Disclaimer: See Ch.1

A/N: I had originally planned for all this to split with the Rifts stuff in ch.1 (hence its title). So due to that little miscalculation, this chapter will be shorter than ch.1 was. Also, while I've read a great deal of Eva fiction on line I'm not too sure how well I'm going to portray these characters. I don't want them to become OOC, at least not yet. So if anyone sees me going to far off course with the EVA characters, don't hesitate to point it out. If you have any tips, than I'll welcome them with open arms. Another thing is that I have not seen the entire Evangelion series (I know shame on me). For this story it hopefully won't be too much of a problem as all the action will be occurring on Rifts Earth. Book 2 might be a problem, but that's far in the future and so I won't worry about it. For chronology sake, this story happens shortly before the 13th angel, Bardiel. Sorry about the long A/N, I don't like confusing stories and so I try to make sure everything's smooth and clear. Now, on with the story. (Cheering heard in background). Hey, what are all of you people doing in my room?!

Of Rifts and EVAs

Book 1 of the Heaven's Storm trilogy

Chapter 2: A risk not worth taking

Dimension: NGE Earth

Location: Tokyo-3, Japan

Date: June, 30 2014

'This is all Shinji's fault.'

These words repeated themselves constantly in the mind of Asuka Langley Sohryu; it was her mantra for today. It had been her mantra for many days now.

Ever since that first time Shinji had beaten her synch ratio, Asuka had blamed him for everything, no matter how small or insignificant. Even those things which Shinji had nothing to do with like simply walking from point A to point B and stumbling along the way, well that would be blamed on Shinji.

'Maybe if you didn't think about him all the time.' A voice in her head pointed out.

"I do not think about the baka all the time.' Asuka retorted.

'Deny it all you want, but it's still the truth.' The voice responded.

'Ah! Now I'm arguing with myself. This is Shinji's fault too. I just know it is.' Asuka thought, though deep within her some uncertainty flared.

"Asuka, your synch ratio is slipping and that's something we don't need today. Wherever your mind is, bring it back here right now."

Misato's voice shook Asuka from her thoughts of Shinji, 'I'm not thinking about Shinji!' and back to her present surroundings.

Asuka was sitting in the control plug of EVA unit-02, waiting for Dr.Akagi to begin the activation sequence for unit-04.

(Flashback)

"Units-00 through 02 will be participating in the activation sequence of unit-04." Dr.Akagi said, though a certain bitterness seemed to seep into her words.

Asuka, Shinji, Rei, Misato, and Dr.Akagi all occupied the ready room. Dr.Akagi stood in front of a chart filled with projections and scenarios dealing with today's activation.

"Why all three?" Shinji asked.

"As you all have been briefed, unit-04 has been equipped with an experimental S2 engine. Unfortunately, we've never gotten the chance to test the engine's containment field. We really don't know if it's going to be effective or not. If it fails, that's where the EVAs come in. All three of you will project your AT fields at maximum around unit-04 and contain the breach until it has burned itself out." Dr.Akagi carefully explained.

"W...what are the odds of success?" Asuka asked, feeling quite a bit of apprehension at the moment.

Dr.Akagi did not answer right away. She carefully chose her next words.

"For a test like this, the MAGI gave us good odds of success."

"What exactly are good odds?" Misato asked, noticing the good doctor's hesitation.

"The odds of a successful startup, with no mishaps, are 5%." Without another word Dr.Akagi grabbed her things and left the room.

"Now I know why the test was going to be in Nevada, a lot less people to kill out their in the desert if something goes wrong." Shinji said with a worried expression plastered on his face.

(End Flashback)

"30 seconds before activation, all systems are go."

"Pilots, are you prepared?" Dr.Akagi asked from her position in the control room.

"I am ready." Rei's voice was the first to answer, sounding as monotone as usual.

'What do you expect, she's a doll.' Asuka sneered to herself.

"I...I'm ready." Shinji said, apprehension clearly coloring his voice.

'What do you expect, he's a coward.'

"I'm ready; let's just get this over with." Asuka said, sounding just as confident as ever.

'What do you expect, I'm the best.' However Asuka could feel doubt coloring this thought.

"EVAs, take up position around unit-04." Dr.Akagi ordered.

EVA unit-04 stood in the middle of the room, while the three other EVAs stood against the walls. At Dr.Akagi's command the three EVAs took up a roughly triangular position around the silver EVA.

