Disclaimer: Gainax is good. Gainax is our friend. Gainax owns all rights to Evangelion and I do not. Gainax does not like to sue fan-fiction authors (ok, this one I just really, really hope). This is part four of the Deviance story line I've been writing. One thing I would like to point out (so no one screams plagiarism) is that I wrote this part and 5 and 6 concurrently - BEFORE I read Together We Stand (an EXCELLENT fan fiction by Hotwire). So if some parts of this chapter and the next seem similar, it's just because we think alike - and he writes faster :).
Part 4
(Episode 18)
Angels and Demons
By Random1377
Winging toward Tokyo-3, the massive carrier holding Evangelion unit 03 sailed smoothly through the sky like a falcon in search of pray. "This is carrier designate: Harbinger, requesting status on cumulonimbus formation in flight path, over." The pilot expected no problems, but felt that the motto 'better safe than sorry' definitely applied when transporting multi-billion dollar equipment.
"Copy, Harbinger, threat assessment is point zero two, repeat, point zero two. Proceed or avoid at your discretion, over." The radio operator sounded bored.
The pilot sighed, "Roger that, will proceed as planned. Over and out."
As the enormous craft entered the clouds, he felt a brief surge of energy, like someone had tapped his arm after running their feet along a carpeted floor.
He checked his gauges and sensors, looking for anything out of the ordinary, "All green..." he whispered to himself, "must be nerves."
With a shrug he brought his attention back to the clear blue skies on the other side of the clouds.
***
Misato was holding onto Kaji for dear life. "Feels like an earthquake," he said, sounding cool and collected as the ground shook all around them, "hold on." Just a few minutes prior, they had been kissing like high school kids, and then everything began to move. The street began to crack -Street?- Misato thought, -Why are we in the street??-
She looked at Kaji, who smiled again and said, "It's a good thing we were together when this happened Misato... MISato... MISATO.... MISATO!!!!!"
"MISATO!!! WAKE UP!!!" Asuka yelled for the third time, shaking her guardian's bed harder. -Geez!- she thought with some disgust, -It's like trying to wake the dead!-
The older woman stirred, mumbling, "Kaji?"
Asuka rolled her eyes, -Figures... bed's shaking, so of COURSE she's thinking of him...- "Try again Misato! Wake up, I need to talk to you."
Letting go of the dream reluctantly, Misato rubbed her eyes and sat up, "Wha-What is it, Asuka? Are we under attack?"
Asuka snorted, "Hardly. I want to talk to you about Shinji. I think you should tell him now about Touji."
"Asuka," the older woman yawned, "I told you... I'll explain it all to him after the activation test. Things CAN go wrong, you know." -Lord, I hope nothing DOES- she thought.
"Come on, Misato! Promise me you'll tell him before you leave!" Asuka's voice was pleading, "If he finds out from someone else, he'll be hurt... do you want him to be hurt?"
Misato looked away from the younger girl, "I... Ok... I'll tell him. Now would you get out of here so I can get dressed?"
Asuka finally took note of the fact that Misato was wearing nothing but a bra and panties and blushed, "S-sorry." As she turned for the door she said, "I'll leave now so you can tell him. If he asks, tell him I had to go study for a test or something."
Misato smiled, "But you have all the same classes, he'll know you're not."
Asuka stopped at the door, shooting Misato an angry look, "Fine! Make up something better then!" She slid the door closed (being careful not to slam it, for fear of waking her beloved), whispering, "...so annoying! OO!!"
Misato smiled wider at the younger girls frustration, -she is SO much fun to tease!- she thought. Her smile fell into a frown, -Now... how can I tell Shinji?- Sighing, she began to dress and pack for the trip to Matsushiro.
***
Touji woke slowly, blinking at his alarm clock, "Is it time already?" he whispered thickly. He had not slept well. Visions of the third angel flied his mind... as did visions of Shinji crying, both hands resting on one of the butterfly controls of Evangelion unit 01.
He climbed reluctantly out of bed and drew on his clothes. He picked up the pack that Misato had given him the night before and opened it, "No backing down now, Kimiee..." he whispered, regarding the contents thoughtfully, "but I promised I'd protect you, so that's what I'll do."
He ran his fingers gently over the gray and blue fabric, lightly tracing the 03 featured prominently on the front, "Yes... I will... no matter the cost."
He stood that way until the NERV security agents arrived to pick him up.
***
Shinji woke up alone, a sensation he DEFINITELY did not like in the least.
"Asuka?" he whispered, looking around the room, -maybe she went to surprise me with breakfast,- the thought filled him with dread as he remembered the previous Saturday... and the destruction of a certain frying pan at that time in the redhead's care. He shuddered, imaging he could still smell burnt pancakes.
He got to his feet and pulled on his clothes. He smiled, thinking of Misato's reluctance to let them share a room, 'How are you going to fulfill your promise to me?!' she had said, in a frustrated tone. It had taken both of them an hour to convince the older woman that they were in control of their hormones enough to refrain from having sex in the house, as she had demanded.
Of course, they hadn't realized how difficult it was, and they often found themselves going for long, late-night "walks". The thought of last night's "walk" made Shinji smile wider as he exited their room (which had a sign that read, 'Shinji and Asuka's lovely suite'. The 'and Asuka's' portion had been penciled in a week or so prior). His smile faded as he saw Misato waiting for him, arms folded... frowning.
Shinji stammered, "W-What?" remembering his last train of thought he continued to fumble, "W-We weren't IN the house, and-"
She cut him off, blushing, "EEEWWW! I did NOT need to hear that!!" She shook her head to clear the resulting image, "I just wanted to tell you I'm leaving for Matsushiro, so you guys will be pretty much on your own. I was going to have Kaji stay with you... but I think you two can handle yourselves." She leaned forward, frowning harder, "I may have him stop by, though... just to make sure." He blushed furiously and looked at the floor.
He decided it was time to change the topic, "Umm... where's Asuka? Not in the kitchen, is she?" He frowned and sniffed the air suspiciously.
Misato laughed, "No, she had to go help a friend with some homework," -Gotta make sure I call to tell her where she's been,- Misato thought, happy with her story, "she said she didn't want to wake you because you looked so cute when you were asleep." She added, clasping her hands together and tilting her head to the side, eyelashes batting like crazy.
Shinji's blush intensified, much to the delight of the older woman, "So," he changed the subject AGAIN, hoping this would not bring him embarrassment, "is it true that Unit 04 disappeared?"
It was Misato's turn to look at the floor, -I'm gonna kill whoever told him!- she nodded reluctantly, "Yes, it's true... that's why we're having this activation at Matsushiro - it's more secluded..." she trailed off, a war raging in her head, -I can't tell him... I just can't!!- she took a deep breath and looked at Shinji's thoughtful frown, -I'm sorry, Asuka... I just can't worry him any more.- She made a mental note to call Shinji the second the activation test was over, -Maybe that way Asuka won't have to know...- she thought, pleased with the idea.
After a moment's silence, Shinji said, "So do you know who is going to be the pilot of-"
Misato cut him off, looking at the clock, "Look at the time. You're going to be late. I'll talk to you when I get back - heck," she said as if the thought just occurred to her, "I'll call you as soon as the test is over, ok?"
Shinji sighed, "Ok..." and started for the door.
