward, unmoving. The clone looked like an awkward puppy as it slowly wandered around, randomly shooting the Pallet Rifle.

Alpha popped back in the Entry Plug soon after, the clone disappearing from view soon after. "That was tiring!"

"What just happened!?" Sachiel cried out. "What the hell did the Angel do!?"

"Obviously, it wasn't good! Completely rendered our clone useless!" Asuka replied.

"So what's our next move?" Shamshel said, glancing at Shinji and Asuka.

"I have an idea, but we have to play the long game…"

"Ramiel?" Asuka asked, clenching her dual Progressive Knives in her hands.

"Yeah, I need you to cover me Asuka," Shinji replied as Ramiel moved herself into the Entry Plug. Shinji felt the Angel's beam start to charge in the sunlight as Asuka moved Unit-02 ahead, covering Shinji as he slowly moved Unit-01 into a line with the Angel insight.

"Come here, Arschloch!" Asuka cried, Knives in hand as she attacked Morphel head-on, keeping his attention away from Unit-01.

You're cute.

Morphel lifted his arms, the razor-sharp claws coming into contact with Unit-02's arms. "Hände weg, Engel Bastard!" Asuka cried out as she swiped at the Angel's head. The upper body morphed into a ball, rendering her attacks useless. Unit-02 dropped, slumping to a heap on the ground, Asuka turning her head to Shinji immediately.

"How long!?" She cried out, as Morphel brought his spear tail to attack Unit-02. Asuka clasped the spear between her hands, keeping the Angel from taking her out.

"Almost!" Shinji replied, only a few seconds left on the charge as he felt Ramiel getting more and more tired as he continued. Morphel turned his body to face him, tilting his head. "Got you now!" Shinji cried out, finger on the trigger.

What followed was a blinding flash of light. The shoulder panels on the Angel glowing a bright red as he watched.

"Shinji!" Misato's voice came from Central Dogma. "Shinji! Pull yourself together!" Shinji paid Misato no mind as the blinding flash compromised the Unit-01 pilot. Ramiel collapsed back into the Plug, as the charge fizzled down, no beam coming from Unit-01. Morphel stood smirking, as Shinji stared in shock at the mess in front of him.

"Shinji!" Came Asuka's voice from Unit-02, moving her Eva as quickly as she could towards the downed Unit-01. Flashes passed through Shinji's mind, as he collapsed back.

"What's happening up there!?" Misato asked from Central Dogma, fear and concern in her eyes.

"I don't know!" Asuka replied. "Come on, Stupid Shinji! Talk to me!"

Shinji finally opened his eyes against the sight of the city ahead. "What's happening?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Shinji!" Asuka replied, her face appearing beside him. Shinji glanced over at her, confusion settling into his features.

"Where… Where am I?"

"Oh god." Misato softly got out, her lips quivering as she feared the worst.

"Who… are you?" Shinji asked, looking straight at Asuka. The redhead glanced down, refusing to show any emotion as the final nail in the coffin hit.

"Who… Who am I?"

The earth-shattering, heartbroken scream from the combined efforts of Misato and Asuka accompanied a successful operation on the behalf of Morphel, the grey Angel wandering away from the city, heading back towards the outskirts.

My job here is done. I'll be back. I'll expect more next time.

Morphel disappeared into the forests surrounding Tokyo-3, awaiting its next attack.

- End –

---

September 14th, 2015

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 2, Track 7 - B-10 (Menace and Surprise) –

"From our scans performed by the MAGI, we have determined there is no internal damage after the Angel's attack." Commented Ritsuko as she brought up the reports from the recent attack the day before. "Shinji's skull is fully intact, no brain hemorrhages were found."

"Get to the point, Ritsuko," Misato commented, glancing up at the doctor, an incredibly tired look on her face.

"Well…" Ritsuko started, pulling up another report, Shinji's health records. "Physically, nothing is wrong with Shinji."

"So, what's wrong then, Ritsuko…" Misato replied, still tired from the sleepless night from before.

"That's the thing…" Ritsuko replied, bringing up the most recent report. "Take a look, Major." Misato stepped forward, gasping as she read the report in front of her.

"You're kidding me!?"

"Nope," Ritsuko replied, idly picking up her mug of coffee and taking a sip. "That's what we've discovered from our operation."

"Let the others know, tell them to come to NERV HQ immediately," Misato commented, pulling out her phone and connecting to the line. "Asuka?"

"Yeah…" Came the unnaturally tired voice of the Second Child from the other end. The girl obviously having just been woken up.

"Get dressed and down to NERV, get Rei and Mari on your way as well."

"Why?" Asuka asked, "I just want to sleep Misato…"

"We know what's happened to Shinji." Misato simply stated, smirking as her charge replied back immediately.

"You should've said that earlier! Honestly! I can't believe you haven't got your priorities in order!" The call hung up soon after, Misato still smirking.

"Done abusing your charges?" Ritsuko asked, sipping her coffee once again, Misato rolled her eyes, ignoring her friend.

"I'll have you know, I'm a very good guardian, thank you very much!" Misato replied, giving her friend the stink eye.

"I'll believe it when I see it," Ritsuko replied, smiling. The door opened soon after, with one of the many nurses coming in. "Yes?"

"Pilot Ikari has woken up ma'am." The nurse stated, leaving the room soon after.

"Well, Misato. Time to be a good guardian." Ritsuko said, leading the way out of the room. Misato grumbling behind her the entire walk towards the hospital room.

---

"What happened to Shinji, Misato!?" Asuka asked as soon as she entered the NERV Hospital, the Angels trailed behind her, with Rei and Mari making up the back of the pack.

"I'd like to know too, Miso," Mari commented, arms crossed under her chest. "Asuka abducted us and told us to come here. We didn't have a choice."

"That's not actually what happened, Major Katsuragi," Rei commented, glancing towards Shinji lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling once again.

"I hope he's okay…" Sachiel commented, having been with Shinji the longest of the Angels, he glanced at his siblings.

"We all hope he is!" Gaghiel said his voice cheery as it always was, as he brought his fin up to pat his brother's back.

"He is, physically…" Misato said, turning back to the boy on the bed. "However, mentally…"

"What is it, Miso?" Mari asked, confusion in her eyes.

"He's…" Misato wiped her eyes, pulling the report out and handing it to the rest of the Pilots.

"He has amnesia!?" Asuka cried out in shock, anger coming to her face as she threatened to destroy the Nineteenth Angel, currently hiding out of the city.

"We're not exactly completely sure," Ritsuko commented, glancing over the incoming data from the room in front of her.

"But, according to the MAGI, the symptoms are identical, so that's what's most likely happened to Shinji," Misato said, turning to Asuka, who frowned at the floor.

"So what does that mean now? Is Shinji going to go away? Is the Third Child no longer needed!?" Mari asked, her arms still crossed as she thought of anything she could to help the bedridden pilot.

"He won't be going anywhere." Misato gently replied, reassuring all three female pilots.

"But what will he do?" Rei asked, her hands on the glass separating them from their friend and fellow pilot. "His state tells me that he's… useless…"

"Not completely useless," Ritsuko commented, glancing over at the First Child. "It's just a case of amnesia.

"What do you mean?" Shamshel asked, turning his entire body to face the Head of Project E. Ritsuko stuffed her hands in her pockets, turning to the Angel.

"It's just a theory… but while Shinji and Asuka were fighting the Angel. I analysed the attack patterns while Shinji used the clone from Israfel. The Angel did something… Interesting…" Ritsuko said, pulling up a short recording taken from the external cameras in Tokyo-3. The rest of the group huddled around the small screen, taking in everything being shown.

"The Angel itself seemed to be mostly passive. Prowling the city and waiting for the opponent to attack. The MAGI reported a heavy AT Field, that if used, could've rivaled Ramiel's attack. The only time it used its AT Field was when Unit-02 attacked it right here." Ritsuko commented, pausing the video when Unit-02 brought its Progressive Knives towards Morphel's head. "However, it shifts its body to create a sphere around its head as protection. The Angel uses its AT Field to support its defence, hence Unit-02 being subdued."

"That's great and all, but it doesn't tell us anything about how the Angel could possibly take Shinji's memory!" Asuka asked, grumbling under her breath as Gaghiel patted her on the back.

"I'm getting there Asuka," Ritsuko replied, hitting a button on her remote. "Take a look at what the Angel does here." As the group watched, Morphel's Shoulder Plates started to glow, Ritsuko paused the recording at the point where the red glow first appeared.

"That was when the Angel emitted that strange glow!" Sachiel stated, pointing the video out. "So what did that Angel do to Shinji!?"

"That must've been what caused the amnesia…" Shamshel commented, glancing at Skeletal. "Does that sound familiar to you? You know this Angel the most out of all of us."

"Y-Yes!" Skeletal replied, glancing at everyone. "M-Morphel always j-j-joked a-around a-about taking our memories!"

"It can't be anything else!" Mari said. "It has to be that!"

"After the flash… Shinji's mind was damaged…" Rei said, her eyes still on the boy in the bed.

"Yes," Ramiel said, floating sadly outside the Unit-01 Pilot's room.

"That's correct," Ritsuko said, glancing back at her clipboard in front of her. "After the flash occurred, the results were like he had the life sucked out of him. After the Clone suffered a similar fate, we had a feeling this was the case."

"Look at you, Ritsuko," Misato commented arms crossed as she glanced at Ritsuko. "I thought you were supposed to be a scientist, where'd all this unscientific talk come from?"

"You act as if I've never said something that wasn't related to science in my life," Ritsuko replied, raising an eyebrow. "I seem to recall you mentioning at some point in our college days that extremely advanced science is indistinguishable from magic."

"So, technically speaking…" Misato said, "If Shinji's memories were absorbed by the Angel…" She gained a look of hope of her train of thought continued. "His memories could be recovered?"

Ritsuko sighed, cutting the recording as she turned to the Pilots, speaking with a heavy heart as she relayed her reports to the rest of the group. "Here's the thing… It would be hard to do."

"But it is possible?" Asuka asked, questioning in her eyes.

"Theoretically?" Ritsuko replied, not meeting the girl's eyes. "Yes, but it'll be tough."

"Right…" Misato said, running a hand through her hair in annoyance. "Well, I've got a stack of reports to get through again. Ritsuko, make sure Shinji gets tested."

"That will be a problem, Misato," Ritsuko said, glancing at the Major. "Shinji has been hit with amnesia, he's basically a different person." She finished, turning towards Shinji's door.

"Don't say that!" Misato said, a scowl adorning her face.

"I say it as it is Major," Ritsuko replied, giving her friend a stern look.

"At least think of something, for everyone here," Misato said, her arms crossed once again.

"Alright." Ritsuko conceded, opening the door. "I've got a thought, but I'm not convinced it will work.

"At least give it a try!" Asuka replied as Sachiel and Shamshel nodded in unison.

"Okay," Ritsuko replied, staring at the ceiling. "Get the simulator body ready. That is my idea." Misato nodded and left the room quickly after, rushing down the hallway back towards NERV HQ.

"Can we see him?" Sachiel asked the Doctor, who glanced at the Angel in concern.

"Sure, but only the humans can enter," Ritsuko replied, to the protests and outburst of every Angel there. "You have to remember that Shinji has just lost his memory. He'll be just as terrified of you as he would be if he met any of you on the streets of Tokyo-3."

"Alright, whatever." Sachiel slouched against the nearby wall, the Angels gathering around the oldest of their species. "We can talk to him later anyway." Ritsuko nodded, heading out shortly after, the Angels glaring at the doctor's retreating back.

"Don't worry so much," Mari said, smiling at the Angels. "We'll make sure he remembers you again!"

"I hope so…" Came the sad tone from the usually energetic Gaghiel. "I don't want him to forget about all of us…"

"He'll get his memory back!" Asuka replied, a new determination in her voice. "He has to! He's the Invincible Shinji after all!"

"Well, go and see him," Shamshel said, a sort of smile on his face. "We have faith in all of you, to defeat all our siblings and bring an end to this war of sorts." The three pilots with their memories intact smiled at the Angels, leaving them be as they entered the Hospital Room. Shinji lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Hey!" Mari vocalised, alerting the boy to their presence. He glanced over at them, confusion clouding his features as he looked them over.

"Hi…" Shinji replied, unsure of what to say or do in this situation. He decided upon simply giving them a small wave, awkwardly raising his eyebrow as he watched them. "I'm sorry… I don't know where I am right now…" He glanced at them, pleading in his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Well aren't you a charmer!" Mari commented, coming over the Shinji's beside. "Mari Illustrious Makinami, at your service!" She said, bowing theatrically. Shinji laughed slightly, turning his attention to the next person in the room, the redhead.

"Nice to meet you, Mari… Or re-meet you, I guess…" Shinji uttered, as his attention was on Asuka. "Who are you?" He asked, a small smile on his face. Asuka blushed slightly, but stepped forward, pushing all her complicated feelings on the current situation away.

