Rebuild SKL Is Kaiser
ESKK: We are now at chapter 18 so let's get started.
(Start Misato a Dark Room)
Misato stood with her hands cuffed under a spotlight as around her were varying members of the UN Security Council. Being in this position was not something Misato had ever anticipated being in though in retrospect it was probably deserved.
"Your late to this meeting." One of the Security Council Members said via a holographic projection.
"Sorry but as you can probably guess NERV did not exactly make it easy for me to attend." Misato said as she had her wits still. If Misato was about to go to prison, then fine she'll get this one last bit of tongue lashing out before being convicted.
"If you're going to arrest me, just get it over with." Misato said as she got right to it. "The pageantry and empty platitudes you're going for isn't going to get me weeping here." Misato added as she wanted to get it over with.
"Captain please adhere to the rulings." Another one said as she glared at Misato ever calmly. "We're here to discuss your blunder with the Near Fourth Impact." She added while glaring at the woman.
"I believe I did what was necessary given the circumstances at the time." Misato said as she did not like how she was being questioned.
"You allowed a valuable tool of NERV to escape, a deranged saboteur who orchestrated the boys abduction escaped your custody, and you lost sight of a valuable weapon in Kaiser." A third member cut in as the information was displayed for Misato to see via reports and video images.
"In those same reports the boy had even told you to destroy the EVA he was forced into piloting, and you focused more on retrieval at the time." The woman said as she knew Misato took too big of a gamble for one pilot.
"We avoided the Fourth Impact I say that was a victory." Misato added as she glared at the Council keeping her composure.
"Avoided it… or prevented Gendo from instigating it on NERV's terms." The first male spoke which got Misato to look at him with suspicion.
"Excuse me?" Misato asked as she found there was an accusation hidden there.
"Your entire command staff is comprised of former NERV personnel who allegedly defected when Gendo Ikari and NERV's true colors were exposed." A fourth member said as he was listing off concerns, he had with WILLE and the organizations current command structure. "One of whom had been a part of Ikari's inner circle at the time." He went on before getting to the bigger picture.
"You think WILLE is just NERV rebranded." Misato said seeing where the accusations were leading towards.
"Do understand Captain we are justified with our suspicions especially after the Near Fourth Impact." The first male said showing what was going on here.
"Last I checked WILLE is the only thing standing against NERV and the absolute annihilation of the human race." Misato said making it clear that the UN needed WILLE.
"Are you? Or are you simply acting in NERVs stead or maybe attempting Instrumentality on your own terms?" The woman said as she glared at Misato. "Do not think we were ever fooled when you had used Shinji Ikari as the scapegoat for the Near Third Impact in order attain command of WILLE without questions." The same woman said as it was clear the UN was aware of this fact.
"We also have concerning reports of the Second Children of NERV's prior manipulations of her and you and Akagi both perpetuating it for your own ends." The fourth member added as Misato was left in silent shock at the council words.
Misato was wide eyed by this as she was once more being reminded of what she had been becoming. Using Shinji as a scapegoat to avoid her role in the Near Third Impact and gaining command of WILLE, and perpetuating NERV's lies to Asuka so they may control her. It seems her sins were coming back to haunt her despite her attempts to change.
"Do you deny the accusations?" The fourth Member asked getting back on the subject.
"I don't deny what I did to Shinji and Asuka." Misato admitted as she kept her tone neutral to prevent the UN from seeing that they got to her. "But I will deny the accusation of WILLE being associated with NERV or being a rebranded NERV." Misato defended as she would rather die than become Gendo.
"The evidence and background hardly supports your claim." The first UN member said as he was giving Misato his skepticism.
"You and I all know that the worlds needs WILLE right now." Misato went on but the woman cut in.
"Until it's time for you lot to show your true colors and take the Impact for yourselves." The woman said as she glared at Misato.
"If we wanted the Impact to come, we'd have left Gendo, do it already." Misato went on glaring at the woman and the UN's accusations against her and against WILLE. "We can go on and on over this, but we have a much bigger issue to worry about." Misato said as she was getting tired of the UN's distrust here. "Gendo Ikari and NERV are gearing up for something big and right now we need every gun, every weapon, and any resource we can throw at it because it's going to be big." Misato said making it clear that WILLE needed help against Gendo.
"You planning an assault on NERV." The fourth one said seeing the writings on the walls.
"Yes, because this is the sort of thing we cannot leave to chance." Misato said as she was giving the UN the information they needed. "Gendo may be setting up for the Final Impact." Misato finished and thus all eyes were widened in either fear or in suspicion of Misato. Fear that Gendo was setting up his final play and suspicion that Misato may be only revealing what benefits her. Misato never realize until now just how mistrusted she was until speaking to the UN. It felt like an eternity as Misato waited for the UN to decide on her fate but clearly, they needed time, time that the Wundur's repairs will provide.
"We need time to deliberate we shall call you again when a verdict is reached." The first male said and thus he nodded to the guard in the room. Moving in the guard took a key and undid Misato's cuffs to let her go as the holograms vanished.
"Better make the most of your freedom you might not have it for much longer." The guard said and thus Misato scoffed but walked off.
"I intend to." Misato said and thus she left the dark room back to the main area of the Wundur. There was still a lot to do and little time for it.
(Scene Break Wundur Ritsuko's lab)
Shinji and Asuka were sitting on chairs with helmets over their heads while Ritsuko was doing scans on them. Maya was in the room with her as Jun had opted out of this experiment as the overhaul for Kaiser and Wingle needed her full attention. While Maya worked, she gave passing glances to Shinji as he and Asuka sat on similar chairs for this exam. Shinji noticed them but let them be for now. Maya felt some form of guilt after everything that happened.
Shinji despite being in the EVA tried his hardest to stop the Fourth Impact. But Gendo had been five moves ahead of them from start to finish. From what Maya could decipher Shinji had all but electrocuted himself to deactivate Unit-13 to stop the Impact. From what Asuka heard she found Shinji punching the metal walls of the plug he was inside to the point his hands were actually bleeding. It came as a shock but with it came the guilt of her role here. She was one of the Bridge Techs 14 years ago she activated the Dummy Plug and now she and the others would reap their rewards.
The UN had gunned for Misato it won't be long before everyone else who was a part of NERV at the time would be on the chopping block. That is assuming that Misato gets convicted of course. Until recently she would have argued that if not for WILLE the UN would have no means to survive this desolate Red Earth. But all they did was make themselves no better than NERV and the UN had seen that as a problem. It was truly shocking how close they were to becoming another NERV with their actions.
