Disclaimers: Evangelion is trademarked by Gainax, they own all the rights to it. I'm just writing a fan-fiction story of events that I thought would be cool, so Gainax, please don't sue me. This is a continuation of the Deviance arc, integrating with and modifying episodes 15 - 24 of Evangelion, as well as the film End of Evangelion. This particular story fits as episode 19 in continuity. Hope you like it. One last note, due to some misspellings in a previous work of mine, all name spellings in this piece were taken from the translated copy of the Red Cross Book that I have (where applicable - some things I had to find elsewhere, like the spelling of Touji's last name - which came from the name plate on his sister's hospital room in episode 17).
Part 5
(Episode 19)
Aftershocks/Reluctance
By Random1377
Central Dogma was still as death. The echoes of Shinji Ikari's scream had long since faded, and none of the technicians were exactly sure what to do next, as all external commands were being shut off by the EVA's pilot. Hyouga Makoto spoke first, "Shinji, if the commander hadn't activated the dummy system, you would have been killed!"
Shinji's quiet voice came back from the com system, "That's not the point..."
Maya Ibuki spoke up, "He's right Shinji, we ALL would have been killed."
Shinji's voice roared through the control room, "I said that's not the point!! My father tried to kill Touji - tried to make ME kill Touji! He won't get away with that... do you hear me father?! YOU WON'T!! Explain yourself NOW! I have 185 seconds of power remaining in unit 01, and I will destroy as much of this place as I have too to get to you, if you don't answer me NOW!!!"
Gendou Ikari sat motionless on the command dais, fingers intertwined. He spoke quietly, "Increase the pressure of the entry plug's LCL to maximum, I have no time to waste with a petulant child."
Inside the entry plug, Shinji grabbed the control yokes and willed unit 01 forward, when suddenly all of the LCL was forced from his lungs, and blackness started to close in.
He whispered, "Damn! Damn!"
Maya looked up from her console, "Unit 01's pilot is unconscious, beginning retrieval."
Gendou acknowledged her, "Understood. Get me Dr. Akagi on the red line."
Maya tapped in a sequence on her machine, "Yes sir."
Gendou spoke calmly into the phone, "Akagi, the status of the fourth is uncertain, and the third may be unusable now... it is time to ready the fifth."
***
Ritsuko Akagi and Misato Katsuragi stood looking at the wreckage of unit 03. Ritsuko was on her cell phone, "Very well, sir, I know just the one... yes, I will prepare it right away"
Misato looked at her old friend curiously as she hung up, "Anything I should know?"
Ritsuko looked weary, "No... at least, not yet. Now about unit 03"
They both regarded the bloody mass of flesh and armor plates. Misato spoke quietly, "Let me guess... a total loss, right?"
Ritsuko looked at her, hesitated, then spoke, "No, actually... it can be regenerated given about a month's time as it was barely under the Heinfleck limit," Misato's jaw dropped open, but Ritsuko kept talking as if she had said nothing strange at all, "but the problem we have with it is two-fold at this point. First, we have to make sure that all traces of the angel are removed from the unit before reactivating it, on the off chance that it is somehow dormant. Second... the pilot is still in a coma. And Shinji... is currently being removed from unit 01."
Misato looked worried, "Is he ok?"
Ritsuko nodded, "Yes, but they will have to cut the entry plug open and remove him by force... he'll be in the hospital for a day or so, recovering from the excessive pressure of the LCL... then he will have a conference with the commander."
Misato shuddered and looked away, "Then he probably won't be allowed to pilot anymore, will he?"
Ritsuko shrugged, "I don't know... but there are always alternatives"
Misato looked at her sharply, "What do you mean?"
Ritsuko shook her head, "Never mind, but even if he is allowed to, will he want to?"
Misato spoke quietly, "I don't know..."
***
Shinji woke from troubled dreams to find himself handcuffed to a bed in the infirmary. He looked around and noticed Touji in the bed next to his, unconscious. Hikari Horaki sat by his bed, weeping quietly. Shinji's voice came out sounding rough (most likely due to the screaming he had done), "Hikari? Is... he ok?"
Hikari wiped her eyes quickly and tried to smile at Shinji, "They... they don't know. He hasn't regained consciousness since... since the accident, and they don't know if he ever will..." She could see that this upset Shinji, so she went on quickly, "but they said the same thing when you were in the hospital after the fifth angel attack, Major Katsuragi told me. So don't worry... I'm sure he'll be fine."
Shinji smiled at her, "Thanks, Hikari... but if he is or not, I'm never getting into EVA again." He paused for a minute, "Is Asuka ok? I know her plug was retrieved, but how is she?" -I thought she would be here when I woke- he thought, with some disappointment.
She was about to respond, when a nurse came in. Hikari looked confused, "I still have two hours with him, don't I?"
The nurse responded kindly, "Well, you do, but you have been asked to report to this room immediately," She handed Hikari a piece of paper and turned to Shinji, her tone becoming noticeably cooler, "and now that you are awake, you are to dress and report to the office of the commander at once. A guard is waiting outside to escort you." She threw the key to the handcuffs onto his bed (barely within his reach), turned on her heel and left.
Hikari started gathering her bags, a troubled look on her face, "I hope everything goes well for you, Shinji... and I hope I see you again."
Shinji looked at her, concerned, "Are you ok, Hikari? You look pale."
Hikari started to nod, then shook her head instead, "This note says they have found information about what happened to my mother... she's been missing for 10 years. I have to go find out." She looked at him, obviously torn between going and answering his last question, " I have to..." she said desperately. She ran out, leaving Shinji to dress alone.
***
Asuka was fuming... no, Asuka was furious, -How DARE they!- she thought, pacing back and forth in her room, -House arrest indeed!- She thought of Shinji, all alone in his hospital room, and her features softened, -I'm sorry... I should be there with you...-
There was knock on her door, and she heard Misato's voice on the other side, "Asuka? Are you ok?"
Asuka went to the door and opened it, surprised to see Misato wearing a cast on one arm, "I thought... I thought you weren't injured..." she asked, some of her anger forgotten.
Misato smiled ruefully, "Only MINOR injuries... if you call this," she lifted the cast for emphasis, "minor. But I came here to tell you about Shinji."
Asuka's face screwed up with concern, "When can I see him?"
