Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is copyright and trademarked by Gainax. All characters created by them are used here without permission, and for entertainment purposes only. I don't mean to infringe, only to entertain. Please don't sue my poor ass.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Seraphim
by the Loneshark
Chapter 2: Corpse
Shinji awoke with a gasp. It was more than a moment before his senses finally stopped, and told him where he was. The dream still made his head slightly dizzy. He hated it when his dreams got that weird. It felt like everything was spinning out of control, but in his dream he enjoyed it. It was when he woke up that it stopped, as sudden as a car crash, and he was left to catch his breath.
But looking back on the dream, he didn't like it. There was no freedom in the chaos. He could only go with it. He was just one more bubble in a stream, being carried, battered around, and tossed, until he popped. He liked it better when he was free to make his own choices, in a world where he could decide how he'd live, whether it brought him pain or joy.
He looked around his room, making sure it was intact. Everything was where it should be; although Misato was the only person he knew who didn't condemn it as a mess. Asuka was lying next to him, snoring. She could sleep through anything. He wondered if she could sleep through an Angel attack.
His head fell back against the pillow. Good god, he'd changed. All things considered, four years had been a lifetime. He'd been a different kind of person, then. He had been afraid of making his own choices. That part never got easier, he knew, but at least now he didn't run from them.
He reached over, and kissed Asuka on the cheek. "Asuka... come on, wake up."
She rolled over, and snored at him.
He gently shook her. "I said wake up. Now come out of the coma, and get up."
She mumbled, and slowly opened her eyes. "Hm? What the hell are you...?"
He stood, and reached for a pair of pants. "Time to get up. Misato wants us in early for new synch tests, remember?"
She reached for the clock, and then threw it at him. "It's too early. I won't have time for a shower."
"You can take a bath tonight. Now get up!" He pulled the blanket off of her, and left before she found something else to throw. Touji was already awake, watching the morning news. He looked over as Shinji entered the living room.
"Why the hell do we have to be in so early, anyway? It's hard enough waking up at nine, but six?" He stretched.
"Probably because she wants us to be there to meet the new supervisor the UN is sending over."
"Great. Just when we were finally being trusted to handle things on our own. Why can't anything remain normal for just a little while?"
"I guess four years were just too long." He went back into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He was soon ready to go, and joined Touji on the couch while they waited for Asuka.
Kensuke emerged before her, scratching his hair. He looked at them, mumbling through his half-sleep. "Hm? What's up?"
"Have to go in early. If the world doesn't end again, we'll probably be back this afternoon."
"The world will end before Asuka gets herself moving," Touji said. He leaned over, and shouted down the hall. "Hey, Frau Lucifer! Move it!" Asuka responded with a stream of German. "What's that mean?"
Kensuke winced. "Something that makes me wish I'd never taken high school German. Shinji, you know they might well kill each other, some day?"
He nodded. "Yeah, but what can I do? Touji only listens to Hikari, and Asuka doesn't listen to anyone."
Touji turned on him. "What is that crap? Stand up to her; be a man!"
"I'd prefer to be a man while still keeping my girlfriend, thank you. And anyway, that's a pretty bold statement coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Touji," Kensuke said, "You're whipped. Face it. You have no power against the female sex, and you'll probably end up married before you're twenty-five."
Touji grumbled. "Feh. What would you two know, anyway?"
***
They still only had facilities to perform the synch tests three at a time. Misato had continually hammered at the UN for enough money to fix this problem, but as it stood, they deemed NERV's facilities adequate, without need for an increased budget.
This is why Shinji stood beside her in the test control room, watching the tubes where the other three pilots sat. His test would be done last, wasting more time that could be saved if they only had a little more money.
Misato shook her head, and tried not to think about it. "How's Rei doing?"
Yoshi looked up, "Average for her usual ratio. They're all a little tired, so it fluctuates when she starts to drift off. Asuka's holding pretty steady for now. She hasn't gone up in a few weeks."
"She didn't hear that, did she?"
"No, don't worry. I have the mic turned off. I'll just tell her it went up a couple of points. That'll keep her happy."
"No, better just be honest with her. I'll tell her."
"You're a braver person than I am," Shinji said. "How's Touji?"
"He's gone up. Impressive for someone who was impaled the last time he stepped into an Eva. He seems pretty comfortable so far. I don't think there's anything to worry about."
Misato smiled at Shinji. He glanced at her. "Um... what?"
"Nothing important. It's just nice to see how much you care about your friends."
He shook his head. "When did you start to grow a sentimental side?"
"I guess it's because I'm getting old."
"Senile is more like it," Asuka's voice said through the com system. "Maybe my readings would change if you'd service the equipment a little more often! I'm double checking those readings when I get out of here."
"I thought you said that the com system was off?"
"Umm, sorry." Yoshi looked back at the readings. "Well, now that she's angry, her ratings are going up."
"Someone tell me how that's a good sign?"
The door opened, and everyone turned. The man who stepped through was tall, with a lean build. His hair was slicked back, adding to his professional appearance. He smiled confidently at Misato.
"Commander Katsuragi, I was told I could find you here." His smile didn't fade, even though he could see the tension in her movements, the way her arms shifted so that she could draw the gun under her jacket before he took another step. She looked him in the face, not caring about the I.D. badge on his chest.
"And you would be?"
"I'm sorry, it's a tad rude of me to show up so suddenly, isn't it? Osamu Kitari," he said, extending his hand. "I'm the new supervisor. You did remember I was coming today, right?"
She shook his hand. "Sorry, it's just that you're a few hours early. We didn't expect you for some time."
"Yes, I apologize for that. A meeting was canceled, so I decided to come over right away. This is the first time I've been here. It's impressive, to say the least." He looked out into the testing chamber, and then his gaze quickly took in the room. He settled on Shinji. "And you're Shinji Ikari, right?"
Shinji nodded. "Yes. Pleased to meet you." He didn't take Osamu's extended hand.
"Err, yes. You're just as you were described. It's not everyday I meet one of humanity's last saviors."
Yoshi leaned over the com. "All right, guys, time's up. You can come out, now. And come straight here. We've got a guest."
"Thanks, Yoshi." Misato turned to Osamu. "Well, at least you made sure we know you're here, Mr. Kitari. I was planning on making my little announcement when you got here. I hope you're settled in okay?"
"Well, it's been a little difficult, with reconstruction on parts of the city from last week's attack, but--"
"Great. Shinji, hold up a minute. I want you to be here for this." Shinji stopped before he reached the door, and stepped back. She turned back to Osamu. "Well, I was reluctant to agree with the UN's request that a supervisor be allowed. We have enough trouble with security as it is. Maybe seeing Angels up close will finally convince you people that we need a bigger budget."
He laughed. "I know how you feel. Don't worry, though, I'm just here as an observer, more an over paid diplomat, than anything." He stood relaxed, smiling at her.
Shinji wished she would let him get in the tube, already. Even four hours of sitting in LCL fluid was better than being near this guy. It was just the way his eyes looked. He couldn't be sure, but he almost swore that when the light hit Osamu's eyes just right, they changed from brown to yellow.
The others walked in after a few nervous minutes. No one said anything, and Shinji avoided eye contact with Osamu. Misato looked over the new synch ratios, not paying much attention. She looked up when Asuka, Rei, and Touji entered.
"What is it, Misato? I've got fluid seeping down the back of my suit, and I really need a shower. Please tell me this is worth it."
"Relax, Asuka. I just wanted to introduce you all to the new UN observer, Mr. Osamu Kitari."
