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Beauty and the Beast [NGE]

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Yeah she is from that game. I have not played it but I have read up on it and think the character is useful for filling out Shinji's class with faces and names. I like using stuff like that from various eva related properties. It has this odd air of legitimacy to it. On another angle she is quite useful because she is basically a genderflipped Shinji from canon so I can use her to compare the two characters within the narrative of the story.
 
Hey folks sorry I did not write anything this weekend, I was busy having a blast at pride, singing dancing and eating far far too much street food. The new chapter will come, but I admit since it is going to be action heavy and I am pretty inexperienced in that area it might take me a while to get it to a place that I feel comfortable. Thank you all for being patient.
 
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Alex said:
Hey folks sorry I did not write anything this weekend, I was busy having a blast at pride, singing dancing and eating far far too much street food. The new chapter will come, but I admit since it is going to be action heavy and I am pretty inexperienced in that area it might take me a while to get it to a place that I feel comfortable. Thank you all for being patient.
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I'm sure i speak for everyone when i say "take your time. We all know you have your own life to live to".
 
New chapter is about three quarters done I would say. And since I published my porn (I can't link it but its not hard to find) I have no distractions from finishing what I should have been focusing on. :p

Thank you all for the continued support and feedback it means so much to me.
 
EHS training at work today made me realize that NERV probably has crappy safety movies too:

"Hi, I'm Dr. Mari Makinami, you may remember me from such videos as S2 & You: A Guide to Safe Perpetual Motion Machine Maintenance, Up at Adam: Launch Catapult Safety, and Spontaneous Quantum Charge Reversal: The Noisy Killer."

"Maya, do I really have to watch all of these?"

"Well they are mandatory, I even have a walk-on role in the LCL clean up video!"
 
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Chapter 12
  • Threadmarks
    • Hey Guys! Another chapter here. Some big action this time, hope you enjoy. I admit I am not very used to writing action and it can be hard to tell if it is written well since being the author I have a clear image of what is supposed to be happening regardless of the words on the page. So I do hope I get some feedback on the goods and bads of it. Editing credit goes to the wonderful Strype.

    Hitomi walked briskly out of the bank and into the square, trying her best not to bump into the crowd around her. The meeting the bank councilor had been harrowing. She had been desperate to appear friendly and approachable all while the specter of her bosses hung over her. Shaking her head Hitomi ran a hand down the jacket and dress shirt she was wearing, smoothing out all the wrinkles that weren't there. It would not be long until she could get away, just a few more months of hard work and keeping her head down and she would be free. She just needed enough to fall back on. Something to cover rent while she looked for work. She hoped that her sister up in Abashiri might help her get a waitressing job at the diner she worked at but she didn't want to presume.

    Trying not to bump into the crowd around her Hitomi felt the anxiety from the meeting be replaced by the familiar fear of the bosses finding out. It was irrational of course, while they liked to pretend they had a hand in everything they were little more than thugs, preying on the weak and threatening anyone who stood up to them. People like me. Hitomi shook her head again. The only person who knew was Yukina and Hitomi trusted her more than anyone. Speaking of... Hitomi took out a small pink phone from her bag. It was worn and more than a few years old but it still worked. Dialing up the number of her friend she could not help but smile "Hey... Yukina? I'm finished with my thing, I was thinking maybe we could hang out tonight... if the bosses are cool with that. It would be great to have some time to ourselves and...." Hitomi stopped speaking as she was interrupted by a sharp sound in the distance, a horrible croaking bellow that made the earth rumble beneath her. Standing slack-jawed Hitomi looked as something huge and burning sailed over her head to collide with the skyscraper behind her, a shower of glass and steel raining down as the building seemed to shudder. It was strange, as so many around her screamed and fled Hitomi could not help but remark the thing looked oddly beautiful in the light. Burning in odd colors she had never seen before as it seemed to swell and crackle before bursting into a gout of liquid flame that swept over the square toward her in a wave. It was the last thing she ever thought.

    *
    It took Shinji a moment to realize the full weight of what was happening, the screams of the crowd around him eventually pulling him out of his shock. Snapping to attention he turned around to see Kensuke and Sakura still frozen behind him, the girl clinging closely to him. "Kensuke!" Shinji shouted as he grabbed the boy's shoulder making him focus "Take Sakura and get to safety! I need to go help!"

    Kensuke looked at him awestruck "Where?! I know where the nearest shelter is from school, they make us memorize it but I don't know where to go from here!"

    Shinji snarled and reached into his pocket only to blink in surprise as he saw he was getting a call from Mari. Pressing the button to answer, Shinji put the phone to his ear, replacing the quite uplifting diddy with his guardian's panicked voice shouting at what Shinji assumed to be the command bridge crew. "Mari?! What the hell is going on?"

    After a moment of cacophony on the other end and a series of colorful swears, Shinji heard Mari respond "Its an angel... we don't know how it got close enough to fire on the city, cat lady said something about it hiding its presence somehow. Misato is scrambling conventional forces for a strike, I don't have high hopes but it should give us enough time to lower parts of the city and get people to shelters while we prep Rei for Unit 1."


    Shinji felt an anger rise inside him at that. He was the pilot! It was his job. He couldn't just stand by while... The fact that Kensuke and Sakura were standing behind him pressed into his mind "I'm with Sakura and Kensuke but we don't know where the nearest shelter is... can you?"

    "On it." After a moment Mari listed off a series of directions street by street to get to the downtown shelter nearest them after which Shinji parroted to Kensuke and Sakura.

    "How did you know..." Shinji looked down at his wrist and sighed "Never mind stupid question. Just tell me how to get to the Geofront."

    "I thought you were going to the shelter with Kensuke and Sakura." Mari sounded doubtful.

    Shinji shook off the thought, feeling himself getting angrier "I can't just stand by and..." Shinji sighed and tried to force a measure of calm "I can't stand by and watch while... I just can't."

    Shinji heard Mari give a cold sigh "Fine, I am sending you the coordinates to the nearest NERV emergency transit system. It will take you straight here. I would hurry though, you have five minutes to make it until the portion of the city you're in gets sectioned off and walled up. Good luck."

    Shinji nodded to himself and swallowed before turning to Kensuke"Take Sakura to the shelter I need to get get to the Geofront. Flashes of Touji lying broken on that bed passed through Shinji's mind "Take care of her!"

    Nodding, Kensuke took Sakura by the hand and led her away, joining a growing crowd of panicked civilians.

    Taking a moment to steady himself Shinji took a deep breath and gave a final glance at the directions Mari gave him to the rapid transit system. Crouching into a runners start he gave one final look behind him to see Kensuke and Sakura round the corner with a group of others from the arcade before launching like a bullet across the courtyard and down the road. Leaping and bounding Shinji made his way over a rail fence and around another smattering of screaming people as he focused on simply moving as fast as he could.

    Despite the fire and the smoke and the danger, besides the smoke and the cacophony of sound Shinji could not help but feel free. This was the first time since he arrived in the city, the first time since he was found out and locked away and examined that he was unbound. Ignoring the bright flashes of his bracelet he pushed himself further, the grey concrete of the street under him and the popping colors of the shops and stores around him blurred as he rocketed down the avenue, his feet barely touching the ground beneath him before launching him forward again.

    Making a sharp turn at the corner and barreling down a side street Shinji could feel energy surge within him. There was no tiredness, no fatigue as he jumped and rolled over the hood of a car that had crashed into the sidewalk. If anything he finally felt as if he was finally aware and awake after a long sleep, his senses sharpening as he shook off the grogginess of slumber.

    Focusing on each step, each movement pushing forward Shinji could ignore at least for the moment the growing nest of worries that had infested his mind of late. His father and Mari, his grandmother and SEELE, whatever that was, Touji and Sakura, Rei and who she really was and finally Asuka and Rebecca bearing down on him. For now, he was a pilot, a hero, off to save anyone that he could. Stopping as he saw in the corner of his eye his destination, a small sign above a set of stairs bearing the NERV logo leading underground Shinji smiled with a sense of pride until he heard another horrid boom and whistling coming from behind him.

    The projectile landed closer to him this time about fifty feet away, embedding itself into the middle of the road, it looked like a frothing mass of black tar the size wreathed in strange twisting flames. Shinji had barely enough time to give a hurried swear under his breath and throw his arms in front of his face before the mass exploded in a hideous thunderclap sending burning chunks of ash fault in all directions

    Shinji winced, his eyes closed as he anticipated the blast. I'm dead I'm dead I'm dead I'm... not dead? Opening one eye into a squint Shinji saw the ground around him was littered with fragments of flaming concrete and rumble, thick curls of black smoke rising up to envelop him. How the hell am I...Opening his eyes fully he saw it, just a foot in front of him, floating like a shield was a softly thrumming AT field. That's... new. Looking at the barrier it appeared to be made of warm orange glass as thin as a razor rippling from the center in a pulse. It hung in the air for only another moment before disappearing leaving Shinji once again in a state of shock.

    A distant siren reminded Shinji of what he was doing, snapping him to attention as he ran to the entrance to the transit station. At the bottom of the stairs was a thick metal door with an electronic lock pad. Digging into his pockets Shinji pulled out his wallet and inside the ID card Rei had given him earlier. Praying to whatever gods were listening Shinji inserted the card into the pad and waited, giving a heavy sigh of relief when he was given the green light and a buzz before the door opened wide. Going inside the lights turned on to reveal a small platform and beyond it what looked like a small subway track. Approaching the console Shinji made out four large letters embolden on the front.

    "MAGI huh? Not surprising, Mari said the whole city was run on you. Now how do I..." Shinji was interrupted by the sounds of the track coming to life and the rumblings of an approaching car.

    "Pilot Ikari to Geofront-transit bay seven." A cold voice played from speakers around Shinji. It was a woman's voice, at least it was simulated to sound like one. Shinji wondered if this was Mari's doing or the AI's, but in the face of the battle and danger to come, he supposed the question could wait.

    Climbing inside the small cabin of the train Shinji took a seat on one of the four seats and putting on the seat belt. He was close, he could feel it. He could do it, he could do better this time. Shinji breathed slowly in
    and tried to focus as the doors of the car closed and he began to move along the track. He could save them all this time.


