Sorry it took me so long to get this online. It's here, and I hope you
enjoy.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Between Day and Night Chapter VII: For the Beginning of Our Pain
Bardiel floated in the hanger area of the underground Seele headquarters. To his left were the nine Unit 05 Evangelion Units. To his right, were Kaworu dummy plugs. "These artificial Angels may have their use to the old men, but they are of no use to me. And these imitation Tabris are quite amusing. Maybe I shall keep one for myself . . ."
* * * * *
Both Shinji and Rei sat by Schala's bed. Shinji had bandages covering all of his bruises he sustained in the last battle. Every few minutes Rei would look up at Shinji for some strength and relief. "Why won't she wake up, Shinji?"
Shinji couldn't give any logical answer.
"Do you think she'll -"
"Try not to think about it."
There was silence for a moment. Rei looked at the side of the bed and saw a file that profiled Schala. But it didn't say "Schala" anywhere on it. All it read was "Evangelion Unit 06". Two specialized medics entered the room. "Excuse me, but you must vacate the room. We've been given orders to keep an eye on Unit 06."
Rei stood up firmly. "She has a name."
"You must leave the room immediately."
"What are you going to do with her?"
"Get out, or you will be removed!" The medics introduced two security guards, each armed with an AKS-74u and a Desert Eagle handgun in a shoulder holster. Rei and Shinji immediately left the room. The guards immediately locked the door.
Rei turned to Shinji. "What are they going to do with her?"
"I don't know."
Misato now entered the area with two guards accompanying her. She had an M4A1 automatic machine gun patched with an M203 grenade launcher and a Beretta strapped to her side. The two guards were both armed with an AK-47.
Shinji was confused. "Misato? Why are there so many guards?"
Misato turned to her accompanying guards. "At ease boys." The two guards left her side. She turned back to Shinji and Rei. "Your father insisted that nobody be in the hospital section of Nerv while Schala is being kept here. Sorry, guys." Shinji and Rei walked toward the exit. "Rei," Misato called out. "I'm . . . sorry."
Rei looked at Misato, but didn't say anything. She stood still for a short moment, but continued following Shinji toward the exit.
Misato sighed.
"Have you used my card yet?" Kaji appeared.
"I asked Lieutenant Ibuki to check it out."
"Still too lazy to get things done yourself?"
"Oh, just shut up. You know, sometimes I wonder if I'm just hallucinating. I still don't know if you're really there . . . talking to me. Ritsuko is suffering from schizophrenia. I'm beginning to wonder if I've got the same problem. "
"You can always stop talking to me."
"No . . . even if I was a schizo I don't think I'd be strong enough to avoid talking to you . . . even if you weren't really there."
"But do you believe I'm here?"
"Is there a sure fire way to find out?"
"You can kill yourself."
"That's not funny."
"I'm serious. But you can't die yet. We still have to exploit a few mysteries."
"Whatever. But it's not like I'm going to jump off a roof just see if I've been really talking to the man that that deprived a part of me."
"I've never seen a woman that had complained so much about losing her virginity."
"Shut up!"
"Does it have to do something with me?"
"I . . . I . . . umm . . . just leave me alone . . ."
"Alright. See you later." Kaji disappeared. Misato rested her back against the wall.
"Who were talking to?" Maya asked as she quietly walked toward Misato.
"What are you doing here? No one's allowed here except for security!"
"Well, I've got special clearance."
"No you don't!"
"So, who were talking to?" Maya asked, ignoring Misato's last statement.
"N-Nobody."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Whatever you say."
"So, what did you find with the card?"
"You'll never believe it."
* * * * *
Ritsuko sat alone in a Nerv jail room. She looked up at the Nerv logo. "Well at least it doesn't look like a jail cell," Tsuroki stated.
"Shut up! I hate you! I'm in jail! Not for treason or because I've outlived my usefulness, but for talking to myself! How do you think this feels?!"
"Umm . . ."
"That's right! You don't know! You don't know how it feels because you can't feel! You don't even exist!"
There was no answer.
"Finally!" Ritsuko sat back after hearing no response. She was almost relaxed, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. She rested her head for a few minutes in relief. After, she looked up and looked around. "Mmm . . . I can hear that. Total silence." Ritsuko decided to lie on the floor for absolutely no reason. One minute passed, then ten, and soon, twenty minutes had passed. Ritsuko stared at the roof. Something was wrong. "Hey," she called out.
There was obviously no response.
"Anyone?"
Again, no response.
"Tsuroki?"
"See! You miss me already! You're so pathetic, Ritsuko!"
Ritsuko had never heard her inner voice talk with anger and disappointment.
"You're so lonely, and when someone tries to help you, even yourself, you reject it! So desperate, but so narcissistic! You beg for someone to talk to you, but you push everyone away!"
Ritsuko could remember a time when someone had called her a narcissist - a time when she didn't know what the word meant.
