Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is Owned by Gainax. Buy the DVD's of
the Series and the Movies from them. I did, and it was worth every dime.
I don't own anything except my DVD's, and this is done for my own
satisfaction.
Episode 2:09 Crouching toward Nagoya-2, the Beast arrives.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is Sunday June 12th, 2016
Misato strode into the NERV Command Center, and, immediately the two technicians on duty snapped to attention and saluted.
"Situation report."
"Ma'am. The Shepherd reported an anomaly coming out of Lake Biwa, three miles south of Nagahama. Since then it has been traveling over land at nearly 100 kph, and should reach us here within the next six to eight minutes."
"Pattern?"
"Pattern Blue, Angel confirmed. But the computer has registered a 0.999% variation between this Angel and all previously encountered Angels."
"Get me Shinji."
"Roger Ma'am, patching communications though to Unit-01 now."
Misato sat looking at a blank screen. There was the interior of the Entry Plug, the place that Shinji usually sat, but there was no Shinji. Instead, his clothing, the cloths he had been wearing six months ago, during Third Impact, floated within the LCL.
"Shinji?"
"Yes, Misato," Shinji/EVA replied.
"Um, we're looking at the entry plug, and you're cloths are there, but not you. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Fine Misato. In fact I've never felt better. This is incredible. I can't describe it to you, except to say that I AM EVA."
Misato shook her head, finding that very disturbing. "Shinji, we have data regarding the new Angel."
"They're not really Angels Misato. I was told they are the Legion of the Fallen. And after what I've just been through, I think I'd like to call them the Legion. I'll never be comfortable calling them Angels again."
"Okay Shinji, you're the expert on this new threat. Legion they are. Makoto says you have a Legion heading for you at 100 kph from the west on a heading of 274 degrees relative. Are you ready?"
"More than ever," he said, twirling the Lance of Longinus before him.
"Um. Guy's can we get an external view through the EVA's head cams? Looking at that empty Entry Plug brings up some pretty terrible memories."
"Sure Commander, just a moment. There you go, Ma'am, External Monitors activated."
The view changed, and now Misato was seeing what Shinji was seeing. The Lance was spinning easily in Shinji/EVA's right hand. Evidently he'd picked up some skills in that Traditional Arts class he'd taken last year. He hadn't wanted to sign up for it, but Misato insisted that it would compliment his Military training through NERV. He'd had training in the use of the Boken and the Staff.
"Making use of that TA instruction from school finally?"
"Yes, Misato." Shinji/EVA sighed. Suddenly Shinji crouched down even more, and the Lance lay out before him, along the street, yet still gripped tightly in his hand.
"Do you see it?" Misato asked.
"Yes. Can you pick it up on the cameras? There's a strange dark crimson aura coming down the valley there."
"Nothing here Shinji. Wait. There's a dust trail. Is that it?"
"It's not in the dust trail, the Legion is making the trail. Man that thing is ugly."
"What is it?"
"I don't know, some kind of animal, but it's huge, bigger than anything I've ever seen."
Misato could finally see a small shape at the head of the dust trail, and tried to get a good look at it. The screen blurred slightly as Shinji leaped into action. He was running flat out, Lance held low and at the ready in his right hand. The thing coming towards him, what ever it was, had detected him, and was zeroing in on him.
"Damn it Shinji, can you hold your head still for a moment so we can get a good look at it. We don't have the sensors here that we had in Tokyo-3. Without your eye's we're blind down here," Misato complained.
"Look at it when it's dead, Misato, I'm busy. rrrrRRRRRRAAAAAAA," he growled as he engaged the creature.
He stabbed at it with the Lance, hoping for a quick kill, but the thing batted the Lance away with such force, that it was ripped out of his hand, and landed almost a mile away.
"Well THAT'S not a good thing," Misato said.
On the screen she could see Shinji spare only a momentary glance at the Lance before heading in to grapple with the Legion. Whatever it was, it had four limbs, and an odd musculature that was entirely visible. The Eva's head shook under a thunderous impact, and the camera mount came free. Designed for severe stress under combat, the unit survived it's crash to the ground, but was pointed uselessly into the corner of a building.
"Damn it. Shinji are you alright? Speak to me!" Misato said.
Grunt. "Yes Misato?" Crash, Crash, Boom! "Look I'm a little busy now, sorry, I can't talk more, I'll see you when this thing," Grunt "is DEAD!"
Shinji broke contact with the NERV facility and concentrated everything on the battle he was involved in. As soon as he got out of here, he was going to give up Retrieval Piloting, and find an instructor in Martial Arts, to teach him hand-to-hand combat. Knowing Judo would be a huge help right now.
The THING was built like a monstrous bear, that had then had it's eyes gouged out, it's skin ripped off, and it's claws replaced by steel daggers. The thing took a swipe at Shinji, and he raised his left arm, his AT field snapping up to form a shield, protecting him from attack. Mostly. The force of the attack knocked his arm sideways, across his body, and spun him around.
THIS was getting him nowhere. This thing would keep knocking him around until it finally wore him down and killed him. He had to go on the offensive. And that meant retrieving the Lance. He'd made a break for the Lance on three separate occasions, and been blocked by the creature.
