Erk ... my reply to the "Angel, Shmangel" thread should *not* have been
tagged as [Spam] - that thread isn't spam any more, at least I didn't
think so. Oh well ... ^^
Anywhere, here's Apocrypha chapter 2. All C&C is invited/welcomed; flames
will be looked at, then used for toasting electronic marshmallows if not
useful for anything else. Oh, and if you need a copy of chapter 1: let me
know via private e-mail.
Hopefully I'll be able to pick up the pace on writing, since I finish
school (and finals) for the semester this week.
AUTHOR'S FOREWORD:
If you wish to contact me by e-mail, my address is:
trmiller@bcpl.net
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Apocrypha by Tim Miller
Chapter 2:
"Prelude to Apotheosis"
The two girls stood side-by-side, regarding the boy in the dark green
plug-suit. As he was studied, Michael silently noted the contrasts between
them, and the similarities.
Both were fourteen years old (as he was); both wore the same school
uniform of white blouse with red tie and blue-green skirt. Those were just
surface appearances, though; the differences between them spoke much more
clearly. The redhead had an open, expressive face; the pale, blue-haired girl
was much more quiet and circumspect in her examination.
Michael had no trouble at all identifying the two of them as his
future teammates, NERV's other two Evangelion pilots.
"So you're the boy from Eva-04?" the redhaired girl asked. "You don't
look like much," she continued as she flipped her hair back over her shoulder.
"But then, neither does Shinji ... "
"My name is Michael," the 'boy from Eva-04' responded as evenly as
though she'd called him 'the boy from Nevada.' "Forgive me, but I don't know
either of your names yet."
"Ayanami Rei," the pale girl - (Is she an albino?) Michael wondered -
introduced herself in a quiet voice.
"I'm Asuka," the redhead answered, "and I guess you've sort of met
Shinji."
"Only his voice," Michael replied, mentally scrambling for the
Japanese words he needed against - weeks? months? - of no practice. "I haven't
seen him yet."
"Hmmmmmm." Asuka tilted her head slightly, studying Michael's face.
"Not so good at Japanese, eh? You'll get the hang of it."
For the first time since he'd arrived, Michael actually smiled. "If
that was an offer of help, I appreciate it," he answered Asuka with a slight
bow.
Asuka's reply was forestalled by Misato's arrival in the pilot ready
room. "Hi Asuka, hi Rei ... how was school?" Misato asked as she walked in.
"About the usual," Asuka responded, "mostly boring. Is this our new
houseguest?" she asked with a nod of her head at Michael.
"If you and Shinji don't have any objections," Misato told her, "then
yes. He should be enrolled in school by the end of the week, if all goes
well." She turned her attention to Michael. "I see you've met Asuka and Rei;
Shinji's in debriefing, since there wasn't time for that earlier today. As
soon as he finishes, we can head home ... Rei, do you need a ride to your
apartment?"
"No, thank you," Rei answered calmly. "I'll be fine on my own."
"Sure you don't want to come over for dinner? Shinji's cooking,"
Misato invited.
"I don't wish to impose."
Misato nodded, leaving it at that. "See you ... day after tomorrow,
for synch-testing, right?"
"Hai. Good evening, Major." Rei bowed very slightly, and departed.
Asuka muttered something which Michael couldn't quite understand.
Misato put down a shopping bag as she said, "Michael? Since you don't have
anything else to wear, I went ahead and got you some school uniforms. Once
you've had a chance to settle in, we can see about getting some more clothes
for you - if you need any, that is."
Michael nodded. "Thank you very much, Major Katsuragi," he replied
with a formal Japanese-style bow. "I should probably change before we leave."
"We'll leave you alone to do that," Misato replied. "C'mon, Asuka,
we'll wait in the hall." Misato left the room, Asuka behind her, and the door
closed behind them.
With a quiet sigh, Michael hit the seal-release button on his wrist,
and the plug-suit "relaxed" around him, loosening around his body so that he
could take it off.
About ten minutes later, the three of them were standing in the
corridor outside the elevator. Just as the elevator chimed and the doors
started to open, a young boy's voice shouted "Just a minute!" heralding
Shinji's appearance from around the bend in the corridor.