    *​

    Rei did not respond as she felt the plug around her slowly fill with LCL, the warm amber liquid rising up from her ankles. She was used to the feeling and the metallic sweet smell that came with it. She had spent so much of her life in and around it, gasping slightly as she felt it fill her lungs, Rei almost felt like she was home. Around she could hear a running commentary from those on the bridge, Doctor Akagi and Doctor Markinami arguing about various levels and rates while Lieutenant Ibuki and a voice she could not recognize tried to sooth them. Rei did not care, the maintenance and specification of the Evangelion was not part of her assignment or role so she instead tried to focus on the task ahead of her, putting any distractions out of her mind.

    Distractions like pain, it had lessened over time since the accident but never truly went away. And hunched over the console like this gripping the controls as she prepared for battle made it all worse. Lieutenant Ibuki had suggested morphine to ease the pain but Doctor Akagi had denied the suggestion on the grounds that it might interfere with the sync process. There was another distraction, something Rei could not quite identify, a shadow of a feeling as Unit 1 began the synchronization process. Opening up her mind to let the connection take root, Rei felt the feeling intensify, like skin on skin she felt led forward, a gentle breath on her shoulder.

    "Rei do you hear me?" Rei shook her head at the sound of Doctor Makinami's words cutting through the fog. Turning her attention to the comms, Rei tried to push any nascent dread out of her mind. "Your synch rate is holding at twenty-seven percent. It's usable but not ideal so be careful. Your target is four clicks southwest as marked on your heads-up display. We are not sure how but it managed to hide its presence from our sensors while it approached its vantage point, but that doesn't really matter right now. Target is currently engaged with a squadron of VTOL gunships, but I don't expect them to last much longer. "

    Rei nodded, before taking a look at the holographic map displayed in front of her, a pulsing black mark surrounded by half a dozen red triangles each buzzing around the dot in what looked like panic. They were dying, looking at them now she could see several of the arrows fading while several grey arrows lay motionless, no doubt indicating the spots of the fallen craft. They could not kill the creature, of that Rei was certain, the commander had been very clear about the importance of the evangelions and her duty. "Understood, ready to move out."

    Looking around as she felt the Eva shift from its place in the cage as it approached one of the lifts. "For armaments, you will have an automatic shotgun with prog knife bayonet. There are twenty rounds in the drum and another twenty combined in the two magazines in your left pylon. I figured with the VTOLs keeping it busy you could go for a more up close and personal weapon."

    Rei looked to her left to see the aforementioned gun rise from a rack next to the lift. Taking it in hand she looked it over. It was a simple thing, much less complicated or flashy than some of the experimental weapons she had seen NERV create or buy over the years. It's dark grey metal conveying a simple and effective brutality with the shimmering blade of the prog knife accentuating the point.

    "All systems are as green as they are going to be, prepare to launch in three, two, one... Launch!" Rei grit her teeth and held the weapon tight to her chest as the Eva rocked up the shaft. Sparks cascading in showers illuminating the dark trench as she ascended. Even encased by the shock absorbing LCL Rei could still feel the gravity pushing her into her seat.

    Reaching the surface, Rei blinked looking at the darkening orange light of the slowly setting sun as she felt the locks and bindings of Eva give way one by one with a drawn-out hiss. Taking a deep breath of LCL into her lungs Rei began to jog along the flashing route highlighted on her map. Passing beyond the innermost defenses and towards the empty fields and rocky hills, Rei looked over her shoulder to look at the city behind her. It was a patchwork, some sections of the city having descended and replaced by blast shields while others lay exposed. Dotting the whole map was evidence of the bombardment, thick black plumes of smoke rising up into the sky. Shaking her head Rei realized some part of her was worried about Shinji. Best to focus on the mission, returning her gaze to the display she saw she was almost there, a fact made clear by the growing number of burning wrecks of the fallen gunships strewn across the landscape. They gave their lives, they did their purpose just like me.

    Hearing the intelligible whine of the remaining gunships ahead of her Rei rushed forward over the hill and into the valley beyond, revealing the monster she had been sent for. It was a hulking mass, almost as tall as an Evangelion Unit but far wider and fatter. If Rei squinted it looked almost like a toad, its obscene girth writhing and moving as it dragged itself along the ground on fat oily stumps. How many she could not say, for the stumps seemed to appear and disappear at will from the bottom of its green brown body. The upper half of the creature seemed to be a mighty jaw and atop it a set of glistening red eyes which darted about in all directions. Ignoring Unit 1 for a moment it kept it's focus on the last two gunships, both unloading everything they had at the creature to no avail, it's AT field blocking all projectiles. Swooping hard to try and put itself behind Unit 1 and the angel one gunship dived only to be met by a stream of oily bile, slamming it into the ground with a sickening crash.

    Moving forward Rei put herself between the angel and the last gunship allowing it to escape as she grabbed the beast attention with her fire. The weapon firing blast after blast into its glowing AT field. The harsh barks of the gun being closely followed by the sharp weight of it slamming into her shoulder. It was not enough to break its AT field but it was enough to get its attention, the lumbering slimy bulk now turning to face Rei with an unexpected speed.

    The first child was not one for great emotional reactions, her life teaching her such things were unnecessary and unproductive but as she saw the angel open its great jaw she could not help but shudder at the wave of revulsion that passed over her. This is the Lilim's world, you do not belong here. Firing several more shots at the creature it seemed unmoved, simply bellowing a great bellowing roar that sent a great spray of spittle in Unit 1's direction. Rei did not have time to worry about the possible effects of the slime that dotted across the Eva as a more pressing feeling welled into her mind. Sensing the air around her shifting and growing sharper like the moment before a lightning strike, Rei dove to get out of the angels shot. Her instincts proved to be right as she heard the deafening blast of the angel mid-dive, a salvo of burning muck coating where she stood a moment ago.

    Crashing into a hill with a roll, Rei tried not to drop her weapon as she scrambled to get back on her feet, only for a dozen alarms inside her plug to go off. "Rei!" Doctor Makinami cut over the comms "The blast severed the cable! You only have five minutes to kill it or you'll be a sitting duck!"

    Rei grimaced, the emergency dive making the pain in her side flare up to almost unbearable. Ignore the pain, this body is temporary. I can be replaced. "Understood Doctor, engaging the enemy." Rei took a look at the angel, still recovering from his own attack, gripped her weapon close and charged. Adrenaline pushing down the pain she closed the distance quickly, trampling the ground beneath her. Reaching the angel she thrust the bayonet into the AT field of the angel before letting off another burst of shots, the first cracking into the barrier and the second and third shattering it completely. Emptying the rest of drum into the side of the beast Rei heard its first scream of pain as the flak chewed and bit into its dark flesh.

    Flailing in pain the Angel twisted and shook, its bright red eyes directionless for a moment before focusing on Unit 1 with a hated malice. Emitting a shrieking cry, it opened its maw again but this time shot out a long prehensile tongue. Before Rei could react the slimy appendage had grabbed her wrapping itself around her forearm like a vice and began to try and pull her in.

    Clenching her teeth Rei dug in her heels and pulled against the angel to keep herself from being eaten. Desperately reaching out she grabbed the edge of the gun with her right hand and tossed it in the air before catching it and whipping around to slash at the slimy tongue, severing it with a spray of viscera.

    The relief Rei felt was soon replaced by pain as the blood of the angel splashed against the front of Unit 1, hissing as it began burning and eating at the armor. Going to one knee in a gasp of shock Rei feel her own body burn. Shaking she tried to put the pain out of her mind, repeating over and over the mission. Do it for the commander, do it for oblivion, do it for the commander, do it for oblivion, do it for the commander... do it for Shinji.

    Using everything she had Rei rose to her feet to face the angel once more, feeling the hot crisp feeling in the air again as she saw the angel prepare another barrage. Knowing what she had to do she grabbed the shotgun, now partially melted from the blood and launched herself at the angel, gripping the weapon like a spear. Ignoring the growing warble of the creature below Rei attacked from above piercing the creatures upper jaw and
    pushing down into his lower jaw and finally into the hard ground beneath them. The angel, unable to stop its blast, flailed in a blind panic, trying to throw Rei off it but to no avail. After a final moment of build up the projectile detonated inside the angel's mouth exploding with a thunderclap and followed by a shower of gore as it was ripped to shreds.

    The Angel dead, Rei stumbled backward, feeling herself pass into warm blackness as the plug did. "Target eliminated... task... done." Rei felt herself fall backward but was unconscious by the time she hit the ground.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Alex said:
    A distant siren reminded Shinji of what he was doing, snapping him to attention as he ran to the entrance to the transit station. At the bottom of the stairs was a thick metal door with an electronic lock pad. Digging into his pockets Shinji pulled out his wallet and inside the ID card Rei had given him earlier. Praying to whatever gods were listening Shinji inserted the card into the pad and waited, giving a heavy sigh of relief when he was given the green light and a buzz before the door opened wide. Going inside the lights turned on to reveal a small platform and beyond it what looked like a small subway track. Approaching the console Shinji made out four large letters embolden on the front.

    "MAGI huh? Not surprising, Mari said the whole city was run on you. Now how do I..." Shinji was interrupted by the sounds of the track coming to life and the rumblings of an approaching car.

    "Pilot Ikari to Geofront-transit bay seven." A cold voice played from speakers around Shinji. It was a woman's voice, at least it was simulated to sound like one. Shinji wondered if this was Mari's doing or the AI's, but in the face of the battle and danger to come, he supposed the question could wait.
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    Alex said:
    The first child was not one for great emotional reactions, her life teaching her such things were unnecessary and unproductive but as she saw the angel open its great jaw she could not help but shudder at the wave of revulsion that passed over her. This is the Lilim's world, you do not belong here. Firing several more shots at the creature it seemed unmoved, simply bellowing a great bellowing roar that sent a great spray of spittle in Unit 1's direction. Rei did not have time to worry about the possible effects of the slime that dotted across the Eva as a more pressing feeling welled into her mind. Sensing the air around her shifting and growing sharper like the moment before a lightning strike, Rei dove to get out of the angels shot. Her instincts proved to be right as she heard the deafening blast of the angel mid-dive, a salvo of burning muck coating where she stood a moment ago.
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    And thus Rei slew Pepe the frog, sending him to meme hell.
     
