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Chap. 18

Asuka fumed as she awoke the next day. The presence of both Shinji and Rei were enough to wake up the usually irritable German girl. It was like listening to a radio a distance away. True, you couldn't hear it at first, but in the dead of silence, it becomes apparent and eventually annoying. But what really steamed her was what Shinji had done the day before. How dare he order me like he's my superior? He's nothing but a spineless, weak, pervert. Asuka was so irritated that her hand accidentally slapped across her shelf and knocked down the clock. It banged on the floor, but didn't break. Asuka bent down to pick it up, realizing that she was getting riled up for nothing. I...need a breath. Placing the clock back on the shelf, Asuka then sat down on the floor with her legs crossed. Taking a semi-deep breath, she closed her eyes and relaxed. Slowly but surely, the Force began to fill her entire being in a wave of calm. Asuka began to smile, thankful for once that she had taken those meditation exercises. But the smile faded away when she felt the presence of her two compatriots as well, who were also in meditation. Asuka began to shift on the floor, trying to get past and away from them. But they were everywhere. Around and within. Up and down. Side by side. Her earlier irritation grew and as it did, her thoughts began to change. Their presence was beginning to wan and leave her. 'Good. Who needs them?' But she was left with nothing, but a void. A dark, but powerful feeling surged through her. She began to enjoy the sensation at first, but the more she did, the darker it became. It felt like the darkness was trying to swallow her. She was frightened by this...nothing and her eyes instantly snapped open. Asuka bent forward, panting for some unknown reason.

'What was that?'

Hastily, Asuka sprung up from her seated position and out the door. As she did, Rei's door opened as well and the blue-haired girl looked at Asuka. Asuka looked in turn with slight apprehension.

"What do you want, Wondergirl?"

Rei merely stared at her, "Darkness...grows."

Asuka blinked. Rei was never one to speak cryptically. But then again, there was nothing about it that suggested that she was. Rei was simply clear on one thing and Asuka knew it. But she didn't need her interfering in her life.

"Whatever."

Later, after the trio had washed and dressed, they walked down the road toward the school. Strangely, all three were silent, even Asuka. They simply walked in a tense silence, waiting for one or the other to say something. But nothing came up and they all reached the school. However, before Asuka could enter, Shinji stopped her.

"Asuka. Are you okay?"

Asuka frowned, "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

Shinji barely kept his head leveled up to her, "It's just...this morning, you seemed..."

But Asuka cut him off, "I don't need a lecture from you, Third Child. I don't need anything from you!"

Asuka stormed up the steps, leaving Shinji and Rei behind. Rei glanced over at Shinji, whose own eyes seemed neutral, but were obviously filled with worry. But worry would have to wait, for the alarms began ringing above, signally their call to battle once more.

*********

This next angel was strange in comparison to the others they had fought. This one was in the form of strange bird-shaped light. The Evangelion pilots suited up and met with Misato in the Eva cages. Shinji took a closer look at Misato. She looked as though she hadn't slept in awhile. And also, her eyes showed some kind of distress. But what, he couldn't read. But it'll have to wait for later.

"The angel is approaching from the southwestern part of the city toward us. We detect a strong AT field, but you can deal with that. The only problem is that we don't know what other abilities it has. Eva 01 is still in cryo-freeze so Shinji, you won't be able to join the battle." She gazed at Asuka, unconscious avoiding Shinji's deep gaze. "Asuka, you will lead while Rei backs you up."

Asuka nodded, "Alright."

But Misato continued, "Asuka, you have to tread cautiously. We don't know what this one is capable of."

Asuka merely grinned, "I'll take care of it."

Misato continued to frown, but didn't argue as she turned to leave. Shinji moved to follow, but cast a glance at Asuka, who noticed it and turned away.

'Be careful, Asuka.'

*********

In the command room, the crew watched as the angel closed in on them. Misato took her normal position while Ritsuko moved up beside her. Misato gave her a venomous glare, but Ritsuko merely looked at the screen.

"Are you sure it's wise sending her? Her performance isn't promising as of late."

Misato simply answered, pushing her resentment aside, "Shinji isn't compatible with the 02 and Asuka is still stronger than Rei at this point. She has a better chance."

Ritsuko said no more, but even Misato doubted that Asuka would be able to get through this in one piece. But she can hope. It was all she had right now.

"Launch Eva!"

