Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion, and so on, and so on.
Author's Notes: Chapter 4, this should make some things clear that weren't clear before. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, especially Hamstadini and dennisud who gave some good constructive criticism. As I'm sure you can guess this was written before I got your reviews but I'll be sure to keep everything in mind for future chapters.
4. Memories
(The Apartment)
Rei lay in the bed she usually shared with Shinji. She was curled into a tight ball with tears even now flowing down her cheeks. She didn't make a sound; she just lay there with a vacant look in her eyes.
Nara stood in the doorway. He'd tried unsuccessfully to comfort her after they'd gotten home but had eventually given up. Watching her now, tears were flowing down his cheeks as well. He'd been a little surprised when they first appeared but they were to be expected. Along with Rei, Shinji had been one of the two beings that created him. The two of them were the only family Nara had and now one of them was gone.
Nara was broken from his thoughts by the sound of someone knocking on the door. Wiping at his eyes with the back of his arm he went to answer it.
When he opened the door he was mildly surprised to see Misato on the other side with Asuka and Hikari behind her.
Nara rubbed the remaining tears from his eyes and looked down at the floor. He wasn't suppose to cry, he was suppose to look after Rei. He flinched slightly as a hand came to rest on his shoulder.
Misato pulled Nara into an embrace. The boy tried to pull away at first then gave up and allowed himself to be comforted.
Misato looked into the boy's eyes. "Nara, it's okay to cry. You shouldn't try to hold everything in."
"I…" Nara shook his head slightly. "Why are you here?"
Asuka stepped up beside Misato. "We came to see how you and Rei are holding up."
Nara pulled away from Misato, who let him go though a little reluctantly. The boy turned and led the three females into the apartment. "I'm okay…but I'm worried about Rei. She won't come out of her and Shinji's room."
Asuka and Hikari immediately walked down the hallway towards Shinji and Rei's room but Misato turned to Nara again. "Are you sure you're alright Nara?"
"I'm fine Misato, it's just that…Shinji was my friend, and now he's gone." Several tears rolled down Nara's cheeks. He rubbed angrily at his eyes. "It's not important, please, go help Rei."
Nara walked over and lay down on the couch. Misato wanted to help him but she also wanted to help Rei, and Nara had told her to go to Rei so she turned and walked down the hallway.
(The Apartment, Shinji and Rei's Room)
The door slid open quietly and Asuka and Hikari stepped in, closing the door behind them.
Rei didn't move, she didn't even acknowledge their presence. She knew they were there but she didn't care. Shinji was gone, nothing mattered anymore.
Asuka sat on the bed and half reached out towards Rei then let her hand drop. Hikari stood beside Asuka and looked down at Rei. Neither girl knew what to do.
Rei continued to ignore them, curling into a tighter ball. She wished they'd leave her alone. She wanted to be alone with her grief.
The door slid open again to emit Misato. The woman walked over to the bed. Asuka got up and Misato took her place.
Unlike the girls Misato was not disheartened by Rei's lack of response. Wrapping her arms around the girl, she picked Rei up and hugged her.
Rei didn't bother struggling, she didn't have enough strength to struggle. She felt drained, empty. She allowed Misato to hold her and cried into the woman's shoulder, making a sound for the first time in hours, a low keening wail.
Misato held the girl gently. "It's okay Rei, calm down."
Asuka and Hikari sat on the bed next to Misato and put their arms around Rei. Rei stopped wailing and just cried.
Misato rubbed Rei's back. "Do you want anything Rei?"
Rei didn't respond for several seconds and then finally she spoke. "I want…Shin-chan."
Misato held the girl a little tighter. "I'm so sorry Rei."
As Rei went back to crying and Misato, Asuka and Hikari continued to try and comfort her, the sound of a cell phone was heard briefly before cutting off abruptly.
Asuka held her hand to Rei's cheek, catching some of the girl's tears. "Things will be okay Rei."
There was the sound of an exclamation from the living room and a few seconds later Nara slid the door open and burst into the room. "Rei come on, we're going to Nerv."
Rei raised her tear stained face from Misato's shoulder. "Wh…why?"
Nara walked over to the bed and took Rei's hand, pulling her away from Misato and off the bed. "Trust me Rei, we need to go to Nerv." He began to lead the girl from the room.
Misato stood up and followed them. "Nara, what are you doing?"
Nara pulled Rei to the door and slipped on his shoes as Rei slipped on hers. "I'm sorry major, you should go home. Thank you for coming."
Nara pulled Rei out the door and left it open for the others. As soon as they were out of earshot from the others he turned to Rei. "They found Shinji's S2 organ."
Rei eyes widened slightly and then she took off down the hall, followed closely by Nara.
(Nerv, Commander's Office)
Ritsuko stood in-front of the commander's desk, Fuyutsuki stood beside the commander and Gendo sat in his normal position, hands folded before his face.
Gendo's glasses flashed as he looked up at Ritsuko. "Are you sure the S2 organ recovered from the crater is pilot Ikari's?"
Ritsuko looked down at her notepad. "Yes sir, it matches the scans I made of Shinji's S2 organ."
Gendo didn't move his gaze from the doctor. "Good, how is the project progressing?"
"We're on schedule sir, all we need now is Rei and Nara." Ritsuko glanced at her watch. "They should be here soon."
(Tokyo-3)
Rei was running along a road towards Nerv headquarters, Nara following close behind.
Rei's mind was racing. If Shinji's S2 organ had survived the explosion, then maybe they could bring him back. Even Rei wasn't sure just what an S2 organ could do but it was certainly worth trying. Anything that could bring her Shin-chan back was worth trying.
As Rei's thoughts continued they stirred up a memory. A memory from before Third Impact, from when her relationship with Shinji started.
(3 Days Before Third Impact, Tokyo-3)
Rei watched as Shinji stepped out of the commander's office. She had been mildly surprised when she saw Shinji enter his father's office.
She had waited outside the office. She had nowhere else she needed to be right now and this situation interested her. A very rare occurrence in itself.
As Shinji stepped out of the office his eyes locked with Rei's.
"Hello Ayanami." Shinji's voice was hollow…empty.
Rei inclined her head slightly. "Ikari."
Shinji made no further response, he just turned and headed down the corridor.
For reasons she did not yet understand, Rei followed him.
The two teens walked through Nerv in silence, navigating the maze of corridors with ease. No-one tried to talk to them as they passed. Everyone knew Rei never engaged in pointless conversation and after the incident with the 17th Angel Shinji was the same.
It wasn't until they had left Nerv that Shinji finally stopped walking. "Why are you following me Ayanami?" He didn't turn around as he spoke.
Rei blinked. "I…do not know. Does it…bother you?"
Shinji shrugged almost imperceptibly. "Not really." He began to walk off again. Rei followed.
Rei had expected Shinji to return to his apartment but instead he headed up the mountain at the back of the city. Rei continued to follow him.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Ritsuko led Rei and Nara into a small room deep in the depths of Terminal Dogma. Inside was a single pedestal and on that pedestal was a miniature S2 organ. Shinji's S2 organ.
Managing to control her urge to run, Rei walked across the room and picked up the small red orb. She clutched the orb in her hand and closed her eyes. "It's dormant…faint."
Ritsuko stepped up beside the girl. "Can you do anything?"
Rei nodded slightly. "I believe so."
Rei held the orb with both hands and held it to her chest. Her hands rested there for a second and then she…pushed. Rei's hands slid into her body, taking the S2 organ with them.
Rei let out a soft gasp and her eyes snapped open. She pulled her hands from her body but they no longer held Shinji's S2 organ. "I believe being next to my S2 organ will help Shinji's. I can already fell it working."
