I don't own anything. (My new idiot-proof disclaimer.)
Lycanthrope
-Chapter Six: The Fourth ChildShinji was starting to become very pissed off. It seemed almost everyone knew something he didn't. Misato tried to be discreet but Asuka held it over his head like it would give her an edge. Shinji would give the prideful bitch an edge all right, the edge of his claws. "Hey Shinji."
"Hi Touji," Shinji said as he turned to face his friend. He immediately noticed that he was hiding something too. "You're going to tell me, aren't you?"
"Tell you what?" Touji asked nervously.
"What are you hiding," Shinji growled.
"Oh," Touji said as he moved to stand next to Shinji. He lay his lunch down and leaned against the railing on the school's roof.
"You must be really nervous if you're not eating," Shinji commented. "You should talk now, or Kensuke will arrive."
"They've chosen me," Touji said.
"For?" Shinji pressed.
"I'm the Fourth Child," Touji said. "A blond woman came and told me yesterday."
"So you're going to be the pilot of Eva Unit Zero-Three?" Shinji asked. Kensuke had been bemoaning the fact that the fourth Eva unit had arrived and he wasn't the pilot. "You didn't jump at the chance, did you?"
"Of course not," Touji said. "After all the stories you told me I flat out refused."
"Until?" Shinji prodded.
"The blond woman said that my sister would be transfer to an exclusive NERV hospital," Touji said. "I couldn't say no to that." Shinji growled in disgust. 'Using his sister to get at him.' He also realized that this was his fault. He didn't feel regrets, but he did believe in blow-for-blow. He had hurt Touji's sister and now he would make sure that Touji would survive.
"Don't worry," he said for Touji's benefit. "You'll be fine."
"Thanks," the young man said as he began to pull food from his lunch bag. "I don't think I've seen you eat anything at all for the past for weeks."
"I eat a lot at night," Shinji said.
"Well be careful," Touji warned. "I heard that those animal attacks have increased.
"I know."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"So one of your best friends is in danger because of you?" Bob asked.
"That's about it," Shinji said as he took a long draw on his cigarette.
"When did you start that?" Angel asked.
"A few days ago," Shinji said. "It takes my mind of my need to feed."
"I have never seen a lycan eat like you do," Bob said, shaking his head in amazement. "I just hope your metabolism tampers off."
"Doesn't bother me," Shinji said as he flicked the cigarette's filter into the garbage can and smiled as a piece of paper caught fire and flared up.
"So has your guardian talked to you about it?" Bob asked.
"Nope," Shinji said. "As a matter of fact she's leaving to go to the activation test later this evening. She told me that it was a business trip."
"She just doesn't want to stress you out," Angel said.
"It's a pain in the ass," Shinji growled. "Her boyfriend is coming over to watch me and Asuka."
"Will you be able to get out and feed?" Bob asked.
"He's sleeping in my room," Shinji growled in annoyance. "I wouldn't be able to sneak back in and change."
"You could always come over here," Angel said.
"I might if the need gets too bad," Shinji said.
"How's my old gun doing?" Bob asked suddenly.
"I wouldn't know," Shinji said as he put another cigarette between his lips and struggled to light a match.
"You still don't carry it?" Bob asked in annoyance.
"Don't need it," Shinji said as he set down the matchbook in disgust. He held up his hand and his fingernails elongated into eleven-centimeter claws.
"That's not the answer to all killing," Bob said. "You have to be close and it gets messy."
"I like messy," Shinji shot back. "And I prefer to be close."
"Messy is hard to explain," Bob argued.
"I'll carry the damned thing!" Shinji yelled. "Happy?"
"Yes," Bob said calmly. He laid a small bag on the table. "These will help."
"Why are you so adamant all of the sudden?" Shinji asked.
"In the past three weeks how many vampires have you killed?" Bob asked.
"Every single one I've come across," Shinji said simply.
"How many?" Bob pressed.
"About fifty," Shinji said proudly.
"You've almost wiped out the vampire presence in Tokyo-3," Bob explained. "Those remaining will do anything they can to kill you."
"Whatever," Shinji said as he picked up the bag. "I'm heading home. Misato will be leaving soon and she'll probably want to talk to me."
