Chapter Two
Author notes: First off I am publishing the second chapter now, any spelling mistakes and noticeable grammar mistakes will be corrected in the morning (when I wake up). Second, I have based this altered Shinji Ikari a bit similar to the Shinji Ikari from a different ff. Death of a Child is definitely one of my favorite ff I've read so far, it's so different and unique, I can't help but love it. I also took some inspiration on writing a bit like the ff. So shout out to Amorphous In Black. Anyway, hope you enjoy the story so far, I just hope I can keep up.
"It seems the second coming of the angels has begun."
"Exactly like 15 years ago, the calamity of the angels has begun with no warnings whatsoever. It's too soon."
"Be that as it may, with the angels appearing, our investments will not be for nothing."
"It's too soon for that notion to be true."
Various members of the Human Instrumentality committee spoke. The timetable of their ultimate goal has been fastened. But there are matters that need to be tended to. Such as prolonging the secrecy of the angels and the Evangelion, as well as increased funding for the future.
"Now Ikari, there is a matter concerning the Third Child we shall discuss. We've reviewed the battle. Your son has proven his worth piloting the Evangelion. Yet, we've been led to believe that he's had no prior training whatsoever, nor has he seen an Evangelion. Judging from his skills, It would seem that would be a lie. Explain yourself." Spoke the Chairman of the most powerful and influential secret government of the world. SEELE.
Gendo refuted the claim with his fingers steepled. "From reports of his upbringing, the boy has never received any training, and I have not had any contact with him in over a decade. He was raised in near isolation, how he obtained these skills is a mystery."
"We're dealing with existential threats here, Ikari. We need more than happenstance and unsolved mysteries." Said a different member of the committee.
"Indeed. But what matters in the end are the results. And the Third Child brought upon nominal damage from his battle in the city, and minimal damage to the Evangelion itself." Countered Gendo Ikari.
The committee reluctantly agreed in that matter. Continuing the meeting, talks of a budget increase were at hand. In the end, the budget increase would be considered and the meeting would end.
"Remember the main priority, Ikari, The Human Instrumentality project is mankind's only hope for salvation. You are dismissed. The rest of this meeting does not concern you." Spoke the Chairman.
The members disappeared from view on Gendo's side. And the meeting continued, talks of plans and scenarios of the future would be discussed.
-X-
"Seems all is falling into place. But the anomalies concerning the Third Child should not be taken lightly." Fuyutsuki voiced his cautiousness.
"Again it matters not, Sensei. As long as he pilots, that is all that matters. I trust you can handle things while I'm away. I have a visit to make."
"Going to visit your son, are we?"
"…You know where and why I am going. There will be nothing between me and the boy. I have no time for such trivial matters." Gendo responded while leaving
"…Indeed… Before you go, what of his living arrangements?"
"Dump him in block 6 near the geofront, or have him bunk with the captain. If she gets attached and bonded to him, it gives us extra assurances of her loyalty to NERV." Gendo finished his order while smirking, he then left to make his way to see the progress on Rei Ayanami.
'Cold hearted bastard.' Thought a slightly irritated Fuyutsuki.
'12 years, and he can't even give a damn about the boy. I'm sorry, Yui.'
-X-
He's been awake for some time now, somewhere between 30-40 minutes. All he did was stare at the ceiling. He was physically idle, but not mentally. Shinji was gathering his bearings in his mind, relaying all that has happened since his departure to Neo Tokyo-3.
A train ride, hours long.
An emergency announcement, pleading for civilians to take shelter.
A blue haired enigma, a mirage. She disappeared with the blink of an eye.
Tremors from the avian faced abomination.
Explosions from fighter VTOLs.
Exploding fighter VTOLs.
Flying debris.
A blue blur in the distance with an impressive engine.
A tardy Misato Katsuragi.
An explosion.
More travel.
A purple titan.
Him.
The battle.
Burning pain.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
He was interrupted from his musing with a nurse performing an hourly check up on the patient. Noticing he was awake, she made a call to her superior, who then made a call to Doctor Akagi.
