The Child of Love 2: End of the beginning
Neon Genesis Evangelion is brainchild of Hideaki Anno, and the property of Gainex.
The Child of Love is the idea of Axel Terizaki, I'm just carrying on his legacy. I
might also occationally poke fun at other Eva fanfics and anime shows. This fanfic
is not making any money, so suing me is pointless, sue Axel instead, he's the evil
mastermind =)
Author's mistake: Apparently Japanese names ending in 'I' are usually for girls.
Takumi will from now be Takuma. Thanks for understanding.
NEON GENESIS EVANGELION
Chapter #3:0 First day on the job/Don't make me remember
Satori residence
Takuma finished brushing his teeth and exited the bathroom. Shaking off the last of
his sleepiness, he went to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, he discovers there's no
food.
"Damnit, I forgot I just got here."
He pulled out his wallet and poured the contents on to the dinning room table. He
counted the amount of yen he had, "just enough for some grocery." He packs the contents
on the table, which included 2 small photos, back into his wallet. He then made his
way to the living room, where Misato was kindly enough to have a TV waiting. After
tripping over several half-unpacked boxes several times, Takuma reached the remote
and turned it on. He channel surfed until he got to CNN.
"...The Pentagon and the White House continues to deny allegations that the accident
suffered by NERV 3rd Branch was the result of a terrorist attack. However, reliable
sources indicate otherwise. Also, still no comments on what happened to the base's
personnel..."
The front door of the apartment can be heard sliding shut.
"Sports in 15 minutes." Announced the TV.
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence
"WAAAAAAA!" cried Teri, whose diaper was wet and dripping.
"AAAAAAAH!" screamed Shinji, holding Teri and running through the hallway.
"Diaper, diaper, diaper," babbled Asuka as she chased after Shinji with some clean
diapers. She finally catch up to Shinji, and with lighting speed, changed the diaper.
Misato poked her head out of her room.
"Shinji-kun, you're gonna be late for school!"
"Oh no!" Shinji quickly picked up Teri and kissed her on the cheek, then passing her
to Asuka. He kissed Asuka on the lips, "be right back!" He kissed Asuka on the lips,
then dashed out the door with his school bag.
"Hurry back Shin-chan," Asuka carried Teri to the door to see the young father running
off.
"I'll give you a ride Shinji-kun," said Misato, chasing after him, "don't forget the
synch test this afternoon Asuka." With that, Asuka and Teri are left alone.
Asuka sighed, "Synch test...I thought this was over..." Teri looked up at her mother,
and her little hands reached for Asuka's face.
"What do you want, Teri-chan?" Asuka smiled, "hungry?" Asuka stepped away from the
front door, which automatically slid shut.
A little while later, the doorbell went off. Asuka put Teri in her crib and went to
the front door. She found Takuma carrying several bags of grocery; he had just finished
some shopping.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully, "I just dropped by to say hi, hope I'm not
disturbing anyone" He looked around, "where's Shinji? Is he still asleep?"
"He went to school, of course."
---
Streets of Tokyo-3
The blue Alpine Renault A310 took the turn at a very high speed, kicking up a cloud
of dust and almost skidding into the other lane. Cars honked their horns angrily at
the blue sports car. A police officer took note of the vehicle, but ignored its
violations due to its NERV license plate.
"Misato-san, what about Takuma?" asked Shinji as Misato accelerated the car even more.
Shinji pulled his seatbelt a bit tighter.
"The school year's almost finished, so he doesn't have to attend." Misato shifted
to another gear. "Almost there."
"Ok, Misato-san," he replied, and reached for the seat belt release. The car entered
the school parking lot and skidded to a halt.
"Later, Misato-san!" said Shinji as he opened the car door and ran for his class.
Misato floors the car engine and is gone before Shinji even gets 15ft from the car.
The sound of the car engine drew attention from all the class beside the parking lot.
Several pairs of eyes tracked Shinji from the parking lot to the front door, including
a pair of blood red eyes.
"Oh no, oh no! I can't be late again, not again!" said Shinji as he closed in on the
school's front doors. "Hikari is gonna shout at me again, Touji and Kensuke are gonna
mock me. I..." His sentence was cut off as he ran into the automatic doors at full
speed. He fell onto his back as the door slowly slides open. Shinji lay on his back,
his vision spinning.
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence
"School?" Takuma asked again, "Misato said because it ends this week, I didn't have
to go."
"That's good..." said Asuka. A silence comes over the two; Takuma looks at the ceiling.
"Well..." he appeared nervous.
"Well what?" asked Asuka.
"I was wondering...errr..." stuttered Takuma, "how...err...well...you know...
Asuka sighed impatiently and took a deep breath, "look, Shinji's no-good-father put
something in my LCL that made my sex drive sky rocket and then me and Shin-chan had
sex because of that but we were also bored or more to the fact I was bored and then
I became pregnant with Teri-chan but since I love Shin-chan there is no problem
everything worked out for me just fine and for Teri-chan and Shin-chan too" Asuka
took a moment to catch her breath.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Takuma said with a raised eyebrow, "I was just
wondering how well you knew Rei-chan. You know, since you two are both pilots and
all."
Asuka's face changed to a shade of red resembling her hair. "Well...I...Wonder Girl?
Not very well, because she's very to herself..." She paused for a moment, and then
stared at Takuma in surprise.
"Did you just call her Rei-chan?" she gasped.
---
Tokyo-3 Public School
"Ouch..." moaned Shinji, rubbing his band-aided nose. Most of the class was having
lunch outside, only the 3 stooges and a class rep remains.
"This the 4th time in 2 weeks, Ikari!" scorned Hikari, "you'd be in real trouble if
you didn't have such a good excuse!"
Kensuke leaned over to Touji, who is leaning back in a seat behind Shinji.
"Still think about getting married and having children?" he joked. That subject had
came up several times during casual discussions ever since the revelation of Shinji
and Asuka's engagement.
"Shut up, she's gonna hear us..." He turns to Kensuke, "at least I have a chance,
otaku."
That got Kensuke somewhat steamed, but before any comeback can be formulated, a shadow
came over the two.
"What are you two talking about?!" boomed Hikari, looming over the two cowering boys.
"Something vulgar, no doubt!"
"No, class rep! We're just talking about how school's out on Friday..." said Kensuke,
almost falling out of his seat.
"Yeah! And how Shinji would now have more time to take care of their baby!" added
Touji.
"And how there's...an end of school dance this Friday," Kensuke turned towards Touji,
the sunlight glaring off his glasses menacingly. "Isn't there's something you'd like
to ask our dear and honorable class rep, Touji?"
"Well..." Touji uncharacteristically blushed, "Hikari, can I speak to you outside?"
The two got up and exited the classroom together. A moment later, a girl's laughter
can be heard.
"So Shinji," moving to the seat beside him, "who are you taking to the dance?"
---
Later that afternoon
Rei and Shinji waited a few blocks from the school for Misato. This was done because
Misato had to pick Asuka and Teri up, and they didn't want to attract too much attention
from all the students at the school. As usual, Shinji was the one to break the ice
while they waited.
