Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy
Episode VI: Return of Reality

Chapter 12 – Aftermath; Looking to the Future
January 1, 2017 – Geofront

Shinji awoke within Unit–01's Entry Plug. All he could see around him was darkness inside the Entry Plug as Unit–01 had shut down. He could still feel the tingle he felt in instrumentality, the flicker of power he'd had channeled through his very soul. He felt his body to see if he was all there and sighed in relief.

"So… it worked." Shinji muttered. "I'm back… right?"

Shinji pulled the manual release for his Entry Plug and felt it eject itself out the back, the hatch opened, spilling LCL all over the back of Unit–01. Shinji crawled out of Unit–01 and looked up at the sky only to see Tokyo–3 resting above him, bathed in the glow of the early morning light.

"Yeah… it worked." Shinji said happily as he looked over at Unit–02. "Asuka should be in there… I think…" Shinji mumbled. "I just have to go get her… tell her that is all over…"

Shinji clambered down Unit–01 and over to Unit–02. As he started climbing up, he felt a rush of LCL splash over him and he looked up and saw Unit–02's Entry Plug sticking out. He saw Asuka climb out and begin her decent. Shinji dropped back to the ground and waited for Asuka to climb down. As she dropped the last few feet to the ground, she recoiled as she saw Shinji.

"Asuka, what's wrong?" Shinji asked. "It's me."

"You… you choked me." Asuka stuttered. "You fucking choked me!"

"Asuka, that wasn't me." Shinji said. "You have to believe me."

"I… how do I know?" Asuka asked. "I mean, you almost killed me… how can I believe you won't do it again?!"

"Asuka, what else do you remember?" Shinji asked. "About what happened, I mean."

"Well… I saw the Angel grab you… and then… I felt like I was disappearing… and then there was just white everywhere." Asuka explained. "Then I saw you and I kissed you, but you pushed me away… and we argued for what seemed like forever… and you said such nasty things… I didn't think you were capable of saying that kind of stuff… and then… you… started choking me… you lifted me off the ground… you almost killed me!"

Shinji stepped towards Asuka as she recoiled again. "Asuka, I swear, it wasn't me." Shinji said. "I may be an idiot… but I'm not cruel… I'd never want to hurt you… and I'd never do that to you Asuka… don't you believe me?"

"I… after what just happened, I don't know what to believe anymore." Asuka said. "This could all be a lie again…"

Shinji rushed forward and kissed Asuka gently on the lips before she could recoil. She hesitated for a moment, but then embraced Shinji as she recognized his gentle touch. Asuka had gotten so excited, she forgot to breath and had to pull away just to catch her breath.

"It really is you… baka." Asuka said. "I'm sorry I doubted you."

"It's ok, Asuka." Shinji replied. "It was weird in there."

"So, what happened?" Asuka asked. "I mean with you that is."

"It's a long story." Shinji said. "But it ends with everything getting fixed."

"What?" Asuka asked.

"Look up." Shinji replied.

Asuka looked up and her eyes widened. "What the fuck…?" Asuka said in utter disbelief.

"Like I said, it's a long story." Shinji said. "But at least it has a happy ending."

"So… what should we do?" Asuka asked. "I mean… are we safe?"

"I don't know." Shinji said. "Maybe we should look for Mari and Rei…"

"Wait, wasn't Rei under the hand when you cut it off?" Asuka asked. "Wouldn't that make her… dead?"

"No." Shinji said. "She should have come back like everyone else."

"Come back?" Asuka asked. "From what?"

"Instrumentality." Shinji said. "It's… complicated."

"Well, explain it to me, baka." Asuka said. "I'm not an idiot, ya know."

"Asuka, it's just a lot to explain, and I'm really tired." Shinji said. "I just feel so… drained."

"Fine, but if you don't tell me, I'll beat it out of you." Asuka said.

"I promise, Asuka." Shinji said. "Come on, we should look for those two."

"Who are you looking for, puppy?" Mari asked.

"Well, I'm looking for Rei and… Mari!" Shinji said brightly. "You're alright!"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Mari asked. "I mean… it wasn't the best day, and I'm gonna try and repress most of what's happened for sure, but we're alive, aren't we? And the weirdness is…" Mari looked up. "Didn't that get blown up?"