"See you tonight," Angel called.
"Maybe."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"And remember to feed Pen Pen," Misato said as she rushed around the apartment.
"Like I always do?" Shinji asked from his position on the couch. "You're going to be late."
"I'm late!" Misato shrieked.
"Don't worry," Shinji called. "I'm sure they're used to it."
"See you kids in a couple of days!" Misato called, ignoring Shinji's jab and charging out of the door. Shinji sighed in relief as the apartment almost immediately became quiet. Then the doorbell rang. 'Fuck.'
"Kaji!" Asuka screamed as she shot out of her room and ran towards the door. Shinji heard the door open and then Kagi grunt in surprise as the red-haired girl tackled him. Shinji ignored them and flipped through the channels. On one of the more obscure stations was an ancient black and white werewolf movie.
"Cool." Shinji watched as a man shot the pathetically unrealistic
werewolf and sighed in disgust. "Not cool."
"Old monster movies?" Kaji asked as he sat heavily.
"Yeah right," Asuka sneered. "The little coward would probably piss his pants." Shinji shot a glare at the young woman and turned back to the television.
"Are you wearing contacts?" Kaji asked.
"No," Asuka cut in. "His eyes turn gold sometimes. What a freak, right?" Shinji tried to ignore her insults. He had promised himself that he would not kill either of the other Eva pilots. 'At least not until the Angels are all dead.' The thought brought a smile to Shinji's face as he imagined slamming Asuka's face into a wall for starters.
"What's so funny?" Kaji asked.
"Nothing," Shinji said. "I think I'll go out to eat."
"That sounds good," Kaji said. "I was planning on ordering out, but going out should be fun. I know a good restaurant."
"Great," Shinji said. 'There goes trying to go out and sneak back into my room before Kaji goes to bed.'
"You want to get going now?" Kaji asked.
"Sure!" Asuka said happily.
"Alright," Kaji said.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"What do you think?" Kaji yelled over the pounding rock music.
"I love this place," Shinji said as he lined up his shot on the pool table and sent the cue ball skittering into the six ball. The ball rolled across the green tabletop and into the corner pocket. "Although I think Asuka is getting a little pissy that you're over here playing pool."
"Well I did bet money," Kaji said. "I thought the game would be over really quick."
"It will be," Shinji said as he lined up his next shot. This time the ten ball rolled into the side pocket.
"Let's just call it quits," Kaji said. "My pride has taken enough of a pounding."
"Alright," Shinji said as he straightened up and put his pool stick on the table. "Money?" Kaji reached into his wallet and pulled out a stack of yen. Shinji quickly counted the bills and stuck them into his pocket. He quickly put the rest of the balls in the pockets and moved back to the table where Kaji and Asuka were sitting.
"Who taught you to play pool?" Kaji asked.
"Pops," Shinji said.
"Your father?" Kaji asked in shock. "Commander Ikari?"
"Not him," Shinji said in annoyance. "Pops."
"Who's Pops?" Kaji asked.
"Who are any of us?" Shinji asked mystically.
"That woman's been staring at you," Kaji said. "Do you know who she is?" Shinji turned and saw a gray-haired woman staring at him. Her eyes roved downwards and widened. Shinji glanced down at his arm and noticed the brand of the Fenrir Pack crest on his left shoulder. He looked back up at the woman. She was already reached under her coat and standing up.
"Shit!" Shinji dove to the side and the woman sent several rounds flying from her revolver. The heavy rounds hit the wood floor. From somewhere else he could hear more explosive shots as the Section-2 agents returned fire. Shinji rolled to his feet and drew his pistol. He turned and watched as the woman tried to make her escape, completely ignoring the 9mm rounds peppering her back. "Fucking vampire bitch!" Shinji roared as he launched himself at the door.
"Get down Shinji!" Kaji roared. Shinji ignored him and the pain from a misplaced 9mm round. He kicked the door open and moved into the street. He easily saw his would-be assassin running. He brought up his pistol, the weapon's emerald laser sight snapping on as he gripped the pistol's grip. He saw the emerald dot play across her lower back and fired. The .40-caliber garlic-filled hollow-points slapped into her flesh and sent her stumbling. She hit the ground and screamed in pain. Shinji began forward and ejected the magazine from his pistol. He drew a magazine of hardwood full metal-jacket rounds and slapped it into his pistol. He jacked the action and moved to stand over the woman.
