Chapter 5: Cruel Angels Thesis / To live again.
"When one gains power you find that you lose your friends, there are only people you want to use and people who want to use you - it is better to do the former than be the latter" - Gendou Ikari - Idiots guide to NERV.
They say that truth is beautiful without doubt, but so are lies. Loving someone and saying you don't is a lie, but is it worse than admitting the truth, that you love them and they don't love you back anymore and that this time you really have missed your chance to be happy?
*******
Shinji opened his eyes, he recognised the surroundings, it was the hospital again. Hikari had fallen asleep in the chair to his left and Misato was sleeping next to her.
The Two "black suits" were stood at the door to the room, weather they were there to stop him leaving or to stop anyone else coming in, he did not know, or care at the moment, Shinji sat up slowly. And looked at the rest of his room. It was small. There was a brown, wooden chest of draws next to his bed, some flowers in a Vase were placed atop it, next to it a jug of water, next to that an empty plate, more than likely Misato's.
****
In a secret Eva cage, deep within terminal dogma stood the now thankfully inactive Eva Unit 05, "What do we do about the unit?" Kozzo asked
"We are indeed lucky he did not master the full capabilities of the system, we shall keep unit 05 for now", Gendou replied.
"And the third child?", Kozzo Asked.
Gendou considered this for a moment before answering. "We shall see of the third child's condition when he awakens"
"I swear that thing is looking at me", Kozzo stated looking into the now black eyes of Eva 05 uncomfortably,
"Old friend, you know that is impossible, you after all should know better than anyone", Gendou replied
"As you say commander", Kozzo stated unconvinced.
****
The memories of the past few days within Eva 05 surfaced, the blood started to ooze out of his palms staining his hands. "No, No, dead, all dead", Shinji muttered.
Shinji watched as his friends were killed one by one with his own hand, but unable to stop his own actions, Hikari disintegrated in a beam of light, Kensuke decapitated with the Eva Lance, Misato, Ritsuko, Asuka Rei all dead. The bleeding bodies lay out before him, oozing blood out onto the ground. Shinji sinking into a pool of blood like quicksand.
"There dead because of me!"
He tried to claw his way out of the blood, but only sank faster. The world started to go dark now as the blood swallowed him. He struggled to breathe. As he sank deeper and deeper flailing his arms about wildly.
Shinji's world went dark.
Shinji was in Eva 05 again - the angels were attacking - he took them all on, he made short work of the first few with his lance but realised they weren't angels at all they were his friends once again, he saw there face, each asking him "why?" Shinji screamed out a blood-curdling cry.
Now they were the angels again, the angel lashed out at Shinji, wrapping one of its Tentacles around Eva-05's head. Shinji used the Chest Blaster's creating a large bleeding hole In the Angels body blood splattering everywhere, Shinji swung around and cut off the angels head. As the head fell to the ground Shinji realised it was Kensuke, he had killed his friend "NOOOO" Shinji Yelled.
***
Shinji lay on his hospital bed in the Fettle position cradling his knees with his arms and burying his head in them sobbing like a baby, muttering something every so often.
"Is there anything we can do for him?" said a voice
"Perhaps, but it is high risk, he could suffer permanent damage", Came the reply
"Proceed"
"I will need time to prepare"
****
Hikari and Hikaru walked through the school halls to the exit chatting.
"So, how's Shinji?", Hikaru asked.
"He's - in a bad way, the doctors tell me they don't know if he will ever be normal again"
"Oh" was Hikaru's response
As they Exited the school Doctor Ritsuko Akagi was leaning against a wall across the forecourt dressed in Denim Jeans and a white blouse.
"Miss Horaki", Ritsuko said pushing the bridge of her Glasses up her nose slightly.
"Dr Akagi, is there something I can help you with?" Hikari replied.
"Indeed there is", Ristuko answered; "Can you follow me please, details will be explained on the way"
Hikari looked over to the nearby Black Limousine, the one window was rolled down and the Side profile of Gendou Ikari was visible, Hikari Shivered. The two woman made there way towards the car after parting with Hikaru.
