My original plan was to release last night, but fell asleep. Here it is now! Enjoy!
?, An Open Road in Alaska
The time is about 6:47pm in the time zone somewhere in the western area of Alaska. There is nothing but huge snowflakes and fast wind on the road except for a lone headlights on a truck from a top of a hill, traveling on this road. There are only three people in the truck, one at the driver seat and two in the back. As truck starts traveling down the hill, another vehicle, a large freight truck with back having something on it, covered in a large tarp. There are two people on the truck, one in the driver seat and the other in the passenger. Both vehicles are traveling southeast, where there is something waiting for them there.
Shinji's Room
"Why is it that you want to join SHIELD and why should I let you?"
A long silence took over the room as Shinji is afraid of giving his answer. Mostly because he knew it was a selfish one. It was probably least noble answer out there, but Shinji knew he can't lie. Something just tells him that Fury will know. All Shinji has to hope, is that Fury will at least recognize it.
"Because I want you to trust me.", answers Shinji, trying not show emotion.
Fury just raises his left eyebrow on Shinji's answer. He remembers Blake's answer, which is because he doesn't much but to fight, which is a stupid yet honest answer. This one is the same.
"Because you want me to trust you.", repeats Fury put his head above, "I'll give you points for honesty, but why is it that I should trust you? In fact, why do you want me to trust you."
"Because…", Shinji tries to say, but hesitation took control.
"Son, I came all the way here because you have something to say. Don't waste my time.", Fury says in his normal intimidate tone as he glares at Shinji.
"Because I don't know what else to do.", Shinji answers.
Shinji tried to say because he wants to get out of this place, but in a different wording, but gives up as he just said what came to him. In truth, it really why Shinji want to join SHIELD. He doesn't know what else to do. Shinji knows that if Fury says yes, Shinji will fight. He hates fighting, but he hates his current situation more. He hates seeing people he doesn't talk too, except Blake, everyday. It just feels sad for Shinji, and yet, some what familiar.
"I don't what else to do. I know how to hold a knife, fire a gun,… have powers.", Shinji says rapidly before slowing down, "It the only thing I can think of. I don't know what to do. Even if I leave here, where would I go? I can't do anything but this!"
"There more to this world then SHIELD.", says Fury, looking at Shinji with a calm expression, "Don't complain to me about how much you hate it here. Besides, do you know what would happen if people upstairs find out I've been training a child solider."
"We don't know if I'm 14.",sullenly says Shinji, "Besides, isn't this the best thing to do. I get some freedom, you get to keep an eye on me, you have someone with powers on your side. Isn't that good?"
Fury just stood there silent as Blake just looks at Shinji. Taking a deep breath in, Fury sighs as looks at Shinji dead on his eyes.
"That's not good enough. You have a sh*t reason, no ground of it, and your background is the most shadiest part out there. Just accept what you have kid.", informs Fury as he is about to leave.
Shinji just stands there, as his hands shake, before letting a loud outburst, "Blake's reason is because he doesn't know anything else! So why shouldn't it be mine! Why should I have be here when you the one who placed me here!? Why are you in charge of my life!? WHY CAN" T I JUST LEAVE!? THAT THE REASON WHY I'M ASKING!"
Suddenly, Fury turns around with a gun at hand, and places it on Shinji's forehead. Shinji stood there in fear as Blake was about to stop Fury, before Fury pulls another gun at him. Fury just glares at Shinji.
"You think that all your complaining is just going magically make things get better. That might let you join, or maybe let you go free. Kid, I've seen a lot of your kind during wars. They thought so much about their situation, they couldn't keep an eye on everything around them. That when the bullet hits them.", explains Fury, as the coldness of the gun causes Shinji to flinch.
Fury then pulls his guns away as he just look at Shinji and walks away. Shinji just looks down to the ground, covering his eyes, before sitting down on his bed with his arm in his knees. Blake just looks at Shinji with remorse and pity. On one hand, he wanted this to happen, for Fury to say no. And yet, it doesn't make the situation better, but in fact worse. A part of him feels that it might be too early for Fury to judge Shinji. He knows that Shinji is a good kid, if a little sullen, a bit selfish, and prone to outbursts depending on the situation, but he knows that Shinji will do good things if given the chance. Somebody has to give him a chance.
"I hate this. I hate this. I'm going to regret this.", Blake complains to himself as he looks at Shinji and gives a cheerful smile, "Listen. I'll go talk to my boss and let him reconsidered, okay?"
Blake rushes out of the room as Shinji stops sulking and just looks at him running with a confused look on his face.
