Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ True Angel ❯ Of Fire and Ice ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7

Of Fire and Ice

 

 

Disclaimer: I don't own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.

 

I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave. If you find any, let me know, and I will correct them and repost the chapters.

 

Please feel free to review, and make comments. If you find a spelling or wordage mistake, feel free to let me know. Thank you.

 

Also, please check out my other stories. I try to keep a constant level of dedication to all of them.

 

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Shinji sat inside the entry plug for Unit 00, trying to tune out the chatter over the communications line, and try and make contact with the spirit inside the EVA.

 

His luck was not going well.

 

I know you're in here. I mean you no harm, I'm not here to yell at you. I just want to be friends.

 

But the spirit still refused to talk to him.

 

Listen, I know you are here. Unit 01 has a spirit named Reika, and I know she's a great soul.

 

I can feel your emotions, you know. I can feel your fear, the hatred you possess. I don't know why you feel this way, but holding it in like this can't be good.

 

Sighing, he was about ready to request the tests to be ended, when she finally spoke.

 

“Who are you really?”

 

Shinji blinked. I am Shinji Ikari.

 

“You aren't fully human.”

 

You can thank my father for that one.

 

“Gendo. I...hate...Gendo. But I can't remember why. I just know it has to do with...her.”

 

You mean Rei?

 

“Yes, she is a problem. I hate her...and I hate Gendo.”

 

Why?

 

“I do not remember, but they have...betrayed me...in some way.”

 

Is that why you resist Rei when she pilots you?

 

“Yes.”

 

Would you stop? We have to defeat the Angels, and fighting between ourselves won't help us do that.

 

“Why should I care? Why should I fight for my enemies?”

 

Because I am asking, as a friend.

 

“Friend? Why are you now my friend?”

 

Because I hate Gendo as well, and despite what may have happened between you and Rei, I know for a fact it'll most likely have been his fault in the end.

 

“He is...your enemy?”

 

Yes. He stripped me of my childhood, turned me into an angelic human, and even now, tries to dominate and control me for his own purposes.

 

“Then why not kill him and be done with it? I tried myself, but the bastard was able to stop me.”

 

Reika asked me not to. He is an enemy we can predict and somewhat control. I have others out there after me, and those may or may not include those after whatever the Angels seek here.

 

“So, you ask that I delay my vengeance on him, drop my hatred for the albino bitch, and work with her to defeat the Angels and bide our time until we kill Gendo?”

 

Yep, that about covers it.

 

“Fine. I shall side with you...for now. But I shall not communicate with the bitch. And rest assured, when my memory returns of why I hate the both of them, we shall chat first.”

 

That is all I can ask. I shall try and visit you as often as I can without arousing suspicion about the fact that I can do this.

 

“Very well.”

 

Before Shinji could eject, he heard one last sentence from the presence of Unit 00. “And Shinji...call me Nao. I think that's my name. And thank you.”

 

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Shinji found himself once again stuck at how to fall asleep. It wasn't that he wasn't tired. Quite the opposite. He had spent several hours trying to establish contact with Nao to begin with. As a result, mentally he was exhausted.

 

But, it appeared things were still to test him, as Rei reverted back to her old habit of sleeping nude. “Rei, we discussed this.”

 

“Shinji...am I a failure?”

 

“Now where did that come from?” he asked, truly surprised, and forgetting his earlier question.

 

“Twice I have been in a position to protect you, and twice I have failed. As such, I am forced to ask if I am a failure, and if another should be selected to protect you.”

 

He shifted a little, so that Rei could look him in the eye, his hand running through her hair. “You are not a failure, Rei. What we do is dangerous, and even you can't protect me all the time.”

 

“You are not replaceable, Shinji-kun. I am.”

 

“No, Rei, you are as unique this moment as you are the next. Even twins are unique from each other, even if the difference is only a fingerprint.”

 

“And you view me as unique, even if I change from who I am now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But you are unique in more obvious ways, yet you risk this in operations and actions likely to end your existence or expose it. Why?”

 

Shinji leaned his head back on the pillow, staring at the ceiling. “I am not responsible for how I came into this world. I am only responsible for what I do in it and how I leave it; the latter given a certain amount of leeway. If I am to die, I rather it be trying to save lives than for it to have no meaning. If I die fighting the Angels, then I die fighting to keep humanity going.”

 

“But what of those who survive? Will you not fail them by leaving them to miss you?”

