Forever
Chapter 2: The Sonata of Angels
An Evangelion Fanfiction
By: LD
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Gendo had found that while he wasn't entirely certain where he fit in this new world he had a lot of options. It helped that there didn't seem to be any pressure on him to immediately get a job or something of that nature. The upside was he had time to try a few things and find out where he really would make the best contribution to this society. This was, as with most things, a trial and error affair.
While he was capable of holding his own in a bar fight he wouldn't be able to maintain himself with the towns defenders in combat. Though he was able to drink them all under the table much to their chagrin. The head of the house did appreciate his help redrawing the defense lines and contingency plans.
The less said about his attempts to assist the Horaki with meal preparation the better. He didn't have much in the way of experience with making clothes either. He had written off following Akagi's footsteps and returning to scientific research. He had had his fill of that sort of work to last him a lifetime. Manual labor also didn't seem the best way for him at least. It was rewarding work, and Gendo did enjoy doing something that kept his mind off a thousand different questions. However, he knew that it wasn't the best way for him to contribute to this community.
Rei had started spending time around the town, simply watching the people. She was still as lost as him in this new world, however the exposure to the people seemed to be helping her. She seemed to have been as embraced by their new community. Her education was already more advanced then most of the people here, however that didn't seem to be a priority. Knowledge for knowledge sake was a relic of the past. That information was being recovered and stored away for an age when it could be truly fruitful. Gendo was impressed that these people had thought beyond just what was productive.
He had even spent time sitting in on the meetings between Shinji and the other heads of house. While the leaders of this community seemed focused on their individual tasks and responsibilities, Shinji seemed almost distracted at times. He'd look off towards a direction in the west at times, or towards the sea. Gendo had asked him about it.
"I don't want them to become dependent on me for everything," Shinji had said. Gendo hadn't understood what he meant by that. The younger, or perhaps now older, man had been guiding this community since it was just two adults and a bunch of young children. There were many things that didn't make sense about his sons behavior of late. One second he would seem focused on what he'd be talking with you about. The next he'd be drawn to some spot on the horizon.
Like now, Gendo looked up to the observation point that Shinji had in the upper levels of his home in the center of the city. Today his point of interest was once again towards the sea where Gendo and his small group had awoken. If Gendo didn't know better, which he admittedly did not, he'd swear Shinji was almost anticipating something.
Even after having watched for two months now he still didn't have much of an idea how his sons mind now worked.
--
The sound of water lapping against the shore was the first thing she was aware of. It felt as if she had awoken from a long sleep. She slide her hand along the blanket covering her and curled up into the soft fabric. It took her mind a moment to question where she was, and how she had gotten there. That moment of clarity caused her eyes to shoot open.
"I was..." she started to say as she ran her hand along her stomach. The bullet had gone straight through, condemning her to a cold death in the bowls of NERV. She looked her self over quickly, noticing she was in the shorts and shirt she preferred to wear at home. There was no sign of the bullet wound, as if it had never happened. That was not the only thing Misato Katsuragi noticed about her situation.
The scar across her chest was no longer there. Her body seemed to have been cleansed of that reminder of her darkest times. Her body also felt much more alive now then it had in years. Another shock to her system was that from what she could tell, her body was younger then she remembered.
"We all come back as what we were when we were truly happy," a familiar voice said. Misato looked up and saw a sight that confused her as much as it made her smile. There, sitting on a log not two feet from her was Asuka Langley Soryu. She was tending to a fire next to the two on the shore which was keeping them warm. The red haired girl seemed different from the child Misato knew.
She was wearing a red kimono edged in black, some black sleeveless robe over it. That wasn't what drew Misato's attention and wonder. It was the gentle smile and peaceful gaze. It was enough to cause Misato to relax more now then just seeing that one of her young wards was alive and well apparently.
Asuka looked past Misato towards the shoreline and picked up some blankets from a simple wooden trunk at her side. She got up and walked purposefully away towards three children who had just now washed up on this desolate beach. Misato followed to lend a hand with the three children. As she got closer she recognized brown hair in twin pigtails and ran forward. Hikari coughed up water as she tried to pick her self off the sand. Asuka handed her a blanket and Misato pulled it around her.
