Prologue
The ominous atmosphere was deafining to the dark brown-haired boy. The red sea, from which held life encapsuled, washed and crashed across the sand of the empty beach. The calm nature in which it did so was belied by the fact that it was the begining and ending of all life. The boy stood, enraptured not for the first time, before a giant -decomposed- face. Its haunted smile no longer. A skull now ripping away from half its skin-lined shell, forever a silent monument of humanity's last breath. Its rotting stench drifted through the lands since evermore. Forever, always, eternity. Truthfully, time stopped for the boy. Stopped for everything on this now desolate prison of a planet. The boy sighed as he scruffed at his perfect white collared shirt. No dirt was stuck to his black slacks or all the way to his black school loafers. His now blank ocean-like eyes gazed out at nothing as he thought of the last time he had vestages of hope.
Once upon a time, he had hope, had hope that his mistakes could be rectified. Could be undone. But, as he stared at the small rotted wooden Crosses, he realized that it was just a fabrication of a guilty coinscience. A white lie, so as to cover up the evil he concieved. To retain some semblance of sanity against the loneliness of his personal hell. The delusions did not last long.
Oh, the truth broke him, sure. But that was back when time meant anything. Now, it was just him and his self-depreciation. Remorseful, he turned away from the horrifying skull to his right. There were seven Crosses made of random debris and knick-knacks. He looked at one dead wood-rotted Cross in particular. Hung over its steel nameplate was a steel-rusted cross necklace, almost in complete shambles, pieces of the chain having crumbled to dust some time ago. His eyes gained some emotion. He touched it whilst his eyes were closed, and the boy pulled from his memories a shining cross necklace stained with the blood of his guardian. His eyes now opened, he saw in the Cross's place was a brand new cross necklace upon which blood rested. Staring upon the dyed pendant with his dead grey eyes, the boy suddenly felt pain within his chest.
He grunted as he grasped at his heart. The pull was stronger now. It had been gaining in strength recently. Maybe starting some months ago if the boy had bothered to notice. Instead he tore his gaze from the Cross in front and pivoted his face one-hundred eighty degrees to himself, where he saw other Crosses. Crosses that were endless to the sight. Crosses he considered less important than the ones that were now behind him. But important none-the-less they were. Each cross another sin added upon him. He hand-built each one. Spent a day in rememberance for each one. Countless memories. Memories was all that he had and no one to share them with. Each memory, something precious was given without consent. Each memory, he did his best to perserve in his own manner. Each memory, a reminder of his folly. The Crosses were his repentance... But it would never be enough.
No, Shinji Ikari would forever and always hate himself. And nothing should ever change that. Shinji felt another pull. It was coming soon. Whatever monster the world had finally conjured to punish him, was finally coming. He felt both dread and some elation. Whatever it was, it was ripping the seams of his reality. He was somewhat worried about the Grave. It was sacred to him. Should harm befall this holy land, there would be a most painful penance to this intruder. Shaking his thoughts, he resought the seven Crosses.
Taking his time, Shinji engraved the names of his most precious Crosses into his heart. Kensuke... Toji... Kaji... Kaworu... Asuka... Rei.. Misato... They would be held above all. They were his most shameful sins. There would be no forgiveness for himself, specifically for these Crosses.
-Rip-. Something was distorting the space in front of him. It was finally time.
Shinji grabbed the cross neckless. Its coagulant eternally damp when held. Now donned around his neck, he regarded the colossal monstrosities crucified at sea. One stalwart behemoth scrutinized him. Its purple gaurded face observed something new. A look of acceptance from the small god. Unit 01 felt its pilot's intentions. Ikari was submitting to this unknown force. The Beast's eyes glowed a hellish orange as it howled its anger into the atmosphere. Trapped as it were with multiple red Lances stabbed within its limbs to keep it caged against its makeshift crucifix. It snarled with a smouldered inspection of its warden getting ready for his end. When was its due? When was its freedom? Hatred incarnate as it was, it still wanted its End.
Shinji glanced up at Unit 01 as it struggled. It thrashed against its bindings. He supposed it was cruel to leave it as is. He grasped Misato's necklace with his left hand, while reaching out with his right. And as an orange streak of power coalasced his outstretched hand, he pulled at the beast. Unit 01 screamed as its form contracted and rippled. It diminished until it laid in his palm. Frozen in rage upon its crucifix he added it to the necklace he now wore across his neck. Blank eyes stared at Misato's Cross one last time. He fell to his knees. Looking at all seven of the Crosses at once, he spoke:
"...Please forgive me... everyone... I'm so sorry... All this time... I... just want you all to know that I miss you... and I regret everything. I never got the chance to say so. I'm sorry that I'm a failure to all of you. I... I just want you to know now... That I love yo-" From the rip of spacetime, a hole appeared with maleficent hands of shadow which gripped at his form and pulled him through. All the while he heard he heard his death scream...
"IloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyouIloveyouILOVEYOU! I LOVVEE YOUUUUUU!" being by some shadowy female figure.
"Wait-What?", Shinji gasped.
...
No sound remained in the empty Graveyard. No wind. No living thing. The red sea, from which held life encapsuled, washed and crashed across the sand of the empty beach.