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Rebuild of Evangelion: Eros and Thanatos

Chapter Title: Final: ???

Winter 2010

Sailor Star Dust

Author's Notes: Thanks to Legendary for his help with a scene in this.

 

 

2014 AD

 

The beautiful Earth, tinged with red, seemed to shake to its very core. Something was coming. Something...

 

A crash. An impact. A sizzling crater--an outline of a giant human--was all that remained of a decimated area in Japan: Soil stained with red blood; totaled and long collapsed buildings--the remains of Second Impact--were the surroundings of the crater.

 

A nude figure weakly rose to her feet from the still sizzling crater: a blue-eyed, brown-haired girl about 15 years old or so.

 

It was a pity that one of the members of the First Ancestral Race had to lose their body as soon as she landed on Earth, but it was a small price to pay for the mission she was given. The mission she couldn't afford to fail with.

 

Staring towards where the moon would appear that night, Mari's blue eyes narrowed coldly.

 

"Monster. I won't forgive you for the harm you're trying to cause them."

 

***

 

The fated meeting of the children... While Seele taking the puppy away wasn't what I intended, it's good to know everything else went according to my scenario. It's time they knew the truth. Sammael....I meant what I said. I will not forgive you, nor will I let you win.

 

In the present, New Years Eve 2015, Mari Illustrious Makinami adjusted her pink plugsuit in the pilot locker room. She was changing along with her fellow pilots Asuka Langley Shikinami and Shinji Ikari. They were changing as quickly as they could; there was no time to waste.

 

No time to spare.

 

Mari let out a breath, doing some quick, light, stretches. "I wasn't completely honest with you all."

 

Blinking, Shinji walked over to the girl's side of the lockers, ready to go. "Huh?"

 

Asuka, busy adjusting her eye-patch, looked up, puzzled.

 

Mari headed towards the exit, towards the Eva cages. Her hand rested on the door.

 

"What we're about to fight is an enemy that could destroy us all. Sammael is a terrifying third Seed of Life who wishes to rectify the mistake of the Adam and Lilith Seeds landing on the same planet by claiming this Earth for his own. I suppose you can consider this being the 13th Angel of sorts. Regardless, he'd cause Third Impact on his own terms, wiping out humanity and Angels alike in the process. Sadly, Seele were foolish enough to place their trust in Eva-06 to ensure the Humanity Instrumentality Project would occur, unaware it would lead to their downfall in the end."

 

The girl didn't bother trying to fight back the grin spreading across her face. "I was sent here to stop both Sammael and Seele--once I did some digging on what kind of organization Nerv was really like. Although I don't see how there was anything wrong with me having some fun in the process, like piloting Eva. It's such a rush!"

 

Shinji blinked. "But...just what is the Human Instrumentality Project, exactly?"

 

Asuka made a face, thinking back to something Misato told her and Shinji sometime last month. Seele...they could be considered the enemy, more or less. "Anta baka?! Weren't you paying attention to what Misato-san warned us about? Seele, Nerv's superiors, are a crazy cult that thinks humanity's at a dead end and wants to bundle all our souls together!"

 

Mari nodded. "Exactly, Shikinami. And in order to achieve that, Seele will cause Third Impact." She laughed bitterly, "This really is a situation of kill or be killed, regardless of which affliction. If nothing is done, I'm afraid."

 

No. That couldn't be. Life was painful enough as is, but to have to share his very being with the rest of humanity... It was sickening to think of, not because the morality of it all, but because Shinji couldn't bear the thought of his weakness being exposed for all of humanity to see and judge.

 

Shinji snapped out of his thoughts when a warm plug-suit clad hand rested on his shoulder. He blinked. Noticing Mari had left for the Cages, Shinji offered a weak smile to Asuka.

 

"Don't worry so much, idiot." She leaned in, softly kissing his cheek then straightened, a confident smirk playing on her lips. "We're going to win. There's no way in hell some stupid Angel or whatever it is can defeat us when we've made it this far. Okay?"

 

That's it, her eye-patch was starting to bother her too much. Time to remove it so she could see straight when battling.

 

With a swift fluid motion, Asuka removed the black eye-patch, throwing it into a nearby wastebasket. The redhead continued to smile confidently, reaching for Shinji's hand to give it a squeeze.

