Disclaimer:
I do not own any characters in this fic except for Ryugi Kazamaru and his Eva, Unit-0X (If I did own Evangelion, Shinji would have gotten Rei, but he had to choose Asuka… At least as far as the original series! Much love for Rebuild 2.0!). Evangelion and all related articles are property of GAINAX.
'This stands for a thought'
"This for said dialog"
-This for written or typed text-
\ \ This equals a flashback / /
Italics are for radio dialogue or other such disembodied voices(And this for sound effects, author's comments, or physical noises or actions)
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Hiatus, hiatus, hiatus. Every man needs a break from something every now and then to recharge his creative batteries. As a writer, it's hard to simply focus on just one universe for so long, and after I finished my last chapter, I felt burnt out. Hell, I still do, but there are far more interesting fics than mine out there, I'm sure, and always another story to be told. However, every cat eventually finds his way back home, and I've found my way back to this story. So, a quick recap.
Third Impact has come and gone, and in the aftermath Ryugi has chosen to return and actively insert himself into the events to fight for the future of mankind, and the happiness of Rei Ayanami. However, just as it seemed everything was going to come to an end, Ryugi was cut down by the very harpies he'd tried to destroy, leaving a shocked Shinji and Asuka, and a distressed Rei wondering how they can carry on in the face of his defeat.
Reality is a harsh mistress to force on any story, especially one such as mine, which teeters so clumsily on the line between too much and not enough, and Shinji, Asuka, and Rei must face the future that hangs in the balance. As a wise, dark-blue-haired young man once said, "We evolve beyond the person we were a minute before. Little by little, we advance a bit further with each turn." The pieces have been set, the dice cast, and all the experiences that the illustrious Eva pilots have lived through up until this point will foster in the future that they choose to make for themselves. With Destiny itself forcibly removed, only they can create the path humanity must walk. Thus, I present chapter twenty-one of Destiny's Power: Strength of the Heart – Weaving a Story: Latency Stage.
Read, Review, and as always, enjoy.
Pilot Ikari-Kun
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Chapter 21: Weaving a Story: Latency Stage
"C-Commander… The Angel has…" Maya choked back sobs as she tried to make herself speak. "It's gone silent…Sir."
The Control Room was dead silent other than the hushed sobs of Maya and the gawking stares as everyone attempted to make sense of the situation. In a flash, all their hope, all their drive seemed to be sapped away from them. The seemingly invulnerable had been brought to its knees and rendered silent by the ferocity of the Mass Produced Evangelions. Even with three of their number eliminated, they still outnumbered the other two Evangelions over four to one.
"Pilot Ikari, Pilot Sohryu…" Fuyutsuki couldn't give the two pilots an order, even as he tried. What order could he possibly give? "I can't find an order to give, all I can say is that we believe in you down here, so, please… Do your best."
"Like hell!"
"Shinji?" Misato turned to look as Shinji pulled himself free from the wall of the Geofront and marched Unit 01 towards the crippled and fallen body of Unit 0X. A window snapped into focus on the main viewscreen as Shinji's face appeared in a determined frown, his eyes showing clearly as a dark blue.
"I don't care how much it takes… I won't just do my best…I'll do whatever it takes. Ryugi died twice fighting for what he believed in, giving his all for the future he wanted."
"That's right! If that spiky-haired idiot can die and come back, and go down fighting both times for what he believed in, we can at least give that much! He never gave up, now matter how hopeless things might have looked…"
Outside, Shinji reached his target and reached down, lifting the Lance of Loginus out of the ground beside the fallen and torn body of Unit 0X. Orange wings flared from the back of Unit 01 as the purple Evangelion stood, its fierce eyes looking up into the nine terrors floating above. Asuka followed suit, taking up a position near Unit 01, ethereal orange hair flowing from the head of the Evangelion as the pair stared down their enemy together, united under their common banner.
"Shinji… Asuka…" Misato could only watch as a smile spread across her face and a few tears fell down her cheeks. Her two children were growing up. After everything she'd done for them, given for them, they stood together, in love, staring down their biggest threat ever, together, and ready to face whatever horrors the MP Evas might yet still be hiding.
"Commander, I am going." Eyes snapped to Rei as the girl stood at the entryway to the elevator to the side of the room. Her meaning was clear.
"I understand, Pilot Ayanami. Godspeed." And with a hiss, the doors opened and closed as Rei exited.
XxXxXxX
Rei's heart hurt. Her chest and eyes burned. These were not unfamiliar feelings now. These were the stinging sensations of severe loss. Her burning eyes meant tears were streaming down her face, staining the white dress she had worn for him, and the itching wetness at her cheeks confirmed her suspicions. She was crying. Her whole body felt like doubling over and weeping for the loss of Kazamaru, but she could not, and would not allow herself to be ruled only by her emotions. Kazamaru had showed her how to embrace and understand them, to be…human. But he had also showed her how to control those emotions, and how to use them to push her forward in times that tried to tear her heart apart. Once more he had given all that he was for her, and not just for her, but for humanity as well. Within her heart she held the blood and spirit of humanity itself. She was Lilith as much as she was Rei Ayanami, and right now, both Lilith and Rei Ayanami had one duty to perform.
"The pilot of Unit 00 has been spotted! Terminating…"
As Rei turned the corner, she came to face a team of JSSDF soldiers, but as they opened fire, the air in front of her warbled and distorted as her AT Field sprung to life, bullets pinging harmlessly against the force. Her red eyes locked onto the visors of the men as she spoke one word.
"Move."
The AT Field pulsed to life and flexed outward with terrible force, the corridor shearing away as the men were simply shredded by the debris kicked up, clearing a path for Rei to continue. She did not bother to hide her true nature any longer. These men were obstacles, fighting for a future they did not understand was flawed, and Rei did not have the luxury of time to explain to them. So, she would use every ounce of strength her body offered to force her way through. Nothing short of an N2 mine could hurt her while her AT Field was at full power, and she would reach her goal at all costs. Kazamaru would have done, had done, the very same thing for her.
The faint clicking of metal on concrete sounded as two grenades were flung at her position from around the corner. Detonations of light, fire, and smoke thundered from the corridor as shrapnel attempted to cut through her defenses, but to little effect. As she passed the hallway where the grenades had originated, a glance of her eyes was all what was needed to send another thunderous pulse of pure AT Field surging through the corridor, silencing the troops. As she passed another bulkhead, she finally came to rest outside her destination. She had reached the Eva cage where Unit 00 was being held. She had no time to use her card key, and even if she did, she knew that it was likely that the control room had locked the system down in order to thwart access by the JSSDF. With a motion of her hand, she reached forward and pulled the limb to the side, as if brushing aside a curtain, her AT Field flaring to life once more as the metal groaned and gave way under the tremendous force.
Gunfire rained down upon her from the catwalks along the shoulders of the blue Evangelion as Rei stepped into the chamber, her AT Field still protecting her as, with another sweep of her arm, the soldiers were cast aside, falling to the depths of the cage below, and slamming into the Bakelite. The gunfire ceasing, Rei closed her eyes, the air distorting around her as she floated up to the back of the Eva, placing her hand against the entry plug. The hatch opened and she stepped inside, sealing the plug behind her. The cockpit was silent as Rei moved herself into the seat. Without a word, her eyes closed and the eye of the Evangelion pulsed with energy as the mighty being came to life at her mental command. As it activated, the internal battery began to tick down from five minutes, as it had not been connected to a power cable, and did not have an S2 Organ like the others. But none of that mattered.