    Alex said:
    It was the last thing she ever thought.
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    Only quoting this section because I didn't want to quote the entire sequence but I really liked this section. It had that sort of X Files intro to it, I could very much imagine it in my head as after she hears the noise it fades to black and the opening credits start. Really liked how in such a short span you gave us this character who had a story/some history and made us care just enough to feel something when they went.

    Good job.

    Alex said:
    you will have an automatic shotgun with prog knife bayonet. There are twenty rounds in the drum and another twenty combined in the two magazines in your left pylon.
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    Liked this, I don't think I've ever seen someone equip the Eva with a shotgun before. It does actually make sense considering the location of the Angel and the surroundings. I really liked reading about its usage in the action sequence too.

    Alex said:
    It was a hulking mass, almost as tall as an Evangelion Unit but far wider and fatter. If Rei squinted it looked almost like a toad, its obscene girth writhing and moving as it dragged itself along the ground on fat oily stumps. How many she could not say, for the stumps seemed to appear and disappear at will from the bottom of its green brown body. The upper half of the creature seemed to be a mighty jaw and atop it a set of glistening red eyes which darted about in all directions.
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    An Angel that would not seem out of place in Dark Souls/Bloodborne. Good description of it. It's not easy coming up with these things but you managed to nail it.

    Really enjoyed the chapter, thought you did a fantastic job with the action scenes, even more so that it was from Rei's perspective too. Personally i've found Rei quite tricky to write for, not sure if others have the same issue but I'm always impressed when I see others do a good job of it.

    Great work, looking forward to seeing what comes next.
     
    Dealer said:
    ...What dark sorcery did Gendo enact to make Rei capable of killing an Angel without dying?
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    Heh well I would say that Rei is probably the worst pilot of the bunch given having half a soul gimping her ability to synch with anything but she isn't useless if pressed. I did want to kind of give her a moment where she could show she was competent if given the opportunity.
    jcmoorehead said:
    Only quoting this section because I didn't want to quote the entire sequence but I really liked this section. It had that sort of X Files intro to it, I could very much imagine it in my head as after she hears the noise it fades to black and the opening credits start. Really liked how in such a short span you gave us this character who had a story/some history and made us care just enough to feel something when they went.
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    Ah thanks the idea came from @Jackie who suggested a perspective from someone on the ground would be good to give the action more weight and I agreed. Its easy to forget the individual cost and damage that would be caused by these types of battles so its good to occasionally acknowledge the it, even if its with a character we only met in passing a chapter ago.
    Doctor Squared said:
    And thus Rei slew Pepe the frog, sending him to meme hell.
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    I honestly did not think of that joke until well after the chapter was written but looking back it seems obvious.
    jcmoorehead said:
    An Angel that would not seem out of place in Dark Souls/Bloodborne. Good description of it. It's not easy coming up with these things but you managed to nail it.
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    It was interesting coming up with him. (Makatiel for those interested in his name) When I decided I wanted to do original angels I knew that I wanted to do something new but also close enough to canon that they would not feel out of place. So I thought a good way to do that would be to continue the series (alebit hamfisted) biblical and religious references. Raziel was a reference to the Golem from Jewish folklore while Makatiel was a reference to the plague of frogs God sent against Egypt in Genesis.
     
    New chapter is done just needs some editing and such. Turned out to be quite w long one comparatively. Hope people like it.
     
    Dranndor said:
    Nice, now i have another source of WAFF. Your fic is very well made @Alex, can't wait for the next chapter to be posted.
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    Thank you so much for the comment, feedback makes the whole process worth while. I am glad you liked it. It really makes me happy when I see people enjoy my work. As for WAFF I will say that it will be a bit of a rollercoaster (it is Eva) so I want to be frank about giving that warning but there will always be moments of hope no matter how dark it gets.
     
    I think it's also worth noting that BnB doesn't follow a lot of fanon rules; the added characters mean that it probably couldn't if it had to, not without crowding out narrative space. Still, the humanization means a lot of stuff is...kinda sweet, even in a really, really bad context. Gendo and Ritsuko trying to figure out a relationship, for instance: kinda sweet, kinda intriguing, and still in a context of a woman sleeping with her boss and a man who's looking for a substitute for the wife he's lost but is still in love with.
     
    Chapter 13
  • Threadmarks
    • Woo! This chapter grew and grew as I wrote. Its funny how things can run away from you. As I said earlier a mix of waff and darkness, I hope people enjoy. It was a tough chapter to write in places but I do think it works how I wanted it to. Credit for editing goes to the wonderful @Strypgia round of applause everyone. As always I live for comments and reactions so feel free to leave what you think. And without further ado here we go.

    Chapter 13​


    Shinji felt like a rat in a cage. He sat with his head in his hands as he felt the car make its way through the underground tunnels connecting the city to the Geofront below. At least on the streets above he could control it, his speed was up to him. Just waiting was almost too much to bear.

    Shinji could not help but think of what had happened and what he had done on the street. The strange sight of an AT-Field hovering in the air in front of him burned into his mind. He had no idea he could do that and no idea how or why it had happened then. After the surgery he had done some experiments with Mari to try and see the extent of his new abilities, but none of them had produced anything like that. The stamina, the endurance, and the strength had come naturally and without effort, but anything past that? The other stuff, the mind bending craziness that Mari had told him should be possible? Almost never, and when it did manifest it was so weak it could hardly even be called a party trick.

    It wasn't much, but Shinji was grateful that Mari never pushed him there. Once it was clear that Shinji could not produce the results she expected or desired she let him be and supported him in other ways. It was a small thing, but considering what Mari told him of Asuka's training and everything he could infer from Rei, it seemed like it was a rare mercy inside the world of NERV.

    Rei, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what they have done to you. Shaking his head, Shinji looked up to see his car pulling into the station, grinding and shifting as it locked itself into the platform. The rush of the situation returning, he ran through the sliding doors as soon as they opened. He ran down the bay, internally orienting himself and trying to remember the way to the cages.

    Rounding the corner, Shinji saw his first signs of life; a trio of security personnel huddled around a small radio. They were laughing and patting each other on the back as they listened to the fuzzy chatter from the box. Shinji's jaw hung loose in disbelief as he saw them even pass a flask of something between them. "What the hell are you guys doing?!" he yelled at the three, calling their attention. "Aren't we under attack?"

    Three pairs of eyes looked over at Shinji with surprise and amusement. "Hey, you're the new kid... Relax, the Angel's dead. The blue-haired girl killed it. It was a hell of a fight from what we heard."

    *

    Kodama blinked and let out a series of short, small breaths, afraid if she let out all the air she had been holding in she would collapse on the spot. She was alive, they were all alive, well... no that wasn't right. As the wreckage of raptor wing on the ground showed and the reports of damage and casualties from around the city poured in it was clear there was a cost to all this, a cost Kodama was not quite ready to think about. But for now it was over, they had won, and she had helped. Not that she could say she did much, most of the time simply parroting whatever new data was coming in from the MAGI at her station. It was impossible not to feel a wave of relief wash over her as it clearly did her fellows in the bridge, with even the spooky man at the very back giving a nod of approval at the results. She was told he was Commander Ikari.

    "You okay, there?" Kodama swiveled her chair around to look at her supervisor, Maya Ibuki's smiling face. "Looks like we made it."

    Kodama could only smile back, the sheer absurdity of the situation hitting her. "Yeah, just a lot to take all at once. Was it like this the first time? I was stuck in a shelter the whole night for that one. And nobody at NERV was very forthcoming about the situation the next day."

    Maya gave a nervous laugh. "Would you believe it if I said it was worse? There were a couple of things that made that one more complicated that... well, I don't want to jinx it but I think things will get easier once Unit-02 and the Second Child arrive, and then Unit-04 a few days after that."

    "Here's hoping."

    Kodama craned her head to see Maya's superior, Doctor Akagi, lighting up a cigarette. "It should have been here a week ago. I don't know whether its incompetence or Stern is trying to fuck us but its getting on my nerves," the blonde scientist continued.

    Stern? Kodama had no idea who or what that was but knew it was a question for later. Looking around she was surprised to see many of the crew filling out of the room, first Captain Katsuragi and Aoba, followed closely by the Commander and his assistant. "Where is everyone going?"

    Maya shrugged. "The Commander and Sub-Commander don't like to hang around if they don't have to. I can only assume they are going to plan the details of the cleanup and how to alter our strategy going forward. And of course speaking with representatives from the UN about everything that happened."

    Kodama shook her head. It was hard to think about how she was this connected with such things now. She had always been a smart girl and a ace student, but with her parents unable to afford specialty programs and needing her to work as much as she could. Kodama was used to being a big fish in a small pond. Now she felt like she was a guppy in a vast churning ocean that would swallow her up if she blinked.

    "What about her?" Kodama pointed to the woman at the top of the bridge, standing where the commanders were standing. A tall woman, with long dark brown hair currently tied at the back in a loose pony tail. She wore a thin black suit with a labcoat loose over the top. There was something about her that Kodama could not place, perhaps a weariness of the eyes looked through you.

    "Oh yeah, her," Kodama heard Maya say in voice dripping with forced politeness. "She's a lot like Commander Ikari in some ways. She keeps to herself until she needs something done, then she expects everyone to jump to attention."

    Not a moment after Maya's explanation the woman seemed alerted to something, grabbing her phone out of her pocket. Before looking out to the rest of the bridge and making Maya blush. "Now that the situation on the ground has been deemed safe I will go and inspect Unit-01 for any damage worth noting. Doctor Akagi, I am told the First Child is being held on site and is in stable condition. Would you like to join me there?"

    Kodama had to bite her tongue not gasp as she saw the barely restrained venom flash in Doctor Akagi's eyes at the question. "No. Thank you for the offer, Doctor Makinami, but I think my time would be best served examining our detection equipment and connections to the various monitoring stations. This Angel snuck up on us, that should not be allowed to happen again. Compared to that..." The doctor shrugged. "The First Child can wait."

    Makinami gave a curt nod. "Very well, I'll leave you to get to the bottom of this. I am sure you will have it handled in no time. I am also sure the Commander and the Committee will expect a full report on this soon." The woman gave a small nod to the rest of the bridge crew and walked down the hall, the sharp clack of her shoes echoing across the bridge.

