Thank you all of my faithful readers! I am happy that I can provide you with a small amount of pleasure from reading my stories. I hope you continue to review and provide feedback. I have decided that when the Deadman powers are being referenced they will be called blood bending. Technically they are bending their own blood and more information on the importance of this one technique and how it relates to alchemy will be spoken about in later chapters. This chapter is fully getting into Shinji's history along with some of the organizations that are for or against the Human Instrumentality project. You will be introduced to two main divisions under Seele. You will also be given some history lessons. I think it would be confusing that some human beings that came from Lillith have the power to perform alchemy while others cannot so…yeah you'll have to read a little about that in the story :D. You might recognize some characters from FMA who I have put into the story. I have decided to keep their personas and appearance but their names will be different. And well enjoy the chapter!
As the sirens began to wail I began to run to Nerv. I had mixed feelings about my fight with that jock. At first it felt great. Punching someone and making them feel the pain they were trying to inflict upon me was exhilarating, empowering. It was the same glee I felt when I killed the personnel in prison. The sense of power and the feeling that I could finally get to hurt the ones who so wanted to hurt me. But did I go too far with the jock? Though he had declared himself my enemy he wasn't from prison. He was a kid like me. One who was substantially weaker because he probably only has had training in street fights in the school yard while I had to perform basically survival training.
I saw Nerv and pushed the thoughts aside for now. I wasn't sorry about beating up the kid but the same level of happiness that would have occurred in the past was not present.
I ran into the locker and found my ugly white plug suit. I should probably bring it up later on about asking for it to be black instead of the aggravating color.
I ran to the cages and was quickly placed inside my new prison. At least I got the chance to get out of it once in a while.
The red liquid filled the cages. I lifted my head trying to stave off the impending "breathing" of the liquid. As it touched the skin of my neck I felt my skin crawl. It was a creepy sensation. I usually ignored it but at first contact it always lasted. It wasn't like worms on my skin but instead worms in my body. Moving around in chaos trying to occupy some space to alleviate their anxiety. It brought a niggle into the back of my brain of a past I could still not remember. Finding out the truth could be an obsession if I had the resources to make it one but I couldn't really remember anything except for the word "Alchemy" and circles. And I have yet to find anything about it.
My lungs yearned for air as I vainly held my breath but of course I gave in. The red liquid filled my body and the copper taste settled on my tongue. I could taste it plainly. It tasted like blood. After each previous training session I scrubbed myself raw trying to get the smell that permeated my skin off. I tried to convince myself that there was no way this stuff could be blood because of the simple fact that I can breathe it like oxygen. And where would they get so much blood anyway.
I began to concentrate waiting for the impending pressure that I always felt. The battle for psychological dominance. This creature, this being, the Eva seemed to really want to come in. I felt its pressure like tentacles pressing upon my psyche. I allowed it a shallow entrance. I don't like expelling any of my previous life to anyone connected to Nerv and I am still fearful of the second time I was placed in the creature. The screaming of a woman who I cannot remember and do not want to remember. Her voice frantic but yet she should be dead. Or at least that is what I was always told in Wonderland. She was dead and I killed her. I can't even remember her face.
I felt it. It was the same pressure every time. It was not gradual, no, instead it was jarring. The Eva came in demanding my submission hoping to catch me unguarded. That worried me immensely. If it had a plan to enter so violently what would it do inside of me. Would I come out normal? Would I come out at all?
And just like every other time. It decreased it's pressure and accepted an equilibrium of sorts. I have my half and it has it's half.
I heard mumblings about my sync ratio but I tuned them out. As long as this thing moved I wasn't budging. I was in this fight to protect and prevent another impact not for Nerv's amusement. My purpose was shaky because I didn't care at all about anyone at Nerv except maybe Misato at times. I also have to keep reminding myself that I still have to protect Leon at least. That is one person. I also have to remember all the people who keep popping up in my head…all the dead people in my head. More blurry images or outright refusals of my memory as to how they ended up. I know it has a tie to that alchemy thing but I can't remember how.
Misato's voice crackled in "Ready Shinji?"
Just as her voice finished a memory was forced through.
"Are you ready?" the voice sounded like Leon but the face was overshadowed. "'Don't tell this to anyone but I'm glad I found you. After the riots I became very worried. I thought I lost you back there forever but—"
"Shinji! Do you hear me?" Misato's voice screamed through. She sounded a little peeved.
"Yeah, you don't have to yell. I'm not deaf you know", could have sworn I heard growling on the other line.
I concentrated on remembering. Since the prison was one of torture and pain for amusement I was never given the opportunity to work with actual weapons. I had my own weapons due to my blood bending and I fought with those only. I never learned how to use a gun so I again I was slightly anxious. Here I was fighting this alien with a completely foreign weapon.
I remember Dr. Akagi's voice instructing me on how to use it in simulation but I honestly had other problems on my mind so I simply shut down. I followed orders plainly while I internally battled with my pre-existence.
I wish I had paid attention a little more.
"But Toji this is our only chance! We can't just stay here tucked away in this shelter while someone risks their lives for us! We have to see it!", Kensuke cried.
