Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion, its characters, technology or anything else related to the show, so please don't sue me 'cause I don't have anything worth taking.
Notes: This is the second chapter of my first fanfic and I'd just like to thank the people who reviewed the first chapter. Thanks a bunch. Character thoughts are still in brackets.
Chapter 2: Tokyo-3's Reconstruction.
At the Katsuragi household Misato was still trying to get used to the new arrangements in the apartment. Although she had given permission for Auska and Shinji to sleep in the same bed, she still felt a little uneasy. She trusted Shinji implicitly, he gave her his word nothing would happen and she trusted him. It was Auska she was worried about. If anything was going to happen she would be the one to start it. Rei seemed to be adjusting well to her new living arrangements in the apartment and had proved herself to be a good cook, just like her brother. This was a real blessing because Shinji couldn't cook all the time and having Rei cook was a better prospect than eating Misato's cooking. Shinji had changed too since Third Impact. He had a new since of confidence around him. She thought it had something to do with Auska. After all she wasn't insulting him every five minutes like she used to anymore. "(If some one told me three weeks ago that those two would be together I would have recommended that they see a shrink. Despite everything that's happened I'm glad that they found happiness with each other, nobody deserves it more.)" Rei was cooking breakfast behind her and seemed to be happy, she was even smiling. "(That's another big change. I've never seen her smile before. Gendo must have done some horrible things to her to strip her of all her emotions like that. Shinji and Auska have been trying hard to get her to show more emotions and they seem to be succeeding.)"
Shinji and Auska stumbled into the kitchen and sat at the table. Auska's hair was tousled and Shinji didn't look that good either. Misato immediately jumped to one conclusion but she dismissed it just as quickly. "(They gave my their word and I trust them. I have to stop thinking 'that' whenever I see them come out of their room.) Morning guys, sleep well?"
"Well enough Misato." Replied Shinji before digging into the breakfast Rei placed in front of him. Misato nodded and continued, "Good to hear. Don't forget you guys have a sync test scheduled for today." Auska decided to make her presence heard. "Why do we have to go for a test anyway? Unit 1 is the only Eva that's online. So why do we all have to go in? Shinji should be the only one who has to go, not us too!" Misato let out a sigh, "Commander Fuyutski wants to make sure that you don't get rusty as the repairs to unit 2 and unit 0's reconstruction will not be complete for another month and the new Eva's another two weeks after that. If you wait too long your sync ratio's will drop through the floor and as operations commander I can't let that happen can I?" She looked around almost daring Auska to contradict her. Auska seemed to get ready for a major argument with Misato but Shinji cut her off before it began, "Okay Misato we'll be ready."
X
The reconstruction of Tokyo-3 moved at a rapid pace since the UN had allocated new funding for the city. Shinji looked out at the city that was slowly rising from the ashes. Unfortunately Misato's driving had not improved since the last time Shinji was in the car. After nearly hitting four mobile cranes, six dump trucks and twenty individual workers, Misato had finally slowed down and was proceeding at was a normal person would consider a safe pace. Most of the city outskirts had been restored and people had begun to return to the city. While this was obviously a good thing, it had a down side too. Three days ago Shinji, Auska and Rei had received notices that enough students had returned to Tokyo-3 so school was restarting next week. While Shinji was looking forward to seeing his friends again but he was afraid that his new status of 'Mankind's Savior' would attract a lot of unwanted attention from his other fellow classmates. Auska noticed Shinji's downcast mood and decided to leave him be. He had been spending a lot of time in thought since Third Impact and she decided it was best to let him think. She just hoped that if he had a problem that he couldn't deal with on his own, that he would come to her for help.
X
The sync test was about to start. The pilots were sealed into their test plugs and were ready to begin. "Alright guys you've done this hundreds of times before. Just think of it as another sync test." Ritsuko was giving the pilots their pre-test talk while Maya prepared to start the test. Ritsuko nodded to Maya and Maya opened a comm. link to the children, "Beginning test now." As the test begun Maya carefully monitored the readings from the pilots. After five minutes she let out a gasp that drew the attention of Misato and Ritsuko. "What's wrong Maya?" Maya double-checked the readings before answering, "These readings are just unbelievable. Shinji's sync ratio is holding steady at 96.85%. Rei and Auska are holding at 90.8%." Both Misato and Ritsuko looked shocked. "That's impossible. How can they have had an increase of that magnitude in such a short time? It's just inconceivable." Misato seemed lost in thought while Maya and Ritsuko were trying to come up with an explanation for this. "(Is it because they have become closer together since Third Impact. Or is it something else? The commander was right about us having an edge in those kids. They will be the ones to shape the future of the human race not SEELE.) Don't look a gift horse in the mouth Ritsuko. Who cares how they managed to do it as long as they have, right? After all how much do we really know about the interaction of the evangelions and their pilots? Lets just leave it go, alright?" Ritsuko took one last look at the monitor showing the three pilots and shrugged. "Guess your right Misato."
