Chapter 9

Peorth Strikes….out / Attack of the 14th

The next morning Shinji got up to make breakfast as he always did. The first thing he noticed upon reaching the living room, was that there was no one else up. Normally, Sayoko was out on the balcony singing to the rising sun. But today, the balcony was empty. Shinji walked back to Sayoko's room. He listened but heard nothing from the inside. Shinji carefully slid the door open a crack and peeked in. Sayoko appeared to be still asleep. Shinji shut the door and then went back to make breakfast. 30 minutes later, a sleepy Sayoko wondered out to the kitchen.

"Morning Shinji" Sayoko said with a yawn.

"Morning. Decided to sleep in?"

"I was up late making a decision. Shinji do you know of a nice quiet place I could meet my Aunts at?"

Shinji thought about it for a second. "What kind of spot do you want?"

"Far enough away from civilization that no one would notice small explosions."

"I think I might know of a spot. When do you want to go?"

"Hold on. When were you invited?"

Shinji smiled. "Asuka came to me last night and told me about your situation."

Sayoko turned and looked right at Shinji. "She WHAT!"

"Hey, We're both worried about you. And if things don't go well, you'll need someone else to talk to you. Besides," he added, "you might get lost on the way back."

"Not likely."

"Anyway, if you want this nice quiet spot, I get to go with."

"Fine." Sayoko grumbled.

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

Elsewhere, deep inside NERV Headquarters.

"You want to hurry up Skuld." muttered Peorth. She was wearing a NERV tech uniform and glancing nervously up and down the hallways. Skuld, also in uniform, was typing away as fast as she could at a terminal. She had a small cell phone like object plugged into the terminal.

"I'm going as fast as I can." Skuld muttered back, "This computer is harder to crack then it looks. Erie?"

Erie's voice came over the 'cell phone.' "Sorry Skuld. We still can't access it."

"Damn."

Peorth looked at Skuld and smiled. "Since when do 1st Class Goddesses curse?"

"Since 2nd Impact, times change." Skuld began to type more commands into the terminal. The sound of steps from up the hall soon got their attention.

"Quick! Someone's coming." whispered Peorth. Skuld turned off the terminal and removed the 'cell phone'. Peorth and Skuld moved quickly from the terminal and began to head away. Upon turning a corner, Skuld stopped and looked back. A rather scruffy looking man was at the terminal. The man glanced up and down the hallway before producing a microchip. He placed it into a slot. The man began to type at the terminal. Skuld was shocked. He was able to access the MAGI.

"Peorth. We need that chip."

"And how do you expect us to get it?" muttered Peorth.

"Remember what you did to Keiichi the first time you arrived?"

Peorth blushed a little. "That was years ago. I'm not like that anymore."

"Well start remembering. If you can distract him long enough, I'll grab the chip."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Easy." Skuld vanished in a flash and reappeared in Mini-Goddess form.

"What about my markings? How am I going to hide those?"

Skuld, now only a foot tall, looked up at Peorth. "They make you look exotic. Now get over there and distract him."

Peorth immediately headed towards the man. 'Next time, Urd goes with her.'

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

Kaji Ryoji stood in front of a Terminal. For the last week he had been trying to discover SEELE's interest in the 5th Child. Now he was combing through the MAGI looking for information. All he had so far was the basic personal file. On the terminal's screen, Sayoko's face looked back at him.

'She's just like the others. All are missing one or both parents. Only Sayoko had the better childhood. What are those markings on her face though? Misato's right, I will have to talk to her.'

"Hey handsome."

Kaji flipped a switch that turned off the monitor before he turned around. A woman in a NERV tech uniform stood before him. She had short brown hair. She was very good looking, but one thing drew Kaji's attention. This woman had markings similar to Sayoko's on her face.

'I have to look into this.' thought Kaji. "Can I help you?"

"Oh I wish you would." said the woman, seductively. "I seem to have gotten lost. Can you help me find Sector 45?"

Kaji smiled. 'This is looking interesting. I hope I don't run into the Major.' "Of course. I can take you there Miss…?"

