Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned by Gainax.

His Only Begotten Son
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Chapter 2 - And So It Begins.
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By: Anand Rao


Shinji sighed as a pair of familiar voices called out his name.  He wondered, if perhaps, that his decision to walk to school had been a mistake.  Shinji had not made many friends his own age during the time he lived in Tokyo-3.  He stayed aloof at school, studied alone, refused to join any clubs, and never even went to a single party.

In spite of all this, it seemed that two boys in particular never seemed to get the hint.  "Hey Boy Wonder, decided to join us little people by walking today?" Toji asked, smiling broadly to show he was joking.

"Welcome back, Shinji!  How was Germany?"  Kensuke asked.

"Germany was fine," Shinji replied, wondering how many more times he would have to answer that question.

"Did ya meet any stacked German babes?" Toji demanded. "Drink a lot of beer?"

"Did you get a chance to see Unit 02?" Kensuke eagerly asked.

Shinji gave his classmates a flat stare and continued walking.  "No, no, and that's classified."

"Why are the babes classified?  Come on, 'Sprechen zi sex,' man!" Toji said.

(Idiots,) Shinji thought, shaking his head resignedly.

"He meant the part about Unit 02," Kensuke snapped.

"What do you know, Fanboy?" Toji retorted.  "At least I don't get a woody from staring at a big purple robot!"

"Enough!" Shinji barked.  "Let's just get to class, okay?"   The three boys walked the remainder of their trek to school in silence.


            ***********************************

"Good morning, Ikari."

"Fuyutsuki," Gendo replied, acknowledging the gaunt, gray-haired man who served as his Second-in-Command. Of all the people who worked for Gendo, the former professor knew more about the actual goals of NERV than anyone not named Ikari.

"I heard that Shinji returned yesterday." Fuyutsuki sat down at the table across from Gendo and poured himself a cup of coffee.  As often was the case, the two commanders would breakfast together in one of Gendo's private offices in NERV headquarters.

"His team managed to recover Adam," Gendo replied.

"And the status of Unit 02?"

"Fully operational.  We may consider transferring it here sooner than expected."

"It's amazing how well Shinji handles the Third Child," Fuyutsuki said, shaking his head ruefully.  "She certainly doesn't listen to anyone else."

"Not so amazing when you consider how much they seemingly have in common," Gendo pointed out.

"And being your son, he is somewhat a master of manipulation," Fuyutsuki replied dryly.  Gendo merely grinned in reply and sipped his coffee.  "Still," the former professor continued, "he's a great deal like his mother."

"How so?"

"You don't even see it, do you?" Fuyutsuki smiled.  "He has the same drive, same ambition that Yui-kun did," he paused, then continued.  "There's also that sliver of optimism, however small, that he hides whenever you're around."  He took a sip from his coffee mug, winced slightly, and added a teaspoon of sugar to it.    "Face it, Ikari.  In spite of everything you've done, he's still his mother's son."

"I'm counting on it," Gendo replied, his face an unreadable mask.


            ********************************************

"It's about time, Ikari!  You really shouldn't be missing this much school," Hikari observed as the three boys entered the classroom.  Seeing that they were ignoring her, she continued her rant.  "How do expect to catch up-"

Shinji paused to toss a stack of papers on her desk.  "It's all there, feel free to check over it if you like," he suggested, then continued walking towards his desk.  Kensuke and Toji sniggered while the rest of the boys in class grinned openly.

"G-getting your homework done is no excuse for missing class, Mr. Ikari," Hikari blustered. "Just because you're a part of NERV doesn't mean you get special treatment!"

"Right," Shinji replied, barely sparing Hikari a glance.

"Yo, Class Rep!  Is it 'that' time of the month?  Shinji did his homework, what more do you want?" Toji complained.

"Suzuhara!" Hikari screamed.

"Sensei's here, you may want to turn around and do your job," Shinji suggested.  Blushing to the roots of her hair, Hikari turned towards the front of the class.

"Stand!" she barked.  "Bow!"

The teacher nodded his head in acknowledgment and started the roll call.  Shinji sighed, leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.  At the very least, school was a good place to get some much-needed rest.


