Chapter 21

Breaking the News

Around the world men and women dressed in black robes were taking whatever forms of transportation they could get their hands on, so they could travel to what was left of Toyoko-3 so they could go to the Reunion and join with Sephiroth. Meanwhile back at NERV Shinji and Asuka got out of their Eva's and went to change back into their normal clothing, but Junior was sent down into the Thermal Dogma to put the Lance of Longinus back into its original place.

Elsewhere inside the complex Gendo, Cloud, Misato and Fuyutski were all inside Gendo's office discussing what had happened at the ancient city. Gendo was informed of how they encounter Ritsuko, and the information concerning the history of the Certa that had been discovered. Once the four were done explaining Gendo was pondering about everything that had happened so far. He was somewhat surprised by what Cloud and Fuyutski had discovered at the city.

"Sir we also learned that Shinji is Junior's." Misato was saying, but Gendo gave her a hand gesture that told the woman to stop talking.

"Yes I know...Shinji and Junior are brothers. Hojo genetically warped Junior while he was still inside Yui using angel, Sephiroth's and Jenova's DNA." Gendo informed everyone.

"How did you know that?" Cloud asked the commander.

"I have my sources." Gendo answered Cloud while giving him a cold glare. "You are all dismissed." Gendo said as Cloud and Misato left the commander's office.

In the hallway Misato and Cloud were looking around for Shinji, but the two were taking their time with their search because both Cloud and Misato knew when they find Shinji. One of them has to break the news to him that Junior is his brother. "Do you want to tell Shinji that Junior is his twin brother?" Misato asked the ex-soldier.

"Me? Hell no. You're his guardian so it's your job to tell him." Cloud answered because he didn't want to tell Shinji the news.

"What! No...telling Shinji news like this wasn't in the job description! He likes you best so you tell him!" Misato said to protest what Cloud had said. While the two were arguing Misato and Cloud didn't really notice that Maya was right behind them at first, but they started to notice her when they heard Maya laughing.

The two turned their heads to see Maya smiling at them "You know you two almost act like." Maya was saying, but she stopped short when she started laughing again.

"Like what?" Cloud and Misato both asked the laughing NERV employee.

"Like both of you were married to one another or something. Misato have you been going out with this guy?" Maya asked with a sly smile.

Misato's face turned beet red as she replied "No of course not! Cloud's a nice guy and all, but." Misato was saying, but she was unable to answer the rest of Maya's question.

"But!" Maya said as her smile grew wider. She was very curious to hear Misato's answer. But Maya decided while she was waiting for Misato's answer she turned to Cloud and asked "Hey Cloud have you been going out with Misato."

"What!" Cloud said as he turned his head to face Maya.

"Or would you like to go out with Misato?" Maya asked.

Cloud's face turned red as he looked at Misato. Both of them were speechless. Maya didn't need to ask the two anymore questions. Just judging them by their expressions alone was enough to tell someone that they liked one another a lot. "Don't worry about it you two. I was just messing around. See you guys later." Maya said as she walked away.

Misato and Cloud were still just looking at one another, but their attention was drawn away to another person who asked the two "Why don't both of you tell Shinji that Junior is his brother at the same time." Misato and Cloud looked to their right and they noticed Rei was standing there.

"How long have you been standing here?" Misato asked the first child.

"Long enough to hear your arguments about who should tell Shinji that Junior is his brother. If you want I can do it." Rei offered to the two.

"No that's alright Rei. I think Misato and I should go with your suggestion. We'll both tell Shinji, but thanks for offering your help. Oh by the way is there anyone else in the hallway with you?" Cloud asked the child.

Rei looked at him with a blank expression and answered "No...why do you ask?"

"No reason really, but thank you." Cloud said as he started to walk away.

"Thanks Rei." Misato said as she walked away to look for Shinji with Cloud.

Rei turned around and walked away, but the young teen was heading towards the Eva hanger. Rei was somewhat curious about Shinji's brother, so she decided that the time seemed appropriate to meet him. Meanwhile Junior was inside Eva 016. The Black Eva was busy making its way back up the shaft. Junior had completed his task of returning the lance to its original resting place which was being stuck into Lillith's chest...again.

At the same time Shinji was talking with Asuka in the hallway near the hanger for the Evangelions. Misato and Cloud found them in the hall, but the two were concerned how Shinji would react to the news. Cloud was able to think up many possible situations of how Shinji would react, but Misato knew Shinji better than Cloud did, so she was able to figure out Shinji's most likely response to the news.

"I hope Shinji doesn't go nuts or something like Sephiroth did when he found out about his past." Cloud told Misato quietly.

"Shinji won't freak out like that. Hey Cloud let's make a bet. If Shinji faints you have to join me for dinner. If he reacts differently you." Misato was thinking of what she could do for Cloud.