"Peorth. My name is Peorth."

"Right this way." Kaji began to lead Peorth down away from the terminal. On the way past he pocketed his microchip. 'Can't misplace that.' Soon Peorth and Kaji turned down another hallway. A small figure stepped out from the Terminal, having just missed her chance at grabbing the chip.

"Damn" muttered Skuld.

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

About 30 minutes later. A Restaurant.

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!" asked an irate Urd.

Peorth and Skuld sat dejectedly at the booth. Mara sat across from them next to Urd.

"The Magi are harder to access then expected. Even with Yggdrasil's help." said Peorth.

"We saw someone access the MAGI with a chip. We tried to get it but……..Peorth screwed up." said Skuld.

"I SCREWED UP? You were supposed to grab the chip. I was supposed to distract him!"

"Obviously you didn't distract him well enough."

"HEY!….."

"Alright stop!" said Mara. "Much as I love to see two goddesses fight it out, this is not helping. Maybe I can do better."

"If Yggdrasil can't get into the MAGI, What makes you think the Demon system will work any better?" asked Peorth.

Mara was about to respond when Skuld's 'cell phone' went off.

"Yes?"

"Auntie Skuld?"

"Yoko. What can I do for you?"

"I want to see Urd. Ten minutes. My location."

Skuld hesitated. "Do you want me there?"

"That will be ok."

"Alright. 10 minutes."

Skuld hung up then looked at the assembled group. "Mara, if you want to try, your going to have to go with Peorth. Urd and I have somewhere to be."

Urd looked at Skuld. "Sayoko?"

Skuld nodded. Urd took in a deep breath. "Well, It had to happen sometime."

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

Kaji sat in his office, looking for information on Peorth. So intent was he on finding out about her, he never heard Misato enter.

"What are you looking at now?"

Kaji's heart skipped a beat. "You know, your libel to kill someone doing that."

Misato shrugged and then looked at Kaji's terminal. "So…Who is Peorth?"

"That is what I would like to know. She's a Tech I met down at level 32. She was trying to get to sector 45."

Misato frowned. "Techs aren't supposed to be down that far unless activating tests are going on. What was she doing there?"

"Probably the same thing I was, looking for information from the MAGI. That spot is one of the few you can access the MAGI without attracting too much attention."

"So what was she looking for?"

"I don't know, but their was something odd about her, something I've seen on only one other person."

"And what was that?"

"She had markings on her face. Similar to Sayoko's. But she had a diamond on her forehead." Kaji looked at Misato. Misato had started to look pale.

"Misato are you alright?"

"Have you talked to Sayoko yet?"

"No."

"Alright. What I'm about to tell you, you can't, and I mean can't tell anyone."

"What is it?"

"You not going to believe this. I'm still having a hard time believing it. Sayoko is……"

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

A Lake in the forest, approx 6 miles from Tokyo-3.

"How did you find this place?"

Shinji looked over at Sayoko. "After the fourth angel attacked, I…..went off on my own to think. I spent some time here. It was nice and quiet. I got picked up by Section 2 a day later. Why did you bring that handheld TV?"

"You'll see." Sayoko glanced at her watch. She set the TV down on the grass near the lake then stepped back. Within seconds, the TV screen began to glow. On the lake, a circle of light began to form. Another second later, the forms of Urd and Skuld came through there respective transportation medium. Sayoko stood with arms crossed glaring at Urd. Urd felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

'How many times did Belldandy look at me that way?'

Skuld walked over to where Shinji stood. "I suppose we should leave the two of you alone."

Sayoko continued to stare at Urd.

"I think that is a yes." said Shinji. "We'll be over there if you need us."

Skuld and Shinji began to walk of away from the two.

Urd waited until they were far enough away before speaking.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were there."

"I had just been on stage. How could you have missed me."

Urd looked at the ground. "This was the first time in 10 years I'd been surface side. It was also the first time in years that Mara and I had been able to have a good time without our jobs getting in the way." Urd looked up at Sayoko. "I never intended to break my promise with you. It just happened."

