ROARING IN THE BLINDING THUNDER

Repeating cycle's human souls being reborn it's like a nightmare human instrumentality the whole things fucking messed up. I don't know what to think anymore knowing the truth scares the shit out of me I could see that Kaji didn't know ether saying that though who would want to know? You're not meant to know things like this that, you're not meant to see beyond the veil, gods.

Misato took in a deep breath looking at the traffic lights which were red. She needed to speak to Kaji he said that he'd been called before why would they call him and what for? He wasn't a spy anymore he had given that up very suddenly eight years ago she felt so bad because when she'd gotten home last night she had gotten so drunk and she had questioned if it was him but every part of her heart was telling her no because she had feelings for him.

She watched as the traffic lights turned orange she moved her foot putting it on her cars peddle revving the engine, there she had said it she had feelings for him though she didn't know if he had any feelings for her. He asked me out at university but she had rejected him because she wasn't ready and she had, had far too much going on in her head.

The question that bothered her now was if they had repeated how many times have had they met before, how many times had they changed? Had they hated each other in the other life times or did they love each other? Maybe that's why you are not meant to know things like this maybe that's why Gendo and Ritsuko are messed up, in that room they became different people their guilt showed through. She had never seen them like that before she had said that she help Seele, personally though she had no idea what that meant from here on out all she knew was she wanted to save this world as she didn't want to see it burn.

She looked up as the light went green as she turned her white Mazda Cosmo sport's car through the busy traffic it was her pride and joy and based on an old world model though she'd had it been soaped up with a modern three power core engine so it could go much faster. Even though that speed was illegal, not that anyone cared as so many people tampered with cores anyway to get more speed out since no one used petrol anymore.

She looked down at her mobile phone in its holder as in went off she breathed in deeply pressing the button seeing Maya's little medical icon pop up. "Hello Maya." Maya's voice came over filled with concern. "I'm really glad you sent Mari to me the other day." Misato looked down slightly. "Really?" Maya spoke again. "She's clearly got the onset of deep depression and I think she has very similar issues to Asuka." Misato eyed her phone. "In what way are they similar?"

Maya took in a deep breath. "I think we have a very repressed gay woman on our hands, lets just say I've seen this hostile homophobic crap before with Asuka years ago and Mari is acting very much the same. Plus she's also got anger and jealously issues and she's convinced that Asuka is out to throw her life upside down you'll have to keep this one coming back to me regularly." Misato turned sharply avoiding a car who beeped at her angrily she ignored it as she carried on driving. "Will do."

Maya's voice came again. "Asuka didn't turn up for work today and Rei rang in sick call me crazy but them both vanishing is no coincidence, Asuka's running from facing Nerv after what happened yesterday and she talked Rei into taking the day off. Shinji and Kaworu are seeing the humour in all of this and Toji is very confused right now but I think he's really worried about Mari who I've given something to help with the stress, it's more something to help her relax not an anti depressant."

She paused before speaking. "Oh and there's something else the money you had sent to Asuka account last night, well it got bounced right out of the account she sent it to Tokyo three children's ward for abuse and neglect. The media has been all over this like a rash because it came up last night that she's been giving the children's ward huge chunks of her money since she hit nineteen this was the first time she gave it by name but it allowed the hospital to trace it back. Even I was surprised by this because she never even told me she was doing this and I know Shinji and Rei do the same but in different areas."

Misato breathed in deeply. "Up in the visitor centre you mentioned her motorbike accident, please tell me more." Maya breathed in sadly. "You remember her first motorbike the Yamaha Titan she said that she had an accident in it and totalled it beyond repair and she spent two days off."

Misato swerved past another car. "Yeah I remember it was two years ago she said she was wounded and had to go to hospital." Maya's voice turned to concern. "There are no police records of that accident or her being in a hospital and for two years I've tried to ask what happened but she repeats the same story over and over about her bad motorbike driving. She's a terrible liar always has been and she's a very gifted rider when it comes to motorbikes she does not make mistakes."

