Chapter 15
Handling Change / The 17th
The drive home included one stop for Rei to pick up her personal belongs, which consisted of a few small bags. There was not much talking done on the way back. Upon entering the Apartment, Sayoko turned to Rei.
"Put your things in my room. You can stay there with me."
Rei nodded and disappeared down the hall. Sayoko then turned to Shinji and Misato. Shinji had still not said a word. Sayoko grew concerned.
"Shinji are you alright?"
"Of course he's not alright!" shouted Misato. "He just learned that Rei is a clone of his Mother!!"
Sayoko stared at Misato. "She is not a clone of his mother. Yes, she has her DNA, but Yui Ikari's DNA is just a portion that makes up Rei. That allows her to look like his mother, which is what HE wanted."
"Who?"
"The Commander."
"The Commander!? How do you know this?"
"When I had my hand on the cylinder, I could see images and thoughts of those who touched it. While it did not tell me everything, it told me enough that the Commander has plans for Rei, plans that now appear to have changed."
Misato stared at Sayoko, "But still, Rei is....."
"Rei had no control over her creation. She cannot help what she is." Sayoko turned to Shinji. "I know that you care for her, not as much as Asuka, but enough. She is still Rei, not matter what you've learned about her." Sayoko's voice grew quieter, "While she is not the entirely related to you, she could basically be considered your sister."
Shinji turned and looked at Sayoko. "Sister?"
"What else can she be? You are basically all the family she has. Unless you count your father..."
Shinji's face turned red with anger. "I no longer consider him my father! After what he has done!"
"So are you mad at Rei or him?" Sayoko got quiet, "Right now Rei is scared. She made a big decision today, and is scared of what the future holds for her. We need to be there for her."
Shinji turned and looked down the hallway.
"I need to think about this, this is just to much right now." He then walked to his room and shut the door. Sayoko let out a sigh then turned to Misato. Misato still had a look on her face.
"You knew what she was? And you said nothing?"
"I knew she was different, I knew she was a clone. But it was not my secret to tell. As to her genetic origins, I found out when I touched that cylinder."
Misato folded her arms. "I still find it hard to believe you had no clue about this."
"No one in the Heavens knew this either. The data I got from my Aunt said she was a clone. It did not say his mother was a part of her."
Misato sighed, "You are right. It's not Rei's fault. But it's still a lot for him to find out about."
"Shinji has gotten stronger." Sayoko said looking down the hallway, "I believe he will make the right decision."
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That night was a restless sleep for Shinji. Memories from his time in the Eva continually surfaced and disturbed his slumber. One specific memory surfaced time and again.
"What will you name it?"
"If it's a boy....Shinji,...if it's a girl....Rei."
"If it's a boy ....Shinji...if it's a girl....Rei."
"Shinji......Rei..."
"Shinji...Rei."
"SHINJI!!"
Shinji sat up in a sweat. Sayoko was next to him. "Shinji its alright. You were having a nightmare."
Shinji shook his head. "No...This seemed real."
Sayoko frowned slightly, then placed her hand on his head and concentrated. Her eyes then snapped open in shock.
"Those aren't dreams! Those are memories! But....How?"
"You remember when I was absorbed by my Eva." Sayoko nodded. "Well, I found out that my mother was inside. She has been there since the accident. Turns out when my Eva goes berserk, she is controlling it. I....saw some of her memories while I was with her. "
Sayoko turned away a second, then looked at Shinji. "I believe you. The battle against the 15th, when Asuka and I were....attacked. My mother appeared inside my entry plug. She took over and killed the Angel. It turns out that she and my father are inside."
"You saw them? In your entry plug?"
"Only my mother. I think its because I'm a goddess. I suppose if I get sucked into the Eva, I'll see him too."
Shinji looked at Sayoko hopefully. "Is it possible for them to return?"
Sayoko's faced turned grim. "I don't know. Even my mother was unsure if she could return."
Shinji sighed. He looked at his alarm clock. 2:00am. "Did anyone else wake-up?"
"Misato started to, but I sent her back under." Sayoko then smiled. "Nothing short of an Angel Attack will wake Rei."
