Chapter 13" Murderer at midnight."

Part 3 "The world in flames."

From the moment he entered the Japanese military Kaji knew that his place was the one of the spy. He was very good working from the shadows and sabotage other companies. Another good profession he master of the years is to read other people intentions just by looking them. So he is surprised to find case that his skills didn't give him the answer he wanted.

" It is Adam."

That word of Asuka is still ringing to his mind. How could she knew that name? She wouldn't have know about Lilith either. She doesn't know that I give Adam to Gendo could she?

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"I am taking to you Kaji." Said Misato drunkenly. She had the third drink for today and she doesn't look like she going to stop any minute.

"Sorry, I was lost on my thoughts. Continue."

"Bah, everyone is busy these days: Ritsuko is repairing 02 , the kids are way to silent the last two days and the commander hasn't come out from his room until the last battle. At least I was lucky to have a day off today to escape all this paper work."

"Is the kids alright?"

"After two weeks they stopped with all the smoothy smoochy and return to the state the started. It's kinda to see them in that state."

"Well, they probably the ones who choose that so we can't criticize them."

"Yeah but there were so happy before their relationship made me a bit nostalgic."

"Like the one we had? " Said Kaji with a smirk.

"Whatever. What was that you want me tell me anyways today?" Said Misato angrily.

"Remember the company that created the Jet alone project?"

"How can I forget such a clown of a company?"

"One week prior the entire company got obliterated."

Misato face got serious for a moment as she wasn't drunk at all.

"What do you mean by that?"

"When the government tried to check on them after their failed attempt the only thing that found was ruins in the place were the company was. Entire facility was destroyed and all of it's workers were either found dead or completely gone out of the face of the earth. Even their relatives didn't know what happened to them."

"Well at least we don't have to worry about for those guys anymore not that they were much of a problem."

"But that's not the only thing. Two days after this event a similar thing happened to another company that was hired by the Russian government to copy the Evangelion and it also happened in one in China."

"Ok but what have to with us .As far as I know we didn't engage with those companies( If you dismissed the Jet alone project.)."

"The last victim of this was the the company of America." Kaji give the picture to Misato.

Misato shocked when she saw the devastation of that place. Kaji was right non of the remains of that building stay in tact.

"But that's the same company that gave us 03 which.."

"Arrives today, correct whoever is doing this wants to alienate competition and knows stuff that little people in this world know. All signs indicate that the next target will probably be Nerv."

"Ha! Like he can do something us . Unlike the companies we have actually functioning Evangelions not the crap the other companies produced."

"You are right but it is warning nonetheless. Don't you ever underestimate your opponent Misato. It nevers ends well."

"I will keep up in mind but if this guy came here I promise you we will give him a hell of a fight." Said angrily Misato as the liquor started kicking in again.

Kaji smiled at that comment. This is good. She is has her old spirit.

"I am pretty sure you will."

Toji was standing in the basketball court ready to fire one shot 'till he got back to the classroom and do his duty for today. He was waiting for all the others kids to leave so he can start without anyone being in his way.

It's kinda funny how things turned out. Toji thought. Who would have thought that one day I too will pilot one of this. Toji couldn't help but laugh at this idea. When he first saw one of those things the first thought was to hate for an eternity for what they put her little sister but after meeting Shinji and saw a bit of his suffering he didn't have the same hate for those who pilot these. I always tried to understand what made Shinji to think so low for himself. The fact that he endures so much physical and mental pain and still going is beyond me. If I was him would have dropped long ago.I always tried to play the tough guy in this school but deep down I am afraid as never before. I wished could help him with what his struggling,every time I look in his eyes there was always something sad and painful. It's like his carrying a giant cross and refuse others help on carrying it. Well there is one probably who had helped him carrying that cross. The thought of the red wrath cross his mind and remembered how funny him and her were when they argued. I don't what kinda voodoo magic you do Ikari but only with you and Hikary is she ever calm. Speaking of Hikari I don't remember seeing her leaving today . Toji did a double check to see if Hikary had left but he only spotted some of the other girls she usually hanging out.

He decided going to the class and start with cleaning. When he went to the class he spotted Hikari packing some meals.

"What do you with all those meals?"

Hikari jumped for a moment as she was taken by surprise.

"Ah, it's you Suzahara I didn't expect you will stay up for so long."

"Well, I have the clean duty for today so here I am."

"Here you are."

"So what's with the meals?"