Misato averted her eyes, "That... that could prove to be difficult..." She raised her good hand to stop Asuka's forthcoming tirade, "For one thing, I don't know when they are going to let you out again. Even though it's just house arrest and not the real thing - honestly, Asuka! You broke a man's nose!"
Asuka looked at the floor and muttered, "He... he touched me..."
Misato tilted her head to the side, "He caught you before you could attack commander Ikari, you mean."
Asuka shrugged, smiling slightly, "You tell it your way..."
Misato went on, quieter, "For another thing, I don't think he's going to pilot anymore. He had an interview with the commander and I... I think he's resigned his pilot's status."
Asuka paled slightly, "Does that mean... he'll leave?" Her voice rose quickly, "Because if he does, Misato you know that-"
Misato cut her off gently, "I know... you'll go where he does." She smiled at the younger woman's blush, "You've both made it very clear to me where you stand. The only solution available is to convince Shinji to stay in Tokyo-3, since I can't lose both of you." She paused, then continued in a stern tone, "But I must say I'm very disappointed in you... he was scared and confused, and you were off beating up on NERV personnel, you should have been-"
Asuka bowed her head, "I know..." she whispered, "I should have been there to comfort him..."
Misato's face lightened, and she put her hand on Asuka's shoulder. They stood quietly like that for some time.
***
Ritsuko was sitting across from Hikari, "Your linear thinking test scores are very high,"
Hikari answered quickly, "But Rei's are much higher than mine."
The interview had been going on for what seemed like hours, and Hikari felt like she was going to explode. She had reported to room 5114 as requested, and found this woman, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, waiting for her. Akagi had informed her that the information she wanted was coming, but that she wanted to talk to her about a project she wanted Hikari to be part of. Hikari had tried her best to back out of it, what with Touji and everything else going on, but Akagi had been relentless, "You are also doing very well in Physics, Physical education, and Mathematics."
Hikari thought about it for a moment, "Well, I do ok... but Asuka is better in Physics than me, and I always ask Shinji for Math help. And Touji is - was - the number one track runner in school. I don't think I'm the right person for your project."
Ritsuko was smiling, "On the contrary, I think you are quite well suited. You have tested well in all the necessary areas, you are in top physical condition... and judging by how much time you spend in Mr. Suzuhara's room, you are fiercely loyal and dedicated." Hikari was blushing and frowning at the same time, but Ritsuko ignored this and went on, "I'm going to cut to the chase here, Ms. Horaki, and I THINK you may even have some idea of what we need you for."
Hikari paled, as realization dawned. She whispered, "You can't mean..."
Ritsuko smiled as the young girl finally caught on, "I think you get it, but let's make sure. All of the people you said are better than you, what do they have in common?"
Hikari's voice could barely be heard, "They're all Evangelion pilots."
Ritsuko nodded her approval, "Correct. And you are to be the next."
Hikari looked desperate, "But why me?? I'm not special."
Ritsuko said matter-of-factly, "On the contrary, you are very special indeed. Only four other children with your qualifications have EVER been found, and since two of them are currently unavailable, we need you to do this." A man walked into the room holding a piece of folded, yellowing paper. He handed it to Ritsuko and bowed, then walked out. Hikari's eyes locked onto the paper, and Ritsuko smiled slightly.
Ritsuko's tone became confiding and friendly, which made Hikari vaguely ill, "You know, I lost my mother when I was young too... I know what it's like to be alone. But I can't imagine not knowing what happened to her, it must be killing you. What is on this paper won't be easy for you to read, you know, are you sure you want to see it?" she toyed with the paper in her hand. Hikari looked from it to Ritsuko's face, then back again.
Hikari spoke quietly, not meeting the older woman's gaze, "If I refuse to pilot... you won't let me see it, will you?"
Ritsuko's face flashed with the briefest hint of amusement, but her voice conveyed surprise, "Now, why would you think that?"
Hikari looked at her again, closer this time. Ritsuko did her best to look reassuring, but Hikari could see the older woman's fingers tensed around the paper... ready to tear at a moment's notice. She sighed, knowing she could not win, "I'll do it..."
Ritsuko's hands relaxed, and she handed the paper to Hikari, "I'm glad you made this decision. Report to NERV headquarters tomorrow at 6:00 am for initial testing, and welcome aboard." She turned to leave, but hesitated at the door, "Hikari... until things get more stable, keep this to yourself. Ok?"
Hikari just nodded, the piece of paper clutched to her chest. Ritsuko smiled once more, and walked out. Hikari sat quietly for a moment, trying to control the tears that threatened to come. -Me... an EVA pilot. Who would have thought?- She regarded the paper in her hands, suddenly not so sure if she wanted to open it. -Touji...- she though fiercely, -I'll do it for him, not her!- She unfolded the paper and began to read.
Soon, the tears running from her eyes made it impossible to continue.
***
Shinji stood looking out at Tokyo-3 and sighed, "So beautiful..."
"You're talking about me, right?" Shinji jumped and whirled around to find Asuka standing behind him. She wore a slight frown and had her hands on her hips.
"A-Asuka... I..." He began.
She cut him off, "If you're going to try to give me some lame excuse about how this is all your fault, save it! I don't want to hear that from you, do you understand?"
"But... but Touji's-" He fumbled for words, but she cut him off again.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I don't want to hear it! I don't even want to hear where you've been the last two days, I just don't want to HEAR IT!" Her voice had grown steadily louder until she had yelled the last two words.
Shinji bowed his head, "I'm sorry... but I'm the one who-"
Asuka threw her hands in the air, "ARRRGGHHH!!! Why are you so hard to get through too?!" She closed the distance between them and slapped him, "Don't apologize to me for things that aren't your fault, it makes me sick!"
Shinji didn't look up as he whispered, "You won't have to worry about it after tomorrow, I'll be gone... I won't-"
Asuka slapped him again, harder, "No! You won't!" He looked up at her, stunned, as she continued, "The only reason I didn't come find you sooner is because I was trapped in Misato's apartment..." she saw the confusion on his face, "long story, but anyway. You will NOT be leaving me, do you understand?"
His mouth hung open, and he rubbed his twice-slapped check, "But Touji-" he stopped as she raised her hand threateningly.