As they stepped inside the elder Ikari barely acknowledged Hikari and focused his attention on Ritsuko. The car pulled off and headed toward the NERV hospital.
**** "You want me to Sync with Shinji?" Hikari asked.
"Simply put, yes", Ritsuko explained.
"Shinji has fallen into himself, we are asking you to go in and help him", Ritsuko explained.
"Why don't YOU do it, or him?" Hikari said pointing to Ritsuko and Gendou in turn.
"Understand, when you sync with each other you will know everything about each other, for the time your are synced your life will be his life and visa versa, I don't think Shinji could handle the things I've seen, he wouldn't want to remember them" Ritsuko explained; "Plus you're his friend"
"The risk is that when you un-sync you're minds might not be able to cope with all the extra memories, in short it could scramble your minds"
"I see, he will know everything?" Hikari asked
"Indeed, for the time you are synced you will be one person"
"I'll do it"
****
The two hospital beds were placed next to each other, Shinji lay on one whilst Hikari on the other. There were wires and equipment connected to both of them as well as connecting them to each other.
"Are you sure you want to do this? This is your last chance to back out", Maya asked.
"I'm sure," Hikari spoke
Ritsuko and Maya typed at their respective keyboards for several seconds
"Syncing in .3.2.1" Hikari closed her eyes, she was no longer in the real world. She was in Shinji's mind, it was a barren wasteland, where the wind howled as it blew by, and the sky was blood red and thunderous. There was nothing but red sand as white lightning struck from cloud to cloud.
"Shinji!", Hikari called out
A Large Fork of lighting struck down almost straight and in the distance she could now see a dark figure in a red cloak, it was billowing in the howling wind the figure was perched upon a rock, looking out at an endless lake of orange. Hikari ran as fast as her legs could carry her, stopping just ahead of him. He was an old man. His skin was aged, his face was almost skull like and he looked so frail.
"How do you like my world Hikari, no one to hurt me here, here I can be happy"
"You can't live like this, I know its been hard Shinji but."
"Know me you don't know me!" Shinji said leaping from his perch on the rock and landed on top of Hikari, she tried to struggle but couldn't escape, and he placed a hand on her forehead and his eyes flared red.
Images from Shinji's past, present and future as foretold by Unit 05 bombarded Hikari, she felt what he felt. She could see the burning flames in his eyes, the flames of his own personal hell. Hikari watched as Shinji's sanity was striped away by Unit 05, she felt as it took over his mind and forced him to do all those terrible things, killing all those people, watched as he was judged but unit 05, then spat out like a discarded toy.
"I killed them Hikari, they all died, it's my fault" "No Shinji, you didn't kill them, Unit 05 did" "Unit 05 took my mind because I was too week to stop it" "Shinji you can't believe that, I know you Shinji, you not a cold blooded killer" "Like Father like son"
Shinji regained his standing position and in a purple flash of light was gone. A gust of wind blew sand off a sign board, that was buried in the ground, Hikari read the Sign aloud "Welcome to Tokyo 3"; "my god"
The Aged Shinji's Husky voices Bellowed over the world of pretend. "Welcome to the future Hikari - this is the future of civilisation" after a moment of silence Shinji continued; "so tell me Hikari, why should I continue if destruction is all mankind has to look forward to?"
"Shinji" Hikari spoke; "The Future isn't written yet, only the here and now matter, because that's where you can make a difference"
"Show my Hikari" Shinji Spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"We are one, you have the same power here that I do", Shinji spoke softly then yelled "SHOW ME WHERE I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE"
With a wave of Shinji's hand a Green Mist formed from nowhere, "This is a Window into the past through here you can show me Hikari"
Hikari focused her mind as best she could and the first memory started to appear from the Mist and their world formed.
*****
It was the first angel, he was walking through the streets. With each mammoth step it took the ground shook and crumbled buildings. Rubble had fallen on top of a little girl, aged around 8, she had long blond hair and was wearing Dungaree's, her legs were trapped by the rubble, and she was in the path of the angel. One more step and her body would be crushed under the angels gigantic feet. As it raised it's leg Unit 01 Charged into the Angel with a shoulder Barge sending it toppling in the other direction.