As he drew close to her, Misato pulled him clumsily into a hug. Shinji tensed for a moment, then relaxed and hugged her back. Feeling awkward, she mumbled, "So... umm... I'll miss you... be good, ok?"
Shinji breathed in the scent of her perfume, thinking how much it smelled like home, "Ok," he smiled, pulling back, "you too."
She grinned wolfishly as she released him and grabbed her suitcase, "Even if I'm not, I won't tell you." She winked, "Unlike you, I don't go spouting my business all over the place."
Indignantly, he said, "I thought you were mad at me, and I...OH, just forget it!" He grabbed the lunches he had made the night before and walked past her out the door, still grinning.
Smiling at his retreating form she thought, -I'm sorry Asuka... but I really will tell him as soon as the test is over.- She walked out the door, hurrying to catch Shinji at the elevator so she could tease him some more.
***
The first half of the day slid by fairly uneventfully, giving the impression that the second half would as well. Sadly, this was not to be.
The lunch bell rang, inducing most of the students in the classroom to break for the door (after, of course, Hikari made them all stand and bow).
Asuka was trying to keep up a cheerful façade as she finished the e-mail conversation she had been having with her boyfriend for the majority of the class, but her mind was elsewhere, -He seems happy enough... I'll bet Misato didn't tell him!- she frowned, causing a student at another desk to relocate before starting to eat, -DAMN that woman! She promised she would mention it before leaving.- She bit her lower lip, -Maybe I should tell him myself, but...-
She looked up as Hikari walked over to her desk, "Have you seen Touji today?" She looked nervous.
Asuka avoided her eyes, "No... he probably won't be here today."
Hikari looked downcast, "Well... he said he would eat with me today... so I made him lunch." She offered it to Asuka, looking at her hopefully, "You want it?"
"I..." Asuka saw the unspoken question (please talk to me!) in her friend's eyes, and shot a pleading look at Shinji, thinking, -I know he made lunch...- Shinji understood immediately and nodded his head slightly. "Sure," Asuka said cheerfully, "I'll eat it with you."
Hikari's relief was palpable, "Ok... let's walk over and eat by the lookout."
As the two girls walked towards the exit, Asuka glanced at Shinji, mouthing, 'I'm sorry'.
He smiled and pointed to his laptop, mouthing, 'Look at your mail.'
She nodded and went to find out why her friend was acting so strange.
***
"Welcome to Matsushiro, mister Suzuhara." Misato saluted the boy and held her hand out to him. He took the proffered hand and shook it gratefully.
"Miss..." he cut himself off, "Major Katsuragi... I..." he trailed off again, then pulled himself together and returned her salute, "I'm glad you're the one I'll be working with."
Misato smiled, "And I'm glad you're onboard, Touji. Please, call me Misato." She gestured behind her, instantly becoming all business, "Now, the locker room is that way... I want to get this over with as soon as possible so we can go home. So go get suited up, ok?"
He saluted again, "Yes, Major!"
As he walked past her, she smiled and said quietly, "It's Misato..."
He stopped and looked at her, smiling as some of the tension left him, "Thank you... Misato..." he went to get changed.
***
Hikari and Asuka were sitting on the grass in the shade of a huge sakura tree.
"You... you knew?" Hikari said, blushing.
Asuka smiled, "EVERYONE knows you like him... everyone except the three-" she cut herself off. She had been about to say the three stooges, but suddenly realized she would be insulting her lover. "...boys." She finished lamely.
Hikari looked at her, tears welling up in her eyes, "You don't understand, Asuka... I don't just like him..."
Asuka's eyes widened, "You mean... you... LOVE that dumb jock!? WHY? What could you possibly see in him?"
Hikari looked away, her face now entirely crimson, "His compassionate side..." She looked at the ground as she continued, not trusting herself to make eye contact, "I've seen how he talks about his little sister, Kimiko... and I've seen how he acts around younger kids. When he thinks no one is watching, he is the sweetest guy, Asuka," she looked up, the tears running down her cheeks, "and I've loved him for so long. I... I just don't know what to do."
At that moment, Asuka didn't either, -I HATE these situations...- she thought angrily, -and I can't tell HER either!!!- she finally settled for putting her hand on Hikari's and saying, "It's... it's ok... don't cry."
Hikari sniffed, "I'm sorry... it's just that I say him talking to Rei yesterday... and he's not here today... and I just don't what to think..." her voice dropped to a whisper, "what if he likes HER...?"
Asuka almost fell off of her seat. "Wondergirl? You're worried about WONDERGIRL???" She threw her head back and laughed, much to Hikari's confusion. Once she got a hold of herself she patted her friend's hand, "Don't worry about her... that girl is denser than lead."
Hikari smiled, wiping at her tears, "Really?"
She nodded emphatically, "Yup. And don't worry about Touji..." once again she debated telling the girl the truth, then discarded at she realized it would make HER worry more than Shinji, "he... probably had to go see his sister again or something."
Hikari brightened, "You're right! I hadn't thought of that..." she looked downcast a moment later, "I wish he had told me though, I would have... I would have gone with him." She was blushing again.
Asuka was about to speak when suddenly Hikari raised her head, smiling, "So... what's going on with you and Shinji?"
Asuka turned green, "Wha-what do you mean?"
Hikari stuck her tongue out slightly and smiled around it, "You know what I mean... Touji isn't the ONLY topic of discussion, you know. So give."
She briefly toyed with the idea of making something up, then decided that letting her best friend in on at least PART of the secret wouldn't hurt. She was trustworthy, "Ummm..." she found she could not look at her friend, "we're... we're seeing each other." She looked up quickly before the other girl could speak, "but it's nothing serious yet... we're just taking things slow right now." She blushed, hating to lie.
Hikari surprised her by throwing her arms around her shoulders, "Oh, Asuka!! I'm so happy for you! He is SUCH a great guy!"
Asuka smiled, -Yeah... yeah he is...- "You gotta keep this a secret, ok? No one knows yet."
Hikari pulled away and smiled, "Well, everyone is talking..."
Asuka blushed deeper, "Well... let them talk... but if anyone asks you, you know NOTHING, ok?"
Hikari made a zipping motion across her lips, "I won't say a word." She smiled at Asuka's loud sigh of relief, then said, "Thanks for talking to me, I feel much better." She stood up and offered a hand to the other girl, "We should get back before we're late."
As she reentered the class, Asuka looked for Shinji, determined to tell him. She caught sight of him in the back, laughing with Kensuke. -He looks so happy...- she thought, her determination wavering, -I hope she told him... because I can't bring myself to do it.-
She made her way to her desk and opened her e-mail, curious to see what he wrote earlier. She opened the message and read, 'You better not have enjoyed her lunch more than mine! :) Love you. -Shinji.' She put her head in her hands, whispering, "Damn..."
***
"Four minutes to activation... you ok?" Misato looked at the image of Touji on the monitor and decided he looked distinctly pale.
He smiled and looked at the camera, managing to hide most of his unease behind his smile, "Yeah... just hungry..."
Misato laughed. She had watched the boy eat enough for three people less than two hours previous, "Just a little while longer. Hang in there."