Sayoko was still glaring at Urd. "Is that what you tell Grandpa every time he suspends your license?"

Urd closed her eyes and sighed. 'This could take a while.'

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

Shinji was sitting on a hill over looking the lake. Skuld was lying flat on her back with her eyes closed. She had not said a word since they had sat down. Shinji finally got tired of the silence.

"So you're the goddess of the future?" asked Shinji.

"Yep."

"Can you see into the future?"

"I see many possible futures." Skuld replied.

"There's more then one?"

"Any one event can change the future. Suppose an 'angel' attacks. There are many possible outcomes. You win, the 'angel' dies. You lose, 3rd Impact. You win, but all of the Evas are destroyed. You see my point?"

"I guess so." Shinji was quiet for several moments. "So, can you tell me what's in my future?"

Skuld opened her eyes and turned towards Shinji. "I told you I see many possible futures. Some are brighter then others. I can't be more specific."

"What about in general?"

Skuld sighed, and shut her eyes again. "You're persistent I'll give you that." Skuld began to concentrate. "Shinji, yours is….difficult to determine. There are just to many possibilities." Skuld turned back to Shinji. "Besides, knowing what could happen in the future is not necessarily a good thing."

Shinji lay back and looked up at the sky. "I'm sorry I asked."

"Don't be. You're not the first one to ask, you won't be the last."

" Who was the first?"

Skuld hesitated. Shinji took note of this and offered a name.

"Was it Megumi?"

Skuld opened her eyes and looked at Shinji. "How did….? Sayoko."

"Was it really as bad as she said."

"Megumi was like a sister to me and Urd." Skuld said, "After Keiichi and Belldandy were married, the relationship became closer. Second Impact changed all that. People in the area kept wondering why Kami-sama would allow that to happen. We all heard it. Megumi…. wondered also, except she knew where to go for answers. Unfortunately, we didn't have any to give. Belldandy was the one who answered the questions. But after she and Keiichi…….."

"You don't need to continue. Sayoko told us what happened after."

It was quiet for a bit. Then Shinji asked another question.

"What were Sayoko's parents like?"

Skuld smiled as she answered.

"When they first met, Keiichi was a college student, had low self-esteem. Kind of like you in a way. He loved racing. Cars, motorcycles, if it had wheels, K would race it. Belldandy was a 1st Class goddess. She had fallen for Keiichi when they were kids, and she never forgot him. She made it so she would grant his wish, and she was happy that his wish was her. She was kind and understanding, she never got mad without a reason. She never hated anyone. And she was protective of her family."

"How did they meet?"

Skuld just grinned. "It all started with a wrong number……."

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

"Urd I'm not a kid anymore. I can't just forgive you like that." Sayoko said, "You're going to have to earn my trust again."

"I know Sayoko, I know. I'm just asking for that chance."

Sayoko finally softened her face. "Alright. I'll give you a chance. I don't want to lose you again."

Urd walked over and gave Sayoko a hug. "You won't lose me. Ever."

It was at that moment they were hit by a powerful presence. Urd and Sayoko immediately looked towards Tokyo-3. Skuld ran over to them with Shinji just behind her.

"What is it?" asked Shinji. The goddesses looked at each other.

"Shinji, its an 'angel'" said Sayoko.

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

In Central Dogma.

"AT-FIELD DETECTED! PATTERN IS BLUE!" shouted Hyuga

The Main screen showed the Angel moving slowly into Tokyo-3. The Angel was gray in color with ribbon-like arms. It began to fire upon the city.

"Evas 00 and 03 manned and ready!" Maya shouted out, "Units 01 and 04 are unmanned but ready. Unit-02 is still under repair." She glanced at Asuka who sat muttering near Misato.

"Activate Unit 01 and 04 with Dummy Plugs." Gendo ordered.

Ritsuko and Maya began to enter commands into their terminals.

"Wish I knew where Shinji and Sayoko were going." Misato muttered.

