FicWad

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Chapter 15:

Shinji hopped out of the plug and onto the catwalk. Rei was there waiting for him. The three Evas were back in their cages with damage that would need to be repaired. He noticed Asuka was long gone the retrieval crew had her back at Nerv and safe before the fight was even over.

“Are you ok brother?” Rei asked

The hollow look in his eyes told her before he opened his mouth

“No” He whispered after he finished spewing the LCL from his lungs

He had just sat through the longest hours of his life, forced to watch on as a plug retrieval team pulled the very dead Kensuke Aida from the Unit-03 entry plug of the infected Eva Unit-03. Reclassified as an angel he had been tricked into killing it and his friend.

Thoughts swirled around his head at a million miles an hour ‘Was this punishment for not following orders?’ ‘Should he have known better to check for a plug to start with?’ ‘Was he too heavy handed killing the angel?’

“What happened?” Rei asked

“I killed the angel after you were evacuated.......” He shuddered remembering the events “I had to rip the body to pieces to get the core out...... I had no idea there was anyone inside let alone Kensuke.... I killed him” Shinji got out in starts

“It’s not your fault, I heard the commander deceive you” Rei replied

“I know but”

“But nothing” She never cut her brother off this got his attention “You’ve seen an Eva move without a pilot before, you have even gotten Unit-01 to move when it has had no power as well, you couldn’t have known” Rei countered the fierce look of determination in her eyes never seen before told Shinji she really believed what she was saying

“You’re right of course but the commander......... the commander why?” Shinji murmured

“Be careful he is a very dangerous man who is probably trying to teach you a lesson” Rei replied

“He won’t get away with any of this..... Or what he has planned” Shinji replied getting the determination back in his eyes as he said all this

“No he won’t” Rei replied quietly pulling her brother into a hug

“Third Child!” A section-2 officer barked getting Shinji and Rei’s attention

“What!” Shinji snapped back

“The commander wants you for debriefing now” The order was given

“Be careful brother” Rei whispered

Shinji nodded to his sister as he fell into step with the section-2 officer and made the trek to Gendo Ikari’s office.

“Third Child” The commander’s voice boomed and echoed throughout the large office “You are here for debriefing” He added as he sat behind his desk in his patented pose.

Shinji just stood there not moving not flinching he was staring down the commander and he was never going to back down. Fuyutsuki looked on very concerned ‘You’re going to destroy your precious scenario pushing like this. You are pushing him so hard to be obedient he will lash out and destroy everything but I want to know because he just may save the world’ the sub-commander let his mind wander before the questions started.

“Why did you disobey orders?” The commander asked

“Which one?” Shinji asked

“You rescued Unit-00 instead of killing the angel” The commander clarified.

“The angel was downed the bridge crew reported it so Unit-00’s evacuation was the priority” Shinji replied

“Negative I gave you a direct order to rip that angel to pieces you should have done it then” The commander replied his voice rising with anger the longer the sentence went on.

Shinji didn’t reply there was no point reasoning with the man he just continued to let his stare bore into the commander of Nerv.

“Do you have anything else to say Third Child?” The commander spat “Thinking of running away?” He taunted

“No” Shinji replied firmly

“No?”

“I’m not running away, now why did you tell me the entry plug was empty?” Shinji clarified.

“I don’t have to answer your questions pilot” The commander replied using Shinji’s rank like an insult.

“You lied, you manipulated me” Shinji continued

“I told you what I had to get you to do your job pilot” The commander replied

“Bullshit!” Shinji shot back.

This got Fuyutsuki’s attention no ever challenged the commander like this

“You isolated our starting positions I couldn’t even cover Asuka from where I was and it shows when she got beat inside twenty seconds. You set this mission up to turn to shit and then you fed me false target information resulting in the death of a selected child a friend of mine at that” There surely the commander would go down over this now.

The commander got up from his desk and walked around in front of Shinji. Father and son squared off and Shinji didn’t give the bastard an inch even when the commander got up in his face.

“You will learn to respect authority and follow orders” The commander growled

“I followed orders and if you ever pull some shit like this again or interfere with what’s important to me”

“Don’t make idle threats Third Child” The Commander barked trying to make Shinji reconsider his words

“I’m not because if you ever do this again I will kill you” Shinji said in a level voice that unnerved Fuyutsuki

The Sub-Commander knew the young man was serious. He had read the reports of data theft that had been happening at associated companies with ties to Nerv and The Marduk. Particularly disturbing was the mess that was Shannon Bio-8, one man had dropped in from a small military chopper and laid waste to the whole facility stealing copies of all the data and racking up a large body count. Most concerning was that the guards there weren’t just thugs they were highly trained operatives handpicked for the security of the facility by the Commander himself.

It had been easy to put two and two together and realise that Kaji and Shinji were behind it all but the Commander didn’t know this and that is why the spy was still alive. Fuyutsuki got one image of the infiltrator in full combat gear and realised that after watching Shinji run the course in the pit one night the similarities were to close for it not to be Shinji so when the young man stood there and threatened to kill the commander he would make good on that promise if he had to, even if the commander thought nothing of it.

“Hahahahaaa” The commander bellowed before backhanding Shinji with enough force to put Shinji on his backside “Don’t make idle threats you have no way to backup boy” Gendo snarled

Walking around behind his desk and sitting down in his pose again. “For failure to follow orders and threatening a senior officer you are confined to solitary confinement until further notice” Gendo spoke calmly

He then pressed his intercom “Chiron get in here and get this piece of shit into solitary” He let the communicate button go before Chiron could reply but soon enough the doors opened up and the Section-2 Chief was standing next to Shinji.

“Start moving Third Child” Chiron spoke with a shove to Shinji’s back getting him started

“Stop” The commander ordered and both men stopped immediately “You forgot these” The commander spoke in a dangerous tone as he threw a set of cuffs at Chiron.

The Section-2 Chief wrenched Shinji’s arms behind his back and pushed him into the wall “Don’t move maggot” He snarled into Shinji’s ear and he clamped the cuffs around Shinji’s wrists as tightly as he could “Get moving!” He yelled

Shinji continued on and never looked back not even as the doors shut and he was lead to solitary confinement

“Ikari what are you doing?” Fuyutsuki asked once the doors were shut

“I’m getting the scenario back on track” Gendo replied

‘That remains to be seen’ the wise old professor thought.

“The third child is going to stay in a hole until he becomes obedient and then I will have all the means to complete the scenario” Gendo added

Fuyutsuki said nothing knowing that his former student couldn’t be more wrong. Shinji had too much at stake now to be swayed by anything Gendo could throw at him especially when he had already spent time in solitary before and wasn’t fazed by it.

Shinji spent all of one minute getting himself reacquainted with his dark shitty cell in solitary confinement then he caught some shut eye. After everything he had been through today sleep was all he had left, he would find a way to pass the time tomorrow.

