Disclaimers: Neon Genesis Evangelion and all related characters, concepts, etc., are property of ADVision and Gainax. I had so many people e-mail me to come up with an Eva only story based on "Bonds of Love and Survival" So here it is! Thanks to Tex James for pre-reading this chapter! This will be the Looongest chapter I've written in a long time over 20+ pages so enjoy and again thanks to all who have stayed the long wait till this finale!
Bonds of Survival-OVA
Chapter: 8 Trials of Life
Summary: When a legal challenge from an unknown source assails the children's home life, can their courage and love be enough for them to find happiness? And there will be two parts that are third person otherwise this will be from Shinji's POV. This is the final chapter. Though sequels and such might happen, so keep an eye out for them!
Revision 4/16/2005, mainly rewording, corrections and some adding and deleting of sentences and such. Still it should keep the same storyline as before.
Triumph of Love - (one Year since the Nagoya Incident')
If someone had looked up from the street in front of a particular apartment complex at three a.m., they would have seen a lone figure on a balcony looking over them, viewing what was across the street, and quietly contemplating whatever private thoughts the person had.
That person was Asuka Langley Souryu.
The former Eva pilot stood on the apartments' terrace, overlooking the rebuilding city of Tokyo-2. She had a despondent look on her face. She was sad due to the fact that she and Rei might be forcibly separated from Shinji because they dared to love the same boy! "How can they be so stupid, they're all damned bakas!" she said in a strained voice. Tears had started down her melancholy features.
"That doesn't mean you have to stay out here and be so stubborn and catch a cold" a familiar voice answered her as a tall dark haired figure made his way through the terraces sliding glass door.
"I thought you were asleep? Did I wake you when I got up?" Asuka turned and asked the now familiar figure.
"No, I missed you being on my side." He then looked down sheepishly a smile poking out from his bangs hanging in front of him. "Plus Rei woke me up when she felt you were late coming back to bed." Shinji then brought his face up smiling that quirky, but cute smile, which made Asuka's heart flutter.
"Ok, so your co-girlfriend missed me, or wasn't there enough warmth from you?" She smiled as he squirmed.
He shook his head. "She's just concerned about you, as I was." He then gestured to the crutches, laying on the terrace's lounge. She sighed and nodded too. He bent over, got them and brought them to her, while she stood on the terraces' edge using it to keep most of her weight off her injured leg. As he held them out she took them. Asuka then took as step towards him embracing him, her head now coming to his chin. Before they went back inside they shared a strong, caring embrace and a short but wet kiss. They smiled at each other as they made their way inside.
Family Threatened
In a nondescript office two figures meet in secret.
They're intent?
To change the newly formed world government by causing chaos and disruptions in the various city-nation-states that had developed. They meet to discuss one very public way to disrupt the newly bon society, to bring down its saviors.
The first person or figure behind a large wooden desk waited for the person sitting in front of it to speak.
The first man stated from behind the desk: "Is everything proceeding according to our prescribed plans."
The man he spoke to smiled evilly. "Yes, the right people are being contacted and the evidence is being given to the proper authorities as we speak." Both nodded.
The first man added, "Good, I want that those three no good children broken up, the sooner the better."
The other man was curious. "May I ask why do you want them separated?"
The first man arose from his seat and slammed his hand to the desktop. "They killed my kin! That is enough reason for me for now!"
The second man shook his head slowly then stated, "It was Nagashima wasn't it!"
The man was now grinding his teeth, a furious look on his face. "Those little shits killed my friend.. my cousin. "The second man knew the facts behind The Nagoya Incident, but he humored him as he continued his rant. "What He was trying to set up Nagoya was a model of how to run a city for the rest of Japan. I'll make sure that what we do today and later will be done in his memory." It took a few moments for the man to calm down. "Those children will be but the first of many sacrifices to come."
The second man looked a bit in disbelief. "Ah ok. I have Dr. Akagi on our side. Seems she has some ill feelings towards them and the "New W.U.N."
The first man smiled with a smirk. "Good, now for the plans to commence." They both bowed to each other then raised saucers of Sake' ".
Mean while Shinji has taken time to think.
My Thoughts: Shinji's POV
My Loves
As we got back to bed, I carefully helped Asuka into the bed we share. I then prudently climbed over the prone Asuka and turned around to lie down on my back. Rei, who was still awake, waited patiently, silently on the opposite side as I situated myself. Then as one, we lay down. I glanced up on either side of the bed to make sure Asuka's crutches, and Rei's cane were within easy reach should they bee needed. Both, are also reminders of the past year. I think again about that as I kissed each of them good night. We cuddled for a few more minutes as I rubbed their backs and the girls were soon asleep. Doing that did the trick everytime.
I then started stared up to a now familiar ceiling. When I was young my ceiling wasn't of much comfort to me. Now it's that last thing I see as I fall asleep every night. Tonight it helped me to think. I thought about all that had happened this past year, Which had been mostly great, since we had completed those rigorous months of rehab. Wait, I need to correct myself and say that Rei and Asuka kept the cane and crutches as a reminder of their labor and triumphs there. They do still visit the rehab center for a 6-month check up.
Although they both are relatively back to their normal selves, I've been trying to get Asuka to soften that arrogant persona she shows to the world. But I guess we'll have to live with some part of that, or she simply wouldn't be Asuka now would she. I smile at that knowing that it is the truth.
With Rei I've succeeded somewhat for her to open up more, and she has with us, and our close friends. But she still hates big crowds as I do and we don't frequent crowded places unless our friends are with us. I can say it is a big improvement over what she was before.
And I am proud of her.
School Thoughts
We returned to school, and had gotten into a daily routine of waking up, breakfast, walking to taking a train to and from school, coming home, getting homework done and having dinner with Makoto and Misato. But let me say that going back to school was another experience that I could say had its good and bad points.
Good in that we could have the daily routine of school to give us a semblance of normality in a life that for the three of us was anything but normal. We did make friends and it didn't hurt that Kensuke, Hikari and a now healthy Touji were there to smooth out our transition.
