Author's Notes: Sorry for another late chapter, but my schedule has been fairly hectic lately and I have been dividing my attention between multiple projects. I am unsure if I will be able to post next week, as I have both schoolwork and an appointment to get my wisdom teeth removed (but on the bright side, the painkillers should help me with the comedy I am writing at the moment.
Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Jekyll and Hyde.
"Rei?"
The blue haired girl sat on the examination bed, her hands folded loosely in her lap. Her head hung forward limply, her chin resting on her chest. She gave no sign of having heard Doctor Akagi, or having noticed her at all. She shivered lightly, staring blankly at the floor.
"Rei?" the doctor asked again. "How are you feeling?"
"I am cold," The girl answered, barely above a whisper.
The doctor smiled wryly. "Yes, these rooms are never warm enough. How is your neck feeling."
"It is tolerable." Rei stated.
"But it still hurts?"
"Yes"
Ritsuko set her clipboard down on the table next to the examination bed, and stepped in front of Rei. She started to move some of the pale girl's blue hair aside, and Rei flinched suddenly. The Doctor jerked her hand away.
Rei's eyes looked at her, first with fear, then embarrassment. "I am sorry Doctor."
"Its alright, Rei," she placed a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder. "There's nothing to be sorry for. But can I look at your neck?"
Rei gave a small nod, then turned her head to one side and lifted her hair to one side. Ritsuko grimaced at the four purple blemishes on the side of the first child's neck, with a matching set on the other side of the girl's throat. Good God… she thought. Even though she did not personally care for the first child, with the painful memories the girl's presence caused her to recall, she would never wish this upon the girl. What kind of monster would do this to her?
Actually, she could think of one such monster, one she had a meeting with in less than a half hour. But even the Commander wouldn't do something like this. No, the commander was far more likely to shoot someone or have them eliminated by someone else. The Commander was a cold-hearted bastard. He did not have enough passion left in him to try and strangle someone with his bare hands.
Doctor Akagi looked back at Rei's face, and noticed the girl was staring at her, her crimson eyes burrowing into her with a confused sadness.
Ritsuko looked away and grabbed her clipboard, jotting down a few notes. "I'll get you some Ibuprofen to help with the pain."
She walked over to one of the small cabinets, pulling out a chemical cold-pack. She snapped the pack and wrapped it in a cloth. She gave it to the first child who pressed it against the bruises.
"Just try and keep cold on it for the first forty-eight hours. Other than that, you should be fine."
"Yes, Doctor," Rei said as she stood to leave.
Rei paused at the door, "Doctor Akagi?"
Ritsuko looked up from her notes, "Yes, Rei?"
"Thank you."
Ritsuko rubbed her temples. A thank you from Rei, that was a first for her, and quite possibly the strangest thing to happen to her lately. She actually felt a little disturbed by the whole incident. She brushed aside the feeling, happy things couldn't get any stranger.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, she stood in front of Commander Ikari's intimidating desk. Well, at least she wasn't alone this time. Currently, Misato was answering the Commander's questions.
"…when I went inside I observed a figure retreating through the kitchen window. I was unable to pursue and brought Pilot Ayanami in for medical treatment," she said, concluding her account of the events.
"Where was Section Two during all of this?" The Commander inquired.
"I spoke to the agents guarding the first child. They admitted that they had gone on a break shortly after the third child arrived at her apartment." She added darkly, "If they ever do something that stupid again I swear…
The Commander steepled his hands as he interrupted her, "That won't be necessary, Major. The agent's responsible are being dealt with as we speak. I am concerned that something like this happened. Doctor, what is the status of the first child?"
"Physically, she should be fine, but I am still concerned. She showed poor judgment in allowing her attacker into her apartment, and from what I can observe, the incident has caused or awakened some psychological trauma."
"Is she fit to pilot?"
"Yes, but I do not think it would be wise to leave her alone for the time being, " Akagi answered.
"I understand your concerns, Doctor, and I have to agree," the Commander said, pushing a manila folder across his desk towards her, which she picked up.
The Commander continued, "which is why, as of this moment, custody of Pilot Ayanami is being transferred to you."
Misato coughed while Ritsuko started to stammer out an objection. "With all due respect, sir, I am not equipped to care for a child."
"It should not prove too difficult. Major Katsuragi seems to have managed with her two charges."
Ritsuko opened her mouth to object, but the Commander continued to speak.
