Disclaimer: Same as before

Chap. 7

Eva 01 wrestled with the white Eva until it finally ripped the lance away from it. It then lifted the lance and stabbed the white Eva, ripping it to shreds. Two of the white Evas came to him, charging. 01 jumped up and landed behind the two Eva and in one spin, slashed open the backs, causing them to fall. 01 then charged to where the first two were holding Asuka. One of the Evas released Asuka and grappled with 01. But that proved to be an error as Asuka whirled on the second one and tackled it. Meanwhile, 01 and the white Eva continued their struggle and it almost appeared that it was gaining ground. But 01 suddenly sprouted its wings, let one of his hands of the lance, and drove it into the belly of the Eva. It roared and released the lance and 01 drove it into its head, splitting it in half. It then looked over to see its red counterpart defeat the other Eva.

"Shinji. Is that you?"

"It's good to see you again, Asuka."

"Baka. How dare you leave everyone like that?"

"I'm sorry."

"You're still apologizing? You haven't changed."

They then turned their attention to the remaining Evas that were coming toward them. Shinji tossed Asuka the lance and she caught it.

"Can you handle this by yourself?"

"Myself?"

"I have to go. Third Impact must not happen."

Asuka gave a slightly surprised look, but she flashed a grin, "Are you kidding? I'm the great Asuka Langley!"

"Okay. Be careful." Shinji then flew away and Asuka smiled. It's good to have you back, Shinji. The white Evas came then came at her and she set her weapon.

Come on. I'll show you just what kind of person you're dealing with.

__

Lower down within NERV, Major Katsuragi was making her way to the lower level. After making sure Asuka had gotten to her Eva, Misato was on her way to the command center when she found out that Rei had disappeared. Suspecting that the Commander was actually going to initiate Third Impact, Misato was making her way to the Terminal Dogma when she ran into trouble. She had encountered a SEELE squad and was forced to take another route. She managed to make it to one of the elevators when...

"There's another one. Shoot her!"

Misato ducked behind a wall as the bullets flew at her. Taking out her gun, she put her arm out and fired a few rounds before ducking back. Looking forward, she saw that the elevator had arrived. Shooting out again, she made a mad dash toward the elevator, but was hit. She clasped her side and dove in the elevator, but she saw the soldiers coming toward her. She raised her gun again and was about to fire when sounds gunfire came from behind them. The SEELE soldiers dropped one by one and a shadow stood behind them, holding a smoking gun. Misato couldn't make out her savior as the shadow turned to leave, but she was able to see something.

A ponytail? Could that...? No way.

_____

Meanwhile, Gendo and Rei had finally reached the Terminal Dogma. Before them, once again, surrounded by a sea of LCL, was Lilith. The half-bodied angel seemed to shimmer with energy, as though it anticipated what was going to happen. Gendo pointed toward Lilith, indicating that he wanted Rei to go in that direction. Rei began to walk hesitantly and ultimately stopped before the walkway.

"No. I do not want to do this."

"Do it." Gendo hissed.

Rei shivered inwardly, "I...I..."

"Do it!" He took a hold of her arm.

Rei looked back at him strangely. Something is wrong. With all of this. Rei began to struggle, but Gendo held her. However, her sudden pull shook him a little and his shades fell off. Rei looked up at the Commander to find that his eyes were red.

"You're not the Commander."

"He ceased to exist when he injected me into his body." He showed her his hand, which was now slightly cut. He grabbed Rei, "All that is needed now is for you to initiate Third Impact. And as the First Angel, I will cause all to cease as it should be."

"Never!"

Rei suddenly burst with energy and her AT field came up. Gendo/Adam backed away.

"You dare defy me? I created you, remember?"

He pulled out a small device and hit it. Suddenly, Rei felt a jolt of pain and fell down.

"Did you really think I wouldn't have some control over you?" He picked her up and began to walk toward Lilith. Suddenly, there was a slight rumble and the LCL sea rippled. The rumblings grew and Gendo looked up to see the massive 01 barreling down before him, blocking his path to Lilith.

"Put her down."

Gendo/Adam looked at the hulking figure of Eva 01 and smirked, "Ikari. Move out of my way." He raised a gun, "Or she dies."

Shinji didn't know what to do. He was trapped this time. He couldn't just leave like last time. If he let this go on, then the world would be destroyed. But he couldn't sacrifice Rei. It was just like Karowu all over again. Like Touji. No, not again!

Shinji didn't move and Adam carried Rei toward Lilith. But as he was about to reach it, he suddenly screamed in pain.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Adam dropped Rei and grabbed his head, writhing in agony. But through those screams, he could hear a voice.

"Shinji.........kill.... us...Do...it.... now."

Gendo was fighting for control over his body. Shinji didn't understand. Despite all those years of suffering and all the effort he put into himself, he still couldn't bring himself to kill his own father.

"Father?"

"Shinji...I...beg.... of...you. Do...it...now...please."

He...begs? Shinji looked into his eyes and couldn't believe what he saw. No, it's not possible. Gendo's eyes had the same loneliness as he did. Also in it was suffering, not just what he was going through now, but years of slow suffering. No, no, no! But it was too late. Shinji's heart went out to him and he realized there was only one way to end his suffering. Swiftly, Shinji lifted him up in his hand, held him tight and....

(AN: Sorry this took so long to write.)