Shinji went quiet at the mention of Rei. "How is she?"
"She's alright. She is concerned about how you'll act towards her from now on."
Shinji looked at the floor, "I don't know anything about her though."
"Shinji, Rei is basically still the same Rei you met almost a year ago. Only your perception of her has changed."
"I didn't know anything about her then either."
"Did that stop you from talking to her? Give her a chance Shinji. This is going to be a tough time for her."
Shinji laid back on his bed. "Alright, I'll try."
"That's all I ask."
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The next few days were quiet. Since there was no school and there really wasn't much else to do as the city had been mostly abandoned, the children hung out at the apartment, watching TV. After finding out about Rei, Touji at first seemed unsure about her, but soon he got used to the idea of her being Shinji's sister. Shinji also got over his concerns about Rei. He even started to become more protective of her. Rei, herself was opening up more. She was also able to remove most of the bandages. She still had problems with her left eye, so that remained bandaged. Misato spent a lot of time at NERV, searching through the MAGI. Sayoko tried repeatedly to contact her aunts, with no success. She also went regularly with Shinji and Rei to visit Asuka. Asuka remain stable, but also remained unconscious.
"Wonder what she would think about this?" asked Sayoko, looking down at Asuka.
"What do you mean?" asked Rei.
"About you two, being related and all."
Shinji rolled his eyes. "She'd probably start cursing in German."
"Well if she does, I can always tell you what she's saying." Sayoko said with a smile. "Come on. We have sync tests."
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Several Hours later,
"So, How are they?" asked Misato.
"Rei has dropped several points," said Maya, "Shinji and Touji haven't changed at all. Sayoko's however has risen a lot."
"Any news on a new Eva for Rei?"
"Well from what I understand, with only one Angel left and Unit 02 currently without a pilot, the Commander wants Rei to pilot it."
Misato paled slightly, "Oh when Asuka wakes up and hears about this......."
"When Asuka hears what?" came a voice from the door. Shinji and Touji walked in.
"Yeah Misato? What's going on?" asked Touji.
"The Commander wants Rei to pilot Unit 02."
Shinji and Touji looked at each other. Then Shinji turned to Misato. "She is not gonna like that."
Misato sighed, "Well if she doesn't wake-up, that's what is going to happen."
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Rei stood quietly on the moving tramway. She was heading to meet Sayoko in the observation area that over looked the Geo Front. As she approached the end, a figure moved into view.
"You are the 1st Child are you not?" asked the man.
"Who are you?"
"Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa." the man said with a smile.
"What do you want with me?" Rei started to walk away.
"You are the same as me."
Rei stopped dead in her tracks. She whirled around and stared wide eye at the Lieutenant.
"What did you say?"
Nagisa just smiled, "Being around the Lilim has caused you to forget your purpose, our cause. Don't worry. You will remember soon enough." With that Nagisa turned and walked away. Rei stared at the departing Lieutenant, then ran to find Sayoko.
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Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa stood on the narrow walkway before Unit 02. After standing there for a few minutes he spoke to the Eva.
"It's time. Come Adam's alter ego, servant of the Lilim." Nagisa step off into space. Instead of falling he floated just off the platform and began to rise. Unit 02 looked up, its eyes glowing red.
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"SAYOKO!" Sayoko's head snapped up as Rei shouted her name in a tone she never heard from Rei before.
"What is it Rei?" Rei ran up to Sayoko.
"There is an Angel here!" she whispered to Sayoko. Sayoko's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!?"
It was then that the alarms went off.
"Where will he go?" asked Sayoko.
"This way." Rei grabbed Sayoko and they began to run.
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"UNIT 02 HAS ACTIVATED!!" shout Hyuga.
"Who's piloting!?" asked Misato.
"Nobody! There's no plug inserted!" shouted Maya.
"WHAT?"
"AT-FIELD DETECTED IN CENTRAL DOGMA!!" shouted Aoba.
"Is it Unit 02?"
"No, Pattern is Blue! It is an Angel!"
"WHAT!"
"It's passing the fourth level! Still descending."
"CLOSE ALL DOORS IN CENTRAL DOGMA!" ordered Fuyutsuki. "Maybe that will slow it down!" He then turned to Ikari.