"No, Kensuke you want us to get killed or something. There is a reason why shelters were created", the jock yelled back too embarrassed to say that he was too sore to really make the trek to the battle grounds.
"Oh I see. You are hurt pretty bad huh?" Kensuke tried another tactic.
"What do ya mean? I'm not hurt just don't want to get killed", the jock seethed while trying not to wince as his bruises stretched as he moved.
"Well the new kid, decked you pretty good. He was a pretty good fighter too. I guess it would be too much to ask you to walk way up there with your injuries?" the speckled boy continued while playing with his camcorder.
Toji continued to grind his teeth as his ego was attacked.
"And then to watch that kid who beat you up continue to show his prowess with beating up the enemy. (Whistle) Toji, as your best friend I understand. You should just lie- Ah!" before Kensuke could finish his sentence Toji grabbed his color and yanked him up.
In a strained but hushed whisper he said "I am perfectly fine and I will show you", he crossed his arms in finality and Kensuke couldn't help the large grin on his face.
The two began to smoothly walk out of the shelter before a strong hand touched Kensuke's shoulder. He turned and saw Midori starring at him with mischievous eyes "I'm coming too or I'll tell".
"Okay Shinji just remember: Neutralize the AT field", Dr. Akagi spoke through. I held back a chuckle. I could barely remember what that this did. I really should have paid attention more.
"Eva launch!" Misato yelled and I was catapulted to the top. The gun holster immediately popped out of the mountain side and I grabbed it quickly. I looked up to the angel. The last one at least had a human body but I can't even describe what this one looked like. It was like snake and centipede combination. The head was like a cobra but it had arms like a bug. Nothing but a pure abomination.
"Center the target and FIRE!"the shots came out quickly and continuously. It hit the angel dead on. I didn't realize my mistake until all the smoke fully obscured my vision. I couldn't see it anymore!
"Look at all that smoke. He must have hit it. This is the battle of a lifetime", Kensuke yelled as he taped the entire event.
"That's an angel…looks gross", Toji spoke. Neither paid attention to the third party who starred with an insane grin on his face. He took great glee with looking at the battle. Like an overzealous, insane child who had finally won his prize. He looked ready to pounce. But where no one knew nor paid attention?
"Calm down Shinji, stop firing", Misato cried. Too late for that because I could barely see the sky with all the smoke. But what I could see to quickly to react were bright bands of light. They snapped the gun in half before my instincts kicked in. I felt myself pushed backwards from the light but regained by posture before falling.
"I'm sending up a spare rifle Shinji", I heard Misato yell. Two bands of light shot out as the rifle burst from the ground. One grabbed my leg and lifted me from the ground, my hand barely touching the rifle that was quickly cut in two by the light. I was lifted up and forced back down. My hands shot out and braced myself on the ground before flipped forwards. Before I landed on my feet two more tentacles whipped out at me knocking me down.
I could feel the pain like it was happening to me. Even with limited sync I could still feel every lift, trash, and cut like it was my own skin. This thing was fast and thought quickly. It seemed to be more than an alien but yet I don't think it came from outer space. I was immediately thought back to the carnival corpse. The opponents were also quick and fast. And just like this it could end in life or death. Except this time I could not use my own body but instead this creature. This clunky being who I could barely work at times.
My head hit the solid concrete and I swore my real head had a bruise. I felt slightly dazed. I looked up to see building snapped like a child lego set. I popped myself back up trying to find a weak spot but was quickly whipped onto my back.
I then remember something from the prison. Another deadmen who used her blood like tentacles. She was hard because I could not fight her from a distance but once I got close enough I could land one on her. I have to somehow get close enough to this angel. The tentacles come out on the sides thus it's center must be slightly exposed.
I smirked. Just like the battle with the other girl I knew this was going to hurt also. But I wasn't going to be defeated. I wasn't going to die no matter who wanted me too. I can control that much of my life.
"Umbilical cord severed! Shinji you have 4 minutes and 30 seconds to defeat the angel", I almost smirked as I flipped backwards onto my wobbly feet. 'Of course', I thought mentally. The nice thing about the carnival corpse was not worries about actual time but I guess counting how many minutes until you lost blood could be something.
A tentacle came and I dodged it but it knew my course of action as the second tentacle grabbed my neck. I immediately began to feel the constriction and my hands rushed to free my neck. I began to urgently wish the Eva could channel my blood somehow so I could get out of this mess. My feet immediately left the ground and I was flung into the air once again.
This time I landed into a mountain side. Again I was dazed and I almost blacked out. I quickly lifted myself up despite my protest. In my line of vision I saw something that broke my concentration. They looked like those two boys from school. Actually no wait there were three: Toji, Kensuke and Midori!
My hand barely missed them. Two were cowering like normal humans but one remained focus, almost directly looking into my eyes though this Eva, inhuman. I had long been blocking out the voices from the command center until one was frantic. I immediately saw a shadow loom over me as I regained my concentration in the battle. The monster swam over me like a snake through the grass. I knew I really had to do something now. I didn't really like the three boys but I didn't want their deaths on my head either.
The two tentacles shot out and, knowing I couldn't run, I grabbed them. My hand felt like it was being corroded by hot acid as the light burned into the Eva's armor.