Michael positioned a hand in front of the sensor on the door as he
stepped into the elevator. "You're Shinji?" he asked as the other boy entered
the elevator, following Misato and Asuka.
"Hai," Shinji nodded, "I'm Ikari Shinji." He looked at Misato.
"Misato-san ... "
"What is it?" Misato's tone was bright and friendly.
"Father asked if he could come over to the apartment for dinner."
"He *what*?!?" Asuka was incredulous. "I didn't think Commander Ikari
*had* a social life ... not that I'd expect him to spend any of it with us."
"Did he say why?" inquired Misato, somewhat more tactfully.
"He wants to talk to Michael ..." Shinji glanced at the American
Indian boy. "That's you?"
Michael nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Commander Ikari is your
father, then?"
Shinji looked away, nodding slightly. "Hai, he is. Misato-san ...?"
Misato shrugged. "I guess Asuka and I will clean up the apartment
while you get dinner ready. Ground floor," she finished, speaking to the
computer that controlled the elevator, and they began their ascent.
"Shinji, what time did Commander Ikari say he'd be here?"
"About six-thirty," Shinji replied from the kitchen, not looking back
at Misato. "Is it all right if I use the rest of these vegetables before they
get any older?"
"Mmmm," Misato assented. "As long as they don't try to fight back
while you're cooking them." Asuka rolled her eyes, a silent comment which
didn't go unnoticed by Misato. "Asuka-chan, go get the spare futon for
Michael, okay?"
"Hai, hai!" Asuka replied a bit sulkily as she abandoned setting the
table and headed down the hallway to Shinji's room - or rather, his "lovely
suite" as Misato called it. "Oi Michael, I'm coming in," she announced her
presence just before opening the door.
Fortunately, Michael was only re-folding clothes. "Yes, Asuka?"
"Misato told me to show you where the futon is. Hall closet ... out
here." She beckoned to him, then headed for the closet without waiting for
him. "Need help laying it out?"
Michael jogged out of the room to catch up with her. "Yes, please."
What actually happened was that Michael retrieved the futon from the
closet and laid it out under Asuka's supervision. As he finished, Asuka
asked him, "How did you and Eva-04 get to Tokyo-3, anyway?"
"We took a side route through hell," Michael replied straight-faced.
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'through hell?'" Asuka sat up on Shinji's bed.
"Exactly that." Michael looked up from straightening his futon. "Do
you have a better idea of what it was?"
"It had to have been a Sea of Dirac, like Eva-01 fell into when the
Twelfth Angel attacked." Asuka was cut off before she could get another word
out.
Michael leaned down to adjust a corner of the futon. "I don't know
what a 'Sea of Dirac' is, Asuka, and I don't care what NERV's scientists call
it. Eva-04 and I went through hell - the only hell I'll ever need or want to
know about first-hand."
"Did you see any devils?" scoffed Asuka. "Any damned souls? What was
it like?"
Slowly, Michael raised his head to look Asuka in the eye. "I don't
want to talk about it," he said slowly, his voice quiet but cold. "But since
you're so desperate, I'll tell you." He straightened up and walked over until
he was practically nose-to-nose with Asuka. "I didn't just feel Evangelion in
my mind, like I was told I'd be able to. I was trapped, my mind and soul
enveloped by the chaos of an utterly alien mind. I had no defense; I couldn't
fight it or resist it. The *only* thing that saved me was that Eva ultimately
meant no harm to me."
Asuka tried to muster a reply, unused to being intimidated by others.
Michael went on, unheeding. "Eva-04 and I share a bond that you'll probably
never understand because of that experience. I hope you never do, because the
price is more than you could ever pay willingly - not when you know what the
Evangelions really are."
"So what are they, really?" Asuka finally shot back.
"When I know the words to tell you, I'll let you know. That's how
alien they are - I don't know the words to describe them, in English or
Japanese."
Asuka shoved Michael away, not very gently, and got back to her feet.
"You're pulling my leg. I bet you don't even remember what it was like."
"I wish I *didn't* remember, Asuka." Michael sighed, looking away.
