even though you are merely dreaming, you are (not) alone

[a_young_legend]

[inside Unit 01...]

Comments

[seedwlives2spar]

*Kira shimmers into existence as their room takes form.*

Shinji, I want you to come back. Come back to us.

[a_young_legend]

-He blinks, still huddled on his side. He sounds ghostly.-

Come back where? Who is Shinji? Is that me?

[seedwlives2spar]

*Kira seems confused that Shinji would even ask such a question.*

Of course it's you silly. Who else would it be?

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji seems to accept this, at least for the moment.-

If Shinji is my name, then I am Shinji. And you are...

-Shinji struggles to remember.-

You are somebody important to me, that I keep close to my heart. But I can't seem to remember what to call you.

[seedwlives2spar]

*Suddenly another similar and yet different voice appears behind Shinji. If he were to turn around he would see the simulator and obstacle course that he spent so much time watching. Kira is standing there too, though he has a completely different demeanor.*

What to call me is irrelevant. What is relevant is that I need you. You must return.

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji's eyes roll to the back of his head to observe Kira.-

You need me? But why? I'm worthless. Nobody says it, but I can tell that's what they're thinking. And why shouldn't they? I've always been a failure.

I should stay here. That way I would be less of a burden to people. To you. To everyone.

[seedwlives2spar]

But then you could not turn me into a weapon. And I need you, I cannot become a weapon without you.

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji's eyes are wide from fear.-

A weapon? You're not the person I remember. Who are you? Why would you even want to be something like that? Don't say such things.

[seedwlives2spar]

*The other Kira voice, the one he recalls from their room speaks from his side and suddenly his to his left is Kira, smiling and standing in their room and to the right is Kira, robotic and standing in the simulator.*

I wouldn't want to be a weapon silly. You know I hate weapons. But I have to become one, because we have to defend the Earth. Weapons are necessary to defend the Earth!

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji looks from one Kira to the next, doubting what he sees and hears from both of them.-

That's not what you said to me. People aren't meant to be weapons. We have to decide for ourselves. We're not tied down, by organizations or by orders. We have to do what's right! Right?!

Isn't that right,

He's not listening to you

Kira Yamato?!

[seedwlives2spar]

Of course we do! We have to make it right! People aren't meant to be weapons! But Ultimate Coordinators are!

But I don't wanna be a weapon. I don't want to be the Ultimate Coordinator! I just want to be Kira...

*Despite saying this he is still smiling and giddy.*

[a_young_legend]

But you are Kira! You are to me!

-Shinji summons the energy to hobble to his feet, trying to grab at the smiling Kira's wrist.-

You're human! Not a weapon, not a Coordinator, just human! Just the same as I am!

[seedwlives2spar]

A delusion of course.

*He motions towards the Obstacle Course.*

A human could not hope to survive this let alone complete it. You yourself should be entirely aware of that.

I am the Ultimate Coordinator, you have seen this yourself. What I, or anyone else wants, thinks or feels is irrelevant to this fact.

And if I am indeed to be the Ultimate Coordinator, I need you to make me into a weapon.

[a_young_legend]

It's the truth! That over there...

-Shinji motions to the obstacle course.-

It's not who you are! And it's not who I am, either! I thought you of all people would understand!

-He seizes this darker Kira by the shoulder and shakes him roughly. He's becoming increasingly frantic.-

We have a choice what we become, what our meaning in fighting is! Only us, nobody else! You were the one who reminded me of that, why are you acting this way now?!

[seedwlives2spar]

You're right! We do! I don't want to be a weapon! But I don't have a choice... Unless you become a weapon to protect the Earth! If you become a weapon to protect the Earth then I won't have to!

See? Choice! It makes perfect sense!

[a_young_legend]

-Shinji is surprised at the words coming out of this Kira's mouth. He wasn't certain if he could even tell them apart anymore. Both sounded equally insane.-

You... you want me to become a weapon for you, Kira?

-He lowers his eyes.-

Would you be happy if I did?