Superwomen of Eva: Treacherous Web

by OrionPax09

A cloning disaster puts Ritsuko on a new path...and gives her a second chance to make things right.

10. Heroes

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Chapter 10: Heroes

Impossible! was the word that seared itself into Ritsuko's mind. Unable to express the horror she felt at the sight of streets of Tokyo-3 being bathed in darkness. A darkness that was now consuming the towers of glass and steel, dragging them down into the shadows like it was quicksand.

This notion giving additional strength to her spider-sense's warning, Ritsuko forced herself to look ahead. "Hang on, Rei!" the doctor ordered, her fingers tensing about the steering wheel with enough force to rip it apart. Pressing down even harder upon the accelerator, Ritsuko did everything she could to draw out even more power from the distressed engine.

Ignoring the protesting sputters, Ritsuko focused on the road. Picturing the layout of the streets in her mind, the various points of access to the Geofront, and the relative safety of NERV Headquarters. As well as the mighty Evangelions, their best chance of survival.

All I have to do is hope this damned thing doesn't die on me before we get there! Ritsuko thought unhappily. Taking a moment to wish that she had spent a little extra money on a slightly better car, she studied the streets. Having already plotted her course to the nearest entrance, she watched the street signs, looking for her turn, and gasped when she realized that she was on the verge of passing right by it!

"Hold tight!" Ritsuko screeched as she spun the wheel frantically. The tires squealing and leaving a layer of rubber on the concrete, the doctor sent her car careening onto the new street. But with her enhanced reflexes, the faux-blonde still collided with one of the warning signs; sparks went flying as the side of her car bent the sign, just before it tore off the driver's side mirror. Crying out as the sparks and sound and the screaming of her spider-sense all hit her at once, Ritsuko continued to push her battered car to its limits and beyond.

"Rei!" Ritsuko gasped out as the noise and light subsided. "Is that thing still behind us?"

"Yes," Rei responded, a tensing of her voice the only thing betraying her fear. "But it is not as close as before."

That won't last long, Ritsuko thought warily, refusing to let her guard down. Her body was already soaked with fear, simply because she was already certain why the Angel was following them in the first place.

It's Adam! It has to be! Ritsuko thought feverishly, her scientific mind forced into overdrive by the intensity of her terror. Of how some of Adam's genetic markers had merged with her own DNA. That Angel…it must think that I am Adam!

Forcing herself to swallow the wad of bile that had formed in her throat, Ritsuko forced a few more RPMs from her already struggling car. Knowing full well just how far that Angel would go to bond with Adam. And the consequences of such a bonding, if her S2 organ was capable of meeting the Angel's needs.

Great. I'm being chased because of the worst meal I've ever had in my entire life, Ritsuko thought grimly. Her fingers tightening dangerously on the steering wheel, the doctor sent the car into another death-defying turn.

"Rei, keep your eyes open!" Ritsuko ordered, narrowing her eyes dangerously. The roar of the engine filling her ears, the scientist shoved everything else away. Her fear, her spider-sense, everything except the need to keep away from the pursuing monster. And the mental map she had of their escape into the Geofront.

As she continued to push the car to its limit, Ritsuko suddenly flashed back to the day the 3rd Angel had attacked, at the sorry condition Misato had brought her prized Renault Alpine back in after leaving to retrieve Shinji from the train station. And two things occurred to her. One was that, if she actually managed to get out of this alive, she would never, but never, kid her purple-haired friend about her driving again. Not ever.

The other was the fact that Misato's car was in better shape than Ritsuko's kludge as it was now. Never mind prior to taking the beating it had received from both the 3rd Angel and that N2.

If this thing dies on me before we get to base, I will personally track down the Godforsaken asshole who sold it to me, tear his nuts off, and feed them to him! Ritsuko vowed, sweat running down her temple as she watched the road ahead. Catching sight of her next turn and sending the car into a hairpin turn in order to make it. If I'm still around to do it, that is!

Smoke rising from the two tires still attached to the pavement, Ritsuko gazed at the street before them. Scanning it for any sign of debris or any other obstacles that could potentially be fatal in this situation, focusing on nothing but…

"Dr. Akagi," came Rei's quiet voice. Resulting in a nervous jolt that practically sent Ritusko flying out of her seat, not to mention doing little good for her already overwhelmed mind.

"What is it?" Ritsuko shrilled, sparing just enough time to glance at the albino, and to stifle a nasty, spiteful part of herself that was saying that she should have left Rei behind.

"The Angel is no longer behind us," Rei informed her simply. Her expression the picture of muted astonishment as she looked at the faux-blonde.

Of all the things Ritsuko could've imagined the girl telling her, this was not one of them. Her mouth hung open before she turned to spare a tiny look over her shoulder. True to Rei's words, there was no longer any sign of the ocean of black death that had hounded them so mercilessly up until that point. And though she could sense more than see the buildings of Tokyo-3 still being consumed by the Angel, it was no longer apparent within their immediate proximity.

Maybe we lost it, Ritsuko thought, just before she mentally slapped herself in the face. For although, as a scientist, she knew that she probably shouldn't believe in jinxes, curses, fate, or other illogical gobbledygook, she had seen enough in working to unravel the secrets of Angelic physiology, half the time not knowing why this or that worked, only that it did, to know that there were things beyond human understanding.

Added to this the fact that she had jinxed herself more than once in her battle with Deadpool, and she was definitely shy about being bitten by fate again.

That was when she returned her attention to the road again, and became a devout believer in jinxes. Her spider-sense already on overload, it had been unable to warn Ritsuko that the Angel had switched tactics, and somehow gotten ahead of them. As she screamed in horror, she watched as the road ahead was consumed by a wave of darkness, sending the buildings lining the streets to their doom.

No time, no time! Ritsuko shrieked in her own mind, knowing what she had to do or risk a horrible, agonizing death. And no choice, dammit!

"Hang on, Rei!" Ritsuko cried out, even as she focused on her transformation. Instantly, four arachnoid arms erupted through her blouse, lab coat, and even through the back of her seat. Fangs and talons came into existence, allowing the doctor to shred apart the seatbelts holding both her and Rei in place. Just as she felt a shifting in her car, knowing that the Angel had taken hold of them, she wrapped her arm about the albino, and warped space around them.

In an instant, both Ritsuko and Rei were adorning the side of one of the doomed buildings. They were still sinking, but they were now further away from the event horizon. A quick look revealed the doctor's doomed car sinking into oblivion.

Good thing my insurance is paid up, Ritsuko thought humorlessly, trying not to think of the can of scorpions she had just opened. Of the secret she had just betrayed.

Instead, the faux-blonde looked up towards the waiting sky above, felt her spider-sense still ringing her head bloody, and went into action. Still holding tightly to Rei, she once again teleported, this time to just above the roof of the sinking skyscraper. Feeling a moment of disorientation before dropping to her feet, Ritsuko looked about wildly, trying to plan her next move.

First things first, Ritsuko thought, not so lost in her fear to realize that there was still a remote chance that she was under remote observation. Holding out her left wrist, she used one of her spider-arms to activate her costume. Soon hordes of nanites were spilling forth from her watch, reforming her now-tattered clothes into a skintight outfit. As soon as her mask was in place, she cried out, "Aerial Pursuit Mode!"

Before her stupid subconscious could conjecture about the possibility of her costume picking now to malfunction, Spider-Woman felt an overwhelming wave of relief as she felt the nanotech of her suit transforming it. Switching to sky blue with white trim, a pair of bat-like webbed gliders sprouted out from her back. Allowing her to rise up above the city, far and away from the all-consuming power of the newest Angel.

For a moment, Spider-Woman felt nothing but release. The wind was rushing past her as her gliders effortlessly defied gravity's ever-present grip, leaving her free to rise above it all. The danger was below, unable to touch her, and she was alive.

She was alive.

Her adrenaline-wracked system practically overwhelmed, Spider-Woman had to fight down the urge to laugh, for the irony of her situation was impossible. She had just barely escaped with her life, the entire city was possibly doomed, and an Angel was devouring everything in sight.

And yet, her heart was pumping vigorously, her entire body was flooded with energy. Every sense she possessed was at its absolute peak, and even her spider-sense had reduced to a dull buzz. And she felt so alive. More than all the years she had walked the Earth, she felt really and truly alive.

Even as this bizarre euphoria suffused her entire being, a voice was heard. A voice that brought her crashing back down to cold, hard reality.

"Dr. Akagi…?" Rei murmured dazedly. A surprised gasp escaping her lips, Spider-Woman looked down at the frail girl who still hung from her arm. Her crimson eyes staring at her, holding more emotion in that moment than she had ever seen there before.

And that was when the full consequences of her actions slammed into her. Ritsuko had donned the guise of Spider-Woman in the presence of another. A person who possibly had more reason to hate her than any other person alive.

In that moment, various forces collided within Spider-Woman's mind. One was a tsunami composed of every single worst-case scenario that could result of word getting out as to her double identity. Fisk, Osborn, SEELE, they would all be after her. They would all suddenly suspect her as being the one who destroyed both Gendo and Adam, and they would come after her. Her home, her life, her friends and relationships, everything that was worth anything in her life would be lost to her, possibly forever.

Then there was two images spawned from the bitter woman she was trying to leave behind, the one who had spent so much of her life catering to Gendo. That she should have left Rei to die, that she should never have even tried to save her. That the smart thing, the best thing to do right now…would be to drop her in the darkness, and leave her to fate.

And even as these two forces came crashing upon her consciousness, the woman that had been touched by the spider's power grimaced in fear and revulsion. Fear at the fate that she may very well have made for herself…and the revulsion that she was still capable of considering discarding this fragile girl to still be a viable option.

Dammit! Spider-Woman snarled at herself, shame and rage filling her mind. Leaving her wishing that there was some way of taking the putrid, filthy, wicked part of her own soul and yanking it out. Stop thinking like that! How do you expect to be able to stop Fisk and SEELE if you keeping thinking the way they would?

With this mental bucket of ice water firmly dumped upon her own head, Spider-Woman just looked at the girl in her arms, and forced her to focus on her as Rei, not Yui's ghost. Forcing herself to keep her kind words to Rei from becoming a lie.

