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Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)
"Parting of the Ways"
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Copyright Info and Disclaimer.
"Neon Genesis Evangelion" is Copyright (c) 2003 by Gainax. All OTHER material is Copyright (c) 2003 their owners. All materials used for PARODY purposes.
"Altered Lives (The Parody)" and "Fragmented Lives (The Parody Pieces)" are Copyright (c) 2003 by DBM. This work is an Amateur, Non-Commercial work by an Anime/Manga Fan. This work was created in the Spirit of the Copyright Exemptions regarding Parodies and Satire.
If you like my work, you may keep a copy for your own personal records, but you may NOT post it on any websites/newsgroups, NOR may you include it in any printed publication for sale/public distribution. If printing out a copy for yourself or a friend, you may reformat it (paragraph spacing, page-breaks, font and font size, borders, bold/italic, etc) to fit the paper you use, but please do not change any of the actual words or wording in the document.
Sole web-posting at FanFiction.Net - Author's E-Mail address on File.
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Censorship Info and Disclaimer.
NOT Recommended for Children.
Intended for MATURE Audiences.
There are NO 'sex scenes', but, just like the original NGE series, the story will explore the results and side effects of such activities. Along the way, there'll be swearing, violence, drugs, Adult situations, and frank discussions of sex education/family planning information, as well as thoughts and opinions on the morals and ethics of sexual assault, dating, courtship, marriage, alternate sexualities, pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, Family Values, etc.
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Fandom Alerts and Disclaimer.
AU Alert (Alternate Universe).
OOC Alert (Out Of Character).
ACC Alert (Author Created Character).
SI Alert (Self Insert - Author appears in the story as a character).
SPOILER Alert (May 'spoil' surprises in the Manga and Anime TV/Movies).
' ' denotes thoughts.
" " denotes speech.
* * denotes emphasis, or electronic communication.
denotes other method of communication.
--- denotes letters deleted for censorship reasons.
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Author's Ramblings - Nothing lasts forever, not even 'Living Happily Ever After'…
This happens in the late 2050's, after Shakey and Aesir have enjoyed thirty-something years of life together as Husband and Wife.
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Fragment - The Carers. (Sometime in the late 2050's)
The Clone looked down at the sleeping Human in the bed beside her. She had to admit, Shakey Atari had changed greatly over the years.
- - - - - - - - - -
The shy boy had survived years of being an awkward gangly youth, only to become a reasonably handsome man. The combined looks of his lady-killer father, and calmly sensitive mother had bloomed in him, creating an 'interesting' blend.
Now in his late fifties, his features were more 'distinguished' than anything else. Although he was still the sort of man, many women 'didn't mind looking at'…
Despite being 'good looking', wealthy, healthy, famous, and a 'nice guy' to boot, Shakey had never tried to be 'popular' with the girls. He was just too shy, too introverted and unsure of himself to be the 'Lady-Killer' he could have been…
The only reason he'd even gotten a girlfriend, much less a wife, was that Aesir had sorted her own problems out, and had gotten 'aggressively romantic' about him…
Even THEN, the Clones HAD to help the fledgling romance along…
It had worked, and the romance between the 'Amazon' and the 'Idiot' had bloomed into a relationship of Deep Trust, and True Love…
In the 30 odd years of happiness that followed their marriage, they had successful careers, and even raised a family of 3 girls…
Naturally, as 'Official Aunties' the Rave Clones had spoiled the kids rotten…
Not that Aesir had minded the Clones' caring for her children…
She had been reassured to know that at anytime of the day or night, she could ALWAYS find a dozen or more trustworthy Babysitters, eager to work without pay…
Leaving Aesir free to have… 'Quality Time'… with Shakey…
Oh yes, Aesir and Shakey had indeed had an idyllic life together…
…Until Aesir had been run down by a drunk driver three weeks ago…
The fact that the famous AVE Pilot who had survived so many battles, had died from something so mundane, had ensured the event made International Headlines…
The Media was still having a feeding frenzy…
None of which mattered to Shakey…
What did matter to him, was that his loving wife of the past 3 decades was dead…
The childhood sweetheart he'd grown up with, was dead…
The woman who had borne his children, was dead…
The deepest love of his life, was dead…
It had hit Shakey hard…
He'd still been in shock for the first week afterwards, his body running more on 'auto-pilot' than on any conscious act of staunch acceptance, or Manly courage…
But even an auto-pilot system runs down.
The day of his wife's funeral, Shakey had gone home, and locked himself inside the suburban home he'd had with Aesir… Closing himself off from the world…
The Rave Clones knew that Humans needed to grieve whenever someone close to them had died, so they thought nothing of Shakey needing time to himself.