Afterwards, the present doctor conducted an examination on the boy. Questions of, are you in pain? Are you coherent? Can you stand? Can you walk? Can you speak?
They were all answered with nods, shaking his head side to side, and silence. Satisfied with the checkup, Shinji was given a clean bill of health and was free to roam the hospital ward or wait in the waiting area.
Shinji stripped off his hospital gown once he was the only occupant in the room, then put on his freshly laundered boxers, white under shirt, white button up shirt, and black trousers.
After dressing he began to wander around the halls of NERV Infirmary until he set upon a hall which held a large windowed area. He just stared into the distance, enjoying the rising sun which reflected off the many mirrors of the geofront. While his face rarely showed emotions, that did not mean he didn't have any, he just hid them away, only to be shown to those he fully trusts.
There was only one person among the living who had gained his trust, a man, so many years ago they had met. This man taught him to live, to fight… to prepare. This man knew of his future designation, and he sought to prepare him, prepare him against the future crisis. He was trained in secrecy, with what time he would be able to train away from his appointed guardian. Years of discipline and training in the arts of self defense has brought him here. He was prepared to fight against beings from the unknown, but soon he would need to begin to prepare for humanity's true enemy…humanity itself. Soon, he would be called upon, to aid in the human endeavor against the true purpose of NERV.
Ending his nostalgia trip, he was aware of a presence, he finally took notice he was not alone. To his right sat an exotic beauty, she was in a wheelchair. This azure haired girl was covered in bandages, her stomach and chest, a sling for her right arm, and one covering her left eye. Shinji took in the sight of this stunning beauty, and when she turned to face him, he saw her lone red iris. One red eye staring against two cobalt blue eyes, each set was staring into each other's soul. He tilted his head and she did the same, a calming silence dominated the area. That silence ended when a nurse announced that it was time to return to her room. Neither said their goodbye's, their eyes never parted until she was pulled around and was moved forward away from his position. He did not remain in his position for too much longer, now his thoughts were dominated by the injured girl he just met. He assumed she was one of the Children, seeing as he was designated the Third Child. He then sought out any other possible information of the girl in his head, he recalled the conversation the Captain and the Doctor had during their ride toward the purple titan. The Doctor stated her condition to the Captain when she asked about it. He knew her name now.
…
'Rei Ayanami'
-X-
"He's awake." Ritsuko said as she ended her phone call.
"How is he?" Misato said in a slight tone of worry.
"No external wounds, and judging from the other doctors examination and scans during his unconsciousness, they all check out, no abnormalities. But it would be best if he could return tomorrow, so I can conduct my own examination on our mute pilot."
"Our 'mute pilot' has a name. Shinji."
"Yeah…"
The conversation ended with an awkward tension, nothing was said afterwards. Misato began the journey to the NERV medical ward, but on her way she stopped for a coffee. It was a long day of work, preparing munitions and weapons for the future attacks, and before that was damage control, any remains of the angel would have to be disposed of, a wrist, and an arm. Damage to the city was already being repaired, soon she would have to deal with all the paperwork, but for now she would take care of Shinji's obligations, his housing, his payment, and his future at NERV.
-X-
She found him sitting on a chair, his eyes were closed, yet he was upright. She doubted he was sleeping, as she was entering a doorway to meet with him, his eyes opened up and seemed to see right through her. She was a little disturbed that he was able to sense her presence after just one step, but disregarded it. After some moments she made her way to him, already having his attention, she told him what they were going to do.
"Sorry if I had you waiting long, I made my way as soon as Ritsuko told me you were awake, well, after I grabbed a coffee." Misato said, scratching her head embarrassingly.
'I am really not making good impressions on Shinji, first I'm late, which nearly resulted in both of our deaths. Then I prioritize coffee over him. I'll have to make it up to him, and I think I know how.'