X
The rest of the week passed too fast for Shinji's taste and all too soon it was Monday morning. The day of his return to school. He was dreading it and looking forward to it at the same time. Auska on the other hand was complaining very loudly to anyone in earshot. "Why do we have to go to school anyway? We did save the world after all and I've already been to college. So I should at least be able to stay home." Misato always repeated the same reason, Auska was to young to not be in school and that was that. Rei seemed, as usual, indifferent to it all but Shinji felt that he could feel a sense of anticipation from her. Finally after all the arguments and yelling they were walking to school just like they used to in the 'old days'. The school had been the first building to be repaired and the heavy machinery could still be seen scattered about the city. Shinji had heard from Misato that the city would be fully reconstructed in three weeks, the same time that unit's 0 and 2 were scheduled to be reactivated.
As they neared the school Shinji felt his sense of dread growing, "(How much will they remember about it? Will they blame me for destroying paradise? Will Kensuke and Toji be there? Will we still have the same boring teacher?)" Shinji was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't realize they had reached the school. It was just like he remembered it. At his approach the students chatting outside fell silent and stared at him and the girls. Before Shinji could even mutter a greeting he was surrounded by swarms of students bombarding him with questions, "What was it like?…Were you scared?…What did it feel like to be a god?…What did you do to stop it?" Shinji felt himself overwhelmed with anger. Didn't these people know what he'd gone through? What he had experienced? What he had to sacrifice? Auska could see Shinji begin to lose control but couldn't do a single thing to stop it. She was surrounded by her own group of 'fans' and couldn't move an inch. Just as Shinji felt as if he were about to explode he heard a familiar voice from the crowd. "Get away from him you vultures. Anyone who's not gone in the next five seconds will feel my fists, understand? 1…2…3…4…" Before he had even reached five the crowd had scattered. From where he had slumped to the ground Shinji looked up and saw his rescuer. Toji Suzahara was standing in front of him flanked on either side by Kensuke Aida and Hikari Horaki. "Hey Shinji, long time no see." Shinji was speechless, Toji looked uninjured. He wasn't missing a leg. He was whole. "Toji what happened to your leg?" was all Shinji could manage to say. "Well to tell you the truth I don't know. When I returned from Third Impact it was just whole again. The doctors were stumped too. They ran loads of tests but since they couldn't find anything wrong they let me go. By the way Shinji thanks for saving our butts. I know it must have been hard and I know thanks doesn't cut it but it's all I got." He extended a hand to help Shinji up and Shinji took it. "Its okay Toji. Just seeing you guys safe is reward enough. Come on or we'll be late for class."
The rest of the day passed pretty uneventfully. Well uneventfully by Shinji's standards. After this mornings near assault Auska became very protective of Shinji. She almost killed anyone that came near Shinji with the intention of asking a question. Finally Kensuke asked Shinji what was up, "Don't deny it Shinji. She has been acting awfully protective of you lately, so come on spill it." " I don't know how to explain it Kensuke. Its just like we've connected on a deep level. She is everything that I've ever wanted in my life. And I'm terrified that I might lose her some day." Toji looked over with an 'are you an idiot look' on his face, "Shinji, I know that I'm not the brightest when it comes to women but from the way she has been acting today that she deeply cares about you too. She has made sure that not one person with a question has come within fifty feet of you since this morning. Your lucky to have found that kind of companionship Shinji." "(Maybe Toji's right, maybe I don't have anything to worry about after all.)"