"Listen, Shinji," she sounded angry, "even if Touji's injuries ARE your fault, and even if you NEVER get into unit 01 again - I DON'T CARE!" Her voice began to crack as she continued, "but if you try to leave me... if you leave I won't forgive you." She stepped closer to him, and he could see the tears welling in the corners of her eyes, "You belong to me, Shinji Ikari, I won't let you leave me. If you try I'll hunt you down. You are mine!" She grabbed him and hugged him fiercely, whispering, "I need you..."
"Asuka... I don't.... I don't know what to do... everything is so... so..." Shinji found that he was on the verge of tears.
Asuka whispered into his ear, "I know it is." She hugged him tighter, "Stay with me, Shinji... I won't judge you. No matter what you have done, no matter what you will do, I love you.... I love you now and I love you always. Don't leave me... please..."
Shinji's mind was in turmoil. He had come to the highest point above Tokyo-3 to bid the city goodbye. Now the strongest person that he knew was asking, no begging, him to stay... for her! How could he refuse her?
He put his arms around her gently, whispering, "Shhh... it's ok... I'm not going anywhere..." In his mind he added, -But I will stand by my decision.... I won't ever pilot EVA again.-
Asuka's crying began to taper off. She sniffed, and spoke softly against his chest, "Shinji... it's been four days since we-"
She was cut off mid-sentence by Tokyo-3's warning siren. They looked at each other, wide-eyed, then Asuka kissed him hard on the lips. After a moment she pulled away and started running, yelling over her shoulder, "Get to a shelter! I'll take care of this, and when I get back, we'll pick up where we left off."
"Ok..." Shinji waved, but Asuka had already rounded a corner and was gone.
***
Once again, Central Dogma was in chaos. The alarm had been going for several minutes, and the ground to air defenses had not been able to so much as slow the oncoming angel.
Hyouga sounded close to panic, "The angel has almost penetrated the last layer of armor."
Misato considered the options and spoke quickly, "Then there's no time to intercept on the surface. Position Asuka inside the Geofront, just in front of headquarters to snipe the target."
The red Evangelion rocketed to the surface and surrounded itself with guns. It selected one and waited for the angel to appear. In the entry plug, Asuka gripped the control yokes tightly, "I can beat this angel, Shinji... you won't have to be hurt again. I promise."
Misato turned to Maya, "What is the status of units 00 and 01?"
Maya replied tautly, "Unit 00 is still not combat ready. Rei is currently being inserted into unit 01 with a dummy plug backup."
Misato nodded grimly, "Understood." -I'm counting on you, Asuka- she thought tensely.
Aoba shouted, "It's penetrated the last layer of armor! It's in the Geofront!!"
Asuka saw the armor buckle and give way, allowing the huge beast to squeeze through. She spoke to herself confidently, "Here it comes! Alright, Asuka... let's show them how it should be done. For HIM!!"
Unit 02 squeezed the trigger on the palette rifle it was holding, and a stream of high velocity shells and tracers tore through the air....
***
In the shelter, Shinji hugged his knees tightly, thinking, -This... this doesn't feel right... I should be fighting too.-
He thought of Asuka's last kiss, of how passionate it was, -She might die... and I'm cowering in here.-
"Hey Shinji! Is that you?" His thoughts were distracted by someone shouting his name. He looked up to see Kensuke coming towards him. He stopped directly in front of him and spoke again, "It IS you! Man, I thought you would be in unit 01 by now!"
Shinji looked down, "I told you, I gave that up." He said in a dejected tone.
Kensuke pushed his glasses up on his nose and winked, "Yeah, I know that's what you SAID... but you've said that before."
Shinji kept his head down, "Well... I mean it this time."
Kensuke frowned down at his friend, "You know something Shinji? I'm surprised at you."
Shinji didn't look up as he answered in a quiet voice, "Why, Kensuke? Because I don't want to get hurt any more? Or because I'm tired of being manipulated? Which surprises you most?"
Kensuke dropped into a catcher's crouch and looked Shinji in the eye, not smiling, "No, Shinji... I'm surprised that you would just sit here doing nothing while other people risk their lives to save the one's they love. I never thought you were that kind of person." He got up and walked away without saying another word.
Shinji stared after him, his words echoing in his head.
***
"DAMNITT!! Why won't you fall?!?" Asuka had already emptied three rifle's worth of ammunition into the angel, without any apparent effect. "I can't lose again! Not again!!!" She grabbed two rocket launchers and brought them to bear, pulling the triggers.
-Oh God... please... so much depends on me, I can't fail... he'll be killed!- She thought frantically, as round after round slammed ineffectually into the monster in front of her.
"What the...?" Asuka started in bewilderment as two ribbon-like arms unfolded from the beast's stubby shoulders and dangled down. Bewilderment became pain, as the ribbons lashed out, connecting with her EVA at the shoulder joints.
Asuka screamed in agony as the EVA's arms flew in different directions. Blood shot from the resulting holes, bathing the countryside in purple. She clutched her shoulders, trying to tell herself that her arms were still there. -I've... got... to stop it...Shinji... Shinji...- she thought through the pain.
In Central Dogma, Misato watched in horror as unit 02 began to charge the angel.
"Asuka, no!!" She cried futilely. She turned to Maya and shouted, "Cut her nerve connections, now!!" Maya completed the sequence as the Angel's arm shot out and severed unit 02's head, sending it flying backwards toward the city.
***
-Kensuke's right- Shinji thought, huddling in a corner of the shelter, -I SHOULD be out there.- He got to his feet, smiling, "Guess I can always just-"
He was cut off by a monumental crash.
When the dust finally settled, he risked a look, and his eyes went wide - unit 02's head was lying half in and half out of the shelter.
"A-Asuka..." his face displayed determination as he started to run.
***
The angel calmly floated past unit 02, paying it no mind.
In the entry plug, Asuka cursed softly, "Damn... damn..."
***
The LCL charged in unit 00 as the EVA went active, affording Rei a view of the outside world.
She thought back to the events of just a few minutes ago, the LCL charging... the feedback... the scream in her mind.
"Time," she whispered to herself, "buy him some time... and he will come." She willed the EVA forward, heading towards the weapons storehouse... and the N^2 mines contained therein.
***
Shinji had only stopped to consider unit 02 for a moment, whispering, "Asuka... I'm coming..." before continuing his run towards Central Dogma.
He paused again as Unit 00 came shooting to the surface of the Geofront. "Rei? With no rifle!!!"
He watched in horror as the giant blue mecha charged the angel, an N^2 mine tucked under it's arm.
