I'm not in the habit of reviewing my own stories but it seems there's some action going on here. Unfortunately, the review system doesn't allow for replies to Guest reviews or threading anything for conversation.

Anyway, obviously this story is not perfect, and really never will be-nothing ever is-as evidenced by the fact there are still edits going on in my Drive. Be that as it may, I'm glad this has meant so much to so many. I can never be thankful enough for the feedback people leave. Most of the criticism this story gets is rooted in personal opinions or outlooks or even a reader's own experience, which I respect. I feel, as a previous reviewer points out, that many of these are already addressed and taken care of within the context of what the story needs to achieve. It's important to remember that this is a story very flawed and broken people and that influences pretty much everything they do.

As for the more technical points:
1-The story has been proofed by at least 5 different people. Typos always get by. It's like trying to eliminate termites. Even nuking it from orbit wont help.

2- Contractions are not used on purpose, especially in the case of Rei and the Tablet. Together with their language, it is meant to single them out as 'others' through their speech.

3- Ritsuko is full of bullshit, thus the technobabble. This goes double when she talks to Misato since her purpose it so sound unimpeachable and say as much as possible while revealing as little as she can. She basically deceives through over-saturation rather than merely lying.

4- People don't simply stop being themselves when they kiss someone. Of course Asuka is still going to call Shinji an idiot. She's in love, not brainwashed.

5- Happiness is not a switch you can just turn on. It's a process, in some cases a LONG process, and after a lifetime you still may not achieve it. This is the start of that process for Asuka and Shinji. It's the acceptance that they can be happy and that they have to try.

6- Shinji proves to Asuka he's there for the long haul when he refused to run away, and he stands up to his father AND convinces Asuka to give Rei a chance. Look, most UN missions don't achieve this much.

7- Asuka is not Asuna so she's not gonna turn lovey-dovey girlfriend overnight, or ever. She only lets in someone she thinks is worthy. Shinji managed to get himself a battering ram while taking responsibility for his own. Like a grown-up, I suppose.

Well, that's what I can think of at the moment. There's lot's more stuff. For more information there's a TV Tropes page that a fan was nice enough to make. Here:

/Fanfic/NeonGenesisEvangelionGenocide

Once again, thanks for the reviews.

Got inspired to write this after seeing the most recent review. I'm not really a fan. For several reasons. But instead of focusing on my problems with it, I want to give my honest opinion on this story. I've been in love with EVA for years and never touched a single fanfic of any kind until now. A couple of my friends wouldn't stop badgering me to read this and I decided to indulge them. So, what do I think?

I think it really is as good as everyone says it is. I almost can't believe it. People who call it NGE season 2 or say it's comparable to the show and movie ARE NOT LYING. But since pretty much everyone has already covered what makes it so amazing in detail, I want to take the time to criticize a few lacking elements present in an otherwise incredible experience. And no, not the kind of criticism which completely misses the point or peddles flat out wrong info. Time to go rapid fire kids.

Spelling and punctuation errors. Pretty obvious and the one thing even people who love this story will concede. Not something that happens too much to get in the way of the awesome writing, but I'm still going to point it out for improvement.

There is the occasional metaphor or scientific explanation (usually provided by Ritsuko) which doesn't really work as well as it should. Essentially it either isn't fully applicable to a situation at hand when you stop to think about it, or drifts too far into pseudoscience mumbo jumbo to be taken seriously. Again, a minor problem but something that could easily be fixed.

Aside from 2 absolutely amazing OC's, the rest of the new characters are fairly bland and forgettable. They're not a nuisance, thought was clearly put into them, and they serve their roles well, but it's really apparent how shallow they are when compared with the depth of everyone else we know and love (or hate). Not bad in any way, but also not really all that good either.

There's a certain relationship in the story which while incredibly endearing and believable, was very clearly rushed out the door. There simply wasn't enough time given to it for the development to feel wholly natural for a reader. Not saying it isn't, just that the presentation makes it look that way. It needed a lot more showing (what's there is great, you just needed MORE) and less telling.

