Ch 16 The Road To Damascus


Toji strode down the boardwalk with a big smile and not a worry on his mind. On one hand, he had the stick of the best cotton candy he'd ever tasted. On the other, he had a girl. Who despite not having eaten any cotton candy herself. Had gotten her tongue stained the same sky blue color as his.

"This is fun! I haven't been to an amusement park since I was a little girl."

"Me neither. Well, I was a little boy, but you know what I mean."

The girl giggled and shook her head at him. Then he saw her eyes flash as something caught her eye behind him. He looked to see the source.

It was a massive stuffed animal, a multicolored horse dangling on top of a smaller pile of lesser prizes. He felt a swell of testosterone and pulled the girl along with him.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

"Toji, if you don't want to, you don't have to-"

"Aha, but I do want to. Have no fear, I'll just have to be careful. I don't break it."

It was an old-fashioned strength tester. A comically oversized mallet leaned against the long metal pole. He flexed his muscles as he approached the man attending the machine. He only paid for one try. It was all he needed.

He swung with all his might. The mallet was much lighter than he expected. Still, he easily had enough power to force a win out of the contraption.

He smirked at the indicator as it flew all the way up past 90. Right before it got to the top, however, it stopped. It had to have been a 99 or 98. So close he could taste it.

Looking behind him, he saw that Hikari's nostrils were flaring and her foot was stamping angrily like a rabbit; he thought it was cute. She looked about as outraged as he felt. It was obviously a scam. He'd nailed it.

He wasn't going to let her down. A stupid carnival game was not gonna embarrass him in front of his new girlfriend. He was a man; he demanded satisfaction.

He paid the man once more. This time, he was playing to win. He swung with all his might. Bringing the cheap head of the hammer onto the medal with a resounding clang. He used too much force, the thin wooden stick in his hand shattered into splinters.

"Uh, I'm sorry, man."

The man attending the machine looked more annoyed than angry at him.

"Can I get that one?" He pointed at the cartoonishly oversized horse. The man was almost a foot shorter than him, so he didn't feel threatened. Moreso worried that the man would report him to security for breaking his stupid hammer.

"Whatever, just get out of here kid, don't come back neither."

"Thanks! Sorry again." He hastily bid his retreat, handing the stuffed animal over to his girlfriend.

Toji felt a surge of pride as she watched the girl clutch the oversized creature to her chest. He'd not seen her smile like that before. He made it his new mission to see it again, and again and again.

"Do you like it?"

"I do. Thank you Toji. Want me to get you some Yakitori to pay you back?"

"No, of course not. I'm a gentleman. The deed is its own reward."

"Oh, I see. Okay, Mr Gentleman, will you please escort this lady to the food court?"

"I would be simply delighted to, my fair lady."


"Shinji? Are you in there? Can we talk?"

Shinji panicked. He'd not even begun to get dressed. He'd been getting distracted with tidying up his room before he left.

"Give me a second!" It was relatively simple for him to throw on his clothes on the rushed deadline. He'd put on his school uniform enough to do it blindfolded at this point.

"Okay. You can come in."

Misato was already dressed in her full work uniform. She looked distressed about something.

"It's about when you went into the shadow, that last Angel."

"Oh."

"You said you had a plan when you went in there. Did you know what was gonna happen after you went in there?"

Shinji felt his eyes turn into saucers. He'd not thought about the fact he was broadcasting what he said on open comms. He felt himself recoil from the woman as he tried to come up with a response.

"Uhh, I lied. I didn't want anyone going after me. I don't even remember how I got out of there. Ritsuko wouldn't tell me anything."

"You'd lie like that to Asuka? That doesn't seem like you at all."

"You know how she is. If it was going to… I didn't want all of us to go down with me."

"So Asuka's right! You are an idiot! Why'd you put yourself in danger like that if you didn't even know it was gonna work!?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't see any better options, I guess." The woman eyed him suspiciously, and he panicked.

'What should I say to her!?'

'You were doing well. You do not need my assistance in this. If you wish to inform Katsuragi of the truth, you may. If you do not wish to, I will not force you. I am leaving this decision to you.'

"Do you know what the Eva's are Shinji? What they really are?"

He was caught off guard by the unexpected question. He looked into the woman's eyes. There were dark bags hanging under them. She looked sick. Her skin was pale and her entire body was covered in perspiration.

There was a long silence between them. Shinji considered his words very carefully, and Misato was gracious enough to give him the time to do so.

"Definitely not robots, or mechanized war machines, or whatever else Dr Akagi called them when I first got here."

"What aren't you telling me Shinji? I can tell when you're hiding something."

"No, you can't! I'm sorry, I meant to say, It's kind of obvious if you think about it. I don't think it's a secret."

"Uh huh, sure. What have you and your dad been talking about in his office? Have you two finally started to patch things up?"

Shinji's eyes widened. He'd not expected Misato to find out. He should've expected it at some point.

"No, not really. He's still….himself."

"Come on, I've heard tickling can be used as a pretty effective interrogation tactic."

"Misato, I can't tell you."

"You can, I promise. I want you to trust me, Shinji. Do you?"

He thought about it. She wasn't the most responsible, and she was definitely reckless. He could tell that she cared for them, however, and that was enough.

"I do."

The synapses in Shinji's brain finally connected. The realization came so suddenly and with such force; he felt a lightbulb might appear above his head.

"Kaji told me some things…"

"What kind of things?"


"What do you mean you forgot our lunches!? I'm supposed to starve because of your incompetence!?"

"I'm sorry. I forgot to make them last night and this morning I was too busy talking to Misato. Can't you just get something from the cafeteria?"

Asuka couldn't believe the nerve of the boy's suggestion. He knew how bad the school's food was. Starving was better than a life eating garbage like that.

It didn't really upset her that much. It did, however, give her an opportunity to direct her recent frustration somewhere besides internally.

"Hah, look at the married couple fighting." The classroom broke into laughter and the boy's joke. No, HER joke, he'd just stolen it and used it against her. An unforgivable sin.

"You stole my joke nimrod!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did not!'

"Did too! Wait! She tricked me! That's not fair!"

"Please stop, both of you. You're both teenagers, for crying out loud."

Asuka frowned at the girl, interrupting her verbal triumph.

"Whatever, I got what I needed. Let's go eat Hikari."

"Well…. You see. About that."


"What do you mean you're eating with him!?"

Shinji winced at the incredible volume of the girl's yelling.

"Oh yeah. Guys, I'm gonna eat lunch with Hikari. Cool? Cool." The two boys barely had time to agree before the tall boy vanished into the halls.

Hikari followed him a few moments after. Leaving a furious Asuka redirecting her furious gaze at him.

"Puppy, I'd tread carefully, talking to the princess. She looks about ready to pop. I didn't get much sleep. I don't think either of us wanna listen to anymore yelling. Just don't say anything stupid."

"Oh, that reminds me. I have to go... to the bathroom. I'll be back." Kensuke refused to make eye contact with either of them.

"It's okay. I know how to talk to Asuka. I've done it before." Why did he say that? It wasn't a lie technically, but the spirit behind it felt dishonest.

Asuka and him were close, he didn't really know how close. It wasn't like there was a measurement or something for him to compare against. All he knew was they had more normal conversations and fewer conflicts. Less didn't mean none. Progress was progress. He was afraid to ask. If the moment was right and he caught her in a good mood, it was possible. Otherwise, he was waiting for her to take the initiative. If he got too greedy now, he could lose it all.

"What are you looking at?"

"Uh, you?" The redhead's accusing glare switched from him to the girl behind him.

"Me and the Idiot are having lunch four-eyes. Don't you have anywhere else to be?"

"I don't, but I can leave. After all, I don't wanna get in the way of your passionate lovemaking." The giggling brunette had already left the room before Asuka could retaliate.

"You come back here! Coward!"

Shinji wasn't hungry. He nervously eyed the redhead as she approached him and sat at the desk next to his. It was now just the two of them in the empty classroom.

"So…."

"So…."

They spoke in perfect sync, this continued as they each covered their mouth in the same way.

"Do you think that sync training will ever wear off? That was weird."

"Honestly? No. I don't mind. I like it, kinda."

"Why?"

"Well, cause." He cut himself off before he could use words he remembered the girl had expressly forbidden him from using in her presence. Maybe she'd forgotten about it. Maybe she hadn't. He realized he'd need to think carefully about what he said. This could easily end badly if he said something stupid. As he tended to do in situations like this.

"It means we're always connected, in a way."

"I guess you're right." The redhead stretched and yawned as she spoke, creating a pleasant sight that he only glimpsed for a moment.

"Didn't sleep well last night?"

"Yeah, I'm too tired to be hungry. I'm taking a nap. Wake me up before the bell." Without another word, the girl's bag and head flopped onto his desk. It was only a minute before her breathing slowed and Shinji guessed the girl had fallen asleep. He was impressed. He wished he could just force himself to sleep, then maybe he wouldn't be so tired all the time.