Her voice came again but filled with uncertainty. "But here's the thing that really concerns me, the traffic wardens found a burnt out Titan on the road side the next day. Someone had used petrol to set fire to it and it caused a massive explosion because though Asuka brought that bike, she'd refitted the engine to make it much more powerful."

She breathed in painfully. "They traced the code so they knew it was hers but she never reclaimed it and here's were the story gets dark, away from the bike they found a dried up blood trail leading down the road. Asuka never went to hospital that night there are no records of her wound being tended to and the police never got involved it was the traffic wardens who reported the bike and blood to Nerv. From what I've heard they still have her bike as they had it refurbished and have put it on display in there head office it's even got an electronic plaque proving that it belonged to her. I've also seen the scar on the back off her right shoulder it looks like a healed knife wound and her leathers are meant to protect her body."

There was a long pause. "I believe she was violently attacked that night by someone and it was probably over Hikari and they really hurt her, I think they fully intended to kill her. It wasn't some bar room brawl, I think she just came very close to death that night but she just doesn't want to tell anyone about it not even Rei because Rei would have mentioned this." She breathed in deeply. "The people who did this to her need to be brought to justice, they basically got away with what they did because she remained quite. I think she remained quite because she thought no one would care and that maybe that she deserved what she got."

Misato looked up. "Can you tell me where Asuka is now?" Maya voice hit the air filled with concern. "Please tell me you're not going to visit her and Rei?" Misato looked up. "Yes I am I need to resolve this Maya I owe her that much you know where her and Rei are, so please just tell me and while I'm gone you and Kaji can take over my place also don't let Makoto anywhere near my hologram desk. I don't want him trying to snoop around it like he did last time no doubt because he wanted to tell Ritsuko what I was up to even though the bastard couldn't break my password" Maya took in a deep breath. "Okay Rei said she was going up to the fish and grill restaurant the one that's by the ocean and they're on their motorbikes."

She clicked her pen on the other end of the line. "You know Asuka's probably going to bolt when she's see you right? Because she'll think that she's in trouble for not coming in to work." Misato felt a smile form. "Well I can easily catch up with her work motorbike it's only a cruiser like's Shinji's."

Maya breathed out sharply. "No that's not her real motorbike it is literally only for work, her real motorbike is a Trident X309 and she did not buy it. It's a custom build which means she's probably tweaked it and it won't be like the other Tridents out there and these motorbikes are the animals of the motorbike world and not for the faint hearted their very fast and powerful and they can take massive punishment."

She paused before speaking. "Let's just say this will be a real test for your custom car, you might actually have to disengage the safety on that third core just to keep up with her." She breathed in deeply. "Also Rei might be an issue as well I wouldn't have put it past Asuka to have modified her Olympia motorbike in some way so it can keep up as well, because Asuka sometimes just does things to motorbikes without telling the owners. Like she did to Shinji who found that he suddenly had an unlocking sports mode on his cruiser which made his bike go massively faster, granted he doesn't use it because he's not into speed as he likes the slower relaxed life

She clicked her pen again. "Rei is very different though she really likes speed and between you and me I think that's why she likes being with Asuka, Asuka is like electricity when her mood is good and I think Rei really feeds off it." Misato turned her car screeching its wheel as she turned around heading in the opposite direction ignoring a female driver who swore at her. "Yeah but I'm still trying to figure out whose in charge, because to me Rei's got her wrapped around her little finger it's like she speaks and Asuka just gives in."

Maya laughed. "No I don't think it's like that as I know Asuka, she won't do anything unless she really wants to though I agree that there are moments that she's unsure and Rei guides her and pushes her out of her comfort zone." She breathed in deeply. "I think there's going to come a point where they will equalize once Asuka gets that confidence back she lost and then they'll be a power house much like Shinji and Kaworu are."