"You're so self-absorbed! You care about nobody but yourself! You and your prayers for a legit relationship with that man!"
Ritsuko only now understood what was inside her.
"So what do you have to say for yourself?"
"I'm not the only one."
"What are you talking about?"
Ritsuko was angry. "You're even more egocentric then I am. You say I'm greedy? You're a lot more conceited then I am!"
"How dare you!" Tsuroki's exclamation left a ringing in Ritsuko's ears.
"Now I understand. Mother, the MAGI couldn't hold you, so you abuse a spot in my body. In my soul! The hell with you mother!" Ritsuko quickly stood up and smashed her head against the wall. "Get - out - of - my -body - get - out - of - my - body!" Between every word, she would smash her head against the wall.
"That's not going to help anyone." Gendou said.
"You . . . what are you doing here?"
"You did this to yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"Not all of that old hag you call a mother was absorbed into the MAGI. A portion of it made attempts to take control of soulless beings."
"Take control of soulless beings?"
"Yes."
"You're talking about the expendable Rei clones."
"Yes, and since you killed them all, you practically did this to yourself. Congratulations, Doctor Akagi."
* * * * *
Shinji and Rei walked down the street toward Misato's apartment. Shinji put his arm around Rei in an attempt to comfort her. They looked at each other, neither of them able to escape their depressed mood. "Rei, this is my fault. If I was able to destroy the Angel myself, Schala would have never had to fight it."
"Don't blame yourself. It's my fault, too. I could not help her, either."
"You . . . really care about Schala, don't you."
"Schala sees me as a mother. You and her are only people I care for."
"Excuse me," a man said. He approached Shinji and Rei. Shinji pulled his hand away from Rei as he stared at the man. The man was old, probably in his 60s. However, he walked as if he was in his early twenties. He didn't even sound old. He was probably of German decent.
"Do you need something?" Shinji asked.
"Not exactly. Are you Shinji Ikari?"
Shinji nodded.
"And this is Rei Ayanami?"
Rei merely stared at him.
"Where is Asuka Soryu Langley. I must thank her for all that she's done for me."
"I don't know where she is," said Shinji.
"That's just fine, Ikari. By the way, I have a message for you."
"A message?"
"Yes. From Kaworu Nagisa. He said he would like to see you . . . very soon." The old man turned around and walked away. Rei and Shinji looked at each other, and then looked toward where the man was. He was gone.
"They don't die," Rei said.
"What?"
"Nothing. Let's try to forget about him."
"What does he know about Kaworu?"
"Nothing. You killed Kaworu. Let's go."
Close to the outskirts of the city, the man landed. "Let's see if that boy can kill me without his artificial Angel." Bardiel expanded his AT Field.
* * * * *
"What do we have, Hyuga?"
"Take a look at this, Major. It's . . ."
"A human?"
"That's what it looks like."
"Has the elevators for Units 02 and 04 been fixed?"
"Yes, they're ready to go."
"Alright, prepare for launch."
Units 01, 02, and 04 all launched and shot toward the surface. "Shinji," Rei called out.
"What's wrong, Rei?"
"The man we saw outside . . ."
"You mean the Angel?"
"It's him . . . the same Angel that took over Suzuhara's unit 03."
"How can you tell?"
"There's Angel in you, Pilot Soryu, and I. I'm able to manipulate that more than any of us, and I can tell . . . it's him."
"Touji lost an arm and a leg because of him . . ."
The Evas began to move toward their target. Bardiel levitated into the air in front of the three Units. "This is pathetic!" Asuka exclaimed. "This isn't a challenge . . . this is pitiful! I expect to be called to battle in my Eva when an Angel appears, not to swat flies!
Bardiel snapped his fingers, and his AT Field expanded. The three Units were immobilized.
Asuka tried to move her hands, but they wouldn't move. "I . . . can't . . . move . . ."
Rei tried to move. "My . . . arms . . . they . . . won't . . ."
Shinji tried to move as well. "I . . . I . . . I can't . . ."
Misato was confused. "Shinji! Asuka! Rei! What's going on?"
The three Evas were all immobile. Bardiel smiled at this. Time hasn't rusted his power. Bardiel extended his hand in the direction of Unit 01 and then pulled his hand down quickly. Unit 01 crashed into the ground. Shinji couldn't move. He was motionless - he couldn't even feel if he was afraid or not. Bardiel pointed at Unit 01 and moved his finger in a clockwise motion. The entry plug opened and was thrown out of the Eva. "We had always said that children abused advancements in life by playing with toys . . . but now I see nothing wrong with it." Bardiel swept his hand across the air, and Unit 04 was released from his grip.
Rei gasped for air. "Shinji . . . are you alright . . ."
There was no response.
"Shinji? Are you alright?"
Still nothing.
"Shinji?" Rei let out a scream as she felt something punch her in the face. She then felt as if she was being kicked in the stomach.
