Deep within the Geofront, in the storage area simply known as 'The Cage', two enormous robots, taller than skyscrapers, and given an eerily humanoid appearance, stood.
One, armoured in a deep blue, with white highlights, was possessed of a rather cyclopean apperance, with a single eye on it's massive head. The overall look was of great, focused strength, ready to be unleashed at any moment, upon the command of it's master.
The other robot, beside it, was painted in different colors, cast entirely in purple, green and black. While the body structure was essentially identical to the blue robot, the head was where the major differences lay. Two narrowed, yellow eyes looked out from an armoured helm, beneath a large, wicked-looking horn. Below the amber eyes, a gleaming metal mouth, closed in repose, but the outlines of metallic teeth could be seen.
Within this robot, in fact, in an entry plug in it's 'spine, a young boy sat, immersed in an amber fluid. Approximately fourteen years old, with dark brown hair, and cobalt eyes, and a slightly confused expression, his gaze was riveted on a viewscreen in his cockpit, showing a third, crimson robot, battling a gleaming white robot with a VERY familiar design.
It was to this boy that another spirit came, and with a slight twisting sensation, the body opened it's eyes again, for the first time...
Shukuen blinked owlishly a few moments before a bitter taste assaulted him. "Oh, blech!" he grimaced, "What the hell is this?!"
He blinked again, as several details began to register. Specifically the two behemoths; one red, the other white; battling before him. His right eye twitched in disbelief as he remembered why everything seemed so familiar. "Is that 02? And... a Gundam?! What?!"
On the comm screen, the battle appeared to be going smoothly, and Unit 02 slowly battered down the white robot's defenses.
Another comm screen flashed to life besite the first, and a woman with long, deep purple hair, and open, pleasantly attractive features appeared on the screen.
"Alright, Shinji, Rei...things seem to be going well, so we're taking you off alert, but you'll remain on standby." She ordered. And, as quickly as it arrived, the comm screen vanished...
Shukuen narrowed his eyes darkly. "They couldn't be this stupid, can they?"
"..."
"Ah, who am I kidding..." he muttered, massaging a headache. He immediately activated his communicator, opening all frequencies in hopes of being able to reach the pilot of the gundam as well.
"Pilot Sohryu! Stand-down! I repeat, stand-down!" he said forcefully, before calming down to address the pilot of the gundam.
"Unidentified Mobile Suit, please, I ask you to stand down as well. And I also wish to apologize for the... rashness of my commanding officers." He frowned, knowing that the group in the command room will probably be receiving this as well.
Misato's face immediately returned to the comm screen, and she did NOT look happy.
"Shinji, what do you think you're doing!?" she snapped A small beep on a diagnostic display annouced a secure connection. "I-"
"Major, look!" interrupted the voice of Makoto Hyuuga, behind her.
On Shinji's screen, he could see that the Gundam had backed off, but was down on one knee, hands upraised.
Everyone watched in amazement as the chest opened up, and a young man, with curly brown hair could be seen in the cockpit, his own hands raised.
Misato bit down on her urge to continue ranting, and simply looked flatly at Shinji. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Shinji, but you got lucky. Head up here after you leave your EVA for a debriefing, and I may be able to persuade your father to drop the insubordination charges..." she said, sighing, and broke the connection.
As soon as Misato's face vanished, a new one appeared, and the red headed pilot of Unit 02 was deeply unhappy.
"You're going to get yours for this, Third Child. Can't stant to have the better pilot upstange you in combat, huh?"
Shukuen sighed, relieved to have averted that crisis. That was when he received Asuka's complaint, in which he responded with a glare.
"Sohryu... I really could care less on who is better then who, but are you really so arrogant that you would take a human life for your goddamn pride?!" he growled in comtempt at the Second Child. "I'd thought you were better than that, but it seems I was mistakened to think you were a decent human being!"
He coughed and restrained the urge to gag as 'fresh' LCL assaulted his taste buds. Despite being in a new body, he was still not used to prolonged conversations.
