Koros45 doesn't own Getter Robo, Mazinkaiser, or Neon Genesis Evangelion

Stage 17: [On the Extreme]

Asuka ran off, her face threatening to give her away. The bathroom was an escape. She turned in a hurry and entered the ladies' room, occupying a stall as fast as possible.

Then she bit her lip and took a deep breath. Why was it so hard to act the way she'd been behaving? It had been the way she'd treated Shinji earlier, after all.

She knew the answer but it just pissed her off. Shinji might interpret that as her true nature and be pushed away. After all, her common response was just to push away others. And Shinji's was to run away, his own passiveness keeping him from shoving back against her.

It was because she'd been isolated for years, and now there was a faint light of hope that shone in this boy's eyes. Not that he would save her from her own problems. But that she could make a meaningful emotional connection. And then maybe work on her problems once that was done. And now Commander Ikari had prevented that. For whatever foolish reason, Shinji was re-assigned directly on the NERV base.

Asuka sighed. It was an act she hated to put on now but at this point Commander Ikari knowing about her feelings for Shinji would only spell bad news for them.

/

Shinji found Doctor Akagi in the hallway.

"Asuka stormed off, I take it?" Ritsuko asked and Shinji nodded quietly.

"Don't feel bad, Shinji. It's not your fault she's got a hair trigger temper." Ritsuko said.

"No, that's not your fault." Ritsuko said. "Asuka's just a live wire. No way around that."

Shinji found he agreed.

"Where did Rei go off to?" Shinji asked, feeling that the question was perhaps a bit foolish as no one likely knew the answer other than Ayanami herself.

/

"What do you mean, Shinji has to stay on base now?!" Misato asked sub-commander Fuyutsuki with bristling anger she hoped was mostly in check.

"The boy is important to our plans. We cannot risk him being put in danger by an outside group. Especially after the Dinosaur Empire resurfaced." The old man said with a frown. Misato reflected the expression.

"So you knew all along. And NERV kept it from the public despite how real their threat is." Misato said. Fuyutsuki said nothing to confirm or deny the statement.

Misato waited for a second to pass and spoke again. "How soon can he come back . . . home?" She asked.

"Once the Angels have all been dealt with, there should be no reason for us to keep Shinji here." The sub-commander said and Misato nodded.

"And what about Dr. Hell, or Shin Dragon, or whatever this Dinosaur Empire really is?" Misato questioned.

"NERV's goal was never to eliminate them. Only the Angels officially. Therefore the Third can return to your living arrangement after that is done. I apologize for the choice but it was not mine to make." Fuyutsuki said. For whatever reason he sounded sincere to Misato.

"Then I'll be going to meet Asuka and tell her the news. Is that acceptable?" Misato asked, knowing full well that Commander Ikari would know about whatever they decided to bring the boy.

"That should be fine." Fuyutsuki said with a slight smile. "Though I wish that Shinji's biological parent showed his son the same care, Major Katsuragi. Perhaps if things had been different, the scenario wouldn't be as pressing."

Misato blinked. The comment wasn't inappropriate or out of place even if she didn't quite understand the last part of it. The old man's honesty about Gendo Ikari was refreshing.

"Well somebody's got to care, I suppose, Sir. Thank you for the updates." Misato said and gave the man a nod before leaving the premise.

/

Asuka stared over the edge of the bridge, dropping the pebble and watching it hit the water, small ripples forming before vanishing into nothing.

"It's OK to cry." She heard Ryoma say to him.

It had been a few days ago during a sparring session. After a tense sparring between Shinji and Rei, the two had worn each other down. Shinji had knocked her over. Rei recovered and her counterattack sent him flying. Then the tears started and it had driven Asuka crazy.

"What?! He's supposed to be a man, isn't he!? He lost but come on! He should be able to deal with some scrapes and bruises!"Asuka had shot back during the sparring session.

"But – but I don't want to hurt anybody! I don't want to go out of control! Not after what happened to Toji!" Shinji managed through his tears.

"Please! Man up and stand up! You're a disgrace, Ikari!" Asuka had shot back.

"Stop it, Asuka. Shinji is a real man! And his tears are him expressing himself! So go on, Shinji. Let it all out! Once you finish, you'll feel way better." Ryoma had said.

"That's right! He'll be just fine, right after some manly tears are shed." Kouji said with a smirk as he crossed his arms in the white karate robe they all wore.

