It's even more insane than it was the last chapter...
Answer to HaterOfNone: Rebuild Shinji and Mari are both adults.
Central Dogma
Ritsuko stood at a huge whiteboard in front of Nerv staff and a few other HoD's. Only those who were in the need to know sat in that room and she was giving a presentation reporting on the current state of the world.
"We don't know what or how, but our world, or our perceived reality is crossing and colliding with multiple realities similar to ours. This began at approximately 9:55 am Yesterday when a woman reported seeing her grandmother alive, even though she'd died 14 years ago whilst she was still a child. We suspect this woman must've been from a similar world, only ten years behind. And then we're getting reports of technologies we've yet to develop showing up in the hands of certain medical labs and scientists. Safe to say these are from a world even further ahead than ours.
Whatever is causing these Collison's we don't know...we maybe suspect that something drastic must've happened in one of the realities, something powerful enough to shift the spectrum and rewrite the other worlds, leaving us in the crossfire."
"Third Impact." Yui suggested
"Maybe." Ritsuko responded, "or maybe something greater, something with more power and control."
"What are you suggesting?" Naoko Akagi, her mother asked.
Ritsuko let out a deep breath before switching to the next slide.
"Evangelion infinity." She said, peaking the curiosity of the minds in the room.
"I've speculated the existence of this seed for a while now. When the pilot Makinami spoke of the Anti-universe, I began running the numbers and going through the research and I suspect that EVA imaginary is at the epicenter of all instrumentalities."
"Instrumentalities...as in more than one?" Naoko asked
"Yes." Ritsuko answered her, although somewhat reluctantly.
"is this not mere conjecture?" Kyoko asked "There's no evidence to support these statements and I'm sure the numbers you ran didn't even turn up the results you wanted."
"The evidence I believe lies within Pilot Makinami." Ritsuko countered "I can't speak for my reality Dr. Soryu, nor can I speak for yours, but Mari saw it with her own eyes. She lived it. And now she's here in our stations with an evangelion unit we've never seen before. This goes beyond our either of understanding."
"I understand." Yui said, "And how would one supposedly enter this anti-universe?"
"With a powerful enough agent, stronger than the seeds of man. Mari reports this was done through... an additional impact..." Ritsuko paused unsure if she should continue.
"Additional impact?" the rest of the staff wondered. Whispers could be heard and some may have even been riled up.
"Okay." Yui said calming them all down. "from here on out the conversation will remain extremely confidential, I want everyone to be dismissed, though you are still under the watch of Nerv and are subject to high confidentiality. You will be sent reports on your terminals, briefing you on everything we discussed. I thank you kindly for your co-operation"
"but ma'am what if this knowledge could help us in future battles?" Misato asked.
"I assure you Major Katsuragi, what will be discussed will in no way be necessary for battle, nor will not knowing hinder your performance."
"Ma'am I-"
"That's an order. Major" Yui said, and Misato conceded though she did so reluctantly.
"Yes, Ma'am." She said
"Kyoko and Naoko may remain." She said, and they did so. As soon as everyone was dismissed and the doors closed, with no one left to hear. Yui sighed and folded her hands.
"Who instigated the additional impact?" she asked.
Ritsuko let out a deep breath before answering.
"It was Commander Ikari."
"Jesus Christ." Kyoko said, and Naoko wasn't really shocked.
"Though I don't know the circumstances that could've-"
"It's...okay." Yui said interrupting her.
How could have it gone so wrong. she thought.
"I think we need to bring Mari in, and have a talk with her...she needs to tell us everything."
"With the aim that this knowledge could help us fix our respective worlds?" Ritsuko asked.
"Yes." Yui responded, "What other aim could there possibly be?"
"May I speak freely?" She asked.
"Yes. You may." Yui responded.
"After listening to what Mari had to say, I'm not so sure who to trust..."
"but you're telling us, you're telling me..."
"I'm hoping..." she said "but if I were to be honest, I'd feel a lot more comfortable, if Misato had been in the room."
