Neon Genesis Evangelion
Cry of the Heavens
Episode 00: with you're mind/Peace be with you
Among the many empty corridors of the medical ward of NERV headquarters, among the almost countless rooms, only one room was occupied with a young woman
Asuka Langley Soryu
The Second child
Pilot of Eva Unit-02
This was here room, her home, her world, not that she cared, her mind was trapped in a world of pain and suffering. No living being could reach her in her state of endless pain and lack of self worth. It was late in the night and the room was dark, every standing object was only a dark statuette in the darkness of the room. Suddenly, a soft light begun to emanate from Asuka's body, rising up from her body, a thin strip of light, similar to what you may see in the northern lights, begun to rise as if reaching for the sky. Stopping just short of five feet above the bed, still attached to Asuka. The light swayed back and forth slowly as if it was a living entity. Slowly the light begun to retract back in to Asuka's body till it completely disappeared, leaving the room dark once again. With in Asuka's mind, images of Asuka's memories begun to flash past a pair of red inhuman eyes at a speed that would be impossible for any human to take in. Images of Asuka's childhood with her mother and father flashed past, a time when Asuka was happy and had no scars that ate away at her very being. But these images did not last long, soon memories of Asuka's father leaving her mother for another woman came, the anger, the bitterness, and the sadness was easy to see and feel from the memories. Suddenly the speed of the memories begun to come at a slower pace till a young Asuka could be seen rushing down a hall way with a smile on her face yelling momma. As the door burst open in front of the young girl, the image swiftly shifted to only of a dark room with a hanging woman in the middle of the room. In one of the corners of the room, the grown Asuka was sitting with her knees held at her chest and her eyes squeezed shut. The memory played out as it always did till the stream of light reappeared filling the room with light. Asuka's eyes opened slowly as she felt the warm light. As Asuka looked up she was able to witness the light enter the body of the young Asuka. As the light disappeared with in the young Asuka, a bright light engulfed the young girl and begun to shift and change her. As the light faded away, the young Asuka was replaced with a white haired boy, dressed in a young boy's school uniform.
Boy: Hello Asuka
Asuka could only stare in disbelief as the boy made his way over to her stepping past the hanging woman as he did.
Asuka: W.. . who are you?
Young Boy: . . . . Im what's left of the being that attacked your mind. . . .
Asuka glared at the Angel boy in anger and then in fear at the realization of what he said. She said something that sounded like; "the Angel!" before she backed from the young angel.
Asuka: GET AWAY FROM ME!!!!!
Angel: Please don't fear me. . . . .Im only here to set what I did wrong right. . . .
Asuka: I don't need your help!
Angel: Yes Asuka you do. Mankind doesn't have much time left, they need you. You can't help them while you're trapped here.
He gestures to their surroundings.
Angel: None of this will go away unless you listen to me.
Asuka: . . . .
Angel: Mankind needs you--
Asuka: They have the great Third child they don't need any one else!
Asuka's words were like acid off her tongue, she said them with so much rage. She was on the verge of crying, tears were building up in her eyes as she squeezed them shut, forcing them back.
Angel: It doesn't matter who is better Asuka . . . . . Shinji needs you and I know you need him just as much. . . .
Asuka: What that idiot! I . . . I don't need him!
Angel: You keep telling yourself that but you know that it is not true . . . . and don't try and lie to me I know you better then you probably know yourself.
Asuka just glared at the Angel as he walked to a swing and sat down on it and began to swing back and forth on it. For the first time Asuka got a good look around the place the angel had taken her.
Asuka: . . . .Why are we here any way!?. . . . This is dumb!
Angel: We could always go back to the room we were in before.
Asuka: . . . . . .
Angel: I thought not. . . . Asuka. . . Its time for you to wake up. . . . you have been having this nightmare to long.
Asuka: . . . I . . .
Angel: I want to pass on. . . . but I can't while your still dreaming. . . . a part of me was left in your mind when my true form was destroyed. I failed in my task.
Asuka: Why should I help you after what you did to me!?!
Angel: . . . . Because once I'm gone you will be able to wake up. . . . and pilot Eva.
Asuka: . . . . Then why don't you just leave!!
