Neon Genesis Evangelion: Apotheosis Echo

by StriderInCosmos

What happens when someone who knows how stories really work enters one to change its course? Though the destiny of Tokyo-3 may change, it will yet become the center point of events in ways that those who live in it could never imagine.

25. Chapter 19

Chapter 19: An Uncaring Heaven's Glare

It was a tense lead up to Arael. With all of us knowing what was about to come, it was more like getting ready for a stage production than preparing for a military operation. The world's deadliest stage production, not only for the Angel, but for Commander Ikari and SEELE as well. It was vital to ensure that no one else knew about our preparations. We all had our part to play. Some more dangerous than others.

Commander's Office, Geofront, January 2016

Gendo Ikari sat at his desk, as he usually did, and silently looked over the reports that were in front of him. Seven of his best Section 2 agents were dead. And they had been killed in spectacularly bloody fashion. Fuyutsuki particularly made an effort to glance past the photos that were… well, graphic was almost not a strong enough word for it, was it? "Sir," Fuyutsuki said after a moment of silence, "Who… what… could have done something like this?"

Gendo was silent for a moment. To tell the truth, he didn't have the slightest clue either. There was no tell tale sign, no indication of allegiance, left at the scenes. To all the world, it seemed like a deranged serial killer had appeared out of thin air and fell upon them, disappearing as quickly as he came. But no killer could do that to some of the best people in security. Not alone. "SEELE isn't known for sending messages this overt." he finally said. "But the intent is clear. Someone does not want us watching the Sixth Child."

Fuyutsuki shook his head. "But who? And why kill our Section 2 agents in such a brutal fashion to get the point across?"

The silence that followed stretched on as Gendo considered his response at length. Finally, he said the words that he was perhaps the most hesitant to say. "I don't know, Sensei."

Fuyutsuki blinked, then his eyes widened slightly as he came to regard Gendo. That was the first time he'd admitted that for a long time. Longer, perhaps, than Fuyutsuki could even remember.

"Regardless," Gendo said, "we must at least take steps to seem as if we intend to protect the Sixth Child. If we have noticed this, then it is only a matter of time before the Committee does as well. And they will question what is being done to protect the Sixth Child far more strenuously than anyone else."

Gendo paused for a moment. "For example, they will likely decry the current housing for the Sixth Child as far too insecure. They will likely want him moved to safer housing."

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Fuyutsuki's mouth. "You mention that, and I will say that Major Katsuragi did just recently bring up the status of the Sixth Child's housing. She made a suggestion that the boy receive an apartment at her building."

Gendo shrugged slightly. "Then we will take advantage of such a request. Grant it."

Fuyutsuki nodded. "Very well."

He fell silent for a moment as he considered what to say next. "Gendo," he finally said, "do you think that there's something bigger in play here? That some party beyond the ones we know of is behind this?"

"There is nothing bigger than SEELE, Sensei." Gendo said this with the surety that only intimate knowledge gave.

"Gendo… can we be entirely sure of that anymore?" Fuyutsuki said.

Gendo was silent. For in truth, Fuyutsuki was right. There was no way to be sure, anymore. "Until it impacts the Scenario directly, Sensei, it will be of no consequence to us." Gendo finally said.

Fuyutsuki nodded uncertainly. "Very well."

Inwardly, Fuyutsuki was not so sure. 'There's just one question we haven't asked, Gendo. What if something has already impacted the Scenario? What if the Scenario doesn't look the same anymore?'

Theisman Residence, Infinity Box

Shinji breathed deeply as he looked down the sights of his Grip, now in the form of a pistol, and as he sighted a familiar target, similarly familiar words came to mind. 'Center the target, pull the trigger.'

Now, however, the target dodged from side to side, jumped and ducked, and Shinji had some difficulty drawing a bead on the target that looked like Sachiel.

The pistol in his hand fired with a short, blaring noise, and Shinji's shot caught Sachiel square in the mask, causing it to stumble back, exposing its core to the next shots that Shinji put into it.

Shinji released the form of his pistol, his Grip becoming just a simple slightly iridescent handle once again. All along the firing range that the Infinity Box had become, similar scenarios played out, some quicker than others, as Asuka, Rei, Hikari, Toji, Misato and Kaji all got used to using their Grips as ranged weapons.

Kaworu was the only one not actively participating in the firing exercise. He had only just become Interfaced, and sat patiently next to Ritsuko and Maya, who were having an intent conversation with Eleanor as to the more arcane and technical aspects of being able to link up with the foundations of the universe.

Rei stepped away from her firing lane, and turned to look at Kaworu. She had, for reasons that were still a mystery to even herself, taken up the brunt of Kaworu's training. Whenever she was asked why, and the question had come up frequently at first, she always gave a variation of the same answer. "Daniel and Eleanor have much work to do ensuring our training is where it is now. To have them step back and train someone at a lower level than us would take up precious time. And besides, I am most similar to him, therefore my experience in Interfacing will perhaps be the best match to his knowledge."

