Hey guys, I'm back.
Long chapter, so long that I had to split it.
I hope you all enjoy it. Here's chapter 11 "Abnormal".
"I was never good at facing my problems. I wanted to run away and forget. It took me a long time to learn that you mustn't run away. You have to face your fears. I struggled because I was never brave and strong like the others. But that's the thing. You can only ever be brave when you are afraid."
- The Broken Man.
Nerv HQ.
Deep underground.
"Well, after several scans we can say that the sample was altered."
Deputy Commander Kozo Fuyutsuki examined the frozen embryo once again, Gendo hovered nearby listening intently.
"So, it seems. If Kaji noticed the crack along the dura-bakelite, he did not mention it. How was the sample altered?" Commander Gendo Ikari said.
The two older men stood in a private lab of sorts, the staff had been re-assigned some time ago and only Fuyutsuki himself was allowed access to the equipment. Ever since the 'Over the Rainbow' incident, when Gendo had noticed the crack on the sample's container, he'd had Fuyutsuki personally studying it.
Fuyutsuki had added another layer of frozen dura-bakelite over the previous containment, an extra precaution that Gendo approved of. Adam was essentially 'immortal' from what SEELE and Nerv had discovered over the years. Even after the Second Impact, the recovered scraps of the First Angel had reassembled and begun rebuilding itself.
What had been SEELE's solution to the potential Dark God's return? Allow Adam to regrow enough for a decent sample then freeze him to keep him contained. No cellular activity allowed. Even with all that, Adam was still considered highly dangerous. The single most powerful Angel ever recorded.
"The tissue suffered minor damage. Almost too small to be visible to the human eye," Fuyutsuki said.
"A wound?" Gendo questioned coldly.
"Possible. Or... perhaps another sample was taken from the embryo, but by whom?" Fuyutsuki said thinking aloud.
Gendo thought that over, his expression a mask of calm.
"Do you suspect Kaji? Surely he would not be so foolish as to release Adam without a method to keep him contained?" Fuyutsuki said, a momentary edge of panic working its way into his voice.
Gendo tilted his head, the thought of the First Angel freed from his containment in any shape or form was... terrifying.
"I do not believe he would have taken a piece of the sample, and then delivered the rest to us. He may not realize Adam's importance. Though as long as the whole is contained it will make little difference," Gendo said gazing over the strange sample. The small bundle of cells that was now contained within two layers of frozen dura-bakelite.
"Adam is not like the others. How can you be sure?"
"... an old theory. She has yet to be wrong. The First Angel is contained," Gendo answered.
Fuyutsuki raised an eyebrow. Gendo rarely mentioned her these days.
"We will investigate. Caution must be taken when dealing with the First Angel. For now, I will begin preparing the necessary measures for the operation," Fuyutsuki said grimly. He knew what was asked of him, but Gendo almost seemed eager to do some things himself.
Gendo flexed his gloved hand.
"See that it gets done. Take as much time as you need, the sample is imperative."
Without so much as a goodbye, Gendo Ikari turned and left Fuyutsuki standing in the re-purposed lab with the frozen sample.
How rude? Fuyutsuki thought.
Elsewhere.
"Alright. Sync test complete. Both of you are looking good. Mari, congratulations on your high scores. Rei, you're doing fine but you dipped a bit today," Ritsuko said into the comm.
The scientist peered down at them through the observation window.
"Dr. Akagi, may I leave now?" Rei asked into the intercom.
That's odd. Rei almost never asks for anything.
"The tests for today are over. Rei, Mari, the two of you are free to go," Ritsuko called over the comm.
She was surprised at how quickly the sync test had gone. 40% for Rei, and 46% for Mari which was a little higher than Shinji's to the surprise of all the staff. The Third Child's ratio had been lower lately, but no one had come close to the 91% miracle that he had achieved on his first piloting run. The boy had only been able to maintain it for roughly 12 seconds, and never again.
"Cool. Dr. Akagi, any word on how long before I can pilot again?" Mari asked over the comm as she stretched her long limbs.
Ritsuko noted how the girl had trouble sitting down or staying still for long periods of time.
"Eva Unit 03 is operational to some extent, but Nerv likes to be careful just in case. Units 01 and 02 are the front line for now. The two of you are in the reserves. It shouldn't be much more of a wait," Ritsuko said over the comm.
She didn't even look up from the printed results that her assistant, Maya Ibuki, handed to her. She heard Mari sigh over the comm before exiting the testing plug.
"There's something odd about that girl. She's the oldest pilot, but she actually 'likes' it. She's not afraid at all," Maya said thinking aloud.
Ritsuko nodded in agreement.
"All the Eva pilots seem a bit odd, don't they? I have a theory about that, but for now, we have our pilots," she said.
"Yes ma'am," Maya said.
If you only knew. There is something to be said that the two pilots with the highest scores were once mental ward patients... Ritsuko thought. She'd kept her promise to Shinji and had not told anyone who didn't already know. For now, at least, it didn't seem relevant.
Two mental patients who had become Eva Pilots, a strange phenomenon.
...
Locker room.
"Hey, First Child. You ever going to tell me what you're so pissed about? Or, are you just gonna narrow your eyes at me every time we have tests?" Mari said coolly. She finished dressing and turned to her 'partner' for lack of a better world.
"I do not understand what you mean," Rei said slowly.
The two girls were in Nerv's female locker room, changing back into their street clothes after the long period of sync tests. Mari noted that Rei seemed to ignore, or else silently glare, her way the entire time.
That was nothing to Mari, she'd had to deal with Asuka when she was in Germany after all.
"Pissed off. It means you're angry. Angry at me," Mari said oddly cheerful.
"I am not angry," Rei said flatly. The strange pale girl kept her gaze firmly planted on her locker, not even bothering to look at the other girl as she spoke.
"Liar. You're not used to this are you? Not used to being upset with someone. I can see it in your face," Mari said moving to lean against the locker next to Rei's.
"I am not upset with you," Rei said completely deadpan.
"Then why are your hands clenched?" Mari called just as the other girl finished dressing.
Rei tilted her head at that. She glanced down to see that Mari was right. Her hands had clenched into fists during their talk. Rei couldn't remember having ever done that before, why would she do that?
"... I do not know. Desist. I do not wish to speak with you," Rei said after a moment of silence.
"Too bad. The higher-ups have paired us together. Eva Team Two," Mari said.
"I will follow orders. I will work with you, but I do not have to be your friend," Rei said simply.
"Right. Personally, I'd rather be paired with Shinji," Mari said honestly.
Rei felt her hand clench again and she slammed her locker closed harder than she meant to. The result was a soft BANG that rang through the locker room.
Mari pretended not to notice.
"I mean, Shinji and I work pretty well together. But no, the Commander paired him with Asuka of all people," Mari continued.
"I do not wish to speak with you any further."
Rei spoke the words completely deadpan, but her hands gave her away. They were shaking until the pale girl got a hold of herself and calmed down.
Mari put herself between Rei and the exit, saying "that's fine. We don't have to talk, but you were being mean to my dummy the other night. I don't like that. Don't be mean to Shinji."
Rei blinked in surprise at that, watching as Mari crossed her arms coolly.
"He... Shinji is not your dummy. Do not call him that. He is not unintelligent," Rei said feeling something in her heart twitch. She did not like these feelings that the boy could stir in her, she did not understand them.
Mari didn't even blink saying "you're right. He's not an idiot no matter what Asuka says. Don't see you telling our German friend anything about that though. Whatever your problem with me is, leave Shinji out of it."
"I am... I am not mean to Shinji," Rei said. She decided that she did not want to continue this talk.
Rei strode forward, ignoring Mari's hand to stop her, and brushed the other girl off walking straight past her and leaving the room. Mari watched Rei leaving with a shake of the head.
"What an odd girl," Mari muttered.
Later.
Rei made it out of the Geofront and back to her apartment faster than she realized, the movements seeming to blur to her. Offhandedly, she wondered if it was like that for Shinji when he appeared to be momentarily lost to the world.
Then, just as she reached the hall to her apartment she spotted him waiting for her.
Shinji Ikari sat against the wall to the side of her front door. He looked like he'd been there a while, enough time for him to slack against the wall listening to his SDAT player.
