Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or any of the works that are cited in this fanfiction or inspired it;
I hope you enjoy this work, please give your thoughts on it. ;)
The Angel Hails - Chapter 4:
My Tokyo-3
"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."
― Soren Kierkegaard.
"How?!"
He didn't even remember how many times he heard the same scream. The girl had been watching the same video for God know how long, seeing the same scenes in different speed and even zooming at previously unseen details, if not at the same details from before.
"He is a rookie, he shouldn't be able to do that!"
Several versions of that scream were common. At this point, she didn't even try to hide it as "something to do out of boredom", just assuming that she was deeply pissed off. He wouldn't judge her if the first were true however: There isn't nothing to do in the Over the Rainbow, so the girl had been following him around so much that he thought that the old crush revived.
"Mister Kaji!"
That until the younger Ikari defeated the Angel.
"What you noticed this time?" He said with the standard grin.
"It is it's hand!" She pointed at the Evangelion's fist, opening and closing at the 0.25x speed of the video displayer. She grabbed a document and showed to the pilot. "His synch-rate was at the 80's, even 90's, so the Eva was copying that habit from the pilot." She layed her chin at the couch's arm. "Clenching and opening hands is a response to anxiety..." She added in a low, almost empathetic tone. Maybe... "...Which is a natural response to being a f-u-c-k-i-n-g rookie piloting a Evangelion for the first time." ...Forget it.
"He isn't as untrained as you think. Did you read his profile?" He said with a devilish grin, while Asuka narrowed her eyes. "Tall, top physique... and he did very well for a rookie." He teased.
"It explains why he knew how to figtht, not how to fight in a Eva and the synch-rate." She said matter-of-factly.
Remembering the encounter between the two Ikaris, he supressed a frown, just chuckling at the response. "I guess you're right."
He stared at the suitcase. Such a simple container, yet it carried, frozen inside the dura-bakelite, the essential part of the Human Instrumentality Project, the embryo of a god. Although, against the plans of SEELE, another god had been made in Japan.
What do you plan, Ikari?
The phone ringed.
The other person in the line spoke before he could. "Riouji Kaji." Speak of the devil...
He assumed his standard grin, even if the other couldn't see. "Commander Ikari, it-"
"Pilot Ikari."
"The second coming of the Angels... It is later than initially thought."
"It's the same as the betrayal of Kaworu. We have been fooled once again."
"Kaworu... His betrayal is insignificant in comparison to his seed."
"The Ikari boy? How much he can be trusted? The extent of his knowdlege is unknown."
"That's right, whatever the man told him, Yui's son is to be dealed with caution."
SEELE 01 stood in silence.
"This isn't the way for your apartment."
Misato grinned. "Well, tonight we're going to do flamboyantly, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we need a welcome party for a new lodger, of course! My new roomate and humanity's newest Evangelion pilot... The only to face actual combat."
"Thanks, Misato."
Misato's eyes narrowed. "You don't sound enthusiastic. Don't worry, I'm not a bad roomate."
Later, Shinji could only thought... What a fucking liar.
After some good minutes of Shinji explaining why he couldn't eat all the trash food that Misato wanted to buy, they drove to her apartment. The building itself was less impressive than he expected of NERV's third highest ranking officer to live, but by no means bad. It didn't have no other residents, not so surprising since it was owned by NERV, still weird considering that Misato herself has been living here for at least two years.
"I think your things have arrived here."
Several boxes stood outside the apartment. She opened the door and entered, then turning to a reluctant Shinji. "Shinji, this is your home." It didn't sound like a impatient correction, rather a warm invitation. That or Misato's smile was dizzying his insticts.
It was good with Uncle Kaworu, wasn't? Staring at the floor, he remembered what he had to do and frowned.
Misato bite her lips and massaged her temples. "Shinji, did you ever saw Tokyo-3?"
Shinji locked gaze with her. "I'm here-"
"No, no, I'm talking about the whole city."
"I did in the fight with the Angel."
"I was looking at you in the battle, you stared at Angel the whole time."
"Hmm. Then no, I never saw Tokyo-3."
Misato grinned. "Then let's see it."
Tokyo-3 looks lonesome... Fitting.
"The time has come."
As the alarm ringed, the buildings of Tokyo-3 grew.
"This is the Fortress City for Intercept against ANGELs, our hometown... and the town which you protected."
Misato smiled at his brightned eyes.
I will have to do so much more than that. "Thank you for bringing me here, Misato."
"It is no problem." She turned to the town and back at him. "Shinji..." She bite her lips, resting what she wanted to ask for another time. "Let's go home?"
"Pilot Ikari."
"Oh, the hero of Tokyo-3 calling me? NERV Germany is going crazy with your fight." Not that I would know that.
"Mister Kaji, do you allow me a question?"
'Throw it."