Ritsuko of course had to hide the DSS Chokers with Maya in the room. With Misato in UN Custody Ritsuko needed to find the right time to present the need to use the chokers. The new chokers would allow Ritsuko to avoid any punishment from the UN as it kept the EVA Pilots leashed. They can't allow for any of the pilots to trigger Fourth Impact. But for now, she had to see how Shinji and Asuka were cured of the Curse of EVA and see if it can be replicated for Mari and possibly Miki. Sighing a bit Ritsuko began to end the exams and moved towards the two pilots.
"So Akagi, what's the diagnosis?" Asuka asked as she glared at Ritsuko no doubt her rage for the prior deceptions was still clear as day.
"Well Eve's theory had some grounds to stand on." Ritsuko said getting right to it by displaying images of their 14-year-old bodies. "This is your bodies prior to the Near Fourth Impact." Ritsuko said as she had them highlighted. "Your cells had been saturated in LCL and with enough time away from the EVA to give your bodies time to purge the LCL with some treatments you would have aged normally again." Ritsuko said as she looked to the pair.
"Now this is your bodies after the fact." Ritsuko said displaying the next image of Shinji and Asuka's current bodies. The screen showed their now 28-year-old bodies to the pair. "As you can see there are some traces of LCL left but most if not all of it had been burned out of you both via photons and add in the Gate of Guff spatial warp accelerated aging was the result." Ritsuko said as she gestured to the screen.
"So, if we get back into the EVA now either we won't be able to pilot it, or we'll be hit with the curse again." Asuka said as she saw the issues with either of those.
"Yes, one of those outcomes will be the result." Ritsuko said but then got to the next bit. "But word is in that Uzuki is developing a cure and with this data we can help her along." Ritsuko said as this was good news for Asuka because she still had a vendetta to settle with NERV and with Gendo Ikari.
"Well, that would have been nice to have about 14 plus years ago." Asuka making a quip for that cure. "Still glad someone is working on it." Asuka said giving a glare to Ritsuko who knew that Asuka was just itching to snap her neck.
"I see your implications and I assure you I was working on it." Ritsuko said but Asuka scoffed no doubt seeing Ritsuko was most likely lying to her like before.
"Yeah, I'm sure you are." Asuka said her voice dripping with sarcasm towards the woman.
Maya used to back up Ritsuko in a lot of things but not this time. After the incident where Asuka had rampaged her way through the Wundur word had quickly spread about Ritsuko and Misato's deception of Asuka. Needless to say, a lot of people were not pleased with this Maya included. But at the very least Misato was trying to make things right so that earned back some faith. Still, it was going to take a lot to earn forgiveness once NERV and Gendo were eliminated assuming Asuka doesn't kill Misato and Ritsuko first.
But before anything else could be said the door opened and from it Eve began to walk in with a look on her face that was a mixture of annoyed and bored. Entering the room, she approached Dr. Akagi who stood there confused.
"Uh yes Eve, can I?" Ritsuko began before Eve pulled out a taser gun and shot Ritsuko with it. Her body flooded with pain as she fell off the chair and hit the ground where she spasmed. Everyone was shocked by this as Eve dropped the tool and made her way to Ritsuko's desk. Moving several items from the shelves she found a safe much to Maya's surprised.
Using her PDA Eve opened the safe via hacking and within moments it opened up all while Ritsuko watched from the ground. Reaching in Eve pulled out a pile of freshly built DSS Chokers causing Asuka to go wide eye before glaring down at Ritsuko. There was a total of seven in all that Eve pulled out from it. Without saying anything else Eve turned and took her leave to dispose of the DSS chokers. But before leaving Eve walked to Ritsuko's computer plugged a flash drive in and began a download to delete any information in it on the DSS Chokers.
Once her program did its job, she removed the drive and then left the room all without saying a single word. Shinji, Asuka, and Maya all stood there in shock over what just happened as Maya then sighed to this. "You two can go… I need to revive Dr. Akagi." Maya said as Asuka nodded.
"Great." Asuka said as she walked off making ample sure to step on Ritsuko as she walked out. Meanwhile Shinji was taking care not to harm the woman as he also left.
(Later over in Misato's office)
Misato sat behind her desk as Eve dropped the DSS Chokers on her desk. "It seems Dr. Akagi has been busy." Eve said as Misato saw this before she sighed.
"Dammit Rits." Misato said as she saw Ritsuko still felt she was in the right. "And with the UN investigating me." Misato added as it was clear that Misato was in danger of being discharged leaving WILLE without a leader. Worse than that with what the UN Council implied Misato may even face prison time.
"If you want, I can try and find dirt on them to force them to back off." Eve said as she was good and finding information no one wants found. She knew that the situation was tense and knew ways to turn it in WILLE's favor.
"No if we do that, we'll just be giving them justified cause to shut us down." Misato said as she wanted Eve to do it but now was not the time to do it. "If we want to make it through this, we'll have to do it by the book." Misato said as Eve knew she had to concede but she was ready with one other bit of information.
"Very well then." Eve said before taking out a folder and gave it to Misato. "Here is my report as well as Akira, Kuzo, and Asuka's report for our time being MIA." Eve said as Misato took the files and opened Eve's first noting how well organized that it was. Misato chuckled at how Eve had her file crazy organized as opposed to Akira whose file was just a mess.
"Thank you." Misato said as she skimmed through it. Though she suspected that most of the reports say the same thing which means she would have to find where the group parted ways.
"Your welcome." Eve said before she continued. "Anyway, I need to go and clear out my belongings from Kensuke's Aida's home." Eve said and thus Eve began to leave with a nod of confirmation from Misato herself.
After Eve left the room Misato chuckled a bit before she began to read the files. Once she was done and signed off on these she can head out and spend what few precious days of freedom she had left. She had a lot to make up for with Kaji and Misato planned to make the most of that time.
This should not take her long, but Misato soon found herself stopping when she saw one name on the file that caught her attention. "Wait Kaji." Misato yelped as she saw the part where Eve met Kaji noting that she found him familiar. "She knows about my son but she…" Misato read before chuckling a bit. "Oh, this is just rich." Misato admitted as she read through the report Eve left for her to go through.
Eve had no idea she had met her son and that he was the one to have given her those apples she's become fond of. If Misato is reading this right Eve currently has no idea that her son was trying to woo her. For someone who likes to be the smartest in the room Eve is completely oblivious to the concept of emotions. From how Eve worded it she thinks Kaji is trying to make her an ally for some reason suspecting she could find a more effective method for the villages agriculture.
