Welcome back! Chapter 15 is here, and we're going to progress the actual story here as hinted at the end of Chapter 14. Without further ado…
August 13th, 2015
The jet hovered quickly towards NERV's Bethany Base, sitting quietly on the sea, where the Old North Pole once sat. Kaji glanced outside, his mission was simple, Bethany Base held an important item for Commander Ikari, and he needed to get it, and get out. He'd been told that there was an interesting project happening on the site, and that this project was for naught.
Landing quickly, through an opened hatch on top of the small base, the door opened, and Kaji stepped out, raising his hand to shake with the on-site Commander, Minato Maeda.
"Ryoji Kaji." The man said, stepping forward. "Welcome to our base."
"Thank you for the hospitality Commander." Kaji replied, smooth as ever.
"It's a pleasure." The Commander replied, shaking Kaji's hand. Kaji smiled, as the Commander led him out of the main hangar, into the depths of the Base itself. He would wait until this small tour was over, before trying to find what he was looking for.
For now, though, Kaji followed Commander Maeda as he led Kaji through the hallways of Bethany Base.
"It's great that you're here, Mr. Kaji."
"Please," Kaji interrupted, holding a hand up. "Just call me Kaji."
"Not a fan of Ryoji?"
"It's not something I usually go by, no."
"Well then, Kaji, shall I take you to this location?"
"Please, Maeda, don't think my being here is anything to stop what you're researching."
"That's the thing." Maeda replied, swiping a key card at a door, stepping inside. "We found this in the oceans around here, soon after reports of an Angel attacking Tokyo-3 came through." Kaji glanced up, where, sitting inside of the room, was a large Skeleton-like thing, undoubtedly an Angel.
"So, this is the Sixth Angel?" Kaji asked, knowing of two more Angels attacking Tokyo-3 since he'd left for NERV HQ with Asuka.
"No." Maeda replied, confusion clouding his features. "We sent the data to NERV HQ to analyse. It's definitely an Angel, but not the Sixth."
"Excuse me?" Kaji asked, wondering how it couldn't be the Sixth.
"The report we got back indicated the being as the Nineteenth Angel." Maeda said, wondering himself as to why the Angel hadn't been designated the Sixth, or in reality, the Fourth, as the data was sent to NERV HQ once the Angel had been found.
"The Nineteenth?" Kaji replied, confusion settling into his features. "Shouldn't it be the Fourth? If it was found after the Third?"
"That's what we thought too. But the report said otherwise."
"Strange." Kaji simply commented, in his head however, thoughts were rushing past.
"Come." Maeda stated, stepping further into the facility, Kaji followed behind, curious.
Both men stepped into a small room, Maeda flicked on the light, allowing the room to come into focus.
"What is this?" Kaji stated, staring at the thing in wonder.
"This is what Bethany Base was made for." Maeda replied, indicating to the being. "Wonderful, isn't it?"
"Sure." Kaji replied, noticing the rather strange use of cables sitting high above. 'This thing won't work.' He thought, turning back to Maeda. "Well, Commander. It's been a pleasure, but I will retire." Kaji stated, heading out of the room, with a brief wave of his hand.
Heading in the direction of the staff quarters, Kaji suddenly turned, heading down a brief passage. Pulling out his own Pistol, he quietly headed towards a secured room, the entire time, thoughts about the fact that there was a Nineteenth Angel haunting him. 'There was only Seventeen Angels. That's what the Dead Sea Scrolls stated. That's what Commander Ikari told me.' Pulling out a small device, he placed it on the scanner, letting the device do its thing, he quickly pushed open the now unlocked door and snuck inside.
There were boxes everywhere, but one thing was for sure, the light at the back of the room was hiding something. Quietly sneaking through the area, he kept a look out for anybody who could be in here. Arriving at the light, he glanced down at the table. Sitting in a box, was what he had come for. Sitting in a small cube, was a small being, largely red, growing, with one large eye staring right at him. Closing the box, Kaji grabbed it. A smirk on his face. "Well Commander. This is certainly interesting. Yes, indeed." Turning and quickly leaving, the locked the door with the device again, before leaving towards the staff quarters. As if nothing had happened.
"Misato! I'm going out!" Shinji called out, standing at the door. Nearby where Toji, Hikari and Kensuke, waiting anxiously.
"Alright, Shinji!" Misato replied from her place on the couch. After the battle against Ramiel, and she had finished all her paperwork. She and Ritsuko had decided against going back to NERV HQ for a day. So, she was relaxing before she was inevitably called back in to work again.
"See you later, Misato!" Shinji replied, heading outside.
"Shinji! Can you get me some beer on the way home?" Misato asked innocently as Shinji shut the door, annoyance crossing his features.
