Disclaimer: I do not own NGE (darn it all to heck) or Mortal Kombat. I have little to no understanding
of the Japanese or German languages. I have no money. This isn't even my computer. Gryffyn, on the
other hand, IS mine. (and I love him so…)
Woooh, long part this time around. Many things this time that were important plot elements. Thanks
again to my wonderful beta readers, and all of you who have sent me reviews (even flames)- you guys
are the reason I keep writing this. There will probably be three to four more parts before I run out of
vaguely interesting stuff to talk about. I'm actually working on another Eva story, a pretty dark one, but
that one's going to be a lot shorter though it will still be slow to come out, due to the fact that I actually
have to do WORK in Uni in second year. Also, a few people have requested that I go deeper into Rei
and Shinji's personal lives… and while I have no objection to this in general, Gryffyn just isn't that
sort of story. Plus one of my beta readers is my 12 year old brother, and I'd like to keep this story open
to all readers like that.
So, in part 11, we finally discover Rei's purpose.
Yes I am a Gendo hater. Can you tell?
Rei relaxed back into her contoured seat, letting herself ease every tensed muscle (except, of course,
those concerned with elimination of wastes, and the beating of the heart, and the ventilation of the
lungs, and…)
-Rei, beloved?-
-I am here.- She didn't need to open her eyes to see Shinji's face on her viewscreen, smiling gently at
her. –What do you wish?-
-Let me have your hands.-
Not fully understanding, but trusting him, Rei allowed him his way. A moment later, her hands lifted of
their own accord; fingers tracing lovingly over her thighs, one hand resting with tender possessiveness
on the feminine curve of her stomach, the other, ever so lightly and sensually, moved over the side of
her breast to clasp her shoulder. –Oh, Shinji.-
-Rei…- his thoughts purred.
She reached back along the channel. Now Shinji's hands were hers…
Ritsuko's voice snapped into their privacy. "You two, stop whatever you're doing. That A T Field
manipulation is playing merry hell with the test scores."
Somewhat sheepishly, the two Pilots dropped their channel. Asuka flicked them both a suspicious look.
"What the hell have you two –dummkoffen- been doing?"
Rei shyly touched the other girl's mind. –This,- she replied softly. –Shinji, today, discovered- -
"Knock it off!"
"Alright," Rei said flatly, a trace of irritation in her voice. "There, Dr Akagi."
A few moments later, Ritsuko's voice crackled through the speaker once more. "Rei, I told you to stop
it."
"Sir, I did. I'm not doing anything," she protested truthfully.
"You've got biocontamination. Just relax and concentrate on your Eva."
She closed her eyes. "I am, Ritsuko-san. I…" she frowned suddenly, remembering that she had not
bathed after… after the broom closet. Perhaps, then, 'biocontamination' –was- a possibility.
"Rei, I'm going to eject your plug. I want you to have a shower and put on a new plugsuit, then come
back out and finish the test."
Rei sighed in discreet gratefulness. "Yes, sir."
As Rei stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel, Ritsuko came into the locker room. "A word with
you, First Child?" she demanded, ignoring the girl's state of undress.
"As you will."
The doctor looked up at the videocamera in the corner, where the absence of a little red glow indicated
it was turned off. "We have privacy, Rei. Now would you like to explain to me why the
biocontamination I detected in you was similar- no, was identical- to the Third Child's pattern, if you
were not using your AT Fields?"
"No, sir."
"Huh?" Ritsuko blinked, then glared over her glasses. "Are you refusing a direct request for
information?"
Rei dropped her eyes. "Sir, I would have thought that the answer to your question was readily
apparent." She finished drying her hair, and reached for a plugsuit… trying not to tremble in nerves.
"You have… you and Shinji- you laid together today?"
Without looking at the Nerv officer, Rei gave a tiny nod.
Ritsuko took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Is this likely to happen again, Ayanami?"
She gave another tiny nod, pressing the button on her wrist that made the suit seal to her body.
"Ooo boy," the doctor muttered. "Well, I can cover for you this time, but in the future, you need to
shower before getting in the plug. Otherwise every technician and officer in Nerv will know."
Rei nodded once more. "Understood, sir. And… thank you."
As she watched the young woman go, Ritsuko sighed heavily. It was quite likely that Rei would never
understand exactly how much of a favour she had done her… and the risk she took in doing so.
Shinji squeezed Rei's hand gently. "It's okay, Rei-chan," he comforted.
She smiled up at him. "I know, Shinji-chan. But… I am a little nervous. I've never been to a party
before."
"You look beautiful," he reassured her, stroking her cheek. It was true. She was wearing a simple pale
blue dress, a few shades darker than her hair, that hugged her figure and swirled about her knees. She
–did- look beautiful- the exquisite, shy girl-woman she was. "Gorgeous, in fact. Maybe I shouldn't let
you go over there," he rumbled, reaching teasingly for her waist.
Rei hopped lightly backward, shaking her head with a tiny grin.
