Chapter 13
Love Lost / Rei, Change of Heart
"I don't know what happened," said Sayoko. "But I will fight you with my last breath."
Little one, your power is not great. What can you do against me? I hold you and the lilim female in my power.
"She may not have the power to defeat you," came a new voice, "But I do."
Sayoko and the angel turned to the newcomer. It was a woman in her late twenties. She had bright blue eyes, and long brown hair that went down to her knees. But the two most noticeable things were that she wore the blue and white robes of a goddess, and had the exact same markings as Sayoko upon her face. Sayoko stared in shock.
"Momma?"
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After struggling up the launch shaft, Shinji finally made it to the surface. The rain continued to pour from the sky. Shinji looked around and saw Units 02 and 04 frozen within the light of the angel. Behind him Rei had also reached the surface, carrying a long lance. Shinji started moving towards the still Evas, while Rei prepared to throw the lance, when a loud roar made them freeze. Unit 04 raised its head to the skies and let loose with another ground shaking roar.
"Unit 04 has reactivated! Type Purple Pattern has been detected!" came Aoba's voice through the radio.
Unit 04 turned and saw Rei with the lance. It moved quickly over and grabbed the lance from Rei. Before Shinji or Rei could do anything else, Unit 04 deployed its wings and took off from the ground. Heading straight up the beam of light.
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"I don't know how," said Aoba, "but Unit 04 is approaching the same altitude of the Angel."
"What!" shouted Ritsuko. "The Evas can't survive space! They weren't designed for that!"
"What's the pilot status?" asked Misato.
"We are unable to get any data from Unit 04." said Maya.
"What about Asuka?"
"Her condition is unknown."
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Unit 04 flew towards the Angel. The Angel, detecting the approaching Eva, ceased the beam towards the planet and tried to direct it back at Unit 04. Unit 04 froze for just a second, and then it launched the lance at the Angel at point blank range. The lance plunged through the angel's AT-field as if it wasn't even there. The lance pierced into the core of the Angel. The Angel gave one final howl of anger, and then exploded.
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Shinji brought his Eva over to Asuka's. He immediately ripped off the plate covering the entry plug. The plug popped out and began ejecting the LCL it held. Shinji grabbed the plug and set it gently on the ground. He then ejected his own plug and ran over to Asuka's plug, feeling a sense of déjà vu. Shinji forced the emergency hatch open and climbed inside.
"Asuka!" He found her sitting unconscious in the pilot's seat. He quickly picked her up and carried her under his Eva and out of the rain.
"Asuka! Please wake up!" called Shinji. "Asuka!"
But Asuka would not answer.
A roar turned his attention elsewhere as Unit 04 landed with a crash on to the street. It turned its head skyward and let loose with a roar of victory before falling silent.
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Shinji, Rei and Touji stood quietly in the debriefing room. Misato, Ritsuko and the Commanders were also present. Ritsuko spoke.
"The Angel used a type of AT-field against the Evas that effected the brain waves of the pilots. It overloaded their minds, and as a result, both the Second and Fifth children are in comas. The possibility for their recovery is only 40."
Shinji's face seemed to pale slightly when Ritsuko mentioned Asuka and the possibility of recovery.
"Status of the Evas" asked the Commander.
Misato frowned, 'You care more for the Eva's then for the pilots? You bastard.'
Ritsuko also frowned slightly, "Units 02 and 04 appear to have no damage, however we won't know for sure until we put pilots in them."
"What became of the lance?" the Commander asked.
Misato answered. "After going through the Angel's core, it buried itself into the surface of the moon."
Ikari nodded his head at the answer. He then turned to the pilots. "Third Child!"
Shinji stepped forward. "Sir."
"You disobeyed a direct order. For that you should be placed under arrest and confined to a cell."
Shinji did not flinch. "Yes Sir."
"Should you disobey orders in the future, that will be your fate." Ikari then turned and left with the Vice-Commander.
Misato and Ritsuko were surprised. They both expected Shinji to be thrown into a cell. Rei then turned to Ritsuko.