Ritsuko raised one eyebrow. "Doesn't that hurt?"
Rei shook her head slightly. "No, it does not hurt. Shinji could never hurt me."
(3 Days Before Third Impact, Tokyo-3)
Shinji stood on the edge of the precipice overlooking Tokyo-3. Rei stood beside him.
Neither teen spoke, they just looked down at the city they were supposed to protect. A large part of the city had been destroyed when Rei self-destructed her Eva and most of the inhabitants had left, leaving only Nerv personnel.
Rei glanced sideways at Shinji. "Why did you come here Ikari?"
Shinji continued to look at the city. "I don't know Ayanami. I just didn't want to go back to Misato's."
"Why?"
"Because she doesn't understand. She tries to make me feel better, she won't accept that there's nothing wrong with me. I've just come to accept that nothing in this world matters. I don't care anymore."
Rei watched Shinji for a few more seconds before turning back to the city. "What did you talk to the commander about?"
"I wanted him to answer some questions. About the Angels. About Unit-01." He turned to look at Rei, who turned to look at him. "And about you."
Rei blinked. "About me, what do you know about me Ikari?"
Shinji turned back to the city. "I know you were created by my father to serve a purpose. I know that you were created in part from my mother's genes. I know that part of your genetic make-up comes from Lilith, the 2nd Angel. I know that my father made multiple clones of you so you could be replaced if you died. And I know you have already died twice."
A look of actual surprise briefly crossed Rei's face. "How do you know so much Ikari?"
"Ritsuko told me some of it; my father told me the rest."
"So you believe I am Yui Ikari?"
Shinji shook his head. "No you are not Yui Ikari. My mother is in Unit-01. You are Rei Ayanami…the last Rei Ayanami."
Rei looked into Shinji's eyes as he turned back to her. "What do you mean…last?"
"Did no-one tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"After she showed them to me and Misato, Ritsuko destroyed all your clones. You are the last Rei Ayanami." Shinji chuckled slightly. "Third time lucky, you better hope you don't die this time Ayanami."
Rei eyes widened slightly. "She destroyed them all?"
"Yes."
"I see." Rei turned back to the city, as did Shinji.
Although her face didn't show it, Rei was in turmoil. All her clones were destroyed. If she died she wouldn't be brought back. For one of the first times in her life Rei was afraid.
Despite herself Rei trembled, then let out a small gasp as she felt arms encircle her.
Shinji held Rei gentle. "It's ok to be scared Rei."
"I've…never had to fear death before Shinji."
"I won't let anything happen to you."
The two stood there for a while looking down at the city. The fact that they had addressed each other by their first names wasn't lost on either of them.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Ritsuko, Rei and Nara stood in the elevator as it descended towards the bottom floor of Terminal Dogma.
Nara turned to Ritsuko. "What are you planning to do?"
Ritsuko didn't turn her eyes from the elevator's doors. "You will see soon."
(3 Days Before Third Impact, Tokyo-3)
Rei shivered slightly as a cold breeze blew across the mountain side. She was thankful that Shinji had his arms around her, it helped against the cold.
Rei rested more of her weight against Shinji. "We can't stay here forever Shinji."
"I know." Shinji let go of Rei and turned back to the road. "Let's go."
A little sorry that Shinji had let go of her, Rei followed him as he began to head back towards the city.
As the two walked along Shinji asked Rei a question he'd wanted to ask for a while. "Why did you do it Rei?"
"Do what?"
"Self-destruct your Eva."
The subject matter surprised Rei. "I…cannot remember. I believe it had something to do with you. I think…I wanted to protect you."
Shinji took a moment to respond. "I'm glad you came back Rei. I don't know if I could have handled it if you didn't."
"Why?"
"Because I care about you. I don't want you to die."
The conversation broke off and the two teens returned to silence.
As Rei and Shinji re-entered Tokyo-3 they paused for a few moments then headed off.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Reaching the bottom floor of Terminal Dogma the elevators doors slid open and the three occupants stepped out.
Ritsuko led the two teens to the room just right of the elevator. The only room that's contents they hadn't yet seen.
Ritsuko keyed the 12 digit code into the doors lock and there was a metallic hissing sound as it slid open.
On the other side was a large circular room with computer terminals all around the perimeter and a single glowing tube in the centre.
As the three stepped into the room Maya came up in front of them. She gave the two teenagers an uneasy look. She'd only recently found out what they were and she wasn't sure what to make of the information.
Ritsuko's calm voice interrupted Maya's thoughts. "What's the status of the body lieutenant?"
Maya glanced sideways at a computer screen. "All vitals are normal, it's definitely alive but brain waves are minimal."
Ritsuko looked over at the tube. "As expected. He doesn't have a soul yet."
Rei and Nara were already standing in front of the tube. It stretched from floor to ceiling and was connected to several hundred wired at the bottom and top. The tube was filled with LCL and in the center floating in the LCL was…Shinji.
Rei stared at the figure. It was Shinji and yet it was very different. The facial features and basic body structure was that of Shinji's but that was where the similarities ended. The figure in the tube was much taller than Shinji, about the same height as his father. It was also better built. There were visible compacted muscles along its form which despite not quite matching up to its height still made it look like a fighter. The hair too was different, a jet black colour. Although these changes were rather extreme they were not what held Rei's attention. Barely visible on the palm of each hand were small red circles that appeared to be made of some sort of reflective material. Rei recognised them as being similar to those that had been on the hands of Sachiel. And finally sprouting from the figures back were wings, jet black in colour and similar to those of a bird. They were attached to the shoulders and made the figure look like some sort of dark Angel. The figure was wearing a black suit that covered its entire body and was attached to an assortment of wires, there were extra holes in the suit to accommodate the wings.
Rei placed her hand on the glass. He looked different but this was still Shin-chan. Her Shin-chan. She could feel Shinji's S2 organ within her, it was almost touching her S2 organ. The close proximity had helped with the reactivation of Shinji's S2 organ but something more was needed.
Once again Rei pushed her hand into her chest and closed it around Shinji's S2 organ. She pulled out her hand and the S2 organ with it.
Ritsuko stepped up beside her. "Can you put the S2 organ into this body?"
Rei looked at the tube. "Yes, but not through the glass."
Ritsuko pressed a button on the computer console next to the tube and the LCL began to drain. The body slumped against the glass as the tube emptied. When it was completely empty Ritsuko hit another button and the front of the glass slid open. Nara stepped forward and caught the body as it fell, laying it on the ground.
Rei kneeled next to the body and laid the S2 organ on its chest. Gentle she pushed and the organ sunk into the chest along with Rei's hands. The body jerked arching its back, and its eyes snapped open. The eyes were blood red, darker than Rei and Nara's. They stayed open for little more than a second before closing again. The body slumped back to the floor.
Maya called out to Ritsuko from one of the consoles. "Ma'am the suits registering a massive increase in brain waves but they're pretty erratic."
Nara stepped up next to Ritsuko. "Ritsuko, where did you get this body?"
Ritsuko appeared to consider her answer. "It is a clone of Shinji, we created it from the DNA strands I extracted from him while you three were still dormant."
Nara looked back at the body, Rei was still knelling next to it with her hands in its chest. "What did you do to it?"
"Nothing we just added the DNA to an embryo and it turned into this, we didn't even need to accelerate its growth."
Rei began to speak, not moving her eyes from the body's chest. "When Shinji and I assimilated the Angels it altered our DNA. At the time however we did not want to change so we suppressed the changes, retaining our original forms. We did the same with Nara. Since this body was cloned without a consciousness it was not able to fight the changes."
Ritsuko consulted one of the computer consoles. "Our scans show that this Shinji is more powerful than the original one."