"I can't risk it. You know Major Katsuragi personally...tell me would her allegiances not be compromised if she knew? ...would she not try to stage some sort of rebel defiance against Nerv?"
"Yes, but-"
"No, Ritsuko...I can't risk it, we can't afford to spiral down into chaos and fight amongst each other...reality is tearing itself apar, literally as we speak. I don't want to be subject to that, there's got to be a way...We just need time."
"No offense ma'am, but you're all dead...I might as well be in a room full of ghosts."
"I fail to see the relevance dear." Naoko retorted.
"And these ghosts have a bone to pick with SEELE." Kyoko said
"And I'm not dead." Yui said. "Technically my soul resides within the EVA...and I need to speak with her."
"Why?" Ritsuko asked
"I just...trust me." Yui replied.
"You're going to talk to yourself...in order to look for a plan? Do you not see how crazy that is?"
"It's all I've got to go on okay." Yui said, "I just know she knows."
"Fine." Ritsuko said "but are we still gonna take orders from Commander Ikari."
"Yes...for now anyways...until I hear what she has to say."
Ritsuko sighed in response. "If we're done here, I'd like to go home."
"We're far from done." Yui said, "Call in Misato and have her track down any loose strands from the other worlds, which angels have returned or may return. And get our field agents to track down anyone who looks even slightly like us or the EVA pilots."
"What about talking to your other self? Who's going to overlook the operation?"
"I only need Kyoko with me...and also I'd like to see my son."
"And my daughter." Kyoko spoke up.
"I'll enter Unit-01 alone."
"and that worked out great the last time." Naoko countered.
Yui ignored her. "Where can I find my son?"
"They should be with Misato, so look for her."
"Thank you." She said, leaving the room.
Ritsuko stood alone with her mother.
"So... let's talk." Naoko said, and Ritsuko grabbed herself a cup of coffee.
"Okay mom...lets..."
Tokyo-3 emergency shelter
The battle was over. Shinji and Asuka share a blanket near a wall, awaiting the security officer to let them and the rest of the citizens out. It was sad sight to behold, innocent people frightened and scared, some of their love's ones gone, victims of the violence.
"I hate this." Asuka said, "other people die whilst they fight their battles...by the time they supposedly save the world, there'll be no one left."
"Yeah." Shinji agreed, "This has to stop. I swear I-" the migraine came back, and Asuka felt it too.
"Why... does...this keep... happening?" he said
"You too huh?" Asuka said with a sigh, "Take these, they're pain killers."
"Thanks." Shinji said.
"Maybe I should go back to Germany, if that battle destroys the academy and my student accommodation that is."
"Yeah, I guess I'll go back to my grandparents."
"What about your parents?" she asked
"I have no memory of them, I was raised by my grandma and grandpa for as long as I can remember."
"Oh, Kinda like me" She said
"What do you mean?"
"Foster parents, I don't know what happened to my mom or dad."
"Oh...tell me am I right?"
"Yeah." She said chuckling.
Amidst the chaos and despair, This tiny ray of light still shone bright...well until
"Even at a dark time like this, you're still banking girls." A familiar voice said. Shinji and Asuka both open their eyes.
"You're the guy from the train." Shinji said.
"The name's Kensuke and this here is Toji."
"Sup." He said, "Who's the broad?"
Asuka moved away from Shinji and took the blanket for herself.
"As if, he's a stalker that just caught me off-guard."
"Sure." Toji said, "Anyways you heard about the school?"
"Myojo academy? Was it destroyed?"
"I was actually kinda hoping so...but it's still up and running."
"Really, amidst all this."
"Yeah." Toji said, "although I can't say the same for our accommodations."
"Oh man." Shinji said
"It's okay though, there are a bunch of really affordable apartments, near another high school, and there in safe-zone's. away from angel attacks."
"Angels?" he asked
"Those things the robots were fighting they're called angels, I just heard this from one of the other citizens hiding here."
Both Shinji and Asuka felt an uneasy sense of Deja-Vu. The security guard opened the door and began letting people out.
