Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Tenchi Muyo. All rights belong to their creators. Distribution rights for the anime or manga belong to publishers and distributors. So please don't sue.
Author Note 1: This is my first attempt at a NGE story so please give me lots of feedback so I can improve.
Author note 2: I will be posting the prologue/chapter one without a beta's assistance so if anyone wants the job please tell me in the review.
Author note 3: This story just sort of came to me and I have no idea where it will lead but I enjoy it when my readers tell me where they think it is going so I can make them happy. This will be very AU at points and please let me know about pairing ideas if any. Despite the summary this is a Shinji main character story.
Summary: Two families joined together and formed a new family. She was the result of that blood and when he left her she chased after him. Yui found her prince but only after she had found a husband. A child of Jurai was born though after but one night. She will leave him a terrible and beautiful gift and only he can use them.
Now on with the Show
Legacy
Chapter Five: Falling Rain
Shinji Ikari-Masaki sat at his desk quietly watching the rain fall just outside the window. The day after their vacation ended he had been surprised by two visitors knocking on the apartment door before he could leave for school. Toji Suzuhara & Kensuke Aida, two people Shinji had put on his avoid list had come to make peace . . . . . and ogle Misato.
'My four closest friends in this city are a jock who tried to beat me to a pulp, a military fanboy, a drunken commanding officer and guardian, and Rei. Quite the odd life I've acquired.' He thought with the ghost of a smile gracing his lips.
With the presence of another ship though Shinji knew he had to remain on alert for danger. The Yui-Oh had already identified the battleship as the infamous Soja belonging to a space pirate named Kagato. There was no way to get a transmission out without revealing the location of his ship so for now there was nothing he could do but wait.
Tenchi and the others were safe for now back at the Masaki residence but he doubted that would last much longer. Kagato was a certified nightmare according to records and whatever he wanted from the Earth it would involve them all.
Hearing the bell ring for lunch he rose from his seat and followed Toji and Kensuke out of the room Rei trailing at his side. Considering the rain pouring down the quartet chose to eat in a small alcove just under the stairs, where they could eat in peace. Well Shinji and Rei eat in peace, while the other pair attempted to peek up young girls skirts. Shinji had already made plans to reform that nasty habit as soon as he could get a large supply of rocks and a bat.
"Do you have a Synch test as well coming up Rei?" He asked opening a graduate level science book and beginning to read. Shinji had decided to follow in his mother's footsteps so to speak and was working on a correspondence course through a university.
"Yes, My Eva is finally ready for use again and I must be tested to be able to use it." She responded reading her own book, which was an introduction to martial arts.
"Hey you guys think since I've already seen an Eva that they would let me-"Kensuke began only to be cut off.
"No" both pilots stated at the same time not even looking up from their books.
"Better luck next time buddy." Toji consoled his crushed glasses wearing friend, while keeping his eyes on the stairs. He was suddenly sent flying back as a yardstick was shoved through one of the spaces impacting with his forehead.
"I need to remember that one." Shinji stated offhandedly and turned the page on his book. The attacker made herself known as she finished coming down the stairs and glared at the injured jock.
"SUZUHARA!" Hikari spoke each syllable with venom. Toji was rubbing his forehead trying to relive some of the pain as he sat up.
"What was that for Class Rep?" He asked.
The pair dissolved into an intense argument mostly about Toji being a pervert and Hikari being a prude. Kensuke sat by with tears in his eyes mourning the loss of his dreams to pilot Eva.
Shinji and Rei both simply turned the page in their respective books completely ignoring them.
Nerv
Shinji and Misato stood on an observation platform with Ritsuko overlooking the salvage operation of the fourth Angel. The tailed beast he had left mostly intact would prove to be most valuable to the powers that be. The young boy was bothered by this. Rei had explained to him everything she knew about the 'Human Instrumentality Project' and the scenarios of SEELE and the Commander. She had admitted though that she likely didn't know the majority of details to the Commander's plan.
"Almost all of the parts other then core are intact. This truly is an ideal sample I truly am grateful for this Shinji." Ritsuko said beginning the analysis of the Angel.
"Considering I disobeyed orders it seems only fair something good come out of it." He replied leaning on the railing.
"I think Maya and I could use some help in the future if you're interested in doing more then piloting." The faux blonde offered and watched the young man light up slightly at the idea.
"That would be acceptable." He finally answered.
"Well Rits, do you know anything new?" Misato asked hoping to deter a scientific discussion.
