Disclaimer: See chapter one

Chap. 27

Shzzzzzzzzz!!!!! Shhzzzzzzzzz!!!!!! Shhzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!

Again and again, the blades of light clashed together in the deadly dance between the

two. One, a Jedi Padawan who was fighting to stop the world from being annihilated.

The other, an Angel who was trying to fulfill his fate by rejoining with Adam, the first

Angel. Both are the best of friends, but their separate agendas have forced them into

this desperate conflict. A conflict where only one of them can be the victor. Only

one...could walk away alive.

"What do you mean, tied to fate?" Shinji asked as held back one of Kaoru's slashes.

"What is all of this about?"

"Adam. Our mother being. Those born from Adam must return to Adam."

Shinji slowly stepped to the side, holding the lock between the blades. "Even if it

means destroying everyone?"

"It must be." Kaoru said, following his movements, only in reverse. "We must all

become one once again.

Shinji's eyes widened with surprise, "One?"

Kaoru swiftly pulled back and slashed across diagonally twice. The silver boy's face was

still and neutral, with no trace of emotion. Like Ayanami... Shinji followed and their

blades sizzled and clashed, with neither gaining any ground. Kaoru tried a different

attack and slashed low, but Shinji matched it and the lightsabers locked once more. But

Kaoru spun his energy blade around, breaking the lock. He then spun around in a

back-slashes and Shinji evaded. Shinji finally went on the offensive, attacking with a

vertical slash. But Kaoru leaped up into the air and landed on the 02's foot. Shinji

followed and Kaoru struck out while he was in the air. But Shinji tucked his body into a

ball and flipped over Kaoru. Turning, his blade soared at Kaoru, but Kaoru had already

turned around and he parried the blow. He then followed with another low twirling

slash, causing Shinji to jump away and land on the foot of 01 on the opposite side.

"Kaoru, listen to me." Shinji called out. "You don't not have to do this."

Kaoru pointed his saber at Shinji. "Sorry Shinji. But I do."

A surge in the Force suddenly alerted Shinji and Kaoru shot up in the air. Shinji raised

his saber up to defend the incoming slash, but Kaoru made no attempt and landed a

meter away from Shinji. Saber in hand, he swept in a low arch. Shinji hopped up to

avoid it, but Kaoru quickly arose and slashed across again. Shinji held his saber forward

in defense, but his block was awkward and the lightsaber flew from his grasp. Kaoru

then slashed back and Shinji jumped back to avoid it, but he lost his balance and fell off

the Eva's foot. Kaoru looked forward for a moment, waiting to see if Shinji would come

or not. But it was then that the elevator stopped, reaching its designated floor. Kaoru

turned and jumped off the foot, walking into the graveyard of the Evangelions; Terminal

Dogma. His energy sword was still in hand, humming as he calmly strode up to the LCL

lake and the distorted creature that was crucified above it. Upon seeing it, Kaoru

frowned.

"No. This is different."

"Kaoru, stop."

Kaoru smiled lightly. 'Persistent. I knew you wouldn't disappoint me.'

"Lillith." he aloud. "The mother of humanity."

"Lillith?" Shinji questioned. Taking a look up at the angel, "So that is not Adam."

Kaoru slowly turned to him, "I must seek Adam."

Shinji stared at him, "Kaoru, listen. You don't understand. You don't have to do this."

His gaze became intent. "We do not need Third Impact for all to be one."

Kaoru narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean?"

"The Force." Shinji explained. "It binds all living things together."

"Impossible." he said quietly. "Nothing can break through the holy region of the soul."

Shinji didn't break his glance from the silver-haired boy, "It doesn't matter. The AT

field. That's what I've been sensing from you. The AT field is like the Force. The only

difference is that an AT field separates. But the Force works in harmony with it. That's

why I feel stronger when I'm in the Eva. I bond with the Eva, but in a different way." He

took a step forward, "So you see, you don't need Third Impact."

"No. I'm sorry, but...I'm not like you."

Kaoru suddenly whirled his energy saber in a wide arch, bearing it down on Shinji.

Shinji's lightsaber ignited instantly and the blades crackled brightly. Kaoru pressed on,

delivering shorter, but stronger attacks. Shinji was forced into the defensive stance once

more. As Kaoru fought, Shinji kept his feet in place so that he wouldn't be pushed back

further. As a Padawan, he learned to be defensive in his fights. But given the rate of the

fight, he realized he couldn't stay this way for long. Shinji would have to think of

another tactic. He called on the Force and he saw Kaoru's next slash. Shinji raised the

blade, appearing to block again. But as soon as the energy sabers touched, Shinji pulled

back, causing Kaoru's saber to slip down in a smooth parry. Shinji quickly raised his

lightsaber and the energy found itself at Kaoru's neck.