Hallway
"Colonel!", Blake yell, running up to Fury before saluting in front of him, "Sorry for the sudden appearance sir, but I must tell you something."
"Speck.", says Fury,, who a bit impatient now.
"Sir. I'm sorry for what your about to say, but I feel that perhaps you were little too quick with dismissal of Shinji Ikari.", informs Blake who using formal language when addressing Fury.
"No I have not, agent. I've seen a lot of guys like him, afraid of fighting after they've signed up, thinking that things were going to be great after joining any military.", explains Fury with a mad look on his eye, "And told you agent, don't get to attached."
"Sir, I'm specking from personal experience.", announces Blake, "As you know, I was like one of those people once, when I joined. I had the talent, but no resolve but to survive. I didn't if mission was a success or not, just as long as I lived and come back, then that day happened. After that, my aunt helped get through before you came along a recruited me. The point is that because of the people around me, I helped grew from that. The army showed me discipline, so I don't complain out loud, that incident showed me the world doesn't revolved around me, and my aunt showed me that things can get better. This kid needs something to help guide him, discipline, a mentor, family, something to help him grow. He can't grow in a place like this. He might be a person he thinks about himself too much, but he is a good kid that was placed on out laps. The least we can do if let him help us."
"I thought you didn't want him to join?", questions Fury.
"I still don't but what choice do we have? It like he said, everyone benefits through this. The reason you don't want him to join is because of what kind of person he is. That can change if someone can help mold him into a soldier.", Blake suggests as he tries to think on what to say, "The point is that we can a least train him now, and see if he has what it takes and if he still wants to join. They say the army can make a man out of you, why not SHIELD? If he doesn't want to join after, then we know what was the best option after."
Fury just stood silent after that. Blake hoped that by this doesn't end with a dismissal, but he opened his mouth now he has no choice but to shut up and hear from Fury. Fury sighs as he starts to talk.
"Congratulations, agent, you've been promoted to instructor as well.", announces Fury as Blake shows a blank expression.
"Pardon sir?", asks Blake.
"Since your the one who know him best and that fact you were like him in the past, I feel like the one to teach him is you.", informs Fury, "You will be allowed to use the equipment here and there is a simulation grounds here as well if I remembered. You'll get turn that pansy of a kid into a SHIELD soldier by three months or at least get him keep his military life and personal life separate. If you managed at least that, I'll take him off your hands and give him extended training for the next 3 and a half years and in 4 years, where his legal age should be 18, he'll join the ranks as level 1 agent, and we'll see what happens."
"Wait sir, I don't think I'm the best person for this.", says Blake, who feels like he screwed himself the most.
"You have a military training from two separate organizations. You'll do fine.", Fury says as Blake just stood there, really hesitant.
"Sir, I feel like someone more experienced should-"
"This isn't a question of experience, but growth.", interrupts Fury, "Everyone in this base will get a message in an hour, you can start training any day, and you'll help the kid grow. Everyone gets what they want."
Fury then leaves with the two soldiers as Blake stands alone in the hallway. A part of him wants to curse, but waits until he gets into his car. Overall, he hates his new situation. Training a boy into a soldier and help him grow a bit. He doesn't know if he can get Shinji to listen. A part hopes Shinji would quit after the first day, but until then, the only thing he can do is walk back to the room and look at Shinji in the eye.
"Shinji.", says Blake as he tries to smile, "Buddy… there something I have to tell you."
?, Field in Alaska, 1.09 Miles Away
There, about 3 or 4 people are waiting for the two vehicles to show up. They set up road spikes on a curb, where if things go according to plan, the front truck should drive off the curb, in to an open field. One of the 4 people waiting is positioned in a large tree, beside the curb, where they are holding a sniper rifle. The other two are hiding behind rock in the field, waiting for to truck to come after they hit the road spikes on the road, covered in the snow. The final person of the 4 is waiting behind the road spikes, behind a bush. As it turns out, the bush is actually a machine disguised as one.
The four are wearing body armor, gray colored body armor that has helmets that covers their head and face. The helmets all have a screen covering their eyes in which they can open them up. Each of them has a weapon of choice. The first one up in the trees has sniper rifle marking the road and two pistol behind their waist. The second one hiding next to he fake bush has an assault rifle behind them. The two positioned behind the rocks also has different weapons. In the rock next to the corner of the curb has a shotgun and two combat knifes on his thighs while the one from farthest rock just has a long, skinny blade in their waist. Each four brave the cold temperature, waiting for the hostiles to come.
3 Days Later, SHIELD Base 35, Training Facility
Inside the base, there is workout room for the agents stationed there to use as well as a field for drill exercise. While not model facility for training, it good enough for Blake especially since it snowing outside. Right now, Blake, who has megaphone at hand, is instructing Shinji to go through a course, with less desirable results.