"AT Field…full power."
With a whirling warbling sound the air distorted as a shockwave of power tore into the restraints of Unit 00, the Evangelion tearing free with terrible force. As the Eva freed itself from its restraints, Rei pulled up a map of headquarters before turning to the wall to her left and raising the right arm of Unit 00. The powerful AT Field that Rei projected flowed across the palm, folding along itself several times before a thunderous burst of force shot forth, shredding the reinforced walls of the Eva cage, exposing the skeletal girders and support structures of Nerv Headquarters, as well as a single large shaft leading to the heart of the base…
XxXxXxX
An explosion of raw power tore through the ground floor of the Geofront as Eva Unit 01's AT Field took another direct blow from the powerful Units above, Asuka supplementing as best she could. The blast finally subsided and both pilots relaxed for a moment.
"Dammit! As long as they stay up there there's nothing we can do but weather their combined attacks. They'll chip away at us until Doomsday, and we can't fight back!" Asuka spat into the LCL as she glared up at her foes as the nine remaining MP Evangelions hovered ominously over the Geofront. Then, suddenly, the nine units shot higher into the sky above the Geofront, changing positions until the nine of them formed a shape in the sky, eight of them encompassing a single one in the center. As the two pilots looked on, red eyes snapped open along the black underside of the wings, and a series of white lines appeared along the outer edges of the floating units, drawing the shape of a massive eye into the sky as a thrumming sound of power started and the air around all nine units warbled and distorted.
"What the… What the hell are they doing…?" Shinji looked on as his radio crackled and the voice of Misato shot through the speakers.
"Asuka! Shinji! Maya says they're harmonizing their AT Fields at a rate we haven't yet seen before, and they're inverting! They're creating an Anti-AT Field! If you get hit with that, I don't think you'll be able to weather the blow…and all of us will lose our corporeal forms…"
"We understand Misato…" Shinji glanced at Asuka through the communication channel. "Asuka, I don't know if we'll survive this, so I want you to know, without a shred of doubt. I love you… And no matter what happens, I'll be with you until the end."
"Shinji…" Asuka simply looked at the young man, their eyes meeting, and a silent understanding passed between them. This might very well be their last true moment together. "I love you too, Shinji… Never forget that."
"I won't… Now then…" Unit 01 grasped the Lance of Loginus and hefted the weapon into a throwing position. "If we're going to go out, we'll go out together. Asuka…help me."
Asuka nodded as Unit 02 moved into position alongside Unit 01, both Evangelions grasping the mighty form of the lance, and as they did, the air around them trembled and shook, chunks of ground tearing free and rising into the air from the power being drawn in above them. However, as both sets of hands touched the lance, the weapon pulsed with light, a blue crackle running down the length of the prongs and growing at the tip into a shivering, quivering mass of blue energy.
XxXxXxX
"Commander! We're reading a spike of strange readings from the Lance. It's reacting to the strength of both units' AT Fields! It's amplifying them, twisting them together and condensing them into a tightly packaged area at the tip of the weapon." Maya looked over her console in amazement. "I can't explain it, Sir."
"Perhaps I can…" Fuyutsuki sighed. "The Lance is not one single mass. It is two masses of matter working together, coiled around to strengthen and support the other, giving strength and rigidity to the entire shape. With the two Evangelions working as one, one of Adam in Unit 02, one of Lilith in Unit 01, the Lance can feel their wills, and bolsters their strength with its own. The Lance has always been a control mechanism, designed to halt the growth of one of Adam or Lilith, and with the both of them working together to stop a threat, the Lance will revert to its true form, a weapon of judgment, of decision, to choose and set the future decided upon by both Adam and Lilith into motion." Fuyutsuki's old eyes watched on the screen as the sky darkened into hues of red and black, and a vortex of energy poured from the eye of destruction. "Love, and the ability to put aside the differences of ourselves to fight for a common goal is what sets the Angels apart from Humanity. Separated we are weak, but together we are stronger than we could ever imagine."
XxXxXxX
Light shone brightly from the tip of the lance as the red form coiled together and a shimmering blue blade appeared at the tip, the red pieces holding the energy manifestation in place in the arms of Units 01 and 02, and in the hands of Shinji and Asuka. The blackened skies roared and raged with the energy of the Anti-AT Field being generated, crackling bolts of red jumping along the vortex, until suddenly, the eye burned white and red against the blackness of the sky, and a tremendous blast of pure Anti-AT Field dropped towards the two Evangelion Units, and Nerv Headquarters. The force was indescribable as the energy pounded into the two units, surges of power carving into the walls of the Geofront and ripping into the exposed sections of headquarters. JSSDF forces that still remained were annihilated as the field turned them to LCL, their equipment being thrown through the air like children's toys being cast by an angry toddler, and in the heart of it all, Shinji and Asuka stood facing the storm, the only thing holding back the full brunt of the field being the combined forces of their drive and willpower advanced by the lance. However, the ground under their feet began to crack and crater as the force pushing down began to overtake the force pushing back. Even with the godlike might of Unit 01 and the fully awakened and arisen Unit 02, the Lance could not stop the unbridled might of nine Pattern Green Evangelions harmonizing their fields to crush their resistance.
"Hold it together, Asuka! We have to hold out for as long as we can!"
"I won't quit! I won't give up! I'm not going to leave you alone!"
"…Well…with willpower like that…I can't just let you both die…"
Asuka and Shinji turned to look as the broken and battered body of Unit 0X, its core shining with white light, ambled to its feet with terrible strain, the energy eating away at the remaining flesh as its only remaining arm gripped the tail end of the spear, and pulled it towards its chest where the glowing core cracked and energy shone brightly, the red lance glowing as if lit from within, and swirling tendrils of energy sparked and formed along the tip of the lance.
"Ryugi! Don't! Just leave it to us dammit! Ayanami-!"
"…If I don't, Rei will die along with the rest of you. …Take this last gift I give you. Use it to create a brand new future of happiness for yourselves, for all mankind, and for Rei…" This was it. The line had to be drawn somewhere, and Ryugi was drawing it here. If he truly was the Angel of Destiny, then he had the right to choose. Ever since he'd arrived in Tokyo III, ever since he'd first piloted an Evangelion in battle, he knew that there was something he had to do, even if he didn't understand it. Rei Ayanami, the girl he loved enough to change the timeline itself, to give her a world where she could truly find happiness, to risk his life for time and again, and now to give it away, was the only thing that mattered to him in all the world. She had given him strength when he needed it most, had shown him the world was not a place where one had to be alone, and in turn, he had shown Shinji, Asuka, and even Rei herself that same truth. The Angel pulled the lance into its core, sounds of whimpering and pain coming from the comm. channel, even as the soft smile on Ryugi's face could be heard in his next few words as the world cracked and shuddered around them. His voice cracked with sadness and happiness at the same time as he spoke again, the body of the Angel shimmering and glowing brighter with white and gold energies. "Live for yourselves… Remember…"
"The future…is always what you choose to make of it."
