Well as shown I'm not dead just have been really busy. I have finally graduated from college and am working in brain cancer research! So updating will be slow but I do hope to update a little quicker than last time lol.

I closed my mouth as quickly as it dropped. I hopped off the bed and tried to keep a straight face. As I reached the two mysterious men who previously saved me a few years ago I lowered my head to hide my eyes. I heard the eyes are the door way to one's soul and I did not want Envy to get suspicious since I knew my eyes were going to show a film of many emotions. We walked out of the empty house and into the car. I just kept my face down. As we entered the car Howitzer drove while I stayed in the backseat with Bradley. They were quiet which signaled that something was not normal. The car was most likely bugged. But I had to say something.

"I really hate the color white. It is a confusing color. While I understand that it is usually a sign associated with surrender I think it is more align with evil and even traitorous. A person in white is never a person to be trusted. Black is a good color though".

Bradley turned with a relatively pleasant smile "I've always thought grey was more confusing. Since white is normally a sign of good while black is a sign of evil then grey normally is ambiguous. The color contains both spectrums. But if you see white as a sign of evil then I guess I'll just wear more grey and black".

I nodded. So he states he is a friend but he pointedly states ambiguity…of course this guy is just as secretive as he was back then. I still do not know what he wanted with me all those years ago or why he gave me to my adoptive father. I just know he is taking me back to Nerv…a place I hated. Could he possibly mean that sometimes I might not know if he is friend or foe?

Bradley pov

Obviously the boy doesn't trust me or Howitzer but that is to be expected. But he is at least pretty smart to know that the car is tapped. I am slightly worried about his father's reaction to his son's new augmentation. His hair and eyes are the same color but they will slowly change as whatever barriers were placed wares off. Of course we can provide proof that this child is his and Yui's son but this change is completely unexpected and unanticipated. Of course, for a father who cares little about his son in the first place I suppose he wouldn't care if the boy sitting next to me was his son or not.

"A prison", Fuyutsuki began. "On what charges and how did he get there"?

Gendo quickly flipped through the documents. He could not provide a rationale for why Seele had provided so much information unless…unless they were silently explaining that there was nothing he could do about the situation.

With that realization Gendo closed the documents and handed them to Fuyutsuki.

Fuyutski paced with the documents in the dark red room. "So they charged him with the murder of your wife…hmmm…the laws after the second impact were much harsher so I suppose that could happen…" he flipped through the pages marred with black ink.

"It doesn't matter", Gendo stated with his hand tightly steepled.

"What do you mean it doesn't matter Ikari", Fuyutskuki stated with an exasperated sigh "They, whoever they were, obviously had an ulterior motive with your son especially since they had an actual doppelganger. Ikari, they must have intensively spied on your life and this could mean spies in Nerv! This needs a little more-"

"Fuyutskuki! You are being irrational. As long as he can pilot then our plans still have a chance", Gendo stated coldly.

"But if Seele will be so involved with your son then how do you know this plan will even even work anymore Ikari not to mention the psychological impact this had on the third child", Futustuki stated again rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"There is still a question of if the prison was even a part of the Seele at all. And, you need to have a little more faith Fuyutskuki, as long as he can pilot the plan will work. The doppelganger…the doppelganger is vexing but we will deal with this if the situation presents itself again", Ikari stated with finality.

"I hope you are right Ikari", Fuyutskuki stated with a tired sigh. He closed the files and put them away.

"What do we do with Katsuragi", Fuyutsuki stated after some time.

"Yes…call her in", Gendo ended.

At the end of the day the elder Ikari can only do so much. He is under the control of Seele, as far as they are concerned, so his input is irrelevant.

Of course we are walking a very fine line. We must get closer to the boy but we cannot make anyone suspicious.

"So I have this problem", the boy began unexpectedly. "I've been playing this video game for days now and honestly it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon", I waited to see where this conversation was going.

"There are all these puzzles, I keep meeting new people that make no progress to the story and I die almost 3 minutes. It is a tough game".

