Shinji's Redemption
Chapter 4
Shinji looked at the Giant beast known as the fourth angel. The angels truly terrified Shinji, but he was willing to do anything in order to prevent the third impact. He reached down into his left pocket. Shinji was met with the cold metal of Misato's necklace. He carried the necklace wherever he went. He did so in order to never forget why he was here, and as a reminder to never forget what happened that day.
"Other than the core, it's a perfect specimen. Thank you, Shinji." Ritsuko said.
"Does that mean we can learn something?" Misato asked.
"Only one way to find out," Ritsuko responded. The three of them went to the analysis center. The computer registered a 601 error message.
"What's that?" Misato asked.
"It's an error code that indicates an analysis failure," Ritsuko answered.
"I don't know, is what you mean," Misato said.
"Angels are composed of particles that have electromatic energy, but no mass, similar to light. Despite that, angles have something very similar to human DNA, in fact, there's a 99.89% match." Misato was about to say something until Gendo and Fuyutsuki walked by them. Shinji looked at his father's hands, they held burn marks on them. Remembering how he got the burn marks made Shinji visibly angry. He looked down at his scarred hand, then stormed off. Ritsuko looked taken aback, Misato just sighed.
"What's gotten into him?" Ritsuko asked.
"He and his father have a shaky history," Misato answered in a whisper. Ritsuko looked at the Commander. She always knew the commander wasn't exactly the loving type, but what could he have possibly done to make someone as docile as Shinji go off like that? Misato noticed Ritsuko troubled expression.
"It's best if we don't get involved." Ritsuko looked up at Misato. "After all we both know what it's like to have shitty parents," Misato said. Ritsuko couldn't help but chuckled a little bit. She then looked at Misato.
"You don't see it at first, but Shinji has a fiery spirit. That's what I meant when I said there was more to him than meets the eye." Ritsuko admitted. Misato looked up at Ritsuko and laughed.
"What?" Ritsuko asked.
"It's just...it's unlike you to say things like that," Misato explained. Ritsuko just smiled.
"I may be a scientist, but I'm still human," Ritsuko said.
Misato then went to go find Shinji. Conveniently, she found him by the entrance of the research site. After she was able to calm him down, they drove off to the apartment. It was just about dinnertime when they arrived, Shinji started to cook while Misato watched tv. After they were done eating, they cleaned up and washed the dishes. Misato went to bed, leaving Shinji by himself. As he watched tv, Shinji noticed that the moonlight was extra bright tonight. He turned off the tv and the lights. He stepped out onto the terrace and looked at the moon. It was a full moon tonight. Shinji sat there for hours just looking at it. He went back inside and went to his room. He fell onto his bed, exhausted. His body was tired, but his mind was still awake. It seemed that way for every night. He just couldn't let his mind go to rest. Eventually, he was able to fall asleep.
It was early morning and the class was out for gym. The boys had track and field, while the girls had the pool. Shinji was never good at physical activities. He could barely pick up a stick without pulling a muscle. He was more of a thinker and he always loved music and art. Something about it made him very happy. It was an escape for him. Every time he listened to his SDAT, he felt that he went to another world, where all of his troubles and worries went away. After running for a while they were allowed a fifteen-minute break.
Shinji looked and felt tired. He was sitting in his gym uniform blankly staring off into the distance.
"They all have such great knockers!" Tojo said. He was looking up at the pool with the girls in their bathing suits. Kensuke noticed that Shinji wasn't looking up at the girls.
"Hey what's up big guy? You have a perfectly good chance to see some babes, yet you choose to look off into space?" Kensuke said. Shinji was taken out of his trance. Toji looked at him for a second, then smiled.
"I know what's up. He has a special someone and doesn't want to cheat on her by looking at the other girls." Toji poked at Shinji. Kensuke chucked to himself.
"I know who it is. It's that Ayanami girl! They work together after all." Kensuke reasoned. They nodded his head up and down as if they solved a difficult puzzle. Shinji just looked down. The two boys noticed this and then sighed in disappointment.
"C'mon you gotta like somebody," Toji asked. Shinji just shrugged. The closest thing to a romantic partner he ever had was Kaworu. The fact that he was going to have to kill him again is one of the many reasons why he couldn't go to sleep at night. Toji and Kensuke kept bickering him about girls and how he had to have his eye on somebody. Eventually, they gave up.