"This is for my sisters, one is to small to cook and the either is to busy to bother including my mother, so I have to be the one who cooks for the whole family."

"Wow, that's sounds tiring."

"I got used to pretty quickly." Said with a smile.

"Well if I don't bother I will start cleaning." Said as picked up a broom.

"I.. I can help you if you want help."

" I mean it's alright I can do hard work sometimes. Someone had to care my little sister when isn't around the house."

"Then let me help you with the cleaning. I do also cleaning in my house as well."

"Works fine with me." Said Toji as he gave Hikary another broom .

They two. started cleaning the classroom and after an hour they finished the task.

"Thanks for the help class per without you I have been another hour or two."

She smiled at that comment.

"It's my pleasure to help you Suzahara . You look tired, here some of my food."

Toji opened up the bendo and started eating. From the moment he put the food on his mouth he immediately felt his body ascend in to higher plains.

"Wow that's incredible the only one who cooks that well is Shinji ."

Hikari blushed at that comment.

"If you want I can cook for you also."

"No.. no..no you don't have to."

"What you didn't like?"

"No, I mean I don't want you to put you more work than you already do."

"Thanks, but feeding one extra mouth isn't a problem to me." With a quick move she kissed him in the cheek. "And you don't need to call class per anymore you can just call me by my name Hikari." She continued as she was blushing.

Toji cheeks got redder than a tomato and didn't what to say back.

"I will class.. I mean Hikari."

"See you tomorrow." She said as she stormed through the corridors and got outside before Toji even realized he was staring at nothing.

Toji decided to pack up his things and leave the school. What the fuck just happened now? He questioned himself as he was heading home.

On his way there he passed a supermarket if he had to guess this was probably close to ms.Misato apartment. As he passing through he spotted Shinji leaving with to big bags of shopping in each hand.

"Hey yo shin man you want some help with those bags?"

"Thanks, but I can carry them myself. What made you pass from here ?"

"I decided to take another road this time."

"Hmm."

Toji looked once again Shinji eyes and even though they didn't have the same sadness as before he could still feel that something was eating him for a very long time.

"What was your life before this?"

Shinji was taken back for a moment with that question.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean what was like before you meet us ? Me , Kensuke, the red wrath, Rei even Hikary what was like?"

Shinji took a moment of silence to answer the question.

"Pretty bland and lonely, nothing to impactful."

Toji wasn't satisfied with answered even though it looked like he was saying the truth he could feel that there was more in to it.

"I think there more stuff in this."

"What is your goal with this Toji?"

" When we started hanging together I remember you staring for a moment at nothing and looking so pale and lost. When the red wrath appeared you stop that but I could still feel you were burning inside,I can feel the same thing applies to the red wrath as well. I am right or wrong?"

"Toji everybody has their own dark past,it is best to leave alone and keep enjoying life."

"No I can't leave alone just like that when I see it is hurting my friend. You save my sister life, you have save mine and Kensuke two times and you still keeping stuff to your self. I own you so much and you refused my help. No, will not stand by and let my bro being destroyed from the inside."

"You don't understand Toji have seen and done stuff that will not imagine is better to stop."

"NO, GOD DAMMIT. I demand to know the truth I don't care what you have done in the past I will help you regardless."

Shinji stopped for a moment and looked at Toji eyes to see if he was serious or not and from the looks of it seems that he was.

"Let's sit for a moment this is a long story."

Toji sat as he was told and wait to see what he is friend will tell him. He told him about his previous life, dark secrets about his family, the things that Nerv keep in the dark. He told him that he caused the third impact and ended humanity. He also told him that he gave humanity a second chance but only he and Asuka was the one to emerge from that hell.

Toji took a moment to swallow all that information.

"I... I don't know what to say about this. I didn't know you were in such a great pain Shinji."

"None in the world deserve such a fate as the one I got, expect of me of course."

"Come on man you can't think like that about yourself, even the stuff you have said is true you still didn't deserve this."

"You don't understand Toji I have done horrible stuff to Asuka,Rei, Misato even you have to lose an arm and a leg because of my inaction. "

"But you still wanted to help us regardless. Right?"

"I was so lost in what I want and what I need to do that I didn't my people were slowly losing their lives. I should have been there for them for all them. I am happy that I get to see Asuka and talk to her but times such as this which remind me of how much I lost before I realize to treasure those memories."

"But you are still here are you? You now have learned from your past mistakes and now we can help you to."