"Wish I knew why you aren't deploying me in Unit-04." Asuka snapped back.

"If it gets really bad we will." Misato replied, "But the Commander wanted more testing done before you did anymore piloting in Unit-04."

"Unit-01 and Unit-04 are rejecting the Dummy Plugs!" Maya shouted.

"Try again." Ritsuko said.

Maya enter the commands into her terminal.

"Still being rejected."

"She's rejecting me." The Commander said softly to Fuyutsuki.

"She wants her pilot." Fuyutsuki replied.

"I will handle this personally." The Commander said, standing up, "Take over here." He then vanished as the elevator lowered him towards the cages.

"Angel is five minutes from entering the city!" Aoba called out.

Misato looked up to find only the Sub Commander looking down from the command platform.

"Permission to engage?"

"Yes, send Unit-03 first." replied Fuyutsuki.

"Yes sir. Unit-03 LAUNCH!" shouted Misato. "Rei, you're on stand-by. And someone tell me when Shinji and Sayoko get here."

Asuka sat quietly at a station next to Misato.

'DAMMIT, I wish my Eva was repaired.'

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

Unit-03 popped out in the Geo Front. The Angel had already blown a hole into the front and was rapidly descending towards his position.

"Alright Touji, Grab a rifle and move into position." ordered Misato.

"Yes Ma'am."

Touji picked up a rifle and moved towards the Angel.

"Alright Ugly. Try some of this." Touji opened fire on the Angel. The AT-Field deflected all the shots."

"Negative Penetration on the target!" said Hyuga. Touji had emptied the entire clip into the Angel.

"Dammit!" Touji grabbed another Rifle and began emptying more clips into the Angel.

"Still no effect!"

Touji grabbed a rocket launcher. "I want to see you block this!"

Before he could fire, both of the Angels arms shot out and sliced off both of the Evas arms.

"rrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh" Touji cried out in pain.

"Quick Touji! Get out of there!" ordered Misato.

"Dammit." Touji started to run his Eva straight towards the Angel.

"TOUJI STOP!" shouted Misato. The Angel looked at the oncoming Eva. Its eyes glowed and beam of light came forth from them, removing the head of Unit 03. Misato quickly turned to Maya.

"He's alive. We cut the connection in time."

Asuka just stared at the monitor. 'What was he going to do? Bleed on the Angel? He is such an idiot.'

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

Cage 1

"Unit 01 is still rejecting the Dummy plugs." shouted a Tech.

Gendo looked at the still form of Unit 01.

'Why Yui?'

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

"How are we going to get back?" asked Shinji. "It will take a long time to get back if we walk."

Skuld and Urd began to laugh. Sayoko gave Shinji a sympathetic look. "Shinji, you're forgetting who you're talking to." Sayoko held up a compact. "Ever traveled by Mirror?"

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

"Unit 00 has launched!" said Aoba.

"Rei. Hold back a second. We need to plan this out." said Misato. She started to turn to tell Asuka to get to Unit 04 when she noticed something on the main screen.

Unit-00, never stopped moving.

"Rei what are you doing?"

"SHE HAS A N2 MINE!" shouted Hyuga.

"BRACE FOR IMPACT!" shouted Misato. Unit-00 ran straight at the Angel tried to jam the N2 mine at the core. Just as the Mine was about to touch the core, two lids shut, keeping the mine from touching the core. The screen blanked as the mine went off. Central Dogma rocked under the blast.

"Status!"

"Sensors in the Geo-front are out. We are still receiving data from Unit-00. Rei is unconscious."

"Status of Angel?"

With a loud crash, the wall of Central Dogma blew apart as the Angel lumbered into the chamber. Misato stared as the Angel walked right up to the command platform. It looked directly at the entire command crew.

"Nevermind about its status….." mumbled Misato.

The angel's eyes began to glow as it prepared to fire another beam, this time at the bridge crew. Asuka stared at the Angel in fear. While she had seen Angels up close before, she was in her Eva at the time. 'Well Momma. Looks like I'll be seeing you soon. Shinji…I..'

