TRUE WAR

CHAPTER 08

BY WONGA316

COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
I don't own Neon Genesis or any of its characters. If you want to use any ideas in the fiction just drop me an email – wonga316yahoo.com.au

AUTHOR'S NOTES
This is my first attempt at a Neon Genesis fan fiction, so please be gentle. This scenario doesn't take into account the final 2 movies / episodes and Toji never lost his limbs during this activation test. Some of the guys may seem OC to the die-hard fans. Sorry about this but I hope my ideas will make it worthwhile.

"..." = Normal speech

[...] = Thoughts

-...- = Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean...)

GEO FRONT – EMERGENCY SHELTHERS

Escorted by a pair of Section Two Agent, Mana searched the shelters for any sign of the famous Shinji Ikari. She reached shelter three and still no sign of the young man. It then dawn on her she had never meet the man so how could she know if she spotted him [This is hopeless...] She turned towards one of the projection screens in the shelter which the authorities used to provide updates and information on the current situation. A list of names begin to scroll the canvas, was titled Missing Persons. It was common that love ones would be seperated during the mad rush to safety. The screen provided information to those who were concerned about family and friends and alerted them of their possible whereabouts [If only it was that easy...] Mana thought as she glanced at the names, hoping that Shinji's would appear.

TOKYO 3 – CITY SURFACE

Asuka willed her Eva to get a better vantage point of the new Angel. She hugged the palette rifle close to her chest as she lean back against one the of the business district towers. She looked to her left and saw Rei ready and in position with her favorite sniper rifle.

"Hey wonder girl... is it true about... you know... the idiot?" She asked into her comm., sounding a little embarrassed by her question.

-I'm not sure whom you are referring to?- Rei's images appeared on the Asuka's internal monitor.

"You know... who else..."

-If you are referring to my brother, then yes.-

"Well?"

-Well what?-

"How is he? What does he look like now?"

Toji interrupted Rei's response. -Is is true Ayanami?- he asked. –Did you see Shinji?-

"Look stooge, I asked first so you can wait!"

-That's enough all of you- Misato's voice echoed through each of the pilot's comm. devices. –We have an Angel to defeat. Stay focus.-

"We've been watching this thing for almost an hour now." Asuka complained to Misato. "What else do you want us to do?"

-I know everyone is all on edge with the news of Shinji and the Angel but you just have to be patient. The Angel has not initiated any hostile intensions towards us therefore we are taking this time to gather as much data as possible.-

-Major, has there been any news of Shinji?- Rei asked.

-Not yet Rei. Mana is stilling working her way through the shelters.- Yui answered.

-The Angel's AT Field is strengthening- Maya alerted everyone.

-It's show time guys! Be careful!- Misato said before disappearing from the screen. Asuka maneuver her Unit to watched Sachiel lift its arms and towards the sky.

"What the hell is it..." Before she could finish the blast from the Angel's AT Field knocked her on to the ground, eroding her own AT Field. Rei was also surprised by the non-attack and caused her to fumble her rifle. Windows in adjoining buildings shattered and scatted into the wind like a snowstorm, shredding everything in its path. Asuka was force to bat away the occasional rogue car, which was huddled at her like a missile.

-Asu... Re... Its...- Misato's frantic voice crackled through their speakers. –AT... no effect...-

"What the hell? Misato? Can you repeat that?" Asuka replied. Misato repeated her message but this time it was worst than before.

Sachiel lowered its arms and aimed each one at the Eva's. The ramming device on each arm produced a smooth harpoon tip. Sachiel then fired, sending its attack to Rei and Asuka respectively. Unit Two narrowly escaped the harpoon as buried into one of the behind buildings. Asuka watched the Sachiel attack penetrate the concrete and steel like it was nothing. Rei's projectile ran up the barrel of her sniper rifle, peeling it from the inside out. The tip made contact with the explosive round in the chamber and caused an explosion sending her to the ground, with shrapnel flying. Both Units recovered quickly made their way to the nearest weapons cache as the Angel retracted its harpoons and prepared for another attack.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – COMMANDER CENTRE

"ASUKA! REI!" Misato yelled into her mica phone. "I WANT STATS ON THAT NEW WEAPON AND I WANTED THREE MINUTES AGO!" she demanded from the bridge crew.