"I'm Asuka! Asuka Langley Soryu! Charmed, huh?" She said, reciting her intro word for word with a smile on her face.

"Thanks, Asuka." Shinji settled on the final person in the room, Rei, who stared back at him, her head tilted to the side. "I feel like you're… familiar… Like family…" Rei didn't say anything, wondering what the boy was thinking about when she stepped forward.

"I'm… Rei Ayanami." She simply said, her thoughts on Shinji's comments as he saw her. They were intriguing to her. 'Family…?' She thought to herself, settling with a small smile. 'It… feels… correct…'

"That's something I've never even considered," Asuka commented, glancing between Shinji and Rei, trying to sort out why Shinji, even in his amnesiac state, could come up with something like that.

"I mean, if you really look between the two of them, there are visual similarities…" Mari noted, inspecting both Children intently, freely getting as far into their personal space as she possibly could. "If I didn't know you two, and I was meeting you for the first time, I'd think you were siblings."

"Now that you mention it…" Asuka commented, looking between the two. "You two really do look quite similar, are you sure you're not his long-lost sister or something?"

"I'm positive. I did not know Shinji until he arrived here a few months ago."

"And I'm just confused…" Shinji commented, glancing up at the ceiling once again. He sighed as Mari and Asuka tried their hardest to insist that Rei was his long-lost sister to an emotionally stunted girl who really couldn't care less. "An unfamiliar ceiling…"

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 2, Track 4 - B-8 (Determination and Anger) –

"Shinji." It had been an hour since his friends had left, leaving him alone in the Hospital Room once again. It was the arrival of Dr. Akagi that caused him to glance up at his name being called.

"Yes?" He asked, confused as to who this was, having just woken up an hour before. "Who are you?" He asked sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in an act of awkwardness. He didn't know what to do in this situation or any for that matter.

"I'm Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, I've been looking after you here after your altercation yesterday." She replied, clipboard in hand. "Now, I'd like you to come with me, please. I have an idea on how you can get your memories back."

"Are you sure?" Shinji asked, glancing down as he wrung his hands together. "Am I able to leave?" He asked, peering at the Doctor in concern, mostly for his own safety.

"Yes, you are able to leave," Ritsuko replied. "The problems you've encountered were all mental, not physical. While you've lost your memories, and we're working to help restore them, physically you are completely fine, exactly the same as you were when you entered Unit-01 and fought the Angel." Shinji was confused by Ritsuko's words, not understanding much of what she was talking about.

"What do you mean by Angel?" Shinji asked, getting more and more confused by the minute. "Unit-01? What's all this mean?"

"How about I just show you," Ritsuko replied, indicating for the boy to get up, get changed, and follow her, leading the boy through the various halls and twisted turns of NERV HQ as they arrived at the Eva Cages.

"This right here is Evangelion Unit-01," Ritsuko said, a small smile on her face as she got to experience Shinji finding out about the Eva… Again.

"This is Unit-01?" Shinji asked, staring hard at the purple head currently staring back at him. "I was inside this thing?"

"Yes. You are the pilot." Ritsuko commented, leading the boy past the Eva and towards the door leading out. "Come, we aren't done yet." She said, heading out of the Cage and back into the twisting turns of NERV HQ.

They arrived soon after, at the Simulation Bodies, the large mess of cords, mechanical pieces, and complicated design hung high on the wall, currently holding four different models, with tons of space for extra models in the future.

"What is this?" Shinji asked, glancing out at the confusing mechanical beings ahead of him.

"These are the Simulation Bodies," Ritsuko replied, stepping over to the main control panel, where Maya Ibuki sat waiting to activate the Simulations. "This is Maya Ibuki, Shinji." Ritsuko introduced, the young woman waving at the boy in reply. "She will be monitoring your Sync Ratio while in the Simulator." She waved over at Misato, who stood in the corner, arms crossed. "This here is Major Misato Katsuragi, she's your operations director, and will be watching out for you specifically in combat."

"Right…" Shinji replied, unsure of everything currently happening. "So I just need to get in there?" He asked, wondering exactly what Ritsuko's plan was.

"Not completely, while you'll be inside the Simulation Body, we'll be activating our Angel Simulations, we're hoping that fighting the Angels that have been defeated will help recover your memory," Ritsuko replied, throwing a Plugsuit at the boy, who hastily caught it.

"That's all?" Shinji asked, eyeing the suit in his hands, unsure of what he was about to do.

"Yes," Ritsuko replied. "We're hoping that that will be enough to get your memory back and attack the Angel that attacked your memory again."

"Okay," Shinji replied, leaving timidly to head towards the Simulation Body. Misato glanced at Ritsuko, one thing on her mind.

"What about the actual Angels?" She asked, knowing that the other children had refrained from revealing the Angels to Shinji, so he wouldn't be overwhelmed with information as soon as he woke up.

"When Shinji defeats the respective Angel in the Simulator, that's when they can return to him," Ritsuko replied.

"I'll let the others know then," Misato noted, exiting the room quickly to give Asuka a call.

---

Shinji gulped as the LCL filled the Simulator Body's Entry Plug, grumbling under his breath from the smell of the liquid.

"How are you feeling, Shinji?" Misato asked, a smile on her face as she watched Shinji in the Simulation Body.

"I feel like I'm gonna be sick," Shinji replied, frowning at the view in front of him, basically a white void. "So, what am I doing here? Is this like a game?" Shinji asked, glancing at the white void, unloaded.

"No, this is a lavish console replicating what it feels like to be inside Eva Unit-01. Its budget is large enough to bankrupt an entire city." Ritsuko replied, knowingly fixing options on the simulator. "Pretty much, a taxable gaming device."

"And what am I using it for? You mentioned something about Angels earlier…"

"Fighting, Shinji," Misato replied, staring out at the dark simulation. "We're going to have you fight simulations of the Angels."

"Fight!?" Shinji replied with shock and horror in his eyes.

"Yes, Shinji," Misato replied, arms still crossed.

"I heard you managed to defeat the enemy with Unit-01 in your first battle," Asuka said, watching the boy slowly.

"That's not a lie." Rei quietly stated, an eye on the Angels floating nearby.

"The Eva is more than just a machine, Shinji," Misato said. "It's a connection, a connection between the Pilot and the Eva. The chemistry needs to be there so that your Eva will listen to you. Once that connection is there, you need to find that will to fight." Misato glanced down, clutching her cross pendant in her hands. "That is what piloting the Eva is all about."

"But… Misato…" Shinji replied, shaking his head. "I don't understand! I'm not the one who piloted this Eva!"

"You are, Shinji!" Asuka replied, staring hard at the boy. "You might have lost your memory but you are still Shinji Ikari!"

"We're all good to go, Misato," Ritsuko noted, turning to the operations director. The Major nodded.

"Alright, let's do it!" Misato replied, nodding at Ritsuko.

Shinji watched as the world slowly took form around him, the simulator forming into a rather accurate, yet completely white, replica of the streets of Tokyo-3. "What the…?" Shinji asked, watching as a replica of the Third Angel, Sachiel appeared across from him.

- End –

- Evangelion 1.11 OST – Track 2 – EM01_E6#070720

"Alright, Shinji. Your task is simple, defeat the Angel!" Misato called out, Shinji gulped as the replica Sachiel stalked towards him.

"What do I do!?" Shinji replied, watching as Sachiel stepped forward.

"Focus, Shinji!" Misato replied. "Stay calm! Focus on walking and slowly approaching the target!"

"O-Okay," Shinji replied, calming himself down enough to will the Eva to take a step towards Sachiel, said Angel continuing to stalk towards Shinji and his Eva. The steps became more steady, less awkward as Shinji continued to step towards the Angel. Slowly but surely.

"Alright, Shinji. All Eva Units come equipped with a Progressive Knife, it can be deployed from your shoulder pylon." Ritsuko supplied. Shinji nodded, pressing the button on the handles to release the weapon. With a quick swing, the Knife was ready to go. "Focus on the Angel's core, Shinji," Ritsuko said, Shinji noticing the blood-red sphere sitting in the middle of Sachiel's chest, protected… somewhat… by claw-like beings. "If you destroy the core, the Angel will be defeated."

"Right," Shinji replied, glancing around and trying to figure out how to attack the Angel. "Well, best try and get it over with," Shinji said to himself, taking steps towards the coming Angel, launching into a sprint to take care of Sachiel.

With a crash, Eva Unit-01 and Sachiel launched into a grapple, Shinji trying to bring the Progressive Knife towards Sachiel's chest so he could defeat the Angel, and take it down. "Let up, dammit!" Shinji said, continuing to grapple with Sachiel. "I need my memories back dammit!"

A flash of light brought Shinji stumbling back a moment. Sachiel brought his lasers up to pummel Unit-01's head.

"Shinji! What's happening in there!?" Misato asked, Shinji screaming in the background as the flashes of light continued in Shinji's mind.

---

Breaking.

Images.

Sachiel.

Unit-01.

Images of… Battle?

The First Battle?

Sachiel…

Unit-01…

The Cranial Plate…

Flesh.

Berserker!

Defeated Sachiel.

Ripped Apart…

Sachiel defeated…

Eyes.

Eyes.

Eyes.

EYES.

EYES!

EYES!

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST I – Track 18 – The Beast –

"Shut down the simulations!" Ritsuko called out, Maya hurrying to shut everything down to protect Shinji as Sachiel picked up Unit-01's body, intent on pummelling its head.

"Wait!" Shinji called out, sticking the Progressive Knife into Sachiel's hand, the Angel dropping Unit-01. "I can do this!" He said, moving Unit-01 out of the way, getting out of Sachiel's sight. "Don't shut it down! I know how I defeated him before!"

"Shinji!" Misato said a smile on her face. "Did you recover some of your memory!?"

"Only regarding this Angel!" Shinji replied, jumping up and dashing towards Sachiel, pushing the Angel far backward against a nearby building, Sachiel glanced up, noticing Unit-01 pulling hard on its claws.

"Yeah, Shinji! Defeat my fake ass!" The real Sachiel called out from outside the simulator, giving a large cheer at Shinji's current success.

"What!?" Shinji replied, as the claws, he'd ripped off the simulator Sachiel were dug deep into the Angel's core, Sachiel exploding in response afterward.

"Well done, Shinji!" Misato replied, giving Sachiel a very unimpressed look.

- End –

"No one answered me!" Shinji replied as the fake Tokyo-3 disappeared around him. "Who talked there?"

"We tried to keep them from talking to you until we'd gotten things a bit more under control, but Sachiel here decided to ruin that!" Misato replied, glaring at the Angel, who whistled in reply.

"So… these Angels aren't actually completely dead?"

"Well, yes and no," Shamshel replied, knowing Shinji couldn't see him on the video com. "We are defeated in battle when you guys destroy our core, and you noticed that we explode in destruction, so we do die when we've been defeated."

"But, then we are reborn in this form to help you guys out." Sachiel continued. "Considering I was the first Angel to attack Tokyo-3, I was the first to end up like this, but none of us know why we are reborn, or why we have a feeling to help out and prevent a possible Third Impact."

"Third Impact?" Shinji asked, confusion settling in all over again.

"Sachiel!"

"Oops?" Sachiel replied, shrugging his shoulders, obviously not sorry at all.

"Ritsuko?" Misato asked, glancing at the doctor, who sighed in defeat.

"Alright Shinji, 14 years ago…" Ritsuko started, explaining to the boy, once again, the story of Second Impact and why they are working to prevent a Third Impact.

"So, the Angels exist to start the Third Impact?" Shinji asked, wondering continuing in his mind at everything he was being told.

"Well, yes…" Sachiel replied, taking over Ritsuko's explanation. "But we're confused on why the newest Angel left after pretty much succeeding…"

"I think we can safely say that we are not completely clear yet," Shamshel said, frowning. "Knowing how us as Angels work…"

"M-M-Morphel will be back!" Skeletal said. "I-I know him! T-The m-most of a-all of y-you!"

"Can you tell us anything else?" Misato asked, arms crossed.

"O-Only t-that h-he will be r-r-resting for a few d-days," Skeletal replied.

"So we have some time," Misato said to Ritsuko.

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 2, Track 12 - B-15 (Liberation, Catalysis) –

"Yes," Ritsuko replied, indicating to Shinji again. "Okay, Shinji. This has shown us that this isn't working. You can come out now." She sighs as the simulators shut down, Asuka frowning from behind her.

"So now what!?" She asked, a demanding note in her voice. "We only have two working Eva's! Unit-00 is still getting repairs, and Four-Eyes has no Eva! I don't have anyone to go out into battle with!"

"I think our thought process was that his body would remember… For the most part, he remembered how the battle against Sachiel went… But that's it…" Misato replied, glancing around the room.

