Shinji Steel 13

Disclaimer; I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion or Max Steel. Wish I did, though.

Shinji and Ritsuko gaze at the Tokyo-3 Diner. Only the diner was more like a bistro with outdoor seating. Misato suddenly pounces on Shinji and starts tickling him.

"Misato! HAHAHA! I give! I give! HAHAHA!"

Misato only smirks before moving her fingers away from his rib cage. An amused Deidre and Fuyutsuki right behind. Along with a contingent of five Section 2 Agents. All of them loyal to Fuyutsuki and ready to protect those with him. Unaware that, across the street, Gendo is scowling at the presence of the Agents.

"This was not in the scenario, Psycho."

"Perhaps not, but it's still salvageable. Just gotta work around it, is all. Send the freelancer, sir, and half your problem will go away."

"Are you certain of that?"

"Fairly certain."

"Very well." Giving a nod to a man on foot diagonally across from him, he looks at the girl that had captured the 'Third Child's heart. "He has good taste, the Third Child. However, that will not keep him out of my scenario."

'Why can't you call your son by his first name? Are you ashamed of him or something?' Psycho can only shake his head, wondering why Gendo abandoned him to begin with. Only for his jaw to drop when he remembers his initial meeting with Gendo.

'He mentions his "scenario" as if it requires Shinji to be broken down! But why? I hope Devilwoman is in place by now! Vitriol's presence should be sufficient to get his attention.' It is then that all Hell breaks loose.

As the freelancer walks up to the bistro, he affixes a silencer to his gun and chambers a round. Sure that this would get him onto NERV's payroll for doing 'wetwork'. Taking aim at Ritsuko, he suddenly spots a Section 2 Agent spring to her side. Drawing a gun and aiming at him.

"GET DOWN!"

As the people at the tables get down, the other Section 2 Agents turn and open fire on the freelancer. But not before the freelancer gets a shot off on the Agent that spotted him. Running away from the scene, he's unaware of Shinji engaging in a foot pursuit.

But not before…

"Stay with him, Rits. Keep pressure on the wound." Pressing her hand onto the Agent's right shoulder, he adds, "It's not a kill shot, but it's still a bleeder."

"Okay, Shinji. But, what're you going to do?"

"I'm going after him."

"Not alone, Shinji! Take one of them with you!"

"Can't do that, Rits. One person running is less noticeable than two." Giving her a peck on her lips, he adds, "You just get to safety when he's picked up."

"I will." Giving him a deeper kiss, she yells, "You come back! You hear me? You come back!"

"I will." With that, he gives chase. With one of the other Agents calling in.

"Shots fired at the Tokyo-3 Diner. Third Child is in pursuit of gunman on foot. I say again. Third child is engaged in a foot pursuit. I need an R.A. unit for a GSW to the shoulder on an Agent. Civilian is giving aid." Looking down at the wounded Agent, he asks, "How're you feeling, Charlie?"

"Like I got fucking shot, Jack. How am I supposed to feel? Like a million fucking bucks?" Moving to get up, he finds he can't when Ritsuko pushes him back down. "Let me up, girl. I ain't crippled!"

"You want to be? Move again. I dare you." Yet, at the same time, she has a smile that would make Retsu Unohana on 'Bleach' proud. "A paralyzed patient is far easier to deal with than one that's mobile, after all."

"On second thought, I think I'll stay put." At Jack's snickers, Charlie retorts, "Just wait when it's your turn to be shot, Jack! Then you gotta to deal with her! If you're lucky enough!"

"If I'm in an Angel like hers' hands, then I'll be lucky. She's doing a good job of keeping you from bleeding out, so far." Looking over Ritsuko, he asks, "How're you holding up, kiddo?"

"Actually, considering I usually get sick at the sight of blood, not too bad. Must be the adrenaline from the earlier chaos."

"You'll be fine, kiddo. You'll be fine." Next thing he knows, he sees Gendo across the street with another Section 2 Agent. One with a cybernetic arm. 'Commander Ikari? Since when does he deign to come out into the open?' Just as they move out of his sight, away from the direction Shinji ran in, he can't help but scowl. 'Something's rotten in Tokyo-3. And it sure as Hell ain't my fuckin' shorts!'

(Shinji)

Getting the assailant in his sights, Shinji smirks when the lone gunman ducks into an alleyway. Following suit, he then switches over to his other form. Just as the gunman turns around, Max lobs a fist right into the man's face. Landing right on the right side of it. Sending the man flying out of the alley and into an open spot between buildings.