I'll be glad to get out of here... he thought, opening the entry plug and deactivating his Eva's systems before leaving.
The entry plug was ejected from the EVA, and the door opened, spilling LCL out of the flooded entry plug, and out of Shinji. As the plug opened to the catwalk below, the LCL also spilled out of Shinji, the force exerted by the pressurized caspule no longer keeping it in his lungs.
A technician came up to the entry plug as Shinji was hacking up LCL. "They're waiting for you in the briefing rooms, Ikari-san."
In the distance, a loud sploosh of fluid was heard, and some loud, furious cursing in German moments later...
Darn... I knew I forgot something... Shukuen pondered on what to do, then smiled internally.
Suddenly feigning dizziness, he leaned against the wall of the entry plug, clutching his head. "Uhn..." he groaned, "Ugh... I'm sorry, I... I'll be right there..." Fortunately, he didn't have to feign his sickness too much, considering that he had just coughed up several gallons of LCL.
"Ikari-san? Do you want me to call Dr. Akagi?" the technician asked, bending down slightly to examine the ill child.
"No, no... I'm just a little dizzy," Shukuen responded, seemingly struggling to stand up straight. "I... don't think I can trust myself to get to the debriefing room by myself right now..." he coughed, then smiled weakly. "Do you think you can lead me there? At least until I can regain my bearings?"
The technician smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Ikari-san, I'm not supposed to leave my post until the end of my shift. I'll call someone-"
"That will not be necessary." Interrupted a soft, almost monotone voice. "I will lead Pilot Ikari to the debriefing room." Standing on the catwalk beside them, a slender girl, about Shinji's age with short blue hair stood, dressed in a white plugsuit highlighted with blue. The plugsuit clung tightly to her body, leaving very little to the imagination, and her still dripping hair moved slightly as she turned her head and fixed an impassive crimson gaze on Shinji. "If that is agreeable..."
Shukuen nodded, matching Rei's gaze calmly. "That will be acceptable, thank you, Ayanami." He pushed himself away from the wall, stumbling a bit to regain balance.
Rei Ayanami gave a small, almost imperceptible nod in response, and waited for Shinji to regain his balance before she began walking to the Cage's exit..
Shukuen straightened out, then followed Rei, occasionally stumbling a bit from nearly tripping on the walkway.
Rei paused briefly as the door, keying in a code to open it and stepping through as it swished open, waiting for Shinji on the other side.
"Do you need help?" she inquired softly.
"No, no, I'll be fine in a moment," Shukuen ulped, grimacing as he swallowed some bile. He idly wondered when he had stopped faking his queasiness, and shook his head to clear his mind as he followed Rei, a feeling a little better now.
Rei nodded and led the way down the hall, not looking back to see if Shinji followed her...
Shukuen continued after her, keeping her in sight while also memorizing the base's layout.
After a little...(Well, a lot) of walking, Rei led Shinji into a large, darkened room, with one wall conisting entirely of a window looking out on the EVA maintenance bay most of the rest of the room was too dark to make out, but he could see the center was moderately lit. In the middle of the room sat a large, kidney-shaped table, A brown haired man with glasses and a neatly trimmed beard sat at the head of the table, his hands folded in front of his nose, obscuring from the eyes down, and his glasses glinted in the dim light. Misato sat to his left, looking pensive.
Entering the room, Shukuen's face suddenly became emotionless, his eyes going dull as if dead to the world, and his stance seemed almost... robotic. Standing before the desk, he faced Gendo, matching his cold gaze evenly.
"Why have you summoned me, commander...?" he asked, his voice devoid of any feeling.
Gendo didn't react to Shinji's statement, or even move. The motions of his mouth couldn't be seen, so his voice seemed to issue out of thin air, echoing along the walls...
"Explain yourself, Pilot."
"As a pilot, as well as a soldier, is it not required to know your enemy?" Shukuen responded evenly, pausing a moment.