"If we sent Shinji back into the simulations…" Maya said, voicing her opinion for the first time.

"That'll only restore Shinji's memory for each individual Angel that he fought. Not anything else…" Ritsuko replied, glancing up as the door opened, Shinji walked in, clad in his plugsuit.

"I heard your conversations…" Shinji said, glancing between everyone.

"How are you doing, Shinji?" Gaghiel asked, flying rapidly over to the young boy.

"I'm fine, but I'm more concerned about your thought process," Shinji replied, glancing directly at Misato and Ritsuko. "What exactly did you think would happen here? As far as I know, I've never worn something like this before and have never been in a battle before."

"Of course, sorry about that, Shinji," Misato replied, scratching the back of her neck. "Maybe, your memory will come back on its own, at a moment's notice?" Misato smiled at the boy, bringing herself to his eye level. "Shinji, why don't you go get changed, I've got a job for these three!" She said, watching as the boy left.

"Can we come with you, Shinji!?" Alpha asked, turning to the boy with a strange smile.

"Yeah, sure." The boy replied, Sachiel immediately flying to the pilot's side. Shamshel, Ramiel, and Alpha following at a slower pace.

"Bye, guys!" Gaghiel called out, floating at Asuka's side with Beta, while Skeletal flittered by Mari.

"Don't give him too much trouble, brother!" Beta called out, Alpha giving his sister a large thumbs up.

"Asuka, Rei, Mari. I have a special job for you three." Misato said, turning to the remaining three pilots. "Take Shinji to School, maybe show him around?"

"Why the school?" Mari asked as Asuka continued grumbling in the corner. "What are you thinking will happen if we take him there?"

"Shinji has already made it known that trying to regain his memory by fighting is not working, so if we can get you guys to just hang out like normal teenagers for a few days while we sort out dealing with the new Angel. Live your lives for a bit, that's an order. For the next few days, you guys have nothing to do with the Eva's." Misato replied, Asuka smirking.

"So essentially, in your words. Good riddance." Asuka replied, a massive smirk on her face.

"Asuka?" Rei started, glancing at the Second Child. Her usual passive face staring the girl down.

"What, Wondergirl?" Asuka replied, smirking at her. "Don't give me that look…"

"Get Shinji. I'll pick you guys up out the front." Misato replied, leading the group out of the room.

---

"We're going to my school?" Shinji asked as the group of pilots exited the NERV HQ, heading towards Misato's blue Renault.

"Yes, that's what that means!" Asuka replied a bit aggravated after the events of the day so far. "Don't tell me you've forgotten about that too!?"

"Obviously, he has, just like everything else. Then that means he's forgotten about his girlfriend!" Mari replied, giving Asuka a wink.

"What are you doing?" Asuka asked, frowning.

"Hikari!" Mari replied, slapping Shinji on the back. "She's been your girlfriend ever since you arrived here!"

"That doesn't sound…" Sachiel replied, glancing at Mari in confusion.

"Shhhh, brother!" Alpha replied, laughing at the boy's oncoming misfortune. "There is a genius moment coming up!"

"A most excellent prank no doubt!" Beta said, hi-fiving her brother in glee.

"What are you talking about?" Shinji said, having zoned out. "I have a girlfriend?" He asked, confused.

"Mari is lying," Rei replied simply, eying Mari down.

"Although…" Asuka replied, clearly not pleased with Mari's jokes. "Given that she was his first friend in Tokyo-3, maybe she could help restore Shinji's memory?"

"My girlfriend?" Shinji replied, Asuka giving him the stink eye in response. "Hikari…" He pondered for a moment, staring at the ground.

"Shinji?" Shamshel asked, flying up to the boy's eye level. "Are you alright?"

"Now that I think about it…" Shinji started, glancing up at the group. "The name does sound familiar…"

"Well then, I think we have a start!" Mari said, turning to Asuka and winking. "See, Princess! It worked!"

"You could've chosen a better way to do that…" Asuka replied, annoyed at Mari's jokes.

"Hey!" Came Misato's voice as she drifted into place beside them. "Care for a ride to school!?" She asked, way too cheery for Asuka's benefit.

"I think walking would be better, Misato!" Asuka replied, intent on walking quickly towards the school. "I don't think Shinji needs more damage on top of what he's already got."

"Don't worry about it, Asuka. I'm not going to speed! Much…"

"You're hopeless!" Asuka replied, crossing her arms.

"Besides, I told the school you'd be there soon, so we kinda need to go," Misato said. "So get in!" She said as she revved the engine again.

- End –

---

"Well, here we are!" Misato said as she pulled up alongside the school. "The Local Tokyo-3 Municipal High School!"

"Right…" Shinji replied, still unsure of what was happening.

"Don't worry yourself so much, Shinji. All we want you to do right now is relax and enjoy your school life." Misato replied, smiling at Shinji. "Don't worry about the Angel hiding on the outskirts, leave that to us, you just handle yourself at school. Okay?" Misato said, bringing the car to a halt, Students glancing over at the blue Renault, the males of the population preparing to ogle the beautiful woman driving said car. "Who knows, what you need could be here. The trigger for your memories is around Shinji, we just need to find what it is."

"It's okay, Misato," Shinji replied, glancing out the door, glancing at various students milling about their day.

"It's alright, Shinji," Sachiel said, floating beside him. "Everything will be fine! These people are here to help you, besides, I'm sure there's the rest of your little group of friends who have yet to see if you're fine."

"But I am fine…"

"About that, Shinji," Misato said, turning to the rest of the pilots. "Make sure the rest of your friends know what has actually happened to Shinji. Normally we'd recommend against that, but considering that you're all Shinji's friends, I'm giving you express permission to give them that information."

"Yeah, yeah, Misato," Asuka replied, turning to Shinji. "I know what you're going to say. But can you be quiet, we need to go!"

"Alright then," Misato smiled good-naturedly, watching as the group slowly exited the car, Shinji turning to the Angels staying behind.

"What about you guys?" He asked, wondering why they were staying behind and not staying with him, as he'd been told earlier that day.

"Don't worry about us, Shinji!" Alpha said, saluting the boy. "We can't afford to let ourselves be seen by others who don't know about us. Or at least, that's what my brothers and sisters told me anyway." Alpha replied, a hand on his chin in thought.

"Yeah, that's about right," Shamshel said, turning back to Shinji. "Don't worry about us, we'll be at Misato's apartment later, so you'll see us then."

"Okay," Shinji replied, glancing as Misato rolled her window down, earning herself some wolf-whistles from the watching crowd.

"I'll be heading off now, Shinji!" Misato said Shinji gulped as he took in Misato's words, the realisation that he wouldn't have any of the adults around coming to him.

"Um… yeah…" He replied, scratching the back of his head. Rei, having grabbed her book bag, turned to Shinji, glancing out of the corner of her eye as Mari and Asuka headed into the school.

"Shinji?" She asked, coming to his side. "Are you coming?" She asked, tilting her head at an angle. Shinji watched as Misato wound her window down and sped off, leaving him with Rei.

"Yeah." He replied, glancing at her. "I'm coming." He said, smiling slightly. Rei smiled in return, leading the boy towards the main entrance, waving him inside, where Asuka and Mari had already found Toji, Hikari, and Kensuke.

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST I – Track 9 - Asuka Strikes! –

"Well, well, well, look at who decided to show up." Toji noticed, giving the boy a smile. "How are you doin', Shin-man?"

"I'm fine…" Shinji replied, unsure of who this person was.

"You had problems with the Angel yesterday didn't you?" Kensuke asked, hands clasped. "That's why you're only here now, right?"

"Um…" Shinji replied, still unsure of what to say.

"Are you okay, Shinji?" Hikari asked, stepping forward, letting her Class Rep duties come into play. "You don't look too good."

"Um…" Shinji replied again, glancing at Asuka for any help at all.

"Yo, Shinji! Come on, talk to us!" Toji replied, messing with Shinji's hair in response. "I know you're playing with us."

"How do you know that!?" Hikari asked, poking a finger in Toji's chest. "Maybe there is something seriously wrong here!"

"Could be something to do with the head." Kensuke jokingly said, playfully knocking his own head in a massive show.

"You couldn't be more correct, Nut," Mari said, laughing herself to relieve some tension she'd been feeling for the last few hours. "Are you sure you don't have psychic powers?"

"Geez, Ken, you're such an idiot! Maybe think for a moment!" Toji replied, punching the boy hard in the arm. "Although you could be correct…" Toji replied, a massive thought in his mind.

"Really?" Kensuke asked, his face lighting up in happiness. "So what are you thinking?"

"1000 yen," Toji replied, Kensuke laughing in reply. "We'll see what you whether you're correct or not."

"You're on!" Kensuke replied, shaking his hand and sealing their bet.

"You guys are insufferable," Hikari replied, arms crossed over her chest.

"Yet you still love the Jock!" Mari sang, fully intent on teasing the girl.

"Why can't you shut up about that for five minutes!?" Hikari asked, face red in reply.

"Shinji?" Rei asked, watching as Shinji didn't know how to take in everything happening in front of him.

"Shin-man?" Toji asked, turning away from his bet with Kensuke. "You alright?"

"Sure…" Shinji replied, glancing at Asuka. She nodded at him, telling him to continue. "I just… don't know who you guys are. I have a feeling I know you, but I don't at the same time…"

"Shinji…" Hikari muttered sadly, glancing at her two friends. Toji looked stunned, while Kensuke's mouth hung wide open, unsure of what to say.

"Uh… what?" Toji asked, still stunned at the boy's words.

"You're playing us right?" Kensuke said, laughing it off "This is a massive joke, right?"

"Uh… no. Sorry." Shinji replied, shaking his head. "Why would I lie?"

"It's useless," Asuka said, trying her hardest to keep her composure. The lack of sleep and everything that happened the day before finally getting to her. She stepped forward, keeping her head held high. "Shinji's just dealing with a certain problem right now."

"So that means…" Kensuke started, eyes lighting up.

"That Shinji is dealing with memory loss!" Toji finished, nodding in satisfaction.

"That's so cool!" They said in unison, laughing with each other.

"I don't see what's so cool about it," Hikari noted, shaking her head in sadness. "It's obvious that all this happened because of the Angel yesterday. I'm sure of it!"

"Hikari! Don't you get it! It'd be so cool to have that happen to you!" Toji replied, causing the girl to blush at the attention she brought to herself.

"He's like the main character in a drama!" Kensuke replied. "Everything bad happening to him, and he has to fight to get back to his usual self!"

"You guys are so stupid!" Asuka said, glaring at the two. "Slow down a bit, will you! He's still recovering!"

"Don't worry so much, Asuka," Kensuke said, smiling. "We're just going to test him. So, Shinji! Which direction does the sun come up!?"

"How much is it that you remember?" Toji asked his hand on his chin, imitating the thinker.

"How much I remember?" Shinji asked, glancing down. "Just about everything feels new to me. I don't remember this place… or anything else for that matter… Mainly about me…" Asuka sniffed, the memories of the sleepless night coming back from yesterday.

"I'm just going to go somewhere else!" Asuka said, everything coming crashing into her at once, dashing out of the room towards somewhere else. Shinji watched as she went without much thought, he only wondered exactly what she was going through.

"Asuka, wait!" Hikari called out, chasing after the girl as she went down the hallway. "Asuka, come on! Let me help you!"

"Just like the devil to bring attention to herself like that…" Toji commented, turning back to Shinji. "So, you really lost all your memory? You forgot everything?"

"Which means he's forgotten all about us! And everything that we've done for him! We're nobodies!" Kensuke dramatically cried out.

"I didn't know you could act so well, Nut," Mari noted, laughing as she watched the shocked faces of the two stooges. They dramatically dropped their faces, covering their eyes, and moaning in agony. "Geez, you two are just being dramatic now!" The two glanced up with smiles on their faces.

"So you're saying we could be actors?" Toji asked Mari, smiling at her. "I didn't know you thought so highly of us."

"Believe me, I don't," Mari replied, laughing slightly. "But you'd better get going, class will be starting soon, and you'd better take Shinji with you, he doesn't remember much," Mari smirked, winking at them, brushing past them with a sway in her hips.

"What is happening today?" Toji noted to himself. "First Asuka runs away, in quite a non-devil move, then Mari just leaves Shinji all alone. Next thing you know, Rei is just going to leave without us knowing."

"You know, Toji, in all that muttering you're doing, Rei just left," Kensuke noted, smirking as Toji's face turned red. "Anyway, in times of need, it's us, Shinji's fellow men that he can count on when you're bound by the friendship of others."

"Yeah, yeah," Toji replied, dismissing Kensuke's words. "Anyway, Shin-man, we'd better get going, or else Sensei is going to be very annoyed with us," Toji said, coming to Shinji's side and putting an arm around his shoulders. "Let's get going!" He called out, leading the boy down the hallway towards Class 2-A.