Shinji walked into the apartment to find Misato cooking and Ritsuko sitting in the living room. Shinji sweatdropped at the sight of Misato cooking. He had her cooking before, and it wasn't exactly five-star material. She wouldn't be nearly as bad if she wouldn't add such weird flavor combinations, like when she made miso soup. She cooked the chicken properly and added the right amount of water, but for some reason, she felt that she needed to add a fruity kick to it. Shinji thought he had a stroke when he tasted lime juice. She also had no idea what she was doing when it came to operating the heat. She would often blast it when all she had to do was warm the pan, yet she would take hours to just get water to boil.
After Misato was done, Ritsuko helped Shinji set the table. Shinji was optimistic about the curry and rice Misato made, until he put it in his mouth. The chicken had a rubbery texture to it, the rice was about half cooked, and the sauce was like gelatin.
"Misato made this, didn't she?" Ritsuko asked. Shinji silently nodded his head. They managed to eat the rest of their meal. Shinji couldn't help but feel bad for Penpen. Shinji could at least make his own food, but Penpen was stuck with whatever Misato gave him. Ritsuko advised Shinji that he should move out. It bothered Shinji that he couldn't tell whether or not she was serious.
"It's fine, I've gotten used to it," Shinji said.
"Ya see? Never underestimate the human ability to adapt!" Misato said. Misato picked up her beer only to find it was empty. "Hey Shinji, could ya be a dear and go get me another beer please?" Misato asked. Shinji reluctantly got up to get her another beer. She was a little tipsy from the eight she already had. "Besides, Shinji just got his security card, the paperwork would be a complete pain," Misato said.
"That reminds me." Ritsuko pulled out an ID card from her purse. "Shinji, I've been meaning to give Rei her new security card. Could you do me a favor and give this do her?" Ritsuko asked. Shinji took the ID card and looked at it for a moment, then frowned. Misato looked at Shinji.
"What's wrong?" Misato asked. Shinji kept looking at the photo of Rei.
"She just reminds me of someone." Shinji lied.
"Who?" Misato asked. Shinji thought about it, but couldn't come to an answer. It was like he was trying to remember something that didn't exist.
"I don't know," Shinji responded. Misato was thrown off by his response. If she was a little more clear-minded she would have asked Shinji to clarify. Instead she just happily drank another beer. After they were done eating, Ritsuko thanked Misato for the meal, even if it was a little hard to eat, and then left. Shinji cleaned washed the dishes while Misato watched TV. After Shinji was done he walked towards his room, only for Misato called him to come to the living room. Shinji came over and sat besides Misato. They sat like that for a few minutes until Misato turned off the TV. She turned towards Shinji and picked up his cut hand. Shinji was surprised by Misato sudden contact. Misato traced the scar with her index finger.
"Does it still hurt?" Misato asked. The wound had healed a long time ago, but Shinji still felt sharp pains from it when he would grip something.
"A little," Shinji responded. Misato just sighed.
"How are you doing?" Misato asked. She noticed that Shinji had looked a lot more energetic in the past few days. Shinji looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words to say it with.
"Misato, I don't really know how to answer," Shinji responded. Misato held a troubled expression, then her eyes lit up.
"Stay here for a second," Misato said. She got up and went to the hall closet. Misato came back with a blank white canvas. "Here, try this," Misato said handing him the canvas. Shinji was visibly confused, he just held the canvas and stared at it. It was a standard, white sixteen by twenty-inch canvas. Misato just chuckled. She got the canvas from a friend long ago. In fact, she had completely forgotten about it until now. She always wanted to paint something, but never found the time or energy to do it. "I know this may sound cliche, but a picture is worth a thousand words. If you can't tell me Shinji, then show me." Misato said. Shinji stared at her dumbfoundedly.
"Misato I never painted before, I don't know how to…" Shinji didn't finish.
"Ah come on Shinji! I'm not expecting van Gogh! Just paint what you want." Misato said. Shinji looked down at the canvas. He had no clue what to paint.
"Misato, I can't just…" Shinji sighed. "I'll try my best," Shinji said with a tired look on his face. Shinji looked at Misato as if he was asking something.
"What is it?" Misato asked. Shinji raised an Eyebrow.
