NGE/Blue Seed with a little Bleach tossed in
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ôI was dreaming . . . . . . And in my dream I could see your face . . . . . I was truly happy to see you again . . . . . Even though I knew you were gone . . . . But I didnÆt care as long as . . . . . I could see you.ö
A young girl of maybe fourteen or fifteen with short dark blue hair and green eyes stands wearing a white sundress and hat with the wind ruffling the fabric making it dance in the breeze and her right hand trying to keep the hat on her head. She was smiling at him in the most delicate and gentle of ways her lips only barely curved but it seemed like the most radiant expression he had ever seen. He was drawn to her like a moth to the flame her mere presence seeming irresistible to him and filling his heart with happiness many would doubt ever existed.
ôShinji-kunö she called out to him with a sweet but soft voice.
ôKaede . . . . .ö
ôShinji-kun, what is it?ö the girl asked looking up at him with curious green eyes from her desk dressed in a dark green school uniform jacket with a gold crest over the heart and skirt with a yellow ribbon tie and white blouse on underneath it.
ôI was wondering . . . . I just thought IÆd ask you . . . . . . Would you like to come with me to the new amusement park?ö The boy answered stammering over his own words and fighting down a blush. She blinked at him that tiny smile crossing her face for only a moment.
ôI would . . . . I would love too Shinji-kun.ö She answers after a moment of thought.
ôIÆll protect you Kaede . . . . .ö
A green root-like spear pierced his shoulder going all the way through with the tip now dropping with his blood as he stood arms outstretched acting like a shield for the dark blue haired girl. The spear suddenly pulsed and ripped back out of his shoulder retreating into the shadows of the abandoned utility tunnel the pair was standing in. Blood gushed from his wound leading a crimson trail down his white jacket his right hand trying to apply pressure to the wound as best he could, while he fell to one knee from the extreme loss in blood pressure and pain.
ôShinji your hurt, why did you get in the way?ö the girl asks moving to his side staring at the bleeding wound.
ôItÆs not your fate to be a sacrifice or a tool to track and kill the Aragami, so IÆll act as your shield.ö He grunted out in reply even with his eyes held closed with pain.
A roar snapped his eyes open and drew both of their attention as it was followed by the sound of concrete cracking under the step of something extremely heavy; it was quickly followed by more steps as whatever had roared drew closer. Under the dim lighting they watched a deformed hulking mass come before them, it stood on four legs with jagged claws extended from each paw measuring 7.5ft in height and built like a dog without fur instead it was all exposed muscle pulsing with veins, soulless yellow eyes, and a bright blue jewel was set into its forehead shaped like a nine or half of the Yin-Yang symbol.
ôYouÆre not just a tool, not to me.ö Shinji ground out forcing his body to stand on wobbly legs and face the best.
ôIÆM GOING TO KILL YOU BOTH!ö the creature yelled in a deep guttural voice more at home in a demon of legend. Kaede tried to move in front of him to protect Shinji but his right hand grabbed her shoulder.
ôShinji-kun, you know it has to be done, if I die then it will end. IÆm the sacrifice.ö She tried to reason with him.
ôYouÆre more then that, youÆre very dear to Me.ö he whispered making his body move forward and lift his left hand only for it drop back down. He kept trying to raise his hand but it was only with the help of a pale hand that it raised.
ôStubborn boyö Kaede muttered holding his hand a small cross-like charm dangling from his wrist. Suddenly a bright white light exploded around Shinji like a flowing great power.
ôDonÆt go . . . . . Please donÆt go.ö
ôKaede, donÆt do it please you have to come back with me!ö Shinji yelled running through a darkened municipal train tunnel the walls covered by slimy green roots and vines that pulsed with life and oozed a clear salvia-like slime.
ôIts calling me, calling meö she shouted back continuing to run from him and another woman dressed in a crimson jacket and black skirt with dark hair covering one of her eyes. The pair rounded a corner and stopped just next to an abandoned train car, Kaede stood before them a bright light shining from the tunnel behind her.
ôPlease come back with us, everyone loves you.ö The woman begged staring at the girl in desperation. The wall to their side suddenly exploded sending debris and smoke everywhere.
ôIÆm sorry but I . . . . Have to find out the truth . . . . The secret of my destinyö She spoke to them calmly with warmly.
ôThen IÆll go with you no matter the dangers on the path IÆll stay by your side.ö Shinji said taking a step forward.
ôYou cannotö she replied with finality.
