A past long forgotten
Part III: Seperation Anxiety
*Doctor A: It's been three weeks and still no change.
*Doctor B: It's as if her essence has been drained out of her leaving her body behind.
*Doctor A: Essence....you mean as in spirit, or soul.
*Doctor B (nodding): Yes....however it was duely expressed she never believed in its existence.
*Doctor A: Well neither has science for that fact.
Both doctors take another look at the patient. The former doctor Sohryu, a genius by any rank reduced to the state of playing with a stuffed doll. It was pathetic.
*Doctor B (scowling): Perhaps they should start believing.
The two physicians finish their work then leave without a sound leaving the woman in the bed talking with her 'daughter'.
Gendo Ikari sits behind the massive desk, the only piece of furniture in the gigantic office. It's size a testimony to the power game that the man plays each day. Through the t windows on the right the cranes still placing magnalev train lines around the Geo-front can be seen. The man however is talking on the phone and yet is completely oblivious to all that is occurring around him.
Gendo (into the phone): That's correct doctor Sohryu has been lost to us. The Eva is now completed. Doctor Akagi....she has no more value to us. She will be taken care of.
There is a brief silence as Gendo listens to the reply on the end of the phone.
Gendo (over the phone): Yes, now her daughter can take her place. She will begin her training soon.
Again more silence as the other party on the end of the phone speaks.
Gendo (over the phone): I've sent for him. He shall be returning by the end of the week.
Yet more silence as Gendo listens.
Gendo (over phone): No, the third child has not been found yet. However we have our suspicions. Eva zero shall have a pilot.
He listens once more to the to the words of the the other speaker.
Gendo (over the phone): Of course. Everything proceeds as planned.
After holding the phone to the side of his face listening to the final part of the conversation there comes a distinct click signaling that the other party has ended the call. Gendo places the phone back in its cradle then assumes his familiar position with his hands bridged under his nose, covering his mouth.
Gendo: It begins.
Asuka pressed her fingers up to the glass observation window that separates her from her mother's room. The doctor's fearing her safety was in jeopardy denied access to anyone but her husband. Therefore during the hospital visiting hours Asuka watched her mother through the glass, she watched countless physcisans, psychologists and all other types of the medical profession diagnose what was wrong with her. Even a NERV priest was called and he reached a conclusion much similar to those of all the NERV medical and science staff. She had lost her spirit, without it her mind and body could not function rationally.
Asuka was not sure what everyone meant by spirits and essence, the confused her as much as the adult science. However Asuka was a bright girl and she caught small pieces and worked it out from there. Her mother was dead on the inside was about the only conclusion she could muster and she believed it.
*Asuka (softly): Mamma.
Asuka's gaze was torn off Kyoko as another man entered the room. Her father, what she could call her father. After a period of mourning that did not last one month he began to be involved with a mistress and quickly forgot about the prone figure in the hospital that was crying to be loved. He stayed for several minutes then left once more.
The young girl turned to her only companion, Shinji Ikari. Shinji had known all along something like this would happen from the mentioning of the word 'robot'. He knew that these robot's were evil, they had taken his mother away and this one had done the same thing to Asuka. Shinji knew he couldn't explain this to Asuka but had an indication she would hate these robots as much as he did once she found the truth for herself.
Asuka: Mon....S....Shinji.
Asuka said very few words over last last month, she had also given up playing with Shinji. Her life revolved around sleeping and eating, the things to keep her alive so she could see her mother.
Shinji: A....Asuka.
The girl lowers her head then walks over to Shinji and embraces him. This was the type of hug that cried "help me" however Shinji knew no-way to ease the pain she felt. Instead Shinji gripped Asuka's body and uttered small words that he thought might comfort her.
Suddenly the door open and an old woman stepped into the room. Asuka looked up still holding Shinji.
*Asuka: Grandmother?
*Old woman: We have to go home now.
*Asuka: Still early.
*Old woman: There's something else.
She pints at the young Ikari and Asuka nods. Slowly she lets go of Shinji, he looks questioningly at the girl then notices the old woman behind him. He nods and the two proceed out of the room.
The metal door shuts leaving Kyoko and her doll in private.
Back at the Sohryu home the two children arrive. There is a rental car parked outside which begins their suspicions. The old woman leads the two children inside and into the kitchen where they find a woman sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea. Although Asuka isn't sure of the woman's identity Shinji's eyes light up when he see's her.
Shinji (overjoyed): Ritsu!
The young boy runs to the woman who stands up in response, his arms lock around her waist and he buries his head in the side of her leg. Ritsuko softly pats Shinji's head while looking at the other two.