Misato swerved a corner. "Tell me the real reason why you never dated Asuka?" Maya breathed in deeply. "I'm not right for her and we don't connect in that way I don't love her and she doesn't love me and we are fine being friends." She tapped her pen again. "Also I know that she's been in love with Rei for many years because of how she talked about her though she never stated and she loved her I could see it in her eyes. I knew that was who she really wanted to be with and if we had gotten together she'd never have been really happy and for her I want her to be happy and to have a good life because I feel that she's been missing out because of a lack of confidence."

Misato eyed her phone. "I understand and who knows maybe you'll find someone yourself one day like you said before Nerv has hundreds of employees of all different sexualities." Maya breathed in deeply. "I'm not looking right now as I've said and I'm past casual sex, I'd rather have something meaningful." Misato breathed in deeply. "You and me both..."

Maya breathed in deeply. "Well I'll sign off now I'll pass on your message to Kaji." She spoke but her voice sounded happier. "Like I said before though be prepared for a chase, Asuka is not going to come easy but believe you and me watching her ride is something else, if anything you'll see where she gets that aggressive edge from when piloting 02."

8

Asuka slowly sat back drinking the last of her coke enjoying the summer sun which was beating down lighting up the sea opposite and the restaurant where they were eating dressed in full motor bike gear they both had their thick leather boots on and riding leathers hers were red and black as was her helmet while Rei had blue and black, white leathers along with the helmet.

Their bikes were parked up close by and they had cruised down here very leisurely no real fast riding. They were seated in the outside eating area and there were a few people looking at them but she was ignoring them as she watched Rei finish her ice cream. "It is very beautiful here." Rei looked up. "I used to come here all the time with Shinji but as our lived changed and he started going to different places with Kaworu, I realized how much I missed the place recently."

Asuka put her hands together. "Has he asked him out yet?" Rei shook her head. "No not yet but he will, he's been reading your book and it's helping." She paused finishing her ice cream. "I heard from someone that you don't like the blue open ocean, you prefer the red ocean." Asuka pushed her card into the slot paying for the meal before putting it away. "I assume Maya told you that?" Rei gave her a smile as she took her hand. "Yeah she did."

Asuka looked up at her. "It's a complicated I can't swim in blue waters but for some reason I can swim deep into the red sea, I've done it a few times with a breathing apparatus in the past but please don't tell anyone though they'll think I'm really messed up since to most people it tastes like blood." Rei looked at her. "What does it taste like to you?" Asuka looked up slightly. "Not blood like something sweeter, can't really put my finger on it only that it never feels like its crushing me, since that's the sensation I get when I go to deep in to blue water, it's why I panic and I hate how cold it is the red water feels soft and warm to me like LCL."

She leaned forward about to kiss the younger woman only to stop as an older man and woman appeared standing by there food table. "Hey are you Asuka Langley Soryu?" Asuka turned slightly suddenly feeling slightly nervous. Rei turned smiling at the older woman. "Yes she is can I help you?"

The woman pulled up the pilot's photo book. "You must be Rei Ayanami we so honoured to meet you both in person I mean we came up here from Yokohama for a holiday and they said that it's a one in a million chance you'll run into an Evangelion pilot let alone two." She smiled at Asuka. "Though they stated that you're incredibly rare to see, there are people who have all the autographs of all of the others pilots but not yours."

She slowly put the book down opening it to one of the pilot photos. "Please could you both sign our book?" Asuka put her hand inside a jacket pulling out her silver marker. "Sure, did you want a certain photo?" Asuka watched as she flipped to a certain photo which was of her looking edgy and had her in her pose with her arm on her knee. She carefully signed it giving the ink a moment to dry before passing it to Rei watching as the man flipped finding a recent image of her from the last photo shoot smiling it was the one used on her banner back in the visitor centre she watched as she sighed it before passing it back to the older couple.