The writing can occasionally get a bit too verbose and flowery. This one's easily the most debatable point I've brought up, so I can understand if you disagree with me here. Basically, there are a few passages where you'll be thinking to yourself "You could've said that in half as many words and it would have been just as effective." Again, a minor problem but fluff is something that can also be fixed. On that note, if you were going to use honorifics so sparingly why bother using them at all? All they do is suck you out of the story upon showing up because it's in English. And what did contractions ever do to you? Use more. Stop it. Bad writer.

And that's pretty much it. I had to spend a lot of time talking to others, thinking about what the flaws of this story are, and occasionally reread certain things just to make sure I had a good understanding of them. There may very well be a few other minor problems I missed, but they still can't take away from everything this story gets so right. Most of the issues I talked about don't even bother me, personally speaking. That on its own should speak volumes. When I was reading a review a few weeks ago that talked about how the story brought him to tears, I pretty much laughed it off as another hyper emotional fan venting. Until the exact same thing happened to me. I'm pretty sure I know what scene it was too. I doubt any other fanfic I chance to read in the future will measure up to this work of art. 3.01.0 has its work cut out for it if it means to top this as a conclusion to Evangelion. Congrats Genocide. Unlike other stories, you weren't merely content with resting on the shoulders of a giant. You shot for the stars and clawed your way up to the top, all to stand proudly right beside him.

In the interest of clarification, this isn't actually my review. It's from an unnamed guest. But it's such a well written and heartfelt encapsulation of what makes this story so powerful, that I feel it deserves to always have a presence on the first page for people to see. It also reflects a lot of my own feelings, so that's a nice bonus. Enjoy:

"This marks the first time I've ever been happy to be proven wrong. Not just happy, but flat out ecstatic. I'm sure some people reading this are having doubts about the quality of the story. Thinking all the grand claims about it are either false or greatly exaggerated. Like I did. Take it from an EVA fan who can't stand fanfictions in any capacity. This piece of art really is as incredible as everyone says it is. On the advice of a close friend, I read Evangelion: Genocide immediately after rewatching the original series (NGE and EOE) for probably the 100th time. I'd probably be called pretentious for labeling the experience transcendental, but I can't think of any other word to describe it. For starters, the prose is genuinely great and manages to hold its own (if not outright surpass) in the face of countless modern novels. It brims with the dry wit and slavish attention to detail that Anno is known for, making it seem as if he actually wrote the story. All of our favorite characters are practically ripped straight from the original series. You can hear the voice actors in your head with every line, and I never once questioned why someone did/said/thought something. Unlike basically every other EVA fanfiction where the dialogue and introspection always feels a bit "off" or disingenuous, here it's near perfect. Not just in terms of carrying over recognizable personality traits, but in the context of this essentially being Evangelion Season 2. It's own standalone story. Original characters are great and just as well written as the main cast. Pacing is polished to a T. Action scenes are exactly as visceral as they need to be. Elements from other EVA stories that were either underdeveloped or poorly handled are done absolute justice here. Lore and overall plot progression is incredible. And the thematic undertones of EVA are creatively expanded on in a manner denoting understanding, respect and intelligence. Without getting into spoilers, one dynamic that I was never a fan of in the original, is so well written here that it ended up making me retroactively appreciate how the original series handled it so brilliantly. And the manner in which it's used to develop certain characters, helping them overcome the darkness inside their souls, is nothing short of sublime. What was once only in the realm of hopeful ambiguity is now an immaculately constructed reality. What we all wanted but never really got. The finest dissection of this relationship that I've ever seen, and one of the best of its kind across any medium. It's wonderful. Forget RE-TAKE, Scar Tissue, Advice and Trust, and all the other hollow attempts at capturing what made EVA special. Hell, I might as well include the Rebuilds in that sad bunch at the end of the day. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Genocide is what true fans needed all along. We just didn't know it. Not as a replacement for the amazing ending we already got, but rather as a lovingly crafted addition to the same core tale. This probably doesn't mean much but when I finished reading the story about a week ago, I couldn't help but shed a tear after the enormity of everything that happened sank in. Something I've never done for any other story. It's a beautifully written swan song for Evangelion, retaining and expanding on virtually everything that made the original a one of a kind work of art. With a conclusion so full of finality and satisfaction for the entire series, that we couldn't possibly hope for anything more. This masterpiece couldn't have closed the book any better."

