Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy
Episode III: Revenge of Ikari
Chapter 11 – Isolation and Rage; Shattered Lives
March 20, 2006 – Berlin, Germany
Asuka was brooding again. Since her mother's death, her father's whore, as she liked to call her in her mind, had moved in, one Dr. Mimori Shikinami, her dead mother's psychiatrist. Since moving in, Dr. Shikinami had essentially become her step mother.
Asuka was sitting in her room again, avoiding her step mother, and her father. She was holding her stuffed monkey as she usually did and also talking to him as she usually did. She was worried her father would find the monkey, as he had ordered Asuka's old babysitter to destroy it.
"Karl, why does my father hate me so much? He's always so damn mean." Asuka asked. "And why does that whore of his keep trying to be my mother, my mother's dead!"
Karl, like any other stuffed toy, didn't respond.
"Well, you don't need to talk to me like that, Karl. I know he's my father, but I hate him. He let my mother die!" Asuka said to the toy.
"But I don't care about him being hurt by her death, what about me?!" Asuka shouted at Karl. "I didn't even get to say goodbye! You're the last thing she gave me!"
Karl just stared blankly at her.
"I know I'm an elite pilot, and I'll prove to momma that I'm the best Evangelion pilot there is." Asuka said proudly. "I'll beat any other pilot there is."
Asuka heard a knock on the door and quickly hid Karl and picked up a book she'd read before.
"Asuka, may I come in?" Mimori asked though the door.
"I guess." Asuka replied nonchalantly.
Mimori entered the room, and she was very pregnant, and Oscar stood in the doorway, not wanting to intrude, or be glared at by his daughter.
"Asuka, is everything ok?" Mimori asked. "You've been very distant since I moved in, and especially so the last few months."
"I just don't want to talk to you." Asuka said from behind her book. "Go away."
"Well, you'll have to talk to me eventually, I'm going to be your step mother after all." Mimori said kindly. "This may help change your mind."
Asuka looked over the top of her book. Mimori held out a stuffed monkey identical to Karl, and Asuka's eyes narrowed. "I don't want it." Asuka said bluntly.
"Well, I want you to have it." Mimori said, setting the new stuffed monkey down next to Asuka.
"I said I don't want it. Take it back." Asuka said, glaring daggers at Mimori.
"Keep it, consider it a gift." Mimori said. "I know you used to have one…"
Asuka took the monkey and ripped its head off and threw the pieces back towards Mimori. "YOU CAN'T REPLACE THE MONKEY MY MOTHER GAVE ME, AND YOU CAN'T REPLACE MY MOTHER!" Asuka shouted. Mimori picked up the monkey with teary eyes. "Only babies cry." Asuka said coldly.
Mimori walked out of the room without another word, and Oscar slammed the door after Mimori go through the door. Asuka heard the door lock and she reached down to retrieve Karl. "No one could ever replace you Karl, you're the only one I can talk to, and you're the only one I can trust."
Asuka could hear Mimori crying outside her door and she snickered. "Serves her right."
"Why does she hate me Oscar? What did I ever do to her?" Mimori bemoaned to Oscar.
"She's just a hateful child, Mimori." Oscar said. "Once our child is born, you won't have to worry about Asuka, she won't need your love if she won't take it."
"Are you sure, Oscar?" Mimori asked. "Wouldn't that be like abandoning her?"
"No, she's just like her mother, a hateful person who's stubborn and always looks down upon other's kindness." Oscar said.
"Oscar, her mother wasn't that bad, was she?" Mimori asked.
"Well, of course she was, in private she was mean and abusive, but in public she was always her chipper and kind self." Oscar said solemnly. "I guess she wasn't as great as everyone always made her out to be, and when she got caught up with that experiment, the Kyoko I loved was never coming back…"
"Oh, Oscar…" Mimori said before the slight patter of water hitting the hardwood floors was heard. "Uh, Oscar, I think it's time…"
Asuka heard footsteps running off into the distance. "Typical." Asuka said to Karl. "He always lies about momma, he was the bad one, and momma always loved him, just like she'll always love me."
–––
Asuka was laying down as the midday sun streamed into her room, Asuka was half asleep in bed with Karl safely hidden in his hiding spot in case her father decided to burst into the room.
Oscar burst into the room. "Get up, we need to go!" Oscar demanded.
"I don't want to." Asuka said stubbornly. "You leave me home alone all the time, what makes this any different?"
"Because I said so." Oscar said, grabbing Asuka's arm.
"Well, that's a lame ass reason, Oscar." Asuka said defiantly.