"Just hold tight!" Spider-Woman gritted. Forcing down her more undesirable traits as she began looking for a safe place to land. "I'll have you down as soon as I can!"

While Rei was trying to assimilate her new situation, Spider-Woman was scanning the ground below, hoping to find someplace safe that the Angel hadn't already consumed. Only to gasp in shock herself.

"What the -?" Spider-Woman got out, watching in awe as the darkness that had filled the streets receded. "What's happening?"

"Look!" Rei piped up, pointing off in the distance. "The Angel!"

Looking over her shoulder in more or less the direction indicated, Spider-Woman once again saw it. The huge sphere of evil that had disappeared when the Angel's darkness began consuming the city. Once again, it loomed over Tokyo-3, even as buildings began listing to the sides. The sounds of metal and concrete crumbling audible even at this distance.

It's…stopped attacking! Spider-Woman realized, her heart practically stopping at this realization. But why? Is it because we're out of reach? Then she frowned, shaking her head in negation. No, that doesn't make sense. The other Angels never demonstrated any reluctance to attack, once they'd found their targets. Does this mean it's reached some kind of limit? Perhaps it can only consume so much at a time?

Theories continued to pile up in her mind, only for Spider-Woman to realize that she had so little proof that each conjecture was virtually worthless to her. "First things first," she muttered aloud, sighting a building that was still anchored firmly to the ground, and yet was tall enough so that she would have ample time to escape should the Angel decide to start munching on the city again. With only a trace of hesitation, the arachnid adventuress angled herself down towards the roof, and came down for an easy landing.

"There we go," Spider-Woman announced as she set Rei down.

Turning about to face her savior, Rei studied her before saying, "Dr. Akagi…you're Spider-Woman."

"Uh, yeah," Spider-Woman agreed, casting a glance down at her own costumed form. Sighing in resignation, she just looked at the albino, who was still looking expectantly at her.

No point in putting it off, Spider-Woman finally decided. I'll just have to deal with this. Right now.

"Listen, Rei," Spider-Woman, kneeling down before Rei, looking her in the eyes as she placed both hands gingerly upon her shoulders. Trying to be as cool and calm as she could and feeling like she was only marginally successful in this. Preparing to say what she had to, she blinked a few times and rolled her eyes, grateful for the eyepieces that helped hide her discomfort. "This has to remain a secret. You can't tell anyone that Ritsuko Akagi and Spider-Woman are the same person," she told the blue-haired girl, pointing at herself for added emphasis. "Especially not Fisk or Osborn. Do you understand?"

Nodding her comprehension, Rei answered, "I will tell no one your secret."

With this affirmation, Spider-Woman felt a wave of relief hit her. If there were two things she was certain about when it came to Rei, it was that she never lied unless asked to, and that she knew how to keep a secret. Secrets were so much a part of Rei's life, that it was pathetic.

Heaving a deep breath, Spider-Woman stood and looked out at the Angel that had caused so much grief. "Now all we have to do is get to NERV," she muttered. Shaking her head slowly, the masked scientist frowned in thought. "I just wish I knew why it stopped attacking…"

"Perhaps it stopped because it doesn't sense you anymore," Rei suggested in her usual, quiet voice.

"Huh?" Spider-Woman got out, looking back down at Rei, her surprise painfully evident. "What do you mean, it doesn't sense me anymore?"

Returning the webbed superwoman's gaze, Rei answered, "For some time, I have sensed something…different about you. Something dangerous, since Commander Ikari's death." Then she frowned slightly, examining Spider-Woman's form, the arachnoid arms sticking out of her back. "However, when you changed forms, I could no longer sense your presence."

"You…sensed something about me before?" Spider-Woman got out, looking incredulously at the girl. "You mean…you knew I was Spider-Woman…all along?"

"I was unaware that you were Spider-Woman until today," Rei replied, using the same exact tone of voice. "I only knew that you were different."

Once again stunned into surprise, Spider-Woman quickly considered the situation. Given her knowledge of Rei's physiology, the revelation that she was sensitive enough to be able to detect an Angelic mutation in her was far from surprising. But this gave life to another question, which she then asked. "Did you tell anybody about this?" the webbed heroine queried nervously. "Like Gendo, or Fuyutsuki?"

"No," Rei answered promptly.

"You're sure?" Spider-Woman asked carefully, wanting to be absolutely certain. "You never mentioned this to anyone?"

"I had no reason to," Rei told her simply. "No one asked me."

No one…asked her? Spider-Woman spoke in her mind, feeling out this sentence. After a few moments, she felt a fit of laughter working its way up her throat. Placing her hand on her mouth, she did her best not to break down in a full-blown case of the giggles, because she knew that if she started laughing now, there was a good chance that she would never stop.

Of course! This is Rei we're talking about! Spider-Woman thought, a peal of mirth sounding within the confines of her own mind. Why on Earth would she do anything unless she was asked to?

Laughter continued to try to force its way up Spider-Woman's throat, and she was very tempted to give into it. But she couldn't. There were far more important things demanding her focus. "Anyway, Rei…" the arachnid heroine started again, almost blowing it with each word she spoke. "You said that…you can't sense me now?"

"That is correct," Rei assured her. "It is almost like…you are not there. I do not sense anything of you now."

Pressing her lips tightly together, Spider-Woman quickly considered this information. Remembering the tests she had conducted while deep in the depths of Terminal Dogma. Of the MAGI's failure to detect any viable pattern from her when she was in her transformed state.

"So…I guess that means that…as long as I'm like this, the Angel can't detect me, either," Spider-Woman finally stated, looking at the orb that hung above the city like a bomb waiting to go off. "So, we're safe for now, but…"

"But what?" Rei wondered, cocking her head as she studied the costumed adventuress.

"It also means that we have a problem," Spider-Woman decided, looking down at the talons gracing her fingertips, just before she looked over her shoulders at her four spider-like arms. "How the hell am I'm supposed to be able to walk around NERV with these things sticking out of my back…?"

---

"Mis- I mean, Major Katsuragi!" Osborn smiled, his relief apparent to everyone in view as Misato marched onto the bridge. "You made it!"

"Just barely!" Misato asserted, taking her position on the bridge. Automatically surveying the various screens and absorbing all the data that was to be found. "Half the city was falling apart by the time I got here! It took forever to get around all the wrecked buildings!"

"I see," Fuyutsuki muttered grimly. Seeming to study the Major, he asked, "And what about the 2nd and 3rd Children? Are they alright?"

"Yeah. They're getting into their plug suits right now," Misato assured them, not bothering to look away from the screens. At the destruction that had been unleashed the fortress city. "So any idea what happened? How'd this Angel cause so much damage, and why did it stop attacking?"

"We're not sure, Major," Maya admitted ruefully. "We monitored a large amount of activity while the Angel was attacking, but the MAGI are still processing the data. It might take a while before they reach a conclusion."

Letting loose a snort of disgust, Misato went onto other matters. "What about Ritsuko and Rei? Any word from them?"

"Yes, sir," Shigeru assured her. "They're heading towards the base right now. They should be entering the Geofront within a few minutes."

"Good," Misato spoke tersely. "Ready the Evas for emergency launch, and put the JSSDF on alert. We might need some help with this one."

"Yes, sir," Makoto spoke. The three techs working at their stations like the professionals they were.

Well, most of the time, Misato amended in her own mind. Buoying her spirit with a bit of humor before returning the entirety of her focus to the task before her. Namely, understanding the nature of this Angel, learning everything she could about it. So as to be better equipped to kill this latest obscenity.

Hatred. That was what Misato felt as she studied her enemy. Hatred for Adam and all that had been born of him. For all the suffering and misery she had endured, for the losses and agony they continued to rain down upon the world, she would see that each of the Angels died.

No matter what it takes, she told herself bitterly, knowing all too well what that entails. And the suffering she herself was required to cause. Grimacing at the thought, Misato focused her thoughts elsewhere. Dammit, Ritsuko. You and Rei better be alright!

Lost in thoughts and worries and half-cocked plans, Misato continued to survey the Angel. Only to be broken from her private world by the sound of footsteps on the bridge, followed by a worried voice. "Sempai!" Maya gasped, this one word filling the Major with dread. "What happened?"

Whipping about before Ritsuko could respond, Misato quickly took in the form of her friend. At first glance, the Head Scientist looked alright, as did Rei, who was standing beside her. But then the Major took in the expression Ritsuko wore, a grimace of obvious pain, and felt her heart jump.

"Ritsuko, are you alright?" Misato wondered worriedly.

"I'm fine, everyone," Ritsuko replied quietly, giving a casual shrug. Only to wince even more at the movement. "Well…more or less," she amended with a pained smile. "Which is more than I can say for my car…"

"Your car?" Commander Osborn repeated perplexedly. Then his eyes widened in realization. "You mean…you two were caught up in the Angel's attack?"

"Yes," Rei nodded. "Dr. Akagi's car was swallowed up by the Angel."

"Whew!" Makoto gasped, staring in awe at the two of them.

"But…how on Earth did you manage to get away?" Shigeru wondered.

"Actually…we had a little help on that one," Ritsuko admitted with a pained smile. Always quiet, as if speaking too loud was painful for her. "You heard about that Spider-Woman who's been running around the city lately? Well, she spotted us sinking into the Angel, and…"

"Spider-Woman? She's the one who saved you?" Misato gaped, about as surprised by this as she could have imagined.

"Yes," Rei agreed simply. "She got us away from the Angel, and let us off at the nearest entrance to the Geofront."

Misato smiled in relief at this. "Then I guess we owe her for that, big-time," the Major declared, patting the doctor on the shoulder. When Ritsuko winced in response, Misato frowned worriedly. "But…Rits, your back! How -?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Ritsuko assured her. "I just…pulled my back when she got us out of the car." Giving her friend a self-depreciating smile, she added, "I guess I really am getting old."

Curling her lip, Misato just gazed warmly at her friend. "Maybe…but I'm still glad you're okay," she told her. Then she cast an unhappy look at the displays behind her. "I just hope you're up to helping us. As you've already noticed, we've got a very large problem."