In the Eva cages, the fiery Evangelion 02 shot up through the ramp and right out into the open. Asuka motioned the bio-machine to look at the incoming Angel. Immediately grabbing the nearby rifle and rushing toward the airborne target, 02 began it attack with a barrage of fire. The angel deflected it with it AT field, but 02 continued to close in on it. Asuka completely emptied the ammo and leapt at the angel. In mid-air, 02 reached backward and pulled out it prog-knife.

"Take this!"

02 stabbed into the AT field while grasping the angel's AT field with its own. Asuka continued to try and drive the knife into it and it seemed at it would penetrate through and hit the angel when it suddenly let out a flash of light. Asuka cried as the Eva was knocked down to the ground. At the same time, Shinji, who had been standing in the back, jumped in shock.

'Pain...She's in pain...'

True to his thoughts, Asuka was screaming inside the Eva. Her hands were clutching her head, threatening to tear her apart. In the command room, everyone was frantic.

"Report!" Misato barked. "What happened?"

Maya quickly compiled the data from the Eva, "Asuka's brainwave balance is irratic...wait..." She gasped, "It's matching the energy the angel it emitting."

"Is she infected?"

"No." Maya answered quickly, "But I think it's attacking her mind."

Misato quickly went on the com, "Asuka, can you read me? Asuka, come in!"

But the call was unheard through Asuka's wails. She began shaking her head, as if trying to get something out. But the pain only continued as the attack went on.

'Please...not this....Anything, but this...Momma...

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!...AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

Another soul-splitting scream came as the 02 was immobile with the angel approaching.

"Rei. Get the lance."

"Hai."

The order came from Commander Ikari. At this, Rei complied and moved back into the geo-front. Everyone looked at the supreme commander in confusion. Fuyutuki gave him an incredulous look, but kept his mouth shut. As 02 remained immobilized, the Angel hovered slowly toward the geo-front. But moments later, Eva 00 returned, holding a wicked looking, red and black spear.

"The Lance of Longinus." Ritsuko whispered to herself.

The blue Eva strode toward the advancing angel, which had stopped upon sensing her approach. The angel seemed to wait to see what the Eva would do. Suddenly, 00 broke out into a run again, just as 02 had done before. The angel began to shimmer once again in anticipation of another victim. But in mid-run, 00 stopped and shot its arm forward, hurling the weapon straight at it. The angel quickly raised its AT field, but the lance ripped right through it like a needle through thread. The lance hit home and pierced the angel right to its core. It began to waver in the air and descend while the lance continued through it, coming out on the opposite side. The angel seemed to convulse and it finally crashed on the ground, no longer glowing and apparently dead. The lance didn't descend and it continued higher into the air until it disappeared into the stratosphere.

As the crew looked in shock at what just occurred, Gendo ordered, "Have the remains of the angel brought in for study." he said simply. Beside him, Fuyutuki continued to look at the screen, but his thoughts weren't as passive.

'They won't ignore this, Ikari. Or forgive it.'

************

The next day...

After the repair crews had retrieved Eva 02, they found Asuka unconscious within. Her vital signs were normal, but she simply didn't awaken. Ritsuko believed that she needs rest in order to revive, but she was also aware of the possible psychological damage and made some tests available when she wakes up. Shinji kept a constant vigil over the sleeping girl, waiting for her to wake up since she arrived. He could faintly sense a disturbance, but it was too faint for him to make it out in anyway. It took some time before her eyes slowly shifted and opened.

"Asuka. You're awake."

Asuka simply turned to face him and Shinji was a little surprised to see the cold glance she was giving him.

"Expecting me to die, Third?"

Shinji blinked, "No. I was..."

"Shut up. No one told you to come here." she said coldly.

Shinji was taken aback by this and...something else.

"Asuka..."

Asuka simply turned away and growled, "Go away."

Shinji was more confused, but politely listened and left the room. Now it was more than obvious about what happened. He felt...something amiss within her. It was...some sort of lapse. He couldn't make it out or understand it. But one thing he knew for certain. Something was definitely wrong with Asuka. Before she blacked out in the Eva, he sensed tremendous pain. And it wasn't physical pain. The angel had damaged her in the worse way possible by attacking her mind. And the darkness he felt seemed to grow more now.

'Asuka. Is it...you?'

**************

SEELE...

"He's gone too far now!"

"Ikari must be stopped immediately!"

"Agreed. When the dog bites the master, the master has no choice but to silence it."

"Everything has already been taken care of. Our agent is watching him closely and Ikari's use is about to end. But before that happens, we must prepare the way."

"Does this mean you'll be sending him?"

"All in due time, gentlemen. All in due time."