Record That
DISCLAIMER: DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN EVANGELION, NOR ANY OF THE SONGS! DON'T SUE ME!
Chapter 3: Together
Rei woke up screaming, flailing around in a panic. Doing more damage to herself than had already been done to her during the incident with Unit-00, but she couldn't help it. She had never felt fear to this level before in her life. Turning her into a new born child who had just discovered how cold the world was. The nurses restrained her and were about to sedate her with morphine, but when Rei looked them in the eyes she quickly calmed down.
After breathing heavily for a couple of minutes. Then groaning at the amount of pain that overtook her. The girl gestured for one of the nurses to come closer. When the nurse leaned in, Rei pushed herself up. All she could manage at this point was a whisper, so she made sure that everything she said was heard clearly.
"Alert Commander Gendo right now, something isn't right."
The nurse nodded and helped Rei lie back down on the gurney. She then took out her cell phone and activated the emergency line. After a while of ringing, the other side picked up the phone.
"Commander Ikari, who is this?"
"Nurse Hanako, sir. Rei wishes to speak with you. It seems to be an emergency."
"Hmph, okay put her-"
Gendo stopped speaking, Hanako could now hear loud gasps and others shouting around him. The nurse wanted to ask what was happening, but she simply remained silent. Perhaps the Angel had done something unexpected. It wasn't until a minute had passed, before she was about to say something. Only for the commander to finally shout.
"Put Rei on the phone, now!" he commanded.
A FEW MINUTES EARLIER
The central dogma was filled with the sounds of generals shouting, tanks and helicopters shooting, along with the gasps and whimpers of the nervous staff who hoped for something to slow the Angel down. Nothing was working so far, which heavily angered the generals, who knew that their careers rode on this mission. They were more concerned about that, then they were about the civilians and soldiers whose lives were being caught up in this mess.
Not that the man sitting above and behind them was any better. Gendo watched with a cold judgeful stare, one could confuse him for being angry. When in reality, he was pleased beyond belief. This is exactly what he expected to happen. If everything were to continue like this, within a year's time, he would be reunited with his wife.
"Has it really been fifteen years?" Fuyutsuki, the second in command and much older than Gendo, asked behind him.
"Indeed." Gendo replied.
The two watched in somewhat Schadenfreude, as the generals did everything that they could to delay the inevitable. Everyone in the room knew full well that if this continued, they would be forced to hand operational command over to Gendo. Something that no one really wanted, but what could they do when nothing seemed to be working.
"We could use an N2 mine!" The youngest general shouted.
"Don't be a fool! Not in such a public area!" One of the older ones snapped back.
Soon, the Angel was on the outskirts of the city. The suburb area was completely evacuated, or at least that's what everyone believed. Gendo and Fuyutsuki on the other hand could tell that someone might still be there. Though if everything was to go according to plan, then it was necessary.
"I'm certain Captain Katsuragi has rescued Shinji, wouldn't you say?"
"Of course, that's why we've hired her."
"Still, we could've sent a proper party to intercept the boy. How unfortunate that the Angel had to attack on today of all days."
"It's necessary for the scenario."
"Hm, yes."
Fuyutsuki was of stark contrast to Gendo. They existed as a sort of Ying and Yang of NERV's staff. While Gendo led the organization through fear, Fuyutsuki was more of a gentleman. Though both could be cold blooded when it came to making important decisions. How else would Fuyutsuki be allowed to stand by Gendo? One needs only the most determined mind set in these cases. Too bad you'd have to lose part of your humanity along the way.
The phone then began to ring out of nowhere, slightly startling Fuyutsuki. Gendo on the other hand simply stared at it for a little bit. Expecting for it to cease after the caller realized they had the wrong number. Especially during an emergency. Though after a while, Gendo decided to hear who would dare to call him during this time.
"Commander Ikari, who is this?"
"Nurse Hanako, sir. Rei Ayanami wishes to speak with you. It seems to be an emergency."
"Hmph, okay put her-"
While Gendo was talking to the nurse, he was only half paying attention to the screen. He didn't notice how after the Angel had knocked a helicopter out of the air. The camera had briefly picked up two identical people/things where the machine landed. Then after a while of the angel swatting away the helicopters.
It happened. Something so unexpected, Gendo broke his cold expression. One he had worn ever since his wife had died. A look he couldn't afford to break for fear of those working against him seeing a weakness. Though, when a hundred-meter-tall creature goes flying through the air. You tend to wonder how it happened.
