Record That
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN EVANGELION, NOR ANY OF THE SONGS! DON'T SUE ME!
Chapter 14: Truth
They first started watching around the time when Sachiel appeared in the ocean. Not even the military had shown up yet before they started taking in the situation. They did know exactly when it was going to occur. That tends to happen when you have access to one of the oldest texts in human history. Left behind by the literal creators of humanity.
As they watched thousands of soldiers sacrifice themselves. So that twelve mysterious old men could achieve Godhood alongside their hypnotized following. Silence filled the room, as all of those who watched the live footage. Had very little to say on the situation. That was until one unfortunate soul. Decided to check on the footage coming from one the suburbs of Tokyo-3.
Sachiel would be arriving there soon. Though, before the Angel did, a train pulled into the station. The person riding the train did not surprise the man watching cameras. It was Shinji, son of Gendo, one of the many possible children to pilot the Evangelions. A special one that could be used most effectively. Almost, too effectively, though that was a problem for them to solve later.
Except, there was something especially odd about the boy's behavior. Granted, he was always expected to be paranoid and socially awkward. Except, as the man continued watching, he noted that there was something slightly different. It was as if Shinji was more accepting of his situation. With the way he looked around with a calm look. Then, he did strange things like breaking the phone booth's side windows.
Then, shit really started to hit the fan, when even the cameras saw a teenage girl standing down the street. It was Rei, another child associated with Gendo Ikari, though what her relationship was with him was still a mystery. She appeared as if out of nowhere, she seemed confused on why she was still there as well. The two children looked around, confused and scared, until Shinji walked up to her.
Except…
"Commander! Everyone! Change your viewpoints to mine out in the suburbs! My camera is number fifty, viewing Duongo Street!" The one known as Number Twelve announced, borderline shouting.
"Tune your voice down Number Twelve." Number one responded. "Whatever it is, it better be important."
"Actually, it is sir. Oh my god." said Number Two.
The man's shocked voice especially caught Number One's attention. So, he flipped over to camera fifty, only to be greeted by Gendo's son forcing himself on the First Child. Nothing too shocking, until an exact look alike appeared running right at them. The one forcing himself on Rei disappeared along with her.
Due to the cameras not having sound, they weren't able to hear his laugh. Yet, they felt just as awe struck and terrified as the young boy.
"What manner of illusions is this?" Number Three asked.
As the Reflection appeared on camera. Then proceeded to send the Angel flying. Silence fell upon the room once more. Though, not calm and predictable silence as before. Every man now was on the edge of their seat. Wondering just what was going to happen next. Eventually though, the Reflection disappeared, and Shinji was picked up by Misato.
This gave Number One the chance to gain his composure.
"Whatever this thing is. It clearly has ties to Shinji Ikari. We shall deal with it in due time. The problem comes in with how it will interfere with NERV's mission." He said.
"Perhaps its interference by this new entity will be to our advantage." Number Two suggested.
"Please elaborate, Number Two." Demanded Number One.
"Well, it is clear that Gendo is acting in his own interest. And while his current actions help us for now. He will inevitably betray us. What I am suggesting is that we do not interfere in any way. So we can see what chaos this new….entity will cause. Perhaps it will create a new scenario for us to better adapt too."
"What you're suggesting isn't entirely wrong. Yet, I believe that we should take some action. Perhaps sending in reinforcements. Or…."
A brief silence as Number Three pondered what he was about to say.
"Hack the MAGI system and activate the self-destruct sequence. While it will be a great loss, we still have EVA-2. Not to mention, it should be enough force to destroy this thing."
There were whispers around the table for a minute.
"That's not an unreasonable request, Number Three. Though, let us see how this ... .Reflection of Shinji deals with an N2 blast." Number One responded.
"How do you know if it will be near the epicenter of the blast?" Number Twelve asked.
"We've already indicated that it is attached to Shinji Ikari. Captain Katsuragi is currently transporting him close to the battlefield. Even if they do gain a good distance away from the blast radius. This Reflection clearly hates the Angels, so it will make sure it ends up there. To make sure Shinji is safe."