Rei looked up at the doctor. "That is to be expected, this is his true form." She withdrew her hands from the body's chest, leaving the S2 organ behind. "I have done all I can."
Just then several alarms went off throughout Nerv.
(3 Days Before Third Impact, Rei's Apartment)
After wandering around the city for awhile Shinji and Rei had eventually ended up at Rei's apartment.
Rei was sitting on her bed and Shinji was leaning against a nearby wall.
Shinji looked over at Rei. "We don't have very good lives do we Rei."
Rei made eye contact with Shinji. "No we do not."
Shinji looked down at his feet. "Three days left."
Rei blinked, he couldn't know could he. "What do you mean Shinji?"
"Three days until Third Impact."
Rei actually looked shocked. "You know about Third Impact."
"Of course, Unit-01 is necessary for Third Impact and I am its pilot."
"I did not think the commander was going to tell you."
Shinji looked up at Rei again. "He wasn't. He thought I might try to stop it. He no longer thinks that."
"Will you try to stop it?"
"No."
Silence reigned again for a few minutes until Rei spoke. "Genetically we are related, does that bother you Shinji?"
"No. I don't think anything really bothers me anymore."
Rei got up and stood in front of Shinji. The two looked into each other eyes for a few seconds then Shinji grabbed the sides of Rei's head and kissed her passionately. Rei returned the kiss, pressing her body up against Shinji's.
As the two parted for air Rei whispered in Shinji's ear. "Do you want to make love to me Shinji?"
For some reason Shinji wasn't surprised by the question, or the answer. "Yes."
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato hurried onto the command deck. She ran over to Makoto. "What's happening?"
Makoto looked up at her from his console. "The MAGI have detected multiple AT fields approaching the city. We haven't yet confirmed whether or not they're Angels."
Misato made a grunting noise. "What else could they be?"
The elevator door behind them opened and Ritsuko and Maya stepped out.
Both immediately sat down at consoles and started typing.
Ritsuko looked up at Misato. "I sent Rei and Nara to the change rooms, what about Asuka?"
Misato looked over at her friend. "I sent her to the change rooms too and I saw Touji and Kensuke running into the complex."
Ritsuko looked back to her computer. "Good."
Misato noticed she hadn't stopped typing the entire time.
Gendo appeared on his raised viewing platform. "Report."
Misato turned to look up at him. "Multiple AT fields sir, closing on the city."
Gendo's glasses glinted slightly. "Do you have a visual?"
Misato shook her head slightly. "Not yet sir."
Maya looked up at the commander. "Sir the MAGI have got a visual on several of the AT fields."
Gendo glanced sideways as Fuyutsuki stepped up beside him then turned to Maya. "Show me."
Maya hit a button on her console and one of the room's giant screens came to life. It showed a camera view of the sky with five distant figures flying over. As Maya hit more buttons the screen zoomed in on the figures.
Almost everyone in the room gasped. On the screen were five Evas.
Misato recognised the Evas' shapes and strange elongated heads that appeared to be all mouth. "Seele."
Ritsuko stared at the screen. They did indeed appear to be Seele's Evas. They had the same white bodies, the same ugly white head, the same white wings and each was holding a red Longinus spear. They were however slightly different. Where before their shoulders had been bare they now had shoulder baffles and they appeared to be slightly larger than their predecessors.
Gendo's face showed no emotion as he looked at the screen. "It would appear Seele intends to attack us directly, deploy the Evas."
Before Misato could respond, Makoto swung around to face the commander. "Sir I have a visual on the final AT field. Blood pattern blue, it's definitely an Angel." He hit a button on his console and another one of the screens came to life.
What the screen revealed caused everyone but the commander to flinch slightly. On the screen was the largest Angel any of them had ever seen. It stood on four thick legs and towered over the mountains around it as it approached Tokyo-3. Its body was roughly circular and sat between its knees which were the highest parts of its body. It had no head, just two glowing red eyes at the front of its body. Its skin was a midnight blue.
Misato stared at the image. "It's huge."
Ritsuko consulted her console. "It's AT field is incredible strong, the strongest we've ever had to face."
Gendo crossed his hands before his face. "Deploy Unit's 14, 15 and 18 to battle Seele's Evas. Deploy Unit's 16 and 17 to battle the Angel."
Misato activated a small screen on one of the consoles. It showed the Eva bays. She was just in time to see the plugs enter the Evas. The children were in.
Ritsuko began to type the launch sequences into the computer.
Misato looked up at the commander then back to the screen. "Evas launch."
All five Evas went hurtling towards the surface.
(2 Days Before Third Impact, Rei's Apartment)
As the sun came through the single window in Rei's apartment it fell across a naked sleeping Rei lying in bed.
Yawning slightly Rei opened her eyes. She blinked several times when she noticed she was the only occupant of the bed. 'Where was Shinji'?
Rei looked down at the crumpled sheets at the foot of the bed. There was a faint trace of blood on them. Rei had to admit the sex had hurt at first but there had been pleasure also and as it had continued, the pain had vanished and the pleasure increased.
Rei looked up as she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Shinji walked into the room with one of Rei's few plates held in one hand, a sandwich sat on top.
Shinji walked over to the bed and looked down at Rei, smiling slightly. He held out the plate. "Here you're probable hungry since we didn't eat last night."
Rei gave Shinji one of her small but sincere smiles as she sat up and took the plate. "Thank you Shinji."
Rei bit into the sandwich. It was peanut butter. She liked peanut butter.
As Rei ate her sandwich Shinji started pulling on his clothes. When Rei finished she started pulling hers on as well.
The two teens had just finished dressing when there was a loud knocking on Rei's door.
Rei and Shinji both went to answer the door but before they reached it, it opened.
The man who stepped in was dressed in a black suit. Both teens recognised him as a Nerv agent.
He looked sternly at the two teens standing halfway down the hallway. "Are you two aware that all apartments of Nerv personnel, including this one are under constant surveillance?"
Both Shinji and Rei nodded slightly in response.
The Nerv agent grunted. "Then you should be aware that the commander knows of your…activities last night."
Neither of the teens appeared to be affected by the statement.
Noticing the uselessness of his words the Nerv agent turned. "The commander demands your presence in his office, you are to follow me."
As he left the two teens followed him.
(2 Days Before Third Impact, Commander's Office)
Gendo sat behind his desk with his hands folded in front of his face. His glasses glinted as he stared down the two teens in front of him. Gendo had told Fuyutsuki to leave, leaving only him and the two teens in the room. "Explain yourselves."
Shinji looked right back at his father without flinching. "What do want us to explain?"
Gendo scowled. "I want to know why you two had sex."
Rei kept her face expressionless. "Because we wanted to."
The commander managed to keep his anger in check but kept his voice stern. "I do not approve of this."
Shinji responded, his voice calm. "That…is not surprising."
Gendo continued as if Shinji hadn't spoken. "You two will be separated until further notice, you will only see each other in Nerv and even then only when it is necessary."
Shinji shrugged. "It hardly matters…it ends in two days anyway."
Rei didn't want to be separated from Shinji but he had a point and she had never disobeyed the commander. "I understand sir."
Gendo glared at his son for a second before making a dismissive gesture with his hand. "You may both leave, but remember stay away from each other."
Both teens turned and left without comment.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Asuka watched the crosshairs on her view screen line up on an empty piece of sky. So far there was no site of the enemy Evas.
Unit-14, Unit-15 and Unit-18 had all been deployed just outside Tokyo-3's central district. All three were operating positron rifles like the one Unit-01 had used to destroy Ramiel.
Asuka glanced at Touji's Unit-15 to her right and then Kensuke's Unit-18 to her left. "As soon as they're in range, aim and fire. Make every shot count."
