When One Vanished

"He's… He's at 400% synch rate, sir."
Dr. Mondschein stared at the monitor in disbelief.
"Unit-14 is going berserk." Fisher stated.
"Great," Dr. Mondschein said, "First time he pilots, and he gets eaten by an Eva. My son just got eaten by an Evangelion! This is precisely why I was putting this off!"
"Sir… I'm detecting additional AT Fields."

~~~
I'm not alone.
You're not?
What does it mean to be alone?
Is it just the absence of company?

Or the absence of interaction?
~~~

The branches holding up Unit-14 were instantly cut by the sudden generation of the AT-Fields. More branches flew towards Unit-14, but were instead stopped. An angelic voice resonated within the Evangelion.
"Nothing can stop me."
The AT Fields expanded and contracted in and moved in complex patterns.
"I found it."

~~~
What was found?
Who found it?
Who am I?
Who are you?
Who are you?
What are you?
Why am I here?

What colour hair do you like?
Why do you need to know?

Dark. Dark hair. Black.

Black. Absence of color. No light reflects back. Unless it's a pigment, then the pigment merely absorbs the-
Is there a point to this?
~~~

Control center of NERV-Alaska. Unit-14 went berserk and destroyed the body of the Angel. Quatre, Unit-04, ripped the core from the ground and destroyed it in a miniature Supernova.
"Lieutenant Barret," Dr. Mondschein started, "Status of the Evangelion units?"
"The MSBU Drill has completely integrated with Unit-04. We won't be able to get it off of him unless we perform surgery."
"What about Unit-14?"
"Unit-14 has just deactivated itself."
"Have Quatre bring it in. I want surveillance on Unit-14 at all times, and notify me if and when the Pilot de-synchs."
"Aye, Sir."
"I'll be in my office."
He trudged off towards his office. Fisher merely watched as he left. The familiar hologram of Unit-04 appeared beside him.
"Well, at least one good thing came of this."
"What, Quatre?"
"I got a new arm."
"Not… not now."
"I know."

~~~
You want to protect.
Yes. I do.
What do you want to protect?
The world that she lives in.
You would put yourself in danger for another's sake?
Yup. Especially hers.
Why?
Because I care about her.
Care?
Yes.
Or more?
Yes.
Love?
Yes.
Why do you care about her? You've never seen her.
I'm not going to question how you know that, so instead, I'll tell you what she told me.
What's that?
She said 'You can't control who you love.' And I don't want to.

Do you like… smaller girls?
Small as in younger? Or small as in size?
~~~

The hologram of Unit-04 stood in front of the green behemoth that was Unit-14. He stared at it, knowing that it wouldn't stare back. But he wanted to talk.
"More then one AT Field? How did you do that?"
Of course, no answer.
"Fine then. Be that way. Instead, I'm going to talk your ears off. I'm going to ask questions. Feel free to pipe in and answer some of them. But… I'm not holding my breath."
A hologram of an elegant and evidently very expensive chair appeared behind him. He sat down on it and looked up at Unit-14.
"I'll ask again: What's with the multiple AT Fields?"
No answer.
"Okay. That was a fancy trick you did, by the way. Crossing the AT Fields without them deteriorating. I especially liked how you managed to isolate certain elements. That was impressive. All I've got going for me is that I got a longer battery life."
Nothing.
"Hey, those extra couple of minutes could be a matter of Life or Death!"
A pause.
"I was originally going to have infinite battery life. Able to work almost completely independently. Then the people at NERV-1 decided to use my saving grace as a bomb. Managed to seal away ADAM, so I guess it was a worthy trade off."
Nadda.
"… What I'm really building up to, though…"
He stood up from his "Chair." He walked up to the edge of the platform and stood close to Unit-14.
"What did you do to Boss's kid?"
A stir. The hologram's shoulders tensed up.
"What. Did you do. With Adam Mondschein?"
The eyes of Unit-14 lit up. The staff on surveillance duty watched in shock as it came to life again.
"I found it."
"That's not an answer! What did you do to Adam?"
"He's safe."
"He better be."
"Why do you care about him?"
Quatre stopped, and thought for a second. Why did he care so much? Oh, that's why.
"Dr. Mondschein is his father. Dr. Mondschein also created me. In a sense… You could say that Adam is my brother."
"Then don't worry."
The Evangelions eyes darkened, and it shut down again. Quatre's shoulders relaxed, and he slumped down in his holographic chair again.
"Boss did say you were curious."

~~~
It wasn't just emptiness anymore. He was actually there this time. He was standing in the emptiness as opposed to it merely being in the emptiness. Had it been a minute? Had it been an hour? Had it been a year? He didn't know. That voice questioned him. It would question his motivations. His relationships. His tendencies. But the disturbing part was when it asked him what he liked.
"Why did you ask me all those questions? Where am I, anyway?"
"Did you know…" The voice came back, "That she is not real?"
"Who?"
"The one you know as 'Allison.' She does not physically exist."
"That… That's not possible."
"It is."
"… I'm talking to Allison right now, aren't I?"
Then she appeared. A girl. Smaller then normal. Not unhealthy, but a bit shorter and a bit skinnier. Green eyes, shoulder length black hair. Everything he said he liked. Hell, he could swear he was hearing a Bach suite in the back of his head.
"Yes. You are."
He stared at her, his jaw hanging open. To describe the silence as 'Awkward' would be an understatement. They stood there, looking at each other. She broke the silence first.
"This… This is about the reaction I was expecting."
"You… You're the Evangelion?"
"Yes."
"All these years… Every time I sent you an email, every time I talked to you through that messenger…"
"You were really talking to a machine of war."
"Well… You never said differently. Aside from the fact that you said you traveled a lot in your younger years."
"Well, I did. I was assembled in multiple NERV Branches. One branch constructed my legs, one constructed my head, et cetera. It was at NERV-Alaska that I was… born."
"Then you never really lied to me."
Another awkward silence. After all these years of talking to each other, this was the first time they couldn't find words. Adam searched through his head, looking for something to say.
"You didn't exactly answer where we are, though."
"Oh, sorry about that. We're inside my core."
"I'm inside you."
"Yup. When I found out that it was you, that it was really you, and not someone sharing a name, I got excited. Our thoughts ended up synching completely. I wanted to protect you…"
"And I wanted to protect you."
"… I meant it, you know."
"What?"
"I love you."
"Oh…"
"It's okay, you don't have to love me as well."
"But-"
"I'm a monster, Adam. I'm built to fight the Angels. You're a human. When this is all over, you can go back to living the life you want to live. When I'm done… I'm going to be decommissioned."
"Killed."
"I guess." She never thought of it as being killed. She was built. Not born. But she did have her interaction with Adam. Maybe she was born when she first talked to him. Maybe that's how she was 'Alive' and could be 'killed.'
"You should get back. Your father is probably worried about you."
"Yeah. Probably."
"And you probably need to digest what just happened."
He chuckled lightly to himself.
"Oh yeah."
"Alright. I'll let you go on one condition."
"And what would that be?"
"Can you… hug me?"
"After all this time? Of course."
The walked towards each other, and Adam wrapped his arms around 'Allison.' She wrapped her arms around his chest. But something felt… off.
"Adam?"
"I feel it, too."
"It doesn't feel like you're actually there."
"Yeah… I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Anyway," she broke off, and smiled away the tears that formed in her eyes, "A promise is a promise. You can go back now."
"I'm sorry. I… I'll see you again."
"Probably."
And he faded from her view.

And in her nothingness, she cried out for the one thing she wanted, but realized she could never have.
~~~

