Courage and Strength:

Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is the creation of Anno and Gainax. I don't own it, make no claims to it, and am making no profit from the fan fiction. No infringement of copyright is intended. In other words, please don't sue.

Chapter 1:

"We're sorry due to the special state of emergency no lines are currently available. This is a recording"

"Damn-it... And where is this woman I'm meant to meet" Shinji got out through clenched teeth and he put the receiver back on its hook.

"I never should have fallen for my father's rubbish" He mumbled.

Picking up his duffel bag and looking around the deserted streets for his ride that was not there he couldn't help but feel he'd been had by his father again. Abandoned all those years ago without a word and then summoned out of the blue with a one word letter "COME" and a photograph of a woman he had never seen before.

A loud series of jet engines broke Shinji out of his line of thought as ten military VTOL's engaging a massive humanoid figure streaked past his location firing missiles and explosive ordnance at their target.

NERV HQ

"Unidentified intruder is still heading towards us" "I've got it on visual. Putting it on the main screen"

"It's been fifteen years" Fuyutsuki said to Gendo in dead pan

"Yes it has but now we know for sure they are here" Gendo replied without looking at his mentor and Sub-Commander.

The two continued to watch the futile efforts of the UN Defence Force to take down their target. Neither man seemed amused or worried with proceedings so far. Gendo was just waiting for his turn.

Shinji ducked as more missiles flew over his head every one of them impacting with the target causing a mass of explosions and knocking Shinji on his backside with the force of the noise erupting from the target even though it was quite a distance away. Shinji was in awe of the devastation unleashed on the target but what got him more was the fact that it survived unscathed and launched into a counter attack straight away downing two aircraft with some kind of lance that came from its hand. Shinji was back on his feet just in time to dive out of the way of the downed VTOL as it crashed to the ground. The target then crushed the downed craft under foot as it continued its merciless advance.

A blue sports car pulled up next to Shinji and the door opened "Sorry... Am I that late" Shinji recognised her as the woman from the photo.

"Miss Katsuragi?" Shinji enquired

"Yes... Get in she replied" Misato then put the car in reverse and gunned it. Flying away from the kerb in time to just avoid being stepped on, spinning a 180 degree turn and flying off down the empty street.

The UN Defence Force continued to pound away at their target with no effect. Commanding officers left scratching their heads and paling at the thought of the amount and cost of ordnance that they had burned through with absolutely no effect.

Ikari and Fuyutsuki continued to look on without a care still waiting for their turn. "An AT Field?" Fuyutsuki questioned

"Yes.. Conventional weapons are no match for the Angels" Ikari responded.

Both men unmoved in posture and stance since the opening exchanges began.

Back on the abandoned streets Misato and Shinji continued their mad dash to NERV at break neck speed. "What type of car is this Miss Katsuragi?" Shinji asked.

Misato looked across at Shinji and instantly realised that he was far calmer than she expected. "It's a Renault Alpine... It's my baby".

"I see" was Shinji's response.

"You're not what I expected" Misato probed continuing the conversation and driving at insane speeds through Tokyo-3 with ease.

"How so Miss Katsuragi?" He replied as though he didn't have a care in the world.

Misato continued "For one you don't look fourteen... I've never seen a fourteen year old so well-built before. You nothing like your picture and how are you so calm, I saw that VTOL almost crushed you when I was approaching as you dived out of the way?"

Shinji looked ahead in thought as though he was considering his words carefully before responding "I like to keep fit"

"Fit" Misato interrupted "What are you an athlete I'll bet there's barely an ounce of fat on your body. You looked ripped!"

"Miss Katsuragi" Shinji replied only to be interrupted again

"Please call me Misato"

"Okay Misato. I'm just a regular kid going to see his father"

You don't know the half of it went unsaid as Misato continued driving keeping one eye on the road and another on the target when she noticed every plane clear the area around the Angel.