As Ryugi's final words were spoken, the entire body of Unit 0X flashed to light, the Angel of Destiny turning itself into pure energy supported by the power of its AT Field before surging along the lance and into the bodies of Unit 01 and Unit 02, the eyes of both Evangelions burning white, armor bucking and bursting free from the backs as twin sets of golden feathered wings came into existence and halos appeared over their heads. The energy enveloped both Shinji and Asuka as both Evangelion Units burned with golden white light, and as Shinji's blue eyes dripped with tears, he glanced up to the forms of the nine Mass Produced Evangelion Units, obscured by the raging torrent of power.
"You bastards have lived long enough! Asuka!"
"This one is for Ryugi! Take it all! Our love, our drive, and all of humanity's determination to survive!"
And then, both Evangelion Units hurled the mighty and awakened Spear of Destiny towards the sky, a thunderous howl emanating from the weapon as the Anti-AT Field was ripped and torn to shreds by the combined power of both Evangelion units. The Lance shot skyward, splitting the sky in twain as it collided with the central MP Evangelion, piercing its core, the core burning with white light before the Evangelion exploded, spears of blue light radiating out from the heart to strike the cores of the eight remaining Evangelions, each one howling in protest as they too were consumed by the fiery power of the lance, their battered and broken bodies falling to earth all around the Geofront, the lance stabbing into the earth near both its throwers. The Mass Produced Evangelions were no more.
XxXxXxX
Cheers erupted from within the Command Center as the nine Evangelions fell silent. With them stopped, Seele had no more power at their disposal to enact their plans.
"Third Impact has been avoided!" Maya smiled, tears streaming down her face as she embraced Aoba in a hug. The music-loving tech could only chuckle and return the gesture.
"Shinji, Asuka, well done…" Fuyutsuki sighed a sigh of deep relief, his whole body feeling lighter and more relaxed than he had felt in years. A massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and he could once again rest easy, at least for the moment. "Now then, we still have work to do ladies and gentlemen. I very much doubt that the Japanese Government will simply let us off the hook so easily. We'll have some serious explaining to do."
However, the mood changed as soon as the main viewscreen pulsed to life with red warnings.
"Lieutenant!"
"Sir, I don't know! This shouldn't be happening!"
XxXxXxX
"Death is an inevitability of life. But the true god must die before he can rise once again to exist among the living."
"From the death of the apostles, the true god will rise to walk among the earth and ascend to Heaven. From the fires of death comes the joy of Rebirth!"
"With the sacrifice of the Decider and his gift of flesh, we shall see the rise of a new era of Mankind, and take the next step into immortality!"
Holographic monoliths floated in the chambers of Seele, each one reciting their prophecies as their viewscreen showed the separate pieces of destroyed Mass Produced Evangelions burning with red flames as before. The units had been damaged or destroyed, their cores shattered and broken, but together, they had enough core material to cobble together a single working core of immense power. A dismembered unit's mouth turned into a grin at the corner, in its maw, the removed arm on the Angel of Destiny. White flesh bubbled and oozed as a fiery web of energy shot into the sky, pieces of flesh joining into a bubbling ball of organic matter along with the removed arm and eaten flesh of the Angel in their stomachs being converted and absorbed into their bodies that collectively formed into a single being of incredible power.
"The Angel of Power has shared its secrets well. The mighty Jerazol grew after stealing the strength of Unit 02, and like their proverbial father before them, so too shall the apostles grow stronger by devouring their brother. Separate they were weak, but together, they shall become a God, eclipsing the power of even the mighty Unit 01 and Ikari's son."
"The soil has been stained red with the sins of mankind, and so our true god has awakened to bring a thunderous Revelation down upon the human race. Their sins will be purged, and together we shall bring about a new era of perfection to humanity, the Utopia of Instrumentality." Chairman Keel looked on as the mighty shape of the combined Evangelion, the God, finished its resurrection.
XxXxXxX
What floated above the Geofront's ruins was a familiar shape, and yet not familiar. Glowing gold had shifted to burning red and black, white skin had angry red lines across its surface, and eyes were no longer the warm and friendly gaze of Ryugi Kazamaru, but black soulless pits with fierce red orbs floating in them, and the brown spiked hair had shifted to white. The being smiled a smile that grew too far to be a human grin, showing an inhuman maw as a ring of black and red energies formed up over its head.
"…Ryugi…?" Shinji stopped and looked up, questioning the sight in front of him along with Asuka in Unit 02. Both Evangelion units continued to maintain their newly received wings and halo-like rings of energy as they stood side by side.
"Shinji! Asuka! That's not Ryugi! Get the hell out of there!" Misato's voice barked over the communications channels as the form spread its wings, pulsed with light and energy, and disappeared, only to reappear a split-second later, slamming into the ground, kicking up chunks of rock and debris as a pulse of power slammed into both of the Evangelions, sending them reeling and flying through the air. Unit 01 tumbled and slammed into the earth, picking itself up off the ground and turning to face the new foe.
"Dammit to hell! This is really getting on my nerves! Every time we kill them they keep coming back!"
"Seems they stole that trait from him too…"
"You two quit talking and kill that thing, whatever it is. I know it's going to be hard, killing it when it looks like that, but that thing has all the ingredients necessary to start Third Impact on its own! If you don't stop it, we're all doomed."
"Right… Asuka… Let's do this. One more and it'll all be over…"
"I hear you… Let's kick its sorry ass!" Unit 02 shot into the fray with a powerful downbeat of its wings, hurtling into battle like a red blur. "Kuuuryyaaa!" AT Field pulsed into position around Unit 02's fist as the red unit surged ahead, aiming to slam into the twisted visage of their lost friend, however, she was stopped cold by a huge wall of AT Field, shimmering and glowing blue. "Shinji!"
The roar of Unit 01 was tremendous as the unit's eyes pulsed with light and a beam of pure power rocketed towards the field, slamming into it, slicing through the blue energy to strike at the heart of the abomination, just as a second, even more durable, AT Field intercepted the beam. The two forces clashed for a moment, and then, the whole mess exploded with terrible force. Unit 02 leaped away at the last moment, even as the blast carved another crater into the Geofront floor. Asuka and Shinji both looked on as the dust cleared. Breaths were baited, and all eyes were on the dust cloud as it faded, showing the glimmer of a transparent red and black wing, before it died down, revealing the creature had surrounded itself with its wings and AT Field, the field pulsing away as it hovered off the ground and began to float towards the two Evangelions, grinning away, eyes boring into them.
"Dammit… Shinji! Hit it again! Harder!"
"I can't! That was everything I had!"
"Well, hit it again and harder! I'll help you!"
The AT Field of Unit 01 became completely visible as its energy shot up, the air blurring and the ground being erased below the mighty unit's feet as Unit 02 followed suit. Pieces of debris lifted into the air and spun around them, gravity itself being deflected and distorted by the power of the two Evangelion Units as their fields harmonized. Wings shimmered and the halos of energy pulsed as both units' eyes burned a fierce white.
Shinji's blue eyes glared ahead as he felt the power from his Unit's core flow into his body, caressing him, strengthening him, and empowering him, and as he spoke, his eyes began to shimmer and glow ever so slightly "I don't care how many times you bastards get up… I don't care how many times you come back… This is my world, my home…and MY FUTURE!"