"These people are just here to have a good time with you, beloved. It –is- your birthday." It had been
his a week ago, and now Rei was seventeen as well. "It'll be fun!"
Spontaneously, she brushed her lips against his. "It's been well over a year," Rei murmured. "We
should let people know." She kissed him again. "Sometime."
There was a loud thump.
Her hand resting on Shinji's chest- the young man was beginning to fill out, enough at least that his
chest could no longer be compared to a toast rack, and that hugging him didn't give her bruises- and
looked down.
Touji picked himself, and his bag, up off the ground. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "Did- did
I just… see what… I thought I saw?"
Shinji touched Rei's face tenderly. "No."
Touji blinked. "Uh. Sure. Whatever. Um… happy birthday, Ayanami!" He grinned widely at her,
digging a brightly-wrapped package from his bag and presenting it to her with a flourish. "I see Shinji's
already giving you –his- birthday present, but here's mine!"
She accepted it gracefully. "Thank you, Touji. And thank you for coming here today." Those words-
words of gratitude- became easier every time she spoke them.
The tall youth bowed. "You're certainly welcome, and you're certainly looking wonderful today, Rei.
May I?" He offered his arm.
Shinji slapped it away. "How dare you flirt with my Rei-chan?" he half-joked, offering Rei his own
arm.
Touji walked alongside them, through the few trees that yet lived in this not-as-desolate-as-it-was city,
towards the small park where the party was waiting. "So, you two, how long –has- this been going on?
I mean there was that time in school where you came up and kissed him, Rei… us guys thought that
was just a really odd joke! Who knows? Who's allowed to know? How…"
"Enough questions," Rei admonished with a touch of fondness. "Since Gryffyn left…"
After setting Touji back on his feet, they kept walking. And got to the party.
Of course, Rei was nervous at the party… but as everyone, including Asuka, was giving her space
enough to breath, she was able to relax and enjoy their company.
The package Touji had brought was a trilogy of books, from him and Kensuke and Hikari, which they
thought she'd enjoy: Robin Hobb's 'Farseer' books. Misato gave her a set of small, but lovely, dripped
candles. Kaworu gave her a painting… a nude of course, and herself, but painted… tastefully. No fine
details or any such, but a loving study of heavy blue light upon gentle curves.
Asuka… got her a pair of jeans and a nice top, explaining that she knew Rei's sizes from all the
shopping they'd done together.
She had just unwrapped Shinji's gift to her- a huge, and very huggable, stuffed crocodile…
The siren went off.
The three Evangelions launched simultaneously: red, blue and purple biomachines sprinting with
deadly purpose towards their target. Three A T Fields snapped into place.
Yet when they reached the projected location, there was nothing there. A rolling hill, a few evacuated
buildings.
Shinji looked around, feeling more than slightly useless. He shouldn't even be out here, according to
his father… it was only by demonstrating his proficiency with his A T Field that they'd let him go into
battle at all. He smiled a little at the irony. When this whole thing had started, almost three years ago,
he would have given anything for an excuse to stay away from it all… but now Shinji would fight
bitterly for his place in this cockpit, defending the people he cared about.
"There's nothing here," Asuka complained. "Are we here on a sight-seeing tour, Misato? Is there
–actually- any…"
It came from the ground with lightning speed, an ugly, gangly thing of limbs and claws and teeth, and
wrapped itself around Unit 02.
Even as Asuka frantically tried to rip it from her, the other two Evas were in motion.
Shinji lost himself in the dozens of swift flurries of motion that followed, in the attack and the defence,
in the long wait and the vicious grapple. The thing fought like an Eva. Vaguely, it reminded him of the
nightmare experience they'd had with unit 04…
He was forced back into full awareness when the monster snatched a fallen prog spear and, with one
blow, sliced Unit 00 open from neck to proverbial 'nads. It speared its hand into the steaming flesh
revealed, drawing out-
Shouting hoarsely in rage and fear, Shinji grabbed the entry plug the Angel held and wrested it from
the ugly creature.
-Asuka,- he thought urgently, -Can you hold it off for a few minutes?-
-I can try,- the redhead replied, determined, and grabbed the Angel from behind.
The purple Eva dropped to its knees, carefully cradling the entry plug.
-REI!-
Her mind stirred slightly. –Sh- Shinji?-
-I'm here. Are you alright?-
-It… hurts… help me.-
Shinji looked up, and spoke to Ritsuko's snapshot. "Ritsuko-san, I'm gonna let Rei into my plug.
Okay?"
"Alright," Rei said hesitantly.
Moments later, he was helping a whimpering Rei into the entry plug behind her. "Rei, oh, you'll be
alright."
She nodded slowly as the clamps spun the entry plug back down into Unit 01's torso, the armour plates
on its back sliding closed, and synchronisation began.
Rei slid down next to Shinji's seat, still trembling slightly. She didn't need to say anything about the
pain that sent rippling aftershocks through her. Ghosts of that same pain quested through his innards
too.
