Eva: Fallen Angel

Chapter 2: Guardian Angel / Choice
Evangelion and their characters are owned by GAINAX 


	This fanfic is the second that I've ever written. I went and 
introduced two new main characters of my own creation in this 
fanfic.... Yes, yes, I know most of you are sick and tired of CCs and 
the plots that make him/her the new pilot.... But don't worry, the new 
characters will not dominate the fanfic ( although at first they have 
the staring role as I need to present their backgrounds first ), and 
all in all I've tried to keep in character as much as possible.

	Oh yeah and make sure you check out my new Eva site: Eva 
Caelum!!!! It's not finished yet so have patience, but the fanfic 
section is open, and that is where you can find the illustrated version 
of EVA: FALLEN ANGEL.

	Finally, please contact me if you would be interested in being my 
pre-reader/s.

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		EVA: FALLEN ANGEL


version 1.00
by Mekat 

Eva Caelum
www.geocities.com/evacael/

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In the last chapter, we found UNICRF soldier Angela Lervino deceived by 
SEELE into accepting a role in an assassination attempt of an innocent 
child. However, their plan partly fails because of Angela's own 
interference. Their would-be target is saved by Angela and taken to 
safely. For refusing them, SEELE has given instructions to her 
elimination. Ten years later, their target, now identifying himself as 
Conrad Lervino has reappeared in the city of Tokyo-3. At the same time, 
Evangelion pilots Rei Ayanami and Shinji Ikari begun to be effected in 
different ways by this new boy's appearance.

Who is this boy? Why do SEELE want him dead? What is the Fallen? What 
connection is there between Conrad and Shinji's strange dream? Will I 
ever finish this series or leave it half done like so many other 
fanfics out there?

All will be answered in good time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji Ikari promptly fell off his chair at the mention of the boy's 
name.

Sensei: Are you alright Mr. Ikari?

Shinji ( picking himself up and totally embarrassed ): Y... yes...yes 
Sir...

Sensei: Very well, would you then please refrain from interrupting the 
class again or you will be standing in the hall way for the rest of 
day.

Shinji ( gulping ): Yes Sir! Understood Sir!

In the background several giggles were heard, together with several 
obvious but barely audible calls of 'baka'. However it did not take 
long for the class's attention to switch back to the new student 
standing in front of them now. Conrad, seeing that everyone was 
focusing back on him now, decided to continue from where he was rudely 
interrupted.

Conrad: As I was saying, my name is Conrad Lervino, I am originally 
from Italy, but I've been living in several countries in the last few 
years. I am please to meet you all. I case you're wondering, I can 
speak fluently in Japanese because a couple of those years I spent them 
in Hawaii. I also know Italian, English, a bit of French....

From the background, Asuka's sniggers could be heard, obviously content 
that she still was the only one who could speak German and thus 
planning something devious to greet the newcomer.

Conrad.( adding ): ... and a little German.

Asuka ( loud enough for the whole class to hear ): Hmmp!

Conrad: Don't worry Miss Langley, your reputation precedes you.

Asuka ( satisfied that her fame has been recognized ): Ha! Of course!

Conrad ( in German ): for being a real ball breaker that is....

Asuka ( shocked that he would dare insult her in German, besides, that 
should have been her job ): Why you little! I'll have to teach you how 
to treat a lady!

Sensei: Now that's enough! Mr. Lervino, you can take the seat next to 
Mr. Ikari there.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that day

Conrad was sitting by himself on a bench under a tree enjoying the nice 
sunny day when sudden someone slapped him on his back, causing him to 
spit out a mouthful of his lunch.

Touji: Hey man! That was great what you did in there this morning, 
never thought I'd see the day where another guy would stand up to the 
she-daemon! I'll even forgive you for having all those girls drool all 
over you in class.

Conrad: Huh? They were?

Touji: Man, and he doesn't even notice it.... Oh well, anyway, you and 
me are gonna be buddies alright? I have a good feeling about you...

Conrad: Sure, I don't see why not.

Touji: By the way my name's Touji.

For the rest of the day, Touji proceeded to introduce Conrad to the 
gang. But even before the end of lunch, Asuka had already tagged Conrad 
as the honorary 'fourth' stooge. Conrad seemed to fit well amongst the 
other students. He was able to make friends easily with everyone save 
for one particular red-head.