"She's amazing!" Toji said as he stared at Shinji. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Live with such a beautiful babe of course!"
"Toji, you're an idiot." Hikari stated as she set out for the local supermarket. The group had found out about Misato's promotion to Major, (Which she had tried, very hard to keep a secret), and had planned to throw her a surprise party on her promotion. The group was going to get some food, which Shinji and Hikari would prepare for the party. Toji and Kensuke were coming along to hang out with Shinji, (and in the case of Toji, hang out with Hikari, not that he would tell anyone).
The group walked quietly, some small conversation passing between them as they walked. They quickly arrived at the local supermarket, where Shinji and Hikari immediately began commanding Toji and Kensuke around the store. They protested for a moment, but when Hikari began to pull them by the ear they started listening.
Shinji smiled as he watched his friends, it brought a smile to his face and made him feel truly at home. Continuing his own search, he ran into someone when he wasn't watching, falling to the ground briefly.
"Ikari." Shinji glanced up, standing in front of him was Rei Ayanami, wearing her usual school uniform.
"Rei." Rei stared at Shinji blankly, no emotion crossing her face. "I needed to speak to you."
"So, speak." Shinji stared, Rei was strange, he'd already figured that out. He figured she needed some people around her to break out of her shell that she seemed to have created around herself.
"Um… well Misato got promoted, and we're holding a party to celebrate. I'd like you to come." Shinji stuttered through his speech, still embarrassed by the episode that took place in her apartment nearly a week ago.
"That sounds nice." Rei replied. "I will be there, Ikari." She replied, before leaving quietly. Shinji stared after her.
'Just what happened to her.' He thought before pushing the thought out of his head, continuing on with his mission. 'That's something Kensuke would call this.' Shinji thought bluntly as he headed towards the front of the store, having found everything he needed for the party the next day.
"Hikari!" He heard the cry of Toji as Hikari walked into sight, pulling Toji along by the ear, Kensuke following obediently behind. Shinji laughed as they came into sight, revelling in the fact that he was spending time with his friends.
"Next time, Suzahara, you will listen to what I'm telling you to do! Understood!"
"Yes, Hikari!"
"And you will do it without asking any questions!"
"Yes, Hikari!"
"Do you think that she understands that what she's saying can be taken out of context." Kensuke asked Shinji, who laughed at the other boys comment.
"No. I don't think she does." Shinji replied. "To anyone else, if sounds like a married couples quarrel." Kensuke laughed as Shinji decided to mess with the two arguing teens. "Hey!" They didn't turn to him. "Stop quarrelling like a married couple!" Shinji grinned as Toji and Hikari both turned to him, glaring at the boy standing before them.
"I'll get you back for this, Ikari." Toji stated as a blush slowly crept across his face. Shinji's grin got bigger as both parties started to blush heavily.
"I'm sure you will Toji." Shinji simply replied, before turning back to business mode. "We should get back to the apartment though. We need to get a start on this party preparation when Misato heads back to NERV tomorrow, and I don't want the apartment to be a mess due to leaving Misato and the Angels there on their own today."
"She's not exactly the most, organised person is she." Hikari supplied, still red in the face due to Shinji's teasing.
"No, she isn't." Shinji replied as they started to pay for everything they'd bought. Quickly returning to the apartment after they were done.
The plan was to prepare all the food tomorrow. So, when Shinji, Toji, Hikari and Kensuke had returned to the apartment to find Misato sleeping on the couch, they'd dropped off all the food in the fridge, and left to head back to their own homes. The day was starting to slow down and come to an end, so Shinji retreated to his room. Plugging in his SDAT, and resting for a bit.
"Hey, Shinji!" Sachiel called, floating in front of his face. "What's this?" In the Angel's hands, was the Game Boy that Shinji had found stored away with his stuff.
"A Game Boy, hand it over." Shinji said, sitting up and holding his own hand out.
"Really?" Sachiel said as he handed it over. "What's so special about it?"
"Nothing." Shinji replied quickly, causing Sachiel to get in his face.
"That was too quick."
"Leave it Sachiel." Shamshel said, from his spot reading in the corner.
"Yes."
"See?"
"Fine, I'll stop. You're telling us where this comes from though."
"What? That's not what Shamshel – "
"Misato!?"
"What are you doing?"
"Yes, Sachiel?" Misato replied, coming into the room, a large smile on her face.
"Shinji has this Game Boy, and we're trying to figure out where it came from."
"It came from a friend, now leave it alone."
"Nope!"
"Thanks, Misato…"
"No problem!" Misato replied, her large grin still in place. Any time she could take to tease Shinji, she would take. It was too fun! "Who's this friend? Is it a girl?"
"Well…" Shinji replied, as his face started to burn.