"What's this?" She asked a second later looking at the counsel Ritsuko was working at showing the number 601.
"The code number means the sample cannot be analyzed." She answered with a sigh.
"In other words, do you mean you don't know anything new at all?"
"You are correct. We do know the Angel is composed of matter which has the properties of both particles and waves, just like light."
"Well, you did find its power source, didn't you?"
"Something, like that but I've got nothing on its working mechanism."
"We've finally found something completely outside our experience, haven't we?"
"The world is just full of mysteries just waiting to be solved after all."
"Did you recover an S2 organ?" Shinji suddenly asked breaking into their dialogue.
"No, but it might have been inside the core or buried deeper in the body then we have been able to look." Ritsuko replied though the young pilot could see her look away from his eyes.
"Pity if someone could recover, clone or create an S2 organ they could in theory implant it in someone or create a person with it from birth." He mused seemingly at random watching the doctor turn her head sharply back to him.
"Interesting theory Shinji" she spoke seemingly contemplating what he said in her mind.
"Though any person who did that would be guilty of many crimes of both man and God I theorize. How would they live with themselves having done such deeds? Well I will take my leave they are returning Unit-01 to stasis and I have to start dinner soon." With those parting words the young Juraian turned and walked away.
"He certainly is a strange kid." Ritsuko commented.
"You don't know the half of it Rits. He's harmless though well mostly." Misato added in.
Katsuragi/Ikari-Masaki Residence
"Salt" Shinji ordered and the necessary amount was placed in his hand before being added to the pot before him. He continued to stir the contents evenly as it cooked.
"Can you add the beer to the shrimp batter for me?" He asked and heard the can open meaning his helper was doing just that.
Lifting the wooden spoon he was using to stir his potted recipe he took a quick taste analyzing it. Nodding to himself Shinji added various herbs to the pot along with just a hint of lemon juice. Covering it he moved on and began battering his shrimp before placing them in the pan. Leaving that to cook he moved onto his rice dish.
"Why did you add salmon to this?" He asked sharply.
"Wark" the warm water penguin answered staring at him.
"Fish does not make everything better."
"WARK!"
"You are as bad as Misato." Shinji fired back starting to make a new batch of rice.
"Wark, wark."
"Alright I will feed you now if you promise not mess with my recipe again." Shinji conceded.
"Wark"
"I should take you to Jurai with me when I go. You are easily the best negotiator in the quadrant." Shinji said shaking his head and placing three pristine fish fillets in PenPen's dish.
'Not to mention I am not really sure what he is saying. I only have my interactions with Ryo-Oki to draw on.' He thought going back to his meal making.
As PenPen devoured his food there was a far away look in his eyes as an elaborate fantasy played out in his mind. He was sitting atop an imperial stallion dressed in full armor issuing a stirring speech to an audience of thousands. In another he was in a land of fish and beer all perks provided to the main intergalactic mediator. Finally the last fantasy was about a galaxy wide hit TV show 'Judge PenPen'.
Shinji blinked watching the penguin out of the corner of his eye and seeing the bird chew thoughtfully. Sometimes he very grateful that telepathy wasn't a Juraian power. Musing about the madness that was his other roommates mind he was broken away from it as the front door slid open.
"Hey Shinji, I'm home and I brought Rits with me." She called out and caught the deftly thrown beer can that came from the kitchen. She was still amazed that he could throw the can yet keeps it from being shook up or losing any taste.
"Dinner will be ready soon so go ahead and take a seat," He called back from his station.
"So Shinji does the cooking?" The head of Project E asked as the pair took a seat.
"Yeah, it's the strangest thing but Shinji seems to be allergic to curry and most instant foods so he volunteered to cook. Plus for some reason he likes to clean." She responded with a smile.
'Which means Shinji took one look at the food or god forbid tasted it and decided to save himself from the infirmary how naïve can Misato be?' The faux blonde thought.
Dinner was an odd experience for the daughter of Naoko Akagi, who was used to eating the food in the Nerv cafeteria or the few things she knew how to make herself. Shinji had made a meal though that could have been mistaken for five-star dining. She found herself crossing forks with Misato over the last piece of shrimp. The main course though had been a stew served with rice and more shrimp with flavors almost making both females drool in anticipation.
She noticed that Shinji sat eating quietly in a calm cultured manner only stopping to take a sip of tea. It was unnerving just how much alike he and Rei were as she had once watched the crimson eyed girl eat the same way once while joining her and the Commander. The only difference seemed to that Shinji ate and acted in a cultured and mannered way, while Rei was simply apathetic.
