Chapter 17 "Losing faith."
Part 3 "The world in flames."
Misato was in her office reading the endless paperwork and try make sense of the things she saw and heard two days ago.
She remembered being being angry at Ritsuko like never before. At of all the people in the world Shinji will be her last person to be treated as a criminal.
It is true that he isn't that much of positive person, but he did light up the house with all the cleaning and all the working. She always admired the amount work that he was putting both on cooking and the core chores.
But the thing that she always wanted to know what was the thing that is bothering him. She had tried to talk to him but he simply said that it is "nothing important" and "not need to worry about me". Which didn't help at all.
When Asuka appeared things changed for the better, he was more active and alive than before, even Asuka change in some way. Somehow in someway Asuka managed to change from the prideful pilot that she always claimed to be, to a more relaxed and social person.
The two of had a relationship for a while but for some reason they two had broken for some time, probably they had their reason. But they had managed to keep a good distance with each other. And now this happening.
"Ritsuko you better have a good explanation for this because we will have a problem. Those children are under my protection."
"And my job is to make sure there clean. "
"What do you mean by that?"
"While he was asleep I took the liberty to scan his brain and find some interesting information."
Misato face became angrier upon hearing this. The fact that she touched one of her children without her allowance made her furious.
"What could find in Shinji's brain Ritsuko . Answer me."
Ritsuko realize Misato's expressions and went straight to the point
"He isn't who we think he is. He comes from alternative world."
"Ritsuko ,what are you talking about?"
Ritsuko went to her computer and showed Misato the footage that she found. Of course she only showed the parts where Shinji destroyed the world, if she had shown more Misato might be more suspicious about Nerv true goal.
Misato was more than shocked when she saw the footage. She didn't want to believe that the same kid she had allowed to enter her apartment and her life is the same person which will end humanity upon his selfish need.
"Enough, Ritsuko I saw enough things." Said Misato devastated. All what she knew and all she had put faith into was a lie.
"So now you understand why we have done what you saw. "
"And what are going to do now Rits locked him up for an eternity?"
"First, we have a war to won, only three angels have remained."
"And then?"
"We prepare for what is coming afterwards."
"And what is it? "
"I don't know but I am pretty sure it is much worse than what we facing now. I recommend you go home, you will need some rest for the days to come."
"I will Ritsuko , I will." And like that Misato exited Ritsuko's office.
As Misato remembered the conversation with Ritsuko she took a while to notice a paper that was in her desk. She took a look at it and shocked with what the paper said.
'SEELE will attack in probably two weeks you must get ready.'
Kaji
Rei was looking outside the school's window, she didn't pay attention to the teacher because her mind was still thinking the second's words.
"Why would she said that?" Said Rei over and over to herself as she couldn't comprehended those words. "Thinking back, I don't remember a time were they actually hate me even if I already tried to kill them. They always cooperative with me they even tried once to call me to a dinner with them. The only time that they might hate was when I shoot them towards Leliel, but this actually made their relationship strengthen because they realize their mistake they were making."
Without Rei even realize the lesson had ended and everyone was exiting the classroom. As she was a about exiting the classroom as well she was approached by unfamiliar face.
"Would... mind eating together with me ?" Said Kensuke with a shy expression.
Rei raised her eyebrow in confusion. She never had an interaction with one of Shinji's friends before, so this was something new for her.
"I don't really mind." She simply answered.
"Great, I have really missed eating together with someone else."
Rei searched in her bag to see what food she brought with her only to find nothing in return. She was so used to Shinji making food for her and the second that she didn't bring something with her.
As Kensuke saw this he suggested.
"You can from me if you want." Said as he offered a part of his lunch.
"I am not that hungry but... thanks."
Kensuke decided to sit on one of the chair close to Rei and started eating.
"What made you to sit with me?"
"I always wanted to enjoy a meal with you but you usually leave the class very early to talk to you."
"But, why me ? Don't you have other friends to talk to?"
"Most of them have left the city long time ago and things aren't the same without Toji and Shinji." Said Kensuke with a sad look. "By the way do you know what is happening with him and his red companion?"
"From what I heard they are probably sick."
Lied Rei.
"Shame , because I have kinda missed them."
