… I would never…

His eyes began to open, slowly but surely. Everything was blurry and he could not make out his surroundings. He found himself staring at that same cold metallic wall. The young man winced once at the throbbing in his head. It would seem that the grogginess of his fretful sleep had not departed him.

… Betray you…

Shinji Ikari rolled over on his concrete slab that perhaps could be considered a bed and rested an arm along his brow in a futile attempt to soothe his headache. He gazed lazily above, a few feet above his head. There were grooves… notches engraved onto the wall, as if to indicate the amount of days a subject had remained imprisoned. It had become a habit, perhaps out of desperation or simply out of boredom being reclined to solitary confinement. He had added onto the… previous inhabitant's scratches as if to keep the cycle going.

However, he had stopped doing that long ago… the effort now seemed useless. Where had he stopped again? The grooves numbered 29 days. But it had been longer, much longer now. How long he had been down here in the hole he couldn't recall.

Ikari coughed.

The odor… what started as something merely irritable, easy to ignore was beginning to be a problem now. The young man stank, as he had not bathed since he set foot in here. His hair was beginning to get longer now, more curly, unkempt. He placed a hand on his chin. Was he starting to get a light stubble? Uneven patches on his face? Shinji was still very young, but he supposed that this was part of the process.

Often Shinji would pace around… but he just decided to lay there today. What was the point?

What was the point of anything anymore?

His captors… had been strangely accommodating to his needs. His eyes scanned to the far side of the room, where the massive door was. Scattered across the room were meals. Fine China silverware, gourmet meals, half-eaten or merely untouched, left to rot there. The flies had gathered there it would seem. There were also cups and fine goblets with drink, some spilled some standing tall.

While hunger had at first driven him like a primal need, Shinji had long ago vowed not to eat their food… accept their hospitality.

They had tried… oh they had tried. News of accommodations, a warm bed, a hot shower and, most importantly or perhaps insidiously… a chance meeting with the Grand Master himself.

He stared up at the ceiling.

The ever-present words began to swirl about his mind again, as they had in his sleep.

How could you… he thought gravely, as he replayed those words over and over again in his mind from his beloved. They were a constant source of torment and agony for him. Even now he could only make a fist and stew in anger… at other times during this long imprisonment, the tears came and a complete and utter sense of brokenness overtook him. Perhaps it was the amount of time the young man had stirred over the events… over everything down in his dark place, but the bitter root had begun to develop. And the world…

Let the world rot… There is nothing left for me… thought Shinji.

…Rei… I never would have… the thought trailed off.

So why… why would you?...

Unanswered questions and the silence was his only response. Shinji shrugged, as if expecting nothing less. Perhaps he should have known by now… but he was truly alone in this world after all. Maybe it had been that was from the start but he had just been to blind to see that painful reality.

He closed his eyes and rolled over. Where was the young man's willpower? Where was his resolve for his comrades? No… this Shinji Ikari just wanted to die and be done with it. How cruel and deliberate fate could be at times.

At that moment, a knock was had at the door. He opened his eyes, but did not turn to see who it was… Somehow Shinji felt that he already knew. He stared back up at the grooves in the wall.

"Ikari…" came the voice of one familiar person… one whom he loathed.

Shinji did not feel like looking at him again today.

"Have you come to your senses? Will you see him today…" William said calmly.

The young man, dressed in his long, ornate crimson cape, emblazoned with honors could not be more of a stark contrast to Shinji himself. He held a glass in his right hand. Shinji narrowed his eyes, yet refused to look back at his captor… at the one who had taken everything from him.

The rage began to stew again.

Shinji knew this cell block… in fact he knew this prison very well in NERV.

At one time… you used to be in here… and I was the one looking in through these bars at you… Shinji thought bitterly.

Indeed, this was the very cell where the American had been detained upon his first arrival in Tokyo-3.

I wish you had just stayed here…

There was a redness to Ikari's eyes, it could have been from the lack of sleep, or restless sleep when he did sleep, or his anger. He glanced in the American's direction without acknowledging a gaze to his face.

Traitors… you all belong together… he thought amidst waves of pain.

The American sighed, and turned as if to leave.

"Have it your way Shinji, you are a stubborn one for sure… the only one who can leave this cell is you." William paused, and turned to look back at the miserable young man.

"You know, I remember when I was in here. The gloom… the lonely nights, I've done it all before. Have you forgotten, Ikari…" he trailed off. At this point the American shot him a certain look, and he began to grin. William raised the glass to his lips and took a satisfying drink.

"My master has promised you the substance…" He rattled the glass enticingly.

"The liquid… the water that if you drink you will never thirst again."

Shinji's heart beat suddenly and his eyes widened momentarily. The American looked as if he had finally broken through his rough exterior. The young man frowned as if to hide his reaction, but the jailor could tell that he had his attention now.

"It would be a shame… if you never had this again." William mused. He took the glass and threw the contents onto the floor outside the cell, just outside of Shinji's reach.

Shinji stared at the wet spots on the floor in the hallway.

Yes… it was true. Shinji's thirst… that thirst was perhaps the most terrible thing about this experience, and it guilted him slightly that he should think so much of such a thing. All of the food, all of the drink they had brought him… a normal captive it would have satisfied but Shinji… he simply could not rid himself of that thirst. That thirst for the water in the ocean… the amber liquid…

I'm… so thirsty… he thought. Ikari felt like one who had traversed some great desert. He grit his teeth.

Such a waste… you bastard… he thought, staring at the glittering amber substance.

Perhaps he was casting off what little remained of his pride, but in the end what did it matter? The young man figured he had nothing at this point. But that insatiable thirst… could he really have some?

"…Wait…" Shinji beckoned to him with the wave of his arm.

Ikari breathed deeply, and began to salivate slightly. A bead of sweat glistened down his brow.

"Take… me to him…" he said slowly.

William smiled.

"Excellent."

The American proceeded to withdraw a key from his cuff and insert it into the lock. The bolts turned, and at once, the door swung open.

Shinji blinked. An instinct stirred within him… had he been the man that he was when he first was brought here, he would have lunged for the exit, grabbed at the closest object he could use as a weapon and… and…

However, all he could feel now was a useless sort of wasting away feeling…

… So thirsty…

Truly it was a pitiable condition, but so be it. He stood slowly and questioningly… He walked towards the door and put out expecting arms for his shackles…

William stared at him, perhaps a bit condescendingly. He grinned and nodded towards the left.

"We don't need those… follow me…"

With that, the American strode off at a brisk pace off into the hallway.

Shinji paused, dumbfounded. Somehow that arrogance… brought his rage to a boil.

He took off after him, barely able to bask in the fact that he was finally leaving his cell.

I'll kill you… Shinji thought.

They walked silently, their footsteps clanging off the metallic floor. Shinji had caught up to him and walked at his right side.

He looked towards the one that he loathed.

I'll kill you… after I get the drink and then… and then… he thought aimlessly.

And then what? What was he realistically going to do?

They passed a strange bronze idol of sorts in a dark corner as they reached the end of the hallway. It was… unnerving and strange some of the changes they had apparently made around here. It had been a long time since he was here at NERV-HQ…or 'Zion' as they called it now. The serpent's solitary, bulging eyes somehow seemed to follow the pair.

Was Shinji just giving into his primal desires? How could he just go along with this and follow his captor without question? Especially someone as he? He hated the air of confidence around the young man, the very way he walked in his flowing robes… As if responding to his own qualms, he had long realized that asking 'why' anything was worthless anymore.

The duo passed two Successor military officers heading the opposite direction. They stared at Ikari with a look of shock in their eyes and began to gesture towards William, as if to protest. They shot him nasty and surprised looks. After all, Shinji had been Successor enemy number one, and their top priority for quite a while now. Shinji shot back a look of his own.

Yeah… yeah it's me… step closer why don't you… he thought angrily.

William raised his right arm in silence and sent the men on their way. At least it was something to note, perhaps, that Shinji evoked such a reaction in his enemies. Had he truly been feared at one point? Maybe so.

The pair approached a familiar elevator that was illuminated with red neon lights. William inserted his keycard and the metal doors slid open. Wordlessly they walked up the stairs. They were currently at floor -75, yes that was the cell deep within the heart of the base. O-block it had been called? The American punched floor ten and the vehicle in the shaft began to traverse upwards.

As it rose, they would pass a brief neon flicker of light that illuminated from the outside, signaling they had risen a floor. There was only darkness outside in these lower parts.

William sighed.

"My master knew you would come around…" he said.

Shinji said nothing.

William turned to look at him with a smug expression.

"Do you have any questions for me? I'd be happy to answer… anything about your comrades perhaps? After all you haven't seen them in a while…" he let the question linger.

This young man, apparently heralded as the Successor's 0-rank Evangelion Pilot and the heir Successor to the Grand Master, surely knew how to get under Shinji's skin.

My Comrades… he thought.

A dark look came over Shinji in that moment. He was gracious, however, that William did not include himself to be among Shinji's comrades. The façade was long over. After all he had shot one of his… 'Comrades' in the face at point blank.

He shot him an angry look, unconcerned with the consequences.

I am my only Comrade… I was all along… the thoughts which had so suffocated him during his time of isolation resurged, but he would not let them brim to the surface, not here, not now.

"I have nothing to say to you… Let's just get this over with." He said coldly.

William grinned slightly.

"Suit yourself."

They continued their upwards ascent for a time, standing in a forced, tense silence as they awaited their arrival on the tenth floor.

As they cleared the ground floors, a bright ray of sunshine began to shine through the glass windowpane. They were now back in the massive Geo Front.

About this time, Shinji began to experience a… strange sort of Nostalgia as they went further and further into the familiar sights. All of the times he had traversed these halls, all of the times he had risked his life for NERV and the citizens of Tokyo-3… was it nostalgia or a sense of horror and lingering meaninglessness that filled him now?

Perhaps it was simply an ever-present ache within the young man… sadness?

When they reached their destination, the young men exited the elevator and began to traverse the hallways of Zion. Here there were far more Successors than there had been at the lower levels.

A female technician with a clip board hurriedly passed in front of them, and the woman shot Shinji an utterly shocked look. Shock, mixed with a bit of fear perhaps. Shinji stared her down. Somehow, he did not mind that reaction in her.

A buzz began to fill the halls, and soon they were the object of everyone's attention. Officers, technicians, and nurses gaped at them. Some coldly, some with a sense of intrigue, some were aghast. Murmurings and utterances arose left and right around every corridor.

A group of Successors began to block the way momentarily, inquiring of William.

He raised a commanding arm.

"It is alright… I am taking him to see the Grand Master."

There were eyes… too many eyes around them all now. All focused on him. He had become some sort of spectacle. At first he shot them angry glances, but Ikari began to look through them all, all those Successor glances. It was the least he could do lest all those eyes drown him out. He was only focused on that elixir that he would receive at the end…

Strangely, Shinji did not see anyone here donning a United Nations uniform. Wasn't this place supposed to be jointly staffed? He could have pondered that line of thought further but decided not to.

As they walked further on and away from the crowds, William spoke.

"You know Ikari… rumor has it that there are big plans for the Green Beast in Berlin."

Shinji stared onwards and said nothing.

Why does he think… I care about that… he mused.

Why was he trying to converse with him? To talk to him as if they were on the same side or as if he was some lackey Successor personnel? It infuriated him to no end that he was talking, let alone telling him of some plan which did not concern him. Did he forget who he was?

"That's someone I… suppose I should let you know is alive." William muttered with a strange expression.

Had Shinji not been so angry, and had it been a different messenger, perhaps that would have piqued his interest. After all, he recalled pursuing the girl, Alice before. But he thought nothing of it now. Well, perhaps he would not have minded if she, being the traitor that she was, was dead but so be it.

Or rather, was the American merely teasing or mocking Shinji for denying his request to learn the status of his more… immediate 'comrades?' Ikari wouldn't put it past the him.

After another insufferably long hallway, they came upon a familiar sight. Shinji looked at the locker rooms and adjacent showers.

William beckoned towards the structure.

"You will not see the Grand Master looking like that… clean yourself up. My master is… particular about certain things."

Shinji grit his teeth slightly, yet he did as he was commanded. He stepped into the shower room, not responding to the obvious slight to his person. At this point, the memories began to flood his mind.

"There is a change of clothes for you in locker 01" William called after him.

The last time he had been in here, he had been together with several of the UN pilots after their joint NERV/UN training exercise. It was a ways away from the gigantic testing room that tested for their EVA synchronization ratios. At that time there had been a ray of hope, a certain banding together to face an uncertain future. Now, Shinji stood alone in that cold, lone shower room.

A faucet dripped a drop of water onto the floor.

Now, many of those he had stood with before were either dead, missing, or Ikari wished them to be dead. How times had changed.

As Ikari disrobed himself, he let his mind wander. If only he had known… if only they had known the treachery of these people at the time…

He let the warm water flow over his body. It was very soothing. Shinji had not showered in ages, and it felt good to the touch. Steam began to rise. As the dirt and grime left his person, one part of him would have liked to think that the water was somehow cleansing him of all his filth. That maybe he would emerge from this as a new and cleansed.

However, reality was reality. Shinji stood alone in this room whereas before he had been surrounded by comrades. It was akin to a scene of defeat. He hung his head in shame as the water poured over him.

The fact that he was here in the first place… that it had come to this… that he would speak with Jacob… what had happened? What had gone wrong? That he would sacrifice everything he had fought for before for a sip of the ocean?

But no, there was nothing for him in this life anymore. Maybe he should just accept the present as it was.

Almost inexplicably, an image of Rei Ayanami flashed in front of his mind. Those crimson eyes.

No… not now… he thought. As the water washed over him, his eyes threatened to well with tears anew. But why now? He had been through this already time and time again in that decrepit cell of his. There was no hope for him. A single tear escaped his eyes and it was soon washed away with the water.

Utter defeat. Had that always been his fate? How pitiable and miserable he truly was.

Shinji turned the faucet off and grabbed a towel. He turned towards the mirror and grabbed his face. He noticed the stubble that lined his chin, cheeks and neck. He stared at himself long and hard. The bags beneath his eyes, the tone of his face…How haggard he looked now compared to back then … it was as if the life had been pulled from him long ago.

Ikari dried himself and went towards the locker. The clothes included a tunic of some kind with words in an unknown language to him, lined with strange inscriptions and symbols, as well as two ornate bronze wristbands. On his breast was the mighty eagle. This was Successor regalia. What the words said and what the symbols meant he could only guess. He was also gifted briefs and a pair of slacks, which appeared more normal thankfully.

Shinji sighed and put on the strange garb.

They mean to make a mockery of me… he thought. Perhaps he was to be touted as some sort of Successor slave. Maybe he was to be shown about as the one that the Successors had conquered.

He squeezed his right hand into an angry fist and stared at it.

Remember… I will kill you… he assured himself. Maybe it's all he could say to comfort himself and take him out of his hapless condition. After all they could take away all his pride, they could take away his dignity, they could chain him up again, but he still had his ever-present comrade: his rage.

Shinji emerged from the locker room to find William leaning against the side of a wall.

"Good." The American declared after looking him over.

He beckoned him forth, and the two proceeded to walk in silence again. It was a proceeding that was agonizing and tense.

Where they walked, the narrow corridors slowly became wider as they began to find themselves in the main walkways of the former NERV-HQ. From here, Shinji knew that the Emergency Room terminal was but three hallways down. And judging from the way they were walking…

They were coming upon his father's old council room. It was a central hub in NERV, and the size was enormous. There had been rows and rows of computers with technicians working furiously… There had been military officers lining the decks, watching from behind the glass. It was one of the first spots where visitors had been lead to upon visiting NERV-HQ, and people of every kind of partaken of operations from there. There had been NERV and UN staff, government and military advisors and diplomats all buzzing around that huge command center. The size was simply enormous

And yet… something began to feel different now. They made their way down the familiar path, but now burning torches lined the hallway. It gave Shinji… an unsettled feeling. Also more of those strange bronze statues appeared in the dark corners. There was now one every teen feet or so, and they all resembled animals or mythological beings with terrible expressions. The scene was… disturbing to say the least.

"You will meet with my master in his Great hall." William said, as they finally approached the entrance to the council room. Now, it would seem the sliding metallic doors had been replaced by some doors wrought of bronze and gold that swung open from the sides.

The American nodded at him and stood in place. Apparently he would not be accompanying him inside.

Without warning, the great doors which were perhaps fifty feet tall swung open, as if of their own accord.

Hesitantly, Shinji stepped into the great cavern that had been the council room. He glanced around. All the computer terminals had been uprooted. The room was hardly recognizable to what he remembered. What stood before his eyes seemed like something rather otherworldly. The idols stood all about the room, each one locked in place and yet apparently dancing in some nefarious fashion. Great banners streamed from the ceilings, all bearing the mark of the Successors. The perched eagle was on one, an all-seeing eye was on another. Great columns had apparently been chiseled into the walls out of something resembling marble. Rows of tables were laid out with food and drink of every kind in a very elaborate display, as if prepared for some feast.

And at the far end… he noticed the great golden throne, and on it the silhouette of a man that was too far off to see from his vantage point.

…Jacob… Shinji thought. He frowned slightly.

The young Ikari had never seen this man, the Grand Master to the Order of the Successors in person before. He had only heard things after the fact, and could only imagine what sort of person he might be, and what sort of… deals had transpired between he and his father.

Without warning, he began to feel… something stir inside of him. It a word could be used to describe the sensation, perhaps it would be fear. A great fear began to take hold on him… fear mixed with power? From that far end of the room he could feel an immense pressure. Shinji narrowed his eyes.

What… is this… he thought bewildered. The more he seemed to stand in there, the more fearful and unsettled he became. Somehow all he knew was that this man… the leader… was exceedingly powerful. It was as if there was some unseen energy in the room, he could not explain it.

The Grand Master sat with one leg crossed over the other, lounging on his throne with a cup in his hand. His garb was reminiscent of a Victorian-era commanding officer in fine red, with the longest cape Shinji had ever seen flowing about him.

Jacob waved one arm towards him.

"Shinji! I knew this day would come… please come closer." The man said with a grin.

Shinji took footstep after slow footstep towards the Grand Master. With every step, a sense of dread began to well within him. A bead of sweat rolled down his face. Where was his anger? All of the things he had thought of these… Successors. All of that resolve, all of that loathing. It was being drowned out by one thing:

Fear. He had never experienced anything like it.

How… powerful is he… Shinji thought, never taking his eyes off the man.

He was halfway towards his throne, surrounded by countless tables and chairs.

"Please… help yourself." Jacob said. He pointed at a table where there were many fine goblets arrayed. And in those glasses were…

Shinji's eyes widened, and his mouth instantly watered. All at once, that primal desire welled up within him. The amber liquid… it was everywhere. It was in abundance. Glasses lined the tables.

Shinji looked up at the Successor with a quivering look, as if to ask if he could. His body somehow began to tremble with excitement.

"Have…as much as you want. I know you are thirsty" Jacob murmured, with a somehow melodic sounding voice.

Shinji felt a ravenous thirst, a desire that was tangible to lust. It's how much his body craved the substance. At once he threw caution to the wind and reached the first glass. He drank long and deep of it.

…So good… he thought. It was as if the drink was all that mattered at the moment. His previous thoughts began to… dissipate.

He downed the drink quickly. Without thinking he reached for the next container and drank lustfully, the amber liquid seeping down the sides of his cheeks.

Jacob arose and began to chortle lightly, taking step after step towards the young EVA pilot.

"Drink up… don't stop" Jacob proclaimed.

Shinji's eyes darted to and from all of the glasses in front of him. He felt it nourishing his body… and he wanted more. His desire… could not be expressed in words.

He reached for a third. Then he reached for a fourth.

Jacob's laugh became slightly louder as he approached the desperate young man.

"The drink it is with me… You will never thirst again." He declared in a powerful voice.

Shinji simply could not stop himself. He slumped to his knees in a sort of ecstasy mixed with lust and desire. Never before had he experienced… such things. Inexplicably, it was as if it was beyond the physical.

He looked at Jacob, he stood a mere ten feet away from him now. Shinji arose, yet he swaggered from side to side, as if drunk. Perhaps he felt drunk, but it was pure bliss to that eternal yearning he had for the amber liquid. His vision blurred slightly.

At once, he realized how he had behaved in the Grand Master's presence. Somewhere in his mind he knew that was probably not appropriate, but he simply couldn't contain himself.

After he drank of the substance, his sense of danger began to decrease… he had trouble recalling what he had been thinking about upon entering the room. A euphoria settled over him somehow.

"Shinji, I knew that your desire would lead you to me…" Jacob said in a strange, guttural voice. But it mattered not to Ikari.

Jacob took stride after stride closer to his position. Shinji leaned on the table, barely holding himself up with one arm, while his other reached feebly for another glass.

"But first… as for you…" Jacob murmured slowly…

Jacob stretched out his arm towards Shinji and grabbed him by the shoulder. He said something in a tongue unknown to Shinji.

Shinji's eyes widened in shock and he experienced… pain? The half of his body that the Grand Master had touched began to transform… mutate in front of his very eyes. He watched himself come apart as some… hideous thing emerged, an enormous, otherworldly looking pale white-blue entity that took up half of his body and grew in size. It was as if he was splitting apart, never had he experienced something so horrible. Shinji yelled in pain, not comprehending what was happening or how he was still alive. Shinji's other half roared and its tongue flared wildly.