The bad was as in any school, having to deal with those who either want to be the bullies of the school by force or intimidation. Or, those who are so insecure in themselves that they lash out at those they perceive as a threat to them or their status. A normal high school would have these types of people, so we knew we would have to deal with them. But that didn't mean we liked any of it.
The small classes and now truthful curriculum made for a much better teaching atmosphere for us. Studying was becoming fun for us, as it never was for us before. So all three of us were surprised that within the first weeks we wanted to go to school not wanting to miss a day.
There was though a developing problem. A few of the other students, and some of the administration seemed to have zeroed in on us three. It seemed to me they simply didn't approve of our relationship. For some it simply was the fact that the girls wanted to be with me. Some felt that they should have a shot at one or both Rei and Asuka. Others just wanted to date them as a show of their status in the schools social circles. Whatever their reasons, we had to keep on our toes whenever anyone had given us trouble as the administration seemed to want to try to blame us for almost all the incidents.
It had gotten so bad after the first week, I finally mentioned this to Misato. I've never seen her as angry since we were shot. She said she had a talk with the administrators involved and the harassment for now had at least stopped. But we never got that feeling that they were stopped watching us. We may try to test out of the last two years of High school if the girls and I had to continue to deal with them.
But I already knew that . We never had to worry about such mundane things. So even though we had problems, we enjoyed the fact that we wouldn't have to fight for our worlds' existence anymore. Bullies and crappy Principals were much easier to deal with than a fifty-story Angel.
That and other little things made me appreciate my life more. Again, the good and the bad. I remember during third Impact that in reality without pain we can't appreciate the joy as well. Yeah we have been hurt during the Angel war, and been shot back in Nagoya. But now we had a chance to do something with our lives that we would decide upon, and not be manipulated into by others.
I still haven't chosen what I wanted to do as a career, but as long an Asuka and Rei were with me I didn't care. I had tutored some underclassmen during this past semester and enjoyed it. Maybe teaching would be my profession. But for now I focused on the girls.
Asuka, due to her Collegiate status took college level courses with a W.U.N. tutor, and had changed her major to Biology as she had insisted she was going to have a hand in using the knowledge gathered by Nerv to help humanity. Asuka wants to be a Genetic Researcher, to help people rather than hurt them as our previous lives had done. Rei, however made it very clear to me she wanted to be a Pediatrician. She felt that being a Doctor, and more importantly being a children's Doctor fulfilled her desire to help, and even if she thought she couldn't have children.
So, as the girls had similar goals, I would see where we could fit our aspirations as we continued on in high school. It didn't take long for our notoriety to give us more attention than we wanted. Some were rather angry at as many male students tried unsuccessfully to ask Rei and Asuka out knowing we were together. I was gratified with their answers of "We are otherwise engaged at the moment." Which perplexed many and made others angry at them, and me.
The same thing happened to me where many girls sent me notes, e-mails and letters asking me personal questions, and asking me out. I simply gave all of that to Asuka and Rei who simultaneously with a mass e-mail and note campaign had made it clear to the female student body that I was "Off limits" to anyone period. I shared a laugh when we informed Misato and Makoto, who then commended the girls at there little "Operation Clear the Air" As Misato put it. So, other than the occasional bully or pest, we kept to ourselves and our small group of friends.
We had field trips, social activities, and dances, through the school year, and due to our trio situation we had those looks that some get who are not following the norm. On the field trips we three with our friends were always together and the dances we attended I took turns dancing with the girls, while still having to deal with those who saw themselves as better than me thinking that I wasn't good enough for the girls. But I could usually talk my way out of a conflict, plus having the girls make it clear of their feelings kept most situations non-violent. Only a guy who seemed to have climbed out of one of those tough guy mangas didn't listen to me or the girls.
One of them made his move at the Spring Dance where he bullied himself up to Rei and grabbed her off her seat and started to dance with her, he feet not even touching the ground. Now this happened four months after we had finished up our rehab, so Asuka and I (who were at 100) as well as Touji we went up to the bully and confronted him. We found out he had five other boys who appeared to surround me, Asuka, Touji and Rei, who was still in his arms. Seemed like these goons must have had some planning in doing this.
But, we knew our skills and they didn't. I looked around and slightly nodded to Rei, and Asuka, and flipped two fingers on my hand. We had gotten some basic training when we were pilots so a few strategic kicks and chops and a person would be down within seconds. Silently, Asuka and I moved our legs apart set them down and away from each other. Touji saw this and got ready mentally for what was coming.
In a total of ten seconds, I had kicked the shin and genitals of the closest boy while Asuka launched her self in the air and kicked with her high heels two more on their heads leaving nice 1/2 inch deep dents on their foreheads. Rei bit the hand of the one holding her and upon his letting go she made an impact in his groin area with her knee. Touji then swung a left round house to the fifth boys jaw, a crack heard rather loudly let everyone know that his jaw was now broken. The two who Asuka had knocked down were getting up, so Asuka simply stepped on their hand and again launching herself into the air above them used those high heels on the backs of their heads driving both of them nose first to the floor. Again two rather clear crunching noises later all five were down, and either out cold, or moaning due to their injuries.
We brushed ourselves off and with Kensuke and Hikari walked out to our waiting limo ride home for a later get together. That night we had a nice and entertaining party until the police came to question us about the incident. That I now realized later started what we were about to face as the biggest threat to our family yet.
The Complaint
It was just after we had gotten home from school when it all started to happen. An official at the Tokyo-2's welfare department had somehow gotten the information of our living arrangements, and came to visit one brisk fall afternoon, a week after the dance. The weather and the seasons were returning to pre-Second Impact levels, so the temperature was now such that we all had to wear jackets to our local high school.