"Dr. Akagi. Which room is Sayoko in?"
Ritsuko eyes widened slightly at the concern in Rei's voice for the Fifth Child.
"She's in room 406 of the Cranial Ward." She then turned and answered Shinji's question before he even asked it. "And Asuka is next door in room 407."
Shinji smiled. "Thanks Dr. Akagi. Com'on Ayanami. Let's go see them. Touji, could you call Hikari and let her know?"
"Sure."
The 3 pilots then left the room, leaving Misato and Ritsuko alone.
"Shinji has changed, I never would have thought he'd stand up against his father like that." said Ritsuko.
"That's Asuka's doing, and maybe a little of Sayoko too." Misato said quietly. "Are they really that bad off?"
"Asuka was in that beam longer then Sayoko was. The fact that they're alive at all is a miracle. As to when they'll recover…." Ritsuko shook her head. "That's out of my hands."
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Shinji walked into Asuka's room. Asuka lay on the bed, hooked up to the heart monitors. The only sound was the constant beep as Asuka's heart beat. Shinji walked over to the bed and held her hand.
"Asuka, I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm here with you. Ritsuko says you may not wake up. I don't believe it. I know you'll wake up. No matter what happens Asuka, I will wait for you." Shinji leaned over and kissed Asuka on her forehead.
"Come back to me Asuka."
"So long as you keep believing that she will." came a voice from the door.
Shinji turned and saw a NERV Lieutenant standing in the doorway.
"Hope is a very powerful weapon." said the man. "And it can over come many obstacles."
"I keep that in mind Lieutenant……"
"Nagisa. Kaoru Nagisa." the man replied with a smile.
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Rei entered Sayoko's room, finding Sayoko much the same way that Shinji had found Asuka. Rei moved next to Sayoko.
'What is this I am feeling? Is it worry? Am I worried that Sayoko will not recover?'
Rei then thought about the Commander. 'He is concerned when I am injured, even though I am replaceable. Yet he was not for his son, and is not for either Sayoko or Sohryu. And they are not replaceable. Major shows concern for all. Why is this? I do not understand…..'
"Rei?" Rei turned to see Ritsuko enter.
"Dr. Akagi."
Ritsuko walked up next to Rei and looked down at Sayoko. "How is she doing Rei?"
"She remains unconscious."
"Have you tried to talk to her."
Rei frowned slightly. "How would talking to her help if she is not awake to answer?"
Ritsuko smiled, "Sometimes hearing the voice of a friend or a loved one helps to bring that person back."
Rei turned back to Sayoko. "So talking to her will help her to get better, even if she does not reply?"
"There is much that we still don't know about the mind. She might be aware of us talking right now."
Rei had not considered that. She leaned slightly towards Sayoko. "Sayoko, get well soon."
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Katsuragi Apartment.
1 month later
"This has just been the month of hell." muttered Misato. She was going over some of the data that Kaji had placed on the disk they had found. Most of it was stuff that she already knew. There were some things, however, that she was not aware of. In a section of NERV known as Heaven's Gate, there was an Angel. There was no specific reason on the disk why it was there, only that it was.
Misato leaned back and looked out of her room towards the living room. Shinji was sitting in there watching TV. Misato sighed. He had picked up that habit from Asuka. When he wasn't at home or at school, he was at Asuka's bedside. He probably would have stayed the night next to her had she not hauled him out. She reminded him that they had only 3 pilots left, and that it wouldn't do to have one suffering from lack of sleep. When he did try to argue, Misato played her wild card.
"But Shinji, Who's going to protect Asuka from the Angel's when they attack?"
That had ended all arguments.
Also sitting there with him was Sayoko's Aunt Megumi. Misato had called Megumi immediately after arriving home. She stayed in Sayoko's room since she wasn't around to use it. Misato was glad for Megumi's presence. While Shinji was at school and Misato was at work, Megumi stayed nearby to both Sayoko and Asuka. Without Megumi being around, Shinji probably would be avoiding school.