Feels a bit weird writing a response to another review, but I think it's necessary for contentious points to be addressed. Spoilers will obviously be included so skip past this if you want to avoid them.

First off, not really sure why you characterize Asuka's words immediately before and after the kiss as "hurting" Shinji. They're very clearly just playful jabs, which is in line with how she normally acts. There's no more venom or intent to hurt in them at all, just her usual personality traits.

Secondly, the codependency issue is in fact addressed multiple times by other characters. Ritsuko outright classifies them as such when speaking to Gendo, her nihilism informing said judgement. Misato warns Shinji that his relationship may very well have that kind of dysfunction without him being aware of it. The tablet relentlessly mocks them for it, arguing that their bond is an unhealthy farce. While both acknowledge this as a partial truth, they also work to improve themselves and their relationship over the course of the story. Recognizing that genuine happiness with the other is a real possibility that they should fight for. Just as Shinji is more than a doormat and Asuka is more than a brat, so to is their relationship something more than an unhealthy source of pain. Something that is evident in their own interactions as well as with others. Which makes your statement about the ending outright confusing and inconsistent. It paints a picture of an equal partnership with no real dysfunction to speak of, proving that the steps they took throughout the main plot were earnest and successful attempts to become better people. I have no clue how that could register as disgusting, cheap, or disappointing in your mind.

The statement about lying being justified is just patently false. It's a tool used by malicious or morally ambiguous characters to achieve their goals in spite of everything and everyone else around them. Which they all end up suffering just deserts for. Conversely, the characters who finally accept honesty in relationships as a necessity are rewarded with emotional closeness that pushes them to foster the better parts of their nature. Asuka only believes in the former AT FIRST and eventually changes her mind after what the story puts her through.

I don't understand why the cage element bothers you. It was inevitable that something like this would happen to them, given their status as human weapons. So your complaint can't be based on an error in world building logic. A "make your own happiness" message and this idea aren't mutually exclusive either. The situation is far from perfect, but they're still alive and together. Moving towards the future in spite of the microscope they now lie under. They don't lack for self determination, so positing that it's an issue with thematic consistency is equally silly.

Misato didn't go after Gendo because if she did he would have definitive proof that her loyalty wasn't guaranteed and deal with her accordingly. He was well aware of her spying activities, but it didn't keep her from following his orders and thus didn't count as a reason to act against her in his mind. She wasn't a danger. Threatening him over what he's done in the same manner as she did to Ritsuko would cement her as one. She would be smart enough not to expose herself to the key player when she still has people to protect. Ritsuko was a far safer alternative to get the answers she needed. Don't see how that's funny to you.

Shinji trying to make Asuka happy isn't "sacrificing a part of himself." He doesn't suddenly lose out on his own happiness or become a completely different person in order to please her. Just as she doesn't when offering Rei to join them for lunch after seeing that Shinji is upset about her being alone. Both of them end up contributing to the relationship after seeing the need to improve themselves and accept responsibility. Calling that dynamic a "corrupted bond" is misguided at best and disingenuous at worst.

Shinji being in a tough position which many other people would abandon isn't an argument against his involvement with Asuka. Nothing about that statement makes his pursuit of a happy relationship with her worthless or somehow unattainable. Painful and unhealthy at times, most definitely. But not a lost cause without merit as you imply.

Asuka pursuing Shinji isn't an unexplained phenomena that flies in the face of reality. Just as he admires her courage and strength of will in spite of how prideful she can be as a result, she can't help but find his empathy and accepting nature attractive even when these qualities often emerge in ways that annoy her. This is fairly detached from anything that could be called escapist.

