Chapter 13
The next day…
"Oi! Shinji!!"
Shinji stops and turns around.
"Oh, hey Kensuke."
The camera-bearing boy jogged up next to Shinji. They continued their trek to school.
"I've been meaning to ask you. Do you know where Toji's been lately? I haven't seen him around."
Shinji faces away from his friend.
"Toji? Well, um, I really don't know. He never told me anything…."
"Oh, well. I guess he'll turn up sooner or later."
"Yeah."
"Hey, where's Asuka? Don't you two usually walk to school together?"
"Oh, she left early with Hikari."
"Ah."
The two boys made their way to school.
After school….
"Shinji, you wanna hang out at the arcade?"
"Um, can't Kensuke."
"How come?"
"Well, um, they're having me do tests at NERV."
"Like what?"
"Um, can't tell you. Top secret."
"Aw man. Oh well, how about tomorrow then?"
"Um, I'll be at NERV everyday for the next 30 days."
"30 days?!! Why don't they use the other Evas?"
"I guess since I pilot the Test Type, they use it to test the new stuff."
"Oh, well, yeah, I guess. Well, see you later then, Shinji!"
Kensuke heads off towards the arcade.
"Yeah, see ya."
Shinji watches as his friend vanishes around the corner and then makes his way to the apartment.
4 days later….
"Status!"
"The Magi have confirmed, it's the 14th Angel, Zeruel."
"What's its location?"
"It is currently hovering 100 kilometers from the city and closing."
"Hyuga, what's the status of the pilots?"
"Asuka has just been inserted into Unit 02, Rei is standing by, and Shinji has been escorted to the 13th Shelter by Section 2."
The eyes of the Angel glow and then it fires a cross-blast at the city.
"The first 18 layers of armor have been penetrated!"
"Incredible! 18 layers of special armor in one hit," mumbles Hyuga.
"Position Unit 02 inside the Geofront, directly in front of headquarters and have it attack the target as soon as it enters. What is the status of Unit 00?"
"The left arm hasn't been regenerated yet," replies Ritsuko.
"Sortie Rei in Unit 01 and have the dummy plug ready as a backup system," says Gendo.
"Start entry."
"Charging LCL."
"Commencing A-10 nerve connections."
Rei sits in the entry plug. Just as the last connections are established, she lurches forwards and covers her mouth with her hand.
"Pulse flow is reversing!"
"Unit 01 is refusing the neural connection!" says Maya.
"Abort activation. Sortie Rei in Unit 00," comes Gendo over the comm, "Reactivate Unit 01 with the dummy plug system."
"But Unit 00 isn't ready yet!" says Misato.
"It is not a problem. I can go."
"If I die, I can be replace," Rei mumbles.
Zeruel fires four more cross blasts at the city, penetrating down to the last layer of armor. It fires the final blow, obliterating the last layer of armor. Below, Asuka stands ready, pointing a rifle at the hole in the Geofront. The Angel hovers over the hole and begins to descend.
Just as the Angel begins to appear through the hole, Asuka opens fire at with a machine gun. All of the shots hit their mark. The Angel continues to descent, unfazed by the rounds impacting its flesh. As it lands, the gun runs out of ammo.
"Damn it!"
She tosses the gun aside and picks up two more machine guns and opens fire.
"I'm neutralizing its AT Field, aren't I?" she mumbles.
The rifles soon run out of ammo. She tosses them aside and picks up a pair of rocket launchers. The rockets fly from the tubes and explode on the Angel. The sides of the Angel unfold and then fly at Unit 02 at lightning- speeds. They slice through the shoulders. The Angel moves the blades, sending the Eva's arms flying off to its sides. Asuka screams in pain.
"You bastard…"
Asuka looks up at the Angel and stares in horror as it send the blade shooting out back at her.
"Cut all the nerve connections, now!" yells Misato.
The blade slices cleanly through Unit 02's neck, sending the head flying backwards.
"What's the status of the pilot?!"
"She's alive! The connections were cut just in time."
The 13th Shelter…
Shinji leans against one of the walls in the shelter.
"Damn it! I should be out there helping. I hope Asuka's ok…."