But then this brought another bitter thought. Her baby was growing up Misato could see that her son had his first crush. It reminded Misato of her younger years and her own flings of romance. She sighed sadly at the years she missed out on because she valued revenge over the things that truly mattered. Now the boy was going through his first crush and Misato was missing it just like every other major milestone of his life. Misato wasn't sure which was worse that she was becoming like her own father or that she was becoming Gendo repeating the cycle of pain and neglect.
Thus, with a newfound resolve Misato got back to work intent on finishing this before heading out. She was going to be there because she made a promise to Kaji.
(Later in the Mazin Hanger)
Akira and Kuzo arrived at where Kaiser and Wingle were moved to as they saw crews hard at work as well as automatic machines. Sparks flew and welding was heard as the pair saw some major work was being done on Kaiser by WILLE volunteers.
"Man check out this overhaul." Akira said with a smirk on his face while leaning on some railings watching WILLE working on the skull mech.
"They even took the Pilder." Kuzo added as he saw that whatever these upgrades entail, they were going to help them kick some metal ass.
"Well, these upgrades better be everything Uzuki says they are." Akira said as he turned around and leaned against the railing.
"Should be, I've been hearing that she is ordering N2 Mines for it." Kuzo said as he looked over towards Akira who was surprised. "No telling what those are for thought." Kuzo said finding it odd that Jun was ordering the use of N2 Mines as part of the upgrades for Kaiser and Wingle.
"What the hell would that woman need with N2 mines?" Akira asked as Kuzo just shrugged to this showing he did not know.
"If it's any issue to us I'm sure Eve would have let us know already." Kuzo said as Akira could agree on that.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Akira said conceding that if it were going to be a problem then Eve would have stepped in already. "I heard she tased Akagi earlier though." Akira added as Kuzo smirked to this.
"Same apparently she was making DSS Chokers." Kuzo said as he found this a bit funny. But when Akira did not laugh it was clear that Akira was thinking about the chokers and the EVA pilots. Miki was an EVA pilot, so Kuzo figured she's had one slapped around her neck if Eve had not stepped to stop the faux blond.
Just then a new yet familiar voice cut in getting the two Skull pilots attention. "Well, aren't you guys a sight for sore eyes." Hurricane was heard and thus the group looked and saw her approaching with Flash and Misty.
"Welcome back to the Wundur you two." Misty greeted smiling happy to see that their heavy hitters were back.
"Everyone on the ship missed you guys." Flash added which got Akira to smirk and Kuzo to scoff out a chuckle.
"So how have things been? The Iron Maidens still running, ok?" Akira asked as he looked to the three pilots.
"Yeap thanks to Dr. Uzuki we've been able to hold the line." Hurricane said but then let out a tired sigh. "But things have been stressful ever since you all went MIA after the near fourth impact had taken place." Hurricane said crossing her arms as she leaned against the railings with the two males.
"Hurricane is right, we saw the fight you were in NERV deployed this new weapon and we could barely keep up with the speed of these deployments." Flash said making it clear that the stress came from NERV's continued assaults.
"IT was one of those times we really needed you guys to help us out." Misty said and thus Akira and Kuzo both found this humorous if not ironic.
"You never truly appreciate things until they are gone." Kuzo said as he saw that old saying fit perfectly with what WILLE had endured in their absence.
"Amen to that brother." Akira said agreeing with Kuzo seeing the irony of it.
"Speaking of things being gone, have you gotten around to seeing Miki yet?" Hurricane asked curious if Akira had spoken to Miki after the Wundur had initially arrived in Village-3.
Just then a nervous look came upon Akira's face. "Yeah, I uh haven't gotten around to it yet." Akira said while nervously scratching his cheek.
"Well, you better do it, I hear that she went on the warpath when she missed the battle." Misty said as she knew if Akira didn't do it soon, he was in deep trouble.
"Come on she's not my keeper." Akira said as Kuzo chuckled when he heard Akira say that.
"Famous last words." Kuzo quipped as he seemed to know something Akira did not.
"Yeah, we'll write it on your tombstone, here lies Akira failed to visit the girlfriend." Hurricane joked as she smiled at Akira knowing he was playing with fire. She also knew that Akira was going to get burned for it.
"Come on guys I'll visit her when I visit her." Akira said putting it off unaware of the door down the pathway was opening up. "And if I don't then I probably deserve to have Miki launching herself at me." Akira said forgetting the old saying. Speak the devils name and the devil will appear.
"AKIRA!" Miki was heard behind Akira who turned around just in time to see Miki had launched herself at him. Akira cried out in shock before Miki crashed into him causing both to crash into the ground. Miki was ok but being her landing pad Akira was sore for it.
"Why…" Akira moaned from the ground as Hurricane chuckled when she saw Akira tempting fate.
"We tried to warn you." Hurricane joked as Kuzo chuckled at the scene before him.
"Akira thank god you ok!" Miki called out as she looked down at Akira still dressed in her plug suit.
"Yeah, it'll take a lot more than an apocalyptic cataclysmic event to snuff me out." Akira said with a smirk while lying on the floor and Miki basically straddling him.
"My oh my honeybee." Mari was heard as she entered the scene as well. "Didn't take you to be someone so daring with Fire Hound." Mari said as in turn Miki and Akira both took note of their current position.
Acting fast Miki jumped off as Akira rolled over and got back on his feet. Both of them blushing and looking bashful at being called out by Mari like that. "It's not what you think it is." Miki said defending that it was an accident.
"Yeah, we just fell was all." Akira said and thus Kuzo, Hurricane, Misty, and Flash all gave the pair a look showing they did not buy into their excuses.
'Bullshit.' Kuzo, Hurricane, Misty, and Flash all shared the thought watching the scene play out here.
Just then Mari got close to Akira and began to sniff the boy. "My Fire Hound your scent has changed a bit… you smell a little grown up." Mari said as she was in Akira's bubble. "In fact, your starting to smell like the puppy now." She added only for Akira to get upset and draw his sword.
"DIE!" Akira called out swinging his sword at Mari who acted fast and caught the sword between her hands to block him.
"Wait, wait; wait can't you take a joke!" Mari cried out as she tried to keep Akira from cutting her.
"Looks like they're at it again." Kuzo said as he and the girls watched the scene.
"Welcome home guys." Hurricane added as they watched Akira tried to cut down Mari.
"Uh shouldn't we break this up?" Miki asked looking to Kuzo and the Iron Maiden Pilots in shock. She was not used to seeing this happen since joining WILLE last as the groups EVA pilot.