He took her hand as brilliant colours and patterns flashed around them. –Love you.-
Rei made a quick decision, and reached out to a different mind, one which she'd never tried to contact.
Slowly, Unit 01 responded.
Its soul was slow and ponderous, but kind. It sent a questioning thought.
-You love Shinji, as I do. We should be friends.-
A moment's uncertain hostility… then it agreed.
-Then… cover for us?-
Confusion. Gradual understanding. Something she could barely believe… mischief. –I will do it.-
"Synch ratio 100%!" Ritsuko shouted. This was unbelievable! What was happening?
The huge biomachine had gone halfway through the synch procedure, then paused… stayed frozen for
several seconds…
Lost its balance, falling heavily forward-
Caught itself, crouching like a beast, nose lifted to scent at the air.
"Can't detect a pattern from either Child!" called an anonymous bridge bunny.
Misato's brow furrowed. "Then where the Hell is that synch ratio coming from?"
"It- it's berserk!" Ritsuko announced. –Synch ratio 100%… could it be… piloting itself?-
"Tell me," Misato breathed, "tell me they're still there…"
"We've lost all links with the pilots. Visuals, audio, even our standard health monitors. I'm sorry,
Misato, but we just don't know."
Unit 01 moved now, stalking the two grappling monsters. It circled them, full of menacing feral
strength, as though deciding which of them to make its meal.
The red Eva was holding its own against the frenzied attacks of the Angel, but it was clear that the pilot
was tiring. Unit 01 could feel the girl trying to contact the two children whose intimacy it was
protecting, and it would not permit that.
Yet… its pilot, and his mate, felt some care of this girl. So it would not allow her to die.
Nevertheless, the biomachine felt no immediate need to intervene. It was vaguely intrigued by the
emotions emanating from the two lovers. It remembered…
Remembered that it was not appropriate for that one to study those emotions or those happenings. Now
bored, it continued to circle and watch, waiting…
"What the HELL?"
THAT could not be ignored! An explosion of raw emotion that slammed through the Evangelion's
every nerve and circuit.
It wrapped shuddering arms about itself- flung its arms and wings wide, screaming out into the sky.
It landed on the Angel's back, gleefully tearing out limbs to the accompaniment of a thin wail, until it
found the bright, pulsing S2 organ.
Long armoured fingers closed about it- and Unit 01 tightened its fist.
It kept 'covering' the two pilots as they came back to their senses enough to scramble back into their
respective plugsuits… but then allowed the entry plug to be ejected, and lapsed gratefully back into
dormancy.
When she saw the two exhausted Children clamber from the entry plug, Misato sobbed with relief and
ran up, hugging both of them tightly. Shinji hugged her back, not really knowing why she was so upset
but happy to comfort her. On the other hand…
Rei froze at the unfamiliar touch, tense enough that Misato realised what she was doing- touching the
untouchable First Child. She was about to let go when, timidly, Rei patted her shoulder and offered her
a tiny reassuring smile. "It will be well, Major," the younger woman reassured her softly. "You need
not feel concerned."
"Of course I do!" Misato scolded fondly, holding the two for a moment more before letting them go. "I
don't want to lose you. Either of you."
Almost apologetically, Ritsuko cleared her throat. "Ikari, Ayanami, I know the two of you must be
tired…" a flat look that neither of them missed… "but we really need to run a harmonics test, right
now. Please shower and be back in you simulation plugs in five minutes with new suits on." She
looked over at where Asuka was leaning against the wall, an expression of angry boredom on her face.
"Asuka, you've done well. You can go home now."
Hmphing, Asuka flounced away.
Shinji and Rei exchanged a glance. Both of them knew that the Doctor knew, but they didn't
understand why she covered for them so assiduously. Surely it didn't matter –that- much if someone
else at Nerv knew.
-I guess this means we can't shower together,- Shinji thought playfully.
-Guess not,- Rei replied. –I'm all tired out now, anyway.-
As bidden, they showered and changed, sat in the simulation plugs.
An hour later, Ritsuko spoke up. "Shinji, you're done. Kaworu called to challenge you at Mortal
Kombat."
Rei sighed, softly but audibly. She hated that game; there was no sort of intellectual challenge in it, but
the two toms couldn't seem to get enough of it. "And… me, Ritsuko-san?"
"We're not done with you just yet, Rei. Sorry. We need more results. There's some biocontamination
there that I can't explain."
Shinji leaned forward. "Huh?"
Ritsuko looked warily at Rei. "You –did- shower –thoroughly,- right First?"
"Of course, sir."
"Well, nevertheless, there is biocontamination present. What exactly happened during that battle?
Surely these new powers that you've been developing have given you some sort of insight into what
went on."
They studiously avoided looking at eachother. Rei answered softly, "The Eva… I do not know, sir."
The Doctor watched. Then sighed. "Well, it might be some kind of biofusion… we'll need to observe
you for a while longer. I don't know exactly what…" She trailed off. Could it be? A feeling of dread
came over her… but there were other considerations, also…
Shinji looked at Rei in concern.