"I . . . I . . ." Unit 02 spun and fiercely kicked Unit 04 in the back. It lightly jumped into the air, and kicked Unit 04 in the face. Rei let out another scream.
"This is quite enjoyable," Bardiel told himself. He looked down at Unit 01 and saw Shinji recovering. "But not as enjoyable as my next act." He looked over in the direction of Nerv. "Mother . . . I'll be there in a moment." He floated down toward Shinji. "Well, great pilot of an artificial Angel, aren't you going to help your . . . girlfriend?"
Shinji looked up and saw Unit 04 getting pulverized by Unit 02. "Asuka, what are you doing?"
"I . . . have . . . no . . . control . . ." she responded.
"Pathetic", Bardiel said as he landed on top of the Eva.
Shinji stared at him in fear.
"I've waited a long time for this, Shinji Ikari! A long time! Do you know what it feels like to die and not have it end?! Do you have any idea what it's like to wait forever to finally extract the glory that belongs to you?!"
"Shinji!" It was Misato. "Don't respond, and try not to act unusual. There is a metal box to the left of you on the floor. Place your hand on it, and it should unlock."
Shinji saw the metal box, and put his hand on it. It read his fingerprints, and the box opened. Inside there were two miniature versions of the progressive knife and an Uzi resembling the machine gun he used with an Eva. He was shocked to find specialized weapons in the Eva. The Uzi was heavy for Shinji. He never handled a weapon like this before. As he held it, he trembled. He didn't want to kill anybody.
Meanwhile, Unit 02 continued to demolish Unit 04. The red Eva kicked Unit 04 in the stomach again. It then flipped into the air and prepared to crash down on the opponent, but Rei swiftly moved out of the way. "Forgive me," Rei said as Unit 02 turned around. Unit 04 punched her manipulated ally in the face, and then in the stomach. It prepared to kick Unit 02, but Rei hesitated as she began to feel the repetitive pains in her back come back to haunt her. Unit 02 took advantage and leaped over Rei. The pains affected Rei's ability to pilot. "Pilot Soryu! Control yourself!".
There was no response.
"Are you too weak to control even yourself . . ."
"What . . . did . . . you . . . say?!" Unit 02 began to fight even more aggression then it originally had. Unit 04 intercepted a barrage of punches and kicks. Rei countered the onslaught by ejecting her Prog-Knife and stabbing Unit 02 in the arm it was going to punch with. Asuka let out a scream.
"Pilot Soryu!"
Rei's effort didn't have any significant effect, as Unit 02 pulled the knife out and threw it aside. The red unit pulled its arm back and gave Unit 04 an uppercut. Unit 02 watched as its opponent fell to the ground. It then ejected its own Prog-Knife.
Bardiel began to float around Shinji's entry plug. "What's wrong, boy? You can kill me, can't you?"
Shinji trembled. He didn't know if he could kill someone hand to hand.
"Oh please, stop with that pitiful human fear of killing. You know you enjoy it Shinji. I watched you from above every time you killed an Angel, you loved it. You lived for the moment. Killing has become your lifestyle."
Shinji said nothing.
"Even when fighting Tabris, you may have had much anger and sorrow, but you were joyous on the inside. You were thrilled when you were given the chance to kill. I never fully understood these emotions until the day I commandeered that other boy's artificial Angel, but now I finally see their meaning. And Shinji Ikari, nothing would make you happier then killing me.
"That's not true!"
"Oh, it's very true. It's the truth you don't realize. You love to hate more than love."
"No! That's not true!"
"Oh really? Then prove me wrong."
Nothing happened for a short moment, but Shinji suddenly lifted the Uzi and pulled the trigger. The gun sprayed the bullets toward Bardiel. Bardiel merely watched as the bullets came toward him, as each bounced off his AT Field. "See boy, what did I tell you? You need to kill me."
The Uzi ran out of bullets, and the magazine dropped out of the bottom. "No . . . I'm doing this so I can stop Unit 02!"
"Oh really? Then maybe you need some motivation. Unit 02 is preparing to finish off your girlfriend."
Shinji quickly remembered the Rei had said that they, who were "contaminated" with Angel, have a special way of communicating. "Rei . . ." he faintly said.
"Shinji . . . I can hear you . . ."
"Hurry up! Unit 02 is going to kill you!"
Unit 02 drove the knife down towards Unit 04. Rei countered by ejecting her auxiliary Prog-Knife and stabbing Asuka's knife. The two now went into a power struggle with their knives.
Shinji loaded another magazine into the Uzi and continued to fire it at Bardiel, even though they bounced off his AT Field. The gun soon ran out of bullets again, and Shinji loaded another magazine. Bardiel swooped down and grabbed Shinji by the throat. "Now you'll pay for all the misery you've cost me!" Shinji put the gun in front of Bardiel's face, but he knocked it away. "Don't worry, you'll see your girlfriend again when you both burn in hell!"
