Neon Genesis Evangelion: Creator's Gambit - Chapter 10
by: Gemini83
Disclaimer: I don't own Neon Genesis or any of the characters...just this story.
"Great," said Asuka, "how do we follow that joker now?"
"We all have wings Asuka," said Shinji, "just concentrate, and have faith."
He then focused once more, and again great silken wings grew out of his Eva. Shinji showed them the way by touching their minds, communicating with them through the under-mind. Rei and Kaworu's Units extended their wings, Toji and Asuka's soon followed.
Now they knew everything they needed. They had their powers, had the will to see this fight through, for however long it took. But most of all, they had each other, and their own hopes and dreams.
One by one, they flew up into space...to face the end of what had been prophesied since the beginning of time...
When they reached space, the Angel was emanating black energy...pulsing with pure wrath...
"Witness, as I destroy you and your pathetic planet in a single stroke."
"You finally show your true nature, my shade," said Shinji, "you are a menace to all life. You represent all the dark dreams and fears of humanity, a specter from our dark past. We are not worthy of the planet? Lies...we all deserve to live, and we will not fail."
Soon, they formed a circle. Shinji took the center. His friends surrounded him, giving him their support. A pentagram of sorts slowly coalesced around the Eva's, blazing around them like the prophetic insignia of a greater will.
Dark Shinji let out a yell of pure hatred, sending a dark shadow to engulf the Eva's. Shinji and his friends screamed as they felt their minds being invaded by a force they could not comprehend. It threatened to overcome them, to swallow them whole.
Shinji reached out to the others, to find them reaching back. And slowly, they drove back the mighty force.
The two wills clashed, Shinji and Dark Shinji, fighting for control of the world's fate. But Shinji had something Dark Shinji didn't. He had faith, he had friends, and he had love. The two powers warred with each other. An aura emanated from the Eva's, and surged forth against the shadows around them. Both energies seethed, the dark battled with the good.
"You will die."
"For the last time I tell you, you bastard," said Shinji, "YOU will fail. You know why? Because I have love, I have hope; and I have my comrades, my family..."
Kaworu continued, "that is why you will lose, because you are an empty shell of hypocrisy and hate...you are demons borne of our own uncertainties and fears. But these aren't weaknesses, they are what make us human, what spur us on towards greatness, past our own struggles. Now it is time to send you back to the darkness in which you belong..."
Shinji still had the original Lance of Longinus in his hands. He threw it at the Dark Angel. With it the Spear carried an immense burst of energy. All of the Eva pilots' emotions surged forth in the attack, all of the sheer will streaming from their Eva's. The two powers collided, but this time, the light was far greater than the shadows. It engulfed the evil energies, and swallowed up Dark Shinji.
"Nooo!" he screamed.
There was a sound, like energies disappearing into a vacuum, and he vanished, gone from the realm of humanity like fleeting dreams into the night.
"It is finally over," said Shinji, wearily.
"Let's go home," said Asuka.
Gendo Ikari and the others ducked for cover as the center of Nerv trembled around them. Then, just as soon as it had started, the shaking stopped.
Ikari looked around, and saw many more people here than he had seen before. So it was true...they had been lost souls. And now they had returned. But then, why had some of them stayed behind, while others had gone? Ritsuko had been right, there was something else at work here...a will pulling the strings of a great plan. It was a plan of which they knew only pieces. Humanity could bear only so much and still remain sane.
"Gendo," came a voice from behind.
Ikari turned around, not daring to believe. His heart leaped as he saw who it was. He no longer had anymore questions, they weren't important. All that mattered was who he saw...
"Yui..."
As the pilots landed on the Earth, it began to heal. Shinji could feel things beginning to piece themselves back together, although he couldn't see them.
"Third Impact is over," said Kaworu.
"The world is coming back to life," said Rei, "all the souls who have been claimed by this Genesis will be free. Even mother."
"Mother?" asked Shinji.
"Yes," answered Rei, "Yui Ikari. We were created from her and father, Gendo, in secret, to take part when Third Impact came. Somehow, we were fated for this."
"We?"
"Yes," said Kaworu, "WE. While I was created by Seele, Rei was created by Nerv...the our bloodline was foreseen by the Dead Sea Scrolls, we were the catalyst for the new order. But we are more than friends Shinji, we are brothers."
Shinji could not find words to express his astonishment and joy. His voice caught in his throat, as he choked back a sob.