 

“The point is that they will still be alive to miss me. The noblest sacrifice anyone can ever make is to give their life freely to save another. It is not a sacrifice I wish to make at every moment, but one I would do should the battle require it.”

 

“I do not wish you to make such a sacrifice, Shinji-kun. I wish for your uniqueness to remain on Earth.”

 

He smiled. “I will fight to remain with you, Rei, but you must do the same. I do not wish to see this Rei leave either.”

 

If he had known of Rei's past and what she really was, he would have known how much those words truly touched her soul, confirming for her not only that it was there, but that she was...connected to another human soul, that she would be missed, even in her death. “I will fight as well, Shinji-kun. Good night.”

 

He noticed her smiling face before she drifted off again, failing to admonish her for not getting dressed.

 

But for now, she got what she needed: the feeling of connection to being unique and wanted.

 

In the end, that's what everyone really wants.

 

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At the moment, Shinji would give his left wing just to be alone.

 

They were currently on a MIG-55 D Transport Helicopter heading towards a ship called “Over the Rainbow”, and Misato had taken him as well as Kensuke and Toji, his friends.

 

Rei had been his first choice, but Dr. Akagi had to see her for some tests. He was assured that nothing was wrong, but that her last test had revealed some anomalous readings, and Ritsuko wanted them cleared up in case they could grow into something bad.

 

That did little to lessen his discomfort at his friends. Kensuke seemed to need to film anything that was around, usually more Misato than what one would expect from the military fanboy. Not that he wasn't extremely grateful to Shinji for “bringing” him along.

 

And Toji became a sore spot when Misato said she had invited them on this “date” so that they could get out of the mountains for a while.

 

“Wow!” exclaimed Kensuke, angling his camera out the window. “One...two...three...four...five aircraft carriers and four battleships!”

 

As Toji began to complain about the “gorgeous carrier” Misato had told was their destination, Shinji himself stiffened. What the hell?

 

Whatever was now around him, and possibly on the carriers, was creating the same interference in his senses that he experienced every time he entered the Geo-front.

 

So intent was he on trying to force past the dulling, he failed to notice a female in a dress watching the approaching helicopter.

 

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“Oh! Cool! Awesome! Incredible!”

 

Shinji shook his head as Kensuke proceeded to stop exclaiming his joy and slowly started to drool at the military hardware now in his presence. Even the crews on the deck were beginning to either smile at the enraptured boy or shake their heads.

 

It was the kind of thing that made Shinji regret his decision to stop being home schooled.

 

People his age were just...way too weird.

 

Stretching his tired muscles from being cramped inside the helicopter for so long, he walked forward as Toji made a mad dash to retrieve his flying hat. Really, what type of person wears unsecured clothing on an aircraft carrier? I mean, this is wind central!

 

In reality, his thoughts were more on the dead zone that was surrounding him. He knew something was suppressing them, which he would bet good money on was the very thing the Angels seemed to want at the Geo-front.

 

So, if something here was deadening his senses as well and he knew for certain it wasn't an EVA; that meant a second target was now making its way to Tokyo-3. Great, open water, no Reika, and no prep time.

 

Oh, an Angel's coming. Yeah fucking me!

 

As one would guess, Shinji was really beginning to hate his job. What the hell am I: a magnet for trouble? What's next?

 

What was next was a redhead in a yellow sundress that also had not learned how windy a ship at sea could be.

 

However, she had learned how to crush Toji's hat underfoot. “Hello, Misato. How have you been?”

 

“Fine, how about you?” asked Misato, still rubbing her neck. “You've grown some, haven't you?”

 

By this time, Toji was trying to remove his precious hat from under her foot, Kensuke was still busy filming the jet aircraft, and Shinji just lowered his head, eyes closed, waiting for the disaster he knew was fast approaching. Oh, how bad can this go?

 

“And how. I'm not just taller, but my figure has filled out as well.”

 

It's like an accident. You know it's going to happen, you want to watch, but you don't want to be part of it.

 

“Let me introduce you. This is the designated pilot of Evangelion Unit 02, the Second Child; Asuka Langley Soryu.”

 

Sadly, throughout this, Toji had been unable to remove his hat from under her foot.

 

Unfortunately, this was also the point where the accident finally occurred, and the wind blew her dress...up.

 

Two smacks were heard as Shinji leaned back, feeling a shift in wind as Asuka's hand missed him. He completed the tumble by doing a back flip, and straightening up, opening his eyes as Asuka made another attempt at him. “Wouldn't I have had to have my eyes open to deserve a slap?”