 

Shinji let out a breath. I still don't know if I'm really piloting to protect humanity, or if piloting just to protect the people I care for. But... As long as you're by my side, then I think I'll be okay.

 

He squeezed Asuka's hand in reply, eyes serious. I mustn't run away I mustn't run away I mustn't run away...

 

"Right. Let's go, Asuka."

 

Right. I mustn't run away. Not now. Not anymore.

 

***

 

Within Nerv's Command Center, Misato and Ritsuko were busy helping Nerv's techies prepare the Eva pilots for launch.

 

"Are the pilots ready to launch?", Ritsuko impatiently--and with good reason--asked.

 

"Yes, ma'am. They're just about to as we speak." Maya rapidly entered some commands on her keyboard.

 

The fake blonde let out a breath. "Good." Perhaps humanity won't be doomed as we thought, after all.

 

"Colonel Katsuragi, Rei can't be found!" Hyuga glanced over his shoulder to his superior officer.

 

"What?" Misato's eyes widened. "What does she think she's doing at a time like this! She needs to be on standby--"

 

"Let her be, Misato." Ritsuko's calm voice betrayed her icy glare; a warning that Ritsuko was in no mood for one of Misato's moralist rants today.

 

"How can you say that?! It's dangerous for her to go wandering around at a time like this!"

 

Rei. The one piece of the puzzle Misato still wasn't sure that fit. She already knew that Nagisa was an Angel, due to his admitting of it, but... If nothing else, it was clear that Rei was somehow needed for Gendo's plan of seeing Yui again. Even if it was at the cost of all else.

 

Misato clenched her fist. Kaji-kun... Father... I promise you won't have died in vain. I'll put a stop to all this, one way or another. For that boy's sake and everyone else's.

 

"Rei will be fine, Misato.", Ritsuko began. "She knows how to fend for herself." Especially at this point, with that thing being able to cause Third Impact if she really wanted to.

 

Aoba suddenly interjected, "Eva units, 02, 08 and 07 have launched. Currently making their way towards Dogma."

 

Nodding, Misato dropped the issue with Ritsuko, her gaze returning to Nerv's main computer screen. "Good."

 

Gendo sat as his desk as usual, observing the scene from above on the command tower. Fuyutsuki stood, hands firmly behind his back.

 

"We needn't worry. Regardless of what those old men are planning, Fuyutsuki, we have Lilith and the Eva on our side. Despite the drawback of Shinji and Rei not carrying out our plans with Nagisa's arrival, time is all we have right now. Those fools need to be taught a lesson in battle preparations."

 

Fuyutsuki sighed. He shook his head, eyes on the floor. There was a hint of apprehension in the old man's eyes. "But will she agree to any of this? That's what I can't help but be concerned with."

 

Gendo said nothing.

 

***

 

Rei Ayanami, clad in her school uniform, floated above the Level-EEE gate in Central Dogma. Her gaze never left that of Kaworu Nagisa, the 12th and final Angel as she blocked his path to access of Lilith. "Why are you doing this?"

 

Kaworu hummed Ode to Joy as he floated across from Rei, smiling. Hiis eyes were serious. "For Shinji-kun's happiness, of course. He has been in too much pain in this world, among other worlds. Seele and Mari-san were just using me for their own gain. And death is the only true freedom for me anyway, so I'd be honored to die for his sake. I want to help him decide his own future. That's why."

 

Rei began to frown, expanding an AT Field. The first time she had ever done so. "A world of death will not make Ikari-kun happy. Allowing harm to befall him is not an act of love, that much I do know."

 

She paused, coolly adding, "How do I know you do not wish to bring ruin to us? That you will not betray humanity for your own kind?"

 

Kaworu, floating towards Rei, his own Field expanding, neutralized Rei's. "Because of this." He bent down, his lips pressing against Rei's own.

 

A soft, warm, sensation began to fill Rei's body and soul. Different from what she felt from either Ikari. A pleasant, safe, frightening, feeling... Rei's eyes widened from shock as she began to blush. What? Why...? N-no.

 

"NO!"

 

Kaworu continued to smile as he floated inches away from Rei, holding his now bruised cheek. "It frightens you, doesn't it? That we are the same. And that I wish to stay by your side despite our differences. You still do not wish to acknowledge the dark, true self deep within you. It frightens you, so you continue to do nothing but run."