The man spoke as he put the book away. "That was a really terrible business in Australia I mean everyone in the media thought you were dead for a moment after you crashed down because you were just lying there and your unit had shut down." Asuka looked up. "They did?" He looked at for a long moment. "Yeah and they knew full well that you saved Rei's life there was footage from Eos of you taking the full impact and kicking her out of the way they thought it was really heroic along with you trying to get free from that terrible engineered monster and fighting back despite that it was tossing you around like a rag doll."

Asuka blinked in surprise. "I wasn't aware of that." The woman spoke. "Will you be creating an art book you know for your art like what the other pilots have? I mean we were at the visitor centre yesterday we saw your works on the wall." Asuka felt her shuffle nervously. "I'm not that good." Rei turned to the couple. "She's just being modest, her arts really beautiful though my personal favourite is the one of me but that goes without saying."

The man smiled as spoke. "Yeah well who wouldn't like an image like that?" Rei felt her smile widen. "True it's not everyday you get painted in that way." The woman looked at Asuka. "You should give it some though I think loads of people would love to see your artworks I mean when we were there people were asking if your works would be released as posters like Shinji's."

Rei gave them a wave as they left. "You should give the media feeds a try Asuka, like I said yesterday you might be surprised." She was about to say more only to turn in surprise as Misato car came veering around the corner stopping opposite the restaurant. Asuka felt her happiness fade as she stepped out looking at them both smiling. "Oh come on!"

Misato eyed them. "I thought I might find you both here." Asuka folded her arms. "Please I just wanted one day alone is that much, to ask for?" Misato looked at her. "Well I wanted to talk to you Asuka." Asuka stood up pulling on her motorcycle gloves. "Wait let me guess I skipped work and you're unhappy and you've come to tell me to get back to work?" Misato watched seeing Rei put on her gloves as well. "No I just wanted to chat and I would have given you both the day off if you'd asked you didn't have to go to these lengths to vanish for the day."

Asuka slowly moved over to her motorbike sitting in it watching as Rei sat on hers she pulled the helmet on which had a lifting section which pulled up the visor and the face part same as Rei. "Tell me before I drive away and leave your ancient tacky sports car for dust what you want to talk about?" Misato moved towards her car it was just like Maya had said Asuka was getting ready to do a runner and the whole restaurant was watching now since her being there meant that them seeing Rei and Asuka was for real and they weren't just people who looked like them. "I want to talk about your accident on the Titan two years ago."

Asuka turned her motorbike on hearing the roar of the engine as she typed in to the screen changing the mode from cruise to sport. "What's to verfickte talk about? I fell off my motorbike and totalled it!" Misato saw the confusion appear in Rei's face as she spoke. "That's not what the traffic warden's said they said that your bike had petrol put on it and it was burnt to a crisp and there was blood all over the road."

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She paused before speaking. "You didn't turn up in any hospital despite that you were injured." She looked up meeting the other woman's good eye. "Someone tried to kill you didn't they Asuka?" Asuka looked at her in disgust. "Nothing happened and this conversation is over!" Misato looked at her speaking calmly. "I'm going to catch you Asuka."

Asuka eyed her as she snapped her visor down watching the software activate which was there to compensate for the slight blind side. "Yeah sure you'll catch me in your verfickte dreams!" Misato started her engine changing the mode to sport. "You always mock my car for being old so let's test your theory!" Asuka slammed the power on roaring past her not looking back as she went to full power not caring that she might break the speed limit.

Rei breathed in slamming her visor down her bike wasn't half as powerful as Asuka's there was just no way she would be able to keep up with her, she watched as Misato sped after Asuka blowing dust in her wake as her car screeched as it began to speed up. She started her engine speeding after them she hadn't even used this bike at full speed yet after Asuka had fixed it she'd gone for low level runs just to make sure it was working and was running better which it was.

Misato pressed her foot down hard seeing Asuka a head of her she was dodging the traffic full force, she pressed her screen bringing up her power core use screen Maya was not joking that was a beast of motorbike, she slowly pushed the bar up unhinging the third core feeling her car move faster.

