Rei looked out at the night sky. It had been a long day for her and Elly Simpson. Zack Harper had not been himself lately, shown mostly by his pushing of her and Elly to learn as fast as they could to be able to defend themselves from the vicious assaults of Vladimir Topolov. Although Rei had engaged Vladimir briefly, the former albino knew that the Russian was more than capable of doing much more.
The night sky seemed to be reflecting the situation happening on earth. Darkness was sweeping across the land, eclipsing any and all light in its path. That same darkness was complimented by the state of the sky. Rei could see that the stars apparently had lost the slight twinkle that they once had, now just dim balls of light in the sky. The full moon, which seemed rather large, failed to shine as luminously as it once did.
"The stars don't twinkle, the moon doesn't shine," Rei said out loud to no one in particular. "It's almost as if the heavens themselves are mourning the sad state that has become of our planet. Ever since Asuka and… Shinji lost their lives; this planet has lost its light in the darkness." A tear streamed from her eye from the thought of her deceased brother. "And with the way things are looking, the light itself will soon go out."
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Earlier that Day
"You're moving too slow!" Zack half yelled at Elly as she struggled to keep up with Zack's movements. "If you move too damn slow, he will chop you to bits before you know it!"
"Damn it, I can't keep up! You're being too fucking rough!" Elly shot back. She was holding a training bokken much like the one Rei standing beside her held, while Zack standing opposite to her held one about twice the length of hers, imitating a staff. The purpose of this was to prepare Elly and Rei for dueling Vladimir, who held a scythe which was very much like a staff.
"You have to work at being able to keep up!" Zack countered. "And if I'm being too rough, then Vladimir is a fucking lunatic. He's ten times worse than I'm being right now!"
"Harper, calm down!" called Ivana who was watching from a distance. She was confined to crutches because of a muscle tear in her right leg which prevented her from walking without enduring any sort of pain. "Yelling won't make them better!"
"Ivana stay out of this!" Zack readied himself for another round with Elly and Rei. "If they're going to learn, they have to learn now and fast! Vladimir is coming within a week and he's not going to show any mercy. You saw how fast he killed Shinji and Asuka!"
"And you're not going to be able to teach them properly if you keep acting like an asshole Casanova!" Misato interjected as she walked into the room. "There's a difference between being strict and being an asshole! And you're leaning towards asshole!"
With Misato being a restraint on Zack's growing anger, the Canadian began to cool down, silently agreeing with her statement. It was a tense time for all of them, for within less than seven days they were going to be attacked by a force that they were not sure that they could be able to stop. He sighed, "I'm sorry guys. I need to go sit down for a bit," he said to Elly and Rei, his humility taking command over his frustration. He walked off to the side towards a bench and sat down. "Think you can teach them something Ivana? You use a staff mind you."
"I'll try." Ivana hobbled to the center of the room on her crutches. "I think I can do some movements, I'll just have to be careful not to aggravate my injuries." Dropping the crutches and picking up the wooden staff, she began to teach Elly and Rei. "Alright, pay attention. I won't be able to do this as well as Casanova can, so you'll have to improvise on your own as best you can."
Misato looked over at Zack sulking on the bench. He probably felt like a complete ass from his yelling at Elly and Rei earlier. Misato could see that both girls were quite shaken from the Canadian's complete change of attitude. As much as she wanted to smack him for his behaviour, she did not see what he had seen out there in the Battle of Hamburg. He had to bear witness to two of his fellow pilots being struck down and killed by the rogue pilot Vladimir Topolov and now finally it was taking its toll on his state of mind. The desire to avenge their deaths was probably the only thing they could possibly think of. But it was taking too much of a toll to the point where the kids couldn't prepare properly for Topolov's return which would be in six and a half days.
Figuring Casanova could use a few words of confidence; Misato walked over to Zack and sat down next to him. Zack either pretended not to notice his guardian sitting beside him, or was too lost in thought to notice. After a minute of almost silence, Misato broke that silence with a simple, "Hey".
"What up," Zack replied still not facing his guardian.
"Are you alright?" Misato asked. She had got his attention, now she had to keep that conversation going for both their sakes.
"Not really," Zack muttered. "I watched them die Misato. And I couldn't do a single thing about it, except fight for my own life." He paused for a moment before going on. "Those images have embedded themselves into my mind and I don't think I'll never be able to forget that day."
"Zack, no one expects you to forget what happened out there." Misato put an arm around him. "I don't even think Commander Ikari wants you to forget what happened out there. I know what Topolov did is going to bother not only you, but Elly, Rei, Ivana, and all your friends back in Japan. And that mark is going to last a very long time."
"Why Misato?" Zack looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Why do we have to fight that psycho? This isn't fair! Why do we have to fight someone who thinks of nothing other than killing other people for his own pleasure? Like that guy had a blast just because he got to kill Shinji and Asuka!"
Zack's remark echoed in Misato's mind. Having two friends die at a young age would rattle the mind for a good deal of time. But eventually the grieving party would be able to come to terms with his/her pain and be able to move on with their life. However this case felt different. This time the grieving party had watched his friends being butchered by another teen which some would argue that Vladimir Topolov was indeed insane. Misato obviously wouldn't be able to feel the pain of Zack and the others out there. But at the same time she felt the pain of having two of her loved ones ripped from her arms and never to return because Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Sohryu had their lives taken from them by Topolov. But she would try everything she could to comfort them and give them the resolve they needed to make a stand.
