Fictions Mentioned:
Episode 2
OP Song:
NEXT LEVEL · YU-KI(TRF)
Insert Song: Start
Dies irae - Animation OST: Ewige Wiederkunft
PART 1
It was one cold winter in the Antarctic.
A man with grey hair and wearing a cold weather jacket parker was seen carrying his young daughter, Misato Katsuragi, to safety. As he was traversing through the ruins of the laboratory that was now set aflame, he finally manages to reach the pod. He was relieved. He begins to head there in haste, opening the hatch and gently putting his daughter in the cockpit where it is safe. He then takes off his cross necklace and puts it right beside his daughter's, at least something to remember him by despite the long years that had been wasted.
Regret etching onto his face as if realizing how many years he had wasted, not being able to spend much time with his daughter as he should.
Of course, he was no Yui Ikari, but he was still one of the most brilliant scientists of his generation. He was always busy with his scientific work, studying the origins of mankind and how it came to be. Therefore, he, unfortunately, had less time to spend with his daughter. After everything that he had discovered, he was slowly starting to regret everything.
Disaster would be imminent and it would be felt across the world. He knows that what he and the rest of his fellow scientists had inadvertently unleashed as a result of their experiment was something terrible to imagine. The impact of this scale would change the world forever. And the world afterward may not be the same.
He sees his daughter slowly waking up and turns towards her.
"Father," she muttered, her vision being a bit blurry, unable to see her father's face.
At the next moment, the cockpit closed, leaving nothing but non-reflective glass separating the man from his daughter.
It was dark for one Misato Katsuragi.
She slowly reawakened but she could not see clearly. The explosions that had occurred had managed to hit her in the head, knocking her out temporarily. There was light bleeding in her head but nothing damaging. She was one of the more fortunate ones.
But that wasn't important. She noticed something shut out. And he could hear the sound of explosions that rumbled throughout the lab.
And then...
Vworp Vworp Vworp
She hears a strange type of distinctive grinding and whirring sound that was clear and somewhere nearby. It was only a mere few minutes that it lasted. And then, she felt the cockpit shaking as it no doubt was sent hurling away into the depths of the sea.
The next moment...
Second Impact had now begun...
And over two billion people died...
PART 2
It was one quiet drive from the roads of Tokyo-2 to the curvy roads of the mountain that would eventually lead to the GeoFront. Nobody was saying anything, a heavy awkward silence reigned on Misato Katsuragi's part as she glances hesitantly at the young man wearing his shades, sitting up rather straight and apparently taking in the view of what was outside which was the green-colored grass and trees that they would pass by.
The picture that she had in her file folder didn't really do justice to the young man who was sitting just to her left. He was quite eerily calm in spite of what has happened not too long ago, only taking the time to ask her if she was alright. She noted in her assessment that the young man was far more concerned for her state of well-being instead of what had happened as if he was used to taking things in stride.
Misato would try to begin her small talk, flashing her perfect professional smile. "...So, you're Ikari Shinji, huh? You look a lot different from the picture that I was sent."
"You mean my gakuran attire from my former school, correct?" Shinji asked simply, turning towards Misato.
"Yes, that. When I first saw you, I thought you'd be rather plain looking, no offense," Misato made a cheeky smile.
"None taken. I usually prefer not to stand out too much so the picture was more or less deliberate on my part," Shinji said.
"Oh...Quite the sneaky one, aren't you?" Misato made a bemused smile before having an epiphany about something. "But wait, hold that thought."
Misato raised her left finger before her entire left hand lowers down to pick up the phone that was in the middle of the car. She presses a button and raises it to her left ear and begins to speak.
"This is Captain Katsuargi, I've secured the boy and were heading en route back to base...Yes, don't worry about it. His safety is my top priority so could you get a car train ready for us? A direct one...Right...Well, I volunteered to pick him up so I'll make sure that he gets there in one piece. See ya!"
Misato lowers the phone and turns back towards Shinji. "So...where were we?"
"We were talking about how plain looking I was?" Shinji reminded.
"Oh, right. That one. You know...you honestly surprised me for a bit back there...I didn't think that you would be there after all of the fuzz that was happening in the city. Weren't you afraid?"
"I can feel fear just like any other person, yes, but not because of that monster from earlier," Shinji simply said before showing a thoughtful expression. "To which reminds me, can you care to tell me just what that monster is?"
"That, Shinji, is what is called an Angel," Misato explained with a smile that had traces of grimness, showing a slight twitch that Shinji noted.