His thoughts are cut off by a large crash at the other end of the shelter. He falls to the ground and covers his head. After a few seconds, he stands up and stares in horror at at head of Unit 02.
"No…Asuka…"
Shinji stands up and looks around. He sees the two Section 2 guards under some of the rubble. He walks up to them and checks their pulses.
"They're alive. Sorry guys, but I'm outta here."
Shinji sprints off towards the nearest exit and makes a beeline for NERV.
"What's the status of Unit 01?
"It's rejecting the dummy system!" replies Ritsuko.
"Unit 00 is being launched!" yells Shigeru.
"What?"
Asuka climbs out of the ejected entry plug. She climbs down and gazes up at what's left of Unit 02. She hears some movement behind her and turns around.
"Kaji-kun! What are you doing here?!"
Kaji faces the redhead.
"That's my line."
He turns his attention back to the ground in front of him.
"What are you doing here, Asuka?"
"My Eva was disabled by the Angel. I can't believe I can't do anything to help!!"
"Well, since my other job has become public knowledge, I'm off the combat roster. So, here I am, sprinkling."
"Why are you dong that now? An Angel is attacking!!"
"What better time? Although I'd rather be between Misato's breasts, I wouldn't mind being here when I die."
"What do you mean 'die'?"
"Well, it is said that if an Angel comes in contact with Adam, who is beneath us, humanity will be eradicated. The Third Impact. The only thing that can stop the Angels is something with equal power."
"The Evangelions."
"Yes."
The sound of mechanical parts moving attracts Asuka's attention. Unit 00 emerges from the ground and charges at the Angel.
"What does Wondergirl think she's doing?! She only has one arm and no rifle! What does she…"
Asuka's eyes widen with horror as she looks at what is cradles in the Eva's right arm.
"An N2 Mine? Is she crazy?!"
The blue Eva charges at the Angel It collides with its AT Field.
"AT Field full power," mumbles Rei.
Unit 00 pushes the mine into the field. It slowly begins to give way. She manages to break through the field and slam the mine into the core. Just before the mine reaches the core, a protective shielding closes around the red orb. The mine explodes, sending a shockwave through the area. After the smoke clears, Unit 00 is on the ground, deactivated.
Kaji continues to water his watermelons.
"A friend once told me something. He told me that love can conquer all. I really never understood it at the time, but now I do. So I pass it on to you. Just remember that, Asuka."
Asuka doesn't respond. She watches as the Angel makes it way to headquarters.
"It's heading here!" yells Shigeru.
"What? What does it want with Central Dogma?"
"I don't know, ma'am."
"What's the status of Unit 01?"
"It's still rejecting the dummy system!" says Ritsuko.
"Abort the activation and eject the plug," orders Gendo.
"But.."
"If it won't accept it now, it never will. Evacuate Central Dogma, Major."
Misato nods in reply. The emergency message blazes over the speakers.
"All personal, evacuate Central Dogma. I repeat, all personal…"
After a few minutes, the wall in front of the command crew crumbles and Zeruel steps through the gapping hole. The remaining crew stares in horror at the Angel. Its eyes begin to glow. Suddenly, Eva Unit 01 smashes through the right wall and tackles the Angel, sending both of them through the left wall. The Eva continues to struggle with the Angel. They crash through one of the cages. Unit 01 is slammed against a wall and the Angel fires a beam, slicing off the Eva's left arm. Shinji ignores the pain and rushes the Angel, sending towards the catapults.
"Misato!!"
"Launch catapult 5!!"
Aoba nods in response and launches the platform.
As the platform ascends, Shinji holds the Angel's had against the wall. They are shot out of the top. The Eva lands on top of the Angel and begins to punch at the core with its right arm.
The crew rushes out of Central Dogma and watches the battle from a distance. Just as the Eva's fist comes down for a 5th time, it stops in mid-air.
"Its internal batteries have run out. Unit 01 is silent," says Maya.
"Shinji.."
"Move! Move! Move!" yells Shinji as he pushes on the controls.
The Angel wraps one of its 'arms' around the Eva's head and hurls it towards a nearby hill. Zeruel makes it way to the fallen fighter and tears off a piece of its chest armor. It then fires a blast at the chest plate, exposing a dark, red orb.