"Don't worry Mari will either escape or Akira will get bored." Kuzo said as he had seen this happen several times between them and every time no one got hurt.
"And if not, Eve will show up to break it up." Hurricane said as they all easily eased back into the statues que in WILLE.
"How are you not used to this yet?" Misty asked as she raised a brow at Miki who looked shocked. But then Miki let out a tired sigh of defeat as she finally saw there was no point in arguing.
"Another day in paradise." Kuzo quipped as they watched Akira try to chop into Mari while Mari tried to keep the blade from cutting her.
(Meanwhile over in Jun's lab)
Jun was overseeing the work being done on Kaiser and Wingle as the Pilders for both of her mechs were on a platform close by to where her lab was. Skull Pilder and Wingle's Pilder were both sitting with open cockpits as panels were removed to make way for wire connectors. Nearby her station Ritsuko was there with Maya after the incident in Ritsuko's lab.
In the very same room were three pods that from the clear view of the glasses held the Gamia Q inside them repaired with wires sticking into their backs, necks, and several other locations. The Gamia Q were floating in fetal positions as the androids were being worked on by Jun. She was hard at work repairing them, reprograming them, and upgrading the assassin androids.
"Did you honestly believe you could make those chokers and not have Eve find out?" Jun asked as she did not take her goggled eyes off of a circuit board on which she was working.
"I'm not going to explain myself to you." Ritsuko nearly snarled as she still felt soreness from the taser that Eve had hit her with.
"Let me guess she also deleted the data from your personal computer and your data stores, right?" Jun added and thus Ritsuko just growled and got back to her task. Jun just smirked to this seeing that Eve thought ahead.
"She basically just walked in, tased Ritsuko, took the collars, deleted the data, and then walked out all without saying a single word to us." Maya said as she had to admit there was a certain humor to it all.
"Shut up Maya." Ritsuko snapped as she has clearly been hearing about it since being revived. "Dr. Uzuki if you don't mind me asking why on this hellish red earth are you equipping Kaiser with an N2 mine?" Ritsuko asked as she brought up the blueprints.
"Oh, the Surtr Missile?" Jun asked as she showed off her method of naming weapons for the pilots to have an easier user interface. "I figured giving Kaiser an added bit of firepower would help us in the long run." Jun said not at all bothered by the fact she gave Kaiser such a devastating weapon adding on to how dangerous the mech was. That alone does not factor in that Akira and Kuzo while are their heavy hitters are the most dangerous pilots that they have with WILLE. "I'm also equipping spiked fists to Kaiser as well as a Photonic Power Beam to both Kaiser and Wingle." Jun said almost boasting her robots. "Give our pilots some more options of weaponry in battle." She added with a smirk on her face.
"And where did you get the materials for those upgrades?" Maya asked concern clear in her voice.
"NERV gave them to us." Jun said with a clear boastful smirk on her face. "With all of the units they sent at us, and we destroyed we're left with plenty of spare parts to use not just from what the Paris NERV base had." Jun said making it clear she used all the resources she can get access to.
"And what about this?" Ritsuko said displaying images of Unit-01 but by the looks of it these were the schematics to a brand-new Evangelion Unit-01.
"Getting us prepped with every gun we can throw at NERV." Jun said with a bored tone after seeing the schematics that Ritsuko had revealed.
"Uzuki, we need to keep that EVA contained and Shinji away from it." Ritsuko said as Jun scoffed to this. "If he's allowed to pilot it then he can trigger the very event we're attempting to prevent!" Ritsuko added which Jun then gave Ritsuko a bored look on her face.
"And?" Jun asked clearly taunting Ritsuko. "We have an auxiliary engine that works just as well." Jun said tearing apart any defenses of needing the EVA to power the Wundur.
"What about the Vatican Treaty?" Ritsuko asked glaring at Jun.
"The same treat NERV has been breaking the entire conflict?" Jun asked as she went over to a nearby computer. "What about them?" She said more then asked showing what she thought of the treaty. "Gendo and NERV had broken the Vatican Treaty left and right during this entire conflict if anything this should give us ample rights to meet them head-to-head." Jun said making it clear that they can't pull their punches against NERV. "If the UN want's to throw a fit about it, tell them to fuck off." Jun added while she finished the work on her computer and then moved over to the nearby circuit board again and got back to work on it.
"Ok but aren't you worried your upgrades to Unit-01 will backfire on you?" Ritsuko asked raising a brow as Maya watched the two scientists continue their debate.
"Isn't that science in general. Pushing the boundaries of our worldly knowledge in order to figure out how the world works." Jun said as she continued working on the circuit board. "To study the laws of the world we push the boundaries to new heights it's all about taking risks when everyone else calls you insane for it." Jun said as Ritsuko had to admit that Jun made a fair point.
"Besides there is one more selfish reason I'm doing this." Jun said and thus smirked over to the two woman with her. "I plan to one up Yui beyond the grave, so she knows that I had to come in and improve her greatest creation." Jun said showing that this was for the pettiness of getting one up on Yui.
"Of course." Maya said as she had to remind herself who Jun Uzuki was here.
"But if you two still have issues with this, bring it up with Misato while I work on finishing up these upgrades and new weapons." Jun said gesturing to her work showing that she won't stop them from reporting her to Misato not that Jun was trying to hide it. Then with a frustrated growl Ritsuko let it be and got back to work also with Maya doing her own thing with the Gamia Q's.
Jun was right though they did have a lot of work to do and with how tense things were the Wundur needed to be ready. It was only a matter of time before their conflict with NERV came to Village-3 with the Wundur docked here.
(Scene Break Village-3 Suzuhara Residence)
In the dining room of the Suzuhara home the sight of Misato was seen sitting on the table. Misato had kept her word to finish her tasks as early as possible to be here on time to keep her promise. Sitting across from Misato was the sight she had both dreaded and desired to see, her very own son Kaji. She came here to spend what may be what little time of freedom she has left to make up for her absence in his life.
But unfortunately for Misato it was easier said than done. The mother and son sat across from each other in awkward silence trying to find something about which they could talk. The tension was so thick that you could probably cut into it with a knife. There regular phone talks had helped bridge the gap but talking to each other in person seems to be a completely different type of beast.
"So… how have you been?" Misato asked as she tried to find the right words to say to her son.
