Evangelion is property of Studio Khara and GAINAX.

Street Fighter and Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist are property of CAPCOM.

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: SENSHI NO MICHI

Hikari looked up at the ceiling of her room, face dour. Dressed casually, she lay back on her bed, counting the seconds until the time came – until she had to trade this world for another, one that disheartened and bewildered her.

Then again…we do have monsters attacking the city – and giant robots to fight them.

Still, I'd take that world over the one waiting for me any day of the week – does that make me selfish? Cruel? Maybe. But it's only a matter of time before the clan attempts to kill Ikari - and before I become an accessory to murder.

Why can't they see that killing Ikari is just…wrong? He commands the Evangelions, he protects this city! We have no right to kill him!

Father tells me that ninjutsu is an honourable art – yet we sell our skill in it to the highest bidder.

Our clan lost any scrap of honour after the reform – after Second Impact.

Growing up, Kodama used to tell stories of famous shinobi of the clan, who used their skills to preserve balance and promote justice. Yet, when I was inducted into the clan, I realised we were nothing more than criminals for hire.

And I don't want that life for Nozomi – but at the same time, I don't want to displease my father, or leave my family.

"Hikari?"

Hikari sat up, glancing to her right as Kodama's voice reached her ears.

Her sister stood in the doorway, one eyebrow cocked. "You do realise we only have ten minutes before we leave?"

The younger of the two nodded, slowly, and swung her legs over the side of her bed, before standing up and facing the older. "Yeah, I know…" Hikari said, almost whispering.

"…Then get dressed. Quickly." Kodama murmured. "And focus up. You seem…out of it, tonight."

"I'm fine, sis. I'll be ready in a few minutes." Hikari replied, moving over to a tall wardrobe on the other side of her bedroom. She glanced back at her sister as she reached out, pulling the doors open.

Wordlessly, Kodama moved away from the doorway, and Hikari took a deep breath before reaching into the wardrobe, retrieving her uniform.

Stripping down to her underwear, the girl reached up, and undid her pigtails, her hair falling loose across her back. Grabbing a nondescript black tank-top, she slipped it on.

Next, Hikari donned a sleeveless, tan-coloured doji – baggy, flowing hakama pants that stopped just below her knee and bared the flesh of her hips, and a sleeveless top. Belting both together securely, she moved to wrap her shins, ankles and instep in plain white bandage, before grabbing two armguards of a darker brown colour.

Donning them, she then quickly wrapped a tan bandana around the top of her head, and with deft fingers, secured her hair back into a single topknot. A plain mask of darker colour lay at the bottom of the wardrobe, and Hikari reached down, grabbing the fabric and lifting it up for inspection.

The girl stared at it for several moments, then let out a heavy, resigned sigh, before tying it around her mouth and nose. She then reached back into the wardrobe, hands sliding open hidden compartments at the back. Plucking several kunai knives and small smoke capsules from their hiding spots, Hikari slid them into holsters and pouches hidden in her uniform, before closing the wardrobe and stepping back.

She turned, and stared at a small mirror, mounted on the wall across from her, just above her bed.

A ninja stared back – one that seemed slightly swamped by their uniform, one who would like nothing better than to rip it off and climb into bed and under the sheets, never to emerge again.

Finally, Hikari squared herself, and faced her open bedroom window. Moving forward, she slithered through the open space, and out into the cool night air, before pulling herself up onto the roof of the house.

Figures that she's already there.

Kodama glanced at Hikari as the latter swung herself up onto the roof, her gaze disdainful.

"When you said a few minutes, I thought you were just being flippant." She murmured. Hikari sighed, moving beside her.

"I'm here now, aren't I?" The younger of the two replied, and Kodama snorted.

She was dressed similarly to Hikari, save for a few differences – the uniform seemed tighter, seemed to hug her curves better, and a longbow was slung across her right shoulder, with a quiver, stocked full of arrows, slung over her left to accompany it.

"I hope you're not as tardy when we move on NERV." Kodama muttered, oblivious to how Hikari rolled her eyes. "Let's go. We have a lot of ground to cover, quickly."

Hikari made a small sound of affirmation, almost a grunt, and the two leapt out into the night – and towards the battle brewing in the centre of Tokyo-3.

