Fear.
That's all that Maikeru is feeling. As he stares down the angel while in the Eva, all he can do is pray. Pray that some miracle will keep him alive. He mustn't back down now. He's come too far too quiet.
"Are you ready, Maikeru?" Misato asks through the comms.
Maikeru breathes in and out as says, "As ready as I'll ever be."
"This is it! Release the final safety lock!" Misato orders.
The safety locks are released as Unit-1 slouches over. "Evangelion Unit-1! Lift off!" Misato yells.
Once the Eva is released, Maikeru attempts to move it, but it doesn't work. Is it broken, or something? Maikeru thought to himself.
"Maikeru, try walking. Just concentrate your thoughts on walking." Ritsuko explains.
Walk. Maikeru thought to himself as the Evangelion takes a step forward. The personnel in Nerv are happy that Eva is now walking. However, that happiness goes down the drain when Maikeru attempts to walk again, but the Eva trips. The Eva proceeds to faceplant to the ground.
"Maikeru! Can you hear me?!" Misato yells through the comms.
Maikeru looks up and sees the Angel walking towards him. Misato sees this too and yells, "Get up! You need to get up!"
However, the angel grabs Unit-1 by the head and lifts it up in the air. The angel grabs Unit-1's arm and tries to pull it off. Maikeru grunts in pain as he feels like his arm is being pulled off.
"Stay calm! Your arm only feels like it's being hurt!" Misato yells.
"That doesn't make this less painful!" Maikeru yells.
Maikeru tries to think of something, but the Eva's arm is close to being broken. Think Maik! Think! They said the Eva responds to my thoughts! So, it's just like moving around normally! Maikeru thought to himself.
Maikeru proceeds to kick the angel in the head, knocking it back and releasing Unit-1's arm. I can do this. I can do this. Maikeru thought to himself. Mailer uses his thoughts to square up the Eva's feet and brings its arms up. The Eva takes a fighting stance. There we go. Nice and easy. Maikeru thought to himself, proudly.
"Maikeru, are you alright?" Misato asks.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Maikeru answers.
"I think I'm getting the hang of piloting this thing." Maikeru says.
The angel walks towards Maikeru, but Maikeru dashes at it and throws a punch. However, the angel creates an A.T. Field and blocks the attack. A force field?! Maikeru thought to himself in panic. The angel then enlarges its arm and punches Unit-1 in the face, sending the Eva flying into a building.
"Maikeru!" Misato screams in fear for Maikeru's life.
"Sitrep! Now!" Misato tells.
"Syncrograph inverting! Neural pulse flow is reversing!" Maya reports.
"Shut down circuits! Block the flow, now!" Ritsuko orders.
"I can't. The shutdown signal is being rejected. It's not getting through!" Maya yells.
"Maikeru's status?" Misato questions Makoto Hyuga.
"Biometrics down! Condition unknown." Hyuga answers.
"Unit-1 is completely shut down!" Shigeru Aoba reports.
Misato has finally had. "Tsk! That's it! Abort the mission! The pilot's rescue is top priority! Eject the entry plug!"
"I can't! System is completely unresponsive!" Maya reports.
"What do you mean?" Misato asks.
As this is going on, Maikeru is in pain. The angel's attack tore half of the Evangelion's jaw off, revealing teeth underneath. Maikeru can feel the pain and he is dazed. Maikeru tries to get up, but the Eva won't respond. Damn it! I can't get up! Maikeru thought to himself.
Maikeru can feel the ground rumble under him, signaling that the angel is getting closer to him. Is this it? Is this how I die? Some hero I was. I couldn't even beat this monster. Maikeru thought to himself.
"I'm sorry, Shinji. I failed." Maikeru says as he closes his eyes, waiting for the angel to finish him.
However, Maikeru feels that warmth again. The warmth he felt when he first synchronized with the Eva. Maikeru faintly hears the words, "You've done all you could. Now let me take it from here." Maikeru feels something touch his forehead and drifts off to sleep.
On the outside of the Eva, its eyes glow bright. It forces itself to get by only using its legs. As it gets up, the mouth guard breaks open and the Eva growls. The Eva fully stands up and roars at the angel.
"Impossible! It should be completely non-operational!" Maya yells in shock.