Ominous feelings of anger, rage, lust desire, all flooded to the surface. His eyes looked to all directions wildly.

"Don't think that you could escape me just because you've found death… Robert…" he hissed out the last word slowly and viciously.

Lights flickered in the room and a great darkness seemed to fall on both of them. The pressure was enormous. The man known as Jacob emanated a terrible presence. It was overwhelming.

"Don't think that you'll escape your punishment in the next life… No one walks away from me. NO ONE! You see what you intended against me… I have used to my advantage. See he has come to me. In the end, everything happens according to my purposes." Jacob declared in a haughty voice.

The thing that was Shinji flailed about wildly. Shinji stared at himself… stared at Jacob with the half of his body that was human in pure disbelief. He felt the insanity welling up within him. Reality was coming apart within him and it felt as if a sword had hacked him in half. The splitting pain left him with his mouth open. The… thing that Jacob clutched, his other half, roared and flailed about wildly.

"EVERYTHING!" Jacob screeched in a voice so horrible as his mouth widened in a grotesque way.

Shinji felt as he was dying, how could he not die now? His mind began to crack apart and come apart at the seams. dazzling colors filled his vision followed by gray. Then there was darkness.

Shinji opened his eyes slowly.

Jacob sat in a chair a few feet in front of him, staring into his eyes with a large grin.

…What….? He thought.

He looked around… Shinji was in a large room filled with tables. Banners flew overhead and in front of him was… the Grand Master.

Shinji turned his head, confused at his surroundings. He felt… a splitting headache that he could not explain.

When… did I get here? Ikari thought.

He did not recognize this room or arriving here. His memory was… foggy. Wasn't he in a jail cell before?

"How do you feel?" the Grand Master asked.

Shinji breathed heavily. It suddenly came to him that he was in front of the leader of the Successors.

He stood up with a look of shock.

Jacob! He thought hurriedly. He was in front of the man that had so desperately fought against him, captured him, and caused misery in the land far and wide. He felt an immense anger towards the man before him.

"It's okay Shinji… drink. There is plenty here."

Jacob handed him a glass.

With a trembling hand Shinji took it. That unquenchable desire returned to him and he took a sip. It seemed to… calm him somewhat.

He stood there unable to comprehend anything, and his memories seemed to escape him.

At that point, Jacob began to pace back and forth.

"Shinji, I know what you feel… I know what it's like to have my comrades betray me… I have been deserted by my very own." He declared.

At that point Shinji took a seat as the knife began to dig its way into his mind, searching his being and bringing out his most painful moments.

…Rei… the young man thought helplessly.

The red returned to the young man's eyes and the pain came to him all at once. How alone he felt at this moment, and utterly deserted.

"I can answer everything for you, Shinji… why you desire to drink of the forbidden water. I can harness your powers, and help you come to terms with yourself."

Ikari stared at the floor and tears began to well in his eyes. He could not help but ask one burning question. Even though he was at the ends of the earth, even though there was no hope anymore, even though nothing else mattered.

"Where…" Shinji began slowly.

"Is everyone?" he finally asked.

Jacob stared at him.

"Of course. As for Alexander… would it suffice to say that he's… hospitalized here at Zion?" he said.

But honestly, he was the last person from Shinji's thoughts.

Rei…Rei…

Shinji looked up at him.

"Where is she?" he said.

A silence filled the room.

"Where is she!" he nearly yelled it out that time.

Jacob grinned.

"Rei is among us… and is doing very well. That is… all you need to know."

Shinji stared at him, feeling the rage rise within him.

At that point Jacob walked closer to him, until he was right in front of his face. He brought up his hand to his mouth and spoke in a low voice, as if to tell him some secret.

What he said was the last thing in the world that Shinji would have expected to hear.

"Hey, Shinji… would you like to be my official Successor?"

Shinji's eyes widened in shock at that moment.

The Grand Master smiled.

"You have… an untold potential about you. I want to harness it and… bring it to fruition. Also, truth be told, I am tiring of William…"

Shinji gaped at him in the Great Hall.

… Does it ever feel… like everything was a lie…?

A flash of light. The eye drifted lazily to the side. A wordless sigh.

Strange men were shouting and applying clamps to the torso. A torrent of red spurted forth, covering the men in white. Everything was shaking.

The eye stayed there, locked in position while the veins began to show. Eventually it began to lose focus and roll upwards into the eyelid.

Darkness.

…

A single candle came into view in the dark room. It flickered momentarily, until a figure came into view. The wicker burned and flickered, illuminating the face of Jacob, while he stared unwaveringly onwards into the seeming void.

The candle came across another figure, poised in the darkness. The man known as Michaels stood hunched over, facing away from Jacob.

…Does… it ever feel…

The thought trailed off. Why… did it feel so sad though?

The two stared off into the blackness.

At once, the viewer was taken into a room of sorts.

The watcher felt their heart beat in their chest.

An all-to-familiar scene began to play out…

..No…Please…

Gurgles and gasps could be heard, the struggle could be felt…

The woman hanged in place, limply swaying back and forth.

Blood began to reach her eyes while her sickly gasps for life could be heard. The woman's pain, her fear was palpable. Her arms struggled feebly against the noose, as if regretting their decision but lacking the strength to turn the course of events.

At that moment, as if by an unknown sinister hand, the noose began raising itself higher towards the ceiling, further exasperating the woman's agony.

…What…?

The woman's eyes now began to stick out unnaturally from their sockets. A grimace was plastered on her face as her mouth gasped for oxygen, yet none could enter her body. Blood trickled down her frame. The gentle sway of the body became more violent, and a loud noise could be heard in the distance.

No…No…NO!

The young woman could take it no longer. As her eyes began to well with tears, she turned away from the horrible sight and began to run.

Asuka's eyes instantly turned blood shot and she screamed.

"Hey!" the man exclaimed.

The young German girl opened her eyes. They were bloodshot as she examined her surroundings.

Her body… was wrapped head to toe in bandages. The pain of waking at that moment… she felt that perhaps it would be better were she dead. She lay on a stretcher while and IV of sorts trickled fluids into her left arm.

The man was dressed as some sort of military officer… A fine brown jacket, aviator sunglasses, donning an all-encompassing helmet.

He turned to his partner.

"Psh… yelling in her sleep again… if it was up to me I would have killed the bitch myself."

Asuka's face turned into a grimace. Perhaps she did not notice it before, but the pain… the immense pain. She froze there momentarily, unable to believe that she could be in such a desperate condition.

The other man jeered at her.

"Yeah, yeah you're in pain… you've caused more pain than you can imagine… consider yourself lucky, girl…" he trailed off.

At that point the memories all came back to her. The intensity, the heat of the battle flashed before her mind.

…So…

"… I failed…?" she asked weakly. She was so bewildered at that fact. What was supposed to be a routine, quick assignment had found… some complications. That these rebels had a beam weapon of that caliber, that the Mass Eva Units would attack her… hell they even resorted to nukes.

Her hand trembled slightly.

"Yes, you did." The man's co-pilot interjected, and looked at her with a face full of anger.

…Jacob… she thought in vain. How could she have failed one such as himself? How could she fail the glory of her master? The questions began to mount. Surely he wouldn't forget about her… surely he would come after her… right?

"But you did manage to kill scores of our compatriots… dozens of my friends are dead thanks to you! By all rights you should have been left for dead… or at least executed. If it wasn't for that man's strange request… Heinrich Schäfer…"

Despite the pain, Asuka lay there in shock at these revelations. How could she, Asuka Langley Soryu lose to such a rag-tag force, these Russian scum using obsolete weaponry and not even marshalling a proper EVA unit? She was bested by a Mass Production EVA Unit! The thought was insufferable and beneath her.

What the… fuck… how is this possible?

But that name piqued her interest… why did that name seem familiar? She could have sworn she had heard it before.

…Heinrich…?

Something seemed to tug at her memory, and she did not know why. She was certain she had heard that name uttered somewhere before…

"Who is that?" Asuka asked.

The two men looked at each other.

"No more questions for you, traitor. All will be explained in time…"

Asuka held her tongue, assuming that it was not a good idea not to let a fiery reproach land her in further consequences. Also the ache… that dreadful ache she felt across her entire body began to spread to the bones in her face. She looked down at herself.

When the Mass EVA unit punctured her…

She dare not guess how much of her torso remained, underneath the bandages and white sheets… she knew that she should not be alive right now.

A voice in Russian spoke over the communication device. The other man responded via the transmitter.

"Roger, we are now preparing our descent towards the Eastern seaboard, Kamchatka 0910…" he rattled off numbers that had no meaning to the German.

The Massive B-2 that had been rigged for transport whirred through the sky.

The captain turned back gave her a menacing look.

"We're turning you over to him… gods only hope there is some torment in store for you."

Asuka stared up at the ceiling and grimaced.

Dignified. Resolute. Solemn.

He stood there with arms crossed in front of his midsection. The man donned a black suit, decked with military regalia, slacks, and dress shoes. A fine flag-officers hat donned his head, embroidered with olive branches around the side, and a eagle perched on an anchor top and center.

The young American man was with him. He donned a plain t-shirt and jeans. A proper civilian look.

They waited in some sort of terminal that was partly underground. A few Russian guards walked around, but otherwise the scores of seats remained unoccupied. No-one was behind the help-desks and the walking conveyor belts had long ceased to function. Yes this "airport" seemed to be long out of service.

A single shoddy brick building stood at the surface, nearly covered by the surrounding forest. Perhaps they had missed it in the initial invasion, or perhaps this location had been deemed unimportant by Zion. Regardless, Asuka's fury had avoided this location.

Perhaps if they had known what else was going on at this undisclosed location… they would have hit it first.

A guard gave him a strange, curious look, but nodded in his direction. Were they civilians or enemies, there was no way they would have had access to this base.

However… since the death of the Great Marshal, Vladimir, a man who had dreams of restoring the pride of the USSR and bringing the Russian people to greatness, it was… complicated. Michaels was not seen as a leader of the Russian forces, to be sure, but he was… tolerated seeing as how he came to Russia's aid. And yet, technically, he held the greatest rank in Russia at the moment. All other of the highest ranking Admirals, Marshals, Generals, and Admirals had been lain to rest in Unit-02's fiery rampage. Technically he did possess a commanding rank, albeit he himself was a defector from a rival power…Yet, despite this, many of the spetsnaz members had personally saluted him in welcome as one who saved Mother Russia.

As for the American, there was a warrant that had been on his head for a while, cast over the Successor dominated airwaves. However, the Russians were not about to turn over this fugitive.

Yet, he knew that Russia as a fighting force was done in terms of geopolitical events. Should his fellow Successor's decide to march northward, it was only a matter of time. Yet, he wasn't about to further dishearten his allies with that information.

Michaels sighed. It would be soon that he would be re-united with Asuka…

At that moment, the doors opened. A few people walked through surrounded by 4 spetsnaz soldiers escorting them. They seemed to be civilians.

A convoy…? Michaels thought in surprise. But it was far too early…

Suddenly, he realized what these people were here for.

William observed the arrivals casually, and looked questioningly at Michaels.

As they walked down the deserted isles of that place, Michaels spotted one man that looked… familiar.

William had a strange look to his face as he gaped at the man.

"Michaels… I saw him…"

Where have I seen him before… he thought.

The man walked forward, constantly staring at the ground. He casually gazed upwards and stopped in front of the pair, looking at Michaels with shock.

He looked… haggard, sickly. His facial hair was unkempt and his clothes stank.

Ah, I remember you…

He was one of the UN diplomats who resided at Tokyo-3, at around the time of the Third impact. He… doubtlessly would not have a good opinion of himself he figured. Well, seeing as how he had murdered the head UN envoy in cold blood in front of everyone.

"… When I heard that one Heinrich Schäfer had arrived, I couldn't believe it." He said.

The Spaniard coughed.

William stared at him with a sad sort of look.

"What are you doing in these parts… Ambassador Sergio, was it?" Michaels asked.

"I… was told things about you… that you were the key to it all. I was trying to find you… but I guess none of that matters anymore…" the Spaniard said feebly.

He must have joined the resistance…? Michaels mused. The Spaniards answer only posed more questions without answering anything.

This man… it was as if the life had been squeezed out of his eyes.

Strangely, the man began to laugh.

"What are the odds, you were here all along… The man who vanished without a trace…" he said, but perhaps he was speaking more to himself.

Michaels looks began to show some irritation as these casual references to himself. His eyes began to narrow.

Clearly he's been privy to some intel… he thought, clearly irked with what the decrepit man was saying. Nevertheless, it did not matter.

"Are you here for Soyuz S-13…?" Michaels asked pointedly, steering the conversation in another path.

"…Yes…" Sergio replied slowly.

William continued to stare at him.

A guard said to move along in Russian. Apparently their conversation was delaying their departure.

"Why are you going?" Michaels asked.

At that moment, the Spaniard put a hand on Michael's shoulder.

"… I am done for this world… I think we're all doomed." He said ominously. He gave Michaels a parting glance. At that time the group began walking at fast pace towards the far edge of the terminal.

Michaels sighed.

Well that sentiment is definitely unheard of around here… he thought sarcastically.

It was not something to inspire hope or confidence, especially for the young man beside him.

"… Good luck… May you… find what you're looking for…" Michaels hollered after him, albeit half-heartedly.

"Good luck." William mimicked after him, perhaps sounding more sincere than he had.

While the convoy disappeared to some lower level, William stared up at him.

"What is Soyuz S-13…?" he questioned.

Michaels glanced at him.

"The Soyuz space programs date back to the soviet era. It is well… consider it a last-ditch effort to re-establish with their now defunct Soviet lunar base that was unofficially established in the 1970s and reclaim it…"

Yet their odds of success… doubtful. Zion has air superiority as well as completely controlling space. Other such attempts have been shot down before. There's also the problem that they assume such a base would still function, or worse that it hasn't been discovered by Zion on the far side of the moon or destroyed. And once they are there…

He omitted this piece of information from his protegee.

William seemed puzzled by this revelation.

Michaels continued.

"Officially it is a means of continuing the war effort, should the motherland fall… they would be able to harass their communications and…" he droned on.

But this is really just a one-way ticket chance to escape earth…

Michaels turned back towards where the convoy had descended.

No… maybe that man, Sergio had the right of it as far as the humans were concerned. After all…

If these people only knew the plans that Jacob has for this world… Every poor bastard would be fighting to get on that ship. For the Third Impact was merely labor pains compared to what's coming. The Husks are a mere foreshadowing. No, this world has not truly known terror yet… This world has not known Apocalypse.

William nodded after that explanation, apparently lost in thought.

A couple minutes later, a great fire could be seen from outside of the windows That were near the ceiling, just above ground level. The world became incredibly bright, and a thunderous noise could be heard.

William covered his eyes with an outstretched arm and Michaels looked on.

… Good luck indeed… he thought, as the spacecraft began its launch.

Everything was blurry. A world of green danced before his eyes. The shadows at the end of the room moved to and fro. The pain in his head returned like a tidal wave.

Suddenly, the unseeing eyes regained their sights, and it was apparent that he had been seeing double. The shadows slowly became the visible signs of bars, and those pairs of bars that so danced before now merged into one solitary, unformidable cage. The world of green swirled all about him, but cognition returned to his mind.

"Alice!" he grunted in pain. Like some horrible nightmare it all came back to the young man. Everything that had transpired with the Green Beast. Right until she...

He looked down towards his hand. His flesh was still missing and now... there was something emitting from the open hole. Some sort of puss and irritated red skin all around it. Was his hand twice the size it should be? Who knew.

"Where did they take you..." he murmured, thinking of the girl.

Makoto turned to the left and the right in a frantic panic. How long he had been here he could not say. But here he stood, chained in the upright position by the neck in a tube of strange green-looking LCL. His vision grew worse by the day. An insatiable hunger and thirst began to grip his throat... and his head... his head would the pounding ever stop? There was no mirror in that place, but he had felt his own flesh, face included and... well, it did not feel natural. Absurdly, he thought he may have cancer as something that felt malignant could be felt lobbed right on top of his right temple, and the diseased skin began to droop into his eyesight slowly.

All in all he had been a miserable creature since his abduction. Makoto lowered his eyes to the floor.

"It's over..." he murmured. He knew he could not survive this sentence.

"I can only hope that... Alice is in a better place than me..." he thought gloomily. Every one of his fears had been proven in sequence. The bizarre abductions that seemed to happen to his human comrades... the hours of recording the terminal systems, all his work. Everything he had fought in vain for gone, in an instant when Alice displayed that... behavior, and he was quickly apprehended. What had happened to her? What was happening to him? He felt that he would get no answers to this questions somehow.

After all, from what he could tell, the young man currently resided in a ... deep dark place. A chasm of sorts. Somehow he knew that it was Zion, perhaps some old discarded tunnels from it's NERV-HQ days deep in the dark earth? But there were no numbers down here... He was deep down in the dark earth, save for a single neon tube that jutted out from the ceiling, as if barely illuminating much, adding to the great sense of unease. Several empty test tubes stood beside him in his prison... and across the room was a solitary desk which was next to a heater looking device if he could describe it as such. It looked and felt like he was in some ominous boiler room. The device was connected to a few pipes that disappeared into the dirt ceiling.

Suddenly, steps were heard around the corner from far off to the left.

Makoto's eyes widened and more... recent memories came back to his mind.

"No... no." He gasped. That's right... the true nightmare of his situation was just getting started.

In vain he clutched at the iron shackle around his neck, and shook his hands feebly at the two chains that stood to the side of him within the LCL. How he was caged this way... he didn't even get a break to sit down.

A faint light appeared from the left side of the room. His jailer walked into the room.

It was the standard bearer for the Grand master to the Order of the Successors... dawned in an ornate attire with magnificent detail. He was truly the pride of his master, Jacob. The great emblem to the Successors lay around his torso. Ceremonial pieces of bronze decked his shoulders and legs. The man, the one who had seen such evils done, such atrocities... the man who was the face and declarer for his master willingly... this man was yet Kaji. Or did he have no remains of his former self in him at all? Had he not previously agreed to make the UN and former NERV associates a living hell without a hint of remorse whatsoever?

The standard bearer looked at Makoto briefly... with a frown.

His heart rate increased and he gulped in fear.

Kaji sat down at the lone desk and lit a candle. The candle illuminated the room in a pale light. The chamber looked especially nefarious now, somehow. It gave Makoto a... sense of doom.

The man pulled a bottle from the desk and bit off the safety seal with his mouth, proceeding to spit the cap across the room. It looked to be some sort of vintage wine, but with the Successors you never quite knew...

Makoto's unease began to rise. In just a matter of moments, he had ingested over half of the bottle, and he showed no signs of slowing down.

This isn't good... Makoto thought.

Well, maybe if he doesn't… he wondered…

The bottle seemed to be almost drained, and Kaji proceeded to throw it across the room. It shattered effortlessly on the cave wall.

Perhaps it had been a lot even for a man such as himself, but when Kaji arose he staggered a bit, obviously feeling the effects of the alcohol.

"Misato..." Kaji murmured.

Makoto felt his heart stop in his chest and could his eyes be any wider, perhaps bloodshot veins would appear with his desperation.

No... No please no...

As if on instinct, Makoto began to struggle with his shackles again. How he prayed that there was a safety pin or something nearby... anything that he could pick the locks and free himself. True it was useless, but he still struggled sensing what was about to happen.

He's going to talk to... Misato again... Makoto thought eerily.

The man staggered over to where the boiler was, and he began to enter a room that was just outside of Makoto's vision.

"To think they would put you down here... but you're in my care now... everything is going to be okay" the standard bearer mused aloud. He was now in the room completely, out of Makoto's vision.

He had already seen the increasingly crazed man talk to... Misato a few times. At first it gave him great hope that perhaps they could reason with Kaji, try to tug at his old self, something anything... he had lit up with joy when he first heard the name of their former operations director at NERV. She was much beloved and missed at this point. After all he was genuinely concerned about Misato and hoped that she was alright. But strangely, she... never seemed to respond to his conversation. His initial hope began to be impinged upon by a growing sense of... strange and unease.

Misato, what's going on... Makoto thought darkly.

"Misato, don't you... don't you feel anything for me anymore?" Kaji rambled on. His shadow illuminated the cave behind him with a candle. He seemed... to be becoming unhinged slightly.

Makoto furiously began to tear at his shackles. Hoping beyond hope. He stared at the other empty tubes that shared his cell with him... and the panic began to well anew within him.

"Why Misato... why? why!?" Kaji seemed to yell. His voice grew louder. He paused momentarily. His tone... it spoke of regret somehow.

"Why don't you talk to me anymore? Misato... Oh Misato... I just... I did what I had to do okay?" the standard bearer proclaimed.

A deafening silence answered the man.

Makoto heard that the conversation... didn't' seem to be going well. He clutched at the shackle around his neck with both arms. He ignored the pain of his injury and in his head... and he pulled with all of his might.

It was no use. Not even a budge from his chains.