Angel: You still have your old problems Asuka, because of that, I'm still here. Technically I'm responsible for you being here, but now I have a chance to redeem myself. And then I can finally rest. . .
Asuka: What do you want!
Angel: I want you to come to terms with everything that has happened to you.
Asuka: . . . . .
Angel: You can try and forget your past and you can treat others like dirt . . . . it will make you feel better maybe, but all your doing is pushing the people that care about you away.
Asuka: What do you know!!!
Angel: . . .I know the one you call Shinji has been coming to see you and is very worried about you.
Asuka: . . . . Shinji. . . . Ha! That stupid pervert!
Asuka closed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. She opened her eyes the angel was glaring up at Asuka.
Angel: How come you push away the only person who is kind to you and cares about you?. . . . Are you lining yourself up to be hurt?
Asuka: I keep telling you that he is just some idiot!
Angel: You can call him what you want, but you can't hide the fact from that you care about him. Maybe you can hide it from yourself, but not from me.
Asuka: I don't care anything about that pervert!
Angel: . . . I'm in your mind . . . remember I know everything you think and your feelings as well.
Asuka: Not again! . . . GET OUT!!!
Asuka seemed to be getting desperate.
Angel: I'm sorry Asuka but I cannot. . . . . . not until everything is set right. . . . . I think it is time that we began.
Before Asuka could even reply the park faded away so only Asuka and the angel remained in a pitch black room.
Asuka: Now where are we!?
Women's voice A: How long has she been like this?
Women's voice B: Since the day she came in.
Women's voice A: She treats that doll like it was her real daughter!?
Women Voice B: Yeah it's the weirdest thing!
Hearing those words Asuka knew right away where she was. She turned to face the angel but found that he was gone. When she turned her back a light appeared behind her. She turned around to see what the light was coming from, ready to yell at the angel but what she saw made her eyes go wide in shock and her face went ghostly pale. A younger version of herself was standing in front of the window of her mothers hospital room. Asuka took a step back not wanting to face what was behind the glass of the window. The angel reappeared, looking up at her again.
Angel: If you do not face the demons of your past you will not have a future Asuka.
Asuka: I don't want to be here!
Angel: Asuka. . . . . .You have . . .no you "must" do this.
Asuka: I Don't want to do this!!
Angel: I don't care. . . . . . you will do this because we will never leave this room unless you do.
Asuka: . . . . .
The Angel walked past her to the window and stood next to the child Asuka, who did not even seem to notice his presence. The real Asuka stood where she was with her arms crossed over her stomach, shaking from fear of what she might see in the window. But she had to! She had no choice. Now was the time. She swallowed hard and began to walk to the window, shaking like a leaf. As she got closer to the window the child image of herself disappeared. Asuka now stood in front of the window, the dark room lit up showing she was standing in a hall way of a hospital.
Asuka: I don't want to be here. . . her voice trembling
Angel: . . . . you can not run from your past Asuka. . . no matter how hard you try to forget, you can never escape those memories. It will be better to face them. And overcome them.
The angel looked up at Asuka with a smile.
Angel: You know what you have to do to overcome this part of your life Asuka.
Asuka: . . I . . .
The angel looked over at the door beside the window
Angel: Do what you could not do back then.....
Asuka: . . . . I..i can't!
Angel: Yes you can! Don't let your fears overcome you!
Asuka: I'm not scared!
Angel: Then show me your not and open the door and go in!
Asuka: . . I . . . I . . .FINE!
Asuka walked by the Angel bumping him slightly with her shoulder as she did. When she got to the door, she reached for the handle, but just as her fingers grasped it, she stopped. Asuka took in a deep breath and grabbed the handle and turned it. As Asuka walked in she found she was not in a Hospital room but standing in front of a head stone of a grave.
Asuka: . . . .
Asuka looked down at the headstone of the grave. The name on it made Asuka step back.
Here rest's Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu
Asuka fell to her knees feeling weak. The mental dam broke, and the memories came in a unstoppable flood.
Angel: . . . . .This is the spot when you stopped caring. . . . . . the place you told yourself you would never cry again.
Asuka: . . . . . . .
Angel: . . . . The day you put up your own AT-Field.
Asuka: . . . AT-Field?
Angel: Yes, you keep people from getting close to you.