'Maybe I should try and get him transferred into my care. I mean Misato is hardly a good role model and there is so much we don't know about the young man. Plus we have no idea what state mentally he's in and being able to elude Section Two so easily makes him a risk.' Ritsuko thought as the night wore on.
"Why does an Evangelion go berserk?" Shinji suddenly asked finishing his meal.
"Excuse me?" Doctor Akagi said blinking.
"Why does an Evangelion go berserk? That seemed to be the case with Rei's injuries and it involved Unit-00 so I wish to know incase my Unit-01 entered a similar situation." He restated testing just what she would willingly tell him.
"Well I'll explain what happened to Rei and then you can form your own conclusions." The young man listened intently working through the lecture with quiet ease.
"Unit-01 is quite temperamental I'm surprised you could tame her at all Shinji"
The sound of a tea cup shattering was heard as Shinji dropped the vessel his eyes slightly widened. He quickly moved getting a towel and dustpan beginning to clean the debris up silently. Those words replayed in his mind as he dumped the remains of the cup into the trash can. Shinji brought his right hand up feeling pain in and saw a trickle of blood running down it from a gash made by the sharp edged pieces.
He turned walking out of the kitchen and towards the bathroom, once inside he began cleaning his wound and wrapping it in bandages. The memory of the original Unit-01 activation test was replaying in his mind prompted by those words. Sometimes he mused it was truly a curse to have a photographic memory.
'Long-term mental trauma brought on by witnessing a disturbing scene at a young age. It can be triggered by a name, face, smell, or spoken phrase and manifest different symptoms in the patient. Calm your mind Shinji and push it away just like always and maintain.' He lectured to himself in a clinical mental voice drawing on his psychology courses.
Walking back to the table he began clearing the finished dishes seemingly back to normal. Misato looked concerned seeing the bandage, while Ritsuko stared at him with a hint of curiosity. Shinji had the vague sense that he had become the doctor's new science experiment.
"It seems even I am capable of being clumsy being a genius means I must master even the stupidest of actions." He joked.
"So Misato is rubbing off on you I knew she might influence you negatively and here I am right."
"Hey, I'll have you know I am quite coordinated person Rits and I seem to recall a certain blonde not being so agile back in college during mid-terms. Something to do with mistaking espresso for coffee and drinking six cups in five minutes."
School
Rei Ayanami, first child and pilot of Evangelion unit-00 sat away from the rest of the girl's gym class, dressed in the uniform swimsuit waiting for her name to be called to enter the pool. She had believed that betraying the Commander's trust and ultimately her purpose would bother but more then a week had passed and she had yet to feel any guilt for her actions.
She looked down from her position spying the boy's gym class running laps around a track. Shinji sat on the grass of to the side with Kensuke, while Toji continued to run. The mysterious Juraian male was cloud gazing and keeping up some sort of conversation with the military obsessed glasses wearing boy.
'We are alike yet unique molded by our lives but choosing to break away. I am glad we met even if the road ahead is unknown.' She thought before turning her attention to the sky.
'The laws and customs of Jurai are very different then those deemed acceptable on Earth. I wonder if the sky is the same in that place and the water just as clear.' Rei's thoughts were interrupted by the instructor calling her name. Rising from her place alone she moved to her laps in the one activity she truly enjoyed.
Nerv
The pair of Ikari's rode the escalator quietly down into Nerv. Shinji had luckily remembered to give Rei her new ID when school ended thus stopping a possible embarrassing encounter from happening. The duo was silent not really needing words and as the escalator reached the bottom continued their trek towards the changing rooms.
"Are you worried about the activation test?" Shinji asked making conversation.
"No" she replied simply.
"I'll be watching then be careful Rei-chan I don't want anything to happen to you. Unlike Rokubungi-san I don't see you as replaceable." He said before entering the male locker room.
The blue-haired pilot paused for a moment allowing a small barely perceptible smile to cross her lips before entering the female locker rooms to dawn her plug suit. Rei's plugsuit was mostly white with patches or area's of black here and there a black '00' printed on the center fo the chest.
She emerged to find Shinji waiting in his own plugsuit leaning against a wall with his eyes closed and arms crossed. He fell into step beside her as they slowly began to make their way to the site of the reactivation experiment. As they boarded an elevator he held out his hand to her resting in his hand was the Ikari-ken.
