Well, quick new chapter…I hope to update Memento Mori and my other fanfics…And I have a new Drabble Collection starting called "The Thanatos Sessions".

Heh, goodtimes…

Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or its characters. Gainax does, and they rock. Who else could create both Evangelion and FLCL!

Unknown Location

SEELE Committee

A group of gray obelisks stood in the darkness, labeled with numbers and different information. Voices could be heard playing off the walls in the cold, damp darkness.

"The second coming of Angels... It's too abrupt."

"And Ikari's death…This is not in the scenario…Not at all…"

" It's just like fifteen years ago. Disasters always strike without notice."

"This may be fortunate for us from the view that our prior investment has come to nothing."

"His son will be far easier to manipulate…"

" Things have yet to turn out. If it ends up being useless, then it's a waste."

"That's right. As for the anti-Angel measures now commonly known, NERV will control the information about them both quickly and appropriately."

"The Human Complement Project, that is what NERV must give the highest priority."

"That's right. That project is our only hope in such circumstances."

"Anyway, even though Angels have come again, that project must not fall behind schedule. As for Ikari's budgets, they shall be destroyed."

"Indeed, the committee will take over now."

"Humanity has no more time."

Tokyo 3, Japan

NERV Headquarters

Misato sighed, changing television channels and yawning.

She was quite jittery lately, as she had been promoted to Sub-Commander of the entire Tokyo-3 NERV Facility until Gendo recovered, while Kouzou had been promoted to the commanding position, and Makoto had taken her position. This was all temporary however, as long as Gendo was living.

"The Government announcement this morning regarding yesterday's state of special emergency says..."

"In this incident..."

"The U.N. forces in Japan..."

Misato yawned, fanning herself and turning to Ritsuko.

"The announcement was "Scenario D-22". The facts were hushed up again.

Ritsuko smiled grimly.

"The people in the Public Relations Department seem happy to finally have something to do."

"They seemed rather optimistic."

"Well... The truth is that everyone is afraid…"

"Of course..."

"By the way, have you heard Misato? Shinji has recovered consciousness…His room was only a few minutes away from the one where the Commander is in critical condition from his injuries. It was reckless of him to enter the Main Shaft."

"How…is the Third Child, Ritsuko?"

"No external wounds, but his memory is somewhat confused…I had him transported to my apartment for now…A temporary arrangement."

"Are you sure that's the right thing to do, Akagi? Is he mentally contaminated?"

" I was told not to worry about it by Commander Fuyutsuki…"

"I see... "

It's a wonder that no major damage was caused by Evangelion Unit 01 going berserk. A severe burden was imposed on Shinji's cranial nerves…"

"I see…"

Misato sighed, gazing out and watching as NERV transports carried a massive gun away.

"If Eva and this city function properly, we'll be able to win."

"So you'll defeat the Angels? You are as optimistic as always, Sub-Commander…"

"Wishful thinking is a necessity for human life."

Ritsuko smiled grimly.

"I guess. Your optimistic character is refreshing, as always…"

"Thanks …Remember to give the Third Child my regards…"

Tokyo 3, Japan

NERV Headquarters

Misato stood on the elevator, staring quietly at Ritsuko.

"Are you sure it's right that he stay at your place?"

Ritsuko looked bemused.

"What, jealous Misato?"

"Oh, gimme a break Akagi!"

No…there's something odd about that boy…the rage in his voice…his bloodthirst…I saw that battle…

"Is it really natural that Shinji not be with his father?"

Ritsuko sighed as the elevator reached the level and stepped off, peering emotionlessly back at Misato.

"If anything, it's more unusual for them to be living together…"

She turned around, making her way towards the exit.

Gendo…Gendo…Gendo…My lie has become truth, hasn't it? Who is this young man of the cursed Ikari bloodline that you've abandoned? Her son, isn't he?But not your son, no, not anymore…

His father strolled away quietly, ignoring his screams, tears running down young Shinji's face, bitter burning tears of an abandoned child.

"No! Where's mamma! Don't leave me! Please! Stop it! No!"

"Shinji…"

Shinji Ikari gasped, opening his eyes wide and writhing in surprise, a calm yet stiff hand stopping him.

