Disclaimer: See chapter one
Chap. 25
Shinji strode home from school, once again alone. It had been three days since Misato's
and Ritsuko's arrest and Shinji was left to himself during that time (with the exception of
Pen-Pen). Now while Shinji was used to feel alone, this time wasn't as depressing as
normally. But it did unnerve him still. As a Jedi, he was taught to value such times, since
they gave time for meditation. But then that meant that Shinji would have to remember
the things that had occurred recently, none of which were pleasant. The arrest, Ritsuko
revealing the truth about Rei, the dark stranger that attacked him, all of this seemed
overwhelming even now. Perhaps this quiet time was what he needed now to sort it out.
Still, he wished he had someone around to talk to.
"Shinji."
Shinji turned, but he had already recognized that it was Karou. Not just from the voice,
but by the surge of the Force that he felt some minutes before.
"Karou. Hi."
The silver-haired boy strode beside him, his ruby eyes twinkling with an unseen
amusement.
"Sorry I haven't been around lately. I've been real busy lately."
Shinji simply nodded in understanding, "It's okay."
Karou looked at his friend and realized something was amiss, "Is something wrong?"
Shinji sighed silently to himself, "Well..."
*********
Misato began to pace in her cell like a rabid animal. The prison itself didn't annoy her or
even bother her that much. Compared to being stuck in a raft as Second Impact erupted
around her, this was nothing. She was however worried about how Shinji was faring.
With Asuka in the hospital, he was virtually alone right now. She didn't know why that
bothered her too much. Probably past feelings of worrying about him. But they weren't
needed now. She had seen the new attitude of the Eva pilot. Or maybe not new, just
dormant. His eyes still remained sad, but the strength that only showed in his battles
with the angel was reflected in them more so now. She was just surprised to see that
reaction from him in that situation. It was enough to shock her almost to silence. But
Shinji reacted very calmly; an eerie sight for the Third Child. She would have to learn
just what it was that made him that way. That is of course, assuming that she lived long
enough to find out.
"Major Katsuragi."
The prison door swung open and two Section-2 guards stepped in. Misato didn't flinch and
merely glared at the dark suited men.
"Commander Ikari wants to see you."
Misato simply stared at them and finally walked out of the prison, with the guards beside
her.
'This is going to be hell.'
***************
The two youths continued on through the streets. As they walked, Shinji told Karou of
everything that had happened up to this point. Karou took the information in silence and
waited for his friend to finish.
"It sounds like you have much ahead of you."
Shinji seemed to have missed the hidden note in that message, "Perhaps. I just...I just
wish the others were around as well." Looking up at Karou, he smiled, "But I'm really glad
you're here."
Karou smiled back, "That's what friends are for, Shinji." He turned away, "Even in the
end."
This time, Shinji noticed. "End?"
Karou didn't answer and went on, "Shinji, I want you to know the time I spent here has
been great." A wishful look crossed his face. "Especially with you. You've shown me a
light of heart that I've never seen before in a lillim." Turning to face the brown-hair boy, "I
want you to remember this. I love you, Shinji Ikari."
Shinji was nearly taken aback by this proclamation, "Karou..."
Karou simply held his smile and then began to move away, "I have to go now, Shinji." He
swiftly strode down the street, leaving the stunned boy behind.
"See ya."
Karou soon disappeared down the street, with Shinji still in the same position. Shinji
couldn't help but feel...happy. No one has ever cared for him that way or even declared it
in such a manner. But he felt that deep in his heart, it was true. Karou cared about him in
a way he had never felt in his lonely life. With exception of his mother, there was no one
else. Shinji was happy to have a friend like that.
So then, why were his instincts bothering him?
****************
Gendo's office...
Misato was once again brought into the dark chamber in which the Commander and
Sub-Commander were at its center. The guard stood on both sides of her, but Misato
wasn't afraid. Or even nervous for that matter. Why she wasn't sure, but she felt
strangely calm right now.
"Katsuragi." Gendo began his usual cold tone present in his voice. "You disobeyed a direct
order and allowed the traitor, Ryoji Kaji, to escape."
"Yes sir." she responded neutrally.
"Because of this, you will be reduced in rank to captain. Consider your time in prison as
time served."
Now her calm began to fade, dominated by sheer confusion. "S-sir?"
"Is there a problem?" he stated coldly.
Misato managed to speak again, "No sir."
"You are dismissed."
Misato immediately left, still in disbelief over what just happened. She had let Kaji, the
traitor, live and all the Commander did was giving her a slap on the wrist. 'No, there must
be more' she pondered. This is Gendo Ikari we're talking about here. He doesn't just let
things go. The only possible reason that she wasn't dead right now was that he must still
have a use for her. And the only use left was the final angel. Once it was destroyed, then
her fate would be sealed. Provided it didn't destroy them and create Third Impact. It
seems that either way, she would die.
'Perhaps...I have no choice.'
Unfortunately, that was when the alarms rang. Misato didn't seem to listen at first, but as
the ringing rang on, she slowly moved to the command deck fully aware of her fate.
***************
The command center was crowded with activity as everyone moved to their stations.
Through this activity, Misato entered in nearly soundlessly. As she watched everyone
scramble, she was amazed that Ritsuko was there as well. Ritsuko was busy getting
things in order. Ritsuko noticed Misato's entrance and the two exchanged a glance and
then Ritsuko turned away. With that ended, Misato went into command mode. She may
not be a major, but she was still in charge at the moment.
"Report!"
Aoba and Shigeru were both surprised to hear Misato's voice, but Aoba managed to
answer.
"We have a blue light alert coming from the Eva hanger."
'The hanger? Just great.' she fumed inwardly. The last angel somehow got into the only
defense they had.
"Can we get a visual?"
"Working on it." Shigeru answered. He began to furiously work on the control panel and
then...
"There."
The image came up and it displayed the Eva cages. The screen was still fuzzy, but a
massive red object could be seen. As the screen cleared, the shape of the object became
undeniable. Eva 02. Maya immediately went to check on the status of the Eva, only to
find more disturbing news.
"This doesn't....there's no one piloting it. In fact, the entire entry plug is absent."
Ritsuko and Misato looked at her in shock. "No." Ritsuko cried. "That's impossible."
Misato simply frowned. If it was an angel, it must have infected the Eva the same way as
Bardiel. But how come they didn't detect it before it reached the hanger? And how did it get
that far to begin with?
"I've localized the blue pattern." Aoba announced. "It's coming from the hand."
The screen zoomed in on the left hand of the unit, showing that it was raised up leveled.
A figure was standing within the Eva's palm. A humanoid figure. Silver hair frayed upward
as it glowed in a fiery red aura.
"That's...Nagisa?" Ritsuko gasped.
"Blue pattern confirmed. It's coming from him." Aoba said.
"He's...the seventeenth angel." Misato whispered.