Chapter 31: Does an Ending Begin?

"You believe you have leverage against us now Ikari?"

The 04 Monolith agreed with the improbability warning, "If you are capable of making such a claim, you should know what sort of danger you are accommodating in your own headquarters."

Surrounded by the SEELE monoliths, Gendo was tasked with denying what they thought would be their penultimate hour. They were forced to learn too late that the destruction of Maelstrom was not the final step in their plans as they anticipated. Despite being able to sever SEELE's best offense, he knew his own ambitions were still being challenged just as much.

Gendo remained unmoved by the SEELE monoliths as he answered, "I intend to make sure Instrumentality does occur, but I know the measures you have all taken to bring us to this point."

The 07 Monolith took an opportunity to condemn Gendo's dismissal, "Being aware of our observations does not make you immune to us. You have dedicated yourself this long, we know you will not stop this now."

Gendo denied the warning as he reminded, "You have no authority over me. The previous Angel destroyed what hold you might have had before."

Realizing there was no way to demand Gendo to stop what he was doing, the 01 Monolith declared to the onlookers, "We had no intention to force you Ikari, but if it must be done, then it will be reminded how far our grasp reaches."

The monoliths immediately disappeared denying Gendo the opportunity to explain himself any further. He was surrounded in darkness as he was condemned to what his superiors determined to be a foreshadowing of what awaited him. While he did not proclaim that he was about to challenge SEELE itself or stop Instrumentality from happening, the conflict between him and his former superiors had begun.

Gendo remained unmoved by the threat that was building around him as he spoke to the darkness around him, "It may come to that point. Now to see what you can accomplish."

As soon as the destruction of Maelstrom was confirmed and the area of desolation was laid upon Japan, Kyoya knew the time had come. The last confirmed Angel that was expected to arrive upon Earth was destroyed and came at the cost of rendering Asuka into a vegetative state as he heard. It was another casualty that reminded him how dire the situation was and how indifferent NERV was in the face of such challenges.

He kept his distance from the infirmary as he saw Misato and Ritsuko trying to make sense of Asuka's state before promising, "We will not permit any more of these to happen."

Turning away and making his way down the hall, Kyoya took out his phone and waited a few seconds before he heard Porter ask, "Is it time?"

"Yes."

"Right away."

Amid the attempts to recover from the chaos that was ensuing from Asuka's condition and the assessment of Maelstrom's destruction, Hawk and Porter had the window they needed to follow through on the mission their superior needed. Away from observing eyes they took the chance to transmit to their superiors in the Japanese Strategic Self Defense Force headquarters. The defeat of SEELE was finally at hand and they would be seen as the ones who played a key part in its downfall.

Hawk thought about what sort of historic implications he would be part of as he asked, "It almost seems too perfect don't you think?"

Porter finished the transmission of the message to the Strategic Self Defense Force before asking, "You expected that we would have more to deal with than this?"

"I honestly thought so. It feels like there's just so much we're leaving unresolved just by placing it all in SEELE."

"I can see the foundation for doubt. Two mysterious organizations working against us isn't something we can rule out I imagine."

"What if it's not even an organization we're worried about? It could just be the machinations of any one individual."

"I can see why you're worried, but we have too much to work with already. We already have to make sure we can bring SEELE into the public eye and bring them down. Our personal issues can't be what compromises our progress."

"Even with what Kyoya did? You don't think we're going to see a repeat of what happened?"

Hawk's point left Porter to consider his next words carefully. He remained committed to making sure his overall mission would be achieved but realized another danger at hand. Kyoya's crime still being unresolved and left in the dark was enough to give anyone pause. There was nothing warning anyone that it was part of a greater issue but it still shook his confidence that everything would continue smoothly.

Remaining committed to his original plan, Porter countered, "There might be other things for us to worry about but we have to think in the present if we are going to make a difference. Be on the lookout and make sure no one discovers what we have done."