"Come on, Shinji! Go through that wall like a man, not a boy! If you can't climb a wall, then how are you not dead yet!?", Blake orders and insults as Shinji having trouble going over a wall.
Shinji struggles as he having trouble having gripping to the fake rocks on the walls. He almost about to go over, until his foot slips, causing to him to fall to the ground, on his butt.
"Jesus Shinji! Did they cut you balls off as baby!? Get over the damn thing!", continues Blake.
"Is talking like that really going to help?", Shinji says, feeling down over the things Blake been saying to him.
"I told you, this happened to me. Putting me down so I can overcome.", says Blake, back to his normal voice as he realizes something, "On the other hand, my dad was prepping me for this, but I know you can do this."
"I can't.", Shinji says softly, but Blake picks that up.
"You p*ssy! I know you can yet you say you can't!?", Blake yells in his drill instructor tone with the megaphone in his mouth, "Get those b#lls dropping, pick them up, and get over that wall!"
Shinji gets himself up and starts climbing the wall again. As he moves closer up, Blake starts insulting him, yet cheering him on.
"That's it, you little b*tch! Hard work and guts! You don't have the physic so use those! Don't tell yourself you can't do it, that for p*ssi*s that give up trying to get sh#t! Remember, ain't no mountain high enough! You chose this, so keep it up until the end! Have some pride you finish! Just for god's sake get over!-ca-coff!", screams Blake as he starts coughing from too yelling too much.
Shinji starts reaching the top, but almost slips on a rock with his right leg. He saved it with the two rock he grabbing with his hands and pulls his right foot up.
"That's it! Aim for the top!", Blake yells as he starts coughing again, "Co-coff! I'm going hurt my lungs at this rate."
Shinji grabs the top of the wall as he uses his legs to hop themselves to the top. There, he gets up and sit on the wall with each leg on the different sides, standing on the top, before going over and starts climbing down. As he climbs down, until he was good enough distance to jump off and lands on his butt on the other side.
"Good job, Shinji!", congratulates Blake as he gives Shinji water and a towel as he takes a look at the obstacle course, which has the making of what military obstacle courses look like.
"No-haa- it wasn't.", Shinji says in his depressed voice as he panting from exhaustion, "I-haa-was hopeless."
"Stop doing that depressed sh*t.", orders Blake, who's half "Blake" and half drill instructor, "You've managed to get through even when you say you can't. That proves you have it, you just need some "polishing"."
"Why-hah-are you still talking-hah-like that?", asks Shinji about Blake's tone.
"Sorry, I was having a little fun talking like this that's all.", honestly answers Blake, "But, seriously, you did better then you thought you would. No powers, no help, just you and you own strength. Be proud you did this much in a few days."
"I wonder.", quietly says Shinji as starts to get up, "Maybe I'm really not cut out for this."
"You won't know unless you try.", says Blake, "Just keep at it until you can get it right. Repeat, repeat, until you get it right."
"Repeat until I get it right.", Shinji says to himself as he remembers hearing those words before, "I thought you didn't want me to do this?"
"Well I did until somehow, I got thrown under the bus.", Blake says, sounding a bit depressed.
"So your doing this for you.", says Shinji, who sounds disappointed.
"It actually for us Shinji. You know what "us" means? You and me.", says Blake as he rapidly points from him to Shinji, ""Me" to get out of the bus, and "you" to help you. Get it?"
"No.", says Shinji who gives Blake a look.
"When then find a way to get it.", Blake tells Shinji, although he a bit sure on what he said, "Now, lets get lunch from the base. P.S.. I'm not giving you fast food for awhile."
"Okay.", reluctantly says Shinji as he follows Blake.
"C'mon things would get better. Let's hit the workout room later, then show you how to assemble a pistol, then within a week, you'll get better, no things would get better.", Blake said in a optimist tone before thinking to himself, "Hopefully."
"What if really can't do it?", Shinji asks, sulking.
"You won't know unless you try. Unless you're not trying, you have a chance to do this.", Blake says, with his arms crossed, "So, do you want to do this?"
"Maybe.", silently says Shinji.
"No maybe!", yells Blake, "Just yes or no! Do you want to do this!?"
"Yes.", quietly says Shinji as he couldn't look at Blake in the eyes.
"Louder!", continues Blake.
"Yes!", Shinji quickly yells, with his head starting lift up.
"Louder! With feelings!", Blake yells with all his breath and might, "Don't hold back! Say yes! Say I do want to! Just yell louder!"
"Yes!", yells Shinji, as it sounds like a scream, "I do want to!"