            ***********************************************

Asuka Langley Soryu sat in room, staring out at the night sky.  A soulful sigh escaped her lips as she glanced at the blank sheet of paper in front of her.  A light knock on her bedroom door broke her out of her reverie.  "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Asuka's mother.  "Dear, is everything all right?  Why are you still awake?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing's wrong, I'm just writing a letter to Shinji."

"A letter?  He's only been gone for two days," her mother replied, smiling slightly.

"I know.  He must miss me terribly by now," Asuka replied, sighing once more.

"I. . . see.  Why don't you call him?  Or send him an e-mail?"

"Mother, please!" Asuka exclaimed.  "A love letter has to written on paper!  Don't you know anything?  By the way, can I borrow some of that perfume Daddy bought you for your birthday?  I want to spray it on the letter when I'm done."

"I think you're a little young for that. . ."

"What?" Asuka demanded.  "I'm a fully grown woman, thank you very much!"

"How much fully grown, exactly?" her mother asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Oh get real, 'Mom'," Asuka replied, rolling her eyes.  (As if she really cares.)  "Shinji and I are going to wait until we're married."

"Asuka. . .  Shinji is a nice young man; responsible and driven.  You've known him for years now and it's nice that you're getting along, but we feel you might be a little young to be so. . . obsessive."

"Who's 'we'?" Asuka asked nastily.

"Why, your father and I, of course!"

(Of course,) Asuka thought sarcastically.  "Shinji and I are just fine!  Besides, as long as my synch ratio increases every week, you should be happy.  Leave my personal life alone!"

"Asuka . . .I'm your mother, I-"

"-Step- Mother," Asuka corrected.

"I. . . see.  I do care about you, Asuka.  I hope that one day you'll believe that."  That being said, the mother took one last look at her daughter, then walked out of the room.


                ******************************************

Shinji stifled a yawn and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  (When is this going to end?) He had forgotten how tiring it was to sit in a classroom all day long.  He sighed and glanced at the small clock on his desk terminal.  (Damn.  I really should talk to Father about getting me out of this.  What a waste of time!)

Shinji idly wondered which was worse; Sensei's droning or Asuka's yowling.  Life would become nearly unbearable once the redhead moved to Japan.  (Anything for the goal, Shinji.  Anything for the goal,) he reminded himself.

The sudden, loud ring of a cellular phone interrupted Shinji's thoughts.  Ignoring Hikari's glare, he pulled the cell phone out of his pocket and pushed the 'talk' button.

"Hello," he said into the phone.

"Captain Katsuragi will be picking you up shortly.  Return to base immediately."

"Father?  What?"  Unfortunately, the line had already gone dead.

"Mr. Ikari, stop disrupting class!" Hikari exclaimed.

The school's emergency evacuation alarm went off before Shinji could reply.  Hikari immediately opened her school bag and pulled out a sheet of paper with emergency instructions written on it. She stared at it intently for a few moments then faced the class.  "Okay, we're supposed to head over to the shelter at Subsection 4-B.  Follow me there, and please walk slowly and in an orderly fashion."

Shinji's pulse quickened as his classmates left their seats and followed after Hikari.  (It must be starting.  Finally.)  He ran out of the classroom and headed for the front gates of the school.   One outside, he stared at the horizon.  "Nothing in sight," he murmured.  "I wonder if it's just a drill."

The roar of an engine and squealing tires brought his attention back to street level.  Misato's blue coup came to an abrupt stop in front of him.  He quickly jumped into the front passenger seat, and Misato gunned the engine before his door was even closed.  "What's going on?" he demanded.

"It's an Angel."  Misato's reply was uncharacteristically terse.

"About damn time."  Shinji couldn't stop himself from grinning.  He was excited, nervous, and scared all at once.  He felt alive.

"Don't get too excited over this," Misato warned.  "You might have to go out and fight it."

"Might?  Who else is there?"

"The JDF is in command and they don't want NERV involved at all."

"Ha!  I feel -so- safe now," Shinji sarcastically replied.

"Actually, I hope they succeed," Misato admitted.  "You could get killed out there, Shinji-kun."

Shinji stared at Misato, a confused look on his face.  (She sounds like she actually cares.)  He shook his head, and thought of the angel once more.  "I won't die, Captain," Shinji confidently replied.  (At least, not yet.)


