Never Run Away...
"Sotto, fureru mono Motomeru koto ni muchuu de Unmei sae mada shiranai Itaikena hitomi Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshou..."
Shinji, his headphones stuck firmly in his ears, sang along softly with his newest tape. The EVA manual he was supposed to be reading was propped in front of his face as he walked along the hallway of NERV headquarters. He was so engrossed in his music, he failed to notice Misato standing in front of him, smiling, until he bumped directly into her.
"Gomen nasai!" he said quickly, looking up, faint color to his cheeks. "Oh, hi, Misato-san."
"What are you listening to?" Before he could answer, she took one of his earplugs out, holding it to her own ear. She listened for a few seconds. "That's catchy." She handed it back.
"Hai. I heard it on the radio last week and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since." He switched his player off, tucking the manual under his arm.
"Are you done for the day or is Ritsuko making you stay for the usual tests?" Misato leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her red jacket.
"I have to memorize this," Shinji replied, tapping the booklet under his arm. "But I can go home and do it. That's where I'm headed now."
"Well, you'll be alone tonight. I'm working double shift tonight."
"Alright." Misato smiled again, ruffling Shinji's brown hair and drawing a glare from him.
"That's what I love about you, Shinji: you never put up a fuss." She flashed him a peace sign as she walked back the way he had just come. Shinji watched her go, head tilted to the side a tiny bit.
Love?
Giving himself a little shake, he pushed the play button and started down the hall again. Rounding a corner, he bumped into someone else, sending files and manuals everywhere.
"Gomen! Gomen!" Shinji repeated, crouching to help retrieve them. That seemed to be his phrase of the day.
"It's alright." The fourteen-year-old boy froze when the soft, slightly husky voice washed over him. Rei knelt beside him, also sorting files. "Is this yours?" She held up the EVA manual. Mouth dry, Shinji nodded, taking it from her.
"H-hai." He blushed, quickly bowing his head to hide. Rei studied him for a long moment before standing, her arms full of papers.
"Thank you, Shinji-ko." She walked away, her blue school skirt swinging about her pale, thin legs.
"Baka, baka, baka," he muttered aloud to himself. He never could figure out what to say when he was around her.
***
Shinji set out food for PenPen before sitting down to his own dinner. The apartment was much quieter now that Asuka had found her own place. The only problem was that her own place was just down the hall.
And she still had a key.
"Misato-san!" Asuka popped her head into the kitchen and made a face when she saw it was just Shinji. "Where's Misato?"
"She had to work double shift. She won't be back until tomorrow morning," the boy said, calmly continuing to eat. 'Please don't stay, please don't stay, please don't—'
Asuka plopped herself down across from him.
"Well, I'll just have to settle for dinner with YOU then." She reached across the table, snatching up some of his rice. Shinji scowled at her. "Don't give me that look, Boy," she said, taking some more. "I'm out of food."
"That's what a market is for."
"My, aren't WE in a bad mood today." Asuka grinned wickedly at him, reaching forward again. Shinji knocked her hand away, holding his plate out of her reach.
"Get your own!"
"Fine! I will!" She got up and went to the stove, fixing her own plate.
"That's not what I meant!"
"Next time, be more specific. I'll return the plate when I'm done!" Waving, she left the apartment.
***
"All systems report back normal," Maya said, checking the screens in front of her. Ritsuko leaned over her shoulder, giving them a quick reading.
"Until 00 is ready for activation," she confirmed, going back to her post in front of the viewing window. "Rei, how are you feeling?"
"Fine," the girl replied.
"Begin the activation process." There was a flurry of activity in the control room.
"Reaching borderline in 5...4...3...2...1...borderline cleared!" Maya announced. There were a few cheers. "Sync ratios are normal."
"Begin the training."
There was a hiss of compressed air as a door to Unit 00's left slid open. Rei picked up the rifle and began firing at the targets displayed in her viewer.
"How is everything?" Ritsuko turned to face Commander Ikari.
"Everything is normal. Her sync ratios are up .5% and her accuracy has improved greatly."
"Will she be able to battle in her EVA?"
