Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion is Owned by Gainax. Buy the DVD's of
the Series and the Movies from them. I did, and it was worth every dime.
I don't own anything except my DVD's, and this is done for my own
satisfaction.
Episode 2:18 Perchance to dream.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is June 6th, 2018
Shinji's body lay there in the bog, as Asuka ran up to it. He was broken and bleeding, but there was still a glimmer of light in his eyes.
"Asuka?" he asked weakly, spitting up blood.
"Oh Shinji, what have I done," she wailed, bending to comfort him.
"It's okay, Asuka, you were upset, and you're allowed to run people over when you're upset," Shinji said.
"How can you say that. You're dying, and it's all my fault."
"Yes, yes it is, but you're Asuka Langley Soryu, and you're allowed to hurt people," he said, growing weaker.
"No. No. I may be smarter than some people, but that doesn't give me the right to be mean, and cruel, and hurtful. Least of all to someone who loves me," she cried, shaking her head.
"So, let it go. Don't be mean, and cruel, and hurtful; be the Asuka that I know you can be. The Asuka I love," he coughed, spit up a froth of blood, and his head rolled to the side.
"Shinji, no. NO! SHINJI!"
'Asuka?' came an echo from somewhere.
Asuka didn't respond, instead she sat there rocking back and forth, holding the young boys body. He was fifteen and looked so innocent. So innocent and so dead.
'Asuka,' this time the echo seemed to be growing impatient.
"What?" she snapped.
'Snap out of it. I'm okay,' came the echo.
"Leave me alone. Just go away," she snapped.
'I can't Asuka, I've been trying to reach you for months.'
She looked up from Shinji's body, but didn't see anyone nearby.
"Am I imagining this?" she asked herself.
'No, I'm real,' came the echo.
"Where are you? I can't see you," she said.
'I'm in the park overlooking Nagoya-2,' came the echo.
"Okay," she said, and the scene around her shifted, and she was standing alone on the top of the hill overlooking the city and the JSDF Airbase. The sun was just going down, and she was wearing the red dress from Misato's wedding.
'Beautiful,' said the voice.
"Yes it is," she nodded, admiring the view.
'I meant you. I wanted to tell you here, but I didn't have the courage. It was the perfect moment, but I was too afraid of loosing you.'
"What do you mean? Hey, who are you really, and why I can't see you?"
'I don't know, I can see you, though, maybe it's because I choose to accept that I'll see you here.'
"So who am I supposed to see?" Asuka asked, an idea coming to her.
'The only person in the world who loves you for the woman you are, not the woman you pretend to be, or the child they see you as, but you.'
"SHINJI!" Asuka cried, sitting up in bed.
She was in a cold sweat as usual following that dream, but this time it had been different, something else was happening that had never happened before. There was someone else there, talking to her.
"Langley, are you alright?" came Sophia's groggy but concerned voice from the other side of the darkened room.
"Yeah, Sophia, I'm fine, just a nightmare. Go back to sleep."
Sophia raised her head and looked at her clock.
"Actually, it's time to get up and milk the cows, the alarm is about to go off."
"Okay, lets get up then," Asuka said, getting up and pulling her pants and shirt on. She tied her soft hide boots up, and stood, stretching. Sophia was also a quick riser, and within moments the two girls were heading down the stairs, and back to the Garage that they used as a barn for the milk cows.
Grabbing a couple clean gallon jugs as they walked into the building, they each sat down next to a different cow, and began the morning milking. They milked in companionable silence for a while, until Asuka noticed that the back of Sophia's neck was visible through her hair.
Asuka grinned evilly, and turned the udder, squeezing it so that squirted milk across the intervening space, and splashed onto Sophia.
"Hey," the other girl shouted, releasing her grip, and turning to face Asuka.
Asuka laughed. "What? I didn't do anything, it was all the cows idea," she said.
"Not hardly, that cow's not that good a shot," Sophia laughed.
"Well I'm done, lets get back to the kitchen."
"Alright, race you there," Sophia said, pushing Asuka out of the way, and running ahead. As the last one out of the Garage, it was Asuka's responsibility to stop and lock the door.