Even so, they had called, and left a message on his answering machine, telling him that if he wanted to talk, or just to have someone nearby… They were there…
Three days after Shakey had gone home, his worried daughters rang 'Auntie Rave'…
Shakey wasn't returning their calls, and he'd changed the combinations on the entry locks… They were worried about him, could 'Rave' please go see him?
Five minutes after receiving the call, the locked doors of Shakey's house were ripped off their hinges by a squad of Rave Clones…
The Clones swarmed in, noting with alarm the condition of the house.
When the Clones had 'blown the door', they had yanked it clean OFF the building, so as not to cause any damage to the interior. Which is why the chaotic state of the home could not be attributed to their method of entry.
Furniture was overturned, magazines and papers were strewn about the place, broken pieces of crockery crunched underfoot, holes had been punched in the walls, the screen of the TV was cracked and crazed, and there was rotting food in the kitchen…
The Clones found Shakey in his bedroom, lying in clothes that he obviously hadn't changed in days, his hands a bruised and bloodied mess…
They'd called his name, reaching out to shake him, only to get no response.
Purely as a precaution, the Clones had taken Emergency Field Trauma Kits with them. These were standard Combat equipment, and the Clones always kept them within easy reach. Past experiences had made them aware that although such things weren't often needed, when you DID need them, you NEEDED them!
Within seconds, Shakey was on an intravenous drip, and receiving expert medical attention by the over-qualified Clones.
Since then, a team of Clones had moved in, taking over all aspects of caring for the Human the Clones had long considered 'their' Friend…
Shakey had remained unconscious for almost two days after the Clones found him. When he did wake up…
Well, the Clones remembered how he'd reacted in the Hospital when he'd first found out about what 'Rave' was… They'd planned accordingly, and a variety of psychiatric medications were in the house, ready to hand…
To their relief, Shakey had immediately gone on a crying jag, instead of being self-destructive as the state of the apartment had made them fear…
Weeks later, and Shakey was off the drip, and his prognosis was good. His right hand was still in a cast. He had broken several bones in it while punching out his emotional stress on the walls. He was coping well, needing only minor Psychiatric medication and some sedatives…
The night after he'd first regained consciousness, Shakey had thrashed about in his sleep, suffering from terrible nightmares. The Clones had added a sedative to the pills he took before bedtime, enabling him to sleep in peace…
- - - - - - - - - -
The Clone assigned to watch over Shakey for the current shift, looked down at the sleeping human on the bed. Even sedated, he still looked tense, weary…
On a whim, she sat beside him on the bed, reaching out to lightly run her fingers through Shakey's thinning grey hair.
Shakey wasn't completely anaesthetized, and he unexpectedly rolled over in his sleep, one arm going around the surprised Clone, and hugging her slightly.
"…aesir…" Shakey mumbled, his body relaxing as he snuggled up against the Clone, "…oh aesir…"
'He thinks I am Aesir?' wondered the Clone.
A sigh escaped Shakey's lips as the sedatives and the mistaken notion that his wife was beside him, relaxed him into a deep rest, a slight smile on his face.
'He looks… happy…' the Clone observed.
The Clone stayed beside Shakey for the rest of the night, cradling him in her arms, and wondering what Aesir felt when she had been beside him…
- - - - - - - - - -
In the early hours of the morning, the Clone placed a pillow in Shakey's arms. It was a poor substitute for the warm body Shakey had mistaken for his wife, but it would be a less embarrassing find when he awoke.
'Had we been able to give you children…' thought the Clone, looking down at the Human in the bed beside her, 'We would never have given Aesir a chance…'
- - - - - - - - - -
Back when the Clones were still learning about Human relationships from Mazurka, they had wondered if Shakey might want any of them as a girlfriend.
That was before the confusing discovery of their 'blood kinship' to him…
Years afterward, when they had finally sorted out the ethics and morals involved in such a potential relationship, it had been too late. Aesir and Shakey were already an 'item'.
The Clones could have given Aesir competition for Shakey, they had even told her that to her face. But they hadn't.
Why? Well for one, they didn't want to upset Shakey, the Human they loved by fighting over him… And then there was their inability to bear his children…
Being unable to bear children, the Clones had queried what alternate methods were available. They had found out that there was considerable debate over the 'morals' and 'ethics' involved in such things.
For example… Were they trying to have children for the proper reasons, that of the ultimate act of love and togetherness?
OR for more 'selfish' reasons, merely to 'get/keep a man'? Were they seeing 'children' as tools to be used, or as people to be cherished in their own right?
