Chain Lightning Studios Presents
        Together We Stand
                Epilogue
           by T. L. Webb


All alone, or in twos
the ones who really love you
walk up and down outside the wall
some hand in hand
some gathering together in bands
the bleeding hearts and artists 
make their stand
and when they've given you their all
some stagger and fall, after all its not easy
banging your heart against some mad buggers 
wall

   Outside The Wall 
      Pink Floyd, The Wall


[]====================[]
     Epilogue
[]====================[]


     It's been three years.

     I have a hard time believing it some times, but it really has been
that long. I think its because everything happened so fast during
the war-- it was as if we never had time to catch our breath once I
was drafted. No matter how much time passes, though, I'll never
forget any of it. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night so
sure that when my eyes open they will look down and see the
lance piercing my body. Even when I reach down and touch my
stomach to make sure that it was only a dream, my hand will pass
over the scar and I'll have to bite my lip so I won't scream. Yes,
the lances left scars. It didn't bleed for but a minute after I go tout
of the Eva, but they tell me I'll have the mark for a few years, and
the skin there will always have a discoloration. 

     Lots of those nights have resulted in me sneaking in to sleep
beside Shinji-- despite repeated lectures from both Miss Ikari and
Misato. It's funny... they're so close to each other's ages and Yui is
technically much older. It makes my head spin to think about it
sometimes.

     They've become close friends though, and I think that Yui is
looking forward to seeing her again-- it's been about a year since
she and Kaji took off together. They called it a sightseeing tour,
but most everyone else called it a honeymoon. I didn't, I can't
believe they haven't even gotten engaged yet! Its almost
embarrassing that Shinji and I have already set a date while those
two have been living in sin almost as long as we've been alive.
Shinji misses her. She was the closest thing to family he had for a
long time, and that's not something that you forget. I _know_
Kodama misses her, she goes ballisticly happy every time we get a
postcard from them. Its pretty cute really .

     It's a little weird living in the North American Republic, but we
felt it was safer here than anywhere else. After the dissolving of the
Canadian and Mexican borders the population is as eclectic as
they come. I don't think I've seen so many different races in all my
life-- and now I'm learning about some I'd never even heard of
before. The upside to this is that no one gives us a second look.
Actually, I think that once most of us got a handle on the language
we began to fit in pretty well. 

     Even so, this country is like an identity crisis with a class-A
Misato hangover!          

     I can't complain too much, though. We've done pretty well for
ourselves. Dad and Ms. Ikari and used some of the start up capital
that the Alliance lent us to open a doctor's office and fixed us up
with equivalents to their old credentials. Even with all the
rebuilding, things are still pretty dangerous out there, and we were
in business practically from day one.

     Mr. Fuyutski was with us at the beginning, but last year... well
he disappeared one day, and a week later the news said he'd
turned himself in somewhere in South Mexico. The trial started
three months ago, and while he doesn't do much talking, I think he
felt guilty about all the things he did back when he was helping
Shinji's dad run Nerv. He never talked much when he was with us,
most of the time he'd just sit on the porch and look out like he was
in deep thought over something. I guess there are some things that
he felt he had to atone for. The trial started last year, and it's still
going on. No one knows just how it will end. Most of the
information the Prometheus Alliance uncovered cleared the
Nerv staff, but... I don't think some people are going to let what
happened go until they get a scapegoat. Maybe that's why Mr.
Fuyutski went?

     Once Shinji and I graduate we're thinking about opening up a
restaurant-- both of us have been feeding this wild bunch long
enough that I doubt even the most disgruntled customer could
phase us! Its kind of funny, we enrolled at a local school out here
only to find that their curriculum was only about even with what we
learned back in grade school. We were just about to laugh most of
it off when suddenly the courts jumped all over the schools system
and everything got _much_ harder. I guess the new legislature
was serious about changing things after all.  I can't say that it's a
bad thing.

     Other than Kaji and Misato most of us stayed together after
we arrived. Maya kind of got drafted by Kensuke and Mana and
the three of them have been busy on developing a new operating
system that they say will blow the world away... as creepy as it is
to hear Kensuke say that phrase I don't doubt that it will be good.
Maya was one of the best programmers in the world after Dr
Akagi.

     We don't really talk much about her and Mr. Ikari. Yui and
Misato used to sit up with the others when they thought we were
all in bed and debate-- sometimes argue about it, but Shinji's put
all of it behind him, and the rest of us leave the topic alone. I think
after Rei told us what happened before she came to the fight,
Shinji sort of forgave his father for some of what happened. Not
all of it, but some of it.