A last, the bell rung. Marking the end of the school. Thus the students 
begun pouring out of the class to escape the endless blabbering of the 
teachers. As the gang, comprising of Shinji, Touji, Kensuke, Conrad, 
Asuka, Hikari, and Rei had just exited the school gates, they were met 
with a loud cries of burning rubber.


Without thinking twice Conrad and Shinji spoke at the same time.

Shinji / Conrad: That's got to be Misato / Angela.

They both turned and looked at each other in confusion. To their 
complete surprise, the sound was caused by not one, but two cars. Two 
cars, one blue and one red, which came zooming in from opposite 
directions at high speed, people were diving left and right, trying to 
get out of their way. At last, the cars came to a screeching halt as 
both drivers slammed their feet onto the brakes one seconds away from 
colliding with each other. The cars came to a rest but a meter away 
from each other. Immediately after, both drivers jumped out of their 
respective vehicles and begun shouting insults wildly at each other. 
Shinji and Asuka both noted the scar that the driver of the red car had 
on her face. It looked like whatever caused it must have been painful.

Misato: What the heck are you bloody doing?! Are you blind! You could 
have killed someone!

Angela: What the heck are you bitching about!! You were going faster 
than me!!

Misato: No I wasn't , and anyway I'm allowed to!

Angela ( noting Misato's NERV uniform and her rank of major ): That 
still doesn't give you a license to drive around like a maniac!

Misato: Speak for yourself!

Angela: Bimbo!

Misato: Psycho!

Angela: Bitch!

Misato: Slut!

Angela:  Eh! Puttana a te stesso! ( Eh! Slut yourself! )

Misato: Hey! No fair insulting me in foreign languages!

Angela: Ha! Who says I play fair!

Slowly, one by one, everyone but for the two arguing women and Rei, 
begun growing massive sweat drops at the back of their heads. Till 
eventually they fell over by the shear weight of it.

Conrad ( picking himself up ): So this is the Major you've been talking 
about, I presume?

Shinji: And that's Angela? I didn't think there was someone else who 
could drive as insanely as Misato. Does she drink a lot too?

Conrad: You're kidding? She's Italian, we've got wine bottles scattered 
all over our place. She can drink them faster than I can clean them up. 
As for the driving.....

Asuka: Errr.... We've seen... How is she at cooking?

Conrad: Well... she can manage a decent meal sometimes...

Shinji: Heck... that's one point for you. Misato can even make instant 
food taste bad.

Misato: Hey! I heard that young man! That's it! We're getting outta 
here. You forgot you had some tests? And you there, you're lucky I 
don't have time to....

Angela: Bite me!

Misato: Grrrrr....!!!!

Without another word, the frustrated Major grabbed a hold of the three 
pilots and proceeds to throw them in her car and sped off again before 
the children could even put their seat belts on.

In the same way, Angela grabbed Conrad and effectively chucked him in 
her car.

The bewildered remaining Touji and Hikari simply stood there. Still 
taking in what had just happened. Kensuke was already busy taking 
orders of the recording of the event by several students, which he 
obviously recorded with his trusty camcorder.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A while later, after the tests had been finished, the two people had 
gathered together at the cafeteria for a well-deserved rest. Strangely 
enough, the two were Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Sohryu. Rei had 
gone off with the Commander as always, and Misato was busy discussing 
something important with Ritsuko. If any of the NERV personnel had seen 
them, they would be shocked to find that the 2nd child was not 
complaining about something or torturing the 3rd. Fortunately, the 
tests had finished fairly late and most of the staff had already left. 
Asuka was seated opposite of Shinji on a small round table close to the 
window that provided a great view of the entire Geo-Front. She had just 
finished a glass of orange juice and was about to go to get another one 
when Shinji got up from his seat.

Shinji: Don't worry, I'll get it for you...

Asuka: ...

Shinji walked over to the bar and after a while, came back with the 
orange juice. He carefully handed it to her and went back to sit down 
in his place.

Asuka: Thank you.

Asuka noticed, because of the look on his face, that he had not 
expected her to thank him.

Asuka: What? Why are you looking at me like that?

Shinji: Errr... I was just wondering if you are feeling alright, you
seem a bit.... odd right now.

Asuka: Odd? I dunno, I do feel a little tried... It's probably the 
test, must have drained me more than normally today.

Shinji ( thinking ): Yes... the normal Asuka wouldn't be even sitting 
here talking to me.

Suddenly, he feel an urge to spill his guts to her, to tell her how he 
felt. Everything. But he could not, he was locked in fear, all he could 
do was to stare deeply into her eyes and fall ever more for her. He 
just wished that some day she'd understand.