Sleep was easy for the young pilot to find but staying that way was another matter as nightmares of the angel battle continued to play themselves over in his mind. The ammo he had unloaded into the possessed Unit-03 and then the beating he handed out to it. With a hand subconsciously draped over the spot where his insides had been opened up like Unit-01’s had when the angel punched through his lower body he tried to find some sleep where he couldn’t imagine Kensuke being shot with holes or ripped to pieces like Unit-03 had been.

The sliding of a hatch broke him from his slumber as a plate of food was pushed through the grate in the door

“Eat up maggot don’t know when the next one will be” echoed the voice of a guard

Shinji just rolled over and tried to get back to sleep.

Misato and Ritsuko looked on the next day at the carnage that Shinji had left behind; bits and pieces of the last angel littered the country side just at the base of Mount Nobe. Clean up crews had been working all night and had even had the assistance of a thunder storm but that was to no avail the mess was still everywhere despite their best efforts.

“How are you feeling?” Ritsuko asked her long time friend

“I’m well enough to come to work” Misato replied “Do you know what happened to Shinji?” She asked

“The commander has him in solitary confinement for disobeying orders when he tried to get Rei evacuated” Ritsuko replied “He also may have threatened the commander as well” She added

“This really sucks I’ve read the reports last night there is no way he should be in there” Misato replied

“Perhaps but the commander’s orders will stand” Ritsuko replied

“We’ll see about that” Misato replied as she walked off to continue her work and then get back to headquarters

Asuka and Rei had been called into headquarters by Misato for a briefing. While it was a Saturday and Asuka was upset Rei was happy to be there. She knew her brother was in solitary so all she wanted to know was how long he was going to have to stay there.

“Now that the briefing is finished how long will Shinji have to stay in solitary confinement?” Rei asked Misato not wasting any more time

“Shinji’s in solitary?” Asuka asked surprised “What did the Baka do?” She added

“Officially Shinji is in solitary for disobeying orders and threatening a superior officer and there is also a trumped up assault charge but that might not be true” Misato replied

Asuka looked shocked and Rei’s heart dropped. She felt terrible for her brother, all he was doing was trying to get her to safety after the angel appeared dead and he gets slapped with disobeying direct orders. She could easily see how the commander would have manipulated Shinji into threatening him and then it would be very hard for Shinji to get out of the jam he is in now.

“So how long until he is out of here?” Asuka asked

“We don’t know yet” Misato replied

“When are you going to stop wasting your time on that worthless Baka?” Asuka asked

“Never if I have my way” Misato replied and turned and left having had enough of the red heads antics for the time being

“What an idiot I can’t believe he got himself locked up” Asuka started but all she could hear was echoing footsteps as Rei had had enough by now as well and left.

“Major Katsuragi” Rei said not bothering to knock as she walked into her superior’s office.

“So what are my options and who should I be talking to?” Misato asked on the phone

“Alright I see” She replied hanging up the phone

She waved Rei in and offered the seat in front of her desk. There was a small amount of paperwork there an indication of the battle taking place outside of Tokyo-3’s limits.

“That was Kaji I’m just exploring all options to get Shinji out of solitary” Misato added as the young pilot sat down.

“How long is Shinji in solitary?” Rei asked

“I don’t know yet” Misato replied “How are you holding up?” she added

“It feels like it is my fault Shinji is in there, if he hadn’t tried to save me none of this would have happened” Rei replied quietly

“I’ve read all the reports Rei it is definitely not your fault” Misato replied trying to ease the usually emotionless girl’s worries.

Times like this made Misato realise just how much Rei had grown since her brother came to Tokyo-3 previously she may have even agreed with the commander’s logic because orders should be followed at all costs.

“Come on Rei we’re going” Misato said standing up

“Where are we going Major?” Rei asked

“To see the sub-commander” Misato replied with a small smile

Rei didn’t say anything but followed Misato as she left her office

“Hello?”

“Asuka?”

“Hikari it’s Saturday what’s wrong?” Asuka replied getting the conversation started. She really hadn’t expected her best friend to be ringing

“It’s about Shinji he never turned up to tutoring yesterday” Hikari replied “I’ve been trying to reach him but can’t get through and his phone just rings out” she added

‘Of course she doesn’t know’ Asuka thought

“There was an angel attack yesterday, Shinji is still at Nerv I’m guessing all his stuff is in his locker” Asuka replied

“Is everything alright?” Hikari asked her concern showing in her voice

“Everything is fine, we beat it of course” Asuka replied nonchalantly

“So how come I can’t reach Shinji?” Hikari asked small amounts of panic creeping into her voice

“He’s just busy with the commander” Asuka replied trying to ease her friend’s unjustified worries

“Oh ok, well you must be busy I’ll let you go” Hikari replied ending the call.

“Major Katsuragi Pilot Ayanami what brings you two here?” The sub-commander asked seeing his visitors into his office

“It’s about Shinji sir” Misato replied

“I thought as much what is on your mind?” Fuyutsuki stated more than asked

“How long will he be in there?” Misato asked

“I don’t know the commander has twenty four hours to set a time limit on Shinji’s stay according to regulations

“Shouldn’t there have been a hearing?” Misato asked

“Usually but the commander has the right to do this to a pilot after a combat mission its some bylaw that has never been enforced until now. The commander is actually operating within the rules this time unfortunately” the sub-commander replied regretfully

The sub-commander could see the looks playing across the faces of his two guests. Rei was distraught as you would expect her only family is wrongfully confined in solitary and Misato’s features had hardened with the rage she was feeling towards the commander

“Before you think about it don’t have Kaji break Shinji out either” Fuyutsuki read Misato’s mind

“Damn” The major responded

“I’m sorry but that will draw too much attention to Kaji and remember Shinji can more than handle himself in there” Fuyutsuki explained

“Is there nothing else we can do?” Rei asked

“Not at the moment I’m going down there to see him now. You have both been through a lot get some rest and I’ll let you know if anything changes” Fuyutsuki replied

“Come on Rei come to my place for dinner tonight” Misato said as pilot and major left

“Thank you Major Katsuragi” Rei replied falling into step with Misato

They made it back to Misato’s easily Asuka was out somewhere and Rei offered to cook dinner an offer that Misato readily accepted and soon enough the smell of vegetables and rice flooded the apartment.

Conversation was minimal as the two ate together but they were both grateful for the company particularly Rei.

“Thanks for cooking this really is great Rei” Misato complimented the blue haired pilot

“You’re welcome it is nice to have company at the moment” Rei replied

“Are you ok Rei?” Misato asked

“No” Rei replied “I just want my brother back he has done nothing wrong” she added

“I bet you do, I’ve seen you two getting very close it’s been nice to watch” Misato replied

“I miss him very much, it’s been nice having him live with me” Rei added “He just looked so down when he got out of the plug after Kensuke had died he shouldn’t be in there” she added

“Your right he shouldn’t” Misato agreed

“Well I’m going to get going thank you for having me over Major Katsuragi” Rei said standing up

Misato let the slip of being called Major outside Nerv pass she knew Rei had it tough at the moment.