"T-thank you. Both of you." Shinji said as he kept weeping. Rei had approached him and squatted down to look at him in curiosity. It had been before the battle with Armisael. The training had occurred before she'd really opened up to Shinji and now Asuka wished she could cry as freely as he could. Hell, even Kabuto could do that as she'd seen him cry over both Z's destruction and his solemn promise to Mazinkaiser. Asuka was sure that she would do the same if Unit 02 had been destroyed the same as Mazinger Z had been.

Asuka heard Rei's voice and snapped out of her recent thoughts.

"The EVA is not awake. It is not true mastery Nagisa has over Unit 02." Rei said and Asuka froze, pivoting to face Rei. She was surprised at the other girl's proximity. The Second Child hadn't noticed the other's presence at all due to how deep her mood was.

The memory she recalled faded as she felt the scorn of the First coming to her once she was unable to use her own Evangelion. Just like when they were in the elevator. The same tension was there and it flipped a switch in her head to go on the attack.

"So did Shinji sends you out here once his words do nothing?! Are you his lapdog now as well?" Asuka spat.

Rei spoke to her with directness. "No." She said with a bit more volume and certainty than Asuka was familiar with.

"I came here of my own volition. As of right now, you and I are in the same position, Second Child." Rei said, an intense look in her stare that wasn't there earlier. The tone was not condescending but comparing the two of them was a good way to make Asuka even angrier.

"What do you mean!? The same position-!? You're the Commander's Pet! What do I have that can measure up against that without Unit 02?" Asuka demanded.

The First Child stepped closer to Asuka and spoke again.

"Asuka, I never asked for Commander Ikari to show me favor. Even over his own son. And to clarify our positions - I do not have Unit 00, as you do not have Unit 02 at the moment. In fact, Unit 00 has been destroyed. Therefore all I have are my orders. Waiting is the only thing I can do right now." Rei explained.

Asuka stopped and thought about what Rei had said. "Your EVA . . . was destroyed. But it doesn't seem to bother you."

Rei said nothing so Asuka kept speaking. "I – I'm just so angry. All those years I trained as a kid! I sacrificed my whole childhood to be able to pilot Unit 02 as good as I do! And then this Nagisa kid just – shows me up without breaking a sweat!" Asuka said.

Rei nodded and scowled slightly. It was jarring to see on her face like that. Totally different than the memory of her looking down at Shinji as she helped him up from the sparring match, or even her calm face in their tense ride in the elevator. "Your anger is justified. The Fifth Child is cheating." Rei said.

"Cheating? What do you mean?" Asuka said, instantly surprised at Rei's declaration.

"He is . . . manipulating the EVA with an unorthodox method. I am not exactly sure how he is doing it, but I can see the EVA in his hands is a soulless vessel. Not a fellow soul one speaks to or pilots to operate." Rei said.

"So you're telling me . . . that he's tricking Doctor Akagi and everyone else with how he's piloting?! Then I know I can show him up! I just need a chance to use Unit 02 again! I just need a chance to see

Asuka stopped and looked stunned.

"Nagisa can't talk to Mama then! He's doing something false to get what he wants-! But still, why does Rei say she cares so much! That doesn't make any sense!"

Asuka's thoughts teetered between telling Rei off and actually talking to her. She felt a regretful stab in her soul from pushing away Shinji again – and besides Rei had now given her a goal she knew she could achieve.

For crying out loud, they'd all piloted a Getter together. It was enough for Asuka to know she could depend on Rei perhaps as much as Shinji. She took a deep breath in and decided that thing needed to change. She, Rei, and Shinji hadn't been training for nothing, after all.

A new goal came into Asuka's head as she imagined the three of them, each in their own Evangelions attacking the mysterious final Angel in a coordinated attack. Now with their training and newfound trust, that last Angel wouldn't know what hit it, especially if she took point. With Mama by her side, she couldn't lose.

That would show Misato and Ryoma. That would show all of them that she was the best Pilot – second to her real goal of speaking to what remained of her mother.

"Rei – I-" Asuka began, unsure of where she was going to take this.

A pause. The Second Child's stance became less taut as she stood to her full height and exhaled.

"-Look, forget Nagisa for a moment. He's just making me upset at the fact I'm not allowed to pilot Unit 02 right now." Asuka said as she walked by Rei and the other followed.

"I'm just confused about – everything." The sentence hung in the air for a second. "I – hated you for a long time. But now I don't know what to think. You died. And - then Shinji opened up to me. I guess-." Asuka chuckled.

