Chapter 3

The next day.

During lunch.

"You know we still have a problem." Rei said. Asuka and Misato looked over at Rei.

"You mean besides the fact we aren't in the right bodies?" Asuka asked.

"We still have the concert coming up in 3 days and we still do not have a second violin."

Asuka threw her hands up in the air.

"Oh yes! Let's not forget about that!" Asuka glared at Rei, "We've spent that last 2 days in bodies different from our own and you're still worried about the fact that we don't have a second violin for the stupid concert?!"

Rei looked right back at Asuka without flinching.

"We can not do anything about our current predicament." Rei said softly, "That problem is left up to Doctor Akagi, the NORN computer, and Kami-sama and his Grand-Daughter. So I have decided to worry about something we can control."

"She's right Asuka." Misato said.

"Excuse me."

The three looked up to see Mana behind them.

"Yes?" Asuka asked rather annoyed.

"Well, I couldn't help but overhear that you're looking for a violin player." Mana said.

"And what gives you the right to…" Asuka started before Misato covered her mouth.

"What about it?" Misato asked.

"Well," Mana said, giving 'Shinji' a look, "I know how to play Violin."

"You do?" Rei asked.

"Yep."

"Would you be interested in practicing with us tomorrow?"

"WHAT?!?!?" Asuka shouted through Misato's hand.

"I'D LOVE TO!!" Mana shouted happily, "Thank you Shinji!"

Mana then ran off practically skipping.

Asuka glared at Rei.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?"

"I solved one of our problems." Rei replied.

"No! 'Shinji' just 'invited' a girl who has the hots for him to the apartment over his girlfriend's objections!"

Rei thought about that for a moment.

"I suppose I did."

"Thanks a lot Rei. You just made my life that much tougher."

"Don't worry about it Asuka." Misato said, "Remember, Shinji choose you. He could have run off with any number of girls, even a Goddess, and he still choose you. You have nothing to worry about."

"I have to worry about that girl whoring over my Shinji." Asuka muttered.

"ASUKA!"

"Well she is!" Asuka said, "What else would you like me to care her? A Tramp? A Slut? A Demon?"

"Who's a demon?" Hikari asked as she, Touji and Kensuke walked up.

"Asuka was talking about Mana." Rei replied.

"Why are you calling Mana a demon?" Hikari asked.

"Because she's after Shinji……."

"THAT'S IT!!" Asuka cried, "It explains everything!"

"What does?" Misato asked.

"Mana is a Demon." Asuka said triumphantly.

Everyone just stared at her.

"Look, she arrived the day before all this body switching happened." Asuka explained, "She doesn't have much of a history, and she's after my Shinji!"

"Yep." Misato said, "That makes her a Demon. Get the Holy water and soak her. Seriously Asuka, that's no proof of being a demon."

"If Sayoko was here she could tell us if Mana was." Touji said.

"But we do not know when she'll be back." Rei said.

Asuka frowned and stared at the ground a moment. Suddenly her face lit up again.

"I got it! Remember, demons are allergic to lucky charms! We just get them on Mana and if she reacts…..she's a demon!"

"Oh!" Kensuke cried jumping to his feet, "I know just where to get some!" He then turned and ran off.

"Where the hell is he running to?" Asuka asked.

"I don't know." Touji said, "Come on. There's a temple near here that gives out charms. Let's pick up a few to disprove your theory."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A bit later.

"Where the hell is Kensuke?" Touji asked, "Class is about to start!"

"Never mind that stooge." Asuka said, "Where the hell is Mana?"

"I don't…oh..here she comes."

Asuka turned around to see Mana walking into the class. She turned and nodded to Rei who placed a paper lucky charm from the nearby temple onto Mana's chair. Mana did not notice it as she sat down, preferring to give 'Shinji' a goofy grin. Asuka, Touji, Rei, Misato, and Hikari all watched patiently. Finally Mana noticed them staring at her.

"What?!" she asked, "Is there something on my face?"

Mana turned away from them. Asuka whirled about on the other four.

"Why didn't it work?"

"Maybe because she isn't a demon?" Hikari asked.

"It must have been because of her clothes. Touji! Strip her!"

"NO!" Touji shouted, causing the rest of the class to glance at him. "She isn't a demon," he whispered, "Just get it through that…."

