The Characters and concept of Neon Genesis Evangelion are property of Gainax. I created this "scenario" in the spirit of the TV series. I made it in the hope that it would open up people's minds and give something to a series that really touched me. This little series that I have created is a piece of fan fiction thought up by yours truly, so if you are going to copy or distribute this work, please give credit where it is due, k? Now enjoy!

Background:

Okay, if you have forgotten Chapter Seven, because it has been so long, I will forgive you this one time. Therefore, I will attempt to bring you up to date really quick…

Chapter Seven started out with Hikaru finding a picture of Natasha and Ryo, her brother, while the Lieutenant was recovering from her attack. The revelation was too much for the girl and Lieutenant Karpov awoke in time to see a torn Sixth Child run out of the apartment.

Later, Shinji is summoned to NERV HQ on for a mission shrouded in secrets. A very worried Misato saw Shinji off while the Third Child found himself drafted for a mission with his father.

Hikaru begged Natasha to tell her of her past, but in the end, Natasha couldn't bring herself to tell the girl the full truth.

In the meantime, the NERV transport carrying Shinji and Gendo mysteriously went down in the middle of the Alaskan Wasteland. There, they were hunted by a squad of soldiers sent by Seele. Somehow, the boy who had attacked Natasha was connected to all of this and confronted Gendo and Shinji just before they were about to escape from the hellish land.

Chapter Seven ended with Gendo missing his glasses and Shinji in Misato's care, however with a bullet wound to the stomach…

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(The eyes are cold. Red. Lifeless. At least, he would like to think so. The man standing on the catwalk before the Creation braces his hands against the handrail.)

Gendo: So you went over my head...again, Professor.

(Fuyutsuki turns slowly away from the Creation to gaze at the Commander. Gendo Ikari stands beside the older man, gazing up at the humanoid form before them.)

Fuyutsuki (slowly): You were being unreasonable.

Gendo: So you decided to treat me like a child.

(Fuyutsuki studies Gendo's face for a long moment. It looks like the Commander's face had been used as a scratching post by some enraged cat.)

Fuyutsuki (folding his arms across his chest, watching Gendo carefully): So...what happened to you?

Gendo: I had a...encounter with your mistake.

Fuyutsuki (brows arching): My "mistake?"

Gendo: Yes...

(A tense silence seems to fills the chamber and Fuyutsuki closes his eyes.)

Fuyutsuki: Is it done?

Gendo: ...

Fuyutsuki (opening his eyes at the lack of response): You killed him, right?

(Gendo Ikari turns away from his second-in-command and walks out of the containment chamber.)

Fuyutsuki (blinking in shock): You...failed?!

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

Asuka (drawing back, snarling): NO! Absolutely not!

Hikari (warning): Asuka...

Asuka (setting her hands on her hips, leaning toward the Class Rep's face): I said NO! You can't make me!

Touji (groaning): This is ridiculous. Asuka, bite your lip and take it like a man!

Asuka (her voice like a blast of arctic air): I'm not a man, you idiot!

Touji (grinning): Well, the report is still not back from the labs-

Asuka (launching herself at the Fourth Child): You bastard-

Touji (scrambling so that he is behind Shinji): You can't hit me! Injured man on deck!

Shinji (looking worriedly from Asuka to Touji): Uh...Touji-

Asuka (quietly): That was a dirty trick.

(Shinji looks back at Asuka and is shocked to find the girl stopped, her anger fading away like mist in the sun. Her eyes seem to drift from his bandaged head to the slight bulge under his school-uniform. Another bandage...from the bullet wound. Asuka closes her eyes and draws a slow breath.)

Hikaru: Come on, Asuka. If I can deal with it, so can you!

Asuka (turning on the Sixth Child): It is a matter of principle, Sixth Child! I guess that's something you don't know much about!

Hikaru (shrugging her shoulders): It is a matter of teamwork! You just don't want to try-

Asuka (scoffing): Yeah, right.

Hikari: Asuka, if you don't do this, you are going to get a zero!

Shinji (softly): Think of what Misato would say.

Asuka (growling quietly over her shoulder): Stay out of this, Shinji... I can't hit you now.

Shinji: I'm glad you care enough to restrain yourself.

Kensuke: I don't think so! I believe Asuka just doesn't want to be tried for Murder One!

(The children are outside on the school's track. Shinji, Touji, and Kensuke are sitting in the grass with the other guys, stretching and talking. Asuka is standing on the grass; a look of pure stubbornness cast on her features. Hikari is standing beside Touji, her arms crossed and her eyes burning with the fires of righteous responsibility. Hikaru is standing next to Asuka, frowning at the Second Child.)

Hikaru: Could you please put your ego on the side-burner for now?! I don't want to get a zero just because you are feeling so high and mighty!

Teacher (calling): Sohma, Hikaru. Soryu, Asuka. You're up, ladies! You will be up against Akiko and Ryoko!

Hikaru (making a little jab with her fist): We are ready!

Asuka (covering her eyes, groaning): A 500 meter relay... Oh, God!

Hikaru (turning toward Shinji, her eyes sparkling like twin amethyst gems): Wish us luck, Third Child!

(Shinji blinks at the girl and feels his cheeks heat at the her sweet smile.)

Shinji (shuttering): Y-Yeah...

(The Sixth Child blows Shinji a kiss.)

Asuka (exploding as she grabs Hikaru's wrist): Come on, Sixth Child! Let's do this stupid race!

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

Seele: The man has as many lives as a cat!

Seele: It would appear that Ikari has the devil's own luck.

Seele (scoffing): "Devil's own luck?!" Do you think that Ikari will let this slight go without a word...or thought?

Seele: I believe he will sit back, contemplate the situation, and find the best way to deal this problem.

Seele: But this man's dealings can very well move mountains and destroy lives!

Seele: As I remember, you were one to do some destroying yourself-

Seele: There is to be no talk of pasts here. Watch your tongue.

Seele: ...

Seele: It does not matter. The Project is still alive-

Seele (quietly): Twice now, it has failed. The Sample is not stable! Should it lose control-

Seele: That will not happen. Should it become too much of a problem, measures will be taken to handle it.

Seele: I see.

Seele: Another chapter is about to be brought forth.

Seele: ...you mean-

Seele: The Enlightenment has been released. It will be soon now.