Osamu shook each of their hands in turn. "Hello. I have to say that I'm very excited to be here. The four of you have no idea how famous you are among international circles. After all, you've been fighting against these monsters since you were children."
"Um, well, thank you." Touji scratched the back of his head.
Asuka nudged him. "Relax, Stooge. Sorry, Mr. Kitari, but some of us don't know how to gracefully accept flattery."
"Hm, yes. Well, you are just doing what you have to do. No one forced you to."
Shinji could feel the man's eyes glance at him, piercing straight through him. "Misato, if we're done here, I'm going to go get my suit on."
She held up her hand. "I said wait a minute. I haven't said why I really called all of you in here. I've been giving it a lot of thought. I haven't assigned a commander of operations under me, and I know you guys like it that way, but there has to be someone I trust who can take charge in case I'm... not able to."
They were silent, except for Asuka. "Misato, what are you talking about? You've chosen a second in command, or something? Why didn't you tell us about this before?"
"Because I knew you'd have something to say about it, whether I wanted to hear it, or not." She winked. "Right?" Asuka crossed her arms, waiting. "I've decided to give the rank of lieutenant and co-commander of operations to Shinji."
The pilots collectively gasped, especially Shinji. "But... but... Mi-Misato, I've... That is, I don't see how..."
"I think what he wants to say," Rei said, "is why him?"
"Yeah! And why not me or Rei?" Asuka demanded.
Misato sighed. She could handle Shinji's expected bafflement, but she feared Asuka getting upset more. "It's a bit more complicated, I know, but you can handle it, Shinji. I know you can. Asuka is the better strategist, but you come through when it's needed. It's about time you got some recognition for it, don't you think? I think the words you're looking for are 'thank you'."
"Well, yes, thank you, it's just..." Shinji stopped to breathe. He hadn't expected this, to say the least. "Why, Misato? Rei and Asuka have been pilots as long as I have."
"Hey, relax, Shinji!" Touji clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're getting promoted. At least be happy about it."
Misato smiled. "We can talk about it later, I promise. Go get in the cockpit so we can get out of here."
They left quietly, but she could hear them further down the hall after a few seconds. Her job never got any easier.
Osamu chuckled. "Well, I can see that you take things seriously around here."
"Oh, yeah," Yoshi said. "They're always like that. Making up for the youth they lost, I guess."
"I will, of course, let my superiors know about this change in your chain of command."
Misato nodded. "That's your job. I'll have a copy of the orders sent to your new office by this afternoon."
Osamu began to speak, but was cut off by a beeping in his pocket. He pulled out his cell phone, and opened it. "Kitari. Yes? Hold on. I'll get back to you in a minute." He placed it in his pocket. "I have to take this in private. My new office would be...?"
"In the main HQ upstairs. It's just down the hall from mine. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding it."
He smiled. "Thank you, Commander. It's been a pleasure to meet you and your young pilots." He quickly left the room, a still calm remaining behind.
***
"Can she really do this?" Shinji was still dumbfounded four hours later, as he sat eating lunch. Yoshi accompanied them, mainly because he wanted to talk about the plans for the Evas. Shinji didn't seem to be paying much attention to that, of course.
"Well, she is the commander. The whole 'total authority' thing does lend some precedence."
"But, she's always there. Misato's nearly centered her life around making up for what Gendo did to NERV, and us, and the Evas."
"That's why she chose you," Rei stated.
Shinji sighed, and ate his curry.
"Look, Shinji, if you don't think you can handle it, just say so," Asuka said.
"I never said I can't handle it!"
"Then shut up and eat. We can talk about something else, already."
Touji leaned over at her. "What's wrong, Asuka? Jealous?"
She gritted her teeth. "One more taunt out of you and--"
"Okay, okay! Damn it, do you two really have to fight all the time?" Yoshi held the two of them apart. "Asuka, please put your fork down. Or at least don't hold it like a weapon."
Asuka relented, leaning back in her chair. "Anyway, I'm not jealous. So you're promoted. So what? It's not like we listen to you now, after all."
"Thanks for your love and support," Shinji muttered.
"Wimp." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her smile.
"Dr. Iwano," Rei said to Yoshi, "How goes your research on upgrading the Evas?"
"Well, because of Misato's problems with the budget, we haven't had much success with the Evas, directly. Building the initial units was a process that took years of experimentation and research. We've got a new weapon almost ready for the test stages, but we're not sure what effect it will have."
"I still don't get it," Touji said. "Why do it at all? Our Evas are strong enough now. Hell, Misato told me one time that four Evas together are nearly unbeatable."
"Well, it's more of a question of credibility, really. The UN expects us to come up with something, for all the money they give us. Even if they are cheap about it. You've heard it before. They want to keep us around because they're afraid of what we'd do without them."
"No appreciation if we're not risking our lives," Asuka muttered.
Yoshi continued, "The real problem is the nature of the Evas themselves. They're not simply organic constructs, bio-weapons, or anything else that we knew before the Angels. They're living creatures, something that requires a completely new kind of technology."
"Yeah, we've heard that before, too. We pilot the things, remember?" Asuka looked at her food, suddenly losing interest in it. "It's not like piloting a plane, or something. We're connected to them." A hand went to her throat. "We feel the same pain they feel. Like Rei says, it's a bond. Not many people know what it's like to have your head cut off."
"Or be blown up," Rei added.
"This is why I hate talking about it outside of HQ," Touji said. "It makes you two all moody."
Shinji finally asked, "What were you talking about when you said you've got a new weapon? I haven't heard anything."
Yoshi smiled, "Well, I wanted it to be a little bit of a surprise. In theory, it works just like your sonic knife; only it's lengthened to get more power through the blade. We have a prototype ready for Unit 01, but I'm not sure about just--"
"How much longer than the knife is it?"
"Well, it's the Eva equivalent of a sword, really. And even then, you'd still need two hands to properly hold it."
Shinji struggled to keep his rice in his mouth. "A sword? You're kidding me?"
"Heh, well, like I said, it's still being built. I'll need you to go through some test sessions with it in a few weeks."
"Does the UN know about the new weapon?" Rei spoke without looking at anyone. "Or do you want to keep it from them, for now?"
Yoshi looked at her, and smiled to himself. The girl seemed to have a natural ability for being able to notice when you needed a secret kept. It was like some sixth sense that she had developed. "Well, it may be best not to mention it to our new friend, Mr. Kitari, until we have a working prototype."
"Geez," Asuka said, "First Shinji gets promoted, now you're making swords."
"Yeah," Touji said, "It's like we're being pulled into my anime collection, or something."
Rei thought for a moment. "No. There are no tentacles."
"I didn't mean that collection!"
The others laughed at his expense. Touji sulked, and ate his lunch.
"Oh, get over it," Asuka said. "We know you're a pervert. So, to change the subject before it goes too far, who's paying for lunch?" No one was in a hurry to volunteer. She turned to Shinji, willing her eyes to double in size. "Shinji, would you please pay for lunch?"
He looked at her, realizing too late what he'd fallen into, and sighed again. "You have no conscience, you know that?"
She smiled, triumphant. "Well, it's the least you could do for your girlfriend." She leaned over and kissed him. "And there's a 'thank you', just so you don't complain later."
Touji glanced up from his sulking. "How cute. Satan in love." He yelped as Asuka kicked his shin. "Why... are you... so evil?"
Yoshi looked over at Shinji. "Have they always been like this?"
