Chapter 6: Trial by Fire **** "I've fought in several Major battles over the past year and yes I've killed in combat, it was kill or be killed, the difference this time? - We know who we kill, we're fighting our own" - Asuka Langly Souryu after the Battle for Tokyo 3

**** Meanwhile in Central Dogma, things were normal, well other than the construction work going on around them. A Radar Monitor started beeping wildly.

"Damm thing, I've told the engineers to fix this three time", Aroba said to a colleague.

On the screen were 12 green dots heading towards the centre from all directions. "Probably just another false alarm just like the last 8 times this week" Nagia said as he fiddled with some wiring under a console.

"Get visual confirmation" said the sub commander from his desk.

Aroba moved from the Radar screen to the Video monitors, fell of his chair and screamed "SHIT! EVA CARRIERS! " As he hit the Alarm button. Klaxons started to ring all through NERV Headquarters "Waning All personal report to stage 1 alert - this is not a drill repeat this is not a drill". Seconds later there was a brilliant white flash as an N2 mine was detonated overhead and the sky turned orange.

The angel alarm resonated through the remnants of Tokyo three, Citizens of this battle fortress had become complaisant they thought with the last angel gone they could finally live in peace however some had other ideas.

Any electronic equipment in NERV HQ was rendered useless from the E.M.P. even though it was heavily shielded it could not take a direct hit like that. Commander Gendou Ikari entered the Command Deck and asked for a Status report.

"Sir, Reports of Eva's being air dropped and JSDF forces are moving into the city" Aroba managed to get one of the Monitors online the picture of a huge white Eva bearing no known military markings dominated the screen. In several smaller windows images of Tanks, rocket launchers and troops moving into the city outskirts can be seen.

"Send out our Eva's to combat", Gendou ordered. "Unit 00 is still under repair, Unit01 and Unit 02 are combat ready", a technician reported. "Send Shinji in Unit 05", Gendou ordered; "Shinji has to conquer the machine". "Aye" came the hesitant reply as they made preparations to launch Unit 05 from its Cage and unleash the monster once again.

Shinji sat alone in the control plug of Unit 05, the distinctive blue light all around him. Shinji remembered the last time he sat here as he went through the pre-activation tests.

"Sir, What happens if I go rouge again?", Shinji asked timidly. "Do not concern yourself third child, we now have remote control of your self destruct circuits" came the reply. Shinji continued the systems checks.

"Eva armour at 100% of nominal, S2 Drive online, Targeting system online, Master arm - armed, AT field at 40% and rising. All systems green across the board"

"Preparing to Activate Eva, running system Start up, Power system online, nerve connectors - connected, system reaching absolute border line, Borderline cleared, Unit 05 activated, switching from main power to internal S2 drive - all systems go, releasing locks 1 through 8, Releasing locks 9 to 14, - all safety locks released. Shinji you are green to go"

"EVA LAUNCH!", Misato yelled pushing the "launch" button on her console.

The Eva Rocketed out of its Cage into the launch tube shooting upward toward the surface where it would face the JSDF forces. The Eva shot out of the launch tube like a bullet from a gun, activating its full combat mode. Landing on one knee. Drawing its Positron rifle and taking aim.

Shinji found as he was about to fire, the White Eva was replaced by the image of his friend Kensuke asking him why he was trying to hurt him. Shinji changed target, this time Hikari appeared to him, then Touji, then Misato, every time he chose a target it would turn out to be one of his friends, they all asked the same question "why?"

"Are they my enemies?" Shinji asked himself, Shinji Looked at the various armed forces rolling down the streets of Tokyo 3; "or are they my enemies? No they're just following orders." Shinji was totally confused, he didn't know where to turn his enemies were all around him, yet they were also his friends. He couldn't fight his friends - could he?

"Ahhhhhh", Asuka screamed over the comm. link, as she destroyed an Enemy Eva with her Lance, "Shinji, Snap out of it, SHINJI", Asuka yelled.

"They're not my enemies, they're just following orders", Shinji spoke but his words were hollow and confused.

"Shinji, anyone who tries to take your life is an enemy. Do you want your friends to die? Hikari, Touji, Kensuke, Rei, Hikaru, Misato, they will all die unless you fight - fight for them if nothing else, Shinji..Ahhhh", Asuka's message was cut off replaced by a painful scream.

"ASUKA!", Shinji yelled, and acting on pure instinct had moved to Asuka's Position and Sliced right through the Offending Eva with his lance that was hurting his friend. Shinji started to break down into tears as the White Eva fell to pieces, he had killed once again.

"GOT IT", Aroba Yelled in the command centre of NERV headquarters. "It's a Dummy plug signal! There unmanned"

"You hear that Asuka, Shinji, they're nothing but lifeless dolls? So don't hold back", Maya relayed.

"Got it" Asuka said. "Asuka, you take the ground forces, I'll deal with the Eva's, its time they learnt a computer is no match for a human pilot, I detest the dummy plug system" "Roger, see you at dinner"

Somehow knowing that the Eva's had been unmanned had set Shinji free, the Battle was ferocious. Shinji quickly moved and Dispatched one Eva with his lance, then another two with the Ribbon Cutters. Shinji reclaimed his Positron Cannon and dispatched another three, Shinji flew through the streets of Tokyo three, slicing and cutting as he went, not stopping at all just moving quickly onto the next target

After all they were just lifeless dolls to him. ****

Commander Ikari viewed the battle of Tokyo 3 as a distraction. Hopefully it would by him enough time to complete his plans. Gendou Ikari pressed a button on his Console. "Rei, Report to Terminal Dogma, it is time"

"Y. yes sir", came the timid reply from Rei.