 

The blue-haired pilot shook her head back and forth. She was shaking. "Th-that is not true. I am here to confirm the darkness from which I came. I am here to prevent tragedy from befalling this Earth and my children. It is a pity that our children could not live in peace, yet..."

 

"Such is the hand we were dealt with, right?" Kaworu finished.

 

Rei sighed, silent. Conflict. To answer to her true self, her dark self, or to answer to the self that loved Ikari-kun and the Commander as family.

 

Was there no way she could answer to both?

 

Father and son... Lilith and Yui...

 

"Rei."

 

She looked up, red meeting red. Kaworu smiled, one of the utmost trust and love . "Let us bring him happiness together. There is no need for us to fight like this."

 

....I want....I want him to be happy. Truly happy. That is all.

 

Kaworu continued, "May I ask for one request?"

 

Rei gave a slight nod of her head, pale hands acting of their own accord as she grasped one of Kaworu's. "What?"

 

"At the end of it all... let's die together."

 

A pause.

 

"For Ikari-kun's sake?"

 

"For Shinji-kun's sake."

 

Nods of mutual agreement.

 

And then, Rei Ayanami gave the most beautiful smile she had ever given.

 

***

 

Mari in Eva-07 had cornered Eva-06, the other two units close behind. Grabbing the false Eva in a choke-hold, Mari began to laugh.

 

"There's no way I'll let you escape!"

 

Letting out a mighty roar, Eva-06 expanded the biggest AT Field seen yet. The dark armor began to shed off like a second skin. In the former Eva's place was a multi-red-eyed, light-skinned being with twelve glowing wings.

 

Eva-08 and Eva-02 held onto what they could as they ground around them began to shake. "What the hell?!", Asuka began. "How will we win if the stupid thing doesn't give us an opening!"

 

Eva-07's eyes lit up, reaching for Sammael's neck. "We just..."

 

She stabbed Sammael's core with a Prog Knife as it began to bleed. "Keep on fighting until we win!!"

 

The being roared once more, multiple eyes glowing red.

 

Born evil giant sinner

 

Expanding Eva-02's AT Field, Asuka charged, Gatling gun in hand, with a war cry. "You bastard!!" She began firing, not wasting any time in trying to slow it down.

 

Shinji in Eva-08 was close behind, taking a more cautious approach by simply expanding the Eva's Field instead of readying an assault. In the meantime, Mari stabbed Sammael from behind as the creature flailed about, wailing.

 

Human spirit lies

 

Asuka reached the Angel, set to work on eroding his Field with her own.

 

No compassion tortured soul

 

Yet, she was already too late.

 

EVANGELION!!

 

Sammael's many eyes lit up, piercing Eva-02's AT Field, continuing to fire again and again and again.

 

Armageddon day is here

 

Asuka screamed, trying to hold her ground, ripping at the core with her bare hands...

 

Living hell has come

 

But Sammael had the upper hand. His relentless firing at the Eva began to spread an electrical shock through the system, de-oxygenating the LCL.

 

"Stop! Stop!" Asuka began to shierk within the Entry Plug, feeling the LCL spark and crackle around her.

 

World's worst nightmare has appeared

 

Tears gathered in the German girl's eyes. This can't be the end. It can't. Shinji...I'm sorry. "You're burning me alive! STOP!"

 

EVANGELION!

 

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" The deed was done. Apparently satisfied, Sammael carelessly let go of the Evangelion unit, turning his attention on Mari, red eyes deadly.

 

"SHIT!" Mari grit her teeth, using her own--not the Eva's, but her own--AT Field to push Shinji out of way. "Ikari, get out of here!"

 

"...Asuka?" Shinji blinked, puzzled by his fellow pilot's and girlfriend's lack of response. In disbelief at her sudden screams which had just as quickly ceased.

 

Eva-02's burnt body collapsed sideways to the ground before him. It's pilot had fallen silent.

 

His eyes widened. "A-Asuka?" He began to shake, trying to reach for the unit and see if she was alright."Come on! S-say something, Asuka!" He choked. Tears gathered in his eyes, threatening to spill.