Asuka: So? What's on your mind?

Shinji: Errrr.... Nothing...

Asuka: Baka! How did I guess that you'd give me that answer... You're 
hopeless.

Shinji: Well, Ok... then... What did you think of Conrad then?

Asuka: That slug! How dare he mock me in my own language!

Shinji: Well... I thought that he was actually fairly nice to me. 
Though....

Asuka: Though...?

Shinji: I don't know exactly... It's just a feeling that we've met 
before...

Asuka: What-e-ver! Let's change the subject, I don't what to think of 
that insignificant bug any longer!

Shinji: So what do we talk about instead?

Asuka: I don't know! You think of something!

Shinji: What about Conrad's adoptive mother, Angela?

Asuka: Her? I don't know why anyone would adopt that idiot, though if I 
didn't know better, I think she was a clone of Misato, expect one that 
can cook... hahaha!

Shinji let a smile creep on his face, seeing Asuka laugh for once 
without taking it out on his expense.

Shinji: Hmmmm, maybe we should invite her over someday to see who can 
out-drink the other... I think it'd be worth the trouble of cleaning up 
after them...

Asuka: Ha! That's a good idea! Maybe we should!

For once in his life, Shinji was wishing that this moment with him 
alone with Asuka would never end. It was the first time she hadn't 
actively teased or discouraged him in some way. They were actually 
having a pleasant conversation. But unfortunately this was not to be. 
All of a sudden, Shinji was hit by a flashback of the dream he had last 
night, this time, much, much more violently.

Shinji ( suddenly clutching his head in pain ): Ahhhhhh!!!

His mind exploded in a flash of blinding light, he begun to see visions 
of events which have never happened, or have yet to happen. He tried to 
keep a hold of any one of them, but they kept on slipping away from his 
memories, no matter how hard he tried.

Asuka was more than shocked when Shinji started to scream and trashed 
around. He was rolling around on the floor, hitting himself against the 
chairs and tables, hard, very hard. Instinctively she rushed over to 
him and used all her strength to restrain him from causing any more 
damage to himself.

Asuka: Shinji! What's wrong?!

In Shinji's mind he was back again to that beach, next to the sea of 
red. Yet this time he could just make out two figures laying prone on 
the sand in the distance. He was however, unable to see who they were. 
He could hear the soft howling of the wind. No. There was something 
about the wind. A whisper? A name? Conrad? Why? Why this feeling of 
dejuvu?

In the real world, Asuka was panicking now as she desperately tried to 
hold Shinji down.

Asuka ( at the top of her lungs ): Someone! Please! I need help!!!

She looked around wildly for any sign of help, but there was none.

Asuka ( almost whispering to herself ): This can't be happening
again... this can't be happening again... please not you too.....  
don't you dare go insane on me like.... Her...

She clung on firmly to Shinji's form, almost as if he would die if 
she'd let go. Until eventually, his body relaxed. The two stayed like 
that for a long while, when, finally, Shinji begun to open his eyes.... 

Shinji ( weakly ): W.. what happened....?

Asuka ( struggling to even speak ): You bastard! You should be telling 
me that!

Shinji ( surprised that she was holding him ): ...I... I don't know....

Asuka ( switch her defense system back on full ): Damn you!

With that, she practically threw him away from her. Shinji crashed 
painfully against the table they were sitting at peacefully only 
moments before. Their drinks spilled all over the place, making a mess 
of everything.

In pain, confused, and disorientated, Shinji could only focus his sight 
on Asuka. He had a hurt look on his face, but he then noticed Asuka 
face. She had a terrible look of both sadness and hatred, combined into 
one. Despite everything, Shinji could still see that Asuka had been on 
the verge of despair.

Asuka ( with all the venom she could master in her voice ): Damn you to 
hell!

Having spoken her mind, Asuka stomped out of the cafeteria... leaving 
Shinji there... alone.

Shinji ( recedes into his mind, escaping from reality ): ..abandoned...
again...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later at night in Misato's apartment

Asuka was siting alone on the couch, the lights were out and the TV was 
off. The room was however still partially visible due to the fresh moon 
light coming in from the balcony. All was quiet, until the familiar 
hiss of the front door was heard. It was Misato.

She walked into the room, upon seeing Asuka, she refrained from 
switching on the lights. She just stood there for a moment to see if 
Asuka would react in any way.