Suddenly, a light came from Shinji, and he was able to form his own AT Field. With it, he pushed Bardiel away.
"So, you've got some Angel on the inside. You're not a human and not an Angel . . . I guess that makes you a freak of nature!"
Shinji didn't reply. He still amazed himself when he saw that he could amplify his own AT Field. Up to this moment, he doubted what Rei had said about the contamination of human bodies, but there was no turning from the truth.
"I guess anything's possible when you're a freak of nature."
Shinji ripped through Bardiel's AT Field, but burned his hands in the process. "As if I wasn't in enough pain," he told himself.
"Impressive, boy. Now, this can go two ways. I can kill you, and game over - the World's done. Or, you can kill me. You can free me from everything! But be assured, that when you do so, you'll be the one to remain on the battlefield. So, will you free me?"
Unit 02 and 04 both continued in their struggle against each other. Unit 02 ejected its auxiliary Prog-Knife and held it in its other hand and it prepared to finish off Unit 04 . . .
Shinji expanded his AT Field, which through Bardiel into a close by building. Bardiel crashed into the side of the building, and slowly fell. He slammed into the ground. He looked up and he saw that Shinji was in front of him. Shinji pulled out one of the miniature Prog-Knives and stabbed Bardiel in the core which was in place of a human heart. Shinji was breathing hard. He watched as Bardiel's eyes rolled into the back of his head. It was over . . . maybe it was over for good . . .
* * * * *
Misato and Maya were alone in an area of Nerv secretly talking about Maya's discovery.
"So, they plan to start Third Impact?"
"That's what they plan. But it requires a lot, including more Evas."
"Do you think it can be accomplished?"
"I don't know . . . but I'm hoping something goes wrong beforehand . . ."
* * * * *
Shinji sat in the hospital room where both Schala and Rei were. Schala still wouldn't wake up. But, Rei was waking up.
"Good morning, Rei."
Rei didn't respond. She looked somewhat disturbed.
"Rei, what's wrong."
"Shinji, I . . ."
"What's wrong?"
"Shinji, I love you."
That came as a surprise to Shinji. He didn't expect her to say that at this moment in time. "Well, Rei, I . . ."
"Don't say anything. Shinji, today . . . when Unit 02 almost killed me . . . I knew I was going to die. You were my dying thought."
"Rei . . ."
"Shinji . . . you have to promise me something."
"What is it, Rei?"
"That when I die, you have to take care of Schala. Schala's become my daughter, and when I die, I want you to take care of her . . ."
"But Rei, you're not going to die."
". . ."
"Rei?"
". . ." She was silent.
"Of course I'll take care of her. I guess she's my daughter as well."
"Thank you."
"Rei, I love you, too."
"I know."
* * * * *
In the area of lost lives, far, far away . . .
Bardiel materialized and fell to the ground.
"Welcome back," Arael said.
"So I died once again, I still accomplished what I had to do."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's none of your business. Where is Tabris."
"Nagisa is on his way to the liluth's realm."
"What?!"
"We've found a warp hole back. Nagisa is on his way to Tokyo-3."
Bardiel began to laugh.
"What is so . . . funny?"
"I can't say the welcoming party is going to be pleasant, I assure you of that. He'll be back here very soon."
"What do you mean?"
"I had a premonition that you two would find a way back and that Nagisa already knew about my plans to wake up Raiiel. So, I created a diversion that will cause Tabris to stop himself."
"Raiiel . . . you mean . . ."
"That's right. Angel Zero . . . Lilith . . . Angel One . . . Adam . . . Angel Two . . . Raiiel."
"Impossible, he was too dangerous so we made sure he wouldn't wake up! He's a threat to us even more when we're dead than when where alive! We planned Third Impact, but not in the way Raiiel would absorb every soul! Nothing exists, we become true nothingness!"
"And isn't that better than forever existing for nothing?"
"You're crazy."
"You are exaggerating so much. We're not going to have Raiiel absorb every soul. We have another use for him. Soon, I'll be back in the lilum realm with total control of the race."
"And how will you do this?"
"Just wait . . . and watch . . ."
To Be Continued . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please R&R. I do expect one or two flames because many probably think I developed Rei from her usual character into someone who loves Shinji a little too fast and there are people who think I did it in the right amount of time. Anyway, expect Chapter 9 somewhere around next week. Oh, on a side note, for anyone who has a fast computer, fast modem (DSL, Cable, T4), and KaZaA, here are some recommended d-loads:
1. End of Evangelion, for fans that've never seen it and want to get it for free. 2. Mobile Suit Z Gundam (49 Episodes), the best Gundam series, and one of the most epic anime series. Extremely dark. Will disturb you even if you laughed during EoE. 3. Anything off of the new Linkin Park CD, great Rock/Rap CD.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Between Day and Night Chapter VII: For the Beginning of Our Pain
Bardiel floated in the hanger area of the underground Seele headquarters. To his left were the nine Unit 05 Evangelion Units. To his right, were Kaworu dummy plugs. "These artificial Angels may have their use to the old men, but they are of no use to me. And these imitation Tabris are quite amusing. Maybe I shall keep one for myself . . ."