This official, identifying himself as Mr. Kagami of the Tokyo-2 Welfare office asked each of us separately if we were well fed and if we had clothing, and other questions of a similar vain. It didn't take much more of these types of questions until Asuka's anger started to intensify. "Look, why are you asking us all this?" Asuka said while she was sitting on the living room couch, with her on my right and Rei on my left side.
"We got an anonymous report that you seemed to be on your own while your parent and her boyfriend are out at all times of the day and night." Said Mr. Kagami. (I knew then that it must have been either the bully who we dealt with, his parents who got stuck with the bill and the blame for the fight, or one of the school administrators who had it out for us.)
"I for one would like to know who is lying about us. Misato and Makoto are here every night by dinner time, while we arrive around four in the afternoon to do our home work and we all take turns doing the chores." I said. The girls nodded in agreement with me.
The social worker shook his head. "As I said it was an anonymous call, and from what I see, it was in error. But I do have one question." He then made his way upstairs, to our bedroom area. We followed him upstairs. There we found Mr. Kagami standing in front of our room.
He looked around seemingly taking note that there were three chests of drawers and three pillows on the queen-sized futon bed. He turned and looked at us intently. "Do you three sleep in the same room?" He asked bluntly. It was now rather obvious where this was heading.
As per our agreement with Misato and Makoto, we had moved into the same room, which left the third room for Makoto whom promptly moved into Misato's room a week later. We both knew they had become close. So, the empty room, became our workroom where we had our three-networked laptop computers from school, as well as a mini-library of books and CD's and DVD for research and entertainment. But the clear fact of the question meant that we had to stall till Misato and Makoto came home.
"Well, can we wait to answer that until Misato and Makoto get home?" I asked. Asuka then punched me on my arm and gave me a scowl, while Rei stared straight at the social worker in her emotionless but unnerving glare, Asuka saw this, and did the same, though her stare was more overtly threatening than Rei's.
The investigator cleared his throat, and shuffled his feet. Some sweat started forming on his brow, and upper lip. "A, a, a, all right, let's go downstairs and wait for them." We all then made our way downstairs all three of us seemingly staring imaginary holes through the man's back.
After we had gotten downstairs and we had gotten some juice drinks for Mr. Kagami and ourselves, we heard the screeching of tires and then the slam of two car doors. Then an argument growing closer to our front door till we heard a key card being used on the front door. We had gathered back on the couch in the living room when Misato announced that she and Makoto were home, strode into the living room, and saw Mr. Kagami. Misato looked confused for a moment, and then she jumped into her Commander mode.
"Who are you, and why are you in my house?" Said a now perturbed Commander Misato Katsuragi, while Makoto had come up behind her, taking her hand and squeezing it, trying to calm her down as well as keeping it away from her firearm strapped to her waist.
We all turned to the social worker as he explained who he was, why he was here. Then he asked them to sit. Misato I could tell was put off by the social workers attitude and seemed to be building her anger as we continued.
"Now listen here, this is." Misato turned her head to look at Makoto's face as he squeezed her hand.
"Let's hear him out, then we can discuss this calmly and maturely. All right Misato?" Makoto then saw Misato calm and she nodded she sat down next to him and he kept her hand in his for support.
Mr. Kagami then asked Misato the same question he had asked us. Unconsciously, Asuka grabbed my right hand, Rei my left as he asked Misato, and Makoto.
"Do these children sleep in the same room?"
Misato glanced at us, and saw the concern in our eyes. She sighed and then carefully explained our history to him, from the Angel War, to what we had talked to her during our time alone, after Third Impact. From our time at the Arawa Onsen, to our reuniting with our friends after the fight in Nagoya, to our rehabilitation in Tokyo-2, and finally to this past year in high school. Then she reluctantly reviewed our agreement and even pulled out the note we all signed.
The investigator then asked when we would turn sixteen? "This year, Rei would be the last in December." Misato answered.
"Well, except for this contract," the investigator then put it in his briefcase, "There seems no justification for this anonymous complaint. But this agreement will have to be passed on to my superiors." He then looked at me and asked me point blank, "Have you had sex with these girls?" He then waited for our responses, which were mostly of shocked blushing faces and me sputtering a bit and then he went on. "Did you do anything that could be considered fondling, groping, or otherwise, with either one of these girls, Mr. Shinji Ikari?" He looked at me with a serious glare.
"No, sir!" I replied rather forcefully. I love them too much for us to do that, at least until we're married." Then I immediately gasped noticing my gaff at what I said, and implied.
The investigator then asked, "Are you planning to marry one of these girls, Mr. Ikari?"
I couldn't look him in the eye, and then I looked at the now anguished looks both girls were giving me. Both in their own way conveyed their apprehension and their fear of what I was about to say. They both must have felt that to get this bureaucrat off our backs, I would say I'd marry one and not the other. All this time we had come to a clear mutual decision that we would stay together, whatever happens.
I then straightened my back and proudly said to him, "Sir, I am marrying them both when I when we come of age. We're planning to petition the World United Nations Ruling Council for a special dispensation. And that sir is that we, that is Asuka Langley Souryu, Rei Ayanami, and I, Shinji Ikari would be given permission to marry each other and live our lives as husband and wives!" I had never in my life had been this forceful neither in my speech nor in my character. I simply smiled and gathered both girls that I loved in a hug and then we all three looked at the now perplexed looking man in front of us.
I then scanned the room back to where Misato and Makoto were; She was being cradled in Makoto's arms with her hands over her mouth. She was crying but at first I didn't know what kind of tears they were. I soon got my answer when she ran to us and gave us a group hug. "Oh Shinji, I am so proud of you. You stood up for yourself and the girls." She then broke down crying more tears of joy smiling at us.
"Well, I do believe that Tokyo-2's Welfare department may have some objection not only to this petition of yours but to the very fact that these three children sleep in the same bed. That constitutes your lack of supervision as their guardian Commander Katsuragi. I will have to consult with my superiors and we'll be in touch soon. Oh and Major, don't leave the city, nor can the children be allowed to leave as well." If stares could kill, Mr. Kagami would be better off than the Angels we had defeated.