Rei reached the angel and brought the N^2 mine down like a knife, feeling it meet with the angel's field. "Full power," she whispered, increasing her own field's output.
The angel's field gave way suddenly, allowing the N^2 mine to reach it's body. Rei triggered the device, just as a pair of shutters snapped closed over the angel's core. "Unh!" she gasped in surprise, a moment before the device went off.
Shinji threw himself to the ground, covering his head, as the mine went off, -REI!!- his mind screamed.
As soon as the blast had dissipated, he risked a look up.
He was just in time to see the angel split Unit 00's head with its razor sharp arm.
"NO!" he screamed, -have to get there...- he picked himself up and kept running.
***
Misato had known what is meant to be afraid, but she had never experienced anything like this before.
Ten feet in front of her, the fourteenth angel seem to regard her and the rest of the bridge crew, its head tilted to one side. - Is it... smiling??- Misato thought.
She would never know.
The angel's eyes began to glow with an unholy light. -This is it,- she thought, clutching her cross in her good hand, -I won't close my eyes... I won't...-
As the light became almost unbearable, a purple fist crashed into the side of the angel's head. Misato's eyes went wide, "Eva unit one?" she asked in wonder. Then in a whisper, "Shinji?"
***
Shinji screamed as he willed the EVA to pick the angel up and force it through the wall it had come through. -Have to get it away from everyone- he thought.
The EVA came crashing down on top of the angel, and Shinji raised the mecha's left hand to punch the angel.
The angel raised its head, its eyes flashing, and unit 01's arm was severed at the elbow.
Shinji screamed in agony as the arm, and a substantial amount of the EVA's blood, slammed into the wall behind him.
-Have to get out of here! It's too confined.- he thought. Then an idea struck him. He slapped the angel with his remaining hand, then kicked it, forcing it back towards the far wall.
-I hope this works,- he thought. He crouched low and rushed the angel, slamming it backwards into one of the EVA's launch platforms. "MISATO!!!" he screamed.
Misato understood his intentions perfectly, "Launch the fifth catapult, hurry!"
As the catapult rocketed towards the surface, Shinji pressed the angel's face against the launch rail, satisfied to see the sparks that were flying. They cleared the tower and started free falling, unit 01 still on top.
As they hit the ground, Shinji screamed again, pounding the angel with unit 01's fist as hard as he could.
-I'll tear you apart!- he thought, his vision red. Unit 01 reached forward and began pulling on the angel's face, stretching it out of proportion.
-Yes! YES!- he thought, a feral smile on his face, -just a little more and-
Suddenly, unit 01 stopped pulling and sagged forward, an alarm sounded behind the pilot's seat.
"What? Out of power!?" Shinji could only sit helpless, as the angel wrapped its whip-like hand around unit 01's head and tossed it aside like a sack of grain.
***
The bridge crew reached the surface just in time to see unit 01 slam into the mountainside.
"Unit 01 is out of power, the backup supply is not working!" Maya reported tensely, looking up from her laptop.
Misato whispered, "Shinji..."
Shinji pulled on the controls, frantic. "Move!! Move move move!! Come on, you've got to move now, or there's no point to any of this!!" The entry plug rocked as something hit the EVA from the outside. Then it shook harder as an explosion tore part of armor from the chest. Suddenly Shinji could feel a steady pounding, as if something was trying to get inside.
He yanked the controls harder, "You have to move, or everyone will be killed... SHE'LL be killed!! Oh, I'm sick of it already!!! Just move you GODAMN MONSTER!!!"
A sound like a heartbeat froze the words on his lips, as the entire entry plug shone with an interior blue light. Shinji felt power surging through the EVA, and through him... and then everything went dark.
***
The angel continued it's relentless pounding on EVA 01's core. It was bringing it's right hand down for another hit, when the EVA's eyes flared to life and it stretched it's hand out, splitting the angel's ribbon-like appendage into five pieces - then yanking the angel hard against it's horn.
"EVA unit 01 is... reactivated..." Misato's voice was full of disbelief, but not as much as Maya's, "How can this be??" She spun from her laptop to face Ritsuko, "How can his sync ratio be over four hundred percent?!?"
Ritsuko whispered in awe, as the EVA took the angel's arm and regenerated it's own, "It's finally happened... its aware..."
The EVA roared, as the angel tried to lash out with it's remaining arm, only to have unit 01 tear it in half at the midpoint. Unit 01 crouched down and began to walk, crab-like, towards the angel. The angel raised its head, the eyes glowing with power, but unit 01 slammed it back down onto the ground. Unit 01's eyes narrowed, and it leaned towards the angel.
"Oh my God... it's EATING the angel...?!?" Misato's voice registered shock.
"It's taking the S^2 organ into itself!!" Ritsuko sounded worried.
Maya could not stand the sight any longer, and was rather loudly sick.
The bridge crew watched in horrified fascination as Unit 01 consumed the angel.
To be continued.
Omake
From the scene where Ritsuko "recruits" Hikari:
Ritsuko was smiling, "On the contrary, I think you are quite well suited. You have tested well in all the necessary areas, you are in top physical condition... and judging by how much time you spend in Mr. Suzuhara's room, you are fiercely loyal and dedicated." Hikari was blushing and frowning at the same time, but Ritsuko ignored this and went on, "I'm going to cut to the chase here, Ms. Horaki, and I THINK you may even have some idea of what we need you for."
Hikari paled, as realization dawned. She whispered, "You can't mean..."
Ritsuko nodded, "That's right* we want you to be this month's NERV centerfold."
Hikari fell out of her chair, "E-Excuse me??" she said, picking herself up off the floor.
Ritsuko held her fingers up one by one, "Oh, it's very prestigious. You DEFINITELY have all of the qualifications: you're cute, tall, fit - and you have a nice rack, so I think you will do nicely." She leaned forward confidentially, "And on a more personal note, I think you're very... VERY sexy..."
Sweating, Hikari decided that it was time for her to leave.
Author's notes: Writing this part made me nervous. The fight with the 14th angel is, in my opinion, the second best anime fight scene ever. Between all three EVAs it lasts about ten minutes - ten minutes on one fight scene! I was worried that I would not be able to do it justice, and I hope I didn't disappoint (what is THE best fight scene, you ask? Asuka versus the EVA series, in End of Evangelion... and I am WAY edgy about doing that one right.) And YES, I know the whole series is filled with that Warm And Fuzzy Feeling - this is on purpose! Get over it. Next chapter should be up in a week or two... and I LIKE the next chapter... a LOT! ;)
Thanks again to Ryoma for prereading!