As Commander Ikari approached the Elevator behind him, the hand of the Sub Commander stopped him.

"Yes old friend?" Gendou Asked.

"Give my regards to Yui" Said the sub commander. Gendou nodded as entered the Elevator, pressing the button that would take him to the same level as Heavens door.

*****

With every battle Shinji's reaction time seemed to increase faster and faster until he was moving literally at the speed of thought, all the Eva's were soon destroyed or Disabled. Shinji could still hear heavy fighting from the south of the city where Asuka was "Dealing" with the ground forces. Between them they had made short work of the remaining forces they were ready to return to NERV.

****

As Commander Ikari Approached the large white door. The computer voice sounded "Voice Print, Retinal scan required".

Gendou placed his hand on the security scanner and said "Command Gendou Ikari, Commanding officer of NERV Operations" he then bent down and placed his eye to the retinal scanner.

After several seconds the computer chimed "Access Granted" as he entered the large room where the dormant Lilith mother of all living things was nailed to the Red Cross and held against her will. Rei was already waiting for him.

****

"Come here Rei", Commander Ikari beckoned with his Right hand. The very same hand he had Adam the First Angel grafted to. Rei started to walk closer then stopped. "Now my plans will reach fruition, come Rei we have work to do"

Rei didn't move.

"It doesn't matter Rei, weather we do it here of there, the effect will be the same" Gendou Said as he began to walk towards the First child but stopped when Rei Pulled from behind her back a gun, aimed it at Gendou's head and cocked the hammer.

"Stop", Rei said simply.

"Rei, Third impact must be realised, I Must spend all eternity with my Yui" Gendou stated; "Don't you wish to be one with Adam again Dear Lilith?"

Rei considered this for but a moment before answering "More than you will ever know, but I'm going to stop you, Commander Ikari", Rei pulled the trigger several times. Each of the bullets struck Gendou in the Right Arm. Severing it from Gendou's body it made a satisfying "splat" as it fell to the ground.

Gendou held what was left of his right arm in pain as blood dripped to the floor Rei walked away. As she reached the doorway she heard the distinctive Click as the hammer of a gun was cocked. She heard the Shot and expected to feel the pain of the bullet entering her body any second after. When she turned around. Commander Ikari lay dead on the floor.

She looked to her left to see Dr Ritsuko akagi still aiming the smoking gun where commander Ikari had stood moments earlier. "You.bastard" she muttered as she started to cry.

Rei simply walked away leaving Ritsuko with some time alone. She suspected that The Doctor would never tell her the reasons for her actions but that didn't bother the First child at all because for once she was thankful she was alive.

'I have done what you asked off me brother, now it is time for you to keep your end of the bargain' Rei spoke telepathically

'Of course my dearest sister, and thank you' came the reply

'I do not require your thanks brother, I did not do this for you'

****

Location: NERV Banquet Hall Time: 9-p.m. Japanese standard time. 1 month Later

The music played all around them and people mingled with other guests, some sat sipping wine and others eat party food. While some just danced. At a table in the corner several people sat talking.

"So any luck finding out what happened to Commander Ikari?" Misato asked.

"Just before he died all the files relating to 'Heavens door' were deleted from the database and backups so whatever he was working on died with him",

The forever unshaven man Kaji interrupted Ritsuko train to thought

"Hello, mind if I sit?" Kaji asked no specific person, Misato then squealed with joy and clung to Kaji like a human Barnacle

"Geez, she's worse than Asuka", Ritsuko commented. "Well he IS my Fiancée, you know", Misato snapped back; "and the father of my child" "WHAT!" Kaji screamed where Ritsuko simple raised an eyebrow.

***

On the table next to them sat the children, Kensuke, Touji, Shinji, Rei, Hikaru, and Asuka who had invited Hikari. They all sat talking amongst themselves all except Hikari.

Hikari and Shinji kept glancing at each other every so often, each wanting to say something but neither having the bottle to actually say it. However it was Hikari who made the first move.

"Shinji, can I speak with you?"

"I guess", came the reply, he had not really forgiven the brown haired girl but had come to accept her decision, even though it still hurt inside.

The pair walked outside into the main corridor to get some privacy while they talked, well as much privacy as you could get in a NERV building.

"Shinji, this isn't easy for me", Hikari spoke as she grabbed onto his arm and looked down in shame; "I. I. want you to know that, I know about. well. you know"

"Oh", came his reply; "I thought you may have"

"I just want to know, did it happen when we were.going out?" she asked

"No, it was before us", was the only response.

"I see, how did it happen. was she drunk?"

"The first time, yes, but the other time she was just horny"

"I see what are you going to do?" she said concerned.

"There is nothing I can do, someone else is protecting her now, someone who is much stronger than I am", he spoke with pain.

"I. I think your strong Shinji, your much stronger than you think",

Hikari looked up into Shinji's eyes, she could still see the love there, even though he tried to hide it. He looked away but she moved his face around with her hand, so he was once again looking at her, then she did the most unexpected thing, she kissed him.

It wasn't a passionate kiss like the one's he had shared with Misato, nor was it the friendly peck on the cheek, that he was used too from various people. It was a kiss from someone who truly cared about him more than she would ever tell him and that made it the most special kiss he ever had and ever will.

"Believe in this", Hikari said after she pulled away, then ran back into the party leaving Shinji standing there.

*****

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