"It's safe now, should you have lost your home you may remain here until the city makes a plan for you, there's food and rations available at the door, and there's a medical wing nearby. Good luck and stay safe." He said
"Thanks, Toji." Shinji shook his hand, "No problem." He responded
"You too, Kensuke."
"Pleasure's all mine." he said, "You two lovebirds stay safe out there and see yah at the academy."
With that they were gone.
"Guess I better go check out those apartments as well." Shinji said
"Yeah, you can do that. I'm gonna call my mother and see what I can do about this whole situation."
"Leaving?" he asked
"Maybe." she said, "It's a shame...it really was a beautiful city."
"Yeah." Shinji agreed, "It's been nice knowing ya Asuka, thank you for saving my life back there."
He extended his hand out towards her, she was about to take it but...She instead turned back and ran the other way.
"See ya." Was the last thing Shinji heard from her
"Okay." He said awaiting another Taxi
But why does this feel so familiar.
NERV HQ
Shinji, Asuka and Rei had won the battle. After their recovery they were told to wait just outside of the locker-rooms.
Shinji sat on the bench and stared at the palm of his hand. As soon as Rei and Asuka came out he decided to asked them a question.
"Do you guys feel that?"
"Feel what?" Asuka asked back.
"Like you're multiple places at the same time." He answered.
"I do feel...odd." Rei said
And Asuka sighed, "I actually feel like I'm being split in two...i have no idea what's happening to me."
"Ever since those migraines hit us...I think-"
"You think what?"
"I...I don't know."
"Well, whatever it is, it's annoying." Asuka said, "and what are we waiting for? Does Misato want to scold again or something."
And as Asuka continued speaking, Rei noticed Misato walking down the hall with two unfamiliar faces, and one of them resembled hers.
And upon looking both Asuka and Shinji stared in shock.
"Momma." Asuka said
She looks like Rei...no that's...
"Asuka!" Kyoko said running towards her, in order to give her hug. But Asuka shied away in fear...falling unto the floor.
"Mo-mo-mo..." she was trembling, Kyoko noticed this and gave her a confused look.
"Asuka?" she said.
And as she got closer, Asuka gave her a feral look, holding unto her neck desperately.
Kyoko backed away, and knelt down beside her.
"It's okay." she said, "I'm not going to hurt you." Kyoko extended out her hand, "you can come Asuka."
Tears were building up in her eyes, Asuka didn't know if she could trust her.
"It's okay." Yui said gently, she won't hurt you.
"ich liebe dich mein Fräulein"
Asuka slowly let go of her neck and approached her mother.
"It's okay." She said finally in her warm embrace.
"Momma." Asuka said in tears, hugging her back tightly. "I missed you momma."
"Ich habe dich auch vermisst, meine Fräulein"
I've never seen Asuka like that. Shinji thought.
"I think we should give them some space." Yui said.
Both Shinji and Rei followed Yui, who kind of chuckled a little at the sight of Rei.
"You're almost like a little mini-me." she said
"I do not understand." Rei replied
"That's alright... you don't need worry about it."
She had led them to a site instilled near NERV HQ.
A simple tree near a river bank, where she once sat with Fuyutsuki, cradling her infant son.
"This is my favorite spot." She said, "I've always liked it here, it's calm and peaceful..."
She seemed to be reminiscing, lost in the sky.
"There are a few chairs behind that tree, please sit."
"Thank you." They both said, grabbing the chairs.
Yui sighed, "This isn't exactly how I wanted to meet you Shinji. I'm your mother...but I know to you, I might as well practically be a stranger." She said sadly.
Shinji didn't know what to say, and Rei remained unphased.
"I know how your father treated you...I can't apologize enough Shinji...I'm, so, so sorry...that's not what I wanted for you...none of this is what I ever wanted for you...to burden you so."
"I..." Shinji paused, whilst Yui waited in anticipation.
"I..." he didn't know what to say...
"I don't expect you to forgive me." She said, tears building up in her eyes. "you must probably hate me... but that's okay..."
"I... I don't hate you...mother. Nor do I feel any sort of resentment or malice towards you. I think...I think you had it right the first time. You're more of a stranger to me, or a distant relative...if anything Misato has been more of mother to me."
