2015
When they looked back on their lives, Shinji thought of how it began with a picture.
A rather racy picture at that. A woman with purple hair, leaning down with her loose yellow tank top, arrows pointing at her breasts telling him to look, and a bright red lipstick mark. According to the back, her name was Misato Katsuragi and she would be the one picking him up from the street.
Shinji Ikari, age fourteen, was split between being flattered at the attention and thinking Misato had to be some sort of weirdo.
"So much for meeting here, I guess."
He whispered to no one as he placed the picture inside his pocket. A couple of days ago, Shinji had received a package full of documents, an ID card, and, of course, the picture. His father was supposed to send Misato to get him minutes before, but so far, no one came. Even calling through a telephone yielded no results, as the automated message explained how the state of emergency prevented further communication.
"My phone wasn't getting a signal either, and none of the buses and trains are running."
Shinji brought the backpack around his shoulder. He looked around.
"Maybe I should go find a shelter."
It was sad that he wouldn't be able to meet her, but if there was an emergency he couldn't afford to hang around the street for much longer. While inspecting his vicinity, Shinji spotted a pale girl in the distance.
"Huh?" He blinked. "Are you there?"
Like that, she was gone. Shinji was left confused. Had he hallucinated her somehow?
Suddenly, the ground shook beneath his feet. Shinji only had seconds to recover, before he realized there was a pause between each quake. They were getting closer each passing second. Tentatively, Shinji looked up from the ground.
He stared in horror as behind the mountain came the giant. It defied all logic, with its elongated arms, its bone-like armor bolted around the shoulders, the massive bird skull on its head and glowing crimson orb on its chest. It marched ceaselessly across the city with no regard for the tiny contraptions flying around it.
Shinji could only stand frozen as he saw all sorts of military VTOLs fired at the creature, only for their efforts to be squandered. They had dealt no damage to the monster. Worse, it lifted a hand up to a nearby VTOL, forming a beam of light to penetrate the flying machine. Soon, the VTOL began to fall, right towards-
"Me!" Shinji realized with a start. "NO!"
He jumped back as it exploded. He waited to feel the heat of the explosion consume him, only to find his body disappointingly kept intact. He looked from the ground to find what saved him.
A blue car blocked his view of the crashed VTOL, but more importantly, the side door was open to find his savior.
"Hi! Sorry I'm late, we had no idea the Angel was going to attack now of all times."
Misato Katsuragi, the weirdo from the photograph, was clad in sunglasses and a fitting black dress. The picture did not do her justice. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, her smirk at once teasing and reassuring in the face of calamity, and the cross around her neck dangling across her chest made her seem more alive than a photo could capture. Shinji couldn't help but gawk.
He quickly remembered his situation once she patted the empty left seat next to her.
"Hop in!" She called out. "I don't think the car'll be able to tank another hit!"
He obeyed with a blush on his delicate face. Later on, after they drove away from the danger, she would make plenty of teasing comments about it.
Looking back, Shinji realized Misato had always been there to save him before they even knew each other. There were no words that could capture how grateful he was to have met her. Shinji promised himself he would treasure that first moment for as long as he could remember. Even after everything fell apart…
The rest of the ride had been rather eventful.
They managed to survive an N2 mine dropped so close to them. It didn't kill the monster, but managed to buy them time to escape. Misato stole batteries for the car, excusing it as being part of NERV business. Shinji didn't buy it and made a joke about her not being all that mature.
He nearly threw up after Misato pumped the pedal and drove insanely. All over a joke! How mean.
Currently, the two were taking a transit system down to NERV HQ. Shinji brought the backpack down to his knees. They were showered in crimson lights before they returned to normal.
"So… this is NERV?"
"Yup! We're a secret organization out to protect the world!" Misato smiled. "You don't know anything about this place?"
"No." Shinji blinked. "How come?"
"Well.. your father is the Commander of our organization. I figured you'd know something."
Frowning, Shinji shook his head. "The last time I saw him was three years ago. I'd love it if I never saw him again. To be honest, I'm not really sure why I'm here."
