Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Neon Genesis Evangelion is owned by Studio Gainax and Hideaki Anno and Utraman is owned by Tsuburaya Productions

Chapter 3: Rei, Beyond Infinity

With the Fourth Angel's defeat, the clean-up commences. Two people watched as Unit-01 was recovered from the site of the battle.

"It's a shame that the Angel got blown up. Would've been nice to be able to examine it," First Lieutenant Kirisaki, technical consultant and recent transferee from NERV-Bethany among other things lamented.

"Well, on the bright side, it makes the cleanup a whole lot easier," said First Lieutenant Ibuki Maya.

"I suppose," Kirisaki shrugged. "That Silver Giant sure is something." He was surprised to see one of them show up. He thought the problems of this world would've been beneath their notice.

"I know, right!" Ibuki beamed. "It makes you wonder what other kinds of things and beings are out there."

"Like other eldritch abominations and unknown horrors?" Kirisaki deadpanned. Ibuki pouted.

"You're so pessimistic, you know that?"

"And you're too trusting," he countered. "How do you know the Silver Giant isn't some alien invader waiting to destroy us?"

"He helped us twice already. He's one of the good guys in my book," she defended.

"You can't be too sure. A being of light can still be an agent of darkness. The Angels are proof of that." Not for the first time, Kirisaki wondered who was the genius who decided on that name.

"Well his actions say otherwise and that's what matters." Damn it is she so bright, he can feel his stomach churn.

"I didn't think you would be so fond of him," said Kirisaki, hiding his discomfort with a smile. "His presence could very well leave our tech and everything we've worked for obsolete."

"Honestly, I thought that too at first. But the more I think about it and I see how little the Silver Giant actually knows regarding the Angels, I realize that he needs our help just as much as we might need his." Ibuki smiled. "It's really ideal don't you think? Humanity and aliens working together, achieving a common goal. I can't believe we're actually seeing it happen!"

Kirisaki fought the urge to gag. Even here, he can't escape all this bonds nonsense. Seriously, in an environment like this, he can't believe someone like this girl can remain all smiles and sunshine. But then again, she doesn't know all of NERV's dark secrets. If she did...

Kirisaki once again fought himself, this time from his smile morphing into a devious one. Ever since he ended up here and learned of this world's history Second Impact, its effects on the World and the further plans of the people behind it, he decided to just watch everything unfold. It was amazing how he didn't even need to interfere once. Everything he's ever done to other worlds, this one and the people in it are already accomplishing it by themselves. Even the presence of the so-called Silver Giant makes it better, if it leads him to despair. That would surely break him.

But this girl, she's really starting to grate on his nerves. He's sure she'll break in the future, knowing her devotion and loyalties, especially to a certain scientist. But wouldn't it bring him such joy to guide her down that path himself.

"Um, Kirisaki. Are you okay? You're being more quiet than usual," Ibuki asked in concern.

"I'm fine, don't worry about it," he waved off as he thought of possible ways he could play with her.

He's fine letting things play out while he works on his pet project, but he doesn't mind a side project either.

As Rei prepares for their swimming lessons in PE class, she thinks back to previous events. It has been around a week since Ikari and Ultraman Mebius' fight with the Fourth Angel, and Ikari has slowly been coming around since his breakdown. He has returned to school, Rei helped him catch up with what he missed, although it wasn't a difficult task, as the old teacher talked of the false cause of Second Impact as usual that no one really listens to, only Ultraman Mebius during his first day. Rei told him of the true events. He didn't speak for a long time after that.

The two students that sneaked out that day, Suzuhara and Aida, they've started to socialize with Ikari a lot more since the incident. Whether it was guilt, camaraderie from their shared experience, or maybe something as simple as Aida wanting to learn more about the Eva pilots, she couldn't tell, but there they are, together on the tracks… talking about her calves?

Apparently, since her merger with Ultraman Mebius, she now shares certain abilities with the giant, including enhanced hearing, which allowed her to hear a peculiar interaction among the three boys regarding her body parts.

"Perverts," Ultraman Mebius sighed. "Hey, Ayanami-san. Look their way, will you?"

"Why?" Rei inquired.

"Just do it. I want to see what will happen."

Rei did just that, causing them to panic once they took notice. Since they don't know of her situation with the silver giant, they shouldn't know she can hear them, but the idea that maybe she could still instill fear within them.