His eyes drifted up to notice Ritsuko Akagi, who averted her glance, sighing.

Ikari noticed then that he was in an unfamiliar room with an unfamiliar ceiling in an unfamiliar bed.

What…happened?

"What happened…Miss Akagi?"

"Doctor-No, you can call me Ritsuko, Shinji."

"Alright…um…Ritsuko…"

"You don't remember what happened?"

Ritsuko sighed, delivering news that sent a shiver up Shinji's spine.

His father, Gendo Ikari's condition had apparently worsened since Shinji had fought the angel. Such a powerful man helpless to the cords of fate, which were even now spinning new events, or perhaps being cut. Shinji didn't know what to think about his father...Those kind words...The abandonment...He could not forgive his father for that...ever!

Yet he could not bring himself to despise his father. He almost felt sympathy for the man, since they shared the common feeling of loss. Yui Ikari. For Shinji the loss of a mother he had barely known but still dreamed of. For Gendo the loss of a wife and collaborator, and perhaps Shinji thought, a true love.

He couldn't summon the energy to cry, but he felt an immense emptiness, glancing up at Ritsuko.

"Where…am I?"

Ritsuko blushed.

"Errr, my apartment. Your new living quarters…"

He looked taken aback.

"Um…You didn't have to do that Miss Ritsuko, it's alright….I prefer being alone…"

"It's alright Shinji, I've already arranged everything…This makes it easier for me to monitor your physical and mental health…"

For a second Shinji seemed almost disappointed, though it was probably a trick of the light.

"Oh."

"Well, feel free to rest, these are your new quarters, I'll have your clothes and bags sent over…We need to wake up early for sync testing tomorrow."

She smiled brightly, though it seemed rather artificial, and left the apartment, Shinji staring quietly at the ceiling.

"I prefer…being alone...every place is the same…"

Tokyo 3, Japan

Ritsuko Akagi's Apartment

Ritsuko sighed, settling in her bedroom.

Maybe Misato's right…Why did I arrange for him to stay at my place? Did I feel sorry for him? For HIS son? Am…I feeling guilty about what I told him! It's not a lie dammit, it…it's like it came to pass basically…The ends justify the means…

She drew the blankets over her sparsely-clothed form, feeling chilly.

No…This…is purely for monitoring purposes. The Third Child must be kept stable and docile…

Tokyo 3, Japan

Ritsuko Akagi's Apartment

Shinji awoke, feeling shy and noticing that it was quite late in the morning, wiping morning tears from his face and glancing around the still unfamiliar room, noticing that his clothes had arrive.

Quickly dressing, he stepped timidly out of the room, looking around.

Ritsuko's apartment was sparsely decorated but rather roomy, noticing the kitchen a few feet away, the bathroom, living room and two other bedrooms, one of which was probably Ritsuko's. Apparently she was still inside one.

Turning to the kitchen, he entered and his hands began to move almost without his urging, breakfast made quickly, the smell of eggs filling the apartment.

He'd always been used to such duties…It was…expected of him.

Breakfast cooking, he decided a shower would be nice, to clear his mind of all this confusion and madness.

Quietly he strolled into the bathroom, just in time to collide with Ritsuko's naked form.

"Ahh!"

She gasped and an instant blush went all through his body as he darted out of the bathroom, muttering a quick apology.

Ritsuko cursed herself, quickly grabbing her clothes.

I'm not used to having to close the door…or live with someone else…but…change is alright I suppose.

Fully clothing herself, she stepped out, Shinji timidly at the dinner table with breakfast cooked as well.

This…is new as well…

"You…didn't have to Shinji…"

Shinji nodded, not making eye contact.

"I'm just…used to it…I always did that back home with my tutor…"

"Well…welcome home, Shinji Ikari…"

They stared at each other for what seemed like ages, then, the phone rang.

Ritsuko quickly picked it up, answering.

"Yes? Dr. Ritsuko Akagi…He's? Yes…Yes…right here…Alright…Okay…Immediately."

She put down the phone and looked grimly at Shinji Ikari.

"Shinji…your father has passed…We need to leave…Now."

The Third Child strolled towards the door, words echoing in his mind as he moved, they seemed to just flow out of him.