"The manual didn't explain anything?" Misato raised an eyebrow. "You were supposed to get a file explaining your job."
He pulled out the file from his bag. Misato took it into her hand and opened it. She saw most of the lines had been redacted. She also spotted a simple, tiny letter written on the side spelling out 'come.' Misato frowned instantly.
"It isn't very useful."
Shinji nodded.
"Right, I'm sure we'll get more information once we talk to Ritsuko." Misato looked at Shinji again. "Want the quick version now?"
He shrugged. Misato decided to take the chance.
"Alright, that thing outside? It's called an Angel. Our job at NERV is to kill them before they kill us."
"Really?" Shinji narrowed his eyes. "How can you guys beat the Angel? It survived an N2 mine, didn't it?"
"We have… weapons." Misato looked to the steering wheel. "I'm not sure I can tell you about them yet. You're listed as the Third Child in our databanks, so chances are you'll be told about them soon enough."
"Tch, assuming I even want to be here…" He scoffed. "What is father even thinking?"
Misato smirked. "Not a big fan of your dad?"
"No." Shinji shook his head. "He wouldn't call me unless he needed me for something."
"Hm…" Misato placed a hand underneath her chin, fully turning to Shinji. "Sounds like we got a lot in common."
He became curious upon hearing that. "Really?"
"Hmhm." Misato smiled. "My old man was gruff and unfriendly… a bit like you actually."
She kept herself from laughing at Shinji''s pout, before continuing.
"He ignored me when I was a kid. Then when I grew up, he started taking me everywhere he went even though I didn't want to. Sometimes, I got dumped with random scientists I've never met. Other times…"
Shinji frowned at the distant look in Misato's eyes. He recognized it from seeing himself in the mirror, usually from whenever he had a particularly lonely day being ignored by his teacher. He hadn't known the woman for long, but he didn't want to see that sadness reflected in Misato's eyes.
"Other times, well," She allowed herself to finish. "I think he wanted us to be attached to the hip, even though I hated him. He never wanted to spend time with Mom. She was the one who cried whenever he left her behind, which makes me hate him ever so much more you know?"
A familiar anger grew inside of Shinji. He couldn't help but let slip-
"You should have subjected that low life to your driving."
It took seconds for him to realize what he said. He clenched his eyes shut and tried backpedal.
"Erm, that is, um, uh-"
Unexpectedly, Shinji heard laughter coming from his side. His eyes blinked open to find Misato clutching her stomach as she pulled her head back to laugh. After a minute, she pulled down her sunglasses to reveal her shining brown eyes and smiled.
"I was wrong about you. You're cute and funny. I think we're going to get along really well, Shinji Ikari."
He nervously chuckled along with her, hoping to take the edge off. It didn't work. Shinji became ever more fearful at her mirthful gaze.
"Well, uh, I hope we- well, we get along too I guess…"
He anxiously placed his hands inside his pockets to make them disappear. His right hand touched a familiar object, causing Shinji to remember.
"Um, Miss Misato? Your, um…"
He took out the photo, showing it to Misato. Her eyes widened every so slightly, though her smile remained the same.
"Your… photo…"
"Ooooohhhhh, you still have that thing?" She whistled in response. "How was it? Did you enjoy the service, Shinji-kun?"
He couldn't keep the blush from forming. "N-No nothing like that! Promise!" He tried to give the picture back to Misato. "Y- You probably want it back, I think?"
"Hm? Oh, you can keep it." Misato winked. "We almost died to the Angel after all. Consider it your reward for being a good boy~"
Blushing red like a tomato, Shinji decided not to argue with her. He quietly placed the picture inside his bag as she continued laughing. Soon, the picture was completely forgotten as Shinji became enamored with the Geo-Front.
After hours being lost, Shinji and Misato finally came across someone who could help.
Not for the first time, Shinji wondered what sort of company his father ran. He met a woman with dyed blond hair was wearing a lab coat over a soaked swimsuit. She smelled of blood. Misato seemed to know her, with how she nervously backed away from the doctor.
