Disclaimer – Don't own Eva or Armored Core, but you know that, don't you.
A/n UPDATED I extended the fight and redid a few other things. Well the response I got from the second chapter was good so well se how this goes. I know I'm increasingly making Rei OOC but that is done to show her emotional awakening
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Quote the Raven
Chapter 3
Return to Tokyo 3
The Lillian stood in what looked like a ruined cityscape. Rei knew it wasn't though; it was one of the Training Area's designed to look like a ruined city. Rei knew that on the other end of that city was Requiem in the Wraith. Sure she had combat experience but that was training against AI controlled MT's, not another person in an AC. She would have to use every skill she had if she even hoped to win. Though she knew the chances were slim. She sat patiently waiting for the word to begin.
Earlier she had changed the Lillian's paint job, changing the red on her AC to blue with Gray accents and black joints. Though she was trying to see things in a new light, she still didn't care too much for red. A lot of the Ravens were watching this, not because the new girl was fighting and they would get to see what she could do, but because it was Requiem fighting her, the Raven who swore he would never fight in the arena, was in it.
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The signal came to start. Rei hit her thrusters and shot off into the maze of buildings.
Requiem moved forward cautiously, he checked his radar; Rei was exactly where he had hoped she was. He proceeded toward her and stopped behind a building about a block away. He weighed his options and decided to go for an aerial attack. He kicked his boosters in and shot skywards. Once he was clear of the buildings he locked on with his large missiles and fired one off.
Rei had just settled into an ambush position when her radar warned her of a lock on, she checked her radar
"Above me"
Rei kicked in her over boost and shot forward, once out of the way of the missile, she turned to get her bearings on the Wraith, but it had dropped behind another building.
Requiem hit his thrusters and shot off down a side street, Rei saw him and shot off in pursuit, she activated her missiles and let a volley fly after her crosshairs turned red. Requiem had equipped the wraith with a large machine gun for this test, he spun the Wraith around and began to fly backwards he opened up with his machine gun and took out some of the missiles, his anti-missile system in the core got the other two.
Undaunted Rei opened up with her own machine gun; the Wraith just hit its boosters and shot down a side street
Requiem stopped into the center of an old hotel courtyard
'Orchid's a lot better than I give her credit for, most new guys would have gotten hit by…"
Suddenly his lock on indicator lit up
"Damn it"
Requiem thrusted backwards just as a shower of missiles rained down on where his AC had been standing, Rei then dropped into the courtyard. He decided to take the fight to her and kicked in his boosters closing the gap between them. He switched on his laser blade and closed for the kill. He slashed at Rei's AC putting a nice sized burn mark on its chest at about arm joint level, not a kill but Rei's AP dropped about 75 percent.
Rei boosted back and unleashed a volley from her machine gun, most of the rounds struck the Wraith before Requiem could move knocking his AP down as well.
Requiem kicked in his boosters and jump thrusted out of the courtyard and back into the city. He shot down a wide street with Rei hot on his heals; he knew this had just turned into a running fire fight. He spun the Wraith around and skidded to a stop; he dropped to one knee and brought his Linear Cannon into line. He received the lock on tone from the computer and fired.
Rei for her part saw the round coming; she had been just a few seconds behind the Wraith. She kicked in her thrusters and attempted to thrust over the projectile, all she really managed was to cause it to hit her right knee instead of her AC's chest, her AP dropped to 0 and her AC dropped to the ground. Its systems switched back to their normal mode as the training fight ended. Requiem punched up Rei's com frequency
"Nice job Orchid, I thought you had me for a second, if you would have used your laser blade in that court yard again you would have"
Rei sighed
"It was a rookie mistake"
"Well you are still a rookie after all, we train like this so next time you won't make that mistake"
Their intercom system activated, it was Rose
"Well Orchid you did well enough to get Crest Industries attention, Report to the briefing room after you return, both of you"
Requiem tilted his head
"Both of us"
"Yes, crest gave us this mission request for you two, repot in as soon as your AC are docked"
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Rei stood in the hangar after the briefing looking on as the techs repainted and repaired the Lillian. The contract from Crest was simple; one of their supply warehouses in Tokyo 3 had come under attack. They wanted to place a Raven there to protect the remaining warehouses. They had chosen Orchid (Rei) and Requiem for the assignment.
That meant she had to go back. The Ravens Nest higher ups had assured her Nerv would make no move against her, especially considering what happened the last time a group like them attacked a Raven with no provocation. The group in question no longer existed and no survivors are around to tell the story.
Requiem had covered the cost of repairs to the Lillian, which was good considering it had been cheaper to buy a new set of legs and paint them rather than repair the damaged ones.