The Angel appears to stare at the orb for a second. It pulls back its blades and begins to pound at it.
The crew stares Unit 01.
"Misato!!"
Misato turns and sees Asuka running towards her.
"Asuka! What are you doing here?"
"I didn't feel like being stuck in that entry plug for the whole time so I got out."
Asuka notices that the crew is all staring in the same general location. Curious, she follows their gaze.
"Oh my God! Shinji!!"
"Please move! I want to fight! I want to fight to protect..to protect all those I care about…all those that I love…"
Images run through Shinji's mind, of Misato, Kaji, Ritsuko, Toji, Hikari, Kensuke, Rei, and all his friends. Then an image of Asuka appears.
"Asuka. Let me protect them!! Let me protect her…."
The sound of a heartbeat echoes through the plug. Shinji looks up. Another heartbeat echoes through the plug.
The Angel brings its left 'arm' down for another blow. Suddenly, the Eva's eyes glow brightly. It brings its right arm up and shreds the blade between its fingers. The Eva grips the shredded blade and pulls the Angel towards it. The Angel lurches forward and lands on top of the Eva, its face right in front of the Eva's. Unit 01 breathes heavily and then kicks the Angel off of it, while holding onto the blade. It tears off of the Angel. Zeruel lands on its back. Unit 01 stands up and places the blade on what's left of its left arm. The blade begins to bulge with brown masses, and then it takes the form of the Eva's lost arm.
"My God," mumbles Misato.
"Sempai! Shinji's sync ratio is at over 400 percent!!"
"What?! Are you sure about that?" asks Ritsuko.
"Yes, and Unit 01's arm has been completely regenerated."
Zeruel stands up and lashes at Unit 01 was its remaining 'arm.' The Eva sees this and raises its right arm and brings it down in a sweeping motion. The familiar orange octagons ripple in front of the Angel, slicing off its remaining arm. The Angel falls on its back. Unit 01 begins to sway forward. It leans over and is soon standing on all fours. It crawls towards the fallen Angel like a hungry spider. Zeruel makes an attempt to stand up but is stoped by the Eva's hand in its head. The Eva looks around for a second and then leans over the Angel and begins to feast.
Maya covers her mouth as she looks away from the gruesome scene.
"Is she taking the S2 organ into herself?" says Ritsuko as she stares wide- eyed at the Eva.
"Misato! What's going on?" asks Asuka.
"I don't know Asuka. I don't know."
Unit 01 stands up and roars. Several areas on the armor break.
"The bindings..," says a shocked Ritsuko.
"Bindings?" asks Hyuga.
"Yes. You see, that isn't really armor on the Evas. It is in fact bindings that allow us to control and use its power. Unit 01 has removed the bindings using its own will. We can no longer control her."
"But what about Shinji?!" asks Asuka.
"There's nothing we can do for him now. All we can do is wait till she deactivates."
Asuka looks up at the berserk Eva.
"Shinji…."
The Eva looks around and begins to walk off away from the pyramid.
"Where's it going?" asks Misato.
Her question is soon answered as the Eva stops in next to the body of Unit 02. It reaches out and disconnects the umbilical cable. It then carefully picks up the Eva and carries it over to an area next to the pyramid.
"What is it doing?" asks Aoba.
"I don't know. I have never seen anything like this before," answers Ritsuko.
The Eva lays Unit 02 on the ground and then walks off again. It soon returns with both of the red Eva's arms and its head. It places the parts in their respective locations and then places its own hands on Unit 02's chest. Unit 01's S2 organ begins to glow. Everyone watches on amazement as the limbs and head reattach themselves to the Eva's body. Unit 01 stands up again and walks off towards Unit 00. It kneels down next to the fallen Eva and tears off the armor above the entry plug. The entry plug is automatically ejected, expelling the LCL. It takes the entry plug into its left hand and picks up the Eva with its right and places it next to the other Eva. Unit 01 turns and walks towards the crew.
Everyone begins to panic as the Eva approaches them. It stops and kneels down, gingerly placing the entry plug down near the crew. Unit 01 looks down at the crew for a few seconds, who stare back at it in a mix of shock, fear, and panic. The Eva then turns its sights towards Asuka. It stares for a brief moment, then shuts down.