But the 2nd child did nothing to acknowledge the presence of the Major. 
She simply sat there, staring into space. Thus Misato decide to start 
the talking.

Misato: Shinji's checked out just fine, though I don't think that 
Ritsuko appreciated being disturbed over nothing....

Still no response.

Misato: They're keeping him overnight at the NERV facilities for 
observation. But he'll be back by tomorrow.

Asuka:  Who cares about...!

Misato ( interrupting her ): Asuka, I saw the surveillance tapes from 
the cafeteria.

Asuka: ....

Misato: I don't know if it's anything more, but you definitely care...

Asuka:....

Misato: It's up to you to tell him that.

Asuka: ....

Misato: He isn't going to... end up... like you mother did Asuka.....

Asuka: .....!?!?

Misato: I won't tell him if you don't want to. But I will give you one 
advice Asuka....

Asuka ( hesitant ): ...w...what?

Misato: Have faith in what your heart tells you.

Asuka: ....

Misato patiently allowed her words finally to sink in, until finally 
heading for her room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep inside Central Dogma

Two figures stood in front of a large illuminated cylinder in a dark 
room. One man, and one woman, their faces partially hidden by shadows. 
Inside the cylinder, was the body of a girl, floating in the LCL.

Gendo: What is your opinion of today's events?

Ritsuko: I cannot say for certain with such limited data. But it seems 
that whatever is effecting Shinji, it is the same thing that is having 
an impact on Rei's senses.

Gendo: Is it an Angel?

Ritsuko: The MAGI has failed to detect any blue pattern anywhere within 
the vicinity of Toyko-3. We are doubling our search efforts but I do 
not believe that it's an Angel.

Gendo: Mental contamination of Unit-01's pilot from his experience with 
the 12th Angel?

Ritsuko: I don't believe so.

Gendo: I see....

Ritsuko: Was this in your scenarios?

Gendo: No, which is why you will find the problem and eliminate it as 
soon as possible.

Ritsuko: ....

Gendo ( turning around ): Unit-03 is scheduled to arrive in a few days. 
I trust you will have the new pilot ready by that time.

Ritsuko: Shall with use the new one?

Gendo ( walking away without a pause ): No, we will go ahead as 
originally planned....

With those words, Gendo Ikari disappeared into the shadows. From inside 
the cylinder, Rei watched as Ritsuko Akagi, also begun to depart. The 
1st child betrayed no hint of emotion, but in her mind, she had 
listened to the conversation in silence with a strange sense of 
interest.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three days later

The clouds drifted faster than normal over the skies of Tokyo-03. 
Strangely, there was no sign of any birds anywhere. The heat of the day 
had had it's effects on the citizen of the fortress city, many of which 
were taking refuge indoors, under the protection of the air 
conditioner. 

However, the arrival of the giant black silhouette of the special NERV 
transport craft, inbound from American, marked the coming of what was 
to be the next addition to mankind's weapons against the Angels; 
Evangelion Unit-03.

Kensuke ( seated at his desk in just before class ): Hey Hikari? 
Where's Touji?

Hikari: I don't know... I thought you would know, since you're always 
with him and all...

Kensuke: Hmmm... he should have been here, since Shinji's coming back 
today.

Hikari: What did happen to Shinji in the last few days anyway? Even 
Asuka wouldn't tell me.

Kensuke: Not a clue, though he did call me to tell me he'd be away, and 
that he'd be back today.

Hikari: It's strange, Shinji's absence, Touji's missing, and Asuka has 
been a bit mellow and everything.

Kensuke: Weird, very suspicious indeed.

At his point, Conrad decides to make an appearance.

Conrad: Hey guys...

Kensuke / Hikari: Hey...

Conrad: So what's with the long faces?

Kensuke: We're just discussing about that things have been a bit 
strange around here lately.

Conrad: Lately? You kidding? Since when did you consider living in a 
city that sinks into the ground and giant beings called Angels smashing 
everything 'normal'?

Kensuke: Well... you have a point there...

Hikari: Hey Conrad, did you know where's Touji?

Conrad: Err.... No...

Hikari ( sensing some hesitation ): Are you sure...?

Conrad: Yes, positive....

Slowly, enters Asuka together with Shinji. However, we can see that 
they haven't been fighting as normal, instead, there is an aura of 
silence and darkened mood, which surrounds them.

Asuka ( ignoring everyone else ): Hey Hikari...

Shinji: Hey everybody...