Before Porter prepared to part from the meeting, he was met with his final question, "Not even our collaborators?"

Porter immediately recognized what Hawk was referring to as he reminded, "You know that some of them are already having a difficult time accepting Kyoya's methods. Word if this can't spread right now. We may have to make sure we take in some of them at this point."

Hawk accepted the conditions as he determined, "There are going to be some we will have to interrogate. If only to make sure we do not have to see Kyoya's crime repeated."

Turning away and looking around, Porter warned, "The message has been sent, the government will be here any minute. It's time for us to get ready to greet them."

General Takeshi Iwasaki could not recall a time where he was more pleased to receive a message. The three government agents that had been sent to investigate the activities within NERV finally found the moment they needed to begin their seizure of the headquarters and revoke the autonomy it enjoyed. All of the discoveries that had been made over the past few months were enough for him to feel not only a sense of achievement in calling Gendo Ikari the fraud that he was, but the last ally Japan needed as well.

Takeshi made his way to his command room as he announced, "We have the message. Prepare to move out immediately."

One of the operators acknowledged the order, "Right away sir!"

Takeshi made his way to a computer monitor where he watched the state of Japanese soldiers and vehicles making their scramble across the base as their new orders were being given. For the first time since the arrival of Sachiel he would have the chance to prove himself as the authority figure Japan needed in its most desperate hour. Whatever truth there might have been to everything he received before, being able to state down the face of someone who tried to invalidate him as a key player in the restoration of Japan after such a devastating period on Earth.

Returning to his office and preparing to head out himself, Takeshi heard someone making his way up to him. He turned to meet with one of his secretaries, Keiya, holding a bundle of folders in hand. Realizing it would be a short delay before he was about to leave NERV made Takeshi hold the door open for him to enter as the two prepared for what would be an important development.

Takeshi made his way to his desk while Keiya placed his folders in front of him before asking, "Have you made sure to obtain clearance with the Prime Minister sir?"

Opening the first folder and preparing to sign his signature on everything that revealed itself, Takeshi confirmed, "I received formal clearance last week. We've only had to sit here and be ready to move out. For the good of humanity, this had better be quick to resolve itself soon."

Hearing the desperation behind his superior's voice made Keiya warn, "You should know that acting with a grudge in mind is not going to allow you in there with a clear head sir."

Takeshi looked up as he corrected, "That's why I'm not holding a grudge. This is the sort of development that needed to be addressed a long time ago. Ikari may have been able to give us the advantage we needed against the Angels but we can't let him have his way after all of this."

Keiya gathered a handful of the forms into a folder as he remembered, "He has been afforded substantial leeway ever since NERV was granted the autonomy it was looking for. I must admit it has been almost a miracle that we did not hear of substantial complications up until this point."

Takeshi began looking over another form before he explained, "There have been rumors spreading and there have been discussions among the observers, everything is only now coming to fruition. We have been fortunate that we had a warning well ahead of what could have triggered a disaster that would have shaken the human race at least."

The suspicion Takeshi had behind NERV's true purpose made Keiya argue, "I have been following this for a while sir, there have not been any significant changes from NERV and they have been fulfilling their stated mission."

Takeshi pointed a finger at Keiya as he warned, "You did not have access to our recent developments. Be thankful that you haven't or any leak of it would cause Japan to become the world's enemy."

Keiya stepped backwards as he realized he almost overstepped his boundaries and apologized, "I see, I'm sorry sir... I'm sure many were willing to accept the conditions of what was happening before but stopping it may be the only way to save those who had good intentions from the start."

Takeshi placed his pen away as he agreed, "Being able to say we're helping children out of this potential grinder is good PR, but stopping a conspiracy that could jeopardize the world is more than enough to interrupt them. I'll let you know this much, there have been some serious accusations that will bury these people if any of them turn out to be true."

Collecting the forms and quickly organizing them, Keiya prepared to follow Takeshi out of the office as he warned, "You may have to be careful, I know you and the other generals authorized this from the beginning and you could all share the blame as well."