After lifetimes of being used as tools themselves, the Clones were naturally 'sensitive' to such considerations.
The Clones had learned a lot from their Human friends. Often from conversations they had with them, or from scholarly research, or 'field' observation…
One thing they HAD learned, was the wise saying, "To thine own self be true…"
The Clones knew that ANY relationship HAD to be based firmly on all those involved in it being Honest. Honest with each other… Honest with themselves…
The fact they weren't 'Human', and had to be TOLD about what it was to BE 'Human', only made them take a harder, slower look at things…
The Clones could 'adopt' a child, but it wouldn't be the same as bearing the child of the man they loved… They could 'make' a child, by splicing their genetic material in a laboratory, but again, it wouldn't be the same…
Any 'splice' child would probably have 'fertility' problems like the Clones did, not to mention, being a 'Chimera', a 'Genetic Frankenstein' like they were…
Then there was the final, most 'practical' question of all. Could the non-human Clones truly 'care' for any child, as it NEEDED to be cared for?
In the final analysis, the Clones felt that they COULD be good mothers, but they weren't willing to risk the well-being of another on their 'untested' opinions…
So they had done nothing…
Except help the man they loved more than they loved their own lives, find happiness in another woman's arms… A hard thing to do, but the Clones had done it, being grateful that at least they were still friends with Shakey…
Then Aesir had children, and the Clones had 'bitten the bullet', and tried to see how they would fare as 'care-givers', namely by 'babysitting' Aesir's children…
The Clones had been proud of how well they had succeeded… Still, babysitting was a part-time job, not a full-time one like being a mother…
- - - - - - - - - -
The Clone looked down at the sleeping Human in the bed beside her. She had to admit, Shakey Atari had changed greatly over the years.
She sighed, knowing that despite the changes, the dear fool STILL didn't know how others really saw him…
Watching him, it occurred to her that things had turned full circle… The Clones were once again watching over Shakey… Much as Rave#2 once had…
The Clone wondered… 'Have things really turned full circle? Do we Clones now have a second chance at finding happiness with one that we love?'
Many questions ran through the Clones mind as she quietly watched…
From outside, the house looked like many others in the well-to-do 'Middle class' neighbourhood. Nothing flashy, just good construction and good maintenance
None would know just from looking at it, that inside the four walls, a frail human slept fitfully, watched over by the killing machines that loved him…
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Fragment - Convalescence. (Late 2050's, Shakey starts recovering)
A month after Aesir's death, and Shakey Atari was finally overcoming his grief.
His emotional convalescence had been helped in no small part by the caring attentions of the Rave Clones.
Several of the Blue-Haired Clones had taken up residence in his home as full-time live-in housekeepers. They performed all the regular household maintenance tasks, as well as the tasks their self-appointed role of 'Carers' demanded.
As well as the roles of bodyguards, and 'Publicity Agents'…
When the Clones had broken into Shakey's home, they'd found it in a shambles. Part of this was due to Shakey reacting violently to the grief he'd felt, but more of it was Shakey reacting violently to attention from the news media.
His answering machine was choked with messages, ninety percent of which were requests for interviews from various news groups.
The Clones had NOT been impressed. Especially since some of those requesting interviews were 'demanding', rather than 'requesting' an interview.
Although they weren't human, the Clones knew humans needed time, and privacy to deal with the grief caused by the death of a loved one. It troubled the Clones that SOME 'real humans' either didn't know this, or didn't care enough to act appropriately if they did…
Still, 'Time heals all wounds'… And on this particular day, Shakey finally felt able to handle the task of setting Aesir's picture up in the 'family shrine'.
The Rave Clones had offered to do it, but Shakey had been adamant. Aesir had been his wife, and as surviving head of their family, it was HIS responsibility.
Two Rave Clones waited in the background as Shakey went about his painful duty. The Clones were mindful of his emotional need to do such things by himself, but that didn't stop them from standing ready to assist him if need be.
Shakey knelt respectfully before the shrine. He silently arranged Aesir's picture beside those of family and friends, who'd passed away over the years.
He placed a vase of red roses on the shrine, and lit some ceremonial incense, mumbling a prayer for the dead, tears streaming down his face.
After finishing, Shakey remained kneeling in front of the shrine for a long time. Eventually he sighed deeply, and tried to rise from off his ageing knees.
Shakey stumbled as he got up, accidentally knocking over the vase of flowers. The vase shattered on the floor, spraying debris, water and roses everywhere.
The two Clones were beside Shakey instantly, steadying him, and helping him up.