"Oh..." Yui said, "Major Katsuragi...is she a good mom?"
"She tries, I guess, but I think that's what makes it special...she's trying her best...for us."
"I understand." she said
"but It's nice to know, I have family that cares for and I would like to get to know you more...mother."
Yui gave him a hug, and Shinji slowly hugged her back.
"Thank you...for not hating me." she said crying. "I love you so much Shinji."
"There goes you living with me?" Yui jested wiping her tears away.
"Are you sad mother Ikari."
"Yes, Rei." She laughed, "but I'll be fine."
"I want you to know one day, that if you do eventually find out...I think of you as more of my younger sister."
"I do not understand."
"You will one day..." Yui said "It's not your fault."
"I...I see." Rei said unsure.
"I'm so dramatic." Yui jested again, "Let's get back to Asuka and Kyoko. I'm sure they should be fine now.
"And I want to let you know that if you ever have problems, you can come to me...I'll help out as best I can."
"Thank you, mother." Shinji said
"Thank you, Mother Ikari."
"It's okay Rei...you can call me Yui." She said with a smile.
"Yes...Yui."
Yui patted her by the shoulder and returned back to NERV HQ.
Nerv Ruins.
"So, we're back here again?" Asuka (Shikinami) said.
"Yeah." Shinji answered, "but this time for a completely different reason...I think Kaworu should be nearby, if anyone can help us understand the situation it's him."
And indeed, he was there. They found Kaworu sitting upon broken edge, playing the piano.
"Hello Again, Shinji Ikari." He said "And this time, it would seem that you've brought guests with you."
"Yeah, I did." Shinji said "Kaworu, we need your help, please can you to tell us what's going on, what happened at the edge of the Antiverse?"
"I'm sorry Shinji Ikari, but for the first time in a long while...I actually don't know. I can only tell you what I understand, or what I've been trying to understand."
"And what do you understand?" Asuka asked
"A few things actually..." He said "For example, this place is one of many fragments slipping in through the cracks of this world. This reality that's all shattered, falling apart. Mari should know, after all she was there with you."
"I barely remember anything." Mari said.
"True and false." Kaworu replied.
"I hate paradoxes." Mari said.
"What does that mean?" Shinji asked.
"He's saying that whilst I was there, the current me as I am, has no memory of the place because it wasn't really me."
"What!?" Shinji said
"Shinji." Kaworu said hitting the final note. "Remember that you sought out a better world and thus made it so with the erasure of the EVA's; the erasure of the Adams."
"Yes." He said in agreement.
"At the Gogatha object where fate was rewritten, you're wish caused a ripple within the existence of our worlds and interfered with the predestined path of the prime-world."
"Prime world?" he asked
"The reality from which all our realities stem, we're currently trapped in its reflection, a timeline heading towards the end of that conclusion."
"What conclusion?"
"Third Impact." He said playing another note " The erasure of the Adams in the third world, combined with that of the second world, shifted the spectrum. The EVA's are gone and so are your parents, only remnants remain, shadows... ghosts of distance pasts and probabilities."
"Speak English dammit!" Asuka said
"I am" he said "The true Shinji and Asuka, still wait upon the shores of that beach. Whilst the second Shinji and Asuka, who sought to live their lives in world where the Adams are forgotten and stamped out - basically erased - are here, drawn into the collision.
And then there's you two, the third, who sought to erase the Adams and create a completely different set of possibilities. Thus, we're all here, drawn into the reflection of the prime-world, due to the ramifications of the third's wish...strays from similar yet different worlds."
"So, I'm not me?" he asked
"No, You are you, who else could you be? You just happen to be aware of the divergent path the collision took you...in this timeline collapsing within itself."
Shinji sighed and Asuka groaned in frustration.
"Is there way to return back to our respective realities? Or timelines?" He asked
"It's hard to say...We've been cast aside by fate, doomed to a world that's due to collapse at the precipice..." Kaworu now also sighed "But I think we can save it. By patching up the cracks, as it were, and send the fragments back to where they came from, this could possibly include us."