Seele: Very well. We will wait and watch. Perhaps, the Warrior will not be needed.

Seele: There are guidelines that need to be fulfilled in order for humanity's final destiny to be achieved. We will wait...

Seele: Yes...

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

Hikari (as she jogs up beside Shinji as the class files out of the room for the day): Shinji! Could I ask you a favor?

(Shinji turns toward the Class Rep, surprised as the sudden request.)

Shinji: Uh...sure, Hikari. What do you need?

Hikari (holding up a pile of papers): Rei hasn't been into school for the last few days. I was wondering if you could bring these to her.

Shinji (frowning in confusion): Rei hasn't been into class?

(Shinji flushes with a little shame over the fact the he hadn't noticed earlier that day. He was so used to Rei not making a sound that he hadn't thought about the fact that she might, indeed, be missing.)

Shinji (taking the printouts from Hikari): Definitely. I'll stop by Rei's place on the way home.

Hikari (smiling): Thanks, Shinji. See you tomorrow!

(Shinji nods to the girl as she hurries away. Shinji's eyes follow the girl's path and finds Touji waiting for the girl at the end of the hall. The local "tough guy" flushes slightly as the girl grabs his arm and begins to tow him out of the school. He sees Shinji's look and he waves discreetly in farewell. Shinji chuckles softly and returns the gesture. He had never really thought about it, but the Class Rep and Suzuhara look good together.)

Shinji (lifting the printouts before his face, whispering): Rei...? What is this about?

(Shinji shakes his head and stuffs the printouts into his book bag. The halls of the school are silent now, as if human beings hadn't been there in centuries rather than a mere few minutes.)

Shinji (thinking): Something about that...is chilling. Would this place look any different if it really had been abandoned? Does the human race really make such an impact on the world around it?

(The exit doors appear before Third Child walks out into the sunlight of the outside world. Most of the children have vanished for the day, heading home or to some other destination with friends. Shinji gingerly begins walking, gently rubbing his stomach as he goes. He had used the medical cream Ritsuko had given him for his wound before he had come to school, but every once and a while, the wound would ache.)

Shinji (thinking): I was...shot. I can't believe that he...

Hikaru (calling): Hey! Shinji, over here!

(Shinji stops and looks over to his left. Hikaru is standing on the other side of the track fence. Her hands are clinging to the chain-links as she gazes out at him.)

Shinji (walking into the grass, before to the fence): Hikaru...stuck with after school practice, huh?

Hikaru (sighing as she rests her forehead against the fence): Yeah...I won't have to, if Asuka knew how to pass a baton!

(Shinji smiles despite himself as he remembers.)

Shinji (smiling): You weren't too happy.

Hikaru (her eyes flashing fiercely): It's her fault! We could have won, too! Now, the teacher is making us stay after, saying that we need to work on our "teamwork" skills!

Shinji: Hmmm....

Hikaru (her violet eyes pleading): You don't believe I need help with teamwork, do you, Shinji?

Shinji: ...um-

Asuka (coming up behind Hikaru): So, you are saying that I'm the one who needs help?

Hikaru (looking over her shoulder): You said it, not I!

Asuka (growling): If you could catch, we won't be in this fix! You are so stupid!

Hikaru (turning on the Second Child): Me?! We weren't playing hot-potato, you moron!

Asuka: "Moron?!" You-

Shinji: I...uh...will be going now-

Asuka (shouting over Hikaru's shoulder): Running away, Third Child?

Hikaru (waving): Talk to you later, Shinji!

Shinji (hurrying toward the street): Yeah...

Asuka: What did that mean?!

Hikaru (walking toward the track, smug): What does it sound like?

(Shinji hurries away so that he doesn't have to get involved with another fight between the Second and Sixth Children. He knows, in his heart, that his presence isn't always necessary for the two to fight, but at least he doesn't have to hear or see it.)

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

(He gazes down at his hands. They are handcuffed several times over before him. While the (restraints) are pretty meaningless(;) it was the effect on him that those before him are seeking. He lifts his eyes so that he peers out from under a fall of unruly, white hair. On all sides of him, the beings collectively known as Seele, surround him in the form of rectangular icons. Somewhere, within his mind, amusement flickers.)

Seele: You failed your task. It was simple enough. Why did you back down?

Boy: ...

Seele: Who do you think you are? You are alive on our grace. It is not intelligent to throw that back in our face.

Boy: What face?

Seele: ...?!

Boy (his voice oddly sing-song): I never see face. No face. I sense fear. No face.

Seele: You sense nothing. You are a puppet. A creation born of our vision. Do you think that you are irreplaceable? Do you believe that you are important to us?

Boy: I know not. I care not.

Seele: Perhaps you were taken out of containment too soon. Perhaps, you need to go back.

(The child's hands ball into fists.)

Boy: No.

Seele: You need to learn a lesson. You must know your place in the scenarios.

Boy (his eyes glowing like twin pools of magna, his voice aching): No.

(Metal panels that form the floor rattle and creak as the power reaches out and stretches the plates at their very seams. Suddenly, there is a shot and the boy staggers a few steps and collapses to the floor in a heap. A man in a black suit and shades walks out beside the boy. He looks down and sees the bullet lying beside him, crushed beyond recognition. The fading glow of the boy's AT Field is the only clue to what had happened.)

Seele: Return the Messenger to the containment chamber.

Man: Yes.

(He leans down and picks the boy up. Casually, the man throws the boy over his shoulder and exits the dark chamber.)

Seele: This is disturbing.

Seele: Will he be able to fulfill his part of the Ultimate Destiny?

Seele: Of that, we are almost certain. We will know soon.

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

(Knocking)

Shinji (shifting from one foot to another): Hello? Rei? Are you there?

(In the distance, he can hear a slow, relentless pounding. He has never liked this place. The apartment building was vacant except for the First Child. Shinji can't understand how his father could even begin to think that this place was right for Rei. Shinji reaches for the handle and gives it a twist. The door opens inward and Shinji almost falls over the small mountain of mail littering the floor.)

Shinji: ...

(He shakes his head gathers up most of the mail. His eyes turn from envelop to envelop. Junk mail. All of it. Letters ranging from home insurance to an envelop with coupons to the fast food place down the street to charity letters begging for one unfortunate group or another lay in the boy's arms. Shinji frowns and walks slowly into the main room of the apartment.)

