Ria sat in Asuka's office, not exactly hiding but trying her best to stay out of the way. She was sullen for the most part, generally keeping to herself as Asuka went through the small mountain of work she had to do.
Though as she worked Asuka couldn't help but notice that she was unintentionally glancing up every few minutes to check on Ria. Not out of concern so much as to make sure nothing was going to... escalate.
A small notice appeared at the corner of her screen. Misato wanted her to look at some the images and footage recovered from the new Unit-00 and give her assessment.
Well, this should be interesting.
She opened an emailed file. It contained numerous videos and pictures, all organized by subject matter. One folder was labelled simply 'Tokyo-3'. Another 'NERV', others 'Unit-01' and 'Unit-02', the rest were the Angels Unit-00 had seen; Ramiel, the Seventh Angel, Sahaquiel, and… Zeruel.
Unit-01 looked more or less the same, maybe a bit more green trim, but otherwise almost identical.
Unit-02 was…
"What the Hell?" Asuka muttered in disgust and confusion.
The differences were small but noticeable. The eyes were bigger, the shoulder pylons were painted black and red, most of the paint scheme was slightly different in general, and the top of it's forehead had a small orange, insect-like crown.
She hated it. It was wrong, it wasn't Unit-02.
"What?" Ria asked.
Asuka motioned for her daughter to come look at what was on her computer.
Ria stared at it, shrugging in indifference.
She quickly moved on to the Angels. First was a video of Ramiel. It was distant footage of the giant diamond, hanging in the night sky just above Tokyo-3.
"Well, at least that's the same," Asuka commented.
It suddenly twisted into a variety of geometric shapes, it's Core exposed to the world.
"...Or not," she corrected.
Unit-00 was only barely able to capture footage of Ramiel's death, having been damaged in the attack. The Angel expanded rapidly, becoming almost the sze of Tokyo-3 itself before bursting. Blood poured from it for a moment, before it collapsed and dissolved, the deluge of blood spilling out over the city.
Asuka stared at the sight. It was curiously similar to how the Angel's regrown bodies behaved once they left.
The same would hold true for the next two Angels, dissolving moments after being killed.
There was one Angel left to look at; Zeruel.
Asuka turned towards Ria.
"You don't have to look at this if you don't want to" Asuka stated.
Ria looked at her. "It's fine."
"Are you sure?" Asuka questioned. "I mean, I know neither of us is really at the point where we're comfortable with... this whole situation."
"I'm curious, okay? Let me see it, please," Ria sighed.
"Okay," Asuka relented.
She pulled up the picture.
"What the Hell?" Ria said, wincing at the sight.
It was certainly different than what Asuka remembered. Larger for sure. It wasn't even vaguely humanoid like Zeruel had been, it's body reduced to nothing more than a set of exposed ribs covering a massive Core. Most of it's body was massive mane of black, paper like tentacles that gently swayed as it floated in the air. Two of them stretched far further than the rest, giving it the appearance of arms. The face was the same, a toothless parody of a human skull, its hollow eyes staring at her.
For a moment, Asuka could picture the memories in her mind. Screaming in futility as she poured bullets and rockets onto the massive beast, to no effect. Her chance to finally prove herself slipping away. Then the pain, the searing pain of her arms being cut away, her connection to Unit-02 was so strong she could feel every moment of it, then her last, pathetic charge.
She realized she was staring at Ria. For split second she saw Zeruel's mask in place of her face. A cold shiver ran through her. She blinked and the image vanished. Ria was too engrossed in the video to notice her reaction.
"Well... okay, that's far weirder than I expected." Ria struggled to find words as she turned away from the screen, looking incredibly awkward and uncomfortable at the sight of the other Zeruel.
"I'm with you there," Asuka agreed.
"I, um...I think I'm going to go check up on Shinji, see how he's doing." Ria quickly made her way out the door, not quite fleeing in confusion.
/
Ria wasn't entirely sure what had unnerved her so much about the other Zeruel. The concept of an alternate universe at first had not really troubled her. But seeing the other Zeruel, seeing what she might have been in another universe, disturbed her. How many other universes where there out there with other Zeruels, other Rias? Had these Zeruels and Rias made the same choices she made? Had they stayed strong, or had they faltered like Okito?
