Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode V: SEELE Strikes Back

by DarkBluePhoenix

SEELE makes plans to take down Gendo and NERV, Shinji finds out some stuff about himself, and the one he loves, Mari is struggling with the truth of her new life and protecting someone she cares about, Rei fights for her individuality, and Asuka needs to make some hard choices or be left a shell of the person she once was. Oh, and of course, it's an Angeru!

5. Chapter 5 – There is No Sphere

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy
Episode V: SEELE Strikes Back

---

Chapter 5 – There is No Sphere; Leliel Mystifies
June 2, 2016 – NERV HQ

Fuyutsuki walked into Gendo's office yet again, this time unannounced, yet Gendo still knew he was coming to see him.

"Commander." Fuyutsuki said.

Gendo flipped the all too familiar switch on his desk, and he smirked. "How was your visit from Chairman Keel?"

"How did you know about that? You weren't even here." Fuyutsuki said..

"I know a lot of things, Fuyutsuki." Gendo said. "I always keep a close eye on his movements, why do you think I invented a reason to leave."

"To avoid him professionally." Fuyutsuki said. "Well done, because I was saddled with his rants once again. He is very displeased with all the delays, Ikari, he even hinted at your dismissal if things aren't improved."

"Let that old fossil rant until he dies. He will never remove me from this post. I will die here." Gendo said. "And I assume he was complaining about the usual topics of interest."

"Quite." Fuyutsuki said. "He complained about how far behind instrumentality is. He also mentioned something about a sample that was stolen from Germany last year. I think he wanted to see my reaction, but he seemed more displeased that I didn't react."

"Good. He doesn't need to know how well Adam is doing anyway." Gendo said. "The Dummy Plug system is coming along nicely for all the EVAs, and should be ready in a few months with any luck."

"Yes, but they do not see any progress on their project." Fuyutsuki said.

"All the projects are linked together Fuyutsuki." Gendo said. "Even your project that made Rei has contributed heavily to what we have done to further our goals. They will get their instrumentality, just not the one they wanted."

"That is the hope, isn't it?" Fuyutsuki replied.

"Those old men are so arrogant, they could never see what's in front to their face." Gendo said. "Just like they don't realize Kaji works for me and the Japanese government as a triple agent. It's quite sad really, it's quite obvious."

"Isn't he a liability then?" Fuyutsuki asked. "Especially with what he knows?"

"He may know a lot, but he does not know enough to harm us." Gendo said. "And his compassion towards the pilots, and the love he still holds for Colonel Katsuragi will keep him from doing anything drastic."

"So, you're just using him?" Fuyutsuki asked.

"Just like I use SEELE and the Marduk Institute for our own ends." Gendo said. "I even use NERV to realize my plans. I just hope he doesn't need to be neutralized, I would regret having to do that, he's very useful."

"Yes, he can be useful." Fuyutsuki said. "So, have you had any word on the next Angel?"

"I suspect in the next few days there will be another attack." Gendo said. "I suggest we make ourselves scarce for the next few days, starting tomorrow."

"Why would we leave during another Angel attack, Ikari?" Fuyutsuki asked inquisitively.

"Simple, Fuyutsuki." Gendo explained. "I want to see how Katsuragi and Akagi fair against the next one, if it's the one I think it is, then they should be in for a treat."

–––

The gang had just finished another set of sync tests for Ritsuko. Asuka and Mari were waiting outside the men's locker room for Shinji. Rei had left to go have more tests done by Ritsuko in her lab, leaving the two girls alone to wait.

"Come on, already, baka!" Asuka shouted. "Women get cleaned up faster than you do!"

"Come on now, princess, you know it takes you forever to get ready in the morning, leave him alone." Mari said.

"Maybe if he'd hurry up, he could cook us dinner or something." Asuka said. "I'm hungry and tired, which don't go well together, and we're not exactly allowed to cook are we?"

"Yeah, I know that already, princess, you don't have to remind me." Mari quipped. "And after last time, I never want to cook again…"

"Hey, baka, get the lead out, you're taking too damn long!" Asuka shouted through the door. "You know, usually he says something back… do you think he's alright?"

"I don't know… maybe we should go and check on him." Mari suggested.

"What if he's naked?" Asuka asked.

"Thinking about his toned little butt, aren't you?" Mari asked.

"No I'm not!" Asuka protested.

"Sure… then why bring it up." Mari said. "Then I'll go in alone. I've already seen him naked, so it won't matter. You're virgin eyes should just stay out here."

"The hell you're going in alone!" Asuka shouted angrily. "I'm coming too!"

"I bet you are cumming." Mari purred.

"Yeah I… oh, not like that you fucking pervert, I meant it with an "o" not a "u" you idiot!" Asuka shouted.

"Yeah, I'm sure you did." Mari said. "Come, let's go see if he's ok."

The two girls went inside the locker room and heard retching from the stalls. They ran over to see Shinji bent over a toilet with his plugsuit half off, puking up jello like chunks of what looked like LCL.

"Shinji!" Asuka shouted. "Are you ok?"

"No…" Shinji said weakly. "I think I swallowed some LCL… it's not agreeing with me…"

"Oh shit…" Mari said. "It looks gross too…"

"Have you even showered?" Asuka asked.

"No, I've been crouched here hoping it would end eventually but…" Shinji started, but was overcome with another wave of nausea and expelled more LCL and bile into the toilet.

"Oh how are we going to get him home?" Mari asked.

"Simple, Misato drives us." Asuka said.

"But I can't…" Mari said.

"What, why can't you go in the car?" Asuka asked.

"I just can't, princess." Mari said. "We'll have to find another way."

"What are you stupid or something to be afraid of cars?" Asuka asked.

"Asuka, don't say that…" Shinji said weakly.

"Why not, it's stupid to be afraid of cars…" Asuka said, until she noticed the tears welling up in Mari's eyes. "Oh… ficken mein leben…"

"Mari… don't cry… please…" Shinji said as he tried to get up to hug her, but instead had to vomit again. Shinji got back up from the toilet and spoke slowly. "Just explain… why… she'll understand…"

Mari wiped her eyes and looked at Asuka angrily. "You know how I keep saying I'm way smarter than you?" Mari asked.

"Yeah…" Asuka said "But why is that…"

"Because I have a photographic memory." Mari said. "And the reason I hate cars is… my parents…" Mari shuddered. "They… died in a horrific car crash, and I was with them… I remember everything that happened that night… on my eighth birthday. I survived and they both died because… of a truck… all the blood… everything…" Mari stammered.

Asuka looked horrified and decided only one thing would help: a hug. She felt awkward hugging the stammering girl, but did her best anyway. "I'm sorry, Mari… I didn't know… I shouldn't have called you stupid…"

"Damn right…" Mari said. "But thanks for being so understanding…"

"Well, some things can't be made fun of." Asuka said solemnly. "So I guess we'll have to find another way to get Shinji home." Asuka said as Shinji threw up again. "Way to ruin the moment, baka."

"Sorry, but I don't think walking is a good idea, unless someone can carry me." Shinji said.

"Not happening." Asuka said. "You're too heavy."

"Then we need Misato to drive us, once I get this all out of my system." Shinji said.

"But, puppy, I can't…" Mari said.

"Remember what you told me about facing my fears, Mari?" Shinji asked. "That day we met, I took that Ferris wheel ride with you, and I hate heights. Can you do this for me, please, Mari?"

"But… I'm…" Mari said.

"You rode in the car with me to deal with Jet Alone too…" Shinji said. "You won't be alone, I'll be there, and Asuka will there too… you can squeeze my hand as tight as you want… it won't feel any worse than I do now."

"But…" Mari protested.

"Mari, please." Asuka said. "He's literally on his knees and begging you." Asuka stopped hugging her. "It's for your best friend, Mari." Asuka said. "Wouldn't you do anything to help him?"

"Yeah, I would…" Mari said and as she knelt there for a minute, she looked at Shinji's pale face, and Asuka's glare and relented. "Fine… but I'm not going to like it, considering the way Misato drives…"

"Thank you, Mari…" Shinji said.

"Good, now we just need to find Misato…" Asuka said.

"Why the hell are you two in here?!" Misato shouted as she stormed in. "I thought I told you all to stay in the appropriate locker rooms! NERV is not for wonton sex between co–workers or teenagers!"

"Hey, relax will ya?" Asuka said. "Shinji was taking too long, and we got worried. We found him puking up LCL, he swallowed a lot of it apparently."

"So, you're just being nice…" Misato asked.

Mari wiped her face. "Yeah, and you're one to talk, considering you and Kaji are fucking on the regular, you hypocrite."

"How did you know that?!" Misato shouted.

"Well, all that late night noise tends to wake those of us up who are light sleepers." Mari said. "And you're not exactly quiet you know."

"What…" Misato mumbled.

Mari imitated Misato's voice. "Oh, Kaji… harder, faster… I missed having you inside me… fuck me like when we were in college!"

Misato's face turned the same color as Asuka's hair.

"Oh… my… God…" Asuka muttered. "I did not need to hear that…"

"I want to throw up again…" Shinji said.

"What's wrong with consenting adults?" Misato asked. "You're teenagers, it's different!"

"Well, when you're telling us not to hook up, you're not exactly setting a good example." Mari explained.

"We're not hooking up, we're dating!" Misato shouted.

"Oh…" Mari said.

"About time." Asuka said.

"Excuse me?" Misato asked.

"Come on, he's loved you forever." Asuka said. "He told me so. I'm just glad you're together again."

"Yeah, so am I…" Shinji said. "Kaji's a nice person, you're lucky to have him."

"You really think so?" Misato asked.

"I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true." Shinji said.

"Well, enough about Misato and how much of a dirty girl she is, we need to get you home." Mari said. "Misato, can you… um… drive us?"

"Yeah, but are you sure?" Misato asked. "I know how you are with cars and everything."

"I'll be fine, it's for Shinji…" Mari said nervously.

"Yeah, just drive like a normal person at the speed limit Misato." Asuka said.

"But first we have to get Shinji changed somehow." Mari said.

"I can do that myself…" Shinji said as he stumbled when he got up off the ground. "I think so anyway."

"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Misato asked.

"Yeah, just give me a few minutes and I'll get dressed." Shinji said.

"We'll wait outside then, Shinji." Asuka said.

"Just yell if you need anything." Mari said.

"I'll go get the car, just bring him to the parking garage at the end of this level, I'll be waiting for you." Misato said.

–––

After they got home, Asuka and Mari helped Shinji into the apartment. Mari was still shaking from having been in the car, and both Shinji and Asuka had sore hands from Mari squeezing them tightly. Asuka and Mari led Shinji to the bathroom so he could wash the LCL off of himself, and they'd be outside in case he needed help, which he assured them he wouldn't need.

"Hey, Mari, are you ok?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, mostly." Mari said. "I'm just glad that's over…"

"Look, if you need to cuddle with him, I don't mind." Asuka said. "I know you're not going to try and… well do anything with him…"

"That's a lot different than the Asuka I remember." Mari said.

"Well, you know what he means to me, and you're not a bad person, Mari." Asuka said. "But I think you could use his help tonight. I know that when I slept next to him, I felt like all my problems disappeared."

"No, I don't need to cuddle with him." Mari replied. "I don't want to interfere with you two." Mari looked at Asuka. "Why haven't you asked him out yet?"

"I'm… I'm just not ready yet…" Asuka said sullenly. "I want to go out with him, but I'm just afraid he'll say no still. It's stupid, but a part of me thinks he hates me…"

"If your sync score was higher than his would you ask him out?" Mari asked.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Asuka asked.

"Come on, princess… you always say you're the best pilot out there, even if the data doesn't support it." Mari explained. "Maybe your ego as a pilot is getting in the way a bit, even if you do… what was it, you only like him?" Mari asked.

"I…" Asuka mumbled.

"I mean, the way you act, it's more like you love him…" Mari suggested.

"I don't… I don't know." Asuka whispered. "I don't think I could fall in love with anyone, the thought that alone gives me a heart attack."

"A bit melodramatic, but otherwise it sounds accurate." Mari said. "You know, you should just try and ask him out, not on a date, but for something else, like a day on the town, take him to an amusement park or the zoo… it might help things a bit. He might even catch a hint you like him and ask you out properly."

"Do you really think so?" Asuka asked.

"Well, I can take a guess and say I'm sure he'll figure it out, you just have to… help things along a bit. Shinji is just a shy as you are about his feelings." Mari said.

"How did you know so much about him?" Asuka asked.

"We're best friends, princess." Mari said simply. "It's my job to know."

"So, you just know he's shy…" Asuka said.

"Yep, his life before Tokyo–3 wasn't that great, he was bullied and teased because of his father, and him being abandoned didn't help much either." Mari explained.

"So, he's as afraid as I am when it comes to expressing himself." Asuka said.

"Yep." Mari replied. "You're pretty smart, princess."

"Well, I am a genius after all…" Asuka said.

"Don't get cocky, princess." Mari said.

"Well you're right, she shouldn't." Misato said. "She isn't the best pilot in town."

"I already went over…" Mari started.

"Well, you didn't have the new sync results, third place." Misato said.

