A/N: First off, someone said I should kill off Gendo. Well every story usually isn't that good without an asshole. And one Gendo Ikari fits the bill of "asshole" perfectly. Well, almost perfectly. Warning, some pretty mature content and some bad language in this chapter. You have been warned.

The rest of the school week seemed to be the same as usual. Asuka, socializing with Hikari. She used to be the most popular girl, but after the way she acted around all the guys, her popularity vanished as fast as it had came. The Three Stooges were hanging out, talking about either war vehicles, NERV, or Hikari and Asuka. Rei who would plain do nothing unless instructed to. Zack was usually showing off athletic skills or hanging with the girls. Ivana would only concentrate on her studies. On the Friday were synch tests.

Rei Ayanami: 75

Asuka Langley Sohryu: 32 (Cleared to pilot)

Shinji Ikari: 86 (Unit no longer in cryo-stasis)

Toji Suzahara: 39

Ivana Kharlamov: 71

Zack Harper: 71

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NERV Cafeteria

Rei was sitting in the cafeteria, eating a sandwich. This was when Zack decided to use this chance to learn more about the pale-skinned blue-haired child. So he sat down at the same table.

"Hey Ayanami, got a question for you," said Zack. "Why do you always do exactly what everyone tells you to do?"

"I do as I am told Sixth Child," replied Rei.

"Well don't you have any opinions on the tasks you are told to do?"

"Why would I have opinions?" asked Rei.

"Because that's part of being human," replied Zack. "As humans, we all have the God-given right to make a choice in what we do. If you do not like the situation you may be in, speak up. Nobody has to spend their whole life being bossed around by a loser with a beard, glasses, and has no respect for their son who does his dirty work for him."

Rei looked at him, slowly absorbing the information. "I can make my own choices?"

"Yes exactly. You can speak to whomever, eat whatever, and go wherever. And you don't have to take crap from Asuka either. You can choose to not even listen to what I'm saying."

A smile slowly crept onto the girl's face. "Thank you Sixth Child. I will consider what you have said, and find a way to incorporate it into my life."

A smile was on Zack's face too. "Well, I'll go get Shinji and Asuka, and the four of us will go home together."

"Yes. I would like that."

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Ivana's new apartment complex

Ivana was in the lobby of her new apartment complex after the one she and Rei was in burned down. She didn't like to admit it, but she was somewhat jealous that Rei got to move in with Misato. She also wondered what it would be like living at Misato's house. Those kids, although they would be at odds with each other, they looked like a family almost. She had only been in her new apartment for a week, and it was already getting kind of lonely. She was lucky her neighbours could be somewhat violent when drunk. It would give her something to do when one of her neighbours would be deranged enough to attack her, as she could easily make quick work of them. Best to stay in shape she would say to herself. She looked down the hall. 2 drunks were coming through. And they looked bloodthirsty too. In seemingly desperate need of having their way with a woman, they had Ivana locked in their sights.

"Perfect," she said as she cracked her knuckles and got ready if one of them attacked.

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Misato's apartment

"Okay kids, I'm going out to a bar with Kaji. Here's some money to order pizza with. Be good now," said Misato.

"Great," said Asuka. "Misato's leaving me with Wondergirl, Casanova, and that spineless wimp."

So the evening went by uneventfully. Pizza was good however. Shinji was listening to his SDAT player. Rei was reading a book. Asuka was in her room. Now the Shinji doll had found its way from the dresser to the top of her bed. Zack was playing some sort of handheld video game.

The phone rang. It was Misato. She said she wouldn't be in till late, so the kids didn't need to bother waiting up for her.

Suddenly, Zack got an idea. "Hey everyone. I know what we can do. Why don't we play a game?"

"What game?" Shinji asked.

"Truth or Dare!"

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Ivana's apartment complex

It wasn't even a fight. The first guy asked if she could have an all out sex-session with him. She politely declined. But they wouldn't take no for an answer. So they decided to rape her instead.

"I will only warn you once. Don't even try," said Ivana in a monotone voice.

"Screw you bitch!" said one of the drunks. "You're mine!"

Ivana smiled as she saw the deranged man come at him.