Shinji going on depressive rants is just as in line with his canon portrayal as the bravery he is capable of harnessing. They both exist for him, but only one definitively wins out by the end of the story. Suggesting that he doesn't "do shit" about his problems is another blatant falsehood. He accepts responsibility for his actions towards Misato, works to help Asuka when she needs him even though he would rather run away at times, confronts his father while standing fast against his nihilistic resolve, all while gradually becoming a more conscientious person as a result (among other examples). Acting as if his self pity is over presented or wholly defines him after this is ridiculous.

"Thematically object" is the last thing I'd call this story, and your evidence for that description is suspect to say the least. Moving characters such as these so far forward doesn't exactly speak to a work that dwells too much on apathy. Nor do their well written personal dilemmas somehow count as gratuitous angst. "What are you going to do about this shitty situation?" It told you. It showed you. Don't abandon the people who need you. Work to understand their pain so that you can help them through the day. One step at a time. If the connection is earnest they will, in turn, extend to you the same courtesy. Fight through the misery and realize you have value as an individual. Don't run away. Keep on living to find your own happiness. The same exact message the original posited ad nauseam. Apparently expanding upon that is neither constructive nor a source of intellectual/moral improvement for readers. Never mind the plentiful anecdotal evidence which speaks to the contrary.

I want to be clear that I'm not saying any of this to defend Genocide as a "perfect" story. There's no such thing, and it has plenty of areas where criticism is warranted. But so little of this review is actually composed of substantive arguments backed up by accurate references. Most of it relies on blatant misinterpretation or incorrect information, in order to make otherwise inane statements seem smarter than they actually are. But of course, that's just my opinion. And if that reviewer or anyone else has actual ideas for ways the story can improve, they may very well be onto something. Just not in this particular case.

for the sake of*

First of all, gotta express commendation for the emotional torque of your work. Whatever your overall impression of the story, that remains a quality that needs to be acknowledged. Your writing flows and the descriptions are both detailed and incisive, helping really bring the reader into the scenes. From a writing mechanics standpoint, this work is near flawless, and people who fixate on the tablet and such miss the forest for the trees, to say the least. The scenes with Gendo are likewise remarkable, the political intrigue, machinations and verbal sparring all delightfully rendered.

But, on the other hand, Asuka can't stop hurting Shinji even after kissing him (calling him a 'little girl' indirectly, telling him to shut up afterwards, and so on, to name but a few instances). This and other details make their relationship practically the *definition* of codependency—a fact which is not addressed in any way, shape, or form in universe—and the ending of the story is, at minimum, disappointing; at worst, disgusting—as it cheapens all they went through. Which is kind of what evangelion does, to be fair, so it's understandable having many people compare this work to a second season of the show. Moreover, it is possible to argue that was the point of the work (you did mention that was your intention), and I respect you creative decision, but stand by my statement. Of course, it could be argued that 'a little codependency is meaningless when contrasted to global issues' which in scope would apparently dwarf such concerns; the whole is made up of details, though, and paraphrasing a Misato from somewhere, "there's no point saving the world if you can't enjoy it", which I reckon is as appropriate as anything in this case.

To continue, lying is given a justification in your work, like that 'everyone lies' tagline, except you say 'everyone lies, go along with it'—and that is patent bullshit. 'Dysfunctional' is the word you're looking for. That excuse could also be a statement uttered by a broken person, which works too. Asuka believing that and her own neuroses might be strongly correlated, after all. Not to say it would be the only factor, obviously.

You also made the point that they have to 'make their own happiness' and then later stuck them in a cage—so much for self determination. It could be argued that they face another choice in there, but another argument could be made that they shouldn't have to make it after all they've been through. It's also funny how Misato went after Ritsuko but couldn't face Gendo. And regarding happiness, from a certain point of view Shinji's conception of the term includes sacrificing part of him for Asuka. Which is not acceptable at all. There's no "relationship" there. There's a corrupted bond instead.

Props for the confrontation between the tablet and Asuka. The psychological probes were exquisitely delivered. Hikari's support of Asuka was another highlight of your work. She earned her place as a character after staying with her when she needed her, and again, same things apply, cynicism is not in short supply nowadays, but that such a situation could happen goes a long way in possibly helping make things right, and that help could be held as an example of what to do. That such a reminder is necessary would be another tangent.

