return the hero.
[at NERV HQ...]
"It's been almost a month now. Why does she keep waiting there for him?"
"Well, you know how Misato is. She's been like that ever since he disappeared."
"At this point, he's probably..."
"Yeah. I do admire her spirit, though."
"What's the status on Unit 01?"
"They let it out of cryogenics, finally. Running some tests to see if it's still viable for piloting."
"Even after the last incident?"
"We can't afford to be picky. Every advantage we have against the Angels, we should use."
"I guess you're right. Were we able to recover the entry plug?"
"Not yet. The usual access point's been melted shut. Retrieval team is working on it, last time I checked."
"Such unfortunate circumstances. At least the other Children are still in working condition."
"Indeed. And the Fourth Child?"
"We'll just have to see about that."
Who am I...?
Some distance away in the hangar, there is a distinctive grinding of plated armor, accompanied by a deep, bestial growl. The chatting scientists share a worried glance and hightail it to the scene. A small crowd has already gathered, looking on in horror as Unit 01 shifts against its bindings. Rather than attempting to break free, however, it appears bothered by something. Frantic staff scramble all around, trying to retain control over the situation.
"When did this behavior start?"
"Just a few minutes ago."
"Do we know what caused it?"
"Not yet. We're detecting abnormal brain activity inside the chest cavity, however."
"Brain activity? That's impossible. Shinji Ikari has already been classified as deceased."
"We can't rule out the possibility."
"True. For now, all we can do is wait."
Hours pass with no new developments; Unit 01 falls silent, and the tense situation cools to a simmer. The day ends without further event. Lights are shut off. Everything save the necessary systems is powered down. Their world becomes lonely, though one person yet remains. Watching. Listening. Praying.
Well... I'm Shinji Ikari, right?
After some time of this, Unit 01 stirs once more. Rubbing at weary eyes, the sole observer jumps when a sharp hiss escapes from the Evangelion's back. A metal cylinder crashes against the nearest wall and is grounded. Its sliding panel of a door groans open. Inside lies a motionless body.
Hazy eyes crack open. The boy registers yelling, screaming, crying and arms around him, yet he can only manage a vague sort of smile.
"I'm home," he croaks, "aren't I?"
A shaky voice answers him. Trembling fingers stroke his face. Strangely, he is comforted by them.
"Yes. Yes, Shinji, you are. Welcome home, Shinji."
"Thank you."
And although he tries, and she insists, Shinji does not sleep that night.
[aboard the Independence-1]
The next day, escorted by several NERV officials, Shinji sets foot - slowly, one after the other - on base again.
"Hello, everyone," he greets familiar faces as he passes, waving, nodding. His expression is vacant, and he is barely awake, but he's wearing that same smile from before, and seems to be in high spirits, all things considered.
Perhaps most importantly, he seems to be at peace.
((Though I posted this as prose for the sake of convenience, you can respond whenever and however you see fit. Can be in person or otherwise, Shinji is just going to be wandering about the base as per usual. Totally up to you.))
"It's been almost a month now. Why does she keep waiting there for him?"
"Well, you know how Misato is. She's been like that ever since he disappeared."
"At this point, he's probably..."
"Yeah. I do admire her spirit, though."
"What's the status on Unit 01?"
"They let it out of cryogenics, finally. Running some tests to see if it's still viable for piloting."
"Even after the last incident?"
"We can't afford to be picky. Every advantage we have against the Angels, we should use."
"I guess you're right. Were we able to recover the entry plug?"
"Not yet. The usual access point's been melted shut. Retrieval team is working on it, last time I checked."
"Such unfortunate circumstances. At least the other Children are still in working condition."
"Indeed. And the Fourth Child?"
"We'll just have to see about that."
Who am I...?
Some distance away in the hangar, there is a distinctive grinding of plated armor, accompanied by a deep, bestial growl. The chatting scientists share a worried glance and hightail it to the scene. A small crowd has already gathered, looking on in horror as Unit 01 shifts against its bindings. Rather than attempting to break free, however, it appears bothered by something. Frantic staff scramble all around, trying to retain control over the situation.
"When did this behavior start?"
"Just a few minutes ago."
"Do we know what caused it?"
"Not yet. We're detecting abnormal brain activity inside the chest cavity, however."
"Brain activity? That's impossible. Shinji Ikari has already been classified as deceased."
"We can't rule out the possibility."
"True. For now, all we can do is wait."
Hours pass with no new developments; Unit 01 falls silent, and the tense situation cools to a simmer. The day ends without further event. Lights are shut off. Everything save the necessary systems is powered down. Their world becomes lonely, though one person yet remains. Watching. Listening. Praying.
Well... I'm Shinji Ikari, right?
After some time of this, Unit 01 stirs once more. Rubbing at weary eyes, the sole observer jumps when a sharp hiss escapes from the Evangelion's back. A metal cylinder crashes against the nearest wall and is grounded. Its sliding panel of a door groans open. Inside lies a motionless body.
Hazy eyes crack open. The boy registers yelling, screaming, crying and arms around him, yet he can only manage a vague sort of smile.
"I'm home," he croaks, "aren't I?"
A shaky voice answers him. Trembling fingers stroke his face. Strangely, he is comforted by them.
"Yes. Yes, Shinji, you are. Welcome home, Shinji."
"Thank you."
And although he tries, and she insists, Shinji does not sleep that night.
[aboard the Independence-1]
The next day, escorted by several NERV officials, Shinji sets foot - slowly, one after the other - on base again.
"Hello, everyone," he greets familiar faces as he passes, waving, nodding. His expression is vacant, and he is barely awake, but he's wearing that same smile from before, and seems to be in high spirits, all things considered.
Perhaps most importantly, he seems to be at peace.
((Though I posted this as prose for the sake of convenience, you can respond whenever and however you see fit. Can be in person or otherwise, Shinji is just going to be wandering about the base as per usual. Totally up to you.))