"How long has it been since the Second Branch disappeared? How long was I
trapped in that hell, with only Eva-04 to protect me?"
"A couple of months -- wait, to *protect* you???"
Michael nodded. "When Eva and human touch souls, when their essences
mingle as mine did with Eva-04's --"
It was Asuka's turn to interrupt. "Get real! The Evas are *robots*,
they're just weapons - tools that we use to fight the Angels."
"You don't think anything but a human can have a spirit?" Michael
nudged his futon with his toe. "You think this futon - matress, blanket, and
pillow - can't have an aspect beyond the physical?"
"Only humans have souls."
Michael shook his head slowly. "Existence would be so much simpler if
that were true ..."
Asuka snorted, and left the room without another word. A few seconds
later, Michael heard the front doorbell ring, and headed down the hallway
after Asuka.
They both arrived in the living room just as Shinji emerged from the
kitchen. Misato was already answering the door. "Welcome, Commander Ikari,"
she could be heard saying.
"Thank you, Major," replied a gruff voice. "I apologize for the short
notice."
"Not at all ... please, come in. Dinner's almost ready."
Michael glanced at Shinji, noticing the mixed expression on his face,
but didn't comment as Commander Ikari Gendou entered the living room, with
Misato following behind him. "Good evening," the Commander said formally.
Michael bowed slightly, in Japanese style. "Good evening, Commander."
"Commander Ikari," Asuka nodded.
"Good evening, father," Shinji said quietly.
"If we have a few minutes," Gendou commented, "I'd like to speak with
Michael briefly before dinner."
"It'll be about five minutes," answered Shinji.
Gendou looked at Shinji, concealing whatever surprise he felt.
"Shinji, you're cooking?"
"Hai," Shinji responded.
None too tactfully, Asuka added, "He's better than Misato."
Misato winced; Shinji did his best to ignore it as he explained, "My
aunt and uncle taught me to cook while I was growing up."
"Ah, yes," Gendou nodded. "My brother is a good cook ... I imagine he
taught you well." He smiled faintly. "I look forward to seeing how well you
learned from him."
Shinji nodded, then excused himself and went back into the kitchen.
"Asuka, would you set the table?" Misato asked.
"Already been done," Asuka replied. "But I guess we'd better leave
these two to their talk," she finished with a glance at Gendou and Michael.
Misato nodded, and she and Asuka left as Michael and Gendou sat down
across from each other. "I understand you were chosen as an Eva test pilot by
the Second Branch?" Gendou began.
"That's right. I understood that there was a chance that I'd be
selected as a combat pilot later."
"I've looked at an old copy of your file ... do you have any idea why
you were chosen?"
"No."
Gendou nodded to himself. "Do you wish to continue piloting Eva-04?"
"I don't have much of a choice, do I? It won't take any other pilots
besides me."
"Excuse me?" Gendou frowned behind his shaded glasses, remembering
what Misato had reported about the 'bond' between Michael and Eva-04.
"Commander, there is no way to adequately express what happened
between the time of our 'disappearance' in Nevada and our reappearance here.
You've already heard Katsuragi-san's report of my conversation with her,
haven't you?"
"Yes, and you managed to leave many questions unanswered."
"That's because I don't *have* answers. I don't know how or why Unit
04 disappeared with me inside, or what happened to the Second Branch; if
anyone or any*thing* knows, I can only think of one ... being ... who would."
"And who would that be?"
"Evangelion Unit 04." Michael's expression was unwavering. "Or do you
all believe the Evas are just robots?"
"They are not 'just' robots," Gendou responded evenly. "I believe
'android' is the term in official use."
"And what about unofficial use? Does anyone admit that no human fully
understands the nature of the Evangelions?"
"Young man," Gendou frowned, "you are not in the position of asking
questions."
"My apologies." Michael sounded relatively sincere.
"Major Katsuragi reported that you and Eva-04 have 'bonded,' is that
correct?"
"Yes, and that's why I said it won't take any other pilots. I *know*.
Even now ..." Michael paused, touching the side of his head. "Even now, I can
still feel Eva-04 in my mind, and I know it feels me in its mind."
"How detailed is this link?"