"So Ayanami, what do you think about Takuma?" he asked his usual gentle expression.
"..."
"I know he just got here yesterday, but he seems like a very nice guy."
"..."
"Misato said he even gave you a hug," Shinji thought about how someone would just
hug Rei. "Do you know him?"
"No," she replied, looking up. "But I think I did."
Just then Misato arrived, with Asuka cradling Teri in the passenger seat, and Takuma
in the back.
"Sorry about the wait," said Misato as she got out of the 2-door car so they could
get in. Rei got in first, then Shinji got in. Takuma blushed as Rei was squeezed against
him. "Hi Rei..." he said, smiling at her shyly.
"Hello."
"Hi Shin-chan!" smiled Asuka, holding Teri up to Shinji, "guess who misses her daddy?"
Teri giggled as Shinji took Teri into his arms and smiled.
"Hope you don't mind being squeezed between two boys," Misato said to Rei as she heads
towards NERV headquarter, this time observing the speed limit. A little yellow 'baby
onboard' sign was on the back windshield.
"No."
"Why should she?" said Asuka, looking in the rear view mirror. "One of them is mine!
And Takuma's already calling Wonder Girl 'Rei-chan'." She made eye contact with Rei
and Takuma through the mirror. Rei just looked puzzled, while Takuma's face was frozen
with embarrassment.
"Asuka," interrupted Misato before the red head could say anymore, "what are you
talking about? Are you having hormone surges again?"
"I was only joking..."Asuka said, and quietly fumed the rest of the way to headquarter.
"I gotta talk to Asuka and Shinji about Takuma," thought Misato. The rest of the trip
was quiet. Shinji gently rocked Teri to sleep. Takuma split his time between looking
out the window, and stealing short glimpses at Rei, who was resting her head against
the back of her seat. A little while later, they arrived at Misato's parking space
in headquarter.
"Ok, everybody out," cheered Misato as she got out of the car, and flipped her seat
forward. Asuka did the same so Takuma could get out at the same time. Shinji promptly
got out with Teri, who's asleep. However, Takuma and Rei remained in the car.
"Huh?" gasped Takuma. Shinji had already gotten out, but Rei remained pressed against
his side. She was asleep and leaning against him, he realized. Takuma couldn't help
but look at her peaceful and innocent expression. She had a very slight smile on her
lips, almost unnoticeable.
"Hey!" said Asuka as she poked her head into the car, "should I get you two a room?"
That woke Rei up, who caught Takuma smiling at her. And that sent him blushing and
flying out the car.
"Rei," said Misato as the group traveled through the NERV complex minutes later, "why
don't you show Takuma-kun to the change room? I need to talk to Shinji-kun and Asuka."
Rei simply nodded, and picked up her pace. Takuma followed without question. Once
they were out of an earshot, Misato turned to two.
"Ok you two, listen up, Rei's got amnesia."
"What?" gasped Shinji, "how did that happen?"
"Funny, she doesn't show it," said Asuka, "but with Wonder Girl, it's kinda hard to
tell."
"No, no, no! Pretend that Rei's got amnesia, at least around Takuma-kun."
"Why?" asked Shinji, "why are we lying to him?" He looked down at the floor.
"Haven't there been enough lies already?"
Misato sighed, "I've been going through his records, apparently he lived in Tokyo-3
when he was small, but certain parts of the his records are missing. Something doesn't
feel right." Misato turned to Shinji, her expression a serious one.
"I'm worried that it might have something to do with your father."
The temperature of the room dropped a few degrees.
---
Pilot Changing rooms
"These are the changing rooms, the one on the left is male, the one on the right is
female." They both avoided eye contact. "Your plug suit should be waiting for you
inside." They both turned around as they heard Shinji and Asuka coming down the
hallway.
"Come on Wonder Girl!" said Asuka, grabbing Rei by the arm, "because of your 'amnesia",
I'll show you how to put on a plug suit."
---
Men's changing room
Takuma ripped open the clear plastic wrapping of his plug suit. The suit is comprised
of the colors silver, black, and red, much like his EVA. Both boys had neatly folded
their clothing and stacked them on the benches. By the time Takuma had finally figured
out how to get in his plug suit, Shinji was already sealing his.
---
Women's changing room
"Schiest!" screamed Asuka as she tried to don her plug suit. "This thing's gotten
smaller since the last time I wore it!"
"Plug suits are never reused," said Rei as she sealed up her suit, with her school
uniform lay in a pile on a bench next to her.
"Well, someone messed up my measurements then!" she sneered. She pressed the button
to seal up her suit, and choked. "Ack! They got the chest measurement all wrong..."
"No, it is more likely that your breasts have enlarged, due to the fact that you are
a mother and currently breast-feeding a baby. Since the plug suits were never designed
for the possibility that one of its users might have gone through pregnancy.
Furthermore, you might have gained body fat during that period." Rei blankly looked
at Asuka's bra. "I believe your bra size has increased by at least 3 sizes."
"What?" said Asuka, furious, "Why you little! Just wait until you have kids! Then
we'll see what happens to you!"
---
Men's changing room
Takuma and Shinji stared at the thin, opaque divider separating the two change rooms.
They could see the outline of the 2 girls, and hear them quite well. The 2 boys both
have a stunned expression and softball sized sweat drop on their head.
"I think you should forget what you just heard about my Asuka," said Shinji.
"What...what? I didn't hear anything."
---
Monitoring room, Synch ratio test facility #2
"Attention, attention. All monitoring room personnel, Regulation-1101 is now in
effect, please don headsets. The PA in this room will now be deactivated." With that,
the PA speakers in the room shutdown, their job replaced by personal headphones.
Shigeru leaned over to Makato.
"Since when did we have to worry about something like this?" he asked, "this is
ridiculous!"
"I know, but it's a pretty interesting situation," replied Makato.
"Pipe down you two!" scolded Maya; "they're here."
The door to the large room opened, revealing Misato, carrying a sleeping Teri in a
baby stroller. Ritsuko intercepted Misato as she entered.
"This is highly irregular, Misato." She whispered.
"I know, I know." Misato whispered back, "but the Asuka insisted that I keep an eye
on her. And she doesn't want her in any nursery ran by strangers." Misato looked around
the room, "where's Commander Fuyutsuki?"
"He didn't want to come," replied Ritsuko, "He said something about this place being
turned into a daycare again." She handed Misato a headset, which came alive just as
she puts them on.
"The Children are entering the entry plugs."
---
Entry plug boarding area, one level above Synch ratio test facility #2
Takuma looked at the plug nervously. He poked his head into the its darken confines,
and looked around.
"This is not quite the same as what I trained with."
The PA system in the room can alive, "that's correct." It was Dr Akagi, "the training
system at NERV 4th Branch is somewhat outdated. But rest assure, it'll be just like
your training."
Reluctantly, Takuma crawled into his entry plug. Once all 4 pilots were ready, the
plugs were lowered to the lever below, into a hangar filled with red coolant.
"Ok," said Ritsuko, "we'll start with the simple stuff today, since we have a newcomer,
and the rest of you are somewhat out of practice. Ready?"