That Asuka's jests that Rei just wanted to spend time with "the cute scribble" only made her slightly blush was a testament to her self control.

Kaworu stood and walked towards her, smiling slightly. "Am I to assume that my next training session starts now, Sensei?"

Rei's brow irked slightly at that. Toji had made the suggestion that he call her that. She was still mulling over an appropriate punishment for the boy. For now, she simply nodded. "Indeed. And you may cease your training at any point afterwards, should you so wish." She made the offer every time.

Kaworu nodded. "Very well. But, as always, I must decline your offer. I have come to enjoy these training sessions, and the time that I can spend with you all."

Rei nodded. "Very well." She and Kaworu each made their way to a sectioned off side of the Box, as both Rei and Kaworu manifested their Grips. Kaworu had, Rei had to say with some grudging respect, made great strides in learning Interfacing. His lack of creativity was an obstacle, certainly, but he had a knack for copying what he saw.

As their swords began to appear, Kaworu's smile grew slightly. "You seem a decent fellow. I'd hate to kill you." he said in English.

Rei sighed quietly. "You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die." she replied in English. She regretted, somewhat, showing him that movie. Like her, it had become perhaps his favorite.

Everything around them slowed as they both entered what Asuka had come to term "the Battle-zone". Then, after a moment of stillness, they charged at each other.

Blades clashed, once, twice, thrice, and the two broke apart. The blade of Rei's sword grew slightly and became more broad, as she changed her stance and attacks, precise jabs and short slashes becoming wide, powerful swings.

Kaworu dodged back, his own blade shrinking down before he dashed inside of the sword's reach, slashing at Rei as she backed up.

Kaworu's focus on driving back Rei was promptly broken by a right hook from a Grip turned into a knuckle duster, sending him stumbling backwards as his Interfacing knitted up the wound.

As Kaworu shook his head to try and clear his vision, he blinked to find a slender blade touching his throat. He sighed. The spar had been won by Rei, once again.

As Kaworu raised his hands, Rei lowered her blade. "You are still inflexible. Reacting, when you should be acting. If you do not improve, there is a better than good chance that when your life is on the line, you will die."

She lowered the blade, and stepped back. "This is why I always say you may walk away from these lessons at any time. You will be able to prove yourself as an Evangelion pilot in the event that the next Angel attacks soon, which is likely. You do not need to also prove yourself as an Interfacer at the same time. We will be able to defend you."

Kaworu took a few deep breaths, then smiled again. "Ayanami," he said, and was quietly grateful for the fact that he could call her by one of her names, "it would be shameful of me to expect others to do for me what I am not perfectly capable of doing myself. I will continue my training. At the very least, it will allow me to hold out until you or Shinji and Asuka or any of the others arrive."

Rei frowned only slightly. She had to admit that he had a point. "Very well." she finally said, as the other Children, Daniel, and Eleanor walked over to the sparring mat.

"So, scribble," Asuka said, "she beat you again?"

Kaworu nodded. "Yes, Ayanami has, indeed, gotten the better of me this match."

Toji scoffed slightly. "So, what is that, then? 25 losses out of 30?"

Kaworu nodded patiently as Hikari elbowed Toji softly. "Yes, Toji. That is correct."

As Rei and Kaworu walked back towards the other Children and began to converse with them, Mistato walked up to the group. "Rei, Kaworu." she said, pausing as they turned to regard her. "Remember, you two have your activation tests today."

She turned to look at the other Children, regarding Shinji, Asuka and Toji. "That's going to be happening at about the same time as your synch tests."

The three of them quietly pondered what MIsato said for a moment. They would be able to talk to their mothers again. It was now the one saving grace of the synch tests, now.

As they pondered this, Maya spoke up. "So, wait a minute," she said to Daniel and Eleanor, "with the Children's Expressions creating Plasm, how are you able to do what you do in making crystals and water and such?"

As Daniel and Eleanor thought for a moment on how to answer, Asuka nodded as she processed the question, turning to Daniel. "Yeah, actually. Why haven't you taught us how to make something we recognize? Like a lighting bolt or a fireball?"

Daniel recognized the moment for what it could be, and nodded. "Alright. I'll try to explain quickly." he said, as he walked a little ways away and sat down on a stool that appeared.

"So," he said, as the others gathered around him and Eleanor, "those of you who are Interfaced have noticed that whenever you simply focus on energizing the Frames you make, you only get Plasm. That's because you need one more thing in order to make the Metos into something else. A base to build on. An example to go off of."

He held out his hand. "That's where an Aspect Core comes in."

Instead of a star or a simple gemstone, something else appeared above Daniel's outstretched hand. It appeared to be much like some of the gems that Daniel was able to create, rounded even as it held a few flat facets. In the gem's depths, a starfield, bright and alive with nebulae and glowing constellations and the dark spots of black holes, seemed to stretch into eternity, no matter how deep one tried to peer. It almost seemed to pull the eye deeper into the depths it held.

"These act as a sort of... program that tells the Metos what to become. Cores are based around a single, usually physical thing, like a star, a gemstone, water, and so on." Daniel said.