     The absolute weirdest thing that's happened has got to be the
whole thing with Touji and Asuka. I'm still not sure what to make
of it myself. They aren't dating or anything, but... jeez it's hard to
describe. I mean, they fight constantly, but there's this look that
passes between them after their arguments that makes me wonder
if maybe there's something going on when we aren't looking. I
don't know... I'm not going to snoop, but I can't help but notice it
when they sneak glances from across the room. Kensuke found
out about it and we decided not to tell anyone. Then again, he
doesn't even want to think about it-- in his own words 'its against
all laws of god and man!'

     I'll admit that it's more than a little creepy given that both have
proclaimed a strong desire to kill the other on many occasions, but
if they haven't strangled one another by now, its probably not
going to happen.

     I don't talk about it with Asuka, though. We're usually too
caught up in working on my dress or just hanging around the
house. I think it might embarrass her if I pointed out anything, and
while she's come a long way, I can't deny that many of us are still a
little jumpy around her. Its not really fair to her to act like that, but
we've slowly come around and I think that in time few of us will
remember what she was like during the war.

     I still don't know what to make of Mana. She and Kensuke are
practically joined at the hip most of the time-- well that or you'll
find them fiddling around with the software for the computers
Maya builds. They're so comfortable around one another that I
can't use any word other than soulmate to describe it. Kensuke
seems more together when she's around-- less prone to otaku-
rants, and she actually talks at a normal pace. Regardless of
how strange it seems, I'm happy for them, its good that they're so
happy with one another.

     I have to admit though; Rei has been through the largest
change. It's getting kind of hard to tell her apart from Yui, and I
don't just mean visually. Rei has this... quality about her that puts
people immediately at ease. She's still quiet most of the time, and
for a long time after the last battle she was even shyer than Shinji
ever was. But when she opens up to you it's obvious that she has a
great capacity for love and compassion. As of late she'd actually
become a little playful and can be nothing short of a joy to be
around. I hesitate to say that she's like an angel because of--- well,
you know-- but I don't know of many other ways to put it.
However, don't get between her and Yui when they're having an
argument. I made that mistake when Rei wanted to see that guy
Josh who works at the library-- Yui forbade it and we nearly had
a small scale war between the two before Shinji negotiated a
compromise... kind of scary since both have nearly given their lives
for their ideals in the past. Hopefully Yui won't be so
overprotective when Misato gets back.

     Nozomi loves Rei unconditionally, and looks up to her. The two
are an interesting combination. Nozomi has always been a bright
one, and between her and Rei they've come up with some of the
most amazing little innovations for the family's different business
that I've ever seen. Between the two of them I think we can credit
a quarter of our little families earnings for this year. I think if they
ever go into business consulting they will make a fortune. 

     Sometimes when I'm up late like I am now and I'm writing in
this, I'll stop and look back at everything that happened, and I try
to figure out just where it all started. I mean the point where I got
caught up in it all. Touji could almost as easily been selected as the
Fourth Child... and I don't know, maybe if I'd never gone after him
and Kensuke it may have all been different. Maybe if I hadn't
heard what happened during lunch that day I'd have never been
thinking about them in the shelter... it's hard to know, and I don't
dwell on it too much. It brings to mind a lot of frightening
possibilities.

     I do think about the future a lot though, and I get a sense of
exhilaration each time. When we were with Nerv, every choice we
had was structured and manipulated so that we'd perform exactly
as they wanted us to. We had no real freedom back then, just the
little that they allowed us to keep us complacent. Its so different
now. So many things could happen, and there are so many things
that Shinji and I can do with our lives now that we're free from
Nerv and Eva. We have a chance now to follow our dreams if we
so choose. We finally have something that was so terribly fleeting
during the long war with the angels.

     We have hope.

Hikari Horaki-- 2018


[]====[]
[]====[]


     Hikari set her laptop down beside her on the windowsill and
took a sip from her tea. She'd been typing half the night and her
drink was growing chilled, but she was glad to have finally
completed the notes. Ever since she'd found Professor Fuyutski's
journal backed up on Maya's computer she'd been working on
recording as many of her memories from the Angel War that she
could bear to dredge up. She'd even gone to the others for what
they could remember and slowly the project had grown. 

     Someday, when the world had finished climbing back to it's
feet and the wound Nerv had caused was not so raw, she thought
that she might consider publishing it. But it was too soon for that
now, and it would have to remain hidden away in her computer
until that day.

