Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion. It's characters and story concepts belong to GAINIX and ADVision.
Notes: Please review. Shinsetsu shimasu :p
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Part 2: When all things go up they must come down
Room 303. Resting place of Asuka Langley Sohryu. Occupied by Shinji Ikari for the last few hours. Hospitals are a place of death, not miracles. Shinji never had a miracle happen for him. Until a pair of eyes opened up.
The worry boy's tears hit the comatose' abdomen. He clung to her tightly, like a newly born to it's mothers tit. 'Please just wake up Asuka'
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...ahn?"
The boy was hearing things. He never thought he'd hear that voice again. He doubted it's existence but his curiosity forced him to look.
"...Asuka?"
"Asuka!"
Shinji's eyes welled up with new tears, without thinking he wrapped his arms around the girl tightly and continued calling out her name.
"Uh..." Asuka started groggily before her eyes spread open with surprise "W-what the hell are you doing?"
"I'm glad your okay Asuka"
The girl took a moment to compose herself before starting "Hey! Don't use this as an excuse to touch me"
Upon orders, Shinji released his grip and apologized. He waited a moment before bending down to rummage in his bag. After a moment Asuka asked him what he was doing which Shinji answered with a smirk and a cell phone.
"...Right?" Asuka looked at him dumbfounded whilst Shinji dialed
"Misato? Asuka's awake! She's okay!"
"What was that about?"
"Everyone's been worried about you. Misato wanted me to call her...I-if you woke up"
"...Thanks Shinji"
"For what?"
"Never mind...Idiot"
***
In a black room, with the Tree of Life overhead, the two commanders continue what they started.
"Ikari, the high heads of the UN continue to push for the extermination of the Eva series"
"Let them whine, the heads of SEELE won't let the uninformed fools do any more then that"
"Shouldn't we inform the essential NERV personnel of the possible second scenario?"
"No need. Confirmation is not yet finished, why get them in an uproar over nothing?"
"Very well sir, but...If this guess is correct when will the Lilum and the other attack?"
"Irrelevant. As long as the pilots and the Evas are operational then it matters not"
"Understood sir"
"So, how does the Marduke report look?"
"We can't use that as cover anymore. It is has been publicly announced that they have disbanded but...It is still unsuccessful"
"And the shipment?"
"Unique Eva series Unit 14 and Unit 15 will arrive within the week"
"S2 engines?"
"Sadly only the mass Evas and our Unit 01 have an S2 engine. The others are going to be constructed and delivered within the month"
"And how is...Our special patient?"
"Reconstruction complete. All that remains is the Eva to be received and consent to be given"
"Good. And of the 2nd child?"
"A call was intercepted informing Major Katsuragi that the 2nd child has awakened"
"Good. Go ask the major to return her"
"Eh? Is that wise sir? We don't know if she's recovered from the mind rape"
"If she can't synch now I will not wait for her to recover. In the time it could take we could probably train another child, however she will be given 2 chances. We will see what she makes of them"
"I see sir" Fuyutsuki acknowledged as he left the office
"Yui...Please just wait a little longer" he said to himself
***
Major Katsuragi immediately abandoned her desk after she received Shinji's call. She exited through gate 13 when Commander Fuyutsuki intercepted her.
"Major"
"Yes sir?"
"You are leaving for the 2nd child?"
"Yes sir"
"Bring her back to headquarters"
"What?! But sir..."
"Questions are not for subordinates"
"...Yes sir. Sorry sir"
"Dismissed"
Misato acknowledged her superior and left for room 303.
***
Only hours after her revival Asuka was bored. Shinji had left to finish some homework and to prepare for a harmonics test. 'Doesn't anything happen here? And where the hell is a t.v.?'. Lying back in her bed she stared at the I.V. A door swung open and Asuka turned to greet her visitor 'The little sap came back?'
"Oh! Misato"
Misato bent down and placed her hand on Asuka's forehead "So, how ya feelin' Asuka?"
"I'm not sick"
"Oh? That's good"
"What's goin' on?"
"Well, you get to...leave today"
"WHAT? I get to leave today? Could anything be better?"