He felt his eyes begin to sting, "everything...my life...it...meant something. And you...you are my..."
"I know Shinji, I know," said Kaworu.
"No words need be spoken for us to understand," answered Rei.
"It is time now, for us to heal...for the world to heal."
The Eva's finally entered the city, life steadily growing back, covering all the ravages of battle that had been fought over it. The Units entered their hangars, and disappeared into the ground. When they finally reached the launch pads, arm in arm... there they were...their families and friends, alive and well. Each of them shed tears, happy to be alive.
"Kaji! Misato! Ritsuko!" said Shinji, "You...you're back!"
They greeted the Eva pilots, congratulating them. The Eva pilots laughed as they met with their friends again, glad to be alive.
"Kaji!" said Asuka, hugging the older man.
"Hello, my sweet confusion," he relpied.
"Hey, you can only call ME that," said Misato, elbowing Kaji in the ribs.
"You're more than a confusion Misato," said Ritsuko, "you're a storm."
Shinji, Rei, and Kaworu looked around, and went to their parents.
Shinji came uncertainly to his father, waiting for him to say something.
"I'm...proud of you, " said Gendo, "...my children..."
"Father," said Shinji.
"You have made us all proud," said Yui.
"Mother," breathed Shinji, tears streaming from his eyes.
He hugged them closely, to drive away the fear that they were ghosts, and finally, after so long, felt at peace.
Asuka talked to her family from the computer, chattering away happily. Shinji looked at her, with a smile on his face, and knew there was something else he had to do.
"Father, mother," he said, "excuse me..."
Kaworu gave Shinji a meaningful glance, then smiled as he left.
He turned to Yui Ikari, and looked at her uncertainly.
Yui simply gave him a motherly hug, as she took him in his arms, as well as Rei. It wasn't important that they hadn't known each other. All that mattered was they were family. She looked to Gendo, and smiled, they were together at last.
He walked over to Asuka. She saw him and grinned.
"Shinji," said Asuka, "Thank you for everything...you were great out there."
He laughed timidly.
"Really different from your usual self," joked Asuka, "for once, we didn't have to hold your hand."
"Asuka," blurted out Shinji, staring into her eyes.
She could clearly see that he was distraught, "what is it?"
" I realized something when I almost lost you. I.. didn't want to face a world without you, without the others...I...need you Asuka. Thanks for being there for me."
He drew her up in his arms, and hugged her, tightly. Asuka's face went red, and for a moment was dumbfounded. Then she came to her senses, pushed him back, and slapped him. The sound echoed through the room, but made more of a noise than it hurt. Shinji rubbed his face tenderly, as Asuka started to rant at him.
Toji looked on and laughed. He was meeting with friends he well knew.
"Well, Kensuke! How goes it genius?"
"I'm fine Toji," said Kensuke, "but man I feel sorry for Shinji."
"Honestly Toji, you take better care of yourself."
"Well Class Rep," said the pilot, turning to answer her, "how do you feel, are you all right now?"
"I'm fine Toji, thanks to you and the others."
"It was nothing," he demurred, "all in a day's work, right?."
"Hmm," she wondered, "nevertheless, I thank you."
Toji scratched his head, "you know...I've been wondering..."
"Yes?"
"I never really got to eat the lunch you made for me before."
She shook her head, "it's alright."
"Still," insisted Toji, "what's say I make it up to you? Later this week? How about it?"
She smiled back, "I'd love to."
She blushed slightly as Toji grinned back at her.
Kensuke whistled, and laughed, "way to go Toji."
They both stared at him with looks that were self-explanatory.
Meanwhile, Asuka was still fuming. "I can't believe you... How...?"
"Asuka," interrupted Shinji, "you talk too much sometimes."
He silenced her lips with a kiss. He had practiced enough, with two women in fact...
She flapped her arms about wildly, but finally melted into his arms. When he finally let her come up for air, she was gasping for breath.
"Wow," said Kaworu, "now that was a kiss."
Shinji smiled down into Asuka's lovely eyes, she smiled back into his cheerful, reassuring face.
"I suppose I can forgive you this time," she said.
Then she forcefully pulled him back down again.
"Oh boy," said Toji, "well...it was bound to happen sooner or later."
"I see you don't need me to teach you how to kiss," said Misato, winking at Shinji.
"What?!" exclaimed Kaji in surprise.
"Oh don't worry," laughed Misato, "It's just a little joke."
