Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything belonging to Marvel Comics or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Superwomen of Eva: Emerald Fury

Chapter 10: The Beauty that is the Beast

The nightmare began as it always did. Misato was wandering about the decimated remains of Antarctica, surrounded by icebergs reflecting ghosts of her past. And as before, those ghosts spoke to her in snippets, bringing back moments of a life that was far removed from the one she lived now.

But at the same time, the dream was different. The hideous whispering that had once haunted the impossible world was silent. There was nothing goading her as she once again found herself confronted by the survival capsule. There was no awful green light shining from it. No furious pounding or hateful screeching. No monster inside demanding to be freed.

For a long time, Misato studied the capsule, looking through the glass. Suddenly, the metallic coffin issued a mechanical hiss, the top of it suddenly sliding open. Gasping in shock, she recoiled from the capsule as a hideous green fog billowed up from it, blotting out the ocean of death, along with everything else.

Looking wildly about, Misato searched for any sign of the world beyond the hideous fog. But she could see nothing. Nothing at all. No! I…I have to get out of here! she thought as she continued to frantically look about. That thing…she might be in here, too!

This thought instantly hit home, filling Misato's mind with the picture of herself, lost and alone and wandering in this hateful fog, easy prey for the monster that had torn itself free of its prison. Now sick with fear, she looked about one more time, trying to pick a direction, and then simply flung herself into an all-out run. Her rapid footsteps sounding eerily on the water, she ran and kept running as fast as she could. Without any idea of where she was going, knowing only that she had to get away from there.

As she continued to run, Misato became aware of certain things. That her footsteps sounded different, like they were being made on concrete, rather than water. That the light filtering through the fog was different, and that she could make out distinct shapes through it. Not enough to be able to determine what they were, only that they were there. But in her panicked state, she didn't really process their importance. All she cared about, all she could even think about, was escaping the foul fog and the creature that it potentially hid.

After an unknowable length of time, Misato noticed that the fog was beginning to thin somewhat. More importantly, she saw some form of light beyond the green haze. Thinking that she was approaching its boundaries, she pushed herself for even greater speed, running faster and faster. And she continued to run until at last she emerged from the shroud of fog…at which she ground to a halt, her fear turning to horrified astonishment.

The ocean of death she had been walking through was gone. The icebergs, the crimson water, all of it had disappeared. And in its place was a city in ruins. Buildings had been shattered and sent toppling down on their sides, while others barely remained standing, entire sections of their walls ripped out. There were signs that even more buildings had been shattered, their crumbled remnants left strewn upon the shattered streets. The sky overhead swirled with a bloody red, obscuring a hazy sun, and in the distance, a lake was visible. A lake in which three giants lay prone, their bodies shattered. Torn limb from limb, armor plating ripped asunder, revealing almost human tissue.

With a horrified gasp, Misato realized what it was she was seeing. The sundered bodies of all three mighty Evangelions. Utterly and completely destroyed.

No…this can't be…! Misato whispered in her mind, too terrified to speak aloud. Looking wildly about, her senses primed to detect even the tiniest movement, she started forward. Searching for shelter and answers alike.

What Misato found was increasing amounts of destruction. The city that she now knew to be Tokyo-3 was shattered crust of its former self, with nothing to indicate that anyone remained there. What street lights that remained were off, and there was no sign of any activity amongst the ruins. The pounding of her own heart her constant companion, she continued forward until her foot splashed into something wet. Automatically looking down, she gasped in horror when she saw that she was now standing in a pool of blood.

Bringing her hands to her mouth, Misato studied the pool before her and realized that it wasn't just a pool, but a flow of blood that was still moving, creeping up the streets. Without any thought, she looked up and started to follow the crimson river. Ignoring the wet, horrible sound her every footstep made, doing her best to stem the revulsion she felt as the flow grew larger as wound her way down the streets, getting to the point where it rose up to the top of the curbs. She simply followed the impossible river until she rounded one of the few standing buildings, and discovered the source. At which point all other horrors went flying out of her mind as her very soul shattered.

Sucking in a gasp of revulsion, Misato wanted to run. She wanted to cover her eyes and start crying like a little girl. She wanted to scream and scream and never stop screaming. But all she was able to do was stand there, her mouth hanging open as she looked at the intersection of one of Tokyo-3's largest thoroughfares, at the center of which was a mountain of death.

Every person that had once called Tokyo-3 his or her home, every man, woman, and child lay there, piled up in a perverse monument of death. Their limbs had been ripped from their bodies, they had been broken and shattered, their skin shredded so as to allow their blood to fill the streets. And adding to this horror was that their heads were all perfectly intact, and thus easily recognizable. People Misato had seen living in her apartment building, NERV staff members she knew from the cafes, even the casual passerby was a part of that mountain, their faces forever frozen with horror.

"No…" Misato gasped, raising her hands up before her as she circled the mountain, studying the faces, recoiling as she saw their open, dead eyes staring at her. Accusing her. Condemning her.

"No…no nonononono…!" Misato whimpered as she backpedaled from the mountain of horror. Catching sight of more and more familiar faces even as she retreated. Ritsuko, Maya, Shigeru, Makoto, Fuyutsuki, Kaji, even Asuka and Rei were a part of this nightmare. Their eyes asking her why she had done this. Why she had killed them.

Just as Shinji's eyes did, when she finally found them.

"Nooooooo!" Misato howled in despair, stumbling away from the hideous image. Out of her mind with horror, unable to tear her eyes away from her accusers, her victims, she kept backing away from them. Screaming again and again, her voice echoing throughout the city. Transforming into roars of utmost savagery and hatred for all other things. Into the monster that had taken everything and everyone dear to Misato and destroyed it, just because it could.

That monster that Misato herself was.


"Nooooooooooo!" Misato screamed as she flung herself into a waking position, looking wildly about as she tried to make sense of what was happening. But nothing she saw was familiar to her. This wasn't her room or even her apartment.

Her breasts heaving against her sweat-soaked t-shirt, Misato shakily got to her feet and very nearly collapsed to the floor as she staggered into the wall. On one level, she remembered where she was; in the secure quarters Ritsuko had set up for her. But her conscious mind was too overwhelmed to really process this fact. All she could really do was look about her lodgings, which had none of the familiar clutter or comforting smells of home, and fling herself out the door.

A dream…another nightmare…! Misato thought raggedly, desperately trying to relegate the horrors she had just experienced to the back of her mind. To tell herself that her city and her friends were still alive, even if she couldn't see them. That the creature hadn't taken her soul and drowned it in an ocean of blood. But the fear and despair that had spawned those images weren't so easily quelled and continued with her as she made her way through her current home.

Frantically trying to escape the fears of the nightmare world, Misato staggered over into the bathroom. After clumsily flipping the lights on, she pushed herself to the sink and fumbled with the knobs. As water rushed into the sink, she grabbed two handfuls of it and flung into her face. Rubbing the cold water into her face, feeling it wash away the lingering sleep and confusion, Misato felt her mind coming back into focus. Shaking off some of the excess water, she grabbed for even more and splashed herself again before leaning over against the wall, staring into the depths of the sink. Her heart still pounding furiously in her ears.

Oh, no…! Misato gasped inwardly as she realized what her own pounding heart heralded. No…please, no! The terror from her dreams upon her again, she forced herself to look up at the mirror…and saw glowing green eyes looking back at her.

No, no, no! I…I have to stay in control! Misato commanded herself, the images from her nightmare still painfully close to the surface. Causing the green in her eyes to spread through her veins. Have to…have to stay calm! Have to…have to…!

But even as she thought this, she realized that it was already too late. Misato could feel her thoughts breaking down as something else rose up to the surface, responding to her fear and anger. Every muscle in her body was tensing in response to the gamma power that was being released from within. Tormented growls escaped her lips as she fought and lost, new, more primitive emotions and impulses rising to the fore. Her bones cracking and reshaping themselves, becoming more suitable to supporting the surge of muscles that were swelling up beneath her meager sleep clothes.

Noooo…! Misato thought, straining to contain her own inner beast.

Yes! another voice cried out in delight as her breasts swelled up from the C-cup range, quickly graduating to F and beyond, filling up the front of her shirt. The once slender muscles of her back bulged and took on greater definition, growing in spurts that sent Misato leaning forward, splitting her shirt wide open along her spine.

As her buttocks grew, threatening to split open her shorts as well, Misato became aware of a strange hissing sound from above. Looking up, she saw a whitish mist spilling out a series of vents just below the ceiling. Sleeping gas!

Even as Misato rejoiced, another voice howled in frustration as the gas descended, making its way into her nose and mouth. The beast was so close to release, to freedom, and the foul mist was taking it away from her again. Keeping her trapped in the tiny cage and within Misato's body.

Now it was the beast that was fighting the losing battle, for the mist was something that it couldn't simply smash away, and Misato still had enough control over herself to keep breathing in the tranquilizing vapors. About half a minute after the gas had been released, the tormented woman's heartbeat began to fade, and the partial transformation slowly reversed itself.

No! the beast within screamed in frustration as it was once again confined to whatever dark depths it had come from. No, no, no…!

Yes… Misato thought wearily as all her previous tensions slid away, her knees buckling as sleep overtook her. Up yours…bitch… This was all she had time to think as she toppled over, asleep before she even hit the floor.


"Thanks for letting us come in, Shin-man," Toji spoke gratefully as he and Kensuke entered the Katsuragi apartment. "I'm telling you, this storm came from completely out of nowhere!"

Shinji nodded to Toji's words even as he handed his two friends a pair of towels to dry themselves off with. The sound of rain impacting echoed throughout the apartment, and all it took was a look outside the window to reveal the full wrath of the heavens that had been unleashed. In a way, it was rather appropriate; the storm outside was a perfect match for the confusion and frustration that raged within him.

"So, like, when's Misato going to be coming back?" Kensuke asked, his usual level of hormones flowing freely behind his glasses.

"I'm…not sure," Shinji responded with a slight frown, his lips tightening somewhat at the mention of the purple-haired woman.

With a quick glance through the window, Shinji once again looked at the raging storm outside and thought of his guardian. A few days had passed since Misato had been brought down to her new residence within NERV. Days that had not passed quietly, with the purple-haired woman tossing and turning in her sleep, whimpering in fear at the nightmares that plagued her. Something Shinji himself had overheard that first night, the only night he had been able to stay with her. And though there had been no incident that night, no uncontrolled transformation, to say that that night had been peaceful would be to lie.

As days went by, Shinji continued to visit Misato, cooking her meals, checking up on her, and generally soothing her fears. Assuring her that he knew that she would never hurt him, no matter what her nightmares showed her.

She doesn't deserve to live in that…that nightmare! Shinji thought fiercely as he looked outside, wishing evil upon both human and Angelic forces for cursing Misato in this way. Once again feeling the need to find out the truth behind Jet Alone, to prove that the robot had been sabotaged. A need that had gone unfulfilled so far, despite Shinji's current efforts to learn everything he could about Jet Alone and what happened that day.

As Toji and Kensuke were quietly drying themselves off, a familiar screech made them wince in discomfort and dismay. "Hey! What are those perverts doing here?!" Asuka demanded from behind the curtain that separated the bathroom from the rest of the apartment.

"Uh…drying themselves off?" Shinji suggested as his friends shot the redhead disgusted looks.