The other two children were also well known, Touji Suzahara and Kensuke Aida. Asuka handed them blankets and lead them all towards the same spot further up the shore Misato had awakened on. The sat around the fire and warmed up from the cold air of the morning. Misato couldn't help but notice Touji's arm and leg were present as they were before his maiming in Unit-03. She was too caught up in the weirdness of the moment to mention that people didn't regrow arms. But then again they didn't magically heal bullet wounds either.
"We'll take a bit to warm up by the fire, then I'll take you to town," Asuka said. Her voice sounded like a mother to her children. Misato filed it away in her head as she checked on the others.
"You three alright?"
"I'm fine, just soaked to the bone," Touji said, wrapping his arms around a shivering Hikari. Kensuke held his hands out to the fire to warm them, a blanket sitting over his shoulders.
"What happened?" Hikari asked.
Misato couldn't bring herself to say it, to tell them the truth.. But she had to, "I think the world ended."
They sat in silence, Hikari shedding silent tears as Touji held her closer.
"All the souls of man gave flight and joined the stars above. When they were ready to return to the world they once knew, they found the one that would carry them into life again. Their second other gave them flesh anew, and lead them to one who guided the children of this brave new world," Asuka said.
They sat like that for a while, just contemplating the fire and what might await them.
--
It was later in the day and the small group had started walking along a dirt path. Asuka had provided them with clothes from the trunk on the shore. It was nice to wear something dry as they walked. The late morning sun was comforting on them in more ways then just physical. A reminder that at least they were alive.
Hikari came up alongside Asuka and tried to talk with her friend but couldn't bring herself to speak. She was afraid, for herself and her family. The young girl just couldn't bring herself to voice her worries for fear of the worst.
Asuka seemed to sense what she was thinking, "We all come back when we are ready to. Some come back sooner then others. But everyone who does is treated as our family."
Misato wasn't as hesitant in her questions. She had grilled Asuka most of the morning, each question answered with the calmness and tone of a mother answering questions of a child. That alone was enough to throw up red flags to the Major. It was bad enough her body had changed so radically, the answers to her questions were just strange. Like the time frame for when Third Impact occurred. Asuka being so old yet looking the same as she had been so long ago just didn't compute.
The town they were headed for came into view, and to the surprise of her companions, Asuka was surrounded by small children and approached by a few adults showering her with greetings and reverence. Misato could swear she heard every single one call her Mother. Her protective nature kicked into over drive as she scanned the crowd for any threats to the five of them.
A young woman about Misato's true age walked up and engulfed Asuka in a hug, which was returned eagerly. Misato caught sight of blue hair in the sea of brown and red and moved forward as quickly as she could through the sea of humanity. As she got closer, she could see the striking red eyes of Rei Ayanami.
"REI!" Misato cried out as she rushed the girl. Before Rei could react she was wrapped in a tight hug by the other girl.
"It is agreeable to see you again as well, Major," Rei said calmly. Wrapping her arms around the Major as well. Rei didn't seem flustered by the sudden contact.
"So have you been around as long as Asuka?" Misato asked.
Rei calmly replied as she pulled away from the Major slightly, "Myself, Commander Ikari, and Dr. Akagi returned two months ago. Ikari has helped us adjust as best he can."
That was not something Misato had expected, "Commander Ikari is here?" she asked. Her voice was edged with concern considering the situation.
"Yes, we have been... seeking our place."
Any further questions Misato had were drowned out by a commotion behind her. She turned and saw Asuka walk up to a thirty year old man who looked slightly familiar. His clothing was the exact reverse of hers in color, but similar in style. She was about to start her way over when Asuka wrapped her arms around the man and was lifted up into his arms. She almost flipped out when she saw the kiss the two shared, and a strong hand on her shoulder was the only thing that kept her from breaking up the rather public display.
"I would advise against that Major. Shinji probably wouldn't appreciate you interrupting their reunion," a voice she knew and detested said behind her. She spun around and was struck dumb by the sight of a younger Gendo Ikari. He however wasn't looking at her, but at the odd couple ahead of them.
"That's Shinji?!"
"Yes. Or as they call him here Father. I'm still trying to get my mind around it all," Gendo admitted.