"Yeah, some joke," answered Kaji doubtfully.
"Hey," said Misato, bringing her finger to his lips, "do I detect jealousy?"
"What for?" he asked, "of course not..."
Misato grinned, "I thought so..."
Kaji wrapped his arms around her waist, and drew her closer to him, "come here..."
Kensuke snuck up behind Rei, slowly creeping to her.
'Maybe now, she'll come out of her shell,' he thought, 'what she needs is a good jolt to set her off...'
Kaworu and Rei turned around, glaring at him in such a manner that Kensuke froze.
"I hope, for your sake," said Kaworu, "that you aren't thinking about doing something foolish."
Kensuke backed away carefully, palms facing outward, "wouldn't dream of it..."
"Hey, Kensuke," said Shinji, "stop messing around with my sister."
"YOUR WHAT?!"
"Hey, we can't do everything in a day." replied Shinji, "don't push your luck."
"For a smart guy," said Asuka, " you are so immature."
Then, Rei started to laugh, for the first time anyone had ever heard. It was a sweet, infectious sound, and the jubilation spread throughout the room. For the first time since Second Impact, they could all rest in peace. The Earth was saved.
"The world has a clean slate," said Kaji, "we can start over again."
"That was the point of Third Impact," said Gendo, "to prove our worth and claim to this world...to start anew...to nurture new life, and to take care of it."
"I still don't understand why it all happened," said Shinji, "where the Angels came from..."
"The Dead Sea Scrolls say no more," answered Kaji.
"We may never know the true purpose and meaning of the Impacts," continued Ritsuko, "but at least we will know ourselves...our path."
"From now on," said Kaji, "humanity defines its own destiny."
"All that matters Shinji," said Kaworu, "is that the Creator's Gambit has been completed. Now a new Genesis of life begins."
"We have proved our worth," continued Yui Ikari, "it is time to start over again. This is our reward, what we have worked for so hard, since decades past."
A glorious sunrise emerged above the wreckage of Tokyo. The real work was just beginning, but humanity would manage...they always had before. It was a new start, the world was theirs. With the new Genesis came new dreams and hopes...to push past the fears and shortcomings of the past...time for a new beginning...
-Checkmate (aka "The End")
by: Gemini83
Disclaimer: I don't own Neon Genesis or any of the characters...just this story.
"Great," said Asuka, "how do we follow that joker now?"
"We all have wings Asuka," said Shinji, "just concentrate, and have faith."
He then focused once more, and again great silken wings grew out of his Eva. Shinji showed them the way by touching their minds, communicating with them through the under-mind. Rei and Kaworu's Units extended their wings, Toji and Asuka's soon followed.
Now they knew everything they needed. They had their powers, had the will to see this fight through, for however long it took. But most of all, they had each other, and their own hopes and dreams.
One by one, they flew up into space...to face the end of what had been prophesied since the beginning of time...
When they reached space, the Angel was emanating black energy...pulsing with pure wrath...
"Witness, as I destroy you and your pathetic planet in a single stroke."
"You finally show your true nature, my shade," said Shinji, "you are a menace to all life. You represent all the dark dreams and fears of humanity, a specter from our dark past. We are not worthy of the planet? Lies...we all deserve to live, and we will not fail."
Soon, they formed a circle. Shinji took the center. His friends surrounded him, giving him their support. A pentagram of sorts slowly coalesced around the Eva's, blazing around them like the prophetic insignia of a greater will.
Dark Shinji let out a yell of pure hatred, sending a dark shadow to engulf the Eva's. Shinji and his friends screamed as they felt their minds being invaded by a force they could not comprehend. It threatened to overcome them, to swallow them whole.
Shinji reached out to the others, to find them reaching back. And slowly, they drove back the mighty force.
The two wills clashed, Shinji and Dark Shinji, fighting for control of the world's fate. But Shinji had something Dark Shinji didn't. He had faith, he had friends, and he had love. The two powers warred with each other. An aura emanated from the Eva's, and surged forth against the shadows around them. Both energies seethed, the dark battled with the good.
"You will die."
"For the last time I tell you, you bastard," said Shinji, "YOU will fail. You know why? Because I have love, I have hope; and I have my comrades, my family..."
Kaworu continued, "that is why you will lose, because you are an empty shell of hypocrisy and hate...you are demons borne of our own uncertainties and fears. But these aren't weaknesses, they are what make us human, what spur us on towards greatness, past our own struggles. Now it is time to send you back to the darkness in which you belong..."