"It is a girl!" Misato cried out in happiness. "Shinji has a crush!"
"Misato…"
"Tell us about this girl, Shinji."
"I don't remember much, it was a long time ago, she's probably forgotten me."
"Well, what do you remember?"
"Well, she had blue eyes, and long red hair. She was very pushy, but that was her personality I guess." Misato froze, this sounded almost exactly like someone she had to keep watch over before she had been transferred over to NERV HQ. "She was a great friend, as our mothers knew each other. But that's all I remember." Shinji said, staring at the ground. "She was amazing." He looked up and smiled. "I just wish I remember who she was."
"I'm sure you'll remember eventually, Shinji." Misato said with a small smile, pulling the boy into a hug. "She has to." She finished, having figured out exactly who Shinji was talking about.
"Are you sure, Misato." Came Shinji's voice, slightly muffled due to Misato's breasts being in the way. Again.
"I'm sure, Shinji." She said, continuing to hug him.
"M-Misato…! C-Can't b-breath!" Shinji cried out. Misato laughed as she released the boy from her hold. Shinji breathed in and out for a moment, his face completely red.
"Your face is completely red, Shinji!" Misato said, poking fun at the boy again.
"Thanks, Misato." Shinji replied, his face turning away from the woman, so that she couldn't see his red face anymore. With a smile, Misato exited the room, heading towards her own. Investigation on her mind.
Loading up her laptop quickly, she found the chat logs that Asuka had sent her while she looked after the feisty German girl at NERV-3 in Berlin. She had a raising suspicion. Both Shinji and Asuka had now spoken about knowing someone from their childhood that they just couldn't place, having forgotten who the person actually was.
Finding what she was looking for, she read over what Asuka had told her after she had found the girl staring into space once, talking about it over the chat logs with her a couple days later. "A boy from my childhood. He had blue eyes, and short brown hair. He was shy, but that was what I liked about him. He contrasted against me. He was great, and I hate my father for making me forget about him." Misato gasped. 'This all makes sense. That explains why Shinji looked at least somewhat familiar, he fit the description that Asuka gave of this boy she knew exactly. And Shinji, hearing what he had to say earlier, that fits Asuka pretty well. Did… Shinji and Asuka know each other?' She smiled as she ran that through her mind. 'They both have Game Boys, they both have Pocket Monsters, one has Red, the other has Green, this all makes sense!' Misato resolved to bring the two together as soon as possible, and she knew just how to do it.
August 14th, 2015
Maya Ibuki found her job interesting. When she'd signed up to be a part of NERV a couple years before, she hadn't expected to be working in such a large capacity. Not only taking care of rather important matters when an Angel attacked, which was something that she never thought she would be doing, not even considering the rather out of this world threat that the Angels posed. But also, taking on the role of Doctor Ritsuko Akagi's underling, having a rather intense and thorough understanding of the Evangelions themselves, far more so than her two companions on the main Bridge at NERV HQ, Makoto Hyuga and Shigeru Aoba. In short, Maya aspired to please her Senpai as much as possible.
On the other hand, Makoto Hyuga, who prided himself in being the oldest of their little group of Bridge Bunnies, as Shigeru had called them many, many times. Largely settled himself in making sure that he was well liked, particularly by Misato, who, as Shigeru had often teased him about, he had a rather large crush on. Spending some time regarding the surrounding Tokyo-3 area, as he usually did, was how he spent his days.
Shigeru Aoba couldn't care less really about what the other two of the Bridge Bunnies did. While he did take his job seriously, he'd also much rather have a nice session of guitar playing, as was his hobby. In fact, that's what he was playing around with right now, strumming some tunes on his Acoustic Guitar that he had snuck in to NERV HQ, and Central Dogma itself. He had a satisfied smile on his face as he played.
"Will you stop?" Makoto asked as he focused on the data in front of him, detailing everything around Tokyo-3 itself.
"Why?" Shigeru asked, setting his Guitar down beside him and looking over at his fellow Lieutenant. "Wanting to impress Misato with your knowledge of the city or something?" Makoto glared over at Shigeru, who laughed at the other male's discomfort.
"Stop it, Shigeru." Came the soft voice of Maya, looking over at the two males from her spot, the romance novel that she was commonly reading sitting open in her lap.
"Or what, Ibuki?" Shigeru asked, a playful grin on his face. Maya blushed slightly, swivelling around to sit away from her colleague. "See, you can't come up with anything." Shigeru laughed, before turning to his station and loading up a song. He started jamming along to the song, Air Guitar style.
– NGE S2 Works – Disc 3, Track 44 – A-16 (NERV; Macaroni Western) –
"Will you turn that off?" Makoto said, not taking his eyes of the large layout of Tokyo-3 spread out across Central Dogma.