"How did it get in here without us knowing?"
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SEELE 02: The Last Angel has entered Central Dogma and is descending.
SEELE 01: Ikari, You were our friend, our comrade, and our conspirator, but this is your final job. You will be forced to use Unit 01, for nothing else on earth will be able to defeat him.
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"Unit 02 is breaking through the doors! Its still descending!"
"Send Units 03 and 01 after it." ordered Ikari.
"Yes Sir!" answered Misato.
"It must not be allowed to enter Terminal Dogma."
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"Touji. Shinji. Do you understand your orders?"
"Yes Misato, But where's Sayoko?"
"We don't know. Neither she nor Rei have been seen. Now Hurry!"
"Right!"
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'They should be arriving any time now' thought Nagisa.
He turned his head upward as he floated down the shaft with Unit 02. He could just make out a purple speck speeding towards him. Just as Unit 01 approached Nagisa, Unit 02 grabbed it and threw it against the shaft wall.
"Arghhh" came Shinji's cry.
Shinji struggled to free his Eva. He tried to pull out his progressive knife when Unit 02 threw him against the opposite shaft wall. Unit 02 then grabbed a large pipe and wrenched it free from the wall. As Shinji broke loose, Unit 02 plunged the pipe into Unit 01's chest, pinning it to the shaft wall.
"AHHHHHH!!" scream Shinji, clutching his chest in the Eva.
Nagisa smiled as he continued his descent. "Somehow....I was expecting more."
"What? You forget about me?" Nagisa turned saw Unit 03 attack Unit 02 from behind. Nagisa floated to the side as both Unit plunged downward to the bottom of the shaft. Unit 03 and 02 crashed into the bottom of the shaft. Touji tried to stab Unit 02 with his progressive knife.
"COME ON DAMN YOU!!" shouted Touji.
Maya's voice came over the radio. "Unit 03 has 3 minutes of power remaining."
Farther up the shaft, Shinji struggled to pull the pipe from his chest.
Touji continued to wrestle with Unit 02. He threw Unit 02 through a set of doors and into a lake of LCL.
"Heaven's Gate has been breached!" shouted Aoba.
Touji was about to go after the Eva when he saw a cross. A giant cross. Hanging from the cross was a giant white being. An Angel.
"What the hell is that doing here?" asked Touji. A fist to the back of his Eva's head brought him back to reality. He turned his Eva and was about to plunge his knife into Unit 02's chest when everything went black, except for blinking numbers. 00:00:00.
Touji stared at the numbers in shock. "I'm in deep shit."
Unit 02 turned toward the disabled 03 and plunged its hand deep into its chest. When it pulled its hand free, it brought with it the entry plug. Nagisa floated slowly into view.
"How pitiful."
A loud splash announced Shinji's arrival behind him. Nagisa turned slowly and watched as Shinji pulled his knife and tried to plunge it into Nagisa. An AT-Field blocked him.
"What! An AT-Field?"
"Yes," replied Nagisa. "That is what you Lilim refer to it as. It is the light of my soul, in which no one may intrude."
"What's going on Shinji?" came Misato's voice.
"There's another Angel here! Its on some sort of cross."
"Third Child! You must prevent the Angels from joining with each other." Came Ikari's voice.
Shinji snarled a reply as he fought with to push his knife through Nagisa's AT-Field. "Why should I listen to you?"
"If you don't they will cause a Third Impact!"
Shinji froze for a second.
"Now he tells me." muttered Shinji.
Turning his attention back to Nagisa "Why are you doing this?" called Shinji.
"It is our revenge for what Kami-sama did to us."
"What?"
"A Millennia ago, we were created to drive the demons and other horrific beasts from this land, to clear the way for the Lilim. We were promised to remain amongst them, but we were betrayed. Upon completion of our work and the beginning of the creation of the Lilim, Kami-sama sent the forces of the heavens after us. We fought back, but were defeated. We slept for thousands of years, until the day came when we were found by the Lilim." Nagisa smiled. "How ironic, that we now return to drive the Lilim from the earth we once cleared for them."
"Not if I stop you!"