Shinji (thinking): Why does Rei have such a problem with basic living and hygiene?

(The room before him is a simple chamber with a bed under the window. A small table sits at the foot of the bed with a glass of water, pills, and a pair of cracked glasses that are very familiar, lay on top of it. Shinji walks closer to the glasses and he brushes a light layer of dust off the lenses with a gentle fingertip. He turns away from the table and looks over at the sink. Dirty dishes sit in the sink's tub. He moves closer and grunts in disgust as he sees a cockroach scurry out of his sight.)

Shinji (voice thick): Oh, Rei... You shouldn't have to live like this.

(Shinji turns away from the sink and walks into the bathroom. There is no bathtub. Merely a simple shower stall that is crusted with mildew. On the floor, piles of used towels lay heaped around the stall.)

Shinji (quietly): I'm getting sick here...

(Shinji looks around the corner of the bathroom door and finds a small closet. Within, he spots several shelves piled with brand-new towels. Shinji tugs the old price tags off with a flick of his wrist and carries an arm full back into the bathroom. He folds the towels carefully on the shelf in the corner of the room and gathers up the wet towels off the floor. He looks down at them and sighs as he realizes that he is going to have to have these washed, but he doubts Rei has a washing machine handy. Finally, the boy sets the towels down next to the door for later.)

Shinji (picking up his book bag): Now, where is she?

(There is silence, broken only by the distant pounding. Then, he hears it. A gentle note that seems vaguely familiar to the Third Child.)

Shinji (walking slowly toward the door): What is that?

(He comes out into the walkway again and is drawn toward the staircase once more. The sun is setting and soon it will be dark. Shinji knows that Misato will wonder where he is, but somehow, that has been pushed away for now.)

(Shinji comes to the rooftop and he looks around. The place is sad, cracked, and worn. It was one of the older buildings in Tokyo-3. Shinji gazes about for a moment, then he sees her. Rei has a flute held gently to her lips. She is sitting on the edge of the rooftop, emptiness behind her. She does not notice this. She plays a song that seems to tug at Shinji's mind.)

Shinji (softly): Rei?

(She continues to play, her eyes closed, her fingers moving with simple eloquence that seems her, yet not her. Shinji walks slowly toward her. Once again, as he had so long ago, he sees something about her that reminds him of a...mother. Rei doesn't move when Shinji kneels before her. Shinji's fingers reach out and touch her shoulder almost without him knowing what he is doing. The song stops suddenly and Rei's eyes blink open.)

Rei: ...Shinji?

Shinji (looking carefully at her face): How long have you been up here, Rei? I was told that you haven't been to school in several days.

Rei: I...haven't?

(The First Child seems confused by that. Her eyes look down at the flute resting in her lap.)

Rei: Perhaps... Time...goes quickly.

Shinji (smiling gently): Well, sometimes. Come, let's go back to your-

Rei: I do not wish to return to that place.

Shinji (standing, blinking down at Rei): Huh?

Rei (closing her eyes): I do not wish to go back to the place for me.

Shinji (surprised): You don't?

Rei (her hands wrapping tightly around the flute): ...

Shinji: Well, I never did like your apartment.

Rei (looking up at Shinji, studying him): Why?

Shinji (blushing): Ah...well-

Rei: ...

Shinji (looking seriously down at Rei): Because you deserve better. You have that constant pounding...and your apartment is a mess.

(Rei looks down and Shinji can see a faint blush touch her pale cheeks.)

Rei: ...I know it is unkept. ...I don't care.

Shinji (touching her shoulder again): Rei, I was once told that the place where you live is a reflection of the condition of your soul. If your home is a mess, then that speaks something of your personal vision of yourself.

Rei (staring at the ground): ...

(Shinji crouches down so that Rei is forced to meet his eyes. She seems a little surprised by this and gazes back at him curiously.)

Shinji (whispering): If we found you a nice place...would you care? Would you keep it nice?

Rei: ...

Shinji: It-It pains me to see you like this. Would you take care of yourself if you were in a nice place?

(Neither Child notices the continued, constant pounding as it seems like silence grows between them. Yet, it is a silence full of meaning...and a fumbling of understanding.)

(Then, Rei reaches up and her fingers drift tenderly over Shinji's cheek.)

Rei: You care...with no expectations of getting anything in return.

Shinji: Rei...you know you are very important to me.

(Rei blinks and her cheek color slightly once more.)

Rei: You said that once...

Shinji: Yes.

Rei (her eyes turn away, as if searching): I didn't understand, then.

Shinji: ...

Rei: I still don't...but...

Shinji: "But?"

Rei (meeting Shinji's eyes once more): I...I want to understand...this warmth I feel.

(Shinji smiles and stands once more. He offers his hands to the First Child. She stares at the hand for a long moment and Shinji wonders if she would refuse his help. Then, her delicate, cool hand takes his and he helps her to her feet.)

Rei: If I were to live in a place...where I belong...I would...

Shinji: ...?

Rei (very softly): I would cherish...that place.

Shinji: Well, then, I will find the best place in all of Tokyo-3 for you, Rei.

(Silence)

Shinji (bowing his head, very softly): I will never forget you again...

(Rei says nothing, but Shinji gasps when he feels Rei take his hand in hers. It is a simple touch, yet, it comforts Shinji in ways that he can't begin to understand or explain. He doesn't question it and lets Rei led him off the rooftop. Somewhere in his mind, he wonders at the song Rei was playing. It had touched a part of him he had forgotten about. It has been a very long time since he remembered what it was to be a young child. It is that part of him that wonders...)

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

(It is a body that is far too thin. It is the sort of body that is reminiscent of the horrors of past wars. Wars where purity of blood and race were ideals that drove men and women to treat their fellow human-beings as objects. The creature towers over the forest that surrounds it, its flesh a sickly green. Its bony hands hang at its sides as if they are too heavy to be lifted by their owner. Its waist and hips are the same, narrow width and it walks slowly, dreamily through the trees before it. The entity's head lays against its chest for it is very heavy for the slender neck beneath it.)

(Animals in the forest begin to drop like so many flies as the Entity passes by.)

(The Entity's black, stripped head has the symbol of a single eye etched on what would be a human's forehead. The symbol glistens in the sunlight like freshly-spilled blood.)