Part of him wanted to be upset that the girl had berated him loudly and publicly in front of the whole class when she didn't even seem that hungry, let alone starving. Watching the peacefulness in the sleeping girl's expression washed away his frustrations.

He felt that even if it were the hundredth time, it'd still be just as fascinating. The contrast between her near constant expressiveness was replaced with one of blissful contentedness.

He wondered what she thought about when she slept like that. Was it peaceful memories she saw, or closer to the nightmares that'd tormented him most of his life? Maybe something in between, or something he'd never even thought of. The more time he spent around girls, the less and more true the fact that they were people just like him. It was a harsh truth to realize, but comforting at the same time.

Living with Misato and Asuka, two attractive women, mind you, had completely shattered the illusion of the female ideal he'd been raised to understand. This left him with little to understand both of their strange and constantly shifting moods and behavior. He could always guess. That, however, left the chance for being wrong, not something he felt was worth risking.

Still watching the girl's sleeping face, he wondered if she was as confused by this stuff as he was.

Probably not.


Asuka hadn't slept a wink. She'd done her best to play possum, letting her face go slack as her mind raced. She'd thought forcing herself to sleep would calm her brain. It hadn't

She was committed now. She'd look like a freak if she'd been pretending to be sleeping to avoid talking to a boy. That's what cowards did. She wasn't a coward. This was only a delaying tactic to let her brain think of words that weren't stupid.

She'd done the hard part, broken the rules society had taught her to follow from birth, and asked a boy out. It was definitely made easier by his making the first approach. Still, it was hard. Of course, with her luck, the literal apocalypse had to come visit them over the weekend.

What was she supposed to do? Ask him out again? Twice? In a row? Now that was just absurd. She was a lady of class, after all. If any boy was going to attempt to court her, they'd have to do it properly. She's not desperate and definitely doesn't wanna give the boy any ideas to the contrary.

This did leave one problem for her. She'd still not answered the boy's confession. Not talking about it had been great, but it couldn't last. She could, however, prolong the period where they didn't for as long as possible. Then maybe she'd be able to think of what to say.

It should be simple for anyone. It was a yes or no, a simple binary. She could reject the boy, tell him outright any hope of anything more between the two of them was a fantasy, nothing more.

For one reason or another, Asuka couldn't bring herself to say it. Saying yes , on the other hand, felt equally impossible. She felt trapped. She wanted the boy to act, but history showed that wasn't likely to happen.

Then again, she'd been proven wrong before, maybe it would happen again.

Whatever there was between them, the tension every time they met eyes. The slightest touch immediately causing them to focus on each other no matter what they were doing. She liked it; she wanted more.

What did that even mean? There was only one way to find out. She'd have to be careful and not get too close. If he got bored and lost interest after she'd already committed. She'd be…a little upset.

Asuka wanted to bash her head against a wall. This was too confusing and too much of a strain to think about. She was a soldier. She should be worried about the next Angel attack and alternate battle strategies. Not whether a stupid boy liked her or not.

She didn't move a muscle in her face. A testament to her superior willpower and self-control. Hopefully, lunch will be over soon. She couldn't do this forever. So much for getting in a nap. Stupid brain.

Did Shinji worry about stupid crap like this? He was a man, not the brightest one, either. Higher-level thinking like this was more than likely way beyond him. He probably never worried about his stupid feelings. All he did was act on his baser instincts.

A soft snore drew her attention back to the moment. She cracked one eye open and saw the boy's head slumped over next to hers. He'd actually fallen asleep, unlike her. The classroom was still empty. The teacher hadn't even returned yet.

She looked down at the boy and felt a compulsion to run her hands through his hair. It was messy and all day she'd wanted to straighten it. Because it looked unkempt, not because she wanted to touch it. Even if it did look soft.

Asuka gave into the compulsion. This would probably be one of the few times she'd be able to do this without it being weird. Or having to answer questions she didn't want to.

She was right; it was soft. As soft as she remembered it being. The sensations of the brown locks parting between her fingers sent a cascade of memories into her brain, forcing her to smile.

"Idiot."


"This is fun! Thanks for inviting me along Toji!"

"We're not going far, just to Ayanami's apartment. You don't have to come along if you don't want to."

Toji realized after he'd said it that it was not a good thing to suggest. The girl's narrowed dangerously at him. He was glad Shinji was here as an indirect human shield, even if he didn't know it. He wasn't scared of Hikari, but if he could choose between her yelling at him or not yelling, he'll always choose the latter.

"You guys really don't have to come. Rei and I are neighbors. I can drop off the stuff on my way home, no problem."

"It's Toji's responsibility, so he'll handle it. He did ask you if we could visit and bring Sakura along, right?"

Toji gave a look to his friend. He'd completely forgotten to do that. He hoped his pleading eyes were enough for the boy to understand and cover for him.

"Oh yeah, that'll be fine. Misato and Asuka had to go to NERV. Rei too. Pen Pen likes you guys. He'll be happy you dropped by."

Shinji was a good friend to him. He'd have to owe him one for that. When Hikari wasn't looking, he snuck out his phone and sent a quick text to his sister to meet them at Shinji's apartment.

"So Shinji? Have you talked to Asuka lately?"

"Yeah? We live together, we hung out during lunch. When haven't I talked to her?"

"Good point, but you know what I mean. Have you talked?"

"Hikari…" He didn't like the direction this was headed. He definitely didn't wanna hear everyone get all mushy about their feelings. Then he'd have to do it too, and that sucked.

"What? I'm just asking a question. Have you?"

"I don't follow. We talked? Is there a different way to talk than I've been doing before?"

"Ugh, she's right. You are hopeless."

"What does that mean!?"

"We'll survive Shin-man. She said the same thing about me and look at me now!" He emphasized his point by scooping the girl into his arm and pulling her against him. She didn't resist, instead giggling into his sleeve.

It wasn't much longer before they made it to the apartment complex. Sadly, he couldn't engage in any elevator antics today. Sakura was only a few minutes behind them so they'd stop by Rei's then go to Shinji's.

"Should I just throw them in the mailbox?"

"I mean, they're just bulletins. It shouldn't be a big deal."

"It'll be fine. If she's not home, I don't want to intrude."

Afterwards, they followed Shinji into his apartment. He and Hikari sat next to each other while Shinji prepared tea. Hikari tried to help, but the boy refused vehemently.

As soon as the hot water hit their cups, there was a knock at the door.

"Hi Sakura. It's good to see you."

"Hi Shinji, I hope I'm not intruding."

Toji felt himself smiling at the joy of seeing the boy sparked in his younger sister. He'd been jealous at first, but it was good for Shinji to have someone looking up to him. He was stronger than he looked. The longer he'd known him, the more he'd come to look up to the boy himself. He didn't carry himself like it, but he held a great internal strength that he envied.

"Of course not. We're just hanging out. I already made tea. Come have a seat."

"How's school going, Sakura?"

"It's been good. Thanks for asking, Hikari."

"Where's your girlfriend Shinji?"

"My wha-"

"Asuka's at NERV, Misato too."

"Wait a minute, she's not my girlfriend!"

Toji could feel the energy from the two girls combining powers to glare at the boy. He never liked it when the two of them started working together.

"Come on, girls. Do we have to talk about this?"

"You be quiet. The adults are talking."

"I'm your older brother!"

"Even that idiot got the girl, despite his best efforts. Did you kiss her at least?"

Toji could sense that the question made the boy uncomfortable. Hikari leaned in to whisper something to the girl. He wrapped his arm around her again to prevent her. Instead, he spoke into her ear.

"You can't tell her. Shinji will kill me."

The boy in question was eyeing him suspiciously. He didn't blame him. He'd not expected this to turn into an interrogation either.

"Did you tell her you like her?"

"I-uh, don't wanna talk about it."

"But I think you're great! There's no way anybody would turn you down! You're cute and a real life celebrity! That's a winning combination!"

"Trust me, there's a way. Can we not talk about this? Please? I just want to have fun and not think about that stuff for a little bit."

"I'm with Shin-man. Do you have any board games or something we can play? That sounds like fun."

"I think I saw Misato had a stash somewhere. I'll go see if it's where I remember it."

"Nice! I didn't even think that would work. Board Games are fun, right?"

Neither of the girls seemed enthused, but it had worked as a successful diversion to get them away from talking about feelings and the red devil who luckily wasn't here.

"Board games are for old people. I wanna get to the bottom of this mystery. It has hints of romance, drama, all the things that make a story interesting."

"Leave Shinji alone. He doesn't like talking about that stuff. You want your hero to like you, right?"

"That's a low blow, bro."

"Get used to it. Same for you, Hikari. Let Shinji figure things out on his own. If he gets his head on straight, maybe he'll stop trying to go out with a girl who might kill him."

Hikari didn't let the insult against her friend slide. He wasn't fast enough. She caught his ear tightly in her fingers.

"You're right, but be nicer to Asuka. One of you has to break this cycle. Like it or not, Asuka's at the bare minimum a friend of a friend. Try to get along better."