"It seems that the third as improved its attack..." Ritsuko commented.

"I can see that! I want to know what else it has up its sleeve!"

"MY GOD! REI!" Yui screamed.

TOKYO 3 – CITY SURFACE

Asuka was quicker of the two Evas and manage to pull a spear from the cache. Sachiel launched its second attack and this time Asuka as able to deflect it with her newly acquired arm. Rei on the other hand wasn't as lucky and was hit in the left shoulder with the harpoon. She screamed in agony as she wrestled with the Angel attack. In her struggles she ran into the cache, knocking the oversize weapons into the street. She scrambled for anything that could help her remove the burning and tearing sensation from her shoulder. Some how a butt of a palette rifle came within reach of the Unit Zero's hand. Rei flicked the weapon up into the air and caught it with the Eva fingers fixed on the trigger position. She aimed for the cord that attached the harpoon to the Angel and unloaded her clip.

The bullets torn through the fleshy cord of the harpoon. Sachiel released a scream as it retrieves the damage harpoon. Dark orange blood sprayed surrounding buildings and on Unit Zero. Rei tried to maneuvered her Eva to the cover of some remaining but damaged buildings but found that the tip of the harpoon still remained in the Eva's shoulder. As darkness closely came over eyes, the form of Unit Three came into her display.

-Ayanami! Can you read me?- Toji's voice sounded through her speakers. –Ayanami, are you ok?-

Toji didn't wait for a response to help Unit Zero to the nearest catapult. He carefully slung the undamaged arm of Unit Zero across his shoulders and avoided the debris that littered the city streets.

-Hey Asuka. I'm going to take Ayanami back. Will you be ok?-

NERV HEADQUARTERS – UNIT ONE HOLDING CAGE

Unit One continued to cradle Shinji's unconscious form in its hand. The LCL clung to his torn clothes and his loose hair covered his face. The slow throbbing coming from the back of his head brought him back from unconsciousness

"... My head..." Shinji moaned as he slowly reached for the back of his head. His eyes gradually opened as the rest of his senses came back to him. He found himself slightly cold and wet. When his eyes fully opened he found himself staring up at a large open area with floodlights shinning down on him.

"... What the hell happen?..." He asked no one in particular. His eyes scanned the ceiling and found an unhinged grate swinging slightly. "Shit... My head..." Shinji commented as he saw the blood on his hand when he brought it from the back of his head.

"Why the hell am I wet..." Shinji pulled at his wet clothes as they clung to his body. As he felt the wet substance between his fingers he noticed that it wasn't water. "... Smells like blood..." Shinji's didn't realize the meaning behind his famous words when he noticed that he was lying in something that he hoped he never be in contact again.

In a panic, Shinji whipped his head around and meet the cold eyes of Evangelion Unit One. The eyes glowed dimly at the former pilot. "No...No...No... FUCK NO!" This caused Shinji to crawl backwards across the palm of Unit One while still facing the thing that was the source of all his nightmares. With terror filling every part of his body, Shinji failed to see he had come to the end and consequently fell between the fingers.

"AAARGH!" Shinji screamed as he plummeted towards to coolant that housed Unit One. He shut his eyes and prepared to hold his breath as he watched his reflection off the coolant surface get closer and closer. Then suddenly the hand of Unit One came down and carefully scoped him from the fall that would have certainly caused some serious injuries.

"What the...?" Shinji's body felt the coldness and darkness of steel that enclosed around him. His first reaction was to thrash out and try to break free of the Unit One's fist. He sensed that he was moving upwards as he kicked and punched a possible way out. The movement stopped and light slowly filtered through the cracks between the fingers as they gently opened. Shinji's eyes adjusted to the light and he came face-to-face, eye- to-eye to Unit One once again. Its eyes glowed again, then blast from the surface rocked the room [Shit! The Angel!]