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

(The breeze feels good. The park is pretty empty except for the occasional jogger. Touji leans back against the bench, shuffles his shoes in the gravel path, and gazes at the sky. The sky is empty except for a few birds.)

Touji (thinking): ...God, this is an empty world.

(His left hand is resting on his left knee.)

(Silence)

(Touji's eyes slowly turn toward his hand. His fingers move ever so slightly on his sweatpants, as if reacting to his gaze.)

Touji (thinking, a cynical grin twisting his mouth slightly): NERV...I don't think about them much anymore.

(Silence)

Touji (thinking): It is for the best. I don't want to think about such...horrible things.

(He turns his left hand over and looks at his palm.)

Touji (thinking): If I do think about them...I usually end up thinking about me.

Hikari (softly purring): Touji...

(Touji snaps out of his strange mood and finds Hikari standing beside him, an ice cream cone in each hand.)

Touji (blinking): I would have bought you ice cream if you had said so.

Hikari (sitting closely next to Touji on the bench, handing him his cone): That's why I didn't say so.

(Touji reaches for the cone with his left hand, stops, then takes the cone with his right. His fingers brush Hikari's and she almost drops the cone.)

Touji (chuckling): Easy, there, Tiger.

Hikari (blushing): Y-You startled me, that's all.

(Touji looks over at the girl as she tentatively licks the top of the swirl of vanilla. She closes her eyes in pleasure and licks again. The shear innocence of the girl shocks the Fourth Child. When he had first met her, she had been bossy, stiff, and a little cold. Perhaps, Asuka was to blame for putting a little fire in the Class Rep's personality. While that very fire had burned him on several occasions now; it was good to see her like this...simply enjoying life.)

(He had never thought he would be sitting in the park, on a bench, with the bossiest girl in school. If someone had told him that all those months ago, he would have laughed...then beat the living daylights out of them.)

(Touji looks down at his own ice cream cone and winces as he realizes that he has let it alone for too long. A small stream of white, sticky liquid has trailed from the cone and was in the process of wrapping around his right wrist.)

Touji (licking his wrist): Oops!

Hikari (eyes closed, calmly): Klutz.

Touji (shaking his head ruefully as he licked a path around the entire swirl): Yeah...sorry.

Hikari (opening one, sparkling eye): Don't worry. It's a part of your charm.

Touji: ...you have strange tastes.

Hikari (smiling): Lucky you.

(Touji blinks and slurps at his ice cream thoughtfully. His eyes don't see the cone anymore. His mind is far away...)

(FLASHBACK: The room is cast in a pale, sterile light. Two bars are on either side of him, but they aren't much help.)

Touji (softly): I can't do this...

(The boy is hanging, his legs crumbled under him, the bars caught under his arms.)

Touji (growling): I didn't realize how hard it would be!

Hikari (gasping): Touji!

(Touji lifts his head and turns it toward the girl. She is still in her school uniform. She is rushing toward him, her eyes huge.)

Touji (grunting, trying to push himself up): I-I'm fine.

(His very pale, left arm trembles weakly and Touji almost falls flat on his face. She is there, suddenly. Her face before his, her hands under his arms.)

Hikari (scolding): Why are you doing this to yourself?! What is wrong with you?!

(Touji leans his right hip against one of the bars and pushes the girl away from him.)

Touji (grimly): I'm fine-

Hikari (batting his hand away, hissing): Like hell you are! Where are the doctors?! Where are the nurses-

Touji: They stepped out for a moment. I'm not a baby-

Hikari (stepping closer to him): You sure act like one sometimes.

Touji (bracing his left hand again): I don't need help-

(The left arm gives out again, but Hikari is there this time.)

Touji (snapping): Damn it, Hikari-

Hikari (crying out): Stop it!

(Touji is stopped dead by the grief in the girl's voice. He gazes at her, confused. Hikari takes a slow breath, then opens her eyes and looks up into Touji's face.)

Hikari (quietly): You don't have to do this alone.

Touji: ...

Hikari: I'm right here.

(Her hands take hold of his waist.)

Hikari (her eyes darker than normal): If you fall...I will catch you.

Touji (sighing, closing his eyes): You will be the death of me, Hikari.

Hikari (softly): I'm not done with you, yet.

Touji (grinning despite himself): Yeah, I can see that.

(Silence)

(Touji sets his feet carefully and braces himself on the bars once more. His arms tremble, but Touji takes his first step. Somehow, it doesn't matter if he makes it to the end of the bars anymore. The fact that he is trying is enough...)

(Present)

Touji (thinking): She never asked... She knew about...

(He glances at his left hand.)

Touji (thinking): ...She knew about that...yet, she never questioned it...or me.

(He looks over at the girl again and she frowns at him.)

Hikari (slightly concerned): Is there something wrong? You have hardly touched your ice cream.

Touji (sighing): Nothing's wrong. How could there be? All is right with the world.

(Touji passes the ice cream over to his left hand and continues eating. For the first time since he had gotten there, he lets himself enjoy the feel of Hikari's shoulder braced against his and tries to believe his own words.)

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

(The gentle hum of the EVA surrounds him. His eyes are closed, as if in mediation.)

Shinji (thinking): Myself. Alone. I am here, alone. I should be afraid, yet, I am…comforted here.

(The boy's eyes slit open and he gazes down at the clouds and the green earth far below him.)

Shinji (thinking): I'm am alone here.

Shinji (thinking): EVA.

Shinji (thinking): …the others.

Shinji (thinking): But that doesn't make it any less real. Humans were built to be alone.

(The image of Touji and Hikari flashes in his mind's eye. Shinji leans his head back and gazes up at the fuselage projected over his head.)

Shinji (thinking): Okay, perhaps there are those that are well suited to other people. Hikari is…a people person. She likes being around others. It is what makes her such a good Class Rep.

(Shinji smiles as he remembers how the girl had chewed him and the other Stooges out over the past months. They always managed to get on her bad side…somehow. She was like Asuka in many ways, including the fact that she could cut you to the wick with her tongue. Yet, she had a natural kindness that glowed in her eyes when she looked at her fellow students.)

Shinji (thinking, smiling slightly): Touji doesn't deserve such a keeper. Lucky guy…

(Suddenly, the holographic screen beside the boy's face flashed and he finds himself staring at Misato's face.)

Misato (neutrally): We are almost to the drop-site.