ôBut you canÆt go now!ö the woman said.
ôI must . . . . My future calls but if something happens to me . . . . If something goes wrong . . . . . there is another Kushinada . . . . Guard her carefully.ö Light suddenly exploded from around Kaede kicking up dust and growing stronger becoming a physical presence of power and force.
ôKAEDE!ö he screamed as the light grew blinding seeming to sweep through him like a wave of water.
ôForgive me my dearest Shinji-kun but I must do this. You are truly strong you will survive.ö Her voice whispered before the light seemed to overwhelm him and everything simply faded into a haze of memory.
ôPlease . . . . . Please Kaede . . . . . please come back.ö
ôKAEDEö Ikari Shinji screamed as he sat up bolt upright in his bed a cold sweat covering his forehead and trickling down his face. The light of the moon poured in from his window wrapping around him and illuminating his wide cobalt eyes tears hovering at the edges. Deep breaths sucked in as much air as his lungs could gather trying to slow the racing tempo that his heart had taken up.
Slowly awareness came back to him as his body calmed from the nightmare, once more allowing the soothing notes of the classical music from SDAT player to gain his attention. Looking down he watched his hands twist the blanket covering him in a white knuckled grip trying to push the images that had invaded his mind away. Heaving a sigh knowing sleep would now be impossible Shinji threw his covers off and rose from the bed making his way to the closet and quietly sliding the door open in hopes of not disturbing either of his female roommates.
Inside the small enclosed space hung several copies of his normal school uniform, which consisted of a white button-up dress shirt and dark pants usually worn with dark dress shoes. On the floor seemingly the only other thing in the closet rested his cello case, which he moved aside revealing an ordinary brown box with its lid partially open. Shinji stared at it a moment before pushing his school uniforms to the side the coat hangers making a squealing noise as they slid along the metal rod, until finally the far corner of the closet was revealed where two articles of clothing rested away from the eyes of any casual observer.
The closer of the two was a simple grey jacket like those worn or used by military and police organizations, with pouches on the left shoulder with a crest on the other and a wide stripe of crimson going across the chest and down the middle to the bottom of the jacket trimmed with a black stripe all of the coloring going around the back and up the sides staying below the armpit. Over the heart stitched in black was his name and on the back just below the collar was a trapezoid section covered in light blue with a symbol done in white, it was a set of abstract wings with a teardrop shape in the middle a lien dividing it in half.
ôWelcome to the team Shinji.ö He remembered being told that day he received that jacket.
æEven then I ran away when things got too hard to handle, when you died I couldnÆt stay there in that place where my world was shattered for the millionth time. So I ran away again telling myself that all I was doing was answering FatherÆs summons, itÆs always been so much easier to just run away from life but IÆm trying to stay my ground if only to honor my memory of you.Æ Tears pricked at his eyes again and Shinji shook his head furiously to try and force them away.
Moving the jacket away without another look he turned his full attention on the final article of clothing in his wardrobe. It was a simple long-sleeved coat of pure white that was made to fit his form perfectly from Shoulder to waist, where it loosed and fell to just above ShinjiÆs ankles the perfect length for a duster. The coat was slit up the back to insure the free mobility of the legs. Blue ran down the center of the coat with a matching line in back running into a five pronged symbol also done in the same blue color scheme. The small shaft of moonlight behind him suddenly glinted off an object resting on the lower tear of the hanger placed with utmost care so it would not fall off, an elegant golden cross suspended from a simple black cord shaking from side to side catching the light and shining as if it had been finished that night.
ôThis is the power of the Ikari . . . . . . Use it Shinji but only to protect.ö The stern words of his Uncle filled his mind reminding him just what the Cross and by extension his coat represented.
æI couldnÆt protect her even with all my power she still died . . . . . ThatÆs why I havenÆt been able to use my gifts Uncle . . . . . . IÆm not sure what IÆm supposed to do anymore all I seem capable of is failing everyone . . . . . . You were right for all my talent IÆm nothing more then a spineless coward in the end . . . . . . . The pain wonÆt go away no matter how much good I do it continues to hurt . . . . . . What am I supposed to do now Uncle?Æ
ôI wonÆt run away.ö Shinji muttered quietly brushing the coat aside showing a brief glimpse of a black bow with white tape wrapped around the grip sitting in the corner.