Shinji still had the original Lance of Longinus in his hands. He threw it at the Dark Angel. With it the Spear carried an immense burst of energy. All of the Eva pilots' emotions surged forth in the attack, all of the sheer will streaming from their Eva's. The two powers collided, but this time, the light was far greater than the shadows. It engulfed the evil energies, and swallowed up Dark Shinji.
"Nooo!" he screamed.
There was a sound, like energies disappearing into a vacuum, and he vanished, gone from the realm of humanity like fleeting dreams into the night.
"It is finally over," said Shinji, wearily.
"Let's go home," said Asuka.
Gendo Ikari and the others ducked for cover as the center of Nerv trembled around them. Then, just as soon as it had started, the shaking stopped.
Ikari looked around, and saw many more people here than he had seen before. So it was true...they had been lost souls. And now they had returned. But then, why had some of them stayed behind, while others had gone? Ritsuko had been right, there was something else at work here...a will pulling the strings of a great plan. It was a plan of which they knew only pieces. Humanity could bear only so much and still remain sane.
"Gendo," came a voice from behind.
Ikari turned around, not daring to believe. His heart leaped as he saw who it was. He no longer had anymore questions, they weren't important. All that mattered was who he saw...
"Yui..."
As the pilots landed on the Earth, it began to heal. Shinji could feel things beginning to piece themselves back together, although he couldn't see them.
"Third Impact is over," said Kaworu.
"The world is coming back to life," said Rei, "all the souls who have been claimed by this Genesis will be free. Even mother."
"Mother?" asked Shinji.
"Yes," answered Rei, "Yui Ikari. We were created from her and father, Gendo, in secret, to take part when Third Impact came. Somehow, we were fated for this."
"We?"
"Yes," said Kaworu, "WE. While I was created by Seele, Rei was created by Nerv...the our bloodline was foreseen by the Dead Sea Scrolls, we were the catalyst for the new order. But we are more than friends Shinji, we are brothers."
Shinji could not find words to express his astonishment and joy. His voice caught in his throat, as he choked back a sob.
He felt his eyes begin to sting, "everything...my life...it...meant something. And you...you are my..."
"I know Shinji, I know," said Kaworu.
"No words need be spoken for us to understand," answered Rei.
"It is time now, for us to heal...for the world to heal."
The Eva's finally entered the city, life steadily growing back, covering all the ravages of battle that had been fought over it. The Units entered their hangars, and disappeared into the ground. When they finally reached the launch pads, arm in arm... there they were...their families and friends, alive and well. Each of them shed tears, happy to be alive.
"Kaji! Misato! Ritsuko!" said Shinji, "You...you're back!"
They greeted the Eva pilots, congratulating them. The Eva pilots laughed as they met with their friends again, glad to be alive.
"Kaji!" said Asuka, hugging the older man.
"Hello, my sweet confusion," he relpied.
"Hey, you can only call ME that," said Misato, elbowing Kaji in the ribs.
"You're more than a confusion Misato," said Ritsuko, "you're a storm."
Shinji, Rei, and Kaworu looked around, and went to their parents.
Shinji came uncertainly to his father, waiting for him to say something.
"I'm...proud of you, " said Gendo, "...my children..."
"Father," said Shinji.
"You have made us all proud," said Yui.
"Mother," breathed Shinji, tears streaming from his eyes.
He hugged them closely, to drive away the fear that they were ghosts, and finally, after so long, felt at peace.
Asuka talked to her family from the computer, chattering away happily. Shinji looked at her, with a smile on his face, and knew there was something else he had to do.
"Father, mother," he said, "excuse me..."
Kaworu gave Shinji a meaningful glance, then smiled as he left.
He turned to Yui Ikari, and looked at her uncertainly.
Yui simply gave him a motherly hug, as she took him in his arms, as well as Rei. It wasn't important that they hadn't known each other. All that mattered was they were family. She looked to Gendo, and smiled, they were together at last.
He walked over to Asuka. She saw him and grinned.
"Shinji," said Asuka, "Thank you for everything...you were great out there."
He laughed timidly.
"Really different from your usual self," joked Asuka, "for once, we didn't have to hold your hand."
"Asuka," blurted out Shinji, staring into her eyes.
She could clearly see that he was distraught, "what is it?"