"Aren't you forgetting someone." Nagisa smiled and pointed towards Unit 02. The Eva held 03's Entry Plug in its hand.
"TOUJI!!!" shouted Shinji. He began to move towards Unit 02.
Nagisa smiled and nodded to Unit 02. Unit 02 clenched its hand, crushing the plug it held. LCL dripped from between its fingers.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!" shouted Shinji.
Now if you'll excuse me...." Nagisa turned towards the cross.
"YOU BASTERD!!!!" Shinji dove at Nagisa, but was blocked as Unit 02 drove him back against the wall.
Nagisa got halfway to the Angel, when a blue barrier with intricate designs appeared.
"WHAT?!" Nagisa cried. "What is this?"
"You will not join with Adam." came a voice. "I will not let you."
Nagisa looked closely through the barrier. Sayoko floated just on the other side.
"Who are you?" shouted Nagisa.
Sayoko glowed for a second and then reappeared in her goddess robes. "I am Sayoko, Goddess Second Class, Limited. I will not allow you to join with Adam."
Nagisa's eyes narrowed. "We shall see little one."
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"What the hell is going on down there!?!?" asked Misato.
"All monitors to Terminal Dogma are down! We've lost communications! We are detecting the Angels and Unit 01 and 02's AT-Fields. We are also detecting another Type Purple Pattern." said Hyuga.
"Type Purple?" 'Sayoko!' "Wait, what happened to Unit 03?"
"We don't know."
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Nagisa began to extend his AT-Field into Sayoko's shield. The two energy forces began to sparkle and crackle as they came together.
"What will you do little one? My power is infinite. How much longer can you last?"
Sayoko began to strain as Nagisa increased the power of his AT-Field.
Far above the scene, Rei stood watching from a ledge. Towards the center, she could see the clash of energy as Sayoko and Nagisa fought against each other. Just below her, Unit 01 and Unit 02 struggled. She turned back to Sayoko. Even from here, she could see Sayoko was weakening. Rei turned back to Unit 02 and concentrated.
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"We're detecting another AT-Field!!" shouted Hyuga. "It's the strongest on record!!"
Misato felt helpless. 'What the hell is going on down there??'
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Both Nagisa and Sayoko turned as they felt the new AT-Field. Both looked up and saw Rei. Unit 02's AT-Field was neutralized by the new field, allowing Shinji to slice into the Eva. Nagisa turned back towards Sayoko just in time to catch a force bolt in his chest. Sayoko did not see her handy work. Totally drained of power, she fell into the lake of LCL. Nagisa recovered from the force bolt and looked around. He saw no sign of the goddess. With a smile, he continued to float towards the crucified Angel.
"And now Father, I will return and compl......." Nagisa took another look at the Angel. "This is not Adam! This is Lilith!"
Strong hands wrapped around Nagisa, bringing him face to face with Unit 01. Nagisa looked over at Unit 02. The pieces of it floated about in a dark stain on the LCL. Nagisa turned back to Unit 01.
"So. We are defeated again." Nagisa smiled evilly at Unit 01. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts....Your final trial starts soon."
"Oh Shut-up" muttered Shinji, clenching his hand, crushing Nagisa. A splash announced the arrival of Nagisa's head meeting the surface of the LCL.
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Several hours later.
Shinji sat on a bench at the park overlooking the remains of Tokyo-3. He had been sitting there awhile when Misato arrived.
"So that's the end of the Angels." said Shinji.
"There was only going to be 17 total." replied Misato.
"How's Touji?"
Misato sighed, "He's going to lose an arm, possible his leg. But he should recover."
"And Sayoko?"
"She's back at the apartment with Rei. Apparently she used up all her powers against the 17th Angel. She just needs time to recharge."
"So what happens now?"
"I don't know Shinji. I just don't know."
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"Status."
"The 17th Angel has been defeated by Unit 01 sir. Sayoko prevented it from initiating 3rd Impact."
"How is she?"
"Drained of energy sir. She is recovering."
"And what of Miss Ayanami?"
"She assisted in the defeat of the Angel."
"Good. Alert all the 0 and 1st classes. The time of the trial is at hand."
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Yes.....the movies come next.....Stay tuned....