The door to the class was flung open as Kensuke ran into the room. He stood before Mana and reached into his bag.

"TAKE THIS DEMON!!" he cried as he dumped an entire box of Lucky Charms cereal over Mana's head.

Mana just sat there stunned, bits of cereal dropping from her hair, piling up on her desk, lap, and the floor around her. The rest of the class remained where they were in complete shock. Asuka, Rei, Misato, Touji, and Hikari stared at their friend. Then Asuka dropped her head.

"Mien Gott he is an idiot."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sigel sat in front of the TV, watching the show that she had come to like. Yes, she was a robot, but her programming made her seem human, thus, she had wants, needs, and desires. Banpei too had wants needs and desires, unfortunately, what he desired most didn't want to watch TV with him.

"I told you to leave me alone." Sigel muttered.

"Bleep?" replied Banpei.

"I know you want to spend time with me." Sigel said, "But we're together every single day. Can I please have time alone to myself?"

"Bleep."

"Thank-you." Sigel turned back to the TV. That was when she saw a flash of light and the beginnings of a glow coming from the mirror.

"Mistress Sayoko is home!" she called out.

In a flash, Sayoko floated through the mirror and landed lightly on the floor.

"Greetings Mistress." Sigel said with a slight bow.

Sayoko stared at Sigel.

"I thought I told you to knock off the Mistress stuff."

"You did." Sigel replied.

"Then why aren't you?"

"Mistress Skuld had told us that we were to obey you as if it was her."

"But why Mistress?"

"It denotes that you are in control."

"Just….try calling me 'Sayoko'." The goddess said, "Calling me Mistress makes me feel like I should be in black leather with a whip." Sayoko turned and started to head towards her room.

"There was a phone call while you were gone." Sigel shouted.

Sayoko turned back around.

"Who was it?"

"We did not answer it." Sigel replied, "We let 'Mr. Answering Machine' take it."

Sayoko shook her head as she walked over to the phone.

"Auntie really has to work on these names." Arriving at the phone, she looked over at the red and white device next to it. She reached out to press the button, then stopped.

"Ummm…Which one is the play….and which one is the self-destruct?"

 Sayoko closed her eyes and winced as she pressed a button. Soon, Misato's voice filled the room.

"Hello Sayoko, It's Shinji……."

"SHINJI?!?!" Sayoko shouted, "What?!?!?!"

Sayoko listened as Shinji's message continued to play out.

"….please call us when you get back. Maybe you and your Aunt can help us. Bye."

"AUNTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji once again found herself sitting alone in the apartment. Kaji, after having apologized yet again to Shinji, had vanished from the apartment, presumably waiting for the others to come back. Pen Pen was sitting on the floor, staring intently at the show that was playing on the TV.

Which happened to be a soap.

'This makes no sense.' Shinji thought, "How can she be with a guy who is her mother's brother's son's friend's boyfriend? How do woman understand these things?' She then looked down at Pen Pen. 'And how does he understand this?'

The ring of the phone pulled Shinji out of her musings. She walked over to the phone and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Shinji? It's Doctor Akagi."

"Yes Doctor?" Shinji asked, "Have you figured out…"

"I'm sorry Shinji." Ritsuko said softly, "The NORN hasn't come up with anything that would be 100% reliable. Best chance is that you all could end up in the right bodies, but your minds would be irreversibly damaged. It'd be safer to leave things the way they are."

"Oh." Shinji said.

"I'll keep working at it and having the NORN run things over. But right now…." Ritsuko's voice trailed off. "I'm sorry Shinji."

Shinji hung the phone up and sank to the floor.

"What am I going to tell the others?" Shinji muttered quietly.

It was then that the doorbell rang. Shinji slowly walked towards it and pressed the intercom.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Shinji," came a female voice, "It's me, Sayoko."

Shinji's hands flew over the locks and she quickly swung the door open.

"THANK GOD!" she shouted as she grabbed Sayoko in a hug. "You have no idea how happy I am to see you!"

"Shinji…."

"What?"

"AIR!!!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well that was one of the most pointless things I've ever done." Misato said as she, Asuka, and Rei walked home.

"…." was Asuka's only reply.

