Disclaimer: See previous chapters

AN: This one may seem a little short, but trust me. It'll make sense later on.

Chap. 39

Adam wheeled back, his own AT saber emerging with a hiss as Shinji charged and slashed forward. Adam caught the blow with his own saber, but Shinji forced it aside and lunged again. Adam had to back away to avoid it and Shinji came again, striking low this time. Adam blocked it again, but the blow was powerful. If it had been a lightsaber, it would have flown right out his hand. Furious, Adam went on the offensive, locking up with Shinji's next attack and pushing back before coming with an overhead strike. But rather than blow, Shinji met the blow with one of his own. Sparks flashed out and Adam was surprised, both the Third Child's strength and aggressiveness.

Shinji soon pushed the crimson saber back and whirled around with an overhead slash of his own. Adam leveled his blade to parry and succeeded halfway. Shinji had allowed the parry in order to brush past and let Adam make his counterattack. When Adam struck down, Shinji suddenly whirled and slashed upward hard. A flash of light and sparks were the result and Adam was practically pushed back. Shinji moved his saber forward to push away Adam's and he attack with a forward thrust. Adam backed away to let the attack go by, but Shinji simply whirled the blade and brought it in again. This time, Adam met the strike and intended to push Shinji back for a change. But Shinji didn't hold his position as he reared his saber back and then struck forward from a different angle. Adam was again forced to defend, albeit awkwardly. Shinji didn't let up and repeated his attacks of the Angel, forcing him to back away toward the Evangelion. Adam saw this, realizing that Shinji was growing more aggressive in his attacks, not giving him a chance to fight back and limiting his defensive maneuvers. It was very different from the way the youth had battled before.

Meanwhile, Shinji had lost himself into the fight. He felt the Force surge through him, but he also felt…something else. But he didn't care. He had to stop this monster at all costs. Asuka had at one time teased him, calling him the slayer of Angels. In this case, that allowed him to press his attacks further, causing Adam to reel back totally until they had reached the area where they had first started their fight at the foot of the 01.

He threatened Rei…

Shinji continued to swing viscously, driving him back another couple of steps. Adam soon found his back about to press against the foot of the Eva. Forcing himself out of it, he swung back hard and Shinji deflected the attack as before. But instead of trying to press on him further, Adam jumped straight up and landed on top of the Evangelion's foot. Shinji followed after him immediately, but as he soared up Adam swung out, ready to decapitate the boy. But he had underestimated Shinji's jump and reflexes and Shinji managed to deflect the attack while still soaring over Adam's head and landing behind him. Adam whirled around in shock. 'How did he…?' But he was unable to complete the thought as Shinji continued with his assault.

He hurt Qui-Gon…

With Adam on the edge, Shinji saw his opportunity to stop this evil. He swept his blade low and Adam blocked it. Shinji pulled back and came in with another sweep, this time high. Adam blocked once more, looking for a way to escape the Third Child's wrath. If he didn't know better, he would have sworn that the boy had gone into berserker mode. With no escape from the furious attacks, Adam soon fell over the side and onto the ground below. Shinji looked down as the Angel glared venomous at him and dispersed his saber in order to call his AT field.

"I will not be stopped by a child!" he roared. With the AT field aglow, Adam unleashed a blast of energy at Shinji. The blast shot high up in a cross-like shape just in front of the 01. When the light cleared, Adam saw no sign of the Third Child for a moment. But when the light dimmed enough, the descent of a violet blade of energy brought him to his feet. Shinji slashed down, just missing the Angel by a hair and Adam was backed up against the Eva's foot once again. Shinji reeled around quickly and struck, but his blade clashed with the barrier of the AT field, which was being held up by Adam's up stretched hand.

"You will not…stop me!"

Despite this, Shinji continued to press his blade in, sparks flashing all over the place as he tried to cut through the AT field. Adam relaxed for a moment, knowing that the AT field was impenetrable. But he was soon in for a shock, for the violet saber of the Jedi apprentice was beginning to tear through the AT field.

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

Shinji continued to press for all it was worth, slowly slicing his way through and toward the Angel. Adam glared, increasing the power of the field and slowing Shinji's approach. 'No. No! NO!' With a cry, Shinji forced the saber through, the Force powering his slice and the blade cut through and sliced off the outstretched hand.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The hand snapped right off and fell onto the ground while the rest of the body cried in pain and fell of in the opposite direction. With the AT field no more, Shinji moved over to the fallen body, who was grimacing and cradling his severed arm. Shinji held the point of his lightsaber on him, ready to finish him off.

He nearly killed Touji with the Eva…

'Huh?'