I couldn't stand up to fight back. Actually I couldn't do anything at all without fear of squashing those three. I heard yelling from the command center but again I tried to block them out. My hand was burning and of course my head was about to split in two from the Eva trying to gain a better sync to fight the Angel. So I decided to remove the guys myself.
The plug vertically rolled from the Eva and I quickly yelled for the three to get in. They scrambled in as fast as they could complain o f the LCL.
And now I could finally continue
I heard something about unauthorized personal in the entry plug but at the moment I still couldn't care.
I heard so much talking in the background. "SHUT UP! I'm trying to concentrate", I heard some angry grumblings but for the most part it became quiet.
"Idiot! You are supposed to ask me for orders. You had any number of options", I heard Misato yell on the other line. I didn't care about asking I had to get this thing off me. Who cares as long as this thing is dead!
I kicked the angel into a pile of already broken buildings and catapulted back. I affirmed my previous suspicion: its center is a weak point. I just have to aim for the red ball.
"Fall back! Use retrieval route 34- Fall back to the eastern side of the mountain", a cacophony of voices were arising. I heard two distinct voices in the back along with Misato's order to retreat.
The problem is that I never had the option to retreat. I never had any options. I had to follow someone's orders or I was hurt. I resent authority…or better yet I resent adults and their authority. They feel entitled and protected. They can push around those who are smaller just like the prison guards, scientist and warden at Wonderland.
Unfortunately for Misato and everyone else in this group I don't really follow orders well anymore.
And besides who exactly was going to kill this thing or hold it off while I recuperate, Rei? She barely had one eye and arm. Who knows what her innards look like? No, I cannot start retreating now. I have to kill it now.
The knife arose from my shoulder plate, I took it and I ran. I needed to kill that thing. It was right there. Weakened and hopefully afraid. I wished it had a face so I could see its fear. Instead I replaced it's white mask with that of the scientist I frequently killed in Wonderland. I was exhilarating and unlike the schoolyard brawl I felt no guilt.
I lunged onto it and plunged the knife into its core. It was harder than I suspected but no matter. I bet if it had a voice it would screaming but of course I filled it in with my past victims or it could have been the boys screaming in the background.
I felt something burning in my stomach. I looked down and in its last effort for life two tentacles were thrust through my Eva. I couldn't blame it for at least trying but I would not die. I would not allow it to overpower me like so many had done before.
I pressed the knife harder. Sparks flew from the core in replace of blood but of course I filled in the blood from my past victims. It continued its onslaught on my stomach while I continued to plunge deeper. At the end of the day I had the upper hand. It had missed my core and aimed for my stomach, a bad move just proving that my previous calculation of its weakness for correct. I couldn't even aim right if I am close enough just like that girl in the Carnival Corpse.
Eventually the bright red core dimmed and the angel stopped moving. It was finally dead and its light disappeared from my stomach. I breathed and my blood continued to pump. The feeling of victory over my aggressors, my wannabe executioners were present. I felt the pressure leave my skull and I knew that my own Eva was dead too. I oddly remembered that I was on a countdown. I probably only had a few more seconds until I was forced to shut down. All this technology and they could only get this creature to work for a few minutes without power.
"Ikari, are you alright", I heard a sympathetic voice. It was Toji's. 'Are you alright' that phrase brought too many flashbacks of the few people who truly cared for me in Wonderland. I sometimes felt like the death of the doctors and scientists was my own way of protecting them too. I rested my head in my hands. So much…to think about…so much in my past and I couldn't even remember everything.
I heard a sharp punch and a yelp from two people. I quickly jerked around before a hand pressed into my left shoulder right at the joint. I yelped in pain and my hand grasped the grip. I then felt pressure on my middle. I opened my eyes to look into violet ones. Violet eyes set above a sadistic smirk.
Midori had one had on my shoulder, the one that has always felt funny. He straddled my waist in the cockpit. His chest was almost touching mine as I grimaced from the pain in my arm. I bucked up and his other hand shot to my right leg at the middle thigh.
I began to pant. I couldn't concentrate strongly enough to figure out what to do. The pain…the pain was too great. It was like each nerve was screaming in agony. Not allowing me to feel any relief.
"What- What are you doing?" he gave an innocent look before it turned malicious. "I was worried", he began "I thought you would revert back to the personality that would have been born from your stay with that spineless teacher", he chuckled "But I was proven wrong. Your memory is still present isn't it? It fumbles along with the dummy memories about if you had fully stayed with your teacher but your true personality, your true memories are present".
"This will make Father very happy". That name rang a strong bell. The memory was almost present but ran away into darkness when I tried to grasp it.
I cringed through his iron fingers gripping into my flesh and vainly grabbed at his wrists to ease up the pain. "So this is the real you. Gee, you're a tad bit on the ugly side!"I goaded through clenched teeth. This stupid suit fit me like a glove and for some reason it had strong material. His fingers did not rip through the suit even though I found feel every edge of his fingernails.
His face contorted into rage as his pupils turned into slits. His face lolled back and I lowered my head slightly as his head careened forward. My move saved me from a nasty broken nose or broken teeth as his forehead collided with mine. I almost saw stars from his attack. He was strong but his anger sensitive.