"The best part was when the teacher walked in and saw Kensuke standing over Mana with the empty box." Misato chuckled, " 'What is that Mr. Aida?'  'Cereal sir.' 'And why is it in my class?' 'Breakfast is the most important meal of the day sir.'" Misato stopped and looked at the other two. "That boy is a quick thinker. He's going to do well one of these days."

"Yeah sure." muttered Asuka.

"You're just mad that you didn't prove Mana was a Demon."

"Didn't prove she wasn't one either." Asuka said.

Misato just smiled and skipped away. Asuka looked over at Rei.

"Do I really act like that? And look that smug about it?"

"Well, yes." Rei replied.

"Remind me to try and stop doing that."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Both Rei and Asuka finally caught up to Misato just outside their apartment door. Misato was bent over slightly with her ear to the door.

"What is it?" Rei asked.

"I hear laughing." Misato said.

"So?" Asuka replied, "Shinji's laughing. Maybe he's watching something funny."

"Maybe, but why would he have other woman in there."

"WHAT?!?!" Asuka reached over and flung the door open. "It had better not be that bitch!"

Asuka stormed into the apartment headed towards the living room.

"LISTEN HERE YOU…….." Asuka's voice trailed off as she spotted who sat on either side of Shinji.

"Hello Asuka." Sayoko said with a smiled.

"You wanted to tell us something?" Skuld added.

Asuka stood silent for a moment, giving Rei and Misato enough time to catch up with her.

"Actually, yes." Asuka finally said. She quickly dove at Sayoko and wrapped her in a hug. "Danke Gott you're here!"

"I think you mean Goddess." Skuld said with a smile. "And we have even better news for you."

"You can help us?" Misato asked, joy creeping into her voice.

Skuld nodded. "I even know how it happened."

"How?"

"You and your fellow roommates fell victim to a Demonic Device. It's a relatively old trick that demons used about 200 years ago. They gave up when it just didn't become fun anymore and became just to hard to aim."

"But you can fix us right?" Asuka asked.

Skuld reached beside the couch and lifted up a helmet like device.

"We can do it anytime you want. Unless you prefer the bodies you're currently in?"

"Skuld," Misato said, "If you ever say that again, I'm going to get your Sister to bring out useless machines."

Skuld gulped. "Ok, let's get this going."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later.

With a sigh, Kaji walked up to his front door. By now his wife was home, as were the three children. Unfortunately, his wife was in the body of a teenager, and a teenage boy possessed his wife's body (which led to a lot of what were once wonderful dirty thoughts to become oh so wrong).

Kaji opened the door and stepped into the small hallway. From further in the apartment, happily chatting voices reached him.

"I'm home." He called out, slowly removing his shoes.

"KAJI!!!!" came a female shout, followed by the sound of running feet.

It took Kaji several moments before he realized that the voice did not belong to a teenager. By that point, someone ran around the corner and leaped at him, causing him to fall backwards onto the floor.

"Ow!" he muttered as he looked up. Looking back at him was Misato, HIS Misato.

"Hi Kaji." Misato said with a slightly evil smile.

"Misa-chan?"

"In the flesh." Misato then leaned forward and kissed Kaji on the lips. They remained that way for several moments, then Misato broke the kiss and leaned forward to whisper in his ear.

"I feel really naughty tonight." She said softly, "How about you?"

"What about the kids?" Kaji asked.

Misato's grin grew even bigger.

"They are going over to Sayoko's where they will be Skuld's problem for the night." Misato stood up. "I expect you to be in proper attire upon the departure of the children."

She then turned and left the hallway, leaving Kaji on the floor.

"God, I love those kinds of orders." Kaji muttered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night.

The Goddess' Apartment.

Skuld gave each of the four teenagers sitting before her a stern look.

"There had better not be any funny business tonight." She said, "Shinji, you have the couch while the girls will stay in Sayoko's room. Banpei and Sigel will be on guard. And so help me, if anything does happen…." She looked specifically at Asuka and Shinji. "Not even Kami-sama will save you from Misato OR me." She then smiled. "Pleasant dreams!" Skuld then left the living room.

"Sayoko," Asuka said, "Your Aunt can be scary at times."

"Yeah, I know." Sayoko replied, "So, how does it feel to be back in your own bodies?"

"Much better." Asuka said.

"Nice to get that weight off my chest." Shinji said, getting a look from the three girls. "What? What did I say?"

Asuka gave Shinji a bit more of a look, then turned to Sayoko.