"So what is the problem", the boy paused for a minute. He starred with eyes that darted between sadness and determination.

"Well it is more of a realization actually. For a moment I thought well there really isn't anyone I'm fighting for or with. I could put the game down and someone else could finish it like so many others who played the game…but then I wouldn't know the ending. I wouldn't know how my character would end and for the few characters that matter they would pretty much be dead".

"Yes, they would essentially be dead since you would never finish the game. But like you stated others would take up the title without you ever knowing it mind you", I began to understand what the boy meant. Honestly, whether or not he continued at Nerv he would always be under our watch since he is important to Seele. But this isn't the first time he has had no one to fight for so I doubt his resolve to stay away.

"But I have a responsibility don't I?" he finished with a fairly rueful smile. "I must finish the game especially since I'm at the end and when I'm done I suppose that is when I could have peace".

"Yes, you do have a responsibility, Shinji Ikari". I watched him lay his forehead against the window and close his eyes. The rest of the ride was in silence.

"Finally, I'm afraid that even with all my training I can't help stiff legs", Bradley stated. I didn't believe him one bit-the man was a tank. The much larger Howitzer left the car with more ease and was talking to someone on the phone.

"Commander Ikari does not wish to see the third child at the moment. He states that the child should be dropped off by Misato Katsuragi. We are to go the holding bay where she will be waiting", Howitzer ended.

We walked towards the bay where Katsuragi was waiting. She looked peeved of course. But she began to look openly shocked as her eyes began to train on my new features. With the clothes they gave me I couldn't hide my attachments. Bradley held up a hand as a greeting "You must be Major Katsuragi. Nice to meet you, I am Commander Bradley. I'm sure you have heard all about this little mishap with the pilot", he chuckled slightly. I hid my eyes under my still dark brown hair.

Misato seemed to relax slightly but still held a strained formality "Yes, I was told the third child had a previous accident in his youth and would be required to wear special prosthetics that will allow him to continue to work with the Eva". My eyebrows raised under my hair…I never really thought about it but I suppose that yeah…that demon did connect with me despite my new attachments.

"Well it is good you have been properly updated so now we can spare you the trouble, Major Katsuragi", he placed a hand on my shoulder. His hand almost burned into my shoulder and I briefly remembered the amount of physical power behind them. "I'm sure he's in good hands", he stated and with a slight encouraging push. I walked silently up to Misato.

We walked together through the checkpoints. "Are we going to see the Commander?" I asked after a while. It would make sense but I honestly would prefer never to see him again of course.

"No, we are going to check your prosthetics with the Eva", she stated fairly bluntly but kind of distant.

We walked a little further until Misato began "Shinji, I'm sorry I snapped at you before…I should have retained my composure", she ended with folding her arms.

For a second I wasn't sure what to say since I would never expect someone who was under the Commander to apologize…ever. "T-that's fine Misato", I ended with an awkward silence. I wanted to say more but I could not. The situation was simply too foreign and unexpected. I thought about pushing something else out to lighten the mood but a screeching siren blasted berated my ear drum.

"Now?!" Misato exclaimed surprised. She gave a rue smile "I guess we'll have to test those new prosthetics sooner than I thought Shinji".

"Yeah…", I trailed off and she ran to the command center and I ran towards the locker room.

Once again I'm in the stupid white plug suit with another pounding headache. It seemed like it wanted in more than ever…stupid demon. I won't ever let it in. The mindless chatter going on in the command center translates to a mild buzz.

I feel the lurch and reach the surface.

"Okay where is it", the light was blinding "Wait I don't think that is the sun!" I jumped out of the way of a beam. I cringed at it bore a hole through my right arm. The beam followed my jump and I kept running trying to get cover from small buildings. It stopped for a second.

"Shinji, get the gun!" I had completely ignored Misato's voice until now that I had time to think. The gun popped up a few yards away. I sprinted through from behind the building but before my hand barely touched the metal a beam shot right through. I thought of something quick and instead stayed still. A beam never came. It instead began moving towards the location of the geofront. So it fires with motion.