He gave her a more honest smile, "Thanks, Misato, I'll try." He took some calming breaths and ran through what he was to do in the next few minutes. Misato's voice echoed in his mind, 'Once the unit becomes active, just look around.' She had turned her head from side to side, 'like this. The EVA will respond and turn its head too. After that, we'll just keep it active long enough to get a few readings, then we'll go home. I'll even buy dinner, k?' Of course, he hadn't objected in the least to that idea.
"Sixty seconds," Misato's voice brought him back to the present, "remember the breathing exercises... close your eyes..."
"First and second stage connections are online," a pretty technician to Misato's right said quietly, "primed for third stage connection on your mark."
Ritsuko spoke firmly, "Third stage connection in forty seconds," to Misato she said, "he's calmer than I would have expected."
Misato looked at her and shrugged, "Unlike Shinji, he is not morally opposed to violence... unlike Rei, he is open and talkative, and unlike Asuka, he is humble about his skills... essentially, he will do what is necessary, WHEN it is necessary. He is the perfect pilot candidate."
Ritsuko thought it over carefully, "Good thing we got him, then, isn't it? Ten seconds."
Touji concentrated on opening his mind. He imagined himself as an empty glass... then as a blank notebook... then an empty box. The box mad him frown, -Hikari! I totally forgot I agreed to have lunch with her today...- as his thoughts shifted to the girl, Evangelion unit 03 went online.
He gasped, -This...- he put a hand to his head, -this hurts... something...- his thoughts started to fade, -someone's... here...-
He faintly heard screaming as darkness folded its soft wings around him.
***
Asuka brought her Evangelion to a stop, crouching behind a small hill, -This should do,- she thought, preparing herself for the upcoming combat.
She hoisted the oversized rocket launcher onto one shoulder of unit 02, and waited.
-I hope Misato told him,- she thought, idly running her fingertips over the controls, -she said she would... but now...- She shivered, thinking of the reported size of the explosion at Matsushiro.
"Misato," she whispered, "I hope you're ok.."
Shinji's voice came over the private channel, "Asuka? Anything yet?" The concern in his voice made her feel warm.
"Nothing yet, darling, keep your pants on." She could almost hear his blush.
"B-be careful, ok?"
She smiled, but it quickly faded as the target came into view. -Mien Gott...- she thought, -I... I don't know if I can do it...-
Shinji's surprised voice came to her, "That's our target??"
Gendou's voice responded firmly, "That is correct."
Shinji hesitated, "It may be an angel... but it's also an EVA... which means there is a pilot inside, isn't there? A child my age."
Asuka's mind raced as the beast slowly approached her, "You mean you still don't know!?" -Dammit, Misato!- she thought angrily, leveling her huge weapon, "The pilot of unit 03 is-" she was cut off as the black EVA lowered its head and charged her.
***
Touji opened his eyes slowly, "Whe-Where am I?" He thought he could hear Shinji's voice, questioning. He looked down at himself, confused, "What am I wearing?" He pulled at the gray material, feeling his fingers slide off.
"You mean you still don't know!?" Asuka's voice drew his attention, and he looked up.
He could see the red Evangelion, huge in the view screen he was looking through. -I... I must be in the EVA,- Touji thought, trying to remember what had happened. He remembered the countdown, then a bright flash of pain, then nothing.
"What is going on??" He asked himself, suddenly noticing that unit 02 was bringing its weapon to bear... on him.
He became aware of two things almost simultaneously: first, he noticed that the EVA was moving. Second, HE wasn't willing it to happen. "Something's... wrong..." he whispered. He became aware of a third fact: he hated unit 02.
The hate sprang up from nowhere, engulfing him with rage. He felt the EVA lurch forward, slamming into the red Evangelion and hurling it several hundred feet backwards. "N-NO!!" he cried, grasping his head, "I... I don't hate her... this... this ISN'T ME!!!!"
He felt his arm rise. On the screen, he saw the black and white arm of the EVA do the same, and then the bunched fist came forward hard, striking unit 02 squarely in the jaw. The red mecha lurched backward once more, dropping the rocket launcher on the ground, it's arms pin-wheeling for balance. Touji felt... satisfaction, as the black EVA moved forward for another hit... and another.
Touji saw the red EVA regain it's balance and reach into it's shoulder housing, -Good girl!- he thought. Seeming to pickup on his thoughts, the black EVA's hand shot out, grabbing unit 02 by the wrist and twisting savagely. The progressive knife fell to the ground and the black EVA continued the move, flipping the opposing machine towards the ground.
Touji screamed as the red EVA fell, it's entry plug shooting away seconds before the mighty robot hit the ground. He screamed in horror... and he screamed in revulsion, as every nerve in his body registered the EVA's happiness.
***
Shinji listened to Asuka's pained screams, then the feed from unit 02 disappeared from his monitor.
"Asuka? ASUKA!!!" He yelled, willing unit 01 forward, determined to protect her from any harm.
He stopped as Hyouga's voice came to him from the command center, "Unit 02 has gone silent, pilot has ejected. Recovery team is moving in for pickup... unit 01, hold your position."
He nodded, "Roger." Then he heaved a relieved sigh, -Asuka... thank goodness.- He turned his attention back to the situation at hand, his brow drawing down, -If there is a pilot in that thing, I've got to find a way to help him.- A little guiltily he hoped that Rei would stop it so he would not have to make the decision.
***
"Rei," Commander Ikari's voice came over the EVA's speakers, "Unit 02 has been disabled. It is up to you to stop the angel. Avoid close-combat if possible."
"Yes." Rei said simply. She brought her rifle to bear, taking careful aim at the nape of the black EVA's neck.
She hesitated, her finger on the trigger, -But... but the pilot is... his friend...-
Her hesitation proved her undoing. The black EVA began to twitch and shudder, then leapt backwards, landing on top of the blue Evangelion.
Rei barely had time to yelp as unit 03 crashed down on top of her, pinning her EVA to the ground. A viscous fluid began to drip from the darker unit onto hers.
Rei cried out in pain. Her left arm felt like it was on fire, the pain slowly spreading from the forearm up.
"The angel seems to be infecting unit 00's left arm." Maya called out, sweat drops beginning to form on her forehead.
"Sever the arm." Gendou replied calmly.
She stood up abruptly and turned to look at him, her voice rising nearly to a scream, "But the pilot's nerve connections are still activ-"
"CUT... IT... OFF!" he answered, pronouncing each word deliberately.
"Yes sir..." she whispered, as she sat back down and entered a sequence on her keyboard.
The pain in Rei's mind was nothing compared to what she experienced now. The left arm of EVA unit 00 exploded at the shoulder, sending feedback racing to her brain.
She gasped, unable to verbalize any further than that as her senses informed her that her left arm was gone. "How... how could... you...?" she whispered in disbelief.
Maya cried out, "Heavy damage to unit 00, the pilot is wounded. Unit cannot continue combat."
The black EVA regarded the blue one for a moment, its eyes narrow. Then it turned and continued its advance toward headquarters.
***
In the entry plug for unit 03, Touji threw up - violently. The LCL purification system quickly whisked away all traces of the offending material.
"Ayanami... Asuka..." Touji whispered softly, wiping his mouth, "Oh God... I'm so sorry..."
Once more he pulled on the controls, concentrating as he had been taught. -COME ON!!!- but the EVA refused to acknowledge him.