 

That stopped the redhead in her tracks. “You're telling me your eyes were closed? Then how did you avoid my slap, huh?”

 

“Simply, you move too loudly. Besides, why the hell would you wear that anyway? Everyone knows that ships like this get very windy while at sea?”

 

“What did you do that for?' screamed Toji, as he and Kensuke now sported red handprints on their cheeks, not having been fast enough like Shinji to avoid it.

 

“That's the viewing fee. Quite a bargain, don't you think?” said Asuka, back in her old position, the hat still under her foot, and her hands on her hips.

 

Now, Shinji took a look at things. Even without his higher senses, something about this screamed out that it could get worse.

 

It did. Why me?

 

“What, you think it's worth that?” Toji then unbuckled his belt. “Then take a look at mine!”

 

As the pants dropped and Asuka's face took on a look of horror, Shinji couldn't help but chuckle as his mind replayed a clip from an American movie he watched a few months ago. Say hello to my little friend!

 

“Insolent dork!”

 

Soon, Toji was sporting a second handprint on his face, as Kensuke smiled. It appeared the fanboy was changing the cassettes in the camera, which meant the school just got a new file to share and further embarrass the school's jock.

 

Shinji just shook his head. Toji, Hikari is so going to own your ass.

 

“So, which one of them is the famous Third Child?” She cast her eyes towards Toji. “Please tell me it isn't him?”

 

Misato laughed, the type of laugh you hear when a problem is about to be fostered off that person and onto you. “Don't worry, it's him,” she said, motioning to Shinji.

 

Shinji then got to experience Asuka's stare as she evaluated him. “Well, he looks kind of weird.”

 

Shinji blinked. “In what way am I weird to the girl wearing the dress that loves to expose herself?”

 

“What? You said you didn't look!”

 

“I didn't, isn't that weird?”

 

“ARGH!” she screamed as she resumed trying to slap him again. “Take your punishment like a man!”

 

“I would if I did anything!”

 

Misato sighed as the crew began to laugh at their antics. All I wanted was one routine trip. Was that too much to ask?

 

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As the Captain was looking over her ID—which she now had to agree with Shinji that she really needed to retake that photo, as she looked like she was high—he spoke to them. “I thought you were the leader of this gang of boy scouts, but I was obviously mistaken.”

 

“Thank you for your understanding, Captain,” Misato said, hiding her sarcasm and trying to sound as professional as possible.

 

“Oh no,” said the Captain, not even bothering to hide his sarcasm. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to baby-sit even more kids after such a long time.”

 

Shinji just sighed as the pissing contest developed.

 

“Well, thank you for your assistance in the marine transport of Unit 02.” Misato was determined to maintain her professional attitude, even though she wanted to jump and beat the hell out of the Captain. Opening a folder, she pulled out several documents. “Here are the specifications for the emergency power supply socket.

 

This caused Shinji's brow to arch. He knew of only one reason for them to send such a thing with them for a “simple transport assignment”, and that was if they knew what he was already considering: that whatever was creating the sensory blackout for him was likely to call another Angel to attack. Man, I hope Unit 02 likes me. I have a feeling I'll be seeing it real soon.

 

“First off, I'd never approve any request to activate the toy at sea,” said the Captain.

 

“Why don't you think of this as being prepared for an emergency,” said Misato, her eyes betraying her professional appearance a bit.

 

“That's why the Pacific Fleet is guarding it.”

 

“Excuse me,” said Shinji, “but the UN forces have proven consistently that conventional weaponry is useless unless you can get past an Angel's AT Field. So exactly what do you have that can do that...aside from the toy as you call it?”

 

“And you are?” asked the Captain.

 

“Shinji Ikari, pilot of EVA Unit 01, and killer of three Angels. May I ask for your battle expertise against our current enemy, sir?”

 

“Are you suggesting that we are useless...boy.” The Captain didn't even try to hide his accusations or his feelings on the subject now.

 

Shinji smiled. “Sir, when facing a jet fighter, a knife and your uniform won't mean shit. Now, we happen to have the very thing that can kill an Angel consistently. Now, being a professional, I would suggest that you stop this little pissing contest on who does what, install the damned power supply, and stop acting like a whining little brat who's been taken out of the game. After all, we are in the middle of a war here for our survival, and I for one don't believe we have enough time for these childish games a man in your position and rank should be beyond.” With that, he turned and walked out of the Bridge, more intent on finding the strange item that seemed to call Angels before they found him.