"Shinji I'm going to put up a few dummy's okay. The real gun with the third and last one to reach the surface", Misato stated. And after the end of that conference 3 guns came up mere seconds apart. Once a beam shot out towards the first I ran as fast as I could towards the last one to rise to the surface.

I grabbed it, aimed and pulled the trigger. I saw the beam hit and deflect. Literally my shot twisted around the beam of the Eva. And before I could lunge I felt a sharp piercing burn in my chest. The Eva lurched back with the force of the beam. I could barely keep balance and I fell backwards with my head hitting a building.

"Damn", I screamed. It was so intense the heat almost felt cold. "I'm going to die if I don't get out of this machine", I thought to myself as my vision blurred. The LCL was boiling and I was literally encased in an oven. I pressed the ejection button and with that the neuronal connections cut a part painfully. The pain ceased and the hatch opened towards the real sun. I felt so disoriented but the pain in my chest did not subside. It was as if that blasphemous alien had shot me directly. I starred up at the blue sky.

I didn't know what to do. If I get back into the Eva to move I get hit. Even if I got back to a place to re-enter Nerv that thing could still hit me before I go back. As I followed the black smoke coming from the hole in the Eva's armor I knew I couldn't handle another hit.

Ugh, I was so sleepy and dizzy. I didn't even know if I had the energy to get back into the monster and maneuver enough to an exit point.

I felt a strange feeling in my chest and it painfully moved towards my throat. Before I could stop it I coughed. A painful cough that decided to go on forever as it wracked my chest. I looked at my hand and it was covered in blood.

"Wait I should be able to heal or do something", a memory decided to bubble up as I remembered something about my ability to heal.

"Since you are half lillum your wounds might not heal as quickly under certain circumstances even with the stone. But you will heal quicker than other lillum… at least that is what our observations show so far", it was an empty memory with little discernment of voice or face but it was important all the same. I wasn't healing that fast, honestly it seemed like I was getting worse, and I couldn't figure out how to get the Eva back to safety.

I silently cursed. "I can't go back in…I need medical help", luckily the angle of the Eva towards the group wasn't unreasonably high. So I jumped. My metal leg hit the ground and I wobbled slightly. I couldn't find my balance so I hit the ground again on my hands and knees.

I waited as my head spun.

"Where is he?" Misato cried frantically. The angel had begun attempting to drill into the geofront.

"Eva has been down for 1 min and 23 seconds but the pilot was alive before the cutoff"

"He probably ejected himself", Ritsuko exasperatedly spoke.

"Fine, I need to order a search. Ritsuko take over for me", with that Misato ran out of the command center.

On the field-

"Almost there", I lied to myself. A few times before I tried lifting my head only to have a wave of dizziness and nausea hit me like a ton of bricks.

I heard footsteps quickly approaching my direction.

"Shinji", the voice was muffled but I could vaguely remember the owner. I felt a strong arm on my left arm as I slid over another body. I was hoisted in the air over the shoulders of someone else. "You know kid", the voice began again "Not like you know this but those creepy little half-breed powers you and I have are not really are not stagnant in their gift giving. Though you can shoot little scythes you can also use your blood to block bleeding. It is like a super coagulant. I should show you how to do that as soon as possible. Also good job not using your alchemy-your biological father doesn't need to know that yet".

My vision was still blurry as I stared at the cracked sidewalk. "He's not my father, Leon", I whispered out.

"Oh yes, I suppose I should just call him the commander", he chuckled "I'll be seeing you more often by the way…we are almost to my car and I'll get you back to Nerv" he trailed off. Blood was rushing through my ears but I heard the screeching wheels of a tire.

"Well it's her again and she brought some company", I heard Leon state.

"What are you doing with him? Don't you know this is a classified area?" I began shifting as Misato fussed at Leon. I was placed on something soft but firm and I began moving. I barely heard Leon state "Well I'm his co-guardian". I was rolled into something soft and then into something with a white ceiling and Misato popped up right next to me. It began moving so I deduced I was in an ambulance.