"That's right Asuka but..."
"What?"
"...I don't know how to say this but upon return you must take a harmonics test and a synch test..."
"So?"
"Oh? I thought...Y-you'd be worried! Ha, ha, ha..."
'I'm sorry Asuka, I can't tell you...I just hope you pass the 1st time'
"Well? Are we going to go?" the patient asked by the door while Misato dwelled in her thoughts
"Oh yeah, sorry Asuka, let's go"
"Your getting to be like Shinji so stop it" Asuka scolded with her finger
"Am I? Well, at least you're the same as always"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing dear. He, he"
"Your weird now"
***
The boys locker room at NERV was separated from the girls' by a screen. Many lockers stood about but only one was open. 'Another harmonics test' the pilot of Unit 01 thought as he adjusted his plug suit. 'If there are no more Angels why do we still have to do this?' Shinji closed his locker and made way for the Pribnow box 'Ayanami left earlier, I should run so I'm not late'. In accordance with his thought Shinji jogged to the steps and up them where he collided with someone from the girls' change-room.
"Ow, watch out 3rd child"
"Asuka?" the staggered 3rd child asked
"Yeah! Who else has this body?" the pilot asked while showcasing it
"I donna know. I d-don't think about those things" blushed Shinji as his head turned away
"Pssh. Liar"
"So?" still blushing Shinji continued "D-do you have to take these tests to?"
"No you idiot! The sweat I get in this plug suit is just so comfortable!" elaborated with intricate hand gestures
"...?"
Asuka waited for Shinji to realize the sarcasm but that realization never hit "No wonder you can't swim"
Shinji just stared at Asuka with his face strewn about in a puzzle. Asuka's mouth was cringed in confusion before she brushed him off, insulting his intelligence as she did. The confused pilot tried to sort out the events that just occurred when the intercom buzzed on.
"Shinji Ikari!" the newly re-established Ritsuko Akagi addressed "Immediately proceed to the Pribnow Box!"
"Uh-oh" yelped out the late Shinji as he immediately sprinted to his destination. In half a minute Shinji reached the testing center, out of breath, with his hands on his knees.
"Where the hell have you been?" his guardian screamed
"It doesn't matter Misato. Shinji, go and get in the plug" ordered the scientist Dr. Akagi
"Yes ma'am" ran off the relieved Shinji
Once inside the plug the LCL filled the plug steadily. 'I'll never get used to this smell'. When he was ready, Asuka, who had been berating him in the background was silenced by Misato.
"Asuka, stop it! All right everyone, the test is about to begin"
The children closed there eyes unanimously and began to synchronize.
***
"How is Rei doing?" Ritsuko asked leaning over Ibuki's shoulder
"Just cleared the borderline. Harmonics reading 71% and steady" the lieutenant informed
"Isn't that an increase?"
"Of 2% ma'am"
"Good" the doctor decided as she continued to monitor Rei's progress
Misato was standing, staring at the plugs when she opened her mouth "Hyuga, how is Shinji?"
"Cleared borderline, harmonics steady at 82%, that's an increase of 6% ma'am"
"That's great" the major stated before walking over to Aoba who was monitoring Asuka "...How is she doing?" the major asked in a caring tone
"She jumps back and forth on the borderline, I hope when she does the synch test is doesn't go into shutdown"
"And her harmonics?"
"She jumps between 8 and 12%"
"Dammit!" her fingers clenched in a tight fist, shaking
"You have to tell her Misato" Ritsuko placed a hand on her shoulder convincingly
"No, I didn't tell her she has to do it...I-I'm going to lie to her"
"No you can't! Tampering with the results could get you removed or even...disappeared"
"We'll just have to see how she does with confidence"
"...I do not condone this"
"I'm not asking you to"
"I won't be a part of it"
"...Hyuga! Patch me through to Unit 02" Misato ordered
"Done ma'am" Hyuga quickly finished his task
"Hey Asuka?"
"Misato? So, how much but am I kicking?"
"Great!" Misato stated before a single finger came up "Your #1!"