Asuka had explained the policy of unconditional forgiveness for all that returned from the LCL sea. So Misato wasn't surprised that Shinji of all people had forgiven his father. That was one quality of her former charges she never understood. His innate ability to look past how someone may have wronged him. He was a better person then most.
Defiantly better then she was, but Misato held her tongue as she walked towards the two. Gendo simply stood there, watching the pair. He stood just behind Rei as Shinji ushered the group towards his home. Yui was helping hold back the throng that wished to greet Asuka specifically, and followed slowly. Gendo noticed Shinji motion towards him and Rei to join them.
Once they had all gathered in Shinji's home Gendo stepped off to one side as the onslaught of questions began. Yui came along and stood next to him as the lost friends were reunited with each other. It seemed odd to him, and instead of intrude on the group he stepped outside and inhaled the early afternoon air. It didn't feel right, to be able to walk free in this new world as he was allowed. Yet he was granted that chance by the one person who should have condemned him. It was something that he couldn't quite understand, much like the woman whom had captured his heart so long ago.
There were a few shouts of confusion from inside, he assumed from the explanations offered. As he stood there he saw a head of brown hair walking up that he didn't care to be around. More appropriately one that didn't care to be within striking distance of him. Akagi sneered at him as she walked up, just close enough to be heard, "I'll just come back later."
Gendo held up a hand and said, "You should go on in. It appears someone has just returned whom you might wish to be reunited with. Though I would prepare yourself for some abnormalities."
Ritsuko glared at him for a moment, but went inside anyways. The shout of surprise and the sound of a body hitting the floor as someone slammed into the scientist was more then rewarding enough. Gendo chuckled, something he had not done much of in his prior life. Just as he was about to go find something to do he felt a light hand touch his shoulder. He turned and looked into the dark blue eyes of Yui as she exited the building.
"I wanted to give them some time alone, and I need to setup a place for them to rest soon. Would you join me?"
Gendo couldn't help but smile at the invitation, and went with her. Their departure was not unnoticed by the group inside. Misato and Ritsuko were in the middle of a shouting fest, with Touji Hikari, Kensuke, and Rei watching the back and forth as they looked between the two women and their two friends. Asuka and Shinji were strangely silent, Asuka just sitting in Shinji's lap, her eye's closed and a small content smile on her face. Shinji had his arms wrapped around her, his physically larger body keeping her more then comfortable. Rei noticed the absence of the Commander and Yui, but when she looked at Shinji she wondered if he knew something more then he let on. She wasn't certain, but the smirk on his face reminded her of Agent Kaji when he thought he knew something he shouldn't have.
Now that she saw it on Shinji's face, she couldn't help but feel slightly... annoyed.
"So, three hundred fifty year," Hikari muttered. They had pretty much blocked out Misato and Ritsuko as they tried to comprehend what had been said.
"Apparently, though I do not understand how Ikari and Soryu have lived so long."
"I don't get it, people don't live forever," Touji said. He was more interested in finding out something about his sister, or other family. The chances weren't looking good, he had to admit. However he couldn't really stop himself from asking the question.
"Do you know what might have have happened to my sister?"
Hikari looked up, this was something she was worrying about as well. Lost family members where weighing on both their hearts. Shinji looked at them and said, "Mari and Nozomi came back a long time ago. They were the first two girls to come back, and a boy none of us knew named Akira. We had two sons and a daughter, so it worked out well. They ended up falling in love with Renji and Martin and had I think three children all said and done. Kikyo and Akira had four children and lived happily for as long as they could."
Hikari broke out into tears as she morned the loss of her sister. Touji pulled her close and held her. A tear fell as he realized he'd never see his sister again. But he couldn't feel sad really, as from the sound of it she had a happy life with Shinji and Asuka looking out for her.
"Kodama came back about one hundred fifty years ago, give or take a decade. I can't remember exactly. She was one of our best artists, was so very gifted with paint, sculpture, even with words. I very much enjoyed her poetry. You'll have to take some time to go through the art collection. I think she captured life here and how things were for us so very well."
There was a wistful tone in Shinji's voice, all the while Asuka simply snuggled further into his embrace. A strange scene as any so far. The simple questions however gave way to more difficult ones. Several questions, like those related to the pairs immortality had no answers, though they didn't seem to care too much.
