Episode 6! The finale of the opening arc, and the finale of Evangelion 1.0! Ramiel is here to fight, and it'll be a bit harder than the previous battles.


August 8th, 2015

The room was dark. From the outside, no-one knew what the room was for. In fact, there were no windows at all in the dark room. It was empty. Between certain people however, the room was very important.

"Gentlemen!" A voice suddenly came through the darkness, a giant monolith appearing in the dark room. On the monolith was a strange logo, seven eyes adorning a shield like shape. Lower on the monolith, a large number one was shown. Around the room, more monoliths of the same size and design appeared around the room. Each one numbered from one to fifteen. "It has been a while since we last spoke." 1 said as everyone settled into place.

"Yes," 7 replied. "We have much to discuss."

"Important matters first," 13 stated as everyone fell silent. "Have you discussed with Ikari about the Human Instrumentality Project?"

"Yes," 3 replied, "And he took it soundly to. Although we'll need to watch him. He seems to be… disinterested."

"Rest assured," 4 continued, "He still follows along with the scenario. Even if he blindly gave his son a multi-billion dollar robot without much thought or consideration. The pieces of the scenario are falling into place."

"Speaking of the Evangelions," 10 said, "How are the remaining Units coming along?"

"Unit-02 is ready to be shipped to Japan, and is already on its way. The Second Child is going with them." 6 said.

"Excellent." 11 stated, "Having a Unit that's a bit more… expendable will be helpful I'm sure."

"Unit-03 is also apparently complete and is awaiting confirmation to board with Unit-02 to Japan." 15 said.

"That will be a problem," 12 stated, "the Thirteenth needs a host of some sort, according to the Dead Sea Scrolls."

"That won't be a problem." 2 said, "We can bring Unit-03 back for… repairs."

"What of Unit-04?" 14 said.

"Unit-04 is ready for initiation of the S2 Engine project." 5 said.

"Is our men ready?" 3 asked.

"Yes," 5 replied, "the project should go off as we… predicted."

"Excellent." 1 stated, "What of that dysfunctional Unit-05?"

"A lost cause." 15 said, "It and its temperamental pilot, the Proto Child, is all ready for their place in the scenario.

"Anymore info on the Evangelions?" 8 asked, the first time he'd spoken this meeting.

"Yes, Unit-00 is set for a re-activation test tomorrow. Meanwhile, Unit-07 and Unit-08 are in production." 9 said.

"Splendid." 13 replied, "However, giving Ikari that much fire-power? Is that a risk worth taking?"

"Yes," 1 replied, "We've gotten confirmation that the Fifth is already on its way to Tokyo-3, a full week before the projections in the Dead Sea Scrolls. If the Fifth is already on its way, then we can expect things to move quickly and swiftly. Having more Evangelions stationed in Tokyo-3 will make the defeat of the Angels quicker, and as such, prepare us for Instrumentality."

"Excellent." 2 replied, "We are getting one step closer to our ultimate goal! Power and control over all of humankind!" A bout of laughter swept through the room.

"One more thing we must discuss." 10 swiftly cut everyone off. "What of your charge? The Seventeenth?"

"Tabris is currently in wait on the moon." 1 replied, "He will be summoned when he is ready. I have trained him and tailored him well. He will break the sanity of the pilots, specifically the Third, which will allow us to use him for our scenario! Everything is falling into place Gentlemen."

"Excellent," 4 stated, "I suppose that is all for this meeting."

"Yes." 1 replied, "Let us hope we don't meet again soon." With those words, the monoliths shut off one by one, sending the room back into darkness.


August 9th, 2015

- Music from Evangelion 1.0 – Track 15 – Lucifer's Cry –

"Monitored object proceeding past the Odawara defence line."

"Target analysis complete." Hyuga stated as the screens lit up in a flurry of messages. "Pattern Blue. Fifth Angel confirmed."

"It's as we thought." Fuyutsuki commented as he was lifted up to the command deck with Gendo. "The Fifth Angel is approaching."

