They placed her in solitary confinement.
No reprimand, no attempt at an interrogation. She committed a sin, a violation of NERV security so deep she had to be locked away in a dark room without human contact. Asuka would have lost her mind hours ago if being by herself wasn't already a present, every facet of her reality.
She couldn't have been stuck for no more than a night. It was hard to tell. The way they manhandled her, threw her in without a trace of doubt, they never cared for her safety. She was a pilot of NERV and their prisoner, as she had always been from the start. The worst part for Asuka was how she couldn't imagine a life outside of NERV. So much was spent training for the Angels, getting her college-level education, rising through the ranks, that even if she miraculously survived there wouldn't be a life for her. Not a normal one anyway.
Normal. Like Asuka was ever normal in any sense.
At least they didn't strip of her of her plugsuit. Maybe they had some respect for her modesty to not take it from her and replace it with a prisoner's uniform. Section-2 were nothing if not professional. They did their job. Asuka did hers, which was how she got in this situation in the first place. Now she just had to hope Hyuuga was able to get away.
"He probably did." Asuka whispered. "But I won't be."
What would happen to her now? They wouldn't kill her before the Angels perished but afterward? There was no way they'd let her go, not after she learned. Vital secrets to their dumbass conspiracy. She was disposable. Just a doll to be tossed aside like everyone else at NERV.
"And Rei…" Asuka had to resist the urge to vomit. "My god, she's probably such a freakazoid because of him!"
How she wished to have known. Maybe she could have helped Rei somehow, talked to her, get her to see what had been done to her instead of leaving that girl to the Commander. He was a disgusting pervert, and Rei was being used to fulfill his fantasies. Then again, did Rei even understand herself? Asuka knew her soul was split between incarnations. If she wasn't a whole being, could she ever hsve had a true perspective, even a limited one?
Well, it was too late now. Rei was in the hospital getting her soul fused. Maybe she'd realize the horror then. For now, Asuka focused all her ire onto Gendo. For everything he had done, to the world, to Rei, to her, even to Shinji, he'll be punished. She was sure if nothing else the JSSDF would see to that.
"It's getting boring in here though." Asuka rolled her eyes. "Is anyone coming?"
Just then, the door opened with a loud screech. Asuka glowered once she knew who entered the cell.
"Hello Misato."
Misato shut the door. She had bags under eyes, a tinge of frustration in her every move. Whatever happened she clearly didn't get enough sleep. Misato crossed her arms.
"You broke into a top secret laboratory and sounded the alarm. I've never been given clearance to Terminal Dogma."
"… Tch." Asuka sneered. "Bullshit."
Misato did her best to ignore that. "What the hell were you thinking? Anyone else would have been shot by now."
She would know all about that, Asuka thought with disdain. Why, she probably killed Kaji herself!
"Don't act like you don't know."
"Know what?"
"You're a Major! You were promoted by them, surely you know what's down there!"
"Asuka, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Please," Asuka stood up. "Tell me you don't know they have an Angel in their basement! That the Sub-Commander isn't carrying Adam around in her hand! That we're not being used by a bunch of old wackos to end the world, you can't seriously expect me to believe you don't know about any of that?!"
Misato narrowed her eyes at the mention of Adam. A name pulled from the manual, Asuka was just talking shit to piss her off. It was working.
"Asuka, we're out here to kill Angels. Not making up bullshit to pass the time."
"God, you're either evil or stupid. Probably both! Kaji wanted to bring you into this but you got your head so far up your ass you can't see the-"
A slap. Asuka took it, even with the slight twinge after the contact. She was angry and wanted Misato to be angry.
"Don't mention his name." Misato didn't yell, yet she spoke in a way that felt like one to Asuka. "He was a traitor. Remember those soldiers that shot Shinji? That was him. He leaked the info to the Jet Alone. He betrayed all of us first."
"None of that was him." Asuka stood her ground. "And even if it was, NERV is actually evil! They're going to trigger Third Impact and you're going to let it happen."
"You're delusional."
"I'm not, you're just blind! Just like every other fucking adult here, weird creepy pervs and liars! Hyuuga was the only one who knew what was up, thank god he's away from you!"
Misato resisted the urge to strike her again and focused on the new name.
"And how did you get him involved? There's no fucking reason for him to destroy his career over your whiny temper tantrum."
Asuka realized her mistake, deciding to sit back down. She calmed her nerves.
"Forget it. You're not here to listen, you're just here to tell me I'm stupid like you always do Because you hate me. I won't cooperate."
A stalemate was reached. Misato knew this wasn't a fight she could win. Instead, she turned around and opened the door.
"Fine. Then stay in your cell. Another spare is being delivered."
The door was shut. Asuka let out a laugh once it was over.
"A spare? God, I've already been replaced. Does NERV really hate me that much?"
He was supposed to meet someone.
