Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion. All characters and other references are owned by Gainax.

Damon Robinson hadn't opened his eyes yet. Instead he tested his arm gingerly. He felt a cast.

"Broken…bummer."

"What does that mean? I don't speak English."

"Eh?" Damon opened his eyes, and took a quick look around. He was in the NERV hospital. He looked to his right to see a blue haired girl watching him patiently.

"Uh, it means my arm is broken and I'm sad," Damon said back to the girl. "Wow. That is one pretty girl," he thought to himself.

"I see," the girl responded back in a quiet, almost timid tone, "Um, if you don't mind me asking, how did you break your arm?"

Damon thought about that one for a moment. "Oh yeah, that's right…God I'm dumb sometimes," he thought.

"I actually broke it grinding a skateboard down a big staircase at school."

"I see. So you skateboard then?"

"Uh, no not really. I did in like 6th or 7th grade. I figured I could still do it well enough."

"I see. But why did you do it?"

"Yah,…I was…Showing off to impress some girls," he admitted slowly. "Man I am so dumb," he thought again.

She smiled at this. It was a warm smile, yet at the same time sad. Like she found it amusing, yet at the same time she was far too sad to laugh. Damon found himself intrigued, though he was always intrigued by pretty girls. But this one seemed deeper than most.

"Do you mind if I ask why you're here, uh, I seem to have forgotten your name…" Damon said this knowing full well that she had never said her name.

"It's Rei, Rei Ayanami."

"Well I'll be damned," he thought.

"You're the first child aren't you?"

Rei nodded.

"Yes I am. And you are?"

"Damon Robinson, CWD Marine operative, 7th child and…," he hesitated for a moment, and then added "Gemini."

"What's CWD?"

"Classified Weapons Division."

"So you're a pilot too."

"Yup."

"Well it's nice to meet you, Damon."

"Yah, pleasures all mine."

"Uh, forgive me for saying this Rei, but you look kinda nervous."

It was true Rei was actually quite frightened. Fear was another emotion that was new to her.

"I'm going in to surgery later today," She said after a moment.

"Oh, I see. Surgery on what?"

"Um,… my legs."

"Oh. Well I wouldn't worry about it. You're gonna be asleep anyway. So you won't feel anything," Damon said assuredly.

Rei nodded, not really feeling any better. However the conversation continued to flow. Damon forgot to ask why she was in the hospital or what was wrong with her legs. He was too occupied trying to find out all that he could about her. Her story was really quite fascinating. "Why the hell did Shinji not tell me he had a sister?" he asked himself. "Better yet, why did Shinji not tell me he had a hot, single sister?" He shook his head. When Rei had finished telling him about her life, Damon began to relate the story of his life to her, which admittedly was just as abnormal. He had attended military academies for the early part of his life, and then once he was picked for the Eva project he had had a personal tutor. His education had included much more than just math and English however. He had mastered stealth tactics along with combat training with almost every modern weapon imaginable, not to mention AT technology. He was fluent in English, Japanese, and Arabic. He could also speak passable Vietnamese and Spanish. He had been trained heavily in urban warfare as opposed to terrain combat. This training included extensive knowledge of vehicles that he might have to utilize, such as cars, motorcycles, and civilian speed boats. And of course Evangelions. When he had finished with his personal history they began to talk of other, less important things.

Eventually Rei glanced up at the clock on the wall. They had been talking for nearly 2 hours. She was happy to pass the time with her neighbor, but knew that she only had ten minutes left until the operation.

"My operation is in ten minutes. The nurse will probably come to get me soon," she said sadly.

Damon could see a nurse through the window rolling a gurney down the hallway towards their room.

"Hey, don't worry Rei, every thing is going to be fine."

Damon leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"That's for good luck okay?"

Rei blushed, putting her hand on her cheek. She looked over at him and smiled. The nurse arrived and quickly loaded her up to go to the operating room. She wheeled Rei out the door and in front of the window. The first child locked eyes with the seventh child as she was wheeled away. Damon shivered. He also realized that he forgot to ask her what the operation was for.