"Oh, right! Like I'm supposed to buy such a lame excuse?!" Asuka demanded in a mix of egomania and paranoia. The volatile German than narrowed her eyes at the two visitors. "Well, I'm changing in here, and if any of you dummkopfs peep, you're dead!"

As Asuka closed the curtain, Toji's veins popped out from his forehead, even as he clenched his towel in fury. "Why, you stuck-up, egotistical little…who'd be interested in something you can't tell the front from the back of, anyway?!"

Kensuke looked ready to add his own two yen worth when Asuka's head once again emerged from behind the curtain. "What?! Are you saying that I don't have any breasts, Stooge?!"

Toji's expression became even more outraged at this as he leaned closer to the German. "No, those are just fine! The problem is that I can't tell your head from your ass, that's what!"

"Why, you…!" Asuka growled, looking ready to fly out at Toji and rip him limb from limb.

Just as Shinji was reluctantly getting ready to play referee, wishing that someone else more capable of doing so was present, he was saved by a ringing coming from the kitchen. "Oh, the phone," the 3rd Child muttered, feeling almost relieved for the distraction. "I'll get it."

Before anyone could contest this notion, Shinji went to the kitchen, where he saw PenPen staring somewhat morosely at the boy. At first, he thought that the penguin was out of fish, but then he saw that his plate was still half full. Letting out a low sigh, he nodded, for it had not just been Shinji that had been out of sorts these past few days. "You miss her, huh?" he asked, to which PenPen slowly nodded. "Yeah, me too." He was about to say something else when the phone again rang for his attention. Letting out a low breath, Shinji picked up the receiver and placed it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Shinji? It's me, Dr. Akagi," Ritsuko spoke on the other end. "Listen, I need you and Asuka to come to NERV as soon as possible."

Letting out a puzzled squeak, Shinji almost jumped when Kensuke appeared before him. "Who is it?" the otaku asked with eager hope. "Is it Misato-sama?"

"Shh!" Shinji hissed, placing his finger to his lips before turning about and clamping the phone tighter to his ear. "Uh…why, Akagi-san? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that. But Maya and I decided to move up the schedule a bit," Ritsuko explained tersely. "You're getting your synch tests today, and then we're running those other tests."

"Other -?" Shinji frowned, only to gasp as realization kicked. "Oh, okay. I…I understand. We'll be right over, Akagi-san."

"Good. I'll see you later, then," Ritsuko answered before the phone disconnected.

Placing the receiver back on the hook, Shinji was again jolted when Kensuke asked, "What was that all about? Who were you talking to, anyway?"

"It was Dr. Akagi," Shinji explained as he moved past the otaku. "She's the Head Scientist at NERV."

"Really?" Toji spoke, giving Shinji a hormonal grin. "By any chance, is she as much of a babe of Misato-sama?"

"Ugh! Why do you dorks have to be such slobbering idiots?!" Asuka sniped as she emerged from the bathroom, still toweling off her hair. While Toji shot the redhead a positively filthy look, she turned her attention to Shinji. "So, what did she want?"

"We have to get going, Asuka," Shinji responded. When she raised an eyebrow at his statement, the 3rd Child continued. "They need us over at NERV."

"What?!" Asuka whined incredulously. "But I'm not even dressed yet!"

"I'm sorry, but…Akagi-san said they need us there for another synch test," Shinji explained. When the redhead sneered in response, he narrowed his eyes. "Also, they have some other stuff for us to do. Remember? Those other tests Akagi-san has planned?"

"Huh?" Asuka returned, her befuddlement apparent. However, as she continued to look at Shinji, comprehension appeared in her features. "Oh, right. Those tests! Right, I gotcha."

"Tests?" Kensuke wondered, determined to involve himself in whatever was going on. "Say, what kind of tests?"

"Tests that are none of your business, Stooge!" Asuka declared even as she retreated to her bedroom.

As Toji and Kensuke looked towards Shinji, the boy could only shrug helplessly. "Sorry, you two, but…I really can't tell you anything about this yet. It's…classified."

To Shinji's mind, this was quite possibly the lamest thing he had ever said. Which only added to his relief when it actually worked. "Hey, we understand, Shin-man," Toji noted with a typically confident look. "Say, you take care. And if you hear from Misato-sama, be sure to tell her we said hi!"

With a saddened look, Shinji replied, "I will." Sighing heavily, he looked outside again, saw the deluge that he and Asuka would soon be virtually swimming through. "Anyway, uh…why don't you stay here for a while? At least until the rain lets up?"

"Really?" Kensuke answered with obvious gratitude. "Hey, thanks!"

"Oh, it's no problem," Shinji returned with a dismissive wave. "Just do me a favor and make sure you feed PenPen, okay?" Pausing to glance at the genetically-engineered warm water penguin, he shrugged and added, "This might take a while, and…"

"Hey, no problem!" Toji grinned in response. "Anything to help you out, Shin-man! And don't worry!" His grin widening to become slightly larger than his face, he glanced over at Kensuke and added, "I'll be sure to keep Ken out of Misato-sama's clothes!"

His mouth popping open, Kensuke protested, "Hey, don't say that! I'd never even think of fooling around with Misato's things!"

"Yeah, well, you sure as hell better not try messing with mine, Stooge!" Asuka was heard growling. Looking about, they watched as the German appeared in a yellow sundress. "C'mon, Third! Let's hurry up and get this over with!" Nodding, Shinji proceeded to the entry hall and quickly donned his shoes before grabbing his umbrella. Asuka did the same, but before she exited, she snarled, "By the way, you creeps! If I find any of my things missing when I get back, you're dead, got that?!"

"Yeah, right!" Toji demanded incredulously even as the two of them exited. "Why would I be interested in a snake's old skins?!"


"Well, Shinji, I have to say that I'm impressed," Ritsuko informed him as soon as the synch test was completed.

"What do you mean?" Shinji wondered as he stood alongside Asuka and Rei in the Test Facility's observation room.

"With everything that's been going on, I was worried that your synch ratio would have suffered as a result," Ritsuko explained with a tired expression. "However, not only is that not the case, but your harmonics value has increased by 6 points since the last test. I'm very impressed."

"But it's still 52 points below mine," Asuka pointed out with a superior smile.

"Maybe, but 6 points in ten days is truly amazing, especially when you consider everything that's been happening recently," Ritsuko answered, to which Asuka sneered.

Not liking the unpleasant look worn by the German, Shinji cleared his throat before attempting to redirect the conversation. "Um, by the way…how's Misato doing?" he asked nervously after making certain that he chose his words carefully. Not sure as to who was in on the secret, and who wasn't. "And…why'd you bring us in today? I thought…"

Holding up her hands in negation, Ritsuko sighed heavily before glancing back at Maya. The new Operations Director was standing towards the back of the room, looking more exhausted than Shinji could remember seeing her. Glancing over at the rest of the staff there, which consisted mostly of the traditional bridge crew, Maya then nodded. Satisfied with this response, the doctor let out a haggard sigh and gave the Children a lopsided frown.

"We had a close call this morning," Ritsuko began, speaking as gently as she could. "Misato had another nightmare last night."

"A nightmare?" Shinji frowned. Then he realized what exactly the doctor meant by this, and gasped. "You mean…she transformed again?!"

"Almost," Ritsuko corrected, holding up her hands as she spoke. "Fortunately, the automatic sensors detected the change and deployed the sleeping gas before it got very far." Shrugging lightly, the doctor seemed to consider her words before explaining, "Anyway, given how nervous she is about the upcoming tests, Maya and I decided that to put them off would only make things worse in the long run. So we called the department heads, and got the rest of the equipment ready, and…"

"Uh…okay. But Misato…she's alright, isn't she?" Shinji asked nervously.

"Yes, of course she is. She woke up with a slight headache, thanks to the sleeping gas, but other than that, she's just fine," Ritsuko assured him.

"Well, that's just great!" Asuka grumbled, placing her hands on her hips. "And why didn't you bother telling us about this before?!"

"I'm sorry, but…I didn't want any of you to be distracted. It would have only contaminated the readings from this test," Ritsuko explained somberly. When Asuka's expression only grew harder, the doctor winced with shame. "I understand how you must feel. Believe me, I'm just as worried about Misato as you are, but her situation doesn't change the fact that we still have our responsibilities. We have to be ready if and when an Angel attacks. And part of that means keeping tabs on your current ratios."

Though Asuka was clearly unsatisfied by this explanation, Shinji found that he could still see the logic behind the doctor's thinking. In the short time since joining NERV, he had quickly become aware of the devastation the Angels were capable of causing. And as much as he didn't like it…he knew that he still had to fight them. Especially because of Adam, he reminded himself, recalling the Angelic culprit in his guardian's condition. I can't let what happened to Misato…happen to anyone else.

"Anyway, we should get down to the testing range," Ritsuko decided before turning to the bridge crew. "Shigeru, Makoto, are you ready?" The two lieutenants nodded, making affirmative gestures. "Good. Maya, get the rest of the team together. The sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Alright," Maya returned. Then she frowned slightly before speaking in a far meeker tone. "Um, sempai? I know that this is no longer my department, but…would you mind if I helped with the tests?"

"Of course not, as long as you can spare the time," Ritsuko answered with an easy smile. "In any case, I can use all the help I can get in deciphering Misato's mutation." Then the doctor narrowed her eyes slyly and added, "And the sooner we get that done and have cured her, the sooner you get your old job back, right?"

"Uh, right, sempai," Maya nervously answered.

With that, Ritsuko returned her attention to the 3rd Child. "Well, Shinji, are you ready? Remember, these tests are absolutely crucial if we're going to have any chance of curing Misato. We'll all be counting on you to help with her."

As Rei and Asuka looked on, Shinji narrowed his eyes and gave the doctor a determined nod. "I'm ready, Akagi-san."

"Alright, then," Ritsuko nodded somewhat uncertainly. As if she were wondering if Shinji really knew what he was saying. "Let's get this job done and over with."


"Is this really necessary, Rits?" Misato wondered as she sat in the living room of her special lodgings. She was dressed in a loose blue medical gown, watching as her best friend and Maya placed sensory bands around her arms and legs, as well as other devices upon various parts of her body.

"Yes, Misato, it is. We want to get as much data from this test run as possible," Ritsuko explained, noting the wary look in her friend's eyes as she worked. "No offense, but…I think that the less time you spend in your She-Hulk state, the happier everyone around here will be. Including me."

"What? You think I'm having any fun with this?" Misato demanded as another sensory device was placed on her. "I'm just glad it's not my clothes getting wrecked here!"

"I'm sorry," Ritsuko returned with a contrite look. "It's just…what happened this morning, anyway? Was it another nightmare about Shinji?"

Sighing, Misato gave a slow nod. "Yeah…I'm sorry, Rits, but…it all felt so real! I had just woken up, and…oh, God, there was blood everywhere! The whole city was destroyed, and I…I knew that I had done it! And all of your bodies were just lying in a pile…staring at me. And Shinji's was right at the front, and I…" The purple-haired woman just bit her lip before looking at her friend. "Even when I woke up, I…I couldn't stop it! I was so scared, so…"

"Major…" Maya spoke woefully, clearly wondering what she could do to help. "Maybe…we should put off the tests? At least for another day or so?"