With another loud crash, Unit 01 came through the sidewall, it's fists impacted on the Angel, preventing it from firing. Shinji drove the Angel straight through the opposite wall. They crashed into yet another Eva cage. The Angel fired off its eye beam, blasting off the Evas left arm. Shinji grabbed it with his right and flung it onto the launcher. He held it on the launcher.

"MISATO!"

Misato knew what he needed right away. "Launch Catapult 6"

"Let's step outside shall we" muttered Shinji to the Angel as the catapult sent them back to the Geo Front.

Back in Central Dogma, the crew was left to look at the ruins of the command bridge area. They could make out the rumbles as Eva and Angel continued to fight it out. Misato and Asuka uttered a few thanks to whatever deity was nearby for Shinji's timely entrance. It was then that the radio crackled.

"You're welcome. Unit-04 is ready for launch." came Sayoko's voice.

"Launch Eva!" Misato then turned back to the command crew. "Let's get to the surface. I can't command from here."

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

Inside the Geo-Front.

Shinji had been doing well, the Angel was on the verge of defeat. And then the Unit 01's battery died. Shinji stared at the screen in shock. 00:00:00 kept flashing at him.

"NOOOOOOOO! NOT NOW! DAMMITT! MOVE! THEY ARE DEPENDING ON US! ASUKA IS DEPENDING ON US! MOVE! MOOOOOOOOVEE!"

It was then that Shinji heard a heartbeat.

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

The command crew had just stepped into the Geo-Front when Unit 01 lost power. Maya had a laptop out and announced its powerless status. Asuka and Misato watched in horror as the Angel began to pound on Unit 01. The Eva's chest armor began top crack.

"Stress is increasing! It can't take much more!" shout Maya.

Unit 04 finally appeared in the Geo Front, but on the wrong side. Sayoko immediately headed towards the Angel and the Eva. It was then that Unit 01 grabbed the Angel and brought it towards itself, face to face. Unit 01 let out a growl as it stared into the Angels eyes.

"Unit 01 has reactivated!" shouted Maya. "Sync rate is…..Sync rate is 400!"

Ritsuko was stunned. "It's not possible."

"SHINJI!" cried out Asuka.

Misato grabbed a hand held radio. "Sayoko! Back off! Unit 01 is berserk!"

Sayoko slammed on the brakes, bringing her Eva to a stop. From her vantage point she watched as Unit 01 tossed the Angel across the Geo Front, tearing off its arms in the process. It held the torn arm against the remains of the left arm. The Eva's missing arm reformed. The Eva then continued its relentless assault.

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

Sitting in a tree watching from afar sat the 3 goddesses and 1 demon.

"Sayoko pilots one of THOSE?" said Peorth, in shock.

Skuld closed her eyes. "Actually, she's in the one over there, the sliver and red one."

"Colors look familiar." muttered Urd. Skuld blushed slightly.

"I had nothing to do with it."

"What is she waiting for?" asked Mara.

"Looks like she's letting the other pilot handle it." said Urd.

Skuld began to take a closer look at Unit 01. Her eyes opened wide in shock. "PEORTH!"

"What?"

"Take a look at Unit 01."

"What about…….." Peorth's eyes went wide.

"Do you sense it too?"

"It can't be….."

"What? What is it?" asked Urd. Mara also waited for Skuld or Peorth to answer.

"The Pilot has….become one with the Eva."

"WHAT!"

"Not only that, I sense 2 souls!"

Urd and Mara stared at Skuld. "2? How?"

"Skuld…" It was the tone of Peorth's voice that attracted the attention of the other 3. Peorth's face was completely white, shock frozen on her face.

"What is it Peorth?"

"…..Unit 04"

Skuld turned her attention to Sayoko's Eva. She easily detected Sayoko's presence, but then she also felt faintly….

Skuld's eyes went wide. "It's…..It's…."

"Who! What!" asked Urd and Mara.

An explosion and flash knocked all four from the tree. When they recovered, a message was written in the ground.