Rei breathed in feeling herself hit speed she was directly behind Misato's car about to overtake it but Asuka was way ahead. She blinked in surprise as her screen came up showing sports mode as well as a cruise mode, since when did she have a sports mode? She pressed the button only to feel the massive rush of power which was mind blowing it was enough to raise the front wheel up for a moment before it hit the ground as she shot past Misato's car like lightning.

What had Asuka done to her bike, wait why was she even asking this? This was beyond amazing she'd always wanted to go faster and now it was like the biggest buzz and her adrenaline was rushing as she flew past cars no longer caring just wanting more, she could even see Asuka now as she flew through the back roads which were much closer to the ocean.

Misato rolled her eyes trust Maya to be spot on now she was trailing behind the both of them she just had to keep Rei in her sight because she'd follow Asuka. She pressed the unhinged setting pushing it up higher gaining even more speed as she screeched around the corner.

Asuka breathed in deeply seeing Rei now close behind her so clearly the fix to her engine had worked she hadn't wanted to tell her about back when she'd fixed it as she had wanted it to be a surprise as she knew she was desperate to go faster. The roads were getting lower now as they got closer to the sea she swerved avoiding a car as she saw the long tunnel that would lead out on to the bigger roads and more space to move around.

She ignored the lights of the tunnel as she flew by gods she'd missed riding like this so much she just hadn't cared for it during her low point now though it just felt so great. She flew out of the tunnel on to the main road she smirked seeing that Rei was still behind keeping pace as they both moved past the cars at break neck speed. Misato was not following like she could ever catch up anyway?

Misato eyed Asuka from her position on a higher road seeing that Rei was right behind her, she'd gone up the up hill road rather than take the tunnel and she was going to join the main road any second now. Her car might be slower than their motorbikes but she knew these roads really well and that gave her an advantage and she knew how to do short cuts.

She swerved downwards going back on the main road as she drove past the cars ignoring there beeping horns as she came right up opposite Asuka easing out her hand. "Hi Asuka you want to pull over so we can talk?!" Asuka turned sharply seeing that Misato was right opposite her waving at her she felt a sneer form no verfickte way, this was like some bad joke!

She swerved getting away from the sports car setting her sights on the lower roads which was directly opposite the beach hitting it at full speed feeling the bike literally fly up in to the air as she came over the ridge before crashing down causing another car to literally swerve to avoid her.

Misato turned following the road down seeing that Rei was following talk about aggressive edge that was no joke Asuka was completely without fear. She wasn't like this in 02 in 02 she lacked confidence despite the aggressive edge there were now people turning watching her motorbike as she hit full speed on the almost empty road.

Asuka smirked once she was off the beach road herself and Rei would be home free she slowed just slightly only to turn seeing a number of bikers behind her she had no idea where they'd even come from and they were so close to her. The sudden feeling of panic set in as the lead rider got closer, she felt her chest tighten she couldn't breath her heart was racing she couldn't help her next actions they were automatic and it was pure fear hitting her as she swung off the road smashing straight through the beaches wooden barrier feeling her bike come down hard on the beach causing everyone on it to run to get out of the way.

She yanked her bike sideway forcing it into a violent skid as she shoved her boot down throwing sand upwards as she came to a violent stop opposite the deep blue ocean. She turned the engine off pulling herself out of the seat almost falling over as she grabbed her helmet forcing it off her head in a violent motion as she fell to her knees breathing in heavily and fast unable to stop the panic attack.

Misato blinked in shock what had just happened? She pressed the breaks screeching as she came to stop close to where Asuka had violently smashed the wooden barrier near the ocean it was like she'd had a panic attack but a real one this time, which had nothing to do with Bardiel. She looked up seeing that Rei had stopped her bike and was pulling of her helmet the shock and concern in her eyes as she ran towards Asuka who was now on her knees. There were people gathering now and all of the bikers had also stopped and were also running towards Asuka some had pulled off there helmets as they clearly just wanted to see if she was okay.

