Disclaimer: Same as before. You already know.

Chap. 6

"So even the Magi can't locate him?"

After receiving her mysterious message, Misato went back to Ritsuko's lab where she still was.

"No and that's the strange part. If I had been here when it happened, then maybe I would have a clue. It's as though he literally dropped off the face of the Earth." She took a sip of coffee, "Perhaps it would be better this way."

"What?"

"I'm just saying that with Shinji gone, perhaps he won't suffer anymore. This may seem out of character for me, but a person like him shouldn't have to suffer this way."

"My, Ritsuko. Don't tell me you actually care."

"Don't be a pest. Of course I care. But some things must come first." She took another sip, "By the way, how are the other Children taking it?

"Well, Asuka misses him, but she denies it at every turn. Basically, the normal Asuka behavior. But Rei, that's another story."

"Oh."

"You may think I'm crazy, but I believe she misses Shinji more than Asuka. In fact, more than all of us."

"Oh really. How do you know?"

"She told me."

Ritsuko's face blinked in surprise briefly, "Voluntarily? That's new."

"Yes it is. It is as though Rei is changing. Living with us, spending time with us, it's also too...I don't know. And every night, she listens to Shinji's SDAT player. I guess it had to do with what Shinji told her before he left."

"And that is?"

"He told her that she was his best friend or something like that. He even gave her that pendant she's wearing." Misato stopped and looked out the window. "You know, this thing with Rei and Shinji. If not for what I know about Rei, I would find it almost cute."

"It not like they could pursue a normal relationship."

"Yeah I know. With Rei being clone from his mother, that would be...wrong."

"That's not what I meant."

"Huh?"

"I didn't say that because of their shared genetics. In fact, Rei is not a true clone of either Yui or Lillith."

"What do you mean?"

"The angel DNA erodes all types of cells except its own. Yet, during the process, it was stabilized by Yui's DNA. However, her DNA too was eroded and the angel's as well.

"So Rei...isn't a clone?"

"Yes and no. She still has Yui's DNA as well as Lillith's. Yet it was so corrupted that it wouldn't be enough to be truly either. At best, Rei would be Shinji's cousin and a very distant one at that." She took yet a third sip, "Basically, Rei is a shadow of what used to be two beings."

"But then why does Rei look like Yui?"

"Gendo. He engineered her to look like that, despite the data."

"Ritsuko, you still didn't tell me what you meant earlier."

"What I meant was they probably wouldn't be able to due to all the things they have been through as well as what's to come. Who knows if they or any of us will survive it?"

"Now what did I tell you about that? You have to look at thing positively."

"In these days, that is a very difficult thing to do."

Yes, it is. Very difficult. Misato thought to herself.

Katsuagi Home...

Rei lay asleep quietly in the darkness of Shinji's room. However, the thoughts of the First Child were far from calm. Disturbing images flooded through her mind as she slept. Images of angels, Lilith, and blood swarmed the dreamscape. Abruptly, she awoke to the darkness, with only the fading moon as light. Something is coming. Something is going to happen. It was then that she felt another presence in the room. A tall shadow loomed over her, eyes hidden by dark-shaded glasses.

"It is time, Rei. Do you understand?"

"Hai."

"Come with me."

Rei nodded and sat up. Inwardly though, she was nervous. Maybe even frightened. Why should I be frightened of the Commander? It is not logical. Rei quickly dressed and they both disappeared into the darkness. Rei's face stayed neutral, but the feeling of dread she felt remained. Unconsciously, her hand reached for the necklace on her.

Shinji, where are you?

The gem glistened...

An hour later, unknown...

They're making their move now. I better get moving then. Be careful, Misato.

With unit 02 as the only possible way to initiate Third Impact, SEELE decided to send its prototype Eva's as well as ground forces to infiltrate NERV. The ground troops were to eliminate all of the NERV personnel while their prototype Evas would use the Lance of Longinus on Eva 02 and start Third Impact. And as far as they were concerned, everything was going according to plan. NERV was besieged with their troops and in response to the prototypes, NERV launched 02. A slight difficulty came from Asuka, who was stronger than ever before. But despite that and the fact that she managed to take out two of them, she was still outnumbered.

"Damn it. I will not be defeated! Mama, help me!"

She charged in almost blind fury at the next one, but it dodged her attack. She turned to follow it, but then something grabbed her arm. She looked and saw one of the Evas holding her arm. Then her other arm was grabbed by another one and she struggled to move away.

"Get the hell off of me!"

She managed to push them somewhat, but then still held fast. One of them then hovered before her, holding a red-and black weapon. The Lance of Longinus. The Eva pointed the wicked looking weapon at her and positioned to stab.

"No!"

Suddenly, a loud roar sounded around them, almost like the roar of a dragon. A purple blur tackled the Eva with the lance and smashed it into the ground. Asuka looked down at her savior. It was Eva 01.

"Shinji!"

(AN: Yes, I am aware that I didn't explain how Asuka managed to communicate with her mother inside of the Eva. I couldn't think about how to go about writing that. Also, I explained about the Rei/Yui factor for those who are bothered by a possible Shinji/ Rei fic here. Not that that is what I am doing.)