"Yeah… Okay…" Shinji replied, a feeling of familiarity coming to him as he followed Toji towards the Classroom.

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 5, Track 17 – A-4 (A Fragile Ego Border; Piano, Mellow Unison) –

"Asuka!" Hikari called out, searching hard for the girl. "Asuka, where are you!" She called out again, wanting to find her so she could be the best friend they said they'd be. "Come on, Asuka! Don't be like this, let me help you!" She said, sliding the nearby door open, finding Asuka cradling herself inside, arms wrapped around her frame. "Asuka!" The girl glanced up, tears filling her eyes as she saw Hikari. "Are you okay?" She asked, coming to her friend's side.

"What do you think, Hikari!?" She, in a fit of anger and sadness, replied. "What does it look like!?"

"It looks like you need someone to talk to, Asuka," Hikari replied, a determined look on her face. "So, tell me what's wrong."

"You act too much like a Class Rep," Asuka said, turning away from her.

"Well yeah," Hikari replied, laughing slightly. "That is what I was elected to do."

"Yeah but like, you're too much like a Class Rep, even when we're not in class," Asuka said, smiling slightly.

"But right now," Hikari started, turning back to Asuka. "As your friend, I'm asking you to tell me what's wrong."

Asuka sighed, glancing down at her lap, contemplating what to say. "You know how we had an Angel attack yesterday?" She asked, glancing at her.

"Yeah, you guys left immediately," Hikari replied. "I'm assuming it was the Angel that caused Shinji's amnesia?"

"Yeah," Asuka replied, sniffling slightly. "I thought we'd lost him forever when he asked me who I was…" She continued, the threat of tears coming to her eyes. "It's ridiculous, I shouldn't feel like this!" She said, angry and annoyed at herself. "So why do I just want to collapse into myself and do nothing but cry!"

"Why not let your emotions out, Asuka?" Hikari asked, glancing at the girl in concern. "Nobody will think any less of you."

"I told myself I wouldn't cry again." Asuka simply replied. "Never again."

"Any particular reason why?" She asked, wondering why Asuka thought like this.

"No real reason," Asuka replied, forcing her memories of her youth down to avoid any more catastrophes.

"All right then…" Hikari replied, not completely convinced at Asuka's words. "I wouldn't feel so bad about Shinji. Has he made any progress already?" She asked, wanting any information she could about what her friend was going through.

"Well, he did remember how he defeated Sachiel earlier, while he was in the simulator…" Asuka replied, confused. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm just trying to tell you that Shinji is still there. Shinji isn't gone." Hikari said. "If he was able to retain some of his memories while at NERV, then I'm positive that Shinji will retain some memories while here at school, whether that be revolving around School or us as his friends… we'll have to wait and see…"

"So… you're saying that he's going to be fine?" Asuka asked, wanting confirmation for her best friends' words.

"Asuka, this is Shinji we're talking about," Hikari replied, hugging her friend. "He's going to be fine. He's dealt with worse than this before. If anyone can get through this, it's going to be Shinji."

"You really think so?" Asuka asked, staring at the ceiling. "You really think he'll come back?"

"I'm sure he will." Hikari replied, smiling at Asuka. "Trust in Shinji just like he trusted you against that Angel."

"But how can he trust me after we failed!?" Asuka replied, going right back to falling apart at the seams. "He placed his trust in me to hold off the Angel while he had Ramiel in Unit-01 charging her beam. I failed him! It was because of me that the Angel got him! I was there when he asked who I was!"

"Asuka…" Hikari replied as Asuka's head rested on her chest. Just like she had said earlier, she wasn't crying. She was shaking quite a bit though, the wracking sobs that never came out. "Shinji is going to come back. What happened was not your fault, I'm sure of it. And I'm sure Shinji would agree with me. Sometimes, things like this happen. I don't know much in the case of an Angel, but this isn't the first time you've lost initially, and managed to win later."

"Yeah…" Asuka replied, eyes red with unshed tears. "But those times were different. None of us knew that Shinji would lose his memory this time."

"Have faith in Shinji, Asuka. He still trusts you, I'm sure of it. Just because something went wrong before doesn't mean it won't get better." Hikari replied, pulling the girl into a standing position. "He will come back, the same Shinji you know him to be."

"An idiot?" She asked, with a smile.

"Sure," Hikari replied, thinking on her own idiot. "He's already regained some memories, let's go help him out some more." She said, holding her hand out with a smile. "Let's go see him, Asuka. Maybe just being around him will help."

"Okay," Asuka replied, taking Hikari's hand as she led them out of the darkroom and towards Class 2-A. "But you'd better not hold my hand the entire time!"

"I'd never Asuka," Hikari replied, the two friends moving down the hallway, helping their friend to overcome his amnesia on their minds.

- End –

---

- Evangelion 2.22 OST – Disc 1, Track 20 – 2EM21_KK_C01_Str+AcGuit –

"What! You're joking right!?"

"There's no way! Not with such a cute face like that!"

"That can't be true! I won't believe it!?"

"Oh believe me! I was horrified too!" Mari replied a smirk on her face as the female population of Class 2-A surrounded her desk. "But… it's true!" She said, dropping her head dramatically, her voice pulling a dramatic tone. "Shinji told me that he'd never been kissed by a girl before!"

"Are you sure?" One of the girls asked, leaning forward.

"That's just horrible!"

"But… how could he forget something like that!? That's like… the most important thing ever! He has to be bluffing! There's no way he'd forget something like that!"

"Well, you didn't hear it from me. But it was Asuka, she kissed him, and he forgot! You'd have to ask her." Mari replied, smiling as Hikari entered the room, the girls immediately storming Asuka, asking her questions.

"How do you live like this!?"

"How can you let him get away with this!?"

"This is shameful! How do you handle this?"

"What are you talking about?" Asuka asked, genuinely confused by what the girls were asking her.

"Shinji!" One of them replied. "Mari told us that you had shared a beautiful kiss and then he forgot all about it!"

"What!?" Asuka replied, glaring hard at Mari, her face going red.

"Wow Mari, you are filthy…" Hikari muttered glaring at Mari.

"What can I say, Freckles, I'm the heart of the class!"

"I highly doubt that," Hikari replied, she glanced at the door when she heard it slide open, the trio of stooges entering the classroom for the first time that day.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" Shinji asked, turning towards Toji as he spoke.

"I was saying Ikari, that you're the class clown! And as the class clown, you have the miraculous ability to get everyone in this class of your back!" Toji replied, giving his friend a wink.

"I am…?" Shinji asked, unsure of what his friend was going on about. "I don't think so…"

"Don't doubt yourself so much!" Toji replied, slapping him on the back. "It's in your blood! I know you can do it." He said, pushing Shinji to the front of the classroom. "Now do your thing!"

Shinji tripped forward, glancing up as the entirety of the class' occupants staring at him. He gulped under the pressure, the sweat beading on his forehead. "Um… H-Hi…" He muttered, very quietly.

"Come on! You can do better than that! Speak up!" Toji shouted, a smirk lurking on his face.

"Yeah! Come on, Shinji! Your usual performance has far more to it!" Kensuke replied, smirking right alongside Toji. Shinji frowned, not really thinking this was true, but going for it anyway. He took a deep breath, then started…

"Hello everyone! I'm Shinji!" He said, smiling, then pulling off a strange move, his arms going into the air, crossing over each other, one leg coming to balance against the other. He smiled at his classmates. They stared back. He returned to his usual position. No one said anything. "Okay, I don't get it." Asuka giggled from her seat as Shinji decided to do the thriller dance.

"What the hell is he doing?" She asked herself, a smile on her face, happy to relax a bit after her near-breakdown earlier.

"Is Shinji just pretending to have amnesia or something?" One of the girls in the class asked. Shinji glanced up at her, frowning once again.

"This is stupid. I still don't get it." He muttered to himself, Toji speaking up from the corner once again.

"Come on, Shin-man! Being a comedian isn't some sort of game! You've got to put some more effort into it!"

"Come on, Shinji! I know you can do it!" Kensuke said, smirking alongside Toji.

"Yeah… sure…" Shinji replied, glancing around uneasily as the class continued to look at him in confusion. "I'm really don't think I'm supposed to be doing these things… So, why do I keep doing it?"

"Don't worry so much, Shinji!" Toji replied as Shinji continued to give a show at the front of the classroom. "Hey, Kensuke." Toji started, whispering to his male friend. "The cultural festival is after school, right? If so, then I have an idea…"

"Cultural festival?" Shinji asked, uncertain as he wandered back over to Toji, having stopped his utterly confusing routine to the class, having decided that this wasn't a good idea. This time he proceeded with caution.

"Yes! There's a cultural festival next week, you were supposed to be playing in the Earth Defence Band before you got hit with amnesia." Kensuke replied, giving a sly wink to Toji. Shinji stared at them, not exactly impressed.

"Right…" He replied, arms crossed. "Considering what I just did I don't know why I should believe you."

"Come on, Shinji! We're best friends!" Toji replied, putting his arm around the boy. "And best friends need to keep together. Don't worry, the rest of the band are fully expecting you to be there for practice tonight!"

"Really?" Shinji asked, once again not knowing whether to trust his supposed friends.

"Certainly!" Kensuke replied, giving Shinji a smile. "Who knows, it might help you get your memories back." He turned to Toji, smirking the entire time. "We can work together!"

"To help Shinji of course!" Toji replied, breaking into a fit of laughter with Kensuke, hunching over each other in mirth. Shinji simply sighed, turning away from them and finding his nearby seat. "Ha! Look at him go, Kensuke! Due to his amnesia, he can't fight back against us now! He's forgotten how to handle us!"

"We're so evil!" Kensuke replied, laughing alongside his friend. "You're in charge for a reason, Toji!" He smirked, as he whispered his plan to Toji. Leaving out one critical part…

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion OST I – Track 6 - Barefoot in the Park –

Hikari glanced up as the bell for lunch rang, she smiled slightly as she watched Toji exit the classroom, chanting about how Lunch was the greatest time of day. 'He can be so annoying sometimes…' She thought to herself as she watched him go. 'But… that's just Toji.' She stood up, intent on heading towards Shinji, where said boy was packing up his things. "Hey, Shinji." Said boy looked up at the girl, stepping backward in shock.

"You're…" Shinji started, confusion clouding his features once again. 'What did Mari say earlier… That she's my… girlfriend?'

"That's right, it's me." Hikari started, smiling at the boy. "Hikari Horaki." Shinji registered some recognition at her words, so she continued. "As the Class Rep I've just come over to make sure that you're okay, and you aren't getting confused at anything."

"Wait… Hikari?" Shinji questioned himself, getting more and more confused.

"Look, I know you probably want to go have some lunch right now, but I need to speak to you for a moment. Can you come with me?" Hikari asked, giving him a wide smile.

"All right! Got ourselves some Lunch, the perfect meal for the perfect day!" Toji said, smiling widely as he returned to the classroom, Kensuke right behind him. He glanced up at Hikari leading Shinji out of the room, a frown coming to his face. "Hey, Class Rep!"

"Stop for a minute! Shinji was going to come with us! He was going to help us!" Kensuke replied, coming towards Hikari.

"And we kind've need him now! We don't have much time remaining!" Toji continued, picking up right where Kensuke left off. "Besides, we're trying to help him to remember!" Hikari rolled her eyes at the boldness of the remaining stooges.

"How many times do I have to tell you!?" She started, her hair whipping around her face as she aggressively stalked towards Toji, poking a finger at his chest. "I have a name! Use it!"

"Right, okay. Sorry, Hikari." Toji quickly replied. Hikari nodded, returning to Shinji.

"Come on, Shinji. Let's get going." She said, quickly leading him out of the classroom.

"Oh… okay, I'm coming!" He called out after her, quickly gathering the rest of his stuff, and following after the Class Rep.

"Thanks, Shinji." Hikari smiled, taking care to step on Toji's feet before leaving the classroom.

"What the hell are you doing, Ikari!?" Toji asked, shock and horror coming over his features.

"You traitor!" Kensuke replied, pretend horror on his features as a sneaky plan came to mind.

"Are you choosing Hikari over us, Shinji? You're best friends!" Toji asked a great deal more annoyance in his tone than there was before.

"That's not true at all!" Shinji replied, scratching the back of his neck. "I won't be long. I promise." He said, ready to duck out of the classroom.

"You'd better be back quickly!" Toji replied, crossing his arms.

"Yeah!" Shinji replied, heading out. "I know that! But I still don't know what it is we will be doing?"

"We're trying to get rid of that blur of nothing and everything in your head," Toji replied, as Shinji left the room in a hurry. "What the hell is he doing?" Toji asked himself, as Kensuke laughed to himself. "What are you on about?"

"Nothing, Toji. I just have a really good idea to mess with Shinji." Kensuke replied, laughing again.

