The Katsuragi Residence

Shinji Ikari was in the midst of a great confusion at the moment; the question as to why Japan was in grave violation of the so-called "Vatican treaty", which banned any one country from having more than three active Evangelion units.

"Soooo...why are we breaking the treaty, again?" The young man asked whilst playing around with his rice.

"TECHNICALLY it's a secret." Misato said as she ingested another beer, "Our branch of NERV is doing this exchange off the record."

"But...why?"

"Only your father knows, really..." The older female noted solemnly. Shinji's face turned downward as he stared into his food.

"right...i'm sorry, Shinji-kun."

"It's...alright..."

"Hey! stop cheating!" Asuka yelled as her red car was overlapped by Mari's pink one.

"don't make up excuses for inadequate tuning of your vehicle, hillbilly!" Mari mused as she obtained her much sought-after checkered flag while at the same time knocking Asuka off the road. She stood up in a small victory cheer, only sitting down after noticing her defeated opponent's menacing glare.

"Best two out of three..."

"Fine, Hillbilly," The young british lady declared, "but there will be a bet on this next one if you decide to continue."

"hmph! bring it!"

"Alright...but the going rate's pretty steep."

"name your price, then!"

She grinned evilly before speaking.

"You owe me a kiss."

Tokyo-3 NERV HQ

"simulation data loaded. training program 0023 is on standby." system operator Lieutenant Maya Ibuki reported as her hands typed away at her terminal. Seeing as how Unit 04 was the second most advanced Eva unit in existence, its data took some time to load into the virtual console, even for the MAGI.

Iskra Petrova grinned to herself as the simulation started. in front of her was the projected image of a battlefield...it was just like piloting the real thing. In front of her lay three projected clones of the fourth angel, Sachiel. The large alien creature was humanoid in shape with long and thin arms ending in clawed hands, a glowing red core at its center, and a beak-like skull for a face. Common knowledge showed that the very first evangelion prototype, unit 01, had just barely managed to defeat the original. Go-time.

{begin.} Doctor Akagi said over the communication system.

"I know, I know." The Russian said as she went into action. In half of a second, her synchronization rate jumped up to 95%, an unheard of factor at the time. Her first attack consisted of a low approach to the centermost angel, and striking it down with a sweeping kick. In a wide sweeping motion, she drew her progressive knife and drove it straight down into the enemy's leg, severing it. As this occurred, the accomplices of the first replica turned to face her, firing high energy beams from their eyes. Fortunately, Iskra leaped out of the way at the last moment.

"What's going on...? Her synch rate...it's...unbelievable..." The lieutenant marveled as her computer was almost overloaded with data.

"Amazing what a visit to hell can do to a girl, isn't it?" Doctor akagi answered

"Amazing." Iskra said as she wrecked another angel with a flying kick to its red glistening core, destroying it instantly. as it did so, a large white cross appeared where it had once been, "One down."

Back in the control booth, the commander had just arrived to inspect the new pilot's progress. He couldn't help but issue a small smirk at the results of the test.

"Is this her psych readout?" He asked as he pulled a sheet from the printer. his smirk only grew as he glanced over the numbers.

"Yes, sir. she's performing better than expected"

"After she is done, send her to get acquainted with the other children, then to the registrar for the school." He uttered, leaving for his office. The council at SEELE would be pleased with his discovery...

The Katsuragi residence

And so the moment arrived. Asuka had bitten off a little more than she could chew. As her car crossed the finish line in second place, she swore out loud and threw her controller at Shinji, who happened to be watching the crushing defeat.

"A deal's a deal..." Mari declared as she turned to face the defeated opponent.

"Sh-Shut up! i'm not doing thi-" Asuka began, with her sentence being interuppted by the cruel hand of fate. Mari had leaned in, holding her head close with her hand and laying a deep and quite passionate kiss upon her lips. She attempted to pull away, as her pride honestly wouldn't allow this...but the same force kept her in place...

"This is something...mmmm...you will never...get...Baka...shinji" She stuttered between the subsequent kisses. The onlooker couldn't help but turn as red as a beet and attempt to avert his eyes in jealousy. that, and he had a raging hard-on right now.