Asuka pulled her jacket open though it wasn't to cool off as her hand grabbed her gun's hilt as the overwhelming panic took over as the bikers got closer the lead man speaking the concern in his voice. "Hey are you okay, are you hurt? We didn't mean to scare you we've just never seen a Trident before." The woman next to him pulled off her helmet speaking in shock. "Wait you're Asuka Langley Soryu!" Asuka pulled the gun out pointing it in his direction unable to keep the panic out of her voice. "Get away from me!"

The man eased up his hands as him and the other men and women stepped back as he spoke more gently. "Hey easy now, we don't want to hurt you." Asuka staggered to her feet. “Verfickte stay away from me!" She could feel her finger trying to press the trigger but a part of her was fighting it so hard.

It was that awful memory of the bikers surrounding her that day she'd been going full speed up a back road followed by the pain as one of them smashed a crowbar in to her stomach sending her flying off her bike. Her spine guard had activated as she'd tumbled saving her from breaking her back but her helmet visor had been shattered and she'd just lain there in so much pain looking up at the night sky helpless and unable to move because of the shock.

The next thing she knew she was being dragged towards the ditch opposite the beach there had been two men and two women and they'd smiled as they'd torn her motorbike jacket off followed by her helmet. She'd fought battles in 02 but she'd never been more afraid than at that moment because she'd just been helpless as they then started to kick her and punch her. In the previous brawls she had been able to defend herself or at least get away but she couldn't get away from these people and they knew it and they'd taken real delight in making her suffer.

They'd said that she was scum and worthless and that she didn't deserve to live, because no one should treat a person the way she had with Hikari they had told her that she wouldn't live to see the morning. Then a man had pulled out a hunting knife out and stabbed her leaving it in place sticking out of shoulder before all four bikers had thrown her full force in to the ditch bellow.

She'd then watched the explosion as her bike had been destroyed from her position below as the fires had blazed upwards in to the night sky. Time had stood still for her that night the minutes had felt like hours and time just had no meaning as she started to bleed out the red blood soaking her torn white baggy t-shirt. She looked at her gun as Bardiel's voice hit the air. "Interesting isn't it how memories cut so deep? I don't think I've seen you so truly afraid."

She turned seeing that he was walking on the sandy beach behind her on all fours very casually and was being calmer that normal as he spoke again very softly. "You're still terrified that they'll come back again for you and finish the job this time that is your real reason why you hide away other than hating people for their misgivings and treating you poorly."

Asuka eyed him saying nothing what was there to even say? He was right the event had scared her so much. Because though she could imagine dying in an Evangelion or having her brains fried so others could live she didn't want to be murdered and to die alone rotting away in the earth for no one to find.

She couldn't imagine anything worse and she'd come so close that night and she'd never been able to really handle it hence she'd just shut it out of her mind and lied to everyone about what had really happened. She didn't think they'd care since hardly anyone had believed her anyway when it came to Hikari, maybe a part of her just felt like she deserved it and that she should be punished because she'd seen herself as an awful person who had done cruel things to people in the past.

She turned back the group lowering the gun completely feeling her anger turn to sadness as she clicked the safety back on. She watched as Rei shifted through the group coming to stand opposite her she slowly put the gun back in its holder inside her jacket. "I'm really sorry you really scared me, I don't like other bikers suddenly appearing behind me like that, it's happened once before and the people in question attacked me with a crowbar and knocking me off."

The lead man looked at the others. "We had no idea." The Japanese's woman opposite looked up. "The media never said you had an accident." Asuka looked down sadly. "I never told anyone about it." Misato ran up to Asuka seeing that Rei was opposite her they'd both heard everything and for moment she had been terrified that Asuka was going to pull the trigger but clearly something had stopped her as she had become distracted and had been looking behind her at the beach which meant that Bardiel had clearly said something but she just had no idea what but it was clear that what ever it was it had stopped her pulling the trigger. "The wound on the back of her right shoulder wasn't made by you skimming the ground was it?"