The council acknowledged Number One's reasoning and waited. Only to be taken aback again as the Angel was teleported. The cameras scrambled to find its location. Only to see that the N2 mine had gone off. Number One immediately flipped on the helicopter camera's infrared setting and took manual control. Along with displaying it for everyone else on the council to see.
This was all in order to see if Shinji and Misato were near the bomb. Surely enough, he found their car. Along with the Reflection standing next to the vehicle. Casually waiting for the flames and the force to hit it. Which they did, and a force and heat that would nearly incinerate a human being.
Yet the being took it head on. Misdirecting the blast around the car and letting the flames and blast force do irreparable damage to its body. Yet, making sure nothing hit the car, along with the occupants inside. When the explosion ceased, the camera on its own changed back to normal. Everyone on the console gasped in fear, as the camera zoomed in on the boy-like being.
To which it turned and looked up at them. Smiling with barely any lips or mouth left on its severely burned body. It made a gesture as if it was winking, but it had no eyelids left. The camera then lost signal, and an eerie silence fell upon the room. Along with the smell of burning flesh, except, no one knew where it was coming from. They were all supposed to be in separate locations, being represented by holographic monoliths displaying their numbers.
How were they all able to smell something?
(The Eternal - Joy Division)
(0:00 to 1:08)
The sound of nature started to fill the room. Or at least it sounded like nature. It was soon made clear that it wasn't the sound of the outdoors. As the Reflection appeared laying on the table in front of each of the members. The noise was its skin regenerating, along with the broken bones and exposed damaged organs.
A bass guitar appeared next to the Reflection, and its bone exposed, healing hand, picked it up. The boy-like being didn't sit up to play it. It simply kept its back on the table, placing its instrument on top of its bloody body. Then, it started playing the bass line with its ever-healing fingers.
Shadows began appearing in the corner of the different member's rooms. Playing guitars, pianos, drums and sound effect machines to add to the song. Soon, the Reflection's lips grew back. While the rest of its face remained severely burnt down to the bone. Yet, still healing all the same.
(1:09 to 2:18)
Procession moves on, the shouting is over.
Praise to the glory of loved ones now gone.
Talking aloud as they sit 'round their tables.
Scattering flowers washed down by the rain.
Stood by the gate at the foot of the garden.
Watching them pass like clouds in the sky.
Try to cry out in the heat of the moment.
Possessed by a fury that burns from inside.
(2:18 to 3:29)
The lyrics from before appeared as moving images around the table. Representing the different moments of the Reflection's life. Moments that the old men predicted would happen if Shinji was to be used as a pilot. Though, something about them seemed off. It was only when one would look closer, when they could see shadows in the distance.
Shadows of different kinds of people, with hollow eyes. Watching the boy and his colleagues suffer. While this was certainly intriguing and horrifying to the members of the council.
Number One attempted to step forward and try to get closer to the Reflection. He stood up onto his table and got close enough to witness the thing's body fully healed. To which it looked back at him, with eyes only one who had seen Hell could have.
Dark arms then began to surround the Reflection and strip his body of its bloody and burnt clothing. Replacing them with fresh clothes and stroking the Reflection's skin with sympathy and sensuality. As if they were all feeling bad for it.
(3:30 to 4:29)
Cry like a child, though these years make me older.
With children, my time is so wastefully spent.
Burden to keep, though their inner communion.
Accept like a curse, an unlucky deal.
Played by the gate at the foot of the garden.
My view stretches out from the fence to the wall.
No words could explain, no actions determine.
Just watching the trees and the leaves as they fall.
(4:30 to 6:04)
The Reflection continued to play the bass, even when it was necessary to move its arm to put on the new clothes. Nor did its eyes leave the gaze of Number One, even as the old man tried to back away. Its own staring seemed to be that of wanting to set someone on fire. To which it accomplished that, by causing the man's visor to start to short circuit.
Number One ripped them off as they caught on fire, and for the first time in decades. Looked at the world with reddening, near bloodshot eyes.
"You….bastard child. What's your purpose here?" He demanded.
No answer, only staring. The old man's eyesight was so poor that he couldn't make out the slow smile appearing on the being's face.
"Answer me child! You might hold power, but we will find your weakness. It's only a matter of time before you bow to our will!"