"Fine, I'll do my best, but you know how she is."

"I know, but you've gotta stop letting her provoke you. Losing your temper doesn't help anyone."

"She's right. You should listen to her, bro. You picked a smart one."

Hikari beamed at the younger girl. He felt a warmth in his chest at the sight. Even if it was for nefarious purposes, it was nice to see the two of them getting along so well.

"Hey, I found Monopoly." Shinji walked in with an oversized box slung awkwardly over his shoulder.

"The game with the fat guy with the monocle?"

"Yeah, that's on the box. This is the Japanese version. It must've been made before the second impact. It looks like it's renamed after old Tokyo."

"That sounds cool. Let's play it!"

"I thought board games were for old people?"

"You shut up, snitches get stiches. Family or not, big bro."

He was glad when Shinji plopped the game in front of them. Deflecting the girl's vitriol and returning her to the bubbly young girl talking to Shinji.

"Prepare to be defeated by the great Toji! I've never played this game before, so that means I've got beginner's luck."

"I don't think any of us have either. I don't really think that's an advantage."

"I like all of you. I think we understand this is just a game. That doesn't mean I won't destroy you, however."


Asuka was outside, kind of. In a different secluded spot within the Geofront. She'd finished her tests and training for the day and was now enjoying a well-earned break. Away from annoying doctors and pesky children. Where she could finally catch a breather, have some time to think.

She'd just discarded a used butt, crushing it against a tree, when she heard movement in the underbrush. She quickly jumped to alert and turned to face the sound.

"Hiya, Princess, it sure was tough to find you. If you really don't want anyone to find you, I'd leave NERV."

"What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?"

"I want to show you something. Follow me."

"Why in the hell would I do that? You're weird."

"It has to do with Kaji…"

"It does!? What are you hiding behind those glasses, Four-eyes!"

"I'll show you, if you stop calling me Four-eyes."

"Deal, you better not be showing me something perverted. I'll kick your butt if I have to."

"I don't doubt it. It's not far. Try to keep up."

"What?"

The girl took off, leaving her staring at her back as she moved across the grass at impressive speed. She was no match for her, however, even with a head start.

"Damn, you really can run, Princess. That training you and the Puppy must've really paid off."

"You're damn right it did! Now what is this? Who built this melon garden?"

"You don't build a garden, Asuka, you plant it."

"Oh, so I'm Asuka now?"

"You overthink things, Princess. Is it really my habit of using nicknames that irritates you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What do you think? I'm not your rival, Asuka, romantically or otherwise."

"Of course you aren't! I'm an elite pilot! Trained from birth to be the perfect soldier! And I've got a kick ass body to go with it!"

"I don't disagree, Princess. All I want is for us to get along better. I'm not gonna steal your Puppy nor sumo slam you with my Eva when you're not looking."

"What do you care if we get along or not? What's your angle in all this?"

"My angle? I don't have an Angle. If we're going to continue working together, I'd like it to be harmonious, that's all."

Asuka could sense there was more to this girl. The way she carried herself was different from herself and the other pilots. She couldn't place her finger on what exactly was up with her. The girl was too elusive. She didn't trust her in any other sense than as a pilot. She'd seen the girl hold her own and respected it, even if her behavior was… less than ideal.

She'd play along, figure out what she was up to. She was a genius, and she loved Kaji, but if he could be a spy, then she certainly could do it.

"Fine, I can agree with that. Do me a favor and tone down the whole… you thing."

"That's gonna be a hard no. Glad we could come to an agreement, though. Wanna help water Kaji's melons?"

"Kaji's melons? First, I learned he took up gardening now he suckered you into doing it?"

"It's fun once you start doing it. There's something satisfying about creating life through hard work. It's rewarding."

"Oh yeah, very rewarding. In a year we'll have a hundred watermelons that we'll eat two of then sell the rest."

"Such is life."

"Così è la vita."

"Hah, did he say that to you, too?"

"I'll help you water Kaji's stupid melons if you tell me how you know him in the first place."

The brunette pondered this for a moment. It wasn't long before she stuck her hand out for her to shake.

"Deal, but we're killing two birds with one stone. I'll tell you while we do the work, go grab the watering cans."

"You can't order me around. You grab the watering cans."

"No, you do it."

"What month were you born?"

"December, why?"

"I'm older than you, so you have to do it."

Asuka didn't feel like arguing further and her curiosity finally outweighed her refusal to be told what to do. She grabbed the watering cans and started to fill them up with water with Mari following behind her.

"Fine, but I wanna know all about you and Kaji. He didn't try anything weird with you, did he?"

"No! Of course not! I'd never want him to. He can't even grow real facial hair. That sandpaper scruff is the best he can do. Definitely not my type."

"Fair enough, even still that's one of the least weird things about you. And that's saying something. How long have you known him?"

"Instead of playing twenty questions, how about I just tell you the story of how we met?"

"Fine, whatever, spill."

"He was my guardian too, for a few years. I've known him since I joined NERV. We even shared a crappy apartment together in Germany. Not that he ever spent any time there. Eventually he left and NERV decided I was old enough to not need a stay-in babysitter anymore."

"Hmph sounds familiar. When did you join NERV?"

"Same age as you. I might've been a year older, I think. I don't remember the exact day."

"Lucky you."

The girl eyed her suspiciously. She immediately regretted her verbal outburst.

"What does that mean?"

"It means this conversation is over. The plants are watered. If anything else needs to be done, you do it."

"Well, I mean, you only watered the one patch…."

"That sounds terrible Mari. I'm gonna go feel bad about that over there. Okay? Okay."

Asuka turned her back on the brunette, unwilling to converse with her further and leaving to avoid any uncomfortable topics that might come up.


It was a little before sunset. In one hand she held the clammy fingers of the boy she liked, in the other the soft fingers of said boy's kid sister. It was a good way to finish off a night spent with friends. She'd just wished Asuka had made it. Toji was really bad at monopoly, even with her help.

"I don't even like board games. They're stupid and for old people."

Hikari smiled at the downcast boy. Placing her hand on his shoulder and rubbing it in circles as they continued their walk to the train station.

"Don't say that. We had fun. It was really close the whole way through. Nobody could say it wasn't entertaining."

"My own flesh and blood, working against me to bring me to financial ruin."

"You're just mad because Shinji and I won. You two teamed up first. We're just better at winning."

"Those dice were weighted! Nobody can roll one that many times. It's a conspiracy against me."

"Nobody likes a sore loser, Toji."

"Even if you are a sore loser. Thanks for inviting me along, bro. That really was fun. I was sad when we had to leave."

"I guess we have some board games somewhere at home, I think."

"Yeah but…."

"Something wrong, Sakura?"

"No, it's nothing. It's just lonely…in that house. I'm the only one who ever spends any time there."

"See, that's the problem. Staying at home is boring. You need to go and spend time with your friends. That's where it's really at."

"Yes, brother, I shall go pick out a few friends from the friend tree. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Well, maybe if you were a little nicer, friends would be growing on trees."

"I am perfectly nice! Only to people who aren't you! You don't deserve it."

"That's harsh Sis, real harsh. I only mess with you a little. I invited you to come out, didn't I?"

"That's true. You have your moments. I could definitely do worse."

"You're darn right you could! I'm the best you'll get. Probably the best there is, if you could measure it."

Hikari had to stifle her urge to make an audible aww at the adorable siblings. It reminded her of her own sisters. Despite his masculine exterior, there was a kind and gentle older brother hiding beneath the surface.


Shinji walked beside his taller friend, allowing his massive size to scythe their way through the large crowds and make their way through the mall. Kensuke followed behind him. Eventually, they reached their destination, all of them more worn out than they'd expected.

"Jeez, the crowds in here just keep getting worse. I thought people were supposed to be leaving the city en masse."

"Clearly not leaving fast enough, Ken-man. I feel most of the people who were gonna leave have already left. The only people still in this city are idiots or without a choice to leave."

"So why are we at the mall if the Arcade's closed? I thought we were gonna wait until it opened back up to go back."

"We're not going to the Arcade, we're going to the batting cages. It'll be fun. They've got these new automated ones you can adjust yourself. You can make it like a baseball machine gun!"

"Wouldn't that baseball machine gun be pointed at you? Or whoever was unlucky enough to be in the cage when you do that?"

"Are you a human or a horse, Ken? Cause all you say is nay."

"Whatever, you two can go crazy. The model shop is right by here and I heard they got in a fresh KV-2 prototype with a detachable cockpit and fully modeled interior."

"Well, that sounds…. Fun? We'll be here hitting balls with sticks until then, I guess."

Shinji could easily read the confusion in the boy's expression. He felt much the same, nodding and smiling at his friend's passionate interests in things he had no understanding of.

"Did you get any of that?"

"Not really. As long as he has fun, I guess."

They both walked up to the cages, with them selecting two next to each other and him paying for both of their time after a brief argument.

"Now Shin-man, let me tell you. If you've got something burdening your mind, this is the best way to work off the stress. Imagine the baseballs coming at you are your problems and smash 'em!"