Keiko was mayhaps given more treatment than necessary (and then again, maybe not), but doing so worked to make the point that Shinji's position is a highly undesirable one, and—emphatically—that other people would fold if they were in his shoes. But where your story really shines is in the psychological exploration of Asuka. Uncharted waters indeed, and one of the darkest depictions while keeping a high degree of realism. This makes the relationship they both strike more jarring—and its contrasting lack of realism more apparent. The Asuka you depict would have no incentive to go for Shinji as you show him. That's a criticism of evangelion as a whole, though (the point is Shinji is—again, highly debatable, but let's work with the premise for the same of argument—an unremarkable young boy who has the interest of both Rei and Asuka for no merit of his own—just because [same as his talent for piloting, arguably, as there are observably different ability levels out there]). To expand on this, Shinji does on occasion display the bravery of his canon self, but at the same time displays a tendency for self pity and long depressive rants about how he's unneeded and how be could wash clothes without being in contact with people and and how he was selfish and despicable (and instead of doing shit about the fact he's content with thinking it and then crying about it).

Now, multiple anime run with this formula (of unearned affection), but this work (and your writing) show that you're able to handle that subject matter, which is why I bring this to your attention. Presumably this might be one of the criticisms Anno wanted to make about the escapist fantasies facilitated by anime, which would make their appearance in a work based on evangelion all the more ironic.

Lastly, there is yet another point I must mention, and the main reason I wouldn't recommend your fic, for all of its strengths—and that is the emotional energy surrounding it. Your work is in a way like Steven Wilson's music: technically strict and an impressive display of skill, but thematically object—far too prone to dwell in apathy and (sometimes) gratuitous angst to explore at length (we get it, they're in a shitty situation—the original work made that abundantly clear: What are you going to do about it?). The work is neither constructive nor a means of edification, in other words. Or if it is, you can do better. I would never be so presumptuous as to tell you what you "should" do; the fact you've shared your talent counts for a lot. These are my personal impressions; take them for what they are. Again, your skill is evident, and you've managed to create a compelling work. If you hadn't, telling you all this wouldn't be worth the bother. That's not the case. What you choose to do with the opinions presented, is, evidently, up to you.

To conclude, you mentioned a possible examination of the philosophical themes underpinning the work—sounds really interesting. It'd be cool if it were to happen.

Good writing.

I don't know what kind of black magic you used to produce this miracle, but I couldn't be more thankful for it. Been reading countless EVA fanfics on and off for years. Every single one, without exception, has either left me bored or flat out infuriated at the creative choices made within. Maybe I'm just a masochist for continuing to read them, expecting to find something worthwhile. Then this story comes along, makes me feel like I'm watching the original for the first time all over again, and gets me emotionally invested to the point where a certain scene straight up made me cry. There's no over hyping this. The writing is beyond incredible. Hell, Sadamoto could learn something from this beast. If you want to give us a happy ending, this is how you fucking EARN it. Every fan needs to read this masterpiece. Bye-bye, all of Evangelion.

HOLYYY SHIT THIS IS GREAT

Syd was dead fucking wrong. Get that RE-TAKE nonsense out of here. More of this masterpiece instead please. This is so good that from now on, anytime I rewatch NGE/EOE I'm jumping straight back into it for the end. Congratulations to whoever wrote this.

Wow. Just wow. I came into this expecting yet another slightly above average EVA fanfic. Instead, I got NGE season 2 in the form of a 10/10 novel. No bullshit, it really is that fucking good. One of the best things I've ever read, hands down. I tried for a whole day to come up with anything I could call a major flaw, but the story and characters are honestly near perfect. Any minor issues I and others may point out, pale in comparison to what was ultimately achieved here. I guess I can complain about the typos that pop up every now and then. They're definitely something noticeable but with prose and especially dialogue this great, it doesn't really end up hampering the overall quality.