“See you later Rei call me if you need anything at all ok” Misato replied

Rei nodded and the blue haired pilot headed out the front door. Asuka and Rei crossed paths at the door the red head snorting her displeasure at the unknown guest as she walked in and Rei left.

“What was wondergirl doing here?” She asked

“Having dinner” Misato replied

“Why?”

“Because I invited her she is alone at the moment with Shinji being locked up” Misato replied civilly

“I don’t see what the big deal is he deserves it” Asuka replied

“Think long and hard as to whether you really believe that” Misato replied

“What are you talking about he should have followed orders” Asuka countered

Misato knew the red head was brash and Eva was everything to her but she hadn’t realised it was this bad

“It’s obvious Shinji decided an angel for the cost of an Eva wasn’t an acceptable price to pay and at the moment and he is right we are too far along to have to go down to two evas to win this war” Misato replied

“Whatever he is still an idiot” Asuka replied knowing she was beat “But if you’re right how come the commander doesn’t see it that way” Asuka added the thought inspiring her just a little.

“Sometimes your superior officer isn’t always right” Misato replied “I have a lot of work to do tomorrow I’m going to bed there is left over dinner on the stove” Misato added leaving the red head with that thought

Asuka grumbled realising Misato was probably right but she would never admit it. She checked the stove didn’t like what she saw and went out to get some real dinner.

A pair of healed business shoes could be heard approaching down the empty corridor the cell door opened letting the smallest amount of light in and then closed creating darkness again

“How are you young man?” Kozo asked

“I’m managing” Shinji replied

“Cover your eyes I’ll turn a light on”

The light was very dim but to Shinji it was like looking at the sun as he shielded his face.

“Rei and Misato are very worried about you” Fuyutsuki informed Shinji

“Are they ok?” Shinji asked

“They are fine, better once you get out of here” was the reply

“Don’t get yourself into trouble helping me out” Shinji replied

“Don’t worry I won’t I just came down here to let you know a couple of things” Fuyutsuki replied

“What’s that?” Shinji asked

“Unit-03 is not your fault” Fuyutsuki replied

“But he’s gone and I killed him.... I killed my friend” Shinji countered

“You were deceived and it still isn’t your fault” Fuyutsuki replied again trying to see the young man see reason

“I know Rei said the same thing before I was taken away” Shinji replied

“Then surely you must believe your sister knowing what she is really like” Fuyutsuki replied, he was pleased with himself at how quick he was able to turn that one around, he really did know Shinji and Rei better then the commander now.

“You’re right” Shinji replied

“Then don’t be so hard on yourself your sister would not like it” Fuyutsuki added

“Again your right” Shinji replied with a rueful smile “So what’s the second thing?”

“Remember the big picture” Fuyutsuki replied handing Shinji a lighter and a photo

Using the lighter to illuminate the photo Shinji saw “My Mother” Yui looked happy with a big smile she looked like she was only just out of college.

“An image of a happier time” Fuyutsuki added

“The big picture” Shinji whispered “Don’t worry I haven’t come this far to throw it all away now I will get out of here and finish what I started” He added

“Good I’ll leave you to it then pilot” Fuyutsuki replied as he stood up and left

The door closed and Shinji took a moment to look at the photo committing every line to memory before pocketing the image and the lighter. He started doing push ups to pass the time.

The commander and Ritsuko sat at a quiet table having just finished dinner

“What are you going to do about Shinji?” Ritsuko asked

“I’ll leave him there till he breaks” Gendo replied

“What about Unit-01?” Ritsuko asked

“Have Rei’s personal data transferred to Unit-01, use the dummy plug as the backup” He ordered

“Yes sir should we keep repairing Unit-00?” Ritsuko asked

“Yes we need as many as we can get just in case” Gendo replied

“Yes sir”

“Now let’s get going there is much to do” Gendo added standing up

They left the restaurant together and headed back to Gendo’s apartment in the geo-front

Ritsuko made it home in the early hours of the morning. Gendo had been very passionate that evening after dinner and Ritsuko was very sore for it. She had bruises on her body and red welts on her backside and face. At least her face had not bruised this time.

She stepped into the shower thankful for its warm embrace and justified the night away as the harder he hit her the more he loved her. No one else ever got to see this side of Gendo Ikari not even Yui.

Finishing her shower and heading into her apartment in a towel she picked up the phone

“Hello Misato”

“Rits do you know what time it is?” Misato replied still half asleep

“6 AM Monday morning”

“Thanks for reminding me” Misato replied

“I need the pilots in this afternoon for a sync test do you have any problems with that?” Ritsuko asked

“No I don’t” Misato replied honestly it didn’t matter whether she did or not Ritsuko would do the test any way.

“Alright then have them come in after school” Ritsuko replied ending the call

Misato rolled over and went back to sleep. She would let the pilots know later

Rei walked to school alone. She was very lonely Shinji hadn’t even been gone a week and she missed him terribly. The time only reinforced how much she loved her brother and how big a part in her life he had now. She continued on and walked into class alone a fact that was not lost on anyone in the room. Hikari approached her first

“Hi Rei how are you?” She asked

“I am ok class representative” Rei replied

It was a reply she would have expected months ago but not now

“What’s wrong?” Hikari asked

Rei didn’t say anything she was considering how much to tell Hikari

“It’s Shinji isn’t it?” Hikari asked

Rei just nodded

“I knew something was wrong when I hadn’t heard from him all weekend and Asuka was ducking my questions about him...... What happened?” Hikari replied

“It is long and complicated I will tell you at lunch” Rei replied quietly

More students filed into the room including Asuka and the teacher was due so Hikari got to her duties as class representative though two seats were still unfilled Shinji and Kensuke’s.

“What does wondergirl want?” Asuka asked Hikari once she sat down and class started

“Nothing important” Hikari brushed her friends concern off as her insides were twisting with worry over the boy she liked and his sister who seemed sadder then she could ever remember.

Lunch came around and Toji and Hikari found Rei and headed to the roof. Asuka wanted to have lunch with Hikari probably to brag about the angel fight but Hikari brushed her off saying she had some things to do first and she would eat later.

“Rei what happened? I haven’t been able to get a hold of Shinji since Friday when he was meant to come around for tutoring” Hikari asked

‘Shinji the sly devil I wonder if he was going to try anything’ Toji thought but then concentrated on what was happening in front of him

“When we got a call on Friday the thirteenth angel had turned up” Rei began and Toji started getting a really bad feeling about his friend as he thought back to his conversation in the principal’s office

“Here’s the deal Toji Suzuhara your friend has been chosen as the fourth child” Ritsuko began “He is a match though he is a security risk so we need something from you” “What do you want?” Toji asked “Make sure he doesn’t tell anyone about it until after his activation test this weekend. If you do this for us we would make it worth your while” Ritsuko added

“And how would you do that?” Toji asked

“Simple your sister would be transferred to our hospital where she would receive the best medical treatment on the planet and be able to get her life back together again” Ritsuko smiled evilly behind her papers she had him now

“Alright I’ll make sure he keeps his mouth shut till then” Toji replied. Really how can he say no to that it was his sister’s one chance at a normal life?

