A/N: Well, I gotta say, this fanfic has come a long way. Over 5,000 hits! That's a milestone for me! And over 50,000 words too! I'm gonna take a moment to thank some of my reviewers.
destinyfaith - As long as I have loyal readers/reviewers like you, I'll continue to keep chugging along till the end.
Incognito Girl - Thanks for all your reviews too. It was you who told me how to develop my chapters.
nick2951 - Hey. Thanks for the Gendo/Shinji confrontation idea. When it happened, I had the idea floating in my mind, just wasn't sure how to put it on paper/screen.
GeminiDreams - Thanks for your reviews too! When are you gonna update yours soon?
And to everyone else who reviewed, thanks a dozen and a dozen more! Till review #100! Now on with the story!
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Shinji was troubled by what he had heard. If the dummy plug was stolen by a SEELE infiltrator, that would mean there's another Rei somewhere out there. So that meant an extra set of eyes would have to be kept on NERV's Rei, so SEELE couldn't make a quick switch with a Rei that was ordered to kill everything.
His father put NERV on First Stage Alert and had the kids taken into protective custody. He understood that his father was doing this so that they would be safe. They were kept in a secure part of the base, and guards were bringing in their meals, which they got three of a day.
Zack and Ivana were seen as suspects at first, but were cleared when they found out that Ivana was not seen as a traitor and that Zack had no damn idea what a dummy plug was.
Asuka was not big at all on the living arrangements, as all six children were sleeping in the same room. But it would be better than living all alone until the other Rei could be found.
Rei was taking this as well as she took everything else. With a plain face.
Ivana understood the circumstances. She knew what it was like to have doubles of your fellow operatives around.
Toji was worried. But he vowed not to let the circumstances get the better of himself.
Zack was hating every second of this. He said he was SO close to cracking the parental code. He said he was going to solve it the night the kids just happened to be taken into custody.
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NERV HQ - Gendo Ikari's office
Gendo Ikari looked at the information in front of him. The SEELE infiltrator had been found and captured. After a ruthless interrogation, they got the confirmation that SEELE was behind all of this. The kids were at NERV if necessary because he knew an attack would be imminent as soon as possible knowing those stupid old men. And Chairman Keel was lucky he slipped out of Gendo's grasp before Gendo found out he was part of SEELE.
Gendo also knew that SEELE would be excited about their latest acquisition and wouldn't hesitate to use it.
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NERV HQ - Cafeteria
Misato wasn't taking this very well. NERV had all reason to be on edge. They had been infiltrated, one of their devices was stolen, and they knew that device would be used against them. She decided to talk with Kaji about it in the NERV cafeteria.
"Great. Why did we even have to use these dummy plugs in the first place? Isn't one Rei enough," she said aloud.
"Well look at the bright side," said Kaji trying to comfort her. "At least the dummy plugs weren't of Asuka. Then we'd all have trouble on our hands."
"Yeah you're right. I suppose one of every person is enough."
Kaji spoke up again. "You know what's going to happen don't you?"
Misato bowed her head down. "Yeah. This won't be very good on Shinji. Rei is pretty important to him. Even if it's another clone of Rei, Shinji isn't very big on having to kill another human being."
"Yup," said Kaji. "If Shinji can't fight, then the commander will let him sit out if necessary."
"Really?"
"The commander's a changed man somewhat since the dunk tank incident."
As the two continued to converse, the alarm rang off. They knew exactly what was coming and went to Central Dogma.
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NERV HQ - Launching Bay
The kids were suited up and ready to go. Shinji felt worried. Even if the enemy was a Rei clone out to destroy them, he wasn't sure he could kill the clone. As he sat in the entry plug of Unit 01, the com suddenly came on. It was his father!
"Shinji, how do you feel?"
"F-Fine I guess," replied Shinji.
"I know you are very hesitant to fight the Rei clone. But you understand that the fate of the world is at stake."
Shinji replied again. "Yes I know. But I just can't knowingly kill another human being."
"Shinji, you must understand that your enemy will not only kill you, should you refuse to fight, but everyone else you love will be destroyed as well."
"I understand father. But I want to avoid it if possible. Can I be on backup then?"
Gendo was silent for a moment. "Very well." Then he went on the general com. Launch Units 00 and 05. Units 02 and 03 will serve as backups, and Units 01 and 04 as secondary backups."
Units 00 and 05 launched into Tokyo-3.
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After Units 00 and 05 launched into battle, Zack popped a question to Rei.
"Say Rei, do you feel okay fighting this battle? You know who we are fighting right?"
Rei replied. "I am fine. We are fighting another clone of myself. However, unlike my other copies, this one has chosen to destroy all that we stand for. I will not allow that. I wish to protect my… friends."
Zack was surprised at Rei's statement. "Well if you are okay with it, then so am I! And even better, when we beat this one, you will be the sole survivor. You will be individual for the first time."
"Yes. I would like that."