Handling Change / The 17th
The drive home included one stop for Rei to pick up her personal belongs, which consisted of a few small bags. There was not much talking done on the way back. Upon entering the Apartment, Sayoko turned to Rei.
"Put your things in my room. You can stay there with me."
Rei nodded and disappeared down the hall. Sayoko then turned to Shinji and Misato. Shinji had still not said a word. Sayoko grew concerned.
"Shinji are you alright?"
"Of course he's not alright!" shouted Misato. "He just learned that Rei is a clone of his Mother!!"
Sayoko stared at Misato. "She is not a clone of his mother. Yes, she has her DNA, but Yui Ikari's DNA is just a portion that makes up Rei. That allows her to look like his mother, which is what HE wanted."
"Who?"
"The Commander."
"The Commander!? How do you know this?"
"When I had my hand on the cylinder, I could see images and thoughts of those who touched it. While it did not tell me everything, it told me enough that the Commander has plans for Rei, plans that now appear to have changed."
Misato stared at Sayoko, "But still, Rei is....."
"Rei had no control over her creation. She cannot help what she is." Sayoko turned to Shinji. "I know that you care for her, not as much as Asuka, but enough. She is still Rei, not matter what you've learned about her." Sayoko's voice grew quieter, "While she is not the entirely related to you, she could basically be considered your sister."
Shinji turned and looked at Sayoko. "Sister?"
"What else can she be? You are basically all the family she has. Unless you count your father..."
Shinji's face turned red with anger. "I no longer consider him my father! After what he has done!"
"So are you mad at Rei or him?" Sayoko got quiet, "Right now Rei is scared. She made a big decision today, and is scared of what the future holds for her. We need to be there for her."
Shinji turned and looked down the hallway.
"I need to think about this, this is just to much right now." He then walked to his room and shut the door. Sayoko let out a sigh then turned to Misato. Misato still had a look on her face.
"You knew what she was? And you said nothing?"
"I knew she was different, I knew she was a clone. But it was not my secret to tell. As to her genetic origins, I found out when I touched that cylinder."
Misato folded her arms. "I still find it hard to believe you had no clue about this."
"No one in the Heavens knew this either. The data I got from my Aunt said she was a clone. It did not say his mother was a part of her."
Misato sighed, "You are right. It's not Rei's fault. But it's still a lot for him to find out about."
"Shinji has gotten stronger." Sayoko said looking down the hallway, "I believe he will make the right decision."
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That night was a restless sleep for Shinji. Memories from his time in the Eva continually surfaced and disturbed his slumber. One specific memory surfaced time and again.
"What will you name it?"
"If it's a boy....Shinji,...if it's a girl....Rei."
"If it's a boy ....Shinji...if it's a girl....Rei."
"Shinji......Rei..."
"Shinji...Rei."
"SHINJI!!"
Shinji sat up in a sweat. Sayoko was next to him. "Shinji its alright. You were having a nightmare."
Shinji shook his head. "No...This seemed real."
Sayoko frowned slightly, then placed her hand on his head and concentrated. Her eyes then snapped open in shock.
"Those aren't dreams! Those are memories! But....How?"
"You remember when I was absorbed by my Eva." Sayoko nodded. "Well, I found out that my mother was inside. She has been there since the accident. Turns out when my Eva goes berserk, she is controlling it. I....saw some of her memories while I was with her. "
Sayoko turned away a second, then looked at Shinji. "I believe you. The battle against the 15th, when Asuka and I were....attacked. My mother appeared inside my entry plug. She took over and killed the Angel. It turns out that she and my father are inside."
"You saw them? In your entry plug?"
"Only my mother. I think its because I'm a goddess. I suppose if I get sucked into the Eva, I'll see him too."
Shinji looked at Sayoko hopefully. "Is it possible for them to return?"
Sayoko's faced turned grim. "I don't know. Even my mother was unsure if she could return."
Shinji sighed. He looked at his alarm clock. 2:00am. "Did anyone else wake-up?"
"Misato started to, but I sent her back under." Sayoko then smiled. "Nothing short of an Angel Attack will wake Rei."
Shinji went quiet at the mention of Rei. "How is she?"