Without any more forms to sign, Takeshi stood up and prepared to make his way to his men as he confirmed, "I intend to. I hope we can paint every one of them for what they are. Monsters who try to build trust with us only to use it against us at the best chance for their own benefit. And that is what we have been living with for almost a year now."

Committed and prepared for what he knew would be a defining moment of his career, Takeshi made his way outside and looked around to find many of the assigned forces were assembled. There might not have been a significant defense established in NERV but he knew there would be substantial resistance. With the numbers assembled he knew he would have Gendo Ikari understanding he could not hope to free himself of everything he and his subordinates had tried to achieve behind his back.

He made his way to his personal truck and met his driver who reported, "We have your personal escort prepared and they will be sure to follow you inside, sir."

Takeshi sat back as he told him, "I will make sure they have their assignment. More importantly I want to make sure that Gendo Ikari is found and we have him humiliated in front of everyone who ever thought he was competent."

With that assurance in mind, Takeshi sat back and waited in his seat. It was only a matter of time now before he would be in the center of NERV and discrediting everything Gendo propped himself up to be. Little did he know that it would also challenge him on a stage he did not anticipate.

Misato found herself stricken as she looked down at Asuka. There was a time where the two once qualified as rivals for the affection of Shinji and one of them was now completely catatonic. It was a rivalry that she should not have been proud of and the outcome was something she should not have wanted to consider.

Ritsuko prepared an apparatus that would look over Asuka's eyes before reminding, "She is not going to wake up any time soon."

Looking up to see Ritsuko preparing Asuka for what would be a long wait in bed made her ask, "Why do you even bother?"

Ritsuko immediately recognized the context behind such a question as she answered, "I don't intend to kill anyone."

Clenching her hands to her sides, Misato pointed out, "You and the Commander seem to have a mutual agreement on what should be happening to humanity."

Uninterested in her accusations, Ritsuko simply confirmed, "We do."

Refusing to engage any further with the woman she once considered a friend, Misato turned away and allowed Ritsuko to continue her work while stomping down the halls. Everything that was happening today seemed to be staged as a challenge to her mental stability. All of it stemming from a relationship she should have known better than to let herself be developed. One that she could not stop thinking about and realized she was feeling far reaching consequences she could not immediately face.

Left alone in the middle of the halls with nothing but her thoughts, Misato found herself wondering what could come to pass now. The supposed last Angel was defeated and there seemed to be nothing that would stop Gendo and the others from accomplishing their ulterior motive. The balance of the world was being threatened to be overturned and she felt completely powerless in preventing anything from changing. It was a period that made Misato feel as though every bit of importance she might have had was completely run out.

Misato was denied the chance to continue her reflection as she heard someone running down the hall behind her. The sound caught her attention as she tried to see who it was but found him stopping right in front of her. It was Kyoya who kept one hand on his sunglasses and looked behind him to make sure he was not being followed.

She initially felt happy to see a familiar face but realized there was a sense of urgency with Kyoya's running as she asked, "Kyoya? What is it?"

Kyoya returned his attention to her as he warned, "Misato, you have to get out of here now. Don't bother with anything else, just get out."

Initially she was confused by the warning but took the opportunity to remind, "Why? Shouldn't I be stopping this? Isn't it time to deal with the Commander?"

Kyoya shook his head explaining, "No. NERV is going to be brought down today. The military is going to be sent in and have this base on lockdown. And they will make sure everyone is taken into custody."

Misato denied the warning as she pointed out, "That can't be right. They know everything. I have to cooperate at some point."

Kyoya placed his hands on Misato's shoulders as he warned, "They aren't going to let you out of this unscathed Misato. Takeshi Iwasaki has suspected what would occur in this setting since the beginning. He already has three cases of what happened, he is going to look for a fourth. I guarantee he will not give you the time of day to explain anything."