The only good that would come from this is that she would have a full day of down time to talk to Shinji and maybe catch up with other Nerv personnel such as Ms Ibuki and the Sub commander who were the only two other than Major Katsuragi and Shinji to show her true kindness. Perhaps she should call them; yes it was only noon in Japan. She pulled out her Ravens issue cell phone and dialed Shinji's cell number
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Shinji
sat on the school roof eating his lunch when his cell phone rang,
only 2 people had his number Nerv….and Rei, he hoped for the latter
as he answered
"Hello"
"Ikari"
It was her
"Rei…I was starting to worry, you hadn't called yet"
"I have been rather busy with training this week"
Shinji was confused
"What training Rei"
"The commander did not inform you"
"Of what Rei"
"I have been accepted into the Ravens"
Now every teenage boy and their friends knew what the Ravens were and what they did, Shinji was no exception. Kensuke beat it into his head on a daily basis. Rei was a mercenary
"Are…are you serious Rei"
"Yes quite, I will be in the city in two days, if you do not mind, I would like to come over to the majors residents the day after"
"Umm…yeah I guess sure…it will…be good to see you again"
"And you Shinji, is the major at Nerv or at home"
Shinji froze for a second; she had used his first name
"Umm…home"
"I will call her now; I shall see you in 3 days, goodbye for now Shinji"
Rei hung up, Shinji smiled. Rei was coming to see him; he would have to make one heck of a dinner for her.
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Misato sat in her favorite chair watching TV, she hadn't had but one beer today and she was still drinking it when the phone rang
"Katsuragi residents, Misato speaking"
"Major Katsuragi"
That monotone voice could only belong to one person
"Rei?"
"Yes"
Misato sat up
"Well this is certainly a surprise; I never expected to hear from you again"
"As I had informed Shinji when we last spoke, I merely needed to establish myself before I contacted anyone"
"Well that's understandable, so what's up"
"I require your aid"
"How so"
"My partner and I will be in Tokyo 3 2 days from now and will be staying for a duration of 3 days
"Ohh so you have a boy friend now huh"
"No he is merely my partner for this mission, we require a place to stay, we would use local accommodations however I do not trust them"
"So you want to stay here"
"Yes"
Misato became curious
"Rei you said mission, what do you mean"
"Crest Industries has contracted the Ravens Nest to protect their warehouses in the city against a rough AC. My partner Requiem and I were selected to carry out the contract"
Misato in her surprise realization of what Rei was hinting at sprayed beer all over herself
"You're a Raven"
"Yes, I had assumed the commander would have informed you at least as to my new occupation. Perhaps I was mistaken"
Misato was dumb struck
"Ok Rei let me see if I understand you. You're a Raven, as in Pilots an AC for money Raven, right"
"Correct"
"And you left Nerv for that"
"Not exactly, this opportunity only presented its self after I had decided to leave"
"I get it, so when will you get here"
"2 days, I had asked Shinji's permission to come visit the following day; he does not know my partner and I will be staying for the duration of our assignment"
"I see so you want to surprise him"
"It is not necessary; however I would appreciate you not telling him. Pilot Soryu on the other hand, you must talk to"
"Yeah, where are you two going to sleep?"
"He and I will sleep in your living room"
"Ok I was worried you may have to share Asuka's room, she really doesn't like anybody in there"
"Yes, well I shall see you in two days time major"
"Just call me Misato now Rei, especially since you don't work for Nerv anymore"
"Yes…Misato"
"Rei"
"Yes"
"You have a call name don't you"
"Yes, it is Orchid"
"A flower, it suits you. Well Orchid I'll see you the day after tomorrow alright"
"Very well, goodbye…Misato"
"Bye Rei"
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Rei and Requiem sat in their AC's aboard a Ravens drop ship bound for Tokyo 3. Rei was a bit apprehensive about going back. The commander no doubt knew she was coming, but, after hearing about the last Raven that was attacked without any reason, she wasn't to worried he would try something. And as it stood the UN protected the Ravens with a passion seeing as how they did the jobs the UN couldn't or wouldn't send its own guys to do.
They would reach the city limits where they would drop and rendezvous with the transport trucks which they would take them and their AC's to the Majors apartment complex where the Crest guards would stand watch over the AC's while Requiem and Rei rest for tomorrow's mission. According to Crest's Intel, the rough AC and a group of MT's would hit Warehouse D in sector 3 at noon while the guards were changing shifts. The last one they hit a few of the guards managed to get to their MT's and put up a fight, but that didn't last long as the AC arrived and took them out. So far Crest had 5 dead and one wounded.
Rei sat back in her seat aboard the Lillian, it would be good to finally see Shinji and tell him of their relation. She had already thought of how to say it. It wouldn't be easy, but if he accepted her, the reward of having a loving brother would be worth it.
Other than the Crest team Nerv was also sending a group to meet the incoming ravens as it had been their supplies stolen from Crests warehouse, the Nerv group consisted of Misato and Ritsuko specifically.
Rei had told Requiem of the arrangement with Misato to stay with her, he agreed it was best.
The call to launch came a few moments later
"Ok Orchid, just watch me and do what I do"
The Wraith walked up to the aircrafts open rear door and jumped out. He used his thrusters and maneuvered the Wraith down into the landing sight.