"I win," she heard Sophia shout as she reached the kitchen door.
"Oh, that was a fair race," Asuka laughed.
The girl stood by the door, holding it open for Asuka, shutting it when she finally entered.
"Brr. It's cold, better get the fire lit," Sophia said, and she turned to light the fire in the wood burning stove, while Asuka put the milk into a large glass pitcher in the icebox. They both warmed themselves next to the stove, then, as the fire caught, and began warming the stove and the kitchen.
"So, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns today?" Sophia asked.
"Sounds good," Asuka answered.
After they'd warmed up a little more, they turned and began preparing the morning breakfast for the residents of Omsk. Asuka worked quietly as she grated the potatoes. Sophia turned and looked at her friend with a puzzled expression.
"Langley? What is it, what's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh nothing."
"Come on Langley, you've become too good a friend for me to believe that. What is it."
"I had a weird dream just before I woke up."
"That bad one you don't like talking about?" Sophia asked.
"Yes, except..."
"Except?"
"Except it was different, it ended... oddly," Asuka said.
"Mmm," Sophia mumbled.
"I think it has something to do with today's date," Asuka hinted.
"What does the date have to do with anything?" Sophia asked.
"Today is June 6th," Asuka said.
"So?"
"Well, the dream is about this boy I know, and... and how he died," she managed to get out.
"Oh, Langley, I'm sorry, that nightmare that keeps repeating is about a boy who's dead?"
"Yes," Asuka said softly.
"Can I ask how he died?" Sophia asked.
"He was killed in an accident, I saw it happening, but couldn't do anything to stop it."
"And the dream?"
"The dream is a replay of that accident. Except," Asuka began, and stopped.
"Yes, except?"
"Except today it didn't end like it normally does. Instead when the dream ended, I was on a hill top watching a sunset."
"And?"
"And he was there talking to me. And somehow it felt, I don't know. It felt real."
"And did it make you sad?" Sophia asked.
Asuka thought for a long while. "No. I was happy to hear his voice, it was just shocking," she answered.
"That sounds like a nice dream."
"Certainly nicer than it normally is," Asuka agreed.
"Well let's get the potatoes in the oven, and get the pancakes started. The others will start coming down any minute, and if we don't have breakfast ready soon, they're going to start grumbling."
The two girls laughed at this, and went back to work. Their day was full of cooking and cleaning, and gathering supplies for the next days meals. When they finished their work, they went out on the steppes, for a ride on their horses. When they returned, Asuka went upstairs for a nap before they started the evenings entertainment, and Sophia sought out her father.
"Papa," Sophia called softly.
"Ah, my Sophia, what can I do for you this evening?" he asked.
"It's Langley, Papa. I'm worried about her. I think it's time you spoke with her," Sophia said, coming around to the front of her fathers desk, and sitting on the edge.
"Oh you do, do you, and what brought this on?"
"She had a nightmare, THE nightmare, again, but she said it was different this time. And when she woke up she was screaming his name."
"This, Shinji?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's what she said. She was screaming it in her sleep, just before she woke up."
"Well maybe it is time I talked to her," he said.
"Thank you Papa," Sophia said.
"Anything for my lovely daughter," he said, "Where is she now?"
"She's went upstairs to bed," she said.
"Well when she gets up, tomorrow have her come to me."
Asuka stood in the park on top of the hill overlooking Nagoya-2. She was wearing a red satin dress, and had a single rose in her hands.
She looked out over the city she had known so well, and whispered his name.
"Shinji?"
"Asuka?" the voice was stronger now, and lacked many of the undertones that she identified with her dream created personas.
"Shinji," she said, firmer this time.
Beside her, on the picnic table, the air shimmered. From the ether, Shinji Ikari appeared, sitting there confidently, looking around. Asuka gasped, and his head snapped toward her.
"Asuka? Can you see me?" he asked.
"I think so. You look different though," she said, stepping toward him, trembling slightly.
"I've grown up, Asuka. Today was my 17th Birthday. I'm not the only one who's grown up, either. You look great," he said, flashing her a smile that was devastating.