 

There was no time to waste. He'd be dead if Mari didn't save him now. Blocking Sammael's path to Shinji and Eva-08, Eva-07 used one hand to continually deploy the AT Field around her Eva. Mari used the other Eva's hand to transport Shinji away. To where he was needed most right now.

 

It was all up to Lilith now, while Mari did what she could on her end. In a flash of light, Shinji had disappeared from Mari and the battle, only to reappear in front of the opened gate of Level-EEE.

 

***

 

In the entry plug of Eva-08, Shinji Ikari stared down at his console numb. In shock as silent tears fell down either of his cheeks. "Asuka.... Asuka is....."

 

It was then that Shinji's mind registered the scene before him: a mixture of LCL and Kaworu's bloody body lay at the foot of the Level-EEE gate.

 

Rei, naked and covered in Kaworu's blood, cupped a tiny red dot in her hands. As it absorbed within her stomach, Rei let out a gasp. She was floating in the center of the room, in between Lilith and Eva-08, her eyes dead.

 

Noticing the unit, the blue-haired pilot calmly explained, "We want to see you happy. Ikari-kun, I need you to trust me that everything will be okay."

 

Sobs racked Shinji's body to his very soul, preventing him from answering.

 

Light. Shinji blinked, still crying. The light intensified, revealing a star-field within the plug.

 

Warmth. Shinji felt somebody embracing him close, smiling lovingly...

 

Scent. It was the smell of his mother. The smell of Ayanami.

 

"Mo...ther?", Shinji murmured, his blue eyes dull, devoid of life.

 

Yui smiled at her son, caressing his cheek. "Do not worry, my darling. I promise you that everything will be alright. I'll make sure it is."

 

"I...." Curling up within himself, Shinji hugged his knees to his chest, voice breaking. "I don't care about anything anymore.

 

Asuka is dead. Kaworu-kun is too. We're all going to die. No-nothing matters anymore." The brown-haired pilot continued to sob.

 

Rei frowned, appearing in the plug before Shinji. She floated side by side with Yui as both woman embraced their beloved brother and son. "That is not true, Ikari-kun. It is not the end."

 

"It is the beginning.", Kaworu added with a smile, embracing Shinji along with the other two. "And you are the reason we have found love."

 

Shinji hiccuped in reply, silent.

 

The star-field had disappeared, leaving Shinji alone in the darkness. Yet the comforting, motherly, warm feelings remained as Shinji continued to sob.

 

***

 

Covered in blood, Eva-07 attempted in vain to break off the arms of her opponent. This being was more powerful than anticipated but... Not that she didn't mind a challenge.

 

"You...won't...WIN!"

 

Mari's eyes began to glow green. Lilith...Adam...Please!

 

***

 

Rei gasped.

 

Turning to Lilith, her eyes still devoid of emotion, Rei grabbed the Spear of Longinus from Lilith's body. She could feel it. Kaworu's hands wrapped around her own, guiding her, helping her...

 

Grunting, she threw the spear with all her might directly at Eva-08's core. The eyes of the unit instantly lit red as the Eva growled, ready.

 

The spear passed through the Eva, reappearing in Mari's hands. Yes, this was it. The raw energy was more than enough.

 

Mari smirked, her eyes deadly. "It's over for you now. Bastard." With a flick of the wrist, the spear flew out of Mari's hands and...

 

Core shattering from the impact of the spear, Sammel roared from pain, exploding in blood.

 

The evacuation site on the moon began to rumble, miniature explosions occurring every which way. 12 replicas of the spear appeared, crashing down on each Seele monolith in the process, each member chanting feverish, feeble prayers as they met their fate... With the exception of Kiel, who was the last to remain.

 

"This is our punishment for placing our faith in that which we do not understand. Yet it is a pity humanity is doomed. I ask You in Your Almighty power to forgive them, my Lord."

 

Kiel's liquefied remains crumbled onto the ground along with the rest of the members before him.

 

***

 

Misato, Ritsuko, and the rest of the staff listened to the audio feed, tense. Unable to monitor anything.

 

Barking out an order, Misato began, "Force eject the Entry Plugs of all units. After that's done, activate self-destruct of the Evangelions."

 

Aoba gave a start. "Self destruct, ma'am?"