"Stop shouting and just attack already!" As Asuka finished her shout, the image of the twin Evas warbled and distorted as an immense beam of energy shot from them, surrounded by their AT Fields, tearing across the space towards the twisted mirror image of their friend. As the beam neared, the being raised first one hand, then both as it was pushed back by the power unleashed, energy pouring from around the AT Field barrier and tearing into the wall of the Geofront before, in an instant, the AT Field bent inward, cracked, and the blast tore through, sending the twisted Ryugi through the air and into the side wall, rocks falling as it attempted to recover, letting out a roaring human voice.
"Shinji! The Lance! Use the Lance!"
Shinji didn't hesitate. In an instant he was up, leaping through the air to grab the lance before he hurled it towards the opposing angelic demon before him. The howl from the lance pierced the air and tore away any remaining aboveground remnants of the Geofront minus Headquarters itself. Then, a terrible flash of light erupted from the wall, and a shockwave of power and wind tore across the surface as Shinji and Asuka looked on in horror at the sight before them.
Blue energy crackled away as a glowing sword of energy held off the Lance. White ethereal flames burned along the length as the being used both arms to hold off the weapon, even as its glowing energetic state slowly phased back into the solid red form. With a deft swing from the blade, the Lance was cast off through the air, spinning until it landed in the dirt some distance away, the unified prongs unfurling into the characteristic twin prongs.
"No way! You've got to be kidding me!"
"It blocked the Lance? Wait… That blade, it's the same one Ryugi used to defeat the black Angel…" Shinji readily remembered the video footage of the battle, how the mighty winged form of Unit 0X had defeated the Angel by running it through with the blade, a pure white flame engulfing the body of the Angel before it self-destructed from the inside out. "If he manages to get to us with that thing…"
"So we don't let him have the chance! If I've learned anything piloting an Evangelion it's that they respond to your heart. So, you believe. You don't let yourself be overcome with self-doubt or fear." The battle-worn Unit 02 stood by Shinji, golden halo burning bright, wings glittering as Unit 02's arm suddenly began to glow with orange energy. "You don't worry about what could be, what anyone else thinks, or what might happen…" The energy pulsed and extended into a lance, an almost exact replica of the Progressive Lance. "You believe that you can overcome, and you fight like hell through all of it! So, let's kick that thing's ass!"
Shinji turned to look at the figure floating into the air as its wings turned the power of its AT Field into sustained flight. It looked mostly unharmed, even from the power of both of their attacks, but he pushed that thought out of his mind. Asuka was right. It didn't matter what would happen. If he died, he wouldn't be around to witness the destruction of the others, and he would have died fighting for a future of his own design, and for his own reasons. If he lived, he would have helped create a bright future for humanity with his own hands. In a way, winning or losing, it was okay, and as soon as he realized that, a figurative breath of fresh air came into his lungs, and a weight seemed to lift from his shoulders. Even if he died, he'd have died fighting for both himself and for others, and no one would blame him. They weren't berating him now; they were cheering him on, believing in him. He was wanted, accepted, and loved, and that thing floating across from him desired to tear all that away from him.
"You're right, Asuka… I'm done sniveling and moping. That's in the past now, and there's nothing I can do about it. I'm the pilot of Evangelion Unit 01, but more than that, I'm Shinji Ikari!" Unit 01's mouth opened and let out a roar chunks of earth being kicked up from the sheer force as the Evangelion tore towards the bastardized vision of Shinji's fallen friend. "I'm scared, so scared that I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but it needs to be done, and so, I'll look forward and hopeful towards the future. I'll do my best, and grit my teeth through the pain that comes with that promise!" Puffs of white clouds formed up around the horn of Unit 01 before a shockwave pulsed forth, the Unit breaking the sound barrier as it wound up for a ferocious flying punch directly into the face of the Angel of Death. At the last second, the Angel shot backwards and away from the punch, ground being torn asunder as the punch struck the earth. "Asuka!"
As Shinji crouched, the lance of AT Field shot through the air at lighting speed, whizzing by Unit 01, tearing through the cloud of debris towards the Angel. It was completely unprepared, and the Lance struck home, slamming into the shoulder of the Angel and causing a gash. Then, as the Angel lurched, Unit 01's eyes pulsed with light from its crouched position, and a point-blank blast of energy shot forth with a roar that struck home. The severity of the explosion cast Unit 01 through the air, twirling and flipping end over end before the golden wings caught air and flattened its trajectory. However, as Shinji and Asuka surveyed their damage, a furious cry erupted from the cloud of dust, throwing it aside to reveal the wounded Angel with an angry red gash across the torso, and a lacerated shoulder, still floating. Then, red energy burned along the wounds, sealing them, as the blood shimmered and glowed white, pulsing to pure energy before solidifying into crystals that spun around the forearm of the previously wounded left arm, the sword still crackling with white flames in its right.
"Is it just me, or did this thing learn a few tricks that Ryugi didn't have?"
"That energy, it's just like that Black Angel, and the blood is like that Bird Angel… You don't think…?"
"That it can do almost everything they did and more? Probably. But that doesn't matter, we're going to kick this thing's ass, remember? So let's get in there and do it!" Asuka's AT Field pulsed and another Lance formed up within Unit 02's right hand before Asuka charged ahead, like a Valkyrie heading into combat. "Let's see if you can handle this!" With a terrible swing, Asuka brought the blade of the spear zipping across towards the Angel as it blocked with its sword, the two forces crackling as the AT Fields met. "And this!" As the two blades locked down, Asuka sent a kick outward towards the Angel's chest, connecting with it with such force that it indented the surface and caused blood to well from the wound, before her Unit's four eyes pulsed with light again, and she finished the combo with another explosive blast, sending the Angel back into the Geofront wall as the lance in her grasp pulsed brighter. "Game over!" With a furious throw, the lance was thrown, Unit 02's AT Field building up along it to create a massive wave in front of the weapon as it shot forth.
The Angel's AT Field snapped up, the lance sparking and eating away at it as layer after layer of Field rose to intercept the projectile. "Asuka, MOVE!" As Unit 02 tore into the sky with a jump, a brilliant red streak shot towards the Angel. It was the Lance of Loginus. The lance of AT Field was obliterated by the greater power that suddenly brought itself to bear on the Angel. However, the air in front of it suddenly warbled, distorting more and more, blurring the Angel from view as the real Lance made contact. Red energy crackled around the sphere as it flashed to black and the ground shook.
XxXxXxX
"What the hell is going on!" Fuyutsuki shouted to Maya as she frantically looked at her monitors. The sword blocking the Lance was bad enough, but this was different altogether. Once again, something like this should not have been happening. Alarms blared as the base shook and grew more and more violent. Pieces of debris fell from the roof of the control room as techs hurled themselves to safety.
"That field the Angel is creating, it's beyond anything our sensors and data can comprehend. I'm reading both Adam and Lilith signatures from that sphere, but this is far, far worse." Maya turned to look at the rest of the control room. "That field is so powerful, it is literally eroding away at the fabric of our reality. It is separating itself from our reality by pure force, but not like the field Ryugi produced earlier. This is different, primal, and hundreds of times more dangerous." She looked pale and very worried. "If that thing continues to get stronger, it will tear a hole in the fabric of our universe, and all the matter and energy will attempt to burst through it to even the distribution."