"No way...They're going to use an N2!" She screamed pulling the car to a halt and diving on top of Shinji "Get down" She cried out.

This was followed by a massive explosion and a blinding light the shock-wave that hit the car sent it tumbling over "Arrraaahhhhh!" Misato cried out. Looking across as the car came to a rest on its side Shinji could see Misato clutching her right eye.

"What's wrong?" Shinji asked with not even a hint of panic in his voice.

"I think I've got glass in my eye from when the car rolled. I can't see properly" Misato replied.

"Wait here and don't move Shinji said before climbing out his door which is now the top of the car. Shinji proceeded to push the car back onto its wheels. Opening Misato's door he realised it was damaged as it wouldn't move enough to let her get out of the car. Shinji started kicking the door until it started to move a little further, but before it would open far enough to let Misato out it fell off the car banging onto the ground.

"What was that sound?" Misato asked doing well not to go into hysterics.

"Nothing" Shinji replied "Come on let's get you into the passenger seat. I'll drive if you can only see out of one eye"

With Misato in the passenger seat and Shinji driving and doing a very good job of imitating Misato's speeds behind the wheel. Misato picked up the phone to call headquarters

"Can I have an express train waiting for us... Yes his safety is my top priority... Well I did volunteer hold on... Left here Shinji... What do you mean what am I doing? I've cut my eye and can't see properly Shinji is driving, also can you meet us at the station to check me out. Ok thanks. Bye-bye... Where did you learn to drive like this anyway Shinji?

"Grand Theft Auto 7" Came the boys reply as he continued hurtling down the streets of Tokyo-3 pulling up at the express train station "NERV?" Shinji asked.

"It's a secret organisation controlled by the UN" Misato replied.

"And my Father works here?" Shinji continued still in the same calm voice he'd been using the whole time.

Misato was starting to wonder if anything got to this kid or if he gave a damn about anything.

"Well yeah you do know what he does? Don't you?" was all she said.

"All my teachers said was that it was important to the future of mankind."

On the command bridge Ikari had finally moved from his seat at a desk in front of Fuyutsuki to in front of the failed commanders of the UN. "Command of this operation has been entrusted to you don't betray us" One UN Officer said.

"Yes Sir" was all he got from Gendo Ikari.

"We've already seen that our weapons have no effect that's why we're giving you a chance" Another officer continued.

"Are you sure you can beat them" A third continued.

"That is why NERV exists" Gendo replied.

"I pray your right" The same officer replied before all three UN Officers turned and left the command bridge walking away with their shoulders slumped mission failed in the most demoralising defeat possible for them.

Fuyutsuki turned to Ikari "The UN forces have been wiped out. What are you going to do?"

"Intercept it with Unit-01" Replied Gendo.

"Unit-01?" Fuyutsuki started "... do we even have a pilot?"

"A spare has just been delivered. Take charge for me here. I'm going to the cages" With that Gendo turned and left.

The car train continued its path down toward NERV Central, coming out of a long tunnel and exploding into the light of a large cavern. "Is this a Geo Front?" Shinji asked.

"Yes it is... Our last line of defence. This is NERV Central. A fortress for mankind" Misato replied with a huge amount of pride in her voice.

Shinji's expression didn't change and Misato still couldn't figure out what is with this kid. Nothing bothers him, it's almost like he doesn't care about anything.

Over the PA system an announcement could be heard "Could the Head Chair Person of Project E Dr. Ritsuko Akagi please contact Captain Misato Katsuragi of Operations"

"I don't believe it is she lost again?" The faux blond muttered. Misato and Shinji's elevator opened to reveal a very angry Dr Akagi.

"Err hi there Ritsuko" Misato stammered out. Shinji raised an eyebrow to this noticing it's the first time Misato had lost her composure even after sustaining injuries and severely damaging her car.

"I've got a medical kit let me look at your eye... Hmmm there's a small glass shard under the eyelid that will be blocking your view, I can remove it and you should be right. This won't hurt too much" Ritsuko removed the shard, squirted it with some antiseptic and put a patch over Misato's eye.