Unsurprisingly, Misato gave a fierce shake of her head to this. "No. No way. The sooner we get this done and over with, the better!" the Major declared, as if desperate to force this statement through. "You need this data, right? And I need to get this damned monster out of me! So let's just do it already!"

"Right," Ritsuko agreed somberly. "Misato, you know if there was any other way…"

"Yeah, I know," Misato agreed. Then she heaved a deep, weary breath before asking, "By the way, Rits? Did you…manage to get through to Kaji?"

"Yes, I did. And I asked him to come here, just like you told me to," Ritsuko responded easily.

"Thanks. I appreciate that," Misato replied, pausing to shoot a poisonous look at the nearby coffee table, as well as the computer interface and com-unit that was built into it. "Of course, I wouldn't have needed your help if you'd set it up so that I could actually call someone instead of waiting for them to call me!"

"I know, but I'm sorry. Ikari wanted to make certain that there was no chance of anybody finding out that you're still in Tokyo-3, and not on some special assignment like you're supposed to be," Ritsuko explained, knowing that this would probably not be the last time they had this discussion. "And unfortunately, that means no calling out to anyone, even if they're on base."

"Yeah, I know. But that doesn't mean I have to like it," Misato grumbled with a pout that was only partly feigned.

As Ritsuko placed another sensor in position, she asked, "By the way, why did you want to talk to Kaji, anyway?"

"Do I need any special reason to talk to the jerk?" Misato asked snippily.

Recognizing this evasion for what it was, Ritsuko looked up from her task and commented, "No. It just seems kind of sudden, that's all."

At first, Misato looked like she would respond in the good-natured bickering that they used as conversation since college. But even as Ritsuko watched, she sighed heavily, seeming to collapse beneath her unseen burdens. "Look, I…I just have something that I need to talk about," Misato explained, looking pointedly at her. "With the both of you."

Ritsuko's first impulse was to ask what it was that she wanted to discuss. But then she saw the look on Misato's face and realized that there was no point in trying. She would discuss the matter only when she was ready, and not before. So she contented herself to wait for Kaji's arrival and continued placing the sensors. "Okay, I get the message," she muttered lowly, contenting herself to wait for Kaji's arrival as she held up two more pieces of equipment. "Now just hold still for a bit longer. I still have to put these A-10 nerve clips on."

"A-10 nerve clips?" Misato repeated perplexedly. "What do you need those for? I'm not getting into an Eva here!"

"They're to analyze your neural activity," Ritsuko replied easily. When Misato continued to look at her, she sighed before elaborating. "We need to get a better picture of your brainwaves, as well as your adrenal gland's activity and what role it plays in the transformation." The doctor paused before hesitantly adding, "And more importantly, they'll hopefully show us why you have no control when in your transformed state. That could prove crucial in unlocking the secrets of this mutation."

"Well, if you say so," Misato grumbled, raising her hands in an 'I have no idea what all that techno-babble means!' manner. "So…when do we start?"

"Just give me a moment to get Shinji. Once you're…transformed, I don't want anybody coming in or out of the enclosure. Just in case," Ritsuko explained as she rose up.

Before the doctor could turn to leave, Misato held up her hand. "Uh…don't get him just yet, Rits," she asked her somberly. "I…we can't start yet. Not until I've talked to Kaji."

Taken aback by this request, Ritsuko glanced over at Maya, who returned her look of confusion with one of her own. "Well, that's okay," the Captain smiled easily. "We can still bring Shinji in, and…"

"No," Misato stated firmly, her shaky voice hardening with fresh authority. "I…what I have to say…I don't want Shinji to hear it." Taken aback again, Ritsuko was about to ask what it was her friend wanted when the purple-haired woman decided, "In fact…it might be better if you weren't here, either, Maya."

"Huh?" Maya squeaked out, her mouth falling into a heavy frown. "Wh-why is that, Major?"

"It's…personal, Maya," Misato responded after a moment's thought. Using that same voice as before, and one that Ritsuko knew from their days in college.

Realizing that whatever business Misato had with Kaji and herself, and no one else, Ritsuko turned to her former understudy. "It's okay, Maya," she told her, adding to her confusion. "Why don't you go out and tell the others that…we need a bit more time to get ready?"

"But…sempai…" Maya began to protest, only for her tongue to fall flat in her mouth. "Well…okay. But what should I tell them?"

"That we're waiting on someone, and that we can't proceed until he gets here," Ritsuko told her. Then smiled and added, "Of course, if Kaji is here, then you won't have to worry about that part."

"Right. Of course," Maya nodded. Casting a final glance at the two older women, the former techie sighed and exited the fortified quarters.

As soon as she had left, Misato frowned slightly and asked, "Is it just me, or does Maya seem a bit…out of it?"

"I wish I could say it was just you," Ritsuko admitted. When Misato sounded her confusion, she added, "Let just say she isn't exactly warming up to your old position."

"Really?" Misato frowned uncertainly. "Well, I admit that isn't a lot of fun, but it's not that bad!" Then she winced and added, "Unless you're talking about the post-Angel paperwork, of course. Which, by the way, is about the only thing I don't miss with being cooped up down here!"

Chuckling wanly at this, Ritsuko was about to say something in response when she heard the distinctive groan of the main door. Turning as they heavy door slowly opened up, the two women watched as a familiar, unshaven face poked inside. "Hey, there, Katsuragi! How've you been doing?"

"I've been better," Misato returned with none of the typical nastiness she tended to greet her former boyfriend with since he had come to Tokyo-3. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get in here and close the door!"

"Whew! Someone's a bit impatient today!" Kaji muttered, shaking his head as he complied with her wishes. While the door slowly ground shut, he cocked his head to the side and flashed one of his typical grins. "What's the matter? Have you been missing me since Ritsy-poo decided to keep me off-limits?"

"It was for your own good, Kaji," Ritsuko stated firmly. "Besides, I knew if there was anyone on the planet who could set Misato off after everything that's happened, it would be you."

"Oh, why are you being so mean to me? Especially when you told me that Katsuragi wanted me here today?" While Ritsuko was trying to think of something to say to that, Kaji made his way over to them. "So, Sunshine, what is that you wanted to see me about?"

Half-expecting Misato to say some caustic to her former lover, Ritsuko stood there and watched as her friend lowered her eyes to the floor. "Actually, I needed to talk to the both of you," she murmured, clasping her hands together. "It's about the tests today." Sucking in a quick breath, her body quaking momentarily as she looked up and studied her friends. "I'm…assuming that Ritsuko told you what she's planning on doing."

"Yeah. She did," Kaji nodded, all teasing and games gone from his voice. "And…well, I certainly understand why you'd be upset. Us basically forcing you to…"

"That's not what I'm talking about," Misato broke in. As Kaji pulled back, the cursed woman glanced over at Ritsuko. "Did she tell you how she's planning on keeping that walking nightmare under control? Making her cooperate for all the little tests they've got set up for her?"

Kaji blinked a few times before a ghostly sigh breathed out of his mouth. "Oh. That."

"Yeah. That," Misato gritted, once again casting an accusatory look at Ritsuko. One that traveled down to her stomach and proceeded to burn.

"Misato, I'm sorry, but like I've already told you, we couldn't think of any other way of keeping She-Hulk under control," Ritsuko told her again, sympathy mixing with annoyance. "Besides, we're not forcing Shinji into anything here. He volunteered to help us with this!"

"That's right. And besides, it's not like he's going to be in any danger!" Her mouth and eyes flying open at this glibly made statement, Misato was set to spear Kaji with a glare before he elaborated. "Remember, we were watching She-Hulk pretty much the entire time. And trust me when I say that the last thing she wanted was for anything to happen to Shinji."

"I know. I saw the videos, but…" Her voice trailing off, Misato looked down at her own hands and clasped them even more tightly. Glancing over at Kaji, Ritsuko found the unshaven man meeting her gaze, and in his eyes she found understanding. That it was one thing to see something with your eyes, but another thing entirely to feel it in your heart.

"Misato, we understand, but you have to trust me. We've taken every possible precaution here!" Ritsuko informed her. "We'll be watching Shinji and her the entire time! And the moment it looks like she's even thinking of doing something to him, we'll be ready to flood the entire area with sleeping gas. And I've had the tech teams rig up…"

"I know, I know. You've...already told me about all that," Misato nodded, her voice trembling. "But…still…before we go ahead with this, I need you to promise me something. Promise to do one thing for me."

Another look passed between Ritsuko and Kaji before the unshaven man slowly bent down. "Hey, anything for you, Katsuragi," he told her, looking her in the eye. "You know that. If you need our help for something, then just ask."

Wishing she could be as sincere as Kaji was, Ritsuko knelt down a bit as well. "What is it? What do you…want us to do?"

"That…that creature I change into…She-Hulk or whatever you call it?" Misato spoke slowly, fearful tremors running through her entire body. "If something goes wrong, and she does anything to hurt Shinji...then…" Pausing to take a breath, she looked squarely into the eyes of her friends, and without any hesitation, told them, "…I need for you to kill me."

A slight gasp escaped Ritsuko's lips as Kaji continued to look on, unfazed by this request. "I'm serious, you two," Misato proceeded, her voice shaking with her own determination. "Shoot me, hit me with poison gas, snap my neck! Whatever it takes! Just put me down and make sure that it's for keeps! Because if…if she attacks him…"

"Then she's liable to attack anyone," Ritsuko concluded, instantly seeing the inexorable logic to her friend's thinking. But even as Misato nodded, the doctor felt her throat clench, as if someone had just tied a rope around it. "But, Misato, we already know that she won't -!"

"We don't know anything about that monster!" Misato shrilled, sending Ritsuko back a step. "This isn't a person we're dealing with! She's a wild animal! How can you possibly know what she will or won't do?!"

A hint of a laugh sounding in his throat, Kaji answered, "That's an easy one, Katsuragi." Pausing just long enough to make sure that Misato's full attention was on him, he went on to say, "Because this thing, whatever else she might be, is still a part of you. And whatever other problems you might have, I know that you would never intentionally hurt Shinji or any of the other children."

Her lips trembling, Misato looked away from her former lover. "I wish I could say that, Kaji. I wish I knew her…or myself half as well as you seem to think you do," she admitted, wrapping her arms about herself. "But…still…I refuse to take any chances here." Glancing back at Kaji out of the corner of her eyes, and bitterly added, "Besides…I have hurt Shinji. I know that for a fact. And if I did it…then a monster like her…"

As Misato's voice failed her once again, her friends turned to each other, asking with their eyes what they could say to this. What they could to do quell her fears. And after a short time and the feeling of her stomach tying itself in knots, Ritsuko realized that there was only one way to do. "Alright, then," Kaji proceeded, doing what they knew had to be done. "I swear, Katsuragi. If that thing in you does anything to Shinji today…then we'll make sure that she never does so again. One way…or the other."

Nodding slightly, Misato then turned her eyes on Ritsuko. Further knots appearing in her stomach, the doctor met her friend's gaze, feeling her guilt like never before, and finally was forced to say, "Okay. I…I promise."

"Thank you," Misato replied, gratitude and fear showing in her in equal amounts. Exhaling slowly, she then took a sharp breath, and decided, "Okay, then. I…I guess we…better let Shinji in. And get…started, right?"