Last time they had been seen together they couldn't even stay in the same room together. Shinji was so isolated from everyone near the end and Asuka was self-destructing. Now it seemed like they were inseparable. If it wasn't for the apparent age difference it be almost sweet to the point of throwing everyone in the room into diabetic shock. Misato wasn't too thrilled with the way this looked, and Ritsuko was also very critical about the whole thing.
"You two do realize that this looks all sorts of wrong," Misato said.
Shinji just chuckled, "Not like it's mattered. A lot of people came back and actually more then a few came in couples. Husbands and wives returned in much the same situation, though it varied about which ended up younger or older. We didn't feel the need to break up relationships from before the Impact just because they came back physically half the others age. I stopped aging around Thirty and Asuka just always seems to come back fifteen. There's honestly no real issue with age most of the time around here. Sure, we do have rules about that sort of thing but when it comes to situations like ours we neither condemn nor push anyone to give up the people they love just because of how they come back."
Asuka decided to chime in, "It be the same if Kaji walked in that door right now and was still the age he was before impact in body and you tried to hook back up with him. Might be a little weird at first for you but no one would hold it against you."
Misato shook her head at that. Like they were trying to justify something to her she couldn't accept. Still, the entire situation was bizarre. All she could do was go with it. The display the two put on however was not easily accepted. Shinji was a grown man pretty much snuggling with a much younger girl in Asuka. Though if what they said was true they had been like this an extremely long time. In a way it was heart warming to see them together like this.
The look on Ritsuko and Hikari's faces seemed to mirror her sentiment however. They just seemed to have the common decency not to mention it. The rest of the day was spent with getting reacquainted. Yui and Gendo eventually returned, neither them nor the small group of friends noticing Shinji smirking again as the two came back. Asuka however saw it, and smiled as she picked up on what he was thinking.
"We've prepared a place for you to rest. You won't have to worry about anything for the time being," Yui said. She showed them out of the larger building, leaving Shinji and Asuka to themselves for the night.
Misato looked back at the building as they did. It seemed to her to be a reflection of the two in it's structure. At the center of everything yet understated and unassuming. Except for it's size the outside of the building was the least interesting of the entire village. It was the inside that seemed to show the hearts of the residents. Much like she remembered them.
After Yui had shown her and the others where they could rest, Misato decided to hunt down the one person who could tell her what she wanted to know. Shinji had been evasive on a lot of subjects, not unusual but these were things she needed to, had to know. Her last memory before the Impact had been slowly bleeding out on the cold floor of NERV before Rei had come to her. Ritsuko however couldn't be expected to tell her these things. Misato had noticed that the entire time Ritsuko seemed to be very tense and closed off. Misato could feel some of the contempt Ritsuko had for Shinji and Asuka come off the scientist. She doubted her old friend would be very forth coming.
That only left Gendo Ikari and Rei Ayanami for her questions. While the trio rested she sought those two out. When she did find them she couldn't help but notice Rei watching Gendo Ikari from a distance. What she saw would be almost sweet if she didn't know the man. He seemed to be having a simple conversation with Yui, almost as if he was...
"They seem to bond together easily. As if their souls were separated long ago and now believe they may have found the other again," Rei said unexpectedly. It was an observation Misato hadn't expected from the paler girl. Things like that though weren't really Misato's area of concern most times. She'd probably tease the older man about it, however she really wasn't one to comment about someones love life. Hers had been screwed up enough.
"You think he might be able to finally get past his wife's death?"
Rei thought for a moment, "Once a piece of ones soul has been torn, it can not be knitted save by someone who can complete that soul."
Misato just nodded, not entirely understanding Rei. Not that she ever had in the past. It also wasn't what she wanted to talk about. Fortunately, Gendo decided to end his conversation and join them. He took one look at Misato, and noticed she was looking at him with a knowing smirk. While prior to the Impact he wouldn't have acknowledged the look she was giving him, he was a different man now. Which is why he couldn't help himself when he said, "Oh do shut up."
Misato couldn't help but giggle at that as she followed him inside. She kept looking at him with a smirk as he took a seat inside. Gendo fixed her with a glare reminiscent of when he was her Commander. Unfortunately without the weight of authority it did little to actually dissuade the minuet major from her continued smirking. Gendo simply sighed and gave up. "As much as you might want to grill me about that exchange, I assume you are here relating to other people's relationships?"