Shinji hatched a plan of desperation, and circled the creature, until his back was oriented toward where the Lance lay.
He struck at the creature with his right hand, bringing up his shield arm. The beast drove him back with a terrible crashing blow, and Shinji picked himself up, a little closer to the lance, but still with his back to it. He struck again, and again, picked himself up, a little closer to the Lance. He wasn't sure how close he was, but he hoped it was close enough. He turned around, facing the Lance. There it was. So near. He jumped for it.
And missed. The thing had jumped upon his back, and was crushing his head within its jaws, and raking him with its paws. The pain was unbearable. This was worse than anything he'd ever experience within an EVA before. And the Lance was just too far out of reach. He scrabbled at it, trying to bring it too him, but he couldn't reach it.
The thing wrenched his head back, and shook it from side to side.
'Good thing Misato can't see this, she'd either cry or get sick,' he thought through the pain.
"Shinji's AT field is Collapsing," came a transmission from the Command Center.
"What? Shinji? Shinji come in. What's going on out there, we're totally blind in her? Damn it!" Misato swore.
Like a rag doll in a dogs jaws Shinji was tossed around beneath the creature. The pain was overwhelming, and he was starting to pass out. His vision was graying at the edges, and was starting to collapse into a single pinpoint of light. The gray was turning black.
Black.
Black.
Darkness closing in all around him.
'The destiny of one is mirrored by the destiny of the other.'
What was that?
Oh yes, that was something not-Shinji had said.
The pain was fading now, only the occasional wrenching agony penetrating the haze.
'For while the Universe may depend upon your continued victory'
It was so peaceful.
'against the Legions of the Fallen'
Jeez didn't these guys ever shut up?
The pain was almost gone now, it felt very peaceful.
'the life of Asuka Langley Soryu depends upon you as well.'
'Asuka,' he thought dreamily.
'Shinji? Shinji is that really you?'
'No. I'm not really me. I'm the EVA. And the Legion have beaten me. This sucks, it was only my first fight, and I blew it.'
'The who? Shinji, what do you mean you're the EVA, and you've been beaten?'
'Don't worry, it's alright. The pains gone now, and I can finally die.'
'Shinji, don't die. What ever you do. Don't die.'
'You're almost as big a pain in the ass as that damn not-Shinji, you know that Asuka?'
'Not-Shinji?'
'Yeah, that's what I said. The not-Shinji. He told me the whole damn Universe, and God were depending on me to beat the Legions of the Fallen. Ever hear a more ridiculous bunch of crap?'
'Shinji what are you fighting?'
'A big naked demon bear. See he knocked the spear out of my reach, so I tried to get it, but he was too fast. I think he's about to crush my skull.'
'Shinji, no.' the sound of weeping
'Shinji?'
'Mmm, yeah?'
'Fight this thing Shinji, you can do it. I know you can.'
'Why? It won't do any good. They wouldn't let me come to you. Told me I had to stay here and be the Savior or Humanity.'
'And you can be. You will be. I know you Shinji, you don't give up. Not when it's really important. You saved me time and time again in the EVA's and I never thanked you.'
'No problem Asuka, I'd do it for you all over again. Well, except I'm gonna be dead in a minute, so I guess I can't. I'm sorry.'
'Don't you apologize. You fight. Fight this thing like you've never fought before.'
'What's the point Asuka. I'll just keep having to keep fighting. It'll be just like before. Misato will become like my Father. She has to; she's the commander of NERV. That's what they do.'
'No Shinji, she won't, she's not like that. Do you know what the last thing she told me was?'
'No idea.'
'She asked me if I was thinking about how much you love me. And then she wanted to know if you'd told me before I lifted off.'
'Oh, you mean when...'
'When I ran you down, Shinji. I'm sorry.'
'Hey, none of that, I'm the one who says that. Quit stealing my apologies.'
'Were you hurt much?'
'Bah. No big deal. I died. I got better. End of story.'
Sob 'You died?'
'Yeah. Not the first time you know. I've always come back before.
'Oh. Anyway, Misato said that you'd always loved me.'
'Yeah. I felt it the first time we were in your EVA, and we Synced to beat that under water Angel. That was when I knew. Couldn't say anything though. You'd have killed me.'
'Jerk, no I wouldn't have.'
'Yeah you would have Asuka. You don't love me, so it's no big deal if you kill me right?'
'Who says I don't?'
'Everyone accept Hikari. She really got my hopes up there for a while, but that's okay, I forgive her for lying to me. She just wanted to spare my feelings. Hey, tell her goodbye for me, if you ever see her again will you? Her and the guys. I'll miss them a bunch.'
'Shinji, don't die. You can't die. You have to live. You have to fight. You have to win.'
'Go! Fight! Win! Hurray for team EVA.'
'Shinji, are you paying attention to me?'
'Sorry, getting kinda light headed here. Must be just about over. It's a lot more peaceful than the last couple times, you know. At least I didn't end up in the damn subway again.'
'The subway?'
'Never mind. You had to be there. Although you were a couple times, but then I guess that those were really not-Asuka's weren't they.' Laugh
'You're making less and less sense Shinji.'
'Well I guess you do that when you die.'
Can you kill a man in cold blood, just because he's trying to tell you that he's in love with you?