"Come on, let's get going. You know we are short on man power and time" She continued. "So is this the boy?"

"Right according to the Marduk Report he's the Third Child. Shinji Ikari." Misato replied.

"Come on. There's something I want to show you" Ritsuko said with a tone that left no room for choice.

The three of them stepped into a dark room with no light. Then the lights came on revealing a massive purple head and shoulders sticking out of a pool.

"What is that?" Shinji said his voice still calm"... A giant robot?"

"This is man's ultimate fighting machine, the synthetic life form know as Evangelion Unit One. Built here in secret it is man kinds only hope" Ritsuko stated.

"Is this my father's work?" Shinji asked.

"Correct. It's been a while" came a strong authoritative voice from above in a viewing box.

Gendo Ikari's posture and glare displayed all of his power and intimidation that he was famous for. Trademarks that would allow him to get people to do anything he wants just with his presence.

"Yes it has..." Shinji replied his voice still calm, his features unchanged "... Rokubungi"

Misato and Ritsuko stood there slack jawed unable to believe what they had just heard or the way it was so casually said. Gendo twitched before regaining his composure.

"I have a use for you." He stated

"What do you want?" Shinji replied fixing him with a cold stare that froze his insides.

This was becoming too much too fast for Gendo, he hadn't planned on Shinji looking and being so strong to the point of intimidating and fierce. However with the knowledge that he had a contingency plan for everything Gendo pressed on keeping the conversation where he wanted it. "You will pilot it" He barked, trying to get control over his son.

"What he can't do that! He's got no experience" Misato interjected.

"He only needs to sit in it, nothing more" Ritsuko countered. "Your man kinds only hope"

She added looking at Shinji hoping this would be enough to sway the boy to do what they wanted, though she highly doubted it. Not sure if it was his physical presence of looking all the part of a fighter or athlete, or the disregard shown towards his father that no one else would ever dream of. She knew immediately this would not work.

"Not a chance" came the even measured reply from Shinji, as expected by Ritsuko.

"Wait your man kinds only hope Shinji" Misato added seeing the graveness of the situation.

"There is nothing here for me I'd rather watch it burn" Came Shinji's reply, completely void of emotion, still the same calm voice.

"Very well" Gendo responded then opening up a link he spoke "Fuyutsuki get Rei the spare is useless"

"Very well" came the reply from the Sub-Commander.

Not more than 15 seconds later a guernsey came rushing out carrying a very injured azure haired girl. Shinji caught sight of a single crimson orb as she was wheeled past him and that was the clincher for him

"WAIT!" he yelled taking everyone by surprise particularly Misato for this was the first time his voice had shown any emotion.

Gendo was smiling he knew his ace in the hole had work perfectly. No matter how strong his son was Shinji would be doing exactly what he wanted him to do today.

Before Shinji could finish his sentence an explosion rocked the base. Debris started raining down from the ceiling headed straight for the guernsey. Before anyone could react Shinji first closed the gap between himself and Rei with incredible speed then dove and in one fluid motion scooped her off the guernsey just as the ceiling debris rained down and obliterated the guernsey. Rei winced in pain but Shinji had spun onto his back and slid along the catwalk leaving a trail of blood from his shoulder as his clothing and skin was easily ripped into by the metal. Everyone present standing with their jaws open too stunned by what had happened.

"Are you OK " Was all Shinji could manage to say in a quiet caring voice.

A second explosion sent more debris falling from the roof heading straight at Shinji who was holding Rei firmly but carefully so as not to cause any more injuries. Suddenly Unit-01's arm moved and blocked the second wave of debris falling as Shinji crouched hunching over Rei to try to protect her in a last ditch futile effort with his body. The pain coursing through Rei's body was immense her face twisting and contorting to show it, a small pained whimper escaped her lips.