"This thing wasn't really built for actual use in the field…do you think it'll work?" Shinji asked, one eye on Ritsuko, the other on the massive rifle EVA Unit One had set in position half an hour prior.

"It might seem a little ramshackle, but this is an emergency. This was our only option." Ritsuko replied, glancing back at it.

She, Misato, Shinji and Rei stood on an observation platform, looking out from Mount Futago towards Tokyo-3. The Angel loomed in the distance, always silent, always still.

Misato suppressed a small shiver as she looked at it.

In that way, it's probably the most terrifying one yet. Absolutely alien.

Behind her, Shinji piped up again. "Are you sure it's completely safe to use?"

"Theoretically. The setup works on paper, but we have no way of knowing if the accelerator and cannon will stand up to such a high power output." Ritsuko mused.

"Alright." Misato started, drawing the group's attention. "Here's the battle plan. Shinji?"

"Yes?"

"You'll be the rifleman, in Unit One. Rei, you'll be defending him with Unit Zero."

"Understood." The albino murmured.

"This is because Shinji's sync-ratio is at eighty-five percent – and the precision that affords is crucial to the operation's success." Ritsuko said. "Since the positron beam is influenced by the magnetic field, gravitational pull and the revolution of the Earth, it will not fire in a straight line. Don't forget to adjust for that error - you must hit the core precisely."

"And what about Asuka?" Shinji inquired.

"Asuka's set up on the opposite side of the city, in the mountains as well." We've set her up with a palette rifle. She'll be running interference if needed." Misato said.

"Interference?" The boy couldn't help but sound somewhat apprehensive at the idea, given what had happened to his friend the last time she'd faced the Angel in her Evangelion.

"Simply our insurance policy. If you need a few extra seconds, or the Angel is preparing to fire on you, Asuka will fire a few volleys to get its attention – and then get behind the mountains as quickly as she can." The captain elaborated.

Shinji shifted on the spot, uncomfortable, before he spoke again. "And you're sure Asuka can get to cover in time? What if the Angel just blows through the mountain?"

"Shinji." Misato looked at the boy, gaze heavy. "You can't think like that. Simply focus on getting the job done, alright?"

"I…alright." Shinji sighed, and nodded firmly.

"Remember – when you fire, you'll need to load a new fuse, and wait for the barrel to cool before you can reload and fire a second shot." Ritsuko warned.

"Got it."

"Good." Misato said. "It's time – go change, you two."

Depressing the button on the cuff of his plugsuit, Shinji suppressed a shudder as the suit conformed to the contours of his body. The material felt artificial and rigid, no matter how many times he had donned it, or how many hours he'd spent in it.

To his right was an opaque glass divider – he spied Rei's bare feet and ankles through the space between it and the ground.

Closing his eyes, Shinji rose to his feet, and inhaled – he brought his arms up, close to his chest.

This Angel – this monster almost killed Asuka, my friend, without any effort.

It could do the same to me, and to Rei.

I could die here, now – in the mountains of a city that's not my own - inside of some robot-thing that I barely understand.

And yet…

This is just another challenge. Another moment in my training. And I would never turn my back on such a thing – much less leave everybody here to die.

The fight is everything.

Shinji exhaled, and slowly brought his arms back down to his sides. His eyes opened, and he looked ahead, his gaze unflinching.

On the opposite end of the city, deep in high, difficult mountain terrain, Unit Two was nestled, a palette rifle clutched to its chest. Ever so slightly, it peeked over the top of the mountain it hid behind, and gazed at the Angel.

Nothing yet.

Asuka cursed silently, and lifted one hand off the controls to check the small digital watch on the underside of her plugsuit's left wrist.

Minutes left. I need to pull myself together…

The redhead sat back in her seat, squeezing the control yokes, and then tugging on them a few times for good measure as she struggled to expend her nervous energy.

I can't even think…If that thing kills Shinji, never mind me, I…God, I need to focus up. Their lives could depend on me, damnit! And If I distract myself moping, they will die!

Just stay put. Wait for Misato's orders, and follow them when the time comes. Just stay calm. That thing won't even scratch me this time. It won't.

See? Totally calm right now –

"Asuka?"