"She's alright. She is concerned about how you'll act towards her from now on."
Shinji looked at the floor, "I don't know anything about her though."
"Shinji, Rei is basically still the same Rei you met almost a year ago. Only your perception of her has changed."
"I didn't know anything about her then either."
"Did that stop you from talking to her? Give her a chance Shinji. This is going to be a tough time for her."
Shinji laid back on his bed. "Alright, I'll try."
"That's all I ask."
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The next few days were quiet. Since there was no school and there really wasn't much else to do as the city had been mostly abandoned, the children hung out at the apartment, watching TV. After finding out about Rei, Touji at first seemed unsure about her, but soon he got used to the idea of her being Shinji's sister. Shinji also got over his concerns about Rei. He even started to become more protective of her. Rei, herself was opening up more. She was also able to remove most of the bandages. She still had problems with her left eye, so that remained bandaged. Misato spent a lot of time at NERV, searching through the MAGI. Sayoko tried repeatedly to contact her aunts, with no success. She also went regularly with Shinji and Rei to visit Asuka. Asuka remain stable, but also remained unconscious.
"Wonder what she would think about this?" asked Sayoko, looking down at Asuka.
"What do you mean?" asked Rei.
"About you two, being related and all."
Shinji rolled his eyes. "She'd probably start cursing in German."
"Well if she does, I can always tell you what she's saying." Sayoko said with a smile. "Come on. We have sync tests."
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Several Hours later,
"So, How are they?" asked Misato.
"Rei has dropped several points," said Maya, "Shinji and Touji haven't changed at all. Sayoko's however has risen a lot."
"Any news on a new Eva for Rei?"
"Well from what I understand, with only one Angel left and Unit 02 currently without a pilot, the Commander wants Rei to pilot it."
Misato paled slightly, "Oh when Asuka wakes up and hears about this......."
"When Asuka hears what?" came a voice from the door. Shinji and Touji walked in.
"Yeah Misato? What's going on?" asked Touji.
"The Commander wants Rei to pilot Unit 02."
Shinji and Touji looked at each other. Then Shinji turned to Misato. "She is not gonna like that."
Misato sighed, "Well if she doesn't wake-up, that's what is going to happen."
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Rei stood quietly on the moving tramway. She was heading to meet Sayoko in the observation area that over looked the Geo Front. As she approached the end, a figure moved into view.
"You are the 1st Child are you not?" asked the man.
"Who are you?"
"Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa." the man said with a smile.
"What do you want with me?" Rei started to walk away.
"You are the same as me."
Rei stopped dead in her tracks. She whirled around and stared wide eye at the Lieutenant.
"What did you say?"
Nagisa just smiled, "Being around the Lilim has caused you to forget your purpose, our cause. Don't worry. You will remember soon enough." With that Nagisa turned and walked away. Rei stared at the departing Lieutenant, then ran to find Sayoko.
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Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa stood on the narrow walkway before Unit 02. After standing there for a few minutes he spoke to the Eva.
"It's time. Come Adam's alter ego, servant of the Lilim." Nagisa step off into space. Instead of falling he floated just off the platform and began to rise. Unit 02 looked up, its eyes glowing red.
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"SAYOKO!" Sayoko's head snapped up as Rei shouted her name in a tone she never heard from Rei before.
"What is it Rei?" Rei ran up to Sayoko.
"There is an Angel here!" she whispered to Sayoko. Sayoko's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!?"
It was then that the alarms went off.
"Where will he go?" asked Sayoko.
"This way." Rei grabbed Sayoko and they began to run.
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"UNIT 02 HAS ACTIVATED!!" shout Hyuga.
"Who's piloting!?" asked Misato.
"Nobody! There's no plug inserted!" shouted Maya.
"WHAT?"
"AT-FIELD DETECTED IN CENTRAL DOGMA!!" shouted Aoba.
"Is it Unit 02?"
"No, Pattern is Blue! It is an Angel!"
"WHAT!"
"It's passing the fourth level! Still descending."
"CLOSE ALL DOORS IN CENTRAL DOGMA!" ordered Fuyutsuki. "Maybe that will slow it down!" He then turned to Ikari.