Feedback is welcome at Random1377@yahoo.com
Part 5
(Episode 19)
Aftershocks/Reluctance
By Random1377
Central Dogma was still as death. The echoes of Shinji Ikari's scream had long since faded, and none of the technicians were exactly sure what to do next, as all external commands were being shut off by the EVA's pilot. Hyouga Makoto spoke first, "Shinji, if the commander hadn't activated the dummy system, you would have been killed!"
Shinji's quiet voice came back from the com system, "That's not the point..."
Maya Ibuki spoke up, "He's right Shinji, we ALL would have been killed."
Shinji's voice roared through the control room, "I said that's not the point!! My father tried to kill Touji - tried to make ME kill Touji! He won't get away with that... do you hear me father?! YOU WON'T!! Explain yourself NOW! I have 185 seconds of power remaining in unit 01, and I will destroy as much of this place as I have too to get to you, if you don't answer me NOW!!!"
Gendou Ikari sat motionless on the command dais, fingers intertwined. He spoke quietly, "Increase the pressure of the entry plug's LCL to maximum, I have no time to waste with a petulant child."
Inside the entry plug, Shinji grabbed the control yokes and willed unit 01 forward, when suddenly all of the LCL was forced from his lungs, and blackness started to close in.
He whispered, "Damn! Damn!"
Maya looked up from her console, "Unit 01's pilot is unconscious, beginning retrieval."
Gendou acknowledged her, "Understood. Get me Dr. Akagi on the red line."
Maya tapped in a sequence on her machine, "Yes sir."
Gendou spoke calmly into the phone, "Akagi, the status of the fourth is uncertain, and the third may be unusable now... it is time to ready the fifth."
***
Ritsuko Akagi and Misato Katsuragi stood looking at the wreckage of unit 03. Ritsuko was on her cell phone, "Very well, sir, I know just the one... yes, I will prepare it right away"
Misato looked at her old friend curiously as she hung up, "Anything I should know?"
Ritsuko looked weary, "No... at least, not yet. Now about unit 03"
They both regarded the bloody mass of flesh and armor plates. Misato spoke quietly, "Let me guess... a total loss, right?"
Ritsuko looked at her, hesitated, then spoke, "No, actually... it can be regenerated given about a month's time as it was barely under the Heinfleck limit," Misato's jaw dropped open, but Ritsuko kept talking as if she had said nothing strange at all, "but the problem we have with it is two-fold at this point. First, we have to make sure that all traces of the angel are removed from the unit before reactivating it, on the off chance that it is somehow dormant. Second... the pilot is still in a coma. And Shinji... is currently being removed from unit 01."
Misato looked worried, "Is he ok?"
Ritsuko nodded, "Yes, but they will have to cut the entry plug open and remove him by force... he'll be in the hospital for a day or so, recovering from the excessive pressure of the LCL... then he will have a conference with the commander."
Misato shuddered and looked away, "Then he probably won't be allowed to pilot anymore, will he?"
Ritsuko shrugged, "I don't know... but there are always alternatives"
Misato looked at her sharply, "What do you mean?"
Ritsuko shook her head, "Never mind, but even if he is allowed to, will he want to?"
Misato spoke quietly, "I don't know..."
***
Shinji woke from troubled dreams to find himself handcuffed to a bed in the infirmary. He looked around and noticed Touji in the bed next to his, unconscious. Hikari Horaki sat by his bed, weeping quietly. Shinji's voice came out sounding rough (most likely due to the screaming he had done), "Hikari? Is... he ok?"
Hikari wiped her eyes quickly and tried to smile at Shinji, "They... they don't know. He hasn't regained consciousness since... since the accident, and they don't know if he ever will..." She could see that this upset Shinji, so she went on quickly, "but they said the same thing when you were in the hospital after the fifth angel attack, Major Katsuragi told me. So don't worry... I'm sure he'll be fine."
Shinji smiled at her, "Thanks, Hikari... but if he is or not, I'm never getting into EVA again." He paused for a minute, "Is Asuka ok? I know her plug was retrieved, but how is she?" -I thought she would be here when I woke- he thought, with some disappointment.
She was about to respond, when a nurse came in. Hikari looked confused, "I still have two hours with him, don't I?"
The nurse responded kindly, "Well, you do, but you have been asked to report to this room immediately," She handed Hikari a piece of paper and turned to Shinji, her tone becoming noticeably cooler, "and now that you are awake, you are to dress and report to the office of the commander at once. A guard is waiting outside to escort you." She threw the key to the handcuffs onto his bed (barely within his reach), turned on her heel and left.
Hikari started gathering her bags, a troubled look on her face, "I hope everything goes well for you, Shinji... and I hope I see you again."
Shinji looked at her, concerned, "Are you ok, Hikari? You look pale."
Hikari started to nod, then shook her head instead, "This note says they have found information about what happened to my mother... she's been missing for 10 years. I have to go find out." She looked at him, obviously torn between going and answering his last question, " I have to..." she said desperately. She ran out, leaving Shinji to dress alone.
***
Asuka was fuming... no, Asuka was furious, -How DARE they!- she thought, pacing back and forth in her room, -House arrest indeed!- She thought of Shinji, all alone in his hospital room, and her features softened, -I'm sorry... I should be there with you...-
There was knock on her door, and she heard Misato's voice on the other side, "Asuka? Are you ok?"
Asuka went to the door and opened it, surprised to see Misato wearing a cast on one arm, "I thought... I thought you weren't injured..." she asked, some of her anger forgotten.
Misato smiled ruefully, "Only MINOR injuries... if you call this," she lifted the cast for emphasis, "minor. But I came here to tell you about Shinji."
Asuka's face screwed up with concern, "When can I see him?"
Misato averted her eyes, "That... that could prove to be difficult..." She raised her good hand to stop Asuka's forthcoming tirade, "For one thing, I don't know when they are going to let you out again. Even though it's just house arrest and not the real thing - honestly, Asuka! You broke a man's nose!"
Asuka looked at the floor and muttered, "He... he touched me..."
Misato tilted her head to the side, "He caught you before you could attack commander Ikari, you mean."