Kaworu didn't know how, but he was sure it would happen. As he sat on a remarkable broken statue overlooking the lake, he felt an odd pang of sorrow in his heart. The orange sunset made the view look so beautiful, but Kaworu had no one to share it with. He was alone, for the first time in years. In some ways it was a blessing, as that meant the Committee wouldn't be watching his every move. He was afforded leeway he never had before.
But it was disconcerting how little he interacted with humanity beyond the old men. In the brief time he had before the end, Kaworu would like to make a connection with another human being. Someone that would remember him even after he was gone. A form of immortality, like and unlike what the Chairman sought after.
Kaworu hummed to himself. Ode to joy. his favorite song from the Lilin. It was indeed a joyful and prideful song, the chorus of voices joined together in their ode, but Kaworu felt something else there too. To him, the voices carried a weight to them, as if they were straining themselves to represent happiness but the chorus blocked whatever sorrow they might have held from spilling. Certainly, he failed to keep the crack out of his voice whenever he sung it alone. The chorus helped to drown it out.
He wondered if that was the human experience. Pain and hiding pain, using others to feel happiness if only for the fleeting seconds before their voices gave out. Kaworu wished to know the joy in the song, in joining with another person.
"I won't be finding it here." Kaworu said to himself. "Not when everyone else left."
The city had been destroyed. Citizens left in large quantities, or so he heard. Even the statues surrounding the lake had no one to maintain them. He was the only visitor in quite some time. Kaworu wasn't pleased he would be the last. He stood up.
"But it's not like I will be here again. I have to get to NERV soon."
His escort car was waiting just along the grass. Kaworu was surprised to learn he would have guards on his way to NERV Japan, but their fears were proven founded with the near-stalking from reporters. NERV had sequestered all of their pilots in one place to keep them safe from the world.
"That's hardly living. There has to be more than this."
Well, it wasn't important anyway. He was be taken to HQ, so he would be taken to HQ. The security guard at the wheel gave him a nod of sympathy. Kaworu nodded back.
"Thank you for heeding my request. Let's go."
Reaching NERV was simple. Mounting off at the parking lot, he was taken to the bridge, where he would suffer a mandatory meeting with Dr. Akagi and Major Katsuragi. He met the former first, who made no effort to shake his hand or give him a friendly greeting. All business.
"Neither the First nor Second are in any condition to fight." Dr. Akagi explained to him. "So you will take their place. We'll be prepping Unit 02's controls for you, as per the Major's suggestion. You know what you're supposed to do."
Kaworu nodded. Dr. Akagi told him the situation regarding Asuka and what she was in trouble for, to which Kaworu found surprising. That she found out about NERV's Terminal Dogma, Adam, anything at all was astonishing for a girl like her. He conceded that something had to be done but it was disappointing they wouldn't meet. Shortly after Akagi finished, Major Katsuragi arrived with the Third Child came in tow. Kaworu's breath hitched at the sight of him.
"This is Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child." Ritsuko told Misato. "He will be replacing Asuka for the foreseeable future. Kaworu Nagisa, this is Shinji Ikari, the Third Child."
Shinji's eyes widened slightly, his lips parting under his gaze. Kaworu smiled fondly.
"I am pleased to meet you, Third Child. I heard so much about you."
Surprisingly, Shinji recoiled at this. He looked away, standing behind Katsuragi. For her part she stared with something resembling horror and confusion in her eyes. Kaworu was hurt even though he couldn't tell anyone why.
"I did not mean to offend you." He told the other boy. "You are rather famous, after all."
Shinji grumbled under his breath. Misato glared at him.
"Don't bring it up. He's had enough grief from the public and the news. He doesn't need any reminders."
"Ah." Kaworu nodded. "It would be nice to get to know you."
Shinji continued to hide behind Katsuragi. It seemed that he would get nowhere today.
"He'd rather stick with me." She said. "You can go back to your room, Shinji. I need to talk to Ritsuko about some things."
The meeting ended swiftly. Shinji retreated from the adults, much to Kaworu's sadness. He decided to follow suit and go to his room. Once both boys left, Misato turned to Ritsuko.
"Alright. Spill. Who the hell was that?!"
She didn't attack Ritsuko this time. She didn't need to. Ritsuko shrunk from her gaze, like a mouse backed into a corner by a cat. Misato knew this was all she needed to do as Ritsuko defensively gathered herself..
"I already told you, he's the Fifth Child. What's your problem, Major?"
"My problem is that he's a complete unknown." Misato said. "Another Child, so convenient when we have one more Angel on our heads? What's his deal? He looks…"
"Looks what?"
She was uncertain how to put it to Ritsuko. Even she was confused by what she saw in the boy, achingly familiar in all the wrong, terrible ways.
"… Strange." Misato said finally. "What's the deal with him?"
Ritsuko looked to the left, thinking of an answer. No story came so she told her facts.
"All I know is that the Committee have a specific interest in this one. What I have right now is redacted."