When Kaji saw, his mother had chosen to break the ice first he focused and began to speak. "Good… it's all good." Kaji said as the tone he used did not ease the awkwardness here. "Your uh last phone call was late." Kaji said as Misato cleared her throat and nodded.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Misato said apologizing for that slip up on her calls. "See what had happened was." Misato began but then stopped herself from continuing. "Sorry excuses won't make up for it." Misato said but Kaji begged to differ.
"Its fine I mean you still called so… I can't be too mad." Kaji said as he was trying to find something to bond with his mother over. So far, the task was proving to be a difficult one for both of them.
"Still…" Misato trailed off feeling terrible about that. She broke her promise to call him every day when able and she went weeks without calling because of the NERV Chimera Units constant attacks on WILLE.
"Hey It's all fine, really." Kaji said assuring his mother that he wasn't angry with her for things outside of her control preventing her calls. Yes, Misato still felt she should have tried harder to keep such a small promise to her son.
"Kaji… son… I." Misato began and thus tried to find the right words, but she just couldn't. 'I already failed one of my kids… I won't fail this one.' Misato reminded herself as she knew her son deserved better from her, and she has to be better. Even if these moments are short and fleeting Misato had to be a better parent and break the cruel cycle of neglectful and absent parent. Forgiveness would not come easy, but she wanted to try for the sake of her son for the sake of both of her children.
Shinji her first her child not by blood but by being a found family. Kaji Jr. her second the child she gave birth to after his father had died when he stopped the True Third Impact.
"Kaji… I'm sorry." Misato finally got out as this surprised Kaji when he heard Misato. "I should have been there for you I had so many chances and I didn't take a single one of them." Misato said now berating herself for neglecting her son. "I justified it that stopping NERV that putting revenge first was for your future but those were just excuses I told myself." Misato said as it took outside forces to make her see the sort of person she was becoming.
"But why are you angry at me why aren't you yelling cursing me for being a terrible parent?" Misato asked as she felt like she deserved that sort of response from the child she abandoned. If the roles had been revered Misato would have been yelling and cursing her father for putting his work before the wellbeing of his family.
Why was the truth always the hardest thing to admit?
"Because I guess it's that you're here now." Kaji finally admitted much to Misato's shock. "All I wanted was for you to be there and now that you're here… I don't know how to respond or what to say." Kaji said as she find the words, he needed to say were lost to him now. "I kept picturing this moment and now that it's happening… I just don't know what I want to say." Kaji said as he just couldn't find the right words his emotions were all over the place just as Misato's were.
But Misato noticed something else. Her sons shoulders the way he tensed the attempt to hold back tears it was all there. Misato's maternal instincts kicked in because she knew her youngest son was in emotional distress. So, in turn Misato walked over to her son with concern written on her face before she wrapped her arms around him in a gentle and comforting way. She spoke no words of comfort, and instead held him whilst sobs rocked his entire body.
Kaji held on for a good minute before his body betrayed him. His arms desperately wrapped around Misato's body. When this happened, Misato was choosing then to speak again. "Shh, it's okay, baby. Let it all out. I'm here for you." she murmured to her son words of comfort. "Starting right now, I will always be here for you I won't ever abandon you again." Misato said intended to keep her promise to him.
The entire exchange was being watched by Toji and Hikari from behind a door. The two made a silent cheer at the progress being made. While they knew that healing was a long process the mother and son have taken the first step towards it. But this small victory in healing perhaps there was some hope left in Misato's life. The pair silently left as to not disturb the mother and her son until they were ready to come out.
(Meanwhile with Asuka and Akira)
Asuka and Akira had put this off long enough. After the last battle and the defeat of the Gamia Q Akira had been troubled about what Asuka called him. What began as a boring hiking trip turned into a battle the ended with questions that now were plaguing his mind.
The two were sitting in the trailer as Kensuke and Shinji were currently at Kensuke's house discussing something. As they stared at each other Asuka was tempted to grab her game pad and block Akira out. But she couldn't do that not only because Akira took it but also because she needed to give Akira her full attention. They needed to settle this right here and right now, but the problem was neither of them wanted to speak a word. It was a pissing contest between them as both sides dared the other to make the first move on this. But during this staring contest Asuka finally got to take a good look at Akira's eyes and needless to say Shinji was right, Akira does in fact have her eyes. Akira has Asuka's eyes in more ways than one and from it Asuka saw herself in him. A child who was forced into becoming a weapon due to his environment. A child who had his whole world stolen from him due to the actions of cruel men. A child crying out to the world for validation crying out for someone to give him unconditional love. A child who needed someone to hold him close and let him know that it would be alright in the end.
All of the things Asuka had been and may still be deep inside. Asuka had her world stolen from her by cruel men. Asuka was turned into a weapon by the lies and manipulations of the environment she was in. Asuka was that child who was crying out for validation, crying out for love, and crying out for comfort.
"Akira… during our fight with the Gamia Q." Asuka began as she decided to make the first move on this. "I had a slip of the tongue and you overheard me." Asuka said as she then cringed at that word. "Honestly slip of the tongue would be the wrong word to use now that I think about it." Asuka admitted as the way the word came out of her mouth so naturally just felt right.
"Yeah… you called me your son." Akira said as he got straight down to it.
"Yeah… I guess I did." Asuka said with a bittersweet smile on her face now. "I could argue that it was a slip but you and I both know that I'd be lying." Asuka admitted as Akira heard her out.
"How long did you know about me?" Akira asked as he wanted answers from her.
"Just a little bit after you joined up with WILLE." Asuka admitted as she was looking away. At the moment Asuka did not want to look Akira in the eye. But seeing it was pointless Asuka sighed and focused her attention back onto Akira himself. "Apparently some of my DNA was left in Unit-01 and sometime between the events of the Near Third Impact and the true Third Impact the DNA left behind intermingled resulting in you." Asuka said giving a summarized version of Ritsuko's theory on how Akira exists.
"So, what does that make me to you, your clone?" Akira asked as he glared at Asuka clearly wanting to get answers out of her.
"I thought so at first." Asuka admitted as she had taken time to actually think about it. She constantly replayed the revelation in her mind and when she did that, she had thought over discovering Akira earlier. Likely discovering Akira when he was still an infant after the near Third Impact back when she had woken up from her coma. When her mind drifted to that fear gripped at her heart for it imagining the revelation and having to make a call on what to do with the newborn child. Asuka knew it was pointless to think about, but her mind was standing against her.
"But now?" Akira asked as he wanted to hear her.
