Life After

by Kraven Ergeist

10 Years after the events of Evangelion, Shinji is now a wealthy bacherlor living in Munich, when he gets an unexpected visitor. What begins as a friendly encounter turns into a struggle beyond imagination. Action, Angst, and Femme Fatales. FINISHED!

3. Chapter Three

Evangelion Fan Fiction

Life After

By Kraven Ergeist

Chapter Three

Asuka and Misato stood alongside the hospital wall. Shinji was in the medical room, staying next to Naomi. Which left Asuka and Misato to play "catch up," which was not particularly fun for either of them.

"So…long time no see," Misato muttered. She was still in her Combat Suit, complete with maroon shaded neural amplifiers. At forty years of age, she certainly wasn't showing any signs of it. She was still the same beautiful woman she'd always been. And still in top physical shape, to boot.

"I'll say," Asuka shrugged. "Ten years long…A lot can happen in that amount of time."

Misato smiled. "Has it?"

Asuka shrugged again. "You tell me. I've basically been emulated Shinji all this time, bumping around, doing nothing. You?"

Misato nodded. "I've…been busy. I'll save the details for when Shinji comes out…I have something I need to discuss with the both of you."

Asuka nodded. "What about Ayanami?"

Misato shrugged. "What about Ayanami?"

Asuka leered. "You obviously have something to discuss with us because we were Eva pilots. So why is Ayanami not included?"

Misato frowned. "You mean, you haven't heard about her?"

Asuka sighed, nodding. "If you're talking about her…imminent demise, then yes."

Misato sighed, nodding. "If it were different, she would have been included. Then again, given her condition, even before she was critically diagnosed…"

Misato wavered for a moment, her eyes closed.

"Hm?" Asuka offered.

"Oh…sorry," Misato piped. "I must really be getting old…Anyway…have you seen her yet?"

Asuka shrugged. "Yeah…well, I 'saw' her, but I never got to speak with her."

Misato nodded. "I see…"

"Do they even know why it's happening? Why she's…dying?"

Misato shook her head. "Asuka…Rei's body was created artificially. You know that. She was only expected to live up until the commander's scenario was over. Beyond that…she's running on her own steam. She was never even supposed to live past the age of eighteen. How's she's lived up until this point is…something of a mystery."

Asuka frowned. "But…isn't there something we can do? Isn't t here something VERSTAND can do? I mean, they use the same technology, and it even employs a MAGI computer system. Surely, there's a way to save her."

Misato shook her head. "Come on, Asuka, who do you think we are? VERSTAND was the first place we turned to. We figured that if Rei's body was created artificially, then the least they could do was give her a new one. But they refused."

Asuka glared. "Why?"

Misato sighed. "Come on, Asuka, think. How angry do you think the world was once NERV and its exploits got out in the open? It's only been ten years – that's nowhere near long enough for most people to forgive the crimes that our organization committed. That's partly the reason why VERSTAND exists – as a pariah for all the pent up hatred for the world to vent on. That's a serious burden, and it has serious consequences.

"The major political bodies of the world, not to mention virtually every religious organization on the globe have made zealous objections to the very idea of Rei being an "Artificial Human." In fact, the official story had to be edited before being viewed by many of these affiliations. The last thing VERSTAND needs is more dealings with the "Artificial Human," not with all the crap they've been receiving, and continue to receive."

Asuka nodded. "That I can understand." As Assistant VP, and former affiliate of NERV, she knew better than anyone the amount VERSTAND stands accountable for. "But, wait a minute…you don't work for VERSTAND, yet you talk as if you were directly involved with her affairs. You also talk as if you knew this was going to happen for some time."

Misato nodded. "Yes…"

Asuka turned to glance at her. "Just how 'busy' have you been these past ten years, Misato?"

Misato smiled. "Busy. I promise I'll tell you more when Shinji and I get a chance to talk."

xxxxx

"I'm…I'm glad to see you again, Misato," Shinji said, after a long embrace with his former guardian.