"I chose you, doctor, because you are already well aware of the first child's, dietary and medical needs. The arrangement should only be temporary, at least until the attacker is found, but if you feel you are not up to the task, I will arrange for another guardian."
Ritsuko was very tempted to ask for another guardian, but her own pride stopped her. "No sir, that will not be necessary."
"Then, if there is nothing else either of you wish to add, I want you to concentrate your attention on the scheduled activation test." The Commander nodded at both women. "Dismissed."
Once they were outside the office, Misato turned to Ritsuko. "That room always gives me the creeps."
Noticing the Doctor seemed to have other things on her mind, Misato added, "Hey Ritsuko, if you need any help with Rei, you can always call me."
"Thanks, but I don't think Rei will be much trouble."
Misato nodded, as they walked towards the elevator.
"Hey, Ritsuko?" Misato said, stifling a giggle.
"Yes?" the doctor said as the doors opened and the stepped inside.
"Congratulations, it's a girl." Misato said as she burst out in laughter.
"Oh, shut up."
* * *
"Asuka?" Misato yelled from her bedroom where she hastily threw on her uniform. "Asuka?"
"Yeah? What do you want?" came the annoyed answer from the kitchen.
"Where's Shinji?" Misato asked as she stumbled into the kitchen, still trying to pull her jacket on, and with one shoe halfway on.
Asuka snorted. "The Baka's still in his room. He left breakfast on the table, but I haven't seen him all morning."
"Again? That's the third time this week. I'm starting to get worried."
Asuka did not make any snide remarks, any sarcastic comments, she just nodded silently as she placed her dishes in the sink.
"Look I'm going to be at the Matsushiro facility all day, so you two are going to be on your own this evening." She gave Asuka some cash. "Here, take this and buy dinner for both of you, maybe go out and see a movie or something."
"Are you telling me to take that pervert out on a date?" Asuka asked resentfully.
"NO!" Misato protested. As much as she wished the two of them would get along better. Having both in a relationship would create more problems than she needed at the moment. "No, I just thought you two could use a break from sitting around here all day."
"Oh... Well, good." Asuka said. The last thing she needed was Misato ordering her to go on a date with the Baka. Though it wouldn't be good to disobey her commanding officer…
"Look, I'll be back around nine tonight. Just try and take it easy. All of you have had a rough week."
"What do you mean ALL of us?"
Crap, forgot they don't know about Rei, Misato thought, mentally smacking herself upside the head. "Nothing, I just… Oh, Shit! I'm late! Sorry Asuka, gotta run!"
Misato dashed through and out of the kitchen, nearly colliding with Pen Pen as he waddled out of his fridge. The penguin "warked" indignantly as he fell over backwards.
Asuka walked over and stood next to the penguin as he righted himself, trying to understand the workings of her guardian's mind, and giving herself a headache in the process.
Pen Pen shook his head then stared at the open door. "Waaaark."
"You can say that again," Asuka said. "That woman is nuts."
"Wark."
Asuka looked down and saw who she was talking to. She started rubbing her temples as the headache suddenly got worse. "Mein Gott… I'm turning into one of THEM!"
She stormed back to her room to grab her school bag, leaving a very confused and slightly hungry penguin standing alone in the kitchen.
* * *
Shinji sat at his desk, writing in the journal Doctor Keel had given to him, something that had become a habit lately. He did not know what compelled him to do so, but perhaps it would help him to understand what was taking place within him.
-Last night was a blur. I remember running. Running harder than I ever had before. I think I may have gone to Rei's apartment, but I can't be sure. One thing I am sure of, I didn't find her. I still can't believe what I did to her, or what I could have done to her.
I haven't seen her since I escaped through the window. I can only hope that she will be all right. When Misato came home, she was quiet. I briefly considered telling her the truth, but I couldn't. I don't know why.
No. That is a lie. I know exactly why I couldn't do it. I didn't want her to look at ME with those eyes. The fear, the disgust, I couldn't bear to see that look in her eyes. The same look in Asuka's eyes, and in Rei's, when they looked at Hyde.
I am afraid of what I might do. Thankfully, Asuka keeps her room locked at night, and Misato has her gun with her.
I don't know what I will do if things start to go too far. I don't know if I can be strong enough to do what needs to be done. When I am Hyde, I feel stronger, faster, every sense feels heightened.