"Haha...young love." an inebriated Misato slurred as she entered the living area. she quickly uttered her next words before passing out, "oh...and the newpilotscomintastaywithus."

"WAAAAAAAAAS?" Asuka screamed, breaking off what might have just been a very enjoyable experience.

"Sounds fun!" Mari exclaimed

"oh...oh dear...where will she be staying...? we don't have much space here." Shinji murmured

"She's staying with me, Asuka-chan, and Rei-chan, of course." Mari chimed in

The massive nosebleed sent the poor boy to dreamland.

"STOP BLEEDING ON THE COUCH, BAKA! I LIKE TO BE A LAZY-ASS ON THAT!" Asuka roared

Tokyo-3 NERV HQ

After finishing her tests, Iskra was immediately cleared for active duty. After changing back into her civillian clothing, She was shown to the hangar, where her unit had just arrived. It was a very large and immense space, large enough to carry several space shuttles. to one side were the catapults that were used to sent the Evangelion units to the surface in case of emergency, while on the other side were the actual units, placed in a row and currently undergoing maintenance. The one to the far left was unit 00, the first prototype. It was colored white and yellow, with a cyclopean eye in the middle of its head. It was piloted by Ayanami, the girl from earlier with the blue hair.

The second one was the infamous Unit 01, Piloted by Shinji Ikari. It was purple, with black and green highlights, with a horn sticking from the top of its somewhat reptilian face. It had a record by now for being notoriously short-tempered, often taking control of itself and going berserk. That was how Unit 03 had gone bye-bye not long ago, pilot included. Iskra would be sure not upset him anymore.

The third was unit 02, a red machine with oni-like horns sticking from its head, and four eyes. It was the first in the line of mass-production units, and was built specifically for combat, as could be seen by the extensive damage it had received from a previous fight. currently, several teams were busy at work on it. It was Piloted by Asuka Langley Shikinami, the resident hot-head of the children.

Next to last was the reconstructed Provisional unit 05, piloted by the resident British pilot, Mari Illustrious Makinami. It was primarily green, with a lance-like weapon upon its back, and heavily armored hands for close combat. Its teeth were somewhat disturbingly sharp, like an animal's. Iskra felt like she already was going to like meeting its controller.

Lastly, there was Iskra's pride and joy, Unit 04, her own little silver devil. Its paint scheme was primarily silver, of course, with black highlighting on the arms. Like unit 01, it had a lizard-like face complete with a row of serrated teeth, minus the horn. Inside its core, however, was something that set it apart; A partially functional S2 engine that enabled the unit to be powered on its own for up to thirty minutes, as opposed to the others, which could only run for five at a time without the aid of an attached umbilical cord.

"There you are..." She cooed as she approached her war machine with arms open. upon reaching the behemoth, she couldnt hold back as she embraced the cold metal of the arm. It felt good to be with her trusted protector after so long.

"Your unit is completely functional, and is ready for duty." Doctor Akagi reported as she entered the hangar from nearby.

"Are my modifications still intact?" she spat suddenly, having forgotten to ask earlier. The doctor sighed to this question. She was upset about not being able to remove the rather hazardous additions to the machine, but it had been a part of the exchange deal.

"...yes, they are still intact, but I have my reservations about them."

"All is fair in love and war, doctor." The pilot said as she approached, "Now, where am I staying?"

"There is a vehicle waiting at exit dock one that will take you to meet the other children. You will be staying with them, along with their guardian, Katsuragi-san."

"great. cool. bye." Iskra joked as she left the room.

After leaving the hangar, she quickly found the exit (a talent she had developed over time)

and the vehicle waiting therein. it was a rather fancy-looking Renault Alpine A310, and at its wheel was none other than Rei Ayanami herself.

"You're allowed to drive here...? aren't you like...14...? oh, and pop the bonnet, please." The Russian inquired as she placed her trunk into the bonnet of the car and took a seat in the front seat. in response, her counterpart flashed her special "NERV Personnel Driver's license". Iskra had no more to say on the subject after that, for she was quite fixated on watching the city at night. It was much better than the Russian special research division, which really only had one building that had working electricity; the research and development lab. By comparison, this place was much more lively...she could barely focus on any one thing.

"Why are you so quiet, Ayanami-san?" Iskra asked after a moment. She did not get an immediate reply. She decided to ask again.