"Oh, because that's news." Mari said. "I've been in third since I started here, Asuka's been second, Rei's in fourth, and Shinji is at the top of heap. I'm guessing that's how out scores are this week too."

"Yeah, pretty much." Misato said.

"Then shut up, miso." Mari said angrily. "You making this into some sort of sick competition isn't going to help anything."

"Mari what are you…" Asuka asked.

"I'm defending you, princess." Mari said as she winked. "Now, Misato, what do you have to say for yourself?"

"But some healthy…" Misato started.

"No, it's only going to breed discontent with us all." Mari said. "Right, princess?"

"Uh… right!" Asuka said with as much conviction as she could muster.

"But the sync score…" Misato protested.

"It means shit without comparing it to actual ability, Misato, as a tactician, you should know that." Mari said sternly. "From what that Akagi woman tells us, the broad strokes of the sync scores only indicate levels of control, not ability for combat. On that note alone, Asuka and Shinji would at best be tied, whereas me and blueberry are woefully lacking."

"She would be tied?" Misato asked.

"Have you even noticed how good she is in the EVA?" Mari asked. "I mean, you helped train her and all, but have noticed how hard she tries, and you only ever praise Shinji, never the rest of us."

"Are you really doing this, Mari?" Misato asked.

"You bet your ass I am, miso!" Mari said. "Shinji might be great, but the rest of us are too, and we deserve the same recognition."

"So, all you want is equal praise and to be recognized for the fact you pilot the EVA?" Misato asked. "But I already do that."

"You only do that for Shinji." Mari said. "You need to treat us all the same, we're all out there together, we should all be treated the same."

"I didn't realize…" Misato said. "I'm sorry, Mari, I didn't know I was only praising him, but the rest of you are so willing to be in an EVA, I thought Shinji might need a little extra push to stay. And I'm sorry Asuka, I didn't know it bothered you so much."

"Well, it does…" Asuka said. "But I accept your apology."

"I guess I do too, miso." Mari said. "But just try to remember, next time I'll be louder and more explicit from inside the Entry Plug instead of in the apartment."

Pen–Pen, who had been sleeping heard all the noise and decided to come and investigate. He poked his head around the corner to see everyone standing there, and cocked his head to the side.

"Wark?" Pen–Pen squawked.

"It's fine, Pen–Pen, go back to your freezer." Misato said. "Mari was just telling me I was being an idiot."

Pen–Pen rolled his eyes. "Wark…"

"Hey… I don't judge you, you silly bird." Misato said.

Pen–Pen pointed to each of them and then shook his head. "Wark!"

Asuka and Misato looked at the bird funny, but Mari figured out what he meant.

"Shinji's in the bathroom, Pen–Pen, he's not feeling well." Mari said.

"Wark… wark…" Pen–Pen squawked as he waddled away.

"Awww, he cares about Shinji." Mari said. "That's adorable."

"Yeah, that's adorable alright." Asuka said.

"So, is Shinji cooking?" Misato asked.

"What do you think, dummkopf?" Asuka asked.

"Probably… not?" Misato asked.

"None of us are cooking." Mari said sternly. "We'll just order out, and we'll get Shinji some soup or something else that won't make him sick."

"Ok I'll go find the menus." Misato said. "And you two, try not to peek at him, ok?"

"We're not the perverts." Mari said. "Sexual deviant…" Mari mumbled.

"What was that?" Misato asked.

Mari smiled. "You heard me."

"I swear I don't know how you come up with some of the thigs you say, Mari." Misato said as she walked away.

"Did you really have to say that?" Asuka asked.

"Come on princess, don't you remember what we found in her room?" Mari asked. "I mean, she had a lot of stuff…"

"Yeah, but I don't like thinking about it." Asuka said. "It's gross…"

---

June 3, 2016 – NERV HQ, Central Dogma

"So, what's going on out there guys?" Misato asked as she paced nervously behind the bridge bunnies.

"Nothing that I can see." Aoba said. "All scopes are clear."

"Confirming reports of no Angelic sightings, Colonel." Hyuga said.

"Are the EVAs on emergency standby?" Misato asked.

"Yes, ma'am, they are." Maya reported. "But why do you have them on standby?"

"The last time the Commandeer and Sub–Commander were out of town on business, an Angel attacked, I don't intent to be caught unaware, considering these things seem to know the ideal time to strike."

"Well, I can't argue with you there, Colonel." Hyuga said. "Hold on, what's this?" Hyuga said "I have a report coming in from the Fuji Observation Center."

"What's the report say, Hyuga?" Misato asked anxiously.

"All that it says is there's a large floating sphere that suddenly appeared out of nowhere." Aoba said. "It apparently appeared within the observation perimeter."

"Is it an Angel?" Misato asked.

"No, ma'am, Pattern Orange only, and no A.T. Field to speak of." Hyuga reported.

"Great, but that still doesn't give me a lot of hope that this isn't an Angel." Misato said. "What's its current position?"

"It's several kilometers outside the city, to the northeast, moving towards us at a rate of 5 k/h towards the city." Maya reported. "ETA 77 minutes."

"Set Level–2 battle stations, and evacuate the areas of the city in its path, and tell me where the pilots are, we need to deploy all the EVAs immediately."

"Right away ma'am!" Maya said.

"I'm glad you thought ahead, Colonel." Hyuga said. "Otherwise we wouldn't be ready to intercept so quickly."

"Well, it's moving slowly, but we can't just wait for it to get here, we need to be ready to intercept outside the city." Misato replied.

–––

A large sphere was floating along in the air, it was moving at a slow and steady pace. It had a black and white dazzle pattern on its surface. It had no other distinguishable features, other than the fact it did not cast a shadow.

Directly beneath the sphere however was a small, black dot. It was centered under the sphere and moved with it at the same glacial pace.

Leliel had arrived.

–––

The children were once again back at NERV HQ, where they had another set of sync tests, something no one was happy about.

"I don't mind missing school or anything, but what exactly is the point of back to back sync tests?" Asuka asked. "I mean, we were just here yesterday, do we really need to get more data so soon?"

"Yes we do, Asuka." Ritsuko said angrily. "Why do always ask so many stupid questions."

"My mother always told me there was no such thing as a stupid question." Shinji said.

"Your mother was a smart women." Mari said.

"Yeah, I'm not asking anything stupid, just simple." Asuka said. "Why are we here again so soon?"

"So that I can get more data on day to day changes in your synchrograph." Ritsuko said. "I don't know why you insist on complaining about your job."

"Because this part of the job sucks balls!" Mari said. "We have to sit in those Entry Plugs and do nothing… its boring! Can't we load apps or something onto the onboard computers? I'll settle for minesweeper or solitaire."

"We are not reducing the Entry Plugs to a child's plaything!" Ritsuko shouted. "The Entry Plug and Evangelion are highly sophisticated scientific equipment."

"Piloted by teenagers." Shinji said. "Mari's got a point, something for us to do would make things go by faster."

"It's out of the question." Ritsuko said. "If you're not focusing on the Evangelions, than the sync tests mean nothing."

"Come on, some of us can multitask, I can concentrate on more than one thing quite easily." Mari said. "Can't the rest of you?"

"I am more than capable of doing such a task." Rei said.

"Yeah, I do that all the time." Asuka said.

"It not that hard really." Shinji said.

"See, no harm no foul." Mari said. "No can we please get some apps?"

"I said no, and that is final!" Ritsuko said angrily.

"Sorry to interrupt your wonderful conversation, but they need to get to the EVAs immediately." Misato said over the loudspeaker.

"What is it this time?" Ritsuko asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Asuka asked.

"It's an Angel!" Mari said excitedly.

"Not quite…" Misato said. "But it is moving towards us, get in your EVAs and prepare for immediate intercept."

"Well, I guess this is better than another sync test." Shinji said.

"Yeah, we're gonna have fun!"

–––

The four EVAs were sitting just outside the city limits, in an older section of the city that was similar to where Rei lived. They were lying in wait for Leliel to appear so they could destroy it before it got to the city. The EVAs were deployed away from each other to intercept the object on the most probable routes according to the MAGI.

The Evangelions were all armed as well. Unit–XP had its spear arm ready for combat, Unit–00 stood ready with a Progressive Glaive, and Unit–02 had the new Progressive Axe in hand. Unit–01 on the other hand was standing at the ready with a giant handgun and the new Progressive Sword its back.

Shinji was in his Entry plug, and was relaxing and trying not to swallow any more LCL that would make him sick.

"Where is this thing?!" Mari moaned. "I'm so bored! I just wanna stab it and go home…"

"Mari, this isn't the time for jokes." Misato said.

"Well, it's not a joke, miso, I'm fucking bored." Mari said. "If the great and powerful Akagi had let us put apps in the EVAs, I wouldn't be trying to not fall asleep waiting for this… sphere thingy to attack."

"Do you have any more data on the target, Misato?" Asuka asked. "I'm with four eyes, I'm bored, and going over something will keep me slightly more awake than I am now."

"We've sent you everything we have on the target." Ritsuko said. "It's a Pattern Orange, and there haven't been any developments since the initial sighting."

"So we're just waiting for a floating zebra ball to find out if it is or isn't an Angel." Shinji said. "Are we even sure it's going to become an Angel? I mean, maybe someone just lost a very large balloon or something and forgot to mention it."

"Funny, puppy." Mari giggled. "Maye we can bounce it around, or play kickball or something with the EVAs if it's just a parade balloon."

"That would certainly make up for the lack of apps in here." Asuka said.

"I concur." Rei said. "I am not used to being bored, but this is the most uneventful sortie I have ever had. I am not even afraid."

"This is not a game you four!" Ritsuko said angrily.

"Enough you four." Misato said admonishingly. "You're going to give Ritsuko an aneurysm."

"Sorry, Misato." Shinji said.

"Whatever, miso." Mari said.

"Yeah I'm not sorry for being bored." Asuka said defiantly.

"Jesus, you all act like children." Misato aid grumpily.

"Misato, we are children." Shinji said. "Or did you forget?"

"Incoming enemy target picked up on sensors!" Maya reported.

"It's inside the defense perimeter, Colonel!" Hyuga said frantically.

"Range to Evangelions is 1,150 meters." Aoba reported. "It is moving considerably faster than it was before."

"Who's the closest?" Misato asked.

"Unit–02." Aoba replied.

"Asuka will be taking point." Misato said. "Everyone else will back her up, understood?"

"Yes, miso." Mari said.

"Roger." Shinji replied.

"Affirmative." Rei replied.

"No, I think Shinji should." Asuka said. "He's honestly the best pilot, he should go first."

"Asuka, I'm not the best pilot…" Shinji replied as he looked at video feed pop up on his display. "I haven't been doing this long enough to be the best."

"Well, you've killed more Angels than the rest of us, so you're far more qualified to go in first." Asuka replied. "Besides, I think you'll be fine against the parade balloon."

"Asuka that's not the plan." Misato said. "You will take point because its heading for you, and Shinji will be your primary back up, as he's the closest. Now, move out!"

Unit–02 held its Prog Axe at the ready and advanced on the floating zebra ball. Unit–01 moved forward as well, following Unit–02 while Unit–00 and Unit–XP stayed stationary and waited for instructions.

Leliel was floating in between the buildings, just a bit higher than the Evangelions were tall. It moved slowly, almost cautiously thought the outskirts of the city.

"Weird, it doesn't have a shadow…" Shinji said as he looked at Leliel intently, looking for any signs of hostility. "Shouldn't it have one, or am I wrong?"

"Yeah, it's huge, and there isn't anything on the ground." Asuka replied. "Did you people notice that it doesn't have a shadow, or do we have to do your jobs too?"

"Sorry, Asuka, we didn't notice that at all." Maya said. "Good catch you two."

"I'm not sure what that means…" Ritsuko said.

"Use extreme caution you two." Misato said. "Rei, Mari, move in and cover them."

"Roger." Rei replied.

"I'm rolling." Mari said.

Unit–00 and Unit–XP moved forward towards Leliel as Asuka got closer to investigate. She was holding the Prog Axe loosely and was just looking at Leliel from a short distance away.

"This thing doesn't look very threatening…" Asuka said.

"Hey, I know you weren't here then, but don't forget, the Fifth Angel was an octahedron, and it didn't look deadly either until it shot a death laser at my chest." Shinji said.

"I know, I'm being careful." Asuka said. "Just relax, ok? Everything will be fine."

Shinji looked worriedly at Unit–02 as it got closer to Leliel. The ground then started to turn black. "Asuka, look out!" Shinji reacted instinctively and pulled Unit–02's power cable hard, and yanked Unit–02 away from the black disc forming underneath Leliel, Leliel's true form. Unit–02 flew through the air and landed hard on the ground several dozen meters behind Unit–01. As Unit–02 struggled to its feet, with its pilot in a state of shock, Asuka started to berate Shinji.

"What in the hell was that for?!" Asuka shouted. "What are you, stupid or something, baka?! You could have injured me."

"But that dark circle stated to form around it, it seemed dangerous considering it didn't have a shadow right before that." Shinji said. "I'm sorry Asuka, I was just thinking about your safety."

