Neon Genesis Evangelion

An Alternate Retelling

Chapter XXV

Knockin' on Heaven's Door

The Last Angel

Tabris

Amidst the desolate ruins of the city, where Unit 00 had been sacrificed, Kaworu was above the newly formed lake that was the city, standing on what remained of Evangelion Unit 00.

"Humans cannot create anything out of nothingness. Humans cannot accomplish anything without holding onto something. After all, humans are not gods."

"But there is one man who is trying to obtain the power of God," Keel's voice is heard. Then the other members of SEELE begin to be heard as well.

"There is a man, who is not one of us, attempting to open Pandora's Box once again. There is a man trying to close the Box before the Hope at the bottom appears."

"Hope? You're saying that is the Lilim's hope?" Kaworu replies.

"Hope exists in as many forms as there are people. And that is because hope only exists in the hearts of people. However, our hope is becoming substantiated. That is Lilith, the progenitor of mankind who are the false successors from the black moon. And Adam, the progenitor of the Angels who are the true successors from the lost white moon. His salvaged soul exists only within you. However, his resurrected body already exists within Ikari."

"Shinji's father... So, he is also the same as me."

"That is why we entrust you with our wish." Keel says, and SEELE vanishes.

"I know. That's why I'm here now after all."

Meanwhile

"It's no good, Kei," Misato was speaking with Kei via transmission while she overlooked Kaworu's actions on the lake from afar, "I can't read his lips from here. But he certainly is a shady character, going out for a walk so early in the morning to talk to himself... Huh?" Misato averts the binoculars.

"Misato? What's wrong?" Kei asks.

"He noticed me? No... that's impossible..."

"You've done enough... get back, Misato."

"Right."

Meanwhile

"All will be as the Lilim direct it," Kaworu says cryptically.

Later that day, 12:00 pm...

Misato and Kei were by a bridge on the outskirts of Tokyo.

"How did it go? Did you get any data on him?"

"Here it is. I 'borrowed' it from Maya," Kei replies with a smirk, as he hands the data pad over to Misato.

"Oh, you're something... W-what is this?"

"It's no wonder why Maya can't release this information. It's all theoretically impossible information."

"You're right. It only deepens the mystery. To think that he can freely set his synch rate with the Eva... And at his own will at that. I guess it's time to go maverick again."

"Heh. You're quite the woman, Misato."

"Thanks Kei..."

Inside the detainment cell, later that day, around 6 pm...

"There's something I want to ask you, Ritsuko."

"All conversations in here are recorded, you know."

"I don't care. Just who is that boy? The Sixth Child?"

"He is likely the final messenger..."

"The final messenger – no, wait – you mean?"

"Yes, he's probably the last Angel."

Misato leaves the detainment cell, stunned at what she had just heard. As she walks down the hall away from the detainment cell, Misato takes out her cellphone and dials Kei's number.

"...Come on, answer dammit... Tch! What's he doing?"

Meanwhile...

Shinji and Koji were visiting Asuka in the Nerv Hospital ward. Asuka is still unconscious, the air surrounding them all in the room is pretty heavy. It is Shinji that is the first to break the silence of the room, "Asuka... What happened to you..."

"Asuka onee-chan..." Koji replies quietly.

ALERTALERT

"Huh? What's going on!" Koji shouts.

"Asuka... it's probably the last angel... you rest here – We'll handle things this time," Shinji smiles softly, then, Asuka's hand which Shinji is holding grips his slightly as if to understand exactly what he's saying. "Right! Koji, let's go!"

"Yeah!"

Koji and Shinji head to the Eva hangar...

Meanwhile...

Kaworu stood before Evangelion Unit 02...

"Come with me, Adam's alter ego and servant of the Lilim.

Kaworu steps off the walkway directly in front of Eva 02, floating in air. Then all of Eva 02's eyes light up red as if in Berserker mode. Kaworu, controlling the Eva begins his descent downward...towards...