    "Who the Hell does she think she..." Kodama tried to look down at her console and pretend she was not seeing what she was seeing. "Maya, you heard Miss America. I need you and your assistant to pore through as much data from the last forty-eight hours as possible. If there was a blip showing this thing coming I want to see it." The woman gave a long exhalation before putting out her cigarette in the ashtray at her station. "Let's not disappoint our new boss." She said the last with a sense of resignation and disgust before walking to the the other service elevator.

    Kodama saw Maya sigh as her mentor left, a weary look on her face as her gaze lingered until the Doctor turned the corner. It was clear to Kodama that Maya held a great affection for her boss. How far that affection went she was hesitant to say, but it was hard to ignore what she saw. "So... what now?"

    Maya smiled back at the intern. "Now I hope you don't have any plans for tonight, because I expect the two of us are going to spend the next half a dozen hours looking over data from a hundred outposts and stations and comparing them."

    Kodama gave a laugh. "Well you guys did say there would be long hours... I am sure it will be fine. Besides, this excitement? What hot date can beat that?"

    Kodma saw Maya give a small blush before getting up herself. "Ah yes... well, if we plan to go at it I expect we will need some supplies. Can you look after things here while I go raid the vending machines down the hall for us?"

    Kodama nodded, and smiled back at Maya. She's really cute when she's flustered. "I think so... as long as another Angel doesn't attack in the next five minutes!" She gave a forced laugh.

    Maya smiled. "Okay then, be right back." The Lieutenant took a few steps before rounding her on heel to face Kodama again. "Should you... maybe give your parents a call? Let them know your gonna be late?"

    Kodma shrugged, as the rush of the wonder around her deflated at the mention of her parents. "Its fine, they are used to me coming and going at odd hours... or not seeing me for a few days at a time." Kodoma saw Maya's face pale as she heard her explanation. The usual debate flashing across her face. Is she gonna say something? After a moment Maya just gave a forced smile and nodded before running off to plunder for canned coffees and chips leaving Kodama alone. Looking around at the faintly glowing and beeping terminals Kodama took a step back, now very aware each one most likely cost more then her house. "How did I get here?"

    *

    Shinji clenched his teeth as he watched the elevator door open with a mechanical hiss, revealing his guardian. Standing to face her Shinji tried to stay composed but failed. "They sent Rei! I said I was coming! I tried to get here as fast as I could and they sent her instead!" Shinji fumed, his fists clenching at his side. "Was it father? Or Misato? I want to know!"

    "It was me. I ordered Rei to be sent out," Mari said flatly, her eyes cold.

    "I... what?!" His anger turned to shock. "How could you!? Rei was injured, and sick and..."


    "And available, while you were on the other side of town. But that's beside the point. You're not angry Rei was chosen to fight, you're angry you weren't."

    "Shouldn't I be!?" Shinji shouted before he caught himself. "Its my job to save people! I can't just let... all that happen, can I?"

    "I'm not saying you should. But are you honestly saying we should have waited for your arrival before proceeding? You were on the surface when that thing was firing on us. Can you imagine how much more damage it could have done if given ten... fifteen more minutes? I am not going to sacrifice the safety of the people of this city to satisfy your ego."

    The words hit Shinji like a rock. All at once the muscles in his shoulders gave way as he slumped forward. "No... I... of course not. I just.... I guess it doesn't matter..."

    Shinji felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up he saw Mari smile down at him. "It always matters Shinji. Every life is a hope for something better. You have to fight in this war, and for that I am deeply sorry. But you don't have to fight alone. Now..." She gave Shinji a warm squeeze and a pat. "Speaking of, why don't you come with me to the site? Rei will be there and I am sure she will appreciate a friendly face."

    Shinji nodded. "Okay. But there is something that happened on the surface I should tell you about on the way."

    *

    Hikari sat with her eyes closed and prayed. She always thought of herself as a religious girl but today was the first time she really felt like one. Her parents brought her to church every Sunday and she had taken what she heard to heart, helping in the nursery and organizing the youth group. She had stuck around even after her sister had left, declaring it all bullshit. That had hurt. She loved her sister but she hated the drama that seemed to accumulate around her. But right now none of that mattered. Sitting on the hard concrete floor of the hospital basement, Hikari prayed as hard as she could clutching Touji's only hand in hers as she recited whatever she could remember from the thick red books in the pews.

    It was dark, with only a flickering LED light in the ceiling to share among the dozens of patients, staff, and visitors in the room. The shaking had stopped a while ago, as had the sounds of distant thunder that seemed to rip through everything. If she was anywhere else in the city she would be in a shelter, but the hospital didn't have the resources to move many of the bedridden patients at the drop of a hat, so the basement was the best alternative while that.... thing attacked. Hikari didn't know what it was, whether it was an angel from heaven, a demon from hell, or some alien from Mars. In the end, it didn't matter. It was trying to kill them and didn't seem to be in the mood for hashing out theological differences.

    Hikari stopped her quiet, nervous chanting when she felt Touji give her hand a good squeeze. Looking up to the boy as he lay above her on the cot, he smiled at her. "Hey, its gonna be okay."

    Hikari blushed and squeezed back "I hope so. I feel so powerless."

    Touji nodded, his breathing slow as he lay on the cot. "I know the feeling. I didn't know if we won or lost for hours after that night. I just woke up and there was a mountain of concrete on top of me." Touji stopped talking for a moment, his words replaced by the low beep of his heart monitor. "I didn't know if Sakura was safe or the city was still there until the rescue crew dug me out."

    Hikari shuddered at the thought and leaned against the cot, the cold metal of the frame feeling oddly soothing on her skin. "That sounds awful."

    Touji gave a small chuckle "It was. But... It did give me time to think, to realize what I really wanted to do if I ever got the chance. Hikari..."

    Hikari looked up to see Touji had turned to look her in the eyes. His face was rough and bruised around the edges but there was a softness there she could not quite place. "Yes?"

    "When I get out of here, will you go on a date with me? I don't know what kind of things I would be up to doing given all of..."

    "Yes!" Hikari felt the word rush out of her mouth like a jolt of lightning and just as loud. Blushing as she saw a dozen pairs of eyes turned to her. Blushing, Hikari squeezed Touji's hand tighter, now hoping more than ever today was not the end.

    *

    It was dark when Shinji and Mari arrived at the makeshift site. Floodlights illuminated the camp, revealing dozens of personnel scrambling in different directions, with some setting up the trailers and unboxing equipment while others in orange rubber hazmat suits marched towards the battlefield ahead of them. Shinji shuddered as he looked at Unit-01's motionless form from across the valley, the light making the humanoid weapon look like a statue from a long forgotten age.

    He had felt something when he piloted it, something strange. Mari had told him it was nothing, but there seemed to be some presence there beyond all the wires and metal. Shaking his head, Shinji turned to his guardian who was still in her cold-professional mode.

    "I need to speak with some people to assess the state of Unit-01. Initial reports say minimal damage, but they don't pay me to slack. Rei is in trailer seven. Show the guard your badge and he will let you in. I am sure..." Mari stopped for a second as Shinji swore she caught something in her throat "I'm sure she could use a friend."

    Shinji nodded and headed off towards the row of trailers, moving briskly past a group of NERV technicians having a spirited debate with what looked like some JSSDF officers. Shinji tried to leave Mari alone when she was like this. The last thing she needed when dealing with a million things was him dangling at the end. Checking the side of one of the trailers for markings and finding he was off, Shinji kept moving. In a way, he could not help but find this all impressive, the way NERV scrambled into action like a well-oiled machine. A well-oiled machine with a damaged little girl in the center of it.

    Shinji sighed as he found the trailer with a large red seven on the side. Rei deserved better than this, better than him. Not seeing any sign of a guard, Shinji opened the door and climbed inside, swallowing as he saw Rei lying in a bed up against the wall. She didn't look hurt but there was a deep fatigue in her frame as she slumped on the bed. On her arm, a tube connected her to an IV filled with a clear liquid Shinji could only guess at the contents of.

    "Rei?" Shinji asked weakly. "You there?"

    "Shinji?" Shinji moved closer as he heard Rei answer him, her voice barely more than a whisper.

    "Rei I'm... I'm sorry." Shinji spoke slowly, the weight of each word taking its toll.

    Rei tilted her head, a curiosity flashing across her face as she heard his apology. "Why?"

    Shinji was not sure where to begin. "I'm sorry my father treats you like he does. I am sorry for what I said before. I don't..." Shinji searched for the exact words. "I don't know what you are, but I know who you are. You are not Yui Ikari. You're not my mother, but you are a person and deserve... better than this. I am sorry that you had to fight. I should have been here. I should have..."

    Shinji stopped his rambling as he felt a hand on his. Looking up from his shoes, Shinji saw that Rei had gotten closer, her eyes strangely warm in the dim light. "You saved me at that test and then again with the first Angel. I wanted to save you."

    Shinji was taken aback. Somehow he expected Rei to be angry at him, to treat him with a dismissive contempt for not doing his job. Looking at Rei's face he realized how foolish it was to think that. "Thank you, Rei. Let's... protect each other when we can." He gave a sad smile and squeezed her hand.

    "Would you like a hug?" Rei asked absently, causing Shinji's eyes to go wide.

    "I... what?" Shinji was not sure where this was coming from or how to respond.

    "I saw Doctor Makinami give you one when I had dinner with you two. You looked like it helped. I was wondering if you wanted one now." Rei said matter-of-factly.

    Shinji nodded, not one to say no to someone who just saved his life. Leaning forward over the steel railing of the cot, Shinji wrapped his arms around Rei, pulling her into a deep hug. It was a strange thing. Holding the girl in his arms, Shinji could not help but think of how the fate of the whole city... the whole world, was in the hands of a hurt little girl.

    After a lingering moment, Shinji let go, stepping away with a blush. "I should... I hope you feel better soon. You earned it." Not sure what else to say, Shinji turned and walked out of the trailer. He was unsure due to the light but he thought that as he left he saw the edges of a smile creep up Rei's face.