On the other side of the room Auska had just finished chasing away the last would be questioner and was talking with Hikari. "Alright Auska, what's going on with you and Shinji? You have been protecting him all day from those vultures. You can't be doing it out of the kindness of your heart. So what's up?" Auska seemed to think for a moment before answering, "The truth is that when I'm with Shinji nothing else matters. He is the one I have been waiting for all my life. He's kind, considerate, and a good person. He even thinks that he's not good enough for me. Hikari, he did much more than save my life. He saved my soul. He made me see my own self worth. I…love him Hikari. But I'm terrified that he's going to find someone better to share his life with." Auska looked over at Shinji who seemed to be in deep conversation with the stooges. Hikari looked at the expression on her face and sighed. "Auska you're the smartest person I know but sometimes you can be a real idiot. I've known you two should be together since the day I met you and by the look on your faces when you see each other both of you have realized it too. He will never leave you Auska just like you will never leave him." "(Maybe Hikari's right, maybe I don't have anything to worry about after all.)"
X
The weeks passed in Tokyo-3 and the reconstruction of the city had finally ended. Deep in the geo front a different kind of reconstruction had also ended. In his office commander Fuyutski was looking over the information on the completed Eva models. Unit two had been repaired and the four new Evangelions had been constructed. With the massive injection of funds and personnel from the UN the new Eva's had been swiftly completed. Now all he had to do was find new pilots for them. After scouring the personnel databanks he came upon the perfect choices, one even had previous Eva experiences. "(Shinji will hate me for this but I have no other choice. Please forgive me Shinji.)" He dialed a number on his cell. "Major Katsuragi we have something important to discuss. Meet me in my office at ten am tomorrow morning, and bring Captain Ikari as this concerns him too."
X
The following morning Auska and Rei were left in the apartment alone, as Shinji had been called away for some meeting with the commander. "This sucks!" Auska was complaining to nobody in particular, "It's a Saturday and I can't even go out with Shinji because he has been called away for some meeting with the commander. I'm stuck here with Rei…" Auska suddenly stopped in mid sentence as an idea struck her. "(I bet Rei has never been shopping before. Shinji did say we were to help her become more normal and after all what's more normal than shopping. Maybe I can get Hikari to come along too.) Rei." The blue haired girl looked up from the book she was reading, "Yes Auska." "Have you ever been shopping before?" "I have heard of the practice but have never engaged in it before. Why do you ask?"
"Well because I think that it's time to introduce you to the fine art of shopping. Besides you could use some new clothes anyway." Rei thought for a moment, "Very well I will accompany you on this shopping trip," "Great just let me call Hikari and leave Shinji and Misato a note and we'll be off. (This is gonna be great.)"
X
"Good to see you again Shinji, I hope you are well." "As well as can be expected commander." The commander motioned for Shinji to sit and Shinji complied. "Let me get straight to the point Shinji. The new Evangelions have been completed and suitable have been located. The pilot's names are Toji Suzahara, Kensuke Aida and Hikari Horaki. These candidates are …" Shinji just exploded. "What do you think you are doing! Do you choose my friends by accident or do it deliberately just to torment me! You remember what happened the first time Toji was inside an Eva, don't you? He almost lost his life. How can I ask him to get into an Eva again? How do you expect me to ask them to risk their lives?"
"I can ask Shinji because we have no choice. Suzahara has already had some limited pilot training and Since Aida and Horaki are friends of you and Auska they will be more receptive to you and easier to train. Please Shinji I wouldn't ask if the situation wasn't dire. Recently the UN has been monitoring a number of large cash transfers from rogue nations and criminal organizations to some unknown organization. I believe it to be SEELE. The amount of money involved here is enormous Shinji. Enough for SEELE to construct a number of their Omega class Eva's. We need pilots badly Shinji and these three are the only ones who can be ready in time. Shinji I know I have no right to ask this but if SEELE gets their way all life will be wiped out and you friends will die anyway. At least this way they will have a chance to change that."
Shinji seemed to calm himself, but not by much, "If anything happens to them then you will pay Fuyutski. When will they be told?" Fuyutski let out a sigh of relief, "Tomorrow, with the first sync test scheduled for the day after." Shinji continued to glare at the man, "Alright Commander, but remember my warning."