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Compared with what Shinji was accustomed to at NERV: fighting Angels, trying to win acceptance from his father, going through what some may have called Hell at Misato's apartment, and balancing schoolwork, this definitely wasn't par for the course in his mind with all that had happened today. Shinji had been told that he was to go to Germany to apparently fight what had appeared to be a war that Russia had started. With a few encouraging words from Dr. Akagi, his father, and Misato, Shinji decided that fighting for the sake of your loved ones could be justified. But none of them were prepared for what Russia was going to unleash on the four unsuspecting EVA pilots: Evangelion Unit 10 and its pilot Vladimir Topolov. Right away they learned he was going to be a difficult adversary to defeat. Problem was that he was much more powerful than any expert had predicted, and Shinji found his EVA skewered by the back end of Unit 10's specially designed scythe. Shinji remembered that his body had abruptly seized up from the shock and went into a cardiac arrest. Luckily for Shinji he had passed out before he could feel the pain of such an episode, dying in Unit 02's arms. He had then woke up in what he had learned to be Heaven, was granted access into the grand kingdom so he could be prepared for what Kaowru and Lilith had decreed, a rematch with Topolov.
Out on this open cloudy like range somewhere in the Kingdom of Heaven, Shinji had somehow lost his way. Asuka, Lilith and Kaowru had pretty much disappeared once he and Asuka were hit by that large flash of light.
'What did they have in mind when they desired to train our souls?' Shinji pondered as he continued to walk the never-ending cloudy plains. 'Are we supposed to gain something out of all this?'
Up ahead, Shinji wondered if what he saw was a stepping stone to having his question answered. But something didn't feel right. The object he saw up ahead seemed well out of place in a place such as grand as the Kingdom of Heaven. It was humanoid shaped, clad completely in black clothing, and apparently was staring right at him.
Shinji stopped within ten feet of the being, not knowing whether it was dangerous to him or not. Thinking for a moment, remembering that he was dead, Shinji concluded that it couldn't be a threat to him at all. "Who are you?" the boy asked the being.
"I am many things," the dark being replied with the voice of a young man. "But to answer your question completely would confuse you more than one of your intelligence could comprehend."
Slightly insulted by the reply, Shinji pressed his question hoping to get a reasonable answer. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"
The dark being sighed, "To answer your question in a way you would understand, one could say I'm you. Or in a sense I am a representation of you. To be more specific, I represent the uncertainty that lies deep in your heart. The uncertainty that makes you question and second-guess the actions of everyone around you, the uncertainty that makes you second-guess yourself."
"Uncertainty?" Shinji inquired. "What do you mean by that?"
"Come on, you know exactly what I'm talking about," the dark being replied. "The questions you constantly ask yourself day in and out. Despite every reassurance given, you still doubt the hard facts the world gives you."
"That's not true!" Shinji shot back. "I'm fine with my life as it is right now… or rather the life I once had."
"So you say, but you cannot deny the fact that you question not only yourself, but even more so of the people you interact with. Let's go with an example shall we?" The dark man raised his hand. From his hand came a purple coloured cloud. Shinji looked into the cloud and to his surprise saw an image on the other side. The image that was projected… was of his father.
"Father?"
"I think he's an excellent example, don't you agree?" the dark one asked. "The one and only being on this planet that got your ball of uncertainty and distrust rolling. The one that through his actions alone changed your view of the world forever."
They were only a few words to the normal teenage boy, but to one Shinji Ikari the remark hit him like a mountain, immediately bringing back all those awful memories, starting with the day his father had abruptly abandoned him at a train station all those years ago. His mother had disappeared recently after the accident involving the test startup of Evangelion Unit 01, and then his father had abruptly left him. For the first time in his life that day, Shinji felt unloved, due to not having his mother around who loved him dearly, and his father who deserted him without reason. And that feeling of being unloved would carry on into his childhood years and into the preteen years. Just when he thought he could put those feelings of being unloved behind him, this being was bringing it all back.
"Why are you doing this?" Shinji demanded to know. "I don't see what you're trying to get out of bringing up a bad memory!"
"What am I trying to get?" the dark one responded. "I am merely trying to show you the truth. Do you ever wonder if your father really is trying to change, or is this just an act for you to be able to trust him better?"
"I… I… that's not true!" Shinji stuttered. "I trust him. He's not the man who he used to be!"
"Can you say that with absolute certainty?" the dark being countered. "I know that you are not 100 sure about what you say. What's to stop him from suddenly going back to the bastard commander whom you'd hate and despise? What's to stop him from acknowledging you as his only son?"
"That's… not true!"
"Is it?"
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Temporary Russian Base… likely in Germany… just use your imagination or something.
"WHAT THE FUCK!!!" a teenager roared in fury. "What do you fucking mean he escaped?"
"I'm sorry sir Lord Topolov," an adult spoke towards the teenaged voice which belonged to the furious Vladimir Topolov. "The prisoners surprised the guards sir, and he managed to escape. Patrols were unable to find him. We suspect he's heading towards Berlin."