“The three of us were sortie against the angel but once we got visual confirmation of the target it turned out to be Eva Unit-03. Something had gone wrong during the activation test and it had been possessed by an angel” Rei continued

Toji and Hikari looked on shocked

“No way what about Kensuke?” Toji asked

“What does he have to do with any of this? He wasn’t up there filming was he?” Hikari asked looking at Toji

“No Kensuke was chosen as the Fourth Child last week” Toji replied

“How do you know?” Hikari asked

“After the doctor told him I was told to keep an eye on him to make sure he didn’t breach security Nerv agreed to look after my sister if I did this” Toji replied

“Your sister will make a full recovery now won’t she?” Rei asked and Toji nodded

“How come we weren’t evacuated to shelters?” Hikari asked

“Yeah there were no alarms or nothing” Toji added

“We intercepted the angel at Mount Nobe it was far enough away from Tokyo-3 that there was no reason to evacuate. Shinji ended up killing the angel but not before Asuka and I had our Evas damaged” Rei continued

“Kensuke was stuck inside the entry plug the whole time but he didn’t make it” Rei added knowing the question was coming.

“Shinji fought Kensuke? He wouldn’t do that” Toji replied

“His father led the operation and tricked Shinji saying that the entry plug was empty at the time of the incident so Shinji engaged the angel in an effort to protect me” Rei replied

“That bastard” Toji replied

“This is horrible what happened to Shinji?” Hikari asked

“He downed the angel and then disobeyed his father’s orders to destroy the angel completely while he got me and Unit-00 evacuated. Once we evacuated the angel regenerated itself and Shinji fought it again destroying it eventually. Once the clean up was finished and a team inspected the entry plug Shinji realised Kensuke was inside. When we got back to headquarters the commander had Shinji detained in solitary confinement for disobeying orders during the battle.” Rei finished

“This sucks poor Shinji” Toji murmured feeling bad for his friend

“It’s not fair” Hikari replied

“No its not” Rei replied

“I finally talked him into more tutoring for his grades on Friday” “How is that important Hikari” Toji interrupted “It’s not but he asked me out to a movie after” Hikari replied

“That’s important” Toji whispered with a smile for his friend secretly he was glad he had finally done something about the girl he likes

“Don’t worry once he is out he will make good on that I am sure” Rei replied

Hikari smiled at this “How are you going through all this Rei?” She asked

“It has been lonely at home” Rei replied

“Do you want to come around after school?” Hikari asked

“I’d like that” Rei replied

The lunch bell rang followed by Rei’s phone. Rei quickly read the massage seeing she now had a sync test tonight at Nerv. Letting Hikari know the girls agreed Rei should come around after the test.

Asuka and Rei changed in the locker rooms and headed to the test plugs, it felt strange only having the two of them there and knowing Shinji was at Nerv

The test began and proceeded as normal, the bridge crew looking over all the test data they recorded. Everyone was getting absorbed in their work when alarms and red lights started flashing everywhere.

Aboa’s voice came over the PA “All personnel go to first stage battle alert”

“What’s the targets status?” Fuyutsuki asked as the bridge crew scrambled to get to their stations while Asuka and Rei dashed to the cages.

“It’s just moved into our air space The Komagrtake Defence line has been destroyed” Aboa replied

“You’re late Major” Ritsuko chided as Misato ran onto the bridge her arm still in a sling.

“Status?” Misato demanded ignoring Ritsuko’s barb.

A flash in the eye from the newest angel was followed by a massive explosion above the geo-front

“I can’t believe it eighteen layers or armour destroyed in one shot” Makoto got out assessing the damage.

“The Evas won’t be able to deploy fast enough up top. Have Asuka launch inside the geo-front directly in front of headquarters. Get her weapons to that location. ” Misato ordered “Asuka will snipe the target once it breaks inside the geo-front”

“Unit-00’s status?” Misato asked

“Unit-00 is inside the A.T Field neutralisation zone it will need another twenty minutes before it is combat ready” Maya replied

“Twenty minutes this thing will be over in two get on it” Misato ordered

“Send Rei out in Unit-01 prepare a dummy plug as the backup system” Commander Ikari ordered from his post a top the bridge.

“Yes sir” Misato replied “Evacuate all civilians to the shelters inside the geo-front the ones on the surface are too exposed they will be slaughtered if they stay up there”

“Initiating entry” came a techs voice

“Charging LCL” Maya reported

“Commencing A-10 nerve connection” Ritsuko instructed

Rei sat in Unit-01’s entry plug feeling angry that Shinji wasn’t here

‘Hello sister but where is brother? Oh I see what is happening here’ came Unit-01’s voice in Rei’s mind the Eva quickly finding out what had happened deep down it also felt sorry for Shinji and Rei ‘I’m very sorry but I told you never again, do not worry this won’t hurt’ Unit-01 added

The walls went red in the entry plug as errors came up on terminals monitoring the start up of the purple war machine

“It’s not working” Rei got out

“The pulse flow is reversing” Maya reported

“Unit-01 is refusing the neural connection it can’t be” Ritsuko added

“Ikari?” Fuyutsuki asked from behind his student

“Abort the activation send Rei out in Unit-00 reactivate Unit-01 using the dummy plug” Commander Ikari ordered

“Why not just use Shinji?” Fuyutsuki asked Misato agreeing in her mind with the sub-commander

“The third child stays in solitary do it now” The commander ordered

“It’s not a problem I can go once it’s ready I’ll be careful” Rei got out as Unit-01 was shut down and she headed for Unit-00

Another flash in the eye of the angel resulted in five more explosions on the surface. The awesome power resulting in columns of fire rising up with crosses on the top as more layers of armour were destroyed.

The angel was hit with everything they had, guns fired and rockets hit the angel ordinance was dropped but it shrugged them all off like it was nothing.

“It’s no use one more hit and the armour will be completely destroyed” Aboa reported

‘I’m counting on you Asuka’ Misato thought as the angel continued its assault on Tokyo-3

Another energy shot from the angel and all the armour was breached. The explosion travelled down the large hole already created in the surface and exploding out the top of the geo-front in a miniature inverted mushroom cloud as debris and a couple of retracted buildings fell from the ceiling one even hit the pyramid causing massive shockwaves and tremors to run through Nerv.

“Here it comes I can beat this thing even without stupid Shinji here to help” Asuka pepped herself up as the angel started to descend through its new geo-front access hatch

Shinji’s cell shook violently as the pyramid took a direct hit. He knew exactly what was going on an angel was attacking and by the feel of it the angel was pounding on headquarters.

“Oh jesus it’s in here the angel is coming up through the floor you got to get me out of here we’re all going to die” Shinji cried out in a panic banging on his cell door.