'What was that Shinji?'
'Hmm? Oh, that. Nothing, just one of the memories that I'm seeing. You know, this whole life before your eyes thing is really over rated. I mean, there's no pause, no slow mo, no rewind, no chapter skip, no index. Kinda sucks really.'
'I remember that too Shinji, I'm sorry.'
'Asuka, what have I told you, that's MY line, I'm not gonna warn you again. I think that would be considered plagiarism.'
DON'T LEAVE ME! AISHITERU!!" (I love you)
'Was that another memory?'
'Hmm? Oh that. Yeah don't you remember? That's what I yelled after you left the Reception hall.'
'Goofball, I wasn't there so how could I hear you.'
'Oh that's right. I'm sorry. Ha. See there, I was finally able to tell you how I feel, and you weren't around to hear it.' yawn 'So tired. Could you just talk to me until I fall asleep? Like you did when we first Awakened?'
'Shinji you can't sleep, you can't give up, you have to fight this.'
'Nah, but thanks for the advice. It's really too late now. I think it's about to rip my head off my body.'
'Shinji.' sob 'Shinji do you know why I left?'
'Yeah, we just discussed this didn't we? You hate me.'
'No Shinji, I don't. I'm scared. That's why I left.'
'You. Asuka. Scared? Yeah right, tell me another one.'
'Really Shinji. See I didn't believe that anyone could love me or even accept me for myself, because no-one ever has before. The only person I could ever depend on was myself.'
'Hey, I've been there for you a LOT.'
'I know Shinji, and that's just it. I was so conceited, so self absorbed, that I didn't see it. And then I blew it.'
YOU IDIOT!
'See Shinji even your memories agree with me. I'm not a good person.'
'Hey have you noticed that these memory things are running backwards, but people are still talking forward?'
'Pay attention Shinji!'
yawn 'Okay, just for a little bit longer though. I've got to go soon.'
'Shinji. Now I need you to listen to me, I need you to understand. I realize now that you didn't set up the situation at the reception, and I shouldn't have reacted that way. But I had to leave, afterwards. I decided that I have to go home and settle some things with myself. I've been so isolated and alone for so long that I can't even hear my own heart anymore.'
'Okay.'
'Shinji, I know you love me. But before I can let you love me, I have to love myself. Do you understand that? It's either that or I'll eventually tear us apart. And I couldn't stand that because it would destroy you.'
'I understand. That's awfully nice of you Asuka. Thanks'
'But you have to live Shinji. I can't ever come back to you, if you aren't there to come back to.'
'No I suppose not.'
'So you need to wake up and start fighting this thing. Keep fighting. Keep winning. And someday, I promise, I'll return to you.'
'...'
'Shinji?'
'...'
'Shinji!'
'...'
'SHINJI YOU BAKA WAKE UP!'
'no. I'm gonna die now Asuka. I'll see you on the other side, I guess.'
'Shinji? Shinji-chan? Shinji-chan can you hear me?
'...'
soft sobs 'Shinji-chan, please don't die.'
'...'
'Shinji-Chan. SHINJI-CHAN SUKARISHITE'(Don't Leave Me/ Don't Die!)
The Legion beast had crushed and ripped Unit-01's body, until the joints were all dislocated, and most of the bones were broken.
Misato had long ago given up trying to rouse Shinji on the communications network, after the remaining NERV personnel had managed to get a satellite surveillance camera aimed to the site of the battle. The Shinji/EVA was down, and no one had any hope it was ever getting up again.
The creature was now standing with all four legs atop the EVA, and was trying to rip his head off with its jaws.
"... have to wait ..." it was barely a whisper.
Misato looked up at the screen.
Was she imagining things or had Unit-01's right arm just healed itself.
"... can't abandon her, can't abandon them..." it was a little louder this time, but where was it coming from?
No. No she wasn't imagining it. There was that flash of an AT field around the legs of the EVA, and they suddenly straightened from their numerous awkward angles.
"Shinji?" Misato whispered into the receiver.
"ASUKA-CHAN!"
"CODE ORANGE! AT FIELD DETECTED! THE READINGS ARE OFF THE SCALE!" Shigeru shouted.
On the Satellite transmission Unit-01 was suddenly up again, snapping out its destroyed left arm. There was an orange flash of light, and the arm was repaired. Whole.
The Legion charged Shinji. Casually, with almost no effort, he grabbed the thing under the throat, and lifted it free of the ground. It slashed at him again and again, but every time it connected, an orange flash would instantly heal the wound.
"NO YOU DON'T! SHE TOLD ME I HAD TO LIVE! SHE TOLD ME I HAD TO WAIT FOR HER! SHE TOLD ME SHE'D COME BACK! AND I PROMISED HER I WOULD WAIT FOR HER FOREVER IF I HAD TO, KONO YARU!"
Shinji/Eva extended his right arm, and the Lance of Longinus flew through the air, and into his outstretched hand, called to the side of its master. Suddenly the Lance transformed yet again, and now it appeared to be an EVA sized Katana. With a single slash, the beasts head flew free of its body. Shinji released the lifeless body, and walked over to the head, which he stomped on. The skull of the beast crumbled, and the Legion's small dark S2 unit was revealed. Shinji lifted it before his eyes, held it there briefly, and crushed it.
