Alternate Endings
AN: There will be more. Also I have to warn that the second one isn't exactly that long. Kind of in an Omake format. Anyway…
AE 1.
Shinji returned home after his school. Touji and Kensuke asked him to go out with them, but Shinji declined. He just wanted to go home and rest. Perhaps maybe get his mind off of her. He was surprised to find out that Misato was there as well. It wasn't often that she was home during the day. Right now, she was currently sitting on the couch with the usual can of beer before her.
"Hey, Misato."
She turned and greeted him with an unusually cheerful smile, "How are ya holding up?"
"I'm fine. Where's Asuka?"
Misato blinked a bit, surprised that he would ask, "She went over to Hikari's."
"Oh, okay. I just wanted to know."
Misato gave him a strange glance. Perhaps he's just trying to avoid her, again. Heh, teenagers.
Shinji made his way to his room and was about to close the door when something caught his eye. On the desk by the wall was a picture. Slowly, he move to it and picked it up. It was a picture of him and Tsunami when they were on their date. Shinji found it strange to see a smile on his own face. She was the only one who could make me smile like that. A single tear threatened to escape, but Shinji wiped it away before it gotten far down his cheek.
"You miss her a lot."
Shinji jumped at the voice and turned to see Misato standing behind him. Gently, he put the picture back on the desk, "Yes. But she told me to keep remembering her. As long as I do that, she's always with me."
Misato took a brief glance at the picture. I've never seen him smile like that. "That's good to hear from you. I was afraid that you would blank out totally and I and Asuka will be stuck with all the chores."
Shinji shrugged, "I guess that is a nightmare in itself."
Misato blinked hard before laughing at the joke. When she calmed down a bit, she grinned, "A sense of humor. Watch it, Shinji-kun, or I may have to give you more than a kiss next time."
Shinji blushed furiously, causing Misato to laugh even more. The two of them left the room and Misato headed to the bathroom. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"Oh, Shinji, could you get that?" Misato called out of the closed bathroom. Shinji merely shrugged and made his way to the door. But upon opening it, his face was completely drained of all color.
"Hi, Shinji."
Standing in the doorway was the purple-haired Tsunami. Shinji was paralyzed for a long while. When he finally gained some mobility, he stammered, "No...It can't be. I'm dreaming."
A small smile formed on her face and she reached up to touch his cheek, "I'm afraid not, my love."
Shinji nearly tripped backward at the touch. If this is a dream, how can I feel her? How is this happening?
"Tsunami. But how?"
Flashback.
"Dr. Akagi. We have an irregularity within 02."
"How? The entry plug isn't even inserted."
"It's growing. A blue pattern is detected within."
"An angel? Lock down 02."
"Something is emerging."
"I don't believe it."
Flashback end…
"I don't truly understand myself, but I don't care."
Shinji wanted to cry. In fact he did. He was still utterly confused This…I…don't… Slowly, he fell to his knees, still crying. Tsunami followed him and lifted his face up to meet hers. She simply looked into his tear-stricken eyes.
"As long as I'm with you."
Shinji stared back and saw her smile. Then in a swift motion, he clasped her into a fierce embrace, holding her body tightly against his.
"Tsunami."
Nerv HQ…
The four Children were assembled in the conference room after Misato had told them about Tsunami. She was now a Eva pilot as well, but she would serve only as a backup pilot in case either of the other pilots were unable to fight. Asuka ,Rei, and Shinji were all staring at Tsunami, although Asuka was more obvious about it.
"So this is her. She doesn't look anything like me."
Tsunami allowed a slight grin to form, "You should be so lucky."
Asuka glared, "Oh is that right?"
"That's right."
Shinji began to cringe as the argument continued.
"Well, just remember. I'm the number one pilot. You're just backup in case the baka or Wondergirl here screws up, understand?"
"Perfectly. Let's just hope you don't mess up as well."
Asuka turned away, "Hmph. Don't push your luck."
Asuka left the room and Rei went to leave as well, but stopped herself. She turned and faced Tsunami, looking directly in her eyes. Tsunami simply stared back in a quiet exchange and Rei turned and left, leaving her with Shinji, alone. She looked at the young boy's eyes and gave a small smile.
"Shinji."
"Yes?"
He lifted his hand and clasped hers warmly. Tsunami watched as Shinji's face slowly curved into a smile, the same smile as the photograph.
"Never mind."
With that, both Children left the room, unaware or uncaring that their hands were still together.
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AE 2.
Hidden laboratory...
"So how is 'she'?"
"Stable. The extraction program managed to get 85% of the needed samples."
"And the Children?"
"The First and Second Child have recovered fully. No adverse effects."
"How much longer until 'she' can be replicated?"
"It is already in progress. It will be another month until it can be fully developed."
"Good. Report all the findings and results." Gendo strode over to the capsule where a silhouette floated within it. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be Tsunami, unconscious and seemingly lifeless. Gendo allowed a small smirk.
This is far better than I planned. And all because of the First and Second Children's incident. Gendo moved away from the capsule, with the lower layer showing a label with the word inscribed upon it...
'Dummy Plug ver. 2.'
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AN: There are more AE's, oh wait. I said that already.