"Do you have any paint or brushes?" Shinji asked.
"Oh...yeah." She thought. Misato nervously scratched the back of her head. "I guess you do need more than just a canvas to paint," Misato said. Shinji just sighed.
Shinji stood outside Rei's Apartment. Shinji didn't want to repeat what happened last time, so he just waited until Rei came out herself. After Seeing the dummy system core, Shinji had no idea how to approach Rei. Every time he looked at her, he felt guilty about her having to die to save him from the fourteenth angel. He wanted to talk to her, but he just couldn't. Even if he did find the courage to talk to her, she would probably just brush him off. Shinji sighed, even Shinji grew a little irritable when it came to Rei. It wasn't that he didn't like her, she was just so unapproachable. Shinji pulled out Misato's necklace. He dangled it in front of him, he stood there looking at the necklace until he heard the apartment door open.
"Hey, Rei-" Shinji tried to tell her he had her Security card, but she just walked off. Shinji followed her all the way to the entrance gate of Nerv. He tried to get her attention multiple times, but she just kept ignoring him. Rei slid her old security card only for the system to deny it.
"Here." Shinji handed her new security card to her. She took it rather aggressively. They walked together in silence until Shinji spoke up.
"Why do you care so much about my father," Shinji asked. Rei stopped dead in her tracks. The was a long silence.
"He cares about me," Rei answered. She continued walking. Shinji just stood there. He stared at his scarred hand for a while. Shinji was interrupted by the sound of an alarm. It was a signal for an angel attack.
Shinji was not excited. They were prepping Unit 01 for launch. Shinji knew exactly what was gonna happen. He was gonna be launched into the city, only for him to be directly shot with an energy beam. His thoughts were interrupted by Misato's voice over the intercom.
"Shinji, are you ready for launch?" Misato asked.
"Yes." Shinji nervously said.
"Launch!" Misato ordered. The Shaft elevator rocketed up.
"I'm getting readings from inside the angel! It's being focused along its edge!" Aoba reported. Misato barely had any time to warn Shinji. Shinji was quick, but not quick enough. He dove to the right of the beam, covering behind a building. The energy beam glazed the left shoulder of Unit 01. Shinji felt like his skin was boiling. He instinctively grabbed his left shoulder in response.
"Shinji!" Misato exclaimed.
"I'm fine," Shinji reported. Really, Shinji was anything but fine, he couldn't move his left arm anymore and it was only a matter of time before another energy beam was going to come.
"Target is recharging!" Aoba reported. Before Misato had time to warn Shinji, another beam came lasering towards Shinji. He wasn't as quick to dodge this time. He jumped out of the way but was caught by the explosion. Unit 01 landed on its side and rolled into the open street.
"He's a sitting duck out there! Get the nearest lift ready!" Misato ordered. "Shinji, listen do me! Lift number 106 is open!" Misato said. Shinji look around him and saw the lift toward the end of the street. He got up as quickly as he could. Shinji could her the angel charging up its energy beam. He ran as fast as he could. He wasn't gonna be able to properly hook into the lift without being shot.
"Misato, lower the lift!" Shinji yelled.
"What!" Misato exclaimed.
"Just do it!" Yelled Shinji. Misato ordered to lower the lift. Shinji heard the laser blast go off. He dove into the lift just as it was closing. The energy beam glazed Unit 01 in the back of the neck right before the shutters closed. Shinji felt a sudden rise in heat. He looked over to see that a fire had broken out into the entry plug. Shinji was confused at first but then realized that the oxygen in the LCL allowed the fire to breathe. In other words, he was stuck in a sealed room, with fire spreading quickly.
"Entry plug is damaged! Pilot's status is unknown!" Aoba reported. Shinji quickly got up and released the LCL from the entry plug. Unfortunately, that only made the smoke spread faster. Shinji struggled to open the emergency hatch. Eventually, he muscled it open. Shinji was just able to get out has the fire completely engulfed the entry plug. Unfortunately, he wasn't quick enough to evade the gust of fire that hit him in the back. Panicking, Shinji fell off Unit 01 into the giant pool of LCL that flooded the launch cage. Shinji landed in the LCL with a loud splash. Shinji looked up as he descended into the chamber, the last thing he saw was a team of rescuers pulling him out of the LCL.