"Well don't leave me hanging!" Toji replied, putting an arm around the young military nut. "We're in this together remember?"

"I know," Kensuke replied. "Trust me, you'll really like this one." He said, ready to start telling Toji his plan.

He was very quickly interrupted by the combined arrival of two fellow pilots.

"Evening Jock and Nut!" Mari called out, wrapping an arm around both boys. "Princess and I were wondering what you two were up to!"

"I really wasn't!" Asuka replied, continuing to grumble under her breath.

"Eh, details, details." Mari dismissed, waving her hand to prove her point. "So? What are you doing?"

"Is it really any of your business, Mari?" Toji asked, frowning at the girl, the thought of Hikari walking out of the classroom with Shinji in tow still on his mind.

"What, Jock? Can't two beautiful ladies come up to you and have a chat!" Mari replied, giving the boy a wink for added bonus. "Besides, I know you two are planning something…"

"What do you mean?" Kensuke asked, feigning innocence as best as he could. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's okay, Nut!" Mari said, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders. "I've just come along to say that I want in." Kensuke glanced at her in shock, processing her words.

"What did you say!?"

"I said I want in!" Mari replied, clapping her hands together. "So, what are we doing boys?" She continued, stretching her back in an obvious attempt to attract the eyes of any one of the passing male population.

"It's not much really," Kensuke started. "I just thought that, considering Shinji is still recovering from amnesia, that we make him think that he's in a relationship with someone at the school."

"Excellent idea, Nut!" Mari replied, giving him a high five. "And I may have accidentally, and by that, I mean on purpose, already stirred that pot!"

"I still haven't forgiven you for that!" Asuka replied, growling under her breath.

"What'd she do?" Toji asked, scared for a moment about what the crazy girl had got into her head over the past few hours.

"Oh, it was quite simple really," Mari started, pausing for dramatic effect.

"Just get on with it!" Toji replied, arms still crossed.

"Are you jealous, Jock?" Mari asked, strutting over to the boy. "Worried that Freckles is leaving you behind for the Puppy?" She said, fluttering her eyelashes at the boy.

"No, I'm not!" Toji replied, trying, and failing, the stop the blush from appearing on his face. "It doesn't matter!" He said, turning away from her. Mari smirked, returning to her spot at the front of the classroom.

"For you see! I had the simple yet excellent idea to make our esteemed Puppy and the single best pilot we have, believe that he had a girlfriend! Now, I thought long and hard about this process, it would have a be a good choice as Shinji wouldn't believe me if I didn't, but I believe I made the right choice in this situation." Mari started, droning on her story for as long as she possibly could.

"I know what you're going to say, so I wish you'd just get on with it," Asuka grumbled, still not entirely happy at the decision that Mari came to only a few hours before. At Toji and Kensuke's confused looks, she sighed. "I was there when Mari first told Shinji about her chosen girl."

"Are you jealous, Princess?" Mari asked, smirking the entire time. Asuka glared right back.

'I'm not giving you the satisfaction of a reply, Four-Eyes.' Asuka thought to herself, Mari clearing her throat nearby.

"So, as I was saying, it took me a while to really consider what person I should use for this situation, and as I thought, it simply came to me!" Mari said, opening her mouth wide. "So, hereby, I give you, the long-awaited choice that took forever to come to me! Drumroll, please!"

"She told Shinji that Hikari was his girlfriend." Rei idly noted as she wandered into the classroom, tilting her head to the side. "Happy?"

"Goddammit, Blueberry!" Mari replied, crossing her arms in mock-anger. "You interrupted my amazing spiel!"

"It wasn't that amazing, to begin with," Asuka replied, still glaring at Mari. "Besides, I don't agree with this idea at all. It's terrible and a waste of time."

"I agree with the Devil." Toji decided, frowning. "This is a terrible idea. Why would you even think of doing something like this!?"

"Because it would be funny?" Mari simply replied.

"Aren't you always like that, Mari?" Rei asked, her slightly monotone voice piercing through the classroom.

"Wondergirl has a point," Asuka noted, rolling her eyes. "Everything you do seems to be for laughs, I have no idea how you ended up as an Eva pilot." Mari shrugged, smiling at her.

"That's for me to know, Princess. Preferably you won't for a long time." Mari simply replied, leaving Asuka speechless.

"W-What!?" She replied, growling. "What the hell does that mean!?"

"In time, Asuka," Mari replied, winking. "So, any questions?"

"Besides this being a great idea!" Kensuke said, giving Mari a high five again. "I believe you've actually got him stumped, and the Devil and Toji really angry! Double the reward!"

"I'm glad we're on the same page," Mari replied, laughing. "Now, let's figure out how else we're going to mess with him!"

- End –

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 2, Track 18 – B-18 (Feeling at Peace – Hope; Flute) –

"Hey!" Shinji called out as he wandered outside, the bright light of the sun glaring down at his face as he went. "Wait! Where are you taking me? What did you want to talk about?" He called out at the back of Hikari, who simply came to a stop at the nearby bench and sat down.

"Not much, really," Hikari replied, smiling at the boy. "I was just wondering if you were doing okay, especially after that last Angel."

"Alright, I guess…" Shinji replied, staring up at the sky. "Everything just feels so weird… yet, I feel like I know everybody anyway."

"So you really do have amnesia?" She asked, glancing at him in concern.

"Yeah, I do," Shinji replied, gulping. "It kind of has a long story, and I honestly don't remember much of it…"

"I understand," Hikari replied, smiling to herself. "It's okay, you know. We're all your friends. And no matter what, we're going to help you regain all your memories." Shinji smiled at the thoughtfulness of Hikari, happy that he had friends like her to help him.

"Actually, I had something I wanted to ask you…" Shinji started, awkwardly wringing his hands together. Hikari was confused, unsure of where this was coming from.

"Don't tell me that those idiots known as your two best friends did anything to you?" Hikari asked, ready to go give those two a piece of her mind.

"No!" Shinji quickly replied, before he frowned. "I'm not sure… Maybe?" He replied, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… they told me something, but I'm not completely sure what they mean…"

"What'd they say to you?" Hikari asked, leaning forward slightly, she frowned the entire time. Not sure what to make of Shinji's supposed best friends during this perilous time.

"Well, they both said that I was a comedian for one…" Shinji replied, sitting in thought. "I don't think that was true though."

"It definitely wasn't," Hikari replied, crossing her arms. "You've never done anything like what you did this morning before. So that was definitely their doing." She continued, "While we're on this subject, Mari was saying this morning that you had shared a romantic kiss with Asuka…" Hikari replied, blushing red due to the thought of kissing. "Asuka had quite a reaction to it, is that true?"

Shinji looked confused back at her. "I don't know what you're talking about… I feel like I know Asuka, but I don't think I've ever kissed her…" He continued, blushing from the thought of the exotic redhead ever kissing him.

"Yeah, I didn't think so…" Hikari replied, scowling. "Those three don't really understand that we're trying to help you regain your memory!" She said, turning to face the boy. "Shinji?" She asked, concerned as, throughout her thought process, Shinji had keeled over, a hand to his head.

- End –

---

"What are you, Stupid!?"

"I know that voice!"

"Of course you have, idiot!"

"I've known her for a while now… but, when did I meet her?"

Flashes.

Memories.

"Not much to look at."

"My Evangelion was created for actual combat purposes, the world's first Evangelion Production Model!"

"Wunderbar!"

"She seems very, headstrong."

"Get moving! Don't you realise you're coming too!"

"The ship's flight deck is ruined!?"

"Asuka, Shinji! You need to get out of there now, it's impossible to fight underwater using B-type equipment!"

"Heiliege Schiesse! That's an Angel!"

"Oh, I don't like that man!"

"I'm sure this is wonderful and all, but I have to go make a delivery, so I'll be taking off now. Ciao!"

"The Angel is approaching Unit-02 once again!"

"Well, you're the Third Child aren't you!? Afraid of nothing!"

"Believe in them, as we can believe in them!"

"Whatever you do, don't let go of the Angel!"

"Perhaps, but I have faith in the kids, and if it comes down to this, then it's not impossible."

'Open! Open! Open! Open!'

Explosion.

Battleships.

Gaghiel.

"That's when I met Asuka!"

"Of course it was, idiot! Did you really think I wouldn't make an impression!?"

---

"Shinji!" Hikari said as the boy continued the struggle in front of her. "What's happening!? Come on, Shinji! Talk to me!"

"Hikari!" Asuka cried out, entering the scene where the girl was struggling with the amnesiac male. "What happened!?"

"I don't know!" Hikari replied, fretting around. "We were just talking and then suddenly he started doing this!"

"Could he be remembering something?" Mari asked, stepping behind Asuka and giving her a smirk.

"I don't know, maybe!?" Asuka replied, watching as Shinji slowly came back to the world of the living. "Is he alright?"

"Yes," Rei replied, coming beside the boy and staring at him. "He seems fine."

"Shinji?" Toji asked, wondering what exactly had just happened. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah…" The boy replied, groaning from the experience. "I'm fine, just a bit light-headed."

"Did you remember anything?" Kensuke asked, pushing his glasses up his face, interest in the upcoming events.

"Yeah…" Shinji replied, staring directly at Asuka. "I… remembered our first meeting…" Asuka gasped, trying her hardest not to let the smile show on her face.

"And?"

"I remember the whole trip," Shinji replied, smiling. "Toji, Kensuke, Misato, and I going to the Over the Rainbow. Meeting you and Kaji. You showed me Unit-02 and we defeated Gaghiel in it…" Shinji continued, blushing at all the attention on him.

"This is good, right?" Toji asked, Mari nodded.

"Yes. This is definitely good!" She replied, laughing. "Someone needs to tell Miso!"

"We can do that when we go home later," Asuka replied, smiling. "This is…" She stopped, turning away, her eyes burning with unshed tears. 'He remembered something… It wasn't everything… but it was something… He can come back!'

"Well, we were coming here to mess with you again… But this is also good news!" Mari replied, grinning.

"I believe it is… good," Rei replied, tilting her head. "Am I correct?"

"Yes, Rei," Kensuke replied, smiling. "This is very good."

"Let's head back, guys! Today just got a whole lot better!" Asuka said, turning back to the group and heading out, smiling the entire time. Shinji waited, Hikari glancing back at him.

"Is there something you want to say?" She asked, walking back towards him.

"Yeah…" Shinji replied as the rest of their friends left them behind. "Mari said earlier that I had a girlfriend… and she said that it was you…" Hikari blushed, glancing down.

"Well… that would be Mari trying to joke around with you again. I'm not your girlfriend." She said, smiling slightly. "Although, considering she continues to push you and Asuka, I'm surprised she didn't say Asuka…"

"Eh… well…" Shinji replied, unsure where to take the conversation. "I'm not sure, personally…"

"Don't worry about it," Hikari replied, smiling. "I'm just a good friend, and I wouldn't really see me with you like that." She continued, turning away from him. "Now, I think we should get back. Lunch finishes soon."

"Oh. Right. Of course…" Shinji replied, grabbing his stuff and leaving quickly. Hikari stayed behind, staring up at the sky.

'You're cute, Shinji…' She said, smiling. 'But I wouldn't want to take away Asuka's chance at you. She just hasn't realised her feelings yet.' She clasped her hands on her heart, humming under her breath. 'Besides, I still have my eye on you Toji… You lovable jock…' She smiled, heading back towards Class 2-A. Her smile never left her face.

---

- Evangelion 2.22 OST – Disc 1, Track 10 – 2EM11_B16 –

"Shinji's home!" Came the very excited voice of Gaghiel as the Third Child stepped into the confines of Misato's apartment that evening. Asuka wasn't that far behind him, groaning at the actions of her resident Shoulder Angel. "How was school!? Did you remember anything!? Did Hikari and Toji figure out that they like each other yet!? Did Mari trick you as Skeletal told us she would!? Did…"

"Okay, Gaghiel, I think we need to calm down," Sachiel noted, coming over to the boy. "I guess the most important thing we need to know is if Shinji remembered anything else today."

"That's the most important part, according to Ritsuko…" Misato said, giving her two charges a warm smile. "So it is vital that we know if you remembered anything, mainly so I can satisfy Rits with her insane thought processes…"

"Well, then you can give our esteemed doctor some good news." Asuka said, giving Misato a grin. "Shinji?" She said, humming as she entered the kitchen, intent on finding a snack to quench her hunger.

"Well…" Shinji started, smiling slightly. "I did remember something…" The Angels cheered in happiness. Misato smiled, giving Shinji a wide smile.

"This means that it's a possibility that you can recover your memory!" Misato replied, wrapping the boy up in a hug. Shinji gulped as his head was placed directly between Misato's breasts.

"Misato, let him go!" Asuka said, coming out of the kitchen with a snack. "You're going to kill him at this rate!"

"Well, I'm not really sorry," Misato replied, pulling away from the boy. "So, what'd you remember?"