She felt her knees begin to shake. Shinji saw her shaking and reached out to take her by the hand. He guided her to the bench, and sat her down.
"Shinji how can this be happening. I saw you die."
"It's okay Asuka, really. Yes, I did die, but I came back. Haven't you noticed anything strange since we came back. Injuries healing faster than they should, that kind of thing."
Asuka shook her head, no.
"Well, it's like this. Somehow during instrumentality our souls were merged with the portion of our mothers souls that were trapped in the EVA's. We now have our own AT fields, just like the EVA's had."
"So you came back to life?"
"Yes, and then almost died again, but you saved me."
"I did? Shinji how did I save you?" she asked skeptically.
"I was fighting for my life, against a Legionnaire, and as I was dying, I called your name, and you answered. Don't you remember?"
"No."
"Don't you remember talking to me, I told you about being in my EVA, and a big bear monster was killing me, ripping my head off."
"That wasn't just a dream?" Asuka asked.
"No Asuka, that wasn't a dream." Shinji said.
"But how is this possible?"
"The Angels, the REAL Angels, told me that we shared a bond. I took a chance, and have been trying to communicate with you ever since you left. But I haven't been able to contact you until now."
She reached up and stroked his cheek.
"I didn't kill you?"
"No Asuka, I'm fine, really," he grinned down at her, "I've missed you."
She flung herself off the bench, and wrapped herself around him, clutching him fiercely.
"I missed you too," she sobbed.
He let her cry for a minute.
"Asuka, listen to me, I don't know how much time we have. Where are you?"
"Somewhere in Russia, a city named Omsk."
"Okay, look, you need to get to Germany. I've had a vision that there's something there, something terrible, and something important too. I don't know what it is, but you have to get there. I know this is asking a lot, but please do it. Do it for me."
She nodded. "I'll do it Shinji. I'll go to Germany. Will you... will you be there?"
"No I can't, I have to stay here and protect Japan."
"From what?"
"The Legionnaires, or the Legions of the Fallen, as the Angels named them. Satan's Army. They've been unleashed upon the Earth, and the Cherubim aren't strong enough yet to hold them off by themselves. Besides, I'm their primary target, and if they can get rid of me, it all falls apart. They need me here."
"Okay Shinji, I'll go to Germany, but what am I supposed to do there?"
"I don't know exactly, I just know it's important that you get there."
"Alright."
"Asuka?" he asked, holding her hands.
"Yes?"
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I think maybe I did. I know I finally realized something though."
"What is that?" he asked.
"As long as I have you, I'll never be alone again."
"I love you Asuka. And I want you to know, I'll wait for you. When you're ready, I want you to come back to me."
She hugged Shinji to her.
"Shinji, I..."
"Asuka wake up, wake up Asuka, are you going to sleep all morning?" Sophia was shaking her awake.
"What, Sophia, what the... Oh, no, you woke me up. Just when I was about to say it," Asuka said, disappointed.
"Say it, say what?"
"Nothing."
"Anyhow, now that you're awake, Papa said he'd like to talk to you in his office."
"What about breakfast and the cows?" Asuka asked.
"I already took care of them. Well, Ivan helped," the girl said, blushing.
"Oh, so that's how it is," Asuka said slyly.
"Oh you," and Sophia hit Asuka with her pillow. Both girls screeched, and the fight was on. Fifteen minutes later they were lying on their beds, and breathing hard.
"That was fun," Asuka said, "but I think I 'd better see your father. I need to speak with him anyway."
"Langley, my dear girl, come in, come in," boomed Piotr Akedi.
"Hello Piotr. Sophia said you wanted to speak to me," Asuka said.
"Yes my dear, please, sit," he said motioning her to a chair.
Asuka sat down and crossed her hands in front of her, placing them on her knee.
"Now, my dear, Sophia tells me you've been having disturbing dreams. Tell me, what troubles you," he said, sounding concerned.
Asuka hardly knew where to begin.
"Piotr, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave."