"I don't give a shit what you think, you're a child, I'm your parent, and you have to listen to me, even if you don't like it." Oscar shouted.
"Yeah, well I wish you weren't my father!" Asuka shouted. "Then I wouldn't be stuck with you and that whore!"
Oscar raised his hand to slap Asuka and decided to simply drag her to the car instead, with Asuka kicking and screaming all the way to the car.
By the time they got to the hospital, Asuka had shouted herself hoarse. Oscar dragged her upstairs to see Mimori, who was holding, not one baby as Asuka had suspected, but two.
"Asuka, I brought you here to meet your siblings." Oscar said.
"Don't you mean half–siblings? She's not my mother." Asuka said rebelliously.
"Whatever fucking siblings Asuka." Oscar said though gritted teeth. "Just go over there, be polite to Mimori, and meet them. No argument!"
"Fine, whatever." Asuka said. "But I don't want to, just so you know…" Asuka said as she walked over.
Mimori saw the young redhead walk over. "Oh, Asuka, you came, I'm so happy you came to see me." Mimori said excitedly. "Would you like to see them, Asuka?"
"It wasn't my idea to come here, but sure…" Asuka said glumly.
Mimori held put the first baby, wearing a pink cap. "This is your little sister, Asumi Langley Shikinami."
Asuka's eyes narrowed a bit. "What about the other one?" She asked bluntly.
Mimori held up the other one as best she could, who was wearing a blue cap. "This is your little brother, Akito Langley Shikinami."
Asuka glared at the children in Mimori's arms 'Why do they have names like mine?' Asuka thought angrily. "Which one's older?" Asuka asked.
"Asumi is by two minutes." Mimori replied.
"Figures the boy was slow." Asuka said flippantly.
"Asuka that's not a nice thing to say…" Mimori said admonishingly, and Asuka simply ignored her response. "Are you excited to be a big sister?" Mimori asked, trying to be cordial and keep the conversation alive.
"No, I don't want to be a big sister." Asuka said. "I'd rather just be left alone."
"That's not really up to you, is it Asuka?" Mimori asked.
"Well, it is my decision, I'm an EVA pilot, and if I want to be alone, I can be if I want to be." Asuka said defiantly. "And I didn't want to come here and see your stupid children anyway. I just wanted to be alone and read my book and play my games."
"Asuka… why would you say that?" Mimori asked, tears forming in her eyes again.
"It's the truth, and momma taught me never to lie, as it's not polite to lie." Asuka said matter–of–factly. "Even if the truth hurts you have to say it."
Oscar who had been listening in on the conversation intently came over and roughly grabbed Asuka by the arm. "Apologize to her… NOW!" Oscar shouted angrily.
"Just take me home, Oscar, I want to go home!" Asuka shouted back.
"NO! STOP BEING PETULANT AND APOLOGIZE TO YOUR STEPMOTHER!" Oscar roared.
With all the yelling the hours old newborns began to cry, and Asuka smiled slightly. "Take me home! I don't want to listen to them crying!" Asuka shouted back at her father, worsening the children's crying.
Silently and begrudgingly, Oscar dragged Asuka roughly from the room, giving a sorrowful look to Mimori in the process. He took Asuka home and locked her once again in her room.
Asuka laid down on her bed and looked at the familiar ceiling. "Well, at least I got myself out of having to look at those stupid babies again." Asuka said to the ceiling. "I don't know why I have to treat her like my mother… my momma is dead, and she can't ever be replaced… by anyone!"
–––
Asuka was sleeping soundly. After getting back from the hospital, Asuka had been trying to get to sleep, and it didn't come easy. But once nightfall came, and the faint sounds of owls hooting came to her ears, she drifted off to sleep. Her dreams drifted about her hatred for her father, and the sadness she still felt for her mother's death.
Asuka dreams then shifted to a field overlooking what looked like a university. There was what felt like a cold chill in the air, and it was quite unusual considering the climate in Germany. Asuka looked around and saw nothing that reminded her of Germany, even the university didn't look German in design to her. She then jumped when she saw sitting next to her who was about 16 or 17, wearing pink rimmed glasses with brilliant aqua colored eyes, and long brunette hair, tied up in twin–tails.
"Who the hell are you?" Asuka asked.
The girl laughed. "Just like you mother, always with the snappy responses."
"What are you talking about?" Asuka asked. "My mother is dead…"
"Well, she may be dead, but I did know her a long time ago, the last time I saw her she was pregnant with you, you kept making her pee because you liked kicking her bladder." The girl said.