Misato found herself a spot to set herself down in, a rather comfortable chair in a corner of the room. Gendo seemed to prefer a straight backed chair near a fire place. Rei seemed to be reading a book off against a side window as well. The sun hadn't set yet, but was low enough in the sky where Rei had a lantern illuminating her book.
"How have they been?" Misato asked.
"Honestly I'm not sure. I haven't seen Soryu until today when you returned. Shinji seems... disconnected at times. It's like he's seeing things that aren't there, or he's distracted by something only he seems to see or hear. He has become rather absent minded at times. I don't know why but he doesn't seem like he's entirely here. Like, like he watches and guides the people here but doesn't belong in just this place. I don't know how to describe it really."
Misato nodded, "And Asuka hasn't been around this whole time?"
Gendo shook his head. He had also spent long hours trying to make sense of what he had seen of his son. He just couldn't put it all together, which for him was unusual. Gendo Ikari wasn't known for not being able to see the whole picture. That was just the type of person he was, able to put things together easily. Still, he had been slightly distracted.
"Being nearly four hundred years old has to have some effects on the mind. I don't know how or why, but even then the human mind has strange ways of holding itself together. It could just be that he's overloaded with memories. I don't know really. You'll just have to watch them for a while. See what you can tell from that."
Misato just nodded, taking it in. Gendo had a few pieces of the puzzle but he couldn't give her what he didn't have. That he had given her this amount was more then she expected. So with that she simply leaned back and sighed, "It is going to take me a while to get used to this."
"Understandable. Also, you may want to speak with Akagi. She seems, uninterested with this new world."
Misato didn't know how to take that, considering what she knew about the relationship between the two. Still, she probably should try to reconnect with her old friend. Put the sins of the past behind her. Though really she never could let go of the past, even when she felt she might have been better off. Still, all sins forgiven was the motto of this town.
Miasto got up and left to go find herself a something to drink, but not before smirking again and saying, "So, you and Yui?"
Gendo seemed to get a little nervous under scrutiny. He didn't get to respond before Misato ran from the house cackling. He just sat back and looked into the fire, brooding. Rei broke his thought momentarily when she said, "Whatever your intentions are, ensure you do not awaken me in the night."
Gendo just sputtered indignantly.
--
They had been together for so long, and every time was so much like the first. They could still remember the first time, the first kiss, the first child they held in their arms together. And every time they could share the same bed they spent most of the time just holding each other. To just feel the others arms holding tight meant more then any carnal desire to them. Especially after they realized they couldn't leave this world. That death seemed to ignore them.
Asuka looked into Shinji's eyes, almost black in the moonlight and smiled. They shared something no one else could see. They had seen the end of one world and the beginning of another. That event, the war it followed, bonded them together for all time. Nothing would ever separate their souls as long as they could fight back against it. Still, that fear of separation fueled them at times to some of their more passionate nights.
Tonight though, with the reunion of the souls they cared for they could do nothing but share a night of blissful comfort. Asuka planted her chin on her hands as she laid across Shinji's chest. As he ran his fingers through her hair she smiled and asked, "How have things been since I went away last time?"
Shinji chuckled, "Nothing too eventful. We got some more headway made rebuilding Kyoto, the foundry guys have been working pretty hard stripping and recycling as much of the wire and pipes they can get their hands on. With any luck we'll have a stock pile of usable metals to last a while."
Asuka however just smiled softly, "I think you know I'm not that interested in progress."
Shinji chuckled, "You want to know what's going on in the way or romance?"
She nodded, "You know how much I like to hear about people finding someone to love."
"Well, nothing has come of it yet, but I think Yui might have found someone to be interested in finally."
Asuka grinned, "Why do I get the feeling you were expecting this?"
"Perhaps. I can't know everything but I can expect it."
They laid there together in silence for a moment, enjoying each others company. Shinji pulled Asuka tighter to him and pressed his face into her hair. He simply inhaled her scent, remembering everything he loved about her. Her spirit, her fire, her very being simply was enough for him. Even in the dim moonlight he could tell every inch of the girl apart.
"Do you think Gendo is going to hold back from her for very long?"