 

Misato nodded, glaring. "Yes, self destruct. The Entry Plugs will be enough to protect the pilots from any explosion impact."

 

Maya frowned, "But, is that really a wise decision when..."

 

"Do as I say! Now!"

 

Ritsuko silently observed the scene, her hands buried in her lab coat pockets, expression neutral.

 

Hyuga nodded. "Yes ma'am. Activating force-ejection and Eva self-destruct code in T-minus..."

 

Gendo, impassive as ever, frowned against his folded hands. "Yui. Are you and Rei leaving the decision up to him?"

 

Fuyutsuki offered a weak smile. "At this point, all we can do is wait. There is assurance we won't perish, at least."

 

...I will never see her again. Bitterness and regret filled Ikari's heart. Rei... Had I known it would end this way, perhaps I would have done things differently. I'm sorry...Shinji.

 

***

 

Standing on the top of Eva-07's plug, Mari silently regarded the remains of Eva-07 and 02. The Spear had long left her, returning to the core of Eva-08. Where it truly belonged.

 

She paused, starting at the plug of Eva-02. Sadness reached her face. That girl hadn't survived. She was nothing but a corpse. At least there would be hope for her yet.

 

"It's time to go home." Mari's plug-suit disappeared as her nude body began to glow with pure, white, light. "It is not my place to interfere with the fate of the Lilin. Adam and Lilith... thank you. I congratulate you and your children for the hard work with your continued survival."

 

She paused as she began to float within the air. "Nerv's puppy... I wish you and the rest happiness. Good luck, and God speed."

 

With those words, Mari Illustrious Makinami disappeared. Trails of stardust were all that was left in her place.

 

***

 

Eva-08 let out a mighty roar, eyes glowing red as the spear slowly entered her core, now a part of her. With the Spear of Longinus where it belonged, nothing could stop her from fulfilling her mission.

 

Rei Ayanami floated towards Lilith's center. The pull was too strong. She could not wait any longer. The time had come.

 

"The dark place within my place within myself is where I belong. Commander Ikari, thank you for your pure heart. Ikari-kun, thank you for teaching me how to live. I love you both."

 

In the command center, Gendo broke into a sweat. The end was here after all?! He really would lose HER?! No... No...

 

"REI!"

 

Rei, her eyes dead, regarded the giant white being calmly. "I'm home."

 

Welcome Home.

 

She was being pulled in...sucked in... The time was now...

 

Heavy breathing came from the giant. The existence known as Rei Ayanami was no more. Lilith's body reforming, her mask shed to the ground, revealing multiple eyeballs dripping out.

 

I am myself, nothing more, nothing else. This body, this soul, this heart, belongs to nobody other than I.

 

Horrified, Shinji began to scream as Lilith lovingly cupped Eva-08, her multiple eyes blank.

 

You have to make your own path. You are responsible for your own happiness.

 

Lilith, gradually taking the form of Rei, blinked. "Ikari-kun. It is time to go home. Let's go home, together."

 

Shinji's tears had ceased. His screams were frantic. Rei had betrayed him. She had left him as well. Just like Asuka and Kaworu had!

 

"No. NO! STAY AWAY AYANAMI!"

 

A sigh. A gentle laugh, a loving voice: "What do you wish for?"

 

He blinked. That voice...

 

"Mo-mother?", he feebly asked.

 

It was mother embracing him. Not Lilith...

 

Shinji felt his breathing and heart rate slow. Warm, comfortable, feelings began to replace his fear, as if it was completely vanishing....

 

The voices and images of Rei and his mother blended together. Shinji was unable to distinguish which was which anymore. "What do you wish for?"

 

His eyes shut as he continued to loose consciousness. As if drugged, Shinji began to grin stupidly. Was that really such a hard question? The answer should be obvious.

 

Red hair pressed against Shinji as he embraced the soft body against him. Shinji kissed the top of Asuka's forehead. She squirmed and giggled in his arms within the comfortable warmth of the entry plug.

 

"Shinji, let's go home together."

 

A relaxed, overjoyed, smile reached Shinji's lips. "Okay, Asuka."

 

Bright light enveloped Shinji. He wondered why he heard the sound of something splashing in the distance--or was it close by? The sensation of time itself stopping was evident as everything seemed to fade to black.