He threw a punch at the Russian. She quickly backpedaled and ducked the punch. She then countered with 10 devastating punches to his stomach in 3 seconds. The man quickly doubled over in pain, and then fell unconscious from the pain.

The other drunk got angry then. "Akira! You little bitch! I'll gonna mess you up until there's nothing left of you!"

She smiled an innocent smile at him too.

The second man also threw a punch. He was slow and because he was drunk, his equilibrium wasn't perfect either. Which made it all easier for Ivana. She dodged the punch, was able to sidestep around him, and knocked him out cold with a kick to the back of his head.

"I warned them," said Ivana to herself as she decided to return to her apartment, leaving two unconscious men in the lobby. She was somewhat disappointed. She would prefer if her opponents were not drunk, so if they attacked her, it would be more challenging for her.

A/N: The reason I put this in, was for one to include Ivana, two to show how deadly she can be in combat. (She was holding back too) The reason for the language is because this was an honest guess at how a sex-obsessed drunk may act. Now back to the story!

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Misato's apartment

"And that's how you play Truth or Dare." Zack was explaining how to play Truth or Dare to Rei who had never heard of the game before. Shinji was reluctant to play at first, but didn't want to be alone while everyone else had fun. Asuka was a similar case. "So Rei, do you want to play?"

"Yes, I will take part in this activity," came Rei's usual monotone reply.

"Okay. Here are the boundaries," said Zack. "When it comes to truth, let it all hang out. When it comes to dares, there is to be no sex, groping, gay or lesbian acts either. And nothing violent either. We don't want anyone to end up in the hospital. Anything else is fair game. Also, you cannot ask the same person who just asked you a question. So let's begin. Rei, since it's your first time, you may start."

"Understood," said Rei. "Pilot Sohryu. Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," Asuka said. She did not "dare" touch the waters of the Dare.

"Why do you sleep with the doll that resembles Pilot Ikari?"

"WHAT?" came another Asuka outburst. "Oh fine. I was cold. That's all."

"Whatever," muttered Zack under his breath.

"Now it's my turn," said Asuka with a grin on her face. "Shinji. Truth or Dare?"

"T-Truth," said a stuttering Shinji.

"Do you have a crush on a girl?" said Asuka in a very teasing tone.

Shinji was a loss for words. "Answer the question Shinji," said Zack. "You don't have to give a direct answer."

Shinji resigned himself to an answer. "Yes."

Asuka's grin grew even bigger. "You can't hide anything from me Shinji Ikari." Wait till I find out which girl it is. Then you will never hear the end of it."

"Whatever," retorted Shinji. "Zack. Truth or Dare."

"Dare," said Zack in a determined voice.

"Uhh let's see. How about prank calling Misato?"

Zack didn't hesitate to dial Misato's cell phone. The others listened. Suddenly Zack said in a very disguised voice that sounded like your average person on a phone. "Hi. Do I have a young female worth talking to? That's great. I'm from the Japan Sex Show. Tell us what you do with your boyfriend when you are bored." A pause "Yes. Thank you. I'm sure all of Japan would love to hear your story!" Some drunken yelling could be heard over the phone with a man's laugh in the background. Zack quickly hung up the phone.

"What happened," asked Asuka?

"Oh, I just got Misato to tell me what her and Kaji do when she is bored," replied Zack. "And she thinks I was going to broadcast over the entire country!"

This got everyone laughing to some extent. But now it was Zack's turn. "Rei. Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"Is there a boy you have a crush on?"

"I do not understand your question," said Rei.

"Is there a boy you wish to spend the rest of your life with?" asked Zack.

"I do not know."

"That's ok," said Shinji. "It's your turn Ayanami."

Rei this time shifted her focus towards Shinji. "Pilot Ikari, Truth or Dare."

A/N: This is where Shinji will regret underestimating Rei's dormant social skills and her very high intelligence.

"Dare."

"I want you to kiss Pilot Sohryu," said Rei in the her soft monotone voice.

Shinji's heart almost stopped when he heard what Rei said. Zack said "Holy shit," under his breath. Asuka's face turned a tomato red.

"Hey, I thought you said no sex stuff!" shouted Asuka.

"That's true," chuckled Zack. "But I never said anything about kissing. You know what you gotta do Shinji. And don't worry, if Asuka hurts you physically because of this, you will be compensated and/or avenged."