Asuka growled at him. "Well, next time you have a bright idea like that, tell me to run, alright? I don't like getting whiplash from the enemies, let alone my good friends."

"Sorry, Asuka." Shinji said.

"Hey, uh, Shinji… weren't there buildings there a second ago?" Asuka asked as Unit–02 pointed behind him. "Or am I imaging things…"

Unit–02 turned around, and Shinji got a full view of what Unit–02 was pointing at. The black void that expanded from beneath the sphere, and the old abandoned cityscape that had been standing there moments before had vanished.

The edge of the disc was approaching Unit–01, and as it tried to move, Shinji found the controls were unresponsive. Unit–01 then began struggling to stay on its feet as Shinji heard alarms go off inside the Entry Plug, and a message display across the screen "GRAVITY WELL DETECTED" which caused Shinji some alarm.

"Can someone explain what's happening?" Shinji asked. "I can't move, I'm stuck!"

Maya gasped. "Gravimetric readings are off the scale!"

"Sensors have been triggered!" Hyuga reported. "A Pattern Blue has been detected, the sphere, it is an Angel!"

"Level–1 battle stations, retract the city now, and evacuate everyone to shelters, now!" Misato ordered. "Shinji, just try to move!"

"I can't!" Shinji said worriedly as the black void approached him.

Unit–01 and Yui responded to Shinji by increasing its power consumption to compensate.

"Shinji, what are you doing?" Hyuga asked. "You're drawing a lot more power than usual."

"I don't know, but whatever it is, I can at least stand…" Shinji tried moving the control yokes. "But I still can't walk… the EVA's too heavy!" So, instead of running, Shinji turned and fired at the sphere to no avail. His round shooting directly through it. "What the fuck is going on?!"

–––

Misato and the rest of the bridge crew watched on the main display as Shinji fired at Leliel and did absolutely no damage.

"Ritsuko, what is this?" Misato asked.

"I don't know." Ritsuko said. "I have absolutely no idea…"

"Fine, Aoba, deploy Mari's Gatling Cannon, let's see if heavier fire will do anything to it." Misato said. "Maya, what's this gravity well?"

"It's only a few meters high, but it's holding the EVA in place at 50 times Earth's normal gravity." Maya explained. "So Shinji can move his upper body, but nothing else."

"Wonderful…" Misato said. "So, what can he do?"

"Nothing at the moment." Ritsuko said. "He's completely unable to move. Whatever that void is, he won't be able to get away from it."

"Fine, then let's kill this thing and do save him." Misato said. "Aoba, send up a sniper rifles to both Rei and Asuka."

"Belay that." Ritsuko said. "Neither of them are cleared for that weapon."

"Well, we can't just fire all Gatling guns at the thing, the sniper rifles have even bigger rounds." Misato said. "So hopefully with that firepower, we can kill this thing dead. Aoba, follow my orders, send up the weapons, now!"

"Aye, aye, Colonel!" Aoba replied.

–––

Asuka looked on from her Entry Plug at the struggling Unit–01. She was frozen with fear and unable to do anything. It took her a second to regain her composure.

'Ok, come on, Asuka, you can't let him die… you… you… I… I love him!' Asuka thought. 'I love him and can't afford to lose him… I need to do something… I need to help.'

"Misato, get me a big gun!" Asuka shouted. "Now!"

"It's on the way Asuka, 30 meters to your right!" Misato replied.

Unit–02 grabbed the sniper rifle from the armament building, and trained the crosshairs on the sphere Shinji was firing at.

"FIRE!" Misato ordered.

Asuka and Rei opened fire at a steady pace with their semi–automatic sniper rifles, while Mari began unloading a stream of hot lead right at the sphere.

"YAAAAHHHHH!" Asuka screamed.

"Eat lead you fucking freak!" Mari shouted.

All the rounds fired at the sphere passed right though it into the surrounding buildings. Mari's stream of rounds collapsed several abandoned buildings, while the fire from Rei and Asuka had a similar effect.

Asuka saw that all the rounds had missed. "What the fuck is that thing?! Nothing hit it! It went right though!"

"We don't know, Asuka, just hold your positions!"

"Well, get a fucking clue, miso!" Mari shouted. "Shinji's trapped and he can't move, figure out a way to get him away from the gravity well!"

"Mari, you do not communicate in that tone of voice to your superiors!" Misato said angrily.

"I will when you guys have no fucking clue what's going on!" Mari said angrily.

"Yeah, he's in trouble and we can't do anything, can we?!" Asuka screamed. "We're fucking useless out here!"

"Please, Misato, give us a plan to save Shinji." Rei said.

"I don't have a plan!" Misato said angrily. "We don't have any way of rescuing him."

"It's impossible." Ritsuko said. "We can't save him."

"Fine, if you don't have a plan, then we'll think of something ourselves." Asuka said. "Four eyes, wundergirl, help me grab his power cable, we're going to tug him out of there."

"Princess, I don't think we can tug him out of something that powerful." Mari said.

"We must try…" Rei said. "Shinji would do the same for us."

"Alright, blueberry, let's try it." Mari said.

Unit–XP and Unit–00 moved forward to join Unit–02 in pulling Unit–01's cable. Unit–XP wrapped the cable around its craw arm, and moved behind Unit–00 and Unit–02 and faced away from Unit–01. Unit–00 and Unit–02 got into a standard tugging position.

"What are you guys doing?" Shinji asked.

"We're getting you out of there, baka!" Asuka shouted. "Before it swallows you up!"

"Asuka, I already told you moving him was impossible." Ritsuko said. "Leave him."

"No one asked you, bitch!" Asuka growled.

"I will not be spoken to in that…" Ritsuko started.

"Dr. Akagi, we are not leaving Shinji alone to save ourselves." Rei said calmly. "We will save him, and your dismissal of our efforts is not helping the matter."

"Excuse me?" Ritsuko said.

"I believe blueberry just politely told you to shut the fuck up!" Mari said.

"Come on, let's pull!" Asuka shouted.

All three Evangelions began pulling on power cord. Unit–XP's wheels were spinning in place, kicking up dust and digging into the ground, while Both Unit–00 and Unit–02 had dug their feet several meters into the ground around them trying to make Unit–01 budge.

The shadow that was Leliel was inching ever closer to Unit–01 and Shinji, and no matter how hard they tried, Unit–01 hadn't moved at all.

"Hey, four eyes, kick it into overdrive!" Asuka shouted.

"I am, but it's not moving!" Mari shouted. "The wheels are just spinning uselessly!"

"We must try harder!" Rei said. "Perhaps an explosion under his feet will throw Unit–01 into the air and release him, and we then we will pull him to safety."

"That lady bridge bunny said it was 50 times Earth's gravity, we just need a blast that's more powerful than that!" Mari said.

"Misato, send us up a couple of bazookas!" Asuka pleaded. "Hurry!"

"No, I can't Asuka, Ritsuko's right, there isn't anything you can do!" Misato said sternly. "Retreat and we'll think of something!"

"NO! I AM NOT LEAVING HIM HERE!" Asuka shouted. "HE SAVED ME FROM THE FICKEN VOLCANO, I'M NOT ABANDONING HIM, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T ABANDON ME WHEN I NEEDED HIM MOST!"

"You want us to retreat Colonel?" Rei asked.

"Yes, immediately." Misato said. "We can't risk all of you being trapped."

"I do not believe that is the best course of action." Rei replied.

"I agree, we have to try and save him, miso." Mari said angrily. "Send up the fucking bazookas already!"

"No, I've given you all a direct order, retreat at once!" Misato said angrily.

"I'M NOT LEAVING HIM HERE!" Asuka screamed. "I REFUSE!"

–––

Shinji was sitting in his Entry Plug listening to Asuka shout and scream that she wouldn't abandon him. Experience had taught him to never interrupt Asuka when she was angry, so Shinji kept his mouth shut. However, Mari and Rei's idea to blow him free of the approaching black void gave him his own idea.

"Everyone, stop arguing!" Shinji said. "I have an idea."

"What is it, Shinji?!" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, puppy, enlighten us before the princess goes and kills miso and the bitch." Mari said.

"I can try using the retro rockets in the shoulder pylons to escape!" Shinji said. "It may or may not work, but it's worth a try."

"Shinji, they do not have enough thrust to overcome…" Ritsuko started.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU HORRIBLE WOMAN!" Asuka screamed.

"Enough, the both of you!" Misato shouted. "Shinji, go ahead and try, it's more than we've come up with here."

"Right." Shinji said.

Unit–01 got ready and opened the backs of its shoulder pylons and extended the retro rockets. Shinji flipped the switch to activate them, and they roared to life. Shinji steadily pushed them to their limits, near 105% of the rated output and Unit–01 did not budge.

"Misato, is there a safety override for these things?!" Shinji asked frantically.

"Yes, I think so… but…" Misato said.

"Override it now!" Shinji pleaded. "While they still have power!"

"Misato, you can't…" Ritsuko said.

"I can and I will, Ritsuko, I'm in command here, this is my decision." Misato replied. "Maya, disable the flow and output settings in Unit–01's retro rockets."

"Yes, ma'am!" Maya replied. "Safeties disengaged!"

"Do it Shinji!" Misato shouted.

"YAAAAHHHHH!" Shinji screamed as he threw the throttle to 250%, and still Unit–01 was stuck in place, as Leliel's black void moved slowly within a few hundred meters of Unit–01. The retro rockets kept firing until they burned out, as they fizzled from life, everyone else looked on in disappointment that Shinji's plan didn't work.

"I guess it wasn't enough…" Shinji said sullenly.

"Don't worry, Shinji, we'll figure something out!" Asuka said.

"Yeah, puppy, we'll save you." Mari said cheerfully.

"No… get out of here while you still can…" Shinji said.

–––

Asuka looked at Shinji's video chat on her display screen.

"What, are you fucking crazy?!" Asuka screamed. "We're not leaving you!"

"No, I'm not crazy, Asuka!" Shinji said angrily. "I don't want you guys to get caught in this stupid thing, just get out of here."

"NO! I'M NOT LEAVING!" Asuka shouted.

Unit–02 pulled in vain on Unit–01's power cable.

"Shinji, Asuka's right… we're not leaving you." Mari said tearfully.

"Shinji, we are your friends, we are going to save you." Rei said quietly. "Just like you would save us…"

"Then I guess I have to save you all one last time…" Shinji said solemnly. "Forgive me…"

Unit–01 took the Prog Sword off its back and swung the back across the taught cable, severing it complexly. Unit–02 flew backwards from the tension releasing all at once, and Unit–01 tossed its sword and sidearm towards them as the black void came within a few meters of Unit–01.

"Get out of here, now!" Shinji screamed. "All of you! You can't do anything to help me, and you shouldn't die to try and save me from a lost cause."

"Shinji, you can't be serious…" Mari said.

"I am serious, Mari." Shinji said. "I'm doing this to save you all from what's about to happen to me. Misato, that sphere, it isn't the Angel, it's the thing on the ground… that's what you have to kill."

"Shinji…" Misato mumbled. "You've come so far…"

"Shinji… you don't have to give up…" Mari murmured.

"I'm not giving up , I'm keeping you all safe, now get out of here and leave me behind!" Shinji shouted. "Get lost!"

"Shinji, don't be such a fucking quitter!" Asuka shouted. "We'll figure something out, Misato always has some harebrained scheme to do shit!"

"Asuka, I'm sorry… I don't want you all to risk your lives on something that is nearly impossible." Shinji said. "But I'm sure something will happen… remember what Kaji said the day we met? I have luck on my side, the most powerful ally of all."

"Luck isn't going to keep saving you!" Asuka shouted at him. "Luck runs out, we can still help you, baka! We need you!"

"You don't need me Asuka…" Shinji said.

"But… I…" Asuka muttered.

"Shinji… please do not… please do not do this…" Rei said. "I do not wish to say goodbye to you… you told me that it was wrong to say that once…"

"Then don't say goodbye, Rei." Shinji said. "We'll just leave it as see you soon…"

"SHINJI!" Asuka screamed. "SHINJI, NOOOOO!"

Leliel had finally reached its mark and captured Unit–01 in its void. Unit–01 began to fall in, and Unit–02 bounded forward to help, but was grabbed by Unit–00.

"Let me go wundergirl!" Asuka shouted. "Let me go, now!"

"No, Asuka…" Rei said. "Shinji is doing this for us…"

"No, he's being selfish, he's running away!" Asuka screamed as Unit–01 struggled to escape the black void. "He's running away from his friends to be stupid hero!"

"Rei, whatever it takes, get her back here!" Misato ordered. "We're not letting Shinji's sacrifice be in vein."

"I'm ejecting the power cable now, ma'am, that should help." Maya said.

"Good thinking, Maya." Ritsuko replied.

"Don't you fucking dare eject that thing!" Asuka said angrily. "I'm staying to help him!"

"Asuka, I hate to agree with Akagi… but there isn't anything we can do besides get trapped ourselves…" Mari said sadly.

"No, I refuse to believe that!" Asuka shouted. "You're a fucking quitter four eyes!"

Unit–02's power cable ejected and hit the ground as Unit–01's head and right arm were all that were still visible as Unit–02 struggled against the grasp of Unit–00. All three Evangelions watched in horror as Unit–01 disappeared into the blackness of the void.

