Shinji's Decision
Part 5
By Jeff Mullier
Email: jmullier@idl.net.au
Copyright notice
Neon Genesis Evangelion and associated characters are copyright Gainax and associated companies.
Author Notes
Sorry for the delay in completing this part but I have been rather busy. This has also been a rather hard part to write.
I hope I haven't made any of the characters act wildly out of character. Also this fic contains spoilers. It takes place after episode 24 and ignores events in episodes 25,26 & the movies.
Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks to Greg Thomas, Tommy Rude and Phillip Penty for pre reading this part.
Thanks also to those people who emailed me asking when this part would be finished.
Further notes for version 2
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Shinji's Decision
Part Five - Unexpected consequences/ Memories
Gendo Ikari's office
Fuyutsuki races into Gendo's office, the sound of the
gunshot still echoing in his ears. He stops suddenly when he sees Gendo slumped
on the floor in a
'Kouzou
Gendo Rokubungi'
Once he has finished reading the letter Fuyutsuki shakes his head. "So you realised the error of your ways too late Ikari."
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Command Centre
An awkward silence has fallen over everyone in the command
centre once more, mainly due to the image of the remains of Unit 01's right
hand sticking out of the ground still being up on the main screen. Ritsuko
looks at the image on the main screen and then at the shocked members of the
bridge crew. 'I have to get everyone here busy; to get their minds off what
has happened today. So they just are not just sitting around here trying to
comprehend what Shinji has done...... Although no one here would ever guess the
full extent of what he actually stopped today.'
Maya is the first to answer, "Yes, Dr Akagi."
The rest of the bridge crew also soon get to work trying to reroute as many sensor circuits as possible from the command centre. Two hours later Maya reports to Ritsuko, "Doctor, we have as many sensors as possible back on line."
Ritsuko orders, "Commence sensor sweep."
Shigeru replies, "Commencing sweep, starting with districts 1 to 20."
Five minutes later, Makoto reports, "No abnormalities detected in districts 1 to 20."
Shigeru then enters some commands on his console and reports, "Commencing sweep of districts 21 to 40."
Almost immediately after the new sensor sweep has begun
Makoto notices a flashing message on his screen, 'No...... it couldn't be!'
Shigeru jumps into action and rapidly types at his keyboard and reports, "Signal confirmed! No problems found in detection systems. Attempting to pinpoint signal location now."
Ritsuko shakes her head after hearing this. 'Well at the very least we will have something to bury this time.' "Are we receiving any other data from the entry plug?"
Maya quickly double checks her readouts before answering, "Negative, all other circuits are still not responding."
Ritsuko looks up at the screen which still shows the image of the remains Unit 01's hand sticking out of the ground and shakes her head. 'If Shinji has survived this it will be a miracle. Or..... he had help..........'
Two minutes later Shigeru reports, "Signal location pinpointed, it is coming from the north eastern corner of district 34."
Ritsuko orders, "Dispatch the recovery and medical crews immediately."
Makoto is already doing this and after replacing the phone handset on the cradle he tells Ritsuko, "The crews have been notified. Their estimated time of arrival at the signal location should be in ten minutes."
Fifteen minutes later the phone on Makoto's desk rings and he answers it. His eyes widen in surprise after hearing what the person on the other end has told him. He quickly hangs the phone up and then informs the rest of the bridge crew and Doctor Akagi, "Report from the entry plug recovery crew. Shinji is alive!"
Upon hearing this the bridge crew all breathe a big sigh of relief. Some even start cheering. Ritsuko shakes her head in amazement upon hearing of Shinji's survival. 'I don't know how he did it this time. I better ring Misato and tell her the good news. Since they all left together, I would imagine that everyone else who would want to know is with her.'
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Gendo Ikari's Office
Fuyutsuki is sitting down at Gendo's desk using the computer
terminal. With a weary sigh he pushes the keyboard aside, bows his head
slightly and closes his eyes. He then pinches his nose while slowly shaking his
head. "Three prime ministers,
Fuyutsuki lifts his head back up an opens his eyes once more. He then presses the intercom button for the security men still waiting out in the foyer to the office and orders, "I need a medical crew with a stretcher and body bag sent to the commander's office as soon as possible, as well as a cleaning crew." He then releases the intercom button and stands up from the desk and picks up the letters and the framed photo. He then turns and has one last look at Gendo's body and shakes his head, "I would have never imagined that it would end like this Ikari." He then walks out of the office.
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Shinji's mind/ Entry plug of Unit 01
Shinji is floating unconscious in the LCL of the entry plug on Unit 01. His right arm is broken just below the elbow and his whole right arm is hanging at a strange angle due to his shoulder being badly broken. He is also bleeding from a deep gash to his head as well from a chest wound.
In Shinji's mind the image of an old train carriage appears, he is sitting on one side of the carriage. On the opposite side silhouetted by the bright light coming in through the window the seated figure of a adult female dressed in a white plug suit. In a caring voice she tells Shinji, "Farewell my son it is all over now. You have freed yourself, your friends and mankind from the burden associated with fighting the angels. There will be no more attacks after this."
The light behind the figure fades slightly which enables Shinji to make out who is sitting opposite him; to his amazement it is his mother, Yui Ikari. Puzzled by seeing what appears to be his mother Shinji asks, "Mother??? But how?"
Yui answers, "Do you remember now Shinji? That fateful day. You are right, your father also died that day, he was once a caring loving man, but after that day he changed."
"What do you mean mother, by that fateful day?"
"Shinji, you saw it happen. You saw Unit 01 claim me, it happened while you were watching."
Shinji looks at his mother with a puzzled look while he tries to understand what she is referring to. A few minutes later his face pales and a horrified look appears on his face as he realises what she is talking about, ".....Wha....." He then cries out, "Nooooooooo, I never wanted to remember that day."