Ultraman Mebius laughed in amusement. "Nice one, Ayanami-san," he said. Rei was left confused, not understanding why they reacted as such, and why Ultraman Mebius finds it so amusing, or how this sequence of events happened in the first place. Maybe it's just something about humanity that she has yet to understand. Ultraman Mebius has proven to know more about them than she does. She tries her best to understand the beings that they both swore to protect, learning as much as she could on both genetics and psychology, and yet she has barely scratched the surface on why humans are the way they are.

"Are you alright?" Ultraman Mebius asked, sensing her wandering thoughts.

"I'm fine," Rei assured him. "I'm just… pondering."

"...Okay. But if you want to talk, I'm right here, and everyone else."

Rei nodded. "I know," she said as she went on with the day, occasionally continuing her ponderings about human nature.

Later That Day

"You know, he doesn't look like it, but the commander is surprisingly nice."

Ayanami nodded in agreement as she changes back to her school uniform, her mood much lighter than usual, which is really strange coming from her After school, Ayanami and Ikari headed to NERV HQ for a synch test, and Mebius bore witness to Commander Ikari and Ayanami have a pleasant conversation, the two smiling all throughout. It was really bizarre, especially knowing how Ayanami usually acts, but he supposed it should be normal, he raised her after all, so they must be close.

But he really can't help but get a bad feeling about him. He was the one who raised Rei, and yet she turned out the way she is. He's never seen him interact with the younger Ikari, never even visited him after the whole ordeal with the fourth Angel.

It reminded him of Seven-niisan and Zero, and not in a good way. Although they've since made up and have a close relationship, back then, Zero was kept away from the senior Ultra Brother for his own safety, never even knowing that he was in fact his father, not until Zero was reintegrated to society after his banishment and subsequent redemption. During the younger Ultra's exile, Niisan never spoke about him, most likely not knowing how to even approach the subject with him being absent for most of his son's life, knowing that Zero's rebellion was partially because he was never there to guide him. Maybe Commander Ikari is similar. He doesn't know how to approach his son. And yet he's fine with Ayanami? But then again, if he's the reason why he is how she is, if he's the reason why she grew up isolated, then maybe it's for the best?

No, that can't be right. Parenthood is important, no matter what world you came from. He should've been there for him. He thinks. He's not a parent so what does he know?

Ayanami went home. They ate dinner.

"You and the commander seem really close," said Mebius.

"I suppose," Ayanami responded.

"What's he like?"

"I don't know." She continued to eat.

"Eh? Didn't he raise you?"

"Yes."

Well isn't that weird. After all this time, Ayanami doesn't even know about the man? Forget not knowing how to connect with his son. Maybe he's just bad at connecting with anyone.

"Don't you think it's strange? How he doesn't seem involved with Ikari-kun's life?" Mebius asked, wanting to know Ayanami's thoughts on the matter.

Ayanami thought about it. "He has his reasons," she decided to say.

"Maybe." Mebius decided to abandon the subject for now. "So, tomorrow's the reactivation test for Unit-00. Are you nervous?"

"I have faith in Commander Ikari's work. I will be fine."

"...You know I can tell when you're lying, right?"

To his surprise, Ayanami gave a small glare. "Are you saying I don't have faith in him?" she sounded offended by that notion.

"No, not at all," Mebius quickly assured her. "I know you trust him, but it's alright to be afraid that thing's might go wrong. Truth be told, I'm worried too."

That caught her off guard. "You, worried? Why?"

"Well, I'm not sure how my presence would affect synchronization. It's possible that I might disrupt the process."

Ayanami stopped eating. "...I never thought of that," she admitted, and he felt her worry increase slightly.

"Don't worry about it!" Mebius hastily said to ease her concerns. "We're not sure what will happen, and when the time comes, we'll figure something out. Hopefully."

Ayanami calmed down at that, but despite the two of them being alone, she outwardly hid the fact that she felt anything in the first place. "Yes. As I've said, there is nothing to worry about."

She finished her meal.

The Next Day

Lying on the ground, Mebius wondered where he went wrong in life as Ikari lay on top of Ayanami, a hand touching her breast, all while she – and by extension he – is completely naked. He may not have been in a human body for a long time, and certainly not a female's, and this one is not even his, but even then, he can't help but feel embarrassment over the situation. Though maybe that's a good thing, because Ayanami certainly isn't.

"Could you move, please?"

That got Ikari back to his senses. Realizing where his left hand ended up, he quickly stood up. The poor boy was left stammering, trying to explain himself while Ayanami puts on her clothes, ignoring him in the process and leaving her apartment without him. He'd chide her for it, but it was a funny scene so he'll let this one slide.