"Why do you do your work?"
Kaji's grip strenghned. "I am sorry, I don't think I understand."
"Let me rephrase it: What if I told you the truth about everything?"
"Thousands of men offered the same."
"Indeed, but how much of those were in SEELE?"
No response.
"In the moment, not even I am. That is why we called you."
"And who would be 'we'?"
"NERV Japan."
"NERV Japan needs an Ikari in SEELE to fight the Angels?"
"To fight SEELE itself."
"And how can I trust you?" His voice was higher than desired.
"Know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free, Mister Kaji. Help us get the seat of the Throne of Souls that belongs to the Ikaris and I will show you how deep the rabbit hole goes."
"I didn't knew you were a christian." Kaji looked at the red-haired girl at the room.
"Few expect it. Grab the Embryo and pick a plane to Japan, it shall be easier to discuss our matters."
Asuka must have noticed his gaze, because she turned to him. "I will go as fast I can."
"Thank you, Mister Kaji."
The phone went off.
"Who was it?"
"Pilot Ikari."
Her eyes widened. "How does he know you?"
"Good question, but I've been called to NERV Japan."
"You're going by plane?" She jumped out of the ground. "Why don't you take me with you? I would be more of help in NERV Japan by teaching the Commander's pet and the Ikari than moping in this boat."
"Teaching?" He chuckled.
"The First Child's numbers are ridiculous and the Third is a rookie, they would be priveleged at learning from me."
"Oh, I am sure. But would you leave your Eva alone with the captain?"
She opened her mouth and then closed it. "He is a dumbass luddite."
"And that is why I need you here." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "It won't be long until you get to Japan... And until then I will be in contact."
"Fine." She raised her hands. "If you discover something about the other two, tell me, okay?"
"I promise."
He planted his foot in her apartment. "I'm home."
"Welcome home!"
Misato took off her shoes and jacket. " Well, the room is a little untidy... Don't you mind that."
A little untidy...?
Then Shinji walked into hell.
What a fucking liar!
Car magazines, Yebisus, bottles of whisky, chips...
Oh no!
He ran into the refrigerator and opened it.
"Wark!"
"..."
He calmly closed it and opened the other.
Only Yebisus.
"Jesus Christ... I died in the fight... and I'm in hell!"
"I didn't knew you also were a christian." Misato traded her dress for a yellow top and jeans short, leaving her le-
He massaged his temples. "Look, we need to solve this."
"Solve what?" She looked around. "Oh. Talking about it, after lunch we need to decide the days of cleaning."
He raised a eyebrow.
"Of course, to be fair with both of us, we need a just method of choice."
"And that would be?"
"Rock, paper and scissors."
Shinji facepalmed. "I won't clean all of this alone and I don't trust you or... the penguin to clean it alone either. So we're going to wrapped this havoc up together."
"Cleaning everyday?!" She made her best shock face and hid behind her hands. "We're in 2019 and the woman are still being exploited."
Shinji facepalmed even harder.
She got herself a beer and sat. "Don't worry too much about it, it won't take long for your synch test." She lightly sipped her beer, then drank it entirely in another sip. "Yeaaaaaaahhhhh! Oh my dear life, I just live for such a time!"
"Synch test?"
"Yes, it is like-" She burped and cleaned her mouth. "Sorry. We need to make constant checks on your synch-rate, even more in your case where we don't know if your rate is a one-in-a-million case or you're just natural talented for it."
"Hmm." Shinji walked to the entrance corridor. "I will bring these boxes."
"Ok! My room is the bigger one, yours is the one close to the closet."
"How was Rei? This afternoon, did you go ... to the hospital?"
"Twenty days later, she will be able to move."
"Your son also visited her."
"Yes, before our dealings with Riouji Kaji."
"Are you not worried?"
"Him having a Evangelion Unit with a S2 engine is dangerous, but as long as he stays on our side, there is no worry."
"I'm talking about him and Rei."
Rei Ayanami.
Pilot of Evangelion Unit Zero. Her human genes come from mother.
Shinji played with the ice. When Uncle Kaworu told him about taking in a bath in cold water with ice, Shinji thought he was a madman. Years later of doing it, he still think he was, but his method is efficient. Well, "his" method, aparently is from a european or american dude.
Taking a bath is a life washing...
Misato Katsuragi.
Operations Director of NERV. My roomate.
Bathing is silent...
And silence echoes my fears.
He looked at the ceilling.
Tokyo-3.
My city.
Please leave your thoughts, good or bad, in the reviews, it is much appreciated.
As I said in the first chapter, Chuckman's fanfiction, specially Riddle of Steel, are much of a inspiration, but I fear that I went past the line of inspiration and plagiarism with the Asuka and Kaji interaction in the beginning;
If I did, please state in the reviews so I can work on another way.