    Stepping out of the trailer, Shinji began to wander the camp, taking note of the various groups and operations while trying to keep out of everyone's way. Hopefully, he could find somewhere discreet and ventilated to wait. The smell of the deceased Angel had begun to waft over the camp to the visible discomfort of all. It made Shinji wonder as he pulled up his shirt to cover his nose, the first Angel seemed almost mechanical, a strange being of glass and steel, but this one had been flesh and blood. What were the Angels, really? What would the next one look like, if they could appear as anything at all? It was a specter he supposed he would have to face when it came and no sooner.

    Turing the corner of the large trucks, Shinji blinked, almost bumping into a group of grumpy JSSDF officers as he saw Mari at the far end of the camp and she wasn't alone. Around her in a semi-circle was a cluster of what looked like Section 2 Agents, and between them two familiar faces...

    "Kensuke, Sakura? What are you doing here?" Shinji shouted at the two kids within the mass of black suits and sunglasses as he jogged over, making all heads swivel in his direction.

    Kensuke looked sheepish, only looking at Shinji briefly before staring at his shoes as the Agent behind him gripped his shoulder like a vise. Sakura was similarly silent but looked to be treated better, albeit more than a little confused.

    One of the Agents looked at Shinji and then at Mari "The Pilot knows these... children?"

    Shinji looked at Mari, her face a paper thin veil of professionalism over a mountain of frustration. "Yes, the boy is his classmate and the girl is the sister of another one of his classmates. I don't know what Gendo has you looking for, but these aren't it. I think the witch can muster a bit more than two prepubescents and a camcorder."

    The agent let go of Kensuke with a barely hidden sneer "It's our job to ensure the safety of both NERV's operations and secrets. That includes preventing leaks like this."

    Mari waved a hand "Yes, yes, thank you, now go away. I am sure there is someone in desperate need of an Agent Smith impersonator."

    The Agent sneered again, this time openly before stepping back into his throng. "I will be sure to make a note of this in my report to the Commander."

    Mari rolled her eyes. "You do that."

    Sighing as the group left Mari turned to Shinji. "Bastards. They couldn't stop you-know-who from stopping by for a visit, but they are more than capable of catching two little trespassers?" Shaking her head in frustration Mari took a knee to look at Sakura. "You okay, honey? My name is Doctor Makinami. I'm Shinji's guardian. I helped your brother the other day after his accident."

    Sakura nodded, her eyes snapping to attention as she recognized the name. "I'm okay. They yelled at us and pointed guns and stuff at us when they found us but... I'm okay." Remembering something Sakura perked up. "Oh! They still have Kensuke's camera! It was his birthday present!"

    Mari nodded before standing up. "I am afraid they are probably going to keep that. Or least have it be conveniently lost in evidence if you ever try to ask for it." Mari's voice went cold as she turned to Kensuke. "Consider it payment for the stupid fucking decision of sneaking out of a shelter to take pictures of an ongoing battle."

    Closing her eyes Mari took a deep breath. "You two." She pointed at Shinji and Kensuke. "wait here. Sakura, come with me. Lucky for you, I still have your father's number on my phone. Let's hope he's available." Bending down, Mari took Sakura's hand in hers and strode off down the line, leaving Kensuke and Shinji alone.

    "That sucks." Kensuke kicked his foot at the ground. "My dad is gonna kill me for losing the camera. And I managed to snag some really cool shots, too! Shame you didn't get to see it, Shinji. It was really cool. Maybe Mari has a feed from the Eva you can look at." The boy shook his head. "Those Agent guys were pretty spooky, though. Are they normally like that... Shinji?"

    "What did you do?" Shinji breathed out slowly, the pieces of information he had just heard congealing in his mind into a terrible whole. He had told him to be safe, to take care of Sakura so she would not end up like her brother, and he seemed more concerned about his toy than his life or hers. "Kensuke I told you..." Shinji stopped when he heard a loud honk from a truck behind him followed by a glaring flash of lights. Grabbing Kensuke by the wrist he pulled him out of the way and down in between two of the trailers. "Kensuke..." he said, letting go of the boy, something rising in his chest. "What did you do?"

    Shinji saw a flash of guilt pass across Kensuke's face. Somewhere at least briefly he must have recognized a sliver of his own fault in this. "Come on, man! It was so boring in the shelter and it smelled like my grandmother's feet with all of us stuffed in like sardines. I just wanted to see! You have no idea what its like! NERV has all this cool stuff and they never let anyone look at it! And I mean... it turned out fine right? You saw Sakura, she's fine. She thought it was cool too, by the way, a big cool fight like out of an..."

    "Sakura is a child!" Shinji barked, feeling himself boil over. "I expected better from you! I left her with you to take care of!" Shinji remembered what it was like on the way to the station. The thick smoke and the bits of fire, glass, steel, and concrete flying all around. "You could have gotten her killed! What would you have you told Touji then?!"

    Kensuke's face turned to anger at Shinji's accusations. "Where do you get off? You got here two weeks ago and you think you can just boss me around? Because you're some big cool Pilot? Sakura is like a sister to me! I've known her all her life! Taking care of her was my responsibility, not yours, and I did that!"

    Shinji saw red. Before he knew it he was moving forward with his arms out. "Everyone is my responsibility!" He shoved Kensuke hard in the chest, knocking him off his feet and onto his back with a loud thump. Shinji shook, he had never been this angry before and he had no idea what to do with it. It felt like something was breaking within him. "Get up. You want some big fight? You want to get a taste of what a battle is like? I'll show you."

    Kensuke was barely back on his feet before Shinji was on him, landing the first blow with a closed fist to the stomach. It was like riding a bicycle. Shinji barely had to think about his next move or what do as he struck again, a wide left hook hitting his opponent in the jaw with a wet thwack. It was like he was back in Nevada with his teachers, running through the same combat drill for the millionth time.

    Kensuke staggered back, reaching out with a hand to lean on the trailer beside him as he gave a choked gasp for air. Shinji looked into his eyes, the shock and pain stealing over into a primal recognition this was not over. Charging angrily his target swung his fist wide arc. Shinji threw up an arm to block but it was not enough and the fist crashed into Shinji's ear.

    Nearly falling over from the lucky hit, Shinji ignored the ringing in his ears and the stars on the periphery of his vision as he charged at Kensuke once more. In his mind flashed images of Sakura crippled or dead, her small body bloody and broken. In his rage, the image shifted to Rei then Asuka then Rebecca and finally Mari. All laid low and shattered while Shinji was whole. My fault.

    Letting out a roar Shinji struck again and again and again, following Kensuke to the ground as the boy lost his balance. Straddling Kensuke's waist, one of Shinji's hands went to the boy's shoulder to keep him down while the other raised to strike once more when he froze hearing a faint sound behind him.

    "Shinji?"

    Shinji turned his head to see Sakura standing at the end of the alley, Mari beside her holding her shoulder. She looked scared, clinging to Mari with a look of sad horror. Something caught in Shinji's throat when he saw she was more frightened now than when the Angel attacked and Kensuke had spirited her away in the screaming crowd. A sick realization swept over Shinji as he knew what he had done. Stepping off of the panting, groaning, and bleeding boy beneath him, Shinji looked to his guardian. Her face was a cold mask. Not knowing what else to do and wanting to be anywhere but here, Shinji ran.

    *

    Maya gave a long yawn as she rolled her shoulders. "I'm calling it. Four thirteen AM, I am done. I don't know if I did enough but I know if I keep going I am just going to screw something up and make more work for everyone tomorrow. You okay?" Maya looked over at Kodama who seemed to be running on the fumes of half a dozen cups of coffee and some chocolate bars.

    "Huh? Oh yeah, you're probably right," Kodama nodded, stifling a yawn. "Is there a conference room or something I can crash in? I can't imagine the bus running this late... if the roads are even open at all given the battle..."

    Maya raised an eyebrow in concern "You can't get home? I had no idea. I wouldn't have asked you to stay had I known. Tell you what..." Maya almost bit her tongue as the next few words came out of her mouth. "Why don't you come over to my place? It's not far from here. I have a fold-out couch you can use, and we can have breakfast in the morning. I'm not much of a cook but..." Maya waved a hand at the pile of wrappers and paper cups between them. "I think I can do better than this." What the hell are you doing, Maya?

    Kodama gave a laugh. "Really? Thanks! I can't say no to that. To be honest, I am not used to anyone being so nice to me. First... well, first that thing, and now all this. I just wish I could do something to repay you. I can't imagine my performance today was much good, me freezing like a statue and all."

    Maya waved a hand dismissively as she scooped up her share of the trash and carried it to a rubbish bin under one of the desks. "Don't worry about it. We all get overwhelmed sometimes. You never really know how you'll react to situations like that until they come. You just have to learn from it and move forward. And you said it yourself, you're a fast learner."

    That made Kodama blush a cute pink in the dim light of the control room. "Thanks... I guess. You're a really good person Maya."

    Maya gave a weak smile. I'm not, I'm really not. But I can try.
     
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    • Alex said:
    Woo! This chapter grew and grew as I wrote. Its funny how things can run away from you. As I said earlier a mix of waff and darkness, I hope people enjoy. It was a tough chapter to write in places but I do think it works how I wanted it to. Credit for editing goes to the wonderful @Strypgia round of applause everyone. As always I live for comments and reactions so feel free to leave what you think. And without further ado here we go.

    Chapter 13​


    Shinji felt like a rat in a cage. He sat with his head in his hands as he felt the car make its way through the underground tunnels connecting the city to the Geofront below. At least on the streets above he could control it, his speed was up to him. Just waiting was almost too much to bear.

    Shinji could not help but think of what had happened and what he had done on the street. The strange sight of an AT-Field hovering in the air in front of him burned into his mind. He had no idea he could do that and no idea how or why it had happened then. After the surgery he had done some experiments with Mari to try and see the extent of his new abilities, but none of them had produced anything like that. The stamina, the endurance, and the strength had come naturally and without effort, but anything past that? The other stuff, the mind bending craziness that Mari had told him should be possible? Almost never, and when it did manifest it was so weak it could hardly even be called a party trick.

    It wasn't much, but Shinji was grateful that Mari never pushed him there. Once it was clear that Shinji could not produce the results she expected or desired she let him be and supported him in other ways. It was a small thing, but considering what Mari told him of Asuka's training and everything he could infer from Rei, it seemed like it was a rare mercy inside the world of NERV.