Asuka shrugged, smiling slightly, "You tell it your way..."
Misato went on, quieter, "For another thing, I don't think he's going to pilot anymore. He had an interview with the commander and I... I think he's resigned his pilot's status."
Asuka paled slightly, "Does that mean... he'll leave?" Her voice rose quickly, "Because if he does, Misato you know that-"
Misato cut her off gently, "I know... you'll go where he does." She smiled at the younger woman's blush, "You've both made it very clear to me where you stand. The only solution available is to convince Shinji to stay in Tokyo-3, since I can't lose both of you." She paused, then continued in a stern tone, "But I must say I'm very disappointed in you... he was scared and confused, and you were off beating up on NERV personnel, you should have been-"
Asuka bowed her head, "I know..." she whispered, "I should have been there to comfort him..."
Misato's face lightened, and she put her hand on Asuka's shoulder. They stood quietly like that for some time.
***
Ritsuko was sitting across from Hikari, "Your linear thinking test scores are very high,"
Hikari answered quickly, "But Rei's are much higher than mine."
The interview had been going on for what seemed like hours, and Hikari felt like she was going to explode. She had reported to room 5114 as requested, and found this woman, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, waiting for her. Akagi had informed her that the information she wanted was coming, but that she wanted to talk to her about a project she wanted Hikari to be part of. Hikari had tried her best to back out of it, what with Touji and everything else going on, but Akagi had been relentless, "You are also doing very well in Physics, Physical education, and Mathematics."
Hikari thought about it for a moment, "Well, I do ok... but Asuka is better in Physics than me, and I always ask Shinji for Math help. And Touji is - was - the number one track runner in school. I don't think I'm the right person for your project."
Ritsuko was smiling, "On the contrary, I think you are quite well suited. You have tested well in all the necessary areas, you are in top physical condition... and judging by how much time you spend in Mr. Suzuhara's room, you are fiercely loyal and dedicated." Hikari was blushing and frowning at the same time, but Ritsuko ignored this and went on, "I'm going to cut to the chase here, Ms. Horaki, and I THINK you may even have some idea of what we need you for."
Hikari paled, as realization dawned. She whispered, "You can't mean..."
Ritsuko smiled as the young girl finally caught on, "I think you get it, but let's make sure. All of the people you said are better than you, what do they have in common?"
Hikari's voice could barely be heard, "They're all Evangelion pilots."
Ritsuko nodded her approval, "Correct. And you are to be the next."
Hikari looked desperate, "But why me?? I'm not special."
Ritsuko said matter-of-factly, "On the contrary, you are very special indeed. Only four other children with your qualifications have EVER been found, and since two of them are currently unavailable, we need you to do this." A man walked into the room holding a piece of folded, yellowing paper. He handed it to Ritsuko and bowed, then walked out. Hikari's eyes locked onto the paper, and Ritsuko smiled slightly.
Ritsuko's tone became confiding and friendly, which made Hikari vaguely ill, "You know, I lost my mother when I was young too... I know what it's like to be alone. But I can't imagine not knowing what happened to her, it must be killing you. What is on this paper won't be easy for you to read, you know, are you sure you want to see it?" she toyed with the paper in her hand. Hikari looked from it to Ritsuko's face, then back again.
Hikari spoke quietly, not meeting the older woman's gaze, "If I refuse to pilot... you won't let me see it, will you?"
Ritsuko's face flashed with the briefest hint of amusement, but her voice conveyed surprise, "Now, why would you think that?"
Hikari looked at her again, closer this time. Ritsuko did her best to look reassuring, but Hikari could see the older woman's fingers tensed around the paper... ready to tear at a moment's notice. She sighed, knowing she could not win, "I'll do it..."
Ritsuko's hands relaxed, and she handed the paper to Hikari, "I'm glad you made this decision. Report to NERV headquarters tomorrow at 6:00 am for initial testing, and welcome aboard." She turned to leave, but hesitated at the door, "Hikari... until things get more stable, keep this to yourself. Ok?"
Hikari just nodded, the piece of paper clutched to her chest. Ritsuko smiled once more, and walked out. Hikari sat quietly for a moment, trying to control the tears that threatened to come. -Me... an EVA pilot. Who would have thought?- She regarded the paper in her hands, suddenly not so sure if she wanted to open it. -Touji...- she though fiercely, -I'll do it for him, not her!- She unfolded the paper and began to read.
Soon, the tears running from her eyes made it impossible to continue.
***
Shinji stood looking out at Tokyo-3 and sighed, "So beautiful..."
"You're talking about me, right?" Shinji jumped and whirled around to find Asuka standing behind him. She wore a slight frown and had her hands on her hips.
"A-Asuka... I..." He began.
She cut him off, "If you're going to try to give me some lame excuse about how this is all your fault, save it! I don't want to hear that from you, do you understand?"
"But... but Touji's-" He fumbled for words, but she cut him off again.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I don't want to hear it! I don't even want to hear where you've been the last two days, I just don't want to HEAR IT!" Her voice had grown steadily louder until she had yelled the last two words.
Shinji bowed his head, "I'm sorry... but I'm the one who-"
Asuka threw her hands in the air, "ARRRGGHHH!!! Why are you so hard to get through too?!" She closed the distance between them and slapped him, "Don't apologize to me for things that aren't your fault, it makes me sick!"
Shinji didn't look up as he whispered, "You won't have to worry about it after tomorrow, I'll be gone... I won't-"
Asuka slapped him again, harder, "No! You won't!" He looked up at her, stunned, as she continued, "The only reason I didn't come find you sooner is because I was trapped in Misato's apartment..." she saw the confusion on his face, "long story, but anyway. You will NOT be leaving me, do you understand?"
His mouth hung open, and he rubbed his twice-slapped check, "But Touji-" he stopped as she raised her hand threateningly.
"Listen, Shinji," she sounded angry, "even if Touji's injuries ARE your fault, and even if you NEVER get into unit 01 again - I DON'T CARE!" Her voice began to crack as she continued, "but if you try to leave me... if you leave I won't forgive you." She stepped closer to him, and he could see the tears welling in the corners of her eyes, "You belong to me, Shinji Ikari, I won't let you leave me. If you try I'll hunt you down. You are mine!" She grabbed him and hugged him fiercely, whispering, "I need you..."