Eleanor nodded. "However, an Aspect Core can be added on to. These additions are things that are closely related, either physically or in concept, to the thing the Core represents. We call them Facets."

Ritsuko nodded. "So it's like adding on to an operating system with specific programs."

Eleanor chuckled slightly. "After a fashion, yes."

Shinji nodded. "So, if you're showing us the star one, how can you create gemstones then?"

Daniel nodded, and the image of the Aspect Core disappeared. "A fair question. One can have multiple Aspect Cores, which allows them to choose what kind of thing they want to create and control. It takes a lot of time and practice to be good at more than one or two of them, though."

Everyone nodded at this, and Daniel stood up. "But for now," he said, "getting your own Aspect Cores will simply have to be a matter of time. We all have other things to do today, after all."

. . .

The Pribnow Box, NERV-HQ

Unit-00 stood restrained, as it always was, within the confines of the bright white room that was the Pribnow Box. From the observation room, which had the glass strengthened again from the last time it was replaced, Ritsuko looked out the window at the blue giant. It was Rei's first time back in the Entry Plug of Unit-00 after the battle with Zeruel, and Ritsuko worried.

She knew she shouldn't. It was just a reactivation test, after all, rather quick in the scheme of things. But past experience told her that putting the Unit in the Pribnow Box, and having her watch it, led to disaster. Led to the beast inside Unit-00's core going wild. Having it do so at her presence twice in a row could not be a mere coincidence, especially with the second incident having Shinji as the pilot instead of Rei.

As she looked on, Misato walked to her side. "Worried it might go out of control again?" she said quietly.

Ritsuko was silent for a moment, then sighed as she nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, kind of."

Misato shrugged slightly. "Can't say that I blame you."

They looked on as Maya confirmed that Rei had entered the Entry Plug.

Rei sat in the familiar slight pressure of the LCL, and heard the whir of the Entry Plug slide into place. It had been many weeks since she had been in here. The inside of her mind warred between a slight excitement of finally being able to know she could pilot again and the growing anxiety of what was inside Unit-00. 'I can control it. I am stronger now. In more ways than one.'

Even still, as the connections reached their final stage, she could not quite quash the anxiety as she heard Maya speak. "0.65. 0.75. 0.85. 0.90. Absolute borderline passed. The Eva is online."

Rei closed her eyes and focused, as she used the Sight to peer at the resident within the core.

It was a small, dim thing, almost unfit to be called something human. But it was, bestial as it could be.

It reached out to her, and she connected, the now familiar wave of desire and vitriol seeking to drag her under as it had before.

It did not speak, only felt, in base, animalistic feeling. Want. Anger. Desire. Over and over again, it cycled through those things.

But Rei held on. "No. I will not allow you to take control again."

Annoyance. Exasperation. Want. it was the only thing that broke the cycle, but it said volumes.

Then, something unexpected happened. Want. Anger. Desire. 'Unity.'

Rei was taken aback for only an instant. She had never understood whole words from the core, only the emotions.

After a moment, she realized what it wanted. What she wanted. It was tempting. Very tempting. "No. Not yet. Not until everyone is safe."

The wave of vitriol came again. But Rei rode it out, and the beast came under her control once again.

"Good work, Rei." Ritsuko said. "We'll go ahead and desynch now."

Rei opened her eyes. "Thank you, Doctor Akagi."

. . .

Misato watched as Unit-03, black and white, slid into place within the Pribnow Box, and suppressed a shudder. She had seen the combat footage of the Angel, now called Bardiel, and its engagement of Shinji, Asuka and Rei. A small part of her still feared that the eyes that now stared ahead at her would glow red again, and bathe NERV in a blanket of white light.

'No, Misato. They've cleared it of Angelic contamination. It's going to be fine.'

That still didn't completely dispel the fear that hung on as she heard the conformation that Kaworu had entered the Entry Plug.

She had heard that Kaworu was part Angel, like Rei. But she also knew there was something else. Something no one was telling her.

She would have linked her soul with one of the Children's, but she had learned what she had done when she had become initiated was deeply disrespectful, and for a little while, she was afraid to link with another person's soul. But she had overcome that, for the most part.

Even still, just looking at their souls, it was clear there was something that tinged their interactions with the boy. Something she couldn't quite identify.

Even still, her mind wandered as she heard Ritsuko and Maya initiate the connection process.

That brought to mind another mystery. How would Kaworu synch with Mrs. Horaki? They weren't related in any way, and Kaworu didn't seem to have a core to call his own. So what did he do then?

She walked back over to Maya and Ritsuko as the Eva fully activated. She watched the synch monitor intently as it steadily climbed to 85%, then stopped.

After a moment, Ritsuko raised an eyebrow. As she looked at Maya. "Is there something going on with the equipment? His synch level hasn't moved an inch since he reached it."

Maya shook her head. "No, Senpai. It's just that his synch score isn't showing any sort of fluctuations. At all." she said in wonderment.

Misato looked back up at Unit-03, and at Kaworu. 'How do you manage that?' she thought. 'Not even Asuka, the best pilot we have, is able to do that. Can Rei do that too?'