"It's gone, the Legion has been destroyed," Makoto reported.
Misato was crying in joy. Shinji was alive. And he'd beaten that thing. On the screen the Lance remained in the form of a Katana, but a soft orange glow formed around it, and a sheath appeared to surround it. Standing up tall. Shinji/EVA turned and walked toward the Airfield, finally stopping in one of the larger spaces reserved for transport craft, it knelt down, balanced on the balls of it's feet, and planted the sword before it, gripping the handle for balance, and bowed its head, as a Samurai awaiting it's lords pleasure. There was a flash on the screen, and a moment later, Shinji Ikari, nude and shivering walked out of the shadow of the EVA and looked around.
Ten minutes later Toji's SUV and Misato's Sports car crested the rise overlooking the airbase, and came speeding though the gates. Toji was the first to come to a stop, and leapt from his car, looking for Shinji.
"Shinji? Shinji! Where are you?"
"Toji! Here I am, over here," came a voice from behind the cars.
"Well come on out here buddy, and lets give you a hero's welcome."
"I don't think so Toji."
"Why not?"
"Toji. I'm naked."
Toji and the others, who had walked up behind him as he talked to Shinji, burst into laughter.
"Hang on a minute buddy, I left a change of cloths in the back of the car." He left, and returned quickly with a black jogging suit. Shinji gratefully took the cloths and put them on, and then walked out from behind the car he'd been using as cover.
"Thanks Toji."
"No problem, Shinji."
"Shinji, I'm so proud of you," Misato said crying, and rushing up to hug him.
"Misato? Did you realize that you're still wearing your wedding dress and that it's ruined? There's blood all over it," Shinji pointed out.
"And you can expect to get my dry cleaning bill you jerk!" she cried.
"Come on, I don't know about anyone else, but I think we have a wedding reception to attend," Kaji said.
"Kaji, you can't be serious, the wedding was yesterday," Shinji observed.
"I don't care. We were enjoying a beautiful wedding reception, and I mean to pick up where we left off. Come on Misato," he said, grabbing his wife by the arm.
Twenty minutes later found the six of them back at the Temple and Reception Hall. Sure enough, they were the only ones here. The guests, abandoned by the kids and the newlyweds, had eventually drifted off. Their presents were still here, and they decided to go ahead and open them later at home. Misato glanced around and noticed her bouquet of roses. She grinned.
"Well, are you ready for this?" she asked Hikari.
"What?" she exclaimed, looking around wildly. "Aren't there supposed to be a lot of other girls here?"
"Normally, but I think I like this arrangement. Here goes," she said, turning her back to Hikari, and tossing the flowers into the air. The flowers landed right in Hikari's outstretched hands.
"Hey, don't forget this," Kaji said, running his hand up Misato's leg, and rubbing the garter through her dress.
"Oh, that's right," she said, turning to kiss him.
"Okay boys, line up," she called, and pulled a chair towards her. Seeing the boys trying to figure out what to do, she just smiled. She hiked her dress up, and put her foot on top of the seat, allowing Kaji to slide the garter down her leg. It also allowed the boys to see up her dress quite a ways, and the tops of her stockings and the clips of her Garter Belt were plainly visible. Toji turned around to toss the Garter, and found three boys with severe nosebleeds.
"THAT'S MY WIFE YOU'RE DROOLING OVER!" he shouted in mock annoyance, snapping all three boys out of it. "Okay guys, here it comes," he said, turning his back, and tossing it over his head. He heard a gasp, a loud thunk, and laughter, and had to turn around to see what had happened. Toji, evidently in the center, had had the fortune to have the garter land right in his face. Overwhelmed by the implications, and the fact that so intimate a piece of Misato's apparel was hanging right before his eyes, the poor lad had fainted dead away.
"Somebody wake him up, while I get us some music," he laughed, heading out to the car. Once there he opened the trunk and pulled out his portable boom box and CD Player. He brought them back in, connected them, and put in a custom mix CD. As the first song swelled he and Misato, and a revived Toji and Hikari began to dance.
Shinji sat in a chair, overlooking the dance floor, next to Kensuke. He wore the most beatific smile on his face that anyone had ever seen.
"So tell me Shinji, after everything that's happened in the last day, why are you still so happy?" Kensuke asked.
"Because Kensuke, I got to kiss Asuka. And I told her that I love her. And then, when I was fighting the Legion, I had a vision. Asuka told me that she'd be back, and made me promise to wait for her. And I will Kensuke; I'll wait until she returns. I'll wait forever if I have to." Shinji smiled to himself, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and squeezing himself tight. Remembering all the good and the bad times he and Asuka had shared together. He couldn't wait.
He got up and walked to the punch bowl and got himself a large cup, and took a sip. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, and he shouted so he could be heard over the music.
"Hey Kensuke, do you know what happened to my Bike? In all the excitement I forgot about it."
Four pairs of eyes, belonging to the dancing couples, turned to stair at the bespectacled youth.
"Uh. Shinji, about your bike..."
Next on Episode 2:10 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Asuka has her mind set on returning to Germany, but things will disrupt her plans, and instead of a short trip taking hours, it will become a test of her character, her will to survive, and her physical stamina.