FLASHBACK
2004 Hakone, Second Underground Experimental Installation
Unit 01 is standing restrained against the wall inside the test chamber; an access bridge surrounds the Evangelion at chin height. Protruding from the back of the Unit 01's neck is a entry plug with its access hatch open ready for the pilot to enter the plug. Several technicians are busily working preparing both the entry plug and Unit 01 for the activation test. Walking towards the entry plug is a female pilot dressed in a white plug suit, the pilot is Yui Ikari. High in one wall overlooking the test chamber are the windows of the chamber's command centre. In the command centre are several technicians seated at control terminals, Shinji is standing at a window looking at the large figure in the chamber and watching his mother walk towards it, he giggles and waves at his mother. Also in the room is Naoko Akagi who is standing behind Shinji, Gendo who is seated at a desk to the rear of the room, Kouzou Fuyutsuki standing near the technicians.
One of the technicians reports, "Destrudo experiment will begin in 5 minutes."
Hearing Shinji's cheerful giggle Fuyutsuki turns and notices Shinji standing at the window. He asks in an irritated tone, "What's a child doing in here?"
Naoko answers, "That's commander Ikari's son."
His irritation still showing Fuyutsuki tells Gendo, "Ikari, this isn't a daycare centre. This is a very important day."
After hearing Fuyutsuki's reaction to Shinji's presence, Yui's voice comes over the intercom from Unit 01, "I'm sorry, professor Fuyutsuki. I am the one who brought Shinji here."
Yui's apology calms Fuyutsuki down, but he still asks her, "But Yui, this is your experiment today."
Yui replies, "That's why I brought him. I want to show him how bright the future will be." She then waves at Shinji who waves back she then walks over and climbs into the entry plug, which is then lifted up and inserted into Unit 01.
Several technicians then start reporting the completion of the various stages in the start up procedure, "Entry plug inserted."
"Injecting LCL."
"LCL injection complete."
"All personnel have cleared the chamber, retracting access bridge."
The access bridge retracts away from the evangelion, leaving only the shoulder restraints. Once the restraints are fully retracted Gendo orders, "Begin activation."
Naoko then orders the technicians, "Commence the first stage connection."
"Data received."
"Pattern is green."
After hearing that the test is going to plan so far Naoko then orders, "Connect the main power supply to all circuits."
"Commencing power supply connection; beginning activation."
The team of technicians then continue reporting confirmation of the items on the checklist. Five minutes later a technician reports, "Power has been transmitted up to the brachial muscle in both arms. There are no problems with the nerve links."
Naoko then orders, "Prepare for the third stage connection."
"Third connection started."
"Self-psycho-graph, stable."
"Up to 2580 satisfied. Until the absolute borderline, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3...... " The technician is interrupted by the sound of the alarm klaxons blaring.
Frowning Fuyutsuki asks, "What's wrong?"
The technician answers, "Pilot's nerve-pulse is irregular."
Yui's screams can be heard over the intercom. As soon as he hears them Gendo stands up out of his chair and rests his hands on the desk and cries out, "Yui!"
Sensing something bad is happening a confused looking Shinji asks, "Mamma?"
One of the technicians yells out, "Mental contamination is taking place. The pulses are beginning to flow backwards!"
A shocked expression appears on Naoko's face as she yells, "Impossible! This can't happen at this plug depth!"
"No, it's not from the plug. The invasion's from Unit 01!"
Hearing this Naoko orders the technicians, "Stop the contacts. Break the circuits, numbers one to six."
"Negative. The signal is not being received!"
"Unit 01is out of control!"
Unit 01 breaks free of the shoulder restraints and holds it head in its hands and starts thrashing madly.
"Pilot's synchronisation ratio is 200% and still rising."
Hearing this Gendo immediately orders, "Abort the experiment. Shut off the power supply."
Naoko quickly replies, "Yes sir." She then turns to face the technicians and orders, "Cut the main power cable."
One of the technicians smashes a glass cover and throws a large switch which causes the umbilical cable to disconnect itself from the back of Unit 01 in a shower of sparks. The technician then reports, "Main power supply has been cut. Unit 01's power supply has been switched to standby mode."
"We have 45 seconds until complete standstill."
Unit 01 stops thrashing and starts bashing its head against the wall of the test chamber. Seeing this Naoko orders, "Deploy the bakelite suppression system." Bakelite then starts spraying from outlets on the walls of the test chamber onto Unit 01, whose actions are slowed as the bakelite starts to harden.
"Pilot's synchronisation ratio now 327% and still rising. Pilot's life signs are fluctuating."
Gendo turns towards Naoko and frantically orders, "Do something!"
Naoko coolly replies, "We have done all that we can."
Shinji who is still standing by the window anxiously cries, "Mamma?"
One of the technicians franticly reports, "Synchronisation ratio now at 437%! We are no longer receiving any life sign readings from the pilot."
"Unit 01, will shut down in 8 seconds, 7,6,5,4,3,2,1,0……Unit 01 has ceased activation."
Concerned for what may have happened to Yui, Gendo asks, "What is the status of the pilot?"
"We are still not receiving any life sign readings."
"Putting the entry plug video on screen now."
Everyone gasps as the screen shows only a plug suit floating in the LCL. Seeing this Gendo painfully cries out, "Yui! No.........."
END FLASHBACK
Shinji bows his head in anguish and between sobs he tells Yui, "Mother.......I ....I remember that day now. After that happened father went into a rage, he destroyed everything in the apartment. He sent me away to live with a teacher who was a distant friend of yours three days later, I very rarely saw him after that. Ever since then I have been alone and just going thorough the motions of living. It wasn't until I came to Tokyo 3 that I actually made some real friends. But even then father had to destroy that, by hurting Touji, Asuka and Rei, leaving me all alone once more......."
Yui tries to calm Shinji by telling him, "But Shinji, you have never been alone, every time you piloted Unit 01 I was with you. My soul was trapped in it on that day, I have never left Unit 01 since that day."
"
"Yes, you have. What do you think caused Unit 01 to go berserk when it did?"
Shinji's eyes widen in shock as he stammers out, "Tha.....tha....that was you?"
"Yes, it was."
"Mother.......but why ....why haven't you come back?"
"I am sorry Shinji, unfortunately I can never return from this state back to my physical one. Believe me if I could have I would have returned long ago. I have been trapped in Unit 01 since that day, but you have freed me from this prison."