Asuka got back to her feet grabbing the shirt of the Angel holding him up slightly.
Asuka: Why are you doing this to me why can't you just leave me alone!?!?
Angel: . . . Because you need help. . . even though you would never ask for it.
Asuka: . . . . . .
Asuka let go of the angel slowly. He stepped back from Asuka turning his back to her.
Angel: . . . . Let me show you something else Asuka.
As the angel faded away the graveyard faded also. Again Asuka was placed in a dark room, but before Asuka could react the room lit up, revealing that she was standing on top of her Unit-02, Shinji was on the ground looking up at her. They were back on the aircraft carrier.
Angel: . . . Do you remember this day Asuka?
Asuka: . . . Yes . . . this is the day I first met that Idiot Shinji.
Angel: Then why were you showing off for him that day if you think he is so inferior?
Asuka: Nahhhh!?!? I was not showing off, I was just showing him my Unit-02. Regaining her composure
Angel: . . . . What about that time you kissed him?
Before Asuka could say anything the room once again faded away showing Asuka and Shinji kissing.
Asuka: . . I. . . I was bored!
Angel: So you wanted to make out with Shinji because you were "bored"?
Asuka: I did not make out with him! I just kissed him!!
Angel: Why do you keep trying to hide it?
Asuka: Hide what!?
Angel: You love Shinji but you cover it up by always calling him names and making fun of him.
Asuka: I DO NOT LOVE THAT IDIOT!!!!
Angel: . . . . . I believe you do Asuka. . .
Asuka: If you don't shut up I'm going to smack you!!
Angel: Why do you hate Rei and Misato?
Asuka: What!?. . . . Because . . . Because the first child is a doll! and Misato is so childish!
Angel: They have never done anything to hurt you. Rei has never gotten in your way or hurt you. . . . Misato took you in to her home and treated you like a younger sister she never had. . . . . . and Shinji has always treated you nice, he as never done anything to hurt you in anyway.
Asuka: . . . . I . . . Shut up! what do you know! You don't have to live with them!
Angel: You take your rage and anger out on others because you do not want anyone to be close to you.
Asuka: Why shouldn't I !?! They're the reasons I'm mad in the first place!. . . .And I have let people get close to me!
Angel: Do you mean Kaji? . . . . .no matter how much you don't want to believe it, Kaji was right. . . . . your not a woman yet your still just a girl.
in a fit of rage Asuka punched the angel in the face. The angel slowly looked back at Asuka with no sign of anger or hate, or pain for that matter, there was no sign he was hurt at all, not even a bruise.
Angel: . . . Did that make you feel better Asuka?. . . . .
Asuka: . . I . .
Angel: When people tell you the truth you can't take it. . . . . .
Asuka: Yes I can I . . . I was just getting sick of you!
Angel:. . . . Maybe we should move on to something else. . . . . . .Why do you pilot Eva?
Asuka: Ha! To show the world how great I am!
Angel: You always want to be better than Rei and Shinji. . . . . I ask you why?. . . . Who cares whose first, your an Eva pilot. . . you have been given the duty to save the earth. . . . it doesn't matter who is number one. . . . . or that you lost a few battles. . . . .
Asuka: . . . . . . .Why do you help me any way?
Angel: Because I owe you, and I am trapped here with you. I already made this clear. The point is Asuka, just live your life and try and be happy! Do not push everyone away who cares about you. . . . . .I have done everything I could to help you Asuka, I can only show you the truth, it is up to you to accept it. . . . . It is time for you to wake up now. . . . .This may just seem like a dream to you when you wake up. . .try not to forget my words to you.
Asuka: . . . All this is too much!
Angel: . . . Don't worry I believe you can change for the better.. . . . . .And trust me, Shinji will be very glad to see you're all right.
Before Asuka could say other word the room filled with light and the last thing Asuka could see was the young image of the angel boy smiling at her as the room and everything was covered in the light.
Arael: Good bye . . . Asuka. . . . .Now I can rest. . .
And then Arael was gone.
The sun rose from the east, illuminating the remaining areas of Tokyo-3. The sunlight slowly made its way through the window and crept up the side of the bed, and finally resting on someone's face. Under the mass of blue hair, two crimson orbs appeared as Rei opened her eyes and awoke to first light. She sat up slowly in her bed. Morning, she thought. Rei stood up and walked to the bathroom. Soon after the sound of running water could be heard, a short time later Rei was dressed and was standing in front of the window.