"There's no way to tell as of yet. Shinji still has the highest sync ratio while Rei's is still lower than it should be. At this point in time, I think we should continue to use Asuka and Shinji as our primary pilots." Commander Ikari gave a little nod.
"Very well, Ritsuko. I will trust your judgment on this matter."
"Arigato."
"Where is Captain Katsuragi?"
"In her office, I believe, still taking care of paperwork from the last battle." He nodded and left the room.
***
Misato put the last file on her finished pile and sat back with a sigh of relief. "Finally. I thought I'd never finish!"
"Captain." Commander Ikari appeared seemingly out of nowhere causing her to let out a small cry.
"Commander! You startled me." She stood quickly, her eyes a bit wide. "What brings you here?"
"I have come for the update on my son," he said shortly, pushing his glasses up with gloved fingers. "You have it, yes?"
"Hai, I have it right here." She dug a file out from the stack and handed it over. He opened it, flipping through it quickly, not really reading anything.
"No problems at school then?"
"No, Sir. He hasn't caused a problem since he arrived here." 'You should know that,' she added silently. She hated the way this man dealt with his son; like he was some object that could be put on a high shelf and forgotten until needed.
"What's this I see about a fight?" He held up a sheet of paper.
"Actually, it was rather one-sided. Shortly after the first battle, a boy beat him up at school because he blamed Shinji for his sister's injuries."
"I see." Ikari snapped the file shut and handed it back over. "Thank you, Captain." He turned to go.
"Commander?" Misato blurted. He turned, waiting. "Why...why don't you ask Shinji himself about these things?" she ventured carefully. "I'm sure he could give you more accurate information—"
"That is enough, Captain," Ikari cut her off. "It would be in your best interest to say no more."
"Yes, Sir." He gave a curt nod, his face hard as stone, then left. Misato sank back in her chair, touching the folder on her desk. "Shinji..."
***
"See you after school, Misato-san!" Shinji called, pushing his google-eyed friends out the door. She waved and yawned, heading for her bedroom to sleep.
"That Misato Katsugari sure is hot!" Toji declared, his eyes and face dreamy. Shinji rolled his own eyes, giving both boys and good hit on the back of the head.
"Knock it off, you two. She's nearly twice as old as you."
"So? Nothing like women with experience," Aida retorted, zooming in on Shinji's face. He glared into the lens, covering it with his hand.
"I mean it: stop."
"Geez, Shinji. You're acting like we're hitting on your mother," Toji said, he and Aida pulling ahead. Shinji stopped where he was, mouth a little slack.
Mother?
"Are you coming, Shinji, or do we have to drag you to school?" The two boys turned back, their brows furrowing when they saw the stricken look on the other boy's face. "Shinji, what's wrong?"
"Don't ever say that again," he growled through gritted teeth, his eyes holding a look they had never seen before. Both of them took an involuntary step back. "You have no right to say such things." He shouldered his way past them, head high and back rigid with anger. Toji and Aida exchanged glances.
"What did we say?" Toji asked, surprised.
"I think the subject of his mother is a little tender," Aida replied softly so Shinji couldn't hear. "I think it would be best if we stayed out of Shinji's way for a little while. Just until he cools off." Toji nodded in agreement.
***
Shinji, back propped against one of the stone walls at school, dug his EVA manual from his bag and opened it to the marked page. He had been so exhausted the night before he hadn't been able to finish.
The thin pages ruffled slightly as someone sat down next to him. Shinji turned his head, blue eyes bulging when he saw it was Rei, who was taking a similar manual from her own bag. She glanced at him briefly.
"Do you mind?" Unable to speak, he shook his head. Rei nodded and opened the booklet. Shinji realized he was staring and quickly looked back down at the thing in his lap. But now there was no way he was going to be able to concentrate! "Is Ritsuko making you memorize too?" The boy gave a small jump.
"H-hai." He slapped himself mentally. "I mean, Hai. She says they're installing new equipment on Unit 01 so I need to know what everything does." Rei tipped her head to the side.
"What kind of equipment?"
