Disclaimer: Same as before. I do not own NGE
Chap. 9
Nerv HQ
Ritsuko replayed the data over her computer, verify what she had discovered. So that is what happened. A once in a lifetime accident caused by two people I thought would never happen to. Now the question is, how do I separate them?
"Still working I see."
Ritsuko's gaze didn't change as Misato entered the room. Misato took her usual seat near the window in her office.
"Actually, I think I've discovered something. And you probably won't believe it."
"Oh?"
"I found out how they joined."
______
Katsuragi residence
Misato returned to her house right after work. Luckily, today was a slow day so she was able to leave early. She was still a little dazzled about what Ritsuko told her. If not for the seriousness of the matter, it would almost be funny. As she entered, she noticed that the place was quiet. Not too surprising though. Shinji was always quiet, and Tsunami never spoke too much as well. That may be better, she thought to herself. I don't think I can handle it if she was louder than Asuka. Misato looked in the kitchen and saw a can of beer already out with a small note next to it.
Misato-san
Out for dinner. Will be back late.
Shinji/ Tsunami
Misato couldn't help but grin at this. Those two out? Like...a date? Her grin then faded. Perhaps, one last night together...
___
Shinji and Tsunami were now on the hill overlooking Tokyo-3. They had had dinner already, but it was still early and the sun was just setting when they reached the top of the hill. As the sun slowly began to set, the lights of the city began to come and lit up in a beautiful scene.
"So this is where you go?"
Shinji nodded, "Sometimes. Misato showed me this place when I first came here. "
"It's beautiful."
He looked down slightly, "It helps me for when...you know, when things get bad."
"Thank you...for sharing."
Tsunami turned her head to the scene, but her eyes remained on Shinji. She felt a warm sensation simply by watching him. It was the same feeling Rei we feel when she would look at him occasionally. It is also the same feeling Asuka had when she kissed Shinji that one time. Even though it was brief and she was cruel for holding his nose, a feeling still stayed attached. Asuka would never admit it, but sometimes she would wish to do it again, without holding his nose. It was the only thing both girls had in common with each other.
"Shinji?"
"Hmm?"
"I really care about you. A lot."
Shinji's eyes widened. That was out of the blue. What...what do I say to that? Stay calm. Stay calm. I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away.
"T...Thank you, Tsunami-chan. I care a lot about you too."
Tsunami gave a small smile and turned back to look at the city as Shinji looked at the purple-haired girl adoringly, unable to take his eyes off of her. As he watched, Tsunami slowly began to sway toward him until she was leaning on him. Shinji's eyes widened slightly, but what was even stranger was his arm. He had no control over it as it slowly wrapped itself around her waist and arm. Nevertheless, he enjoyed holding her. And seeing the contented look on her face, she did too. But then she began to fidget a bit and Shinji thought that she was trying to move his arm away. But then she turned to face him and held his arm, keeping it wrapped around her. Shinji nearly snapped. I...I can't believe this is really happening. Shinji looked down at her, but her face was buried in his chest and she was trembling slightly.
"Is...something wrong, Tsunami-chan?"
"No. On the contrary. Everything is just right."
Unfortunately, it wasn't to last long...
A small beeping came from Shinji's pocket. Shinji reached down and pulled out his cell phone and answered it. Yet both pilots knew it could only be one thing.
"Yes...okay, we're on our way."
Tsunami looked up at him, almost disappointed.
"It's an angel."
"Yeah."
_________
Nerv HQ
On the command deck, an image of a serpent-like creature lumbered its way toward the city of Tokyo-3. It was a bizarre splash of blue, green, and red. It had two reverse joint legs and three silvery orbs floated around it. And it appeared to have seven eyes. As the creature continued on, in the docking area, Misato awaited the arrival of the two pilots. Shinji and Tsunami entered the bay in their plugsuits. Tsunami was wearing Asuka's red plugsuit, figuring that she would be using 02 since it was more powerful than 00. But Misato had other plans.
"I'm going alone?"
"We don't know what will happen if Tsunami pilots either Eva's or how they will react to her. It will be difficult, but you have to do it."