"…thank you…" sighed Shakey, embarrassed at the need of such assistance.
"Mondai Arimasen (no problem)" replied the Clones in synch.
Shakey started bending down towards the mess, but the Clones stopped him.
"Please, allow one of us," they softly insisted, indicating the disarray.
Shakey paused, then nodded. Setting up the shrine had been an important duty he had to do, but it hadn't been an emotionally easy time for him.
Clones #85, and #128 helped Shakey back to his room, then started preparing a meal for him. Meanwhile, the Clone known as Hanako#13 started tidying up the mess in front of the family shrine.
Alert! sent one of the Clones on 'Neighbourhood watch', News Van confirmed as entering suburb! Estimated ETA to Shakey's is two minutes!
The Clones preparing Shakey's meal, suddenly became aware that they might soon have 'other duties'…
The 'Media Circus' that resulted when Aesir had died, had only gotten worse when it became known that Shakey had taken things hard… Within hours of the Clones breaking into Shakey's home to care for him, a small flotilla of news vans had converged on the neighbourhood.
The Clones had handled things by telling the various news groups to schedule ALL interviews through them.
Requests considered 'tacky' by the Clones, received the message that Shakey was 'Not Available For Comment Until Further Notice'… Sometimes the message had to have 'tactical reinforcement' by the Clones before it 'sank in'…
Requests considered 'tactful' by the Clones, were told that Shakey was grieving for his lost wife, and unable to be interviewed. However, there was an option of an interview with a Clone…
Those getting such a choice, jumped at the chance of getting one of the 'reclusive' blue-haired Clones in an interview situation. Even if they didn't get the story they were looking for, they still got a **STORY**…
The others sat and fumed… Or in some cases, tried to get their own way either by stealth, or by trying to arrogantly bully and bluff their way through… As it appeared the current group would attempt to do.
The methods the Clones used in deterring such 'insistent' reporters, were often 'short and sharp'… Still, they endeared the Clones to the local neighbours, who had not approved of the 'in-your-face' methods used by some of the reporters.
Hanako#13 didn't take long in tidying the shrine. Within minutes she'd had the pieces of broken vase collected, the water mopped up, and the roses back in a new vase. Hanako#13 gathered her cleaning materials together, and surveyed the room with a critical eye. Had she missed any pieces? Was all the water mopped up?
Satisfied that she'd done her usual impeccable job, she cast one last look at the shrine… She paused, looking over the various pictures…
Humans… Hanako#13 unconsciously 'sent', while 'thinking aloud', Try so hard to keep alive the memories of those who've died…
Yes agreed the Clone known as Ten#10, from lunar orbit, They believe that as long as someone is remembered, they are not truly dead…
That those who 'pass away', still exist… sent Aneko#3, the Clone formerly known as the 'third to bear the name of Rave', from a 'cut-throat' Global Economics meeting in the United Nations.
Even if only in the hearts and minds of those that remain… sent #128, from the street outside Shakey's home, where she had just informed an 'obnoxious' news teams that Shakey was 'Unavailable For Comment'.
Just as we Clones keep alive the memories of Rave#1 and Rave#2 sent Twelve#12, attending a literary luncheon in the City.
It is not quite the same sent Clone #56, from an AVE retrieving nuclear warheads from an old submarine wreck in the Atlantic.
We ARE their memories… sent #85, from the street outside Shakey's home, crushing a 'Live-Eye' camera into scrap with her E.T. Field. Clone#128 meanwhile, used her E.T. Field to 'explode' the tyres on the news van…
But we are not them… countered #23, making meals in a Japanese Youth Hostel.
But we could have been… stated #37 from a café in Paris.
True… agreed Machiko, 'escorting' the formerly 'obnoxious' news team from the neighbourhood. For some reason, they were now 'nervously polite'…
Possibly because Machiko's narrow-eyed feral grin wasn't diminished by the matched Katana swords she held in either hand, nor her 'businesslike' combat outfit, punk-spiked hair and 'Celtic' warpaint… Not to mention the necklace of dried apricots she wore as 'munchies', but which looked like 'something else'…
Then, as long as we exist, so do they… mused Hanako#13.
As will Shakey, and all those we have known offered Clone#72, from a lab that didn't exist, and certainly wasn't somewhere in the ruins of the old NERVIS Base.
YES all of the Clones agreed, THEY WILL!
The threat to Shakey's well-being from the fleeing news vultures over, Clones #85 and #128 went back inside his house to tend their duties. Machiko sheathed her swords, and went back to playing 'Ninja-tag' with the neighbourhood children.
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The END of this Fragment of "Altered Lives (The Parody)"
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