Shinji just chuckled a bit, "I know the rule is all sins forgiven, but this might be an interesting bit of revenge."
They both shared a bit of a chuckle at that. They fell into a peaceful silence for a moment. Shinji's face became tense for a moment. Asuka noticed, running her hand along his cheek, "Now tell me what is troubling you."
Shinji sighed, "A storm is coming. I can feel it just on the horizon, and I know it might bring an end to everything we've built here."
"We'll face it together, like everything else."
With that she kissed him deeply and held tightly onto her beloved.
--
The moonlight illuminated more then a lovers reunion that night. Along the northern shores of Okinawa a boy with gray hair and red eyes stared into the night sky. Everything he knew told him this should not have been possible. His kind had been destroyed, defeated by the Lillie. And yet he stood here on this beach, looking north towards the land he had fallen in. Even now, Father's call spoke out to him.
The angel Tabris, known to his human acquaintances as Kaworu Nagisa, looked over the fog covered shore. His thoughts were serene, even as they attempted to make sense of his resurrection. The light sound of "Ode to Joy" could be heard coming from his lips as he decided on a course of action. His musings were interrupted by the sight of a bright white light piercing the fog. Out of the fog walked a girl, much like himself, carrying a lantern in her left hand. Tabris could sense who this was, that she was a sister to him.
"Arael, it is good to see you."
"You as well brother. I did not expect our destruction would lead to this reunion."
Tabris nodded, though couldn't hold back a small amount of curiosity, "Where did you find the lantern?"
Arael looked at the lantern in her hand and said, "It was beside me when I awoke on the shore. It remains lit so long as I carry it. I believe it is a manifestation of my abilities prior to our defeat."
"You aren't sure?"
Arael had a small smile as she answered, "It is difficult to shed light on the shadows of a persons soul when there isn't a soul to shed it on."
Tabris nodded at that. He couldn't help but continue humming as he tried to figure out what the two of them should do. As they looked out towards the sea no, a rope ladder dropped down in front of them. They both looked up and found themselves starring directly at a hot air balloon tethered to what appeared to be a small fishing boat. A head popped out from over one the side the ladder had been dropped from. The silhouette could be seen only, but Tabris thought he could see some strange circular objects sprouting from around where the eyes would be. Arael lifted the lantern up to illuminate the boat.
"Tabris! Arael! Is that you?"
"Sahaquiel?!" Tabris asked rather stunned.
"Climb aboard you two."
Tabris took a hold of the ladder and held it secure from the bottom as Arael made her way up. He soon joined them and finally got a good look at Sahaquiel. His brother looked like what the lilim had termed a mad scientist almost. He was wearing glasses that had multiple lenses on them on hinges. It looked almost like the extra lenses were different thicknesses and could be moved over his eyes. His clothing seemed rather raged. He wore an old unbuttoned up shirt over a sleeveless undershirt. His pants were raged at the ends as well.
"So, you two heading my way?"
Tabris couldn't help but shake his head, "I take it both of you can hear Father's call?" The other two responded silently nodding their heads. "What should we do?"
Areal was the one who responded, her voice calm and thoughtful, "We should answer the call. Seek out Father and ask for his guidance. Until we know for certain what he would have us do, we can not prepare for the future."
"You are of course assuming that we have a future," Sahaquiel said.
"Until we find Father everything is suspect. And I doubt very much the call will silence itself until we have answered."
Tabris turned and looked over the bow of their vessel. He was lost in thought for but a moment, "I concur with Arael. We should answer the call, find Father and regroup. If the three of us have returned to this world then the rest of our brothers may have as well. Assuming that, then they will also be drawn towards Father's call. We can reach a concordance with our brethren on our next move then."
Sahaquiel seemed satisfied with that course of action, if a bit leery of the unknown. Tabris simply rested his hands on the bow and watched the sky as their vessel began it's long flight. He couldn't help but look at all the possibilities before them. Even though he could make one of any thousand different choices, the most prudent course of action still was that which drove them. They just couldn't do anything until they knew more.
Perhaps if they were returning, so had the lilim. If so they would need to regroup for their own good. Too much, just too much unknown to make a rational decision. The good thing was that for now they had time to think.
