Disclaimer scattered about on various other chapters.
A/N: YAY! COMBATTLER V!
--
Shinji stared at nothing in particular, lying on a patch of grass, feeling the joys of not having to wear his confining armor. Mostly because he can't see the stars from where he was. He was content with life so far. One more country, and the world will be in his hands. Then the final plan shall be initiated. Smiling, he twisted his wrist so the emerald embedded in his commander's wear shined a brilliant green.
However, despite his smile, this brought him to his fear. He feared for his life. If this doesn't go according to the described scenario, there is a high possibility of death.
But it was alright. He will make this world a better place. For Asuka, and for redemption.
"Baka-Shinji! What are you doing out in the cold?" Asuka threw his jacket at him, which he caught clumsily.
But Asuka cares. He feared that he might hurt her, and Misato, even if he was willing to redeem himself with his life. If he had redeemed his sins of killing through death, how will he redeem his sins of hurting?
"Thanks Asuka." The boy replied, as he sat up to pull his hands through the sleeves.
"Shinji, what are you staring at?" Asuka asked, lying down beside him.
"Nothing."
"Just like you to do stupid things." Asuka sighed. "Amazing how you didn't bring your SDAT here."
"You stole it from me!" Shinji shouted, clearly irritated.
"S-sorry." Asuka said sheepishly, then realized what she had just done. She quickly turned to look at Shinji's eyes angrily. "Shut up! I forgot to return it, that's all!"
The two stared at each other for an eternity in silence. Asuka leaned closer, as Shinji sweated like a waterfall.
She leaned closer, and closer. The tip of her tongue licked her lips, as if wetting them.
Shinji stared in horror and began backing off, but found a hand around his neck, preventing his movement.
He could feel the redhead's breath on his nose, as he held his breath hoping to suffocate himself before he went through with this.
Suddenly, Asuka's free hand was brought up and flicked him in the forehead.
"Just kidding!" Asuka laughed, and laid back down quickly, still laughing.
Shinji knew he was not going to be at peace again until Asuka goes away or falls asleep. Unconsciously, he clenched and unclenched his hand.
--
Sitting in her office, Misato chugged another cup of coffee. One more country and she will have access to her fridge again!
That is, if it wasn't destroyed by the stray explosions.
Looking at the dark liquid, she tried to see her reflection. The UN has yet to commence the attack, joining the civil war against the government. Most likely they are waiting for the battle to end, ensuring the least casualties on THEIR side.
Sighing happily, Misato sank back to her chair. She smiled at the thought of the aluminum can, containing the carbonated, alcoholic drink within...
--
Ritsuko stood on the catwalk, looking at her budget for this overwhelmingly expensive continuation of Shinji's request.
"This... What the hell IS this?" Ritsuko asked in surprise, amazed at the amount of money she was given. "What IS he planning? This is more money than the Angel Research Fund!" She looked suspiciously at the purple mecha, and the opened chest. "Guess he won't be able to sortie for a while."
"Ma'am! We've finished unloading the core!" A mechanic shouted below, standing on a massive equipment used.
"Good. Begin break down process."
--
Unconsciously, Shinji found his hands on top of Asuka's.
Unconsciously, Asuka found herself smiling at the warmth.
Unconsciously, both of them looked at each other at the same time.
Finally, and unconsciously, Shinji flew a few feet away from where he was lying down just a moment before.
"Baka-Shinji! Don't try taking advantage of me!" Asuka shouted angrily, but still unable to conceal her smile.
"S-Sorry Asuka." Shinji replied sheepishly, like usual. However, soon his tone became serious. "I just wanted to do it once."
"S-Shinji?"
Reverting back to his old self, Shinji apologized repeatedly, as he began to block Asuka's furious attacks after each attempt. Seemingly with no effort, but neither him nor Asuka realized so.
Soon, the two became tired, and Shinji collapsed on the grass with bruised arms and red hands. He laughed, hard. Just as suddenly as it began, it changed into a more playful fight near the end.
Setting the mood, Asuka could only give in to the ground beneath her. She laughed with Shinji, and allowed his warm palm to caress her slightly bruised right knuckle.
"Asuka?" Shinji asked incredulously.
"What?"
"Sorry!" He shouted, before retracting his hand, which had awarded him with a slap to the back of his head.
"Stop apologizing! Consider it an honor to hold the great Sohryu Asuka Langley's hand!" The red haired girl replied angrily, and caressed her bruised knuckle with her own left hand. Missing the warmth, she got up. "Yea, well, sit here all you like, baka-Shinji. I'm getting cold."
"Asuka... The Geo front... It's beautiful, isn't it?" The proclaimed idiot suddenly blurted.
"So what?"