The mist once again loomed around them and the world returned to its previous state.
"See Shinji you saved that little girls life, had you not been there she would have surely been crushed by the angel"
Shinji Nodded silently then spoke "Yeah.but look what I did to her brother 6 months later
****
The mist Clouded and changed the world into another memory it was the memory of the Dummy Plug incident. The Angel had taken Unit03 and Commander Ikari had ordered its destruction.
"Wait.if that things an Eva, that means theirs someone in the Entry plug a pilot just like me", Shinji argued.
"Irrelevant, Unit 03 has been classified as an Angel, the Angels are our enemy, destroy the enemy third child". Commander Gendou Ikari ordered over the Comm. link.
Before Shinji could refuse to comply with the order. Unit 03 arms shot forward, throwing unit 01 against a rock face, grabbed unit 01's jugular and started to squeeze the life out of it.
"What's going on Third Child.Shinji why aren't you fighting back", Gendou Yelled over the Command deck. "I can't do it Father. I won't kill another human being"
"Activate the Dummy plug", Gendou ordered.
Shocked faces echoed around the command dais but it was Maya who spoke up "Sir, the Dummy plug is only 75% complete and hasn't been approved by Dr Agaki for use yet"
"It's still better than the current pilot!" Gendou commanded. "Y.yes sir", Maya said typing at her keyboard.
All the controls of Unit 01 effectively died taking away any control Shinji had the Cockpit went dark. The Dummy plug was activated. Unit 01 put its Hands around Unit 03's Neck and broke it. Unit 03 went limp. Unit 01 proceeded to Tear the Enemy Eva to pieces ruthlessly and mercilessly.
"No Father. stop it, please Stop", Shinji Cried, desperately trying to stop the actions of his own Eva
Blood Spattered everywhere as the unit was torn limb from limb, Maya looked away unable to watch the horror anymore. Unit 01 held the entry plug for Unit 03 in its hands.
"STOP IT FATHER!" Shinji yelled.
Units 01 Crushed the Entry plug giving the pilot almost zero chance of survival
"NO FATHER!" Shinji Cried.
Gendou Smirked.
As the wreckage was cleaned up the finally reached the entry plug, one of the technicians yelled with almost excitement in his voice "Hey someone's alive down here!" Unit 01's Sensors locked and zoomed to the entry plug. As the crew opened it up Shinji cried, as the broken body of Touji was the pilot of Unit 03.
*****
a Slight tear rolled down Hikari's cheek, "I Didn't know.he never told me"
"Never told you that I almost killed Him!" Shinji scoffed.
"If wasn't you Shinji, it was the dummy plug"
"How can you ever forgive me Hikari, I almost killed the one you love" "I don't know Shinji, but I do forgive you"
Shinji Hugged Hikari tightly and for what seemed like hours Shinji simply laid his head on Hikari's shoulder crying. As the tears rolled down Shinji's cheeks, over Hikari's shoulder and down onto the desert sand. Grass started to grow then Flowers started to sprout up all around them, slowly at first then faster, flowers and trees of all colours of all types grew around them and the Lake of Orange became blue again.
A long deserted road formed beneath them that could be seen all the way to the horizon as the blood red clouds started to give way to blue skies. Hikari and Shinji started to walk the long road.
"It's a long journey Shinji, it's one we should make together"
******
"Sync time - 6 hours and 20 minutes, Condition both stable, pulse normal, sync ration at 98.6%", Maya reported.
"Dr Akagi?" Maya spoke.
"Yes Maya", Ritsuko replied tiredly
"What drove Shinji to kill all those people?"
"The Cockpit systems in Unit05 are linked directly to the pilot via the nerve connectors. This increases reaction times however it was too much for his mind, after all he is still a child. For a length of time he could handle the system and was in full control however, eventually the evil that created it starts to take control, striping away his humanity and sanity along for the ride"
"I see, but the unit eventually rejected Shinji?" Maya asked.
Ritsuko shook her head "Actually it was more then likely that Shinji rejected the unit"
Before Maya could ask what she meant by that however a red light lit up on both women's consoles. "There starting to un-sync", Ritsuko shouted. As more lights came on and the console started beeping.
