Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ True Angel ❯ In Time to the Beat ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8

In Time to the Beat

 

 

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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Kozo Fuyutsuki moved his pawn forward on the board as he played a game of chess against Gendo Ikari. “I heard there were some...difficulties...when Unit 02 arrived with the pilots still inside.”

 

“Yes,” Gendo said, studying the board. “The Second Child was unhappy with the Third Child still inside.”

 

“Why were they not ejected after the battle?”

 

Gendo placed his finger on his rook. “During the battle, the EVA drained the emergency ejection power supply. It is suspected it was used to help keep the Sixth Angel's mouth open longer than the power supply permitted.” He moved the rook, placing it in position to capture Kozo's knight.

 

“What did she do to the poor boy?” asked Kozo, now studying the board to see if saving his knight was a wise move.

 

“Before the internal sensor log lost power, it appeared she beat on the Third Child for a few seconds, before shoving herself in a corner of the entry plug.”

 

“And when she was released?” he asked, debating between sacrificing his knight to gain a better advantage on Gendo's queen, or to take the rook, and lay a trap with his bishops.

 

“Apparently...”

 

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“GET THE DAMN FAIRY BOY OFF ME!” screamed Asuka as the plug hatch was removed, allowing her the freedom she sought from the angelic man.

 

As she scrambled out of the open plug, several technicians and medical personnel eased Shinji from the plug; his face sporting some bruises from where Asuka had struck him, and placed him on a gurney to be taken to his regeneration chamber, as the workers had dubbed it.

 

It was then the irate child noticed Misato walking up towards her. “Misato, what the fuck is that...that...that thing?” she screeched, pointing towards the departing form of Shinji.

 

Misato's glare stopped her tirade. “That was the Third Child, and because of him, you're still alive to call him those names.”

 

“Oh, and what makes you think I wasn't the reason, hmm?” she asked, her ego demanding stroking.

 

“Because,” Misato said matter-of-factly, “EVA 02 sprouted angelic wings towards the end of the fight, and only Shinji can do that with an EVA when his individual sync level goes over one hundred percent.”

 

“No way,” Asuka murmured as she turned towards the doors Shinji had been wheeled out of. She turned towards Misato to ask a question...only to find a semi-auto pistol pressed to her forehead.

 

Misato stood with grim determination on her face. “Shinji's wings are also classified to the highest levels. No one outside of NERV and his guardians know of them. If we learn that you went and blabbed about them before he was ready, or tried to form a mob to eradicate the “fairy boy” as you put it, you will be terminated, Second Child. Do I make myself clear?”

 

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“I see,” said Kozo, moving his pawn to box in Gendo's King. “Check.”

 

Gendo looked over the board, trying to find a counter strategy. “With the Third Child returning to classes today, it promises to be interesting with how this will fair.”

 

“You are not worried the Second Child will expose him?”

 

Gendo remained expressionless. “It is of little concern at the moment. If he is exposed, it may weaken his resolve to the point his usefulness in the scenario will increase. As he is now, he is too free-spirited.”

 

“You mean he is not meek towards you? Kind of reminds me of his mother that way.” Before Gendo could respond, Kozo asked another question on his mind. “Have we determined why he referred to Unit 01 as Reika?”

 

Gendo paused in moving his remaining knight. “No. He has not told Rei and the best we can infer from the mumblings, he seems to believe that Unit 01 wishes to be called that.”

 

Kozo paused. “Does this mean he may be communicating with Yui's soul?”

 

Gendo moved his bishop, hoping that his last gambit would pay off. “If so, then having him test within the other EVAs may prove dangerous. If the soul of Unit 00 or 02 can communicate, or if Yui decides to fully reveal herself...”

 

Kozo rested his elbows on the table. “We then must prepare for that possibility.” He looked the board over, spotting Gendo's plan. “And of the attack and the subsequent deployment of the Jet Alone series within Tokyo-3?”

 

“The old men appear to believe that simply eradicating the Third Child or capturing him is of great benefit. We merely need to coerce him to siding with us when the time is right. As for the JA, they are unable to do anything better than offer cover fire for the EVAs in combat. JA-00 is the only complete one. The others are little more than skeletons. Though, with the unfortunate stationing of Dr. Senada here, we also receive a hefty increase in our budget, despite the protests of those who wish us disbanded.”

 

As Kozo made his next move, the board still held his attention. “It also opens more paths for them to sabotage us, old friend.”