She smiled at him. "It's alright. I'll see you when I get home. Have dinner ready for me."
Flashing a grin, he hopped out of his tank. –I'll be in touch.-
"None of that, now," Ritsuko snapped. "We need –accurate- results."
Rei watched him leave, her hand subconsciously drifting towards her stomach. She had an inkling of
what this 'biocontamination' might represent… She didn't think about it, just smiled faintly and
concentrated on her synch test.
She didn't notice that Ritsuko would not meet her eyes.
Eventually, Ritsuko told her that they'd had enough. Rei clambered out of the plug, so tired that all she
could think of was going home to the Den and sleeping. But the blood-smell of the LCL was so strong
that she had to shower again.
The steaming hot water helped her to wake up a little, and as she was getting back into her party dress
(which, she realised with a flush of embarrassment, she'd worn in front of everyone at NERV) Rei
hoped that someone had taken care of her birthday gifts. She had not received gifts before…
When she stepped out into the corridor, the place seemed deserted. An ominous premonition sent her
hackles up. Rei tried, instinctively, to contact Shinji… but he was too far away. She looked around her
warily-
There was nothing threatening here, only Commander Ikari.
-huh?
Gendo walked up slowly. "We must speak, Rei." He motioned impassively toward the changing room.
"In private."
She didn't move. "Sir?"
"In here, Rei."
Swallowing, Rei stalled. She was suddenly, inexplicably, terrified. "What do you wish, sir?"
"I wish to speak with you," he repeated, a touch of menace entering his voice. "It is time for you to
fulfil your purpose."
Fear clenched her stomach tightly. "Sir…"
Gendo's brow furrowed. "Do you have a problem with this, Rei? It is why you were made."
She looked at the ground.
"Speak it if you do."
"I… I do not wish to die."
He smiled gently, actual warmth in his eyes. "I did not create you to kill you, Rei. Do not fear that."
Rei relaxed a little. "Then sir, why?"
"You- you ask that?" the older man blinked slightly, surprised. "Very well. You know, Rei, that I
designed you. I chose what components would go into your makeup."
She nodded slowly.
"I designed you, not only to pilot Evangelion- at which you have succeeded- but to replace the wife I
lost."
Rei was taken aback, gasping. What –was- this?
"That is why you like her. I made you to be the perfect wife for me." He stepped closer to her.
"Beautiful, quiet, obedient. Ayanami blood is the perfect complement to Ikari blood. Our child will be
perfect. The salvation of mankind!" he finished fervently.
Trembling, she stepped backward. "Sir!"
Menacing, Gendo approached. "Come, Rei. It is time. You must surrender your body to me."
"Sir…" she pleaded.
"Do not deny me."
Rei made her irrevocable decision. "No. I will not. Leave me alone!"
The Commander ground his teeth. "This is your last chance, Rei, before I force your obedience."
"I do not belong to you!" Rei cried, still backing up. "I never will."
He sighed harshly, reaching inside his coat. "Oh, Rei, I think you will." He drew out a slender,
business-like gun.
Rei blinked. Anger rose up inside her, and she stood her ground. "You –threaten- me, sir? With a gun?
You know that conventional weapons are no match for the A T Field."
Pushing his glasses up with his free hand, he smiled a terrifying smile. "This is no conventional
weapon. It was designed as an effective countermeasure, should the 17th run amok once more. It –is- a
threat."
"Nevertheless." In spite of her very real fear, Rei faced him. "You will not have me."
Cement fountained before her feet, making her flinch. "The next shot will take your knee, my little
dear. There are many parts which you do not need to live or to bear our child."
-HELP!- she screamed out soundlessly.
Something huge blurred past her side.
The two pieces of the gun fell to the floor with a metallic clatter.
Eyes widening, Gendo involuntarily stepped back- then angrily forward-
Rei ignored him to throw her arms around a thickly-feathered neck. "Gryffyn!" she sobbed.
Over the last year and a half, Gryffyn had changed. He was bigger now, his shoulder higher than her
head, sleeker, more muscular. An adult. His huge golden wings were cramped in the corridor, even
folded tightly to his sides as they were.
Yet even though he was a fearsome beast, he was the same Gryffyn Rei had first begun to love, with
the sparkle of innocence and fun in his eye. His wickedly sharp beak plunged into her pale hair to
deftly groom it. "Rei," he crooned lovingly.
Then, slowly, purposefully, the powerful gryphon turned to Rei's tormentor.
Gendo quivered in fear when those deadly eyes narrowed upon him… and, insanely, he drew his
second gun and fired.
For one frozen instant Rei felt her heart leap into her mouth. No! No, not after she'd just got him back!
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHH!!!!!!
Goddamn that felt good. And a cliffhanger, indeed!
Questions? Comments? Love it? Hate it? Review, dammit! I love you all!
See you in a few weeks, or sometime, whenever I get the time to type up part 12. B bye now!