*****
Shinji and Hikari had reached the end of the road, ahead of them was a portal of brilliant white, it was circular in shape but rippled like water, it was time to go back to the real world. Shinji took Hikari's hand and they both stepped through the "door to reality"
****
"Syncing at 80% and dropping fast, Pulse rate is up, blood pressure is increasing", Maya Delivered reports to her superior at a steady rate.
"Sync now at 40%, Blood pressure is falling to normal"
"Sync ratio is at 0%, Blood pressure normal, pulse normal, they're regaining conciseness"
Mere seconds after she had spoke the words both Shinji and Hikari opened their eyes and sat up. In their separate beds trying to grasp what had just taken place. Shinji's mind was filled with a life that was not his own, he had memories of actions he did not perform. Was he really Shinji Ikari, he couldn't be sure, his sisters Flashed into his mind one around six the other around 19, Shinji pondered as he knew he didn't have any sisters.
The only comfort he could take is that Hikari seemed to be going through the same thing. Hikari had visions of her father walking away, but not her father, yet it felt just the same. Hikari gasped as a vision of Misato clad in only a Lacy Night-gown was foremost in her mind then Ritsuko Agaki Telling her that Misato was Pregnant with her child no not her child Shinji's child. "My gods" were her only words.
An Image of Touji lying next to him on the bed flashed into Shinji's mind, had he just made love. with Touji? No Hikari had made love with Touji he felt shame and guilt as he realised the memories he had were Hikari's. Then he realised that she must share his own memories one word flashed into his mind - Misato, Hikari surely knew now.
Before either of them could say anything to each other about what each of them was seeing the Angel Alarm sounded. It was the first Angel Alarm in weeks, since the destruction of the 17th there had been no need.
Shinji Ripped the IV out of his arm and bolted out the hospital ward toward NERV HQ.
********
With the Angel Alarm sounding and destruction ranging though the city, is Shinji the last hope to save Tokyo 3 from the future awaiting it? Or is destiny unchangeable. Find out in the Concluding Chapter to circle of Fire!
"When one gains power you find that you lose your friends, there are only people you want to use and people who want to use you - it is better to do the former than be the latter" - Gendou Ikari - Idiots guide to NERV.
They say that truth is beautiful without doubt, but so are lies. Loving someone and saying you don't is a lie, but is it worse than admitting the truth, that you love them and they don't love you back anymore and that this time you really have missed your chance to be happy?
*******
Shinji opened his eyes, he recognised the surroundings, it was the hospital again. Hikari had fallen asleep in the chair to his left and Misato was sleeping next to her.
The Two "black suits" were stood at the door to the room, weather they were there to stop him leaving or to stop anyone else coming in, he did not know, or care at the moment, Shinji sat up slowly. And looked at the rest of his room. It was small. There was a brown, wooden chest of draws next to his bed, some flowers in a Vase were placed atop it, next to it a jug of water, next to that an empty plate, more than likely Misato's.
****
In a secret Eva cage, deep within terminal dogma stood the now thankfully inactive Eva Unit 05, "What do we do about the unit?" Kozzo asked
"We are indeed lucky he did not master the full capabilities of the system, we shall keep unit 05 for now", Gendou replied.
"And the third child?", Kozzo Asked.
Gendou considered this for a moment before answering. "We shall see of the third child's condition when he awakens"
"I swear that thing is looking at me", Kozzo stated looking into the now black eyes of Eva 05 uncomfortably,
"Old friend, you know that is impossible, you after all should know better than anyone", Gendou replied
"As you say commander", Kozzo stated unconvinced.
****
The memories of the past few days within Eva 05 surfaced, the blood started to ooze out of his palms staining his hands. "No, No, dead, all dead", Shinji muttered.
Shinji watched as his friends were killed one by one with his own hand, but unable to stop his own actions, Hikari disintegrated in a beam of light, Kensuke decapitated with the Eva Lance, Misato, Ritsuko, Asuka Rei all dead. The bleeding bodies lay out before him, oozing blood out onto the ground. Shinji sinking into a pool of blood like quicksand.