"Right," Ritsuko agreed, starting towards the door. And while she was not a woman who believed in anything that couldn't be proven scientifically, she found herself praying to whatever deities that happened to be listening that nothing went wrong that day. That she wouldn't be forced to stain her hands with the blood of one of her closest friends.


I wish I hadn't had to do that, Misato thought haggardly as she watched Ritsuko open the door. Glancing between her and Kaji, both of whom she had differences with. Both of whom were people she didn't always get along with, and in the case of her former lover, had so many faults and so many ways of pissing her off that she wondered what had possessed her to get into bed with him in the first place, but the fact remained that they were still people that she considered to be her friends and friends were something that she had precious few of in her life. And she hated having to burden them with the promise she had gotten from them.

But…I didn't have a choice! I can't take the chance of this thing hurting Shinji! Ever! Misato reminded herself as the door opened up, revealing the boy for whom she feared. I didn't have a choice…

Sighing heavily, wondering if she was thinking this in regards to the promise she extracted or her role in sending one of those few precious people in her life to face death whenever an Angel appeared, Misato watched as Ritsuko escorted her ward up to her. "Alright, I still have a few things I want to get ready before the testing starts," the doctor declared, acting as if nothing had just happened. "So whenever you're ready, head for the testing range."

"I will," Misato assured her, to which Ritsuko nodded. As the faux-blonde left for the testing area, she forced a broad smile into place for the boy that had already risked so much for her and was about to risk even more. "Hey, Shinji-kun. How're you doing?"

"Hi, Misato," Shinji murmured wanly. "Uh…are you okay? I mean, is everything…?"

"Well, I'd be lying if I said I was looking forward to this," Misato told him in as impish a fashion as she could. Determined not to alert him to her fears and concerns. "But, yeah, I'm as okay as I guess I can be right now." When Shinji failed to be reassured by this, she rolled her head to the side, and asked, "Why? Is something wrong?"

After shifting on his feet for a few moments, Shinji shrugged and replied, "Well…not exactly, but…Akagi-san, she…she told me about…what happened this morning." Immediately realizing what he was talking about, Misato nodded as he asked, "So…what happened? Did…did she…?"

"Don't worry, Shinji-kun. That lime-green wrecking ball didn't cause any real trouble," Misato assured him. "All she managed to do was trash one of those dollar store outfits Rits got for me. Not to mention introducing me to the smell of sleeping gas."

"Oh," Shinji responded somberly. His features tightening with shame and his shoulders quaking, he blurted out, "Misato, I'm so sorry! If only I'd caught you back then! Then this would never have…!"

"Shinji, please! Don't do this to yourself!" Misato broke in as she took him into a careful hug, determined to keep from him drowning in his own guilt. "We've already been through all this. It's not your fault. It never was."

"Hey, listen to Katsuragi, okay?" Kaji advised the boy. As Shinji looked over his shoulder at the older man, he gave his usual smile. "Focusing on the past won't do you any good, anyway. It won't change what's going on right now, and it won't do anything to make you feel better, either." Then he glanced over at the door beyond which the greatest danger was scheduled to appear. "Besides…you have a lot to do right now, remember?"

Frowning somewhat at this reminder, Shinji then turned to look at his guardian. "Misato…are you sure you're ready? I mean…?"

"I'm sure that we have to do this, sooner or later," Misato responded, lightly brushing her fingers across his cheek. "So it might as well be sooner. Right?"

His features still betraying his fears, Shinji looked down to the floor, even as Misato ran her fingers through his hair. Despite herself, she wondered what would happen to the boy if the worst did indeed come to pass. Hopefully, Ritsuko or Kaji will take care of things. Make sure he doesn't get stuck in the same kind of hellhole his father put Rei in, she thought as the boy once again looked her in the eyes. As she began to started to wonder how Shinji would react to such an event, to being told why Ritsuko and Kaji would ever make such a promise, let alone keep it, she gasped in surprise as Shinji leaned forward in and returned her embrace.

Feeling Shinji's head resting on her shoulder, Misato froze for a moment, her train of thought disrupted, and then abandoned entirely as she started running her hand up and down his back, trying to convey as much comfort as she could. For as much as it seemed likely to happen, she didn't want to imagine his reaction to it. She didn't want to see this single precious soul broken with grief. "Come on, Shinji," Misato spoke softly, her own fears ghosting across her face. "Let's just get this over with."

Sniffling loudly, Shinji reluctantly surrendered his grip on her. "O-okay," he got out as Misato slowly stood, making sure to keep his hand in her own.

"Alrighty, then. Let's do this!" Kaji decided, starting towards the dread door. Knowing that she would be rolling her eyes at his carefree attitude under different circumstances, Misato glanced down at Shinji once more, and then the two of them followed the unshaven man to their appointment with her worst fears…


Once they were in the testing area itself, Ritsuko quickly greeted the unlikely trio and began giving them an overview of what she wanted them to do. She began by giving Shinji an overview of the various tests that they wanted to put She-Hulk through, in order to get a full range of physical activities and various conditions to test her with. She made sure to point out the various cameras that were located at every point of the testing range, all perfectly calibrated to follow every movement, digest every available iota of data.

"Now, do you understand what we need you to do, Shinji?" Ritsuko asked, glancing over her shoulder as they proceeded to another part of the resting range. "Remember, once Misato's transformed, we don't want to use the intercom. I don't want She-Hulk getting confused by too many people trying to instruct her at once."

"Uh, yeah. I…I think so," Shinji murmured nervously, glancing again at the various machines there. "They…they all seem pretty simple."

"That's the idea. With any luck, you shouldn't have any trouble guiding She-Hulk through the tests," Ritsuko informed him. "Just be sure to keep your distance while she's actually using the various machines, though. While I'm sure she wouldn't intentionally do anything to harm you, I'd like to avoid taking any chances here."

"Right, good idea," Misato quickly agreed, glancing down at Shinji with obvious concern.

Sighing, Shinji couldn't help but feel an even deeper guilt at this. While it was clear that Misato couldn't be blamed for the actions of her other, it was equally obvious that she could and was condemning herself. That she was afraid of what might happen when her inner beast was forcibly set free.

Tormented once again by shame and anger, Shinji continued to watch as they came to a particularly nasty-looking piece of equipment hanging from the ceiling. "Now, here's the trickiest part, Misato," Ritsuko noted with some concern as she eyed the device, which bore a strong resemblance to a mechanical octopus with too many tentacles, all of which were tipped with various medical tools. "This analyzer was designed to probe more deeply into your tissues, to obtain readings while you transform." Pressing her lips together, the Head Scientist turned to face her friend, genuine concern in her eyes. "Unfortunately, this means that the probes will have to be inserted into your body, so they can record everything that happens when you change."

"Great. That sounds like a lot of fun," Misato grumbled, crossing her arms as she spoke. "And what's to stop them from leaving a great big chunk of themselves in my body after you-know-who smashes them to pieces?"

"You don't have to worry about that. The probes are a pseudo-organic composite, similar to some of the sensory devices in the Evas. Even if they were to become lodged in your body, they'll biodegrade and be broken down soon enough," Ritsuko assured her. "The problem is that I'm worried they might start breaking while you transform before we can get the data we need."

"Uh, by the way, Akagi-san…" Shinji started, a shadow falling across his face. "How are you going to get her to transform?"

"Actually, that's the easiest part about this whole test," Ritsuko answered in a flat voice. As the three of them gave the doctor confused looks, she once again gestured up at the analytical device hanging above them. "Once the probes are in place, it will be easy enough to direct an electrical charge into Misato's body." Focusing on the purple-haired woman, Ritsuko added, "It won't cause any damage, but it will be enough to stimulate your adrenal gland."

"And hurt like hell as well, I'll bet," Misato deduced, giving the device a sour look. As the Major looked at her friend, Ritsuko wilted beneath her gaze. Betraying her lack of enthusiasm with a deep sigh, Misato took a moment to look down at the floor before saying, "Well…like I keep saying…the sooner we get this over with, the better."

"Right," Ritsuko nodded. "Now stand right here, and I'll start inserting the probes." Grunting deeply in her throat, Misato did as she was told. "Just be careful, Misato. This will hurt, I'm afraid, so I need you to stay in control. At least, until everything is ready."

"Great. This day just keeps getting better and better," Misato grumbled as she stood where requested, blatantly looking away from Ritsuko as she took hold of one of the probes. Clenching her teeth together, she stood perfectly still, with a hiss of pain her only expression of pain as the doctor drove the probe into her left arm.

For the next several minutes, Ritsuko proceeded to carefully insert the analyzer's probes into Misato's flesh, visibly almost panicking with every noise of discomfort that escaped the purple-haired woman's mouth. She did it slowly, giving Misato a moment or two to relax and adjust to the presence of the device in her flesh, obviously in no hurry to be in close quarters with a hopping-mad She-Hulk.

"We're almost done," Ritsuko noted as she took hold of another probe. "Just two more, and we'll be ready to go."

"Right," Misato got out, looking very much like a woman who was trying desperately not to explode right out of her skin. Hissing in pain as Ritsuko implanted another of the torturous devices, she then directed her gaze through a nearby plexiglass window. Following her gaze, Shinji saw that just beyond it was a group of technicians, all of whom were busy working at his or her own station. "What the…?" she frowned, cocking her head to the side. "Hey, is that you, Makoto?"

To Shinji's surprise, the bespectacled otaku looked up in response. "Oh!" he started, his voice distorted by the intercom that fed into the testing range. "Uh…hi, Major!"

"Fancy seeing you here," Misato smiled, only to wince as another probe found its way into her body. "Listen, Makoto…since you're here, anyway, there's been something I've been wanting to ask you."

A quizzical noise sounding in his throat, Makoto glanced about the area before shrugging. "Uh, sure, Major. What is it?"

"From what I've heard, you're the guy who actually started calling this…thing of mine…She-Hulk," Misato began, eyeing the lieutenant in a curious manner. "Is that right?"

"Um…yeah, that's right, Major," Makoto hesitantly answered. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering…how you managed to come up with that name," Misato explained, letting slip a nervous chuckle. "I mean, seriously? She-Hulk? Where'd that come from?"

Makoto then began shifting about uncomfortably in his seat, clearly unhappy about the not-quite-green look in Misato's eyes. "Well, sir, you see…after what happened that first time you…you changed…the newspapers and everyone started calling this thing a hulking monster, hulking creature, that sort of thing." When Misato nodded her comprehension, the lieutenant held up his hands. "Anyway, when you…changed again and we were all working to…track her down…I was thinking about all that stuff, and it just…came out."

"It just…came out?" Misato repeated, grunting as the final probe was implanted.

"Well…yeah," Makoto responded. Then, with a sheepish shrug, he added, "Besides…I figured that She-Hulk sounded more feminine, anyway, so…"

Makoto trailed off as Misato rolled her eyes skyward, despairingly declaring, "That sad thing is, that actually makes sense."

"There. We're all set," Ritsuko informed her best friend. Standing up to look Misato in the eye, the doctor smiled comfortingly. "Now, just relax, Misato. Everything's going to be alright now."

"I wish I could believe that," Misato responded, her fears hidden deep beneath her eyes.