"Ah!" Asuka all but sprang up out of her chair at the sound of Shinji's voice, and then groaned, leaning forward in her seat.

"Yeah, Shinji?" The redhead managed, glancing up slightly.

"Are you alright?" Shinji asked, over the communications system. "You seem a little –"l

"M' fine." Asuka replied, a little sharp. "I mean – I'm just…never mind. How are things on your end?"

"Me and Rei are doing alright…we're just waiting for Misato's orders at the moment."

"Oh."

There was a sigh before Shinji spoke again, his tone slightly exasperated. "Asuka, something is wrong. Would you please tell me what's going on?"

Asuka didn't reply at first, instead staring ahead contemplatively. Her hands left the control yokes, and she reclined in her seat, crossing her arms.

"Shinji?" She asked, quietly.

"Yeah?"

"You know I've got your back, right?" Asuka murmured. Shinji's reply was almost instantaneous, if a little bemused.

"Of course."

"And you've got mine?" She asked, as she willed her EVA to glance over the mountains at the crystalline creature in the heart of the city.

"Always." Shinji murmured, to the communicator in his plugsuit's forearm.

"Good to hear." Asuka's voice, tinny, echoed out of the speaker. Before Shinji could try and continue the conversation, his friend had ended it, his communicator giving a sharp beep.

"Asuka? What was that about?" The boy murmured to himself.

"Pilot Sohryu has a bond to you."

"Hm?" Shinji looked to his right, at Rei. The two sat on two parallel metal walkways, an expansive view of the darkened Tokyo-3 and Angel in front of them.

"She is close to you. Affectionate."

"Oh…well…yeah, she is. We're friends." Shinji replied, gazing out at the city. "We've been like that for years."

Rei seemed to process this information for a moment, then nodded slightly, before continuing. "She would trust you with information, correct?"

"Information?"

"Personal matters. Secrets." The albino elaborated.

"I guess…" The boy murmured, thinking to himself. Rei decided that now was the time to ask – but Shinji suddenly spoke, voice curious.

"Do you have anyone like that, Rei?"

The question caught her off guard, and Rei remained silent as she tried to fully understand it.

Anyone – like the Second? Anyone to whom…I am close?

Perhaps – perhaps the Commander.

"I believe – Commander Ikari – would be such a person to me." She said, slowly.

"My…father?" Shinji spoke, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes." Rei said, firmly, as if reaffirming it to herself as well. "He is your father as well – do you not have a bond with him?"

Shinji frowned, and hugged his knees to his chest.

"I don't…I don't know. I've been here for weeks, but we've barely talked. And honestly…most of the time, I don't care."

The boy's response drew a visible frown from Rei, who turned towards him, listening intently.

"I barely remember anything from when I was younger." Shinji continued, voice soft. "Before I came to the dojo…but after that, I met my sensei…and sometimes, when I think of my father, I can't help but think of him. Gouken-sensei and Asuka are like family to me…but my father…"

Shinji drifted off, and let out a great sigh, staring up at the sky.

The two children remained silent for several more seconds, before Rei rose to her feet.

"It's time."

Nodding, Shinji also stood up, and stared ahead. In the distance, the Angel loomed, ready and waiting to receive them.

"Operation commencing!" Hyuga called.

"Listen up, Shinji." Misato began, inside of the mobile command centre. Beside her was Ritsuko, looking on. "You've got all the energy of Japan behind you. We're all counting on you!"

Shinji's voice came back over the communications, firm.

"Understood."

"Initiate primary connections!" The captain called.

"Initiating power transfer from districts numbers one through eight-oh-three!" Hyuga replied, fingers flickering across his keyboard.

"Voltage is rising. Water exchange units reaching pressure zone." A female voice announced.

"All cooling systems at full power." Hyuga said.

Another voice came, male. "Temperature stable. No anomalies detected!"

"Positron charge is nominal." A female technician chirped, and Misato nodded before speaking.

"Initiate secondary connection."

"All accelerators are engaging…" The technician replied.

"Activating convergence unit now." Maya announced.

"Transmitting all power to Mount Futago temporary substation. No problems reported."

"Release all final safeties!" Misato ordered.

"Releasing final safety lock!" Hyuga answered.