He leaned back in his bed and whistled to himself, wishing he had a toothpick to chew on as images of the blue haired girl floated around in his mind.

"Wow."

*****************************************************************************************

Kozo Fuyutski sat at his desk rifling through various paperwork. He was currently working with his team to try and predict when the next Wraith might arrive by recognition of power signatures in the black egg. They had been unsuccessful so far, but he was hopeful.

"Dr. Sagura to see you sir," The commander's secretary said to him over the comm..

"Okay, let him in."

Dr. Sagura entered the room slowly. Fuyutski motioned for him to sit, and he did. Sagura was a tall and skinny man, going slightly bald now. He was one of the top practitioners of medicine in the entire world and the commander both liked, and respected him.

"I assume you're here to tell me about the outcome of Ayanami's operation?" The commander asked.

Sagura nodded.

"So," the commander continued, "Was it a success?"

Sagura nodded again.

"Yes it was, but I doubt we had anything to do with it."

"Oh?" Fuyutski motioned for the doctor to elaborate.

"Everything was going normally. We had her prepped and ready to go, and we began to put her to sleep. About thirty seconds afterward however, just before we began to cut, she started to spasm. We attempted to stabilize her but nothing was working. She soon after began bleeding profusely from the legs for unknown causes. We attempted to stop the bleeding, but an orange light began to emanate from her body, and then before we knew what was going on she got off of the table and walked out of the room before collapsing in the hallway. However when she awoke she remembered nothing of the incident."

"I see," The commander collected his thoughts, "but she can walk again correct?"

Sagura nodded.

"Commander is there something I'm not being told here?"

"Any thing you are not told is classified for your own protection."

"So yes then."

Fuyutski smiled.

****************************************************************************************

Shinji Ikari swung the steel rod around in his hands, alternating between left and right spins. The bar was heavier than an actual combat staff would be, but that was to make him stronger. Master Xiang watched him silently from across the room, assessing his every movement.

It had been two months now since Rei's operation, and she had made a full recovery. Shinji was extremely happy to get her back, much more so than probably anyone else she knew. He considered her the only family that he had left, and tried to spend as much time with her as possible. She had changed greatly from the times when they had fought the Angels together, though you wouldn't know it from her demeanor. On the surface she seemed the same. She had the same cold looks, and sad voice. But now you could see life in her eyes. She was awash with activity and hated to be bored. She spent time doing anything she could, and almost never alone. It was like she wanted to make up for the time she had lost in her youth. Shinji was happy for her, though he was a little surprised that she seemed to spend as much time with Damon as she did with him. But he was fine with that, in fact he was happy for her on that account as well.

His relationship with Asuka had suffered somewhat since Rei had returned and she had lost Hikari. He knew that she felt neglected since he had been spending so much time with Rei. The loss of Hikari had also affected her profoundly. He had hoped that Hikari's loss would at least improve her relationship with Toji, but they were now fighting even more. Nishka and Asuka were at least becoming good friends, and Shinji knew that she needed a good friend. However he could tell that Nishka was pained to see her lash out at Toji, and he was as well.

The Evangelions were at least all up and running now, with Rei ready to go and Asuka's new Eva completed. Shinji was surprised that there had not been an attack in such a long time seeing as there were two so soon after third impact. But he knew that there had been years between the first of the Angel attacks and the ones that he had taken part in.

Shinji himself had also changed a great deal as he had begun to come to grips with the scope of his power. There was in fact not a lot that Shinji could not accomplish with his abilities if he took the time to learn. And learn he did. In fact, his mind seemed like it was now unable to forget. Shinji found that when master Xiang showed him what to do he rarely forgot it, and never failed to accomplish it. His physical appearance had changed as well. He had let his hair grow long so that it now nearly covered his eyes. He had become more muscular, and Shinji had noticed that he was growing taller as well. He had learned quickly the ways of the sword. Though Xiang would in no way call him a master, Shinji knew that he was remarkably good, no matter how much his master tried not to inflate his ego. In truth the idea that he could realize almost any physical goal he wished was somewhat intoxicating. His newest trick was to extend his AT field off of his feet, allowing him to vault up into the air. But that wasn't the task that Shinji was the most proud of. He felt that his senses had become heightened all around, most notably his vision. Xiang had shown him how to calm his nerves in battle, to better concentrate on the task at hand. The old man had shown him how to predict bullet trajectories by watching the movements of your assailant's muscles. This was something that Shinji practiced everyday in VR. He wasn't perfect at it yet, and if several people were firing at him he was better off running, but Shinji figured he could easily defend against two men with pistols.