"Well anyway, let's get everything taken care of. First I gotta take you to command, we'll be speaking to the commanders about your terms of service. They'll also most likely give you some options on housing." As she was leading Shinji to an elevator that would lead them out of the hospital ward, the elevator opened up and revealed the supreme commander of NERV.
"…" everyone seemed to say.
Seemingly leaving from a visit, the elder Ikari stood in the middle of the elevator and stared at his son. Expecting his son to cower under his gaze, he was dissatisfied as the boy held his own gaze, blinking without a care in the world.
Misato could feel the strange atmosphere, the clashing auras of power and control from the elder, against a seemingly murky and emotionless cold from the youth. What felt like an eternity was a mere five seconds, and what happened next surprised Misato quite a bit.
Shinji showed no reaction to his fathers gaze, he felt no fear, no anger, nothing. Catching his slight eyebrow raise, he knew he made his father unnerved. Following his little victory he made his way into the elevator, sensing Misato's surprise and discomfort, he still went through with it.
It was 3 minutes of discomfort, the aura of the commander was weak compared to that of the murky atmosphere the Third Child emitted in such an enclosed space.
Nothing was said throughout the eternity of discomfort. When the doors opened it was the commander who took the first steps out. Shortly followed by Shinji, then Misato. The commander kept a distance from the pair, all heading toward his office.
-X-
Kozo Fuyutsuki was in the middle of preparing for the Ikari's arrival, putting together more than generous terms for the young Ikari's service. Seeing as in the end, the only thing that matters is the scenario, and the scenario calls for the defeat of the angels.
'And now for the living arrangements… I think it would be best to discuss this with the Captain.'
After the Subcommander finished that thought the doors to the office opened. The commander entered and was followed by two others. He recognized the raven haired Captain Katsuragi, but the person who followed surprised him some. While he witnessed the battle yesterday and was able to view the pilot in action. The boy that entered the dark room had a coldness that surrounded him, it was as if there was another Rei Ayanami, but one who could possibly be unpredictable. It was unfortunate that this was the same boy so full of life from 12 years ago, now it seemed as if he closed himself from the world, or the world never opened itself to him.
"Commander, Captain…hello Shinji, it's been so long since I've last seen you."
"…" said Shinji
After a moment Shinji bowed slightly in respect to both the Commander and Subcommander. Afterwards silence filled the room.
"Indeed it has Sensei, now if we shall proceed with your arrangements Fuyutsuki." Gendo said in a cadence all for business.
"…Yes. Now regarding payment for your services, we are offering 625,000 Yen per month, with an added bonus of 125,000 Yen per successful sortie. I do hope you find this agreeable."
'HE'S GETTING PAID MORE THAN ME?! God, I'm nearly ten years his senior, and he's getting double my own salary.'
"…"
Shinji didn't immediately respond, he was thinking of ways he could spend and save. Receiving funds was one of the fundamental objectives in preparing for anything. After a few moments of pondering, he doubted he could get much more, so he was prepared to accept. He nodded his head slightly in acceptance.
"Another important matter to discuss would be your housing arrangement. We have few options at the moment, but before I state those options, there is something I would like to discuss with you Captain." Spoke Fuyutsuki
"…?" Responded the Captain.
"When you were in NERVE Germany, did you not have the Second Child under your care?"
"Yes, that is true, she was under my care for a couple of years."
"We are requesting that you take Shinji under your charge, if you choose to accept, you will be compensated with a raise to your pay."
'I doubt refusing a request from command would ever help my chances at a promotion. And I do miss the days with Asuka in Germany. Plus a raise couldn't hurt.'
"I will accept the responsibility, but if I may request one condition. If Shinji also accepts to be under my charge." She said to the Subcommander, she then turned to face Shinji. "I have a fairly large apartment, and two spare rooms. I also happen to live by Tokyo-3's First Municipal High school, assuming you'll be continuing your studies while at NERV."
"…" he responded, he then looked towards the Subcommander to inform him of his other options.
"…" the Subcommander said, he then realized why the boy turned his way.
"Oh, your other option would be to live alone, in block 6 near the Geofront."