But he had one more thing to say." One more thing, I could under city ordinance take these children right now, but since they are who they are as well as the position you hold, I will not. But that could change soon. I hope you know what you're doing because I wouldn't take the welfare department lightly.
He got up and started for the door, but turned and said as he left. "I can only say now that in my opinion, you have been found lacking Commander and you will be notified soon. Good day!" Mr. Kagami then walked briskly out the door leaving in his wake my family, distraught but proud of our feelings. Still we knew that trouble was firmly on it's way now.
Summons, and a talk with the good Doctor
I was halfway up a rope during my Physical Education class when the call to the office was heard. "Will Asuka Souryu, Rei Ayanami, and Shinji Ikari report to the Principal's office, Thank you." I walked into the Main office to find that Asuka was already there. "Know what's this about Shinji?" She asked.
"I don't know. Let's see what happens." Was all I said as Rei entered the office behind us. As she joined us the Principal's secretary motioned us to go to the Principal's office.
We greeted Mr. Asaki as he smiled and motioned us to sit down. After a few pensive moments he said, "I have the unenviable task to tell you that this summons has been delivered to us for you three from the Tokyo-2 Welfare Dept." as we scanned through it Mr. Asaki explained the main points. "They are asking the Court to separate you as per the charge of Immorality and endangering a minor as well as they are also want to take you all out of Commander Katsuragi Guardianship. The other charge is of Gross Paternal Incompetence against Commander Katsuragi and Lt. Commander Hyuga"
"But they cannot do that. The guardianship is per World United Nations jurisdiction, not the City of Tokyo-2." Rei said, With more emotion shown than ever before in front of someone she didn't consider to be a stranger. I was proud of her but not the circumstances.
"Well, it seems that The Welfare Dept. thinks you being citizens of Tokyo-2 make their claim above your original custody through the W.U.N." replied Mr. Asaki. He sighed sadly shaking his head in the process. You see of all the administrators at our high school, Mr. Asaki wanted to help us simply because he knew of our backgrounds and our activities since Third Impact. So he knew what had happened to us and though he himself didn't condone our plural relationship, he was on our side. After a few more silent moments he handed the envelope to me and we sadly bowed and departed. Just as we were leaving his office, Mr. Asaki said in a voice heard through out the main office. "I wish luck to the three saviors of The Human race, may the Gods whomever they be bless them for their sacrifices for us in the past, and for their, and our futures."
The declaration was clearly heard by all including those administrators and staff who had given us problems before. And even though it was a sad time we were happy in the knowledge that we weren't so alone.
Meeting with a Doctor (3rd Person POV)
As the children got their summons one Ritsuko Akagi was meeting someone in a dark booth in the back of an out of the way restaurant . The man wearing a normal salaryman suit walked up to the booth and sat down opposite the former Nerv Head of Development.
They said nothing at first. Then the man took an envelope out of his jacket and slipped it to her across the table. Ritsuko took the envelope and opened it. It had several different sets of money good in most of the new worlds burgeoning city-nation-states. She made no outward signs of emotion as she quickly closed the envelope and tucked it into her purse. She then produced a larger envelope, which the man then opened discreetly and after checking it's contents he smiled and tucked it into her jacket.
He finally said, "Are the hens roosting?"
Ritsuko answered. "Ready for the fox to spring." She then got up left the bill to the man and left.
The man waited till he was alone and called someone on his cell phone. "Sir, the plan is a go."
The person on the phone replied, "Good, so Nagashima will be revenged!"
The Phone then cut off and the man left enough money to cover the lunch and left. What he didn't know till later was that he was being followed.
Trial of Love (Shinji's POV)
A preliminary hearing was held rather quickly. It seemed to us as though someone wanted to railroad us through the court system so as not to give us the chance to defend ourselves. Because it was only two weeks after the hearing and the first day of the trial. Misato and Makoto were suddenly called a way a few days before the trial. That alone set us on edge. So at the start of the trial, only Ritsuko was there, as were Maya Ibuki and Shigreu Aoba who took the place of the our missing guardians. This was a bad omen to me.
The Trial was in a Tokyo-2 Municipal Family court. That meant no jury and no audio or visual news media allowed in the courtroom. Only a sketch artist was allowed there. Some of our friends from school were there for support and as had already said they'd be witnesses if called upon. They included Hikari, Touji and Kensuke sat right behind us with Maya and Shigreu. Mysteriously, Ritsuko was called away just as they had met us outside the courtroom. We found out later why.
As the trial commenced the attorney for the Toyko-2Welfare Dept. stated in its opening statement that we shouldn't be allowed to be together because of our living arrangements, and that Misato and Makoto had failed as proper and moral guardians in this. The attorney a Mr. Kuzawa, then detailed what they were going to prove, that we three slept together doing who knows what and all the while Misato and Makoto seemed to leave us to our own devices. The changes of neglect and lack of supervision. He also noted that they weren't present in the courtroom and moved to have us taken into protective custody since they weren't even present at the hearing. Our lawyer informed the court of their absence as being of importance to world security. The judge reluctantly accepted this. But it was clear he wasn't happy they were there.
Rei and I literally had to hold Asuka down in her chair as I saw in her eyes her wanting to rip the Welfare Department's attorney a new one as he spoke of they way our morals and values were being corrupted by our guardians' lax and immoral behavior.
After their counsel finished, the attorney representing us spoke. She was a college friend of Makoto who was now a private attorney. Nabiki Saotome had lost most of her family during Third Impact and had been taken a few years off to manage what was left of her family's assets. She then went back to school with the intentions of helping those who couldn't.
Matoko had told me once as we were getting ready for the trial that she had been a much different person before Third Impact had almost wiped out her family. She had married her sister's fiancé' after she and her other sister and the parents of both died during Third Impact. But only a few years after the tragedy he died of all things an epidemic of a smallpox variant that had originated with diseased pigs. She with her daughter and son now lived on the outskirts of Tokyo-2 called New Hinata. I remembered this as she stood up to speak for our side of the case. It seems we weren't the only ones with a rough past.
