Neon Genesis Evangelion: Revelations I'm the King of the Castle (Now Your the Dirty Rascal) By The English Shinji Project Start: 4 September 1998, 17:10:27 Project End: 7 February 1999, 22:44:21? Evangelion is the property of Gainax (thank you, you wonderful people). ADV Films has the rights to the English translation. The Characters Aoi Tamashi, Seyoko Okazaki, Lyn Anouilh and Tenkei are all owned by those absolutely brilliant people at Orbit Productions, creators of the perfect second series for NGE, Neon Genesis Evangelion: R, used with their permission. The character John Peter Riley, is my own creation, and so is owned by me. RecantedRevisedRevisionedRecalledRe-Rendered RecoveredRecycledRepressedRepudiatedRedoneRebutedRevokedRetarded --------------------------------- KotC ver1.0 --------------------------------- The figure of a sleeping teenager lay on the couch of Major Katsuragi's apartment. The sheets he had borrowed from Misato were pulled right up to his neck. Misato didn't like waking people up, she knew how blissful it was to sleep in late after a late night, she did it herself quite often, but she still had to do it. She creeps up to the still resting boy, his face was facing away from her into the back of the sofa, and gently shook him. The boy moaned. "Don't worry Misato," John spoke in a quiet, sleepy voice "I'm awake, just. I'll be up at twelve. Now leave me be." "I'm afraid I can't let you sleep in. Your to enrol in the local school today.." John's eyes snapped open at the mention of the word that strikes fear into the hearts of all teenagers, "School?" he asks, obviously slightly more awake. "I'm afraid you have to get up. Shinji's making the breakfast now. You've got plenty of ti.." "Good, more time to rest, tell me when breakfast is ready." and with that, he closes his eyes and once more dozes peacefully. Misato was used to this laziness from Asuka, and of course herself. She knew exactly how hard it was to get up. "Well, that means I wont tell you where your school uniform is." John slowly rolls over to look at the women through slit eyes. "My uniform is just the..." he stops as he notices the definite absence of the articles of clothing he was looking for, "Ok, you got me." he slowly sits up and rubs the sleep from his eyes. "I think I'm starting to realise why your a Major." "Why thank you. Was that a compliment I heard there?" "Take it how you want , but I really hate school mornings. Especially when I thought I'd get a sleep in. So, what's for breakfast?" he looks at Misato with hope in his eyes. "MMMM, MMMM." John remarks through a mouth stuffed with food, "You do a great fried breakfast Shinji, you know that?" "Don't speak with your mouth full, its disgusting!" Asuka spouted at him. "Sorry." John said and grinned haughtily at the girl, getting a good smack in the arm for it. "Owww, what was that for?" "Shiest, are you stupid or something, for being so disgusting. I always thought the English were all well mannered." "Well," he swallows, "I sometimes forget my manners in the presence of good people such as yourself, Shinji here and the good Major. Anyway, shouldn't you be complaining about manners to her? Gulping a can of beer down, then letting rip with loudest whoop I've ever heard from a women," Misato grins, "and your complaining that I'm being rude and bad mannered? You really have an interesting mind Asuka, you really do." Asuka wasn't really expecting such a long winded reply, maybe she was too used to Shinji, "Well, I can't really tell my superior what to do, can I?" "Yes, but a superior, especially in the presence of children of our age, really should be trying to set an example, no insult intended, I don't mind it personally. You never know, maybe in the distant future you'll be drinking beer for breakfast." Asuka gave up. He obviously was a bit more talkative than she had thought, and returned her attention to her fried breakfast. Maybe she was a bit too used to Shinji. Seeing her give up, John smiled, pleased with the victory, and looked towards Shinji, who was busy eating his breakfast, so he continued with the wonderful one Shinji had set out for him. Luckily, Shinji sure knew how to make a fried breakfast, as shown by the food in front of him. When he had finished, John let out a satisfied groan. "Now that's what I call food. I don't think I've ever known a boy to be able to cook a descent breakfast. " "Well, thanks. Tea?" Shinji asked. "Hmm, no thanks, I think if I have anymore, my stomach will burst." "So, Misato, this school thing. Does that mean we have to get good reports, or is this just to show the pilots look like they live a normal life?" "What, afraid you might make a fool of yourself? Not as bright as you make yourself out to be?" "No. Just wondering if I will actually have to make an effort or not, and from what your saying, I getting a bad feeling about the answer." "Sorry, but you will have to work, all your grades and reports will be forwarded to your guardian, whoever that will be." "Wait a minute, who is my guardian anyhow?" "I'm not entirely sure. Seyoko, Lyn's guardian, I suppose might be assigned to you as well, but she isn't strictly Nerv personnel.." "What is she then?" "..well, another.." "Christ, how many secret organisations are there that the world don't know of?" "Hey, Shinji." came a voice from across the road. Shinji turned to see Lyn smiling and waving on the other side of the road. Shinji smiled back as the two made their way over. "So where's Aoi today?" Shinji asked Lyn as the three boys walked on, Asuka walking slightly ahead, so to give them the allusion of secrecy. "Well, I actually don't know. She didn't come round this morning." "Whose this Aoi then?" interrupts John in English, looking quisitively at Lyn ,That doesn't particularly sound like a boys name to me." Lyn blushes, having forgotten about John being there, "er, well, she's a friend of mine." "Or girlfriend should I say Lyn?" "Would you two please tell me what your talking about. Do remember I don't speak English." As the group made their way through the school, John drew many an eye. Or maybe it was simply that they were staring at Asuka. But by the time they reached the classroom, the word had gotten round that a new pupil had arrived. As usual, Asuka moved off to talk to Hikari, while the boys move off towards their seats. "Hey, Ikari?" Kensuke calls out to Shinji, ,What's the matter?" The boy has frozen in the doorway. The boys follow his gaze to what he is looking at. He is looking over at Rei, a face of mixed surprise and horror. Rei, however, is staring out