As Rei was watching Kensuke eating his lunch she received a message from Nerv. Rei then sit up, pack up her stuff and started heading for the exit.
"Where ... where are you going?" Asked Kensuke as he tried to catch up to her.
"Something happened and I need to attend elsewhere for the rest of the day."
"Um , if that's so important then good luck. But, if you don't mind I would like if we do this more often."
"I wouldn't mind if we do that more." Said Rei without thinking it much.
"Thanks."
As Rei exited the school there was a car with three waiting for her, she then entered the car without a word.
The ride to Nerv was silent as ever but Rei was thinking none stop the moment she had in the school.
" Why am I thinking it ? He is just another flawed person like everyone else, I shouldn't rethinking this moment." Said Rei to herself and yet she still couldn't get it out of her head. "Is this what Lilins called communication? "
Her trail of thoughts stop when they finally arrived at their destination.
"The Commander wants to speak to you personally." Said one of the guard coldly.
She then headed to Commander's office and on her way many of te stuff gave her serious looks.
After a while, she finally arrived at the office. The room had a sense of coldness and lifeless, like the one thing that made this place alive had left long ago.
The Commander was in his usal chair looking straight to the person he had infront of him.
"Did you know why I bring you here Rei ?" Said the Commander in his cold and calculated voice.
"No." Said Rei. She had figured what was the reason behind this but she preferred to lie to see what would he say.
The Commander didn't comment on what Rei said and continue with his speech.
"Yesterday I lost two guards which they guarded Shinji's shell, we found their bodies at night. Furthermore,the video from the cameras was lost and the other guards had a lose of memory of what happened in the morning. Do you have some ideas on this?"
"No Commander." Said again without any emotion so that she didn't spoil anything.
The Commander nodded in that answer and said. "This is all that I wanted to ask you but before I let you free I have one last question for you."
"What is it Commander?"
"Are you loyal to me Rei ?"
"With all my soul, Commander." Answered immediately Rei.
"Even if I send you to your doom will you still obey my orders?"
It took her a while to answer this question and answered. "Without a second thought Commander."
"Hmm. Fair enough you are free for the rest of your day Rei."
"Thanks Commander." Said and exit the room.
Her thoughts started to play games again. "Why would I want to lie to the Commander? Am I afraid for what is going to happen to me if they found out? Why would I? I am replaceable I shouldn't worry I am... " The last thought froze Rei . " Who am I? "
"You are Rei." Said her inner voice.
" What is that mean?"
"It means that you have a name."
" But what's the purpose of having a name ?"
"It is a sign that you are a singular person."
"But I am not. I am just a copy."
"Exactly. This is what you were meant to be and what you will always be, a copy."
"No , I am me and nothing else can change that."
"Can you say that to the others version of you?"
" I ... "
"That's right, you are created for purpose that you don't even know that you can change it."
Rei remember that moment she had with Kensuke and for some reason she felt somehow more alive than ever. Then, she started remembering one of Shinji words : " Struggling is a prove that you are alive."
" I...I want be alive. " Said Rei outside. "I don't want to die. I don't know why am I saying this but I fear so much the cold hand of death touching slowing my body."
" Everyone will day some day nothing will change that."
"But not like this, this isn't different from death." Kept saying to the voice in her head.
"But this is the path that has been laid upon you , this is path that you have willingly chosen."
"NO THIS WRONG."
"There is nothing you can do now."
" No , I will find away to escape my destiny. I will find a way."
"You might, but it will be to late when the end comes."
A/N: The reason why they haven't suspect Asuka from being in similar situation with Shinji is because they don't have a reason. In their eyes it makes perfect sense for them for Asuka to be skilled and be good against most of the angels. But for Shinji is different, because Shinji doesn't have the same background with Asuka in terms of training. So it made sense for Ritsuko to suspicious for him especially when he acts a bit different from the average 16 year old kid that came right now ( yes even with trauma stuff like are sus). As for Gendo, I usually see him as the kind of person that will throw the whole world in order to achieve his goals. I don't find it impossible to change as a person but in order for him to do that he must be proved that his way of doing is wrong and then probably having a change of mind , but I can also see him proceeding his goals regardless if he knows or not that Yui doesn't want to come back ( which I believe he does in some extent) because he is a person that his is stuck in his own past.