A low growl came from Unit One as it's head tilted forward and a entry plug ejected from the back of the spine with a hiss. "What the hell...?" Shinji whispered.

TOKYO 3 – CITY SURFACE

The remaining harpoon had just knocked down Asuka and as a result her progressive spear fell onto an abandon tanker truck causing a massive explosion.

-ASUKA! ARE YOU OK?- Misato's frantic voice rang through her radio.

[...That one hurt..] "Not so loud, Misato. I'm not dead yet." She replied.

-Unit Three is assisting Rei back to the Geo Front. I want you to avoid direct combat with the Angel until Touji gets back up and we analysis the data collected so far-

"Avoid direct combat... What sort of plan is that." Asuka said to herself. She clicked her radio and replied to Misato request. "Misato, there is a window for attack when the Angel pulls it's harpoon back. I can get close to it during this time and..."

-Hang on Asuka-

"If I'm in close quarters then it's main attack is out of the picture."

-But Asuka...-

-Asuka has a point Misato. It appears that the new Sachiel has only displayed an attack with only long-range capabilities. By getting in close she can avoid direct attacks.- Ritsuko interjected.

-What about the AT field?-

-We're not one hundred percentage sure but initial findings from the data collected suggest that the Angel has to lower it's field to allow it's attack to function properly-

-That's just a guess, Dr. Akagi. You can't be sure.- Misato replied.

-Maji say seventy-three point eight percentage that the findings are correct-

"I've had worst odds"

-Alright... Be careful Asuka. Don't take any unnecessary risks. I'll arrange the backup weapon caches to launch. Huyga is sending you their location and stock now.-

Sachiel had just finished retrieving its razor tip harpoon and ready itself for another attack. It took sight at the building that Asuka had shifted to for cover and fired. Her Eva was crouching down and had it's back pressed against the building. The harpoon shredded through the steel and concrete. Asuka watched it fly above her and smash into other adjacent structures as building fragments flew and fell on top of her. Sensing her time to attack, she whipped the Eva around and made a beeline to the Angel with her reacquired spear ready for attack. The Angel was not prepare for a frontal assault and received the tip of Asuka's spear in its mid section.

[I guess they were right about the AT Field...] Asuka buried the spear deeper into the Angel as it let out a monstrous scream that echo throughout Tokyo 3.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – UNIT ONE HOLDING CAGE

"What the hell is that?" Shinji responded to the muffled roar from Sachiel on the surface. "Whoa! Hang on..." Unit One moved its arm so it's had was level to its shoulder, giving Shinji easy access to the entry plug. The suddenly movement caused Shinji to stumble on the palm and hit the back of his head again.

"Shit! That hurt!" he complained as he rubbing the back of his head.

"What the hell do you want from me!" he demanded [This is good... there is Angel and I'm talking to an Eva...]

The Eva's eyes flashed again as if to answer his question. "This is bullshit! This is not happening!" Shinji protested as he climbed onto the shoulder. His intension was to climb down from there onto the lower walkway and make his way out. The Eva flashed his eyes and let out a low growl. Some how Shinji sensed that Unit One disagreed with his course of action. The hatch to the entry plug hissed open and Shinji could hear the faint sounds of the familiar voices coming from the radio inside.

-That's it Asuka!- Misato voice said. –ASUKA! LOOK OUT!-

TOKYO 3 – CITY SURFACE

As Asuka struggle to pull the spear further up the Angel's mid section, she failed to see the harpoon damaged by Rei come back to life and wrap around her neck and upper torso.

"What the fuck?!" She exclaimed as the pressure from the harpoon on her Eva's neck and upper body translated to her own. She released the controls and reached for her neck, trying to free herself from the invisible chokehold.

-ASUKA EJECT! GET OUT OF THERE!- Asuka attempted to reach to ejection plug but found the squeezing around her neck too much to bear. Suddenly her entry plug plunged into darkness and the pressure from her neck released. She slumped over and sucked in the LCL as she tried to get the oxygen in her system.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – COMMAND CENTRE

Misato watched in horror as Sachiel was choking her adopted daughter.