Misato smiled. "You too, Shinji…my gosh, look at you. You've really grown up."

Shinji blushed. Actually blushed. That was the first time Asuka had seen him blush since their reunion.

Asuka frowned, hiding a small bit of disgust. Shinji used to be the sort of person that would blush and cringe after anyone said almost anything to him – it had been particularly fun for Asuka, as it gave her a sense of power over him. Since meeting back up with him, she's been silently hoping to see him blush again for her, only to be met with dismay.

Yet here he was, talking with Misato, the only person who could ever really get a rise out of him.

Am I…jealous? Asuka demanded. Oh, come on! As if it wasn't bad enough with Kaji, but Shinji too?

Asuka pushed those thoughts from her head. Kaji had been an issue that she'd thought long and hard on over the years, only to reluctantly come to the realization that she had, in fact, had zero chance with him. Not only was Kaji too old for her, not only was he only focused on Misato, but Kaji had already been so close to Asuka, but in a different way – like, a fatherly type of way. And Kaji was a good person, too good of a person to ruin that kind of bond by allowing her to indulge in childish fantasies.

Asuka shook her head, clearing her mind. But it didn't change the fact that she still felt jealous of Misato. But then again, same dilemma that she had with Kaji now worked against Misato here; Misato was already so close to Shinji, but also in a different way – like, a motherly type of way. And Shinji was a good person too, too good to ruin that kinda of bond by allowing her indulge in any kind of fantasies she'd had over him when she was the adult and him the child.

And then, there was the matter of this Naomi…

"How is she?" Misato asked. "You bodyguard, I mean. Naomi, was it?"

"She's recovering," Shinji said, sadly. "But it will be a few days before she can leave the hospital."

"No need to worry, Shinji," Misato smiled. "I've still got my Combat Suit. I'll keep you safe."

Shinji smiled. "Thanks, Misato…but still…Naomi…won't be there…"

Misato patted him on the shoulder. "Sounds like you two are really close."

Asuka nodded. "If only you knew…" Asuka started when something occurred to her. "Hey, Misato…your combat suit…you're not…wired…like Naomi is, are you?"

Misato glanced at Shinji. "What?"

Shinji swallowed a pang of guilt. "No…Misato's suit is a newer model… Misato…Naomi's suit…is fully integrated with her body. They had to replace her blood with LCL, and fully bond her to the suit."

Misato's eyes lit up in something very close to outrage. "And you allowed her to do that?"

"No, Misato!" Shinji stammered. "I begged her on bended knees not to. But she wouldn't hear it. As soon as she learned about the combats suits, she had to have one. It was strange…she seemed more and more interested after I mentioned that it was the same technology that the Eva's were made with."

Asuka and Misato exchanged a look.

"See what I mean?" Asuka whispered. "She's obsessed with him!"

Misato just nodded, her eyes still wide with surprise.

"Well, anyway, now that the newer brand is out, Naomi can just use one of them, right? She won't have to become integrated with the suit anymore, won't she?"

Shinji swallowed another pang of guilt. "That's the tragic part, Asuka…it was sort of a one way thing."

Asuka had to hold back the urge to slap him.

"Even if she were willing to disintegrate herself from the suit, which she isn't – I asked her to when I went in there; but she was perfectly clear: the suit stayed – even if we could get it off of her fully, her body would remain completely altered. Her blood isn't even blood anymore. She's become…so much like Rei.

"During the first month or so…she went through some pretty violent changes. But she's gotten used to it…and the suit has become such an integral part of her life, that…I don't know, trying to get her to let it go would probably be more dangerous than leaving it on."

Both Misato and Asuka were staring at Shinji with a varied mix of disgust and horror.

"Shinji…for her to continue doing this, willingly, if what you say is true…then she's more than just dedicated…she's bordering on obsessive compulsive."

Shinji blinked. "What are you saying? She's obsessed over…me?"

Asuka whacked her forehead with the heel f her palm. "Mein Gott…You give a guy ten years to change, and he's still clueless!"

