A/N: Here we are! The battle against Mana! Shinji is on his own in this battle. Can he defeat this Japanese powerhouse? Find out now!
Shinji vs. Mana
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mana took out her plasma cannon. She took aim at the downed Unit 02 which housed Asuka's body. "This'll only take a second. Hopefully you were good enough to Shinji to go to Heaven. Otherwise, enjoy your new life in Hell!"
Right as she was about to fire, something struck her cannon, short circuiting it and making it useless. She looked at her cannon. It was a progressive knife! She looked in the direction the knife came from. Suddenly, she got rammed by something with enough power to send her flying about three kilometers.
Mana looked up to see what hit her. It didn't take her long to register what had hit her even though a thunderstorm was happening. During a flash, Mana saw who had hit her.
Unit 01.
Unit 01 ran over to Unit 02 to see if its pilot was alive. "Asuka! Wake up!" he said to her as he shook the fallen red beast.
'What was all that shaking?' Asuka thought to herself. She snapped back into consciousness. "Shinji? Is that you?"
"Asuka!" Shinji was sure happy. "Are you hurt? Can you move?"
Auska tried to move Unit 02, but the damage the EVA had taken was like pain to Asuka. "No. I can't move. Ow! It hurts!"
"Just relax then," said Shinji with reassurance in her voice. "I'll stop Mana."
Mana by now had gotten back to her feet. "How cute. Just to show you how nice I am, I'll make sure a special place is set aside for the both of you in Hell!"
Asuka shot back. "Guess what bitch! You've just dug yourself into a hole you can't get out of! You're about to fight the Invincible Shinji! And he's by far better than me! So there's no chance in hell you're gonna win!"
A/N: Asuka as we know does not like Mana. And she'll do anything to get at Mana in this case, even if it means admitting Shinji is the best EVA pilot."
"Is that so?" asked Mana. "Well Shinji, I hope you put up a much better fight than the others did."
Unit got up to face Unit 07. Shinji took this chance to speak. "Why Mana? Why did you betray us?"
"Isn't it obvious? I side with the strongest! We trusted in the light that would be there for us at the end of the path. And what did we have to do? Depend on the hopes of an unstable boy! Luckily for us, you chose to abort 3rd Impact so we could have a shot at getting it right."
"I used to be afraid of the light," started Shinji. "But it has always been there for me, no matter how many times I retreated into the darkness."
Mana blew off his reply. "But darkness is always there for you. Wherever you go. And once I'm through with you, you'll be in a much better place. From the looks of things, I won't be able to just kill you. I'll have to shatter your AT Field which houses your soul."
Shinji was confused. "What do you mean Mana?"
"Oh just this." Mana began to concentrate. She called out, "Ancient forces of the Diablos, I humbly call amongst thee to grant me your power. I cast my soul into your presence, and I am imbued with your infinite power. Now I conjure the Seal of Diablos!"
"MANA, NO! DON'T DO IT!" yelled Shinji.
But it was far too late. A red circle of fire appeared at Unit 07's feet. Then the circle spread out until in encased both Shinji and Mana within its unholy grasp. Then, the five-point star was drawn.
Shinji could sense the evil power flowing to Mana. As he looked at Unit 07, on its head was a mini version of the Seal. But what was even worse was the way Mana looked on the visual com. She didn't change at all, but she had the seal on her forehead and her eyes turned a blood red.
"Ah, now this is what I call power."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a mountain far away, a lone person watched the battle that was about to take place. The person's face could not be seen, but one could tell he was watching the events with great interest. Also, one could notice the halo above his head, symbolizing he was already dead.
"Let's see how much you've grown since we've met Shinji. Just remember that as long as you grasp for the smallest glimmer of light in the darkness, there is always hope." the figure said. Suddenly, large angel wings appeared from his back and he took off for probably the heavens.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Now you're doomed," said the powered up Mana. "My power has increased greatly. And once you lose, the Seal will shatter your AT Field, and take your soul and merge it with the other souls already merged with my master's creation."
"That's crazy!" replied Shinji. "It's a world of false illusions! I've been there before! And all I did was live out my worst nightmares! I've learned I can't run away from reality! And I won't let you take reality away from this world!"
"Fine! Enough talk! Let's fight!"