Rei: Time to go.
Rei looked up at the sky, as if expecting something. But then her gaze returned to the people around her, busily going about their business, trying to get on with their lives after the angel attack. The streets weren't nearly as populated as they used to be; Rei noticed.
Rei made her way through the city and she soon came to the part of Tokyo-03 that was destroyed. Rei stopped at the edge of the lake and stared out in to the calm waters. The ruins of buildings violently protruding from its surface, she moved closer to the water and looked down as it caressed the shore softly. What seemed like a memory of a long forgotten dream started to flood back to Rei as she watched the small waves. Images of Unit-00 being attacked by the 16th angel, Images of Unit-01 trying to fight off the Angel as it attacked, Images of Shinji calling out for her, images of herself . . . crying,Rei was thrust out of her train of thought when she felt a tear run down her face. Rei reached up with her right hand and ran one of her fingers under her eye trying to dry the tear away.
Rei: . . . . . tears?. . . . .why am I crying?
Rei stared up in to the fresh morning sky as more tears ran down her pale face.
Rei: Am I responsible for this destruction....this sadness?
Rei slowly turned around drying her eyes with her hand. Rei began to run away from the lake not wanting to remember anything more of that fateful day.
Meanwhile at the Katsuragi residents, all the lights in the apartment were out, leaving the idea that everyone was out. How ever in Shinji Ikari's room, Shinji laid in the darkness with the head phones of his walkman placed over his ears. This would not seem strange if however the Walkman's battery sign was not flashing showing the battery was long dead and it was impossible for any music to be played. Sleep did not come easy to Shinji these days, so much had happened in the span of ten months, but nothing more damaging and scaring then what had happened no more then a few days ago.
Every time Shinji closed his eyes he relived the moment he killed the seventeenth angel, the long pause that seem to last forever as Shinji thought of Kaoru's words and the reaction a simple thought could do. With a simple thought, Shinji killed Kaoru in a moment, Kaoru would have been dead before his brain could react to the blinding pain of ones body being crushed. How ever this did little to sooth Shinji's gilt or his sorrow. Misato's words did little as well, "you did the right thing Shinji" "it was him or us" these words only made Shinji feel worse about what he had done. Shinji thought of Kaoru's last words to him over and over, but every time he begun to remember the words he would remember what he had done and he would feel the tears begin to come. He was a murderer, he killed Kaoru in cold blood, Kaoru did not even do anything to defend him self, but it was what Kaoru wanted.
Shinji: I don't understand!
Sleep had not come easy for Shinji the past nights, and he soon found him self drifting off to sleep. Shinji found him self reliving the moment that haunted him in his waking hours as he slept. The moment Unit-01 held Kaoru just moments before the end. Shinji wanted to close his eyes and not witness this moment once again, but he found he was unable to close his eyes. Shinji could hear the words Kaoru last said to him as clearly as the day they were spoke, they were not clouded with gilt or sorrow, Shinji could see the smile Kaoru had on his lips as the end grew near, he was not afraid or angry, he was glad, he was happy.
Kaoru: I'm glad I met you, Shinji Ikari, my life was meaningful. . . because of you
Shinji felt his gilt slowly slip away as he watched the scene play out once more, but this time from another point of view.
Shinji: I. . .
As Unit-01's hand closed crushing Kaoru, Shinji felt the gilt come back once more, but then a voice spoke up that he recognized immediately.
Kaoru's Voice: Peace be with you, Shinji Ikari.
Shinji found him self thrown awake as the sounds of doors opening and hurrying foot steps filled the apartment. Soon the sounds were explained as Misato burst in to Shinji's room, appearing out of breath but happy. Shinji sat up as he removed his ear phones, being slightly startled when Misato rushed up onto the bed and placed her hands on his shoulders.
Shinji: Misato?
Misato: Shinji! Asuka is awake! She just woke up a few hours ago!
Shinji: . . . .
Shinji just stared at Misato in shock, speechless. Before he knew what was going on he was being dragged by the raven-haired woman out the door.