 

“Perhaps, but their efforts mean nothing in the end. In the final analysis, it is we who truly control the path of Instrumentality.” He then smiled. “Checkmate.”

 

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One would think that fighting the Angels would have desensitized Shinji a lot when it came to surprises. Being angelic himself, this would have further reduced it to a near impossibility.

 

But seeing a sign saying, “Asuka Langley Soryu Photo Application, only 30 yen per photo,” one could say that the odds were once again rolling away from him.

 

“Rei, is that sign really there?”

 

“Yes, Shinji-kun.”

 

“And there really is a line for those photos as well?”

 

“Yes, Shinji-kun.”

 

Shinji pinched the bridge of his nose again. “Rei, I'm beginning to suspect that I'll never have a male friend that is not a huge pervert.”

 

“That is quite possible, Shinji-kun.” The two walked into the school. “Perhaps you should revise that to only include males your own age, as you associate with several dozen males at NERV headquarters.”

 

Shinji paused for a second. “I agree...only until I get to know those guys better beyond “Great job, kid,” and “way to go”.”

 

“Understood.”

 

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Rei sat outside, reading her science book. Normally, she would eat lunch with Shinji on those half days of class he was physically able to attend class. But he was currently taking a test he had missed yesterday. Even it being a half day had not affected those consequences.

 

And when a shadow fell on her book, she shifted to her right to avoid it and continue reading.

 

Sadly, the shadow would not be denied.

 

“Hello!”

 

Rei moved her eyes towards the shadow, not really caring about the voice behind it, as the staff had been kind enough to inform her of the girl's reactions to Shinji's wings.

 

“You must be Rei Ayanami, the pilot of the prototype.”

 

I was informed that was classified information.

 

“I'm Asuka! Asuka Langley Soryu.”

 

Why is she standing on the bench? Why are those people standing behind her? Is she a “flasher”, as Shinji-kun suggested?

 

“I'm the designated pilot of EVA Unit 02. Let's be good friends.”

 

“Why?” asked Rei, returning to her book. Shinji had told her that is Asuka was in a situation where she might flash someone; she should avoid directly looking at the girl.

 

Though Rei had no idea why the human form would cause such a reaction.

 

“Because it would be convenient. You know what I mean?”

 

“If I am ordered to, I will.”

 

“Talk about odd,” said Asuka, as she prepared to leave, but a hand from Rei on her shoulder stopped her.

 

Rei stared into her eyes, her book closed, as she prepared to leave. “I do not willingly make friends with those who assault my other friends, such as Shinji-kun.” She ignored the shocked expression on Asuka's face, stopping momentarily when they were beside each other to finish her statement in a low whisper. “And yes, I know.”

 

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“Man,” said Toji, staring at the girls, “are only weirdoes chosen to be pilots?”

 

“I hope so,” said Kensuke. “Now come on, we have more pictures to develop.”

 

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Ritsuko was going over the data collected from the sea battle with the Sixth Angel. She had been truly impressed that the data recorder had maintained information as well as power considering how much Shinji had channeled into the EVA.

 

What had surprised her was a scan of EVA 02 after the battle. Despite that Shinji had spent only a fraction of the time inside it as he had done with a near-week long daily one-hour sessions with Unit 00, both were at the same rate of S2 organ completions: 12.3 percent.

 

She suspected that if she scanned Asuka, she might very well find that the Second Child was also developing one.

 

If so, then Misato and her drunken pet would also require an exam. Since Rei had not been inside an entry plug with Shinji, the doctor could only assume close contact had played a part in Rei's S2 alterations and changes.

 

Of course, her internal musings were cut short as a pair of arms encircled her. “You've lost some weight.”

 

“Is that so?” She didn't bother to look up. She knew who it was; Kaji.

 

“You must be enduring an unrequited love.”

 

“How...did you know?” she asked as he pulled her closer, angling his head over her shoulder.

 

“Because,” he said, turning her face to see him, “a woman with a mole in the pathway of her tears is destined to live a life full of them.”

 

“If you're trying to put the moves on me, I'm afraid you can't.” She turned her eyes forward. “There is a very ugly face observing us.”

 

Misato was that face, plastered to the glass window of the room, and condensation trails flowing from her nose along it, her eyes wide with...anger.

 

Misato sent out another burst of hot air one more time as Kaji backed away from his hug of Ritsuko.

 

“Long time no see, Mr. Kaji.”

 

“It's been a while,” he said, sitting on her desk with a cup of coffee in his hand.