"Shinji, get back here!" Asuka screamed. "SHINJI!"

–––

Everyone was standing outside Unit–02 on its catwalk. Asuka was refusing to leave the plug, and after having run out the power on her Evangelion, she was not a threat to the base, but she overrode the ejection controls and wanted to be redeployed to save Shinji.

"Asuka, please come out from there." Misato said.

"No, I want to go back and save Shinji!"

"Princess, please, we'll go back out together, but we need a plan." Mari said. "Come on, Shinji would not be happy to see you like this…"

"Well, he isn't fucking here, is he?!" Asuka shouted. "He's trapped in there, and I was completely useless, I count even save him!"

"Asuka it is not your fault." Rei said simply. "You came up with a wonderful idea, but it was not enough. Shinji had an idea too, and it also failed. We will learn from these failures and find a way to rescue him, is that not correct, Dr. Akagi?"

"Uh… yes, it is." Ritsuko said somewhat convincingly. "Maya, Hyuga, and I are going over the data we received, and are trying to formulate a plane to free Shinji."

"Bullshit!" Asuka shouted. "You're not the type to change your mind from an impossible situation to being confident about something, you're too much of a ficken pessimist!"

"Well… she's got you there…" Mari quipped. "Look, why don't you go and try and solve this Akagi… you being around isn't going to make her come out of that thing."

"I agree, Ritsuko, it's for the best." Misato said.

"You too, miso." Mari said. "Go and pull a plan out of your ass like always."

"What?" Misato said. "I'm not leaving her alone."

"She will not be alone." Rei replied. "Asuka will have us. You cannot be alone when your friends are there to support you."

"Fine, we'll go, just get her out of that thing." Misato said.

Mari smiled. "No problem, miso, just leave it to us."

Misato and Ritsuko left in a huff, along with everyone else on the catwalk, leaving Mari and Rei alone with Unit–02.

"Asuka, they're gone." Mari said. "If you're crying, you can come out, they won't be able to see your weakness, and I won't tease you I promise."

"No, I'm not coming out… I just need a minute!" Asuka shouted.

"Asuka, it is alright to feel sad, I am having trouble not expressing my emotion." Rei said. "The sooner you come out from the Entry Plug, the sooner we can start planning a way to rescue Shinji."

"That, and we ca go home and cry a lot…" Mari said. "I'll cry with you Asuka, you don't have to do this alone. You're not the only one he sacrificed himself for, you know."

"I know that… but…" Asuka said.

"Asuka, just get out here, we can go cry in the showers, and you can compose yourself and put up that tough as nails thing you all the time." Mari said.

"No, I want to be alone!" Asuka shouted.

"Asuka, I think in this situation, being alone is the worst possible idea." Kaji said, appearing silently behind the girls. "Now stop acting like this and get out here."

"Kaji?" Asuka asked.

"Yes, Asuka, it's me." Kaji said. "And I think Shinji would be disappointed you're acting like this He saved you and you're going to squander the time you have acting like a child? If Shinji were in your position, he'd pull himself together and find a way to rescue you, not cry until things were solved for him."

"Kaji, who could you say that!" Asuka said angrily.

"Because it's the truth, Asuka, and the truth hurts sometimes." Kaji said. "Now get out here. Your friends need you right now just as much as you need them. Stop being selfish and cry with them. You don't have to keep up the act around them, Asuka, you can express your feelings in front of them, and they won't judge you."

Instead of responding, the armor plate on the back of Unit–02 opened, and the Entry Plug slid out and opened, revealing a red faced Asuka, who had clearly been crying.

"Fine, I'm out of the stupid Entry Plug." Asuka said. "Now what?"

"Go get changed and shower." Kaji said. "And take as much time as you need. I'll go and motivate Katsuragi and Akagi to figure out a plan to save him."

"That bitch doesn't want to help, her giant brain was useless while he was there sacrificing himself!" Asuka shouted.

"Asuka, I've known Dr. Akagi a long time, she can be difficult, but she'll always do her job." Kaji said. "Just go to the locker room and try to relax… like Shinji said, luck's on his side."

"Luck can't keep helping him." Asuka said. "It always runs out…"

"Yes it can." Kaji said. "Luck protects fools, children, and ships named Enterprise."

"Well, Shinji is a child still, so he should be fine." Mari said.

"Or he's just a huge fool." Asuka muttered.

"Asuka, do not say that about Shinji!" Rei exclaimed loudly. "He sacrificed himself so that we would retreat instead of staying to get sucked in as well, which we all know we would do for him! He is not a fool, he is the bravest person I know besides you and Mari!"

Asuka, Mari, and Kaji raised their eyebrows at Rei yelling. Kaji did smile a bit, realizing something important. Mari noticed that Unit–02's eyes also lit up and appeared to look directly at Asuka, then before anyone else could notice, they shut off again.

'So, Kyoko, looks like we need to talk…' Mari thought.

'Shinji's had one hell of an effect on these girls… definitely for the better.' Kaji thought. "Alright, so it's settled. Asuka, go with them, I'll go see how the command staff is doing."

Asuka clambered down and started to walk away with Rei, while Mari stayed behind staring at the Evangelion.

"Mari, are you not coming?" Rei asked.

"In a minute." Mari said. "I just need a minute…"

"Understood." Rei said. "Come on, Asuka, we should give her the minute she requested."

"Yeah…" Asuka muttered as she followed Rei.

Kaji looked at Mari and smiled. 'So, she noticed the eyes too… I guess she knows one of her two old best friends are in there… I'll leave her be then.' Kaji thought. "Buck up, Mari, he'll pull through, he always does."

"I know…" Mari said as she stood there and waited for him to leave.

When she heard him go, Mari walked in front of Unit–02's massive red face, and its eyes turned on and appeared to focus on Mari's slender figure.

"So, Kyoko, what is it? Are you worried about Yui and Shinji?" Mari asked. "You know the drill, one flash for yes, two for no."

Unit–02's eyes flashed once.

"Are you worried about Asuka's outburst too?" Mari asked.

Unit–02's eyes flashed twice.

"Well, I wish I could get our reasoning for that answer, but I can guess its because you see that she loves him with all her heart."

Unit–02's eyes flashed once.

Mari smiled. "I love being right." Mari reached out and touched Unit–02's face in a consoling manner. "Done worry, Kyoko… we'll get Shinji out of there, or Yui will do it herself. She seems to have a flair for that sort of thing."

Unit–02's eyes flashed once, and then shut off again.

"Good talk, Kyoko." Mari said. "Next time we talk, Yui will be back with us, I know it."

–––

Several hours later, Ritsuko Akagi was in the briefing room, awaiting the three remaining pilots. Kaji had appeared a few minutes before after hearing Ritsuko had thought up a plan. Misato, who had been intently monitoring the Angel from Central Dogma with all three bridge bunnies came down with Hyuga and Aoba while sending Maya to fetch the pilots.

"Where are the pilots?" Ritsuko said. "I assumed they would have gotten here quite quickly, considering their earlier reactions to…"

"Shinji getting sucked in by the Angel?" Kaji asked. "They're probably trying to calm down in the locker room, Ritsuko."

"I sent Maya to get them she should be here in a few minutes." Misato said. "So, do you have a plan, Ritsuko?"

"Yes, I will explain it when everyone is here." Ritsuko said.

"Ok…" Misato said.

"We're here." Maya said in a subdued tone, ushering the three pilots in their streets clothes inside. All of them had dejected looks on their faces as Maya shuffled in behind them.

"Seeing as you're all here now, I can begin." Ritsuko said. "From the information gathered by everyone out in the field, and the data we received from our sensors, we have several facets about the Twelfth Angel. Firstly, Shinji was correct, the sphere is not the Angel. It has no waveform pattern, and was undetectable on our sensors."

"So, where is Shinji?" Mari asked abrasively.

"I'm getting to that…" Ritsuko said in an annoyed tone. "The Angel's main body, which appears to be a black void on the ground is actually what physicists call a Dirac Sea."

"A negative energy vacuum with an infinite sea of negative energy?" Mari asked.

"Shinji is caught in a theoretical construct?" Rei asked.

"Not so theoretical anymore is it?" Asuka quipped.

"The… very same…" Ritsuko stuttered, flabbergasted. "How did you… how did you know about that?"

"I read a book on the subject some time ago." Rei replied.

"Internet." Mari said.

"In any case, get back to the plan, Ritsuko." Misato said. "The kids are smart, why even bother asking?"

"I was curious, but I digress…" Ritsuko replied. "The Sea of Dirac that Shinji is caught in has a diameter of 650m and is only 3nm thick. I believe this is being created by the Angel inverting its A.T. to manipulate and bypass the laws of physics. As for the gravity well… apparently as it projects the illusionary ball in the air, a field some 1,400m in diameter extends 5m to 10m above the Sea of Dirac to ensnare objects in its path. The pull of this gravimetric field can be seen within several hundred meters from the edge of the field, so, if Shinji had not pulled you back when he did, you both would have been trapped by the field, which at its strongest, the field is 50 times stronger than Earth's own gravitational pull. As of right now, there is no gravity well currently being projected, indicating that the Angel can control its deployment."

"What about Shinji?" Asuka asked.

"On minimal life support mode, Shinji has just over 16 hours of power to stay alive." Ritsuko said. "And that is assuming he did the smart thing and switched right over to that instead of struggling and fumbling around like an idiot."

"Shinji is not an idiot!" Asuka said angrily.

"So, what's the plan?" Kaji interjected.

"The plan is simple." Ritsuko explained. "The three remaining Evangelions will be deployed strategically around its perimeter and deploy their A.T. Fields. I have also contacted the U.N. to muster all available N2 warheads, 992 in total, and we will drop them all at once into the Sea of Dirac, and detonate them simultaneously, destroying the Angel. The Evangelions launch in 15 hours, 30 minutes."

"What about saving Shinji?" Asuka asked.

"What about the gravity well?" Mari asked.

"The gravity well should be neutralized by the A.T. Field." Ritsuko explained.

"What. About. Shinji!" Asuka shouted. "Your plan doesn't exactly involve saving him, does it?! DOES IT?!"

"That kind of blast… the EVA wouldn't be able to hold up against that much power…" Misato said. "Ritsuko, what are you thinking? What the hell kind of rescue operation are you running?!" Misato asked. "I would never approve that plan."

"Well, thankfully, due to the regulations we have in place, I am in command of this operation, as this is no longer a tactical matter, because Evangelion recovery operations fall under my jurisdiction." Ritsuko said. "The plan has been approved by the U.N. which is all that matters, I am simply informing you as a courtesy. We will recover Unit–01, even if it destroyed in the process."

"You fucking bitch…" Asuka muttered.

"What was that, Asuka?" Ritsuko asked angrily.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Asuka screamed as she lunged forward, but was stopped by the quick reaction of Mari giving her a full nelson. "LET ME GO! I'M GOING TO KILL HER, MARI, JUST LET ME GO, AND I'LL FUCKING FIX HER ASS! THE LYING BITCH THAT SHE IS!"

"No, Asuka…" Mari said as she struggled to keep a thrashing Asuka in her grip. "I'm not letting you… I won't let you get in trouble because of that bitch."

"I DON'T CARE, I'M WANT TO HURT HER!" Asuka screamed. "SHE'S GOING TO KILL SHINJI! SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT HIM AT ALL, SHE'S A HEARTLESS FUCKING CUNT! SHE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE A.T. FIELD WOULD NEGATE THE FUCKING GRAVITY WELL BEFORE, BUT SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING! SHE SAID IT WAS HOPELESS, THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, SHE A FUCKING LIAR! SHE'S A FUCKING CUNT, AND I WANT TO KILL HER!"

"Asuka… stop!" Mari pleaded.

"NOT UNTIL I FEEL HER BLEED BENEATH MY FISTS!" Asuka roared. "SHE NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON… IN BLOOD!"

Ritsuko smirked. "Your outburst is laughable, Asuka. Go ahead, Mari, let her go, and she'll see her career as and Evangelion pilot go straight down the toilet."

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT! I WOULD GIVE UP UNIT–02 TO HAVE SHINJI BACK!" Asuka screamed. "I WOULD RATHER TRADE YOUR WORTHLESS LIFE FOR HIS, AT LEAST HE'S KIND, UNLIKE YOU, YOU FUCKING COW!"

"Mari do not let her go." Misato said sternly as she stepped forward directly in front of Ritsuko and glared at her.

SLAP

Misato brought her hand so hard across Ritsuko's face, she knocked her to the ground, and caused blood to spirt from her mouth, and left a glaring red imprint on her face.

"How dare you!" Misato roared. "Not only are you taunting a girl who is clearly in distress, you have no regard for human life, you frigid fucking bitch!"

Ritsuko spit a mouthful of blood onto the ground. "I do, but the Evangelions always take precedence over the pilots." Ritsuko said. "A pilot is easy to replace, an Evangelion is not."

Misato stepped forward threateningly. "Why you…"

"Misato!" Kaji exclaimed. "Enough! She's not worth it. Leave it alone."