"Is that why you brought me here, Toji? I don't think this'll work for me. I've never been the athletic ty-EEP!"

He never got to finish his sentence. A high-speed projectile coming at him interrupted him. He barely dodged it in time.

"Try to hit it next time. It'll work. That's a Suzuhara guarantee."

He had no idea what to do. His stance was awful. He tried to imitate what he saw Toji do and failed miserably. At least now he wasn't in harm's way of the launcher.

'Brace your feet, keep your right foot ahead of your left and push out your elbows more.'

His father's advice intruded without warning. He'd expect a preamble, but he knew his floundering was probably a spectacle to anyone walking by. Shinji didn't wanna embarrass himself further. He followed the man's advice reluctantly.

'The most important rule of baseball is to keep your eye on the ball. Take a breath before you swing. Focus."

Shinji took a deep breath, strengthening his grip on the flimsy wooden bat. He focused entirely on the projector and the baseball now rapidly heading his way. Right before it got to him, he swung with all his force. A satisfying CRACK! Rang out as the ball soared off into the net behind the machine.

Another ball came after he finished watching the first. It never left his sight. He swung again.

"There you go Shin-man! That's what I'm talking about! Is this fun or what!?"

"I can definitely see the appeal." He could only focus on one thing at a time. Be it talking or keeping up with the steady stream of baseballs, pitched his way. Trying to do both hurt his head.

He lost track of time. Hitting the balls at the perfect time created a steady rhythm that, despite the strain, calmed him more than anything.

It became such a mindless task that his mind started to wander. To a question, he'd nearly forgotten.

'So we told my dad about what the dummy plugs are for. I think he listened? I don't really know. What's next now that we've done that?'

'We've done all we can do until the Angels are no longer a problem. Do you remember the arrival date of this one?'

"Yes, I didn't forget. It's still unpredictable. You've been off by a day or two more than once.'

'I am aware, but I am not a prophet. I have only given you what information I have at my disposal.'

'I know. Still can't believe you were in the Yakuza. I've never even seen a gangster before. Your father…,my grandfather was a piece of work.'

'That would be one way to describe him. I find there is no point in speaking ill of the dead. He should remain forgotten to history. Punishment for his hubris.'

'You're right. It's just… a lot to process. How did I see all of that? If it wasn't your past, then I shouldn't have been able to see it. Right?'

'Much of the nature of the Evangelions and the Angels remains a mystery. If you spoke to her, then I'd gather it was her doing. She may have taken my memories and altered them with her own recollections.'

'Why would she do that?'

"Why do you think?'

Shinji thought about that question. There was only one reason, but it didn't make sense. Unless his mother wanted him and his father to get closer. Did she honestly expect him to reach out? She must've not gotten a very good impression of him when he piloted if she thought that. What could he possibly say?

Even upon hearing that he was from the future, all he was told was to stay out of his way. He knew he couldn't let the man go through with his plan. That inevitably meant conflict between the two of them. He hoped it didn't have to come to that, but he didn't know how that was possible.

A loud buzzer broke him from his trance. Their time was up. He dropped the bat to the ground and flexed his now sore muscles.

"Why didn't you ever play baseball, Shin-man? You're a natural hitter!"

"Sports were never really my thing. To be honest, I was scared of the kids in the sports teams."

"Well, it's a shame. Don't join the highschool team, those baseball guys are a bunch of elitist pricks." Toji ended his insult with him spitting onto the ground beneath him.

"Thanks for the tip. I have to get home. Asuka and Misato will be expecting dinner soon. Where's Kensuke?"

"Probably still at the shop. You know how he gets lost in those places. Let's go drag him out, then head out."

Kensuke had already exited the shop. He was currently ordering food at a nearby kiosk and Toji was sprinting at nearly full speed towards him. Based on his knowledge of the boy, he'd guess to order with him.

He waved, but they didn't notice. If he left now, he'd make it home in time to get started on the laundry before dinner so he could finish after doing the dishes. A perfect plan.

It's not like he wouldn't see his friends again soon. It wasn't the first time he'd had to leave in a hurry like this. They'd understand.


"Is there something wrong with your food, Rei?"

"No, the Miso soup is quite good today."

"I am glad to hear it. How have you been? You've hardly spoken."

"I apologize. I have been well. School is going well, and I have been getting along well with my fellow pilots."

"That is good to hear. Dr Akagi says your new sync ratio has stabilized. Have you been having any difficulties piloting as of late?"

"No, sir."

"Good."

They continued to eat in silence. Rei stole nervous glances at the man the entire time she ate. Wondering if today would be an optimal time to ask the question burning into the back of her head.

"May I ask you a question, Commander?"

"You may ask me anything, Rei. What is it?"

"I believe at our next opportunity to have dinner together, we should invite Shinji. Would that be acceptable?"

"Why?"

"So that he may speak to you, and you may speak to him."

"And what would the purpose of that be?"

"That I cannot answer. You can, and he can, however."

"Maintaining the scenario consumes an increasing amount of time and energy. I will not be able to hold these regularly the closer we get to the next stage."

"I understand. I think there would still be value in spending time with Shinji at our next one. He is your son, is he not?"

"That is irrelevant. I will oblige your request. You may invite him the next time we are to eat. If he chooses to come, then so be it."

"I see. I promise you will not regret this decision."

"We shall see about that."


Misato hadn't returned from work. Leaving her and Shinji alone in the apartment for dinner. His cooking had only gotten better in the time she'd stayed there. For one, he only cooked with fish when she wasn't around, or if it was the one fish she liked but couldn't recall the name of. She hadn't bothered learning most of the names of the food she'd consumed aside from her favorite snacks.

Tonight he'd made some sort of stir fry. It was spicy, with chicken and vegetables soaked in a delicious red sauce she'd never had before. Shinji knew more about her diet at this point than she did. He must've been doing a decent job, although even if she ate American food everyday she'd still have the same picturesque physique.

"Is the food good?"

"It is. I like the spice. I was beginning to wonder if you Japanese were scared of peppers."

"I'm glad. I was worried I'd made it a little too strong."

"Hmph, think I can't handle spice?"

"No! I just...wanted you to enjoy your meal."

"Good recovery. I'm done, wanna watch TV?"

Asuka got up from the dining room and tossed herself onto the couch. Giving a half hearted gesture for the boy to follow. He still didn't get it through his thick head. Her good mood was rapidly leaving her and being replaced by a foul anger at the idiotic boy.

"Oh, yeah, but what about the dishes?"

"You're seriously asking that? Wash them later! Are they going to get up and leave if you don't do them all this second?"

"Well, no. You're right. What should we watch?"

Asuka exhaled in relief when the boy finally trudged over to the couch. He sat on the side opposite her. She could see all the boy's muscles tensed up as he sat on the edge of his seat.

"I'm not gonna attack you. For Gott's sake, Third relax a little. We're just watching TV. Okay?"

"I'm sorry."

Asuka shook her head, swiping up the remote and flicking through the channels to find something to watch. Eventually settling on a black and white samurai movie that piqued her interest. They sat watching it in silence for a while, with her eventually curling up her legs and moving closer to the boy across from her.

"What's this movie called?"

"It says the Throne Of Blood. I've never seen it before. It looks cool."

"That's an interesting name."

Asuka could tell he'd already stopped paying attention to the movie. She'd caught him watching her from the corner of his eye. Definitely not because she'd also been doing that. She loved samurai movies. Especially when the subtitles were too small to read from a distance but big enough to distract her from watching the actual movie.

She'd been careful not to move any closer than she originally did. Somehow they'd still gotten next to each other, with the space between them feeling like both a vast chasm and nonexistent at once.

Maybe that was a little dramatic, but still. She was bored. They'd been sitting like this for half an hour and she might as well have drawn a face on one of the couch cushions for a similar experience.

"Are you just gonna sit there?"

The boy jumped when she spoke to him. Looking like a deer in headlights as she watched the gears in his head turn to form a response.

"Yes? I thought we were watching the movie?"

"Oh really? You're watching the movie? What's the name of the castle they're all in?"

"It's the….the ... .Bloodthrone castle?"

"Nope, Spider's Web Castle, actually."

"Well, we didn't start watching at the beginning. I guess I wasn't really paying attention"

"So, if you weren't watching the movie, what were you watching?"

"Uh, nothing. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

Asuka wasn't sure when this became an interrogation, but she wasn't gonna rest until she got to the bottom of this. She'd caught him before and let it slide because a part of her liked the attention. Now, however, it provided an opportunity. She could corner him and force him to admit his attraction to her. Even though he'd really already done that. Now it could be done better, on her terms. When she was ready for it. Or at least she thought she was ready, easily a 90/10 split. As long as no high level L bombs were dropped on her, she was prepared for whatever came after this strange quagmire their relationship had ended up in.

"Well, lots of stuff."

She didn't ask any further questions, giving him a look that communicated clearly that he'd not given an acceptable answer.