Asuka pouted and stood up angrily, putting her hands on her hips. "You still haven't answered my question. Who are you?"
"My name is, Mari." Mari replied.
"Mari?" Asuka asked. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, just to say hello. I was looking for your mother, but I ended up here instead… It's a shame she's gone, she was a nice lady." Mari said forlornly.
"But how did you know my momma?" Asuka asked. "And how did you get here? I'm dreaming aren't I?"
"Oh, little one, there are some things you just won't understand." Mari said. "But I can see you're not having a good day, wanna talk about it?"
"Not really, I don't really know you, so why would I talk to you?" Asuka said.
"Because I'm willing to just listen, if you decide to just talk out loud about what issues you're having." Mari said jokingly. "If you happen to mention something I can help with I may just try to help you out."
Asuka eyed the older girl. "You're a little weird." Asuka said. "But you seem like someone my momma would like, you seem kinda nice."
"You sound surprised." Mari said sadly.
"Well, I'm not used to people being nice anymore." Asuka said. "I used to have a friend, but I can't remember his name, all I know is he was a nice boy…"
"Well, I'd be your friend, if you'd only talk to me." Mari said kindly.
"Why would you want to be friends with me?" Asuka asked. "You don't even know me."
"Well, if you're anything like your mother, you'd be a nice person to hang out with." Mari said.
"But how can we hang out if you're not even real?" Asuka asked.
"I'm not sure, but wouldn't it be nice to know you have another friend?" Mari said. "Now, are you ready to chat?"
"I guess…" Asuka said. "I'm just angry that my father doesn't love me like momma did. He hates me, and I hate him, and his whore, and his new bastard kids!" Asuka rambled as she plopped back down on the ground next to Mari.
"Easy… easy…" Mari said. "Just relax and tell me what your father has done exactly."
"He's dating that whore! He's trying to replace me with his new family! He always badmouths momma when he's around me! He treats me like I'm some kind of mistake!" Asuka shouted with tears glistening in her eyes. "I don't want to be replaced like momma was."
"Asuka, whatever anyone tries to tell you, you are not replaceable. And you shouldn't blame newborns for the sins of their father, it's not fair to them, they haven't done anything to you." Mari said kindly. "Everybody is unique, and you're extra special because you're Kyoko's daughter."
"You really think I'm special?" Asuka said trying to fight back her tears.
"Yes, I do Asuka." Mari said. "And you know, it's ok to cry here if you need to, no one will know. I certainly won't say anything."
"But I made a promise to never cry again." Asuka said, still teary eyed.
"But like you said, it's a dream, so no one would know." Mari said coyly. "So go ahead and let it out, bottling up the pain isn't exactly healthy, trust me."
"You're sure?" Asuka asked.
"I'm sure." Mari said.
And with that, Asuka finally broke down and started crying. "I hate being alone, but I just can't trust anyone. I just wish I could see that boy again, wherever he is…"
"There, there, Asuka…" Mari said scooting over and patting the girl on her back gently. "Do you think a hug will make you feel better?" Asuka simply nodded at Mari's question and Mari wrapped her in a warm embrace. "It's ok Asuka, just know that when you wake up you'll feel better."
Asuka nestled her head against Mari's neck. "Thank you Mari."
"You're welcome, Asuka." Mari said hugging her tightly. "I just wish I could really be there for you."
June 6, 2007 – Atsugi, Japan
"Happy birthday Shinji." Jushiro said brightly. "I left your present in the spare room for you. I know you asked for this specifically, but I wrapped it up for you."
"Thank you, sensei." Shinji said as politely as ever.
"I also called you out sick for today, as my surprise for you. Missing one day won't affect such a bright boy as yourself." Jushiro added. "Plus it will give you plenty of time with your new toy."
"Thank you, sensei that was really nice of you to do." Shinji said. "But it's not a toy, it's a sophisticated piece of equipment."
"Well, whatever it is Shinji, just have fun." Jushiro said as he shuffled out of Shinji's room. "Just remember to get some birthday breakfast first, then you can go play with that… thingy."
Shinji got dressed quickly, grabbed his SDAT, and ran down to the kitchen and scarfed down most of his breakfast, then ran straight to the spare room where his computer was. There he saw he thing the ordered all wrapped up in shiny purple wrapping paper.
Shinji ripped off the paper and put into the garbage can, then ripped open the box to reveal his request, a large digital and analog music converter that could be attached to a computer.
