It's been a while, I've been busy with life in general, and yeah. Work gets in the way sometimes because you leave something for like 6 days and coming back kind of disconnected/detached, and getting back into that thought process can be harrowing. Especially if you know you're gonna have to leave It again for some time to attend to, well life, but I won't abandon it, I assure you I know where I'm going with this and roughly how it could end, it's just life gets in the way y'know. I also tried to fix my dialogue issue, I know it's bad and I see now, thanks for telling me that one guys.

Always I Appreciate you for even so much as looking at what I wrote, appreciate every review or comment, thank you and you da man.

19 August- Okay I honestly have been avoiding chapter 3, i know that's bad, and I feel this is where i lost most of you or most people on this fic, so not only am i going to fix the spacing and dialogue, but i might change it up a bit, just a bit. and somehow this is the longest one I wrote, or was at least.

BEGIN

"You just gonna keep staring or what?" Shikinami asked.

"Oh" Shinji snapped back to reality, "No, come in, come on, in." he pointed her inside.

Once She entered she made her way to the kitchen, "I just need to borrow some milk and sugar, you guys don't mind right."

"Yeah definitely." he responded. Taking all the items she needed, Shinji decided to ask her a question. He hesitated at first but, "Hey Shikinami" he eventually said.

"Yeah?", she answered drawing nearer to him, "About what happened today, I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? it's not like you caused my headaches."

"I know it's just-" Shinji was at a loss for words, and it didn't help that her gaze was now focused solely on him, "just know that, if you're ever in a tight spot, just know you can count on your fellow co-pilots." He said that so confidently, but Shikinami was almost cracking up a smile, she even began to laugh a little

"what? You think that one up on the spot." she said whilst laughing,

"Yeah." Shinji said admittingly embarrassed, but it was none the worse for wear, for this was the first time he saw Asuka genuinely laughing, her smile was warm, vibrant and radiant, which brought about a smile on his face. "I do mean it though, don't hesitate to call one of us up if you need to.",

"yeah, yeah. I get it." She said, now done laughing.

A small silence crept in and they had both been smiling at one another for a while, which became a bit awkward causing Shinji to look away from her, "Oh sorry." He said quickly, but Asuka approached him, getting up real close, Shinji backed away a few steps, but she continued pursuit, examining him she says, "You're not like the Shinji I know", "what do you mean?" he asks. She walks past him, holding the items and continues towards the door.

"The Shinji I knew was timid and shy, I'd say he was even afraid of me, or at the very least didn't like me much, he wouldn't even dream of engaging me in conversation first.", Is that what my Asuka thinks of me, he thought, Shikinami had been standing by the door waiting for Shinji, "You gonna open the door for me or what?" Shikinami spoke

"Yeah." He rushed towards her, "but", turning the door handle, he sighs, "You know I was like that too once… at least until you showed up." At least that what Asuka seems to believe anyway. "What are you trying saying?" Shikinami inquired, "Nothing it's just…back then when you first came, you reminded me sort of myself, even if it was just a little, I guess I sort of wanted to-"

"to what?"

Shikinami noticed that he was thinking for a while and hesitating to say something, so she spoke first, "Just open the door Shinji", she says, snapping him out of his thoughts, "Yeah…yeah okay."

he fully turns the knob, opening the door for Shikinami. As she leaves, "You have a good night Asuka." He says, "You too.", he closed the door. Unfortunately, unable to express what he wanted to say, he went to his room to sleep.

"I wonder what's taking Misato so long" was the last train of thought he had before he fell unconscious.

In the dead of night, Asuka entered his room and lied down next to him, this sudden sense of another body present within his space left him semi-awake, but he really couldn't make out if it was dream or reality.

