Hello all.
Well apparently the above post was incorrect. After recovering from the flu my personal life got in the way of getting things up and ready on time. However, I am on track to release this Saturday or Sunday. Now the new release schedule is as follows. Chapter 11 will post this weekend, followed by two one shots the following weekend (April 1), and then Chapter 12 will post with the opening chapter of Episode VI on April 8 which happens to coincide with my brithday. So enough of my prattling and apologizes, I also have an excerpt of the opening of Chapter 11 below.
So, here for your reading pleasure.
Excerpt from Episode V: SEELE Strikes Back – Chapter 11 – My Girl; Armisael Taints
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Chapter 11 – My Girl; Armisael Taints
September 17, 2016 – Comfort 17 Apartments
It has been two days since the battle against Arael, well, it was less of a battle really, as the main part of the battle took place solely in Asuka’s mind, at least until Shinji intervened. He hadn’t done much, but what he did saved Asuka from her mind being broken. As powerful as Areal was, she could not assault two minds as effectively as one, and the happy memories from their long forgotten childhood had protected them.
She was fine now, and she and Shinji had been released from the hospital that day, with no signs of mental contamination, and no signs of Angelic contamination. All was well for the both of them, at least medically and on paper, but in their minds, they both had a lot of stuff to sort through.
So, both of them were being brought home, but separately, stemming from the revelations from the previous battle. So, Shinji was being brought home with Kaji, and Asuka’s transport was left to Misato. Shinji clearly got the better part of the deal
Shinji was quiet in the car. He kept his head down, and didn’t make an attempt to talk with Kaji. Kaji however wasn’t going to let Shinji get away quietly, and tried to engage him in some sort of conversation.
“So, Shinji, do you want to talk about it?” Kaji asked.
“About what?” Shinji asked quietly.
“Come on, don’t play dumb.” Kaji said. “It’s unbecoming of you.”
“Not really…” Shinji said. “Sorry…”
“Don’t apologize, Shinji.” Kaji said kindly. “You’ve been through a lot the past few days.” Kaji smiled. “You know what you did was pretty brave, Shinji… it takes a lot to jump in the line of fire like that.”
“It didn’t do much.” Shinji said. “It just made things worse…”
“No it didn’t.” Kaji replied. “You saved Asuka from facing that Angel on her own. If you hadn’t intervened when you did, she would…” Kaji grimaced. “Her mind would have been broken, Shinji… you saved her.”
“How?” Shinji asked. “I didn’t kill the Angel… I got caught by it too.”
“Shinji, you distracted the Angel long enough for Rei to kill it.” Kaji said. “You did what you had to do… you and Unit–01 were very formidable. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“Yeah, but what good did it do in the end…” Shinji said sullenly. “Asuka hates me.”
“I don’t think she hates you.” Kaji said. “I mean… I don’t know what exactly happened in there, but… whatever it was shook the both of you pretty hard. And whenever you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here for you, ok?”
“Yeah, ok…” Shinji said. “Are we almost back yet?”
Kaji sighed. “Just about.”
“I’m sorry, I know I’m not being very nice…” Shinji said.
“Hey, like I said, don’t apologize…” Kaji said. “You have every right to be a bit… gruff.”
“I know…but I’m still sorry.” Shinji said.
–––
Misato wasn’t having too much luck at getting Asuka to talk, and she was being even more abrasive than Shinji could be.
“Asuka, are you ok?” Misato asked as she took her eyes off the road to look over at her.
“Keep your eyes on the road!” Asuka shouted. “Try not to kill me by being concerned!”
“Fine…” Misato said. “So, what happened in there?”
“None of your damn business!” Asuka said angrily.
“Well… I just hope all this anger isn’t over Shinji being in love with you…” Misato quipped.
“Can you just shut up?!” Asuka shouted. “Just focus on getting me home in one fucking piece and don’t fucking ask me anything!”
“Asuka… I’m just concerned about you…” Misato said. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
“Didn’t I just tell you to shut up?!” Asuka shouted.
“Fine… be that way, Asuka.” Misato said. “But if you ever want to talk, I’ll listen.”
“Whatever…” Asuka said gruffly.