"Wh...what do you mean mother?"
"Being trapped inside of Unit 01 these 11 years has been extremely infuriating to say the least. None more so than during the last year when you have been piloting it. I could hear and see you, sense your feelings and memories. Unfortunately other than during those few extreme cases when I made Unit 01 go berserk there was nothing I could do to help ease your pain."
"But why mother? Why were you Unit 01's test pilot?"
"You were the main reason that I decided to be Unit 01's test pilot, despite the dangers that I knew would be involved. You have also been the one thing that has kept me sane while I have been trapped in Unit 01 for all these years. I will show you something, you were there but you won't remember it as you were too young."
FLASHBACK
2003 - Hakone, on the banks of Lake Ashinoko
Yui and Fuyutsuki are standing under a tree; Yui is attending to a young Shinji who is sitting in a stroller.
Fuyutsuki turns to Yui and tells her, "According to the scenario in SEELE's secret Dead Sea scrolls, third impact will definitely occur in a little over ten years.
Yui replies in a sad tone, "SEELE and Gehirn, organisations for preventing the final tragedy."
"I support your intentions, not SEELE's."
Yui stands and frowns and looks at Fuyutsuki in horror, "Professor Fuyutsuki, it would be terribly dangerous to break that seal onto the world."
"I've given all the materials to Gendo. It's not something one can do alone. ........We won't repeat what happened last time. Oh, and I've also been given a warning, It seems that it would be no trouble at all for them to erase me."
Yui sadly adds, "And those who survived as well. It's easy to exterminate people."
"Still, that's no reason for you to become a test pilot."
"Everything happens as it must. That is why I am with SEELE, for Shinji's sake."
END FLASHBACK
Shinji then asks his mother, "So you become the test pilot for Unit 01 for me. But why?"
Yui replies, "I wanted the best future for you Shinji. Being a test pilot was the only way that I could have some form of control over what the Eva's ultimate purpose was. That is to take all of mankind to a higher level of existence. SEELE's reasons were a more selfish reason, they wanted to control this event for their own benefit. Their haste towards this, was the true cause of second impact. By appearing to go along with SEELE's plans both your father and I hoped to gain some form of control over this event and attempt to restore it to its true course."
Confused by what his mother is referring to Shinji asks her, "What do you mean about the true cause of second impact? It was caused by the first angel Adam attacking us wasn't it?"
"In a way it was, but its attack was provoked. Things that were best left alone were deliberately tampered with, for some people wanted second impact to happen. The sooner it occurred the better as far as they were concerned, no matter what the consequences."
Shinji's eyes widen in shock after hearing this. He then asks Yui, "…….You knew that second impact was going to happen?"
"Yes, and no. Second impact occurring was an important step of what we were working towards. We just never expected to happen when it did. Also never in our worst moments would have suspected just how devastating it would be. If I knew just how devastating it would be I would have never had anything to do with SEELE or Gehirn."
Shinji's expression of shock deepens after hearing this. "But how? ……What caused it then?"
"The purpose of the research team in Antarctica headed by Professor Katsuragi, was to study the first angel Adam, who had been laying dormant under the ice of Antarctica. But none of the scheduled tests that his team was carrying out were supposed to have any effect on the angel. But unknown to me the powerful head of SEELE, a man called Kihl Lorenz, ordered Professor Katsuragi to attempt to implant human DNA into Adam, as well as inserting the Lance of Longinus into the angel's body."
"Professor Katsuragi...... Misato's father, so he wasn't responsible for second impact?"
"No, he wasn't to blame. He was just another unsuspecting victim of what was going to happen next. Although Kihl Lorenz must have known that something catastrophic was going to happen as two days before he ordered your father to return to Japan with copies of all of the research team's records. Once the lance was inserted into the angel, the angel awoke and expanded its AT field, releasing large amounts of energy which then destroyed the research facility. The AT field then collapsed upon itself, returning the angel to an embryonic state. The collapse also released incredible amounts of energy that instantaneously melted the Antarctic ice cap, which is the actual event known as second impact. As for the research team, Misato was the only survivor who was at the site at the time of the experiment. She didn't see the cause of the angel's awakening, only the horrifying results. We only know what actually happened thanks to a video recording that somehow miraculously survived."
The tone of Shinji's voice hardens as he asks, "So father would have known what was going to happen?"
"No, when second impact occurred I honestly think that he was just as surprised as I was."
"I wish that I could believe you mother, but after all of the pain that he has put me and my friends through, I could never trust him again."
"I should have realised that you don't trust him."
Shinji angrily replies,
"But I know that you don't hold this against Rei."
Shinji calms down before replying, "No I don't, I soon realised that Rei is just another unsuspecting tool in father's plan. As you have probably sensed Rei was the reason I decided to pilot his monstrosity, this thing called Evangelion Unit 01, that first time against the third angel."
"Yes I did sense that your wish to stop your father having Rei pilot Unit 01 in her injured state was the reason that time. But you are wrong about who created the Evangelions, Shinji. Your father may be responsible for a lot of unpleasant things but he isn't responsible for the Evangelions."
Shinji's anger flares again as he asks, "Well, who was then?"
"While I wasn't responsible for the actual idea and reasons behind them, I was behind the actual creation of them. That is one of the other reasons that I was piloting Unit 01 when it absorbed me."
Shinji's anger at his father quickly turns into surprise after hearing this and with a stunned expression on his face he asks Yui, "You were responsible for the creation of these monsters!"
"Yes, I was. I was actually involved in Project E long before your father was. In fact I know that my involvement with it was the original reason that he started dating me."
Shinji sarcastically replies after hearing this, "Humph. That would be right, everything that he does has a reason, mostly to further his own agenda. He cares for no one but himself."
"You are wrong Shinji, despite what you think of your father he was once a caring man. Actually everything he has done since I was taken into Unit 01 has been to enable him and you to be reunited with me."
His voice still filled with sarcasm Shinji tells Yui, "I find that very hard to believe "
"I will show you something Shinji."