the window, like her old self. "Hey," says Lyn who puts a hand on his shoulder, making the boy start unexpectedly. "What's wrong?" Shinji snaps back to reality, and looks down at the floor "N..n..nothing. Nothing. I'm fine." He smiles shakily at Lyn. "Come on. You expect me to be..." "It was nothing. Ok, just...I was surprised to see Rei, that's all." Lyn gives in, as he moves towards his seat. Then, as Shinji relaxes slightly and makes his way to his seat, he feels a pair on eyes on his back, and turns slightly to look back...and quickly looks back forward. Rei had looked up, and was staring at Shinji, in her normal, neutral stare. But the quick glimpse he had taken, he had caught her eyes, and what he had seen, scared him. Her eyes had been full of emotion. Strong emotion. That emotion had been hate. Loathing. She despised him. But why? He hadn't done anything to her. But he had, that night, he had hurt her, and never said anything. He had never bothered to go and see whether she was all right. He had run away. He sprang back to reality as another arm shook him. "Christ, that's twice now. Someone would think something had happened between you and that girl or something." John pointed out. Shinji went to his desk in silence. "So, who are you?" asks Kensuke. "He's the..." Shinji is cut off by John, who answers himself. "My name is John, John Riley. I've come over from England to learn Japanese." "Your not the new pilot?" he said sounding slightly let down. "I'm afraid not.... "Lyn, do you know where Aoi is? She still hasn't turned up, and lessons start soon." "I'm sorry Hikari, I don't know. I haven't seen her since yesterday." as he says this, Aoi strolls casually in. "Oh, here she is now." John turns toward the door, from his conversation with Toji and Kensuke..and freezes at the sight of the girl. Toji notices, "Oh, oh, looks like you may have competition Lyn." But whether or not the girl is stunningly attractive, is not what is on his mind. Far from it. His face shows that he is definitely not thinking anywhere near that train of thought. His face is one of sheer and utter terror not of rapture. His face has gone deathly pale and his mouth is open, as if his voice is trapped in his throat. Lyn, Kensuke and Toji both notice this, "John, are you ok?" asks Lyn in English, ,You look like you've seen a ghost." Aoi has now noticed the boys strange stair, and looks quizzically at him. "Hey, 6, whose the new boy? And why is he staring at me like that. Then suddenly, as she takes a step towards Lyn and the boy, John pushes back on his chair, as if to distance himself from the approaching girl, but the chair legs catch on his bag, and he topples over. He screams, causing heads to turn, and soon a few laughs and giggles are heard from around the class, but they are all cut short as they notice the boy on the floor. John is now pushing himself across the floor, scrambling to get up, pushing desks, pupils and anything in his way, over as he scrambles terrified away from Aoi, never taking his eyes off of her. "N..no..no..no..." repeats over and over. Now everyone is looking at him, as he reaches the far corner of the classroom. He moves further, pushing against the wall. Moving towards the far corner of the class. Aoi is wearing a worried look on her face, "W..what's wrong? What's he so scared of?" Nobody answers as the John at last turns towards the wall, taking his eyes off of Aoi. He realises he cannot go any further, and curls up in the corner, trembling, almost crying, screaming "No, No, leave me alone. Stay away, please, leave me alone. Go Away..." Hikari, being the class rep, makes her way slowly to the boy, should do something. But she stops as she reaches the cowering boy, as she wonders what to do. "What's wrong?" John looks up through his fingers at the girl, realising who it is, relaxes slightly, but tenses up as the sight of Aoi approaching, and looks away again. "Look, why don't you just leave me alone, for Christ's sake. I'm fine now." John says angrily in English to Lyn. "Just what happened? No one does something like that for no reason at all." Lyn replies. The two boys are standing outside the infirmary. But as John starts to walk away, Lyn follows. "Are you saying that nothing is wrong when at the sight of a perfectly normal girl, you become so terror stricken that you can't even look at her? I'd say There's more to it than that..." "Yes, I know how stupid I might sound when I say nothings wrong, but..." the anger in his voice has disappeared, he stops walking and turns to Lyn, "..but, that's just how it is." and he walks off, heading in the direction of the class. Lyn stands silent for a while, before, he too, moves off back to the classroom. "Shiest, that's the great pilot of Unit-08? More like a stupid little baby." Asuka mumbles to herself. "What was that Asuka? Is he the new pilot?" Hikari asks. "Well..." she lowers her voice to a whisper, "he is, but for some reason he wants to keep it quiet. Don't ask me why, he just does." At that moment, the door opens, to reveal Lyn and John. Lyn walks in then notices John has halted. He starts to turn, but John takes a deep breath and enters. The two take their seats again, and the Teacher starts the register. When the bell finally went for lunch, Shinji made sure that Asuka didn't wee where he went. Now the two of them become closer, he supposed she may want to eat with him, but from what he seen of her, she seemed to be keeping quiet. That was fine with him. He had other things on his mind. Those things consisted of one person. Rei Ayanami. He stopped outside the class, and looked around in the crowd of pupils hurrying off for their lunches, but no where to be seen among the many black coloured heads of hair was the one person he was seeking. As the torrent of pupils dried up, the lone form of Shinji Ikari stood in the hallway. He was nervous. Not sure of what he knew he must do, he turns back towards the classroom, and there, siting in her usual seat, staring out at the bright, warm midday scene of the city outside, was Rei. She hadn't moved from her place. This unnerved him a touch, but at least this was the normal Rei. As far as normal went for her, but that helped. But as he made his feet move himself into the room, Rei turned from the window, to look directly at him. Shinji froze. He now stood just inside the classroom, the noise of the departing students was dying away from outside. Shinji stared into those red eyes. Those oceans of red. There was no emotion present. Just an emotionless sea of red, surrounded by the pale face of Rei