"It's gone…berserk!" Ritsuko says in fear.
Unit-1 bends down and launches itself at the angel. It lands on the angel and grabs it by the face. Tha angel struggles at first, but manages to throw the Eva off itself. Unit-1 lands on its feet and looks at the angel with a bestial look.
Gendo and Fuyutsuki watch the battle and are not even shocked. Gendo knows who is doing this and is pleased with the results. As for Fuyutsuki, he already knows that they've won, but is still a little worried for Maikeru and what awaits him.
Unit-1 roars again as it charges at the angel. The angel creates an A.T. Field to defend itself. However, the Eva isn't fazed and simply grabs the A.T. Field in the center. It begins to rip the A.T. Field apart by using its own A.T. Field. Once through, the angel fires a beam at the Eva, but the Eva shrugs it off.
The Eva grabs both of the angel's arms and breaks them both before kicking it into a building. Not giving a moment to rest, the Eva charges at the angel and pushes it through multiple buildings. The angel falls to the ground as the Eva jumps on top of it and begins punching the red orb in its chest.
The red orb begins to crack from the punches. Knowing it would not win, the angel wraps itself around Unit-1 and initiates a self destruct. The blast covers a large portion of Tokyo-3 in a blinding light.
Misato and the others watch the screen closely, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, the Eva walks through the fire, unscathed. The Eva stops moving as it finally shuts down.
Within the Eva, Maikeru begins to awaken. He wonders what happened, but then he hears that voice again.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I abandoned you two." The voice apologizes.
Maikeru begins to fall asleep again as he hears the voice, one more time.
"It wasn't your fault. It was an accident." The voice says as Maikeru recognizes the voice.
As Maikeru falls asleep he says one word, "Mother?"
Maikeru slowly opens his eyes to see an unfamiliar roof. He sits up and looks around at his surroundings. He is in a rather large hospital room with medical supplies next to him. What…How did I get here? Maikeru thought to himself.
Knowing a doctor would arrive soon, Maikeru just simply laid back down on his bed. As he rests, he recalls hearing a voice, but he can't exactly remember it. Who was that? Was I imagining it, or was there someone else there? Maikeru questions himself.
In a dark room, 5 men appear in colored coded holograms. The colors being red and green on the right, blue and yellow on the left, and a white colored hologram. These men are part of Seele, a secret organization with an agenda unknown to the world. In the center is Gendo Ikari, who is giving them the full report of the Angel attack.
"So, the Angels have returned. A bit sudden, don't you think?" Seele 2 asks.
"It's exactly like 15 years ago. A calamity never gives a warning before striking" Seele 3 says.
"In a way, it's a blessing. The appearance of an Angel makes all our past investments worth while" Seele 3 adds.
"Don't be so certain of that. If the investment is not useful, it's still a waste." Seele 5 says.
"Indeed. Information regarding the Angels is spreading among the public. Something must be done. Nerv's work must be carried out both properly and quickly." Seele 4 says.
"Arrangements have already been carried out regarding that matter. No need for concern." Gendo says.
"Yes, that's all true." Seele 5 says.
"Ikari, don't you agree that Nerv and the Eva's could be managed better?" Seele 2 asks.
"To start, there's Unit-0, and now Unit-1 needs massive repairs after its debut. These bills could bankrupt a country." Seele 4 says.
"Yes, and on top of that. I heard that you gave that toy to your son." Seele 3 says.
"Your oldest son to be specific. We are fortunate that he was able to synchronize with Unit-1 since your youngest son died 9 years ago." Seele 5 says.
"You must ensure that he will not interfere with the Human Instrumentality Project. That is our top priority." Seele 3 says
"Indeed. That project is the only glimmer of light in this desperate situation. For us of course." Seele 4 says.
"In either case, rescheduling the project's progression will not be tolerated by the members of this council. Your budget request we will considered." Seele 1, Keel Lorenz, says.
"The council will take it from here. We don't need you now." Seele 2 says.
"Good work, Commander Ikari." Seele 4 says as the Seele 2-5 cut communications, leaving only Keel and Gendo.
"Ikari, there's no turning back now." Keel says in a threatening tone before cutting communications.
"Yes I'm aware. Humanity has little time to spare." Gendo speaks to the empty void.