"Fine…" Misato said.

"You too, Asuka, stop." Kaji said sternly.

"NO, I'M NOT GOING TO STOP TILL I BEAT HER TO A PULP!" Asuka screamed. "I WILL TOO, I CAN FEEL MARI'S GRIP SLIPPING, AND ONCE SHE LETS GO, HER ASS IS ALL FUCKING MINE!"

"Asuka, please calm down!" Kaji pleaded.

"Rei, help me out here!" Mari said. "I can't hold her much longer!"

Rei stepped forward and grasped the right side of Asuka's neck, and pinched it quite hard, and Asuka stopped struggling almost immediately, and fell unconscious. She almost slipped from Mari's grasp, but Mari held her up and kept her from falling.

"Asuka…" Kaji asked.

"The fuck was that, blueberry?" Mari asked.

"I saw it on a television show once." Rei replied. "It appears that the nerve pinch does in fact work. Quite surprising…"

"You saw it… on TV?" Mari asked.

"Yes, and it appears to have calmed Asuka down." Rei said. "She is no longer struggling, and she has stopped shouting."

"Fine, let's get her home." Mari said. "Can you help me?"

"Yes, I believe we can carry her together." Rei said. "But how will we get back to your apartment?"

"We'll just walk." Mari said. "It shouldn't take too long."

"Yes, but we have Asuka to carry." Rei said. "Perhaps someone could drive us."

"I don't really do cars, blueberry." Mari said.

"Why not?" Rei asked.

"It's a lot to explain…" Mari said.

"I'll get you three to the train station above one of the entrances. There's a loop line station only a few blocks from Misato's apartment." Kaji explained. "A few blocks won't be that bad, will it?"

"That is acceptable." Rei replied.

"Thanks, scruffy." Mari said.

"No, problem, let's go." Kaji said. "You too, Katsuragi, you have paperwork about the damaged section of the city. And don't you three have somewhere else to be?"

"Yeah, I have an analysis to conduct." Hyuga said hurrying out of the room.

"Sensor diagnostics." Aoba said excusing himself.

"I'll go prep the EVAs for tomorrow's launch." Maya said as she looked over at Ritsuko.

"Could I have some help up?" Ritsuko asked.

"No." Maya said bluntly as she left the room. As Kaji walked out, Misato took the opportunity for one last jab.

"Perhaps if you were nicer, people would be willing to help you." Misato said snidely.

"I wouldn't talk, Lieutenant Colonel." Ritsuko said. "Enjoy the rank while you have it, it won't last very much longer once the Commander hears about this."

"We'll see." Kaji said. "I'm sure the base will know soon enough about how much you value human life."

"Like those peons matter." Ritsuko said.

"You know, Asuka's right, you probably did know back then about the A.T. Field and the gravity well, the genius you are." Mari said angrily. "Problem is, why would you hide that information at the time…"

"Asuka called her a "heartless fucking cunt" I believe." Rei said quietly. "You will have to explain what that means Mari, as that last word is one I'm not familiar with."

"Yeah, blueberry, I'll explain it later." Mari said. "Come on, let's go…"

Ritsuko stood up as she was left alone in the briefing room. She looked over as everyone left the room. 'Well, I did have the idea before you stupid whore.' Ritsuko thought as Mari and Rei carried Asuka out of the room, and Mari gave her one last piercing glare. 'But it was far more enjoyable to watch you all fret over his well–being… this will show Gendo that ignoring me is a mistake, and show those whores that their fates are in my hands…'

–––

Shinji was relaxing in his darkened Entry Plug and looked at his plugsuit. There was a timer showing "15:11:38.71" and counting down steadily. Shinji sighed deeply and relaxed in his seat.

"Well, radar and everything is blank, and I have no idea where I even am, other than inside the Angel… I think…" Shinji said.

"Well… I'm really in it this time…" Shinji muttered. "Just over 15 hours left before I run out of life support power and well… die." Shinji sighed. "I didn't even get to tell Asuka how I felt about her… and I never will. It's not like I have any power to do anything in this, uh… place… or maybe hellhole is more appropriate."

Shinji lay back in his seat and tied to relax, but heard his stomach grumble. "Great… now I'm hungry… and I have to pee…"

–––

Kaji had gone back to HQ with Misato, and promised to return in the morning to fetch them all for the mission. So, undaunted by the walk, Mari carried Asuka gently on her shoulder as Rei followed her. When Mari and Rei got to the apartment, Asuka was still out cold. Mari and Rei gently laid her out on her bed, and decided that they too should go to bed.

"Blueberry, you'll sleep in my bed, and I'll go out to the couch." Mari said.

"I would much rather not be alone right now." Rei said. "Why can you not stay in bed with me, as you did with Shinji?"

"I'm… I'm not really in the mood to cuddle, blueberry, as cute as you are." Mari said.

"You think I am cute?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, you look a bit like Shinji, actually…" Mari said absentmindedly.

"Is Shinji also… cute?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, blueberry he is…" Mari said.

"So, if I am as cute as Shinji, why not simply cuddle with me if the effect is to comfort yourself against anxiety?" Rei asked.

Mari scratched her chin. "Well… when you put it that way, it's the only logical solution." Mari smiled a bit. "I guess we can cuddle…"

Mari and Rei got ready for bed and Mari shut off the light. She crawled into bed next to Rei ad put her back to her, assuming the small spoon position, and could feel her heart beating extraordinarily fast. 'Now I know how Shinji feels around Asuka…' Mari thought.

"What am I to do?" Rei asked. "How does one cuddle?"

"Just, hold me gently…" Mari said quietly. 'Like Yui once did…' Mari thought.

Rei wrapped her arms gently around Mari, avoiding her ample breasts. "Like this?" Rei asked politely.

"Exactly like that, blueberry." Mari replied.

"Mari, are you alright?" Rei asked. "I can feel your heart beating rapidly."

"I'm just upset…" Mari lied. "At Shinji being… you know…"

"Shinji will be alright." Rei said confidently. "He has survived much worse. He is very strong, even if he denies it, it is true."

"Do you like Shinji, Rei?" Mari asked.

"Do you mean romantically?" Rei asked.

"No… well, yes, I do." Mari said.

"I do not view Shinji that way." Rei said. "I thought I did at one point, but I was mistaken. I mistook his kindness for love, and I felt foolish for thinking that way. I have since figured out that I simply love him as a good friend, as I love you an Asuka the same way."

"Oh…" Mari said.

"I am capable of love." Rei said unexpectedly.

"I never doubted it." Mari said. "But why would you say that?"

"I think people believe I do not have emotions." Rei said. "I do experience them, however, many times before I met Shinji, I was confused and scared of them. But after becoming friends with Shinji… and after I felt his touch… things changed… I changed…" Rei sighed. "I know that before I made friends with everyone they viewed me as a freak, as many people still do… that makes me feel… sad. I dimply choose not to express my emotions all the time, that way I am not confused by them so much."

"Oh, blueberry, that's so sad…" Mari said tearfully.

"It is not sad, it just is." Rei said. "Right now, I feel very safe here with you and Asuka, and I wish Shinji were here so that he could enjoy this too."

"Yeah, so do I…" Mari said. "Goodnight blueberry… sleep tight."

"Goodnight, Mari." Rei said.

Several hours later, Mari woke up suddenly. She could hear Rei breathing quietly next to her, as Rei had rolled on the opposite direction, with her back to Mari.

'Oh well… it was nice while it lasted…' Mari thought. 'I should really ask her out… but I'm still conflicted… she just feels like Yui… she even held me the same way… her touch feels just like Yui too… I need to find out your secret Rei… why do you seem to be Yui…'

Mari looked over to Asuka's bed to see she was no longer in it. 'Where the hell…' Mari thought as she silently got up to go look for the anguished redhead. Mari crept slowly out of the room and went to the bathroom first, with no Asuka. She checked Misato's room and the veranda and found nothing. Mari stayed on the veranda and could see bright spotlights in the distance, trained on a large sphere, with several circling craft. 'Well, Shinji, in the morning, we'll get you out… don't worry…'

Mari leaned over the veranda and kept thinking. 'Well, either Asuka flew the coop trying to save Shinji herself or…' Mari thought, and then it hit her.

Mari went inside and went to Shinji's room. She quietly opened the door, and heard Asuka sobbing quietly. She crept inside and saw Asuka face down on his bed in what little light the room had to offer from a nightlight Shinji had put in.

"Asuka…" Mari whispered.

Asuka looked up and her eyes were bloodshot and puffy, and she face was covered in tears and snot. "What… what do you want?" Asuka sobbed.

"I wondered where you went…" Mari said in a worried voice. "After today… I didn't… I was worried about you."

"Did you think I… ran away… like he did?" Asuka asked.

"No, I…" Mari said. "I don't know what I thought."

"Why did he have to do it?!" Asuka asked. "Why did he have to let it take him?!"

"He didn't have much choice…" Mari said. "And if he hadn't… we would've stayed there until it was too late… he saved us by sacrificing himself…"

"He shouldn't have done that… he shouldn't have pulled me out of there either… ti should be me in there, not him!" Asuka cried out. "It's my fault he's trapped!"

"Quiet down, you're going to wake up Rei." Mari said. "And to be fair, none of us should be in that thing. It's not your fault Asuka… and it's not his either… he just did what he had to do to save us… that's all."

"But I hate him for it!" Asuka said. "He always saves me, he never thinks about what could happen to him, and I can never return the favor, I'm always in his debt, I'm useless! He's brave and I'm a useless fucking loser! It is my fault, it's all my fucking fault!"

"No its not!" Mari said angrily as she sat down next to Asuka and hugged her. "It's not your fault Asuka… don't feel guilty about him saving you. He's just that kind of person, one of these days, you'll be able to repay him…"

"No I won't… I'm a horrible EVA pilot… I'm not special at all… I'm just useless…" Asuka said in a defeated tone.

SLAP

"Why did you slap me?" Asuka exclaimed while she nursed her cheek.

"I slapped you because you're ragging on yourself too much about something beyond your control." Mari said sternly as she enveloped Asuka in another hug. "I just wanted to snap you out of it. Now… stop with that quitter talk, princess." Mari said. "You love Shinji, and we will save him. That's just how it is."

"How… how are we going to save him?" Asuka asked.

"I have no idea, but I know we'll be able to save him, or he'll save himself…" Mari said. "You just have to have faith in the man you love."

"I do have faith in him… I just… what if he never comes back?" Asuka asked. "He never asked me out… he didn't even notice me! What about his birthday! He'll never see the cake I bought him, or the presents, he'll just… he'll just… BE DEAD!"

"Asuka, what did I say about you asking Shinji out…" Mari said. "If you didn't ask him, it's your own fault. And he's not going to die, so stop!"

"But… it's the man's job…" Asuka muttered. "And how do you know he's ok…"

"Asuka… I still have faith, and one of the days, we need to talk about or gender views, ok?" Mari asked. "But for now, we need to sleep… we need to be ready tomorrow, to save him. Then you can tell him how you feel."

"No, I can't tell him… I don't deserve someone as brave and stupid as him… he's too good for me…" Asuka said. "I'm not worth his time…I'm a coward… a lowly coward…"

"Asuka, get up." Mari said.

"Why?" Asuka asked.

"Because you're sleeping next to me and Rei in bed, come on." Mari said, as she dragged Asuka behind her.

"But it's too small…" Asuka moaned.

"No, you're getting squeezed between us so you can't get away again." Mari said. "You need to be with someone tonight, none of us should really be alone tonight…"

---

June 4, 2016 – Comfort 17 Apartments

Rei awoke to Asuka sleeping next to her, with Mari on the far end of the bed. They were all huddled quite close together, and when Rei started moving, Asuka and Mari also woke up.

"Morning all…" Mari yawned.

Asuka only moaned quietly in response.

"Good morning Mari…" Rei said. "I do not remember Asuka being here last night when we fell asleep. Did something occur?"

"Just that Asuka felt a bit lonely, so I offered her some comfort with us." Mari said.

"I hope you are feeling better, Asuka." Rei said.

"Yeah… I am…" Asuka said as she stretched. "I guess all I needed was to be near someone… if you had told me a year ago I'd need to be around people, I would have called you insane."

"I would have said the same, Asuka." Rei said. "Until Shinji arrived, I was alone… now I have many wonderful friends… it is wonderful to be so happy all the time."

"What about you, Mari?" Asuka asked.

"If you told me a year ago I'd be out of the abusive situation I was in, I would have thought I was dreaming…" Mari said. "That's why we need Shinji back… he's what brought us all together, for better or worse, we owe him for the friendships we have…"

"Indeed." Rei replied.

"Yeah…" Asuka said.

"Hello, I'm here!" Kaji called. "I brought breakfast!"

Mari sat straight up. "Oh, Kaji you're a life saver!" Mari called back to him.

"You know, there's another reason to get Shinji back…" Asuka said solemnly. "We can't cook worth a shit…"

"Well, we'll just have to tell him how much we all appreciate when we get him out of this." Mari said.

"Yeah, we will…" Asuka said.

"Come on guys, we have to leave in an hour, you need to get ready quickly!" Kaji called. "But breakfast first!"