Vladimir, who was sitting down in deep meditation in his private quarters now rose to his feet, his six foot one figure towering over the subordinate. Despite the paling of his face and the slight graying of his hair one could see the clear fury in his eyes. "And you figured this out all by yourself?"
The officer, clearly frightened by the features of his teenaged superior and by the feeling that the boy was emitting couldn't mutter a word. Vladimir took the chance to speak once more.
"You know what, I'm impressed. So impressed that I'll make this one quick for you." With a flash of speed, Vladimir grabbed the man's collar and lined up his fist with his subordinate's face. The officer looked on in horror as the boy's gloved right hand began to glow with a dark aura, and it was the last thing he saw as his head was launched across the room and splattered against the wall.
Vladimir tossed the remainder of the officer's body to join the mess against the wall. He relished the power he just felt. "Ah, I can feel my power growing. Slowly but surely I'm getting more powerful. It seems that with every person I can kill, my power keeps growing." He saw another subordinate walk into the room to check on his… former comrade. He shivered at the sight on the far wall. "You," Vladimir called to the second officer. "Are the people involved in this little uprising still alive?"
"Uh… uh… n-no sir," the officer replied with fear in his voice. "They were all killed as requested."
"And what of the people we brought in from the town near Berlin?"
"We detained them upon our suspicions of them leaking information to the German army sir," the officer answered.
"Good." Vladimir's smile turned wicked. "Bring one of them here. Preferably a young one. I wish to… interrogate them personally."
"As you wish sir." The subordinate left the room to complete the task his younger but superior master had set before him.
Now that he had some alone time, there was a chance to contemplate the events that were taking place as of right now. As he knew the events, much of the world had indeed agreed to surrender knowing the power of an Evangelion was pretty much unstoppable. But nonetheless, there were going to be some nations that would not live up to the call for a global surrender to the Russian nation. Vladimir knew however, that the government put in place was simply a puppet government meant to overshadow his master's plans for humanity, which would finally put them all in their proper place. Vladimir couldn't help but smile at the thought that his master allowed the battle-hardened teenager to be the direct executor of his will. So far, all who had opposed him were crushed in painful ways. Two of the four Evangelion pilots he had engaged were now dead, with one likely injured. And if the reports he heard were correct, two more Evangelions, Unit 00 piloted by the former half-Angel, and Unit 06 piloted by a bikini model, were also going to take part in some 'last stand' against him in six days along with the fool in Unit 05. If that was all NERV Berlin had to offer, then it would be a delicious and satisfying chance to torture and eventually kill those three children who dared to challenge his power.
He turned around to see the door open as two guards came in to the room, dragging in a young girl who couldn't be any older than twelve years of age. "As you requested my lord," one of the guards replied.
"Good. Now leave." At once the guards dropped the captive and left the room, leaving Vladimir alone with her. He then turned his attention towards the very frightened girl. "Now then, I have some things I wish to discuss with you," he said as he clenched his gloved fist. Lightning coursed through his hand as he walked towards the girl.
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"If you're so sure of what you believe Shinji," the dark man went on, "how would you feel when that trust one day isn't returned? What is really to stop him from going back to being the bastard you knew and despised?"
Shinji was about to raise a counterpoint but stopped to think for a moment. 'He might actually be right. Father didn't care about me for the longest time, and then he suddenly had a use for me. And now that I'm needed more than ever with my increasing capabilities in an EVA, he now finds this need to suddenly be nice to me so I don't abruptly quit nor have any other problems.'
The dark man put a hand on Shinji's shoulder, almost in a consoling manner. "Ah, I can feel your doubt growing my boy. It's always good to have that sense of doubt about everyone. It's the only way you can protect yourself from the darkness in other people's hearts."
"But wait a second," Shinji quickly put in. "My father may not be the easiest person to trust, but not everyone is like him. There are people out there who can be trusted."
"Oh are you so sure about that?" the man in black replied. "Or do you need another example besides your father to prove to you that you cannot trust anyone?"
"Shut up!" Tears began to find their ways into Shinji's eyes. This man for reasons unknown was trying to goad Shinji into hating those he loved. The boy was determined not to let this bastard mess with his mind. "You're trying to turn me against those I trust!"
"Perhaps I may be. But it's for your benefit Shinji. How would you like it if you got put on the spot by someone you trusted? Wouldn't you feel betrayed? Wounded inside?" The dark man raised his hand. "Another example is needed, to enhance my point of view." Like the first time a cloud of purple smoke arose from his hand. "Gaze into it my boy, and become enlightened."
Shinji didn't want to look, but something drew his brown eyes towards the sight he was told to behold. Much to his surprise the image in the clouds was that of… Misato Katsuragi, his guardian. "Misato?" Shinji was confused as to why he would question his ability to trust Misato. "But why her?"
"I think she is an excellent choice," the dark man said. Crossing his arms and not being able to remove the smile from his face, he went on. "She seems so stable and put together, sexy I also might add. But you've seen when she's broken down and completely unstable."
"She was my guardian while I was still alive," muttered Shinji with his head bowed down. "She was in her own bizarre ways, truly the first person who actually gave a damn about me outside of piloting EVA."