"Why?"
"What do you think Commander Ikari will do if he comes in here and finds you slacking off?" Maya asked, "Or Senpai, or Misato?"
"Please, Ibuki." Shigeru replied, swivelling to face her. "None of those guys are going to turn up here. "The lovely Tactical Operations Director is off work today, something about being overworked or something." Makoto glared at Shigeru for his brief comment, before turning back to his work. "Besides, Doctor Akagi isn't going to show up, she's busy downstairs."
"How do you know that?" Maya asked suspiciously.
"I don't." Shigeru replied, "Although that's what she usually does right?" He questioned, not hearing the door open nearby.
"Aoba turn that music off please." Ritsuko commented as she wandered onto the main level of Central Dogma. Maya gave Shigeru a triumphant smirk, before turning to greet her Senpai.
– End –
"Anything of note."
"Nothing, Doctor Akagi." Makoto replied, "The city seems to be fine, nothing of note coming in on any radars."
"Good, good." Ritsuko replied, standing of to the side. "Have any of you heard from Misato recently?"
"Nope." Shigeru replied simply, continuing to play Air Guitar.
"She hasn't been in today." Maya supplied, happily answering the head of Project E. "She said something about being overworked recently."
"I'm not surprised." Makoto noted. "We've had two Angels attack in the span of three days, no wonder she's been overworked."
"I see." Ritsuko replied, turning back towards the door. "Well, if any of you see her, let her know that I need to speak with her." Ritsuko gave the group a small wave, before heading towards the door.
"Sorry, Doctor Akagi."
"Ah, Shinji." Ritsuko replied, as the Third Child stood behind the door that she was intending to head out of. "How're are the Angels doing?"
"They're doing fine, Doctor." He replied, with a small smile. "I need to talk to you."
"Alright, Shinji. We can talk on the way to my office." She said, heading towards the nearest lift, to take her towards her office. She turned shortly before reaching the lift though, Shinji hadn't followed. "Shinji?"
"I actually need to speak to all of you." Shinji noted, indicating to the Bridge Bunnies as well. Ritsuko raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything, heading back into Central Dogma, Shinji trailing behind.
"What was it you needed to see us about, Shinji?" Ritsuko asked as Shinji fumbled with something, before pulling out some small sheets of paper.
"You see, Misato got promoted recently."
"You heard about that?"
"Yeah, she kind of got drunk then started babbling on about it. She was having a drinking contest with Sachiel."
"Figures." Ritsuko replied with a small smile. Memories of the amount of times Misato would get drunk having drinking contests with people in their college years, which she'd always done to prove her worth.
"Anyway, I wanted to hold a party to celebrate, and I was hoping you would come." Shinji stated, handing out the invitations to Ritsuko and the Bridge Bunnies. "All of you." Shinji finished, scratching his neck.
"Well thank you, Shinji." Ritsuko said. "We'll be there." Shinji smiled, before leaving the room, a couple more invitations in his grasp.
"Wonder who gets those last two invitations?" Shigeru stated as he looked over the small piece of paper.
"Probably the Commander and the Vice-Commander." Ritsuko replied. "I wonder how that will go."
"I thought Shinji didn't get along with his father?" Maya asked, her face scrunched in confusion.
"He doesn't." Ritsuko replied. "That's why I wonder."
– NGE S2 Works – Disc 2, Track 26 – C-3 (Relaxed and Heart-warming Day) –
The party was in full swing. Many people were there, Shinji and Hikari, who had prepared all the food in advance during the day prior, Toji and Kensuke, who had tried to help until Hikari had forcefully pushed them out of the kitchen because they simply kept getting in the way.
The Bridge Bunnies, Maya, Makoto and Shigeru had shown up first, eager to actually get to know Shinji as they hadn't been able to see him that much since he'd arrived in Tokyo-3. The Bridge Bunnies were glad to find out more about their current ace pilot, which Shinji blushed quite nicely when had Shigeru called him that, stuttering out something like thank you.
Sachiel, Shamshel and Ramiel had taken to introducing themselves to as many new people as possible. Gleefully introducing themselves to Maya, Makoto and Shigeru when they had turned up. The reactions of the Bridge Bunnies changed from shock, to interest very quickly. Taking to asking the Angels about their species, and how many of them there were. When Rei turned up, the quiet girl simply briefly acknowledged the Angel's presence, before settling down on the couch quietly, and staying there for quite a while.
Finally, Ritsuko turned up with Misato. On entry, a large shout of Surprise came around, and Misato smiled a very large smile, her happiness radiating from her. She'd taken to getting out a large bottle of wine quickly and pouring a glass for everyone who was of age.