"Don't call me ugly you disgusting, obnoxious alien!" he yelled into my face "You are so lucky you are a necessary sacrifice for Father or I swear I would have ripped out your tongue with my teeth". His curly black hair began to change to sharp spikes and his face became more angular.
I was worried he would bite his snarling mug was so close. I slightly bit my tongue from the attack but the blood only dissolved in the LCL. My blood bending was useless in solvent. His anger was based on vanity and he has a large ego. I was surprised that it would be this easy to get information out of him Alien, Father and sacrifice. Those words I could only slightly recognize Father but alien and sacrifice were new to me. And his face…at one point in my past I was scared of that face but I can't remember why or how.
I began to hear soft clanks in the background and rapid talking coming from outside the Eva. A voice from a blow horn could be heard below. Nerv personnel were coming. I had to make this quick.
"What do you mean by alien and Father? As you have recently pointed out I don't remember anything", he also began to hear the same from outside and he calmed as his hair and face turned back to normal "How funny you should ask? I'm inviting you over to my house. Come if you want to remember everything", the people outside who very close and I'm sure I could hear machinery "And if you don't come I'll just drag you myself", he ended his growl.
He immediately jumped off of me and landed next to the knocked out boys. His eyes were circular orbs of light in the darkness of the Eva. Eerie, mysterious and ultimately dangerous. The memories were at the cusp of my brain, on the tip of my tongue and it was pure torture that they were not brought forward.
I sat in the cold locker room awaiting debriefing from Misato. Toji and Kensuke were still knocked out as Nerv dragged them out. I was curious on what Nerv was going to do with them. They were brought into the plug without orders and, as far as I knew, they were not necessarily important. I can easily see my father killing them without any remorse for knowing too much.
I heard the clacking of heels. I did not look up but I heard her voice. "Why did you disobey my orders Shinji", I looked up at her with hard eyes. I though the question was completely stupid. I couldn't just let those two die and the angel would have killed more people and cause more damage if I retreated.
"I couldn't just let them die on the mountain. I'm supposed to protect people in that thing aren't I?" I answered her. My worry about Toji and Kensuke increased. Though I beat the snot out of the jock I can't help but remember that the anger I had at that moment was for people who actually deserved it. Toji is a stupid kid not a guard from the prison.
She closed her eyes and inhaled "I can overlook you allowing those two into the plug but what do you think would have happened if you had not been able to defeat the angel?!"
"Well I did defeat the angel? The angel was already up before I could retreat so I highly doubt I would have had time to get back into Nerv before it started attacking again anyway. I had to kill the angel there and then. No other time would have been appropriate". I countered.
Whatever I said hit a small Nerv "Over-confidence does not cut it, Shinji! I am your Operations Supervisor and you have an obligation to follow my orders. Understand?!"
"It wasn't over-confidence Captain Katsuragi. I knew I wouldn't have enough time to retreat before the angel used those whips. And despite me being a "spare" as my father so lovingly put it I still want to try to help people. And on that note what do I care what you are anyways!" my angered continued over her stuttered retorts.
"You are a part of Nerv which means you are a part of my father's work and his will. If he sees me as a "spare" and as a mere puppet for his controlling then what are you? And if you don't care about me then why should I care about you or your position?!" I was venting and I knew it.
The deep seated anger for my father was never going to go away and I did not trust these people at Nerv. My extreme distrust for his vibrated throughout all of his commandeers and work. The fact that he is even doing a job that is suppose to actually save people is strange to me especially since he does not even want to lift a finger to help his own son.
"I'm only a pilot. A subordinate to you", I finished heaving. Her hand wipped out. I saw it at the corner of my eye and my reflexes took action. I slid down the bench before her hand could hit my cheek. Too many times had a fist been the thing zooming towards my face than a female palm. She seemed angry that she couldn't hit me and probably thought the move was cheeky but I wasn't going to be punished for no reason.
"How dare you? Just what do you think your duty is?"
"My duty in that Eva is to protect the people I care about. My personal duty is to survive and kill whoever judges that I should die thus it goes along with fighting the Eva"
"And my duty to you or to Nerv is nothing. I am in the Eva out of my own personal reasons. I don't need your sense of duty. It is obviously warped if you disagree with protecting people. And do not try to hit me again?!" I ended angrily. I did not take kindly to perfect strangers trying to hit me especially adults. Trying to force their own warped thoughts and authority over others who they think can be manipulated. Just like those in the prison. Taking a person's own body parts without anesthetics to fulfill their own sick fantasies and they could do it because no one was strong enough to stop them.
She gasped. Her eyes were a mixture of confusion, hopelessness and a little fear.
She turned sharply and sighed while pinching the bridge of her nose. "I believe that protecting people is the right thing to do but I…", she paused and seemed to be deep in thought "Just go home okay. Get some rest".
"What's going to happen to Toji and Kensuke?" I could not leave until I asked that question even if there was a chance of her lying to relax me. "Nothing. Their parents work with Nerv and they have probably already been released back home". She walked out of the locker room and I was left to my thoughts.