The image of a memory starts to form in Shinji's mind.
"Huh?
"Yes, it is."
FLASHBACK
Gendo is standing on the umbilical bridge in front of Unit 01's face, he is facing Unit 01 and talking to it. "I am afraid that there is not much time left for accomplishing our goal. However the Lance of Longinus that would have prevented us from reaching our goal is now gone forever. The last angel will soon appear and with its destruction our wishes shall be born soon Yui. Please have patience."
END FLASHBACK
Yui then tells Shinji, "Shinji, like I said everything that your father has done whilst unpleasant, was still in pursuit of the goal that both him and myself were working towards before I was absorbed into Unit 01."
With an angry edge to his voice Shinji asks Yui, "So why is this goal so important that it has to be obtained no matter what it costs?"
"Shinji, you must realise the alternative to your father's course of action would have been much worse. If mankind lost the war against the angels, all of mankind would have been annihilated in third impact. Winning the war against the angels wouldn't have ended the threat of a third impact either. There would have been SEELE's attempt at their twisted version of third impact. SEELE's third impact would have been a lot worse than your father's Shinji."
Yui's answer shocks Shinji, "……..You mean that there is more than one kind of third impact?"
"Yes, there is the version that could be caused by the angels, that would have meant the annihilation of mankind. Then there was the true version, this is the version your father and myself were working towards, which would have taken all of mankind equally to a higher level of consciousness. Then there is SEELE's third impact which would left mankind under the total control of 12 megalomaniacs whose purpose was to use third impact become gods."
"You mean that there are people who would deliberately start third impact just so they could have absolute power over those who remained?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Perhaps you can now see of what the consequences would have been if your father had failed in the pursuit of the goal that both him and myself had been working towards. This plus the fact that if he succeeded, he would be reunited with me, are the reasons why your father has acted so zealously towards obtaining this goal. While I don't agree with the way that he has acted his treated and used both you and other people as tools while he has pursued his aim of taking the human instrumentality project through to its true ultimate conclusion, I can see that in many cases he had no choice. You do believe me, don't you Shinji?"
"Yes I do, I think I can see why he has done what he has now. Father's actions while unpleasant were to prevent something even more horrible happening. But I don't know if I can ever fully forgive him for how he has treated me and my friends though."
"Good, that is at least a start.........Farewell my son." Yui then crosses the carriage and hugs Shinji
Shinji realises what is happening and desperately pleads, "Mother please don't go..........."
Yui gives Shinji a sad smile as she tells him, "I told you, I cannot return Shinji."
Shinji starts crying as he pleads, "Well let me come with you...."
Yui angrily replies, "No. I will not let you die, you have so much to live for now. You may not realise it but you have had a new family almost from the very first day you came to Tokyo 3."
Because of what Yui said the forceful why that she said it Shinji stops crying and asks her, "Huh? What exactly do you mean by that mother?"
"Misato treats you almost like you are her own son, she took you into her life and home. While Rei is not quite the Rei that you have known for most of the time that you have been in Tokyo 3, this Rei still cares for you in her own way. You did so much to help the other Rei open up to other people, doesn't this Rei deserve the same? And what do you think would be Asuka's reaction if you just gave up now and died?"
"…..I..........I..... never looked at the way they feel towards me in that way."
"I thought that they were the reason that you self destructed Unit 01 in the first place. To stop the angel and put an end to the war with the angels. I know that you weren't running away this time Shinji."
"Yes, you are right. They were the reason I destroyed Unit 01. And I wasn't running away, I have learnt that running away just brings more pain."
"I am glad that you realised that important fact Shinji. You have so much to live for now, now that the war with the angels is now over you now have the chance to live a normal happy life. So are you willing to continue living, and make the most of that chance?"
Shinji looks up at Yui and with a sad smile on his face he answers, "Yes, I am mother. And thank you."
Yui kisses Shinji and tells him, " I am glad to hear that. Goodbye Shinji, remember what I have told you.........." Yui's image then slowly fades from the carriage leaving Shinji sitting on his own.
".......goodbye mother. I will never forget you or what you told me."
The image of the carriage also slowly fades from Shinji's mind as he slowly begins to regain consciousness. As he slowly opens his eyes he sees the rather battered interior of Unit 01's entry plug and wearily says, "I am alive." He then becomes aware of a banging sound coming from outside the entry plug. The banging noise stops and the emergency hatch swings open revealing a member of the entry plug recovery crew. The recovery team crewman looks into the entry plug and upon seeing that Shinji is alive, turns and yells, "He is alive! Notify headquarters immediately." Before he can speak to the recovery team crewman, Shinji falls unconscious again.
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Japanese Prime Minister's Office - Tokyo 2
The prime minister is sitting down at his desk; seated opposite to him are the minister for the interior and the defence minister. The prime minister tells the two ministers, "I am sure that you are both aware of the sudden demise of several heads of state and prominent politicians and business leaders throughout the world."
The interior minister replies, "Yes, a rather unfortunate occurrence. At this stage it would appear that the only death in our country, was the chairman of Japan Heavy Industrial and Chemical Corporation."
The defence minister adds, "Intelligence suggests that although the deaths were carried out by several parties, it would appear that only one organisation is responsible for ordering them. So far who is actually behind these deaths is unknown. The link between the deaths is also unclear at this stage, due to the many countries and organisations involved."
The prime minister then tells the two ministers, "Well, I have just had a very interesting phone call with vice, ...no commander Fuyutsuki of Nerv, regarding today's events."
Confused by the title that the prime minister used for Fuyutsuki, the defence minister asks, "Commander Fuyutsuki? What has happened to Ikari? And how in the world does Nerv fit into this?"
The interior minister also is puzzled by this and asks, "Yes what is Ikari up to now?"
The prime minister replies, "Ikari was apparently behind the assassinations of all of the members of SEELE. Those worldwide leaders killed today were either members of SEELE or members of the human instrumentality committee."
The defence minister momentarily stares in surprise before asking the prime minister in a concerned tone of vice, "So how do we control Ikari now? If he has that much power? Anyway why was Fuyutsuki talking to you and not Ikari?"