Shinji glanced around the apartment in happiness. He'd never been able to do something like this for someone before, and he was glad to have done so. The party seemed to take the threat of work away from Misato's mind, and he was thankful for that. After all, this party was for Misato, and Misato only, a party to celebrate her promotion, and just how much she did for them on a daily basis. 'Although, that's only really in her role at NERV.' Shinji thought, as Misato got into another drinking contest. Laughing to himself, he sat down on the couch, where Rei still sat, having not moved since the party began.
"Hey, Rei."
"Pilot Ikari." She replied in her usual tone.
"Are you enjoying the party?" Shinji asked, hoping to make conversation, as this was something that he hadn't been able to do with Rei at this point.
"Yes. It is very… intriguing." Rei replied, settling on her word of choice, staring out at the party in vague interest.
"Have you ever been at a party before?" Shinji asked, wanting to get to know his fellow pilot, and maybe even give her some friends she could hang around with. Help her get out of her shell.
"No. I haven't ever been ordered to."
"Ordered?"
"I do anything that Commander Ikari orders of me." Shinji stared at the girl, as she quietly took a sip of her drink.
"Right." Shinji replied, unsure of how to say anything to her. 'Orders? What does my father have to do with Rei?' Shinji felt those jealous feelings he had felt a few days ago from his father speaking to Rei like she was his daughter. He fought them down, wanting to focus on befriending Rei, and helping her in any way he could.
"Do you have any friends?"
"I haven't needed any." Rei replied, continuing to stare at the party.
"You haven't had friends?" Shinji replied, concern coursing through his veins. "Rei, you can have friends, it's a normal thing."
"Is it?"
"Yes, I'm your friend. At least, I think I am, and I'm sure that Hikari, Toji and Kensuke will also be your friends."
"Really?" She asked, intrigued at the notion.
"Yes. Hey, why don't you come sit with us at Lunch once School goes back in September? We'll show you what having friends is like." Rei looked down briefly, pondering the offer. She then turned back to Shinji, a small smile on her face.
"Yes. I will accept. Thank you, Pilot Ikari." Rei continued to smile at the boy, before returning to her drink and taking another sip.
"No problem, Rei." Shinji replied, turning back to the party.
"Major Katsuragi seems to be having fun." Rei said, Shinji turning towards Misato, who by this point was well and truly drunk, continuing to drink herself into a stupor. Shinji smiled as he got up to take away her bottle before she got any worse, when there was a knock at the door.
Slowly, he headed towards the door and opened it. Standing there was the Commander and Vice-Commander. "Father?"
– End –
"Are you going to let us in?" Gendo coldly replied, Shinji nodded, standing aside to let the two highest members of NERV into his home.
"Thank you, Shinji." Fuyutsuki said as he entered the home. Shinji gave the older man a smile, before returning to the main kitchen.
"Commander!" Came the cry from all the NERV personnel in the room. The remaining teens withered under the man's intense look.
"I can't stay long, Major Katsuragi. So, I will be quick." Gendo said as Misato glanced up at the man with an apprehensive look on her face. "Congratulations on your promotion, you've deserved it." Gendo then nodded at all the NERV personnel, before leaving the room and exiting the apartment.
Fuyutuski stayed behind a moment, looking across the room. "This looks like a fun party." He said, with a small smile on his face. "Unfortunately, I also cannot stay, the food looks delicious." The man gave Shinji a gentle smile at that. "You have your mother's talent in the kitchen Shinji. She would be very happy and proud of you."
"My mother? You knew my mother?"
"Yes, Shinji. Unfortunately, I am not able to share stories right now. Maybe in the future." He smiled again as he turned to Misato. "Congratulations on your promotion, Major. I'm sure you'll continue to be great at what you do." With a final smile, the man left the apartment. Silence followed, before Misato spoke, a smile on her face.
"Thank you, everyone for this wonderful party." She then grabbed Shinji and hugged him again. Shinji smiled slightly, relishing in the feeling of having someone be like a mother to him. "And a very special thank you to you, Shinji. Without you, this party would've never happened, and I'm very thankful for what you've done." Shinji smiled up at Misato.
"You're welcome, Misato. I'm glad you've enjoyed it." The party continued, everyone in good spirits.
"Thank you for coming!" Shinji said as the final guests exited the small home. With a smile, he returned to the kitchen, were Misato sat at the table, tracing patterns on the wood. Coming over to Misato, Shinji wrapped her into a hug. "Thank you, Misato. For taking me in and making me feel at home ever since I've arrived here. I can't thank you enough."
"That's alright, Shinji." Misato replied, a smile across her face. "However, you should let go before I think you're trying to get me to do something." She said cheekily. Shinji let go immediately, a blush coming across his face as Misato laughed at his embarrassment.
"Misato!" He cried, happiness adorning his voice, despite the protest.
