Disclaimer: I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion.. GAINAX does, and if it wants, it could stop me immediately from writing anymore.



Chapter 1


Neon Genesis Evangelion



The sound of the wind and the sound of the waves hitting the ground is heard, but nothing else. The sea, the sky, even the ground, it was all red. On the ground lay two bodies. One male and one female. Asuka Langley Sohryu and Ikari Shinji. The survivors of Third Impact. Both their eyes were wide open as they stared in the sky. Slowly, the clouds in the sky were moving, dark red clouds. The entire sky was red. Not another single colour was seen.

(Shinji's POV)

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was that everything was red. The sky, the clouds and as I sat up I noticed even the sea was red. Apparently I was lying on a beach. To my left I saw another red....something. When I noticed what it was, no, who it was, I got very upset. It was Asuka Langley Sohryu, someone who hated my guts.

I knew of Instrumentality, the Third Impact. I knew that I chose to take the risk of being hurt again. But I didn't expect her to be here. But I should have.

Personally I don't like it. She hates me, and honestly, I don't like her that much either. Ok, ok, that's partly a lie, but I'm beginning to dislike her. I really liked her. But she……I asked for her help, needed her help so bad... And she just screamed me away. Apparently, I wasn't worth her attention. She, she is a bitch. Toji and Kensuke were right all along. But I still, see something in her, saw, something in her. Why is she here ? Maybe she is another fake thing send from Lilith !! But she is hurt, hmm, must be another one of Lilith's tricks... I got up and started strangling this "Asuka". This doll that Lilith created just to haunt me. I strangled her, and I cried too, but then her hand came up. I expected her to strangle me back or at least slap me. But instead, she caressed my cheek. I was confused. Was this the real Asuka ? The real Asuka would never do that !! So it must be a creation from Lilith. I looked the doll in the eye and I saw emotions. First I hesitated but I let go of her and started crying even more. It was the real Asuka. Why is she here ? Why did she touch me like that ? Why did I try to kill her ? Well, I think that one's already answered. She doesn't deserve to be here, she doesn't need to go through this hell. She didn't do anything wrong. At least she fought, all I could do was run away. I'm the one who should suffer, I'm the coward, I'm pathetic and weak. I stopped crying and layed back to where I found myself. Then I heard Asuka say something.

(Asuka's POV)

What ??!?!! It hurts !!!! I opened my eyes and saw Shinji strangle the shit out of me.. I looked him in the eye and saw pure resentment, hate and sadness. My first intention was to beat the shit out of the weakling. But I just felt so different, I didn't feel like myself. Must be because…. I died?
The look in his eyes. It was so intense, so I just let it all happen. I can't say I don't deserve to die. Ikari Shinji, I-I have to say I'm sorry, for everything. If I were him I would kill me too. One last touch, let me have one last touch of you, Shinji, before I die, I'm so sorry. He's still strangling me, but he's withdrawing. He's looking me straight in the eye.

H-he stopped. The first thing I noticed after I got my senses back was the red sky, the red sea. What the hell happened ? Is there no one else here ? And that smell !! Uugghhh !!

"I feel sick"

I really did. The horrible smell of LCL was everywhere. I looked at the sea, is that LCL ? A sea of LCL ? Why ? I realised Shinji stopped crying and laid next to me after he got off me. Stupid idiot. Why didn't he just kill me ? Then I would feel a lot better, well anything's better than this. I'm stuck with an idiot in a red world. Can't get any worse than this. I remember everything that happened during the attacks, but I don't remember anything of this happening. I started crying, remembering the mind-rape and my total failure.


They both laid still, staring up in the sky, both deep in thought.

Both had questioning stares toward the sky. They hadn't said anything to each other since Shinji got off Asuka.

(Shinji's POV)

Hnn, I feel sick too. It's because of that terrible smell, the smell of LCL.