"The all-seeing eye... the all-seeing eye Misato! My master... knows all... He is the only path!" Kaji proclaimed, almost in a roar.

Kaji seemed to breathe heavily, and a... strange smell began to emanate from the room where Makoto could not see.

"I... I did what I had to Misato..." the man lamented again.

"You were always in my thoughts can't you see that? Will you... will you please let me know!"

At that point Kaji emerged from Misato's dwelling place back into vision. Perhaps she was bound up or gagged or...? Makoto could only guess, but the silence... the deafening silence was ominous. Something was not right...

Kaji pranced around the room at that point, like a caged lion of sorts that sought to pounce on somebody. What a sight it was. The standard bearer, the face of the Successors from his master Jacob, in this mad condition... it was such a contrast to his elaborate outfigt.

Kaji glanced back towards the hidden room, seemingly ignoring Makoto's presence alltogether.

"Secrets... but there are secrets Misato... it's too dangerous! But there are secrets... things I've seen. Secrets I know! Will he see through me? He sees all." Ryoji Kaji glanced about his shoulder, as if he was paranoid of some unseen threat.

Makoto struggled incessantly against the shackles. He could not believe it, but a screw on the right side began to loosen. He could feel it wiggle.

Please... he thought, he pleaded. If only he could get this off... things were about to get...

At that point, the unthinkable happened. Kaji staggered to and fro... and yet suddenly he set his sights on Makoto.

Makoto's face began to pale with fear.

No! NO he thought. A sense of doom settled about him.

Kaji paused and gave him a certain look... a long, dark look that sent chills up his spine. He looked into Makoto's eyes and spoke in a soft... almost tender voice.

"Misato, everything will be okay, you'll see..." he mused quietly.

He took step after slow, ominous step towards Makoto's prison cell.

Makoto began to tug desperately, willing every ounce of his being to pull. As if his adrenaline gave him extra strength, the right side to his neck clasp began to become undone. He was struggling wildly... frantically like a madman.

"You're... in my care..." his voice trailed off, but he inched closer and closer towards the cell. He produced a key from his pocket.

"Kaji! Wait... Kaji it's me...remember? Makoto. please... I can help... I can..." the words rushed out of Makoto's mouth. Pleading, hoping... that anything would get through to the crazed standard bearer.

Kaji reached the gated door and turned the key slowly.

The right side to Makoto's boundings came undone. By some miracle he had done it! But curse his fate... the other three lock points still stood strong.

His heart dropped.

"Misato..." Kaji murmured. He withdrew a syringe from his back pocket... the monstrous thing was large... terrifyingly large.

"Please... Please don't do this Kaji! Please! I beg you I... I..." Makoto said feebly.

At this point the tears began to come to his eyes and his glasses began to fog over from condensation.

Everything, in the end... came to nothing... Alice... the thoughts raced through his mind rapidly. Visions seem to pass him by at the speed of light... why was he seeing this now?

He flailed his arms about but to no avail...

Kaji approached the tube with the ominous looking syringe. He also withdrew, from a hidden sheath a dagger... it was one of the bronze, diabolical looking cutting devices that was associated with the Successors. The crazed man approached the glass.

"No...NOO! Please... Misato!" Makoto beckoned with hope, beyond hope towards that room. Please... anything.

I... don't want to die… the thought passed before his eyes. The vision of Alice trying to seduce him did as well. As well as her biting him and sending him into a world of pain. How many friends had he seen vanish? How he had labored for NERV, for the UN, for the Successors... everyone. What... what had he done?

Kaji's eyes reeked of death as he brought the dagger close to the glass tube and slashed at the opening.

The strange LCL began to seep out, and Makoto stood there exposed, his mind half gone with fear, half bathed in regret.

Makoto looked towards the room where Kaji had talked to... Misato one last time.

"Misato! Misato! Help!" he cried.

A trickle of blood emerged from that room onto the floor.

The caravan strode down the partially hidden runway. In the foreground, the massive B-2 transport plane stood parked. Rigged to the back of it was what remained of the crimson remodified Unit-02. Its legs sat sprawled on the ground, perched awkwardly while the torso and arms stood outstretched, hoisted up underneath the wingspan of the plane.

The pilots stood on either side of her, escorting her down the field towards the seemingly abandoned building in the distance.

…Here we go… she thought grimly.

On either side of them, a line of men had assembled. More seemed to join their numbers by the passing minute. An army of men. Russian men wearing combat gear… and angry men at that.

Murmurs broke out through the crowds, but Asuka heard them. She heard them all.

While she was being pushed along on that hospital stretcher, iv's hanging above her, life-saving machines strapped to the side of her… three massive belts held her down in place as a form of restraint. As if she would be able to run in her condition…

"…Well look who it is…" one of the men said.

The men creeped further and further towards her, beginning to form a semi-circle around her.

"The bitch is here!" one taunted.

She peered all around her. They were all armed, and some pointed their guns her way as a sign of intimidation. Asuka could have sworn that she heard the Russian variant of whore pass under someone's breath.

One man stopped in front of her, a self-righteous type it seemed.

"What you did is unforgivable… you will pay!" hollered one of the men. She glanced up at him and he proceeded to spit on her face.

The shock of that took her aback somewhat. Her eyes widened momentarily with a confused look. She could not even move her arms enough to wipe it off. Asuka grit her teeth.

Is that all you got… she thought, angrily.

"…Vladimir would be rolling in his grave…" another said.

Another one close by to her smiled eerily her way, and brought his finger across his neck, as if in anticipation of what would happen next.

At this point, it seemed like a mob of soldiers was threatening to break out, so the two men escorting her began to push back the crowds somewhat.

"Move along! We have orders." the main pilot said, shooing them back somewhat with his arms.

It did little to quell the hostilities.

"… You have any words for what you've done? German!" another man said, staring at her with crossed arms. The way he sneered the last word in contempt got under her skin.

… Just these ones… she thought. The young woman began to grin slightly, the disrespect glaring in her eyes.

"… I have some words…" she began.

Asuka was not one to be mocked, after all… Her temper flared.

"Yeah, I killed your precious Vladimir… and if I had my way I would have killed you all too… Russian scum!" she proclaimed. At that moment, she extended her middle finger on both hands to the onlookers.

The murmurs became thunderous at that point. The looks of hatred were palpable now. Some sneered at her, some cursed. A few could be heard laughing as if in amusement.

"Ohhh, she's a feisty one." One mocked.

The men began to draw closer to her. Asuka's own two captors had stopped their march, both unsure if this would cause an uproar and trying to sooth the crowds.

Come on… come on… Asuka thought, daring her naysayers.

Angry chants could be heard.

And at that moment…

"Men of Russia!" a loud, resounding voice called from the far end of the tarmac.

At once, everyone froze and faced the oncoming figure. Apparently, it was someone powerful, someone that demanded their respect.

Asuka glanced towards his direction, confused at first.

… That… voice… she thought. Her eyes began to widen.

"Stay your wrath and listen to me!" he came into view now, walking straight towards their position. The Commander in the suit walked on, and someone was at his right side. A young man…

"I thank you for your service to your country… victory is yours!" he roared, pointing in her direction.

But… how… Asuka thought, dumbstruck as he came closer, ever closer. Her previous mindset all but vanished as all she could do was stare at him.

Some of the men raised a victorious arm in salute, others stared on in silence.

"We now have the means to put an end to this war… we will march this EVA Unit to Zion itself!"

A thunderous roar of approval burst forth. Many patriots began to cheer.

"Mother Russia!" one yelled enthusiastically.

Yet, a few of the men eyed Asuka anxiously, as if waiting to hear what her fate would be. They wanted blood.

After a time, Michaels held out his outstretched arms, calling for silence.

"But… never forget. Who was it that came to you in your time of need? Who was it that saved you from destruction? It was I, Heinrich Schäfer!" he bellowed in a mighty voice.

Asuka merely watched her former lover with mouth open and glistening eyes. How was she to react? So many questions, so many thoughts, so much feelings… all in one instant. Was it rage… relief?

And that strange name again… something about it… what was it?

…M-Michaels… she thought.

How could her very core, her very purpose be so shattered with one glance?

He made eye contact with her at that moment. Her lips trembled.

The young American standing at his side was also a familiar face. One William… he stood there with arms crossed, staring at her.

"And I am telling you now: We need her alive as a bargaining tool. Does any one of you object?" Michaels said, as he glanced around.

All at once, the discontent returned to the group and the murmurs continued.

"Kill her…" one said, albeit not too loudly. Some soldiers signaled agreement. Lest a mob break out again… Michaels shot the man a very… serious look.

"… Perhaps in time. But I'm going to ask you to trust me now. Again, are there any objections?" Michaels concluded, eyeing them all with a gaze that seemed to shoot daggers.

The spetsnaz member seemed uneasy, but was not about to challenge the de facto, self-proclaimed Commander. He judged it… would not be in his best interests. Many of the soldiers and officers held their tongues, and reluctantly did not protest.

By now, Michaels was a mere ten feet in front of her, and William walked at his right-hand side.

A hush fell upon the onlookers. Men, battle-tested, tried and true dare not interrupt this moment.

Asuka breathed hurreidly. The two men broke through the outer edges of the circle.

She blinked.

Michaels… this successor. The one who one night had made love to her and the next fled the city in a bout of rage. The one she had always wanted to ask why, the betrayer stood before her now.

"Hey Asuka." Michaels said calmly. He stared deep into her eyes and… was that all-to-familiar grin plastered on his mysterious face? His gaze was piercing, yet forlorn.

William stared coolly at her and moved behind the hospital stretcher, beginning to stretch it forward.

"We have it from here…" the American said to her two guards.

…I… Asuka thought, unable to comprehend what had happened, her thoughts were a torrent.

Her mouth was frozen in place. Asuka's heart beat. A pain ensued in her chest.

Her gaze was locked onto Michael's face. His eyes would not escape her.

At that moment blood burst forth from her mouth and her eyes began to well with tears. It sprayed onto her chest.

"Hey… hey!" William yelled.

Everything began to blur as the figures around her all turned to hazy outlines. William stood over her with a frantic look. The darkness was coming. The last she remembered was Michael's gaze. Her eyes flickered.

She woke up with a gasp.

…Does it ever seem… the words played through her mind.

The young woman breathed heavily for a minute, unsure of where she was or what was going on.

A cold, metallic room greeted her vision. Neon lights dimly lit up the ceiling. There was a locker aligned against the wall, as well as a sink and bathroom. A monitor sat perched on the upper ceiling. On the far right side, some enormous machines whirred and churned about their business. It seemed to be some sort of 1960's era computer. What its purpose was one could only guess.

…What… happened…? She thought weakly.

One minute, the angry Russians seemed intent on ending her. The next Michaels was in front of her and then…

Asuka Langley Soryu clutched her chest, remembering the pain. There was a heart palpitation, and then…

Her eyes widened.

Michaels… she thought, bewildered.

It had not been a dream, it was real. She had seen him again.

The German glanced around her stretcher. The iv's were out of her arms. But more importantly…

Her restraints were gone.

She wiggled her arms around, and slowly and surely sat up. There was a great pain that seeped throughout her frame, yet it was less so than before.

…Where am I… she thought ominously.

She donned the remains of her EVA Unit-02 entry plug suits, on the arms, lower torso and legs. Her belly and breasts were a tangled mess of bandages.

She breathed slowly. Asuka supposed that whoever held her, they had meant for her to wander around. A cane stood perched at her bedside.

The young woman expected the worst, but figured she may as well try.

…Let's see how this goes… she thought anxiously.

She crept towards the far side of the bed and slowly planted a foot on the ground.

A sharp pain spread up her thigh and she grimaced for a second. She put her other foot on the floor and stood up. Surprisingly, it was manageable.

Asuka began to walk and halted in place. She grit her teeth.

"Scheisse!" she yelled. Her left leg was in much worse condition it would seem. Her knee felt like it was bound to burst.

Reluctantly, she grabbed the cane in her left hand, pressing all of her weight on it as she hobbled feebly towards the door.

At that moment a motion sensor was ticked, and a red light illuminated the monitor.

"Great…" she muttered in annoyance. Would more angry Russians appear to apprehend her? No matter, she was not exactly in any position to resist. With that the young woman pressed a button on the keypad and the steel door slid upwards.

She looked to the left and right. Asuka found herself in some hallway, but detail wise it was more of the same. The same, cold metallic look. Neon lights lining the top corners. It reminded her of NERV somewhat. Could they perhaps be in some hidden bunker that she missed?

Asuka began to walk to the left slowly and winced. The pain in her left leg would be a problem. She stood there trying to steady herself.

After a moment, a man was seen turning the corner and walking briskly towards her position.

Oh… it's you… Asuka thought.

William came into view and walked up to her side. A traitor, if she remembered correctly.

"Asuka, you're up…" he began.

"W-William…" she responded slowly.

Isn't he dead? She wondered.

"Come with me… Michaels wants to see you."

The young man, wearing a plain t-shirt and sporting a pair of jeans, noticed the cane and placed a strong and firm arm across her waist, as if to assist her with the weight.

The sensation of being touched… it gave her a knee-jerk reaction.

"…It's fine." She brushed him off. Determined to do this herself.

William nodded.

Asuka took three steps and instantly froze in place.

Shit!…

Finally she gave in, and he put his arm back around her, letting her lean upon his body as they walked down the hall.

Their footsteps clanged hollow upon the cold, metallic floor.

"William… didn't you… die?" Asuka inquired, unable to hold her surprise at seeing the young man again. Kaworu's mighty Unit-09 had brought down his own Unit-04, and he was never heard from again in Tokyo-3.

After a pause he spoke.

"Well, I was dead for a while… it's complicated…" he replied, unsure of how to answer.

Uh-huh… she thought mystified. That was… a strange answer.

"And… you teamed up with someone like Michaels…? Why?" she blurted out. Asuka couldn't help herself.

Well, perhaps she knew the answer. Hadn't he betrayed them in the end at the behest of Michaels back at Tokyo-3? Perhaps they had remained in touch, throughout it all somehow. After all, Michaels was the one who had brought the American to Tokyo-3 in the first place. Apparently the American had always been Michael's plaything.

Oh man… she thought, as the memories began to get drudged up in her mind. The Third Impact, Michaels saving her… that whole sequence had been such a blur. Perhaps it was then that something had changed…

William sighed.

"I am with Michaels now yes, but… it's a very… long story." He said. The last part was muttered under his breath. William looked to the floor momentarily.

Hmm…

It would seem he was not one to divulge information at this time. He was… not being very helpful at the moment…

They turned the corner and came to staircase that descended to some lower level.

"So… where are we…?" Asuka asked.

As soon as she asked that they passed some windows on the side. Outside and all around them was… water?

"We are in Michael's personal submarine. It's sort of… his base of operations." William answered.

She gazed, amazed, at the underwater view that was all around them now. The waters swirled about the vessel, and brilliant shades of amber illuminated the corridors.

"Wow…" she let out. It was truly a surprise to her. Perhaps they were far out to sea?

They continued on in silence for a moment. By now he was shouldering perhaps fifty percent of her weight or more. He brought his arm onto her own to help steady her strides. To think that she was now in such a cursed condition… it was inconceivable.

She felt some hefty frustrations beginning to surface. If anything, although he had betrayed them all, she did remember that he had been a hell of an EVA pilot. Perhaps he would be interested…

"Pshhh…" Asuka let out in annoyance.

"By this time, had all gone according to plan, I would be sitting snug back at Zion… I was so close! I tell you, some Mass Production EVA Units attacked me out of nowhere…" Asuka sighed.

The hot-tempered girl could not contain herself.

"I swear! That one Mass Production Unit what the hell? Scheisse, it felt like I was fighting a normal EVA, for shit's sake." She mused angrily.

William stared at her with a very strange far-off look. The American averted his gaze momentarily as he shifted slightly more of her weight onto himself, seeing that she was beginning to struggle more now with her steps.

"I'm sure… you put up one hell of a fight." He mused.

Damn Straight… Asuka thought. If only he knew…

They found themselves now in a great, cavernous room lit up by neon signs and lights. One, grave metallic door stood at the far end.

William escorted her to the door.

"He's waiting for you…" the American said. He knocked three times.

Asuka eyed the great, metallic door and the anticipation began to well within her.

Michaels…

Was it fear? Excitement? Anger? Perhaps it was all of those in one, if that made any sense. Regardless, she could somehow… sense his presence even from out here.

"Yes, send her in…" came the Successor's voice.

The door swung open, and Asuka peered into the darkness. It seemed… exceedingly dark in that place. William nodded at her and let her down. Apparently he would not join them.

Dim, neon lights lined the corners and walls. A large, almost room-sized monitor was placed on the wall to the left. In a corner was a giant test tube, perhaps previously filled with LCL. It was almost reminiscent of an entry plug. It was a large, personal study.

And in the center of that study, was a single desk and… him.

Michaels lit up a candle at his desk, drowning the room in an eerie orange glow. His fine suit, decked out with military regalia and flag-officers cap were very imposing. The embroidery along his hat shone in the dim light.

She stared at him, her mouth lost for words.

"Asuka…" Michaels began.

She began to hobble over towards her position, willing her legs to work. Asuka merely stared into his commanding eyes.

What… do I feel…? She thought. Something was so very familiar about this, yet at the same time the undying questions burned within her.

"Are you well? It seems you were injured more than we thought… you've been out for two days." He said.

She was struggling to get closer, but she dare not falter.

"…M-Michaels…" she said softly. The rage began to boil within her..

Michaels sighed.

"You are very lucky that Unit-02's core has a healing factor. I was going to leave you for dead over the ruins of the Russian resistance but… I had a change of heart…"

Michaels glanced away from her, apparently lost in thought. There was… a forlorn, almost sad glint in his eye.

…What…? The young woman thought, shocked.

"W-what do you mean…?" she asked.

Michaels looked dead into her eyes.

"I can control the Mass Production EVA Units… the one you fought was William… and I delivered the final blow to you… I brought you down, Asuka…" Michaels said darkly.

Asuka's eyes widened at that moment.

How many moments… how many signs of betrayal did this man truly have? She was already burning with rage and unfulfilled ambitions from all of their previous encounters… everything. But to hear this now? How far did the knife in her back truly go?

Asuka grit her teeth and made her hand into a fist.

… I shouldn't be surprised… she thought, feeling the fire rage within her. He would oppose her glorious one at every opportunity, it seemed.

But no, that revelation could wait. Asuka stood there, pointing an accusing finger right at his face. Right now, it was as if she had gone back in time, and they were still in Zion together.

"… How could you leave like that!" she blurted out angrily.

Even she was surprised that such a vulnerable question like that came out of her lips. All of a sudden, it was as if she was at Zion and Michaels had left her again.

Michaels was seemingly taken aback by the question. He stared at his desk and closed his eyes momentarily.

"Asuka, listen to me…" he began.

The hot-tempered German girl quickly interrupted him. Someone such as himself shouldn't have a chance to make excuses.

"Scheisse!... You left me…betrayed us… but worse you betrayed Jacob! You even killed one of his own… I saw what that did to him…" she said in angry bursts.

You… left me… the thought was forever etched upon her psyche.

For someone being such a seasoned, veteran EVA pilot as herself (arguably being the most formidable of the original three children), at this time she felt the tears beginning to well in her eyes again… It would seem that Michaels, the man, the successor that had brought out so much emotions in her soul… incredible highs that she never thought humanly possible, at this moment brought out the worst in her, the most pained parts. Why was it always like this?

That seemed to touch a nerve. Michaels stared at her with a frown. A dark mood began to settle over the otherwise calm Commander. The shadows seemed to grow darker… larger in the room. They began to creep about the corners, slowly drowning out the dim candle and neon lights around them. An immense pressure began to be felt in the very air. The aura of his presence… His eyes began to glow a faint tint of crimson.

"So you are J's thing now… I suspected as much…" A darker, more otherworldly voice uttered.

Asuka took a wary step back, but was this all? She crossed her arms in front of her face, a vain attempt to shield herself from his enormous presence… But No, NO! This was nothing.

…Michaels…

"Is that all?... That doesn't scare me. I've seen Jacob… I've seen true glory! He is more… beautiful, more powerful than you'll ever be! He is light!" she exclaimed.

All of a sudden, the whole room seemed to vibrate, and she was forced to take another step back, nearly losing her balance with her bad leg…

"Jacob… takes everything from me…" a nefarious voice seethed. She could have sworn that Michaels… the true Michael's outline of his body had shown with the flicker of an eye… a ghastly, incomprehensible abomination.

The shaking became worse until… a second later, it all stopped. The dim candlelight reclaimed the room, and Michaels closed his eyes.

She was sure that had punctured his ego. As it should.

He opened his eyes and stared into her own.

Mayhaps it was because she had laid with him before… maybe it was because they had been so intimate, perhaps she could still sense some things with the successor. He looked at her sternly, with an extremely serious gaze… but she could have sworn that she read sadness in those eyes. She also knew that he was keeping an uncontrollable rage… an inferno bottled up inside.

But…still…

That… look…? That forlorn, almost sad look from before. What was truly behind Michael's eyes?

"Asuka…" he started, in a very stern tone.

"I tell you the truth… Jacob cares nothing for you…"

The German woman was… truly taken aback by this response.