"Redacted? Suspicious."
"Probably is." Ritsuko shrugged. "But it's out of our hands."
"You can't dig any deeper?"
"Not without getting in trouble. And last I checked, one of our own is in the brig. I'm not eager to join her down there."
Misato bit her lip. Sweat poured down her forehead, equal parts frustrated, angry afraid of what she'd find if she investigated on her own…
"What's up?"
"Hm?" Misato blinked. "Nothing. You're right. I'll just leave it be."
Ritsuko raised an eyebrow at this. She then sighed.
"If I learn anything else, I'll let you know. Grab some coffee or something. You look like ass."
"Gee, thanks Rits." Misato raised an eyebrow. "Ritsuko, about Shinji…"
"He's below the deadline, but we can't retire him just yet. We need to keep him on hand in case of an Angel attack. We'll be testing his sync ratio daily in the hopes it'll improve."
"Right. And I'm just gonna randomly pull out a pistol from my pussy."
"Misato!"
"Ha, do yourself a favor and buy a sense of humor. Fine, I'll allow this. But don't be surprised if nothing gets done. Ta-da!"
There was a bitterness in the joke that wasn't there before. Misato blew a kiss in Ritsuko's direction before walking away. The latter frowned at it.
"She's so easy to fool… far too easy."
Any guilt she might have had was lost some time ago. For now, it was just her, the Sub-Commander and the plan. Nothing else to it. If she was worth anything, it would be to complete the plan.
The Third Child proved to be difficult to get a hold of.
They didn't share sync tests, much to Kaworu's chagrin. The few times he left early, Shinji would immediately disappear to parts unknown. It was as if he was purposely avoiding Kaworu, a thought that made him ache for some reason. It didn't help that the Major would be there to steal Shinji away from his grasp. They'd go together to the cafeteria, and whenever Kaworu tried to approach, she'd take Shinji with her.
At one point he asked Katsuragi if he could join them, but she declined. Harshly.
"We don't know you and Shinji feels safer with me. He's not a people person. Neither am I really. Why not bother Ritsuko? She's probably got something fun for you."
Not only was Dr. Akagi definitely not fun- she didn't even know the composition for Air in G String!- but there was hardly anything else to do on the base. Why not get to know the only other pilot? How could he know Ikari if they avoided each other? Kaworu felt increasingly disappointed with his stay at NERV.
He looked into the Third Child. Information was meant to be private, but Kaworu had to know. He abused his clearance to get the files. At some point after Leliel, the Third Child's sync ratio began dropping. He suffered an attack from Arael that left him nearly a vegetable. Katsuragi had escorted him to his room and only reluctantly let him out for sync tests due to pressure from the Sub-Commander and Dr. Akagi.
The Third Child. Ikari. Shinji. Kaworu was interested in him, which only hurt when Shinji clearly didn't feel the same way. The yearning hadn't ceased by the time Kaworu was properly situated in his room. Of all people, why was he the one make him feel nauseous? Wanting? Perhaps it was desperation from meeting the first boy his own age. Or something else.
Kaworu looked at his hand. He opened and clenched it, trying to feel something. What, he didn't know. He sighed.
"To be one in song. Can he really make me happy?"
He knew he was being selfish. Shinji Ikari was the worst person to form a bond with. When the time came, Ikari would be devastated at best and utterly broken at worst. If he really cared about his safety, Kaworu would let him live his life and let his destiny play out accordingly. It would be the easiest for them both.
But Kaworu knew. He knew it in his heart, he couldn't keep away from Shinji Ikari. He was the one he wanted to meet, even if he didn't know exactly how or why. He would not be satisfied with anything less than Ikari's full attention on him. Katsuragi can keep him on a tight leash, but Kaworu was not going to let her keep him all to herself.
Fortunately, an opportunity arose the following morning. Shinji took a practice test just slightly later than his. Kaworu knew he would take a shower afterward. This was the right time to make his move.
He waited inside one of the stalls, careful not to make a sound. He heard the door open, and Shinji step inside. The rustling of clothes and mumblings to himself, the water poured down his skin. Kaworu waited patiently until Shinji was finished. As soon as he heard dripping and slam on the bench, Kaworu walked out of his stall. He wore nothing but a towel over his legs.
"Hello Ikari."
Shinji jumped, startled by his presence. He looked away, holding his towel over the crotch area, trying not to stare too much at the intruder.
"N-Nagisa!" He nearly shouted. "What are you doing here?!"
Kaworu chuckled, taking his seat next to him. He couldn't help but find the blush on Ikari's face beautiful. There were also odd marks around his body, scratches and red blotches he couldn't explain. Kaworu chose not to comment on them.
"I wasn't expecting anyone else in here." He lied smoothly. "Amazing how coincidences bring people together, hm?"
"I- I guess." Shinji stammered out. "W-what do y-you want from me?"