It's Evangelion Episode 2:10 A new life
Episode 2:09 Crouching toward Nagoya-2, the Beast arrives.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is Sunday June 12th, 2016
Misato strode into the NERV Command Center, and, immediately the two technicians on duty snapped to attention and saluted.
"Situation report."
"Ma'am. The Shepherd reported an anomaly coming out of Lake Biwa, three miles south of Nagahama. Since then it has been traveling over land at nearly 100 kph, and should reach us here within the next six to eight minutes."
"Pattern?"
"Pattern Blue, Angel confirmed. But the computer has registered a 0.999% variation between this Angel and all previously encountered Angels."
"Get me Shinji."
"Roger Ma'am, patching communications though to Unit-01 now."
Misato sat looking at a blank screen. There was the interior of the Entry Plug, the place that Shinji usually sat, but there was no Shinji. Instead, his clothing, the cloths he had been wearing six months ago, during Third Impact, floated within the LCL.
"Shinji?"
"Yes, Misato," Shinji/EVA replied.
"Um, we're looking at the entry plug, and you're cloths are there, but not you. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Fine Misato. In fact I've never felt better. This is incredible. I can't describe it to you, except to say that I AM EVA."
Misato shook her head, finding that very disturbing. "Shinji, we have data regarding the new Angel."
"They're not really Angels Misato. I was told they are the Legion of the Fallen. And after what I've just been through, I think I'd like to call them the Legion. I'll never be comfortable calling them Angels again."
"Okay Shinji, you're the expert on this new threat. Legion they are. Makoto says you have a Legion heading for you at 100 kph from the west on a heading of 274 degrees relative. Are you ready?"
"More than ever," he said, twirling the Lance of Longinus before him.
"Um. Guy's can we get an external view through the EVA's head cams? Looking at that empty Entry Plug brings up some pretty terrible memories."
"Sure Commander, just a moment. There you go, Ma'am, External Monitors activated."
The view changed, and now Misato was seeing what Shinji was seeing. The Lance was spinning easily in Shinji/EVA's right hand. Evidently he'd picked up some skills in that Traditional Arts class he'd taken last year. He hadn't wanted to sign up for it, but Misato insisted that it would compliment his Military training through NERV. He'd had training in the use of the Boken and the Staff.
"Making use of that TA instruction from school finally?"
"Yes, Misato." Shinji/EVA sighed. Suddenly Shinji crouched down even more, and the Lance lay out before him, along the street, yet still gripped tightly in his hand.
"Do you see it?" Misato asked.
"Yes. Can you pick it up on the cameras? There's a strange dark crimson aura coming down the valley there."
"Nothing here Shinji. Wait. There's a dust trail. Is that it?"
"It's not in the dust trail, the Legion is making the trail. Man that thing is ugly."
"What is it?"
"I don't know, some kind of animal, but it's huge, bigger than anything I've ever seen."
Misato could finally see a small shape at the head of the dust trail, and tried to get a good look at it. The screen blurred slightly as Shinji leaped into action. He was running flat out, Lance held low and at the ready in his right hand. The thing coming towards him, what ever it was, had detected him, and was zeroing in on him.
"Damn it Shinji, can you hold your head still for a moment so we can get a good look at it. We don't have the sensors here that we had in Tokyo-3. Without your eye's we're blind down here," Misato complained.
"Look at it when it's dead, Misato, I'm busy. rrrrRRRRRRAAAAAAA," he growled as he engaged the creature.
He stabbed at it with the Lance, hoping for a quick kill, but the thing batted the Lance away with such force, that it was ripped out of his hand, and landed almost a mile away.
"Well THAT'S not a good thing," Misato said.
On the screen she could see Shinji spare only a momentary glance at the Lance before heading in to grapple with the Legion. Whatever it was, it had four limbs, and an odd musculature that was entirely visible. The Eva's head shook under a thunderous impact, and the camera mount came free. Designed for severe stress under combat, the unit survived it's crash to the ground, but was pointed uselessly into the corner of a building.
"Damn it. Shinji are you alright? Speak to me!" Misato said.
Grunt. "Yes Misato?" Crash, Crash, Boom! "Look I'm a little busy now, sorry, I can't talk more, I'll see you when this thing," Grunt "is DEAD!"
Shinji broke contact with the NERV facility and concentrated everything on the battle he was involved in. As soon as he got out of here, he was going to give up Retrieval Piloting, and find an instructor in Martial Arts, to teach him hand-to-hand combat. Knowing Judo would be a huge help right now.
The THING was built like a monstrous bear, that had then had it's eyes gouged out, it's skin ripped off, and it's claws replaced by steel daggers. The thing took a swipe at Shinji, and he raised his left arm, his AT field snapping up to form a shield, protecting him from attack. Mostly. The force of the attack knocked his arm sideways, across his body, and spun him around.
THIS was getting him nowhere. This thing would keep knocking him around until it finally wore him down and killed him. He had to go on the offensive. And that meant retrieving the Lance. He'd made a break for the Lance on three separate occasions, and been blocked by the creature.
Shinji hatched a plan of desperation, and circled the creature, until his back was oriented toward where the Lance lay.