Ayanami. His throat was dry, and he coughed nervously as he tried to break that awful silence that has set in. "Rei..I..erm..well..you see.." Shinji stuttered, having to lower his head to the floor to escape those red eyes. Strangely it is Rei who speaks next. "What do you want Pilot Ikari?" she says to the boy in her -normal- quiet voice. Shinji thought he heard a slight amount of spite in her words. The way she called him by 'Pilot Ikari' and not the just plain Ikari. Shinji looks up at these words, and somehow manages to speak what he had wanted to say. "Rei..I..I'm ...sorry." "Sorry? For what Ikari?" "Well....you know..for leaving you like that...." "Like what Ikari? Alone in the cold? With a broken heart? Is that what you mean?" Now there was something in her eyes. Many conflicting emotions. Then he notices the skin beneath those deep red eyes. She'd been crying. He could tell. And the dark rings. She didn't look as though she'd slept for....he bowed his head again. Not wanting to look anymore. But he could still feel those eyes boring into him. "Why do you look away? Don't you want to even look at me now? At what you've done to me?" "I..I..I was confused, I didn't know what to do Rei...I..I was scared. You frightened me..." "Ikari?" she said, seeming oblivious to him having said anything, "Do you know what it feels like to think that for once in your life that someone actually cares for you?" "I thought my father cared for you?" he threw back at her, suddenly angered at what she was saying. "..your father..the one you hate so much. I suppose, but you were different. Somehow it felt different. I never knew what love meant, I suppose he loved me. But....no, he did not love me. It was different. Then, the mist cleared, my eyes were opened and I saw you. The only person who has truly cared for me. I thought...I thought you cared. But...I was wrong. And I.." "..But I do care Rei." he was looking up now. He looked into her eyes and saw the sorrow in them. He wasn't sure what had made him say that, but it felt true. He did care for her, didn't he? He'd risked his life enough times? But what for? A thing that could be replaced. She knew it herself. He'd seen with his own eyes, the truth. But...she was still human. And she had many times saved his life, as had he hers. But...Asuka.... "You care for me? So why did you run? Run away from me? Leaving me there, alone and..." "I ran because I didn't know what else to do. I..I was as confused about you as you were about me. I didn't know what I felt for you...I.." "So...do you care for me?" He looked into those eyes. Did he? He didn't know...'No, I mustn't run away. I won't run away from my feelings for her. I know it. I do care for her....but, Asuka....I care for Asuka, but....' He slowly moves his limbs, and moves towards her. Across the empty abyss the classroom had become. He came to her, and the two looked at each other. Shinji didn't know what to say or do, and neither did Rei. 'He does care for me? But..no he said so. He does care. He..' Rei thinks, "Do you care for me?" "I..I..I do." Shinji says. The confidence in the truth flowing into his voice. "I do." There are tears in Rei's eyes, she doesn't know what to do, she's happy but tears come to her eyes. 'But isn't this a sign of sadness...' Shinji, seeing the tears start to trickle down her pale cheeks, moves his hand up to brush them away. But Rei clutches him and pulls him to herself, burying her face in his shoulder. He gently puts his arms around her, and strokes her hair comfortingly. She suddenly moves her head up to look into his face. He puts his hand up to brush them away again. Then, she pulls him closer, until their lips are only millimetres apart, and hesitates. '...no...this is wrong..' Shinji thinks, pushing away from Rei. They stood looking at each other, "I'm sorry Rei, but...I can't." with this is backs away slowly, and leaves the classroom. Leaving Rei in silence. "Just out of interest, oh great Seventh child, what made you freek like that?" Asuka taunted, as the four pilots, Shinji, Asuka, Rei and John, make their way towards Nerv HQ for the tests. John just looks at her, and sternly answers "It's none of your concern, 'Second child'." Asuka did not like the way he called her -Second Child- as she had called him the seventh, "But if you freak that easily, what are you gonna be like in combat? I'm afraid you might run away and hide in a little corner." But this does not elicit the reaction she had expected. She'd expected him to snap, but, what he did was quite unnerving. He smiled. Not a normal happy smile. It was an evil grin, as if there was something she didn't know. Then he emits a chuckle, "Oh, you think I was scared? Wait till your close enough to my Unit-08 to hear it's breathing, then we'll see whose terrified." "Inserting simulation plugs." "Commence A-09 nerve connections" "Well, here goes." Says Misato Inside the simulation plugs sit the naked forms of the pilots. "Awwww, I hate these tests when we have to sit but ??? in here." Whines Asuka, while the other three pilots sit quietly as usual. "So, what do you think it'll be like Shinji?" Asuka asks. "What will, what be like Asuka?" "The simulation stupid. Don't you remember the briefing?" "Oh yeah. Sorry, didn't know what you were talking about." "Dumkopf." "Ok guys, here we go." Soon, in the simulation plugs the coloured patterns of synchronisation appear in entry plugs, then the clear image of downtown Tokyo-3. "Christ, I didn't think it would look this good." Comments Asuka. "Now, you know what you have to do. Deploy, find the target and destroy it. Simple as that. Good luck." came Misato's voice over the com again. "Roger." chorused the four pilots. "Right, Lyn you use those wings of yours to find and locate the target from the air, Rei, you take a sniper position on top of that hill, while me and Shinji wait here for Lyn to find the target." Asuka, from previous exercises, had taken command role many times. The effects of a planned assault by all four Evas was thought to maybe have more success than one at a time. The team work meant that this worked much better. Lyn took of into the air to circle the city, while Rei took up her sniper position on a nearby hill, where she could see almost the entire city. It also had an advantage of being covered by the nearby lake, so any land based enemies could attack from her left side. Asuka and Shinji, the most experienced in hand-to-hand combat, sat back and waited for the target to be acquired. And they waited, and waited. "Lyn, haven't you found it yet?" asks Asuka impatiently. "No, I