Misato froze as she realized what Kyoya was referring to. The harsh conditions Rei was subjected to, the traumatization done to Kensuke, and now seeing Asuka reduced to a catatonic state. NERV had no one it could turn to as a case example of what its pilots should have been like and she had ultimately done nothing to help the case. Consensual or not, she was an easy target for anyone who wanted to expose NERV as an organization that was not safe for children.

She tried to deny that she was in significant danger as she told Kyoya, "I'm not with him anymore and no one is going to force that kind of confession out of him."

"But you didn't terminate your pregnancy did you?"

The point made Misato cringe as she brought her hand to her stomach. There was still a confirmation of the consequences she was bearing. The frail thread of hope she was holding on to was the only thing she could point to as why she was still carrying it but it was now serving as what could be her greatest crime.

"I was... I'm still... I can't make excuses anymore..."

While Kyoya did not have any harsh words for her, he simply told her, "That's why. I won't tell you what to do, but you will be in trouble if you stay here."

Despite the intention to help her, Misato doubted if it was a good idea as she pointed out, "What good is it going to do? They'll end up finding me if I leave anyway."

Kyoya looked down at his watch as he tried to keep track of the time before explaining, "I'm going to do what I can to keep you from being their target. I promise you won't be pursued."

The growing list of assurances became more difficult for Misato to fight against as she realized she was not going to remain in NERV headquarters for much longer. She would indeed be given a second chance at life as the Japanese Strategic Self Defense Force would keep the organization under lockdown. It would probably be enough to prevent Kaworu or SEELE from achieving their Third Impact goals as long as they did what they could to find all probable causes. With such a crucial event to worry about, she would be among the last things anyone would worry about and she would have the open window to save herself she was looking for.

All of the care Kyoya had for finding a way out for her brought Misato to question one thing, "Why are you so worried about me anyway?"

Misato could not tell if it was anxiety or stress from the questioning but she was eventually told, "I put you through so much already. I will make sure you don't have to suffer for what I have done."

"Kyoya you-"

Grabbing her by the wrist and rushing to the other end of the hall, Kyoya searched for the first elevator he could place Misato in as he told her, "I don't have any more time! You have to run now!"

"What about everyone else?"

"Worry about yourself!"

"But Shinji is still here!"

Realizing she was still concerned about the boy she once cared for, Kyoya breathed as he guided Misato in the elevator and told her, "I'm going for him next. I will make sure he is with you when you are leaving this place. Now please, get to the garage level. Be ready to leave."

The growing sense of desperation was enough to give Misato hope she could resist these conditions as she told him, "I'm not leaving until he's right next to me like you say."

Despite her demands, Kyoya shot down the request as he explained, "You will have to be ready. There will be no opportunity once the blockade is set up."

Misato's face soured as she warned, "You know you aren't going to make me wait like that."

Kyoya sighed as he watched the elevator doors shut before agreeing, "You're right."

There were a select few in NERV who knew about the occupation that was coming as soon as Maelstrom was defeated. Shinji was one of them and he could not bring himself to care anymore. Mere hours had passed since he reduced Asuka to a catatonic state and he severed the only one who cared about him from his life. As a devastating final reminder of what sort of person he was, he came to accept what was supposed to be occurring soon enough.

He lay in the fetal position on his bed as he hugged himself while enduring the shame of his actions. If this was what love brought, even an illusion of the idea, the fragile nature of the human race became nothing to him. He could not pay where he was and wait for the end to come and nothing would change.

Shinji believed this was all he had to do until he heard the door to his room open. He did not bother to turn over or see who entered. If there was going to be nothing after this exchange, what else did he have to worry about?

"You didn't love her did you?"

The voice of Kaworu left Shinji in a state of indifference as he remained curled on his bed. Somehow the revelation of his true feelings for Asuka had become apparent to Kaworu and he was here to confront that longstanding lie. In his current state he could not bring himself to be afraid of Kaworu harming him even if the rumors of him being an Angel were true. There was still one thing he wondered about Kaworu's entry that mustered the willingness he needed to ask him.