He struck at the creature with his right hand, bringing up his shield arm. The beast drove him back with a terrible crashing blow, and Shinji picked himself up, a little closer to the lance, but still with his back to it. He struck again, and again, picked himself up, a little closer to the Lance. He wasn't sure how close he was, but he hoped it was close enough. He turned around, facing the Lance. There it was. So near. He jumped for it.
And missed. The thing had jumped upon his back, and was crushing his head within its jaws, and raking him with its paws. The pain was unbearable. This was worse than anything he'd ever experience within an EVA before. And the Lance was just too far out of reach. He scrabbled at it, trying to bring it too him, but he couldn't reach it.
The thing wrenched his head back, and shook it from side to side.
'Good thing Misato can't see this, she'd either cry or get sick,' he thought through the pain.
"Shinji's AT field is Collapsing," came a transmission from the Command Center.
"What? Shinji? Shinji come in. What's going on out there, we're totally blind in her? Damn it!" Misato swore.
Like a rag doll in a dogs jaws Shinji was tossed around beneath the creature. The pain was overwhelming, and he was starting to pass out. His vision was graying at the edges, and was starting to collapse into a single pinpoint of light. The gray was turning black.
Black.
Black.
Darkness closing in all around him.
'The destiny of one is mirrored by the destiny of the other.'
What was that?
Oh yes, that was something not-Shinji had said.
The pain was fading now, only the occasional wrenching agony penetrating the haze.
'For while the Universe may depend upon your continued victory'
It was so peaceful.
'against the Legions of the Fallen'
Jeez didn't these guys ever shut up?
The pain was almost gone now, it felt very peaceful.
'the life of Asuka Langley Soryu depends upon you as well.'
'Asuka,' he thought dreamily.
'Shinji? Shinji is that really you?'
'No. I'm not really me. I'm the EVA. And the Legion have beaten me. This sucks, it was only my first fight, and I blew it.'
'The who? Shinji, what do you mean you're the EVA, and you've been beaten?'
'Don't worry, it's alright. The pains gone now, and I can finally die.'
'Shinji, don't die. What ever you do. Don't die.'
'You're almost as big a pain in the ass as that damn not-Shinji, you know that Asuka?'
'Not-Shinji?'
'Yeah, that's what I said. The not-Shinji. He told me the whole damn Universe, and God were depending on me to beat the Legions of the Fallen. Ever hear a more ridiculous bunch of crap?'
'Shinji what are you fighting?'
'A big naked demon bear. See he knocked the spear out of my reach, so I tried to get it, but he was too fast. I think he's about to crush my skull.'
'Shinji, no.' the sound of weeping
'Shinji?'
'Mmm, yeah?'
'Fight this thing Shinji, you can do it. I know you can.'
'Why? It won't do any good. They wouldn't let me come to you. Told me I had to stay here and be the Savior or Humanity.'
'And you can be. You will be. I know you Shinji, you don't give up. Not when it's really important. You saved me time and time again in the EVA's and I never thanked you.'
'No problem Asuka, I'd do it for you all over again. Well, except I'm gonna be dead in a minute, so I guess I can't. I'm sorry.'
'Don't you apologize. You fight. Fight this thing like you've never fought before.'
'What's the point Asuka. I'll just keep having to keep fighting. It'll be just like before. Misato will become like my Father. She has to; she's the commander of NERV. That's what they do.'
'No Shinji, she won't, she's not like that. Do you know what the last thing she told me was?'
'No idea.'
'She asked me if I was thinking about how much you love me. And then she wanted to know if you'd told me before I lifted off.'
'Oh, you mean when...'
'When I ran you down, Shinji. I'm sorry.'
'Hey, none of that, I'm the one who says that. Quit stealing my apologies.'
'Were you hurt much?'
'Bah. No big deal. I died. I got better. End of story.'
Sob 'You died?'
'Yeah. Not the first time you know. I've always come back before.
'Oh. Anyway, Misato said that you'd always loved me.'
'Yeah. I felt it the first time we were in your EVA, and we Synced to beat that under water Angel. That was when I knew. Couldn't say anything though. You'd have killed me.'
'Jerk, no I wouldn't have.'
'Yeah you would have Asuka. You don't love me, so it's no big deal if you kill me right?'
'Who says I don't?'
'Everyone accept Hikari. She really got my hopes up there for a while, but that's okay, I forgive her for lying to me. She just wanted to spare my feelings. Hey, tell her goodbye for me, if you ever see her again will you? Her and the guys. I'll miss them a bunch.'
'Shinji, don't die. You can't die. You have to live. You have to fight. You have to win.'
'Go! Fight! Win! Hurray for team EVA.'
'Shinji, are you paying attention to me?'
'Sorry, getting kinda light headed here. Must be just about over. It's a lot more peaceful than the last couple times, you know. At least I didn't end up in the damn subway again.'
'The subway?'
'Never mind. You had to be there. Although you were a couple times, but then I guess that those were really not-Asuka's weren't they.' Laugh
'You're making less and less sense Shinji.'
'Well I guess you do that when you die.'
Can you kill a man in cold blood, just because he's trying to tell you that he's in love with you?
'What was that Shinji?'