Touji activated his intercom. "Yeah we know."
Asuka was going to say more but was distracted as five white specks appeared in the distance. "Shit." Asuka zoomed in on the specks, sure enough they were the enemy Evas. Asuka could even make out the letters on their shoulders. It appeared Seele hadn't assigned numbers to these Evas, instead using numbers. The white Evas read A, B, C, D and E respectively.
Asuka pulled the bolt on the side of her gun. "Any preferences stooges?"
Touji chuckled slightly. "Nope."
"Then how bout we go by average marks in school. I'll take A, Aida can take C and you can take D Suzuhara."
Kensuke chose to ignore the insults. "What about B & E?"
Asuka smiled. "Once we take down the other three, those two are fair game. But by the time you two stooges are finished with yours I'll have taken down all the rest."
Both Touji and Kensuke laughed and readied their weapons, lining up on their respective targets.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
Units 16 & 17 had been deployed on the very edge of Tokyo-3, facing the mountain range behind it. Just crossing the mountains before them was the 20th Angel.
Nara watched the steady approach of the Angel. "This isn't going to be easy Rei, watch yourself."
Rei was also watching the Angel's approach. "I know, we'll both have to be careful."
Neither teen said anything else.
(2 Days Before Third Impact, Nerv, Central Dogma)
Misato was walking down one of the hundreds of hallways in Nerv. She was heading towards section two's operation center. Shinji hadn't returned to the apartment last night and she wanted to know where he was.
Misato turned into another hallway and stopped in her tracks. Standing in front of her was Shinji.
Misato took a step back. "Shinji, where have you been?"
Shinji's face was expressionless. "I was at Rei's."
Misato blinked several times, had she heard correctly. "Re…Rei's, you were at Rei's?"
"Yes."
"What were you doing there?"
Shinji shrugged slightly. "Having sex."
Misato's jaw dropped. Taking advantage of her temporary freeze Shinji stepped around her and continued down the hallway.
By the time Misato's regained her senses, Shinji had disappeared. Shaking her head slightly Misato continued down the hallway, no longer sure of her destination.
When she reached the end of the hallway she almost walked into Rei.
Misato looked blankly at the girl for a second and then what she had just been told reregistered on her consciousness. "Rei, is it true?"
As usual Rei's face betrayed nothing. "I…do not understand?"
"Did you sleep with Shinji?"
Rei began to walk past the Major. "Yes, I did."
Once again Misato froze on the spot.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Asuka carefully lined her rifle up on Unit-A. Misato's voice was coming over her intercom. "Okay guys, your rifles take a long time to reload and they generate a lot of heat so you'll get a maximum of two shots before the Evas reach you. Aim carefully and don't miss."
Asuka grinned. "Thanks for the tip."
Asuka heard a loud beep as her crosshairs lined up on the enemy Eva. Asuka made sure she was lined up on the Eva's core and pulled the trigger.
The beam shot out, lancing towards the enemy Eva. Only to miss as the Eva rolled in mid-air and avoided the attack.
Asuka swore. "No fair, it moved."
Misato would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. "Did you expect it to stay still and let you shoot it?"
"How can I hit it if it keeps moving?" Asuka began to reload her rifle. She waited impatiently as it cooled down.
Meanwhile Touji and Kensuke were having a conversation of their own.
Touji watched the approaching Evas. "If we both aim for the same one, we can catch it off guard."
Kensuke was also watching the approaching Evas. "What do you mean?"
"Just aim at Unit-E and fire when I tell you."
Asuka was halfway through reloading her rifle when Kensuke fired, his beam zeroing in on Unit-E. 'Idiot, it will just move. If I can't hit it he certainly can't'.
Milli-seconds before the beam reached the Eva it began to move and Touji fired. Unit-E dodged Kensuke's attack only to take Touji's full-on. The beam ripped through the Eva's chest, obliterating its S2 organ. The useless body fell from the sky and crashed to the ground.
Misato's smiling image appeared on both the boys' view screens. "Yeah, good shot Touji. Good set up Kensuke."
"Thanks." Both boys said the same thing and began reloading their rifles.
Asuka grumbled something along the lines of it being a lucky shot as she finished reloading her rifle. She began to re-aim the rifle on Unit-A when she noticed something interesting. She smiled slightly.
Asuka lined up on Unit-B and fired.
Mere moments before the beam reached its target Unit-B dived downwards and dodged. Its absence however revealed Unit-C that had been passing above it and therefore unable to see the approaching attack. By the time Unit-B moved it was already too late and the beam blew Unit-C's head clear off sending the Eva plummeting to the ground.
Apparently having had enough the three remaining Evas swooped down and landed behind some nearby buildings, forcing the Nerv Evas to abandon their rifles.
Unit-14 let go of its rifle and stood up, picking up the two axes that had been placed on the ground in front of it. Asuka spun the axes and watched as Units 15 & 18 stood up hefting their machine guns.
(1 Day Before Third Impact, Nerv, Eva Bays)
Asuka and Shinji were in the middle of a sync test. Shinji was holding about 98 but Asuka's scores were lower and more erratic. They had a maximum of 72 and a minimum of 55 and were osculating between the two.
Ritsuko signed. "At least she can get it to start, that's something." She activated the intercom. "This test is over, you can both come out now."
The two teens exited their Evas and headed for the exit.
As Shinji walked Asuka pushed pass him shoving him out of the road. Shinji wasn't sure why but she was more pissed than usual.
As Shinji exited he saw Rei at the end of the hallway. Rei turned slightly to look at him and the two exchanged a brief smile before heading in opposite directions.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Once again inside the tube Shinji's body floated, eyes closed. His body jerked slightly as a powerful shock shook him.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
Units 16 & 17 stood their ground as the massive Angel bore down upon them.
Misato's voice came over their intercoms along with a visual image of her face. "Rei, Nara the advanced positron rifle will be ready soon, stay put for a little longer."
Nara watched the Angel get closer. "Don't take too long."
The Angel took a few more steps forward and then the ground shook slightly as the advanced positron rifle fired on the side of a nearby mountain.
The beam lanced straight towards the Angel. It was almost there when it encountered the Angels AT field. The beam impacted, stayed there for a few moments then reflected off to cut a nearby mountain in two.
Misato swore. "Not even the advanced positron rifle can penetrate its AT field. Rei, Nara attack."
"Understood." Rei and Nara ran to the attack.
(Day of Third Impact, Outside Tokyo-3)
The massive form of Unit-02 crushed the tanks of the UN under its feet, swiping the aircraft from the air with its arms and smashing all around it with its AT field.
Asuka's voice screamed over the Eva's loud speakers. "Mother is protecting me, YOU CAN'T WIN."
Inside the entry plug Asuka was fully intent on the complete destruction of the UN force, paying no attention to her rapidly dropping power supply.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Central Dogma)
Shinji walked through one of the many corridors of Nerv heading for the Eva bays. He was aware of the explosions and gun shots going off all around him but they were of no interest. All that was important was getting to Unit-01 and taking it to Terminal Dogma to aid in Third Impact. In the back of his mind Shinji was dimly aware that his grip on sanity was weakening.
Thousands of images flew through his head. The Angels. The Evas. His mother. A bezerk Unit-01. Rei. Tabris. Lilith. The destruction of Unit-03. The death of Tabris. Rei's Eva exploding. The destruction of Rei's clones.
A shot whizzed passed Shinji's head missing him by millimetres. Shinji stopped walking and a team of men stepped out of the shadows in front of him.
One of the men talked into a radio. "Third Child located, commencing termination." The man raised his gun and pointed it at Shinji's head. "Nothing personal."