EVA Unit One pulled back the bolt on the positron rifle, loading the fuse into the firing chamber.

Inside the Entry Plug, a targeting headset extended out from behind Shinji's seat, and lowered over his eyes as voices continued to chatter around him.

On the headset's display, two crosshairs danced around, flickering as they moved ever closer to convergence, and to rest upon the Angel.

"Error corrections for Earth rotation and gravity is zero-point-zero-zero-zero-nine. Voltage is zero-point-two short of critical."

"Seventh – tenth connections engaged! Transmitting all energy to the positron rifle!" Hyuga barked, over the communications.

Shinji exhaled, grip tightening on the control yokes ever so slightly as Hyuga began to count down.

"Eight…seven…six…"

"High energy reaction detected inside the target!" Maya barked.

Ritsuko paled. "What?"

"Three…two…one…"

"Fire!" Misato bellowed.

The moment the two crosshairs aligned, Shinji's fingers depressed the triggers.

In an instant, a blinding stream of white shot out from the positron rifle, at the very same moment that the Angel's own beam sparked to life.

The two streams of energy raced towards each other, across the lake separating the city and the mountains – but before they could meet, both of them twisted out of the other's path.

The positron beam veered to the right of the Angel, and impacted a city block close by, obliterating it as the Angel's own attack hit only a few hundred meters behind Unit One.

Both the EVA and the command centre rocked violently with the force of the blast, and Shinji grit his teeth as light flooded the EVA's vision.

Yells and cries filled the command centre as it was viciously shaken by the force of the Angel's blast – windows shattered, emergency lighting activated and technicians were sent sprawling out of their chairs.

Pulling herself to her feet, Misato looked to the monitors in front of her as their displays flickered back into life.

"Did we miss?" The captain gasped, as normal lighting returned. Suddenly, a loud, panicked voice echoed over the communications.

"The enemy has broken through into the Geofront!"

Misato grimaced. "Hurry! Load the second shot!" She ordered.

"Replacing fuses! Initiating recharge!" Hyuga called.

"Barrel cooling in progress!"

"There's another high-energy reaction building inside the target!" Maya called.

"Not now! Asuka!" Misato yelled.

Springing over the top of the mountain it had been cowering behind, Unit Two hefted its palette rifle at the Angel, and squeezed off several quick bursts.

Bright yellow tracer rounds streaked towards the Angel, and its AT Field flickered to life, deflecting the shots with ease. The energy that had been building, initially targeted towards Unit One, instead blossomed to life in the direction of the new attacker.

Asuka's eyes widened as she saw the energy glimmering.

"Motherfu –"

The beam streaked towards the EVA's position, and Unit Two leapt down the back of the mountain as it impacted.

As the crimson behemoth plummeted down, the rock and dirt above it was vaporised, the blast barely missing the EVA's head.

Swallowing as he watched the Angel obliterate Unit Two's position, Shinji waited for Misato's order.

"Fire, Shinji!"

He depressed the trigger.

As the Angels' beam fizzled out, having reduced the mountain range behind it to nothing more than molten slag, the positron rifle whined – a high-pitched, unhealthy noise.

Suddenly, several transformers and cables behind the sniper emplacement sparked out, dying, and Shinji barely had time to push himself away from the positron rifle as it exploded, sending him sprawling back.

"What?" Misato spluttered. "No!"

"The coolant systems must have been damaged by the Angel's first attack…" Ritsuko breathed, face pale.

"Orders, captain?" Hyuga called, voice shaking as he turned to face Misato. The captain was silent, staring ahead with a melancholy expression.

"Captain?" He asked, again.

Staring at the smoking ruins in front of him, Shinji's eyes widened, his mouth drifting open in disbelief.

What? But how…

Now what will we do?

Unit Zero appeared from his right, its massive shield hefted in front of it.

"Pilot Ikari. We must retreat." Rei's voice came, over the communications.

"But…"

"We must." The other pilot implored.

"H – High energy reaction detected in the target!" Maya gasped.

"Get those kids out of there!" Misato screamed, rounding on the technicians. "Quickly!"

As Unit Zero rushed in front of Unit One, shield raised, realisation dawned upon Shinji.

…There is something I can do.

In the centre of the city, the Angel's energy began to build once again.