"So what happened? You said you'd be gone a week."

"Well," Sayoko said, "We'd been in the line for about 50 hours when Thor showed up with a bunch of his drinking buddies. They wanted their license renewed too. However, they were too drunk to remember the new rules."

"What happened?" asked Shinji.

Sayoko smiled, "Norse Gods tend to do two things very well: They like to drink, and they like to fight. Thor got annoyed when he was told to take a number, so he brought out Mjolnir, his hammer, and proceeded to smash everything in sight. In the panic of everyone running around and screaming, Auntie stood up and led me towards the main desk. Thor was swinging at everything and everyone, as were his buddies, and then he saw Auntie. He and his buddies stopped, bowed to us, then resumed chasing everyone and smashing things. The clerk renewed our licenses without complaint, since everyone else had other things on their minds. As we left, Twenty-five Valkyries charged in to establish order again."

"Wow." The three mortals said together.

"Anyway," Sayoko said, "What have I missed?"

"There is renewed conflict regarding Shinji's affections." Rei replied.

"Conflict hell!" Asuka said, "That Demonic Whore showed up and is trying to get her claws into my Shinji!"

"Demonic whore?" Sayoko asked, looking at Rei.

"Asuka believes the new student in our class, Mana Kirishima, to be a Demon." Rei said.

"A Demon? What gives you that idea?"

"Kensuke looked up information on her in the school computers." Shinji said, "He found her file as bare as Rei's NERV file."

"What does she look like?"

"She is our age, auburn hair, green eyes." Rei replied, "Misato said she was rather cute."

"I still say she's a demon." Asuka said with a growl.

"We did test Asuka's theory." Rei added.

"How did you test it?" Sayoko asked.

"We attempted to place Kirishima in contact with Lucky Charms."

"Oh don't remind me about that." Asuka said, "Kensuke is an idiot."

"Why? What happened?" Sayoko asked.

"Kensuke ran off to some store." Rei said, "The rest of us went to a temple and got a few lucky charms. We set them on Mana's chair and she sat on them with no reaction."

"I think it's because her clothes were in the way." Asuka said.

"No." Sayoko said, "Auntie Skuld told me a story where Mara went after my parents and stepped on a charm. She got blown off her feet and lost her memory. If Mana was a Demon, she should have been affected."

"Oh." mumbled Asuka.

"So what did Kensuke do?"

"He misunderstood what we meant by Lucky Charms." Rei stated.

"The stooge dumped a box of cereal on her." Asuka said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The silence of the night outside the apartment was shattered by the sounds of a hysterically laughing Goddess.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two figures stood within a circle of light, one figure in black, the other in blue and white. Red eyes stared across at blue eyes.

"Thou, who art with me always." A six-year-old Sayoko said, "Guardian of Shadow…."

"…Guardian of Light," the girl in black replied.

"When fails the light, when fades the shadow," the two said together, "Let shadow guard Light, let Light guard Shadow. One existence, Entangled Souls, Life shared as one"

"For all Gods," Sayoko said, "I, Sayoko, do so swear!"

"For all Demons," the girl in black answered, "I……"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sayoko sat up straight in her bed, covered in sweat. A quick look around showed that all was well in her room. Asuka and Rei were asleep. Shinji had left long ago for the couch. Sayoko glanced at her clock and sighed. It read 4am. Two more hours until she actually had to be up, and then yet another until school.

Sayoko floated up into the air and over her sleeping friends. She landed softly just outside her door and went into the bathroom. Shutting the door behind her, she then turned on the light and stared at her reflection.

"That damn Doublet dream again" she muttered to herself, "What does it mean?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day.

"Three days of detention." muttered Kensuke.

"Serves you right." Hikari said, "What were you thinking? Dropping cereal on Mana?"

"Asuka said Demons were allergic to Lucky Charms!"

"Not those kind." Touji replied.

"Well I guess I know that now." Kensuke sighed and sank into his chair.

The door to the class opened and Mana entered. She walked towards her desk, passing the three.

"Hello Suzuhara, Horaki, Stooge." She then continued on towards her desk.

"Great." muttered Kensuke, "Now she's calling me stooge." He looked over at Hikari and Touji. "You know maybe she is a demon. She does have red hair."

"Not the same as Asuka's though." Touji replied.