"Rei. Uh, I grabbed your worksheet for the day," Shinji said getting to his feet. He put away his SDAT player and pulled her worksheet from his bag. Her sync test had taken her away from school, and only Shinji ever seemed to notice her absence.
Wordlessly, Rei took the worksheet from his outstretched hand.
"Listen. I know I messed up the other day, and I wanted to say that I was-" Shinji began stammering awkwardly.
Rei passed him by.
"Thank you for the worksheet," she muttered under her breath. She opened her front door and stepped inside.
Shinji hovered outside not sure what to say.
"I'm sorry. I... can I come in for a minute," he said awkwardly.
"No. Shinji... please leave."
Rei didn't look at him. She closed the door behind her and locked it before he could continue.
She heard him bang his head against her door in frustration, before sighing and leaving. He was probably heading home. Rei glanced down at the worksheet in her hands and noticed that it had already been completed.
Shinji had done her homework for her. He hadn't even mentioned it. All she had to do was go over the material, nothing more.
Rei frowned at that. Even now, he still thought of her. It made her feel... warm.
The next morning.
Misato's apartment.
Shinji Ikari packed Asuka's lunch. Yes, he still made the damn girl a lunch and no he didn't entirely know why. Then he left it on the table for her. He left a quick note for Misato and headed out the front door already wearing his school clothes and carrying his bag.
He waited outside the apartment block where Rei usually met him on the way to school. He'd gotten up nearly an hour and a half earlier to get there before she did.
Sadly, that meant getting little sleep and heading out without saying goodbye to Misato or even Asuka.
Okay. Tell Rei that I'm sorry again. Tell her I'll teach her today or whenever she wants. Yes, that is the plan. The plan is the plan. My plan to plan to… to keep my friend... Shinji thought.
He checked the time on his phone. He was really trying to remember to keep his phone in his pocket, that way he wouldn't miss calls on the rare occasion that 'someone' actually called him.
"Where is she?" Shinji mumbled to himself as he waited. They always met here, they always walked to school together from this spot near the apartment block.
After several minutes of waiting, Asuka appeared dressed in her usual school clothes.
"Shinji?" Asuka muttered in greeting. She'd obviously grabbed the lunch he packed for her, but she was giving him an odd look and he wasn't sure what he had or hadn't done.
Still, she didn't snap at him. He blinked in surprise, he thought they were still ignoring each other or else arguing. He was never sure what was going on with his roommate.
"What are you doing?" Asuka asked, stopping to watch him.
"Waiting for Rei," he answered truthfully.
"Thought she waited for you, not the other way around," Asuka said. She still didn't snap at him.
"… I think she's mad at me. It's a long story," Shinji said.
"… well I didn't offer to listen," Asuka said, but she didn't have her usual bite to her remarks. Like she didn't really mean it.
Why did you even stop to talk?
"Bye," Asuka said keeping a cold detachment in her voice as she walked off.
"… bye," he said slowly.
I don't understand girls... I don't think I ever will.
Once she was gone, Shinji waited.
He waited and waited for Rei but she never came. Shinji checked his phone. If he kept waiting he would be late to school.
Shinji waited longer.
Minutes later, he checked the time again. If he started jogging he'd probably still make it to class on time. Shinji winced looking at the time on his phone's display, and back at where he was waiting for Rei.
He sighed and slid to the floor taking a seat.
Oh, I am going to be late! Shinji thought ten minutes later.
He waited and waited. He thought about going to Rei's apartment and seeing if she was sick, but that would take even more time.
Misato is going to be mad. Class started five minutes ago.
Just go.
What?! You again-
You're going to be late. Go.
Shinji scowled and reached into his bag, grabbing one of his pills, and swallowed it. Nonetheless, three minutes later he got up and let out a heavy sigh.
"I'm in trouble now," he said as he broke into a jog heading for school. His plan had failed.
Rei never showed, and now he was going to be late.
School.
Shinji had a small layer of sweat on his face as he made it to his classroom. He hurriedly slid the door open making quite the scene as he stumbled into class.
"I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean to be late but I-" Shinji said in-between bouts of panting. He'd jogged the whole way there and he wasn't in great shape.
"Mr. Ikari! Take your seat and stop disrupting the class!" the teacher said clearly annoyed at him bursting into the class like that.
The rest of the class, most of whom hadn't been paying attention to the lecture, snapped up to attention and snorted in laughter as Shinji hurriedly found his usual seat. He embarrassingly kept his head low, not wanting to think about the scene he'd caused.
He found his seat and quickly sat down, pretending not to notice the few girls in the class that fanned their hands as he passed. He must have smelled, but there was nothing he could do about it. He'd been jogging.
"Rei?" Shinji said having to keep himself from shouting, his voice ending up as a kind of shrill high pitched whisper. He just assumed she was either sick or else at Nerv doing another sync test.
Rei Ayanami sat in her desk, determinately staring ahead at the lecturing teacher. He noticed that she didn't even have her notebook out. She was completely ignoring him. But Shinji thought he knew her better than most, he got the feeling she knew he was there. One of her hands had clenched when he whispered her name, and that honestly scared him a little.
When did Rei clench her fists? That surprised him in a way he didn't like.
"Mr. Ikari. Don't disrupt the class again or it will be detention!" the teacher called to the amusement of the entire class.
Hikari was shaking her head at him.
"Sorry," Shinji mouthed to Hikari, but she only rolled her eyes at him.
I waited for you... Shinji thought, wanting to talk but knowing he couldn't with the teacher lecturing to the class. Even the other night, he'd waited outside her apartment.
Shinji sent her a message via the school terminal.
Rei never responded.
After the class was released for lunch, he tried calling after her so they could talk but Rei was faster.
The strange pale girl rose from her desk the moment the class was released and headed for the door before Shinji could even speak. So fast... she never walks that fast, he thought
He muttered hasty apologies to Toji and Kensuke as he walked off after Rei.
"Rei," Shinji called following her out into the hallway. A few other girls in his class gave him strange looks as he did so, but he didn't want to focus on them, he had a friend to get back.
"I just want to talk. I'm sorry. I-" Shinji said following her through the hall.
"I do not wish to speak with you," Rei said avoiding his gaze, though he noticed a tremor in her voice. Students moved out of her way as Rei strode forward, like some kind of strange parting of the sea, leaving Shinji behind.
He froze in his place in the hallway. He opened his mouth to speak, couldn't think of anything to say, and then closed it.
Come on... Shinji thought. He frowned as Rei disappeared among the crowd of students leaving for lunch.
Hikari and Asuka passed him up. The class representative gave him a curious look but said nothing, Asuka didn't seem to care, as they walked by him. Other students passed him but Shinji was too wrapped up in his own thoughts.
"Hey man, you alright?" Toji said appearing at the stunned Shinji's side.
"Oh. Yeah, I just... don't wanna talk about it..." he said slowly.
Kensuke emerged at his side too.
He really did have to stop spacing out like that.
Shinji headed off to lunch with his two friends wondering what he was going to do. Toji and Kensuke did notice that Rei didn't sit with them. Kensuke was observant enough not to bring it up and kind enough to stop Toji from mentioning it. Shinji was grateful for that.
The next day, he waited for Rei again but the girl seemed to be taking a different route to school and he was almost late for a second time.
Once again, she ignored him the whole day. Toji and Kensuke managed to cheer him up a little. He did like his friends very much, he really did, but he was closer to Rei since they were both pilots. That, and when they had first met he'd felt 'drawn' to her in a strange way that he didn't fully understand.
Walking home from school that day, he was surprised when Mari showed up again on her motorbike. The scene almost exactly mirrored the last time she'd shown up.
With Toji and Kensuke staring in awe at the older girl, Shinji brightening up at the sight of her, and her waving him over.
"Hey, dummy. Hop on, we're going out," Mari said smirking at him.
"Mari," Shinji said smiling.
She did always seem to randomly show up in his life, that was how they'd first met after all. He bid his friends farewell. The other boys shook their heads at how someone like Mari was friends with someone like Shinji.
Shinji wasn't the smartest guy in the world, definitely not, but he wasn't exactly unintelligent either. He knew that Mari was too 'cool' for him. And that it baffled Toji and Kensuke why she liked him so much, yet somehow they were friends.