"Why did you hate me?" Rei asked.

Asuka looked back to her. "You – you were always the best at everything! The Commander's Pet! You always did everything perfectly! It was infuriating trying to interact with you!" Asuka yelled.

"I see. The Commander showed me kindness but now upon reflection it feels disingenuous." Rei said and stopped for a moment to think of what to say next.

"May I ask what made you change?" Rei asked.

"I don't know. The Third's words were one thing. And Ryoma's training. He pushed me back right as soon as I tried to push him away. Even if I didn't like it, he was just making me see how harsh I was on other people." Asuka said.

Then she snorted. "And I guess seeing Kouji being a hot-headed idiot gave me some self reflecting to do. Tetsuya said something to me as well. Even in a hopeless situation against Zeruel, he said he kept fighting because he had hope. I guess all of that in some kind of order." Asuka finished.|

"Thank you Asuka. Remember the goals that we discussed? This conversation is helpful for me to see your point of view." Rei said.

"Glad to help." Asuka said with sarcasm. "But why bring that up?"

"Well – I remember you wanted to show Mr. Nagare up. To upstage him. Working alongside Kabuto, I have done this." Rei said.

"Huh? But that was my goal. Are you talking about that training exercise Kabuto wouldn't shut up about? The one before Baron Ashura attacked?" She asked.

"Yes. When Kabuto and I defeated Mr. Nagare's Black Getter. I do not bring it up to boast. Rather, you – are more than capable of achieving your goals, Asuka." Rei stated. "The EVA will respond to you as you are now."

"Huh?!" Asuka said, now confused.

Rei took her turn to speak. "My memories of the Second are faint. Therefore I do not remember much of our first meeting. Yet I do remember you offering friendship and I was cold in response. I said that I would be your friend if I was ordered to."

Rei paused and kept speaking.

"Yet - friendship is not forged if one is ordered to become friends. I see Go, Kei and Benkei and they make me feel at ease. Shinji as well. For this I owe you an apology, Asuka. My ignorance of social norms is not a fitting excuse." Rei finished, bowing her head.

Asuka stopped for a moment at the level of thought Rei was putting into this. If she was being sincere than responding in kind couldn't make things any worse.

"Well - I was pretty hard on you once I saw you as only a rival. You didn't deserve that." Asuka said. "And you definitely didn't deserve being slapped after you gave me advice."

"We are teammates. It is natural for us to irritate one another from time to time." Rei stated.

"Don't excuse it. I took things too far. Just like I did with Shinji. I have this bad habit of pushing people away. I'm sorry for that."

"I forgive you, Asuka. And I would like to ask something. Would you like to be friends?" Rei asked, extending her hand the same way Kei had done earlier.

Asuka blinked at the question. It was simple but again it was to the point.

She took a breath and nodded. ". . . Yeah. There's been enough drama going on with the adults in our lives. I don't want to cross swords with you. I've already fought Great Mazinger twice this week." Asuka grasped Rei's hand and shook with vigor for a moment.

"Thank you, Asuka." Rei said with a brief smile.

"Wonder-girl, I had no idea you would actually want to be friends with me."

"You never asked."

"How was I supposed to know? You never talk about anything!" Asuka said, spreading out her arms in frustration as, to her, the problem seemed obvious.

Rei blinked and spoke. "I . . . see. Therefore knowing things about what I like and dislike, and what I have experienced helps you to interact with me."

" . . . Yes. That's how people know each other." Asuka said.

Rei was in thought for a second before she spoke.

"I see. Then I will tell you my observations as they come to me. For example, I hate the color red. I do not know why though. Perhaps because it is the color of the LCL I am constantly in. I must add it has nothing to do with your Unit 02 being red. My favorite color is yet to be chosen. Does that help?" Rei asked.

"It means I won't get you anything red to wear today. Come on, Wonder-girl." Asuka said.

"Good job, Kouji! You cleaned our clocks – this time!" Sayaka stated as Mazinkaiser stood over the fallen forms of Diana A and Boss Borot.

"Sayaka, that's not fair! I mean Kaiser's the strongest Mazinger! And both of your robots were made pretty quickly. It's not an even fight, even two on one." Kouji said as he went through Kaiser's systems.

"Oh come on, Kabuto! I think Sayaka and I did great! Even if we couldn't knock ya down - this time!" Boss yelled as he buddies Nuke and Mucha cheered him on.