Misato blinked at that, but stayed silent. Gendo showed no reaction.
"Please complete your explanation without resorting to dramatics, Pilot Ikari." he said flatly.
"I apologize, sir. I was merely wondering how to word my explainations in a way even the Major could understand," Shukuen replied evenly.
"As I was saying, when I recalled our past encounters with the enemy, as well as making comparisons during our recent skirmish, I noted the following. Our enemies so far have always retained an organic appearance, and while our opponent was humanoid in appearance, its design was also far too... perfect to be natural," he turned his gaze briefly to Misato, before staring back at Gendo.
"Also, I would like to point out that, unlike our previous opponents, there was no readings of any AT field, enemy or otherwise. Now it might be argued that the opponent was merely feigning weakness, but I would like to point out the fact that the Second Child by her self easily overpowered him, and I doubt that the enemy would allow it self to be destroyed if it's goal was to gain our trust."
He bowed slightly in respect. "Though I agree, I should be reprimanded for questioning your orders."
"As well as an insubordination charge." Gendo agreed.
Misato winced. "Sir, Sh-er, Pilot Ikari isn't a line soldier. We can't hold him to-"
Gendo didn't even look at her to interrupt. "He will not be court-martialed, Major Katsuragi, if that is your concern." Gendo sat back, and adjusted his glasses. which glinted slightly again in the dim lighting. "There is a chain of command for a reason, Pilot. You're confined to your quarters for the week, save in the event of an angel attack. Dismissed."
"Very well, commander," Shukuen nodded, briefly saluting the two before leaving the room.
That went better than I expected, he smirked, wondering where to go from here. Ah well, it's not like I have much of a choice. Shrugging, he returned to the lockers to get out of his plug suit.
Shinji found his way back along the route Rei had shown him, and was back at The Cage in short order. Finding the men's locker room, he slipped inside...
Shukuen hummed, looking for his storage locker and his clothes, and noting anything important about his surroundings for future reference.
As a timesaver, there was, at present, only one frquently used locker present, with the name 'Ikari' stenciled on it.
The locker room itself was fairly ordinary, rows upon rows of lockers on a neatly tiled room with a shower just around the corner, just as Shinji noted the dried LCL was beginning to reek...
Shukuen winced a bit. Perhaps... a quick shower would be beneficial right now... he thought, entering one of the stalls to clean himself up.
Moments later, he stepped out of the lockers feeling clean and refreshed, and in his civilian clothing.
...And nearly walked directly into Rei, who was standing silently outside the locker room,watching the door, her school satched clutched in one hand...
"Oh, Ayanami. Sorry, my mind was occupied." Shukuen blinked, wondering what she was waiting for. "Is there something you need?"
"I have been instructed to escort you to your quarters." The blue haired girl said softly, her hand clutching a school satchel.
"Oh, thank you, Ayanami." Shukuen nodded, smiling appreciatively. Though, inwardly, he was concerned. That was convinient... ah well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, or something like that... he thought, motioning Ayanami that they should leave now.
Rei nodded, and waited for Shinji to begin leaving the Geofront, observing him silently.
It figures... Shukuen sighed when it was obvious he was going to have to find Misato's apartment himself. He started wandering off towards the cage, recalling there was suppose to be an elevator nearby.
The cage was found within moments, still bustling with activity, and in the distance, EVA Unit 02 was being moved in. Shinji noted the expected elevator in front of Unit One's cage, however.
Shukuen boarded the elevator, keeping the doors open and waiting for Rei to enter, all the while hoping this was the right direction to his 'quarters'.
Rei entered the elevator, again without comment, save for a slight nod, and stood just to the left of the doors, waiting...
Shukuen set the elevator to take them to the ground floor, or in this case, the top floor, taking note on how many levels were in the Geofront.
Shinji noted that they were yet not in the GeoFront, but in something called the 'Depth Facilities'. The subdivision of levels above them, however, was labeled 'Geofront'...