"No, they've gotten better. Really. At least, that's what I keep telling myself."
He nodded. "Well, it's been nice, but I've got to get back. Here's my part of the check." He tossed some bills on the table, and stood to leave.
Touji followed after him. "I've got to go, too. I really don't know why I even bother trying to go to university when I've got piloting to worry about."
"Because Hikari suckered you into it," Asuka suggested.
"Oh, yeah. See you guys later."
Asuka frowned at him as he left. "Jerk didn't even leave his share of the check."
"I thought I was paying, anyway?"
"Well, I only meant my part, really. Thanks for that." He smiled a little. "What is it?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that a couple of years ago you would be upset with me right now for getting promoted."
"She would say she hated you," Rei said.
Asuka frowned at them. "Why the hell do you have to bring that up, dumkopf? I was just a child. I thought I was mature. We're all wrong at some point, right?"
"Sorry. I've been thinking about back then too much, today." There was a brief moment of silence, and then he noticed that Rei seemed distracted by something. "Rei? What's wrong?"
She blinked, coming out of her daze. "Hm? Nothing. Excuse me." She stood, and walked toward the bathroom.
Asuka leaned back, and looked out the window. "We've been sitting in here for too long. It's... odd when we don't have anything to do, you know?"
"Yeah, and you're dangerous when you get bored." He kept looking towards Rei's direction. Asuka leveled her eyes at him, and then gave in.
"All right, what is it?" He blinked, not really hearing her. She took his face in her hand, and turned him around to look at her. "Shinji, what are you worrying about now?"
He pulled her hand off. "It's nothing. Just... what did you think of Kitari?"
She shrugged. "Just another diplomat and amateur spy. It's not like we haven't seen them before." She grinned. "Why? Would you be jealous if I said he was handsome?"
"Cut it out. You know I don't get jealous easily."
"Fine." She knew it was useless. Shinji was not the boy he had been. He didn't let things bother him so much, mostly because he'd grown confident in his own worth. That, and he'd learn how to play Asuka's own games back at her, which didn't make them fun anymore.
"He was just a guy. A little overly friendly. Probably felt ignored as a child. Why?"
"He just... gave me a weird feeling. I didn't like the way he watched us. It felt like I was under a microscope."
"You worry too much. And it's never about something that I can tell you to just be quiet about. I suppose now you're going to say that you're worried about Rei."
"No. Are you?"
She didn't answer right away. After a moment, she said, "No. I was thinking of something else."
"And you're not going to tell me, are you?"
"Nope."
***
Misato came home to a quiet apartment. It was the same scene it had been for five months, ever since Shinji and Asuka moved out. Pen Pen was the only one there to greet her. He waddled out of his fridge, and looked up at her expectantly. She sighed, and placed the plastic bag on the counter.
"Yeah, yeah. I've got dinner, don't worry. You know, you could learn to cook for yourself once in a while. You do nearly everything else."
He squawked at her.
"Yeah, I know. I miss them, too. But, it's not like I could be their guardian forever. I tried, remember?" Who was she kidding? She was still trying. That was part of why she'd given Shinji a promotion. She was trying to help them get along without her, and trying to act as a surrogate parent.
Were human beings really supposed to be this complicated?
She opened a beer, and tossed the ramen cups into the microwave. She fished through the bag for the instant curry when the doorbell rang. It had started to rain. Through the peephole she could recognize Touji's bulky jacket and shoulders, already beginning to soak.
She opened the door. "Touji? What's going on?"
He didn't look directly at her when he spoke. His expression seemed distant, even when he lifted his head. "Hey, Misato. You... mind if I... I mean, can we talk?"
"Sure. Come on, get in before you're all wet." She ushered him in, and shut the door. She went back to the kitchen, and called, "You hungry? All I've got's junk food, but it's better than my real cooking."
"Um, sure." He walked in, looking around. He hadn't really been here since Shinji moved out. It was worse than he'd remembered it. A pile of instant microwave refuse in the corner looked to be harboring life. The beer cans and bottles had been set up in a ring around the kitchen, and it seemed to form a shrine in the living room. Even Touji had to admit, this had to be unhealthy.
"Sit down. I'll have it ready in a minute. You want a beer?"
"Isn't that illegal?" He sat down as she placed two cans on the table. He opened one.
"You guys don't complain about the stash I put in the back of your fridge." After a few quiet minutes, she came back with three cups of ramen noodles. She set one down in front of Pen Pen, and then handed the second to Touji. She sat down across from him, already slurping the substance. Touji looked at it, and then slowly began to eat.
"So, why'd you come all the way out here? Can't be just to keep me company?" Misato summoned all of the tact she possessed, which equated the tact of an industrial sledgehammer.
Thankfully, Touji laughed. "I kinda find it hard to believe that you'd get lonely. I mean... hell, you're the woman Kensuke and I fantasized about when we were kids. And you see us nearly everyday. You know more than anyone what we've gone through. You're one of the few people who chooses to care about what we do for this planet."
Misato put her noodles aside. "What's wrong, Touji? Why come to me?"
"It's... just not something Hikari would know about. She tries to understand, but... it's not the same as knowing."
"So this is about the Angel?" He nodded. "What about Shinji? Why don't you talk to him?"
"You know how he gets about this sort of thing. I've told him a million times I don't blame him. I never did. I wanted out of that thing. It was... like being in a nightmare. When I saw that Angel come out of the ground, for a moment I thought it was happening all over again. I could hear it, when it was hurt, screaming. It was hate. I felt its hate for us, but I didn't know why." He paused only to take a drink, and slow himself. "That's all I can really remember about being inside the one that took my Eva. I thought I'd forgotten it completely. But it all came back up, just like that Angel. I've never seen one that close before. Except for that one time, when Kensuke and I were in Unit 01."
"It's all right to be afraid, Touji. I feel it every time I have to send you guys out."
He shook his head. "That's... not it, Misato. I'm not afraid of piloting. You know, I didn't want to, when I was first chosen. I'd seen how much it hurt to pilot one by watching Shinji. I wasn't afraid of the pain. I was afraid of hurting someone, like my sister. And then I had to sit there and watch while that Angel hurt Asuka and Rei. That's why I agreed when you asked me to join again, after the Impact. All the Angels do is hate and kill. It hurts to pilot an Eva, but it's better than what those things do."
"And when I saw it, it all just came back. They are alive, Misato. Whatever the Angels are, they are alive. That one we fought... did it seem odd, to you? Like it wasn't... working right?"
Misato thought about it. "All the Angels seem different to me, Touji. No two have ever looked the same. But you're right. There was something different about the one we fought. It was like it hadn't learned how to use its body. It didn't really know what it should do."
"There's something else. I didn't put it in my report, because I didn't really... I wasn't completely sure it happened. But when it looked at Rei, it..." He paused, still unsure if he believed it himself. "It smiled at her, Misato. Whatever those things are, they understand what we are. I think that may be why they hate us, too."
"Do you want something else? I've got liquor."
They both smiled a little, and Touji shook his head. "No, Misato. Thanks, though, for listening to me."
She nodded. "I'm sorry, Touji. I never meant for you to be hurt."
"I know that. Shinji tells me the same thing all the time. It's not your fault, though. Or his. It's just something that happened. It's just something I'll live with. Hopefully it's something that will die when I kill that last one."
"I hope it does. You want to know something, Touji? I never told any of you this. Not even Shinji. Asuka suspects it, but she's never asked. I saw the first Angel, when it caused the Second Impact. I was right there, in front of it. It rose up out of the ice, screaming. It killed my father. I spent the rest of my life trying to take revenge for that. When the Third Impact happened, I thought it was over, too. We all did. I know exactly what you felt when you saw that Angel wake up."