(Asuka's face flashed up beside Misato's.)

Asuka (growling): About damned time! I was getting bored in here!

Hikaru (her face grinning as it appears beside Asuka's): So the Queen must be entertained, huh?

Asuka (her eyes turning toward Hikaru's screen): And just what does that mean?

Hikaru (gazing at her left hand, as if she can see her fingernails): You are good at drawing conclusions.

Asuka (leaning toward Hikaru's image): No, I want you to spell it out for me.

Hikaru (her eyes sparkling): As your highness commands-

Misato (sighing): Can the chatter, you two. We are on a mission. This is not the time for this.

(Her eyes flash.)

Misato (quietly): And don't think I didn't hear about the "problem" you two had in gym class this morning. We will have to have a serious talk about this when you all return.

Hikaru (softly): …it wasn't my fault…

Asuka (scoffing as she crossed her arms and turned her gaze away): Whatever…

Shinji (training his eyes on Misato): Our mission…what's going on, Misato?

Misato (nodding, relieved to be back on track): This.

(A map hologram flickers to life in Shinji's plug, under the Major's face. Dark green indicates thick forests, while lighter greens showed open fields, and lines of blue represented rivers and streams. The computer-generated camera begins to zoom in on the 3-D landscape.)

Misato: This is the forest area twenty-four kilometers south of Tokyo-3. At one time this place had been a farming community. During…the initial attack of the Seventh Angel, this place was a part of the…damage path.

Asuka: …

Misato: No one lives there now. It was not long after the incident that the community uprooted itself and moved inland.

Shinji (quietly): At least there are no civilians to worry about.

Asuka: …

Misato: Yeah…

(The map flashes and a stick-like figure appears, moving slowly through the area.)

Misato: This is your target. It has been moving at a casual pace toward Tokyo-3.

Hikaru (after watching it for a moment): It's on a Sunday stroll!

Misato (grimly): So it would seem.

Misato (thinking): They never seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere. Is it confidence…or is it that they just don't care?

(The computer camera zooms past the Angel and forward through the Entity's predicted path.)

Misato: The Angel will reach Tokyo-3 in about four hours if it maintains this pace. However, we are not going to give it a chance to get that close. We are going to knock it out before it ever even hits our borders!

Asuka (smirking): Piece of cake! Look at this thing! It looks like it should be in a wheel chair or bed-ridden!

Hikaru (studying the map and the Angel's projection): It does look rather skimpy, doesn't it?

Rei: Be careful.

(A shocked silence rules the communications net.)

Shinji (cautiously): Rei?

Rei: Caution would be a wise practice with this enemy.

Misato (gazing at the First Child's image): Rei…is there something you would like to share?

Rei: …

Misato: …

Asuka (chuckling): Wonder Girl is just getting cold feet! Don't worry so much, Rei!

Rei (her crimson stare turning on the Second Child's image): Nothing is as it appears…Asuka.

(Again. She did it again. Asuka feels the hairs on the back of her neck raise. What is it about Rei that inspires such awe…or discomfort. It is more than simply her demeanor. It was almost like she knew…something you didn't. Asuka really doesn't like that feeling.)

Asuka (giving a shaky, confident shrug): Whatever.

Rei: …

Misato (biting her lip): You will be dropped in fifteen minutes. Sit tight.

Asuka (muttering): As if there's anywhere for us to go.

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

(Misato sighs and leans back in her seat, pretending that she hadn't hear that last bit from Asuka. The distant roar of the B-969's engines called to her from behind. Another away mission. It isn't like she has much of a choice. It was either go to the Angels or let the Angels come to Tokyo-3.)

Misato (muttering): It's not really a choice, if you ask me.

(The overhead PA system chimes and the pilot comes on.)

Pilot: Major, you have a communication from NERV HQ.

Misato (her brows lifting): Really? Patch it through.

Pilot: Yes, ma'am.

(Misato reaches over to the bulkhead next to her head and dislodges the phone there.)

Misato: It's me.

Ritsuko: Misato, I thought you would like to know that Natasha has returned to active duty.

Misato (rubbing her forehead as if she could rid herself of the headache that was building by doing so): I see. And…

Ritsuko (quietly): The Commander has called her to his office.

Misato: This could be interesting. It will be a miracle of she isn't court-marshaled for that stunt in Terminal Dogma.

(Misato braces her cheek on her palm and gazes at the empty, metal trimmed bench across from her. She is hardly in a first-class cabin. While the engineers responsible for the EVAs' transports did an excellent job creating an aircraft capable of carrying the mechas easily, they kind of fell short when it came to adding those little "creature comforts" for the passagers. Misato looks around the dark cabin, at the steel gratings overhead, at the simplistic, slip-proof treads on the floor, and thought about what she would give for a nice, pool-side lawn-chair near a beach somewhere.)

Misato (closing her eyes): Ritsuko, I know she's a pain in the butt…

Ritsuko: Yeah?

Misato: But could you…

Ritsuko (under her breath): Here it comes…

Misato: Could you watch out for her, Ritsuko.

Ritsuko (slightly cynical): Do you realize just how much trouble she's in, Misato?

Misato (sighing as she gazes down at the floor): I know… Somehow, I feel it's not necessarily her fault-

Ritsuko (scoffing): Not her fault?! You're joking, right? The woman had a blood trail tracing all the way back to the Terminal Dogma Records Chamber. The fact she even got into the area is enough to have her face a firing squad!

Misato (growling): You aren't telling me anything I don't already know! It's just that…I get the feeling that…her hand has been forced. You can't forget who she was sent by.

Ritsuko: True, but-

Misato: And there's Hikaru…

Ritsuko: …

Misato: Do you know how hard it was to tell the girl that her guardian had been stabbed within the confines of NERV Central?

Ritsuko: Okay…I'll see what I can do. But, you will owe me.

Misato (grinning despite herself): Just put it on my tab.

Ritsuko (chuckling softly): You know I'm going to have to collect someday.

Misato (pulling a lock of her hair before her face, frowning at it): Maybe, someday, I will be able to pay you back.

Ritsuko (seriously): Take care, Misato.

Misato: I'll see you soon.

(The connection breaks and Misato is alone once more.)

Misato (thinking): Split ends…damn, I had better start taking better care of myself…

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

Natasha (quietly): What are you going to do to me?