"But surely, one would have uncertainty with her," the dark man went on. "Take a look at her ex-boyfriend Kaji. She dates him for who knows how long, and then for no reason that anyone would know, she just breaks up with him. And now look at them, she wavers back and forth with him not knowing whether she wants to stay with him or not. He's nothing but a blinded fool for trusting in the fact that she will come back around to him someday."
"Misato may have her problems," Shinji countered, "but she was able to put that aside and look after Asuka, myself, and Pen-Pen. She even took in Zack, Ivana, and Rei too. She was the only one who genuinely cared about my well being for the first time in over ten years! She was like a mother to me. The mother I never had!" Shinji glared daggers at the man with the black hood. "You on the other hand, are the one I shouldn't trust above all else!"
"Fool. Do I need to educate you some more?" Letting his arms relax at his sides, he continued his manipulative lecture. "Did you forget how Misato was behaving near the end of the Angel War? If memory serves us correctly, one could swear she was trying to make a pass at you after the death of Kaji. She needed someone to fill the hole in her heart, and would have eventually broken that level of trust you had in her and taken you for herself." Shinji was about ready to deny this statement when the dark man spoke again, "And you know it too. Your trust in her began to erode that day."
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Vladimir's Quarters
"Bullshit you don't know!" Vladimir roared at the child slumped against the wall. He had thrown her against the wall just previously when she told him she knew nothing about an alleged spying operation. She along with many other people had been rounded up on Topolov's suspicions that the Germans had set up to learn as much as they could about the Russian army. He glared at her with pure malice in his eyes. The poor child had blood coming from her mouth and an incision on her left cheek from the injuries she sustained at the hands of that monster.
"One of my men saw YOU as one of the messengers that they caught trying to flee." He grabbed her with both hands by the throat and raised her up until her eyes locked with his. He could feel her struggling with no success to break his grip. Ignoring her struggles, he continued his interrogation. "Now, let's try this again. What have you been telling the Germans?"
The girl struggled to speak. "I…I told you… I don't know… anything!" She continued to struggle, if only to loosen the larger boy's grip on her windpipe.
"Wrong answer bitch!" the older boy yelled again. Concentrating deep within, his right hand pulsating with the power he held, power flowed into him quickly. The output of this power Vladimir summoned came in the form of electricity, which he would channel directly into the body of the girl, making her body jump and convulse violently as powerful charges of electricity shot through her. Seeing that his torture was causing his young prisoner immense pain, he allowed himself a smile. But it was brief as his face quickly returned to rage before he tossed the girl back across the room freeing her of his electric attack.
"See where your defiance is getting you?" Vladimir asked in a taunting manner. "It's only bringing you pain and suffering. And I guarantee that it only gets worse so as long as you continue to answer untruthfully." Looking down upon the preteen, he noticed her left forearm was bent in an abnormal manner at the elbow. It had obviously been broken from when Vladimir had thrown her just a moment ago. A wicked grin grew on his paling face. Forcing the girl onto her feet by her broken arm, she let out a scream of pain. He looked into her eyes, seeing a face that screamed of pain, but also one that begged of mercy. "Once more, what have you been telling the German army?"
The girl struggled to answer, but the amount of pain she was wrenched in prevented her from giving an eligible answer. All she could give out was a mumbled answer that not even Vladimir could understand. Looking into her torturer's eyes, she could tell in an instant that he was not satisfied with what she had tried to say. In truth she was going to tell him what he wanted to hear, but all she could muster was that mumble. And that apparently was not what the boy wanted to her. She could do nothing as his left hand slugged her face, imposing on her with more pain from her now broken cheekbone.
"Stupid girl!" Vladimir raised his boot and kicked her directly in the chest with high impact, the force throwing her out of his grasp and slamming to the floor in a heap. "If you honestly thought I would accept that as an answer, you must be dumb and stupid, and possibly a masochist," he said as he walked over to her broken frame. He figured that he had possibly broken a few ribs and maybe damaged a lung with that kick. He couldn't help but feel proud of himself, that feeling of flaunting that power however he wished. It felt good indeed. It would be disappointing that this girl's breaths were numbered. He towered over her, watching her desperately gasp for air after being badly winded.
"Are you afraid?" he taunted her; "Do you fear death? Can you feel yourself at death's door? Can you sense that your breaths are numbered?" Grabbing her by the collar of her ragged shirt he picked her up and slammed her against the wall. The girl could no longer stand and merely slumped to the ground. One could hear her laboured breathing from across the room. Vladimir picked her up by the throat and brought her up so her eyes matched his. "I'm disappointed really. All you had to do was tell the truth and it would have set you free. But now, you must pay the price for your failure to tell the truth." He tightened his grip on her, slowly squeezing the life out of the girl. She tried to fight back with her one good arm, but she couldn't even do that. She simply looked at his uncaring, unforgiving gray eyes and hoped she could find the slightest bit of mercy before he killed her.
But it would be for nothing. Vladimir tightened his grip and continued to strangle the poor girl to her death. Eventually he heard a crack. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and her head went limp. He smiled at his now dead victim before letting her body drop to the floor like a large doll. "To tell you the truth, I lied. I was going to kill you anyways," he said to the broken body. Now that business here was done, he walked toward the door, unlocked it and locked eyes with the guard standing outside.