"Angel?" Shinji said, asking to continue.
"They are the main reason why NERV, the special duty organization that I work with, exists. We are a secret type of organization under the direct command of the United Nations."
"I see," Shinji nodded. "Then, this would be the place where my father works, correct?"
"Yep," Misato said with a smile. looking at her charge. "Do you know what he does?"
Shinji simply shakes his head. "No, he never really told me what he was doing for a living nor has he really been around in my life. Of course, I get letters from him from time to time, but these were usually containing either of the following. My allowances for the month or instructions on how to proceed accordingly without getting in trouble or letters that don't tell me much only that he was busy dealing with something that can be considered to be an international incident if word get's out in the wrong way, which would probably be one of the reasons why he doesn't say much if at all. Aside from that, my sensei in school had said that my father's work is vital for the safety and preservation of the human race. Judging by what had happened not too long ago, I'm guessing that the Angels are threats to humanity and that NERV has the duty and responsibility to deal with them. If it is based on that alone, then I don't hold that much against him."
"I see," Misato smiled sadly while still quite impressed by the boy's mature assessment. "Your father hasn't really been around from your life for most of the time."
"No, not since my mother died long ago when I was three years old," Shinji lowered his head a bit, showing a contemplative mood.
"...Oh," Misato slightly widened her eyes for a bit, noticing how personal this was. "Sorry about prying."
"I'm not offended, Captain Katsuragi," Shinji reassured.
"Call me, Misato," Misato smiled sadly. "You aren't really a soldier under my command, plus I'm not one too much for formalities anyway unless the situation calls for it."
"Then Misato-san it is until such a situation calls for it as you say," Shinji smiled simply.
"Welp, in the meantime, you might as well take this," Misato handed Shinji a green book that was labeled "TOP SECRET" from the back and the word "Nerv" from the front, and from the middle were the words "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY". "Here's everything that you need to know about NERV since you'd probably start working here from now on."
Shinji made a curious expression. "I'm fourteen though so I'm not really at the working age just yet."
"Oh, this is a different kind of work," Misato made an anticipating smile.
They've finally arrived at Central Dogma.
Well, it wasn't that easy to find it in the case of Misato who simply didn't know where to go. She even tried to consult the map of this large complex as if she hadn't even been here before. Not that Shinji can blame her since the complex does feel like a maze for your average visitor who is unfamiliar with this place. Of course, this could be a ruse that Misato had been using, pretending to be lost just so she can continue her psychological assessment regarding Shinji Ikari. But Shinji doubted this latter theory as he can see and hear the genuine confusion and exasperation.
Over the years, Shinji had been trained by his sensei to follow the traces of a person's expression in order to make correct assessments of the person and his intentions, especially watching out for the eyes as it holds the secrets that one can trace if one were to look hard enough. It was one of those useful skills that his sensei imparted to him in order to be self-aware of one's surroundings. Not everyone in this world is kind. Yes, one can argue the benefit of the doubt, but there is also the nature and the personality of the individual person to consider.
His sensei once said this: "("A naïve mind can become a den of iniquity.")"
Misato getting lost aside, this actually manages to help Shinji tremendously which is why he didn't correct her. Aside from reading the NERV files that Misato had given him, he was able to take advantage of his current situation, knowing every nook and corner of the complex from top to bottom, from left to right, and memorizing them inside his mind for his personal usage. As far as he was concerned, he was in enemy territory and he needed to be scouting every room possible while remaining inconspicuous. Misato thankfully provided such an opportunity.
Eventually, they managed to find an elevator in the Dogma Core and ascended, stopping a few floors up to let someone in. Shinji noticed the appearance of a scientist with unnaturally blonde hair, wearing a lab coat with a dark purple shirt with a circular zipper from the top and black shorts, with dark skin tone socks and black heels. She appeared to be smiling with amusement.
"Uh...oh, Ritsuko," Misato made an expression of someone who was caught red-handed in a terrible form of mischief.
Doctor Ritsuko Akagi simply shakes her head and walks a few steps, slightly scaring Misato to back away a few meters before the door closes behind them. "What on earth do you think you're doing, Captain Katsuragi?" You know you're quite fortunate that we aren't in the middle of an Angel attack that had died down most recently."
"Sorry," Misato apologized, winking her left eye and raising her right hand into a slant position, putting her left hand that was carrying the folded map to her back.
Ritsuko seemed to sigh heavily at the antics of her old friend. She turned around to find the expected young man simply content to remain quiet. But...