"EJECT HER PLUG!" she demanded to bridge crew.

"Unit Two is not responding." Aoba replied as he punched in the commands again into his console. "Unit Two is offline!"

"My God! How did the Angel know to do that?" Ritsuko exclaimed as Sachiel reached around the back of Unit Two and severed Asuka's umbilical cord, leaving her without power and defenseless.

"What about the back power? What's Asuka's condition?" Misato asked.

"They aren't activating! Telemetry and remote commands from the Two have ceased." Aoba replied.

"I want Unit Three up there, NOW!"

"We can't! Remaining catapults are occupied by the backup weapon caches we sent up. It will take at least seven minutes to retrieve and then launch Unit Three." Huyga replied.

"SHIT! Can Asuka eject the plug manually without power?" Misato asked.

"She can but the Angel's wrapped its harpoon around the neck and head! The head can't release and allow the plug to escape!" Ritsuko replied. Misato could only watch fighting tears as she could do nothing to help [DAMN IT! Think Misato! Think!... That's it!]

"Is Unit One still launch capable?!" she screamed.

TOKYO 3 - CITY SURFACE

Asuka could hear the sound of her amour cracking and bending under the force from the Angel. Acting on Misato's last order before the power outage she pulled the emergency ejection handle located on the left side of her cockpit. She prepared herself for the sudden slingshot but it never came. She pulled on the handle again and again to no avail.

[That's it... I guess this is the end...] Asuka gave up and slumped back into her seat with only the sounds of her Eva buckling under the squeezing pressure from the Angel [...I just wish... I could have seen him again... tell him how I feel...]

NERV HEADQUARTER – UNIT ONE HOLDING CAGE

"ASUKA! NO!" Shinji had heard situation. He was now torn between his desire to help and run away. He sat down on the shoulder and brought his knees to his chest.

"Why me?...Why are doing this?..." Shinji whispered.

-Is Unit One still Launch capable?- Misato's voice rang out.

-Yes Major, but we have no one to pilot it.-

-What about Rei? Is she out of the Unit Zero?-

-Yes Major but she's suffered severe shoulder injuries from her encounter. She is current in the infirmary.-

-Damn it!-

[What?! There's no one left?] Then for some reason Shinji recalled his encounter with the fourteenth Angel and his little chat with Kaji.

[All I can do is stay here and water my garden, Shinji... You on the other hand can do something...]

"I'm going to regret this..." Shinji said aloud as he got up and made way to the open hatch. Looking into the plug reminded him of the LCL and how much he hated it. "He goes nothing..." Shinji removed his torn shirt and slowly entered the plug once again. [Damn... I forgot how cold the LCL could get...] he thought as he dipped his feet into cold liquid. The hatch automatically closed after him and screwed back in place. Unit One's head rocked back and locked into position. With eyes burning brightly, Unit One released another low growl and shot up through the ceiling, causing waves in the still coolant and destroying a good section of the cage.

NERV HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTRE

"Touji, Asuka's in trouble and we can't get you up on the surface in Unit Three. I want you to get into Unit One and launch." Misato explained to Touji.

-What?! Are you serious?- Touji replied.

"Major, Touji's sync test with Unit One weren't very good. Only Rei was able to get it over the threshold and that's not enough to even move a hand." Maya said.

"I know that but what choice do we have! In the past Unit One as done some things that would be thought impossible. I'm hoping..."

"You are relying on the actions of Unit One a lot, aren't you Major?" Fuyutsuki asked from his commander position

"Yes sir... But unless anyone can come up with a better idea, I'm afraid..."

"MAJOR! CATAPULT EIGHT IS IN TRANSIT!" Huyga exclaimed

"WHAT! I thought you told me they were all out. Is it Touji?" Misato replied. "Touji do you read me?"