 

“You're a little less discreet than I expected,” she continued, returning to her work.

 

“He hasn't ever been discreet in his life,” came the irate reply from Misato as she entered the room. “You've finished handing over Unit 02, haven't you? You should be leaving now!”

 

His smile stayed as Ritsuko resumed her typing. “I just received orders this morning that I'll be staying here...on loan.” He looked down at the blond. “So, looks like we can hang out together again.” His chuckle caused Misato to start shaking in rage. “Just like we used to, hey, Misato?”

 

“You've got to be kidding me!” Misato said, just before the alarms started to sound, she turned to run out of the room, stopping to glance back at Kaji. “Saved by the bell, eh, Minuteman?”

 

Kaji just shook his head as Ritsuko giggled before starting to leave as well. “You know she'll never let that joke die.”

 

“I can wish,” he said, leaving as well. “Got to admit, the kid was real quick on it.”

 

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“We just got this report from the Battle Cruiser Haruna. `Have detected huge submerged object of Ki'i peninsula. Sending data.'”

 

First Lieutenant Makoto Hyuga worked over the data. “The data has been collaborated and examined.” The hologram screen changed to show the data in question. “Wavelength pattern Blue. Confirmed to be an Angel.”

 

Kozo stood at attention. “All personnel, go to first stage alert!” It looks like we'll get to see how they all work together sooner than anticipated.

 

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Misato looked over the convoy as she spoke into the microphone to the three pilots in the air. “The recent battle with the Fifth Angel has left Tokyo-3's intercept system severely damaged. Right now, only twenty six percent of our defense capabilities have been restored.

 

“In addition, our operational capability for actual combat is virtually nil.

 

“Therefore, we're going to have to intercept the target at the water's edge before it makes landfall. Units 00, 01, and 02 will make a series of coordinated attacks, with JA 01 and 02 providing fire support while you three engage the target and destroy it. Shinji, I want your wings fully deployed. Understood?”

 

“Roger!” came the reply of the three pilots.

 

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Asuka, however, was upset. “This sucks. My Japanese debut and she won't let me handle it solo.” She turned to the view screen with the image of Shinji on it. Worse, she stuck me with fairy boy. “Why do I have to have you guys along?”

 

Shinji just smiled, switching to German. "Weil das hier ein Krieg ist, nicht irgendeine Ruhmreise zum Aufplustern Ihres bereits beträchtlichen Egos. Außerdem ist dies ein Standardverfahren. Sie, Frau Pilotin, sollten dies wissen." (“Because this is a war, not some glory trip to boost your already sizeable ego. Besides, this is standard procedure. You should know that, Ms. Pilot.”)

 

She growled, bending towards the image, also speaking in German. “Nun lass mich dir mal was sagen, Feen-Junge, komm mir nicht in die Quere!” (“Well, let me just tell you something, just don't get in my way, Fairy Boy!”)

 

Shinji just smiled before he spoke again. “Ich lasse Sie spielen, kleines Mädchen. Außerdem habe ich eine Frage. Wenn Sie so viel Zeit in Deutschland damit verbracht haben, ein großartiger Pilot zu sein, warum ist dann mein Akzent so viel besser als Ihrer?" (“I'll let you play, little girl. Besides, I have a question. If you've spent all this time in Germany being a great pilot, why is it my accent is so much better than yours?”) He didn't give her time to respond before signing off.

 

“Dieser…. dieser Feen-Bastard!” (“That...THAT...FAIRY BASTARD!”) She calmed down, forcing herself back into Japanese. “His selection for a pilot must have been a joke, right? No way he made it with an attitude like that.”

 

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Shinji's smirk sank as he brought up a private channel to Misato. “Are we secure?”

 

He saw her nod.

 

Misato had grown to at least trust Shinji, even to the extent of calling him close as family. While the wings still...shook her...a bit, she failed to let them block who he truly was: the guy who took care of her, paid the bills, and kept the fridge stocked with beer.

 

Besides, PenPen trusted him, and in the end, the hot water penguin was a good judge of character.

 

“Are we certain there is only one?” he asked.

 

“That's all we can guess at this point. Why?”

 

Shinji shook his head. “I sense...two of them, but they're right on top of each other. It's hard to tell them apart.”

 

Misato's brow grew tight. One Angel was not a problem; not with three EVAs and two JAs taking it on.

 

Two? That might present more problems. “Understood. Be careful, and thanks for the heads up.”