"A chance to talk. I have been dying to see you, but you've kept close to the Major. One assumes you to be be afraid of others."
He frowned at that, his hand clenching the bench.
"She's the only one who cares. I love her."
Not expecting it, Kaworu's eyes widened at those words. He wasn't used to love, nor hearing it from anyone else. He knew Shinji wasn't the type to say it like that.
"Love? Interesting." The answer made Kaworu's stomach churn. "No one else comes to mind?"
Shinji crossed his arms. He began to shiver, as if he were waiting to dissolve.
"Everyone is either dead or hurt me… they leave me alone when they don't get what they want. Misato isn't like that. She… likes me, she keeps me safe. I like being with her. No one's ever done that for me, and I don't want anyone else."
He narrowed his eyes in disdain.
"You want something from me, I can tell. When you're done, you're just going to leave. Or you'll hurt me o- or I'll hurt you. You should stay away. I'm not worth anything."
Kaworu felt nothing but immense pity and sadness for this lost child. He was desperate and lonely, tied to the one person in the world who shielded him from pain. It was unfair, even as Kaworu felt an opportunity close at hand.
"I probably should." He admitted. "But I feel drawn to you all the same. You go through extremes to avoid being hurt, when I believe you'll be much happier if you were willing to accept others."
It was not the right thing to say. Shinji laughed, an unhappy one as he turned his head away from Kaworu.
"Easy for you to say. All I do is cause pain."
"That's just the natural process of life." Kaworu shrugged. "You hurt people just as much as they hurt you. You need to find the threshold you're willing to take to enjoy life as it is. I can't say I won't hurt you, but I would like us to start something. It'll please me greatlt if you are wiling to open your mind to… possibilities."
Kaworu reached for Shinji's hand. Grazing it softly, tenderly, in a way Kaworu hoped Shinji would find soothing.
"This is something I can do for you."
After a moment, Shinji grasped what Kaworu was offering. He violently pulled away, wrapping his arms around himself.
"No! I don't want it! Not from you!"
He grabbed onto his towel, shielding his body from Kaworu's eyes as he marched out of the room. He didn't even bother collecting his clothes. In that moment, Kaworu knew Shinji hated him.
"I don't want- you're a boy! Boys don't do that!"
Kaworu frowned at that, standing up. "Shinji, wait-"
"I'm not like you! I- I don't see you that w-way," the blush and stammer told Kaworu those were lies. "I'm not into you, I'm into- I'm seeing someone else! Not you!"
Who? "Who are you seeing, Ikari? There isn't another girl around the base."
Realizing what he said, Shinji didn't answer him. He slammed the door open.
"You're just going to hurt me like everyone else! I hate you!"
The door didn't even close properly as Shinji ran. Kaworu stared on sadly, sighing all by himself in the quiet of the shower stall.
"What happened for you to turn out this way, Shinji?"
Shinji… the name rung in his ears. Kaworu knew it from somewhere, if only he met him sooner. To so thoroughly reject his touch meant this Shinji's circumstances were much worse than he realized.
"Which means he doesn't want anything to do with me."
The worst part was how he couldn't even dispute Shinji's claim. His instincts were correct. He would die soon, as was his destiny. At least Shinji wouldn't bare the pain this time around.
This time around. Kaworu put the wording off to the side.
He decided it would be better to brood in the cafeteria than in the showers. He dressed himself and went for what passed for food. Lilim food at NERV HQ was only marginally better than the- how did the employees say it?- shit-tasting garbage his so-called "father" gave him. The Committee really thought they had him on a leash. They would know how wrong they were the moment he went after Adam tonight.
Soon, Kaworu felt a shadow loom over him. He turned around, with a practiced smile.
"Katsuragi. Hello. Would you like to take a seat?"
Katsuragi said nothing. She just stood in front of him, not even bothering to hide her displeasure.
"Shinji told me what happened."
Kaworu nodded, already prepared for this. "I wasn't going to hurt him."
"Shut up. He was avoiding you for a reason. You should have respected that."
"I should have." Kaworu agreed with her. "I don't think we're going to get along."
"Good. Now stay the fuck away from him."
"Why the sudden hostility? It was an accident-"
"Bullshit it was an accident! You were waiting for Shinji, trying to trap him."
"… I wanted us to be friends."
Unexpectedly Katsuragi raised her hand toward him. She stopped, even as Kaworu kept still. He was used to worse after all.
"You get near him again, I'll personally lick the stamps sending you back to Germany. Or wherever the fuck you came from. I don't know who the hell you are and I don't care. You're not going to so much as look at Shinji, do you understand me?!"
Kaworu raised his eyes to her, rubbing his mouth. "You are so possessive. Are you that attached to the Third Child?"
It threw Katsuragi off as he expected. She flushed in anger, confirming Kaworu's suspicions.