"...!"
She noticed something odd about his appearance. For one, his exact appearance reminded her a little too much of Gendo Ikari, the Supreme Commander of NERV, if only a much younger version of him. She blinked a few times in confusion before turning to Misato for an answer. The latter simply responded with an exasperated smile, understanding her bewildering reaction from her.
"Yeah, I noticed it as well when I first met him. He does seem to look an awful lot like him especially when he has those shades on," Misato said.
"If it bothers the both of you, I can simply take them off for the time being," Shinju proposed.
"Oh, no, no! No need to worry," Misato shakes her hands while smiling. "Besides, they do look good on you."
"I would have to agree on my friend's assessment," Ritsuko smiled, raising her right hand and offering it to Shinji. "Doctor Akagi Ritsuko, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, doctor," Shinji shakes the scientist's hand with a firm grip which is noted by Ritsuko, who was already showing an interest in this young man who seems a lot different than what he was made out to be and found quite intriguing.
"I must say...I didn't expect you to be quite presentable on your first day here," Ritsuko said.
"Sensei once said this: "("Clothing does not make the man, but rather the man who wears them.")". If I were to eventually find out about my father's work for the first time and since I was aware somewhat of my father being involved in international affairs on a need-to-know basis, I would at the very least make myself presentable in case I were to entertain the notion of company," Shinji explained with a solemn tone, raising his right index finger when quoting his sensei.
"Oh, I see," Ritsuko smiled but from the inside, she thought with concern. "("Yes...Very interesting indeed. Quite different from what was described in his psychological profile. It may need to be updated the more I were to observe his movements.")"
Eventually, the rest of the trip went quite smoothly as Dr. Akagi debriefed Shinji on his newly assigned role as the Third Child. When asked by Shinji what that meant in the hierarchical structure of the organization, Dr. Akagi meant that he was to be one among many potential candidates with a proper compatibility rate to pilot what is called an Eva.
And speaking of the Eva...
He was now encountering it firsthand in person, specifically, Evangelion Unit-01, immediately after the lights had been turned on, sending the darkness away as if a brand new tomorrow morning was taking place anew just like the daily routine of life.
When observing it, it was rather tall and humanoid looking. There were of course traces of artificiality that were apparent from its mecha-like appearance. The armor consisted of two blueish large plates covering the pectorals, as well as three triangular pieces on the abdomen up to the crotch. The armor is predominantly purple with green stripes on the arms and details in black. Its gorget is made up of several pieces of yellowish/orange color. Its most characteristic element is undoubtedly its helmet, and with its prominent horn and its "collar", vaguely evoking that of a single horn oni. Half of its body up to the level of the upper torso was submerged in red-violet waters.
Shinji simply took off his glasses out of silent respect, putting them back in his pockets. He can hear Ritsuko giving him the introductions in the hammiest scientist sense that one can think of, showing a sense of confidence in her work that Shinji was well acquainted with as, unbeknownst to her, Misato, and everyone else, this wasn't the first time he had to deal with scientists. Many of his friends were scientists. Of course, there was also the part where he was the son of Yui Ikari, the greatest scientific mind of her generation, and Gendo Ikari, a person that can be equated to a chessmaster that has all the pieces in place in order to start the game.
"This is mankind's ultimate multi-purpose decisive weapon, the synthetic human Evangelion, Unit-01. Built in absolute secrecy, it is mankind's ultimate trump card."
Shinji was silent for a few moments, simply looking at the machine that was more than it seemed to be.
"Tell me, doctor," he turned towards Ritsuko. "How was this machine built, exactly?"
"Hmm?" Ritsuko maintained her smile but was concerned interiorly at the basic question that was asked by the young man. "Well, I'm glad that you asked, Shinji-kun. This machine had been created in the Third Annex of our predecessor's Artificial Evolution Laboratory in Hakone from 2003 to 2004 and was deemed to be functional by 2014. As I recall, your mother was one of the scientists involved with this project and perfecting it. So if I were to be accurate, I would say that this is the work of both of your parents."
"I see," Shinji nodded at the explanation and appeared to look satisfied.
Ritsuko however begins to take note of the lack of reaction that Shinji had when she mentioned his mother to him. She and many others would think that the boy wouldn't have moved on from something such as losing his mother as much as it could be gained from the psychological profiles that may need to be thoroughly checked once again. But then, the boy was around over three to four since he lost his mother in that accident. He of course would barely remember something like this and it had been verified by authoritative sources, even by the child himself who doesn't seem to remember anything, only dim flashes and that feeling of loneliness that the child had felt at the time when he lost his mother.