He sat back, exhausted from his efforts. He abruptly sat forward again, as the EVA's long-range sensors picked up another target.
"No..." he whispered, "please, God, no..."
Directly in front of the rampaging EVA stood Evangelion unit 01, piloted by Touji Suzuhara's best friend.
***
"But... but it's an EVA!" Shinji yelled again. He could not take his eyes off of the slowly advancing mecha.
Gendou's voice was like iron, "It is our enemy, you MUST destroy it!"
The black EVA threw its head back and let out an inhuman roar, then launched itself at unit 01, crushing its rifle and knocking it to the ground before coming to rest on all fours.
From this vantagepoint, Shinji could see the half-ejected entry plug rising from the unit's back. "I was right!" He exclaimed, "There IS a pilot in there." He willed unit 01 to its feet, thinking frantically, -I've got to find a way to get him out of there.-
The black EVA suddenly swung its arm back, then shot it forward. Shinji barely had time to register surprise as the arm extended and its hand wrapped around his mecha's throat. It got to its feet and wrapped the other hand around unit 01's neck, squeezing tightly.
"Unit 01," his father's voice rang in his ears, "why don't you fight back?"
Gasping for breath, Shinji said, "Because there's another person in there... I can't kill another human..." he felt the impact in his spine as unit 03 slammed his unit into the hillside and continued its relentless pressure on his windpipe.
"If you do not fight back," came the cold reply, "then you will die. It is our enemy... you MUST destroy our enemy."
"NO!!" Shinji screamed, "I'd rather die!"
In the command center, Gendou yelled, "DAMNITT!" He rose to his feet, "Cut all the pilot's nerve connection and switch to the dummy plug system."
Maya turned in her seat, "But... but Doctor Akagi has not approved the system for use yet, it's not READY!"
"Anything is better than the CURRENT PILOT!" He shouted.
As she began making the switch, Maya tried to reason with him one last time, "But, sir, thirty-four percent of the emotional factors cannot be determined... we have no way to control it!"
Gendou's voice was cold, "Irrelevant. Activate the system. Commence the attack."
***
Shinji felt the pressure suddenly leave his neck. The screen in front of him went black, then flared to life again. Shinji looked around in confusion as all the systems came back online, and the unit began to move.
"Father! What the hell are you doing?!?!" He screamed.
The cockpit of Evangelion unit 01 was glowing an angry red, as the hands of the giant mecha flexed and reached up to encircle the throat of the angel-possessed unit 03. Unit 03 tried to force the other mecha back to the ground, but it was clear that unit 01 was the stronger of the two as it slowly rose to it's feet and began squeezing.
Shinji pulled hard on the controls, but to no avail - the unit would not respond. "Father!" he screamed, "Stop this!"
Gendou replied calmly, "The angel must be defeated, pilot, since you are not up to the task, this is the way it must be."
A loud *crack* echoed across the valley, as unit 03's neck gave out under the tremendous pressure exerted by the dummy-plug controlled unit 01. Shinji looked through the view screen and saw unit 03's arms fall to its sides.
In the control room, Maya Ibuki looked up from her terminal with a sick look on her face, "Unit 03 is silent, should I cancel the dummy plug control?" Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, awaiting the command.
Gendou Ikari looked down from the top of the control tower, a faint smile barely visible at the corners of his mouth as he spoke, "Not just yet."
"DAMMIT!" Shinji screamed, "It's dead!! Make this stop!!"
Maya looked uncertainly at the commander, then at the other technicians, who were starring at Gendou with stunned expressions. Aoba Shigeru spoke tentatively, "But, sir, the target is no longer a threat, and there is a pilot - a HUMAN pilot inside."
Gendou's expression darkened slightly, as he stared the technician down, "It could be a ploy. You have your orders."
On the monitor, unit 01 could be seen slamming unit 03 to the ground, when a light on Maya's terminal went on, "Oh my God..." she whispered
Suddenly, Shinji's voice came in clear and angry over the communications network, "Father, can you hear me? I've just initiated Unit 01's self-destruct sequence. Stop this now, or you'll have two less EVAs instead of one!"
"Sixty seconds until self-destruct," Maya stared at the screen wide-eyed, "he's really going to do it!"
Gendou's mouth tightened very slightly, as unit 01 crushed unit 03's head and began pulling on its chest armor. His voice remained calm throughout, "I suppose this experiment is over. Deactivate the dummy plug system, and put us at yellow alert."
Maya quickly tapped as sequence on her keyboard, and unit 01 immediately stopped moving - the entry plug for unit 03 could be seen in its hands.
"Retrieval crew estimates three minutes until status of Fourth Child is ascertained." Aoba's voice was shaky.
Maya broke into a relieved smile, tapping on her keyboard, "Receiving transmission from mount Matsushiro - it's major Katsuragi, she's alive!"
Misato's voice came over the speakers, "Shinji? Shinji, can you hear me?"
Shinji was close to tears, "Misato! Oh, I'm so glad... I thought you were dead."
Misato went on hesitantly, "Shinji, there's something I need to tell you about the pilot of unit 03."
Shinji whispered, "I think I killed him, Misato. Father activated the dummy plug and unit 01 attacked... it broke unit 03's neck, I think the pilot must have died." He was close to tears, "Asuka ejected safely and they tell me she's ok, but they won't let me talk to her... no one will tell me what is going on..."
Misato continued, "Shinji, I am so sorry... I should have told you who the pilot was, but I thought it would worry you too much, and I..."
On Unit 01's monitor, Shinji could see the recovery team opening the hatch to entry plug for unit 03. He could hear the technician speaking quickly, "Pilot is alive, but unconscious. We cannot revive him, moving him to intensive care unit."
Misato could hear the relief in her young charge's voice, "Misato! He's alive! Oh thank God!!"
-I should have told him before I left...- she thought regretfully, "Shinji, the pilot of unit 03 is..."
The recovery technician pulled the pilot's limp body out of the entry plug and put it on a gurney, Shinji could plainly see the face of his friend Touji Suzuhara on unit 01's monitor.
Shinji's scream echoed throughout NERV headquarters and cut through Misato Katsuragi's heart like a knife.
To be continued...
Omake
From the scene where Shinji activates the self destruct system:
"Sixty seconds until self-destruct," Maya stared at the screen wide-eyed, "he's really going to do it!"
Gendou's mouth tightened very slightly, as unit 01 crushed unit 03's head and began pulling on its chest armor. His voice remained calm throughout, "I suppose this experiment is over. Deactivate the dummy plug system, and put us at yellow alert."
Maya quickly tapped as sequence on her keyboard, and unit 01 immediately stopped moving - the entry plug for unit 03 could be seen in its hands.
After a few seconds of silence, Shinji's timid voice came over the speakers, "Ummm...how do I turn this thing off?"
In the control room, everyone looked at each other and got under their desks, except for Gendou. He put his head in his hands, whispering, "Yui, our son is -WAS- an idiot..."
Five seconds later, Evangelion unit 01 exploded, scattering EVA bits all over the countryside.
Author's notes: They never SAY that Touji was unconscious when unit 03 was taken over, just that he was breathing and had a heartbeat... so that's what I figured he would be feeling. Other than that, not much to note in this one... pretty straight forward.