Shaking his head he pushed his clothes back into place once more hiding the mysterious treasure from the outside world and then went to his kneeÆs pulling the box hidden by his cello case closer. Slowly pulling it open he coughed a little as more then a few months worth of dust was lifted up by the motion only to smack him in the face, which forced him to shake his head in order to dislodge the offending particles. A heartbeatÆs moment passed before he simply closed the lid and slid the box back into place looking away even as he put his cello case back into place protecting whatever contents that box held from prying eyes.
æIÆm not that person anymore and maybe I never was . . . . . because in the end I wasnÆt worthy of being him . . . . . . The only reason IÆm not dead right now is because Father needs me to Pilot Unit-01 . . . . . . If I donÆt someone might get hurt . . . . . so I have no choice but to Pilot in order to define my reason to continue living . . . . . . I mustnÆt run away but I just canÆt . . . . . . . I know IÆm not worth anything . . . . . . What would you say to me now I wonder Kaede?Æ Shinji thought getting up with a sigh and deciding to take a long shower before dawn and the rising of his fellow Pilot and Drunken Commanding Officer.
æI wish I knew what to do.Æ
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School
Shinji stifled a yawn as he quietly changed out of his uniform into his gym clothes, which consisted of a simple white T-shirt, a pair of dark blue shorts and a simple pair of sneakers. Even with the nap he was able to sneak in during class, while the teacher rambled on about life before the Second Impact and ignored the rest of his class to an extreme degree, the young Evangelion pilot still felt dead to the world. Rubbing at his eyes he grumbled quietly to himself about nightmares, even as he followed the other two members of the ôThree Stoogesö as Asuka had named them out onto the schoolÆs athletics field.
Kensuke was rambling on and on about something he had seen on the internet having to do with the United Nations military forces that Shinji was simply too tired to pay attention too. Toji on the other hand was feigning an interest even as his attention was focused on the girls gym class that for reasons Shinji didnÆt know were joining them that day. Now usually the small section of ShinjiÆs mind that was less moral then the rest of him, which was the section of his brain that more then once wished to drive Unit-01Æs progressive knife through his fathers body, would have made itself known in some way causing him to gaze at Ayanami, Asuka, or one of his other female classmates but that part of seemed to be in hibernation.
The first thing Shinji noticed as they joined up with the rest of the class was a set of four targets set about a hundred yards away from them separated into pairs spread about ten yards apart. Each pair sported one standard color coated archery target the dead center done in a bullÆs-eye red and a human shaped target with concentric circles over the heart, throat, head, and other vital areas. Next he noticed both the gym teachers for the boys and girls class each had a black single-string bow beside them with the grip wrapped in white leather for comfort not competition level but more then effective for beginners. Finally he noticed a sturdy wooden railing set up with two large buckets filled with arrows placed so two shooters could go at one time firing at the two pairs of targets.
ôNext up is Ikari Shinji.ö The announcer had spoken and he had risen from the waiting bench dressed in a white kimono with a midnight blue hakama the other competitors wished him luck as he made his way to the shooting line.
There were people cheering him on from the audience stands five people standing out the most in the young mans mind even as he raised a black bow in his left hand the grip wrapped in white tape, while his right slowly drew an arrow from the quiver one his back. Once the judge nodded to him he notched the arrow and brought the bow up taking aim even as his fingers twitched his right hand pulling the bowstring taut. The target was all that mattered his cobalt blue eyes narrowing in concentration as he waited for that one perfect moment when the vibration of the bow matched the hum going through his muscles and when he found that time came the arrow was released sent screaming at the wooden target.
ôIÆm proud of you Shinjiö a man praised placing a hand on his shoulder his hair dark purple and his eyes dark brown with sternness to them. He was smiling though it was only slight it seemed to be the most he would ever be capable of expressing.
ôThank you Uncleö he responded formally with a smile glancing down at the gold medal around his neck.
ôFirst place in the National Archery competition I must admit it is quite the achievement Shinji-kun.ö He was walking next to Kaede with his hands behind his head dressed in a dark green school uniform, which was more like a full suit the pants and jacket being the same dark green and baring the same school crest as KaedeÆs a black tie and dress shoes completed the outfit
ôIf you want I could teach you maybe it would help you when weÆre fighting so you donÆt have to get close.ö He replied turning one his eyes to regard the girl at his side a smile tugging at his lips.