"20 seconds to activation." A tech stated over the comm System.

'It's funny; I haven't heard a peep out of the pilot of unit-04.' Asuka thought. She then realized that she had not even seen a pilot get into it.

"10 seconds to activation."

From the control room the final countdown started.

"9."

"8."

"7."

"6."

"5."

"4."

"3."

"2."

"1."

"Begin activation sequence." Dr.Akagi ordered.

"Beginning sequence. Pilot/EVA link initiated, everything's green so far."

"Excellent, begin stage 3 link-up." Dr.Akagi said.

"3rd stage underway, absolute borderline in 0.2, 0.1, borderline breached, pilot and EVA are in synch." At this a few cheers went up from the techs.

"Be quiet, we're not done yet. Purge external power." Dr.Akagi knew there would be time for celebrating when the test was over.

"External power purged, beginning S2 engine power up."

Asuka watched from her entry plug as the external power cable attached to the EVA's back was jettisoned to the floor.

'Here comes the tricky part.' Asuka thought to herself.

"S2 engine is powering up, full power will be attained in 12 seconds." A tech said.

"10 seconds until full power."

"How does the containment field look?" Dr.Akagi asked.

"It's holding steady mam."

"Full power in 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1."

When the countdown hit one it seemed as if everything seemed to freeze. No noise, no movement, no nothing. It was the calm before the storm.

"S2 engine is at full power and the containment field is holding, it looks like we have a successful activation." At these words the entire control center broke into cheers. Hands were shaken and nervous breaths were let out.

Asuka let out a sigh of relief.

'Not that I was nervous or anything.' Asuka thought, though she only half believed herself.

'Looks like they were worried over nothing.'

As soon as she thought this alarms began to wail.

'Mien Gott, why did I have to go and think that!?' Asuka shouted to herself.

"What's wrong?" Dr.Akagi demanded

"There's a disturbance in the S2 engine, the MAGI are identifying it as a cascade meltdown!" A tech shouted out.

"The containment field is developing multiple harmonic strains, its not going to hold much longer!" Another tech cried out, fear infecting her voice.

"EVA units move in and surround unit-04 with you AT fields. Make sure they're at maximum power." Dr.Akagi quickly ordered.

Asuka quickly moved unit-02 in and brought her AT field up at max power. Shinji and Rei did the same with their EVAs.

"S2 engine containment failure is imminent; EVA AT fields have been raised around the target."

The S2 unit on 04's chest, which up until now had been glowing a steady red, had now begun to pulse in an increasingly violent pace. After a few seconds arcs of energy began to spring from the S2 engine. At first the AT fields were able to deflect the energy without a problem, but as the containment field grew weaker and weaker, the energy leaks became more powerful. The EVA units were soon hard pressed to hold their positions.

It was at this point that the containment field collapsed. The S2 engine glowed a bright, blinding white for a second and then unleashed all of its shackled energy. A wall of energy leapt at the control room, almost as if it intended to punish these foolish mortals who thought they could harness such power. It was stopped short of its goal by the AT fields. For a moment it seemed as if the AT fields would hold the rampant energy, but one glorious second later the AT fields fell...

...and Tokyo-3 disappeared in a glowing ball of energy.

After that nothing would ever be the same.

Next chapter....3: Dude, where's my dimension?

A/N: Well, this chapter was definitely shorter than Ch.1. The next few chapters will be pretty long, as I am going to be getting a lot more descriptive with characters and scenes. I really didn't expect the good reviews I have gotten so far, and am happy that those of you who have read my story have liked it thus far. I've got some responses to some of your reviews:

Eternally Lost Zeppo- Damn right I'd like a pre-reader. I tried to send you an e-mail, but I guess you didn't get it. Contact me and we'll work out the details.

X-Over- If you want to see Hikari and Kensuke becoming EVA pilots I recommend you read Eva unit-U's Evangelion, Children of humanity. It's a great story.

Andross-937- Thanx for the excellent review. You were right on the money with Jenkins and your getting pretty warm on what I plan to do with the Eva cast(though you've still got away to go). Also, SD damage can affect MD items, though it takes something like 100 SD points to inflict 1 point of MD damage. Maybe we can e-mail each other, I've got some ideas but I'd like a sounding board.

Thanks again for all the great reviews and I'll try to keep up the good work. (Cheering is heard) Why are you people still in my room?!