(The two are alone in the Supreme Commander's inner sanctum. The Commander is behind his desk, eyes hidden within the glare of his glasses.)

Gendo: …

Natasha (rubbing her shoulder self-consciously): I know I messed up bad.

Gendo: …

Natasha (her eyes flashing fiercely): But it wasn't so bad that it warrants this! A person has a right to know what is to become of her!

Gendo (softly): You think you have rights here?

Natasha (closing her eyes): If not for me, then think of Hikaru-

Gendo: The Sixth Child is not my concern.

(The Russian woman gapes at the Commander for a long moment, then she surges forward and slams her palms on his desk.)

Natasha (snarling): You goddamned bastard! How can you say such a thing?! Don't you realize that you need all the help you can get in the war against the Angels?!

Gendo (his head lifting slightly, as if measuring her): You seem to have a strange idea of what is going on here, Lieutenant. I am the Supreme Commander for a reason. I know what is going on. I understand the fate of Mankind.

Natasha (stepping back, seemingly drawing back into herself): If the fate of Mankind is in the hands of one so cold, then perhaps survival was never the issue.

Gendo: …

Natasha (crossing her arms under her breast slowly): I don't care about your personal issues or vendettas. All I care about is Hikaru. She is…important to me.

(The Lieutenant is shocked when she hears something like a smirk from the Commander.)

Natasha (her eyes blazing): You think I'm not serious?!

Gendo (his face a mask once more): Actually, I find it amusing that people feel it necessary to tell me that they don't give a damn about what I think or feel.

Natasha: …

Gendo (lowering his head like a bull ready to charge): However, I feel it necessary to point out to you, Lieutenant, that you had better take certain things into account when dealing with me.

Natasha: Isn't your mind made up, yet?

Gendo: As before, you must think of more than just yourself.

Natasha (her jaw flexing): Are you threatening me?!

Gendo: No. I am stating a fact. Haven't you wondered, yet, as to why I let you come here under your own power? Why you weren't escorted in here as a common prisoner?

Natasha: …

Gendo: …

Natasha (very quietly): …what do you want from me?

Gendo: Not much.

Natasha: That, I find hard to believe.

Gendo: Someday, I may call upon you to perform a certain mission.

Natasha: Really…

Gendo: You know things. While it may not seem important now, I assure you, a time will come when it will be very important.

Natasha (looking away): I don't-

Gendo: When the time comes, you will carry out the mission. Of this, I'm sure.

Natasha (facing Gendo, her eyes cold): Am I dismissed?

(Gendo nods his head slightly and the Lieutenant marches out of the chamber. Gendo continues to gaze after the woman for a long moment, then turns his chair away to gaze out at the Geo-Front.)

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

Hikaru (almost secretively): There it is…

(Shinji lifts his head from his chest and looks up. He can see it from his EVA's position beneath the B-969 transport.)

Asuka (surprised and a little insulted): That's it?! They dragged us all the way out here for this?!

Misato (scolding): Asuka, don't let your guard down! This is still an Angel we are dealing with!

Asuka (growling, pointing her finger at it): But it looks like it should be on its deathbed! I'm shocked it can stand, much less walk!

Misato (warning): Asuka…

Asuka (crossing her arms under her breasts, looking at the Entity down her nose): A good breeze should be enough to knock it over!

Misato (sighing): Well, in any case, prepare yourselves! EVAs release!

(Shinji feels a slight jar, then he is in free-fall. He closes his eyes and concentrates on not losing his lunch in the LCL. He is sure Asuka would have some nasty comment about that and it would be a topic of discussion in class for weeks to come!)

Shinji (opening his eyes, thinking): That is, if we make it through this alive…

(Green, full branches are rushing up to greet his EVA. Long experience and training take over and Unit 01 brings its legs up to its chest. On his audio-pickups, Shinji can hear the sound of his EVA crashing through the thick brush. Dirt, shattered branches, and stone spray in all directions as Unit 01 touches down.)

Asuka (smirking): Rookie! Can't even land on your own feet!

Hikaru (grunting): Shut up, Second Child.

(Unit 01 straightens from its crouch into a standing position and sees that Unit 04 had plowed into the earth like some out-of-control sled. Only now was Hikaru bringing her mecha to its feet.)

Shinji (concerned): Hikaru, are you okay?

Hikaru (her smiling face flashing up next to his face): Sure! It takes more than a little spill like that to take me out!

Asuka (muttering darkly): She probably did that on purpose just to get attention.

Hikaru (her face turning toward Unit 02): I'm not you, Asuka!

Asuka (shrugging, her image suddenly flashing up on Shinji's other side): As if! I don't need to do anything to get attention! Right…Ikari?

Shinji (flushing): Um…well-

Hikaru (snorting): You are so conceited!

Asuka: And you-

Misato (snapping): Guys, remember? Mission, battle, Angel…Hello?!

Rei: Caution, please, it is coming.

Asuka (snarling): Well, what are we waiting for?!

(Ignoring the OSPE cord awaiting her EVA, Asuka has Unit 02 reach over to the weapon pod that had landed beside her. It pops open at the touch of the Unit's hand and Asuka grabs an automatic rifle from within. Unit 02 snaps the rifle smartly up to its shoulder and sights down the barrel.)

Asuka (grimly): Ridiculous creature…

(The rifle rattles and tracers fly toward the Entity. The team gives a collective gasp…)

(Pause.)

(Silence)

(The Angel staggers a few steps back and collapses to the forest floor, sending a cloud of dust into the sky.)

Asuka (smirking): You've got to be kidding! What did I tell you, Misato?!

Misato (confused): That was surprisingly easy…

Hikaru (sighing): Can we go home now? As nice as the area is, I would like to go get something to eat. Hey, Shinji, how about some ice cream?

Shinji (eyes narrowed, focused on the cloud, whispering): It was never this easy…

(Suddenly, Shinji hears Rei give a little cry of pain. He turns his head rapidly toward Unit 00. It is a little hunched over with a palm cupping its forehead.)

Shinji (worried): Rei? What's wrong?

Rei (choked): I-It's in my head-

Shinji: What-

(It hits him like a wave of liquid fire. Suddenly, he feels like he has a million thoughts racing through his head at once, overloading his ability focus or concentration on a single, simple thought. His sense of balance is gone and the world warps and twists before him. Then, Asuka and Hikaru are hit by the mental wave as well.)

