Chapter 2 – Angel Attack!

Pvt. Ryuji Nakajima was a cynical man by nature. Growing up in the wake of Second Impact had a tendency to do that to a person. He had been six years old when the meteor had hit and he'd watched the chaos and warfare unfold on television. He'd seen the turmoil effect his family and friends in the form of economic hardship, privation, and even death. Needles to say he grew up understanding that the world was not a kind place.

As he'd gotten older he'd watched how everyone around him had worked tirelessly to restore Japan to its former glory. So it was that when he graduated high school with admittedly average marks, he joined the JSSDF. He chalked it up as wanting to help serve his country but deep down he knew it was just a way to chase after some of the idealism he'd lost as a kid. Basic training had been challenging, with many of his squad-mates picking on him for his short stature and dour attitude. Still, he had persevered through it and now was on his first real deployment... on the outskirts of Tokyo 3 for whatever reason.

When he'd gotten the news that his regiment had received the assignment he had been confused. The sheer amount of manpower involved had led him to believe it was going to be part of a short training exercise but it had been months since they had been stationed there. It seemed like half of the JSSDF was sitting around with its guns pointed out to sea over old ruins for no discernible reason. From what he had gathered the government was beefing up coastal defenses across all of the main islands but why? It made him quite irritated to sit day after day on high alert with no one knowing exactly why. All these things pointed to something being seriously wrong.

So there he was, on a bright summer day, staring out to sea with his rifle over his back, bored out of his goddamn mind.

"Something on your mind, Nakajima-kun?"

Nakajima looked to his left where his close friend Pvt. Kentaro Masaki standing and holding a canteen cup full of steaming coffee. "Yeah," he replied. "Boredom. I still don't understand why we're on this stupid assignment."

Masaki shrugged. "Ours is not to question says that old English poem," he replied. "We're soldiers after all."

Nakajima snorted. "We've been sitting here for months and the brass have told us nothing!" he exclaimed. "Aren't you bored out of your skull? I'd feel a lot better if they'd just give us a reason. It makes me think something's up."

Masaki laughed. "You always think something's up," he retorted.

Nakajima scowled and looked back out to sea, crossing his arms as he did so. "Eventually I'll be right..." he grumbled. He liked Masaki but he was far too trusting and cheerful at times.

Masaki put his hand on his shoulder. "Come on, cheer up," he said. "Compared to helping to rebuild after the typhoon that rolled through Shikoku last year, we've got a pretty cushy job."

How could his friend be so nonchalant about these kind of things? He'd been this way since basic. But then again, he balanced him out. If it wasn't for Masaki, he probably would have lost his mind half way into this assignment. In that way, he was grateful for his friend. Nakajima sighed. "You're probably right," he eventually replied begrudgingly. "Still, I would kill for some excitement around here, or at least some of that coffee you're drinking."

Masaki snickered. "I'm not walking back to the FOB, you're on your own buddy," he stated with a grin.

"What are you lazy bastards doing? Get back to your posts!" a strong, aggressive voice called out.

Instantly Nakajima felt his ass pucker. He and Masaki both whirled round and snapped to attention. "Sir, sorry, Sgt. Saito, sir!" Masaki barked out. "We'll return to our posts at once!"

Nakajima gulped as he stared down the intimidating figure that was Sgt. Saito. He was a strict man with narrow eyes and the long strands of hair that swept down across his face in narrow spider-leg strands under his helmet added to his threatening visage. Needless to say, he was not a man to be screwed with. "Sir, what Pvt. Masaki said, sir! We'll return to our posts at once!" he barked out.

Sgt. Saito smirked. "I heard what you ladies were talking about," he stated. "Do you really want to know why we're stationed here, Nakajima?"

Nakajima stiffened. Indeed he did want to know what the reason behind their assignment but he also knew this was a loaded question. He didn't want to find himself peeling potatoes or facing more serious penal action if he inquired... but curiosity is insatiable at times. That's probably why it ends up killing the cat in the old adage, the cat was a soldier, he thought. "Sir?" he voiced tentatively.

Sgt. Saito chuckled. "We're here because the brass thinks that we should be here," he replied calmly. "Truth be told, it's classified from what I understand. Masaki is right, ours is not to question. Ours is to do and die if necessary. Remember that as a soldier, Nakajima."

Nakajima saluted. He knew when not to press his luck. "Sir, yes sir!" he responded reflexively.

There was a loud rumble and the ground vibrated slightly. Nakajima turned toward the ocean in time to see a large column of water falling back to the otherwise placid surface. He stared intently at the point at which the water rippled out from the initial splash. This was interesting to say the least. He wondered what would happen next. Maybe he'd get a chance to put all the bullshit that had been drilled into him in basic to the test...

Then a figure rose from the water, an enormous figure that was vaguely humanoid. Nakajima felt the blood drain from his face. For the first time since he joined the JSSDF, he truly felt fear.

"What the fuck is that?" Sgt. Saito muttered.

Then all hell broke loose...

"May I have your attention. As of 12:30 pm today, a special state of emergency has been declared for the Kanto and Chubu regions surrounding the Tokai district. All residents must evacuate to their designated shelters immediately. Repeat. As of 12:30 pm today, a special state of emergency has been declared for the Kanto and Chubu regions surrounding the Tokai district. All residents must evacuate to their designated shelters." a robotic voice declared over a distant loudspeaker.

Shinji Ikari hung up the pay phone he had attempted to use. The line was dead except for the computerized voice saying, "We're sorry. Due to the state of special emergency, no lines are currently available."

"Ugh, it's no use..." he grumbled.

