History Fanfic / WalkingInTheShadowOfDreams

By the same writer as ''Fanfic/NobodyDies'', ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5528503/1/NGE_Walking_in_the_Shadow_of_Dreams Walking in the Shadow of Dreams]]'' once again takes ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' and tweaks one or two things to make an interesting WhatIf. Using a snippet by the creator of ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'' as a launching point, Gregg Landsman takes us to a world where Third Impact was rejected in a stunning but well-written fashion, and we open with a Shinji and Gendo that actually have some common ground sparring as a lead-in to Gendo offering Shinji a job as NERV's Chief Inspector. His first assignment -- go fetch the new head of Project E.

Recently, Landsman posted the first six chapters of [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6018100/1/NGE_Walking_in_the_Shadow_of_Dreams_Ver_2 a rewrite]] of this fic, which will move more slowly, expand the plot, and has incorporated [[RebuildOfEvangelion Mari Makinami]] and other characters which weren't in the original. The Spacebattles.com forum thread about the rewrite is [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showthread.php?t=160332 here]].

* {{Crossover}}: The changes in Instrumentality that form the backstory of ''Walking'' are a result of [[spoiler:the [[ButterflyOfDoom butterfly effect]] of the interactions of the canon NGE cast with the characters from ''Nobody Dies'' that were dropped there by that fic's version of Leliel.]]
** [[spoiler: In the rewrite, younger versions of Asuka and Shinji from the end of the movie ''End of Evangelion'', have wound up in this universe alongside their older counterparts, likely for the same reasons.]]
* BreakTheCutie: In hindsight, it probably was not the best idea to let a jaded and cynical Shinji guest lecture about his experiences as an Eva pilot. It is quite an accomplishment to make an entire room of trained pilots break into tears.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Since Rei is now [[spoiler:the sum of Adam and Lilith merged with her,]] Asuka did just that during their CatFight. It is not known if it will happen again in the rewrite, though.
* EveryoneWentToSchoolTogether: Shinji, Toji, and Hikari not only shared the same classroom, they attended the same college.

* ForWantOfANail: ''NobodyDies'' characters journeying temporarily in the Canon series has several effects ultimately avert Third Impact.

* FutureMeScaresMe / IHatePastMe: In the rewrite [[spoiler: alternate, younger versions of Shinji and Asuka (from after the events of the ''End of Evangelion'') have wound up in this universe alongside their older counterparts (see {{Crossover}} above). While they have yet to meet, some sample material the author has written has shown that Younger and Older Asuka are prone to bickering with each other (like a mother with her teenage daughter). The author has implied that the two Shinjis will have a little of this as well.]]

* LoveDodecahedron: The latest snippet of the rewrite has thrown a new monkey wrench into the works, as [[spoiler:a very drunk Hikari tries to put the moves on Shinji]]. This leads to the reveal that [[spoiler:while they were in college, Hikari sought out Shinji for comfort during a break-up with Toji, and it turned into a torrid one night stand]]. As a result, it's a distinct possibility that [[spoiler:Hikari's oldest child is Shinji's and not Toji's]]. [[ShrugOfGod Gregg's not saying]] [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showpost.php?p=5104143&postcount=966 one way or the other]].

--> "I am Auntie Rei," Rei Ayanami says, "And we must discuss your actions towards my niece."

** Gendo lampshades it, blatantly stating it is embarassing when he can be considered the best parent in the room.
** And even though [[spoiler:Yui or Kyoko]] are dissapointed with their offspring not following their wishes, they still can be scary when someone is threatening them:
*** [[spoiler:'''Yui (to Kyoko)''':]] "Get away from my son."

* MythologyGag: After [[spoiler:his marathon sexual encounter with Rei]], Kensuke asks for "orange juice and an IV drip". Kaji used the same line in a similar context in ''FanFic/NobodyDies''.

* ThatDidntHappen: [[spoiler:Subverted in the rewrite; while Shinji and Hikari both agreed that their one night stand was a mistake, and Hikari and Toji are happily married in the fic's present day, neither really regrets that it happened.]]

Recently, Landsman posted the first four chapters of [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6018100/1/NGE_Walking_in_the_Shadow_of_Dreams_Ver_2 a rewrite]] of this fic, which will move more slowly, expand the plot, and has incorporated [[RebuildOfEvangelion Mari Makinami]] and other characters which weren't in the original. The Spacebattles.com forum thread about the rewrite is [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showthread.php?t=160332 here]].

''Shadow'' seems to be on hold while Landsman works on its {{TroperCriticalMass}}ed [[Fanfic/NobodyDies cousin]], but the sixteen chapters so far are worth the read.

* FreakOut: Asuka had a massive meltdown about 8 years prior to the start of the story, which ''destroyed'' Misato's living room and put Shinji into a coma for 2 weeks.

* TheAtoner: Gendo is making a genuine effort to be this -- although [[ManipulativeBastard Gendo]] being [[MagnificentBastard Gendo]], his chosen avenues tend to be [[XanatosGambit complex]] and [[WellIntentionedExtremist questionable]] in nature.

* ThatDidntHappen: [[spoiler:Subverted; while Shinji and Hikari both agreed that their one night stand was a mistake, and Hikari and Toji are happily married in the fic's present day, neither really regrets that it happened.]]

* LoveDodecahedron: The latest snippet of the rewrite has thrown a new monkey wrench into the works, as [[spoiler:a very drunk Hikari tries to put the moves on Shinji]]. This leads to the reveal that [[spoiler:during a brief time where Hikari had dumped Toji, she sought out Shinji for comfort, and it turned into a torrid one night stand]]. As a result, it's a distinct possibility that [[spoiler:Hikari's oldest child is Shinji's and not Toji's]]. [[ShrugOfGod Gregg's not saying]] [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showpost.php?p=5104143&postcount=966 one way or the other]].