" I realized something when I almost lost you. I.. didn't want to face a world without you, without the others...I...need you Asuka. Thanks for being there for me."
He drew her up in his arms, and hugged her, tightly. Asuka's face went red, and for a moment was dumbfounded. Then she came to her senses, pushed him back, and slapped him. The sound echoed through the room, but made more of a noise than it hurt. Shinji rubbed his face tenderly, as Asuka started to rant at him.
Toji looked on and laughed. He was meeting with friends he well knew.
"Well, Kensuke! How goes it genius?"
"I'm fine Toji," said Kensuke, "but man I feel sorry for Shinji."
"Honestly Toji, you take better care of yourself."
"Well Class Rep," said the pilot, turning to answer her, "how do you feel, are you all right now?"
"I'm fine Toji, thanks to you and the others."
"It was nothing," he demurred, "all in a day's work, right?."
"Hmm," she wondered, "nevertheless, I thank you."
Toji scratched his head, "you know...I've been wondering..."
"Yes?"
"I never really got to eat the lunch you made for me before."
She shook her head, "it's alright."
"Still," insisted Toji, "what's say I make it up to you? Later this week? How about it?"
She smiled back, "I'd love to."
She blushed slightly as Toji grinned back at her.
Kensuke whistled, and laughed, "way to go Toji."
They both stared at him with looks that were self-explanatory.
Meanwhile, Asuka was still fuming. "I can't believe you... How...?"
"Asuka," interrupted Shinji, "you talk too much sometimes."
He silenced her lips with a kiss. He had practiced enough, with two women in fact...
She flapped her arms about wildly, but finally melted into his arms. When he finally let her come up for air, she was gasping for breath.
"Wow," said Kaworu, "now that was a kiss."
Shinji smiled down into Asuka's lovely eyes, she smiled back into his cheerful, reassuring face.
"I suppose I can forgive you this time," she said.
Then she forcefully pulled him back down again.
"Oh boy," said Toji, "well...it was bound to happen sooner or later."
"I see you don't need me to teach you how to kiss," said Misato, winking at Shinji.
"What?!" exclaimed Kaji in surprise.
"Oh don't worry," laughed Misato, "It's just a little joke."
"Yeah, some joke," answered Kaji doubtfully.
"Hey," said Misato, bringing her finger to his lips, "do I detect jealousy?"
"What for?" he asked, "of course not..."
Misato grinned, "I thought so..."
Kaji wrapped his arms around her waist, and drew her closer to him, "come here..."
Kensuke snuck up behind Rei, slowly creeping to her.
'Maybe now, she'll come out of her shell,' he thought, 'what she needs is a good jolt to set her off...'
Kaworu and Rei turned around, glaring at him in such a manner that Kensuke froze.
"I hope, for your sake," said Kaworu, "that you aren't thinking about doing something foolish."
Kensuke backed away carefully, palms facing outward, "wouldn't dream of it..."
"Hey, Kensuke," said Shinji, "stop messing around with my sister."
"YOUR WHAT?!"
"Hey, we can't do everything in a day." replied Shinji, "don't push your luck."
"For a smart guy," said Asuka, " you are so immature."
Then, Rei started to laugh, for the first time anyone had ever heard. It was a sweet, infectious sound, and the jubilation spread throughout the room. For the first time since Second Impact, they could all rest in peace. The Earth was saved.
"The world has a clean slate," said Kaji, "we can start over again."
"That was the point of Third Impact," said Gendo, "to prove our worth and claim to this world...to start anew...to nurture new life, and to take care of it."
"I still don't understand why it all happened," said Shinji, "where the Angels came from..."
"The Dead Sea Scrolls say no more," answered Kaji.
"We may never know the true purpose and meaning of the Impacts," continued Ritsuko, "but at least we will know ourselves...our path."
"From now on," said Kaji, "humanity defines its own destiny."
"All that matters Shinji," said Kaworu, "is that the Creator's Gambit has been completed. Now a new Genesis of life begins."
"We have proved our worth," continued Yui Ikari, "it is time to start over again. This is our reward, what we have worked for so hard, since decades past."
A glorious sunrise emerged above the wreckage of Tokyo. The real work was just beginning, but humanity would manage...they always had before. It was a new start, the world was theirs. With the new Genesis came new dreams and hopes...to push past the fears and shortcomings of the past...time for a new beginning...
-Checkmate (aka "The End")