"Well that's true. I had to use some planning to win this one. Maybe Shinji was right. I need to plan out my strategies. Just spamming Kaiser's attacks won't work once Doctor Hell attacks again. It sure didn't work against you two." Kouji said.

"That's right! Now-! What didja learn about Kaiser this time?" Boss asked eagerly as his Borot stood up and scratched its head.

"Well – timing the attacks . . . and bracing myself for the strain of using them too. I think operating it is smoother now. It feels almost like I'm using Z again." Kouji said with a grin.

"Awesome! That must mean you're getting the hang of using Kaiser!" Sayaka said as her Diana A clapped for him.

"All right you two! Thanks for training! And next time we'll see if the same result happens!" Kouji said with a thumbs up that Kaiser mimicked.

"Are you sure you want to keep training with us? Aren't our robots not up to par, as you said?" Sayaka asked, half challenging him and half out of concern.

"Oh, come on! Don't sell yourself short! You two push me to do my best! Training works because we don't go all out. Shinji would be too timid, Asuka would be too competitive, and Rei doesn't have an EVA to use right now. And Shin Getter's away again. . . . Anyway my point is that you two are helping me master Mazinkaiser. Right now that's the best weapon we have at the Photon Labs." Kouji said. "

"Well I guess we did our part after all, Sayaka." Boss said with a grin.

"Now let's go home and rest up. I don't want you exhausted when Doctor Hell shows up again, after all!" Sayaka urged.

"Kouji . . . I agree with Sayaka. Please return to base. I have some troubling news for us all." Professor Yumi stated. Kouji shrugged as Mazinkaiser began its march to the Labs, followed shortly by Diana and Boss Borot.

"Pressure rising. But Unit 02 is holding steady." Kaworu reported as Misato observed him with a watchful eye. He'd just seen Ritsuko and the woman had reported he was fit as a fiddle for the operation at hand.

"Roger. Stay focused. You're doing just fine." The Major said.

The Fifth Child was silent, a puzzle to her, really. He'd glanced at her from afar the other day, somehow aware she was watching him through her binoculars, wondering why exactly he was in Tokyo – 3 now. His reaction time and ability to see her had been inhuman. And again against Baron Ashura the boy had flung the modified human across the room as though he'd been ten times as strong.

Still, Nagisa was Shinji's friend, and he'd also helped Asuka out of the Getter the other night. So far he'd been trustworthy. Yet his arrival had raised a few red flags in her head and Misato couldn't help but feel paranoid. Though that was also a small thing compared to the recent events.

The Dinosaur Empire. They'd been real after all. Not just some bogeyman or childish fairy tale to keep children on good behavior. As outlandish as they had been, the two combatants that had emerged could very well be the start of a bigger invasion. It was the last thing the Earth needed, yet here it was all the same.

The Fifth Child descended further into the magma and Misato frowned as the instruments started to lose hold of him.

"Go slowly. We can't triangulate your position if you're too fast." Ritsuko said. Misato agreed.

"That's right. You can't cut loose until you're clear of this initial magma flow."

The science had been eyeballed at best, but Ritsuko had concluded this 'Dinosaur Empire' couldn't live inside magma and would need a large underground enclosure to exist in. Therefore, the plan was to find the Saurians' last point of contact and push even further. As ridiculous of a plan it was, it still had merit.

Unit 02's structure had withstood the pressure once before and with Kaworu's stronger AT Field and precise movements, it had a chance of being pulled off. If NERV could uncover evidence of an underground civilization, it would certainly change the UN's opinion of the organization.

'You've reached the edge of the magma. Try the modified N2 mine, now!" Ritsuko ordered.

"Roger." Kaworu said and detonated the device.

Then he spoke again amidst the mine's detonation. "You were correct, Dr. Akagi. I detect several tunnels and air below the magma. I will use my EVA's AT Field to seal up this opening, though it may be our exit point if need be." Kaworu said as the display switched to audio only.

"One moment. Activating personal cameras." Kaworu's voice said as four view-screens came on, each adjusted for a different reading of heat at the moment.

"Proceed." Commander Ikari said.

/

Amidst the command deck, Fuyutsuki approached.

"Is that really such a good idea? The Fifth Child may not be an asset to us, but I doubt SEELE will take a life threatening situation like this lying down." The older man said.

Commander Ikari responded. "True. However they now reap what they sow. Covering up the past was necessary but going as far as they did was foolish. Now they will have to negotiate – and soon"

Fuyutsuki took a moment to think about his next words before speaking again. "They may not be that generous. The out of control EVA Unit in America may have been their doing. And let's not forget they kidnapped me and killed Mr. Ryoji." The older man responded.