Narrative of Nabiki Saotome 's opening statement:
"You honor were here because of one thing.
Honor.
Now why say honor in a family court case which has to do with Guardianship and the moral upbringing of children in a post Third Impact Earth. Well the Welfare department states that these three children are living an amoral, dishonorable life together, and that their guardians in full knowledge of their relationship allowed it. I say that is the complete opposite, The children and the guardians in question acted honorably and with respect to themselves and to others. I will prove that to you sir."
After a pause she continued.
"But before we delve into that I will say that due to the children being wards of the World United Nations, and not any local agency. I will prove to you your honor that not only are the charges false, I will also prove that this court and the Welfare Department has no Jurisdiction what so ever simply because these children are not under their jurisdiction. I ask now that this case should be dismissed on those grounds. If the court pleases."
Nabiki sat down and heard the court say that the charges and the case was within the City of Tokyo-2's jurisdiction as the three Children reside within it's borders and are subject to it's laws, so the call for dismissal of the case was denied.
From there we saw a master in action in Nabiki Saotome. As the plaintiff presented evidence and the three witnesses against us she systematically broke down all of the statements of each witness.
First was Mr. Kagami who admitted that other than the odd sleeping arrangement, he didn't see the children's guardians provided within the home, all the things a child needed.
The second witness was a Mr. Tokoma, Mr. Kagami's supervisor at the Welfare department. He was the one who decided to purse this case. After the Plaintiff's attorney's asked their questions which detailed the problems Mr. Tokoma had with not only the children sleeping together, but the actual contract they and their guardian signed. He said that this meant that not only were the children going to sleep together, but their guardians had condone it in writing proving their complicity in their sleeping together.
Nabiki countered; she then got into whom Tokoma was and how he got his position. Then she went in for the kill. "Well Mr. Tokoma, as you are qualified as a welfare administrator. I'm sure you can read adequately?"
"Yes, of course I can read, why ask me such a foolish question?" Mr. Tokoma was miffed at this.
"Well then since this agreement between the children and their guardians is such a disturbing piece of writing, then you wouldn't mind reading it into the record. Would you?" Nabiki waited as the now flustered Mr. Tokoma seemed to hesitate. Nabiki pointed to the witness. "Your Honor can you direct the witness to read the document, please?" Nabiki said. Mr. Tokoma was sweating.
"Your Honor I object to this, the letter can be read into the record by anyone." The opposing attorney said.
"Exactly counselor anyone." The judge then turned to the witness stand.
"Mr. Tokoma, you will read out loud the document Mrs. Saotome had ask you to read.
"Do I have to?" Tokoma begged.
"YES." the judge said." Or would a night in our illustrious jail be more to you liking if I charge you with contempt of court.
Mr. Tokoma finally read out loud; "By writing and signing this agreement I Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Souryu, and Rei Ayanami agree on three points with our guardians, Misato Katsuragi, and Makoto Hyuga.
Point One: We (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami) will be allowed to sleep in the same bed at night with the explicit agreement not to have sexual relations with each other until the time of marriage.
Point Two: We (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami) agree that at the age of 16 years, we ask the guardians (M.Katsuragi and M.Hyuga) to petition the World United Nations for special dispensation in accepting a marriage between We (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami), the former Pilots of The Evangelion Unit's 00,01,and 02.
Point Three: At the time of marriage of We (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami) petition the World United Nations for special dispensation in declaring us adults with all the rights and responsibilities and we therefore become world citizens subject to W.U.N laws.
Signed, we the children S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami
Signed the guardians . M.Katsuragi and M.Hyuga
Date: March 17th, 2016"
Mr. Tokoma finished sweating nervously.
"So, this document is very specific and also seems to say that the children and the adults are going to act properly and honorably. Doesn't it seem so, Mr. Tokoma?" Nabiki asked.
"Ah.ah. I . I." Tokoma was stuttering.
"I have no more questions for this witness your honor." Nabiki stated as she moved to sit down while Tokoma was still stuttering on the stand.
The Plaintiff's attorney Kuzawa (I finally got his name) called a Shino Kugo, Assistant to the Interior Ministry. Kuzawa then asked for his qualification and his current position. Then he asked him the current laws of the New Nation-state of Japan as pertaining to our case. He stated with out any doubt that in the current Constitution there was no law allowing multi-partner marriages except for two people in effect since before Third Impact. Then Kuzama asked some more clarifying questions about Guardians legal responsibilities in the matter of a child's safety and moral upbringing. Nabiki got her chance to question Mr. Kugo.
"Mr. Kugo are you aware of who has final guardianship of the three children affected by this case?" Nabiki asked non-chalantly.
"I assume from our current records Commander Katsuragi as the primary Guardian, with Lt. Commander Hyuga as the secondary guardian." Nabiki then went back to our desk and produced a document; I glimpsed a WUN seal on it.
"This is a legal notice of the W.U.N. as the entity in Guardianship and that they have designated Comm. Katsuragi, and Lt. Comm. Hyuga as their representatives here. So Mr. Kugo the W.U.N. had Guardianship and Jurisdiction of these children not the Welfare Dept. of Tokyo-2." Nabiki said in a triumphant manner.
"You Honor I object! The grounds for guardianship is not in question here it's the way the WUN representatives are allowing these children to live as they do!" Mr. Kuzawa asked.
"Objection overruled on the matter of guardianship, but sustained on the way the children are allowed to live by. Let the record show this now." And the computer stenographer did just that.
I asked Nabiki what all that was about. She explained that they accept the W.U.N. as our guardian but they question the way we live and simply say that they have jurisdiction on that. I was getting more and more irritated. But Nabiki patted my hand and said "It's not over till the Grubby old perverts been caught!" A weird saying, but I did understand.