'Now if Asuka and Sayoko would just wake up……things would be Ok.'
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Ritsuko sat in her office going over the last sync test that the 3 remaining pilots had gone through. Also on her desk was a progress report on the 2 comatose pilots. As Ritsuko went over the sync test results, she thought back to the events of the past few days. The biggest event was between Rei and the Commander. Whenever Rei was needed, she could be found sitting near the 5th child, quietly talking to her about school or the other pilots. The biggest shock came when the Commander ordered Rei to stay away from the 5th Child. Rei had politely refused. Everyone present had just stared at the two. Since then, the Commander seemed colder when talk of the 1st and 5th children occurred. Ritsuko smiled at the thought of the Commander's reaction.
'She's no longer your obedient soldier. What will you do now?'
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The Commanders were in Ikari's office playing chess.
"This development with Rei was unexpected, wasn't it?" said Fuyutsuki.
"………"
"How does this affect your scenario?"
"When the time comes….She will either obey me or she will be replaced." said Ikari coldly.
"And what of the 5th child?"
"She is non of our concern anymore. The scenario will move forward, with or without her interference."
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"How long has it been?"
"1 month."
"Your still upset about not being there aren't you?"
"Wouldn't you be?"
"If I was in your position, yes. At least Megumi is there."
"Yeah."
"I've been to see the Boss."
"What did he say?"
"There has been a development. Sayoko's involvement is beginning to pay off. We will know within a month."
"A month? A lot of things can happen in a month."
"True, but this will set in motion the final events that will decide the fate of the mortals."
"The fate of all mankind…in the hands of one. "
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Room 406 Cranial ward
Rei's mind was in turmoil. Sayoko had warned her it would happen. Rei had long thought about it since then. But when the day came that Commander Ikari ordered her to stay away from Sayoko, Rei was still surprised. The Commander had been furious. She had never disobeyed his orders before. Others who were there were also surprised. Since then the Commander had been avoiding her. Others were not. In fact, many now treated her better then before. At school, Hikari conversed with her more, and even convinced her to participate in an activity called 'shopping'. Even Dr. Akagi was more open to her then she had been before. All because she did not wish to lose the company of the 5th child, a goddess that still caused her some fear, though less then when they had first met. She still did not know where this fear came from. Rei glanced over at the unconscious form of Sayoko.
"Rei?"
Rei turned back to the door. Ritsuko stood there with a clipboard in her hands.
"Dr. Akagi, Has there been any change?"
"No Rei," said Ritsuko. "There has been no change. These things take time sometimes."
"I understand." Rei turned back to Sayoko. "Dr Akagi?"
"Thank-you."
Ritsuko was surprised, but recovered quickly. "Your welcome."
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Sayoko floated in the darkness.
"Hello?"
A voice answered. "I am here."
Sayoko turned to see the form of her mother, Belldandy.
"Momma? Is it really you?"
"Yes, Yoko. It is me."
"But…Where have you been?"
"I have always been with you. As has your father."
"But…Where? Auntie Skuld and Urd couldn't find you on Earth or in Heaven."
"We were and are in a place that Heaven cannot detect."
"Huh?"
"Do you remember the day we disappeared?"
"Sort of."
"The plane we were on flew over Tokyo-3. As the plane flew over, there was a disturbance from below, coming from a place called 'GEHIRN'. The interference disabled the controls of the aircraft, causing the plane to crash. Before impact, something with Ancient power drew us in. Your Father and I floated in a sort of limbo, before we ended up in your Eva. We've been there ever since."
"In…my Eva?"
"Yes. Whenever you have been in danger, We have been there to help you."
"But if you've been there all this time…… Why didn't you show yourself until then?"
"Because of that attack by the 'Angel'. That allowed me to connect to your mind, so that we could talk. But it will not last long."
"Momma can you return?"
Belldandy closed her eyes and looked away a second. "I do not know. But no matter what happens, Your Father and I will always be with you." Belldandy began to fade.
"Momma! Don't go!"