Meanwhile...

"Eva Unit 02 has activated!"

"That's impossible! Where's Asuka?" Misato asks.

"In med room 303! It's been confirmed!"

"Then who in the world is piloting it!"

"It's unmanned! No entry plug is present in Unit 02!" Maya answers.

"A developing AT Field has been detected in Central Dogma!"

"Is that Unit 02?" Misato asks.

"No, its pattern is blue! There's no doubt about it! It's an Angel!"

"What did you say? An Angel...that boy?"

"Target has passed through Level 4 and is still descending! It's no good! We can't cut the power to the linear carriage! Target has passed through Level 5!"

"Emergency lockdown! Close all partitions in Central Dogma!" Fuyutsuki commands, "Buy us some time, no matter how little."

Emergency lockdown, all Malebolge levels being closed. All personnel, evacuate. All personnel, evacuate.

Meanwhile, in the lower levels of NERV...

"Heh... I never imagined SEELE would send one directly to us," Kei replies with a smirk on his face.

"Well, what did you expect? They'll stop at nothing to realize their ideals – the same goes for Commander Ikari. Those two entities are hell bent on becoming Gods!" Ren retorts.

Humans forget their foolishness and repeat their mistakes. If humans do not redeem themselves willingly, they will not change. Our only choice is to make changes with our own hands for the future.

Meanwhile...

"So, Kei was right... something was worth not trusting him," Shinji replies from his Eva.

"That's right, Shinji, Kaworu is an Angel – the Last Angel."

"Kaworu is an Angel?" Koji questioned, "A-are you sure that's possible? He seemed like a normal kid to me?"

"It's a fact – now get ready for combat you two!"

Unit 01 and Unit 03 descend via an alternate route until they catch up with the descending Eva 02 and Kaworu, who's controlling it.

"I've been waiting for you, Shinji," Kaworu replies.

"Kaworu!" Shinji yells as he locks up with Eva 02, "Asuka...sorry!" Both Evas eject their progressive knives...

"The Eva series. Born from Adam, they are an abhorrent existence for humans. And the Lilim will even use them in order to survive. I do not understand."

"Kaworu, stop this! Why?"

"The Eva are made of the same body as I am. Because I was born from Adam as well. I could merge with them, if only they didn't have souls. Unit 02's soul has shut itself away for now. Thus it is mine!"

"No! An AT Field!" Koji, in Eva 03, attempts to attack Kaworu with his progressive knife, only to be halted by an AT Field.

"That's right. That's what you Lilim call it. The sacred domain where none may trespass. The light of the soul. Lilim, you know, don't you? That the AT Field is the wall that everyone has in their heart?"

Koji's Prog knife is deflected off the AT Field with ease. Eva 02 stabs Unit 01 with its Prog knife in the chest, as Shinji retaliates, stabbing Eva 02 in the side of the head unit. Then, Both Eva units have reached the lowest level...

"This is Mankind's Fate. The hope of man is written in sorrow."

Then, there is a huge explosion above them...

Meanwhile...

"What in the hell was that?" Misato shouts.

"It's an AT Field of unprecedented power! Light, electromagnetic, and particle waves! It's blocking them all! We can't monitor anything in here! We're truly sealed off!"

"We've lost the target along with Eva Units 01, 02, and 03!"

Terminal Dogma...

Shinji in Eva 01 is still locked up with Eva 02 as they crash into the sea of LCL at the bottom of Terminal Dogma. Koji in Eva 03 lands beside them.

"Shinji are you alright?" Koji shouts.

"Urghhnn! Koji – stop Kaworu!"

"Right!" Eva 03 proceeds after Kaworu...Then, a figure from the shadows leaps high into the air before Eva 03.

"I-it's that woman!" Koji stammers, realizing it's none other than Ren Nanase.