I had so much bottled up inside of me. So many thoughts and emotions. I really felt the need to talk to someone…anyone. I remember being locked in solitary confinement in my prison cell. I would be there for days without any physical contact. I was so lonely and I just wanted to talk to someone. My hatred and anger just grew more and more for not just the prison authority but for others as well. It was really focused on adults. My dad left me to die, my teacher obviously let me be taken, the prison authority looked upon me like an experiment and here I am at Nerv…where everyone sees me as the "spare".
The anger bubbles inside of me like a swarm of wasps…or are the wasps actually the ones who use to talk to me. They have stopped talking and only leave me with quiet murmurs. I'm doing what they want and they are now satiated. I sometimes wish they would talk. I felt a sense of comfort with learning about their names and what they used to do before second impact.
My other self. The reflection in the mirror. The sadistic personality born from prison isolation is around but doesn't talk. But the creepy thing is that it is not a spirit like the others…no…that is a part of me. A separate part of me that was created from my own limited power and hopelessness. Every time I use my blood powers or think about them. I feel the other side of me. In the past, it seemed so distinct but could it have been my own mind trying to rejoin two personalities?
Then a thought just hit me. I had to leave immediately. Midori, the inhuman thing, that freaking straddled me in the cockpit was around here somewhere. He knew the answers. He was obviously dangerous and was on par with seeing me as a "thing" as much as Nerv but he knew my past life. And he could help me regain my memories…but at what cost. What would he do to me?
I walked out of Nerv my gait slowed. Should I tell Leon? He at least knew half of my memories and I haven't talked with him enough to get the rest.
"Or I'll drag you there myself"
The comment made me think. If the creature was really that dangerous then I shouldn't drag Leon into the mess. I don't want him to get hurt or worse. It is my problem anyway.
I walk towards Midori's house. I pushed my fears and overwhelming urge to run away.
The echo from the knock seemed emptier than normal. The door immediately opened with a smiling Midori "Oh, come on in Shinji!" he said in a naïve, optimistic high school boy voice. I stared at him incredulously and immediately turned the side as I entered and made more space between us. I didn't want to turn my back on him. As soon as he closed the door he returned to his natural form. His hair turned into thick black spikes secured by a band on his fore head. His eyes turned malicious and his pupils turned into slits. His smile turned into a dark grin. His clothes were very strange. The top was like a black cut of tank while the pants was like a skort; a combination of a skirt and short. He wore strange fingerless gloves and toeless socks. When he spoke his voice was quite androgynous and the thing that stuck out most was his tattoo. It was like a snake eating its tale. A strong fear arose from the tattoo that I desperately tried to quell.
"I knew you'd come. Humans are very predictable"
"Well it didn't sound like I had too much of an option considering you were going to drag me here anyway", he shrugged muscular shoulders connected to muscular arms.
"If you'll just follow me", he began walking towards a back door past the kitchen.
"Follow you? Follow you wear?"
"Into the basement", he stated with slight agitation. I stalled for a moment. Nothing good ever came form going into a basement and with him. In the darkness of this house. But he knew? He knew everything. He seems to have known me for a while. I can't help but think that maybe I should have told Leon where I was going.
I took a step forwarded and he immediately turned and opened the door. He let out his hand in a "you first please" gesture. "No you first", I countered. He shrugged again and turned. I followed him. When I hit the door I saw an eerie red light down the stairs.
I was extremely uncomfortable. This light was important. Red and the fact that it was glowing was important. The memories were almost tangible. They pressed against my brain in an effort to break free but there was like a physical barrier against them. I was curious but anxious. I had the feeling that the red light was never connected to anything good.
We walked further and I halted when someone spoke "Oh good. I was worried that I would have to waste another night waiting for you", Midori did not answer so I guess he was talking to me. I could not see him yet. Again the voice wanted to be familiar but my brain would not permit the memory. When the basement fully came into view I froze.
There in the center was a circle. A large circle and within its shape were geometric shapes. Swirls of shapes connected with words that I could not understand. It swam glowing under a sea of red water. A memory that I wanted to be brought to light hung behind the barrier in my mind. I knew this had something to do with alchemy or maybe this was alchemy! But the exact shape and the color gave me great fear.
I looked over and saw a man over to the other side of the room. He looked like a doctor with a long overcoat and glasses. The light reflected off of his glasses so I couldn't see his eyes. He gave me a smile and I saw one gold tooth shining in his mouth.
I was so transfixed that I didn't have to time to react to a large leg coming towards my side.
Midori kicked me through the wooden railing and I landed with a solid thud into the water. I know my arm had to be fractured and some of my ribs were bruised with that kick. I inhaled quickly with a sharp pain and lurched myself forward with a groan. This guy was definitely a freakin' jerk. The water was not deep enough to cause any problems but my clothes were soaked through with the red liquid. I sniffed. It smelled just like blood. My hand landed on something hard and sharp. I quickly looked down and saw a small red stone. I gasped. I had the emotions of surprise and amazement over something that I could not remember. The emotion was supposed to be tied to a memory and my mind naturally reacted even though I could not physically remember it.
"Still not remembering anything? Good" I heard Midori speak as he walked down the stairs. The man walked over to another point in the room still with a creepy smile on his face. "I haven't really used this type of alchemy before nor this type of combination", my head jolted to his direction. I was correct this was alchemy. "This alchemy is mainly from the East and the Oceana while I have much more experience in the west. I don't know how well this will work", Midori shrugged "Do your best doctor? We know he is a good medium".