I despise what he does, what he is, and what he represents…
…And yet, so wonderful is his love of life…
Shinji set down the pen, running a hand through his hair, which he hadn't combed today, it just didn't seem like something that really mattered all that much. Nothing really seemed to matter, not when you felt like you were going insane.
What steak of madness lies inside of me?
He really did feel like he was going insane, not just when he was Hyde, but when he was awake. He tried to find the answers, but there were some questions he was too afraid to ask himself.
What is the truth my fears conceal?
He did not even know what caused the transformations. At first he thought it had been the drug, but now he had no clue, maybe some emotion, or stress. The only thing he knew, was that when he was Hyde he felt dark inside, the emptiness he usually felt filled with something primal…
What evil force makes Edward Hyde of me?
What darker side of me does he reveal?
There was a knock at the door. "Baka! Are you ready for school yet?"
He closed the journal, placing it between the wall and his desk before answering, "Yes, Asuka. I'll be out in just a second."
When they arrived at the school, Rei was not present, which had worried Shinji. In addition, Touji was once again absent. He had been present the day before, which had had an obvious calming effect on the Class Representative, though Shinji was too concerned with Ayanami's absence to notice.
The class was interrupted shortly after lunch by the ringing of two cell phones, quickly followed by the calm-shattering noise of the angel alarms.
* * *
Shinji sat in the entry plug, waiting for the Angel to get within range, though his mind was not entirely on the mission at hand. With Misato missing, the Commander had taken control of the operation. They had no clue as to the nature of the Angel. They could only wait for the Angel to come to them, giving Shinji ample time to reflect on his situation.
Am I the person I appear to be,
Or am I someone I don't know?
He hefted the pallet rifle, glancing at the communications windows. He had been relieved to see Rei was alright, though she had not said anything. Shinji suppressed a shudder, as a feeling of dread passed through him. The angel was approaching from the same direction as the Matsushiro facility. He tried to shake off the feeling, like something instinctual was trying to warn him.
I fear some monster drawing near to me,
"Target should be entering visual range now," one of the techs announced.
Becoming clear to see…
"It can't be…" he heard Asuka whisper.
Will what I fear to be…
Be so?
"The Angel… is an Eva?" Asuka's voice came across the channel, the tone resting somewhere between disbelief and terrible realization.
Shinji gulped nervously, his own problems taking a back seat to the current situation, "Then there is a pilot inside, right? Another child?"
"That is irrelevant. You will destroy the angel," The commander ordered flatly.
"But… AAAH!" Asuka did not have time to finish her sentence or fire as the Angel charged her.
"Asuka!" Shinji yelled. There was an agonizingly long silence before one of the technicians spoke.
"Eva Unit Two is disabled. The entry plug has been ejected. Retrieval crews are moving in." Shinji sat back in his seat at the technician's announcement, breathing the LCL heavily.
His left hand clenched and unclenched.
* * *
Rei centered the Angel's neck in the scope of her rifle. One shot, and the battle would be over. She knew only two ways to be certain to kill an Eva: Take out the power supply, or take out the entry plug. Currently, the only target available was the entry plug.
Unit Zero's finger twitched, but did not pull the trigger. She found she couldn't fire, not when she knew who was inside. But she had to obey the Commander's orders. She must defeat the Angel.
She hesitated too long
The Angel suddenly spun its eyes burning as it crouched. It jumped into the air, tackling Unit Zero and pressing its back into the ground.
Rei could only lay there, her Eva frozen along with her as time stretched into an eternity. The black Eva's hand closing on her Eva's throat, slowly reaching for her.
No…No… her mind cried out for her to defend herself, but she couldn't fight back without injuring the Pilot trapped inside, without hurting Ikari's friend.
The black Eva's face split open in a grotesque grin as it unleash a rumbling growl. Its hand brushed against her armor.
A roar ripped through the air as a purple blur crashed into the Angel, throwing it backwards into a hillside.
Unit One reared back, grabbing its progressive knife and slashing the Angel. A massive gash appeared along the black Eva's right arm. As it raised its knife over its head grasped in both hands, the Angel lashed out, driving its hand into Unit One's face. Its arm suddenly extended, adding force to its strike and heaving the purple behemoth off of it. Unit One plowed into a hillside, shearing away the ground beneath it. It stood up again, leaving the shattered remains of its already torn umbilical embedded in the hill.