"Rei!" Shinji called out, willing Unit One to stagger to its feet. "Rei! Move out of the way!"

"I cannot. My duty is to protect you and Unit One." The albino replied, firmly.

Shinji grimaced, and murmured an apology.

Unit One surged forward, and shoved Unit Zero to the side as the glow from the Angel sparked.

"Rei – stay down, please." The boy murmured.

The giant drew its hands to its sides, and its pilot narrowed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Shinji, what are you doing?" Misato shouted in confusion.

"Captain!" Maya shouted. "Unit One's AT Field! It's shifting!"

"What?" Ritsuko gasped, turning to the technician.

"I'm detecting some kind of energy buildup!" Maya called, narrowing her eyes at the screen.

A bright orb of blue-white burst to life between Unit One's hands, and immediately expanded, throwing off vibrant blue flares. Swelling to impressive size, it forced the EVA's hands further apart for a moment before it was compressed to a slightly smaller size.

As the main monitor in NERV's command centre displayed the spectacular image, Gendo Ikari's eyes widened in seldom-seen surprise.

The Angel's beam burst forward, roaring across the lake towards Units One and Zero.

Unit One pushed its hands forward, and the orb of energy rocketed to meet the attack, accompanied by Shinji's powerful shout.

"Hadoken!"

The projectile blasted across the lake, meeting the beam in the middle – both attacks met, and exploded in a plume of bright light, quickly fizzling out into nothingness.

"What the hell was that? Shinji! Shinji, are you listening to me?" Misato shouted, wide eyes locked on the monitors in front of her.

Shinji stared at the Angel, unblinking.

Alright…what now?

Both the EVA and the Angel remained silent, unmoving for several moments. Suddenly, the entire surface of the Angel began to shimmer, and the EVA pilot closed his eyes, before he willed Unit One to draw its hands to its side once more.

I must focus on nothing but the flow of my ki.

There is nothing else, except the hado – and my opponent.

The blue light blossomed again between the EVA's hands – larger and brighter than before.

I can do this.

All of the Angel's colour seemed to drain – leaving it a dark, shining black, with only the point facing the EVA left. That spot of colour quickly brightened, until it was almost impossible to look at, and around the Angel, the air shimmered with the raw power.

The Angel's beam burst forward, scorching the earth over which it passed, and Shinji opened his eyes, before willing his EVA to release his own attack.

"Shinkuu Hadoken!" Shinji bellowed.

A bright blue beam blasted out from Unit One's palms, and streaked across the lake.

The two attacks collided, the water underneath rippling violently from the clash of the two energies. They pushed against each other, giving no ground to the other.

Shinji grit his teeth in effort, and attempted to channel more energy into the beam – easier said than done – but slowly but surely, the Angel's beam began to push his back.

"Asuka! Shinji barked. "Asuka, I could use some help!"

"On it! Hang on!" The redhead shouted back.

Unit Two vaulted over the remains of its mountainous cover, and began to sprint down the ruined mountainside, each step tearing up earth.

"Maya! What's going on out there?" Ritsuko asked, leaning in beside the technician.

"Unit One's giving off extraordinary amounts of energy, sempai." Maya indicated several readings on her monitor, before continuing. "I think Shinji's the source of it…"

"Whatever's happening, it doesn't look good." Misato murmured, watching as the Angel's beam gained more and more ground, pushing Shinji's back.

Shaking with effort, Shinji groaned, his entire body aching from the constant flow of hado.

I can't keep this up for much longer.

"Asuka…" He gasped.

"Hang on, Shinji!" Asuka pleaded, over the communications.

"I…I can't…"

I…I won't lose here!

I won't let these people die!

Shinji growled, and for the briefest moment, his eyes pulsed red, flickers of purple beginning to mar the bright blue of his hadoken.

Unit Two dashed through the streets of Tokyo-3, ripping up asphalt in its wake, and Asuka willed her hado to flow into her legs and right hand.

White light blossomed between the two beams – and expanded in a flash, before exploding outward. Both beams died in an instant, and Shinji grunted as his EVA was flung up into the air and back from the force of the blast.