Rei moved the Lillian up to the door and followed suit, though she had to make a course correction she still landed with in the set area. She could see that Requiem was already out of his AC and talking to the team from Crest while Misato and Ritsuko were looking right at the Lillian waiting for Rei. She decided best not to keep them waiting. She moved the Lillian over to its transport and locked it into the mounts. She then opened up her cockpit and climbed out. The jumpsuit she wore regulated her body temperature with the outside temp so she would stay at a comfortable temperature all round. She removed her helmet and stowed it in her AC and closed the cockpit before she walked over to the group. The Crest employees had already gone to work securing the two AC's while Requiem walked over to meet up with Rei. The pair then walked over to where Ritsuko and Misato were standing. Misato was the first one to speak
"Well it seems our little Rei has grown up huh Ritsuko"
"Yes it would seems she has finally spread her wings, so Rei how's life away from Nerv"
She thought for a moment
"It has been…interesting and exciting at times doctor and I would appreciate it if you would call me by my call name, Orchid, when addressing me formally from now on"
Misato smirked
"Told you she changed"
Ritsuko nodded, Requiem cleared his throat
"Excuse me but we have to get to our sleeping arrangements to rest, which one of you will we be staying with"
Ritsuko raised an eyebrow
"And you are"
"Requiem, Raven, pilot of the AC Wraith"
Ritsuko had heard of him, he had a perfect mission record. This led a few of the Ravens to be openly apprehensive of his entry into the Arena when it finally came. Misato spoke up
"You two will be staying at my place, the Crest guys already know where to go. So Rei will you two be riding with me or with your AC's"
She thought for a moment
"Misato, does anyone other than you, Dr Akagi, the Commander and Shinji know about my current employment"
Ritsuko shook her head
"No the only people who know you told yourself"
Rei thought for a moment
"Shinji is in school correct"
They nodded; Rei smirked just a tiny bit. Ritsuko was surprised she even knew how to smirk and Misato was happy to see the changes in Rei, her awaking as a person.
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On the ride to Misato's apartment Rei told her partner about Shinji being her brother. But like what she would tell Shinji, she left out the parts about 3rd impact, she did however tell him she was a half angel, which was information Shinji would get. He was a bit disturbed but it didn't change his opinion of her at all. To him it made her more interesting.
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Shinji was walking home from school alone; Asuka had gone to Hikari's for the afternoon and would be home about dinner. As he approached the parking lot he noticed two transport trucks, he knew Rei would be arriving in Tokyo 3 tomorrow. He put 2 and 2 together
Maybe Rei was here early.
He bolted for the apartment at the fastest speed he could manage. He tore through the door to see Misato sitting next to a guy he had never seen before, who was sitting beside of a smiling Rei. Shinji just stood their for a moment before speaking
"Rei…I'm, glad you're here"
"Thank you Shinji"
"But…you weren't suppose to be here until tomorrow"
"Misato has been kind enough to allow my partner and I to reside here until our mission is completed"
Shinji beamed
"That's great, how long will you be here"
"Two or three days, oh Shinji this is my partner Requiem, Requiem this is Shinji Ikari the pilot of Eva unit 01"
"Umm, hello"
Requiem waved in acknowledgment and went back to his palmtop and the Intel provided by Crest. Rei just shook her head
"Please do not think him rude, he is merely going over our mission details"
Requiem nodded
"Yeah sorry if I seem a bit off right now, I'm just busy, I'll talk once I'm done"
"Oh, ok…Misato, Asuka is going to be at Hikari's for a while what do you want for dinner"
Misato thought for a moment
"Anything is fine Shinji, what about you two Rei"
"I am fine as long as it does not contain meat, Requiem"
"I haven't eaten a home cooked meal since I was 12 so I don't know"
Shinji was a bit thrown off
"You haven't"
"Nope, family was killed by the AC Nine-Ball on orders from Mirage and the Ravens took me in"
Everyone just remained silent for a moment, Rei finally spoke up
"Shinji, before Soryu arrives I would like to speak to you alone"
Rei lead Shinji into his room, Misato started to follow and put her eat to the door to listen, however Requiem stopped her
"What is being said is only for them to hear"
Misato sat back down, she knew she would find out eventually
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A few gasps shouts and a long crying session later Shinji and Rei walked out of his room and into the kitchen, they sat down beside of one another, both smiling contently.
Rei had told him everything about her; she left out the details dealing with her being the keystone to 3rd impact, which was something she had no intention of going through with so why bother. Everything else, she told him, and he still accepted her saying that "it wasn't her choice to be this way" thus he could never think less of her
Shinji sat back happy he had another family member, one who actually cared for him his sister.
"Guess what Misato"
Now she was really curious, she had never seen Shinji this happy before
"What Shinji"
"I have a sister"
Misato froze; she looked from Shinji, to Rei, to Shinji and back to Rei. Now that she was looking for it, she did notice a strong resemblance between them
"Rei…your…his…sister"
"Yes"
Misato promptly fainted, Requiem just shook his head
"I figured she would have taken it better"
A/n Well that's the third chapter re-duxed. On to ch4
Later