He still didn't understand why he had come here to Tokyo 3. Well, he did, but he didn't like thinking about it. His father had sent for him with a letter that contained only one word. Come. He'd not seen his father in a few years and their relationship had always been distant and difficult. He'd also received an identification card for some place called NERV. None of that mattered though. Deep down, he hoped that coming to this city would give him the chance to connect with his father. Maybe the man actually wanted a relationship with his son? It was possible. He'd been instructed to meet some woman named Katsuragi who apparently thought it was rational to send suggestive photos to a fourteen year old boy... though he would have to admit that she did have a nice rack. No! He shouldn't be thinking things like a common pervert...

Eyeing the aforementioned photograph, he huffed in frustration. "I guess we won't be meeting here," he muttered. "Maybe I should find a shelter... huh?"

Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a young girl around his age. She appeared strange though, considering her mop of blue hair. She also appeared almost translucent like a ghost. He found the sight quite strange.

Suddenly a group of birds took off from the power lines above him that drew his attention. When he looked back down the street where the girl had been she was gone. Odd... Shinji thought to himself. Did I really just see that? I must be imagining things... Get a grip...

Then there was a pulse, a rumbling in the earth that shook the ground and rocked the buildings around him. Shinji instinctively ducked. It wasn't an earthquake tremor, Japan had enough of those for him to know the difference. Besides, it came and went too quickly for it to be that. This was something else entirely. The noise was immense as well, making him plug his ears. More over, it sounded like it was coming from behind him.

Turning around, his eyes widened in horror at the sight. There was a massive, ungodly... thing! It was a monster! It was bipedal and vaguely humanoid except for the bony structures of it's horrid face and protruding ribs around a red sphere in the center of it's chest. It was a truly petrifying sight to behold. Military VTOL aircraft were hovering around it. Shinji knew that by all rational logic that something like this shouldn't, no, couldn't be possible! He stood in place, paralyzed with fear. What the hell is going on!?

Missiles roared overhead, blasting up dust and other ambient detritus as they went streaking by barely above his head. Shinji yelped in panic as he watched the battle unfold against this Lovecraftian kaiju horror. The beast kept lumbering with giant footfalls despite absorbing punishment that would have disabled or destroyed entire armies. Shinji felt himself shaking in fear. This was a nightmare and he'd awaken in his bed back at his teachers house any moment...

The monster swatted one of the many VTOL aircraft out of sky like it was an annoying fly with some kind of energy lance that came out of it's hand. It careened into the street only a few meters away from where he was standing, catching fire and shattering the buildings in front of him. He shut his eyes and screamed. This was too much. This wasn't a dream. Why in the world was this happening?

The beast jumped through the air and landed right on top of the downed aircraft causing it to explode. Shinji was thrown backward onto the ground with barely enough time to shield his face from the heat and blast of the explosion. Then, when he opened his eyes, he noticed a car directly in front of him, it's open door looking like a heavenly salvation. A woman with purple hair and sunglasses was driving. She held the door open for him and he realized it was the woman in the photograph, Katsuragi. "Sorry," she said. "Get in. Am I real late?"

Shinji didn't question, the blue sedan was a way out of this madness. He jumped in without question. Katsuragi gunned the engine and swerved just in time to avoid the foot of the giant monster. He shut his eyes as they barreled away from the battle. This day had to be some kind of nightmare.

They sailed away from the monster down the road and Shinji thought he was going to be sick from how violent the car ride was. He watched as the monster grew distant, utterly transfixed by this scene straight out of an old Kaiju film. Then the car stopped abruptly with a squealing of rubber on pavement. He was confused. Why were they stopping when they were still out in the open?

He looked over at Katsuragi who was holding a pair of binoculars and looking off at the now distant monster. She leaned over him abruptly, knocking his face with her elbow and causing him to wince in pain. Was everything out to hurt him today? "Wait a second?" he barely heard her mutter before her voice became a panicked shout. "No! They're gonna use an N2 mine! Get down!"

She tackled him down below the level of the window as a blinding white flash filled the sky.

Gendo Ikari was a man who always had a plan. That was his nature. His entire life had been one of making plans and executing them. Today was no different. Everything was playing into his hands exactly as he had predicted. He watched from his perch in the central command bunker as the military leaders below barked orders on how to destroy the beast that was rampaging through Tokyo 3 with a dulled annoyance. He knew full well that they didn't have the firepower to neutralize the target. Only he had the power to defeat it.

And yet, he was relegated to stand by and watch in his own command center.

He had expected things to go like this. In the years leading up to this day many other organizations besides his had received funding from the UN via the old men and their influence. Obviously, politics being what they are, the Japanese military would get the first shot. It didn't make a difference, all that the JSSDF was doing was vainglorious posturing. All he needed to was bide his time until he would get the inevitable go-ahead. For now he would put his faith in the captain, and hope that she would arrive in time with the spare. He had heard stories of her lack of navigational skills but he assumed those stories to be exaggerations on the part of the general staff.

"It's been fifteen years..." the man beside him, one Kozo Fuyutsuki murmured as they stared at the giant screen displaying the action overhead.

"Indeed," Gendo replied. "The Angels are back..."

He watched as billions of yen worth of ordinance struck the target only to have no effect. The target even caught a large guided missile much to the frustration of the military attache that was commanding this futile operation. The missile exploded and the target stood completely unharmed.

"Look's like an A.T. field," Fuyutsuki commented.

"Yes," he replied, agreeing with the obvious statement of fact. "Conventional weapons are no match for the angels."

He knew what would come next. The JSSDF would use an N2 bomb in their futile attempts to destroy their target. At most it would simply stun the thing. As he had mentioned to his vice commander, conventional weapons, even ones on the level of thermonuclear yield would have no effect. He had waited for this day for a long time and soon it would be his time to shine. Soon it would be time to put his plans in motion.

He watched as the bomb exploded and all the military goons cheered. How foolish. It was childish almost, to brag prematurely like that. One of the members of the brass turned to him. "Well Ikari, looks like you won't be getting a shot," he issued smugly.