"So it does." Gendo replied, pushing his glasses up his face. "Let's send Unit-01 out to meet it."

"Evangelion Unit-01 preparing for launch!"

"Equipping anti-air interception weapons."

"Target in range above Lake Ashinoko." Shigeru Aoba stated as Misato stared at the screen. The Angel emitting a brief rainbow halo.

"Evangelion Unit-01 is ready for launch!" Hyuga stated.

"Ready, Shinji?" Misato asked.

"Ready!"

"Understood. Let's move out!" Misato called.

Rei watched from ground level as Unit-01 was launched to meet the Angel. As Unit-01 shot towards the surface, both Sachiel and Shamshel shivered.

"Oh, no." Both stated at the exact same time. Shinji didn't hear them over the thrust of the catapult.

Ramiel continued to drift towards the epicentre. A slow build up occurring inside.

"High energy reading coming from inside the target!" Aoba suddenly called, Misato whipping around immediately to confirm what she had heard.

"What'd you just say!?"

"Don't tell me…" Ritsuko commented, watching as Unit-01 neared the surface.

The lift opened, and Unit-01 shot into place. Ready for battle.

"Shinji, get out of there!" Misato called. Shinji glanced over, the Angel in the distance starting a transformation, the crystalline structure moving in strange and mysterious ways.

"Not Ramiel!" Shamshel called, "Why now!?"

"Shinji, we have to move!" Sachiel stated.

Ramiel continued shapeshifting into an hourglass figure, its core exposed for the world to see. With a burst of energy, a large beam headed straight for Unit-01, destroying every building it came into contact with. Unit-01's A.T. Field came up to stop the blast, but it was no use. The beam ripped straight through, colliding with Unit-01's chest.

Shinji groaned in pain as a warning came up in the Entry Plug. Condition Yellow. A small ball appeared in correspondence to were the beam was impacting Unit-01. Shinji withered in pain the entire time.

"It's too much for him," Ritsuko commented, "Lower the synchronisation rate!"

"Deploy the blast shield!" Misato said, "Hurry!" Hyuga immediately followed the order. The blast shield came up slowly, before slamming into place. The beam collided with the shield, stopping its assault on Unit-01. The beam stopped.

Ramiel started to shift again, its limbs changing proportions rapidly. A six point diamond appeared, with each point having a split of the core. Ramiel started charging again, the limbs spinning rapidly. Each core fired towards the point in the middle, before firing the charged beam back at Unit-01.

The blast shield didn't hold. In seconds the thing was torn apart by the sheer force of the upgraded beam, and impacting Unit-01 all over again.

"Abort mission! Begin emergency recovery of Unit-01!" Misato called in anguish.

"We can't! The catapult has melted! It won't operate!"

"What about the A.T. Field?" Ritsuko asked, concern written all over her face.

"It's been raised to maximum. Structural integrity is holding, but barely!" Maya replied, an equal scowl on her face.

The beam continued to bore into Unit-01. The harrowing screams of Shinji echoed throughout Central Dogma. Everyone looked on in fright. Condition Yellow changed to Red. The LCL boiling around Shinji. "No! Stop! Enough of this! Let me out! Get me out of here! Father!" Shinji called in considerable pain.

Misato watched, tears slowly coming to her eyes. Maintaining an air of authority, she turned to Hyuga. "Abort the operation! Prioritise Shinji's safety! Force eject the Entry Plug!"

"No." Misato turned in horror, to where Gendo Ikari sat high above, watching silently. Intently. "Cancel that order."

"If we were to eject the Entry Plug, then the A.T. Field will no longer hold, causing Unit-01 to immediately be destroyed! Things will just go from bad, to worse!" Ritsuko commented, confirming Commander Ikari's statement.

"Yes, but…" Misato replied, Shinji's screams still echoing around them. Scrunching up her face, not allowing any tears to come out, Misato turned to the main screen. "We have no other choice… Emergency recovery of Evangelion Unit-01! Detonate the explosive bolts!"