"But why? You seemed so happy here, and now you say you must leave? The young men will be devastated," he said.
Asuka laughed, "Oh, I'm sure they will, but I'm afraid they will have to accept the disappointment. I came here on the first part of a long journey, and now it is time for me to resume that journey."
"You seek to return to your homeland?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And to this boy, that Sophia says you speak of in your dreams?" he prodded.
Asuka blushed, "Piotr."
"Come child, you are not the only one who has lost someone in this world. But are you sure that's he's there still?" he asked.
"He's not in Germany, he's in Japan," Asuka said.
"Then why are you going to Germany?" he asked, confused.
"I can't explain it, Piotr, but he needs me to go to Germany, so I'm going to Germany," she said, shaking her head.
"And then?" he asked.
"And then I'm going to go back to Japan," she said.
"Ah. I see. Sophia will be heartbroken most of all, but if it must be, it is best it were done quickly."
"Yes, I thought so too. I don't want to drag this out. If I might gather some supplies, and a rifle, I can be off tonight," Asuka said.
"Tomorrow morning will be soon enough, I think. That will give you time to gather what you need and for us to say goodbye to you properly."
"Thank you, Piotr," she said, going over and hugging him.
"Ah, you will always be like a daughter to me, Langley," he said, holding her tight.
So the day passed, and word got out that Asuka would be leaving the next day. Liebchen was readied, and Asuka gathered up the supplies she thought she'd need most, and got a map showing her the best routes around the Ural Mountains to the south. Sophia was miserable. Asuka was the only girl in town her age, and had been like a sister to her since her arrival.
A fitful night's sleep found Asuka awake and ready to depart early, but Sophia insisted that she wait until after breakfast, so Asuka waited, and dined with the village, saying her last goodbyes, and then it was time to go.
She mounted up on Liebchen, took her pack from Piotr, and looked westward out of town.
"But why do you have to go?" Sophia was crying now.
"Hush, child do not make this any harder than it is," Piotr said.
"I'm sorry, Sophia, it's something I have to do. You've been so kind to me, you've let me forget all my worries, and be the person I always wanted to be. For that I thank you."
"But why Langley?" Sophia cried.
"Sophia, do you remember Third Impact, when we were all united within Instrumentality?"
"Yes," she sniffed.
"Do you remember the two giant beings that fought to stop it?"
"You refer to the EVA's, yes I remember them, they were so brave, and their pilots suffered so much."
"My name isn't Langley, Sophia, it's Asuka Langley Soryu, and I was the pilot of Unit-02."
"You. You were the pilot of the Red EVA?" she said, drying her tears.
"Yes."
"And the Shinji you dream of. He is THE Shinji Ikari, the one who stopped Instrumentality, and saved us all?"
"Yes."
"But what difference does any of that make now?" she said, working herself up again.
"He needs me, Sophia. I thought he was dead, but now I know he isn't, and I know he needs me. Can you understand?" Asuka said, her eyes misting up too.
"But why must you go? Why must you leave us?" Sophia cried.
"Because I love him," she said, smiling, the tears beginning to fall, "and I have to tell him that to his face. I never had a chance to. He told me, and then I thought I'd killed him, so I ran away, but he survived and he's forgiven me. No mater what I have to do to get back to him, I will do it."
Sophia was crying hard again, but this time she was smiling.
"Then I will not hold you any longer Lang... Asuka. Go with god, and when you meet your Shinji again, tell him what you need to," Sophia said, and, then she turned and ran into the Hotel.
"Goodbye Piotr," Asuka said, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Goodbye my child. If you can, come back someday with you're young man. He sounds like someone I'd like to meet."
"I will Piotr. I will. Goodbye," she said, and spurred Liebchen out of town, and towards the west, and Germany.
Next on Episode 2:19 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Shinji and the members of his Cherubim force are called upon to confront a new evil, but this one is all too familiar to the Pilot of EVA Unit-01. In a battle in the darkness Shinji will be offered a choice, surrender and death, or victory and banishment. Will Shinji accept the choices given him, or will he come up with another option?
It's Evangelion Episode 2:19 The beast in the sea of shadow
Episode 2:18 Perchance to dream.
Takes place after 1st season, and the End of Evangelion Movie.
Presumed date is June 6th, 2018
Shinji's body lay there in the bog, as Asuka ran up to it. He was broken and bleeding, but there was still a glimmer of light in his eyes.
"Asuka?" he asked weakly, spitting up blood.
"Oh Shinji, what have I done," she wailed, bending to comfort him.
"It's okay, Asuka, you were upset, and you're allowed to run people over when you're upset," Shinji said.
"How can you say that. You're dying, and it's all my fault."
"Yes, yes it is, but you're Asuka Langley Soryu, and you're allowed to hurt people," he said, growing weaker.
"No. No. I may be smarter than some people, but that doesn't give me the right to be mean, and cruel, and hurtful. Least of all to someone who loves me," she cried, shaking her head.
"So, let it go. Don't be mean, and cruel, and hurtful; be the Asuka that I know you can be. The Asuka I love," he coughed, spit up a froth of blood, and his head rolled to the side.
"Shinji, no. NO! SHINJI!"
'Asuka?' came an echo from somewhere.
Asuka didn't respond, instead she sat there rocking back and forth, holding the young boys body. He was fifteen and looked so innocent. So innocent and so dead.
'Asuka,' this time the echo seemed to be growing impatient.
"What?" she snapped.
'Snap out of it. I'm okay,' came the echo.
"Leave me alone. Just go away," she snapped.
'I can't Asuka, I've been trying to reach you for months.'
She looked up from Shinji's body, but didn't see anyone nearby.
"Am I imagining this?" she asked herself.
'No, I'm real,' came the echo.
"Where are you? I can't see you," she said.
'I'm in the park overlooking Nagoya-2,' came the echo.
"Okay," she said, and the scene around her shifted, and she was standing alone on the top of the hill overlooking the city and the JSDF Airbase. The sun was just going down, and she was wearing the red dress from Misato's wedding.
'Beautiful,' said the voice.
"Yes it is," she nodded, admiring the view.
'I meant you. I wanted to tell you here, but I didn't have the courage. It was the perfect moment, but I was too afraid of loosing you.'
"What do you mean? Hey, who are you really, and why I can't see you?"
'I don't know, I can see you, though, maybe it's because I choose to accept that I'll see you here.'
"So who am I supposed to see?" Asuka asked, an idea coming to her.
'The only person in the world who loves you for the woman you are, not the woman you pretend to be, or the child they see you as, but you.'
"SHINJI!" Asuka cried, sitting up in bed.
She was in a cold sweat as usual following that dream, but this time it had been different, something else was happening that had never happened before. There was someone else there, talking to her.
"Langley, are you alright?" came Sophia's groggy but concerned voice from the other side of the darkened room.
"Yeah, Sophia, I'm fine, just a nightmare. Go back to sleep."
Sophia raised her head and looked at her clock.
"Actually, it's time to get up and milk the cows, the alarm is about to go off."
"Okay, lets get up then," Asuka said, getting up and pulling her pants and shirt on. She tied her soft hide boots up, and stood, stretching. Sophia was also a quick riser, and within moments the two girls were heading down the stairs, and back to the Garage that they used as a barn for the milk cows.
Grabbing a couple clean gallon jugs as they walked into the building, they each sat down next to a different cow, and began the morning milking. They milked in companionable silence for a while, until Asuka noticed that the back of Sophia's neck was visible through her hair.
Asuka grinned evilly, and turned the udder, squeezing it so that squirted milk across the intervening space, and splashed onto Sophia.
"Hey," the other girl shouted, releasing her grip, and turning to face Asuka.
Asuka laughed. "What? I didn't do anything, it was all the cows idea," she said.
"Not hardly, that cow's not that good a shot," Sophia laughed.
"Well I'm done, lets get back to the kitchen."
"Alright, race you there," Sophia said, pushing Asuka out of the way, and running ahead. As the last one out of the Garage, it was Asuka's responsibility to stop and lock the door.
"I win," she heard Sophia shout as she reached the kitchen door.
"Oh, that was a fair race," Asuka laughed.
The girl stood by the door, holding it open for Asuka, shutting it when she finally entered.
"Brr. It's cold, better get the fire lit," Sophia said, and she turned to light the fire in the wood burning stove, while Asuka put the milk into a large glass pitcher in the icebox. They both warmed themselves next to the stove, then, as the fire caught, and began warming the stove and the kitchen.
"So, pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns today?" Sophia asked.
"Sounds good," Asuka answered.
After they'd warmed up a little more, they turned and began preparing the morning breakfast for the residents of Omsk. Asuka worked quietly as she grated the potatoes. Sophia turned and looked at her friend with a puzzled expression.
"Langley? What is it, what's wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh nothing."
"Come on Langley, you've become too good a friend for me to believe that. What is it."
"I had a weird dream just before I woke up."
"That bad one you don't like talking about?" Sophia asked.
"Yes, except..."
"Except?"
"Except it was different, it ended... oddly," Asuka said.
"Mmm," Sophia mumbled.
"I think it has something to do with today's date," Asuka hinted.
"What does the date have to do with anything?" Sophia asked.
"Today is June 6th," Asuka said.
"So?"
"Well, the dream is about this boy I know, and... and how he died," she managed to get out.
"Oh, Langley, I'm sorry, that nightmare that keeps repeating is about a boy who's dead?"
"Yes," Asuka said softly.
"Can I ask how he died?" Sophia asked.
"He was killed in an accident, I saw it happening, but couldn't do anything to stop it."
"And the dream?"
"The dream is a replay of that accident. Except," Asuka began, and stopped.
"Yes, except?"
"Except today it didn't end like it normally does. Instead when the dream ended, I was on a hill top watching a sunset."
"And?"
"And he was there talking to me. And somehow it felt, I don't know. It felt real."
"And did it make you sad?" Sophia asked.
Asuka thought for a long while. "No. I was happy to hear his voice, it was just shocking," she answered.
"That sounds like a nice dream."
"Certainly nicer than it normally is," Asuka agreed.
"Well let's get the potatoes in the oven, and get the pancakes started. The others will start coming down any minute, and if we don't have breakfast ready soon, they're going to start grumbling."
The two girls laughed at this, and went back to work. Their day was full of cooking and cleaning, and gathering supplies for the next days meals. When they finished their work, they went out on the steppes, for a ride on their horses. When they returned, Asuka went upstairs for a nap before they started the evenings entertainment, and Sophia sought out her father.
"Papa," Sophia called softly.
"Ah, my Sophia, what can I do for you this evening?" he asked.
"It's Langley, Papa. I'm worried about her. I think it's time you spoke with her," Sophia said, coming around to the front of her fathers desk, and sitting on the edge.
"Oh you do, do you, and what brought this on?"
"She had a nightmare, THE nightmare, again, but she said it was different this time. And when she woke up she was screaming his name."
"This, Shinji?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's what she said. She was screaming it in her sleep, just before she woke up."
"Well maybe it is time I talked to her," he said.
"Thank you Papa," Sophia said.
"Anything for my lovely daughter," he said, "Where is she now?"
"She's went upstairs to bed," she said.
"Well when she gets up, tomorrow have her come to me."
Asuka stood in the park on top of the hill overlooking Nagoya-2. She was wearing a red satin dress, and had a single rose in her hands.
She looked out over the city she had known so well, and whispered his name.
"Shinji?"
"Asuka?" the voice was stronger now, and lacked many of the undertones that she identified with her dream created personas.
"Shinji," she said, firmer this time.
Beside her, on the picnic table, the air shimmered. From the ether, Shinji Ikari appeared, sitting there confidently, looking around. Asuka gasped, and his head snapped toward her.
"Asuka? Can you see me?" he asked.
"I think so. You look different though," she said, stepping toward him, trembling slightly.
"I've grown up, Asuka. Today was my 17th Birthday. I'm not the only one who's grown up, either. You look great," he said, flashing her a smile that was devastating.