X
In the Tokyo-3 mall Auska was in her element. It had been so long since she shopped that she almost exploded when she saw the new mall. So far she had dragged Rei and Hikari to half the clothes shops in the mall. So far Rei had picked up a new sundress, five new blouses, four pairs of pants, a jacket, three skirts, a dozen new T-shirts and five sweatshirts, all in shades of blue. Hikari was content to watch Auska teach Rei how to shop and soon the three girls had collected a mountain of shopping bags. This blistering pace continued until they reached a formal clothes store. All three just stood there admiring the dresses until Auska made a move, "Well don't just stand there lets go inside and take a look." Auska led the way and began to search for her ideal dress. "Well guess we better join her." Rei simply nodded her head and followed. After a while they had found their ideal dresses. Auska stepped out of the changing room in a full-length dress. The dress had a bare back and was cut in a way to show off a lot of cleavage. The dress was just a shade darker than her hair and contrasted well with her eyes. Next came Rei. Her dress was done in a wispy light blue and flowed more than Auska's. It was also more conservatively cut than Auska's not showing off as much but was still stunning nonetheless. Hikari's dress was pure white and seemed to shine under the stores lights. It was more conservative than Rei's but it suited Hikari perfectly.
"Since we all look so good I think we should buy these dresses, don't you guys think so?" Auska performed a small twirl to emphasize her point. Hikari took one look at the price tag and almost fainted. "I can't afford this. It would take me six months to earn enough for a deposit." "Don't worry Hikari. We'll buy it for you." Rei surprised both girls with that offer and they stared dumbstruck at her. "Did I say something wrong?" Hikari continued to stare but managed to respond, "I can't accept a gift like that. It's just too expensive." Auska shook her head firmly, "Don't worry about it. Shinji makes captains money now so we don't have to worry. Hurry up and change so we can pay for these dresses." Less than ten minutes later the three girls left the store carrying their dresses and the mountain of other shopping bags that Auska and Rei had accumulated over the course of their day. "(I am really lucky to have friends like this.)" Hikari smiled to herself as she looked down at the box containing her dress. "(Wait until Toji sees me in this.)"
X
Auska and Rei finally made it home to find Shinji standing on the balcony again. Both girls decided to leave him alone as the put their purchases in their respective rooms. This was a colossal task and took them a good fifteen minutes. Even after that time Shinji still hadn't moved from his spot on the balcony. "That's it I'm going to talk to him!" Rei looked concerned, "Do you think that is wise, maybe he wishes to be left alone." "I don't care. He has to realize that we are here to help him with his problems now and by the looks of it he has one big problem on his hands." With that she picked up a jacket and moved to the balcony. "(How can Fuyutski do this? Is he trying to hurt me on purpose or is this his sick idea of a joke? Just remember Fuyutski I meant what I said. If any harm comes to them you will pay.)"
Even when she was standing right next to him he didn't notice her until she draped the jacket she was carrying over his shoulders. Shinji jumped and looked at her accusingly and was surprised at the anger he saw in her eyes. "What do you think you are doing? I was willing to overlook this at the start but now its getting annoying. You spend more time thinking about your problems than anything else. Listen to be Shinji, I admire your strength and your intensity but you can't deal with every problem on your own. Rei and I are here to help you. Tell me what's wrong." Shinji was amazed at how fast she could change from being angry to being sympathetic and helpful, "(She is so beautiful. Maybe I should take her advice.) The commander has chosen the new pilots for the new Eva's." "Anybody we know?" Shinji nodded sadly, " It's Toji, Kensuke and Hikari." Auska was shocked. "Before you completely lose it let me explain what the commander said. Shinji relayed the conversation he had with the commander. "Although I hate to admit it, the commander's right Shinji. We need pilots and those three will be the fastest to train. I can see why you're angry Shinji but we have no choice. Now come inside where it's warm." Shinji smiled at her, "I'll just be another few minutes." "Well don't be long." As Auska brushed past him she kissed him on the cheek. Shinji merely stood there with his hand to his face. "(I so do not deserve her.)"
X
As Monday came Shinji wondered if Toji, Kensuke and Hikari would agree to fight. They were scheduled for their first group sync test in less than four hours. After that they would try to activate their new Evangelions. Breakfast had already been consumed and the children were just lounging around waiting to leave for headquarters. Misato had to go in early to get things ready for their arrival, including getting new ID cards ready for the new pilots, if they show up. That left Shinji, Rei and Auska to walk to Nerv HQ where the others would be waiting. Finally Shinji decided it was time to leave so all three left. Nobody said a word on the walk. Shinji and Auska were worried about their friends and the danger they would now face. Although she didn't show it Rei was also worried. She has seen what Eva had done to pilots over the years and did not want anyone to be hurt.