Shinji glanced at the clock on the wall. It was past time to go. In fact it was probably dark now.

"Master Xiang?"

"I know. You can go."

"Thank you."

****************************************************************************************

"Commander!"

Fuyutski turned around to face the bridge.

"Yes."

"We have reports of two Wraiths on approach."

"How much time do we have?"

"I'd say about half an hour until they reach the city."

"Get on the comm, I want all of the pilots in the briefing room immediately."

***************************************************************************************

The five Evangelion pilots now found themselves in Commander Fuyutski's office along with Misato.

"Two of them?!"

"That's right Asuka, there are two of them," the commander said.

"Has this ever happened before?" Nishka asked timidly.

"No, but we have to remember, these things aren't Angels, there something new. And as such this situation is no different. In fact only one of the Wraiths is large enough to be safely combated by the Eva's. The other seems to be the size of a human being, and is currently at a nightclub downtown," Fuyutski said, there was no humor in his tone.

"What are our orders?" Asked Rei.

Misato was the one to respond this time.

"Rei, Asuka, and Nishka are too combat the approaching Wraith in the Evangelions. Shinji and Damon are too take down the other one. These creatures cannot be killed by conventional weapons, therefore Shinji's abilities will be indispensable here. Damon you are to provide back up to Shinji."

"Excuse me for saying this Major Katsuragi," Rei said, "But would it not be smarter for all of us to concentrate our firepower on one of these creatures?"

"Yes Rei, normally that would be the best course of action. However the two creatures are reading as largely the same Wraith, but located in two different areas. We believe that they may be linked in some way, which makes it necessary to try to take them both down at once."

When Misato had finished the commander turned to Shinji and Damon.

"It will be best if you avoid making a scene at the club. So put on something nice and try to get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible."

"But were too you to just walk in commander," Shinji stated.

"I know. That's why I am authorizing you to use any means necessary to get inside."

*********************************************************************************************

"So I have to kill this guy?" Shinji said, thinking out loud.

He and Damon were in the locker room, getting ready to go.

"Don't think of it like that man. This isn't a person, it's a Wraith. Remember that. He is trying to do the same to you."

"Does that justify murder."

"It's not murder if he isn't human."

"I'm not human."

Damon turned and shoved Shinji up to the locker.

"Get a goddamn grip Shinji! I know you don't want to do this, neither do I. But if you don't Asuka will die. Rei will die. Everyone will die."

"So we kill so that others can live."

"If that's how you want to think of it, then fine, but it's not like were the ones attacking them man."

"No. But it was humans who created them; they are the result of what humans have done."

"Look Shinji, think whatever you want. All I know is that I will cover you, and if that means killing then I will. All you have to do is get the Wraith."

Shinji nodded. Damon finished loading his clip and inserted it into the gun. He put the weapon into his coat and turned back to Shinji.

"Partners, soldiers, friends," Damon said locking eyes with Shinji.

"Partners, soldiers, friends.

******************************************************************************************

Asuka, Rei, and Nishka stepped out of the geofront to gaze at a darkened city. Rei stood tall in the blue unit 05, Asuka in the modified unit 06 (complete with red paint job), and Nishka in the white and green unit 07.

Misato Katsuragi's voice boomed over the comm.

"It's best if you guys hurry and engage it before it reaches the city, that will buy Shinji more time. It's still about 10 minutes out so get a move on. The location is on your monitor."

"Roger that," Nishka said with a serious tone.

"I wouldn't worry Misato. This is nothing I can't handle, let alone three of us," Asuka said with confidence.

"I'm glad to hear your enthusiastic but don't get cocky. Who knows what that thing is capable of," Misato answered back.