He awkwardly got on Mari's bike, he still wasn't used to riding the way she was, but with the day he'd been having he could do with some cheering up.
"Go Shinji!" Toji said. The boy raised his fist in 'manly' support as Mari drove off with Shinji in tow for the second time.
Shinji laughed waving his friends off.
...
However what poor Shinji did not realize, was that while Rei was indeed taking a different route on her way to and from school, the girl did see him on his way home. Which in turn meant that she saw from afar as her only friend in the world drove off with Mari after school.
Rei did not like these emotions that the boy could bring out of her.
"Hey, why so glum? I found this great place but you're being a real downer," Mari said noticing how quiet Shinji was being as he held onto her.
"Just problems with my friend Rei," Shinji said truthfully.
"Strange girl. If it bothers you that much I can drop you off?" Mari offered, turning a corner as she drove through the streets of Tokyo-03.
He thought about that for a moment, but no. He needed something to keep his mind off of things.
"No. I think you're just what I needed. People tell me I spend too much time in my head worrying. I'd love to hang out again," Shinji said. It honestly felt like when he was a kid and Mari would sneak into his room and take him out on an 'adventure' within the confines of the ward.
"Good decision, dummy. I love this bike, but gas isn't cheap and I want to take you somewhere," Mari said taking the chance at a red light to glance back and smirk at him.
Shinji found himself smiling softly at that. Being around Mari usually cheered him up.
You're ignoring your problems. You mustn't run away.
Shut. Up.
You know I'm right.
I don't know anything. Leave me alone. He thought bitterly his hands clenching into fists.
"Rough hands, Shinji. You putting the moves on me?" Mari said snorting with laughter.
"Sorry. I'm not used to the bike," Shinji said feeling embarrassed as he unclenched his hands. He needed to be more careful.
He wasn't lying, not really. Yes, the thing in his head had been getting worse ever since he'd started piloting, but he really wasn't used to riding with Mari either. Mari never seemed to care, she teased him but she never held anything against him.
...
Hours later.
After another night of wandering the inner city following Mari's lead, Shinji was tired and he could honestly say that he'd do it again. He just wasn't used to being out and about like she was, and though they didn't always know where they were going, Mari had a knack for finding something to do.
Currently, Shinji was in danger of peeing in his pants as he drove Mari's motorbike with her holding onto him for a change.
Man up. Man up... Shinji thought. He struggled to keep himself together with Mari sitting behind him, her breath on the back of his neck as she cheered him on.
"Don't be such a girl. You got this!" Mari was saying in between laughs. She freed one of her hands from his chest and helped him steer as they got closer and closer to the apartment block.
Thankfully, with Mari's help, Shinji managed to steer her bike to the entrance before letting her use the brake. They brought the bike to a decent stop, and Mari shifted the gear into park.
"Ahhh, I thought I was going to crash a few times," Shinji said panting between laughs as Mari laughed with him.
"Nah, I wouldn't have let you crash," Mari said as they got off her bike together.
"Shinji! What the hell were you doing on that bike!" Misato's voice called out suddenly.
Both Shinji and Mari looked up to see Misato walking towards them, clear disapproval planted firmly on her face as she joined them outside the apartment block. She was dressed in her usual jacket and shorts, with that strange cross necklace she seemed to always carry.
"Uh, Misato? Mari drove back most of the way, then she thought I should try it down here closer to home. Less traffic," Shinji said. Though he mostly mumbled at the sight of his guardian's disapproval.
"Do you even have a license for that thing?" Misato said to Mari crossing her arms.
"Yes, I have a license. Relax lady, I wouldn't let Shinji get hurt. So I let him drive like a block or two, what's the worst that could happen?" Mari said, choosing to ignore Misato's disapproval altogether.
You're making it worse Mari...
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He could see an argument brewing between his guardian and his friend, and he didn't like it.
"What's the worst that could happen?! You two could get in an accident! That's 'the worst' that could happen. Listen, I don't know how you're allowed so much freedom. You're not even wearing a helmet! Don't ever take Shinji riding with you again!" Misato said.
"What? Misato?!" Shinji said almost jumping at her words. Mari was his friend, his first and oldest friend, and everyone seemed to have it out for her...
Mari scoffed, crossing her arms and spoke up. "I think Shinji can make his own decisions."
"And I'm his guardian. No helmet, no riding," Misato countered.
Mari sighed, not bothered in the slightest that Misato didn't 'approve' of her. There were times when Shinji was honestly freaked out by how nothing ever got to his first friend.
He looked between the two women in his life, not sure what he should do.
"You're no fun. I have a feeling you were a bit wild when you were younger. But fine, be like that. I'll see you later Shinji. When the grown-ups aren't around," Mari said patting him on the back affectionately.
Misato scowled, eying the teenage girl's movements disapprovingly.
Misato... that's just the way Mari is, Shinji thought glumly. He had hoped that they would get along. He had been wrong.
"Bye Mari," he said sadly as his friend hopped back onto her bike and drove off into the night.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Misato gesturing for him to follow her.
"Yes Ma'am," Shinji sighed as he followed her back to the apartment.
"You better not go riding without a helmet. I mean it, Shinji. And what's wrong with you? I called you four times and you never answered," Misato was saying as they made their way back home.
"You did? Oh... I must have not heard it," Shinji said feeling a pang in his chest. He reached into his bag and pulled out his phone. Sure enough. Four missed calls.
I did try to tell you.
Shinji had to fight the urge to scowl. Ever since the attack on the Pacific Fleet, the thing in his head had not caused him pain when it stirred. The twinges from within his skull had left and never came back. But not the voice. The voice never truly went away.
Need my pills. Can't take one with Misato here... damn it.
I know. That's why we're talking.
That almost made Shinji trip and fall, the sheer panic that emerged in his throat at those words. That... he didn't want to think about it.
Don't get angry. Misato will know something's wrong. Listen. You don't know Mari. Not anymore, it's been years since you knew that little girl in the ward.
Shinji glanced at his side. Misato was walking with him back to the apartment. How he wished he could take his medicine!
If nothing else, you need to stop forgetting the rest of the world when you're with her. You ignore things when you're around her. That's bad. She'll make you forget your problems, but that's running away from them. You mustn't run away. Consider that.
Go away. I'm not crazy. I'm not going back to the ward. I'm healthy. I'm aware of my problem. I take responsibility for it, Shinji thought to himself firmly.
Consider the fact that I have never done you wrong. That my words have only ever been to help you. I'm leaving now. Calm yourself.
Shinji paled at that, visibly shaken.
Misato noticed, he felt her hand on his forehead checking his temperature but Shinji jumped back.
"I'm fine," he said a little too quickly. Before Misato could ask him what was wrong, he hurried forward and unlocked the front door.
"Shinji..." Misato said slowly.
He opened the door saying "did you want me to cook dinner again?"
Misato hesitated.
He could tell that she knew he was avoiding their talk again, but she didn't push him.
"No. She ordered us take-out again. It got cold because we were waiting for you," Asuka's voice called from the kitchen.
Shinji blinked in surprise as he took in the sight of the kitchen. Asuka dressed in her usual relaxed, 'at home' clothes, sitting at the dining table with Pen Pen and clearly eating without them.
"Asuka?! I told you to wait," Misato whined, sounding more like a teenager and not the adult that she was.
"I was hungry. If he would just answer his stupid phone we wouldn't have to wait so long," Asuka said finishing the last of her food. Shinji noted that Pen Pen had gotten into his plate and looked full. Shinji didn't think he'd be eating that food after all.
Pen Pen? Sigh. I can never tell if he likes me or not.
"Why were you all waiting for me?" Shinji said confused.
"No idea. Misato said she wanted to tell us something," Asuka answered surprisingly.
"Take a seat," Misato said putting a hand on his shoulder and guiding him to the table.
Once Shinji was seated, Misato turned to her two charges and took a deep breath. Shinji only wished Pen Pen hadn't gotten into his food, he still had about half but he wasn't sure if it was safe to eat anymore.
"Okay children. I know you're all looking forward to the school trip to Okinawa-" Misato began.
"School trip? What?" Shinji asked confused again.
Misato and Asuka both looked at him as if he was joking.
