Evangelion Fan Fiction
The Once and Future Angel of Humanity
By Kraven Ergeist
Chapter Two
"Who are you?" Rei said.
At first, Shinji didn't believe it. "Rei…it's me."
Rei blinked her eyes. "Rei…is…is that my name?"
"Rei…" Shinji replied, genuinely concerned. "What's wrong? Don't you remember?"
"I…" Rei's eyes wandered off.
Shinji had made sure to retract his wings and hide his AT field. He was shirtless, but somehow, in addition to his sudden infusion of confidence, his upper body mass seemed to have grown. He was still scrawny, but he was muscular as well.
"Where am I?" Rei asked looking around.
Shinji smiled and leapt up onto the rim of the skyscraper. "Check it out! You're on top of the tallest building in Tokyo-3!"
Rei eased to her feet to take a look.
The sun was setting and the ambient light cast a warm glow on all it touched. Energy seemed to radiate from the orb of light, even as it disappeared behind the horizon, giving off its healing power to the two watchers as they both took in the view.
"You still haven't answered my question," Rei said, interrupting the silence. "Who are you?"
Shinji looked back at her, a picture of sadness on his face. "You really don't remember?"
Rei shook her head.
Shinji sighed. "Well, you just emerged from a horrible accident. You seemed to have recovered without any serious injuries, but your memory might take a little longer." Shinji hopped down from the rim and took a bow. "My name is Shinji Ikari. And your name is Rei Ayanami."
"Ayanami…" Rei repeated the word quizzically.
"I brought you here because I think you have the right to choose your own fate. You couldn't do that with the constant sway of the commander over you at all times. This time, Rei…you fully and truly are capable of making your own choice."
Rei just stared back. "My own…choice."
Shinji smiled. "What do you want to do? Where do you want to go? Say the word, Rei, and I can make it happen."
Rei considered. She remembered nothing of her existence. No acquaintances, no experiences, nothing of NERV or Eva or even him.
The Commander.
But there was this boy. For some reason she felt that she could trust him, this boy who had pledged himself to her with a smile at the moment of her waking.
Like a guardian angel.
Rei's lips hinted the curvature of a smile. "Wherever I go, whatever I do…can you promise me something?"
"Anything," Shinji said without any hint of hesitation.
Rei took a step closer to him before closing her eyes. "Don't…don't ever leave me."
Shinji smiled brighter than the sun could have boasted had it been up at the time. "Your wish is my command."
xxxxx
By now, a dozen search teams had been dispatched by NERV to find both the first and third child. Section 2 troops had the city flooded, combing the city's nooks and crannies in search of the two kids.
By now, Shinji was leading Rei to the city of Nagoya. He had not wanted to reveal his powers to her just yet; she was still so raw from waking, with what seemed to be amnesia. She was still taking in facts about the world she left behind, and Shinji didn't think she was prepared to learn of his angelic influence.
"We were friends before, Rei, you and I," Shinji said, leading Rei, with a constant eye on her, and a sweep of every living thing within two miles. It was getting dark, and they were still miles away from a populated area.
"We went to the same school, we worked together at NERV…we had a life. But we were both under the thumb of the commander. My father." He waited for a reaction, but got nothing. Shrugging, he went on. "He dictated everything we did. Whatever he said, the entire facility had to comply. There was no compromise. That in itself wasn't so bad. But the things he made me do…the things he made you do…I had to take you away from that. If we had stayed any longer…I don't know what would have happened."
Rei heard him pause, and took that as indication for a response. "If this commander is so powerful, how could we have escaped so easily?"
Shinji chuckled, softly. "Oh, it was not easy. You only woke up after what happened. But I'll save the exact details for some other time."
"Very well," Rei said, not being argumentative. "But why just the two of us? Surely there must have been others who this commander has taken advantage of who wish to be rescued."
Shinji felt a lump in his throat. He though of Asuka, driven mad by the mind invasion of the Angel. He thought of Misato, lost in her depression upon Kaji's death. He thought of Toji, who he had nearly killed, all because his father had ordered it.
"Yes…there were…" Shinji breathed.
"And?" Rei asked.
"I…I couldn't save them…" Shinji sobbed. "You were…the only one I was able to rescue. The others…"
Shinji stopped walking and stood where he was, solemnly. Tears fell down his face.
Rei drew in her breath, realizing suddenly how much pain the thought had given him. She reached out and touched his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I should not have asked."
Shinji wiped his eyes, and shook his head. "It's ok. You're safe. That's good enough for me." He turned his gaze on her and smiled. "Now let's keep going. We're nearly there."
Rei nodded and continued to follow him.
It was about twenty minutes later, when Rei started lagging.
"What's the matter, Rei?" Shinji asked, sensing her slowing down. He expanded an empathic power to sense her feelings. "Are you tired?"
Rei shook her head. "I can continue."
Shinji chuckled. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm feeling better than ever. I could go on for days. Here…" he turned around and held his arms out. "Climb onto my back. I'll get us to Nagoya before dawn."
Rei hesitated a moment. But her sleepiness got the better of her, and she climbed on. Shinji was surprised how light she was. Surprised, also, at the amount of strength he seemed to posses. But he supposed that it was a given, seeing as though he realistically didn't even need that strength.
Rei was soon dozing, and without the slightest strain or effort, he took her in his arms, opened his wings, and sped away to Nagoya, and was sleeping in a hotel in a matter of minutes.
xxxxx
Misato arrived home from another miserable day at. She was already going through enough stress with Kaji. Having barely coming to terms with the pain of losing a loved one, she was made to lose another.
She stepped through her door, hung up her coat, feeling weary as all get out, and she saw Asuka sitting at the kitchen table, her head resting in her hands. When she saw Misato, she got up.
"Did you find Shinji?" she said, before she could stop herself. "N-not that I care. I'm just curious."
Misato sighed and shook her head. "I wish there was more that I could do. But NERV's got section two officers fanning out across the city. They'll find him before long." Misato smiled at her. "But, hey, you seem to have recovered nicely."
Asuka harrumphed and walked away, not even responding.
That's when Misato got a call on her cell phone.
"Hello?" she answered.
There was a pause.
Misato sighed. "Alright, I'll be right there."
Asuka peeked her head out from her room. "Was that NERV? Did they find Shinji?"
Misato shook her head, and put her coat back on. "No. An AT field had been detected just outside of Nagoya." She turned her head back to Asuka. "It's probably an Angel."
There was a pause as she and Asuka stared at each other.
"I won't ask you to come with me, Asuka," Misato said, her eyes averted. "I can't. Not after everything you've been through. But I have to tell you…if you don't, we're dead. Shinji's gone, and Rei's also made a disappearing act. You're the only pilot left."
Asuka groaned, and turned away. A million thoughts went through her head. She couldn't pilot her Eva. It wouldn't even start for her. How could she hope to pilot it?
She cringed. If she didn't do it, the Angel would most likely destroy the city. She'd never be able to see him again if she died.
"Alright, Misato," she turned, a look of determination on her face. "I'll do it."