"Lieutenant… Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Maya nodded and turned back to the screen, blaring with alarms and warnings. "Yes, Commander… It is very possible that whatever that thing is out there could have the potential to not only kill all of us, or destroy this planet, but rip apart our reality and universe as we know it."
Fuyutsuki grimaced. The field had appeared in direct response to the Lance of Loginus being used against it. It was a force that could not be countered by any known being, except this conglomeration. It tore through the barriers around an object and eliminated it, like a hammer of judgment, but this field was warping the fabric of reality itself, changing the rules of the universe itself to force the Lance into a powerless state. It was the only weapon capable of killing anything, but only in a universe where things worked just so… This was more than an agent of Seele's will and whim; this was an Angel of Death. A being created with an Ultimate Shield to protect against any obstacle, and each time it was used, it threatened to kill them all. Resistance, including the Lance of Loginus itself, was futile. Seele had created an ultimate being that would guarantee their outcome, or destroy the very fabric of the Universe itself.
However, just as the field started to reach a tipping point, the Lance snapped back into its dual pronged shape, and fell to the ground before the Angel. Everyone in the control room let out a sigh of relief. However, they weren't out of trouble yet. The Angel was still a massive threat, the only difference was that they had some new, and difficult, ground rules to follow…
"Shinji, Asuka, this is Commander Fuyutsuki… This order is going to sound counter-intuitive, but according to recent data, it is sound. You must not use the Lance against the target to destroy it. The defensive field it produces is too powerful and dangerous…"
"Damn, just when things were looking up!"
"If we can't use the Lance, how are we supposed to defeat it? Nothing else we've done has left any kind of mark."
"We don't know." Misato chimed in. "We'll keep trying to help you, but for now, just don't use the Lance, and give it everything you have."
Fuyutsuki sighed and glanced at the rest of his staff before turning back to the main screen. "You have permission to use any and all tactics at your disposal to defeat the creature. Don't hold back on our account… This base can take more punishment than any other installation on the planet…"
"Understood, Sir…"
"Roger…"
As the channels closed, the rest of the command crew watched the main screen as the Angel of Death pulled itself from the wall, leveled its soulless gaze upon the two Evangelions before it, and floated off the ground while cracking its neck. With a pulse the furious blade of light formed up in the beast's right arm once more, and the crystals on its left began to shimmer and glow, floating up around it as a shield of solid AT Field crackled with red and pulsed to life between the crystalline formation. The Perfect Weapon had been useless against the Ultimate Shield, and now, the beast was ready to fight once more.
XxXxXxX
Red waters ebbed and flowed across the legs of Evangelion Unit 00 as it waded towards the massive figure impaled and crucified on the cross. Lilith was as large and imposing as ever, but now was not the time to trouble oneself with such trivial details. Unit 00 gripped and tore away the catwalk that effectively separated the massive unit from the Mother of Humanity. The massive being seemed to stir almost imperceptibly, as if aware of Rei's presence within the chamber. Even as Rei approached, the sounds of the cockpit were permeated by a low thump, thump, thump of a great heartbeat, and a dull deep rumbling as Lilith's chest moved in and out. Even now, Lilith was still alive.
With a his, the Evangelion's back hatch opened, and the Entry Plug spun out, to reveal Rei. Her dress was drenched in red-orange LCL, and the fabric clung to her body as she floated into the air towards Lilith, Unit 00 holding its position. Rei knew what merging with Lilith would mean. She also knew what having Lilith absorb Unit 00 would mean. Unit 00 was born of Adam, which meant that effectively the two entities would fuse into another super-being of incredible power, and with Lilith as the core, it would be capable of beginning its own version of Third Impact. NERV would still have a chance to set things right, assuming the others survived the battle. Of course, as the rumblings and tremors had shown, things were likely going poorly. Rei's red eyes looked to the massive Lilith and she felt a powerful pull, beckoning her closer.
Welcome home.
"No… I am not home, but I have returned. They need me. They need us. My heart is with one who has given me a reason to remain, even though he is no longer here…" Rei fought back waves of sadness as she spoke. "He gave all that he was for me, for humanity, for your children. His last wish was that there was a world where I could find happiness, and even though it will be painful with him gone…I still endeavor to bring about that world for him…"
Then we are yours.
With a stretching of skin, Rei was pulled into the heart of Lilith. As she was merged with the massive form, her thoughts wandered to Doctor Akagi's final words to her before Commander Ikari shot her. She had asked Rei how many people would have to die before she could be strong enough to live the life she wanted to live. At the time, Rei could not quite understand the question, but as she felt the semi-invasive presence of Lilith's being merging with hers, she finally came to understand. One. The answer to Doctor Akagi's question was one. By his sacrifice, Kazamaru had proved to Rei that happiness was something worth fighting for, but more than that, her own happiness was worth fighting for, and even dying for. It took that loss to build her strength, build her drive and passion, and now, she would use every ounce of that, and fight for her future with her own two hands. She would merge with Lilith and Unit 00, and become stronger than anything she had ever witnessed before, excluding, perhaps, the strength of Kazamaru's will and drive. She would not fail him in his desire and his wish. She would fight, and win, and nothing would stand in her way of achieving that. Nothing.
Her own presence seemed to waver for a moment, before, suddenly, her thoughts became clear once again, and the void of blackness that surrounded her flashed to light again as Lilith's hand pulled the mask free from her face, but this was no longer Lilith, this was Rei's body, and her heart. The Forbidden Union was next, and as waves crashed against the walls of the chamber, Rei strode towards the frozen body of Unit 00. The energy emanating from her core, Lilith's S2 Organ, was massive, and she could feel the strength of her AT Field rising as well. Unit 00 had served her well, but now, it would serve her once again, one last time…
XxXxXxX
Shinji and Asuka stood side by side, their battle-worn Evangelions scarred by endless combat. They'd been fighting nonstop for hours, and their energy was running low. Even still, both of them knew that they were the last line of defense against certain death for all of Humanity, the one and only thing that stood in the way of a static world with no future but one created by old men with their scriptures and false beliefs. The Angel of Death that floated towards them was all the stronger, not yet battle-weary, not yet hampered by damage, and it had more power than anything they'd ever seen before, perhaps even more power than the mighty Unit 01, or even the fallen Unit 0X. This battle was their last stand, they knew. If they fell now, there was no recovering from it, no second chances, nothing to pick them up, and as they stared down an embodiment of death and destruction, of hopelessness and sorrow, they both mustered forth all the strength, courage, and determination they could before the final clash…
"Mother… I know I've been scared before, I know I've run before, I know I've done some terrible things… I know you care about me, and about this world I'm trying to create." Shinji's gaze stared ahead towards the Angel of Death as it floated menacingly towards the twin Evangelions. Its power was terrifying. Even within the cockpit, shielded by Unit 01's AT Field, separated by flesh, bone, and plates of purple scorched and battered armor, Shinji could feel the very essence of the Angel trying to overpower him. "I've cowered and hidden from the world, from the danger, from everything, and through it all, you've tried to protect me, cradle me, and keep me safe…" As Shinji spoke, he felt his mother's presence once again caress his being. She was here with him inside the Evangelion, even after everything, she was still here with him, here to the end. "But right now, I need you to forget about that… I need you to trust me, just like I've trusted in you to pull me through when I needed you most. I need you to give me everything you have, everything that this monster has, everything Ryugi has given us, and not worry about what happens to me. I can't keep worrying about my own safety when humanity needs me, and when Asuka needs me…"
As Shinji spoke, he swore he could smell his mother's scent and a faint touch on his cheek, then, as he blinked his eyes, sure it was an illusion, a transparent figure appeared to float in front of him, give him a soft kiss on the forehead, and disappear, and as it did, Shinji suddenly felt a surge of energy unlike any he had ever felt before. It was warm and gentle, and yet so full of emotion and power Shinji almost wept as it washed over him. This was the power that he commanded, pure, unbridled and unchecked. He could feel it all. The ferocious and mighty rage of the Evangelion itself, coupled with the love and desire of a mother's drive to protect. He could feel the hope and nobility of a sacrifice made to give him and Asuka a second chance, a fighting chance, and underneath it all, he felt his own heart and desire, his love for Asuka burning strong beside all the rest. This was his power, his mightiest weapon, and now, he had full command over it. It was time to push it to action…
Light engulfed Unit 01 as the Evangelion changed its outward appearance. Its armor regenerated itself in an instant, except where new wings burst free from the back, replacing the angelic wings from before with four thinner, transparent white-golden wings, dotted sparks of light trailing freely from them as the halo above the Evangelion's head thickened and spread outward. The new armor shimmered from purple to purple with a gold luminescence, almost as if made of pure energy, the eyes being black orbs with red pupils, Unit 01 still retaining the demonic appearance despite the golden aura that seemed to flow from it. Shinji could feel the golden armor surrounding him, and as he did, he understood what it was. It was his own AT Field, magnified and empowered by the energy of the Evangelion and his own heart. With this…with this they could stand a chance.