"You've got a lot of nerve pulling that stunt, asshole."

"I was only following orders."

"That's what the Nazis said at Nuremburg. Know what? It didn't do them one damn bit of good." Reaching down and clasping the gunman by the front of his shirt, he hoists him up and barks out, "What's your name?"

"Kyle."

"Kyle what?"

"Kyle White, man!" Max gazes over the man, examining him. African-American, with dreadlocks. Tall and thin. With a cocky smirk that fades when Max frowns. "What?"

"You're a patsy. A sacrifice."

"Correct, Steel!" At the gruff voice, Max can't help but smirk.

"Vitriol. When did you get out of jail?"

"About a month ago, Steel." Vitriol, his ever present green arms sparking with energy, smirks right back as he looks Max over. "You look taller. What've you been eating?"

"Oh? I hadn't noticed. Been a little busy of late."

"Yes. Interfering with my plans for the Third Child kept you quite busy, I'm sure." That voice is one that Max had expected to hear eventually. Though he didn't want to. "I have an offer for you, Max Steel Jr. Leave Tokyo-3, now and forever, and I'll spare your life."

"Oh, gee, what a tough call. Fuck up your plans for the 'Third Child', whoever it be, or leave and live." Scaling his hands up and down, he ponders before replying, "I pick fucking up your plans, fuckhead."

"You're trapped in a cul-de-sac of buildings, Steel. That makes you the 'fuckhead'. Not me."

"Oh? Really?"

"Yes, really. You're outnumbered." Snapping his fingers, he smirks when twenty Section 2s come out of the shadows. Along with Chiron and Psycho. "Greatly outnumbered."

"Hmm." Looking at the gathering, he then smirks and retorts, "Nah. For me, this is a mild workout." Taking up an attack stance, he yells out, "I'll take you all on! Going turbo!"

With that, Max fades into a whirling dervish. Section 2 Agents flying out of the melee unconscious. Captain Chiron the first to fly out. Psycho eating popcorn while wearing 3-D glasses. A broad grin on his face.

'Go get 'em, kid!' At the sound of a man screaming in agony, he wonders why that is until the man, Kyle, flies out. One leg bent unnaturally. 'I don't think the leg's supposed to bend that way!'

Looking over at Gendo, he sees the man seething.

"I now see what you meant by him being formidable, Psycho. Dead then." Aiming his weapon at Vitriol, he adds, "He stopped Vitriol and his accomplice from hurting innocent lives. Only to be attacked by Section 2 during a case of mistaken identity. A shot rang out and…"

"Halt, my minions!" At the feminine voice, with a prominent Russian accent, a smirking Psycho nods. "That will be quite enough!" Max, on the other hand, comes to a stop. No traces of sweat at all. His eyes wide open.

"Vitriol, I know you don't like me, but could you please look and tell me it isn't who I think it is?"

"Sure." Vitriol looks and says, "I'd tell you want you want to hear, but I'd be lying, Steel. Devilwoman's here. And she's not alone."

"Let me guess. Electrix?"

"Yep." Max can only groan and shake his head.

"Oh man." At that, Vitriol can only smirk and chortle at his foe.

"Having all kinds of luck with women, ain't ya? They're just throwing themselves at ya."

"Shut it." Vitriol can't help but laugh in hilarity. To him, it's the damned funniest thing he'd ever seen.

"Oh, Max, where've you been keeping yourself? Other than here, of course."

Next thing Gendo knows, a very beautiful woman jumps down and lands at a crouch in front of Max. Allowing Gendo a better look at her. Blonde hair, her skin covered with red latex paint and wearing a skimpy black bikini. Revealing her considerable bust. Red horns in her hair and black high heels on her feet. Right behind her, a brunette wearing a black bodysuit with lightning all across her abdomen. Silver streaks in her hair. The blonde, however, goes right to Max to give him a hug. Pulling his face into her bust. For a slight instant, Gendo can't help but feel envious.

'Lucky bastard!'

"Oh I missed you, Max!"

"I missed you too, Devilwoman! Um, I can't breathe."

"Oops! Sorry!" Giving off a cute giggle, she releases Max before smiling widely. "Now that I found you, I can torment you with carnal delights! Bring you over to the dark side. So you won't have to protect those goody-goodies anymore!"