The hatch slid open immediately “Shut up maggot your staying put till the commander says you can go” The section-2 guard barked. He made one fatal mistake though as he lazily left his hand on the hatch he slid open

Quick as a flash Shinji grabbed the guards wrist and reefed his arm through the hatch

“Let me out or this will get painful” Shinji replied coldly

“I don’t think so” the guard replied

“Have it your way” Shinji replied

He lit the lighter and brought it straight up to the guards exposed forearm. The smell of burning skin was instant “Arraaggghhhhh” The guard cried out in pain

“Let me out or it will get worse” Shinji replied coldly

“There is nothing else left for you to do” The guard bluffed

Shinji responded by wrenching the guards elbow 90 degrees the wrong way over the hatch a sick crunching and popping sound followed as the joint collapsed at being moved the wrong way

“Arraaggguuhhhh” the guard cried out again

“Let me out” Shinji replied still with no emotion in his voice

“Never” came the reply

“Are you willing to give your arm for this shitty job” Shinji yelled “Let me out and medical will be able to fix you up keep me in here and I guarantee there will be no way back for you” He let the desperation come out through his voice this idiot guard was going to kill them all

There was no response from the other side of the door but Shinji could feel the guard struggling to get his arm back.

“Let me out or I will make it hurt more than anything you could imagine” Shinji yelled at the guard

The struggling stopped and there was silence for a moment followed by a click as the door was unlocked. Shinji knocked the guard out on his way past with the door and took off for the cages. He got to the perimeter of the brig and realised he had no access to get himself out of here.

Franticly looking around he tried to find a fast way out of the brig then the doors beeped and opened themselves.

“Shinji?”

“Sato?” Shinji replied

“Yeah come on let’s get you to Unit-01” Sato replied

“Thanks for getting me” Shinji replied

“No worries thanks for doing the hard part for me though” Sato replied

In all honesty Shinji had saved his job by breaking out of his cell because now he wouldn’t have to do it himself

As soon as the body cleared the top of the geo-front Asuka opened fire. Depleted uranium rounds streaked towards the angel. Asuka held the trigger down and ran the mag all the way through, she loaded another mag and opened fire, she had a good targeting lock the whole time and the tracers all hit their target. Finishing her second mag as the angel continued its slow descent Asuka discarded the empty rifle and grabbed two more pallet rifles and opened fire immediately. Her aim was true a testament to all the years of practice she had spent with eva.

“Why won’t you collapse damn you” Asuka cried out seeing the angel continuing its slow methodical descent towards the surface of the geo-front

The rifles ran out of ammo and the angel was still standing Asuka pulled two rocket launchers, she levelled the massive pipes at the angel and pulled the triggers as the rockets streaked towards the angel round after round impacted against the A.T field but the angel just shrugged off all the attacks like it had everything else

“I’m neutralising its A.T Field aren’t I?” Asuka asked but got no response

The angel seemed to grow bored with this encounter and made its first move as paper thin arms extended down. They then shot towards Unit-02 like a pair of bullets but Asuka was equal to the task slipping between the projectiles she drew her progressive knife and charged at the angel.

“No way are you beating me” She screamed but in her anger she had lost sight of her surroundings as the two razor arms exploded through Unit-02 body from the back

“Its offensive capabilities seem to be unlimited” Makoto reported

“It’s A.T Field is off the charts it’s the strongest ever recorded” Aboa added

Asuka screamed out in pain as she felt like her insides were being stabbed. The angel drew the razors out carving deep gouges in Unit-02’s sides. Asuka was left holding onto her sides as the blood flowed from Unit-02. The angel struck again impaling each shoulder of Unit-02 and Asuka felt more pain. The angel then sliced up and down severing the arms rendering Unit-02 useless as Asuka felt her arms rip off. The next strike was through the middle of the waste of Unit-02 severing the evas spine at the base, the angel raised the eva up and brought it in real close to have a better look at its prey. It almost seemed to grin sadistically.

“Asuka eject you have to get out of there” Misato called out

“No I’m not admitting defeat now” Asuka replied

“Force eject the plug anymore and she will be killed” Misato ordered

Maya nodded and hit the eject but nothing happened

“It’s not working the eject command is being blocked from the plug” Maya replied

“Asuka this is an order get out of there” Misato cried out

“Never” Asuka replied

“Disconnect all her nerve connections now” Misato ordered

Maya processed the command easily and the entry plug went black just as the angel severed Unit-02 head sending it crashing through a shelter. Casualties were high but the survivors were evacuated to the closest shelter

The angel seemed satisfied with its efforts against the red imitation so it moved on. With no other resistance it headed towards headquarters.

“How’s Asuka?” Misato asked

“She’s alive” Ritsuko replied

“The angel has started moving again” Aboa reported

“What’s Unit-01’s status?” Misato asked

“Dummy plug upload completed” A tech reported

“Plug insertion complete” Maya reported

“Begin first stage connection initiate contact” Ritsuko ordered

“Roger” Maya replied

A loud crack was heard followed by some smoke coming from the back of Unit-01. The eva force ejected the charred dummy plug as alert errors came up on screen

“What?” Ritsuko got out surprised

“The pulses have vanished its refusing the dummy plug” Maya replied “Unit-01 won’t activate”

The eyes blanked out on the eva and it stayed still. There was only one person with the ability to make Unit-01 move now.

“The dummy plug and Rei” Ritsuko murmured

“They were both refused” Fuyutsuki replied

“Fuyutsuki take the com” Gendo ordered standing up and heading for the cages

Shinji burst through the door to the cages

“Shinji I’ve been looking for you” Kaji spoke up from behind Shinji

“Ryoji what are you doing?” Shinji asked

“Trying to find you and get you to Unit-01, nice mess you left in solitary by the way” Ryoji replied

“I need your help” Shinji began

“Hop in I’ll get you loaded” Ryoji replied reading Shinji’s mind

The partners shared a knowing smile and got to work

The angel fired at the pyramid

“Direct hit on the third foundation” Aboa reported

“The final armour plate has melted we’re completely exposed” Huga added

“Damn the main shaft is open it’s completely open” Misato cried out

Another explosion followed as the angel continued its assault

“We’ve been breached target is inside the main shaft. It’s descending” Aboa reported

“What is its heading?” Misato asked

“It’s heading straight for terminal dogma” Huga replied

“It’s coming here all personnel evacuate hurry!” Misato ordered

“All personnel evacuate repeat all personnel evacuate” Huga’s voice sounded over the PA system as alarms blared throughout Nerv

The large holographic display that was used for real time mission data started to flicker then went out as the alarm crashed and a loud screeching sound could be heard. The wall opposite the command platform collapsed and Nerv’s bridge crew was left with a much closer view of the enemy than they ever wanted.

The angel stalked to the edge of the command platform and regarded the crew there for a small moment. ‘This is it this is the end’ Misato thought as the angel’s eye flashed as it charged its energy weapon until a giant purple foot exploded through the wall and crashed into the angel’s head. The shot went high into the ceiling blowing another hole into the command centre

“Unit-01?” Misato questioned unable to believe that they had all escaped death then the realisation hit her “Shinji” she cried out

Shinji was straight onto the offensive two punches to the head of the angel knocked it back and a spinning kick knocked it back into the catapult. Unit-01 looked at Misato for a moment then charged at the angel.