Shinji took it carefully out of the box and set it up next to his computer. It took him a few hour to set up all the mechanisms and properly install and set–up the software on the computer. But once he was done, he popped the SDAT tape out of his SDAT and grabbed a fresh one from the cassette case next to his computer. He put the tape he'd been listening to in the "read/copy" tape slot, while the blank one when into the "read/write" tape slot.
"Finally, I can edit the tape I've been listening to since father gave me this thing." Shinji said gently putting down the SDAT on the desk. "But there are a few songs on here I want to listen to, so I'll just have to extract the songs to the PC, and then I can search online for other songs I want."
Shinji set to work editing the tape he had. It didn't take him long to figure out how to work the software or how to transfer music off one tape and move it to the other. The process of finding which songs online he wanted took much longer. Using Napster, Shinji took his time to find the best quality music he could online. It took him most of the day, but he was able to find 22 songs he wanted, and the 6 he transferred from his father's old tape.
After a full day's work, Shinji's labor was complete. He had finally set up the songs in the order he wanted and written with track breaks onto his new tape.
"Well, these few songs of father's will keep me connected to him wherever I go, from the happy times from when mother was alive." Shinji said happily. "And this all music I want to listen to, so I should be happier listening to it."
Shinji then ejected his updated tape and set it into his SDAT. He leaned back in his chair and put his earphones on and started the tape on Track 01.
I got my stitches stitched, I got my fixes fixed
In my aching heads I got my kisses slipped
Our gossip lips stuttered every word I said, I said
I got your love letters, corrected the grammar and sent them back
It's true, romance is dead, I shot it in the chest then in the head
And if you wanna go down in history then I'm your friend
Because they've got me in a band where I've never seen a heart I couldn't break
It was never about the songs, it was competition
Make the biggest scene, make the biggest
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
I'm casually–obsessed and I've forgiven death
I am indifferent yet (I'm a total wreck)
I'm every cliché, but I simply do it best
And if you wanna go down in history then I'm your friend
Because they've got me in a band where I've never seen a heart I couldn't break
It was never about the songs, it was competition
Make the biggest scene, make the biggest
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
I went to sleep a poet, and I woke up a fraud
To calm your nerves I'm feeling for my clothes in the dark
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
Which came first, the music or the misery?
We're high–fashion, we're last chances
As the song switched to Track 02, Shinji leaned back further in his chair. 'Now I don't have to listen to everyone around me, with all these songs, I can just drown them out to my own beat.' Shinji thought happily as Track 02 began to play in his ears.
March 1, 2009 – Tokyo–2 University
Misato was sitting in her apartment feeding Pen–Pen. The greedy bird kept wanting more and more fish.
"WARK, WARK!" Pen–Pen squawked loudly from the fridge.
"Yeah, yeah, ya greedy bird, I know you want more fish." Misato said from her desk. "Just relax, I'll get some more, but if you keep eating like this, you'll get fat."
"Wark…" Pen–Pen squawked sadly.
"Don't get all pouty." Misato walked into the kitchen and reached into the open fridge. Pen–Pen had gotten the door open, but could not reach the chilled fish on the top shelf as he was too short. "Figures, the only fresh food I buy, you eat." Misato said as she grabbed a cold 6–pack of Yebisu from the fridge and took it with her. "Now stop bugging me, I'm trying to do something important."
Pen–Pen ignored her statement as he chomped down on the package of fish Misato handed him, and Misato popped one of her beers open and chugged it down before going back to what she was doing, filling out an application for Gehirn. Misato looked at the half completed form and chugged down a second Yebisu.
"God, this is nerve wracking, I hate filling out stuff about myself. And some of these questions are bring back some dark memories." Misato read off one of the questions on the form. "Yeah, family history, parents' current status, well dead, cause of death if applicable." Misato laughed and chugged another beer. "Well, let's see, mom had cancer, but before that got her, the nuke the Chinese dropped or the tidal wave from Second Impact got her, they weren't sure, and they were never able to recover her body, so that's an unknown. As for my father, how do I put 'died from crazy thing called Adam exploding Antarctica and causing Second Impact,' clearly I didn't think this application through."
Misato sighed, chugged her fourth beer, and looked back at the form. "Well, I did pick up this form to find out exactly what happened, and applying to Gehirn will allow me to do that, to find out what happened." Misato chugged beers five and six back–to–back, and then Misato started filling out the form with gusto, filling everything out as quickly as possible. "Whatever it takes, I'll find out what really happened with that experiment, and then I'll get my revenge on the beast that killed my father!" Misato said angrily as she signed her name on the application to join Gehirn.