"Shinji said it got fixed." Asuka said. "But he won't explain it."

"I said it was a long story." Shinji said defensively. "It'll take too long to explain right now…" Shinji looked at Mari. "Besides, I'm not the only one who has some explaining to do about things."

"You know, he's right." Asuka said. "You apparently knew our mothers."

"Well… I mean… how do you know, princess?" Mari asked nervously.

"My mother told me." Asuka said. "Unless that was a dream."

"No… it's not a dream." Mari said sheepishly. "It's also a long story that I don't want to talk about quite yet."

"Why not?" Asuka asked. "I'm not mad… I just… I just want to know what my mother was like…" Asuka blushed. "I mean, you'd know what she was like… right?"

"I would, Asuka." Mari said. "I just… it's still painful to think about everything from before. I remember the world before Second Impact… it's just changed so much… it's a lot to process alone, ya know?"

"Not really." Shinji said. "But you don't have to hide it anymore." Shinji looked down. "And I am… I'm really sorry…"

Mari walked up to Shinji and kissed him on the forehead. "I forgive you, Shinji." Mari said. "I should have told you sooner… I just didn't know how."

"Oh, get over it." Asuka said. "What you need to figure out now is how to tell Misato."

"Huh?" Mari asked. "I can't tell her… she won't want me…"

"We'll tell her together." Shinji said. "When we tell her everything else that's happened."

"Good…" Mari said. "So, should we find our way back? It looks like we're all accounted for. Anyone missing any limbs?"

"Not anymore." Asuka said.

"Well, we still have to find Rei." Shinji said.

"Where, we don't know where she is." Mari said.

"Actually we do." Asuka said. "She came out here and fought with us. Hell, she saved your dumb ass first."

"For us." Shinji corrected. "When Lilith got back up… she got absorbed."

"Well… from my experience, it's not the most enjoyable thing in the world." Mari quipped.

"How would you…?" Asuka asked.

"It's a long story, princess." Mari said. "So, where should we look?"

"You don't have to look." Rei said. "You're all quite loud."

"Rei!" Shinji said happily as he ran to her and gave her a big hug. "I'm so glad you're ok!"

"Why would I be any different?" Rei asked.

"I don't know… maybe it had something to do with you tossing that Angel around like a ragdoll." Asuka said.

"I was only trying to assist…" Rei began.

"Well, you did." Asuka said. "You did better than we did."

"I did?" Rei asked.

"Yeah!" Asuka said excitedly. "But how did you… you know… do that?"

"I…" Rei muttered.

"It's ok, Rei." Shinji said. "You don't have to explain. Mari and I know."

"You were there that night, weren't you?" Rei asked. "When Dr. Akagi destroyed… me."

"Yes." Shinji said.

"Unfortunately…" Mari mumbled.

"I am sorry you had to… see all that." Rei said. "But… you know and you still care about me? The both of you?"

"Of course, Rei." Shinji said. "How could I not?"

"I'm glad your father was so wrong about you." Rei said. "I'm very glad you shot him."

"What?!" Asuka and Mari shouted in unison.

"Oh… yeah I forgot to mention that." Shinji said.

"Listen, baka, you better explain all this to me!" Asuka said. "And that goes for you two too! I feel like I missed all the interesting shit!"

"How about in the morning?" Shinji said. "Once we've slept and everything."

"Sounds good to me." Mari said. "It'll be nice to have us all under one roof again."

"May I go home with you?" Rei asked. "I would rather not be alone anymore."

"Sure!" Shinji said. "I mean… if that's ok with them."

"I'm fine with it." Asuka said.

"I don't mind…" Mari said as she blushed slightly.

"So… how do we get out of here?" Shinji asked. "I mean… where's the door?"

"This way." Rei said.

"No need." Mari said as she pointed to some trucks approaching. "Looks like we've got ourselves a ride."

Asuka recoiled a bit. "Those are NERV trucks, right?" Asuka asked. "I've had enough of the JSSDF for one lifetime."

"No, they are NERV recovery trucks." Rei said. "I have seen them enough."