Chuckling gamely, Ritsuko answered, "Trust me, Misato, you couldn't stop me from giving that Angel a piece of my mind, even if you tried." Turning to look at her charge, the doctor told her, "Rei, you better get suited up and join the others." When Rei nodded, Ritsuko looked over her shoulder at her understudy. "C'mon, Maya. I have a few ideas about how that Angel's body works, and if I'm right, we'll be able to give some serious pain of our own!"

"Great, sempai!" Maya grinned happily, giving the doctor a thumbs-up. "Let's get to work!"

As Rei left and the two scientists made their way to their respective places, Misato followed Ritsuko, frowning at the way the woman groaned beneath her breath. "Hey, can I get you anything, Rits?" the Major wondered. "A couple aspirin?"

"Thanks. I'd appreciate that, Misato," Ritsuko smiled wearily. "And maybe a cup of coffee, while you're at it? This is going to take a while."

"Sure thing," Misato smiled. She started away, and then frowned slightly.

"Is something wrong, Major?" Osborn wondered.

"Um, no. Not really," Misato answered the Commander. "It's just…first this Spider-Woman saves the children at school, and now Ritsuko and Rei." Turning her gaze towards her best friend, the Major added, "Considering all she's done for us, I just like a chance to…you know. Thank her for it."

Clearly surprised by this comment, Ritsuko then smiled in a knowing fashion. "Trust me, Misato," she spoke, using that same quiet tone of voice. "If I ever see her again, I'll be sure to thank her for you."

---

I swear, this Angel is going to pay for this! Ritsuko thought, pain stabbing at her with every breath she took. First it eats my damned car, and now I have to deal with all of this!

Ritsuko had been in pain for what felt like hours now. Ever since she and Rei had arrived within a short distance of the Geofront entrance they had used, at which point the faux-blonde had set about disguising herself so that her spidery transformation wouldn't be betrayed.

The fangs weren't too bad. As long as she didn't open her mouth too wide, no one would even notice them.

The talons weren't a problem, either. They were easily retracted into her fingertips, and as long as she didn't hold out her hands, these, too, would go unseen.

However, the four arms protruding from her back were a whole different story. And just thinking of how she had been forced to deal with them made Ritsuko hurt just that much more.

Ducking into an alley, Ritsuko had quickly shed her lab coat and blouse, both of which had been ruined when her spider-arms had erupted from her back. Fortunately, the nanites that transformed the simple cloth into her costume were able to mend the holes. Unfortunately, those same nanites couldn't do anything to make her arms disappear without Ritsuko reverting to human form.

With a little help from Rei, Ritsuko had worked out a solution. First she had tucked her arms as tightly against her back and sides as possible, and then spun a large amount of webbing over them, pulling them as tightly against her back as she could.

Fortunately, the exoskeleton of the arms was flexible, and could even collapse somewhat with enough pressure. But it hurt. A lot. And it still resulted in a good-sized bundle against Ritsuko's back and along her waist. One which her blouse wouldn't fit over without drawing unwanted attention.

Taking a moment to remind herself that the nanites of her costume would repair it, Ritsuko had ripped apart the back of her blouse, allowing the webbed-up bundle to fit through the back. Sliding her lab coat over it, she asked Rei to look her over, to see if there was any sign of the bundle of arms that could be seen. Much to Ritsuko's relief, the albino gave her the all clear.

That did nothing to change the fact that Ritsuko was hurting a lot. Or that she spent every moment afraid that someone would notice something unusual and wonder why she was cosplaying as the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Thank God everybody is busy with work of their own, Ritsuko thought wearily as she took a moment to look from her station. Shigeru and Makoto were coordinating the evacuation of the civilian population, Misato and Osborn were overseeing the various personnel present and making certain that the Evas were ready for launch, and Maya over at her station, studying the data they had collected.

It was a blessing for the doctor. The ability to lose herself in her work, just as she had in the past. The challenge of pitting her mind at the mysteries of the cosmos, unraveling another secret, and all with the added benefit of saving the world in the process.

Now, if I could just take the chance of sucking my arms back in! Ritsuko thought sourly. Well aware that this was a chance she could not take. Not with the prospect of drawing the Angel down into the depths of NERV itself.

"So…how's it look, sempai?" Maya asked at one point. Breaking Ritsuko out of her daze of pain and discovery. "Found anything yet?"

Grateful for the distraction, Ritsuko smiled at her understudy. "Actually, yes," she answered, gesturing for Maya to come closer. "See this dynamic? The energy flow the MAGI detected when the Angel disappeared?"

Nodding, Maya studied the display for a moment before her face lit up with comprehension. "But…that means…"

"Exactly," Ritsuko agreed. Only to gasp as Misato and Osborn turned to look at them.

"You found something?" Osborn inquired. Looking genuinely inquisitive more than anything else.

"Yes," Ritsuko answered as they approached. "You see, I've had a theory about this Angel ever since it attacked earlier. The way it seemed to disappear, while its shadow was absorbing everything?" Noticing the increased attention from not only Misato and Osborn, but also everyone else present on the bridge, the scientist indulged in a moment of celebration. A quick pat on the back for achievement before continuing. "Well, we've been studying the data, and it confirms my suspicions."

"Which are?" Osborn demanded.

"The shadow that attacked us. That's the Angel's real form, not the sphere," Ritsuko explained. When the people before her responded by shooting looks of confusion, the doctor smiled in a knowing fashion. "According to these readings, the field of darkness is currently 680 meters in diameter, with a thickness of three nanometers. And within this ultra-thin space, there is a sustained, inverted AT-Field. And within the field itself is a region of space that can only be defined by abstract mathematics. An entirely different reality, known as a Dirac Sea, in which lies the Angel's inner core."

"What?" Misato gasped, looking rather swirly-eyed in the face of so much techno-babble. "The Angel…is in another reality?"

"Can something like even be possible?" Osborn demanded, showing more force of character.

Considering the fact that I can make a Dirac Sea and pop through it at just about any time I want, yeah, I think it's possible, Ritsuko thought rather snidely.

"I know it seems incredible, but considering how little we truly understand about the Angels and their capabilities, I would hesitate to consider this to be impossible," was what Ritsuko actually said. Then she curled her lip mischievously. "And then there's the fact that Rei and I very nearly got eaten by the damned thing, and…"

Holding up her hands, Ritsuko winced in pain as she let the silence speak for itself. Osborn frowned in thought before asking, "And the sphere? If the shadow is the Angel's true form, then what purpose does the sphere serve?"

"It doesn't serve any purpose, sir," Maya answered, just as Ritsuko was about to speak. "Considering the fact that it disappeared when the imaginary circuit of the body closes, that would imply that the sphere is an energy distortion resulting of the Angel's presence. A shadow of sorts."

Shooting her understudy a look of definite respect, Ritsuko then nodded. "Correct. Still, we can't rule out the possibility that it might serve some function. But the fact remains that the sphere isn't the Angel itself."

"Which brings us to my question," Misato broke in. "Namely, how do we kill the damned thing?"

"That's a good question," Ritsuko admitted in all honesty. "And a problematic one, considering how little firsthand experience we have with the actual dynamics of a Dirac Sea."

That was when Maya broke in. "But, sempai…our target isn't the Dirac Sea," she spoke, drawing three sets of inquisitive eyes. "It's the Angel at its center, right?"

"True, but we'd have to go through the Dirac Sea in order to get to the Angel," Ritsuko reminded the younger woman.

"Well…maybe not," Maya countered. When Ritsuko raised a surprised eyebrow at this, the tech leaned in closer. "I mean…you said that the Angel and the Dirac Sea are suspended within its AT-Field, right?"

"As near as we can tell, yes," Ritsuko answered. "Admittedly, our understanding of the actual mechanics of a Dirac Sea are limited at best, but given what we do know of them and the Angels, as well as these readings…"

"Then what if we could force the Angel out of the Dirac Sea, and out into the open?" Maya suggested tentatively. "Then it would be exposed, and we could use the Evas to destroy it."

This definitely got Misato's attention. "We can do that?"

Ritsuko was about to say no. That it was impossible. That there was absolutely no way to even go about such an undertaking. But that was when Maya stepped up to the plate. "Maybe," the younger woman replied as she returned to her own station. Gesturing for the others to follow her, Maya's fingers began raining down on her terminal at blinding speed. "Look. If we activate the AT-Fields of all three Evas to form an equilateral triangle about the imaginary circuit of the Angel's body, and fire a massive stream of energy into the center of that circle at the same time, we might be able to set up an inversion wave within the confines of the Angel's own AT-Field."

Looking down at the facts and figures taking shape on the display, Ritsuko listened intently as her understudy continued on. "Now, if we do this just right, not only would the Angel be unprotected, but everything it had consumed would be summarily expelled from the Dirac Sea. And if the energy release within the hypothetical circuit enclosing its pocket interior was massive enough and sufficiently focused, it would be like tossing a boulder into the center of pond. Creating ripples that would – hopefully, at least – be strong enough to force the Angel's inner core past the outer rim of the Dirac Sea that makes up its exterior body."

"Like…pulling a snail out of its shell?" Osborn guessed, floundering amongst the sea of techno-babble.

"Kind of," Maya agreed. Then she frowned unhappily. "Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing what the Angel's core would be like, or what kind of defenses it might have."

Even as Maya and the others were having this discussion, Ritsuko's attention was elsewhere. The instant Maya had proposed her theory, the doctor had begun examining the summarized data, along with the numbers that went with the tech's scheme. The scientist in her ready to poke at least a dozen different holes in Maya's theory.

That was before Ritsuko looked through the data before her. Looked through it and analyzed it and found herself in awe. Every line of data Maya had produced was perfectly calculated and evaluated, the basic concept sound. And before her very eyes, the MAGI considered Maya's stratagem, and sounded off on it. Two affirmatives, and one conditional affirmative.

Barely able to stop her jaw from clattering to the floor and revealing her deadly fangs for all the world to see, Ritsuko settled for once again looking at her understudy, and glowing with pure admiration. "So, tell me something, Maya," she smiled. "When are you putting in for my job?"

"Huh?" Maya squeaked out

"So you think this could work?" Misato asked her friend.