"So I'm beating the invincible Shinji!" Asuka beamed with pride as she opened a patch to the third child "Hear that pervert? I'm kicking your ass! Ha, you can't beat the great Asuka!"
Hyuga closed the patch and gave a questionable look at Misato "Are you sure that was wise major?"
"Let's see. Bring up her readings"
After a few key taps Asuka's harmonics were brought up "She's slightly over the borderline now. She also jumped 8 points ma'am"
"That's a good starting point, it'll work at least"
"Those are the scores of a rookie!" Ritsuko labeled
"I thought you didn't care" Misato laughed
"No, I wasn't going to help"
"Whatever, tell the pilots the test is over"
***
'Why won't you move?' the red vixen cursed at her red toy. 'It's bad enough you won't obey but everyone's watching' The start-ups had been fine but Asuka couldn't move her Eva. She was the last to go.
"I have the best test scores. Why won't this piece of junk move it's goddamn ass?" She cursed at her Eva
Rei felt the need to help her fellow pilot; an unusual feeling. She asked them to open a patch and began to speak when she saw the blue in Asuka's eyes.
"Pilot Sohryu, you must open your mind to her, if..." the first child advised
"Shut up you bitch! Your probably happy that I'm having trouble! Y-you stupid doll"
Rei was taken back by Asuka's hurtful words. It had been the second time she heard it...She thought.
"Asuka, she's just trying to help..." the third child advised
"Yeah, like the great 3rd child doesn't enjoy his spotlight! When it comes to tests he's humble. But when it comes to battle you ride out on your stupid white horse and save the day! I've never done anything to beat any of the angels! I'm so useless and your so good!"
"B-..."
"Just shut up and don't talk to me! I hate you third child! I HATE YOU!"
Shinji was hurt. His newly recovered psyche was like a thin piece of glass hanging from a single hook. Even the slightest rumble can send it to the ground...And make it shatter.
***
Originally, Misato planned a celebration for Asuka however after the accounts of the synchronization test decided against it. Shinji lay upon his futon listening to his SDAT, eyes open wandering in the darkness. A door opens, he knows who it is. He just heard the words 'fuck you' and he knows why she came.
"Shinji?" a worried Misato sounded out
"..." he still faced away from her
"Asuka's not feeling well, would you go see her?"
"Why don't you go Misato" he already knew the answer before the purple haired woman sat down beside him.
"I tried"
"Why should I? She'll just yell at me"
"Please Shinji. I'm not ordering you but I'm hoping you'll find it in your heart to do it"
Silence.
"..."
"..."
"...No"
Misato stood up and turned to Shinji for some last words "If your depressed by your scores, you should know you beat her"
"I knew that, she's no good"
Silence.
"Still no?"
"That's right Misato" his eyes never strayed from the wall
"Fine...But, come with me for a sec"
"...Okay"
Getting up, leaving his SDAT behind Shinji gloomily followed Misato to Asuka's room, the door was open. Inside stood a shell curled in a ball, rolling back and forth, nothing was broken. Misato whispered some final words "Look at her"
Shinji's eyes had changed for the first time that night; to pity
"S-s-so?"
"Is that the Asuka you want? A broken shell of a soul. Her energy, her pride, her ambition, reduced to nothing?"
"All she does is make fun of me"
"Stop thinking of yourself!" Misato whispered but emphasized with a slap "You of all people must understand what she is going through, if you can fix it then shouldn't you?"
"..."
"What-how could I fix it, what would I say?"
"I can't tell you, the words have to be yours. She has already turned away mine"
"..."
"Will you do it?" Misato urged for a last time
"..."
"I'm going to leave and if you want, you can, if you don't, you can lie"
"..."
"Goodbye"
Misato left the staggering boy to his own devices and shut the door. For a long while Shinji stood there, and walked back to his room. He sat down and placed the headphones over his ears and pressed 'play'. He didn't hear the music. Why? No battery? No. Broken earphones? No. Then what? Asuka's tears. Shinji didn't want to hear them. He pushed the pieces right against his ears to silence it. But they were all he could hear. 'Dammit'
***
"I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless..."