Their conversation was cut short when they saw the enemy. It was an EVA all right. But something was odd about it.
"What the fuck? It looks like your Unit 00 except it's all black!"
Gendo came on the com. "Yes. That's your target. Destroy it before it reaches the city. The enemy could possibly wish to get into the city and self-destruct therefore destroying the city. Your cables are long enough to go 10 kilometres outside the city. Now go."
"Roger," the two said in unison moving outside the city. They then came into contact with the enemy EVA.
The com came on. On the other side, was a Rei. However, her plugsuit was black, and anyone could sense something wasn't right about the pilot.
The evil Rei spoke up. "So you're the Rei Ayanami who works for NERV!"
Rei replied. "Yes."
"Holy shit!" said Zack. "It is another Rei!"
"Stay out of this asshole," the dark Rei said. "I have business to settle with my fake here."
"I am not your fake. You are as much fake as I am," replied Rei.
"Why do you think I work for SEELE?" asked the dark one. "They gave me a soul. And the power I need to destroy anyone who wishes to stop me."
"I will not let you destroy those I wish to protect," said Rei.
"Really? How noble," the dark Rei said in a mocking voice.
Now Zack was becoming furious. "Okay you stupid bitch, you're even worse than Asuka. Asuka may be a bitch, but she wouldn't sell her soul just to get more power. You are insane."
"Humph! I've had enough of your talk! Time to get down to business."
The darker side of Rei began chanting the same words used by the enemy last time. Once she had finished chanting the words, the Seal of Diablos was cast. As the circle spread, Zack was forced outside of the circle so only Rei and her evil clone were to do battle.
Rei watched as her evil clone underwent a transformation. The mark of the Diablos appeared on her forehead, and on the EVA's forehead as well. She then watched as the power of the Diablos came into contact with the Angel DNA. It made the EVA go out of control, then suddenly, it grew spectral wings! Unlike Unit 01 however, they were as black as the EVA she was about to fight.
"Ahhh, do you like it? This power feels good! So this is what happens when an Angel becomes infused with the power of Diablos!"
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NERV HQ - Battle Station
"The enemy's power and abilities have increased substantially!" reported Shigeru.
"Dammit! Are they always gonna use that stupid seal? Don't they know they're putting themselves in danger as well?" asked Misato.
"It must the desire for power that makes them ignore the risks that come with using that power," said Ritsuko. "What did they do to that Rei clone anyway? This isn't like her at all, soul or no soul."
Misato spoke again. "But from here it looks obvious that our Rei is no match for their Rei."
Suddenly, Shinji spoke over the com. "Hey Misato, I think you should have a little more faith in Rei than what you're giving her."
"Yeah, you're right Shinji."
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Battlefield
"I'm sure you know of the terms for a Diablos Battle," the dark Rei said. "If you win, which you will not, you're free to go. Hold on to the belief that you will. It'll make it that much better when I tear you to pieces. And when you lose, you will be sucked into hell, body and soul!"
"I will not lose," replied Rei.
"Yes! That's it! Hold on to that belief till the end! That's what I want! Let's do this!"
The two Unit 00s charged into each other. They both connected perfectly with a shoulder charge, but the dark Rei's power was much greater and Rei was sent flying into the wall of the Seal.
Rei was hurt, but she managed to get back up. She assumed a combat stance and was ready to attack again. This time, when the two came to attack, Rei sidestepped, imitating one of Zack's combat moves and slammed multiple attacks into the dark one's back before kicking her into the Seal's border.
'Wow,' thought Zack. 'So Rei was doing more than just watching Ivana and myself fight. She was watching our moves so she can copy them! Perhaps she does have a chance at winning this after all!'
But to his disappointment, the dark Rei got up. And she appeared to be completely unharmed. A sickening smile appeared on her face.
"Good. Better a good fight than just a mere slaughter."
The evil EVA attacked Rei again. Rei followed its movements, blocking the many punches and kicks that came her way. She would also throw in counter attacks when she could to.
However, the dark Rei's hits were like being hit by a rhino head on. The attacks were hurting, but Rei did not want her darker clone to harm those who had accepted her for who she is and was.
Another problem was that the Seal of Diablos was not only making the user more powerful, it made the user faster as well. Rei eventually could not keep up and was hit hard. Unit 00 went down.
"Well, well," the dark Rei said. You've put up quite a fight. But the Seal hasn't closed in around you, so I know you can still fight. GET UP! GET UP SO I CAN KNOCK YOU BACK DOWN!"
Rei struggled. She was easily in a lot of pain. But slowly and surely she managed to bring herself back to her feet.
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NERV HQ - Battle Station
"Rei is in a lot of pain," said Maya. "She can't keep this up much longer."
"Cut her sync ratio down to 55," ordered Fuyutski. "That will blot out some of the pain."
Misato opened up a link to Rei. "Rei can you hear me?"
"Yes."
"We're cutting your sync ratio down to 55. Does that feel better?"
"Yes."