July 14, 2010 – NERV Officer Training Facility, Matsushiro, Japan
"Well, Second Lieutenant Katsuragi, congratulations on completing your formal tactical officer's training." Captain Noa said happily "I'm not surprised such an excellent student was the top of her class."
"Thank you sir!" Misato said proudly, saluting her superior. "I'm glad I could impress you, sir!"
"At ease, Katsuragi." Captain Noa said. "Now, here I have your first assignment for you, the best thing for an officer fresh out of tactical training."
"What's the assignment, sir?" Misato asked politely.
"Ah, you're being sent to NERV's 3rd Branch in Berlin, to train and prepare the Second Child for combat. You'll be her new training officer." Captain Noa said.
"What happened to her old training officer, sir?" Misato asked.
"Well, apparently, she's made the last four quit. Apparently she thought they were weak." Captain Noa said. "Command seems to think you can get a handle on her behavior and get her into shape to pilot effectively inside an Evangelion."
"Are the Evangelions even ready for launch?" Misato asked.
"No, but they want the pilots in condition to launch into combat on a moment's notice." Captain Noa said. "You ship out in a couple weeks, arrival is set for August 1st."
"Aye, sir!" Misato said. "I'll get myself ready to ship out."
"Good, Lieutenant." Captain Noa replied. "Good luck out there, you may need it."
"Thank you sir, but it's a pre–teen girl, how difficult can she be?" Misato replied.
–––
Meanwhile in Berlin, Asuka was having another fit. Her father had been bugging her for weeks to be more personable around her younger siblings and her step mother, who he had married shortly after the birth of his new twins. Asuka was still furious and refused to call Oscar 'dad' or 'papa' and Asuka shouted defiantly about calling Mimori 'mother' shouting each time her mother was dead.
Asuka was once again fuming in her room, having been locked in there without dinner again to prove a point. "Ficken arschloch!" Asuka shouted. "I don't give a shit about his new family!"
Asuka passed around her room, and then went to her computer. She logged into NERV's network and began searching for something, a way to get away for her father.
"Hmmm, emancipation? No good, I'm not old enough to be considered yet, but what about this instead." Asuka clicked on another of her search results. "Hmmm, change of parental custody. But who could I live with?" Asuka thought aloud. "What about momma's momma! She's still alive, and I'm sure she'd take me in. At least I'd think so…"
Asuka thought back to the funeral and remembered Isolda had wanted to take Asuka, but Oscar had forbidden it. "Well, that'll teach him a lesson, and show how much I hate him if I go live with her. At least she'll love me." Asuka said happily as she pulled up the form. "Hmmm, just need to fill out my name and the name of the person who I want to take me, and the reasons why I want to leave, easy enough, he's an abusive son of a bitch and I hate him. If they need more reasons, just pull up any of the argument's we've had in public since momma died." Asuka said simply.
Asuka filled out the form and submitted it to NERV HQ in Japan. Asuka then shut off her computer and went to lay down. It was only about a half an hour before she heard her father thundering up the stairs shouting at the top of his lungs.
"YOU FUCKING LITTLE BITCH!" Oscar roared as Asuka heard him unlock her door and slam the door open against the wall. "DID YOU THINK I WOULDN'T HEAR ABOUT YOUR LITTLE STUNT, ASUKA?! THAT I WOULDN'T FIND OUT YOU WANTED TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE! DO YOU THINK I'M THAT STUPID?!"
"Well, I do think you're stupid." Asuka said, unafraid of her father anymore after his years of verbal abuse. And she knew now the more flippant she was, the more pissed off he got, she just had to try and stay calm. "That's why I figured you wouldn't find out, you be too busy with the whore and the two bastard children of yours to care about me."
"HOW DARE YOU ASUKA!" Oscar continued in the loudest voice he could muster, several veins on his head popping out for the strain of his shouting and his extremely high blood pressure. "I AM YOUR FATHER. YOU DON'T GET TO LEAVE THIS HOUSE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION, ESPECIALLY TO THAT FUCKING BITCH'S HOME!"
"Only genetically." Asuka said flippantly. "Otherwise, you were barely there for me when momma was alive, and you're even more distant since she died, how that's possible I don't know, but you seem to pull it off well." Asuka chuckled lightly. "You could be a deadbeat dad for all the shits you give about me."
"I HAVE PROVIDED A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD AND FOOD FOR YOU TO EAT AND HAVE BOUGHT THE CLOTHES THAT YOU'RE WEARING YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BITCH!" Oscar shouted.