There's so much to do, I need to find out if we are truly the only ones here. If so, I wouldn't wanna be me, right now, but I guess I have no choice. I think a lot of boys would be happy to trade with me, being with Asuka and all. I sighed a deep sigh. I noticed Asuka was currently crying. Probably because I'm still in her life. This is the end of the world. or just the end of life on the world ? Third Impact. I remember Misato telling me about First and Second Impact. First Impact was before Second Impact, which was in 2001. Misato's father died, that year I was born, maybe I just brought despair with my birth and now everyone's dead. That only proves it. Misato, Rei, Toji, Kensuke, Kaji, Ritsuko, Maya, Hikari, Shigeru, Makoto, Fuyutsuki and even father. And now I'm here with a person who truly hates me. Of all persons she has to be the one who has to suffer through this with me. Wait a minute, is this some sort of Adam and Eve-thing ? Oh no, I hope not. They did it all wrong then, they should've taken someone else in stead of me. This is all wrong.
Stupid Lilith, don't you know anything ? The chances of me together with Asuka are 0.0000000000000000000001 %, probably less, too.
Now what ?!? Oh no, humanity is doomed, why the hell did they choose me ??? I'm no good for all of this, I'm Ikari Shinji, the ultimate coward, the weakling who's too afraid to even speak up to a doll. I'm not good for this. Maybe, maybe there are more people here. I hope there are. Or Asuka will kill me....

(Asuka's POV)

Look at me !!!! I'm crying !!! I promised myself never to cry again !

Especially in front of him !!! Why am I here ? It is understandable why he is here. The invincible Shinji. He's the one who deserves to live, not me. I'd understand it if he hated me. I would too, after all I've put him through. And what the hell is wrong with my eye ? I can only see with one !! Is it because of the attack ? Oh my god, I hope I'm not missing an eye !! Wouldn't I notice that ? Maybe, maybe there are more people here. Well, at least I stopped crying. And why is everything red ? I don't mind the colour, but still.

Wait a minute, didn't I die ?? Yes, I'm sure I died. I shouldn't be alive !! The Eva's killed me, my Eva was destroyed. Shinji was too late, I guess. I didn't deserve his help anyway. Or he just acted like a coward again. But I fought, I should be proud of myself. But my pride was completely broken, the only thing keeping me together was mama, my Eva. I would've accepted help from anyone, even Wonderdoll !!! But none of them came. Not even Shinji.

'Weird, I would at least think Asuka would beat the shit out of me right about now. Maybe she's still going to do it, and just letting me suffer these last few minutes before I will get damaged severely.'

'What the hell happened here ? Is this hell ? But why would Shinji be
here then ? To show me what I've done wrong ? Are we the only ones
here ?'

Asuka: Shinji ?
Shinji: Y-yes ?
Asuka: What happened ?
Shinji: ....Third Impact.
Asuka: Are....we the only ones here ?
Shinji didn't answer her.
Asuka: Figures.
Shinji: I'm going to find out.


Shinji stood up and went to leave but Asuka grabbed his foot.

'What .... ?'
It was then, that Asuka noticed that not only here eye was injured. Her entire body was severely damaged..

'Damn...'

Asuka: Wait, I'm coming, too.
Shinji: N-no, you're hurt.
Asuka: No !! I-I can do this !!
Shinji: Just … stay here, please? Your injuries might get worse otherwise. Stay here, Asuka, please.
Asuka: Fine !! As long as your begging.

Shinji left.

Asuka: Stupid idiot.


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'Man, it sure is different here. I don't recognise anything here. I don't think anyone's here. But Ayanami said everyone would return.
Asuka's here, so where are the others ? Ah ! Dammit !!'

Shinji fell over a rock and hit the ground rather hard.

'Ugh, that hurt. Man, I'm bleeding. Stupid rock.'

Shinji rose to his feet and continued walking. As he watched his surroundings he came to realise he knows where he was walking. He often took walks through Tokyo-III, especially after Angel Attacks. He chose to continue, instead of notifying Asuka of this newfound fact, and he went to see if he was right about his surroundings

'Hey, those are buildings !! How can there be buildings ? Maybe our apartment is still standing up as well. But where to go ? I don't recognize anything here. And I think I'm lost. Why did they let me choose for humanity, anyway ? This is so unfair, They should've let Misato or at least Asuka choose, but not me. Hey, that looks awfully familiar. I know his place, so our apartment must be, that way. Now I've got SOMEthing to tell Asuka.'