* * * * *
Both Shinji and Rei sat by Schala's bed. Shinji had bandages covering all of his bruises he sustained in the last battle. Every few minutes Rei would look up at Shinji for some strength and relief. "Why won't she wake up, Shinji?"
Shinji couldn't give any logical answer.
"Do you think she'll -"
"Try not to think about it."
There was silence for a moment. Rei looked at the side of the bed and saw a file that profiled Schala. But it didn't say "Schala" anywhere on it. All it read was "Evangelion Unit 06". Two specialized medics entered the room. "Excuse me, but you must vacate the room. We've been given orders to keep an eye on Unit 06."
Rei stood up firmly. "She has a name."
"You must leave the room immediately."
"What are you going to do with her?"
"Get out, or you will be removed!" The medics introduced two security guards, each armed with an AKS-74u and a Desert Eagle handgun in a shoulder holster. Rei and Shinji immediately left the room. The guards immediately locked the door.
Rei turned to Shinji. "What are they going to do with her?"
"I don't know."
Misato now entered the area with two guards accompanying her. She had an M4A1 automatic machine gun patched with an M203 grenade launcher and a Beretta strapped to her side. The two guards were both armed with an AK-47.
Shinji was confused. "Misato? Why are there so many guards?"
Misato turned to her accompanying guards. "At ease boys." The two guards left her side. She turned back to Shinji and Rei. "Your father insisted that nobody be in the hospital section of Nerv while Schala is being kept here. Sorry, guys." Shinji and Rei walked toward the exit. "Rei," Misato called out. "I'm . . . sorry."
Rei looked at Misato, but didn't say anything. She stood still for a short moment, but continued following Shinji toward the exit.
Misato sighed.
"Have you used my card yet?" Kaji appeared.
"I asked Lieutenant Ibuki to check it out."
"Still too lazy to get things done yourself?"
"Oh, just shut up. You know, sometimes I wonder if I'm just hallucinating. I still don't know if you're really there . . . talking to me. Ritsuko is suffering from schizophrenia. I'm beginning to wonder if I've got the same problem. "
"You can always stop talking to me."
"No . . . even if I was a schizo I don't think I'd be strong enough to avoid talking to you . . . even if you weren't really there."
"But do you believe I'm here?"
"Is there a sure fire way to find out?"
"You can kill yourself."
"That's not funny."
"I'm serious. But you can't die yet. We still have to exploit a few mysteries."
"Whatever. But it's not like I'm going to jump off a roof just see if I've been really talking to the man that that deprived a part of me."
"I've never seen a woman that had complained so much about losing her virginity."
"Shut up!"
"Does it have to do something with me?"
"I . . . I . . . umm . . . just leave me alone . . ."
"Alright. See you later." Kaji disappeared. Misato rested her back against the wall.
"Who were talking to?" Maya asked as she quietly walked toward Misato.
"What are you doing here? No one's allowed here except for security!"
"Well, I've got special clearance."
"No you don't!"
"So, who were talking to?" Maya asked, ignoring Misato's last statement.
"N-Nobody."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Whatever you say."
"So, what did you find with the card?"
"You'll never believe it."
* * * * *
Ritsuko sat alone in a Nerv jail room. She looked up at the Nerv logo. "Well at least it doesn't look like a jail cell," Tsuroki stated.
"Shut up! I hate you! I'm in jail! Not for treason or because I've outlived my usefulness, but for talking to myself! How do you think this feels?!"
"Umm . . ."
"That's right! You don't know! You don't know how it feels because you can't feel! You don't even exist!"
There was no answer.
"Finally!" Ritsuko sat back after hearing no response. She was almost relaxed, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time. She rested her head for a few minutes in relief. After, she looked up and looked around. "Mmm . . . I can hear that. Total silence." Ritsuko decided to lie on the floor for absolutely no reason. One minute passed, then ten, and soon, twenty minutes had passed. Ritsuko stared at the roof. Something was wrong. "Hey," she called out.
There was obviously no response.
"Anyone?"
Again, no response.
"Tsuroki?"
"See! You miss me already! You're so pathetic, Ritsuko!"
Ritsuko had never heard her inner voice talk with anger and disappointment.
"You're so lonely, and when someone tries to help you, even yourself, you reject it! So desperate, but so narcissistic! You beg for someone to talk to you, but you push everyone away!"
Ritsuko could remember a time when someone had called her a narcissist - a time when she didn't know what the word meant.