Shinji starts blushing a bit, feeling embarrassed for yelling like that as his voice cracked a bit, but Blake just nods. Just then, Blake had a thought as he also needs to discipline Shinji, teaching himself control. While he doesn't want to be called Mr. Blake, he thinks Shinji shouldn't call him by his name casually like that.
"Shinji.", Blake calls to, "For the next three months, I don't want you to call me Blake casually like that. Your going to be under me, so we need to address me more properly, but I don't want to be called Mr. Blake."
"What about teach-.", Shinji tries to say, but felt uncomfortable finishing it, and says something else, "Coach!"
"Coach?", Blake wonders, as it starts sounding good in his head, "Okay, lets go with that."
?, Field in Alaska
The man in the large trees spots the headlights of the truck coming in from a distance. He then signals a light behind him, telling the other two to hide as he radios to the person in the fake bush.
"This is Dog-1. I see a package coming in. Get our present for our prepared, Dog-2.", announces the man, codenamed Dog-1.
"Getting our present ready.", Dog-2 said, who sounds like a women.
"Dog-3, Dog-4. When the package comes to you, get ready to retrieve it.", says Dog-1.
"This Dog-4. Ready to commence mission.", says the man with codename Dog-4.
"Roger.", simply says Dog-3, who sounds like a young man.
"Commence the operation when I fire the first shot.", orders Dog-1.
The truck starts coming closer and closer to the trap the team has set up. As they are feet away from Dog-2, she actives the machine, which caused a short range EMP, frying the electronic equipment on both vehicles. Dog-1 then fires his rifle at the driver of the front truck, killing him via the throat. As the front truck hits the road spikes, along with the fact that the driver is dead, causes the truck lose control as it drives off the curb, spiraling to the it's left. A passenger coming out the back from the left, turns out to be a Hydra agent with a machine gun who was killed upon leaving the truck, when Dog-4 threw a knife at his throat. Dog-3 then rushes to the right door, opening it as inside the back, is a women who's hands and legs are cuffed with handcuffs and her head covered with a bag.
Meanwhile, the truck coming from behind, tried to brake from the spikes, but couldn't, but stopped before it hit the curb. The driver and passenger came out their doors, but died immediately, when Dog-1 shot them at quick secession.
"All hostiles are down.", announces Dog-1.
"Not all of them!", yells Dog-2 as whatever coming from behind the back of the freight truck starts moving as the cover starts tearing itself apart.
In the field, Dog-3 had just used his knife to cut the handcuffs off the woman as he then removes the bag. Her face has freckles and broken glasses along with blond hair, but she looks physically and emotionally drained as strands of gray hair falls on her right eye.
"This is Dog-3. Hostage recovered.", informs Dog-3.
One Week Later, SHIELD Base 35, Training Facility
It was the wall again. After making it past the other obstacles, Shinji faces the wall again. When he starts climbing again, it was a bit easier this time, but still difficult.
"C'mon Shinji! Your doing better so far! Pick those balls up and carry them over!", yells Blake as he checks his throat, saying to himself, "Gotta stop screaming like that."
Blake didn't make much insults this time due to Shinji not stopping. He slowed down a bit due to fatigue, but manages to get over as he drops to his butt on the floor, panting.
"Congratulations Shinji.", comments Blake who clapping before saying, "You've beat your time by only 5 seconds. Good progress, but not good enough for SHIELD."
"5 seconds!? I thought you said I was doing good?", asks a shocked Shinji.
"I said your doing better.", corrects Blake, "Your time still stinks."
"I'm really am no good.", quietly said Shinji as he looks down on the ground, hiding his eyes.
"I didn't say you were no good. I even said that you did better.", assures Blake as he walks up to Shinji, "Don't forget, your shooting is not bad. You can hit targets good."
"Don't think that goo enough.", says Shinji, "Besides, you're much better at shooting then me."
"That because I practiced.", said Blake as he grabs Shinji's right arm, "Now get up. I know you're not tired, just depressed."
Blake helps Shinji back up to his feet as Shinji dusts himself off using his hands. He look at his hands and his legs, feeling like he under performing. He knows he's improving, but the feeling of failure is latched on to him. He doesn't like it. A part of him wants to quit, feeling like nothing will change after t3 months, yet he knew Blake won't allow that. As Blake leads him to the shooting range, Shinji take a couple of glances to him. He tries to think of what kind of person Blake is. He feels kind, yet there are times that feel like he has other motives for being kind. A part of Shinji wants to trust him, but another part tells him no. Shinji doesn't want to know what Blake wants, because he may not like the answer. All Shinji can do is follow him to the shooting range.