"You're too easy to tease, Shinji!" Misato cried out in glee. "And it'll be even easier in the future!" Shinji gave Misato a look of confusion. Misato simply waved her hand at him. "Now get to bed, Shinji! Remember, sleep is the best rest the body can have!" She cheekily called as Shinji grinned.
"Thanks, Misato. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Shinji!" Misato called back as she returned to her beer on the table in front of her.
August 15th, 2015
The LCL bubbled. Sparking and heating against the constraints of the Entry Plug. Around her, she could feel herself getting excited. This was it. An Angel had been held at the base for months, ever since the Third Angel had attacked Tokyo-3 a month before. However, the clanging against the walls of the Base could be heard from everywhere, and she was quickly shuffled into the Entry Plug, the first time in forever. No matter what, holding the Angel was no longer an option.
"Starting plug sequence."
"Sequence complete."
"Initialising LCL ionisation."
"Plug depth is stable, at default value." She stared around her as the technical babble came from around her. Breathing slowly, she took in her surroundings as the Entry Plug started to light up. She knew what the techs were talking about. But they couldn't know that.
"Autonomous systems are go."
"Boot-up voltage has hit the threshold." While she had heard this over and over, others hadn't. This was a unique Unit.
'Unique in all the wrong ways.' The girl thought as the babble continued.
"Launch prerequisites achieved."
"Synchronisation successful. Rate requirements are secure."
"Pilot." The girl glanced up, being addressed for the first time. "Please specify linguistic normal for the interface system, and cognitive functions."
"Testing. Testing. One… two… one… two… Oh that was fun! Can you hear me?"
"Roger. Stop messing around."
"Right, sorry. Set language for Japanese." She struggled in her seat feeling very uncomfortable. Around her, the Entry Plug ran diagnostics, like a running set of numbers and calculations. She understood everything, but she'd rather not. There was too much at stake right now, and fussing over the Unit's features was not going to get her anywhere. She continued to struggle, pain coming to her.
"We apologise for not being able to get the new Plugsuit to you on time."
"You think." She replied, laughing slightly, shifting once again. "This thing's too tight on my chest." She said bluntly. "My boobs are getting squashed here! Also, there's too much space down ther-"
"Calm down. You should really be more concerned about being sent into battle with a Provisional Unit on such short notice."
The girl sighed, the giant mask sitting on her head an indication of a Provisional Unit. 'Another thing to add to the list of things annoying me right now. First my boobs are getting squashed, and now I've got a clunky, heavy helmet on my head. Great.' She thought to herself, settling into position at the control yolks. "It's fine. I finally get to pilot at least!" She replied, trying for some enthusiasm.
"You've earned it… troublemaker…" The girl smirked as she started the start up procedure, tapping various buttons on the control yolks, things she had practised with for months now. "Now, good luck. It's all in your hands now."
"Yes, sir." She replied, ready to geek out. "This is amazing! I'm so excited! Listen to that hum!" She noted the repetitive humming noise that sounded around her, a smile gracing her face. In front of her, the abstractness of the picture was pleasing, with a smile, the circles met up. The power unit connecting up behind her. With a large smile, she focused ahead of her. "Alright! Now, Evangelion Provisional Unit-05. Move out!"
The head rose of Eva Unit-05, the lights glowing a bright yellow. With a crash, and brief explosion, Unit-05 moved quickly, towards the source of the nuisance.
Nearby, a rattling sound was heard. Moving quickly, the Angel blinked its eyes behind it's skull, the bones behind it continuing to rattle as he moved along by the wheel.
Skeletal knows what's best! He'll w-w-w-win!
The core sitting hard in his mouth, the blast from Skeletal's eyes caused the nearby gates to explode, sizzling a bright red as they flew away. The U.N. sat nearby, ready. Tanks trained on the door to the area. The explosion did everything to take out the U.N., the nearby Tanks were completely annihilated, Skeletal flying past as the explosion broke apart the area.
S-s-s-stupid amateurs! I'm the best here! Mwahahahaha!
"Move out, quickly!" A cry from nearby came as more Tanks moved into the folds of the area. Moving quickly and efficiently firing against Skeletal. Skeletal continued to move, the giant wheel making up his bottom half helping in this instance.
You can't c-c-c-catch me!
"Dammit!" A cry of annoyance came from the Central hub of Bethany Base. The Commander of said base slammed his fist against his console. The Central Hub of Bethany Base looked very much like Central Dogma at NERV HQ. Unlike Dogma however, Bethany Base's hub was much smaller, and did not have a MAGI of its own. With a cry of rage, the Commander spoke again. "Defend the Limbo area. At all costs! We can't let this Angel escape from Acheron! How could this thing have possibly escaped!? Our Cocytus system is so secure, that it should not have been neutralised so easily!"