"Did you hear...? Your silence is deafening. Could you at least say something?"

"...I do not understand why you are so adamant on the subject." her muffled voice sounded. She didn't even take her eyes from the road to look at her.

"we're on the same team, though, so don't you think that communication is totally going to save our asses? Plus, all i've got are simulations; no real Angels to fight. you guys are the Pros. So. Don't you think that's a good idea?"

She got a gentle nod from that one.

"So, can you tell me more about where we are, at least? It was hard to see out the windows of the van on the way here."

"We are in Tokyo-3, the Geofront."

"underground...?" She asked as she removed a smuggled pack of cigarettes from her jeans and lit one. she received another nod to that one.

"Hm. you're kinda cute, Ayanami-san."

Rei's face didn't even react to this.

"I am not 'cute'"

"Oh, yes you are." Iskra replied softly, her cheeks showing hints of redness. She smiled brightly, allowing her rather animal-like teeth to show.

Rei was slightly confused now...she had been taught by now that only a male and a female could say these things about each other. Frankly, what this new pilot was saying simply didn't compute with her. She thought it over for a moment before answering...she did feel...something...this female was attempting to make an effort to talk to her...and her feelings seemed genuine. In one of those rare moments in human history, Rei Ayanami said something out of character.

"I suppose that you are...cute...to a degree." She murmured silently. Iskra would take that reply for now.

After a short drive, they arrived at the apartment of Katsuragi Misato, Iskra's new "home" of sorts.

(kind of small...) Iskra thought to herself as she approached the front door. Rei went ahead of her, rapping lightly upon the door.

"Get the door!" a female voice commanded from inside.

"Alright, alright..." A male voice replied in resignation. the door opened a moment later, revealing the source of the male voice, a rather meek-looking guy with average length black hair. In Iskra's opinion, he looked like a real shrimp.

"Oh, good. You're back!" he stated with a welcoming smile on his face toward Rei.

"This is the fourth child, Iskra Petrova." She reported, gesturing to Iskra, who was busy playing with her pocket knife at the time. Shinji stared at her with a look of uneasyness in his eyes.

"The Fuck are you looking at...?" Isky said suddenly, approaching and taking the man by his collar. She held the knife to his throat, illiciting a horrific squeak from him.

"Hey! that's my job!" Asuka protested, walking over to see what was going on.

"Damn, I want your job. this guy's funny!" The terrorist mused as she let the boy down. He subsequently backed off, squeaking something about her being 'insane'.

"You speak Japanese?" The redhead queried in surprise.

"It's coming along alright, I suppose. I can't write yet." She answered, letting herself into the apartment. The first other she noticed was the wine-haired girl with the glasses standing there and inspecting her. Their eyes met, briefly exchanging a glance.

{Mari? Is that you?} Iskra exclaimed in english. she ran up to her counterpart, where they embraced lovingly.

{Iskra! lovely! I missed you soooooo much! I was so worried when I heard...} Mari replied as she deepened the hug. Her eyes teared gently. As they were about to make a motion to kiss, Iskra suddenly gaped her eyes.

{oh, right...back to Japanese. they can't understand...} She warned, switching languages once more, "sorry about that...Mari and I are used to speaking in English."

"It's...alright...I suppose" Shinji reassured with a nervous look upon his face, "My name's Shinji Ikari. It's a pleasure to meet you, P-Petrova-san."

"She doesn't care about you, Baka Shinji. MY name is Asuka Langley Shikinami, It's a pleasure to meet you, Frau Petrova." Asuka interjected, offering a handshake that was instantly accepted.

"Good to meet you all." Iskra announced to them all, "And it's great to see you again, Mari."

Mari bowed with a bright smile.

"SO. Who am I bunking with? seems like you're a quite masturbator, Mister Baka Shinji..."

Shinji sputtered his newly acquired lemonade onto the floor.

"Of course, you're staying with Asuka, Rei, and I, Iskra." Mari affirmed, pointing out which room was theirs. Shinji's nose began to bleed again from the naughty thoughts that entered his head. Maybe living with all these females wouldn't be so bad...

(Second chapter down, many, many more to go :3 once again, creative criticism please. Any suggestions for the future at all? thanks for reading!)