 

***

 

EVANGELION FINAL

 

YOU ??? (NOT) ??????

 

****

 

January 1st, 2016 AD

 

On the first day of the New Year, the Humanity Instrumentality Project has commenced.

 

Darkness. Complete and utter darkness.

 

Shinji blinked, opening his eyes... Yet darkness was all he saw, all he...felt? What was strange to Shinji, he soon enough realized, is that it felt as if he could sense, he could hear the hearts and minds and souls of every single person within his very spirit. Those he knew well: Misato-san, Asuka, Ayanami, his father, the rest of Nerv and his classmates, complete strangers; the whole world it seemed.

 

Those he knew.

"Yui...Forgive me. I just wanted to have a second chance with Shinji and Rei by being able to see you again."

"It's not true! I don't care for father the same way I care for Kaji-kun! And Shinji-kun is like my son! Stop this! STOP THIS!"

"Shinji... Shinji, where are you? I can't see you. I can't hear you. But...but I can feel you. And mama. And Misato. And everybody else. Where are you, baka? Don't leave me all alone like mama did! Please! I DON'T WANNA DIE! I DON'T WANNA BE ALONE!"

"Katsuragi, if you can hear me... Forgive me for getting in over my head with finding the truth. Forgive me for my selfishness of trying to protect the Earth as is that we live on."

"I wished to become one with you, Ikari-kun. I wished to be by your side forever. I am merely fulfilling what your heart yearns for most: A world of solitude where nobody and nothing can ever hurt you again. A world where you and I can be together for all eternity. It is a merely fulfillment of your wish, what happens to me in the end of it all matters not. That is the world you wished for.”

"Shinji-kun, what is it that you truly want? Think of it. Make it happen."

Those he knew somewhat.

"Shinji, we're counting on you. Good luck."

"Ikari, do your best."

"It's wonderful that the Eva pilots protect us. All of you are so amazing. Keep up the good work, Asuka."

"Yui-kun, is this really alright?"

“I love him. I shouldn't have any regrets, I knew what I was getting into by helping him reach his goals. Yet... yet...”

"Senpai! I look up to you so much, why don't you notice me?"

"I should never left Taro. I should have been the lead guitarist in Cobalt Sky, playing alongside him, but... the prestige of being in Nerv was too great to pass up. I wonder if I can be forgiven for the sin of duty before dreams?"

"Nerv's secrets... I hope Katsuragi-san knows no matter what happens, I'll be alongside her to help in anyway I can. Even if she takes no notice of me... It's alright like this.”

Those he nothing of, those he had never met at all in his life.

"Yes, what I told you about us dating was a lie.... Do you think I like hurting you?! I can't help how I feel for..."

"How could I lose that promotion when my entire career was riding on it?! I should have worked harder."

"I wonder what it would have been like to have been part of a family."

 

All of them discussing their hopes and dreams with others they knew, complete strangers, it didn't matter. Their souls lay bare for all to see, criticize, psychoanalyze, all people being part of the process, whatever this process was. If it could be called a process.

 

"What the hell is this?!"

 

Mother "Shinji."

 

Ayanami Rei "Ikari-kun."

 

Nagisa Kaworu "Shinji-kun."

 

Father "Shinji."

 

Asuka "Shinji!"

 

Misato-san "Shinji-kun!"

 

He winced. These memories, thoughts, feelings of everyone he knew including himself... How much more of it all did he have to take?!

 

"Ikari-kun." Rei's voice, her lips, were so close to his ear. He could feel her breath against his naked skin, holding his head in her own nude lap, stroking his soft brown hair... "Do you want this to stop? Ikari-kun."

 

"It hurts." He whimpered, "It hurts. Make this stop, Ayanami!"

 

He blinked. Sight. His blurry vision, watery eyes, barely made out Rei embracing him still, a rare smile on her face. "I want to protect you. You are the reason I know what love is, what it is like to have a family. What do you want most?"

 

"I...." He paused. ....He wasn't sure. His blue eyes cast down in the void. "I don't know, myself."

 

"But...just what is this? Where are we? And where are the others?!" He looked around, sensing, feeling, that only himself and Rei were in this strange void.

 

Rei...Lilith? sighed softly to herself. "This is the LCL Sea. A world without AT Fields, where humanity has merged into one being. All souls are now one, and can be that way for all eternity if you wish it."