can't see anything. Maybe something's wrong with the program." "Hmm. Maybe....Shinji?" "Yes Asuka?" "We're going in. We'll search the city bit by bit if we have to." Both units move off towards the city. Meanwhile, in the control room, it is quiet, except for the hum of the computers and the radio feed between the Eva's. "John? Is everything ok? You haven't moved position since the start of the test." asks Misato. Unheard by the other pilots, a radio feed from unit-08 comes through. "Everything is A Ok, major. Just biding my time." Then suddenly the door to the control room swishes open, to reveal Commander Ikari. "Doctor, how is the test?" he moves in, followed by sub- commander Fuyuski, and takes his place, standing in front of his seat just above Misato and Ritsuko and the other controllers. "The test is running fine, and no errors have occ..." "Maam, unit-08 has begun to move." "...Thank you Maya." she turns back to Ikari. Units 0, 1, 2 and 6 have used the previously practised tactics, and have no idea of what the target will be. They have presumed the target to be hidden inside the city and have taken steps to find it. The map," she points to the three-dimensional map on the main screen, "shows the location of all the units, including the target. We also have visuals of each of the units so that their movements and actions can be monitored." "Thank you Doctor. Please carry on." with that he takes his seat. -"Where is the stupid thing, stupid simulation..."- Asuka complained over the comm, while Rei sat silently inside her simulation plug. She herself was starting to wonder at why the target hadn't made itself known yet. But she was not one to voice her worries or opinions. She was satisfied to sit and wait, however long it might take. Anyway, she felt quite happy now that a great burden had recently been lifted from her shoulders. Then something, just on the edge of her vision catches her attention. 'Movement' she realises. And swiftly repositions her Eva and sniper-positron rifle in the general direction from which she thought she saw the movement....she freezes as she sees, in deed, she did see something. A large black form is crawling out of far side the lake, near the edge of the city. She quickly shouts through the continuous whining of the second child "Target acquired!" , unknown behaviour for her but it goes unnoticed, and proceeds to lign the sights up on the black form. Just before she pulls the trigger, it turns and, from its actions, notices Unit-00, and just as Rei pulls the trigger, it dives back into the lake. The explosion echoes throughout the city as Asuka and Shinji run though the city streets they know so well, back towards Rei. Lyn circles back towards Rei's position, and from his great hight, and extended, enhanced vision, notices a dark silhouette gliding very quickly across the lake. "Target sighted. Rei. Its moving towards your position." But just as he says this, the silhouette disappears. "Damn, it must have gone deeper. Rei, keep sharp, it may surface at any moment." "What do you think I was doing, I'm not exactly going to have a tea break." Comes Rei back over the comm. This left Lyn quite simply speechless. Not something he was really expecting from the quiet albino. It is once again silent in Rei's simulation plug, as she sits and waits for it to surface, and the other units to arrive. Her body is tense, ready to react the second the target surfaces. However, her reflexes are not quite good enough as suddenly, it erupts from the water, only a few hundred metres away from the shore, and her position on the hill. Her reaction is to fire, but the blast hits where the target used to be. Now it is high above, somehow having catapulted itself out of the water. Rei, knowing she can't move quick enough to intercept it with the sniper-rifle, disengages from the weapon and jumps back just in time, as the target lands where she once was, smashing the rifle, and causing to explode. Rei draws her progressive knife from its shoulder-sheath and prepares to face the target. As the target approaches from the dust of the explosion, she soon can see it more clearly. It is a dark black, and formed like many of the early angels. But only does she realise what she is up against when it suddenly attacks. It charges at a frightening speed towards unit-00, head strangely bowed. It rushes onwards at her like a battering ram, and she only just manages to dodge out the way. It stops, and turns back toward its prey. Now Rei can see her enemy more clearly, she is slightly horrified inside at its appearance, but she does not show it. Keeping a clear head as the monstrosity before her towers over her, being a good twenty odd metres taller. Its face seeming to be a mask of darkness, two glowing slits on either side, and a massive jaw, looking like that of a monster. She can see the gleaming teeth, which are just visible, but does not notice the tail. Lyn looks on from above, trying to think what to do. Should he swoop down and engage the target and help Rei, or wait for Asuka and Shinji to get there. Then suddenly he sees Unit-00 fall as it is hit by tail of the enemy. Suddenly the monster is upon the fallen unit, and Lyn makes up his mind. Rei struggles on. Having dropped the prog' knife, holds back the clawed hands of the monster, as it tries to attack. Her efforts, though, are not paying off, as the claws slowly get closer and closer. Now, as she looks up into the creatures face, she can see the jaws opening and closing, as if it intends to eat her. It is not a pleasant thought and she pushes with all her strength, but still to know avail. Then as it face is close enough she can see nearly every detail of its face, its jaws gradually open to reveal a second set inside. But before it can use these, the face is suddenly gone. Rei picks herself up to see Unit-06, its wings deactivated and it's back to he, and the target standing a short distance away, hunched over like some sort of animal. Suddenly, as she looks at the creature standing still for the first, something looks familiar to her. Then she realises what it is. The creature resembles an Eva. "Lyn, try and keep it occupied while I try to get behind it." "I'll try." Lyn moves towards the creature, but it just moves back away from him. So he tries to circle round it, and the creature circles away from him, leaving its back open to Re. 