"Let them rattle their sabers. Those old fools will hold on to any superstition they find in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is far too late for them to change our plan." Gendo returned.

"The First and Third Children are currently being observed. Unit 01 is still in top condition. SEELE cannot put us in check as long as we have all three assets, along with Lilith." The Commander finished as he looked on to Kaworu's descent.

The old man narrowed his eyes. Gendo was being reckless, although it was hard to see. After a long proverbial game of Go, the man had let his barrier go to expand on one last assault.

"Another thing. The Japanese Government has decided we're getting additional funding." Fuyutsuki said as Gendo stared ahead at his desk.

"The reason being?" The other man asked.

"SEELE has pulled strings to halt the Getter Team from further meddling. Therefore they want us to maintain appearances that NERV has complete authority over the area"

Gendo's response was quick. "Those old fools think they can interfere with the project. Fine. Then to keep up the illusion we're proceeding without the Project at hand we'll use the extra funding to rebuild Unit 00. However at this point it will be for appearances only. Rei is too valuable to risk as an Evangelion Pilot at this point."

"Do we really have everything we need here to re-create Unit 00? The core was unique, after all." The sub-commander asked.

"Yes. Everything here can be replaceable if need be. That also applies in the case of the Evangelion Unit 00. We don't even need to use the MARDUK institute as a cover this time – there were some unique conditions regarding Unit 00's creation. I will speak with Doctor Akagi and ensure the core systems are complete. Take the bridge until I return." Commander Ikari said.

Fuyutsuki could see it in the other man's face. It was the same longing he felt. Once it was all over, one last glimpse at Yui Ikari would be worth it all. The man reaffirmed the thought as he looked over the Commander's shoulder at the events in front of him. Gendo Ikari would do whatever it took to see her.

"If only you knew what Yui told me that day, Gendo Ikari. I wonder, would your goal remain the same?" Fuyutsuki thought as he looked to another monitor, showing Shinji sitting in a chair, looking absent minded.

"Would you still feel the same if Yui's wishes were not your own?" He thought.

/

"Those Dinosaur bastards! To think they'd return now of all times!" Ryoma yelled, striking the wall with a fist as he grit his teeth.

"Do you think we should change our plan moving against Shin Dragon?" Doctor Yumi asked now that a signal had been established. Shin Getter was close enough to the Lab to establish contact and the Professor wasted no time explaining the situation to Go and Ryoma.

"No. That monster can effect the entire planet. If the Dinosaur Empire really does choose to return now than they'll have far more to deal with now than just one Getter Robo." Hayato said and Benkei nodded, the man glad to see his team despite the alarming news.

"That Nagisa boy is taking Unit 02 down to observe but I think we'll need to intervene if our old enemy is coming back in full force. " Benkei said.

"It's been a long time since we fought the Dinosaur Empire. Who knows how much stronger they are now?" Ryoma asked.

"Still, we have Shin Getter on our side. And the Dinosaur Empire does not know of Shin Dragon. That may be a distraction we can use to our advantage." Go said.

"Then this current team will continue as planned with our operation. We don't have time to quibble over any small details. You all just repelled an attack by Doctor Hell. I don't want anybody injured or risking their lives. Not after Musashi's sacrifice." Ryoma said."

Kei frowned. "Hey! I'm right here! We all want to help!"

"And injured." Hayato said with a frown.

Kei sighed. "Fine. I'll just heal up. But will Neo Getter really be up to the task?" She asked.

"Sayaka and Boss will be on standby as well." Benkei said with a grin.

"OK Dad, I'll rest up. But be careful!" Kei said.

/

The white shell of armor made Unit 02 stick out even more and Kaworu was at a loss for words as the Evangelion lost its grip, falling to the center of the makeshift continent the Dinosaur Empire inhabited. The EVA held steady as the excess armor plating had served it's purpose well. It would make moving around more difficult, yet the pressure from the earlier magma was gone as they were in an air pocket.

Kaworu glanced around and was intrigued. Artificial lights. Signs of high tech civilization the Dinosaurs had created. Yet this place looked abandoned. A massive network of tunnels and rock structures were empty. The only sign of life was the creature he was pursuing. And the earlier Mechasaurus looked worn out, turning to gaze at him with wide-eyed pupils.