"Now?" Asuka asked for a moment before getting down to what she was saying here. "Now… I think of you as something else." Asuka said as she couldn't say the word again even after feeling how natural it felt when it had left her lips. Asuka mind wondered to her clones the ones she was tricked into believing she was one of. Never thinking about them till now Asuka began to wonder what the Shikinami Clones were to her now. Were they her sisters or were they all her daughters? Asuka wasn't sure but looking at Akira, Asuka knew what the skull pilot was to her at the very least.
"Something else?" Akira asked brow raised, glare present, and ears zeroes in on her words.
"Yes." Asuka said plainly finally getting down to what she wanted or intended to say. "Right now… to me your someone who I'm responsible for." Asuka said making it clear to Akira what he was to her, what Asuka saw Akira truly was to her.
All was silent for a moment when those words were shared. Asuka was hoping that Akira would accept her and the truth. But Asuka had to remind herself that Akira's upbringing was the reason she could not get her hopes up. Even though she didn't get her hopes up the words he spoke cut deep.
"Bullshit." Akira finally said as a seething rage burned within. "I'm not buying into you crap!" Akira yelled as she shot up glared at Asuka.
"It's the truth Akira." Asuka said assuring Akira she was not lying to him.
"I don't need to doubt my genes came from you, a DNA test can prove or disprove that." Akira seethed as Asuka heard her son ranting. "But what I do doubt is that you have any familial care for me!" Akira snapped as Asuka looked away when he said those words. "Yeah, you can hide behind that you didn't know and all that crap, but I know enough about you to know regardless of if you knew that I was born or not you'd dump my ass first chance you got!" Akira snapped and thus Asuka had to snap back.
"Oh, cut the woe is me act!" Asuka snapped as she stood up and thus the Shikinami rage ignited in both of them. "Your fucking right I would have left you! But I sure as hell would not have left you in your situation!" Asuka snapped as she would never wish for any child to grow up like that having to kill others just to survive. "No child not even you deserved that kind of crap!" Asuka went on as Akira's emotional state were stuck in a loop.
"Oh, joy you actually give enough of a crap to act and give yourself a clear conscience." Akira went on but Asuka knew better than that.
Yes, Asuka would have left Akira to those who could take care of him, not a scared and traumatized girl who was manipulated by everyone she knew. Asuka won't deny the accusation of leaving Akira because she knew she would. She'd have left him out of fear of the child and fear of unintentionally hurting the child. But Asuka knew one other fact and that Akira's lashing out at her because he doesn't know hot to process his emotions without using violence. She could only imagine the emotional loop his mind is in as it tries to find a means to react and defend itself from trauma.
"Akira… we've both seen Hell." Asuka began as she knew that Akira needed his space. "I saw hell in the form of the Red Earth after Third Impact… and you've seen the Hell of humans who abandoned their morals." Asuka said knowing that both forms of Hell left its scars. "I can't promise it will get better all I can do here is to just try and be better." Asuka said as she wasn't sure what she wanted to be in Akira's life, his friend, or his mother. What was she supposed to be for Akira? Dammit Asuka didn't know what she was supposed to be, she didn't know what to do for Akira, and this feeling was infuriating her to no end. The feeling of not being enough to help others hurt.
"And?" Akira asked as he knew this fact.
"And because of this I know that your in an emotional loop and you don't know how to respond." Asuka said plain and simple to Akira.
"What do you fucking know?!" Akira snapped as he glared at Asuka wanting to see what she'll try to pawn off.
"I know because that's how I felt when I found out about you. Confused and scared." Asuka said but Akira begged to differ.
"I'm not afraid of shit!" Akira snapped almost defensively when he spoke.
"YOU ARE AFRAID!" Asuka snapped back as she slammed her hands on the table causing it to shake. "Your afraid of being hurt, your afraid of being abandoned; and you're afraid to love and of being loved." Asuka listed off as she knew Akira's fears. "Try and tell me I'm wrong go ahead just try it." Asuka said as she dared Akira to try and tell her.
"You are wrong you don't know anything about me!" Akira snapped and began to leave the trailer. But Asuka's next words cut deep when she said them aloud.
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself, son?" Asuka spoke which got Akira to freeze up at the door his hand on the knob shaking as he tried to control his emotions. Rage, grief, wrath, sorrow, anger, and sadness they all raged inside him with only a few emotions hidden away at the center of it all. Hope… desire… love.
Hope in a world where Akira can finally stop fighting where he doesn't have to constantly look over his shoulder. Hope that he can finally find his peace and sheath the sword at the end of it all.
Desire, a desire to have all the things he was denied in his horrible youth. The desire to be with friends and family, the desire to be held and comforted, and the desire to be free of his past.
Love… wanting to be loved and to love others without pain. Love from his friends, love from himself, and maybe… love from those who brought him into the world.
But Akira could only bury it not wanting to think about it or of his traumas. Thus, Akira then opened the door he stormed out lost, confused, and not sure where exactly he is supposed to go now. Asuka remained behind for a moment as she could tell Akira needed time to sort out his emotions before he did something he would regret. Thus, with a heavy sigh Asuka took her leave as well to check in on Shinji and Kensuke. If Asuka is right, then those two should be back by now.
(Meanwhile at the Aida Residence)
"Shinji this has gone on long enough." Kensuke said as he had to get Shinji to see reason. "You have to tell Eve." Kensuke said as he hated lying to the girl. Meeting Kaji like she did seems to be doing good for her she's socializing more and slowly starting to act more her age.
"Kensuke you know I can't." Shinji said as he didn't want to hurt Eve.
"Either you do it Shinji or I will." Kensuke said as he knew that she needed to know. Even if she didn't believe him Eve deserved to know the truth. It was noble to spare Eve the pain, but it was better to experience a little pain now then to find out much later and experience all of the truths pain.
"If you tell Eve, it could destroy her." Shinji said as he did not want to risk it.
"If we don't tell her, it will destroy her." Kensuke said wanting to protect Eve from the truth. Unknown to them the door opened, and Asuka began to slip in. "Shinji you can't protect Eve from the truth forever sooner or later Eve's going to find out." Kensuke said and thus Asuka overheard them.
"Find out what?" Asuka asked and thus the two men jumped before looking and finding Asuka there. "What is Shinji hiding from Eve?" Asuka asked and thus Kensuke and Shinji looked at each other.
"Shinji has been hiding the truth about Eve." Kensuke said instantly throwing Shinji under the bus. "Eve's wasn't born she was made, she's an Ayanami clone Rei made to be a tool." Kensuke said and thus Asuka was wide eyed at the sudden revelation. "According to Shinji Eve is a perfect clone who wont break down into LCL like a regular Ayanami Unit would." Kensuke added as Asuka then directed her attention to Shinji.