Explosions started to occur around the city block where Unit-01 currently resided. As they exploded, the entire block started to lower into the ground. Cars and trucks falling if they were sitting on the block itself. Unit-01 was taken away from the beam, Ramiel bringing the beam to a rest. The entire block gone from view. Ramiel shifted back into its base octahedral form. Satisfied.

- End –

"The target has ceased fire."

"Emergency recovery of Unit-01 successful. Sending to Cage 99!"

"Medical team, standby!" Misato called, fear and anxiousness laced through her voice.

"First priority, cool the LCL in the plug!" Ristuko called.

"Pilot confirmed! His heart rate is weak, but he's alive. Sachiel and Shamshel are both fine."

"Maximise Plug Suit life support! Begin cardiac massage!" Ritsuko called, apprehension drawn across her face.

"Understood!" Hyuga replied.

Shinji gasped as he was hit with a sudden massage on his heart.

"Pulse confirmed! Life signs stable!"

"Good! Forcefully eject the plug!" The Plug was taken from Unit-01's melted armour, taken away immediately. "Begin emergency LCL release!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Where's that medical team!" Misato cried out in anguish, holding two phones at once.

Shinji was moved quickly to a separate location, placed on a bed, sealed off by a large black box. Life support systems in place all over his body. He was wheeled away, taken into a separate station of the medical facility at NERV. The door locked with a menacing red light above.


Shinji drifted in the blackness of his mind. Staring around him, he frowned as he thought. 'Where… Where am I?' Shinji continued to glance around, not sure about what was happening. 'It's so dark… I can't see anything.' Shinji watched as an old memory was played out for him. His aunt and uncle coming into place in front of him, a younger version of him. Shinji stared as his aunt and uncle spoke.

"Shinji…" His uncle stated.

"Hi, Shinji." His aunt spoke happily. "Look over there." Turning his head slightly, he glanced over at what his aunt was pointing at.

"We made you a study room, Shinji." His Uncle said. "You can work there from now on."

"You're going to be in Junior High next year, Shinji. We thought you might want your own room."

"So, we built one in the garden, just for you." His Uncle finished. Shinji stared as his younger self smiled and thanked them.

"Thanks, Auntie. Thanks, Uncle." The scene suddenly changed. Shinji frowned as he felt the rain start from above, the rain got worse as the Young Shinji returned. Alone. "I'll study hard. By myself." A beam of light shined on the ground. Shinji frowned as a bicycle was visible under the light. He didn't want to see this, but he couldn't escape. The Young Shinji stepped forward, taking the bike. Preparing to ride it away.

"You there." The Young Shinji stopped, turning towards the voice. Shinji frowned as the man came into view. "Hold it… Is that your bike?" The officer asked.

"No… but someone had thrown it away… under the bridge…"

"It's not nice to lie."

"Honest!" The Young Shinji cried. "It's the truth!"

"Let's have a talk at the station." The scene changed again. A small table appeared, a young lady sat on one end, while the Young Shinji sat at the other.

"Name?"

"Shinji Ikari."

"And your address?" Shinji was silent.

"Who's your guardian?"

"Gendo Ikari." A door suddenly opened and Shinji watched as his Aunt came into the room.

"Shinji!" She stopped in front of the young boy, as he turned away from her. "What did you do!? You should have told us if you wanted a bike!"

"No."

"Your father gave us enough money for that!" Shinji frowned as the image changed back to rain. His Aunt walked ahead under an umbrella. Young Shinji following behind, the rain hitting his face. 'That's not what happened.' Shinji thought as they disappeared, and the space returned to darkness. 'Dad… You wouldn't have come to pick me up. Even now. Mum… If Mum was still alive… would she have come for me…?' Shinji frowned as he drifted back into unconsciousness. 'Mum…'


Ramiel continued to drift towards the epicentre, the hum always occurring. Arriving at its destination, it slowed to a halt. Twisting the lower point of its current form, she contorted her lowest point into a drill. Drilling into the ground, on contact, Ramiel's A.T. field started spinning in spurts around it. Ramiel was at her location. Now she had to wait.