"Um...let me see." He flipped to the back. "Type E: Underwater Friendly," he read. "I guess they thought it was a good idea after the whole thing with Unit 02."
"Why aren't they trying it out on that EVA then?"
"I'm not sure." Rei took the manual from his hands, scanning it before handing it back.
"It's because you have a higher sync ratio," she said finally. "Asuka is close behind, but not at your level yet, even with all her training."
"What about you?" Shinji asked softly, knowing it was probably a tender subject. But Rei didn't look stricken or upset.
"I am nowhere near your level, Shinji-ko. You are the best pilot NERV has. If we loose you, Tokyo Three will never make it." Her eyes met his and he saw...something there. Something he wasn't quite sure of.
Then it was gone and Rei was getting to her feet. "I will see you in training, Shinji Ikari." She left, her soft shoes barely making a whisper of sound on the pavement. He stared after her, hands trembling just slightly.
What was wrong with him?
***
"Sightings confirmed! It's an angel!" one of the men called up to Commander Ikari. "It's coming in from the bay and closing fast!"
"Prepare Unit 00 and Unit 01," he said calmly.
"Unit 00?" Misato repeated, puzzled. "But, Sir—"
"Don't worry, Misato. Rei can handle it."
"Yes, Sir."
***
"What do you mean Unit 00 and Unit 01!" Asuka bellowed, waving her arms. "I can operate my EVA better than both of them put together!"
"Commander's orders," Misato said, not at all phased by the girl's outburst. "We already know you and Shinji are able to work together. Now we need to see how these two partner up."
This, was of course, a blatant lie. Everyone already knew that Shinji and Rei were nearly in perfect sync with one another. Whenever they worked together, Rei's ratios boosted significantly and she was able to function better with her EVA, better than even Asuka.
"Shinji, Rei, go get ready," Misato said, turning to the boy and girl. "Your new suits are waiting for you in the locker room.
"Hai," they said with identical nods.
***
"Good luck Rei," Shinji said, glancing at the screen separating them as they changed. He saw the loose suit suck itself in, molding to her slender body.
"Whatever happens, happens. There is no luck," she replied softly. "I'll protect you, Shinji. You don't need to be scared."
"I'm not afraid for me," she heard him say in a very soft voice. She blinked a few times, surprised. She came around the screen, brow furrowed a little.
"Then what are you afraid of?"
"I don't want to see you hurt," he said, folding his clothes and placing them on a bench. His eyes met hers and hers widened at the softness she saw there. "So I don't want you to be afraid because this time I'll protect you." The smallest of smiles touched his lips and Rei found herself smiling back.
"Shinji—"
"Pilots to your EVAs!" The voice that came on over the intercom cut her off before she could finish.
"That's us," Shinji said, squaring his shoulders. "Let's show them how this is really done!"
"Right."
***
"HASSHA!" The two platforms bearing the EVAs shot up with the force of a bullet coming out of a gun. They came up side-by-side and ready for battle.
"One of you will have to distract the angel while the other goes for the core," Misato told them. "We believe the core is located on the underside so you'll need to get it to rear if you wish to kill it."
"I'll distract it," Rei said, taking the rifle Misato had sent. "Once you have a clear shot, Shinji, take it."
"Hai!" He took the other rifle, going into ready position.
The buildings in front of them suddenly exploded in dust and debris, throwing the EVAs to opposite sides. An angel closely resembling a huge grey centipede emerged from the dust, red eyes glowing. It's back end whipped around, narrowly missing Unit 00, and destroying the building behind it.
"I'll draw it westward!" Rei cried, dodging yet another swing. "Get ahead of me and cut it off!"
"Right! Be careful, Ayanami-san!" Shinji, in Unit 01, took off, hurdling buildings and craters with ease. He skidded to a halt when he was a good distance ahead of Unti 00 and the angel, raising the rifle.
Rei cried out as she caught the backlash of a swing, falling onto her back hard. The angel roared—an eerie mechanical sound—and rose up on its back legs to fall upon the EVA.
"Shinji! NOW!!!"
Shinji fired the rifle.
It bounced off!