After half 'n hour Shinji returned to Asuka's side.


Shinji: Asuka ? I-I've found our appartment.
Asuka: Our appartment ?!
Shinji: Yeah. But I didn't encounter anyone else. Sorry.
Asuka rolled her eyes.
Asuka: Didn't Third Impact change you one bit ?!
Shinji ignored the comment.
Shinji: Can you walk ? It's not that far.
Asuka: Of course I can walk !!
Shinji: .Sorry.

After half'n hour they arrived there. Asuka didn't want Shinji to help her. Shinji tried to help her, but Asuka slapped him, hard.
So Shinji didn't try it again.

Asuka: Great !! I hope everything's the same in my room.
Shinji simply walked to his room and found his SDAT Player...
'Didn't I leave this at NERV ? I don't remember. I wonder if Asuka's
hungry, cause I am.'

Shinji: Uuh… Asuka, are you hungry ?
Asuka: Yeah !! Please make something now !!!

'At least she said please. I hope there's something left here.'
During his short trip of exploring, Shinji found out that most of the
buildings were still standing up. Some were badly damaged. He didn't see or hear any other people. Maybe all humans changed into LCL, or maybe all living things. There weren't even any plants or trees left.
'So why would there be food here then ?'

Asuka was in the living room of their appartment.
" I think the TV is broken", Asuka said to no one in particular.
"And Pen-Pen is not here either."
Shinji walked in.
Shinji: There's no food in the house.
Asuka: Well, that's just great.
Shinji: I'll go outside, maybe the mall is still standing up. I just hope there's any food there.
Asuka: I'll go with you !!
Shinji: But, Asuka, you….need some rest.
Asuka: Don't you tell me what I need, idiot !! Or else !!
Shinji: When I come back, I don't want to see you here, I expect you to be in your bed taking a nap.
Asuka: WHAT !!!
Shinji: Please, Asuka ?
'What's up with him ?'
Asuka: Hmph !! You're just lucky I'm injured. You're acting pretty pathetic, Shinji. I just have to beat you up soon.
Shinji: Sorry.
Shinji stepped outside, once again smelling the LCL. He winced and began to walk toward the mall. Or at least where it used to be.

Asuka was on her bed deep in thoughts..

'Damn you Shinji...I can take care of myself and I don't need help
from anybody. Especially not from you.....I wish Kaji or Hikari was
here, or at least Misato. I wonder what happened. I don't remember
anything except for all the angel attacks and my "death." Maybe
Shinji knows.'

Shinji was walking through the red streets....
'What if there is truly no one here ? Then Asuka will kill me once
she has recovered. I sure wish Misato was here, but she died, but so
did Asuka, so can Misato come back too ? I sure hope so.'

Asuka fell asleep after trying to remember what had caused all this.
But it made her headache just grow worse, so she stopped trying to remember and started trying to sleep. Wich was a lot easier.

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Shinji came through the door. And walked toward the kitchen.
He found out the mall was still there, but here weren't may supplies left. He took what was there to take. He prepared dinner.

'I really need to apologise for strangling her. I bet when she's
recovered she's gonna beat the living shit outta me. sigh Well, at
least she's sleeping, I think. Let's see. Sorry, Asuka, I don't think you're gonna like dinner.

15 minutes later...
Shinji: Asuka ! Are you sleeping ?

No answer...