"Well, I remembered a large ship, then Asuka's Eva, and I remembered fighting Gaghiel and defeating him with Asuka. I remember everything that happened that day. I remembered you getting annoyed with Kaji being there, and getting more annoyed when he just left. I remember the plan you came up with to defeat the Angel. I remembered the Captain and his annoying remarks and how aggravated Hikari was getting with him. I remembered it Misato…" Shinji replied, smiling as the memories swirled in his brain, a reminder of the days that he was slowly remembering.

"Sounds like you've had a long day, Shinji," Shamshel said, floating beside the pilot. "But I'm happy to hear that you're remembering things. It shows us that we have a chance to get your memory back and defeat this Angel."

"Thanks, Shamshel," Shinji replied, yawning. "It's been a long day, Misato. I think I'm going to go to bed." He said, yawning once again.

"Alright, Shinji! I'll wake you up tomorrow morning!" Misato replied, watching the boy leave slowly down the hall, heading towards his room. "Alright! Want some curry, Asuka?"

"As long as you're not cooking, Misato!" Asuka replied, making a face at the older woman. "You should never cook anything again, Misato! You always seem to mess it up, even when you're trying not to!"

"She has a point, Misato." Sachiel started, smirking… somewhat. "We're Angels, and even we think that your cooking is terrible."

"How would you know that? You guys didn't even understand food before you came here!"

"We're just saying Misato, your cooking is horrible and you should just leave the cooking to Shinji," Shamshel replied, his many arms crossed.

"I'll show you!" Misato replied, wagging her finger at the occupants of the room. "I can cook well, I'll even give you all the curry you want."

"That's never a good idea!" Sachiel replied, flying desperately after Misato.

"Someone stop that woman right now!" Gaghiel cried out in excitement. "This is gonna be the best day ever!"

"Yes."

"Well… time to destroy our taste buds with what Misato calls curry." Asuka idly muttered, already fearing for her own stomach.

- End –

---

Shinji smiled to himself as he listened to his roommates arguing about Misato's cooking. He didn't need to be reminded about Misato's attempts at making a meal, as she'd tried to cook him breakfast that morning, largely because he didn't remember how to cook himself.

It evoked a very violent reaction and the recovery of any memories regarding Misato's cooking. It also gave him his memories of cooking back, so she didn't need to cook anymore.

As the evening wore on and was overtaken by night, Shinji sat in thought. His individual thoughts all going towards the Angel that had attacked recently, and how it caused such a reaction inside him.

'They'd never seen something like that before. It was completely unexpected.' He thought to himself, as he stared at the ceiling. 'And then the Angel just… left. According to Misato and Ritsuko, that was something no other Angel had done before.' He thought.

'I've regained some memories… can I end up getting all my memories back? And… will I be able to defeat the Angel when it comes back…' Shinji thought as he turned in his bed. The night had long since arrived, the moon sitting strong in the air. 'What will I remember tomorrow… if I remember anything…'

The sounds of the Angels coming to stay with their pilots didn't wake the sleeping boy. Memories continued to swirl in Shinji's mind throughout the night. Nothing stayed still.

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 4, Track 10 – C-55 (Ritsuko; Type A) –

September 15th, 2015

Kaji smiled as he recognised the fresh yet mechanical air of Tokyo-3 as he returned to the city. He'd arrived at NERV, simply relaxing, enjoying being back in the city. He smirked as he arrived at the local food court at NERV, grabbing some food.

"Well, well, well. Miss. Ritsuko, up late working again?" Kaji asked, coming behind the woman, glancing at what she was working on. Her laptop sat open in front of her, reports on the recent Angel attack sitting open. "There was an Angel attack?"

"Hello to you too, Kaji," Ritsuko replied, smiling slightly. "Yes, there was, caught us by surprise."

"So, the Eighth Angel decided to show its face."

"Not necessarily," Ritsuko replied, pointing at the test at the top of the page.

"Nineteenth?" Kaji asked, sitting down across from the doctor, "So, the Eighteenth at Bethany Base was not a coincidence, there really are more Angels than we initially thought."

"Yes, the appearance of the Nineteenth confirms this," Ritsuko replied, not looking up from her laptop as she continued.

"So, the question is… How many Angels are there?" Kaji said, deep in thought. "Maybe if we ask the Angels… They might be able to give us some information on their siblings…"

"That's a good idea, Kaji," Ritsuko replied, noting it down. "I'll make sure that Misato knows to bring the Angels in tomorrow, they don't do much while the Children are at school, so we can use that time to get as much information from them as possible."

"Have I told you recently that you look stunning when you're deep in thought?" Kaji pressured, a charming smile on his face.

"You can try, but I don't think Misato would appreciate it very much," Ritsuko replied with a small smile on her face. "Although, I don't mind the compliment."

"Charmed, I'm sure." Kaji continued, winking at her. "Maybe we should spend an… evening together."

"While I'm sure it would be a great evening," Ritsuko said, smirking. "I'm sure you don't want to waste your energy for the inevitable evening with Misato."

"You really think so," Kaji asked, a sad smile on his face.

"Ryoji," Ritsuko said, using the man's first name for a change. An indication of importance. "I know so. I've known Misato for a long time, longer than you. She still loves you, she'll come around."

"I hope so," Kaji replied, smiling at the thought. "So, anything that I missed regarding the Nineteenth Angel?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the doctor. The woman sighed, glancing up at the man.

"The Angel surprised us for one, but we were ready to defeat it." Ritsuko started, "However, Israfel in Unit-01 showed us something weird with the Angel, the Angel in the core created a copy of Unit-01, which started going nuts when hit with a beam-like object from the new Angel. The copy disappeared soon after, and Shinji in Unit-01, with Asuka in Unit-02, formulated a plan to defeat the Angel. Ramiel would charge her beam in Unit-01 while Unit-02 held the Angel back."

"I'm assuming this didn't work?" Kaji asked, glancing at the ceiling.

"It didn't. Asuka went down quickly, leaving Shinji to be hit with the beam from the Angel."

"What happened after this?" Kaji asked, fearing the worst.

"Well, physically, Shinji is fine. However…" Ritsuko started, trailing off. Kaji watched her, realisation settling in.

"The Angel did something to Shinji, resulting in some sort of mental issue?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at the doctor, wondering what she was about to say.

"Well, I can say that you're pretty spot on," Ritsuko replied. "Shinji woke up fine, but he doesn't remember anything from the past couple of months, since arriving here."

"Well shit," Kaji said simply. "So Shinji remembers nothing of Tokyo-3?"

"Well, not exactly, since he'd woken up he remembered fighting Sachiel due to using the simulator."

"That sounds a lot like you, Dr. Akagi," Kaji replied, smiling knowingly at the scientist.

"I will not deny that the simulator was my idea, and it worked. Somewhat…"

"Anything else since then?" He asked, wanting to hear more about what had happened to the young man.

"Well… according to Misato, he remembered meeting Asuka and fighting Gaghiel in Unit-02 yesterday, so I would say that we're on our way to Shinji remembering everything, we'll just have to see what happens over the next few days."

"You're leaving something out, Ritsuko," Kaji replied, smirking at her. "It's great to hear that Shinji is slowly getting better, but what about the Angel? Did they defeat it?"

"Well… What happened with the Angel was the most peculiar part… After taking out Unit-02 and hitting Unit-01 with its beam, the Angel just… left." Ritsuko replied, scratching her head.

"So, the Angel just left? So, what is it doing here?" Kaji replied, raising an eyebrow.

"We don't know why the Angels are coming here," Ritsuko continued. "But this is the first one to just leave after obtaining victory. With Israfel we had to stabilise them with an N2 Mine, this Angel leaving gives us another shot."

"How good of a shot is it though?" Kaji replied. "With Shinji currently out of action, Asuka in Unit-02 is our only active pilot. Unit-00 is still undergoing repairs right?"

"Yes, Ramiel certainly did a number on Unit-00. We're considering completely replacing the Eva's armour with newer, more resistant material, the same one used in Unit-02 and Unit-03. Unfortunately, it's not in orange, so I need to ask Rei what colour she would like her Eva to be. Also, we're still missing an Eva for Mari, which Unit-03 will not work with…"

"Why not?" Kaji asked.

"Simply put, we've determined that Mari would be best suited to Unit-08, currently being built and nearing completion at the 6th Branch in China. We'll be receiving it when it's completed. As for Unit-03, we're still waiting for the selection of the Fourth Child by the Marduk Institute." Ritsuko replied, standing abruptly. "Well, I need to take my leave, Kaji. Don't hang around too long." Kaji simply nodded, watching as the scientist left, returning to the bowels of NERV HQ.

'I thank you for the information, Dr. Akagi.' Kaji thought to himself as he sat. 'However, you chose your words very carefully…' He frowned as he sat in confusion. 'What exactly won't you tell me, Doctor. What else is NERV doing?'

- End –

---

- Evangelion 2.22 OST – Disc 1, Track 6 – 2EM07_KK_B09_InDoor –

Misato groaned as she groggily opened her eyes that morning. She grumbled as the bright sun broke through her windows, blinding her against the day's new light. "Stupid sun. Stop being so bright in the morning." She groggily said, rising slowly, letting the blankets fall around her. "Time for another day of reports and annoyances… Yay." She said, stripping out of her clothes from the evening and pulling on something a bit more presentable for work. Red jacket in hand, she headed towards the kitchen.

The phone rang immediately afterward. Misato grumbled as she made her way over to the nearby phone, still not completely awake yet, cursing the gods above about the mere creation of the phone. She grabbed the device, placing it against her ear.

"Yes?" She asked, leaning against the nearby wall.

"I've caught you early once again, Misato. You really need to lose the constant beer."

"You're so funny, Ritsuko." Misato replied sarcastically, "What'd you really call for?"

"My, my, snippy this morning are we, Misato?" Ritsuko jokingly replied.

"You're so hilarious. Can't you tell how much I'm laughing?" Misato replied in a monotone, still rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Don't keep me waiting Ritsuko, tell me what's happening."

"Well, considering your mood, I don't know how much you'll like this," Ritsuko replied her tone light and teasing.

"Don't waste my time, Ritsuko. Just talk." Misato said, still groaning from the morning glare.

"Alright, I spoke with the Commander today, he wants to see the Angels and talk to them. He's curious on if they have any information that could be useful in the future."

"Like, with the other Angels?"

"Yes. Commander Ikari believes that we can get an accurate number of Angels if they tell us what they know."

"I mean, I'm sure it would work," Misato replied, sighing. "But the Angels aren't actually here right now, they've decided they wanted to go to the school today so they left with the children."

"Is that safe?" Ritsuko asked, concerned about their safety and secrecy. "By all intents and purposes, those Angels are technically the property of NERV, and they've made it known they want to help us prevent a Third Impact."

"So, what do you want me to do?" Misato asked, deep in thought. 'I wish you'd come to this decision yesterday… Then I could've brought them in…'

"Bring them in tomorrow. That's when Commander Ikari wants to see them. They have some questions for them, and they'd like to have answers."

"Typical Commander Ikari." Misato muttered, "Okay, I'll make sure the Angels know."

"Thanks, Misato," Ritsuko replied. "I assume I'll be seeing you later today?" She asked, moving on to a more typical conversation.

"Yeah, I'll be in. Still got these reports to go through." She replied, the line cutting out soon after. 'Yeah… I'll be seeing you Ritsuko.' She thought as she let her hand drop to her side. 'I've got something very important I need to talk about with you, and the Commander.' She sighed, heading towards the nearby fridge to find something to eat.

'Thank you, Shinji, for being an amazing cook!' She thought to herself, happily eating the food that was left behind for her. 'At least he remembered that…' She thought, idly feeding some of her scraps to Pen-Pen, who warked at her in appreciation.

She left soon after, driving her blue Renault towards NERV HQ, her plan towards Rei and her living situation directly on her mind.

- End –

---

"So, any idea on what Major Katsuragi was requesting?" Fuyutsuki asked, watching Gendo's usual stance.

"Whatever it is, we'll see whether this is efficient for the scenario." Gendo simply replied Fuyutsuki didn't know what to say to this, glancing up as Ritsuko entered the room.

"Good morning, Doctor." Fuyutsuki calmly asked, Gendo made no movements, speaking only.

"I assume you're here because of Major Katsuragi's supposed request?"

"Yes I am, although I have a feeling you've called me for more than that reason," Ritsuko replied, standing away from Gendo's desk, as was normal in the Commander's office.

"Correct. Have we found the Fourth Child yet?"

"Not yet, however, I do have an idea for a pilot." Ritsuko replied, "We just have to extend the offer to him."

"Excellent," Gendo replied, smirking under his folded hands. "It's not a priority, but having a more… expendable Evangelion will be most useful." He unfolded his hands, eying the doctor. "What about the other Evangelions? How are they coming along?"