The mystery surrounding the boy only grew deeper.

. . .

Shinji sat in Unit-01's Entry Plug, and took deep breaths. He was about to talk to his mother again. How was it going to go now? Would she be mad at him for what she had heard about… about father?

'No. She was sad, more than anything. And… she's the closest person I'm related to who actually seems to love me.'

Shinji scoffed quietly as the Entry Plug was inserted into Unit-01. 'Man. What a messed up family I have.'

The sounds of voices calling out preparations for the beginning of the test weighed on him like a familiar blanket. A part of him still wished that wasn't the case.

Maya's voice rang clear. "0.65. 0.75. 0.80. 0.90. Absolute borderline crossed. The Eva is now online."

Shinji breathed deeply as he established the connection. "Mother?"

"Shinji. It's… well, I guess it's a little inaccurate to say 'it's good to see you'."

Shinji smiled slightly. "It's good to talk to you again, mother. There's… so much I've wanted to talk to you about."

And so they conversed, as Shinji's synch score grew steadily higher. After a moment, Ritsuko keyed in. "Good job, Shinji. You're sitting at about 85%."

Asuka's voice made itself known over the line. "Alright, rookie. It's not bad. But you're not going to beat me just yet." she said, and Shinji could practically hear a cocksure smile on her face.

Shinji fought hard not to smile too widely back at Asuka. "We'll see about that."

A harumph came from the other end of the line, then it went quiet.

"So, who was that young lady?" Yui said, amusement evident in her tone.

"That was Asuka, mother. My… my girlfriend. The woman I love. Who I would do anything for."

Shinji could nearly feel the wonder and joy radiating from his mother's soul. "That's wonderful, Shinji. You've found love here, in the most unexpected of places. And… I can see how deeply you care for her. It's almost written all over your face, young man."

"Mother…"

Yui couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, come on Shinji. It's not like I'm going to meet her face to face anytime soon."

It went quiet after that, as Yui realized what she had said. "But," she said after a moment, "You can at least tell me what she's like."

Shinji's smile, which had shrunk slightly, grew back again. "I can do that. She's… alive, mother. Vibrant and passionate and… the driving force behind me. She helps me to do things I never could have done without her."

Contentment and joy. "So, Shinji, how did you two meet?"

Seemingly old memories, tinged with nostalgia that didn't quite cover the embarrassment and terror of the moment. "Well, it started when Asuka came with Daniel and Kaji from Germany with Unit-02. With Mrs. Soryu."

"Wait a moment." Yui said. "Kyoko? She's here, too?"

Shinji hid a wince. "Mother… Asuka's mother is in Unit-02. And…" he trailed off, unsure of how to explain it properly.

"What?" Yui said, shock and sadness evident in her voice. "You mean… they tried again with the Contact Experiments?"

"Yeah." Shinji said. "But instead of taking her entire body and soul, it kind of… ripped her soul in half. It didn't go well after that."

It was silent for a moment. "Kyoko… I used to take you to have her babysit when we were in college. She had this rambunctious little toddler, with a head of hair like it was on fire."

"Mom…" Shinji said, as he desperately tried to keep his cheeks from showing the blush that was rushing towards them, recalling memories that were ancient compared to the memories that had started this. "That's Asuka. Her hair is… on fire. Like you said. She's a Soryu-Langley."

Understanding. "Ah… and Kyoko was Zeppelin-Soryu." Amusement rippled off of Yui's soul. "You know, it was always so cute watching you two play together."

Shinji closed his eyes, and rolled them as he did. "I can only imagine, mother." it was quiet again for a moment. "And now… I've met her again. The real her."

It was quiet again. Then, what could only be described as a chuckle came from Yui. "Oh, yes. I almost forgot you had a story to tell. So, do please continue."

Shinji sighed quietly. "Like I said, Asuka came with Unit-02 to Japan, and an Angel attacked us at the same time…"

. . .

Asuka sat in the Entry Plug for Unit-02, and tried not to show her anxiety. She was excited to try and talk to her mother again. That much was obvious to those who knew her. But… there was that part of her. The part that was left behind. The part that wanted her to die with it. She suppressed a shudder that the warmth of the LCL did nothing to dispel. But Daniel had talked to her beforehand. Now, she was at least a little more prepared. And damn it all, not even her mother could get in the way of her talking to her mama.

She had to chuckle slightly at that. 'And here I thought basically learning magic would be the weirdest thought going through my mind. What a world we live in.'

The connection was made, and Asuka got within Sight of the two halves of her mother's soul. As before, the darker, twisted half began to reach for her. But this time, Asuka constructed a barrier, a wall of Framework that the twisted soul couldn't get through. It was quiet for a moment. "Mama?"

"Asuka?" Kyoko said clearly. "How did you do that?"

Asuka could not hold back the satisfaction she felt from hearing her mama's voice not echo. "It's a trick I learned from my Bruder, mama."