A loud whirring sound passed through the deserted streets of Tokyo-3. High above, Evangelion Unit-01 moved towards Ramiel at a steady pace. The Eva itself didn't move at all, only being pushed along by the wind. This was the initial strategy. A giant 1:1 balloon replica of Evangelion Unit-01. A test of sorts, to see what the Angel would do. Ramiel started to shift as Unit-01 came into view. The whirring of Ramiel came as she charged up, releasing the beam and destroying the balloon as soon as the fake Eva raised a rifle.

"The enemy's particle beam cannon has hit!" Aoba noted, "The dummy has been vaporised!"

"Next." Misato replied. A large gun came out on a railroad track. Pointed towards Ramiel, who was busy shifting back to its base octahedral form. The giant gun, called a mortar, sent a powerful shot towards Ramiel. The Angel deflected the shot with her A.T. Field, sending the shot into the sky. As the Field came up, Ramiel shifted again, sending a particle beam towards the mortar, destroying it.

"The Model 12 Self-Propelled Mortar has been destroyed!" Aoba confirmed.

"Yeah, I see that." Misato replied with a sigh. Nothing was working. They needed a plan.


- Music from Evangelion 1.0 – Track 17 – Stratégie "Yashima" –

Misato sat, twirling a pen around in her hand. Around her, in this dark room, various men and women sat, determining a cause and possible attack plan for the Fifth Angel.

"From the data we've collected, we are assuming that the Angel automatically attacks any opponent that comes into range." Hyuga noted from Misato's left, the tense situation dawning on everyone. "So, the likelihood of the Angel hitting anything entering in the area with its particle beam is 100%. It's too risky for close range combat in an Eva, isn't it?"

"What's the status on the target's A.T. Field?"

"It's still active." Maya replied as a replay of the attack on the mortar was shown. "The beam is strong enough that the spatial changes in phase one are visible to the naked eye. Needless to say, using conventional methods, such as guided missiles, artillery or bombs, will end up inflicting more damage on us, than the Angel. On top of that, the Angel's phase pattern is constantly shifting. The A.T. Field's surface is unstable. That's why it changes shape. Neutralising it will be incredibly difficult."

"Offensively and defensively the Angel is almost perfect." Misato commented after Maya's calculations. "A flying fortress. What have the MAGI determined?"

"According to MAGI calculations," Hyuga stated, "It is theoretically possible to pierce the enemy's A.T. Field. However, it would utilise a large assortment of aerial N2 Mines that would destroy NERV HQ in the process."

"Yes, and MAGI 2 at Matsushiro reached the same conclusion." Ritsuko commented. "It also seems that the Japanese Government and the United Nations are petitioning for attacks that involve NERV HQ self-destructing."

"Absolutely ridiculous. They aren't the ones in danger here. If this place goes, then all is lost." Misato replied. "What's the status on the Angel's drill?"

"At this exact moment the target is directly above us, penetrating the Tokyo-3 Null Zone. The drill, morphed from its own body, has a diameter of 17.5 metres. The drill is currently boring towards NERV HQ, not slowing in it's decent."

"That confirms it, the Angel is trying to attack us directly."

"Sassy bastard!" Misato replied, annoyance on her face. "What's the estimated time of arrival?"

"6 minutes, 54 seconds A.M. Just after midnight. By that point, the drill will have pierced all twenty-two layers of armour plating, and will penetrate the Geofront itself." Aoba stated.

"Less than ten hours…"

A loud whirring sound of clanking metal was heard above, a brief but grating sound. A beep alerted Misato to the local screen, where a current view of the drill in comparison to the armour plates was shown.

"The drill has contacted Armour Plate No. 01."

"Dammit!" Misato replied, slamming her fist down on the table. "What's the status of Unit-01?"

"Well, the defensive armour was melted down to the third layer." Ritsuko replied from Misato's right. "The good news is, the central control unit received no damage."

"Give the Angel a couple more seconds up there, and Unit-01 would've been destroyed." Maya commented from Ritsuko's right.