 

He nodded as the screen went out. Misato trusted him to tell her of this, and only she knew that he could feel them if he was outside the Geofront.

 

She never asked why he couldn't feel them inside it, most likely assuming it had to deal with the shielding used.

 

Truthfully, he had no idea either. But after this, he was hoping to find out what Kaji had carried with him to add to the null void.

 

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As the power plugs were inserted into Unit 00 and Unit 02, Shinji took a quick moment to observe their beachhead.

 

Behind them about twenty kilometers away sat the immobile forms of JA 01 and 02. The leg armor was non-existent, so the units were left in a crotched position, should the Angel make a move that might disable their legs. They could move, but they'd have no protection below the waist. The chest armor was in full completion, meaning that the Angel would need several direct strikes to get anywhere near breeching the fusion reactors powering the metal titans. The arms were just about as bare as the legs, except for the riggings needed for the finger laser cannons. The shoulder mounted cannons were also in place, as well as several exposed arrays showing that they also had functional defense screens to help deter an onslaught.

 

Glad they'll be pointed at an Angel this time instead of me. Those damn things hurt!

 

“Hey, how come Fairy Boy doesn't have a power cord?” asked Asuka over the communication line.

 

“Because Unit 01 has an S2 organ,” Shinji replied with a bit of pride.

 

“Where's ours?”

 

“Shinji's unique nature allowed Unit 01 to develop one. You will have to allow Shinji to sync with Unit 02 to develop its own S2 organ,” said Rei, not mentioning that both 00 and 02 were already developing S2 organs, but knowing that Shinji's presence seemed to increase the rate at which they were growing.

 

Dr. Akagi had taken the time to inform the “rational” pilots about that little fact before they were sent off. Not that 00 or 02 could pull any power from those organs until they reached about ninety percent completion.

 

“Like hell am I allowing that Fairy Boy in my beautiful 02!”

 

“Permission to execute Pilot Soryu, Captain Katsuragi.”

 

“Denied, Rei.”

 

“Please?”

 

“No.”

 

“I won't ask for anything for my birthday or Christmas.”

 

“No, Rei.”

 

“Damn.”

 

Shinji let loose his laughter at their antics, glad to see that even if it was cruel and somewhat warped, at least Rei was enjoying a sense of humor now.

 

His sensed cried out as he turned forward, ignoring Asuka's protest how the battle didn't seem fair, when his wings shot out, his eyes large. “THERE!”

 

The water surged upward, as a giant grey behemoth slowly rose into the sky.

 

“Commence attack!” called out Misato.

 

Asuka didn't wait for backup, as she charged forward. “Watch this. I'll handle the Angel, you all cover me!”

 

“C-cover you?” asked Shinji, his wings out and his progressive katana already vibrating. “Damn it, Asuka, follow the fucking mission plan!”

 

“Aggressive, isn't she?”

 

You have no idea, Reika. Pray she's never in here.

 

“Ladies first,” she said as 02 bound between a few buildings, before leaping into the air with its progressive lance, and sliced the Angel in two, landing behind it in the water.

 

“Well, Third Child,” she said with near arrogance, “what do you think of that? A fight should be clean and elegant, without waste.”

 

Shinji just sighed. “For one, a fight is anything but elegant. Two, the damn thing is STILL ALIVE!”

 

The bisected angel changed shape, reforming into to smaller copies of the original grey; one red and one light brown. They soon moved themselves to face both Asuka in the read and the remaining group on the beach.

 

“What the hell!” screamed Misato, breaking her microphone. Damn, Shinji called it right. It's a trap!

 

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The members were assembled in the debriefing room, slides shown on the frame. The three pilots were there still in plugsuits; Shinji more heavily bandaged than Rei, while Asuka hardly had a scratch. Sub Commander Fuyutsuki sat in the back, while Misato, Maya, Kaji, Ritsuko, Dr. Senada, and several medical personnel, sat in as well.

 

Maya began. “At 10:58:15 AM, Unit 02 engaged Target Beta; which had separated from the main target submerged two kilometers off Suruga Bay. It was halted fifteen seconds later.”

 

The slide changed to show Unit 02 buried like a stake, face first, into the farm land.

 

“At the same hour, same minute, plus twenty seconds, Units 01 and 00 were attacked by Target Alpha, and later Target Beta.

 

“At 11:07:12 AM, Unit 00 was halted by a combined attack from both Targets.”