The shooting range in the base is almost empty. This is due to the lack of soldiers in the base as it only met the required amount. In a way it's justified, due being inside the U.S. And that the base doesn't have much value.
"I'll go get a gun. Do you want a pistol or a rifle?", asks Blake, placing his hands behind his head.
"I'm not that confident in a rifle, so I'll go with pistol.", answers Shinji as Blake nods and fetches for a pistol.
Shinji looks around the room, which looks a bit dust and old, but still performable, and wonders why is he here. He starting to accept the idea of being in an unknown place, but it still doesn't make things better. All Shinji can do is look for a start. That why he's here and yet… it still doesn't make things better. Blake returns to Shinji with a pistol on hand. But before he can give to him, Blake rises gun above Shinji.
"Before I can give it to you, what kind of gun is this?", Blake as he leans the gun closer so that Shinji can get a better look.
"M9 pistol.", answers Shinji as Blake made sure Shinji knew what gun was what.
"What kind of M9?", Blake adds as a part of Shinji doesn't feel like doing this.
"M9A1.", Shinji then added as Blake hands him the gun.
As Shinji goes up to the a booth as Blake gets everything started. A target pops up, Shinji steady his aim and breathes slowly, where he can see his breathe due to the cold weather outside. He fires as he learns to handle the recoil better then when he first tried it. It hits a shoulder as Shinji fires some more. The target was about 20 feet away from Shinji, but Shinji manges to get the right shoulder twice, left chest, left hand, middle of the stomach, right eye, left ear (by accident), and a right in the middle of the forehead. He fired about 17 rounds before stopping as Blake looks impressed.
"Your doing good.", comments Blake as he tossed Shinji a magazine for the M9.
As Shinji reloads, he thought about how Blake did when he showed Shinji what to do. It amazing as Blake barely missed a shot, hitting where he wanted the bullet to hit. At first Shinji thought he was magical or what powers, until Blake told him he was just human. A human with a good shot and a good head. Compare to Shinji, he can be considered a man with a palace compare to Shinji, who lives in a box. Shinji just kept doing Blake tells him as the sound of bullets rings throughout the shooting range.
?, Field in Alaska
Dog-1 didn't expect that there was somebody else behind the large truck. They didn't get information on an extra guy who was behind the truck, inside helicopter. The helicopter covered by the sheets behind the truck, but the team tried to keep everybody from reaching, taking them out early. As the wings of the helicopter rips the sheets apart as pieces suddenly flies up before falling like the snow, Dog-1 quickly backs away from the copter, hiding behind some trees as Dog-2 follows suit by using a clocking device on her suit to hide on the snow. The pilot of the copter could be bothered with them as he looks at where Dog-3 and Dog-4 are, along with the hostage. His orders are to relocate the hostage, but if outside inference happens, killed them and her. Dog-3 and 4 sees the helicopter targeting them as Dog-3 tries to wake the women up.
"Dr. Analotte, this SHIELD responding.", Dog-3 calmly says, trying to get the doctor to respond, "I need you to move now!"
The doctor just makes a few grunts as Dog-3 guess that she might been affected with drugs or worse. He quickly hands Dr. Analotte to Dog-4 as the helicopter starts flying towards them. It aims it's guns at Dog-3 as Dog-4 knows it his time to get out of the way, as he jumps out of the way, with the doctor in his hands as lands on the ground, using his body to protect the doctor. A hail of gunfire fires from god pods to the sides of the helicopter as snow and smoke covers the area in front of Dog-3 as the gunfire comes towards him. Soon piles of snow and the vapor from the heat of the bullets reaches Dog-3 as his body is shallowed up in from the gunfire.
1 Month Later, SHIELD Base 35, Training Facility
Blake stops his stopwatch as Shinji climbs over the wall. With a new time on hand, Blake whistles, impressed as Shinji beats his time by more then 30 seconds, reaching the minimum requirement and surpassing his record from a month ago. Shinji sits on his behinds breathing slowly, but trying not breath so heavily. After a few seconds, gets up on his own as Blake nods his head in approval.
"In one month, you've beaten your time by like 45 seconds! I think Fury would accept this time. ", announces Blake as Shinji smiles a bit.
"I really did it.", said Shinji, feeling a sense of pride for what he did, "I did it."
"I thought for sure that it would take about 2 months to do this in time.", thought Blake as Shinji looks at the course, with the feeling of achievement, "His body is suppose to be denser. Maybe his body is adapting? Ether way, he finished ahead by 1 month."
"Shinji.", Blake calls out as Shinji turns to him, "For now on, we'll make sure that you are above what Colonel Fury is expecting you to be. Okay?"