'Block 6? Isn't that the horribly run down section in the city? I think I should actually advise him to accept me.'
"From what I've seen of block 6, it's in a very run down area, much further away from the high school, and in my eyes it seems underdeveloped." The Captain whispered to Shinji.
"…" Shinji responded. He then decided it wise to accept the proposal. If he ever needed to do anything of importance, he could always sneak out after dark.
He nodded toward Misato, his newly appointed guardian. He then nodded toward the Subcommander.
"The Captain is correct, you will be attending the high school, you will begin there next Monday. Now, your piloting duties involve training, and testing. You will be here tomorrow by 1000 hours, you will be taking a physical, as well as measurements for your plug suit. After your plug suit has been created, Doctor Akagi will give you your schedule for training and sync training. That will be all, you both are now dismissed." The Supreme Commander of NERV finished all matters concerning the Third Child at this time.
"Very well, good day." Said the Captain.
Shinji respectfully bowed, then followed the Captain out of the dark office.
The office now only held a student and a teacher, they both stood on top and below the fated tree of life. Their thoughts both looked to the future, the path of reunion, and the path to Godhood.
'Soon, Yui.'
-X-
With nothing more to do until tomorrow (disregarding the pile of paperwork which is most definitely waiting in her office) Misato Katsuragi decided now would be a great time to take the two of them off to lunch, seeing as it was now past 1600 hours, it was the perfect time to get some good food and hopefully pay him back for her own faults from the past two days.
As they were leaving, Misato received a call from Ritsuko.
"So, how's our Shinji doing? Get everything sorted out? I'm going to need his address by tomorrow, he'll receive his NERV ID as soon as it's ready."
"Yep, everything got sorted out, and you won't have to worry about the address, he'll be living with me…" before she could continue, she was interrupted by Ritsuko.
"What?!"
"Relax Rits, it was a request from Command that I take him in. Besides, it's not like I'm gonna put the moves on him." As she finished her joke she had to pull the phone away from her as an angry and serious Doctor Akagi responded'
"I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT! GOD MISATO, HE'S 16 YEARS OLD! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?'
"Sheesh…I forgot she can't take a joke." She hung up the call before she would get even more berated. "Well, shall we get going."
"…" Shinji said, he then nodded at her proclamation.
-X-
Rei Ayanami didn't have much to think about, since her admission to the hospital. Her thoughts were conditioned, she would never question her purpose, she was born to pilot the Eva, nothing more. She had a purpose, and that's all she needed, because she had nothing else. Everything she 'owned' was paid in full by NERV, her apartment was owned by NERV, her allegiance and loyalties lied with NERV.
There was no need for her at the moment, she has been incapacitated for now. Her injuries would prevent her from her purpose. She felt a tinge of frustration from this. If the need arose, she would pilot in her condition, in the end, she can be replaced.
There was a successful operation that took place yesterday. The Third Child had been brought in, and successfully activated Unit-01 to sortie against the enemy.
She was not aware of the identity of the Third Child, when she met him she still did not know his name. Yet something about her fellow pilot was…familiar? She felt different around him than with others. She had never felt anything like this, not even around the Commander. She would inquire with Doctor Akagi about this.
When the Commander came to visit her, he questioned her about how she was fairing at the time. Rei answered him and told him of the estimated timetable for her return to duty. He was satisfied with her and told her to rest for now and await orders. Before he left her Rei asked him a question.
"Commander, if I may ask. What is the pilot's name?"
"The Third Child's name is Shinji, Shinji Ikari."
"He is your son?"
"Yes…"
"I see."
"Rest now, Rei. Farewell."
When he stepped out of the hospital room, one name resided in Rei Ayanami's thoughts..
'Shinji…
Ikari…'
-X-
This was undoubtedly the last lunch she would have at the cheap takeout places around Tokyo-3, with an incoming raise, she could definitely upgrade from her old takeout options.