Shinji shouted "God Damn-it Enough, I'll pilot it" and followed up in a whisper that only Rei could hear "I'll do it for you, to protect you, keep you safe. I promise"

Rei stared at him for a second, the slightest pink gracing her cheeks that was missed by everyone apart from Fuyutsuki and Shinji. Shinji continued "Get a guernsey and lets get on with it" thinking to himself that he really didn't want to end up like a pancake at the moment.

Once inside the entry plug he could feel it being lowered into Unit-01 and locking into place. Everything around him was red as the start up sequence began. A host of colours fading in and out as power was started.

"Filling the entry plug" Came an unrecognised female voice over coms.

Ritsuko and Misato looked surprised from the bridge, he didn't even flinch as the LCL flooded the plug. A look of concentration played across his face but he remained calm and only said "This stuff tastes like blood"

"Don't worry you'll get use to it, LCL it's to help you with your connection to the Eva" Came Ritsuko's sympathetic response.

"Main power connected, all signals transmitting" Came more voices over coms.

"Commencing Secondary Connection" That unknown female again. "A10 neural connection normal"

A multicoloured mess played across the entry plug walls as Shinji continued focusing on the start up process, trying to get as much information about what was going on as possible with the knowledge he still had to fight, and he had no idea how to.

"Performance nominal... Bidirectional circuits open" Again that female voice. "Synchronisation ratio at... ma'am can you have a look at this, it can't be right?"

"What is it Maya?" Came Ritsuko's voice "This reading can't be accurate" Maya responded confusion and exasperation plainly evident.

"What's going on?" Asked Misato just as confused and concerned as Maya. "Synchronisation ratio at 150%. Feedback ratio at 200%" Ritsuko said not believing the numbers even as she said them.

"Harmonics seem to be normal, there are no disturbances at all" Maya added. Another explosion from the angel rocked the base.

"We're out of time, we have no choice. Lets do it" Ritsuko said.

"Begin Launch sequence" Misato ordered.

"Removing primary lock bolts" came a voice over coms.

"Removing the umbilical bridge" the catwalk moved away

"Removing secondary lock bolts" More hydraulic locks released. Shinji could see and feel everything that was going on around him.

"Primary and secondary locks removed" Came another voice over coms.

"Internal battery online. External battery outlets closed" The procedure continued smoothly Shinji hearing everything through coms.

"Move Eva Unit-01 to the launch pad" Maya spoke. Shinji felt his first movements as the giant purple mecha moved to the launch pad on a platform.

"Launch pad clear all systems green" Came Maya's voice.

"Evangelion Unit-01 ready for Launch" Came Ritsuko's voice through coms.

"Understood" Misato said.

Misato turned to the commander and sub-commander on the bridge. "Can we really do this?"

"Of course... unless we defeat the angels we have no future" Came Gendo's reply.

"Ikari are you absolutely certain" Fuyutsuki questioned in a quiet but firm voice. All Gendo could was force an unconvincing smile under those hands steepled in front of his face in that trademark pose.

"Eva Unit-01 Launch" Misato barked an order given with excitement and triumph as the first sortie began.

Unit-01 rocketing up the launch tunnel heading for the surface and combat. Shinji pinned into the seat of the entry plug under the severe g forces of launch was actually enjoying the ride but staying focused. He had a promise to keep. Unit-01 hit the surface stopping just as fast as it started the head of the purple giant snapping up from momentum giving it a look of being ready to fight.

"Are you ready Shinji?" Came Misato's voice over coms

"Yes ma'am" was the still calm reply.

"Remove final safety locks. Eva Unit-01 Move out!" Misato barked

"Shinji... Just concentrate on walking" Came Ritsuko's voice.

"Ok" Shinji responded and he realised as he thought of walking the Eva moved as he was thinking it first the right foot then the left. Shinji could feel everything with absolute precision. Moving the legs to take a step, slamming the giant feet down on the pavement with each step completed. The bone jarring right hook he received as he had walked straight to the angel and had his lights punched out.