Shinji raised his hand in salute, "Yes, sir."
Shinji was taken to his entry plug while Tsunami stayed behind in the docking bay. The Eva's eyes lit up and it stood up straight. In the control room, Misato gave the order.
"Launch Eva!"
The purple Eva shot straight up through the elevator and up to the surface. As the angel continued on its approach, a loud slamming sound was heard and one of the buildings opened to reveal the Eva. Nearby, one of the supply buildings opened and a rifle ejected out. 01 grabbed the rifle and aimed. Inside the control room, Misato, Ritsuko and the rest of the control crew monitored the battle.
"I hope this is the right thing to do."
Ritsuko responded, "It isn't. It's the only thing to do."
The angel floated within range and 01 unleashed a hail of bullets. The angel shrieked, but it continued toward the Eva. Dropping the rifle, 01 next pulled out a lance and charged. One of the angels orbs shot forward, but 01 leaped over it and struck down. But the angel raised its AT field at the last minute and 01 bounced backward. The angel then shot forward and launched the two remaining orbs. Shini dodged the first one, but the second connected with the Eva's chest and ignited into white light. 01 fell back, still being struck with deadly energy. In the control room, everyone scrambled around.
"Chest coils have been damaged. Power is dropping rapidly."
Misato screamed over the intercom, "Shinji! Shinji, do you copy! Shinji!"
Inside the Eva, Shinji was unable to respond as he was being fried by the energy.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In the docking bay, Tsunami clenched her fists tightly as she watched the angel shock 01. She was visibly angry at what was going on.
"No. I...can't...let this...go on."
____
"Major, 02 is activating."
"What?"
Ritsuko was just as surprised, "But that's impossible. The entry plug hasn't even been inserted. Is it infected?"
"No. All screens are clear. Wait, now 00 is activating?"
"How can that happen?"
"I'm picking up a blue signal...in the docking area."
"Show me."
The side monitor lit up and showed the view of the docking bay. There, between the two Evas was an intense glowing light. The figure was blurred, but easily recognizable.
"Tsunami?"
The Eva pilot was glowing in a bright light, an AT field. Her face was consorted with rage and both Evas struggled against the harnesses as to convey the anger of the pilot. Misato watched as they were begin to tear out of the restraints
"Launch 00 and 02."
Ritsuko immediately objected, "You can't do that. You're not authorized..."
Misato cut her off, "We don't have time for this. Launch now!"
Both Evas were shot through the elevators and up to the surface where 01 was still being struck down.
"You want to fight? You got it!"
Both Evas charged in a furious rage as they both tackled the angel, releasing 01 in the process. The three bodies slid on the ground tearing up the landscape as they did. The angel managed to toss both Evas off, but was open to the incoming 01. The Eva struck out, but the angel re-summoned its AT field. 01 stepped back and the angel fired a energy beam, shredding the Evas shoulder.
"Grrraahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"
Shinji growled inside and 01 knelt down. The angel then raised the orb again and was about to strike down when...
"What?"
The angel suddenly froze; it's AT field now shifting colors. Shinji looked up and saw the remaining Evas on both sides of it, their own AT fields up and eroding the angel's. The angel was stuck in between and unable to move. Shini looked down and picked up the fallen lance. Steadying it, his Eva's AT field emerged and completely shattered the angel's. Raising the weapon high, he struck right in the center of the creature, driving it deep in order to reach the core. The lance dug deep inside and hit the core beginning to crack it. A desperate roar sounded and the angel began to glow.
"Oh, no! It's going to self-destruct!"
The angel exploded in a bright flash of white light, engulfing all three Evas and destroying the ground beneath them.
"Shinji!"
The explosive fire raged the area for a while before suddenly dying out. In its place, the two Eva stood side-by-side with Shinji's Eva, their AT fields covering themselves and him. 01 was on the ground, unmoving and motionless.
"Shinji? Shinji, come in."
No response…
"Eject the pod. Get the crews over there. Make sure the pilot is still alive."
It was then that the other two Evas suddenly bent down to the ground and shut down. As that happened, Tsunami stopped glowing and suddenly fell to the ground.
"Shi...nji...live..."