Oh I shall. You'll see soon enough... he thought to himself while never letting any emotion get passed his gloved hands and orange tinted glasses.

"Shock-wave approaching," a voice on a loudspeaker called out shortly before the video feed went dead.

Gendo was a patient man. He had waited for so long to be given this moment and so he did not allow his anticipation to show. It would be a few moments before they would all know that only his "toys" as they'd been so derisively called would get their day in the sun. Then nothing, not even the old men would stop him from pursuing his endgame.

"What's the status of the target?" another high ranking JSSDF officer shouted.

"We're unable to confirm, the electromagnetic pulse knocked everything out," came the reply.

"It must be dead!" another shouted. "It took the full blast!"

The static on screen became a digital display of wave patterns and thermal scans. "External sensors restored, energy reading at the epicenter," a voice declared.

"It can't be!" the JSSDF officer on the left shouted in bewilderment.

Video feed was suddenly restored showing that the Angel was completely intact. "External cameras restored," yet another voice declared over the com.

Gendo felt his cold heart jumping with a sick glee though he failed to show it. To the room he was the picture of self control with his clasped hands in front of his mouth. It was exactly as had been predicted by the scrolls and the old men. One step closer to realizing his goals, the first step to reuniting with her... No, he would not let himself get caught up fantasizing about the endgame. This was still the first round in the match and he needed to win them all that inevitably were to come in order to declare victory. There would be more angels after this one, but by then all of his competition would be on stand down orders. Any one who would try to interfere would be swiftly dealt with.

He knew that the JSSDF would spend ample time analyzing the motionless creature on the video screen, wasting precious time he had to prepare his arms but it was a small price to pay. His options were limited until Captain Katsuragi returned. Until then he was content to wait until that moment. After all, a true master of Shogi knows the value of patience, and Gendo was a very patient man...

Shinji's world was a vortex. The blast of... whatever that huge explosion had come out of had whipped the car off of the road and made it tumble like a weed in the Mojave Desert in all those old American movies. When the car stopped on it's side he felt himself over for injuries after untangling himself from Katsuragi. Though he found nothing serious he knew for certain that he would wake up sore the next day. He stood up and popped his head out the passenger side window just in time for the blinding light to start fading and to catch a glimpse of the rising mushroom cloud where that monster had been. It was an impressive sight to say the least. "Wow..." was all he could muster, murmuring to himself absently.

Katsuragi rose up through the window and stared at the devastation as well. She also appeared transfixed with the sight. "I can't believe they'd use that," she said. "What are they thinking using that so close to the city..."

"What is that thing?" Shinji found himself asking. "That bomb?"

"It's an N2 weapon," Katsuragi replied. "It's sort of like an atomic bomb but without the radioactive fallout."

Shinji shuddered. He knew all too well from school the devastation of nuclear weapons. Then again, who in Japan didn't understand the horrors of the atom? First Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the 1940's and then Tokyo in the wars post Second Impact... he was glad that he had not experienced any of that first hand.

"Are you alright?" Katsuragi asked.

He coughed. He knew that he was covered in dust and grime since the window had been open at the time of the blast and he could taste mud. He must have inhaled a good amount of grime when the car had been rolling off of the road. He nodded to her. "Yeah," he returned. "I'm fine except for the dirt in my mouth."

"You'll be alright," Katsuragi stated, climbing up out of the car and extending a hand to help him out of the car. As soon as he had exited she braced herself against the roof of the car. "Mind helping me out?" she asked.

Shinji nodded and braced his back against the car. "Heave!" Katsuragi shouted. He gritted his teeth as the two of them shoved the car. He strained against the two ton machine but eventually it budged and flopped back upright onto its wheels.

Katsuragi patted he hands together, blasting the dust off of her hands and finger-less driving gloves before turning to him. "Thanks Shinji-kun, you're pretty useful," she said with a cheerful grin.

Shinji was never one for praise. It made him feel awkward at best and undeserving at worst. Besides, she'd saved him from that monster only minutes before. "Thank you, but, I should be thanking you, Katsuragi-san," he replied.

Katsuragi scoffed. "Please, Misato is fine," she said, removing her sunglasses. "So, Shinji Ikari, we meet at last."

Shinji didn't know exactly how to respond so he just smiled. "Uh, yeah," he returned.

Katsura... Misato stepped over to the car, walking around to the driver's side. "Well, we have places to be, so lets get moving," she said as she sat down and started the engine. "Come on."

Shinji was surprised that the car even started after how banged up it had gotten. Hell, it was surprising that the roof hadn't been crushed when it'd flown off the road. He hesitated for a moment and then got in.

As soon as he did and Misato shifted the car into gear, the engine died.

He looked at Misato who's cheery expression had fallen into an awkward nervous one. "Damn, the battery is dead. I guess we need to find an auto parts store..." she stated nervously.

Shinji nodded. That would seem like a logical idea, but everyone should be in a shelter... how would they get what they need when there was no one to sell them what they needed. Unless...

Shinji shook his head. What on earth had he gotten himself into?

Gendo had swapped places on the command deck. He was now ready to assume command of the operation. He stood with Fuyutsuki looking up at the raised platform he had been on moments before the pointless offensive had been waged by the JSSDF. He appeared a picture of total calm and control. It was quite difficult not to smirk knowing that he was about to get his way, that his plans would soon be set into motion...

"Command of this operation has been entrusted to you," the highest ranking officer present said before issuing an impotent threat. "Don't betray our trust."

Gendo played along. He was not above showing submission when it suited his ends. "Yes sir," he replied flatly.

"Mr. Ikari," the general on the left spoke. One final act of disrespect to try and save face he assumed. "We've already seen that our weapons seem to have no effect. That's why we're giving you a chance."