Touji stared at her in disbelief. After a long moment, he grabbed his beer, and chugged the rest of it. "I guess... well... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up..."
"No, it's all right. I've tried to make up for all that. That's why I work so hard, I guess. I'm trying to make up for everything I put you guys through."
Touji looked at his beer, then up at Misato, and grinned. "I guess we're just a couple of sad drunks, then?"
She smiled back. "Yeah. I guess we are. Does Hikari know you're here?"
He nodded. "I told her it was an emergency, something about Eva. I didn't lie to her. She's a great person. She really tries to be a friend to both me and Asuka, even when we're trying to kill each other. I don't see how she puts up with it."
"You'd be surprised what a girl will put up with," she grinned.
"Yeah, I bet you would, too."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a very patient woman, damn it!"
"Sure, sure." He stood slowly, stretching. "Thanks for the food, Misato. You should come over and show Shinji how to make real noodles. He puts all that healthy junk in his."
"Actually, I might just do that. I've been thinking about moving, anyway. There's almost no one out on this side of town, anymore. They're trying to keep part of the lake from being filled in, hoping it'll attract people. It's just kinda silly, really."
Touji bent down, and patted Pen Pen on the head. The penguin gave him a credulous look, and then waddled off. "Well," he said, "I know Shinji and Kensuke wouldn't mind if you dropped by. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. Go on, before you start to make Hikari worried."
She heard him leave, and then opened up another beer. She went into the living room after finishing it, turned on some music, and began to exercise. She'd been at it for three years, after Asuka teased her about growing a beer gut. She didn't want to bother with a gym, and doing it in her own apartment helped her to clear her head, and keep her from thinking.
***
"You're late, as usual." He threw a cigarette out into the rain. An empty pack lie on the railing of the balcony. A light breeze was all it took to tip it off.
The man he'd been waiting for stood in the doorway between the balcony and the empty room, watching the rain in front of them. "My, you're so nervous. Afraid someone followed?" His voice sounded mildly amused at the idea.
Of course, he hadn't been followed. He was much too careful for that. Too damn lucky, it seemed.
"This isn't one your stupid childhood games. These people will kill you if they find out what--"
"My friend, you are an idiot. I'm an important man. Important men never die. We just fade away."
"I thought that was old soldiers?" He didn't get a reply. "I wanted to inform you that I found the next body. It should be here, soon."
"You make it sound like a bad thing."
"There's something wrong with them. They don't act like the others. It's as if... their focus is lost." He turned around to face his companion. "Do you know what you're doing? They're not something for you to control. They're not like humans! They've become something... they're turning into beasts! And have you found the mother, yet? Have you?"
"Keep your voice down. People will start to hear you." His own voice never wavered from his usual cool, arrogant tone.
He kept yelling. "There's more than what we thought! There were only supposed to be four. Why were there more than four? You're keeping something from me, just like your damn father!"
He didn't see the fist coming. He certainly never expected it. Not from this man.
"Shut your mouth. You act as if you've never heard of back up plans, before. There are going to be as many as there need to be. If you don't like it, you can quit. But I will make this world what it is supposed to be. Gendo, and my father, and all their friends didn't have what we have. And that, my friend, is the truth. The truth that people can't always be counted on to go with the tide of the future."
He pulled a cigar from his pocket, and lit it. "So we'll just bring the future to them. Now, get up. I need you to do something for me, before it gets here. You'll have to go in, but that shouldn't be a problem for a professional like you, right?" His voice was one that promised very bad things if one dared to disobey him.
And that's what was frightening about him. He always kept his promises. Always.
***
"Good night, Chief!"
"G'night!" Yoshi waved, as he became the last tech in the GeoFront. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made one last round, turning off every excess bit of electricity. He spent so much time here that people wondered if he actually had his own home, or just lived at NERV HQ. The only people here at this time of night besides him were security. Even the janitors had left long before now.
He wandered back to his office, and went through the data on his computer. It was frustrating beyond end. Just when he thought he might actually have a breakthrough, it all fell through. The Angel's body was deteriorating. This didn't give them much of a chance to collect any samples, which had also begun to decay, even when placed in preservation. The core was a wreck. He knew there was no other way, but it would have been nice if Rei could have avoided gutting the thing.
He would look back through all the old combats, all the old data... none of it made much sense. The Angels seemed composed of a type of matter that could resist any environment, but had a basic structure much like that of human beings. They had both particle and wave form properties, much like light. They came from nowhere, with the sole purpose of destruction. They could possess an Eva. They could apparently take any form they chose, but took on the drawbacks that went with it. They could invade the human mind and turn a person against their self.
But in no way did any of them resemble the first Angel.
Adam had triggered a global cataclysm, and was then destroyed. But why did it destroy itself? Where the other Angels creatures birthed from Adam, or pieces of him that had split off?
Where had the Lance of Longinuss come from?
His stomach asked him when he was going to eat.
He sighed, and closed all the data. He gathered up the loose files lying on his desk, and headed for the door.
Even the Magi could only make various, wide conjectures. It seemed to Yoshi that the true power and misery of the Angels manifested in the mysteries and amount of paperwork they produced.
His only comfort as he left that night was that Misato had dissolved and restructured NERV's intelligence department. Those bastards were as creepy as it got when Yoshi had first joined. NERV had been little more than one lie within another, a puppet without its strings. The intelligence department hadn't made that any easier; most who hadn't already left their jobs didn't want to leave, and almost none of them were willing to give up all the dirty secrets and information they'd collected at Gendo Ikari's request over the years.
To be frank, they had frightened him. He was, at the very least, relieved that they no longer kept such close tabs on him. He didn't feel so watched, now, as he left HQ for the night. The only thing that could hear or see him was the Evas. Under their gaze, he didn't feel fear. He only felt a strange fascination, a calling to open their secrets, and let them pour out.
He just hoped that he didn't end up regretting it.
***
It had awoken.
It had no purpose.
It reached out, with a sense beyond anything a human could understand, for the one it sought. It did not feel fear, when it found the one was gone. Fear was a human emotion, understandable only to them. The one it sought was gone, and its purpose was lost. Becoming whole had been its purpose.
Now it was free to make a choice. It had to find a purpose. A thing without purpose has no form. This was dangerous, for without either of these things, its existence would cease. It had to find something, anything, to latch on to, and give it life.
It did not search long. There was... something close by. Something that held a piece of the one it was looking for.
The only thing between it, and this one, was many lives.
They were deemed insignificant in the face of regaining purpose.
It had to exist for something beyond the self, or it would cease to be.
This it knew.
This, in its own way, it feared.
It shared the memory of those who had come before. They had all fallen, except for one. The traitor who learned how to be human.
It would find purpose in vengeance, and then purpose in this new fragment.
And nothing would stand in its way.
Not even the demons.
End Part 2
Author's Notes: Ah, the author introduces more pointless original characters! Will the zany parade never end? Please, Auntie Mame, say it won't! I don't want it to end! Sorry. I'm my own worst critic. Anyway, the usual hopes that you enjoyed this chapter. I'm not totally sure where this is going, so join me on my magical quest! (*slap!*) Sorry. The plot is developing, as are the characters. I think that's a good sign. (Besides, if you think about it, are you the same person you were four years ago? Two?) I'll have part 3 posted soon. C&C can be posted here on fanfiction.net, or sent to loneshark707@hotmail.com.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Seraphim
by the Loneshark
Chapter 2: Corpse
Shinji awoke with a gasp. It was more than a moment before his senses finally stopped, and told him where he was. The dream still made his head slightly dizzy. He hated it when his dreams got that weird. It felt like everything was spinning out of control, but in his dream he enjoyed it. It was when he woke up that it stopped, as sudden as a car crash, and he was left to catch his breath.