The two pilots went to HQ together. Once they reached the entryway, Ayanami tried to enter with her ID card, but it didn't work. It was then that they found out what Ikari was doing in her apartment in the first place.

"Here's your new card. Ritsuko-san asked me to give it to you."

Ayanami was about to just grab it, but she paused, thinking of what to say. She settled with a "thank you." Ikari looked like he appreciated the response

They are now on the escalator. Ikari, like Mebius before him, asked if Ayanami is nervous. Having had this conversation before, the realization of the possible complications still fresh in their minds, Ayanami decided not to answer. Instead she asked him, "You are Commander Ikari's son. Do you not have faith in his work?"

"Of course not!" Ikari said indignantly. "How can I have faith in a father like that?!"

Ah, so there is some resentment, at least on his end.

Hearing his response, Ayanami turned around, glared at Ikari, and slapped him across the face.

Mebius was surprised, not just because of Ayanami's uncharacteristic display of emotion, but because of her actions.

"What the hell?! Why did you do that?!" Mebius demanded, recovering from his shock.

"He insulted his father," she said coldly.

"Well, you've got to understand it from his perspective, he's barely there for him, of course he won't exactly be happy with him," Mebius explained. "And besides, that's no excuse for you to slap the guy!"

Ayanami kept on glaring, but she begrudgingly accepted his point. "What should I do then?"

"Apologize to him, then maybe ask why he's so upset with the commander," he said. It could be the first step of helping Ikari out with whatever's going on with his life.

Ayanami considered it, but she now reached the bottom of the escalator. "We have to go," she said to Mebius as she walked away from Ikari.

Although she did stop briefly. She didn't turn around as she said to the Third Child, "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

Ikari was left alone and confused. Mebius can only hope that he won't take it too hard. The kid's been through enough, the idea of being hated and rejected by his fellow pilot and friend(?) won't do him any favors.

"Rei, do you read me?" asked Commander Ikari

"Yes," Ayanami answered.

They are now inside Unit-00, it's reactivation about to begin. Ayanami did a good job hiding her nervousness, the old damaged glasses of the commander that she'd kept as a good luck charm probably helped.

"We will now conduct Unit-00's reactivation test," the commander announced. "Initiate level one contact."

As with his host, Mebius relaxed himself. Hopefully at this phase, nothing too bad will happen.

"Main power supply connected."

"Operating voltage threshold crossed"

"Roger."

"Format, proceed to phase two."

"Initiate pilot contact with Unit-00."

Meanwhile in the observation room, Kirisaki, who was among those working on Unit-00's reactivation, cocked an eyebrow as he noticed some strange readings. He wasn't the only one to notice.

"There appears to be slight abnormalities on the nerve circuits," one of the technicians pointed out.

As Kirisaki looked more into it, he realized that it was similar to when those two idiots from back then got inside Unit-01. Although this wasn't as big of a contamination compared to that, it still suggests the presence of another individual.

But Rei is alone. No one else is inside with her. Unless…

His face contorted into a small smile. "So that's where you are," he thought to himself. That explains Rei's quick recovery.

"Doctor?" he said, awaiting orders. He'd rather let this pass and he made a face that suggests that this isn't a big deal, but she or the commander still gets the final say.

"Proceed with the operation. It's probably nothing." Fortunately she agreed with him. The reactivation continued as normal.

Now he just needs to reconfigure Unit-00 to account for Rei's new copilot and avoid further suspicion. He shook his head.

"You really need to be more careful, pupil of Taro."

Thankfully, whatever complications Mebius might've caused seemed minor and was brushed off. The test went on smoothly.

"...Zero point three. Zero point two. Zero point one. Passed. Borderline cleared. Unit-00 is now active"

"Roger. Will now proceed to interfacing test."

Before any further tests could proceed however, they received orders from the commander.

"Rei, the reactivation was a success. Stand down."

Strange. They've barely even started yet. Something must be going on.

But still, the reactivation was successful with barely any issues. With that, Ayanami sighed in relief.

It was only later on when they found out what had happened. The Fifth Angel appeared, and Unit-01 was sent to fight it. But the moment Unit-01 hit the ground, the Angel fired a powerful particle beam, striking the Eva straight at the chest and leaving Ikari in critical condition. Now the Angel, a blue octahedron thing, is drilling straight towards HQ, having penetrated the Geofront.