"You'll be fine soon Shinji", she stated and then I began to lose consciousness.

Misato pov

"We found him and coming back to headquarters. The Eva will need to be retrieved", I talked into the phone to Ritsuko.

"What?!" She screamed on the other line.

"The third child is unable to pilot at this time and the Eva would need to be maneuvered into a position to re-enter Nerv without triggered the angel. We will re-group and figure out something", I stated.

"Just get back here as soon as possible", Ritsuko ended.

I sighed and looked back at Shinji. His breathing was erratic and his injuries looked serious. The Nerv paramedic checked his pulse and respiratory rate. I remembered that creepy cop "I'm his co-guardian" and he held up a Nerv badge. I wasn't told anyone of this by the commanders. What does that mean? Will he be around Shinji all the time? Was that the reason why he was so interested in Shinji?

I haven't even had him for that long and he's already being taken away. I was saddened by that realization. But I couldn't jump to conclusions…for all I know that creepy cop could just be some sort of pedophile. I would still have to speak with this to Ritsuko at least.

We finally entered Nerv and Shinji was wheeled to the emergency room. I had to devise a second plan.

"Operation Yashima…"

"Yes sir, once the pilot has regained consciousness he will be escorted via foot back to the site of the EVA and begin piloting again. Once inside the EVA he will maneuver outside of the range of the firing range of the angel. Unit-0 will then be placed directly outside of the firing range and meet with Unit-1", I finished.

"What is the state of Unit-1?" asked Commander Ikari.

"It is damaged but functioning. It is offline but can be quickly started".

"And you are betting that Unit-1 can maneuver quick enough to get outside of the angel's firing range"

"He did before so I'm sure he can do it again and our tests show the angel does cease firing after a certain point"

"What items will be necessary to complete the mission?"

I kept myself from smiling at the insanity of my answer "The positron beam and a specific shield will be made to withstand a possible blow from the angel. Since the positron beam requires a large amount of energy the power will be diverted from Tokyo-3 to power the rifle".

"But the positron beam is still in experimental mode"

"I understand that sir but it has advanced enough to firing capability"

I watched as Gendo seemed to look passed me in thought.

"You have permission to continue Major", Gendo gave the final approval.

I walked out of the red room and gave a sigh of relief. Now I needed to prep Rei.

Xxxx Shinji POV

I woke with a dull ache in my chest. I looked up at a white ceiling. A jackhammer was going crazy on my skull.

I sat up and looked down at my body "Of course", I said quietly to myself "It really would kill them to put me in some shorts or a gown or something…

The door to my room opened immediately and I scrambled to cover myself.

I looked up and there was the creepy albino girl, Rei.

She walked in without my permission and sat down. She held a tray of food in her hand. I wasn't too hungry with all that had happened though.

"You should eat", she handed me the bland looking food. While trying to keep the sheets around my upper torso I reached for the food. I simply stared at the food waiting for the girl to say something. She could at least be a little friendly considering I partly joined this place so she could heal.

She continued without really looking at me "Here is the schedule for the operation that will begin at zero hours tomorrow. Shall I read it?"

"Knock yourself out Rei"

"Why would I do such a thing to myself?"

"It's just a phrase…please read the schedule", this girl didn't have an ounce of humor.

"At 17:30 hours Pilot Ikari will assemble at Unit-01 for retrieval and will be activated at 17.40 hours. Pilot Ikari will retrieve the Eva and run 500km west of the angel."

"So roughly about face", I mumbled.

Pilot Ikari will arrive at the temporary base on Mt. Futago. Pilot Ayanami will assemble at the cage at 16:30 hours. At 1700 hours Eva Unit-00 will be activated at 17:05 hours, Launch. Pilot Ayanami will provide defense. Pilot Ikari will provide offense.

"At 17:07 hours pilot Ayanami will retrieve the shield"

"At 17:10 hours the positron beam used for Shinji Ikari will be dispatched"

"Await further orders. Pilots will be briefed separately"

So basically I will be shooting the thing down "What happens if I miss?"