"Clean up the mess in there. I have matters to attend to," he ordered as he walked down the hallways of the facility.
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"So do you understand now Shinji, that you shouldn't trust people?" the dark man inquired.
Shinji could feel the man's words wrenching their way into his soul his words making their way into his mind. He was trying his best to resist the darkness around the dark man's words, but he could feel himself slipping away. But he fought to keep control. "You know what? I don't care what you say! You're not going to shake my opinion one way or another!"
"But you cannot deny that the points I have raised so far are accurate of the truth."
"It's not the truth. I don't know exactly what may or may not be true, but I know you're twisting my mind so I'll believe whatever you say."
The dark man gave an impression that he wasn't impressed one bit. But still he was going to break this boy one way or another and he knew it too. It was nearly time to reveal his trump card and show Shinji the truth about humankind. "Must I really show you another example so as to prove why trusting your fellow man is the dumbest thing you can do?" He allowed himself a wicked smile. "And I can think of the perfect example too. One that will hit closer than either Misato or your father could."
The look on Shinji's face could have made one suggest that he had read the dark man's mind. The man laughed at the sight before him. "So apparently you're catching on. I guess our third person then requires no introduction." From his left hand, came a black cloud of smoke which Shinji now knew would produce an image of someone he knew. From within the cloud of smoke… came the image of Asuka Langley Sohryu.
"Asuka… but why…?" The boy was at a loss for words.
"Why not?" the dark man asked in a taunting manner. "She represents the best example as to what I have been trying to get through to you this entire time. When you first met her, she was probably the most self-centered, arrogant, selfish little bitch anyone had ever known. She despised you merely because you were the one standing in her way of becoming a world hero and champion."
"But… but…"
"But nothing!" the man quickly interjected. "And to sicken the plot, she decided to use you to meet her own ends. Why do you think she wanted to get close to someone like you? You were currently on top, in the position she coveted above all else. It would only make sense that she gets close to you, learn about you, and screw you over in the end so she can take the top spot."
"You're lying!" Shinji shot back. "Asuka may have issues, but she's really a good person under all her pain! I know it because she opened herself up to me!"
"Are you sure you just didn't catch her in a moment of weakness? I'm sure when she's good and ready she'll discard you like yesterday's news. Women sometimes need time to recover after something big goes down."
"But Asuka wouldn't…" Shinji wasn't sure what to say. Would his girlfriend really throw him away like he was nothing? She used to assume he was nothing in comparison to her in the past. Did that still hold true today?
"Ah now you're beginning to understand."
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Vladimir found himself where he was commanded to meet one of his masters. "Someone called for me?" he called out into the unknown.
"Ah there you are, you big handsome hunk," a woman's voice rang out across the room. A portal appeared in front of Vladimir and a figure in a black coat stepped out. "I have a task for you once you finish running over the EVA pilots in five days."
Vladimir knelt before the woman. "And what do you ask of me, Mistress?"
"At ease boy." Once Vladimir stood back up she continued. "It's a simple task rather. It'll be easy compared with what he has planned for you. I have found an interesting candidate. One who could potentially become an EVA pilot one day. Eventually I will bring him here and I want you to train the person I will select."
"As an apprentice?"
The woman allowed herself a chuckle. "In a sense. And you get to be the master of the apprentice I shall select for you. Are you up to the task?"
Vladimir mirrored her smile. "As always, just as with the Master, I am yours to command." But something else concerned him. "But Mistress, what of the one who escaped? What happens if he makes it to NERV Berlin? He has proven to be rather difficult to keep under guard. If he makes it there, he will tell them everything he knows about me. And with his assistance, they could come up with a tactic that could challenge my power."
"When in doubt my child, trust the power he has bestowed upon you," the woman answered. "As you continue to concentrate on your inner darkness, your power will continue to grow. And that power you gain will reflect your control over Unit 10. Eventually, you too could become… a god."
In Vladimir's mind, she was right. His power had grown greatly over the past few days. He felt almost unstoppable really. Not even an adult yet, he could already spread fear into the hearts of any man, woman, and child he had come across. He could kill anyone at will, and do so unopposed. That child he had dealt with, along with one of his own officers learned that lesson the hard way. With the coming and going of that thought, he had this urge to kill anyone else who had gotten in his way. It felt something similar to a hunger, the urge was. But luckily for those fools, there was no one he could think of that needed to be killed. His attention turned back to the woman. "Is our business here complete?"
The woman nodded. "Indeed. You have much to prepare for. It would be unwise to underestimate the resolve of those you will face very soon. Go now, and work on increasing your power."
Vladimir bowed once. "Yes ma'am. Right away." And with that he turned and walked away.
The dark woman watched Vladimir walk back to his quarters to work on his preparations. Once he was out of earshot, she heard another voice. "What a wonderful mentality we've set in him, don't you think?" This voice that echoed through the room was that of a much older man.
"So far, he is still in control of himself to a good degree," the woman replied to no one in particular. "However, I can sense his subconscious urges are turning into conscious urges bit by bit. I can smell the blood on him."