"Asuka" he tried to whisper, "which am I?" she asked, "what?", "which, am, I?"

he tried to look back but she kind of held him into his current position, indicating by the pressure of her grip, that he not look back lest he wants to wake up in pain, "Don't look." She whispered once more; Shinji gulped. "So…which am I." she asked again.

how am I supposed to know? I can't tell in the dead of night, even if I did look back, I doubt I could make it out in the dark, but it stands to reason it could only be Soryu, why would Shikinami go all the way here for a prank, but then again, it's Asuka.

"My Asuka.", he finally spoke. "Your Asuka huh?", "No I didn't mean it like-…Soryu, you're Soryu.", "hmph" she said, was that a scoff or "idiot." She at least doesn't sound mad, kinda happy maybe. "am I right?" he asks, but he couldn't feel her presence anymore, looking back there was no one there.

The next day they were at school. Soryu was with Hikari, and they both noticed that Shikinami was pretty much on her own again, playing on her switch.

"Don't you think she ever gets lonely?" Hikari asked Soryu.

"She seems to be okay with keeping to herself" Asuka(Soryu) responded

"I know, I know, but it's not right." Hikari emphasized "People need to talk, to communicate, otherwise they'll..." she paused

"They'll what? "Soryu, confused looked to Hikari.

"Doesn't matter, point is we should at least try to hang out with her, help her engage with people here."

"Yeah, like that worked out so well last time." Soryu countered.

Hikari gave Asuka (Soryu) a frown "If you behave yourself maybe we could all get along."

"She's the one who needs to behave." Soryu shot back

"Asuka!?" Hikari was shocked by her childlike behavior, and Soryu didn't like the displeased look Hikari was giving her as well. she stood there selfishly for a while before giving in to Hikari's looks.

"Ugh…fine" She grunted. "Let's go."

Hikari gave her a smile. "Thank you" she said as they stood up and went over to Shikinami's desk.

Asuka was unsure of what to say, you'd think I'd know what to say to myself to start a conversation, but then again, she isn't really me, is she?

Shikinami looked up from her console, "Oh it's you." she said to Hikari, not even looking up to Asuka (Soryu)

"What do you want?" She asked them

"Nothing much, just wanted to hang." Hikari answered her.

"Well as you can see, I'm fine, so you can go back to your table now." Shikinami spouted

but Soryu refused, "Actually I think I like it back here."

"Whatever do as you please." Shikinami's antisocial behaviour was getting on Soryu's nerves.

"Can you at least try to be kind and welcoming to Hikari, she's taking the time to make you feel welcome, at least appreciate that." Soryu said.

"I never asked her to do that." Shikinami retorted, Soryu was about to explode at Shikinami but Hikari held her back.

She closed her eyes, breathing in and out. "God, you're just like that Idiot."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Take it how you want but i'm tired of this dance." Soryu said, after which she went back to her table/desk.

Now Shikinami looked up from her console and saw a discouraged Hikari looking towards Soryu.

"Tsk, Fine." SHikinami said, "Hikari I'm..."she paused, "Hikari i'm Sorry."

"It's okay, i'm sure this must be hard for both of you."

"You have no idea." she said in an undertone.

"Hey, I'm sure you can make it up to her."

"How." Shikinami reluctantly asked, "Meet me by the rooftop, that's where we usually hang out anyway."

Shikinami once again reluctantly agreed.

The bell rings and class begins, after yet again another long lecture about the first and second impact, the bell rings once again for break time.

The students pack their bags and Shinji still unsure about Shikinami, instead decides to go to Rei, but as tried to approach her, he was met with Toji and Kensuke "Hey man, we gotta meet the class rep up top, wanna come with us?" Shinji was hesitant "Well I mean-".

"Yes" Rei interrupted Shinji, "Ayanami?" Toji and Kensuke asked, "I too would also like to meet with class representative Hikari." There was an awkward silence, "Ookaay…" They responded, "I guess she won't mind, what about you Shin-man?"

Now Shinji kind of shrugged "Well, I don't see why not"

"Only because Ayanami is coming" Toji mocked, "no, it's not like that" he responded, "that's what you always say." Kensuke spoke.