“Launch the fifth catapult into the geo-front now” Misato ordered

Another punch to the body of the angel gave the crew enough time and then Unit-01 and the angel were launched up the catapult. Unit-01 wasted no time pressing the angels head into the wall of the catapult. Sparks flew and a slick of angel gore was left behind as they flew up into the geo-front while the angel howled in pain at the beating

“Send his sniper rifle after him” Misato ordered

“Yes ma’am launching through hatch eight” Aboa replied

Unit-01 and the angel broke the surface of the geo-front. Unit-01 held the angel tight for the first half of their flight, then kicked it hard in the stomach putting as much distance between the two of them as possible. The angel hitting the ground hard throwing up dirt and debris everywhere, Unit-01 was able to control its descent hitting the ground hard but ready to continue the fight.

A freight elevator opened next to Unit-01’s position with a beep and a green light on top and Shinji pulled his beloved sniper rifle. A com window opened in the entry plug Misato’s face appearing on a tiny display as the lavender haired major sat in front of Maya’s laptop

“Shinji keep attacking Rei will be up in 5 minutes” Misato updated her pilot.

“Thanks Misato” Shinji replied as he hooked external power into Unit-01.

The dust cleared and the angel looked ready but didn’t move. Shinji laid Unit-01 down in a prone position settling in behind the scope. The angel started rising up climbing towards the ceiling of the geo-front

“Time to clip this birdies wings” Shinji smirked as the angel charged an energy shot

BANG the round from the sniper rifle echoed throughout the geo-front was music to Shinji’s ears. Unit-01’s shot streaked towards the angel hitting the charged energy shot before it could be fired causing a massive explosion. The fire and energy bounced off the ceiling and damaged the angel even more sending the angel hurtling back to the ground once more. Unit-01 rose up into a crouch and continued firing at the angel through the dust that had again blocked it from view.

Unit-01 ran the rifle empty and loaded another mag sliding the bolt into place to chamber the first round. The dust settled and the angel started approaching Unit-01, to which the purple war machine opened fire on the angel each round ripping a massive hole right through the angel’s body. Shinji lined the last round u at the core and fired he watch the tracer behind the round streak towards the core and at the last instant a shutter covered the core up and the round bounced off it.

“Son of a bitch I had it” Shinji got out

The angel crashed head first into the ground and stood back up seemingly unable to hover or fly any more, its core revealed itself showing a series of large cracks in the core. It stalked towards Unit-01 who laid the sniper rifle down on the ground and drew its pistol and opened fire as it walked towards the angel. The two combatants closed the distance steadily the angel slowing down with each round that hit it.

“Keep going Shinji you’re wearing it down the A.T Field and its movements are weakening” Misato provided her pilot with the information that would hopefully keep him going towards victory.

The angel dropped shorter wider versions of its appendages it used to beat Unit-02 so comprehensively.

“Be careful Shinji those arms are razor sharp” Aboa informed the young pilot

“Thanks” Shinji replied as he emptied a clip and loaded another one

The angel kept advancing and Unit-01 holstered the pistol saving the ammo for later. The angel lunged at Unit-01 tackling it to the ground as the rest of the Nerv staff reached the geo-front even the sub-commander and commander was there.

Unit-01 was pinned to the ground by the angel so it lashed out with its feet kicking the angel in the back and driving its fists into the sides of the angel. The speed of the attack was so fast the angel could do nothing about it despite having the upper hand. The angel lent back to try its own attack but gave Unit-01 an opening. Bringing a knee up into the angel’s stomach Unit-01 then extended its leg out delivering a vicious kick to the angel’s head that had it reeling.

The angel quickly charged a small but accurate energy blast firing and hitting Unit-01 in the elbow blowing the fore arm off. “Arraagguuhhhhhh!!” Shinji cried out as his own arm vaporised in the LCL from the elbow down. Steeling himself against the pain he dove Unit-01 at the angel striking out with his last arm hitting the angel as hard as he can but the angel was in close enough to use an arm to knock the power cable from Unit-01’s back.

“Hurry Shinji you only have two minutes” Misato reported

Shinji didn’t say anything he just kept attacking pounding away at the angel more and more cracks started appearing in the core as he hit the angel harder and harder then suddenly the angel struck out impaling Unit-01 in the chest with a razor sharp arm. Unit-01 had to stop attacking as the angel drove the arm in deeper. “Arraagguuhh!!” Shinji cried out in pain again

“How is Shinji?” Misato asked

“I can’t monitor everything from here but his heart rate is really high” Maya replied as she frantically punched keys on her laptop.

Unit-01 pulled its progressive knife and cut through the arm the angel reeled back howling in pain. Sheathing the knife Unit-01 put its hand on the razor sharp arm and started to pull it out, bit by bit it started to come out then with one final pull to go Unit-01 stopped and its eyes went blank.

“Power level is zero Unit-01 is out of power” Maya reported

“Shinji.... SHINJI!” Misato cried out fearing for her ward.

The angel strode towards Unit-01 not sure why its opponent had stopped when it was so close to victory but it wasn’t about to ask. It moved in close to Unit-01 studied it for a moment and then raised its remaining razor sharp arm to finish Unit-01 off until CRACK a bright yellow shot exploded through the head of the angel.

The angel stood upright and turned to the direction of the shot to see Unit-00 standing there with a massive weapon in its hands.

“Rei....” Misato got out “What is she carrying?” She asked

“New pump action energy shotgun we haven’t field tested it yet though” Ritsuko replied

“I’d say it’s about to get one. Come on Rei kick that things arse” Misato yelled out

The gaping hole in the angel’s head closed up and it shook its head in a scolding manner at Unit-00. Rei never one to waste time on theatrics like that cocked the shotgun and fired another round of white hot energy through the chest of the angel, pumping and firing again in quick succession Unit-00 hit the angel in the shoulder stomach hip and sent a round on either side of the core both of which grazed it causing more damage to the core she kept firing until ‘click’

“Out of ammo” Rei spoke with determination discarding her shotgun she pulled her progressive knife and threw it hitting the angel in the chest knocking it down to the ground and then ran and jumped landing a hard flying kick on the neck of the angel. She then started raining punches down on the angels head moving to the core as the cracks grew deeper and longer until the angel backhanded Unit-00 savagely knocking the blue eva into the ground in the geo-front.

Rising up the angel walked over to Unit-00’s position as Rei tried to get up the angel fired an energy shot into the ground next to Unit-00 sending dirt flying everywhere and knocking the blue eva back onto the ground. It took its Razor arm and wrapped it around the chest of Unit-00 incapacitating it and dragged the eva aver to Unit-01.

Shinji had been desperately trying to get his eva moving again since the power had run out.

“Move move come on you’ve got to move” He pleaded with the dormant war machine. “I just don’t want my sister and friends getting hurt, come on just move what’s the point in getting this far only to lose now come on” He pleaded

Shinji then searched for his connection to his eva with his mind ‘I know you’re there and I’ve never needed you more than now’ the young pilot searched and then found what he was looking for.