ôMy spiritual powers are different from yours Shinji-kun; I canÆt do the things you do . . . . . . Shinji, does the current state of JapanÆs environment ever bother you?ö
ôIÆve heard my Uncle talk about how things were before Second Impact and the loss of the Original Tokyo and a part of me canÆt help feeling that this is payback for all the things we humans have done to Nature. Our generation has been denied something precious because of the sins of our ancestors . . . . . Yet we continue doing it, we keep tearing down forests and building our towers of glass and steel, clogging the atmosphere with pollution from factories and machines like cars, and we continue to abuse the gifts we are given. So yeah the current state of Japan bothers me but IÆll still fight to protect it because that is my duty.ö
ôThis Japan is an assault on my senses yet as the Kushinada it is my duty to give my life for it.ö Kaede continued her eyes watching Shinji even as his face lost its smile but stayed looking up at the sky.
ôThat is a duty I will see too never being fulfilled . . . . . . Even if it costs me my life I will protect you Kaede . . . . . because I canÆt imagine a world without you in it . . . . . Your very dear to me Kaede, so I will help you carry this burden and die to protect you if need be.ö
Shinji was suddenly pulled off balance as Kaede grabbed his right hand from behind his head and took it in her left even as she moved ahead turning back to look at him with a radiant smile crossing her usually cold face. The light of the sun seemed to be reflected in her green eyes and to Shinji it was a moment he wished to end but with another playful tug Kaede urged him to start moving once again on the path to their school.
ôWeÆre going to be late if you donÆt hurry up Shinji-kun just because youÆre a celebrity now it doesnÆt mean you can be tardy whenever you wish.ö
Shinji was rudely drawn from reminiscing when an open palm suddenly struck the back of his head snapping his enter body forward and even causing him to stumble two steps before regaining his balance his left hand immediately beginning to rub at the back where a bruise would most likely be forming soon. Turning around slowly he found his red-haired fellow pilot and roommate glaring at him in anger, which seemed to be the usual expression reserved for him by the girl.
ôIdiot, stop youÆre daydreaming perverted fantasies the teacher called your name four times.ö The girl reprimanded loudly in front of the entire group getting more then a few laughs as Shinji blushed in embarrassment.
ôSorryö he mumbled making his way to the railing where the coaches stood waiting another girl Shinji didnÆt know was already standing there.
ôAlright we donÆt expect anything spectacular on the first day so both of you just try to get near either target with your shots, you get to take five so you can get used to the feel of the bow.ö The boyÆs Coach explained and stepped back to observe them.
Shinji ignored the struggling girl to his left as she attempted to work out how to use the weapon his left hand holding the bow as his right easily reached down and plucked an arrow from the waiting bucket his cobalt eyes staring at the standard target never wavering. If he had been more alert the young man would have most likely made an effort to hide his skills but as it stood he was simply to tired too care as he shifted his feet into position his left hand raising the bow. Slowing his breathing down Shinji easily notched the arrow into position his right hand tugging the bowstring back his mind clearing of all distractions save the feeling of the weapon in his hands and the center of the target.
æThat single moment when the shot I want and the shot I fire become one that single heartbeat of perfect clarity when the bow and I become one entity that is when I fire.Æ Shinji thought as his fingers tensed before releasing the bowstring and sending the arrow screaming forward.
Thump . . . .
Silence rolled over the entire class at that sound stopping even in-depth conversations between long-time friends cold and causing wandering eyes to turn back ahead to observe the sight of an arrow buried in what appeared the dead center of the target of one Shinji Ikari. The girl next to Shinji even dropped her arrow at the sight nearly impaling her own foot with the sharpened end as it feel but was quickly able to slide her foot away before such an embarrassing scene occurred. Unaware of all this Shinji simply notched his next arrow and took aim his eyes narrowing ever so slightly before he fired the shot.
Thump . . . . .
ôHoly Shit Shinjiö Toji suddenly called out breaking the silence in the aftermath of his second shot, which seemed to rest nearly shaft-to-shaft with first arrow only being slightly above it in position.
ôSuzaharaö Hikari, the class representative called out in annoyance at the athletic boyÆs language.
ôOpen your mind to the world around you, expand your senses and allow your spirit to guide you Shinji. Heart, Mind, Spirit, and Body only when all are as one will you truly see the world My Nephew.ö
æClear my mind of all distraction, let the beating of my heart guide my hands, let the spirit and the body become one. I can see again Uncle just like you taught me.Æ
Those thoughts brought a slight amount of contentment to Shinji as he notched his third arrow and fired quickly following with a fourth and finally the fifth each on flying with unnerving sped and accuracy until they were lodged in the target. The first shot resting in the center and each of the other shots around it creating the four cardinal points of a compass, North, South, East, and West, lowering the bow so it leaned against the railing Shinji blinked when he found nearly every eye watching him as he moved back to his friends passing a slacked jawed redhead along the way. Looking at Kensuke and Toji he watched the same shocked expressions on their faces along with a rather amusing up and down movement from their mouths as they attempted to form coherent words.
