Chapter 4 "Dead boys don't cry"
Part 1 Shinji
"Disgusting." that was her first word which Shinji heard someone telling him after his return from the red sea. He didn't know it will also be his last.
But right now wasn't the time to think those dark thoughts because it will distract him from the simulation he now in for his training. He hoped the others didn't notice the quick fall and rise of his sinc in the Eva. He needed to be careful if didn't want raise any suspicion.
He managed to blast those fake holograms of Sachiel with ease. He used smartly the weapons which was layed upon him.
After this part of the training was done he moved to towards the laboratory of Ritsuko as she wanted to do some tests on him.
"For someone who is just came here you have adapted pretty quick." Ritsuko noted.
"I am someone who can adapt quickly in to a new environment. " Like or not this was the only place Shinji felt calling it home. This was the place that he had the most memorable and also painful moments of his entire life.
"You don't say." Ritsuko said as she looked the results of her tests.
"Ok, from what I gather right now your physical condition is in great shape nothing life threating. Your sync levels are outstanding you have achieve 59% in just two days and that's not an easy task. On the other hand, the neurological tests I run show high levels of anxiety and signs of neurological trauma . Tell me Shinji do you sleep well the past few days?" She asked him with curiosity drawn in her face.
"Sometimes I do wake up from nightmare but that's just all." He lied. Of course he didn't sleep well the past few days because every time he closes his eyes he can hear the screams of every human soul he saw in instrumentality. At times he could remember their names, their lives, their close ones, their moments of joy and sadness. He had seen them all .
"Alright then that's it for today. Nothing to worry about but if the nightmares continue or become more common do find the time and inform me on the matter." Said Ritsuko as she let him free while showing some disbelief about Shinji's last words.
Shinji exited the lab as quick as possible without showing it. He knew that it will be a matter of time before they found out his real identity, so he must lay low this time.
Making Misato's apartment his new home was easy task, all thought he wished he could say the same for all the garbage that needed to be disposed .
Just like before he was doing the daily chores of the house without problems but he would like it if that damm penguin didn't steal and eat his ingredients every once in a while.
His real focus though was elsewhere. When he found free time he usually spend it on try to find information about his position. He was sure that this was world similar to his due to many similarities this two had. Similar people, places even history was the same. At first he wasn't sure if had traveled back in time or his just in another world but he was in body similar to the the one that had before but is just felt it different. He also noticed that he was only one who remembered what happened before while everybody acted as they used to be something that disposed his theory of resetting. But he still didn't know how is he here,why is he here , were was his red head friend and how can he returned back if that's was even possible. He can't asked others about this topic as it will make look like a madman and no one will believe him. The few who might believe him will be Ritsuko or Gendo but God knows what will do to him if he said that. He must find someone else to find a solution to his problem.
But now it was night and he needed some good sleep. Even if it was little as possible and as he went to bed closed his eyes the nightmares start to appear once again.
He woke up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for him and Misato and also prepared himself for this day because today he will start school again.
The road to school was easy and silent as Shinji think ways as to not draw any more attention that newcomer can draw.
He was right on time before the ring bell sounded and find a chair with view to outside pretty easily.
He noticed a couple of familiar faces. Rei with her bandages looking and thinking to the abyss, the class per speaking with her friends and trying to maintain order in the class and Toji and Kensuke talking about their own manners.
As the lesson started he introduced himself and silently sat on hisr chair.
He didn't really care about the subject of the lesson he just pretended that he was paying attention to the screen infront of him.
But then a familiar message was sent to him.
"Are you the pilot of that big robot ? I saw it there days ago." Said the message of a curious girl in the class.
"No, you have mistaken me for someone else I just simply arrived here yesterday." Answered Shinji to the massage.
" What? I am pretty sure I saw you that day." Typed the girl back.
But before Shinji could try hide his identity another message appeared.
"Yeah, I saw him too he fought this huge monster and kick his ass afterwards." A message from a boy said.
Then everyone in class get from their seats and came asking Shinji with questions full of curiousity and excitement.
"How do you pilot it ? Do you wear a cool suit ? How big was that thing you fought does it shot laisers ?" The questions were so many Shinji felt asphyxiated and the many voices asking and talking to him he remembered the many voices of madness, sadness,anger, sorrow and disgust of the instrumentality. He wanted to get out and leave now.
"LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY. " Shinji screamed so hard that it even surprised the teacher. Eyes were now looking at him more. Cold sweat running or his face as he felt all those eyes looking at him with fear, disgust and hatred. He was back at instrumentality and all the people were point at him as his was a criminal to be judged. He didn't know what to do.
"I...am sorry...I need to take some fresh air." As he rushed to the school yard without any hesitation.
He needed some fresh air to calm down and rethink what just happened now. He didn't have that big of outburst before infront so many people the only thing close to that was some of the outbursts he expressed in his Eva and GeoFront. But now he felt as if thought the entirety of the class was judging him for the sins he had made before.
Shinji didn't get the time to think again as male voice called him.