"How about if I win I will take you out for a nice romantic walk?" Cloud replied.

"Sure why not." Misato said as the two shook hands and the bet was made.

"Hey Shinji." Both Misato and Cloud said together as they walked up to Shinji. Shinji turned his head to face the two. "Shinji we have something we need to tell you. We have learned that you have a twin brother." Cloud informed the third child.

"I have a what?" Shinji asked Misato while his face bore a confused expression.

"You have a twin brother Shinji, and he is here inside of NERV right now." Misato answered.

Shinji was totally speechless. He didn't know what to say about it, but Asuka who was standing near him walked up to Misato and said "Hey is Shinji's twin brother anything like Shinji?" Asuka began to draw up a mental image of what Shinji's twin brother might be like in her mind. So far Asuka was expecting Shinji's twin brother to be just like Shinji. "Two Shinji's...I can't even imagine that." Asuka thought.

"Where is he?" Shinji asked with a faintly happy and curious expression.

Cloud and Misato were trying to work up the courage to tell Shinji because both of them were fearful of how Shinji would take the news. Until finally Cloud swallowed hard and said "He is the pilot of Eva 016...Sephiroth Junior is your brother."

Shinji's eyes widened in surprise at Cloud words. "Sephiroth Junior's body was warped by Hojo while your mother was pregnant with you and him. After you two were born Hojo took Sephiroth Junior to raise him, but during the time she was pregnant Hojo was able to keep both your mother and father from finding out him...until today." Misato informed Shinji.

While Shinji was still speechless Asuka shouted "How the hell can Sephiroth Junior be Shinji's twin brother. Both of them are completely different!" Asuka drew up mental images of Shinji and Sephiroth Junior in her mind. "Let's see Shinji is kinda a wuss, a quiet person, nice, and friendly...I suppose. Now Sephiroth Junior is a Half Angel, a jerk and too full of himself! How the hell can they be brothers?" Asuka thought to herself as she tried to compare Shinji with Junior.

"Well if you don't believe us Asuka you can always ask Gendo about it. He found out that Junior is Shinji's twin brother before we did somehow." Misato told the red head.

"Well I still don't believe it. Hey Shinji what do you think about it?" Asuka asked the third child, but she got no reply. Asuka called Shinji's name a few times, but when she turned around she found Shinji had passed out on the floor. Shinji had fainted; Misato had a feeling that might this was going to happen.

"I guess I win the bet." Misato said as she knelt down on the floor next to Shinji to see if he was alright.

"Then its dinner with you then." Cloud said as he knelt down near Shinji to see if there was anything he could do for the boy.

Sometime later Junior was walking out of the hanger after he had changed back into his usual attire. He was walking down the hall, but he stopped when he ran into Rei. Junior knew the woman in front of him was Rei, because Shinji and he had talked about Rei a few days ago, but the sliver haired man didn't really have the pleasure to meet her though.

"You must be Rei Ayanami. I have heard much about. It's a pleasure to meet the first child." Junior greeted as he walked over to her. Rei maintained her blank expression on her face. Rei did notice that Junior was about the same height as Shinji.

"I have been told that I might be using Eva unit 014. I wanted to ask you if there are any special features or anything about it that you could tell me." Rei asked.

"Well the unit has flight capability and an S2 engine. Controlling the Eva while flying it can be a little difficult, but once you get the hang of it. Flying will be a simple task. Do you have anymore questions?" Junior asked.

"Yes I have heard that I have Jenova cells just like Asuka and Shinji. Could perhaps tell me everything you know about them. I also understand that these cells give me special abilities. Could you assist me so I could bring them out?" Rei asked the sliver haired Eva pilot.

"Sure, but why would you want your abilities brought out?" Sephiroth Junior asked with a curious expression.

"So I could better assist NERV with the eventual battle with Sephiroth." Rei answered.

Junior thought about what Rei was asking him. Junior did have to admit that he already liking Rei more than Asuka, but it was Rei's quiet demeanor Sephiroth Junior liked. "Alright, but we should go somewhere there is some open space." Junior suggested as Rei only nodded her head as her reply. Both of them walked down the hall to head somewhere so Junior could help Rei bring out the rest of her Jenova abilities. But Rei was hearing Sephiroth's voice in her mind.

"What are you doing with him?" the original Sephiroth asked Rei mentally.

"I only want an opportunity to bring out the rest of my abilities. Do you disapprove of it?" Rei replied.

"No, but just don't get too close to him. If you too get close your relationship might cloud your judgment." Sephiroth answered as his presences disappeared from her mind.

"I don't plan to get too close to him." Rei thought to herself.

A/N: well that Chapter went ratter nicely. Shinji has been told that Junior is his brother. Cloud is now stuck with a dinner date with Misato. But what is Rei up to? R&R