After the Plaintiffs rested their case then came time for our side and us three to witness and be asked questions from both sides.
Rei went first and it was good she was as she answered all of Nabiki's questions clearly concisely. Nabiki's main point in questioning Rei was to clarify our roles during Third Impact, which further strengthened the idea that the W.U.N. had our custody for that specific reason. She also asked Rei her version of our time from emerging from the LCL Sea until we were rescued, met up and then started living with Misato and Makoto. Rei also elaborated on why we three were together and that it was the one emotional bond, which got her to see past her wanting of death and her acceptance of life.
Mr. Kazawa had the least amount of success with Rei as she simply answered his questions usually with one-word answers, and actually questioned his methods of questioning to a stunned court. We then broke for lunch as I knew I, and Asuka were next up. And Nabiki wanted to give us a break to collect ourselves.
After lunch, court was again in session and I was up on the stand.
Nabiki then asked me, "Mr. Ikari why do you love both these girls?"
Now she had told me this was one of the questions she would ask me and I was prepared for it but it still shook me to the core. "I love them because they above everyone else in this world they know what I have been through, because they have been through it themselves."
"Do you mean being a Eva pilot, plus your lives with out parents before Third Impact." Nabiki asked.
Mr.Kuzawa objected. "You honor that's a leading question."
"Sustained, Mrs. Saotome please rephrase the question." The judge stated.
"Mr. Ikari can you explain in your own words what you went through then." Nabiki asked me.
I then explained the experiences I had with Eva, the way my father treated me and later on Rei. Of where our mother's souls were and how we all went through a personal hell with the final three Angels. Finally, I tearfully recounted my version of Third Impact. While I described the jumbled memories and events as best I could I kept eye contact with both Rei and Asuka drawing the strength to continue.
The Horrible feelings at the death of my friends in the JSDDF's attack and of the anguish at hearing Asuka's cry and Maya's sobbing while sitting helplessly with a frozen Unit-01. Then having the rage taken out of me by the MP-Evas, and the pain of being impaled by the Lance of Longinius I clearly tried to describe in all it's detail. My girls were now both stoic in their own way but a tear or two did come down their lovely cheeks.
I finally concluded with what had happened after Third Impact the injuries to the girls, and our fight for survival. Which turned quite real at the Onsen and in Nagoya, where we almost lost our lives. Then I finished with our rehab and our school experiences up to that fight at the Spring Dance.
Mr. Kazawa asked me of my life with Misato and Asuka before Third Impact. He mainly wanted to know how I felt about them. I told the attorney I cared deeply for both of them. He then asked me about Rei and how my feelings were for her before and after I learned of her origins. I was truthful in that I had cared for the 2nd Rei, but was apprehensive and scared of the third incarnation. He then stated, "So she really isn't human then, like us?"
I know he tried to fluster me with that statement. I simply answered, "She. is. Rei, no more no less as I am I." I had remembered her saying that to define herself from others including the other clones. I added, "She has a soul like us as well, Mr. Kuzawa, don't you?"
I earned a round of chuckling in the courtroom gallery, the Judge pounded the gavel and reminded me to answer the question and not add any more to that. I nodded in acceptance.
After the court was quiet Kazawa asked a final question, "If we are all the same as you say Mr. Ikari, why aren't you and your Fiancé's not subject to the same laws we are. Our laws state that a marriage is enter upon by two people sir, not two or more."
"Your Honor, Mr. Kazawa is badgering the witness and witnessing himself as well." Nabiki strongly objected.
"Mr. Kazawa refrain from badgering or answering for the witness." The judges said.
"I withdraw the question and I have no further questions for this witness your honor." Kazawa answered back. And I was told to step down and I was done.
After a few minutes Asuka's name was called. As she rose Rei who even now does not display her affections publicly took her friends hand and gently squeezed it, a slight shake of her head added to what she was saying to Asuka. She smiled and winked her eye.
She made her way to the witness stand with the swagger and confidence that she had before Third Impact, but now she wasn't doing it to cover her real self, she had a clear sense who she was now, she was with us. Epitomized by the saying, "All for one and one for all."
After Nabiki got her view of the events that got us in this case, Mr. Kazawa then tried to ask questions that the "old" Asuka would have bristled and reacted to. But She knew herself now, her shortcomings and accepted them. The only reaction he actually got was a laugh when he suggested that she didn't belong in Japan at all and that she influenced us into this trio arrangement. He response was pure Asuka.
"I would never let anyone influence me to do something I didn't want to do. I can tell you as well that Rei and Shinji would never be influenced by me, or anyone else to do anything they didn't want to. Simply because we lived through too much to let that happen to us now or in the future. Now is that all you have to ask me Sir?"
"Are you sure of this Ms. Souryu? Or would you prefer Langley." Kazawa said to bait Asuka to loudly retort.
But she surprised him with her final answer. "I would prefer... Ikari actually."
After Nabiki and Kazawa had made their closing statements, the judge dismissed us till the next day. We had an uneasy night together as it could have been our last.
We had hoped Misato, Ritsuko or Makoto would have been there, but only Maya and Shigreu, plus some of our classmates were there to support us.
Then promptly at 9a.m, the court resumed as all rose as the judge made his way to the bench to announce the verdicts.
I held hands with Asuka on my left and Rei on my right as the judge read out his explanation, which would be followed by the verdict.
"To those who are here for the expressed purpose of exploitation from ether side you will be disappointed in this verdict. As you know the family courts main purgative is the care and safety of the family and in this case the three children involved. Many people here seemed to have forgotten that. Those who brought this case to trial, and those who deem the children above the law. So I do find fault in both sides here.
But I have to make a decision. The main question, are the children in the jurisdiction of the Tokyo-2 Welfare Dept. or under the W.U.N.? The second question is their living arrangement legal? I rule yes, and no. " Gasps were heard through out the court and I finally saw the Interior Minister for New Japan was sitting a few rows away. I was puzzled why he was here. As I found out later there was a reason for him being here. But our attention was rooted back to the bench where after several whacks of the gavel he continued.