The two new roommates went out to eat a simple lunch, a lunch of ramen from a food stand close to her usual grocery market. After lunch the two went to grab some groceries, seeing as there was a new member being added to the apartment, extra groceries would need to be purchased. Misato brought along Shinji to the market to choose out anything else he would need on top of her own purchases.
Shinji took notice of what his newly appointed guardian was purchasing, a large assortment of booze, mostly beer, and what seemed to be instant food. While he was unsettled at this revelation, he was not at all surprised. He began to search for ingredients that he could use to make real food. He sought after eggs, rice, fish, and some spices and seasonings. Shinji would come back at a later time to purchase more, he planned to resume his diet which he has stuck to for many years. While picking his purchases he couldn't help but overhear a conversation happening in a separate aisle.
"It's just not safe anymore, I never expected Tokyo-3 to become some sort of warzone."
"My husband told me that our children and I should move for safety at least."
Shinji moved on to follow Misato, he heard enough of the conversation, he could not blame the people for wanting to leave. But in the end, he would do his best to protect them all. Every single choice he has ever made, has led him here.
As the pair left the store with their purchases, Misato gave an announcement.
"Before we go on and celebrate a welcome home party, there's somewhere I'd like to take you, it won't take long, and I think it'll be worth it."
Misato led the way to an overlook, it showed the city in all its glory, not its full glory, as in a few more moments the city's defenses would come offline.
"And…now."
The buildings that were sent into fortress mode began to rise, they rose many meters, nearly each and every building stretched to the sky. The fortress city, Tokyo-3 was now presented in its full glory.
"This is Tokyo-3. The fortress city for intercepting the Angels. Our city, the city which you proudly defended."
"…" he took in the sight, he would save it for later, perhaps in a painting, perhaps a motivation point. This city was now under his protection, he would not fail, not against the angels, and not against the truth.
-X-
It may have been less than 12 hours of her knowing Shinji, but she felt she was beginning to understand him. 'If the Geofront and the rising fortress can't phase him then I doubt anything can.' With that notion she had no doubt that he wouldn't even care about her little messy apartment.
The two arrived in the apartment's parking area and began to take the groceries and Shinji's belongings he left in her car when they first arrived at NERV together. After the elevator ride up they ventured to the correct apartment number, Misato voiced her observation of Shinji's belongings from his previous home. And with that she gave an apology about the state of her apartment.
"Before we enter, sorry about the little mess, I just moved in myself a little while ago." When she entered the door she waited for her charge to do the same. Once he entered the apartment Misato welcomed him to his new home. Shinji was absolutely not prepared for what he was about to witness.
Walking down the hall he stopped and dropped one of his bags to the floor. Misato turned back to see his eyebrows raised and eyes widened in surprise…or disgust. Shinji actually showed a reaction, and it took Misato's pigsty to expose one.
'HE FINALLY SHOWS A REACTION?! AND IT'S FROM MY LITTLE MESS! YOU'VE GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!' Misato was actually angered by this, but then she took a moment to look around her. Aluminum beer cans, instant cups, food wrappers, dirty laundry, trash…everywhere.
"Hehe…ok, it's a little more than a little messy." Misato said while scratching the back of her head in utter embarrassment.
With the understatement of the century, Shinji lowered his surprise/disgusted reaction and replaced it back to his normal stoic face, but not until he let out a sigh of disbelief.
'A little messy.' He still couldn't believe it.
"Now, could you be a dear and put away the groceries, I'm gonna go change."
Following through with the request he began to sort the groceries and put any fresh produce inside, he took note of the wall of beer that filled the entire right door of the fridge. He then noticed something odd, she seemed to own two fridges, it was much larger than the other, he wouldn't be surprised if it stored even more beer. He would later find out that he was partially correct.
After putting away the necessary items, he had a choice to make, one that could decide the fate of humanity, while the other would decide the fate of his sanity. He would either have to endure any possible biological abominations his guardian no doubt would come up with, or leave the absolute pigsty of an apartment until tomorrow. He decided to risk the fate of humanity, best case scenario, slight food poisoning, worse case…death.