Another dark figure walked out of a portal that appeared and stood beside the woman. This figure was slightly taller than the woman, and slightly hunched over. "I'm concerned that with too much power, he'll be too difficult to control," the second figure stated. "He's already becoming bloodthirsty and he's starting to kill his own people to sate his appetite."
"He understands that I'm sure," the woman went on. "He knows that if Vladimir becomes too difficult to control, he will be dealt with. Personally I hope it doesn't come to that just yet. It may take some time to recruit the one I wish to have Vladimir train once our plan is put into place."
"And with the way he will soon start behaving, your recruit may be the one who will replace him instead," the old man countered. "But nonetheless, as long as he is obedient, the number of lives lost is meaningless. Most of those who will die are destined for darkness anyways. That much I have foreseen."
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"Now you see Shinji. People are NOT to be trusted," the dark man said. "I have shown you the true way, now you have to follow the path I have provided for you."
Shinji just stood there, not knowing what to say. Even with all his denials this dark being was making a good degree of sense. "Even as I tried to open up to people, they did nothing but shut me out. My father, one of the two people I should have been able to put my whole trust in, cared nothing for me. He proved this outright by abruptly abandoning me at the train station over ten years ago. And then he calls me back to NERV because he had some use for me. And he didn't apologize to me, nor did he even attempt to make any sort of conversation with me. All I was to him was a puppet while he only pulled my strings and only cared if I followed orders. I was nothing but a puzzle piece in his grand scheme."
"And Misato, she really had me fooled all along. And here I thought she was someone who actually gave a damn about whether I lived or died. She took me into her home and raised me as if I was like her child that she never had. It was a good feeling for a while. But as time went on I began to understand her mindset for taking myself and eventually Asuka in. She had a hole in her heart that needed to be filled. And we were what Misato needed to fill in her empty heart. And when Kaji was killed, it was only a matter of time before she came onto me, requiring me to fill in that void which Kaji used to fill."
"And… Asuka. She was the one I always looked to when I was down. Whenever I needed strength, I would turn to her because she was one of the best examples of strength there was. And when times got difficult, we would turn to each other. It took a long time, but we finally opened our hearts to each other. But I never knew all along, that she figured she was too good for me. She could use me as much as she pleased, before she discards me and moves on. I trusted her, and she only pretends to trust me as long as I cater to her and make her happy. I feel like an idiot."
Shinji sank to his knees. "I got nothing. I can't trust anyone. They all have their own agendas, and I'm nothing but a tool to help them complete their agenda."
"Now you understand Shinji Ikari," the dark man said, satisfied that Shinji finally understood the truth. "Use that anger, use that betrayal, and turn it into hatred. Hatred that you can you to exact your vengeance on those who have hurt you. Make them suffer and make them wish they never messed with you."
Shinji could feel darkness creeping into his soul. It was a cold feeling, but in some ways it was a familiar feeling. The feeling he had when he felt no one had cared about him. Now he would use that darkness to get back at those who had hurt him before. All was going as things should go…
"Oh no you don't! You're not getting away that easy you idiot!" a familiar female's voice screamed in his mind. "Do you believe everything you hear? For fucks sake listen to you talk! Do you really believe what you're saying?"
"What am I to do?" Shinji countered the voice. "Everyone who I believed in betrayed me or will betray me!"
"You can't say that absolute certainty Shinji," an older woman's voice spoke to him. "You cannot control the actions of others, but you can always believe that they will have no ill will towards. It is normal to naturally trust people."
Our dead hero did not feel convinced though. "As much as I may want to trust someone, there's going to be that one person who can and will try to screw me over when all is said and done."
"There will always be such people," a familiar man's voice came into the fray. "Should such a thing happen, it will be ultimately up to you to determine how such an event dictates your life. You can either let that moment define your life from that moment onwards and never progress, or you can get past that and allow yourself to grow."
"Do not listen to them," the dark man interjected. "Those moments need to define your life. You learn from them and you'll be able to protect yourself from them."
"Would you rather cower in a shell for the rest of your life hiding from a few douche bags?" the younger woman came back. "Or would you rather just ignore those assholes and look for the good things in life. Trust me, you are very much capable of finding the good in people and you know to stay away from the bad people."
"Human beings need something they can trust in," the older woman added on. "Without some degree of trust, be it in another person or object, people cannot grow and progress."
"So above all else…" Shinji wondered aloud, "I should try to trust people even though they may hurt me?"
"That is correct," the older man said. "This dark being has no desire other than to make you consume yourself through your own hatred and live what the afterlife has to offer in darkness."
"Shut up!" the dark man was getting angry. "You three, whoever you are speak nonsense! You wish to make him vulnerable and weak."
"You're wrong."
"What?" the dark man looked down at Shinji. To his horror, he saw the dead teenager slowly rise back to his feet, with an unpleasant look on his face, his fist consistently clenching and unclenching.
"If there's anyone I shouldn't trust, it's YOU!" Shinji declared loud and clear. "You tried to turn me against the very people I love! You'll pay for that!" Shinji then lunged at him with the intent of throwing a punch. But to his horror, he apparently passed right through the man in the black coat. Turning around Shinji could see the slight surprise in the dark man's expression.
The dark man quickly regained his composure and gave off a wicked laugh. "Come now. You make me pay? Humourous. What little power you have is nonexistent in comparison to my power. Watch and see."