Shinji: I guess so.
Asuka stepped out of the door staring right in the eyes of Shinji.
Shinji felt pity for her, she was really hurt..
Shinji: Uhh...Dinner's done.
Asuka: Ok.
Shinji: Uhhmm, Asuka ?
Asuka: What is it ?
Shinji: I-I'm sorry for.....almost killing you.
Asuka: You should be.
Shinji: I just thought you were another one of those fake images Lilith created.
Asuka blinked her eyes..
Asuka: Lilith ? What's that ?
Shinji: Y-you don't know ???
Asuka: Ofcourse not !!! Remember me being in a coma for a very long time ?!?!
Shinji: S-sorry, Lilith was, well, I think she or it was responsible for all Impacts, or at least this one.
Asuka: ow.
Shinji: Ayanami, Ayanami was part of Lilith.
Asuka: Wondergirl ? What do you mean ? What are you talking about ?
Shinji: It's all kinda messed up.
Asuka: Just try to explain it already, idiot !!
Shinji: Well, Rei was, she was a clone, made from my mother's and Lilith's DNA.
Asuka: What ?
Shinji: Ayanami explained to me what was happening all around me and what was still going to happen. But I don't know why you are here, though, she never mentioned you being here.
Asuka: I-I thought I died during the U.N. Attack..
Shinji: Y-yeah, everyone died. Rei said they would eventually come back here, but there's no one here.
Asuka: I noticed. So, you defeated the last angel ?
Shinji: Kaworu. Yes, I had to kill him.
Asuka: Him ? Angels don't have a sexe, Shinji.
Shinji: The Last angel was a human, Asuka, and that human became my best friend in two days. And I had to kill him.
Asuka: Yeah yeah, whatever.
Shinji: What do we do from here ?
Asuka: I don't know, wait for the others to arrive ?

Shinji was making breakfast, when Asuka came out of her room. She immediately took a shower, wich Shinji already had taken. Under the shower, Asuka was thinking about how everything came to this, and was determined to get the answer from her roommate. Her old self was slowly returning. Her wounds weren't as bad as they looked. Her eye was already working for fifty-fifty. 'Soon, Asuka Langley Sohryu will be all back to normal.'

Shinji was trying to remember everything after Kaworu's death. It was really hard. He remembered a giant Rei, talking to him. He remembered Misato kissing him, he blinked at that. He remembered the U.N Forces. He remembered Asuka fighting for her life. He couldn't help her then, the cage where EVA-01 was in, was filled with bakelite. But after that was over he still could've helped her. 'But I had to be a coward.' He just couldn't do it. Every time he got into 01, he hurts someone, Mari, Toji, Kaworu. He remembered after he got up in 01, how Unit-02 was doing. He remembered Asuka's death. He remembered The EVA's 05-13. How they crucified him. And how it all began from there.

Shinji was in deep thought for more than fifteen minutes, and Asuka's was trying to get his attention.
Asuka: Idiot, you just ruined breakfast..
Shinji: Damn. Now I have to make it all over again.
Asuka: Anyway, I have a lot of questions, Third Child, and you'd better answer them, Got it ?!?
Shinji: Yes !

So Shinji tried to answer all those oh-so-important questions, And Asuka was Up to Date.
After all her questions were answered she sat down on the couch, completely puzzled and confused. Shinji, too sat down on the couch, beware, it was another couch.

Asuka: So Misato really kissed you ?
Shinji: Y-yeah.
Asuka: I bet you enjoyed it.
Shinji:....Uh.....
Asuka: I see. I always thought she had a thing for you.
Shinji: WHAT !!
Asuka: yeah, the way she always took care of you and all.
Shinji: She did the same for you !!
Asuka: Well, she always did steel glances at you.
Shinji: WHAT !?! Asuka !!
Asuka: What is it ? It's true.
Shinji: Whatever, I'll go re-make breakfast.

'Third Impact occurred, and I'm still being teased.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning was pretty much the same as the previous one. Shinji tried not to offend Asuka by just keeping his mouth shut and Asuka mostly whined about his attitude and often looked sad in a mirror. Shinji became more depressed every day. Asuka became more herself by the day, in other words, things were starting to get normal. One day, Asuka got really pissed at Shinji. He was simply ignoring her while she talked at him. Shinji was just too afraid that he might say something wrong and got her even more upset. But it seems ignoring her is more dangerous as he received several slaps to the face. The word idiot was often heard, in Japanese and in German.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Following the wind through the dark streets, it passes a light. The only light in the entire street.

A figure is frantically moving around inside the apartment, its shadow moving against the opposite walls of the apartment.

Asuka is packing a bag and searching for more things to pack.

"We're leaving tomorrow, got it ?"

Shinji, on the other hand, was standing still, his eyes very sleepy, not interested at all.

"O-ok."