"I wish I could see more of it." He simply said, and got up to leave for the other direction.
Watching the back of his boyish figure, Asuka could only wonder what he had meant.
--
Misato sighed as she fed Pen-Pen. It seemed that Shinji still wasn't back yet. Pen-Pen had came to her for food like the intelligent bird that it is. Knowing it's either curry instants or starve, the bird chose the former.
"Pen-Pen... What do you think he's doing out there?" The purple haired major crouched down, and brought the bird to eye level.
"WARK!"
"I hope nothing bad happened to him..."
Just then, as if on cue, and annoyed and confused Asuka walked by with a bad looking knuckle.
"WARK!" The penguin shouted, pointing at the girl. Turning, the Major looked at what the bird wanted her to see.
"He's alive." The major stated, in a matter of fact tone.
--
Kaji laughed silently, seeing the exchange from behind his bush. He had caused a massacre. He was the one who made this mess. Now that he has avenged his friends, all that was left was to see Shinji's plan through to redeem some of himself.
He did not approve of it. When Shinji had explained it to him, he was whole-heartedly against his little twist.
But it was the only way, that he knew. Biting down his own selfish opinion, he had sworn to follow Shinji to the end.
"Captain Imo! We have spotted spies recording the Evangelion's work!" His radio buzzed.
"Agent Akanasu, keep them occupied and have Captain Ringo's team to assist you. Leave no survivors. Agent Tou's team will join you in 5 minutes should you need further assistance." Kaji commanded. "Even if they're the UN, the project is top secret." Kaji picked up his sniper rifle, and started his assassin hunt, in case there were any.
--
Shinji sat at the edge of Geofront, looking out to the lake. He smiled to himself as the wind blew his hair and his clothes into the air.
"How corny... This is something you only see in movies." He said to himself, amused. "Ike, chouhizatsu..." He murmured to himself as he closed his eyes. "I'll preserve your gift with it, Kaworu..."
Just then, his radio buzzed with the information on the spies. Ignoring it, he continued to stare into the distance.
"USA will be the last, and I will end this cursed bloodline." Shinji smiled bitterly. "I wonder how we got into the civilian abusing business in the first place..."
--
Misato's face, no doubt, frowned. A perfect excuse simply had to happen when Shinji could nor sortie. The UN will likely not wait, because the longer USA is put off the hook, the more dangerous they could become. Knowing that USA had the manpower to go on missions in middle of the civil war, UN's policy about waiting for the Americans to kill themselves began to falter.
Nuclear warheads were rumored to be activating right this instant, and USA controls much of the satellites in space. If they had the time to take over the satellite defense system, effective interception would be impossible without much sacrifice.
Rushing to the bridge, even though NERV was unable to provide assistance at this moment, the major pulled on her flight jacket. Any time now the UN will be declaring war, and any time now the final all-out war will begin.
The door closed behind her, as she shouted to her subordinates. "Status! Now!"
"UN has declared war, but has yet to make a move!" Shigeru shouted.
"Army mobilized!" Makoto followed, the instant Shigeru finished.
"In the brink of victory, war is starting again..." Misato sighed to herself.
Just then, a transmission came through. It was the leader of UN.
"Major Katsuragi. We acknowledge your tactical prowess. You shall be the tactician for this battle, since NERV is unable to provide manpower for this mission." The stern man commanded.
"But we hardly have had the tim-"
"That was an order." The UN commander cut her off.
"I understand. Shigeru! Status of army! Split into task forces!"
--
Asuka sighed. If only her Eva had an S2 organ, she could've sortied in Shinji's place. But the place of her birth was the one being attacked, and she most likely wouldn't want to take part in ripping it apart.
"Baka-Shinji!" Asuka screamed, as she punched her wall once more. The bruise on her knuckle becoming more and more obvious. Curling up, she once again pondered upon the reason of her lingering facade. She wanted to show Shinji her weak side, the side she wanted him to protect. Perhaps that's all she need to make him hers, but her facade of strength simply stuck on like glue, causing her much confusion. Even if Kaji made her feel secure acknowledging him, she still couldn't do it.
"Shinji, you idiot..." She said to herself, as she wiped a tear threatening to flow. "You're always making me cry..." She smiled a bitter smile, and began waiting the war out.
--
Agent Tou, real name Honshin Netsuai, reloaded his pistol. He was a handsome young man that most girls would swoon over, and his name only contributed to that fact.
However, he was a complete nerd. His looks went down the drain after 5 minutes of conversation with any attractive female.
Another Kensuke, except with looks, basically. He loved warfare, though he loved only the machinery. The ships, the planes, the guns, and most of all, the Evas.