"But it is going to be alright," Shinji spoke up, coming up to Misato's side. Without even thinking of it, he took Misato's hand in his own.

"That's right," Kaji agreed with a casual nod. "C'mon, Katsuragi! Lighten up and stop trying to yank a defeat from the jaws of victory!"

"Good idea. Now, we better get into position," Ritsuko ordered, her tone making it clear that she was not in the mood for any backtalk. "Kaji, you come with me, Shinji, I suggest you get some distance from Misato." Thrown by this, Shinji was about to protest when the doctor cut him off. "Remember, we don't want to take any unnecessary chances here."

Though Shinji didn't say anything to this, he did frown as he realized the doctor had a point. He remembered the convulsions Misato had gone through in her previous transformations, the way her body had spasmed as her body sought and found She-Hulk's more massive dimensions. He took a moment to imagine a flailing limb smacking into him, and winced at the resultant picture his mind painted.

Looking up at Misato, all set to apologize, he found her nodding. "That's right. Go on, Shinji-kun."

"Uh…okay," Shinji finally responded, and with a good deal of hesitation, he slowly distanced himself from her, coming to stand with his back against a wall.

"Kaji, let's go," Ritsuko said to the unshaven man. "I'm not going to ask you again."

"Just a moment, Akagi," Kaji told her. Then, turning to look at Misato, he cocked his head to the side and gave her a look of boyish charm. "Okay, Katsuragi. Just sit back and relax, and leave the rest to us."

"Sit back and relax?!" Misato hissed out beneath her breath, fear and anger showing in equal portions as she spoke. "Kaji, I'm getting ready to be electrocuted so that a monster with the personality of a pile-driver and brains to match can take over my body, all so that Rits can poke and prod it to her heart's content! How the hell am I supposed to relax?!"

Quirking his lips, Kaji nodded once before admitting, "Hmm…okay, I admit it. That's probably not the smartest thing I've said to date."

"No kidding," Misato grumbled with a roll of her eyes.

"What I meant was that…maybe you can't help worrying now, but trust me, you're worrying about nothing." Kaji then moved in to clap her on the shoulder, smiling the whole time. "And when you come back to us, you'll see that everything's going to be okay." A reluctant smile tugging at her lips, Misato watched as her former lover started away, looking over his shoulder at her even as he gave her a playful salute. "We'll get through this, Katsuragi. Bet on it."

"I hope so," Misato returned glancing towards Shinji. Who was fervently hoping the same thing.


As Misato stood there, watching her former lover depart, she found herself oddly envying him. For as much as she couldn't stand Kaji at times, she couldn't help but wish that she could be as at ease with the world as he was. As utterly carefree about things. It would certainly be preferable to the torment she was experiencing as the moment she had been dreading for days finally arrived.

There was no stopping it now. The monster that lay within Misato was going to be unleashed, and there would be no sleep gas to stop it from fully emerging, no hope of retaining control. She was going to stand by and let Ritsuko bring forth the green beast, all the while Shinji stood a short distance away from her, utterly defenseless before the hulking brute.

Why? Why do you have to be so brave? Misato asked herself as she looked at her ward, and seeing no fear. Shinji was worried, that much was obvious, but it was equally obvious that his concerns were not for himself, but rather for her. He was even managing to smile, all for her benefit. What did I do…to deserve you, anyway?

"Everything's set on our end," came Ritsuko's voice on the intercom. When Misato looked up, she saw her friend standing on the far side of the plexiglass window along with the technical personnel. All of them wearing various expressions of fearful anticipation. "Are you ready, Misato?"

No, was the word Misato desperately wanted to cry out. She wanted to shout it at the top of her lungs, to make it clear that she did not want to surrender her body, her mind, her very self to a bludgeoning destroyer that had been spawned by the Angels she hated above all else. A monster so much like those she lived to destroy.

"Yes," was the word that she actually spoke. Leaving Misato helpless to watch as the stage was set for She-Hulk's return.

Practically feeling the beast rising up, growling in anticipation of being released once more, Misato growled back at it. Don't you dare hurt Shinji! You got that?!

Misato didn't know if the creature heard this, or even understood it. For a moment later, a surge of electricity spun through her being, causing her to cry out as her world went white with pain...and then green with rage…


As cries of agony were torn from Misato's lips, electricity channeled into her body by the very device that was scrutinizing her on a cellular level, Shinji was frozen by what he was seeing. Part of him wanted to run up to her and comfort her, to rip the offensive probes of her body. Another wanted to run away in terror at the sight of his guardian in so much pain, knowing what that pain would unleash in her. In the end, he did nothing but watch as Misato's voice shifted from pain to hatred, as green began ripping its way through her blood, causing a beast to tear its way free of her slender form.

"Look at this! Her brainwaves are all over the place!" came Maya's voice as the technicians went about their work. Tearing his eyes from the emerging beast-woman, Shinji watched as a plate of sheet metal fell into place over the plexiglass window. "Looks like a massive sensory overload, and her -!"

"Never mind the analysis! That can wait 'til later!" Ritsuko cried out, even as Misato's form continued to shift and bulge with might. "Just focus on getting as much data as you can! I don't want to have to go through this again! Not if I can help it!"

Shinji couldn't hear anything beyond that, for a massive roar cracked the air. Very nearly falling over in shock, he brought his hands to his ears as he turned back to the emerging beast-woman. The transformation was nearly complete, the Misato he knew suppressed by She-Hulk, who was looking wildly at the probes that were buried in her flesh. Her emerald irises shimmering with hatred, she again roared in challenge. She then flexed her still-expanding muscles, completely ignoring whatever pain she might have been in, and in a single motion, effortlessly tore her way free of the sensory apparatus. Snarling in hatred as green washed over her skin and the transformation was completed, the jade giantess reached up for the machine, and crushed it like putty in her hands as she tore the offensive device free of the ceiling. The wounds caused by the probes already healed, she smashed the sensory device down on the ground and began pounding on it with both fists, filling the testing range with thunder.

Wincing at the display of raw, unleashed violence before him, Shinji was flooded with fear. All he could do was stare at the power standing before him, unfettered by intellect, and feel his knees weakening. Every instinct urged him to flee from this beast.

However, just before instinct could take hold of him, four words once again repeated in his mind. I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away…

As these words repeated themselves in his mind, over and over again, Shinji stood there watching as the creature delivered a final crushing blow to the machine, which now resembled nothing more than a metallic pancake. Growling deep in her throat at the ruined mechanism, She-Hulk appeared to settle down somewhat, having satisfied herself that she had paid the machine back for hurting her.

That's Misato, Shinji reminded himself once again, forcing himself to look directly at her face, to see his guardian beneath the green skin and untamed fury. Something that became easier to see as the beast stepped away from the shattered device. That's Misato, remember? She won't hurt you. She'd never hurt you…

While Shinji was struggling to squelch his fears through sheer force of will, the mighty beast-woman snorted loudly as she examined her current surroundings. Scowling in distaste, as if annoyed to have woken up in such a small place, She-Hulk began looking suggestively at the wall, like she considering putting a new door in it.

"Shinji, get in there! Quickly!" Ritsuko's voice came again, causing She-Hulk to look about in confusion. "These walls won't last ten seconds against her!"

Now completely stirred from his stupor, Shinji straightened himself up. While the beast that had once been his guardian still looked about, trying to spot the source of the unseen voice, he gulped once before taking a tentative step forward. "M-Misato…?" he stammered out, suffering a qualm or two as the monster shifted her wrathful gaze towards him. "Do you…remember me?"

For a couple seconds, She-Hulk looked questioningly at the boy. After a couple seconds, the anger in her eyes faded somewhat, allowing recognition to be seen in them. "Shinji…" she got out, turning towards him. Frozen with both fear and anticipation, the boy just stood there as she came closer, his eyes taking in every detail of her transformed self. The blue medical gown that had once hung loosely about Misato's slender frame was now filled to capacity by She-Hulk's by the tremendous orbs, which enjoyed considerable support by the enormous pectoral muscles beneath them. He could see several small tears inflicted during the course of her transformation, and as she approached him, her every movement caused even more seams to burst open, revealing more green flesh.

Oh…oh, wow… Shinji gulped loudly as the gown continued to deteriorate. On one level, he was afraid that it would fall apart completely, but at the same time, there was another, deeper part of himself that was excited by that possibility. That wanted to see to see She-Hulk rip free of the pitiful rags that were straining to conceal her mighty form. And as this impulse registered with his conscious mind, he winced inwardly and thought, Ugh…I think I'm turning into Kensuke…

While Shinji was working to keep these more shameful impulses constrained, the creature that inspired them came to stop before him. Craning his head as far back as he could, he watched as she knelt down slightly…and caressed his face with her surprisingly gentle hand, a slight smile appearing on her face.

Sighing in relief at this reassurance that Misato was still inside of the creature, Shinji took hold of She-Hulk's hand. "Misato," he got out, his heart a swirling mix of conflicting emotions as he stared at the beast-woman. Gulping again as his heart pounded, dangerous temptations warring with guilt and shame, he sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to clear his mind. To remember that he wasn't there just to provide her with comfort, to keep her from trying to escape.

Shinji had a job to do. And he would do anything he could…to bring Misato home.

"Listen, Misato?" Shinji finally spoke up. Cocking her head to the side, the creature looked intently at him as he told her, "I…need you do some…things for me." She-Hulk grunted lightly at this, even as he placed his other hand on her own more massive green one. "Just…follow me, okay?"


Letting out a distinctive sigh of relief, Ritsuko looked at the holographic display screens before her. Watching as Shinji led She-Hulk towards the first of the devices littering the testing range, the jade giantess following him as obediently as a young puppy. That's one hurdle down, the faux-blonde thought, her own legs feeling weak from this brush with potential disaster. If that thing had hurt Shinji…!

"Oh, man…!" Shigeru grinned as he stared goggle-eyed at the green behemoth that had taken Misato's place. "And I thought the Major was pretty before?"

"Yeah! Talk about awesome!" Makoto gawked, one big grin as two trickles of blood ran down from his nose. "And that transformation…!"

"Tell me about it! The Major's act is even better than all those girls at that club downtown!" Shigeru declared even as Makoto nodded in complete agreement. "You know, the one where the girls are all in cages, and then they -!"

Both Shigeru and Makoto were interrupted when two fists with veins popping out of them came crashing down upon their heads, causing their eyes to pop of their sockets. When the fists were withdrawn, two huge lumps were already sprouting from their heads. With tears already running down their cheeks, the two Lieutenants turned in their seats to find Maya staring at them with disgust. "You two are sick!" she declared emphatically, her fists steaming from her wrathful strikes. "Giggling over the Major when she's going through all this?! What is wrong with you two, anyway?!"

"Huh?!" Shigeru and Makoto gaped, staring at Maya like she had been the one to turn green.

"Now, you two better cut it out, or I'll clobber the both of you!" their new Captain raged, holding up one fist for emphasis.

"Maya, boys, please act your age," Ritsuko ordered them, despite privately enjoying the comeuppance the two males had just gotten, as well the momentary diversion from her inner turmoil. "They're almost to the first machine."

"Um…right, sir," Shigeru replied, wincing in pain as he and the other two got back to business.

