Shinji's Redemption
Chapter 6
"A Mi-55d transport chopper! This is one of the best in the UNAF!" Kensuke went off. Shinji was busy drawing landscapes in his sketchbook. Ever since he painted he couldn't help but draw more. He would often have random pictures of mountains and forests pop into his head. He didn't know why this was happening, but it beats just sitting around the apartment all day. Shinji overheard Misato said something about crazy and mountains, but he was too busy listening to his SDAT, something he found needing less and less. Before He couldn't hope to go to sleep without it, but now he was able to drift off without even thinking about his SDAT. Kensuke continued on. "Five carriers, four battleships, and the pride of the UN, the Over the Rainbow!" Kensuke informed.
Shinji didn't know why, but he was strangely calm. A week ago he was having near panic attacks about meeting Asuka again, but now he felt more at ease, like a weight was taken off his shoulders.
"This is Airhawk, requesting permission to land on Over the Rainbow, over." The pilot said over the radio.
"This is Over the Rainbow, permission for Airhawk to land granted, over." The radio said. As they were landing, Shinji put the final touches on his drawing before putting his sketchbook pack in his pocket. He took out his earbuds, the sound of the propellers filled Shinji's ears. The helicopter doors opened. Kensuke stepped out and immediately started admiring everything around him. As soon as Toji stepped out the ocean breeze swept his baseball cap off of his head. Shinji could help but smile. He forgot to warn Toji about the wind, but it didn't make the sight of Toji running after it any less funny. Shinji stepped out and stretched. Around his shoulder was a duffle bag containing his Plug Suit, he wasn't going to make the mistake of borrowing Asuka's again. Speaking of which, Asuka was waiting just ahead.
"C'mon! Let Go!" Toji said. Asuka just ignored Toji. Shinji and Misato walked forward to Asuka standing proudly while Toji tried to pull his baseball cap from under Asuka's heel.
"Hello, Misato. It's been a while." Asuka greeted. Shinji looked at Asuka. She was everything he remembers her being. She wore her trademark smirk, and her sapphire eyes held her unyielding confidence. Her beige sundress accented her silky white skin, but that all paled in comparison to her best feature, her hair. It was a vibrant reddish-brown, Shinji never could discern which color it was. His thoughts were interrupted by Misato.
"It sure has. Look how much you've grown!" Misato said.
"My height is not the only thing that has grown." Asuka proudly said. Misato looked at Shinji.
"This is Asuka Langley Soryu, The second child and pilot of Unit 02," Misato said. Right as Misato finished a gust of wind blew Asuka's sundress up, revealing her white panties. Shinji was prepared, he covered his eyes with his hand. There were two loud smacks, Asuka was preparing for the third until she saw he had his eyes covered.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?" Toji yelled, rubbing his left cheek. Asuka humphed.
"The viewing fee, you should be more like your friend over there." She pointed at Shinji. Toji growled.
"I'll show you a viewing fee!" Toji grabbed his sweatpants and pulled them down, boxers and all. Another loud smack was heard and an even redder mark was left on Toji's right cheek. Asuka crossed her arms and walked forward.
"So who's this famous third child I've been hearing so much about?" Asuka asked.
"That'll be me." Shinji said. He lifted his right hand for a handshake. "The name's Shinji Ikari," he said with a small smile. Asuka was surprised by the formality of the boy. She looked at his palm, a pronounced scar reached all across his palm. She accepted his offer and shook his hand. Asuka was a little disappointed. He didn't have much when it came to looks, not that he was ugly either. She looked into his eyes. They had a tired look to them, like they were worn out. Her train of thought was interrupted.
"Well, now that you two have become acquainted, let's go meet the captain," Misato said. The five walked towards the bridge.
The five of them walked up to the bridge of the ship. Kensuke was taking pictures left and right, only stopping when he had to replace the film. They all met the captain, who didn't seem too happy to see a bunch of kids on the bridge.
"I mistook you for a tour guide escorting some boy scouts, but it seems that is not the case. My apologies." the captain said.
"Thank you for being understanding, captain," Misato said.
"No, no, the honor is mine. Nothing like babysitting a bunch of children." the captain grumbled.
"We appreciate your cooperation with transporting Unit 02. Here are the specifications for the Emergency Electrical Plug." Misato handed the captain a folder containing the documents.
"Emergency Electrical Plug? I'll have you know that I will not let that toy be moving about while we're on the water." the captain stated.
"It's merely a precaution, just in case something happens," Misato informed.
"We're a precaution in case something happens. We didn't send out the whole fleet just to deliver somebody's luggage." the captain growled.
"Given the importance of the Evas, we need as much insurance as we can get. So if you would just sign this form,." Misato asked.
"We were entrusted with Unit 02 and its pilot by Germany's third branch. I will not be bossed around. Here on the high seas, we're the ones who will be telling what and when things will go. After we unload them at New Yokosuka, then they're your problem." The captain ordered.
"Very well. Do keep in mind that if and when an angel or angel related threat comes up, our authority supersedes yours." Misato informed. Shinji forgot just how intimidating Misato could be when she wanted to.