"How did it get in here without us knowing?"
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SEELE 02: The Last Angel has entered Central Dogma and is descending.
SEELE 01: Ikari, You were our friend, our comrade, and our conspirator, but this is your final job. You will be forced to use Unit 01, for nothing else on earth will be able to defeat him.
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"Unit 02 is breaking through the doors! Its still descending!"
"Send Units 03 and 01 after it." ordered Ikari.
"Yes Sir!" answered Misato.
"It must not be allowed to enter Terminal Dogma."
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"Touji. Shinji. Do you understand your orders?"
"Yes Misato, But where's Sayoko?"
"We don't know. Neither she nor Rei have been seen. Now Hurry!"
"Right!"
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'They should be arriving any time now' thought Nagisa.
He turned his head upward as he floated down the shaft with Unit 02. He could just make out a purple speck speeding towards him. Just as Unit 01 approached Nagisa, Unit 02 grabbed it and threw it against the shaft wall.
"Arghhh" came Shinji's cry.
Shinji struggled to free his Eva. He tried to pull out his progressive knife when Unit 02 threw him against the opposite shaft wall. Unit 02 then grabbed a large pipe and wrenched it free from the wall. As Shinji broke loose, Unit 02 plunged the pipe into Unit 01's chest, pinning it to the shaft wall.
"AHHHHHH!!" scream Shinji, clutching his chest in the Eva.
Nagisa smiled as he continued his descent. "Somehow....I was expecting more."
"What? You forget about me?" Nagisa turned saw Unit 03 attack Unit 02 from behind. Nagisa floated to the side as both Unit plunged downward to the bottom of the shaft. Unit 03 and 02 crashed into the bottom of the shaft. Touji tried to stab Unit 02 with his progressive knife.
"COME ON DAMN YOU!!" shouted Touji.
Maya's voice came over the radio. "Unit 03 has 3 minutes of power remaining."
Farther up the shaft, Shinji struggled to pull the pipe from his chest.
Touji continued to wrestle with Unit 02. He threw Unit 02 through a set of doors and into a lake of LCL.
"Heaven's Gate has been breached!" shouted Aoba.
Touji was about to go after the Eva when he saw a cross. A giant cross. Hanging from the cross was a giant white being. An Angel.
"What the hell is that doing here?" asked Touji. A fist to the back of his Eva's head brought him back to reality. He turned his Eva and was about to plunge his knife into Unit 02's chest when everything went black, except for blinking numbers. 00:00:00.
Touji stared at the numbers in shock. "I'm in deep shit."
Unit 02 turned toward the disabled 03 and plunged its hand deep into its chest. When it pulled its hand free, it brought with it the entry plug. Nagisa floated slowly into view.
"How pitiful."
A loud splash announced Shinji's arrival behind him. Nagisa turned slowly and watched as Shinji pulled his knife and tried to plunge it into Nagisa. An AT-Field blocked him.
"What! An AT-Field?"
"Yes," replied Nagisa. "That is what you Lilim refer to it as. It is the light of my soul, in which no one may intrude."
"What's going on Shinji?" came Misato's voice.
"There's another Angel here! Its on some sort of cross."
"Third Child! You must prevent the Angels from joining with each other." Came Ikari's voice.
Shinji snarled a reply as he fought with to push his knife through Nagisa's AT-Field. "Why should I listen to you?"
"If you don't they will cause a Third Impact!"
Shinji froze for a second.
"Now he tells me." muttered Shinji.
Turning his attention back to Nagisa "Why are you doing this?" called Shinji.
"It is our revenge for what Kami-sama did to us."
"What?"
"A Millennia ago, we were created to drive the demons and other horrific beasts from this land, to clear the way for the Lilim. We were promised to remain amongst them, but we were betrayed. Upon completion of our work and the beginning of the creation of the Lilim, Kami-sama sent the forces of the heavens after us. We fought back, but were defeated. We slept for thousands of years, until the day came when we were found by the Lilim." Nagisa smiled. "How ironic, that we now return to drive the Lilim from the earth we once cleared for them."
"Not if I stop you!"