"Hai!" the pilots responded.
---
Monitoring room, Synch ratio test facility #2
"Maya, begin test sequence." Commanded Ritsuko.
"Beginning test sequence, all records running." Maya keyed in a series of commands
on her console.
"Let's see how good he is," Ritsuko said to Misato through the headset.
---
Staff lounge, Level 32-A
Takuma laid on one of the benches, face down, exhausted. Asuka and Shinji stood in
front of a vending machine, while Rei sat on another bench.
"Takuma, want anything?" asked Shinji.
"Aarrgh......gaarrggllee...gggaagg..." came the inhuman reply.
"I'll take that as a no," said Shinji, turning back to the machine.
"Hey," Asuka said, noticing a note on the machine, "a note to Makoto."
Shinji ripped the note off Dr Pepper selection button, and read it out loud. "No
drinking Dr Pepper in the control room. That means YOU, Makoto. -Vice-Commander
Katsuragi"
"Who cares!" Asuka snatched the note from Shinji and threw it away. "I'm thirsty!"
But before she could put the coins in, the PA system came alive.
"All pilots, please report to briefing room A-23."
"Finally," said Asuka, "we get to have Teri-chan back!"
"Gaagg......" whimpered the limp form on the bench.
"Ayanami," Shinji turned to Rei, "can you give me a hand with Takuma, please?"
"Hai," answered Rei, and the two helped the boy up from the bench. He was sickly pale
and half conscious. "I believe his training at NERV 4th Branch was inadequate,
regarding proper procedures in a LCL environment."
"Mein Gott, how much LCL did they say he swallowed?" asked Asuka as they head towards
the briefing room.
"Way too much," replied Shinji as they half-drag, half-carry Takuma to their
destination. Shortly after they left the staff lounge, Makoto showed up.
"That damn note is gone! Now there's nothing between me and my beloved Dr Pepper!"
He triumphantly walked to the machine, and inserted the coins. Taking a minute to
savor the moment, he pushed the button.
The booby-trapped vending machine shocked him with 10,000 volts then exploded in his
face.
(I loved Evanjellydonut, what about you?)
---
Briefing room A-23, Level 32-A (Hey, the darn facility is just too big to be numbered
properly)
"Mommy's back!" cheered Asuka and she embraced Teri. "Oh, I missed you so much!"
"You've been a good girl, Teri-chan." Added a smiling Shinji, who's standing behind
and to the left of Asuka, with his hands on her shoulders. Misato stood in a corner,
smiling at the moment. Rei watched, too, although with a curious expression.
"Can I have your attention for a moment, please?" asked Ritsuko, everyone turned
towards her, except for Takuma. They had to set him down on a chair, and all he could
do is look up at the ceiling.
"I...I'm liisttenning...gooo on......" he managed to say.
Ritsuko held up a clipboard and adjusted her glasses. She read it for a moment.
"Well, for the past 9 months, we haven't been running as many tests as we should,
due to obvious reasons," Ritsuko looked at the happy couple and their baby, then back
at her clipboard.
"Currently, Asuka has the highest synch ratio."
"Muahahaha! I am still the best! I am..." she boasted.
"But it is dropping," interrupted Ritsuko.
"What?!"
"Let me finish first," pleaded Ritsuko, "remember, your last recorded synch ratio
was during the 13th Angel's attack, when you were still carrying Teri. Now that Teri
is born, your synch ratio should be dropping to were it was before your pregnancy."
"Well, number two isn't too bad, I suppose," she hugged Teri closely, "I've got more
important things in life now." Teri slowly begins to fall asleep in her mother's arms.
"Shinji is number 2 at the moment, Takuma is number 3..."
"Yeeaaaay..." he half-cheered, half-choked.
"Rei's number 4, over all, everyone's synch ratio has gone up quite a few points.
Except for Takuma, of course, since this is his first time. Are you feeling any
better?"
"Yeeesnoo..."
"You'll get use to it, soon you won't be swallowing so much LCL. And the LCL you do
swallow won't effect you as much."
Yes it would, thought Misato. If they all knew what they're actually swallowing, what
they're soaking in, their reaction would be much different.
"Here's the schedule for the rest of the week," announced Ritsuko, "there's a
harmonics test tomorrow, and then on Saturday Takuma will conduct an activation test
with Unit-04. That is all."
"I'll take the kids home now," said Misato.
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence
The woman in the hospital bed cuddled the doll. She talked to it, whispered words
of comfort, words of support, words used between loved ones. Not once did she look
at the window. Unnoticed, a little red head girl looked at the woman through a window
near the doorway.
"Okasan..." whispered the little girl.
Teri turned away from the window, and walked away.
"NOOOOOOOO!" screamed Asuka, almost jumping out of her bed. Shinji had to grab a hold
of her.
"It's just a dream, Asuka-chan, it's just as dream," said Shinji as held her in his
arms.
"I know...it's silly...I just..." she sobbed.
"Shh..." Shinji pulled Asuka closer, "it's alright, I'm here." Slowly, Asuka calmed
down, and fell asleep against Shinji. Misato, listening outside their door, heard
the sobbing stop, and returned to her room. Teri was also awakened by the commotion,
but she behaved herself. It was her mom's turn to cry tonight.
---
NERV headquarter
"You want us to do WHAT?" Takuma's lower jaw almost dropped to the ground.
"This is nothing new, Takuma," Ritsuko's voice came over the PA, "I guess we should
of warned you first." She looked at Misato with a frown.
"Oops," said Misato.
"So you want me to walk down this corridor, naked, in front of everyone?" he demanded.
"Not everyone, the cameras will be turned off, only your fellow pilots will see you."
"That's not much comfort," he said, looking to his fellow pilots. Everyone was in
a booth, their body from the neck down blocked from view by opaque dividers. Shinji
and Asuka were to his left, and Rei was to his right.
"Since you're new," this time Misato's voice came over the PA, "you'll have the honor
of going first."
"What?!" Takuma went pale.
"It'll help you build trust with your fellow pilots," Misato said, Takuma could almost
see her evil grin. "Proceed."
Takuma gulped, and stepped outside his booth. The passage suddenly seems very long.
---
Staff lounge, Level 33-A
Takuma laid on one of the benches, face down, exhausted. Asuka and Shinji stood in
front of a vending machine, while Rei sat on another bench.
"Well, at least you swallowed less LCL this time," said Shinji, trying to cheer Takuma
up.
"Yeah..." he said, "I feel much better than last time."
"He's just bothered by the fact that Rei saw him naked," joked Asuka, opening a can
of pop. "What's the deal with you and Rei, anyway?"
"Rei never mentioned me before? Not even before her amnesia?" He was quite surprised,
and looked over to Rei. She remained impassive.
---
NERV headquarter, 2005
The little boy ran along the darkened corridors of the newly build NERV headquarter,
trying to make as little noise as possible. He peered around a corner, looking for
any signs of the person pursuing him. He found none down the corridor, however, he
felt someone breathing down the back of his neck. A pair of hands grabbed him before
he could turn around.