Exhaling as she shook her head, still looking in amazement at Maya's work, Ritsuko turned and said, "Given these numbers, I'd have to say two things." When Misato and Osborn frowned somewhat, the scientist curled the corner of her lip. "One; given the information currently available, I'd say Maya's plan looks like our best chance. And two; if I ever decide to retire or get run over by truck, that she should be first in line for the position of Head Scientist."

Chuckling beneath his breath, Osborn considered the two women. "I'll take that under advisement, Dr. Akagi," he told her. "In the meantime, however…um…do you have everything you need to make this plan happen?"

"I think so," Maya replied, giving a thoughtful shrug. "The biggest problem is releasing enough energy within the heart of the Angel in order to form the inversion wave. And we can't use an N2; the energy has to be focused on a single point. An N2 explosion won't do the job."

"I don't think it'll be that big of a problem, Maya," Misato told her in a matter-of-fact tone. Looking at the Major, Ritsuko saw a genuinely predatory expression darkening her features. "I think it's time to break out the little toy we 'borrowed' from the JSSDF…"

---

"I don't believe this!" Asuka shouted disbelievingly as she studied the tactical information before her. All of it displayed on the floor of the situation room. "You call this a plan? This is insane! Even by your standards!"

"Hey, blame Maya. This is essentially her brainchild!" Misato grinned impishly as she studied the pilots. The Children. Her responsibility…and her weapons.

Before the battle and after the battle. For Misato, there was no other time that was worse for her. The endless hours spent preparing to engage an Angel, knowing full well that she was sending these precious children to face pain and possibly death, all for the sake of feeding her insatiable need for revenge. To be followed by the hours she knew she would spend agonizing over it later.

Shoving this angst out of the way for the moment, Misato returned her focus to the present. Only to be surprised as Osborn looked firmly at the Children. "In any case, the MAGI have ruled that this plan is our best chance to deal with the current Angel."

"Well, of course they did," Asuka sneered. "Those useless cans support any amount of insanity around here!"

"Asuka…" Misato grumbled wearily. Asuka's usual obnoxiousness ratio had skyrocketed since Shinji had overtaken her synch ability. And she knew that her next orders would be especially hard for her to swallow. "Now listen up. Ritsuko has determined that it should be possible to lead the Angel away from Tokyo-3 by activating the AT-Field on one of the Evas. If this works, we should be able to lure it out into the open, and hopefully as far away from anything living as possible. Once the Angel is in the clear, we will deactivate the AT-Field, and if the Angel settles into a stable position, we use the MAGI to coordinate the Evas' movements until you are in position. Shinji?"

"Yes, Misato?" Shinji piped up eagerly.

"You will be the point man for this operation," Misato explained to him. "We will be using the positronic sniper rifle you used against the 5th Angel. Given your current synch ratio and your familiarity with this particular weapon, you are our best chance to hit the exact center of the Angel."

"You got it!" Shinji returned with a broad grin, acting more like a typical teenage boy than Misato had ever seen him.

"Oh, sure! Give him the easy job!" Asuka sneered. "All hail the Invincible baka-Shinji, why don't'cha?"

"Asuka, please! This is not the time to be acting like this!" Ritsuko grumbled beneath her breath. "In any case, you and Rei will have your own jobs to do."

"That's right," Misato agreed. "Assuming this works and we're able to force the Angel out of the Dirac Sea, you and Rei will move in as soon as it's exposed. Given the fact that we have no idea what's at the center of this thing, we're equipping your Evas for both close and long-range combat. Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," Rei agreed quietly.

"Yeah, whatever," Asuka grumbled. Then she glanced over at the still-grinning Shinji. "Just you wait, baka! You think one little synch test puts you on top of me? I'll show you what it really takes to be Number One!"

Shinji didn't even come close to letting this phase him. "Oh, c'mon, Asuka! It's like Misato said! We're all on the same side, right?" Then he grinned just a bit more. "And besides, you're the one who's always bragging about your synch scores."

"Hey, watch it, Third!" Asuka snarled. Marching up to Shinji, she stared right into his eyes, fire spitting out of her blue orbs. "Just you wait! When we get out there, I'll show you how it's done!"

"Oh, really?" Shinji retorted, more than a bit of gloating to his voice. "Like you did with the 7th Angel?"

Her eyes expanding at this barb, Asuka seemed to swell up with rage, her entire facing purpling with sheer fury. Worried that the redhead was about to do something both violent and stupid, Misato barked, "Alright, that's enough, the both of you! There's going to be trouble enough without fighting amongst ourselves!"

"But he started it!" Asuka protested, pointing accusingly at the object of her ire.

"I don't really care who started it! All I know is that I'm ending it! Right now!" Misato ordained, fixing them both with her 'get with it or get out of my way' look. "Now, you all know the plan. As soon as the transport planes are ready and loaded, we'll be launching! So get going!"

"Yes, ma'am," Rei nodded, just before she started away. Shinji and Asuka waited a moment, eyed each other once more, and then did the same.

How do I just know this is going to mean trouble? Misato frowned inwardly, placing a hand to her temple as she watched the Children leave.

Just before her headache could really get going, Ritsuko came up to the Major's side. "Commander, Major. I better get going, as well," the doctor muttered quietly. "There's a lot that has to be done before we're ready to launch."

"Of course," Osborn responded easily. "I suppose we all have a lot to do, before this is all over."

"Right," Ritsuko nodded. "Take care, you two."

"Take care yourself, Rits," Misato smirked, even as the faux-blonde turned on her heel and left the situation room. Still moving with painful stiffness.

While Misato frowning worriedly over her friend's obvious pain, Osborn murmured, "Well, we certainly have our work cut out for us." When Misato turned to look at him, he returned her gaze with an expression filled with muted fears. "Not exactly the kind of Angel I was hoping to cut my teeth on."

"I'll say," Misato replied, wondering if she should laugh or groan as this assessment. "Sometimes I think the damned things spend their time dreaming up new ways of making my life a living hell."

"Still, I wouldn't worry too much," Osborn went on. When Misato frowned in his direction, he smiled that same, boyish smile she had seen him wear before. "From what I understand, those children have pulled some pretty big miracles out for us before. I'm sure they can do it again."

Taking a deep breath, Misato smiled sadly before answering, "Yeah, I know what you mean." Thinking of the countless times they had fought and won against seemingly impossible odds, the Major felt a surge of pride welling up in her. "And I know it might seem crazy, but…I have faith in them. And the Evas."

"Faith, huh?" Osborn went on. "Man, I wish that's something I wish I had more of. In everything." As Misato chuckled slowly at this, the Commander gave her an eager look. "So…assuming our faith is rewarded, and we win the day and all…how about you and I go out for a quick drink?"

In that instant, every thought in Misato's mind simply crashed and burned. Slowly looking at the Commander, she looked blankly at him for a time before saying, "What?"

"Well, why not?" Osborn shrugged. A hint of a blush appearing on his cheeks, he asked, "What, is there some NERV bylaw I missed saying that I can't ask a beautiful woman out to celebrate? Is that it?"

Unable to help herself, Misato let out a snort of laughter. "Uh, no. Not that I'm aware of," she admitted, grinning sharply at Osborn. "But…let's not get too carried away here, yet. We still have to save the day, remember?"

"Oh, I know all about that," Osborn agreed. Then his blush deepened. "But…I don't know. I was just worried that…if I didn't ask you right now…someone might beat me to it."

An even larger burst of laughter was Misato's answer to this. What the…is he joking? she wondered, despite the fact that it was obvious that he was serious. What, does he think there's an entire lineup of men, just waiting for the chance to ask me out? Is that it?

Grinning helplessly in the face of such an incredulous notion, Misato continued to look at Osborn's face. And saw nothing she would normally see in a man who was asking her out. No lecherous thoughts, no intentions of just getting her into bed and using her for a night's release. None of that.

And he doesn't remind me…of my father, Misato thought as well. Thinking of how effortlessly Kaji had been able to push her buttons since he had arrived at NERV. All the bad history, all the shame and pain that was tied up in that previous relationship that remained with her. And then there was the pain, the pain of being so utterly alone…

Exhaling deeply, Misato finally shrugged and answered, "Well…sure." Almost breaking down in laughter again as Osborn practically swooned in relief, she added, "Assuming, of course, we manage to save the world first!"

"Of course," Osborn replied, all smiles as he gazed adoringly at the Major. "In which case, we better hurry and stop that Angel quickly. Because I found the perfect spot for a night out on the town."

"Really?" Misato answered, raising a questioning eyebrow. "Sounds interesting, Comm-"

"Misato, please…" Osborn cut in, raising a pleading hand. "Remember? Just…call me Harry, okay?"

Blinking a few times at this, Misato finally smiled and nodded. "Okay…Harry."

---

"So how much longer until we're ready to launch?" Ritsuko asked quietly. Wincing in pain as she moved about the launch bay, watching as the Evas and their support equipment was loaded into the transport planes.

"We just need another fifteen minutes," Makoto answered tersely, studying the clipboard in his hands. "We haven't used the sniper rifle since Operation: Yashima, and we have to make sure that it's ready for maximum output."

A breath hissing out through her lips, Ritsuko shook her head as unspoken concerns riddled her thoughts. The weapon in question had originally been developed for use with robots like Jet Alone, whose nuclear power core could supply the necessary power. But Jet Alone had failed, by Ritsuko's own hand, and as result, NERV became the only organization capable of utilizing such a weapon.

Just another bit of dirt on my soul, Ritsuko thought unhappily, recalling how her best friend had gone fearlessly to stop Jet Alone. Despite Ritsuko's feeble warnings, Misato had braved the robot's interior, despite the damage she suffered to her radiation suit. And all for him…

Wincing in pain at these thoughts, Ritsuko forced herself to more immediate concerns. For although this sniper rifle was vastly superior in firing power to the Type-20 positron rifle developed by NERV, capable of delivering a steady stream of energy to a single point, it still had its limits. And they didn't have the luxury of time as they had with the 5th Angel.