The Angel tackled Unit one, driving it back to the ground. Unit One managed to twist over on top of the Angel, which grabbed hold of the Eva's arm. Both the pilot and the Eva roared in pain as the Angel began infecting the Eva's arm.
* * *
Maya Ibuki swallowed nervously at what she was seeing. While everyone else was engrossed in the battle, she concentrated on the readings transmitted from Eva Unit One.
To say the information was disturbing was an understatement. Shinji's psychograph showed signs of contamination, and that the corruption was spreading. But it was going in the wrong direction, spreading from within Shinji into the Evangelion. His synch ratio was fluctuating so much she couldn't get a definite reading.
Despite the fact that the other data remained unaffected, the comm signal was not reaching headquarters, and appeared to be blocked at the source. They had no way to contact the pilot, and now way see inside the entry plug. Suddenly new data appeared on the screen, making Maya's eyes go wide.
"Sir, the angel is infecting Unit One's right arm." the panic was evident in Maya's voice
"Sever the Arm."
"But sir, if the pilot is still connected…"
"Do it NOW!" the commander ordered.
Maya complied and began typing at the controls. When she reached the last keystroke she paused. She looked over at Aoba and Makoto, who both nodded. Maya turned back to the controls, closed her eyes and pressed the key.
Nothing happened.
She checked the readouts again to be sure, but everything showed that the detonation signal had in fact been sent, though she was relieved that she didn't have to cause one of the children any more pain.
Makoto looked over his own console, "The severance signal has been blocked. Unit One is blocking all outside transmissions."
"Sir, the affected tissue is regenerating at a rapid rate." Maya stated wit relief. "Unit One appears to be fighting the infection."
* * *
Hyde cried out and grabbed his own arm where the Angel had taken hold of the Eva, the burning red light of the entry plug reflecting the sensation in his arm. He could feel the alien presence invading his body, the deadening pain in his own flesh. His rage grew as he stared through the eyes of Unit One to the beast holding him down. How dare you… He thought. How DARE YOU?!
His rage blinding him to the pain, Hyde focused on one thing. He wanted to hurt the Angel, to make it feel pain. Fueled by his anger, the Eva pushed its arms up, grabbing the angel's forearm with its right hand. He felt the sensation through the Eva as its fingers dug through the armor and into the flesh of the Angel.
The Black Eva screamed as its own tissue was invaded, pushing trying to break away from Unit One. The purple Eva would not let go, and instead grabbed the Angel with its free arm, driving its thumb into the soft tissue above its shoulder. The Angel twisted and writhed as Unit One pulled itself up.
The Eva delivered a vicious kick to the Angels abdomen, tearing away large chunks of flesh from the Angel as it was sent careening into a hillside. It did not give its opponent a chance to recover, charging forward and crushing the Angel's skull into the hill.
Again and again the Eva struck, attacking the black armored form with wild abandon. The Angel just lay there, blood and gore covering the countryside, as Unit one tore through it, until it finally reached the spine and the entry plug.
Grasping the plug in his Eva's left hand, Hyde grinned darkly, a motion the Eva mirrored in fearsome parody. Such a flimsy little thing, he thought, the Eva's hand flexing around the plug. One little squeeze and…
He dropped the plug as a blue arm suddenly wrapped around him from behind and pulled him backwards. He spun, backhanding Rei's Evangelion. Unit Zero's head snapped to one side with the impact.
Unit One punched the Blue Eva in the stomach, then threw it to the ground behind it. Crouching down, the Unit One picked up its fallen progressive knife. It raised the knife into the air.
The power indicator reached 00:00:00.
The purple monstrosity's eyes went black as it fell forward into the hillside. For a few tense moments, Rei lay there, still unsure if it was over. When she was certain both the Angel and the berserk Unit One were inactive, she powered down her own Eva and ejected the entry plug.
She watched as a disoriented Shinji Ikari emerged from his own entry plug, clutching his head in pain. As the realization of what had happened struck him he scrambled down from the Eva's back, dropping to the ground and sprinting towards the nearby entry plug of Unit 03. In a scene startlingly familiar to Rei , Shinji pried open the hatch of the plug with his bare hands, though this time the plug wasn't hot.
Peering inside, Shinji saw the motionless form of his best friend, Touji Suzuhara, Laying motionless, blood running from his head and mixing with the LCL. His knees gave way beneath him, as he whispered, "What have I done?"