Ren's katana glows a hot red, like tempered steel as she vertically swipes downward – severing the entire right arm unit of Eva 03. Inside Eva 03, Koji grabs his arm in horrid pain, "Ahhhhhh! M-my arm!"

"Ren!" Kei shouts, half his voice sounds of shock while the other of angst that Ren attacked Koji.

Ren lands directly behind Kaworu, she sheathes her katana.

"Mother..." Kaworu replies meekly.

"M-mother?" Kei replies with shock.

"Mother!" Shinji's reply is equally full of shock.

Ren smirks, "This is Tabris, the 17th Messenger of God. The 17th Angel. The son of Adam and my son as well."

"But...you plan to turn on SEELE! Why would you help the Angel they sent themselves?" Kei retorts.

"Simple. Because the will of God is to do so."

"Y-you're not making any sense!" Koji screams.

"Fine... let me tell you a story. 14 years ago, when the 'Second Impact' occurred... I was there, with the Katsuragi research team. I was conducting an investigation of my own... it was after that fated hour...something happened that should take months, in a matter of minutes... I became pregnant, and I gave birth...to Tabris the Final Messenger of God!

Kei took a few steps forward, towards Ren. However, he kept his distance, he knew he was no match for an Angel.

"And just when I thought I heard about everything in this world...you go and say that. Heh. I knew there was something odd about you...but I never had any idea that you were there when Adam appeared 14 years ago. So, you intend for Tabris to cause Third Impact...knowing what happened to Antarctica during Second Impact...yet you still desire it so... You're one crazy bitch!"

"I don't need to hear that from you – enough wasting my time... Tabris, do what must be done."

"No, Kaworu – Don't do it!" Shinji shouts, "You're a kind person – don't do this!"

"Don't listen to that fool, Tabris," Ren replies.

As if ignoring the pleas of the others, Kaworu proceeds towards the final door, and after glancing at it, disengages the final safety lock. Thus breaching Heaven's Door. Shinji, in Eva 01 attempts to go after Kaworu, but Eva 02 grabs the leg of Eva 01. Koji, in Eva 03, picks up his progressive knife with the remaining arm of his Eva.

"S-shinji – go on, I'll deal with Eva 02!" Koji shouts as his stabs Eva 02 in the head unit with the knife. Leaving the two Evas behind as he too enters Heaven's Door.
"It's futile you know...he's too late, he cannot stop Tabris."

"Ren...why do you desire this? Is this the path, the future you want?"

Inside Heaven's Chamber...

"What's that?" Shinji shouts as he picks up another AT Field on radar. And there above them he sees, Rei Ayanami...

"Ayanami..."

Kaworu is levitating before the giant creature which is crucified in this chamber.

"Adam... Must all who were born of Adam return to Adam? Even at the cost of destroying humanity? No! This is... Lilith? I see, so that's what this is about, Lilim."

At this moment, Eva 01 approaches Kaworu, who had already turned to face Shinji. Eva 01's hand reaches out, closing, Kaworu in it's grasp. Then, Eva 02 is knocked into the chamber as well, with Eva 03 atop it.

"Thank you, Misawa... I wanted you to stop Unit 02... Otherwise I may have gone on living with her."

"Why? Kaworu..."

"My 'Mother' was right... it is my destiny to continue to live even if it may result in the destruction of humanity. But I can also die here. Life and death are of equal value to me. Dying of your own will. That is the one and only absolute freedom there is."

"What? But I don't...understand..."

"My last will and testament. Now, erase me from this world. If you don't, you will be the ones who are erased. Only one life form will be chosen to survive the time of destruction and be given a future. And you are not a being who should die," Kaworu answers. Then he looks up towards Rei and smiles a soft, gentle smile, "Your people need the future. Thank you. I'm glad I met you."

"...Kaworu..." Shinji replies softly and after a long pause, "...forgive me, Kaworu..." he clenches the right fist of Eva 01, crushing Kaworu's body, his head falling into the Sea of LCL that is collected in this chamber beneath Lilith.