"We should probably go now though, I bet it's some clean up duty or something." Toji said as both Shinji and Rei followed them up the rooftop.

Meanwhile Soryu met with Hikari and Shikinami on the roof.

"What's she doing here?" Soryu asked, Shikinami was about to speak but Hikari stopped her.

"She's here to make amends." Hikari said.

"Oh really." Soryu inquired, "So you're finally getting of your high horse?" she asked her counterpart.

"You're one to talk." Shikinami shot back, "You really want to sing this song again?" Soryu annoyed said. "I'll play the tune, if you do the beat."

"Enough both of you." Hikari said. "You're like children"

Suddenly Toji, Kensuke, Shinji and Rei came out the door. "Hey what are they doing here?" Kensuke asked, "It's the twin Devils" Toji said

"why you-" both Shikinami and Soryu spoke simultaneously, it was when Shikinami saw Shinji that she looked away, "What? What's wrong." Hikari asked, "nothing." she responded.

"So anyway, why'd you call us up here rep?", Toji asked, "Did I?" Hikari asked unsure

"Yeah you sent us a message, to meet you up top, over here." Toji said

Hikari then remembered, " That was for yesterday Suzuhara."

"Oh yeahhh." Toji said, Kensuke and Shinji facepalmed."Well, Alright then, I guess we'll be seeing ya." he said turning back

"The door is locked" Rei says.

"What?" Toji asked,

"It is locked." Rei answered him once again.

Toji rushed over and tried to force it open, struggling against the locks, but they wouldn't budge "oh no." Toji said, "we're stuck up here with Satan herself."

"One more word out you Suzuhara and I swear-" Hikari said in a stern voice.

"I say we make the best of it" Shinji said taking out his bento box, "You got that right." Kensuke agreed. "We're going to miss class." Toji says to them

"I'm sure someone will come up to look for us by then, so don't worry." Shinji said

"But i didn't even buy any lunch today." Toji regretted

"Here you go" Hikari said, giving him a Bento box, Toji was a bit surprised "Thanks rep." he gave a smile. "Somebody's gotta look out for you.", she said.

He thankfully took the box and Hikari smiled back living in the moment, "Get a room you two." Soryu teased. Hikari was now kinda embarrassed, and Toji rolled his eyes, "Look who's talking, Mr.'s Ikari.", "It's actually Sohryu-Ikari now." Kensuke added, Toji nodded in mock sophisticated manner.

"Strike one." Asuka (Soryu) replied, he stuck his tongue out at her and proceeded to sit down and eat his lunch. Soryu made a mock face in response. They sat there together for a while until hikari spoke.

''So you know how we know Asuka right'' She said indicating towards Soryu, ''Yeah'' they collectively responded, ''but we don't really know Asuka.'' She was now pointing towards Shikinami, "I don't know rep, I think it's the other way around." Toji said, "No it's not" she replied whilst looking towards the Asukas' , Shikinami is the one holding the console, she thought "Shikinami", Hikari said pointing towards the one holding the console.

Asuka then looked up, "Wow Hikari, and I thought you knew me.", she looked again, "What? No." looking closer, she saw the darker shade of hair, "oh come on, you guys switched.", "Did not." Shikinami and Soryu simultaneously said, holding back their laughs. "Ha-ha real funny you guys.", "Oldest trick in the book." Soryu replied.

"Well it's nice to see that you guys can agree on something." Hikari said, "Don't get your hopes up just yet." Shikinami said, "Whatever" Soryu replied.

Toji began to speak, "Well If you ask me, I think you guys are both the same"

"No we're not", They (Soryu and Shikinami) simultaneously said, "See what I mean" Toji said once again.

"Well I assure you" Soryu spoke, "We're very different." Shikinami finished,

"Nice teamwork" Kensuke responded to the both of them. "You just keep proving our point." Toji backed Kensuke up.