What? That… that's not true! She thought, yet a moment of doubt greeted her.

"No… you care nothing for me! You left… Jacob…" she said hastily, yet she was interrupted by the Successor.

His gaze looked terrible, frightening now.

"Tell me, what do you know about your father?" he asked. At that moment the tension was palpable in the air.

My… father…? The thought, confused. That came out of nowhere. What was this all about?

All she knew is that he was a bastard. Come to think of it, she didn't remember much about the man… She always heard that he was at work long hours, and that he took frequent, extended trips outside of the country on business. But one thing she knew, for sure. She had been told that he was a dirty rat that had cheated on her mother with a mistress, contributing to her increasing psychosis until she eventually…

Why, why would Michaels ask such a thing?

"My dad… fuck him wherever he is! He… he ruined my family!" she let out.

Why is he…?

Michaels closed his eyes momentarily.

"I felt that… it would not be right to let you die and keep this to myself… Asuka, Jacob ordered me to do something…" he began, ominously.

She blinked, beginning to feel… increasingly uneasy about this conversation.

What… what is he talking about…?

Michaels arose from his seat at the desk and took a knee on the floor, a mere few feet in front of the girl. He withdrew the lab technician's name tag from his pocket. It read 'Heinrich Schäfer.'

"Is this name… familiar to you by chance?" Michaels inquired.

Asuka read the name tag and her eyes began to widen. It was… familiar for some reason.

Why… why is that name familiar to me…?

Had she perhaps caught wind of it once while she was going through EVA tests at Nerv's 3rd branch in Berlin? Or perhaps had her mother uttered those words? She could not quite remember…

"Y-Yes… well I think so…" she answered slowly, unsure of where this was headed.

Michaels gazed at her eyes, or perhaps into them, searching for their deepest darkest parts.

"And your father… tell me, what did he look like?" Michaels posed the question.

Asuka began to quiver slightly.

…Well…

She did not remember seeing her father much, in fact hardly at all. There had been one picture of him on the windowsill, but he was always out on trips or at work, she had been told. In fact…

A quiver went up Asuka's spine.

Had she… had she only seen her father a mere handful of times, perhaps? What, what did he look like… Well, one time he had been sitting at the table with folded legs, reading a newspaper… or how about the other time he had come home late one night and she caught a glimpse of his backside going up the stairs…?... Or how about Once she saw him watching her room late at night from the hallway, but that was late at night…

Asuka began to feel an unnatural chill creep throughout her body.

Where… was he…?

"Well… he… uh… that is he wasn't around a lot…" she said, at a loss for words.

"I was stationed at NERV-03 branch in Berlin as a spy. I saw you when you were young…However, that was not my main objective…" Michaels said ominously.

His eyes peered into her own as two bores that were incessantly drilling on the surface, scraping the edges, taking up tons of dirt, going straight for the core. Michaels gaze changed somewhat, as it began to portray a bit of madnes.

Asuka's eyes flickered, and she thought she was beginning to understand something… Some sort of terrible knowledge. The felt his dark, immense pressure again, this time exerting onto her… it was heavy, dreadful… almost choking.

She merely stared at him, and the tears threatened to make their way out. At once, she recalled Michaels giving her… sweet, sweet words before.

Would you be my champion…?

Frankfurt is lovely in the Spring…

I know you will be the best pilot…

Michaels had said all of these things to her before.

How exciting it had felt back then… hearing that he had seen her before, that he had been watching her before… how thrilling, how enthralled she had been with him.

Now her heart began to beat faster and a look of horror began to cross her features. She brought her hands up to her face and the veins began to be visible at the edges of her eyes.

"… I impregnated your mother and coerced her into keeping quiet about it…" Michaels declared. He took a step towards her.

He stretched his arms out wide, as if to embrace her.

Asuka was appalled, and instantly flinched from his touch, that she had so used to adore.

Michaels embraced her, and she stood there looking into his chest in abject horror.

"I was never really far away from… daddy was always at your side, watching you… grooming you for success…" Michaels said in a quiet, soothing voice.

He wrapped his tender arms around her and lifted her face to his own, the shock written upon her face.

Still, he pressed his lips to her own, finding her tongue and exploring her mouth with his own. He let off the kiss, and the thick saliva dribbled down their faces.

Asuka's heart beat.

She wished she were dead. Somehow, the voice from that dream came back to her mind…

Doesn't it seem… like everything was a lie?...

She closed her eyes, wishing none of this was true. But she only felt like she wanted to run way, to escape, to have never heard those cursed words… Asuka sank to her knees at that point.

"You are mine… you're mine Asuka, and Jacob can't have you anymore… you are mine own… my own blood, not his" Michaels clamored in a strange voice, as if he was half talking to himself, going over that thought again and again in his mind. He stared at her and smiled.

Everything, in the end it would seem, was a lie in this world. A cruel, twisted life, with the people being cruel puppets dangling on strings in their abysmal show.

Asuka stared at the ground, defeated. Where was her anger, her resistance now? How could she go on knowing such a thing…

"You're… my…" she let the words hang.

"And Asuka…" Michaels started again.

How much… how much more of this can I take… she thought glumly. Her heart could not handle the lies, the treachery, the deceit. Her soul was coming apart. She looked up weakly, her eyes seemingly devoid of life.

It was at that point that the man she had been madly in love with, the man who betrayed her… and her father uttered these words, that would forever change the German girl.

The candle flickered in front of his features as they had in her dream.

"Your mother didn't kill herself… I killed her in cold blood. Strung her up by the neck." he said.

His gaze was dark… so dark. Those words so haunting… tormenting.

Asuka's eyes widened at that moment, and her mind seemed to come undone. Her eyes were bloodshot with stress... the normally strong, valiant woman felt a tear begin to run down her cheek.

...Mom...No... Please...

Somehow, she could see in her mind's eyes from that dream she had. Her mother struggling, and her eyes beginning to pop out of their sockets…

"And I did it for you…It was you, Asuka… it was always about you! She was holding back your growth… your development don't you see it? I knew you would one day be great… great like me. It was I who watched you from the shadows… and now you know the truth. Jacob cares nothing for you… He would toss you in the trash… but me…It was me who longed to see you grow, not him. It was me setting you upon the path, my child. My own blood is precious to me. " Michaels said in a heavy voice.

…So that's why… you were interested in me… all along… she thought. She was too numb to speak or process the information. But hadn't he shown her affection before? Didn't he… How he had played with her soul.

… a lie…

And to learn that, indeed, they shared a timeless bond… one wrought of horror and identity-shattering lament…

It was insane.

Asuka struggled, reaching for the cane. All she knew… was that she had to get out of here. Feebly and slowly, she began to stand up, ignoring the pain in her leg. Anything… anything was better than this crushing presence.

So that's why… you were into me…

What did this truly mean? Was she… was she herself? Was she human… had she been merely a fool all along…

… Nothing could express her anguish at this point.

She turned and started to slowly walk out of the room. Where had her legendary temper and will gone? It had gone to hell, like every other damn thing in her life apparently…

"Asuka… I was watching you die… but I just couldn't… I couldn't keep this secret to myself. You… deserved to know the truth. In time …you will learn to accept it." Michaels called after to her. The proud Successor, Michaels… the man who had inspired fear in many, the former second-in-command of the Successors… looked to the ground with darkened eyes and… a sad, sort of distant look etched upon his face. He turned his back to her.

Somehow, some way, Asuka left that room, Michael's overwhelming presence staying behind… the madness filled the air. The door slammed shut.

Her tears flew freely now, and she stared at the floor. Her heart was heavy with grief.

Everything… was a lie…

She was truly broken. The incredible, otherworldly highs she had experienced with him… to find out that she was his… was she herself, an abomination…?

The girl was able to walk about fifteen feet away. Then she fell to the floor.

...M-Mom... she thought.

How could he... what gave him the right? To discover that her mother had been slain at his own hand... She remembered it well. Asuka had carried a tremendous burden from her mother's rising insanity and psychosis. But the noose, her mother hanging there... She could never understand the true horrors that Kyoko Zeppelin Soryu must have had to endure... trapped with a madman, forced to keep quiet every day. As a young girl, she had been devastated, scarred for life upon discovering her suicide... but the truth was that she was murdered in cold blood.

"...Mom..." she said faintly.

And now, the same terror that killed her, had sought her for his own intimacies... his own pleasures...

Asuka was his... no matter what she did, how much she sought escape, she would always be his. They always had that eternal bond...

At the far side of the cavernous room, William leaned against a wall, with arms crossed. He saw her collapse, and hurriedly came over to her with a shocked expression.

"Hey… Asuka!" The American exclaimed.

He bent down on his knees and put his arm under her arms in an attempt to help her up… then he saw her tears flowing…

William knelt next to her, and a dark look began to come over his eyes. Asuka stared at the floor, and her tears kept coming. He muttered a curse under his breath.

"What happened…" William mused aloud.

William looked back towards Michaels study, then back to the German girl. He helped Asuka onto her knees, so she could be at eye's level with him. But clearly the girl's mind was elsewhere... her eyes devoid of life.

...Liiiiiieeeeee...

"Asuka… I don't know what he told you, or what he may have done to you in the past…" Williams began, looking at her while placing a firm arm on her shoulder.

Her vision seemed dazed, unfocused, as if she was looking through him at first… however, through the tears, she looked into his eyes questioningly at the young man. She blinked.

"But I want you to know this… I'm not following him for him, I'm following him for me… I have a past with Michaels as well…" he said, intently focused on her eyes.

At that point he withdrew the fine bronze dagger that he kept strapped to his hip.

"And when everything is finished… he will pay for what he's done… vengeance will not be forgotten…"

The blade glistened under the dim neon lights in that place. It filled the girls view and her eyes glistened.

"…Knight to f6." Said the man.

The overweight Commander moved the piece on his game set and puffed on a fine Cuban cigar. Clearly, he was one who was accustomed to having… the finer things in this life.

Jacob stared at his friend on the monitor that took up a third of the wall. He looked down to his own board and moved the piece in kind. This room was not a Command center of any sort in Zion, but rather a room of leisure for the higher echelons of Zion society. Billiard tables lined the back of the room, and mini bars abounded.

Ah yes… chess. Truly a gentlemen's game.

Jacob could see that his King was in danger of a check, perhaps in a turn or two. No matter.

"Rook to c3." Jacob said.

The men in turned moved the pieces on the chess boards.

Jacob's… portly acquaintance was the recently appointed Chancellor to the UN governments via his Brussels European Union connections, and the de facto Allied Supreme Commander of all UN military forces, Belmont. He resided in Berlin, the modern capital city of the UN states, one of the last powerhouses in Europe.

"Hmm…" the man mused, as the two Commanders eyed the chess board.

"Not bad, sir… but… Check." Belmont replied, as he moved his own bishop to a4.

The men moved their intricate pieces as Jacob eyed the board. Somewhat to his annoyance, his opponent was not bad at the game.

Jacob grinned.

"You know, Belmont… one of my favorite pieces in this game has always been the pawn." He said.

He immediately moved his pawn piece to b5, effectively blocking the attack.

No-one expects them to have any power, but they are mine to use and toss to the side as I see fit.

It would be hard to count how many pawns Jacob had been through in his ruthless campaign and rise to power… also on the chess field he was running out of pawns.

Belmont moved the piece and studied the board for a moment. He took a puff of his fine cigar, the smoke covering his face before dissipating.

"Indeed, they are amusing but… they do have their limits, after all against real strength. Were you not bluffing with that play?" he inquired. The Belgian-born man moved his bishop, effectively knocking off the pawn and putting him back into check.

The fat man chuckled a bit.

"And… check mate." He said, content with his move.

Jacob eyed the board and grinned.

True, in a conventional way he bested me. But, little does he know…

"Belmont, would you object, to say… reinforcements?" Jacob posed the question.

Jacob grabbed his queen that had already been slain and put it back on the board, right behind Belmont's bishop.

The portly man frowned, eyeing the board.

"Sir… that's against the rules." He said, taken aback by the strange gesture.

Jacob chortled in amusement.

"In war, there are no rules… and when have we ever played by the rules anyway?"

It had been rumored that Belmont had ousted the former Chancellor by some… under handed means. Perhaps it had been his involvement with the former SEELE organization, or perhaps it was merely in his blood being a bureaucrat his whole life. None the less, once he took over, he had taken to working with Jacob quite well. Quite the cordial relationship.

Belmont broke into a hearty laugh at that.

"Aye you got me there, I suppose that is true for us. I'll let this game slide just once, but next time it will be a different matter… You are indeed a queer fellow, sir." He said.

Jacob eyed him gleefully, beginning to feel more giddy at this conversation.

"There you go, now that's partnership! Our pact of cooperation can only strengthen from here on out." Jacob declared.

With that he raised his glass, and Belmont did the same. A toast to power.

Jacob turned to his side. Shinji Ikari, wearing a fine blue and red robe that could only be described as fit for a prince, sat next to him, slouched in his chair. Around his neck was a fine medallion, boasting an eagle, carrying a slither of arrows in one talon, and an olive branch in the other.

"You see that Shinji? Politics is important for your development… soon you will take on such tasks."

Shinji stared at the floor. Apparently he was still uncomfortable with his newfound title. His eyes were glazed over and red at the corners. He took another drink of the amber substance that was in his glass.

"…Yeah…" Shinji replied casually.

Jacob sighed.

You are not refined, as of yet… but soon you will learn to appreciate the finer things in life.

He eyed Shinji's glass. It was almost empty.

With haste he snapped his fingers.

"Standard-bearer! Refill Shinji's glass… and bring me some as well."

Ryoji Kaji stood off to the side, astute as ever to his masters bidding donned the flag and emblem to the Successors upon his body. It flowed down and off his body, heralding the glory of Zion.

"…Yes, Grand Master." He said, as he turned to one of the mini bars.

You musn't stop drinking now, Shinji…

Jacob looked at his counterpart on the large monitor.

"Belmont, onto serious matters… I trust the 1st and 3rd divisions were successful…?" Jacob asked.

Belmont took another sip of wine.

"Indeed, sir. All is going to plan. 1st division of the UN defense forces have quashed a rebellion in Tibet. Some religious fanatics, who held to the old ways, fled to the high places, as if they had any chance. And 3rd division, get this, swept through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe in a mere two days, far ahead of schedule! Some self-stylized "savior" from royal lineage mounted an uprising… a shame most of them had weapons from the last century." the portly man said, with a grin.

"Which means… it is finished. My friend it is time to carve up the world amongst each other!" Jacob said, victoriously.

Jacob smiled. All men were the same. The lust for power, territory, and resources. Men like Belmont, he knew them too well.

This situation reminded him of something from human history that he was quite fond of, known as the Scramble for Africa, which took place in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During a brief period of time, the European colonial powers conquered and partitioned Africa amongst themselves, effectively establishing colonies and taking resources for themselves.

"And the Russian issue…?" Belmont asked excitedly.

Jacob smirked.

"They have been neutralized." He said confidently.

However… there had been no contact from Asuka…

Some of them probably remain in their holes… our EVA pilot may be dead… but somehow I just don't care about the Russian threat anymore.

"Excellent!" Belmont exclaimed.

"Right, now as to the 10th degree demarcation line in Africa…" Jacob said.

Kaji returned with the drinks in question and refilled Shinji's glass.

The two men talked like old chums for a time, partitioning and dividing up the world based on some arbitrary lines between their nations. The UN had been granted all of Africa south of the 10th Latitude line, a very generous offering. The land was lush with diamonds and other resources, a solid 2/3 of the continent. Meanwhile, everything east of the 70th parallel line in Asia went to the Successors, including the fertile nations of India, China, and a plethora of islands in the south-east Asia pacific sea. However, Australia, due to historic ties, would remain with the UN nations. The middle east and much of Eurasia was ceded to the UN, while the Successors retained control of the American continents.

Two world leaders, diving the whole world amongst their respective nations. It had been quite generous towards the UN, Jacob reckoned. Yet, for all intents and purposes, the human war was done.

"And, sir, I thank you for your symbolic gesture today… it will go towards appeasing the commoners. They are living in… very troubled times indeed." Belmont said.

Jacob grinned.

"Indeed… now we can focus on the biggest threat to both of us." He replied.

Belmont, of course, was referring to the… humanoid invasion that had taken place as of recently. Citizens around the UN had fled in fear, several capital cities, including London, had already been overrun by the horde. Yet, there Berlin stood, a bastion of strength in the dark heart of Europe.

With that Belmont bowed.

"I must take my leave soon… the ceremony is about to commence. Until we play again. By the way, will any of your stellar pilots be attending? Kaworu mayhaps?" he asked.

Jacob paused.

"Kaworu… is on a leave of absence at the moment…" he said in a strange tone.

… The defector… he thought. However, there was time at a later date for that.

"I think you will be appeased by France's own Alice Beaumont, the Green Beast… she's coming home for your service." Jacob smiled.

"Aye… she was a pleasure to have at our disposal. I thank you dearly, in these troubled times… will you be witnessing the event?" The portly man asked, as he turned to leave.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." Jacob said.

Jacob sighed and turned to look at Shinji. Belmont was doubtlessly on his way to the grand procession in Berlin. Just a few hours before, the Successors had sent their allies an EVA Unit, the green Unit-05 to be exact. As part of their official pact, she was to be used by the UN as they deemed fit, after all they had officially trained her before sending her off to Zion. This was an opportunity to rid the land of the husks… to inspire faith in their allies, to show that in times of trouble, the Successors never leave their allies. They needed some form of assurance as the… monstrous humanoids kept knocking at their doorstep.

Shinji stared off to the side, apparently not very interested in the whole thing.

"Shinji, pay attention this is very important..." He said with a grin.

Jacob pressed a button on the remote, and his camera changed to a different feed… He was now looking at the heart of Berlin, and scores upon scores of people lined up. There were diplomats, ambassadors, generals and admirals of every kind on that stage. The skyline was vibrant, even in these post Third Impact days. On the outskirts of the city lay an enormous, recently constructed wall, twenty feet high of pure concrete and steel. And in the middle of the square… all eyes were on one thing.

Unit-05 lay on the ground in a sitting position, lifeless at the moment. It glistened green in the sunlight.

At last… Jacob thought.

A Successor known as Lucian coughed, and took to the stage. He was Jacob's own Admiral and leader of the navy… as of recently he had become a sort of public relations figure, taking up many personal announcements on behalf of the Successors on camera.

"Men of the UN… delegates of the European Union, where would we be without one another? Without you, there could be no Zion. We are dependent upon this strategic partnership, and we have a tried and tested relationship of coming to one another's aid. My master, Jacob, has heard your plight well… fear not. The UN is safe! Your own EVA has returned!" Lucian said in a roaring voice. However, studying his features, he seemed… distant and uninterested in the whole affair, to be truthful.

At that moment, the overweight man himself walked over slowly to the podium that was arranged in the center on top of the stage. Lucian seemed impatient, but nevertheless he waited for him to arrive. Lucian clapped for the leader of the UN states. Belmont shook Lucian's hand with glee, and they posed for the cameras. After a deep breath, it would seem he was ready to talk to the crowds. He spoke to the crowds, many of whom were Successor personnel.

"People of Germany! We are honored, in these times of troubles, to have such great friends… I want to proudly declare, this day, that the war against the rebels is officially over!" he yelled in a thunderous voice.

Cheers broke out in the ranks, instruments were strummed in the marching band. This was all pomp and circumstance.

"The conflict is finished! Yet there remains much to do… as a sign of good faith our own Alice Beaumont has been returned to us! See for yourselves, men… the Green Beast in person!" he said in a booming voice.

"…Alice…" Shinji murmured, stunned at what was taking place on the screen.

At that moment, two UN soldiers marched an EVA pilot out of the UN parliamentary building. They clasped her arms around her. Alice herself… Yet there was something strange about this whole situation. The young woman was outfitted with her green entry plug suit… but she wore a helmet over her head with the visor completely tinted black. None of her face was visible…

The men hurriedly escorted her towards Unit-05, and they seemed to be holding her arms on each side… She seemed to walk strangely, it was a quick procession. She grunted and shook her head from side to side.

Shinji studied the situation with curiosity.

"Our very own Alice…" the portly man continued.

"This day will rid Germany of the creatures that lurk outside our walls. Indeed, the world is now a safer, more secure place for us all… From this moment, Berlin rises from the ashes to reclaim its glory as head of the free UN states. We will bring destruction to the menaces that ravage our land!" He finished.

Alice seemed to flail around strangely for a bit, yet the men were able to usher her towards the outstretched entry plug that was attached to the massive crane lift.

"Lucian, patch me through…" Jacob said to his Admiral.

Lucian gave a strange look to the camera and nodded. At this point he tapped on Belmont's shoulder, informing him of his master's intentions. He proceeded to exit the stage and disappeared into the crowd.

At this point, everyone looked towards the giant monitor that Jacob's face was seen on the previously dormant monitor, that stood at the top of the parliamentary building.

"I tell you, the times of trouble are at an end. A bright and prosperous future lies ahead for both of our nations… the rebellions have all been quashed. The eagle is never far from its perch, I give you the Successor word of honor! Now, we can work at solving this husk crisis once and for all! As comrades. Alice is yours to command as you wish… Give her any order you desire. Let us crush them here and now." Jacob said with a smile.