‘Shinji there you are if its movement you seek you must cast away all your fears’ Unit-01 offered

‘My fears what am I afraid of?’ Shinji thought he concentrated hard then it hit him ‘I’m afraid of losing what I’ve never had, what’s most important.... Rei, Misato, Hikari, my friends’

The angel slammed Unit-00 into the ground next to Unit-01, though the LCL cushioned the pilots against such blows the force the angel exerted was so large Rei was shaken to the bone. It repeated the process over and over again smashing Unit-00 into the ground like an annoying insect it was trying to teach a lesson to.

“Eject Rei get her out of there” Misato ordered

“We can’t the angel has covered the plug hatch” Maya replied

“Oh Rei” Misato cried out

The angel then paused in its assault of Unit-00 and regenerated the second arm. It slammed Unit-00 into the ground so it was looking at Unit-01 and held it there a sadistic grin seamed to appear on its face it then took its new arm and started pounding into the chest of Unit-01 over and over again as Rei was forced to look on as her brother was being beaten to within an inch of his life.

“Shinji if you can hear me I’m sorry” Rei called out over com

“You don’t need to apologise” Shinji replied

Rei was taken by surprise at that she hadn’t expected a reply at all let alone that.

Unit-01’s eyes shone a bright white and it raised its arm catching the angel’s razor arm in its hand. It crushed the arm like a piece of paper and jerked the angel into the ground.

“It’s reactivated” Misato murmured.

“This is impossible..... How can Shinji’s synchronisation ratio with Unit-01 be over 400%?” Maya asked exasperated

“400% percent what are you talking about?” Misato asked

“Look here” Maya exclaimed showing the screen to Misato and Ritsuko. The syncro graph read out showed it steady at 300% until power was lost and the graph died to zero and stayed there until the graph line gradually rose from the floor of the graph picking up speed as it shot past 400% and kept climbing till it levelled off at 486%

Unit-01 rose to its feet and drew its progressive knife and cut through the arm of the angel freeing Unit-00. Unit-01 pulled the blue eva to its feet

“Rei are you ok?” Shinji’s face came up in a com window

“I’m fine thank you brother mine for the rescue” Rei replied then looked at the image on the window

Shinji looked like shit his eyes were blood shot he was sweating profusely and he looked like he was under a lot of strain like he had just finished a Hawaiian iron man and still had kilometres to run. Truth is it was the strain of such a high synchronisation plus the trauma his body had already been through.

Unit-01 dropped the progressive knife into the dirt blade first having a plan and needing the knife easily available for later it pulled the angel’s razor arm that was still impaled in its chest out crying out in pain as blood started flowing from the injury. Taking the arm it pushed it onto the elbow of its severed arm and grew a new arm starting with a purple skeleton that formed from the angel’s arm, muscle quickly formed around the arm and then armour formed over the top of that.

“Left arm fully regenerated, this is impossible” Maya got out still looking at her laptop

“At least the repair guys will be happy about that” Aboa whispered

Unit-01 took a moment to inspect the new limb twisting and flexing all the joints and it seemed to grin happy with its efforts. The angel rose back up to its feet and rose its arms up to attack. Unit-01 spread its A.T Field blocking and destroying the arms. The angel changed its mode of attack at this setback, it charged an energy blast but Unit-01 gripped the angel by the shoulders and threw it to the ground like a rag doll. The angel hit the deck hard face first the energy blast it had charged exploded in its face.

Unit-01 stumbled with the force of the explosion, Unit-00 moved to its side helping the purple war machine stay on its feet.

“Shinji are you ok?” Rei asked fearing for her brother’s well being as he seemed to get more and more drained with each passing moment

“Let’s just finish this quickly” Shinji replied sounding spent.

The Evas rolled the angel over putting it belly up and exposing the core. Unit-01 picked up its progressive knife as the angel charged an energy attack in a last ditch effort to save itself. Unit-01 slammed the progressive knife through the angel’s eye, the energy blast dissipated and the angel howled in pain. Unit-01 pulled its second progressive knife as Unit-00 pulled its progressive knife.

The two evas slammed their knives into the core of the angel, the core started to swirl and glow white hot then it exploded in a massive fire ball that engulfed the two evas as a column of fire rose up and hit the roof of the geo-front

“Shinji...Rei!!” Misato got out fearing for the lives of her pilots.

Once the fire and light cleared the two Evas were left holding each other both charred all over their armour from the explosion. The two Evas rose up and started towards a return platform to get back to the cages.

“Get two medical teams to the cages and have a retrieval team get Asuka” Misato ordered

Both Evas held each other up as they rode the return platform to the cages and then staggered into the cages and powered down both completely drained. Unit-00’s entry plug ejected and Rei stumbled out and was met by a medical team, she laid on a gurney and spared a glance at Unit-01 unmoving as the medical team waited for Shinji.

Once Unit-01 disappeared from her view she closed her eyes and passed out completely exhausted

The command and bridge crew had made it back into the cages

Fuyutsuki got to work restoring order “Alright get construction teams in here and move all these debris away let’s get this place in working order” he ordered “Unit-00 and Unit-02 first responders get to work you have an eva to fix” was the next order

It was crucial to get an eva operational if the next angel was to come as quickly as this one had.

“Eject Unit-01’s plug let’s get Shinji out of there” Misato ordered

“It’s not working the plug eject command isn’t working” Maya replied

“What about the backup codes?” Ritsuko asked

“None of the codes are working they are all being blocked by the eva” Maya replied

“I’ve got a visual from the entry plug, putting it on screen now” Huga added

The image came up showing an empty cockpit with a plug suit floating around inside.

“Whoa where is he?” Shigeru got out

“Inside the eva” Ritsuko replied

“Inside the eva what the hell are you talking about?” Misato asked irate

“This is the truth behind a 400% synch ratio, Shinji has been observed into Unit-01” Ritsuko replied

“So he is gone?” Misato asked tears starting to form in her eyes

“No he is inside the eva we just can’t see him, we will have to try to get him back” Ritsuko replied

“Just what the hell is the eva?” Misato asked sadness quickly turning to anger

“It’s a being created by man in mans own image that’s really the only way I can explain it” Ritsuko replied

“That’s bull you just copied a bunch of space junk you found in the Antarctic” Misato spat

Ritsuko didn’t reply because she knew Misato was more right.

“Well well well this is quite a mess, just how are you going to explain this to the committee?” Kaji asked sitting on the corner of the commander’s desk

“There is nothing to explain it was a regular sortie involving the three evas and completed by Unit-00 and Unit-01” Commander Ikari replied unfazed by the question

“And what about Shinji? How will you explain that to the old men?” Kaji pressed on

“There is nothing to explain Ritsuko is already working on an extraction plan for the third child” Commander Ikari replied again unfazed.