Shinji now, however, finds himself glancing at Conrad with new eyes. He 
does not know what to make of his visions, or the memory from it of the 
whispering of Conrad's name in the wind. He does, feel a little 
uncomfortable in his presence. He did not tell anyone about that voice, 
because he wasn't sure that Conrad had anything to do with his episodes 
and didn't want to cause him any trouble if he was wrong. After all, he 
has not done anything to cause Shinji to doubt him.

Kensuke: Shinji! Where have you been? Come on! Tell us...

Shinji: ....

Kensuke: Fine then... I won't bug you if you don't want to tell me... 
By the way... have they chosen the pilot yet?

Shinji: What pilot?!

Kensuke: Man! You mean you don't even know?! Unit-03 was delivered this 
morning from the US!

Asuka: What?!

Kensuke: Aren't you guys suppose to know about this? I mean, I didn't 
know about this neither, until this morning. But you guys must have 
known...

Shinji: I... I wasn't told....

Hikari: What about you Asuka?

Asuka: I...I've been too busy....

Hikari ( thinking to herself ): Busy with what? You seem so depressed 
these days...

Unnoticed by all but Shinji, Conrad, seems to be quiet about this 
subject. Before he could ponder any further about the subject he was 
interrupted by the bell ringing, which meant the start of another 
boring class.

Still, for the rest of the day, there was no sign of Touji...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matsushiro Test Facilities

Ritsuko: Are we ready to proceed?

Tech: Yes ma'am...

Ritsuko: Good, commence activation sequence.

Tech: Starting activation sequence... now...

Misato: Are you sure everything is going to be fine?

Ritsuko: Are you saying you're doubting me?

Misato: No... It's just....

Ritsuko: Don't worry Misato. Nothing can go wrong...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In The Entry Plug Of Unit-03

Touji: ...

The boy is pondering at this current moment whether it was such a great 
idea to accept NERV's proposal. Even if it was for the good of his 
sister, he could not help but find the whole experience unnerving.

Touji: ...

For a fraction of a second, Touji suddenly felt himself synchronized to 
the Evangelion. But before he could do anything, control was snatched 
away from him. He felt it rip through the connection and blocking him 
out. Touji might have been a 'dumb jock' as Asuka had always put it so 
plainly, but it did not take him too long to figure out what was 
happening.

Touji: Oh crap....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warning sirens rang as the latest Angel finally revealed itself. 
Everyone was already being evacuated to the shelters whilst the pilots 
were being called to base. Shinji was quickly tagging along behind 
Asuka and Rei when suddenly a pair of arms came out of nowhere and 
snatched him into a side street.

Shinji ( stunned ): What the?!

Conrad: Shhhhh! Be quiet and listen carefully, we have very little 
time.

Shinji: Conrad?! Can't you hear the sirens? You have to get to the 
shelters...

Conrad: Shut up for a second and listen to me!!!

Shinji: ...

Conrad: Good... now here... the next Angel... you will be fighting...

Shinji: ...

Conrad: You will be fighting against Unit-03...

Shinji: What?!

Conrad: It has been taken over by and Angel... but that's not the worst 
part... the pilot is Touji...

Shinji was shocked beyond comprehension by the revelation of this 
disturbing piece of information. He was now totally focused on Conrad 
with an expression of disbelief on his face.

Conrad: When you get out there... remember that you have a choice... 
accept defeat or fight to save Touji.

Shinji: H...How do you know all this...

Conrad: Later... you have to go now, before they destroy Unit-03 and 
Touji too.

Shinji now seems hesitant to continue his way to NERV, now that he 
knows that his friend's life was potentially in his hands.

Conrad: Damn it! GO!!! Or Touji dies!!!!

Conrad at this point was too frustrated by Shinji's inability to accept 
his responsibilities, therefore he does the only thing he could do. 
Leave.

Shinji: Hey?! Where are you going?

Conrad: I can't do more than I have already done! Now it's your turn.

Shinji could only watch, as the boy walks off to some unknown 
destination. But eventually, he makes up his mind and resumes his 
previous path to base.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka and Rei waited hesitantly as their target came into view. Asuka, 
was mildly shocked but Rei had on a face of pure determination. Asuka 
was now wandering who the pilot was, and cursed herself losing track 
of recent news due to feeling so dejected in the last few days, all 
because of that baka Shinji.

Finally, Unit-01 arrived, with a especially confused Shinji.

Asuka: Where the hell were you! We've being waiting for ages!

Shinji, however, was not paying attention to Asuka's complaints. He had 
much more important things in mind.