'Hmm? Oh, that. Nothing, just one of the memories that I'm seeing. You know, this whole life before your eyes thing is really over rated. I mean, there's no pause, no slow mo, no rewind, no chapter skip, no index. Kinda sucks really.'
'I remember that too Shinji, I'm sorry.'
'Asuka, what have I told you, that's MY line, I'm not gonna warn you again. I think that would be considered plagiarism.'
DON'T LEAVE ME! AISHITERU!!" (I love you)
'Was that another memory?'
'Hmm? Oh that. Yeah don't you remember? That's what I yelled after you left the Reception hall.'
'Goofball, I wasn't there so how could I hear you.'
'Oh that's right. I'm sorry. Ha. See there, I was finally able to tell you how I feel, and you weren't around to hear it.' yawn 'So tired. Could you just talk to me until I fall asleep? Like you did when we first Awakened?'
'Shinji you can't sleep, you can't give up, you have to fight this.'
'Nah, but thanks for the advice. It's really too late now. I think it's about to rip my head off my body.'
'Shinji.' sob 'Shinji do you know why I left?'
'Yeah, we just discussed this didn't we? You hate me.'
'No Shinji, I don't. I'm scared. That's why I left.'
'You. Asuka. Scared? Yeah right, tell me another one.'
'Really Shinji. See I didn't believe that anyone could love me or even accept me for myself, because no-one ever has before. The only person I could ever depend on was myself.'
'Hey, I've been there for you a LOT.'
'I know Shinji, and that's just it. I was so conceited, so self absorbed, that I didn't see it. And then I blew it.'
YOU IDIOT!
'See Shinji even your memories agree with me. I'm not a good person.'
'Hey have you noticed that these memory things are running backwards, but people are still talking forward?'
'Pay attention Shinji!'
yawn 'Okay, just for a little bit longer though. I've got to go soon.'
'Shinji. Now I need you to listen to me, I need you to understand. I realize now that you didn't set up the situation at the reception, and I shouldn't have reacted that way. But I had to leave, afterwards. I decided that I have to go home and settle some things with myself. I've been so isolated and alone for so long that I can't even hear my own heart anymore.'
'Okay.'
'Shinji, I know you love me. But before I can let you love me, I have to love myself. Do you understand that? It's either that or I'll eventually tear us apart. And I couldn't stand that because it would destroy you.'
'I understand. That's awfully nice of you Asuka. Thanks'
'But you have to live Shinji. I can't ever come back to you, if you aren't there to come back to.'
'No I suppose not.'
'So you need to wake up and start fighting this thing. Keep fighting. Keep winning. And someday, I promise, I'll return to you.'
'...'
'Shinji?'
'...'
'Shinji!'
'...'
'SHINJI YOU BAKA WAKE UP!'
'no. I'm gonna die now Asuka. I'll see you on the other side, I guess.'
'Shinji? Shinji-chan? Shinji-chan can you hear me?
'...'
soft sobs 'Shinji-chan, please don't die.'
'...'
'Shinji-Chan. SHINJI-CHAN SUKARISHITE'(Don't Leave Me/ Don't Die!)
The Legion beast had crushed and ripped Unit-01's body, until the joints were all dislocated, and most of the bones were broken.
Misato had long ago given up trying to rouse Shinji on the communications network, after the remaining NERV personnel had managed to get a satellite surveillance camera aimed to the site of the battle. The Shinji/EVA was down, and no one had any hope it was ever getting up again.
The creature was now standing with all four legs atop the EVA, and was trying to rip his head off with its jaws.
"... have to wait ..." it was barely a whisper.
Misato looked up at the screen.
Was she imagining things or had Unit-01's right arm just healed itself.
"... can't abandon her, can't abandon them..." it was a little louder this time, but where was it coming from?
No. No she wasn't imagining it. There was that flash of an AT field around the legs of the EVA, and they suddenly straightened from their numerous awkward angles.
"Shinji?" Misato whispered into the receiver.
"ASUKA-CHAN!"
"CODE ORANGE! AT FIELD DETECTED! THE READINGS ARE OFF THE SCALE!" Shigeru shouted.
On the Satellite transmission Unit-01 was suddenly up again, snapping out its destroyed left arm. There was an orange flash of light, and the arm was repaired. Whole.
The Legion charged Shinji. Casually, with almost no effort, he grabbed the thing under the throat, and lifted it free of the ground. It slashed at him again and again, but every time it connected, an orange flash would instantly heal the wound.
"NO YOU DON'T! SHE TOLD ME I HAD TO LIVE! SHE TOLD ME I HAD TO WAIT FOR HER! SHE TOLD ME SHE'D COME BACK! AND I PROMISED HER I WOULD WAIT FOR HER FOREVER IF I HAD TO, KONO YARU!"
Shinji/Eva extended his right arm, and the Lance of Longinus flew through the air, and into his outstretched hand, called to the side of its master. Suddenly the Lance transformed yet again, and now it appeared to be an EVA sized Katana. With a single slash, the beasts head flew free of its body. Shinji released the lifeless body, and walked over to the head, which he stomped on. The skull of the beast crumbled, and the Legion's small dark S2 unit was revealed. Shinji lifted it before his eyes, held it there briefly, and crushed it.