 

The slide changed to show Unit 00 buried as Unit 02 had been, but this time in the waters of the ocean.

 

“At the same hour, same minute, plus ten seconds, Unit 01 reengaged the two targets with full cover fire from JA 01 and JA 02, which had been unable to assist, do to Evangelion Unit placements.

 

“At 11:09:05 AM, Unit 01 was halted by a synchronized assault by Target Alpha and Beta using a combined physical attacks which disabled Unit 01's wing defense barrier, immediately followed by a dual energy attack from opposite directions at point blank range.”

 

The next slide showed Unit 01 with severe armor damage lying on its side in the sand and partially covered by building rubble.

 

“We now have a comment from the E-Project Chair Person.”

 

“This is pathetic,” came the female voice over the speaker.

 

“This is all your fault!” whined Asuka, pointing at the bandaged Shinji and Rei. “You totally screwed up my debut battle!”

 

The two pilots just stared at her. Rei decided to comment. “We were not the ones taken out after five-point-eight seconds.”

 

Shinji nodded slightly, his injuries demanding he should have been inside his regeneration tank, but the debriefing took precedence. “Correct. Asuka, you were the one who charged into that fight acting like a pompous idiot instead of following the damn plan.”

 

“Pompous idiot?” she spat, insulted. “How dare you call me that, you pathetic Fairy Boy! You're just a damn jerk; both of you!”

 

“Look in the mirror if you want to see a real jerk, Soryu. You were in such a rush to show how much better you supposedly were, that you totally disregarded all procedures to try and justify that damn ego you have.”

 

“Permission to eliminate Pilot Soryu, Captain?” asked Rei, staring down the redheaded girl, and now finding a legitimate excuse to hate the color red.

 

“Denied!” shouted Misato. “Asuka, sit your ass down!”

 

The Second Child did as ordered, but not before continuing to mumble about worthless fairy boys.

 

“At 11:10 AM, NERV abandoned operation and transferred full command to the UN Secondary Force, which used the JA 01 and 02 to force the damaged Targets further into the waters off shore.”

 

“We've been humiliated,” spat out Sub Commander Fuyutsuki. “We had numbers and firepower and we still were defeated.” Truthfully, he was upset, but also impressed. Rei and Shinji had faced the Angel twins for over ten minutes before being overwhelmed. He was also a little afraid that Shinji, despite having full backup from the JA Guard, was quickly overwhelmed, and had spent most of the battle both protecting Rei, as well as the UN positions.

 

In Shinji's favor, the Secondary UN Force did offer their thanks for saving their lives.

 

“At 11:12 AM, the UN forces made an attack using an N2 mine. However, they did not attack before the Twin Targets got off an energy shot each on the JA positions.”

 

The next slid showed the N2 blast as well as the downed JA androids. The blast had hit the defensive screens, but also the ground before them, causing the large machines to tip over and crush several buildings.

 

“WAH! THEY HURT MY BABIES!” cried Dr. Senada.

 

“At least we don't have to redraw the map too much,” said Fuyutsuki.

 

“The attack succeeded in burning off thirty-seven percent of the targets' structural substance.”

 

“Did they kill it?” asked Asuka.

 

“This is merely a temporary measure. The second attack is only a matter of time.”

 

“At least we have time to reorganize and regroup,” said Kaji. “You can't ask for more than that.”

 

“Listen up, all of you,” said Fuyutsuki as he stood up. “Do you know what your job is?”

 

“Piloting EVA,” said Asuka.

 

“Defeating the Angels and protecting humanity,” said Shinji, Rei nodding in agreement.

 

“Correct, Pilot Ikari,” said Fuyutsuki. “NERV does not exist so that you can go on a power trip. Therefore, the next time, you all will cooperate...fully!”

 

“Why should we?” yelled out Asuka.

 

Shinji stood up shakily, as Rei moved to stabilize him, as he faced Asuka, his breathing labored. “Because, little girl, we are fighting to save humanity, not stroke your bloated ego and offer praise to the self proclaimed Goddess of Piloting: Asuka!” He wobbled closer, lowering his voice. “If you can't be professional about this, then go back to playing with your little dollies!”

 

Before she could reply, her face growing red, Shinji fell into a coughing fit, small splatters of blood landing on Asuka's plug suit and towel.

 

“Get him to the tank, NOW!” cried out Ritsuko, as the medical personnel quickly placed Shinji on a bed and rolled him to the labs.