But looking back on the dream, he didn't like it. There was no freedom in the chaos. He could only go with it. He was just one more bubble in a stream, being carried, battered around, and tossed, until he popped. He liked it better when he was free to make his own choices, in a world where he could decide how he'd live, whether it brought him pain or joy.
He looked around his room, making sure it was intact. Everything was where it should be; although Misato was the only person he knew who didn't condemn it as a mess. Asuka was lying next to him, snoring. She could sleep through anything. He wondered if she could sleep through an Angel attack.
His head fell back against the pillow. Good god, he'd changed. All things considered, four years had been a lifetime. He'd been a different kind of person, then. He had been afraid of making his own choices. That part never got easier, he knew, but at least now he didn't run from them.
He reached over, and kissed Asuka on the cheek. "Asuka... come on, wake up."
She rolled over, and snored at him.
He gently shook her. "I said wake up. Now come out of the coma, and get up."
She mumbled, and slowly opened her eyes. "Hm? What the hell are you...?"
He stood, and reached for a pair of pants. "Time to get up. Misato wants us in early for new synch tests, remember?"
She reached for the clock, and then threw it at him. "It's too early. I won't have time for a shower."
"You can take a bath tonight. Now get up!" He pulled the blanket off of her, and left before she found something else to throw. Touji was already awake, watching the morning news. He looked over as Shinji entered the living room.
"Why the hell do we have to be in so early, anyway? It's hard enough waking up at nine, but six?" He stretched.
"Probably because she wants us to be there to meet the new supervisor the UN is sending over."
"Great. Just when we were finally being trusted to handle things on our own. Why can't anything remain normal for just a little while?"
"I guess four years were just too long." He went back into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He was soon ready to go, and joined Touji on the couch while they waited for Asuka.
Kensuke emerged before her, scratching his hair. He looked at them, mumbling through his half-sleep. "Hm? What's up?"
"Have to go in early. If the world doesn't end again, we'll probably be back this afternoon."
"The world will end before Asuka gets herself moving," Touji said. He leaned over, and shouted down the hall. "Hey, Frau Lucifer! Move it!" Asuka responded with a stream of German. "What's that mean?"
Kensuke winced. "Something that makes me wish I'd never taken high school German. Shinji, you know they might well kill each other, some day?"
He nodded. "Yeah, but what can I do? Touji only listens to Hikari, and Asuka doesn't listen to anyone."
Touji turned on him. "What is that crap? Stand up to her; be a man!"
"I'd prefer to be a man while still keeping my girlfriend, thank you. And anyway, that's a pretty bold statement coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Touji," Kensuke said, "You're whipped. Face it. You have no power against the female sex, and you'll probably end up married before you're twenty-five."
Touji grumbled. "Feh. What would you two know, anyway?"
***
They still only had facilities to perform the synch tests three at a time. Misato had continually hammered at the UN for enough money to fix this problem, but as it stood, they deemed NERV's facilities adequate, without need for an increased budget.
This is why Shinji stood beside her in the test control room, watching the tubes where the other three pilots sat. His test would be done last, wasting more time that could be saved if they only had a little more money.
Misato shook her head, and tried not to think about it. "How's Rei doing?"
Yoshi looked up, "Average for her usual ratio. They're all a little tired, so it fluctuates when she starts to drift off. Asuka's holding pretty steady for now. She hasn't gone up in a few weeks."
"She didn't hear that, did she?"
"No, don't worry. I have the mic turned off. I'll just tell her it went up a couple of points. That'll keep her happy."
"No, better just be honest with her. I'll tell her."
"You're a braver person than I am," Shinji said. "How's Touji?"
"He's gone up. Impressive for someone who was impaled the last time he stepped into an Eva. He seems pretty comfortable so far. I don't think there's anything to worry about."
Misato smiled at Shinji. He glanced at her. "Um... what?"
"Nothing important. It's just nice to see how much you care about your friends."
He shook his head. "When did you start to grow a sentimental side?"
"I guess it's because I'm getting old."
"Senile is more like it," Asuka's voice said through the com system. "Maybe my readings would change if you'd service the equipment a little more often! I'm double checking those readings when I get out of here."
"I thought you said that the com system was off?"
"Umm, sorry." Yoshi looked back at the readings. "Well, now that she's angry, her ratings are going up."
"Someone tell me how that's a good sign?"
The door opened, and everyone turned. The man who stepped through was tall, with a lean build. His hair was slicked back, adding to his professional appearance. He smiled confidently at Misato.
"Commander Katsuragi, I was told I could find you here." His smile didn't fade, even though he could see the tension in her movements, the way her arms shifted so that she could draw the gun under her jacket before he took another step. She looked him in the face, not caring about the I.D. badge on his chest.
"And you would be?"
"I'm sorry, it's a tad rude of me to show up so suddenly, isn't it? Osamu Kitari," he said, extending his hand. "I'm the new supervisor. You did remember I was coming today, right?"
She shook his hand. "Sorry, it's just that you're a few hours early. We didn't expect you for some time."
"Yes, I apologize for that. A meeting was canceled, so I decided to come over right away. This is the first time I've been here. It's impressive, to say the least." He looked out into the testing chamber, and then his gaze quickly took in the room. He settled on Shinji. "And you're Shinji Ikari, right?"
Shinji nodded. "Yes. Pleased to meet you." He didn't take Osamu's extended hand.
"Err, yes. You're just as you were described. It's not everyday I meet one of humanity's last saviors."
Yoshi leaned over the com. "All right, guys, time's up. You can come out, now. And come straight here. We've got a guest."
"Thanks, Yoshi." Misato turned to Osamu. "Well, at least you made sure we know you're here, Mr. Kitari. I was planning on making my little announcement when you got here. I hope you're settled in okay?"
"Well, it's been a little difficult, with reconstruction on parts of the city from last week's attack, but--"
"Great. Shinji, hold up a minute. I want you to be here for this." Shinji stopped before he reached the door, and stepped back. She turned back to Osamu. "Well, I was reluctant to agree with the UN's request that a supervisor be allowed. We have enough trouble with security as it is. Maybe seeing Angels up close will finally convince you people that we need a bigger budget."
He laughed. "I know how you feel. Don't worry, though, I'm just here as an observer, more an over paid diplomat, than anything." He stood relaxed, smiling at her.
Shinji wished she would let him get in the tube, already. Even four hours of sitting in LCL fluid was better than being near this guy. It was just the way his eyes looked. He couldn't be sure, but he almost swore that when the light hit Osamu's eyes just right, they changed from brown to yellow.
The others walked in after a few nervous minutes. No one said anything, and Shinji avoided eye contact with Osamu. Misato looked over the new synch ratios, not paying much attention. She looked up when Asuka, Rei, and Touji entered.
"What is it, Misato? I've got fluid seeping down the back of my suit, and I really need a shower. Please tell me this is worth it."
"Relax, Asuka. I just wanted to introduce you all to the new UN observer, Mr. Osamu Kitari."