"Right now, it's just a presence. If we were directly synchronized,
though ... " Michael trailed off, looking away. After a long moment, he
finished, "There are no words for it that I know. Not in Japanese, or in
English, or even the language of my father's people."
"Try to describe it anyway."
Michael glanced at Gendou for a moment, then looked away again,
grasping for words. "When we first synchronized, and the S2 engine was
connected ... when we left this world ... Evangelion awoke fully. It was like
being born - pain and terror, thrust into the unknown ... I was the only one,
the only thing, it was aware of, and with nothing else there Eva-04 was all
*I* could be aware of - synchronized as we were, there was no escaping that.
If I hadn't been there, Eva-04 would have destroyed itself completely in
madness and fear. As it was ... all we had to hold onto was each other."
There was a long pause; Gendou just kept looking at Michael, waiting
for him to continue.
"I thought I was going insane," Michael finally went on. "That alien
mind inside my own ... no, not inside. Just touching, but inescapably. It's
something inherent to Eva synchronization, I think - that sense of contact
between human and Evangelion that lets the pilot communicate his or her will,
and lets the Eva comprehend that will. It's contact, but not invasion."
"Is there anything physical you can compare it to?"
Michael shrugged. "Making love, maybe - but I wouldn't know from
experience."
Gendou raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"
Michael considered that for a moment, his lips pursed. Finally, he
shook his head. "Nothing I've ever encountered comes close."
"I see," nodded Gendou. "Now, about the Second Branch ..."
"I've told either you or Misato everything I can about what happened,
and she had me go into substantial detail about what happened in Nevada just
before the ... incident. I don't *know* why I was chosen as a test pilot, I
just was."
"What did you think of the people there?"
"They were courteous enough, but I didn't really have many friends
there. Not on the staff of the Second Branch, at any rate."
"What about in school?"
"Is there a point to these questions, Commander?"
"I'm trying to find out anything that could have a connection with the
incident."
"I've told you all I can, Commander Ikari," Michael sighed faintly.
"But, for the sake of completeness, I'll tell you this: I held no ill will or
harsh feelings towards anyone at the Second Branch, in my school, or in the
place where I lived. There are no buried feelings which could have caused a
newly conscious and self-aware Evangelion to destroy the area where NERV's
Second Branch was once located. I *do* regret the loss of life, although I'm
trying not to think about it too much - but my mother disappeared along with
the Second Branch, and I have to come to terms with the fact that she's gone.
Did I leave anything out?"
"I don't believe so," Gendou responded with a slight frown. "Perhaps
you should arrange an appointment with one of the psychs at NERV, to discuss
the disappearance of the Second Branch - "
"I'll deal with it. I gather you don't want me talking to anyone who
isn't affiliated with NERV about that."
"Correct." Gendou started to stand up.
"Please wait one moment, Commander," Michael said, looking up at him.
"I've done you a favor by telling you these things, even if the information
doesn't help you much ... but I'd appreciate a similar favor in return."
Gendou sat back down. "What do you mean?"
"As I said, a similar favor. In exchange for my answers to your
questions, I expect that you will answer questions of mine at some point in
the future. If you can, that is."
"Why?"
"They say knowledge is power. If that's true, I've just given you a
substantial amount of power over me by telling you what I've been through. My
questions to you won't be so personal, but the information could prove much
more valuable - and by the time I'm ready to ask my questions, you'll be even
more in my debt."
Gendou stared at the fourteen-year-old boy from behind his glasses.
"What are you saying?" he said quietly, tightly-reined anger evident in his
voice.
"I know that you need, or can use, me and Eva-04. I also know that we
don't have anywhere else we can go. But without me, Eva-04 is useless to you
and NERV. Since I'm needed, I'll stay - as long as I'm not used against my
will, at least. I have been honest with you, Commander, and I will keep being
honest with you - but I wish for that honesty to be repaid. It shouldn't pose
any difficulty."
"Does that mean you'll explain more about your link with Unit 04?"
"Yes - but not now, if that's acceptable; I believe dinner is about
ready."
Gendou nodded, almost reluctantly it seemed. "We'll continue this
conversation later, then." The two of them rose, and entered the dining room.