"You're so self-absorbed! You care about nobody but yourself! You and your prayers for a legit relationship with that man!"
Ritsuko only now understood what was inside her.
"So what do you have to say for yourself?"
"I'm not the only one."
"What are you talking about?"
Ritsuko was angry. "You're even more egocentric then I am. You say I'm greedy? You're a lot more conceited then I am!"
"How dare you!" Tsuroki's exclamation left a ringing in Ritsuko's ears.
"Now I understand. Mother, the MAGI couldn't hold you, so you abuse a spot in my body. In my soul! The hell with you mother!" Ritsuko quickly stood up and smashed her head against the wall. "Get - out - of - my -body - get - out - of - my - body!" Between every word, she would smash her head against the wall.
"That's not going to help anyone." Gendou said.
"You . . . what are you doing here?"
"You did this to yourself."
"What are you talking about?"
"Not all of that old hag you call a mother was absorbed into the MAGI. A portion of it made attempts to take control of soulless beings."
"Take control of soulless beings?"
"Yes."
"You're talking about the expendable Rei clones."
"Yes, and since you killed them all, you practically did this to yourself. Congratulations, Doctor Akagi."
* * * * *
Shinji and Rei walked down the street toward Misato's apartment. Shinji put his arm around Rei in an attempt to comfort her. They looked at each other, neither of them able to escape their depressed mood. "Rei, this is my fault. If I was able to destroy the Angel myself, Schala would have never had to fight it."
"Don't blame yourself. It's my fault, too. I could not help her, either."
"You . . . really care about Schala, don't you."
"Schala sees me as a mother. You and her are only people I care for."
"Excuse me," a man said. He approached Shinji and Rei. Shinji pulled his hand away from Rei as he stared at the man. The man was old, probably in his 60s. However, he walked as if he was in his early twenties. He didn't even sound old. He was probably of German decent.
"Do you need something?" Shinji asked.
"Not exactly. Are you Shinji Ikari?"
Shinji nodded.
"And this is Rei Ayanami?"
Rei merely stared at him.
"Where is Asuka Soryu Langley. I must thank her for all that she's done for me."
"I don't know where she is," said Shinji.
"That's just fine, Ikari. By the way, I have a message for you."
"A message?"
"Yes. From Kaworu Nagisa. He said he would like to see you . . . very soon." The old man turned around and walked away. Rei and Shinji looked at each other, and then looked toward where the man was. He was gone.
"They don't die," Rei said.
"What?"
"Nothing. Let's try to forget about him."
"What does he know about Kaworu?"
"Nothing. You killed Kaworu. Let's go."
Close to the outskirts of the city, the man landed. "Let's see if that boy can kill me without his artificial Angel." Bardiel expanded his AT Field.
* * * * *
"What do we have, Hyuga?"
"Take a look at this, Major. It's . . ."
"A human?"
"That's what it looks like."
"Has the elevators for Units 02 and 04 been fixed?"
"Yes, they're ready to go."
"Alright, prepare for launch."
Units 01, 02, and 04 all launched and shot toward the surface. "Shinji," Rei called out.
"What's wrong, Rei?"
"The man we saw outside . . ."
"You mean the Angel?"
"It's him . . . the same Angel that took over Suzuhara's unit 03."
"How can you tell?"
"There's Angel in you, Pilot Soryu, and I. I'm able to manipulate that more than any of us, and I can tell . . . it's him."
"Touji lost an arm and a leg because of him . . ."
The Evas began to move toward their target. Bardiel levitated into the air in front of the three Units. "This is pathetic!" Asuka exclaimed. "This isn't a challenge . . . this is pitiful! I expect to be called to battle in my Eva when an Angel appears, not to swat flies!
Bardiel snapped his fingers, and his AT Field expanded. The three Units were immobilized.
Asuka tried to move her hands, but they wouldn't move. "I . . . can't . . . move . . ."
Rei tried to move. "My . . . arms . . . they . . . won't . . ."
Shinji tried to move as well. "I . . . I . . . I can't . . ."
Misato was confused. "Shinji! Asuka! Rei! What's going on?"
The three Evas were all immobile. Bardiel smiled at this. Time hasn't rusted his power. Bardiel extended his hand in the direction of Unit 01 and then pulled his hand down quickly. Unit 01 crashed into the ground. Shinji couldn't move. He was motionless - he couldn't even feel if he was afraid or not. Bardiel pointed at Unit 01 and moved his finger in a clockwise motion. The entry plug opened and was thrown out of the Eva. "We had always said that children abused advancements in life by playing with toys . . . but now I see nothing wrong with it." Bardiel swept his hand across the air, and Unit 04 was released from his grip.
Rei gasped for air. "Shinji . . . are you alright . . ."
There was no response.
"Shinji? Are you alright?"
Still nothing.
"Shinji?" Rei let out a scream as she felt something punch her in the face. She then felt as if she was being kicked in the stomach.