'At least this thing ain't that smart' "What now?" Rei magnifies the image of the back of the creature, and to her surprise, she sees what looks like the part of her Eva where the entry plug is inserted. "Now we complete our objective. Move it towards me, I think it may have forgotten about me." "Will do." Lyn moves from left to right, keeping the creature moving at all times, and making sure it slowly moves back towards Rei's position. Rei has now retrieved her prog' knife and waits for the kill. "Asuka? Shinji? Where are you?" "Just coming out of the city wondergirl. The cavalry has arrived..." "Asuka, I want you and Shinji to stay back..." "What? And leave all the glory to you Wondergirl, I'm afraid not this time. Chaaarrrggee!" "Damn it." Rei charged the creature. As Asuka nears, she is just in time to see Rei reach the target. The tail snaking out from its lower half, just as Rei nears it, lashes out and topples the charging Eva. Within seconds as the Eva topples forward it turns and smashes into the blue Eva. But this time, Rei does is not able to keep it at bay, as it opens its jaws, and the inner-jaws smash into the Eva's head. Lyn watches in horror, the movement having taken only a few seconds, as the target stands up from the silent unit. "Rei? Rei? What's wrong.." then he sees the bloody remains of the unit "....damn it, aaaaagggggghhhhh" Asuka watches on as Unit-06 rushes the target. "You idiot, fallback." And rushes to help. Unit-06 rushes blindly on, the rage at the death of another pilot filling him, completely forgetting that it wasn't real. "AAAAAAGGGHHHHH" again the target spins at an unimaginable speed but the speed at which Lyn is running knocks it to the ground. As Lyn draws his progressive knife from its shoulder- sheath the target gets to its feet again, but instead of rushing headlong at Lyn, stands waiting for him. "You coward, DDDDDIIIIIIIEEEEE!" and rushes again at the target, prog- knife in held high to strike. He slashes at the target, but it dodges, and knocks the knife from his hand with a taloned claw, extended claws scratching unit-06's hand, cutting through the armour like a hot knife through butter. Then before Lyn can react, the target kicks him in the mid torso, pushing him back, swiftly followed by a high kick to the face. Lyn tries to defend himself but to little effect, as another barrage of hits come. Another high kick to the jaw, followed by a low kick to the groin area, then finally a lightning quick roundhouse to the neck, toppling Lyn to the ground. Within a split second the creature is upon him, it towers over the prone unit-06, and reaches out with a hand, talons retracted, and grabs the unit by the neck, lifting him high like a trophy, and with a blood chilling screech, utterly crushes its neck in one squeeze. Red liquid pours from the wound spraying the creature, and giving its dark hue an unearthly glisten. Asuka, now having arrived, watches in horror and amazement. She almost forgets that this is a simulation, but reminds herself it is, "This thing is better than any of the other tests, this will be a challenge. Lets see if you can beat me." And holds her axe in a ready position, waiting for the creature to turn its attention to her. It slowly turns towards her, hunching slightly from its upright position, cocking it's head slightly to one side, as if it was mocking her. 'You want to die next do you?' "Come on, lets see what your really made of." Then suddenly at the top of the small hill behind the creature, appears a familiar silhouette. But before she can do anything, in one swift movement it starts to run at the creature, draws its prog knife and jumps into the air. To Asuka it seems to be running in slow motion, as she watches, unable for some reason to hardly move, as Unit-01 slowly falls towards the target, but what terrifies her more, is the look on the creatures face. For some reason, it seems to be looking at her, as if it can see right through the Eva, it's eyes boring into her own, then, they sharpen, and it looks like its grinning, as it turns towards the falling Shinji, and as it turns, her heart seems to be beating to explode from her chest, as it moves to kick the unit out of the air. Shinji starts to bring the prog knife down to strike, but the foot connects before he can bring it down. The force of blow is hard enough to make it seem that Unit-01 has stopped in mid air, but the creature once again moves with alien speed, never before shown by an Eva, as it brings back the foot, and catapults itself at the unit. It now seems to Asuka that it is moving in real time while unit-01 is still stuck in slow motion, as they fall to the ground, the creature on top, and it swipes at unit-01's hands, the hands dropping off and leaving red stumps, then it again, grabs the neck of Unit-01, like with Lyn, but this time holds him up while looking straight at Asuka. As Shinji struggles with the creatures seemingly iron-grip, it points with the other hand at Asuka, and beckons her. Beckons her to come and save her fellow pilot. 'No, its just a damn simulation. It's not real, I'll just wait for it to make the move........but, I won't have that choice in reality...what should I do..' "DAMN YOU YOU MONSTEEERRRR" and charges. "Oh my God." Ritsuko says as she looks at the synch ratios on Maya's screen. "Maam, how could this be possible, he's only had limited training for a month or so, this just isn't possible?" Maya is frantically checking and rechecking the system. "What's the matter?" asks Misato a little worriedly. Ritsuko looks back up at the screen displaying the battle. "John's synch ratio is at 52%." The silent form of Unit-01 lies on the ground as the earth trembles beneath the fierce battle that rages. As Asuka and the creature exchange blows continuously. "RRRRAAAGGGGHHH" Asuka screams as she throws the creature on the ground. But again, it gets up and renews its attack on her. Fiercer than ever. Both are visibly starting to ware down, with numerous injuries visible on both Unit-02 and the creature, but none serious enough to affect the battle. "Damn it, this thing just won't stop." As she slams her foot into its body again, slamming it to the ground, but it catapults itself back at her, knocking her the floor as it slashes her chest with its claws. "Damn, I'm glad this we don't feel in this sim..." She launches at it again, but this time it blocks the blow, then takes her legs out with a lash of its tail. Then it is upon her, its head within inches of her Eva's face, and to her surprise, she can hear the thing breathing, actually breathing. Or at least something that sounds like breathing. Then it rears back, as it prepares to plant a possibly fatal blow, then Asuka notices the axe she dropped earlier to her right, and grabs it. Then the