"Um, excuse me?" At Gendo's voice, Devilwoman looks toward him. "Hi. I'm in the middle of killing Steel if you don't mind." Next thing he knows, an irate Devilwoman punches him in the face.

"Silence, insignificantly impudent worm!" As a stunned Gendo falls back from the punch, she snarls out, "You dare to intend to harm the next Prince of Darkness? I will have your head on a pike!" Turning to Electrix, she says, "Keep an eye on him, 'Trix. He moves, give him a shocking reminder of his place in life."

"You bet, 'Vil. And I will enjoy it to no end." Electrix then notices Psycho and Vitriol standing together. "What are you two doing here?"

"Me? I work here now. Vitriol's here to get rid of Max there."

"Bullshit! I'm here because he called me, Electrix! Ten years without a word from him and bam! Phone call out of the blue." Shaking his head, he mutters, "It was a peaceful ten years, too. Of course, I had Steel Jr there to contend with as of last year. But, it wasn't really all bad. I mean, if anything, he's a chip off the old block!" For an instant, Max could swear that Vitriol has a glimmer of pride in his voice.

"Oh? In what… oh for Pete's sake! Hold that thought, Vitriol!" Aiming her hand at a moving Gendo, she yells, "Learn your place, fool! You'll live longer!"

At that, a jolt of electricity hits Gendo, seizing him up until he falls down. Unconscious but alive.

"Honestly… 'Vil! Look out!" Chiron had recovered and is in the process of putting his weapon against Devilwoman's head.

"If you're not on Commander Ikari's side, you are against him." Chiron snickers before adding, "A shame, too. I'd have enjoyed getting some from you before you died. Oh well."

"You want some? Okay, fat boy! I'll give you some!"

Devilwoman sends her left high heel into Chiron's groin before ducking for Max to punch the perverted sexist in his face. Once Chiron had fallen to the ground, Devilwoman looks down upon him and spits.

"No one but the next Prince of Darkness is allowed into my divine body, you insolently foul beast!" Giving him one more kick, she soon finds herself going unconscious. 'Max!'

As Devilwoman slumps into his arms unconscious, Max shakes his head. As he puts the spent tranquilizer injector he'd used on Devilwoman away, he then looks over at Electrix.

"When did she get off her meds?" Electrix can only shrug.

"She's been off for two months now. She was holding steady until she thought of you, Steel. Then she started a shrine to you, calling you the next 'Prince of Darkness' and spouting off about how good you'd feel inside her." Smirking, Electrix adds, "You don't even want to know what she called your future children."

"Oh man. Save a part-time Satanist's life and this is what happens." Looking down at a now-tranquil Devilwoman's face, Max can only smile sadly. Passing her over to Electrix, he adds, "I'm giving you four a pass this time. For your sakes, please, leave Tokyo-3 and don't come back when 'he' is here."

Kicking a twitching Gendo's foot for good measure, Max walks away. As the three watch him walk away, a slumbering Devilwoman smiles before happily murmuring.

"Oh, Max. You were wonderful."

Sweatdropping, the three nod before leaving the scene. Only for Psycho to stop halfway out.

"Psycho? What gives? You heard what Steel said! We're supposed to get our asses out of here!"

"Vitriol's right, Psycho. You staying here will not benefit you one bit."

"No. You guys go ahead."

"Psycho…"

"I made it this far, Electrix. I'm going all the way. I've practically infiltrated Gendo's inner circle. He doesn't know I'm actually against him or his plans."

"I don't know, Psycho." Vitriol grimaces lightly before going on. "That 'man' does not strike me as stupid. Sooner or later, he'll figure you out and you're as good as dead!"

"Then that's a chance I have to take."

"You sure about this, Psycho?"

"I am, Electrix. I'm staying to finish the job. For once, I'm going to do the right thing."

"Why? You've been doing the wrong thing for years. Why the change, though?"

"I don't know, Vitriol." Psycho's answer is honest, for he himself truly doesn't know why. "But I'm going to find out."

"You'll be all alone, with no one to trust or be trusted by." Psycho gives a nod at Vitriol's words as the brute goes on. "You'll be about to die at a moment's notice." At that, Psycho gives a smirk. Causing Electrix and Vitriol to groan. For they know what's coming next.

"And loving it!"

The impression is barely passable, but Psycho did enjoy watching the classic 'Get Smart' series. Every time he'd watch it, he'd practice the lines. They should know. They'd watched it with him during their weekly television nights back in the old days. And who says villainy doesn't take a break?