Nevertheless, she is going to have to take this conversation to the Commander himself and see what the latter thinks about all of this.
"Speaking of which, where exactly is my father right now, doctor?" Shinji asked.
"Hmm? Well, he and my other superior in the scientific field, Doctor Kozo Fuyutsuki, have a very important meeting that they had to attend to at this time so they are unavailable at the moment. However, I think it would be highly beneficial for you if you were to familiarize yourself with this place as some people can get lost if they don't know where they're going even if it were the people who should have known after working here for so long," Ritsuko, carrying an amused smirk, was subtly referring to Misato who blanched and made an embarrassed expression as if an invisible piercing object had struck against her.
"In that case then, the first location I would like to explore would be the cafeteria, if there are any of them here that is," Shinji said.
"Hmm? Why? You haven't eaten yet, Shinji-kun?" Misato asked, concerned.
"No, it's not about eating, I have something else that I have in mind," Shinji made a simple mysterious smile.
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Phantasm - Clad in Steel Armor, High Priest of The 300 - English Subbed
The room is dark.
Whatever light appeared to have shown was only in a circular pattern from the floor and from the different holographic monoliths with numbers etched into them from "01" to "12", all of them forming a circular pattern. The monoliths each have a logo present on their back. There were seven eyes, each can be taken as a reference to Revelation 5 in the Holy Writ; describing seven seals and a seven-eyed Lamb ‒ with an exact layout of three eyes on the left side and four on the right, representing the classical artistic depictions of this Lamb. Aside from the eyes, there was also the symbol of the one-eyed pyramid surrounded by three checkered squares. Worthy of note is the presence of a snake that was curled around an apple with a leaf on top of its pedicel in between the seven eyes. On the apple, the name "SEELE" is written down and beneath this is the motto "Überm Sternenzelt richtet Gott, wie wir gerichtet", a quote from the poem "Ode to Joy", which translates as "Above the starry firmament God judges, as we judged".
Gendo Ikari was standing on the bright-spotted floor with both of his hands behind his back. His right-hand man, Kozo Fuyutsuki, was at the back a few meters to his right.
"And...you are absolutely sure that you have no knowledge about anything of this new interloper?" one of them, 07, asked Gendo regarding the recent appearance of the armored beetle-like figure.
"No, sir," Gendo denied frankly with an honest tone, his expression was stern and cold as stainless steel, with no hint of any emotion. "Whoever this was, I can only assure you and the rest of this council that I and everyone else in NERV have absolutely no knowledge or context or data regarding this individual. The only thing that I can be able to determine from the cameras was that this being has this logo on his left shoulder. ZECT if I'm not mistaken. And before you are to ask, no, I do not know anything about it either but it is possible that this term indicates the presence of an elusive organization that has no official records on any of the known databanks and classified files from any other country."
"That is rather concerning..." 01 spoke grimly. "Is it possible that this organization, if it truly exists, may perhaps be a threat to our plans for Instrumentality?"
"It is one form of possibility, sir. I proposed that we need to consider our given options at this point, one of them would have to be the consideration of the question of the accuracy of the prophecies," Gendo said.
"Mind your tongue, Ikari," one of them, 04, said with a warning. "That is very close to heresy and blasphemy."
"Forgive me for the term, councilman," Gendo touched the bridge of his glasses. "But I only wanted to point out the fact that there was no mention of the armored figure in the prophecies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. That alone makes me realize that whatever is happening now may hypothetically prove that there are other forces that have their own goals and agenda in mind, whether for the good or ill of Instrumentality or of something else. We must remain vigilant and not be blind fools to such a possibility."
"Commander Ikari has a point," 01 said, approving of the notion. "The armored figure from just this morning has only managed to spark a wave of questions and controversial opinions from the local and international levels that can be used either for us or against us. Based on the observations and insights that have been given so far to analyze, I have reason to believe that the armored figure's interference in the prophetic battle between the Evangelion and the Angel is no mere accident, I fear. We must consider Ikari's possibility and double our efforts to ensure that nothing interferes with our plans. Commander Ikari, for the time being, NERV Japan is needed to monitor the entire country for any sign of this armored figure. If this individual appears again, if possible, we would like for this person to be brought in."
"And what if this person tries to resist or either refuses to trust us," Gendo asked 01.