I do want to say thanks to Ryoma for pre-reading and catching several grammatical mistakes, and helping me out with a few flow problems. Thanks!
Feedback is always welcome at Random1377@yahoo.com. (If the feedback is negative, please be specific... as opposed to just saying, "Wow, this sucks.")
Part 4
(Episode 18)
Angels and Demons
By Random1377
Winging toward Tokyo-3, the massive carrier holding Evangelion unit 03 sailed smoothly through the sky like a falcon in search of pray. "This is carrier designate: Harbinger, requesting status on cumulonimbus formation in flight path, over." The pilot expected no problems, but felt that the motto 'better safe than sorry' definitely applied when transporting multi-billion dollar equipment.
"Copy, Harbinger, threat assessment is point zero two, repeat, point zero two. Proceed or avoid at your discretion, over." The radio operator sounded bored.
The pilot sighed, "Roger that, will proceed as planned. Over and out."
As the enormous craft entered the clouds, he felt a brief surge of energy, like someone had tapped his arm after running their feet along a carpeted floor.
He checked his gauges and sensors, looking for anything out of the ordinary, "All green..." he whispered to himself, "must be nerves."
With a shrug he brought his attention back to the clear blue skies on the other side of the clouds.
***
Misato was holding onto Kaji for dear life. "Feels like an earthquake," he said, sounding cool and collected as the ground shook all around them, "hold on." Just a few minutes prior, they had been kissing like high school kids, and then everything began to move. The street began to crack -Street?- Misato thought, -Why are we in the street??-
She looked at Kaji, who smiled again and said, "It's a good thing we were together when this happened Misato... MISato... MISATO.... MISATO!!!!!"
"MISATO!!! WAKE UP!!!" Asuka yelled for the third time, shaking her guardian's bed harder. -Geez!- she thought with some disgust, -It's like trying to wake the dead!-
The older woman stirred, mumbling, "Kaji?"
Asuka rolled her eyes, -Figures... bed's shaking, so of COURSE she's thinking of him...- "Try again Misato! Wake up, I need to talk to you."
Letting go of the dream reluctantly, Misato rubbed her eyes and sat up, "Wha-What is it, Asuka? Are we under attack?"
Asuka snorted, "Hardly. I want to talk to you about Shinji. I think you should tell him now about Touji."
"Asuka," the older woman yawned, "I told you... I'll explain it all to him after the activation test. Things CAN go wrong, you know." -Lord, I hope nothing DOES- she thought.
"Come on, Misato! Promise me you'll tell him before you leave!" Asuka's voice was pleading, "If he finds out from someone else, he'll be hurt... do you want him to be hurt?"
Misato looked away from the younger girl, "I... Ok... I'll tell him. Now would you get out of here so I can get dressed?"
Asuka finally took note of the fact that Misato was wearing nothing but a bra and panties and blushed, "S-sorry." As she turned for the door she said, "I'll leave now so you can tell him. If he asks, tell him I had to go study for a test or something."
Misato smiled, "But you have all the same classes, he'll know you're not."
Asuka stopped at the door, shooting Misato an angry look, "Fine! Make up something better then!" She slid the door closed (being careful not to slam it, for fear of waking her beloved), whispering, "...so annoying! OO!!"
Misato smiled wider at the younger girls frustration, -she is SO much fun to tease!- she thought. Her smile fell into a frown, -Now... how can I tell Shinji?- Sighing, she began to dress and pack for the trip to Matsushiro.
***
Touji woke slowly, blinking at his alarm clock, "Is it time already?" he whispered thickly. He had not slept well. Visions of the third angel flied his mind... as did visions of Shinji crying, both hands resting on one of the butterfly controls of Evangelion unit 01.
He climbed reluctantly out of bed and drew on his clothes. He picked up the pack that Misato had given him the night before and opened it, "No backing down now, Kimiee..." he whispered, regarding the contents thoughtfully, "but I promised I'd protect you, so that's what I'll do."
He ran his fingers gently over the gray and blue fabric, lightly tracing the 03 featured prominently on the front, "Yes... I will... no matter the cost."
He stood that way until the NERV security agents arrived to pick him up.
***
Shinji woke up alone, a sensation he DEFINITELY did not like in the least.
"Asuka?" he whispered, looking around the room, -maybe she went to surprise me with breakfast,- the thought filled him with dread as he remembered the previous Saturday... and the destruction of a certain frying pan at that time in the redhead's care. He shuddered, imaging he could still smell burnt pancakes.
He got to his feet and pulled on his clothes. He smiled, thinking of Misato's reluctance to let them share a room, 'How are you going to fulfill your promise to me?!' she had said, in a frustrated tone. It had taken both of them an hour to convince the older woman that they were in control of their hormones enough to refrain from having sex in the house, as she had demanded.
Of course, they hadn't realized how difficult it was, and they often found themselves going for long, late-night "walks". The thought of last night's "walk" made Shinji smile wider as he exited their room (which had a sign that read, 'Shinji and Asuka's lovely suite'. The 'and Asuka's' portion had been penciled in a week or so prior). His smile faded as he saw Misato waiting for him, arms folded... frowning.
Shinji stammered, "W-What?" remembering his last train of thought he continued to fumble, "W-We weren't IN the house, and-"
She cut him off, blushing, "EEEWWW! I did NOT need to hear that!!" She shook her head to clear the resulting image, "I just wanted to tell you I'm leaving for Matsushiro, so you guys will be pretty much on your own. I was going to have Kaji stay with you... but I think you two can handle yourselves." She leaned forward, frowning harder, "I may have him stop by, though... just to make sure." He blushed furiously and looked at the floor.
He decided it was time to change the topic, "Umm... where's Asuka? Not in the kitchen, is she?" He frowned and sniffed the air suspiciously.
Misato laughed, "No, she had to go help a friend with some homework," -Gotta make sure I call to tell her where she's been,- Misato thought, happy with her story, "she said she didn't want to wake you because you looked so cute when you were asleep." She added, clasping her hands together and tilting her head to the side, eyelashes batting like crazy.
Shinji's blush intensified, much to the delight of the older woman, "So," he changed the subject AGAIN, hoping this would not bring him embarrassment, "is it true that Unit 04 disappeared?"
It was Misato's turn to look at the floor, -I'm gonna kill whoever told him!- she nodded reluctantly, "Yes, it's true... that's why we're having this activation at Matsushiro - it's more secluded..." she trailed off, a war raging in her head, -I can't tell him... I just can't!!- she took a deep breath and looked at Shinji's thoughtful frown, -I'm sorry, Asuka... I just can't worry him any more.- She made a mental note to call Shinji the second the activation test was over, -Maybe that way Asuka won't have to know...- she thought, pleased with the idea.
After a moment's silence, Shinji said, "So do you know who is going to be the pilot of-"
Misato cut him off, looking at the clock, "Look at the time. You're going to be late. I'll talk to you when I get back - heck," she said as if the thought just occurred to her, "I'll call you as soon as the test is over, ok?"
Shinji sighed, "Ok..." and started for the door.
As he drew close to her, Misato pulled him clumsily into a hug. Shinji tensed for a moment, then relaxed and hugged her back. Feeling awkward, she mumbled, "So... umm... I'll miss you... be good, ok?"