Shinji could tell from the look she was giving him that Asuka wasn't gonna excuse his weak answer. There was an answer in his head: it was simple and true. It was the one thing he couldn't say. This was an enjoyable evening between the two of them. He wouldn't be the one to ruin it.

"I was just thinking about Toji."

"Oh really. I knew your group of friends were close, but I didn't guess that close. I wonder what Hikari will think."

"No, not like that. We just hung out today. Something he said to me is stuck in my head, I guess. I don't know."

"What did he say?"

"He said I'd changed. That I was different from who I was when I first got here."

"Did he mean it in a good or a bad way?"

"Good? I guess? He said I was a wimp and a bit of a loser when I got here. Now he says I'm different."

"Different? Different how? Don't make me force it out of you. What did he say?"

"That I've come out of my shell. I'm funnier and stuff I don't know."

"Well, for once, he's not entirely wrong. You have changed. Even I've seen that, you'd be an idiot not to."

"What does that mean?"

"What do you think it means? You're different. You don't seem afraid of your own shadow anymore. And now you talk to people instead of staring at them like they're about to kill you."

"I don't feel different."

"What does that mean? Are you seriously upset that you grew up a little?"

"It's not that. If I'm different, I should feel different, right?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"I've just. Always felt like this. I have friends, I'm good at Eva. School's going well too. The Angels haven't really been a problem that we couldn't handle. Things seem to be going well. So why do I still feel like I've always felt?"

"How have you always felt?"

"Alone."

"Well, you're not alone, idiot. I can confirm it for you if you like." She playfully smashed her body into the boy's, catching him off guard and bouncing him off the cushion.

"I know, but still, I can't shake this feeling."

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Yes! Idiot! You think you're the only one capable of feeling loneliness!?"

"No, you're right. But you're so popular. How can you get lonely?"

"We're Eva pilots Shinji. All of us are the most memorable people in this entire school. For example, I lead because I am a leader and they are followers. You know as well as I do the people who only care about our fancy titles don't really care. I don't know why you've spent so much time with that glasses weirdo."

"Kensuke doesn't just care about me being an Eva pilot. He's just very passionate about the subject. He's gotten a lot better about it lately. You shouldn't talk about him like that."

"Whatever, fine. He's one of the good ones. You know I'm still right. Even in a crowd we're elevated above it, it's lonely at the top."

"Doesn't feel like the top."

"No, it doesn't. Now, are you gonna make a move or what?"

Shinji's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the abrupt turn of their conversation.

"But I…. We were….. What?"

"I'm not repeating myself. The movie's almost over. What're you gonna do Shinji?"

It felt like someone had set a countdown going in his brain. He took deep breaths to calm himself and think of a plan of action.

"Almost to the credits. Time's running out…"

He reached out his hand, then retracted it back when he didn't know where to put it. He went again, this time aiming for her cheek. The redhead did not resist, her gaze never breaking with his.

The skin was incredibly soft; it felt like porcelain, he couldn't resist giving it a gentle caress. This seemed to be the right thing to do as the girl leaned into his hand. Her eyes had this half-lidded, sleepy look that he found irresistible.

He was so terrified he could feel his hands and feet starting to go numb. None of it mattered. He closed his eyes and leaned in, lightly pulling her face to meet his.

It was electric. Just like every time before. This time, it felt different. He felt warm. The fear he'd been feeling away melted into a euphoria that made him wanna smile from ear to ear. He lost all sense of himself as the kiss continued. After their breath ran out, they pulled apart.

"Do you feel different now?"

"I do." He felt lightheaded. Forming words was difficult, instead he smiled at the girl. He leaned towards her again. Asuka's eyes had this hunger in them that, like most things about the girl, both scared and excited him. Their lips met again. He felt a rough tug on his shirt and he fell on top of the girl. The sudden jolt separating them and giving him another look into her wild eyes.

He must've hesitated for too long. Asuka pulled him again, nearly smashing his face into hers as they locked lips again.

They heard a loud bang outside the front door, then the sound of the automatic door sliding open. Without warning, he was forcefully tossed off the girl onto the ground. Momentarily panicking, he opted to climb under the coffee table.

"Hey Ashuka! Where's Shininji? Wait a minute! Don't you have school tomorrow, young lady?"

"It's Saturday, Misato. You should know, since you've been out clubbing all night."

"Hey, I was not clubbing! I went to the respectable dive bar conveniently placed near the apartment and got hammered like an adult. Work is stressful, you know."

"Whatever, go to bed, madame drinks-a-lot. I'm trying to watch TV."

"Ashuka, you do know that TV is off, right? Sure you aren't the ones whose drunk?"

"Well….you startled me! I must've hit the remote when you came in. It'd help if you didn't stomp like a dinosaur every time you enter a room."

"I don't do that! I'm going to bed. Not cause you told me to, because I want to. To escape this negativity."

After hearing the woman's loud footsteps disappear into her room, he peaked out of his hiding spot.

"You can come out now. She's gone. That was quick thinking. You know how she'd react if she caught us watching TV on the couch together at night. Especially if she's been drinking."

"Thanks, it would've been nicer if you didn't throw me so hard."

"Eh, you just need to toughen up, you'll get used to it."

"What does that mean?"

"Good god you really are dense, aren't you?" As soon as he'd gotten up, he was again roughly pulled onto the couch by his shirt. He closed his eyes and surrendered to the warmth in his chest as the two of them resumed their previous activity.

He'd lost track of time, but after a while he had to come up for air again. When his senses returned to him for the moment, he sensed a pair of eyes watching him. He looked over to see Pen Pen, beer in hand. The bird seemed to be waiting to be noticed as soon as he started watching the bird cracked open his drink and raised it at him before taking a long drink.

"What are you looking at, idiot?"

"Oh, sorry I was just-"

"If you apologize again, I'll throw you on the coffee table this time."

"Right, sorry, I mean-" He was cut off again, and this time, he didn't mind.


Entering Rei's apartment was strange. All the ones on the floors were identical, so it was the same as hers. The complete lack of furniture, however, made the place look alien to her. All the rooms looked clean, if a bit dusty.

It felt surreal, the quiet paired with both familiar and different surroundings. Part of her wondered if she'd accidentally taken another overly long work nap and was having one of those weird dreams again.

"Hello Misato, I'm glad you could make it."

"Well, I was the one who asked to meet you, but yeah. Why don't you have any furniture here, Rei? You've been living here for sometime now, haven't you?"

"I have, but I am confused. I have furniture." The girl gestured to the pitiful looking twin bed behind her. Even the sheets were plain white.

"That doesn't count. What about chairs, maybe a futon? How can you eat your meals without a dining room?"

"I eat my meals on the kitchen counter. Why would I obtain all these extra things that I will not use? My apartment is sufficient to meet my current needs."

"I guess, but don't you want to invite people over? You have all this extra space you could do it. Heck, without any furniture, this would be a killer place to throw a party in." Misato clamped a hand over her mouth as she realized the stupidity of saying that to a teenage girl. She calmed down a little when she realized it was Rei, so she'd not have to worry about that. "Forget that. I said that last thing."

"I did not think of this. Is it common for 'friends' to visit each other's residences?"

"I'd say so. It couldn't hurt. I'm sure Mari would love to spend time here if you had somewhere for her to sit."

"I see. Doing this would also allow me to throw a party, would it not?"

"Yes, but I told you to forget I said that."

"My apologies. I am simply curious. There was something you wanted to talk about?"

Misato shook her head. She wanted to clobber herself for managing to get so off track right from the start.

"Right, I'm confused about what exactly you want me to do. It's kinda hard to figure out what you're really saying sometimes."

"Oh, I see. I apologize for confusing you. I am the key to the commander's plans. Without my support, he will fail. Without the commander in charge, however, NERV will still exist as an organization. The only person with enough influence to take over should the commander be somehow removed would be you."

"So you're just planning to wait it out? What if he figures out you've flipped on him before then?"

"He will not. He has no reason to. Something unexpected has thrown a wrench into his plans. His focus is elsewhere at the moment. He seems nervous."

"It's hard to imagine him of all people being nervous."

"Believe it or not, it is true. Whoever they may be, they are more than likely dangerous. The commander is not the only one whose coveted the throne of instrumentality."

"There were others!? Like the commander!? Why didn't you tell me about this Rei!?"

"They are no more. They won't be harming anyone ever again. That is all I am certain of."

"Did he…. Kill them?"

"I do not know. I am not informed of the details of these things. Most of what I have learned is what the commander and Akagi have spoken about when they think I cannot hear them."

"Clever girl! I'm so proud of you Rei! I'm still confused about his plan. How are you the key to the third impact?"

"It's very simple. Allow me to explain. In the beginning, there existed beings called the First Ancestral Race. These beings created the seeds of life, each paired with a Lance of Longinus..."


"Why would you bring her along!? I thought we were friends, Shinji!"

"Good to see you too Monkey-boy!"

"Why did you bring her along, Shinji?"

"Well, we were talking, and I mentioned how much fun the batting cages were. So I thought it'd be a good idea for her to try it and come along with us?"