                *****************************

"Rei, are you awake?"

"Yes, Ikari-kun."

Shinji's mouth was dry.  "It. . . it's starting," he croaked, then cleared his throat.

"I know."

"You'll be safe here, Rei.  I'll kill it for you," Shinji promised.  (For you too, Mother.)

"Not for me."

"What?"

"Ikari-kun, don't hate; not for me."

"You. . . you don't understand Rei.  I'm not sure if you ever will."  Shinji turned away from the bed-ridden girl.  "It doesn't matter.  Just get better. I'll see you after this is all over."

Shinji quickly left the hospital room and briskly walked through the long hallway that led to the elevator.  (Idiot!  What the hell are you doing, Shinji, visiting her during an Angel attack!) he silently berated himself.   Reaching the elevator, he tapped the down button and waited impatiently for the doors to open.
His cell phone began ringing and Shinji quickly answered it.

"Where are you?" Gendo demanded.

"I- I'm in sickbay.  I was visiting Rei and-"

"There's no time for that now.  The JDF launched a N2 mine at the Angel.  It failed to destroy the target.  The UN has authorized use of Unit 01.  Get down here now."

The phone went dead and Shinji flushed in embarrassment.  "Damn it!" He shouted, slamming on the elevator door.  As if in reply, the door hissed open and Shinji stepped inside.  "I'll show you, Father.  I'll show everyone."


            ***************************************

"Shinji, your synch rate is holding steady at fifty percent," Ritsuko observed.  "Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine," came the terse reply.

"Well, it's twenty points lower than normal, and-"

"I said I'm fine!"

"Right. . .  "  Ritsuko suppressed the urge to scream.  "Maya, are we getting a reading on the pilot's life signs?"

"Yes, sempai.  His heart rate is a bit irregular, but all other systems are normal."

"Shinji-kun is just a bit nervous," Misato chipped in.

"Can we get on with this?" Shinji demanded.  "I doubt the Angel is going wait around all day."

Misato turned towards Gendo who was sitting in the command chair above the Ops Center.  "Can we really do this?"

"We must.  For the sake of humanity, we must."

In Unit 01, Shinji burst out laughing.  "Give the launch order, Captain."

Misato let out a deep breath.  "Evangelion Unit 01, launch!"

The Evangelion was firm held in place by several large clamps a railed track. The platform holding Unit 01 rocketed upward.  Shinji gritted his teeth at the force of the ascent, and after a few moments, the platform stopped.  A set of double doors slid open and Shinji walked Unit 01 out into the city.

"Destroy the angel as quickly as possible, Shinji-kun.  The N2 mine didn't do as much damage as we had hoped, and the angel is regenerating quickly."

"Roger that, Captain."  Shinji waited for the weapons compartment to rise from the floor and open.  Unit 01 reached for the gleaming black rifle that presented itself and aimed it at the angel.

(Sachiel. . . you've seen heaven, now see hell.)  Shinji pressed the trigger, and Unit 01 slightly jerked back from the recoil.  He fired the rifle repeated and within seconds the angel was covered with explosions and smoke.

"Damn it, Shinji-kun!  Stop firing!" Misato yelled.

"Is there a problem, Captain?"  Shinji responded coolly.

"We went over this in training!  That much repeated fire camouflages the target -and- wastes ammunition."

"The upgraded sensors should still be able to pick up any activity from the target," Shinji pointed out.

"That doesn't mean anything if you can't see what your shooting, does it?" Misato retorted.

Shinji remained silent for a few moments then slowly released his grip on the trigger.  "What's the status of the angel?" he finally asked.

"No change in mass or movement; no change at all," Maya replied.  "Wait!  The sensors are picking up. . . the Angel has deployed an AT Field!"

Shinji made Unit 01 drop the rifle.  "I think I need a bigger gun."

Sachiel's clawed hand shot out through the smoke, directly towards Unit 01.  Shinji quickly stepped his evangelion to the side, narrowly missing the angel's grasp. Unit 01 grabbed hold of Sachiel's elongated wrist and held it in a firm grip.  A compartment on Unit 01's upper right shoulder opened and the handle of a blade rose into view.  "Forget the gun," Shinji amended as Unit 01 grabbed the blade, and with one strong swipe, amputated the angel's hand from the rest of its arm.  The angel roared in pain and quickly pulled its arm back.