"Arrraaahhh!" Shinji cried out as the devastating punch knocked Shinji and the Eva onto its back. The angel was relentless not even pausing, moving in over the Eva and picking it up by the head and grabbing and arm. The muscles in the angel grew rapidly as it started to try to pull the arm from the Eva's socket.

Shinji cried out in pain but when the angel was not satisfied it started to squeeze and apply pressure. More and more until a loud crack resounded and the Eva's arm was broken.

"Arrraaaagghhhhh!" Shinji's deafening roar of pain came over the com very loud and very clear.

"Don't panic it's not your real arm it just feels like it" Misato called out, trying to get the pilot to focus.

"To hell it's not my arm is broken" came Shinji's retort. A window opened up showing Misato's face

"It just feels like it is Shinji try to ignore the pain and concentrate on the objective" Misato chided

"Bullshit" Shinji snapped. "This looks pretty fucking broken to me, the bone is sticking out through the skin" Sure enough Shinji held up one broken left arm, traces of blood filtering from the wound into the LCL and a bone sticking out of the skin.

Before the conversation could continue the angel charged its energy lance fired it into the head of Unit-01 repeatedly until it was able to punch through the armour rupturing the eye socket of Unit-01 and sure enough Shinji's as well.

"Ahhhhhhh" again he cried out in pain clutching at his eye with his right hand and trying to nurse his left arm on the side of the seat.

The force of the final blow launched Unit-01 backwards only able to be stopped by a building. The head dropping down and blood pouring from the wound of both the Evangelion and its pilot alike.

"It must be the feedback" Ritsuko stated "Eva is feeding everything back into Shinji. The Sync rate is incredible but he's going to physically get all the injuries not just feel them"

"Neural connections breaking up" Came Maya's voice.

"Armour plating damaged"

"Cranial and left arm severely damaged" Came two male voices on the bridge.

"Alright listen up" Came Shinji's voice over comm. "I've had about enough of getting my arse handed to me how do I kill this thing?" Shinji demanded.

"You have to destroy the red core" Come Ritsuko reply.

"Yes ma'am" was Shinji's calm unemotional response.

He dragged Unit-01 to its feet and charged at the angel letting out an ear splitting war cry as everyone on the bridge looked on in awe. Launching the eva high into the air and landed a fierce kick to the angel's chest knocking it to the ground. Shinji was just as relentless as the angel had been in the opening exchanges, kicking it in the head as the angel motioned to get up.

Shinji then started pounding at the core with his right hand. Now completely defensive the angel raised its AT Field to try to stop unit-01, this worked for half a second as Shinji's punch broke through the AT Field and struck the core. Over and over and over again, each blow stronger and harder than the previous one. The Angel made a last ditch effort to change the momentum of the fight by charging another cross blast to fire at Unit-01 from point blank but Shinji quickly countered instead of punching the core he landed a devastating blow to the head causing the head to snap back and hit the pavement and the cross blast to dissipate. He then grabbed a steel girder from the debris lying on the ground and resumed his attack on the core, beating at it repeatedly until it started to crack. In a last ditch effort the Angel sprang up and engulfed unit-01.

"It's going critical, it will self destruct" Ritsuko cried out. Sure enough a massive explosion erupted covering 5 square blocks and engulfing unit-01. No one on the bridge expected Shinji to survive but sure enough from the ashes strode Unit-01.

"Misato" came Shinji's voice over coms. "How do I get back?"

"Open Launch bay two use the platform to retrieve the eva. I'm going to the cages"

Once unit-01 was returned to the cages and the entry plug ejected, its pilot stumbled out bleeding from the eye and arm and clutching his broken arm. He sank to his knees and put his head down spewing the last of the LCL that filled his lungs before collapsing. Shinji was carried away to NERV medical.

To Be Continued...

AN: This is my first piece of writing ever. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing.