A/N: Wow! I can't believe the response I got to my last chapter! So the EVA pilots minus Zack and Elly are up against the latest Black Angel who appears to be totally helpless. Then all of a sudden it possesses Shinji and turns him against the others. Asuka, who loves Shinji, is frozen by the sight she sees before. A dark Shinji, who is under the control of the Black Angel Saul. But the fact that it's Unit 01 and Saul speaking through Shinji was enough to frighten Asuka to the part where her combat capabilities are now in question. To sicken the plot, Saul has cast the Seal of Diablos. If Asuka loses, she dies. If Saul loses, he could take Shinji with him. What will Asuka do? What CAN Asuka do? Find out now!
Gendo Ikari did not like to admit it, but a part of him felt a bit tense at the current situation. Apparently, the Black Angel which was supposed to be HARMLESS, was far from it. And now Saul, as the demon called itself, had now taken over Unit 01 and Shinji, and turned him against the other, stomping them like bugs. Only to prove further that Shinji was by far the best, and now Saul was exploiting that power. His remaining pilot to stand against Saul, Asuka, was showing signs that her will to fight was wavering.
Down below, Maya kept track of the sync scores and pilot conditions. "Doctor, we have another problem."
"Now what? Like we have enough problems as it is. If Asuka loses, she'll die. If Asuka wins, Shinji will die," said Dr. Akagi.
Maya showed her Unit 02's readings. "At the start of the fight, Asuka's sync level was 84. Now it's dropped down to 73!"
Misato had an answer for that. "When Asuka confessed her love for Shinji, the two eventually became inseparable. Now I figure the sight of Shinji, even though he's actually possessed, turn on Asuka, it would be enough to shatter her fragile world. The longer this battle goes, the lower and lower Asuka's sync and will to fight will go."
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"So let's get down to business shall we Asuka?" said Saul who was speaking through Shinji. "It's just you and me now. And soon, you will die at Shinji's hands!"
It would take everything she had to hang on, physically, mentally, and emotionally, to be able to think of a way out of this predicament. "Shut up, you stupid bastard!"
"Come now, you pathetic child. You are in no position to be making demands of me!" Unit 01 took a combat stance. "It's time to meet your maker!"
Asuka also took a combat stance. "No way are you going to kill me!"
"Then what's going to happen?" asked Saul. "Are you going to kill me? If I am killed, Shinji dies with me!"
'No…' thought Asuka. "I… I… I can't. I can't fight him."
"You don't have a choice!" roared Saul as Unit 01 charged forward. Asuka didn't even as much as try to defend herself when Unit 01 slammed into her, and sent her flying into the Seal wall.
Asuka was in a lot of pain. The Seal of Diablos had amplified Unit 01's power. That shoulder charge alone felt like she was hit by a 3000 ton train. She slowly made Unit 02 rise to its feet.
"That really can't be all you have," said Saul. "Please. I hope you don't have a repeat of when you couldn't fight the Angels anymore. Otherwise, this will be boring."
Asuka was now angry. "SHUT UP!" She willed Unit 02 to attack Unit 01.
Saul noticed this and was delighted. 'It's more fun when they try to fight back.' Unit 02 threw a punch at Unit 01's head in pure anger. She couldn't even land a punch though, as Unit 01 kept moving effortlessly out of the way of her every attack. "Come on! What happened to your concentration?"
Asuka didn't reply and kept throwing more punches and kicks, all in a hope to get Saul to shut up.
Saul then caught one of her kicks, and then did to Asuka what he had done to Rei, and slammed her on her back.
Asuka looked at the com. She could still see the look of evil that Saul had plastered on Shinji's face. "Why Shinji? Why did you let this happen?"
"It wasn't Shinji that let this happen," retorted Saul. "It was you. Right now Shinji is wondering why you let me take him. He's really wondering if you truly love him. Perhaps you were lying just to fulfill your own desires."
"No…" said Asuka aloud. "He wouldn't reject me… I'm sorry Shinji… FORGIVE ME SHINJI!" she said half begging half shouting the last part.
"It's too late now. The only way you can repay him for the irreparable damage you have done is to pay with your life. Then maybe he'll forgive you."
'Then I must… forfeit… and maybe…'
"Giving up already?" a voice said. It was unclear who it was in Asuka's mind at the moment.
"Who's there?" asked Asuka to the voice.
"I've been here with you the whole time."
"Shinji?"
"Yes it's me Asuka. You can't give up," said Shinji's voice that echoed through her mind.