"I came here cause I felt like it Stooges! I don't need a reason. Certainly don't need to explain myself to you, of all people. Honestly, I didn't believe it at first when the idiot told me about these. I thought it was only an American thing."

"We made it our own! The student has overcome the master, the Japanese are the best baseball players in the world."

"Ha, I know that's not true. I've never even played and I know I could crush all of you at it."

"Oh really? And why's that?"

"You're really asking Monkey-boy? I'm a superior athlete, it doesn't matter what sport I play, I'm always the best at it. It's a gift and a curse."

"Prove it! Whoever hits the most home runs wins! Kensuke, are you in or are you in!?"

"No, I'll keep score. You can go crazy. May the best man win."

"She will." Asuka haughtily strode off to the cages, twirling her bat and tossing it in the air before catching it gracefully.

"Ugh! That doesn't even make sense!" Toji angrily stomped off to the cages, his knuckles visibly whitening around the bat's grip.

"Uhh, Do I have to do this too?"

"YES!" Shinji jumped at the mostly synchronized yelling. Hurrying off to the cages to avoid being the target of the pair's wrath.

Since they'd paid as a group, their times were all timed together. Kensuke was sitting in between the three of them with a pen and notepad.

He prepared himself for what was coming. He'd have to do his best, otherwise he knew Asuka and Toji would both be upset with him. Asuka might kill him if he held back on her in a stupid batting competition after their intensive Eva battle. Or kiss him. He could never predict what the girl was going to do lately. The unpredictability of the whole thing made even more of his waking time consumed by thoughts of the girl.

Shinji felt the breeze from the first ball as it breezed past his head. He shook himself back into awareness and prepared for the next pitch. Fixing his stance on what he remembered from before. Beside him, he heard two successive cracks and saw the plastic balls soar wide into the net.

"Remember, it's only a home run if it goes above the yellow line at the top! Otherwise It doesn't count!"

"Shut up and Swing! Put that brute strength to use for once!"

He screwed up the second hit, forcefully smacking the ball at a wrong angle, causing it to start wildly bouncing back towards the projector.

"C'mon! You can do better than that! I want some real competition here!"

"Don't listen to her Shinji! You got this! Remember what I said, Keep your eye on the ball!"

He swung as hard as he could. His efforts were rewarded with a satisfying CRACK! as he watched the ball soar high and far into the net. He stole a quick glance at Kensuke to confirm and he saw the boy writing onto his notepad.

Once he got back into the rhythm, it was easy. The competition rapidly faded into the back of his mind as his brain focused entirely on ensuring he didn't screw up another hit. He had the timing down to reflex. If his eyes were closed, he could still probably hit the ball.

"Okay, I'm done taking the score. If you wanna keep playing, that's your business. I've got to get to the model store before they close. See ya."

Shinji flexed his arm muscles and moved to grab the paper off the bench where the boy'd left it.

"Wait. That doesn't make sense."

"Give me that!" The scoreboard was snatched from him in the blink of an eye.

"What!? No way! That idiot hasn't even made it to first base! Of course, he doesn't know what a home-run looks like!"

"I thought you said you didn't know anything about baseball?"

"Shut up!"

"Don't yell at Shinji like that! And give me that!"

"What!? I hit a perfect game. This is ridiculous! Shinji can't beat me at Home-Run Derby! No offense, Shinji."

"I just like playing. It's fun. I wasn't trying to beat anyone."

"You mean you weren't even trying!? You realize that's worse, right?"

"I'm sorry."

"Ugh, why do you have to be so good at stuff!? You run, you play the cello, you're good at baseball! And don't even get me started on Eva! Why can't you just be bad at something for once!?"

"It's not his fault! Everybody's different!"

"It's okay, Toji. Please don't argue for me, you don't have to."

"Then stand up for yourself! You can't let her talk to you like that Shin-man. Just because you're too nice to tell this she-devil-"

"Toji. Stop."

"I didn't mean stand up to me! Stand up to her! I'm on your side."

"There are no sides. There's me, who is right, and you, who is wrong. That's all."

"He's not gonna stick around forever, you know. Eventually, everyone has a limit, and when Shinji reaches his, you'll be sorry."

"Like you know anything! Let's go Shinji, I wanna get home before the trains stop. I'm not getting in some creepy cab driver's backseat to go home."

Before he could protest, he was being pulled away towards the train station. It took him a moment to realize that the girl had grabbed his hand instead of his wrist to pull him this time. He enjoyed the change.

"Don't get any funny ideas, idiot."


Gendo Ikari was in his office. Papers he'd needed to sign but couldn't be bothered to read sat stacked in a heap atop his desk. His gaze perked up when he saw his second command strolling in with purpose.

"Speak."

"There's been a delay in the transportation of Unit-03. The naval transportation previously chosen seems to have suffered some form of malfunction. They're instead going to transport the Unit by air. It should be at most a week's delay."

"That was all you came to speak to me about? Thank you for your diligence. Has Akagi already been informed?"

"She has, but that wasn't all I wanted to speak with you about."

"Oh?"

"It's about your son."

"What about him?"

"Did something happen between the two of you at the cemetery?"

"I do not know what you are implying."

"Yes, you do. You'd talked up this talk you were going to have with him and haven't spoken a word about it since. Did he tell you anything?"

"He did not have any relevant information. I have not spoken about it because it is unimportant."

"I find that hard to believe. He didn't even tell you how he managed to get his hands on information as sensitive as he did?"

"I will not speak on this subject any further. We have much more important focuses. Has Section-2 sent their report about those responsible for the committee's death?"

"That was my main reason for coming in person. I needed you to see this. The agent you assigned was found dead. In his office, we found this." The man partially unbuttoned his jacket to retrieve a folder before handing it to him. He quickly spilled its contents onto his desk.

It was a single piece of paper, on it was a symbol painted on in black ink. A swirling pattern that looked like three comets nearly connected by their tails.

"We've searched high and low and haven't gotten a clue where this could even be from. My guess is that it's some elaborate prank meant to get inside our heads."

"No, of course you wouldn't recognize it. Someone must be repurposing this to either mock or intimidate me. It will not work. I will find out who did so and ensure they are no longer a threat to the scenario."

"You know this symbol? What is it then?"

"The Robakungi Family Crest."


Asuka frantically sprinted ahead of the other girls into the locker room. She'd have to get dressed quickly before Mari decided to 'playfully' harass her in her vulnerable state. It was almost as stressful as getting ready to go out and face the Angels.

It took her less than a minute before she was into her undergarments and before long she'd already had her plugsuit most of the way on by the time the other girls arrived.

"No need to hurry so much, Princess. They already told us the angel's in space. I think we have enough time to get ready."

"I rush to ensure my dignity stays intact, since society hasn't wizened up enough to create separate dressing rooms for perverts."

"I'm not that perverted. It's not my fault you're so adorable, Princess."

It was really hard for her to be mad at the girl when she was complimenting her. Which made her more mad, but she was having a fantastic hair day. That was about to be ruined by LCL. Her mood was like a canoe in the ocean. Luckily, she knew just the cure.

"Save it! It's showtime! Let's go knock this stupid bird thingy out of the sky!"

"That's the spirit! Are you ready to kick some ass blue!?"

"I do not believe the Angel possesses an 'ass' nor do I believe we will be able to kick it from orbit, so I'll have to say no, I'm sorry."

"Blue, I don't mean literally. I was asking if you were ready to fight."

"I see. In that case, yes, I am indeed ready. Would it be better if I began yelling also?"

"No! I mean no. Now quit dawdling. That idiot's probably already out there waiting."

"She's right blue. We don't wanna keep our princess away from our puppy for long. Especially since they haven't even exchanged their traditional pre-battle kiss." The brunette giggled and scampered out of the locker room before she could catch her.

"Why do you hang out with her, Rei? I don't know if you've noticed this or not, but that Mari chick is weird."

"Aren't we all?"

That was the first time she'd seen the girl ask a rhetorical question in her memory. She couldn't decide on being annoyed or proud of the progress. She settled for both as she followed along behind the girls.


Shinji sat in the entry plug of his Eva. He'd managed to confirm he'd gotten during his last synchronization test. Something was different about the machine. Everything looked the same, but he could sense that they'd added or done something to his Eva. It was something he could feel at an almost subconscious level when he was in the cockpit.

He'd been informed upon entering that some minor technical error had delayed activation. That left him stuck sitting until they figured it out and he could sit in LCL instead of in the dark. He wondered what Misato had planned for them this time. The Angel was in orbit, and he didn't think he was gonna have to watch it like last time.

'You were wrong about this one, too.'

'Is that really your focus now? It also does not look like I remember and is only emulating the behavior of a similar-looking Angel in my time. This Angel is not supposed to arrive until much later. If I am correct in its identity, it is incredibly dangerous. I have been trying to think of a strategy we can use to defeat it.'

'Have you come up with anything?'

'No'

'What does it do then?'