"Got you!" said Satori Kasumi, lifting the boy off the ground, "think you can get
away, Takuma-chan!" Kasumi had shoulder length black hair, which was tied into a
ponytail. Her 5' 8" figure was the envy of her friends. She was eleven years older
than her four-year-old brother was, so she had little trouble carrying him.
"Mom, I found him!" she called out. A moment later, another figure emerged from the
darkness.
"Young man, how many time do I have to tell you it's dangerous to run away like that!
Especially in here!" Satori Seyoko (Dr) was a woman of 38 years. She was unusually
tall for a Japanese woman, and had an infectious smile. However, that smile is
currently replaced by a frown. Seyoko took Takuma from his sister, and held him
eye-to-eye. "Promise me you'll never do that again!" He responded by wrapping his
hands around her neck, hugging her tightly.
"That's better," she said, giving him a piggy back rid, "now Kasumi-chan, where are
we?"
"I have no idea..." she responded. A breeze created by the ventilation system blew
through the corridor. A crumpled piece of paper rolls pass them like tumbleweed.
"Lost on the first day of the job," Seyoko muttered and shook her head. Takuma looked
around the area from his mother's shoulders. The headquarter has not been completed
and manned, so most of the lights are off to save power, leaving the place eerily
dark.
"I don't like this place," he whispered to his mother, grabbing a hold of her hair.
"It's all right Takuma-chan, this is gonna be our new home," she replied, trying to
reassure him.
"Yeah," said Kasumi, seizing the opportunity, "see those boxes over there, that's
YOUR new room. You'll have to clean the spiders out first, though."
Takuma's eyes begin to water, as he grabs an even tighter hold of his mother's hair.
"Kasumi..." her mother warned, "stop teasing your brother and get us to where we're
suppose to go."
"Sorry," Kasumi sighed, "but it's a burden to be the only in the family blessed with
a sense of direction."
---
Tokyo-3, present day
"Will you get to the part where you meet Rei already?" demanded Asuka. They were on
their way home in Misato's car.
"Yeah," Misato joined in, "tell us more." And I've got more of your family's records
from when you were living here, she thought, but let's see what you can tell me that
the files can't.
---
NERV headquarter, 2005
"Finally," Seyoko let out a breath of relief. They had finally found their way outside,
and into the geo front. It was midday, and they had exited to one of the lakeshores.
"At least we're not underground anymore," said Kasumi.
"Technically, we still are," her mother said, looking around. "This whole place is
a gigantic sphere, underground."
"Pretty..." commented Takuma. In front of them, the lake was gleaming with sunlight.
A lush, green forest beyond was beyond the lake.
"Yeah," Kasumi noticed someone standing beside the lake, "hey, we can ask that man
for directions." Her mother nodded.
They walked towards the man, who had his back to them and was looking at the lake.
He was quite tall, with a narrow frame. He also was dressed in a dark outfit, and
had short hair.
"Excuse me sir," Kasumi spoke as they near the man, who kneeled down to drop off a
little child he was carrying, then turned around to face them. Sunlight glared off
his round glasses.
"Yes?"
"We seem to be lost, can you help us?" Kasumi noticed the child hiding behind the
man.
"Hi there," she said, trying to get a better view of the person. A small girl emerged
from hiding. She had pale skin, blue hair, and blood red eyes. Just then, Seyoko
recognized the man. She had never met him face-to-face, but had seen his pictures
many time in the news. Seyoko snapped to attention, her sudden motion almost knocking
Takuma off her shoulders.
"Commander Ikari!" she blurted out.
"And you are?" Gendo asked.
"Dr Satori Seyoko, newly assigned to NERV defense research department as head of
research." She realized Takuma was still clinging to her head, and pulled him off.
She slowly lowered him to the ground. "This is my son, Takuma, and my daughter,
Kasumi." She introduced, then she looks down to the small figure beside the Commander.
"Is that your daughter, sir? Sorry, but I always thought you had a son." She bent
her knees to get a better view of the girl. "You're a very pretty young lady."
"This is the child of an acquaintance I'm taking care of," he replied with a small
grin. The child smiled, also. Takuma hid behind her mother, and peered out from behind
her lab coat.
"Don't be shy, Takuma-chan," his mother said. The little girl left Gendo's side, and
walked straight to Takuma. He responded by retreating further behind his mother,
peering out with only one eye.
"Hi," her smile was warm and comforting, "I'm Ayanami Rei, pleased to meet you."
Takuma came out of hiding, with a shy little smile of his own.
---
Ayanami residence
Misato's car pulled up at the battered, pre-impact housing complex. The sun was
setting, casting an orange glow in the sky. Asuka and Takuma both had to get out to
let Rei out. Asuka didn't hesitate to get into the back seat with Shinji and Teri
after Rei got out, leaving only her and Takuma outside.
"Well," sighed Takuma, "too bad you can't remember anything about me, Rei."
"Yes," Rei said, "the Major indicated that my amnesia is only effecting my long term
memories."
"Well, I hope you get better real soon." He tried to put on an encouraging smile,
but came up short.
"Maybe I can come over and help you cleanup your place sometime."
"Perhaps," she turned and walked away, "good day, Takuma-kun."
"Well," Asuka commented, "did you all just hear what I heard." Everyone still in the
car had his or her head sticking out the open door, listening in on the conversation.
"Wow, Rei called someone by their first name," gasped Asuka.
"Maybe we heard wrong," said Shinji.
"No, definitely 'Takuma-kun'," confirmed Misato, "she wasn't using his surname!"
"That's kinda creepy, Rei behaving like a human," Asuka said, faking a scared
expression.
"Maybe she bumped her head," suggested Shinji.
"Maybe the sight of Takuma's naked well built body got to her," said Asuka with an
evil grin.
"Asuka! You said you didn't look!" shouted Shinji.
"I...didn't...Rei told me, yeah..." Asuka looked at Misato for help.
"Shinji, you know you're the only one for Asuka," said Misato.
(Author's note: Axel wanted his name in there instead of Shinji's, but I said no.)
"Yeah, Shin-chan!" cheered Asuka.
Teri made baby noises, which no one understood.
Then suddenly, they notice a large shadow casting over them.
"So..." a flaming Takuma boomed, "listening in on my conversation?"
"No..." said Asuka, avoiding eye contact.
"We were just talking about dinner..." said Misato, "dinner...would you like to join
us?"
"Sure! All's forgiven for a home cooked meal!"
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence
"Come on, Teri-chan!" said Asuka as she ran to the living room with Teri in her arms.
"Our favorite show is on!"
"Hope you don't mind the mess," Shinji said, dropping his school bag out of the way.
"No, you should see my place." Takuma suddenly got an image in his head of his
apartment, which was littered with boxes and other items.
"Shinji-kun here will prepare tonight's feast," said Misato, emerging out of her room
after changing out of her uniform. Takuma couldn't help but drop his lower jaw at
the sight of her loose T-shirt and shorts.
"Do you always dress like that, Misato-san?"
"You get use to it after a while..." said Shinji as he headed for the kitchen.
"Come on," said Misato, slapping Takuma on the back, "let's go watch some TV!"
"Are you sure I'm not troubling you?" he asked with a worried look, as Misato push
him down the hallway towards the living room.