"Send them to hell!" A German man shouted in anticipation.

"Kill the husks! For Deutschland!" Another called, arms thrown up in the air with approval.

"The Green Beast herself has returned!" A Frenchman said with a sigh of relief.

At last, aid had come to them all that day… and not a moment too late for the husks routinely were throwing themselves at the wall. The upper echelons in society of Berlin were becoming… increasingly uncomfortable with the situation. True, they lived in the massive high rises far away from the outskirts of the city, but would they have to worry about the beasts outside should there be a breach in the walls, just like the common man?

The massive crane began to raise the entry plug to Unit-05 sky high in the air. Everyone watched with anticipation. The entry plug stood mid-air, hoisted between two cranes, getting ever closer towards the back of the EVA's neck.

"Shinji, watch closely..." He said, grinning all-the-while.

Shinji nodded slowly, and watched the screen intently, with an uncertain look passing over his eyes.

Alice sat there in the entry plug, her helmet smashing side to side against the walls, her blackened visor glistened.

Lights shown up and down from the shining green EVA, and slowly it began to arise.

"Berlin is saved…" A top diplomat said.

"The Green Beast is alive!" the fat man chortled and clapped his hands.

The deadly Green Beast stood up slowly, and swayed side to side.

"Go ahead, Commander. Give her an order." Jacob declared for all to hear.

The fat man raised a salute to the EVA.

"Alice… the husks that terrorize this city? Destroy them!" he declared triumphantly.

The behemoth towered over them all. It slowly walked towards the wall, as if to step over it. The ground rumbled with every step. The onlookers were amazed at the sight.

Belmont raised his stubby arms to the sky.

However…

Unit-05 proceeded to raise a mighty fist, and brought it down straight through the wall. The city rumbled and shockwaves were felt from the impact. A massive, thirty foot hole now stood where there was concrete before.

"What? Alice what are you doing!" The portly man puffed indignantly.

A few groans could be heard as some of the husks broke into the city. A massive panic ensued among the crowds. Twenty or so humanoid beings, all of distorted figures, broke into the crowds, clawing, reaching for anything that was flesh. One man was bitten through the torso. Another had his face bitten through.

"What is the meaning of this!" Belmont roared, staring at Jacob's face on the monitor.

"What's the matter Belmont? Give her another order… maybe she didn't hear you." He replied.

The lumbering behemoth turned its head and walked slowly towards the main stage. It withdrew it's massive Progressive Sword. It's pulsed and radiated with pure energy.

The Chancellor's shock and anger was visible to all now.

"JACOB! What is the meaning of this!" He cried.

At that point Lucian casually withdrew two Baretta M9's from inside his jacket, and began shooting United Nation ambassadors and generals indiscriminately in the head.

"Belmont, my friend…" Jacob began. The screen began to flicker on and off, a powerline had been struck in the chaos.

"I said you can give her orders… I didn't say she would listen." The madman grinned wildly.

Screams, chaos, confusion. Firefights were erupting throughout the crowds. More of the ghastly humanoids rushed into the city to feast on the living. Successor F-16 Falcons lined the skies overhead.

In terror, Belmont eyed the EVA, slowly, menacingly approaching the platform. He staggered back and lost his balance, landing on his backside.

The screen flickered back and forth.

"Also, you should know, my friend… by now we have your 1st and 3rd battalions surrounded." Jacob broke into a laugh, and slammed his arm on Shinji's leg in delight.

Shinji's eyes widened in horror. Kaji watched on.

"Consider this… a parting lesson from our match."

The crimson EVA Unit-05, with a mighty thrust, plunged the sword down on the podium, ending the life of fifty officials at once. Their gore soaked the glistening, green blade.

Jacob turned to face Shinji, his eyes filled with bloodlust.

"That, Shinji… is how you play the game."

Screams filled the air at Berlin.

The Successor laughed, unable to contain his glee. At that point the video feed cut off. The lights began to flicker in the room.

Oh my friend, Belmont… all men are the same. I know exactly what you seek in this life.

Shinji watched on, dumbstruck. But the time was now. The world was Zion.

To think that I would share my kingdom… all of the kingdoms in the realm of men are rightfully mine...

Jacob swiveled around his glass and took a long, deep drink.

Yet, at that moment Jacob narrowed his eyes with a surprised, angry look. Apparently… something was taking him out of his lust.

He looked towards the back of the room at an unknown spot, facing south. There was nothing there.

For a moment Jacob merely stood there.

So you stir… he thought, thinking of ages long past to this world.

The room instantly became cold, and dark, the Successor king having let out an inkling of his presence. The light's flickered overhead and shadows of the blackest kind seemed to swallow the room whole. Jacob's guests recoiled back slightly, feeling the immense spiritual pressure that was his raw power. Kaji was forced to take a knee while Shinji leaned away in his chair. Jacob's eyes began to glow red hot and a crazed look overtook his face.

What are you waiting for? Come… COME already. It's been too long since I've feasted on your flesh…

The mall-of-the future had never looked so deserted. Three terraces with breathtaking views of the former Tokyo-3, once had been so teeming, so vibrant with life. Now all of the shops were simply abandoned, most of them showing a metal sliding door where previously there had been a pleasant room to meander in.

…Shame…

There weren't humans here anymore, it would seem. No-one going about their day-to-day business, the hustle and bustle, living to provide for themselves for perhaps a brighter future. A gust of wind blew through the place, as if to show the strange isolation.

The young woman gingerly took bites out of the Miso Ramen that was laid out before her. The portion was generous. It would seem that this was the last store to be up and running… or perhaps it had been specially set up for her. But did that really matter?

…on you…

The words passed through her mind again… perhaps she lacked the heart anymore to fight them.

Rei Ayanami sat there by herself on a stool in the food court. She donned a magnificent robe that was white on a field of blue, a blue as magnificent as the former sea had been. Her hair had been done… the young woman had been pampered in every way conceivable. A manicure, massages, whatever pleasure she desired was hers.

On her left breast was sown the imperial seal of the Successors… an eagle swooping down to its nest, holding arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, a sign of offering peace, net never backing down from a war. It granted her privilege, esteem in this nearly dead city of Zion. She had been allowed to roam about at her leisure to all of the familiar sights.

Yet, how cruel it had been as well. She was in the process of revisiting places where she had dined with her former comrades, Shinji and Asuka, after grueling missions. All of the merriment, the pleasure of their company, the cheerful Misato drinking a beer… it was all gone. Like a ghost, she wandered that place.

Her crimson eyes glistened, and she stared down into the bowl… she had lost her appetite.

She closed her eyes, shrouding herself in a cruel memory. How they had taken everything from her. A sadness had overtaken her heart.

Indeed, she had but days ago partaken in a ceremony of course… but it was all wrong. She closed her eyes.

It is on this day that I am pleased to announce… the great Goddess of the Lilin has found her way to us at last! He had said.

The wedding had been grand, a true spectacle to behold. Countless successors lined the aisles as she had walked down… there were musicians, the setting was on a hill with the backdrop of the amber ocean in the background. In some ways… this had perhaps been more grand even then her original vision, which made it all the more unbearable. It was cruel how these successors could take such a sacred thing and distort it. A wedding was a time for love, for bonding with the one who you hold most dear… indeed they make a mockery of every human tradition it would seem. To make it worse, many of them were so beautiful and handsome. Everyone had been dressed up to a tee, there had even been a father of sorts overseeing the royal procession.

Successors, brothers… countrymen lend me your ears! It is on this day that I, Jacob, take this Rei Ayanami to be my royal consort. She will be granted every pleasure that she desires… she deserves nothing more. Now, Zion… rejoice! A royal Goddess walks among us… with her blessing none can stand before us!

The crowds had cheered. Many of the successor women had looked upon her with… envy, jealousy, hatred perhaps. Many had dreamed of spending but one night with their esteemed leader. It was to be expected, however. Yet in the blink of an eye, Rei Ayanami now found herself clutching onto power…

But how… how did it truly come to this? Was her original vision of the lands beyond twilight, of her union with her beloved… but a distant memory now? Try as she may, the details began to be obfuscated of her original vision. It's as if the more time passed, it became less glorious, it became tainted. Tainted by those around her… tainted by her own actions.

And that is what was truly unbearable…

No, in this "wedding" if it could be considered as much, there had been one person absent from the whole thing, the one who was supposed to be the point of it all…

…Shinji… where are you? She thought in vain.

While they had feasted in the royal halls of Zion, the young Ikari had been suspiciously absent from the whole state of affairs. This twisted reality, a perversion of what was supposed to be… a desolation of her perfect world she had crafted to be with Shinji… it was all gone now.

Where before, the glorious place had been murky, different… each time something else had altered slightly… now it was as if the royal chapel was completely dark. The amber brilliance beneath the waves was now a foggy green torrent of water. And there was a solitary figure waiting for her in a great throne at the far end. He sat with his face against one hand, a great goblet in the other hand.

Rei shuttered slightly. Just thinking about Jacob… How she hated his gaze, everything about him.

She knew as much that Jacob cared naught for her… but for who she was, or who she had been in the human instrumentality project. But it would seem she was important enough to keep around… they needed her for something she could not imagine. But could she really go along with this farce and be used in such a detestable way?

Rei sighed. She supposed that when Jacob was done with her, she would be discarded.

But these… Successors… the way they eyed her with subtle smirks and grimaces… they knew something that she did not. At the wedding… when she would pass by one, everywhere. While she now held the prestigious title of Consort to the Grand Master, they all looked at her as if she was some piece of meat.

The crimson-eyed girl eyed her watch.

… 6:45… she thought, grimly.

True, she had the leisure to go where she pleased within the city limits… with one condition. She was to report to Jacob's special… 'sessions' as he called them…

Her crimson eyes stared to the floor. Every night for the past couple of days she had to report to him… to that monster. The only thing she was thankful for was that he had not… consecrated the marriage as of yet.

A wave of fear covered her, and a chill went up her spine.

… when the time is to my choosing, I will come for you. That's all you need to know... Jacob had told her with a grin. The way he had talked to her… It was being talked to by someone that didn't respect or care for her needs at all. It was akin to a master addressing his property.

Away from the public eye of pomp and circumstance of such a 'divine union' Rei was truly a slave to the Grand Master.

She began walking towards the nearest train station. As the royal consort took ginger steps down the now-defunct escalator, the memories now began to hit her hard. From being in the familiar places, taking in the familiar sights… the young woman longed for her previous life. It had been… a simpler time. True, they lived in a constant state of unknowing if the day would be their last… but it had been Rei's world. She was just starting to form those connections with those she cared about, her teammates, her comrades, Shinji… Even her time at the schoolyard paled in comparison to these dark days.

It seemed like back then, no matter the circumstances they found themselves in… there was, at least, always hope. While hope seemed distant or far off, they had found it within themselves to get up and pilot EVA another day, to stave off the end. Their teamwork had grown and the bonds had been established.

She walked through the deserted streets of Zion, nary a soul was found. Tokyo-3 had always been desolate before… but this… nothing could amount to this.

This was a living nightmare. Perhaps selfishly, the crimson eyed girl wondered if it had been better for them all had they just been found their doom back at the hands of an angel, or even with the joint UN/Successor invasion of Tokyo-3. Maybe… if she had just stayed as the goddess of the amber waves…

In this reality, there was no hope to be found. There had been periods where her heart had soared and she had dared herself to believe again… such as being re-united with Shinji. How perfect would it have been had they been able to right the wrongs together… to undue the damage, and perhaps return to the lands beyond twilight… how close they had been… she had thought that somehow she could right everything with the young man…

But no, it would seem that this was an era post-hope. Post-dreams. Rei Ayanami had not seen a single human walking around this city. She had been teased into believing before, only to be knocked down, and smacked cruelly by reality. Just like the abandoned city that lay in ruins around her, devoid of life, it was at this moment that she resigned herself to her fate.

… Shame on you… the brutal voice said inside of herself.

Perhaps she deserved to wander like a ghost, helpless to be at the whims of the evil one. Her guilt would never leave, how it gnawed at her. Maybe this was her way of being punished for betraying Shinji's trust…

The young woman arrived at the train station. The rail guards came down and the red lights flashed, as if to avert drivers from proceeding forward. But there were no cars out and about, and doubtlessly there wouldn't be ever again.

This was the line-2 station, one she had frequented in her previous life many times between doing EVA synchronization tests and visiting Misato's house…

She boarded in solitude and took a lonely seat in the middle. After a couple seconds, the doors closed and she began her journey. Soon she was out of the station, and into the heart of the dead city. The decrepit buildings and abandoned streets went by quickly.

It was simply… all-to-familiar to the young woman. She had sat in the train before, and across from her was her beloved. At that time she had ascended, being a part of, shepherding the Great Entity that had been vital to the plans of instrumentality. But he had… rejected the lands beyond twilight… A twinge of nostalgia began to be felt, but it was blotted out by her feeling of loneliness. Now, only she remained in this place… on that train bathed in sunlight…

Why was she tormenting herself so, seeing all of the old familiar sights?

At that moment, her eyes widened. An apartment building flew by… a very familiar terrace. It was the flat that had belonged to Misato Katsuragi. In the driveway below, was her fine blue Renault apine A310. It seemed to pass by her slowly, and then in a second it was all gone, lost to the blur.

…Misato… Rei thought.

Was there… any chance that she was… alive…?

Somehow that one sight, that one image brought feelings to the forefront of her mind that had long been buried.

Anything, Rei wanted anything that had to do with her old time at NERV. If there was a chance that Misato was well… she had to know about it, no matter what. She had not seen or heard from her former operations director in ages. Yet her car was there… If Misato was still here, Rei had to find out. She yearned for another person from before this calamity.

… if at all possible… I must know…

Rei's crimson eyes drifted to the right, and she froze in place.

What the… how long has he been there…? She thought, slightly jumping back in shock.

A man sitting in the corner, sat with one leg over the other. He wore a fine train-conductor's outfit and puffed on a pipe. He turned to look at her and smiled.

It was somebody, anybody! How ecstatic she felt at that moment.

And yet…

"When did you…" she began but she paused.

… Connnnsort… the word filled her mind. It sounded like some foul sort of speech.

Rei's crimson eyes glistened in the sunlight and the darkness began to dawn on her.

The man's smile began to widen and some smoke released from the tip of his pipe. His strange, dark presence… Rei could instantly tell who it was.

How she hated this fake world.

The skin began to slowly melt on his face and his eyes began to widen, until they were two dark pits staring at her. The pipe moved back and forward, until it turned purple, revealing itself to be a long, purple tongue clothed in rows of jagged teeth. The clothes and skin all melted away, until it revealed its true form. Its flesh turned white-grey and its right arm seemed to be covered in spots, like it was diseased.

A Successor… All of the… 'people' walking around at Zion, she knew that under the surface… they were truly hideous.

…Greeetingsss miladyyyy… it said in a dreadful voice.

The way their words would penetrate your mind… it was as if they communicated on a higher level, but a much more… twisted, dark reality. Something that was above the realms of man.

Rei bowed slightly to it, remembering to be courteous.

"Hello." she said, somewhat awkwardly.

…lies… Rei thought. She was tired of this huge farce. Her very clothes, fit for a queen in this place of desolation. Lies. These fake humans? Lies. How ironic, the young girl noted, the name for this place: Zion. That name is used to conjure up images of an ideal society, a place of refuge, a bastion of strength, a place of salvation… mayhaps for some Godly images would come to mind. Here, however, nothing was as it seemed. Everything was a distortion, a strange… perversion of reality.

The hulking thing wheezed and breathed heavily, staring deep into her crimson eyes. The look was… slightly unnerving. It seemed to salivate a bit.

… Youuuuu will doooo… as J sayssss…. The sickly voice permeated her thoughts.

Rei nodded.

"Yes… of course… everything for the Grand Master…" she said.

…lies… Rei thought. Had she gotten in on the lying action? To be truthful, she was more terrified of what might happen to her if they got word that she… was not faithful to their leader…

…Hurrrry up….Wait…. I cannot wait…

It muttered in a strange, gargled inhuman voice.

Rei looked at the beast, confused.

… Godddessss…. End Phase… I cannnn't waitttttt… it said. Excitement seemed to well in its voice.

A sound ensued over the intercom, indicating that they had arrived at their destination. Rei looked away at the neon lights of the train, indicating their location. She looked back to where the Successor had been sitting, and he was gone. Her eyes darted to and fro and her eyes widened. It had disappeared.

Maybe, it had just been a sign. A… reminder on their part that wherever she went, whatever she did… they were watching her. She disembarked from the train, feeling a slight sense of unease. She was at a corner of the old part of the city of Tokyo-3 that was close to a secret, underground elevator shaft that had been used by NERV employees.

…End Phase…? Rei wondered. What was it referring to… her gut told her that it couldn't be good… Regardless, in this new world Rei would have to live with constant paranoia… that feeling of being watched from the distance. Maybe it had been to remind her that despite her prestigious newfound title… she was a prisoner of sorts here after all.

She checked her watch.

7:12. Rei Ayanami did not have much time.

Hastily, Rei inserted her card with the imperial Successor seal into the keypad and boarded the diagonal elevator that was wide enough to fit whole vehicles. Her security clearance was surprisingly quite good. She judged that she could access… most levels of Zion. Only the best for Jacob's consort…

As the elevator descended, the magnificent view of the Geofront came into view. The same pyramidal structure sat below. This sight was always breathtaking, and eerie how massive and almost lush the land looked below, knowing that the Successors completely occupied Zion. She was descending now into the heart of lies… It looked, somehow more massive. She could have sworn that NERV-HQ had not been this large before, as if the Successors had added expansions onto the subterranean base… building upwards and downwards simultaneously. But that was neither here nor there… Rei gathered her thoughts.

… I don't have much time… but that question was biting her. Misato… or any humans for that matter. Was it not her responsibility to at least find out?

… I remember… hearing of the United Nations Quarters… she thought. Rei knew of the Successor/UN alliance…Surely there were some foreign diplomats still around right? Before there had been many foreigners in these halls. Surely some European Union personnel remained… Soldiers from other countries that were sheltered?

It was her best shot, and the first place to look.

The elevator came to a screeching halt, and she entered the Successor bastion of Zion.

The… idols that now lined the corridors had been… strange to get used to. Creatures, terrible creatures wrought of bronze, gold, and silver lined several of the hallways now. Drapes pronouncing symbols of the Successors hung low in many large rooms from the roof rafters. An eagle swooping down to its nestlings, bearing in its talons both peace and war. The mystifying all-seeing eye…

One of these stared at her along the walls as she came to the front desk. No-one was about… Rei ringed the bell on the counter.

A female Successor, from the looks of it a nurse, came from the darkness in a back room and smiled.

"Why it is the Consort! Can I help you?" she said with glee.

"Yes… I'm looking for the United Nations Quarters…" Rei said slowly.

The woman's warm smile slowly became a suspicious frown.

"And… what business do you have at their Quarters, m'lady? I fear that you may find that area… not entirely to your liking." she replied… a somewhat, hostile tone entering her voice.

Rei eyed her with her deep, crimson eyes.

… I have to try… she thought, lest the nervousness creep in.

Rei Ayanami pointed towards her imperial seal of the Successors that was upon her breast.

"I am free to wander these halls as I please… It is my own business." She said quickly.

The female Successor eyed her, apparently deep in thought.

"… If you would hurry, Jacob is waiting for me… you would not want to keep him waiting…" Rei let out.

"…Yes, of course my lady. Take the third main elevator shaft for civilian personnel to floor P-25. It is at a lower level." she said with a strange expression. Her smile returned.

That did it. No-one was want to… keep Jacob waiting.

Rei bowed and took off down the corridors of Zion. The female eyed her as she left, her smile quickly fading. The nurse stepped back into the darkness.

Rei's footsteps clanged loudly upon the metallic surface. She passed idols along the way of unimaginable kinds…

Instinctively Rei looked over her shoulder, half-expecting the nurse to be following her, or someone else to be watching. There was only darkness and the pale light of neon overhead.

She finally made it to the third main elevator shaft. The young woman had until 7:30… she supposed that at least she could make a quick detour here.

Rei stepped inside and entered P-25 on the keypad. The elevator took off at blinding speed heading downwards, catching her slightly off-guard.

… Misato… anyone… Rei thought. Was there… anyone out there? Shinji Ikari had always been her first choice but… she had long determined that Jacob would never let her see him again… was he even here…?

The light from the upper levels began to fade out the window, and the base became darker, more desolate the lower it went. Soon only neon lights were the only form of light, and some floors that she passed lacked lighting at all.

It made her… slightly uneasy, but she trod on. The elevator came to a grinding halt, and Rei departed.

Her eyes widened.

What lay before her was a hallway like none-other she had seen. The ceiling lights flickered. It seemed as if no-one had maintained this area for quite a while…

But her eyes were instinctively drawn towards the pile of trash that lined the hallways. An abandoned couch in the middle of the hallway… clothes strewn about haphazardly.

What… happened here…? She thought, beginning to feel slightly nervous.

Her heart beat and she stepped forward.