To: Skuld, Goddess 1st Class Unlimited, Peorth, Goddess 1st Class Unlimited, Urd, Goddess 2nd Class Limited, and Mara, Demon 1st Class.

'It is hereby ordered that the Goddesses are to be recalled immediately to heaven. All gods and goddesses are hereby recalled. Sayoko, Goddess 2nd Class Limited is to remain. No further contact will be aloud upon recall until ordered by me. A protection program has been implemented concerning the Evas. While I do not command Demons, It is requested by me that Mara returns to Hell. Contact between Mara and Urd will be allowed. So I have commanded so shall it be done.

Kami-sama.'

Skuld stared at the message. Urd, Mara and Peorth looked at each other. Finally Mara spoke.

"Well, I guess I keep in touch. Take care." With that said, Mara vanished.

Peorth and Urd looked at Skuld. Skuld was still looking at the message, even though it faded away. Urd broke the silence.

"Skuld, we'll go back, you stay until you see Sayoko. Talk to her. If we can, we'll try and change his mind."

Skuld just nodded her head. Her mind was still in turmoil.

'What am I going to tell her? I can't even tell her who's in her Eva.'

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

While that had been going on, Unit 01 had opened it's jaws and had begun to eat the Angel. Soon, it had ingested the Angel's core. The Eva turned its head upwards and let out a howl.

"My God what is that?" asked Misato.

"A copy of something much worse." said Ritsuko.

Asuka heard this, but only had one person on her mind. 'Shinji.'

Unit 01 continued to move about the Geo Front. Sayoko watched from Unit 04.

"Sayoko." came Ritsuko's voice. "Grab Unit 01, try and get it into a cage. DO NOT PULL OUT THE ENTRY PLUG!"

Sayoko winced at the last sentence. "I'm not deaf. Alright."

"Sayoko." Sayoko looked up as Asuka's voice came over the radio.

"Yes, Asuka?"

"Be careful. Don't hurt him."

"I promise Asuka."

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

After an hour of chasing the rogue Eva, Sayoko had finally gotten Unit 01 into a cage. She was now in the main control room of the cage with Misato and Dr. Akagi. Asuka had been ordered home by Misato. Touji and Rei were in the medical section, recovering from the battle.

"So what's going on?" asked Misato. "Where's Shinji?"

"Misato," Ritsuko began, "there is still some things we don't know about the Evas. We do know one thing. If someone reaches 400 sync in an Eva, they get absorbed by it."

"WHAT!"

Ritsuko turned on a monitor. It showed a picture of Unit 01s entry plug. Floating in the LCL were the clothes that Shinji had been wearing.

Misato just stared at the monitor. "But..? Where is he?"

"He is there, but not. As I said, He has been absorbed by his Eva."

"He's…dead?"

"No."

"So how do we get him out?" asked Misato.

Ritsuko sat down and stared at the monitor. "We might be able to bring him back. But, there is a high probability that it will fail."

"How do you know?"

"Because this happened once before and we were never able to rescue the pilot." Ritsuko sighed. "It's going to take several weeks before we're ready to make an attempt."

"What are we going to do until then?"

Ritsuko looked at Misato. "I will be here working. You need to get home and talk to someone. That is a conversation I'm glad I don't need to make."

Misato realized what she meant. She looked over at Sayoko, who was still looking through the window at Unit 01.

"Hey Sayoko?" Sayoko turned and looked at Misato.

"I have a job that is right up your alley." said Misato.

"And what could that be……." Sayoko's eyes widened as she realized what Misato meant. "You're serious. You want me to….."

Misato smiled. "Who better then you. After all." Misato pointed up towards the ceiling.

"Right." said Sayoko.

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

Sayoko and Misato arrived back at the apartment. Asuka was sitting quietly in front of the TV. What was unusual was the TV was not on. As soon as they stepped into the living room, Asuka began to ask questions.

"What took you so long? Why couldn't I stay? Where is Shinji?"

"Sit down Asuka." said Misato. "We need to talk."