"How can you say that?" retorted Asuka. "Saul said you gave up on me!"
The voice laughed. "Come on Asuka. You actually believed him. Those bastards will do anything to get ahead. I've believed in you for the longest time."
"But Shinji, if I kill the Black Angel, I'll kill you. I don't want you to die," said Asuka. "You're the most important thing ever to me. And I didn't act on it for so long…"
Shinji's voice replied. "I feel the same way. If you can't figure a way out with your results just yet, keep trying. But don't give up."
Asuka now had a new wave of confidence come over her. "Listen you!" she shouted at Saul. "I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I will defeat you and rescue Shinji!"
Saul thought this was funny. "Your false confidence is just a ploy to hide your fear. But if you wish to continue, then please do so." With that Unit 01 charged again.
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Maya was still watching and obtaining data on Unit 01. It may be possessed, but it was still giving off readings. "Huh? This is strange."
"What is it?" asked Ritsuko, looking over her shoulder.
"When the Black Angel possessed Unit 01, Shinji's sync ratio dropped to zero. Look at this."
Ritsuko took a look. The score was now at 9.76 and climbing. 'So Shinji's fighting back from the inside. Hopefully Asuka can hold on long enough,' thought Ritsuko. 'That kid is something else.'
A/N: I will be giving off numbers throughout the fight. That's where Shinji's sync is at, at the current moment.
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A man wearing a hood was watching the battle from afar like he did all the other times before. He was watching this battle with disapproval. "So Saul, you've resorted to attacking her heart by possessing the one she loves. I must say though, the human will is much stronger than we have given it credit for over the years. Your belief that her will will crack like glass is a dangerous assumption. Each human is drastically different from the others, and they have the potential to have a stronger or weaker will with time. Should your assumption be wrong, it will be your undoing. You fail to truly grasp the situation as a whole, and thus, there are flaws in your plan. He's sneaking up on you and you won't even see it coming."
Sync: 16
Saul attacked again. But this time Asuka managed to sidestep the beast and kicked it in the back.
Sync: 24
Saul got back up quickly. "So there is fight in you after all. Just remember that Shinji gets hurt too for every hit you land."
"So. I think Shinji would rather see me fight and never give up. He's selfless unlike you. If you lose, you're so low as to take him down with you," said Asuka. I've seen through your lies. And I will not give up!"
"So that's how it's going to be. Very well. I shall take pleasure in taking you apart piece by piece," said Saul.
Sync: 40
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"So what does the MAGI say when the sync level gets higher?" asked Fuyutski. He was also curious as to what the mystery of Shinji's sync level rising even though he was possessed.
"We think it works in reverse as to possession," said Ritsuko. "We based this on what happened with Asuka in the past. Once her sync ratio got below 15, she could no longer move the EVA. Doing the math, we believe that if Shinji, if he really is fighting back from the inside, can try to expel the Black Angel from Unit 01 if the sync can rise higher than 85.00."
"I see," said Gendo. "So this is like working in reverse. It's at 46 now from 40. And the Black Angel apparently doesn't notice because the loss of control hasn't been noticed yet."
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Unit 01 and Unit 02 were locked in a grapple. Unit 01 was supposed to be superior thanks to the power it was getting from the Seal of Diablos. But Saul had underestimated Asuka's will. Thanks to the inspiration from Shinji, it was as if Asuka had her own power source behind her.
Asuka then allowed Unit 01 to stumble into her by allowing herself to lose the grapple, but then picked up Unit 01 and threw it over her head, and it crashed into the wall of the seal.
Saul got back to his feet frustrated. "How is this possible? I had you a short while ago! This is impossible!"
Asuka had a smirk on her face. "It's simple really. I KNOW Shinji is NOT gone like you said. He's still here. He's with me in my heart. He's my light in the darkness. And if I keep grasping for that light, the darkness will never conquer all! Best of all, I think he can still hear me!"
Sync: 65 – a sharp jump thanks to Asuka's confidence, and Saul wavering ability to intimidate.
"You're wrong! Darkness defeats all! Play time is officially over!" Saul charged again at Unit 02, this time moving faster than ever, throwing all sorts of punches and kicks. It took everything Asuka had and more just to keep up. But she couldn't keep up, and he landed several hits before sending her flying into the wall.
Sync: 70
"So where is your light now?" asked Saul. "Has it gone out yet?"
"No it hasn't!" declared Asuka who was still on the ground, and struggling to get up.