"Oh my!" Hikari started running towards the door. Touji and Kensuke followed her, then smiled as they spotted who Hikari had seen.

Sayoko had barely entered the class when she was swallowed up in a hug from Hikari.

"You made it back!" Hikari shouted, "Did you get it?"

"Yep." Sayoko answered, "All renewed for awhile." Sayoko then looked around the class and found herself being stared at by a pair of green eyes.

"Who is that?" Sayoko asked, "The new girl?"

"Yep, that's the demon." Asuka said, entering the class behind Sayoko.

"Asuka!" Hikari shouted, "You're you!"

Asuka smiled, then leaned in and whispered into Hikari's ear.

"Skuld fixed everything last night. And I was right, a Demon did cause that entire mess."

Hikari's eyes went wide. She then looked over at Mana.

"So she is a demon?" Hikari asked.

"We'll find out." Asuka gave Sayoko a shove towards Mana. "Go introduce yourself."

Sayoko glared at Asuka, then turned and walked up to Mana's desk.

"Hello." Sayoko said with a smile.

"Hi." Mana replied, "Who are you?"

"I'm Sayoko Morisato." Sayoko replied, holding out her hand.

"Mana Kirishima." Mana took the offered hand. "Don't think I've seen you around here before."

"Oh that was because I had to go back with my Aunt to her homeland." Sayoko replied, try not to change her expressions as the sound of a screamed echoed in her mind from Mana's, "There was some paper work she needed to fill out. I just got back in yesterday. I hope no one has been giving you a hard time."

"Oh no. Everyone has been very nice. Other then Aida and that Sohryu girl." Mana leaned closer to Sayoko. "I think she has a permanent stick up her butt." She whispered.

Sayoko let out a laugh. "Asuka's always been that way."

Mana chuckled. "At least she's consistent." Mana then looked up at Sayoko. "You look familiar. Have you ever been to the States?"

Sayoko shook her head. "Been here in Japan for all my life, other then to go with my Aunt."

"Just seems like I know you from somewhere." Mana said, "Oh well. I'll see you around I guess."

"Definitely," Sayoko said, "Since you're playing with Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, you'll be seeing a lot of me."

Mana smiled, "That's good. I could use another smiling face in that group."

Sayoko smiled and then returned to her seat where she powered up her laptop. Almost immediately a message appeared on it.

Sohryu: I was right wasn't I? She is a demon.

Morisato: Unfortunately, no.

Sohryu: WHAT?!?!?

Morisato: She doesn't seem to have any Demonic power that I can detect. Though…..she is quite sad.

Sohryu: How do you know?

Morisato: read her emotions during the hand shake. You know, one of those goddess things. It's…..she's like us in a way.

Sohryu: oh

Morisato: Anyway, we still on for practicing tonight.

Sohryu: Yeah. Let Kirishima know. You're the only one on good terms with her.

Morisato: right.

"EVERYONE TO YOUR SEATS NOW!!!!" the Class Rep hollered out, "OR I'M GOING TO START HANDING OUT PUNISHMENT DUTIES!!!!"

Morisato: Now our Class Rep on the other hand, she might be a demon.

"ASUKA!" the Class Rep shouted, "Get to your seat!! This is no time for laughter!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day.

The concert.

Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Mana had just performed and received a large round of applause. Mana left the other three children to wonder around the auditorium. She soon found herself on the second story of the auditorium, overlooking the stage and floor seating. The balcony had been had been closed off, so that the audience was sitting on the floor seating. It was not entirely empty however. Kensuke was standing rough in the middle of the balcony with a camera mounted on a tripod.

"Alright," Mana said, startling Kensuke, "What is a stooge like you doing up here?"

"Oh…uhh…...Hi Mana." Kensuke said, "Shinji asked me to record the performance tonight."

"Ok. So why are you still up here."

"Well, Sayoko is about to perform."

"Oh." Mana walked over and sat down next to Kensuke. Down below on the stage, a concert piano was rolled out. A few moments later, Sayoko step out to cheers from the audience, and whistling from her Aunt. Sayoko sat down at the piano and from her fingers came some of the most beautiful music ever made.

"You know," Mana said softly, feeling bad that she was interrupting such wonderful music, "I was wondering. How did Asuka, Rei, Shinji, and Sayoko all become friends? I mean, Asuka and Shinji are complete opposites. He's so quiet and she's…."