Everyone in the Central Dogma went wide eyed in wonder as Sachiel, the third Angel, went airborne over the horizon. Landing on one of the hillsides near Mount Fuji. It fell with such an intense crash; people almost expected it not to get up again. It was pure silence for two minutes as the helicopter pilots flew in to report on the status of the Angel.
When it came into view. Sachiel appeared as if it was unscathed, not even the least bit damaged, but much angrier. With a shine from its bird skull mask, it shot a laser straight into the helicopter filming it. Resulting in a cross shaped explosion. The other generals and staff resumed their frantic commands as if almost nothing happened.
Gendo was still surprised and realized that something was very off.
"Put Rei on the phone, now!" he commanded.
In just a second, Rei's pained voice rang out through the telephone.
"Commander, there is something terribly wrong." she reported.
"I can tell." Gendo responded, his cool demeanor quickly returning. "What did you sense?"
"It….it…." Rei was clearly fearful. Something that again surprised the man, things were quickly derailing, and he needed to act fast.
"What is it!?" he nearly shouted.
"It's…Shinji."
'I…..feel…..sick.'
'I'm…why?'
Shinji snapped himself back to reality when he noticed the world around him slowing down. He quickly looked over to Misato, as well as the speed meter to see the car decreasing its momentum. The boy was about to scream at her not to slow down. When he looked around him and realized that she was just taking a turn on the hillside. At that realization, Shinji relaxed a bit and Misato took note.
"Don't worry. We're about halfway there I believe." she said.
"Good, I'm sorry about all of this." he responded.
"Sorry about what?"
"For putting you in danger for just trying to pick me up."
"Ha! Trust me kid. I've been through a lot worse than this."
Misato gave him a smile and a look so confident; he believed her one hundred percent. Though, that didn't shake off this feeling he had. The reason the angel was far away from them, and why now he felt like her life was at even greater risk as well. It felt as if this thing, whatever it is, had an attachment to Misato. And it was going to test Shinji, to see if he was worthy. What it was for, he couldn't tell.
"Cool." Shinji nervously laughed. "That creature, you called it an Angel, right?"
"Yeah, we gave it that name due to it coming from outer space. So, technically it came from the heavens."
"Huh, weird."
"You could say that again. Too bad we can't communicate with it. Granted if we could speak it would probably say typical cliche stuff like 'Must destroy all humans.'"
Misato was so calm and collected, yet juvenile with her sense of humor. It made for a combination that made Shinji smile in surprise.
"(Sigh)"
"What? Don't like my act?" Misato asked Shinji. Confused when she saw that he was smiling. Only for it to fade when he realized that the sigh hadn't come from her either.
Shinji quickly tensed up again. It was still following them, and he had no idea how he was going to explain something like it to Misato. Though, his silence certainly wasn't helping the situation. Misato was still wondering if Shinji actually said 'don't stop' earlier, and why the boy was so hesitant in answering her.
"Ah, forget it." Misato eventually said. Realizing she probably wouldn't get any answers out of him. Besides, the poor kid looked like he had been put through the wringer. That's when she noticed something sticking out of his bag.
"Hey, what kind of music do you like to listen to?" She gestured to his tape cassettes.
This still kept Shinji tense, but at least he was able to give her an answer.
"Oh…these? I…. don't know, honestly." He said, holding up the Beatles album.
"Really? How can you not know what music that is? Oh…. wait." Misato realized by looking in the boy's apologetic eyes.
"Yeah, I didn't pay too much attention in English class."
"Oh, Shinji. English is one of those languages that will get you the ladies." Misato joked and gave Shinji a sly look.
"Really?" he asked nervously.
His embarrassed expression only made her amused more.
"Yeah, that and French." She said the word 'French' in the stereotypical accent. Trying to get Shinji to laugh.
"And German." the reflection said. Shinji tensed up immensely, but thankfully Misato didn't seem to notice as she was focusing on the road. And it's response only made her laugh more.
"Ha! Oh yes, though I think it would only work on one specific girl."
Shinji didn't even bother asking what she meant. Giving the reflection a chance to whisper in his ear.
"Take notes." It said quietly.
The thing was right behind him, or maybe not. It was all around him it felt like. What could he do? If he jumped out, Misato would stop the car. Then who knows what it would do. And why was it acting like this?
"Well, what better way to start learning than through something catchy? Pop that Beatles album in, it's been a while since I've listened to them."
Shinji was incredibly hesitant; he knew what the reflection was like when music was played. However, he realized something, if the reflection interfered and made an appearance right in front of Misato. She would naturally be a little bit surprised and go against its wishes of getting to his dad's base as quickly as possible. Perhaps, popping in the album wouldn't start anything. Not unless the reflection wished to remain out of sight.