Rei rounded the corner, seeing a long hallway with doors on every side. It was even worse over here…

Heaps of trash, discarded junk. People's belongings… everywhere. Chairs lined the hallway, helmets, boots, coats… everything. Rei Ayanami's felt her resolve shrinking. The condition of these UN quarters… this was very unnerving…

Rei breathed deeply, and brought her hands up to her mouth.

"Hello! Is… is anyone here?" she asked in a loud voice. It reverberated along the hallway. And echoed slightly.

She took some steps down the hallway, passing all of the opened doors that were the United Nations quarters… all of them were opened, and the room were more of the same. Junk, personal belongings littered the rooms. A bed was overturned in one.

The crimson-eyed girl began to smell a certain… stench. It smelled… foul.

"Hello? Are there any UN personnel here…?" she asked bewildered.

Where… where are the people? She thought, desperate.

"…Anyone…?" she let out.

What had transpired here? It looked like a war zone…

Rei Ayanami froze in place. She heard… movements of some sort at the far end of the hallway towards the right. Footsteps… they were faint, but she heard them.

She crept closer and closer to the door…

"Hey!" she called.

And then… there was a deafening crash reverberated from that room.

Rei's heart beat and she felt the fear return to her.

She suddenly felt as if she should leave soon…

Suddenly, the steps grew louder and a figure emerged from the room at the far end… it was especially dark down here, and she couldn't tell who it was…

"You… I've…" the man began in a strange menacing voice… as he came up to her… then he froze in his tracks.

Rei tensed up in surprise, then she saw who it was.

"K… Kaji?" she asked, dumbstruck as to seeing the likes of him way down here.

The Standard Bearer to the order of the Successors wore that exquisite banner in front of his chest.

"R-Rei…?" Ryoji Kaji blurted out in surprise. His voice immediately changed tones from before.

It was… unnerving how he had emerged from the darkness.

… What were you doing…?

"Kaji… where is everyone…?" she asked.

Kaji breathed in deeply. He seemed sort of… unhinged. Out of his element from his usual, stoic appearance at his master's side. The right side of his shirt was off as well.

"…" Kaji seemed lost in thought and said nothing, eyeing Rei with surprise.

"The United Nations delegates… have been transferred to another facility, …great Consort." He finally said, attempting to regain some of his dignity.

Transferred…? She thought. Something did not sit right with this whole situation. And that retched smell from earlier… emanated from him…

"What… what happened here?" Rei asked again.

Kaji immediately went into Standard-bearer demeanor.

"I have been tasked with inventorying any items left behind, taking stock of possessions… essentially boring paperwork if you will…" he said.

That… answered nothing at all.

…But why… why is there stuff strewn all about… she thought, fearing that something… sinister had transpired. And what was that sound she had heard…

Rei breathed in.

Kaji… what… happened to you? Don't you care… about…? Rei thought.

No, she just had to know…

"Kaji… is… Misato still alive?" she asked slowly. She had to get to the heart of the matter. She wanted, desired to speak to someone of her old life, even Kaji. She did not want to speak to the Standard Bearer. Surely, he still wondered about her…? He must.

"…Misato…" Kaji said in a drawn-out voice. His eyes widened slightly, taken aback at the question.

He glanced at the wall beyond her momentarily. His hand trembled slightly. His demeanor… was not right…

"Misato… yes… she is…" Kaji said slowly. A sort of crazed look entered his eyes. The man looked conflicted in a multitude of ways.

"She is!?" Rei exclaimed, hardly able to contain herself.

"Where… is she here…?" she asked, looking at Kaji intently.

…Misato is alive…

Could it be true!?…

Ryoji Kaji stared at her, and nodded slowly. Yet his eyes… she saw now that they were bloodshot. As if he had not slept in a long while.

… Kaji… why…?

He was acting… very strange… Why wasn't he as excited as she was? Wouldn't Kaji of all people want to see her again? To talk to her…

"Kaji… can I see her?" the Consort asked quickly.

Kaji eyed her and a… sad, sort of far off look crossed his features. He looked to the left and the right. Then he bent down slightly and put an arm on her shoulder.

"Misato… I…" he paused.

Rei blinked in confusion. Yet she felt the uneasiness return at their… proximity.

"Rei… one day you can see her, but not today… now you should go, this place is not for… your royal kind. And Jacob is waiting for you." He grinned lightly.

Ryoji Kaji's look… looked to be sincere, but behind that smile, she saw a great pain in the man. It was a look that the Kaji of old would flash from time to time… but there was something else there.

The crimson-eyed girl took a slow step back.

"… Yes of course…" she said slowly. After all, it would soon be time to see Jacob…

She was ecstatic that Misato was alive… yet why did she feel such a sense of dread down here… it was such a strange contrast. He was acting so strange…

She felt incredibly nervous, and his odor… what was that foul smell? Mayhaps it was best to leave…

She saw behind Kaji, there was a name on the outside of one of the doors. Her eyes widened.

'Maya Ibuki' it read.

Kaji saw her gaze, and his tone seemed to darken.

"She is not here." He said quickly. With that he walked back towards the dark end of the hallway.

Rei's stared at him, dumbfounded. She now felt the unease rise by the minute.

…What is going on here?... She thought frantically.

With that she turned to leave, thinking that she would prefer to be…anywhere but the United Nations Quarters at the moment. She walked hurriedly, looking over her shoulder all-the-while. Had the paranoia gotten to her?

She made it past the debris and back to the elevator.

…Transferred…

So they were all gone…

She had not seen a human soul in Zion, well other than the ones the few that were Jacob's creatures… She somehow felt more isolated now than before. But the news… that news of Misato had to count for something. Rei clutched to it. She had to see her again. She decided that sometime in the future she would have to inquire of Kaji again.

…Misato… I'll find you…

The girl looked at her watch with a frantic look. If only this thing would move quicker.

Rei Ayanami breathed deeply and tried to compose herself. Her excursion had taken more time than she previously thought.

…7:30…

She sighed a breath of relief. Jacob was… very punctual. She dare not be late to one of their… sessions. Each time they met, there seemed to be some hideous surprise waiting for the crimson-eyed girl.

The elevator that was long in need of maintenance came to a grinding halt. She had rushed towards a fourth central NERV elevator in haste. This one… required the highest clearance to enter. It was a far-restricted area. And yet, the young woman remembered the feelings. She had personally used this one to meet with Gendo Ikari, and she used to reside in the depths… it brought up disturbing memories. But she feared that the old distasteful memories would pale in comparison to what lay before her.

She had stopped seeing floor designations and neon lights about 30 floors above. This area, deep within the belly of Zion, was more akin to a great subterranean cave. It was an area that was just above Terminal Dogma, where Lilith once stood crucified, surrounded by the amber LCL.

No… this place had once been her… home of sorts…

The door slid open in front of her.

William stood before her, donning a splendid crimson robe and fine tan thigh-length leather boots. He held a pocket watch in one hand.

"…Rei…" he said.

"William…" she replied hesitantly.

Rei's eyes darted left and right… her heart beat quickly… Rei hoped that…

At once she felt a sort of relief. Jacob was not present here, and perhaps he would not show up this time. Sometimes he was there, and sometimes he wasn't. The Grand Master was like that, always keeping people in the dark. Of late, he left his official heir, William, to oversee many of his duties. The sessions were… much worse when Jacob was around…

It would seem they were alone this time.

"I was ready to go find you… Consort. But I see you've found your way." The American said bluntly.

Rei stared at him, her crimson eyes quivering in the dimly lit gigantic space beneath the earth.

…Shame on you… the words churned throughout her mind again.

How… confusing and gut-wretching this whole state of affairs had been with this young man before her. He was the cause of so much of her grief, so much of her shame. And yet… he had been so handsome, so forthcoming with her… was it merely a false sign of salvation?

Sincerity… perhaps that was something else that those who fell under the Successor banners had perverted as well. She had seen him in her visions, when the brilliant wedding beneath the amber waves began to become… corrupted… tainted.

Why… why had she ever felt like reaching out to the young man? Telling him the truth those many moons ago… the truth about herself, about Gendo about everything… Betrayal indeed ran thick among the Successors. It had… ruined her reunion with her beloved. It had torn out her heart. It had sowed seeds of doubt in her mind.

And yet… was there something beneath the surface? Had she not sensed a genuine plea from him those many moons ago? Was that William still here?

Where he had been so tender and so strong with her before, now he was devoid of all of it, truly Jacob's creature until the end it would seem. He spoke to her coldly, as one would speak to something worthless that they have already used and had their satisfaction with.

It… wounded her greatly… even the way he called her 'consort.'

"… I wouldn't miss the Grand Master's session…" Rei replied slowly.

She eyed the room, that wretched cavernous pit deep within the earth. The walls on many sides were lined with a see-through glass, the amber LCL filled the massive holding tanks.

Indeed, she knew this place well…

This was where she and all of her clones had once resided. Yet, she distinctly remembered the destruction of this whole room at the time of the third impact. The tangled mess of gore had filled the room. The tanks were all but destroyed. Lifeless dolls floated by, drifting aimlessly. It had been chaos…

And here she stood, the facility having been rebuilt.

"Good…" William said quickly, as he pointed towards a lone tube at the far end of the room. It formed a break in the massive holding tanks, and could fit a single occupant.

"I have been tasked with doing scans on you again…" he said.

"…Oh…" Rei replied, feeling her heart sink.

… Not again… she thought, desperately.

This… whole procedure honestly made her sick. It made her feel… violated in some way.

The American held out an arm.

"You are to disrobe at once… you know the routine…" he said coolly.

She had done this several times before, and each time she hated it more than the last.

Hesitantly, Rei began undress before him. She gingerly stepped out of her gowns until only her underwear remained. Slowly, she slid out her nipples.

Where once, this had been an intimate affair between lovers, now it was a cause for shame and humiliation. Where there had been a passion of bodies before, now she was to be resigned to be tested upon as some sort of lab animals, while cold eyes watched on.

Did he… feel nothing for her anymore…

She handed him her clothes and began walking towards the tube where she had spent many a day before. Yet, at least she could be grateful that she was the only one here… that the tanks were empty…

Rei's eyes widened.

…No… It can't be… she thought, as she stared on in horror.

An arm banged against the side of the wide holding tank. A nude Rei swam up and looked at her from behind the glass. Her eyes betrayed nothing, a sort of innocence… she was as beautiful and as alive as some sort of doll.

Rei stopped in place and stared all around her. All around her, within the tanks, more Rei's came into view.

"..No.." she said weakly. This was… too much.

There were countless Rei's… hundreds perhaps that began coming into view with more frequency. All drifting about aimlessly behind the glass walls.

"Jacob re-opened the Yui Ikari program… for his own purposes." The American said calmly.

"However, you are the only Goddess here… he needs your mind specifically."

Rei Ayanami stood there aghast in horror.

How innocent… how vulnerable she had been back then when she had been one of them that swirled all around her… But…

How cruel could William truly be? She remembered confiding in him, trusting with him a deep, dark secret about her… how long had she struggled with her identity. Was she even a real person? How isolated she had felt.

What once felt like finding someone that perhaps understood, now felt like a slap in the face. It was pouring salt on a wound.

…Did you… care nothing for me…

…William…

Rei Ayanami hanged her head and walked on. She reached the central tube and wordlessly got inside. The American walked over to some controls and began typing on the holographic computer screen.

Rei raised her arms and spread out her legs, and they were fastened in place, baring her sights to the world.

At once a large helmet-looking device descended from the ceiling and was firmly planted over her head. The cubical device completely covered her eyes, leaving only her mouth visible.

Fear began to course through Rei… fear mixed with shame.

"Right then, we're starting…" William proceeded.

He lowered his hands from the holographic keyboard and tapped on a button that was physically on the large MAGI computer terminal. The hydraulics released the fluid.

Amber LCL, mixed with a tint of green began to pour into the test tube, quickly rising above Rei's feet.

"W-wait…" Rei stuttered. Feeling the icy, cold LCL upon her skin. Normally LCL felt warm, pleasant, inviting… but this sent a chill up her spine.

"Now… we are going to locate the remains of Unit-01…" William continued. He typed at a furious rate, and the keys lit up on the holographic screen in front of him.

By now, the chilled substance was well above Rei's midsection.

Please… no… she thought in vain.

"William… please…don't do this!" she said in a panicked voice. The LCL had reached her neck by now. Her body felt cold and numb all over.

She knew that she was about to go through hell…

She couldn't see him as the device obstructed her vision. She only saw darkness in that special helmet, but she turned towards where she knew he would be standing in the middle of the room.

Will… Don't you… she thought… frantically.

"William!... Don't you care about me!" she yelled.

By now, the LCL had filled the entirety of the tube.

William paused momentarily, and looked at her. His hand faltered for a moment, but he placed it firmly upon the lever at the top of the terminal.

"We're a go." He said.

He rammed the lever forward at full force.

A tear slid down Rei's cheek. Her eyes glistened in that dark place. She closed her eyes, expecting the worst.

At once, the space within her helmet lit up in an array of amber light. Whether it was illuminated on the inside, or if it was within her mind, she could not tell exactly. She grit her teeth and began to feel a… pain well up within her body. It was as if someone was standing on her spinal cord and putting more, and more weight upon her frame.

William watched the images and data arrange itself before him over the holographic screen.

Rei Ayanami opened her mouth, but nothing came out. It was… a very silent scream.

Images flashed in front of her at a blinding pace.

The souls at the bottom of the Great Sea were in turmoil, yearning for the return of their goddess… the land of twilight withered and died, being flung to the wind like a pot of ashes.

The machine upon her head churned and whirred, making an extremely loud noise.

The mental… no, mental and physical assault upon her person were too much.

"Uuuuurgh…" she let out between clenched teeth.

The wedding scene… a scene that had played countless times in her mind started perfect, but began to melt all around her, as if it was a house of wax. William looked off into the distance. In a foreign land, something terrible had transpired and she saw it… she saw it with her crimson eyes.

… Crimson eyes… the words rang throughout her mind like a thousand angry hornets, threatening to break free of the enclave that was her mind. Her head rattled and blood began to seep out of one nostril.

There was… something else, but it was intangible. What was it? Rei could not say, but it was here… an ancient force...

Blood began to pour out of her mouth now.

"Ahhhhh!" she screamed, feeling her head heave back in shock. It was comparable to a neurological impulse of being injured and instinctively flinching away.

William scanned the data, his eyes darting back and forth quickly.

N…No… Rei thought.

They had taken her body. They had taken her very mind captive. She was coming undone at the seams. She was… losing herself…

But there was one thing she could not lose! She willed it not.

She would not betray Shinji Ikari at this moment. Where she had hidden Unit-01… only she knew, deep within the confines of her mind and her heart.

You… won't… take it away from me!

That place was special, sacred to her… It would not be leered at and desecrated as everything else had been, by the likes of the Successors!

Rei lowered her head in agony. The images, some recognizable, some unrecognizable came at a hundred a minute now. It was… all too much.

But she willed it… she willed herself. She would not give in to the mental assault. They had scanned every aota of her mind by now… but she would keep it locked away! It was only Shinji's to see.

"You… CAN'T HAVE IT!" she groaned in agony.

Rei coughed up blood.

A lone eye opened in the darkness, showing its terror upon the world. A conqueror, drawing the sword, rode off to do battle with the nations. That ancient power began unfolding in the skies, coming down from the very heavens itself.

People ran to and fro. There was chaos. Calamity. Death. Hope had long vanished from this world. Everywhere was screaming.

Rei opened her eyes weakly and looked straight forward. Blood began to pour out of the tear duct of her right eye.

Her crimson eyes shone in the resounding lights all around her horizon. They widened.

The amber seas raged and churned. There was a storm at sea…

And on the throne, somewhere, she could not tell where, a man held a golden goblet in his hand. Somehow, she knew that this was the king.

He took a long swig of the drink, then heaved it forward. It clanged and rattled as it descended the mountain of steps that lead up to his throne.

With one arm propped up against his cheek, Shinji Ikari stared at her. In his eyes were a… lustful look, but something else… Something strange.

Something dark. He smiled.

…Crimson… eyes…

… The Great Goddess…

A light flashed in front of Rei's eyes.

Her mouth opened, but the words would not come. The pain was unbearable. At that point, her body dropped lifelessly in the tube, her mind having been enveloped by darkness.

The young man paced about restlessly. The deeds for the day were done.

You know…You are free… to take her for yourself when you please… Jacob had told him, with a grin.

The current heir to the throne of the Successors walked about the dark hallways of Zion, heading towards his quarters. His fine leather boots echoed across the cold, metallic floor. The fine crimson cape flowed behind him.

Apparently the Successor doctrine was true… whatever was his master's was rightfully his as well.

And yet… he found that he had not given into such passions, such cravings.

…What's mine is yours… he had told him, reassuringly. Did he not deserve the best things in life as his master had? What an honor it would have been. Many a man would have killed to be in such a position, to freely claim wealth and riches.

But why… why did it make him feel… such things.

Rei's pleading crimson eyes flashed in front of his mind.

Why… Rei why do you… he let the thought trail off. It was something he could not shake from his mind, from his memories… but now was not the time for such thoughts.

The American frowned and carried on his way. Now was not the time to sour his demeanor with such thoughts.

William rounded the corner. There was a single dim light in the middle of this corridor. It was unusually dark. He paused underneath the light. The American's eyes darted to the far left corner and he frowned.

"You there… Why are you in that form? Come down here at once." He said quickly, pointing to the far side of the hall.

There was nothing. Then, a form slowly began to take shape in the hallway. A massive, grotesque Successor soon came into view, hoisting himself up near the ceiling with its two arms, grinning all the while. Its flesh was blue and black. The young man had learned to see through their invisibility. After all, he had been taken in by Jacob himself.

…HEART OF MAN….

He heard the words spoken in his mind, almost telepathically as the Successors were apt to do.

William's eyes quickly dashed to the right of the hallway, and he turned his head to look behind him.

Another successor materialized not far from the first one, at the lower right hand side of the hallway. It was a green-greyish thing. It chuckled in a very guttural voice.

Weeeee hear that Jacobbbbb…. Takes interest in another…

Behind him, where he had rounded the corner, another one materialized. Its long, black tongue flowed through a mouth full of jagged teeth.

William turned back to the first one.

"What is the meaning of this? It's not the appointed time." He said, in a stern tone.

Calmly assessing the situation, he knew that he was effectively surrounded.

There was more sinister laughter.

The lilinnnnsss daysss…. Are numberrrred…

William narrowed his eyes. If there was one thing that angered him…

… heart of man… he thought.

It was being called that name.

The Successors had been so impressed with his willingness to betray one so important to him and… his cowardice, that they had taken him under their wing. They had so marveled at his actions that they had applied himself as a benchmark for the human condition: selfish, weak, shiftless creatures that would do anything for themselves. They came to see all humans in this light, and they learned the true human nature from him. He had represented the worst in humanity, and the Successors celebrated it. It was a name that had hung over his head in those early days… but no…

That was before Jacob had taken him on as his own… and if there was one thing he had learned from his master…

It was to never give an inch.

William looked at the massive successor.

"Have you forgotten that I am above your lot? I am the heir to the Order of the Successors… I am William Locke! Now get down here at once… Insubordination is unacceptable. You will be flogged for your insolence." He declared.

In the Successor world, power was everything. It was often something that… had to be displayed, as a reminder of why those on the top rungs of society were at the top.

He produced a short, solid whip from within his fine crimson cape.

The massive successor snarled and produced a frown of his own. He dropped to the floor with a massive thud. The clangs of the metal reverberated down the hallway.

I tireee of hearing lilin here… the sacrificeeee is almoooost complete… it said in a ghastly, otherworldly voice.

…Not oneee of us… yourrr influence, human… is coming to an end…

It took step after menacing step towards the American's position. Its mouth had widened nearly twice the width of its face. Saliva began dripping out onto the floor.

I sense it… Jacob is choosing another… the green successor taunted.

William raised an eyebrow.

"You won't submit? Have you forgotten that I have inherited Jacob's will? Any slight against me is a slight against the Grand Master himself." He said, letting the threat hang.

But the blood lust was clear in this Successor's pitch black eyes.

The Successor stood a mere two feet away from the American. It towered over him.

…HEART OF MAN… it said again.

William's heart beat and his eyes widened. Those were the wrong words to utter… The rage flared up inside him for a brief second.

One second he stood there. In a flash, the successor was pinned against the wall, William's elbow planted deep where the Successor's head had been before. Its mouth opened and its tongue rolled out, lifeless. It had been crunched all the way to below its neck. At once a thick, black-blue blood began to shoot out of the being's neck. The remains of its brains, throat, and eyes began seeping onto the floor.

William breathed heavily.

He dislodged his elbow from the mess of gore and continued his way down the hall.

The two remaining successors stood in place and exchanged weary glances at each other.

William passed the green one at the end of the hallway.

"Clean up this mess…" he said, briefly planting a firm hand on its shoulder before walking off. He did not look behind his shoulder, knowing that the message was crystal clear.

He came to an elevator illuminated with neon lights on the outside. William entered his keycard and quickly entered. He entered the secret command for the 74th floor, his own illustrious quarters and leaned back against the wall as it began to rise.

William looked down at his right hand.