"Hold your horses!" Asuka called back to him. "We're just waking up!"

"Fine, just don't take too long, Asuka." Kaji said. "You have a lost pilot to recover."

"We're acutely aware of that scruffy…" Mari said irately. "Why do think we're still in bed. We're not exactly feeling our best."

"I know, but you'll feel better when Shinji gets back." Kaji said. "Misato and I came up with a plan you can execute to stop Ritsuko's insanity."

Asuka jumped over Mari and right out of bed and ran to the kitchen with Mari and Rei following right behind her. "Why didn't you say so?!"

"You didn't ask." Kaji said. "Now, sit down and I'll explain what you have to do."

–––

Shinji sat quietly in the Entry Plug and looked extremely bored. "I never thought that sitting here and doing nothing would be so exhausting." Shinji said.

Shinji leaned forward and turned on the stems again, to check for any changes. "Still nothing…" Shinji sighed. "I wonder where the hell I am…"

Shinji looked at his plugsuit's display again, which showed "04:01:05.20" left in his life support. "So… only four hours left to live… at least I saved Asuka, Mari, and Rei from this fate. Especially Asuka… that's what really matters. I would anything to protect her… I would die if she got hurt… which considering where I am now… that's kind of ironic…"

Shinji shivered just a bit. "It's starting to get cold in here…" Shinji said quietly. "And I'm still hungry, but… I don't think I have to pee anymore…" Shinji sighed as he felt a warmth around him. "Nope… that fixed itself… at least its warmer in here now…"

–––

Misato and Kaji were in the EVA Cage watching as the girls were looking their EVAs over before launch. Kaji and Misato were off to the side, simply waiting.

"Ryoji… can we really get him back?" Misato asked.

"I don't know, Misato." Kaji replied. "But that plan we came up with should help."

"Well, Maya was convinced it could work, and Maya is smarter than Ritsuko, even if she doesn't show it she truly is a gifted young lady." Misato explained.

"You sounded almost like a proud parent there, Misato." Kaji said.

"Well, Maya wasn't exactly in a good place last night." Misato said. "We got to talking, and she was really broken up about what Ritsuko was suggesting. She knew Ritsuko was cold… but she didn't know that she was that heartless… I didn't either… not until then…"

"Hey, Misato, listen, whatever happened to Ritsuko, it obviously affected her." Kaji said.

"She was raped as a child." Misato said. "One of her mother's boyfriends or dates… she told that once, and it explains a lot, but it doesn't excuse her actions the other day."

"But why was Maya broken up about it?" Kaji said.

"Well, be nice when I tell you this, but Maya's… well… she had a crush on Ritsuko, a big one, and that all came crashing down yesterday." Misato explained.

"Wait, really?" Kaji asked. "I guess I should stop hitting on her then…"

"Not the time for a joke, mister." Misato said admonishingly. "But yes, and don't tell her I told you, she doesn't like people knowing."

"I won't, I know that's a touchy subject." Kaji said. "But how did you calm her down?"

"Well, I told her a two stories." Misato said. "One was something I didn't realize until the yesterday, and the other was to tell her how I understood."

"Well, what are they?" Kaji asked.

"Well… the first one is that… I think anyway… Ritsuko caused us to break up." Misato said. "She kept egging me on about asking you to say… you know… and she told me if I lied, it would help press the issue… that's the only reason I did that stupid fucking thing… and I hate myself for listening to her."

"Well… come to think of it, she kept hinting you were cheating on m." Kaji said. "But I didn't say anything, because she's your best friend."

"Was my best friend." Misato said. "After that outburst yesterday, I'm starting to understand why Asuka and Mari distrust her… even Shinji is wary of her… and we discounted them for being kids."

"Well, it tends to happen that way." Kaji said. "At least we know now. But what was the other story you told Maya? Was it also about Ritsuko?"

"No… that one I don't want to talk about." Misato said.

"Why not?" Kaji asked.

"It's… it's not something I think you'd understand." Misato said.

"Try me, Misato, I'm not dumb you know." Kaji said. "You can trust me, can't you?"

"Alright… so I told Maya about my first ever relationship." Misato explained.

"I don't see how our relationship… oh… ohhh…" Kaji said. "Ok, go on…"

"Well, her name was Kotomi Amagi." Misato said as Kaji listened intently. "She was my best friend in high school. One day, after we started discussing Second Impact in class, and people started throwing rumors around about me, she was worried for me. After that, she took me home and held me all night, but sometime while we were talking, I mentioned I'd never been kissed, and then she asked if I'd like to try it, and I say why not… and then we went from kissing playfully that night to having some awkward teenaged sex on my living room floor… and after that, we secretly started dating… she really made me feel special… and we quietly broke up a few years later… I really did love her… and I still do a bit."

"Misato, why didn't you tell me that before?" Kaji asked.

"I was embarrassed and thought you'd leave me if I did." Misato said.

"Well, I you shouldn't be." Kaji said kindly. "Love is love, no matter who its between. I would never mock you for that. So, where is she now?"

"I don't know, we lost touch awhile back… but I did see her during my time at the M.I.T. Branch in the States… she looked happy." Misato said. "She's busy though, but she'll answer the occasional e–mail."

"Well, maybe if she ever transfers here, you set her up with Maya." Kaji said. "Seeing as she's so nice, maybe she'll be good for Maya."

"I don't want to get involved." Misato said.

"Wait, really?" Kaji asked as he felt her forehead. "You don't feel sick."

"I just don't…" Misato mumbled.

"Misato, it's a friend helping out a friend." Kaji said. "Just be nice about it, maybe things will work out for Maya. She's cute and deserves to be happy."

"Fine…" Misato said. "I guess I should help her out."

"Good, but how did she come up with her plan?" Kaji asked.

"Well, she looked over Ritsuko's data and realized that the A.T. Fields would be enough to dampen the effects of… uh… whatever it is, and boom." Misato explained. "She came up with the bomb things for the EVAs to carry on their legs, to be launched into the void and detonated, and then that should start to collapse the thing without nuking the fucking hell out of it."

"Well, it sounds like a good plan." Kaji said. "I'm sure it'll work."

"It has to, Ryoji." Misato said. "Otherwise we'll lose Shinji forever…"

–––

Shinji had fallen asleep and awoke to unfamiliar, yet familiar surroundings. Instead of the Entry Plug he was expecting, he was inside a train car. He was sitting across from someone else. It looked like the girl from his dreams. She had a beautiful head of red hair, large breasts, and a smile.

"Hello there." The redheaded girl said.

"Hello…" Shinji said. "Who are you?"

"I am something you want desperately." The girl said. "Something that you want to be happy with, even though it no longer exists."

"What?" Shinji asked.

"I am your hopes and dreams for love, Shinji Ikari." The girl said.

"Wait, what?" Shinji said. "I love Asuka, why would you matter?"

"So you do not know…" The girl said as she change forms into a younger Shinji. "How sad for you…"

"What… what are you?" Shinji asked.

"I am what you call an Angel." Leliel said. "I am Leliel. Won't you be my friend?"

"But aren't we enemies?" Shinji asked. "Didn't you capture me?"

"I only took you because I was lonely." Leliel said. "Loneliness is such a sad feeling… why do humans feel?"

"I don't know…" Shinji said. "I guess because that is how we live life. To experience our emotions."

"That is silly. Why would anyone elect to feel badly all the time?" Leliel asked.

"We don't feel lonely all the time." Shinji said. "There are times it happens, and others where we feel joy."

"Why go through the bad portions though?" Leliel asked. "I do not understand."

"To enjoy the good parts even more… to appreciate them." Shinji said.

"So, Shinji, are you happy?" Leliel asked.

"Not right now really. I miss my friends." Shinji said. "I hope they aren't worried about me too much."

"You do not need our friends, Shinji." Leliel said. "I will be your friend. You don't need them anymore… that Asuka does not like you, and if you go back, you will be ad and lonely. If you stay here…" Leliel changed shape to a nude form of Asuka, uncrossing her legs to expose Asuka to him and Shinji promptly shut his eyes. Leliel than continued to speak in Asuka's voice "You can be with Asuka forever and not have to worry. You can do all the dirty things you've thought about in your mind for months on end, and you'll never be tired, and she'll always be receptive for you… I will let you do all of that to me…"

"No!" Shinji shouted. "You're not Asuka! I'm not like that, and I won't be your friend!"

"So be it…" Leliel said. "You cannot escape… so you should simply give in and become my friend forever…."

"NO, I WOULD NEVER BE FRIENDS WITH THE LIKES OF YOU!" Shinji screamed.

"You will in time…" Leliel purred. "I have you trapped here forever, you cannot escae, and you will become my friend… and we will be together forever…"

Leliel raised her arm flexed her hand, forcing Shinji's eyes open, making him look at Asuka's body. Shinji screamed out in as he tried to look away, but Leliel used its psychic powers to hold his head in place

"Look at me Shinji… look at what could be yours… all yours for the taking…" Leliel purred. "You can do what you wish, I will even put up a struggle if you want, I can pretend to be afraid of you…"

"No, I'm not like that! I love Asuka, and you're not her! She's kind and she's smart, and she would never act like this!" Shinji screamed. "Get away from me you freak!"

"Name calling isn't very nice, Shinji Ikari…" Leliel said. "But no matter, if you won't take me, I'll just have to take you…" Leliel moved forward towards Shinji quite seductively. "You may not enjoy this, but I will…"

"No, get away from me!" Shinji screamed. "NOOOOOOO!"

As Leliel began unzipping his pants, Shinji saw a bright light envelope Leliel, saw a flash of pale blue, and heard a loud passing train whistle and then awoke again to the clouded Entry Plug, breathing quite heavily.

"What the fuck was that?" Shinji asked himself. "Was that real… or just a dream?"

–––

Ritsuko stood behind Hyuga, Aoba and Maya as the main displays screen was brought online to focus on Leliel.

"Lieutenant Aoba, contact the U.N. and JSSDF, tell them to launch the Seraphim Strike Group." Ritsuko ordered.

"Understood." Aoba replied. "Relaying the order."

"Lieutenant Hyuga, bring the AIS online, and train all weapons on the target." Ritsuko said.

"Ma'am, I don't want to countermand you, but isn't that slightly excessive considering the payload about to be dropped?"

"Lieutenant, you are expected to follow orders, not question them, is that understood?" Ritsuko said plainly.

"Yes, ma'am." Hyuga said. "Is there anything else, ma'am?"

"Yes, set the launch paths for the three Evangelions." Ritsuko said. "Maya…"

"Ma'am could you please refer to me as Lieutenant Ibuki." Maya said.

Ritsuko was silent for a moment, as she was caught off guard by Maya's request. "Alright… Lieutenant Ibuki, move the Evangelions to the launch platforms when ready, and set an automatic launch clock for 4 minutes." Ritsuko ordered.

"Understood, ma'am." Maya said. "You know, ma'am, there is still time to call this off and find another way. Shinji doesn't need to die this way."

"Ibuki… as I said yesterday, Shinji knew the risks of getting in an Evangelion, and he seemed to accept them with his actions then, so this plan, whether anyone likes it or not, is going forward." Ritsuko said angrily. "Now get the EVAs to the launch platforms immediately, we are on a tight timetable. I've moved up the attack schedule 5 minutes. That will allow Shinji the minimum amount of time to react and evade the attack."

"Or so you assume…" Maya grumbled.

"I do not assume, Lieutenant Ibuki, I know." Ritsuko said. "Shinji is an adequate pilot, he should be able to do something. And as everyone kept saying, he's always finding ways out of tight spots."

"Well, generally speaking ma'am, we don't make the spots tighter for him." Hyuga said.

"Yeah, we sort of give him a little extra room rather than choking it all off." Aoba added.

"Enough chit chat!" Ritsuko said angrily. "My decision is final, now carry out your orders and enact the plan given to you!"

"Understood." The bridge bunnies replied as they returned to work.

–––

Shinji looked around his Entry Plug and shivered profusely. He was still shaken from his visit from Leliel. He noticed that flecks and chunks of LCL were different colors, and the emergency lights around him flickered.

"It's getting really… cold… in here. Eve my plugsuit feels… cold and unforgiving…" Shinji stammered. "I think the purification system must have shut off… meaning there can only be minutes left till I die…"

Shinji looked at the plugsuit's time again to see "00:06:00.00" remaining. "So… that's all I have left… six minutes and I die… unless…"

Shinji looked around the Entry Plug again. "I don't know if you can hear me Unit–01… but I need your help again… I don't want to die… I want to see Asuka again, the real Asuka, not that… not that fake! I want to earn her trust, and her love! Please… please help me get back there. Please!"

As if by magic, the Entry plug turned back on, and the display came back online. Shinji felt Unit–01 begin to move of its own accord and Shinji grabbed the control yokes to hold on.

"Good, now that you're awake, let's get out of here before the freak comes back." Shinji said. "And thank you Unit–01… thank you for being there when I needed it most…"

Shinji felt a warmth envelope him, and even though he could not hear it, the soul of his mother spoke to him.