The prime minister answers, "As we all know our experiments on the first angel had rather unfortunate results."
Hearing this the interior minister comments, "I knew that we should have destroyed it as soon as we had our hands on it."
The defence minister irately replies, "As I said at the time, it was in our best interests to study it. Anyway what's to say that by destroying it in the wrong manner would have been any better, remember this angel destroyed half of the human race in second impact."
The interior minister immediately snaps back, "All the more reason to have destroyed it immediately."
Having reached the limit of his patience with the two arguing ministers, the prime minister yells at them, "Stop it! I am not blaming anyone. The angel Adam has now been destroyed and with it the threat of third impact."
The interior minister asks, "So what actually happened?"
"From what information we have been able to gather it would appear that the experiments that our scientists were undertaking on the angel had the rather unfortunate effect of reviving the angel. The angel grew at an incredible rate destroying the research facility, it then started heading for the centre of what is left of Tokyo 3 and Nerv. And as you could imagine the sudden appearance of the first angel on the outskirts of Tokyo 3, threw Nerv into a little bit of a panic. But they recovered and eventually sent Evangelion Unit 01 out to fight it. But none of the available weapons had any luck so the pilot, who incidentally was Ikari's son, self destructed the Evangelion, destroying the angel and it would appear himself as a result."
"So by destroying Adam he has ended the threat of either SEELE or his father initiating third impact."
"Yes, he did, and not just the immediate threat of third impact happening. His method of destroying Adam apparently also ended all other known methods of initiating third impact. As it was possible to start third impact without using the first and second angels."
Puzzled by this news of another way of starting third impact, the defence minister asks, "What do you mean? All he did was blow Unit 01 to smithereens."
"As we all know Unit 01 is special due to it actually having a human soul trapped in it. That and other special features of which Fuyutsuki didn't elaborate on, made it a key to starting third impact without Adam or Lilith."
Stunned by this news the interior minister yells, "What!!!"
Shocked by this astonishing development, the defence minister asks, "How?"
The prime minister quickly answers the ministers' questions, "Apparently by attacking Unit 01 with the nine production series and by using something called the Lance of Longinus, SEELE could have started third impact even with Adam destroyed."
The defence minister then asks, "So Ikari's son, thanks to his sacrifice has put an end to all this madness. So what has been Ikari's reaction to all of this, other than eliminating SEELE?"
"Well, after ordering the killing of all the members of both SEELE and the human instrumentality committee and after receiving confirmation that his orders had been carried out, Ikari shot himself."
This totally unexpected news momentarily shocks both the defence and interior ministers into silence. Once he has recovered the interior minister asks, "............. He committed suicide!!!!....... Why?"
The prime minister replies, "He apparently left Fuyutsuki a note. From what Fuyutsuki told me, Ikari felt that had no reason left for living as all chances of being reunited with his wife had ended, as well as his son being killed in the explosion. Everything that he had been working towards since his wife's accident with Evangelion Unit 01 in 2004, came to a sudden end with his son's destruction of Unit 01."
After hearing this the interior minister simply says, "I see."
The defence minister then asks, "So what happens now?"
Prime Minister answers, "Kouzou Fuyutsuki is now the acting head of Nerv."
"Fuyutsuki, can we trust him?"
The interior minister answers, "I believe that we can."
The prime minister adds, "Yes, I believe that we should trust him."
The defence minister then asks, "Why do you believe that can we trust him now? Have you forgotten that he was Ikari's right hand man?"
The interior minister replies, "While he may have been Ikari's right hand man, self preservation was apparently his main reason for joining Gehirn originally. Apparently back in 2003 he had done some in depth research trying to uncover the truth of what was the true cause of second impact, as he had seen right through the meteorite story. But this search for the truth had uncovered too much of the truth for SEELE's liking, so at Ikari's suggestion they offered him a choice, join them or disappear."
The defence minister asks the interior minister, "Why did Ikari do that?"
"Apparently Ikari's wife, Yui Ikari was an student of Fuyutsuki's before second impact. She apparently had a soft spot for him."
"So Fuyutsuki would probably have known of Ikari's true reason for trying to initiate third impact?"
"It would appear that way. But after today's events I don't think we will have to worry about Fuyutsuki trying to find a way to start third impact. With both SEELE and Ikari gone as well as all known methods of starting third impact, I believe we have no reason to worry about him doing anything rash. Remember that his desire to uncover the crime of second impact is what got him involved with SEELE and Gehirn in the first place."
"Yes, I now see your point, we have no reason to fear Fuyutsuki. I suggest that we leave him in place until we decide what to do with Nerv and the remaining Evangelions. I would suggest keeping a extremely close eye on him though."
The prime minister nods after hearing the defence minister's suggestion, "Yes, that is what I was intending to do."
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Misato's Apartment
Misato, Kaji, Touji, Kensuke and Rei are sitting silently in the lounge room, everyone is lost in their thoughts of the events earlier today, Asuka and Hikari are still in Shinji's bedroom. Suddenly the phone ringing breaks the silence; Misato slowly walks over to the phone and picks it up, answering it in a tried voice, "Hello."
The other end quickly answers,
"I am asking those questions myself Misato."
"Ritsuko, I am glad that you are free, but can we talk later now is a rather bad time."
"Yes, I have seen what Shinji did earlier today. I have some news for you Misato."
Misato anxiously asks, "Well what is it?"
"We have found Unit 01's entry plug."
After hearing this Misato tenses up and sadly replies, ".......You mean what is left of it."
"No, it is remarkably intact considering. We think it may have been ejected moments before detonation."
"And............." Misato then looses her patience and angrily tells Ritsuko, "Just spit it out and tell me Ritsuko. I am not in the mood for games."
"Inside the plug we found Shinji badly hurt and unconscious but alive."
Misato drops the handset and screams, "ASUKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Hearing this Asuka comes running into the kitchen from Shinji's bedroom, Hikari is right behind her. Asuka yells out, her surprise and relief at hearing the news of Shinji's miraculous survival obvious by the expression on her face, "WHAT!!!!! How in the world did that baka survive that?"