Shinji couldn't help but smile. "I think we're gonna be ok."

"I sure hope so." Asuka quipped. "I've had enough fighting for a lifetime."

January 2, 2017 – NERV HQ, Living Quarters

It had been a long night. Upon seeing Misato safe and sound, Shinji ran to her and hugged her, but that was the only fun thing that happened for several long and grueling hours. After talking with Misato for what seemed like hours in a debriefing of sorts, Shinji and the others were finally sent to one of the larger living quarters on the base. However, instead of sleeping, they decided to talk, and talk they did. Mari started by nervously explaining her life, or at least what she cared to share right away, her life at school with Shinji and Asuka's mothers. Then Rei explained about her birth, and her powers, and why she decided to help. Asuka didn't say much, she bragged about the fight she had, but other than that, she was just waiting to hear about what happened with Shinji, and what he meant by a long, complicated story. When it was Shinji's turn, it took him a while to explain everything that happened. For Asuka's sake, he left out their activities the night before the battle and told them everything he could about what his father said, about what Misato did, why he shot his father, and then he talked about what happened to Asuka, how he felt watching her die, and then how she was saved. When Shinji got to instrumentality, he stopped. With some polite urging from Asuka, Shinji discussed everything he saw, and his meeting with the astral Rei and Kaworu. Everything he was told he passed on to his friends. And when he finished, they were all very confused and decided to sleep on what they had discussed.

When they woke up, it was very late in the afternoon, and none of them really had processed what had been discussed. So they silently agreed to defer talking about anything until they'd sorted things out. However, Shinji had already sorted one thing out he wanted to get off his chest, and decided to break the silence.

"Rei?" Shinji asked.

"Yes, Shinji?" Rei asked.

"You told us your last name, Ayanami, comes from my… our great grandmother." Shinji said. "Right?"

"That's correct." Rei said. "Why?"

"Well… I mean… it seems wrong you don't get to use my… our mother's last name." Shinji said. "It's kind of unfair."

"Yeah, but your dad's name is Ikari, not your mom's." Asuka said.

"Nope." Mari said. "It was Rokubungi."

"What a fucking awful name." Asuka said. "Shinji Rokubungi… doesn't quite sound right does it, baka?"

"Nope." Shinji replied.

"Well, from what the professor said, he changed because he loved your mother so much." Mari said. "Others just assumed it was to distance himself from his shady past."

"Yeah, loved her enough to want to end the world and get her back…" Asuka mumbled. "What kind of fucking over the top plan is that?"

"The kind of plan that someone who views themselves as having nothing left to lose." Rei said. "That is just how he was."

"Anyway…" Mari said. "The point is, Ikari was never his name, it was Yui's."

"Right." Shinji said. "So this makes more sense." Shinji got up and sat next to Rei. "You should be allowed to use our mother's last name. You are my sister after all."

Rei felt her face grow hot as she blushed a deep crimson. "I… I don't know what to say…" Rei mumbled. "I…"

"Wundergirl, just say yes." Asuka said. "He's right, your DNA comes from his mother, you're basically his sister, and its only fair."

"So, I have a family?" Rei asked.

"As dysfunctional as we are, yes you do." Shinji said.

"Can I… call you onii–chan?" Rei asked.

"I guess…" Shinji said. "I'd be honored."

Rei hugged Shinji tightly. "Thank you onii–chan, for making me feel human."

"You are human, Rei." Shinji said. "You're just more special than most others."

"You've shown me something very important, onii–chan." Rei said quietly. "That the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." Rei smiled. "And I would be happy to do that as your sister, Rei Ayanami Ikari…"

"Oh my god, that's too cute, and I'm sorry to interrupt." Misato said as she snuck in.

"Jesus, stalker much, miso?!" Mari shouted in surprise.

"Sorry…" Misato said. "I was just wondering what you guys were talking about."

"Shinji and Rei are siblings because of her… origins." Mari said gruffly. "And Rei is now calling him onii–chan. That's about it, just a cute sibling moment, ya snoop."

"That's nice and all… but that's going to be a hard story to sell…" Misato began.

"Really?" Asuka asked. "All the lies about Second Impact, and this is a hard sell?"