A broken girl lay on her bed huddled in the fetal position, rolling back and forth. Footsteps.
"Asuka?"
"Go away"
The footsteps neared. A hand touched her shoulder. It was brushed away "Go away"
"...No"
"Please go away"
"...E-earlier today you said..." started a feared Shinji
"I don't hate you. Go away"
"NO!"
Asuka turned he head to Shinji, tears flowing freely. This took him aback, never had he seen her cry. He quickly regained the lost footing and shakily put his hands on her shoulders.
"Please let go" Asuka only fearfully gazed at his hands
"B-before you said you were useless"
"I am"
"No, your not"
"I am. I couldn't do anything against the angels. I never helped" Asuka faced her comforter again
"That's not true!" Shinji's voice was reaching a higher level of magnitude
"There were 3 of us and we all depended on each other"
"...You and the first child could have done it without me"
"That's not true, we needed your help"
"Stop lying, the sixth angel, I-I needed your help to push the mouth open..."
"And I needed you. No one could have done without help"
"It's my fault we lost to the seventh angel the first time"
"I wouldn't have destroyed it properly either, it was a group effort that we did beat it"
Asuka's tears were not as frequent now but they still came "You told me how to beat the eighth angel" She turned her head away as she continued "I only executed it"
"But you told me earlier about physics, without that you would have realized it soon enough"
Asuka's tears stopped as she was still held by the kindly Shinji.
"I can't even pilot the Eva..." Now her head was held in shame
"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what you've gone through. I can't-I don't know"
"It doesn't matter"
Shinji let go of Asuka and turned to sit away from her "What did make you like this?"
"My mother"
"How?"
"She...died" the lie was the first thing that came to her mind
"Everyone has to die"
"She...Took her own life"
"What?"
"She went insane and killed herself...And what she thought was me" Tears once again invaded Asuka's eyes "She left me alone...Everyone leaves me alone"
Shinji turned and placed a hand on her shoulder "I won't Asuka"
"Thank you...Shinji"
Notes: Please review. Shinsetsu shimasu :p
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Part 2: When all things go up they must come down
Room 303. Resting place of Asuka Langley Sohryu. Occupied by Shinji Ikari for the last few hours. Hospitals are a place of death, not miracles. Shinji never had a miracle happen for him. Until a pair of eyes opened up.
The worry boy's tears hit the comatose' abdomen. He clung to her tightly, like a newly born to it's mothers tit. 'Please just wake up Asuka'
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...ahn?"
The boy was hearing things. He never thought he'd hear that voice again. He doubted it's existence but his curiosity forced him to look.
"...Asuka?"
"Asuka!"
Shinji's eyes welled up with new tears, without thinking he wrapped his arms around the girl tightly and continued calling out her name.
"Uh..." Asuka started groggily before her eyes spread open with surprise "W-what the hell are you doing?"
"I'm glad your okay Asuka"
The girl took a moment to compose herself before starting "Hey! Don't use this as an excuse to touch me"
Upon orders, Shinji released his grip and apologized. He waited a moment before bending down to rummage in his bag. After a moment Asuka asked him what he was doing which Shinji answered with a smirk and a cell phone.
"...Right?" Asuka looked at him dumbfounded whilst Shinji dialed
"Misato? Asuka's awake! She's okay!"
"What was that about?"
"Everyone's been worried about you. Misato wanted me to call her...I-if you woke up"
"...Thanks Shinji"
"For what?"
"Never mind...Idiot"
***
In a black room, with the Tree of Life overhead, the two commanders continue what they started.
"Ikari, the high heads of the UN continue to push for the extermination of the Eva series"
"Let them whine, the heads of SEELE won't let the uninformed fools do any more then that"
"Shouldn't we inform the essential NERV personnel of the possible second scenario?"
"No need. Confirmation is not yet finished, why get them in an uproar over nothing?"
"Very well sir, but...If this guess is correct when will the Lilum and the other attack?"
"Irrelevant. As long as the pilots and the Evas are operational then it matters not"
"Understood sir"
"So, how does the Marduke report look?"