"No, not at all!"
"Darnit!" said Asuka as they entered the room, "they changed the TV schedule again!"
"Well, what's on?" asked Misato.
"The last episode of 'Shinseiki Pokemon'," said Asuka, flipping through the day's
TV schedule. "I suppose we'll have to live with that, besides," she picks up Teri
and places her on her lap, "SHE seems to like the show." They flipped on to the channel,
but had already missed most of the show.
"Ack..." said Ash, as he and Pikachu slowly gets up. They were lying on a sandy beach,
everything around them lay in ruins. Apparently, Team Rocket really messed up with
their evil plan this time, and destroyed the human race.
"Everyone's dead..." Ash turns to his furry little yellow companion, "do you know
what this means, Pikachu?"
"Pika?"
"This means," Ash said through his teary eyes, "I'm the last pokemon trainer on Earth!
All the pokemons are mine to catch!" The boy jumped up and down with joy, then the
words 'The End' appeared on the screen. After that, the credits were shown, while
soft classical music played in the background.
"You know," Takuma said, turning away from the TV screen, "I remember a time when
TV made sense."
"I think there's some hidden meaning in there, somewhere," Misato said, "I mean, look
at all those giant broken pokeballs in the background."
"What I didn't get was that spectacular scene when everyone's soul got sucked into
that one huge pokeball held by that huge Pikachu," said Asuka.
(Author's note: Sorry folks, had to add that in there, beware of more...)
"Dinner's ready!" Shinji called out from the kitchen, cutting off any further
intellectual debates regarding the show.
A.D. (after dinner)
"Thanks for the dinner," Takuma said one last time, and left.
"Don't forget to go to school after it's over tomorrow," Misato shouted after him,
then let the door close.
"Misato," said Asuka, "what are the chances that Rei would go to the dance with him?"
"Never hurts to try," she said, "I got you two together, didn't I?"
"We were meant to be together the day we're born," said Shinji, giving Asuka a hug.
"Shin-chan, that's so sweet!" Asuka gave Shinji a kiss on the cheek, which turned
into a prolonged kiss on the lips. Misato tried to get their attention by clearing
her throat, but to no avail. Minutes later, the couple finished.
"So Shinji," Misato said, having waited for the entire length of the kiss, "are you
sure about taking Asuka to the dance?"
"Of course I am!" he said with passion, "why wouldn't I be?"
"It's not that," Misato shook her head, "I'm worried how people would react because
of she's a mother now."
"Hey!" shouted Asuka, "I might be a mother now, but I'm as cool and popular as I ever
was!"
"Ok, ok," Misato surrenders, "I'll take tomorrow night off to baby sit Teri-chan!"
"Thanks, Misato-san!" Shinji and Asuka said in unison.
"I have to do some paper work now," Misato went to her room. Once there, she pulled
out several computer discs, and booted up her laptop. She sorted through the discs,
and selected one with the label "Seyoko, Satori." A knocking was heard at her door.
"Misato," said Asuka through the door, "can I talk to you in private?"
"Sure," she replied, turning her chair to face the door. Asuka checked if Shinji was
nearby, then came into the room and closed the door quietly after her.
"Sorry to bother you," Asuka began, "I know you're and busy and all, but I have to
talk to you about something important. As you know, this Sunday is father's day. Since
it's Shinji's first father's day, I thought we might have a little celebration."
"Let me guess, you want to invite friends."
"Of course not!" she boomed. Asuka quickly lowered her voiced again, "just the 4 of
us." She thought for a moment, "ok, maybe Wonder Girl, seeing how she was such a big
help with I was carrying Teri-chan. And maybe Takuma, since he just got here and all."
"Sounds good," Misato said, "you plan it, I'll pay for it."
"Thanks Misato-san!" said Asuka, giving her a hug. She sneaked back out Misato's room.
Shinji's first father's day, Misato thought.
She went back to work, booting up the computer disc and going through its files. Misato
worked long into the night, and noticed that there were no nightmares tonight. Of
course, from the noises she heard, there probably wasn't much sleep either.
---
Tokyo-3 Public School, next day
Takuma waited at the school entrance, waiting for classes to finish. As the afternoon
sun blazed overhead, he wondered why Rei doesn't have a phone. Finally, the school
bell went off, and people began to file out of the building. She wasn't too hard to
spot, her blue hair standing out among the primarily black hair.
"Hey, Rei! Wait up!" he shouted, fighting through wave after wave of students. It
was the last day of school, and people were in a hurry to get out of the place. Rei
couldn't hear the boy's voice through all the other voices, and Takuma couldn't reach
her until they were well clear of the school.
"Rei, wait!" She finally heard him this time, and turns around.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Hi, I was wondering if...perhaps you would like to go to the dance with me tonight?"
Takuma asked shyly, taping his index fingers together.
"Since you are not currently enrolled in our high school, you would not be permitted
to enter the dance," she replied. In response, Takuma pulled out his newly issued
NERV ID.
(Yes, get your very own official NERV TM Card today! It has the buying power of a
Visa and a Master Card combined, and it allows you to go anywhere, do anything!
Supplies are limited, call now. 1-800-EVA-NERV)
"I can't dance," she said.
"Uh oh," Takuma suddenly realized, and the thought dropped on top of him like a
thousand pound weight, "I can't either..." An awkward moment descended upon the two.
"May I walk you home, then?" he asked, trying to salvage the situation.
"If you wish," she turns and heads towards her apartment, their entire walk was filled
with silence. Not a word was exchanged until the two reached the old and battered
apartment complex.
"Would you like to come in?" Rei asked, surprising the both of them.
"Sure...I guess..." Takuma looked around the outside of the apartment. Cracks ran
up and down the walls, and everything metallic seems to be rusted. He cautiously
entered Rei's home.
It was very small, that's the first thing he noticed. Compared to the apartment he
lives in, this was a shoebox. The second thing he noticed was the decrepit condition
of the entire room. The floor looks like it's never seen a mop or a bloom before.
The single dresser sat in a corner, with most of its drawers pulled out, and bras
and underwear peeking out. He had to avoid staring at those. Garbage lay in a pile
beside a small cabinet, which was covered with medications. Automatically, he took
a few more steps towards the cabinet, and bent down to pick up the trash on the floor.
Rei just stood there, watching. As Takuma stuff the trash into a nearby garbage bag,
he realized what they were. He was holding old dressings and bandages, covered with
dried blood. Cringing inwardly, he finished the job.
"Thank you," she said with a slight blush. Words of gratitude, she thought, is this
the first time I've used them? No one has done anything for me before...
While Rei was deep in thought and blushing, Takuma noticed something else on the
ground. It was a familiar looking pair of glasses, with round frame. And it had been
badly smashed, apparently crushed by hand, then repeated stumped by foot. He picked
it up, and was going to throw it into the garbage bag when Rei stopped him.
"No," she said, gently taking the smashed frame and bits of the lenses from his hands,
touching them in the process. She bent down and placed them exactly as they were.
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence, later that evening
Asuka was in her favorite yellow dress, and she spins several times for Shinji.