"Yes you are." Shinji whispered. He leveled the saber down slightly. "Even with the AT

field, I can feel the Force strongly in you. We don't have to do this."

Kaoru took in the words and lowered his head, ignoring the smelting heat from Shinji's

saber. "Fate...will not allow it." he said sadly. "I have been destined to live forever, even

with the destruction of mankind as a result."

"Kaoru..."

But then strangely, Kaoru lifted his head and smiled, "But I am now capable of dying. I

can change my fate now. Be free."

Shinji blinked in confusion, "What are you saying?"

Kaoru looked at Shinji, his eyes hopeful and serene. "My last words. You must erase me

Shinji."

"Erase you?" Shinji couldn't believe it. Despite their battle and fight, Shinji bore no ill-

will to him and still saw him as his friend. Killing him was...

"Kaoru, I..."

"You must. In order to survive, you must. If I am to die for others to live, then it is a

price I wish to pay. I must die so you may live. I can't think of a better way.

Kaoru...

"You know I'm right." Kaoru slowly closed his eyes and knelt down to the floor. Shinji's

blade still hummed before his face, but he was no longer bothered by it. Shinji frowned

deeply, trying to think of a way to get out of this and stop it. But Kaoru was right. There

was no other way. Slowly, the saber lifted up over his head and Shinji held it fast.

"The Force..." Kaoru said softly. "Do you think it binds those even that die?"

Shinji struggled, trying to find his inner calm. But it seemed to elude him now. Still, he

was able to answer.

"With the Force...there is no death."

Kaoru's smile widened slightly, "Then...I am happy."

Kaoru then shifted his body, causing him to be knelt face-forward. Shinji blanched, but

kept his saber on hold. Kaoru looked up at his friend...his best friend, smiled once more.

"Thank you Shinji. Thank you for being my friend...always." He blinked slightly and

then whispered.

"The Force is with you. Always."

Shinji wanted the cry; wanted to break down right there and then. Rather he shut his

own eyes, reeled back the lightsaber and struck...

...Nothing. He hit nothing. The lightsaber sizzled for a moment, indicating contact, but

then...nothing. Shinji looked to see that Kaoru had disappeared. All that was left were

his clothes, which silently slumped down to the floor. Shinji knelt down and his hands

gripped the clothes. Kaoru...his best friend...the only one that said they loved him...was

gone. Shinji struggled to compose him as he tried to feel his dying energy. It was a

custom for Jedi to sense the departing energies of the dead, regardless of whom or what

it was. It was their way of mourning. However, Shinji was too broken up to focus

correctly and only ended up sobbing over the clothes, clouding himself from one little

facet.

There was no departing energy...

***********

Gendo's office...

"The angel has been destroyed." Kouzou reported.

Gendo sat in his usual posture, but behind his gloved hands, a smile formed. "At last."

The sub commander continued, "You should know that the Third Child has

disappeared."

"It doesn't matter. His purpose has been fulfilled. He is of no consequence anymore."

"Are you sure, Ikari?" Kouzou asked with a raised eyebrow.

"You question me?"

"Not at all." he replied calmly. "The Third Child may be an unseen factor."

"Nothing is unseen." The Nerv commander uttered. "Soon all will be as it should be."

*************

Misato returned home late in the evening. Her eyes were swollen and red to the point

where it would put Rei's eyes to shame. Everyone in the command room had witnessed

the battle up until Kaoru had moved away from the Eva's cameras. After that, it was

mostly a blur, but they had detected the disappearing blue pattern, indicating Kaoru's

demise. After the death of the seventeenth angel, she had sent a retrieval team to

recover the Evas and Shinji. The Evas was right where they were, but Shinji had

disappeared. She searched for him all over, but he was no where to be found. She sighed

deeply. When Commander Ikari heard this, he didn't seem to care at all about his son's

disappearance. Misato would have been mad, but she was far too tired to vent anger

right now. When Shinji vanished the first time, it had been nearly impossible to find

him. It wouldn't have mattered if he was a Jedi or not. If Shinji didn't want to be found,

he would not be found. She just hoped that he would call or if he had left a note at the

house. She had gone to the hospital to check on Asuka in case he was there, but it

seemed that the Second Child had been moved to another ward. She walked to her

apartment and unlocked the door. 'I don't think a beer will help this time.' But when the

door opened, she was greeted with a most surprising sight.

"Asuka?!"

"Shinji left. But he'll be back."