He was nearly filling up a third trash bag of beer when Misato finally stepped out of her room. In her mind any normal male would have dropped whatever they were doing and stared at her, especially in the type of clothing she was wearing. A very loose fitting t-shirt that left very little to the imagination, and a pair of low cut denim short shorts, which left even less to the imagination. Shinji looked up from his trash duty for a second, looked at her with a normal stoic face, and then got right back to where he left off.
'Ok, there is definitely something wrong with him. He's not acting like a normal teenage boy. Maybe he's gay? Mmmmm…probably not.' Misato mused, she doubted she lost any touch with her assets of attractiveness.
Seeing that Shinji was busy cleaning up nearly the whole apartment, Misato decided to go ahead and prepare dinner for the both of them.
Once dinner was ready, she forced Shinji to accompany her in eating. Before saying her thanks, she grabbed a bear and absolutely chugged it down within a few seconds.
"WOOOOOOOOHHHH YEAH! That's the way to end a day of hard work! Dinner and a refreshing beer! With company I might add." She winked towards him and he just gave her an impassive stare.
Shinji was pulled from his cleaning duty to now 'enjoy' a Katsuragi classic instant meal. He then decided that starving was a better fate than trying to stomach a Katsuragi special.
"Hey, you haven't touched your meal, I know it's instant food but it's not that bad." Shinji just looked at her impassively, she then got the idea he was not going to eat.
"Don't tell me you're a picky eater! I spent my hard earned money on this, you could at least…!" She wasn't able to finish her complaint when Shinji gave her a hard stare. That stare sent shivers down her spine, and his cold aura which surrounded him somehow got even more colder.
She then relented on further arguments to stop his cold hard stare.
"Alright geez… sorry. Well if you're not gonna eat then go shower, you smell like blood, and beer cans." She pointed to a room across the kitchen which was the bathroom. Shinji left his food on the table and trotted over to the bathroom, stripping down to his birthday suit. He was about to pull the curtain to the shower tub when he saw something odd. It was a…bird, a bird in the bathtub. Smelling himself he noticed the very prominent smell of copper across his entire body, he picked up the bird with the red crown on top of its head, long yellow beak, flippers, and webbed feet. The bird offered no resistance to this but let out his confusion.
"Wark? (Who are you?)"
Before Shinji was about to place the bird outside of the bathroom, he gave the bird a strange look, the bird noticed it was not a look of confusion, but a look of understanding!
"Wark! Wark? (Wait! You understand me?)"
Shinji could only nod, while he was indifferent on the situation as it wasn't really anything important, he didn't seem to mind that he was able to understand this little water-fowl.
Before the flightless bird could continue the conversation, Shinji opened the door and put the bird down on the floor and looked down upon him.
The bird gave a final "Wark" as to say they will talk later. Shinji bowed at the little bird and closed the door. Pen Pen then waddled over to his fridge, opening it, bidding goodnight to his owner, he entered the fridge and closed it for the night.
Misato could only stare at the bathroom door, after what she just witnessed, that's all she could do. She just witnessed a fully nude Shinji Ikari, lower Pen Pen to the ground, and bow to the bird. She couldn't help but bite down on her lower lip, she saw the absolute lean and impressively athletic body of a boy his age. She would definitely need to forget what she just saw, she was definitely going to get blackout drunk tonight. After finishing her meal, she proceeded to the fridge to grab 7 more bears, enough to get her drunk enough to forget what she saw tonight. She ventured into her room and proceeded to down each can and proceeded to pass out drunk. She would not wake until the next morning.
Shinji finished his shower and decided to end the night early. He would continue the cleaning of the entire apartment tomorrow. He searched the extra room for a spare futon, once he found one, he went back to his designated room and laid it out. In his night clothes he laid on the futon, with a pillow under his head, he stared at the ceiling, a ceiling that would not be unfamiliar before long.
'Another unfamiliar ceiling.'
End Chapter 2: A Silent Home