Neon Genesis Evangelion: Messiah
Part 4
Author's Note: Evangelion doesn't belong to me. I like writing about it though. On to the story.
Tears 2
A new day was dawning in the citadel that was Tokyo-3. Hikari Horoki was waiting impatiently.
There she is' she thought as the sixth child slowly made her way to the classroom.
Hello, I hope you're feeling well
I am fine
Do you need help with your school bag?
No,I am fine. Thank you anyway.
She hobbled to her desk and sat down. She leaned the crutches against the wall. Within moments class started as normal.
Click,click,click. She stared at the screen,a message popped up.
*Hey girl what's shaking?*
*Who is this?*
*T.J.*
*How-?*
*I have my ways*
*I have work to finish*
*Just checking up on you*
*I'm fine*
*You'll have to do better then that to get me to leave you alone*
*Why?*
*You'll find out soon enough*
Ritsuko was going over the data from Unit 06. What the hell held up that A-T field? All power was gone. Could it be the Eva itself or something else?' She took a sip of coffee. This can't be right. There has to be a reason.'
Seele: The project is on course
Seele: We will achieve our goal
Seele: We will triumph
Night fell on Tokyo-3. Asuka stirred in her bed. Now I've got two wonder girls on my case. No matter, I'll put them in their places.' She sat up and went to the kitchen. She remembers that expression on Tori's face while she was unconscious. Did I look that way?' Her horrid dreams came back to her. She took out a glass and poured herself some water. God,mother why did this happen? Why didn't you take me when you had the chance,twice now,why?' She was trying to hold back tears but couldn't not anymore.
In her bath Tori closed her eyes. An image focused in her mind. A member coming forth. It was a few days ago,in her hospital room. She heard the sounds of footsteps. she whispered
She turned away from his gaze. Leave me alone
Why are you crying?
I don't know
Then you should stop
I can't
She wiped her eyes and stood up. I just don't understand this, my life is a complete waste,I don't belong anywhere. I have no place in this world.
He just stood there listening to her.
Karimeta'
He guided her to her bed. You have a place
She just cried more.
She opened her eyes and got out of the water. She dried herself off. For a moment she just stared at herself in the mirror. Her naked body scared and bruised,each one a horrid memory. Why do all Eva pilots suffer? Why do we all have to have this inner pain? Is that what connects us all? To be an Eva pilot is to suffer pain. I don't wish to suffer anymore.'
I feel lost' Rei thought as she stared blankly at the sky. I feel loneliness'
Seele: Are you sure all this going to plan?
Seele: We have come too far to fail
Kilh: Yes,much time and effort was put into this
Seele: All must be ready
Seele: If this is not achieved......
Kilh: All will be lost
Decision
You can't be serious Asuka yelled at the american pilot You can't quit
It is my decision
You are a weak,pathetic excuse for a pilot. You're no better then Shinji
I am sorry Tori said It is my choice
Seele: We have come too far to stop now
Kilh: The project must be completed
Seele: It must happen
Are you sure about this? There has to be another way Shinji pleaded
There is not she replied
Anything to add Rei? Asuka asked
I feel that I can not fulfill this obligation to become a successful combat pilot
At least wait until your wounds are healed. Its not good to travel injured
Misato called
You figured out what kept up that field?
No,but most likely it was a counter flow of the angels A-T field,but there are a few variables to be factored in. Why do you ask?
I guess I'm just curious,its been quiet lately
Don't you have reports to finish? she asks
she replied exasperated
Yes, perfect shot' Kensuke Aida thinks as his camera goes off. She's gorgeous,so different'
She walks by him. He is flustered.
Hello Ms. Karimeta, nice to see you today
Thank you Mr. Aida She hobbles by.
She's so mysterious'
A week idly went by and with each passing day Tori felt less and less compelled to leave. Her wounds had heals for the most part. 6 more days' She put her sketchbook down. These people have affected me,why these people?'