Angelicorn.
of the Japanese or German languages. I have no money. This isn't even my computer. Gryffyn, on the
other hand, IS mine. (and I love him so…)
Woooh, long part this time around. Many things this time that were important plot elements. Thanks
again to my wonderful beta readers, and all of you who have sent me reviews (even flames)- you guys
are the reason I keep writing this. There will probably be three to four more parts before I run out of
vaguely interesting stuff to talk about. I'm actually working on another Eva story, a pretty dark one, but
that one's going to be a lot shorter though it will still be slow to come out, due to the fact that I actually
have to do WORK in Uni in second year. Also, a few people have requested that I go deeper into Rei
and Shinji's personal lives… and while I have no objection to this in general, Gryffyn just isn't that
sort of story. Plus one of my beta readers is my 12 year old brother, and I'd like to keep this story open
to all readers like that.
So, in part 11, we finally discover Rei's purpose.
Yes I am a Gendo hater. Can you tell?
Rei relaxed back into her contoured seat, letting herself ease every tensed muscle (except, of course,
those concerned with elimination of wastes, and the beating of the heart, and the ventilation of the
lungs, and…)
-Rei, beloved?-
-I am here.- She didn't need to open her eyes to see Shinji's face on her viewscreen, smiling gently at
her. –What do you wish?-
-Let me have your hands.-
Not fully understanding, but trusting him, Rei allowed him his way. A moment later, her hands lifted of
their own accord; fingers tracing lovingly over her thighs, one hand resting with tender possessiveness
on the feminine curve of her stomach, the other, ever so lightly and sensually, moved over the side of
her breast to clasp her shoulder. –Oh, Shinji.-
-Rei…- his thoughts purred.
She reached back along the channel. Now Shinji's hands were hers…
Ritsuko's voice snapped into their privacy. "You two, stop whatever you're doing. That A T Field
manipulation is playing merry hell with the test scores."
Somewhat sheepishly, the two Pilots dropped their channel. Asuka flicked them both a suspicious look.
"What the hell have you two –dummkoffen- been doing?"
Rei shyly touched the other girl's mind. –This,- she replied softly. –Shinji, today, discovered- -
"Knock it off!"
"Alright," Rei said flatly, a trace of irritation in her voice. "There, Dr Akagi."
A few moments later, Ritsuko's voice crackled through the speaker once more. "Rei, I told you to stop
it."
"Sir, I did. I'm not doing anything," she protested truthfully.
"You've got biocontamination. Just relax and concentrate on your Eva."
She closed her eyes. "I am, Ritsuko-san. I…" she frowned suddenly, remembering that she had not
bathed after… after the broom closet. Perhaps, then, 'biocontamination' –was- a possibility.
"Rei, I'm going to eject your plug. I want you to have a shower and put on a new plugsuit, then come
back out and finish the test."
Rei sighed in discreet gratefulness. "Yes, sir."
As Rei stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel, Ritsuko came into the locker room. "A word with
you, First Child?" she demanded, ignoring the girl's state of undress.
"As you will."
The doctor looked up at the videocamera in the corner, where the absence of a little red glow indicated
it was turned off. "We have privacy, Rei. Now would you like to explain to me why the
biocontamination I detected in you was similar- no, was identical- to the Third Child's pattern, if you
were not using your AT Fields?"
"No, sir."
"Huh?" Ritsuko blinked, then glared over her glasses. "Are you refusing a direct request for
information?"
Rei dropped her eyes. "Sir, I would have thought that the answer to your question was readily
apparent." She finished drying her hair, and reached for a plugsuit… trying not to tremble in nerves.
"You have… you and Shinji- you laid together today?"
Without looking at the Nerv officer, Rei gave a tiny nod.
Ritsuko took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Is this likely to happen again, Ayanami?"
She gave another tiny nod, pressing the button on her wrist that made the suit seal to her body.
"Ooo boy," the doctor muttered. "Well, I can cover for you this time, but in the future, you need to
shower before getting in the plug. Otherwise every technician and officer in Nerv will know."
Rei nodded once more. "Understood, sir. And… thank you."
As she watched the young woman go, Ritsuko sighed heavily. It was quite likely that Rei would never
understand exactly how much of a favour she had done her… and the risk she took in doing so.
Shinji squeezed Rei's hand gently. "It's okay, Rei-chan," he comforted.
She smiled up at him. "I know, Shinji-chan. But… I am a little nervous. I've never been to a party
before."
"You look beautiful," he reassured her, stroking her cheek. It was true. She was wearing a simple pale
blue dress, a few shades darker than her hair, that hugged her figure and swirled about her knees. She
–did- look beautiful- the exquisite, shy girl-woman she was. "Gorgeous, in fact. Maybe I shouldn't let
you go over there," he rumbled, reaching teasingly for her waist.
Rei hopped lightly backward, shaking her head with a tiny grin.