creature brings down its fist towards her face, but it is stopped, just as it reaches her head. Then it falls backwards and out of view. Asuka gets up triumphantly, and looks at the creature laying there with the axe firmly planted in its head. Then, before she can do anything, the image fades and the entry plug returns to its usual emptiness. Seeing this, Asuka triumphantly rests back, letting out a breath, she never knew she was holding, and taking another deep intake of oxygen. "As usual, I'm the one who has to complete the exercise." Asuka brags, as the four pilots make their way from the changing rooms to the debriefing in the control room. "Actually, if I remember rightly..." interrupts Lyn "..that your usually the first to go, yeah I know, your getting better though. That one was a tough one though, worked up quite a sweat beating the living crap out of it." yeah, well." Lyn gives in. Rei and Shinji walk silently behind the other two pilots. Shinji, just seems to be smiling slightly at the usual commentary of Asuka, while Rei has her usual emotionless mask on. Then they reach the door to the control room, and enter. "Good going guys." Misato welcomes as they enter. "New records for all of you. And I think some well needed practice." "Hey, Misato?" Asuka asks as she falls into line with the others, noticing the commander, "Just what was that thing? We've always come up against targets that looked like other Angels, what was this one?" "Oh, I think I really should clear that up.." Then the door opens again, and in walks John, wearing a mostly black, with white pluguit. "That was you?" shouts Asuka. "Yup." John smiles, "What do you think," indicates the plugsuit, "think it looks ok?" John, Lyn and Rei are walking back from Nerv, Asuka and Shinji having gone off by themselves. John is rubbing his red cheek. "Ok, maybe I was asking for it." he says to Lyn in English. "Yeah, maybe, you shouldn't make comments like that without expecting her to do that." Lyn replies back in English. "Hey, what are you talking about, do remember most of us here don't understand English." "Sorry Rei, we were just saying how beautiful you were, weren't we Lyn?" Rei looks away, and goes slightly red. "So, you wanna...agghh" John screams, clutches his head and hunches over. "What's wrong?" Lyn asks as the stops. John stands silent for a moment, as he takes ragged breaths, then he starts breathing normally again "don't worry, I'll be fine in a minute. really." he looks up at Lyn, and smiles weakly. "You sure?" "Yeah, just a serious headache, nothing much." he stands back up, taking a deep breath "There, gone. Sorry." "Are you sure you shouldn't go see a doctor or something, just in case?" "No, its ok really." "Well......." "Hey, 6?" comes a very familiar voice from behind. Lyn turns and smiles as he sees Aoi smiling and coming towards them. John on the other hand freezes, "er...Lyn, I think I need to get back now, I'll see you later, ok?" "What? Well ok, you sure your ok? Rei, Why don't you walk him back?" "Why not." Rei smiles. "Ok, whatever." and John hurries off down the road. "Bye." says Rei, before following. Lyn wears a worried face when Aoi finally reaches him. Hey why'd he run off like that? And what's wrong, you look worried about something?" the cheery smile fading from her bright features. "Oh, nothing." Lyn says. "Oh, boys thing huh? Probably embarrassed about this morning." "Yeah, probably." Meanwhile, deep below the Commander of Nerv stands behind his desk looking at a video screen. The screen is showing the battle between the red Eva Unit-02 and the black Eva Unit-08. He stands silently, hands behind his back holding the white gloves which usually hide the burn scars on his hands from so long ago. Beside him, Sub-Commander Fuyutski, stands in silence. Finally, the screen goes black, as the battle come to an end. The two men stand still and silent for a moment, then the Sub-Commander breaks the silence. "So, we now have a good idea how the Unit became like this." the sub- commander speaks up. "Yes, and it backs up the report I got from intelligence." Fuyutski turns his to look at Ikari. "I didn't realise they had finished the investigation this soon." "I didn't expect it this soon either. But it seems that our English friends, or whoever tried to cover it up, were rather sloppy." "What do you mean, cover up, what cover up?" "It seems that other people have different ideas for the use of Project- E. Of course, these people can not be aloud to stay in positions of power. So they have been...taken care of..." "I was never told of any of this." Fuyutski interrupts. "No, you were not. But that is simply because it only came to my attention very recently. My friend, I would never of left you in the dark." a glimmer of a smile appears on his features. "I'm sorry if I gave that impression." "I understand." he turns "So, what did intelligence manage to dig up?" "Oh, don't worry Fuyutski, the report is in your office. I would most like to hear your thoughts on it. There are some....points of extreme interest." he finally turns back to his desk, giving a slight nod to Fuyutski, who turns and makes his way to the door. Meanwhile, Shinji and Asuka have taken the long way home, which takes them through the park. It is now late afternoon and the sky is starting to darken while the two walk along the path, holding each others hands. But, they walk in silence. "So," Shinji speaks up, "well done in the sim today, that was really something." "Yeah, well, you know..." "Hey, what's bothering you?" he stops walking and turns to look at her, while she keeps her eyes down. "Oh, nothing, really.." "Aha, nothing," Shinji says gently, Asuka is surprised at this, 'he usually finds it so hard to say things like that' she thinks, "well, what is nothing?" She looks up at him, and instead of seeing the uncertain afraid little boy he usually is, she sees a young man who cares for her. Then she pulls herself away, not wanting to see it anymore, and trys to pull her hand free of his, but he holds on, gently. "What's wrong Asuka?" "Oh....oh...just leave me alone." she lets out, as tears form in her eyes, "Oh Shinji, why did you have to do this? Why do you have to care so much?" Shinji is puzzled, "What do you mean Asuka?" he walks up to her and tries to put her arms around her, but she shrugs them off and moves away, keeping her back turned away. "What, you really don't know you idiot Ikari?" "Know what? What's wrong?" "In the simulator, when he held you by your neck, when he challenged me to try and save you? I didn't know what to do, Shinji, I