Asuka turned around, her angry gaze blowing Shinji's eyes in full attention.

"Why are you standing still ? Pack your things already ! We're leaving tomorrow morning !"

"U-understood."

With that, Shinji walked ever so slowly toward his own room. With a last glance toward the red-haired girl, he stepped inside his room and closed the door.

'Let's see here, we have sleeping bags, water and food. For some reason, I want to bring my plug suit with me.

I remember how happy I was when I found out my other clothes were still in my closet. Do we need anything else.

I guess I should expect we don't clean ourselves during our trip. I just hope Shinji isn't as lousy company as he is the last month.'

Asuka took a look at herself in a mirror and carefully touched the eye cap with her right hand.

'When will it be ready to take off ? Maybe it's already ready.'

Her fingers reached for the right corner of the eye cap, pulling slightly. After she felt a little pain, she withdrew immediately. 'I guess not...'

She looked at her arms and nodded a bit.

'Thank god I can use them more now.'

Her legs were fine. She got used to walking pretty fast, considering she was in a coma before Third Impact.

It took two months, but she felt good again. The only thing that bothered her, was the eye cap.

She was very proud of her own face. She was a little scared of what it might have become.

Shinji was lying on his bed, facing his ceiling. A little bag lay next to him. And a sleeping bag next to that.

'This apartment....I consider this apartment as my home. Although this is not my real home. '

A memory struck him, as he saw the smiling face of Misato, welcoming him in. And also the drunk face of Misato.

And a very serious face, and so many more. He missed Misato. Asuka's arrival hit him like a comet, but he survived.

He didn't mind Asuka at all. As long as they were happy, he didn't care what happened to them. Although Asuka made that a little hard.

He spent most of his time in this room. Curled up, hiding in the shadow of his room, trying to ignore what was going on outside.

Trying to forget what has happened. During the accidents of Toji, Asuka and Kaoru he spent all of his time in this room.

Not eating, drinking or sleeping. Just thinking, filling himself with self-hate and self-doubt.

Asuka was done packing, her bag way bigger than Shinji's. As she took one last glance at Shinji's door, she entered her own room. She threw herself on the bed and sighed very deeply. Unlike Shinji, she didn't really like this apartment. She didn't see Misato as a mother-figure, more as a rival concerning Kaji. Kaji's death was unbearable for her. After crying in front of everybody during the mind-rape and was forced seeing her past once again, her guardian and in her eyes, only friend, died. She was madly in love with Kaji. But he fell for Misato. She lost that battle. She lost a lot of battles during her stay in Tokyo-III. It was in Tokyo-III where she herself broke completely. Her pride was shattered in million pieces. Her life wasn't worth anything now that she couldn't even synch with her Eva. EVA.....now that she thinks about it, it has brought her more misery than happiness. The only happiness it brought was getting famous because she was saving the world. And she didn't even do that. Which caused her more misery.

In the darkness of her own room, she shed silent tears, unheard and forgotten immediately when they were released.

Shinji was looking at his ceiling with an almost boring look. With a sad look in his eyes he was observing the ceiling.

Looking beyond it, he saw images of his own past.

Images of him standing in front of a large window when he was just a little boy appeared in his mind.

Behind the windows he looked down on his mother, preparing for a synch test with EVA-01, his Eva.

After a little wave from his mother he watched her enter the entry plug.

His eyes were scanning the entire area for her mother, after she disappeared in the entry plug.

After five minutes, a female voice behind Shinji started speaking hysterically. Shinji, being a 5-year old,

didn't understand what she was saying and saw still looking through the glasses, where her mother last was.

He heard his father scream his mother's name. "Yui !!" And again. "Yui !!" He looked at his father, who was

pounding the same window Shinji was leaning on. "400 % !!" "Yui !!" "No signs of Life !" "Yui !!"

Shinji gasped awake, although he wasn't sleeping. But he was dreaming.

He remembered his mother's death during Third Impact, where his whole life was flashed to him before his eyes.

"Ayanami…" Shinji whispered.

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The dark streets of Tokyo-III turned slowly into light red streets as morning fell down.