Taylor sifted in his airplane seat. Goodbye Tori, may you be blessed,please forgive me. I've sinned again,my hands are dirty. So very dirty'
It was early in the morning,dawn was still a few hours away. Tori had yet to fall asleep,she was busy scribbling something. It was a figure with wings. She had yet to draw the face. Her side still hurt but it was a pain that she could live with. Silence,peaceful but yet so empty'
Makoto Hyuga was staring at his monitor. Why did I take night duty?' He yawned and adjusted his glasses. He glanced at his monitor,his eyes went wide. Damnit' he thought We have a wavelength
Its blue Shigeru confirmed
Dr. Akagi shouted almost dropping her coffee. How far away is it?
20 kilometers E.T.A. 80 minutes. Its slow
Get Major Katsuragi on the line. Prepare the Evas for battle,Units 00 through 02
Yes ma'am
The phone rang next to Misato's bed. She groggily picked it up. She sat up quickly. Be there in 15 minutes She hung up and dialed Rei Rei, we have an emergency.
Yes ma'am
She dialed Tori after one ring. Tori I need you to report to NERV central
I thought I was on standby
Just be at headquarters in 15 minutes
Yes ma'am She hung up and rushed to get ready. Shinji, Asuka! Wake up! We have an emergency!!
The angel is advancing. Makoto shouted Its heading for our area
On screen The angel resembled a plant, tall and unwavering at the advancing UN forces, it moved slowly to the shore.
UN forces have arrived It whipped its twines and a giant chunk was lodged in each of the force's jets. They exploded. Its got good accuracy
Misato pressed firmly on the gas. The two pilots were groggy and cramped. Asuka said Why couldn't this emergency come during the day?
Shinji asks Why did you call Karimeta? I thought she was leaving
She hasn't left yet. We'll use her for backup
We won't need backup. Not while I'm around Asuka said proudly
Shinji just sighed.
Where are they? Ritsuko said exasperated
They Evas are ready for pilot insertion
God,what is keeping them? What is the status of the angel?
About 1 kilometer from the shore. Speed is increasing
Misato yelled as the car train stopped and she opened the door. The two children ran off,they were met by Rei and Tori.
Pilots have been inserted in entry plugs, all systems green
Start launch sequence
Removing primary locks, secondary locks , primary and secondary restraints, and umbilical bridge. Moving units to launch pads, paths clear.
Eva launch
The Evas screeched up to the surface.
Angel is entering the city
This angel is very accurate, avoid its tendrils
Ready Unit 06 Commander Ikari said
Misato said bewildered she's not fully recovered
She is still a member of NERV,I will use her as I see fit He turned his icy gaze towards Tori.
Yes sir she replied. She ran to the locker room.
Asuka get the flank! Shinji yelled
she fired a gun at the target. The bullets exploded on impact.
Detecting A-T field
she said
We're sending up Unit 06
It looks like you need a bit of help out there she said jokingly Lets hope its enough'
Unit 06 is ready for launch, launch pathway clear. All systems green Maya said
Tori, you ready? Misato asks
The massive biomechanical entity known as Eva Unit 06 clad in it green armor rode up the elevator to the surface.
The angel flayed its massive tendrils. Its wounds splashed the attacking Evas with blood. Its spreading its A-T field,the variance keeps shifting
Damn, its a smart bastard
They do seem to be getting more and more intelligent
Unit 06 ran up to the battlefield. The three Evas were trying to break through the field, but to no avail.
Damn,the stupid thing keeps changing its field variance Asuka said angrily
We're working on it! Misato said from the view screen
I remember something Tori said as Unit 06 slashed at the tendrils. They whipped out projectiles. The Evas dodged them quickly.
Spit it dumkoph!
Don't all variances have a common base pattern? Tori asks
Yes! Brilliant! Ritsuko said as she typed something. Got it
Surround the target and spread your fields to this pattern she said
Got it?