"Or is there more to your enmity?" He continued. "I can feel the questions just from your face alone. Ask me anything, and I shall answer in exchange for not being struck."
It hardly calmed her down but she complied. Katsuragi kept her tone leveled.
"The files on you are fully redacted. Even Ayanami's has some backstory compared to you. You're a special case and I want to know why that is. Who are you? Who are you really?"
This was to be expected given the kind of person the Major turned out to be. The best way to answer her was being honest. Telling her the truth, without telling the truth.
"I suppose I am." Kaworu nodded. "I was made from a test tube shortly after the Second Impact. The Chairman infused me with DNA from two donors, one of which was a top scientist at GEHRN. One that Committee highly valued for his contributions to their organization."
"Did they?"
"From what I was told, this scientist was important enough they felt his legacy was worth preserving despite his reluctance to their cause. I suspect he was an unwilling follower. I am the product of their efforts to create life, made secretly so no one, not even he, would ever know."
Misato looked at him strangely. There was a flash of recognition in her expression.
"What is it?"
"Why…?"
"Why what?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
"It's not nothing. I feel I should know why I bother you so. If not, then this is really a waste of time."
The anger came back. Coolly, she spoke what was on her mind.
"Why do look like my father?"
Kaworu raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"They made you from him? Against his will? You're some kind of sick joke against me I swear to God…"
"I might be." This time, his agreement was genuine. "The Committee have quite the sense of irony."
"Why make a clone of him? Why my dad instead of someone else?"
"I told you what I know. I'm sorry that I'm not able to help you further."
Misato stood up.
"We're done here. Don't talk to either of us again."
She left, clearly shaken from the revelation. Maybe she would look further into this, or talk to Dr. Akagi. All Kaworu knew was that this would be the end of anything more substantial between him, Katsuragi, and Shinji. He felt a budding irritation form in him, one Kaworu only heard of in gossip and stories.
"Jealous. I am… jealous."
Jealousy. Yes.
Later, he spent the day perusing through files again. Once he did, it was only too easy to find Soryuu's cell.
He remembered certain days back home where the old men would keep him sequestered inside of an empty testing chamber, poking and prodding to see what he would do. He was not human, so in their eyes they could do whatever they wanted with him. Asuka, Ayanami, himself, they were just playthings for SEELE. Maybe that was why he felt a kinship to Asuka, misguided as it was.
Quietly, he approached the cell door and knocked on it.
"Hello. Pilot Soryuu?"
Kaworu heard the sound of feet stumbling. The girl inside the cell responded.
"Who wants to know?"
"I am Kaworu Nagisa. The Fifth Child."
She laughed. "My replacement? What could you possibly want? You have my job. Go fuck yourself."
Kaworu rubbed the hinges of the door. Slight rust aside, it would take some time to take it apart by hand.
"You don't sound happy."
"Why should I? My life is over. You won. Bye. I don't want to talk to anyone, not anymore. NERV isn't going to get anything out of me."
"Well, I'm not just here to make conversation if that's what you're thinking."
He prepped his hands on the door. A barrier formed around him.
"Then what? Did the Commander send you? Are you here to kill me?"
The orange waves spread across Kaworu. They did so as he blasted the door down with his bare hands, surprising the occupant in the room. He did enjoy the look of shock on Soryuu's face.
"Quite the opposite. I am here to help you escape."
The alarm blared. Kaworu stepped inside the cell, as Asuka backed away from him.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"The easiest escape route for us is through the Eva. I'll take you to the cages."
Asuka shook her head. She knew something was off, what with the weirdo boy who looked almost like Ayanami suddenly walking in with an orange barrier. He had a face almost like a girls, his grey hair almost spiky.
"Who the hell are you and why are you doing this!?"
Kaworu chuckled. His eyes glowed red.
"Kaworu Nagisa. My aim is the same as yours really. I wish to end NERV."
"Another failure. What did we expect?"
It was truly pointless. No matter how many times they put him in the plug, the results turned out the same. Failure. Every time. Now, they were trying for direct contact between Shinji and Unit 01. Nothing once again. He sat in the entry plug, silent as usual. Moping as usual. Lifeless as usual. Misato rubbed the screen, her fingers grazing where his face was with a fond sadness.
"We should get him out of here..."
"We have to do something, Misato." Ritsuko said. "Do you want us to fail? For him to die? Our existence is dependent on that boy more than ever."
She said that even when they had Nagisa, Misato thought in frustration. She tapped her foot.
"I never liked the idea of using him. You know that."
"We need him to fight. With one more Angel left, anything can happen."
"Some of the Angels killed themselves. Maybe that'll happen again."
"You can't be serious."
"Geez, of course I'm serious Ritsuko. Totally. You absolutely get me, who never uses sarcasm ever."
