Review Responses:
Ikari Zero: Well, Ritsuko has always been the one to catch on quickly.
Reikson: That's disgusting!
Andross: I still haven't forgotten about those bombs…
A/N: Yes, Superman will have a major weakness and a major villain, but in this chapter we'll see more of how his powers function and why he can fight the Angels without Eva.
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"Well, how does it feel, Shinji?" Ritsuko asked as he tried on the new suit.
Shinji looked down at himself. The suit looked virtually the same as his old one, except there was a sleek silver belt strapped on with his 'S' symbol as well.
And as he hovered around the room, doing a few punches and spins, he said in astonishment, "Wow, this actually feels a lot better Dr. Akagi!"
"Call me Ritsuko. And thank you for that compliment." Her expression turned serious again. "But Shinji, can I ask you how you think you got these powers?"
The young hero thought for a moment. "I don't know…all these things started developing after the 12th Angel."
"Well, that may be a major clue," Ritsuko replied. "It may be possible and more than likely that being inside the Sea of Dirac has altered your body to possess these powers. The Sea of Dirac still possesses many questions unanswered."
"Well, I guess this is an occupational hazard."
"Yeah, it definitely is," Ritsuko laughed. "But you won't mind if I run a few tests, do you?"
"Um, I don't want to break any more of your needles."
"Other kinds of tests. Ones that don't involve any needles."
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What Ritsuko had as 'other' kinds of tests weren't actually that bad. All they were was having an X-ray done and being scanned by a few machines.
Ritsuko sipped at her coffee as she ran the results through her computer.
Shinji leaned in, frowning as he wasn't exactly able to understand the wave patterns and complicated terms. "Well how am I?"
Ritsuko inhaled. "According to the X-rays, physically you haven't altered except for increased muscle mass and height. However, energy scans show that you are surrounded by an energy field over your skin."
"An AT field?" Shinji said quickly in surprise.
"No – completely different, although your energy wave pattern is similar to that of an Angel this can be attributed to the Sea of Dirac. This energy field is strange and unlike anything I've ever seen, but it can be used to pierce other AT fields. Your body doesn't contain an S2 organ either."
Shinji sighed in relief.
Ritsuko's eyes widened in shock. "Well, this is something. I've finally able to find the most likely source of power."
"What?" Shinji asked curiously.
"Your cells, your abilities and energy field are all powered by the sun's energy. The closer you are to the sun, the more powerful you get."
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The sun…Shinji mused with humour as he walked to school the next day.
It was quite funny. Now he had an even better reason not to wear sun cream – not that he was going to tell anyone, of course.
As he walked into class and took his seat, his super-ears overheard an interesting conversation between Asuka and Hikari.
"Oh, Superman is sooo hot, isn't he?"
"Come on, give it a break. He's probably limp, anyway."
"You've gotta be kidding! With the killer body he's got?"
"Well…I suppose he does have a good body…But he gave me one heck of a glare when I accidentally killed that loony's family!"
"You did what? No wonder he glared at you! But anyway…I'd give anything to meet him again…"
"Yeah…even I would…"
Their conversation was interrupted by the shrill ring of the bell. Hikari stood up, giving the usual "Stand, bow, sit".
Shinji's eyelids were half-closed as he sat there. When would this droning stop?
Suddenly, his ears picked up something not too far off.
"Can somebody help me bring down my cat? This guy's not helping!"
Well…it wasn't the most important thing but hey, an excuse was an excuse!
"Excuse me?" Shinji put his hand up. "I have to use the bathroom."
The teacher gave a nod, and as Shinji ran out the classroom he changed to super-speed and swiftly switched into his Superman costume, taking to the skies.
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"Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!" Kaji called as he offered the cat up in the tree a biscuit. "Come and get it!"
"When will my cat be down?" The girl asked in urgency.
Kaji turned and flashed one of his lady-killer smiles. "Don't worry, he'll be down soon." Man, what a babe! If I can take her cat down then maybe…
"Mind if I give a try?"
Kaji turned around in surprise to see the Man of Steel giving him a smile. "Well sure," Kaji said. "Go right ahead." I've been trying for an hour there's no way even he can go!
Superman hovered up onto the branch, crouching down at eye-level with the cat. He gave a small smile. "Hey, what's wrong? Your owner is down there and she's worried about you. Why don't you come with me and I'll get you down?"
The cat looked back at him with wide eyes before it leapt into his muscular arms. Superman held it close to his body as he floated softly down to the lady.
"Oh thank you!" The lady said in relief. "If there's anything I can do to repay you…anything you want…"
Kaji winced slightly. Damn! And I bet that he's gonna…
"Thank you, but there's no need," Superman said with a smile. "I'm just happy that your cat is back with you." And I'm off school!
The lady bowed again before leaving on her way.
Superman watched her left before taking to the skies.
"Wait!"