"We've received word that the 2nd Branch in Nevada have received the S2 Engine from Shamshel and are starting tests for use in an Evangelion. Unit-04 has been chosen as the test subject, and they have started preparations."

"Excellent, what else do you know?" Gendo asked, pleased with what he was hearing.

"I've received word from the 6th Branch in Beijing, that Unit-08 is quickly finishing production and is projected for completion by early October. It will be ready for transport with the timeframe of arrival being late October. The Proto Child will be ready to receive her Eva after the destruction of Unit-05."

"Indeed. Things are moving along nicely." Gendo replied, glancing up as the Major entered the cold office, stepping forward beside her friend. "Major, you've heard of my request?"

"Yes, Commander," Misato replied, giving the man a salute. "Unfortunately the Angels are with the children today, so you'll have to see them tomorrow."

"Understandable," Gendo replied. "You had a request of me?"

"Yes, sir," Misato replied, straightening up. "I was wondering if you knew about the conditions that the First Child currently lives in."

"I am aware. What is the issue?" Gendo simply asked, no emotion showing in the man's face.

"Commander, I believe that the First Child's living quarters are inadequate for not only a Pilot but also a teenage girl. I request that she be moved somewhere else." Misato asked, glancing at her friend out of the corner of her eye. Ritsuko was frowning, concerned with Misato's request.

"The First Child has all she needs," Gendo chose his words carefully, watching the Major intently. "What about her quarters is not adequate?" The man asked, folding his hands once again.

"Sir, the apartment building where Rei Ayanami lives is currently scheduled to be demolished. It is entirely unsafe, and we don't know when the building will be demolished. If that happens, what will happen to her?" Misato asked, staring hard at the Commander.

"Is that so?" The Commander asked, glancing over at Ritsuko, the woman continuing to frown at Misato's request. "Fuyutsuki? Your thoughts?"

"I haven't ever seen the First Child's living quarters, however, if Major Katsuragi believes that the place is inadequate for a pilot, then I believe that her word should be taken. She is the one who is in closest proximity to the pilots at all times. I believe it would be in our best interests to move Rei somewhere else if the Major requests it."

"So be it," Gendo replied, glancing at the Major. "I will let the First Child know immediately, she will move into the apartment next to your own. Does this appease you, Major?"

"Yes, Commander. Thank you." She said, turning to leave the room. "I'll let the other children know." She noted, before leaving the dark office.

"Is this sufficient, Commander?" Ritsuko asked as soon as the far door shut behind Misato. "Is this wise?"

"I believe so, Doctor," Gendo replied, leaning forward. "As long as Rei can return here for her checkups and tests, then I believe that her living situation is of no concern. That will be all, Doctor." Ritsuko nodded, leaving the office soon after. Fuyutsuki glanced up from his game of Shogi, concern in his voice.

"Ikari, are you sure that this is a good idea?" He asked, moving a piece on the board in front of him.

"I believe so, Fuyutsuki," Gendo replied, smiling under his hands. "Giving Rei the ability to interact with her fellow pilots on a regular basis will be most useful."

"So, you aren't concerned, Ikari?"

"No." He said, smirking under his breath. "I believe that this will be most important. The scenario continues to evolve Fuyutsuki. The old men won't know what hit them."

---

- Evangelion: Death OST – Track 14 – Kanon D-Dur (Strings Orchestra) –

"Come on, Shinji!" Toji said, giving the boy a smirk. "It's the end of school, and we've got to show you something!" He grabbed the boy's arm, leading him directly towards a room sitting in the back corner of the school. "You're going to love this!"

"You could let him walk on his own?" Sachiel said, popping out of Shinji's shirt pocket quickly. "You do know all you humans are built basically the same way right? He can walk."

"Don't you dare go on your female vs male tangent again…" Asuka groaned, Sachiel perked up immediately, giving the Second Child a goofy grin.

"Ah, yes. You see, besides the odd few aspects…" Sachiel proceeded to cough very badly, muttering breasts under his breath. "You humans are basically identical!"

"The Angels have a lot more to learn about us than they think, don't they…" Hikari muttered, her face red from Sachiel's obvious mutterings.

"Yeah, but…" Shamshel replied, watching as Toji found his way to a nearby room. "Sachiel is just a very curious type, I've known that for a long time. It just hasn't really occurred to him to do more research once he's figured out something."

"Yes," Ramiel replied, idly floating nearby. Toji cheered, having found the room he was looking for.

"Alright!" Toji said, pulling the door open. "This is what we're doing!" He said, indicating to the inside of the room.

"Since when was this here!" Mari called out, running around the room quickly, taking in everything that she could see. "There are so many instruments here!"

"Well, yeah…" Asuka replied, raising an eyebrow. "There's generally a music room at a school."

"So what are we actually doing here?" Hikari asked, watching the Angels move around the room in fascination.

"Isn't it obvious," Kensuke asked, seating himself behind the nearby drumset. "We're going to be learning a song, for fun of course!"

"Really?" Shinji asked, moving towards the string instruments. Asuka followed him, the two automatically gravitating towards the same section.

"We figured that we could just have some fun as a group of friends and see if it would help Shinji recover any memories," Toji said, picking up a nearby guitar and putting it on.

"I like this idea very much!" Mari said, picking up the bass guitar and giving it a good strum, the deep sounds of the bass reverberating throughout the room.

"Great, then grab your instruments, and let's get started!" Toji said, watching as Shinji immediately gravitated towards the Cello, Asuka grabbed a Violin, Rei went for the Viola, Hikari settled at the Piano, with the Angels mutually deciding upon a triangle for extra awesomeness.

"Let's get going!" Gaghiel cried out, hitting the triangle over and over again very very quickly. The ringing continued to interrupt the mood of the room.

"Okay, okay, calm down Gaghiel," Sachiel said, placing his arm on Gaghiel's fin. "We need to hit the triangle in time."

"Alright, let's give it another shot!" Toji said, frowning. "That first performance was horrible! I fully expect the Earth Defence Band to have a much better sound than this!" He said, idly strumming the guitar.

"What we need is a nice suitable, powerful female voice," Kensuke said, idly thinking to himself. "Maybe Shinji could do it?" He asked, turning to the boy, he scowled back at him from his spot behind the Cello. "Are you up for it, Shinji?" He asked, smirking.

"Are you saying that I sound like a girl?" Shinji asked, still frowning at his supposed friend. "Besides, you know I have amnesia, I don't know if I'd even be able to do something like that."

"You're right, Shinji," Toji said, slumping down in his seat. "Of course you wouldn't be able to remember, maybe we should just head home," Toji said, sighing. Hikari stepped forward, coming over to the boy.

"Hey, look at me." She said, getting the boy's eyes on her. "There's a lot more of us here, one of us could sing."

"Asuka could do it…" Sachiel said, giving the girl a smile of sorts. "I mean, she is a really good singer, we saw that at the karaoke bar a few days ago. I guess she could be the singer."

"Her?" Toji asked, confused for a moment. "Why would she do it?"

"I can hear you!" Asuka replied, "Stupid Stooges…" She grumbled under her breath.

"Well, you want to draw the people in right?" Shinji asked, glancing around the room. "Then why doesn't she do it. She'll surely draw people over."

"Shinji has a point," Shamshel said, floating over to Toji and Kensuke, who were muttering to each other under their breath. "Asuka is easily the most outgoing of everyone here, except for maybe Mari. She's easily our best choice. Hikari is very much a shy person when it comes to singing, if the Karaoke was anything to go by, and Mari is… well, Mari. So, Asuka is our best bet."

"Okay, I see your point," Toji said, smirking at them. "Besides, she could look totally hot while doing it! If that's the case then I'm game!" Hikari frowned, immediately pulling on the boy's ear with her ungodly speed.

"Yes, because having us all look hot is exactly your idea of our performance isn't it?" Hikari said, scowling at the boy in annoyance. "We're doing this together! Asuka will be dressed normally!"

"I second that!" Asuka said, glaring directly at Toji.

"Yeah, alright," Toji said, slapping Hikari's hand away from his ear. "I bet Mari would've worn a sexy outfit…" He muttered under his breath to Kensuke, who nodded enthusiastically.

"She definitely would!" He said in reply, giving his friend a smirk. "Maybe we can get her to wear a sexy outfit anyway?"

"I can hear you, boys!" Mari called out, startling the two into standing and facing her. "Want to see me in something that accentuates my wonderful feminine qualities right?" She said, winking at them, knowing that what she was doing was embarrassing them to hell and back, but she didn't care, it was something that she loved doing. "But, don't you want to see Freckles wearing something a bit more revealing, Jock? And what about you Puppy," She continued, turning her teasing onto the amnesiac Third Child. "Wouldn't a nice bikini look great on the Princess?"

"Gott verdammt Vier-Augen!" Asuka cried out, immediately shutting down Mari who simply smirked at the entire crew.

"I'm not done, Princess!" Mari replied, turning her last bit of attention on Kensuke. "So, Nut, what about Miss Blueberry over there? Wouldn't mind seeing her in a nice bikini right?"

"Kensuke doesn't care what girl is wearing the bikini, he'll just be a pervert anyway!" Asuka replied, noticing the blood slowly coming out of said boy's nose. "See, you've got him thinking about it already!"

"Then my work here is done!" Mari replied, winking at the girl, returning to her bass guitar and pulling it on again. "So, are we practicing or not!?" She asked, her wicked smirk still resting on her face.

It wasn't long before their practice for their totally real performance came to an end. As the group left, Toji and Kensuke continued planning in the background, their words unheard to the rest of the group, who left promptly. Gaghiel held onto the Triangle, very curious about its workings and how he could annoy people in other ways with it. To the horror of Asuka, who spent the entire time leaving the room spewing German curses at the Angel, who simply smiled through it all.

"So, Operation pretend that Shinji has been told to court Asuka is a go?" Kensuke asked, Toji, laughing in reply, high-fived his friend.

"Definitely!" He said, laughing to himself. "She won't see anything like this coming, and she'll be so caught off guard that she'll beat him up over it!" He said, spreading his arms in happiness at a brilliant plan. "Besides, I'm sure Mari can help us out with our plan."

"The devil has no heart so she'll be left completely agitated!" Kensuke replied, laughing. "I love it! Hey, Shinji!" He called out, the boy turning around confused for a moment. "Come here for a minute!" Shinji shrugged, not knowing what exactly the military nut could want from him right now.

"Yeah?" Shinji asked Angels in tow, hiding once again inside Shinji's shirt pocket. Alpha laughed as they neared, already knowing that the two stooges had a sick plan ahead for his holder.

"I just wanted to tell you something important," Kensuke said, wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulders and pulling him closer. "So, you know how sad and distraught Asuka was when you got hit by that Angel's beam and lost your memory."

"Yeah, I guess…" Shinji replied, frowning. "What does that have to do with this though?" He asked, confused at his friends' behaviour.

"Really? You don't know?" Toji said, sighing dramatically. "Why, she was so hurt because she's in love with you!" He said, grabbing his friend's shoulders and shaking them back and forth.

"What!?" Shinji asked, utterly confused and unsure of what to make of what he was being told. He raised an eyebrow at them, knowing that they'd already taken advantage of his amnesia to make him do silly things and he was wondering whether they were doing the same thing to him again. "Are you sure you're actually telling me something that's true?" He asked, a slight frown on his face.

"Of course we are!" Toji replied, punching his shoulder hard. "Now, don't stand here talking to us and go get her!" He said, pushing him away immediately. He heard the Angels laughing from Shinji's shirt pocket as he left. He fist-bumped Kensuke immediately afterward. "We got him again!"

"Hell yeah, we did!" Kensuke replied, smirking in victory. "Now to go watch the show!" He said, leading the way to the school's exit.

- End –

---

"Hey, Asuka!" Shinji called out, catching up to the redhead quickly. The girl turned around, confused as Shinji came puffing up to her.

"Yeah?" She asked, still unsure as to what was happening. "What's up, Shinji?" She continued to stare at him as he pulled himself up, facing her.

"Asuka…" Shinji started, the girl giving him a strange look in response. "I have something I need to ask you, but please reply honestly!" He said, wanting to confirm whether what Toji and Kensuke had told him was actually correct.

"Okay…" Asuka replied, confused at what Shinji was saying. He could say anything to her right now.

"So, Toji and Kensuke told me something, and I need to know if it's true…" He started, glancing up at her. "They told me that you love me and that you were very sad when I got hit by the beam from the Angel…" He said, glancing down at the ground, unsure of how to approach the girl, her mind going crazy from his words.

"W-What!?" She started, her face was very red. "I don't like you! Especially not in that way! Why would those stooges ever say anything like that!?" She ranted, her face getting redder with every single word that she said. "Tell them that they're… stupid!"