The burn of frustration left Misato as she said it. She considered it a blessing, as it had been reaching a boiling point from the secrets NERV kept from her, the clone of her father walking around, Asuka, and Shinji. Shinji. She knew Shinji was hurting but he remained ever so closed off. The Eva was not helping him at all by refusing to work for him. Why did it have to happen now of all times?! So much she didn't understand, and so little time to ponder it all.
Shinji's encounter with Kaworu left her particularly upset. Kaworu managed to get a reaction out of Shinji in a way she hadn't been able to in some time. He was upset and bothered, but he actually spoke to her about what happened. He was afraid of Kaworu, of what holding his hand meant…
'The complications never cease.' Misato thought ruefully. 'I run away from my father, and now his ghost is trying to make the moves on Shinji.'
He wouldn't cheat on her, Shinji made it clear in his panicked tones and harsh apologies. But Misato felt wound up. Wounded. Trapped. They had to depend on Nagisa to fight the Angels. There was no way to remove him from Shinji's orbit, or her own. Nagisa was an unsettling threat to them and her own sense of self.
It just had to be God's idea of a sick joke, it couldn't be anything else. What did she do to deserve this?
"Are you even listening, Misato?"
"Eh?" Misato cleaned her ear. "No, sorry. You were saying?"
"You're such a mama bear over Shinji." Ritsuko frowned. "The Sub-Commander's been making comments about it. It isn't healthy."
"Pfft. Like I care what she thinks."
"You should. She's not happy with you."
"What do you mean?"
Ritsuko shook her head. "Forget I said anything."
Before Misato could continue that line of questioning, the alarm suddenly blared. They all knew what it meant.
"An Angel?! Now of all times…"
Misato went to the console and pulled out the emergency phone. She had to call Section-2.
"Find Nagisa, or get Asuka, just do it!" A pause. "What do you mean she's missing?! She's still in her cell, right?!"
They felt a rumbling beneath their feet. Misato quickly hung up the phone, pressing a button on the console to talk to Shinji.
"Shinji, you need to get out of here now!"
He was alarmed from her warning. "What for?"
"An Angel is attacking. Asuka is a no-show…" Misato looked down. "You're a sitting duck. You can't help us right now."
Shinji faced the camera more directly. The exhaustion on his face gave away to a hurt, angry expression.
"But Misato!"
"Please, leave. I'll handle this." Misato wouldn't accept anything else. "Stay safe."
She cut Shinji off before he could continue. There wasn't time for anything more. Misato and Ritsuko hurried toward the bridge, just in time to see technicians furiously working to root out the cause of the alarm. Maya turned toward them.
"The signal started in the cells." She said. "It's breached through various walls of security and… Oh god no…"
Misato didn't have time to entertain her fear. "What is it?! What's the situation?"
"The signal is in… Unit 02's cage! It's turning on by itself!"
A loud, shrieking roar was heard all across the bridge. It was very much like Unit 01's roar the time it escaped the Twelfth Angel, yet there was an undercurrent of pain. Before long, Unit 02 crashed through the screens, stopping right before the bridge. The power of the Evas had never felt more menacing than when it was turned against humans. Unit 02's jaw burst out, freed from its restraints to continue howling at its enemies.
The worst part of all? Above Unit 02 was Kaworu Nagisa, floating over the crew with a discontented frown.
"You!"
Misato pulled out her pistol. She fired at Kaworu, only to the bullets bounce off the AT-Field. Kaworu shook his head.
"Nothing besides an Eva could destroy me, Katsuragi. You of all people should know that."
No one made a move. No one made a sound, as Misato stood her ground against the cruel Angel who tormented them.
"You were just lying to us the whole time!"
"Not lies. Mostly." He said with only a slight quiver in his voice. "This isn't anything personal, Katsuragi. You are in the way."
"Bite me. You're trying to kill us all!"
"It's not my choice."
"Bullshit! People who want to live deserve to. You just came here to die like the rest of the miserable goddamn Angels that came here."
Kaworu contemplated those words for a moment. He nodded.
"You are correct. However, I can't change this outcome even if I wanted to. The choice was taken from me long ago."
"Misato, I managed to get a signal to Unit 02." Maya interrupted the conversation, motioning for Misato to take a look. "It's Asuka! She's inside!"
In the camera feed, Asuka was banging against the entry plug, trying in vain to escape. However, she was trapped inside, calling anyone she could for help.
"HELP! I'D RATHER DIE THAN BE TRAPPED IN HERE!"
Misato turned from the screen back to Kaworu. "You're such a fucking coward."
"I needed insurance." Kaworu said finally. "Now, the end begins."
Unit 02 came closer to Misato, roaring directly into her face. She glared back at it, baring her teeth. After a moment, Unit 02 raised its hand, palming into a fist. Misato closed her eyes, ready to face the inevitable…
However, before long, Misato heard the wall to her side burst. She opened her eyes to see Unit 02 being struck across the face, sending it into another room. She began to smile once she saw her savior.
"Shinji…"
Unit 01 moved to confront Unit 02 but it didn't matter. Shinji came back.