"Don't you pay attention? It's all everyone at school was talking about today. The school trip?" Asuka said.
"I was late today. I... I must have missed it," Shinji said slowly.
Why were you late?! Misato's quick glare plainly said.
Shinji sunk visibly into his chair.
"As I was saying. I'm sorry guys, I really am, but neither of you can go," Misato said letting the news out.
"Okay," Shinji said simply. That was what she'd been waiting to tell them? He thought it was something serious.
Asuka however, snapped out of her seat, slamming her hand to the table saying "what? Why can't we go?!"
"Because you're pilots. Right now, the two of you are the only ones with fully operational Eva Units. You're on standby in case an Angel appears," Misato said simply.
Asuka whirled at him saying "why don't you say something?! Misato likes you better, you tell her to let us go!"
"But it makes sense. We can't go because the city needs us here," Shinji said slowly. He understood Misato's decision, he really did. No one knew where the Angels came from, they just appeared. All they could do was defend the city.
"Asuka, I don't play favorites. And besides, it will give you two some time to catch up on your grades. I finally had time to look at your report cards, and I'm disappointed in both of you," Misato said teasingly.
Ah. I need to pay more attention in class, Shinji thought offhandedly.
"This isn't fair. It's the stupid language. I can't read Japanese correctly!" Asuka exclaimed in defense of her grades.
"Great. So you know what you need to work on," Misato countered softly.
Shinji got to his feet saying, "thanks for telling me. I think I'm gonna go to bed."
Asuka turned back to him as if accusing him of giving up without a fight, which he did since he didn't really care to be honest. Maybe that made him a bad person, but he couldn't deny Misato's logic.
"Night, Shinji," Misato called.
Asuka sunk back into her chair clearly defeated.
...
He took the news rather well, Misato thought, taking a sip of her beer. She ended up letting Asuka go to bed and doing the dishes herself. She had to stop making Shinji do all the chores around the house. Though, Misato admitted that Shinji was probably better than her at cleaning.
Nerv HQ.
Gendo's Office.
"The geologists noticed some strange readings. They were checking for possible tremors and earthquakes before they called Nerv in. They took some aerial shots of the volcano, but they can't get a closer look."
Ritsuko was speaking to the people in the darkroom.
The meeting had been called together quickly, with the available data hurriedly put together by Dr. Akagi and her team ready to answer any questions.
Ritsuko hadn't gone home yet, but most of the people in the room had already left or were in the process of leaving when the call had come through. Her assistants Maya Ibuki, Makoto Hyuga, and Shigeru Aoba all looked at her with tired sleepy eyes, but none complained. They knew their work was important.
"What are the chances of it being an Angel?" Fuyutsuki said into the silence.
Ritsuko and her team had passed the files around for their commanders to see, having already presented the potential problem brewing in the volcano.
"Magi calculates a 50% chance the geologists' readings are the result of an Angel," Maya said doing her best not to sound sleepy.
"It will be a nightmare if that thing wakes up. Mount Asama has a city and a few towns nearby, we'll need to evacuate the area. People won't be happy, but it needs to be done," Fuyutsuki said slowly.
"Not yet. I want a team to head out there and send a probe. Confirm the presence of an Angel inside the volcano, then we'll order the evacuation," Commander Gendo Ikari said speaking for the first time in the meeting.
"Yes sir," Ritsuko and her assistants said.
"How soon can a probe be shipped off?" Gendo asked.
"It can be there by tomorrow morning. We'll need to send some staff, of course, luckily the geology team based there is happy to work with us," Ritsuko said.
"See that it gets done. Send Captain Katsuragi to oversee things once the probe is delivered," Fuyutsuki said giving Gendo a knowing look.
"Sir," Ritsuko said. Her visibly tired assistants had to fight the urge to sigh, another long night.
"Leave us," Gendo said sternly.
Ritsuko and the others left the room. They knew better than to question their commander, and they had work to do.
Fuyutsuki waited until they were gone before he crossed his arms.
"You already know what it is, don't you? This was part of the collection, wasn't it?" the Sub-Commander said.
Gendo nodded.
"May I see?" Fuyutsuki asked.
Gendo seemed to consider that before pulling out his personal laptop from his suitcase. Booting the machine up, he accessed his private files that were heavily encrypted. No one but the commander himself could access the pictures.
Fuyutsuki had to fight the urge to gasp at the file Gendo pulled up for him to see. A high-resolution scan of a crude child-like drawing.
A drawing of what appeared to be an Angel sleeping inside a volcano. It was drawn in color pencil, obviously done by the hands of a child, but there was no mistaking what it was. A volcano that held an Angel in hibernation.
"This collection has never been wrong, Kozo," Gendo said sounding unnerved. A rare feat for the infamously cold Gendo Ikari. Again and again, the boy's drawings proved prophetic.
"As if we had a second set of the Dead Sea Scrolls," Fuyutsuki said in awe.
"Indeed," Gendo replied in a low voice. "Have the Evas prepared. Team One will be sent when the Angel's presence is confirmed. Team two will remain on standby in Tokyo-03."
The next day.
When Shinji and Asuka got up in the morning, it was to find that Misato was gone. Their temporary guardian left a note for them saying that she had been called away on Nerv business. That it was probably nothing, and for them to work on their failing grades.
Not knowing what to do, Shinji and Asuka would have gone off on their own, but someone from Nerv called saying that they were ordered to report to the Geofront for standby 'just in case'.
Just another thing to ruin their day. Shinji didn't mind not going on the school trip, Toji and Kensuke had each called him to say goodbye. With Toji joking that he'd have fun for the both of them. Asuka would have usually gone to Hikari's house, but since the class rep was on the school trip she wasn't home.
Even still, Shinji thought he heard Asuka talking to Hikari on the phone.
...
Inside Nerv HQ, Shinji decided to wait out the strange 'standby' orders by the pool. He figured correctly that most of the staff were too busy during the day to be by the pool, but what he hadn't figured was that Rei would be using the time off to swim.
All Shinji had wanted to do was sit somewhere quiet and do his homework. He wasn't even dressed for the pool, just his normal street clothes. Instead, he had to do his homework knowing that Rei was nearby swimming. She mostly ignored him. He thought about talking to her, but he wasn't sure if he should.
Rei... Shinji thought, watching her swim nearby. But he shook his head going back to his homework.
I wonder what Mari is doing right now? No, I really do need to fix my grades.
He sighed, leaning back and stretching his arms. Shinji just couldn't stay focused enough to do his homework. Maybe he should go for a walk, or find somewhere else quiet. He considered leaving but he suddenly felt a pair of eyes on him.
Rei was watching him...
She had gotten out of the pool, water dripping down her blue swimsuit, and she was panting from her swim. She noticed him looking back at her and she turned, bringing a towel up and drying her face before moving to sit at a nearby bench.
I really shouldn't do it. I really shouldn't do it. I... I'm doing it.
Shinji awkwardly stood, steeling himself up. He wanted his friend back.
He joined her at the bench. He was the first to admit he wasn't the smartest guy in the world, but he wasn't entirely unintelligent either. He had to be careful.
Rei didn't say anything. She glanced at him but didn't leave. The pale girl ran the towel over her head drying her hair as they sat together in silence.
What to say... what do I say... Shinji thought wracking his brains but finding nothing.
"Thank you," Rei said suddenly.
Shinji blinked in surprise. "What for?"
Rei brought her towel down to her lap and kept her head low gazing at her fingers.
"For grabbing my worksheet. For doing my homework. I- you did not have to do that," Rei said slowly. It was like she was choosing her words with care, unsure of herself for perhaps the first time in her life.
"I don't mind," Shinji said not knowing what to say.
The shadow of a smile appeared on her face for just a second, but it left in the blink of an eye.
"I doubt Misato would agree to you doing my homework for me," Rei said.
Did... did she just tell a joke?
Shinji slowly managed a small smile. He couldn't remember her ever making a joke.
Rei noticed him smiling and he thought he saw her flush before looking away.
"I know I said it a lot of times already, but I really am sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to forget. I know you're mad, but I just... I didn't mean for that to happen," Shinji said speaking softly. He was doing his best, he really was, he just wished he was better with people.
Rei was still listening. She didn't leave the bench. He took that as a good sign, and when she turned to finally look at him with her piercing red eyes he thought it was an even better sign.