Shinji watched as the dark man became now completely immersed in the smoke he was emitting earlier. The smoke expanded and grew until Shinji's vision was completely blinded. The smoke wasn't around for very long as it quickly subsided and Shinji was able to see the heavenly plains as they once were… with the exception of the very tall being standing in front of Shinji. It was huge, much like an Evangelion in a way. The black colouring reminded Shinji of Unit 10. The dark being must have transformed into this EVA sized monster.
'Damn,' Shinji thought as he stared straight up at the large monster. He took a hesitant step back. 'What am I going to do?'
"Now do you see where you stand foolish boy?" the dark man somehow spoke into his mind. "I can crush you flat!"
"Believe Shinji," another voice spoke in his mind. This one felt familiar too. Familiar it was to the point of recognition. Kaowru!
"Kaowru!" Shinji cried out in a panic. "He's gonna flatten me! What am I gonna do!"
"Just believe my friend," the Angel's comforting voice spoke. "Simply believe that you cannot be harmed, especially in the presence of the Lord. Should you accomplish that, you will succeed in defeating the darkness."
'Believe, believe,' Shinji pondered to himself. 'Kaowru's right I guess. I'm dead, so I don't see how things can get much worse. And basing on the assumption that there is a God here supposedly protecting me, loving me, caring, for me, I got nothing to lose since I'm already dead.' Content with his train of thought, he felt his mind relax, his heart beat slowing back down to normal, and oxygen passed through him without distress. All would be fine…
Next thing he knew, he found himself choking on something. It tasted of blood. Quickly centering himself, he realized that he was somehow in an entry plug. "This must be Unit 01, but how?" Realizing his question wouldn't be answered, he looked straight ahead. Indeed he was facing a black Evangelion. And he was ready to take it down.
"There's one thing you seriously forgot about me, demon!" Shinji said with a wave of confidence. "Of all the EVA pilots at NERV… I'm the only you shouldn't FUCK with!" Acting according to his will, Unit 01 assumed a combat stance. "And this is why!" He didn't know exactly where this confidence came from, but it felt good. And Unit 01 seemed to agree with Shinji as he felt his ability to synchronize with Unit 01 getting better and much easier.
"What… what's going on?" the dark man asked at the sight of Unit 01 before him. Once Shinji stopped talking, Unit 01 had begun to glow with an ominous white light. Suddenly the glow got stronger, strong enough to blind anything staring at it. The dark man in his transformed state had to avert his eyes so as to avoid going blind. "What are you doing? I can't see!"
However, once he turned back he would indeed be horrified at the sight he saw before him. Unit 01's armour shone brighter than before. The source of this was coming from behind Unit 01. Out of its back was a set of orange spectral wings, flapping slowly and giving the beast a more omnipotent vibe than it was originally.
Feeling power flooding into him, Shinji glared at the black beast. "All right, I know you're good at delivering pain and suffering. But let's see how well you can receive it!" With Shinji's will as the executor of Unit 01's movement, Unit 01 flew at the black EVA, hitting it directly in the chest with a shoulder charge at high speed sending it flying. Adrenalines flowing, Shinji charged forward, the wings of Unit 01 making it feel lighter than it actually was. He caught up to the flying black EVA and caught it by the foot, stopping its flight.
"Urgh!" the dark one groaned from the sudden stop. Shinji's speed and strength was incredible! Where did he get this power? Could he have been wrong about the trust Shinji had in people? "How did you do that?"
"In case you're wondering, I get my power from the trust I place in my loved ones, and returned by the trust they have in me to keep them safe. And I said I was going to make you pay! Take this!" With one swing, Unit 01 tossed the black EVA into the air and then flew after it.
Once he caught up with it, he saw the black EVA try to fight back. But Unit 01 was simply too fast and too maneuverable. Shinji proceeded to continue delivering justice to the dark manipulator. In rapid succession, albeit slightly sloppy, Shinji landed several punches and kicks before catching the black EVA by its foot and letting dangle several thousand feet above the ground. His intent was truly to make the bastard suffer before he finished it off.
"I guess it sucks having the tables turned on you doesn't it. I wonder if you can trust that I'll hold on and not let you fall!" Shinji taunted the dark being. "Well, what do you think?"
"DAMN YOU, YOU FUCKING BRAT!" the dark man groaned. "I'LL KILL YOU!" He struggled to move, but he was in too much pain to resist.
"I don't think so," Shinji said with a smirk. "I think it's time you faced your punishment!" As Shinji commanded, Unit began to swing the black EVA in several circles, before tossing it further into the air. Mind still in the moment. Shinji prepared to finish off his opponent. Clasping Unit 01's left hand around his right wrist, Shinji concentrated his AT Field's power into his right hand. Normally he knew this wouldn't be possible, but for some reason, he felt as if he could defeat a thousand Angels at once. "AT… CANNON!" Shinji yelled before a burst of energy flew out of the EVA's hands and aimed directly at the black EVA.
"NO! THIS CAN'T BE! I CAN'T BE BEATEN!" the dark man yelled as he was struck by the power of Unit 01. "NOOOOOO!" was the final word said from him as the blast disintegrated his entire body in one blast before going out with a large explosion.