"Normally, I would say that you are to arrest this person, by force if necessary for the precedent of international security. But from the available data that had been gathered, engaging this person in combat is unwise if only because he had the capacity to disappear as if in thin air. Knowing that, there is the hypothetical possibility that this person is employing a type of unknown device or technology that allows him to either move so fast to the point where none can truly see him or be able to transport himself from one location to the next. The first one seems to be the most likely, but that is merely my conjecture on the manner."
"I understand," Gendo nodded. "It would be done as you requested, councilman."
"Very good. This meeting is now to be adjourned until further notice," 01 said.
And so, one by one, the monoliths all disappeared, leaving only Gendo and Fuyutsuki. Then the room brightened to reveal a large room that was overlayed with large silver walls.
"SEELE is now making their move just as you thought they would," Fuyutsuki said.
"Of course, they would," Gendo said with a confident tone. "The armored figure is currently an unknown. He could either be an ally or a threat. But I still have some form of gratitude for the armored figure despite one setback of my plans."
"You're going to use him as a distraction for SEELE to maintain focus on. That's what you said at least," Fuyutsuki noted.
As they were conversing, they eventually exited the room as the doors open automatically, recognizing their identity before closing the doors shut. And they begin to walk down the corridors and intending to head back to the office.
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Dies irae - Animation OST: Burlesque
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Suddenly, Gendo noticed that there was a beeping sound coming from his phone. He'd guessed that it was an incoming call so he decided to look at the screen which was showing the name of Dr. Akagi.
He presses a button and begins to speak.
"Yes?"
"Commander, I just wanted to inform you that the Third Child has now arrived here on the Geofront as requested," Ritsuko said from the phone.
"Good, where is he now?" Gendo asked.
"Umm..." Ritsuko seemed hesitant from the tone of her voice, as much as Gendo could decipher.
"What is it?" Gendo asked, curious about this sudden hesitation.
"You might want to head down to Central Dogma's cafeteria, sir...It's better if you see it for yourself as I have no words on how to explain it..."
By the time when Gendo and Fuyutsuki begin to walk toward the cafeteria, they found to their surprise a very long line of people waiting in tight and discipline formation. If they could count, it was about thirty of them before they turn to the next corridor.
"Umm, excuse me," Fuyutsuki begins to ask one of the people who were waiting in line, a man with black hair and wearing a NERV technician uniform. "Just what is going on here if I may ask?"
"Oh, Dr. Fuyustuki!" the man replied with a tone of surprise. "Um, word has it that there was some kid that managed to improve upon the rations of the cafeteria. He's basically become the talk of the entire base at this point, says that he's quite the good cook."
Fuyutsuki and Gendo begin to look at each other with bewilderment.
"Ikari...you don't think?" Fuyutuski said.
But Gendo Ikari simply walked towards the corridor and headed straight for the cafeteria, with Fuyutsuki not far behind. What they saw was a much livelier cafeteria where many of the NERV staff were thoroughly enjoying their meals with the brightest of smiles that you can think of. They continued to walk as the NERV staff who saw him automatically made way. From the corner of Gendo's left eye, he spotted Misato Katsuragi and Ritsuko Akagi also eating what appeared to be Furikake.
"Oh, commander, you've got to try this, this is amazing!" Misato said as she spotted Gendo and Fuyutsuki, waving at them with a smile from the table.
"I would...have to agree quite frankly," Ritsuko simply said with a smile, putting her right hand to her face and savoring the delicate taste.
But Gendo simply ignored the offer for now and focused on finding his son. "Where is the Third Child, you two?"
"He's over there," both women simply raised their fingers and pointed at the cashier.
To both men's surprise, they spotted Shinji Ikari, wearing chef attire accompanied by an apron, actively handing out a bowl of Furikake to a NERV employee while the latter was giving him the proper amount of money as payment. Shinji accepted it with a courteous smile.
Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki were confused as they didn't know what to make of this bizarre scene.
"Ikari...Do my eyes deceive me or do I see your son handing out food to our staff and actually appears to have experience in handling the transaction of money?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"I can see it just as clearly as you do, Fuyutuski," Gendo simply said, remaining cold. In actuality, he was more surprised than anything at this point but he didn't show it.
Insert Song: End
ED Song:
YU-NO (Anime) Ending Sub Español『Konomi Suzuki - Shinri no Kagami, Tsurugi no You ni』
New Characters:
Ritsuko Akagi - VA: Yuriko Yamaguchi
Doctor Katsuragi - VA: Shinji Ogawa