Osamu shook each of their hands in turn. "Hello. I have to say that I'm very excited to be here. The four of you have no idea how famous you are among international circles. After all, you've been fighting against these monsters since you were children."
"Um, well, thank you." Touji scratched the back of his head.
Asuka nudged him. "Relax, Stooge. Sorry, Mr. Kitari, but some of us don't know how to gracefully accept flattery."
"Hm, yes. Well, you are just doing what you have to do. No one forced you to."
Shinji could feel the man's eyes glance at him, piercing straight through him. "Misato, if we're done here, I'm going to go get my suit on."
She held up her hand. "I said wait a minute. I haven't said why I really called all of you in here. I've been giving it a lot of thought. I haven't assigned a commander of operations under me, and I know you guys like it that way, but there has to be someone I trust who can take charge in case I'm... not able to."
They were silent, except for Asuka. "Misato, what are you talking about? You've chosen a second in command, or something? Why didn't you tell us about this before?"
"Because I knew you'd have something to say about it, whether I wanted to hear it, or not." She winked. "Right?" Asuka crossed her arms, waiting. "I've decided to give the rank of lieutenant and co-commander of operations to Shinji."
The pilots collectively gasped, especially Shinji. "But... but... Mi-Misato, I've... That is, I don't see how..."
"I think what he wants to say," Rei said, "is why him?"
"Yeah! And why not me or Rei?" Asuka demanded.
Misato sighed. She could handle Shinji's expected bafflement, but she feared Asuka getting upset more. "It's a bit more complicated, I know, but you can handle it, Shinji. I know you can. Asuka is the better strategist, but you come through when it's needed. It's about time you got some recognition for it, don't you think? I think the words you're looking for are 'thank you'."
"Well, yes, thank you, it's just..." Shinji stopped to breathe. He hadn't expected this, to say the least. "Why, Misato? Rei and Asuka have been pilots as long as I have."
"Hey, relax, Shinji!" Touji clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're getting promoted. At least be happy about it."
Misato smiled. "We can talk about it later, I promise. Go get in the cockpit so we can get out of here."
They left quietly, but she could hear them further down the hall after a few seconds. Her job never got any easier.
Osamu chuckled. "Well, I can see that you take things seriously around here."
"Oh, yeah," Yoshi said. "They're always like that. Making up for the youth they lost, I guess."
"I will, of course, let my superiors know about this change in your chain of command."
Misato nodded. "That's your job. I'll have a copy of the orders sent to your new office by this afternoon."
Osamu began to speak, but was cut off by a beeping in his pocket. He pulled out his cell phone, and opened it. "Kitari. Yes? Hold on. I'll get back to you in a minute." He placed it in his pocket. "I have to take this in private. My new office would be...?"
"In the main HQ upstairs. It's just down the hall from mine. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding it."
He smiled. "Thank you, Commander. It's been a pleasure to meet you and your young pilots." He quickly left the room, a still calm remaining behind.
***
"Can she really do this?" Shinji was still dumbfounded four hours later, as he sat eating lunch. Yoshi accompanied them, mainly because he wanted to talk about the plans for the Evas. Shinji didn't seem to be paying much attention to that, of course.
"Well, she is the commander. The whole 'total authority' thing does lend some precedence."
"But, she's always there. Misato's nearly centered her life around making up for what Gendo did to NERV, and us, and the Evas."
"That's why she chose you," Rei stated.
Shinji sighed, and ate his curry.
"Look, Shinji, if you don't think you can handle it, just say so," Asuka said.
"I never said I can't handle it!"
"Then shut up and eat. We can talk about something else, already."
Touji leaned over at her. "What's wrong, Asuka? Jealous?"
She gritted her teeth. "One more taunt out of you and--"
"Okay, okay! Damn it, do you two really have to fight all the time?" Yoshi held the two of them apart. "Asuka, please put your fork down. Or at least don't hold it like a weapon."
Asuka relented, leaning back in her chair. "Anyway, I'm not jealous. So you're promoted. So what? It's not like we listen to you now, after all."
"Thanks for your love and support," Shinji muttered.
"Wimp." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her smile.
"Dr. Iwano," Rei said to Yoshi, "How goes your research on upgrading the Evas?"
"Well, because of Misato's problems with the budget, we haven't had much success with the Evas, directly. Building the initial units was a process that took years of experimentation and research. We've got a new weapon almost ready for the test stages, but we're not sure what effect it will have."
"I still don't get it," Touji said. "Why do it at all? Our Evas are strong enough now. Hell, Misato told me one time that four Evas together are nearly unbeatable."
"Well, it's more of a question of credibility, really. The UN expects us to come up with something, for all the money they give us. Even if they are cheap about it. You've heard it before. They want to keep us around because they're afraid of what we'd do without them."
"No appreciation if we're not risking our lives," Asuka muttered.
Yoshi continued, "The real problem is the nature of the Evas themselves. They're not simply organic constructs, bio-weapons, or anything else that we knew before the Angels. They're living creatures, something that requires a completely new kind of technology."
"Yeah, we've heard that before, too. We pilot the things, remember?" Asuka looked at her food, suddenly losing interest in it. "It's not like piloting a plane, or something. We're connected to them." A hand went to her throat. "We feel the same pain they feel. Like Rei says, it's a bond. Not many people know what it's like to have your head cut off."
"Or be blown up," Rei added.
"This is why I hate talking about it outside of HQ," Touji said. "It makes you two all moody."
Shinji finally asked, "What were you talking about when you said you've got a new weapon? I haven't heard anything."
Yoshi smiled, "Well, I wanted it to be a little bit of a surprise. In theory, it works just like your sonic knife; only it's lengthened to get more power through the blade. We have a prototype ready for Unit 01, but I'm not sure about just--"
"How much longer than the knife is it?"
"Well, it's the Eva equivalent of a sword, really. And even then, you'd still need two hands to properly hold it."
Shinji struggled to keep his rice in his mouth. "A sword? You're kidding me?"
"Heh, well, like I said, it's still being built. I'll need you to go through some test sessions with it in a few weeks."
"Does the UN know about the new weapon?" Rei spoke without looking at anyone. "Or do you want to keep it from them, for now?"
Yoshi looked at her, and smiled to himself. The girl seemed to have a natural ability for being able to notice when you needed a secret kept. It was like some sixth sense that she had developed. "Well, it may be best not to mention it to our new friend, Mr. Kitari, until we have a working prototype."
"Geez," Asuka said, "First Shinji gets promoted, now you're making swords."
"Yeah," Touji said, "It's like we're being pulled into my anime collection, or something."
Rei thought for a moment. "No. There are no tentacles."
"I didn't mean that collection!"
The others laughed at his expense. Touji sulked, and ate his lunch.
"Oh, get over it," Asuka said. "We know you're a pervert. So, to change the subject before it goes too far, who's paying for lunch?" No one was in a hurry to volunteer. She turned to Shinji, willing her eyes to double in size. "Shinji, would you please pay for lunch?"
He looked at her, realizing too late what he'd fallen into, and sighed again. "You have no conscience, you know that?"
She smiled, triumphant. "Well, it's the least you could do for your girlfriend." She leaned over and kissed him. "And there's a 'thank you', just so you don't complain later."
Touji glanced up from his sulking. "How cute. Satan in love." He yelped as Asuka kicked his shin. "Why... are you... so evil?"
Yoshi looked over at Shinji. "Have they always been like this?"
"No, they've gotten better. Really. At least, that's what I keep telling myself."
He nodded. "Well, it's been nice, but I've got to get back. Here's my part of the check." He tossed some bills on the table, and stood to leave.