"What do you mean? What are you doing?" looked around. Other than where Midori and the guy was standing there was no other ledge for me to jump to and besides I had run out of time to think of ideas.
"We are doing two things: We are helping you remember and we are solving a problem", the inhumane voice of the androgynous teenager said. And the doctor placed his hands upon the outside ring of the circle. A light glowed and I cemented to the ground above the center of the circle.
I began to look around and saw black tendrils rise from the ground. It encircled the water. Small red dots appeared from the water and they were taken by the black tendrils in what looked like small orbs. And this is the time when they decided to come back:
"It's happening. We will be a part of a living being instead of this stone inside of a stomach".
"We can finally become one."
I didn't know what they were talking about but after a few seconds I really did not care. My entire body began to feel strange as I watched the strange black tendrils hold orbs of red dots. I looked at my arms and legs. I began to panic.
They were slowly disintegrating into nothing. "What is this?" I screamed and no one answered. I began to worry if I had be tricked all and I was going to die here. My fear was almost confirmed as my first memory of my distorted past came into view.
In my memory, my arm and leg were disintegrating and I was shocked into a white void with a white being and a grey floating door.
That was the last memory I had before I sunk into another void of white.
"We can only wait", a authoritative voice spoke over the cell phone.
"Wait…what if they do something to him", Leon answered while rubbing the side of his face. Shinji hadn't returned from school and it was getting late.
"They are not going to do anything to him. They need him healthy and alive to fight off the angels. But they will surely continue with their disrupted plan for him"
"But what of the Undertakers? You know they are crooked. They wanted him and all the rest of us dead. They are surely going to try to kill him now-"
"But after the transformation they will not be able to kill the child. We don't know how a humanized stone will work with the blood of Lillum in terms of treating wounds but the child will certainly not die. That is the whole reason for the Seele's kidnapping him in the first place. And remember that the Undertakers, though deceitful, are not in the position to outwardly attack without being completely annihilated by Seele; they wouldn't take that risk"
"But what about last time?...he is not immortal. He can still die if attacked enough", Leon grabbed for straws.
"Yes that is true but again, he will have more protection; Seele has already provided documents for me to guard the boy and quietly provide an authority inside Nerv. The Undertakers are not skilled in dealing with alchemist thus they will not be able to go near the boy without suspicion. Last time they were close. They were able to catch the boy under the guise that they were following orders but all things will fall into place soon. The angel attacks have already begun".
"True. It is amazing how the division has been able to be hidden for so long without any suspicion from the higher ups"
"Boastfulness and Pride will make anything blind…I will have to be the one to explain this interaction with Nerv and one of the soldiers from my group will pick him up. You will continue being a police officer and keep your head. We do not want you being discovered"
"Of course"
There was confirmation from the other line and the phone went dead. Leon made sure the line had securely ended since it was purposefully scrambled. He would have to throw the phone away tomorrow and use one of the other multiples. Leon stood against the wall of his apartment with the phone in his hand. The moon casted an eerie glow along his face as the phone slipped from his hand.
Again he couldn't protect the child. This was the second time that he was not able to protect or help. He could only wait until the boy was returned to the apartment.
He heard knocks from next door. He already knew who it was as he opened his own door.
The purple haired captain stood down the hall with a mixture of worry and anger. "Come on Shinji open up", she spoke in a whispered tone that the boy wouldn't have heard even if he was home.
"He had not come home", Leon spoke and startled the Captain. She looked at him almost incredulously and then heaved a sigh "Fine. I'll come back in the morning".
The night was long and sleep was restless. Leon and the others from the secret group unknown to Seele had successfully thwarted the last attempt to continue the plan with the child but now things are different.
"Shinji…that's a boring name anyway", Leon spoke outloud as he lay in bed. The boy had lost his birth name and was replaced with a number while in prison. He was no longer called Shinji and his last name Ikari only provided with more scourge from those few who knew of the real background behind second impact. When he was released he was given a new name and later on an entirely new identity.
Those few who knew and wanted him in as much pain as humanely possible were called Undertakers. They were the guards to fight against an uprising by the Deadmen. They were made up of society's worse offenders and were deemed unable to be rehabilitated into society. There true motives are hidden under their insanity and their power keeps them employed by Seele. For some reason they banded together to hate all Deadmen and those involved in second impact. They had a leader but even I didn't know who it was.
But now…now the boy is Shinji Ikari, he pilots for Nerv and thus is under the thumb of Seele. He is in a position of power but his true protectors are in a position of weakness. Leon cannot help in during times such as these but he can simply hope things come out well in the end.
Misato returned about 50 minutes before school began and knocked again. She was beginning to feel the tinges of guilt from the confrontation. She regretted trying to hit him and her ability to keep her emotions in check. The door did not open.
A door opened down the hall and out stepped Leon in his crisp policeman uniform. He walked towards her with a solemn face and spoke monotonely "He has not returned", Misato shook her head "He ran away…coward". Leon stopped in mid stride and kept walking with newly clenched fist.