He could only do this once. He had to make it count.
Shinji slammed Unit 02's head into the wall of the launchpad. He tried to ignore the way Unit 02's hands kept attempting to tear into Unit 01's armor. The phantom pains were barely there. Shinji wasn't feeling particularly merciful to the spirit in Unit 01.
"I'm not going to thank you if that's what you're thinking." He said. "I'm just glad you saw things my way."
He glanced at the self-destruct switch. Just a moment ago, he threatened to detonate Unit 01 to force his mother into compliance. The one thing she hated more than him was dying. She didn't want humanity to die either. For his part, Shinji only cared about one thing, and he was fortunate to get Unit 01 working before Misato died.
Suddenly, the platform he was standing on began to lower. He was surprised, distracting him enough to give Unit 02 time to kick him back. After the brief moment of stumbling, Shinji willed Unit 01 to grab his enemy's hands just before it could tear into him again. They struggled to maintain their balance as the platform rapidly descended down the shaft.
Unit 02 was sluggish, letting go of Unit 01's hand to lunge at him, but Shinji punched its head back, making fast progress hitting it. Unit 02 only recovered enough of its momentum to pull Unit 01 upward and slam it down. But Shinji kicked Unit 02 back, pulling out his progressive knife.
"Maybe if I get Asuka out of there, it'll shut itself down?"
A long shot, but he was willing to take it. Shinji looked up to find Kaworu floating just above him and Unit 02. Shinji glared at him.
"You're the Angel."
He said it coldly, as if he knew this was coming. Kaworu lowered his head in shame.
"I am. I'm sorry."
"No you're not."
Shinji didn't hear anymore. He refused to, instead focusing on jabbing Uni 02 with the progressive knife. He was glad Unit 02 wasn't Asuka at full fighting capacity. It moved like a puppet, just punching without direction. Fighting was easier that way.
Any time it seemed like Unit 02 aimed for a lunge, Shinji kept it back with a swipe of the progressive knife. It seemed unsure of what to do when faced with a weapon, just circling Unit 01 around the platform, waiting for an opening. Kaworu made no effort to guide in the fight one way or the other. He allowed it to happen, curious to see what the outcome would be.
After a while of this, Shinji heard the voice channel open. It was Misato, causing him to sigh in relief.
"Misato. You're okay!"
"I am." She nodded. "Shinji, the Angel is moving to Terminal Dogma. We're not sure why. I managed to get communications to Unit 02 through. You can talk to Asuka."
"Asuka? She's inside?"
"Nag- the Angel had her trapped in there. Talk to her."
Shinji did so, opening the comms to Unit 02. Asuka looked sickened to be in there, but perked up at seeing him.
"Shinji!"
"Asuka! I'm going to try reaching the plug, just hang on!"
He barreled through first, marching toward Unit 02. However, as he tried to stab the Plug free, Unit 02 slammed Shinji into one of the walls, causing Unit 01's armor to scratch along the surface. After taking more hits from Unit 02, Shinji moved to stab the neck again. This time, he managed to make some headway in freeing the plug, but Unit 02 struck his hand, forcing him to drop the knife to the floor of the platform.
It seemed as though Unit 02 was getting wiser as the fight went on. Shinji was barely managing to survive Unit 02's onslaught. Unit 02 slammed its foot just an inch next to his head, causing him to roll back, getting up to attack again. But Unit 02 was prepared, caching his hands and slamming its head against Unit 01's own. No matter how much Shinji tried to push back, Unit 02 had him dead to rights.
Throughout it all, Asuka was quiet. She was contemplating her situation, seeing the issues on all angles… and she came to only with one conclusion.
"Shinji."
"I'm trying, Asuka!" He yelled. "But its getting stronger! I'm sorry!"
"Stab the core."
Shinji looked at the screen in shock.
"… Asuka, please tell me you're joking. I can't do that."
"I'm not. I won't be living long after this anyway. Just kill me."
He was ready to voice his objection, but someone else beat him to it. Misato's face came back on the screen.
"Don't listen to her, Shinji! Save her! You have a chance!"
Shinji listened to Misato. He reached for the knife, grabbing it just in time to stab Unit 02's hand. Asuka shrieked, throwing Shinji off enough for Unit 02 to retaliate with a strike at the torso. Shinji managed to hold on to the knife during this, making another stab at the neck to free Asuka, getting close but Unit 02 punted him.
"No… No, I don't want this to happen! Asuka!"
"I'd rather die than live like a doll." She said. "Please. Just do this for me."
"B- But-!"
"I wouldn't be asking you this if there was a choice. You need to kill Nagisa. If the Angel makes it to Terminal Dogma, it'll be the end of the world."
"Asuka…"
"Just listen. What happened with the Fourth wasn't your fault and I wasn't insulting his death. I was trying to tell you that casualties happen. People die. You didn't fail that kid, and you're not failing me by killing me. You'd be doing that if you let that Angel live and end the rest of us."