True to Ritsuko's words, Shinji had just led She-Hulk to the first of many machines. It was fairly large, with a padded panel sticking out from the front. Putting her earlier fears and concerns aside for the moment, embracing her role as a scientist, the doctor found herself smiling as She-Hulk stood in front of what was essentially a glorified, high-tech punching machine. Okay, Misato…let's see what your high score is.

"Uh…okay, Misato," Shinji got out as he pointed at the machine, indicated the big, red bull's-eye someone had painted on it. "I…need you to punch that thing. Right there. As hard as you can."

Looking from Shinji to the padded target and back, She-Hulk frowned somewhat. "Smash?"

"Uh, yeah! Smash it!" Shinji responded, smiling nervously. Never once looking away from She-Hulk, he took a boxing stance and fired few mock punches at the target. "Smash it like that. As hard as you can."

That's right. Go ahead and give it all you got! Ritsuko thought, mentally urging her transmuted friend even as She-Hulk once again frowned as if wondering why Shinji wanted this machine smashed. But after a moment or so, she seemed to decide the question was irrelevant. Shinji wanted the thing smashed, and that was as good a reason as any. So, with one more look at the boy, a look that was met by one of pure encouragement, the creature looked at the target, snarled as she reared back with her first, and fired off a devastating punch, filled with all the muscle the creature had.

Driven by the most powerful muscles in the world, She-Hulk's fist drove the target straight through the punching machine, causing it to rip through the metal and fly out the other side. The air was filled with a metallic shrieking as the machine was torn partly free of the floor, half-crumpled by the force of the blow.

Despite knowing how powerful the creature was, Ritsuko and the others were still jolted backward by this display of raw, savage strength. Pausing to glance down at the numbers filling the screen, the MAGI already working to process the information gathered, the doctor looked back up at She-Hulk as she snarled, infuriated by the noise made by the ruined machine. Deciding that the nasty machine Shinji wanted to be smashed hadn't been smashed enough, the green-skinned beast quickly jumped and fell upon the punching machine, where she proceeded to tear it apart with her bare hands.

Wincing in pain and covering her ears as She-Hulk tore apart untold yens' worth of machinery, Ritsuko watched as Shinji mirrored her action. "Akagi-san…what should I do now?" he wondered aloud, even as he stood fascinated by the sight of power personified.

"Wait for her to settle down a bit, and then lead her to the next test," Ritsuko instructed helplessly. "It's all you really can do."

"Um…right," Shinji answered, never once looking away as Misato crumpled the punching machine until it was nothing more than scrap to be melted down and recycled.

Slowly, She-Hulk's ire cooled, and the beast-woman stepped away from the shattered machine, seemingly satisfied that it would not be bothering anyone again. She then looked at Shinji and grinned wickedly. "Smashed."

"Uh, yeah. You sure…smashed it good, Misato. Great work," Shinji responded as she came closer. Once again, the boy took her hand in his own, which the creature held firmly, but clearly not so much as to cause pain or injury. "Now…there's some other stuff I'd…like for you to do. Okay?" When the creature gave a slight nod of affirmation, Shinji smiled gratefully. "Okay. Now…just follow me."

Once again, She-Hulk followed the boy perfectly obediently, to where a large, thick metal pole sat upon the floor, with perfect orbs on each end, each resting in a specially built receptacle. Doing exactly as Ritsuko had instructed him, he released his hold of the she-beast's hand, and carefully bent down and picked up the pole. "Here, Misato…could you please hold this for me?" Shinji asked, straining beneath the weight of the metal even as held the pole up to her.

She-Hulk looked at the rod in Shinji's hand but seemed to have no reason not to do as the boy asked. Taking the pole in her own hands, she lifted it up effortlessly, examining the object Shinji wanted her help to hold…only to grunt in surprise when Maya flicked a switch, activating the high-powered electromagnets that were beneath the floor.

"Come on, Misato! Hold on!" Shinji urged her, even as the electromagnets beneath the floor increased their pull on the iron orbs at the ends of the pole, momentarily pulling her off balance. But She-Hulk quickly recovered, and snarled as she tightened her grip. She was a creature of instinct and limited intelligence, and so interpreted the sudden increase in weight in the only she could; as a challenge. Something was fighting her for the rod, even though she couldn't see it. So she responded by fighting back, her biceps bulging with might as she continued to hold the pole up.

Tearing her eyes away from the contest of power, Ritsuko examined the data coming from the sensors, as well as steadily increasing power being put out by the magnets. Watching the various readouts and studying the activity in the green behemoth's musculature, her eyes went wide as she grinned despite herself. "These readings are incredible!" she finally got out, staggered by the reality before her. "The Evas are worthless by comparison!"

"Yeah! And she's…she's getting even stronger! Muscle mass is continuing to increase!" Makoto gasped, staring in awe at his own displays. "But…how is this even possible?!"

"I have no idea how this is happening," Ritsuko admitted, trying to digest the information shown before her. "I just hope the MAGI can figure it out." Once again looking at one of the monitors before her, the doctor then turned to her former understudy. "Maya, turn up the electromagnets up to maximum power. Let's put that thing to a real test!"

"Right, sempai!" Maya smiled in return, seeming more at ease as she did her duty. With practiced ease, the brunette twisted the knob controlling the power output and sent the magnets to their maximum tolerances. Once again, She-Hulk was taken somewhat by surprise by the weight increase, but this did not last long. She easily recovered, gritting her teeth as she continued to lift the pole upwards. Grinning in amazement as the creature continued to fight back, Ritsuko continued to look onwards in awe…only to frown at an ominous, metallic creaking.

"What the…?" Shinji asked as he searched for the source of the noise. He first looked at the pole in the She-Hulk's hands. However, while it was clearly bending somewhat, it didn't seem to be the cause of the noise. Then, as the creaking increased, Shinji looked down at the floor, just as Ritsuko and her team did the same, and saw two bulges appear in it.

"Oh, shit…!" Ritsuko grimaced, having just figured out what was about to happen. Over the course of assembling the testing range and all of its equipment, the tech crews had tested the strength of the pole many times over, just to make sure it wouldn't snap under pressure. They had tested the magnets, just to make sure they could hold up under maximum power. However, it was quickly becoming clear that no one had thought to check to see how well the magnets were anchored within the floor.

"Shut off the power!" Ritsuko ordered even as the bulges continued to grow beneath the floor. "Turn it off right -!" The doctor was cut off as one final shriek let them all know that they were too late. Before everyone's eyes, two massive chunks of machinery erupted out of the floor and leaped at the pole, attaching themselves to spheroid tips. She-Hulk was immediately catapulted backwards; after having using so much strength to win her war, she was unprepared for the sudden impact of the two magnets and was sent to the floor, the pole still in her hands.

"Misato! Are you alright?!" Shinji bleated fearfully. Only to have his fears assuaged when She-Hulk growled her displeasure, got back to her feet, and looked at the stupid machines that had fallen to the floor after their power had been cut off. Machines that were the obvious culprit in trying to take the pole from her, machines that had actually tried to attack her.

"SMASH!" She-Hulk roared, raising up the pole before she proceeded to bludgeon the two magnets into a condition similar to the one she had left the punching machine in.

As Ritsuko and the technicians looked onwards, Shigeru winced at every impact the magnets suffered. "Well…there goes the auxiliary budget…"


After several more tests, most of which resulted in even more top-end machinery between reduced to scrap suitable only for recycling, Shinji carefully led She-Hulk back to the small apartment that had been set up for her. "That's right…just follow me…" he told the green beast, once again in awe that such a mighty being would obey him so unquestioningly.

As the two figures entered the small apartment, She-Hulk looked at her new surroundings, seemingly confused by the sudden change in her environs. However, the warm colors and furniture seemed to reassure her, as if they reminded the part of her that was Misato of her own home.

Shinji saw this shift in her posture and attitude and smiled in relief. "Well, Misato…you sure had a busy day, huh?" the boy asked rhetorically as he went to the kitchen. "I bet…you're thirsty, huh? Would you like something to drink?"

Almost laughing as the massive green woman's eyes shot towards him, Shinji knew that he was correct. Constantly smiling, Shinji opened up the refrigerator, and with a bit of effort, dragged out one of the kegs of Yebisu that had been placed inside. "Here you go," Shinji spoke, setting the keg down on the counter. Smiling at the sight of her favorite flavor of alcohol, She-Hulk quickly took the keg in hand, almost crushing it her eagerness as she peeled it open.

Meanwhile, Ritsuko was wiping her brow free of the sweat she had been working up during the testing period. "Well, we're almost there," she sighed as the end came within sight, relief weakening her knees. Despite her opinions of Misato's drinking, she felt more and more relaxed as She-Hulk chugged down the contents of the keg, letting out a distorted version of her usual cry of delight. "One or two more of those, and she'll be calm enough to -"

Then the doctor almost had a heart attack. The green beast had just tossed away the emptied keg and was looking towards Shinji. He was puttering about in the refrigerator, wondering what he should make for dinner, completely unaware that She-Hulk was moving up behind him. Before anyone could think to warn him, two massive green hands had wrapped about his frame and were lifting him into the air.

"Omigod!" Maya panicked as She-Hulk turned Shinji about so that he was looking her in the face. "Sempai! The sleeping gas -!"

"No! Wait!" Ritsuko cautioned, negating the Captain's move with an outstretched hand. Maya and the two techies looked at her in mystification before returning their gazes to the monitors…and having their terror shift to wonderment.

"Shinji-kun…" She-Hulk cooed gently as she drew the boy in even closer. His body was soon sandwiched between her massive breasts, even as she gently growled, rubbing her cheek against his own.

At this display of undisguised affection, the doctor and her team slowly settled down. "Whew…" Ritsuko got out, even as the She-Hulk continued to hug and cuddle the boy.

"I guess he's alright. Right, sempai?" Maya asked, her fears dangerously close to the surface.

"Right," Ritsuko got out, heaving another sigh of relief. I'm definitely getting too old for this.

"Aw, man!" Shigeru grumbled as Makoto turned green with envy, rather than radiation. "That kid doesn't know how lucky he is!"

Her brow wrinkling with disgust, Ritsuko glowered at the two hormonal techs. "Boys," she growled even as Maya mirrored her motion, "don't make me kill you."


Back in Misato's quarters, Shinji felt like his heart was going to explode right out of his chest at any second.
It had started thundering in his ears the instant he had felt She-Hulk's about his waist, and done so with even greater force when she had picked him and cradled him to her. His face had turned red when she began cuddling him, and with that, some of his old fear of contact, physical or otherwise had returned to him.

However, as Shinji remained suspended above the floor, at the mercy of Misato's gamma-enhanced assets, he felt himself growing calmer as well. What am I doing? Misato's voice rang in his mind even as She-Hulk continued to caress his face with her cheek. I'm kissing the kindest, bravest, most wonderful young man I've ever met!

The instant this memory lit up his mind, Shinji let out a choked gasp, tears appearing in his eyes. She…she really thinks of me that way… he thought as he laid his head down to rest upon She-Hulk's shoulder, wrapping his arms about her neck. She…really does care…she…she…

As he lost the ability to form coherent thoughts in the face of the intense emotions that were surging through him, Shinji surrendered to his own feelings and held the massive green figure as if he would never let go. Then he heard a quizzical growl, and looked up to see She-Hulk, and more importantly, Misato within her looking at him, a slight frown curling her lips. "Shinji?" she murmured, raising her hand to his face. Unafraid, he didn't move as she brushed his cheek with her finger, and came away wet with his tears. "Shinji…sad?"