Rei only tilted her head in confusion at the gesture.
"This sword can only be held by an Ikari and will protect one as long as they have courage in their heart. I want you to take it for good luck in the test and so you will be safe. I expect it back afterwards though." He explained and then placed the hilt in her hand and closed her fingers around it.
Shinji never saw the full blush Rei displayed at the gesture.
Central Dogma
The screen displayed a white Evangelion baring no horns and a single eye gazing forward. The almost clinical look to the Eva bothered Shinji for some reason but he made no mention of it as he stood by observing the reactivation.
"Rei-chan, do you hear me?" Commander Ikari spoke form his place overseeing the test.
"Yes." She replied over the comm.
"We're commencing Unit Zero's reactivation experiment now. Start the first connection." Gendo stated.
"Connect the main power supply." Ritsuko ordered the three technicians and slowly the hum of electricity could be heard.
"Voltage level has exceeded the critical point." Maya read out from her station.
"Move the format to Phase II"
"Connecting the pilot to Unito-00" Shigeru stated.
"Opening the circuits, conditions of the pulses and harmonics are good." Maya said as the Eva began Synching.
"There are no problems with synchronization. All nerve links are completed. Nerve center devices are operational." Shigeru continued from his station.
"Recalculation shows no error modifications." Makoto announced.
"Checked up to 2590 on the list satisfied, time until the absolute critical line, 2.5, 1.7, 1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, and rising, Borderline cleared." This was the point Shinji waited hoping for the best possible outcome.
"Unit-00 has activated!" Maya announced to the crowd.
"Roger, now I'll begin an interlock test." Rei stated with no emotion.
"Ikari-san, an unidentified object is approaching. I think it is the Fifth Angel." Kozou stated as the new information was brought up by the Magi system with flashing alert signs.
"Interrupt the test. All hands to first class alert." Gendo ordered taking control of the situation.
"Why not use Unit-00?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"It is not yet ready enough for battle. How is Unit-01?"
"It will take 380 second to prepare it." Doctor Akagi stated.
"Sortie!"
Shinji turned without any prompting and left the room heading towards his entry plug and his next battle. A cold sense of dread worked its way up his spine but he chose to ignore it.
"Rei-chan, come back the test is completed." Commander Ikari ordered finally to her.
Entry Plug
Shinji didn't blink as the rainbow effect flashed over his eyes revealing the Eva cage to his eyes. A screen popped up displaying his target classified the Fifth Angel. It was a simple tetrahedron or diamond shape seemingly made out of crystal or glass with no definite front or back. It was slowly floating along making its way further into the city. People in the control room were calling it a flying fortress.
"The target has cleared Tonosawa"
"Unit-01 is beginning preparations for launch. Release the first lock bolt."
"Release confirmed." Shinji stated feeling the lock bolt no longer impede him.
"Roger. Release the second binding."
"Roger. The target is in the area over Lake Ashino."
"Eva Unit-01 is ready for launch."
"LUANCH EVA!" with those words from Misato Shinji felt himself hurtling upwards once more.
"High-energy reaction detected inside the target!" Shigeru suddenly yelled from his counsel inside Central Dogma.
"What!" Misato demanded and Shinji was already processing the information to figure just what was happening.
"Its circumferential parts are increasing speed and concentrating!" He explained.
"That means. . ." Ritsuko trailed off with fear.
"No, dodge it!" Misato ordered as the Eva finally reached the top of the shaft.
The final restraints released a second too late as the Angel released a blazing beam of energy piercing Unit-01's A.T. field as if it weren't even there and striking the Eva dead center. Shinji began to scream at the intense pain the increase in temperature causing the LCL to begin to boil causing him real harm.
'Gotta move NOW!' he thought in pain forcing the controls forward and willing the Eva to move. The result was Unit-01 rolling the side and escaping the continued onslaught of the beam. Shinji knew they were talking but he couldn't hear them all he could was feel the pain.
"Pilot's Synch ratio is rising past 125. He is getting more feedback from the Eva!" Maya yelled
"The Angel's firing again!" Makoto and Shigeru warned loudly.
The second shot lanced forward at him again and struck him and the Eva dead on. The increased feedback coupled with the real damage being done to him brought a true scream of the tormented from his lips. Darkness was spreading from the corners of his eyes slowly engulfing him. The blissful numbness it offered was readily accepted by the Juraian.
"SHINJI-KUN!"