She felt her knees begin to shake. Shinji saw her shaking and reached out to take her by the hand. He guided her to the bench, and sat her down.
"Shinji how can this be happening. I saw you die."
"It's okay Asuka, really. Yes, I did die, but I came back. Haven't you noticed anything strange since we came back. Injuries healing faster than they should, that kind of thing."
Asuka shook her head, no.
"Well, it's like this. Somehow during instrumentality our souls were merged with the portion of our mothers souls that were trapped in the EVA's. We now have our own AT fields, just like the EVA's had."
"So you came back to life?"
"Yes, and then almost died again, but you saved me."
"I did? Shinji how did I save you?" she asked skeptically.
"I was fighting for my life, against a Legionnaire, and as I was dying, I called your name, and you answered. Don't you remember?"
"No."
"Don't you remember talking to me, I told you about being in my EVA, and a big bear monster was killing me, ripping my head off."
"That wasn't just a dream?" Asuka asked.
"No Asuka, that wasn't a dream." Shinji said.
"But how is this possible?"
"The Angels, the REAL Angels, told me that we shared a bond. I took a chance, and have been trying to communicate with you ever since you left. But I haven't been able to contact you until now."
She reached up and stroked his cheek.
"I didn't kill you?"
"No Asuka, I'm fine, really," he grinned down at her, "I've missed you."
She flung herself off the bench, and wrapped herself around him, clutching him fiercely.
"I missed you too," she sobbed.
He let her cry for a minute.
"Asuka, listen to me, I don't know how much time we have. Where are you?"
"Somewhere in Russia, a city named Omsk."
"Okay, look, you need to get to Germany. I've had a vision that there's something there, something terrible, and something important too. I don't know what it is, but you have to get there. I know this is asking a lot, but please do it. Do it for me."
She nodded. "I'll do it Shinji. I'll go to Germany. Will you... will you be there?"
"No I can't, I have to stay here and protect Japan."
"From what?"
"The Legionnaires, or the Legions of the Fallen, as the Angels named them. Satan's Army. They've been unleashed upon the Earth, and the Cherubim aren't strong enough yet to hold them off by themselves. Besides, I'm their primary target, and if they can get rid of me, it all falls apart. They need me here."
"Okay Shinji, I'll go to Germany, but what am I supposed to do there?"
"I don't know exactly, I just know it's important that you get there."
"Alright."
"Asuka?" he asked, holding her hands.
"Yes?"
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I think maybe I did. I know I finally realized something though."
"What is that?" he asked.
"As long as I have you, I'll never be alone again."
"I love you Asuka. And I want you to know, I'll wait for you. When you're ready, I want you to come back to me."
She hugged Shinji to her.
"Shinji, I..."
"Asuka wake up, wake up Asuka, are you going to sleep all morning?" Sophia was shaking her awake.
"What, Sophia, what the... Oh, no, you woke me up. Just when I was about to say it," Asuka said, disappointed.
"Say it, say what?"
"Nothing."
"Anyhow, now that you're awake, Papa said he'd like to talk to you in his office."
"What about breakfast and the cows?" Asuka asked.
"I already took care of them. Well, Ivan helped," the girl said, blushing.
"Oh, so that's how it is," Asuka said slyly.
"Oh you," and Sophia hit Asuka with her pillow. Both girls screeched, and the fight was on. Fifteen minutes later they were lying on their beds, and breathing hard.
"That was fun," Asuka said, "but I think I 'd better see your father. I need to speak with him anyway."
"Langley, my dear girl, come in, come in," boomed Piotr Akedi.
"Hello Piotr. Sophia said you wanted to speak to me," Asuka said.
"Yes my dear, please, sit," he said motioning her to a chair.
Asuka sat down and crossed her hands in front of her, placing them on her knee.
"Now, my dear, Sophia tells me you've been having disturbing dreams. Tell me, what troubles you," he said, sounding concerned.
Asuka hardly knew where to begin.
"Piotr, I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave."
"But why? You seemed so happy here, and now you say you must leave? The young men will be devastated," he said.