--
Misato had found herself at a loss. It had been three days since she had returned, to find herself in the body of a fourteen year old in a world crafted by her children. She hadn't gotten much time with them, but in a way Misato figured that was understandable. They seemed to be occupied with each other more then they were with the world. She felt reminded of Kaji as she thought about them. How she had completely ignored and tried to bury what she felt for Kaji. Just because he reminded her of her father.
Gendo could be seen walking near the group of people that were building one of the newer houses in the small village. To her shock he actually looked like he was enjoying the manual labor. Rei, Hikari, Touji, and Kensuke were probably somewhere trying to figure out there chaotic lives. Though Rei seemed to prefer to observe most everything around her.
Ritsuko had disappeared off to where ever it was that she spent her days. Misato couldn't get any specifics from her, just that she was working on repairing humanities scientific knowledge. Misato noticed the scientist seemed unmoved by the simple lives the people lived here. Shinji's almost God-like status with the residents of the town seemed to grate on her friend as well. Misato was a little worried about that over time, but it hadn't seemed to be detrimental to the town.
Misato figured she go and see if she could help out the folk who seemed to have claimed her name in their planning. She may have reverted to a child's body but her knowledge was still intact. Perhaps she could be useful to the town that way, lend her strategic knowledge to them. Ritsuko seemed to be doing the same. Still, maybe she should consider something else.
The dull sound of thunder rumbled across the sky. Misato and several others looked up. She heard someone near her mention how there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Misato's senses however screamed at her.
"That wasn't thunder, that was the sound of an explosive going off."
The rumbling continued, along with a staccato sound of gunfire. Misato ran towards the central building, Gendo joining her at the door. Shinji and Asuka had already run to the top level and were on the observation deck looking west. Misato, Yui, Gendo, and the head of the Katsuragi's all looked out and saw smoke climbing in the distance. More explosions could be seen, the plumes of smoke climbing from the forest.
"I'd estimate that is a good forty-five kilometers. Perhaps a two days journey on foot," Katsuragi said.
"That assumes they aren't a mechanized force. We could be under attack in a matter of hours, if we're lucky," Misato said.
"We need to start preparations for an assault, get those incapable of combat to shelter and arm as many of our defenders as possible," Gendo suggested. His mind was already considering who could be attacking. If humanity had not become as peaceful as those in their small city.
Shinji finally spoke, "Keiske, send five of your two fastest runners out there. Tell them to keep pace with the force and to send back as much information as they can. We need some sort of idea of what's coming at us. Misato, I want you working with Keiske and plan our defense. I know you've got more then enough expertise, and I fear we will need all the help we can get. Yui, make sure everyone is sheltered and that we have enough supplies to last and extended period of time. Check with Noriko and Toshiro on how well our emergency supplies are stocked."
Those who had been given tasks ran immediately to carry them out. Shinji, Asuka, and Gendo stood there watching another cloud of fiery smoke ascend into the heavens. Shinji suddenly looked directly south, as did Asuka. Gendo noticed it and asked, "What is it?"
"I don't know. I've been feeling... something coming at us from all directions lately. Something is headed for us from the south, the west, and he north as well. I just don't know what."
"Do you think it has to do with whatever is happening in the west?" Asuka asked.
Shinji shook his head, "No, but whatever it is it's getting closer. I doubt it will get here before we find out what is heading for us that is causing those explosions."
Gendo's mind was already busily considering potential scenarios for what may happen. If there was one thing he was a expert at it was putting pieces together into a way that would show an outcome he knew would be beneficial. The thoughts in his head however didn't seem to point to anything good one way or the other.
"Shinji, I have a theory..."
To Be Continued.
Next Chapter: the small town of Forever prepares itself to face the coming storm. Her defenders know no rest while they plan how to save their small have from destruction. As they do, the Angel's continue on their quest to find their Father's call. All will be revealed, as Humanity and the Angel's meet face to face once again.
Next Chapter: Shadow's Past, Cast into the Light.
Author Request: I'm currently working on a slew of original works as well as a three book series that I hope to publish sometime in the next year to year and a half. I'd appreciate folks looking and reviewing all my older work as well as checking out .com and .com. I'll be working on getting more original work developed and posted on those pages, and the more background thoughts the better. thanks.