"We can't use that as cover anymore. It is has been publicly announced that they have disbanded but...It is still unsuccessful"
"And the shipment?"
"Unique Eva series Unit 14 and Unit 15 will arrive within the week"
"S2 engines?"
"Sadly only the mass Evas and our Unit 01 have an S2 engine. The others are going to be constructed and delivered within the month"
"And how is...Our special patient?"
"Reconstruction complete. All that remains is the Eva to be received and consent to be given"
"Good. And of the 2nd child?"
"A call was intercepted informing Major Katsuragi that the 2nd child has awakened"
"Good. Go ask the major to return her"
"Eh? Is that wise sir? We don't know if she's recovered from the mind rape"
"If she can't synch now I will not wait for her to recover. In the time it could take we could probably train another child, however she will be given 2 chances. We will see what she makes of them"
"I see sir" Fuyutsuki acknowledged as he left the office
"Yui...Please just wait a little longer" he said to himself
***
Major Katsuragi immediately abandoned her desk after she received Shinji's call. She exited through gate 13 when Commander Fuyutsuki intercepted her.
"Major"
"Yes sir?"
"You are leaving for the 2nd child?"
"Yes sir"
"Bring her back to headquarters"
"What?! But sir..."
"Questions are not for subordinates"
"...Yes sir. Sorry sir"
"Dismissed"
Misato acknowledged her superior and left for room 303.
***
Only hours after her revival Asuka was bored. Shinji had left to finish some homework and to prepare for a harmonics test. 'Doesn't anything happen here? And where the hell is a t.v.?'. Lying back in her bed she stared at the I.V. A door swung open and Asuka turned to greet her visitor 'The little sap came back?'
"Oh! Misato"
Misato bent down and placed her hand on Asuka's forehead "So, how ya feelin' Asuka?"
"I'm not sick"
"Oh? That's good"
"What's goin' on?"
"Well, you get to...leave today"
"WHAT? I get to leave today? Could anything be better?"
"That's right Asuka but..."
"What?"
"...I don't know how to say this but upon return you must take a harmonics test and a synch test..."
"So?"
"Oh? I thought...Y-you'd be worried! Ha, ha, ha..."
'I'm sorry Asuka, I can't tell you...I just hope you pass the 1st time'
"Well? Are we going to go?" the patient asked by the door while Misato dwelled in her thoughts
"Oh yeah, sorry Asuka, let's go"
"Your getting to be like Shinji so stop it" Asuka scolded with her finger
"Am I? Well, at least you're the same as always"
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing dear. He, he"
"Your weird now"
***
The boys locker room at NERV was separated from the girls' by a screen. Many lockers stood about but only one was open. 'Another harmonics test' the pilot of Unit 01 thought as he adjusted his plug suit. 'If there are no more Angels why do we still have to do this?' Shinji closed his locker and made way for the Pribnow box 'Ayanami left earlier, I should run so I'm not late'. In accordance with his thought Shinji jogged to the steps and up them where he collided with someone from the girls' change-room.
"Ow, watch out 3rd child"
"Asuka?" the staggered 3rd child asked
"Yeah! Who else has this body?" the pilot asked while showcasing it
"I donna know. I d-don't think about those things" blushed Shinji as his head turned away
"Pssh. Liar"
"So?" still blushing Shinji continued "D-do you have to take these tests to?"
"No you idiot! The sweat I get in this plug suit is just so comfortable!" elaborated with intricate hand gestures
"...?"
Asuka waited for Shinji to realize the sarcasm but that realization never hit "No wonder you can't swim"
Shinji just stared at Asuka with his face strewn about in a puzzle. Asuka's mouth was cringed in confusion before she brushed him off, insulting his intelligence as she did. The confused pilot tried to sort out the events that just occurred when the intercom buzzed on.
"Shinji Ikari!" the newly re-established Ritsuko Akagi addressed "Immediately proceed to the Pribnow Box!"
"Uh-oh" yelped out the late Shinji as he immediately sprinted to his destination. In half a minute Shinji reached the testing center, out of breath, with his hands on his knees.