True, according to Maya's figures, we don't need nearly as much energy to make this work, but that rifle will take some work to set up. Assuming this works and we can lead the Angel away from Tokyo-3, Ritsuko thought worriedly. Wincing as she moved just the wrong way and one of her cramped spider-arms protested, and honestly looking forward to when it came time to deploy the 'bait'.

And Maya…since when did she get so damned good? Ritsuko thought, wishing that she didn't sound quite so envious, even to herself. Those figures were genius! How'd she ever come up with them, and so quickly?

Once again wondering if she was just getting old, Ritsuko almost missed it when Makoto made a worried noise in his throat. "Hmm?" the doctor started, eyeing the tech wonderingly. "Is something wrong?"

"Well, no, ma'am," Makoto answered easily. "I was just wondering…which Eva are we going to use to bait the Angel?"

"Oh, that," Ritsuko replied, always careful to keep her mouth from opening too wide. "I was planning on using Unit 01."

"Unit 01, ma'am?" Makoto repeated.

"That's right," Ritsuko nodded. The plan taking form in her mind easily. "I was planning on riding along with Shinji, anyway, to make sure he's ready for his part in the operation. This way, I'll be able to directly monitor Unit 01's AT-Field, and to check on the rifle itself while in transit."

And it'll look suspicious if the Angel doesn't fall in line right behind the plane with the active Eva, once I change back, Ritsuko added mentally.

Nodding, Makoto once again checked his clipboard. "Well, everything looks to be on schedule," he murmured. Then he looked up at the doctor again. "Oh, by the way, Shinji's already on board, so if you want to check on him now…"

"Right, good idea," Ritsuko agreed. "Might as well do something productive while I'm waiting."

"Okay," Makoto smiled before turning away. Sighing as she watched NERV's resident otaku move away, Ritsuko quickly oriented herself and started towards Unit 01's transport plane. Only to be stopped as Makoto cried out, "Oh, wait! There was one other thing I wanted to ask."

"Hmm? What is -?" Ritsuko asked, turning about on her heel. Only to be cut off by the sound of cloth tearing. Her eyes widening and her heart sinking into her toes, the scientist was barely able to squeak out, "– it?"

"Huh?" Makoto started, while Ritsuko heard her heart pounding dangerously in her ears. Frowning, the otaku looked about before asking her, "Say, Doc…did you just hear something?"

"Um…no!" Ritsuko squeaked out. While she was busy trying to avert a growing crisis on her person.

Dammit! Why now? Ritsuko thought furiously. The pain that had hounded her for so long sharply reduced by the webbing binding her arms ripping somewhat. A quick evaluation soon revealed that the tear wasn't much, but it was enough for one of her arms to start pulling free. The webbing must be beginning to degrade!

Wondering if this was some form of karmic payback for everything she had done while under Gendo's sway, Ritsuko forced a smile as Makoto approached her, a puzzled look on his face. "I could have sworn I heard something," he muttered, scratching his cheek as he approached. "Like someone…split his pants or something…"

"Well, maybe. I mean, who knows?" Ritsuko babbled out between her clenched lips. "Well, what I mean is – ummm – w-what was it you wanted to ask me, anyway?"

"Hmm? Oh, right," Makoto started. Looking back down at his clipboard, he searched for the line he had been reading before saying, "It's about the target area. You know, where we're supposed to be leading the Angel?"

"What about it?" Ritsuko asked, grimacing as she felt her spider-arms shifting about her waist. The webbing giving way even more.

"Well, I checked, and it's supposed to be about a hundred kilometers away from here," Makoto commented. "Isn't that a bit far away?"

"I know what you're saying, Makoto, but that's the nearest area that's both free of any significant amount of life and with stable terrain," Ritsuko explained. Only to gasp slightly as more webbing began to tear. Desperate to get Makoto away from her as soon as possible, the doctor added, "I know it's not ideal, but it's the best possible place to fight this Angel."

"Yeah, I know what you're saying," Makoto replied, frowning and definitely not getting the big hint. "But what if the Angel stops following us before we get there?"

"Then we'll just have to deal with it, when and if that happens!" Ritsuko retorted. Only to practically collapse as another tear formed in the bindings. Even worse was that one of her spider-arms was slipping free, the webbing no longer sticky enough to keep it in place. "Makoto -!"

"Hey, there it is again!" Makoto frowned, looking about perplexedly. "What the -?"

"Makoto, please!" Ritsuko pleaded, struggling to force the uncooperative arm back in place through sheer force of will. Unfortunately, the appendage was so crimped and compressed, it simply wouldn't cooperate. It was still pulling free. So much so that she could feel it brushing up against the cloth of her lab coat.

Dammit! I don't have time for this! Ritsuko swore inwardly. Already sensing her other arms shifting about in the space made available by the loosening limb.

"Don't worry about it, Makoto!" Ritsuko ordered him, turning about and drawing her lab coat tightly about herself. "We have enough to think about right now without inviting trouble!"

"Well, yes, but…" Makoto sputtered out.

"Just get everything ready for the launch!" Ritsuko ordered, starting away from the otaku. "I have worries of my own that I have to take care of!"

Silenced by the doctor's brusque voice, Makoto could only watch as Ritsuko marched away from him. Sighing wearily, he returned his attention back to his clipboard. "Hmm…I guess she's right," he finally said. Then he shook his head as he examined all the labors that still needed to be completed. "Anyway, I…huh?"

His eyes widening in surprise, Makoto leaned forward and fiddled with his glasses. Frowning as he studied the doctor's departing form, he focused on the bottom of her coat. Where it looked like…something was dangling just beneath the edge. Like a bit of white cable, or…

Just before Makoto could get a better look at whatever it was, it zipped back up and out of sight. Leaving the tech to stand there, frowning to himself. Until he finally shook his head, clearing it of such thoughts. "Oh, I'm probably just imagining things…" Makoto grumbled to himself. Then he gave another look at the list of things that still needed to be done. "Besides, this stuff won't do itself…"

---

Aw…damn… Ritsuko moaned inwardly as she curled away in the interior of the plane, having found some isolated cubbyhole where she could perform damage control. Pulling up her coat and examining the extent of the web binding's deterioration, she winced as how close a call she had had became clear. Not only was one of her spider-arms free and recovering, the other three were halfway loose and pulling away even more.

Ugh…I don't have time to bind them back into place! Ritsuko fumed miserably, the mere thought of going through that once again making her grimace in pain. I have to get to my station before we can launch! Groaning as she wondered what to do, the faux-blonde finally decided, I'll just have to close up my coat as tightly as I can and hope the webbing lasts just a little bit longer.

The only blessing to this mess was that the free arm had fully recovered from being bound up, and so Ritsuko was able to wrap it about the bindings and help hold the other arms in place. And while it certainly wasn't the most comfortable of arrangements, it would do for the time being.

Once this was done, Ritsuko quickly patted herself down, making certain that her outfit looked as smooth and natural as was possible. Once satisfied, the doctor made her way out of the small corner of the plane she had squirreled herself into, and made her way to where Unit 01 hung from its launch gantry. Hooked up and ready to generate an AT-Field.

Once again marveling how the famed berserker could look menacing, even while hanging around in such an awkward position, Ritsuko went to her station, which was just behind the cockpit. Being careful to make certain that none of her movements betrayed the fact that she was sporting an unnatural bundle about her waist, the doctor sat down, looked at the familiar controls before her, and looked up towards the cockpit. "Are we ready yet?"

"Almost, Doctor," spoke the pilot. "We're just waiting for the final command from the bridge."

Nodding to this, Ritsuko activated a com-line with Unit 01. Instantly, Shinji's image appeared before her, the boy smiling as he saw who it was. "Oh, hi, Ritsuko! Is it time?"

He should smile more often, Ritsuko found herself thinking. As soon as this thought was processed by her conscious mind, the doctor's jaw popped open. What the – where did that come from?

Giving herself a mental slap in the face, Ritsuko replied, "Not yet, Shinji. We're just about ready to launch, though, so it should just be another few minutes." Studying the eager young man before her, the doctor leaned in closer. "So, how about you? Holding up alright?"

"Uh, yeah, I'm okay," Shinji returned easily. "I'm ready to expand my field whenever you want."

You have no idea how glad I am to hear that! Ritsuko thought instantly. Keeping her full emotions from her face, the doctor answered, "Good. Anyway, it shouldn't be much longer."

"Okay," Shinji nodded. Then he cocked his head in thought, obviously considering his next words. "Um, Ritsuko?"

"What is it?" Ritsuko asked. "Do you have a question about the mission?"

"Oh, no! I know what I'm supposed to do and everything," Shinji answered immediately. Then, a hint of blush on his face, he asked, "But…is it true what Misato told me? That it was Spider-Woman who saved you and Rei from the Angel?"

Confronted with this question, Ritsuko momentarily winced. For in her opinion, involving Spider-Woman in her escape story was far from the brightest of ideas.

Unfortunately, as far as Ritsuko was concerned, it was also a necessary step to covering her own posterior. She been unable to come up with any other way to explain how she and Rei had escaped from her doomed car, the loss of which would ultimately have been discovered, sooner or later. And there was also the chance, however remote, that someone would have seen Spider-Woman carrying Rei over the streets, along with a web-filled labcoat that was doubling for Ritsuko herself. A dummy she had prepared in the event that Section 2 spotted her carrying Rei about.

And, of course, if I had decided to cover that up and Fisk or Osborn found out about Spider-Woman's involvement, they would have soon started wondering why I didn't bother to mention something like that, Ritsuko thought sourly, reminding herself of her own logic.

Sighing as she resigned herself to lying in the bed she had made for herself, Ritsuko answered, "Uh, yes. That's right." With a curious frown, she added, "Why do you ask?"

"Well…you know what happened at our school, right? With that psycho called Deadpool?" Shinji asked. When Ritsuko nodded, the boy blushed just a bit more. "Anyway, after it was over, she told me that…she knew me. That she knew that I was an Eva pilot, and that I'd…saved her life."

"Really?" Ritsuko asked, recalling that conversation as if it were yesterday. Then she gave a quick shrug. "Well, I guess that's not too surprising. A lot of the people in this city work for NERV, and I'm sure they know you're a pilot."