"You were with the Fourth Child that day. Why?" Rei asked suddenly.
"Her name is Mari," Shinji said softly.
Rei said nothing, so he continued.
"She showed up after class, looking for me on that motorbike of hers. Mari said her punishment was over, and that she wanted to catch up. I was just so, 'glad', to see her that I sort of blanked out and forgot everything. I wasn't thinking, I was just surprised that she was there in front of me. She told me to 'hop on' and I did. Off to another adventure with Mari. Hours later, I realized that I'd forgotten you. And I felt really terrible. I did, I started running after you. You ignored me and I probably deserved it," Shinji said.
"I waited for you," Rei said never breaking eye contact.
"I know. You called me, but I wasn't paying attention. I didn't hear it when I was with her. I don't have many friends, Rei. I'm not used to people calling me. I know that's not an excuse but- but I never meant to do that," Shinji said finding it hard to meet Rei's unblinking gaze.
"... can I ask you a question?" Rei said never looking away from him.
Shinji thought he was going to start sweating. Man, now he understood what Toji meant when he said that Rei could be 'unnerving'. Rei could be intense when she wanted to be.
"Of course," Shinji said fighting the urge to gulp at her unblinking eyes.
"The Fourth Child. 'Mari'. What is she to you? You know her. Your actions around her imply that you have known her for an extended period of time," Rei said.
Mari? Why does she want to know about Mari?
"Mari is... " Shinji said, thinking that over slowly. What was Mari to him anyway? He took a second to think about that whilst Rei kept her vigil of staring at him unblinkingly.
I swear Rei is like the world's unofficial staring contest champion. How does she do it? Shinji thought for a second. Damn, he couldn't think like this. Why couldn't she blink, just once for him?
He turned his gaze off to the side. Not entirely looking away from her, just taking a second to gather his thoughts and not think about her staring at him like that.
"Mari is my friend. My first and oldest friend. I know that seems odd, she's older than me. And the two of us are very different people, but we met when we were young. I... I was very lonely when I was a kid. I didn't really have anyone. One day bled into the next. All things considered, it wasn't horrible. I had food and a roof over my head, but not much else. Everything in my life was pre-planned. I had trouble telling the days apart to be honest. But then, Mari came into my life. She was, well she was loud. She was loud and I was quiet. She was always full of energy while I was struggling to keep up. Somehow we became friends. She would steal extra pudding for me," Shinji said chuckling at the memory.
Be careful- the thing in his head stirred.
Go away! He thought.
"We were so different, even as kids. But I guess we were both so lonely that we accepted each other. She told me that I was 'weird' but that she 'liked me anyway'. Mari started dragging me along on 'little adventures' and I started to talk more. Not just mumble under my breath, but talk," Shinji said slowly.
Rei was looking at him but he wasn't sure what she was thinking.
Shinji snorted in a small laugh saying, "there was this one time when she started stealing colored pencils. And then, she made me draw pictures with her. Loads and loads of them, anything and everything, then we covered the walls of my room with them. When I asked her why she just said that my walls were boring."
Rei doesn't know I was in the ward. She doesn't know about the white rooms and the staff. Damn, those staff. They made me throw away all those pictures we drew. Made me rip them off my walls even as I cried, Shinji thought bitterly.
But he couldn't let Rei see that, so he held it in taking a deep breath.
"I guess Mari showed me a different way to live. Then one day she... she moved. And I didn't get to say goodbye, I didn't even know she was moving. I remember being, well, alone after that. Then we met again on the Over the Rainbow, and I thought I was in a dream. I never thought I'd see her again. She still shows up every now and then, and every time it's like going off on another adventure. She makes me try new things. Things I'd have never done before. She brings something out of me that no one else does," Shinji said finishing his long-winded answer.
Rei turned her gaze from him, head held low.
"... I see. Goodbye Ikari," she said. She rose from the bench wrapping her towel over herself.
Wait? What? Shinji thought, looking up at her as she started walking off.
"Rei, I- what's wrong?" he said concern in his voice. She looked sad again. Why did she look sad again? What did he do?
"Nothing is wrong. I am not mad at you," Rei said walking off. Her eyes were downcast, head held low, yet she walked on without him.
What did I do? I told her to call me Shinji? I... why is she so sad? I don't like it when Rei is sad... Shinji thought.
He stood up with his hand held out. He thought about trying to follow her, but every time he'd tried that she'd ignored him. Maybe he shouldn't follow her after all.
"What did I do?" he whispered to himself.
Girls are different than boys, Shinji. It's the 'way' you spoke. You were smiling like an idiot the whole time you were talking. From a certain view... you just made it worse.
… go away. Need my pills, Shinji thought glumly.
As much as he hated to admit it. He thought the thing in his head had a point. She wasn't mad at him anymore, she was sad. What the hell did he do? Why was he so bad with people?
Mount Asama.
"Captain Katsuragi, the probe can't take much more of this. The pressure and the heat, it's too much," Shigeru Aoba said as he watched his display screen nervously.
Aoba along with a few other Nerv staff headed by Captain Katsuragi was in the main research station for Mount Asama. The station had been kindly lent to them by the geology team based out there. No one in the room had gotten much sleep, having had to report here as soon as the probe had been delivered.
"If it breaks then Nerv will pay for it. Send it deeper," Misato said staring at the readings on the display.
"Yes ma'am," Aoba sighed. He pressed a few buttons on the control panel and the probe sank deeper and deeper into the volcano constantly relaying images as best it could.
"There! That shadow! Start analysis" Misato said staring at the display screen.
"On it," Aoba said punching the commands into the control panel. The display showed a series of hazy images before distorting.
The probe won't survive this. But as long as we get a reading then it's worth it, Misato thought.
"Reading received. Spectrum analysis revealed a Blue Pattern. The object is confirmed to be Angel in nature," Aoba said staring at his screen in shock. The probe had been destroyed, the heat and pressure finally proving too much for it. Thankfully its readings had managed to make it through to them.
Misato reached for her phone.
"I'm calling it in. A-17 procedures in effect. We need to get the civilians here evacuated ASAP."
Back at Nerv.
"You're not even looking!" Asuka said resurfacing from the water.
She'd gotten bored swimming by herself, and spotted a glum-looking Shinji doing his homework. So she'd decided to see what he was doing. Boring Shinji didn't seem to want to talk, so she started swimming again. She'd done a backward dive telling him to watch, and the idiot had ignored her.
"Oh, sorry Asuka. I have a lot on my mind," Shinji said finally looking at her.
Don't be mean. Don't be mean, Asuka thought. She had to fight the urge to yell at him.
RING RING RING.
The siren went off over the intercom for all of Nerv to hear.
"ALL EVA PILOTS AT ATTENTION. PLEASE REPORT TO THE COMMAND CENTER IMMEDIATELY."
The robotic voice rang out over the intercom, heard on all floors of the compound.
Shinji and Asuka shared a confused look before getting ready to leave. She was surprised when Shinji grabbed a towel for her and helped her out of the pool.
…
After changing into their plugsuits, all four Eva pilots reported in at the command center where Ritsuko was waiting for them along with sub-commander Fuyutsuki and various staff. Misato was on call on the display screen behind them, looking like she was in some research station.
"Shinji!" Mari called striding towards him and wrapping an arm around his shoulder affectionately.
"Hey, Mari," Shinji said smiling at her presence.
Rei was watching him, and he didn't know why.
"Settle down psycho," Asuka said, just as Fuyutsuki called for order.
That man did not like dealing with a bunch of teenage pilots, but Nerv had no choice.
"As you know, you have all been placed on standby. The reason for that was last night we received a potential sign of an Angel appearing to be 'sleeping' inside of the volcano on Mount Asama. As of the last hour, we have confirmed that it is indeed an Angel. We are sending two pilots to the site, one team to attempt a recovery of the Angel for use as a sample. The other two shall remain here to protect the city," Fuyutsuki said grimly.
"I'm going," Asuka said volunteering.
"That has already been decided. Team One, Eva Units 01 and 02, are being sent on site. Units 00 and 03 will remain here. Dr. Akagi," Fuyutsuki said, turning for her to continue.