Shinji breathed in the scent of her perfume, thinking how much it smelled like home, "Ok," he smiled, pulling back, "you too."
She grinned wolfishly as she released him and grabbed her suitcase, "Even if I'm not, I won't tell you." She winked, "Unlike you, I don't go spouting my business all over the place."
Indignantly, he said, "I thought you were mad at me, and I...OH, just forget it!" He grabbed the lunches he had made the night before and walked past her out the door, still grinning.
Smiling at his retreating form she thought, -I'm sorry Asuka... but I really will tell him as soon as the test is over.- She walked out the door, hurrying to catch Shinji at the elevator so she could tease him some more.
***
The first half of the day slid by fairly uneventfully, giving the impression that the second half would as well. Sadly, this was not to be.
The lunch bell rang, inducing most of the students in the classroom to break for the door (after, of course, Hikari made them all stand and bow).
Asuka was trying to keep up a cheerful façade as she finished the e-mail conversation she had been having with her boyfriend for the majority of the class, but her mind was elsewhere, -He seems happy enough... I'll bet Misato didn't tell him!- she frowned, causing a student at another desk to relocate before starting to eat, -DAMN that woman! She promised she would mention it before leaving.- She bit her lower lip, -Maybe I should tell him myself, but...-
She looked up as Hikari walked over to her desk, "Have you seen Touji today?" She looked nervous.
Asuka avoided her eyes, "No... he probably won't be here today."
Hikari looked downcast, "Well... he said he would eat with me today... so I made him lunch." She offered it to Asuka, looking at her hopefully, "You want it?"
"I..." Asuka saw the unspoken question (please talk to me!) in her friend's eyes, and shot a pleading look at Shinji, thinking, -I know he made lunch...- Shinji understood immediately and nodded his head slightly. "Sure," Asuka said cheerfully, "I'll eat it with you."
Hikari's relief was palpable, "Ok... let's walk over and eat by the lookout."
As the two girls walked towards the exit, Asuka glanced at Shinji, mouthing, 'I'm sorry'.
He smiled and pointed to his laptop, mouthing, 'Look at your mail.'
She nodded and went to find out why her friend was acting so strange.
***
"Welcome to Matsushiro, mister Suzuhara." Misato saluted the boy and held her hand out to him. He took the proffered hand and shook it gratefully.
"Miss..." he cut himself off, "Major Katsuragi... I..." he trailed off again, then pulled himself together and returned her salute, "I'm glad you're the one I'll be working with."
Misato smiled, "And I'm glad you're onboard, Touji. Please, call me Misato." She gestured behind her, instantly becoming all business, "Now, the locker room is that way... I want to get this over with as soon as possible so we can go home. So go get suited up, ok?"
He saluted again, "Yes, Major!"
As he walked past her, she smiled and said quietly, "It's Misato..."
He stopped and looked at her, smiling as some of the tension left him, "Thank you... Misato..." he went to get changed.
***
Hikari and Asuka were sitting on the grass in the shade of a huge sakura tree.
"You... you knew?" Hikari said, blushing.
Asuka smiled, "EVERYONE knows you like him... everyone except the three-" she cut herself off. She had been about to say the three stooges, but suddenly realized she would be insulting her lover. "...boys." She finished lamely.
Hikari looked at her, tears welling up in her eyes, "You don't understand, Asuka... I don't just like him..."
Asuka's eyes widened, "You mean... you... LOVE that dumb jock!? WHY? What could you possibly see in him?"
Hikari looked away, her face now entirely crimson, "His compassionate side..." She looked at the ground as she continued, not trusting herself to make eye contact, "I've seen how he talks about his little sister, Kimiko... and I've seen how he acts around younger kids. When he thinks no one is watching, he is the sweetest guy, Asuka," she looked up, the tears running down her cheeks, "and I've loved him for so long. I... I just don't know what to do."
At that moment, Asuka didn't either, -I HATE these situations...- she thought angrily, -and I can't tell HER either!!!- she finally settled for putting her hand on Hikari's and saying, "It's... it's ok... don't cry."
Hikari sniffed, "I'm sorry... it's just that I say him talking to Rei yesterday... and he's not here today... and I just don't what to think..." her voice dropped to a whisper, "what if he likes HER...?"
Asuka almost fell off of her seat. "Wondergirl? You're worried about WONDERGIRL???" She threw her head back and laughed, much to Hikari's confusion. Once she got a hold of herself she patted her friend's hand, "Don't worry about her... that girl is denser than lead."
Hikari smiled, wiping at her tears, "Really?"
She nodded emphatically, "Yup. And don't worry about Touji..." once again she debated telling the girl the truth, then discarded at she realized it would make HER worry more than Shinji, "he... probably had to go see his sister again or something."
Hikari brightened, "You're right! I hadn't thought of that..." she looked downcast a moment later, "I wish he had told me though, I would have... I would have gone with him." She was blushing again.
Asuka was about to speak when suddenly Hikari raised her head, smiling, "So... what's going on with you and Shinji?"
Asuka turned green, "Wha-what do you mean?"
Hikari stuck her tongue out slightly and smiled around it, "You know what I mean... Touji isn't the ONLY topic of discussion, you know. So give."
She briefly toyed with the idea of making something up, then decided that letting her best friend in on at least PART of the secret wouldn't hurt. She was trustworthy, "Ummm..." she found she could not look at her friend, "we're... we're seeing each other." She looked up quickly before the other girl could speak, "but it's nothing serious yet... we're just taking things slow right now." She blushed, hating to lie.
Hikari surprised her by throwing her arms around her shoulders, "Oh, Asuka!! I'm so happy for you! He is SUCH a great guy!"
Asuka smiled, -Yeah... yeah he is...- "You gotta keep this a secret, ok? No one knows yet."
Hikari pulled away and smiled, "Well, everyone is talking..."
Asuka blushed deeper, "Well... let them talk... but if anyone asks you, you know NOTHING, ok?"
Hikari made a zipping motion across her lips, "I won't say a word." She smiled at Asuka's loud sigh of relief, then said, "Thanks for talking to me, I feel much better." She stood up and offered a hand to the other girl, "We should get back before we're late."
As she reentered the class, Asuka looked for Shinji, determined to tell him. She caught sight of him in the back, laughing with Kensuke. -He looks so happy...- she thought, her determination wavering, -I hope she told him... because I can't bring myself to do it.-
She made her way to her desk and opened her e-mail, curious to see what he wrote earlier. She opened the message and read, 'You better not have enjoyed her lunch more than mine! :) Love you. -Shinji.' She put her head in her hands, whispering, "Damn..."
***
"Four minutes to activation... you ok?" Misato looked at the image of Touji on the monitor and decided he looked distinctly pale.
He smiled and looked at the camera, managing to hide most of his unease behind his smile, "Yeah... just hungry..."
Misato laughed. She had watched the boy eat enough for three people less than two hours previous, "Just a little while longer. Hang in there."
He gave her a more honest smile, "Thanks, Misato, I'll try." He took some calming breaths and ran through what he was to do in the next few minutes. Misato's voice echoed in his mind, 'Once the unit becomes active, just look around.' She had turned her head from side to side, 'like this. The EVA will respond and turn its head too. After that, we'll just keep it active long enough to get a few readings, then we'll go home. I'll even buy dinner, k?' Of course, he hadn't objected in the least to that idea.