"Asuka... I don't.... I don't know what to do... everything is so... so..." Shinji found that he was on the verge of tears.
Asuka whispered into his ear, "I know it is." She hugged him tighter, "Stay with me, Shinji... I won't judge you. No matter what you have done, no matter what you will do, I love you.... I love you now and I love you always. Don't leave me... please..."
Shinji's mind was in turmoil. He had come to the highest point above Tokyo-3 to bid the city goodbye. Now the strongest person that he knew was asking, no begging, him to stay... for her! How could he refuse her?
He put his arms around her gently, whispering, "Shhh... it's ok... I'm not going anywhere..." In his mind he added, -But I will stand by my decision.... I won't ever pilot EVA again.-
Asuka's crying began to taper off. She sniffed, and spoke softly against his chest, "Shinji... it's been four days since we-"
She was cut off mid-sentence by Tokyo-3's warning siren. They looked at each other, wide-eyed, then Asuka kissed him hard on the lips. After a moment she pulled away and started running, yelling over her shoulder, "Get to a shelter! I'll take care of this, and when I get back, we'll pick up where we left off."
"Ok..." Shinji waved, but Asuka had already rounded a corner and was gone.
***
Once again, Central Dogma was in chaos. The alarm had been going for several minutes, and the ground to air defenses had not been able to so much as slow the oncoming angel.
Hyouga sounded close to panic, "The angel has almost penetrated the last layer of armor."
Misato considered the options and spoke quickly, "Then there's no time to intercept on the surface. Position Asuka inside the Geofront, just in front of headquarters to snipe the target."
The red Evangelion rocketed to the surface and surrounded itself with guns. It selected one and waited for the angel to appear. In the entry plug, Asuka gripped the control yokes tightly, "I can beat this angel, Shinji... you won't have to be hurt again. I promise."
Misato turned to Maya, "What is the status of units 00 and 01?"
Maya replied tautly, "Unit 00 is still not combat ready. Rei is currently being inserted into unit 01 with a dummy plug backup."
Misato nodded grimly, "Understood." -I'm counting on you, Asuka- she thought tensely.
Aoba shouted, "It's penetrated the last layer of armor! It's in the Geofront!!"
Asuka saw the armor buckle and give way, allowing the huge beast to squeeze through. She spoke to herself confidently, "Here it comes! Alright, Asuka... let's show them how it should be done. For HIM!!"
Unit 02 squeezed the trigger on the palette rifle it was holding, and a stream of high velocity shells and tracers tore through the air....
***
In the shelter, Shinji hugged his knees tightly, thinking, -This... this doesn't feel right... I should be fighting too.-
He thought of Asuka's last kiss, of how passionate it was, -She might die... and I'm cowering in here.-
"Hey Shinji! Is that you?" His thoughts were distracted by someone shouting his name. He looked up to see Kensuke coming towards him. He stopped directly in front of him and spoke again, "It IS you! Man, I thought you would be in unit 01 by now!"
Shinji looked down, "I told you, I gave that up." He said in a dejected tone.
Kensuke pushed his glasses up on his nose and winked, "Yeah, I know that's what you SAID... but you've said that before."
Shinji kept his head down, "Well... I mean it this time."
Kensuke frowned down at his friend, "You know something Shinji? I'm surprised at you."
Shinji didn't look up as he answered in a quiet voice, "Why, Kensuke? Because I don't want to get hurt any more? Or because I'm tired of being manipulated? Which surprises you most?"
Kensuke dropped into a catcher's crouch and looked Shinji in the eye, not smiling, "No, Shinji... I'm surprised that you would just sit here doing nothing while other people risk their lives to save the one's they love. I never thought you were that kind of person." He got up and walked away without saying another word.
Shinji stared after him, his words echoing in his head.
***
"DAMNITT!! Why won't you fall?!?" Asuka had already emptied three rifle's worth of ammunition into the angel, without any apparent effect. "I can't lose again! Not again!!!" She grabbed two rocket launchers and brought them to bear, pulling the triggers.
-Oh God... please... so much depends on me, I can't fail... he'll be killed!- She thought frantically, as round after round slammed ineffectually into the monster in front of her.
"What the...?" Asuka started in bewilderment as two ribbon-like arms unfolded from the beast's stubby shoulders and dangled down. Bewilderment became pain, as the ribbons lashed out, connecting with her EVA at the shoulder joints.
Asuka screamed in agony as the EVA's arms flew in different directions. Blood shot from the resulting holes, bathing the countryside in purple. She clutched her shoulders, trying to tell herself that her arms were still there. -I've... got... to stop it...Shinji... Shinji...- she thought through the pain.
In Central Dogma, Misato watched in horror as unit 02 began to charge the angel.
"Asuka, no!!" She cried futilely. She turned to Maya and shouted, "Cut her nerve connections, now!!" Maya completed the sequence as the Angel's arm shot out and severed unit 02's head, sending it flying backwards toward the city.
***
-Kensuke's right- Shinji thought, huddling in a corner of the shelter, -I SHOULD be out there.- He got to his feet, smiling, "Guess I can always just-"
He was cut off by a monumental crash.
When the dust finally settled, he risked a look, and his eyes went wide - unit 02's head was lying half in and half out of the shelter.
"A-Asuka..." his face displayed determination as he started to run.
***
The angel calmly floated past unit 02, paying it no mind.
In the entry plug, Asuka cursed softly, "Damn... damn..."
***
The LCL charged in unit 00 as the EVA went active, affording Rei a view of the outside world.
She thought back to the events of just a few minutes ago, the LCL charging... the feedback... the scream in her mind.
"Time," she whispered to herself, "buy him some time... and he will come." She willed the EVA forward, heading towards the weapons storehouse... and the N^2 mines contained therein.
***
Shinji had only stopped to consider unit 02 for a moment, whispering, "Asuka... I'm coming..." before continuing his run towards Central Dogma.
He paused again as Unit 00 came shooting to the surface of the Geofront. "Rei? With no rifle!!!"
He watched in horror as the giant blue mecha charged the angel, an N^2 mine tucked under it's arm.
Rei reached the angel and brought the N^2 mine down like a knife, feeling it meet with the angel's field. "Full power," she whispered, increasing her own field's output.
The angel's field gave way suddenly, allowing the N^2 mine to reach it's body. Rei triggered the device, just as a pair of shutters snapped closed over the angel's core. "Unh!" she gasped in surprise, a moment before the device went off.