I feel nothing…

Shinji paused by the front door as Ritsuko put on her shoes, staring out into the city around him, the uniform, almost identical buildings.

I am…nothing

Tokyo 3, Japan

NERV Headquarters, NERV Infirmary

Shinji Ikari stared at Ritsuko as she led him into the small dark adjoining room of the NERV Infirmary room they had entered. She had protested at his request at first, but noting his odd condition, finally gave in. He would be able to see his father.

Shinji stood silently beside the large table where Gendo Ikari was lain out, a blanket luckily covering his naked body from his neck down. Oddly enough, he was still wearing his glasses, even in death; no one had cared to remove them.

"So Shinji, there you are, I don't know why you had such a morbid request anyway."

A few minutes passed of Shinji staring at Gendo's face, looking at the menacing stare that still remained there even in death. No one had cared to shut Gendo's eyelids either, it looked like he had died with a look of utter sadness and resignation on his face, an odd emotion he never seemed to show that now made his face look odd and alien, almost like a circus clown, Shinji noted without amusement.

"Shinji? Are you okay? Maybe this wasn't a good idea…"

Shinji nodded and Ritsuko slowly left the room.

The Third Child stopped though, and returned quickly, his hands reaching out and carefully removing Gendo's glasses and after staring at the initials "G.I" on the sides, putting them slowly on his face, cautiously as if they were dangerous or cursed.

Shinji paused and stared through the tinted glasses. He saw nothing different through these glasses, he saw no change, yet he felt a certain sympathy for his father. Yet another Ikari yearning for Yui, yet another outcast, shunned by friends, damned to go on a path of terror. His father had wanted to see him before he had died…perhaps…

Shinji Ikari suddenly felt quite comfortable with the glasses on his face.

A familiar voice streamed through the room's intercom.

"Shinji Ikari, the Commander Fuyutsuki is ready to see you now."

Ritsuko turned around at the sound of the intercom, quickly motioning for Shinji to hurry up with her hand. The motions stopped in mid-beckon however, as Ritsuko Akagi beheld Gendo incarnate. The young Ikari had on a simple NERV uniform, dark and black and almost identical to the one his father wore regularly, and there were signs of the telltale Ikari facial features growing, the rigid but somewhat handsome face. And now these glasses.

Ritsuko blushed deeply and then shook her head, glancing at Shinji.

"Shinji, take those off right now, you look ridiculous!"

Tokyo 3, Japan

NERV Headquarters, Commander's Office

Shinji stood in front of the dark, expansive closed doors of the Commander's office. He had not been here many times, and the few times he had been were full of bad memories. Memories he no longer cared for.

A voice from inside of the office shook Shinji from his mental revelry. It was Commander Fuyutsuki.

"You may come in Shinji."

Shinji slowly entered the dark office, almost instantly realizing it had been changed slightly. It was still dark and threatening, but there were a few more lights in the room, as long as many more Section 2 guards. Also, the personage of Fuyutsuki behind the desk was not threatening at all, perhaps authorative and wise, but certainly not menacing. In fact he seemed to be currently giving Shinji a very sympathetic and kind old man's look as the Third Child approached.

"Shinji. I am glad to see you. I never did get to meet you on your arrival...I feel your pain, and I was a dear friend of your mother's"

Shinji shied away but did not succumb. Some parts of Fuyutsuki's talk seemed genial and truthful but he could sense some artificiality in some of the comments.

"Alright, Commander."

"No need to call me that Shinji, just call me Mr. Fuyutsuki, in fact Commander may no longer apply to me anyway…"

"Huh, what do you mean, Comm-"

"Mr. Fuyutsuki"

"Yeah…Mr. Fuyutsuki…"

"Well, you will see my meaning soon enough, Shinji. And that brings me to the current matter; there are your father's papers, his personal things, and his will and testament."

"His personal things? And his will?"

"Yes, I will leave you be in this room, they are all lain strewn on my desk, his papers, even dating back to before he met your mom. As well as his will and testament, this is worth reading as well."

Shinji nodded sadly and walked towards the Commander's desk as Fuyutsuki and the agents walked past him.