 

Fuyutsuki just shook his head. “Enough of this,” he said, as his pedestal lowered into the floor with him.

 

“Why is it my fault all of the sudden?” asked Asuka.

 

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“Well?” asked Misato after Rei and Asuka had been escorted to medical for the rest of their tests.

 

Dr. Senada took off his glasses and began to clean them. “The power readings off those blasts were enormous according to the JA sensors.” He placed his glasses back on his face. “And the readings for the AT Fields of the Angels shifted from one second to the next. They recorded that Shinji appeared to be close to matching it and piercing through, but when Rei fell, they overtook him.”

 

Misato sighed. “And the JA couldn't pierce it?”

 

“It was like when they attacked Shinji; they modulated the phased space so that the weapons had to constantly adjust to cause further damage than the minor first impact.”

 

She turned to Ritsuko. “The EVAs?”

 

The blond sighed. “I can either give you Units 00 and 02, or 01, but not all three. The armor damage on 00 and 02 are relatively light, but 01 took heavy damage, and even its S2 organ can't fix armor damage. Hell, the internal systems will still need more time to repair.”

 

“Begin working on all three until we have a viable plan. I'll have one in twelve hours, but do what you can to get all three up.” She lowered her voice. “And Shinji?”

 

Ritsuko shook her head. “I'm amazed he's still alive with the damage Unit 01 took. He'll be regenerating for the rest of the day, and that's pushing his S2 organ.”

 

“Rei?”

 

“She was better off. She suffered a few sprains and bruising, but Shinji was able to keep her relatively unharmed by placing himself between her and the blasts.”

 

Misato rubbed her forehead. “He protected her while trying to complete the mission. And the wings?”

 

“They faded as soon as his injuries grew too bad,” said Ritsuko, checking her charts. “He still had them when we removed him.”

 

Misato leaned back. “God, I'm glad Commander Ikari isn't here.”

 

Ritsuko giggled. “If he was here, you'd have been fired when he saw the reports from the bureaus. At least the guys from the UN Force withheld the bill in lieu of Shinji's actions.”

 

Misato tried to cheer herself up. “So, has anyone got an idea on how to help save my job and kill this Angel?”

 

Ritsuko looked towards Senada. “Can we send JA 00 to finish it off?”

 

Dr. Senada shook his head. “00 is already wired into the city's defense grid, and 01 and 02 are damaged beyond walking. They're being moved out to receive repairs. Even if 00 was not hardwired, by the time we got it transported, the Angel would have already regenerated.”

 

Sighing, Ritsuko turned to her friend. “Well, there is this idea,” said Ritsuko, holding up a disk.

 

Misato grabbed her hands. “I thank you, Dr. Ritsuko Akagi! It's good to have a friend one can count on.”

 

The doctor's smile shifted as she moved the disk slightly out of Misato's reach.

 

“However, I'm not the one who will be saving my old friend.”

 

Misato did not like where this was going, and liked it even less when the disk was labeled, “To my dearest honey”.

 

“This is from Kaji.”

 

Misato worked hard to keep the bile from rising up in her stomach, but the smile rising to her lips was so much easier for her to show.

 

Doing so, she missed when Dr. Senada handed Ritsuko ¥2000, as he had just lost the bet as to how she'd take the news.

 

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Shinji was stiff, sore, and tired. His S2 was currently inactive after having pushed so hard. Sure, his body was repaired, but he was exhausted, and was not wanting to push his new organ so quickly. After all, he had little idea about how much it could take and what all it could do.

 

The fact he had conscious control over it was a little startling, but he chalked it up to more of his weird life. Right now, he just wanted to sleep, maybe catch a bite to eat.

 

He definitely didn't want to deal with a pensive Rei standing outside the apartment. “Rei? Is everything alright?”

 

“Shinji-kun, am I being...punished?”

 

He blinked, his mind becoming more alert. “What do you mean? As far as I know, none of us are in trouble.”

 

She motioned towards the door, feeling that words would be inadequate.

 

She was right, as the sight of the dozens of boxes brought the full load onto him. “Oh, hell no!”

 

The same was for his room, loaded with delivery boxes.

 

“Don't be so rude, fairy boy,” said Asuka, “these are only my personal belongings.”

 

Shinji sighed. I just wanted to sleep! “What the hell are you doing in my apartment, Soryu?”

 

Asuka just ignored him, continuing to finish her drink, staring at the two pilots. “Why are you still here?”