Misato hugged herself. She had lost her ward without any knowledge of where he might go. She had to report this to Ritsuko.
"What?! Shinji's been missing since yesterday?!" Ritsuko shrieked as she quickly turned in her swivel chair to face Misato.
"I wanted to give him some space and I thought he'd go straight home after the battle to get some rest but I never dreamed he'd run away"
"And you call yourself his overseer?"
"Don't talk like that…", Misato couldn't help the hurt in her voice. She had hoped that maybe she could be more of a parental figure to Shinji since, according to his files; he hasn't really had a parent. But every day she questions her resolve. The boy was so distant, angry and distrustful. She didn't know how to get through to him especially since he had such an abrasive attitude against anyone in authority. She also couldn't help the guilt. "If I had been a little more understanding with him", she thought quietly
"We don't have much choice, we have to report this."
"Wait! He still might…" Misato tried to counter and her little hope for a strange family teetered into impossibility.
"If something happens, it'll be too late. Or are you saying that you'll look for him yourself?" Ritsuko countered.
"How? I have no idea…where he would go", though Section 2 provided reports about Shinji's whereabouts she did not really know about his social life. He rarely hung out with people and the few he did hang out with were not reported due to low chance of danger. There was one kid who was around him a lot but he was deemed a normal student with little outside interaction with the third child and thus not a suspect.
Memories rushed forward. They overlapped with others and some stood out in an effort to re-flood my brain with necessary information.
"Do you envy my life? Well lucky you because you are important to Father and thus will be healed", I heard the androgynous and cynical voice reply as I was hoisted over his shoulder. My gunshot wound was specifically aching after that. My blood bending, though casted as a sin or abomination, coagulated around the wound preventing the normal oozing of blood that should be expected. I couldn't keep conscious-
-conscious, a doctor with a gold tooth and square glasses was leaning over me with a red stone. In a flash of bright light I could immediately breathe better and as I touched my stomach my wound had mysteriously vanished-
-Vanished as I stood in the cold cell. No one was around and I could hear no human voices like they had all disappeared. I knew nothing of the outside. But I heard growls and snarls…inhuman monsters…they were more restless than usual and then that's when I heard a large explosion-
-explosion from my hand! I had finally used my first ever made transmutation circle! All these years and I can finally fight! But now-
-but now I have found you and that is all that matters", Leon spoke. It was dark outside and the riots around the prison could be heard in the background. We walked towards the darkened allies to blend in with the decrepit surroundings of the city lost to second impact-
-impact of the loss that I had tried so hard to extinguish swelled like a volcanic eruption. If I just had her back, then my dad might come back. If I just had her back then everything would be better. Besides I have always been told that I killed her so maybe I exchange something in replace for her. I am healthy and have two arms, two legs and can bend blood. I can bring her back! I can fight for her.
I hurried to make the circle with tear blurred eyes before Leon could find me and make me stop. Besides I didn't know what would happen to him if he were to come in during the transmutation. I had everything stolen from the chemist shops that had long been abandoned during the wars of the country. I provided a drop of blood and placed my hands on the full circle to begin. For a minute my mind was full of hope that I would finally get to see her again. It was like I had survived all the time in the prison just for the moment to say sorry to her.
But then the room turned dark and things began to break. I felt something funny happening to my leg and arm I looked-
-looked at a large grey floating door that held something that looked like a tree. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was suppose to see-
-seeing the knowledge requires a payment", the white humanoid spoke" Surely you didn't think you could get away-
-away as I crawled towards the book from my satchel. The chimera was busy fighting with some guy with swords. Damn Undertakers! I flipped open the page to the stone and did the first thing that came to mind. I swallowed it whole and ignored the cry behind-
-behind the cloth I couldn't see anything. I could see a bright light, I was in a calm state until I felt something burn on my arm and leg. I lurched forward-
-Lurched forward back into reality. The memories came but I was not in a memory. The ceiling was completely different from the Nerv hospital and from my own apartment. My head was killing me. With each influx of memories my brain filtered through the important and unimportant causing a thumb of pain. I had a cold sweat and the sheets stuck to my wet skin. I automatically knew that I didn't have any shirts of pants. I could feel underwear this time though. At least they were better than Nerv in that aspect. The memories from the night before came flooding back along with other memories. It was almost too much.
I pushed myself up but immediately fell to the side of the bed onto…a stump. I looked down and my left arm was replaced with a stump. Of course now I could remember as clear as day that my left arm has been missing for quite some time. I felt the expected stump on my leg.
I grimaced at the memory. I had tried to catch the sun and was burned. There is no price to one life and thus it cannot be exchanged.
I touched my stump gingerly. My fingers touched cold metal. Memories flooded from the ones who first remodeled my arm into something useful…another chance to fight. But of course the people are not here in its place are these creatures. Midori, my captor, was also called Envy. He is…not human and for the most part immortal. I have yet to fully understand what he is but his tattoo means something. I was close to figuring that out before I lost my memories.
I cringed. I wasn't ready to remember those last memories yet despite my brain's filtering.