"Ayanami!" Shinji dropped the gun and raced at the dropping angel. Right before it hit, he tackled it from the side, clearing a good half-mile of ground.
"Why didn't the blast work?!" Misato cried.
"The core is being protected by some sort of plate!" Maya said, punching buttons furiously. "The rifle beam isn't strong enough!"
"DAMN!"
Shinji pinned the struggling angel under him, ignoring the blows that threatened to unseat him. Reaching behind him, he unsheathed the progressive knife and began hacking at its back.
"Shinji! The core is being protected by an armored plate! You have to pry off the plate!" Misato yelled over the intercom. "Turn the angel over and get it off!"
"Hai!"
But before he could turn it, long steel spikes shot from the angel's skin, impaling Unit 01.
"SHINJI!"
In a great amount of pain, Shinji wrapped his arms around the angel and staggered to his feet, falling backwards with the angel on top of him.
"Ayanami! Break the core!" he yelled, gritting his teeth. "I can't hold him!"
Unit 00 was up in seconds, progressive knife at the ready. With huge, powerful jabs, she tore off the iron plate that hid the glowing red core of the angel. Screaming in fury, she hacked at it. The core suddenly began glowing brighter.
"Look out!" Shinji kicked Unit 00 away and rolled over again. A huge explosion shook NERV headquarters and the screens went blank.
"What happened?!!" Misato screamed, her face pale.
"The angel self destructed!"
"What are the readings on the EVAs?!"
"Still nothing!"
Rei sat up with a soft groan and looked around her. She was about a mile from where she had first been and all the buildings around her were completely destroyed. Nothing more than rock and ash.
"Shinji? Shinji, can you read me?!" Rei cried, suddenly panicked.
Nothing but static.
"Shinji!" She got up, forgetting about her progressive knife, and ran to the place where he had been last. A few hundred yards off, she spotted the remains of Unit 01. The EVA was in total shambles and totally shattered. "Shinji, answer me!" She knelt beside the EVA and tore off the back plate, ejecting the capsule. Setting it down carefully, she ejected her own capsule and ran to the door of Shinji's. "Shinji, please be alright!" Ignoring the heat, she opened the door and crawled in.
Shinji was slumped in his chair, mouth and nose bleeding. He was so pale and still...
"Shinji!!" She crawled to him, prying his hands from the controls. He flopped forward into her arms and she dragged him, with difficulty, out onto the remains of the street. "Shinji, wake up! Please! You baka! Why did you do that?!! Why?!"
The boy in her arms stirred slightly.
"Shinji?" Her trembling voice held hope. His eyelids fluttered then slowly opened. "Shinji!"
"Told...you I'd...protect you..." he whispered hoarsely.
"Why did you let yourself take all the damage?! Why?!" There were actual tears in Rei's eyes, something he had never seen before.
"You...had to be...safe..."
"You're more important, Shinji!" He shook his head a little, wincing in pain.
"No..."
"Yes you are! If you die, we're all doomed!" Shinji shook his head again, tensing when a wave of pain washed over him.
"No...Rei..." He took her hand, squeezing. "You're alive...you can protect the city."
"No, I can't! I can't control my EVA like you can!"
"Rei..." he whispered, his eyes closing a little.
"No, Shinji! Don't die!"
"It's alright, Rei...I'm not afraid..." He reached up, touching her cheek. "I'll wait for you..." His hand slowly dropped away as his head fell to the side, his eyes closing. Rei hugged him close to her, tears slowly making their way down her pale cheeks.
"I'll protect them, Shinji...for you..."
***
"His own son's funeral and the Commander couldn't even show up," Misato muttered to herself, wiping at her still streaming eyes.
"I don't think he could have handled it," Rei said softly, her eyes dry. She had used up all of her tears the day Shinji had died.
"He still could have come." Misato stopped at the crest of a hill, looking over Tokyo Three. "What will happen to us now, Rei?"
"We'll live, we'll fight, we'll protect this city," she said, stepping up beside the woman. "Shinji died to protect everyone and that's what we shall do if necessary. As Shinji always used to say: Nigecha dame de."
"Yes...we mustn't run away..."