Ritsuko nodded saying, "Eva Unit 02 has the thickest armor. But it's not enough for the depths of the volcano. It's being equipped with a D-suit to handle the extra heat and pressure."
Ritsuko turned to Misato, who disappeared on the display to be replaced by the images their probe had managed to take before breaking.
"This is the Angel. It's several hundred meters into the volcano. Asuka, you'll have to be careful even with the D-suit but I'll be on the comm with you the whole time," Misato's voice said through the display.
"The Angel is not fully developed. It appears to be in a chrysalis form that predates the adult stage. If for any reason it becomes active, your mission will no longer be to capture it but to kill it," Ritsuko continued.
"I understand," Asuka said looking eager.
"No fair. I'm stuck here while you two have all the fun," Mari sighed comically.
"Ha, I wish I could stay," Shinji said. He just knew he'd be dragged along for this, he always was.
"Me too," Rei whispered her head held low.
Shinji blinked in surprise turning to her. Before he could say anything, Mari patted him on the shoulder saying "it won't be so bad. Don't be so mopey."
Yeah. I have to stop doing that, he thought as the meeting was called to an end.
Hours later.
Mount Asama.
Shinji sat inside the entry plug of Eva Unit 01, the Eva standing tall as a titan out in the open. Cranes were being prepared to lower the D-suit equipped Unit 02.
Apparently, Asuka had almost backed out of the operation after seeing the special plugsuit needed to pilot with the D-suit. Surprisingly both Mari and Rei had offered to take her place and pilot 02, Asuka had absolutely refused to let anyone but her pilot 'her Eva'.
"Alright, Shinji. You're here as backup today. If all goes well you won't have to lift a finger," Misato said into his ear via the comm.
"Roger that," Shinji said.
He felt uneasy with the military (JSSDF) forces stationed nearby. They were here as 'clean up' in case Nerv failed. In that scenario, the military would drop an N2 mine down the volcano in a controlled strike, and collapse the structure trapping the Angel within if it survived the blast. The damage to Japan's landmark would be irreversible, but he knew that the adults would do it if they had to.
Shinji watched the cranes lift the D-suit equipped Eva Unit 02. It was a strange sight, 02 hadn't been modified, but rather had donned a massive heat-resistant suit, almost like a human would put on clothes. The red Eva appeared to wear a kind of grey 'bubble' suit.
"Be careful," Shinji called into Asuka's comm.
"Pshh. I got this. Just you watch!" Asuka called back surprisingly.
"Operation launch. Beginning the descent," Misato called into both their comms.
The massive crane began lowering the D-suit equipped Unit 02 into the volcano. The cranes pumped coolant into the D-suit via four massive pipes connected directly to the suit. A fifth power cable supplied power to the Eva itself that was intertwined with the cooling tubes. And all the cooling/power cables were held inside a series of thick support cables that together, could hold the weight of an Evangelion.
This was a bad idea. Try to keep your distance no matter what happens.
What the- Shinji thought. The voice didn't cause him any pain lately, but there were times it still startled him.
When it goes wrong, and it will go wrong, don't get too close. You will only make it worse.
The voice seemed worried, it had never seemed worried before.
No, I'm not supposed to talk to it... Shinji thought, shaking his head.
"I lost my progressive knife. The D-suit cracked and it slipped out," Asuka said sounding a little strained. The heat and pressure were a lot to deal with, even with all the equipment.
"Asuka. Are you okay?" Shinji asked nervously. He was starting to get a bad feeling.
He made to step closer, and peak in over the volcano's edge to get a better look. Shinji paused as the thing in his head stirred and made him freeze.
Stop. Don't get too close. You'll make it worse.
"Calm down! I got this," Asuka answered him on the comm. She honestly seemed surprised at his reaction, she hadn't meant to yell but it didn't have her usual bite.
"Asuka, you holding up alright?" Misato called over the comm.
"I can keep going. Let's continue," Asuka replied confidently over the comm.
"Continuing descent," Misato called.
Ritsuko's voice cut in over the shared comm, Shinji had almost forgotten she was there in the temporary base with Misato.
"Once you make contact you'll have one chance to capture it. The currents won't let you try again," Ritsuko said into the shared channel.
"I understand... I see it. I see the Angel! ... it looks like a shadow. Half the size of an Eva," Asuka called into the comm suddenly.
"Target in sight. Put it in the cage and we'll take it from there," Misato said.
Keep back. As Asuka starts to ascend with the Angel, step further and further back.
Shinji started getting nervous, his hand starting to twitch, that nervous tremor he had developed since 01 had been shot in the head. He listened on the comm anxiously. He felt so useless here, standing on the sidelines as the others did all the work.
"I'm getting ready to deploy the cage. I- ah! The Angel's moving!" Asuka said into the comm.
…
Down below within the depths of the volcano, Asuka shivered as the Angel stirred and opened a single eye. A single eye that looked directly at her and her Eva.
The Angel started to move, completely ignoring the heat and pressure that had proven a challenge even to an Evangelion. It twitched erratically, limbs flailing, as if in a sick mockery of a newborn baby emerging into the world.
"It's awake! And it's moving!" Asuka called into the comm.
Misato ordered the staff to slow her descent into the depths of the magma.
Asuka kept her eyes on the very mobile Angel as it convulsed changing form from that of a strange embryo-like shape into something else. The creature changed, stretching its flesh, becoming a monstrous reptile-like beast wrapped into a humanoid frame. It was seemingly immune to both the pressure and heat of the volcano.
"The Capture has been called off. Asuka, drop the cage. Be ready for anything," Misato called suddenly.
Asuka released her grip on the cage. She watched it sink into the magma currents, before reaching for her prog knife. Then she remembered it had fallen during the descent. She cursed in German.
"Shinji will drop you his knife. Keep your distance and watch for it," Misato's voice called into her ear via the comm.
Come on, Shinji. Don't you let me down too, Asuka thought. She could feel the crane above trying to reel her and the Eva back up, but the Angel was starting to 'swim' through the magma towards her.
…
Shinji rushed forward, Eva Unit 01 lumbering through the open field and heading for the volcano.
"I'm dropping it now," he said.
Unit 01 raised its massive hand, knife held in its palm, and he threw it down following Ritsuko's orders where to throw. He watched it sink further and further in. He could feel the heat from the volcano below, and he suddenly had a terrible feeling in his chest.
…
"I'm dropping it now," Shinji's voice called into her comm.
Asuka was starting to sweat, the heat was starting to seep into her Eva. She wanted to look for the knife, but she knew Misato would tell her when it was approaching, so she kept her eyes coolly trained on the Angel moving around in the magma.
Only the monstrous foe surprised her. The Angel halted mid-dive. Where once it had been swerving and diving through the currents for her in its strange new form, now it stopped.
The Abnormal Angel floated menacingly amid the magma. And Asuka saw it turn its 'head' upward, strange yellow eyes wide and unblinking. The Angel stared straight up.
Shinji... the Angel is looking right at Shinji and Eva Unit 01, Asuka thought. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she did. The Angel was looking right at the Third Child. It knew he was up there.
…
The Angel knows you're here. It's looking right at you.
Shut up. Shut up, Shinji thought, feeling uneasy. It felt like there were a pair of eyes on him. Unit 01 lingered over the edge of the volcano, unsure of what to do.
"Angel is on the move," Asuka said into the comm suddenly.
Unit 02 moved stiffly through the magma as the crane brought her higher and higher, closer to the weapon coming her way.
Unfortunately, the Angel was moving too. It swam through the magma, unaffected by the heat and pressure, and headed straight for Asuka.
"Need that knife!" Asuka shouted into the comm. Unit 02 braced for impact and then swung over, using the crane's cable as leverage to slam into the Angel before it could tackle her.
The best defense was a good offense.
Asuka grunted as her Eva collided headfirst with the Angel. Not wasting time, she grabbed ahold of the struggling Angel and threw it further down into the magma current.
The Abnormal Angel clawed at the faceplate of Unit 02's D-suit as it was thrown. The claws scraped across the heavy gear and left long gashes in the material.
Asuka saw the alarms on her display. The D-suit was damaged, and though her Eva had the most armor of them all, even that had its limits. Heat and pressure could wear and tear almost anything. Anything except an Angel apparently.
"The knife is right above you!" Misato called into the comm.