"There dead because of me!"
He tried to claw his way out of the blood, but only sank faster. The world started to go dark now as the blood swallowed him. He struggled to breathe. As he sank deeper and deeper flailing his arms about wildly.
Shinji's world went dark.
Shinji was in Eva 05 again - the angels were attacking - he took them all on, he made short work of the first few with his lance but realised they weren't angels at all they were his friends once again, he saw there face, each asking him "why?" Shinji screamed out a blood-curdling cry.
Now they were the angels again, the angel lashed out at Shinji, wrapping one of its Tentacles around Eva-05's head. Shinji used the Chest Blaster's creating a large bleeding hole In the Angels body blood splattering everywhere, Shinji swung around and cut off the angels head. As the head fell to the ground Shinji realised it was Kensuke, he had killed his friend "NOOOO" Shinji Yelled.
***
Shinji lay on his hospital bed in the Fettle position cradling his knees with his arms and burying his head in them sobbing like a baby, muttering something every so often.
"Is there anything we can do for him?" said a voice
"Perhaps, but it is high risk, he could suffer permanent damage", Came the reply
"Proceed"
"I will need time to prepare"
****
Hikari and Hikaru walked through the school halls to the exit chatting.
"So, how's Shinji?", Hikaru asked.
"He's - in a bad way, the doctors tell me they don't know if he will ever be normal again"
"Oh" was Hikaru's response
As they Exited the school Doctor Ritsuko Akagi was leaning against a wall across the forecourt dressed in Denim Jeans and a white blouse.
"Miss Horaki", Ritsuko said pushing the bridge of her Glasses up her nose slightly.
"Dr Akagi, is there something I can help you with?" Hikari replied.
"Indeed there is", Ristuko answered; "Can you follow me please, details will be explained on the way"
Hikari looked over to the nearby Black Limousine, the one window was rolled down and the Side profile of Gendou Ikari was visible, Hikari Shivered. The two woman made there way towards the car after parting with Hikaru.
As they stepped inside the elder Ikari barely acknowledged Hikari and focused his attention on Ritsuko. The car pulled off and headed toward the NERV hospital.
**** "You want me to Sync with Shinji?" Hikari asked.
"Simply put, yes", Ritsuko explained.
"Shinji has fallen into himself, we are asking you to go in and help him", Ritsuko explained.
"Why don't YOU do it, or him?" Hikari said pointing to Ritsuko and Gendou in turn.
"Understand, when you sync with each other you will know everything about each other, for the time your are synced your life will be his life and visa versa, I don't think Shinji could handle the things I've seen, he wouldn't want to remember them" Ritsuko explained; "Plus you're his friend"
"The risk is that when you un-sync you're minds might not be able to cope with all the extra memories, in short it could scramble your minds"
"I see, he will know everything?" Hikari asked
"Indeed, for the time you are synced you will be one person"
"I'll do it"
****
The two hospital beds were placed next to each other, Shinji lay on one whilst Hikari on the other. There were wires and equipment connected to both of them as well as connecting them to each other.
"Are you sure you want to do this? This is your last chance to back out", Maya asked.
"I'm sure," Hikari spoke
Ritsuko and Maya typed at their respective keyboards for several seconds
"Syncing in .3.2.1" Hikari closed her eyes, she was no longer in the real world. She was in Shinji's mind, it was a barren wasteland, where the wind howled as it blew by, and the sky was blood red and thunderous. There was nothing but red sand as white lightning struck from cloud to cloud.
"Shinji!", Hikari called out
A Large Fork of lighting struck down almost straight and in the distance she could now see a dark figure in a red cloak, it was billowing in the howling wind the figure was perched upon a rock, looking out at an endless lake of orange. Hikari ran as fast as her legs could carry her, stopping just ahead of him. He was an old man. His skin was aged, his face was almost skull like and he looked so frail.
"How do you like my world Hikari, no one to hurt me here, here I can be happy"
"You can't live like this, I know its been hard Shinji but."
"Know me you don't know me!" Shinji said leaping from his perch on the rock and landed on top of Hikari, she tried to struggle but couldn't escape, and he placed a hand on her forehead and his eyes flared red.