Shinji: You came back.
Ritsuko lifts Shinji's chin so she can talk to his face.
Ritsuko: I came back for you.
Shinji gives her a puzzled look as does Asuka.
Ritsuko: I've been sent her for you Shinji.
Asuka suddenly realizes whats going on and her blood begins to boil. Shinji still has no idea what's going on.
Ritsuko: You're coming home with me Shinji.
Two prominent emotions shoot through Shinji, joy for being able to return to his missed homeland after all these months and sadness for leaving the place which he has come to know as his home and his only friend in the world.
Shinji slowly lets go of Ritsuko looking rather shocked. As Shinji lets go Asuka see's her chance and intervenes. She marches over and stands between Shinji and Ritsuko, once separating the two she glares into the eyes of Ritsuko.
Asuka: You can't have him!
Ritsuko: I'm only here to take him back.
Asuka (angrily): You can't have him. Shinji belongs here!
Ritsuko (bending over): I know how much he means to you Asuka.
Asuka (tearfully): Do not!
And with that Asuka slaps her, driving all her fear, pain, anguish, anger and hatred into the slap. Still she was only five years old but it was powerful for a five year old. Ritsuko stumbles back and stands up, Asuka's grandmother rushes forward and takes holds of the child's hands. Asuka had now had enough and she broke down and cries.
Asuka (sobbing): Don't go don't go.
Shinji looks at the woman she had learned to trust and then at the girl he had learned to open himself up to. Both were equally as important so Shinji said and did nothing, he knew there was nothing her could do to stop returning. Only one person had the ability to recall him and that person was his father, and that was one man he could never escape from completely.
The next day
Ritsuko and Shinji stand on the porch of the house while Asuka remains just inside of the doorframe. Asuka's grandmother was still sleeping at the early hour and Mr Sohryu has already left and would not likely be home till late evening. Asuka's eyes glare at Ritsuko filled with a burning rage and her small hands are clenched into tight balls as she stared at the woman who was taking him from her, taking her Shinji from her.
Ritsuko: I'm sorry Asuka.
The woman says no more and picks up Shinji's bags and walks out to the car waiting for them leaving Shinji and Asuka alone. He sets back into the hallway of the house separating the two by half a metre.
Asuka (trying to hold back the tears): Come back?
Shinji (sadly): I don't think so.
Asuka's hatred had now stemmed within her mind past her father, past Ritsuko and now stemmed to Gendo Ikari. For he was really responsible for Shinji's leaving.
Asuka (tearfully): Write......when you can.
Shinji slowly nods fighting the tears. Suddenly he had a sole reason for going to school and Asuka had a reason to learn Kanji.
What came next was almost automatic because neither child would not want to leave without first physically expressing their bond. They both closed the gap between them and they hugged, although this could be classed as more than a normal hug but not exactly an embrace. Each child wept onto one another's shoulders as they locked their bodies. Not only were they going to be separated physically but somehow they had come to depend on one another, although neither child could comprehend the power of this but could only feel the effects.
Asuka (softly): I will miss you.
Shinji (whispering): I will miss you too.
The two finally relented from their hug and stared at each other. The burning in Asuka's eyes had long since subsided, Shinji sighed and prepared to turn. However Asuka caught his arm and stepped right up to him again.
Asuka: Goodbye monkey boy.
With that she kissed him on the cheek. Shinji began to blush furiously but regained his composure while Asuka waited with her hands behind her back. Somewhere within the boy at that moment a spark of courage lit up as he faced the reality he might never see this girl again and so Shinji returns the kiss on Asuka's cheek much to the girl's surprise and comfort.
Shinji (softly): Goodbye pigtail girl.
With that Shinji turns, walks to the car and gets into the passenger side. The car pulls out onto the road while Shinji and Asuka continue to wave. Once the car is finally out of sight Asuka lets her wall of strength fall down around her and she weeps.
*Asuka (sobbing): Shinji.
She cries until late evening.
Naoka Akagi sits with her beloved Magi supercomputer is the dim lighting of the command center. The only source of light is the dulled holographic images on the walls. In her hand is a bottle of sake, the immediate area around the terminal is littered with more bottles. The woman herself hums a sad tune while tapping the console with her free hand.
She knew that once the Magi was completed her usefulness would be diminished. Just like Yui and Kyoko in their work in relation to project E. Their projects....no his projects could only advance at the loss of their main contributors and it was the same for her. Rei's death only accelerated this paranoia. The scientist had lived with the knowledge that her days were now numbered, but now she didn't care.