"Not only was it possible," Came a smooth voice from behind the man. "But it was inevitable." The man turned towards Ryoji Kaji, as always, with a smirk on his face. "The fact is, humanity itself is incapable of keeping the Angels in check." Kaji spoke with a small smile. "We stripped the thing down to the very bone while studying the Angel. All that seemed to do was make the Nineteenth Angel angrier. Even the permafrost couldn't keep it in check. Enough to break through your containment system, letting the thing escape." The men stared at Kaji in disbelief, shock and horror crossing their faces. With a small smile, Kaji picked up a pilot's helmet sitting close by him. "Well then, good luck!" He said, with a small salute, his smile never leaving his face.
– Evangelion 2.0 OST – Disc 2, Track 1 – At the Very Beginning –
"Happiness doesn't walk to you." The girl sang happily as the Provisional Unit clunkily moving along it's plane. The wheels that made up Unit-05's feet rolled quickly along, intent on catching up with the other-worldly beast.
"That's why I walk to it." As Unit-05 moved swiftly, the constant grating of the cables allowing the Provisional Unit to move slightly annoyed the girl, but she continued to sing. The annoying noise not making her lose her happiness.
"One step a day, making three steps in three days." She happily pulled the control yolks back and forth. Shifting happily in her seat.
"Three steps forward, and two steps back." With a sharp drift, the Eva turned to the left, it's wheels continuing to be a nuisance, the half-complete Evangelion nearly getting stuck on the wall nearby.
"Life is a one-two punch!" Pushing valiantly off the wall, Unit-05 righted itself as it swiftly went past a door, slamming shut behind her. She laughed to herself as the hallway's three doors shut in time with her singing. Leaning forward expectantly, she saw the skeleton Angel shakily moving towards her. "There it is! Oh, it's coming closer! Deploy A.T. Field!"
You can't d-d-d-defeat me! I'm the b-b-b-best! No large clunky r-r-r-robot will stop me!
Skeletal screeched, moving forward at a much quicker pace than before, the wheel, the only part of its body left, screeching against the metal ground. Unit-05 came ever closer, the girl preparing the lance on its right arm, one of its only weapon, for attack.
"Target Inbound." A voice came through on the com. "Evangelion Unit-05 is about to engage the Angel."
With a loud war cry, the girl brought her lance up, and promptly sent it forward, with the intent to take out the core.
N-n-n-nice try, g-g-g-girly!
Skeletal shifted immediately, the lance hitting the wall on the side. Unit-05 was aggressively pulled back. Skeletal struck, attacking the left arm with a vicious snarl.
The girl cried from the Entry Plug, as the Angel swept past her. "Damn you!" She cried out as Unit-05 clunkily turned around, to head right back towards the Angel. "Move already! This is so god damn stiff!" The mechanicals on the underside gave out, a sign of the rush job that was used to put them together. Grinding backwards, Unit-05 collided with the wall. "Alright then!" The girl cried, as she straightened Unit-05. "I guess I'm just going to have to use brute force!"
Hahahaha! I'm o-o-o-out now! You'll never c-c-c-catch me!
Skeletal screeched from its far distance. Not moving from its current course. Skeletal's eyes lit up, and with a flash of light, escape was near. The wall exploded, sending debris everywhere. Coming out into a more open space, Skeletal slid to a stop. Preparing for an attack, a large halo suddenly appeared above the Angel's head. As Skeletal began to rise, Evangelion Unit-05 suddenly appeared, snatching onto the underside of Skeletal's body. With a loud shriek, the wheel on Skeletal's underside was ripped off, sending a spurt of blood towards the ground.
D-d-d-damn you! Let's see if y-y-y-you'll like this!
With a large crow, the halo began to send a beam of light straight upwards, the mechanical walls above beginning to break apart one by one. As this happened, Skeletal rose towards the soon to be opened sky, Unit-05 holding on tightly underneath.
The Central Hub of Bethany Base was in chaos. The main screen showed the damage to the outer walls. They were falling apart as they spoke.
"Upper outer walls integrity compromised!"
"The target is heading for the final seal! It's about to be breached!"
With a loud cry, the column of wall that was being pushed up by the beam of light finally reached breaking point. Upon fulling coming into the open, dark sky, the column collapsed, sending the pieces flying into the seas surrounding Bethany base.
"The target has broken through the Limbo area! Ascending into Acheron!"
"What!?" The Commander cried out in terror. "Get Unit-05 to do something!"
