Ahhh… Easter. A time of love, generosity, and piles and piles of chocolate… Being the true heathen I am, I've decided to write an omake just for this occasion! (Actually, it probably has got to do with my writer's block at the moment… meh…)

Before I start, I just want to thank everybody who continues to read my work. It makes it worthwhile, knowing that people enjoy it.

Chapter Six and a Half: The Holiday Spirit

In the middle of a darkened room sat a group of teens, their faces illuminated only by the soft flicker of a solitary candle. The boy in the centre looked up from the small spread of papers in front of him, and smiled nervously.

"Um, hi, my name is Shinji…"

His speech, obviously painstakingly rehearsed, was quickly shattered by the person to his left, a volatile redhead female.

"Quiet, dumbass, they know who you are!"

"Sorry…"

"Grrr… Just get on with it."

Casting a worried glance at the young woman, Shinji began to speak again.

"Ok, ok… Hello to all you fanfic readers. The author of 'And They Shall Know No Fear' is away at the moment, but he has asked us to give a bit of a talk on our parts in the story."

"Begged us, not asked."

"Well, ok, Asuka. He asked really nicely…"

"HE WAS KISSING YOUR SHOE!"

Obviously left speechless by this comment, Shinji mumbled something that sounded like an apology, and directed his attention to the pile of papers he had neglected only a few moments before.

Rolling her eyes, Asuka continued. "Well, since he paid us in the only currency worth anything anymore, we decided to spend some of our precious time talking to all you fanboys about the star of the story – me."

"Asuka!" an angry whisper shot out from the brunette sitting on Asuka's other side. "Don't be rude to the fans, and in any case, you actually aren't the main character this time."

"WHAT?" that goes against my contract! I stated CLEARLY that I had to be the lead female! This is an outrage!"

"Its Six chapters into the story, and you hadn't figured that out yet?" drawled the heavyset boy from the other side of the table. "Wow, and I thought Shinji was thick!"

"SHUTTUP, STOOGE! IF I WANT YOUR OPINION, TOUJI, THEN I WILL GIVE IT TO YOU!"

"…I'm not slow…" Whimpered Shinji, unheard in the middle of the confrontation.

"Can we get back to the task we are here for?" cracked an icy voice from beside Touji, "I have several things which require my attention back home."

"Eh-heh, sure Rei, sorry." Cut in Hikari, before Asuka could say anything. "Shinji, you're first."

"Um, ok… Anyway, it is kinda cool, working here on set. We actually get to do our parts here in the Fortress-monastery of the Grey Knights, on the moon of Titan. It may not be the most comfortable place to sleep, but the sights are well worth it. Also, most of the stunts done in the story are actually done by us in person, which is much better than most of our other fanfics, where the stuff is so complex that they have to get in stunt doubles. "

"Yeah, remember that scene in chapter five, where we were sneaking about, trying to get each other with the swords?" interjected Asuka, "We really got to do that! In one of the trial sequences, Wondergirl nearly managed to decapitate Hikari. Lot of blood, really messy."

Hikari threw a black look at the redhead seated next to her. "It wasn't that bad…"

"Shinji fainted." Retorted Asuka.

"Anyway," continued Shinji, his face flushed as he tried to salvage what remained of his beautifully written and rehearsed speech, "We also were able to stay on Mars for the few days we spent with Doctor Akagi. It was really interesting, seeing another culture like this."

Asuka stifled a laugh, attempting to keep a straight face as she snickered. Finally, the pressure was too great, and a torrent of laughter forced its way out, drowning out Shinji's speech yet again.

Bringing herself under control again, She explained to the curious looks the entire group was giving her.

"While we were there… I talked Kensuke into 'fixing' one of the computers that was laying about."

Hikari's eyes widened with shock. "You didn't…"

"I did." Asuka grinned evilly. "I just forgot to tell him what techpriests do to anyone caught using technology without all those mumbo-jumbo prayers that they use."

An uneasy silence fell over the room, as each individual contemplated what had become of Kensuke. Asuka broke the mood with another laugh.

"Don't worry, Misato bailed the stooge before he was lobotomised. Such a shame…"

xxx

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Warhammer 40,000 universe…

A massive, shadowed form was hunched over a flat piece of rock that appeared to be used as a desk. Giggling with glee, it held onto a small, squirming animal with one blackened claw whilst the other began to gesture wildly in the air. Dark shapes began to form around the disfigured hand, and with a feral snarl, the mighty Daemon
Prince unleashed its powers on the helpless creature. A mighty flash and a burst of smoke accompanied the spell, and after the haze had cleared the results of the dark ritual could be seen. A pearly white rabbit sat on the stone table, seemingly unfazed with what had just happened to it. Under the curious crimson eyes of the Daemon, it hopped twice, then deposited a load from its backside onto the scorched rock. Holding his breath in anticipation, the unnatural monster scooped up the tiny brown egg. Sniffing it, he took a cautious bite. Instantly he gave out a cry of victory, howling towards a lightning-filled sky.

"AT LAST! SUCCESS! I HAVE CREATED THE ULTIMATE ANIMAL! NOW THE GALAXY WILL TREMBLE BEFORE THE MIGHT OF TABRIS! I HAVE CREATED…. THE EASTER BUNNY!"

Holding his tiny prize, Tabris spread his wings and launched himself into the air, his mind filled with ambition and dreams of power.

xxx

Well, that's that. I'll get this posted tonight, and hopefully it will be up in time for people to read on Easter Sunday night. Goodnight, farewell, and happy Holidays!