As Asuka watched from outside the Seal, she was amazed at Shinji's words. He was no longer the spineless wimp she knew before 3rd Impact. He really had grown up and no longer tried to run away from reality. 'Reality is more afraid of us than we are of it. Because although it may look bad, we can make change happen in our world. Go get her Shinji!'
The two EVAs rushed each other. And locked into a fierce grapple. Shinji apparently should have been at a disadvantage, but he was able to match Mana's enhanced strength. He let her advance on him, then countered with a knee to Unit 07's chest and then kicked it flying with amazing strength as it crashed into the Seal wall.
Mana quickly got back to her feet. "Not bad. Even with my amplified power, you'll still be a match for me. Please keep this up."
Shinji attacked again. Mana this time chose to go with an N2 rocket. Shinji saw it coming and dodged it. As the rocket exploded on the far side of the Seal, the two EVAs began their battle again. This time as they grappled, Mana pulled back, and jumped over Shinji while doing a 180 degree spin in the air. Now facing his back, she kicked him, with Unit 01 crashing face first into the Seal wall.
Shinji struggled to get back up. Once he did, they began a barrage of punches and kicks at each other. Mana's attacks hit hard and they came in fast. It took all of Shinji's concentration to defeat this demon that threatened his life and the life of his loved ones and friends.
Mana suddenly did a handstand, spread out her legs, and began spinning around, thus Shinji being struck several times by her deadly wheel kick. Shinji knew resisting would only get him hit more, so let himself get hit. After he was pushed back far enough, he quickly noticed that Mana was still spinning. So he attempted a sliding tackle that he had seen in soccer games on TV.
It worked. Mana's motion was interrupted and she was pushed back crashing upside down.
"Well done Shinji," said Mana. "I guess I'll have to take this up another notch." She hit a couple buttons on her computers.
Shinji's jaw dropped when he saw what he saw next. On Unit 07's back, came large mechanical wings. And jet thrusters appeared all over its body. "Oh shit," he said out loud.
"Shit is right," replied the demonic girl. Unit 07 flew around him at amazing speed and kicked him from behind.
Shinji struggled to get up from his latest bashing. But Mana picked up Unit 01 and carried it up into the sky. "Die," she said as she threw Unit 01 back down with incredible force.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Shinji's sync is zero!" said Mana. "He's been defeated!"
"No!" said Misato. "Then that means the Seal will take him away!"
"It's closing in on him!" said Shigeru!
"No! SHINJI!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji wondered where he was. He wasn't on the battlefield. So he assumed he lost and was in the false reality that Mana said he would go to. "Oh well. I tried. I gave it my all," he said aloud.
"Wake up and smell reality!" It was Asuka. "You're not done yet! And you are not going to give either!"
"Asuka?" called out Shinji.
"She isn't the only one here." It was Zack. "We're all here."
Shinji looked around him. He could see everyone else, Rei, Ivana, Elly, Toji, Misato, Ritsuko, Maya, Shigeru, Tabris, Makoto, Fuyutski, and Yui and Gendo.
"Everyone? Why are you here? I'm all alone inside the Seal!"
"No you're not," said Yui. "You carry us in your heart wherever you go."
"Just as we carry you in our hearts," said Rei.
"We all need each other to help each other grow," said Misato.
"As long as you continue to reach for the light, the darkness will never conquer all," said Tabris.
"That's right," said Asuka. "We are the lights that are in your heart."
"And combined, we create a power the darkness can never conquer," said Ivana.
"Exactly," said Zack. "Embrace the light that is you and all of us."
Gendo spoke now. "We all have faith in you Shinji. Take our light, and use it to vanquish the darkness!"
Everyone pours out their arms to Shinji. They all turn into balls of light, which merge with Shinji's soul.
Shinji felt incredible power flowing through him. "Mana! I am far from beaten!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mana watched from the air as the Seal closed in on Unit 01. "So even the Invincible Shinji was no match for me. You disappointed me. Oh well, the Seal will take you to a better place."
Suddenly, to Mana's shock, Unit 01 began to glow a very bright light. The light pushed back the Seal.
"But that's impossible!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Seal has been pushed back!" said Makoto.
"Shinji's sync has hit 500 again!" said Maya.
"What? But how?" said Gendo.
"C'mon Shinji!" said Misato.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mana watched in horror as the glowing Unit 01 made its way to its feet. It began to float in the air until it was at the same altitude as Mana. Next it gave off a big flash of light, and Mana couldn't see for a few seconds. When she was able to see again, her jaw almost dropped at the sight she was beholding.
