02:20 – Fifth Child

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or any of the characters they are the property of their respective creators. Please be aware that no profit is being made from this work of fan fiction.

This place is unlike any other I have visited before, the place where I was 'born'. It was filled with souls whose light has faded, whose souls were filled with darkness. This was the will of those who ruled over that place, the ones who believed themselves worthy of the mantle of god. Such dark souls they had, their minds closed like metal balls, hearing nothing but their own thoughts echoing back at them and believing them to be the words of god. Soon they will learn the true error of their ways as the day of judgement is soon to arrive and with its coming so shall come their punishment be visited upon them.

The people here, their souls are still alive with the light of hope, they have not yet given up on this world or its future. Among them there is only one, one man whose soul is stained with darkness, so much that only the smallest point of light remains. The single point is tethered to another, the beast the lilum call Evangelion Unit-01. Within the metal shell the one whose soul to which he is bound sleeps within, trapped by the flesh of the mother and bound by her will. There is a second tether, though it is so faint that almost could not see it, one that leads from that man to the boy who now stands before me.

Of the people here, these two are perhaps the ones who shine the brightest, the light of hope is strong within them. Already I can see the light that binds them, a growing bond that in time will allow their light to merge into a single glorious radiance. Looking more closely at the boy I see something that I did not expected, the shadow of something else upon him. The will of the mother flits about him, signalling to me that he is the chosen, the one who will become her champion when the day comes. In his hands will be placed the keys to the gates of heaven and it is my duty as one of the messengers to ensure that he is worthy of that honour.

"As the major said, I am Kaworu Nagisa. I am pleased to meet you both."

I bowed slightly to the pair, watching their reactions carefully as the boy returned my actions even as the girl followed suite a moment later when he nudged her gently. For a moment I saw irritation in her eyes, obviously she was displeased with this action. For his part however he seemed untroubled by her hostility, I noted that his hand tightened ever so slightly around hers and for an instant the bond between them sparked and glowed before returning to it previous dormant state. She affects him; in ways that I was not expecting…it will effect my judgement of him now that there is the influence of another upon him.

"I'm Shinji Ikari and this is Asuka Langley Sohryu."

He introduced both himself and the girl, his name confirming my suspicion that he and the man were related; it would be most likely that he would be the boy's father…

"I believe you are the Third and Second Children respectively, is this correct?"

A strange emotion flickered across their faces for a moment before vanishing.

"That's correct…although Asuka is no longer one of the Children, she has decided to resign her position as the Second Child."

This was not something I would have expected, those bound to Eva are interwoven with it's fate, that this girl should chose of her own will to abandon it was something I would not have believed possible had I not witnessed it myself. Perhaps, this is his power, the ability to change the fates of those around him…

"That is…unfortunate. I assume that I will be taking her place as the pilot of Unit-02 then Major?"

The lavender haired woman paused for a moment, her eyes seemed distant and it seemed her thoughts were elsewhere. After a moment she seemed to realise that I had been speaking to her and her eyes came back into focus as she looked at me.

"Sorry, I was miles away. What were you saying?"

"I was asking if following pilot Sohryu's decision to resign her status as one of the children that I will be assigned to Eva Unit-02 in her place."

"I would think so although I will have to confirm that with the Commander first."

I glanced over at the man seated above us, fully aware that he was able to hear everything that was being said yet refusing to comment, to show that a trace of his humanity remains. Although I know little of his background, during my time being held by those others I have learned much about them, enough to understand that they would turn all that one cares for against them in order to force them to bend to their will. That is why all those I encountered were broken, they lost everything that mattered to them and thus had no reason left not to obey. This man, there is still a trace of his humanity there but perhaps he conceals it to keep them from knowing, that there is still something important to him in this world.

"Nagisa?"

I found my thoughts interrupted by the voice of the chosen one, his words hesitant I smiled in a way I believed to be reassuring before answering softly.

"Yes pilot Ikari?"

"I was wondering…would you like us to show you round the base? I know you're new here and it can be quite confusing at first."

Pausing to consider his offer, watching the girl beside him carefully as I did so, looking for any sign of disapproval. I have no desire to intrude on their bond; such a thing is sacred and should not be tampered with, even by the messengers of God. Humans were given free will for a reason, which is why one of their own must make the decision of the future for them. After a moment longer, finding no disquiet in her I decided and voiced my agreement.

"Thank you pilot Ikari, I would be happy to accept your generous offer."

"It is no trouble Nagisa."

"Kaworu."

"What?"

"Please, I would feel more comfortable if you were to call me Kaworu."

He paused for a moment, obviously found my request somewhat awkward before he relented.

"Very well Kaworu, but then you should call me Shinji."

I nodded in agreement before turning to his companion.

"Pilot Sohryu, might I be allowed the honour of also addressing you by your first name?"