The next day…
"Oi! Shinji!!"
Shinji stops and turns around.
"Oh, hey Kensuke."
The camera-bearing boy jogged up next to Shinji. They continued their trek to school.
"I've been meaning to ask you. Do you know where Toji's been lately? I haven't seen him around."
Shinji faces away from his friend.
"Toji? Well, um, I really don't know. He never told me anything…."
"Oh, well. I guess he'll turn up sooner or later."
"Yeah."
"Hey, where's Asuka? Don't you two usually walk to school together?"
"Oh, she left early with Hikari."
"Ah."
The two boys made their way to school.
After school….
"Shinji, you wanna hang out at the arcade?"
"Um, can't Kensuke."
"How come?"
"Well, um, they're having me do tests at NERV."
"Like what?"
"Um, can't tell you. Top secret."
"Aw man. Oh well, how about tomorrow then?"
"Um, I'll be at NERV everyday for the next 30 days."
"30 days?!! Why don't they use the other Evas?"
"I guess since I pilot the Test Type, they use it to test the new stuff."
"Oh, well, yeah, I guess. Well, see you later then, Shinji!"
Kensuke heads off towards the arcade.
"Yeah, see ya."
Shinji watches as his friend vanishes around the corner and then makes his way to the apartment.
4 days later….
"Status!"
"The Magi have confirmed, it's the 14th Angel, Zeruel."
"What's its location?"
"It is currently hovering 100 kilometers from the city and closing."
"Hyuga, what's the status of the pilots?"
"Asuka has just been inserted into Unit 02, Rei is standing by, and Shinji has been escorted to the 13th Shelter by Section 2."
The eyes of the Angel glow and then it fires a cross-blast at the city.
"The first 18 layers of armor have been penetrated!"
"Incredible! 18 layers of special armor in one hit," mumbles Hyuga.
"Position Unit 02 inside the Geofront, directly in front of headquarters and have it attack the target as soon as it enters. What is the status of Unit 00?"
"The left arm hasn't been regenerated yet," replies Ritsuko.
"Sortie Rei in Unit 01 and have the dummy plug ready as a backup system," says Gendo.
"Start entry."
"Charging LCL."
"Commencing A-10 nerve connections."
Rei sits in the entry plug. Just as the last connections are established, she lurches forwards and covers her mouth with her hand.
"Pulse flow is reversing!"
"Unit 01 is refusing the neural connection!" says Maya.
"Abort activation. Sortie Rei in Unit 00," comes Gendo over the comm, "Reactivate Unit 01 with the dummy plug system."
"But Unit 00 isn't ready yet!" says Misato.
"It is not a problem. I can go."
"If I die, I can be replace," Rei mumbles.
Zeruel fires four more cross blasts at the city, penetrating down to the last layer of armor. It fires the final blow, obliterating the last layer of armor. Below, Asuka stands ready, pointing a rifle at the hole in the Geofront. The Angel hovers over the hole and begins to descend.
Just as the Angel begins to appear through the hole, Asuka opens fire at with a machine gun. All of the shots hit their mark. The Angel continues to descent, unfazed by the rounds impacting its flesh. As it lands, the gun runs out of ammo.
"Damn it!"
She tosses the gun aside and picks up two more machine guns and opens fire.
"I'm neutralizing its AT Field, aren't I?" she mumbles.
The rifles soon run out of ammo. She tosses them aside and picks up a pair of rocket launchers. The rockets fly from the tubes and explode on the Angel. The sides of the Angel unfold and then fly at Unit 02 at lightning- speeds. They slice through the shoulders. The Angel moves the blades, sending the Eva's arms flying off to its sides. Asuka screams in pain.
"You bastard…"
Asuka looks up at the Angel and stares in horror as it send the blade shooting out back at her.
"Cut all the nerve connections, now!" yells Misato.
The blade slices cleanly through Unit 02's neck, sending the head flying backwards.
"What's the status of the pilot?!"
"She's alive! The connections were cut just in time."
The 13th Shelter…
Shinji leans against one of the walls in the shelter.
"Damn it! I should be out there helping. I hope Asuka's ok…."