Inside the apartment where the two only living things were staying there was already movement.

Asuka was up early and looking at her only eye you could see she hadn't had enough sleep.

When Shinji woke up he noticed too, but chose not to make a comment, knowing the German's fury.

"Ok Shinji, we're leaving in half'n hour, so hurry up and take a shower."

In situations like these, you could always find something to be happy about. For example, the shower still worked.

Asuka watched him walk slowly inside the bathroom and made her own breakfast.

She already had taken a shower and was now just waiting for Shinji.

After ten minutes Shinji came out with a towel and walked inside his room.

He changed clothes and quickly made his breakfast.

After 15 minutes they were ready to go.

As Asuka started walking, Shinji took one last glance toward the old apartment.

'I hope I'll return to here someday...'

Asuka watched from the corner of her eye as Shinji looked at their apartment.

'Shinji......What if only he and I will be here fro who knows long. I don't know anything about Third Impact.

Shinji knows more than me and he usually knows less than everybody else. And on top of that, he doesn't talk at all.

He doesn't share what he knows. I so hope that the people will come back. I don't think there will be a future if they don't.

Shinji hates me....but I can't let that bother me...not now.'

Shinji finally followed after Asuka. He looked at her and saw her snort at him.

'Asuka....Why is she always like that ? Why does she hate me so much...'

Shinji suddenly saw an image from his memories...

'Asuka, help me, Asuka, I need you, please...'

'Why ? You're only using me. you're using me for your own comfort !'

A second image flashed through his head.

The one image, the one he was so ashamed of, Asuka, lying in a coma in her hospital bed.

Shinji stood in front of her....

Back to the first image, Shinji was pleading Asuka for her help.

Asuka pushed Shinji down together with really hot coffee.

"Asuka, Asuka....Please....Help me....please....."

Silence filled the Shinji's memory.

After 15 seconds or so, Asuka answered "No....."

For some reason the image ended there and Shinji was again facing Asuka's back as he followed her.'

So she really hates me ? Or....'

Asuka expected Shinji to walk behind her.

'As long as he isn't checking me out...'

Asuka looked over her shoulder and saw Shinji observing the ground with a sad look.

'He's been looking like that ever since we've been here.'

Shinji is weird person. He knows so himself. Strangely, he knew Asuka was looking at him for a brief second, he felt it.

He always knew when people were staring at him. He always felt how he disgusted them.

He remembered how Misato looked at him when he disobeyed her for the first time.

He remembered how Toji looked at him for the first time. He remembered how Asuka looks at him all the time.

And....he remembers how his father looked at him...All those disappointed looks were directed at him.

All those annoyed looks were directed at him. Shinji sighed a deep sigh as he tried to empty his mind.

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The temperature was rising. Even the wind that blew in their faces were hot, and often carried sand with it.

Even Shinji cursed once when he got sand in his eyes. They've been going at it for two hours now and were quite tired.

Asuka was really tired, it seems her legs weren't ready for such a long trip. Shinji was equally tired. Although he had no

injuries, his stamina was a little lower than Asuka's. An Asuka has her pride, what's left of it, which was more than Shinji's.

They were walking alongside the sea of LCL, sometimes cleaning their with sweat-covered faces in it, not wanting to waste

what little water they had with them. LCL is not as nice as water, it's slimier and it isn't exactly see-through.

You can taste iron when you taste LCL, just like you do when you taste blood..

"Let's take a break....Asuka.."

Asuka looked back at Shinji, whose shirt was completely drowned in Shinji's sweat.

But it wasn't really different in Asuka's case.

"Fine, since you're tired."

They both sat down at a decent distance from each other. They were both very exhausted and were inhaling and exhaling quite quickly.

Once in a while they took a glance at each other's directions.

Asuka was lying on her back, looking sky upwards, at the red sky..

'I wonder if it'll ever change back to blue...'

She took a glance at the LCL-sea.

'Maybe we have to cross that sea...but first, we'll walk as far as we can.'

Asuka closed her eyes and fell asleep. She hadn't had a goodnight's rest last night and was now catching up.

Shinji was very awake and felt like he was being tormented, he was that exhausted.