"Then this'll put you out for good." Saul stretched Unit 01 arms out. Asuka could see energy being gathered in both of Unit 01's hands. The energy was coming from Unit 01's AT Field. "Does this look familiar Asuka? Surely you remember Shinji's fight with Mana Kirishima."
Asuka did remember Shinji's battle with Mana. Shinji used the technique known as the AT Cannon. Apparently he needed a 500 sync to do it. But the Black Angel must be drawing power from the Seal of Diablos to compensate. One blast from that would finish her off immediately.
Sync: 78
"So it's down to this," boasted Saul as he charged the blast. "One final shot. Do you have anything you want to say to Shinji before you die?"
"Actually I do," replied Asuka. After clearing her throat, she made her statement. "SHINJI IF I DIE BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HELP ME, I'LL COME BACK AND HAUNT YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! AND I WILL REALLY HAUNT YOU IF YOU HOOK UP WITH WONDERGIRL! SO YOU'D BETTER GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR OR ELSE!"
"How humourous," said Saul. He now brought his hands together, forming the cannon. "See you in hell bitch! AT CANNON!"
"SHHHHIIIIIINNNJIIIIIII!"
Asuka felt the impact of the explosion. It didn't hurt as bad as she thought. Once she had opened her eyes, she noticed she was still alive, and Unit 02 was still intact. She looked up and behind her. Apparently, the AT Cannon had shot over her head, through the seal, and incinerated a mountain, just missing all the buildings too.
Saul missed.
"Huh?" said Saul, completely confused. "What happened? How did I miss?"
"I happened, that's what!" a boy's voice interjected.
"Shinji?" said a confused Asuka.
Sync: 85.76
Unit 01 now was clutching its head, synchronizing with its pilot as Asuka saw on the screen. Shinji's voice could be heard now. "Get out of my mind you bastard!"
"Yes Shinji!" yelled Asuka. "Keep fighting! You can expel that bastard!"
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"It's working!" said Ritsuko. "Shinji's now trying to expel the Black Angel from his mind and body!"
"Pilot's sync rate is now 92!" reported Maya. "He's going to hit 100 at this rate!"
"GOOOOOOO SHHHHHIIIIIINNNNJIIIIII!" cheered Misato.
"Go for it dude!" said Zack who had been quiet for the duration of the battle.
"Yeah Shinji!" yelled Elly from Unit 06's launch bay.
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Asuka continued to watch as Shinji was waging a great fight to expel Saul. And he was winning too. Saul was fighting tooth and nail to keep control, but he was losing.
"Impossible…" said Saul as he was just about to lose it. "I can't lose…"
Then Unit 01 spread its arms out into the sky, its pilot giving one last yell of might, completely expelling Saul and disintegrating him with the AT Field. The mark of the Diablos also vanished from Unit 01 and Shinji's respective foreheads, as well as their eyes returning to normal as well.
Asuka could hear the words: "The target has been eliminated." This made her almost ready to leap with joy.
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"What's the status of Unit 01 and its pilot?" inquired Gendo.
"Great news Commander," said Shigeru. "Not only is Unit 01 fine, all sources of contamination were eradicated as well."
"Good. And the others?"
"They'll be fine as well," replied Makoto.
"Good, that is all. Retrieve the EVAs and the pilots. Once that is done, return to normal alert status." Gendo then got up and left. 'Good work Shinji,' he said to himself as he left the room.
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Unit 01 Launch Bay (Watch out for redhead on loose for 3rd Child
Shinji made his way down the shaft from Unit 01. 'What a day,' he thought to himself. Being smothered by that thing was completely unpleasant, as he could feel himself doing everything Saul made him do. But he was able to get through to Asuka and stop Saul's intimidating. Once that was down, Saul wasn't that much at all. Not much more than your average bully.
Shinji head footsteps off in the distance. It was Asuka. And she was running towards him. If she was running any faster, she might have tackled him.
"Oh Shinji! Oh my god you're alive!" she said as she hugged him for everything he was worth. She then began to cry. "I almost lost you," she then said between sobs. "You were almost gone."
"I'm here Asuka," replied Shinji trying to reassure her. "Saul is gone. Everything will be fine now," he said to the crying girl in his arms.
A/N: And there you have it! The end of Saul, and hopefully the threats on my life. Hahaha, I know you were all kidding. And the deadline has passed for the next Zany Antic. The winner is… Pen-Pen's perspective! That'll be a hoot. The next deadline for the next Zany Antic is… December 10th. So get out there and vote! Until 45, be cool!