"H- hey there, Ritsuko…" Misato chuckled. "Sorry…"
Ritsuko scoffed. "Don't waste my time, Captain. Is this him?"
"Right." Misato went to introduce her companion. "Shinji, this is Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, she's grumpy and unpopular."
A groan came from Ritsuko. "Only because I'm not as perky as you…"
"Not a lot of people are." Misato gave her a cheeky grin. "Ritsuko, this is Shinji. A bit sulky, but sweet once you get to know him."
"Har." Shinji rolled his eyes. "What exactly am I here for?"
"That's what we're going to show you." Ritsuko waved them to enter the elevator. "Right this way."
It was a journey to get to their destination. Up the elevator, riding on a boat, walking flights of stairs, it left Shinji frazzled. He heard mumblings of an 0-9 system and a unit being activated, but without context it was just noise. The manual was extremely helpful, in that it only provided the basic layouts yet any relevant information was redacted due to being classified. He'd need to work at NERV if he wanted to know anything.
Shinji was beginning to regret coming to the city, especially when they entered a completely dark room and the door shut behind them.
"Hey! Why is it so dark in here?!
Fortunately, the lights came back on. Unfortunately, Shinji was greeted by a horrible sight.
"No… no it can't be…"
It was a beast as large as the Angel he saw outside. There was a grace to the Angel's bird mask, even if it was still horrifying. Shinji could only gaze in fright at the demonic visage before him.
He swore he saw its eyes flash yellow for a brief second, before they swiftly returned to darkness. The armor was colored violet, a stark contrast to the green and yellow walls surrounding Shinji. Ritsuko Akagi had no patience for the boy's mounting distress. They were on a time limit.
"You won't find anything like this in the manual. This is Evangelion Unit 01. Built here in secret, it is mankind's last hope."
Shinji wasn't paying attention to her speech. Instead, he was laser-focused on the Unit's head, from the horn to the mask caging its mouth. Ugly, horrible memories began to flash before his eyes and shake him. Even Misato started to notice the mounting distress in her companion.
"Shinji?"
"This is… this is…" Shinji started hyperventilating. "This was Mother's work, isn't it…?"
"Correct."
He looked up to the platform above. Wearing in a lab coat and transparent glasses, Gendo Ikari gave his son a bitter, defeated glare.
"It's been a while."
He said with no air of intimidation or joy. Just the very sight of his father filled Shinji with unbridled rage.
"Not long enough, you murderer."
Gendo's face twisted in pain. "We don't have time. Prepare the Eva."
"Moving out?!" Misato said in bewilderment. "But Rei can't pilot anything in the state she's in! We don't have a pilot!"
Ritsuko gave her friend a look. "We just received one."
Misato grimly realized what was going on. Shinji took only moments longer to accept what he had heard. He turned back toward his father.
"So this is your plan, Father? You killed Mother, you brought me here to finish the job?!"
Struck with indignation, Gendo shouted from the platform. "If you're going to be a selfish brat, do it somewhere else! We need you to pilot the Eva or we all perish!"
"Selfish?!" Shinji took a step forward, pointing at his father. "You know what this machine did to her! Why are you putting me inside that thing?!"
"There is no one else who can do it." Gendo shook his head. "It is as simple as that."
"You're a liar!"
Confused by the accusations being thrown around, Misato looked to Ritsuko for help. "Murderer? What's Shinji talking about?"
Ritsuko let out a sigh. She hoped to avoid dealing with this situation, but the Third Child was out to make her life difficult by existing.
"Yui Ikari was a researcher at GEHRN. She was the previous pilot for the Eva, before the… accident. It was blamed on the Commander for sabotage, but there's never been any proof."
'Oh this is bad.' Misato thought as she watched the Ikari men continuing to bicker. 'How can we get our pilot inside the Eva if he thinks his own father is trying kill him?'
Gendo was trying to find the answer himself while arguing with his son. The engineers on the side began to look at them with pity.
"Our other pilot cannot even wake up! You are the only one capable of doing anything at the moment! Put aside your whining and get in Unit 01!"