"Sotto, fureru mono Motomeru koto ni muchuu de Unmei sae mada shiranai Itaikena hitomi Dakedo itsuka kizuku deshou..."
Shinji, his headphones stuck firmly in his ears, sang along softly with his newest tape. The EVA manual he was supposed to be reading was propped in front of his face as he walked along the hallway of NERV headquarters. He was so engrossed in his music, he failed to notice Misato standing in front of him, smiling, until he bumped directly into her.
"Gomen nasai!" he said quickly, looking up, faint color to his cheeks. "Oh, hi, Misato-san."
"What are you listening to?" Before he could answer, she took one of his earplugs out, holding it to her own ear. She listened for a few seconds. "That's catchy." She handed it back.
"Hai. I heard it on the radio last week and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since." He switched his player off, tucking the manual under his arm.
"Are you done for the day or is Ritsuko making you stay for the usual tests?" Misato leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her red jacket.
"I have to memorize this," Shinji replied, tapping the booklet under his arm. "But I can go home and do it. That's where I'm headed now."
"Well, you'll be alone tonight. I'm working double shift tonight."
"Alright." Misato smiled again, ruffling Shinji's brown hair and drawing a glare from him.
"That's what I love about you, Shinji: you never put up a fuss." She flashed him a peace sign as she walked back the way he had just come. Shinji watched her go, head tilted to the side a tiny bit.
Love?
Giving himself a little shake, he pushed the play button and started down the hall again. Rounding a corner, he bumped into someone else, sending files and manuals everywhere.
"Gomen! Gomen!" Shinji repeated, crouching to help retrieve them. That seemed to be his phrase of the day.
"It's alright." The fourteen-year-old boy froze when the soft, slightly husky voice washed over him. Rei knelt beside him, also sorting files. "Is this yours?" She held up the EVA manual. Mouth dry, Shinji nodded, taking it from her.
"H-hai." He blushed, quickly bowing his head to hide. Rei studied him for a long moment before standing, her arms full of papers.
"Thank you, Shinji-ko." She walked away, her blue school skirt swinging about her pale, thin legs.
"Baka, baka, baka," he muttered aloud to himself. He never could figure out what to say when he was around her.
***
Shinji set out food for PenPen before sitting down to his own dinner. The apartment was much quieter now that Asuka had found her own place. The only problem was that her own place was just down the hall.
And she still had a key.
"Misato-san!" Asuka popped her head into the kitchen and made a face when she saw it was just Shinji. "Where's Misato?"
"She had to work double shift. She won't be back until tomorrow morning," the boy said, calmly continuing to eat. 'Please don't stay, please don't stay, please don't—'
Asuka plopped herself down across from him.
"Well, I'll just have to settle for dinner with YOU then." She reached across the table, snatching up some of his rice. Shinji scowled at her. "Don't give me that look, Boy," she said, taking some more. "I'm out of food."
"That's what a market is for."
"My, aren't WE in a bad mood today." Asuka grinned wickedly at him, reaching forward again. Shinji knocked her hand away, holding his plate out of her reach.
"Get your own!"
"Fine! I will!" She got up and went to the stove, fixing her own plate.
"That's not what I meant!"
"Next time, be more specific. I'll return the plate when I'm done!" Waving, she left the apartment.
***
"All systems report back normal," Maya said, checking the screens in front of her. Ritsuko leaned over her shoulder, giving them a quick reading.
"Until 00 is ready for activation," she confirmed, going back to her post in front of the viewing window. "Rei, how are you feeling?"
"Fine," the girl replied.
"Begin the activation process." There was a flurry of activity in the control room.
"Reaching borderline in 5...4...3...2...1...borderline cleared!" Maya announced. There were a few cheers. "Sync ratios are normal."
"Begin the training."
There was a hiss of compressed air as a door to Unit 00's left slid open. Rei picked up the rifle and began firing at the targets displayed in her viewer.
"How is everything?" Ritsuko turned to face Commander Ikari.
"Everything is normal. Her sync ratios are up .5% and her accuracy has improved greatly."
"Will she be able to battle in her EVA?"