Shukuen sighed again, waiting for the elevator to reach its end. This will probably be a while... he thought irritably. At least he wouldn't be bored alone though.
Rei said nothing, and simply faced the softly humming elevator doors, her bag clasped in both hands in front of her...
And, after what seemed like ages, the elevator doors opened to a corridor of cold, gunmetal grey, that streched into a long, auster hallway, with only the occasional door in the wall to interrupt the monotony...
Drat! They never detailed the Geofront in the series... Shukuen scratched his head, wondering how to get out of this one. Forcing himself to calm down, he went over his options.
Tell the truth is out of the question, considering where I am... so that means I have to lie again... he grimaced, clearly uncomfortable, even though it would be necessary. Now what can I do...?
Rei blinked and turned to Shinji when it became apparent he would not be stepping out past her into the hall.
"Ikari-kun?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry," Shukuen bowed slightly. "I'm just trying to remember which way the exit was..." he responded truthfully, then smiled inwardly as an idea dawned on him. "I'm sorry that I've been out of it lately... Guess everything that's been happening lately is getting to me."
Rei didn't react outwardly, except for nodding and turning around, stepping out of the elevator, and beginning to walk...
Shukuen blinked, then shrugged indifferently, following Rei.
Rei walked deliberately, but not particularly quickly though the halls, transcribing an oddly complex route through the maze, until finally coming to another elevator. However, as decorating did not seem to be at a premium, Shinji could not swear, with 100 percent certainty, that this was not the same elevator they had recently left...
Shukuen blinked owlishly, but decided not to comment since it was obvious that she knew the layout better than he did. So he merely waiting, cataloging the route and anything else that might be needed in the future.
Rei, still silent, pressed the button to summon the elevator door. Momentarily, the door opened, and Rei boarded the car, the skirt of her school uniform swishing slightly with the motion.
She held the door open, for Shinji, waiting...
Shukuen nodded in thanks, entering the elevator.
Rei released the doors as Shinji entered the elevator, and as they swished shut, she tapped three keys on the elevator panel, and they began to ascend again...
Shukuen sighed, shifting uncomfortably in the elevator as he slowly focused on the only other person there. Thinking back about what had happened so far, he became curious on what Rei had said earlier.
"Ayanami, why exactly were you instructed to escort me back to my quarters?"
"Commander Ikari instructed me to ensure you did not run away..."
Rei replied softly.
Shukuen frowned; while not exactly the answer he was expecting, it made some sense at least, considering who he was.
"I assure you, I have no intention of escaping my punishment. I know I disobeyed orders and I accepted the commander's decision to confine me to my quarters."
Rei shrugged. An almost invisible movement of her slim shoulders, but it WAS there.
"I was ordered to escort you to your quarters, Ikari-kun..."
"But is that what you want to do, Ayanami?" Shukuen asked curiously, turning his gaze back to the elevator doors.
Rei turned to Shinji, blinking as though she didn't understand.
"I was ordered to..." she said quietly, as though that exlained everything.
Shukuen blinked back, pausing as he wondered how to respond. "Are you... content with following this particular order?"
Rei's lips turned down...a barely visible movement, but there it was.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... are you content with having to escort me to my quarters? Are you comfortable with what you are doing now?"
"Is there a reason I should be uncomfortable, Ikari-kun?" Rei replied softly, obviously confused.
"Humans are generally uncomfortable when they do something that leaves them unhappy," Shukuen shrugged, not quite sure about human psychology himself.
Rei tilted her head, turning to examine Shinji closely.
"Are you uncomfortable, Ikari-kun?"
Shukuen replied cheerfully, "Of course not, Ayanami." Wisely, he decided to not share the real reason with her. "In fact, even though I've been punished, I feel very pleased. I stopped Sohryu from taking another life, and I get to spend some time with you. Even if you were ordered to."
Rei jerked in surprise, a slight blush forming on her cheeks.