"Well…" Misato began.

"Long lost IVF baby." Mari said. "His mom's egg, and a donor sperm, meet Shinji's younger half–sister. Parents died tragically, leaving the baby with one Gendo Ikari. Seems to fit along the lines of NERV bullshit we've been getting for a while now, right?"

"Wow… that could actually…" Misato muttered. "But we have other things to discuss besides a name change. Which we will deal with in a few days."

"Like what?" Mari asked.

"Like you can go home tomorrow." Misato said. "For whatever reason, which I still think has something to do with Unit–01's energy spike, and contrary to Shinji's vehement statements he had nothing to do with it, Tokyo–3 was reconstituted and has been deemed structurally safe. So, in the morning, you four can go home."

"What about the city itself?" Shinji asked. "When will everyone… come home?"

"A few days." Misato said.

"And won't you be coming home with us?" Shinji asked.

"Not as the Acting Commander of NERV." Misato replied.

"Why are you in command?" Mari asked. "What about Fuyutsuki?"

"He stepped down." Misato said. "I don't know what he's planning, but I'm the highest ranking officer left as a Lieutenant Colonel, so its all down to me."

"Damn him…" Mari muttered.

"Well, I do have some other news though." Misato replied. "After Rei gave us some direction, we found Ritsuko down in Rei's old…"

"Dungeon." Rei said.

"Yes, that." Misato replied. "She's been taken back into custody, and is safely locked away under heavily armed guard."

"What about my father?" Shinji asked.

"Well… there's no sign of him." Misato said. "But we're still looking, I'm sure we'll find a body soon enough. I mean, you hit him at least twice, Shinji."

"Yeah…" Shinji said.

"Hey, you did the right thing." Misato said. "Don't forget that."

"I won't." Shinji said.

"Well then…" Misato said. "Who wants lunch?"

"I'm not hungry." Asuka said. "I think I want to go back to sleep."

"Yeah, can we?" Mari asked. "It's not like we've got anything to do."

"Well… it can't hurt. I haven't slept in what feels like days…" Misato yawned. "But there's also someone waiting in the hallway for me to let him in…"

"Did you find Kaji?" Asuka asked without thinking, earning herself a look from Shinji and Mari. "What, she said 'he' I just said what popped to mind."

"No… its ok, Asuka." Misato murmured. "Hold on…"

Misato opened the door. "Wark!" Pen–Pen squawked happily as he waddled right up Shinji and tried hopping in his lap.

"He's missed you all." Misato said. "So, you guys can bring him home tomorrow."

"And we'll get some jerky on the way." Shinji said.

"WARK!" Pen–Pen squawked happily as he nuzzled Shinji, and then Asuka.

Rei smiled as she looked at everyone around her. "Shinji, you're right." Rei said as Misato settled down into a chair. "I do have a very dysfunctional family, and I would not want it any other way."

January 5, 2017 – Tokyo–3 South Metro Station

Shinji and the others were patiently waiting at the train station, just outside the main doors. They had left the apartment late that morning, because they had one again decided to sleep in because they had absolutely nothing to do and they had missed being in their own beds. With no school to attend, and no Evangelion related things to do, they really didn't feel like they'd have to get up in the morning. But Shinji woke everyone up to go meet their friends, who they assumed would be brought back on one of the many evacuation trains coming back from Tokyo–2 that day.

As they got to the station, Shinji couldn't help but notice the stream of people coming out of the station already, and wondered how many people had come back.

"Wow… how many people got moved to Tokyo–2?" Shinji asked.

"Well, probably half the population at the very least." Mari said. "And you're sure those four went to Tokyo–2?"

"Misato confirmed it in the evacuation manifests." Rei said. "They left on the late train."

"And I heard it when I said goodbye." Shinji added. "They should be back at some point."

"Yeah, but when?" Asuka asked impatiently. "I don't want to be waiting here forever."

"What do you have to do today?" Mari asked.

"Sleep." Asuka said. "I just want to sleep."

"Well, that can wait." Mari quipped. "It's not like it'll kill you to stay awake."

"Bite me, four eyes." Asuka grumbled.