She seemed startled at first, the anger that had begun to form quickly forgotten.

"I…yes, that would be fine."

She smiled at me for a moment before taking Shinji by the arm and leading him from the room, signalling for me to following along behind. I followed the two from that place, smiling as I watched the ever growing light of their bond.

We spent many hours simply wondering the halls of Nerv, the two showing me the many facilities that the lillum use to satisfy the needs of their bodies. Of all of these rooms one interested me the most, within it contained a series of what I believed to be instruments, lillum tools that are used in the creation of music. Of all the lillum creations music is the one that fascinates me the most, something in the melodies of it calls to me in a way I do not understand. It is in those few moments that I realise how fortunate the lillum are, gifted with the power to create such things while my kind are bound only to a single purpose. Even as the Angel of Free Will I cannot escape my duty, all I can do is find a temporary reprieve from my fate.

We stopped briefly in the cafeteria, the strange sensation flowing through me, informing me that it required the consumption of food. When I first learned of this human ritual I found the idea strange, Angels receive energy from our S2 organs; we have no need for external sources of energy. However, it would seem that in assuming the form of a lillum I gained some of their traits, including the need for sustenance. Knowing nothing of such things I went to the food preparation area in the facility where I was kept and observed the lillum as they ate. Deciding on a number of items that seemed suitable I requested them from the person who seemed to be responsible for such things before taking my food and seating myself at a table to eat.

I found quickly that I disliked the taste of animal flesh, how the lillum can ingest such things is beyond my understanding, yet I also found that flesh of certain plants was quite palatable. When Ikari noticed this he commented that I was 'like Rei', on asking who this 'Rei' was he indicated she was the First Child, the only pilot I am yet to meet. He also commented that she too is possessed of what the lillum describe as an 'unusual' hair colour and red eyes like mine. This revelation caused me to consider whether she might be another of my kind, although why the creator would choose to send two of his messengers in this form was beyond me. I found myself filled with an unfamiliar desire, a need to meet this person, to see if she really was like me.

When at last they led me to the place I had been assigned within the endless halls of this place, I found that urge welling up inside me once again, causing me to depart my lodgings and go in search of this mysterious girl for whom I have nothing but a vague description and a name…the first people I encountered, I believe they were technicians of some kind, their uniforms similar in design to those worn by people at the last facility I had been kept, indicated that Miss Ayanami, that being her surname it would seem, was not on the base as best they knew and would most likely be found at her apartment, located in one of the older parts of the city. Prior to my arrival at Nerv I spent a time wondering the city, becoming familiar with its layout, a brief description of the area was enough for me to find it.

As I approached the building in which the two technicians had indicated the First Child resided, I at once felt something amiss. Only a single soul resided in this place yet that soul itself was not a soul at all, but rather a fabrication, a soul made of a forbidden blend of the souls of two others, bound by things that I could not fully comprehend. How the lillum could have created such a being, how the creator could allow this blasphemy to have taken place…needing to know more, to understand, I moved closer, walking up to the first floor where the feeling was strongest, stopping outside a worn looking door. Among the lillum it is customary to knock before entering, however it this case I have no desire to make it aware of my presence.

Finding the door unsecured I slipped into the room, taking note of the somewhat unpleasant surroundings, the general state of the room. Were I human I have no doubt that I would be disgusted by the condition of it but, as I am I simply take note of the fact it contains the minimum required for one to survive. Even as I too note of the individual details the ever-present sound of flowing water ceased before a figure emerged from the room to my side. Turning to regard her I found her body naked save for the towel draped upon her shoulders. Once again, had I been human I would have probably reacted to her nudity but as I am I have no interest and see no shame in the naked human form.

"Who are you?"

Even as she spoke I could feel it, the wrongness of her voice, the twisted remnants of two souls calling out in warped harmony. I found myself unable to speak, deafened by the discord her words created in my mind. She stepped closer even as the noise became ever louder, even more present in my mind.

"Who are you?"

I forced down the turmoil in my mind, using my own light to force back the corrupted tendrils that reached out to encircle me. At last I found my voice, even then I found the words were difficult to form even as I felt my stomach attempting to rebel, something I believe the lillum call 'wanting to be sick'.

"You…you…should…not…be."

She frowned at me, eyes narrowing as she regarded me.

"Yet I am. Rather, it is you who has no kneed to exist, your time is almost over."

"So…is…your…own."

Her expression changed and for a moment it was as I was looking into the face of another, something far older and more powerful, something I would believe the lillum would call the 'stuff of nightmares'.

Leave. Now.

Unable to bear that voice I fled from the apartment, not stopping until I could not longer feel the corrupt aura, until I was already within the halls of Nerv. This changes everything…I could feel her intent as clearly as I felt the wrongness of her very being, she plans to interfere with the test, to take him for herself. I cannot allow that, to try to sever the bond of souls is the greatest of crimes, one for which she must be punished. When the time comes I hope the creator will forgive me but I cannot allow her to do this, I shall use what remains of my life to stop her, even if it means that I shall be the one to disrupt the tests.