Misato took Shinji by the shoulder. "Shinji…this is a serious matter. She can't be allowed to continue this. Not with the entire world breathing down VERSTAND's neck. If anyone ever found about this… And that's not even considering the affects this is going to have later on life."

Shinji's look was fearful. "What do you mean?"

Misato squeezed her grip harder. "What do you think I mean? Think, Shinji, think! You said it yourself: She's becoming like Rei…tell me you're aware that Rei's blood is LCL as well?"

Shinji nodded. "Yeah, I…I didn't know for sure, but I did susp… Oh…my…God…"

Misato nodded, finally allowing some sympathy to shine through. "Rei might not be the only loss you'll be having, Shinji."

Shinji broke down, clutching Misato blindly, crying into her chest. "It's too late…it's already too late…the affects have already taken place…there's…there's nothing we can do, is there?"

Misato stroked Shinji's hair. "I'm sorry…"

That's when the sound of breaking glass got the attention of all three of them.

"What was that?" Asuka demanded.

"It came from Naomi's room!" Misato shouted.

Instantly, the three of them rushed into her room, only to find the windows shattered.

"Naomi!" Shinji shouted, running to the window. He peered outside, desperately trying to find her. "Naomi!"

"Shinji…" Misato said. "In the amount of time she had, she could have left Munich by now. That suit gives you unparalleled speed. Believe me, I've experienced it."

Shinji slammed his fist on the windowsill, bloodying them on the glass shards still there. "Damn it! Damn it all! Why! Why did she have to leave like that?"

"Shinji…" Asuka said, holding a folded piece of paper.

Shinji grabbed the paper, and read the one word written on the side:

Master

Shinji flipped it open, and read:

Dear Master Ikari,

I'm sorry for not being able to protect you. I'm sorry for all those years; I could have been stronger, could have served you better. But I promise you that I'll try to make it up. And I'm going to start by finding out who has been making these attacks on you, and putting a stop to them for good.

I hope that Mrs. Soryu and Mrs. Katsuragi will be able to protect you in my stead. I shall try my hardest not to be gone for very long.

Please, wait for me.

Your loyal protector and faithful servant,

Naomi Aoba

Shinji clutched the paper to her chest after he finished it. "Naomi…you idiot…"

Misato placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let me guess: she's gone off to try and put an end to these attacks you've been receiving?"

Shinji nodded. "Yeah, she…how did…how did you know about those?"

Misato sighed. She paced over to the door and shut it tight, locking it. "I've been paying a lot more attention to you in particular these past ten years. I already mentioned to Asuka about my being involved with Rei's transfer. In all honesty, my involvement went a lot deeper than that. You see…VERSTAND wasn't the only group established when NERV went under."

Asuka and Shinji both stared hard at her.

"Misato?" Asuka said, holding back a frustrated growl. "What exactly is going on?"

Misato sighed. "This hidden group is called ZELLE, and it's a secret organization that the Japanese Government, the German Government, and the UN have no knowledge of."

"How can that be possible?" Asuka demanded.

Misato smiled. "Because it's directly funded by SEELE."

Shinji and Asuka exchanged nervous glances. They'd both heard about SEELE, but mentioning it had been a taboo, both in Germany and in Japan.

"After NERV broke apart, SEELE's main concern was hiding as much of the evidence as possible. If they'd had their way, none of you would be alive right now. I had actually managed to infiltrate ZELLE, and sabotage much of their attempted assassinations. I had also managed to see Rei safely into the hands of VERSTAND. Maya, Hyuga, and Shigeru are all alive thanks to me, just for the record.

"For the longest time, their main target was you, Shinji. Rei was under too much surveillance, what with her being in a VERSTAND controlled hospital. Asuka, for the longest time, remained hidden from ZELLE's tracers somehow. Finally, you emerged, but it had been directly in the throes of VERSTAND. So, for the most part, they've only been going after you, Shinji."

Shinji nodded. "But now?"