"..." she replied, turning to face the door again, as she seemed unable to reply. Moments later, the door dinged open again, opening on a much more comfortable atmosphere, though still slightly austere. Green painted walls, and an atmosphere reminiscent of a hospital greeted them, and a short corridor led away from the elevator, and a turned a corner. Light from a distant door danced on the wall from the corner, and the sounds of the street carried into their vicinity...
Shukuen resisted the urge to facefault, mainly because this universe didn't have a slapstick effect and it would end up very painful. He'd expected many reactions from Rei (well... technically one, but it had its many uses), but a blush was the only thing he hadn't counted on.
Was it something I said...? he wondered dumbly, at a lost at this new development. His mind was so preoccupied, he didn't even register the fact that his feet were moving on their own. To where, he didn't know, even if he were aware.
Shinji slipped through the short hall and turned the corner, and saw a utilitarian, military style exit. Just beyond the doors he was heading toward, the fading light of the afternood could be seen, as well as a large console for inserting his security card to enter the building...
Shukuen managed to recover his senses, sparing him the embarrassment of walking into something as he spotted the exit. As he approached it, he began going through his memories, trying to recall if the path to Misato's apartment was ever detailed.
Shinji and Rei passed a guard station as they approached the door. The seated guard looked up briefly, but, recognizing them, returned to his work. The armed guard standing beside him's gaze never wavered as he watched the two children leave...
Humming boredly, Shukuen glanced around, trying to spot where the apartment complexes were most likely to be.
Unfortunately, they had been deposited at ground level in the middle of Tokyo-3. Tall buildings surrounded them, but they were mostly of the commercial variety...
Shukuen scowled at his luck, and wondered why the universe seemed to conspire against him. He quickly tried to think of an excuse to avoid any suspicion. "So, Ayanami? Do you have anything else to do, or would you mind if we enjoy this little walk?" he asked, smiling innocently.
Rei blinked at Shinji, inclining her head slightly. She made no reply, but her expression was curious as she waited for him to elaborate...
"I mean, since this will be my last time out, would it be too much trouble if we take the scenic route and enjoy Tokyo-3 a bit?" Shukuen continued smiling, hoping Rei would agree. At least this way, he could map his surroundings without anyone thinking he was lost.
Rei appeared to consider that. She had been given no orders stating how long the escort had to take...
"That will be acceptable."
Shukuen cheered inwardly, missing the little voice that warned him that he was overlooking something important. He picked a random direction, hoping to, by some miracle, find the apartment complex, but not find it too soon, or else his excuse to enjoy Tokyo-3 would be revealed to be a lie. Besides, this might be a good opportunity to explore.
"Let's go then, Ayanami. Let's see what this city has to offer." He smiled cheerfully, starting off with a skip in his step.
Rei followed at a sedate pace, watching Shinji slightly curiously as he walked.
They were heading northward, in the direction of the subdivisions for housing, and the building were getting smaller, and more mass accessable. The pair passed a few malls, and other stores as they walked...
Shukuen twirled, facing Rei, the smile still on his lips. "So, Ayanami, which direction do you suggest we go from here?" he asked, curiousity in his voice.
Rei double-blinked, and wordlessly pointed in a north-eastern direction. She didn't know what Shinji was trying to accomplish, but their ultimate goal WAS the Katsuragi home...
Shukuen nodded, turning around in order to hide his smile from Rei. Now that he knew the general direction, it should be easier to map his surroundings based on the series. He began walking again, motioning for Rei to follow, and keeping his eyes open for anything of interest.
Rei followed sedately, her pale blue hair bobbing gently as she walked.
As they walked, they passed a number of small, out of the way convieniece stores, before, strangely, coming across a small park, with a statue of a samurai decorating the middle of the well kept-grounds...
Shukuen paused, blinking at the park for a moment. "It never ceases to amaze me," he murmured, "How some people can find time for these things during a crisis."
"Well, Ayanami," he asked cheerily, "Would it bother you if we take the path through the park? I always find nature so relaxing."