-Yeah... I'm outside Unit One's holding cage and it looks like a bomb hit.- Touji replied on the main monitor. Aoba entered some commands into his console and a live video feed appeared over Touji's image. The image was very distorted and scatted.

"It appears the camera as been damage as well." Aoba explained the poor image from the holding cage. "I'll reroute to another camera... It may give us a better view."

-Ahhh... Major...- Touji spoke nervously. -I think we have a problem.- Just as Touji had finished Aoba manage to locate an undamaged camera and display its findings.

"Oh my god..." / "WHAT THE HELL!" / "You have got to be kidding..." The comments continued as everyone's eyes fix on the monitor of a severely damage and empty Unit One cage.

TOKYO 3 – CITY SURFACE

Sachiel eyed the lifeless form of Unit Two as it tighten the harpoon hold. The slow cracking of the Eva's armor encouraged the Angel to apply more pressure. Then the disintegration of a building from the ground up in the distance caught its attention. A dark shadow shot through the core of the building, ripping it into shreds only leaving a pair of buckled rails standing from the ground. The mechanical monster continued into the twilight red sky until it hit its peak and then plummeted back to the ground. It landed skillfully like a cat on all fours creating a shallow crater beneath. Standing up, fists clench Unit One release a primal roar that rocked everything and everyone in Tokyo 3.

Sachiel threw Unit Two like a rage doll into some rumble and started charging at Unit One. Upon reaching half way it fired the remaining harpoon and expanded it's AT Field. Unit One shifted slighting and allowed the projectile to rush pass the left side of its head and then started it's charge. The purple monster punched through the AT Field, sending Sachiel off balance and reeling backwards. In a single motion, the Eva dugged it's feet into the road and grabbed the harpoon. It pulled the stunned Angel flying forward with only one arm. The pull had the momentum and power that Sachiel couldn't stop itself. Unit One ready it's right fist and sent a brutal upper cut into the chest of Sachiel, sending it high above Tokyo 3. After release the harpoon the Eva followed the Angel into the air with a might leap. Mid way up it removed the progressive knife from its shoulder hoister and slashed Sachiel across the body in an upward motion, splitting the core in two. Sachiel howled in pained as the progressive knife traveled through its flesh. The howl was soon over come by a massive explosion high above Tokyo 3.

NERV HEADQUARTER – COMMAND CENTRE

Misato shielded her eyes from the bright flash that appeared on the main monitor. Everyone else followed suit as they watched Unit One dispose of Sachiel like it was a fly. Misato regained her composure and began barking orders again.

"I WANT A STATUS OF UNIT ONE! WHO THE HELL IS PILOTING IT? WHAT'S ASUKA'S STATUS?"

The first of the bridge crew to response was Maya who entered a number of commands into her console.

"I'm not getting any readings from Unit One or the entry plug."

A distance rumble from above brought everyone's eyes back to the screen. The purple mecha had survived the mid air explosion and landed safety in a vacant park, avoiding buildings and other city structures. It place the knife back into it shoulder and then slumped forward without power.

"Unit two is heavily damaged but the entry plug is intact." Aoba replied as he rubbed his eyes. "Reestablishing connection in 20 seconds."

UNIT ONE – ENTRY PLUG

[Ok... How does this thing working again?] Shinji thought as he pulled on the control yokes, in an attempt to start up Unit One. "What the hell? It invites into the entry plug and then does nothing..." Fed up that his actions were not having an impact, Shinji decide to leave and reach around for the eject handle. "This is a waste..." As his hand closed around the ejection handle, the entry plug was engulfed in a bright aura of light.

"What the fu..." Shinji said in a panic as he felt his senses give in.

UNIT TWO - ENTRY PLUG

The jolt from being flown across town had knocked Asuka out and she was only now regaining consciousness. "Ahhh... My head..." Asuka clutched the side of her head where it had hit the side of her cockpit. Her mind slowly began to startup again and she remember what had happen. "The Angel...?"

As if to answer her question, the static image of Misato appeared on her crack monitor followed by the broken sound of her voice. -ASUKA! ASU... Are you... Answer...-

"Yeah... Misato, What happen?" Asuka replied, not knowing if her radio was fully functional.

