Chapter 2: Mother and Father
The two of them sat in the entry plug, with Shinji tense and nervous, while Kaworu simply leaned back and closed his eyes. If only Yui never made such a mess for us to clean up. But then again, I wouldn't have been able to enter this timeline without it. Suddenly, the plug was filling with an orange liquid. Shocked, Shinji cried out.
"It's only the LCL. It is what allows you to sync with the Evangelion. When you have enough of it in your lungs, you will be able to breathe in it. Just relax, Shinji Ikari,"
"You won't be able to help if you don't calm down."
And then, the image of Yui Ikari appears. She was like a phantom, floating out towards them. Embracing him, Shinji could find no words, simply warm in his mother's arms. However, he did not spot the bright crimson in his mother's eyes, nor the sinister way she glared at Kaworu.
"Get out. I only want my son here."
"He can't do it yet. He's not strong enough. Aren't you a mother? Aren't you supposed to protect your son? This isn't how!"
"l'll protect him. You don't need to be here."
"Don't you dare. I am better at syncing. Just this once! Do you need your son to be so broken, just for your twisted plans? Naoko didn't deserve that. And now Rei suffers because of what you've done."
To that extent, she actually looked guilty while Shinji curls in her embrace. "Her daughter tried to kill my son! What else do you think I should do? I can't let that happen!"
"Then let me protect your son this time! I failed him last time. I won't this time! You were the one who killed me, not him, I know."
"Only this once." She gave one last glance at her son, then disappeared. Kaworu felt her presence letting him in, and smiles. This time, he won't fail. Rei needs him.
Seemingly more calm after being in his mother's embrace, Shinji placed his hands onto the controls, as the Unit slowly progresses towards the lift. As the bridge bunnies clicked a few keys, the Unit blasted off. Going upwards, Shinji gasped in shock at the speed, while Kaworu just waits.
The Angel stood on the far end of the street, and sees the Eva. Shinji's hands began to shake, though he didn't let go of the controls.
I mustn't run away. For all of them, I mustn't run away...
"Shinji, thank you for doing the hardest bit for me. You don't need to worry now. I will defend you this time." Thank you, Yui, you too. Kaworu whispers, then took Shinji's place. Taking the progressive knife from the shoulder pylons, he -and the Eva, of course, pounced.
The battle was quick. It didn't take long to finish off the Angel, as he pretty much plunged the knife into the core as soon as possible, effective and mercilessly killing it.
Shinji, however, will never forget the haunted look on Kaworu's face, when the Angel had seemed to make a strange sound. It was as if there was something he heard, something that makes him remember things he wished to forget.
Kaworu knocks Sachiel to the ground, with Sachiel struggling feebly underneath the Eva. He eyes hard with determination, the progressive knife in his hand ready, he looks Sachiel in the eye.
'Any last words, Sachiel?' He spoke, the voice of an Angel rumbling in Sachiel's mind.
'You betray our kind, Tabris! Why do you do this to us? The power of Adam was given to you, yet you ally yourself with Lilin. What do you do this for?'
'Because of love.'
He plunges the progressive knife in, cracking the core. But he remembers. All the times in which he failed, in which he pays the price. His brothers and sisters, not ever knowing the beauty of Lilin, never understood. All he received, was punishment.
When they brought the stretchers to their entry plug, Kaworu shook his head. "I wasn't injured," he said. "Neither of us were. But you should find Captain Katsuragi. She is probably going to be the best person able to comfort him now.
Nodding as they walked away, the medics left. The two boys then saw Dr Akagi and Captain Katsuragi walking over.
"You did well, Shinji-kun." The Captain smiled warmly at him.
"But I didn't do anything!"
"No, Shinji. That is incorrect. Without your presence, Kaworu would not have been able to sync with the Eva, and the battle would not have been won." Ritsuko, being the scientist, replied.
"We need you, Shinji-kun." Kaworu added.
I am… needed? Can this be true?
They then walked towards the elevator to his father's office, as they needed to know the details on where Shinji will live, and report their status. He didn't realise Misato held his hand, until he realises how sweaty it was.
Entering the office, the first thing Shinji noticed is the patterns on the ceiling and the floor. Having done a bit of studies himself, he realises what it was.
"The sephiroth tree, or tree of life in Kabbalistic beliefs."
"Correct."
Gendo Ikari, supreme commander of Nerv, actually smiles. "How are you, Shinji?"
He cares! He cares if I pilot the Eva. Then I must do it.
"I am fine, Father."
"That is good. With many things taken into account, since I am quite busy, you cannot live with me. However, you shall live with Captain Katsuragi."
"Oh sure! You'll love my place. Come along!" She pulls Shinji closer to her, a warm smile on her face.
She seems so welcome. Am I really… cared about?
"Yes." He replied.
"Any questions?"
All of them shook their heads.
"Then all of you are dismissed." Gendo said, his normal look returning. But before they walk into the elevator, he calls out.
"Shinji."
"Yes, Father?"
"You did well. I am proud of you, Shinji."
And after three years since his mother's disappearance, this was the first time he sees him smile.
Watching the scenario play out from the side, Kaworu narrows his eyes. Can I trust Gendo Ikari? He surely doesn't trust me, but what is his agenda really? What does he get out of this? Seele is bearing down his back, but I know there must be more to this. I must figure out his plans. I can't fail.