"Okay, Psycho. But, if it gets too sick, don't hesitate to walk away."

"I won't hesitate, Electrix."

The electrical energy villainess gives a nod and snaps her fingers upward toward an airship above. A harness comes down, followed by a rope ladder with loops in it. Putting the harness onto Devilwoman, she signals for it to be hoisted up. As it is hoisted up, she climbs up onto the ladder and gets hold of a loop, with Vitriol following suit. Signaling again, they're jerked up on the rope ladder and away from Psycho.

Once they're out of earshot, he mutters, "It's not going to get too sick. It's not." Making his way back to a still unconscious Gendo, he can't help but smirk. 'You gotta admit you had those coming, you worthless son of a bitch.' Next thing he knows, Gendo comes to.

"Anyone get the license plate number of that sports car?" Groggily rising, with Psycho's help, Gendo looks at the gathered bodies and scowls upon not seeing the target. "I'm assuming he got away, Psycho?"

"He did, sir. As did Vitriol, Electrix and Devilwoman."

"Blast." Scowling at Psycho, he then asks, "Why weren't you fighting?"

"I fought him several times in the past already. I'm not exactly in the mood to get trounced when he 'goes turbo', thank you very much, sir."

"So you fought him in both regular speed and 'turbo' as it were, then?" That gets a nod from Psycho before Gendo gets up. "Consider yourself on report, Psycho. The next time Max Steel Jr. makes an appearance, you are to fight him. Even if he does 'go turbo'. I will not tolerate another failure like that."

"I understand, sir." Glancing down at the assailant for Ritsuko, he asks, "What about the freelancer, sir?" A gunshot into the assailant's head is his reply from Gendo.

"He attempted to assassinate the Vice-Commander of NERV, nearly shooting a civilian girl in the process. The girl's boyfriend pursued him and… where is the Third Child at? I could have sworn he was pursuing." Next thing they know, they hear Shinji panting.

"Oh… man… I'm… out… of… shape." Shinji blinks before seeing Gendo and a human-faced Psycho standing together. A dead body on the ground. "What… happened?"

"No need to concern yourself, Third Child." Putting his gun back into place, Gendo scowls down at his 'son' before saying, "You are long overdue for fitness exercises. Report to the Geofront in two days for the exercises. I will not tolerate a Pilot that cannot keep in shape. Is that understood?"

"Understood… Commander."

"See that it remains so, Third Child." With that, Gendo walks away, leaving Shinji and Psycho behind.

"Why can't he just say my name? It isn't that hard." Clenching his fist, he asks, "Why can't my own 'Father' just say my name?"

"I wish I could tell you, Shinji." Shinji looks up at the voice and 'recognizes' the hairstyle. Before he can say anything, Psycho waves him off. "Now's not a good time to talk, kid. You just go on back to your future wife. We'll talk later."

"Uh, okay." Walking away from Psycho, he can't help but think, 'It doesn't seem like he's playing games. It seems like he knows… oh crap! What if… no. No. If he did, I'd be on a dissection table right now. Doctor Akagi taking me apart bit by bit to get to the probes.' Next thing he knows, Kat's voice chimes in.

"Was it just me or was that really fucking weird?"

"It was really fucking weird, Kat. Psycho wearing a Section 2 uniform still. It took everything in me to not blow my secret in front of 'him'. Even weirder, Psycho went along with it."

"If 'Smiley' is playing an angle, it's a very oblique one." Josh has a grin in his voice before he snaps his fingers. "By the way, we recorded your 'Buttkick-o-rama' onto disk so you can watch it. That was pretty cool what you did with the assassin, too."

"Yeah. I just wish that…"

"I know, Shinji. But men like Rokubungi don't like leaving loose ends that could possibly lead back to him. That's to be expected from someone of 'his' ilk."

"Yeah, Kat. But, still, the guy had a life ahead of him. I'm sure we could've done something for him. Offer him options for a better life or something. Better than what he'd gotten, at least."

"Unfortunately, however, there are some people you just can't save, hermano. Be they strangers or those you care for. We know that all too well."

"Jefferson."

"Yeah."

Curious, Shinji asks, "Where were you at when Second Impact struck anyway?"