"On question one, since this case was brought up in this court and there was no declaration or special dispensation from the World Court, the Welfare Department has Jurisdiction." Several cries and more noises were heard as well as a second strings of the Judges gavel. As I held the girls tight I turned to see a smirk on the Interior minister then we heard the second decision. "On the question of the Children's living arrangements, due to the first ruling I am forced rather reluctantly to"
Suddenly both of the large wooden doors of the courtroom flew open and three familiar faces followed by Military and civilian force troops walked down the center of the courtroom. General pandemonium ensued as it took a few minutes for everyone to calm down I took my loves hands and kept close to the defense table as the judge finally got order restored.
The three familiar faces were Misato, Makoto and a winded Ritsuko. When I saw that the Interior Minister lost his smirk and looked very worriedly at Ritsuko I knew something was up.
Misato then spoke up. "You honor I am sorry for disrupting these proceedings but I have with me two orders one from the world court and another from the W.U.N Security Council."
"And pray tell how do these affect this case." Kazawa said then added." Your honor, this is highly unusual and I ask for you to order to clear the courtroom."
While the lawyer flapped his tongue the judge read both orders and after quieting down the courtroom he read them.
"By order of the World Supreme Court through Special Dispensation the court hands down the following rulings. The applicants, (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami), are hear by declared world citizens and are granted status there of with all it's privileges and responsibilities. The applicants, (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami), are declared adults in all it's rights and responsibilities. The applicants, (S.Ikari, A.Souryu, and R.Ayanami) are hereby given Special Dispensation to enter into the legal bonds of marriage due to their service and sacrifice to all of humanity. All rulings are permanent inperpitude.
The courtroom erupted in cheers, hugs and kisses especially around us three.
Then a blasted out window and a spray of red and gray in the back wall of the courtroom caught everyone by surprise. I found out later that what I saw was the remains of the interior Minister's head. He was shot and it sprayed on the wall. Nabiki ducks as I automatically pull Asuka who was in my arms at the time to the ground and then I feverishly reach with my other arm to where Rei was who was still standing up. Then I saw a tiny red dot on her forehead.
Instantly I knew what it was, but from where I was I knew I couldn't get to her down in time. My thoughts filled with dread, as I knew that unless a miracle happened I would see Rei shot in the head right before me.
But I tried none the less.
Luckily or not, Asuka and I saw a blur of white, yellow and brown, which seems to jump up in front of Rei as we hear a second window shatter behind her. I see that same white, yellow and brown figure hit by another bullet and falls right next us to cover Rei on the floor, protecting her. We then hear several shots this time coming from the courtroom and seemingly shooting toward the outside and across the way. Then the shooting stops as we hear an "all clear" in the room were most of us were now lying flat on the floor.
As I help Asuka we check Rei and see that Ritsuko was the person who took the bullet meant for her. We clearly see a hole on Dr. Akagi's back with blood coming out of it, right on the middle of her spinal column. Even Asuka and I who aren't Doctors could plainly see what happened. We quickly clear the area around them both.
As we yell for Emergency help, I hear Ritsuko and Rei talking. It seemed that their shared agony blocked all of us out to them. But Asuka and I bared silent witness to their conversation.
"I'm sorry Rei I seem not to be able to control myself. Seems that shot got my spine. Can't feel below my arms." Ritsuko sadly chuckled. "Well I suppose this is one way of atonement." She said with a tear now coming down her sad face. Her control of her lower regions was now gone as a familiar smell and yellow stain on her clothes attest.
Rei carefully caught the tear and was smiling quietly at the now confused woman in her arms. "I do not mind. I am grateful and thankful for your protection. Please Rit-san don't move I don't want more damage to occur to you." Rei then held the older woman lying on top of her steady with her arms.
After a few minutes we clear the area around them as the paramedics came and set up a dual backboard to allow Ritsuko to be lifted as her wound is treated. As I saw her leaving with a worried Maya and Shigreu I hope that some of her knowledge and technology from the Evangelion project might of use for her now. I remember the Evas regenerating limbs and other parts of their body. Ironically that what she developed for the Eva project might be used for her now. I hope this would be the case with Ritsuko.
After we got Rei cleaned up we headed to the hospital to check on Rei's rescuer. As we made our way to the hospital Misato informed us that the second order was from the W.U.N Security Council. It basically said that we, and others, have been targeted for either public scandal or elimination for the purpose of causing chaos all around the world. Added to that was that Misato and Makoto were in Beijing China. Where they and eight other quick action teams had quenched attempts at overthrows of several governments, by those who were associated with the same people that had shot Ritsuko and had already killed the Interior Minister. We also find out that they had enlisted the help of Ritsuko who played along and became a spy within their conspiracy. She was the one who helped uncover the information to successfully stop them.
It took two days of waiting in the hospital till we got the news that though Ritsuko was paralyzed she would live. Later, within 6 months she was already hard at work with Maya Ibuki and Shigreu Aoba using LCL and cell regeneration and manipulation in her lab. Seems Rei's old Sync Tank was utilized to help in Ritsu's recovery. The irony was not lost on us. We were just happy that she would recover the use of her body.
The day we finally got home we were happy. Not only were we declared adults but world citizens. Plus with the special dispensation we were married within the year. And we looked forward to our new lives together. We left Tokyo-2 and our friends behind and settled in Kyoto where I became a High School History and Social Science teacher, while Rei and Asuka got Doctorate degrees at Kyoto University and are now in their chosen fields of Pediatrics and Genetic Research at Kyoto University. Misato and Matoko got married and visit us regularly when they can get away from their W.U.N jobs back in Tokyo-2.
Epilogue 6 years down the road!
Early morning and the sun shown into a large room occupied by a king-sized bed. In it were three sleeping people, myself, Shinji Ikari, and my two wives, Rei and Asuka Souryu Ikari. I was as normal, in the middle of the two whom snuggled on either side of me.