"Yes.", Shinji calls out.
"So the next course is going be harder as well as adding more weight to your workouts.", Blake announces, "Your aiming is improving as well as your close combat skills. You can do this."
"Yes.", Shinji nods.
"So, lets go work on your knife later?", asks Blake as Shinji nods.
?, Field in Alaska
As bits of snowflakes and piles of snow falls to the ground from the hail of bullets firing at Dog-3, the pilot of the helicopter leans closer to see if he got Dog-3. He then sees a quick flash, before his life became to an end, as the helicopter suddenly exploded. Fire, smoke, and burning metal from the helicopter falls to the ground, Dog- 4 then helps the doctor up.
"As usual, you went a little overboard just for that.", said Dog-4, "You know Tess had a rocket launcher somewhere."
Dog-4 then turns to Dog-3, still standing on the very spot he stood when the helicopter fired, not even taking a bit of damaged. The clear visor of his helmet is up, as it then lowers, covering his blue eyes from the snow. He is panting a bit, but continues as he responds to Dog-4.
"I felt that this would be less wasteful.", responds Dog-3 in a professional tone.
"Well save your energy. We need that for later.", commands Dog-4, "Remember what our next objective is."
"Understood." replys Dog-3 as the two gets a call from their communicators.
"This Dog-1. What happened there?", Dog-1 orders for an answer.
"Dog-3 blew it up.", answers Dog-4 as Dog-3 just looks at Dog-4, but with no resentment or anger in them.
Dog-1 became a bit silent as Dog-4 think be heard a sigh, as Dog-1 makes his say, "Shinji, did you do "that"?"
3 Months After Fury's Challenge, SHEILD Base 35, Shinji's Room
3 months have passed since that day. Ever since, Shinji was given lessons by Blake about combat, gun usage and the different types, and other various things. Blake hoped that it will be enough. Right now, he and Shinji are standing up, side by side, on the right side of the bed, near the door. Blake glances at Shinji and sees a difference between now and 3 months ago. Shinji has a bit more muscle, but not toned. His eyes are bit sharper, but still retain that puppy dog look. Right now, Shinji is not wearing a hospital gown or workout clothes, but a nice white shirt with a blue shirt underneath, which the bottoms are stuffed inside his black pants. Blake can only sigh as he looks at the clothes Shinji requested.
"Why are you wearing that? Try to be a bit more stylish in your clothes.", Blake suggests as looking at the clothing makes his eyes roll.
Shinji looks at himself, with a confused look on his face, saying, "What's wrong with?"
"It's so…", Blake says, pausing to find a better word for it, before giving up and saying, "Boring."
"Boring?", wonders Shinji, as he takes a second look at his clothing, "Why?"
"To be honest…", says Blake, pausing as he thought of what he thinks is the best description of Shinji's clothing choice, "it's like your mother picked out your clothes to the point where you would get the clothes that she wants for you."
"A mother picking out my clothing?", slowly said Shinji as for a brief second, he had a vivid image of Yui Ikari, before snapping back to reality.
"I asked what type of clothing you want and you pick "mom" clothes Shinji. You're a cute kid. I heard a couple of the nurses saying you look like a cute little brother. You just need clothes to bring something out.", said Blake.
Shinji thought about what Blake said. Although he was a little creep out by a older male calling him "cute". Even so, Shinji doesn't know much more about clothing.
"To be honest, I really don't know much about fashion or style.", admits Shinji as he looks at Blake, "I think I wear something like this everyday, I think. I just look if they are okay and just wear them."
"Well, try to see what your wearing. They say first impression comes when someone first look at you and examine what you look like.", says Blake as he sees shadows of people coming through the window, "And I'll continue this later. Commander incoming."
Shinji spots Director Fury, walking towards the room through the window. Dr. Rocke is seen along with him and a couple of guards. As Fury enters the room with the doctor, Blake salutes as Shinji stands still, with his hands outside and his back straight.
"Sir.", Blake greets as Fury gestures him to stop.
"Dr. Rocke informs me that his ability to produce that barrier is going well.", comments Fury as he looks at Shinji, "Apparently you to concentrate high enough in order produce the barrier quickly."
"Yes.", Shinji nods as he can feel that Fury examining him. Judging everything outside of him.
"In 3 months, in this hell of a winter, Blake managed make you look better then you were 3 months ago.", comments Fury as Shinji feels a bit hopeful, until Fury breaks that mood, "However, it's not if you can do sh*t like a solider, but if you can follow orders without complications. That what I wanted and expected of you."
"I can do that.", Shinji says, afraid as Fury's dominating presence is starting to overwhelm him, but try to sound confident.