"Same face different persons." Kensuke added, "Although I will admit, Shikinami does seem more interesting. No offense to Soryu"

"Well what about you Ayanami?" Toji asked her, "what do you think?"

"Similar, but not the same." Rei spoke in an undertone, "You okay Rei?" Shinji asked her, "I am quite fine." Rei said as she continued eating her food. well that was odd of her Shinji thought.

"And you Shinji?" Toji asked, "Huh?" he said to him.

"What do you make of Shikinami and Soryu.",

"Well-" Shinji was about to speak but both Shikinami and Soryu eyed him intensely, If I make a mistake here, I'm dead, "I think…I actually don't know what to think." Both Asuka's were still eyeing him, "same face different persons, like Kensuke said, Shikinami is…" Shinji could feel the intensity of their stare, "Nice, but Asuka is, well she's Asuka, there's no one else like her." Well, he certainly made one party happy, "but I think Shikinami is cool too, since we know Asuka it is interesting to see this other side of her.", "I'm not her!" They (Soryu and Shikinami) both yelled at him. "Sorry" he said, now both parties were unappeased.

"So Shinji says different.", Toji spoke, He nods in agreement, "but similar." Kensuke added once more, "That's kind of what Rei said." Shinji responds, "Isn't that right Rei?" he asks

ed her, but Rei then looks towards Shikinami, "Yes" she says, "Similar but not the same." I get the sense she's not comparing her to Soryu, "Ayanami was right from the beginning." Toji said, to Ayanami he signals a fake toast. After a while of conversing there was a silence, "it's all quiet now" Rei said, "Yeah but, it's a comfortable silence." Shinji replied to her, looking around they were all sitting there, occasionally cross-conversing and enjoying the silence, Shikinami teaching Hikari how to play on the switch and the dudes all around just enjoying themselves.

It wasn't much, but it was a bliss of calm with what one might call friends, Shikinami looked over from the switch and Hikari, and found that she enjoyed being in the company of them, even her somewhat estranged counterpart, Shikinami had never had/felt this way before, hanging out with them, even briefly, despite the constant shots that Asuka (Soryu) and Toji throw at each other, was kind of fun, it even brought a smile on her face.

Suddenly Shinji, Asuka and Rei all get phoned, "It's a red alert." Asuka said, with which Rei replied "Angel." Shikinami began to feel that sharp pain in her head again. "We have to go now."

At NERV HQ – Sahaquiel 10th Angel

"What! You want us to catch It with our hands?", Asuka (Soryu) asked,

"That's right." Misato replied "We'll locate the Eva's in an estimated drop zone and then using you're AT fields, you'll catch it before it hits the ground."

"But what if it doesn't fall where you think it will?" Shinji asked

"Their calculations are correct" Shikinami replied.

"While Ritsuko and I personally doubt, I appreciate the enthusiasm Asuka." Misato thanked her

"No it's not that, it's just that, this…this has happened before, I remember it..." but she couldn't finish, The pain in her head began to grow."We go in and catch the angel and I penetrate it's core." She now began to stumble in her walk, holding her head.

"What do you mean?" Misato asked

"It would seem the events that are occurring now, have already occurred for Shikinami" Rei responded,

"So what? you're from the future now?" Soryu asked, "I thought she was a part of Asuka" Shinji finished.

Shikinami still holding her head she continued to speak

"Listen." She stumbled down but Misato caught her, "You have to let me pilot it." Shikinami said.

"The EVA?" Misato asked

"Yes." Shikinami responded feeling the sharp pain increasing in intensity.

"You're in no condition Asuka." Misato replied to her.

"Please, you have to let me pilot it" her headache grew worse, "Please." she begged, "I need to know this for certain."

Although she did so reluctantly, "Alright fine?" Misato said.