Then like a thundering heard on stampede four small noisy and rambunctious children burst into the room and leaped up upon us three. This was our usual Sunday wake up call. The one-day when we, the parents slept in. And every Sunday for the past three years the children would wake us up this way. They also brought in the Sunday paper and we all sat on the beds as I, and my wives took turns reading the various Sunday funnies that each child wanted read.
Of course with Asuka around we used both German and Japanese to read to our children out loud. They were an eclectic bunch to say the least. My two oldest were Kiriko and Taro. both five years old. Kiriko was Asuka's while Taro was from Rei. But neither could be more different than from their mothers. Taro was loud boisterous and opinionated. Kiriko was quiet, yet assertive and did speak her mind when she felt it needed to be heard.
My three year olds, Misato and Kaji were the more active in that they plotted together when they caused mischief. And they had the "innocent" look down pat, luckily for me I had two wives that weren't affected by it at all. Finally we heard our fifth child, six month old Mana crying. We figured that with all the talking from our room she'd be awakened. She was Rei's third child with Misato and Kowaru.
Rei reluctantly got up to breast-feed Mana as Asuka and I corralled the rest to go downstairs to the kitchen to make and have Sunday breakfast. Rei would join us after she gathered Mana up. Now Asuka took turns with Rei and I when it came to making the meals, but Sunday Breakfast was her domain, the only time she wanted to cook for our ever-expanding family. So she made some quick toast with butter and juice to keep the natives appeased. As Rei joined us while still breast-feeding Mana.
Within twenty minutes she had a German style breakfast of Sausage links, bratwurst, and eggs and bacon, plus the coffees for us and another round of juices for the kids. We enjoyed her meals as well as when Rei and I of course cooked.
She did have a veggie only meal for Rei, which she always appreciated.
Today we were going to meet up with Misato and Makoto Katsuragi at a local picnic park near one of the castles that dot the area around Kyoto. I remember that while we had started on our honeymoon to the newly reopened Tokyo-Disneyworld, Misato and Makoto eloped to Okinawa. We actually didn't know this as we also headed there and literally bumped into them at an open- air market. I remembered that happy moment as I was packing the family van. I heard the call of rouse' and move it' and knew Asuka was rounding up the troops. Rei busied herself with the picnic lunch she made for us as well as of course taking care of our lone child in need of diaper changes.
As we neared the park I spotted a new blue Fiat Aspin screeching it's tired though the park entrance in front of us and we all knew who that was. We followed the black tire tracks and the fallen bystanders as we drove over a small hill to a gazebo with a blue car next to it.
We greeted Misato and Makoto and their two kids Yurika and Akito. Seems Makoto was an anime fan of a certain show. But I don't think Misato minded much. As we settled into the Gazebo and as I set up some lawn games for the kids I took the site in before me. My surrogate parents with their family, and mine here having fun and being able to live a life that was nearly snuffed out seven years before. First, from Third Impact, then from attempted Assassinations.
Speaking of that I heard that the New Counsel-General of the Security Council Nabiki Saotome was already at work and couldn't meet us here but she sent her regards and thanks as I did to her, a remarkable woman.
I was happy , I had the loves of my life with me, my children who I adored above all, careers that gave each of us fulfillment, and the two here who had protected me through it all.
Then, a surprise.
A second car drove up and out came Maya, Shigreu and Ritsuko Aoba. Yes I said Aoba they also asked for and got the same WUN edicts we had sought. And above it all Ritsuko was walking to me as I hugged her and the others. After She'd been shot the three of them dove into find a way to use the regeneration techniques from the Evangelion project to not just help Ritsuko but others as well.
They replicated the processes, which were used on the Evangelions and found that the same cylindrical tube Rei used to sync with her clones, was very useful to those with severed limbs, open wounds or as in Ritsuko's case a severed spinal column. They found out of the person affected would spend 12 -14 hours a day within the cylinder filled with man-made LCL, they limb, wound or spinal column would literally grow new cells and specifically replace damaged cells themselves from the LCL liquid. Within a span of a year Ritsuko regained the use of her legs and lower body and was walking as if she was never shot.
After they arrived they told us they were using the new techniques to repair damaged organs and tissues on a microscopic level within a person's body. Many diseases that affected people organs like lung cancer and heart disease were being cured by this method.
After we congratulated them we were in for a double shock. First Maya and Ritsuko were two and four months pregnant receptively. We all were happy but I saw Asuka with a peeved look on her face. I asked her "Honey, what's wrong?"
She looked at me with a saddened look but still perked up enough to then call all of our attention and simply said. "I want to congratulate Maya Rit- chan and Shigeru on their new bundles of joy .I just wished you had let me say something first."
"Why? What is it sister?" Rei said.
"Well because I'm pregnant too! And I wanted to say it first!" Asuka said.
"You're...your p...p...pregnant! I said almost passing out.
"Yes My Baka and it's all yours! She gave me that beautiful smile of hers and a thumbs-up, as Rei and I rushed over to hug and kiss her first.
My life is full of turns but it always seems bright as long as I, and mine are with me!
I am happy, ad as long as they are then life is good, our lives!
Author's notes: Well it's finally done! Sorry for the length of this last chapter but I simply couldn't stop writing. Especially the trial scenes just kept going and going. Oh and sorry for the lack of dialogue but since this was mostly from Shinji's perspective I hope you can understand. As always if someone wants to take this and run with it. By all means do so just drop me an e- mail to let me know!
Revision Notes: Well I finally got back to revise this last chapter for 3 reasons;
The aforementioned one shot sequels or slice of life stories had different names for the children. Why? Well at first I didn't want to connect them to this story yet as I wrote them it naturally did. I saw so many problems with structure and grammar I had to fix what I could. I had several more one-shots and so I had to add a few things to allow them to connect with this story better!I hope you like tie revised chapter and let me know please!
dennisud