"Shinji… is this true?" Asuka asked as she looked to Shinji wanting to hear it from him.
"I… well…" Shinji stuttered trying to find the right way to say it. But with a sigh of defeat Shinji knew there was no way out of it. "Yes… its true… Rei has been manipulating Eve." Shinji admitted as he showed he did not like it. "I wanted to tell Eve, but you see how much she loves Rei." Shinji said defending his decision to hide the truth. "If Eve found out her mother was not who she thought she was then it would ruin her for life." Shinji said as he was thinking of Eve's emotional wellbeing.
Asuka hearing this knew she should be angry at Shinji for this. Asuka knew what it was like to have her origins hidden from her. She knew she should be angry but could not find it in herself to be angry. What Shinji was doing was trying to protect Eve from the truth always being selfless to the bitter end.
"Shinji… listen to me when I say this." Asuka began as she walked over to Shinji and took his hands into hers. "I've spent my whole life being lied too first by NERV and then by WILLE." Asuka said as she knew the pain she felt when the truth came out. Rage and agony melded as Asuka had gone on the warpath if not for Akira stopping her that day. "It may hurt her may even destroy her, but Eve needs to know I owe her for that." Asuka said as when she learned the truth the pain, she felt at being a clone the fury at herself for being unclean evaporated taking a massive weight off of her shoulders.
"But…" Shinji began but Asuka then cut him off with a shush.
"No buts as long as we're here we can hold her together." Asuka said causing Shinji to sigh to this knowing Eve had to be told the truth.
"I… I understand." Shinji said and thus Asuka smiled happy that Shinji was seeing reason.
"She still has a few things left here… lets wait here for her and if not call her." Asuka said as she planned to be there when Eve is told the truth of her origins and of Rei's manipulations. As the old saying goes the truth will set you free.
(Meanwhile over in the Village)
Miki was walking around the village dressed in a hoodie that covered her plug suit. Walking around Miki admired how green the grass was and how blue the water was. She actually envied the SKL team, Asuka, and Shinji for being here for so long. Miki had never seen water this pure and grass this green before. Of course, she could do without the dogs roaming around and actively avoided any K9 she happened upon. Dogs were manning best friend, but they were not Miki's.
Heading towards an isolated part of the village Miki heard what sounded like roars of rage echoing from it. Walking over Miki grew concerned as this should be her time for some shore leave while the Wundur is being repaired. Reaching towards the side arm Miki was expecting the worse as she grew closer to the source of the noise. She soon came upon it and found Akira smashing his fists into the wall much to her shock.
"Akira." Miki began but saw Akira was still going his fists already bleeding from the constant impacts. "Akira stop!" Miki cried out as she saw Akira wasn't stopping and gently grabbed him. When Akira saw Miki tears began to come as Akira's emotions were completely beyond him. "Akira…" Miki began as she used her thumb to wipe away a tear. "What's wrong?" Miki asked as she wanted to help Akira.
"Miki… I don't… I can't." Akira spoke stumbling back until his back hit the wall and he slid down to a sitting position. Miki went down and sat with him as she tried to help Akira get through whatever was troubling him.
"Its ok Akira I'm here." Miki said assuring Akira that she was here for him. "I'll always be here for you." Miki said assuring Akira she would not abandon him. It was the same way she knew that Akira would never abandon her.
"Miki…" Akira began as he tried to find the right words. His head as held in his hands as he crouched up his mind and emotions in a spiral he couldn't contain. "Growing up… you and Ryo were all I had." Akira said as Miki let Akira vent his emotions to her. "If I had parents, I just assumed that they were dead or didn't want me but now…" Akira trailed off his voice cracking showing he was at his most vulnerable. "Now all of a sudden I find out that I had people who are connected to me parents." Akira said as he then lifted his head and looked towards Miki unsure and confused with himself. "What am I supposed to do with that?" He asked losing all of his bravado and fury in this moment.
"Akira… you don't need to doubt yourself." Miki said as she brough Akira in hugging his head close to her chest. "You already know what to do because you and I both know that culmination of love is grief, and we love all the same despite the inevitable." Miki said holding Akira close to her. "We open our hearts to it." She added and thus she felt Akira beginning to calm down his emotions finding their balance to be regained. "Open your heart to the world Akira and you will find a reason to live in it with or without a battle to fight." Miki said as she held Akira. "Open your heart to the world and find the power to love yourself, to love others, and to be loved by others." Miki said showing she was wise even with her own trauma.
"I missed you." Akira said as he recalled how Miki always found a reason to get her and Ryo to smile.
"I know." Miki said as she knew Akira never once stopped thinking of her. She never once stopped thinking of Akira.
"Can I… just sit here for a bit longer?" Akira asked and thus Miki smiled and held Akira close. Maybe one day soon she'll find the courage to open her heart fully to Akira. Perhaps one day Akira will finally find the strength to open his heart fully to Miki.
(Back at the Aida Residence)
Eve, with a basket of apples in hand, was heading to Kensuke's house to retrieve the last of her belongings from there. She had just finished up another scouting of Village-3 and so far, everything was well. Wingle was still being overhauled leaving her with nothing much to get done. Plus, with the Wundur being repaired and Misato under investigation from the UN Eve was basically on shore leave now. It was a good a time as any for her to try and relax so with that in mind she raided around for some apples.
Eve could not get enough of the Apples almost like they had a death grip on her. So, taking a bite out of one of the apples she currently had Eve savored the juicy sweetness that it provided her tastebuds. Arriving at Kensuke's house Eve opened the door and began to make her way inside to meet with the man.
"Pardon the intrusion Aida-san but I'm here to make sure I did not leave anything behind." Eve said as she threw away an apple core in the nearest trashcan. But upon entering Eve found herself face to face with Shinji, Asuka, and Kensuke with Shinji standing with Asuka, and Kensuke sitting on a nearby chair. "Oh, my apologies Shinji Asuka I did not know you would be here." She apologized and thus Shinji sighed to this.
"Eve… have a seat." Asuka said trying to keep things calm knowing the emotional turmoil about to occur. 'First Akira and now Eve.' Asuka mentally bemoaned as a lot of truth bombs were being dropped on all these kids.
"Is there something wrong?" Eve asked lost over what was happening. She placed the basket on the table before taking a seat. She noted how everyone was acting it was not their normal behaviors even Shinji himself was acting off.
"Eve… we need to tell you something and I'm afraid you won't like it." Shinji said trying to be the adult and be ready to help Eve hold herself together.