"Really, Oscar, you're required by anti–child abuse laws to provide those things, otherwise, no matter who you were connected to, you'd be in jail." Asuka said snidely. "Besides, I wouldn't call our happy home a good environment for me to live in, you're an abusive jerk all the time. You yell constantly." Asuka's eyes narrowed as she went for the kill. "Your love life with the whore not the same as it was when you first started ploughing her? Is it because momma is dead, the fun of it all wore out? Or is it just the whiskey dick?"
SLAP
"FUCKING LITTLE BITCH, YOU'RE JUST LIKE YOUR WHORE OF A MOTHER!" Oscar shouted.
"If you mean observant and analytical, then yes, I am." Asuka chuckled. "I guess I found the reason you're so mad at the world. You're impotent, it's a wonder the bastard children or me actually exist if you can't even rise to the occasion."
Oscar rose his hand to strike her again, and Asuka decided to have more fun at her father's expense.
"Such a weak little man, has to hit a child to get off. How fucking pathetic are you?" Asuka said with as much venom and hatred as she could. "You gonna treat the bastards this way too, to make it fair, or is only because I remind you of the only women who could actually arouse you? Do you feel regret for letting her die the way she did?" Asuka paused seeing Oscar put his hand down. "Well, are you fucking stupid or something, answer me you son of a bitch!"
Instead of answering, Oscar simply turned around and slammed the door so hard it ratted everything in Asuka's very large bedroom.
"Serves him right." Asuka said proudly, caressing her stinging cheek. "This slap was worth it though, Google's pretty useful after all, all my research paid off. And now he shouldn't bother me anymore, even if I live here, especially now that I know his pathetic little secret."
October 6, 2011 – Tokyo–2
Kaji was perusing the used car lot of excess cars imported from the west coast of the United States. He was looking for a specific car in particular, and he hoped he would find it here. He found a salesman and decided to ask him.
"Ah, hello sir, how are you today?" The salesman asked. "What can I help you with today?"
"Oh, I'm fine, I'm just looking for a very specific car, and I was hoping you'd have it in stock." Kaji said happily, showing him a picture of the car in question.
"Ah, yes, we have several of this type in stock, although only two are red." The salesman said. "Would you like me to show you?"
"Of course, lead the way!" Kaji said happily.
"Alright, here they are, right next to each other." The salesman said. "So the one on the left is the 308 GTB, a 1981 model, and on the right is…"
"A red 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSi Quattrovalvole, the exact car I was looking for." Kaji said. "How much, I can pay in cash right now, and just drive it off the lot."
"Well, sir, it's a classic and iconic car, so asking price is ¥9,499,999." The salesman replied.
"Well, how about ¥10,000,000 in cash, and I take it off your hands today." Kaji said.
"Done!" The salesman replied giddily. "Let me take you to the office to fill out the paperwork."
And a about a half an hour later, Kaji was driving with the top down in his brand new used car. "Nice, only 8,000km on it, so it's barely ever been used, rides nice, and is in great condition. I can't believe they didn't ask for more, they could have easily gotten double of what I paid, hell triple wouldn't have been out of the ordinary." Kaji said happily as he sped down the highway towards Tokyo–3 to NERV HQ, where he was needed for some mission by the Commander.
"Figures, that Ikari needs me for something." Kaji said exasperatedly. "Playing triple agent won't last very long, but it's worth it, as I'm finding out so much about everyone's little secrets." Kaji shifted into fourth gear and continued down the roadway at breakneck speed. "SEELE wants to know about Ikari, Ikari wants to be informed as to SEELE's goings on and is Japan is suspicious of NERV or not, and the Japanese government wants constant information on the paramilitary organization and its funding source the U.N. on a regular basis, and everyone has so much to hide, its laughable as to why no one has figured out what I'm doing yet."
Kaji laughed as he shifted into fifth gear and pushed the car to see how fast it could go. "Hmmm, 250 k/h, nice top speed, but better let it coast, I don't want to blow the engine." Kaji let go of the gas and let the car coast back down to a safer speed, and then downshifted and engaged the cruise control. "I know the triple agent thing will be the death of me, but it's the best way to gather intelligence on Second Impact without anyone noticing. With everyone looking over their shoulders at everyone else, it makes it easy to gather intel."
Kaji looked at the road ahead of him and noticed it was clear of any traffic. "Good, no traffic like this and I'll be in Tokyo–3 in no time. But this new bit of information I got last week has disturbed me, this Marduk Institute that selects Evangelion pilots. But so far, the Commander's ward and a Gehirn scientist's daughter have been selected, which begs the question, who's behind the Marduk Institute, and what other secrets is that place hiding."