"Fine," said Asuka with defeat in her voice. "But you better not get any ideas Third Child!"

It felt like the time Asuka wanted to kiss Shinji to kill time. But this time things were different for the Third Child. This time, it was a dare. He moved closer to Asuka while saying to himself "I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away." They closed their eyes and finally, they locked lips. It was supposed to be a short kiss. But it lasted about 10 seconds as it looked like Asuka wanted to deepen it. But suddenly she broke it off, already very embarrassed.

"Hahaha!" Zack was laughing. At Asuka. "Looks like Her Highness has been knocked off her throne."

Asuka shot a death glare at Zack. Shinji asked Asuka this time.

"Truth," came her reply.

Shinji decided to play it safe. "Why did you bring me along when we fought that Angel at sea in Unit 02?"

"You think I was gonna fight something I barely knew anything about by myself?" replied Asuka. "You should think a little harder than that you idiot!"

Asuka had the First Child in her crosshairs. "Wondergirl. Truth or Dare."

Rei decided to try a dare this time. "Dare."

Asuka's grin grew even bigger. "I want you to go kiss Casanova over there."

Now Zack was at a loss of breath. He wondered how well she could kiss. He didn't have the time to ponder that thought as Rei came up to him and kissed him. She didn't even close her eyes. Her lips felt cold against his own. And it was over as fast as it started.

Rei this time asked Zack. He went with truth.

"Why do you see females as objects for your entertainment?"

"Now there's a lot of interpretation with that," Zack replied. "Most of the time, I look to see their reactions. Many things may happen. I may get slapped, and yes I have been. Some get disgusted at my comments, and some girls even like being hit on. But then there were those few times when I got into a serious relationship."

"How many girls have you kissed?" asked Asuka out of the blue.

"Uh, lemme see," said Zack. He was counting quietly. "I think either 35 or 36. How many boys have you kissed Asuka?"

Asuka's face turned red again. "Just that idiot!" pointing at Shinji. "And that's because Wondergirl made us do it!"

Zack sighed. "If you say so." This time, he turned to Shinji. Shinji went with truth. "How many times have you and Asuka kissed?"

Shinji felt his heart stop again. Then came the words into his mind again. I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away. "Twice, including just a few minutes ago."

The fact that Shinji revealed another seemingly "intimate moment" was all Asuka could stand. She went into her room and slammed the door.

"Well, I guess someone was really tired," said Zack. "We shall call it a night. And for the sake of Shinji and Asuka, we shall not speak of what took place here.

Rei and Shinji went to their respective rooms.

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Shinji and Zack's room

Shinji was pondering over the recent events. He remembered that kiss all to well. He could have sworn Asuka was deepening the kiss, but then assumed it was his teenage imagination getting the better of him.

Zack was wondering how he could bring Shinji and Asuka closer together. It would be difficult to know for sure, but he had a fairly good idea that one liked the other. One was too afraid to advance, and the other too afraid to admit it.

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Asuka and Rei's room

Rei thought about the events of that day. She remember how Zack said she had the power to make her own choices. She realized that she had chosen on her own to play Zack's truth or dare game. This realization gave her a sense of life that she never felt before. It had a good feeling behind it. She decided that she would want to experience this again.

Asuka had conflicting emotions about Shinji. She figured Zack deliberately set that stupid game up so he could humiliate her, using Shinij as the catalyst. Sure, she kissed Shinji before, but that was to kill time. Or was it… No! "I can't stand this," she said into the air.

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NERV HQ- Battle station

Ritsuko had called the NERV pilots down to headquarters. The kids immediately assumed it was a test. They even suited up in their plugsuits as if they were taking their sync tests today. Misato was late, and still a bit hung over.

"What is that?" Shinji asked. It looked like a huge computer. There were two seats with strange things that appeared to be placed on the head. And there was a big screen above it all.

"This is our latest invention, a virtual simulator," said Ritsuko. We put two of you into those pods. We digitize your minds, and you will be projected into the simulator. You will wake up in another world."

"What's it for?" asked Ivana

"Commander Ikari says it's for sparring purposes," replied the doctor. "He says SEELE may come back with more EVAs. So the best way to prepare to fight an EVA is to fight to an EVA. Simply put, we're going to use the virtual simulator to have you kids square off against each other."