Shinji didn't blink he just glanced at the wall behind the men. On the opposite side of that wall was Unit-01. This close he could feel it and it could feel him.
The man had already begun to depress the trigger when there was a loud cracking noise, he jumped at the noise and his shot went wide. Growling slightly he re-aimed at the still unmoved Shinji.
The wall behind the men exploded outwards, throwing pieces of concrete everywhere. Before the men could even turn, the hand of Unit-01 slammed down on them, pulverising them into pools of blood and gore.
Unfazed Shinji stepped forward onto the Eva's hand which retracted through the hole it had made.
Once inside the Eva bay Shinji was greeted with the half bent over form of Unit-01. Most of its body was encased in bakelite and there was a large gorge where it had torn its arm free.
Shinji could see its eyes were glowing as the hand passed the Evas face to stop next to its shoulder. Shinji jumped off and walked down the Eva's back until he reached the entry plug, which promptly ejected to grant him access.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Unit-14 stood at the edge of the central district of Tokyo-3 with Unit-15 & Unit-18 standing on either side of it.
Asuka watched as Unit-A, Unit-B and Unit-D approached through the rural district of Tokyo-3. "Three on three that means…" Asuka stopped mid-sentence and swore. Behind the three approaching Evas another was rising to its feet, this one didn't have a head. "Damn looks like taking its head off wasn't good enough." Even as Asuka watched the head began to regrow and the Eva started heading towards its allies.
Misato's voice interrupted Asuka's thoughts. "Okay you three, attack them before Unit-C can catch up."
None of the pilots responded but all three Nerv Evas took off towards their Seele counterparts.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Control Room)
Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki watched the view screen in front of him.
Everyone in the room was watching the scene playing out on the screen. Unit-01 was tearing its way out of the bakelite that surrounded it.
Fuyutsuki watched as Unit-01 tore its right leg free and levered itself out of the bakelite. "The Demon awakens." He glanced at a smaller screen next to the main one. It showed an image of the inside of the entry plug. The plug was empty except for a floating plug-suit. "Unit-01 has taken pilot Ikari into itself."
(Day of Third Impact, Outside Tokyo-3)
Asuka watched as the white Evas landed around her own. There were nine in total. She glanced at her power supply. Thirty seconds left.
Not interested in waiting to be attacked Asuka jumped the closest Eva. Unit-02 knocked the enemy Eva over and landed on top of it, pinning it to the group. Screaming in rage Asuka slammed her Eva's fist into the grinning mouth of the enemy Eva, putting the fist straight through its head.
The Eva however did not die. Its shattered head pulsed and began to reform as soon as Unit-02 removed its fist.
Before Asuka could attack the white Eva again she was knocked off it by one of the other enemy Evas. Unit-02 landed on its back and Asuka just managed to roll to the side and dodge a spear thrust by one of the enemy Evas.
Rising to its feet again Unit-02 found itself facing all nine enemy Evas. Growling, Asuka deployed her progressive knife and charged.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Asuka was taking swings at Unit-A while trying to avoid its Longinus spear. Though Asuka preferred her progressive axes she had to admit that the reach of the Longinus spears made them deadly weapons, she could see why Rei and Nara used them.
Ducking under a particularly powerful swing by Unit-A Asuka delivered a powerful kick to the Eva's chest, driving it back. She then jumped forward, axes raised.
Nearby Touji was engaged with Unit-D. He'd already put several rounds through the enemy Eva and was trying to keep it at a distance.
Unit-D lunged forwards but was brought up short as Touji side-stepped the attack and kicked the Evas spear, knocking Unit-D off balanced. Touji finished up by firing his machine gun into the Evas face at close range, ripping it to shreds.
Kensuke's Unit-18 was facing off against Unit-B. So far neither had done much, mostly circling each other. Kensuke had fired several burst at the enemy Eva but it had dodged them.
The white Eva opened its shoulder baffle and withdrew a progressive knife. Kensuke opened fire with an extended burst. The enemy Eva deployed its wings and just barely dodged the attack. Once in the air it brought its arm down in a swipe and threw the progressive knife at Kensuke's Eva.
Kensuke tried to dodge but wasn't quick enough, the knife striking his Eva's shoulder. Unit-18 stumbled backwards a couple of steps.
As Unit-18 regained its balance Kensuke saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. It was however too late.
Unit-C stepped up behind Kensuke's Eva and drove its spear up through its body. The tip of the spear burst from Unit-18's chest on a slanted angle.
Unit-18 went completely limp, held up only by its position and the spear sticking out of it. The spear had passed through the Evas S2 organ. Unit-18 was dead.
Asuka had just pulled one of her axes out of Unit-A's S2 organ when she saw Unit-C drive its spear through Unit-18. "No Kensuke." She jumped off the dead body of Unit-A and hurled one of her axes at Unit-C, cleaning decapitating it. Unit-14 charged the headless Eva, smashing it into a nearby building.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato stared at the screen showing Kensuke's Eva. "Is…is he still alive?"
Maya looked up from her console. "We don't know ma'am we can't get any readings from Unit-18."
Misato watched Unit-B head for the battle between Unit-15 and Unit-D. She activated the intercom. "Touji watch out, you have Unit-B incoming."
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Hearing Misato's message Touji pressed his attack against Unit-D. Unit-15 dodged around another spear thrust by the enemy Eva and holding its machine gun in one hand charged forward swinging its free hand at the Evas head. Unit-D however swung its spear back around and severed Unit-D's arm just below the shoulder.
Touji cried out in pain but didn't stumble and brought his second arm up, pressing the nozzle of his machine gun into Unit-D's chest. For a second Touji thought he saw the grin on the enemy Eva's partly regenerated face slip slightly. Touji pulled the trigger and Unit-D's back blew open, its S2 organ destroyed.
Touji's victory however wasn't without its consequences. As Touji pulled the trigger Unit-D was making one last swing with its Longinus spear and the momentum carried the attack through, slamming into Unit-15's chest.
No longer able to keep its balance, Unit-15 fell to its back. Looking up Touji found himself looking directly at Unit-B. Unit-B raised its spear then brought it down with titanic force on Unit-15's head. The head was smashed apart and Touji lost consciousness.
As soon as Unit-14 slammed Unit-C into the building Asuka had driven her remaining axe into its chest. Unfortunately she had missed the S2 organ. Pulling the axe out she jumped backwards and pulled her second axe out of the side of the building.
The enemy Eva rose to its feet and deployed its progressive knife, its head already half reformed. Before the Eva could fully regain its sight Asuka jumped forward swinging both axes. She embedded the first one in the Evas half reformed head and the other in the Evas S2 organ. Unit-C's dead body went limp.
Asuka pulled out her axes and turned. Just in time to see Unit-B drive its spear through Unit-15's chest.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
The Angel was faster then Rei had expected. As soon as Misato had given the go ahead she had run forward and deployed her wings, soaring into the air. She'd flown up over the Angel and brought her spear down in an overhead arc. No sooner had she begun the swing though than the Angel lifted one of its giant legs and slammed it into Unit-16.
Unit-16 was sent hurtling backwards by the impact. Rei felt like she'd been hit by a bus. Unit-16 eventually crashed to the ground several hundred meters from the Angel.
Nara had deployed his wings at the same time as Rei but when he saw Unit-16 get hit he folded in his wings and dropped to the ground. He landed in front of the Angels raised leg and jumped forward, swinging his spear. His spear impacted the Angel's AT field and stopped, unable to penetrate. Unit-17 started to back off, but it wasn't fast enough. The Angel brought its raised leg down, rushing towards Unit-17.