The oldest of the three, the one that had issued the laughable threat spoke again. "Ikari, do you really think you can beat them?" he asked.

Gendo adjusted his glasses. Indeed he didn't just think that he could beat them, he knew that he could beat them. He had schemed and plotted for over a decade to reach this moment. "It's the reason NERV exists," he replied flatly.

The general scowled. "I pray you're right..." he answered. The platform began to descend with a mechanical whirring sound. In moments it and the generals had exited the command center. Gendo couldn't help but feel a bit smug. Soon he would show the true potential of Project E. The only thing missing was a suitable pilot.

Correction, he had a suitable pilot, a more than suitable pilot, it was simply they were out of commission. The accident with Unit 00 was an unfortunate delay in his plans. Despite the status of Pilot Ayanami and her purpose in his scenario, he cared about her, to some extent, the way a person cares about a pet. Yes... that was how he would choose to look at it. As such, he did not want to send her into harms way unnecessarily. He could always activate another, but that would raise suspicion. Then again, there was a chance that Unit 01 would reject her and refuse synchronization. That would make any effort to utilize her null anyway. Indeed, that was why he didn't want to deploy her in her current condition. This was why he had sent for a spare...

The spare in question, his son, should be arriving shortly. He had a... difficult relationship with him to say the least. Years ago he'd sent him away because raising him alone had been too much for him. He wasn't capable of it. He'd been... afraid of it. The boy reminded him too much of himself and his own shortcomings. Besides, if he were to devote his time to raising his son that would lessen the time he would have to refine the scenario. He wasn't good or comfortable being an affectionate parent anyway, better off to let someone else take over. From what he understood, the boy had grown up to be quite the suck-up, desperate for praise and usually putting other's needs before his own. His reports had also mentioned him becoming a bit weak willed. No matter, these traits could easily be manipulated for his ends. The boy had probably only responded to his summons in the vain hope that he would accept him and work on their relationship. As long as his son could be utilized and kept in check, everything would go according to plan. That was, he reminded himself, if Katsuragi could deliver him in a timely fashion.

"The combined UN and JSSDF forces are exhausted," Fuyutsuki stated as soon as the military brass was safely out of the room. "What are you going to do?

Gendo turned to him. Wasn't it obvious? "Activate Unit 01," he stated flatly.

"Activate it? How?" Fuyutsuki replied. "We don't have a pilot."

Gendo allowed the smallest of smirks to spread on his face. It seemed that he had neglected to inform him of his decision. If he had, it surely would have been met with protest. Fuyutsuki could be rather soft when it came to such matters. It was good that he had been kept in the dark. He enjoyed holding all the cards and being in control, a king with NERV as his castle. "Not anymore," he replied. "Our spare should be arriving soon."

Fuyutsuki looked a bit bewildered for a moment before his gaze hardened. "You cannot mean..." he trailed off.

Gendo nodded. He knew the power of a laconic response. "Indeed..." he returned.

Shinji sat in the passenger seat of Misato's car, riding once again towards wherever his father worked. They'd managed to get the car working thanks to... dubious means. He found himself just a little bit frustrated and annoyed. No. He was very annoyed. This entire day had been a pain so far. A part of him felt guilty as he'd been an accomplice to theft. "Um, Misato-san?"

Misato seemed shaken from whatever thoughts were running through her mind. "Hmm? What's that?"

"Those batteries we took from that parts store, isn't that theft?" he asked.

Misato laughed nervously. "Uh... don't worry about it. Uh, it's an emergency and we needed a working car right? I am a government official after all so... everything is going to be perfectly fine," she replied.

Despite her response, Shinji was still a bit incredulous. "I don't think anyone will buy that excuse..." he returned.

"You're no fun," she retorted, glancing at him with a bit of a frown. "You know, you're not as cute as I thought you were."

Shinji tensed. Why would a grown woman have any business calling him cute? Not only that but he was a boy, a teenage boy at that! He would have accepted handsome but not cute... Either way, it was bruising. He knew, rationally, that she was just teasing him, but it still stung. It just reinforced all those intrusive thoughts that he lived with every day, that he was worthless... "Is that so?" he grumbled.

Misato leaned over with a playful grin. Shinji noted that she was now completely ignoring the road. "Oh, angry?" she teased with a playful laugh before continuing in a mocking tone. "I'm sorry, you're just a boy after all."

Normally he would control himself but he couldn't resist. This woman was making it too easy for him. "You're not as mature as I thought you'd be either..." he bit out.

Immediately Misato's teasing grin became a wounded scowl. Shinji was knocked about the car when she began swerving all over the road. I swear, this day wants me dead... he thought to himself. At the very least, Misato Katsuragi was a maniac behind the wheel of an automobile. "Sorry!" he cried. "I take it back!"

Misato immediately stopped swerving. Shinji regarded her nervously as she sat wide eyed staring ahead. After a moment a grin washed over her face and she laughed. "Well... I guess you might have a point..." she murmured softly.

They entered a tunnel and continued for a while in silence. Eventually Misato stopped the car when they reached a dead end. Shinji was about to question when a metal door came down behind the car and Misato spoke again. "Relax, it's just a lift system," she said.

He nodded absently but he was unable to relax. In fact, he was getting more nervous by the minute. Soon enough he would find out the reason for why his father had summoned him and he'd find out if it had been worth the journey. The last time he had seen him had been at his mother's grave and he hadn't even spoken to him that day. His father intimidated him and had been cold to him for as long as he could remember but he still... wanted him to... be his father. It was strange, he felt angry at his father for abandoning him but still he wanted to be close with him. A clear and concise word for what he felt towards the man eluded him. "Uh, Misato-san... are we going to see my father?" he asked.

"Yeah, of course we are," she replied cheerfully.