    Rei, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what they have done to you. Shaking his head, Shinji looked up to see his car pulling into the station, grinding and shifting as it locked itself into the platform. The rush of the situation returning, he ran through the sliding doors as soon as they opened. He ran down the bay, internally orienting himself and trying to remember the way to the cages.

    Rounding the corner, Shinji saw his first signs of life; a trio of security personnel huddled around a small radio. They were laughing and patting each other on the back as they listened to the fuzzy chatter from the box. Shinji's jaw hung loose in disbelief as he saw them even pass a flask of something between them. "What the hell are you guys doing!" He yelled at the three calling their attention "Aren't we under attack?"

    The pairs of eyes looked over at Shinji with surprise and amusement. "Hey, you're the new kid... Relax, the Angel's dead. The blue-haired girl killed it. It was a hell of a fight from what we heard."

    *

    Kodama blinked and let out a series of short, small breaths, afraid if she let out all the air she had been holding in she would collapse on the spot. She was alive, they were all alive, well... no that wasn't right. As the wreckage of raptor wing on the ground showed and the reports of damage and casualties from around the city poured in it was clear there was a cost to all this, a cost Kodama was not quite ready to think about. But for now it was over, they had won, and she had helped. Not that she could say she did much, most of the time simply parroting whatever new data was coming in from the MAGI at her station. It was impossible not to feel a wave of relief wash over her as it clearly did her fellows in the bridge, with even the spooky man at the very back giving a nod of approval at the results. She was told he was Commander Ikari.

    "You okay, there?" Kodama swiveled her chair around to look at her supervisor, Maya Ibuki's smiling face. "Looks like we made it."

    Kodama could only smile back, the sheer absurdity of the situation hitting her. "Yeah, just a lot to take all at once. Was it like this the first time? I was stuck in a shelter the whole night for that one. And nobody at NERV was very forthcoming about the situation the next day."

    Maya gave a nervous laugh. "Would you believe it if I said it was worse? There were a couple of things that made that one more complicated that... well, I don't want to jinx it but I think things will get easier once Unit-02 and the Second Child arrive, and then Unit-04 a few days after that."

    "Here's hoping."

    Kodama craned her head to see Maya's superior, Doctor Akagi, lighting up a cigarette. "It should have been here a week ago. I don't know whether its incompetence or Stern is trying to fuck us but its getting on my nerves," the blonde scientist continued.

    Stern? Kodama had no idea who or what that was but knew it was a question for later. Looking around she was surprised to see many of the crew filling out of the room, first Captain Katsuragi and Aoba, followed closely by the Commander and his assistant. "Where is everyone going?"

    Maya shrugged. "The Commander and Sub-Commander don't like to hang around if they don't have to. I can only assume they are going to plan the details of the cleanup and how to alter our strategy going forward. And of course speaking with representatives from the UN about everything that happened."

    Kodama shook her head. It was hard to think about how she was this connected with such things now. She had always been a smart girl and a ace student, but with her parents unable to afford specialty programs and needing her to work as much as she could. Kodama was used to being a big fish in a small pond. Now she felt like she was a guppy in a vast churning ocean that would swallow her up if she blinked.

    "What about her?" Kodama pointed to the woman at the top of the bridge, standing where the commanders were standing. A tall woman, with long dark brown hair currently tied at the back in a loose pony tail. She wore a thin black suit with a labcoat loose over the top. There was something about her that Kodama could not place, perhaps a weariness of the eyes looked through you.

    "Oh yeah, her," Kodama heard Maya say in voice dripping with forced politeness. "She's a lot like Commander Ikari in some ways. She keeps to herself until she needs something done, then she expects everyone to jump to attention."

    Not a moment after Maya's explanation the woman seemed alerted to something, grabbing her phone out of her pocket. Before looking out to the rest of the bridge and making Maya blush. "Now that the situation on the ground has been deemed safe I will go and inspect Unit-01 for any damage worth noting. Doctor Akagi, I am told the First Child is being held on site and is in stable condition. Would you like to join me there?"

    Kodama had to bite her tongue not gasp as she saw the barely restrained venom flash in Doctor Akagi's eyes at the question. "No. Thank you for the offer, Doctor Makinami, but I think my time would be best served examining our detection equipment and connections to the various monitoring stations. This Angel snuck up on us, that should not be allowed to happen again. Compared to that..." The doctor shrugged. "The First Child can wait."

    Makinami gave a curt nod. "Very well, I'll leave you to get to the bottom of this. I am sure you will have it handled in no time. I am also sure the Commander and the Committee will expect a full report on this soon." The woman gave a small nod to the rest of the bridge crew and walked down the hall, the sharp clack of her shoes echoing across the bridge.

    "Who the Hell does she think she..." Kodama tried to look down at her console and pretend she was not seeing what she was seeing. "Maya, you heard Miss America. I need you and your assistant to pore through as much data from the last forty-eight hours as possible. If there was a blip showing this thing coming I want to see it." The woman gave a long exhalation before putting out her cigarette in the ashtray at her station. "Let's not disappoint our new boss." She said the last with a sense of resignation and disgust before walking to the the other service elevator.

    Kodama saw Maya sigh as her mentor left, a weary look on her face as her gaze lingered until the Doctor turned the corner. It was clear to Kodama that Maya held a great affection for her boss. How far that affection went she was hesitant to say, but it was hard to ignore what she saw. "So... what now?"

    Maya smiled back at the intern. "Now I hope you don't have any plans for tonight, because I expect the two of us are going to spend the next half a dozen hours looking over data from a hundred outposts and stations and comparing them."

    Kodama gave a laugh. "Well you guys did say there would be long hours... I am sure it will be fine. Besides, this excitement? What hot date can beat that?"

    Kodma saw Maya give a small blush before getting up herself. "Ah yes... well, if we plan to go at it I expect we will need some supplies. Can you look after things here while I go raid the vending machines down the hall for us?"

    Kodama nodded, and smiled back at Maya. She's really cute when she's flustered. "I think so... as long as another Angel doesn't attack in the next five minutes!" She gave a forced laugh.

    Maya smiled. "Okay then, be right back." The Lieutenant took a few steps before rounding her on heel to face Kodama again. "Should you... maybe give your parents a call? Let them know your gonna be late?"

    Kodma shrugged, as the rush of the wonder around her deflated at the mention of her parents. "Its fine, they are used to me coming and going at odd hours... or not seeing me for a few days at a time." Kodoma saw Maya's face pale as she heard her explanation. The usual debate flashing across her face. Is she gonna say something? After a moment Maya just gave a forced smile and nodded before running off to plunder for canned coffees and chips leaving Kodama alone. Looking around at the faintly glowing and beeping terminals Kodama took a step back, now very aware each one most likely cost more then her house. "How did I get here?"

    *

    Shinji clenched his teeth as he watched the elevator door open with a mechanical hiss, revealing his guardian. Standing to face her Shinji tried to stay composed but failed. "They sent Rei! I said I was coming! I tried to get here as fast as I could and they sent her instead!" Shinji fumed, his fists clenching at his side. "Was it father? Or Misato? I want to know!"

    "It was me. I ordered Rei to be sent out," Mari said flatly, her eyes cold.

    "I... what?!" His anger turned to shock. "How could you!? Rei was injured, and sick and..."


    "And available, while you were on the other side of town. But that's beside the point. You're not angry Rei was chosen to fight, you're angry you weren't."

    "Shouldn't I be!?" Shinji shouted before he caught himself. "Its my job to save people! I can't just let... all that happen, can I?"

    "I'm not saying you should. But are you honestly saying we should have waited for your arrival before proceeding? You were on the surface when that thing was firing on us. Can you imagine how much more damage it could have done if given ten... fifteen more minutes? I am not going to sacrifice the safety of the people of this city to satisfy your ego."

    The words hit Shinji like a rock. All at once the muscles in his shoulders gave way as he slumped forward. "No... I... of course not. I just.... I guess it doesn't matter..."

    Shinji felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up he saw Mari smile down at him. "It always matters Shinji. Every life is a hope for something better. You have to fight in this war, and for that I am deeply sorry. But you don't have to fight alone. Now..." She gave Shinji a warm squeeze and a pat. "Speaking of, why don't you come with me to the site? Rei will be there and I am sure she will appreciate a friendly face."

    Shinji nodded. "Okay. But there is something that happened on the surface I should tell you about on the way."

    *

    Hikari sat with her eyes closed and prayed. She always thought of herself as a religious girl but today was the first time she really felt like one. Her parents brought her to church every Sunday and she had taken what she heard to heart, helping in the nursery and organizing the youth group. She had stuck around even after her sister had left, declaring it all bullshit. That had hurt. She loved her sister but she hated the drama that seemed to accumulate around her. But right now none of that mattered. Sitting on the hard concrete floor of the hospital basement, Hikari prayed as hard as she could clutching Touji's only hand in hers as she recited whatever she could remember from the thick red books in the pews.

    It was dark, with only a flickering LED light in the ceiling to share among the dozens of patients, staff, and visitors in the room. The shaking had stopped a while ago, as had the sounds of distant thunder that seemed to rip through everything. If she was anywhere else in the city she would be in a shelter, but the hospital didn't have the resources to move many of the bedridden patients at the drop of a hat, so the basement was the best alternative while that.... thing attacked. Hikari didn't know what it was, whether it was an angel from heaven, a demon from hell, or some alien from Mars. In the end, it didn't matter. It was trying to kill them and didn't seem to be in the mood for hashing out theological differences.

    Hikari stopped her quiet, nervous chanting when she felt Touji give her hand a good squeeze. Looking up to the boy as he lay above her on the cot, he smiled at her. "Hey, its gonna be okay."

    Hikari blushed and squeezed back "I hope so. I feel so powerless."

    Touji nodded, his breathing slow as he lay on the cot. "I know the feeling. I didn't know if we won or lost for hours after that night. I just woke up and there was a mountain of concrete on top of me." Touji stopped talking for a moment, his words replaced by the low beep of his heart monitor. "I didn't know if Sakura was safe or the city was still there until the rescue crew dug me out."

    Hikari shuddered at the thought and leaned against the cot, the cold metal of the frame feeling oddly soothing on her skin. "That sounds awful."

