Review responses:
Sun S. Li: I'll explain Superman's super-breath in this chapter, but let me say that the original Superman already had this power.
Ikari Zero: Uh, to be honest, I'm not really that good at omakes. Just use your imagination, that's what it's there for.
A/N: As I said, I'm not following the EVA timeline so meetings and stuff may be different.
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Drifting aimlessly through space in orbit above the Earth, Superman relaxed with his eyes closed.
He never knew that he would need to use his breath so soon. He had discovered it just a few days ago:
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"Happy Birthday Shinji!" Misato congratulated with a cake and herself in a black bikini.
"Uh…Misato?" Shinji stuttered.
"Yes, Shinji?"
"Could you please put something else on, please?"
"Oh sure! What do you want, my birthday suit or my dominatrix one?"
Shinji grew red, taking in a VERY deep breath.
Misato frowned, looking at her beer. "Hey, why's my beer warm? Oh well – and don't worry Shinji, I was just teasing. I'll go get changed." She set the beer down on the table and left.
Shinji relaxed, blowing out his breath a little faster than usual.
In surprise he looked at his breath. It seemed very icy, like breath he would blow out on a cold day except it was at least thirty degrees outside?
The ice air blew across the beer can, and Shinji looked in wonder as it frosted.
He picked it up, shaking it. Amazing…this beer's frozen solid!
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He found that his ice-breath had vary ranges, from freezing solid to just merely a useful portable fridge.
I wonder what kind of other powers I have. Superman wondered. He looked up to the sun, the light not even blinding his eyes. Ritsuko said I was stronger if I was closer to the sun. So then if…
He shrugged. I doubt I'll ever need that much power.
Stopping his drifting orbit, the hero dropped down, returning to earth at incredible speeds as a red comet surrounded him.
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"What do you think of the Third Child's sudden…change and departure, Ikari?" Fuyutsuki asked.
A muscle in the commander's eyes twitched. "The scenario will remain unchanged. This is merely an unfortunate delay."
"And what of Superman or as the media call him, the 'Man of Steel'?"
"Appropriate measures will be taken to counteract the Superman threat," Gendo replied. "Dr. Akagi and the Magi are, at this moment as we speak, calculating every possible strategy we have against Superman."
"He has an incredible range of powers," Fuyutsuki commented. "If he could be turned, he could become a great ally."
Gendo nodded. "I have already considered that possibility but we cannot take the risk that if he finds out about the scenario then he will attempt to stop it."
"And if Dr. Akagi cannot find a strategy to defeat him?"
"She will."
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So…the bastard finally considers Superman a threat, Ritsuko mused as she frantically typed on her laptop that was connected to the Magi. Although Shinji…Superman, is a great ally, he is unemotionally stable, even as Superman. Appropriate steps must be taken, as Gendo commanded, in case he turns against me or anyone else here.
Ritsuko growled as another equation became unsolvable. But this is certainly proving more difficult than expected. Even with the test results, I can't give a strategy over fifty percent probability of working…I can't even give any ten, counting Shinji's strength and subconscious resourcefulness considering his experience as an Evangelion pilot.
The doctor turned around to look at the still-incomplete machine. This is the best shot I have of creating an Anti-Superman. And I can guarantee that this will work…but I haven't got any definite percentages if I can create something like Superman.
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"Ikari?"
The former pilot turned to see Rei as he walked aimlessly through town. He offered her a small smile. "Yes, Ayanami?"
"Why are you resigning from NERV?"
Shinji's eyes grew cold and his smile turned sour. "How could I not?"
"I do not understand."
"We're just tools, Ayanami…" Shinji gestured to himself and her. "Tools that are expendable. Renewable. The commander doesn't care about anyone. He only cares about himself! I'm his SON, for goodness' sake! His son!"
Rei didn't reply as she processed what she said.