Unlike the vast majority of my friends, I still really enjoy the Rebuild movies in spite of the mostly justified criticism brought against them. But even I can admit that compared to what came before, they just end up looking woefully inadequate and unnecessary. Deconstructing/subverting our expectations doesn't automatically make a story good. It has to do it in a sensible manner which enhances the story and characters, like OG EVA. I know plenty of other fans share that sentiment. But I think this story stands as a testament to why so many people connected with Evangelion in the first place. The frantic action/pacing that's become synonymous with the films is heavily toned down, in favor of a more deliberate character focused drama which acts as an excellent extension to the original series. That's not to say the action is completely absent or isn't amazing. Just that the story knows exactly where its greatest strength lies.

Every character, both new and old, is treated with immense respect and intelligence. The writing is very much focused on dissecting the bonds that form between people. Capturing how we hurt and care for each other in an effort to fill the void inside our souls, all with impeccable detail. The surprisingly dense themes and symbolism present, only further aid the presentation of these ideas. This is up there with the show and EOE as the absolute best this series has to offer. I guarantee that any EVA fan will find something to love here. I'll probably love 3.01.0 when it comes out, but I'd also bet my life on it not coming close to Genocide as a conclusion for this franchise.

I can't think of another story that presents a more uplifting and well written affirmation of Evangelion's ultimately hopeful outlook on human relationships. Life is often filled with misery, rejection, and hatred. Forces that weigh down on and men and women until living seems like a useless gesture. But if one has the strength to push past them all, they'll also be able to find joy, acceptance and even love. Please do yourself a favor, and give this masterpiece a chance. You won't regret it.

A modern masterpiece. After 3.0, I lost all hope for the final Rebuild film managing to be good. But if there's anything that deserves the tagline "Bye bye, all of Evangelion" it's this story right here. Every fan needs to read this.

A golden cage is still a cage. That said as long as you're with the ones you care about you can still find happiness.

Hikari had it rough after surviving the last chapter apparently, but with some help from her stooge she made it out the other side.

Shinji and the others might have a restricted life, but atleast they are trying their best. Also, he and Asuka kept their promises and never stopped trying to find their happiness. Now they both have something that must be protected.

It was a bittersweet epilouge, but it was also a realistic ending concerning the "children" as "WMDs".

This has been an amazing story. Great Work.

HOLY SHIT THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A CLIMAX!

This chapter was absolutely brutal from shocking character deaths, to shocking ways to kill characters, an absolute asshole of a villain, and absolutely brutal and exciting final fight.

Shinji and Asuka being chased was really tense, especially when they were stuck in the airvent under fire. Asuka doing her best to keep Shinji going when he was scared out of his mind was a great contrast for them. Asuka being raised around military allowed her to act more effectively to the situation compared to Shinji who is the "normal" pilot of the two, but him getting in gear from seeing how hard Asuka was trying to get them both out alive was a good to see. I also have to say I loved how when they reached the cages with Misato's group I found it adorable that Asuka was worrying about herself as Shinji's girlfriend since she couldn't calm him down the same way Misato could. I also have to say it was hilarious that for the big finale you had Shinji and Asuka running around in the Test Plug Suits from Rebuild 2.0.

I was surprised by some of the deaths in this chapter. I figured Gendo and Ritsuko would die, but the way they died was a neat choice. Ritsuko died as a doublecrosser being doublecrossed, karma is a bitch. Gendo died to protect Rei, but when i consider his speech before Kluge showed up and that it took two days to read the chapter I couldn't tell if it was for Rei or a last chance to see his goal realized. Maya's death really caught me offguard. When it comes to Evangelion fanfics Maya usually isn't a character you think will die. Going back to doublecrossing and karma Kluge death was very satisfying The Tablet basically threw everything about the way Kluge does his "business" in his face before turning him and his men into an LCL puddle. That part was real cathartic.