Touji followed after him. "I've got to go, too. I really don't know why I even bother trying to go to university when I've got piloting to worry about."
"Because Hikari suckered you into it," Asuka suggested.
"Oh, yeah. See you guys later."
Asuka frowned at him as he left. "Jerk didn't even leave his share of the check."
"I thought I was paying, anyway?"
"Well, I only meant my part, really. Thanks for that." He smiled a little. "What is it?"
"Oh, nothing. It's just that a couple of years ago you would be upset with me right now for getting promoted."
"She would say she hated you," Rei said.
Asuka frowned at them. "Why the hell do you have to bring that up, dumkopf? I was just a child. I thought I was mature. We're all wrong at some point, right?"
"Sorry. I've been thinking about back then too much, today." There was a brief moment of silence, and then he noticed that Rei seemed distracted by something. "Rei? What's wrong?"
She blinked, coming out of her daze. "Hm? Nothing. Excuse me." She stood, and walked toward the bathroom.
Asuka leaned back, and looked out the window. "We've been sitting in here for too long. It's... odd when we don't have anything to do, you know?"
"Yeah, and you're dangerous when you get bored." He kept looking towards Rei's direction. Asuka leveled her eyes at him, and then gave in.
"All right, what is it?" He blinked, not really hearing her. She took his face in her hand, and turned him around to look at her. "Shinji, what are you worrying about now?"
He pulled her hand off. "It's nothing. Just... what did you think of Kitari?"
She shrugged. "Just another diplomat and amateur spy. It's not like we haven't seen them before." She grinned. "Why? Would you be jealous if I said he was handsome?"
"Cut it out. You know I don't get jealous easily."
"Fine." She knew it was useless. Shinji was not the boy he had been. He didn't let things bother him so much, mostly because he'd grown confident in his own worth. That, and he'd learn how to play Asuka's own games back at her, which didn't make them fun anymore.
"He was just a guy. A little overly friendly. Probably felt ignored as a child. Why?"
"He just... gave me a weird feeling. I didn't like the way he watched us. It felt like I was under a microscope."
"You worry too much. And it's never about something that I can tell you to just be quiet about. I suppose now you're going to say that you're worried about Rei."
"No. Are you?"
She didn't answer right away. After a moment, she said, "No. I was thinking of something else."
"And you're not going to tell me, are you?"
"Nope."
***
Misato came home to a quiet apartment. It was the same scene it had been for five months, ever since Shinji and Asuka moved out. Pen Pen was the only one there to greet her. He waddled out of his fridge, and looked up at her expectantly. She sighed, and placed the plastic bag on the counter.
"Yeah, yeah. I've got dinner, don't worry. You know, you could learn to cook for yourself once in a while. You do nearly everything else."
He squawked at her.
"Yeah, I know. I miss them, too. But, it's not like I could be their guardian forever. I tried, remember?" Who was she kidding? She was still trying. That was part of why she'd given Shinji a promotion. She was trying to help them get along without her, and trying to act as a surrogate parent.
Were human beings really supposed to be this complicated?
She opened a beer, and tossed the ramen cups into the microwave. She fished through the bag for the instant curry when the doorbell rang. It had started to rain. Through the peephole she could recognize Touji's bulky jacket and shoulders, already beginning to soak.
She opened the door. "Touji? What's going on?"
He didn't look directly at her when he spoke. His expression seemed distant, even when he lifted his head. "Hey, Misato. You... mind if I... I mean, can we talk?"
"Sure. Come on, get in before you're all wet." She ushered him in, and shut the door. She went back to the kitchen, and called, "You hungry? All I've got's junk food, but it's better than my real cooking."
"Um, sure." He walked in, looking around. He hadn't really been here since Shinji moved out. It was worse than he'd remembered it. A pile of instant microwave refuse in the corner looked to be harboring life. The beer cans and bottles had been set up in a ring around the kitchen, and it seemed to form a shrine in the living room. Even Touji had to admit, this had to be unhealthy.
"Sit down. I'll have it ready in a minute. You want a beer?"
"Isn't that illegal?" He sat down as she placed two cans on the table. He opened one.
"You guys don't complain about the stash I put in the back of your fridge." After a few quiet minutes, she came back with three cups of ramen noodles. She set one down in front of Pen Pen, and then handed the second to Touji. She sat down across from him, already slurping the substance. Touji looked at it, and then slowly began to eat.
"So, why'd you come all the way out here? Can't be just to keep me company?" Misato summoned all of the tact she possessed, which equated the tact of an industrial sledgehammer.
Thankfully, Touji laughed. "I kinda find it hard to believe that you'd get lonely. I mean... hell, you're the woman Kensuke and I fantasized about when we were kids. And you see us nearly everyday. You know more than anyone what we've gone through. You're one of the few people who chooses to care about what we do for this planet."
Misato put her noodles aside. "What's wrong, Touji? Why come to me?"
"It's... just not something Hikari would know about. She tries to understand, but... it's not the same as knowing."
"So this is about the Angel?" He nodded. "What about Shinji? Why don't you talk to him?"
"You know how he gets about this sort of thing. I've told him a million times I don't blame him. I never did. I wanted out of that thing. It was... like being in a nightmare. When I saw that Angel come out of the ground, for a moment I thought it was happening all over again. I could hear it, when it was hurt, screaming. It was hate. I felt its hate for us, but I didn't know why." He paused only to take a drink, and slow himself. "That's all I can really remember about being inside the one that took my Eva. I thought I'd forgotten it completely. But it all came back up, just like that Angel. I've never seen one that close before. Except for that one time, when Kensuke and I were in Unit 01."
"It's all right to be afraid, Touji. I feel it every time I have to send you guys out."
He shook his head. "That's... not it, Misato. I'm not afraid of piloting. You know, I didn't want to, when I was first chosen. I'd seen how much it hurt to pilot one by watching Shinji. I wasn't afraid of the pain. I was afraid of hurting someone, like my sister. And then I had to sit there and watch while that Angel hurt Asuka and Rei. That's why I agreed when you asked me to join again, after the Impact. All the Angels do is hate and kill. It hurts to pilot an Eva, but it's better than what those things do."
"And when I saw it, it all just came back. They are alive, Misato. Whatever the Angels are, they are alive. That one we fought... did it seem odd, to you? Like it wasn't... working right?"
Misato thought about it. "All the Angels seem different to me, Touji. No two have ever looked the same. But you're right. There was something different about the one we fought. It was like it hadn't learned how to use its body. It didn't really know what it should do."
"There's something else. I didn't put it in my report, because I didn't really... I wasn't completely sure it happened. But when it looked at Rei, it..." He paused, still unsure if he believed it himself. "It smiled at her, Misato. Whatever those things are, they understand what we are. I think that may be why they hate us, too."
"Do you want something else? I've got liquor."
They both smiled a little, and Touji shook his head. "No, Misato. Thanks, though, for listening to me."
She nodded. "I'm sorry, Touji. I never meant for you to be hurt."
"I know that. Shinji tells me the same thing all the time. It's not your fault, though. Or his. It's just something that happened. It's just something I'll live with. Hopefully it's something that will die when I kill that last one."
"I hope it does. You want to know something, Touji? I never told any of you this. Not even Shinji. Asuka suspects it, but she's never asked. I saw the first Angel, when it caused the Second Impact. I was right there, in front of it. It rose up out of the ice, screaming. It killed my father. I spent the rest of my life trying to take revenge for that. When the Third Impact happened, I thought it was over, too. We all did. I know exactly what you felt when you saw that Angel wake up."