 

"However.", Rei lovingly caressed Shinji's cheek, and for an instant, Shinji realized Yui was caressing and embracing him as well, not just Ayanami. "If you wish to return to Earth, pain as well as pleasure can be yours once more. You may experience betrayal and hurt, but you can also feel love, as well."

 

Shinji blinked. "You...you won't return, Ayanami?"

 

The blue-haired Angel shook her head, continuing to smile sincerely. As if she was pleased with her outcome of death.

 

"No, I am unable to. Yet it is a small price to pay to--"

 

Shinji began to sob. Holding onto Rei as tightly as he could--afraid she would disappear if he let go--he cried loudly against her shoulder.

 

Rei sweetly kissed Shinji's cheek, finishing, "...Death is a small price to pay to be able to see you smile once more."

 

Shinji sniffled, body wracked with silent sobs.

 

"Shinji-kun."

 

Tired blue eyes slowly met Kaworu's red ones. The Angel's hands were in his school uniform pockets as usual, smiling slightly. "Thank you for your friendship, for letting me experience the beauty of life. And the beauty of Lilin. I will never forget you."

 

Knees shaking, eyes wet, Shinji managed to stand, embracing the older boy as Kaworu held him in turn. "Do not fear life, Shinji-kun. For it can be beautiful."

 

A frown as Shinji nodded, turning back to Rei. "Ayanami." He reached for her hand, helping her stand. "Take me home."

 

As the siblings of sorts held hands, Shinji noticed that Kaworu was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared...

 

"Thank you. Ikari-kun, it is alright if you smile."

 

Shinji gradually, slowly, smiled at Rei as they embraced and held hands for the last time. "Thank you for everything, Ayanami."

 

***

 

Sweet release.

 

Lilith's giant crumbling body began to fall backwards in outer space as her Black Moon exploded in blood and LCL around her.

 

Having left Lilith before her body began to fall apart, Eva-01 inside the armor of Evangelion unit 08 let out a mighty roar, wings of light shining brightly.

 

"Take heart, Ikari-kun.", Rei spoke, gasping slightly as she felt her soul separate from her body. Her body which was returning to nothing, to dust that would be swept away with time on mother Earth.

 

"Those who died the year before Third Impact occurred can restore their human bodies if they wish. They can return if they are strong enough in heart to imagine themselves."

 

Lilith as Rei--her soul, her very being, the one who had met Shinji when he arrived in Tokyo-3, advised him countless times in the train-car, and would soon give a final farewell--calmly, quietly, stared at Eva-08. The Spear of Longinus floated ahead of the suddenly purple-armored Eva, blue hair waving about.

 

Lilith blinked, her red eyes focused in concentration. It was time for them to say goodbye.

 

***

 

As the entry plug of Eva-08 ejected, falling back to Earth into the sea, Shinji sensed familiar, warm, arms wrap around him.

 

"Mother."

 

Yui's green eyes seemed to sparkle as her hand lovingly held Shinji's cheek. "This is goodbye, darling."

 

He blinked, frowning slightly. "But... what's going to happen now? What will you do?"

 

"I will go on living within the Eva to ensure humanity has a bright future. I will be alone for a short while, but I will soon enough ensure that love and humanity will never die."

 

Yui's soul seemed to glow with an otherworldly light as a tiny red dot appeared in front of her stomach. "Maria-sama has bestowed upon me the honor of becoming a new Seed of Life. As the eternal proof that mankind existed."

 

Shinji gulped. He felt his eyes moisten once more. "But... mother, I..."

 

"Shinji." Yui kissed her son's forehead, her hands resting on either sides of his cheeks. "Be happy, my darling. And always remember that anywhere can be Heaven as long as you have the will to live. If you're alive, there will be chances to be happy everywhere."

 

He felt it. The comforting, safe, presence of his mother, leaving him alone in the entry plug as her soul ascended--or perhaps it never left?--the Evangelion once more.

 

"Yeah." Shinji nodded, managing a smile. He thought about all the ways Rei, Kaworu, and his mother had helped him. Shinji's entry plug landed in the waters of the sea.

 

Waters which had red as in the Second Impact world, yet now there was a change to it: the sea-water was mostly a shade of beautiful, clear, blue.