"Alright here we go," Rei said solemnly as the three pilots began their march toward the target.

*******************************************************************************************

Shinji Ikari and Damon Robinson walked to the front of the line at the outside of the club amidst angry shouts from the people they were cutting off. The bouncer at the front surveyed them wearily. He had seen these types of people before. They were both dressed entirely in black, trying to act as important as possible, when it was obvious that neither was old enough to get into the club. There was a shorter Japanese kid, and a taller suspicious looking foreigner wearing a trench coat and glasses while chewing on a toothpick. The foreign kid was smiling as he approached. It was obvious that he was hiding something in the coat, though he didn't seem too worried about it.

"Most people have to wait in the line gentlemen. In fact most people have to be 21."

"I apologize but me and my friend here have business inside," Damon said, motioning to Shinji.

"I doubt it," the bouncer answered in return. "At least these morons were polite," he thought to himself.

"We don't want any trouble, and it's urgent that we get in, so I was hoping that you could overlook any infractions," Damon said, producing several large bills from his pocket. Fuyutski had suggested that they try bribery first. The bouncer's demeanor changed notably after this. He reached out and grabbed the bills, quickly counting them. The man nodded.

"Go ahead."

Damon nodded back as he and Shinji stepped inside. The volume of the music leaped out at him. He could feel the bass all the way into his bones.

"Damn man, this place is nice."

Shinji glared at him.

"Lets go."

They walked around the dance floor and grabbed a booth with a good view of the club.

"So where is he?" Damon asked.

"On the left over by the bar."

Damon could see a man with long white hair that looked like he was in about his mid-twenties.

"How do you know that's him?"

"It's him. I can feel it."

"Okay."

********************************************************************************************

Nishka swung hard with her right hand trying to hit the creatures face. She missed and the Wraith countered with a gut kick that sent her to the pavement. She got back up and made a slight retreat so that it could not continue its attack.

The creature itself was bizarre. It looked frighteningly like a SEELE eva, except its arms and legs looked like they belonged to a human. The Wraith was fast, and it took all three female pilots attacking at once to even land a hit. Then when they did manage to land a blow, it was like it had no effect. Nishka and Rei had begun shelling it with their rifles to little effect, while Asuka charged with her spear. She made a violent stab at the creature's chest but it again dodged out of the way. This time it was not so successful however, and Asuka managed to get the spear through the monsters arm.

Asuka gave a triumphant yell only to see the Wraith pull the spear from its arm and try to re-use it on her. She managed a safe retreat, but also noticed that the Wraith showed no arm wounds whatsoever.

"Misato?"

"Yes, Asuka go ahead."

"Tell Shinji to hurry."

*********************************************************************************************

"We know what you are. So don't try anything stupid, okay? I wouldn't want to blow your skull out in front of all these innocent people," Damon said pushing the muzzle of his gun to the man's back.

The man silently raised his hands into the air and stood up from the bar.

"That's right, easy does it," Damon said nervously, "Head to the door on your right."

Out of the corner of his eye Shinji could see three men dressed in white stand and reach into their coats.

"Damon get down!"

By the time Shinji had said this, the men had produced pistols and began to fire. Like lightning Shinji had his blade up and ready. He watched them fire, not moving as the first two bullets missed him. The second and third he managed to deflect, sending them into the glass liquor bottles at the bar. Damon hit the floor and rolled behind a nearby booth. Seconds later he popped up and fired 5 shots at his attackers. They all hit there targets, but he was surprised to see the affect. The men evaporated like steam when the bullets hit them. Damon then realized he had let go of the Wraith. The people in the bar were now screaming and running, trying to get out as quickly as possible, the sound of the guns echoing in their ears. In the confusion both boys saw the Wraith run for a nearby window.

"Shit! There he goes!" Damon yelled trying to go after him while being jostled by the screaming people. The Wraith jumped through the glass window, shattering out into the alleyway beyond. There were more men in white entering the club now, as well as at least 200 hundred innocent people running around like crazy.

"I got him!" Shinji yelled, leaping through the window after the Wraith. He cut his shirt and arm slightly on the glass on his way through, but barely felt it in the excitement of the moment. He looked up to see the foot of the Wraith swing over the awning onto the top of the building.