Once Shinji was assured his opponent was beaten and his dark manipulations silenced forever, he allowed his body to relax. And as he did, he felt his EVA fade away and him back on terra firma. Looking ahead, he saw his former friend Kaowru in front of him clapping slowly in applause.
"Well done my friend," Kaowru stated. "Above all else, you chose that trying to bond and integrate with people is better than living a life of recluse and solitude. And by doing that, you have passed the test I put before you."
"What?" Shinji replied in shock. He couldn't believe it! "All that was just a test? You have any idea what I went through?"
"I understand that it was not a pleasant experience," Kaowru said in defense. "But it was very necessary that your mind and soul be cleansed of any doubt you had before we send you to face Topolov back on Earth."
"I see," Shinji bowed his head. "So we have to go back and relive that nightmare too."
"Do not despair." Kaowru put his hand on Shinji's shoulder. "By passing this test, I can have absolute faith that you and Miss Sohryu will succeed in stopping his evil plans once and for all."
The boy raised his head back up, with a weak smile. "I hope so. Where is Asuka by the way?"
"I believe she has just finished her test as well, and I'll bet she is waiting for us. Shall I take you to her?"
"Yes, please do that," Shinji requested.
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NERV Berlin – Situation apparently isn't getting much better
"This situation isn't getting any better," said Misato to Commander Henkel. "We only have just over five more days until Topolov comes to finish what he started." She along with NERV Berlin's commander looked on as the kids practiced their melee training skills. They were doing their very best but as they were now, they were in no condition to challenge Unit 10 and its godlike powers.
"Nonetheless, we're going to take the chance that Topolov's arrogance has offered us," Henkel replied. He was obviously worried too that Zack, Elly, and Rei would stand no chance against Vladimir. But for the sake of preserving the facility's morale, he had to appear strong. "It may appear hopeless but not impossible." He then changed the subject. "Speaking of which, how is Ivana doing?"
"Apparently the doctors wanted to take a look at her again, which they did earlier that day." Crossing her arms and taking a deep breath, she continued. "Her condition is improving much faster than originally thought, she says she's feeling much better than she should, and Ritsuko pondered if Ivana was completely misdiagnosed."
Henkel was surprised, but gladdened by the good news. "If that is the case, then she may be able to be within acceptable guidelines to be combat ready in five days."
"We can only hope. If so with Ivana's knowledge of Vladimir's combat capabilities, and with what know somewhat of his combat potential, our odds of survival will improve. That and we can outnumber him four to one once more."
Off to the side, a courier entered into the large room where the kids and officers were present. He approached Commander Henkel and saluted as he stood before him and Misato. Henkel spoke to the soldier. "Do you have something to report soldier?"
"Yes sir. I have a message for both you and the Director of Operations," the courier answered. Turning towards Misato, he delivered the message intended for her. "Ma'am, Dr. Akagi's hunch about Pilot Kharlamov's diagnosis was correct. Her injuries are not as serious as initially intended. If all is well, she may be combat ready in five days."
Ivana heard the message and looked over. "Are you serious?" The others also looked over in response to Ivana's interjection.
"Apparently so Ivana," said Misato, the smile growing on her face slowly. "But we'll have to confer then with Rits to know the specifics. But with the way things are looking, you may have a chance to be able to get back out there and give that bastard the asshole ripping he deserves."
Ivana mirrored Misato's smile. "That would be a chance I would be greatly honoured to have. I will make him pay for what he has done."
Henkel now spoke. "And what was the other message soldier?"
"Apparently, we found a man outside the city limits recently sir," the soldier said. "He was spotted approaching a checkpoint. Upon apprehension, he said he was loyal to the former Russian government and he requests an audience with you sir." He looked back behind him for a moment to the doorway he had come through and then faced Henkel once more. "Shall I bring him in sir?"
Henkel nodded. "Yes please do. If he has something important to say, I would like to hear it." He watched the soldier walk off and leave the room. He returned a minute later with a much larger man following him. To Joachim Henkel, the man looked familiar, but couldn't place a name to his face.
"Ah Joachim, it's great to see you again," the blonde man spoke with a soft Russian accent. "Especially with the circumstances as they are now."
Now that he had heard the man's voice, Henkel recognized the man's voice. "Indeed Sergei. I'm surprised you managed to make it here to Germany, let alone make it out of Topolov's clutches alive."
Ivana was shocked and completely surprised to see her former mentor Sergei Berezov standing before her. The fact that he had survived the siege of Russia warmed her heart intently. Although Sergei looked like hell, given his torn clothes and the cuts on his face, his blonde hair and blue eyes still reflected the tough but kind man she once knew and respected. Sergei turned towards Ivana to acknowledge his former student.
"Good to see you again Ivana," Sergei stated to her in Russian. "Looks like we've got a lot of work to do to stop that madman."
A/N: I was literally held hostage by this chapter. Got stuck in a rut and I couldn't escape. Hopefully I won't fall into another one anytime soon. As I was saying to a friend, all my ideas are in the future and not in the present. Now I plan to move forward into that future. I also plan to do a story on fictionpress (which stars a somewhat familiar face), so be sure to look there in the coming weeks as well.
Until 73, be cool!