He tensed. Even now, the sight of his father leaving him at that train station with his teacher was as vivid as the day it happened. The sight of him walking away and never turning back as he wailed in despair at the age of three. That sadness and betrayal would never leave him and still he had come here. All because there was a chance...

Misato spoke and broke him from his introspection. "Did your dad send you an ID card?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied, reaching into his bag and retrieving the summons that he'd received, handing it over to her. "This is it."

He watched her as she looked it over. Maybe he would finally get some sort of explanation as to why he'd been summoned here to this place. Heck, maybe he'd even get answers on whatever that thing that had gone on a rampage earlier was. Ha. Fat chance of that. Probably it had something to do with nuclear testing like in the movies. Misato pulled out a large official looking pamphlet from beside her seat and handed it to him. "Here, start reading this, okay?" she returned.

Shinji took the, well, it was more of a book than a pamphlet, and stared at the cover. He read he letters on the cover aloud and his heart sank. "NERV..." he muttered. "That's my father's agency..." Now he began to understand. He looked over at Misato who was staring ahead with a frown, her arms crossed behind her head. "Am I going to be working for him?" he asked.

She didn't answer and Shinji scowled, looking away. It was all coming together. What an idiot he had been to think that his father had actually wanted to see him. "What am I saying..." he grumbled. "He wouldn't have sent me a letter unless he needed me for something."

"Hmm, I guess you don't get along with your dad," Misato mused. "You sound just like me."

That struck a chord within him. What Misato had said made him curious about her. His relationship with his father wasn't great, no, it was horrible. He knew he wasn't the only one with a lousy upbringing but she... seemed so cheerful. How could she manage that? How could she be so... cavalier about her father? Was it because she was an adult? He found himself pondering if it would be easier to deal with his situation when he was older.

Suddenly the darkness of the lift around them gave way to brilliant golden light. Shinji looked out over the vast expanse they had descended into. Artificial lighting that perfectly mimicked the outside sunset bathed a vast green pasture complete with a lake. Above them were inverted skyscrapers hanging down like stalagmites in a vast cavern. At the center at the end of where the lift spiraled down was a pyramidal building. Shinji was filled with wonder at what he saw. Awesome was an overused word but it fit this sight! He had heard of this type of thing before but seeing one was truly something else. "Awesome!" Shinji exclaimed. "It's a real geofront!"

"That's right," Misato stated. "This is our secret underground base, NERV Central. This city is the key to rebuilding our world, a fortress for all mankind."

Shinji continued staring out the window. He still didn't know what to make of the madness that the day had been so far but he got the sense that this place was special. Somehow he knew that after today nothing would ever be the same. He knew he'd be having nightmares about that giant monster thing to say the least. Hopefully the military had been able to handle it. None of that mattered right now though, the view was beautiful. For now, he just took in the sight of the geofront.

She opened her red eyes to the sight of that familiar white ceiling. Today was the day. Today was the day that the Third Angel would attack. She turned her head to the window and noted the orange glow coming in from the window and assumed it to be morning. She could only assume it to be morning, if it was evening then she would already have been called to pilot Unit 01 to delay the Angel until Ikari-kun arrived.

That was, Rei reminded herself, if everything was the same.

Why wouldn't things be the same? She thought hard on that. Yui Ikari's words still rang in her ears. A beginning. Not the beginning, but a beginning. She struggled to comprehend the meaning of those words. What did they mean? So far, as far as she could tell, things were happening as they had. The only thing different was that she didn't remember being this well rested...

Unless this wasn't morning...

The nurse from the previous day walked into view and stopped at her door. She appeared nervous. "How are you feeling, Pilot Ayanami?" she asked.

Rei regarded her. Perhaps she could gain a bit of perspective on her current status. "I am recovering," she stated before levying an inquiry. "What time is it currently?"

"That's good to hear," the nurse replied, stepping into her room. Rei watched as she began fiddling with the medical equipment that she was hooked up to. "You slept for a long time. We're currently on high alert. The commander requested you be moved to standby. It's currently half past seven at night."

Rei's eyes widened. It was different! Her heart began to beat faster in her chest. It was different from how it had been before! In the world she remembered Commander Ikari had sent her out in the early afternoon to face the Angel and here she was, still in her hospital bed. What did it mean? Was Ikari-kun already here? Was he currently fighting? The uncertainty filled her with anxiety. The gravity of her current lot was setting in. Everything had been certain for her up until now. Uncertainty was certainly new to her and she wasn't sure how to feel about it.

The nurse grabbed her wrist. "Are you alright, Pilot Ayanami?" she asked. "Your pulse is fluctuating rapidly."

Rei looked at her and studied the look of concern in her eyes. Her emotional fluctuations must have translated into the machines attached to her. "I am fine," she said. It was a lie. Had she ever told a lie? Deception was wrong and yet... she couldn't help herself. It felt right in this situation. It felt... human.

The nurse nodded. "I'm sorry, but we have to move you," she said. "Can you walk?"

Rei tried to sit up and pain shot through her lower body. She yelped from the pain even. This was familiar. She was no stranger to pain. She fell back down to the medical bed breathing heavily. "No," she stated flatly.

Three men entered her room with a gurney. The nurse spoke again. "I'm sorry, but we're going to have to lift you on the stretcher and take you out of here," she said.

Rei nodded and closed her eyes. She'd been through this before. She could handle discomfort.

They lifted her as gently as possible on to the gurney and began wheeling her toward the pilot dressing rooms in minutes. She fell deep into thought as she watched the ceiling tiles whip by. Things were going like before but different at the same time. The commander had not called her to pilot and yet she was being moved to suit up as she had before. What did it all mean? If things were proceeding as they had before Ikari-kun would be arriving very soon and the Third Angel would be resuming it's attack. Was it possible that he was already here and about to engage? Was it possible that the commander hadn't summoned him at all? She wished to know a definitive answer to those things. Not knowing was truly torturous.