"Huh?" Shinji gasped, looking from his tears to the creature with Misato's face, a face that was creasing with sadness. "Uh, no. No! That's…I'm not…" he fumbled out, not sure what to say to stave off the unhappiness. Then he sighed, shaking his head as his emotions got on top of him, and finally sank forward into her arms again. "I'm sorry, Misato. I…!"

"Shinji-kun," the creature murmured, cradling him even more tightly to herself. As he once again lost himself in the warmth of her embrace, She-Hulk began walking. Shinji couldn't tell where she was going, nor did he even care. He was being held by someone who really and truly cared for him, something he had almost forgotten in the time in which she had been caged within NERV. Feelings that he had first felt on the Day of Destruction, when Misato's powerful other had kept the world away from him Spirit, returned to him then, stronger and more wonderful than before.

As Shinji drowned himself in these sensations, he was brought back to the moment when he felt his center of gravity shift. Looking up from She-Hulk's shoulder, he saw that she wasn't falling, but instead reclining on the massive sofa Ritsuko and her people had set up. Initially concerned that it wouldn't be able to support the huge woman, he held his breath as she lay back, the cushions sagging beneath her. Fortunately, the sofa was up to the task of supporting her weight, and she smiled happily as she shifted her massive form on it, making herself more comfortable.

I guess I should have realized Akagi-san would have these things built to be able to handle her, Shinji thought, already imagining the fury She-Hulk would have unleashed on her furniture should it have proven to not be able to hold up beneath her.

Glad that he didn't have to worry about that, Shinji returned his focus to the giantess who was holding him, feeling her hand running through his hair. Sighing heavily, he pushed himself up enough so as to be able to look her in the face, to see the smile that was so easy to recognize as Misato's. "Thank you," he murmured aloud as he shifted, seeking a more comfortable position. As he did so, he found himself sliding into something that was large, round, and very firm and supple.

"Oh!" Shinji yelped, instantly realizing what exactly he was resting against. Quickly glancing to confirm that he was indeed practically lying on top of one of her breasts, he quickly looked back at She-Hulk, who was frowning her confusion. "Uh, sorry!" he apologized, already trying to shift himself away from the mountainous mound, only to yelp in dismay as his motions succeeded in ripping the already-strained medical gown even more. Before his eyes, a large tear was forming in the flimsy fabric covering her breast, and while nothing forbidden had yet to be exposed, Shinji knew that he had to do something lest he make a situation that already bordered on awkward that much worse. "Uh, sorry, Misato!" he quickly apologized, turning to look the jade giantess in the face. "I didn't mean to…I…I…"

His tongue falling flat in his mouth, Shinji realized that the titanic female didn't look the slight bit annoyed. Instead, another of Misato's smiles, one of a more teasing variety, curled She-Hulk's lips. "I…" Shinji began again, unsure of what to say. "I didn't mean to…maybe I should just…" As he trailed off once more, he looked up to see She-Hulk chuckling lowly, clearly amused by his embarrassment.

Cudgeling his brain for some graceful way out of getting out of this situation, Shinji watched as She-Hulk's impish smile turned into an even more impish grin. "Uh…Misato?" he wondered as she brought her finger up to the hem of the strained gown, and tugged at it ever so slightly. Realizing what she was implying, Shinji felt his cheeks burn bright red. "Uh, no, no! I mean, you don't have to – I wasn't trying to – that is, I -!"

She-Hulk chuckled again, and then she pulled at the gown, instantly dooming it. In one easy motion, she tore the simple garment right down the center, allowing her breasts to rise up to the air unconstrained. Gulping loudly at the sight of the immense orbs, which he had only seen before either in darkness or from a considerable distance, Shinji immediately forced himself, to look up and away from them, and found himself looking into a green version of Misato's teasing face.

"Shinji like?" the emerald Amazon asked, her primitive voice laced with naughty delight.

Again, Shinji gulped, unsure of what to do. On the one hand, he simply had no idea of what to do, and some of his original concerns about physical contact came back. But at the same time, despite the more extreme nature of She-Hulk's action, it still had all the flavor of Misato's playful teasing. Something he had found himself dearly missing in the time since she had imprisoned within NERV.

For a long time, Shinji hovered on top of the massive beast-woman, his entire body frozen and reacting to the presence of just so much woman in ways he really didn't want to think about. But slowly, after what felt like an eternity, he found himself relaxing again. This wasn't the first time he had seen his guardian naked, whether as herself or as She-Hulk, and the warmth of her embrace was still with him, urging him to settle down.

And he missed her. There was simply no getting around it. Shinji missed Misato. He missed having her around the apartment, he missed her teasing ways, her playfulness, all of. And now, not only did he have them back, but he was being given something more. He was being embraced, held, and reassured that someone loved him.

Why? Why didn't Misato ever do this before? Shinji found himself wondering as he slowly allowed himself to relax, to let his Misato act through She-Hulk's body and once again hold him tight. Returning her embrace and resting his head next to hers, feeling her firm, coiled muscles beneath him. Was it because she was so busy, or because…she didn't think I would want her to do this? That I didn't want her to hold me, or…?

His train of thought breaking up, Shinji found that he simply didn't have the answers to these questions. And as he lay there, warm and worn from the trials and fears and concerns of that day, he gave up trying to find the answers. Instead, he let a slight yawn escape his lips and closed his eyes. Unaware of the slight trickle of blood that was making its way down from his nose…


As Misato slowly made her way back to consciousness, the first thing she became aware of was that there was something on top of her. Something fairly large and heavy.

Groaning slightly as she rolled her head this way and that, Misato blinked her eyes several times, clearing them enough for her to be able to see the ceiling of her current home. Aw…damn…what the…? she thought groggily as she craned her neck up, only to groan in pain as her body ached in protest. Great. Must've slept the wrong way or something.

Annoyed and realizing that she was going to be aching for a while, Misato tried to get up in a way that wouldn't exacerbate the kink she had worked into her neck. An effort that was promptly foiled when a familiar voice said, "Welcome back, Misato." Jolted with surprise, Misato instantly swiveled her head about and winced as she saw Ritsuko standing right next to her, a wan smile ghosting her features. "I was wondering when you'd wake up."

"Rits?" Misato started, frowning heavily. "What are you…?" Then her eyes and mouth flung open as her memories came back to her. Memories of their preparations for the tests that morning, and that last moment of pain when her savage alter ego had sent her plummeting into the depths of her mind. And with that, she looked wildly about and gasped when she realized what exactly was lying prone on top of her. "Shinji!"

"Don't worry, he's okay," Ritsuko quickly assured her. "The two of you decided to take a little nap, that's all." With that, the doctor bent over and gently shook the boy by the shoulder. "C'mon, Shinji. Time to get up."

"Huh?" came the boy's groggy response. "Uh…Akagi-san." Shifting about in a fashion that indicated that he had picked up a kink or two of his own, he slowly picked himself and looked at Misato in the eye. "Oh, Misato, you're -"

"Shinji!" Misato shrieked. Flinging herself upright, she grabbed him by the shoulders "Oh, God, you're bleeding!"

"Huh?!" Shinji squeaked out as Misato focused on the hideous red blotch that stained his face. "Wh-what are you -?!"

"Misato, no!" Ritsuko broke in, grabbing the frantic woman by her wrist. "It's not what you think! Just calm down, and I'll -!"

"What did she do to him?!" Misato wailed, all of her worst fears confirmed. The monster within her had attacked Shinji, she had attacked Shinji, she had hurt him, and -

"No, no, Misato! It's okay!" Shinji cried out, waving his hands in negation. Both women quickly focused on him as he hastily wiped away the hideous red blotch. "You didn't hurt me! Honest!"

"That's right, Misato!" Ritsuko told her firmly and gently. "She-Hulk was just cuddling Shinji, and he wound up with a nosebleed! That's it!"

Blinking several times in rapid succession, barely able to believe she had just heard what she had heard, Misato opened and closed her mouth, trying to get something coherent out. "A…a nosebleed?" she finally managed to repeat, looking blankly from Ritsuko to Shinji. "Just…a…?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm…I'm sorry, Misato," Shinji told her, his fear evaporating and leaving him to look at her shamefacedly. "It was an accident. I…I didn't mean to scare you, so…so please don't…"

A nosebleed. A simple, harmless nosebleed. That was all it had been. She-Hulk hadn't attacked Shinji, hadn't hurt him or anything like that. It was just a nosebleed, like so many others Misato had teasingly inspired him. Nothing more than that.

"Oh, God!" Misato gasped, wrapping her arms about Shinji and clutching him tightly to her. The sudden rush of fear leaving her shaken to the core, desperate to reassure herself that he was alright. "Oh, Shinji, if that thing had done anything to you, I…!"

"But…you didn't, Misato! Nothing happened!" Shinji replied, returning her embrace. "I'm okay, Misato! I…nothing happened, so please…I'm sorry, I…!"

Misato didn't listen to him. She heard his words, but she didn't really focus on them. All that mattered to her, all she really cared about, was that Shinji was safe. That the worst-case scenario she had envisioned had never come to pass. And she wanted to prove it to herself. She needed to feel him in her arms, safe and whole. She wanted to hear his voice and know that she had not doomed him. She wanted to hug and cuddle and let him know how sorry she was that he had to risk his life for her sake. "You're okay…" she muttered, holding him as tightly as she could. "Thank goodness you're okay…"

"Uh…well, yeah. Of course I'm okay, Misato," Shinji assured her. "I…I told you that…that you'd never hurt me."

"That's right. In fact, we all told you that at some point or another," Ritsuko chimed in, invoking her ever-irritating 'I'm smarter than you' voice. Glowering at the doctor and seriously considering giving her the one-fingered salute, Misato sat there as her friend added, "In fact, why don't I bring up the video log of the evaluation? That way, you can see for yourself that Shinji wasn't in any danger. Okay?"

Still a bit confused and uncertain, Misato glanced at Shinji, who was still alright. Still whole and unhurt, and most of all, unafraid of her or her monstrous other. "Uh…okay, sure." Then she glanced apologetically at her ward, and told him, "Uh, Shinji, no offense, but…"

"Hmm? Oh, right! Sorry!" Shinji promptly apologized before scrambling off.

As soon as Shinji was off, Misato smiled her thanks and sat up…and immediately gaped in dismay. "What the -?!" she squawked as she found herself looking at her bare bust, which was plainly visible beneath the tattered remains of her medical gown. "What the heck happened?!"

"Uh, yeah. That," Shinji blushed even as Ritsuko chuckled humorlessly. "Sorry, Misato. It…well…I guess…She-Hulk thought it was…too tight, and…"

"Too tight?!" Misato repeated incredulously, recalling the fit of the gown earlier and how it felt like she was wearing a tent. "Just how big does this thing get, anyway?!"

"Pretty big, actually," Ritsuko admitted with a wry curl to her lip. "Look, why don't you get changed into something a bit less…revealing. Then I'll show you everything that happened."

"Uh…right. Good idea," Misato replied, once again glancing down at her own chest. Shaking her head, she quickly retreated to her bedroom.