Play Sad or Romantic music now
Dream
Shinji found himself standing on a roof overlooking all of Tokoyo-3. The sky was dark and overcast releasing a steady downpour of rain. People moved along the streets without a care or worry. The lights of the city creating peaceful warmth even on such a cold dreary night.
The young Juraian leaned forward resting his arms on the roof's railing and looking down at the sea of humanity moving below him. An odd sense of loneliness filling him at seeing something he had never been apart of and most likely never would be. He heard a noise behind and turned coming face to face with . . . himself.
The two were mirror images of the other except for their eyes. The other Shinji had crimson eyes like blood that reminded him of Rei, while his own had remained the steady dark blue. Both were dressed in the typical school uniform and neither was speaking.
"Who are you?" Both asked at the same time.
"Shinji Ikari-Masaki." They answered.
"Stop that!" again they spoke together.
Shinji turned his back on the replica of him and went back to gazing down below him. He spotted several figures he knew from school and would follow their path with his eyes. The current pilot of Unit-01 then spotted several familiar faces and had to shout out to them.
"Tenchi-kun, Ryoko-san, Ayeka-san, Rei-chan, and Masaki-san, Everyone I'm up HERE!" he called out but they didn't seem to hear him.
Suddenly a shadow fell over the city in the form of the Fifth Angel. Shinji watched it charge its weapon up and screamed for those he cared for to get away but they didn't listen. Misato and everyone he had ever cared just kept walking right into the path of the beam.
"NO!" he screamed as they were simply vaporized by the energy.
The city and world suddenly shattered like glass leaving him in a world of murky blackness. Shinji looked down noticing he was standing on a hand that was slowly being lifted. When it finally stopped his eyes widened taking the crimson eyes and long blue hair of the Second Angel, Lilith. Four white wings flowed from her back in a tranquil angelic way yet she could crush him by simply making a fist.
He felt something grab his arm and turned to see Adam latched onto him. Lilith grasped the other arm and began a fierce tug of war with his body sending pain ripping through him. He screamed and both Angel's suddenly shattered leaving him to float alone.
In the distance that woman appeared again glowing with an aura of divine power. Shinji was being drawn to her slowly and the closer he the more her form dwarfed his in size. He was almost within her grasp when the dream finally faded away.
Nerv Hospital
Shinji winced as he opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling of the infirmary. As the memories returned to him he was surprised that his body was only sore instead of covered with third-degree burns and lacking massive internal trauma.
Sitting up he immediately regretted it as his body protested and his head swam with dizziness. A pair of arms reached out and steadied him quickly giving him the time needed to blink away the spots in his vision. Looking to his left he found Rei wearing as close to a concerned face as she could possibly muster.
"You should not attempt to move so quickly." She warned before sitting back down next to his bed.
"I seem to be remarkably good shape considering the intensity of the feedback I received and the temperature of the LCL before I blacked out from pain." He remarked after taking a drink of water from a glass at his bedside.
"You went into coronary arrest and required the use of the plugsuit's heart massage feature. I could not take you to the ship for aid because of the close watch Dr Akagi and the Commander have on you. However I was able to go to the ship and return with something to help you. You are still injured but in no danger of dying." Rei explained.
"Thank you Rei-chan but this could complicate things."
"I understand but when I considered the possibility of you losing your life or being disabled or having in long-term damage I found myself fearful I believe is the emotion. I also seemed to shed tears when you were injured it is an unusual and unpleasant experience."
Shinji nodded and closed his eyes as he felt the bond between him and the Yui-Oh. With the exception of fourth generation and below trees all Juraian Tree's were sentient and had to accept someone as their partner and then bond with that person on a profound level. Usually when you are accepted and bonded to a Tree and the Tree becomes a Treeship you must take wood and hardened sap from to carve a "key" which helped facilitate communication between you and it. Since the Yui-Oh had been built from the remains of his Mother's ship using a new seed Shinji was able to use the Ikari-ken as his Key. In fact Rei's hairclip that allowed her to communicate with his ship was actually made from a branch of his Tree.
"Is the Angel still active?" Shinji asked opening his eyes with a slight smile at feeling his ship.
"Yes its primary target seems to be Nerv headquarters itself by way of drilling directly through the defense barriers. The Magi have calculated we have approximately 9 hours remaining until the final defense wall is breached."
"We could destroy it from orbit but a good portion of the city if not all of it might be reduced to ashes. Please tell me someone came up with a better plan?" Shinji spoke and accepted a folder from the blue haired girl.