"Yeah, I guess so," Shinji replied casually. "It's just…"

"Just what?" Ritsuko wondered. Then a mischievous smirk tweaked her lips. "What's the matter, Shinji-kun? Got a bit of a crush on this mystery woman?"

"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing like that!" Shinji protested immediately. "I mean…it seems kind of stupid to just…go crazy over someone like that, just because they're famous or something."

"I see," Ritsuko nodded, her smile becoming a more sensible one. The scientist in her liking the rational, mature thinking that Shinji was showing. "Then…what is it?"

Pausing to gather himself up, Shinji finally explained, "Well, it's just…she came to rescue me and Asuka…and fighting that psycho Deadpool…she was so brave and powerful. It was like…nothing could stop her."

Brave? Powerful? Unstoppable? Ritsuko thought incredulously. The irony of her situation so laughable it bordered on the pathetic. Are we talking about the same woman here?

"And well…it just seems incredible that I…could have done what she said I did," Shinji finally confessed. "That someone like that could…think that I saved her."

"Oh, it's not so farfetched. Not when you really think about it," Ritsuko responded, the scientist in her taking center stage. "After all, Shinji, you've saved the entire world, and more than once." Perking up in surprise, Shinji looked perplexedly at the doctor, who returned his expression with a look of kindness. "All those Angels you defeated? Each and every one of them was capable of causing Third Impact and wiping out countless lives. Maybe all life on the planet. And who was it who stopped them?" Giving this a moment to sink in, Ritsuko playfully added, "Certainly not Spider-Woman, that's for sure!"

"Yeah, I know all about that," Shinji told her. "And…I know how important this is and everything. Still…it just seems strange, that's all. I mean…she was so powerful, and I…"

It was then that Ritsuko was once again reminded of just how thoroughly damaged Shinji was by Gendo's machinations, by all the years the elder Ikari had spent, depriving the boy of any scrap of happiness, confidence. And I thought maybe he was letting his synch score go to his head earlier, Ritsuko thought incredulously. Then she frowned somewhat, and suddenly realized something. That what she had seen in him was probably the very first time in Shinji's entire life that the boy had actually believed in himself, that he had had any measure of confidence in his own abilities.

Although she was a bit worried of overconfidence getting the better of him, Ritsuko suddenly found that she couldn't bring herself to do anything to cut into it. To deprive Shinji of his first real moment of personal triumph. "Maybe, but anybody who'd jump into a machine he doesn't know how to pilot to save the entire world is pretty amazing in my book."

Gasping somewhat at this, Shinji once again blushed. Beaming his gratitude for this vote of confidence, the boy answered, "Thank you, Ritsuko. That means a lot to me."

"Anytime…Shinji-kun," Ritsuko answered tenderly.

"Dr. Akagi! Pilot Ikari!" came a voice from up front, breaking the moment. "Better strap yourselves in! We've just been given clearance to launch."

"Understood," Ritsuko responded, craning backwards just enough to look up towards the cockpit, and was rewarded with a jab of pain for her effort. Wincing as she returned her attention to the boy, she said, "This is it, Shinji-kun. Get ready."

"Right," Shinji nodded tersely. His hands tightening about the control yokes, his entire body showing his tension and readiness.

Buckling herself up and cursing the way her body protested this move, Ritsuko prepared herself. It wasn't long afterwards that the sound of plane engines filled the air, shortly followed by a slow but steady acceleration as the massive aerial transport built up speed, and finally freed itself from the ground.

While the faux-blonde was adjusting to the movement, Misato's visage appeared before her. "Shinji, Ritsuko!" the Major spoke from her place aboard one of the other transports. "All three transports are away! It's time to deploy the bait!"

Finally! Ritsuko sighed in relief.

"Right, Misato!" Shinji answered. "Expanding AT-Field…now!"

The instant Shinji spoke these words, Ritsuko felt something wash over her. A sensation completely alien to her, and one that she could not articulate. All she knew was that she could feel a warm blanket of…something spill all around her. Something that felt dangerous, and yet comforting, all at the same time.

Is that…her soul I'm feeling? Ritsuko wondered as she processed the sensation. Then she gave herself a mental slap in the face and remembered that this was the part she had been anticipating for so long. So with a thought, the doctor reverted to her human form. Her fangs and talons quickly receded, and with a sense of overwhelming relief, she felt her arachnoid arms dwindling away and being absorbed into her back.

Even as Ritsuko was practically swooning with relief, Misato smiled broadly. "That did it!" the Major reported with deadly eagerness. "The Angel is following us! Keep it up, Shinji!"

"Right!" Shinji replied happily. Even as Ritsuko sat back and sighed, looking forward to just enjoying being free of pain. At least until they arrived at the target zone, and began the next phase of the operation.

At least I'll have plenty of time to redo these damned bindings, Ritsuko thought sourly. Not looking forward to that part in the least. I just hope I don't have to go through this with the rest of the Angels…!

---

Shinji was caught firmly between exultation and pure terror.

On the one hand, the operation had been going perfectly according to plan so far. The Angel had gladly followed the transport planes away from the city and out towards the designated battlefield, at which point Shinji had retracted Unit 01's AT-Field. A nagging voice in his head telling him that the Angel would take off in some other direction the instant he did so, or did something else to ruin the plan.

That had not happened. The Angel had stopped perfectly still, its shadowy form covering the barren wasteland that had been chosen for the battle, the illusory orb hovering like a signal beacon. And it remained so while the Evas had been dropped into position, the support equipment and the sniper rifle already being unloaded.

This time, the nagging voice in Shinji's mind told him that the Angel would attack the various personnel working to prepare them for the battle. That it would eat Misato and everyone else before running off to destroy other lives, all while he sat helpless to prevent it.

Again, this did not happen. Even as Shinji sat securely within the Entry Plug, watching as Unit 01 was fitted with an umbilical, he made sure to keep at least one eye on the Angel at all times. Like before, the shadowy mass stayed put, seemingly content to do nothing but wait for them to kill it.

Just before that nagging voice could counter this observation with its patent pessimism, Misato appeared on his screen. "Okay, everyone. So far, so good," she murmured, her face filled with the same tension that Shinji felt. "The sniper rifle is almost set, and everything's looking good so far. But I want you to be ready to move at a moment's notice! We don't know what surprises this thing might have in store for us, and if it decides to attack again, we have to be ready!"

Shinji knew that Misato was right. Every Angel that had shown up so far had failed to go quietly into the night, and he knew that he would be a fool to assume that this would be the exception. And with this realization, that vicious, nasty voice told him that something was bound to go wrong. That things would always go wrong for him.

I hate this, Shinji growled within his own mind. He hated waiting while the final key checks and preparations were being made to the rifle, waiting for some unknown element to come out of hiding and ruin everything.

Ever since his mother's death, Shinji felt like his entire life had been littered with one horrendous disaster after another. Like some malicious spirit was following him around every minute of every day, looking for some new way to make him even more miserable. A spirit that was very effective in its cruelty. Shinji made friends, they would either move away or just disappear. Something good happened to Shinji, it would quickly be turned into something awful. Always without fail, with the death of his father being the crowning glory of this mountain of pain.

And yet, even before this happened, things had been changing in Shinji's life. He had found people who genuinely cared for him, believed in him. And even though that cruel voice in his mind kept telling him that it wouldn't last, that he was only loved for being a pilot, the people around him had stilled its wicked tongue to an extent. And then there was the revelation that Shinji, the boy who had been tossed into an Eva for lack of a better idea, had surpassed Asuka. The girl who had been training most of her life to be a pilot, and he had overtaken her. Even the memory of this news made him burn with a sadly unfamiliar sensation.

A belief that he could succeed, despite what that ugly voice in his mind said to the contrary.

But the voice wasn't gone. Not by a long shot. It still niggled and nagged at him, insisting that his happiness and success were a temporary reprieve, and he would be a lonely, miserable failure again soon enough. And every moment Shinji had to sit and wait for the operation to begin was another moment he had to listen to that voice tell him he was doomed.

The pressure mounting to unbearable proportions, Shinji signaled the Mobile Command Center. "Um, Misato? How much longer until we're ready?"

"We're almost done, Shinji," Misato assured him. "Ritsuko's taking care of the final links for the rifle. So head on over and get ready."

"Right!" Shinji answered, grateful that he would finally be able to do something. Mentally commanding the horned destroyer, the boy felt it like was his own body as it rose up from its crouched position. Gingerly stepping forward, careful not to disturb either the people on the ground or the Angel, Shinji moved towards where Ritsuko and her people were working on the weapon that would hopefully once again be their salvation.

As soon as he was alongside the platforms upon which the rifle still rested, Shinji moved the Eva to kneel down beside it. "Ritsuko, is it ready yet?" Shinji asked, his voice carried by Unit 01's external speakers.

Ritsuko didn't answer, at least not vocally. Instead she looked up and smiled at the boy, just before whispering something to one of the techs nearby. The tech in question nodded before looking up and calling out, "We just need to do one more check on the power supply, and we'll be good to go!"

"Okay," Shinji nodded. Then he frowned before asking, "Um, say Ritsuko? Is there something wrong with your throat? You've been kinda quiet today, and…"

Wincing somewhat, Ritsuko once again spoke to the tech, who relayed her message. "She says her throat feels a bit sore. Must've picked up a cold or something."

"Oh, really?" Shinji asked. Feeling a wave of sympathy welling up for this woman who had found his mother's belongings, the boy smiled and asked, "Well, when this is over, would you like some more egg-and-saké soup?"

Ritsuko immediately smiled up at the horned abomination, a smile that needed no translation. She really should smile more, Shinji decided as he started plans for the soup. A simple act that helped distract him from that hateful inner voice. At least for a little while longer.

---

That boy has enough sympathy for the entire world, Ritsuko thought as she worked, smiling as she and the others finished preparing the massive rifle. We're about to go into battle, and he stops to ask if I'm feeling okay?

Taking a moment to decide that Shinji clearly took after his mother, and another to wince as her arachnoid arms once again protested at being so tightly bound about her, Ritsuko and a few techs went about their labors. The doctor more than ready to get this Angel killed and call it a day.