Dinner passed in almost total silence, with even less than the usual
small talk and banter which Misato and her two charges normally exchanged
across the table. Part of this, Misato decided, was due to the Commander's
presence; the rest was because of the newcomer in their midst. (Well,) she
thought, (what do you talk to your commanding officer about over dinner?)
When the meal was concluded, Gendou nodded approvingly. "Very good,
Shinji. I see my brother taught you well, as I expected."
"Thank you," Shinji replied.
"I have to agree," said Michael. "My first meal in Japan could have
been far worse than this."
"You weren't expecting sashimi or something, were you?" Asuka asked.
Michael shook his head. "No. I'd only have expected sushi if this was
a formal welcoming dinner, or something like that."
Misato grimaced. "That'd be putting a strain on my budget ..."
"Major, you *could* request an increased stipend to support your
charges," Gendou noted.
"I already filled out the paperwork," Misato answered. "It was a
pleasure having you over for dinner, Commander."
Gendou nodded as he stood up. "Likewise, I'm sure. I won't keep you
any longer, though; I'm sure the two of you have homework to do," he finished
to Shinji and Asuka. "Good evening."
Misato got up to see Commander Ikari to the door as the two boys
started clearing the table; Asuka helped carry some dishes to the kitchen
before retreating to her room to work on her homework.
"I think Misato and I can take care of cleaning up," Michael told
Shinji.
"You don't know Misato-san," Shinji replied. "But if you're sure ..."
"I am," Michael nodded. "You go get to work."
Shinji nodded, and headed back to his room as Misato returned from
seeing the Commander out. "Well, that was unusual," she commented as she
opened the fridge and reached for a beer.
"How so?" Michael asked as he started rinsing dishes.
"The Commander's pretty reserved, as a rule." Misato pushed the
refrigerator closed and popped the top on her beer. "I think the only one he
even talks to, except for business, is Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki - and I'm not
even sure how much they do together that isn't business-related."
"The two of them are friends, then?"
"If either of them even *has* friends." Misato chugged about half of
her beer. "What'd he need to talk to you about?"
"More of the same," Michael replied calmly. "I'm not sure he believed
your report."
"It is a little far-fetched," Misato agreed, "but I'm not about to
take anything the Angels do for granted."
Michael chuckled faintly. "I'm not sure if the Angels had anything to
do with it - I don't even understand what these Angels *are* yet, frankly."
"Monsters," answered Misato. "I've been trying to find out what the
real story behind the Second Impact is ... but if anyone below Fuyutsuki
knows, they sure aren't telling. Even Kaji's keeping his mouth shut."
Michael glanced up. "Who's Kaji?"
"Kaji Ryouji." Misato hesitated. "He used to be my boyfriend ... back
while I was in college, before I joined NERV."
"And now?"
"I don't know. We're getting along okay ... things are never really
going to be the same between us, I think."
"It's that way with all relationships," Michael said quietly. "Once
they start changing, they never go back to the way they were."
AUTHOR'S AFTERWORD:
This chapter takes place sometime prior to episode 21 of the
Evangelion TV series, picking up shortly after Chapter 1 of Apocrypha.
Michael's presence is going to give NERV and SEELE more than a few
problems over time, since he knows more than any Eva pilot is supposed to
about the Evangelions. Eva-04 is also unique, as its psyche isn't mediated by
any human spirit as the other three are. *Something* intervened to protect
him; there's no way yet to know what that something was.
Acknowledgements:
This work of fiction is written for fun, not for profit, and is made
available for the sole purpose of enjoyment by fans and interested readers.
This story is not to be distributed for profit by any person or agency.
_Neon Genesis Evangelion_ and all characters, entities, monsters, and
organizations thereof are the creations and property of Gainax and Anno
Hideaki, copyright 1996 (?). As such, I have no legal right to these
characters, etc. and am required to cease writing if requested to do so by
Gainax or legal representatives thereof.
Michael Theseus Fire Hawk is an original character of my own creation;
please do not borrow, use, depict, refer to, fold, spindle, or mutilate
without the author's prior permission (i.e. mine).
Tim Miller
trmiller@bcpl.net
May 7, 1998