"I will protect you with the shield"

"So your purpose is to provide defense"

"Yes"

I mulled over the information. I didn't want to get back into that demon again but I knew I did have people to protect.

"Why do you pilot Rei?"

"Because I am ordered to"

"Do you do everything you are ordered to do?"

"Yes"

"What would happen if I chose not to pilot?"

"I would pilot. I could do the mission without you"

"You would provide offense and defense?"

"Yes, if Commander Ikari asked"

"What if it led to your death?"

"That is fine. I have nothing else. I think I was born just for Eva."

I was a little speechless at that statement. That statement alone provided some evidence that she had a close relationship with my father.

"Well then, I'll see you in 60 minutes", she stood abruptly and left.

I stared at the food. It looked horrible but I forced myself to eat. I vaguely heard an emergency call for something about a blackout.

I could never really see anyone getting close to my father and even dying for him. Could…could she be my replacement? As a pilot but also as my parent's child…is she the replacement?

-outside of Nerv

"All right already. We get the idea they don't have to keep asking about it"

"Yo Kensuke! You sure about da time? We're supposed ta be evacuated by now!"

"I took a peek at dad's data. This is definitely the right time."

"Kensuke!"

"I see it"

"But…that don't look like Shinji's Eva"

"I read there was a retrieval project also"

-Nerv's back entrance corridors

I was quickly briefed by Misato about the operation. Ayanami's shield could only hold up for 17 seconds. This would be a little simpler if only I didn't have to retrieve the Eva. I should never have exited the Eva but then again I could have easily died in that thing.

"Okay Shinji I have to stay in the command center but I will send you off. Just go directly to the Eva and quickly flee the scene", Misato stated with some apprehension. I nodded my head in affirmation and jumped into the vehicle.

The S2 agents drove me towards the Eva and the site was surrounded by Nerv personnel and I could see Ritsuko's badly dyed hair.

As soon as she saw me she yelled "Okay people the pilot is here. Gather your things quickly and clear the area. Shinji go up the ladder and into the cockpit quickly. Wait until we tell you to move from the command center, got it?"

"Yes, I understand Dr. Akagi"

With that I was up the ladder and into the cockpit. I gave a deep breathe... and the syncing began and my headache intensified as I had to sync with this demon. I stood still just in case. It felt like forever just sitting in the cockpit and looking at the sky.

"Shinji do you hear me?" I heard from Misato.

"Yes"

"Okay on my count to 3, I want you move and spring into action to Rei's location. Just turn an about face"

"1"

This was familiar to me. It reminded me of the first jailbreak-

"2"

-where I broke out of wonderland. Due to the undertakers we had to-

"3!"

-fight for our lives!

I spung with a forward flip and turned and ran. I immediately weaved through the buildings in a hopping fashion. The beam demolishing the structures during my path and I could feel the heat of the precise beam.

As I saw Rei in the distance I began to notice that it was not slowing down. I would have preferred not to use the shield so soon.

The km countdown until I reached the point was decreasing but the beam was not slowing down. With my last hop I skidded behind Unit-00, barely reaching before she intercepted with the shield. The blast was bright and hot especially in the rain at night.

After the beam was gone I grabbed the gun and aimed. I breathed before catching the center point. This annoying bastard needed to die!

I took the shot and of course the angel took the shot. I was certain it still hit but yet a beam was coming right at us. I was about the dodge when on cue Rei jumped in front.

I could see the shield melting and knew the next shot had to be a hit. She returned to her original position and as the beam slow returned I aimed and fired quickly to hopefully affect its ability to readjust.

I prayed it would work since Rei could not hold out any longer. My prayer was answered as the beam went straight through without the Angel firing back. I heard cheers from the command center on my feed.

The little bastard went down but I knew Rei was injured as Unit-00's entry plug was ejected. The thermal damage must have been too much.