    Touji gave a small chuckle "It was. But... It did give me time to think, to realize what I really wanted to do if I ever got the chance. Hikari..."

    Hikari looked up to see Touji had turned to look her in the eyes. His face was rough and bruised around the edges but there was a softness there she could not quite place. "Yes?"

    "When I get out of here, will you go on a date with me? I don't know what kind of things I would be up to doing given all of..."

    "Yes!" Hikari felt the word rush out of her mouth like a jolt of lightning and just as loud. Blushing as she saw a dozen pairs of eyes turned to her. Blushing, Hikari squeezed Touji's hand tighter, now hoping more than ever today was not the end.

    *

    It was dark when Shinji and Mari arrived at the makeshift site. Floodlights illuminated the camp, revealing dozens of personnel scrambling in different directions, with some setting up the trailers and unboxing equipment while others in orange rubber hazmat suits marched towards the battlefield ahead of them. Shinji shuddered as he looked at Unit-01's motionless form from across the valley, the light making the humanoid weapon look like a statue from a long forgotten age.

    He had felt something when he piloted it, something strange. Mari had told him it was nothing, but there seemed to be some presence there beyond all the wires and metal. Shaking his head, Shinji turned to his guardian who was still in her cold-professional mode.

    "I need to speak with some people to assess the state of Unit-01. Initial reports say minimal damage, but they don't pay me to slack. Rei is in trailer seven. Show the guard your badge and he will let you in. I am sure..." Mari stopped for a second as Shinji swore she caught something in her throat "I'm sure she could use a friend."

    Shinji nodded and headed off towards the row of trailers, moving briskly past a group of NERV technicians having a spirited debate with what looked like some JSSDF officers. Shinji tried to leave Mari alone when she was like this. The last thing she needed when dealing with a million things was him dangling at the end. Checking the side of one of the trailers for markings and finding he was off, Shinji kept moving. In a way, he could not help but find this all impressive, the way NERV scrambled into action like a well-oiled machine. A well-oiled machine with a damaged little girl in the center of it.

    Shinji sighed as he found the trailer with a large red seven on the side. Rei deserved better than this, better than him. Not seeing any sign of a guard, Shinji opened the door and climbed inside, swallowing as he saw Rei lying in a bed up against the wall. She didn't look hurt but there was a deep fatigue in her frame as she slumped on the bed. On her arm, a tube connected her to an IV filled with a clear liquid Shinji could only guess at the contents of.

    "Rei?" Shinji asked weakly. "You there?"

    "Shinji?" Shinji moved closer as he heard Rei answer him, her voice barely more than a whisper.

    "Rei I'm... I'm sorry." Shinji spoke slowly, the weight of each word taking its toll.

    Rei tilted her head, a curiosity flashing across her face as she heard his apology. "Why?"

    Shinji was not sure where to begin. "I'm sorry my father treats you like he does. I am sorry for what I said before. I don't..." Shinji searched for the exact words. "I don't know what you are, but I know who you are. You are not Yui Ikari. You're not my mother, but you are a person and deserve... better than this. I am sorry that you had to fight. I should have been here. I should have..."

    Shinji stopped his rambling as he felt a hand on his. Looking up from his shoes, Shinji saw that Rei had gotten closer, her eyes strangely warm in the dim light. "You saved me at that test and then again with the first Angel. I wanted to save you."

    Shinji was taken aback. Somehow he expected Rei to be angry at him, to treat him with a dismissive contempt for not doing his job. Looking at Rei's face he realized how foolish it was to think that. "Thank you, Rei. Let's... protect each other when we can." He gave a sad smile and squeezed her hand.

    "Would you like a hug?" Rei asked absently, causing Shinji's eyes to go wide.

    "I... what?" Shinji was not sure where this was coming from or how to respond.

    "I saw Doctor Makinami give you one when I had dinner with you two. You looked like it helped. I was wondering if you wanted one now." Rei said matter-of-factly.

    Shinji nodded, not one to say no to someone who just saved his life. Leaning forward over the steel railing of the cot, Shinji wrapped his arms around Rei, pulling her into a deep hug. It was a strange thing. Holding the girl in his arms, Shinji could not help but think of how the fate of the whole city... the whole world, was in the hands of a hurt little girl.

    After a lingering moment, Shinji let go, stepping away with a blush. "I should... I hope you feel better soon. You earned it." Not sure what else to say, Shinji turned and walked out of the trailer. He was unsure due to the light but he thought that as he left he saw the edges of a smile creep up Rei's face.

    Stepping out of the trailer, Shinji began to wander the camp, taking note of the various groups and operations while trying to keep out of everyone's way. Hopefully, he could find somewhere discreet and ventilated to wait. The smell of the deceased Angel had begun to waft over the camp to the visible discomfort of all. It made Shinji wonder as he pulled up his shirt to cover his nose, the first Angel seemed almost mechanical, a strange being of glass and steel, but this one had been flesh and blood. What were the Angels, really? What would the next one look like, if they could appear as anything at all? It was a specter he supposed he would have to face when it came and no sooner.

    Turing the corner of the large trucks, Shinji blinked, almost bumping into a group of grumpy JSSDF officers as he saw Mari at the far end of the camp and she wasn't alone. Around her in a semi-circle was a cluster of what looked like Section 2 Agents, and between them two familiar faces...

    "Kensuke, Sakura? What are you doing here?" Shinji shouted at the two kids within the mass of black suits and sunglasses as he jogged over, making all heads swivel in his direction.

    Kensuke looked sheepish, only looking at Shinji briefly before staring at his shoes as the Agent behind him gripped his shoulder like a vise. Sakura was similarly silent but looked to be treated better, albeit more than a little confused.

    One of the Agents looked at Shinji and then at Mari "The Pilot knows these... children?"

    Shinji looked at Mari, her face a paper thin veil of professionalism over a mountain of frustration. "Yes, the boy is his classmate and the girl is the sister of another one of his classmates. I don't know what Gendo has you looking for, but these aren't it. I think the witch can muster a bit more than two prepubescents and a camcorder."

    The agent let go of Kensuke with a barely hidden sneer "It's our job to ensure the safety of both NERV's operations and secrets. That includes preventing leaks like this."

    Mari waved a hand "Yes, yes, thank you, now go away. I am sure there is someone in desperate need of an Agent Smith impersonator."

    The Agent sneered again, this time openly before stepping back into his throng. "I will be sure to make a note of this in my report to the Commander."

    Mari rolled her eyes. "You do that."

    Sighing as the group left Mari turned to Shinji. "Bastards. They couldn't stop you-know-who from stopping by for a visit, but they are more than capable of catching two little trespassers?" Shaking her head in frustration Mari took a knee to look at Sakura. "You okay, honey? My name is Doctor Makinami. I'm Shinji's guardian. I helped your brother the other day after his accident."

    Sakura nodded, her eyes snapping to attention as she recognized the name. "I'm okay. They yelled at us and pointed guns and stuff at us when they found us but... I'm okay." Remembering something Sakura perked up. "Oh! They still have Kensuke's camera! It was his birthday present!"

    Mari nodded before standing up. "I am afraid they are probably going to keep that. Or least have it be conveniently lost in evidence if you ever try to ask for it." Mari's voice went cold as she turned to Kensuke. "Consider it payment for the stupid fucking decision of sneaking out of a shelter to take pictures of an ongoing battle."

    Closing her eyes Mari took a deep breath. "You two." She pointed at Shinji and Kensuke. "wait here. Sakura, come with me. Lucky for you, I still have your father's number on my phone. Let's hope he's available." Bending down, Mari took Sakura's hand in hers and strode off down the line, leaving Kensuke and Shinji alone.

    "That sucks." Kensuke kicked his foot at the ground. "My dad is gonna kill me for losing the camera. And I managed to snag some really cool shots, too! Shame you didn't get to see it, Shinji. It was really cool. Maybe Mari has a feed from the Eva you can look at." The boy shook his head. "Those Agent guys were pretty spooky, though. Are they normally like that... Shinji?"

    "What did you do?" Shinji breathed out slowly, the pieces of information he had just heard congealing in his mind into a terrible whole. He had told him to be safe, to take care of Sakura so she would not end up like her brother, and he seemed more concerned about his toy than his life or hers. "Kensuke I told you..." Shinji stopped when he heard a loud honk from a truck behind him followed by a glaring flash of lights. Grabbing Kensuke by the wrist he pulled him out of the way and down in between two of the trailers. "Kensuke..." he said, letting go of the boy, something rising in his chest. "What did you do?"

    Shinji saw a flash of guilt pass across Kensuke's face. Somewhere at least briefly he must have recognized a sliver of his own fault in this. "Come on, man! It was so boring in the shelter and it smelled like my grandmother's feet with all of us stuffed in like sardines. I just wanted to see! You have no idea what its like! NERV has all this cool stuff and they never let anyone look at it! And I mean... it turned out fine right? You saw Sakura, she's fine. She thought it was cool too, by the way, a big cool fight like out of an..."

    "Sakura is a child!" Shinji barked, feeling himself boil over. "I expected better from you! I left her with you to take care of!" Shinji remembered what it was like on the way to the station. The thick smoke and the bits of fire, glass, steel, and concrete flying all around. "You could have gotten her killed! What would you have you told Touji then?!"

    Kensuke's face turned to anger at Shinji's accusations. "Where do you get off? You got here two weeks ago and you think you can just boss me around? Because you're some big cool Pilot? Sakura is like a sister to me! I've known her all her life! Taking care of her was my responsibility, not yours, and I did that!"

    Shinji saw red. Before he knew it he was moving forward with his arms out. "Everyone is my responsibility!" He shoved Kensuke hard in the chest, knocking him off his feet and onto his back with a loud thump. Shinji shook, he had never been this angry before and he had no idea what to do with it. It felt like something was breaking within him. "Get up. You want some big fight? You want to get a taste of what a battle is like? I'll show you."

    Kensuke was barely back on his feet before Shinji was on him, landing the first blow with a closed fist to the stomach. It was like riding a bicycle. Shinji barely had to think about his next move or what do as he struck again, a wide left hook hitting his opponent in the jaw with a wet thwack. It was like he was back in Nevada with his teachers, running through the same combat drill for the millionth time.