The final fight was just pure epic on both fronts, Unit-01 and Unit-02 vs the Eva Series and Rei vs The Tablet. I was amazed at despite how different the the story had been somethings are just going to happen. Despite going into battle together, and doing pretty well in 2 on 8 situation, once Shinji was trapped by The Tablet because it was using a Kawarou dummy body Asuka still got mauled by the Eva Series. At least Shinji got a little redemption by forcing himself to break free and go on a core crushing rampage. The fight with Rei and The Tablet was interesting for different reasons. Even though Rei was fighting naked, the yin and yang imagery was neat with Rei being the White and The Tablet being the black due to its combat gear. It helped to show that even if they were very similar they were on totally opposite sides of the spectrum. There was also the subversion of Rei trying to save The Tablet, but with it being totally consumed by Asuka's rejection and "not able to compute" becoming something beyond saving and something Shinji could never forgive there was no option to put it down. The Tablet throwing that last little spite at Shinji about hurting Asuka was just it being a sore loser. Also, The Tablet's mindscape reminded me of a warped version of the moon in Majora's Mask with the kid sitting under a tree, but the tree is wall of horrors.

Back on the subject of some stuff still happening regardless of changes Shinji and Asuka pseudo-Instrumentality experience in the merged core was very heartwarming, and less violent since they got their aggression out of the way at the start of the story. I really liked that Shinji got to see/ hear what happened to Asuka torward the ebd of the series proper that was like one of the last things they haven't discussed.

Misato's decision at the end of the chapter was surprising, but it fit with the mama bear mentality you gave her for the story. Her leaving NERV to fend for itself while she got the kids to safety was gutwrenching considering she was leaving close allies like Hyuuga, but it showed the clear priorities for her.

A sidenote since she was strapped to backboard for 90% of the chapter, but Keiko had some interesting moments. Considering that I was getting major Kawaru and Shinji style vibes from Rei and Keiko I wasn't really too surprised that it took the turn it did. I was surprised at how much Asuka seems to have rubbed off on Keiko after they became friends last chapter. Keiko was throwing out some zingers in this chapter.

Once again this was an amazing climax and I look forward to the epilouge.

I didn't expect Keiko to wake up that fast. The way you had her wake up was interesting. Rei gave her the same choice Shinji was given during Third Impact " To stay and not hurt anymore, or to go back and live as best as you can." Keiko didn't comeback magically all better so that was a good balance. Keiko and Rei's new friendship is really endearing, and it has done wonders for Rei's character.

Shinji and Asuka's relationship is definitely something. I said in an earlier review that I was impressed with how you kept Shinji and Asuka themselves at the core, a shy and nervous boy for the former and a confrontational and haughty girl for the latter, and you have managed to keep that up as they're exploring their new relationship. Two of my favorite examples were when they went shopping together and when Asuka invited Rei to join them for lunch. When Shinji got depressed about talking about his mother, and Asuka told him her mom sent her back so she could be happy living. I really liked the way Shinji came to the realization that them shopping together was Asuka trying to include him into her happiness as well, despite how bad she would've wanted to stay with her mom. Asuka inviting Rei to lunch because Shinji about Rei being alone. Just knowing who Asuka is this moment speaks volumes, and she manages to do this while maintaining her haughty attitude.

Misato had an interesting journey too with her confrontation with Ritsuko, her secret dealings with Junicj's friends, and the near abduction of Shinji and Asuka, . That was a tense section. Misato being in full mama bear mode really helped to sell these moments too.

Asuka's "reconciliation" with Keiko was great. The build up through Asuka's confrontation with Miko was very intense and was something I was waiting for. I liked how Asuka refused to apologize because what happened to Keiko was something you can't apologize enough for. Then Asuka being floored by Keiko not hating her was really great. The scene where Keiko starts to almost go into shock during Asuka's visit was a neat "sort-of-redemption" for her. She failed to protect Keiko from Unit-02, but she was able to protect Keiko this time by helping her calm down so she wouldn't go into shock.

The fight between Unit-01 and Unit-02 was "meta-physical" to say the least. Atleast for Asuka it was, Shinji felt every little bit of that fight. The power of love beats the Emerald Tablet, and because it "can not compute" the tablet has become a yandere for Asuka, that was something.

On a sidenote I don't usually see many Gendo redemption moments in fanfics, but the conversation he and Shinji had before Unit-01's activation test were probably the most believible sincere words from him I have read.

Amazing story and yes the epilogue left me wanting more. Hopefully one day you might decide to revisit this. Also what happened to Pen Pen?