"Why do you care so much?"

Kaworu sat across from Shinji as he answered, "I'm here to make you happy Shinji. I can't do it if you aren't honest with others or yourself."

Shaken by the potential accusations, Shinji asked, "You think it's my fault this happened to Asuka?"

"You may have had such feelings for her one time but you did not allow yourself to have them ever since. You denied the one you truly loved for a lie. It hurt both you and Asuka in the end."

"You really can tell can't you?"

"This is what holding back the truth to everyone will do to you Shinji. I want to help you achieve that state of bliss but you hold yourself back."

The accusations became enough to make Shinji shoot up from his bed and turn around to counter Kaworu, "You think it's that easy? It was never going to work and I never should have done it! I hurt them both and they hate me now!"

Kaworu remained unshaken by Shinji's burst as he watched him in pity. He was fully capable of recognizing what he did was wrong and he did not want to experience this sort of pain again. In many ways he was still new to the concept of relationships and this was another demonstration of that sorrow he had yet to experience.

"You were so close to happiness and then you faltered when you met a challenge you could not overcome." Kaworu realized. "Being forced to keep such a secret became a greater burden for you than you thought."

Shinji could not think of anything else he could have said as he waited for the moment Kaworu would finally leave or hurt him. It was all the confirmation he needed to determine Kaworu could not have been an Angel like the rumors said but still believes the possibility he might have been infuriated with him. If there was going to be anyone who would have dealt justice to him, Shinji was willing to accept him as the one to administer it.

It was what he expected as he felt Kaworu place a hand on his side before hearing him remind, "The Language of Masoch is shared between two people but only between a special two. Those who were willing to fulfill the pain they feared yet desired. Speaking it to another who does not understand it brings that individual pain or worse."

Shinji acknowledged the analogy Kaworu used before as he reasoned, "That's what I did to her."

What Shinji did not anticipate to hear was a counterargument to his claim as he heard Kaworu confess, "I am more at fault than you ever were Shinji. I am the one who did this to her."

The confession was enough to make Shinji roll over and face Kaworu when he heard it. Kaworu still looked at him with a look of sorrow as he found his earlier assurance of Kaworu not being an Angel in question. The fact that someone might have manipulated Asuka somehow left him wondering what else he could have done while apparently not searching for Adam as he was expected to.

This reveal became enough that Shinji forced himself to ask, "You... Did this?"

Kaworu added further to his confession, "I set the events in motion. When Asuka was released, I reminded her of the love you had for her. It seemed to be true but now I see."

Shinji sat up as he found himself being conflicted in every way possible about what he could trust right now. "You... Really couldn't tell I was lying?"

Kaworu confirmed the full extent of his attempt as he confirmed, "I was willing to trust when you said who it was. My desire was for your happiness to be achieved. In the end, I was the one who brought us here."

There was a state of absolute uncertainty and confusion Shinji could not find a way to make sense of. On one hand he had every reason to believe Kaworu was indeed an Angel but seemed to demonstrate very little that made him call anything he did out of the ordinary. What baffled him even more was the motivation behind what made him try to achieve what he was doing that caused all of this pain in the first place.

Unable to contain any more of his burning curiosity, Shinji repeated the core of what brought him here, "Why do you care about... what happens to me?"

Kaworu realized he would have much to reveal as he explained, "It was because you found love before I found you. I was determined to bring you joy and I believed you were fulfilled. But whatever caused the rift in your heart, it is my responsibility to undo."

The garage section of NERV was silent as Misato waited in front of the elevator she exited. Kyoya had an expectation to fulfill but she wondered if he really could have gotten to him in time to get both of them out of the base. Even with such doubts she refused to accept having Shinji left behind when there was such a crucial hour upon both of them.