"Where?" Mari asked.

"Ok, stop you two." Shinji said. "Let's just act like adults and wait patiently."

"Fine…" Asuka mumbled as the group settled in a waited for several hours.

They watched hundreds of people walk by them, some taking no notice of them as they walked past, and others shooing them furtive glances as they hurried home. Finally, after at least a dozen trains worth of people arriving, they finally saw who they were waiting for. Asuka had leaned against Shinji and fallen asleep standing up, braced against her boyfriend. When Shinji moved to point out their arriving friends, it startled Asuka awake, earning Shinji a rebuke.

"Baka, what the hell are you doing?!" Asuka asked angrily. "I was asleep!"

"Our friends are back, Asuka." Shinji said. "I'm sorry though…"

"No you're not, you did it on purpose!" Asuka said loudly, drawing the attention of their friends. "You're mad because I fell asleep!"

"Why would I be mad, Asuka?" Shinji asked. "You're always so cute when you're asleep."

"I… baka… gottverdammt…" Asuka muttered.

"Wow, this is a surprise." Hikari said as their friends met them. "We didn't think we'd be seeing you guys together anymore."

"Well, Shinji pulled his head out of his ass and apologized." Asuka said. "And we're back together, aren't we?"

"What?" Shinji asked. "Yeah… I messed up…"

"But it wasn't all his fault though." Asuka added.

"We know." Toji said. "Shinji explained things before we left."

"And we saw everything!" Sakura said proudly. "Asuka, you fight so well!"

"Huh?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah… how did you see it?" Rei asked. "I doubt the government would show a…"

"Slaughter." Mari finished.

"Some NERV techs hacked into the satellite feed and streamed the whole thing." Kensuke said. "IT was really cool… at least until…"

"Yeah, we know." Shinji said. "I'm sure it didn't look any better from space."

"Nope." Hikari said. "It was… brutal."

"I'm just glad you all came out alive." Toji said. "Hikari thought you guys were goners."

"I did not!" Hikari said defensively. "I just didn't see how they could survive!"

"Hey, relax." Toji said. "I'm only kidding."

"It's not very funny…" Hikari muttered.

"We know you'd never say that, freckles." Mari said brightly.

"We're just surprised the city is still here." Kensuke said in a hushed voice. "I mean, it was destroyed, right? We didn't just imagine that and the battle did we?"

"No, it happened." Rei said. "Everything you saw was reality."

"So… can you tell us about it?" Sakura asked, her voice quivering with anticipation.

"Yeah, but not here." Mari said brightly. "Come with us to the apartment, there's a lot to tell you about."

"How much?" Kensuke inquired.

"Everything." Asuka replied. "No more secrets… I'm tired of hiding things."

"Won't you get in trouble?" Hikari asked.

"Shinji just saved the world, they can't do anything to him." Asuka said proudly. "So any problems anyone has with us telling you can shove it up their ass."

January 8, 2017 – Tokyo–3, Old Hakone Quarter

Rei had gone back to her apartment, per Shinji's instructions, to go get some of her things. Wishing to go alone, she said she would only be a few hours and left. As Rei walked through the somewhat busy streets of Tokyo–3 towards the section that was still being torn down, where her own dilapidated apartment building was. As she got bearer to her apartment, the amount of people and cars around her diminished, and as Rei finally got to her building and began climbing the stairs, she sighed.

"I now know why I was never allowed to move in with them." Rei said to herself. "I was supposed to be isolated from everyone… so that I would sacrifice my life for instrumentality."

Rei looked around her grubby apartment and grimaced. "I could have lived in more comfort if Ikari had let me leave… but I was trapped and unable to do anything for myself… but that appears to be changing."

Rei rummaged around for something to move her clothes in, and found a small, battered suitcase she could use. She began grabbing a few essentials from what little she had and neatly packed the case in less than an hour, pondering something that had been nagging at her since she had begun sleeping at Misato's apartment.