"I don't think that I know what is going on here." Eve said as she saw how everyone moved closer to her as if expecting a reaction not a violent one but one that required them to be close by.
"Eve… we need to talk about your mother, about Rei." Shinji said as he got down to it with Eve.
"What about her, is something wrong?" Eve asked and thus Kensuke sighed knowing that this was going to hurt Eve but better they deal with it now instead of later.
"Your mother… well she's not exactly your mother as you would view it." Asuka said making it clear that there were somethings that Eve was not aware of about Rei.
"What are you talking about of course she is." Eve said getting defensive against them.
"She's not." Kensuke said as he looked to Eve. "She's not everything you think she is." Kensuke said as he tried to stay calm with her.
"Rei's been using you Eve the moment you were born she's been manipulating and using you preparing you to be what she was to Gendo Ikari but for Shinji." Asuka said getting it out, but Eve was getting angry about this.
"I would ask that you not try and tell me falsehoods." Eve said her voice dripping with subtle fury and her eyes sharpened into a rage filled glare.
"I know this isn't easy to hear Eve but it's the truth." Asuka said as she was trying to help the girl. "Eve, you helped me find the truth why would I tell you this otherwise?" Asuka asked as Eve tried to block her out.
"A deception maybe some false evidence planted to play on your views of right and wrong." Eve said trying to be logical about this information.
"Eve, you told me she gave you a mission to aid Shinji and stop NERV, but you also said that she wanted you to live a long and peaceful life." Kensuke said as he used information that she had given to him in the past. "Why would she give you contradicting instructions like that?" Kensuke asked as Eve tried to tune her former host out.
"They do not conflict completing the mission will provide me that life." Eve said trying to deny what the two adults were telling her.
"Will it? Being a tool for someone else like she was?" Asuka asked as the way Eve was denying the truth actually made Asuka want to pull Rei out of Unit-01 and strangle her.
"Stop its not true. Its not true." Eve kept repeating as she refused to believe such things about her mother. But judging by the tone she was using that somewhere deep-down Eve suspected this to be the truth she just didn't want to see it. "Shinji!" Eve called out as she knew Shinji would set the record straight with them. "Tell them their wrong tell them that mother isn't like that!" Eve all but demanded but when Shinji didn't respond reality began to set in on Eve. "TELL THEM!" She yelled shooting up to her feet only to be met with silence once more.
"I'm sorry Eve… but their not lying you are an Ayanami clone." Shinji said and thus Eve was left wide eyed in shock at the revelation being shown to her.
"Eve, I know this is hard to hear but." Kensuke began putting a comforting hand on her shoulder only for Eve to slap the hand away.
"Don't touch me!" Eve snapped as she took a step back her world was spinning her mind and emotions unable to keep up with anything. Charging out of the house everyone went wide eyed and tried to stop the girl.
"Eve wait!" Shinji called as she charged out of the house clearly trying to wrap her mind around the truth. They tried to stop Eve, but she was too fast as she bolted out of Kensuke's house in a panic. Clearly her emotions and her mind were at odds with each other over the truth she had been told.
(Outside)
Eve ran out of the house and in doing so found herself face to face with the returning Rei clone. Eve saw her and in turn her face went from anguish shock to ferocious rage. "You." Eve snarled before she roared and charged directly towards Rei who saw her.
Shinji, Asuka, and Kensuke came out in time to find Eve choking the life out of Rei-Q much to their shock. "Eve stop!" Kensuke called out trying to stop Eve from killing Rei-Q.
Rei-Q just stood there as Eve choked the life out of her but despite this Rei-Q signaled for the three to stop. "You stole her face… you stole her face… you wear her face when you know its not yours!" Eve snarled as she glared spitefully at Rei-Q. Rei-Q the face of the woman who likely used her from the moment of her conception. Was her hatred for the Ayanami types just her repressed emotions finding an outlet? Eve did not know, and she was a smart girl but with her emotions compromised she wasn't thinking straight anymore.
Eve tightened her grip Rei-Q inching ever closer to death in same vain reparations against Rei Ayanami her creator. But then something happened something that shocked Eve and everyone watching. Rei-Q reached out with her hand and put a comforting hand on Eve's cheek causing her to go wide eyed at the gentleness of it. As Rei-Q let her hand slide down Eve's grip loosened until her hands fell limp to her side. Eve then fell to her knees and began to weep opting for Shinji to act.
"It's ok Eve." Shinji said hugging Eve as Asuka came in to see if she could help. "It's ok." Shinji repeated assuring Eve that it will get better for her. Asuka gave Rei-Q a look, but Rei-Q simply walked to the trailer as if nothing had happened seeing her part in aiding Eve had ended making her presence amongst the group unneeded.
(Scene Break later that evening)
Asuka walked out of the bathroom with a toothbrush in her mouth as she was brushing her teeth. As she walked to her bedroom (that was practically hers and Shinji's bedroom) she passed by Akira leaning against the wall. Asuka stopped and took a moment to wait Akira out knowing he wanted to talk.
"Look… I'm not used to this… mushy loving crap." Akira said as he made clear what his intentions were. "But you took a fucking huge ass leap, and I can respect that." Akira said and thus he got down to it. "Just don't expect me to be all emotionally forthcoming going forward." Akira said as he began to walk off causing Asuka to chuckle at this.
"I didn't expect you too." Asuka said as she saw right through Akira. He may talk a big game, but he was softer then he let on just like Asuka was. So as Akira walked off, he headed to prep himself for bed knowing that there was a lot of work to do in repairing the Wundur and defending Village-3.
(Meanwhile over in Rei-Q's room)
Rei-Q was out of her Plug Suit as she was looking at her hand the same hand, she calmed Eve down with. The center of her palm had shown to become a large red spot and she knew why this was. She like every Ayanami Unit was flawed their bodies don't last very long due to several reasons. Eve was different then the other clones the previous Rei made her and did what Gendo had failed to do. She was the spitting image of Yui Ikari save for those few locks of azure blue hair.
But then the tears began to fall as Rei-Q knew that she was going to breakdown into LCL. She wasn't sure how long she had left but it could not be more then a week at most. Yet the tears were falling despite these facts. She really wanted to be with the boy she liked but it seems that would not be the case here. She had so much left to do and not enough time… all she could do was make the most of the time she that had left in the world.
(TBC)
ESKK: Here we are chapter 18 has been finished. I hope you all enjoyed it and will join me next time as we move on to Chapter 19. So, until then be sure to leave a review and as I always say on here, ja-ne.