Shinji ( calmly ): Unit-03...

Asuka: Yes! That's right, if you haven' t noticed it's been taken over 
by an Angel!!

Shinji: Touji's in there...

Asuka: What !!!?

Rei: ...

Suddenly, the Comm-line was interrupted by a message from NERV.

Gendo: This is the Commander, you will cease all communication and 
concentrate on destroying the target.

Shinji ( angered by his father's words ): What!? No! I'm not going to 
attack that thing whist Touji's still in there!

Gendo: You will do what you have been ordered to do. And who 
misinformed you about the pilot's identity?

Shinji: No one! And that's a whole load of bull! I can see through your 
lies, father... 

Gendo ( a little stunned that Shinji would defy him, but quickly 
recovered ): All attempts have already been made to recover the pilot. 
All have met with failure.

Asuka: Ahhhh!!!

Unit-03, having taken advantage of the distracted Asuka, had manage to 
sneak up on her and disable the her Eva before it could even put up a 
decent fight.

Shinji: Asuka!!!!

Maya ( through the Comm ): She's alright Shinji, just unconscious.

Shinji, was however still undecided of what to do. Part of him, wanted 
to rush on and fight the thing, which held the life of his friend, it 
had hurt Asuka and he'd already heard on what had happened to Misato 
and Ritsuko at Matsushiro. On the other hand, there was a part of him 
who was afraid of what might happen if he failed. It did not matter if 
he was their last chance of survival, and that he had to try or they 
would all loose anyhow, he just didn't ask or wanted the 
responsibilities that has been pushed onto him.

Gendo: Rei, take the target out...

Rei ( for the first time, she hesitated from executing an order from 
the Commander ): B... but....

Gendo: Do it.

Rei: ...

But, before she could make any decision, she was attacked by the 
possessed Eva. The struggle did not last very long. Although it did 
result in the disabling of Unit-00, leaving Shinji only Shinji left to 
stand in the way of the black beast.

Shinji considered his choice, the he remembered Conrad's words.

FLASHBACK

Conrad: When you get out there... remember that you have a choice... 
accept defeat or fight to save Touji.

Conrad: I can't do more than I have already done! Now it's your turn.

END FLASHBACK

Shinji: Then... I will have to fight....

In split second, Evangelion Unit-01 launched itself towards Unit-03. 
Many were surprised that Shinji showed such determination in this 
attack, much more than ever before. Even his father was impress.

Unit-01 threw itself onto the form of Unit-03 only to find itself cast 
aside with a quick swipe of it's hand. Shinji grunted as he felt the 
pain from the heavy blow, he fell heavily on some houses, crushing them 
to a pulp. The Black Eva just stared at him as Shinji pulled himself up 
and resumed his attempt to stop Unit-03 and free Touji. This time, 
Shinji tried a different approach, he rushed around the side of his 
opponent and drove for the legs. This caused Unit-03 to come crashing 
down on the ground, whilst Shinji pinned it down and went for the 
already half-exposed entry plug on it's back.

The Angel, Bardiel, however, seemed to have different plans. With a 
mighty heave, it threw Unit-01 off it's back and leaped clear of it. 
From a distance that the Unit-01 could not attack, Unit-03 turned 
around slowly, finding that Unit-01 was still getting up.

Shinji watched the black Eva in anger as he got up, he refused to give 
up now that he knew that he was the only one left that could save 
Touji. All of a sudden, Shinji felt a pair of hands wrapped around his 
throat. 

Shinji: !!!!!

He struggled to free himself as he started to be choked by his foe.

Shinji ( gasping ): D...damn...it...

As badly as he wanted to save his friend, Shinji found himself unable 
to free himself from Unit-03. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Command Center

Unit-03 had cast it's arms towards Unit-01, extending them further than 
normally possible. With this surprising turn of events, Commander 
Ikari's confidence in Shinji's success waned.  It did not seem that 
there was anything that Unit-01 could do, as Unit-03 was out of it's 
attack range. He knew of a better and faster way to finish this, and if 
it meant the possible loss of the 4th child then so be it. After all, 
even though pilots are a commodity, it was one he would be able to 
spare if this were to work.

Gendo: Cut off all connection between Unit-01 and it's pilot. Activate 
the Dummy Plug system.

Maya: But sir? Is that wise? Doctor Akagi hasn't given a go on the 
system yet!

Gendo: The pilot is not strong enough to deal with this Angel. Activate 
the Dummy Plug, now....