Images from Shinji's past, present and future as foretold by Unit 05 bombarded Hikari, she felt what he felt. She could see the burning flames in his eyes, the flames of his own personal hell. Hikari watched as Shinji's sanity was striped away by Unit 05, she felt as it took over his mind and forced him to do all those terrible things, killing all those people, watched as he was judged but unit 05, then spat out like a discarded toy.
"I killed them Hikari, they all died, it's my fault" "No Shinji, you didn't kill them, Unit 05 did" "Unit 05 took my mind because I was too week to stop it" "Shinji you can't believe that, I know you Shinji, you not a cold blooded killer" "Like Father like son"
Shinji regained his standing position and in a purple flash of light was gone. A gust of wind blew sand off a sign board, that was buried in the ground, Hikari read the Sign aloud "Welcome to Tokyo 3"; "my god"
The Aged Shinji's Husky voices Bellowed over the world of pretend. "Welcome to the future Hikari - this is the future of civilisation" after a moment of silence Shinji continued; "so tell me Hikari, why should I continue if destruction is all mankind has to look forward to?"
"Shinji" Hikari spoke; "The Future isn't written yet, only the here and now matter, because that's where you can make a difference"
"Show my Hikari" Shinji Spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"We are one, you have the same power here that I do", Shinji spoke softly then yelled "SHOW ME WHERE I HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE"
With a wave of Shinji's hand a Green Mist formed from nowhere, "This is a Window into the past through here you can show me Hikari"
Hikari focused her mind as best she could and the first memory started to appear from the Mist and their world formed.
*****
It was the first angel, he was walking through the streets. With each mammoth step it took the ground shook and crumbled buildings. Rubble had fallen on top of a little girl, aged around 8, she had long blond hair and was wearing Dungaree's, her legs were trapped by the rubble, and she was in the path of the angel. One more step and her body would be crushed under the angels gigantic feet. As it raised it's leg Unit 01 Charged into the Angel with a shoulder Barge sending it toppling in the other direction.
The mist once again loomed around them and the world returned to its previous state.
"See Shinji you saved that little girls life, had you not been there she would have surely been crushed by the angel"
Shinji Nodded silently then spoke "Yeah.but look what I did to her brother 6 months later
****
The mist Clouded and changed the world into another memory it was the memory of the Dummy Plug incident. The Angel had taken Unit03 and Commander Ikari had ordered its destruction.
"Wait.if that things an Eva, that means theirs someone in the Entry plug a pilot just like me", Shinji argued.
"Irrelevant, Unit 03 has been classified as an Angel, the Angels are our enemy, destroy the enemy third child". Commander Gendou Ikari ordered over the Comm. link.
Before Shinji could refuse to comply with the order. Unit 03 arms shot forward, throwing unit 01 against a rock face, grabbed unit 01's jugular and started to squeeze the life out of it.
"What's going on Third Child.Shinji why aren't you fighting back", Gendou Yelled over the Command deck. "I can't do it Father. I won't kill another human being"
"Activate the Dummy plug", Gendou ordered.
Shocked faces echoed around the command dais but it was Maya who spoke up "Sir, the Dummy plug is only 75% complete and hasn't been approved by Dr Agaki for use yet"
"It's still better than the current pilot!" Gendou commanded. "Y.yes sir", Maya said typing at her keyboard.
All the controls of Unit 01 effectively died taking away any control Shinji had the Cockpit went dark. The Dummy plug was activated. Unit 01 put its Hands around Unit 03's Neck and broke it. Unit 03 went limp. Unit 01 proceeded to Tear the Enemy Eva to pieces ruthlessly and mercilessly.
"No Father. stop it, please Stop", Shinji Cried, desperately trying to stop the actions of his own Eva
Blood Spattered everywhere as the unit was torn limb from limb, Maya looked away unable to watch the horror anymore. Unit 01 held the entry plug for Unit 03 in its hands.
"STOP IT FATHER!" Shinji yelled.
Units 01 Crushed the Entry plug giving the pilot almost zero chance of survival
"NO FATHER!" Shinji Cried.