"Still fits," she said, "a little tight, but still fits."
"You look beautiful, Asuka-chan," said Shinji, taking her hand. He was dressed a
simple shirt and pants, topped off by a nice brown jacket. Asuka had brought it for
him during one of her shopping sprees.
"We're off, Misato-san!" they called out.
"Have fun," she said, holding Teri.
"Be a good girl for aunt Misato, Teri-chan," said Asuka, "mommy and daddy will be
right back!" With that, the two lovers left, hand in hand.
"Well, Teri-chan," Misato said, "looks like it just the two of us tonight."
With that, Teri started crying, and Misato's ordeal began.
---
Tokyo-3 Public school
Asuka and Shinji entered the gymnasium, where the dance was taking place, hand-
in-hand. Immediately, she became the center of attention. Sounds of greetings and
questions almost overcame the music. Eventually, the crowd around them dispersed
enough for them to get away. Asuka spotted Hikari with Touji.
"Hi Hikari-chan!" she said, walking over to them with Shinji in tow.
"Asuka-chan!" yelled Hikari, "I'm so happy you could make it! Is Misato taking care
of Teri-chan?"
"Yep," she replied, the two girls retreated a slight distance from their dates to
talk.
"So, Touji," said Shinji with a grin, "are you finally going steady with Hikari?"
"Well," he replied, "I'm just following your shining example. If you and the devil
can find happiness, why can't the rebel and the class rep?"
"Asuka-chan is not the person you used to know, she's changed." Shinji looked around,
"where's Kensuke?"
Touji pointed to a guy in a suit, across the gym, near a group of single girls.
"Busy getting rejected."
"Come on, Shin-chan!" said Asuka as she grabbed Shinji and led him to the dance floor,
Hikari and Touji followed.
---
Ikari/Katsuragi residence
Misato was on the couch in the living room, with Teri in her arms. Both of them were
on the verge of falling asleep. The TV was still on, although the channel it's on
was off the air. The incessant humming of the TV was the only thing keeping the two
awake.
"Someone turn the TV off," moaned a groggy Misato.
The humming stopped as the TV shutoff, allowing the two to sleep.
---
Tokyo-3 Public school
A romantic song for slow dancing was playing. In the center of the gym, Shinji had
wrapped his hands around Asuka's waist, while she in turn had wrapped her arms around
his neck. A glittering disco ball rotated from its position up high, showering the
room with sparkles of light, while soft music filled the gymnasium.
"I love you," whispered Shinji as he held Asuka in a close embrace.
"I love you," she whispered back, leaning her head on his shoulder. They did not notice
that everyone had formed a circle around them, and were watching with great
admiration. For the couple, there was only each other.
The dance went late into the night.
---
Main EVA Hangar #3, NERV headquarter
Misato yawned as Unit-04 entry plug is inserted into the giant's back. Ritsuko walked
over and passed her a cup of coffee.
"Thanks," Misato said gratefully as she took the NERV mug, and drank its hot contents.
"Entry plug inserted," Maya called out from her console, "beginning systems check."
"What happened to you? You look exhausted," Ritsuko asked, "did you go out with Kaji
again?"
Misato finished her coffee, and gazed at Ritsuko with her blood-shot eyes, "no...Kaji
away somewhere...baby sat Teri-chan...Asuka and Shinji not home till almost..." She
yawns, "morning..."
"The systems check has been completed," announced Maya, "ready for Unit-04 activation
test."
"Very well," said Ritsuko as she and Misato turned to a large monitor, which was
showing a view of Unit-04's cockpit. Takuma was inside, looking slightly edgy.
"Are you ready, Takuma-kun?" Misato inquired.
"I think so..." he closed his eyes, lowered his head, and said a quick prayer.
"Ok, I'm ready."
Misato gave the single word command:
"Activate."
"Connect the main power supply and all circuits together," ordered Ritsuko, "this
test will be conducted using external power supply. The S2 organ will be kept
inactive."
"Aye, the main power supply connected. Start the activation system," said Maya.
"Voltage increasing to the critical point: 0.5, 0.2, rising!"
"Start the second phase of the activation system."
"The pilot has commenced the joining," reports Shigeru, Ritsuko nodded in response.
"Start System Phase II."
A large display of Eva-04's neural system came up on another large monitor.
"Synapses inserted. Junction started," says Shigeru.
"Pulses transmitted," says Maya.
"All circuits are operational."
"The initial contact has no problems."
"Power has been transmitted up to the brachial muscle in both arms. There are no
problems with the nerve links."
"Checked. Up to 2550 on the list satisfied."
"Arrange for the third connection," ordered Ritsuko.
"Up to 2580 satisfied. Until the absolute borderline, 0.9, 0.7, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2,
0.1...absolute borderline!" The display hovered unsteadily at the borderline for a
few seconds, then climbed above it.
"Unit-04 activated." There was a sigh of relief from every. Not so much as to the
fact that the Unit activated, but that they were not swallowed up by a Sea of Dirac.
Misato spoke up for the first time since the test started.
"Takuma-kun, how do you feel?"
"It's weird..." he said, "I feel strangely warm in here...almost comforting, and
yet..." He shook his head, "I can't describe it."
"That's ok," said Ritsuko, "the test is over."
---
Streets of Tokyo-3
Takuma grumbled miserably as he walked alone down the streets. A summer rainstorm
had descended upon the city. Rain clouds darkened the heavens, and the boy's NERV
umbrella was no match against nature's fury.
"I should have insisted that I get a ride home or something," he muttered to himself.
Through the heavy rain, his ears pick up some muffled artificial sounds. It sounded
like human voice, but he couldn't tell what's it trying to say. He also picked up
something else: the sound of a high performance car engine.
"AAAAH!" he screamed as a sports car shot past him, kicking up enough water to soak
him to the bones, twice.
"What the heck?" he shouted at the car, now totally drenched. Damn that blue sports
car, Takuma thought, blue sports car? His NERV issued cell phone ran.
"Yes?" he said impatiently, an urgent voice on the other end responded.
"Sorry about that, Takuma-kun," it was Misato that just shot past him, "but I'm on
my way to pick up the other pilots, you have to report to headquarter on foot, now."
The rain let up just then, enough for the boy to hear the public announcements.
"At 2035 today, a state of special emergency has been declared all over Kanto and
Chubu districts around Tokai district. Please take refuge in the designated shelters.
Repeat. Today..."
(Author's note: I experience no pleasure writing the next part, but it had to be done.
I didn't actually write the whole experience, it is an edited copy of the show's
script.)
---
Central Dogma
"Visual confirmation of the Angel," Shigeru called out.
"It's not moving from its orbit over the Earth," reported Makoto.
"That keeps it at a constant distance from us," observed Shigeru.
---
Low Earth orbit
The 15th Angel hovered in space with its massive wings extended, as if gliding on
nothingness. It looked like a predatory bird, made with parts from people's dreams
and parts from their nightmares. A paradox of its own, it was beauty and ugliness,
all rolled into one.
However, there are no uncertainties about its intentions.
---
Central Dogma
Misato frowned at the situation. "That means, is it waiting for the chance of coming
down, or is it going to destroy us without approaching?"