Nearly got Touji killed? Shinji didn't know why this repeated in his mind, but it was barely enough for him to hold his position. Adam had nothing to do with Toji's injury from the Evangelion. That was his father. But he was fighting the angel now, wasn't he? He blinked his eyes repeatedly. What had just happened? Who was he really fighting? The Angel or…the Commander? Did it really matter? The scariest part about that last question was…

He wanted to say no…

High above them, Asuka was trying to fight away the shock of her impale. The MP Eva was holding her in place, keeping the Lance jammed deep in her. Fighting the pain, Asuka began to force herself to recall her lightsaber. But before she could try, a light began to shine on the lance, between her Eva and the pale one. The light shone brightly and Asuka suddenly felt a shredding pain all over her body.

"GuuaaahhhhhHHHHHHHHH!"

The light continued to glow and both Evas began to float above the reservoir. The MP Eva began to glow along with the lance and both Evas began to float up into the air. Asuka had to practically fight just to prevent herself from passing out from the enormous pain. Forcing her eyes open, Asuka barely managed to look at the screen, only to see the light growing and starting to blot out her vision. But that wasn't the worse of it. Asuka knew what was happening. The joining may be small, but it would be enough to start the catalyst.

Third Impact...

'No!' Asuka grabbed the controls of her Eva and concentrated. The machine made no move as the light began to engulf her. 'Please, please!' Asuka focused her thoughts solely on moving the hand of her Eva, but they did nothing but hang limply at the sides. Asuka was on the verge of panic, but remained focused. 'If I could move it before, I can do it again. I...just...need help.'

'Help...me...please...'

Terminal Dogma

'Help...me...please...'

Rei blinked as the voice filled her mind. 'Sohryu...' Rei looked up and saw the light that was shining in the sky. Being part Angel, mainly Lilith, she was well aware of what that light signified. Someone else had initiated Third impact. Already, she could feel the energies above beginning to affect to world around. The light continued to grow, but she could still feel the Second Child's resistance. 'She fights it, even now.' But even with this in mind, she can feel that it is a losing battle. Asuka was simply not strong enough on her own. Wincing quietly, she staggered to rise up from the ground. She was still hurt from the blast Adam had unleashed on her, but the determination of Asuka fueled her own. Qui-Gon watched her slowly rise up and felt the Force surge out of her. 'What is she doing?' He had felt the disturbance above them earlier, but he couldn't discern what it was exactly.

"Ayanami?"

Rei didn't look back as she quietly answered. "Sohryu...is asking for my aid. I will give it to her."

Closing her eyes, Rei began to reach out to Asuka...

'Wondergirl...?'

Asuka didn't understand how, but she knew that she felt Rei's presence. The pain began to subside and Asuka felt stronger than before. Renewed somewhat, Asuka began to concentrate once again on moving the arms. This time, the limbs began to lift up slowly and lightly grab hold of the lance. Asuka pressed her fingers into the controls, all the while keeping her concentration on the removal of the lance. But despite her struggle, she was unable to get the hands to pull out the steadily. The light was growing even more as Asuka strained to get the Eva to pull out the lance. However, another force, most likely the second Eva, was holding it in too tight.

"Too...strong..."

On the grounds below, Rei too was straining with the force of energy. The coming of Third Impact was too much for either her or the Second Child to handle, even together. They needed help. At that moment, a large hand touched her shoulder. She didn't have to turn to see that it was Qui-Gon, She felt him at he directed the Force to aid them. His connection to the Force was much stronger than that of the Children, but his fatigued state made it difficult for him to focus enough. They needed more help.

'Shinji...'

'Shinji...'

Not too far away, Shinji was still holding his lightsaber on the downed man when he heard the call. However, he was so into his own thoughts that he didn't hear the plea for help. He saw the situation he was in. This was the creature that had created all of this tragedy and pain. It would be so simple to just run him through and end its life.

'I have the power...'

Thoughts of this act replayed in his mind, tempting him into carrying out this act. Only his own hesitation was preventing him from doing so. Why should I hesitate? I won't have to run anymore. Shiinji lifted his lightsaber, ready to strike down with all the hatred and anger he had felt. An entire life's worth of suffering would be felt in this blow. It should be liberating. But if that was the case, then why couldn't he bring himself to do it?

'Shinji...'

The call came as a whisper to him, but he heard it. His hand began to tremble and the lightsaber shook slightly. They were calling him. But he couldn't move. The nightmare replayed itself in his mind over and over again. The darkness…the terror…the fear…death...the closing darkness… Looking back down on his fallen opponent, he felt convinced that he was to source of it. He had to be.

'Why?'

His entire body began to tremble and he closed his eyes. 'Why did it have to be him? Because he was an Angel, or because he was…his father?' The anger that fueled Shinji had been through his hatred for his father. But he hadn't felt it since he took up his training, except for that one time when Touji was injured by the 01. But his father…the Commander…Adam…? Shinji was having trouble discerning between the two. Were they even separate beings at all?

'Shinji, please…'

Time was running out. He had to make a decision. A choice. One that would forever determine what kind of person he was. And what kind of person he would be. His eyes flashed open and with a swift drop, he slashed down...

AN: Yes I know. Another cliffhanger. But the last one for sure.