However, unlike Kensuke, he was accepted as an agent and quickly rose through the ranks. Kaji had taught him many things, and his slender, yet muscular body had proved useful in the carefree man's strict teachings. He was proud to have been one of the very few to be trained by the man who escaped death.
Not so proud of the fact he was a tool for Kaji's light-hearted flirting, however. A handsome young man was the perfect bait for attractive girls, which an older, more mature man can have the pleasure of flirting with.
"Captain Imo, we have cleared the incident up. However, I believe they have recorded part of the work."
"It won't matter. The work has not entered the second phase yet. No harm done, good work Tou! I'll buy you a drink tonight." Kaji's voice replied through the radio.
"Captain Imo, what about the Major?" The young man asked, recently learning of their relationship.
Kaji chose the wise decision to cut the conversation and back out while he's ahead. However, in his nervousness, he accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun and shot into the air.
"Captain Imo? Captain Imo!" Honshin shouted into the radio, horrified, thinking Kaji had been shot. Switching channels, he shouted to the rest of the agents.
"Captain Imo has been shot! Team Uri, meet at his post!" With that, the impulsive man ran as fast as he could.
--
Shinji heard the loud bang of gunshot, and turned around. What greeted him was a big branch hitting the ground. He took out his self-defense pistol, and cursed himself for letting his guard down just because Japan is secured.
"Who's there?" He asked, holding his pistol in a defensive stance. Getting no answer, he shot 2 warning shots.
"It's just me!" A voice shouted, and Shinji breathed a sigh of relief.
"Kaji? What are you doing here?" The confused boy asked.
"Watching over you, of course!" Kaji replied with his carefree tone, getting up and dusting himself.
"I see." Shinji simply said, and returned to his original spot.
Just then, the team of agents arrived.
"CAPTAIN IMO! Are you ok? Did you get hurt?" Honshin asked hurriedly.
"WHAT are you doing here?" Kaji asked, surprised.
"Iheardagunshotonyourradio and I rushed here!" The young man spoke, as the rest of the team looked at the poor innocent agent with angry eyes.
Shinji simply tuned them out as everybody started to point their fingers at Honshin, and checked what was going on at NERV.
--
Misato smiled to herself as the citizens cheered at the arrival of UN forces. She had more support than she thought. Shouting orders into her radio, she effectively fired up the armies of men with her endless teasing.
"Men are so simple..." Misato said to herself, amused, as she sat at the commander's desk. Makoto sighed dreamily, further proving Misato's point.
Shigeru was less than amused by her remarks, however. But due to the hilarity of the soldiers' responses, he kept his comments to himself.
"Major! Squads Alpha, Inu, and Chevalier have been decimated!" Shigeru shouted from his console suddenly, snapping out of his gaze of conflicting emotions.
"Impossible! They were not even engaged in combat just a second ago!" Misato exclaimed from her comfortable seat.
"Apparently they have long-range artillery with enhanced detection systems." Maya said, worriedly. "I don't think we can force our way through."
"Damn it! Call an air-strike!" Misato fumed, furious that they are deploying a cheap defense strategy.
"Impossible! Visuals show anti-air artillery!" Makoto shouted from his console, scanning through the data sent.
"Deploy Sahaqiel."
All heads turned to the entrance, a jacket-clad commander stood there with an indifferent face.
"Shinji! Where were you?" Misato asked, worried that he might have been attacked.
"In the Geo front. Deploy Sahaqiel, Maya." The boy answered, and then repeated.
"Yes sir!" The technician turned back to her console and began her work. Others soon followed suit.
Fuyutsuki smiled as Shinji took his seat back from Misato. "It's about to end, isn't it?"
"Yes, Fuyutsuki-sensei." Shinji smiled as he bridged his hands in front of his face. "It's all about to end." "I want to tell you it hurts, Fuyutsuki-sensei..."
--
Asuka chewed on her nails and paced around her room, bored out of her mind. She wondered where Shinji had gone, but dismissed the thought of finding him immediately after it popped into her head. Having nothing to do, the war all the way across the ocean and all, she could only wait.
"Shinji is hurting."
Though surprised, Asuka immediately recognized the obvious style of speech.
"How are you, Asuka?" The ethereal boy asked with a smile on his face. The smile seemingly soothed all of Asuka's fears and anger.
"Just fine!" She mustered what was left of her rage, and turned away quickly. "What do you want?"
"For Shinji to be happy." Kaworu said simply. "I want him to be happy. He is confused."
"Confused?" Asuka asked, not knowing what Kaworu was talking about. She couldn't understand why Shinji would be.
"Something is troubling him. He fears something." Kaworu answered. "Asuka, what do you feel for him?"
"Nothing at all! Who could feel for that idiot, anyways?" Asuka snorted, attempting to sound convincing. Her empty words deceived the naïve boy, but her empty heart did not.