The four Evas dodged attacks as they surrounded the angel. Expand your fields now!
The fields opened. The angel screamed and imploded on itself.
Asuka said happily Good job sixth child
The four pilots were recovered and ejected. Misato met them at the locker rooms. You guys go on ahead,Tori I need to talk to you
Yes ma'am
The other three pilots left. You did very good today. You may have saved us.
Thank you ma'am
I still haven't sent in your resignation request yet, should I?
Tori looked at her,she shook her head. I have a place here
Fresh air,sun,.....a vacation in sight
Ahh......... a class trip,finally Asuka said as she finished packing her bags. The class was heading to the mountains for a hiking trip. After the disappointment of missing the last trip,it was a welcome change of pace. Finally a chance to act like a real kid' she thought
Shinji was also packing. I wish Tori was coming,Rei refused also'
Hey Shinji! Asuka called happily You almost ready? Remember we have a test today
Oh! Yes,coming he replied
Not naked again!
Yes,now get to it
Soon enough 4 children were stripped,scrubbed,and standing behind screens. Tori seemed distant,Shinji looked very uncomfortable, Rei has her standard blank look, and Asuka looked very annoyed. Enter the test plugs
The test went well. Shinji waited for Tori, she didn't come out. Asuka left the lockers. What Third Child?
I was wondering,where's Tori?
She left already,but you can do something for me
Take this to her place. She left it in the lockers
Why not Rei?
She left too
He left headquarters and walked to the train. He rode the train in silence and walked to the apartment building. He walked up the stairs and past the apartment marked Ayanami to the one marked Karimeta. He pushed the doorbell,it rang. A second later the door opened. Tori stood there dressed in a robe.
Uh sorry he said covering his eyes
Why? Can I help you?
He handed her the bag. You left this
Thank you for bringing it. Good luck on your hiking trip Ikari. She shut the door gently.
Asuka was in a good mood,she hardly noticed the sullen expression on her fellow pilot's face as he entered the apartment. Why so gloomy Shin-chan? Perk up,you're bringing down my mood
Its nothing,just wondering if taking this trip is a good idea.
Of course it is! Just think,no Evas, no tests, just fresh air
Maybe you're right
Of course I am
Bye guys,see you in a few days Misato called as the bus pulled away. She turned to the two girls. So what are you going to do?
I'm going to complete my studies I missed while I was recovering
I have appointments with Dr. Akagi
What a pair you are Misato commented
We are not a pair' Tori replied tersely and walked away
Misato said
I will see you at headquarters Major Rei said and left
Strange girls. That Tori is a mystery,her files are missing something,but what?'
Tori arrived home,she sat at her small desk. She turned on her terminal and started working on her history assignment.
Dr. Akagi had hit a road block. Her data had been wiped. Shit. I was just getting somewhere.' She took a deep breath and started again.
The commanders were viewing the latest test results.
Fuyutsuki: All the pilots have seemed to improved
Gendo: Yes
Fuyutsuki: Sir?
Gendo: ..............
The bus jostled as it drove over the uneven roads. Kensuke scanned the bus. Where is she?' He sat next to Shinji. Hey Shinji. Where's Tori?
She's catching up with her studies at home
You don't-? he started
No,just curious
He got up and started back towards his seat when the bus hit a bump and he fell. A few pictures of Tori fell out of his pockets. Some of his classmates laughed as he blushed.
Running test protocol 566-AW7 Ritsuko said
Rei focused her energy and attacked. She slashed at the imaginary target. She watched it fall and stabbed it again.
Ending simulation
Good job Rei. You can return now
Yes ma'am
She walked slowly home from the train. She looked down the hall. Empty and quiet. She felt drawn to something but resisted. She went inside , sat on the foot of her bed, and stared out the window. The voices returned. Why are you here? What is your purpose?'
She closed her red eyes and lay on her bed. She curled her body into the fetal position and cried silently as the dying sunlight danced on her face.
To be continued............