Even so, she felt... a funny feeling. It was like... she looked forward to what lay ahead despite having anxiety towards what that might be. Is this feeling... hope? She asked herself. She had never felt hope before. Her entire existence had been hopeless and her future had been set in stone. Now that wasn't the case.

Things could change! They had changed! The fact that the attack of the Third Angel was going different from how she remembered was proof of that. It was only then that she realized the scope of the gift she had been given. The future wasn't written yet. The thought was exhilarating and terrifying.

Then doubt struck her. What if... Ikari-kun wasn't here? What if the commander had never sent for him? No... he had to be. Who else would be able to defeat the Angel? She surely couldn't in her current condition. He had to be here, he must. She shook those doubts from her mind, she would know in a short while how the Angel attack would play out. Still, she felt powerless, and she realized she did not like that feeling.

Rei Ayanami watched the tiles above her whip on by as the medical staff wheeled her towards the EVA bays, her mind slowly sinking deeper into thought.

They had spent what seemed like hours to Shinji traveling through a maze of endless corridors and walkways ever since they entered the NERV complex. He was quite certain that they had doubled back numerous times and voiced as such to Misato. When he had, she'd brushed it off saying that the motorized walkways they'd been on were meant to be used. Eventually they'd come to what Misato had assured him was the right elevator. The ride itself also seemed to take forever so he'd decided to focus on reading the NERV manual. When the doors opened they revealing a woman in a lab coat over a swimsuit who sported hair with a bad blonde dye job. He barely registered her entry as he was too engrossed in the manual. Misato reacted with a little bit of surprise. "H- Hi there, Ritsuko," she stammered out.

This woman, stepped into the elevator. "Why are you wasting my time, Captain?" she inquired in a tone that conveyed profound annoyance. "Don't you know we're short on time and manpower?"

Misato bowed slightly with an uneasy laugh. "Sorry!" was all she issued.

"So this is the boy? Ritsuko asked, cutting right to brass tacks.

"Right," Misato replied. "According the Marduk Report, he's the Third Child."

The woman in the lab coat, Ritsuko Misato had called her, turned towards him. "Pleased to meet you," she said.

Shinji looked up from the NERV manual and nervously met her gaze. "Uh, sure," he stammered out, unsure of how to react. Meeting people was always awkward.

"I'm afraid he's just like his father," Misato stated. "The gruff and unfriendly part that is."

Shinji tensed a little bit. He hated being compared to his father. His father was so cold and distant. He'd never shown him any care. He'd abandoned him! He wasn't heartless like his old man. He wouldn't let himself become like that... He looked down at the floor of the elevator. "I'm nothing like him..." he hissed under his breath.

"What was that?" Misato asked.

She'd overheard him. "Nothing," he replied, returning to reading the manual. Yeah, that was it. She'd just assume he was reading something aloud. He was never much for confrontations so best avoid any difficult topics...

The elevator reached its destination and they continued on their way. Shinji tailed along beside Misato with his nose in the manual, barely registering all that she and Ristuko were talking about. A pit stop was made so Ritsuko could change out of her swimsuit and into more professional attire before they continued onward. They went up another lift and boarded a rubber motorized dingy. Shinji just kept reading the manual. When they got off the boat they entered a dimly lit hallway and when the doors shut behind them all was pitch black. "Hey! Why's it so dark in here?" he exclaimed. Then the lights came back on and he was face to face with... a giant face.

He yelped in surprise at the sight. This thing was enormous! It was covered in purple and black armor and the parts around it's "face" gave it a quite sinister appearance. He'd only seen these kinds of things in old anime, how was it possible? Then again, he thought, how was anything he'd experienced today been possible. "It's a giant robot..." he murmured before looking back to the NERV handbook. Clearly there must be something on this in there, perhaps he'd missed it...

"You won't find this in there," Ritsuko stated flatly.

"What?" he blurted reflexively. What was going on? Why was she showing him this... thing?

"This is mankind's ultimate fighting machine, the synthetic life-form known as Evangelion Unit 01. Built here in secret, it is mankind's last hope," she continued in a calm demeanor. Shinji felt his anxiety spiking through the roof. Why was he being shown this thing?

Those words barely registered. "Is this my father's work?" Shinji asked.

"Correct," A powerful voice issued from high above on some kind of intercom speaker system. Shinji knew that voice and it immediately filled him with anxiety. He looked up to a high deck with large glass windows. There stood his father looking as cold and stoic as ever.

"It's been a while," Gendo spoke, his voice controlled and level. Shinji froze. He didn't know what to say to the man. He never knew what to say to him. Feeling his father's eyes bearing down on him from above he couldn't help but look away. He felt ashamed but he couldn't help it. Yet another reason why he was worthless. No wonder his father had never wanted him...

"We're moving out," Gendo stated flatly.

Misato gasped. "Moving out? But Unit 00's still in cryo-stasis?" she exclaimed. "Wait a minute... you're gonna use Unit 01!?"

"There's no other way," Ritsuko replied calmly.

"Now wait, Rei can't do it now can she?" Misato protested. "We don't have a pilot!"

Ristuko again replied softly and definitively. "We just received one," she said.

Misato glared at her. "You're serious," she bit out curtly as more a statement than an inquiry.

Shinji was staring at the floor through all of this. Why had his father summoned him? Why was he being shown this giant robot? What was happening? Why couldn't he even say anything? Why could he never seem to look his father in the eye? Why was he so worthless? "Shinji Ikari," Ritsuko's voice shook him from his haze. He looked over at her. Why did she want to talk to him? He shifted his feet and clutched at his arm. What did she want?

"You will pilot it," she stated.