"Where the hell have you been?" his guardian screamed
"It doesn't matter Misato. Shinji, go and get in the plug" ordered the scientist Dr. Akagi
"Yes ma'am" ran off the relieved Shinji
Once inside the plug the LCL filled the plug steadily. 'I'll never get used to this smell'. When he was ready, Asuka, who had been berating him in the background was silenced by Misato.
"Asuka, stop it! All right everyone, the test is about to begin"
The children closed there eyes unanimously and began to synchronize.
***
"How is Rei doing?" Ritsuko asked leaning over Ibuki's shoulder
"Just cleared the borderline. Harmonics reading 71% and steady" the lieutenant informed
"Isn't that an increase?"
"Of 2% ma'am"
"Good" the doctor decided as she continued to monitor Rei's progress
Misato was standing, staring at the plugs when she opened her mouth "Hyuga, how is Shinji?"
"Cleared borderline, harmonics steady at 82%, that's an increase of 6% ma'am"
"That's great" the major stated before walking over to Aoba who was monitoring Asuka "...How is she doing?" the major asked in a caring tone
"She jumps back and forth on the borderline, I hope when she does the synch test is doesn't go into shutdown"
"And her harmonics?"
"She jumps between 8 and 12%"
"Dammit!" her fingers clenched in a tight fist, shaking
"You have to tell her Misato" Ritsuko placed a hand on her shoulder convincingly
"No, I didn't tell her she has to do it...I-I'm going to lie to her"
"No you can't! Tampering with the results could get you removed or even...disappeared"
"We'll just have to see how she does with confidence"
"...I do not condone this"
"I'm not asking you to"
"I won't be a part of it"
"...Hyuga! Patch me through to Unit 02" Misato ordered
"Done ma'am" Hyuga quickly finished his task
"Hey Asuka?"
"Misato? So, how much but am I kicking?"
"Great!" Misato stated before a single finger came up "Your #1!"
"So I'm beating the invincible Shinji!" Asuka beamed with pride as she opened a patch to the third child "Hear that pervert? I'm kicking your ass! Ha, you can't beat the great Asuka!"
Hyuga closed the patch and gave a questionable look at Misato "Are you sure that was wise major?"
"Let's see. Bring up her readings"
After a few key taps Asuka's harmonics were brought up "She's slightly over the borderline now. She also jumped 8 points ma'am"
"That's a good starting point, it'll work at least"
"Those are the scores of a rookie!" Ritsuko labeled
"I thought you didn't care" Misato laughed
"No, I wasn't going to help"
"Whatever, tell the pilots the test is over"
***
'Why won't you move?' the red vixen cursed at her red toy. 'It's bad enough you won't obey but everyone's watching' The start-ups had been fine but Asuka couldn't move her Eva. She was the last to go.
"I have the best test scores. Why won't this piece of junk move it's goddamn ass?" She cursed at her Eva
Rei felt the need to help her fellow pilot; an unusual feeling. She asked them to open a patch and began to speak when she saw the blue in Asuka's eyes.
"Pilot Sohryu, you must open your mind to her, if..." the first child advised
"Shut up you bitch! Your probably happy that I'm having trouble! Y-you stupid doll"
Rei was taken back by Asuka's hurtful words. It had been the second time she heard it...She thought.
"Asuka, she's just trying to help..." the third child advised
"Yeah, like the great 3rd child doesn't enjoy his spotlight! When it comes to tests he's humble. But when it comes to battle you ride out on your stupid white horse and save the day! I've never done anything to beat any of the angels! I'm so useless and your so good!"
"B-..."
"Just shut up and don't talk to me! I hate you third child! I HATE YOU!"
Shinji was hurt. His newly recovered psyche was like a thin piece of glass hanging from a single hook. Even the slightest rumble can send it to the ground...And make it shatter.
***
Originally, Misato planned a celebration for Asuka however after the accounts of the synchronization test decided against it. Shinji lay upon his futon listening to his SDAT, eyes open wandering in the darkness. A door opens, he knows who it is. He just heard the words 'fuck you' and he knows why she came.