He woke up in the Entry plug of Unit-14. He felt as if he just woke up, and had the worst dream ever.
"The pilot of Unit-14 has de-synched! Eject the plug!"
In his daze, he remembered the voice of the pilot of Unit-04. Seemed odd. His father said he'd explain later.
"Draining LCL. Get him to the infirmary!"
The weird, blood-like fluid he was submerged in drained, and the hatch leading into the entry plug opened. He snapped out of his daze just long enough to do what he felt needed to be done. The surveillance staff took him and helped him out of the entry plug.
"I need…" He started, "To talk to my father."
And then he passed out.

"Boss, there's been a development."
Dr. Mondschein got up from his chair.
"What is it? Is it about my son?"
"Yup. He's out of the Eva. And he wants to have a word with you."

Pilot of Unit-14 temporarily absorbed by Unit-14. Status: Free, and slightly confused.

He woke up, looking to an unfamiliar ceiling. He looked around, slightly less groggy then last time he woke up, and spotted his father sitting in a chair next to him. This snapped him out of his daze quickly enough.
"You wanted to speak to me about Unit-14, I assume?"
"You knew that Allison was the Evangelion, didn't you?"
"Yes. But I never wanted you to be the pilot."
"Then why?"
"Well, it was part of an experiment," He leaned in towards his son, "The pilot of Unit-01 was doing the same thing as you, talking to the AI within the Evangelion."
"Did he know?"
"Nope. If either of you actually knew, then it would have all been for nothing."
"I'm assuming that's because we wouldn't be able to connect as well."
"Precisely."
"… The pilot of Unit-01… Did he… fall in love with the AI?"
"No. Did you?"
Adam looked away from his father.
"… I never thought your relationship with her would get to the level it got to."
"Is it-"
"It's not bad, just unintended."
He leaned back in his chair.
"If you want…" He started, "I could make her a body to inhabit. In case you want some face to face with her."
"I… I don't know… I need to think about this."
"Of course. Well," He stood up in his chair, and put a set of clothes on the bed, "We should get going now. You get dressed, and I'll wait outside."
"Where are we going?"
"Home, Kiddo."
"Am I done fighting the Angels?"
"I wish it wasn't the case, but no. You still have to fight some more."
"How many?"
"I don't know. Are you still up for it?"
"Yeah."
"Alright. I'll be outside."

Two weeks later...