He impacted the mountainside behind him at fearsome speeds, and he barely had time to blink before he was rushing up to meet the ceiling of the Entry Plug, his head colliding with the metal as the LCL failed to cushion such a severe impact.

"Shinji's unconscious! There's blood in his Entry Plug!" Maya yelled. Behind her, Misato ran a shaking hand through her hair.

What do we do now?

"Wait – Unit Two – I'm detecting a massive buildup of energy in its right arm!" The technician called.

With one target taken care of, the Angel immediately shifted its attention to another – the crimson titan barrelling down the street to meet it, only a few thousand meters away.

It began to gather energy for another attack – but its previous effort had drained it – and the EVA was drawing closer by the second.

"Shinji? Shinji!" Asuka shouted, face twisting with fear when she received no reply.

I've got to help him – but I've got to destroy the Angel first!

Legs screaming with effort, Asuka yelled as she put on one final burst of speed.

Ahead of her, the Angel's beam flashed out – but it missed, blasting overhead as she willed Unit Two to slide down low, its right hand curled into a fist at its side. Flames blossomed from both the EVA's fist, and hers.

This is it!

The EVA lowered itself down as it came beneath the Angel, and then suddenly leapt upward, with such force and power in the jump that the concrete and asphalt beneath were instantly pulverised.

The flames swathing Unit Two's fist flared, bright and powerful, and Asuka willed the EVA to extend the fist to the heavens, right knee drawn up to its waist.

The flaming fist connected with the crystalline surface of the Angel - and the crystal splintered. As the EVA's infernal attack tore upwards through the Angel, Asuka let out a deafening roar, one that had technicians yanking off their headsets in the command centre, wincing.

"Shoryuken!"

Unit Two burst out through the top of the Angel, and spiralled into the air above, graceful, ribbons of flame following its right fist.

"Target is silent!" Hyuga yelled, and everybody in the mobile command centre breathed a sigh of relief – save for Misato.

"We're not out of the woods yet. How's Shinji?" Misato asked, still watching the monitors.

"Still unconscious…" Maya answered.

"Goddamnit…" Asuka cursed, as Unit Two's hands fumbled with the back of Unit One's neck. "Goddamnit, how the hell does this thing open?"

"Pilot Sohryu." Rei's voice echoed in the Entry Plug, as Unit Zero loomed behind its crimson comrade. "I can operate the emergency ejection systems."

"What? Oh – yeah. Do it! Quick!" Unit Two all but pulled Unit Zero towards their unmoving ally, and stepped back. Asuka watched as Unit One's Entry Plug slid out, and swallowed nervously as it was slowly plucked from the EVA, and set gently onto the ground, the LCL draining out around it.

Unit Two crouched down, and the back of its neck opened up, its own Entry Plug emerging. Asuka made her way out via an extendable ladder – all but leaping down the final rungs – and sprinted towards Units One's plug. Behind her, Rei also emerged from Unit Zero, moving down onto the ground slowly and methodically.

Coming up beside it, the redhead scanned the side of the plug for the emergency hatch, and when Asuka saw it, her hands clamped onto the levers, wrenching it open. Behind her, Rei stood, watching silently.

"Shinji!" She yelled, ducking inside the plug. "Shinji…"

Shinji lay unconscious, slumped to one side in his seat. Blood trickled down his face from a large gash on his forehead, and the swelling around it suggested it had been blunt force that caused the injury.

"Shinji!" Asuka gasped, and reached in. Lifting him out of the plug as gently as she could, the redhead set him in a sitting position against it, and glanced at the injury, before reaching back and pulling her hair over her shoulder.

She deftly undid the long red ribbon keeping the ponytail together, and wrapped it around Shinji's head, tying it tightly. Already, the blood was beginning to seep through the impromptu headband, and the redhead cursed under her breath.

Hefting him up into her arms with a grunt, Asuka yelled out for help, desperate.

"Misato! Misato!"

Glossary

-Asuka Langley Sohryu

Shoryuken - Rising Dragon Fist/Rising Dragon Punch

-Shinji Ikari

Hadoken - Surge Fist

Shinkuu Hadoken - True Void Surge Fist/Vacuum Surge Fist

I'd be lying if I said this chapter wasn't difficult to write. Well - looks like things are gonna start changing from here on out! Read and review!