Asuka sat down on the couch. Sayoko sat next to her. Misato sat in a chair across from Asuka.

'Here goes nothing.' thought Misato. "Asuka… you see…."

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

Approx 2 hours later.

Asuka lay in her bed. The tears had long stopped flowing, but Asuka still felt like crying. Once again, someone she cared about 'left' her.

'First my father, then momma, now Shinji.' Asuka hugged her pillow closer to her. She felt awful. Not just because Shinji was gone, but also, she had punched her one of her best friends.

'I'm sorry Sayoko. I didn't mean to.'

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

Sayoko sat in the kitchen, holding an ice pack over her eye. She heard Asuka's thought and replied aloud.

"Don't worry about it Asuka!"

Misato turned from her from her pile of beer cans. "Eh? Whassat?"

'Sigh' "Nothing Misato" muttered Sayoko. The sound of a door opening drew her attention to the hallway. Asuka slowly shuffled into the kitchen and sat down at the table. She kept her head down, refusing to meet Sayoko's eyes. Sayoko decided to end that.

"Asuka, look at me." Asuka continued to stare at the table. Misato watched from behind her pile of beer.

"Asuka," Sayoko repeated, "I've forgiven you. Now snap out of it."

Asuka finally looked up.

"Why aren't you mad at me?" Asuka asked.

"Because you're under a hellova lot of stress." said Sayoko. She was about to say more when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." said Asuka. She went quickly to the door and opened it. She was stunned at who she say.

"Skuld-sama!"

Skuld looked at Asuka. "Please, just call me Skuld. Is Sayoko here?"

Asuka looked at her feet and began to shift uncomfortably. "Yes. Come in."

Skuld looked at Asuka. 'What's wrong with her?' When Skuld reached the kitchen, Skuld saw what was wrong.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF KAMI-SAMA HAPPENED TO YOU?"

Sayoko had moved the icepack to reveal a black eye.

"Hi Auntie."

"DON'T 'HI AUNTIE' ME! WHAT HAPPENED!"

"I… uh…well you see…..During the last battle…."

"Before you finish that…remember the penalty for lying." said Skuld, glaring at Sayoko.

Sayoko paled slightly. "I ah…..well….that is……"

"I hit her." Came a quiet voice. Skuld whirled to look at Asuka.

"YOU WHAT!" Asuka winced at how loud Skuld yelled.

"Let her be Auntie. I forgave her." said Sayoko.

"But…."

"Auntie…please." begged Sayoko, "She's had a bad day. Shinji got…..absorbed into his Eva."

"Eva, Sayoko, why I'm here." Skuld took in a deep breath. "A recall has been issued."

Sayoko stared at her Aunt. Misato and Asuka both looked questioningly at the 2 goddesses.

"Wha…wha…what?" said Sayoko stunned. "A recall?"

"Not for you though. Urd and Peorth have already left. They were trying to see if I could stay but…..so far.. the answer is no."

"Will I be able to call you."

Skuld shook her head. "No. He also ordered a blackout of communications. Sayoko about your Eva, there's…………" Skuld's voice broke off. Sayoko gave her Aunt a funny look. Skuld tried again.

"Your Eva has………" Her voice went away. It finally dawned on Sayoko what was happening.

"Protection program?" Skuld nodded.

"Concerning my Eva?" Skuld nodded again.

"What should I do?" Skuld hesitated a second, then handed Sayoko her 'cell phone'.

(Heaven's Language) "Look in the Magi." said Skuld. "Look at the info on the other Evas, then check………………."

"I understand." said Sayoko. Skuld smiled, then formed a small energy ball and healed Sayoko's eye. Misato and Asuka stared in shock.

"I'll be back as soon as Kami-sama allows it. Take care."

Sayoko ran and hugged Skuld. "I'll miss you Auntie."

"I'll miss you too Yoko." With that Skuld stepped back and vanished into a recall portal.

Sayoko sat down and stared at the spot where her Aunt once stood. For the first time in her life, Sayoko felt alone.