Still no answers.
"Don't try to pull the silent treatment with me. We've been expecting something like you to appear. While this definitely complicates our plan. We will adapt, and you will suffer."
Silence, with the only noise being the music.
(End)
Slowly the Reflection disappeared, and all that was left was the screens to view the current action in Tokyo-3. Number One attempted to contact his fellow council members. Yet, no electronics, aside from the screens, seemed to work. While he was doing this, he noticed something written on his desk.
In what appeared to be blood, it simply read.
'No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the lord.'
Standing alone in that room, with darkness surrounding him. Made Number One feel as if he was being watched by those same shadows from before. The ones with hollow eyes that seemed to stare into his soul. All it looked like he could do now, was watch the monitor. For he felt like if he moved, the shadows would pull him into their world.
Forcing him to join them in the endless watching. Though, he did not do this out of fear. That had been left far behind for this man, he only did this because of the facts he could gather. It was as if this man was nothing more than a computer. And in a way, he was due to his body being mostly supported by cybernetics.
It would've been with those cybernetics, that he would've noticed what else the Reflection had written beneath the first quote.
'And no flesh shall be spared. When thy flesh and thy body are consumed.'
The old couple had been not only watching the action on their own personal screens. They had also borne witness to the meeting as well. So, the both of them could watch what looked like their grandson reheel his body. Though, one good look at the Reflection made it clear that this was nothing more than an imitation.
Even through the old man's brown eyes, he could still make out the slight differences of what made his family human. While this thing had inherited his brown eyes and his wife's brown hair. The boy's face was that of his birth mother. It seemed almost plastic like. And while they didn't have any old photos to compare their younger selves to.
They could tell how far this boy had fallen off the family tree. For years, they had been marrying the correct people, in order to produce the perfect specimens to ensure what they thought to be the most physically and mentally adept. Yet, all that changed when Gendo married Yui. A simple girl who was loyal to the cause, and that was it. Nothing special, simply another member of the lower class.
She wasn't destined to wear the robes that the two of them had spent years striving to acquire. To be the head of the organization known as SEELE, even if it was only in name. Yui was a mistake, and by that definition, so was their grandson. Now, he was to be used as the sacrificial lamb as he was always meant to be. Though with no preparation, as in their eyes, he was unworthy.
When the Reflection disappeared and all they could view was the Tokyo-3 cameras. The two felt comfortable enough to talk. As they did not want to miss what Keel had to say, nor miss the lyrics that the being was singing.
"Shinji has become the devil." The old man said.
"That much is clear." The old woman agreed. "Yet, he's acting as if he were Gendo."
"Gendo was a failure." The old man said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Though, now it's debatable which one has messed up more."
"Yes, Shinji has changed in the way we intended Gendo to be. The way the boy carried himself, the means of which he conveyed his message of pain. The boy has evolved and become something we've always wanted to be."
"You're proud of him!?" The old man was furious.
"No. More like impressed." The old woman replied calmly.
There was a brief moment of silence, when they both realized that they were being watched. They slowly turned to see the Reflection standing at the back of the room. Though it did not have its signature smile, it almost looked embarrassed. Much like its old grandparents, both of whom didn't know exactly what to do.
"Sonoda and Arakaki Rokubungi, it's…well, I'm here." It said, in a forced cocky tone.
Sonoda stood up and looked at the boy with his best intimidating stare.
"Don't disrespect your elders, boy."
The Reflection made no sarcastic comeback. No means to defend his actions. All it did was stand there; half lit by the screen in the dark room.
"What are you?" Arakaki asked.
"I'm….what used to be your grandson." It said, nervously.
"Used to be? You never were!" Sonoda snapped, stepping closer. The Reflection began stepping back.
"Don't run. We need to talk to you." Arakaki said.
She got up herself and slowly followed her husband.
"You are a failure, much like your father." The old man said.
"Why?" It asked.
"Because he didn't carry on the legacy. He should be the head of SEELE by now. Instead, he continues leading that doomed organization in the name of his foolish wife."
"You mean…my mother." It said, with a little bit of its personality back.