Maya: Sir, I strongly suggest that we give the pilot more time.

Gendo ( starting to get annoyed ): You recommendation has been noted, 
now if you wish to keep you job Lieutenant...

Maya ( still hesitant ): Very well.... Y...yes sir....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inside Unit-01 Entry Plug, everything suddenly went dark, and Shinji 
was suddenly set free from the death grip that held him. His temporary 
relief was however short lived as he noticed that control was being 
snatched away from him. At first he thought it might had been that the 
Angel had infected his Eva too and that it was the end, but then he 
noted the writing which appeared in his view, stating as a matter of 
fact, that the 'Dummy Plug System' was activating.

Unit-01's arms shot out and grabbed a hold of Unit-03's outstretched 
arms. Unit-01 then proceeded to pull them downwards, until finally the 
one of the arms holding it restrained snapped like a twig. The fresh 
blood of the possessed Eva was splashed all over the ground, painting 
the earth red. With a dreadful howl, the black Eva released Unit-01 and 
slowly backed away from it.

Although he could not control the Eva, Shinji could still tell that the 
Dummy Plug or what ever it was, would not take Touji's presence into 
account when fighting the Angel. He had to do something. He had to 
stop it. 

Shinji begun to bang onto the controls, in a vain attempt to regain 
command of Unit-01. He could see that by now, the Unit-01 was closing 
in onto Unit-03. With a bounding leap, Unit-01 assaulted it's prey, to 
his horror, Shinji watched as his Eva tore into the black Eva's armour 
with incredible ease. More blood sprayed across the mountain that the 
two titans came to rest upon.

Shinji: Stop!!! Stop damn you!!!!

Unit-01 arm was now buried deeply into Unit-03's chest. The black Eva 
was crying in pain as feebly tried to stop Unit-01 with it's own 
remaining arm. Shinji felt immeasurably sick as Unit-01 begun to pull 
apart Unit-03, cruelly toying with it, denying it a quick death.

Shinji: Father!!! What are you doing!? That's enough!! That's enough!!!

In the command center, by now it was obvious that the Angel was not 
going to be any threat to Unit one. Eagerly, they awaited Commander 
Ikari order's to shut down the Dummy Plug.

Maya ( unable to watch the scene which unfolded itself on the main 
screen ): Sir...? Isn't... it ok to shut... the Dummy Plug down now...?

Gendo ( sternly ): No.

Maya: But.....

Gendo: Yes, Lieutenant?

Maya: ....never mind sir....

Female Voice: Then if you won't stop it. I will.

Gendo: !!!!

Maya: !!!!

Gendo: Who said that!!!

Aoba: It's coming through the Comms sir!

Gendo: Who dares! Trace them! NOW!!!

Maya: Sir!!! The Dummy Plug... it's shutting down!

Gendo: What?! Who did that!

Maya: I don't know sir! Someone's hacked into the dummy plug and has 
overridden the system!

Fuyutsuki: Could it the 11th again?

Maya: No sir! This is definitely human. Signal's coming from... ?

Fuyutsuki: What? Where is it coming from?

Maya: .... somewhere in the north pole?

Fuyutsuki: What?!

Maya: well... the signal's being bounced off some satellites, but the 
MAGI was able to point the original source as somewhere in the north 
pole... but more likely it just from an unknown rely station....

Hyuga: This hacker is good. They must also have some state of the art 
equipment to be able penetrate the Magi's security firewall.

In the mean time, Shinji found himself restored total control of Unit-
01. The Angel, though still alive, wasn't going to be so for much 
longer. The first thing Shinji did was to carefully retrieve Unit-03's 
Entry Plug, tearing it out by force, whilst taking care not to allow 
the Angel to infect him too. After placing the Entry Plug down a safe 
distance away, he turned back to finish off, the Angel. This time 
however he was filled with contempt for his father and pity of the 
Angel. Nothing, deserved to haven been tortured in that way. The Angel 
just lay there, unable to do nothing. Shinji knew that his father would 
want the Angel alive if possible, but right now he didn't give a shit 
of what he thought. He did what he felt was right, he put it out of 
it's misery.

It was all a blur from then, he quickly returned to where he'd placed 
Touji and disengaged from his Eva. Pretty soon Shinji found himself 
overriding Touji's Entry Plug's access hatch, but was hesitant to take 
a peak inside.

Shinji ( worried of what he might find ): T...Touji...? Are you 
alright?