"There's no way to tell as of yet. Shinji still has the highest sync ratio while Rei's is still lower than it should be. At this point in time, I think we should continue to use Asuka and Shinji as our primary pilots." Commander Ikari gave a little nod.
"Very well, Ritsuko. I will trust your judgment on this matter."
"Arigato."
"Where is Captain Katsuragi?"
"In her office, I believe, still taking care of paperwork from the last battle." He nodded and left the room.
***
Misato put the last file on her finished pile and sat back with a sigh of relief. "Finally. I thought I'd never finish!"
"Captain." Commander Ikari appeared seemingly out of nowhere causing her to let out a small cry.
"Commander! You startled me." She stood quickly, her eyes a bit wide. "What brings you here?"
"I have come for the update on my son," he said shortly, pushing his glasses up with gloved fingers. "You have it, yes?"
"Hai, I have it right here." She dug a file out from the stack and handed it over. He opened it, flipping through it quickly, not really reading anything.
"No problems at school then?"
"No, Sir. He hasn't caused a problem since he arrived here." 'You should know that,' she added silently. She hated the way this man dealt with his son; like he was some object that could be put on a high shelf and forgotten until needed.
"What's this I see about a fight?" He held up a sheet of paper.
"Actually, it was rather one-sided. Shortly after the first battle, a boy beat him up at school because he blamed Shinji for his sister's injuries."
"I see." Ikari snapped the file shut and handed it back over. "Thank you, Captain." He turned to go.
"Commander?" Misato blurted. He turned, waiting. "Why...why don't you ask Shinji himself about these things?" she ventured carefully. "I'm sure he could give you more accurate information—"
"That is enough, Captain," Ikari cut her off. "It would be in your best interest to say no more."
"Yes, Sir." He gave a curt nod, his face hard as stone, then left. Misato sank back in her chair, touching the folder on her desk. "Shinji..."
***
"See you after school, Misato-san!" Shinji called, pushing his google-eyed friends out the door. She waved and yawned, heading for her bedroom to sleep.
"That Misato Katsugari sure is hot!" Toji declared, his eyes and face dreamy. Shinji rolled his own eyes, giving both boys and good hit on the back of the head.
"Knock it off, you two. She's nearly twice as old as you."
"So? Nothing like women with experience," Aida retorted, zooming in on Shinji's face. He glared into the lens, covering it with his hand.
"I mean it: stop."
"Geez, Shinji. You're acting like we're hitting on your mother," Toji said, he and Aida pulling ahead. Shinji stopped where he was, mouth a little slack.
Mother?
"Are you coming, Shinji, or do we have to drag you to school?" The two boys turned back, their brows furrowing when they saw the stricken look on the other boy's face. "Shinji, what's wrong?"
"Don't ever say that again," he growled through gritted teeth, his eyes holding a look they had never seen before. Both of them took an involuntary step back. "You have no right to say such things." He shouldered his way past them, head high and back rigid with anger. Toji and Aida exchanged glances.
"What did we say?" Toji asked, surprised.
"I think the subject of his mother is a little tender," Aida replied softly so Shinji couldn't hear. "I think it would be best if we stayed out of Shinji's way for a little while. Just until he cools off." Toji nodded in agreement.
***
Shinji, back propped against one of the stone walls at school, dug his EVA manual from his bag and opened it to the marked page. He had been so exhausted the night before he hadn't been able to finish.
The thin pages ruffled slightly as someone sat down next to him. Shinji turned his head, blue eyes bulging when he saw it was Rei, who was taking a similar manual from her own bag. She glanced at him briefly.
"Do you mind?" Unable to speak, he shook his head. Rei nodded and opened the booklet. Shinji realized he was staring and quickly looked back down at the thing in his lap. But now there was no way he was going to be able to concentrate! "Is Ritsuko making you memorize too?" The boy gave a small jump.
"H-hai." He slapped himself mentally. "I mean, Hai. She says they're installing new equipment on Unit 01 so I need to know what everything does." Rei tipped her head to the side.
"What kind of equipment?"