"Goodbye Shinji, this will be very interesting for you."

Shinji did not reply as the door closed and sent the room into darkness except for the dim lights.

He looked at the foremost document.

I, Gendo Ikari, being 49 years of age and of sound mind and body, do hereby request the following upon my death:

1) That no public or private funeral or memorial services be held in my honor;

2) That the NERV Medical Ward takes charge of my body after death and arrange for, and supervise the cremation of my remains.

3) That my remains are to be immediately cremated or cremated as soon as practical after my death.

4) That my cremated remains be scattered in the over the memorial marker marking Yui Ikari in the Tokyo 3 Memorial Cemetery.

5.) That once he has reached the age of 15, Shinji Ikari be designated the new commander of the NERV organization. This has been previously approved by the correct organizations. And that all my earthly belongings are designated under Shinji Ikari.

Shinji's eyes widened perceptively and the veins in his foreheads bulged at the last item.

"What? Fifteen? In a year!"

His eyes fell on an envelope attached to the will, and he quickly opened it, staring at the document inside.

Shinji, my son. You may find my actions questionable, but that is inevitable. We have never understood each other; no one can fully understand another, that is the tragedy of man. Yet I realize now my foolishness. We both have a personal longing, you for a mother, I for a wife, both the same person, Yui Ikari.

He tried to shut the will and the note out of his mind, that was impossible, but…perhaps…

He stared at the next document, a dirty piece of paper that he could barely read.

My glance fell on a girl my age trotting past me, but it was too discreet for anyone to notice. Yui Ikari, beautiful by all standards and smart as well, she was no model of course, but she had fair hair and a nice face that hinted at a patrician upbringing. Indeed she was simply the latest in a long stream of girls of similar nature and appearance that I have secretly admired, all through high school even. I felt my gaze wandering to her long legs, to her kind face, to her blue eyes, and wondered why I was so mesmerized by them. I could come up with simply hundreds of thousands of adjectives to describe them, but no words to explain why I felt this way. They were simple body parts, nothing more, why did I find them so sublimely beautiful? How did I even bring up my definition of beautiful? Perhaps this was what I've been programmed over the years to be mesmerized, by the media, by the people around me. But I supposed that that is how one defines oneself, by the entities and objects around themselves. She is certainly quite mesmerizing.

Shinji stifled back a choking moan, the documents were touching him in a place where he felt quite uncomfortable, he felt uneasy as the few memories of his mother surfaced past his iron mental walls.

It has been so peaceful to lie there in her arms as she swayed him back and forth, cooing sweet words, it had been the only truly happy moment of his life.

Shinji slammed his fist onto the desk and then stared blankly off into space.

Shinji smiled sadly and without much emotion as he went back into his reading.

I'm not used to being liked. Being hated, on the other hand, is quite familiar.

Unknown Location

SEELE Committee

The dark room that constituted the meeting place for the SEELE Committee was silent. Few knew of the location of this place, other than a few choice officials and servants to SEELE itself. They were practically invincible. Few knew of their true names, or even what they currently looked like or where they lived.

Assassination attempts had occurred, but those were few in number and doomed from the start. They had nothing to fear, except perhaps the trust they had put in a few men outside the committee, such as the commander of NERV.

They had received news of Gendo's death and of his son's arrival, but to them it was irrelevant. And Ikari was always an Ikari, a treacherous snake who was always planning ulterior motives. The only difference, they hoped, was that Shinji and Fuyutsuki's will would be far more malleable.

Keele grumbled, bringing silence to the rest of the Committee.

"Ikari tried to turn his son into a God, we see this now, more than ever."

"Perhaps. But if that is so, who shall be the conductor of the final phase?"

"It is no matter what this Ikari is doing. Fate is ever present. The final plan will occur, whether Ikari likes it or not.

"He is inexperienced."

"His will is weak."

"It shall break."

Well, hope that wasn't a horrible chapter or anything…Boring? Lame?

It's progressing along…

And yeah, you might be saying, "What! This is more Ritsuko/Shinji or Shinji/Nothing than Rei/Shinji!"

But to that I say, "Are you retarded?"

What do you want, Rei to show up and start passionately making out with Shinji or something? Have patience…