"Yes, she was a failure too." Arakaki tuned in. "She was supposed to serve us as the good girl she was. Yet, why would she want our precious son? It is beyond our understanding."
"We had been planning out our genealogy for years. Yet all it took to break it was a foolish little college girl." Sonoda said.
"Wouldn't that mean….you failed as well?" The Reflection questioned.
"Don't bother. We already know that." Sonoda responded, surprisingly humble. "Tell me, boy. Why haven't you killed us yet?"
The Reflection was finally backed up against the wall.
"I….I don't need to."
"Really? I assumed that if you wanted to strike fear into SEELE. You'd strike at the head of the organization."
The two were getting really close.
"You're not the head of it anymore." The Reflection reminded him.
"The body can control itself, yet it still needs a head."
"Sonoda, I think he's afraid of us." Arakaki said.
"Really?" The two looked at each other. Then closed in quickly on the Reflection. Making it tense up.
The old couple's wrinkly skin and labored breaths made the boy-like being cringe in disgust. However, Arakaki tried to calm it by bringing her hand up to its face. Stroking its face in a gentle manner.
"He….loves us." Arakaki said.
"Bullshit." Sonoda responded.
"What else do you call that look?" She asked.
The two looked at the thing for a while. As the Reflection struggled on what to do next.
"In that case, perhaps you can be of some use." Sonoda said.
"Join us, Shinji." The two of them said at the same time.
A noise came from behind them, the old couple turned. To see the Reflection writing something on their desk, with its own blood coming from its finger.
"And let you two become the Angel and Devil on my shoulder? I came here out of curiosity, the last part of my life that I had not fully explored. And I was met with the same thing I always find whenever I try to reach out to someone, cigarettes and alcohol." It said, the stench in the room becoming more apparent.
The two looked back to where the Reflection was once standing. Sure enough, it was gone.
"You'd be in the same situation if you were us." Sonoda said, turning to face it.
Noticing that the Reflection was looking away at his remark.
"Or perhaps, you already are."
The Reflection didn't respond.
"Tell me, boy. What are you, really?" He asked.
"I…..am a figment. Of my own imagination."
"No! Really! What are you?"
The Reflection paused for a while. Time seemed to slow down, as the being truly pondered what it was going to say. It closed its eyes and thought really hard on the matter. Until it opened them, with headstrong confirmation in its eyes.
"I am a result of the aftereffects of combining with both Adam and Lilith. Then afterwards, managing to defeat, kill, then consume hundreds if not thousands of the First Ancestral Race. To the point where I am now nothing, but…..pure….power. Though, even then, I restrict myself for fear driving those who see me in my true form mad. Unintentionally resulting in me killing them.
Does that answer your question?" It said with more fire in its voice.
Arakaki was terrified, Sonoda was unphased. Though he was pondering the answer.
"Yes, but that doesn't explain why you've come here."
"To use you as a source of power later on. When I fight another one of the Ancestrials."
"Good, now you're becoming more responsive. Something your father could never truly do. There is hope for you yet. Now tell me-MMPH!" Sonoda was cut off by the shadowy figures covering his mouth and body with their hands. Then pinning him up against the wall.
"No more questions for you. I'm tired of your disrespect of power. Now, as for you!" It looked to its grandmother.
"Y-Yes?" She asked nervously.
"Do you have any other questions for me? Make them fast, I don't have all day." It said, trying to intimidate her. Though, it looked away from her in a manner that seemed nervous.
She looked back to her confined husband. Who looked at her with nervousness and slight malice. Through as calm of a demeanor as she could muster. She sighed and asked.
"How does it feel to wield such power?" She asked.
"It's never-ending pain. I want it to end every day of my life."
Awkward silence, as the Reflection couldn't look her in the eyes. Though, it was expected of her to ask a few more questions.
"Did…did…the Third Impact….it clearly happened. Did….did you ever find love after that?"
Her stuttering, on top of her weak knees. Indicating that she felt like she was about to piss herself. Made the Reflection feel slightly bad for her. It looked her in the eyes for this answer, though it made sure to look at Sonoda as well from time to time. To ease the nerves, and to torture him some more. As he desperately tried to break free of the shadow's grasp.