      She yawned and pulled a quilt around herself, walking out to
where she suspected she'd find her fiance.

     Shinji always liked sitting up like that, he said that it reminded
him a bit of just after the ninth angel-- when Tokyo Three had
been powerless and he'd been able to see the sky in it's full glory.
She smiled as she found him sitting out on the patio's swing looking
up at the stars with a small content smile on his face. She walked
outside and over to him. Snuggling up beside him on the swing, she
laid her head on his shoulder.

     "Hey Shinji?" she asked with a chuckle, "when we're married,
do you really want to... um... you know? I mean, were you serious
about what you said at dinner?"

     He put his arm around her and chuckled lightly, "well, I
suggested it kind of as a joke, but everyone seems to like it. If you
don't have any objections then I don't mind." 

     "Still, if you don't want to I really don't mind."

     "I don't have any objections," he said, "and Mom is all for it. I
think it's a tradition with her family actually."

     "Ok... I do admit though, it's not exactly normal in this
country."

     "There is no such thing as normal in this country," Shinji said
with a laugh.

     "You have a point," she agreed.

     "Come on," he said, "are you really saying you'd prefer the
other way round?"

     "Um," she paused as she thought about it, "maybe you have a
point."

     "Then it's settled," Shinji said happily as they snuggled closer
and looked up at the bright moon above, "Hikari and Shinji Horaki
it is."

     They stayed there all night and watched the sun come up. As
the first light of the morning began to light the skies, Shinji took
her hand and together they watched the dawn of a new day.


[]==============[]
     The end.
[]==============[]


Author's Incoherent Babbling


     . . . Wow. 

     It's done. Finally done. An entire year of work... twenty-six
chapters and nearly 500 pages. I know that this last part was a
little waffy, but I make no apologies-- I wanted to end on a high
note since that was the idea behind this story in the first place. 

     The first place... man that was a while ago. I suppose this
whole thing started with a simple question. "Why aren't there 
more Shinji X Hikari fics?" well; now there's one more. Hope
whoever asked that is happy with the results ^_^ 

     I honestly didn't expect it to be this long, but after I thought
about it and I realized that if the story was even gonna work I was
gonna have to start the relationship pretty early. Now-- granted I
played with the idea of having a triangle between Shinji, Hikari,
and Touji... but it looked like another of the two Shinji + Hikari
fics-- The Party-- was gonna go there so I decided against it. (The
other is called 'H.I.' btw)

     I also decided to avoid love triangles as much as I could. That
being the case, it occurred to me what a phenomenal change on
the plot that the relationship could have. I also decided that it
would be unfair not to follow this through to the end. As early as I
was planing on setting the first chapters I quickly realized that this
was going to be one hell of a monster fic. The outline proved this
right, and here I am several hundred pages later, looking back and
scratching my head in disbelief. 

     I finally decided that the theme of this story was going to be
how the relationship might have changed the outcome of
Evangelion. Hikari's name was also another factor in the decision.
The translation according to the Webster English-- Japanese
dictionary means, 'ray of light' that's what this fic was about. 
Shining a ray of light into Shinji Ikari's life and giving him a chance
at hope and love. 
 
     Some of you may perhaps think that this fic was another
written in response to the End of Evangelion. That perhaps I was
totally pissed off at the ending like so many others. This is not the
case. When I wrote the drafts of this story, I hadn't seen the entire
movie yet-- only a little that a friend managed to download.
Having now seen and gotten my hands on a copy, I _personally_
feel that EoE was a fitting end to the story that had been told,
and-- although it did indulge a little too much in revenge against
those who hated the TV endings-- I thought it worked. I also
didn't see it as the downer that so many others did-- read my fic
'Wake' for why I feel that way.
 
     Evangelion has had a huge impact on me. (No that wasn't a
pun ^_^ ) it has influenced me in several ways and the most
important has been that through these fics my writing has
improved. For someone who wants to someday do this for a living
I can not really think of a better training ground than fanfiction.
Until I finally decide to take that last step, however, I still have a
few smaller steps before me-- such as collage, and that's
something I may not have considered had I not started writing
fanfiction. 
    
     I only hope that this meager fanfic was in some way worthy of
being related to such an amazing and moving story.

     As for influences and sources... there are so many to list... the
final draft of this epilogue will hold a more complete list as I go
back and look for them, but for now here is a partial one.