"I . . . I . . ." Unit 02 spun and fiercely kicked Unit 04 in the back. It lightly jumped into the air, and kicked Unit 04 in the face. Rei let out another scream.
"This is quite enjoyable," Bardiel told himself. He looked down at Unit 01 and saw Shinji recovering. "But not as enjoyable as my next act." He looked over in the direction of Nerv. "Mother . . . I'll be there in a moment." He floated down toward Shinji. "Well, great pilot of an artificial Angel, aren't you going to help your . . . girlfriend?"
Shinji looked up and saw Unit 04 getting pulverized by Unit 02. "Asuka, what are you doing?"
"I . . . have . . . no . . . control . . ." she responded.
"Pathetic", Bardiel said as he landed on top of the Eva.
Shinji stared at him in fear.
"I've waited a long time for this, Shinji Ikari! A long time! Do you know what it feels like to die and not have it end?! Do you have any idea what it's like to wait forever to finally extract the glory that belongs to you?!"
"Shinji!" It was Misato. "Don't respond, and try not to act unusual. There is a metal box to the left of you on the floor. Place your hand on it, and it should unlock."
Shinji saw the metal box, and put his hand on it. It read his fingerprints, and the box opened. Inside there were two miniature versions of the progressive knife and an Uzi resembling the machine gun he used with an Eva. He was shocked to find specialized weapons in the Eva. The Uzi was heavy for Shinji. He never handled a weapon like this before. As he held it, he trembled. He didn't want to kill anybody.
Meanwhile, Unit 02 continued to demolish Unit 04. The red Eva kicked Unit 04 in the stomach again. It then flipped into the air and prepared to crash down on the opponent, but Rei swiftly moved out of the way. "Forgive me," Rei said as Unit 02 turned around. Unit 04 punched her manipulated ally in the face, and then in the stomach. It prepared to kick Unit 02, but Rei hesitated as she began to feel the repetitive pains in her back come back to haunt her. Unit 02 took advantage and leaped over Rei. The pains affected Rei's ability to pilot. "Pilot Soryu! Control yourself!".
There was no response.
"Are you too weak to control even yourself . . ."
"What . . . did . . . you . . . say?!" Unit 02 began to fight even more aggression then it originally had. Unit 04 intercepted a barrage of punches and kicks. Rei countered the onslaught by ejecting her Prog-Knife and stabbing Unit 02 in the arm it was going to punch with. Asuka let out a scream.
"Pilot Soryu!"
Rei's effort didn't have any significant effect, as Unit 02 pulled the knife out and threw it aside. The red unit pulled its arm back and gave Unit 04 an uppercut. Unit 02 watched as its opponent fell to the ground. It then ejected its own Prog-Knife.
Bardiel began to float around Shinji's entry plug. "What's wrong, boy? You can kill me, can't you?"
Shinji trembled. He didn't know if he could kill someone hand to hand.
"Oh please, stop with that pitiful human fear of killing. You know you enjoy it Shinji. I watched you from above every time you killed an Angel, you loved it. You lived for the moment. Killing has become your lifestyle."
Shinji said nothing.
"Even when fighting Tabris, you may have had much anger and sorrow, but you were joyous on the inside. You were thrilled when you were given the chance to kill. I never fully understood these emotions until the day I commandeered that other boy's artificial Angel, but now I finally see their meaning. And Shinji Ikari, nothing would make you happier then killing me.
"That's not true!"
"Oh, it's very true. It's the truth you don't realize. You love to hate more than love."
"No! That's not true!"
"Oh really? Then prove me wrong."
Nothing happened for a short moment, but Shinji suddenly lifted the Uzi and pulled the trigger. The gun sprayed the bullets toward Bardiel. Bardiel merely watched as the bullets came toward him, as each bounced off his AT Field. "See boy, what did I tell you? You need to kill me."
The Uzi ran out of bullets, and the magazine dropped out of the bottom. "No . . . I'm doing this so I can stop Unit 02!"
"Oh really? Then maybe you need some motivation. Unit 02 is preparing to finish off your girlfriend."
Shinji quickly remembered the Rei had said that they, who were "contaminated" with Angel, have a special way of communicating. "Rei . . ." he faintly said.
"Shinji . . . I can hear you . . ."
"Hurry up! Unit 02 is going to kill you!"
Unit 02 drove the knife down towards Unit 04. Rei countered by ejecting her auxiliary Prog-Knife and stabbing Asuka's knife. The two now went into a power struggle with their knives.
Shinji loaded another magazine into the Uzi and continued to fire it at Bardiel, even though they bounced off his AT Field. The gun soon ran out of bullets again, and Shinji loaded another magazine. Bardiel swooped down and grabbed Shinji by the throat. "Now you'll pay for all the misery you've cost me!" Shinji put the gun in front of Bardiel's face, but he knocked it away. "Don't worry, you'll see your girlfriend again when you both burn in hell!"