"Shinji?" a worried Misato sounded out
"..." he still faced away from her
"Asuka's not feeling well, would you go see her?"
"Why don't you go Misato" he already knew the answer before the purple haired woman sat down beside him.
"I tried"
"Why should I? She'll just yell at me"
"Please Shinji. I'm not ordering you but I'm hoping you'll find it in your heart to do it"
Silence.
"..."
"..."
"...No"
Misato stood up and turned to Shinji for some last words "If your depressed by your scores, you should know you beat her"
"I knew that, she's no good"
Silence.
"Still no?"
"That's right Misato" his eyes never strayed from the wall
"Fine...But, come with me for a sec"
"...Okay"
Getting up, leaving his SDAT behind Shinji gloomily followed Misato to Asuka's room, the door was open. Inside stood a shell curled in a ball, rolling back and forth, nothing was broken. Misato whispered some final words "Look at her"
Shinji's eyes had changed for the first time that night; to pity
"S-s-so?"
"Is that the Asuka you want? A broken shell of a soul. Her energy, her pride, her ambition, reduced to nothing?"
"All she does is make fun of me"
"Stop thinking of yourself!" Misato whispered but emphasized with a slap "You of all people must understand what she is going through, if you can fix it then shouldn't you?"
"..."
"What-how could I fix it, what would I say?"
"I can't tell you, the words have to be yours. She has already turned away mine"
"..."
"Will you do it?" Misato urged for a last time
"..."
"I'm going to leave and if you want, you can, if you don't, you can lie"
"..."
"Goodbye"
Misato left the staggering boy to his own devices and shut the door. For a long while Shinji stood there, and walked back to his room. He sat down and placed the headphones over his ears and pressed 'play'. He didn't hear the music. Why? No battery? No. Broken earphones? No. Then what? Asuka's tears. Shinji didn't want to hear them. He pushed the pieces right against his ears to silence it. But they were all he could hear. 'Dammit'
***
"I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless. I'm useless..."
A broken girl lay on her bed huddled in the fetal position, rolling back and forth. Footsteps.
"Asuka?"
"Go away"
The footsteps neared. A hand touched her shoulder. It was brushed away "Go away"
"...No"
"Please go away"
"...E-earlier today you said..." started a feared Shinji
"I don't hate you. Go away"
"NO!"
Asuka turned he head to Shinji, tears flowing freely. This took him aback, never had he seen her cry. He quickly regained the lost footing and shakily put his hands on her shoulders.
"Please let go" Asuka only fearfully gazed at his hands
"B-before you said you were useless"
"I am"
"No, your not"
"I am. I couldn't do anything against the angels. I never helped" Asuka faced her comforter again
"That's not true!" Shinji's voice was reaching a higher level of magnitude
"There were 3 of us and we all depended on each other"
"...You and the first child could have done it without me"
"That's not true, we needed your help"
"Stop lying, the sixth angel, I-I needed your help to push the mouth open..."
"And I needed you. No one could have done without help"
"It's my fault we lost to the seventh angel the first time"
"I wouldn't have destroyed it properly either, it was a group effort that we did beat it"
Asuka's tears were not as frequent now but they still came "You told me how to beat the eighth angel" She turned her head away as she continued "I only executed it"
"But you told me earlier about physics, without that you would have realized it soon enough"
Asuka's tears stopped as she was still held by the kindly Shinji.
"I can't even pilot the Eva..." Now her head was held in shame
"I-I'm sorry, I don't know what you've gone through. I can't-I don't know"
"It doesn't matter"
Shinji let go of Asuka and turned to sit away from her "What did make you like this?"
"My mother"
"How?"
"She...died" the lie was the first thing that came to her mind
"Everyone has to die"
"She...Took her own life"
"What?"
"She went insane and killed herself...And what she thought was me" Tears once again invaded Asuka's eyes "She left me alone...Everyone leaves me alone"
Shinji turned and placed a hand on her shoulder "I won't Asuka"
"Thank you...Shinji"