Thank you, Shinji! You beautiful idiot! Asuka thought.
She smirked as she raised her Eva's hand. She caught the prog knife just as it descended within her reach.
With reflexes that rivaled Mari's, Asuka brought the prog knife up seconds before the Angel dashed through the magma for her. Sparks flew, even through the magma, as Asuka slashed the Angel across the torso.
The skin's too tough. Can't cut it, she thought. The Angel didn't even flinch, it only shrugged the blow off then latched onto Unit 02's D-suit.
…
"Should I dive in too?" Shinji asked into the comm. Unit 01 mirrored his nervousness as he paced around the volcano's edge.
Not yet. You wouldn't survive long at the depth Asuka's at.
"You wouldn't survive at the depths they're at. Sorry, Shinji. Sit tight for now," Misato said into the comm sounding worried.
Asuka stabbed the prog knife into the Angel's back again and again. Sparks flew, no blood emerged.
She was holding onto it as it held onto her Eva. The two titans thrashed around in the magma, her Eva's D-suit was breaking slowly from the strain, despite the fact that Unit 02 was bigger. The Angel was relentless, clawing its way through the protective equipment.
"Bring me up faster! D-suit is falling apart and the heat is seeping in!" Asuka shouted.
She grabbed ahold of the Angel, grunting from the strain as she pried the creature off of her Eva, and hurled it back again. Once more, the monster slashed its claw against her Eva's faceplate as it was thrown.
"Agh" Asuka hissed. The phantom sensations raced across her eyes and she winced.
"We're doing our best. You can't let the Angel leave the volcano. You have to kill it before we can bring you out," Misato said over the comm.
"I'm trying!" Asuka said. She glared, punching the Angel across the face when it tried to tackle her again.
The Angel shook from the blow, retreating back. It was taunting her as it swayed back and forth through the currents, it knew that she had more trouble moving here than it did.
"The military is preparing to drop an N2 mine. They can't let the Angel get to the surface. Even Commander Ikari agreed," Ritsuko said into the comm, she sounded just as worried as Misato was.
"What?! I'm doing the best I can here!" Asuka said flustered.
The Abnormal Angel came for her again, she raised her knife, only to stop suddenly. It froze mid-dive and floated aimlessly in the magma. Eerily staring up and into the surface.
…
Shinji looked down into the volcano from his Eva, wishing he could help. Suddenly he felt a chill run down his spine and he gasped audibly. He felt a presence. Someone or something was watching him. He could sense it in his bones. He shuddered from the sensation.
…
The Abnormal Angel swam through the magma currents, rising higher and higher, clawing its way up and ignoring Asuka entirely.
What in the world? Oh no.
"It's heading for the surface!" Asuka shouted into the comm. Thinking quickly, she moved her Eva's hands, wrapping the crane cable around her Eva's torso and trying to reel herself in faster. Trying to bring herself to the surface faster than the Angel.
"I don't care! You are not using an N2 mine with Asuka still down there!" Misato shouted into the phone.
"We will not allow that thing to reach the surface!" the military commander shouted back over the line.
...
Asuka grabbed onto the Angel's foot and dragged it down, pulling the creature down so she could throw it back into the depths of the volcano below.
The Angel clawed at her faceplate again, wrapping itself around her Eva's upper torso. The D-suit was almost torn to shreds, but they were almost at the surface and she might not need the suit for long.
"Ah!" Asuka groaned as the Eva's phantom sensations brought the pain of being kicked in the face to her. The Angel had trampled over her Eva's faceplate as it leaped upward.
It's going for the surface again!
Asuka grabbed it again, stabbing its torso with the prog knife but doing little damage. The two titans battled it out in the magma, all the while the crane brought them both to the surface. Their constant thrashing ripped one of the crane's support cables and Unit 02 wobbled.
I'm getting cut loose! Asuka thought at the sight above her. She panicked as she struggled against the Angel, fighting in the magma was hard, it slowed her down and made her stiff.
CRACK.
Harsh and loud, another support cable snapped from the strain of the battle. The crane was struggling to lift their combined weight with the damaged support cables.
"I will not die here!" Asuka shouted punching the Angel in the stomach.
CRACK.
Another of the crane's support cables tore.
Unit 02 and the Angel were sent wobbling dangerously lower into the depths. The crane could barely support Unit 02 as it struggled to pull Asuka up with only one remaining cable attached.
No... I... Asuka thought eyes wide as she looked at her display. She saw the last support cable, the thin line that kept her from falling into the depths of the volcano, starting to rip.
A shadow appeared over Asuka's display screen, and for a horrifying second, she thought it was another Angel come to drag her down into the depths forever.
Eva Unit 01's foot slammed into the Abnormal Angel, sending the strange reptile yet humanoid monster down into the magma. The Angel disappeared from her view, falling past her entirely.
"Shinji!" Asuka cried in disbelief.
The boy had dived into the volcano without a D-suit.
"Shinji! What the hell are you doing! Get out of there!" Misato shouted into the comm. The displays at the temporary command center showed his Eva taking massive heat damage from the magma. Warning messages sprawled across her screens in red.
…
"The military has launched an aircraft over the area. They're going to drop an N2 mine! Everyone get to cover!" Ritsuko shouted into the comm for everyone to hear.
Staff and pilots alike.
...
"Ahhh!" Shinji screamed over the open comm.
Don't think... just move... keep going, he thought. He wheezed and forced his mouth to move.
"I can't take this for long. Grab on!" Shinji shouted to Asuka on the comm channel.
Eva Unit 01 hung loosely, one fist piercing the wall of the volcano, with its other hand stretched out for Asuka to take.
Shinji gritted his teeth, eyes narrowing tightly, from the strain of the phantom sensations. It felt like someone was pouring boiling water on him. The heat would get to him eventually, but he couldn't just let Asuka die down here.
He had to try. It couldn't be more than a few minutes. He had to endure it.
...
"Shinji... " Asuka whimpered in barely a whisper. Her eyes began to tear up, but she wiped them off reaching her Eva's hand up.
Eva Unit 01 took Unit 02's hand just as the last remaining support cable snapped. Asuka and her Eva would have fallen into the depths if not for Shinji holding onto her.
...
"Ahhhhh!" Shinji screamed for a second time.
The strain of holding onto Unit 02 nearly overwhelmed him. The phantom sensations made it feel like his arm was being ripped off. Yet he never let go, he held on for Asuka's sake.
Almost there... just another minute... you can take it...
"Get out of there! There's an N2 mine coming your way!" Misato called into the comm
Shinji struggled to breathe, holding Unit 02 and Asuka up one-handed, but he managed to do it. He planted his feet on the walls of the volcano and used them as leverage so he could climb up with his free hand.
Asuka helped him, she used her Eva's feet and one free hand to help plant themselves with every step they took up the volcano walls. Together, the Eva Units climbed toward the surface. All the while, neither letting go of the other. Their Evas' hands linked.
Can see the surface, Shinji thought desperately.
"It's back! It figured out how to climb too!" Asuka shouted into the comm. Shinji glanced down just in time to see the Abnormal Angel re-emerge, somehow taller than it had been before.
The creature latched onto Unit 02's leg.
"Gah! Ahhh!" Shinji shrieked as the Eva's phantom sensations brought the weight of both Unit 02 and the Angel down onto his arm. But he held on, held on even as Asuka struggled to fight the Angel off of them.
Asuka kicked and stabbed the Angel, but it refused to let go.
The military is near. They don't care if you live or die. They're dropping their bomb.
He glanced at his display, raising his Eva's head, and saw the aircraft approaching the volcano entrance via his display screen.
"I can make it," Shinji said grunting with the effort as he climbed. He was so close. The entrance was right there!
"I will not die here!" he heard Asuka say into the comm firmly.
They both knew the bomber was approaching with an N2 mine. If they didn't make it, the blast might not kill them right away but it would send them into the depths of the volcano and trap them there. The bomb would collapse the volcano around them sealing everything and everyone inside.
"Shinji!" Misato's voice called into the comm as the bomber dived near the entrance for an N2 strike.
"I'm scared..." he heard Asuka whisper.
Time seemed to slow for him, he could hear Asuka trying to kick the Angel off of them, could see the bomber overhead opening its bay doors.