"Shinji..." Koji replies quietly. He feels for Shinji and knows that he just made a very difficult decision. He knows that it's not in their nature to kill...yet in this given situation the choice wasn't really there...

"Is that better now? Ren?" Kei replies to Ren who's crying in front of him.

"Why...why did that fool not do it?"

"Probably...because he saw... how truly kind hearted Shinji Ikari is. It seems he, an Angel, understood human life...just a little bit better than you did, Ren."

"...I-Is that so..." She stands up slowly and then turns to Kei, "What does that mean for me? I have nothing... I have no one... My child is gone... SEELE must know that I plan to betray them."

"Since when did you get sentimental and emotional? You never showed emotion to me before...so why start now?"

"..." Ren leans her head against Kei's chest and continues to cry.

"You're a fool, you know that..."

"Yes...I am..."

"SEELE won't stop with this, right?"

"No...there's a backup plan."

"A backup plan? Shit...the Eva Series..."

"Right... you and Misato must know, they've already completed the rest of the Eva Series."

"It doesn't matter."

"What? How can you say that?"

"Because we'll fight. No matter what. Eva's, Angels...it doesn't matter. I pilot the Evangelion because I have things I want to protect. I'm sure Shinji, Koji, and even Asuka will agree with me."

"You always...talked too much..."

"But I'm usually right. Ren, you asked me before – to join you in taking down SEELE. I can't accept that proposal, but by that same token, I cannot refuse it either."

"What...do you mean?"

"If SEELE attacks this place – then I'll fight back."

"So you're saying...a defensive strike? Oh, Kei...you never change one bit."

"So dry those eyes and sharpen that sword...because I have a feeling we're going to need your help."

"But how could I? After what I did to Koji...and Asuka..."

"But you never really did that did you?"

"What?"

"The drug, made Koji think that. And you never raped Asuka, I know that for sure."

"You're too smart, Kei...you know me too well. No, I never did anything to Asuka...in fact the blood she saw was the result of how I dealt with one of my own subordinates who tried to rape her themselves..."

"...What did Kaworu mean?"

"What do you mean?"

"He said, 'Your the one she holds most dear, but tis a shame you don't share the same sentiment'... What did he mean?"

"Oh...that... Nevermind. It's nothing."

"If you say so..."

That Evening...

Shinji was sitting alone by the lake, when Misato and Kei approach him.

"...Was it the right thing to do? He was a nice person... Maybe he was the person who should have survived..."

"You're wrong." Misato spoke up.

"Only those who have the will to live get to survive. He wished to die. He abandoned his will to live, clinging instead to a false hope. You did nothing wrong, Shinji."

"You're...cold, Kei...but you're right," Shinji stands up and tosses a stone out to water, "The only way humanity will ever keep on going...is the Will to survive. When they give up that will...then it's all over. There is no future. Maybe it's time to start strengthening that will..."

"You're right, Shinji," Misato replies, putting her arm around him, "What you just said, is absolutely right."

"Yeah..." Shinji replies quietly, staring up at the Moon... it seemed like it was staring back at him, into his soul...

Fin.

Well everyone there you have it. I finally finished it – BUT don't fret, don't fear, don't cry. (You probably aren't but if you are, I'm moved – really.) But, this isn't the true End. I will cover the events of End of Evangelion in a completely Retold manner in a short 2 – 3 chapter short. I have no tentative date as to when that would be done, but it will be done hopefully before this year is through. I've had to deal with a lot of hardships over the past few months so the road to completing this was long, hard, and tough. But I finally did it. I know there might be some serious questions that were formed in the beginning that were never really answered, but then again, this is Evangelion – if you understood everything then I didn't do my job! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Keep on the lookout for other Evangelion works I may do in the near future. Also, if you check my list of watched anime, and if anyone has a suggestion for another ffiction for me to start from that list – if I get a popular request, I may begin work on that.

Peace everyone.

--Rukaii