"You will be killed," she hissed. "You cannot escape us."
"I hope you aren't the best that the vampires have," Shinji said as he kneeled down by her side and picked up her revolver. "How many vampires are left it Tokyo-3?"
"How should I know?" the woman said, her nose scrunching in disgust.
"Tell me and I'll ease your pain," Shinji said.
"You'll kill me anyway," the woman said.
"Well yeah," Shinji said with a shrug. "But if you tell me I'll make your death quick."
"There are eight of us left," the woman said, her face changing from anger to shame.
"Thank you." Shinji straightened up and brought his pistol around.
"Pilot Ikari!" Shinji turned to see Marvin running towards him. "Get away from her." Shinji continued to stare at the man and sent a single round through her heart. The vampire's body arched sharply and then fell still.
"She's no longer a threat."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"Damn it that hurt!" Shinji yelped as the nurse behind him prodded the hole in his back.
"Good," she said. "That means you still have feeling."
"I could have told you that," Shinji growled. He winced as the wound was stretched and the nurse began to probe around for the bullet.
"Is that his spine?" Marvin asked. He had taken up position behind the nurse and was watching the minor surgery with interest.
"Am I the only one bothered by the fact that this kid was shot and he seems to be in perfect health?" the nurse asked.
"Probably," Shinji said. "Fuck!"
"Got it," the nurse said proudly. Shinji heard a metallic clang and turned to the see a blood lump lying in the small metal dish set up next to the bed. "Just need to sterilize the wound and cover it."
"Wonderful," Shinji whimpered quietly. "So where are Asuka and Kaji?"
"They were allowed to return to Major Katsuragi's residence," Marvin said. "But you'll be staying here overnight for observations."
"Damn strait," the nurse said as she applied something to Shinji's wound that made the area burn. "Now just lie down and try to get some sleep. Do you want something to help you?"
"Fine," Shinji said as he lay down on his front and yawned. It had been a while since he had really gotten a good night's sleep. The nurse pressed a needle into his arm and Shinji's vision swam immediately.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"What do you think Gendo?" Fuyutsuki watched as his former student stared at the Third Child's medical reports.
"I don't know what to make of it," the younger man admitted. "His muscle size has tripled, his muscle density has increased by eight-nine-percent, his body fat is down to almost nothing, and his pain endurance is apparently through the roof."
"Have you seen Doctor Akagi's report?" Fuyutsuki asked. "If the Third Child's blood is any indication, then he is no longer human."
"We may have to assume that he has been contaminated by an angel," Gendo said.
"Do you really believe that?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"No," Gendo admitted. "This is something we have never before encountered."
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Shinji listened as the alarm sounded. He took a deep drag on his cigarette and forced his tired, sore body onward. He finally reached the locker room and pushed it open. He stumbled inside and collapsed onto one of the benches as he began to fiddle with the combination lock. He pulled the small door open and extracted one of his plug suits. "The Thirteenth Messenger," Shinji said finally. "Bardiel." Somewhere deep inside him he knew that the Thirteenth Messenger's fate had just become entwined with that of the Fourth Child.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
"The Third Child just arrived," Maya reported over the radio.
"Already?" Misato asked in surprise as a medic tended to her wounds. She winced and adjusted her headset slightly.
"It appears that he was in NERV's hospital wing overnight and was ready to go as soon as the Geo-Front was alerted," Maya explained. "He is moving to engage the Thirteenth Angel while Units Zero-Two and Zero-Zero are being held in reserve." Misato pushed the medic away and ran to the screen that showed the battle.
"It's attacking!" Misato watched as Eva Unit Zero-Three's arms whipped out, covering the mile between the Evas. The hands wrapped tightly around Eva Unit Zero-One's throat.
"What the fuck?" Shinji gasped in surprise.
"The Third Evangelion has been taken over by. . ." the Commander began coolly.