Gendou Smirked.
As the wreckage was cleaned up the finally reached the entry plug, one of the technicians yelled with almost excitement in his voice "Hey someone's alive down here!" Unit 01's Sensors locked and zoomed to the entry plug. As the crew opened it up Shinji cried, as the broken body of Touji was the pilot of Unit 03.
*****
a Slight tear rolled down Hikari's cheek, "I Didn't know.he never told me"
"Never told you that I almost killed Him!" Shinji scoffed.
"If wasn't you Shinji, it was the dummy plug"
"How can you ever forgive me Hikari, I almost killed the one you love" "I don't know Shinji, but I do forgive you"
Shinji Hugged Hikari tightly and for what seemed like hours Shinji simply laid his head on Hikari's shoulder crying. As the tears rolled down Shinji's cheeks, over Hikari's shoulder and down onto the desert sand. Grass started to grow then Flowers started to sprout up all around them, slowly at first then faster, flowers and trees of all colours of all types grew around them and the Lake of Orange became blue again.
A long deserted road formed beneath them that could be seen all the way to the horizon as the blood red clouds started to give way to blue skies. Hikari and Shinji started to walk the long road.
"It's a long journey Shinji, it's one we should make together"
******
"Sync time - 6 hours and 20 minutes, Condition both stable, pulse normal, sync ration at 98.6%", Maya reported.
"Dr Akagi?" Maya spoke.
"Yes Maya", Ritsuko replied tiredly
"What drove Shinji to kill all those people?"
"The Cockpit systems in Unit05 are linked directly to the pilot via the nerve connectors. This increases reaction times however it was too much for his mind, after all he is still a child. For a length of time he could handle the system and was in full control however, eventually the evil that created it starts to take control, striping away his humanity and sanity along for the ride"
"I see, but the unit eventually rejected Shinji?" Maya asked.
Ritsuko shook her head "Actually it was more then likely that Shinji rejected the unit"
Before Maya could ask what she meant by that however a red light lit up on both women's consoles. "There starting to un-sync", Ritsuko shouted. As more lights came on and the console started beeping.
*****
Shinji and Hikari had reached the end of the road, ahead of them was a portal of brilliant white, it was circular in shape but rippled like water, it was time to go back to the real world. Shinji took Hikari's hand and they both stepped through the "door to reality"
****
"Syncing at 80% and dropping fast, Pulse rate is up, blood pressure is increasing", Maya Delivered reports to her superior at a steady rate.
"Sync now at 40%, Blood pressure is falling to normal"
"Sync ratio is at 0%, Blood pressure normal, pulse normal, they're regaining conciseness"
Mere seconds after she had spoke the words both Shinji and Hikari opened their eyes and sat up. In their separate beds trying to grasp what had just taken place. Shinji's mind was filled with a life that was not his own, he had memories of actions he did not perform. Was he really Shinji Ikari, he couldn't be sure, his sisters Flashed into his mind one around six the other around 19, Shinji pondered as he knew he didn't have any sisters.
The only comfort he could take is that Hikari seemed to be going through the same thing. Hikari had visions of her father walking away, but not her father, yet it felt just the same. Hikari gasped as a vision of Misato clad in only a Lacy Night-gown was foremost in her mind then Ritsuko Agaki Telling her that Misato was Pregnant with her child no not her child Shinji's child. "My gods" were her only words.
An Image of Touji lying next to him on the bed flashed into Shinji's mind, had he just made love. with Touji? No Hikari had made love with Touji he felt shame and guilt as he realised the memories he had were Hikari's. Then he realised that she must share his own memories one word flashed into his mind - Misato, Hikari surely knew now.
Before either of them could say anything to each other about what each of them was seeing the Angel Alarm sounded. It was the first Angel Alarm in weeks, since the destruction of the 17th there had been no need.
Shinji Ripped the IV out of his arm and bolted out the hospital ward toward NERV HQ.
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With the Angel Alarm sounding and destruction ranging though the city, is Shinji the last hope to save Tokyo 3 from the future awaiting it? Or is destiny unchangeable. Find out in the Concluding Chapter to circle of Fire!