Hikari smiles after hearing the news and seeing Asuka's reaction to it. 'So the two of you will get a chance to show your true feelings for each other. Don't mess it up this time either of you.'
Touji shakes his head in amazement after hearing the news. 'I don't know how you did it this time Shinji. We all thought you were a goner for sure.'
Surprised by this news Kensuke contemplates, 'From the size of the blast area that I saw, it is a miracle that you managed to survive this time Shinji.'
Unseen by everyone Rei gives a very small smile and whispers, "Shinji...."
Seeing everyone's reaction to the news Kaji contemplates, 'I
know of three ladies that will be very happy to see you again Shinji Ikari. How
you managed to survive that explosion Shinji, I have no idea. After that act of
bravery today and all that you have been through fighting the angels, you
deserved to have survived that blast. If you knew the full extent of what you
actually stopped today by that act, you would be extremely surprised. I will
have to have a talk with you in private about that and a few other things.'
Misato answers Asuka's question by telling her, "I don't know Asuka. But with Shinji and Unit 01 anything is possible."
Asuka then asks Misato,
"Well, I am going to the hospital and find out how Shinji is. Are you coming?"
A determined look appears on Asuka's face as she replies, "You try and stop me Misato."
Touji quickly tells Misato, "Count me in."
Kensuke promptly adds, "Same here."
Hikari also adds, "I am going with Asuka."
Rei quietly informs Misato, "I would wish to go as well major Katsuragi."
Kaji smiles at hearing this and says, "Well lets get going. I am sure that we can squeeze everyone into the car." He then walks up to Touji and starts to push his wheelchair towards the front door, Misato, Rei, Asuka, Hikari and Kensuke follow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Command centre
As Fuyutsuki walks into the room and he immediately notices
two things, the first is that the atmosphere in the room has improved
dramatically since he left. The second is that Ritsuko is standing in her lab
coat at her usual location giving orders to the bridge crew. 'What is she
doing here? Unless Ikari released her.'
Ritsuko turns around to face the voice, "Huh?" She then sees who is speaking to her, "Oh, good afternoon vice commander."
Fuyutsuki then asks her, "So what are you doing here?"
"Commander Ikari released me."
"Without any conditions?"
"No. I have been restored to my former position and I am free to go wherever I like. The only condition that I had to comply with before my release was that I watched a video that he had prepared."
"And what was on the video?"
"It was the Gehrin security video of this area at the time of my mother's death. I now know the full story of what actually happened that night."
"I see." 'What! I would imagine that you had your reasons
for showing her that video Ikari.'
'Ikari must have had good reason to let me see it then.'
Fuyutsuki sweeps his arm around and asks Ritsuko, "So why has the atmosphere in here changed and it not just because you are free is it?"
"No. We found Unit 01's entry plug."
'You mean what is left of it.' "And ............"
"Shinji was found injured but still alive inside."
'So at least one member of the Ikari family will survive this. I suppose after all that he has been through Shinji deserves to have another chance. I think that he had finally come to terms with his feelings for those around him, and not just his father either.' "So he must have ejected the entry plug right at the very last moment?"
"We are not sure of exactly what happened. I hope to find out more about what actually happened when Shinji awakens."
"Let me know if you find out anything doctor." 'I wounder if Yui had anything to do with his survival. I suspect that she did.'
"Yes sir." 'Now to find if I was correct about who was releasing that information.' "I heard that we had an unauthorised release of highly classified information earlier on. Did you find out who was releasing the classified files?"
"It was commander Ikari."
'So it was him, I wounder what his motive was?' "I suspected that as soon as I found out about it. So did he tell you why he released them?"
"Not directly."
Fuyutsuki's answer puzzles Ritsuko, so she asks, "What do you mean?" She then angrily adds, "Is he playing his little mind games again?"
Fuyutsuki shakes his head as he replies, "No he isn't. He left me a note telling me his motives for his actions though."
Fuyutsuki's reply puzzles Ritsuko so she asks him, "Why didn't he tell you in person? Has he disappeared?"
"No, he hasn't, in fact he is still in his office."
'Something has happened to him. Not that it really worries me what happens to him. That cold manipulative bastard deserves to rot in hell.' "So what is he doing now then?"
Fuyutsuki simply replies, "He is dead."
Ritsuko momentarily stares at Fuyutsuki in surprise before asking him, "Why? How?"
"He apparently ordered the deaths of all of the members of SEELE and the instrumentality committee, and after making sure that all of them were dead, he then shot himself."
Fuyutsuki's answer manages to shock Ritsuko even further, "Wha......all of them? They are all dead?"
"It would appear that way."
"Then it is finally all over then?"
"Yes, it is."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Nerv Hospital room 107
Shinji is laying in bed asleep with his right shoulder and
arm in a cast; both his head and chest are bandaged. On the left side of the
bed is Asuka sitting in a chair, she is tightly clutching his left hand,
standing behind Asuka is Hikari and Rei is standing beside Asuka. On the other
side of the bed is Touji seated in his wheelchair and standing behind him is
Kensuke. Sitting in a seat beside Touji is Misato, with Kaji standing up beside
her with his hand resting on the back of the chair. As he slowly awakens Shinji
becomes aware of his surroundings. The first thing that he notices is that
Once she sees that Shinji is awake Asuka yells at him in a concerned tone, "Shinji you baka! Why did you leave it to the very last second to eject Unit 01's entry plug? We all thought that you were still in Unit 01 and that you were killed in the explosion."
Partly due to Asuka's reaction and partly due to the difficulty he has believing it himself Shinji nervously replies, "I.....I didn't eject the entry plug."
Puzzled by Shinji's answer Asuka then asks, "Well, someone or something did."
Shinji hesitantly answers, "......Mother did..." Asuka, Misato and Kaji just nod upon hearing this, everyone else has a bewildered look on their faces. Seeing the lack of reaction on Asuka's, Misato's and Kaji's faces, Shinji then asks them, "You do believe me don't you?"
Asuka is the first to answer, "Yes. Misato told me the full story about what happened to your mother."