"For someone who looks pretty slim and silent you have a pretty aggressive voice when you yell." Comment Toji while slowly approach him. He was also with his friend Kensuke.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Asked Shinji as he introduced to one of his first friend.
"Listen I am not here to talk all the day so I will go straight to the point. I am name is Toji Suzuhara and because of your little fight you had with what ever they say it was you almost killed my little sister from all the distraction your stupid robot created. So take this as a payback for my sister." As he said that he grabbed a Shinji from his school shirt and got ready to throw his fist.
"Shit I had forgotten about that." With all this stuff on Shinji had forgotten this little detail that created the relationship he never knew he would like and miss.
"If you want so badly to hit me do it now I have other things to worry about and do." Shinji answered steady looking directly to the other boy's eyes without trying to defend himself.
The way Shinji express his words angered even more Toji and without to much thinking he threw one of his best punch he had.
The blow from the punch was strong to put the everyday 14-year old child to the ground but Shinji manage to balance himself with ease. He knew pretty well the types of punches this kid throws.
Toji and Kensuke were astounded to the fact that the kid manage to stay still despite of the punch he had received.
"You might hate me for what happened but if I wasn't there your sister would have been in a much worse condition." Said Shinji.
This angered again Toji as he got ready for another punch while Kensuke tried to stop and calm him down .
"Oh you little..." Toji headed to Shinji threw another punch with more force this time.
Again, despite the heavy blow Shinji still manage to stay in place.
Toji was pissed by the boy's inaction and leave without getting the satisfaction he wanted. As he was leaving Toji couldn't help but think that kid could have easily fought back but no, he simply took two blows with only just keeping his balance. It was like the kid wanted to punch as he had something wrong and deserved. This kid had to be the main weird person he had met.
When Shinji was trying to clear his bruises from his face a lonely blue haired figure appeared.
"They send me to inform you that Nerv needs you right now. " Said Rei with her cold voice.
"So
it's already here." Said Shinji with silent without been heard by the blue haired girl.
Shinji exited the school and find the agents of section 2 waiting him in black car. As he entered he could hear the sirens sound echoing through the city and could see people flee in one direction, this was probably were the shelters were for the civilians.
The drive to Nerv was quick but not the crazy driving he had known from Misato. So he was sure he won't lose his life before facing the angel.
When he arrived at the Nerv Headquarters Shinji wore his plug suit as fast as possible and got to the Eva without a second thought. This time he didn't need others to tell him to fight he could do that by his own free will. Does he follow their orders again? Yes but this time he is piloting because with this he can achieve his goals. He just has to follow a straight path with any regrets and reach the end with what ever awaits him there.
But now it wasn't the time for dark thoughts because he had angel to fight.
The battlefield was the same and so as his enemy (at least on the outside). Shamshel was towering must of the buildings around him. He leaded a trail of distraction behind him as headed for his foe.
Shinji use his distance as his advantage as he used his rifle pointed at the angel core.
Angel reflected all the bullets that wre coming at him with ease and still push toward his enemy.
Shinji throw his rifle away as it use was useless and got ready with the progressive knife but before he could act he was stop by the two giant wimps of the angel.
They were hitting around him and minimise the amount of area he had. He was back closer to the mountain as Shinji knew how dangerous the wimps are. He needed to find the right opening to strike but the didn't give the opportunity as the wimps were faster and faster every second while closing up to him.
" Shinji you need to act now his closing the distance with every attack and we don't know what he capable to do ." Said Misato through the vox.
" I know that but the damm thing doesn't have any opening right now and it doesn't take a scientist to figure out how dangerous this wimps are. " Answered Shinji as he took a defence position with his knife.
The angel stoped playing tricks with its pray start attacking straight forward.
As the wimps attack him Shinji he tried to dodge them but he managed to dodge only one of them.
"Nhhhhh." Shinji screamed as the wimp hit leg . He felt like being electrified from a lighting.
Shinji find a way to fight back but before he could attack Shamshel grab him from his right foot and throw him to the mountain.
As Shinji regained his consciousness quickly he spotted two familiar stooges at his right.
"Why can't they be so curious for one time?" Asked Shinji.
"Who are they and why they are here?" Said Misato from the vox .
"They are my classmates. They are probably got lost ." Said Shinji as he lied about their true intentions.
" Whatever, just put them in entry plug . " Said Misato back.
" Quick, enter the pod now if you want to live." Said Shinji as he opened his entry plug.
Without a second thought the two stooges entered the pod.
"Wow dude I didn't expect it looked so cool on inside as well. Tell me how do you pilot that thing do you use your mind?" Kensuke was so excited to see the robot that he forgotten that about a minute or so he was about to getting crushed by it.
"I don't think it's the time to ask questions when I am fight a giant behemoth." Retorted Shinji back to the geek while trying to reposition his robot.
"Oh yeah, sorry." Kensuke answered.
As things couldn't get worse the angel knock the plug that gave power to the Evangelion and put it in ticking clock.