"Then I'll ask you again.", said Fury as he glares deadly at Shinji, who almost thought about backing away from that, "Why do you want to join SHIELD?"
For the first second, Shinji is trembling just like 3 months ago. He realizes that while Blake taught him what to do when in combat, he haven't taught him what to say for this question. He glazes at Blake, who turns his head. Shinji's eyes widen a bit, as he thought that Blake abandoned him, but sees Blake pointing his index finger at Shinji himself. Raises his eyebrow at what Blake means, but he knows that Blake is trying to say something about Shinji himself.
Shinji remembers what Blake said to him about Fury. He says that he'll catch any lie Shinji throws at him, so lying is not the answer. But, Shinji knew that in the end, his answer was a selfish answer. He not a hero who wants to save everybody. He is not a hero of justice, defeating the bad guy and saving the day. He is a selfish human, with a selfish answer. That selfish answer is his only answer and honest answer. Is the answer that Shinji can give himself.
"My answer is still a selfish one.", softly, but clearly says Shinji as Fury raises his eyebrow, "The reason why I want to join is still selfish. In the end, that's all I can say because it's true. I'm a selfish person, but even so, this answer is what true to me. Maybe I'm not a hero who wants to join to save people, I can still save people, despite my selfish reason. This my first reason why I want to join. I can't think of anything but myself, but still, I want to think about things then myself.."
Shinji then lowers his head and bows, almost subconsciously. Fury is little surprised by that, but shows little movement of it in his face. Blake on the other hand, is shocked and it written all over him, but knew that the answer Shinji gave Fury is more honest and less begging, as he simply watches as always.
"So this is my answer. If you say no, I won't say anything. This just means I'm unsuited. If I have to stay here for my life, okay.", Shinji says as his voice grows quieter as he finishes his sentence.
Shinji keeps his head and upper body straight and vertical as Fury just makes a sigh. He looks at this 14 year old, who just months ago, begged him and gave excuses on why he has to join. His thoughts turned to Black Widow, who joined SHIELD during her skit with the Avengers because she said it the best place to use her skills. But Fury knows that the real reason is for atonement for her past. Not to save the world, even thought she'll do it in a heartbeat, but atonement. That what caused her to deflect to the west and made her the women she is today.
"Get your face off the floor kid.", Fury commands as Shinji does what he say and tries to look at him in the eyes, "Honestly, your right. That was a selfish answer. "For yourself" is what you basically said."
Shinji's eyes turn down on the floor as Fury just sighs when he saw this.
"Look, maybe I given you less credit. I thought that you would give up on this and go through with what you have, but you didn't. Now don't put your eyes on the floor", Fury orders as Shinji snaps his eyes back to Fury, "You didn't give any excuses, just a straight answer. I can tell you are an honest kid who just needs guidance. I can tell that there more you want to say, but your keeping you mouth shut. You've change a bit since three months ago."
Fury then starts walking to the door as Shinji and Blake widen their eyes as they realize what this mean. Fury just turn his head back to them as he blocks the door.
"In 3 days, there will be a helicopter ready to take you to a private enlistment base where you would start training. You will learn things about espionage, equipment, and more combat training.", Fury announces, "Get ready for that."
Fury walks out of the room, along with his guards as he starts to leave the hall Shinji's room is in. Shinji and Blake just stood there speechless as the two turn to each other. They don't know how to react, as they look at each other shocked expression. When Blake realizes this, a snort came out of his mouth as he starts laughing at the situation.
"He said something good for us and we were just standing here like we have huge thumbs up our asses.", Blake describes as he tries to hold in his laughter.
A small smile appears on Shinji's face as he cheeks puff a bit as he tries to hold his laugher from Blake's contagious laughter. Blake lowers his laugh as Shinji laughs with his mouth closes.
"Well you made it.", acknowledges Blake as he looks at Shinji, "Is this what you wanted?"
Shinji stops his as calms down a bit before answering, "I don't know. I just feel like I have to do something."
"I can relate to that.", comments Blake as he puts his arms behind his head, "You do know that your life might get harder after this?"
Shinji says nothing. He looks like he was deep in thought, so Blake decides not to question some more. He simply tries to relax his mind as he heads to the door.
"I might get more information tomorrow, so I'll come here by then.", explains Blake as he waves at Shinji, "See you then. I have to leave."