Rei gave Shinji a non-commital nod. "Hai." she agreed, waiting to see where the boy leading her would go...
Shukuen glanced around, trying to determine where the paths were, humming to himself.
There were few trees, so wandering paths took up a great deal of space, a loose web of them touchin every corner of the park. The stature itself had a path leading to it, and the group of trees, likewise. the rest of the paths meandered lazily over the park...
His curiousity growing, Shukuen chose the path leading to the statue, wondering if it had any significance that motivated people to take such good care of this park in these dark times.
The statue itself seemed fairly ordinary, almost generic, in that it had no distinctive features.
He stared relentlessly straight ahead, his hand on his swords, standing straight and tall. The inscription on the plaque read : "To the courage of the unknown samurai who died for us all..."
How strange... Shukuen thought, somewhat disappointed. Shrugging, he took the round-about path heading North-East. At the least, he could enjoy this walk. He spared a glance at Rei, wondering if he was being too much trouble for the albino.
Rei seemed untroubled by Shinji's roundabout route, outside of being slightly confused by his manner, and apparent calm...
"Is there a problem, Ayanami?" Shukuen asked concernly, quirking his head slightly as he regarded the confused girl following him.
"Are you well, Ikari-kun?" she asked, after a long pause, eyeing him curiously.
"Hmm... I guess that depends," Shukuen answered honestly, imitating the same irritating smile of a certain mazoku.
Rei seemed nonplussed by his reply. "On what?" she asked softly.
"On what you already know." Shukuen shrugged, his smile returning to normal since it seemed Rei was unaffected. "Or what you really want to know."
Rei gave Shinji a confused look. "Your well being depends on what I am aware of?"
"Of course," Shukuen grinned sheepishly. "After all, why should I tell you something that you already know?"
Rei paused, as though trying to puzzle out his answer. She inclined her head.
"How would I be aware of your condition?"
"Come now, Ayanami. I know you're more observant than this," Shukuen winked, smiling cheerfully again. "You should have half the pieces. It all depends now on how well you can fit them."
Rei simply stared, thouroughly confused. She fell back on her normal method of reacting to things she didn't understand.
"..."
Shukuen blinked in return, silent when it seemed his hints were going over Rei's head. "O-kay... well, don't worry too much, Ayanami," he said reassuringly. "The answer will pop up sooner or later. It's in genre after all."
Rei blink-blinked in response, seemed more confused than before.
"Genre...?"
Shukuen just smiled, telling Rei to just forget it for now, and continued on their merrily way to Misato's apartment.
Rei blinked and did so, saying nothing...she followed Shinji silently as she left the park, her expression drifting back to normal as they once again returned to the street...
Shukuen resumed studying his surroundings, mapping buildings and side-paths along their current route, and keeping his eyes open for the apartment complex.
After a few more blocks of walking, Shinji and Rei happened upon a familiar looking apartment complex, just as the the afternoon began to give way to evening...
Shukuen headed straight to the apartment complex, walking up to the top story where he recalled Misato's apartment was located.
Rei followed Shinji up the stairs, and paused as they reached the apartment door marked 'Katsuragi', waiting for Shinji to open the apartment...
Shukuen blinked, realizing that he forgot to check for a key. Searching his pockets, he prayed that Shinji had the sense to keep everything on him.
Fortunately, Shinji found a key in his pocket, that seemed like it would fit the lock, along with ather assorted odds and ends...
Shukuen sighed in relief, fitting the key into the lock. "Well, thanks for walking me home, Ayanami." Even if it was ordered... "So what do you plan to do now?" he asked, glancing towards the albino.
"I will return home..." Rei replied softly, though her statement showed some suprise that he would ask...
Shukuen nodded, a bit disappointed that his talk earlier hadn't seem to have much of an effect. "Well, if that's what you want, I can't stop you then." He smiled slightly, it wasn't against the rules to nudge, was it?
Rei blinked, confused again, she paused, trying to puzzle out Shinji's statement.
"Ara?"