 

“I was unaware Pilot Soryu needed a hearing aid,” said Rei, deciding to try and diffuse the tense situation with some humor.

 

It either failed to work or was failed to be heard by Shinji or Asuka.

 

“Still here?” he asked.

 

“Yeah, you've been dumped for the new model!”

 

He snorted. “Funny, I thought I heard that the factory was recalling you; something about a pole being lodged too far up your—”

 

“Hey!” she said, tossing the can behind her and marching up to Shinji, before poking him in the chest. “I'll be living with Misato now!”

 

Rei bowed. “I will then inform PenPen that he will need to clear room in his habitat for you, Pilot Soryu.”

 

She snorted this time. “My staying here is completely logical, given my superior abilities compared to you two. Although I'd rather be living with Kaji.”

 

Shinji had enough.

 

“Ow-ow-ow-ow!” Asuka peeped as Shinji grabbed her by the ear and drug her from the room, not listening as she yelled at him to let go, or for Rei to drop that smirk on her face.

 

“MISATO!” screamed out Shinji, wanting answers, and wanting them now.

 

He found Misato setting up a tape player and some weird floor mats. “Ah, Shinji, I see you met our new roommate.”

 

She nearly flinched under the combined stare of the First and Third Child.

 

Shinji took several calming breaths, trying to find his center, but as his wings flew out his back and began twitching, Rei eased to the side, considering that the battle of calm v. reactions might have already been decided.

 

Shinji clenched his teeth, feeling his free hand itch to grab his sword. “Misato...explain...now!”

 

“Don't worry, Shinji-kun,” she said with a smile plastered on her face. “I'm certain you three will get along real well.”

 

Shinji released Asuka and headed towards the kitchen. He needed a drink...now.

 

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“Now,” said Misato, “this is all part of our plan to win.”

 

“How, by driving me to the point of a killing spree?” asked Shinji, a near empty bottle of nearly pure grain alcohol in his hand.

 

Rei blinked. “I fail to see how that will work. Please explain.”

 

Misato sighed. “Listen, the battle data compiled by the MAGI and the JA Mainframe showed that while the Angel regenerates quickly, damage down in the same spot at the same time to both Targets takes much longer to heal. Only by a coordinated attack can we hope to defeat them.”

 

“Then why is Red here? Me and Rei already can coordinate well with each other?”

 

Rei nodded in agreement, while Asuka was stalled from retorting by Misato's hand. “The only units we'll have are 00 and 02. If it was possible, Shinji, we would send you out in 01, but that would mean no repairs to the other EVAs and it is doubtful you can hit both in the same spot at the same time.”

 

“Ha! Take that, fairy boy!”

 

“Wark?”

 

The group looked down to see PenPen holding a new bottle of near pure alcohol for Shinji, a peace offering.

 

Shinji smiled, finishing off his current bottle and taking the other one. “Deal, I'll get you some fresh fish from Tai's market tonight.”

 

The penguin surprised everyone else by bowing as much as his little body would allow, before waddling back into the kitchen.

 

Shinji drained half of the new bottle quickly, ignoring the astonished gasps of Asuka seeing him down enough alcohol to kill a normal person, before turning back to the group. “So why not place me in 02 and Rei in 00?”

 

“No one sits in my EVA but me, Fairy Boy; got that?”

 

The other children ignored her as Misato continued. “That is an option.”

 

“What?” yelled out Asuka.

 

“Simply put, we will be working with you all as a group to maximize your synchronization levels, practice our plan, and send out the best two people. Shinji will also be spending time in both EVAs to accelerate their S2 development, in case we need more time than the emergency batteries will provide.”

 

Shinji lowered his head. “So basically, I'm supposed to be bone tired from getting the EVAs self-sufficient, which only leaves Rei and Asuka as pilots.”

 

“Great idea, Shinji!” shouted Misato, pumping her arm. “If you feel that's best, then we'll do it!”

 

Shaking his head, he wanted to cry.

 

Rei was kind enough to hug him, as they both ignored Asuka's yelling at Misato that she didn't work with amateurs.

 

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Kensuke and Toji stood in the elevator, going to see their friend, who had been missing from school the last three days...again.

 

“I'm worried about Shinji,” said Toji.

 

“He's been gone for three days, right?” asked Kensuke, watching as the elevator counted the floors.

 

The group stepped out as their floor came up, only to end up encountering the Class Representative; the freckled Hikari Horaki, as she came out of the other elevator.

 

“Hey, it's the Class Rep,” said Toji, surprised to see her after school.