"Your Bruder?" Asuka felt the distinct impression of an arched eyebrow. "And when did you get one of those?" she said, no small amount of interest in her tone.

Asuka's surprise lasted only an instant, as memories rushed back. "It's a long story. But we'll get there later. Mama… it's been so long. I've missed you. I love you."

A quiet joy bloomed to life. "Oh, Asuka. Liebling. I love you too. I've wanted to say that again for so long."

Asuka was overjoyed. She heard it. She finally heard her say it again. It was a struggle to keep tears from welling in her eyes. "Oh, mama. I've done so much since you've gone in here. I've learned how to save the world. I've met so many people, like Daniel, my Bruder, and… Shinji."

"Shinji?" Kyoko went silent for a moment. "That's… that's Yui and Gendo's little boy, right?"

Asuka hid a spike of anger as best she could. "Yeah. Yeah, and now, he's grown up, and… he loves me."

Amusement. "Well, you two always did look cute playing together."

Asuka did the best she could not to let her embarrassment show on her physical face. "Mama!"

A peal of laughter echoed from Kyoko's soul, dispelling much of the embarrassment Asuka held. "That's the little fireball I remember! I've missed you."

It was comfortably quiet for a moment, as they basked in each other's presence. "So," Kyoko said after a moment, "what is he like?"

Asuka smiled slightly. She was going to enjoy this immensely.

It was a quiet car ride home. Shinji and Asuka sat in the back of Misato's car, letting the city pass by them as the sun set. For a synch test day… it was good. The first that both Shinji and Asuka remembered as such.

Their souls were linked together, the spiritual contact almost, but not quite, making up for the physical contact they couldn't share right now.

"So, Shinji," Asuka said through their link, "what did you think about us knowing each other so young?"

Shinji shook his head slightly. "That was… interesting to find out. We knew each other. Our mothers knew each other…"

It was quiet again as they both pondered this. "So," Asuka said, a smirk slowly growing on her face, "Do we qualify as childhood friends, then?"

Shinji rolled his eyes. "That might be stretching it a little."

Asuka's smirk grew. "Admit it, rookie. It makes us all the sweeter, doesn't it?"

Shinji nodded after a moment, as a small smile started to spread across his face. "Yeah, liebling. It does, actually."

Asuka nodded slightly, her satisfaction felt through the link between them. "That's what I thought."

It was a little later that Misato decided to pipe up. "So," she said, "how was talking to your mothers?"

Shinji nodded. "It was… interesting." he said, trying not to blush as he thought about the long, long talk his mother had with him about love. It felt… almost hollow, right now, knowing that his father to the two of them was two radically different people.

"I can imagine it's been quite the experience to catch them up with things." Misato said. After a moment of silence, her voice softened. "How's your mother doing, Asuka?"

Asuka sighed quietly. "She's… alright. The trick Daniel showed me worked well enough. At least it let me have a conversation with my mama."

Misato nodded, smiling slightly. "That's good."

It was silent for a moment. "So, how did they react to you two being an item?"

It was silent again for a moment. Then, Shinji and Asuka's eyes widened as they recognized exactly what the question was. 'Crap! We still haven't come up with anything yet!' was the thought that shot between the both of them.

"Misato!" Asuka said in shock. "How did you find out?"

Shinji's eyes were similarly full of shock. "Did Kaji tell you?"

Misato shook her head and chuckled softly as they pulled into their apartment's parking lot. "No. No, I just did… something stupid when I first got Interfaced."

As she pulled into the parking space and stopped the car, she unbuckled and turned back to look at the two wide-eyed Children. "And I'll be honest, I was kind of mad you two didn't tell me at first." she sighed quietly. "Look, I know I'm your commanding officer, and I should ensure that such relations don't get in the way of your piloting the Evas."

Asuka leaned forward slightly. "But it does-"

Misato raised a hand. "I know. The results are plain to see." a slight smirk tugged at Misato's mouth. "Even if no one else quite knows why."

Shinji and Asuka blushed, and Misato chuckled again. "And before you ask, no. I won't split you two up. You two… you two inspired us, really. Me and Kaji. I think Kaji got the courage to try again from you two. And he gave that courage to me, too."

It was quiet again in the car. Now, there was an air of relief. Shinji smiled softly. "Thank you, Misato."

Misato smiled back. "Of course, Shinji."

After a moment, Misato's smile became a sly, knowing grin as she turned back to Asuka. "So," she said, as Asuka began to blush, "how is it at night?"

Shinji blinked, then blushed brightly, as Asuka's mouth opened and closed silently for a moment. "Misato!" she finally said.

Misato rolled her eyes. "Come on, Asuka. You've been together for months. And I know what I saw in Daniel's soul. So now," she said, a triumphant look in her eye, "I get to play the role of big sis Misato looking for the juicy details."

Shinji looked down and to the side. "Come on, Misato." he said, almost sullenly.

Misato nearly cackled as she opened the door. "Alright, you two. Come on. I'll accept dinner in the place of a perfectly reasonable explanation. For now."