"It's gone, the Legion has been destroyed," Makoto reported.
Misato was crying in joy. Shinji was alive. And he'd beaten that thing. On the screen the Lance remained in the form of a Katana, but a soft orange glow formed around it, and a sheath appeared to surround it. Standing up tall. Shinji/EVA turned and walked toward the Airfield, finally stopping in one of the larger spaces reserved for transport craft, it knelt down, balanced on the balls of it's feet, and planted the sword before it, gripping the handle for balance, and bowed its head, as a Samurai awaiting it's lords pleasure. There was a flash on the screen, and a moment later, Shinji Ikari, nude and shivering walked out of the shadow of the EVA and looked around.
Ten minutes later Toji's SUV and Misato's Sports car crested the rise overlooking the airbase, and came speeding though the gates. Toji was the first to come to a stop, and leapt from his car, looking for Shinji.
"Shinji? Shinji! Where are you?"
"Toji! Here I am, over here," came a voice from behind the cars.
"Well come on out here buddy, and lets give you a hero's welcome."
"I don't think so Toji."
"Why not?"
"Toji. I'm naked."
Toji and the others, who had walked up behind him as he talked to Shinji, burst into laughter.
"Hang on a minute buddy, I left a change of cloths in the back of the car." He left, and returned quickly with a black jogging suit. Shinji gratefully took the cloths and put them on, and then walked out from behind the car he'd been using as cover.
"Thanks Toji."
"No problem, Shinji."
"Shinji, I'm so proud of you," Misato said crying, and rushing up to hug him.
"Misato? Did you realize that you're still wearing your wedding dress and that it's ruined? There's blood all over it," Shinji pointed out.
"And you can expect to get my dry cleaning bill you jerk!" she cried.
"Come on, I don't know about anyone else, but I think we have a wedding reception to attend," Kaji said.
"Kaji, you can't be serious, the wedding was yesterday," Shinji observed.
"I don't care. We were enjoying a beautiful wedding reception, and I mean to pick up where we left off. Come on Misato," he said, grabbing his wife by the arm.
Twenty minutes later found the six of them back at the Temple and Reception Hall. Sure enough, they were the only ones here. The guests, abandoned by the kids and the newlyweds, had eventually drifted off. Their presents were still here, and they decided to go ahead and open them later at home. Misato glanced around and noticed her bouquet of roses. She grinned.
"Well, are you ready for this?" she asked Hikari.
"What?" she exclaimed, looking around wildly. "Aren't there supposed to be a lot of other girls here?"
"Normally, but I think I like this arrangement. Here goes," she said, turning her back to Hikari, and tossing the flowers into the air. The flowers landed right in Hikari's outstretched hands.
"Hey, don't forget this," Kaji said, running his hand up Misato's leg, and rubbing the garter through her dress.
"Oh, that's right," she said, turning to kiss him.
"Okay boys, line up," she called, and pulled a chair towards her. Seeing the boys trying to figure out what to do, she just smiled. She hiked her dress up, and put her foot on top of the seat, allowing Kaji to slide the garter down her leg. It also allowed the boys to see up her dress quite a ways, and the tops of her stockings and the clips of her Garter Belt were plainly visible. Toji turned around to toss the Garter, and found three boys with severe nosebleeds.
"THAT'S MY WIFE YOU'RE DROOLING OVER!" he shouted in mock annoyance, snapping all three boys out of it. "Okay guys, here it comes," he said, turning his back, and tossing it over his head. He heard a gasp, a loud thunk, and laughter, and had to turn around to see what had happened. Toji, evidently in the center, had had the fortune to have the garter land right in his face. Overwhelmed by the implications, and the fact that so intimate a piece of Misato's apparel was hanging right before his eyes, the poor lad had fainted dead away.
"Somebody wake him up, while I get us some music," he laughed, heading out to the car. Once there he opened the trunk and pulled out his portable boom box and CD Player. He brought them back in, connected them, and put in a custom mix CD. As the first song swelled he and Misato, and a revived Toji and Hikari began to dance.
Shinji sat in a chair, overlooking the dance floor, next to Kensuke. He wore the most beatific smile on his face that anyone had ever seen.
"So tell me Shinji, after everything that's happened in the last day, why are you still so happy?" Kensuke asked.
"Because Kensuke, I got to kiss Asuka. And I told her that I love her. And then, when I was fighting the Legion, I had a vision. Asuka told me that she'd be back, and made me promise to wait for her. And I will Kensuke; I'll wait until she returns. I'll wait forever if I have to." Shinji smiled to himself, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and squeezing himself tight. Remembering all the good and the bad times he and Asuka had shared together. He couldn't wait.
He got up and walked to the punch bowl and got himself a large cup, and took a sip. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, and he shouted so he could be heard over the music.
"Hey Kensuke, do you know what happened to my Bike? In all the excitement I forgot about it."
Four pairs of eyes, belonging to the dancing couples, turned to stair at the bespectacled youth.
"Uh. Shinji, about your bike..."
Next on Episode 2:10 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Asuka has her mind set on returning to Germany, but things will disrupt her plans, and instead of a short trip taking hours, it will become a test of her character, her will to survive, and her physical stamina.
It's Evangelion Episode 2:10 A new life