"Sixty seconds," Misato's voice brought him back to the present, "remember the breathing exercises... close your eyes..."
"First and second stage connections are online," a pretty technician to Misato's right said quietly, "primed for third stage connection on your mark."
Ritsuko spoke firmly, "Third stage connection in forty seconds," to Misato she said, "he's calmer than I would have expected."
Misato looked at her and shrugged, "Unlike Shinji, he is not morally opposed to violence... unlike Rei, he is open and talkative, and unlike Asuka, he is humble about his skills... essentially, he will do what is necessary, WHEN it is necessary. He is the perfect pilot candidate."
Ritsuko thought it over carefully, "Good thing we got him, then, isn't it? Ten seconds."
Touji concentrated on opening his mind. He imagined himself as an empty glass... then as a blank notebook... then an empty box. The box mad him frown, -Hikari! I totally forgot I agreed to have lunch with her today...- as his thoughts shifted to the girl, Evangelion unit 03 went online.
He gasped, -This...- he put a hand to his head, -this hurts... something...- his thoughts started to fade, -someone's... here...-
He faintly heard screaming as darkness folded its soft wings around him.
***
Asuka brought her Evangelion to a stop, crouching behind a small hill, -This should do,- she thought, preparing herself for the upcoming combat.
She hoisted the oversized rocket launcher onto one shoulder of unit 02, and waited.
-I hope Misato told him,- she thought, idly running her fingertips over the controls, -she said she would... but now...- She shivered, thinking of the reported size of the explosion at Matsushiro.
"Misato," she whispered, "I hope you're ok.."
Shinji's voice came over the private channel, "Asuka? Anything yet?" The concern in his voice made her feel warm.
"Nothing yet, darling, keep your pants on." She could almost hear his blush.
"B-be careful, ok?"
She smiled, but it quickly faded as the target came into view. -Mien Gott...- she thought, -I... I don't know if I can do it...-
Shinji's surprised voice came to her, "That's our target??"
Gendou's voice responded firmly, "That is correct."
Shinji hesitated, "It may be an angel... but it's also an EVA... which means there is a pilot inside, isn't there? A child my age."
Asuka's mind raced as the beast slowly approached her, "You mean you still don't know!?" -Dammit, Misato!- she thought angrily, leveling her huge weapon, "The pilot of unit 03 is-" she was cut off as the black EVA lowered its head and charged her.
***
Touji opened his eyes slowly, "Whe-Where am I?" He thought he could hear Shinji's voice, questioning. He looked down at himself, confused, "What am I wearing?" He pulled at the gray material, feeling his fingers slide off.
"You mean you still don't know!?" Asuka's voice drew his attention, and he looked up.
He could see the red Evangelion, huge in the view screen he was looking through. -I... I must be in the EVA,- Touji thought, trying to remember what had happened. He remembered the countdown, then a bright flash of pain, then nothing.
"What is going on??" He asked himself, suddenly noticing that unit 02 was bringing its weapon to bear... on him.
He became aware of two things almost simultaneously: first, he noticed that the EVA was moving. Second, HE wasn't willing it to happen. "Something's... wrong..." he whispered. He became aware of a third fact: he hated unit 02.
The hate sprang up from nowhere, engulfing him with rage. He felt the EVA lurch forward, slamming into the red Evangelion and hurling it several hundred feet backwards. "N-NO!!" he cried, grasping his head, "I... I don't hate her... this... this ISN'T ME!!!!"
He felt his arm rise. On the screen, he saw the black and white arm of the EVA do the same, and then the bunched fist came forward hard, striking unit 02 squarely in the jaw. The red mecha lurched backward once more, dropping the rocket launcher on the ground, it's arms pin-wheeling for balance. Touji felt... satisfaction, as the black EVA moved forward for another hit... and another.
Touji saw the red EVA regain it's balance and reach into it's shoulder housing, -Good girl!- he thought. Seeming to pickup on his thoughts, the black EVA's hand shot out, grabbing unit 02 by the wrist and twisting savagely. The progressive knife fell to the ground and the black EVA continued the move, flipping the opposing machine towards the ground.
Touji screamed as the red EVA fell, it's entry plug shooting away seconds before the mighty robot hit the ground. He screamed in horror... and he screamed in revulsion, as every nerve in his body registered the EVA's happiness.
***
Shinji listened to Asuka's pained screams, then the feed from unit 02 disappeared from his monitor.
"Asuka? ASUKA!!!" He yelled, willing unit 01 forward, determined to protect her from any harm.
He stopped as Hyouga's voice came to him from the command center, "Unit 02 has gone silent, pilot has ejected. Recovery team is moving in for pickup... unit 01, hold your position."
He nodded, "Roger." Then he heaved a relieved sigh, -Asuka... thank goodness.- He turned his attention back to the situation at hand, his brow drawing down, -If there is a pilot in that thing, I've got to find a way to help him.- A little guiltily he hoped that Rei would stop it so he would not have to make the decision.
***
"Rei," Commander Ikari's voice came over the EVA's speakers, "Unit 02 has been disabled. It is up to you to stop the angel. Avoid close-combat if possible."
"Yes." Rei said simply. She brought her rifle to bear, taking careful aim at the nape of the black EVA's neck.
She hesitated, her finger on the trigger, -But... but the pilot is... his friend...-
Her hesitation proved her undoing. The black EVA began to twitch and shudder, then leapt backwards, landing on top of the blue Evangelion.
Rei barely had time to yelp as unit 03 crashed down on top of her, pinning her EVA to the ground. A viscous fluid began to drip from the darker unit onto hers.
Rei cried out in pain. Her left arm felt like it was on fire, the pain slowly spreading from the forearm up.
"The angel seems to be infecting unit 00's left arm." Maya called out, sweat drops beginning to form on her forehead.
"Sever the arm." Gendou replied calmly.
She stood up abruptly and turned to look at him, her voice rising nearly to a scream, "But the pilot's nerve connections are still activ-"
"CUT... IT... OFF!" he answered, pronouncing each word deliberately.
"Yes sir..." she whispered, as she sat back down and entered a sequence on her keyboard.
The pain in Rei's mind was nothing compared to what she experienced now. The left arm of EVA unit 00 exploded at the shoulder, sending feedback racing to her brain.
She gasped, unable to verbalize any further than that as her senses informed her that her left arm was gone. "How... how could... you...?" she whispered in disbelief.
Maya cried out, "Heavy damage to unit 00, the pilot is wounded. Unit cannot continue combat."
The black EVA regarded the blue one for a moment, its eyes narrow. Then it turned and continued its advance toward headquarters.
***
In the entry plug for unit 03, Touji threw up - violently. The LCL purification system quickly whisked away all traces of the offending material.
"Ayanami... Asuka..." Touji whispered softly, wiping his mouth, "Oh God... I'm so sorry..."
Once more he pulled on the controls, concentrating as he had been taught. -COME ON!!!- but the EVA refused to acknowledge him.
He sat back, exhausted from his efforts. He abruptly sat forward again, as the EVA's long-range sensors picked up another target.
"No..." he whispered, "please, God, no..."
Directly in front of the rampaging EVA stood Evangelion unit 01, piloted by Touji Suzuhara's best friend.