"These people are just here to have a good time with you, beloved. It –is- your birthday." It had been
his a week ago, and now Rei was seventeen as well. "It'll be fun!"
Spontaneously, she brushed her lips against his. "It's been well over a year," Rei murmured. "We
should let people know." She kissed him again. "Sometime."
There was a loud thump.
Her hand resting on Shinji's chest- the young man was beginning to fill out, enough at least that his
chest could no longer be compared to a toast rack, and that hugging him didn't give her bruises- and
looked down.
Touji picked himself, and his bag, up off the ground. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates. "Did- did
I just… see what… I thought I saw?"
Shinji touched Rei's face tenderly. "No."
Touji blinked. "Uh. Sure. Whatever. Um… happy birthday, Ayanami!" He grinned widely at her,
digging a brightly-wrapped package from his bag and presenting it to her with a flourish. "I see Shinji's
already giving you –his- birthday present, but here's mine!"
She accepted it gracefully. "Thank you, Touji. And thank you for coming here today." Those words-
words of gratitude- became easier every time she spoke them.
The tall youth bowed. "You're certainly welcome, and you're certainly looking wonderful today, Rei.
May I?" He offered his arm.
Shinji slapped it away. "How dare you flirt with my Rei-chan?" he half-joked, offering Rei his own
arm.
Touji walked alongside them, through the few trees that yet lived in this not-as-desolate-as-it-was city,
towards the small park where the party was waiting. "So, you two, how long –has- this been going on?
I mean there was that time in school where you came up and kissed him, Rei… us guys thought that
was just a really odd joke! Who knows? Who's allowed to know? How…"
"Enough questions," Rei admonished with a touch of fondness. "Since Gryffyn left…"
After setting Touji back on his feet, they kept walking. And got to the party.
Of course, Rei was nervous at the party… but as everyone, including Asuka, was giving her space
enough to breath, she was able to relax and enjoy their company.
The package Touji had brought was a trilogy of books, from him and Kensuke and Hikari, which they
thought she'd enjoy: Robin Hobb's 'Farseer' books. Misato gave her a set of small, but lovely, dripped
candles. Kaworu gave her a painting… a nude of course, and herself, but painted… tastefully. No fine
details or any such, but a loving study of heavy blue light upon gentle curves.
Asuka… got her a pair of jeans and a nice top, explaining that she knew Rei's sizes from all the
shopping they'd done together.
She had just unwrapped Shinji's gift to her- a huge, and very huggable, stuffed crocodile…
The siren went off.
The three Evangelions launched simultaneously: red, blue and purple biomachines sprinting with
deadly purpose towards their target. Three A T Fields snapped into place.
Yet when they reached the projected location, there was nothing there. A rolling hill, a few evacuated
buildings.
Shinji looked around, feeling more than slightly useless. He shouldn't even be out here, according to
his father… it was only by demonstrating his proficiency with his A T Field that they'd let him go into
battle at all. He smiled a little at the irony. When this whole thing had started, almost three years ago,
he would have given anything for an excuse to stay away from it all… but now Shinji would fight
bitterly for his place in this cockpit, defending the people he cared about.
"There's nothing here," Asuka complained. "Are we here on a sight-seeing tour, Misato? Is there
–actually- any…"
It came from the ground with lightning speed, an ugly, gangly thing of limbs and claws and teeth, and
wrapped itself around Unit 02.
Even as Asuka frantically tried to rip it from her, the other two Evas were in motion.
Shinji lost himself in the dozens of swift flurries of motion that followed, in the attack and the defence,
in the long wait and the vicious grapple. The thing fought like an Eva. Vaguely, it reminded him of the
nightmare experience they'd had with unit 04…
He was forced back into full awareness when the monster snatched a fallen prog spear and, with one
blow, sliced Unit 00 open from neck to proverbial 'nads. It speared its hand into the steaming flesh
revealed, drawing out-
Shouting hoarsely in rage and fear, Shinji grabbed the entry plug the Angel held and wrested it from
the ugly creature.
-Asuka,- he thought urgently, -Can you hold it off for a few minutes?-
-I can try,- the redhead replied, determined, and grabbed the Angel from behind.
The purple Eva dropped to its knees, carefully cradling the entry plug.
-REI!-
Her mind stirred slightly. –Sh- Shinji?-
-I'm here. Are you alright?-
-It… hurts… help me.-
Shinji looked up, and spoke to Ritsuko's snapshot. "Ritsuko-san, I'm gonna let Rei into my plug.
Okay?"
"Alright," Rei said hesitantly.
Moments later, he was helping a whimpering Rei into the entry plug behind her. "Rei, oh, you'll be
alright."
She nodded slowly as the clamps spun the entry plug back down into Unit 01's torso, the armour plates
on its back sliding closed, and synchronisation began.
Rei slid down next to Shinji's seat, still trembling slightly. She didn't need to say anything about the
pain that sent rippling aftershocks through her. Ghosts of that same pain quested through his innards
too.