Shinji continued. "I only just realised. Eva, especially their pilots, have no future. Once the Angels are gone…what's going to happen to them? They're going to go into storage and rust. We, as their pilots are most probably going to go on permanent standby and come in for sync tests and whatever else! We're never going to be free! We're always going to be under NERV's shadow when we should be going out there making our own lives and our own choices!"
"The Eva is all that I have…" Rei began.
"That's exactly what I meant," Shinji cut in sharply. "There's more to life than Eva. As long as Eva exists, you won't have any freedom to look for the purpose that is there."
The purpose that is…there?
It seemed that Shinji had completely changed. Although she observed that he acted shy and meek in front of his friends and Asuka, the fact that he was acting like this in front of her led the albino to suspect that how he acted was merely that: an act, a deception, a ploy.
A ploy for what?
Alarm bells suddenly started ringing from down the road.
"If you'll excuse me, Ayanami," Shinji said politely as his short outburst disappeared, "I must go now."
As he ran off, Rei paused for a moment, reflecting on what he had said.
Then her mind began tactically running through all the possibilities of this sudden change, but none fit.
It was obvious she was missing something.
A blur in the sky suddenly caught her attention. Turning up to look, she saw Superman as he hovered down, blowing out the fires with his super-breath.
Subconsciously her mind made the comparison.
She stepped back in shock, her usually calm and emotionless face now displaying an obvious shock.
How…how can this be?
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"Thanks for the help, Superman!" The fireman yelled out to the caped crusader as he flew off.
Superman gave them a wave before speeding away towards the school.
Damn it, I'm so late!
He arrived just as the bell went for the start of the first class. At super-speed he switched clothes, sprinting through the hall and creating a whirlwind which rattled lockers while he was at it.
Stopping outside his classroom, he opened the door and peeked inside.
The teacher was ranting on, as usual. All the students were staring into their laptop screens.
Good. Shinji opened the door fully, creeping inside and closing the door behind him before he sneaked to his desk.
He looked around.
No one saw him, he assumed.
No one but one.
As Shinji turned on his laptop, his laptop suddenly displayed an instant message.
The former pilot frowned, opening it.
What he saw shocked him completely.
I know your secret, Ikari.
The address was from Rei's computer. He quickly typed in a response:
How?
A response immediately came.
I will tell you two weeks from now.
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Shinji was disturbed by this new development. As he ate lunch quietly, Kensuke's shrill voice broke into his thoughts.
"Look at this news report! 'Superman blows out burning building'! This guy is incredible!"
"Yeah…I owe him my life, after all."
Shinji quickly stood up. "Toji? Are you alright?"
There was the jock, a bit banged up with some bandages but otherwise looking fine. "Never been better!" He said with a smile. "Since Unit-03's been ripped in half, I'm no longer officially the Fourth Child."
"Toji…I'm sorry that I couldn't have done anything." Shinji said, depressed. "I'm sorry that I couldn't have done anything to help you."
The jock gave him a playful punch. "Hey man, don't worry, it's all good. And besides there wasn't much you could have done anyway – it's just lucky that Superman showed up."
"It was." Shinji nodded. "And now that he's here, I know that the world is going to turn out for the better."
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"Baka…"
Shinji turned around, taking the bow off his cello as he stood up. "Yes, Asuka?"
She appeared really humble – not like her usual self at all. "I was just thinking…I had a talk with Superman, and he was really understanding and kind and the things he said really made me think, so…" She took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry that I was always such a bitch to you. I'm sorry that I treated you like dirt and acted so great and mighty above others. And Shinji…you were always a better pilot than me."
Shinji smiled as he walked up to her. "It's okay, Asuka. I knew that I always acted wimpy but it's time to let go of the past and face a new future. You're like a sister to me, and I'll always be there for you." They both embraced warmly, as brother and sister.
"And Asuka?"
"Yes…Shinji?"
"You're the better pilot."
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A/N: It seems that Superman is making a positive impact, both physically and mentally. If all goes planned, a new threat will shatter the temporary peace that Superman has created.