"No shit!" Shinji snapped, his voice sounding strained and annoyed beyond measure at the same time. "You think I'm blind you stupid bastard?" The purple unit's hand gripped the black Angel's wrists and ripped its hands off of its throat. Shinji gasped in relief and the purple Eva lowered itself into a crouch. "You hear me Touji?" Shinji bellowed.
"He knows?" Misato gasped in disbelief.
"Don't worry," Shinji continued, probably not caring if the Fourth Child could hear him or not. "I told you, you'll be fine." The Eva launched itself forward suddenly, flying through the air. The angel's arms flew forward, trying to snag the purple one out of the air, but Shinji was faster. His Eva twisted in the air and brought its fingers down in a vicious slash that severed both of the Angel's arms. Shinji landed directly in front of the Angel and pulled back his hand.
"What's he doing?" someone demanded. Misato watched in shock as the Eva's hand disappeared into the Angel's chest in a burst of blue fluid.
"He's going for the entry plug!" Makoto said a second before the Eva's hand whipped backwards holding the Angel's entry plug. To Misato's surprise she could hear Shinji begin to laugh as the Eva set down the entry plug.
"Now you're mine!" he growled.
"Shinji!" Misato yelled, taking one of the microphones. "Grab the entry plug and retreat. Let Asuka and Ayanami take care of it."
"Fuck that," Shinji said, his voice low and strangely happy. "I didn't get to feed last night. You'll just have to do."
"What's he saying?" Maya asked. Suddenly the Eva launched itself forwards. Its fingers sank into the Angel's shoulders and its fangs sank deeply into the left side of the black monster's neck.
"What's going on?" Ritsuko demanded. "Has it gone beserk?"
"Negative," Makoto said. "Pilot Ikari is in full control."
"What is he doing?" Misato asked in terror.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Shinji felt something wrap around his throat and his Eva suddenly lost contact with the ground. Then he was flying through the air. The Eva hit hard and rolled to his feet. "Good to see that you have some fight left in you." The Angel turned to face him, its newly re-grown arms swinging wildly. Its blank face snapped up and it roared.
"I repeat," someone ordered in the background. "Grab Suzuhara and retreat."
"Why?" Shinji asked, his head cocking to one side. He turned his attention back to the Angel and raised one arm. He brought it down in a vicious swipe and cursed as his attack was apparently blocked by the sudden appearance of an orange hexagon. "Nice try." Several long gashes suddenly opened in the Angel's chest and blood sprayed across the torn AT field.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Asuka watched in horror as Shinji's Eva tore through the Angel's AT field and began to rip the Angel apart. "Oh my God."
"What are you doing?" Misato screamed. There was no answer from the Eva as it tore the Angel's chest open and shoved its face into the gore.
"It's feeding," Ritsuko said quietly. From somewhere Asuka could hear someone being violently sick.
(:::::::::::::ii::::::::::::::)
Shinji watched as Touji's brain wave monitor spiked suddenly. The young man's eyes burst open and he shot up into a sitting position. "Relax."
"What happened?" Touji asked as he turned to stare at Shinji.
"That's new."
"What?" Touji asked. He blinked and his crimson eyes looked around the hospital room. "What's new?"
"Bardiel." Touji's face showed confusion, but also knowing.
"That sounds familiar," he said. "Why does that sound familiar?"
"I got a theory," Shinji admitted.
"Theorize anyway," Touji said, still looking around.
"I think I jerked you out of the angel before it retreated from you," Shinji admitted. "I was worried that if I killed the angel then I might kill you."
"You mean that there's an angel in me," Touji said. "Am I going to try and destroy humanity?" He finally caught sight of his eyes in something reflective and quickly looked away. The door slid open and Shinji glared at Ritsuko.
"I suppose you know?"
"Yes," Ritsuko said. "I know that neither of you are human." Shinji turned his head slightly to catch Touji's response, but the other boy's face remained solemn.
"I guess the question is," Touji began. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Or what are we going to do about you," Shinji said dreamily, his head tilting from one side to the other. He grinned and bared his fangs.
-End
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-Author's notes. Here's number six. This one just flowed out for some reason. That's odd because this one is really long.