Asuka shook her head. "No it was made by a hunting knife which was forced into my shoulder, the four bikers then threw me into a ditch to die and time passes slower when you're bleeding out and it took me an hour to drag myself out of that ditch." Rei moved closer putting a hand on her jacket. "You should have told us Asuka." Asuka looked up. "I didn't think anyone would care so I never mentioned it and it was just easier to say I totalled the bike rather than that some one destroyed it and attacked me."

Misato moved closer. "How did you survive Asuka who helped you?" Asuka turned to her. "I only got lucky that night because a middle aged couple found me walking the road covered in blood they took me to there home. The wife was a doctor and she was able to pull that dagger out and stitch me up and bandaged my shoulder as well as give me something for the pain." She tensed sharply. "They knew who I was and I even asked them why they saved me? Because of my reputation and what I've been branded as, as you both could have just carried on driving like the others did who passed me by that night."

She breathed in painfully. "You know what they said? They said that they didn't believe the story and that I was a good person who had clearly been set up and that they had four children and there youngest son had just come out as gay and that I was a massive inspiration to him."

She looked at her gloved hands. "They insisted that I stay that night so I did and in the morning I took their youngest son's pilot photo book and put in real signatures over all of my photos. It was the only way I could repay them because the bikers took my wallet stole my money and threw all my cards in the sea opposite the ditch then they smashed up my phone. Yet even then that couple still wanted to give me money so I could at least get a train home but I went against it a chose to walk, it took me three hours to get home walking through rural fields and I called in saying I'd had an accident and just didn't come in for two days. I still had my Nerv ID card though that was at home but I had to cancel all of my cards and get new ones."

Misato moved closer realizing that she was getting dangerously close to Asuka personal space now and this was normally when she lashed out. "I'm sorry Asuka, not just for this but for everything else regarding the event with Hikari. You were right I was seeing fifteen year old bratty you and the Asuka who was with Shinji and who treated him poorly, your not that person anymore and I want to fix things between us because I need you on the team, you're a great pilot."

She breathed in sadly. "Those people who hurt you that night should be brought to justice for what they did, they tried to murder you." Asuka looked at her for a long moment. "Please it's been two years! No one is going to come to my rescue now, why would they even care? It's not like anyone up in the houses on the cliffs above the road gave statements or told the police and I know some of them saw it all unfold and none of them came to my rescue!" She eased out her hand. "They let me verfickte bleed out, they thought my life had that no value!"

She looked down sadly. "The reason I stopped going out wasn't just because I got tossed out or beaten up, its because that bastard and his gang are still out there and he might just take it up himself to finish the job!" She eased up her sleeve wiping away the painful tears that were starting to run free. "I couldn't escape from him and his three awful friends and after they knocked me off with a crowbar they started to beat me up, I was in shock and powerless to stop them! I've never been so afraid in my whole life and when he pulled that beefy looking hunting knife I was convinced that he was going to slit my throat and he even played that scenario out by running the tip against my neck and he wasn't stupid he had gloves on to mask his finger prints."

Misato watched as the lead biker behind her stepped forward. "I know this is none of my business but do you have the hunting knife?" Asuka looked at him feeling uncertain. "Yes after the couple helped sow me up they gave it to me, because they said it was evidence." He spoke again. "Do you have it on you now?" Asuka blinked in confusion. "Yes I do why?"

The man walked towards her pushing his tailed brown hair back he had a scar on his cheek and was of Mexican decent he was the same age as her. "My name Armistead and this scar on my face, was made by a big mean looking biker guy trying to cut me up with a hunting knife four years ago in a bar. His name is Alistair and all of us here hate him and I doubt any bullshit he mentioned about his actions being just was right, he's a thug and a thief and he knocks off bikers and steals there money, he probably targeted you knowing full well that you'd have money."

