Creation began on 06-09-15
Creation ended on 06-10-15
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Sword of Destruction, Sword of Life: Compassion
It took no effort to know that Shinji was worried about Misato and Toji when he heard about the Unit-03 incident an hour ago. And, to the confusion and curiosity of some of the personnel, why he brought a sword with him when he looked like he didn't know anything about how to use one.
"It's just an antique," Shinji said to anyone that asked about it. "A good luck charm."
I hope this sword is what that dream I had showed it as, Shinji thought, fearing for the worst if anything happened to Misato or Toji, as he sat in the Entry Plug of Unit-01.
Suddenly, as the sun began to set, Shinji saw an obscured figure approaching the area he and the other Evas were positioned. It resembled an Eva, but wrapped in darkness.
"That's an Eva," he expressed, and took a hold of Tenseiga for comfort.
"It's an Angel now," Gendo told him.
That wasn't what Shinji expected to hear, let alone hear from his father, but what he feared beyond this revelation was the possibility that Toji was still inside the possessed Eva.
-x-
In the darkness, Toji found himself surrounded by strange creatures wearing large marbles or prayer beads and carrying spears.
"What are you?" He questioned.
"We," said one of them in response to his question, "are the demons of the afterlife, and we're here to take you to where you need to go, as your heart has stopped within your flesh."
"What? My heart has stopped? You mean…I'm dead?"
"That's right," said another of the demons to him.
"No. No, I mean… I need to go home. I need to see my sister. She'll be waiting for me."
"You don't understand, boy," the third demon said to him. "You can never go back. You're dead. The dead can never go back."
-x-
He refused to attack the Eva and risk harming his friend, and Gendo ordered the activation of an autopilot system that took control of Unit-01 from him. He couldn't do anything but watch as the Eva, against his will, rip Unit-03 to shreds…and crush the Entry Plug.
Suddenly, the sword, Tenseiga, began pulsating, almost as if alive or something.
Shinji Ikari, he heard a voice in his head. You can save him before it's too late. Swing me. See the demons of the afterlife. Drive them away, and you'll save your friend.
Shinji grabbed Tenseiga, and suddenly saw a trio of creatures similar to the ones he saw in his dream, surrounding the crushed plug of Unit-03.
I can…see them, he thought, and unsheathed the sword, seeing the blade glowing brightly. But there's not enough room to swing the sword.
Just swing, he heard the voice again. It doesn't matter if it's long or short, so long as you swing. Swing, and your friend will be saved. Save your friend.
And Shinji swung the blade. It was a short swing, due to being in the plug, but he saw the blade unleash a wave of light that went towards the crushed plug.
Please, he prayed, save Toji. Please.
-x-
GASP! The trio of demons stopped trying to take Toji with them, as they felt assaulted by an unknown energy.
"You're a lucky fellow," one of them told him, releasing him from their grip, "someone has revived you from death. It is not your time today. But heed this warning. You cannot evade your demise forever."
Moments later, the demons faded away…and Toji was bathed in a warm light. He closed his eyes…and then opened them again, seeing he was on a stretcher in front of Unit-01.
"I'm…I'm alive?" He questioned.
"You're a lucky young man," a paramedic told him. "You were almost crushed, but these things you kids get put in are dense."
Within Unit-01, having witnessed the revival of his friend, Shinji re-sheathed Tenseiga and uttered, "Thank you, Tenseiga. Thank you."
To be continued…
A/N: Shinji finally uses one of his swords and saves a life. What do you think? I get that the chapter's short, but the story will progress in due time.