"Another impact?" Shinji asked
"Maybe?" Kaworu said "The third impact at the end of this world should be enough...given that you're at its center once more."
"I honestly don't feel like piloting the Eva again." Shinji said
"Me too." Asuka agreed.
"Well then you might need to convince the Shinji of this world of your intentions"
"Won't that cause any issues with time or whatever...if I talk to myself?"
"I can't say I know for sure...those nasty migraines you've been getting, that's the result of this reality trying to make sense of all your existences...maybe combining you into one."
"That sounds unpleasant." Asuka said
"It is." he said "The other me of this world already spoke of how he's been receiving some of my memories, how he can feel my presence...I suppose it must be the same for your counterparts as well."
"So they know we're here?"
"More that they can feel it, but can't make sense of it yet...remember it's not just the worlds that are colliding but time as well, anything could happen."
"What about the Eva's." Shinji asked
"There are only 4 units, 5 if you count Bardiel."
"Bardiel?"
"Unit-03." he said
"And what about Unit-13?"
"I can't get a sense for it...It's like I said, your mother and your father are gone, only their ghosts remain in this world, but they're not the parents you knew."
Shinji now sat down on the floor.
"You might wanna take your time processing this." Kaworu said, "and even now I told you things as how I understood or perceived them...I could be wrong"
Asuka sighed, looking upwards into the blue sky.
"I'm tired of this." She said "I'm going home"
"Oooo, can I come." Mari said following her.
"The next angel approaches...though that shouldn't be your problem, at least for now." Kaworu said.
"Kaworu, can I ask you to come with me?" He asked him
"Alright." He said standing from the piano.
"I wanna ask you about that beach...were you said-"
"Yes." Kaworu interrupted him, "I'll try to answer as best I can."
NERV HQ
"Thank you for looking after our Children, Major Katsuragi." Both Yui and Kyoko thanked her.
"It was my pleasure ma'am." She responded.
"If it's okay with you, I'd like to visit sometime." Kyoko said.
"Me too." Yui also said, "Just to spend time with Shinji."
"Sure." Misato responded "Come over whenever."
"Thank you." They both bowed.
"It really is no big deal." Misato chuckled. "Now we really have to get going." But before they left, both Yui and Kyoko gave a tight hug to each of their respective children.
"Okay, mom. You can let go now" Asuka said.
"Sorry." She said letting go.
"Remember Shinji, anywhere can be paradise..." Yui whispered
"So long as I have the will to live." Shinji finished for her, "Thanks mom."
After this they waved their goodbyes, and once Misato and the children were gone, Kyoko looked to Yui.
"You ready?" she asked her.
"Yeah." She said, "Let's do this."
As they were walking down the hall, Gendo came by and approached Yui.
"Yui I-"
But she ignored him and just continued onwards.
"I don't...want to talk to you right now" she said, and those were the last words Gendo heard from her, before she turned a corner getting out of his sight.
"Yui..." He said, rather sadly.
Misato's Car
"So... what was it like?" she asked the both of them.
"What was what like?" Asuka said
"Spending time with your mother?"
"It was weird and scary at first." Asuka said, "but we had fun...I told her all about it, my past...and she felt so sorry about it, she apologized so much...but it was also like she understood me, she knew me...truly."
"she is your mother after all..." Misato said, "and is that a smile I see."
"Oh, shut up." Asuka said hiding her blush.
"And you Shinji?"
"it was strange for me...I like her I really do, but there was this feeling...like a disconnect."
"what do you mean?" Misato asked
"I don't know." Shinji said, "it was kind of like when I was in the Eva..."
"Oh...I'm sorry Shinji." Misato, "Maybe, you just need to get to know her better."
"Yeah. maybe" he said
"Must suck...sorry Baka-Shinji"
"Asuka, feeling sorry for you?" Misato said "Dr. Soryu really is working miracles."
"whatever." Asuka said, once again hiding her blush.
And they rode home in lifted spirits. all was quiet in Tokyo-3, for now anyways.
END.
Thanks for reading.