Shinji and Asuka groaned slightly as they got out of the car. Tonight was going to be awkward, there was no avoiding that. But, they thought, as they finally held each other's hands in front of Misato as they entered the elevator, the awkwardness would pass. They could be… each other. 'No more fearing her. We can be… us again.'

. . .

Daniel, Eleanor, and Rei ate dinner quietly together. It was getting to be a more common thing, and Daniel and Eleanor both wondered at what had caused it.

Rei herself ate slowly, her expression one of deep thought.

After a moment, Daniel looked over at Rei. "You've got something on your mind, Rei. Would you like to tell us?"

Rei blinked, then looked back at Daniel. "Yes. I have been thinking of family more deeply recently."

Daniel and Eleanor both nodded. "And what are your thoughts so far?" Eleanor said.

Rei looked back down at her food. "You have said in the past that family can transcend the purely genetic relations that we have. And I have had the privilege of living with you, having your guidance on how to be… well, normal, in addition to the guidance that Shinji and Asuka have given. You have gone out of your way to nurture and care for me."

She paused, and a blush came to her cheeks.

Daniel nodded. "And we've been more than happy to give that care." he paused for a moment. "Is there… something wrong, Rei?"

Rei's blush deepened. "No. Or, at least, I do not think so. I have just wanted to ask…"

She paused again for a moment. "Do your actions make you… my father and mother?"

Daniel and Eleanor processed Rei's question for a silent moment. Then Daniel spoke again. "Rei… would you like that to be the case?"

After a moment, Rei nodded. "Yes. You two are the closest I have come to having actual parents. I… can not consider Gendo Ikari as such. And Lilith…"

Eleanor nodded knowingly. "That's far more complicated."

Rei nodded. "Yes. Very much so."

Daniel glanced at Eleanor for a moment, then smiled softly. "Well, Rei, we're more than happy to be your parents. You've deserved nothing less."

Rei's smile was radiant, and tears welled in her eyes. "Thank you." she said quietly.

"Of course, Rei." Eleanor said.

Dinner finished up, and eventually, it came to be bedtime. Rei walked towards her room, then stopped and turned back, Giving Daniel and Eleanor each a hug. "Good night, mother. Good night, father."

Daniel smiled as Rei hugged him. "Good night, Rei."

Rei stepped back from the hug with a smile, and went to bed.

Daniel and Eleanor stood in the living room for a quiet moment. Eleanor looked at Daniel with a bemused expression. "So, we're parents now, huh?"

Daniel sighed quietly and smiled slightly. "Yes. Yes, we are."

Eleanor regarded Daniel for a moment. "Come to think of it… this isn't the first time I've heard of you referred to as a part of a family. You've made a habit of being an older brother, a father-in-law, a mentor…" she trailed off.

Daniel's smile dimmed as he nodded. "Yes. I have." he took a deep breath. "I can't say I entirely know what started it, but… I wanted a chance to make sure that no one else would walk the path that I did. Make sure that if they learned from me, it would be to learn to do good. To be good."

Eleanor sighed as she stepped forward, putting a hand on Daniel's arm. "Daniel… I've told you. What happened during the war… that wasn't you."

A bitter look welled up in Daniel's eyes. "Wasn't it? Then who was it that they took? Who was it that laid waste to countless Echoes? Who was it that almost killed y-"

Eleanor glared at Daniel. "Stop it. You have nothing to prove. To anyone."

She stepped closer, taking his other arm, then pulling him into a hug.

Daniel sighed after a moment. "You're right. I don't have anything to prove to you. Or Rei, or Shinji or Asuka, or anyone else."

As Eleanor stepped out of the embrace, Daniel took her by the shoulders. "But I have to prove it to myself. I have to be sure. I have to be sure that I can never do what… what he did again."

Sadness welled up with the tears in Eleanor's eyes as she cupped Daniel's face tenderly. She said nothing, opting to pull him into a quiet, tender kiss.

"Then, let me help you prove it to yourself. Let us help you." she said after a moment.

Daniel looked at her in wonder. "How did I ever deserve you?" he said softly.

Eleanor smiled slightly as she sighed quietly. "Daniel... it isn't about deserving."

Daniel smiled back. "No. No, I guess it isn't."

The Infinity Box, 1 Week Later

Misato and Kaji descended into the Infinity Box, and pondered on what was supposed to happen soon. Shinji and Asuka were right next to them, trying not to seem too excited. They would finish their training today, and become the next best thing to… well, wizards was the leading term, mostly thrown around by Asuka and Toji, but the comparison was not an unfair one.

As they filed into the Box proper, the three of them watched as other entrances disappeared, Toji and Hikari in front of one, Kaworu in front of another, and Rei in front of another still.

Ritsuko and Maya would be here soon, as they had been Interfaced a few weeks ago, and were just getting the hang of the Sight. Misato had since received a text chain that felt a mile long from Ritsuko that was 'a tenth of a tenth of the scientific breakthroughs that this made possible'. But right now, after what was about to happen was done, they would go over their plan for the next Angel again. For something as vital as this, repetition was no real burden.