Asuka (hysterical): NO! Not Again!!!!

Hikaru (her voice cracking with pain, Unit 04 reaching weakly toward Unit 02): Asuka…you're not…

(Another wave hits and Unit 04 stumbles to its knees.)

Hikaru (tears flowing from her eyes): Y-You…are not…alone…

Asuka (covering her face with both hands): …help me…oh, God, HELP ME!!!

Shinji (whispering): …Asuka…

(The Third Child turns his wavering gaze toward the Angel and is shocked to see the Entity on it is feet again. Its head is lifting from its chest and Shinji's lips move in agony and disgust.)

(The Angel has a mouth.)

(The Angel throws its head back and howls. The sound-waves ripple through the air and the EVAs are hit by it an instant later.)

Asuka (growling, her voice uneven): Y-You…BASTARD!!!

(Suddenly, Shinji's view of the outside world is replaced by the angular, red warning signs of an Error that cover the walls of the entry plug completely.)

Shinji (trembling): What-

(An instant later, the back of Units 00, 01, 02, and 04 explode open and the plugs fire away from the EVAs. Shinji blinks in shock, Rei lays her head back, Hikaru sighs with relief as the presence withdraws from her mind, and Asuka…)

Asuka (screaming, refusing to believe she has been defeated so easily): NOOOOooooo!!!

(The plugs rocket away on trails of white smoke. The Angel watches after them for a moment, then lets it head fall back to its chest and…waits…)

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

Maya (quietly): The Angel has taken up a defensive position. Its not moving, sir.

Fuyutsuki (growling): Damn, its got our people pinned down and there's nothing we can do about it! What the hell was that?!

Shigeru (his fingers racing across his console board): Unknown, sir. The EVAs were hit by some sort of telekinetic wave. The readings were off the scale!

Gendo (quietly, his hands folded before his face): The Enlightenment.

Fuyutsuki (glancing down at the Commander): And you let our people walk right into it.

Gendo: It's early.

Fuyutsuki (grimly): I don't think that the Angels give a damn about our time tables.

Gendo: …

Fuyutsuki (softly, folding his hands behind his back): What now? The Angel seems to be waiting. We are helpless without the Evangelions.

Gendo: …there is always the UN-

Fuyutsuki (hissing): You would turn the mission over to the UN?! At this stage?!

Gendo: …

Fuyutsuki: …

Gendo: …

Fuyutsuki (taking a step toward Gendo): Sir-

Gendo: Take Unit 03 out of Stasis. Have the pilot brought to NERV Central.

Fuyutsuki (nodding): Sir-

Gendo (almost as an afterthought): And have Unit 01's Dummy system uploaded into Unit 03's plug.

(Fuyutsuki pauses at the door of the platform and his hands ball into fists. Then, finally,)

Fuyutsuki (very quietly): Sir.

(Gendo continues to gaze out at the main screen before him. It could be his imagination, but it seems like the Angel is watching him…but without eyes.)

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

Hidaka: …

Touji (taking a sip of tea, eyes closed): …

Hidaka (leaning forward, bracing her elbows on the kitchen table, her brows lifted): …?

Touji (opening his eyes): What?

(The two siblings are sitting at the kitchen table, eating dinner. Steaming food is sitting in small, earthen bowls and Touji has been making an effort to keep himself from looking his little sister right in the eye.)

Hidaka (leaning forward): Don't take that tone with me! So, did you do as I told you to?

Touji (shoving some rice into his mouth): And I told you, I don't do that mushy stuff!

Hidaka (shouting): Touji!

Touji (looking at her over the rim of his bowl): What?!

Hidaka (crossing her arms across her chest): A girl finally takes interest in you and you don't even make an effort!

Touji (scowling into his rice): …

Hidaka (sighing): And I gave you such good advice-

Touji (growling): You are only seven years old.

Hidaka (waving that away with a flick of her wrist): And you are fourteen, so what?

Touji: You don't seem to understand. This situation is…complex.

Hidaka (resting her chin on her palm): What's so complex about it? Hikari likes you. You like Hikari…right?

Touji (sighing slowly): You don't understand. There are some things…that she knows… I don't want to talk about it, Hidaka.

Hidaka (snorting): …boys are stupid.

(The doorbell chimes and the girl hops to the floor with a roll of her eyes.)

Hidaka (calling loudly at Touji): I'll get it!

Touji: …

Hidaka (softly): Idiot.

(She trots down the hallway to the apartment door and opens it.)

Hidaka (blinking in surprise): Who are you?

(Touji lifts his head at the shock in his sister's voice.)

Touji (calling): Hidaka?

Unknown voice 1: Is your brother here, Hidaka Suzuhara?

Hidaka (shaken): How do you know my name?

Unknown voice 2: Is Touji Suzuhara in the household? Is he out with friends?

Hidaka (shouting): Who are you two?!

Unknown voice1: We are NERV.

Hidaka (gritting her teeth, very quietly): …what do you want?

Unknown voice 2: Is your brother here?

Hidaka (taking a step forward): Will you-?!

Touji (resting his hands on her small shoulders): Enough, Hidaka.

(The Fourth Child gazes at the two men in black suits before him. Despite the fact that it is night, the two are wearing shades. In the pale light of the hallway lamp, the two men's faces look like they are carved in stone for all the animation they show.)

Touji (quietly, never taking his eyes off the agents): I will handle this, Hidaka.

(With gentle strength that the girl tried to resist, Touji pushes Hidaka behind his back. Even as he urges her silently to return to the kitchen, his little sister refuses to leave his side. She peeks out from behind his elbow, glaring viciously at the two vaguely featured men before her.)

Touji: What is it?

Agent 1: Your presence is required at NERV Central.

Touji: Why?

Agent 2: It is imperative that you come with us immediately.

Touji (narrowing his eyes): I see. Hidaka-

Hidaka (screaming): You AREN'T going with them!!!

(The little girl's arms wrap around his waist and she presses her face against Touji's back.)

Touji (closing his eyes): Leave us…for a moment.

Agent 1: We will be outside the door.

(The two file out of the apartment and close the door behind them.)

Touji: Hidaka-

Hidaka: Don't say everything is going to be okay. It's never okay!

Touji (turning so that he could hug his sister): Are you saying that I shouldn't go?