As they neared the entrance to the great underground bas a small knot of people came into view. It was the others. As Shinji got closer he could see the worry and nervousness on their faces. Everyone tried to act cheerful but nobody was fooled by the act. The six children descended into Nerv in silence. Shinji finally spoke up. "Hikari you go with Auska and Rei to the girls locker room. Toji, you and Kensuke follow me." With that the little group separated. In the locker rooms the more experienced pilots helped the new recruits into their plug suits. Toji remembered how to get into his but Kensuke was having a lot of trouble.
After what seemed like an eternity all pilots assembled in the test chamber where Ritsuko was waiting for them. "Good morning. I am Dr. Ritsuko Akagi and I will be in charge of the tests we will be performing today. This test is to measure your compatibility with an Evangelion. The more experienced pilots will be going first to demonstrate how it is done. After them it will be you turn. Toji plug suit was black, much like his old one. He seemed to be the most worried. Not surprising considering the last time he was in an Eva he almost died. Kensuke, in a military green plug suit, on the other hand was excited. His dream was finally about to come true. Hikari was the most openly afraid one but was determined to do her best for her friends.
As the new pilots watched the test began. Technicians began to take readings and measurements from the pilots as they sat in the test plugs. "They seem to have gone up a few points since last time" "How much?" Maya checked the readings again. "Shinji is at 98.2%, Rei is at 94.4% and Auska is at 95%. All in all they're doing well." Ritsuko seemed satisfied. "Okay get them out of there and prep the new pilots." In less than five minutes the situation had been reversed. Auska, Rei and Shinji were now watching Toji, Kensuke and Hikari.
"Begin the test." Hikari was the most freaked out by the LCL but she was trying to be strong. Toji was concentrating with his eyes closed and Kensuke was trying to inspect everything in the plug. "Maya results?" Maya checked her readings. "Pilot Suzahara is at 34%, not bad considering the length of time that he has been away from an Eva. Pilots Aida and Horaki are at 21%." Ritsuko was impressed. "Not as good as Shinji's first attempt but not bad none the less. Get them out of the plugs and we'll prepare for the activation tests."
X
In the standby room the new pilots were exhausted. Throughout the day the tests had continued and the Eva's had been successfully activated. On seeing his new green Eva Kensuke almost had a heart attack. Hikari and Toji were a little more dignified. Toji's new unit 3 looked the same as his old unit, which caused him to shudder when he first saw it. Hikari's unit 5 was white with a red trim. When she first saw it she just stared at it in awe. It was one of the machines that would protect this world and she was to be its pilot. Auska and Rei were there too but they weren't as exhausted as the others. "(Must be used to it.)" Hikari thought to herself.
Meanwhile Shinji was being briefed on the capabilities of the Eva's under his command. "As you know Shinji we have been researching ways to incorporate SEELE Eva technology into our units. We have succeeded in integrating S2 organs from the SEELE Eva's destroyed during third impact into our own units. The Eva's will no longer have to rely on an umbilical cable to supply their power. In addition we have enhanced the capabilities of the progressive knife. Using the new supply of power we have been able to double the knifes cutting power making it an unequaled weapon in close combat. In addition we have developed upgrades for the standard pallet rifle. Once again using the S2 organ we can channel a stream of high-energy plasma into the weapon and are capable of discharging it all at once. The resultant beam is three times as powerful as a positron rifle but has two major drawbacks. Its long charging time and the fact it can only be used once before the rifle explodes. All other aspects of the Eva's remain the same as the previous units. Dismissed Captain." Fuyutski finished his briefing and left the room. "(Its as if he thinks that we're going to be attacked at any time. Unfortunately it's going to take some time to get the others trained well enough for combat.)"
Shinji entered the standby room and took in the atmosphere of gloom that pervaded the room. "(Got to do something about this.) Come on guys cheer up its not the end of the world. Lets go get some dinner, on me." Everyone seemed to perk up at the mention of dinner, especially Toji. "Its on you right? And we can order whatever we want?" Shinji nodded, "Well then, what are we waiting for?" Toji rubbed his hands with glee. As Auska led Shinji from the room he thought, "(What have I gotten myself into.)"
To Be Continued…
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Well that's the second chapter. The training will continue in the next chapter and maybe some romance will sparkle too. For those of you waiting for some action, fear not it will be here soon. Any suggestions are always welcome.