Enter Operation Yashima, the plan concocted by Captain Katsuragi. The Angel, who can attack any threat in a certain radius and has a powerful AT-Field, will be dealt with away from its target area with a positron rifle powered by Japan's entire electrical grid. Unit-01 and Unit-00 will both be deployed to accomplish this Unit-01 as the gunner while Unit-00 protects it, and Ayanami is tasked with telling Ikari this.

Ayanami entered Ikari's hospital room just in time for Ikari to wake up.

"Ayanami…" Ikari said as he regained focus. Ayanami gave him a rundown of the upcoming procedures.

"Eat," Ayanami, who brought food with her, told Ikari.

I don't… have much of an appetite," he answered.

"We leave in 60 minutes," she reminded.

"Do I have to pilot that thing again?"

"Yes, that's right."

"I… I'm done with this." Ikari lowered his head in despair. "You can only say that because you haven't been through what I have. I don't want to go through that ever again."

Ayanami stared at the hurting boy. Mebius thought back to how Ikari reacted the last time he piloted, cutting himself from the world, lonely and helpless. He hoped his encouragement could lift his spirit, but evidently, it would take more than one gesture from an alien to heal his mind– no, his heart.

"I will be with you this time." Ayanami stopped and considered her next words. "I have always been with you," she told him, much to Mebius' surprise.

'Ayanami-san, don't tell me you're…!'

"What are you talking about?" Ikari asked in confusion.

"You will find out soon," Ayanami said coolly. "But if you really don't want to, Dr. Akagi has made preparations to rewrite Unit-01's personal data. I can pilot Unit-01 if you're unwilling."

Ayanami let Ikari consider her offer and decided to leave him alone for now. "Well, Captain Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi are waiting in the cage."

She turned and headed to the door, bidding one last farewell before leaving the room.

"Are you sure about this?" Mebius asked. Although he approves, it's still a big decision that they have to be certain they'll make with the right people.

"If you are fine with it," answered Ayanami. "We do share this body after all."

Mebius thought about it more. "I'll leave the choice to you, but I think it's for the best."

Ayanami nodded as she resolved to tell Ikari everything once the dust settled. Honestly, Mebius was relieved. He much preferred not keeping his identity to his teammates anymore, and having to do it again, and with a host rather than just being himself, he couldn't help but feel that loneliness too.

He wondered if Ayanami felt the same way.

NERV Temporary Base, Mt. Futago

Ultimately, Ikari decided to pilot. Now, he and Rei sat on the walkway leading to their Evas, waiting for the operation to start. Both were silent

Rei remembered the events back at the escalator. Taking Ultraman Mebius' advice, she asked, "why do you hate your father?"

Ikari was taken aback. "I…" he stammered, before his face became thoughtful. "I haven't talk to him in years, you know? He just dropped me off to relatives without saying anything. And now he calls me for the first time in years to pilot this thing," he gestured to Unit-01. "And he hasn't said anything since!"

Ikari was slightly panting. He must have been holding this off for a while now.

"I'm sure he has his reasons," Rei offered, parroting what she said to Ultraman Mebius last night.

"But he seems to have time for you," Ikari pointed out. She senses a hint of bitterness in his voice.

"What should I say to this?" Rei asked Ultraman Mebius, not sure how to proceed.

"I don't really know," he admitted. "I'm no expert on the matter, but his feelings for his father seem complicated. It doesn't help that we don't know why Commander Ikari is the way he is. Combine that with everything he's been through for the past few weeks, right now, I think he just needs support."

"But he has those already, doesn't he?" he "hangs out" with Suzuhara and Aida all the time, Captain Katsuragi offered him a place to stay. Even Ultraman Mebius acknowledged his accomplishments.

"Yeah, but I don't think he fully realizes it. Maybe he's scared of being abandoned by everyone, like what he believes his father did."

Rei takes this all in. She would be lying if she says that she is one to understand the complexities of the human mind and emotions. But with Ultraman Mebius' help, she could at least pick up on these cues, and she can now figure out ways to better respond accordingly. She never really cared back then, but with Ikari, it's different.

"If it means anything to you, I have faith in you," she said. Ikari turned to her, eyes widened.

"Captain Katsuragi, our classmates, the Silver Giant," she continued. "We've all seen what you've done, what you're willing to do. It is admirable, and I believe they all think so too."

Ikari turned away as his face became red. "I didn't even want to do those things. I wanted to run away…"

"And yet you didn't," observed Rei, then she recalled something.