Daniel and Eleanor stood in the middle of a circle of seven seats, padded and looking far too comfortable to sit in.

Daniel stepped forward as Shinji, Asuka, Rei, Hikari and Toji stepped towards the seats. "Alright then," he said with a smile, "this is the moment that many of you have been waiting for. Some a little more impatiently than others."

"Hey!" Asuka said as Daniel gave her a meaningful glare.

A chuckle rippled through the group. "Anyways," Daniel said, looking up as Ritsuko and Maya walked into the Infinity Box, "what we're going to do…" he paused dramatically as he sat down, Eleanor sitting with him. "Is take a seat."

The Children hesitated, then all but one entered the circle of chairs.

As they sat, Daniel leaned forward. "Now that we've done that," he said, as Asuka and Eleanor both rolled their eyes at him, "we get to the real work."

Daniel looked around the circle. "What we do now might get a little boring, but it's the only way to catch your first Aspects, as it were. Go ahead and use your Sight."

As they did, they saw the five empty Aspect Cores, three within Daniel, two within Eleanor. Having been taught what to look for, the Children, and those who watched on, saw Daniel and Eleanor's Aspect Cores as well, gleaming with distinct imagery among the light show of the rest of their souls.

"Alright." Daniel said. "Now, reach out and take the Aspect Core."

Frames, like tendrils, reached for the cores, growing and branching almost like vines as they wrapped themselves around the empty Cores, then gently pulled back towards their owners.

"Remember," Eleanor said, "don't be too disappointed with whatever comes to you first. Your first Aspect is drawn to you by your understanding of a given thing. Most people understand fire or water or other seemingly simple things. Other Aspects come later."

"Now focus." Daniel said. "Open the Core."

Though some were slower than others, the Cores each of the Children had all seemed to turn inside out, becoming fractals that twisted and turned, growing and shrinking.

"Now, continue to focus. Let the Core act as a link to the rest of Reality." Eleanor said quietly.

It was silent, and more than one set of brows was furrowed in concentration. In time, the Cores glowed, a brilliant dot of light that cycled through colors and images at lightning speed. After a moment they began to slow, the images becoming clearer to make out.

Daniel and Eleanor watched silently as the images in the Children's Cores finally came to a stop, and the Cores began to close one by one.

After a moment, Daniel nodded. "Alright. You have your first Aspect Cores. What did you get?"

Shinji opened eyes that were closed in focus, showing wonder as he stretched out his hand. Above his palm, transparent, glowing rings pulsing in the form of a sphere. "It's… sound." he said, the same wonder in his voice as was in his eyes.

Asuka looked over at Shinji, a slight smile on her lips. "Well, with the way you play the cello, I can't say that I'm surprised, at least."

A slight chuckle rippled through the room as Shinji dispelled the sphere. He looked over at Asuka. "What did you catch?"

Asuka held out her hand, and a spark became a flickering flame, no bigger than a candlelight. "I got fire." Asuka's smile became a smirk. "Now, I can actually throw fireballs."

Daniel nodded. "Alright." he looked around at Rei, Hikari and Toji. "And what did you three catch?"

Rei held out a hand, and a clear shard of glass slowly coalesced. "I believe that this is glass." she said simply. She stared at it intently, causing it to tumble and twist in her hand.

Hikari caused a glimmer of light to appear in her hand, the mote of light glowing brightly. "I got light." she said quietly, focusing as the light danced in the palm of her hand.

In Toji's hand a small flower grew, a blue and white blossom at its end. Toji blushed slightly. "What? It's a blue Iris plant. One of Sakura's favorites."

"Flowers, Toji?" Asuka said with a wry grin. "I never would have guessed."

Toji blushed. "Hey! Sakura's into nature and stuff, alright? And she kind of pulled me and dad into it too. Is that a problem?"

Hikari smiled at Toji. "No, actually. That's kind of sweet, really."

Toji smiled back at Hikari, and Daniel stood up, drawing the attention of all to him. "Alright, you five," he said, "you have officially become this world's first native Interfacers." he paused to let the statement sink in. "You are pioneers. It's… well, kind of a big deal undersells it somewhat."

"Now, I'm not going to lie, We won't be able to train you as directly as we've been able to up until this point." Daniel said, as the Children's eyes widened. "Your powers are now diverse enough that we can really only give pointers and provide a direction for you to go in. You can come back here and experiment at your leisure, and we'll do our best to help you."

Daniel smiled slightly. "Congratulations, Interfacers. You've been prepared as best you can. Just… try not to blow yourself up, alright?"

Another chuckle echoed through the Infinity Box, and the chairs disappeared as their occupants stood.

Shinji, Asuka, Hikari and Toji gathered around, chatting about what they might be able to do with their newfound powers.

Rei, on the other hand, walked back towards Kaworu, who nodded as she approached. "Would I be correct in assuming that this will not impact our training sessions?"

Rei's brow quirked slightly. "You wish to continue?"

Kaworu nodded. "Yes. I have come to enjoy our time spent together." he paused for a moment. "Even if it usually ends with me flat on my back."