Hidaka (weeping openly against his chest): Yes.

Touji (stroking her dark hair): If I don't go, something horrible is going to happen.

Hidaka (rubbing her face against his shirt): We could go away! We could-

Touji (quietly): What about your friends? What about their families? What about…

(His voice cracks and he hugs Hidaka tighter.)

Touji: What about Hikari?

Hidaka: …

Touji: I must go…

Hidaka (whispering): I know.

Touji: I will come back.

Hidaka: …

Touji (breathing deeply, letting his sister go): I-I will see you later-

(The Fourth Child turns and begins walking toward the door.)

Hidaka (very softly): Big brother…

(Touji pauses and looks over his shoulder. Hidaka walks over to the hallway closet and pulls out his light jacket. She walks back and hands it to him.)

Hidaka (tears in her eyes): I-It is getting cool out. H-Hikari would have my hide if I let you go out without a jacket.

(Touji smiles and shrugs into the jacket. Then, he leans down and kisses Hidaka on the cheek.)

Touji: I'll see you later.

(Touji turns and walks out the front door, closing it very quietly behind him. The silence is complete within the apartment. The girl stands there quietly for a moment, then turns and walks slowly into the kitchen.)

(She gazes at the dinner sitting out on the table and knows that she should wash it all up and put the leftovers in the fridge. Somehow, she can't bring herself to clean the traces of her brother away. The little girl turns away from the kitchen hurries into her room. The furry, plush bears sitting on her shelves give her no comfort.)

(Hidaka turns to her bed and finds the big, clumsy-looking Panda doll her brother had won her at an arcade a few months ago gazing at her. With a little cry, the girl throws herself on the bed and wraps her arms around the fat bear, curling about it as if to shield the memories the doll holds.)

Hidaka (whispering into the bear's fur): Come back…

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

(His mind comes back to him slowly. Something is wrong. What is it? Why is it so hard to breathe? Why does he feel like he is choking?)

(Shinji opens his eyes and he is surrounded by darkness. Why is it so dark? What is wrong? The Third Child activates his plug suit's wrist lamp and the weak light illuminates the walls of the entry plug cockpit. The smooth, plated view-screens are opaque now, no longer giving him a view of the outside world. It is like he is in some complex, techno-coffin.)

Shinji (his thoughts sluggish and vague, thinking): What…is wrong… Why can't I focus?

(His eyes drift lazily over the walls of the plug and he finds himself gazing at a huge gash in the plug's wall.)

Shinji: W-What-

(Shinji suddenly is seized by a fit of coughs. He tries to breathe and finds his lungs refusing the LCL.)

Shinji (frantic, thinking): W-What's going?! Why can't I breathe?!

(There is darkness outside the gash. The darkness is mixing with the orange-tinted fluid of the LCL. Shinji's brows furrow in thought, wondering at this phenomena. Then, there is something in front of his face. It has huge eyes, a big mouth, and it is zooming in on him. Shinji screams and bats at the monster. The fish is terrified and flutters away, out the gash.)

Shinji (breathing, coughing): A fish…a fish?!

(Shinji's mind races.)

Shinji (thinking): Fish don't live on land.

(Shinji curls over on himself as he begins coughing violently. Bubbles explode from his mouth and his tearing eyes watch them in horror.)

Shinji (terrified, thinking): How long have I been out?! How long has the plug been flooding with water?!

(Shinji rapidly unbuckles himself from the seat, floats over to the side of the command chair, and reaches for the emergency release lever for the hatch. He jerks the lever and small explosions ring the hatch's seam. The hatch remains in place.)

Shinji (thinking): Ohmygod! Ohmygod! The hatch is jammed!

Shinji (screaming): Hel-

(Shinji chokes on the water and finds he can't bring anymore air in. Shinji turns his eyes to the gash and reaches for it. He braces his hands on the narrow gash only to jerk his hands away. He looks down and he can see his own blood flowing into the water. The gash is jagged and extremely sharp. There is no way he can get out that way…)

Shinji (thinking): Help! Help! Someone! Someone help me!!!!

(Shinji reaches out to the walls of the plug, his mindless hands searching for some miracle exit from this watery grave.)

Shinji (thinking): Someone…Misato…Asuka…Rei…Hikaru…Ritsuko……..Father!!! Someone…please…

(Shinji can feel his lungs heaving. He needs air…)

Shinji (thinking): …some…one…oh God……mother…

(Shinji's hand reaches out to hope as his vision begins to dim. There is a sound. Somehow it is familiar. There suddenly a light over him and kind, delicate hands reach down to him. Hair drifts carelessly about an eternal face. Lips mouth something…something…)

"You are safe now…"

(Shinji's eyes roll back in his head and the light is gone.)

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

To Be Continued…

Author's Notes:

Okay! Okay! Don't flame me! You should know that I do this from time to time by now! Shinji trapped in his flooding entry plug with the vision of an angel above him…hmmm…

Well, of course, I am not going to just tell you what is going to happen that would ruin the next part!

Anyway, I realize that it has been quite some time since I have posted any part of STBA and I do apologize for that. With all the things that are happening in my life right now, it is all that I can do to get a little EVA writing in every week. I decided that those of you who are following this fanfic, I decided to post the first part of this enormous chapter for you all to look at and hold you over for a little bit…

Something that one of my pre-readers brought up was the relationship between Touji and his sister. As you may remember from the original EVA series, Touji's sister was mentioned but never shown. I decided to change that and hopefully that came across well.

As for the part about Touji's replaced limbs, it was something that was brought to my attention some time back. I began thinking about that and how I had missed that when I started this fic. Then, I remembered Rei and…well, you do the math!

As most of you know, I normally have pictures with my fics. Unfortunately, due to the lack of time, I wasn't able to find more, much less attach them to this chapter. Sorry.

I think that is about it for now. Any questions, C&C, or whatever related to EVA, you all know that I love to get emails. So, drop me a line at gargoyle64@hotmail.com!

And, of course, I could never get through all that I must without my pre-readers.

Alex Terzaki (Child of Love)

Godsend777 (The Death of One)

If you haven't seen their work, you don't know what you are missing!

Next time, Chapter 8 1.2 will be coming out before the new millennium, so watch for it! A few more teasers on top of the ones from last time: The beast within, broken promises, and Rei's smile. See you there!