At the hospital, Maikeru finally left his room and looked out of a window. Questions are swirling through his mind. What happened? Did I beat the angel? Is everyone else okay? Maikeru questions himself. He hears the sound of rolling wheels and sees the blue haired girl, Rei Ayanami, being rolled through the halls on a bed.
It's her. That girl who would've replaced me as the pilot. What happened to her? Maikeru thought to himself.
"Ah. You're finally awake." A voice behind Maikeru says.
Maikeru turns around and sees Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki. "It's been a long time, Maikeru." Fuyutsuki says with a smile.
"You too, Uncle." Maikeru says with a smile.
Ever since Maikeru was a boy, he always saw Fuyutsuki around his parents quite often. Fuyutsuki was kind and generous towards Maikeru. In time, Maikeru considered him his Uncle. And, unlike his father, Fuyutsuki went to Shinji's funeral.
"Let's talk more in your room." Fuyutsuki says as he and Maikeru go into Maikeru's hospital room.
"How are you feeling?" Fuyutsuki asks.
"My jaw hurts, but other than that I'm fine." Maikeru explains.
"I'm glad. You've grown up so much since the last time I saw you." Fuyutsuki remarks.
"And you look about the same." Maikeru jokes with Fuyutsuki.
Fuyutsuki simply chuckles when Maikeru asks him, "What happened? Is the angel dead?"
"Yes. You managed to kill it last night." Fuyutsuki answers.
"Really? But, I don't remember it." Maikeru says.
"Well, to be more specific, your Eva went berserk and killed the angel." Fuyutsuki says.
"I see. So, what now? Is it over?" Maikeru asks.
"No. There are still more angels to come. Each one is more powerful than the last." Fuyutsuki answers.
"More? I don't think I could fight anymore, given how I couldn't even pilot the Eva efficiently." Maikeru says.
"Do not worry. We'll have time before the next Angel arrives. In that time, Nerv will give you the necessary training you'll need to battle the angels." Fuyutsuki says.
"That's good news." Maikeru says.
"I know you may not want to pilot the Eva, given your relationship with your father. But, you're doing a great service to the world. However, if you wish to leave, you can. No one will stop you." Fuyutsuki says.
Maikeru thinks about this for a while. I could just leave. That way I don't have to deal with my father. But, he'll just make that girl pilot instead of me and it could get her killed. Maikeru thought to himself.
Maikeru sighs as he says, "I'll pilot."
"Thank you Maikeru." Fuyutsuki says.
"So, if I'm going to stay here, is there anything I'm supposed to do after training." Maikeru asks.
"Well, normally we would have our pilots go to school here in Tokyo-3. But, you've already graduated from college, so there's no point." Fuyutsuki says.
"Well, is there a job I can do here at Nerv?" Maikeru asks.
Fuyutsuki thinks for a moment before an idea pops up.
"Actually there is." Fuyutsuki says.
"You're going to be the new night time security guard?" Misato asks.
After talking with Fuyutsuki, the doctors checked Maikeru out of the hospital. Misato got word of his recovery and immediately went to pick him up. Maikeru just finished explaining that he will be the new night time security guard.
"Yep. Since I've worked as a security guard before, this will be up my alley." Maikeru says.
"That's going to be very boring for you." Misato says.
"Eh. It's not that bad. I usually spend that time doing other things." Maikeru says.
"Like what?" Misato asks.
"I usually make gizmos in my spare time." Maikeru says.
"You're an engineer too?" Misato asks.
"Yeah. I had to learn how since I mostly fixed machines at my previous job." Maikeru says.
"Oh yeah. You worked at Freddy Fazbear's Pizzaria." Misato says.
"Yep. But, I got fired for tampering with the animatronics." Maikeru says.
"Why did you tamper with them?" Misato asks.
"I did it to mess with my co-workers, but I got fired for it. That and my odor." Maikeru says.
Misato holds a laugh in. "It's not that funny!" Maikeru says.
"It is to me." Misato says.
"By the way, is it true that there were kids missing?" Misato asks
"No. Turns out they went camping and didn't tell their parents." Maikeru says.
"I see." Misato says as she presses an elevator button and they wait for a minute.