"Hey what about me" Soryu interjected, but Misato didn't respond

"She can get in Unit-01 with Shinji." Shikinami said struggling to get up. Both her and Shinji looked to each other, "I don't know." Soryu said,

"it's the only way you're gonna pilot." Shikinami said, "She's right." Misato said and although Soryu wasn't in favor of getting in Shinji's EVA, she really did love to pilot. but to get into unit-01? she'd not only be risking her life but Shinji's as well, was it really worth it. "Dammit" she concedes, "I'll get in with Stupid Shinji".

"Alright I want you, to listen you two" Misato said to Asuka (Soryu) and Shinji, "I know you have issues, but you two are going to have to be serious in there, no bickering, no fighting, no nothing, we screw this up even once and we're all toast." Shinji and Asuka positioned themselves in a serious manner, "yes ma'am" they both responded, "I promise when this is over, I'll treat you all to a steak dinner," she smiled, "now move out."

After being briefed on the mission they were sent to the cargo lift heading to their EVA's. Shikinami wore a similar suit to Asuka's except it was a bit worn out, from the hip down to the legs the colors were a shade of black- dark blue- from the shoulder to the elbow the covering was white and the rest was a combination of reds and oranges

"That's an interesting design." Soryu said

"I think it's kinda cool." Shinji mentions

"Well I like the red but it's not my choice" Shikinami answers to both of them. "I don't even remember who made it, the world was-" she was struck by another sharp pang in the head, Both Shinji and Asuka decided it was best not to talk for awhile, at least until they got into the EVA.

Unit-01 struggled to accept Soryu for a while, "relax, don't fight it back" Shinji said, "I'm trying." Asuka (Soryu) responded, "let it embrace you, just like I let your EVA embrace me." Asuka calmed down, and thought of sweet loving embrace. She tried to avoid thinking of her mother, but that image kept popping up in her head, she kept struggling, but just as she fought off that horrible image, Unit-01 began to sync with her and then eventually both of them, "That's it Asuka." Shinji said happly Oh great, it likes my trauma or maybe it pities me I don't know, she thought "I'll have to manage." Soryu sighed as she prepared herself to co-pilot with Shinji.

They were waiting for command from Central dogma. Misato checked in on Asuka (Shikinami) "You okay in there?"

"Yeah, the headaches stopped the moment I entered the EVA, although it feels a little different."

"Different how." Misato asked

"A bit more hostile…but I synced with her perfectly, just had to let her know it's me." Ritsuko in the background took notes, "Alright Asuka, it's good to know you're in working order."

"Thanks Colonel Katsuragi." Shikinami responded to her, "I think you mean Major" Misato laughed a little

"Yeah…" Shikinami said, "Major." She lingered on her last words.

Meanwhile in shared entry plug between Shinji and Soryu, It would seem that Shinji was meditating, think on something, "I won't…" he spoke "I won't run away.", Asuka could do nothing but wonder, what are you thinking Shinji.

"Target's been sighted, maximum magnification, distance approximately 45 thousand" Aoba yelled, "The falling angels been sighted, all angels get on your marks." Misato commanded

The children position's their EVA's in running formation. Shikinami couldn't help but get feelings of Deja-Vu. This all seems so familiar

"We can only give you a rough estimated trajectory based upon optical observation, the magi will guide you into the estimated distances of 10 thousand meters (32 thousand feet), after that you will have to use your own judgement, remember that I am trusting you" Misato finished communication with them on that note.

"The angel is approaching distance 20 thousand." Aoba said "Right, begin the operation, and release the locks." Misato commanded, Once the ambilocal plugs were ejected. "Let's move out" Soryu and Shinji exclaimed.

The EVA units began to run. Shinji and Asuka through the city scape, jumping off a side road atop a hill into the lower section of Tokyo-3, Unit's 02 and 03 hurdling over pylons from the left and the right.