Asuka laughed, "Oh, I'm sure they will, but I'm afraid they will have to accept the disappointment. I came here on the first part of a long journey, and now it is time for me to resume that journey."
"You seek to return to your homeland?" he asked.
"Yes."
"And to this boy, that Sophia says you speak of in your dreams?" he prodded.
Asuka blushed, "Piotr."
"Come child, you are not the only one who has lost someone in this world. But are you sure that's he's there still?" he asked.
"He's not in Germany, he's in Japan," Asuka said.
"Then why are you going to Germany?" he asked, confused.
"I can't explain it, Piotr, but he needs me to go to Germany, so I'm going to Germany," she said, shaking her head.
"And then?" he asked.
"And then I'm going to go back to Japan," she said.
"Ah. I see. Sophia will be heartbroken most of all, but if it must be, it is best it were done quickly."
"Yes, I thought so too. I don't want to drag this out. If I might gather some supplies, and a rifle, I can be off tonight," Asuka said.
"Tomorrow morning will be soon enough, I think. That will give you time to gather what you need and for us to say goodbye to you properly."
"Thank you, Piotr," she said, going over and hugging him.
"Ah, you will always be like a daughter to me, Langley," he said, holding her tight.
So the day passed, and word got out that Asuka would be leaving the next day. Liebchen was readied, and Asuka gathered up the supplies she thought she'd need most, and got a map showing her the best routes around the Ural Mountains to the south. Sophia was miserable. Asuka was the only girl in town her age, and had been like a sister to her since her arrival.
A fitful night's sleep found Asuka awake and ready to depart early, but Sophia insisted that she wait until after breakfast, so Asuka waited, and dined with the village, saying her last goodbyes, and then it was time to go.
She mounted up on Liebchen, took her pack from Piotr, and looked westward out of town.
"But why do you have to go?" Sophia was crying now.
"Hush, child do not make this any harder than it is," Piotr said.
"I'm sorry, Sophia, it's something I have to do. You've been so kind to me, you've let me forget all my worries, and be the person I always wanted to be. For that I thank you."
"But why Langley?" Sophia cried.
"Sophia, do you remember Third Impact, when we were all united within Instrumentality?"
"Yes," she sniffed.
"Do you remember the two giant beings that fought to stop it?"
"You refer to the EVA's, yes I remember them, they were so brave, and their pilots suffered so much."
"My name isn't Langley, Sophia, it's Asuka Langley Soryu, and I was the pilot of Unit-02."
"You. You were the pilot of the Red EVA?" she said, drying her tears.
"Yes."
"And the Shinji you dream of. He is THE Shinji Ikari, the one who stopped Instrumentality, and saved us all?"
"Yes."
"But what difference does any of that make now?" she said, working herself up again.
"He needs me, Sophia. I thought he was dead, but now I know he isn't, and I know he needs me. Can you understand?" Asuka said, her eyes misting up too.
"But why must you go? Why must you leave us?" Sophia cried.
"Because I love him," she said, smiling, the tears beginning to fall, "and I have to tell him that to his face. I never had a chance to. He told me, and then I thought I'd killed him, so I ran away, but he survived and he's forgiven me. No mater what I have to do to get back to him, I will do it."
Sophia was crying hard again, but this time she was smiling.
"Then I will not hold you any longer Lang... Asuka. Go with god, and when you meet your Shinji again, tell him what you need to," Sophia said, and, then she turned and ran into the Hotel.
"Goodbye Piotr," Asuka said, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Goodbye my child. If you can, come back someday with you're young man. He sounds like someone I'd like to meet."
"I will Piotr. I will. Goodbye," she said, and spurred Liebchen out of town, and towards the west, and Germany.
Next on Episode 2:19 of Neon Genesis Evangelion Shinji and the members of his Cherubim force are called upon to confront a new evil, but this one is all too familiar to the Pilot of EVA Unit-01. In a battle in the darkness Shinji will be offered a choice, surrender and death, or victory and banishment. Will Shinji accept the choices given him, or will he come up with another option?
It's Evangelion Episode 2:19 The beast in the sea of shadow