"Wow," said Zack.

"Now I can prove once and for all that I am the best EVA pilot," boasted Asuka.

"We've uploaded your EVA data, sync ratios, and any weapons you choose to fight with," Ritsuko explained. "It will be like a real EVA battle. I have this battle schedule randomly created so each of you will fight the other once. Any questions?"

"What if we get killed in the simulator?" asked Toji.

"If you were to die in the simulator, your simulation will end and you will wake up back in the real world. Okay kids. Give it all you got!"

The first match was Asuka vs. Rei. The rules were simple. 5 minutes to kill your opponent. If you destroy your opponent, you win. If you get destroyed, you die. If both get destroyed or time runs out, it will be declared a draw.

Asuka and Rei sat inside the pods. Everyone watched as the NERV tech crew worked the controls and digitized the girls' minds. Suddenly, on the screen were EVA Units 00 and 02.

"Ready?" Misato shouted. "Fight!"

Both virtual EVAs charged at each other. They locked hands and began pushing at one another.

To Shinji, although it was virtual, it looked very real indeed. He looked around. He saw his father watching the fights too.

Shinji turned back around to see Unit 02 grab Unit 00's right arm with both hand and flip the blue and white giant over its red shoulder.

"Take that Wondergirl," boasted Asuka over the com.

"Wow, Asuka's sync ratio is already at 60," said Maya.

"Figures as much," said Misato. "Asuka and Rei don't exactly get along. This is fueling her desire to win."

Unit 00 grabbed a weapon. An assault rifle. She started firing at Asuka. Asuka countered by raising her AT Field to its maximum to block the attack. Asuka then ducked down low, and did a ninja-like charge. She tackled Rei and took out her progressive knife. With one stab, she pierced Unit 00's core, making the EVA explode.

Back outside the simulator, Rei suddenly woke up, feeling a little shaken. She then realized she lost the fight. Asuka came out pumping her fists. "Now you know my true power!" Everyone frowned at her display of arrogance.

Shinji was happy for Asuka though. "Way to go Asuka!"

Asuka's grin grew even bigger. "At least someone is totally awake!"

Ritsuko sighed. "Next up is Zack and Toji."

They took their positions. Zack was in Unit 05. Toji in Unit 03.

Toji was already confident. "I am so gonna tear you pieces!"

Zack was relatively calm. "Your overconfidence will do you in Suzahara."

"What did you say?"

"Exactly what I said."

"Now you're asking for it!"

The fight began. Unit 03 charged at Unit 05. Toji began launching punch after punch.

Zack merely chose to dodge his punches and block when he had to.

"He's doing it again," Shinji said.

"Doing what again," Misato asked.

Ivana chose to speak up. "Harper's fighting style is more defensive than offensive. He merely dodges his opponent's attacks and uses his opponent's own power against them when he counters. This style is best meant for smaller people against bigger people. But since they are of the same size, Suzahara has no chance at winning."

Ivana was right. Zack was dodging and countering at the same time. Then with 2 minutes left, Toji was exhausted. He tried one more attack, but Zack dodged again. And then decided to attack, karate-chopping Unit 03 in the back of the head, then kicking it down with immense force. Zack then took a progressive sword out of an equipment cache and…

"Told ya your overconfidence would do you in," said Zack.

Toji walked over to a corner with his head hung low, his dignity damaged.

The other battles went on. They were all fierce and everyone was fighting with everything they had.

"Okay. I think that's about it," said Ritsuko. "You all did very well." She then realized her hand was covering part of the schedule.

"Oh look, there's one more match on the list," said Misato with a chuckle. Ritsuko felt a little embarrassed at missing this seemingly miniscule detail and chuckled. But their jaws dropped when they saw who was to be in the last match.

Shinji vs. Asuka.

A/N: Expect the next battle to be the virtual battle of the century. I didn't go into detail of the many other battles. I'll let you use your imagination about what happened in the other battles. On another note, I'm not pairing Zack with Rei. I just to show that more people than just Shinji are willing to welcome this enigmatic but nice girl into their worlds. Until the next chapter, be cool!