***
"But... but it's an EVA!" Shinji yelled again. He could not take his eyes off of the slowly advancing mecha.
Gendou's voice was like iron, "It is our enemy, you MUST destroy it!"
The black EVA threw its head back and let out an inhuman roar, then launched itself at unit 01, crushing its rifle and knocking it to the ground before coming to rest on all fours.
From this vantagepoint, Shinji could see the half-ejected entry plug rising from the unit's back. "I was right!" He exclaimed, "There IS a pilot in there." He willed unit 01 to its feet, thinking frantically, -I've got to find a way to get him out of there.-
The black EVA suddenly swung its arm back, then shot it forward. Shinji barely had time to register surprise as the arm extended and its hand wrapped around his mecha's throat. It got to its feet and wrapped the other hand around unit 01's neck, squeezing tightly.
"Unit 01," his father's voice rang in his ears, "why don't you fight back?"
Gasping for breath, Shinji said, "Because there's another person in there... I can't kill another human..." he felt the impact in his spine as unit 03 slammed his unit into the hillside and continued its relentless pressure on his windpipe.
"If you do not fight back," came the cold reply, "then you will die. It is our enemy... you MUST destroy our enemy."
"NO!!" Shinji screamed, "I'd rather die!"
In the command center, Gendou yelled, "DAMNITT!" He rose to his feet, "Cut all the pilot's nerve connection and switch to the dummy plug system."
Maya turned in her seat, "But... but Doctor Akagi has not approved the system for use yet, it's not READY!"
"Anything is better than the CURRENT PILOT!" He shouted.
As she began making the switch, Maya tried to reason with him one last time, "But, sir, thirty-four percent of the emotional factors cannot be determined... we have no way to control it!"
Gendou's voice was cold, "Irrelevant. Activate the system. Commence the attack."
***
Shinji felt the pressure suddenly leave his neck. The screen in front of him went black, then flared to life again. Shinji looked around in confusion as all the systems came back online, and the unit began to move.
"Father! What the hell are you doing?!?!" He screamed.
The cockpit of Evangelion unit 01 was glowing an angry red, as the hands of the giant mecha flexed and reached up to encircle the throat of the angel-possessed unit 03. Unit 03 tried to force the other mecha back to the ground, but it was clear that unit 01 was the stronger of the two as it slowly rose to it's feet and began squeezing.
Shinji pulled hard on the controls, but to no avail - the unit would not respond. "Father!" he screamed, "Stop this!"
Gendou replied calmly, "The angel must be defeated, pilot, since you are not up to the task, this is the way it must be."
A loud *crack* echoed across the valley, as unit 03's neck gave out under the tremendous pressure exerted by the dummy-plug controlled unit 01. Shinji looked through the view screen and saw unit 03's arms fall to its sides.
In the control room, Maya Ibuki looked up from her terminal with a sick look on her face, "Unit 03 is silent, should I cancel the dummy plug control?" Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, awaiting the command.
Gendou Ikari looked down from the top of the control tower, a faint smile barely visible at the corners of his mouth as he spoke, "Not just yet."
"DAMMIT!" Shinji screamed, "It's dead!! Make this stop!!"
Maya looked uncertainly at the commander, then at the other technicians, who were starring at Gendou with stunned expressions. Aoba Shigeru spoke tentatively, "But, sir, the target is no longer a threat, and there is a pilot - a HUMAN pilot inside."
Gendou's expression darkened slightly, as he stared the technician down, "It could be a ploy. You have your orders."
On the monitor, unit 01 could be seen slamming unit 03 to the ground, when a light on Maya's terminal went on, "Oh my God..." she whispered
Suddenly, Shinji's voice came in clear and angry over the communications network, "Father, can you hear me? I've just initiated Unit 01's self-destruct sequence. Stop this now, or you'll have two less EVAs instead of one!"
"Sixty seconds until self-destruct," Maya stared at the screen wide-eyed, "he's really going to do it!"
Gendou's mouth tightened very slightly, as unit 01 crushed unit 03's head and began pulling on its chest armor. His voice remained calm throughout, "I suppose this experiment is over. Deactivate the dummy plug system, and put us at yellow alert."
Maya quickly tapped as sequence on her keyboard, and unit 01 immediately stopped moving - the entry plug for unit 03 could be seen in its hands.
"Retrieval crew estimates three minutes until status of Fourth Child is ascertained." Aoba's voice was shaky.
Maya broke into a relieved smile, tapping on her keyboard, "Receiving transmission from mount Matsushiro - it's major Katsuragi, she's alive!"
Misato's voice came over the speakers, "Shinji? Shinji, can you hear me?"
Shinji was close to tears, "Misato! Oh, I'm so glad... I thought you were dead."
Misato went on hesitantly, "Shinji, there's something I need to tell you about the pilot of unit 03."
Shinji whispered, "I think I killed him, Misato. Father activated the dummy plug and unit 01 attacked... it broke unit 03's neck, I think the pilot must have died." He was close to tears, "Asuka ejected safely and they tell me she's ok, but they won't let me talk to her... no one will tell me what is going on..."
Misato continued, "Shinji, I am so sorry... I should have told you who the pilot was, but I thought it would worry you too much, and I..."
On Unit 01's monitor, Shinji could see the recovery team opening the hatch to entry plug for unit 03. He could hear the technician speaking quickly, "Pilot is alive, but unconscious. We cannot revive him, moving him to intensive care unit."
Misato could hear the relief in her young charge's voice, "Misato! He's alive! Oh thank God!!"
-I should have told him before I left...- she thought regretfully, "Shinji, the pilot of unit 03 is..."
The recovery technician pulled the pilot's limp body out of the entry plug and put it on a gurney, Shinji could plainly see the face of his friend Touji Suzuhara on unit 01's monitor.
Shinji's scream echoed throughout NERV headquarters and cut through Misato Katsuragi's heart like a knife.
To be continued...
Omake
From the scene where Shinji activates the self destruct system:
"Sixty seconds until self-destruct," Maya stared at the screen wide-eyed, "he's really going to do it!"
Gendou's mouth tightened very slightly, as unit 01 crushed unit 03's head and began pulling on its chest armor. His voice remained calm throughout, "I suppose this experiment is over. Deactivate the dummy plug system, and put us at yellow alert."
Maya quickly tapped as sequence on her keyboard, and unit 01 immediately stopped moving - the entry plug for unit 03 could be seen in its hands.
After a few seconds of silence, Shinji's timid voice came over the speakers, "Ummm...how do I turn this thing off?"
In the control room, everyone looked at each other and got under their desks, except for Gendou. He put his head in his hands, whispering, "Yui, our son is -WAS- an idiot..."
Five seconds later, Evangelion unit 01 exploded, scattering EVA bits all over the countryside.
Author's notes: They never SAY that Touji was unconscious when unit 03 was taken over, just that he was breathing and had a heartbeat... so that's what I figured he would be feeling. Other than that, not much to note in this one... pretty straight forward.
I do want to say thanks to Ryoma for pre-reading and catching several grammatical mistakes, and helping me out with a few flow problems. Thanks!
Feedback is always welcome at Random1377@yahoo.com. (If the feedback is negative, please be specific... as opposed to just saying, "Wow, this sucks.")