–––
Mari and Rei were looking over the parking lot from railing outside the front door. Mari spotted Kaji’s red Ferrari pulling safely into the parking lot followed by Misato’s erratically driven blue Alpine pulling in as Kaji and Shinji exited Kaji’s car.
“At least they’re ok.” Mari said as she looked down at everyone.
“Yes, and it is a shame that they would not let us visit them while they were in the hospital…” Rei said.
“That doesn’t matter now, blueberry.” Mari said. “We’ll just make sure they’re ok… that’s our job right now.”
“Are you sure that is the wisest move?” Rei asked.
“We don’t really have any other choice.” Mari replied.
Kaji and Shinji walked to the elevators and Mari and Rei went over to them to meet the two of them as the elevators dinged open on the 12th floor.
“Shinji!” Mari said.
“Shinji, are you well?” Rei asked.
“Yeah…” Shinji said quietly as he walked past both of them sullenly. Mari gave him a concerned look, and Rei’s face fell. Kaji turned to them and shook his head. Shinji disappeared into the apartment followed by Kaji as the other elevator dinged revealing Asuka and Misato.
“Asuka.” Mari said.
“Are you well?” Rei asked.
“Just leave me alone…” Asuka said as she stomped past them into the apartment.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her…” Misato said.
“Did you try to find out, miso?” Mari asked.
“Yeah, she bit my head off.” Misato replied.
“Great… this won’t be easy…” Mari said sullenly.
“What won’t be easy?” Misato asked.
“Comforting the both of them.” Rei replied. “We have our work cut out for us…”
“How are you going to comfort them?” Misato asked.
“I’m not sure, miso…” Mari said. “This is one of those make it up as you go kinda things.”
“Well, then get inside…” Misato said. “Maybe they’ll trust you guys more than the adults.”
“That’s the idea miso.” Mari said. “I can see how you keep getting promoted… you’re smarter than you look.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.” Misato said.
“Yes.” Mari said.
“You’re a pain in the ass.” Misato said.
“Well, we can talk about that later.” Mari said. “We should probably get inside.”
The three of them walked inside to only see Kaji sitting in the kitchen with a very sullen looking Pen–Pen sitting on the floor beside him.
“Where the hell are they?” Misato asked.
“Shinji went right to his room, and Asuka stormed off to hers.” Kaji said. “Did you say something insensitive in the car?”
“What, me?!” Misato asked. “I noticed Shinji wasn’t really one to talk!”
“He at least said hello to those two when he came inside.” Kaji said. “All I heard was Asuka shout… you pissed her off.”
Misato sighed. “No… she like that when she got in the car…” Misato rubbed the back of her head. “She didn’t want to talk about whatever happened… but she’s angrier than I’ve ever seen her, I’m worried…”
“Well, they won’t tell us anything…” Kaji said.
“Yeah, we’ll figure it out.” Mari said. “Ok, blueberry, I’ll take care of Shinji, and you’ll go comfort Asuka.”
“I do not think that would be the best idea.” Rei said. “Asuka… I think you would be better suited to talk to her.”
“No… she won’t want to talk to me.” Mari said. “So it’s up to you, blueberry.”
“What can I do to make her feel happy?” Rei asked.
“Blueberry, you’re a very intelligent person.” Mari said. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
–––
The links and status of my saga are below:
NGE: Legacy – Table of ContentsOrigins Arc – Complete!
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode I: The Phantom Menace; Complete, 10 Chapters
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode II: Attack of the Seeds; Complete, 12 Chapters
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode III: Revenge of Ikari; Complete, 12 Chapters
Angels Arc – Underway
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode IV: The Last Hope; Complete, 12 of 12 Chapters
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode V: SEELE Strikes Back; In-Process, 10 of 12 Chapters
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode VI: Return of Reality; Outlined, 0 of 12 Chapters
Resurgence Arc – Under Construction...
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode VII: Awakenings
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode VIII: Echoes of the Past
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode IX: Daybreak
Supplemental Stories – Underway
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – One Shots; In-Process, 3 of ?? Chapters
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – One Shots: A Very Evangelion Xmas; In-Process, 2 of ?? Chapters