The idea of herself, any version of herself, failing like that unnerved her. Until today she had consider the idea impossible, and yet surely there must be some version of herself in the grand multiverse who made that choice.
What kind of person would that Ria be? What sort of life did they have? If she sat down and listened to what arguments that Ria had, would she agree with her?
Whoever was behind this, who knew what limits there were on who or what they could send. With two actions they had brought, two, possible three separate universes together. How many more where out there? How much more could they send?
In that moment Ria understood Okito's fear. He was still an absolute fool and madman, but she understood why he had panicked.
Ria found the younger Asuka pacing in a hallway not too far from Shinji's room, drawing her out of her thoughts.
Asuka was walking in a circle, a rather bizarrely uncertain expression on her face.
She suddenly paused, realizing Ria was there.
"I wasn't waiting," she explained defensively.
"Ookay…" Ria replied, deeply confused.
"Rei's in there with Shinji, I just don't want to disturb them." Asuka's voice was gaining that loud obnoxious tone she used when she was annoyed or being egotistical.
Ria's stomach turned cold at the mention Ayanami.
Maybe I should see Dad first, that would be safer.
Ria was just about to turn when Asuka spoke up again.
"Hey can I ask you a question?" she asked. "I wouldn't normally ask this but you're pretty much the only person here I can get actual honest answer out of."
"Okay, hit me with it."
For a moment Asuka looked like she changed her mind, but she pressed forward.
"Do you think Rei is attractive?"
One of Ria's eyebrows arched in surprise.
"Do you want to ride that blue filly or something?" Ria asked, amusement winning out over her sheer fear of the First Child.
"What?!" Asuka shouted in disbelief. "No! It's nothing like that!"
"I mean, don't get me wrong, I get the appeal." Ria seized the moment, grinning. "The unique looks, the stoic, mysterious silent type, the chance to be the one they finally open up to, to know you're the only one who could see that side of them? If Rei was a man she would have girls swooning over her constantly."
"So, should I take that as a 'yes'?" Asuka replied, looking profoundly annoyed.
Ria shrugged. "Not really. Personally, I've recently discovered I'm more of a fan of the shy, bookish nerd types. I prefer someone I can have a conversation with."
"I asked if you thought if she was attractive, not if you wanted to date her," Asuka growled.
"I think most women are attractive to some degree, so that's not really a good metric," Ria replied. "And you didn't answer my question."
Asuka turned her nose up. "Of course not! She's an ugly emotionless doll! Why would I even consider her?"
"You're the one asking if she's pretty or not," Ria pointed out.
Asuka groaned in frustration, then quickly checked to make sure no one was coming.
"I hope you appreciate how much I trust you when I tell you this," Asuka began.
Oh good, more guilt.
"Rei, that Rei... she has rather strong feelings for Shinji."
Ria blinked. That was quite a bit of a shock. She wasn't sure what to think of it. Hopefully Ayanami wouldn't tell Shinji about their earlier conversation. And what would she think of what her father did?
"And how do you feel about this?" Ria Soryu asked.
"I'm fine." Asuka snapped. "Why would I care? I mean, Shinji's my friend and if Wondergirl makes him happy, that's great, I'm happy for them! I don't understand what either of them sees in the other though."
"Uh huh." Ria was skeptical.
Right. That's why you're pacing outside his hospital room, because you're happy for him. Sure.
The glare Asuka gave her was one of the most impressive Ria had seen in quite some time.
"I'm not your mother," Asuka said defensively.
"That's arguable on several levels."
The Second Child ignored that. "I don't need Shinji in my life like that. I don't want Shinji in my life like that. I can't even begin to understand why the Sub-Director does."
"Okay," Ria tried to hide her annoyance. "No one is saying you have to. I don't really care who you end up with as long as you're happy. And I know my parents feel the same way."
"Wait, really?" Now it was Asuka's turn to be skeptical.
"Well, I wasn't wiped out by a time paradox or anything, so yeah, I don't really care who you and Shinji each end up with as long as it works out for you," Ria said earnestly.
"Huh," Asuka replied. "Well...thanks, I appreciate that."
Ria nodded.
The door to Shinji's room opened. Rei Ayanami walked out escorted by a member of WILLE's staff.