 

“Two of the three stooges,” she said, staring at them.

 

The group started walking to their destination.

 

“What are you doing here?” asked Kensuke.

 

“To offer my condolences to Ms. Soryu. What about you two?”

 

“To offer condolences to Ikari,” said Toji.

 

They didn't have long to wait until... “Why did you stop here?” they asked each other.

 

“Please move,” came the voice behind them.

 

They all turned to see a hunched over Shinji, struggling to raise his key to open the door, when it popped open, nearly causing him to fall forward.

 

Toji and Kensuke threw their arms back to protect their eyes, seeing what they never wanted to see.

 

First was the Red Devil close up where she could get...punchy.

 

The second was the Ice Queen...in a blue outfit made for working out.

 

The third was...they were dressed alike.

 

“My God,” said Toji, “it's the end of the world.”

 

“They look like two peas in a pod!” spoke Kensuke, as Hikari's eye twitched.

 

Shinji just shuffled past them, handing a bag of fish to a happy hot water penguin, and worked his way to the living room, to pass out on the couch. They could deal with each other, he merely wanted to sleep. Even Nao and Kyoko—the name that Unit 02 wished to be called—said he needed to rest, and refused to sync with him until he got some sleep.

 

So, after two days straight, he was sent home.

 

On the good side, both EVAs now had S2 organs at seventy nine percent completion, and likely to finish developing by the end of the week.

 

The bad news was NERV sent him home to sleep, and he was just tired enough to believe he might get some sleep here.

 

Ah, foolish male.

 

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Shinji awoke in the middle of the night, feeling...something odd...in the air.

 

He looked to his left, seeing the silent face of Rei as she slept, her closed eyes showing the signs of REM.

 

It was to his right he found the problem.

 

Next to him...was a sleeping Asuka.

 

What the hell? She sneaks in here? Pervert's going to blame me for—

 

“Mama,” came the whimper from the girl, before a tear slid down her face.

 

Shinji stared at her, trying to resolve the issue now confronting him.

 

Damn it! After stopping himself from mentally cursing himself, he raised the blanket closer to her chin, tucking her in, before laying his head back down. Tonight, he would let her have some peace, and he would never use this against her.

 

Like him, he now knew she had demons of her own.

 

He just prayed they didn't destroy her.

 

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While the group was celebrating the successful destruction of the two targets. Despite early reservations, the duo had managed to destroy the two cores without causing them to explode.

 

Of course, cutting communications with Unit 02 afterwards had kept Asuka's victory rhetoric to a bare minimum, and thus prevented more embarrassment.

 

Shinji however, was asleep at a station, tired from last minute powering of the two EVAs.

 

“Shinji-kun?”

 

His tired eyes opened, beholding Rei. “Hey, Rei-chan.”

 

“Are you well?”

 

“I'm fine, just a little tired. One moment.” Concentrating, he slowly brought his S2 organ back online, filling him slowly with energy, and counteracting his tiredness. As long as he didn't run it over forty percent, he wouldn't have to worry about damaging it.

 

Smiling, he stood up, taking Rei's hand, and escorting her back to the celebration. Fuyutsuki had decided they earned it for redeeming themselves in the world's eyes, and Shinji was determined to see that it was enjoyed...even if Asuka had said fairies weren't allowed.

 

But the two stopped after entering the break room, as Rei's grip on his hand turned intense. “Rei?”

 

He caught her as she fell into his arms. “REI!”

 

By now, the others had noticed, and Misato and Ritsuko were running over to her.

 

“Rei, what's wrong?” Inside the Geofront, Shinji couldn't sense energy, so he had no idea what could be happening.

 

“It...it...burns...Shinji-kun!” she managed to say, her voice rising to a scream at the end.

 

Before any could ask what was burning, her shirt was ripped open in the back...from the inside.

 

Everyone stood in silence, as Rei stayed in Shinji's arms...two white angelic wings flowing from her back.

 

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Omake by Shinji_the_Good_sharer:

 

As Kozo made his next move, the board still held his attention. “It also opens more paths for them to sabotage us, old friend.”

“Perhaps, but their efforts mean nothing in the end. In the final analysis, it is we who truly control the path of Instrumentality.” He then smiled. “F4, to sink your battle ship.”

Kozo looked at his student before speaking. "You realize the irony of us playing Battleship while there's a sea battle going on?"

Gendo could only smirk as he replied. "Why do you think we're doing it?"