"Thank you, Mother…for everything."
As Unit 01 pulsed with power and changed its outward appearance, Unit 02 was going through a change of its own. Asuka wasn't ready to give up yet, and although Unit 01 was much stronger than her Unit 02, she would give literally everything she had to ensure they succeeded. "Mama, your little girl has always tried to be strong, so strong she denied her heart and pushed away her feelings, burying them so deep inside herself that she would let no one get close to them… But then he came along…a boy who pushed his way into my heart where others dared to tread. I hurt him, but he kept coming. He didn't care how much it hurt, he only wanted to be there for me when no one else would, or could. My heart's walls of ice were melted by his love, and ever since, your little girl has been a woman of passion, of pride, and determination."
Asuka felt her eyes well with tears as she spoke. But these were not tears of sadness. They were tears of happiness and joy. Even as the Angel's presence tried to overcome her, her willpower kept it at bay. Unit 02 was not the same as the godlike Unit 01, but it didn't have to be. Her spirit and determination had always been there, her fire burning in her heart, and pushing her to achieve her goals, no matter what. That fire, that flame, was what had driven her from the start. "That boy, Mama, means more to me than life itself. A world without him might as well be as cold, dull, and lifeless as my heart once was, so, your daughter begs you to give her everything you have, she begs this machine to give her everything it has. I want to fight for a future with Shinji, and never give up or give an inch until my last breath leaves my lips, or until we achieve that world that we desire more than anything. It might hurt, it might burn, but nothing in this world is more worth the suffering than a future where I can be with Shinji. So, Mama, don't hold back. Let me have everything… Let me have everything so I can fight for the one thing I believe in more than anything. Let me fight…for Shinji!"
Asuka's words echoed through the cockpit of her Evangelion, and as they did, she felt a surge of energy erupt from her chest. Burning searing pain, mixed with desire and pure courage. It hurt more than anything Asuka had ever felt before, but at the same time, the burn pressed her onward, tested her resolve, and was bested. This was Asuka's fire. This was her determination, her heart and soul, amplified a thousandfold by the S2 Organ within the Evangelion, and the energy that Ryugi had granted to her and Shinji. As the burning sensation grew stronger, Asuka took a deep breath and cried out, the mouth of Unit 02 tearing open to reveal pearl-white teeth, as a thunderous cry shook the remains of the Geofront to its very core, energy blasting away and tearing into the sky. The sheer power of the energy released, the might of Asuka's burning determination bolstered her AT Field past any limit the Evangelion had ever reached before. As the dust settled, the new Unit 02 emerged.
The red Unit's armor was restored to its former brilliance, warped by the energy and seeming to flow upward like flames. The armor was jagged, more rough looking, and completely dangerous. Four white eyes burned brilliantly amidst black as Asuka's AT Field pulsed up from the waist of her Evangelion, licking the surface and surrounding area with transparent orange flames of pure energy. Unlike Unit 01, Unit 02's power came not from defensive armor, but from every single ounce of the Unit's energy shifted forward for attack. In fact, Asuka felt her Evangelion to be no more durable than it had ever been before. However, she felt the power under her command was massive, so massive that it was very possible she would not have to defend at all, simply attack through with everything she had. This was her own power given form by the Evangelion's S2 Organ, and her mother's will.
"Now then… Let's show this bastard what happens when you fuck with humanity!"
"I won't lose… The future is counting on us. Humanity is counting on us, and I won't stop fighting until the future I've worked so hard to protect, till the woman I've worked so hard to protect is safely within my arms!"
The two Evangelions let our a synchronized roar that whipped the remains of the Geofront into a fury, before, out of the dust cloud, a blast of energy and a red blur tore ahead towards the Angel of Death. It was Unit 02, moving faster than the speed of sound, propelled only by her AT Field. Roaring orange energy flowed around her body as Asuka pulled all of her force into her fist and right forearm, streaks of energy following in her wake as the At Field sliced through the air with zero resistance. "Let's see you block this one head on you bastard! RRRRAAAGGHH!" In a blink, she made contact with the Angel's shield…
The Geofront floor exploded, energy ripping through the ground floor, crackling power tearing out a massive crater, dirt, rocks, and hunks of reinforcing metal being thrown into the air like toothpicks from the force of impact. The shockwave of the AT Fields impacting ripped out across the whole of the exposed Geofront, slicing into the walls on the far sides, however, if one were to look closely, they'd see something else: a white and red blur slamming into the far side of the Geofront, sending spider-webbing cracks up the wall. The sheer force of Asuka's blow had sent the Angel reeling backwards before it could even react. However, it was not alone. A red and orange blur had followed the Angel into the wall. Asuka's punch had been so overwhelming that she had forcibly shoved the Angel back with her own momentum, but she wasn't done yet.
Her left arm surged with power as she brought it forward and upward, driving the Angel clear through the earth surrounding the Geofront, causing a collapse of the crater wall as the being was sent into the sky with terrible rage and brute strength as Asuka jumped free of the falling debris. Even the sky wasn't safe, however, as the shimmering form of Unit 01 came in from above, a shimmering golden star dropping down from the heavens to collide with the airborne Angel of Death, red eyes burning with angry energy, just as the pair of beings slammed into the Geofront floor. Once more the ground was ripped apart by an even more powerful explosion, cross-shaped, shimmering red and gold as Unit 01 discharged an attack powered by every last ounce of power Shinji could summon forth at that very instant.