Much to her relief, no gremlins showed up that day, and the rifle was confirmed to be in perfect working order. As soon as Ritsuko was satisfied with this, she had the technical crews get clear of the rifle itself before hurrying across the short distance to the MCC. Pulling open the door, the doctor looked about and approached her friend "Misato?" she started, again careful to keep her fangs from showing as she made her way to her station. "Everything's ready. We can begin the operation at any time."

"Glad to hear it!" Misato replied. Then faces of all three pilots appeared on the screen as well as the Major contacted. "Shinji, Ritsuko has just given the rifle a clean bill of health! Pick it up and get into position!"

"Roger!" Shinji replied. Not wasting a moment, the boy and Unit 01 carefully hefted up the massive rifle. Cradling the weapon in its arms, the horned destroyer then looked towards the Angel's hovering orb, as if warning it that its doom was upon it.

Focusing on the job at hand, Ritsuko looked squarely at the display showing the three children. "Alright, now. For this operation to work, the positioning of each Eva has to be exact," the doctor explained to them. "Now, don't worry. The MAGI will guide each of you into position, but be sure to follow their instructions precisely."

"Understood," Rei agreed quietly.

"Yes, ma'am," Asuka chimed in, her words dripping with grumpiness. Then her eyes shifted, a shift that Shinji was quick to pick up on his end. "Just do us all a favor, baka, and don't screw this up! I'm not in the mood to be eaten by that damned thing!"

"Asuka, please! Not now!" Misato groaned, looking like she wanted to pop through the com-line and give someone a piece of her mind in person. Then she settled down somewhat. "Just get into positions! I want this to go down smoothly and by the numbers for once!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Asuka retorted obnoxiously, sticking her nose up into the air. Then she lowered her gaze and muttered, "Schisse! And now everybody's sucking up to the highest rated, bravest, number one synchro ratio holder of them all! Stupid little baka…"

"Ugh…" Ritsuko grumbled as Asuka's image disappeared. Feeling a slight headache come on, the doctor placed her hand on her temple. "Shinji, don't listen her. Just do your job, and I'm sure everything will be alright."

"Um, right! Thanks, Ritsuko," Shinji nodded, just before he broke contact.

Nodding, Ritsuko looked to over where Maya was stationed, the young woman studying her readouts with remarkable intensity. "Well, Maya?" Ritsuko began, causing the brunette to glance over it. "This is it."

"I know," Maya replied instantly. Looking oddly confident as she sat there.

"Well, if your numbers are as good as they looked, we should have this wrapped up soon enough," Ritsuko told her in a voice of genuine respect.

"Oh, I hope so!" Maya smiled nervously, taking a moment to cross her fingers before returning to work.

"Okay, enough chatter, everyone!" Misato declared in her no-nonsense voice. Every inch the image of determination and barely subdued aggression. "Begin the operation!"

---

"Damn, this sucks!" Asuka grumbled unpleasantly as she carefully guided her Eva into position. The faces of both her fellow pilots, as well as both Misato and Ritsuko were hanging before her. "It's not bad enough we're playing backup for everyone's favorite Stooge, but now we're stuck taking orders from a bunch of stupid windup toys!"

"Asuka, stay focused," Ritsuko told her quietly. "You're almost in position!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Asuka grumbled. Privately thinking that if she had to say something, the phony-blonde bitch could at least speak up. "I can read the damned instructions!"

As Asuka moved, keeping a careful eye on the readout showing the relative positions of each Eva, she glanced over at Unit 01, which lay crouching on the ground, already aiming the massive rifle towards the Angel. Snorting in disgust at the star treatment being lavished on it's pilot, the German swiveled her gaze at Shinji's image. "Just watch, Third," she smirked. "Because as soon as you manage to flush that thing out, I show you how a real pilot does things! Assuming, of course, that you can actually pull this off without screwing it up!"

"Hey, watch it!" Shinji protested.

"So you got lucky with one little synch test! Big deal!" Asuka went on. "There's a big difference between performing in the safety in the lab, and out in the open!"

"We're all very aware of that, Asuka," Ritsuko spoke up quietly. Somehow managing to be condescending without actually doing so. "Now, adjust your trim about three degrees to the right."

"Right," Asuka grumbled, focusing the entirety of her attention on her display. The Angel's position was marked by a large sphere, appropriately enough. The designated positions for each of the Evas was marked by a triangle, while the Evas themselves were indicated by three lines that would fit perfectly into the triangles as soon as they were in position. An endeavor that, unsurprisingly enough, was easier said than done. For while lining up their general positions was easy enough, getting precisely in line with where the MAGI said they each had to be was a far more irritating thing for the German.

After what felt like forever, the placement display finally flashed brilliantly, signaling that the perfect formation had been achieved. "Alright, you three! This is it!" Misato spoke. "On my signal, expand and focus your AT-Fields towards the Angel's center!"

"Understood," Asuka growled beneath her breath. All her grumblings and ill-will towards a certain boy momentarily forgotten as she gave herself to the task at hand. The obliteration of her enemy, and the reaping of the greatness and respect that was so rightfully hers.

Just you wait, baka, Asuka muttered inwardly. By the time this is over, you'll see who the real top pilot is!

As if thinking about him were a cue, Ritsuko began giving the 3rd Child his orders. "Alright, Shinji. In order for the inversion wave to form, you have to strike the Angel dead center, where all three AT-Fields are interacting. The force of the fields will help focus the beam on that one point, as tightly as possible," the doctor explained. "Now, as before, all you have to do is let the computer aim the rifle, and fire when instructed to. However, since we don't have the ability access as much electrical power as we the last time, we had to modify the rifle and its support equipment to project as much power in a single burst as possible. Essentially, we're going to force the generators to overload with this shot, so one chance is all you're going to get."

"Right! I understand!" Shinji answered, his face creased with determination.

"Asuka, Rei, be ready for anything!" Misato ordered. "Now, is everyone ready?" When the Major was answered by a series of various affirmatives, she took one fateful breath, and shouted, "Right! Begin the operation!"

"Commencing buildup to maximum power," Ritsuko muttered. Even over the com-line, Asuka could heard the sudden whining of the generators. The crackling of electricity as they struggled to gather up all the power needed for this one shot.

Growling in anticipation, Asuka immediately focused, expanding the protective barrier of her Eva towards the Angel. Aware of the readouts indicating the nullification of the Angel's defense, the German found her gaze drawn to where Shinji's image hung before her. Though she was not happy about his role in this, she could still see that he was rigid with concentration. He might as well been a statue, except for eyes that brimmed with energy.

Well, at least he's giving this the seriousness it deserves, Asuka grudgingly admitted as the seconds wore on. Now, if only his damned computer would hurry up and tell him to fire the damned rifle…!

However, Asuka knew that it wasn't that simple. There were a million different factors that could affect the particle beam, including everything from earth's rotation to its gravitational and magnetic fields. And even with all the advances in computer technology, it still took time.

I don't care! Asuka finally snarled mentally. Just hurry up and tell the baka to fire so we can kill the damned thing already!

The rifle didn't heed the German's request. It continued to calculate and recalculate, until finally Shinji tensed up even further. And even before he pulled the trigger, Asuka knew the moment had come.

With a release of blinding light that forced Asuka to avert her eyes, the rifle spat forth a stream of white-hot destruction straight into the gaping darkness of the Angel's body. The searing light was swallowed without consequence, leaving not so much as a ripple in the shadows to mark its passage.

Moments passed with agonizing slowness. Moments as everybody waited and watched the Angel, waiting for something to happen. For the Angel to attack, for it to expelled from its cocoon of darkness. Anything. Anything but what actually happened. The Angel, both the orb and the shadow on the ground, continued to lay before them placidly, completely unbothered by their efforts. As if they had done nothing to it at all.

"Um, Ritsuko?" Shinji murmured, his face falling with horrified astonishment. "What the…did something go wrong?"

"I'm not sure, Shinji," Ritsuko responded tersely. The faux-blonde pouring over her terminal frantically, looking as stunned as Shinji himself was. "According to our readings, everything went perfectly, but there's no sign of any reaction from the Angel or the Dirac Sea. No indication of an inversion wave forming."

"But…that's impossible!" Maya protested, her voice just audible over the com-line. "Everything went perfectly! It should've worked!"

"Can we try for another shot?" Misato wondered hopefully.

Ritsuko immediately shook her head to this. "It's just like we expected. The power buildup has completely burnt out the generators. They're useless now."

"Oh, great!" Asuka fumed, what little patience she possessed instantly expended. The frustration that now burned in her seeking outlet, and quickly finding it. "This is all your fault, baka!"

Shinji's eyes immediately rounded with astonishment. "M-me?"

"That's right! You're the idiot they decided should fire the stupid gun, aren't you?" Asuka declared, looking hatefully at the boy who was supposed to be her better. "I just knew you'd screw this up, you pathetic little -!"

"Asuka, just stop it!" Misato shouted. "Look, it's nobody's fault! We tried, and it didn't work. We're just going to have to -!"

Before Misato could say another word, however, a strange noise began to fill the background. A slight rumbling shook the air, one that became more noticeable as the seconds passed. Confusion filled the expressions of everyone displayed before Asuka, and the German was certain that her own face mirrored that same sensation.

"What the hell?" Asuka demanded, looking about wildly as the ground began to quake beneath her feet.

"What's happening?" Shinji asked fearfully. Only to gasp in awe and spit out, "Oh, my – look at that!"

But Asuka and everyone else was already looking. Already watching as the shadowed ground shook more and more violently, the mass of the Angel finally exploding into a series of bright red fissures. Raw power and crimson liquid exploded forth from the growing cracks, sending blackened chunks of debris into the sky.

"What is all this?" Misato demanded, her words reflecting her horror.

"Major!" came the terrified voice of Makoto. "Every meter and gauge we've got is going completely insane! They're clear through the roof!"

"It's the inversion wave! It worked!" Maya gasped from her position. "It's neutralizing the Angel's inter-dimensional structure! Like a black hole switching from gravity to antigravity!"

"Maya's right!" Ritsuko concurred, practically burying her face in the data being displayed before her. "It looks like the release of the matter and energy is causing a total breakdown of the Dirac Sea! It's completely coming apart!"