"The AT Field is down!"  Maya exclaimed.

"Now!"  Unit 01 ran forward and leaped up towards the angel.  The angel, in turn, raised its uninjured arm and a white, glowing projectile shot out of its hand.

"Shinji!"  Misato screamed.  Unit 01 twisted in mid-air and the projectile harmlessly passed by.

"He's getting better at that," Ritsuko remarked.

"Synch rate up to sixty-five percent," Maya reported.

Unit 01 landed on the angel, knocking it down onto its back.  Shinji thrust the humming progressive knife straight into the angel's core.  Sachiel's arms shot straight up, as if to wrap around the Evangelion.  The core, however, began to smoke, and Unit 01 leapt away just as the angel exploded in a blinding flash of white light.


                ********************************

"Would you care to tell me what exactly happened out there?"

"The angel attacked and I killed it.  I think that's fairly self-explanatory, don't you?"

Gendo leaned forward in his chair slightly, but remained silent.  After the battle had ended and the medical technicians had given Shinji a once over, he immediately went to his father's office.  Shinji held his father's flat gaze and his throat suddenly dried.  "Your synch rate was only fifty percent."

"I was a little anxious.  No big deal!" Shinji snapped defensively.  (Damn.  I can't let him get to me.)

"You were scared."

"I. Was. Not. Scared."  Shinji's fists clenched tightly, his fingernails cutting into his palms.

"Things will start moving quickly from here on out.  The challenges we'll face will be enormous," Gendo paused.  "I'm not sure if you're up to the task."

"Don't waste your time worrying about me.  You should be more concerned about Dr. Akagi.  With a little bit of luck she might just follow in her mother's footsteps and take a swan dive off the MAGI."

"Not yet.  It's too early to start sacrificing the pawns."

Shinji snorted then turned away.  "As long as you remember to protect the queen."

Gendo smiled and crossed his hands under his chin.  "That always has, and always will be, my primary concern, Shinji.  I'll sacrifice anything for her.  Even you."

Shinji swallowed and willed himself to turn around.  He stared at his father's cold grin, and smiled himself.  "Just as I'd sacrifice you. . . Father."

"As long as we understand each other."  Gendo sounded almost bored.  He picked up a manila folder on his desk and began flipping through its contents.  Shinji turned away, and with exaggerated slowness, exited his father's office.

Once outside, he leaned back against the door and let out the breath he was holding.  "He's going to kill me."  Shinji started shaking uncontrollably.  (Damn it, get a grip on yourself!  No one else can pilot Unit 01.  He still needs me. . . for now.)

"Shinji-kun!  Done with your debriefing?"

Shinji looked up and saw Misato walking down the corridor towards him.  He scowled, his previous fear and anger forgotten.   "Yeah, I just got out."

"Great!  I'll take you out to dinner.  We'll celebrate your victory!"  Misato cheered.

"Really, there's no need-"

"Oh, please!"  Misato grabbed Shinji's arm and started dragging him away.

"Hey!  Let go!"  Shinji tried in vain to get out of Misato's grasp.

"We'll have a blast!  Besides, I want see the sun set over the city this evening. . ."

"Not your 'Inspiration Point' again!"  Shinji groaned.

Misato suddenly stopped and stared at Shinji with a sad smile.  "I don't know why you do what you do, Shinji."  She ran her fingers through his hair lightly and Shinji suppressed the urge to move away.  "But you saved a city today, and I want you to see it."

Shinji was unable to meet Misato's gaze.  He sighed in resignation then shook his head.  "Fine. . . let's go," he muttered.

Beaming happily, Misato companionably put her arm around his shoulders and led him away.

******************

End Chapter 2

Notes:

Hey, anyone remember this one?  It's only been over a year since part one was posted.  (Guess I should repost that it.)

Send all C&C anywhere you'd like,  but if sent to jouve25@hotmail.com, there's a good chance that I'll respond to it. :)

Namaste,

Anand

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