'It never descends from orbit to attack. It possesses a long-range weapon capable of directly targeting the pilot's mind. Bypassing the Evangelion entirely.'

'How can a weapon attack your mind? How do you even fight against something like that?'

'That's what I'm trying to figure out!'

'If it died in your time, that means you figured out a way to kill it. How did you do it?'

'The Lance of Longinus.'

'The What?'

'A weapon kept within terminal dogma. it was deployed after Unit-02 was defeated. Unit-00 hit the Angel from orbit and killed it instantly.'

'Wait, Unit-02, you said it didn't target the Eva… That thing attacked Asuka's mind!?'

'Yes, it was an unfortunate event. She was the first sent to deploy and suffered the initial blow. Sending in other pilots was inadvisable and retrieval was impossible.'

"We can't let that happen! You said it didn't attack anyone else after it got Asuka?'

'I know what you're thinking. Bravery is not heading into danger without reason.'

'How is this any different from the plan with the last Angel? Someone has to be in harm's way, so it should be me if it's anybody.'

'If you'll remember, that was for a complete lack of any alternate options. Because NERV did extensive research on the enemy to learn how to defeat it. This has not happened yet. Throwing yourself into harm's way again after brushing so close to death is foolish.'

"If they've come up with a good plan, then we'll follow it, but if someone gets sent to face that thing, it's going to be me. I won't let it happen to anyone else.'

'Why are you being so stubborn about this? Your attachment to the second child will get you killed at this rate. There are other ways to protect her.'

"You don't know that. It's the only way I can see, and it's the only way we'll be able to come up with before they send us out there. Unless you come up with a plan smart enough to convince Misato to change her mind, then there's no other way.'

'Fine, but whatever happens, keep in mind that I warned you. It was not a pleasant experience for the Second Child when she had to endure the enemy's mental assault.'

"That only makes me feel better about it.'

LCL began to pour from the ceiling and pool at his feet. Within moments, the plug was filled up past his neck. He took a large gulp of the foul liquid as he tightened his grip on the control rods.


Mari was tapping her fingers along to the latest song that had wormed its way into her head. Even though she knew all she'd likely end up doing was standing around, she was glad to be in her Eva during an Angel attack. There was something awe-inspiring about facing these godlike beings instead of hiding in the shelters like most everyone else.

"What's the plan, chief? Has NERV built that Eva cannon I've been suggesting?"

"No Mari, while I've got to give you points for creativity, we don't favor sending our most valuable assets into irretrievable orbit as a plan of attack. I'll hand it over to the Major for her plan."

"Right, The Angel moved into upper orbit approximately one hour ago. Since then, it has made no attempts to move itself any further aside, reorienting itself to face towards headquarters. Our plan is to send Unit-01 equipped with a new positron rifle designed for long-range engagement. Units 0, 2 and 4 will all be placed nearby to prepare for a counterattack. Any questions?"

"Why aren't I taking the shot? I killed that last Angel with a perfect bullseye! If anyone should be shooting that thing, it should be me!"

"Asuka, Shinji has the highest sync ratio. You've all excelled in marksman training and I've no doubt that either of you could do it, but Shinji has a slightly better chance. We need every advantage we can get against these things, you know that."

"I don't like it, but I'll accept it. I bet he'll just end up pissing it off. When he does, I'll come in and save the day."

"I'm sure you will, Asuka. Now cut the chatter. That goes for everyone. I want everyone to follow their orders to the letter. Am I understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." The pilots' responses were each too poorly timed to be in sync. This allowed Mari to hear the determination in her fellow pilots' voices that warmed her heart.

"That's what I like to hear. Eva Unit's Launch!"


Shinji marched towards the Angel with grim determination. His Eva replicating his slow, methodical steps across the sunny landscape of Tokyo-3. A large position rifle was crudely fused onto his torso with the barrel pointed towards the sky. The targeting system was large and cumbersome, only allowing him to get a good look at the Angel in his peripheries.

The sunlight made it nearly impossible to see it even through the targeting system. All he could see was a headless bird with ten wings and black beady eyes at all its joints. In its center was one massive eye. It reflected the bright mid-day sun right back at him and shined so brightly it burned his eyes.

"Alright Shinji, you're our hero. Advance 100 meters, then fire when the computer has a lock."

"Understood. I'll do my best."

He did as Misato ordered, jogging ahead to his position before pointing his weapon directly at the enemy and waiting for the reticle in front of him to turn saw a timer in the corner. It felt like the longest 5 seconds of his life. Time froze as he pulled the trigger. Then unfroze and went faster than he could comprehend. He watched as a stream of blue energy flew out of his weapon towards the Angel.

Within seconds, it countered with its own weapon. It did nothing to his own attack, instead he felt a weight beginning to press into his skull that grew in intensity over time. He couldn't see anything. There was a blinding light all around that stung his eyes to look at.

Someone was talking in his ear, pretty loudly too. He still couldn't hear it. He wasn't sure if he remembered to shut off his comms before he'd started the attack. His head felt like someone was trying to jam a rock through his forehead. He could feel it steadily creeping into his mind. It was an indescribably unpleasant thing.

His fingers found the trigger again. He squeezed off another shot that went wide, shooting off like a torch into the sky, not even close to his target.

Eventually, after his throat ached and burned and he could feel blood dripping down into the nails he'd jammed into his palm. He fell unconscious, or something that felt like it.


Two men sat in rapt silence, a monitor displaying the ongoing battle in front of them. To call it a battle would be an unfair assessment.

"What's going on out there!? Is the enemy attempting to make contact with Unit-01!?"

"I do not believe that to be the case, Sub-commander. Look at the latest psychograph for the pilot."

"Good god! It's attacking him directly! What are we going to do, sir?"

"Allow the Major and Doctor Akagi to do what they do best. The enemy has shown no interest in advancing. This gives us time. If the pilot's life becomes an issue, we shall have Rei deploy the lance."

"Are you sure we should be throwing away something that useful? Even with the committee out of the way, it seems like a gamble."

"We shall see, The Third Child is tougher than we've originally predicted. I've no doubt he'll get out of this situation similarly to all the others he's found himself in."

"I don't know whether to be inspired by the force of your belief or disgusted by your lack of affection for the boy."

"It is irrelevant to the scenario. I would prefer it if you kept such opinions to yourself."

"It'll take some time to retrieve it from Terminal Dogma. Do you want me to send Unit-00 down there now?"

"No, we'll wait. Let's see how our self-proclaimed time traveler handles this Angel"

"I'm sorry. Self proclaimed what!?"


'Why are you persecuting us?''

Shinji hadn't the faintest idea where he was. It reminded him of the time he'd spoken with his father. Only this time, it was different. The white void surrounding him, despite its vastness, felt cramped. A sinister feeling pervaded the whole atmosphere.

"Who are you?"

He waited for an answer and didn't get one. He repeated his question several times. Until by the end, he was yelling at the top of his lungs.

Without warning, he was transported to a train cabin. It looked like the train he took nearly daily, only this time, there were no people inside. Except for one small child listening to a music player.

Shinji gained some lucidity as he focused on the flexes of his fingers. The sensation felt real, but he knew it wasn't. Whatever this was, it wasn't real. It wasn't real. It couldn't hurt him.

"You're the Angel, aren't you? You attacked us! How are we persecuting you!? Just leave us alone!"

"You seem angry. Are you not afraid? I am inside your mind Shinji Ikari. I can see all that is inside you. There is much fear. Much rage too. Which is stronger, I wonder. What truly drives you?"

"Why do you care!? Get out of my head! It's already crowded!"

"I wish to understand the species that seeks to destroy us. This is a war of annihilation. Whoever is defeated will be destroyed, as is the right of the strong. However, I am not a warrior. I am a scholar.'

"If you're willing to talk, then you're willing to listen. I don't want to kill you. I will if I have to. Leave and don't come back.'

"I have no interest in killing you, either. It is why I chose to communicate with you. Now Let us see what you have been trying to keep hidden from me."

Shinji felt barbs pushing into his brain. He scratched and pulled desperately at his head to make the pain dissipate, but it did nothing.


Asuka wasn't prone to panic. Especially when she was in her Eva during the heat of battle. Hearing the agonized cries of the Third Child being sharply cut off sent shivers down her spine despite the warm LCL around her.

This Angel was weird. First of all, it looked freaky. All the Angels had looked disturbing, but this one was a step above. She'd overhead Ritsuko saying something about a mental attack and Shinji's psychograph, but she'd been left in radio silence along with the rest of the pilots.

"You gotta help him, Misato! It's hurting him!"

"We're doing everything we can, Asuka. I need all of you to stay put while we figure out a new plan of attack. We have no idea if it can start affecting all of you guys if you get too close."

"I'm not just gonna stand here and let it kill him! I'm getting him out of there!"

"Asuka! Stand down! That's an order!" Looking across the city's landscape, she could see Mari's white Eva was much closer to the boy than she was.

"Mari! You've got to do something! Please! Anything! Help him!"