Unit-05 skidded once they arrived in the dark skies. Skeletal shaked around in the air. The girl growled as she landed roughly on top of Bethany Base. "Oh, no you don't!" Activating the Eva's rocket boosters, Unit-05 flew quickly across the top of the Base, slamming into Skeletal with its lance. Pushing hard, Unit-05 fought with Skeletal for a moment. "Get! Back! Here!" The Eva won and successfully pinned the Angel against one of the many pillars surrounding Bethany Base.
Skeletal went still. The girl watched with bated breath. 'Did I do it?'
It's not that e-e-e-easy, girly!
Skeletal screeched, whipping its head around, eyes flaring. With a flash, a beam came out, surrounding Unit-05 entirely.
"Ah! Shit! That really hurts!" The girl shouted as the heat of the beam caused the LCL to boil in the plug. The boiling LCL started to peel at her Plugsuit, causing the outer green to burn away. "If it wasn't so much fun!" She cried as she brought Unit-05's claw arm up. In the haste of the moment, the claw attached firmly onto Skeletal's core, sitting cleanly in its mouth.
A beep knocked the girl out of the moment. Glancing to the left, thirty seconds remained. "I'm running out of time!" She continued to struggle, the LCL doing wonder against the Plugsuit. "Better make this snappy!" The arm struggled to crush the core, causing the girl to cry out in frustration. "These bloody arms weren't synched properly, being forcefully synchronised! They don't have enough power! It's starting to fall apart on me!" The girl started to shake inside the Entry Plug, pushing hard against the left control yolk.
Take t-t-t-this, girly!
Skeletal's eyes blinded again, sending another beam of light towards Unit-05. With a swish, the legs of Unit-05 were chopped cleanly off, falling to the ground below. "Fine!" The girl cried, pain etched into her voice. "Here! You've made it so obvious, I'll just give you the fucking arm!" Dropping the Lance, Unit-05 quickly brought the arm back up, the right claw holding firmly onto the core. Unit-05's mouth finally cracked open, breaking through its bindings, giving out a massive roar. "I've had enough!" She cried as she pushed hard against her control yolks. "Just…! Fucking…! Die already!" With a final ounce of strength, the claws crushed the core, cracking it down the middle. Skeletal lay limp, as the core exploded.
The girl hurriedly slammed the eject button, sending the Entry Plug into the air in a hurry, from the back of Unit-05. As the Plug flew away, Unit-05 self-destructed taking Skeletal, and Bethany Base with it. Skeletal was defeated, but many lives were also lost.
– End –
A whir of an engine hovered close to the blast, quickly moving out of the way. Inside, Ryoji Kaji sat in thought, staring out at the destruction.
"Target has been obliterated." A voice confirmed. "Unit-05 has been vaporised."
"The pilot appears to have ejected." Another voice stated, a sense of unease in the voice.
"So, the self-destruct program of Unit-05 was successfully activated." Kaji noted. "Triggering without a hitch." Kaji relaxed against the seat, concern written across his features. "Although, it's a shame we have to use these kids, to do all the dirty work of man."
The sea lapped lazily against the side of the grey and black Entry Plug. The side popped off, flying into the air. As the steam from the sudden ejection of the large door settled, the girl stood slowly, clutching her chest. "Ow, ow, ow… that really hurt." Sitting down on the Plug itself, she allowed herself to settle down. "They didn't say synchronising with an Eva proper would be this taxing." She reached her hand up, pressing a small button on the side of the helmet. The screen at the front moved out of the way, allowing her to take off the helmet, revealing flowing brown hair, and blue eyes hidden behind pink-lined glasses. Standing she looked towards what remained of Bethany Base. "Well, I survived." 'For real this time…' "Still, I do feel kind've bad about involving these adults to get what I want…" She stared out at the two crosses that sat high above the ocean, a rainbow sitting underneath. She smiled. "Bon voyage. Evangelion Unit-05. You've served us all well."
つづく
Woot woot! Anyone who can guess the identity of Unit-05's pilot gets a cookie! (Not really). Anyway, next time, Episode 7! Ie. More filler. Yay!
Also, Skeletal! (Or the Third Angel from Rebuild.) Here he is the Nineteenth Angel, which may sound weird, but it will be explained in a couple chapters' time. He's very crazy, and has a bit of a stutter, so he will go nicely with the pilot that killed him.
Changes:
In the series, Maya's sexuality is not explicitly known, she is assumed however, to be homosexual, due to the rather large hints that she has feelings for Ritsuko. In this story, I'm making her Bisexual. She'll still have her feelings for Ritsuko, but I also want her to be happy, so I'm most likely going to pair her with Shigeru. Makoto will still have feelings for Misato, as he always had.
The battle against Skeletal is taken straight from the beginning of Evangelion 2.0.
Reviews!:
Guest: Ramiel is a bit weird. I did say the only relatively normal Angels would be Sachiel and Shamshel, and even Sachiel can be a bit weird.