"Remember Sayoko, We will be with you always….."
"MOMMA!" Sayoko sat up. She looked around. She was in a hospital room. In a chair, sleeping with her head on the bed was Rei. Sayoko took a closer look at Rei. Instead of her normal school uniform, Rei was in a t-shirt and jeans.
'How long have I been out?' "Hey Rei." Sayoko gave Rei a nudge. Rei continued to sleep.
"Hey REI!"
Still no response.
Sayoko leaned closer to Rei.
"ANGEL ATTACK!" Rei sat up straight. She looked around the room before looking at Sayoko. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I did not find that….amusing."
"It's nice to see you too Rei." Sayoko said with a weak smile, "How long have I been unconscious?"
"Almost 2 months."
Sayoko's eyes widened. "2…months? What happened to the Angel?"
"Your Eva went berserk and took out the Angel. After both you and Pilot Sohryu went into comas. Sohryu is still in a coma."
Sayoko lay back. "I see." 'Poor Asuka'
"I must go make a phone call. The Major requested that I call when you awoke." Rei got up and walked towards the door.
"Hey Rei?" Rei stopped and turned towards Sayoko.
"Yes Sayoko?"
"What's with the clothes?"
Rei looked down at her outfit. "Hikari took me…shopping. It was an interesting experience."
"Hikari? What happened to Miss Horaki?" asked Sayoko.
Rei gave a small smile. "She and I have become friends. I will call the Major now." Rei left the room.
Sayoko lay back. 'Wonder what else has happened?'
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Misato, Megumi, Ritsuko, and Shinji sat around the table playing cards.
"So, what did the Commander do?" asked Misato.
"Oh he was furious, His face just turned a deep shade of red, but he couldn't do anything. There are no regulations that say what the pilots are to wear when they arrive for testing." said Ritsuko.
"I still don't understand why this is such a big deal. I mean, Rei is a teenager." said Megumi.
"Well, you haven't known Rei that long." said Shinji.
"Basically, to put it in perspective, Hell must have frozen over for Rei to disregard Commander Ikari's wishes. She has always obeyed him, until recently." said Ritsuko.
Megumi smiled at that comment. 'To bad I don't have Mara's number, We could find out…'
It was then that the phone rang. "I'll get it." said Misato.
"So Shinji, is this reminding you of when you first arrived?" asked Ritsuko.
"Not really, at least Misato hasn't tried cooking. It's been either me or Megumi."
"Hey it's the least I could do for you guys letting me stay he….."
"YAHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO! WE'LL BE RIGHT THERE!" came Misato's voice from the living room. Misato raced into the doorway to the kitchen.
"Come on! That was Rei! Sayoko's AWAKE!"
Chairs flew across the floor as everyone headed out the front door.
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3 Days later.
"So how does it feel to be out?" asked Hikari.
Sayoko smiled at Hikari as they walked through the mall with Rei. "It feels great. Especially the fact I don't have to eat that stuff they call food in the hospital."
"That's true, there's nothing worse then hospital food."
Sayoko stopped. "Actually, I think there is, Misato's cooking."
Hikari nodded, "That's right I forgot about that."
"I have not experienced the Major's cooking." said Rei.
"You and me both." replied Hikari. "From what Asuka told me, it could be used as torture in hell."
Sayoko winced, "Not even demons are that mean."
"Hey speaking of Asuka. Any change?"
Sayoko shook her head. "No. I feel really bad too. Shinji asked me if I could help Asuka. I just haven't got the power to help her. A 1st class could help her easy, but I still can't contact my Aunts."
The sounds of sirens reached their ears. Simultaneously, Sayoko's and Rei's cell phones rang. Everyone in the mall began to scramble in panic. Sayoko and Rei took their calls. Then Sayoko turned to Hikari.
"Get to a shelter, hurry!"
Hikari just nodded and took off. Sayoko and Rei headed outside to the already waiting cars. Before Sayoko got in, she looked up to the sky. Off in the distance she could just make out the Angel. It was a massive circle in the sky.