September 15, 2012 – Outside Tokyo–3, Mass Cemetery
Shinji was on his way to the cemetery where his mother was buried. It was the first time in eight years he'd been back to the area around Tokyo–3, and it would also be the first time he'll meet his father.
Shinji walked quietly to the cemetery, and as he arrived he saw a stoic figure in the distance standing above a grave. "Father…" Shinji muttered as he walked in the man's direction.
As Shinji got closer he saw that his father had yet to notice him, and Shinji looked down. When he got up next to Gendo he looked u and said very quietly. "Hello, father…"
"Shinji." Gendo said gruffly. "This is the first time you've been here, correct?" Gendo asked.
"Yes, father…" Shinji said nervously.
"Why did you come today, Shinji?" Gendo asked.
"Be… because you sent me… a… a note that said to come here today." Shinji replied nervously.
"So, you simply do as you're told." Gendo said. "Like any good child should."
"Did you invite me here so I… I could come back to… to live with you father?" Shinji asked.
"No, it is not yet time for you to come home." Gendo said, still looking at Yui's grave.
"Then why invite me here? Why bother to get my hopes up?!" Shinji said indignantly. "Why father! ANSWER ME!" Shinji shouted.
"I will not answer a child who is having a temper tantrum." Gendo said. "And my reason are my own, they are of no concern of yours."
"Why father… why invite me at all…" Shinji said in a depressed tone as he turned on his heels and ran way from the cemetery, from his father, and from his feelings.
"What a coward, how will I ever use him in my plan to return Yui to me?" Gendo said as he noticed Shinji run off.
As he ran, Shinji put in his earphones and played his SDAT for the run back to the train station in Tokyo–3, and for the long ride back to Atsugi.
I wanna run away
Never say goodbye
I wanna know the truth
Instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door
And open up my mind
–––
I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
To lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
Shinji had fallen asleep listening to his SDAT, as when he arrived home from the train, Jushiro had been extremely worried, and brought Shinji straight home, where Shinji retreated silently to his room without a word and gone to sleep without even bothering to change.
Now Shinji was dreaming of his father standing there mocking him for being a child, and then the scene in his head swirled around show a field overlooking what looked like a university. To Shinji it looked very beautiful and majestic. He kept looking round at the scene around him, and the he noticed someone was sitting next to him. It was a very pretty girl who was about 16 or 17, wearing pink rimmed glasses with brilliant aqua colored eyes, and long brunette hair, tied up in twin–tails.
"Bad day huh?" The girl said to him.
"What?" Shinji said, sounding surprised he wasn't alone in his dream. "I guess…"
"Don't look so down kid. Why don't you tell me what happened?" The mysterious girl said, scooting closer to Shinji.
"It's a bit complicated, and mother told me to never to talk to strangers." Shinji said.
"Is your mother Yui Ikari?" The girl said. "She may have mentioned me, my name is Mari."
"Mari?" Shinji said wracking his brain. "I don't think she ever did…"
"You can talk to me, Shinji, I won't bite." Mari said.
"How do you know my name?" Shinji asked.
"Your mother told me." Mari replied. "How else could I know?"
"But isn't this a dream? Are you even real?" Shinji asked.
"Shinji, there are just some things you're too young to understand, but I am real." Mari said. "Now, I know from experience that talking about what's bothering you will help."
"But, I don't really want to talk…" Shinji said sadly.
"Well, don't you have someone to talk to?" Mari asked politely. "Someone you'll trust?"
"I used to have a friend, but I can't remember her name, all I know is she was really nice to me…" Shinji said sadly, a tear running down his cheek. Mari scooted closer to the boy. "She just stopped calling a long time ago, and I don't even think she knows I moved, if I could talk to her, she'd make me feel better." Shinji started to sniffle. "But no one at school wants to be my friend, they think I'm some kind of freak because they think my father killed my mother!" Shinji started to cry.
'Gendo kill Yui, not possible, he loved her too much to do that…' Mari thought as she wrapped her arms around Shinji. "Shhh, Shinji, let it all out, just let it all out." Mari said soothingly.
"I'm just so lonely!" Shinji shouted, "I just want a friend, but I'm afraid they'll leave me again like she did, I don't like being alone, but it's all I'm good for."
"That's not true, Shinji. You're a very sweet little boy, you just need someone to watch over you and be your friend." Mari said consolingly. "Just cry as much as you want Shinji, I'm here for you."
Through his sobs, Shinji tried to choke out a sentence. "Will you… will you please be… be my friend, Mari?"