She heard the main door to the command center swish open then close as quickly as it opened. In her drunken state it took her several moments to face the new body in the command center. Even before she look at the intruder she knew who it was.
Naoko (slurred): It you...you bastard.
The figure says nothing but stands there facing her, the person's body mainly hidden in shadows but it was obvious the person was male.
Naoka (slurred): Well.....what are you waiting for. Get it over with.
The woman drops the sake bottle as the man moves forward.
She didn't even bother to scream.
Year 1 (2006)
*Scientist: How does it feel Asuka?
*Asuka: Feels funny.
*Scientist: Don't worry about that. You'll get used to it.
The scientist turns to the technicians's operating the command console.
*Scientist: Second child's status?
*Technician: Everything is nominal. Her syncronisation is holding at 7.8%
The scientist smile then picks up the microphone.
*Scientist: You're doing wonderful Asuka you're mother would be proud.
Asuka sits silently in the entry plug wearing a replica of her mother's plug suit.
*Asuka (whispering): Mother.
Teacher: You're doing well Shinji. What is this next picture?
The man turns the page on the book and Shinji is presented with the picture of a ladder.
Shinji: L....is for ladder.
Teacher: Good work.
He then points to the next picture. Shinji's face pales slightly, it was a picture of a monkey.
Flashback
Asuka: Monkey boy!
End Flashback
Teacher: Shinji?
Shinji: M.....is for monkey.
Teacher: Good. Next one.
Shinji sighs to himself then looks out the window of the house.
Shinji (thinking): Monkey.
Year 3 (2008)
The large red figure of Evangelion unit two makes it's way quickly across the countryside of Germany. It's bounds leaving huge indents on the ground rivaling those of the dinosaurs as it sprinted. The Eva weaved and zig-zagged quickly, jumped over clusters of trees then began to slow down and finally stop a few hundred metre's before a small camp of tent's and vehicles all sporting NERV logo's.
Asuka remains in the Eva's entry plug beaming to herself while gripping the butterfly controls.
*Scientist (over radio): Excellent work pilot Sohryu. You're syncronisation still continues to climb at an amazing rate.
*Asuka (over radio): Thankyou sir. But you knew that this would happen when I was selected.
*Scientist (chucking): Of course we did.
Asuka's smiles got even brighter after those words were said.
*Scientist: Stand by we're connecting up to you up to a power supply now. Then we'll run some other fields tests which I think you will enjoy.
Asuka nods and then grins as she confidently grips her control sticks.
Voice: Shinji.
The boy doesn't stir.
Voice: Shinji?
Again no response.
Voice: Shinji!
The child stirs but is not roused.
Voice: SHINJI?
This time the boy awakens. He sits up with a start to find his uncle staring back at him. The man gives the startled boy a reassuring smile.
Shinji: S...sorry.
Uncle: It's perfectly fine. It's just that you were becoming restless in your sleep.
Shinji looks down at his hands scrunching up the bedsheets.
Uncle (concerned): You had that dream again.
It takes a while for Shinji to respond. Even when he does it is not more than a simple head nod.
Uncle: Well it's over now and you've got to get to school soon.
Shinji looks up at the man and gives a small smile.
Shinji: Yeah.
Uncle: Let's go make some breakfast.
Shinji: Sure.
The two walk to the kitchen smiling and planning their day.
Far away from all the commotion of everyday life and even that of the enigmatic project E is a sanctuary of the human mind and soul. The council of Seele.
In the dark room only twelve black monoliths each with a small light beneath them and their glowing red text produce the only light. That is until a light for a desk appears in the center. The man sitting at this desk is none other than Gendo Ikari.
Keel: Ikari you are late.
Gendo: I was temporarily delayed.
Keel: It is not advisable to keep this committee waiting.
Gendo: Of course.
Keel: However. We shall let it pass.....this time.
Their is a brief silence as all the parties contemplate the coming conversation.
Gendo: All proceeds according to the schedules.
Seele: The loss of the first child was not foreseen.
Seele: She has a rather important significance in relation to the scenario.
Gendo: That she does. However she is not lost to us, it is only a matter of time.
Seele: Not only was she required a pilot but the catalyst of the situation.
Seele: You forget this.
Gendo: Her replacement is already undergoing the training schedule. Not as rigorous as the one of the second child but it will prepare her for combat with great profecincy.
Seele: and for the role as the catalyst?
Gendo: As I said it is only a matter of research.
Seele: However to this point you have not produced a suitable clone. Not even come close mind you.
Gendo: We have the technology now, all that is lacking is the right genetic code.
Seele: Also which has done poorly.