"Just as scary as ever, Misato." a familiar voice said. Shinji looked over to see Kaji standing in the doorway. Shinji couldn't help but smile. He missed Kaji and he was glad to see him again. Asuka looked happy as ever, but Misato looked like she'd seen a car wreck. Her cool demeanor completely fell. She kept trying to say his name, but see kept stuttering.
"Kaji, I don't recall authorizing you to be on the bridge." the captain angrily said.
"I apologize for my rudeness. I was just wondering if our friends here would like a cup of tea." Kaji offered.
"I don't care what you do, just make sure these brats don't go around poking their heads where they shouldn't be." The captain said.
The six of them walked through the ship. Eventually, they came to an elevator. After that awkward experience, the six of them walked into the cafeteria and sat down.
"So Misato, hows life?" Kaji asked. Misato held a pouty face, like a kid would if they were just told to clean their room.
"Why the hell are you here?" Misato asked in a cold tone. Kaji just chuckled.
"After all this time, and that's what you say to me? I was sent by the German branch to escort Asuka, Besides I'm being relocated to the Japan Branch, meaning we're going to be seeing each other a whole lot more." Kaji teased. Misato slammed her head on the table.
"God damn it," Misato said in a weak voice. Kaji looked over at Shinji.
"So you and Misato are living together, is that correct?" Kaji asked. Shinji just nodded his head. "Tell me, she still good in bed?" Kaji asked in a cool tone. Everybody but Kaji and Shinji freaked out. Misato's face was as red as her Nerv Uniform, she then slammed her fist into the table.
"What the fuck are you trying to say!?" Misato yelled. Kaji laughed.
"She hasn't changed much, has she Shinji?" Kaji asked. Shinji just smiled.
"No, she hasn't," Shinji said after taking a sip of tea.
"You know Shinji, your pretty popular over in Germany," Kaji said.
"Why's that?" Shinji asked.
"Well for starters you managed to kill three angels with minimal training," Kaji said.
"I passed out my first time piloting it," Shinji said. Asuka looked like she was about to laugh.
"Sure, but that was only because your synch rate was so high. What was it, 70.1%?" Kaji said. Asuka went from holding back a laugh, to looking like she could kill someone. She made an audible grumble from underneath her breath. "But that was nothing. You were able to peak at a 98.5% synch rate." Kaji said. The two Eva pilots froze in shock. Shinji looked over to Misato.
"When did this happen!?" Shinji asked. Misato looked up.
"During your fight with the fourth angel. I would have told you after debriefing, but you fell asleep and I had to carry you…" Misato stopped after everyone looked at her. "I-I swear it's not like that!" Misato stammered. There was a brief silence before Asuka slammed her cup of tea on the table and grabbed Shinji by the ear.
"Third, you're coming with me!" Asuka dragged Shinji out of the cafeteria. After the two left Kaji stood up.
"Well, it was nice seeing you again, Misato," Kaji said smoothly. He got up and left, leaving just Toji and Kensuke staring at Misato.
"What!" Misato yelled. The two boys jumped to attention.
"N-Nothing, Ms. Misato!" they said in unison.
Asua and Shinji made their way over to the ship where unit 02 was housed. On the way to Unit 02, Asuka looked at Shinji.
"How did you get a synch rate of 98.5%?" Asuka asked in a serious tone. Shinji looked down at the ground, then at his palm. He thought about the voice he heard when he was fighting the fourth angel.
"There's something more to the Evas, more than what they're willing to tell us at least," Shinji said. Asuka narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean?" Asuka asked. Shinji had a troubled look on his face.
"During my fight with the fourth angel, I heard a voice. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but after hearing my synch rate...Nevermind" Shinji said. Asuka scoffed.
"Not that it matters anyway," Asuka said. The two of them walked towards the tent covering Unit 02. "Now, It's time for you to see a real Eva," Asuka said, referring back to her usual self. They walked into the chamber. Asuka jumped onto Unit 02.
"Units 00 and 01 are just the prototype and test type, your high synch rates prove that," Asuka said with a smirk. "But Unit 02 was built for specifically for combat operations. In other words, It's the world's first true Evangelion!" Asuka boasted. Shinji just smiled happily. He really missed Asuka. There was a loud tremble. The entire chamber shook in response.
"That was sooner than I remembered," Shinji said in his head.
"That was an underwater shock wave!" Asuka shouted. There was another loud explosion. This time above water. "That explosion was nearby," Asuka said. She jumped off the Eva and ran outside to the railing of the ship. Shinji soon followed. A purple gas cloud covered a destroyed battleship.
"These things don't let up, do they?" Shinji said. Asuka face lit up.
"You mean that's an actual angel?" She eagerly said. "C'mon let's go!" Asuka grabbed Shinji by the hand and ran off to her cabin.
Asuka nearly busted the door of the hinges when she kicked the door open. She opened her closet and pulled out her red plug suit. She looked at Shinji and pulled out her spare. Shinji held his hands up.
"It's fine," Shinji said. He opened his duffle bag and pulled out his plug suit. Asuka just humphed and pushed him out of her cabin.