"Al…Alright." Shinji said nervously.
Misato watched Shinji's shaking hand as he put the cassette in the car radio. When he pressed play, he felt a massive headache come on him out of nowhere.
"Ah!" he shouted.
"Are you alright?" Misato asked.
"I…. I think so." The headache was incredibly painful, and it made him dizzy. Though, it quickly began to fade. It was almost as if it was fading away to the beat of the music. As if the guitars, drums and basses were his anchors to the real world. While his head recovered slowly back to reality.
(Come Together - The Beatles)
(0:00 - 0:12)
Shoot me. (x4)
Misato and Shinji were barely listening to the opening at first. It was such a familiar beat that had been played over and over again on the radio. Though, when Shinji slowly started to recover, he noticed that it wasn't a beat in the beginning. It was someone singing 'Shoot me'. He understood it, the boy understood and even felt as if the phrase was upon him. And it was completely in English.
(0:13 - 0:42)
Here comes old flat top, he come…groovin' up slowly. He got…ju-ju eyeball, he one…holy roller. He got…hair…down…to his knee. Got to be a joker, he just do what he please.
Shoot me (x4)
"Do you need a cold pack or something?" Misato asked.
Shinji wasn't paying attention; he was way too focused on the song. Despite his head hurting even more as he tried to make out the meaning of each word. He could still understand what was being said. Each meaning behind each word. And it was the description of the man in the song that made him realize what did this to him. Though, these lyrics didn't fit it. They seemed to fit someone else.
"Ms. Katsuragi, I feel like I've been shot in the head."
(0:48 - 1:27)
He wear no shoeshine, he got…toe-jam football. He got…monkey finger, he shoot…Coca-Cola. He say, "I know you, you know me." One thing I can tell you is you got to be free.
Come together, right now. Over me.
Shoot me (x4)
"Shinji, I…" Misato's attention was then taken away when her phone started to ring.
She answered it and tried to turn down the volume. Except when she did that, the music remind the same. So, she tried it again and again, but the volume refused to change. It was definitely strange, but nothing too out of the ordinary. Probably just a problem with the car speakers or the switches. And when she heard a voice on the other end of the line, she gave it her full attention instead of trying to fix the volume issue.
Shinji watched her trying to fix the volume with a nervous look. It was signs like this that signaled that this was something the reflection wanted him to hear. And it wasn't going to let the volume get turned down just because Misato was on a phone call. Though, if the thing really wanted Shinji to hear this song. Why didn't it do the same for the previous tunes he listened too?
Not only that, but the lyrics. It painted an image in Shinji's head, but it wasn't exactly a pleasant one. The intentions of this reflection were unclear, it somewhat helped Shinji while intimidating him at every turn.
"Why now?" Shinji whispered. He knew the reflection could hear him, but it didn't answer.
(1:28 - 2:31)
He bag production, he got…walrus gumboot. He got…Ono sideboard, he one…spinal cracker. He got feet…down…below his knee. Hold you in his armchair, you can feel his disease.
Come together, right now. Over me.
Shoot me (x2)
Right!
Come (x4)
The boy took his mind off the song for the instrumental section. To look over to Misato whose face was steadily growing more and more concerned. He didn't know how, and he didn't know why. The reflection didn't have that much influence on his head right now. Or at least, he didn't feel like it was doing that, but just looking at her right now. As well as the song's lyrics filling his ears.
He could tell that she was talking to his father.
He could tell that his father knew somehow about all of this.
He could tell that everything was about to go horribly wrong.
"It is." the reflection whispered in his ear.
Shinji didn't react, he simply asked his question again.
"Why now?" He looked away from Misato so as to not draw attention.
Instead, he looked out onto the road. Where in the slight reflection of the windshield, he could see it smiling back at him. Sitting the same way he did, mimicking his every subtle action.
"Because life imitates art." It answered.
(2:32 - 3:01)
He roller coaster, he got…early warnin'. He got…muddy water, he one…mojo filter. He say…"One and one and one is three." Got to be good looking, 'cause he's so hard to please.
Come together, right now. Over me.
The reflection started singing the song, though Shinji couldn't tell if it was the one singing or if it was simply mimicking the lyrics. Eventually, it even got out of its seat and walked onto the car hood. Shinji was stunned, but somehow kept his cool. He looked over to Misato to see if she saw it, but she was looking directly ahead on the road and wasn't reacting.
Clearly, this show was just for Shinji. The reflection kept its hands in its pockets and looked down at the boy while letting the wind blow its clothes back. Like the image of what Shinji wanted to be, or at least that's what he thought. He kind of lost his mind at this point, but how could you not? When a mirror reflection is singing a Beatles song that it forces you to understand. It kind of makes you mad.