XxXxXxX
The Control Room quaked, lights flashed, and screens flickered as the two unleashed Evangelions attacked the Angel of Death with newfound strength, and using every ounce of power they could. Just as ordered, they were not holding back. "Power levels among the two Evangelions are incredible! Their S2 Organs and AT Fields are fluctuating at a range we've never seen before. I can't even begin to describe this…" Maya poured over the data flashing in front of her. She couldn't make heads or tails of it.
"It's alright Lieutenant. There's no need. I really don't care HOW they're doing it, just as long as they keep it up. Any readings from the Angel itself?" Fuyutsuki moved over to glance over the young woman's shoulder.
"Well, Sir, that's the only bad news… You see, every time they initiate a direct hit, the Angel's energy levels drop, followed by a spike as it regenerates itself at high speed. The more damage they do, the more the energy spikes to keep up with the repair rate…"
"So you're saying that even now, they're hitting it with their smoke, and causing no permanent damage to the target…"
"Yes Sir…" Maya grimaced. "I'm afraid that even with these incredible energy levels, they still aren't doing enough damage to bring the Angel down. With enough energy to tear the fabric of reality apart, I don't even know if it's possible to match it."
"Damn it!" Fuyutsuki slammed his fist into the desk, the Control Room flinching. "None of this should have happened. This wasn't a part of the plan…" The elderly commander glanced up to the main viewscreen as the base continued to shudder and rock with impact after impact. The Geofront looked like the surface of the moon, pocked with craters and scorched again and again. Even as brilliant displays of ferocious power tore into the Angel again and again, sending it flying like a ragdoll, it would always stand unharmed and good as new, red burning energy disappearing as it stared down the two Evangelions, as if daring them to try harder. "Damn it to hell-!"
With a second slam of his fist, the entire remaining block of Nerv Headquarters shook with terrible force. Alarms blared and debris fell, crushing monitors and workstations down below. Maya fell from her chair, Misato stumbled, wincing and hissing through her teeth as she landed on her bandaged arm. Lights flickered and went out as the Control Room went totally and completely dark as red emergency lighting pulsed to life and sunlight streamed in through cracks in the surrounding walls and ceiling.
"Report!" Fuyutsuki pulled himself to his feet before assisting Misato to hers. Hyuga glanced at the computer systems that still remained online through backup generators and batteries.
"The Angel, Sir! It's attacked the block directly next to the Command Cent- Look out!"
Eyes turned to look as white fingers tore through the bulkhead separating the Command Center from the rest of the base, revealing blackened pits of eyes with glowing red centers.
"Evacuate! Now! That's an order! Get to the Secondary Control Room!" Fuyutsuki shouted orders, the Command Staff charging towards the exits that still remained within the ruined base.
Aoba spoke as the entire staff moved, charging through the halls as white hands came down and smashed through the ceiling of the corridor feet behind them. "We can't, Sir! Bakelite has blocked it off from the JSSDF invasion forces. There's no way we can get to it."
"Alright! Everyone to the elevators! We're heading to the most secure section of this facility! We'll take a shortcut through Eva Cage Four! That section hasn't been sealed off." As the retreating Command Staff moved through the damaged corridor, Fuyutsuki took one last look at the Command Center, just as a massive white hand tore through the original Magi System, completely obliterating it.
Corridor after corridor was traversed as quickly as they could be navigated. The carnage was indescribable. Bodies burned, shot full of holes, and mutilated by gunfire littered the floor. Human blood made the floor slippery, and the air was tainted by the metallic smell of the red liquid tissue and gunpowder. Nerv employees and JSSDF troops mingled together side by side, their blood pooling and mixing together into a single gory mess. Hyuga took point, pistol drawn as the group moved ahead. Misato did her best to comfort Maya, who tried her best to hold in the contents of her stomach and hauled her laptop. Fuyutsuki was directly behind Hyuga, and gave orders while Aoba covered the rear with a stolen machine gun, pilfered from one of the bodies that were strewn across the hallways. After an eternity of wandering through the sprawling and damaged complex, the Command Staff emerged in the Eva Cage, just as the base shook again, causing them to stumble.
"What's going on, Lieutenant?" Fuyutsuki turned to Maya who was sprawled across the ground with her laptop open as Hyuga and Aoba moved to unlock the door at the far end of the catwalk.
"Unit 01 and 02 are still doing their best to fight the Angel, Sir. However, their movements have become less grandiose due to the Angel's proximity to the base. I'm certain they're afraid to kill us in the process…"
"We've got it! The elevator shaft is open… We'll need your clearance, Sir." Hyuga and Aoba stood aside as Commander Fuyutsuki allowed the card reader to accept his clearance, however, just as the doors gave way, the opposing wall cracked and tore down as white fingers ripped through and angry eyes stared towards the Command Staff, however, just as the flaming sword tore through the wall as well, the opposing wall gave way as a red fist burst from it, striking the Angel clear in the chest, and sending both the figures of the Angel and Unit 02 toppling backwards into the remains of the base.
"Get moving! We can hold it off! Just get to safety!" The red arm shot forward, piercing deep into the chest of the Angel as Unit 02 let out a thunderous roar and forced the Angel backward through the base with pure brute force, tearing through armored plate like it was tissue paper, all the way back until the two massive forms cleared the remains of the base.
"Godspeed you two…" Fuyutsuki spoke quietly under his breath as he spied Unit 01 descend upon the Angel as Unit 02 retreated, and the elevator doors shut, taking the crew to the deepest and most forbidden section of the base: Lilith's resting place…
XxXxXxX
While the senior staff was safe, the battle was still going on for Shinji and Asuka. The gaping wound in the Angel's chest from unit 02's desperate save leaked blood and burned red with energy as Unit 01 brought its AT Field down to bear on the flattened Angel, the ground flexing under the released might of Unit 01's power under Shinji's command. "Got you!" But as Shinji and Asuka looked on, fierce energy began to burn on the opposing side of the AT Field until the massive force started to be pushed back and away, then, with a terrible roar, the field shot backward, propelled by an even greater AT Field produced by the Angel. The familiar blue energy shifted to fierce red as the angry red lines crisscrossing the Angel's body began to glow, and a faint aura of blood red energy began to flow around it. The familiar sword also shifted colors before withdrawing into the Angel's body. The shield withered away as the air around the figure suddenly burst outward with tremendous force, hurling Unit 01 and 02 across the Geofront, separating them.
The entire sky above the Geofront burned with red light as the Angel's body lifted into the air. Hurricane force winds tore free chunks of earth, throwing them around like Styrofoam blocks borne by the tantrum of an angry child. The whole form began to convulse, curling into the fetal position as its body began to change. The feathery wings bubbled and shredded as bursts of energy shot forth from the doubled over Angel, arcing into the blood red sky. A halo of light appeared over its head before expanding outward across the Geofront, red torrents of energy cracking the ground in a massive show of strength. As the energy tore apart the earth, the form threw its limbs out to the sides, roaring a bone-chilling howl as the white flesh burned away from its body, pure raging energy being left in its place. Black and red torrents of power ran up the length of the new being as if it were burning in hellfire pulled from the depths of Hades, and above, from the streamers of energy piercing the sky, massive outstretched wings seemed to knock on the feet of Heaven itself. Gone was any trace of the being that had existed before. Now, only a being of terrible energy and force remained, its red burning eyes staring at both of the Evangelions. It was done playing. It was done being kicked around, and as the being finished its transformation, it turned its gaze toward Unit 01…
A thunderous pulse of energy erupted near the Angel, driving straight through the floating debris and smoke that clouded the Geofront as Unit 02 clashed with a red AT Field.