He was inhaling and exhaling pretty fast. He was sitting down, looking at Asuka's sleeping form.

His sad gaze softened into an almost-wishing gaze. He smiled a little smile and got a little less tired.

He sighed, hoping it would calm down his breathing.

During the first month, he found out the ground they were standing on, was nothing but sand. Not a single little flower or grass to be found.

There weren't even mosquito's, which he didn't mind..

The sky never changed, only at night it reflected Shinji's soul. He did notice the sky was lightening up a bit.

In the beginning the sky was dark red, and now it was a light red.

'Now the sky is similar to Asuka's hair colour. She likes the colour red, right ? Her EVA was red, her plug suit was red.

Asuka's just like I expected her to be. She isn't like me at all. I'm already giving up. Yet she isn't, she's way stronger than I am.

I wish I could be like her...'

After about two hours Asuka woke up and was ready to go again. Shinji complied, walked toward the sea and threw a bit of LCL in his face.

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It was already dark when a voice pierced through the sky like a knife through butter.

"Hurry up, you idiot !!!"

Two children walked away from the dark buildings behind their backs.

Asuka decided to leave Tokyo-III and decided that Shinji should come with her.

After waiting for two months, Asuka's patience ran out. No one had appeared and they hadn't found anyone.

So Asuka decided they should search for signs of life somewhere else, away from Tokyo-III.

Shinji chose to comply and was now walking behind her, face down.

Some of Asuka's wounds healed after a month and a half. The eye cap was still on her but she could walk again.

Her arms were still a little hurt.

Shinji was in perfect condition physically, but mentally, well, unstable.

Shinji and Asuka together was almost impossible. They mostly just tried to stay away from each other.

Shinji, with the reason he was too afraid and ashamed.

Asuka because she didn't feel like it.

They were both acting like they normally would.

"A-ah, Asuka. "

"What."

Shinji kept silent for a few seconds before he continued.

"Where are we going ?"

Asuka groaned loudly, which made Shinji flinch. He blushed and closed his eyes.

"I don't know where we're heading, idiot ! Just away from Tokyo-III !"

"Sorry......for asking."

"Idiot."

Shinji looked up while Asuka was walking ahead.

'The sky hasn't turned colours ever since we came here.'

Shinji shivered before he continued following Asuka.

'That idiot. He didn't even thank me for letting him come with me. Oh well, I didn't expect anything from him anyway.

I hope there will be others wherever we're going. I don't want to be stuck with Shinji for too long.

It's been two months already. This better not be some kind of test Ritsuko came up with.'

Asuka looked back at Shinji.

'Pathetic. You're pathetic, Shinji. You should be lucky I'm around.'

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In the two months they've been here, Shinji spent most of it in his room, crying.

Shinji became more depressed by the day. He realised everything was his fault.

Third Impact was his fault. Misato's death was his fault. Ayanami's deaths were his fault.

Kaoru's death was his fault. Toji.....and his little sister, all his fault.

But the last days Shinji remembered some of the things during Third Impact.

The last death of Ayanami/Lilith. Shinji didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

He killed Lilith with the Lance of Longinuss. Lilith promised him all these things.

New life, rebirth, second chances......then why did he strike her down ?

Asuka, too, spent most of the two months in her room. Only coming out to eat and drink.

Asuka was also depressed. She failed herself and she couldn't forgive herself for it.

She failed to defeat certain angels. She failed her mother, just like her mother failed her.

Her life, her pride, it broke together with the returning memories, memories she wanted to forget.

She was tormented to death. In the end she got to see her mother again, for a very short while.

She tried to prove herself to her against the EVA series. But she failed again. And now she's being

tormented in a world where everyone's gone except for her......and an idiot.

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Before Shinji and Asuka left they took two sleeping bags and some food and water with them.

They didn't take anything else since there was nothing left to take with them, maybe some beer.

Asuka: "I think we should sleep here for the night."

Shinji: "O-ok.."

Asuka: "You sleep there."

Asuka pointed at a hole in the ground.

Asuka: "Somewhere near there."

Shinji: "H-hai."

Asuka walked about a long twenty meters further and sat down, preparing her sleep bag.