ôIs something wrong?ö he asked the pair though it seemed to have been addressed to the general crowd.
ôIkari that was adequate now letÆs move on.ö The coach called out bringing everyone back around, while coughing into his hand to regain his composure.
ôThank you Senseiö he replied with a bow halting half way his body snapping up and his head turning towards the city.
æThis presence I am sensing it feels like one of them but I canÆt be, can it? No there is more then one Seed does this one have more then one Soul or are their multiples out there?Æ Shinji thought as the roar of thunder rolled over the city and thick clouds began to flow in obscuring the bright rays of the warm sun.
ôKami-sama, no it canÆt beö he whispered his eyes widening at the sight of the storm.
ôHmm, looks like rain alright everyone line up weÆll have to go inside the gym for the rest of the period.ö The girlÆs coach called out blowing her whistle and herding the two classes inside.
ôIkari get the lead out just because you got show off today doesnÆt make you special hustle.ö The boyÆs coach yelled breaking the fourteen year old from his thoughts and watching him rush inside.
Shinji pushed past people left and right running through the gym the second he was beyond the doors bolting for the locker room with a speed that impressed many of the members of the schoolÆs track and field team. Reaching his locker Shinji frantically tore the door open and began changing into his normal clothes a look of panic filling his eyes as he fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, in such a rush was he that he forgot to tuck the white uniform shirt in before he was speeding towards the schoolÆs exit and the world beyond. The yells of his teacher, friends, and co-pilots fell upon deaf ears as he sprinted out of the building as if the devil itself was right behind and in his mind he had the brief thought he wasnÆt far from the truth considering just what he was sensing.
æTheyÆve come and it will take something more then an Evangelion to stop it before itÆs too late. I have never felt this many of them at one time, how is it possible for them to be here?Æ
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Katsuragi/Ikari/Soryu Residence
The metallic sound of the apartment door sliding open was ignored by Shinji as he quickly slid his shoes off and darted to his room completely ignorant of the purple haired woman sitting at the kitchen table dressed in a yellow tank top and cut-off shorts holding a beer in her hand and currently blinking as his entrance. Entering his room he was at his closet within a second throwing the door open with his left hand and sliding his normal clothing aside until only the last two articles of hung clothing remained. Shinji closed his eyes for a moment his fingers moving over the white cloth of the coat on the hanger before they snapped open hardening with determination as he plucked the hanger up and toss it onto his bed.
ôThe Aragami are monster that can take any form or shape with powers that would defy the best minds in the world. They are as smart as you or me and seemingly immortal; we humans are their food supply. Only those with a high spiritual power have the ability to fight them and their only weakness seems to be the light and even then they can survive it when hiding in the original form of the beings or objects they possess.ö
æThey are the monsters that haunt the human heart and devour us from the shadows. I havenÆt forgotten Uncle.Æ He thought sliding on a new pair of socks followed by a pair of white slacks.
ôThe Princess Kushinada is a human that insures the Aragami remain eternally asleep and with each generation the responsibilities along with the powers pass on. If the Aragami ever awaken then the sacrificing of the Kushinada will bind them to eternal slumber. In my family the bloodline was split into two allowing them to return that is why I await the day that I am to die.ö
æNo one should have to live counting the minutes until they are killed by their own people, yet you continued to live despite that handicap and you would even smile from time to time. IÆll fight them for you Kaede; IÆll fight them for you and only you.Æ A white t-shirt followed by a white uniform dress shirt came after that thought.
ôFor now our only hope lies in you and Kaede, Shinji-kun until we have a way to fight them I need your help.ö
æOne more timeÆ picking up the white coat he slid it on and zipped it up completing his look.
ôThis is the focus for our power Shinji but it is more then that it is our symbol, a symbol for what our family stands for and against in this world, if your heart and motives are pure it will not deny you.ö
æI will use this power Uncle and carry this symbol once more I canÆt continue to hide anymore.Æ Reaching for the hanger he slowly lifted the golden cross staring at it as the light in the room sparkled off its surface before placing the cord around his left wrist allowing the cross to dangle freely.
) And that little archery demonstration is just right up there.