Nara threw up his hands and extended his AT field at the maximum just in time to catch the onrushing leg. Nara had to strain to stop his Eva from being crushed. The ground beneath his feet began to break; he could feel his arms weakening.
Just as it looked like Unit-17 was going to be crushed, a very battered Unit-16 ran up beside it and added its AT field and arms to Unit-17's. The two Evas pushed with their arms and AT fields until the leg was high enough for them to escape. The two jumped backwards and just manage to get out of the road as the leg slammed to the ground.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Small cracks began to appear in the tube holding Shinji's body and the figures chest began to rise and fall at an increased pace.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Eva Bays)
Unit-01 began to tear its way out of the Eva bays, breaking through one of the walls. It was operating under two different souls. Yui Ikari's and Shinji Ikari's. Shinji's soul was the dominant one. Yui's soul was voluntarily dormant, not exerting any control on the Eva.
Shinji smashed his way to the shaft that led to Terminal Dogma and jumped in. Unit-01's AT field expanded below it to tear open the armour shutters one-by-one.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
The massive doors of Heaven's Gate slid open before Gendo and Rei, revealing the huge crucified form of Lilith the 2nd Angel.
Gendo glanced at his hand, which had the embryo form of Adam embedded in it, then at the naked Rei standing beside him. "It's time Rei."
"Understood."
(Day of Third Impact, Outside Tokyo-3)
Asuka drove her knife into the chest of one of the white Evas and felt its S2 organ break, the body went limp. Asuka tore the Longinus spear from the Seele Eva's loose grip. Turning, Asuka just managed to deflect a swing from one of the other Eva's spears.
Asuka spun her spear and prepared to strike. One of the enemy Evas was slightly in front of the others all she had to do was…
Unit-02 ran out of power.
Unit-02's body fell to the ground and the enemy Evas pounced, beginning to tear the red Eva to pieces, stuffing parts into their mouths. Asuka screamed at the top of her lungs.
(Day of Third Impact, Seele Conference Room)
The stone obelisks were all present and deep in conversation.
The obelisk marked 1 glowed brighter. "Without all nine mass-production Evas we cannot generate the anti-AT field. And besides Unit-01 is not on the surface. We have no choice but to send our remaining Evas down to terminal Dogma and stop Ikari before he can activate his version of the Third Impact."
The other obelisks agreed.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
Unit-14 and Unit-B circled each other. Unit-B was using its spear to keep Asuka at a constant distance.
Asuka glared at the offending Eva. This Eva had been involved in both the defeat of Kensuke and Touji, both of which might be dead.
Letting out a shriek of rage Asuka spun her Eva around and kicked Unit-B's spear, sending it flying. Unit-B immediately deployed its wings and attempted to take off but Asuka got to it first. Unit-14's axes came down, neatly severing both of the white Eva's wings. Asuka finished by bringing one of her axes down on the Eva's head, splitting it in two all the way from its head to its hip. Its S2 organ destroyed, the Angel collapsed.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched as Unit-14 split the final enemy Eva in two. She signed; at least Seele's Evas had been defeated. There was still however the Angel to deal with.
Misato looked at the screens showing Rei and Nara's battle against the titanic Angel. After their initial attack, both Evas were severely damaged and were now trying to avoid attacks from the Angel.
Unfortunately unlike the last Angel, this one could fully utilise its AT field. Even as Misato watched the air around the Angel appeared to ripple and an unseen force blasted into Units 16 & 17, knocking both into nearby buildings that promptly collapsed.
Misato activated a channel to Unit-14. "Asuka I need you to go backup Rei and Nara."
Asuka didn't respond, she was staring at the motionless forms of Units 15 & 18.
"Asuka?"
Asuka shook her head violently. "Right, backup Rei and Nara, got it." Unit-14's wings deployed and it took off, angling towards the nearby battle.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
The tube was now spider-webbed with cracks as an invisible force acted against it. The body inside the tube was starting to shake violently.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Gendo started to step into the LCL Chamber but turned as a powerful shock shook the ground.
Behind him one of the giant walls caved in as a form tore its way into the chamber. As the dust settled it revealed one of the remaining mass-production Evas with the other seven standing behind it.
The white Evas began to move forward towards Gendo and Rei.
Gendo took a few steps back. 'No it couldn't end like this, this wasn't supposed to happen'. Gendo knew that Rei wouldn't be able to hold off all seven, not by a long shot.
Just as the lead Eva was about to reach them the wall beside it exploded and the giant form of Unit-01 ploughed into it, smashing it into the opposite wall.
Unit-01 stepped back and the enemy Eva collapsed, its chest had a hole through it where Unit-01 had put its fist. Its S2 organ was gone.
Gendo regained his usual calm persona. "Unit-01 has come."
"That is Shinji."
Gendo turned to look at Rei. The girls face showed no expression. "What do you mean?"
"Shinji has become one with Unit-01, his soul is controlling the Eva."
As if to confirm Rei's statement Unit-01 turned slightly. One eye warily watching the other Evas, the other fixed on Gendo and Rei.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
The 20th Angel continued its advance into the city, occasionally lashing out with its AT field at the three attacking Evas.
Asuka grit her teeth as her Eva was struck by the Angels AT field and sent hurtling backwards, crushing several nearby buildings when it landed. "Misato, we can't even get through its AT field, how can we possible defeat it."
Misato was thinking the same thing. "Just keep hitting it, it must have a weakness."
Asuka watched as several cross-flares erupted around the giant Angel, only to disappear again when they failed to pierce the Angel's AT field. Rei and Nara had been attacking the Angel with cross-flares since Asuka had arrived. "You two have to tell me how to do that."
Rei's face appeared on Asuka's view screen. "Open yourself to your Eva Asuka; connect to your mother's soul."
Asuka blinked. How did Rei know her mother's soul was in Unit-14? "I'll try."
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched the ensuing battle between the Angel and the three remaining Evas. One of the screens showed cross-flares erupting around the Angel. The screen showing the Evas' status showed that Units 16 and 17's AT field strengths were way up on usual. After this battle she was going to need some answers.
Ritsuko was typing furiously on her keyboard. "This can't be possible. Asuka's sync ratio is rising. It's going over 100."
Misato whirled around to face her friend. "What!"
"You heard me Misato her sync ratio is at 235 and still rising."
On one of the view screens Unit-14 was beginning to walk towards the Angel, its four eyes glowing.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Unit-01 roared and charged into the mass-production Evas knocking several of them to the ground.
Gendo watched as the purple behemoth tore open one of the white Eva's chests and pulled out a gore covered S2 organ which it promptly crushed and threw aside. Unit-01 was then forced to jump off the Eva to avoid a spear thrust from one of the other white Evas.
Gendo turned to Rei. "Come Rei, we must begin." He began to walk towards Lilith.
Rei continued to watch Unit-01 for a few seconds, then turned and followed the commander.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
Asuka had been absorbed into her Eva; she had become one with it. As Unit-14 approach the Angel its AT field spread out, demolishing the surrounding buildings.
If the Angel noticed it showed no sign, continuing on it course.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Maya turned to face Misato. "Asuka's sync ratio has levelled out at 400 ma'am."
Misato hardly heard her; she was staring at the screen that showed the inside of Asuka's entry plug. It was empty, except for a floating red plug suit.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Unit-01 was busy shredding one of the white Evas, throwing bloody pieces of flesh and armour to the side. In it current almost godly state Unit-01 was virtually unstoppable. Five mass-production Evas already lay dead around it and the remaining three were severely damaged.
Unit-01 finally pulled out the still struggling Eva's S2 organ and slammed it into the ground, crushing it. Only two Evas left.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, LCL Chamber)
Gendo pushed his hand deeper into Rei's abdomen. He could feel the embryo embedded in his hand reacting. Adam was awakening.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
Unit-14 roared, spreading its wings and taking to the sky. It threw its axes aside, diving straight for the Angel. Units 16 & 17 flew up beside it and together they expanded their AT fields.