 

Smirking, Misato turned back towards the Captain. “So, Captain, what armaments do you have to combat an Angel and get past its AT Field?”

 

The meeting degenerated from there, leaving Kensuke to continue his surprised and excited cries as he continued to film the bridge.

 

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Shinji leaned against the railing, breathing in the sea air, as he tried to regain his center. I nearly lost it back there. Why?

 

You know why, idiot. It's because you know you're being used again: placed in a situation without the right knowledge. Damn Gendo.

 

“My, that was quite impressive.”

 

Shinji turned to see a man in a dress outfit: light blue shirt, red tie, and dark pants, with stubble on his chin. “I'm Kaji Ryouji.”

 

“Sorry, I'm not the best of company at the moment.”

 

Kaji nodded. “I understand, the Captain is a bit of an old-school blow hard.”

 

Chuckling a bit, Shinji sighed. “So, what are you doing here, Mr. Kaji? You don't see many civilians onboard a ship like this.”

 

“I'm escorting Unit 02 and her pilot, whom I am the current guardian of.”

 

He shook his head. I guess no EVA pilot can have a family.

 

“Well,” said Kaji, “I guess we should go and find the others. I do wish to catch up with Misato. It's been so long.”

 

“You know Misato?” Shinji asked, amazed at how things were going. If Misato knew the Second Child, then she must know this guy.

 

“Yes, I do, we went to college together...”

 

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Why me?

 

The two had found Misato and the others, much to Misato's ire and Asuka's glee, as she apparently had a huge crush on Kaji, if her initial glomping onto him was any indication.

 

And to make matters worse, all had crowded into a small elevator to go deeper into the ship.

 

“What are you doing here?” asked Misato.

 

“Why accompanying Asuka, why else?” he stated. “I'm also on a business trip from Germany.”

 

“Man, was I careless.” Misato looked towards the side of the car, hoping to at least avoid seeing Kaji. “I should have anticipated this.”

 

Her tirade was cute off as both her and Asuka gasped. “Hey!” they both screamed. “Don't touch me!”

 

Toji and Kaji both answered. “I can't help it!”

 

Kensuke was too busy filming the shaft.

 

Shinji was just praying for the suspected Angel to show up...anything to get him out of this place.

 

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The group was having some tea and coffee after exiting the elevator and enjoying a small meal, staying silent as the ship's broadcast system alerted which squadrons would be drilling today.

 

“So,” started Kaji, ending the silence, “do you have a boyfriend yet?”

 

“That's none of your business, is it?” said Misato.

 

Shinji just hung his head. Great, old lovers' spat.

 

“How can you be so mean?” asked Kaji, leaning back in his chair.

 

Shinji went to sipping his tea. If I remain a part of the scenery, this will all go away.

 

Unfortunately, his plan failed. “So, I understand you're living with Katsuragi, aren't you?” asked Kaji.

 

Shinji sat down his cup. “Yes. She took me in.”

 

Kaji smiled. “So tell me, is she still so wild in bed?”

 

Oh, you're getting it. Shinji smiled, despite the group's screech of embarrassment. “Well she tosses and turns a lot, and every time a bell goes off, she mutters something about proving that he's a minuteman, whatever that means.”

 

Kaji blinked as Misato started to bust out laughing.

 

Kaji just smirked. “Well, I should have expected the unexpected from the famous Third Child, who piloted an EVA in his first battle with no training.”

 

This earned him a stern glare from Asuka. “It was just luck.” Yeah, a hell of a lot of luck and Reika's help.

 

“Luck is a part of your destiny, it's your talent.” Kaji smiled as he pushed his chair back; ignoring the fact he had repeated what her read off a fortune cookie at dinner yesterday. “Well, I'll see you later. See ya.”

 

Misato just sighed. Well, at least he got Kaji for me.

 

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“So, what do you think of our Mister Shinji Ikari?” asked Kaji, as him and Asuka stood on the walkway as the ship plowed through the sea.

 

“He's boring. That's the Third Child, what a disappointment.”

 

“And yet he had a synchronization ratio of over ninety percent in combat, with no prior EVA training, though maybe the martial arts rumors about him being some sort of prodigy were true, and could explain it.”

 

“That can't be real!” Asuka exclaimed. The guy just couldn't be better than her.

 

Could he?