A stunned expression appears on Shinji's face as he stares
at Asuka and then Misato.
Shinji tells Misato, "Don't worry about it Misato, I have always known the truth about mother, I just never wanted to remember it. The memory was just too painful, so I buried the memory so deep that I forgot all about it. But while I was unconscious I remembered what actually happened to my mother." He then starts to cry as he continues, "..... I saw.... it happen........ All this time I was piloting the very thing that took her away from me......."
'So you have finally remembered the truth about your
mother and Unit 01.'
After hearing Shinji's answer Asuka realises, 'He did see it happen, so that means that the information that Misato obtained was right.'
Still crying Shinji continues between sobs, "And all of that
time she was..... still trapped inside of Unit 01. You may not believe me
because I know it sounds strange, but while I was unconscious I saw my mother.
She told me the truth about why she was Unit 01's
Misato sits quietly as she realises, 'So that was commander Ikari's true reason. It was originally to stop SEELE, but then become his way of being reunited with his wife.'
Hearing this Asuka comprehends, 'So Shinji's mother's soul has been in Unit 01 all that time. That means that mother's soul is probably still in Unit 02, I will have to try something if I ever get the chance to pilot it again.'
Shinji stops and composes himself before he continues, "She also told me the truth about second impact. Your father wasn't to blame Misato. Mother said that the head of an organisation called SEELE, a man called Kihl Lorenz ordered your father to carry out a unplanned and dangerous experiment on the angel, and this was the actual cause of second impact."
Misato is surprised by what Shinji has just told her, "Huh? ......." 'Father, so you were just another pawn in SEELE's game. You have certainly learnt a lot interesting information from your mother Shinji.'
Kaji realises that a certain person will not be happy with Shinji knowing all of this information, 'Mmm, the commander definitely isn't going to like his son knowing all of this information. This is something else that wouldn't have been in your scenario commander '
Shinji asks Misato and Kaji, "You do believe me don't you?"
Misato quickly answers, "Yes, I do. There is no other way that you could have known about SEELE and Kihl Lorenz."
Kaji nods and replies, "Yes, there is no other way you could have found out about the truth behind second impact. It took me several months of secretly accessing the most highly classified files in the MAGI to find out what provoked the first angel into causing second impact. Unfortunately despite several attempts I could never find out why that unplanned experiment took place."
Misato then asks Shinji, "If you don't mind me asking, what else did your mother say to you?"
Shinji replies, "She thanked me for freeing her from Unit 01. She also told me I had much to live for and that I should make the most of it."
'She must have sensed what he had done three days ago.' Misato then hesitantly asks Shinji, "So Shinji…. when you self destructed Unit 01, you weren't trying..... to um....."
"No, I wasn't. I have learned from that mistake."
Curious to his reason why he nearly killed himself by destroying Unit 01 Asuka asks him, "So why did you self destruct Unit 01 then? You gave all of us that big scare doing that Shinji. We all thought that you were dead."
"It was the only way I could stop it on my own. None of the weapons were having any effect and since at the time there was no one who could pilot Unit 02, I realised I had to stop it on my own no matter what. It was either that or let everyone I care about be destroyed in third impact. If I let that happen all of the pain that we have been through would have been for nothing."
Kaji then tells Shinji, "Yes it was a rather noble act Shinji, that would have to been on of the bravest things that anyone could have done."
Misato quickly adds, "Yes. Shinji, after doing that I never want to hear you calling yourself a wimp or a coward again."
Shinji blushes and tells them, "Err, thanks."
Asuka then tells Shinji, "Well I suppose that was a good enough reason." She frowns and gives Shinji a fierce look as she quickly adds, "But don't you ever give me a scare like that again, baka!"
"Gulp. I will try not to."
The fierce look on Asuka's face fades as she replies, "Good." 'Heh, that got the result I expected.' She then smiles at him and says, "Anyway I have something I have to give you Shinji. Perhaps this will show you how glad I am to see that you are still alive." Asuka promptly leans over and gives him a rather lengthy and passionate kiss. Everyone else looks on with a stunned look.
Shinji blushes bright red as this is happening, 'So she does care for me.'
Asuka finishes the kiss and grins at Shinji and asks him, "Well how was that Shinji?"
Shinji returns Asuka's smile as her answers, "Well it was better than last time."
A surprised look appears on Misato's face, she quickly recovers and asks Asuka and Shinji, "Last time?…….. Just when did you two kiss before?"
Touji stares at them stunned after hearing that they have kissed before. He blurts out, "What!! Why Shinji?" 'You never told us that you kissed the she devil Shinji.'
Kaji smiles after hearing that they had kissed before, 'We
will definitely have to have that talk in private Shinji.'
Hikari also smiles at her two friends, 'Finally! You did
it Asuka.
Kensuke frowns as he realises, 'Damn! Of all the times not to have my camera.'
Embarrassed by everyone's reaction to the kiss Shinji blushes and then answers Misato's question, "Well..... we kissed the night that you went out with Kaji and Ritsuko to the wedding. Asuka said that she was bored, so she kissed me to kill time, or at least that was her excuse at the time."
While not blushing Asuka does however have an embarrassed look on her face as she adds to the tale of when she kissed Shinji, "Yeah, that was my excuse at least. I wasn't quite sure of how I felt towards you then Shinji. I am sorry for the way I acted right after we kissed though."
After hearing when they kissed before Misato shakes her head and tells them, "I never would have guessed that's what happened between you two that night. I knew that something happened due to the way you two were acting towards each other for the next two days."
Wondering what Misato is referring to, Shinji asks her, "Huh? What do you mean Misato?"
Curious to find out what Misato means,
"The next day your sync ratio beat Asuka's, Shinji. You avoided her for the rest of the day, at the time I thought it was because you were trying to avoid her wrath due to your beating her synchro rate. Don't you remember what happened during the attack of the twelfth angel the following day? She goaded you into taking point in the attack against the angel. You responded and took up her challenge and we all know what happened next."
The expression on Shinji's face darkens as he replies, "How could I forget what happened? Everything started to go horribly wrong from that day onwards."