"Remember your first day here, when you didn't want to pilot?"

Ikari nodded.

"But you did it when Commander Ikari was going to make me pilot instead."

"Wait, what?" said Ultraman Mebius. Rei ignored him.

"Why?" She asked.

Ikari looked thoughtful once again as he thought back to that fateful day. "You were already hurt, I didn't want you to suffer any more than you already have."

It was hard to explain, but something inside Rei "clicked". Why is this familiar to her?

"I see." She recalled the words that Ultraman Mebius taught her, to be used in situations like this.

"Thank you."

Ikari's face became redder.

"Looks like he's not used to these kinds of compliments," Ultraman Mebius commented. For some reason, this gave Rei a heavy feeling that she can't fully understand. It's a similar feeling to when she feels loneliness, but directed at Ikari?

Rei stood up. "It's time. Let's go." She said her farewells and entered her Eva. At exactly 0000 hours, Operation Yashima commences.

As the positron rifle was prepared, a thought occurred to Ayanami. "Can I ask a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"If you wanted to, you could hit the Angel's core and destroy it all by yourself. Why wouldn't you?"

Ultraman Mebius paused as he considered her question. "We Ultras, we don't want humans to rely on us all the time. I'd interfere if things go south, but right now, I think you guys can handle this."

"I see," Rei nodded, trying to understand the Giant's reasoning.

Soon enough, the rifle was ready. But Rei sensed something from the Angel.

"Crap! The Angel is gonna fire!" exclaimed Ultraman Mebius.

Unit-01 fired the positron rifle. The Angel followed suit. The two beams ended up negating the other. They missed the first shot.

The rifle was being reloaded, but the Angel was accumulating energy at a faster rate. Unit-01 would be hit before the rifle is ready. Rei picked up her shield and she began moving to protect Ikari.

"Ayanami-san!" yelled Ultraman Mebius. The Mebius Brace materialized on her left arm. "It's too dangerous. Transform right now!"

Rei was about to comply, but her mind went back to her previous conversations with Ikari. How his words resonated with her somehow. She also remembered what Ultraman Mebius told her, why he didn't want to interfere until now. She understood. She knew what she had to do.

The Angel fired for the second time. Rei quickly placed herself in front of its beam.

"No!" cried Ultraman Mebius as the beam hit the shield, which quickly started melting from the heat. The Angel's beam is much too strong. Unit-00 is already taking damage.

Rei felt Unit-00's pain. But it didn't matter. She needs to accomplish her mission.

She needs to protect Ikari, no matter what.

The rifle was ready. Unit-01 fired.

It hit the Angel's core. There was a huge explosion as it let out a cry of pain. The Angel remained intact, but it fell down. So did Unit-00.

The Fifth Angel has been defeated. They won.

"Ayanami-san, wake up!" Mebius yelled desperately, but Ayanami remained unresponsive.

Unit-00 began to shake. Mebius felt the entry plug get ripped off from the mecha.

The door was opened. He heard Ikari's voice.

"Ayanami! Are you okay?! Ayanami!"

Ayanami returned to her senses. Opening her eyes, they saw Ikari staring wide eyed at her. Following his gaze, they realized that he's looking at the Mebius Brace, still on Ayanami's arm.

"Ayanami," Ikari whispered. "You're the Silver Giant?!"

Ayanami looked at the brace, then back at Ikari. She gave a nod. "Like I said, I've always been with you."

"But if you're–, then why didn't you transform?"

"I wanted to be the one to protect you," Ayanami simply stated. "I didn't want you to suffer more than you already have."

"Ayanami-san," Mebius said softly, realizing why she didn't listen to him.

"Don't…" Ikari began to tear up, to both Mebius and Ayanami's surprise. "Remember what you said back then? That you have nothing else? Please don't say that again. And don't say stuff like 'farewell' when you walk off, okay?"

Ikari struggled not to cry. He failed.

"Why are you crying Ikari-kun?" asked a puzzled Ayanami. Ikari continued crying, not saying a word.

"I'm sorry. I don't know how I should act at times like these," Ayanami admitted.

Still teary eyed, Ikari managed to regain his composure, looked at Rei with a smile, and said, "smiling would be a good start."

His answer struck Ayanami, as if she was reminded of something. Slowly, she did as Ikari suggests, her face forming a wide smile.

Mebius remained quiet, deciding not to comment as the two pilots have their moment, and although he couldn't show it, he sported the same smile as his host.