 

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The group from NERV was on an escalator, a strange addition to be in a ship, but then again this was a Second Impact model.

 

“Man, that Captain's attitude really is pissing me off,” said Toji, leaning a bit on the rail.

 

“He's got a lot of pride,” said Misato. “Too much pride is bound to make him cynical to us.”

 

“Too much pride will get him killed quickly,” said Shinji, his eyes closed, his mind once again trying to force past the dulling of his senses.

 

He turned to Misato. “Well, Mr. Kaji sure is...lively.”

 

Misato turned towards him a glare on her face. “He hasn't changed one damn bit; that jerk!”

 

“Hey, Third Child!”

 

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Shinji took a deep breath before turning to face the girl who had yelled out to him. “You do know I have a name.”

 

If she heard him, she gave no indication. “Come with me!”

 

Why me?

 

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Soon, the two were transferred over to the cargo ship, holding the massive form of Unit 02.

 

“Red? I didn't know Unit 02 was red.” Shinji looked at the EVA, deciding not to mention that until this morning, he didn't even know there was a Unit 02, as even Misato had been shaky on giving him details on the location of the Second Child.

 

“The color isn't the only difference,” she said. They went into the holding tank. “After all, Units 00 and 01 were created as part of the developing process; prototype and test type respectively. The fact that it synchronized with an untrained pilot like you is proof of that.”

 

Shinji glared at her, even if she didn't know that she had just insulted his friend. “Or maybe I have a natural ability that a little girl like you lacks.”

 

“Not likely,” she scoffed. “Created for actual combat conditions, this is the worlds first true Evangelion!”

 

Shinji just sighed. Not at the fact that Asuka was intent on still flashing people, as she had taken a position of standing on the port for the power plug while wearing a dress, but that the girl was so full of herself. Self confidence is good and all, but she's got an ego the size of the Fifth Angel!

 

“This is the final model!”

 

“Then why are there more Evangelions being built instead of this one being mass produced?”

 

Before she could answer, an explosion was heard, and the ship shook. Shinji didn't need his enhanced abilities and senses to know what had just occurred.

 

The next Angel had arrived.

 

The sad thing was; he didn't know whether or not to be thankful for the distraction.

 

Boy, was he wrong on both accounts.

 

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“Where the hell are you taking me?” screamed out Shinji, wondering why the redhead was seemingly enjoying the fact that an Angel was attacking.

 

“Just wait here a second,” she said, ducking into a stairwell.

 

Sighing, Shinji opened his own pack, pulling out his plug suit, and quickly dressing in it, before he noticed a note fall out.

 

Shinji,

 

Here's your new suit. Made it for when you go over 100. Good luck.

 

Ritsuko.

 

He smiled at that. The girl's got heart, I'll give her that. It was then he noticed the little additions she made to it: slots in the back where his wings formed. Now this I can work with.

 

“Don't peep, you pervert!” she screamed, as he checked in on her.

 

“Fine!” he yelled from behind the stairs. “I'll just be piloting Unit 02 against the Angel.” Since when did she become shy at flashing people?

 

“Like hell you will!” she screamed, finishing her dressing in less than five seconds, before racing up the stairs. She prepared to toss him her spare suit so he could pilot, until she noticed he was wearing one. “Huh?”

 

Shinji just took off towards the EVA as she followed. “I came prepared. Besides, red's not my color.”

 

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“Why won't it sink?” asked the Captain, as the Angel continued its assault on the fleet.

 

“I knew it,” said Kensuke, filming the fight, “only an EVA can beat it.”

 

Unfortunately, this alerted the Captain and First Officer to their presence on the Bridge.

 

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“Now I'll show you how magnificent my piloting is!” proclaimed Asuka as the entry plug opened.” She hopped in. “Just don't disturb me.”

 

Shinji was however quicker, knowing that if he needed to release his wings for extra power, only by sitting behind Asuka would they remain hidden.

 

“Hey!' she screamed as the plug closed. “Get out of my seat!”

 

“Bitch later, kill Angel now,” said Shinji as he began to initialize the system.

 

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“This is odd,” said Misato, “it seems to be searching for something.”

 

Little did she know, what it was searching for was twelve decks below her, inside a briefcase in the hands of Kaji.

 

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Asuka was beginning the startup again, not enjoying her position on Shinji's lap, speaking in German, in the hopes that her old startup routine would confuse the boy.