Silence

Summoning all the courage he had left, he slowly poked his head in the 
hatch..

Shinji: T...Touji...?

Touji: Oh my head! Did anyone get a look at the number of that truck?

Shinji: Touji! You're alright!

Touji: What in bloody hell just happened!??! One moment I was 
activating Unit-03 then the next, something took control over it. 
Before I knew it, all the electronics shut down, I was bounced around 
the plug till you pulled me out!! I'm now more bruised than since that 
time Asuka found out we were taking photos of her at school in the 
girls changing rooms....

Shinji: Oh my god! That reminds me, I gotta check on Asuka and Rei...

Touji: What? Why? Tell me what happened!!

Shinji: Come with me now, I explain on the way...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in near the scene of the fight

Angela Lervino closed her console, and secured it in a safe compartment 
inside her car. She exhaled softly. She stared at the blood-smeared 
battlefield from her vantage point on top of the hills. It was 
something which still sickened her, such carnage at such grand scale. 
Even after all these years with dealing with SEELE, evading and 
eliminating their assassins, she couldn't still believe what they were 
putting these children through.

A smile was brought to her face as she recalled the look on Gendo 
Ikari's face when she interrupted his little game. Using the technology 
that she'd gain access to since she'd joined OMBRA, who's power 
could possibly rival SEELE, she was able to restore control of the Eva 
to the kid. NERV had been unprepared for her this time, but NERV will 
definitely be on their guard from now on. Plus, by now they 
would have found the bugs she'd smuggled into their command center.

She thought of what on what was next on the agenda, probably the 
elimination of a couple of SEELE agents in the NERV ranks. She would be 
ordered to do that maybe in a few days, she remembered that they 
have a secret general meeting every few weeks. That will be the only 
chance she will have to take out so many of them in one go. She didn't 
know exactly when or where, but she would be informed.

She'll have to make sure no one will be in her way at that time though. 
Satisfied that from what she could see, the pilots would be fine, she 
then prepared to go home.

Angela: Hey Conrad! Are you gonna get back in here or will I have to 
let you walk home?

Conrad: Si.. Si...  aspetti un momento... devi essere sempre cosi 
impaziente?
( Yeah.. Yeah...  just a moment... do you have to be always so 
impatient? )

Angela: E si ce sono sempre impaziented! Perche tu sei sempre cosi 
lento!
( Of course I'm always impatient! 'Cause you're always so slow! )

Conrad: Hmmp.... Whatever...

Conrad refrained from arguing with Angela any further, knowing all too 
well that he would never win the argument. Therefore he simply sat in 
his seat and threw his hand over the back of his head.

Angela ( turning on the motor ): You forgot your seatbelt.....

Conrad ( suddenly remembers how Angela drives ): Oh merda....!!!!
( Take a guess at what 'merda' means in Italian )

The red car's tires scream in protest as Angela puts it in full reverse 
and went on to spin the car 180 degrees in one smooth motion. She then 
geared it up and zoomed off in a cloud of dust. Over it all, we can 
hear Conrad's terrified cries as he hangs on for dear life.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

END CHAPTER 2

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Author's corner*

Ok, it might see to many that the events in this chapter didn't change 
greatly from what actually happened. This is true because I wanted to 
move progressively through the story and deviate from there. But 
decided to do this slowly, as did my approach to the characterization 
of the children or others. I have tried to keep Conrad or Angela from 
taking all the attention, although it is mainly their actions that 
trigger the changes in the story-line.

It is a little hard for me to limit myself after I being previously 
writing story where I had free-reign and could create any sort of 
character I wanted... It's a big change from that...

About the portrayal of Shinji; I kept it so that Shinji wasn't able to 
beat Bardiel, even though he actually tried, I did this because I 
didn't want his character to suddenly jump from barely making out alive
from his time inside the 12th to being able to beat single handedly 
beat another Eva unit which had taken out Rei and Asuka so easily ( 
even though they had been distracted ). If you want full on combat, 
you'll have to wait till the next chapter: Wisdom / Hatred, where 
Shinji gets really pissed! But he'll have to pay a price... and it 
ain't being stuck in a Eva as chicken soup for a month!

***Still, please contact me if you would be interested in being my pre-
reader/s.***

Oh and thank you to Axel Terizaki for being my only pre-reader! Thank 
you again Axel!!!!

Anyway, enough talk... must go back to playing Baldar's gate now... 
cya...

From Mekat

    Source: geocities.com/evacael/Fics

               ( geocities.com/evacael)