Rei blinked and tried not to blush. "Very well. I will continue to train you. Do not expect any less effort than what I have already given to train you. If anything, I will be pushing you harder."

Kaworu nodded. "I look forward to it, Sensei."

Rei sighed quietly, then turned as Daniel cleared his throat. Where the circle of chairs once was, a long table now stood, with room enough for all of them. "Alright." he said, as the air rippled with their disconnect from time. "Let's get the meeting underway."

All present filed into their seats. Daniel and Eleanor sat at the head of the table, five of the Children on one side, the adults and Kaworu on the other.

"First things first," Daniel said, "let's do some checking in." he turned to Ritsuko and Maya. "Ritsuko, how's your mother doing?"

The Children's eyebrows rose as Ritsuko nodded. "She's doing well. She's been able to link up to the Internet, and a few of the other Magi systems, and has started searching for any clues we might find on what SEELE is planning."

"For example," she said, pulling out a notepad from her lab coat pocket, "production on the Mass Production Evas is currently underway. They've completed 5 of them already, and they plan to have 12 of them made in this production run."

Daniel nodded slowly. "I see."

Asuka shook her head. "You mean there's 5 more Evas that could be here, in Japan, fighting the Angels by our side? What gives?" she said incredulously.

It was quiet at the head of the table as Daniel considered what to say next. Unwelcome memories of white, harpy-like giants tearing apart Unit-02 flashed through his mind. He should have done something more. He should… focus, is what he should be doing.

Daniel blinked. "The Mass Production Evas aren't meant to fight the Angels, Asuka." he said quietly, trying not to look away when she looked at him. "They're for ensuring the completion of Instrumentality."

It went quiet around the table as they processed this. Shinji and Asuka particularly looked pensive. Misato and Kaji had shared only a portion of the Human Instrumentality Project. What they had seen left them both sleepless for more than one night. Especially when they considered the death of the Angels included Kaworu.

"Also," Ritsuko said after the silence stretched on for a little longer, "mother has been able to find a few trace references to something or someone called 'Arqa'. We're still not sure about what that might be."

Daniel and Eleanor's eyebrows arched as they slowly shook their heads. "We wouldn't know either," Eleanor said, "especially if it's buried in SEELE like that."

Slowly, all eyes turned to Kaworu. After a moment of consideration, Kaworu shrugged. "My apologies. There was not much in the way of information that I was given in my time at SEELE. I could not tell you anything about this 'Arqa' that you've recently discovered."

He paused for a moment. "However…"

Everyone leaned a little closer. "What have you got to say, Kaworu?" Misato said. "Is there something else that SEELE's hidden from us that you know about?"

"Well, to begin with, it is not something." Kaworu said. "It is someone."

Kaji nodded. "Go on..."

Kaworu cupped his chin in thought. "While I was being trained in piloting, I trained with another pilot. One who, it seemed, was expressly trained in combating other Evangelions."

Shinji's brow rose. "Fighting other Evas? Like… us?" he said incredulously.

Asuka's expression was similarly shocked. "There's another Child, and no one knows? What are they doing with her? Why train her to fight us?"

Kaworu nodded. "I believe that she may be a… well, a backup plan, in case their current plan for Instrumentality fails. I'm not sure."

Ritsuko looked intently at Kaworu. "Did you get a name? We could possibly search for her, see what comes up."

Kaworu's brow furrowed in concentration. "Her name was… Mariah. But she told me to call her Mari."

It was silent again for a moment. "So, did you get a last name?" Asuka said with a wry grin. "Or did you two just go on a first name basis?"

Kaworu smiled slightly, not missing the small blush that Rei attempted to hide. "I believe her last name was Marlowe. Yes. 'Marlowe, with an e at the end'. That's what she told me when we last spoke. She was… an odd person."

"An odd person?" Toji said incredulously. "Coming from you? That must mean something."

As Hikari elbowed Toji, Kaworu nodded. "Yes. She seemed… off, somehow. Even without the Sight I now have, her soul seemed… damaged slightly. Somewhat out of tune."

As much of the table looked at him in puzzlement, he blinked after a moment. "Ah. I forget. Before I gained the training I have, I was able to perceive people's souls by… hearing them? It was interesting to listen to how people truly felt."

Daniel and Eleanor's eyebrows rose as they heard this. "Well, now. Hearing souls is far different from what we're used to." Eleanor said. "You may have to teach us that sometime, Kaworu."

Daniel nodded. "Yes. But the greater point remains. There is at least one Child that is being hidden from us. A Child that seems to be trained specifically towards fighting other Children. We'll need to keep an eye on them. Especially as we get closer to the end."

The table fell silent as the implications of such a thing weighed on them. Daniel spoke again after a moment. "Speaking of the end, there is a better than good chance that the next Angel, that Arael, will be attacking soon. We'll need to be ready. Not just for it, but to put up a show for both Commander Ikari, and by extension, for SEELE."

Daniel smirked slightly. "So, let's make sure we all know our parts."

Apotheosis Echo will continue after the break.