 

But as it finished starting up, she was hit be the realization that in order for that to have happened, Shinji would have had to have been thinking in German.

 

She turned to him, expecting an answer, but all she saw was his smile, before he spoke to her in German. “Sind Sie fertig mit herumposieren oder willst du noch das Alphabet vortragen, bevor wir das Ding umbringen” Which translated into: “Are you done posturing, or would you like to recite the alphabet before we finally kill this thing?”

 

Angry, she turned forward, grabbing the control yokes, promising that even without her seat, she would still prove that the Third Child had only been lucky, and that a real pilot was beyond what his meager abilities could accomplish.

 

“Evangelion, Unit 02, activate!”

 

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“Telex from the Othello! EVA Unit 02 is in the process of activating!” came the call over the radio.

 

“What the...” cried the Captain, as everyone on the bridge turned towards the ship.

 

“Way to go, Asuka!” cheered Misato.

 

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“You do realize that we'll have some problems if we fall into the water,” said Shinji, wondering if the wings would negate that problem. Spirit of Unit 02, if you can hear me, we need your full support now!

 

He didn't hear a reply from 02, but he did hear one from Asuka. “And if we don't, we'll be fine, all right?”

 

“Shinji, are you in there too?”

 

“Yeah, Misato, it'll be dead in a few minutes.” He knew that his presence would ease his friend; he only hoped it would work, as Asuka didn't strike him as the type to keep his secret if exposed.

 

He turned towards the Angel. “We need to go, now!”

 

Asuka smiled as her EVA launched itself off the ship mere moments before the Angel destroyed the tanker, landing on a destroyer, and hopping towards the Over the Rainbow for the power feed.

 

Shinji smiled at what he saw, as the EVA seemed in tune with her thoughts, as he tried to keep from causing any static. You're both working in perfect sync. Thank you, whoever you are.

 

Unfortunately, Asuka landed a little off center on the ship, causing it to tilt and dump several planes into the water.

 

As the Captain screamed about his lost equipment, Asuka inserted the power socket into her EVA, stopping the countdown timer, and turned towards the Angel, withdrawing her progressive knife.

 

The Angel raced towards it, leaping out of the water and onto the deck, as Unit 02 wrestled to hold it still.

 

“Damn it's a big guy!” said Shinji, sending what power he could through to the EVA to keep it stabilized. As long as he didn't grab onto the control yokes, his mind wouldn't create enough static to hamper Asuka.

 

Sadly, it was all for naught as the EVA's foot slid on the elevator for the aircraft, which gave way under the strain, sending both the EVA and Angel into the waters.

 

Asuka began to slide from her perch on his lap, until his arms lanced out; his right going around her waist to support her as his left grabbed the yoke, adding his own mind to the control. Enough of this, the kid gloves are off!

 

“Asuka, it's impossible to fight under water!”

 

She just smiled. “You never know until you try.”

 

By this time, Shinji had released her waist and placed his other hand on the control yoke, increasing his power until individually; it would be over one hundred percent, allowing his wings to come out.

 

The Angel began to drag them along the sea floor, which was now what remained of an old city that had sunk into the waters after Second Impact.

 

“Let...us...GO!” screamed Shinji, as his mind caused the EVA to slam its AT Field into the Angel, causing it to be released from the large beast.

 

He was about to suggest a plan to fight, as well as test out what his abilities of enhancing the EVA could do, when the dulling of his senses began to fade. What the hell?

 

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Kensuke was in the middle of changing his tapes, when he spotted a plane about to take off, a new voice coming over the radio. “Hey Katsuragi!”

 

“Kaji!” she screamed.

 

“I've got something to deliver, so I'll be taking off now...”

 

Misato could only stare as Kaji took off. “That...that...that RAT BASTARD! SHOOT HIS ASS DOWN!”

 

The Captain sighed. “We could, but someone's toy damaged all surface to air batteries.”

 

It still didn't stop Misato from chucking what she could grab at it.

 

“MY HAT! NOT AGAIN!”

 

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Shinji watched as the Angel came closer again, his power pouring into the EVA, and his wings fully extended. If you can hear me, spirit of EVA Unit 02, then let me help her, and let us kill this beast.

 

What was really shocking him was the fact that his full abilities were quickly coming back to him, making him certain to question what had disappeared from those ships.

 

Still, even with this, their movements were sluggish. “What's going on?” cried Asuka.

 

“This is the B-type equipment,” said Shinji in a calm voice, peaking his head over her shoulder to keep her from seeing his wings.