"I did. You know her. Asuka Soryu Langley, the second child, the one I'm supposed to be at odds with given our upbringings. After all was said and done, there was nothing to argue about. As there was literally nothing left of our world, aside from the ruins."
"Oh." The old woman sighed in relief.
"We even had a child. We named him….Raymon."
"Oh, what a beautiful name."
Arakaki was bouncing with excitement, Sonoda was struggling more and more. Neither of them noticed how depressed the Reflection was.
"They're both dead." It said, in a very flat tone.
A silence fell over the room.
"The Ancestrials wouldn't leave us alone. They ate off of us like we were delicacies."
When the Reflection turned to them. It looked at its grandparents, like how a veteran would tell their family of what they saw.
"I was the only one strong enough to bite back."
After another long silence, the Reflection relaxed a little.
"One more question, and that's it. Make it count."
Arakaki, with tears in her eyes, simply asked:
"Can I give you a hug?"
The Reflection froze, it didn't know how to respond. Though it didn't resist, as the old woman wrapped her arms around him. Though it didn't hug her back. She kept sobbing, except her cries were all but muted by the annoying old man. Who still had enough strength left to keep on trying to break free, but he was restrained and not there to admonish her.
Meaning when she noticed what the Reflection wrote in blood on the table. She cried and hugged her once grandson even tighter. It felt like she was hugging a statue, no real flesh or change in pressure. Just pure stone and immovable substances, but she hugged it all the same.
"I love you, Shinji."
"Whatever, you won't even remember this in a few minutes." The Reflection said, with slight disgust. "You'll only remember the answers that I gave you. Though who told you them, that's for you to make up. Just like the Gods you worship."
Arakaki felt as her once grandson vanished from her arms. She looked around for it, but nothing was there. Her husband was still restrained to a wall with hands keeping him there. Then, a voice in her head told her what to do.
"Keep watching the screen, and don't leave this room. They're watching, and they all worship me. And thanks for only asking three questions. I think I'm going to use that. Now sit down and watch the show."
Arakaki sat down to watch the screen. She looked to Sonoda, thinking that she might want to free him. That's when she noticed how grotesque and mutilated some of those hands were holding her husband. Sonoda even gave her a look that told her to keep watching and not to interfere.
So, she turned back to look at her screen. Along with all the other members of SEELE. Who watched what was happening on their screens with the utmost attention. As it seemed that their lives depended on it. They all witnessed the same events as the ones on the ground did. Like they were Gods themselves, only observing and unable to make a real influence on the situation.
The lack of sound did help when dealing with the presumably over-bearing noise that the Reflection played on its guitar. Which peaked Keel and Sonoda's interest, as from before, the Reflection seemed to prefer the bass. Or perhaps it was just for that song?
Arakaki didn't notice, as she was too concerned with her only Grandson being slowly tortured to death. And almost looked away a couple of times out of horror.
The luxury of no sound didn't last forever, as during the battle with Diligentia. The sound turned on, despite not having any proper audio capturing system there on the ground. It took everyone off guard, as the music began to echo across wherever the staff happened to be. The sound was almost hypnotic. As the Reflection played a song, they were almost all familiar with. Slowly, all the members began to feel dizzy and began to fall down unconscious, one by one.
Along with everyone else who could hear the song. Whether it be in the United Nations, or NERV Berlin. All those who heard the calm melodic tones of Dream On, began to pass out. Even a confused Kaji and Asuka, who were taken aback earlier by Misato's text message. They didn't have long before they too fell victim to the noise.
Though, there was one who benefited from this. Deep below NERV Berlin, within the depths of the sub-labs. Was a naked boy in a tube of LCL, simply floating there. Waiting for its purpose. Only to find it when the music began to ring. The boy woke up, used its AT-field powers to break free. Making sure to keep floating so as to not step on the broken glass.
Once he could step on the ground, the boy made his way out of the basement. It didn't matter if it was cold, and he had no clothes. He needed to be closer to the song. Something about it resonated with its soul. The same way his urge did for him whenever someone mentioned Tokyo-3.