"Aren't you forgetting someone." Nagisa smiled and pointed towards Unit 02. The Eva held 03's Entry Plug in its hand.
"TOUJI!!!" shouted Shinji. He began to move towards Unit 02.
Nagisa smiled and nodded to Unit 02. Unit 02 clenched its hand, crushing the plug it held. LCL dripped from between its fingers.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!" shouted Shinji.
Now if you'll excuse me...." Nagisa turned towards the cross.
"YOU BASTERD!!!!" Shinji dove at Nagisa, but was blocked as Unit 02 drove him back against the wall.
Nagisa got halfway to the Angel, when a blue barrier with intricate designs appeared.
"WHAT?!" Nagisa cried. "What is this?"
"You will not join with Adam." came a voice. "I will not let you."
Nagisa looked closely through the barrier. Sayoko floated just on the other side.
"Who are you?" shouted Nagisa.
Sayoko glowed for a second and then reappeared in her goddess robes. "I am Sayoko, Goddess Second Class, Limited. I will not allow you to join with Adam."
Nagisa's eyes narrowed. "We shall see little one."
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"What the hell is going on down there!?!?" asked Misato.
"All monitors to Terminal Dogma are down! We've lost communications! We are detecting the Angels and Unit 01 and 02's AT-Fields. We are also detecting another Type Purple Pattern." said Hyuga.
"Type Purple?" 'Sayoko!' "Wait, what happened to Unit 03?"
"We don't know."
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Nagisa began to extend his AT-Field into Sayoko's shield. The two energy forces began to sparkle and crackle as they came together.
"What will you do little one? My power is infinite. How much longer can you last?"
Sayoko began to strain as Nagisa increased the power of his AT-Field.
Far above the scene, Rei stood watching from a ledge. Towards the center, she could see the clash of energy as Sayoko and Nagisa fought against each other. Just below her, Unit 01 and Unit 02 struggled. She turned back to Sayoko. Even from here, she could see Sayoko was weakening. Rei turned back to Unit 02 and concentrated.
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"We're detecting another AT-Field!!" shouted Hyuga. "It's the strongest on record!!"
Misato felt helpless. 'What the hell is going on down there??'
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Both Nagisa and Sayoko turned as they felt the new AT-Field. Both looked up and saw Rei. Unit 02's AT-Field was neutralized by the new field, allowing Shinji to slice into the Eva. Nagisa turned back towards Sayoko just in time to catch a force bolt in his chest. Sayoko did not see her handy work. Totally drained of power, she fell into the lake of LCL. Nagisa recovered from the force bolt and looked around. He saw no sign of the goddess. With a smile, he continued to float towards the crucified Angel.
"And now Father, I will return and compl......." Nagisa took another look at the Angel. "This is not Adam! This is Lilith!"
Strong hands wrapped around Nagisa, bringing him face to face with Unit 01. Nagisa looked over at Unit 02. The pieces of it floated about in a dark stain on the LCL. Nagisa turned back to Unit 01.
"So. We are defeated again." Nagisa smiled evilly at Unit 01. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts....Your final trial starts soon."
"Oh Shut-up" muttered Shinji, clenching his hand, crushing Nagisa. A splash announced the arrival of Nagisa's head meeting the surface of the LCL.
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Several hours later.
Shinji sat on a bench at the park overlooking the remains of Tokyo-3. He had been sitting there awhile when Misato arrived.
"So that's the end of the Angels." said Shinji.
"There was only going to be 17 total." replied Misato.
"How's Touji?"
Misato sighed, "He's going to lose an arm, possible his leg. But he should recover."
"And Sayoko?"
"She's back at the apartment with Rei. Apparently she used up all her powers against the 17th Angel. She just needs time to recharge."
"So what happens now?"
"I don't know Shinji. I just don't know."
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"Status."
"The 17th Angel has been defeated by Unit 01 sir. Sayoko prevented it from initiating 3rd Impact."
"How is she?"
"Drained of energy sir. She is recovering."
"And what of Miss Ayanami?"
"She assisted in the defeat of the Angel."
"Good. Alert all the 0 and 1st classes. The time of the trial is at hand."
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Yes.....the movies come next.....Stay tuned....