didn't know what to do. If I tried to save you, he'd kill you like he did today, then if I..I..didn't try he'd have killed you anyway..." she then breaks down, holding her face in her hands she drops to her knees. Shinji moves to hold her and puts his arms around her, "What if that happens the next time an Angel attacks, I.. I lose you...I don't know what I'd do." she turns to him and buries her face in his shoulder. "I'm..I'm sorry, I didn't think." he holds her gently, then brings her face up to his, and wipes away the tears with his finger, 'She really is so gentle. So sensitive...this is the real Asuka. She really loves me' "Asuka, I'll never let that happen." "You can try Shinji, but it'll happen, I just know it will, I just know.." "No, it won't happen, it won't. I promise." he brushes the hair from her eyes, "Never. I'll never leave you Asuka, your worth too much to me. I care too much for you to do such a thing." She looks into his eyes, and the sincerity in them warms her heart. "Thank you." She whispers, as she rests her head on his shoulder. She hugs him too herself hard, and he tightens their embrace. After a few minutes, they let go of each other and kneel there on the ground, looking at each others eyes. "Hey, I didn't realise how cold its getting, you've got a red nose." Asuka's face was now slightly pale except for her cheeks and her nose which are now slightly red. She giggles at this, "Oh, I was just thinking that about you." she smiles, one of her warm smiles. Shinji chuckles, "Maybe we should get going then?" Asuka looks up at the now clear dark sky. The first stars starting to appear as the sun sets, leaving covering everything in a red light. "No, it's quite beautiful here. Why don't we just stay for a while." "In that case," Shinji crawls up to the nearest tree and lies down under it "we should find a good spot to look at it from." Asuka chuckles, and starts towards him on all fours, a mischievous smile growing on her face. "Aha?" She lies next to him, leaning on one arm towards him "And I think I know how to sort out the cold problem." She leans over and kisses him softly on the lips. Shinji doesn't say anything, but just puts his arms round her, and pulls the warmth closer to him. "So, can I stay for a while 6?" Aoi asks Lyn as they exit the lift. "Well, I don't see what's stopped you from coming in and staying a while before, so I guess so." Lyn says sarcastically as they start off towards his apartment. "I suppose," she giggles "but I that was before you got a new roommate." "I said before, I don't mind now. She's met you, and of course she can't stop bringing the subject up and making embarrassing me, and my life will never be..." "Ok, ok, " she holds his hand and leans on hi shoulder, "I get the picture." Lyn rings the bell, and waits. "Oh well, have to let myself in then." he chuckles. "You really are lazy you know, she maybe your guardian but she's not your slave." "Yeah," he fishes his keys out of his pocket, "but she's been my slave since I was young, so why change now? Seyoko? I'm home! " he waits and listens for signs of life. "Oh, well, looks like we've got the place to ourselves then." Aoi chuckles. "I'm just going to go get changed, so help yourself to a drink or a snack, you know where it all is, so make yourself at home." Aoi flops on the couch, "Oh, I will." and smiles at him. Lyn moves off to his room to get changed. When he comes out, he finds Aoi in the kitchen reading a piece of paper. "Hey, what's that?" "Oh, its a note from Seyoko, she says she's at Nerv talking with Misato about something." she sticks the note in the bin. "Oh, does it say what about?" he asks as she moves round the table. "No, but she said she won't be back till late. she says to not wait up for her." "So, what do you want to do? Stay in or go out somewhere?" Aoi gets up and walks over, "Lets stay in, I think there's a movie on later." "Ok, shall I get some snacks together and we can watch that, what times it start?" "Oh, at about nine." "So, what's the movie?" Lyn asks as he opens the fridge. Aoi giggles, "Oh, wait and see." "Thanks Rei, it was very kind of you to walk me home." "Oh, that's ok, I knew you were staying at Shinji's so I thought I'd go see him." Rei smiles as John opens the door. "Aha, I understand." John says and gives her a wink, causing her to blush, "Take a seat, I'll see if any one is home." with that John walks off towards Shinji's room, while Rei sits down on the sofa. Pen-pen is watching the TV, a documentary on warm water animals, at the moment its on Penguins. John comes back, "Sorry, there doesn't seem to be anyone home at the moment, I'm sure they won't mind if you waited here, if you want to wait that is?" "Oh, I wonder where they must be, I would have thought Shinji and Asuka would have come straight home." Rei looks thoughtful. "Yeah, well, I'm just going to check the fridge, want anything?" "No, I'm fine." "Ok." and with that he moves off into the kitchen. "Oh," John calls from the kitchen, "don't let that git of a penguin hog the remote," "Sssqqquaaaarrrkkkk" "Oh, sorry, your majesty." Rei can't stop giggling as John proceeds to argue with the penguin. In the park, Shinji and Asuka lie in a holding each other underneath a tree. The light of the setting sun basking the two in a warm red glow. Their lips are locked together as they hold each other in a warm embrace. Slowly they break. Shinji looks up into Asuka's eyes, loosing himself in them. Then Asuka breaks the silence. "I suppose we better be getting back. Don't want Misato getting ideas do we?!" Shinji smiles, "I suppose..." Asuka leavers herself up and sits straddling the young Ikari's lower body. The light of setting sun illuminating her auburn hair, giving her a red glow. Noticing Shinji's obvious lack of movement, Asuka grabs hold of his arm and yanks him upright. Shinji, however, circles his arms back round her and kisses her lightly on the lips, and rolls her over onto her back, so he is on top and holding himself above her. Asuka pounds his chest with her fists as her pins her down "Help, help, I'm being attacked, help, leave me alone you pervert..." she screams mockingly, trying not to laugh. The two struggle for a bit, but Shinji's hand accidentally falls on one of Asuka's breasts, Asuka locks him with a death stare "Ohhh, you've asked for it now...hunh!" Shinji's eyes bulge, as immense pain wracks his body, emanating from his lower half. Asuka pushes him off of her ad gets up, cleaning off her hands. "That'll teach you, you pervert." she says as she looks down at the heap of groaning 14-yearold