The young Juraian blinked as he read the operation details and the equipment to be used. It all seemed to hinge on the presumption that the Fifth Angel had a set range to its attack. Also it didn't escape his notice just how low the percentage of success rate was.
"Misato-san came up with this didn't she?"
"Yes, "Operation Yoshima" was thought up by Captain Katsuragi who will also be serving as planning manager. How did you know?"
"Misato-san has a bad habit of barrowing things in this manner. An experimental prototype high energy positron rifle powered by all of Japan fired at the Fifth Angel? Only Misato-san could dream something like this up." Shinji answered.
"I will get you some food so we can begin the operation." Rei stated then set the Ikari-ken down on his lap and rose walking away.
Wrapping his hand around the Ikari-ken the crystal began to glow as he closed his eyes.
'I have a bad feeling about our quiet friend up there has he moved?"
'No he seems to be searching for something and his attention has more then once fallen on your location. You must be careful.' Replied the serene voice of the ship mentally.
'I may need to call on the Wings to protect Rei-chan or myself in the coming battle. We may be exposing ourselves sooner then anticipated.'
'I will always protect you and the girl until she is accepted by another Tree. Do not allow it to worry you whatever happens we will deal with it as it occurs.'
'When the mission is over I will most likely return I want to rest aboard you in safety for one night.'
'Till then I wait in anticipation.'
Entry Plug
Shinji clenched his right hand into a first feeling the material of the plugsuit and the LCL squish lightly. Unit-01 was positioned lying on the ground in a standard sniper grasping the prototype positron rifle. Unit-00 stood nearby holding an improvised shield that Rei would use to protect him if things went badly. The young Ikari-Masaki mentally swore to himself that no harm would come to her.
"You do realize this is insane Misato-san?" He asked as the purple haired captain's face appeared on a screen.
"Don't be scared Shinji-kun this is all by the book. Hang in their in your hands is the power of all of Japan." She replied with a smile.
"I am not afraid."
"Start first connection" Misato ordered.
"First through 80th coolant tanks are beginning power up now."
"Voltage is up, bringing the water exchange unit on-line now."
"All cooling systems at full power, Temperature is stable no problems detected."
"Positron charge is nominal."
"Second connection" Misato stated over the nameless techs working in the field HQ.
"Starting accelerators, energy convergence started."
"All power supplies to the MT Futagoyama submission station, no problems detected."
"Adjustment for the gravity field and revolution of the Earth is minus 0.0009.0.2 until the critical voltage."
"All energy to the positron rifle."
'Tsunami-sama, give me strength.' Shinji thought narrowing his eyes as the targeting actuator appeared fixing on the Fifth Angel.
"High energy reaction detected in the Target1"
"FIRE!"
Pressing the button on his right control stick the entire Eva bucked as the high energy rifle fired. A line of bright blue energy blazed out of the barrel just as the Angel fired its own blast. The two neared one another the sheer force causing both to bend around the other and miss their targets.
Shinji quickly willed Unit-01 to eject the bad fuses and watched the enemy as the rapid cooling and recharging sequence kicked in. The Fifth's drill penetrated the Geofront just as it fired a second shot Rei moved forward protecting him. Shinji could feel the heat nearby and watched the shield beginning to melt and become compromised yet Rei remained unmoving and unwilling to abandon him.
"Rei-chan I am going to sue it."
"Do not Shinji-kun I can protect you." She replied with pain from the feedback of Unit-00.
"10 seconds to full recharge but the shield isn't going to hold!"
Shinji wrapped his left hand around the Ikari-ken sending out the order to the waiting Treeship. A single semi-transparent white winged shaped shield appeared in front of Unit-00. The Angel's energy blast could not bypass the Juraian defense and instead was scattered. Unit-01 fired its second shot a second later the blast of energy surging through the simplistic body of the Fifth and sending the smoking remains down onto the ground.
Dismissing the Light Hawk Wing Shinji ejected the plug and rushed to the slumped over single-eyed Eva. Grabbing the hatch he felt searing heat pulse through his hands burning him but still he pushed and turned until the hatch opened. LCL was sent spraying everywhere as the metallic door was pulled open. Looking inside he spotted Rei sitting in her plugsuit and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why….. Why did you risk it…..for me?" She asked.
"Because you are more important then my secret."
"I am…replaceable."
"No you aren't if you died even if someone with your face appeared I would still mourn your loss. You are you and I am I no matter what we are unique people."