The door opened and…speak of the devil. The creature came in with his normal form. "Hello sleeping beauty", it greeted sarcastically "you must eat", and with that he sat down a plate of eggs, toast and bacon with a glass of orange juice. I looked at it then back at him. Surely he did not expect me to eat that after what he has just done and I didn't even know where he got the food from. He looked at me and with an exaggerated groan "If you were truly unnecessary I would have killed you way before now". He stood there with his arms crossed. I guess he had to make sure I ate or something. My stomach growled so I gave up this fight and ate.
"You will be getting picked up soon so eat quickly"
In mid chew I remember something. Everything was silent. I don't know what they did last night and the last I remember of the voices is that they wanted whatever last night was to happen "I can't hear them", whispered accidently. As if reading my mind he spoke and brought me out of my thoughts "Lillum for some reason find great comfort when they are together and within their primordial soup. But for humans or at least what I was made after, the Progenitors, they despise being one actually their whole existence is based on the fact that they were never suppose to be one. So with each conjoining of the Progenitors they wail and moan. To a somewhat extent so do the Lillum when in stone form but…when added to the soup that created them they are compliant". I could barely remember the whole Progentior vs. Lillum story but I couldn't completely worry about them now. Something else was bothering me now.
"What did you do to me last night?" I finally asked.
Toji Suzuhara sat upon the window seal of the school window looking out over the horizon. He could not remember what happened in the last moments inside of the Eva nor could Kensuke. The latter though was less worried. Toji and Kensuke awoke in the infirmary in the Nerv facility and were quickly escorted to their respected parents who provided a strong tongue lashing along with proper punishment for their involvement. For some reason Midori was not taken with them. Toji didn't think much of the boy though. Even Kensuke didn't have information on him. But Toji still wondered about Shinji Ikari. "Did he get into trouble?" he thought and "Was he alright after the battle", he kept rethinking the same questions. The pilot did save his life and all.
"I wonder… how d'ya think he's doin'?" the boy said out loud.
"Who?" replied Kensuke.
"Who ya think? The new kid. He ain't been ta school since da fight. I was just wonderin' where he is"
"What, are you worried about him?"
"Who said I'm worried about 'im?! I was just wonderin' where he is dat's all"
An armored car was taken to the central of Nerv headquarters where the giant pyramid stood. Gendo Ikari sat at a conference table inside of his office waiting for the emergency conference. Fuyutsuki stood beside him with a back ramrod straight. He has simply received information that he needed to attend an important meeting with a division a part of Seele. They were called the Calvary. He has never heard of them before. Gendo thought the name sounded quite presumptuous but it was not his place to voice such an opinion.
He felt uneasy about the conference despite his cool demeanor. Seele has never sent anyone to talk with his personally. Even in the earlier days it was always phone calls or faceless video conferences. Never did he personally see anyone from Seele. But here is this division coming. He didn't know if it was an act of bravado from Seele to remind him who was boss or something more sinister. His spineless son decided to run away again and Section 2 could not find him. He wondered if Seele had sent a spy to snoop through certain files but he could not understand the reason. And on top of that Shinji's teacher has mysteriously disappeared. His files and social security number had been erased from history…like he never existed.
Yes this was all very strange.
A Nerv employee opened the door with a slight bow and allowed the Calvary members to come through.
The first was an extremely tall man with a small tuff of light blond hair in the front of his forehead. He had a thick light blond mustache. His eyebrows were heavy. He was very well built. He stood to the side in proper military stance. The uniform he wore was completely different from normal Nerv or Seele uniform. The top was black, single breasted with about 9 buttons. The seam of the jacket could not be seen and was covered by the right side of the jacket. The color was similar to the Japanese school uniforms. The pants were black slacks that ended in well shined black shoes. . All of the details, buttons and such were made with silver. He was a Major.
The next man was shorter but not by much. He had thick black hair and a deep black mustache. Some tendrils of hair left and floating freely indicating that maybe his hair was slicked back in some parts. He came in with a pleasant smile and looked to be quite older than the Major. His face though friendly appeared like it could harden considerably. The sharp edges of his nose and the structure of his eyes indicated a sense of ruthlessness. He had a strong air of authority and exuded that he was not a force to be reckon with despite his friendly demeanor. His stars stated that he was the Commander.
"Commander Gendo Ikari", stated with a low bow "Please do not be alarmed by this personal visit. We tried to dress casually to not cause agitation", he chuckled slightly. Gendo lowered his hands. The men could easily read his facial expressions that he had schooled so well to be poker faces.
"Of course", Gendo stood and equally bowed "This visit is a surprise but I am not alarmed. Please sit Mr…"
"Oh, my manners, I'm so sorry. My name is Commander James Bradley. I command the Calvary division under Seele"
"Ah yes, I'm sorry I have never really heard of the division"
"It has never really been fully made public", the dark haired man chuckled while taking a seat. The Major stood to the back of the room in silence.
"Well, how may I help you Commander Bradley"
"Commander Ikari, we present with some important and necessary information we need to tell you about your son".
Well that is the end of this chapter. I will try to update sooner and I hope you like this chapter. It is the beginning of the explanation for the major plot. There are many clues and introductions. I liked that about FMA though. I didn't really know who the bad guy was or what the plot really was about until roughly the middle to end of the story. I had to keep guessing and that is what I hope to do with this story without completely confusing you guys of course. Please review :D