By the same writer as ''Fanfic/NobodyDies'', ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5528503/1/NGE_Walking_in_the_Shadow_of_Dreams Walking in the Shadow of Dreams]]'' once again takes ''{{Evangelion}}'' and tweaks one or two things to make an interesting WhatIf. Using a snippet by the creator of ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'' as a launching point, Gregg Landsman takes us to a world where Third Impact was rejected in a stunning but well-written fashion, and we open with a Shinji and Gendo that actually have some common ground sparring as a lead-in to Gendo offering Shinji a job as NERV's Chief Inspector. His first assignment -- go fetch the new head of Project E.

* {{Crossover}}: The changes in Instrumentality that form the backstory of ''Walking'' are a result of [[spoiler:the butterfly effect of the interactions of the canon NGE cast with the characters from ''Nobody Dies'' that were dropped there by that fic's version of Leliel.]]

** And then there's Rei, who, besides trying for [[strike:'''babiesbabiesbabiesBABIESBABIESBABIES!''']] a family of her own, has taken a shine to Asuka's daughter Ariel.

* LoveDodecahedron: The latest snippet of the rewrite has thrown a new monkey wrench into the works, as [[spoiler:a very drunk Hikari tries to put the moves on Shinji]]. This leads to the reveal that [[spoiler:they got busy when they were in college, before she married Toji]]...and it's a distinct possibility that [[spoiler:Hikari's oldest child is Shinji's and not Toji's]]. [[ShrugOfGod Gregg's not saying]] [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showpost.php?p=5104143&postcount=966 one way or the other]].

* TheAtoner: Gendo is making a genuine effort to be this -- although [[ManipulativeBastard Gendo]] being [[MagnificentBastard Gendo]], his chosen avenues tend towards [[XanatosGambit complex]] and [[WellIntentionedExtremist questionable]] in nature.

* MamaBear/ PapaWolf: Do '''''NOT''''' threaten anyone the Ikaris consider family. This trait, in fact, [[spoiler:is why Third Impact didn't go off as it did in canon. Seeing his wife as the manipulator she is in this verse, Gendo gets around his idealized image of her somewhat -- to the point he has his metaphysical fingers at her throat and is ROARING, "''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome God damn you, get away from MY SON!]]''"]]

* ScarsAreForever: Asuka again, and once again Shinji finds her scars attractive. Shinji also has a scar on his chest from when the Lance entered Unit 01's core during Instrumentality.

'''Auska:''' It's the robot. [[MegasXLR Chicks dig giant robots]].
* TakeThat: In the first iteration of the fic, to the American Godzilla film. Identifying the MonsterOfTheWeek as an expy of said version of Godzilla [[spoiler: they didn't even bother to send up an EVA. Instead, they had it shot with the positron cannon mid-roar.]]
* TitleDrop: In chapter 9.

* CrazyAwesome: In the first version, this showed up sporadically. The rewrite may have more as it progresses, since [[spoiler:as a consequence of its now-established ties to ''Nobody Dies'', the Rei clones have had T!Rei's personality downloaded into them. They've since escaped the Reiquarium and are spread throughout Tokyo-3 in disguise. One of them is Gendo's secretary. At least one of them has kids per WordOfGod]].

* EpilepticTrees: The rewrite has spawned its fair share of these, with many [[WMG/WalkingInTheShadowOfDreams theories]] regarding things like [[spoiler:Ari's real father]] and Rei's booty call buddy.

* {{Shipping}}: Why yes, Landsman is partial to pairing Rei with a certain stooge.
** Also [[CaptainObvious Shinji/Asuka]].

* BrotherSisterIncest: The Lilith part of Rei''really'' wants Shinji to make her some babies.

'''Auska:''' It's the robot. [[MegasXLR Chicks dig giant robots]].

*** Two hours of quality time follows.

* LoveDodecahedron: The latest snippet of the rewrite has thrown a new monkey wrench into the works, as [[spoiler:a very drunk Hikari tries to put the moves on Shinji]]. This leads to the reveal that [[spoiler:they got busy when they were in college, before she married Toji]]...and it's a slim but distinct possibility that [[spoiler:Hikari's oldest child is Shinji's and not Toji's]]. [[ShrugOfGod Gregg's not saying]] [[http://forums.spacebattles.com/showpost.php?p=5104143&postcount=966 one way or the other]].

* LoveDodecahedron: The latest snippet of the rewrite has thrown a new monkey wrench into the works, as [[spoiler:a very drunk Hikari tries to put the moves on Shinji]]. This leads to the reveal that [[spoiler:Shinji and Hikari got busy when they were in college, before she started dating Toji]]...and it's a slim but so-far-un{{Jossed}} possibility that [[spoiler:Hikari's oldest child is Shinji's and not Toji's]].

Recently, Landsman posted the first four chapters of [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6018100/1/NGE_Walking_in_the_Shadow_of_Dreams_Ver_2 a rewrite]] of this fic, which will move more slowly, expand the plot, and has incorporated [[RebuildOfEvangelion Mari Makinami]] and other characters which weren't in the original.

As with a certain other fic linked above, Landsman use NGE as a lens to explore family, dysfunction, and coping...but uses a LighterAndSofter touch than canon to do it. Still, one gets the impression from word one that this is a world where you must EarnYourHappyEnding.

* ScarsAreForever: Asuka again, and once again Shinji finds her scars attractive.