Ria froze, realizing that loitering outside of Shinji's room, pretty close to all of the Pilots with no parents in sight, might seem like suspicious behavior for an Angel clad in human skin.
Ayanami stared at her evenly but said nothing as she walked away going down the other end of the hall.
Mentally, Ria sighed in relief.
"So I imagine you want to talk with Shinji?" Asuka asked.
"Yeah, I came to see how he's reacting to what Dad told him," she replied.
Asuka rolled her eyes. "He was an idiot for even bringing it up to Shinji."
"Don't entirely disagree with you there, Asuka."
/
Shinji stepped into Asuka's office. Asuka was buried in whatever she was working on.
"So where's Ria?" he asked.
"She went to see how Shinji was doing," Asuka explained.
Well, that should end poorly, Shinji mused. Hoping his other self wouldn't think Ria had lied to him about that.
Asuka looked up from her work. "So... Rei knows the truth about Ria."
Lovely.
"May I ask how?"
Asuka shrugged. "I don't know. She stared at Ria and then told me she was the Vessel of Zeruel's soul."
Part of Shinji started to panic and yet Asuka was just sitting there at her computer.
"So should we be worried or something?" he asked.
Asuka shook her head. "No. I convinced her not to say anything for now. Though I suspect she's going to want to talk to you about it soon."
Well, that's a relief. Though a strange one. Rei had barely been here a few hours and already knew his family's deepest secret?
"How did the two get along?"
"Well, Ria was terrified and spent most of the encounter hiding behind me. And Ayanami was upset that Zeruel forced you back into piloting, so not well," Asuka explained.
Unfortunate, but not unexpected. Considering what they both were, though Shinji wasn't entirely sure what Ria was, it was lucky they weren't trying to murder each other.
"So, considering what happened with Rei, I think we should contact Leliel sooner rather than later," Asuka suggested.
"You think Leliel is behind it?" he asked.
Asuka nodded. "They knew about Ramiel and Okito's plan before this all began. Whoever sent Rei sent her when we were about to lose. This isn't just random chance. They were sent to disturb the Angels' plan. Leliel either knows who's behind it or did it themselves."
"What about Adam or Lilith?" Shinji argued. "Maybe they're behind this."
Asuka disagreed. "The only hint we've had either them still exists in any meaningful way is your dreams. If they could send the Pilots, why wouldn't they take more drastic action against Ramiel and the others? Whoever did it has vast power, but not so vast as to be able to end this fight in an instant."
That did make sense, as much as anything in this increasingly insane situation could make sense.
"So if it is Leliel behind this, that means they're helping us, but they also lied to us as well." Shinji observed.
"Even more reason to get in contact with them," Asuka said firmly. "We can't go to Misato with that letter, but we might be able to go to her with a phone call."
Shinji sighed. "Okay, so when should we make the call?"
"Tomorrow."
/
The conversation with Rei had been great for the most part.
She and Shinji had caught up on the moments they had in common. Then she told him about the ocean reclamation facility she went to with Kensuke, Toji, Shikinami, Pen-Pen, and the Shinji of her universe.
She was more emotional than Shinji ever remembered her being, smiling much more often for one thing. But she was still Rei.
They had also talked about some of the harder things, his struggles to adapt to this time, and what his other self had done. Rei had been unreadable during that part of the conversation, but she had listened.
As horrible as the day had been, seeing Ayanami had done a lot to improve his mood.
Ria walked in, flashing him a friendly smile. She was wearing a white collared shirt with a red tie and soft yellow sleeveless vest over it, the arms and neck trimmed with green. Her pants were slate grey in color.
For some reason Shinji found himself missing the beret she used to wear.
"So, how are you?" she asked.
"Sakura says I should be out of here in a day or two," Shinji assured her, "though I'm going to be bandaged up for the next few weeks. But she's saying I'll make a full recovery."
Shinji gingerly touched the patch covering his right eye.
"Well, that' something at least," Ria nodded.
"Have you talked to Ayanami yet?" Shinji asked. He hoped she and Ria would get along.
"My mom and I actually ran into her not to long ago. She seems like a nice lady. Didn't actually talk much though," Ria replied with a smile.
It was something at least.