As if to emphasize the scientist's words, the Angel's deterioration continued and quickened. The Dirac Sea broke apart further and further, until it was reduced to little more than islands of darkness amidst a growing sea of red-stained stone. As for the sphere that hovered above all, it began to darken even as it sank down towards the ground.

"Misato! We've just confirmed a blue pattern!" Ritsuko cried out. "The sphere! It must've marked some form of spatial displacement while the Angel was protected by the Dirac Sea! A point where the Angel would be if it were in real space!"

"But now that the snail's out of its shell, it's wide open!" Misato grinned ferally. "Everyone! Attack the sphere at once! Take that bastard down!"

The moment Asuka had been looking forward to so anxiously had finally arrived. No waiting, no fussing around. Just battle. Simple, straight forward, glorious battle. "Alright!" the German cried out in delight, her prized Eva hefting the prog axe it had been fitted with. "Evas charge!"

Shooting off towards her enemy, Asuka was aware of Unit 00 opening fire on the Angel with its pallet rifle, of Unit 01 setting aside it's now useless weapon and bringing forth a mammoth missile launcher. But she didn't pay attention to any of that. All she knew was that her prey lay helpless before her, and she wouldn't let anyone take this kill away from her.

With a gleeful cry of battle, Asuka urged Unit 02 onward, causing the crimson titan to spring into the air. Even as Shinji and Rei both fired their own weapons, the redhead buried her blade into the Angel's ebon skin. To her exultation, her attack formed a tremendous gash in the evil orb's flesh. The monster's foul blood erupted all over her, but she didn't care. Asuka was lost in a frenzy of battle, and struck with her ax again and again, peeling away more of the Angel's mass.

The sound of gunfire and an explosion added to the song of violence, Shinji and Rei's own attacks striking home even as Asuka delivered one final slash. The Angel split open like an overripe melon, staining everything in sight with its blood as it finally fell in defeat.

"Ha! Take that, you bastard!" Asuka crowed, drinking deeply of the sink nectar of victory. "That'll teach you to -!"

"Ritsuko!" came Misato's horrified voice. Broken from her celebration, Asuka looked towards the display showing the doctor. Only to have her jaw fall in astonishment as she watched the doctor stagger about, crashing into one of the walls. Heaving desperate gasps of pain as she wrapped her arms about her stomach, her face pale and eyes brimming over with agony.

"Ritsuko?" Shinji cried out, Unit 01 responding to his distress by swiveling its gaze towards the MCC. Pure panic wrapping about him as he watched the drama unfolding with the Mobile Command Center, as Misato and Maya rushed over to the doctor. "Ritsuko, what's wrong?"

"I'm…I'm alright…" Ritsuko gasped out, taking hold of the other two women. Gulping deeply, the doctor pulled herself up, her clothes seeming to shift about her body somewhat as she straightened herself out. Heaving breath after breath, Ritsuko slowly shook her head before mopping her brow. "I'm sorry. I guess I just…cramped up or something."

"Are you sure?" Maya asked worriedly. "You're awfully pale, sempai."

"She's got a point," Misato concurred. "Maybe you should stop by NERV Medical, get yourself checked out."

"Well…maybe…" Ritsuko finally conceded. Then her eyes swung out at the children. "But before we do anything else…I think a certain group of heroes deserves little…recognition for a job well done."

Blinking rapidly, Misato finally smiled impishly. "You know something? I think you're right," she told Ritsuko. Turning about to look at the children as well, Misato then said, "Congratulations, everyone! Job well done."

As Misato's words were chorused by the others there, Asuka sat back and rejoiced. Bathing in the recognition that was so rightfully hers. And just wait until you get back and tell everybody at school how you finished the Angel off, she told herself. Already imagining the looks of reverence and envy the kids at school would be wearing.

Just as she settling into that wonderful image, Asuka looked over at Shinji's image, and frowned. The boy was leaning back in his Entry Plug, a positively dreamy look on his face as his eyes glazed over with pleasure.

Great. And now the little baka's letting this all go straight to his head, Asuka grumbled, her good mood already soured. I swear, that ego of his is going to be completely unbearable after this.

---

Author's Notes: Another chapter down, and plenty more to go. I hope you'll read and review. And maybe check out my other stories, please?

Now, this is my first time tackling the 12th Angel, also known by other names. Such as the Marble of Doom, or Eva Head Trip #1. And this was also where I kind of got gummed up, because I really wasn't sure how else to handle this Angel and still make it exciting, simply because this isn't a very physically aggressive Angel. And I really wasn't in the mood to do an Eva Head Trip, like the one in canon. I walked away from watching that thing with a very large headache.

Mike313, Ritsuko's decision to eat Adam is quickly turning out to be one of the worst ideas in the long and sad history of bad ideas. And I agree, Ritsuko did hate Rei, but it was a shallow kind of hate in my mind. The kind borne of her situation with Gendo. And I also agree that it wouldn't be something she could settle right away; it would be a bit of struggle for her. Remember our discussion of Misato/Misao in "Altered Destinies"? I figure the same sort of thing happening with Ritsuko here. And it's certainly not an issue that's always going to be easy to handle.

Negima Uzamaki, the Angel was certainly following them. As for Ritsuko's scheme involving the Shinjis, it will continue to unfold over the next few omakes for this story.

Quathis, I'm certainly glad you like the omakes. I hope they keep you smiling!

And speaking of which…

Omake 1

"It's the inversion wave! It worked!" Maya gasped from her position. "It's neutralizing the Angel's interdimensional structure! Like a black hole switching from gravity to antigravity!"

"Maya's right!" Ritsuko concurred, practically burying her face in the data being displayed before her. "It looks like the release of the matter and energy is causing a total breakdown of the Dirac Sea! It's completely coming apart!"

As if to emphasize the scientist's words, the Angel's deterioration continued and quickened. The Dirac Sea broke apart further and further, until it was reduced to little more than islands of darkness amidst a growing sea of red-stained stone. As for the sphere that hovered above all, it began to darken even as it sank down towards the ground.

"Misato! We've just confirmed a blue pattern!" Ritsuko cried out. "The sphere! It must've marked some form of special displacement while the Angel was protected by the Dirac Sea! A point where the Angel would be if it were in real space!"

"But now that the snail's out of its shell, it's wide open!" Misato grinned ferally. "Everyone! Attack the sphere at once! Take that bastard down!"

The moment Asuka had been looking forward to so anxiously had finally arrived. No waiting, no fussing around. Just battle. Simple, straight forward, glorious battle. "Alright!" the German cried out in delight, her prized Eva hefting the prog axe it had been fitted with. "Evas charge!"

Before Unit 02 take a single step, however, something happened to the Angel. A massive bulge began forming at the top, from which a streamer of white emerged. "What the -?" Asuka gawked, staring perplexedly at the thing. "An Angel…with a zit?"

"Something's wrong," Rei cautioned, even as the white cord became more defined, almost fibrous. To everyone's amazement, it then burst into a sparkling flame, a flame that ran down the cord with frightening speed.

A drop of sweat forming on her head, Asuka found herself staring incredulously at the Angel, could practically hear it laughing it's proverbial ass off at them. No way, she thought as the fuse burnt down to its base. It can't be a…

Asuka was then cut off when the Angel erupted in a massive explosion. Her entire field of view was filled with smoke and fire as her Eva and the others were knocked on their collective butts. Dazed by the force of the blast, the redhead could only shake her head before watching as smoke and confetti rained down on the battlefield.

"I don't believe this!" Asuka finally snarled grumpily. "Since when do Angels turn into bombs?"

"Well, the 3rd Angel did self-destruct," Shinji commented helpfully.

"Personally, I think someone out there has a very sick sense of humor!" Misato grumbled.

Somewhere on the other side of the Fourth Wall, a fanfic writer raised his hand helplessly. "Guilty as charged," he grinned.

Omake 2

"Hey! What are you doing?" Shinji cried out in protest. Squirming about as the Silver Surfer carried him over her shoulder down into the depths of Terminal Dogma.

"Well, I see you managed to grab the little baka, Surfer!" the Ghost Rider grinned ghoulishly, rubbing her hands together eagerly. "It's about time!"

"Huh?" Shinji gasped as the Surfer set him down. "Ghost Rider? Spider-Woman? What are you doing here?"

"Just working on a special project, Shinji-kun," Spider-Woman grinned, showing off her marvelously sharp fangs as she held up her clipboard.

"A…special project?" Shinji wondered blankly. Then he looked over towards the cloning chambers, and gaped as he saw all the enhanced clones of himself floating there. "What? What the heck – what is all this?"

"Spider-Woman is making more of you," Silver Surfer explained instantly. When Shinji turned to gape at her, the silver-skinned heroine asked, "You are aware that you have been paired with several of us for the Superwomen of Eva series, correct?"

"Uh, yeah…" Shinji nodded, not liking the sound of this.

"Well, the eggheads decided to make more of you to go around!" Ghost Rider smirked. Then she jerked her thumb at the clones in the chamber, grinning wickedly. "Of course, they made some improvements to that scrawny body of yours!"

"Clones?" Shinji gasped. "But…those are useless without -!"

"Without souls of their own. We know that, Shinji-kun," Spider-Woman nodded. "Which is why we're going to enhance your soul so it can be spread out to animate multiple bodies."

Shinji's jaw immediately clattered to the floor at this. "You're going to what?"

"Do not be alarmed," Silver Surfer told him. "You will not be harmed by this. After all, this is the state that the 11th Angel existed in. One soul animating millions of bodies."

"But…I'm not a nanite collective!" Shinji protested. "And how can you enhance my soul, anyway?"

"No problem, Third!" Ghost Rider told him, holding up an ancient book. "Zarathos had me grab this book of ancient spells and rituals. And it just happens to have one that give your soul the workout it needs!" Then the horned superwoman leaned closer to the boy. "Of course…we're going to have to get some…raw materials before we can go to work…"

"Raw materials?" Shinji repeated nervously. Then, gazing helplessly at the three of them, the boy practically fell to the ground as his knees grew more and more rubbery. "Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this…?"