I'm scared too. I... I am... Shinji thought his breath catching in his throat. He could feel his heart beating slower rather than faster, and his limbs grew heavy. All of them. Fear crept its way into him, it traveled down his spine into his heart.
Then be brave.
I'm not brave. I'm just a boy in over his head, Shinji thought with a hiccup. The tremor in his hand came back, the twitch that had affected him ever since his Eva was shot in the head.
A man with no fear is not brave. You can only ever be brave when you are afraid. You can save yourself. You can save Asuka. Be brave.
Elsewhere.
Nerv Base.
"Shinji's sync ratio is rising!" Aoba called into the comm. He hadn't abandoned Misato when the alarms had sounded, and he hadn't known what else to do but man his station even as the other staff followed orders and evacuated. Captain Katsuragi had refused to abandon the temporary command room until the Eva pilots were safe.
Misato whirled to him and his display.
"60%.
72%
81%
88%
... 91%!
91%!
92%!
Oh my god!
95%!" Aoba shouted in disbelief at the display.
"Asuka! Hold onto the walls!" Shinji shouted.
The thing in his head was stirring like crazy, but he couldn't worry about that now. He focused on what he was doing, on this inexplicable surge of power that flowed through his veins. He felt it at his fingertips and he knew what he needed to do.
He moved his hand dragging Asuka and the Angel latched onto her Eva along and slammed them both into the wall. Asuka didn't think about it, she slammed a fist into the volcano wall to help hold them up.
Shinji pulled his Eva's other hand out of the volcano wall, balanced himself on the shoulders of Eva Unit 02 as Asuka momentarily held both of them up. He heard Asuka hiss from the strain over the comm.
He raised his Eva's hand just as the military dropped their N2 mine into the volcano. A brilliantly bright AT Field erupted into existence from Unit 01's hand. The field formed a barrier of solid lights in a collage of protective octagons. The Shield spread out above them, and then to the walls of the volcano itself wrapping around the interior.
The N2 mine crash-landed on top of Shinji's AT Field.
BOOM!
The explosion went wild overhead, but it never reached them. The blast-wave was contained above them by the AT Field. The destructive force bounced around the shield unable to break through, it danced like a living thing, before finally having nowhere else to go and funneling upward.
Shinji stared at it in awe, safe from inside the Eva and his shield. The blast held back by the brilliant lights that danced in time with the devastating force just feet above him. It was strikingly beautiful to watch. To see the destructive power of man held back by a force that he did not understand and could not hope to explain.
Then Shinji was gone...
The Vision.
One moment he was fighting to save Asuka, stopping the N2 mine from killing or trapping them in the volcano, and the next he was somewhere else.
He was in the void.
The place he went to when he dreamed. Inside his madness. The place where he had seen the Woman in the Dark. Only she wasn't here this time.
Shinji Ikari stood in the void, plugsuit on, his hand still held outward, and breathing deep harsh breaths in disbelief. If he wasn't in so much shock he would have been utterly terrified. Was he having another breakdown? Another seizure? No, the flashes of imagery that he could never explain did not come. Not this time.
The boy stood there lost and confused. It was as if he'd been transported straight from his entry plug.
He wasn't alone. A figure stood behind him. How long had it been there? Had it been there from the beginning?
They stood back to back. An old man was in here with him.
Shinji gasped for air too afraid to look. He didn't want to. Neither did the old man it seemed. Together they stood silent and still, neither facing the other.
The old man reached a hand back and took Shinji's unraised hand in the dark. Rough aged hands, riddled with tiny scars from a lifetime of manual labor, grasped the soft and unscathed hands of the youth.
Shinji held his breath, eyes wide.
"They will say you made a mistake today. For what it's worth, I disagree. You're a good man, Shinji."
The old man spoke with a weary heavy-laden voice. Not simply the voice in his head, but more. Words that came from a living breathing man.
Then Shinji was back. His madness had left him.
He was inside the entry plug of Unit 01, struggling to handle the heat from the magma, and he'd just saved Asuka and himself from an N2 mine.
The bomb had finally stopped, and only smoke remained above them on the scorched grounds of Mount Asama. He let the Shield drop, the brilliant light of the AT Field fading out of existence.
Shinji felt his sync ratio falling. Whatever burst of strength he'd had moments ago was fading, his head was throbbing so much he felt tears in his eyes, but he couldn't wait.
He could only have this power for so long. The pain was returning, he had to act now.
"Asuka! Ahhh!" Shinji shouted. He used his free hand to lift both Eva Unit 02 and the Angel clinging to 02's leg.
Knowing that he didn't have much time, already he could feel the sync rate dropping, Shinji hurled them both over the edge of the volcano and out onto the surface. They had been less than three stories away from the surface when the military had dropped their bomb.
The two giants went flying into the air as they surfaced and landed with a heavy thud on the surface. Shinji groaned feeling the weight leave his arm as he toppled over into the depths of the volcano.
His arm moved of its own accord, and Eva Unit 01 slammed its free hand into the volcano wall to stop him from falling. He hung loosely by his Eva's arm impaled into the volcano wall.
Keep going. Just a little further.
"Misato... is anyone there?" Shinji groaned.
He forced himself to climb up, flinging himself and his Eva out of the magma and over the volcano. He flew lightly through the air and landed with a heavy thud on the scorched grounds of the surface.
Shinji could hear Asuka breathing softly through her comm. He had done it. He had saved them both. He didn't know how he had done it, but he had.
Slowly, he crawled forward bringing Unit 01 to its knees on the open and burned terrain.
"No... no!" Shinji said in horror at what he saw.
Unit 02 lay nearby, the D-suit ripped to shreds but the Evangelion was intact. Further along, the Abnormal Angel was rising to its feet.
The Angel stood on its strange hind legs. The thing had changed again, and it was eyeing him with strange yellow eyes, looking like a cross between reptile and wolf within a humanoid frame.
Shinji raised his Eva's hand in a fist.
The monster stared, tilting its head. Almost unsure of itself and him. It stood almost at the size of an Eva Unit now, and it crouched low stalking towards him. Slowly, ever so slowly, it moved.
Shinji stepped back, the Eva raising the other hand in a boxer's stance.
But then the Angel turned and ran away. It fled far into the distance and ran into the tree line of a nearby forest that had been damaged by the blast from the N2 mine.
The Angel left them... for now.
Most of the surrounding area was in bad shape. Thankfully, N2 mines didn't leave behind any nuclear fallout like the nukes of old. The AT Field had absorbed most of the blast it seemed, with remnants spraying outward into the surrounding area.
"Why did it run? Why did it hate me so much?" Shinji whispered to himself.
It didn't hate you. The Angel was afraid. Afraid of you. Fight or flight, you saw it make a choice. The Angel is scared because it knows the two of us are here. It doesn't understand us. We always fear what we don't understand.
"Shinji. ... the Angel! The Angel got away!" Asuka panted into her comm.
Eva Unit 02 struggled to its knees.
"Yeah..." Shinji said barely breathing. He hurried over, the Eva's massive feet thudding across the burned terrain as he grabbed Unit 02 and helped Asuka up.
The two Evangelions stood, with Unit 02 leaning on 01, amid the scorched terrain of Mount Asama. He couldn't believe that they'd survived all of this. From the sound of her breathing, he thought Asuka couldn't either.
"Hello? Shinji? Asuka? What happened?" Misato's voice called into the comm.
Luckily most of the staff had cleared the area when the military had sent their bomber out. Shinji didn't know where Misato and the Nerv staff had gone, but he figured they were safe. The staff ran drills in case something like that happened.
"I... I screwed up. I let the Angel get free," Shinji said into the comm.
I try to do the right thing. But I always make things worse... The boy thought in panic.
The Angel was loose somewhere in the surrounding area, and the blast hadn't been entirely contained. Smoke and ashes filled the air around them, and the Japanese landmark would never be the same after today.
Really long, but it was originally longer.
I try to have a bit of everything in this story, character interaction/development, drama, plot, and sometimes action and sci-fi too. It can take up a lot of space.
Poor Rei. And man, are Shinji and Asuka gonna have their work cut out for them. I like writing Shinji because he is flawed, all of the Eva cast is.
Thanks for Reading and please Review!