"No!" Shinji yelled back, "You can't be serious! You're asking me to get in this thing and fight a monster! This thing killed my Mother, it- it-"
A flash of light. An empty promise. Abandoned.
Alone.
Mom.
"You're sick, Father!" Shinji held back tears. "How can you stand to be here in the same place as this?!"
He HATED even looking at it. Father fed Mother to the beast, and was now content to sacrifice him as well. Father already took everything else away from him, how else could he sink so low as to gamble the fate of the world on a pathetic life like his own? For what reason? Shinji knew he couldn't pilot it, even if he wanted to. Why was he being asked to do this?!
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Shinji followed it, finding Misato staring back with a sympathetic gleam in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Shinji, but you have to get inside." She said. "We've putting you in a grossly unfair situation, but like the Commander said, our only other pilot is too injured to fight. There really is no one else who can do the job. You have to do this."
Shinji looked down. "I can't… I hate it… I don't think I can even look at it without being afraid…"
"I know, I know." Misato placated him. "Shinji, if you survive this I promise I'll do everything I can to get you out of NERV. You won't have to pilot for any longer than absolutely necessary. But right now, we need you to get in the Eva this one time to fight the Angel. We'll be on the bridge to guide you."
He looked away from her, making Misato worry all the more. She shook his arm ever so slightly to keep his attention to her.
"Please, you mustn't run away. Not from your father, not from yourself. Doing that helps no one. I know that better than most people."
A loud explosion was heard. Suddenly, the entire base began to shake. The red water rippled in waves and beams from the ceiling broke. Misato immediately raced to cover Shinji's body with her own from a beam fell over them. They awaited death-
Clang.
- and both found relief when the beam was blocked by the giant purple hand that burst from the crimson water. Gendo found himself sighing in relief, muttering to no one's ears-
"Thank you…"
From his end, Shinji breathed in and out. He had survived another moment. He felt pressure on his shoulders.
"You see that, Shinji?" Misato grinned. "The Eva moved… it protected us. It protected you. I think we can trust it for now."
Trust it? Was she insane? Did she even know the history of this thing, what it had done? There was no reason at all to trust this monstrosity, not after its crime.
Yet, he also knew Misato told the truth. He saw the hand move the instant the beam was going to fall on top of them. He saw the eyes flicker open, before they returned to its standard darkness. It is very possible, however unlikely, that the two of them may owe their lives to Unit 01. The thought sickened Shinji, even as he tried to steel himself.
'I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away!'
However many times he tried to repeat those words in his head, Shinji found it hard to stand. It was near impossible to keep his legs from wobbling, for his eyes to not shimmer in fright, at the task that laid ahead of him. Surely he was doomed before they even started-
Shinji felt Misato take his hand, as her other hand rubbed his back.
"I'll take you to the entry plug if you want." She smiled. "I'll make sure you're okay."
Shivering from something, perhaps a distant forgotten memory, Shinji decided to trust this woman. She had protected him so far. He responded-
"Okay… I'll do it then. I'll pilot the Eva."
Misato kept true to her word. In no time at all, the engineers prepared the Eva for launch, and Shinji was carefully escorted to an entry plug. Misato watched him sit down in the cockpit for the first time. There was no time to prepare a plugsuit, so Shinji had to pilot in his school clothes. Misato held his school bag for him.
"Shinji…" She said to him. "Be careful out there."
Shinji frowned, but nodded at her words.
"I'll try."
Author's Notes:
I'm surprised more writers don't bring up the photo. Seems like good ammo for this pairing, honestly. Going to fix the location of Misato's scar in the prologue.
Originally, I was going to cram Episodes 1, 2 and 3 together in one chapter and skip over a lot of scenes since I felt they'd be too close to canon. However, with the changes in Shinji and Misato's characterizations I introduced in the prologue, I realized I had to include more than expected. At the very least, the confrontation with Gendo had to be shown in order to show what the relationships were going to be like.
There might be more next time. I'll try to update every Friday or Saturday, so stay tuned for those. I am planning on having three endings, two of which can be considered "happy" in a poisoned chalice sort of way.