His thoughts are cut off by a large crash at the other end of the shelter. He falls to the ground and covers his head. After a few seconds, he stands up and stares in horror at at head of Unit 02.
"No…Asuka…"
Shinji stands up and looks around. He sees the two Section 2 guards under some of the rubble. He walks up to them and checks their pulses.
"They're alive. Sorry guys, but I'm outta here."
Shinji sprints off towards the nearest exit and makes a beeline for NERV.
"What's the status of Unit 01?
"It's rejecting the dummy system!" replies Ritsuko.
"Unit 00 is being launched!" yells Shigeru.
"What?"
Asuka climbs out of the ejected entry plug. She climbs down and gazes up at what's left of Unit 02. She hears some movement behind her and turns around.
"Kaji-kun! What are you doing here?!"
Kaji faces the redhead.
"That's my line."
He turns his attention back to the ground in front of him.
"What are you doing here, Asuka?"
"My Eva was disabled by the Angel. I can't believe I can't do anything to help!!"
"Well, since my other job has become public knowledge, I'm off the combat roster. So, here I am, sprinkling."
"Why are you dong that now? An Angel is attacking!!"
"What better time? Although I'd rather be between Misato's breasts, I wouldn't mind being here when I die."
"What do you mean 'die'?"
"Well, it is said that if an Angel comes in contact with Adam, who is beneath us, humanity will be eradicated. The Third Impact. The only thing that can stop the Angels is something with equal power."
"The Evangelions."
"Yes."
The sound of mechanical parts moving attracts Asuka's attention. Unit 00 emerges from the ground and charges at the Angel.
"What does Wondergirl think she's doing?! She only has one arm and no rifle! What does she…"
Asuka's eyes widen with horror as she looks at what is cradles in the Eva's right arm.
"An N2 Mine? Is she crazy?!"
The blue Eva charges at the Angel It collides with its AT Field.
"AT Field full power," mumbles Rei.
Unit 00 pushes the mine into the field. It slowly begins to give way. She manages to break through the field and slam the mine into the core. Just before the mine reaches the core, a protective shielding closes around the red orb. The mine explodes, sending a shockwave through the area. After the smoke clears, Unit 00 is on the ground, deactivated.
Kaji continues to water his watermelons.
"A friend once told me something. He told me that love can conquer all. I really never understood it at the time, but now I do. So I pass it on to you. Just remember that, Asuka."
Asuka doesn't respond. She watches as the Angel makes it way to headquarters.
"It's heading here!" yells Shigeru.
"What? What does it want with Central Dogma?"
"I don't know, ma'am."
"What's the status of Unit 01?"
"It's still rejecting the dummy system!" says Ritsuko.
"Abort the activation and eject the plug," orders Gendo.
"But.."
"If it won't accept it now, it never will. Evacuate Central Dogma, Major."
Misato nods in reply. The emergency message blazes over the speakers.
"All personal, evacuate Central Dogma. I repeat, all personal…"
After a few minutes, the wall in front of the command crew crumbles and Zeruel steps through the gapping hole. The remaining crew stares in horror at the Angel. Its eyes begin to glow. Suddenly, Eva Unit 01 smashes through the right wall and tackles the Angel, sending both of them through the left wall. The Eva continues to struggle with the Angel. They crash through one of the cages. Unit 01 is slammed against a wall and the Angel fires a beam, slicing off the Eva's left arm. Shinji ignores the pain and rushes the Angel, sending towards the catapults.
"Misato!!"
"Launch catapult 5!!"
Aoba nods in response and launches the platform.
As the platform ascends, Shinji holds the Angel's had against the wall. They are shot out of the top. The Eva lands on top of the Angel and begins to punch at the core with its right arm.
The crew rushes out of Central Dogma and watches the battle from a distance. Just as the Eva's fist comes down for a 5th time, it stops in mid-air.
"Its internal batteries have run out. Unit 01 is silent," says Maya.
"Shinji.."
"Move! Move! Move!" yells Shinji as he pushes on the controls.
The Angel wraps one of its 'arms' around the Eva's head and hurls it towards a nearby hill. Zeruel makes it way to the fallen fighter and tears off a piece of its chest armor. It then fires a blast at the chest plate, exposing a dark, red orb.