Dr. Mondschein, along with his son, is walking down the hall towards the locker rooms.
"What are we doing here, Dad?"
"Well, first off, you're getting your Plug Suit."
"Plug suit?"
"This delightful skin-tight outfit that lets you synch easier with your Evangelion unit."
"Skin… Tight…?"
"I'd say it's not as bad as it sounds, but… The only group that benefits from the 'Skin Tight' aspect are the guys."
"The guys? How?"
"The female pilots."
"… Ah."
The continued walking down the corridor. They both searched their brains to find something to break the silence and wash away the massive amounts of awkward that found its way in.
"Oh, speaking of other pilots, I haven't met the pilot of Unit-04 yet."
"I haven't told you yet?"
"No, what did you have to tell me?"
"Unit-04 doesn't have a pilot."
"It doesn't?"
"Nope. The AI runs the Evangelion."
"Then why do you need me if you can just get Alli-… The AI in Unit-14 to pilot?"
A hologram of a silver and red Evangelion appeared before them, nearly causing Adam to leap through the roof.
"I was built to operate independently. Give me an AI, and I become my own superpower."
"Adam, I'd like you to meet the AI of Unit-04."
"Call me Quatre. Nice to meet you, Adam."
"N-nice to meet you, too…"
"You okay, Bro?"
"Yeah, you just scared the hell out of me."
"Yup. You're new. Boss, they're ready for you in the Pribnow Box."
"Alright. I'll just get Adam to his destination and I'll be right there."
"You got it Boss."
The hologram disappeared, and Adam and Dr. Mondschein continued down the corridor.

Adam waits in the entry plug of Unit-14. His new Plug Suit matches the colors on Unit-14. It's mainly green, but with some gold here and there. The chest and legs are padded, but other then that it's completely skin tight.
"Oh god, this is so awkward."
"Get used to it, Kiddo. You're going to wear that every time you pilot Unit-14."
"Wonderful."
"If it's any consolation," The voice of Unit-14 said, "I think you look good in it."
"And thus, I am more weirded out then ever."
"Sorry…"
"Cram it, you two," The voice of Allan Fisher said over the comm., "We need to get this test done. And if you guys can't focus, then we're going to have to start again."
"How long is it going to take?"
"Couple of hours."
"Wonderful."

"Well," Lieutenant Barret started, rubbing his temples,"His synch rate is abnormally high. Steady at 153%."
"Considering their relationship," Dr. Mondschein added, "It's not too surprising."
"At least it paid off in the long run, Sir."
"Yeah. I just wish I didn't have to do it in the first place." He walked up to the microphone and turned it on, "Okay, Adam. We're done here."
"Oh thank god, I can get out of this stupid suit!"
"Alright, eject the plug, Lieutenant."
"Aye, Sir. And would it be alright if I headed home for today?"
"Why's that lieutenant?"
"My head's been killing me today, and I can't really focus."
"Yeah. Go for it. Do you need a ride home?"
"No, I should be good."
"Alright. Adam, let's head home too."
"He's already out of the entry plug, Doc."
"Yeah, I guessed as much. That's a wrap, people."

ALLISON: Can I talk to you?
ADAM: Why couldn't you talk to me when I was at NERV?
ALLISON: It… it wouldn't be comfortable talking there.
ADAM: I guess… Well, shoot, slugger.
ALLISON: I'm sorry I lied to you. I should have told you about what I am sooner.
ADAM: You didn't lie to me.
ALLISON: I did. I lied through omission. I never told you what I was, and it lead you believing that I was human.
ADAM: … It's alright.
ALLISON: No, it's not.
ADAM: I may not know what to call you anymore, and I may not be sure about how I feel about this entire development, but none of it is your fault. Stop apologizing, cause you don't need to.
ALLISON: … Alright…
ADAM: Feel better?
ALLISON: No. But thanks for trying to help me.
ALLISON HAS DISCONNECTED
"… Damnit."

Adam is standing in front of the dormant Unit-14. He can see subtle movements, as if it was a living, breathing creature.
"Well, you are living and breathing, I guess."
Those movements just make her… no, it… look human.
"What can I call you? Her? Or It?"
"I wish I could answer you, Bro."
"Hey Quatre."
"Girl troubles?"
"Very much so.
"Doesn't help that she's a 200 foot tall behemoth."
"Speaking from experience?"
"Well, I am one."
"… Point."
They sat and looked at Unit-14. This time, though, they both felt as if… it… was looking back.
"Lucky bastard."
"What?"
"You get the hot ones."
They both started laughing.
"Good one!"
"Knew you'd appreciate it! Hey… Look at her face."
"What about it?"
"Does it look like…"
"She's blushing."
"She heard us."
"I'm also standing right here."
Then the alarms sounded.
"Saved by the bell?"
"Saved by multiple Blood Type Pattern Blues. Get your skivvies on, we got some Angels to take down!"

WE ARE.
THROUGH LICENSE OF A FAKE, WE HAVE COME.
WE BELONG OF NOT TRUE LILITH, NOR TRUE ADAM.
BUT WE WERE CREATED IN THEIR IMAGE.
THIS DIRT CREATES OUR IMAGE, AND IT WILL SERVE OUR NEEDS.
I AM THE SWORD OF YOUR DESTRUCTION.
AND I AM THE ISOLATION TEARING AT YOUR MINDS.
I AM KANE.
I AM ABEL.
WE ARE RETURNING HOME.