…What is this feeling…? He thought.

The hand was trembling slightly. Was it… fear? It had been so long since he had felt that emotion. He did not know how it was possible to experience such a thing at this time… after all of his tutelage with Jacob…

The American tried to reason that perhaps, it was excitement. After all, it was the Successor way… only the strong remained on top. Throughout eons, were they not always challenging, nay slaying one another? And truth be told… he saw no qualms with killing any of the wretched creatures.

One could say that he found a… sense of satisfaction whenever he was allowed to extinguish ones' life, and as heir to the Order of the Successors… William was allowed to do practically anything he wished.

William glanced out the window, seeing the illuminated floor numbers pass one by one.

They are growing more bold… more restless by the day… he mused.

The human sacrifices had long since run out at this grand capital city.

And that could only mean one thing…

…End phase… is starting soon…

It seemed they were losing the resolve to remain in human form for appearances sake… their blood lust would win the day in the end, and it would be brutal. But it was all happening sooner, much sooner than William had expected.

He sighed.

Shinji… I hope you know what you're getting into…

It was sunny, clear skies in every direction for the eye to see.

The illustrious fifth generation F-22 raptor was in a state of supercruise at an impression 1,200 miles per hour. It soared through the air at an altitude of around 35,000 feet.

The pilot scanned the horizons.

He had just flown over the majestic Himalayan peaks. The snowcapped mountains had towered over the surrounding landscape. Flying low enough, the man had made out Mt. Everest in his sights before. It had been quite a thrilling experience, but now he was on another mission of sorts.

… A distress signal… he thought.

He now resided far to the east on the Tibetan Plateau in China, an enormous landscape dotted by mountain ranges, valleys, and lakes. It surrounded the mighty Himalayas.

The successor soldier was from a reserve force in the fifth air squadron. He had received… a curious distress signal on his radar, near the site where the 1st division of the UN forces should have been crushed by now.

… Did we receive more resistance than we thought…? He wondered.

It was curious. By now, they should have messaged that the deed was done. And yet… there had been a strange silence over the intercoms. Now there was a distress signal?

The pilot breathed slowly. He began his descent and had his eyes on the dot of his radar.

While he was more acting as a scout, it was true that if things had turned ugly… in all likelihood he could provide the necessary air power to win a fight. Just one F-22 was all it took. Before the United States went dark to the world, they had commanded supreme air superiority over all other nations. Now under the mantle of the Successors, the remains of the USAF had been much of the same: commanding terror in its enemies. This cutting-edge plane was quite a revolutionary piece of technology.

In a mere few minutes, the ace pilot had nearly halved his altitude. A mountain range stood beneath him, with many foothills and valleys winding around in all directions visible.

The distress signal came through again on his radar. It wasn't a voice, or an SOS… perhaps morse code? The man tightened his grips on the intricate controls.

The F-22 Raptor had a keen ability to slow down to such an extent that it could somewhat hover in place, a very complex aerial maneuver.

…Here we go… he thought, as he approached his destination.

The pilot's eyes scanned the terrain below. His eyes widened.

This was the battlefield… or what remained of it. He expected to see an array of Successor tanks and planes perched by. But there was nothing there. Or rather, nothing moving. There was some sign of debris littering the field below, but who it belonged to was intangible. There were no signs of the UN forces as well…

No, all that lay in this desolate valley was a massive crater of sorts in the earth. Smoke emanated from the ground, and it reached from mountain to opposing mountain.

"What… the hell happened?" he said, aghast at what he was seeing.

Was… everyone dead? This definitely wasn't good.

The distress signal picked up in earnest. The dot appearing every second now on the radar. He was now flying at a meager 13,000 feet in the air. His speed had dropped dramatically. The location was just on the other side of the mountain.

He decided that it was best to use caution in this situation… He was keenly aware of the transmitter in the cockpit. Should needs be, he could radio in for help.

"Copy, do you read me? Copy…" He said over the intercom, sending a message towards the signal.

There was no answer.

As he rounded the top of the mountain, the jet began to hover in place slowly. His eyes scanned the destination…

They widened immediately.

Perched on the far side of that mountain, previously out of view was something… terrible, dreadful.

W-What…!?

He was barely able to comprehend what was happening.

There was some… thing holding on to the mountain. It had hideous black eyes and it was enormous. Its skin was amber-red with hints of blue. Out of its back came two sets of wings that seemed to change color rapidly, an almost translucent effect. The monstrosity lacked a lower body… But the worst part… the worst part was its death-defying size…

Fear gripped the pilot in an instant, and for a second he simply floated there, looking at this incomprehensible being. This… This was the distress signal!?

Its mighty mouth opened, and a piercing, white light began to form.

The ace pilot looked on, dumbstruck. Some dreadful sound like a thunderclap could be heard across the world. A second later a beam with such magnitude, such ferocity emanated forth from the otherworldly being.

Wide-eyed in fear, the pilot slammed on the controls, putting the thruster to full power. But he had hesitated before, simply staring at this behemoth in shock. It was too little, too late.

"Ahhh…" he began, not able to complete the cry of terror.

The beam which was pure as light itself covered the F-22 in its entirety, and an explosion was seen over the skies of the Tibetan Plateau.

The night sky echoed a brilliant hue of purple. Stars filled the depths, innumerable to the human eye.

The man sat around a campfire, peering into the dancing flames. A ruined cabin lay behind him.

The groups' flight through the skies had been paramount… dare he admit mythical in some ways. As they had traversed around the mighty Himalayas, the Ancient One had been as cryptic as ever. They had flown by countless Buddhist monasteries and seen sights from an age long past. The history in the area was astounding. Was there a limit to the old one's wisdom and knowledge?

…AH… YES…I… KNOW… THEM… ALL…IN… THE… REALM… OF… MEN… He had said.

Gendo Ikari had pressed him for answers. He was thirsty… thirsty for knowledge, hungry for knowledge. He had merely smiled and said.

…THAT…IS…A…TALE…FOR…ANOTHER…TIME… he trailed off.

It would seem that Adam left more questions than he gave answers, yet as of late, the man felt a certain… closeness to the being. It was akin to being taken under its massive wings. Strangely… he felt that the great one showed warmth to him, as a human might towards his son.

Now, the mighty Adam rested in a field close by. Solemn, resolute the being slumbered. One would almost call his form… beautiful, ancient were they not first taken under a wave of horror from his monstrous appearance. He would need every ounce of strength for the journey ahead… and their ultimate destination.

Every now and then, a jolt of lightning would be seen in the distance, a mere 30 feet away, but Ikari felt no fear. He was used to it by now. The man had total confidence in the ancient one. There were not too many humanoid monsters roaming around in this desolate area, but there were a few. While he rested, the Ancient One had set a force field about them, killing anything that came within range.

They now found themselves on the fringes of the Tibetan Plateau, in a hostile and unforgiving landscape. A land dotted by winding valleys and inhospitable mountains. This place had doubtlessly been desolate before, but now it was… much more quiet than usual in these times.

The television set droned on in the cabin behind him, sending out its same message. Perhaps it had been his many years of being a machinist, but Gendo Ikari had… an affinity for technology. It was all he had known, all he had been groomed for on that desolate, floating ice burg known as R-152, a remnant of the once mighty Antarctica. How it plagued him, tormented him knowing that he had been robbed of his very person, his very life for so long.

Gendo had easily fixed the old TV set, reassembling its contents inside. Once he had plugged it in…

… Our time is running out… Gendo thought eerily.

The group had also recovered an old F-16 Fighting Phantom, left abandoned in the aftermath of the battle. Gendo had quickly gone to work on it, scouring the insides for components, making sure it was in top condition. After all, every piece of equipment was a boon to them in these troubled times…

He arose from his position around the fire.

"…I'll turn it off." He said.

The broadcast was on a loop, spurting out the same message every two minutes or so… and the message was especially grim now…

One Kaworu Nagisa sat next to him on his knees in front of the flames. He nodded at the Commander, as if reading his mind.

"If what I was briefed about long ago is true… the Successors are nearing the End Phase to their plans…" He mused.

Gendo walked towards the cabin and frowned at the television set. He pulled the plug, wondering why he had thought it was a good idea to bring this obsolete thing back to life in the first place.

Kaworu stood up and turned to face Gendo, looking deathly serious.

"Their sacrifices… are almost complete for the appointed time." He declared, ominously.

Gendo Ikari stared at him and nodded slowly.

"We need to get to Tokyo-3 fast… but…" he trailed off, staring at the Ancient One.

The Ancient One that slumbered before them, nay, the original Angel in existence… the most supreme and powerful among all the Angels in the Cosmos… One who had tangled with Jacob himself and lived to tell the tale… it was obvious that his slumbers were becoming longer than usual as the days wore on. His trips were becoming shorter distance-wise every day. He needed more time to recharge.

His power… seemed to be waning, it was undeniable. Perhaps the old being was simply not as glorious, as terrible as he had been before… perhaps it was his deep humility that had changed him from his time imprisoned amongst the Humans. What it was no-one could clearly say. But one thing was certain: They were all running out of time.

… End Phase… Ikari mused. Everything was coming to a climax quicker than previously expected. Had he not uttered to the world that Gendo Ikari had returned in the flesh to take out the Successors? The time for action was now.

Kaworu Nagisa walked over towards Adam.

"I… need to speak with him and make my intentions known." He said.

The last angel walked over and placed a gentle hand on its chest.

Gendo Ikari looked surprised and pointed towards the Ancient One.

"You shouldn't wake him when he's like this…" he began, thinking about his rest…

But it was too late. The mighty ancient being turned onto one side, making a low roaring noise. His massive black eyes opened to the world.

"Adam…" said Kaworu Nagisa, slowly.

… TABRIS… WHAT… TROUBLES… YOU… SO… it said in a mighty voice that filled their minds.

Its eyes moved towards Gendo Ikari…

…OR… PERHAPS… YOU… YOUNG…COMMANDER… ARE… YOU… ACCEPTING… YOUR… ROLE…? It said in that strange, ancient voice.

…What…? Thought Gendo, taken aback by such a statement.

It would seem that in the midst of their crisis, Adam would still think of him in such a way… It was true, the machinist had taken on the mantle of one Gendo Ikari. The one who had taken everything from him and left him marooned to his own fate… the one he resembled to a tee. The one who, perhaps, gave him life…

Long had he hated the name that he now donned. And yet… it was necessary. It was necessary for his own son. He was, after all, Gendo Ikari. He felt the very warmth, the very anger coursing throughout his bones incessantly of the havoc that Jacob had so caused in the world… now sitting where the original Gendo had sat himself.

The return of a strong leader such as himself was necessary for this world… Perhaps it was the only way to turn the tides of fate. He only wished that if he ever did see his own son again… no, when he saw his son again, that he would be able to share a moment with him as the ancient one so shared with himself.

Gendo looked at him resolutely.

"Yes… I am seeing this course to its finish…" He said slowly, but firmly.

The ancient one nodded slowly.

…YOU… WILL… BE…A… FINE… COMMANDER… SOMEDAY… He mused slowly, perhaps to himself, but they both heard it. Crystal clear.

Kaworu Nagisa stared at Adam with a grave question on his mind. The wind rustled slowly against his black, leather jacket.

"Adam… have I lead you astray until now? I knew from the intel that the Successors would strike here, and you destroyed them all…" he said, pausing momentarily.

The Ancient One closed his eyes, apparently deep in thought.

"I'm worried, Adam…" Kaworu let the question hang.

… WHAT… IS… IT… YOU… DESIRE… TABRIS…

"… that we lack the strength." Kaworu finished slowly.

The Ancient One sighed.

…SO… THAT… IS… YOUR… PLEA… Adam began.

Adam's eyes stared off into the night sky, observing the timeless stars. Gendo knew that when the Ancient One got like this, he was prone to reminisce of stories long past.

… THESE… OLD… BONES… OF… MINE…I… TELL… YOU… THE… TRUTH…

His very words came out slowly, almost haggard.

…THE… POWER… OF… J… GROWS… STRONGER… BY… THE… DAY… WHILE… MINE…OWN… WANES… I… FEAR… THAT… NONE… ON…EARTH…HAS…THE…POWER…TO... FELL… HIM…

Kaworu nodded.

"Yes, I've seen his true form Adam… that's why we need all the help we can get. Master…" he let out the last word fondly and grinned, looking up at the Ancient One. They looked at each other as only angels could, a sort of bond that transcends time.

"Let me go on ahead to Tokyo-3… Let me recover Unit-09. If there is still some way to contribute, I will put him down." He declared.

Gendo stared at Kaworu questioningly.

… So that's it… he thought. Had it not been a while since the Ancient One had felled the mighty Unit-09? Now the same pilot sought to return to the world of EVA.

The Ancient One stared at him, taken aback by such a question.

…IT… WAS… MY… GREATEST… MISTAKE… LOOKING…DOWN…ON …JACOB… I… MUST… FINISH… WHAT…WAS… CAST… ON… THE… WORLD… He paused, collecting his thoughts.

…BUT…IF…THAT…IS…YOUR…WISH…I… CANNOT… STOP… YOU…

Kaworu Nagisa took a knee in front of the Ancient One. He spoke with conviction.

"Adam… I served under Jacob… He twisted my mind to slay my own kind at his behest. But Jacob, I've seen his true face!... The contempt in those eyes… Yes HIS plans for the Lilin… his end phase will change everything. I will not fade into the night without struggling against one such as he, even if we fail in the end. The usurpers have had their way for too long. And so, I must go. This is only one way…I still command tremendous respect with the Successors. Only I can do this."

…SO…YOU…WOULD…VENTURE…INTO…THE…HEART…OF…DARKNESS…

Kaworu reached out an arm and crossed another in front of his chest.

"Adam, let us make a pact… like in the old times. Let us invoke the old order!" He said slowly. Kaworu Nagisa closed his eyes.

…HOW… LONG… HAS… IT… BEEN…SINCE…I'VE… HEARD…THOSE…WORDS… The Ancient One mused.

Gendo Ikari watched the whole situation with intrigue. The two, last remaining Angels in the cosmos were making a sort of covenant one to the other.

Tabris put a strong, firm arm on the Ancient One's head. A sort of light began to emanate between them. Gendo sensed that they were communicating telepathically.

They spoke the words simultaneously.

"I swear… that if one stone is raised against an angel… it is an assault on us all…"

…I… SWEAR… THAT… IF… ONE… STONE… IS… RAISED… AGAINST… AN… ANGEL… IT… IS…AN…ASSAULT…ON…US…ALL…

"And if I do not come to the other's aid… may I be cast down at first sight!"

… AND… IF… I… DO… NOT… COME… TO… THE… OTHER'S… AID… MAY… I… BE… CAST… DOWN… AT … FIRST… SIGHT…

"...Enveloped in that terrible light!"

…ENVELOPED… IN…THAT... TERRIBLE...LIGHT…

"The sword leaves mine mouth to vanquish!"

...THE... SWORD... LEAVES... MINE... MOUTH... TO... VANQUISH!...

Kaworu Nagisa opened his eyes again… somehow appearing reinvigorated. There must have been something more than just the words to that ancient pact… perhaps there was something spiritual that had transpired. The ancient's one voice seemed to be raising into a violent crescendo as they uttered the sacred pact.

His crimson eyes flickered in front of the flames of the fire.

The strange, enveloping light that had consumed them began to fade.

"You know, Adam… I didn't know what to expect when I found you… but I'm glad to have seen you again with these eyes." He said.

With that he gave a salute to the first of their kind.

…I…TAUGHT… YOU… THE… WORDS… SO… LONG… AGO… THE … ALPHA… AND… OMEGA … YOU … AND … I…. THE … LAST… OF… OUR … KIND… HOW … FITTING …

"Let me discover the answer for us all… just a while longer…" Kaworu said to Adam, or perhaps he merely mused aloud.

On the other side of the campfire was the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Amazingly, it had not been hit by Adam's terrible blasts in the fields of slaughter, having been landed far away, likely as a reserve Successor unit. Kaworu had his eyes on this plane, Gendo could tell since it had been recovered.

It would seem that time was now for Tabris.

Kaworu Nagisa bowed before Gendo and turned to enter the cockpit of that old F-16 Fighting Falcon, circa 1985.

Gendo Ikari watched him, the words escaping his mouth at what had transpired. He felt as if he should try and protest the hastily made decision, yet he found himself merely raising an arm slowly.

"...Goodbye..." he said, albeit reluctantly.

Before he strapped into his mouth-breathing piece and helmet, he declared.

"I'll wait for you, Adam… when I see you enter the city, Unit-09 shall come from the depths to your aid. Until we meet again... The angels will not fade into the night!"

As he fired the massive propulsion systems of the aircraft, it began to gain speed across the land, and eventually far away it began to rise into the air, until the F-16 was flying straight into the night. Soon it became a small, glowing red dot against the tapestry that was space.

At that point, Gendo Ikari turned back towards the Ancient One.

"… Is that wise? Trusting him with Unit-09…" he asked. After all, he had once sought their destruction on the field of battle.

… YOU… MAY… KNOW… THIS... FEELING… ONE… DAY … OFTEN… YOUR … CHILDREN… DO … NOT … DO… WHAT... YOU... WANT... OR...WHAT… YOU… HAD… PLANNED… FOR... THEM...

His eyes look on after the aircraft.

…ONE… CAN… ONLY… GUIDE… THEM… AND... HAVE…FAITH... WHAT … ONCE… WAS… MEANT… TO… EXTINGUISH… LIFE… HE … WISHES… TO… APPLY… HIS… OWN… PURPOSE… THINK… ON… THESE… THINGS… GENDO…

Gendo Ikari stared up at the multitude of stars.

… Often times, children do not do what you had planned… he thought.

As cryptic as ever, the Ancient One had given him something to chew one in the realm of knowledge. Gendo Ikari thought of his own son at that moment as they scanned the brilliant night sky together.

How would his own son react to him after being absent for years? He could only wonder where Shinji's life had taken him to this moment, all of the twists and turns that come in life. Was it possible that his son would do something that was not planned… what if Shinji did not turn out as he had hoped? How would Gendo himself react to it?

How was a father be in that situation...

Gendo Ikari felt resigned to the fact that he simply must trust that Shinji had forged his own path.

…Shinji… my son…

Kaworu Nagisa flew at a steady north by east route across the night sky traveling 900 miles per hour.

There were only him and the stars to keep him company on the lonely voyage into darkness. He let his mind delve into the hues of dark purple that were his company that fateful night.

… Those were big words… he thought, of the covenant. The sacred vow. It was an unbreakable oath, especially for one such as he. To go from kindred slayer and feeling the highs of killing one's own kind to the knowledge that him and the Ancient Ones were the last of the angels throughout the cosmos.

Tabris had not expressed it in words… no Adam had not expressed it either, but he felt it in his thoughts. This was, perhaps, the last time that such a vow would be uttered among the angelic kind ever again.

Kaworu knew that at least one of them would die in this mission, most likely both of them.

Just thinking of Jacob's true form… his right hand began to shake slightly on the joystick. The closer he came to Tokyo-3… the more the fear welled within him. Somehow, somewhere… it was as if he could sense the might of Jacob itself, spread out across the land.

These… Successors… how he had looked down upon them… 'half-breeds' he had said of them… they were stock that was beneath angels, every one of them.

Every one… with the exception of the enigmatic 'J.' The sinking feeling in his gut began to return to him as when Jacob revealed his true form.

…He is… he was above us the entire time…

For an angel, the thought was incomprehensible, blasphemy even. And yet... somehow it was true.

The thoughts began to race through his mind.

"What if I'm apprehended when I arrive?" he mused aloud.

Technically, he mused… technically he had not deserted. He had just… failed to 'check up' with Jacob. But yet, was he not the rank 01 EVA Pilot of the Successors? Did he not have the ability to go and do what he pleased?

"No… he wouldn't dare… not in public at least…" he said aloud.

… After all… I command a tremendous amount of respect… even fear among the Successors… he thought, trying to assure himself of this perilous quest.

That, at least, was true. As far as they knew, he was the last angel in the flesh. They had always been fearful, respectful of his time. And he knew, deep down, the jealousy they felt of being subservient to a higher being. It was only natural for the half-breeds… No, even now in these times, he still had a following at Zion. In his mind the Successors would relish the opportunity to approach an angel, even mate with an angel had they the chance, with one as ancient and powerful as his own kind... as a way to gain power and to move up. As for the angels? Such an act with these lower usurpers was unheard of, anathema. An abomination.

But… something gnawed at him.

He had been absent from the imperial city for a long while. Could things have changed at Zion? Mayhaps they had plans now that he wasn't aware of before… Kaworu knew that he was doubtlessly walking into danger…

He recalled the last time he was in Zion, there were rumors of Jacob's personal 0 rank EVA Pilot, but he was across the sea in the motherland at the time. He had not heard news in a great while, but he wondered about that curious detail.

…No… if I'm a deserter… why would I be coming back like this willingly? Kaworu tried to persuade himself.

He already had a cover story. It was only a matter of time before he put his plans into action. He would report to the Successors that the battle in Tibet was a success… That he had United with the Successor battalion, and indeed lead them to defeat the UN 1st division forces. There were no Successors around to tell what truly transpired there, as dead men tell no tales.