"Replacement parts should be outfitted in three hours. However, Unit-01 won't be fully moveable due to its previous injury."

"Understood." Misato replied, "What about Unit-00?"

"Unit-00's re-activation itself was successful with no problems." Maya replied, "Unfortunately, there's still a feedback error."

"So, it won't see actual combat…" Ritsuko stated staring at the ceiling.

"Impossible for Unit-00…" Misato replied, "What about Unit-01's pilot?"

"No physical damage was detected. However, his nerve pulses were up by 0.8. That is still within acceptable limits."

"Enemy arrival: 9 hours, 55 minutes." A booming voice came over the speaker system.

"Talk about a high-pressure situation." Misato smiled wryly.

"We're certainly backed into a corner." Maya commented. "We're completely out of options."

"Why don't we raise a white flag?" Hyuga suggested warily.

"Before we resort to that…" Misato replied, her smile still on her face. "There's one more thing I'd like to try." Misato turned to Hyuga, her smile still on her face. "The intelligence division should be aware of the JSSDF's prototype weapon, right?"

- End –


Gendo's Ikari's office was not the most inviting place. It was dark, making anyone who entered feel uncomfortable. Gendo Ikari sat at his desk, Kozo Fuyutsuki standing behind him as he always did. Misato stood in the middle of the room, the glare from the windows giving the only visible light.

"You want to use a sniper to shoot from outside it's firing zone?"

"Yes, sir." Misato replied, "Instead of trying to neutralise the target's A.T. Field, I believe, that a shot with pin point accuracy from a high-energy beam is the only way to take out the Angel."

"What do the MAGI say?"

"The responses from the MAGI supercomputers were two affirmative, and one conditional affirmative."

"So, our probability of success is 8.7%."

"It's the highest value we've got."

"I see no reason to raise of objection, Captain Katsuragi." Gendo stated, speaking for the first time this meeting. "You may proceed."

"Thank you, Commander."


Ritsuko followed Misato at a brisk pace. Concern written all across her face. The head of Project E was not looking forward to this plan. At all. "Misato, you do know you've come up with a completely reckless plan?"

"Don't be rude, Ritsuko!" Misato replied, "It's not reckless! It can be done in the nine hours we have, and can be done with the highest chance of success."

"It does?" Ritsuko replied, surprised. "Really?"

Entering a small room, a large rifle could be seen sitting on the far wall. Still concerned, Ritsko commented on their own Positron Rifle, as it sat against the wall. "Our Positron Rifle doesn't have the capability to handle such a high output. What are you going to do about that?"

"If ours won't work… we'll borrow one of course!"

"We'll borrow one? You don't mean…" Misato grinned a small giggle escaping from her mouth.

"Yep! The Strategic SDF's Lab's new prototype!"

"The Protoype is unfinished!" Ritsuko replied, annoyed. "How are you planning to target the Angel, the target systems on their Prototype don't work."

"We'll just use the Eva!"


Misato had a massive smile on her face as she presented the JSSDF personnel with her requisition order on their Positron Rifle. "I have arrived on behalf of NERV to hereby requisition this Self Propelled Positron Cannon as of 15 hundred hours today."

The personnel of the Scientific Division of the JSSDF stared at Misato in uncertainty. "But this is just ridiculous!" One of the men stated.

"We'll do our best to return the cannon in as close to its original condition as possible." Misato continued, her official tone continuing to come through. "Thank you for your cooperation, and have a nice day!" Misato smiled, then turned to the ceiling. "Okay, Rei! Let's take it away!" Unit-00's orange visage suddenly appeared as it pulled the roof of the storage container away. The JSSDF Personnel behind them started to protest such an action, but Misato paid them no mind, secretly cheerful at their reaction to the Evangelion. "Be careful, Rei! This is a piece of precision machinery." Unit-00 started to take the boxes containing the various pieces of the cannon away. Hyuga stood a short distance away, overseeing the operation.

"But, ma'am." Hyuga stated, "Even so, our calculations show that it will take at least 180 kilowatts to penetrate the Angel's A.T. Field. Where are we going to get all that electricity?"