"How will I live so close to Mari?" Rei wondered. "I do not wish to become too close to her again… I may still have feelings for her, but I do not yet fully understand my emotions… and I also can't quite trust her either." Rei grimaced again. "I can understand her hiding her true intentions from us all, but it does make me wonder if she sees my mother in me… and if I'm really the one she's… infatuated with. She's lied this well for so long… she may still be hiding secrets we don't know about yet… something I'm too familiar with to want to repeat." Rei paused. "I should keep my distance for now. But we will become friends again, but that's where it will stop. I do not want to be hurt again by anyone… but I know it will happen, it is inevitable. I also don't want to hurt her again… I think Mari's had enough heartache in her life… and no deserves to have their heart broken by the same person more than once…" Rei sighed. "Perhaps it would be best if I ask onii–chan's advice. He might be able to help me understand."

As Rei grabbed her suitcase to leave she looked around one more time. "I will have to come back here again… but for now… I'm glad I'm leaving my past behind. I just hope it doesn't catch up to me ever again."

January 10, 2017 – NERV HQ

It had been several days since the city had begun to refill. The night their friends had returned, Shinji had shared the true story of what happened with Hikari, Toji, Kensuke, and Sakura, along with Misato, who Mari thought should know the truth, in an unofficial capacity. Everyone was floored by what happened, but were not overly surprised Unit–01 was capable of such a feat. If that wasn't enough, Rei and Mari also explained about themselves, which freaked out their friends a bit, but Misato sat there, unfazed. All she said was to keep all this a secret and to never tell anyone else, and to not discuss it in public, and everyone agreed.

Since that night, things had begun to return to normal, albeit the lack of school wasn't a problem, but it left an awful lot of free time available the pilots had never really experienced before. They hung out and did what they wanted, while Misato had basically moved into NERV, as being in command now took up an extraordinary amount of her time.

After having not seen or heard from Misato for several days, Shinji, Asuka, Mari, and Rei had been called to NERV HQ by none other than Misato. She had told them to get there very quickly. So, with doing little more than getting dressed, the four of them set off to NERV for what was hopefully the last time.

When they got there, they were ushered in under heavy guard as they saw a bunch of people in civilian clothing wandering around giving them funny looks as they passed. They were led to an unfamiliar part of the building and into a conference room with Misato. Three people in nice suits were talking to her as they entered. Misato had a grim look on her face, and as the trio of stuffed shirts walked past, they glanced at the kids and gave disappointed looks to them. Misato followed them to the door and shut it behind them, leaving the kids alone with just her.

"The fuck was that?" Mari asked. "Who were the suits?"

"The United Nations representatives." Misato said. "They were here to inform me of some… stuff."

"What kind of stuff?" Mari asked.

"The official kind." Misato said. "About the fallout from Third Impact… and the fate of NERV."

"That doesn't sound good…" Shinji muttered.

"No, actually, we're not too worse for wear." Misato said. "But it is official… I am in charge of NERV."

"Huh?" Asuka asked.

"I've been promoted to Colonel by the U.N. and been given the title of Provisional Commander of NERV." Misato said. "I'll report directly to the U.N. Security Council, but I'll be in charge of the day to day stuff."

"So… you're not gonna be home a lot anymore, are you?" Shinji asked.

"Not for a few months anyway." Misato said. "There's a lot to go over with everything that's happened."

"So, what's happened?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, why isn't Fuyutsuki taking over, miso?" Mari asked. "He did outrank you, right?"

"Yes, but…" Misato said. "He was taken into custody three days ago by the U.N."

"He what?!" Mari shouted.

"He turned himself to keep NERV safe." Misato said. "He's going to tell them everything, although he assured me that Mari and Rei's true identities will be kept safe."

"Why is he doing that though?" Shinji asked.

"Because of your father." Misato said. "He's not around anymore, he's disappeared and nowhere to be found. So, the U.N. needs to make an example of someone, and he volunteered to be the public scapegoat. He's told them loads of juicy details about what was truly going on here, placed it all on the former Commander's lap. He's spilled the beans on SEELE and what your dad did, and all about the truth behind Second Impact."

"Holy shit…" Mari mumbled.

"He is an honorable man." Rei said.

"Yeah, he is." Asuka agreed.