He had limited time on his hands and he needed to act quickly. The people from Nerv were calling him for retreat but it wasn't sure if they will get a second chance to fight the angel. So he got ready charged straight to the enemy.
What he was doing was stupid and suicidal from every point of view but he only needed is to destroy the angel's core and victory will be achieved.
He had one chance just like before but this he was ready for what's to come.
As he charged for the final blow the angel quickly stabbed him with his wimps before his enemy come to him.
Shinji could the pain running through this body.
At first it seems that the battle was over but Shinji didn't finish his actions, as he pulled with all the strength he had the angel closer to him and manage to strike his blow straight to the angel's core.
Shinji push the knife deeper but the angel still electrifise him when he had hit him.
It seemed that both fighters were at their last breath as it was a matter of time before one face out and the other comes victorious.
But the angel had made one fatal issue. He had stabbed the Evangelion in the lower part of its chest when it was only machine and flesh, while Shinji had struck to the main weakness of the angel.
After four seconds that felt like eternity to Shinji the angel finally gave out and it's corr lost that red colour it always has.
Shinji took a moment to sit back at his seat and relax for a few seconds,he knew that he will have to deal with Misato's and Ritsuko's complaints for the risky play he had done but right now he wanted to take a hot bath.
Despite the warnings and the complaints he got he kept his status as a pilot after all Gendo the only that he cared was if he is willing to pilot and so there wasn't any problems at the end of the day.
As Shinji entered the school he saw again a familiar pair stooges waiting.
" Listen, about yesterday I..." Toji didn't have the strength to finish his quote so he tried.
"All my trying to say is "
But before he could finish his sentence a voice called the three of them.
"Shinji Ikari, Toji Suzuhara and Kensuke Aida at the director's office now."
The school principle had called them to for what happened yesterday.
"The Nerv gave a report about you two being outside during public evacuation and be in a forbidden for the public eye area. Is that true?" Asked the head director to the boys
"Yes." Said the boys in union while lowering their heads in shame.
"Shinji Ikari you were also there when that happened can you tell me your side of the story."
"Yes, they were here but I was the one who told them to come to that place."
The two boys looked him with confusion they didn't believe to what they were seeing.
"Why do you do that? You probably know the consciousness if you leak government information to public."
"I am aware of them but I secretly tell them to this place in order to take a picture of me fighting in my robot. Sadly it didn't go as I originally thought."
"Is it that true? "
"Yes"
The head director look for some seconds Shinji with disbelief but the boy didn't show any form of reaction back at him. So he sighed with defeat.
"Ok are free boys but do it something similar again and you will be expelled."
After the boys exited the office and headed to school yard Toji bring up the conversation he had started earlier. He was shy to start at first but Kensuke push him.
"I am just saying that we are sorry dude for all the trouble we cause you and thanks for covering us. My dad is working his ass to have a proper education and I don't to throw away cause I am idiot." Said Toji apologetic.
"Come on dude you forgot something else." Said Kensuke as his push him again.
"And sorry for hitting you in your face twice. My sister told me that I should be thanking you for keeping her alive. I never thought that piloting was so painful for you ."
"You don't need to apologize me after all you didn't know most of the stuff I have deal every day. Just keep away from danger next time."
" Come on punch me I deserve it." Said Toji.
"Why should I do that?"
"Fucked up hard with you I shouldn't have judged you from the start. It is only fair to hit me at least one for what I done to you."
"If that's make you happy." Shinji took a moment throw a punch right on Toji's cheeks. The blow was so great it knacked him a little.
"HOLY SHIT DUDE WERE DO LEARN TO HIT SO HARD?
"I just learned from the bests." Said Shinji with a smile on his face as he remembered the first time he had met the boy.
"Alright now that we stopped punching each other why don't go to that new arcade after school."
" Oh sweet, I can't wait to see what games it has. Say why you don't come in?"
"Nah, I have other things to do at home."
"Oh, come on man don't ruin the mood let's go together we will have so much fun and who knows they might be some hot girls nearby if you know what I mean."
"Oh, you so boring sometimes." Shinji could feel the red head commented on his behaviour and this also made him nostalgic for when he and his friends were going together to have some fun. He didn't expect to miss those days so much.
"Ok then I am on it but you are paying today."
"Ok deal."
Shinji never again had missed the thrill of excitement and enthusiasm so much.
After the school ended and Shinji got ready to go with the boys the class per spoke to him.
"Ah, Shinji now that are leaving I am giving you those school files that are for Rei to give them to her . I tried to give them earlier to her but didn't got the time."
"Ok I will give them myself."
"Alright thanks for your help, have a nice afternoon then."
After the class per had gone an idea cross from Shinji head. If there was someone or something that will give him the truth it will be two persons Adam and Lilith. He knew a small part of Lilith was inside Rei as for Adam thought he isn't his best condition to speak so he is only opinion is Rei right now.
A.N : This chapter was a thick one because I wanted to make part 1 bit more big so that it feels developed enough because I am gonna ended in about 1 or 2 chapters and want to feel the leap between parts.
Thanks for reading and for your reviews.