"My Shinji, how you have grown. You're much different than when you stepped into the cockpit last year… you're confident and happy instead of sad and alone. You

've mad friends with someone I thought to be gone forever, and you've shown her what true happiness is, you've brought Rei out of her sell, and made Asuka less hostile towards others… you are a wondrous boy, and you've brought so many people together. I am so very proud of you, my son." Yui said. "Soon you will be able to hear me, and when that happens, then I will be able to tell you how proud I am of you… then you will know that I've been here all along… now Shinji… let's get you back to the girl you love, and to the girl that loves me… and to the girl that is me…"

Shinji could hear something from the outside of the EVA, a familiar sound and he smirked knowing he was once again safe in his Evangelion's hands.

"ROOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!"

–––

Asuka was gripping her control yokes very tightly. She was peering around and looking at the void for any signs of change. She glanced over and saw Unit–00 and Unit–XP standing not that far from her, A.T. Fields at maximum, waiting to begin their plot to save Shinji.

"Mari, you there?" Asuka asked.

"Yep…" Mari said.

"Rei?" Asuka asked.

"Yes, I am here as well, Asuka." Rei replied.

"I believe it's time to make it rain…" Asuka said.

"Blood or tears?" Mari asked.

"Blood I presume…" Rei replied.

"What are you chattering about out there?!" Ritsuko asked angrily. "Focus on your task!"

"Yeah, you can go to hell, Akagi!" Asuka shouted. "Now you guys!"

"Yea, suck my dick, Akagi!" Mari shouted as all three Evangelions deployed an electromagnetic field modulator into the void. Moments later, the ground shook and the black void fractured like tempered glass, spraying red chunks of blood everywhere.

"What the fuck is that?!" Asuka screamed. "What the hell is going on?!"

"It's got to be Shinji!" Mari cried out.

"Yes… but how…" Rei asked.

"Who cares, at least he's alive!" Asuka cried.

–––

In Central Dogma, everyone was in shock at what was happening, as several alarms began wringing, including one that was detecting a fifth A.T. Field.

"What the hell did they do?!" Ritsuko screamed.

"They enacted my tactical plan, Akagi!" Maya said. "I thought of something to save Shinji, but it shouldn't be doing this…."

"Aoba, I'm ordering the N2 strike, do it now!" Ritsuko said. "Drop everything!"

"Belay that order, Aoba!" Misato said. "That is Unit–01 attempting to destroy the Angel, putting this operation back under my jurisdiction. Aoba, tell those planes to go land. They won't be using their little toys bombs today!"

"Yes, Colonel, right away!" Aoba said as he grabbed the phone.

"Maya, confirm its Unit–01." Misato ordered.

"Right away ma'am!" Maya replied eagerly.

"Misato, stop this at once!" Ritsuko said. "This is my…"

"Unfortunately not anymore, Dr. Akagi…" Gendo said from behind them all. "I apparently missed some important happenings while I was away. However, Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi is correct, this operation is hers to command, the N2 strike will be halted."

"Commander…" Ritsuko mumbled.

"Katsuragi, carry out your plan." Sub–Commander Fuyutsuki said.

"Yes, sir!" Misato said.

–––

All three girls looked on in awe as Leliel's black void continued to fracture and bleed, showing that either Shinji or Unit–01 was pulling off some kind of miracle. Asuka was smiling from ear to ear as everything went on around her.

"Come on, Shinji!" Asuka shouted. "Get back here already!"

"Yeah, puppy, come on, get the fuck out of there!" Mari cried.

"Shinji, please be ok…" Rei said.

Suddenly, the sphere above the void flickered and began to turn black as well, losing its dazzle pattern. Suddenly, it began budging out oddly in places, as if something inside was struggling to be free.

A slit in the side began to open up, and it bled profusely. As an arm shot out from the wound, forcing it open further, causing more blood to shoot out in a massive red torrent. As the red mist continued to stream from the black sphere, the perpetrator became visible to all, and covered and dripping in crimson blood was Unit–01, roaring powerfully as the Angel was tore apart around her. "ROOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!"

Unit–01 ripped the sphere in half and jumped down, landing on its right fist in a crouched position, obliterating the remnants of the black void with its impact and spraying blood everywhere in the vicinity, covering the other Evangelions in the crimson remains.

"SHINJI!" Asuka cried as tears escaped from her eyes. "You did it! You came back!"

"I hope he is alright…" Rei said.

"He's ok, blueberry!" Mari said happily. "He's back safely!"

"Good job, Shinji…" Kaji said.

"But how did he do it?" Ritsuko muttered.

"It doesn't matter to me, he's ok and that's all that matters." Misato said. "Send in the recovery teams immediately. Extract Unit–01's pilot now!"

Unit–01 stood up proudly and looked up at the sky letting out one more awesome cry. "ROOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!"

---

June 5, 2016 – NERV HQ

Gendo was sitting in his office angrily. He was staring down Ritsuko, who was sitting nervously across from him.

"Explain yourself." Gendo said sternly.

"What do you mean?" Ritsuko asked nervously.

"What led you to make the inane decisions you made while Fuyutsuki and myself were away." Gendo said. "How did you possibly think your decisions were the correct ones?"

"I was simply following your directive to recover the Evangelions at all cost." Ritsuko said. "The plan was tailored to recover Unit–01, as you directed."

"I also directed you to protect the pilot's lives as well, or did that slip your mind as well." Gendo said angrily.

"I was simply worried about the Evangelion." Ritsuko said. "I did not think about any other directives you may have given, as I only remember the one about protecting Unit–01 at all costs. I was also worried about destroying the Angel as well."

"I do find it hard to believe someone as intelligent as you forgot something as simple as protecting the pilots." Gendo said. "And how you thought you could pull off something as reckless as endangering Shinji in such a way is unfathomable. Now, I don't understand why you'd do this."

"Why do you think, Gendo?" Ritsuko asked. "Perhaps it was because you refuse to be near me! Or perhaps it's those rotten whores defying me at every turn!"

"So… you feel slighted and then decide the appropriate action is to intentionally endanger my son, the other pilots, and the inhabitants of this city to get back at me and two teenaged girls?" Gendo asked. "That seems like a very childish thing to do for attention."

"It was not childish!" Ritsuko shouted. "I was simply doing my best with what information I had! Shinji knew the risks!"

"Yes, I know this part, Ritsuko. I was informed of Ms. Soryu's outburst the other day in response to your… lack of empathy." Gendo explained. "I am forced, under the circumstances to agree with Ms. Soryu's assessment that you knew the A.T. Field would counteract the gravity well. I know you are as well versed in that science as I am, and I am astonished you did not suggest it sooner, but waited until after it would have made a difference. We know the Angel's levitate by using the A.T. Field, so logically, it would make sense to try that wouldn't it?"

"No, it would not have worked, Shinji…" Ritsuko started.

"Shinji has the highest sync score, ergo the strongest possible A.T. Field." Gendo said, cutting her off. "Therefore, if any of the four of them could do it, it would be Shinji."

"I…" Ritsuko stammered.

"Do you have nothing to say for yourself?" Gendo asked.

"No, I don't." Ritsuko said. "I stand by my decision. I got a private conversation with you, so the idea was not totally wasted."

"Well then, you're not going to like what happens next." Gendo said. "In order to face the consequences of your actions, you are being put on administrative leave indefinitely until you go and apologize to each person you effected. Why this punishment you ask? Because I know how incapable you are of taking responsibility for your actions."

"You're right, I hate this punishment." Ritsuko said.

"You will also no longer be of any sexual use to me after this." Gendo said. "If you want that privilege back, you'll compete your penance for your actions."

"What?" Ritsuko asked.

"You go and apologize to the pilots, to Katsuragi, and to the main bridge crew for your inane plans, and then you will your job, and myself back. Until then, you are out of luck, and have no pay." Gendo said. "Is that understood?"

"Yes sir, it is." Ritsuko said. "But what about Colonel Katsuragi assaulting me?"

"Colonel Katsuragi will not be disciplined on that matter, Dr. Akagi. Considering the circumstances, and what Ms. Soryu had threatened to do, I think you got off quite easy with a simple slap to the face." Gendo said calmly. "You did deserve far worse however, and I believe the young girl would have delivered on her promise."

"I'm sure the little bitch would have…" Ritsuko muttered.

"Enough." Gendo said sternly. "Now, is there anything else, Dr. Akagi?"

"No, sir." Ritsuko said.

"Good." Gendo snapped his fingers and Kaji walked in. "I thought it would be nicer to have a friend escort you off the premises after you collect some things."

"So… so soon?" Ritsuko asked.

"Yes, I wish to not belabor this issue." Gendo said. "I have many more important things to deal with, like finding a temporary replacement in your absence… so if I were you, I'd get to apologizing. Perhaps Mr. Kaji would be a good starting point to practice on."

Kaji stood behind Ritsuko firmly and looked at her. "Come on Ritsuko, let's go."

"Fine, but I know the way." Ritsuko said.

"Sure you do, you work here, remember?" Kaji joked.

Ritsuko stormed out of the office, followed by an amused Kaji while Gendo looked on and smirked mercilessly. "That will teach her to get out of line again… and to never put my plans of instrumentality in danger again."

---

June 6, 2016 – NERV HQ, Medical Wing

Shinji was laying peacefully in a hospital bed. He had not woken up since being found in his Entry Plug unconscious. However, since being out in his room the previous day after being removed from the ICU, Asuka, Mari and Rei had flatly refused to leave his side. They had each been talking to him to wake him up, but had not been successful.

Seeing as the girls had been wake since the morning Unit–01 ripped its way out of Leliel, they were understandably exhausted, and when Shinji stirred and began to wake up, he saw Mari and Rei sleeping on each other's shoulders next to his bed, and he saw Asuka passed out near his legs, drooling silently onto his bed sheets.

Shinji shifted himself to a sitting position and disturbed Asuka slumber. She looked up tiredly and saw that he was awake, and a large smile crossed her face.

"SHINJI!" Asuka shouted. "You're awake!" Asuka bounded onto the bed and hugged him awkwardly, and in doing so, sunk her knee into his groin quite hard.

"Ow!" Shinji cried out.

"What's wrong?" Asuka asked as she looked down and noticed what she had done. "Sorry… I didn't meant to do that… are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Shinji said.

"Good." Asuka said, the smile disappearing from her face. "You stupid idiot!" Asuka shouted as she slapped the top of Shinji's head. "Don't you dare do that again! Don't you dare play the hero and say goodbye to everyone you selfish jerk! We were all worried sick about you! And then you come out and wake up all smiling without knowing what you did! We thought you were dead, and you almost were!"

Mari grabbed Asuka's wrists. "Asuka, stop slapping him… he gets it."

"No, he needs to be hit a little bit more!" Asuka said angrily. "He made us all worry for him, the big dumb idiot!"

"You did make her cry, Shinji…" Mari said.

"Asuka… cried… over me?" Shinji asked.

"Yes, we all cried about you dummy." Mari said. "Alright, finish slapping him, Asuka."

"Fine." Asuka said as she smacked his head one more time. "I hope you learned your lesson to not do that again. Don't be so selfish… if you died, we'd have really missed you, dummkopf…"

"Ow…" Shinji said. "Why did you hit me so many times?"

"You said you were alright, so I figured you deserved your punishment now!" Asuka said as she hugged him again. "I'm just glad your back with us Shinji… we missed you."

"I missed you guys too." Shinji said. "And I promise it won't happen again."

"That is nice to hear." Rei said. "I would have been most unhappy if you died."

"So, what did you see in there, anything?" Mari asked.

"No… it was just lonely." Shinji replied.

"Liar." Mari said. "I don't believe you."

"Wha…" Shinji said.

"Yeah, you always look down when you're hiding something… spill…" Asuka said.

"But I…" Shinji said.

"Shinji, please tell us." Rei said.

"Fine, but I don't want you to tell anyone, ok? Please just promise me that." Shinji said. "And please, don't get mad… what I have to say isn't very fun…"

"We promise." Mari said.

"I won't tell anyone." Asuka said.

"I know how to keep something a secret." Rei replied.

"Ok, well, the Angel wanted to be my friend… it said it was lonely and that I was unhappy." Shinji explained. "The Angel said its name was Leliel… it tried to convince me to stay there forever to be its friend. When I said no, Leliel took… your forms… and tried to make me look at your… n… n… naked… bodies…" Shinji stammered through that part. "I kept my eyes closed, but they forced them open… and I'm… sorry… I didn't mean to see… I was forced…"

"So the Angel mind raped you?" Asuka asked. "But why the naked bodies?"

"Yeah… I guess…" Shinji said. "Leliel said that I could whatever wanted… forever… and I said no… that… that I'm not that kind of person to take advantage of someone like that. I was scared, guys, I thought it was going to rape me for real…"

Mari squeezed in on the hug Asuka had enveloped him in, and held them both tight. "It happens sometimes, Shinji… you can't avoid torture like that."

"Yes, Shinji, you did not imagine any of that, so it is not your fault." Rei said.

'So, he finally saw me naked…but I don't deserve to be seen by him… I'm not good enough for someone as brave as Shinji…' Asuka thought. "Did you think I… looked nice?" Asuka asked. "When it uh… took my form?"

"What?" Mari asked. "Seriously princess, why?"