"I won't let you lay a finger on my—!"
The only thing that Shinji heard next was Asuka's scream as the AT Field flexed outward, carving through the red armor as if it weren't there. Unit 02's right arm fell to the ground before it bubbled and burst into LCL, blood pouring from the wound as the being lifted its own right arm, and with a pulse of its AT Field, sent the battered Unit 02 speeding across the Geofront, slamming again and again into the earth until it struck the opposing wall, a pained whimper coming from Asuka's communications channel as the red unit fell to its knees and single remaining arm.
"ASUKA!" Instantly Unit 01 was hurling towards the energy form, every ounce of his AT Field forming up in front of him in the shape of a massive sword, aiming to run the beast through. "You son of a bitch!" The red AT Field snapped up again, but this time, the sword tore right through it, and shot towards the outstretched left arm, only to peel to the sides of the hand like an apple going through a slicer. Then, as Shinji watched in horror, the right fist of the energy being spun back around, pure red AT Field burning around it until it discharged. However, unlike Unit 02, Unit 01 was left standing where it was, being forced to take a few steps backward as a brand new hole had been forcibly torn through its torso by the discharging power of the AT Field. Shinji screamed as blood poured from the wound, but even that terrible wound wouldn't stop him. He fought back the attempt by his body to throw up, to go into shock from the pain as adrenaline surged through his body. The pain fueled his cry as he willed all of his power, all of his drive to crush the being in front of him, holding nothing back.
A force from above slammed into the energy being, forcing it to the ground as its red AT Field fought back against a scintillating golden field that was trying to crush it flat. Both of Unit 01's arms seemed to pull an invisible roped down as the field pushed down harder and harder, the ground itself giving way under the energy being rather than it being crushed. However, to Shinji's horror, the monstrosity slowly began to push back, its legs beginning to straighten.
"I said - I WON'T LET YOU LAY A FINGER ON MY SHINJI!"
As Shinji looked up, the burning form of Unit 02 dropped in from the sky above, pushing aside the torrents of energy as an outstretched leg burned with ethereal orange flames, striking home on top of Unit 01's AT Field. The combined forces shot the beast into the ground, a detonation of incredible power ripping through the floor of the Geofront, stripping away the ground to reveal a small portion of the dark surface of a massive spherical object buried beneath the Geofront. As the energy from the explosion dissipated, Unit 02 landed next to Unit 01, an arm of pure burning AT Field taking the place of the lost limb.
"Asuka… I thought you were…"
"Oh shut up… It would take more than that to make me leave your side." Asuka's voice softened. "I just remembered I had something worth fighting for."
"Asuka… I don't think that was enough."
"I know… But we can't give up. Even if we don't have a chance, even if nothing we do leaves a mark, we can't stop fighting until this is all over."
"I know… And no matter what happens, I'll be with you till the end." As Shinji spoke, the dust cleared, and the being made itself known, another howl tearing free from its lack of a mouth. Unit 01 bolted forward, followed by Unit 02. The two Evangelions charged side by side towards the being. "I'll fight until the end!"
"And I'll fight right next to you!" Unit 02 pulsed with more flaming energy as pulses of red Anti-AT Field began to form up around the being's right arm. "You and I are forever connected, Shinji. My heart and soul, all of me with nothing left out—" Unit 02's aura grew brighter and brighter. "—belongs to you, is for you, and no matter what happens, I will always be by your side, cheering you on, because, just as you were there for me, I will always be there for you!"
The burst of Anti-AT Field was as brilliant as it was deadly, but Asuka was already pulling ahead of Shinji, all her power surging down her false arm, and in a massive punch, she met it head on, crying out as the two powers met. The two forces tore one another to pieces and Asuka was thrown back, crying out in pain.
"Asuka!"
"Keep going, Shinji! Keep going no matter what! Don't let up!"
Shinji gulped and swallowed back his worry as his AT Field surged around him once more and brought a mighty sword down towards the being as it was recovering, but it was once again not to be as a raging torrent of pure power shot up once more, a familiar black sphere surrounding the being, the sword clashing against it and bouncing off. But Shinji wasn't going let up. Not again. He moved into a lightning fast floury of blows, even as the energy from the sphere tore into his Evangelion's golden armor. The energy ripped and tore through the wings, stripping them to nothing. The golden armor cracked and golden streamers of energy trailed behind Unit 01 as Shinji continued to fight on against all odds.
"I won't give up!" Blood began to mix with the bits or shimmering armor as the energy tore into Unit 01's flesh. The pain felt as though Shinji himself was being eroded, but his adrenaline kept him going. "Ryugi never gave up!" Blow after blow smashed into the sphere, even as the sky darkened and angry red energy crackled across the sphere. "My mother never gave up trying to protect me!" Unit 01's eyes began to pulse with shimmering energy, as did its core as ferocious torrents of power tore away the armor hiding it. "So neither will I!" As Shinji continued to beat on the sphere, his eyes within the entry plug began to glow with light, a red light, and in response, Unit 01's eyes shifted to pure red glowing orbs within golden sockets. "I'll fight till the last! I'll protect everyone I love! I'll protect them no matter what happens to me!" With a final show of strength, Shinji shoved the controls forward, and Unit 01 brought its power down upon the sphere.
It cracked.
Red cracks appeared across the surface of the sphere as the sword of AT Field broke through the Perfect Shield, digging into it, before a beam of pure energy shot forth from the crack, slamming into Unit 01 with unrestricted force. The view of the beam was distorted as the fabric of reality warped under the amount of stress placed upon it by the power of the release. Unit 01 was caught and thrown backwards by the raging torrent, its golden armor being stripped away, its flesh burned, and its form being torn to pieces as its AT Field collapsed inward. What landed behind Unit 02 was not so much Unit 01 as it was a mutilated corpse. Blood drained onto the ground away from the crater as the core that had once shimmered with light flickered back to its normal red. It moved, jerking itself into an upright position, even as bloodied entrails seemed to hang in shreds from its midsection. It took a single step before it fell face-first onto the ground.
Asuka looked first to the body of Unit 01 before she looked back to the godlike being before her, the black sphere pulsing back into the nothingness from whence it came as the being turned towards the two Evangelions. It floated towards her Shinji, towards her, and she moved in front of it, blocking its path. She would not let it happen. She'd sacrifice herself before she'd lose her Shinji to anyone or anything. As the red Anti-AT Field gathered around the being's outstretched hand and arm, Asuka held her ground, wishing, urging every last ounce of her strength forward. Even if she died, she'd at least dampen the blow to her Shinji enough that he might survive to try and make a future for himself, even if it had to be without her…
As the blast unleashed, the only thing Asuka could think of was Shinji's kind smile, and as she closed her eyes, she felt a tear roll down her cheek.
"Sayonara… Baka-Shinji…"
"Do not say goodbye before you leave on a mission, Pilot Sohryu… Ikari-kun says it is too sad…" And the world tore apart.
XxXxXxX
To be continued.