The magma had burned away the outer body of the machine, revealing a more humanoid structure. Crimson and with proportions not unlike Mazinger Z's own. The head was a crown of red with yellow eyes. Two lizards protruded from the red machine's neck, and it faced Unit 02 with newfound resolve.

"You're too late, human! The Dinosaur Empire has already evacuated this shelter!" The pilot roared as it began to run towards Unit 02.

Kaworu frowned as the creature ran like a beast with clawed arms extended, a flail in the right most arm. He was expecting a trap, not a deserted underground cavern.

Then he felt the headache he'd felt from Getter Dragon the other night resurface, only this time amplified. The creature reached him and Unit 02's enhanced chest-plate took the full force of the blow, the weapon breaking his AT Field for just a moment to send Unit 02 flying.

How? Kaworu asked himself. The AT field should have neutralized the attack. Deploying it was as simple as thinking for him. He stepped back and deployed his prog-knife yet again, stabbing at the Mechasaurus and driving it backwards.

Whoever the pilot of this thing was, they were sloppy. Kaworu imagined the earlier battle and hasty return to this outpost would make a saurian disoriented and he took the opportunity to do a sweeping kick, sending the bulkier Mechasaurus to the ground. Then he felt something in the air change and his blood boiled.

Kaworu used the long arms of Unit 02 to pummel the Mechasaurus with a series of blows and slashes with the prog knife. The EVA was a mere vessel – an extension of himself, just as the body SEELE had given him was. Yet now he found a curious primal desire had amplified and practically shouted in his head to tear this foe apart.

/

Tabris was amused as Kaworu Nagisa felt the wave hit and his mind be reduced. Of course, linked to Unit 02, it hardly mattered.

Kill, Kill, Kill The Enemy! was all the EVA needed to be fed and Tabris was content to let the human named Kaworu Nagisa lose his sanity for a moment, if only to watch where his free will would take him.

Then the Angel felt the connection between them dim. It was hubris, no doubt, as it's own vast knowledge and myriad abilities were suddenly repressed, Kaworu Nagisa in full control of the body they inhabited. Yet despite this he was completely and utterly out of control of his current mental state.

Kaworu roared as Unit 02 slashes apart the lizard protrusions on the monster's neck. Then he let go of the prog-knife and punched the creature's face, breaking off a mouth guard and revealing a metal grille beneath. The red hands of Unit 02 ripped the grille open and exposed the monster's jaws. Kaworu grabbed the Mechasaurus' jaws and pried them open with as much force as he could muster through the Evangelion. Creaking and breaking sounds were heard from inside Kaworu's entry plug as blood-like oil seeped from the ripped open jaw of the enemy.

Then a decisive thrust of Unit 02's fist down the Mechasaurus' throat. The pilot screamed in surprise as Kaworu twisted Unit 02's fist, crushing internals to the machine and ended the fight, Unit 02 standing to its full height and dropping the defeated machine body to the side.

/

Kaworu panted as he recovered from the regression. The biome was not meant for humans, it seemed. He sighed as Tabris took over, moving the human body and Evangelion body alike as Unit 02 began climbing up the wall to get out, using its fists to make handholds with each motion.

"It's time. The call. It draws ever near." Tabris said.

"No. Not yet. I still have to see Shinji." Kaworu pleaded.

Tabris answered as Kaworu Nagisa's eyes blazed red, Unit 02 roaring as its yellow eyes ignited beneath the green lenses.

/

The Angel was in a rapid climb to the surface as it's stronger AT Field was enough to let the Evangelion boost through the magma. The Evangelion braced for the breach of the surface, cleaving through the earth and landing at the entry point of the exercise.

He heard the control contact him with praise and a report, but now it did not matter. Soon they would detect his true nature inside of the EVA.

Kaworu breached the Geofront and starting his march towards Terminal Dogma below. Even if it was just Lilith and not Adam, the call was too great to resist now. The green light that had sedated Tabris' nature was now gone and the Angel was free to advance. The entry plug to Unit 02 opened with a hiss and the body of Kaworu Nagisa emerged, hovering forwards in the air as the crimson EVA followed him as befitting a mindless servant. Soon it would all be over. He would join with Lilith and the world would cease. And then he would finally know rest.

/

Author's note:

EVA-centric chapter, I know. Still, hoping that Asuka and Rei's conversation wasn't out of left field and felt somewhat organic.

Also I was tempted to name this chapter 'Magma Diver' as it's an official song in NGE BUT it's also the name of a specific episode.