Shinji slowly waves back as Blake then disappears as he passes the window. Shinji walks backward and sits down on his bed, with his hands on his knees. He just sits there, as he thought about what going to happen next. When thought about his future, his hands start shaking, not from excitement or from being impatience, but utter anxiety over his decision. In the end, he went through with Blake's training regiment, but he had Blake there, who told him don't stop, so Shinji didn't. Now that the moment is here, Shinji wonders why is he feeling like he might had a made a bad decision. He hopes that this is truly the right thing for himself, but the feeling of uncertainty looms him.
"So this is your decision."
?
The room disappears again from his eyes again as Shinji then stares face to face with the silhouette of himself. He has so much to ask him, but Shinji, deep down knows the silhouette wouldn't answer. But, Shinji still has to ask.
"Your… doing this again.", softly says Shinji as he makes a fist as it starts shaking from Shinji's vexation towards the shadowy version of himself, "Why are you doing this and now?"
"It doesn't matter.", said the silhouette as he looks above himself, "In the end, it really doesn't matter. The end is still the same. No matter how you try to change the path."
Suddenly, the empty space above disperse like clouds as the dark sky appears. Stars start shining like Christmas lights on a tree as Shinji steps backwards, his mouth open from the sudden change of scene.
"You like this didn't you.", said the silhouette like a statement, "A world wear nothing happens. Where feelings with one another never changes. You hate change."
He doesn't understand what the silhouette is saying. He couldn't understand how he is doing this. He tries find an answer, but couldn't. All Shinji an do is look the other way and not say anything.
"I hate change too.", the silhouette says, causing Shinji to look at him immediately, "But, we have to deal with it and the pain it comes with. I hate the pain too."
Shinji's Room
He back to his room again. He said that and brought him back here again. All Shinji can do is look at the world around him.
"We'll meet again one day.", a voice in Shinji's suddenly announces, "When the curse draws to an end."
"When… the curse… draws near?", thought Shinji as the voice of the silhouette disappears
Shinji just sits there, with a painful look on his face as he clutches the mattress of his bed.
6 Years Later, The Open Field in Alaska
The group of four are in the middle of the field, feet away from the crashed Hydra helicopter. The doctor has an emergency blanket around her as she sits on a rock after she got rid of the snow covering it. She then turns to Dog-1.
"So, your SHIELD?", asks Dr. Analotte in which Dog-1 nods in confirmation.
"Yes.", confirms Dog-1 in which he removes his helmet, revealing man with blue eyes, in his late twenties, and brown hair thats tied to a ball in the back of his head,"My name is Agent Blake Sanders. It is our mission to bring you to safety."
The three other agents step back as they loft around, waiting for something.
"God, wasn't the pick up crew suppose to come in about now?", complains Dog-2 as the young women is pacing around the other two, back and forth, "We still have the second phase and the enemy is going to notice anytime soon."
"Be patient. They have to stay out of Hydra's radar to get here.", the mature voice of Dog-4 assures as Dog-2 cross her arms.
"I guess that makes sense.", Dog-2 gives as she turns to Dog-3, "Shinji, you heard anything?"
Dog-3, Shinji Ikari, just shakes his head as Dog-2 just sighs. Suddenly, light in the sky from a distance in front of them. They can be seen as 5 helicopters of the same model with the SHIELD symbol on the right side of each. Two land in front of them as Blake then helps Dr. Analotte up.
"These guys will get you out of here.", assures Blake as he points to the helicopter with more weaponry, as a bunch of soldiers starts to get down from it, "Don't worry, I got her."
Blake then helps get the doctor up to the helicopter as he take a peek behind her. After helping her up, Blake then returns to his group as they grab their equipment and get into the other helicopter. They get up and close the door as the helicopter takes off. Dog-2 and Shinji starts taking off their helmets, except Blake, who took his off already and Dog-4.
"Were you staring at her ass?", Dog-2 said suddenly as it took Blake by surprised.
"What?", replys Blake, who already heard her.
Dog-2 takes off her helmet, revealing a women in her mid-twenties with short black hair and brown eyes, "I saw you looking at her ass. We're on a mission remember?"
"I know.", Blake relays, sounding like he doesn't want to talk more.
Shinji removes his helmet, as he immediately rubs his eyes after taking it off, only revealing his brown hair.
"Are you okay?", said Blake as he sees Shinji, who nods, "That was reckless. Remember we don't know much about that."
"Understood.", said Shinji as he stops rubbing and reveals his blue eyes.
Time has past since that day when he came. 6 years in fact. Yet he only grew to look 16 years old. His eyes are more sharper, looking lifeless when he does his work. His hair grew a bit longer, covering bits of his forehead. His name is Shinji Ikari, agent of SHIELD.
That all I have now. There will more information on the new characters like next chapter as well as 6 years later Shinji. Favorite and Follow like always and get ready for the next chapter. Have a good one!