I jumped out of my own Eva and ran towards her. The plug was even melted. "Stupid girl", I stated under my breath "Don't tell me I went through all of that trouble to help you and join this hellish place for you to die by some blasphemous monster!" I grabbed the edges of the partially jarred door and ripped it off.

"Rei, are you alive", she was slumped over in the cockpit and looked little worse for wear but she was alive.

"Yes", she said as sweat dripped off her nose "I'm fine".

Briefly remember our conversation earlier I said quietly "Rei, don't ever say that again…that you have nothing else…you have everything in the world as long as you are alive".

She looked over at me with a confused face "I don't understand"

I laughed a little remember the words of my adoptive father "You are alive Rei and that is all that matters. The least you can do is smile about that simple gift".

She looked a little strange, as if she was remembering something, but then her face broke out into a small smile.

Well at least she wasn't completely emotionless.

-The command center

Shinji walked towards the showers. Despite the general celebrations many were slightly cold towards him. He took it as some residual anger from leaving the Eva. Ritsuko was especially a little colder than usual but then again she hasn't really been too nice since he joined Nerv.

He washed his hair and exited the showers. No one said a word about his metal attachments. Even Rei didn't say anything and she saw more than enough of his body. He wasn't sure what it all meant. He was positive that such technology was not common in Tokyo-3 and only a small population of people knew about it but maybe he was wrong. They also made no mention of his disappearance. It was like all that had occurred in the last 72 hours or so did not even happen.

He looked at himself in the mirror. He had yet to check the damage. The scars were still present but there were some markings on his lower back. They looked faded and in the shape of transmutation circle. He was generally either unconscious or thinking of other things during experimentation in the prison so he could not remember this marking. He hoped it could not be used any further but made a note to investigate it when he returned home.

He looked at his hair and eyes and noticed that they looked a little lighter than usual. He hoped it was just his tired eyes.

"Maybe if I go home and go to sleep things will be a little better. Yeah, I just need to rest", he stated though he was slightly apprehensive on removing his guard after all that had just happened. But he had not slept comfortably for so many hours and honestly his mind was still frazzled from yesterday.

"But I have Leon at least so I should be safe. But one day I will find out everything…they won't turn me into a puppet", he thought to himself at he dressed and went home.

As he put the key into the lock of his door Leon's door shot open. "Finally, kid I was about to start searching for you. Good job!" he gave Shinji thumbs up. "Here we have to celebrate I've fixed…" his voice cut off as he led Shinji into his own apartment.

-Back at Nerv

The center was in a state of relief and joy. The bit of the drill had barely breached the ceiling of the geofront. Fuyutski and Ikari had already descended into their offices leaving the Nerv staff to rejoice freely.

Down one of the various web like halls in Nerv a janitor continued to clean the floors after someone had spilled their coffee. He looked like a young, laid-back man. He had red hair tied into a ponytail and seemed pleasantly comfortable mopping while humming a tune.

He finished his shift later that night and put up his equipment.

He caught the train and got off in a more run-down part of Tokyo-3- the location fit his paycheck at least.

He entered into a shabby little home encased by other shabby apartment filled with crying children, barking dogs and arguing neighbors.

"He is closely monitored by the S-2 agents but overall there are several opportunities to get him", the red haired man spoke to a computer screen.

"Really? And what of the S-2 agents capability", a deep voice spoke into screen.

"They couldn't shoot someone even if they bound and can't fight to save their lives"

"So apprehending the boy would be a simple task?"

"Possibly, there is another operative on the scene who resembles an inmate from the prison break. Will you be sending reinforcements?"

"Of course, it would be good to show that arrogant creature it has no power along with that revulsion called Seele. But the other operative would be a strange coincidence if he was an old inmate. That could possibly mean that another organization is in the mix"

"Whether one more or twenty more are around it is all fine with me but how many people can I save"

"As many as you like but you must leave the hybrid to me"

"Of course"

With that the computer screen went blank. The janitor sat in complete darkness reminiscing on finally being able to repay the prisoner from a few years ago.

Please review