Touji stared at her in disbelief. After a long moment, he grabbed his beer, and chugged the rest of it. "I guess... well... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up..."
"No, it's all right. I've tried to make up for all that. That's why I work so hard, I guess. I'm trying to make up for everything I put you guys through."
Touji looked at his beer, then up at Misato, and grinned. "I guess we're just a couple of sad drunks, then?"
She smiled back. "Yeah. I guess we are. Does Hikari know you're here?"
He nodded. "I told her it was an emergency, something about Eva. I didn't lie to her. She's a great person. She really tries to be a friend to both me and Asuka, even when we're trying to kill each other. I don't see how she puts up with it."
"You'd be surprised what a girl will put up with," she grinned.
"Yeah, I bet you would, too."
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a very patient woman, damn it!"
"Sure, sure." He stood slowly, stretching. "Thanks for the food, Misato. You should come over and show Shinji how to make real noodles. He puts all that healthy junk in his."
"Actually, I might just do that. I've been thinking about moving, anyway. There's almost no one out on this side of town, anymore. They're trying to keep part of the lake from being filled in, hoping it'll attract people. It's just kinda silly, really."
Touji bent down, and patted Pen Pen on the head. The penguin gave him a credulous look, and then waddled off. "Well," he said, "I know Shinji and Kensuke wouldn't mind if you dropped by. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. Go on, before you start to make Hikari worried."
She heard him leave, and then opened up another beer. She went into the living room after finishing it, turned on some music, and began to exercise. She'd been at it for three years, after Asuka teased her about growing a beer gut. She didn't want to bother with a gym, and doing it in her own apartment helped her to clear her head, and keep her from thinking.
***
"You're late, as usual." He threw a cigarette out into the rain. An empty pack lie on the railing of the balcony. A light breeze was all it took to tip it off.
The man he'd been waiting for stood in the doorway between the balcony and the empty room, watching the rain in front of them. "My, you're so nervous. Afraid someone followed?" His voice sounded mildly amused at the idea.
Of course, he hadn't been followed. He was much too careful for that. Too damn lucky, it seemed.
"This isn't one your stupid childhood games. These people will kill you if they find out what--"
"My friend, you are an idiot. I'm an important man. Important men never die. We just fade away."
"I thought that was old soldiers?" He didn't get a reply. "I wanted to inform you that I found the next body. It should be here, soon."
"You make it sound like a bad thing."
"There's something wrong with them. They don't act like the others. It's as if... their focus is lost." He turned around to face his companion. "Do you know what you're doing? They're not something for you to control. They're not like humans! They've become something... they're turning into beasts! And have you found the mother, yet? Have you?"
"Keep your voice down. People will start to hear you." His own voice never wavered from his usual cool, arrogant tone.
He kept yelling. "There's more than what we thought! There were only supposed to be four. Why were there more than four? You're keeping something from me, just like your damn father!"
He didn't see the fist coming. He certainly never expected it. Not from this man.
"Shut your mouth. You act as if you've never heard of back up plans, before. There are going to be as many as there need to be. If you don't like it, you can quit. But I will make this world what it is supposed to be. Gendo, and my father, and all their friends didn't have what we have. And that, my friend, is the truth. The truth that people can't always be counted on to go with the tide of the future."
He pulled a cigar from his pocket, and lit it. "So we'll just bring the future to them. Now, get up. I need you to do something for me, before it gets here. You'll have to go in, but that shouldn't be a problem for a professional like you, right?" His voice was one that promised very bad things if one dared to disobey him.
And that's what was frightening about him. He always kept his promises. Always.
***
"Good night, Chief!"
"G'night!" Yoshi waved, as he became the last tech in the GeoFront. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he made one last round, turning off every excess bit of electricity. He spent so much time here that people wondered if he actually had his own home, or just lived at NERV HQ. The only people here at this time of night besides him were security. Even the janitors had left long before now.
He wandered back to his office, and went through the data on his computer. It was frustrating beyond end. Just when he thought he might actually have a breakthrough, it all fell through. The Angel's body was deteriorating. This didn't give them much of a chance to collect any samples, which had also begun to decay, even when placed in preservation. The core was a wreck. He knew there was no other way, but it would have been nice if Rei could have avoided gutting the thing.
He would look back through all the old combats, all the old data... none of it made much sense. The Angels seemed composed of a type of matter that could resist any environment, but had a basic structure much like that of human beings. They had both particle and wave form properties, much like light. They came from nowhere, with the sole purpose of destruction. They could possess an Eva. They could apparently take any form they chose, but took on the drawbacks that went with it. They could invade the human mind and turn a person against their self.
But in no way did any of them resemble the first Angel.
Adam had triggered a global cataclysm, and was then destroyed. But why did it destroy itself? Where the other Angels creatures birthed from Adam, or pieces of him that had split off?
Where had the Lance of Longinuss come from?
His stomach asked him when he was going to eat.
He sighed, and closed all the data. He gathered up the loose files lying on his desk, and headed for the door.
Even the Magi could only make various, wide conjectures. It seemed to Yoshi that the true power and misery of the Angels manifested in the mysteries and amount of paperwork they produced.
His only comfort as he left that night was that Misato had dissolved and restructured NERV's intelligence department. Those bastards were as creepy as it got when Yoshi had first joined. NERV had been little more than one lie within another, a puppet without its strings. The intelligence department hadn't made that any easier; most who hadn't already left their jobs didn't want to leave, and almost none of them were willing to give up all the dirty secrets and information they'd collected at Gendo Ikari's request over the years.
To be frank, they had frightened him. He was, at the very least, relieved that they no longer kept such close tabs on him. He didn't feel so watched, now, as he left HQ for the night. The only thing that could hear or see him was the Evas. Under their gaze, he didn't feel fear. He only felt a strange fascination, a calling to open their secrets, and let them pour out.
He just hoped that he didn't end up regretting it.
***
It had awoken.
It had no purpose.
It reached out, with a sense beyond anything a human could understand, for the one it sought. It did not feel fear, when it found the one was gone. Fear was a human emotion, understandable only to them. The one it sought was gone, and its purpose was lost. Becoming whole had been its purpose.
Now it was free to make a choice. It had to find a purpose. A thing without purpose has no form. This was dangerous, for without either of these things, its existence would cease. It had to find something, anything, to latch on to, and give it life.
It did not search long. There was... something close by. Something that held a piece of the one it was looking for.
The only thing between it, and this one, was many lives.
They were deemed insignificant in the face of regaining purpose.
It had to exist for something beyond the self, or it would cease to be.
This it knew.
This, in its own way, it feared.
It shared the memory of those who had come before. They had all fallen, except for one. The traitor who learned how to be human.
It would find purpose in vengeance, and then purpose in this new fragment.
And nothing would stand in its way.
Not even the demons.
End Part 2
Author's Notes: Ah, the author introduces more pointless original characters! Will the zany parade never end? Please, Auntie Mame, say it won't! I don't want it to end! Sorry. I'm my own worst critic. Anyway, the usual hopes that you enjoyed this chapter. I'm not totally sure where this is going, so join me on my magical quest! (*slap!*) Sorry. The plot is developing, as are the characters. I think that's a good sign. (Besides, if you think about it, are you the same person you were four years ago? Two?) I'll have part 3 posted soon. C&C can be posted here on fanfiction.net, or sent to loneshark707@hotmail.com.