Suddenly, a light came from Shinji, and he was able to form his own AT Field. With it, he pushed Bardiel away.
"So, you've got some Angel on the inside. You're not a human and not an Angel . . . I guess that makes you a freak of nature!"
Shinji didn't reply. He still amazed himself when he saw that he could amplify his own AT Field. Up to this moment, he doubted what Rei had said about the contamination of human bodies, but there was no turning from the truth.
"I guess anything's possible when you're a freak of nature."
Shinji ripped through Bardiel's AT Field, but burned his hands in the process. "As if I wasn't in enough pain," he told himself.
"Impressive, boy. Now, this can go two ways. I can kill you, and game over - the World's done. Or, you can kill me. You can free me from everything! But be assured, that when you do so, you'll be the one to remain on the battlefield. So, will you free me?"
Unit 02 and 04 both continued in their struggle against each other. Unit 02 ejected its auxiliary Prog-Knife and held it in its other hand and it prepared to finish off Unit 04 . . .
Shinji expanded his AT Field, which through Bardiel into a close by building. Bardiel crashed into the side of the building, and slowly fell. He slammed into the ground. He looked up and he saw that Shinji was in front of him. Shinji pulled out one of the miniature Prog-Knives and stabbed Bardiel in the core which was in place of a human heart. Shinji was breathing hard. He watched as Bardiel's eyes rolled into the back of his head. It was over . . . maybe it was over for good . . .
* * * * *
Misato and Maya were alone in an area of Nerv secretly talking about Maya's discovery.
"So, they plan to start Third Impact?"
"That's what they plan. But it requires a lot, including more Evas."
"Do you think it can be accomplished?"
"I don't know . . . but I'm hoping something goes wrong beforehand . . ."
* * * * *
Shinji sat in the hospital room where both Schala and Rei were. Schala still wouldn't wake up. But, Rei was waking up.
"Good morning, Rei."
Rei didn't respond. She looked somewhat disturbed.
"Rei, what's wrong."
"Shinji, I . . ."
"What's wrong?"
"Shinji, I love you."
That came as a surprise to Shinji. He didn't expect her to say that at this moment in time. "Well, Rei, I . . ."
"Don't say anything. Shinji, today . . . when Unit 02 almost killed me . . . I knew I was going to die. You were my dying thought."
"Rei . . ."
"Shinji . . . you have to promise me something."
"What is it, Rei?"
"That when I die, you have to take care of Schala. Schala's become my daughter, and when I die, I want you to take care of her . . ."
"But Rei, you're not going to die."
". . ."
"Rei?"
". . ." She was silent.
"Of course I'll take care of her. I guess she's my daughter as well."
"Thank you."
"Rei, I love you, too."
"I know."
* * * * *
In the area of lost lives, far, far away . . .
Bardiel materialized and fell to the ground.
"Welcome back," Arael said.
"So I died once again, I still accomplished what I had to do."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's none of your business. Where is Tabris."
"Nagisa is on his way to the liluth's realm."
"What?!"
"We've found a warp hole back. Nagisa is on his way to Tokyo-3."
Bardiel began to laugh.
"What is so . . . funny?"
"I can't say the welcoming party is going to be pleasant, I assure you of that. He'll be back here very soon."
"What do you mean?"
"I had a premonition that you two would find a way back and that Nagisa already knew about my plans to wake up Raiiel. So, I created a diversion that will cause Tabris to stop himself."
"Raiiel . . . you mean . . ."
"That's right. Angel Zero . . . Lilith . . . Angel One . . . Adam . . . Angel Two . . . Raiiel."
"Impossible, he was too dangerous so we made sure he wouldn't wake up! He's a threat to us even more when we're dead than when where alive! We planned Third Impact, but not in the way Raiiel would absorb every soul! Nothing exists, we become true nothingness!"
"And isn't that better than forever existing for nothing?"
"You're crazy."
"You are exaggerating so much. We're not going to have Raiiel absorb every soul. We have another use for him. Soon, I'll be back in the lilum realm with total control of the race."
"And how will you do this?"
"Just wait . . . and watch . . ."
To Be Continued . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Please R&R. I do expect one or two flames because many probably think I developed Rei from her usual character into someone who loves Shinji a little too fast and there are people who think I did it in the right amount of time. Anyway, expect Chapter 9 somewhere around next week. Oh, on a side note, for anyone who has a fast computer, fast modem (DSL, Cable, T4), and KaZaA, here are some recommended d-loads:
1. End of Evangelion, for fans that've never seen it and want to get it for free. 2. Mobile Suit Z Gundam (49 Episodes), the best Gundam series, and one of the most epic anime series. Extremely dark. Will disturb you even if you laughed during EoE. 3. Anything off of the new Linkin Park CD, great Rock/Rap CD.