"So… in the past three days, the U.N. has decided he'll be locked up for the rest of his life in a prison somewhere, medium security though because he's co–operating so much. The U.N. agreed to leave NERV open because of everything he's told them. When they went to arrest the members of SEELE, they had already fled their homes. Fuyutsuki apparently knew their reals names, all very old U.N. Delegates."

"So what does that mean?" Shinji asked.

"Instead of taking to trial where all this information can come out, it'll be kept quiet, Ritsuko will be locked up where no one can find her, and you four are to be left alone."

"Has anyone else been arrested?" Asuka asked. "I mean, there had to be hundreds of people who worked for those nut jobs."

"Thousands actually. Fuyutsuki gave them so much information, the U.N. was able to descend quite rapidly on everyone else." Misato said. "Your grandfather was among them."

"Good, that fucking asshole deserves prison." Asuka said. "What about my dick of a father? Did they nab that fucking cocksucker?"

"No… there wasn't enough information to hold him." Misato said disappointedly. "Sorry that it's not better news, Asuka."

"Scheisse…" Asuka muttered. "Stupid piece of shit is like a worm… always gets away from getting in real trouble…"

"Uh… what about the effects of Third Impact?" Shinji asked.

"There are none." Misato replied. "The sphere of LCL that formed never got too far. It stopped just short of Tokyo–2, and then it collapsed. Everyone is accounted for, even those that died before it was set off seemed to have come back… albeit with memoires of their deaths…"

"I bet those assholes in the tanks won't want to see me or Unit–02 again." Asuka bragged.

"Nor the ones in the cruiser, I imagine." Misato said. "But that won't be happening again."

"I would hope not." Mari said. "You just said we were free and clear. Fuyutsuki took all the blame and placed a load of shit on that asshole Gendo."

"No, it's not that, Mari." Misato said. "From all the indications we can see, Unit–01 and Unit–02 are now completely dormant, like they're in stasis."

"What do you mean?" Asuka asked.

"Well, the S2 Engines are no longer putting out any energy, and the readings from the Cores are at the bare minimum. They're barely registering any activity at all." Misato explained. "The same goes for Unit–00 and Unit–XP's former Cores. No activity whatsoever."

"So what does that mean for us?" Shinji asked.

"As of right now, you're all relieved from active duty." Misato said. "No more sync tests, no more prepping for Angels to attack, none of that shit. You can be normal kids for once."

"What about the EVAs?" Asuka asked. "I mean our moms…"

"No one knows about that but us and Maya." Misato said. "And probably Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko, but they're not here anymore. As far as the U.N is concerned, the Evangelions are a massive asset and will be kept around in case they're ever needed again."

"So we're free of them?" Rei asked.

"Yes." Misato said happily. "But, if the Angels somehow return, which I doubt, you'll all be recalled to active duty."

"So, is that it then?" Mari asked.

"Not quite." Misato said. "Seeing as you're no longer active duty pilots, you won't be able to lie with me anymore."

"What?!" Asuka shouted.

"Misato, that's not fair…" Shinji groaned.

"Total bullshit!" Mari said angrily.

"But… why?" Rei asked sullenly.

"However…" Misato continued. "I've put in papers to adopt you all officially. But before I submit the final bit of paperwork… I want to make sure everyone's ok with that."

"Why wouldn't I be?" Asuka asked. "You're a better parent then I've had in a while."

"I don't mind Misato." Shinji said. "You're my only family anyway…"

"Can I call you mom?" Mari asked.

"You're going to do that for me?" Rei asked.

"So it's settled then." Misato said brightly. "I'll finish the paperwork and send it off." Misato sighed. "However, while you three were already in my care, Rei was not."

"There's always a but…" Mari muttered.

"Until the paperwork goes through, the Commander's orders are still in effect. Rei will have to stay at her apartment at least four days a week, but she can stay with us the rest of the time, and sleep over three nights a week."

"That's dumb." Asuka said.

"That's just how the law is." Misato said. "But in the meantime, we'll need to get a bigger place to fit us all in."

"Wait, we have to move now?" Asuka asked.

"No, we're not moving somewhere else." Misato said. "I own the apartment building, we'll just move into one of the penthouses on the top floor."

"Really?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah, but with me busy here, it'll be up to you four to move us up there." Misato said. "Apartment 1401."