"We were on the way back to Del Oro Bay from a rally in the Sahara Desert." Kat's voice has a hint of fond remembrance as she goes on. "Bio-Con happened to be there at the time of the rally, up to his usual nonsense. Max kicked his 'snakey' ass during a rescue of a desert biologist that was researching reptiles that live in the desert."

"What happened with the biologist?"

"She turned in her thesis in time at Cairo University. We kinda gave her a lift there so she can turn it in to the Dean in time." Josh's voice then goes grim as he goes on. "We were on our way back when a massive shockwave shook the Behemoth plane we were using as our air transport. The pilot, Charles Marshack, reported a sudden increase in ocean size and we tried contacting the Del Oro Bay complex."

"And when you got there, what made Del Oro what it was had become no more. Right?"

"Correct." Berto's voice has a tremble to it as he goes on. "The complex, the city, everything Del Oro was just gone. There were some survivors, but Jefferson wasn't among them."

"How'd they survive if Del Oro was wiped out?"

"Those that survived were either out pleasure boating or in flight." Kat's voice has a giggle to it as she adds, "Among the survivors were some old friends of Josh's. Jo Branson for one."

"Kat, I hadn't seen her in three years. I was surprised at how she grew."

"She grew alright. Like a sprout!" Berto's comment gets a chuckle from Kat while Josh groans. Bringing a smile to Shinji's face.

"Who were the other friends that survived?"

"Pete Costas, Laura Chen, Tony Hawk."

"The skateboard legend? That Tony Hawk?"

"The one and only, buddy." Josh then chuckles as he adds, "If you two were to go head to head on the boards, you'd give him a run for his money."

"Please, stop, Dad. You'll embarrass me."

"I'm serious, Shinji. When I tell Tony about you, he'll want to board against you for sure. You'll clean his clock, but go easy on him. Okay?"

"That's if I even get the chance to board against him. He must be absurdly busy with who knows what."

"You just leave that to me, Shinji." Josh's voice can't help but go serious. "Honestly, though, what're you gonna do about 'him', Shinji?"

"I have no idea, Josh. I didn't see him pull the trigger, but I heard his 'story' for the guy. Combine that with him being the Commander of NERV and you've got a big-ass cluster-fuck of a conspiracy."

"That's true. However, I did find something interesting about Misato Katsuragi."

"You did, Berto? What is it?"

"She was at Antarctica when Second Impact happened. If she actually saw the meteor strike, she'd be able to tell us what it looked like so we can get a general idea of what had happened."

"But we already know a meteor strike happened, Berto. Why put her through it?"

"For a meteor to melt polar ice caps like that, it would take the explosive force of 1,500 nuclear warheads. Based on my projections, that amount of explosive force would be classified as a 'planet killer'. As in, Earth itself would've vanished from the solar system. And that was the best case scenario."

"Somehow, I don't think I want to know what the worst case scenario is."

"You're right, hermano. You don't want to know."

As Shinji draws near to Tokyo-3 Diner, he sees Ritsuko standing with Misato and Deidre. Tapping her foot anxiously facing away from his direction. Giving a smirk, he silently creeps up behind her and wraps his arms around her. Giving her a start.

"AAHH!" Wheeling around to give the person a slap, she stays her hand before seeing who it is. "Shinji!"

"Hey, Rits. How'd it go?" Next thing he knows, Ritsuko wraps her arms around him, clutching him close. Her frame trembling in shock. "Rits?"

"Just hold me, dammit!" At the tone in her voice, he can only comply. Getting a sigh of relief from her. "Oh, I love how your arms feel around me!"

"Right back at you." Not wanting to let Ritsuko go, not like he had a choice in the matter, he looks around and asks, "Where's Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki at?"

"He went with the wounded Section 2 Agent to NERV Medical. How about your pursuit of the assassin?"

"When I got to him, Misato, he was dead. The Commander standing over his body. Gun in hand." Shinji can't help but give her a look that says he has more details not fit for their company. Thankfully enough, Misato nods in understanding.

"I see. At least you weren't hurt."

"Yeah." Ritsuko lightly pulls back from Shinji before scowling. "You ever do that again and I will kick your ass from here to Hokkaido! Clear?"

"Clear, Rits. Very clear."

"Good." Giving him a peck, she then happily says, "Now that that's done, who's ready to eat?"

"I know I am." Gazing at Ritsuko's hands, Deidre then frowns before adding, "Not until you get that blood off your hands, though." Ritsuko can only blush before she rushes into the Diner to clean up.