"Shinji wait!" Damon ran for the window but was again forced to take cover as a new volley of shots was fired towards him. His pistol was empty and there was no time to reload. He discarded it and reached into his coat for his MP5. Luckily he had a clear path to the rear exit. Seconds later he broke cover and ran for the door. More shots rung out and he saw a man next to him get hit.

"No!" He snarled. He hated seeing innocent people die. But he dared not return fire or he might kill one as well. He reached the door and swung around the hallway as he emerged to the outside.

*********************************************************************************************

Shinji extended his AT field off of his feet and launched himself from side to side up the alley wall. When he reached the top he began to sprint after the escaping Wraith along the rooftops.

"This is crazy," he said to no one as he jumped to the next building. "Man this guy is fast" Shinji thought as the Wraith reached the next building and positively flew up a 20 foot wall to get to the top. Shinji followed suit, again using his AT field to launch himself up. This time however he could feel the strain on his body, and noticed the cut on his arm. He reached the top of the building and began running again, wondering how long he could possibly keep this chase up.

****************************************************************************************

"Bingo," Damon said as he saw one of the civilians who had escaped from the club start a motorcycle. "I'm sorry for this man" he thought as he threw the man off of his bike and leaped on. He hit the gas full throttle and let the back tire swing around as the smell of burning rubber hit the air. He could see in his mirror that the men in white were running to the exit hallway he had just come from. He turned and opened fire with his gun, nailing three of them into mist. While the remaining four got into two cars.

"Time to go," Damon mumbled to himself as he gunned the bike out onto the street. He could see Shinji running after the Wraith on the roof, and headed north to parallel them. The surprising thing was they both seemed to be going nearly as fast as he was. He turned sharply through a red light narrowly missing a honking car and tried to keep his eyes on the road, the Wraith and the people chasing him in cars all at the same time. Then he saw his opportunity as the Wraith made a leap across an alley to another building. He hit the brakes, going into a slide as he aimed his gun. He squeezed the trigger and got the desired affect. The Wraith missed the ledge, and fell back down onto the ground. Damon however had taken his right hand off of the bike and lost control of the slide. He was thrown from the bike and hit the asphalt on his back. Pain like nothing he had felt before shot up his back as he slid to a stop next to the sidewalk.

******************************************************************************************

Shinji Ikari saw the Wraith take a bullet to the shoulder and immediately miss the jump. He followed suit, landing on the ground with his sword extended. In moments he had the blade to Wraiths throat.

"Wait…please…don't," the Wraith said to him as he tried to catch his breath.

Shinji hesitated, and then saw four men in white step into the alley entrance.

"Call them off," he said.

The Wraith nodded and the four men evaporated into the air.

Shinji's radio sounded. He put it to his ear while leaving his eyes on the man in front of him.

"Shinji," It was Misato, "Asuka and Rei cant hold out much longer. Nishka is already down. The Wraith there fighting is seemingly invincible. We believe that you must kill yours first before they have a chance to take down theirs."

"Right," he said back, placing his radio on the ground. He raised his blade.

"I can bring them back you know," the Wraith said.

Again Shinji hesitated.

"What?"

"I can tell you really miss them."

Shinji stared at the cowering man below him.

"Hikari and Kensuke correct?" The Wraith continued, "Look if you let me go, I'll call off my ally that your friends are fighting right now."

Shinji still did not respond. "Was this for real?" he thought.

Again the Wraith began to speak.

"All I ask is that tomorrow night we duel one on one. Just you and me on the highest building in Tokyo 3. If you win you get your friends back, and my counterpart becomes killable.

Shinji's mind was racing. He was being offered the chance to bring his friends back. All he had to do was beat this guy one on one. "But what if I fail? Would the other pilots be able to win the war without me? What about Asuka?"

The Wraith on the ground continued to pant as Shinji mulled over his proposition. "I wont fail. I cant. I can bring them back. I can beat this guy." Shinji's mind was made. The third child let the sword fall away from the Wraith's neck.

"Deal."