Though, at least the music was good.
(3:01 - 4:19)
Shoot me (x4)
Ugh!
Come together, yeah! (x10)
(End)
Out of nowhere, the reflection's band appeared, shadowy figures playing the drums, guitar and bass alongside it. The reflection even created its own guitar to play. And it seemed to have a peaceful expression when playing the music. Shinji felt a strange sense of envy yet understanding. He wanted to be just like that, and maybe he could. After all, he learned the cello because no one told him to stop.
'Maybe,' he thought.
The concert and song were stopped when the car suddenly halted. The reflection and the rest of the band went flying, though they disappeared into thin air. Shinji went through some whiplash as his head nearly hit the glove compartment.
"Shinji, what is going on!" Misato demanded to know.
Shinji quickly turned to Misato, who was now looking at him with concern and anger. The boy was confused, but then started to become incredibly fearful when he realized that she had stopped the car.
"Don't stop the car!" he pleaded.
"Oh, this car isn't going anywhere. Until you explain to me how you came into contact with Rei Ayanami!"
Shinji looked at her, confused.
"Who!?"
"Don't bullshit me! This info came from the top, and while I do find it hard to believe that you managed to do such a thing. Especially when Rei is in hospice on a gurney right now. Though, considering that there is a giant alien destroying the land right now. I'm willing to believe anything, especially when you're demanding that I take you there as soon as possible. As well as appearing to be talking to yourself. So, spill the beans kid, what's going on!?"
She said it with such intensity, along with holding up her phone to show that it was still on. The identification read Gendo Ikari, so what Shinji feared was true. It made the boy want to run out of the car. Because now, he had to explain the impossible to believe right then and there to not only Misato, but his father as well. He was shivering and couldn't say anything. Misato felt sorry for him but was more determined to figure out what this boy was hiding.
Her playing the bad cop right now was unfortunately necessary. Though it didn't make it any less painful.
"I'm…I'm…"
He was about to say the word 'sorry', but then images of him saying sorry flowed through his head. It was a word that he had been saying his entire life. And something that he was sure he would continue to say even more if he continued to be afraid. So, Shinji swallowed in anticipation and just let it all out.
"There's something following me, and it looks just like me! It was the thing that sent that angel flying, and the thing that didn't let you turn the music down! It attacked a girl in the streets while I was waiting for you! They both disappeared when I approached to stop it! It's been antagonizing me ever since I first set off here! And I'm scared it's going to kill you, Ms. Katsuragi before it gets to me!"
He wasn't entirely sure if what he said was well explained, but it was the truth. And that's all Shinji felt mattered, as he sensed the reflection approaching closer and closer with mal intention. It was going to do something terrible, and Shinji was powerless to stop it.
"What the…" Misato didn't even finish her sentence. When she noticed that the cassette had stopped playing.
She didn't remember hitting the stop button, and even the volume on the screen said zero. So how was there music playing earlier? Something was off, but it couldn't be as fantastical as Shinji said it was, right? Then, she noticed the boy go wide eyed in fear as he saw something behind her. Misato slowly turned her head to look out her window. And she nearly pissed herself.
Shinji was standing outside with a very disappointed look. She turned her head back to the Shinji sitting in her car, but he was still there. Then when she turned back, the alternate Shinji was leaning against the car, head right up against the window, staring into her soul with a judgful look. The kind of stare that knew almost every part of her. It made the woman scream.
"What's going on!? Captain Katsuragi, what's happening!?" Gendo Ikari shouted over the phone.
The reflection then lifted its hand out of its pocket to reveal it was now holding her cellphone. Misato even looked back to her hand to confirm that it was gone. Then she watched as the reflection said something into the phone. After that, he put it back into his pocket and raised his hand and snapped his finger.
In the distance, the Angel appeared out of nowhere. It wandered around for a minute. While it did that, the reflection looked past Misato. Looking at Shinji with that same haunting smile, where it mouthed an all too familiar saying. One that the boy knew by now and made him brace in fear.
"Your so fucking special."
A bright light then shined behind the reflection. Soon a mushroom cloud followed, and then a shockwave.
Well, that was a lot longer than I thought it would be…and that's what she said.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the song selection. Trust me, we'll get to the other albums soon enough, or maybe not. Honestly, I have no idea what I'm doing, but at least I like what I'm writing. Which is more than I can say for other drafts of this story.
Thank you for reading.
I hope you enjoyed it.
And if not, sorry.