Isn't it supposed to change course, they were supposed to get the calculations wrong? Shikinami thought

"Distance 12 thousand." Shinji increased the speed of his sprint breaking the sound barrier, now closer to the destined landing point for the angel, he stopped in his tracks. "Spreading AT field!" he and Soryu yelled. Unit-01 spread its AT field and they caught the angel, hindering its landing, force it to bounce atop the AT field.

"Unit-02 expand your field!" Rei yelled to Asuka, "what!? What are you talking about.", "Expand your AT field now!" Soryu yelled at her, following that order Rei and Shikinami both extended their Respective A.T Fields. Now near Shinji, their combined AT fields pushed the angel Sahaquiel upwards, a little higher up.

"Do it now" Shinji yelled, Rei tore open the field using the progressive knife, opening it up. Shikinami was a bit confused what to do, but now she took her shot, "Take this!" She pointed her prog knifes towards the core, shattering it in the process, the angel now fell and exploded, leaving a crater in its aftermath. The EVA units were damaged, but still in one piece, and the children were fine.

"Nice one guys." Soryu said, with which Shikinami responds, "This is not how I remembered this going…this is different."

"What?" Soryu asked "did you beat it on your own last time?"

"No…I couldn't, but that's not it, the angel it's different, it even looks different, this fight ended differently." the sharp pang in her head returned, she groaned even harder than before, bordering on the edges of screams, her left eye beamed for a while and all three of them noticed this through their monitors before the feed cut. "Shikinami? Shikinami? Pilot Shikinami respond." Misato connected from the command center, "She's out cold" Soryu said,"I think there's something wrong with her." Is that what wonder girl meant

Now Shinji, Asuka and Rei were being debriefed in central dogma.

"I apologize sir." Misato said, "because of my irresponsible judgement, Unit-01 has encored some damage, I take full responsibility for this, sir",

"no destroying Angels is an EVA's purpose," Fuyutsuki said on the line, "it was fortunate that the amount of damage done was minimal."

followed by Gendo who said, "Excellent work commander Katsuragi, on that note is the pilot of Unit-01 there?"

"Yes, yes sir" Shinji spoke up. "I just read the report, good work Shinji.",

"Yes sir." He responded once again, "now Major Katsuragi I leave the rest of this matter in your hands."

"Thank you sir." She says before the line cuts.

Phew, Misato thought, "You still intent to keep your promise, right?" Asuka asked, "Yes of course" Misato replied, "I just gotta check up on Asuka (Shikinami) first.", "Mind if we come along?" Shinji asked her

"Sure, why not." Misato said

Ritsuko had been sitting in her lab analyzing the blood samples for Shikinami. "Now that's interesting… I wonder, to tell the commander or not?"

Meanwhile Shikinami had just woken in the hospital bed when they all came to check up on her "hey there kiddo." Misato said "you okay?"

"Yeah" Shikinami replied so wearily, "I'm fine.",

"That's good" she responded "I kinda remember...I kinda remember where I'm from now."

"Really?" they all asked, "Yeah." The headache returned, but this time it was just mild "but not now, I'll tell you all…some…time." She struggled to stay awake,

"Get some rest, it's okay, it can wait." Misato said to her and She went back to lying on the medical bed, sleeping soundly. "Don't worry, we'll take care of her." The nurse said, "Thanks" Misato replied, she got up and went to the three children, "Now let's go get that steak!" she put on a smile for them, they all walked out of the ward.

The nurse went over to the bedside of Shikinami bed, "Oh my, what happened to you out there princess?" the nurse fixed the glasses on her face, "I guess it can't be helped, but the question is, how did we end up here in the first place." Shikinami twitched on her bed, "Oh well."

Before they exited NERV HQ, Rei spoke, "There was also something strange…about that nurse."

Asuka and Shinji concerned, looked to Rei, "What's wrong guys?" Misato asked, they now looked to each other, unsure if they should tell Misato what they witnessed, "it's nothing" they both said, placating Misato, at least for now.

END.

This is the "Fixed" version, at least for now. anyway I think it was that Nintendo switch joke.