"That's great!" Ari said. "My own room!"

"Yeah, that does sound nice." Asuka said.

"How long before I can move in permanently?" Rei asked sullenly.

"Oh… well it'll be a few months." Misato replied. "But it'll fly by, don't worry."

"Ok." Rei replied.

"So, is that it miso?" Mari asked.

"Yeah, that's everything." Misato replied. "You can all head home now. I just wanted to tell you all this stuff in person."

"We get it." Asuka said. "And… thanks…"

"For?" Misato asked.

"Caring." Asuka said.

"Yeah, it's really nice of you to do that." Shinji said.

"Well, Shinji, do you mind staying for a moment?" Misato asked.

"Sure…" Shinji replied.

"Uh oh, someone's in trouble!" Mari said in a sing song voice.

"Oh, be quiet you." Asuka said as she flicked Mari's ear. "We'll wait for you by the elevator, baka."

"Ok." Shinji replied as the three of them left. "So, what is it, Misato?"

"Well… it's about you and the Evangelion and what you told me about… the other day." Misato said.

"What about it?" Shinji asked.

"Look, I told them I don't think the Angels are coming back… but I don't believe it myself." Misato said. "And if I had to trust someone to keep a secret like this, it would be you, Shinji."

"Why does it have to be a secret?" Shinji asked.

"We're not supposed to have pilots training at all." Misato said. "U.N. orders, but they're stupid orders I'm choosing to ignore for our own safety."

"So what do I do?" Shinji asked.

"A few times a month, you come down and do what you did before." Misato replied.

"Can't I tell Asuka?" Shinji asked. "I don't want to lie to her."

"You can't tell her." Misato said.

"But I need to tell someone." Shinji said. "If I'm gone for long stretches without an excuse, they'll start to wonder what's going on."

"Who would you trust to keep a secret?" Misato asked.

"Well, Mari is the best candidate." Shinji relied. "Rei is good, but she might till Asuka by mistake thinking she already knows."

"So, it's settled. Tell Mari and she'll help cover for you." Misato said.

"Yeah…" Shinji said.

"Are you ok, Shinji?" Misato asked.

"Yeah, it's just…" Shinji said. "I don't like lying to Asuka… but I know why she can't know. She'll want to help too… but I don't want her to have to get back in an Evangelion ever again."

"That's sweet of you, Shinji." Misato replied.

"Still… I just hope Asuka never finds out." Shinji said. "She'll kill me for lying to her."

"Well, I hope the Angels never come back." Misato said. "As long as they don't, you're in the clear, but if they do…"

"Then we're all in deep shit." Shinji replied.

End Episode VI

A/N: I do not own Evangelion or any of the characters, GAINAX and the other distributors of NGE related material do. I am simply using them as a backdrop for my fanfic.

Sync Score Rankings!
Shinji – 250.0% (No Change)
Asuka – 125.0% (No Change)
Mari – 95.5% (No Change)
Rei – 20.0% (No Change)

Not much to say for this chapter, as it's all laid out pretty well, at least in my opinion anyway. Instrumentality has been avoided and the kids get to live somewhat normal lives. Though Misato's fear is real and justified, having her force Shinji to keep his continued training a secret could cause repercussions down the line, but that's for another story. As for right now, everyone is feeling good, and the future looks bright.

The Angels Arc was a lot of fun to write, putting my own spin on the story any EVA fan knows by heart. I think I changed it enough to make a significant difference worth writing everything I did, and I do hope everyone enjoyed it. After 51 chapters of story (cause of that wonderful and successful crossover), and some significant pauses in between, this took the better part of fourteen months to release. I'd like to thank all my readers for your continued support. Even seeing people read the chapters brightens my day pretty significantly. It's been fun so far, but thankfully for anyone who enjoys the story, it's not quite over yet, there's still another story arc to be told.

Next up! Neon Genesis Evangelion: Legacy – Episode VII: Awakenings.

Please read and enjoy!

As I said before, and will always say at the end of chapter, please leave comments, as I would like to try to improve the story going forward any way I can. And, hell, constructive criticism is a good thing.

つづく