"I do…..I do not know…what to do in this situation."
"Maybe try smiling. Rei-chan you are precious to me and this is OUR secret not just mine. Please don't ever think I would forsake you for anything or one."
Rei looked to him and quirked her lips upwards in the best smile she could manage. She reasoned that it might be pleasant to do so again in the future but only for Shinji.
School
Shinji sat in class the next day a pencil balanced on the end of his nose looking bored. Rei sat in her usual seat watching the rain fall outside the window. Toji was leaned back in his seat feet up on the desk sleeping quietly through the lecture. Kensuke was quietly snickering a she typed away at his computer the light shining off his glasses in a way far too much like a villain for anyone's good.
A sudden beeping broke the concentration Shinji was using making his pencil fall from his nose. Looking to his computer he blinked spotting a message from an unidentified source.
The roof, you have five minutes.
Who is this?
The roof, you have five minutes Lord Ikari.
The sound of his chair scraping on the floor brought all of the student's eyes on him even forcing Toji awake. Rei watched him in curiosity as his eyes widened and his hand slipped into his pocket grasping the Ikari-ken. The teacher actually turned from his speech about the past.
"Ikari-Masaki-san is there a problem?" He asked.
The roof, you have four minutes now Lord Ikari.
Shinji pushed his seat back further rising before bolting from the room in a dead sprint. Rei was out of her chair and following him a heartbeat later followed by Kensuke, Toji, and Hikari. The prepared to do her duty and drag the truants back to class.
Rei easily caught up with her fellow pilot as they began charging up the stairs. She did not know why but the look in the young man's eyes unnerved her and filled her with a strange emotion kin to apprehension. If she recalled it was known as fear.
"Shinji-kun, what is going on?" She asked finally.
"It seems our observer has decided to come out of the shadows." He replied nearing the roof entrance.
"The owner of that ship is here."
"Yes."
The pair reached the door and Shinji pushed it open his face becoming a mask of indifference. Rain poured from the sky soaking them as they walked out to greet their visitor. He stood taller then either of them as well as floating in the air standing at about six feet with silver hair his eyes had oddly yellow sclera. He was dressed formally covered by a cream colored cloak hat hid his body beneath it white gloves over his hands and a pair of small black sunglasses on the end of his nose.
"Please excuse me for my rude behavior but I thought it prudent to draw you away from the common rabble." The man spoke in a cultured voice dripping with honey. Slowly he bowed to Shinji in an elegant manner.
"Graciously do I welcome you to Earth but why is it you have sought me out?" Shinji responded with an even tone.
"Perhaps that is a matter best discussed in more comfortable surroundings, where we may speak in private." The man offered.
"I will have to decline Kagato-san."
"I see my reputation proceeds me but I really must insist you see there is something I wish to find and only you and your family here can help me obtain it."
"What, pray tell is that?"
"Why, the greatest power in the universe."
Shinji with drew his hand from his pocket holding the dark wooden hilt of his family. He stared Kagato down evenly but made no aggressive move on him. His next words were carefully chosen hoping to gather more information from the smug space pirate.
"Why do you believe I can help you find such a treasure?"
"So you do carry the legacy of your mother. The famed Ikari-ken, a master key carved from the wood and sap of a first generation Treeship belonging to Yui Ikari. I would have saved you for last but you intrigue me boy more so then your father." Kagato stated his eyes drawn to the bladeless sword in the young man's grip.
"Leave this world and my family alone or I will show just how intriguing I can be Kagato-san."
Kagato held out his hand a sphere of energy gathered around his opened palm. Closing his hand around the sphere stretched an elongated reshaping itself. Now clenched in his hand was a sword made of pure energy not unlike the type Ryoko was prone to use.
"I will test you boy and see if you truly have earned the right to be your Mother's son. I must know if there is something special about you or if the gift you possess was created through random chance."
"What is it you speak of?" Shinji asked moving forward and pushing Rei behind him the crimson eyed girl choosing to be silent thus far in the encounter.
"Did you believe I would not notice your ship or not investigate such a beautiful vessel?"
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Your ship despite being born from a second generation seed has evolved or ascended becoming a first generation Royal Juraian Tree. You Lord Ikari are in possession of one of the few and powerful first generation Juraian Treeships." The man explained catching Shinji off guard.
Shinji brought the Ikari-ken forward into a ready stance his mind cleared and a dark blue blade of energy sparked into life smoke when rain water touched its surface. There was no time to consider the space pirate's words but he made a mental note to prove him right or wrong later.