The Japanese's woman opposite spoke. "My names Haru and he once knocked me off and the accident broke my leg after which he stole all of my money, we heard him and his girlfriend Hannah bragging years back that they'd knocked an Evangelion pilot off their bike but we never believed it because there was no media report and we were confused because we know three pilots ride motorbikes so we never knew which one they were referring to."

Asuka opened her bikes compartment pulling out the hunting knife which was sealed in a plastic bag. She had only stuck it here because she hated it being in her house and just wanted to hide it away and forget about it she eased out so he could see it ignoring Rei's horrified look. "Here it is."

Armistead took hold of the knife in the bag turning it between his fingers it really was a hideous looking thing with its jagged edges and one he remembered so well and it still had old blood stains on it. "Yeah all of sudden I can see why you'd freak out and carry a gun." He breathed in deeply. "This is the same shitty blade that did in my face I recognise the handle stupid bastard put his gang symbol on the hilt I'd know that shitty gold and white grim reaper logo anywhere." He eyed the old blood stains which covered half of the blade. "He shoved this in to your shoulder, that's got to be fucking painful."

Asuka looked down. "No the bleeding out was worse the pain I could handle." Armistead laughed slightly as he raised a hand. "Oh yeah I forgot you're made of fucking steel because you survived being smashing into Australia's favourite mountain tourist attraction from a great height and you were still able to get up and fight." Rei felt a smile form. "That's Asuka for you." Armistead smiled easing out his hand shaking hers. "And you're Rei Ayanami it's a pleasure to meet you." He turned to Misato. "And you're the Mayor." Misato gave him a smile. "Yes I am."

Armistead smirked. "Funny I've lived here for years, first time I've ever seen Evangelion pilots in person, this has really made my year." He turned walking towards Asuka's bike seeing that she was now much more at ease. He didn't blame her for getting emotional over it other members in his group had suffered because of Alistair and Hannah and it had left very traumatic emotions. "So this is your Trident?" He paused looking over the motorbike. "How did you get it? I mean the waiting list is years long."

Rei looked up. "She didn't buy it she built it, its custom made from scratch." Haru moved forward eyeing the bike. "Seriously because that explains why she was able to literally take to the air when you both came over the ridge, normally this bike can't do that, the whole bike is just too heavy." Asuka eyed the wheels. "The engine has much better power conversion so it can handle jumps, it's also lighter due to the frame it's so I can make an emergency stop because on the manufactured model I've heard people have trouble stopping once they go in to a slide and they can have serious accidents."

Armistead eyed her. "You're very talented aren't you?" Asuka kicked the sand nervously with her boot. "I just like to make things work better." Rei turned slightly. "Asuka's is a very gifted engineer she outfitted my brothers and my bike to go much faster as well."

Misato eyed Asuka for a long moment she really wasn't used to compliments she acted very way ward to them as if they were not meant for her. Haru stood up. "I know it might be hard for you but we've spoken to the police regarding that bastard Alistair and his bitch of a girlfriend but if they realize that they have attacked a pilot they might take what's happening way more seriously and finally lock this guy and his friends up." Armistead looked up. "That is if you're up to it."

Asuka looked down taking in a slow deep breath her life now felt so confusing so many things were backwards she didn't expect people to care let along help her. Maybe she was just having a weird day were she'd just been in the right place at the right time, she turned seeing that Bardiel was walking through the surf, it wasn't threatening in any manner it was more curious like a child dipping their toes in the ocean for the first time and drinking in the wonder.

Something else had changed though it was a single detail but a prominent one his black pupils were glowing white. She turned away clearly she was seeing things and she'd rather ignore him right now as he'd go away in his own time, he always did. She looked up slightly. "I want to file a report I want to see this verfickte asshole get arrested for what he and his friends did to me, I don't want to be afraid of leaving my home anymore."

Misato put a hand on her shoulder. "We'll come with you Asuka." Rei took hold of her arm. "These people need to be put away Asuka."

End of part 44

Silvermoonlight