-Angel has be... Unit On... Thank God... you're... Rescue...-

"We at least the Angel is dead... I wonder who killed it. I know it wasn't wonder girl. The stooge helped her back to the Geo Front... The stooge isn't skilled enough either... could it be..."

UNIT ONE – ENTRY PLUG

Shinji slowly opened his eyes to a perfect blue sky without any clouds. He then realized that he was lying down on something and was annoying and his feet were getting wet. He turned his head to discover that he was lying on a white sand beach and his feet were hanging within the wash of the water.

"What the hell?" He wondered aloud as he slowly sat up and surveyed his new surrounds. All he saw was sky, sand and water. "Where am I?"

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." A young girl voice said from behind. This startled Shinji as he spun around quickly to the see the owner of the voice. "I had... how can I put this... other urgent matters to attend." Shinji noted the girl was were a school uniform without and shoes or socks. She looked no one than ten years old. Her skin was as pale as the sand they were standing on and her innocent eyes that held a tint of red.

"I'm sorry again. Did I scare you?" She said with a cute smile as she clung her soft blue hair back behind her ears.

"Who are you? What the hell is going on?" Shinji asked with a hint of panic in his voice.

"It has been a long time Shinji... Did you miss me?" She asked as she walked into the water until it came up to her ankles.

"I don't even know who you are."

"Come on Shinji!" She said excitedly. "Let's play!" She then proceeded to kick the water towards Shinji in an effort to get him wet.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – MEDICAL CENTRE

Yui held onto Rei's hand as the doctor examined her shoulder. Hikari was standing close by holding onto a tray of medical items and bandages.

"Tell me when it starts to hurt." The doctor said as he proceeded to pressure parts of Rei's shoulder.

"I'm glad you're ok, Ayanami." Hikari said. "I see enough of yourself and Asuka in sick bay."

"Thank you for your...Ah..."

"Hmmm... It's only soft tissue damage but because it's in the joint of your shoulder it seems much worst." The doctor said retrieving a compression bandage and sling from Hikari's tray. "Nurse Horaki, can you take it from here? I have to see if anyone requires medical assistance in the shelters."

"Yes doctor." The young nurse replied as the doctor left the room and started wrapping Rei's hurt arm.

"You worry about him." Rei stated plainly.

"Can you tell?" Hikari replied as she continued wrapping.

"He's fine Hikari. Touji is quite a capable Eva pilot. He actually saved my daughter's life today" Yui said, trying to put the young girl's fears at ease.

"I know... Touji keeps telling me that the safest place during an attack is inside an Eva but that still doesn't stop me worrying."

"Suzuhara is very lucky to someone care for him deeply." Rei replied, bring a shade of red to Hikari's face. Touji and herself had become a couple not long after Shinji ran away but she was still easily embarrassed by people discussing the topic in a public. Her blush brought a light chuckle from Yui and small smile from Rei.

"I'm sorry. Can I come in?" Mana asked after gently knocking on the door. Rei nodded approvingly and she entered.

"Did you find him? Tell me you did?" Yui said anxiously.

"I'm sorry Vice Commander..." [Even if I did, how would I know what he would look like ... Good one Mana...] Mana saw the sadden reaction of Yui and Rei.

"Who were you looking for?" Hikari asked fastening a safety pin to Rei's sling.

"It was Shin..." Yui's mobile phone interrupted her mid speech. "Sorry Hikari. I have to take this." Yui flipped open her phone and held it against her ear. "Vice Commander Ikari." Everyone watched her nod and agree a number of times before exploding.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Yui's reaction startled Mana and Hikari while Rei remained as calm adjusting her bandage arm so it was comfortable. "I WANT CAR READY IN TWO MINUTES!" She ordered before slapping her phone shut.

"Rei are you in any pain? Can you walk?" Yui asked.

"I can walk. Can I ask what was the phone call in regards to?" her daughter replied.

