Points of Divergence: Episode 17: Dreams and Nightmares: Chapter 4: Asama. When I catch you too late.
Shinji sank rapidly, his momentum pushing against the viscosity of the lava. He had to get to Asuka before it was too late.
The heat should have bothered him, but it was just heat. How many times had he been boiled alive in his Eva now? He couldn't let thinking about that distract him, he had to focus on Asuka.
He followed the line down, her tenuous, failing lifeline. Not that he needed to, he'd done this so many times before, it was Asuka, he would always know she was there.
Red on red, visible only because her Eva was still cooler than the surrounding lava. As if he could ever mistake her for anything else.
This time he catches her hand.
This time the cable snaps.
"Baka"
That's all she ever says.