"My mom had mental problems while I was growing up. She kept talking to a doll, instead of me. I wanted her to notice me, so I studied hard and became a graduate by the time I was thirteen. When I was chosen to pilot an Eva unit, it was thr proudest day of my life. I went home to tell my mom and..."
Asuka's voice trailed off, as she blinked back tears. She took a few sobbing breaths and continued. "My mom had comitted suicide, and the doll she kept talking to was broken."
Asuka's voice started to rise into an almost hysterical tone.
"She thought the doll was me and wrote a note. She said she was leaving, and taking me with her. But all she took was a doll. A doll was more important to my mother than me. A thing."
Shinji ordered, "Asuka, calm down! It wasn't your fault."
Hearing the order, Asuka's magic forced her mind to calm down. The genie took some more sobbing breaths.
"Now, I'm a thing. A magical puppet. I don't want to be controlled, but now.... I'm still having trouble adjusting to being a genie.
Shinji looked down at the ruby that serves as Asuka's home. "I'm sorry Asuka. I didn't mean to do this to you."
Asuka gritted her teeth. "I know, Master. I'm just going to have to deal with it."
Shinji sighed and was about to say something, when Asuka spoke.
"Master? I agreed to being forced like this."
Shinji nodded and pointed at Misato. "Your turn Amethyst."
Misato bowed her head in response. "I was at Antartica when 2nd Impact happened. I really didn't get along with my father. As the Impact was starting, my father put me into a capsule and did something that sent me flying away from the base. I was injured during that. After I was found, I was comatose from the horror of seeing everyone I knew wiped out when Antartica was destroyed. The magic is forcing me to realize something as well. When i became a genie, my subconcious saw it as a second chance. Master, you have become a sort of surrogate father to me. My guilt over not getting along with my father makes me want to be the best genie I can be for you. Even though I'm now aware of it, I don't think I can change. Nor do I want to."
Asuka said, "So that's why you didn't do anything at NERV when they put those sensors up. You didn't want to do anything that would upset our Master."
Misato nodded.
Shinji closed his eyes and whispered to himself, "Misato is older than me, yet she's going to be the most obident."
Shaking his head in resignation, he looked at Rei.
Rei nodded and began, "Master Shinji, I am a composite clone. Half of me is made up of the Angel Lillith. That is the Angel being held n place at Central Dogma. Your father created me for two reasons. The first was to pilot an Eva unit if neccesary."
Rei closed her eyes.
Shinji asked, "And the other was?"
"After the Angels are defeated, your father is going to use me to trigger 3rd Impact."
"WHAT?" came from the other three.
"I am not the first Rei. The first Rei was killed by Ritsuko's mother. The former me was strangled when she told Dr. Akagi that she was just being used. Your father then had me created and the former me's memeories came to me. I am just a tool your father means to use to get your mother back."
Rei looked at Misato and Asuka. "That is what your father intends to do with me, Master Shinji. I do not want to do this. I am better off now as your genie than I was as your father's doll. Even if I was offered a chance to be free, I would not take it. As to 3rd Impact, the version your father intends can't happen until the Angels are defeated. He is not the only one who intends to start a controlled 3rd Impact. There is a group called Seele who intends to do the same thing."
Shinji leaned back in his chair and slowly said, "Rei, you are a genie now and no longer have to worry about that. I told you that I had no ambitions. I guess now, I do have one. Prevent my father and Seele from starting 3rd Impact. I need to think. Rei, you had better go back to your apartment to keep up appearances. If trouble comes up, contact me mentally. While you are out in public, call me Shinji and keep as much as possible to your regular habits. If something comes up, cope with it the best you can."
"Yes, Master Shinji," Rei replied, as she stood up and turned her genie garb into her civilian clothing.
Shinji watched as Sapphire/Rei left. He looked back at the two kneeling genies.
"I guess the two of you need to recharge. So, back into your gems."
A cloud of red smoke and a cloud of purple smoke flowed into Shinji's ring. Shinji put his hand over the ring and brought both hands up to his mouth. "All of us have very little self confidence. Misato wanted me to be the best master I could for them, but what do I wish for? What do I do with three genie girls? I'll have to think of something we can do after saving the world."
Shinji got up and looked out the apartment. He saw Rei leave the building. Rei stopped for a second and looked up at Shinji. She nodded and resumed her journey.
Shinji muttered, "I'm going to have to be the one who makes decisions on what to do. I'm going to have to work with Asuka. Rei and Misato are fine with being genies. Asuka is still a bit put off by it."
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Disruptor
(Posted Sun, 15 Feb 2004 21:26)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.