Gendo: The Marduke institutes purpose is to find Eva pilots, not to find genetic codes.
Seele: These codes come from the pilots do they not?
Gendo: Correct.
Seele: Then where does the problem exist?
Gendo: No pilot is exactly the same. Their coding may be smiliar but its not identical.
Seele: Therefore you are saying its impossible.
Gendo: Not impossible. Rather it can be said as a challenge.
Seele: This challenge must be completed. Otherwise our scenario cannot continue.
Gendo: You forget outside interference.
Keel: The angels are of no great concern.
Gendo (faking sarcasm): And I thought the world mattered to you.
Keel: Winning against them or not as long as our scenario is completed before the destruction is all that matters.
Gendo places his hands under his nose covering his mouth.
Gendo: Of course.
Year 6 (2011)
Voice: Excellent Rei your skills are developing well.
Rei: Thankyou.
Voice: Let us review the machine code once more.
Rei: Yes.
The girl blinks once then across her red eye the reflection of thousands of lines of one's and zero's can be seen moving across her eyes. Almost like a window in a computer, yet this girl is not a computer and is not a human. She simply is.
In the control room of the command center one surprised technician jumps back when the computer started to compile a program he was working on by himself. However when the other tech's come to examine what had occurred they found nothing. Of course the technician who jumped became the joke of the command center.
Rei closes her eyes the looks back into the darkness, the lines of code missing from her eyes.
Voice: You have done well. Soon you will be able to control the Magi completely.
Rei: Yes....mother.
All fades into the dark.
*Girl: Hey Asuka I like the hairdo.
*Asuka: It's nothing really, just a little style change and my interface headsets.
*Girl: But it's soooo you.
*Asuka: Hey thanks.
The two continue to walk for a few moments around the shopping center idly chatting.
*Girl: But I thought you were really attached to those pigtails of yours.
Asuka looks slightly surprised then goes quiet.
*Girl: Asuka?
*Asuka (thinking): I can't keep living in the past.
Flashback
Boy: Silly pigtail girl!
End Flashback
*Asuka (sadly): We all have to grow up sometime.
Asuka's companion give's her a quizzical stare. However Asuka's mind is on other things and not even the experience of shopping can tear her away from her thoughts.
*Asuka: I'm going home ok.
*Girl: O....kay.
*Asuka: I'll call you sometime.
She picks up her bags and walks slowly out of the mall.
*Girl (quietly): Sure.
Shinji surveyed his new surroundings with great care. He had been over most of Japan but he had never been to Osaka before, this new city was alien to him even though it was still the same country, the same people. Yet they were different. However Shinji knew he wasn't one to judge that since he was five he had never had a close friend, really no friends only acquaintances that only existed in the classroom and nothing more.
Yet he once had a friend. A close friend, perhaps even more than that.
Shinji continued walking through the crowds of unfamiliar faces slowly making his way to a destination he had no intent or idea on going to. He found himself at a fountain in front of a city building. It's crystal blue waters sparkled in the sunlight as the water streamed from the top of the centerpiece down into a lower basin which overflowed into the bottom basin whereby the water was sucked in through a pump to start the cycle again.
The boy found a certain fountain that was his life. He started out at the bottom then worked his way to the top only to be let down again. However when a certain trip to Germany took place his life slowly rose to the top of the fountain once more and he stayed there like a droplet of water suspended in time on a windowpane. Yet all good things came to an end and once more he found himself in the bottom basin.
He looked up at the top of the fountain gushing water in all directions and then he looked at his feet.
Shinji (to himself): Will I ever be on the top again.
Somehow his mind believed that was untrue while his heart said otherwise.
Year 10 (2015) - the first meeting
In the gigantic office of Gendo Ikari the commanders of NERV wait inside. Almost brooding in the cavernous room. Finally the door opens and the silhouette of a woman appears in the doorway.
Gendo: Come.
The woman steps forward and the door's snap shut draining most of the light from the room once more. Even walking briskly it takes her several moments to finally reach the desk and stand in front of it.
The woman is dressed in a black dress that only sits a small way down her thighs, complementing this is a red flight jacket and beret.....and a white cross hanging from her neck.
Woman: Captain Katsuragi reporting as ordered sir.
Gendo: Very prompt captain.
Misato: You are the commander sir.
Fuyutsuki internally chuckles to himself knowing that Gendo's ego must have gone up at least three notches to that remark.
Gendo: However. I have another assignment for you.
Misato (thinking): This close to contact with the angel's....he must be mad.
Gendo: As the said time approached I have decided it is time to return the fourth to us.
Misato: The fourth child? I thought we have had only three children.
Gendo: The first was unfortunately.....lost to us.
The two commanders look at each other in the corner's of their eyes then turn their attention back to Misato.
Gendo: However we have been keeping the fourth hidden just in case this was to occur. This is your task, to contact the fourth and bring him back here. You shall receive more details soon.
Misato: Yes sir.
A sad melody fills the air inside the small home and creates an atmosphere of slight depression. The music itself gave the impression it had been practiced long and well and by someone not of the player's age. The main door to the home slides open and a middle aged man steps inside.
Man (sadly): Again with that tune.
He slowly make his way through the house to another door which was slid shut. He knocks on the wooden rail and waits for a moment. The music stops suddenly and the door slides back several seconds after that.
Shinji: Y....yes sensi?
Man: Shinji I was just on the phone with your father.
That last word sent a surge through his body, an involuntary and unwanted surge at that.
Shinji: F....father.
Man: He wants you to go back to Tokyo-3.
Shinji: W...why?
Man: It's for the sake of mankind.
Shinji: W...what?
The teacher puts an envelope in Shinji's open hands. The boy looks up at the man quizzically.
Man: Pack your things. You're train leaves tomorrow at nine.
With that the man turns and leaves. Shinji remains in the doorway very confused. He looks down at the envelope.
Shinji (quietly): Father.
He turns and slides the door behind him to prepare for his trip.
Asuka steps down off the temporary metal staircase placed beside her entry plug. She takes one quick flick of her head to throw out any residual LCL from her hair then walks over to a group of assembled men.
*Asuka (confidently): So how'd I do?
*Scientist: You did amazingly Asuka. Your syncro-ratio is at an all time high of seventy percent
*Man in fatigues: Not only that but your marksman ship scores are standing at ninety-one, one of the best on the base. Not only that but your hand to hand skills are making level four advanced training almost seem too easy.
*Man in a suit: Your studies have also paid off. You completed your degree in Mathematics and Physics with honors. Congratulations Asuka.
Asuka is now totally awash with self confidence and arrogance which shows through plain as day.
Suddenly another man in a NERV uniform appears on the walkway.
*Man: I hope you have been brushing up on those language skills while doing your degree Asuka.
*Asuka (distantly): Yeah so...I think I'm almost there with the Kanji.
*Man: Well then perhaps you had better get more of a move on then.
*Asuka (more interested): Why's that?
*Man: In about two months you'll be heading for Tokyo-3.
*Asuka (excited): Really? NERV Japan, the other Eva's everything?!
*Voice: You bet. Saving mankind, angels the whole works.
The fifth man walks toward the excited Eva pilot. He is rather tall and pleasantly build but in need of a shave.
*Asuka: Kaaaaajjjiii!
She runs over to the man and hugs him.
*Kaji: Woah easy kiddo you're still dripping the orange stuff!
Two months later
Shinji sits cross legged on the floor of Misato's apartment with his two friends sitting either side of him. To his left is a slightly brown boy with dark hair and a dark tracksuit to match. On his right is a boy in a green tank-top and army pants complemented with the boots, he also wears rather large glasses and lazily holds a videocamera in his right hand.
Shinji: So why did you guys come here anyway?
Boy in tracksuit: Dunno. Bored I guess. Whattabout you Kensuke?
Kensuke: That's a pretty lame excuse Toji.
Toji (slightly annoyed): You got a better one?
Kensuke (smirking slightly): Perhaps.
Toji: Wasamadder...too afraid to tell?
Shinji: Hey come on you guys its nothing to fight over.
The two boys agree then sigh.
Toji: Boooring.
Suddenly Misato's head pop's out from the corner of her door leading to her bedroom.
Misato: You guys bored huh?
Shinji, Toji and Kensuke in unison: Yes.
Misato (giggling): Well it just so happens we'll be taking a little trip today.
All three boys eye's light up with the word 'trip' being mentioned.
Shinji: R...really?
Misato (smiling): Yep!
Shinji: W...where?
Misato (winking): You'll see!
-----------------------------
Episode 4 coming soon:
"Re-united once more yet still apart these children must come to terms with their position in this world while also trying to come to grips with the situation they have been placed into.......whether they like it or not".
Any comments and criticisms are welcome.
Writer/Storyboard: Les Robb aka Rion (rion@dingoblue.net.au)
Storyboard/Editing: KoalaKiller (birdman@key.net.au)
NOTE: * means dialogue in German.
Disclaimer:
Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned and copyrighted by Gainax, all characters used from that series as well as familiar plot links and scenarios. All names are (TM) and (C) by their respective owners.