Rei and Nara concentrated their AT fields and felt Unit-14 do the same. The three AT fields impacted against the Angels.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched on the screens as the recovery teams gathered around Units 15 & 18.
Maya was still furiously typing on her keyboard. "The Evas are completely dormant they're not accepting any of my commands."
Misato saw one of the recovery vehicles raise its extendible arm to the back of Unit-18 and the man standing at its end activate the Eva's manual entry plug eject. The plug slid outwards and the man pulled the plug's manual release.
Misato held her breath as the plug opened and the LCL flowed out. Then let it out again as a hand came out of the plug and gripped the edge. Kensuke slowly pulled himself into a sitting position.
(Present, Tokyo-3)
The recovery team leader looked at the blood stained ground beneath his feet. Just in front of him was the turn-up form of Unit-15. Two of the destroyed Seele Evas lay nearby.
The other Evas were unimportant; his primary mission was to recover the 4th child. Looking now at the destroyed Unit-15 he doubted the boy was still alive.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, LCL Chamber)
Rei and Gendo were absorbed into the crucified form of Lilith which immediately began to change. Its body flowed off the cross and began to transform into a more human form.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Unit-01 raised its arm as it closed on the last two mass-production Evas. The enemy Evas stood their ground as Unit-01 stood unmoving before them. They stood like that for almost a minute before one of the white Evas finally jumped forward, swinging its spear.
Just before it reached its target the roof above Unit-01 tore open and a long red slender object flew into Unit-01's hand. The Lancea Longini. Unit-01 brought the massive weapon down in an overhead arc, neatly cutting the enemy Eva in two.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
The machines hooked up to the tube were registering strong fluctuations in the occupants AT field and a rapid stabilization in brain waves. The wires connected to Shinji's suit were starting to snap.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
The battle against the 20th Angel was starting to heat up. Their AT fields stretched to breaking-point the three Evas were hitting the Angel with everything they have. Several times they'd managed to break through its AT field and stab or slash at its body. But every time the AT field would reform and they would be forced back, any damage to the Angel quickly healing.
Unit-14 blasted through the Angel's AT field next to one of its legs and cut a long line across it only to be blasted back by a hastily reformed AT field then smashed into the ground by the Angel's leg. Even as Unit-14 began to rise the wound on the Angel's leg healed.
The three Evas' S2 organs were proving less affective. Though there wounds were healing, they were healing at a slower pace than those of the Angel and the damage was slowly stacking up.
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, LCL Chamber)
The entrance way to the LCL Chamber exploded inwards as the huge form of one of the mass-production Evas was thrown through it. Unit-01 followed through the hole and embedded the Lancea Longini in the Evas chest. The white Eva twitched then went limp.
Unit-01 looked up at the giant white Rei standing before it. The 18th Angel.
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
Gendo's soul observed the arrival of Unit-01. "Yes. Now Rei absorb Unit-01 so I can be reunited with Yui."
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, LCL Chamber)
The 18th Angel reached down towards Unit-01. As the 18th Angel's fist enclosed Unit-01 it offered no resistance, simply allowing itself to be lifted.
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
As Unit-01 was absorbed into the Angel its two inhabiting souls materialised within it. Yui and Shinji. Gendo and Rei stood in front of them.
For once Gendo actually smiled as he stepped forward and embraced his wife.
Shinji looked sideways at his parents. "You are no longer needed." Before either of them could say anything Gendo and Yui disappeared.
Rei looked up at Shinji. "You are still linked to Unit-01."
Shinji locked eyes with Rei. "I still need its power."
Shinji and Rei stood in front of each for a moment then they kissed.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
As he rose from the debris of the building he'd crashed into Nara surveyed the damage to his Eva. Unit-17's S2 organ was operating at maximum capacity to repair the damage but it wasn't enough.
The building beside him collapsed in a cloud of dust as Unit-16 was thrown into it. He activated his intercom. "Rei, are you okay."
Unit-16 began to rise as Rei responded. "I'm okay Nara."
"We're not getting anywhere with these attacks Rei."
There was a pause before Rei responded. "I know but we have no choice."
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Inside the control room Misato could hear the conversation between Nara and Rei. Nara was right, they weren't getting anywhere with these attacks. But what else could they do.
As Misato watched Unit-14 launched another assault against the Angel, only to be blasted back by the Angel's AT field and sent ploughing into the ground, leaving a long ditch. For the moment at least Units 16 & 17 were staying back.
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
Rei was breathing hard as she held herself up with her arms. A hand positioned on each side of Shinji's chest. She was looking directly into Shinji's eyes.
Shinji was breathing hard as well. He reached up and wiped some of the sweat from Rei's forehead. "Are you okay Rei?"
Rei smiled slightly. "I am fine Shinji."
There was silence for a moment but it was abruptly broken by the sound of someone clapping.
A boy appeared standing next to Rei and Shinji. "Well, that was entertaining."
Shinji looked at the boy. "Kaoru."
The boy smiled. "Hello Shinji, hello Rei."
Rei stood up and helped Shinji to his feet. "Why are you here Tabris?"
Tabris spread his arms. "We are all here, to join with the 18th Angel."
As Tabris spoke 14 pillars of light appeared behind him. The 3rd to 16th Angels.
In response two pillars of light appeared behind Shinji and Rei and formed into the shapes of Adam the 1st Angel and Lilith the 2nd Angel.
Tabris looked around him. "We are all here, it is time."
(Day of Third Impact, Nerv, Control Room)
Ritsuko stepped up beside Fuyutsuki. "It has started."
Fuyutsuki nodded. "Yes, it has."
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched the continuing battle with the Angel. "Lets give the advanced positron rifle another go."
"Yes ma'am." Maya started typing furiously on her keyboard.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Outskirts)
Unit-16 jumped backwards just in time to avoid being crushed under foot by the Angel. Unit-17 flew up and other the leg and attempted to strike at the joint between leg and body but was buffeted back by the Angel's AT field.
Unit-14 was getting ready to launch an attack against the Angel when the ground shook. The advanced positron rifle had fired.
The rifles beam lanced towards the Angel and struck the Angel's AT field at the exact same time as Unit-14 flung its AT field against the Angel's. The AT field held for a few seconds than gave way. The beam shot into the Angel, burning a hole through its outside.
Suddenly a hexagonal AT field flashed into existence and intersected the beam. The beam reflected off the AT field and lanced towards the mountain it had been fired from.
The beam struck the rifle and its power generators, turning the entire top of the mountain into a giant fireball.
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
Shinji stood with his arms spread and his eyes closed. He could feel the power within the Angel building. Soon there would be enough to initiate Third Impact. Shinji concentrated his thoughts on the build-up of power, using the power of Unit-01 to accelerate it.
Shinji's concentration was shattered as a sound invaded his thoughts. His eyes snapped open, 'it couldn't be'. But it was, as he looked beside him at Rei, (who stood in the same position as him) he could see tears rolling down her cheeks, though her eyes were still closed. Rei was crying.
Shinji had never seen Rei cry. 'Why was she crying'? "Rei what's wrong?"
Rei didn't answer but the flow of tears increased.
Tabris walked up beside Shinji. "She doesn't want this Shinji."
Shinji looked at his friend. "What?...Why?"
"Because she wants to be with you. She doesn't want to become one with everyone because then you as an individual will cease to exist."
"But…"
Tabris looked at Shinji for a few moments. "What do you want Shinji."
"I just want it to end."
"Why, is the world so bad?"