    Kensuke staggered back, reaching out with a hand to lean on the trailer beside him as he gave a choked gasp for air. Shinji looked into his eyes, the shock and pain stealing over into a primal recognition this was not over. Charging angrily his target swung his fist wide arc. Shinji threw up an arm to block but it was not enough and the fist crashed into Shinji's ear.

    Nearly falling over from the lucky hit, Shinji ignored the ringing in his ears and the stars on the periphery of his vision as he charged at Kensuke once more. In his mind flashed images of Sakura crippled or dead, her small body bloody and broken. In his rage, the image shifted to Rei then Asuka then Rebecca and finally Mari. All laid low and shattered while Shinji was whole. My fault.

    Letting out a roar Shinji struck again and again and again, following Kensuke to the ground as the boy lost his balance. Straddling Kensuke's waist, one of Shinji's hands went to the boy's shoulder to keep him down while the other raised to strike once more when he froze hearing a faint sound behind him.

    "Shinji?"

    Shinji turned his head to see Sakura standing at the end of the alley, Mari beside her holding her shoulder. She looked scared, clinging to Mari with a look of sad horror. Something caught in Shinji's throat when he saw she was more frightened now than when the Angel attacked and Kensuke had spirited her away in the screaming crowd. A sick realization swept over Shinji as he knew what he had done. Stepping off of the panting, groaning, and bleeding boy beneath him, Shinji looked to his guardian. Her face was a cold mask. Not knowing what else to do and wanting to be anywhere but here, Shinji ran.

    *

    Maya gave a long yawn as she rolled her shoulders. "I'm calling it. Four thirteen AM, I am done. I don't know if I did enough but I know if I keep going I am just going to screw something up and make more work for everyone tomorrow. You okay?" Maya looked over at Kodama who seemed to be running on the fumes of half a dozen cups of coffee and some chocolate bars.

    "Huh? Oh yeah, you're probably right," Kodama nodded, stifling a yawn. "Is there a conference room or something I can crash in? I can't imagine the bus running this late... if the roads are even open at all given the battle..."

    Maya raised an eyebrow in concern "You can't get home? I had no idea. I wouldn't have asked you to stay had I known. Tell you what..." Maya almost bit her tongue as the next few words came out of her mouth. "Why don't you come over to my place? It's not far from here. I have a fold-out couch you can use, and we can have breakfast in the morning. I'm not much of a cook but..." Maya waved a hand at the pile of wrappers and paper cups between them. "I think I can do better than this." What the hell are you doing, Maya?

    Kodama gave a laugh. "Really? Thanks! I can't say no to that. To be honest, I am not used to anyone being so nice to me. First... well, first that thing, and now all this. I just wish I could do something to repay you. I can't imagine my performance today was much good, me freezing like a statue and all."

    Maya waved a hand dismissively as she scooped up her share of the trash and carried it to a rubbish bin under one of the desks. "Don't worry about it. We all get overwhelmed sometimes. You never really know how you'll react to situations like that until they come. You just have to learn from it and move forward. And you said it yourself, you're a fast learner."

    That made Kodama blush a cute pink in the dim light of the control room. "Thanks... I guess. You're a really good person Maya."

    Maya gave a weak smile. I'm not, I'm really not. But I can try.
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    Damnit @Alex you nearly make my heart tore itself apart from being so conflicted between wanting to squee or to cry!

    More seriously, this is a very nice chapter. The mood whiplash is rather sudden though to be honest, but other than that its perfect.

    EDIT: This just hits me. Is your fic ShinjixRei or ShinjixAsuka? or Even ShinjixRebecca? I just want to know, no intention at being offensive or starting a shipping war :)
     
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    *Kensuke complains about camera being taken*
    Kensuke NO

    *Shinji beats the shit out of Kensuke*
    Shinji NO

    *Mari examining this absolute mess of a day*
    "I work fourteen hours shifts, have no vacation days, and am literally dying. Could you all just not?"

    Maya: 'Alright me, you can do this. Just remain professional and everything will be-'
    Kodama: "Is there somewhere I can go fall unconscious? The buses aren't running this late and my place is way too far away to-"
    Maya: "You can spend the night at my place!"
    Maya: 'GOD DAMMIT ME!'

    *Rei murderfies the Angel and gets Teh Hugglez*
    *Is content*

    Me
    *Continues to watch the ongoing train wreck in fascinated awe.*
     
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    Alex said:
    Shinji saw red. Before he knew it he was moving forward with his arms out. "Everyone is my responsibility!" He shoved Kensuke hard in the chest, knocking him off his feet and onto his back with a loud thump. Shinji shook, he had never been this angry before and he had no idea what to do with it. It felt like something was breaking within him. "Get up. You want some big fight? You want to get a taste of what a battle is like? I'll show you."

    Kensuke was barely back on his feet before Shinji was on him, landing the first blow with a closed fist to the stomach. It was like riding a bicycle. Shinji barely had to think about his next move or what do as he struck again, a wide left hook hitting his opponent in the jaw with a wet thwack. It was like he was back in Nevada with his teachers, running through the same combat drill for the millionth time.

    Kensuke staggered back, reaching out with a hand to lean on the trailer beside him as he gave a choked gasp for air. Shinji looked into his eyes, the shock and pain stealing over into a primal recognition this was not over. Charging angrily his target swung his fist wide arc. Shinji threw up an arm to block but it was not enough and the fist crashed into Shinji's ear.

    Nearly falling over from the lucky hit, Shinji ignored the ringing in his ears and the stars on the periphery of his vision as he charged at Kensuke once more. In his mind flashed images of Sakura crippled or dead, her small body bloody and broken. In his rage, the image shifted to Rei then Asuka then Rebecca and finally Mari. All laid low and shattered while Shinji was whole. My fault.

    Letting out a roar Shinji struck again and again and again, following Kensuke to the ground as the boy lost his balance. Straddling Kensuke's waist, one of Shinji's hands went to the boy's shoulder to keep him down while the other raised to strike once more when he froze hearing a faint sound behind him.

    "Shinji?"

    Shinji turned his head to see Sakura standing at the end of the alley, Mari beside her holding her shoulder. She looked scared, clinging to Mari with a look of sad horror. Something caught in Shinji's throat when he saw she was more frightened now than when the Angel attacked and Kensuke had spirited her away in the screaming crowd. A sick realization swept over Shinji as he knew what he had done. Stepping off of the panting, groaning, and bleeding boy beneath him, Shinji looked to his guardian. Her face was a cold mask. Not knowing what else to do and wanting to be anywhere but here, Shinji ran.
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    and here we see Shinji's level 1 Ranbu-style super "Beat up: Nerd". As a staggered high priority five hit combo, it allows a Shinji to deal BIG damage to his opponent without them being able to tech out. It does have some delay frames midway through, allowing an opponent to get in a quick shot. The frames come with Super Armor, so this is only a problem against extremely hard-hitting opponents.

    However, this super does have a glaring weakness; if Aida mains elect to bring along a Sakura as a tag assist. If used, a Sakura assist can interrupt the super at any point, and worse, counts as a snapback that can actually eject a Shinji from the field for the duration of the match, leading to an instant loss if that is all a player has left.
     
    Great chapter, as all of your stuff tends to be :)

    Some pretty dark moments spread throughout it, especially that Kensuke and Shinji scene. It really made a lot of sense though considering who Shinji is in this fic. This is a Shinji who knows more than anything what is at stake, he knows the damage that can be done and he has a bit of a sense of duty here. He wants to actively protect and seeing Kensuke being that reckless would trigger severe anger, hell Kensuke's actions in the series when he has a go at Shinji for leaving makes me angry.

    Kensuke is really someone who just doesn't get it. He lives in a dreamworld and although Shinji did go too far, it's easy to see why he'd trigger that anger in him. Really powerful scene, I'm wondering what implications this will have going forward for everyone.

    The Maya/Kodama stuff is adorable, I love seeing them get flustered and such. It's really cute to read.

    And also I loved Rei huggling the Shinji :)

    As said, great work, looking forward to what is to come.
     
    Rei hugging Shinji was wonderful. Komaya is always...

    ...Interesting. it's not simple yuri bait, since it also runs right across power lines: Maya wants Kodama, and is pretty much to her direct supervisor. And knows it. So Maya's perspective is a constant 'WHY AM I DOING THIS IT IS SO UNETHICAL"

    And Shinji was trained to kill.
     
    On the Shinji front:

    • Everybody we've met in the story (so far) loved and adored his mother as this beautiful, amazing, genius scientist who was taken away before her time.
    • He's been trained that the best way of dealing with a problem (mainly an 80-meter tall Adamite-shaped problem) is to do unspeakable violence to it until it goes away.
    • He's essentially given up most of his humanity to be able to be better at fighting Angels and has resentment to people who see him as a monster because of it.
    • The boy's got enough guilt to make Matt Murdock go "Wow buddy, you're being too hard on yourself."
    So that's a lot of pressure to be under and even though he's got Mari, who loves and cares about him he's still Shinji and isn't really that great at understanding or expressing his true feelings. The important thing to notice here is that this Shinji still takes things out on himself and lashes out in violence because of it, Asuka's sort of the same way but she's taking out her anger on everybody else with violence.

    You could argue since BnB!Shinji is more akin to the classical Shonen protagonist (has special powers, important backstory, implied destiny and overarching goal) this could be considered to be a deconstruction of the whole Defeat Means Friendship trope. Instead of fighting being the commonality that brings people together, it works like it does IRL and drives the two parties apart.
     
    Dranndor said:
    EDIT: This just hits me. Is your fic ShinjixRei or ShinjixAsuka? or Even ShinjixRebecca? I just want to know, no intention at being offensive or starting a shipping war :)
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    With Shinji having an S2 organ there's also some thematic parallels and interesting potential dynamics in Shinji/Kaworu, too.

    But Rei is for Rebecca and Rebecca is for Rei. So unless Shinji is willing to accept that and share, I've told Alex that if Shinji breaks up that couple in canon I'm going to fly to the frozen north and stab him.

    (And by 'fly to the frozen north and stab him' I mean 'flood the thread with Reibecca omakes until he has them give me a threadban for derailing.')
     
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