The Angel appears to stare at the orb for a second. It pulls back its blades and begins to pound at it.
The crew stares Unit 01.
"Misato!!"
Misato turns and sees Asuka running towards her.
"Asuka! What are you doing here?"
"I didn't feel like being stuck in that entry plug for the whole time so I got out."
Asuka notices that the crew is all staring in the same general location. Curious, she follows their gaze.
"Oh my God! Shinji!!"
"Please move! I want to fight! I want to fight to protect..to protect all those I care about…all those that I love…"
Images run through Shinji's mind, of Misato, Kaji, Ritsuko, Toji, Hikari, Kensuke, Rei, and all his friends. Then an image of Asuka appears.
"Asuka. Let me protect them!! Let me protect her…."
The sound of a heartbeat echoes through the plug. Shinji looks up. Another heartbeat echoes through the plug.
The Angel brings its left 'arm' down for another blow. Suddenly, the Eva's eyes glow brightly. It brings its right arm up and shreds the blade between its fingers. The Eva grips the shredded blade and pulls the Angel towards it. The Angel lurches forward and lands on top of the Eva, its face right in front of the Eva's. Unit 01 breathes heavily and then kicks the Angel off of it, while holding onto the blade. It tears off of the Angel. Zeruel lands on its back. Unit 01 stands up and places the blade on what's left of its left arm. The blade begins to bulge with brown masses, and then it takes the form of the Eva's lost arm.
"My God," mumbles Misato.
"Sempai! Shinji's sync ratio is at over 400 percent!!"
"What?! Are you sure about that?" asks Ritsuko.
"Yes, and Unit 01's arm has been completely regenerated."
Zeruel stands up and lashes at Unit 01 was its remaining 'arm.' The Eva sees this and raises its right arm and brings it down in a sweeping motion. The familiar orange octagons ripple in front of the Angel, slicing off its remaining arm. The Angel falls on its back. Unit 01 begins to sway forward. It leans over and is soon standing on all fours. It crawls towards the fallen Angel like a hungry spider. Zeruel makes an attempt to stand up but is stoped by the Eva's hand in its head. The Eva looks around for a second and then leans over the Angel and begins to feast.
Maya covers her mouth as she looks away from the gruesome scene.
"Is she taking the S2 organ into herself?" says Ritsuko as she stares wide- eyed at the Eva.
"Misato! What's going on?" asks Asuka.
"I don't know Asuka. I don't know."
Unit 01 stands up and roars. Several areas on the armor break.
"The bindings..," says a shocked Ritsuko.
"Bindings?" asks Hyuga.
"Yes. You see, that isn't really armor on the Evas. It is in fact bindings that allow us to control and use its power. Unit 01 has removed the bindings using its own will. We can no longer control her."
"But what about Shinji?!" asks Asuka.
"There's nothing we can do for him now. All we can do is wait till she deactivates."
Asuka looks up at the berserk Eva.
"Shinji…."
The Eva looks around and begins to walk off away from the pyramid.
"Where's it going?" asks Misato.
Her question is soon answered as the Eva stops in next to the body of Unit 02. It reaches out and disconnects the umbilical cable. It then carefully picks up the Eva and carries it over to an area next to the pyramid.
"What is it doing?" asks Aoba.
"I don't know. I have never seen anything like this before," answers Ritsuko.
The Eva lays Unit 02 on the ground and then walks off again. It soon returns with both of the red Eva's arms and its head. It places the parts in their respective locations and then places its own hands on Unit 02's chest. Unit 01's S2 organ begins to glow. Everyone watches on amazement as the limbs and head reattach themselves to the Eva's body. Unit 01 stands up again and walks off towards Unit 00. It kneels down next to the fallen Eva and tears off the armor above the entry plug. The entry plug is automatically ejected, expelling the LCL. It takes the entry plug into its left hand and picks up the Eva with its right and places it next to the other Eva. Unit 01 turns and walks towards the crew.
Everyone begins to panic as the Eva approaches them. It stops and kneels down, gingerly placing the entry plug down near the crew. Unit 01 looks down at the crew for a few seconds, who stare back at it in a mix of shock, fear, and panic. The Eva then turns its sights towards Asuka. It stares for a brief moment, then shuts down.