“So how is the rescue operation going to work?” Misato asked

“All our readings indicate that Shinji’s life form is still in there, all we have to do is reverse the process reconstructing Shinji’s body in the process” Ritsuko replied giving Misato the simplified version

“Can it be done?” Misato asked

“Yes with the Magi’s help” Ritsuko replied

“This is all theoretical isn’t it?” Misato asked “You don’t know what will happen until you actually try?” She added

“That’s true but we will be taking all precautions to get Shinji back safe and sound” Ritsuko replied

“Shinji or Unit-01? The committee was only ever interested in the well being of Unit-01 before” Misato asked

“I know the commander only wants Unt-01 but since it only seems to want to work for Shinji the Commander will need him back” Ritsuko replied

“And what about you?” Misato asked

“I want to see Shinji back safe and sound just like everyone else” Ritsuko replied

‘Where am I? This feels so weird’ Shinji thought

‘Hello Shinji’ came a voice

‘I know that voice, ah why do I feel so groggy’ the young pilot thought

‘Come on Shinji wake up’ came the voice again

‘Unit-01?’ Shinji asked

‘There you go have a look around’ Unit-01 replied

Shinji looked around and could see inside the plug without being in it, he could see the cat walk in front of Unit-01 but it looked blurry, his plug suit was floating in the entry plug and he could see the blurry images of people walking past the eva. It looked like Misato and Huga were talking about something but he couldn’t be certain.

‘Where am I?’ Shinji asked

‘I’m sorry but you have been absorbed into Unit-01. Your synchronisation ration reached over 450% and you were absorbed’ Unit-01 replied

‘That sounds bad so I don’t have a body anymore?’ Shinji asked

‘Your body is in here it just can’t be seen, but it’s not that bad I’m putting your body back together after all you owe someone a dinner and a movie’ Unit-01 replied with a smirk in its voice

‘Not you too’ Shinji replied

‘Just sit tight you will be fine’ Unit-01 replied

A week had passed since the fight with the fourteenth angel Nerv’s forces had been decimated and Tokyo-3 was a mess.

“I guess it’s lucky the majority of the fight occurred in the geo-front” Misato replied

“Why is that Major?” Shigeru asked

“The surface copped some very severe damage and all the angel really did was pass through” Misato replied

“That’s true so how are the pilots?” the tech asked

“Asuka and Rei just went back to school today and Ritsuko says it will be about three more weeks till they will be ready to try to extract Shinji from Unit-01” Misato replied

“How is everyone holding up?” Shigeru asked concerned

“Asuka is pretty shaken up which is understandable considering she got beaten so badly and Rei is a mess, she was already struggling with Shinji being in solitary confinement and now he is stuck in Unit-01 I just hope Ritsuko can get him back for her sake, those two need each other so much” Misato replied concerned for all her pilots.

“It’s got to be tough” Shigeru replied

Asuka and Rei were at their first day back at school. All the students were surprised to see the pilots there but when Shinji was not with Rei everyone knew something was wrong. He must have still been hurt.

“Asuka it’s good to see you” Hikari greeted her friend

“Hi Hikari” Asuka replied sitting down at her desk

Hikari was going to ask but changed her mind, the German was becoming more biased about Shinji and if something was wrong with him Rei would need company either way so she would talk to the blue haired girl at lunch.

The teacher arrived and Hikari went through her usual routine and concentrated on her work until lunch when the bell rang. She grabbed her lunch and headed towards Rei

“Hey Hikari are you coming?” Asuka called out

“Not yet” she replied and continued to Rei’s desk

“Ayanami” Hikari got Rei’s attention

“Class Representative Horaki” Rei greeted

“Just call me Hikari you know that Rei” Hikari replied “Are you going to have lunch?” She asked

“I haven’t brought anything” Rei replied quietly

“I have extra you can have some of mine if you like” Hikari replied

“Thank you” Rei replied standing up

“Come on then” Hikari replied leading Rei up to the roof

Toji was there when Hikari and Rei got there eating his lunch. The jock nodded a hello to the girls between mouthfuls of food and apart from eating he sat quietly as the girls joined him and he waited to find out what had happened.

“Rei” Hikari spoke up getting the girls attention

“Yes” She replied quietly like only Rei could

“What happened?” Hikari asked

It was a tough question but Rei thought it might help her through this tough time to talk about it so she began.

“Asuka and I were doing a routine sync test while Shinji was still in solitary confinement and the alarms went off” The blue haired pilot began “Asuka launched in Unit-02 and I was told to go out in Unit-01”

“Isn’t that Shinji’s?” Toji asked

“Yes it is but the commander ordered it though it didn’t work. I had to sit in Unit-00 and wait for final repairs to be completed. I had to sit in the plug and watch the data feed coming in through the telemetry and monitor com chatter. It was so hard sitting there not being able to help” Rei continued

“How come we all had to evacuate to the geo-front?” Hikari asked

“The angel was very strong it would have been too dangerous in the surface shelters. The angel broke into the geo-front easily and beat Asuka, then it advanced on headquarters but Shinji was able to break out of solitary confinement and launch in Unit-01. He got into a fight with the angel lost an arm almost had it beat then ran out of power. I was barely able to save him in time then I fought the angel and it overpowered me and started beating me next to Unit-01” Rei paused struggling with the next part

“I cried out an apology to Shinji knowing he wouldn’t be able to hear me but he responded and Unit-01 reactivated, he freed me from the angel and overpowered the angel then we finished it off together.” Rei finished

“That’s great you guys stopped it Rei” Hikari replied

“No it’s not.... When Shinji reactivated Unit-01 his sync ratio went to over 400% and he was absorbed into the eva his stuck in there now and Nerv haven’t been able to get him out” Rei replied

“Oh Shinji” Hikari whispered with a hand over her mouth

Toji pulled Rei into a hug “Rei I’m so sorry that’s terrible” The jock surprised everyone there including himself

“Thank you but it’s not your fault” Rei replied into Toji’s shoulder and the jock let her go

“What are you doing tonight Rei?” Hikari asked

“Nothing just going home” Rei replied

“You shouldn’t be alone now it’s too sad” Hikari replied “My dad and Kodama are out tonight if you like I can come around for dinner? But it will be with Nozomi” Hikari asked

“That would be nice thank you” Rei replied

“Yeah I’ll come too” Toji replied

“Thank you” Rei replied again

The bell for lunch rang and the three students returned to class. The afternoon lessons dragged on but it gave them time to organise their plans for the evening until the final bell rang letting the students out for the day.

“I’ll get Nozomi and I’ll see you at your place Rei, and don’t worry I’ll bring dinner” Hikari whispered to Rei and they both went to leave school.

Toji was going home with Rei since he didn’t know how to get there.

“Hey Hikari what are you doing tonight? Want to come shopping?” Asuka asked

“Sorry Asuka I have to look after Nozomi tonight maybe next time” Hikari replied

To Be Continued:

A/N: To everyone who is still reading and following thanks for sticking with me. This is the fight I was most looking forward to writing and I hope it lived up to expectations. Thanks again for all the reviews and I’ll see you next time.