You will pilot it. You. Will. Pilot. It. What? How? Why was he being asked to do this? Was this the reason his father had called him to this city? This couldn't be happening... Why was this happening? How could this be happening? But it was happening. He started to shake. He couldn't do this. There was no way that he could do this...

"But even Rei Ayanami took seven months to synchronize with her Eva," Misato returned, as if in answer to his unspoken thoughts. "It's impossible for him to do it. He just got here!"

"He just has to sit in the seat," Ritsuko replied dismissively. "We don't expect more than that."

"But-" Misato started before Ritsuko cut her off. The faux blonde's tone became darker as she spoke. "Listen, defeating that angel is our utmost priority. If we have someone who has a chance of synchronizing with an Eva then we've got to risk it. You do understand that, Captain Katsuragi."

Misato was hesitant for a moment but eventually responded. "Yes ma'am," she replied, defeated.

Shinji scowled. He felt the anger rushing through him. He knew the reason he'd been summoned. He'd been right in what he'd said to Misato. His father wouldn't have sent for him unless he had a use for him. Why had he expected anything else? Still, he had to know for sure. "Why did you send for me?" he called out.

"You know why I sent for you," came the cold and calculated reply.

The emotion was becoming too much. He felt his eyes started to cloud with tears. He was losing control... "So you're asking me to take this thing and go out there and fight?" he asked, desperately wanting to hear anything but yes.

But no. "Correct," was his father's course response.

"How can you do this to me!" he exploded. "I thought you didn't want me! Why? Why did you have to call me now, father?"

"Because I have a use for you," was his father's cold reply.

"But why?" he implored, desperate to understand why this was all going on. Why was his father so cold? Why did his father hate him so much? He bowed his head and stared at the floor, choking back the tears. "Why me?"

"Because there is no one else who can," was the terse and emotionless reply.

"No, I can't!" he protested. "I've never even seen anything like this before! There's no way I can do this!"

"You will be instructed," his father stated flatly.

It was all too much. Fear was setting in. That monster he'd seen earlier must still be alive, otherwise why would they be asking him to do this? Did they really expect him to go out and fight that thing? There was no way he could do that! This was crazy, like something out of a science fiction show! Why was no one listening to him? "But still... there's no way!" he cried out. "I can't pilot that thing!"

"If you're going to do it, do it now," his father barked. "If not, then leave!"

The rolling rumble of an explosion overhead resounded through the room followed by a mild shaking. He was right. That monster was alive and they wanted him to kill it. Why? Why was he being asked to shoulder that responsibility? What could he say to that? He wanted to run away but he was frozen in place. He stared at the ground as he struggled for an answer for what to do.

"Shinji, we don't have much time," Ritsuko reminded him as if he didn't know. He looked over at Misato. Wouldn't she defend him? Would anyone defend him? Surely she wouldn't force him to do it...

She stared at him with a hard look and crossed arms. "Get inside," she commanded.

Shinji's heart went to his throat and his eyes flashed wide with shock. Why wouldn't anyone listen to him? "This is all wrong..." he blurted out, looking away from her and staring at his shoes once again, his frustration boiling over. "I came all this way... Oh, why did I come!?" he shouted. Deep down he knew... but it hurt to admit it. He had hoped... his father had actually wanted to see him. The fact that he didn't hurt. It hurt a lot.

Misato leaned in and he met her gaze. Her expression was still firm but it had softened a bit. "Why, Shinji-kun?" she asked. "Exactly why did you come?"

He turned away, not wanting to make eye contact. He scowled. Why was she treating him like a little kid. "You mustn't run away. You must confront your father and you must confront yourself," she continued.

"I know that!" he spat. "But... I just... can't!"

Gendo peered down at his son from his high perch. He'd chosen this place to meet his son because it kept him high above and allowed him to retain the distance he had created with him, not to mention it was intimidating as hell. He had always had a closet love of theatrics and there was certainly a part of him that relished in the imposing presence he had cultivated for himself. Still, a part of him was pleased to see his son, not just to because he had a use for him. The intelligence reports had been correct that the boy had grown to be indecisive and weak. He almost felt guilty in forcing him to do what was necessary. Almost. The end would justify the means in the end...

He'd levied his ultimatum to the boy in hopes that he could convince him to move to action. Perhaps if he made him angry enough he would be moved to action. Heaven knows that he'd done many things in his past for that reason... He watched intently as Captain Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi tried their best to convince him to pilot but he knew it probably would be of no use. They were short on time, the Angel would be arriving soon and someone needed to go out and pilot in mankind's defense. Mankind and more importantly his scenario wouldn't survive if the Angel destroyed NERV headquarters and reached Terminal Dogma... He needed to use the ace up his sleeve.

Rei...

It was a gamble. She was still very much injured and sending her out to fight the Third Angel wasn't likely to have success in defeating it and possessed a near certain chance of getting her killed. Awakening another clone would only cause suspicions even if she was successful. Still... it might just motivate his son to act. Perhaps if his demands were not enough he could use his compassion to his advantage. He scowled. His son never did make things easy... "Fuyutsuki," he called out over one of the radio channel.

One of the many windows in his command box that displayed his son switched to one displaying the old professor. "Sir?" came his comrade's level response.

"Wake up Rei," he ordered.

Fuyutsuki looked a bit perturbed at his order. "Can we use her?" he responded.

"She's not dead yet," Gendo voiced bitterly.

"Understood," Fuyutsuki replied. Gendo knew he understood the implications. After all, of anyone alive, the old professor knew his plans and motivations the best...

Rei Ayanami had been laying in the gurney she had been moved to for what seemed like hours. She'd been helped into a sleeveless plug-suit and been waiting just outside the holding area where Unit 01 was being housed. This was just like before. She had been spared going out in the Eva so far, yes, but what would happen after Ikari-kun, if, Ikari-kun was here was yet to be seen. She couldn't help but feel a bit of anxiety about that. She stared at the radio that had been placed next to her mobile bed intently, unable to break her hyper-focused gaze.