"Eject the Entry Plugs for both Units 2 and 4. They will no longer be necessary during this operation. Also, prepare an express elevator for Unit-00."

The grimly spoken words of the commander were the last words she heard. Moments later, she was surrounded in darkness as she felt her entry plug launch itself away from the battle.


Shinji awoke in a train station. He was a little kid again. He wished this felt less familiar to him than it did. The annoyance he felt died in his chest as the sight before him paralyzed him.

A man was kneeling to face him. His large framed glasses and beard hid most of his expression, save for a frown on his face. The man handed him a music player, earbuds wrapped around it, and a cassette already inside.

There was no goodbye. The man simply shook his head and got up, brushing the dirt off his suit-pants. He only spoke once as he walked away from the boy, forever.

"Whatever happens Shinji. You mustn't run away. You must never run away."

Then he was alone. He cried for the man to come back. He begged at first. Then pleaded, offering to change, to behave better. But the man had already left. When that didn't work, all that was left was crying. Lots and lots of crying. Until he felt so emptied out and dehydrated, he finally wandered over to the new place he'd been sent to live.

Shinji had made it to the door. His suitcase felt like the heaviest thing he'd ever carried in his life. When he knocked on the door, it opened without resistance. He opened it further to reveal a dimly lit laboratory.

"No, No No NO! I don't want to see this again! I don't want to remember! Stop making me remember!"


Gendo Ikari sat alone in a room. All he could do was stare at the screen in front of him, the spectacle of despair displayed before him eroding his calm facade. Sitting became unbearable, he began to pace, his gaze never leaving the display.

It was his fault he was in this position. He'd gone against what he'd told him. He'd not spared any details in describing how unpleasant this would be, and now his son is suffering the consequences of his actions. So why was it so upsetting to see?

It wasn't the first time, in his time watching the boy's exploits, he'd suffered more than his fair share of injuries in the line of duty. Each time he'd bore witness to it personally and the direct effects it had on the boy. This was no different.

Why was he left completely unaffected by the psychic attack? He felt helpless, and above that, useless. He hated the feeling. The longer he watched the boy's mind try to repel the foreign invader, the stronger it grew.

Did he love the boy? It was an important question he'd been asking. He'd learned of his violent past and seems unphased. Instead of being repulsed, he seemed curious. A reaction he was not accustomed to. He didn't think he was capable of love. He'd told Yui that, and she'd made a liar out of him. Maybe she was right.

Gendo really had become his father. Using his own son for his own gain, it being for love, didn't change that. A different kind of selfishness. He knew the emptiness of loss. What it had driven him to. Shinji could not repeat his mistakes. He could not become like him. That would be his gift to his son.

He'd tried to manipulate the boy even without a body to call his own. Thinking of tricking the boy into awakening his Eva would bring them both to Yui. It was reckless and foolish. Proof he'd never stopped being that hot-headed thug of his youth. Never really changed.

Shinji was a good person. He piloted the Eva to protect others. The people he hurt by accident still gave him nightmares. His ultimate goal was to save people. How could someone like that be his own spawn?

The answer was Yui. His eyes reminded him of hers. As much as he reminded him of himself, he could see the woman he loved, too. Little details that it had taken him too many years to notice.

Why should he suffer? He felt his rage beginning to bubble up. He clenched his fist, then drove into the display with as much force as he could muster. It bounced off; it hurt. At least that was something. It didn't matter if it broke. None of it mattered.

He had to do something. This was a mental attack. He was inside Shinji's mind. He had to be able to do something. All he had to do was find out how.

Gendo lit up as a memory struck him. It was of his arrival in this strange limbo. He'd spoken to another Shinji who seemed to be a manifestation of the boy's unconscious or some other psychobabble.

"Where are you!? You're part of Shinji so I know you're here! Show yourself Other Shinji!"

'I'm a little preoccupied at the moment, if you don't mind.'

"No! Let me Help! I can do something!'

Gendo jumped as the boy appeared directly in front of him.

"You do not understand. This thing it's digging and scraping at his psyche with the grace of a bulldozer. I've been working to keep you out of its sight. When it damages his psyche, he can repair it with time. You are a foreign entity. You will be destroyed.'

"If you were to place me directly in the way of it, however. I could act as a buffer, preventing the most severe damage while NERV deals with the enemy.'

"That's your plan? Suicide? He won't be happy about it. I am still him. I should remind you. So I don't approve either."

"All my life, I have sacrificed my family for my own ambitions. He is my son. Please let me do something for him, for once."

"It'll be painful. Imagine getting your mind and body disintegrated at once, while you're fully conscious."

"So be it."

"He'll struggle without you. You two haven't gotten along well, but he's come to rely on you. You're going to be leaving him when he needs you most."

"He is strong. Stronger than you or I can possibly imagine. He doesn't need me and if he does, he knows where to look."

"How do you know you didn't set him up for failure? How do you know he'll survive? You've already seen what's coming."

"I don't. I do, however, believe in him. And have faith that he will see this through to the end. He will find the happiness he seeks, no matter the cost. I want to help him. This is how I can do that."

"If you die, then all you have learned dies with you. You believe in him, but do you believe in yourself?"

"No."

"Then why should I let you throw away your existence?"

"Because I believe that he can save me. Save everyone. I want to give him that chance."

"Very well. We need to hurry."


Rei felt a primal sense of urgency as she slowly ascended up the express elevator back up to the surface of Tokyo-3. The sun was almost setting, creating a vibrant orange haze across the city's landscape. It was beautiful. She didn't have any time to waste.

Shinji was under attack. The Angel had somehow managed to penetrate directly through the AT fields of both him and the Eva and break into his mind. Based on the boy's cries, she guessed it was even more painful than she'd envisioned.

She had to help him. It had taken all her willpower to refuse joining the other pilots in coming to his aid. Maybe if they'd not been stopped, they'd succeeded. Or gotten even more of them in danger. She'd never know. She had a way to kill the Angel. Now she was the only one.

Rei sized up her opponent, hefting the spear in her hand and preparing to throw it.

"Give the targeting computer 15 seconds to complete the calculations for your throw and all you need to do is follow the computer."

"Roger."

"Rei Disregard that order, there's no time for that. Destroy the target!"

"Yes, Commander." She obeyed without hesitation. Part of her had been hoping to hear that.

She lined up the spear tip with the Angel's center mass and prepared her stance. With a running forward, she sprinted and hurled the large red weapon towards the enemy with lightning speed. A thunderous boom echoed around her as the weapon soared up into the atmosphere towards the winged monstrosity.

Even with the spear's incredible velocity as it continued its ascent, it still took over a minute before she saw the results. There was a flash in the center of the creature's bulbous central eye and the entire creature exploded into an explosion of liquid that doused the surrounding upper atmosphere.

Rei smiled, satisfied at both completing her mission and saving her friend all at once. She flicked on her comms unit to see if there was an update on Shinji's condition.

"Are we still picking up signs from the pilot? Is Shinji alright?"

"Yes, he's alive. His psychograph never went into the critical range. As for why that happened after so much exposure? That's what I'm trying to figure out now."

"Can we get a comms signal to the plug? I wanna talk to him."

"We'll try and raise him. He's more than likely unconscious at this point."

Rei could hear the sound of shallow breathing. They must be playing the audio feed directly from the inside. She was glad to hear he was alive, but she was worried about what the Angel could've done to his mind.

"father?" It was such a small whisper at first she didn't hear it. "Father?" Louder this time, still barely audible but more frantic sounding this time. "FATHER!?" The sudden yelling startled her enough to nearly knock her out of her seat.

The boy was sobbing quietly now, muttering something inaudible to himself. There was complete silence in the command center. She wished to console the boy, but all she could do was wait for a retrieval team.


Asuka was having, in her opinion, the worst day of all days. First, she'd been snuffed for taking a shot to kill the Angel. Twice! She'd had to watch her recent kissing-friend get his mind violated by an alien. All the while being helpless to do anything to help.

Then Rei had been handed a free Angel kill on a silver platter. It really shouldn't count, all her kills were hard earned and fought by her. Her annoyance with the girl could wait, however. All her attempts to figure out Shinji's condition had been met with stonewalling. This only made her growing sense of worry worse.

"What do you mean I can't go see him!? Why the hell not!?"

"He's not even conscious. There's no point now. Besides that, he's under quarantine. The Angel bypassed the Eva's systems directly and targeted the pilot. We need to make sure there's nothing leftover from the attack. We really have only scratched the surface of understanding the Angels."

"Bla Bla Bla, you talk too much. Try and stop me. It's been too long since I've done a refresher on my martial arts." Asuka cracked her knuckles as she marched confidently towards the makeshift medical room/cell that contained Shinji.

"I'm not paid enough to be a bouncer on top of everything else. I'll pretend you snuck past me, since it's for your boyfriend."

"And I'll pretend I didn't hear you say that, so now we're even." Asuka didn't wait for the doctor's reply. Instead hurrying down the hallways that polluted her mind with foul memories she tried to bury.