Shinji threw himself to the ground, covering his head, as the mine went off, -REI!!- his mind screamed.
As soon as the blast had dissipated, he risked a look up.
He was just in time to see the angel split Unit 00's head with its razor sharp arm.
"NO!" he screamed, -have to get there...- he picked himself up and kept running.
***
Misato had known what is meant to be afraid, but she had never experienced anything like this before.
Ten feet in front of her, the fourteenth angel seem to regard her and the rest of the bridge crew, its head tilted to one side. - Is it... smiling??- Misato thought.
She would never know.
The angel's eyes began to glow with an unholy light. -This is it,- she thought, clutching her cross in her good hand, -I won't close my eyes... I won't...-
As the light became almost unbearable, a purple fist crashed into the side of the angel's head. Misato's eyes went wide, "Eva unit one?" she asked in wonder. Then in a whisper, "Shinji?"
***
Shinji screamed as he willed the EVA to pick the angel up and force it through the wall it had come through. -Have to get it away from everyone- he thought.
The EVA came crashing down on top of the angel, and Shinji raised the mecha's left hand to punch the angel.
The angel raised its head, its eyes flashing, and unit 01's arm was severed at the elbow.
Shinji screamed in agony as the arm, and a substantial amount of the EVA's blood, slammed into the wall behind him.
-Have to get out of here! It's too confined.- he thought. Then an idea struck him. He slapped the angel with his remaining hand, then kicked it, forcing it back towards the far wall.
-I hope this works,- he thought. He crouched low and rushed the angel, slamming it backwards into one of the EVA's launch platforms. "MISATO!!!" he screamed.
Misato understood his intentions perfectly, "Launch the fifth catapult, hurry!"
As the catapult rocketed towards the surface, Shinji pressed the angel's face against the launch rail, satisfied to see the sparks that were flying. They cleared the tower and started free falling, unit 01 still on top.
As they hit the ground, Shinji screamed again, pounding the angel with unit 01's fist as hard as he could.
-I'll tear you apart!- he thought, his vision red. Unit 01 reached forward and began pulling on the angel's face, stretching it out of proportion.
-Yes! YES!- he thought, a feral smile on his face, -just a little more and-
Suddenly, unit 01 stopped pulling and sagged forward, an alarm sounded behind the pilot's seat.
"What? Out of power!?" Shinji could only sit helpless, as the angel wrapped its whip-like hand around unit 01's head and tossed it aside like a sack of grain.
***
The bridge crew reached the surface just in time to see unit 01 slam into the mountainside.
"Unit 01 is out of power, the backup supply is not working!" Maya reported tensely, looking up from her laptop.
Misato whispered, "Shinji..."
Shinji pulled on the controls, frantic. "Move!! Move move move!! Come on, you've got to move now, or there's no point to any of this!!" The entry plug rocked as something hit the EVA from the outside. Then it shook harder as an explosion tore part of armor from the chest. Suddenly Shinji could feel a steady pounding, as if something was trying to get inside.
He yanked the controls harder, "You have to move, or everyone will be killed... SHE'LL be killed!! Oh, I'm sick of it already!!! Just move you GODAMN MONSTER!!!"
A sound like a heartbeat froze the words on his lips, as the entire entry plug shone with an interior blue light. Shinji felt power surging through the EVA, and through him... and then everything went dark.
***
The angel continued it's relentless pounding on EVA 01's core. It was bringing it's right hand down for another hit, when the EVA's eyes flared to life and it stretched it's hand out, splitting the angel's ribbon-like appendage into five pieces - then yanking the angel hard against it's horn.
"EVA unit 01 is... reactivated..." Misato's voice was full of disbelief, but not as much as Maya's, "How can this be??" She spun from her laptop to face Ritsuko, "How can his sync ratio be over four hundred percent?!?"
Ritsuko whispered in awe, as the EVA took the angel's arm and regenerated it's own, "It's finally happened... its aware..."
The EVA roared, as the angel tried to lash out with it's remaining arm, only to have unit 01 tear it in half at the midpoint. Unit 01 crouched down and began to walk, crab-like, towards the angel. The angel raised its head, the eyes glowing with power, but unit 01 slammed it back down onto the ground. Unit 01's eyes narrowed, and it leaned towards the angel.
"Oh my God... it's EATING the angel...?!?" Misato's voice registered shock.
"It's taking the S^2 organ into itself!!" Ritsuko sounded worried.
Maya could not stand the sight any longer, and was rather loudly sick.
The bridge crew watched in horrified fascination as Unit 01 consumed the angel.
To be continued.
Omake
From the scene where Ritsuko "recruits" Hikari:
Ritsuko was smiling, "On the contrary, I think you are quite well suited. You have tested well in all the necessary areas, you are in top physical condition... and judging by how much time you spend in Mr. Suzuhara's room, you are fiercely loyal and dedicated." Hikari was blushing and frowning at the same time, but Ritsuko ignored this and went on, "I'm going to cut to the chase here, Ms. Horaki, and I THINK you may even have some idea of what we need you for."
Hikari paled, as realization dawned. She whispered, "You can't mean..."
Ritsuko nodded, "That's right* we want you to be this month's NERV centerfold."
Hikari fell out of her chair, "E-Excuse me??" she said, picking herself up off the floor.
Ritsuko held her fingers up one by one, "Oh, it's very prestigious. You DEFINITELY have all of the qualifications: you're cute, tall, fit - and you have a nice rack, so I think you will do nicely." She leaned forward confidentially, "And on a more personal note, I think you're very... VERY sexy..."
Sweating, Hikari decided that it was time for her to leave.
Author's notes: Writing this part made me nervous. The fight with the 14th angel is, in my opinion, the second best anime fight scene ever. Between all three EVAs it lasts about ten minutes - ten minutes on one fight scene! I was worried that I would not be able to do it justice, and I hope I didn't disappoint (what is THE best fight scene, you ask? Asuka versus the EVA series, in End of Evangelion... and I am WAY edgy about doing that one right.) And YES, I know the whole series is filled with that Warm And Fuzzy Feeling - this is on purpose! Get over it. Next chapter should be up in a week or two... and I LIKE the next chapter... a LOT! ;)
Thanks again to Ryoma for prereading!
Feedback is welcome at Random1377@yahoo.com