Shinji stared at her, unsure of what to think of the girl's answer. Considering he still had gaps in his memory, he didn't know whether his two best friends were even telling him the truth. "So… what they told me was wrong?" He asked, frowning slightly.

"Yeah!" Asuka replied, a bit too aggressively, "Those two stooges were wrong! I only have eyes for real men, like Kaji!" She said, her voice going an entire octave higher upon utterance of the older man's name. Shinji sighed, glancing down slightly in defeat. Despite not really thinking overly much about Asuka's words, what she had said had, for some reason, really hurt the boy. So he sighed in defeat, turning away from the girl and wandering away.

Asuka stared out after him, realisation at her aggressiveness settling in as she took in what she had just said to the boy. Gaghiel flew out with Beta in tow, glancing at the girl. The guilt she felt as soon as Shinji was hit by the beam settled inside her all over again, the feeling of loss and helplessness as they were defeated once again.

"Asuka?" Gaghiel asked, settling beside his pilot, placing a fin against her shoulder. "Are you alright?" He asked, Beta keeping an eye on her pilot the entire time, fully preparing for a complete breakdown. Asuka gave her two Angels the stink eye, growling under her breath. She wouldn't let herself be brought down again. She was much better than that. She was Asuka Langley Soryu, the Second Child and esteemed pilot of Evangelion Unit-02. She was the best pilot they had, nothing would deter her.

"I'm fine." She grumbled finally, turning away from her two companions. "I'm going home. You guys should probably follow." She said, wiping her unshed tears away as she left the school grounds, staring up at the quickly orange sky… The sunset contrasting her walk home.

---

- Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works – Disc 4, Track 19 - E-13 (Thanatos; Rhythm Version) –

Shinji sighed as he wandered the hallways of the apartment block that he knew he lived in. Sachiel laughed every single time Shinji glanced around in confusion, which would earn him a slap by Shamshel every time. "Shinji?" The Angel asked, Shinji glancing over at the Fourth Angel, his tiny legs flittering around in laughter. Despite being the supposed dad of the group of Angels, Shamshel still enjoyed having fun with his brothers and sisters. "Are you lost?"

"What!?" Shinji replied, glancing over at the Angel in surprise. "Lost? I'm not lost!" He replied stubbornly, crossing his arms in indignation.

"Yeah, you're lost!" Sachiel replied, laughing once again, Alpha joined in immediately afterward, Shamshel smiled at his brothers' antics, remembering the early days of living with their father before the Second Impact occurred, and he sent them away to protect them.

"Yes," Ramiel noted, freely shifting her body to look somewhat like a face, then proceeding to laugh in Shinji's face.

"Alright, whatever…" Shinji replied, glancing down the hall. "I just don't understand how you're supposed to get lost here…"

"It's fine, Shinji!" Sachiel said, pointing at the door directly in front of him. "Besides, you're right at home anyway!" He said, laughing once again. "But… It was quite funny!" He said, laughing all over again.

"Yeah, sure," Shinji replied, giving him a small smile before the door opened up for him. He stepped inside, where Misato's voice came through from the kitchen. "Welcome home!" She called out, poking her head out from the kitchen itself, a beer in hand. She stepped into the main hall, giving the boy a wide smile. "Oh? Have you been shopping Shinji?" She asked, a coy smile on her face as she took in the young boy in front of her.

"Uh… yeah…" Shinji replied, his gaze on the floor. "I hope that's okay… I didn't want to intrude without bringing something with me…" Misato sighed, giving the boy a one-armed hug.

"Just because you've lost your memory Shinji, doesn't mean that I don't consider this your home." She said, squeezing the boy in a hug, "You're home, Shinji. Welcome home." Shinji smiled at her, glancing around the room.

"Is… Asuka home?" He asked, wondering where the girl had gone. Misato smiled once again, remembering Asuka's arrival and her own slumped form.

"Yeah, she arrived earlier, I'm sure she'd be happy to see you and have dinner cooked of course." She said, watching as Shinji sighed, glancing at the ground.

"Yeah… sure." He idly replied, moving to put the groceries into the kitchen to start preparing dinner that evening.

'I wonder what's up with him…' Misato thought to herself as she saw him leave towards the kitchen. 'He seemed… defeated?' She sighed, pulling herself up and calling for the Angels.

"Yes, sir, Major Katsuragi!" Alpha said, immediately raising a hand in salute, then bursting into laughter with his twin Beta. Misato smirked at them, giving them smiles.

"What do you need?" Sachiel asked, wondering what exactly the Major could want of them.

"Okay, unfortunately, you guys aren't going to be able to go with the Pilots to school tomorrow." She said, watching as the Angels gave a variety of reactions, from acceptance to slight shock to dramatic and utter destruction of their psyche. At least, that's how the Major saw it. "I need you guys to come into NERV with me, the Commander wants to ask you guys some questions personally."

"Really?" Alpha asked, flying straight into Misato's face. "My sister and I haven't met the Commander before! Is he cool!?" He asked, Beta nodding enthusiastically beside her brother, a very important moment for them coming.

"Well…" Misato started, knowing that all the Pilots, 'Except for Rei…' She thought to herself, still wondering where she found any sort of peace with the Commander. "I know for a fact that the Pilots generally don't like him very much, especially Shinji." She idly noted, Sachiel nodding immediately after, having been around the longest of the Angels, he'd had a first-hand look at exactly how much Shinji despised his father.

"Isn't the Commander Shinji's father though…?" Beta asked, despite hanging near Asuka most days, her brother working with Shinji had told her the various stories Shinji had idly noted without thinking.

"Yes… But you've probably noticed that they don't get along…" Misato noted, watching as Shinji moved around the kitchen, despite losing his memory, the boy still remembered how to cook extremely well.

"Well, yeah." Alpha said, "I have a feeling it has something to do with what's happened between them in the past?" He asked, not sure exactly what the issue between the father and son was.

"He hasn't said…" Misato replied, sighing. "He doesn't like talking about it like it's a hard memory to bring up." She said, returning to her first train of thought. "Anyway, enough about the relationship between Shinji and his father. The Commander wants to ask you some questions, I'm assuming about your siblings and what we should expect from them in the future. Considering we've fought six of you so far, and there's another Angel in the forests nearby, then I'm assuming we're going to see a lot more of you."

"That's a reasonable assumption," Shamshel stated, nodding to himself. "We did say we would help you guys prevent a Third Impact in any way that we can." He turned to Sachiel, who nodded at him. "Alright, we'll go see the Commander with you tomorrow, and we'll answer as much as we can." Misato nodded, giving them a thankful smile.

"Make sure that Skeletal knows about this as well, I assume you didn't know anything about him or the Angel around right now?" She asked, Gaghiel nodding very, very quickly.

"That's right," Sachiel said, thinking. "We didn't know that there were more Angels than just our own siblings, so yes, Skeletal would probably know about the other Angels more than we would, but we can tell you what we remember of our own siblings."

"Great!" Misato said, giving the Angels a warm smile. "Now, I believe Shinji has some dinner ready for us!" She said, walking down the hall to get Asuka for dinner, with the entire crew of the apartment meeting at the table for a nice meal.

Asuka didn't say much throughout the meal, simply thanking Shinji for the meal before quickly leaving the table and returning to her room. Shinji sighed as he watched the girl leave the room, the feeling of something missing settling into place.

"So, Shinji…" Misato said, bringing the boy's attention to her. She smiled at him as she leaned forward, intent on speaking directly to the boy. "Have you been able to remember anything else today?"

"It just feels weird." Shinji decided, glancing up at Misato. "Sometimes I get flashes of events that I feel I should know, but I don't actually remember fully. I know that I've got my friends and that they're trying to help me remember things but it's still all a bunch of places and events that feel familiar, yet I don't remember any of it…"

"Are you happy?" Misato asked, kneeling in her chair, giving him a smile. Shinji stared at the table, unsure how to answer his guardian.

"I'm not sure…" He finally said, glancing up at her. "At times I feel happy, and at other times… I don't." He said, pushing the words out. Sachiel smiled at him, giving him a pat on the back.

"At least you've started remembering things." He said, turning to Misato. "At the rate, he's going, I'm sure he'll have remembered everything within only a few days!"

"That's great!" Misato said, smiling at the boy. "Just remember, live your life to the fullest. Your memories are returning but they're not all back yet. Give it time, Shinji. I'm sure you'll be right back to being your usual self within a week. Besides, everything that happened was only mental. Physically you're still fine, and nothing has changed. So there's definitely something else to this than what we initially thought." She finished, wagging her finger at the boy.

"Right…" Shinji replied, unsure of exactly what to say to Misato, and not really understanding most of what she had said anyway. Misato smiled, before raising her hand at him. "Now, off to bed with you! You've got a long few days ahead of you!" She said, smiling as Shinji left the room. 'Don't worry, Shinji.' She thought to herself as she sat alone at the kitchen table. 'We will get you back. I'm sure of it.' She said, narrowing her eyes at the ceiling. 'Even if it's the last thing we do.'

- End –

つづく

---

- Evangelion 1.11 OST – Track 32 – EMF02_Edit#070705 –

"The Nineteenth Angel awakens from its awkward slumber and attacks Tokyo-3 again. With Shinji still recovering from his memory, will he be able to go out and help Asuka in Unit-01? The Angels present some mysterious information to Commander Ikari, as he continues to move along with the scenario. Rei feels more and more alive each day, and the Fourth Child is officially found, giving Unit-03 a pilot! Next time, The Uninvited! And don't worry, we'll make sure the fanservice keeps coming!"

---

Sync Ratios:

Shinji: 65.4% (+ 0.4%)
Asuka: 62.1% (+ 0.6%)
Rei: 50.0% (+/- 0.0%)
Mari: 26.4% (+/- 0.0%)
Shinji/Asuka: 75.0% (+/- 0.0%)

German – English:
Schneiden sie es aus, du Moron! – Cut it out, you moron!
Mein Gott, ich hoffe wirklich, dass nicht alle Jungs so sind. Idiot stooges. - My god, I really hope not all boys are like this. Idiot stooges.
Was ist der Fick falsch mit dem Kommandanten!? – What the fuck is wrong with the Commander!?
Verdammt! Ich wusste, dass so etwas passieren würde! - Dammit! I knew something like this would happen!
Scheisse! – Shit!
Großartig. Jetzt gibt es drei von ihnen... – Great. Now there are three of them…
Hände weg, Engel Bastard! – Hands off, Angel Bastard!
Gott verdammt Vier-Augen! – God dammit Four-Eyes!

So there you have it! Chapter 23 is officially done! I don't know when Chapter 24 will come out, don't ask me please, I won't be able to give an answer. I go back to Uni within the month, so it's entirely possible updates will slow down again in the future. Hope you enjoyed the Chapter! Chapter 3 will be rewritten next, lots I can do there, stay tuned!

---

Reviews!:

YourBlandestNightmare: Yes, there will certainly be more scenes where Shinji and Asuka share a bed, especially when they get together later on! :P Yeah, the training montage kinda just kept going honestly, glad you enjoyed it!

Alexanderlay: Sorry for the wait, Uni does that to you! Asuka is interesting in this story, kinda incorporating elements of Shikinami's more introverted nature while still being Soryu. Asuka feels comfortable around Shinji, feeling like she can be herself more often around him compared to others, but she can't explain it. (It's because they met when they were kids!) Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

calborghete: The Author of Plan E himself! (One of my favourite post 3.33 fics!) Glad you're enjoying the story so far! Got some big plans for later down the road, if anything between Ritsuko and Gendo in this chapter was a giveaway. Let's just say there will be more excitement to come!

dalek117: A decent guess, but unfortunately not, I know exactly when they'll remember their childhood meeting, and it certainly will be a bit of a wait! Hope this chapter was pleasing!

Kukapetal: There will be a lot more than just the First Impression Angel in this story, I need to fill out the expanded timeline somehow! Keep favouriting! There's more coming!

Guest (1): Thanks for your constructive criticism! I hope I've avoided writing verbosely in this chapter, but it's possible it's still crept in here and there. I am hoping to keep improving my writing as I go, so constructive criticism is always welcome!

Guest (2): Well alright then...

TalonEmpire: Here's an update! Hope you enjoyed it!

Guest (3): Update's right here!

TheSavageStoryReader: Okay, that was not the intention of Israfel being defeated on September 11th at all! It was that date because we've kinda figured out that that was the date Israfel was defeated in the show, so there you go!

skyf0x: General Episode structure is still here, but with Mari and stuff being around, things are going to be progressing differently, and with my plans for later on, and obviously this chapter, this story is much more than just hey look it's a novelisation type thing. My next thing to do with this story is bring Chapter 3 more in line with current chapters, writing a whole bunch of new stuff around Episode adapting, and rewrite the episode stuff as well so I can expand on it. So yeah, you aren't the first person to bring this up, but you're certainly the first to go about it in a much nicer, less flame like manner. Hope this chapter was pleasing!