"A bitch?" Kensuke asked.

"Well yeah. They don't seem to have any common interests other then classical music. It just doesn't seem like they'd all end up as friends together."

"I suppose a lot of it had to do with they were all forced to live together in Tokyo-3."

Mana's head whipped around.

"They lived where?"

Kensuke winced, "I think it's best you forget that. I shouldn't be discussing this."

"Discussing what?" Mana asked, "Kensuke, tell me. Please?"

Kensuke let out a sigh. "Only a few people know this. Though I suppose a lot more know now from that competition in Nekomi-2 awhile ago." Kensuke turned and looked at Mana. "You have to swear not to tell anyone about this, especially anyone from school."

Mana nodded. Kensuke saw this, then looked back at Sayoko.

"They were EVA pilots."

Mana's eyes widened. "No way. I mean, to Pilot those things you'd have to have years of training. The pilots have to be in their 30s by now."

"Asuka and Rei both began their training around age 5. Shinji came to Tokyo-3, fought and defeated an Angel with no training. Rei joined him in combat a few months later, then Asuka came over from Germany. Asuka and Shinji lived with their Commanding Officer and Guardian Misato. Rei had an apartment all to herself. About six months after I first met Shinji, Touji became a pilot. A few weeks later, Sayoko arrived and moved in with Asuka, Shinji, and Misato." Kensuke looked over at Mana, whose green eyes got wider and wider. Down below, Sayoko's music began to crescendo. "They probably never would have become friends without EVA. With EVA, they worked hard together to become a great team. Because they lived together, they also became very close." Kensuke let out a sigh and looked back at the stage. "Sometimes I feel like I'm left out of a few things because they are so close. I don't have the bond that they have, especially between Asuka, Shinji, Rei, and Sayoko. Their friendship is probably the strongest I will ever know."

Mana remained silent for the rest of the time Sayoko played. When she was done, Sayoko received a standing ovation from the audience. Mana and Kensuke joined in. Far above the audience in the rafters, a small animal watched the girl on stage with great interest. The animal then walked along the rafter on four legs and vanished out of the building.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that night.

Mana had gone off and celebrated a successful concert. She then walked with the others on their way home. At her turn off, Mana waved good bye to Sayoko and the others. As soon as the others were out of sight, Mana's face went from one of joy, to neutral. She walked quickly to her apartment and stepped inside. Walking into the still unfinished living room, she gave a quick look around.

"Where are you?" she called out.

Immediately, her cat leaped into view on to a box.

Mana sat down right in front of the cat.

"I just found out something." Mana said.

"Oh?" the cat answered, "And that is?"

"The identity of the EVA Pilots. Turns out, they're my age and in my class."

The cat raised an eyebrow. "Well, at least we know who they are now. Now it should be easy for you to earn that First Class Demonship."

Mana nodded and looked at the floor.  The cat noticed this.

"What is it?"

"One of the pilots is Shinji Ikari."

"The boy you like." The cat replied, "He shall be dealt with as well."

"He'll what?!" Mana shouted, " But Welsper, I…"

The cat leaped up and smacked Mana with its paw."

"Don't take that tone of voice with me!" Welsper snarled, "I am your teacher! Do you want to be a First Class or not?"

"Yes sir." Mana said softly, rubbing her cheek.

"Then you will obey me!" Welsper then sat back down on his hind legs. "I too, once wanted something that could never have been mine. I still carry that pain in my heart, but I have moved one. So shall you. Concentrate on disrupting the live of these pilots. Make them miserable!"

Mana remained quiet for a moment, lost in thought. Then an evil smile slowly appeared on her face.

"Suppose that I could make their lives miserable and get Ikari as mine?"

Welsper frowned slightly. "Explain."

"I make their lives hell," Mana said, "But I will also drive Sohryu from Ikari. Ikari will be then be comforted by me and when Sohryu sees us together……"

"I see…." Welsper replied, "If you can do this, so be it. But I warn you, mortals can be tricky and often will do the thing you least suspect." Welsper looked out the window, lost in the past. "I know from experience." He added softly. He then turned and walked off.

Mana stood up and walked over to the window. She looked out over the city, her green eyes glowing from the reflecting street lights.

"I will have you Shinji Ikari." She said, "Or else."