 

And his smile become sincere, one of hope.

 

"Goodbye, mother."

 

Eva-08 faded into the distance, into the darkness of outer space.

 

****

 

June 6th, 2016 AD

 

Shinji Ikari's 15th birthday

 

The blood streak on the Moon and the chalk outline of Mari's original form faded away with time.

 

At Misato's new apartment, in honor of Shinji's 15th birthday, a dinner party was thrown. The dinner party that Rei was never able to give. At the head of the table, a chair was left empty in her memory. To her left was an empty seat for Kaworu. Her right, an empty seat for Mari.

 

"Father.", Shinji nervously began, offering a weak smile, over the discussion between Shinji's classmates--Toji, Kensuke and Class Rep--as well as the former employees of Nerv--the bridge bunnies, Ritsuko and Kaji. "...Thank you for coming."

 

Gendo nodded, smiling at his son. "It is what Yui would have wanted.", he quietly said before returning to his meal. There was still tension between them, yet... Father and son were making an honest effort at least.

 

"Shinji," Toji smirked as Hikari frowned at her boyfriend's eating habits. "I'm surprised Misato-san managed to learn how to cook."

 

Shinji laughed. "Yeah, I suppose it shows anything is possible if you try real hard."

 

Laughing herself, Misato made a face, lightly bopping Shinji's head. "Be good, birthday boy. I did this all for your sake, you know."

 

Shinji nodded, smiling. "Yeah."

 

Pen Pen nudged Kaji's foot, begging for some more chicken and rice as Kaji obliged.

 

Out of the corner of his eye, Shinji blinked noticing...blue?

 

Rei appeared in front of Shinji for the first and final time since Third Impact. She smiled while playing the part of the silent observer once more, as if pleased that he seemed happy.

 

Blinking again, Shinji slowly, gradually, smiled back. Thank you, Ayanami.

 

A tap on his shoulder from Shinji's left side made him look up.

 

"Is something wrong, baka-Shinji?", Asuka asked, unable to help but feel concern.

 

Noticing Rei had already disappeared as mysteriously as she appeared, Shinji shook his head. "I'm fine, Asuka."

 

They kissed softly with warm smiles and flushed cheeks before returning to their meal, sitting side by side.

 

***

 

The hybrid of Evangelion 01 and 08 continued her journey, Spear of Longinus leading the way. The goddess with the soul of Yui Ikari was a single beacon of light through the vast darkness of space.

 

"As long as the Earth, the Moon and Sun exist... It will be alright."

 

 

The End.

 

 

It's only love

 

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara

kimi no soba de nemurasete, donna basho demo ii yo

Beautiful world

mayowazu kimi dake wo mitsumeteiru

Beautiful boy

jibun no utsukushisa, mada shiranai no

 

It's only love

 

nete mo samete mo shounen manga

yume mite bakka, jibun ga suki janai no

 

nani ga hoshii ka wakaranakute

tada hoshigatte, nurui namida ga hoo wo tsutau

 

iitai koto nanka nai

tada mou ichido aitai

iitai koto ienai

konjou nashi kamo shirenai

sorede ii kedo

 

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara

kimi no soba de nemurasete, donna basho demo ii yo

Beautiful world

mayowazu kimi dake wo mitsumeteiru

Beautiful boy

jibun no utsukushisa mada shiranai no

 

It's only love

 

donna koto demo yatte mite

son wo shitatte, sukoshi keikenchi agaru

 

shinbun nanka iranai

kanjin na koto nottenai

saikin choushi doudai?

genki ni shiteru nara

betsu ni iikedo

 

boku no sekai kieru made aenu nara

kimi no soba de nemurasete, donna basho demo kekkou

Beautiful world

hakanaku sugite yuku hibi no naka de

Beautiful boy

kibun no mura wa shikatanai ne

 

moshimo negai hitotsu dake kanau nara

kimi no soba de nemurasete

 

Beautiful World (Beautiful Boy)

 

Beautiful Boy (Beautiful World)

 

Beautiful World (Beautiful Boy)

 

Beautiful Boy (Beautiful World)

 

Beautiful World (Beautiful Boy)

 

Beautiful Boy (Beautiful World)

 

Beautiful World (Beautiful Boy)