"But it is all over now, thanks to what you did today."
Shinji's expression relaxes slightly as he replies, "I most certainly hope so Misato."
But before Misato can reply, her mobile phone starts to ring. She digs the phone out of her jacket pocket and answers it. "Hello. Yes sir. I will be there in fifteen minutes. Bye." 'What's so urgent that he needs to see me right away? And why the vice commander in his office? What's wrong with commander Ikari?' She then turns back to face Shinji and she tells him, "Shinji, I have to leave you for a while, the vice commander has asked me to see him in his office right away."
"Don't worry about me Misato. I will be fine."
Misato smiles at Shinji and then gets up out of the chair she was sitting in and walks out of the room heading for vice commander Fuyutsuki's office.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Kouzou Fuyutsuki's Office
Fuyutsuki is seated at his desk studying some paperwork; the letter to Misato from Gendo is on the desk as well as the framed photo from Gendo's office. Fuyutsuki looks up when he hears a knock at the door. It is Misato, who asks, "You wished to see me sir?"
Fuyutsuki wearily replies, "Yes. Come in major and sit down."
Misato then enters Fuyutsuki's office and shuts the door behind her, she walks over and sits in a chair opposite to Fuyutsuki. 'What has happened to cause the vice commander to act like this? Something else really serious must have happened for him to be acting like this. But what could it be? Could it be about that release of information earlier on?' "What did you wish to see me for sir?"
"There have been some rather unexpected developments due to today's events."
Fuyutsuki's answer puzzles Misato so she carefully asks him, "Sir? I know that the circumstances of Shinji's survival are a little mysterious. I don't know how to explain it but Shinji said that his mother was responsible for ejecting the entry plug at the last moment."
'So Yui did have a part in his survival as I knew she would.' Fuyutsuki shakes his head as he replies, "No, it's not that, I fully expected once I heard that Shinji had survived to find out that Yui Ikari was the cause of his survival."
'Well that startling fact didn't effect him the slightest; in fact he was expecting it. Just what in the world has happened?' "Well, what were these unexpected developments then?"
"Commander Ikari did some rather interesting things after Shinji self destructed Unit 01."
'So it was the commander behind the release of that classified information regarding second impact.' "So what did he do then?"
"You would have heard about the release of the information to the public regarding the actual cause of second impact and SEELE's part in that and of their ultimate plans. The commander was behind that."
"We gathered that he was behind it. But what would he gain by making that information public?"
"He wanted to throw both SEELE and the instrumentality committee into disarray so to buy himself some time. Once he was ready he apparently then ordered the assassination of all of the members of both SEELE and the instrumentality committee. When he had received word that this had been carried out he then shot himself."
Misato stares at Fuyutsuki in shock for several moments before asking him, "All of them! The commander then killed himself! Why?"
"I suspect that it was because that he had lost everything that he had spent the last 16 years working towards, as well as his wife and son. He did leave this for you, however." He then hands over the letter that Gendo wrote for Misato.
Misato takes the letter from Fuyutsuki and thanks him. 'Why in the world would he write me a letter?' She rips open the envelope and begins to read the letter contained inside.
'Major Katsuragi,
Gendo Rokubungi'
After finishing the letter Misato tries to comprehend what
commander Ikari has said in his letter, 'I knew that you were manipulative
bastard commander, but not to that extent. What! .....He knew of my digging
through the files...... just when would he have acted against me? Probably when
he had no further use for me, like he did with Kaji. As for Rei...... that
explains a lot of things, mainly why he was always so protective of her.'
Fuyutsuki replies, "That was his unmarried name, the Ikari surname is actually Yui's. He has asked to be buried with that name. He felt that after his actions that he didn't deserve Yui's surname."
"....So at the end he regretted his actions, due to what they had cost him?"
"Yes. There is something else that I found on the commander's desk, I think that he would have wished Shinji to have it." He then hands Misato the framed photo of Gendo, Yui and Shinji. "I am surprised that he kept this, he always told me that he destroyed all reminders of his life before Yui's 'accident'."
Misato carefully takes the photo from Fuyutsuki and studies it. After studying it for a few minutes she shakes her head in amazement and comments, "They actually look like a normal happy family. Shinji looks so happy, I have never seen him look so happy."
"Yes, it's hard to believe but they were such a happy family. But after Unit 01 absorbed Yui, the commander changed totally. He trashed his apartment later that day destroying all reminders of Yui, and three days later he sent Shinji away to live with a teacher who was a distant relative of Yui's."
"And the two of them have never lived together since?"
"No, they haven't. Gendo tried about three years ago when the two of them visited Yui's grave. But Shinji ran away from his father. Shinji was Yui's main reason for becoming a test pilot. At times I have wondered if she would have made that decision if she could have seen what effect the consequences of that decision would actually have on Shinji."
Misato sadly comments, "The Ikari family have definitely been cursed by their association with the Evangelions."
His voice tinged with regret Fuyutsuki answers, "Yes, that unfortunately is the case."
An awkward silence falls for a moment, before Misato asks Fuyutsuki, "So who is in charge of Nerv now?"
Fuyutsuki gives a grin as he answers, "I am, colonel Katsuragi."
Misato stares at Fuyutsuki in shock after hearing what he called her. She quickly recovers enough to ask him, "Colonel?????? What do you mean by that?"
"You just got promoted, you are now the deputy head of Nerv."
" .............thanks." 'I think.......'
"Anyway that is enough for now. I will let you get back to visiting Shinji in hospital. I would like to see both you and agent Kaji tomorrow at 13:00 hours. By then I hopefully will have made some sense of our options are in regards to what exactly is Nerv's purpose now that there is no apparent way of anyone starting third impact."
"Yes sir, I will see you tomorrow at 13:00 hours." 'Why does he want to see both me and Kaji for?' She gets up and leaves the office taking both the letter from Gendo and the photo that Fuyutsuki gave her with her.
************************************************
Well that's it for part 5.
Again any comments etc appreciated.
Stay tuned for Part 6 – Repercussions/ Tying Up Loose Ends