"Asuka. You're worthy." Kaworu smiled.
"Worthy?"
"Worthy of love. You deserve it." He laughed. "That is, I love you, Asuka."
Asuka stared blankly at the boy who had just confessed to her, jaws wide open. Apparently, this amused Kaworu, as he laughed a soft laugh.
"I had said the same thing to Shinji. Please do not misunderstand like he has." With that, the boy disappeared as suddenly as he appeared.
"What... Was that all about?" Asuka looked incredulously at the spot where the boy stood a moment before.
--
Rei stood outside waiting. "Have you told her?"
Kaworu nodded with a smile, as he escorted the blue haired girl.
"I hope she understood."
"This is the only way I know of to stop Shinji-sama." Rei stated simply.
"I understand, Rei."
The two walked down the hall, their opposing personalities doing no better than their red eyes at freaking people out.
--
"Sahaqiel has destroyed the first line of defense!" Shigeru informed those with greater power. "Team Neko has broken through, proceeding to infiltrate defense control center Nezu!"
"What's the status on Team Kanraku?" Misato asked, worried that Neko might not make it in time.
"Kenraku is under heavy automatic defense fire, but their make-shift bunker will hold for another 20 minutes!"
"How long until Neko infiltrates Nezu?"
"According to calculations, at this level of resistance, 10 minutes to reach the control center." Makoto answered.
Shinji sat worriedly at his desk digesting the news. Victory will be difficult with the advanced military weaponry of USA, but if they are able to take control over even one USA satellite, the combined Magi system attack will be able to take over the USA defense systems and turn it against their creators. Target Nezu is suspected to be the command center of one of the satellites.
"Status on Team Kaigyo!" The major continued.
"Kaigyo successfully evaded Team Same! Team Ama engaged Same in combat. Everything is going according to original plans." Shigeru announced, which brought a smile on Misato's face.
"Nobody beats the tactical prowess of Misato Katsuragi!" She laughed as reports of the various objectives being met, taking USA over bit by bit.
"Target Nezu destroyed by enemy! Hacking process halted until new connection can be made." Makoto shouted suddenly.
"Damn it! Pull everybody back and proceed with plan B!"
It took the best tactician to think up of a brilliant feint operation and a backup just in case. But that's why Katsuragi was hired by NERV.
"Sahaqiel opened defense lines 2 to 5!" Maya informed. "Heavy damage sustained, it cannot fight anymore. Requesting to order retreat!"
"Permission granted." Shinji said calmly. "He has completed his role flawlessly."
As the Angel retreated, the Predator-Food Alliance used their sheer force in numbers to break through the defense line. Killing all those who dared to stand in their way, the Predators ripped apart everything with heavy firepower. In the deadly attacks of the remaining artillery fire and the fierce bullets of the advanced projectile mechanisms used by Americans, the Food Squadron used their supplied defense equipment to block the damage.
Casualties were minimal from the teamwork Misato had promoted, as the Americans were slowly pushed back.
"Team Kasai annihilated!" Shigeru shouted. The second defense squadron had been destroyed.
"No matter. Push onwards!" Misato commanded. The advance was slow and painfully required patience. Whoever tried to rush into the hoards of American army would no doubt come out a beehive.
"Permission to deploy Zuruel, Armisael and Ramiel granted." Shinji announced, as Maya hurried their release.
Suddenly, the Geo Front rocked uncontrollably.
A nuclear bomb has been dropped onto Tokyo-3.
To be continued... Maybe?
A/N: OMG! SRTJ IS OUT! EVERYBODY WITH A GBA GET IT!
CLIFFHANGER! School ate away my creative juices. I have a perfect ending thought up, but damn I can't think of anything GOOD enough to fill the story in until chapter 22 now.
ARGH!
Hope you guys can put up with this stupidity.
Here's the forbidden omake!
--
"A.C. 2015. War was beginning." Misato sighed to herself.
Suddenly, a chorus of gunshots echoed the room. The bridge bunnies looked at each other, and laughed.
"Guess we all had the same thing on our minds, eh?" Shigeru broke out of the trance first.
"I... I killed Misato... But damn was it worth it!" Makoto exclaimed.
"I shot her first, damn it!" Maya blurted out, her eyes rivaling those of Asuka's.
The other two stared at her in shock, as she quickly tried to regain her composure. Flashing a smile, the command bridge turned into a garden of Eden.
"Yes, Shigeru? Makoto?" She asked in the most innocent tone she could muster, bringing forth wild woodland creatures.
The two swooned and fell into an unconscious heaven.
"Men are so simple." Maya snorted, as she sat back on her console. "A bit of innocence and they go 'woosh!' Asuka should've listened to me."