Shinji woke up to the sight of incandescent lights. He got up to see that he was in a hospital bed. Shinji rubbed his back, there were first-degree burns all over his. Thankfully the impact of him hitting the LCL put out the fire before it could reach his skin, but the heat was strong enough to burn his skin. His thoughts were interrupted by Rei walking in with a hospital cart. She pulled out a little notebook and began reading.
"We are to report to the cage at 1730 hours today. 1800 hours, the units will be activated and depart HQ. At 1830 arrive at the base of MT. Futago. Once there, wait for further instructions." Rei reported. "Here's your new suit." Rei handed him a plastic bag with his new plug suit inside. The other one he had was burnt in the back and couldn't be repaired. Shinji looked at Rei.
"Thank you," Shinji said. Rei's eyes widened slightly. Nobody has ever thanked her for anything.
"What for?" Rei asked. Shinji didn't know why he said it, it just came out.
"U-Uh for the food!" Shinji said with a nervous grin. They sat in awkward silence for what seemed like ages. Rei looked at Shinji.
"Captain Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi are waiting inside the cage, Farewell." Rei turned and left the hospital room, leaving Shinji by himself.
It was midnight. The city was pitch black and the sun had just set in Tokyo-3. The stars glittered the night sky. The only sound was the crickets and the wind. Shinji and Rei sat on their Eva lifts, looking over Tokyo-3. Shinji looked over at Rei, he was about to say something but she spoke up.
"It's time," Rei said. She stood up and rode her lift down to her Eva. Shinji sat there for a few more minutes and then did the same. After getting into Unit 01, Shinji heard Misato's voice.
"Shinji, we're entrusting you with all of japan's energy. Give it your all!" Misato encouraged.
"Routing all energy to positron rifle," Hyuga reported. Shinji could feel all the heat from the positron rifle, even inside the entry plug. Shinji cocked the positron rifle, getting ready to fire it. "Prepare to fire in eight, seven, six-
"High energy readings from target!" Maya exclaimed. Hyuga kept counting down
"What?!" Ritsuko shouted.
"Fire!" Misato ordered. Shinji pulled to trigger. The recoil of the blast pushed Shinji back into his seat. A shockwave was sent out by the initial blast. The angel was prepared by shooting an energy beam of its own. The two beams swirled under each other, leading them off their trajectories. The angel's energy blast impacted right next to the temporary base. The energy sent enough force into the ground to shake the entire surrounding area.
"Enemy tunneling shield has broken into the Geo-front!" Aoba reported.
"Ready second shot!" Misato ordered. Shinji cocked the positron rifle, preparing to fire again.
"Another High energy reading from the target!" Maya reported. The angel sent out a blast, thankfully Rei was able to shield the blast. The light reflecting off the shield blinded Shinji. The heat coming off the blast was enough to make him sweat. He could only imagine what it was like for Rei. Shinji waited for the reticles to align. Once the computer calculated the trajectory, Shinji fired the rifle. The beam fired out of the rifle at an unrecognizable speed. It went completely through the angel. A blast went off inside the angel causing it to fall into Tokyo-3. Unit 01 went over and pulled off the neckpiece of Unit 00. The entry plug sprung out and LCL ejected out of the plug. Shinji exited unit 01 and tried to pull of the emergency hatch. It was a lot harder than Shinji remembered it being. After he twisted the handles, he opened the hatch to see Rei lying in the pilot's seat unresponsive.
"Rei, Are you alright?" Shinji asked. Rei stirred and looked at Shinji.
"Yes, I'm fine," Rei said. Shinji sighed and then smiled. This confused Rei. "Why are you smiling?" Rei asked.
"I'm just glad you're ok," Shinji said.
"If you're worried about my well being, I can easily be replaced," Rei said. Shinji started crying. He hated when she talked like that. He thought back to when he was in the dummy system core. "I'm sorry if I upset you." Rei apologized.
"You're not replaceable. Don't say stuff like that." Shinji said. Rei looked at him confused. "It may not seem like it, but you're very important," Shini said while wiping away his tears. She looked down at the ground.
"Thank you, Ikari," Rei said.
"Shinji is fine," Shinji smiled. Rei eyes widened. She thought about Gendo, "That smile…" Rei thought. She looked at Shinji and smiled.