"WHOA, Shinji has a freaking lightsaber!" yelled Kensuke as he and the other two classmates of the pair finally reached the roof.
The son of Yui looked back in sudden surprise before his eyes widened and he tried to turn his eyes back to his opponent. He was too late though as Kagato's gloved left fist slammed into jaw and hurled him back a spurt of blood flying from his mouth.
"You shouldn't take your eyes off me boy next time it will be my sword hitting you."
Shinji stood up wiping the blood from his mouth with his arm. Charging forward he struck with an overhead slash that was intercepted and expertly blocked by Kagato. Jumping back he struck out with a horizontal attack to the right and then brought his weapon around for slash to the left all of which Kagato blocked. Shinji was forced back as the silver haired villain began an aggressive attack thrusting and slashing with masterful skill his body easily floating forward or back as needed.
"What's going on here Ayanami-san?" Hikari asked as she stood watching the battle.
"Something that does not concern you please all of you go back inside before you get hurt." she ordered staying back but also in no way planning to retreat.
Toji was about to reply when he was stunned to see Kagato send a beam of energy at Shinji and a Wing made of light appear and deflect the shot. The dark haired boy then charged again his sword moving like water but always being stopped short by his enemy.
"So you know how to call on the power of your ship to protect yourself. Smart enough to know when your own Juraian energy isn't enough as well very clever."
'He cannot use his A.T. field of the hybrid barrier or every sensor in the city would pick him up as an Angel. Similarly I cannot help without doing the same as I have yet to lean how to properly tap and control my Juraian energy and magic.' Rei analyzed as she watched.
Kagato suddenly pointed his left hand at Rei and the other and unleashed another blast of energy at them. Rei watched in shock as Shinji threw himself in front of the beam taking the hit in his left shoulder where it passed in and out cleanly. Blood began to flow freely made worse by the rain and turning his arm crimson.
"If you think I will let you hurt these people you're a bigger fool then I thought."
"How amusing but I can see it now the fire in your eyes."
"Shinji-kun you must stop if you continue to loose blood at this rate you won't last long. This fighting it must be opening your other wounds as well you musts top now or you'll die." Rei warned trying to dissuade him from continuing.
"I won't run away not while I can still draw breathe." He only replied as he charged Kagato again only able to fight with only his right arm.
Shinji was forced to retreat again as his opponent began to randomly fire off energy at Hikari and the others and only Rei had any real defense. He was becoming dizzy with the loss of blood and slowly fell to one knee gasping for air.
"How disappointing but now at least you can watch your friends die before you lose conciseness." Holding his hand towards Rei he began charging power slowly.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY SISTER!" Shinji yelled with a burst of adrenaline and surged forward his sword lashing out quickly as he passed Kagato. A heartbeat later the right hand of the infamous space pirate dropped to the ground smoking. Levitating the hand up Shinji watched as it fused back onto the man's wrist in a bit of hasty healing.
"Impressive you hurt me that time Lord Ikari and had I not been able to reattach my hand so quickly no doubt I would never again use it quite impressive indeed. I see now this girl is of the Ikari bloodline as well and you would do anything to protect your sister. I applaud your skills and I hope we meet again but I am running late to meet the Princesses and Prince so I must take my leave. Perhaps I even now look at the future Emperor and Queen of Jurai so is hall leave my mark it is only fair."
As Kagato fired one last Blast Rei prepared herself to call on the ship but before she could Shinji once more jumped in between her and the energy. This time it pierced his side spilling more of his precious blood. Rei was able to catch him as he fell and stared at his paling face.
"Grow stronger boy or else your little family will not survive, until the next time we meet Lord and Lady Ikari." Kagato bowed and vanished through a portal of energy.
"Why did you get in the way you know I can protect myself." Rei spoke stroking his hair.
"I couldn't risk anything happening to you. I don't think I will make it through this one Rei-chan." He responded with a smile.
"Do not speak like that I will get you to the ship I will not allow you to die not before we go to Jurai."
"Such a foolish dream I'm not strong enough to be their son. My mother and father gave birth to a failure." Slowly Shinji let his eyes slip shut.
"BROTHER!" Rei screamed the jewel in her hair clip flashing and in a flash of light the roof was vacant of anyone Earthling or Juraian. Only the patter of rain striking concrete pierced the quiet.
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Ending Note 1: I know I jumped around a bit on putting honorfics in and I apologise for that.
Till Next Time