My eyes split open, darkness filling my vision even as the urgent tones of what the lillum called alarms filled my ears. This sound, a signal they use to tell others of their kind that one of my brethren has come. At once I felt a new sensation, a cold sensation in my lower torso, like many sharp objects cutting up into the upper half of my chest. I have read many tales written by the lillum, words that speak of this condition, this feeling, the one they call fear…for the first time my 'birth' by the creator's will, I am feeling afraid. Too long have I slumbered, no doubt all part of her plan, to keep me dormant until it is too late, until my brethren had already come. Now there is no time left to waste, I must go to battle now and hope that there is time to stop what has already begun.

I discarded the nightclothes I had worn, the only purpose of them to keep from being naked lest I be called upon during the night. Still, this need of the lillum, to hide their base form confused me, yet now was not the time for such quandaries. I pulled on the uniform I had been given, fastening it loosely as I am aware that on reaching the locker rooms I will have to change into the plug suit, the strange costume the lillum believe allows them to better connect with their Eva. It amazes me that the lillum have not yet realised the true nature of the bond between them and the beings they know as Evangelion. After all, they are their own creation yet still the lillum know so little…the bond is not made through the body but rather the soul.

The AT field of the pilot and the AT field of the Eva must interface, their lights blending as their wills become one. Only through and open heart, through an acceptance of the second soul and embracing its light can one truly command those giants. That is why he was the chosen; the soul of his mother lies deep within the one known as Unit-01. She calls out to him, reaching out to him with the light of her soul, which he embraces in turn. Through this acceptance he is able to do things that the other lillum cannot. Thus, when the time comes, it will be through his will that the true power is unveiled and the world will be reborn. Such is the will of the creator, such is the will of him my own.

The halls shook around me as I ran, aftershocks of battle high above. It had already begun; no doubt she had already departed, already made a start on her plan. A single tear graces my cheek, my only outward sign of mourning, my sadness at the loss of my brethren. Even as I must rescue him from the shadow so too must I free her as well, my sister will not ascend to heaven so long as she is touched by the shadow's empty soul. Even as I find myself running along the final corridor, the one at whose end my destination lies I hear those fateful words, the ones that signal I am already too late.

"Launch Eva Unit-01."

No more time now, no more time to hide what I am. I summoned my AT field, flying towards the place where the Evas are kept, not caring the calls and cries of the lillum all around. The door before me had already begun to close, an attempt to keep me away from where the Evas slept. This cannot be allow, there is almost no time left…I exerted my AT field, holding them open even as I floated past before coming to a halt before the only remaining Eva in this place, the one called Unit-02. Already I can feel the soul within awakening, regarding me with caution, she knows who I am even as I understand her own existence.

"I ask that you help me, for the sake of your daughter. The one above seeks to steal him from this world, to keep him for herself."

Why will this harm my Asuka?

"Because, she has offered herself to him, bound the light of their souls together. If he dies a part her will die as well…the death of her soul would soon follow."

Very well. I will lend you my aid. Save the boy, for my Asuka.

"Thank you. I shall do what I can."

Now the white cylinder the lillum refer to as the entry plug emerged from the neck of the Eva, the hatch opening to allow me entry. Moving inside I felt her presence surround me, opening my mind I allowed her to feel the truth of my words, to see the sights I had witness through my eyes. If she still had been human then I believe that her face would have held a smile even as I felt the pride and joy in her heart that her daughter had at last found someone. Now, as she witnessed the fate the shadow had in store for him anger erupted forward, burying everything else. Now there would be no hesitation, the light would dispel the shadow and the will of the creator would go on.

I woke from my nightmares, body soaked in a cold sweat, mind fighting to understand what had transpired. Slowly, I began to understand what had happened to me, that what I had experienced had been nothing more than an illusion. I believe it was what the lillum know as a dream, something I have not experienced previously in this incarnation. Dreams are the premise the lillum, those who have been touched by the creator's hand, instilled with the touch of creation and destruction and granted the gift of freedom to choose. Among my brethren I am the only one who was gifted with free will, that perhaps is why I am now plagued by these images.

No longer wishing to sleep I sat up in bed, pondering what those images might mean, for the first time in my life afraid of what the future may hold…if there was to be a future at all.

AN: Ok, it took far too long and in truth it isn't what I envisaged at first (I planned to kill Kaworu this chapter) but the best laid plans often don't turn out as you expect. It seems that the final Angel shall live for a little while longer now.

As for the next one…I don't know. It'll be done when it's done, when work gives me enough time to write something.

Thanks,

Hououza

Chapter preread by That Other Guy