     Pink Floyd's The Wall is an obvious one ^_^ keep an eye out
on my site for a fun little list of weird comparisons and contrasts
between it and Eva. The Eva Sage's name is the source for
Kensuke's Internet ID. A more immediate one that comes to
mind is Robert Heinlein's books for the family arrangements here at
the end-- not to mention that the character Minerva was the prime
source of inspiration for writing Rei at some points. In addition
Rei's scenes in a few earlier chapters had an indirect influence from
Stranger in a Strange Land. Buffy the Vampire Slayer can't go
unmentioned, and references to that show abound in this story...
there will be a test on that topic later btw ^_^ Daughter of Elysium
gave me the idea to pair off Asuka and Kaoru there at the end.
H.I., one of the only two other Shinji+Hikari fics (that I know of)
was what Shinji and Hikari were joking about there at the end-- I
meant no offence btw ^_^ . 

     I want to quickly thank some people who've been a huge help
throughout this project. In no particular order-- Alain Gravel,
Rhine, Sparky Clarkson, Sudo King, Lara Baratam, Paul Allen
Nathans, Daniel Snyder, Stephane, Strike Fiss (for giving me a
reason to get my but in gear and finish before HL was done ^_^)
The Anime Heretics of Arlington, Rion, the somewhat less than
sane crew of Animeworx ^_^, and anyone else I'm forgetting--
thank all of you!

     Well... I guess I ought to say something deep a meaningful to
close this all out... but since I cant think of anything I'll just leave
you with the smartass quip on my bumper sticker. 

     "We are the people our parents warned us about"


[]==========================================[]
          Omake!!!Omake!!!Omake!!!Omake!!!Omake!!!
[]==========================================[]

what you're about to read is material I'd originally planned to end
the epilogue. Eventually, I decided to cut it down to Hikari's
journal entry and the nighttime scene, but I couldn't bear to part
with some of the text as I'd had too much fun writing it. So I
decided to add it here as a bonus ^_^ hope y'all enjoy ^_^

[]==========================================[]

     Yui had just finished the last of her day's paper work as Hikari
came down the stairs. They were living on a refurbished ranch in
the middle of what had become the North American Republic
after the UN had fallen apart. It wasn't exactly what she'd have
chosen-- she was, after all, more used to city life-- but it was large
enough for them all to live together comfortably. After the initial
culture shock they'd experienced in California upon their arrival,
no one had wanted to split up. 

     "They're here!" Hikari announced happily as she hopped down
the last of the stairs.

     "That's wonderful!" Yui told her as her face lit up, "why don't
you get Shinji, and tell him that if he needs any more help with
dinner I'll join you two after we say hello. I'll go let the other's
know."

     "On my way," Hikari replied. Moments later she was in the
kitchen where Shinji was frowning at a cake he'd apparently just
removed from the oven.

     "I don't think it's going anywhere, sweetie," she teased--
knowing full well that this was Shinji's third attempt at baking that
type of cake at their altitude. The last two had been nothing short
of disastrous and it had taken him weeks of research to find a
recipe that wouldn't collapse in on itself.

     "That's what it wants us to think," Shinji told her with a grin--
and without looking up, "as soon as I look away it's gonna go
flat-- I just know it."

     "You can fight the conspiracy of the red velvet cake later
Shinji," she said trying not to laugh, "they're here!"

     Shinji's face brightened just as his mom's had, and he smiled
as they hurried back to the front door just as the doorbell rang.
She opened the door and as the others came in from various other
doors Kaji and Misato smiled at her from the porch.

     Hugs and greetings went all around as everyone said hello. As
the unloaded Kaji's car Shinji and Hikari got pulled aside for more
hugs and a hearty congratulations from Misato. Finally everyone
settled down and Misato pulled Shinji aside to talk for a bit.

     "So when's the date set for?" Misato asked as she and Shinji
sat on the porch.

     "Next year," he said with an almost embarrassed grin,
"valentines day. We're going to spend the honeymoon over her
birthday."

     "Hmm now that's going to be a hell of a present to unwrap,"
Misato said as she eyed him, then ruffled his hair, "gotta say I'm a
little envious-- you're growing up to be quite the little hunk."

     "Hey," Shinji said as he laughed and tried to wave off her hand,
"I thought you finally outgrew that!"

     "What? Teasing you? Naw I'll keep doing it as long as it's fun,
and as much as you still blush that'll probably be quite awhile."

     "Wonderful, I'm doomed."

     "Oh just admit that you love it!"

      "I do not!" he grinned as they both began to laugh.


[]====[]
[]====[]


     Kensuke was heading to the dining room to stake out his and
Mana's seat at the dinner table when he passed Touji's room.
Hearing what sounded like an argument, he paused and listened
for a moment before his eye's widened in shock.
 