"I swear if you open this door…" Asuka said while slamming it. Shinji was left out in the hall with his plug suit. He ran to the nearby bathroom and put in his plug suit. He stood outside her door and waited for her to come out. Every few seconds, distance explosions could be heard, even from inside the transport ship. Eventually, Asuka came out wearing her plug suit. Shinji almost keeled over. He forgot just how good she looked in her plug suit. It hugged her curves and made her already vibrant hair even redder. Shinji was taken out of his trance by Asuka. "Stop gawking you idiot, let's go!" Asuka grabbed Shinji's hand and ran towards the Eva Chamber.
The two of them made their way into the entry plug of Unit 02. Asuka spoke up.
"Prepare to see how a real pilot can use an Eva. Just don't get in my way." She snarled. Shinji rolled his eyes
"You're the one who invited me here," Shinji grumbled. Asuka activated Eva by voice command. She spoke in German so Shinji didn't have a clue what she said. After she was done talking, error signs flashed all around the entry plug. Asuka snarled.
"I told you not to get in my way! You're thinking in Japanese, think in german!" Asuka demanded. Shinji just looked up.
"All I can think of is Baumkuchen," Shinji said. Asuka aggressively sighed.
"Forget it! Change linguistics to Japanese." Asuka said. Unit 02 came to life.
"Captain, Unit 02 has activated!" one of the crewman said. The captain picked up the telecommunicator.
"Negative! Pilot of Unit 2, you are not to activate the-." The captain was pushed out of the way by Misato.
"Knock 'em dead!" Misato encouraged. Shinji couldn't help but smile.
"You might want to hold on," Asuka witted. Unit 02 launched into the air just as the angel crashed into the vessel. Unit 02 landed on a battleship, crushing whatever was on it.
"We got one minute before this things dead!" Shinji warned.
"I know," Asuka yelled. " Misato, have the power cable ready for when we land," Asuka said.
"What's she trying to do!?" The captain said worryingly. Asuka smiled.
"Time to fly," Asuka said. Unit 02 launched in the air landing from battleship to battleship, causing all sorts of damage. Unit 02 landed on the Rainbow with a loud crash. The carrier leaned into the weight of the Eva causing everything on the deck to fall in the ocean.
"Switching to external power," Asuka reported. Unit 02 plugged the umbilical cord into it's back. The sound of beeping stopped, confirming that it was running properly. The angel started to rush at the carrier. Unit 02 stood ready with its progressive knife ready to go. The angel rushed out of the water and landed on the carrier, Unit 02 holding it in place.
"Way to go, Asuka!" Misato exclaimed. All was well until the foot of Unit 02 tripped, causing it to fall into the water.
"This Isn't good, we can't fight like this while in configuration B," Shinji stated.
"You'll never know if you don't try!" Asuka said with confidence. The angel fell back into the water with Unit 02 holding on to it. The angel dragged the Eva through the flooded city, trying to shake Unit 02 off.
"You're almost out of cable, brace for impact!" Misato warned. As soon as the cable rotary stopped spinning, the cable immediately snapped back in response. The impact cause Unit 02 to fall of the Angel, leaving it a sitting duck.
"Why won't it move!?" Asuka screamed in frustration.
"We can't in the type B configuration," Shinji explained.
"Well then what are we gonna do!?" Asuka yelled. Shinji was about to say something until the angel came charging at them with its jaw ready to crush the Eva. "It has teeth!? Asuka whimpered. The angel crushed its jaw shut leaving multiple piercing the Eva in the chest. Shinji and Asuka were thrown around inside the entry plug.
"This isn't good," Shinji said.
"Thanks for stating the obvious, and get off me you perv!" Asuka started to push Shinji off of her.
'Asuka, Shinji, whatever you do, don't let go!" Misato said. The two teenagers looked up to see what Misato was talking about. "I have a plan. Were going to use the two remaining battleships to fire inside the angel's jaw. Your job is to get its mouth to open. Do whatever you need to!" Misato informed.
"We'll do what we can," Shinji responded.
"Contact in thirty seconds!" a crewman said.
"We're running out of time!" Asuka shouted. She looked down at Shinji who was still trying to pull the mouth open.
"Don't get any funny ideas, third." Asuka warned. The two of them pushes as hard as they could to pry open the angel's mouth.
"Contact in ten seconds!" the crewman said. The eyes of Unit 02 glowed white and with a burst of strength, unhinged the jaws of the angel. The battleships rammed their heads into the angel's mouth, removing teeth.
"Fire!" Misato ordered. The battleships fired with all their artillery. The explosion sent a wave of water into the sky. All that was left of the angel was a purple gas cloud. The force of the explosion sent Unit 02 flying onto the deck of the Rainbow. Unit 02 landed on hits feet gracefully, then it gently fell on to the deck. Inside the entry plug, Two pilots found themselves completely drained from fatigue.
"Not bad." Shinji said through breaths. Asuka smirked. "That being said, remind me to never co-pilot with you again." Shinji teased. Asuka just gave him the stank eye.