"...Unit One has reactivated and destroyed the Angel..."

UNIT ONE – ENTRY PLUG (BEACH)

"Ahem... Look... I'm not in the mood for playing at moment. Can you tell me what's going on?" Shinji asked as he tried to avoid the water being kicked up by the young girl.

"Awww... Come on Shinji..." She pouted. "We haven't seen each other in such a long time. I can explain everything later. Let's just play now."

"I'M BEING SERIOUS! STOP IT AND ANSWER MY QUESTION!" Shinji yelled. The young girl stopped splashing and look up at Shinji with eyes shimmering with tears. Sensing what was about to come, Shinji quickly acted. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled like that. It was rude of me."

The young girl walked up to Shinji. "They were right. You don't like to see others suffer." Her eyes sparkled and showed no signs of tears. "You look cute when you worry. I can see why they like you so much..." She giggled at her own statement.

Shinji scratched the back of his head, dumbfounded at what to do next [This is nuts! First my father is condemned to death, an Angel attacks, Unit One saves my life and I end up here in the middle of nowhere with some crazy girl...]

"It's not nice to call people crazy, Shinji." The girl stated as she sat down on the sand.

"What the... How did you know..."

"What's the last thing you remember Shinji?" she asked, staring out onto the still water.

"Remember? Ahhh... Getting in Unit One and trying to start it."

"So... logically where would you be now?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you." Shinji said, taking a seat next to the girl. This brought a smile from her.

"You're silly. You are still in Unit One."

"Now I really think you're crazy..."

"You have changed my Shinji... I'm feeling a little tired. Can I rest on head on your lap?" The girl asked yawning. Before Shinji could reply, she was already making herself comfortable.

"Do you ever get tired? Tried of fighting?" The girl asked looking up from Shinji's lap.

"I'm not much of a fighter. The only thing I'm good at is running away."

"You don't give yourself enough credit but enough talk... I'm sleepy..." the girl finished before closing her eyes and rolling over.

"Hey! What am I going to do?" Shinji asked. "How do I get back to Tokyo 3?"

"Who said you ever left... Just have a nap and when you wake everything will be..."

Shinji attempted to wake the girl but to no avail. Feeling he had nothing to loose Shinji lean back onto the sand. He took one last look at the empty sky. "At least there is no ceiling here..." he spoke before closing his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

"Welcome back Shinji Ikari..." The young girl replied with a gentle smile.

A sudden jolt, knock Shinji awake. He woke to the inside of the entry plug. The plug rolled and bump a bit more before Shinji was fully aware of his surroundings.

"What the hell? That was one weird dream..."

The sound of four metallic object tapped sequentially on the outer of the entry plug. "What's going on?" Shinji said aloud as the hatch blew open sending a loud echo throughout the plug.

"Shit!" Shinji grabbed his ears as the explosion and change of pressure pierced his drums. The LCL slowly drained out and the twilight rays entered the blown hatch way. Shinji coughed the remaining LCL from his lungs as his body adjusted to the taking in air once more. The next thing Shinji heard was the cocking of assault rifles. He looked up to see the red laser target and barrel of rifles pointed directly at him. The dimming twilight hid the faces of the gun owners as Shinji placed his hands up as a sign of surrender.

AUTHOR'S NOTES
Sorry for the late update. I've been busy with work and some other stuff. You know how things can get. Many thanks for the positive review. I had a number of reviews asking why this, why that, how did so and so do this, how can that happen because. All I can say is that, as the story progresses things will get revealed. The same thing happens in the series. Plus it's fan fiction, the occasional oversight can be forgiven (right?)

I hope the battle scene wasn't too boring. I found it rather difficult to put into words. Having an idea in your head and then getting onto paper (or word) can be difficult ;)

Once again, watch out for spelling and grammar mistakes... I also have a review that mentions I have AIM. I have seen this acronym on other reviews in other fictions but I'm not sure what it means. Is it positive, negative or neither. It might be a silly question but how does one ever know if we don't ask.

Thanks, wonga316