"Where do you think?" Misato replied, "From all of Japan of course!"


"We apologise for interrupting our regular programming for this Emergency Bulletin." Toji and Kensuke watched from the Suzuhara Residence, both boys held a controller in their hand, but had stopped playing, and where staring at the screen in wonder. "From 11:30 PM tonight, until tomorrow morning," At the Horaki Residence, Hikari sat in front of her laptop, but her attention had been taken by the announcement. "There will be a large scale power blackout throughout most of Japan. We appreciate your cooperation."


- Music from Evangelion 1.0 – Track 14 – The Longest Day II –

Ramiel continued to drill down towards NERV HQ. It's speed never changing as it continued its assault on NERV HQ. In Central Dogma, preparations were underway.

"The Drill has just broken through defensive layer seven."

"What's the status on our energy system?" Misato asked.

"3.2% behind schedule." Hyuga replied, "But, we should manage to be finished by 23:10." He finished as he brought up the absolute mess of cables and machines on the main screen, showing the progress behind the operation.

"And the Positron Rifle?"

"From the Technology Development Department 3, we'll have it built for you in three hours." Replied a voice over the phone.

"How's our defence measures?"

"Well," Ritsuko replied over the phone, Maya by her side. "The best we can come up with is a Shield."

"So, this is the shield?" Maya asked, as they stared up at the giant black piece of metal.

"Yes." Ritsuko replied, "It's a hand-me-down from a single stage to orbit rocket. It may look ugly, but it has a super-electromagnetic base coating that Section 2 guarantees will stand up to the Angel's particle beam for at least seventeen seconds. Pretty impressive, huh?"

"Good." Misato replied from Central Dogma. "Have we determined the Sniper Position?"

"Taking in Geographical features, the range to the target, and power access into consideration, this right here would be the spot." Hyuga replied, checking over a map of the local area from his station, Misato watched from behind him.

"Definitely looks good." Misato replied, "Our sniping point will be atop Mt Futago!" Misato stepped back, taking on a commanding tone. "Our operation will begin tomorrow morning, at 0 hours! From this point on, this operation will be called, Operation Yashima!"

"Roger!"

- End –

"Now our only problem is the pilot." Misato commented to herself.


The gentle beep of the life readings on Shinji Ikari continued in the dull silence of the room. Upon all four points passing the safety line, they quickly turned green and the life support started to be taken off of Shinji. As the box he was placed in started to lift away, Shinji opened his eyes to the world.


The placement of the phone back on its receiver was all the answer Misato needed, but she waited for official confirmation anyway.

"Unit-01's designated pilot is now conscious. His examination results look normal."

"Good." Misato replied, turning quickly. "Then the operation will proceed as planned."

"But… I wonder if he'll pilot again." Ritsuko stated, staring at documents near Misato.

"Let's get to Mt. Futago now!"


"What do you propose we do about Unit-01's pilot?" Fuyutsuki asked as he stood, watching from the window in Gendo Ikari's office.

"We have yet to test the Dummy Plug system." Gendo replied. "We'll try to keep the current pilot in place until they are more… practical."

"In the worst case… there's always brainwashing."

"No. If it doesn't work out, then we'll use Rei."

"Have Rei pilot Unit-01? Isn't that a little too risky?"

"We'll resort to whatever means necessary for us. There are still twelve more Angels to defeat." Fuyutsuki continued to stare out the window. "Only then, will we realise our goal…" Gendo finished.


Shinji stared ahead of him. He was sitting in a dull red train car. The train kept moving, never stopping. This was his train. When he needed comfort, he'd come here. 'I don't like piloting the Eva.' Shinji thought. 'It's expected that I do well… yet no one praises me for it. If I fail, everyone will hate me… or even worse… I could just die.' Shinji continued to stare in front of him as the train car moved. 'So why am I even here?' A Young Shinji was sitting on the seat in front of him. His bags from the day he was abandoned sitting next to him. 'I thought things would change. I thought that good things would happen. I didn't come here to be put through hell.'