The door opens and Gendo Ikari is in the elevator. Maikeru freezes and glares at his father. They don't speak to one another and the elevator door closes between them. Misato, who watched the stare off, decided that they should take the stairs.
Later, Misato and Maikeru went to get the address of his apartment. Misato was tempted to let him stay with her, but decided not to since Maikeru is an adult and can live on his own. However, she did convince the top brass that Maikeru can have the apartment next to her apartment.
Ritsuko wanted to say no, but decided not to fight it. Maikeru, on the other hand, is a little nervous. Mainly that he is unsure he wants to be neighbors with a crazy lady.
As they drive to the apartment complex, Misato asks, "So, do you need anything from the grocery store?"
"Yeah. I didn't bring any food since I didn't think I'd be staying." Maikeru answers.
They later arrive at the grocery store and grab the items they need. As they check out, Maikeru overhears a couple talking about leaving Tokyo-3, due to the battle yesterday. He doesn't blame them. He would want to leave if a giant monster came stomping through the city
They get all the food they need and head towards the apartment complex. However, Misato decides she wants to show Maikeru something.
"Before we head to the apartment, I want to take a detour." Misato says.
"Where?" Maikeru asks
"Someplace very special." Misato answers.
They eventually arrive at a cliff side. They exit the car and look at the massive city that is Tokyo-3. Maikeru looks at the city, he thinks it looks empty and sad.
"It's time." Misato suddenly says.
An alarm goes off as buildings start to rise from the ground. Maikeru watches in awe as the new buildings make Tokyo-3 look larger.
"This city is a fortress built to counter the Angels. This is Tokyo-3. And this is our city. As well as the city you defended." Misato says.
Maikeru now truly sees what he's protecting. He's protecting the last hope for humanity.
Misato and Maikeru finally arrive at the apartment complex and arrive at Misato's room. Maikeru looks at the room next to Misato's and sees his bags by the door. Looks like they got all my stuff. Maikeru thought to himself. Maikeru takes his key and opens the door.
It looks clean, it's got a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. This looks really nice. Maikeru thought to himself.
"So, what do you think?" Misato asks.
"Not bad. Not bad at all." Maikeru answers.
"Okay then. I'll be right next door if you need me." Misato says.
Maikeru nods and is about to shut the door when Misato says, "Oh one more thing, Maikeru. Thank you for what you did. Everyone is grateful for your actions."
"…Thank you. Oh, and you can just call me Maik." Maikeru says with a smile.
Misato smiles back and goes into her apartment. Maikeru does the same and places his groceries in the kitchen.
"Alright. Let's get started." Maikeru says to himself.
Maikeru puts on headphones and plays Throne, by Bring Me the Horizon. He opens his first box, which contains his clothes, and goes to hang them up in his room. Maikeru opens the next box and sees all the posters and other things he got from America. He hangs his Godzilla posters, places vases all over the house, and finally places the exotic butters he got from his last job before getting fired on the TV.
"I still don't know why they had these." Maikeru says to himself. Maikeru then places the final objects he brought. He places all of his old family pictures. The photos are from when Maikeru's mother was still alive. The activities they did in the photos were fishing, Maikeru losing his first tooth, and Maikeru's first time going to the beach.
The last photo is that of him holding his baby brother, Shinji Ikari. Shinji was born a year after Second Impact, so he never got to see the ocean when it was beautiful, or anything that was once beautiful. Second Impact ruined everything. Maikeru looks at this photo for a long time. Seeing this photo only fills Maikeru with pain.
Maikeru begins to cry at the memory of the day his brother died. I'm so sorry, Shinji. Maikeru thought to himself. He places the photo next to his bed and decides to go to sleep. Maikeru puts his headphones up as he lays in bed.
Before falling asleep, Maikeru catches the sight of something his brother had. An old SDAT that Shinji used to listen to before falling asleep. Maikeru kept it since it meant a lot to Shinji. He sometimes listened to it, but he could never sleep well with it. How did you sleep well with that thing playin lg in your ear? Maikeru thought to himself.
Maikeru rolls to his side and closes his eyes. He prays that the dream of that day doesn't come back to haunt him again. To make sure, he reaches over his bed and takes some pills. Finally, he falls asleep, not very eager for tomorrow.