Unit 01 had stopped glowing, but in its place, were several orange spectral wings that had grown out of its back.
Shinji spoke up. "You see Mana, as long as I continue to grasp for even the smallest glimmer of light, the darkness will never be able to conquer all!"
"You're wrong! Darkness defeats all!" You'll see!"
And so began the aerial battle. Neither EVA refused to voluntarily give an inch. They rose up higher and higher into the sky.
Mana tried to trick Shinji by letting him advance into her grapple, but Shinji then brought Unit 01's knees up and slammed them into Unit 07's face. Shinji then did an aerial tornado kick which sent Mana crashing into the Seal wall.
Mana then charged back in a rage at being tricked. "I'LL KILL YOU!" she yelled.
Shinji was now in full control. He blocked her assaults effortlessly, then he caught her with her guard down, and landed several kicks to Unit 07's face.
"PLAYTIME IS OVER!" yelled Mana. She took out the plasma cannons. "One blast from these will send you to Hell!" She wasted no time in aiming and fired!
Shinji concentrated. "Grasp for the light and you will know what to do," said a voice inside his head.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Something's happening to Shinji's AT Field!" said Maya.
"What? What's happening?" asked Ritsuko.
"Unit 01's AT Field is supposed to surround its body, but the AT Field is being focused into Unit 01's arms."
"I'm getting a heavy buildup of power in Unit 01's hands," said Shigeru.
'Is Shinji trying to project his AT Field as an energy cannon?' thought Ritsuko. 'Is that even possible?'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji concentrated and rerouted his AT Field into his hands. "Mana, this is the light's answer to the darkness! AT CANNON!"
Shinji brought his hands together and projected his AT Field. A large beam of energy shot out at Mana's blast from her plasma cannons.
The two beams of energy met each other in the middle. Neither seemed to give an inch.
Shinji concentrated on all those who he was fighting for, and the hopes and dreams of those whose he fate he had control over. He knew he had to win at all costs. He knew he would win.
As if the AT Cannon sensed his belief, its power increased seven fold.
Mana's plasma cannons could not stand up to the AT Cannon's increased power. She was hit directly. Her wings, jet thrusters, cannons, and armour were destroyed in the blast. Unit 07 collapsed to the ground.
Shinji brought Unit 01 down to the ground as well. He was exhausted. Hopefully he would not have to continue.
But Unit 07 managed to get back up. Mana spoke again. "How is this possible? The darkness would never abandon me."
"Mana, once the darkness has no more use for you, it will abandon you, leaving you on your own," said Shinji.
"I see," said Mana. "But the light will never abandon those who follow it. That's why you're so strong. And also why I was unable to beat you."
"Yes. I'm sorry I had to hurt you," said Shinji.
Mana still had her red eyes and the Seal on her forehead, but the evil was weakening in her. "Heh, heh, Asuka said you always apologized even when it wasn't your fault. I'm the one that should be apologizing. So I'm sorry."
"That's better," said Shinji. "Is there a way for both of us to escape."
Mana bowed her head down. "No. Only one of us can escape."
"Why? I don't want to have to kill you."
Mana smiled. "Don't worry Shinji. You won't have to kill me with your own hands."
Shinji realized what Mana was going to do. "NO! DON'T DO IT!"
Mana spoke one more time. "I'm glad I got to meet you Shinji. Goodbye. I forfeit…"
In response, the Seal of Diablos closed in on Unit 07. It shattered Mana's AT Field and sucked away her soul.
"NOOOOOOOO!" yelled Shinji.
Asuka by now had regained control of her Unit 02. Once she knew the battle was over, she went over to see if Shinji was okay. Unit 01's wings had faded and it fell on its back. Asuka quickly force-ejected Unit 01's entry plug, and opened it manually. There she saw Shinji, who was crying.
"Shinji?" she called out to him.
Shinji suddenly wrapped his arms around her. She held him close and comforted him as best as she could. 'It just wasn't fair,' she told herself.
She noticed he stopped crying. Even with thunder in the background, she could hear the systematic breathing of someone who had fallen asleep. 'Poor guy. Cried himself to sleep.' She kissed his forehead and continued to hold the broken pilot.
A/N: And there you have the end of the Iron Maiden Saga. Kind of heart-wrenching at the end though. I hope you liked the battle. Until 31, be cool!