Superman turned to Kaji. "Is there something you wanted?"
"Yeah, there is…" The unshaven man swallowed all his pride as he got on his knees and begged. "PLEASE TAKE PILOT ASUKA OFF MY TAIL!"
Superman blinked. Whoa. That was unexpected? "How do you expect me to do that to the Evangelion pilot?"
Kaji got up. "You're a ladies' man, don't deny it, like me. All you have to do is charm her a little so she won't annoy me and I can keep all my efforts on Misa – Captain Katsuragi."
"I'm not exactly looking for a girlfriend," Superman stated bluntly.
"Heck, I'd settle for just a one-night stand with Katsuragi…but anyway, you just have to distract her!"
Superman pondered it for a moment. Well, I DID swear to help all people…He shrugged. "Okay, I'll give it a go."
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What was I thinking?! Shinji groaned as he stood on the roof of the school, buttoning up his shirt and straightening his hair. Well, it can't be that bad if Asuka doesn't flirt with Kaji…
His mind considered a new possibility as he leapt gently off, keeping care to stay quiet as he made his way back into class.
But then Superman will be harassed 24-7…He shrugged. Well that's why I'm called Superman! I just hope Asuka won't kill herself.
As he walked back into class, no one noticed. Only Hikari glanced up to see he had returned before going back to typing on the computer, as well as the rest of the class.
Shinji sat down again. As his eyes passed over the class briefly, his gaze lingered for a moment on Rei. It was nothing more than a passing glance, but even in that short time his now superb eyes and hearing revealed a lot of things.
Her heart was beating quicker than normal today. She had adopted a different posture than that of just looking out the window casually, but actually WAS looking out the window as if it was the most important thing in the world.
Shinji frowned. Did I make that much of an impact on her?
He could have sworn it was nothing more than a passing glance. It seemed even that completely changed her views.
What he didn't know was that Rei had forgotten to take her hormone-suppressing shot this month.
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"BAKA! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Asuka screamed.
Shinji's cello screeched as he immediately ran to serve the fiery redhead. "Uh…what do you want, Asuka?"
"You're supposed to be making dinner now!" She yelled. "Get organised!"
"Yes ma'am…" Shinji mumbled in a low tone as he went to the kitchen.
Just then Misato came in. "Asuka, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Umm…" Asuka was surprised; it wasn't like Misato to just waltz in like that without cracking a joke or two. "Sure…"
Shinji frowned at them as they left.
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The two of them went into a room. "So…what's this thing I heard between you and Superman?" Misato giggled.
"WHAT!" Asuka screamed at 100 volume.
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A certain super-powered someone felt his eardrums pop.
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"Kaji says that you two are getting it on…he was even serious. It's true, isn't it?"
"NO!" Asuka yelled at the top of her lungs. "THERE IS NO WAY ME AND THAT…SUPERHERO ARE…"
A sound was heard at the balcony.
Misato's soldier's sense came to life as her hand went to her gun immediately. "Quiet, Asuka…" She whispered, getting into a firing stance.
The first thing that popped into her mind was Shinji. He was totally defenseless and probably unaware of anything going on, so she quickly crept out with Asuka following.
There wasn't anyone at the kitchen, so Misato assumed he had probably gone to the toilet or something.
This meant there was only one thing left to do…
Misato cocked her pistol, creeping towards the balcony.
As she got there, hoping to take whoever was there by surprise she sprinted forward onto the balcony, gun at the ready.
And there, on the rail, casually stood with perfect balance and grace the Man of Tomorrow, the Man of Steel, whatever the press nicknamed him since he started foiling crime and dishing out justice.
But to all of them, he was just Superman.
His sleek silver 'S' symbol blazed on his chest, his black suit with solid silver streaks, his silver belt, his cape flapping around in the breeze and his handsome face and curl hanging out on his forehead.
Misato just stood there with her jaw wide open.
Superman gave a dazzling smile, one that even he wasn't aware of. "Have you seen where Asuka would be, captain?"
"Uh…"
"You mean me?" Asuka came out from behind Misato.
Superman nodded.
At that moment teasing-Misato returned.
"OHH, THIS IS JUST TOO CUTE! TOKYO-3's NEWEST CRIMEBUSTER AND ASUKA ARE…"
"I just want to talk to her, that's all." Superman said with a laugh.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Asuka demanded with a feeble voice. Superman made her feel weak for some strange reason…
"We'd better go to some place private." Superman hovered softly down. "Here, hold onto my hands and get onto my boots so you'll have a comfortable ride."
Asuka, almost hypnotically slipped into bare feet and did as she commanded. WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME! IT'S LIKE I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF!!
They were in a sort of waltz position as Superman gently took off.
Asuka closed her eyes, burying her head in his muscular chest. He's so warm…
Now let's not forget that occasionally Shinji returns to his usual self. If Asuka saw him blushing bright red…