"We can't act easily."
"Anyway, we can do nothing unless that approaches to within our range. Eva cannot
defeat an enemy out of the reach of their AT-Field." Misato turns to Maya, "How's
Takuma?"
"He and unit-04 are in good condition," she reported.
"We'll sortie him as backup, launch Unit-01 and Unit-02 to take point, launch Unit-00
as cover." Misato turned to the control room's large display, which showed the Angel's
position. A moment later, it was replaced by a split screen view of all four pilots.
"Asuka, Shinji, you two are to take point. Prepare for long range engagement."
"Where's Teri-chan?" Asuka asked urgently.
"Right here," Misato picked Teri up from her stroller for Asuka to see.
"Hi Teri-chan!" waved Asuka, smiling confidently, "mommy and daddy's gonna kick that
Angel's butt! Just watch!" Despite her mother's words, Teri looked worried.
"Rei, you cover Unit-01 and Unit-02. Takuma, you back Rei up." He looked straight
at him, "don't do anything unless I tell you do, you're only a rookie. Ready everyone?"
"Hai!"
"Launch Evas."
---
Tokyo-3
Alarms sounded through the rain, as the giant hatches slide open. Four massive beasts
emerged from their underground lair. The clamps that held them to their launch
platforms disengaged, releasing them to perform their task. Another series of alarms
sounded, as more hatches opened, delivering the instruments with which to perform
their task.
"Unit-01, standing by," reported Shinji as he placed the large positron rifle on top
of a building.
"Unit-02, standing by," reported Asuka as she raised the Type-21 positron cannon and
pointed at the sky.
"Unit-00, standing by," reported Rei as she setup a large artillery rifle on top of
another building.
"Unit-04, standing by," reported Takuma, holding a pallet rifle.
---
Central Dogma
"The target is holding its range," Makoto reported.
"The chances that the Angel will come close enough for Asuka or Shinji to get a shot
are slim, let's not even start on Rei or Takuma," Ritsuko with a cold voice.
"We have no choice," replied Misato.
---
Tokyo-3
"Come on you lazy Angel," said Asuka through clenched teeth, "hurry up!"
"Patience, Asuka-chan," said Shinji, waiting for his rifle to charge up.
"WAAAA!" the sound of a baby's cry filled the radio.
"Oh no," cried Asuka, "what's wrong?"
"I don't know," Misato's voice came over the line, "she was fine a moment ago, then
she suddenly just..."
A light from the heaven pierced the dense cloud cover over the city, as if God suddenly
decided to turn on a spotlight.
And point it at Unit-02.
[Play "Messiah" by Haendel if you got it]
"AHAAAAA!" screamed Asuka, her cry filling the radio.
---
Central Dogma
"Turn the speakers down!" ordered Misato, while at time same time trying to calm a
hysterical Teri.
"Enemy's directional weapon?"
"No," Shigeru shook his head, "no thermal energy reaction detected!"
"Abnormal patterns in Psychograph," reported Maya. "Mind contamination detected!"
"Angel's psycho-attack?" asked an astonished Ritsuko, "can they understand the mind
of human beings?"
---
Tokyo-3
"Asuka!" cried Shinji desperately, "Asuka!" He wanted to go over to her, but at the
same time he knows he has to man his rifle. "Asuka, answer me!" The only response
was Unit-02 firing erratically into the sky. Glowing globes blue positrons punched
holes through the clouds, and continued on into space, but none of them hit their
intended target. A number of the shots ripped through Tokyo-3, destroying entire
buildings. The Eva continued to shoot, but soon it ran out of ammunition.
"Damn..." Asuka cursed as she tries futilely to fire her emptied weapon.
---
Central Dogma
Teri continues to cry, filling the entire control room with her pained voice.
"Positrons dissipated."
"No effect," shouted Shigeru, "it is out of range!"
"Aaargh...uha..." Asuka's suffering can be heard, along with Shinji's continued
cries.
"Unit 2 has run out of ammunition."
"How is the ray analysis result?" asked Misato.
"Energy wave of the visible wave length. It's similar to AT field, but the details
are still unknown," replied Makoto.
"How's Asuka?" asked Ritsuko.
"Dangerous situation," said Maya, "the mind-contamination broke into the
borderline."
"No! Don't enter into me!" the girl's screams came over the speakers, "Ugh! No!"
"Asuka! Speak to me Asuka!" Shinji's voice joined in.
"NO-OO! NO! Don't look into my mind!" she cried. "Please! Don't invade into my mind
anymore!"
"Asuka!" cried Misato, still carrying the crying Teri.
"Her psychograph is at the critical point."
"Her mental circuit is now getting damage," said Ritsuko. "Further overload will be
too dangerous."
"Asuka, retreat!"
"Her motor skills are being effected! She can't move from her position!" Unit-02's
body contorts with the pains and strong emotions surging through its pilot.
"Asuka!"
---
Entry plug, Unit-02
"Please...don't defile my mind anymore..." she whimpered, "I don't want to
remember..." But the Angel didn't listen, and her own memories began to assault her.
"No...I can't...hate him...But I don't want to love him...I have to find a
solution..."
"I want to kill myself."
Asuka suddenly found herself in the bathroom of her apartment. She saw herself, laying
face down on floor, with an empty vial of sleeping pills beside her other self. What
disgusted her was the fact her other self was smiling. Asuka could hear Shinji outside
the door, trying to get in, calling her name. Suddenly, the banging and shouting
stopped, and the door slowly opened. Asuka left her other self and walked towards
the door.
"Shin-chan?" She asked as she looked out the door, and saw him running down a long
hallway.
"Wait! Don't leave me!" she cried, chasing after him.
"I'm not worthy..." came Shinji's reply; he was slowly disappearing out of sight.
"Wait! Shin-chan!" she cried. Suddenly, a door appeared in her path. She threw it
open and kept after him.
"I'm not worthy..." the voice grew more distant.
"Stop running!" she screamed. Another door appeared in her path, slowing her down.
"I'm not worthy..." the voice is now a whisper.
"Yes you are! Don't go!" she pleaded as she ran through another door.
"I'm not worthy..." the voice is almost gone now.
"Don't leave me...don't leave us..." she begged as she opened one last door, which
opened to a white room.
In front of her, a woman in hospital gown was hanging from the ceiling. Asuka's mother
had a peaceful and content expression on her face, one that Asuka would never forget.
Asuka opened her mouth to scream.
---
Tokyo-3
The reports poured in from the positron rifle's ground crew.
"Accelerator, start the synchronization."
"Voltage is increasing. Approaching to the pressure range."
"Compulsory Focusing start!"
"Correct the error from the rotation and gravity of the Earth, 0.03."
"Pressure in the barrel is at the maximum point."
"Release the final safety lock. All personnel, prepare for firing!"
"YOU BASTARD!" shouted Shinji as he pulled the trigger, sending a purple beam of light
lancing into the sky. It was almost as bright as the boy's anger and hatred for its
target.
---
Central Dogma
Everyone watched as the particle beam strike the Angel head-on, only to be deflected
and scattered by its AT-Field.