He took her hand as brilliant colours and patterns flashed around them. –Love you.-
Rei made a quick decision, and reached out to a different mind, one which she'd never tried to contact.
Slowly, Unit 01 responded.
Its soul was slow and ponderous, but kind. It sent a questioning thought.
-You love Shinji, as I do. We should be friends.-
A moment's uncertain hostility… then it agreed.
-Then… cover for us?-
Confusion. Gradual understanding. Something she could barely believe… mischief. –I will do it.-
"Synch ratio 100%!" Ritsuko shouted. This was unbelievable! What was happening?
The huge biomachine had gone halfway through the synch procedure, then paused… stayed frozen for
several seconds…
Lost its balance, falling heavily forward-
Caught itself, crouching like a beast, nose lifted to scent at the air.
"Can't detect a pattern from either Child!" called an anonymous bridge bunny.
Misato's brow furrowed. "Then where the Hell is that synch ratio coming from?"
"It- it's berserk!" Ritsuko announced. –Synch ratio 100%… could it be… piloting itself?-
"Tell me," Misato breathed, "tell me they're still there…"
"We've lost all links with the pilots. Visuals, audio, even our standard health monitors. I'm sorry,
Misato, but we just don't know."
Unit 01 moved now, stalking the two grappling monsters. It circled them, full of menacing feral
strength, as though deciding which of them to make its meal.
The red Eva was holding its own against the frenzied attacks of the Angel, but it was clear that the pilot
was tiring. Unit 01 could feel the girl trying to contact the two children whose intimacy it was
protecting, and it would not permit that.
Yet… its pilot, and his mate, felt some care of this girl. So it would not allow her to die.
Nevertheless, the biomachine felt no immediate need to intervene. It was vaguely intrigued by the
emotions emanating from the two lovers. It remembered…
Remembered that it was not appropriate for that one to study those emotions or those happenings. Now
bored, it continued to circle and watch, waiting…
"What the HELL?"
THAT could not be ignored! An explosion of raw emotion that slammed through the Evangelion's
every nerve and circuit.
It wrapped shuddering arms about itself- flung its arms and wings wide, screaming out into the sky.
It landed on the Angel's back, gleefully tearing out limbs to the accompaniment of a thin wail, until it
found the bright, pulsing S2 organ.
Long armoured fingers closed about it- and Unit 01 tightened its fist.
It kept 'covering' the two pilots as they came back to their senses enough to scramble back into their
respective plugsuits… but then allowed the entry plug to be ejected, and lapsed gratefully back into
dormancy.
When she saw the two exhausted Children clamber from the entry plug, Misato sobbed with relief and
ran up, hugging both of them tightly. Shinji hugged her back, not really knowing why she was so upset
but happy to comfort her. On the other hand…
Rei froze at the unfamiliar touch, tense enough that Misato realised what she was doing- touching the
untouchable First Child. She was about to let go when, timidly, Rei patted her shoulder and offered her
a tiny reassuring smile. "It will be well, Major," the younger woman reassured her softly. "You need
not feel concerned."
"Of course I do!" Misato scolded fondly, holding the two for a moment more before letting them go. "I
don't want to lose you. Either of you."
Almost apologetically, Ritsuko cleared her throat. "Ikari, Ayanami, I know the two of you must be
tired…" a flat look that neither of them missed… "but we really need to run a harmonics test, right
now. Please shower and be back in you simulation plugs in five minutes with new suits on." She
looked over at where Asuka was leaning against the wall, an expression of angry boredom on her face.
"Asuka, you've done well. You can go home now."
Hmphing, Asuka flounced away.
Shinji and Rei exchanged a glance. Both of them knew that the Doctor knew, but they didn't
understand why she covered for them so assiduously. Surely it didn't matter –that- much if someone
else at Nerv knew.
-I guess this means we can't shower together,- Shinji thought playfully.
-Guess not,- Rei replied. –I'm all tired out now, anyway.-
As bidden, they showered and changed, sat in the simulation plugs.
An hour later, Ritsuko spoke up. "Shinji, you're done. Kaworu called to challenge you at Mortal
Kombat."
Rei sighed, softly but audibly. She hated that game; there was no sort of intellectual challenge in it, but
the two toms couldn't seem to get enough of it. "And… me, Ritsuko-san?"
"We're not done with you just yet, Rei. Sorry. We need more results. There's some biocontamination
there that I can't explain."
Shinji leaned forward. "Huh?"
Ritsuko looked warily at Rei. "You –did- shower –thoroughly,- right First?"
"Of course, sir."
"Well, nevertheless, there is biocontamination present. What exactly happened during that battle?
Surely these new powers that you've been developing have given you some sort of insight into what
went on."
They studiously avoided looking at eachother. Rei answered softly, "The Eva… I do not know, sir."
The Doctor watched. Then sighed. "Well, it might be some kind of biofusion… we'll need to observe
you for a while longer. I don't know exactly what…" She trailed off. Could it be? A feeling of dread
came over her… but there were other considerations, also…
Shinji looked at Rei in concern.