He opened a secret door that came out of the floor of one of the laboratories. Once he saw daylight coming through a window, he knew he could finally relax. As the boy basically crawled up the staircase, closed the secret door behind him. Then, crawled on the ground towards one of the doors. Only for the song to end, and for him to finally pass out with everyone else.
Sakura was struggling to take everything in. Two twins had just defeated a massive white monster with the power of Rock N'Roll. All while she was the only one who seemed to be awake during all of this. Was she going to end up like the rest of the adults? Like her brother and his friends?
Suddenly, the Reflection appeared right in front of her. Nearly causing her to pass out from the shock. It was carrying his twin, who then just plopped down in front of her. Joining the rest of people laying down around her. She was about to ask what happened. When she noticed that the Reflection was visibly bleeding from the eyes. Like it was crying tears of blood.
And the same thing was happening to Shinji.
"Oh….oh God! What's happening!?" The poor girl was about to hyperventilate.
"It's…okay." Shinji said, barely able to move.
He coughed up blood but made sure to look Sakura in the eyes. Though, this only made her even more nervous.
"As much as it pains me to agree with him. He's right, you'll be okay. Honestly, it amazes me that you haven't passed out yet. Did you even hear the music?" It asked Sakura.
"Um….yes, but…I don't know what to feel. The song was so…." Sakura started to cry.
Shinji painfully turned to face his Reflection.
"Is…this…part of…the plan." He asked, through painful gasps of breath.
"Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how much she can take." It said with a smile.
"You…sick…fuck." Shinji responded.
"Oh please, don't come at me with that. She's the only one who managed to stay awake. The only one who I can transfer information to without making her brain feel like it wants to explode. And alongside that, the only one who will remember this night in full."
"Wait? No one is going to remember any of this?" Sakura asked.
"They've all fallen asleep, except for you. Then, after I die, there will truly be a future without me in it. And even if you remember this little shit." It pointed to Shinji. "You'll mainly remember the better version of me. So, just sit back and do what you can to make sure this idiot doesn't die, yet."
The Reflection turned around and started walking towards the city.
"What…is she…supposed to do?" Shinji asked.
"I don't know, keep you company. Now shut up, I've got business to take care of."
"What business?" Sakura asked. "And please, don't die."
The Reflection turned around with a smile then began walking away.
"Hey….could….you do….me….a…favor?" Shinji asked.
It stopped in its tracks and reappeared next to Shinji's side.
"What exactly?" It asked, curious.
"Could….you….show me…what….would've happened…..if you…hadn't shown up?"
The Reflection laughed.
"That would kill you."
"I'm dead….anyway." Shinji coughed up more blood.
The Reflection was getting dizzy, so it stabilized him. It then looked at Sakura, who was shaking her head. Telling it not to do it, but then it looked down at its pathetic younger self and then realized then and there. That for once, its younger self was absolutely correct. He was going to die anyway.
As soon as the Reflection put its thumb on Shinji's smiling face. An explosion happened in the middle of Tokyo-3. Sakura didn't know what to focus on, the slowly reforming Diligentia. Or the two boys who just passed out. The only two who could actually do something about it, and they were now unconscious. As a God reformed to take its revenge out on this world.
Hey everyone, I'm still alive. Sorry if I scared you all. I'm a fucking idiot who should understand his audience are worried fans. Not witnesses to my mental insanity.
Also, sorry about this entire chapter being about Reflection Shinji dealing with SEELE and his grandparents. I was typing this out and before I knew it. It was over 4000+ words. I was writing this thing up, intending it to be a transition, context, and set up for past, present, and future events. Though, before I knew it, the chapter was four thousand plus words long.
I promise that we'll get into more music and action in the next chapter. Along with a few more explanations on what certain things are. Expect that in the next week or two. I hope you enjoyed it.
Also, one last time, because I feel that my insanity overshadowed it.
R.I.P. Mojo Nixon.
If you want a good laugh in a day and age where no one is allowed to be happy. As mandated by Twitter psychopaths. Check out the man who played a character that was the embodiment of everything wrong with society. He was like Filthy Frank, but in the nineties.
Peace, and thank you all for the support.
I can't promise that I won't have another mental breakdown, but your words of encouragement did help.