 

“What are you going to do?” asked Asuka in a slightly panicked voice.

 

Shinji just smiled. “I'm going to crank it up a notch,” he said, releasing more of his power into the EVA, causing the sluggishness of their movements to drop. “Never give up, when the will is all you need.”

 

As the Angel swam closer, it opened its mouth, causing Asuka to screech a bit.

 

Shinji was more focused on the red orb in its throat; the Angel's core. “There's our weak spot. Come to daddy!”

 

The Angel was soon upon them, trying to crush them in its jaws, but the two arms of Unit 02 grabbed the mighty maws and held them open, keeping the teeth from piercing them. But the Angel would not be denied, so like a fish trapped on the line, it jerked any way it could, trying to dislodge the EVA's hold and swallow the enemy.

 

“Asuka, do you hear me? Whatever you do, don't let go of the target!”

 

Shinji chuckled. “Furthest thing from our minds, Misato.” The Eva Shook. “But whatever you're planning on doing, hurry it up. We can't keep Jaws here from swallowing us very long!”

 

Asuka was staying focused on the Angel, ignoring the voice or her position on Shinji's lap, as she forced her will into keeping the Angel's mouth open and from piercing them with its teeth.

 

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The power cord snapped taut as they were pulled back on the line, the two battleships now coming down on a point-blank assault to kill the Angel.

 

“Pervert, what are you doing?” cried Asuka as Shinji's breath became ragged.

 

“I'm putting all my power to nullifying the Angel's AT Field for Misato's plan to work.” It was the truth. Shinji was at maximum output, his wings as far as he could make them go, his full power tapped into so that not only would the EVA keep the mouth open, but that the Angel's AT Field would not stop the ships.

 

“What?” she asked, not even turning from the front.

 

Please, Unit 02, help us!

 

Shinji was running out of strength, desperately willing his body to continue, knowing that even if they survived, there was no way Asuka would miss his wings, as he'd be too exhausted to pull them back in.

 

But then, a voice rang out in his mind, one he had waited to hear. “For my Asuka, I will do all I can.”

 

In that moment, Unit 02's eyes glowed a bright green, as the monstrous unit slammed the mouth open even further, letting the battleships enter and fire.

 

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As the explosion rocked the sea, signaling the end of the Angel, the crew of the Over the Rainbow held their breath, until Unit 02 slammed onto the deck, wings of light fading from existence, as it's power ran out, collapsing onto the deck.

 

“They did it!” screamed Misato, grabbing Kensuke and swinging him around, must to Toji's disappointment.

 

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As the EVA shut down, Asuka smiled, until the weight of Shinji slumped onto her. “What the...”

 

Then she turned and saw them: twin feathery wings.

 

Shinji smiled from her shoulder. “Can we get to the insults about my uniqueness after I wake up? Good night, Asuka. And...well done, Second Child.”

 

As he passed out, he failed to hear the screams or feel the punches of Asuka as she tried to get away from him.

 

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Normally, Ritsuko would be at the port to look over the data from the battle.

 

That would be the normal procedure.

 

But right now, she was studying Rei.

 

“Is there a problem, Dr. Akagi?” asked the quiet girl.

 

Ritsuko took off her glasses, staring at the girl on the table as the machines scanned her. “Rei, have you felt odd any over the last few weeks?”

 

“No,” was the simple reply.

 

Ritsuko nodded, touching some of the buttons to release Rei, and called her over to the screen. “From what I can tell, your S2 unit is breaking down.

 

Rei held back any fear she may have felt. If her S2 was no longer functioning, they may conclude to terminate her and activate Rei III. “Has this affected my sisters?”

 

Ritsuko leaned back. “Yes, they are undergoing a similar effect.

 

“But the surprising thing is that another S2 is forming where your appendix was.” She left out the part that it was almost the same spot where Shinji's had formed. I'll need to check Unit 00 to make certain it isn't undergoing a similar change.

 

“What does this mean?” asked Rei, curious as to why her body would replace a functional S2 engine.

 

“It means, Rei,” she said, as the image on the monitor switched to identified new tissue growth, “that you will soon experience the joys of a monthly visitor.”

 

Rei blinked. “What visitor would that be?”

 

Ritsuko sighed, forgetting how naïve the girl was when it came to euphemisms. “It means Rei, that you are developing a reproductive system, as are the spare clones.”

 

Rei blinked, wondering how this change would play out.