"You're mom doesn't still call her Wondergirl, right?"
Ria let out a small laugh. "Of course not, she's not a thirteen year old, after all."
Right, right. That made sense.
Ria's face suddenly went serious. Shinji knew in an instant what she was about to say.
"So, I hear my dad told you about a certain event that occurred during Third Impact."
"You knew?" Shinji was aghast. She knew and she still was so kind to him?
"For a bit," Ria admitted. "Okito's attack on the apartment got him thinking about certain things a lot more."
"How could you possibly be okay with what he did?! It was monstrous, it ruined the world!" Shinji yelled, torn between disbelief and outrage.
Ria shrugged dismissively. "'Okay' isn't the word I'd use. I don't feel I have the right to judge him for what he did. Did he make a terrible decision at a bad time? Sure. But he wasn't the one who had the power to actually enact instrumentality. He didn't place himself in that position by choice."
She started rubbing her head,looking deeply lost in thought for a moment.
"You remember our first real conversation, when I took you down to the Museum, and the exhibit I showed you?"
"Yeah, the battle against Zeruel." Considering how brave she had made her father out to be it was all the more shocking he would do something so horrible and cowardly.
"Well, the reason you, er... my father wasn't at NERV at the start was he had left, flat out running away. The only reason Everyone at NERV didn't die was because he ran all the way back during the fight."
"I-he ran away?" Shinji gasped.
So I am a coward after all.
"I would note that Misato, my mother, everyone at WILLE who was around for the attack? None of them blame him for running, and they're all grateful he came back."
"Why?" Shinji questioned. "He abandoned them! The Angel got into NERV because he wasn't there!"
"Because they understand now why he fled. Because things had gone so horribly with the last Angel, he had been used horribly by the Commander and people had been hurt."
"Who?" Shinji asked, his despair growing deeper.
Ria was firm. "Not my business to tell you. They haven't told you, they don't blame my father, and both of those are their decision."
Shinji wasn't entirely sure what to make of that. At least whoever was hurt was still around.
Touji does have that leg, he realized with horror.
But Touji had never made reference to ever having been an Eva Pilot.
"My point is," she went on, "he had good reason to run and yet he still came back. That's what mattered to everyone in the end."
"But that was just running from a battle, that's nothing compared to what he caused during Third Impact!" Shinji angrily replied.
"And yet the situation was similar. You judge him now, when you're secure, surrounded by people who care for you, people who hate that you have to be a Pilot. He didn't have that luxury. He went through Hell in a way I pray you never do. I don't claim to know all of what he went through, but I know it was bad."
Shinji couldn't help but wonder what had gone on that was so horrible. And who else has been lying to him.
Ria looked down at her hands for a moment.
"It isn't fair to judge a person for a rash decision, particularly when that decision was made under great distress. What's really important is how they handle the aftermath of that decision. My father rushed back into the fight, he tried to undo Instrumentality from almost the moment it happened. However much you hate him for his mistakes I guarantee you, he hates himself more and he tried to do the right thing."
"And yet he allows them to lie about what happened to the world," Shinji replied bitterly.
Ria nodded. "Because the world needs that lie. The truth would only hurt more."
"Why do you defend him so much?" Shinji asked. "He abandoned you for years."
Ria sighed, a regretful look on her face. "Yes, and for the longest time I hated him for it."
That caught Shinji off guard. Ria had never given the slightest implication she bore her father any resentment.
Ria noticed. "Yes, shockingly there was a time in my life when I hated and feared my father. I thought he abandoned us, I thought he didn't care. I actually started to listen to what those Lilith cults were preaching, only instead of religious awe I found myself terrified of him, thinking him some sort of monster. But he wasn't. He isn't. He's a person, a person with a lot of flaws to be sure, but... he left because he knew it would hurt all of us if he stayed, and he still tried to be a parent. He did a horrible thing during Third Impact, because a dozen things completely out of his control drove him to the point, and he still came to regret it immediately."
She looked up at the ceiling. "I'm not asking you to forgive him. Hell, you can still hate him for all I care. But don't act like he's a monster on par with your father or SEELE. Can you do that for me?"
Shinji considered for a moment, "I'll try but... I'm not sure I can."
Ria nodded "At least you're willing to try."