"…"
"Please, Shinji. Do it."
"…"
As he was thinking, Shinji realized the platform had stopped. They were right below most of NERV HQ, in Terminal Dogma. Kaworu was slowly floating away. There was no time.
Tears fell from his eyes. He held the progressive knife tighter, until his knuckle turned white.
"I'm so sorry."
"I know." Asuka's face softened. "I'm sorry too."
Unit 02 lunged again. Just as it did so, Shinji stabbed the core. He jammed the knife, watching the core burst into sparks and blood as Unit 02 kneeled before it. He looked away, ignoring the brief pained whisper of mama as Unit 02 exploded behind him. He saw Kaworu floating to a giant white being jabbed into the cross. As Shinji approached the boy, he heard Kaworu mumble to himself as the other boy's body seemed to give out. Kaworu dropped to the ground, on his knees as his AT-Field vanished in the face of discovery.
"Adam… no, this is Lilith… but how did- They tricked me. They knew-"
Whatever else he had to say ended right then. Shinji crushed the Angel in his right hand. There was no dignity, no final grace in this death. Just a bloody smear on Unit 01's hand. The last he'd ever have to spill.
In the end, he still felt hollow. Shinji allowed himself to cry. His chokes and sobs were all that the bridge could hear for another several minutes. Even Misato gave him his piece. Before long, he looked back at the screen.
"He… he was a cruel person, Misato…"
He gave her a haunting look. He sniffed, trying to keep his words steady.
"K-Kaworu… he wanted me, knowing he would betray me. He held my hand, before making me kill Asuka. He…" Shinji wiped a tear from his eye. "That moment when he held me, I felt… something… and I feel dirty just for thinking about it. I'm sorry, Misato… I'm…"
Misato closed her eyes, sighing. She was just as hurt by the whole experience as he was.
"I'm sorry too."
Agent Pilate was concerned.
Not just because she was in the middle of a thick forest just outside of Tokyo-3 that left her open to vulnerabilities. Pilate had ways around that. No, she was worried over how late Asuka was. She received the code the other day to meet her at the forest on December 31. New Years Eve, about to become New Years Day in about an hour.
"Where are you, Soryuu?"
Suddenly, she heard footsteps. Larger and louder than those of a teenage girl, a thin one like Asuka appeared to be. Pilate raised her pistol when a man with glasses walked in her direction. He held a laptop under his shoulder, using his free arm to wave in surrender.
"I come in peace! No causing trouble here, I assure you."
Agent Pilate wasn't swayed. He was a NERV employee, this could be a trap. She kept her gun trained on him.
"Who the hell are you and why shouldn't I shoot you right now?"
"I'm Lt. Makoto Hyuuga. Asuka's collaborator. I'm here with the information you need."
"What happened to her?"
"She let herself get caught so I could escape. I don't know what happened afterward, but she's probably in solitary. Look at this."
Hyuuga placed the laptop on the floor. Agent Pilate nodded, taking a step toward the laptop. Still keeping her gun on him, Pilate began to examine its contents. If the data wasn't enough, the footage recovered convinced her of the truth.
"This is thorough. We have a view of Terminal Dogma and information on where they were."
Hyuuga nodded. "I don't think I can go back to NERV now."
"You won't. I'll make sure to get you witness protection."
Her phone rang. Pilate picked it up, answering the other line. Her skin paled and her stomach churned, causing Hyuuga to look at her curiously."
"Agent?"
Pilate shut the phone off, pushing it back into her pocket. Her face hardened with resolve.
"The last Angel… is dead." She told him. "There's no more time to waste. We need to arrest Ikari and the Committee now."
Author's Notes:
For the previous chapter, I added a new section with Gendo and a couple of minor changes. Reread that if you haven't. Meanwhile, I posted GOD'S IN HIS HEAVEN, ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD on Ao3 (anonymously of course).
Kaworu being a clone of Dr. Katsuragi was a popular theory I saw in EvaGeeks forums, but never bought it. It's one of those non falsifiable theories I hate where even if it was true, it didn't actually matter to the story nor say much of anything. I made it canon here as another part of this fic's twisted nature. A headcanon I actually have is that Kaworu has knowledge of the multiverse but how conscious he is of it varies. Even the least aware Kaworu senses a destiny he must fulfill like here.
The finale is fast approaching. The next chapter will be a diverging point, where the fate of the human race and the relationship between Shinji & Misato is determined. I should say, only two of the endings actually finish the fic's story. The third ending is more of a What If scenario that ties in thematically. It'll make sense once you see it.
(Added a brief line to explain Kaworu lowered his AT-Field before Shinji killed him since a reviewer pointed it out.)
Review:
Voltter: "the only difference between Shinji and a dildo is that one is legal." BRO YOU ARE SENDING ME XD