Misato sighed. "But now…there's always a 'but now'…but now, we've been found out. I wasn't alone in this infiltration, but I was one of the few who got out. After I did, for a time, I had lost any hope of affecting the system anymore…until he came to me…"

Shinji nodded. "My father."

Misato blinked. "You knew?"

Shinji smiled. "Back when the initial attacks came…I always got a call beforehand with a scrambled voice telling me I was in danger. They wouldn't say who they were, but after a while, I started to realize who it had to be."

Misato smiled. "Well, you're right on the money, Shinji. And it turns out we were both happily mistaken about him in the past. Your father does care about you, Shinji. Enough to foot the entire budget of a new organization under VERSTAND called KERN. This group is also entirely hidden from the UN et al, but with a slightly different agenda then that of ZELLE: namely, to protect the veterans of NERV, and to extinguish ZELLE and hopefully deal a severe blow to SEELE. And that's where you two come in."

Shinji and Asuka pricked up.

"I've made arrangements with VERSTAND. You two are both to be outfitted with the current production model Combat Suits, and assist me in KERN's objective."

Asuka's jaw dropped. "What? You mean to tell me that you want to drag us into battle again?"

Misato nodded. "Yes, Asuka. You two are the most experienced fighters we have. These plug suits work just like the Eva's, and they do, in fact, require that the wearer synchronize with them. It was made much easier during the development stage, so that people like me and Naomi can use them…but when the original pilots use them, and their sync rates climb to those heights…the suits would be unstoppable."

As Asuka considered, Shinji just then began to notice the blood on his hands from striking the broken glass.

"You want me…to fight?" Shinji said.

"Oh, Shinji…here…" Misato went to get a bandage, and proceeded to wash Shinji's hands clean, making sure there were no glass shards still inside.

"You want me…inside that thing?"

Misato began to wrap his right hand. "Don't be that way. You're an experienced pilot, Shinji. You, of all people, would have what it takes to use these things effectively. I've got years of training on my side, and Asuka has her training…but you were always the best pilot, Shinji."

Shinji shook his head. "It's not that I was the best pilot…but that Unit-01 was the best Eva. This Combat Suit…doesn't have my mother's soul inside of it, protecting me. If I get knocked out, this suit isn't going to go into a berserker rage and save me in the nick of time. I'm just gonna be dead. That'll be it."

"Shinji…" Misato muttered, tying off the bandage and starting on his left hand.

"No, Misato…you know perfectly well, I was never meant for combat. Even when I did pilot, I was always the one lagging behind, firing my itty little rifle, while Asuka was up front, doing the real work."

Misato paused to touch his shoulder. "Shinji…Naomi is going to be going after ZELLE…you realize that, don't you?"

Shinji breathed in hard.

"Don't you…don't you want to protect her?" Misato said. "Don't you think, after everything she's sacrificed for you, that she deserves to be saved?"

Shinji yanked his hand away from her, recoiling from her completely. "You know, my father used that exact same trick on once before. He did it using Rei as the bait. Is that what he asked you to do here? Did he tell you to guilt me into this, too? I bet he even arranged for Naomi to be abducted, making it only look like she left on her own…just to use me again…"

Misato glared at him. "Shinji…how long is it going to take for you to get over yourself? If it weren't for your father, none of us would even be alive right now. You owe him a lot more than you give him credit for. He's doing this for your sake – for all our sakes. The least you could do is be a little cooperative!"

Shinji crumpled under her bantering, and, for an instant, reverted back into the old Shinji, the one who would cry if you so much as asked him to.

"It…it hurts, Misato…" Shinji sobbed, clutching her heedlessly. "It hurts so much…why did Naomi have to run away? Why does she have to be dying? Why does Rei have to be dying? Why do I have to rely on my father again? Why does anything in this world have to be the way it is?"

Misato clutched the man who used to be her charge close to her. "Because it just is, Shinji…all we can do it try to affect it as best as we can, and hope that we can make a difference."