"Is that really how you want to spend the rest of your life? Running away from anything unpleasant?" A fake Rei stated near the back of the train car. Shinji didn't look up.

'My life?' Shinji glanced down. 'Why am I alive anyway? I used to think my life wasn't my choice. No one needs me. Whether it's father, or Misato. If I'm not piloting the Eva, then there's no need for me. That's why I have no choice but to pilot the Eva. That's why I have to stay here. But, when I pilot the Eva…'


Shinji was silently resting on the bed he was placed on. Silence reigned. The door opening, or the movement of a trolley woke the boy. Rei pushed the trolley inside, stopping at the boy's bedside. The sudden stop of movement woke Shinji up, turning his head slightly, he took in the sight of the girl in front of him.

"Ayanami…"

"Pilot Ikari." Rei replied, in her usual monotone voice. "I am here to brief you on the timetable of Operation Yashima, which will begin tomorrow at 0 hours." Rei reached into the pocket of her school uniform, pulling out a small book. "Pilots Ikari and Ayanami will arrive at the cage at 17:30. At 18:00, Unit-01 and Unit-00 will activate. At 18:05, Unit-01 and Unit-00 will launch. They will arrive at a temporary base on Mt. Futago at 18:30. There, they will stand by and await orders. The operation will begin promptly at midnight." Rei put the book away, before reaching into the trolley, throwing a new plugsuit at Shinji. "Here, this is a new one." Shinji sighed, sitting up in bed. Rei continued to stare, not caring. "Don't show up looking half-asleep, or like that, Pilot Ikari." Shinji stared at the girl a moment, before noticing the sheet hadn't really covered him up very well. He yelped, covering himself quickly, his face red with embarrassment.

- Music from Evangelion 1.0 – Track 12 – Cruel Dilemme II -

"Sorry." Shinji said quietly. Rei was not perturbed. "All I've been doing since yesterday is apologise." Shinji glanced over at the trolley, where some basic food sat on a tray.

"Your meal." Rei simply said. Shinji turned back to the bed.

"I don't want to eat anything."

"We will be departing in sixty minutes." Rei replied.

"Do I have to pilot that thing again?"

"Yes, you do."

"I don't want to, though." Shinji replied, stuffing his face in the sheets. "Maybe you can be so cool about it, but… you haven't had the experiences that I've had. I don't want to go through that again."

"Then you can just stay in bed."

"Stay here? What do you mean?" Shinji replied, glancing up at Rei.

"I'll pilot Unit-01. Dr. Akagi is already prepared to rewrite Unit-01's personal data files."

"Ritsuko is…" Shinji replied, disbelief in his voice.

"I'm leaving now. Captain Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi will be waiting at the cage." Rei said, before turning and walking back towards the exit.

"Hey, Rei!" Shinji called after her, an attempt to get her to come back.

"Goodbye." Rei said, before the door shut behind her.

- End –

つづく


That's the end of Chapter 12. Next chapter? Operation Yashima occurs and Ramiel receives a proper fight. There won't be much in terms of Sachiel and Shamshel banter until after Episode 6 is finished, as they weren't really required here. They were busy waiting for news on Shinji at the apartment. Next chapter will also most likely be a big one, so until then… Ciao!

Changes:

The scene with SEELE at the beginning is brand new. As I haven't introduced SEELE yet. (The Human Instrumentality Committee is not all of SEELE, only a few members.)
The obvious one. Ramiel is based on Rebuild and Shinji nearly dies in his initial attack.
A scene in Shinji's mind after he's nearly killed, showing a bit of his life before Tokyo-3.
The initial planning scene is a mixture of NGE and 1.0.
Fuyutsuki's and Gendo's conversation about the Dummy Plug is from 1.0.
Shinji's train car hell before he wakes up from 1.0.

Reviews!:

Guest: Thanks for the review! I plan to take this all the way through to EoE. Suggestions for Angel genders that weren't decided in Chapter 11 would be great though.

blAnk: Considering the personality for Ramiel as well... It'll be interesting to say the least.