"Of course Shinji, of course I'll be your friend." Mari said as she clutched the boy against her chest and Shinji nuzzled his head against her collarbone. "I just wish I could be there for you in real life."
To Be Continued
A/N: I do not own Evangelion or any of the characters, GAINAX and the other distributors of NGE related material do. I am simply using them as a backdrop for my fanfic.
As for the songs used in this chapter, I don't own them either, and they're listed below in order of appearance:
Fall Out Boy – The Music Or The Misery (2005)
Linkin Park – Runaway (2000)
Linkin Park – In The End (2000)
So, to clarify the half–siblings thing with Asuka, her siblings are named to replace her, as Oscar wants a fresh start with a new family, as he despises Asuka for reminding him of Kyoko, and being a constant reminder of something he'd rather forget. So I picked names that were similar to Asuka, and styled like her rebuild name.
Asumi Langley Shikinami – Asuka's half–sister
Akito Langley Shikinami – Asuka's half–brother
Also from Kyoko's death to when the twins are born is exactly 8 months, which is slightly shorter than your average twin's gestation (hooray for dates and research), just as further proof that Oscar was cheating on a still breathing albeit disabled Kyoko, like an ass.
Ok, so this is Shinji's SDAT track listing, as I described he made himself within the chapter, cause he's not stupid, as the show seems to sometimes portray him, he just does as he's told most of the time, and music is the only way he can be happy (at this point in time). A special shout out to Silvermoonlight GJ for helping me pick out a few of the tracks (specifically Tracks 09, 13, 16, 20, 24, and 27), the rest, well I listen to constantly, and also, notice the appropriate usage of tracks 25 and 26. Anyway, check out the list below.
Track 01: The Music Or The Misery, Fall Out Boy, "From Under the Cork Tree" (2005)
Track 02: Points of Authority, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 03: Scars, Papa Roach, "Getting Away With Murder" (2003)
Track 04: Breaking The Habit, Linkin Park, "Meteora" (2003)
Track 05: Thanks For The Memories, Fall Out Boy, "Infinity on High" (2007)
Track 06: Higher, Creed, "Human Clay" (1999)
Track 07: Wherever You Will Go, The Calling, "Camino Palmero" (2001)
Track 08: Closing Time, Semisonic "Feeling Strangely Fine" (1998)
Track 09: Look Away, Big Country, "The Seer" (1986)*
Track 10: Sugar, We're Going Down, Fall Out Boy, "From Under the Cork Tree" (2005)
Track 11: Wake Me Up When September Ends, Green Day, "American Idiot" (2005)
Track 12: Can't Take It, The All–American Rejects "Move Along" (2005)
Track 13: Mouth, Bush, "Deconstructed" (1997)*
Track 14: Pushing Me Away, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 15: The Boys of Summer, The Ataris, "So Long, Astoria" (2003)
Track 16: Cry Little Sister, Gerard McMahon, "The Lost Boys" (1987)*
Track 17: The Great Escape, Boys Like Girls, "Boys Like Girls" (2007)
Track 18: Hero/Heroine, Boys Like Girls, "Boys Like Girls" (2007)
Track 19: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), Green Day, "Nimrod" (1997)
Track 20: Money for Noting, Dire Straits, "Brothers in Arms" (1985)*
Track 21: A Place For My Head, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 22: Numb, Linkin Park, "Meteora" (2003)
Track 23: It Ends Tonight, The All–American Rejects "Move Along" (2005)
Track 24: Army Dreamers, Kate Bush, "Never For Ever" (1980)*
Track 25: Crawling, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 26: Runaway, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 27: The Road to Hell, Chris Rea, "The Road to Hell" (1989)*
Track 28: In The End, Linkin Park, "Hybrid Theory" (2000)
Track 29: -BLANK-
Track 30: -BLANK-
Kaji has been given new wheels in the form of Magnum P.I.'s iconic car, the model listed was used in season 8 of the show, and I thought it tied in Kaji's job as an investigator for himself (among his other work) and looking into Second Impact.
As for Mari showing up twice, it was her still trying to escape from Lilith, as it's been a while since we heard from the poor girl, she needed some time in the story.
Finally, Asuka getting back at her father the way she did seemed more than appropriate considering the shit he's put her though since Kyoko died, and don't worry, that impotence of his is only the first issue he'll have. By the end of this story, he'll really regret that he pissed off Asuka Langley Soryu.
As I said before, and will always say at the end of chapter, please leave comments, as I would like to try to improve the story going forward any way I can. And, hell, constructive criticism is a good thing.
つづく