Then all of a sudden the radio came to life with a crackle. "Rei?" came the commander's voice over the line.

She felt her body tense and her heart jump. Commander Ikari, Ikari-kun's father, filled her with so many mixed feelings after all she'd experienced. "Yes?" she replied reflexively. Come to think of it... hadn't he only spoken to her after she'd been brought into the bay last time?

The commander's level words emanated from the speaker. "Our spare is unusable," he said. "You will do it again."

Our spare. She knew now that Ikari-kun was here. He was standing just beyond those doors and she could see him again! Her heart swelled. She knew. She knew he would pilot when he saw her in that state. He would spare her that pain just like before. "Yes sir," she replied.

The medical staff started moving her. Suddenly she felt nervous. She wondered, was he the same? Was he the same Ikari-kun she had known? Was he the same kind boy that had held her hand in the previous timeline? She forced any doubts out of her mind, he had to be... She closed her eyes and silently hoped he was the same as he was before. She found herself pondering the reason behind her emotions. Why was she so nervous to see him again?

The doors to the Eva bay opened and her gurney began to move. The seconds felt like they were dragging much longer than they should as she waited for him to come into view until finally he was there. He was there right in front of her. He was looking at her with the same nervous and fearful look he had the last time she was here. They locked eyes. Then a thought hit her that excited her and yet... scared her. Does he remember? she wondered. Is it possible that he remembers this moment from before?

The gurney stopped and she continued staring at him until the medical staff forced her to sit up, eliciting a wince of discomfort from her. She knew she had to try to get in the Eva despite how pointless it was. The effort to try and move was making her short of breath. She could feel his eyes on her as she struggled to slide her legs off of the gurney when it happened.

There was a large explosion overhead that shook the bay like a small earthquake. She yelped as pain shot through her body as she came tumbling off of the gurney just like she had before. She shut her eyes tight as she hit the floor hard and barely registered the commotion that broke out in the chaos. It couldn't have been more than a few moments laying there until a pair of warm hands scooped around her and cradled her gently. Through the pain she opened her uncovered eye and once again met his gaze. He stared at her with a look of shock and fear on his face. She couldn't bring herself to say anything. He looked down and she followed his gaze to find him staring at his hand which was now covered in her blood. Something inside her felt compelled to reach for it. Gently, she grasped his hand, despite gritting her teeth and breathing heavily from the waves of discomfort washing over her.

He closed his eyes and knitted his brow. She could tell that he was struggling to come to a decision. "I mustn't run away..." he kept repeating over and over again. You won't... she thought. I have... faith... She had faith not just in his certainty to pilot but in... him, she realized.

He snapped his head up and faced the commander who was standing high above. "I'll do it!" he shouted. "I'll pilot it!"

Shortly thereafter Dr. Akagi helped her back up onto the gurney and Ikari-kun was shuffled off towards the entry plug. Rei found herself feeling grateful. The last time that she had been here, she had felt nothing, now she felt that warmth she had come to associate with him...

Rei Ayanami closed her eyes and softly began to smile.

The cockpit of the robot had not been what Shinji had expected. He'd been placed into a big cylinder called an entry plug and then screwed into the nape of the machine's neck. Once inside he'd panicked when the thing had filled up with a foul smelling orange liquid that he had been told he'd be able to breathe. That had made him feel sick to his stomach to which Misato had chastised him for voicing such.

He'd also been informed that most of the control over the Eva was done through a neural link and therefore mostly controlled by his own mind. How such an advanced technology even existed baffled him. One more insane occurrence in an already insane day. Maybe this was all just a nightmare and he'd wake up soon...

He felt his heart thudding faster in his chest. He was going to fight that... thing. He had no idea how to operate this Evangelion or whatever it was called. The machine he was going to be piloting... unnerved him. Though he was thankful for the seemingly divine intervention, the fact that it had moved its hand to shield him from falling debris on it's own was quite perplexing. Something about this machine didn't feel right and he must be some type of insane to have allowed himself to be coerced into the cockpit. Still... it was better than letting that girl pilot it in her condition. If she'd gone out and died... he would never be able to live with being that much of a coward. There was something about her though, something strange. She looked a lot like that ghostly vision or whatever it was he had seen earlier in the day. Maybe it was some kind of premonition of doom, speaking of which...

The fear of what lay in wait for him on the streets of Tokyo 3 was overwhelming...

He barely registered all the status reports coming in through the radio in his cockpit. The giant machine he sat in was raised by a mechanical lift and locked onto a set of vertical rails. Then came Misato's voice shouting, "Eva launch!"

Half a second later, he felt himself pressed into his seat by a massive force rocketing him towards the surface above.

Author's Notes

edit- Added in explicitly that Unit 01 does move its arm to shield Shinji. I originally didn't overtly include it because I would imagine Rei would be feeling too much pain to notice or think on the matter, as the place where it occurs is during her point of view. After numerous comments and messages, I have added a mention of it.

The reviews have been encouraging. I've been a long time reader on this site for years before making an account, mostly due to nervousness over whether my brand of insanity would be accepted here. Apparently this has been getting a positive reaction so... guess I'll see it through.

I'll be trying to keep this updated on a weekly/biweekly basis. I do have work and commitments to a rock band but then again, sleep is for the dead. This story will be finished unless I suffer some form of author existence failure. I've had the idea for this for over a year and decided to bite the bullet and put myself out there for the enjoyment/criticism of others to perhaps mitigate the fears I have over my prowess as a writer.

For anyone wondering where the story is going, I will not reveal much. All I can assure you is that Rei getting a second (fourth) chance comes with... interesting consequences.

Regards,

A.F.