Shinji watched her for a minute before putting his own sleeping bag down.

Asuka: "At least here's no fear of getting robbed."

Shinji noticed she wasn't talking to him.

'I wonder what will happen from now on.. Will they come back ?'

After an hour, Asuka was already asleep and snoring.

Shinji stood over her, watching her.

After he took a long look, he walked away.

'What am I supposed to do ? I can't do anything. Asuka is starting to hate me more by the day. I can see it in her eyes.

It's all my fault. Maybe I should just kill myself.

Kaoru.....Misato...I need you.. Ayanami...Anybody..please.....'

Shinji planted his fists into the dirt ground and sobbed quietly.

His tears were not coming out, but dripping inside of him, toward his heart, filling it with more despair.

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"He's coming Rei, the other one."

"........."

"I think you should make him feel comfortable. I would think he feels out of place."

The scenery shows two floating human figures. Kaoru Nagisa and Rei Ayanami were apparently waiting for someone or something. Darkness was surrounding them, but it seemed the two lightened up the whole area. Kaoru had a smirk on his face, while Ayanami just stared ahead of her.

"You know what will happen, right Rei ? Everything will change for us once they make it happen."

"Why ?"

"Why what, Rei ?"

"Why are you asking me things you already know ?"

"Hmm, I guess I learned it from the lilum.."

"........."

Kaoru had a big smile on his face while something approached them.

What seemed like a red little wave, changed into a human form.

And, after a minute or two, Toji Suzuhara was floating with a very puzzled

expression in front of them. After a few seconds he coughed wildly.

Kaoru smiled and Rei just stared.

Kaoru began to speak to Toji.

"Surprised ?"

Toji looked at Kaoru.

Toji: Who are you ? Where am I ? And..what in the world just happened ?!!

Rei: You've been revived. The LCL restored everything.

Toji looked at his supposed to be missing arm and leg. Those were still missing

"What are you talking about !!" He yelled madly.

Kaoru: You'll understand later. Certain things still need to be restored.

Toji: And who are you again ?

Kaoru: I never mentioned it, sorry. I am Kaoru Nagisa. And I believe you already know Ayanami Rei.

Toji: O..kay.. Now, where is this ?

Toji took a wild look around.

Kaoru: This is the Nexus. The Nexus of Existence. It is here where everything begins and ends.

Toji: Nexus ? Right.

Kaoru: Listen. What did you go through before you got here.

Toji: Uh ? Well, I remember.....Shinji......and, Asuka.

Rei: You have witnessed what is going on.

Toji looked at her with a frown which closed his right eye.

Kaoru: So you have seen Shinji and Asuka. What were they doing ?

Toji: I don't know. They were....weird. Shinji tried to kill Asuka. Shinji started crying. Asuka does nothing. Everything's like how it's not supposed to be.

Kaoru: Toji. You're going to join them.

Toji: What ?

Rei: Help them. Protect them.

Kaoru: We'll explain later.

With a red splash, Toji disappeared.

Kaoru: And so it begins. Do you think it'll be nice ?

Rei: Yes.

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Toji felt like being ripped apart without the pain.

He felt himself being thrown into a sea. He saw his torso floating before him, apart from him.

To his right he saw his leg. He felt like something melted with him. He suddenly had a neck, and a stomach. He felt like being burned, yet, it also felt gentle. As if becoming yourself again.

After a little while, he found himself in mud. He used his hands to get away from the water, that continued to splash against his face. Somehow his entire body hurt. He had trouble moving forward.

He heard voices and tried to reach them, but he just couldn't, he was too weak. After a while he recognised one voice. Asuka. It had to be Asuka. He heard her again. "Idiot, what are you doing ?"

Idiot was what he heard. That meant Shinji was the one approaching him.

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To be Continued..

A/N: Well, I posted all the chapters I made in this story, once more, only this time, I let two chapters merge into one. So instead, of 16 Chapters, there are 8.. or 18…9..  Well, you know what I mean…

Only thing is, I've got 17 Chapter so far, so Chapter 9 will be released later on… So in other words, there's nothing new for now…

later