"Um...let me see." He flipped to the back. "Type E: Underwater Friendly," he read. "I guess they thought it was a good idea after the whole thing with Unit 02."
"Why aren't they trying it out on that EVA then?"
"I'm not sure." Rei took the manual from his hands, scanning it before handing it back.
"It's because you have a higher sync ratio," she said finally. "Asuka is close behind, but not at your level yet, even with all her training."
"What about you?" Shinji asked softly, knowing it was probably a tender subject. But Rei didn't look stricken or upset.
"I am nowhere near your level, Shinji-ko. You are the best pilot NERV has. If we loose you, Tokyo Three will never make it." Her eyes met his and he saw...something there. Something he wasn't quite sure of.
Then it was gone and Rei was getting to her feet. "I will see you in training, Shinji Ikari." She left, her soft shoes barely making a whisper of sound on the pavement. He stared after her, hands trembling just slightly.
What was wrong with him?
***
"Sightings confirmed! It's an angel!" one of the men called up to Commander Ikari. "It's coming in from the bay and closing fast!"
"Prepare Unit 00 and Unit 01," he said calmly.
"Unit 00?" Misato repeated, puzzled. "But, Sir—"
"Don't worry, Misato. Rei can handle it."
"Yes, Sir."
***
"What do you mean Unit 00 and Unit 01!" Asuka bellowed, waving her arms. "I can operate my EVA better than both of them put together!"
"Commander's orders," Misato said, not at all phased by the girl's outburst. "We already know you and Shinji are able to work together. Now we need to see how these two partner up."
This, was of course, a blatant lie. Everyone already knew that Shinji and Rei were nearly in perfect sync with one another. Whenever they worked together, Rei's ratios boosted significantly and she was able to function better with her EVA, better than even Asuka.
"Shinji, Rei, go get ready," Misato said, turning to the boy and girl. "Your new suits are waiting for you in the locker room.
"Hai," they said with identical nods.
***
"Good luck Rei," Shinji said, glancing at the screen separating them as they changed. He saw the loose suit suck itself in, molding to her slender body.
"Whatever happens, happens. There is no luck," she replied softly. "I'll protect you, Shinji. You don't need to be scared."
"I'm not afraid for me," she heard him say in a very soft voice. She blinked a few times, surprised. She came around the screen, brow furrowed a little.
"Then what are you afraid of?"
"I don't want to see you hurt," he said, folding his clothes and placing them on a bench. His eyes met hers and hers widened at the softness she saw there. "So I don't want you to be afraid because this time I'll protect you." The smallest of smiles touched his lips and Rei found herself smiling back.
"Shinji—"
"Pilots to your EVAs!" The voice that came on over the intercom cut her off before she could finish.
"That's us," Shinji said, squaring his shoulders. "Let's show them how this is really done!"
"Right."
***
"HASSHA!" The two platforms bearing the EVAs shot up with the force of a bullet coming out of a gun. They came up side-by-side and ready for battle.
"One of you will have to distract the angel while the other goes for the core," Misato told them. "We believe the core is located on the underside so you'll need to get it to rear if you wish to kill it."
"I'll distract it," Rei said, taking the rifle Misato had sent. "Once you have a clear shot, Shinji, take it."
"Hai!" He took the other rifle, going into ready position.
The buildings in front of them suddenly exploded in dust and debris, throwing the EVAs to opposite sides. An angel closely resembling a huge grey centipede emerged from the dust, red eyes glowing. It's back end whipped around, narrowly missing Unit 00, and destroying the building behind it.
"I'll draw it westward!" Rei cried, dodging yet another swing. "Get ahead of me and cut it off!"
"Right! Be careful, Ayanami-san!" Shinji, in Unit 01, took off, hurdling buildings and craters with ease. He skidded to a halt when he was a good distance ahead of Unti 00 and the angel, raising the rifle.
Rei cried out as she caught the backlash of a swing, falling onto her back hard. The angel roared—an eerie mechanical sound—and rose up on its back legs to fall upon the EVA.
"Shinji! NOW!!!"
Shinji fired the rifle.
It bounced off!