"I'm curious." Asuka said. "I'm allowed to be aren't I?"

"I suppose…" Mari said as she shook her head.

"I… uh… I though you looked… uh… really nice Asuka…" Shinji said quietly.

"Pervert." Asuka shoved him jokingly as she kissed him on the cheek. "You looked."

"Sorry…" Shinji said.

"Don't be." Asuka said. "Like Mari said, it's not your fault. At least the Angel made me look good though." Asuka laughed. "Shinji, really, don't worry, I'm really not mad."

Shinji smiled. "Ok, Asuka, I'm glad." Shinji looked at all of them. "So, remember what you promised."

"We won't tell a soul." Asuka said.

"No one needs to know." Mari replied.

"I do not remember having a conversation regarding the matter." Rei said.

"Good." Shinji said as he smiled. "So, I have a few questions."

"Shoot." Mari said.

"What day is it exactly? How long was I gone? How long have I been here? What happened while I was gone?"

"Oh, that's easy to explain." Mari explained. "After you went quietly into the void, Asuka threw a fit wanting to get you back. That cunt Akagi came up with a plan that would have dropped 992 N2 warheads into the void simultaneously, not really caring about your life at all really. Asuka threatened to kill her, and oh, miso slapped that bitch so hard she fell down. Then Maya came up with a plan to save you, and then you sort of ripped your way out… and that's all that happened while you were gone, and that was all two days ago…"

"Asuka were you really that upset?" Shinji asked.

"Yes, I was I wanted to rip her heart out and shove it up her tight ass!" Asuka said angrily. "But Mari held me back… and Misato handled her."

"Thanks Asuka…" Shinji said quietly. 'Wow, Asuka… you care about me… but I don't deserve you… not when I have such dirty thoughts about you.' Shinji thought. 'You deserve better than some dumb pervert like me…'

"Your welcome, baka." Asuka said sweetly as she continued to hug him with Mari.

"Hey, blueberry, join in the hug." Mari asked.

"I would rather not." Rei said. "I do not wish to crush Shinji."

"Oh, yeah…" Mari said as she and Asuka let go and decided to lay next to him instead, with Asuka sitting down on the bed.

"You answered part of my question, but what day is it?" Shinji asked.

"You do not know already?" Rei asked.

"No… that's why I asked." Shinji said.

"Dummkopf… it's your birthday." Asuka said.

"Really?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah, but we're disappointed." Mari said.

"Why?" Shinji asked.

"Because, Asuka's surprise party was ruined." Mari said.

"Bitch!" Asuka shouted. "You're not supposed to tell him!"

"I didn't see the harm." Mari said. "Kaji said they should be back in a few minutes. They have news too apparently about the party."

"Asuka it was really nice of you to set that up." Shinji said. "Maybe you can try again next year with the surprise party."

"Well, I only did it because you threw me such a wonderful party…" Asuka said sadly. "I even convinced Hikari to cook too…"

"Asuka, don't feel bad." Shinji said. "It's ok… things happen."

"Well, they shouldn't happen like this." Asuka said sullenly. "You deserve a nice party like we got… it's only fair."

"Asuka, life isn't fair." Shinji said. "I learned that a long time ago. But even so… I still appreciate the thought, that's what matters more."

"Thanks…" Asuka said quietly.

"Hey guys, we're back…" Misato said as she came in the room with Kaji. "Shinji! You're awake! You're ok!" Misato bounded forward and knocked both Asuka and Mari from the bed as she hugged Shinji. "Oh, you're in big trouble mister! You shouldn't worry people like that…"

"Miso, enough." Mari said as she picked herself up off the floor. "Asuka already slapped him senseless for being a hero."

"What, she did?" Misato asked.

"Yeah, I did." Asuka replied as she stood back up. "He's learned his lesson, haven't you, baka."

"Yeas I have…" Shinji said quietly.

"Good, Shinji." Kaji joked. "That'll show you that being a big hero in a giant robot isn't all it's cracked up to be."

"I guess…" Shinji said.

"So, how was everyone?" Mari asked.

"Yeah, what did you tell them?" Asuka asked.

"The truth. I didn't see any harm in telling them. I'm sure you've told them more than they needed to know already." Misato said. "They were all heartbroken that they'd miss your birthday. Hikari left all the food in the fridge though, said she'd make fresh for the party when it's rescheduled, and that you don't have to cook now for a while. Oh, and we tried to bring them along to see you, but it's for employees only."

"But they send along the warmest of regards to your speedy recovery." Kaji said. "We also brought these." Kaji produced a bag of gifts. "They said they'd give you your presents later, but these were under Asuka and Mari's beds. Rei, we also snuck into your place to grab what you told us to… you really need to lock the door."

"It is fine, no one bothers me." Rei said.

"Rei, it's about simple safety, we don't want you to get hurt or anything." Kaji said. "Please, just lock the door, ok?"

"Yes, sir." Rei replied.

"What are those…" Shinji asked.

"Your presents from us, puppy." Mari said.

"Yeah, did you think we didn't buy you anything?" Asuka asked.

"No I just didn't expect…" Shinji stammered. "I didn't expect you to bring the presents here that's all."

"Oh, well, surprise, baka." Asuka joked.

"Ok, so we'll leave you kids to it." Kaji said. "Come on Misato, let's head out."

"Yeah, yeah." Misato said as she kissed Shinji on the forehead. "See you later Shinji."

"Bye Misato, bye Kaji." Shinji said.

"Hey, wait, before you guys go, what was the big news?" Mari asked.

"Ohhh… that." Kaji said. "Well, Ritsuko's been suspended from her job until she apologizes to all of you, Shinji included. She's already apologized to me, Misato, Hyuga, and Aoba. But I guess she's afraid of Asuka and Mari hurting her, and Maya is actively avoiding her as much as she can."

"I should avoid her too." Asuka said. "I hope she gets fired."

"Asuka, be nice." Kaji said. "Ritsuko is worse at apologies than you are, so if she apologizes, just accept it and move on."

"But she almost killed Shinji!" Asuka said angrily. "Why should I accept that kind of apology from her?!"

"Asuka, it's the nice thing to do." Shinji said. "Be the better person. I bet she expects you to refuse her apology, so surprise her by accepting it graciously and moving on."

"Wow, Shinji…" Asuka said. "I guess you're right… but I don't have to like it!"

"Of course not." Shinji said.

"But you can enjoy the look of shock on her face when you do it." Mari quipped.

"See, just be nice." Kaji said as he went to the door. "Alright, bye all!"

"Later." Misato said as she departed with Kaji.

"Excuse me, Misato?" Rei asked. "Do you know when they will release Shinji?"

"Oh, uh probably tomorrow or Wednesday." Misato said. "I'm hoping for tomorrow."

"So am I." Shinji said. "I want to go home."

"I know you do." Misato said. "I'll see what I can do to move things along."

"Thanks, Misato." Shinji said.

As the adults left the room, the girls go back to focusing on Shinji. Asuka grabbed the bag and handed out the presents to their owners. Mari thrust her present quite forcibly under Shinji's nose before anyone else could react.

"Mine first!" Mari said. "Open it, puppy!"

"Alright, Mari." Shinji said. "Just relax…"

Shinji opened the package to reveal a new PS Vita with Need for Speed Most Wanted and Tetris Ultimate. "Wow, Mari, this looks really cool… thank you…" Shinji said.

"It's no problem." Mari said shrugging her shoulders. "I wasn't sure what games to buy you, so I got those two. I think you'll like them."

"Thanks Mari." Shinji said as he put the box down.

"May I go next?" Rei asked.

"Sure, Rei." Asuka said.

"I actually have something for each of you." Rei said. "When Mari took me to the mall, I bought these as the presents for your birthdays. I do hope you like them."

Rei handed out small packages to each of them. They each opened the wrapping to find the same thing… a picture of the four of them Kaji had taken a few months previously. The y all looked extremely happy in the picture. What else what interesting where the fact that each of them had an identical frame that said "My Best Friends" on the frame in several languages.

"Wow, Rei, this is really nice!" Mari said.

"Yeah, it's really sweet." Shinji said. "Thank you Rei."

"Yeah, Rei, this is…" Asuka said. "…wunderbar…"

"Thankyou." Rei said, blushing slightly. "But I do have another gift for Shinji." Rei said as she produced another small package. "Here you go, Shinji."

Shinji unwrapped it to find a purple, digital, multipurpose watch.

"Rei, that's really thoughtful." Shinji said.

"Oh… I am glad you like it." Rei said. "I know that Mari bought you a very nice watch for Christmas, but I thought considering our profession as Evangelion pilots that a more rugged watch that resists water would be more appropriate for everyday wear." Rei smiled. "It also has a function to track time around the world, a stopwatch and several alarms."

"Nice thinking blueberry." Mari said.

"Yeah…" Asuka said. "I wish I had thought of that…"

"I'm sure whatever you got me was really heartfelt Asuka." Shinji said. "You gave me such wonderful presents at Christmas."

"Really?" Asuka asked.

"Yes, really." Shinji said.

"Well, seeing as you're so appreciative… here's what I got you…" Asuka said, pushing her gift towards him. "I hope you like it as much as you liked your other presents."

Shinji opened the box and pulled off the tissue paper covering the gifts. Inside the box were six plushies of Charizard, Venusaur, Blastoise, Snorlax, Lapras, and Pikachu. Shinji looked at each one and smiled.

"Asuka these are wonderful." Shinji said. "Thank you."

"I thought they would go well with your collection, Shinji." Asuka said. "But compared to everyone else's gifts, I don't think I got you enough…"

"Asuka, you got me more than I could have ever asked for." Shinji said. "Asuka, I liked your gifts as much as Mari and Rei's. Every time I see these, I'll think of you…"

"Really, Shinji?" Asuka asked.

"Asuka, I know better than to lie to you and risk your wrath." Shinji said.

"Well, I guess I may call you stupid a lot, but you're not really stupid are you?" Asuka asked.

"I'd have to say he's not." Mari said. "He knows that if he lies to you, you'll beat him senseless, princess."

"I wouldn't hurt him… that much…" Asuka joked.

"Wow, you guys are a lot friendlier than I remember…" Shinji said. "Are you sure I've only been asleep a few days?"

"Let's just say we got to know each other better because you went missing, puppy." Mari said.

"You sound like you're not pleased we're finally getting along." Asuka said.

"It not that I'm not pleased." Shinji said "I just never thought it was possible."

To Be Continued

---

A/N: I do not own Evangelion or any of the characters, GAINAX and the other distributors of NGE related material do. I am simply using them as a backdrop for my fanfic.

Sync Score Rankings!
Shinji – 85.1% (+0.8%)
Asuka – 79.7% (+1.5%)
Mari – 76.7% (+1.7%)
Rei – 73.3% (+1.5%)

Well, there is that chapter done and done. I decided early on that this chapter would have very little similarity to the episode Leliel appears in, besides Shinji being captured, and his interactions with Leliel, this is where things begin to majorly diverge, as events now will still be somewhat recognizable, but still vastly different from established canon.

Once again, relationship woes for Shinji and Asuka. Asuka feels she is not worthy of Shinji the hero, whereas she feels herself to be useless on the battlefield, beginning a downward spiral that we see in the show. Obviously this is precipitated by being both in love and jealous with Shinji. Shinji on the other hand feel guilty for having impure thoughts of Asuka, and does not the he deserves her after betraying a trust to not be a pervert in regards to her. They both cannot get out of their own way, and Leliel certainly added to their anxiety level about their love for each other.

As for the changes to Leliel, it's the only Angel modification I see myself doing. Every other Angel was threatening in its own right, except this one. Add in a gravity field (which Ritsuko explained, and is further explained on my thread at the evageeks forums), now Leliel is terrifying by using gravity to suck you in like a black hole.

Now, Maua losing faith in Ritsuko, and Ritsuko's utter disregard for Shinji are two things I wanted to expand on. First, Maya did love/like Ritsuko until now, hence the familiarity between the two. However, after this, Maya sees her as a bad person. As for Ritsuko's utter lack of humanity, she's fucked up in this story, very fucked up. She is getting back at Gendo for not banging her, Asuka and Mari for disobeying her, and to Shinji for being friends with two "whores." This is leading up to the point where Ritsuko completely loses her shit, and I need it to be believable in the end. She will recover a bit from this, but she'll be isolated, which will only deepen her issues.

Alright, so Kotomi Amagi. She was introduced as a character in Episode II, to be Misato's best friend, and was supposed to be someone like Hikari. Kind, considerate, very loyal to her friends, but she was also a lesbian. I've kept this quiet for a while, and drew parallels to Misato and Kotomi's relationship and Misato and Kaji's relationship. Basically, after Kotomi comforted Misato he day she found out about her secret, they began talking and started a secret, but very loving relationship that fully drew Misato from her shell. They broke up amicably just before they graduated high school and wished each other the best. Kotomi will be making more appearances in the story going forward, just not right now. She wasn't a throw away character… I had the long game to think about.

As I said before, and will always say at the end of chapter, please leave comments, as I would like to try to improve the story going forward any way I can. And, hell, constructive criticism is a good thing.

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つづく