All this time, Asuka had been watching as he unfolded before her eyes…and into Misato's arms. As sympathetic as she was for the boy – and she was, honestly – she couldn't fight back her jealously that he could pour his heart out to Misato and not her.

Of course, it made the most sense. Misato had been the closest thing Shinji had ever had to a mother. Why wouldn't he act this way around her?

The tearful moment was interrupted, however, by Misato's cell phone ringing. Reluctantly, she broke off Shinji's grip, and answered it.

"Hello?"

There was a moment of silence, and then Misato hung up the phone.

"It's Rei."

xxxxx

Lying back in her bed, her face bony and skeletal. An IV, heart monitors, and about a dozen other bells and whistles were attached to her by some method or another.

"Hi, Rei," Shinji said, standing over her, his smile concealing what he truly felt.

The pale girl barely managed to open her eyes. "H…hello, Ikari…"

Shinji almost lost it right there. As close as they had become, she still referred to him as Ikari. She was the only person he knew that called him that. Other people called him Mr. Ikari, or Shinji, but never just Ikari. That had been the title she had used for him since they were kids.

"How are you feeling?" Shinji asked, holding back his tears.

"Tired," Rei said, matter of factly.

Behind Shinji, Misato and Asuka stood, diligently. Misato's head was lowered, but Asuka couldn't take her eyes off the girl. This had been the girl she'd been jealous of as a pilot? This was the girl who knew everything, could do anything, and revealed nothing?

"Is…is that Major Katsuragi? And Pilot Soryu? It has been quite a while." Rei said, still referring to them by the last title she remembered. She wasn't just being nostalgic this time; she was flat-out losing her grip on any reference of time.

"Yes, Rei," Misato said, stepping up to kneel next to where Shinji stood. "I know we didn't know each other all that well…but you were still just as valuable…to me and the rest of us. So, I hope you can believe me when I say…that I'm happy to see you again."

Asuka walked over and stood next to Misato, opposite of Shinji. "…Hey, Wonder girl."

"Soryu…"

Asuka forced a smile. "Look…I know we weren't on the nicest of terms…and I know that I treated you like…well, a lot worse than you deserved to be treated…but I want you to know something…" Asuka shivered. "That whole ordeal with the Evas and the Angels…If I had to do it all over again…I couldn't have asked for a finer comrade…or a better person…"

Rei smiled. Actually smiled. That was something she never did, especially to Asuka.

"Thank you…Soryu…"

Both Misato and Asuka got up and backed away, leaving Shinji alone with her.

He dropped to his knees.

"Anyway…you're probably real tired, right? We won't keep you from sleeping. We'll just stay here with you, Rei…just to be here with you…"

Rei nodded. "Yes… Ikari…will stay with me…"

"I'm gonna be right here, Rei, you hear me?" Shinji said, tears welling up. "Don't worry. We'll be right here…"

"Ikari…will be right here," Rei muttered.

"We'll come and visit you tomorrow, too…" Shinji said. "You'll feel better then, Rei. You'll feel better…"

Rei had to struggle to get her arm out from under the blanket. Her arm was thin, frail and bony. She reached up to take Shinji's face in her hand.

"When I wake up tomorrow…" Rei said in a tiny voice. "Ikari will be here…waiting…"

Shinji took her hand in his. "Yes, Rei…this is where I'll be…right here…"

Rei sighed, looking away. "Right here…"

Shinji nodded, tears falling from his eyes. "That's right, Rei…I'll be right here…"

The tiny bit of strength left her arm, as it fell limp on the bed.

Rei's eyes closed, a look of satisfaction on her face.

With tears filling his eyes, Shinji collapsed onto her lifeless form. "…Right here waiting…"

xxxxx

A/N: Alright, I may have claimed, in an immature attempt to bolster my ego, to have written angst fics before this, but this takes the cake for me. This was the first fic I've written where one of the main characters really dies in someone's arms like this.

Hope this turns out to be what I'm hoping for it to be.

I'm out.