It was practically full-proof. After all, why would he willingly reveal himself, defenseless at that, in a city full of his enemies?

And yet… yet…

His quivering hands gripped the controls tightly now.

That abominable Jacob, one who's glory and might had no equal, one who was as an angel of light, was laughing at him, mocking him again in his mind.

… Jacob sees all… Kaworu thought. He somehow just knew that fact.

Perhaps he was doomed from the start, but Tabris had to try… after all, it was the least he could do. Even if no-one could take down the terror that was Jacob, an angel could simply not stand by and let his kind be so demeaned, so dragged through the dirt.

Kaworu Nagisa breathed in slowly, and willed his mind wander anywhere from the grueling task that would be at hand.

A star full of skies… simply beautiful and awe-inspiring.

… I wonder… how Shinji's doing… the angel thought, as he watched a solitary cloud drift by. It would warm him… do his heart well to see him again. He had indeed taken a particular interest in this Lilin. Yes, Tabris had always... had a strange fascination with the Lilin. He had constantly observed them. Where one such as Jacob had nothing but contempt, Kaworu had... something else. Yes, he knew of the frailties of man, of the obvious weakness of their human nature. But... there was something there, what was it? His short time with Shinji Ikari had... evoked a strange response within him.

If he could see the young Ikari again...That was, if he wasn't already dead by now realistically.

Kaworu looked at the ground below. In the moonlight, the dark landscapes fled away from his craft at high speeds.

It would seem that wherever his mind turned for comfort, there was none.

… I hope you're well… he thought, fearing the worst for the EVA Unit-01 Pilot.

Kaworu stared at the radio transmitter inside the cockpit. It was now or never… an unidentified plane in Successor airspace? Unheard of. It was suspicious at best, and he was in danger of being identified as a hostile at worst.

No, this was Kaworu's burden to bear, and his alone. He needed to act now, to act swiftly. Time was short. After all, End Phase was quickly approaching… He judged that the Successors would be… more ruthless, more bloodthirsty than they even had been before. And once the sacrifices were complete…

Kaworu gave one last, fleeting look at the purple darkness around him and picked up the walky-talky that linked to the Successor flight navigation grid.

…Adam… give me strength… he thought, as a sort of mantra.

He clicked the button on the mouth piece.

"This is Kaworu Nagisa, rank 01 Pilot of the Order of the Successors reporting over the skies of China. Please patch me through to Zion…"

The young woman lay prostrate on her belly in that dark, cramped place. She dare not move… she dare not breathe loudly. She dare not make a sound.

…R…Rei…? She thought, unable to contain the shock at that familiar voice. It had been her in that conversation she overheard, there was no doubt about it.

So… she was alive after all of this time? Something within her had wanted to rush out and embrace the crimson-eyed girl. She wanted to thank the heavens that there was another person out there. She… she cursed herself for being weak and not warning Rei Ayanami that she was in grave danger here.

But fear had won the day. In the end… it was better to stay silent… always silent here…

How long… how long had it been?

Maya Ibuki judged that she had been up here for nearly three days, but she had no way of knowing. After all, it was a tight, cramped space. And darkness was her only companion. Darkness… and the occasional spider.

He's a liar! She had wanted to scream at the top of her lungs. When she heard Rei's voice down there in that dark place that was the dreadful UN Quarters on floor P-25… her heart raced but simultaneously sank. She knew that Rei was dead.

And yet… she had been allowed to leave this place of filth this… this hell hole.

It had been days before, but that was the last that she saw of her fellow NERV computer technician… and friend, Makoto Hyuga.

Ryoji Kaji had taken him away. And somehow… she knew he was dead.

Long had Zion passed the point of… tolerating these United Nations foreigners and former NERV associates. While they had first been eyed with suspicion, but allowed to somewhat retain their former posts under… strained conditions, the veil of deceit in this cursed place had been lifted long ago.

No… Zion was, in actuality, a killing field. She remembered the day that Kaji, the Standard Bearer of the Order of Successors had come, but not to settle a dispute or to lift the case of the starving and struggling former NERV and UN personnel.

No… he had come to take them away. And each time he had showed up, waves of panic resonated throughout the corridors. It was then that they knew they were virtual prisoners here, never allowed to leave floor P-25. There had been suspicions that something was amiss long before they were imprisoned. A long while back, she recalled her unease at the disappearance of Shigeru Aoba. But that was long… that was so long ago…

Now, someone only left this place when Kaji came and took them away…

She shuttered slightly.

And he always claimed that they were… going away for a while… to see Misato…

She peered out of a crack in the ceiling panels. She had hidden herself in a small crawl space above the ceiling tiles, several rooms down from her own room.

Now… she was the last one left. Perhaps, as she judged, the last human soul left alive in Zion. That was until she had heard Rei's voice a while ago… but just like a fleeing dream, she was gone and it was just her.

Maya was so hungry… and dreadfully thirsty. But lie there silently, she did. The fear overwhelmed her and her only thoughts were of doom and sorrow at the loss of her friends.

A sound could be heard in the distance about three doors down.

Her eyes widened in terror.

No… Please… she thought. It would seem that her tormentor was back.

She heard the cold steps of boots on the metallic surface approaching her location.

"Maya…" he cooed slightly.

She heard a thunderous crack in the distance and her heart beat in her chest.

Silent Maya… stay silent… maybe he won't find you this time…

"Little Maya Ibuki… what is the use in hiding? You know I will find you eventually… just come out already…" The standard-bearer said in an ominous tone.

There was another crash. In terror, she held her breath and looked through the crack at the room below, not making a sound.

The boots continued across the hallways, filling her soul with dread. They were closer… much closer now…

That's when she saw Kaji emerge at the doorway and look into the room below her. His shirt was half off. There was a crazed look in his eye, as if he had not slept in a long while.

Her eyes widened and tears began to from at the edges. She clamped her mouth in terror, lest she make a sound.

The Standard bearer scanned the room with cold, dead eyes. He took step after slow step towards the middle.

"Mayaaa…" he said again, in that dreadful tone.

"Don't you want to see Misato? She… wants to see you. You are keeping her waiting…" he trailed off.

At that moment he eyed a closed locker on the far side of the room. He crept up to it slowly, and like a madman opened it violently. It made a deafening, cracking sound. In anger he punched the locker door and it broke off its hinges.

"You are being difficult, little Maya…" his tone was now more angry.

At that moment, he walked towards the closet that was right underneath it. In a rage he flung open the sliding doors.

…Please… no… Maya thought, feeling as though the terror alone would kill her.

He roared in anger and ripped the closet door off its slider. He began throwing the contents inside of it around the room wildly.

He breathed heavily and stood in place for a while, hunched over like some sort of caged animal.

After a time, he reached into the half of his shirt that was still on and produced a flask. He took a long, hard drink of the substance followed by a resounding Ah.

At that point he began to exit the room.

"You're keeping Misato waiting, Maya… she doesn't like that one bit…" he said.

Maya Ibuki closed her withering eyes at that moment, and felt a second of relief.

Yes… walk away, please go away… and never come back…

By now her tears were falling freely. She had never experienced such fear in her life. This was truly not the sort of place or life that was intended for her all those years ago… what a cruel fate.

She watched him enter the opposing room and scan it. He swaggered around a bit, as if he was drunk.

His eyes stuck to the ceiling.

"Wait…. Wait!" he said, in a tone of excitement.

There was a hanging tile over there, and he snatched at it, hurling it effortlessly to the floor. At that point he jumped up, and with mighty arms, hoisted himself into the ceiling crawl space. Maya watched all of this with a sinking feeling.

"Oh yes!" he roared, victoriously.

"Little Maya… I think I am closer to the trail now…" he declared.

The poor girl was now sobbing, but with hands over her mouth, lest she make a sound. Her eyes withered in the darkness, devoid of life.

…Makoto, I'm sorry… I'm done for…

She knew that her fate was sealed now. The darkness embraced her in that lonely, cramped crawl space.

… I'll… be joining you soon…

The boy raised his arm weakly to his face. Old bandages covered most of his frail frame, a change long overdue. Infections had begun to break out across parts of his bodies, due to a build up of puss and dried blood.

But that didn't matter… nothing mattered to him anymore.

He stared up at the ceiling in that pitch-black place. No windows, no place to see. Nothing. The young man had been down in that hole, for what felt like ages. Yet he had lost track of time long ago.

Perhaps… Alexander mused, if he was lucky enough… he had already entered into the afterlife, and by now his bones were long rotting down in that pit that was Zion.

But the worst part was his mind… his mind. He had naught to distract himself with. Naught to enrich his knowledge. He recalled the first several days wishing that they had at least had the decency to give him something to read. A historical work of nonfiction… a news paper, something anything. For he had always possessed a naturally inquisitive mind.

Yet now, without the distractions, without nothing else to fill the void… his very thoughts were killing him. In fact, he willed himself to die at any moment.

… Sofiya… he thought, sadly.

The Russian girl had been everything to him. From the way she had so tenderly caressed him and tended to his wounds, to always being a bastion of strength when he himself lacked the will to press on.

He still saw her now, in his mind's eye. He still saw her auburn hair, her smile…

Then, like a shattered window sending fragments in every direction, the tapestry came apart with the bullet from William's pistol to her head.

…Why… the young man thought.

Alexander was alive, but he was really living dead in a sense. He had no desire to press on, to persevere… he just wished that death take him quickly.

…Don't you just kill me!... he thought in anguish.

His… tormentors, these Successors… they had come for him twice already. For the longest time, he had been abandoned in that pit, with no contact, no information no nothing. Once perhaps every couple of days or so, when he was going mad with thirst and hunger, a trap door would open in the ceiling, and meager rations were dropped into his cell. That is how he subsisted for… well he had no idea how long it had been. He had not seen the light of day in so long.

But they had come for him and demanded that he pilot EVA.

Alexander's eyes widened as he heard a contingent walking down the hallway towards his cell, the boots echoing madly off of the metallic surface.

No… it would seem they were going to try again…

Last time he had refused, they had given him such a beating, such a thrashing… of course not enough to kill him since, apparently, they needed him alive.

Alexander clutched at his wounds, both old and new, expecting the worst.

There was a band on the door, and it flew open. Flashlights flooded the room, and the bright light hurt his eyes.

"We are going. Now." Came the voice of an emotionless Successor. There were about ten of them, all wearing military gear.

Alexander felt weak… oh he had not felt so weak before in his life. Whereas he had the person he cared about most nursing him back to health before… now he had only tormentors.

Without protesting, Alexander let two of the men simply pick him up by the shoulders and begin to march him out of that place. Four of the Successors walked in front of him, four behind. They mostly carried his weight, yet he was still forced to take steps… one step, after another very painful step.

He noticed that a wound had re-opened at his hip… but he supposed that did not matter.

The Brit stared down at the ground, saying nothing. Some of the guards mocked and jeered at him, but he paid them no mind.

"Are you gonna be tough again? Eh human." One said.

"He'll give in…" said another amid a wave of laughter.

Alexander did not respond. He watched the floor passing beneath them as they carried him towards their destination. He let his mind wander.

There was that one time, when he was with Sofiya at the cabin… he could have sworn that he had seen his father in the distance, upon the amber waves. Had he just been tired or was it some dream maybe? No, he had been awake…Perhaps he was beginning to understand this mystery now. Maybe, it was an indication that soon he would be joining him… joining them in the lands beyond. Had he come back to see his son or had it been some denizen of the after life, Alexander couldn't honestly say.

The after life, the void, whatever the case may be. Heaven? Rest. Alexander longed for the sweet taste of death.

… I… miss you so much… the grief stricken Brit thought, reminiscing upon his lover. Everything about her… She had brought him life, she had brought him hope… she had brought him purpose. Fulfillment?

How… how could something so perfect just be taken away like that?

… Soon, Sofiya… soon I'll be joining you…

And then, he figured, he could finally be at peace again.

The group ascended some stair well now. Alexander's legs hurt, but he pressed on in silence. He knew that he was somewhere deep within Zion, but where he could not say. The familiar neon lights and numbers began to return in the stairwell. Once they emerged, they made their way towards a main, central elevator shaft.

What a pitiful sight he must be indeed, Alexander mused. A man, totally broken… not wanting anything to do with anything.

…Sofiya… what would you think if you saw me now?

The elevator began its ascent, and they passed various floors on their way up.

Alexander had been guilt-laden that Sofiya had to do everything to care for him in his… weak condition. How he had hated that, and yet… it had never deterred the Russian girl in the slightest. How sweet she had been…

After a time, they came to a great, central room in the middle of Zion. Alexander recognized this place… There had been an observation deck up above with see-through glass where NERV technicians had worked at the computers. This was where all EVA pilots had their routine synchronization tests.

The head Successor of their contingent paused in front of the room.

"Alexander… you will pilot EVA again."

Alexander stared up at him, with the eyes of a dead man.

In a quiet, weak voice, he managed to say…

"…Just kill me now… I'll never help you… I'll never pilot EVA again…"

Somehow, Alexander felt a strange sense of satisfaction with those words. At least he still had his convictions… mayhaps he could still make his lover proud even in these times.

One of the Successors laughed again, as they began to march him into the cavernous room. A single entry plug was hoisted far up in the air, presumably for him. They marched him until he was directly under the EVA cock pit.

"Yes you will… this time we have some… persuasion…" the Successor said, with a grin.

Alexander turned his head around, as a door began to open on the far side of the room, leading up towards the observation deck.

Someone began to walk out to greet the contingent.

Alexander's eyes widened all of a sudden. There, walking down the aisle, was the one he hated most of all.

…You…

"…You…" he said weakly, feeling the rage well up within him.

William stood before him now, donning a crimson robe.

"Alexander, you will pilot EVA… Jacob wills it." He said, calmly.

The Brit's face contorted with anger. The sudden sight of him had brought waves of emotion in the usually stoic young man. His eyes were already beginning to well with tears in his fury. This… man, this American… had taken his very love away from him!

"YOUUUU!" Alexander yelled in a blind rage.

He reached feebly through the line of Successors towards the target of his wrath. He did everything he could despite his bodily ache, he tried running through one of them, tried crawling through them over them, anything for a chance at this man.

A Successor mocked him.

"Seems like he's still a fighter after all."

With little effort, the soldier pushed him back in place.

William stared into his eyes.

"We have recovered the remains of Unit-06… it was not hard to find..." he began.

"I'll… I'LL KILL YOU!" Alexander hollered.

…You… You took her away from me…

…KILLED HER IN COLD BLOOD!...

"… and have been rebuilding it ever since. You are one of the last children remaining. You will help us." William said sternly.

The tears were flowing more viciously now on Alexander's bitter face. He had dropped to the floor, and was trying to regain a footing, but bending over like some caged animal.

The memories… they were still so fresh in his mind.

When Sofiya had been intimate with him after changing his bandages… sleeping in the same bed. When she had lead him by the hand… no, before anyone else showed up… it had been a paradise on earth for the young man.

Such feelings… he never knew that he could experience. How he had made love passionately to the beautiful, hot-tempered Russian beauty. He had been hungry, passionate, lustful… Fulfilled physically and emotionally.

How cruel, how twisted fate was sometimes.

Once again, the gun shot shattered his perfect tapestry, and Sofiya's cold, dead eyes stared at him. The murderer stood before him now. And he wanted him to pilot Sofiya's own crimson-black tinted EVA Unit, that she had so painstakingly hidden while he could only watch on in a weakened state.

She had poured her soul into saving him, and hiding the EVA Unit. Now she was dead, and Alexander was truly lost. All of their plans, all of their aspirations had completely come undone.

Alexander stared up at William, finally finding a sturdy footing again.

"I'll… never help you! NEVER!" Alexander yelled.

William stared at him with a frown.

"You hate me that much, don't you?" he said, lacking any hint of emotion.

"… What do you think about that?" William called out, as he turned back towards the door where he had emerged.

Steps could be heard coming down from the observation deck above.

A young man emerged out of the lonely corridor. He was donned in some sort of royal robe, bearing the mark of the Successors upon him. His eyes had red lines above and underneath them, and he drank deep from the glass in his right hand. He swaggered back and forth a bit, as if he had consumed a bit of alcohol, but he composed himself.

But this person… it was unmistakable…

Shinji Ikari stood before them now.

…No…no…. Alexander thought, feeling his insides tear out.

…NO…NO…NOOOO…

Shinji finished the drink, and looked at Alexander. His hand that held the cup began to shake slightly, and there was a shock in his eyes. Yet, he found no words to say. With wavering eyes he stared away from the Brits penetrating gaze.

… And here I was…

"Shinji…? Is that you! How can that be you!" Alexander said.

… actually worried about everyone…

"After all… AFTER EVERYTHING YOU SAID BACK THEN!" he roared.

Shinji did not meet his angry gaze, perhaps he could not. He opened his mouth as if he was about to speak, yet he remained silent and looked at the ground.

Maybe it had been a look of guilt...

… Sofiya… would be rolling in her grave! the Brit thought, bitterly.

Alexander pointed a lone, accusing hand at him.

… and you can't even look me in the eyes…

SHINJI!

"LOOK AT ME! DON'T YOU LOOK AWAY!" Alexander's fury had gripped him so, refusing to relent.

William looked towards the Successor captain, and nodded.

"He's ready…" he said quickly.

Alexander began to have… an interesting thought at that moment… perhaps his insanity had reached a crescendo… there was, after all, only so much treachery that one soul could take.

…You know what? YOU KNOW WHAT!? Maybe I WILL pilot EVA after all… Sofiya, I'll bring this place down to hell!

"And Alexander…" William said slowly, as he walked up towards him, until he was a mere five feet away.

…I'll… kill them. KILL THEM ALL!

It would seem that the only real thing in his life had been Sofiya, after all. And she had left him alone with the vestiges of traitors, unable to fend for himself… unable to turn to her for comfort, for aid. But he would… somehow, someway he willed it… he would avenge his beloved and bring them all down with him!

"When I said you were going to pilot EVA… you had no choice in the matter." William declared.

At that moment, the Successor captain produced two long vials from beneath his jacket. He rammed them with a great force straight into Alexander's neck, the needles deadly long, and squeezed the fluids into him at a tremendous pace. Perhaps it was about a liter of substance that was injected into him, maybe more.

The veins instantly popped up around his neck and his eyes widened.

"Ughhhh…." Alexander muttered, all of a sudden feeling his body rack with course sensations.

The veins continued to rise all over his body, doubtlessly a defensive reaction to the foul substance that so invaded… so poisoned his body.

He felt his mind be torn to shreds, as the flack backs came quicker to the front of his mind.

He was screaming in a dark place, while the visions of Sofiya, William, and Shinji swirled all about him. It was… it was driving him mad. He was losing his grip on reality.

"AHGHHHGHH" He let out in a gut-wrenching yell.

At that point, Alexander dropped to his knees.

He opened his mouth, and a bitter, black substance poured out of it, getting all over his clothes and the floor in front of him.

Sofiya looked at him longingly, and kissed him passionately. Then the blood spurted from her head, as she dropped lifelessly to the ground. Alexander held her in his very arms…

At this point, the strange, ominous black substance began to seep out of his right eye as well. His eyes were well-past blood shot, and he was having trouble seeing now. Blood mixed with the putrid, black substance came out of both of his nostrils now.

He reached out an arm in front of him grasping… reaching for who? For what? He could see no longer out of his eyes, but he only saw her… saw them in his mind.

Alexander felt as one that was chocking, suffocating by the second.

S…SOOOFFFIYAAAAA!...

With one final violent motion, his body wretched backwards as the black substance spewed from his mouth, landing six feet in front of him, dousing the soldiers nearby. Alexander's upper body fell backwards onto to the floor, still on his knees, with an arm outstretched in front of him, reaching towards the sky.

The thoughts were muddled now, everything was murky. The Russian beauty walked away from him, descending out of reach, leaving him alone in the darkness.

… WAITTT… FOR… ME…

…

In a lonely abandoned concrete building, the television set flickered between static and the same message, day in and day out. It had been running for a long time, and the antennas had long needed to be adjusted to get a proper signal.

Not that there was any people around to watch this transmission… Not anyone living, that is.

Don't… be afraid. We are alw… looking out for you. This is an…

…emergency…

b-broadcast signal… we a-are… interrupting y… usual program line…

…

t-there haaas… been a crisis…

…

…

… is not… a drill…

…please proceed… to y-y-your nearest Succes… shelter…

…

Remem… your compliance wi… procedure will….

help…

… avoid danger… all will be explained in timeeeeee….

…

I repeat… this is not… a drill…

…Remember…

…

… you are safe… we are a….

… looking out… foooor youuu…

… theee eagle nev… falls…. far from… perch…

…Novus… Ordo… Seclorum…

Author's Note: So the last time I updated this story was a year ago... I understand if people aren't reading this anymore. I took a long break from writing it, focusing on other things in life... but I'm back until the end, with the finish already in sight. I'm sorry if I left many of you hanging back then. If anyone is still reading this or comes back to this story after a long time enjoy. This is for you, and for me. I really like the direction it's headed in and I'm writing almost every day again. Feel free to comment and review, PM me whenever if you have questions. Until next time, I've brought this fic that I started writing in 2013 back from the dead :)