     "Look, it's not like I'm doing this because I want to!" that could
only have been one voice-- and for the life of him Kensuke
couldn't begin to guess why it would be coming from Touji's room.

     "Oh?" he heard Touji say sarcastically, "so what are you
saying, you just cant resist my manly body? Or is there some other
reason that you cant stop sucking face with me?"

     "You disgusting swine! How dare you insinuate that I--"

     "I ain't insinuating nothing! You're the one who's getting your
panties all bunched about this, all I want to know is why you insist
we keep sneaking around!"

     Kensuke stepped back from the door in horror. This was not
only unbelievable; it was against all laws of God and man! Touji,
and....Asuka? What was the world coming to?

     His jaw hanging open, he wandered towards the dining room.


[]====[]
[]====[]


     "So how have you been Rei?" Kaji asked as he helped 
her set the table.

     "I've been very well, thanks," Rei beamed back. Kaji had to
work hard to remember this was the same girl he'd met back in
Japan, "Nozomi and I have been working on a new billing system
for the clinic, and we think that we can cut back the price of
supplies by at least ten percent if things go well."

     "That's great! so, anyway, I take it you've still yet to meet
anyone... special?"

     "Well, this is kind of a small town... but there is one nice guy
down at the school. Unfortunately Mom's watching us like a hawk. 
I think once I have enough saved for my trip I might ask him to go
with me."

     "Ah, so you finally decided to follow our lead and see the
country?"

     "Um... if half of what I hear is true I doubt you two did much
sightseeing Kaji," Rei replied with a small smile.

     Kaji laughed at that, "okay, you've found us out... I won't bore
you with the details though."

     "Why does everyone assume I don't want to hear 'details'?" Rei
pouted," I probably know more anatomy than you do. And Mom
still won't let me go on so much as a date!"

     "Oh?" Kaji said- his eyebrows raised, "just who else has been
denying you these details?"

     Rei hid a giggle with her hand, "Kodama for one, she's got a
boyfriend and keeps pretending that everyone doesn't know about
it. And I still can't pry anything out of Shinji and Hikari... I know
something has to have happened-- it's been three years!"

     "Poor deprived Rei," Kaji said sympathetically, "don't worry,
there are plenty of boys out there willing to share the, um,  'details'
with you. I'm sure Yui just wants to make sure you find the right
one. After all you've had a very unusual life-- more so than any of
the others."

     "Alright, you have a point," Rei conceded, "but the wedding's in
just under a year and I'm just kinda getting wound up, you know?"

     "I'm not going to get involved in this," Kaji said with a laugh, "I
might be able to supply some advice here and there, but I won't
help you sneak out at night for any moonlight rondivus, Rei."

     "Oh well...  'plan B' it is," Rei said with a sigh.

     "Neither will Misato," he added as Rei pouted cutely


[]====[]
[]====[]


     "I'd like to have everyone's attention please," Yui said as they
all sat at the dinner table. 

     Nearly everyone was there. Touji's grandfather had decided to
stay behind, but had insisted that Mari join them. Kensuke's father
had more or less adopted the two, along with Mana who had been
a ward of the state before being drafted to the Trident project.
The whole group had become an extended family-- all resources
turning towards providing for the children and improving their new
home.

     Between the adults, and the growing resources of the younger
members of the family they'd done quite well for themselves. 

     "Three years ago," Yui said solemnly, "most of us here were
involved in something so horrible that not a day goes by that I
don't feel shame to know I was partially responsible for it's
beginning. Some of those who started there with us are no longer
alive, and while many of us have divided feelings towards them,
they are in fact part of the reason we are alive here today.  So
before I begin embarrassing my son and his fiance I'd like us to
have a moment of silence for those who are no longer with us."

     It didn't take much imagination to guess who she meant. After a
moments hesitation everyone complied as their thoughts turned
toward Gendou Ikari and Ritsuko Akagi. Peace had been made
with what had been done, the reasons and motivations eventually
emerging and reluctantly becoming understood. It was difficult and
in some cases impossible to forgive the actions taken by Nerv, but
had they not been taken, none at the table would have lived to see
this meal. For that, at least, they owed them a debt of gratitude.

     Finally Yui gave a toast for her son and Hikari and dinner was
served.

[]==========================================[]

     ^_^ okay, show's over, time to pack it in and move on to the
next project. Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Hotwire

Chain Lightning Studios 
Fanfiction, Incoherent Babbling, Random Sillyness
http://www.chainlightningstudios.com