"All there is is pain."
"Is that all there is Shinji? What about Rei?"
"I…I thought she wanted this two."
"But she doesn't. She wants to be with you. Don't you want to be with her?"
Shinji seemed to consider his answer. "Yes, more than anything."
"Than stop this."
"But, I thought this is mankind's destiny."
"It is, but it doesn't have to be like this. There is more than one way to bring about the Third Impact."
Shinji looked at Rei. "But what about you?"
Tabris shrugged. "That is up to you."
"What do you mean?"
"You will see." With that Tabris disappeared.
Shinji looked around him. Rei didn't want this. He had to stop it.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched the wound on the Angel caused by the advanced positron rifle heal until there was no trace of it left. She looked at the burning mountain top. "Damn, we're out of options." She looked up at the commander. "Sir, I recommend the immediate withdrawal of the Evas."
Gendo's glanced down at her. "We cannot do that major, if the Angel beats us now, we have lost."
Ritsuko turned around to face the commander. "Sir, the Angel has entered the cities central district."
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Inside the tube Shinji was starting to wake up. His brain waves had stabilized and his AT field was being concentrated.
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
Shinji knew that if he was going to stop the Third Impact he needed more power. So he reached out towards the greatest source of power he could feel. Adam.
Though it was churning out huge amounts of energy Adam's soul was mostly dormant due to the Angel's current embryonic form. As Shinji achieved contact with it it offered no resistance.
Slowly Shinji began to draw Adam into himself. The two souls intertwined until they formed one being. As this happened, Adam's soul became aware but by that time it was too late. Adam had become a part of Shinji Ikari.
As soon as the assimilation of Adam was complete, Shinji turned his attention to Rei. It had become apparent that the only way to safely store the Angels was to bind their souls to a human's.
Shinji could sense the already existing connections between Rei and Lilith. He focused on these connections and strengthened them, slowly forcing Lilith's soul to become a part of Rei. Unlike Adam, Lilith fought back but she was no match for the strength of Adam or that of Unit-01 and together the two were unstoppable. Just as Lilith was beginning to be assimilated Rei opened her eyes. She looked at Shinji for a few seconds then a spark of understanding showed in her eyes. Shinji felt Rei concentrate on the assimilation of Lilith. Lilith made one last attempt at breaking free then seceded, becoming a part of Rei.
As soon as it was finished Rei stepped forward and embraced Shinji. "I don't want Third Impact Shinji. I don't want to be separated from you."
Shinji held Rei close. "I don't want to be separated from you either Rei. That's why we're going to stop Third Impact."
As Shinji looked around he knew that together he and Rei could now stop Third Impact. But if they did what would happen to the other Angels. Would they be released?
"Allow me." Shinji and Rei released each other and turned to face Tabris who smiled slightly. "I will take care of my brethren but I require your help."
Both Shinji and Rei nodded.
Tabris smiled again and raised his arms.
Shinji and Rei both felt it. Tabris was drawing in the other Angels. At Tabris' insistence they added their powers to his and one by one the Angels were drawn in. Sachiel, Shamshiel, Ramiel, Gaghiel, Israfel, Sandalphon, Matariel, Sahaqiel, Yrouel, Leliel, Bardiel, Zeruel, Arael and Armisael. Tabris assimilated each Angel than stood still as his new found power rose within him. "Now I need a body."
Rei blinked. "What do you mean Tabris?"
Tabris shrugged. "Unfortunately I'm still very much an Angel so the only safe thing to do is to bind me to a human soul and a human soul needs a human body."
Shinji shook his head. "But we can't just make you a body, we don't know how."
Tabris smiled. "Don't forget Shinji, this is the Third Impact, right now almost anything is possible."
Shinji and Rei both blinked then looked at each other. They began to concentrate.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Central District)
Rei looked around at the utter destruction that surrounded her. Unit-16 was standing on top of a pile of rubble that used to be the school but had been destroyed when the Eva had crashed on top of it. Nara's Eva was rising from the remains of what used to be a mall and Unit-14 was beginning to pull itself free from a severely damaged office building.
Rei watched as another building was crushed by the Angel as it continued its relentless advance into the city's centre. She looked at her Eva. It was badly damaged; she didn't know how much more of this it could take.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Misato watched as the battered Evas launched another attack against the Angel and were subsequently sent hurtling into nearby buildings and roads. "This is hopeless, we're not achieving anything."
Ritsuko glared at her friend. "What alternative do we have, we can't just give up. We have to win."
(Day of Third Impact, Inside the 18th Angel)
Shinji and Rei had finished the body (with Tabris' help) and had created a soul to inhabit it. But first they had to bind Tabris' soul to the new one.
Shinji looked at his friend. "If we do this what will happen to you."
Tabris shrugged. "Like the other Angels I will cease to exist as a separate entity."
"But you're my friend."
Tabris smiled. "Do not worry Shinji. This soul is dormant; when I am assimilated into it it will form itself based heavily on me. In essence he will be me reborn."
Rei stepped up beside Shinji. "Tabris, it's time."
Tabris nodded. "Then let us begin."
The assimilation of Tabris was much easier than any of the previous ones as Tabris was quite willing to go and in fact aided in the assimilation. When it was a done Rei and Shinji connected the new soul to its new body. The soul remained dormant.
Shinji looked at Rei. "We need to name him you know. We can't just call him Kaoru or Tabris."
Rei thought for a moment. "Why don't we call him…Nara?"
Shinji smiled at her. "Yeah that's a great name."
Shinji and Rei embraced and kissed. Around them the light began to dim then vanished. The 18th Angel disappeared leaving four bodies floating in the LCL. One was a grown man, the other three were teenagers. After a few seconds the man began to move, the teenagers remained still. Slumped against the cross was the huge form of Unit-01, holding the Lancea Longini. It didn't move.
(Present, Nerv, Terminal Dogma)
Shinji could sense the approach of the Angel, it was almost directly overhead. He was finally conscious. The Angel was a threat to Rei, he had to stop it. Shinji's red eyes snapped open.
The tube shattered as a vortex of energy surrounded Shinji and shot through the ceiling.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Central District)
The 20th Angel advanced towards the three Evas blocking its way. They were weak now; it could destroy them with ease. It began to concentrate its AT field.
The ground in front of the Angel was blasted open as a huge black cross-flare shot out, spreading its arms in front of the Angel.
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
Makoto whirled around to face Misato, yelling over the sound of the alarms going off throughout the control room. "That blast came from inside Terminal Dogma Major. It went straight through all the armour plates and the geo-front."
Misato watched the cross-flare on the screen. "What is that?"
(Present, Tokyo-3 Central District)
The black cross-flare glowed brighter for a second then blew apart in a flash of light.
As the light faded and Rei's eyes regained focus she saw a winged figure floating in front of the Angel. "Shinji."
(Present, Nerv, Control Room)
The main view screen zoomed in on the figure in front of the Angel.
Misato's breath caught as the figure's face came into focus. "It can't be…Shinji!?"
Gendo smirked as he watched the main view screen. "So it begins."
'That's what you said last time', Fuyutsuki didn't voice his thought out loud.
(Present, Tokyo-3 Central District)
Shinji looked into the Angel's huge red eyes. "You should not exist. You do not belong in this world."
There was a pause and Shinji appeared to be listening to something.
Shinji's face remained expressionless. "I know who and what you are. Do you know who I am?"
Another pause.
A slight smile crossed Shinji's face. "Yes, I am the 1st. I am Adam."
End Notes: That's chapter 4. Please review and constructively criticise. I hope you like it. It will be a while until chapter 5 is out. I've started it but I'm a little busy right now with other things, so don't hold your breath.