"Ayanami!" Shinji dropped the gun and raced at the dropping angel. Right before it hit, he tackled it from the side, clearing a good half-mile of ground.
"Why didn't the blast work?!" Misato cried.
"The core is being protected by some sort of plate!" Maya said, punching buttons furiously. "The rifle beam isn't strong enough!"
"DAMN!"
Shinji pinned the struggling angel under him, ignoring the blows that threatened to unseat him. Reaching behind him, he unsheathed the progressive knife and began hacking at its back.
"Shinji! The core is being protected by an armored plate! You have to pry off the plate!" Misato yelled over the intercom. "Turn the angel over and get it off!"
"Hai!"
But before he could turn it, long steel spikes shot from the angel's skin, impaling Unit 01.
"SHINJI!"
In a great amount of pain, Shinji wrapped his arms around the angel and staggered to his feet, falling backwards with the angel on top of him.
"Ayanami! Break the core!" he yelled, gritting his teeth. "I can't hold him!"
Unit 00 was up in seconds, progressive knife at the ready. With huge, powerful jabs, she tore off the iron plate that hid the glowing red core of the angel. Screaming in fury, she hacked at it. The core suddenly began glowing brighter.
"Look out!" Shinji kicked Unit 00 away and rolled over again. A huge explosion shook NERV headquarters and the screens went blank.
"What happened?!!" Misato screamed, her face pale.
"The angel self destructed!"
"What are the readings on the EVAs?!"
"Still nothing!"
Rei sat up with a soft groan and looked around her. She was about a mile from where she had first been and all the buildings around her were completely destroyed. Nothing more than rock and ash.
"Shinji? Shinji, can you read me?!" Rei cried, suddenly panicked.
Nothing but static.
"Shinji!" She got up, forgetting about her progressive knife, and ran to the place where he had been last. A few hundred yards off, she spotted the remains of Unit 01. The EVA was in total shambles and totally shattered. "Shinji, answer me!" She knelt beside the EVA and tore off the back plate, ejecting the capsule. Setting it down carefully, she ejected her own capsule and ran to the door of Shinji's. "Shinji, please be alright!" Ignoring the heat, she opened the door and crawled in.
Shinji was slumped in his chair, mouth and nose bleeding. He was so pale and still...
"Shinji!!" She crawled to him, prying his hands from the controls. He flopped forward into her arms and she dragged him, with difficulty, out onto the remains of the street. "Shinji, wake up! Please! You baka! Why did you do that?!! Why?!"
The boy in her arms stirred slightly.
"Shinji?" Her trembling voice held hope. His eyelids fluttered then slowly opened. "Shinji!"
"Told...you I'd...protect you..." he whispered hoarsely.
"Why did you let yourself take all the damage?! Why?!" There were actual tears in Rei's eyes, something he had never seen before.
"You...had to be...safe..."
"You're more important, Shinji!" He shook his head a little, wincing in pain.
"No..."
"Yes you are! If you die, we're all doomed!" Shinji shook his head again, tensing when a wave of pain washed over him.
"No...Rei..." He took her hand, squeezing. "You're alive...you can protect the city."
"No, I can't! I can't control my EVA like you can!"
"Rei..." he whispered, his eyes closing a little.
"No, Shinji! Don't die!"
"It's alright, Rei...I'm not afraid..." He reached up, touching her cheek. "I'll wait for you..." His hand slowly dropped away as his head fell to the side, his eyes closing. Rei hugged him close to her, tears slowly making their way down her pale cheeks.
"I'll protect them, Shinji...for you..."
***
"His own son's funeral and the Commander couldn't even show up," Misato muttered to herself, wiping at her still streaming eyes.
"I don't think he could have handled it," Rei said softly, her eyes dry. She had used up all of her tears the day Shinji had died.
"He still could have come." Misato stopped at the crest of a hill, looking over Tokyo Three. "What will happen to us now, Rei?"
"We'll live, we'll fight, we'll protect this city," she said, stepping up beside the woman. "Shinji died to protect everyone and that's what we shall do if necessary. As Shinji always used to say: Nigecha dame de."
"Yes...we mustn't run away..."