"No effect!" shouted Shigeru. "Energy is too weak to break through the Angel's AT
field from such a long distance."
"But all generator power output is at maximum. We cannot get anymore power!"
"Unit-2's psychograph signal is quite weak," reported Maya.
"How is the mind barrier of the LCL acting?" ask Ritsuko.
"No effect. We cannot even expect the buffer effect."
"Give the first priority to Life support. Don't allow feedback from Eva."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Asuka," Misato suddenly got an idea, "Asuka, look at me!" She screamed, trying to
get her attention. "Look at your daughter! Look at Teri-chan!"
"Teri-chan..." came the response, little more than a sob.
"Mind-contamination is slowing! Psychograph is beginning to stablize!"
"This won't last long," said Misato, "Shinji-kun! Move in to assist Asuka, now! Try
to use your AT-Field to block the light!"
Shinji didn't respond verbally. Instead, Unit-01 leaped into the air, and landed
beside Unit-02 a moment later. The force of the impact shook the ground, sending
smashed chunks of concrete everywhere.
"AT-Field to full!" shout Shinji as he stood in front of Asuka. The ground again
trembled as an unseen barrier expended in front of Unit-01 and 02.
---
Central Dogma
"Unit-01's AT-Field is blocking 45% of the Angel's attack."
"Asuka is stabilizing."
"Shinji-kun, get Asuka back to base, quickly!" She watched as Unit-01 picked up its
companion, and carried her to the nearest elevator. The heavenly beam of light
followed them as they moved, but couldn't reach them after they went underground.
"Recall all the other Evas, now!"
The raining continued.
---
Central Dogma, little while later
"How's Asuka?" asked Takuma. He and Rei stood before the Vice-Commander.
"She's fine physically," Misato replied, "Shinji-kun and Teri-chan are with her."
"Well," the boy scratched his head, his hair still wet with LCL, "what are we gonna
do now? I mean, that thing can mess with people's mind."
"There's nothing more you can do," she replied, "but there's something that Rei can,
we just need the proper approval."
Commander Fuyutsuki entered the control room.
---
Terminal Dogma
Unit-00 descended into the darkness, and voyaged through a long and dark tunnel. It
finally reached its destination after several minutes of walking. A huge white figure,
just as large as an Evangelion. It was nailed to a crucifix, and had a large lance
through its chest.
Unit-00 paused before the creature, who appears to be looking back at it underneath
its seven-eyed mask. The Eva reached out, as if to touch the being's face. However,
its hand stopped halfway, and was instead placed on the lance. Slowly but surely,
Rei pulled the lance of Longinus of Lilith's body.
---
Central Dogma
"I still think it's too early," fumed Fuyutsuki.
"We have no choice, sir," replied Misato plainly.
"So what's this secret weapon?" Takuma asked.
"Watch."
The room's large monitor showed Unit-00 slowly rising out of the ground from via an
elevator. It was carrying a blood red, 2 pronged lance.
"Unit-00, take the position for throwing."
"Confirm the target. Correct for error, OK."
"Start the countdown. 10 second before zero. 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."
Unit-00 began a running start, holding the lance in one hand. Just before it was
thrown, the 2 prongs on the lance twisted into one. With all her strength, Rei threw
the weapon. It flew towards the 15th Angel at an incredible speed, and pierced its
AT-Field without problem. The Angel vanished in a spiral of light.
"Target destroyed."
"What about the lance?" asked Fuyutsuki.
"It achieved Escape Velocity. It is now moving to a lunar orbit."
"It's almost impossible to retrieve that," the Commander sighed.
"No, we have no way to retrieve an object of that mass."
---
No. 303 ward, 1st cranial nerve department
Asuka slowly opened her eyes, and turned her head weakly to look around. She noticed
Teri sleeping peacefully beside her, and her love doing the same in a chair beside
her bed. She smiled, her eyes filled with tears of gratefulness. The girl went back
to sleep.
---
Central Dogma, next day
Ritsuko passed a cup of coffee to Misato.
"Thanks," said Misato as she took the mug.
"How's the couple?" asked Ritsuko as she took a seat in a vacant chair.
"Shinji-kun and Teri-chan's been with Asuka since yesterday," she said, taking a sip
of the coffee. "He refuses to leave her side, Teri feels very much the same way."
Misato looked at Ritsuko, suddenly feeling very sad.
"Do you know what day it is, Ritsuko-san?"
Ritsuko looked at her watch, which displayed the date.
"Sure, June 20th."
Misato shook her head, "I suppose neither of us has celebrated this day for long,
that we have forgotten it."
"..."
"Today is father's day," said Misato, "Shinji's first father's day, to be exact."
She shook her head.
"Asuka had planned something special for today."
---
Geofront
In the quiet, tranquil night, two figures stood beside a lake. For a considerable
time, they just stood there, not talking nor moving. A light summer night breeze brew
across the lake.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Takuma asked.
"Hai," replied Rei.
Takuma looked at Rei, "you use to be so talkative, Rei."
"..."
"Remember? This is were we first met."
"..."
"You were always the one talking," he said, "always getting us in trouble."
"..."
"What happened to you, Rei?"
END of Chapter #3.0 version 6.1 (07/29/99)
Version 1 dated 07/19/99
Version 2 dated 07/20/99
Version 3 dated 07/23/99
Version 4 dated (07/27/99)
Version 5 dated (07/28/99)
Roll credits with moon and Rei backdrop, cue anything you want this time, personally,
I'm listening to Tamashii no Rufuran (aqua groove version).
Author's words: Sorry it took so long, me bad, but every chapter gets longer and
longer. Some people have expressed concerns over author created characters, that they
may end up being the dreaded Mary Sue (Mary Sue: name given to characters created
by fanfic authors. These characters usually possess unrealistic abilities, and are
the author's attempt to create a perfect version of themselves inside their story.)
Let me just put that worry to rest: 1. I am incapable of creating characters like
that, due to my limited literary skills. 2. Satori Takuma is not perfect, he is just
as faulted as I am (wow, can you guess why that is?). 3. Can't think of one right
now, get back to you later. Another thing, people might think there's too much of
the new character for the past two chapters. Sorry folks, necessary character
development. Another little thing one of my prereaders pointed out, the mother's name
'Seyoko' is from EVA: R! Mein Gott! It wasn't intentional! Don't hate me! With those
in mind, I will now bicker about some other things. I just bought my first Evangelion
sound track! Share my joy and happiness! Anyway, you can reach me at:
My e-mail: damnit@intergate.bc.ca
My ICQ: 8155557
Feel free to contact me about anything.
Also, please visit Axel Terizaki's wonderful, award winning website, at:
http://asukanotebook.tsx.org
He great, he wise, he Axel.
Many thanks to my prereaders: Axel Terizaki, EBJ, |ncubus,
Preview of next chapter/episode: I'd tell you, if I knew. Let's just say it'll be
good, ok? Gendo will make an appearance.
Asuka: Aww...come on, tell us what's gonna happen!
Axel: Yeah, tell us!
EBJ: No, don't tell us, write it!
Pikachu: Pika Pi!
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