The calm inside was immediately interrupted as soon as Misato heard a car speeding towards her and came to a screeching halt. The window opened to reveal Koji behind the wheel before turning to her and called, "Misato! Quickly, we have to go now!"

Misato remained fixed where she was as she denied, "Not without Shinji!"

Having expected such a denial, Koji told her, "Hajime is going to get him out of here in a different vehicle! We can't have you both in the same place right now!"

While there was a sense of precaution behind the idea, Misato hesitated before asking, "So you're sure he's going to be with him?"

Koji gave a heavy sigh before answering, "I'm positive he will be. Both of you have to be safe though and I need you to cooperate with me."

While Misato was still willing to accept that Koji was ready to assist her, she could not help but feel conflicted about the plan. She was determined to make sure that Shinji was nearby and she would not leave without him. Still, what good would being resistant to not having him next to her be if she was not there to make sure he was safe?

Misato lingered as she considered this point before finally resigning there was no other alternative for her at this moment. She wanted Shinji at her side again but she had to make sure she was there to see him as well. With the word of one of the few people in NERV she felt she could trust at this point, she decided to accept Koji's word that her desire would be addressed.

Sitting herself next to Koji, Misato shut her door as she quickly fastened her seatbelt. She was fortunate to have done so as she felt the force of Koji speed through the garage as though he was being pursued. When she remembered the tight schedule that Kyoya was warning about earlier, it was the perfect reminder that reminded why she was being escorted so quickly.

As she kept herself steady against the speeding, Misato turned to Koji asking, "Do you at least have any way for me to talk to Shinji from here?"

Koji kept his focus where he was going as he answered, "We don't have that much time Misato! We have to get out of here now!"

Groaning at the emergency she was being forced to wait through, Misato asked, "What the Hell are you so worried about me for anyway?!"

Koji came to the entry gate as he prepared his car to ascend to Tokyo-3 and caught his breath before explaining, "We need everyone who is capable of handling SEELE to be here. I know you might have better intentions Misato, but you and Shinji are not the sort of discovery the military needs to find right now."

Misato acknowledged the familiar warning before admitting, "It looks like

I might not have been the best choice to handle all of this. All I've done is cause trouble."

Koji denied the conclusion as he reminded, "It is because of you we have been able to get this far. Consider your contributions to the cause complete and just wait for all of this to pass. NERV will be back to normal soon and you and Shinji will be safe together."

While Koji's assurance was sincere it was not enough to make Misato feel enthusiastic as she knew where she would end up. She felt a sense of regret overtake her thoughts as she tried to be ready for the outside world again and potentially find the boy she once cared for. She did not know how much Koji knew about her broken affair but she could not help feel her greatest fear form one question from where she was going to end up.

"Shinji... Will you forgive me?"

A/N: This one was pretty big in scope since I'm planning to begin an equally big shift in the story at this point. Right now it's mostly wallowing in the misery of their choices and what the characters have done to themselves after all the prior mayhem because what is Eva without it am I right? That and the interfactional maneuverings in NERV alongside whatever is running through Gendo's head.

You also get to meet the other major OC I technically created for this story though it's really just me trying to fill in a blank more than creating a new character. The one in question being the one that proclaimed, "We did it!," before the one who told Gendo there was nothing for him after the N2 mine explosion, I hope that makes sense. From what I remember I don't think any of the UN Generals in Episode 1 were ever named so I just went with a combination of two names for the one in the spotlight. Takeshi coming from President of Gainax at the time, Takeshi Sawamaru, who would probably despise the direction the show was going by now and Iwasaki from Yoshikatsu Iwasaki who I'm sure would have been trying to find a way to end the show if it had gone for as long as it did to this point.

So if you have been doing the math up to now and you remember the overall scope of this story, we are officially now at the halfway point. I seriously didn't think this story would end up this long but here I am and I will fulfill my original intentions. Fully understandable if there is anybody who checked out any time ago and to everybody who is still following, I'm thankful and I hope to provide a satisfying conclusion whenever I get to it.