She smiled at him. "It's alright. I'll see you when I get home. Have dinner ready for me."
Flashing a grin, he hopped out of his tank. –I'll be in touch.-
"None of that, now," Ritsuko snapped. "We need –accurate- results."
Rei watched him leave, her hand subconsciously drifting towards her stomach. She had an inkling of
what this 'biocontamination' might represent… She didn't think about it, just smiled faintly and
concentrated on her synch test.
She didn't notice that Ritsuko would not meet her eyes.
Eventually, Ritsuko told her that they'd had enough. Rei clambered out of the plug, so tired that all she
could think of was going home to the Den and sleeping. But the blood-smell of the LCL was so strong
that she had to shower again.
The steaming hot water helped her to wake up a little, and as she was getting back into her party dress
(which, she realised with a flush of embarrassment, she'd worn in front of everyone at NERV) Rei
hoped that someone had taken care of her birthday gifts. She had not received gifts before…
When she stepped out into the corridor, the place seemed deserted. An ominous premonition sent her
hackles up. Rei tried, instinctively, to contact Shinji… but he was too far away. She looked around her
warily-
There was nothing threatening here, only Commander Ikari.
-huh?
Gendo walked up slowly. "We must speak, Rei." He motioned impassively toward the changing room.
"In private."
She didn't move. "Sir?"
"In here, Rei."
Swallowing, Rei stalled. She was suddenly, inexplicably, terrified. "What do you wish, sir?"
"I wish to speak with you," he repeated, a touch of menace entering his voice. "It is time for you to
fulfil your purpose."
Fear clenched her stomach tightly. "Sir…"
Gendo's brow furrowed. "Do you have a problem with this, Rei? It is why you were made."
She looked at the ground.
"Speak it if you do."
"I… I do not wish to die."
He smiled gently, actual warmth in his eyes. "I did not create you to kill you, Rei. Do not fear that."
Rei relaxed a little. "Then sir, why?"
"You- you ask that?" the older man blinked slightly, surprised. "Very well. You know, Rei, that I
designed you. I chose what components would go into your makeup."
She nodded slowly.
"I designed you, not only to pilot Evangelion- at which you have succeeded- but to replace the wife I
lost."
Rei was taken aback, gasping. What –was- this?
"That is why you like her. I made you to be the perfect wife for me." He stepped closer to her.
"Beautiful, quiet, obedient. Ayanami blood is the perfect complement to Ikari blood. Our child will be
perfect. The salvation of mankind!" he finished fervently.
Trembling, she stepped backward. "Sir!"
Menacing, Gendo approached. "Come, Rei. It is time. You must surrender your body to me."
"Sir…" she pleaded.
"Do not deny me."
Rei made her irrevocable decision. "No. I will not. Leave me alone!"
The Commander ground his teeth. "This is your last chance, Rei, before I force your obedience."
"I do not belong to you!" Rei cried, still backing up. "I never will."
He sighed harshly, reaching inside his coat. "Oh, Rei, I think you will." He drew out a slender,
business-like gun.
Rei blinked. Anger rose up inside her, and she stood her ground. "You –threaten- me, sir? With a gun?
You know that conventional weapons are no match for the A T Field."
Pushing his glasses up with his free hand, he smiled a terrifying smile. "This is no conventional
weapon. It was designed as an effective countermeasure, should the 17th run amok once more. It –is- a
threat."
"Nevertheless." In spite of her very real fear, Rei faced him. "You will not have me."
Cement fountained before her feet, making her flinch. "The next shot will take your knee, my little
dear. There are many parts which you do not need to live or to bear our child."
-HELP!- she screamed out soundlessly.
Something huge blurred past her side.
The two pieces of the gun fell to the floor with a metallic clatter.
Eyes widening, Gendo involuntarily stepped back- then angrily forward-
Rei ignored him to throw her arms around a thickly-feathered neck. "Gryffyn!" she sobbed.
Over the last year and a half, Gryffyn had changed. He was bigger now, his shoulder higher than her
head, sleeker, more muscular. An adult. His huge golden wings were cramped in the corridor, even
folded tightly to his sides as they were.
Yet even though he was a fearsome beast, he was the same Gryffyn Rei had first begun to love, with
the sparkle of innocence and fun in his eye. His wickedly sharp beak plunged into her pale hair to
deftly groom it. "Rei," he crooned lovingly.
Then, slowly, purposefully, the powerful gryphon turned to Rei's tormentor.
Gendo quivered in fear when those deadly eyes narrowed upon him… and, insanely, he drew his
second gun and fired.
For one frozen instant Rei felt her heart leap into her mouth. No! No, not after she'd just got him back!
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHH!!!!!!
Goddamn that felt good. And a cliffhanger, indeed!
Questions? Comments? Love it? Hate it? Review, dammit! I love you all!
See you in a few weeks, or sometime, whenever I get the time to type up part 12. B bye now!
Angelicorn.