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Rei felt her sync levels being cut down to reduce the amount of pain she was feeling. She was still hurting, but she felt she had to fight for those who she cared for.
Rei attacked her more powerful counterpart again. This time, she decided to imitate Ivana's Russian arts. Once more, this caught the darker one off guard. And she wasn't over the mood about getting her head smashed into the wall of the Seal either.
"Grrrrr. Damn you bitch! Why do you persist?" The dark Rei this time used her EVA's black spectral wings to take flight. She then decided to kick Unit 00 in the head from the air. Rei tried her best to block the kicks, but her defense eventually crumbled and she would suffer from the onslaught of kicks to the head. After about 15 kicks, Unit 00 collapsed.
Even Asuka had difficulty watching what she was seeing. Sure she never got along with Rei, but she didn't deserve to suffer like this. No one could seem to watch what was happening.
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NERV HQ - Battle Station
"Rei has suffered severe head trauma. It looks like a concussion!" reported Maya. "She can't keep fighting like this! She's going to lose!"
"Oh no!" shouted Misato. "If Rei loses, she'll be dragged into hell!"
"The Seal is closing in on her!" reported Makoto.
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Rei struggled to open her eyes. She saw that the Seal was closing in on her. That meant she had lost the battle. Suddenly, her com opened up.
"Ayanami! You can't give up!" It was Shinji!
"Ikari?"
Now Asuka came on. "Listen here Wondergirl! You're gonna let that psycho win? You can do better than that! You're not a Zero! More like a One or a Two!"
"Sohryu?"
Toji's turn. "Yeah Ayanami! You're part of the team! It wouldn't be the same without you!"
"Suzahara?"
Ivana spoke up next. "Come on comrade. You may be down, but you are far from out."
"Kharlamov?"
Zack spoke next. "Yeah. It's time for you to get up and give that bitch the bitch-slapping she deserves!"
"Harper?"
"That's right Rei," said Shinji again. "We all believe in you! You have to keep fighting! Go get her!"
Rei came to a sudden realization.
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It appeared to the dark Rei that she had won. After the kicking onslaught, Unit 00 had gone down. She planned on taking out Unit 05 next also using the Seal of Diablos. But for the moment, she decided to revel on her victory over her clone.
"How pathetic," she said with a smile. "I thought a Rei Ayanami from NERV would be able to fight better than this. Oh well. I'll just have to settle for the Seal dragging you to hell sooner than I hoped." She watched as the Seal shrank to enclose her better part of herself.
But all of a sudden, as the Seal was closing in, it shot back out! And it encircled them both once again!
"But what! How is this possible?"
Unit 00 stood up once more.
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NERV HQ - Battle Station
"Unit 00 is back up!" reported Maya. "And she's hit a 96 sync!"
"What?" shouted Ritsuko. "She's got a damn concussion! How can she continue to fight?"
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Zack was shocked at the sight he saw before him. Unit 00 got back up, and attacked the black EVA. It was caught completely off guard by Unit 00's attack. It grabbed the dark Rei's EVA by the throat and forced it down. Then Unit 00 drew its progressive knife and began cutting up the dark EVA.
No one knew what suddenly came over Rei. And supposedly, the dark Rei was more powerful. After a few slashes of the knife, the dark Rei had no more use of her arms. And then, her legs.
"NNNOOOOOO! HOW CAN THIS BE? I AM SUPERIOR!" the dark Rei was shouting.
Unit 00 then chipped open the plates that covered the core. In one stab, the core was ruptured, ending the battle.
The others watched as the Seal encircled the dark EVA, it took what it wanted, the dark Rei's body and soul, and then disappeared.
Unit 00 then just collapsed. Misato came on the com. "Zack! Bring Unit 00 back here now!"
"Yes ma'am!"
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It turned out that Rei had suffered some pretty bad injuries out there on the battlefield. It would be at least two weeks before she would be able to leave the hospital. The good news however, was that her concussion was very minor.
Shinji decided to go visit Rei in the hospital. Rei was somewhat surprised to see him.
"Ikari?"
"Hey Ayanami. I'm glad you're okay. You gave us all quite a scare yesterday."
"I did what I had to."
"I know," Shinji said. "I just want you to remember you are not alone okay? You have something to fight for. Us. We're all glad that you didn't give up fighting. And I know you would encourage us the same way we all did for you."
"That's right Wondergirl!" Asuka suddenly came into the room. "If we could, we would have all teamed up and clobbered Evilgirl!"
"You're something else Ayanami." Now Zack came into the room. "You've got more guts than most of us combined."
"Yeah Ayanami. You're braver than most of the jocks at school. Myself included," said Toji also walking in.
"You're a valuable comrade," said Ivana.
"And most of all, you're part of our family," said Misato who had also come in to the room.
Rei took a minute to let this all sink in. "My family. Thank you," she replied with a smile on her face. "We are a family."
A/N: And there you have the Rei vs. Rei battle. And next chapter is the introduction of a new character! Until then, be cool!