on the ground, "Oh, come on, it can't hurt that much?" "Yes it can." is all Shinji manages through gritted teeth. "Shiest, boys." Asuka says to herself as she helps him to his feet, "Now we better get going. Misato will be wondering where we've gotten too." "That must be them now, I'll.." "No, let me get it." Rei uncharacteristically interrupts, smiling slightly as she says it. John sits down again as she gets up and walks to the door, but gets up again and follows discretely behind her. "I would have thought Misato would be home by now." Shinji points out as him and Asuka wait outside the door to their apartment. "Well, that means she'll probably won't be back till late again, won't it Shinji?" Asuka says in a seductive voice, and winks at him. "Yeah, well...." he is interrupted by the door opening, to reveal not the tall purple haired women they lived with but the smaller blue haired pilot of unit-00, Rei Ayanami, her usual passive expression on her face. "Oh, hi Rei." Shinji says the surprise obviously showing. "Let me guess, John invited you?" Asuka tiredly says as she pushes past Rei and disappears into the lounge, muttering German under her breath, leaving the young Ikari standing by himself with Rei. "She doesn't change does she?" Shinji smirks nervously. "No..." Rei quietly whispers in her quiet voice, not removing her eyes from him "Aren't you going to come in, Ikari?" the corners of her mouth turn up slightly. Shinji squirms "Yeah..o..of course..I do live here after all." he stutters out. Rei takes a step forward till her face is within millimetres of Shinji's, "Welcome home." and gently presses her lips to his. When Shinji opens his eyes again, he sees her turning the corner to the lounge. Shinji blinks his eyes, "Did I just dream that?" he thinks out loud. He shakes his head, and carries on into his home. "I better be going." Rei quietly speaks as she stands in the lounge as Asuka comes out of her room. "It is getting late I suppose. Oh well. I'm sure you could sta..." "Your going Rei, oh well, good to see you, bye." Asuka interrupts, hurriedly leading Rei towards the door. "Yeah, bye." John calls after her. "Oh hi Shinji." "Hi." Shinji returns, a slightly lost look on his face. Then Asuka returns from ushering Rei out the door. "I see Rei's got herself a new admirer." she smirks as collapses on the sofa next to John picking up the remote and switching on the TV. John blushes slightly. "Er...Anyway, where'd you two get to after the test?" Shinji snaps out of his trance upon hearing Johns question "Er..erm, Anyone want anything to eat?" "Yeah, I'm famished, what about you?" Asuka asks John cheerfully, whoes stomach growls, at the mention of food. "Show me the food." John moans, as his suspicions fly out the window, 'I'll leave it be.' "Shouldn't you be going home? It is getting late."Lyn asks Aoi, who is leaning on his shoulder. Aoi looks up into Lyn's eyes, "Don't worry, my parents won't mind. They think I'm at a friends house for the night." Lyn can't help but loose himself in her eyes. Aoi smiles gently. "Which is strictly true." she says. "Mmm." is all he can muster. An angry look crosses Aoi's face "Hey, are you listening to me?" "Aha." Lyn thoughtlessly mumurs. "Hey," Aoi grabs a handful of popcorn from the bag and chucks it in his face, "Hello? Wakey, wakey?" "Sic-gghm..what was that for?" Lyn snaps back to reality. "For not listening to me." Aoi humphs as she sits up and turns away from him. Lyn grabs his pop corn bag, and dumps the contents on Aoi. "Eeek...oohhhh.." Aoi turns to Lyn, "Now you've asked for it." She grabs her popcorn bag and throws the contents at Lyn, who holds his hands up in defense, the proceeds to grab some off the sofa and chuck it back. "Hi everyone." Called out the cheery Nerv Operations Director, as she walked into the kitchen. The three children were sat down eating dinner. "Hi Misato, where have you been?" "Oh, just homework." she turns to John "We've found you a home, and you now have a guardian. You'll be living with Lyn and Lt. Seyoko Okazaki, your knew found guardian. I was late because we stayed behind and got through all the paper work." "So when do I get out of this dump?" John asks in English out through a mouthful of ramen. "Don't speak with your mouthful you idiot." Asuka says as she hits John in the arm. Misato rolls her eyes, "Anyway, you'll be going over there tomorrow, after school. Your stuffs still all packed up I guess?" "Of course." "So, what were you lot up to while I wasn't here?" Misato winks at them all. The children roll their eyes. Meanwhile, in the apartment of Lyn Anouilh, all is dark, except for the flickering of a television screen. The sofa sits in front of it, popcorn strewn across the floor. There is suddenly the soft hiss of the door opening then closing, and the sound of someone quietly making their way through the apartment. Seyoko tip toes through the seemingly empty apartment into the lounge. Noticing the sofa dragged out of its usual place, the flickering light from the television, and the mess on the floor, she soon realises Lyn has obviously not gone to bed yet. 'Trust him to stay up late as usual.' she reaches the back of the sofa, and looks down to see two sleeping teenagers. Lyn sits on one side of the sofa, one arm round Aoi, while Aoi rests comfortably on his shoulder. Both deep in slumber. 'Ahhh, how sweet. I should really wake them up.....but I think I'll leave them like that.' She scurries off to her room, leaving the two slumbering teenagers in peace. To Be Continued.... -------------------------------- As usual I'd like to say, feel free to send your comments. Any sort of comment on it good or bad, I welcome. And if anyone thinks John will be pushing the other characters aside and taking the spotlight, he ain't. And he is not a self insertion either, just in case anyones thinking that. theenglishshinji@hotmail.com I am a big Asuka fan, and am a member of the Asuka Fan Club, if you like Asuka, go join it. http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/7453/ This FanFic, and all my next work will be able to be found at Addison Godel's Eva FanFic Archive at http://www.ummagurau.com and at SDAT Eva FanFic Archive http://members.xoom.com/superdat/ and at The Jusenkyo Springs http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/6549 Eva:R Original FanFiction can be found at http://www.eva-r.com it is very highly recommended. Another highly recommended FanFic is At The End Of The World, written by Oni Ayanami, and can be found at her web site at http://members.tripod.com/~Oni_Ayanami/index.htm