As she shut the door behind her, already shedding the tattered gown, Misato couldn't help but overhear Shinji say, "Uh…Akagi-san? While we're waiting, would it be okay if I…got cleaned up?"

"Of course it'd be okay," Ritsuko returned easily. "I'm just sorry I didn't think to clean the blood up before Misato woke up."

"Huh? I wasn't talking about the blood, I…" Shinji promptly cut himself off, and Misato could have sworn that she could almost see him blushing as he sputtered out, "Uh…n-never mind. I'll…just get cleaned up now. Okay?" Then the boy was heard darting away, and despite herself and everything that had happened, Misato couldn't help but smile.


A short time later, Shinji and Misato sat in her living room, along with Ritsuko and Kaji. Watching intently as the recording of the evaluation session played out, but not all of them watching it.

Misato could watch nothing but the recording, and as Shinji paused to glance at her, he knew that she was studying every action of her brutish alter ego. Searching for even the slightest hint that she would attack Shinji, any indication that her fears were indeed valid. All the while he, along with Ritsuko and Kaji, were watching Misato's various reactions to her other self's actions. At how she sighed when the creature began nuzzling his cheek with her hand, and how she readily went along with him, doing everything he asked. How she winced in dismay at her violent reaction to some of the tests, and even chuckling at how She-Hulk had been knocked on her butt by the magnets. And then they watched as the jade destroyer took Shinji in her arms and started cuddling him, prompting her to sigh in relief, only for her to wince at the free show She-Hulk gave Shinji, as well as his resulting nosebleed.

"And that's all that happened," Ritsuko commented as the video wound to a close, with both boy and beast falling asleep. "She-Hulk never even came close to attacking Shinji. All she really wanted to do was cuddle and play with him."

"Not to mention give him a free show," Kaji commented easily. "I must say, you're a lucky guy, Shinji. Not too many guys get such a wonderful view, you know."

A nervous sound escaped Shinji's lips as his throat clenched, for the last thing he really wanted to do was think about that moment. A moment that had filled him with impulses and temptations that he really didn't like dwelling on, and caused his body to react in ways that had very nearly resulted in extreme humiliation.

Still unable to believe the mess that his body had created, or the difficulty he had in cleaning it up so that it wouldn't be noticeable, Shinji was so caught in his embarrassment that he almost missed it when Misato growled, "Kaji, do yourself a favor, and don't piss me off right now." He then watched as she smiled dangerously and added, "Cause even though She-Hulk might not want to hurt Shinji, I know we can't say the same thing about you."

Taking the hint and taking a step back, Kaji allowed Ritsuko to approach. "I take it that you're satisfied that She-Hulk isn't a threat to Shinji, then?"

Misato frowned, seeming to consider her answer before giving it. "I'm satisfied that she wouldn't intentionally attack him, Rits," she told them in a measured voice. "But there's a big difference between that and her not being a danger to Shinji. Or anyone else, for that matter."

"We know that, Misato. Believe me, we're all aware of the risks," Ritsuko quickly assured her. "But at least you can be sure that She-Hulk wouldn't deliberately endanger Shinji or any of us, right?"

"Yeah, Misato. It's okay," Shinji quickly assured her. "You're not a monster. And…neither is she."

Pressing her lips together, Misato again paused in consideration. "Maybe. But I'll still feel a lot better once you manage to get her out of me!"

"Now there's something you won't hear any argument from me about!" Kaji chimed in before turning towards NERV's Head Scientist. "And on that note…did we learn anything interesting about big, mean, and green today, Ritsy-poo? Other than she's not exactly safe around delicate electronics?"

"Actually, yes," Ritsuko informed them as she held up her clipboard. "The MAGI recorded a great deal of information during those tests. And while it's going to take some time to process most of the data, there are a few things that I can tell you right now."

"Oh? Like what?" Misato asked, leaning in closer to her friend, her eyes intense with interest.

"Well, for starters, we found out how She-Hulk was able to go toe-to-toe with Spirit, and walk away without so much as a scratch," Ritsuko stated. Wincing as a shadow crossed Misato's face, the doctor went on with her explanation. "An analysis of your mutated tissues revealed that your physio-molecular structure had become distended, and reinforced with Angelic energy and gamma radiation alike."

"Distended?" Misato repeated, the wheels turning in her mind. "You mean like the 8th Angel, and how its body reacted to the heat of the volcano?"

"That's correct. Although the actual mechanics are clearly different, the result is almost the same. Except that, unless I'm mistaken, She-Hulk's body is even more impervious to harm," Ritsuko told her, taking a moment to pace about as she explained. "According to our readings, it would take something harder than diamonds and stronger than titanium to penetrate that thing's skin, even temporarily! Even a prog knife would be useless against it! And given what we've seen of its metabolism and physiology, even if this thing were injured, the damage would heal almost instantaneously."

"Really?" Shinji gaped, his face becoming a picture of awe.

"Yes," Ritsuko nodded, warming to the subject. "Also, it seems that She-Hulk's body is capable of continuously upgrading itself, with her strength increasing in proportion to the amount of opposition she's facing, as well as the level of adrenaline in her system."

"In other words…the madder she gets, the stronger she gets?" Misato murmured, growing more and more astonished. When Ritsuko nodded to this, the Major looked about for a few seconds before once again returning her gaze to the doctor. "Rits…are you saying that…this thing can't be killed?"

"Well, I wouldn't go that far," Ritsuko replied, stepping back as she spoke. "You still need to breathe in that state, so you'd still be vulnerable to oxygen deprivation. And certainly, if this creature were to take a catastrophic level of damage…"

"Define catastrophic," Misato demanded, her features hardening in a no-nonsense look.

Shinji just kept looking from one woman to the next as the doctor sighed and began giving examples. "The sun going nova would do it…a mountain range falling on this creature's head…being sent to the bottom of the deepest part of the oceans…maybe?"

Frowning intently, Misato stood up and, and looked her friend square in the eye. "Bottom-line it for me, Rits!"

Knowing this look and what it meant, Ritsuko gave a deep sigh of surrender. "Remember how it took six days for the 7th Angel to recover from being bombed with an N2 mine?" the doctor asked. When the two before her nodded, Ritsuko gave a sick smile. "Well…I'm not sure She-Hulk would even need six minutes."

As these words lodged themselves into Misato's mind, she sat back onto the couch, her face completely blank. Completely unaware of Shinji and Ritsuko as they looked at her in concern, Misato raised her hands up and stared them, as if trying to see the incredible power that now lay sleeping within her.

"Damn…" was the only thing Misato could say.


Author's Notes: Sorry to take so long with updating, but the holidays have been killing me! Please, read and review anyway. And I hope you'll look at my other stories as well.

Mike313, there have been a few nods to your story, yes. I hope you don't mind.

Anyway, I think it's time for some fun. Excelsior!

Omake 1

"Ah, what a day!" Arsene Lupin III commented as he sat back in his lounge chair. He and his associates, Daisuke Jigen, Goeman Ishikawa XIII, and Fujiko Mine were relaxing after pulling off a major heist, enjoying cocktails and generally celebrating their latest escape from the law.

"Tell me about it," Daisuke commented, tipping his hat back a bit. "Fifty million dollars, just like that! I never thought it would that simple."

"Nor would I," Goeman seconded, a serious expression on his face.

"Which means that a serious shopping trip might be in order. Right, Fujiko?" Lupin commented, shouldering up to his lust in life.

"Right. And since when have you ever bought anything when you could just steal it?" Fujiko wondered, looking away in disdain.

As Lupin grinned helplessly, a feminine voice broke in. "Excuse me. Is this seat taken?"

As the notorious thief turned to look in the direction of the voice's his owner, he was greeted by the sight of an amazingly beautiful woman with purple hair, wearing sunglasses and a skimpy red bikini that couldn't even hope to hide her figure. Stunned, Lupin's tongue hung out of his mouth before Fujiko smacked him over the head. Recovering from the blow and hormonal shock, Lupin returned his attention to the woman. "Of course not! Please, feel free to join us!"

"Thank you," the woman smiled seductively as she sat down beside them, lowering her sunglasses just enough to reveal gentle brown eyes. "I feel like…I've been looking for you for a long time…"

As Lupin proceeded to drool, his expression turned from lustful to surprise as the woman's eyes shifted from brown to green…


"There!" She-Hulk growled as she finished wrapping a streetlight around Lupin, the thief one huge mass of bumps and bruises that would only grow larger. She then sat him down next to his associates, who had had deck chairs, umbrellas, and other items wrapped about them, and all of them bore heavy injuries. "That'll teach you to try and pull a fast one on me!"

"Excellent work, Major Katsuragi!" Inspector Zenigata grinned as he looked at the towering green Amazon, dangling four sets of handcuffs from his hands in ready anticipation. "Thank you so much for your assistance in capturing these felons!"

"After this loser stole my car? Trust me, Inspector, it was a pleasure!" She-Hulk answered with a hateful grin. "And as if that wasn't bad enough, he reminds me of my ex-boyfriend! What a creep!"

"Well, it looks like she's got you pegged," Fujiko noted, wincing in agony as she glared hatefully at Lupin.

"Oh, man! Done in by a beautiful woman!" Lupin groaned, his jaw already locking in position from all of the swelling. "Who'd have thought this would ever happen?!"

"We did!" his three associates grumbled, even as Inspector Zenigata gladly handcuffed them all.

(Author's Note: In Mike313's story, "Altered Destinies", he had Lupin steal Misato's car in one of his omakes. Given how much I hate that creep, having She-Hulk get revenge on him seemed like a good idea. 'Nuff said.)

Omake 2

"Hoo, boy…" Misato smiled, letting out a small belch as she staggered about her present apartment. "I have to admit…She-Hulk may not have any brains, but she sure knows how to party!"

"By party, I take it you mean boozing herself sick with enough Yebisu for a small army?" Ritsuko asked, to which the Major giggled madly. "Honestly, I still can't believe this! Where'd that thing put it all, anyway?!"

"Who knows? Who cares?" Misato asked nonchalantly. "Hey, it's all in the name of keeping that thing from turning Tokyo-3 to scrap, right? So why not enjoy it?"

"But Misato…how the hell are we supposed to afford so much beer?!" Ritsuko asked incredulously. "Our budget is already in the red from all the machinery that thing's wrecked!"

"Don't worry, Rits!" Misato smiled, blushing as she waved her friend's concerns away. "I've already taken care of that!"

"Really? How?" Ritsuko wondered.


"I don't believe this," Gendo muttered as he looked at the bill in his hand.

"Believe it, pal!" retorted bill collector before him at the door of his sprawling estate. "The lady told my bosses to send the bill here! So here it is!"

Frowning as he looked from the bill to the man who had brought it, and then back, Gendo grumbled. If it weren't for the fact that this is the only thing keeping her from destroying NERV and my scenario, I'd dump her in a volcano!

Taking a deep breath, Gendo returned his attention to the man before him. "Very well…I'll have a check written up for you."

"Fine by me," the collector responded. "Are you going to do the same with the others?"

"Others?" Gendo repeated before he looked past the collector…only to gawk in horror at the small army of similar collectors, all from various beer companies.

"I hope you got a second mortgage, pal, because I think you're gonna need it!" the bill collector advised…just before Gendo fainted dead from shock.