"Me and Asuka don't even know why are we here on the first place and we still don't know what the future holds."

"Still, you have us this time we can help to overcome your demons ."

"Thank you that you still are my friend after hearing the truth but I don't deserve to be redeemed for my actions."

"I don't care what you think, you still are a great person in my opinion, even if you don't believe it."

"Am I? "

"Yes."

Shinji stay silent. He didn't say something else about this and change the subject.

"Regardless, what you must do now is stay away from 03 it is likely to be polluted with the next angel."

"Thanks for the warning but I will go regardless of what it has."

Shinji was shocked at that answer.

"You can't be serious. This is a suicide."

"It might, but you have also jumped into the frey a million times and you have managed to come out alive. For a 'coward' that you might claim you were back then you sure have done a lot."

"That is not the point, do you want to risk your life for a pointless war about power."

"Yeah but if I don't I won't prove myself that I can be as equal as you."

"Toji you don't need to prove anything to me nor yourself, I see you as equal toe regardless of your status."

"Thanks bro, but even if you mean it I still have to go. If I don't go they might put another person there. They might put some random guy from the class or they might put someone closer to us. They might put Rei ,they might put Kensuke,they might put the red wrath or worse they might ...put Hikary."

Shinji saw the dark expression which Toji hide from his face.

"But God knows what will happen if you pilot that Eva unit. Think about the class per for a second and how much damaged will she be when she learns this."

"I am sorry I have to do this and hey if things go bad as you say I can still rely on you. I am pretty sure you can knock that thing for sure if he goes crazy or something. I have faith in you bro."

Shinji reconsider what he heard. The last time someone put faith on his actions died in front of his eyes.

As Toji was going to leave he turned to Shinji and said to him.

"If something bad happens to me please let Hikari know that I loved her and I wish the best for her ."

"You have my word." Said Shinji as he saw Toji leaving.

Shinji watched as unit 03 was coming towards him menacing. Rei got out of the battle easily without to much injuries. She knew that this wasn't her fight. Unit 02 need some repairs before going battle, if he had to guess it will probably be ready when the next angel attacks.

So he was alone in this fight and he didn't mind. Now he had more freedom on how to approach Bardiel.

"I have faith in you."

Those words are still ringing in his mind never stop, this time he had to be the one to act not Gendo.

"Ok then, let's do this." Said to his opponent.

Bardiel charge with a ferocious blow which was evaded by Shinji easily. The angel hit again with the other hand but Shinji managed to block the it and hit his opponent with a counter attack.

The angel back up a little and dug his hand on the ground to try hit Shinji from a far but then again Shinji manage to dodge it again. The angel extend his hands to grab Shinji but he dodge that as well.

I can dodge his attacks until morning but I need to remove the entry pod if I want to win without damaging Toji greatly . Shinji thought

Bardiel started to getting furious and began contain his strength in his hand, making them a lot more bulkier than before.

This new, he probably have realised that he can't catch me with his current speed so he decided put all his power to his hands in order to enhance his grip strength. Must play even safer here.

This time Bardiel charge at Shinji with even larger speed. When Shinji was about to dodge that attack Bardiel manage to catch him off guard and grabbed by his left hand.

Shinji tried his best to get out of the grip but his tries were futile.

Bardiel began to start squeezing the life of Shinji with his massive hands.

Shinji couldn't think straight as he felt his life drifting slowly away. He could still hear some things that Gendo said to the technicians. If he had to guess he will tell them to use the Dummy plug system.

So this how I huh? Said to himself. I really hope that Asuka isn't here watching me ,it would be a real a shame to make her cry with my death. I don't know what finds in a crap like me, I am coward, a pervert and everything try fails miserably.

With those final words he mind drifted all the way back to the scene when he finally got out of those damm cages and saw that horrific scenery. He could see the impaled corpse of unit 02 and the mass produced Eva trying to take the corpse for themselves.

As he was watching this Shinji's emotions change. Instead of sadness there was anger, instead of grief there was hatred and instead of emptiness there was a fire burning like never before.

As unit 03 was a about to finish the kill 01 managed to out strength 03 hands and escape their grip. Bardiel can't express an emotion with tha face of his but if he could he would have definitely express confusion and fear of what's to come.

01 pushed Bardiel with its legs and started approaching him.

"HIT ME." Shinji yelled.

Bardiel tried to regain his ground to hit back but he was hit with a massive blow that knocked him farther away.

"I SAID HIT ME YOU DAMM THING." Commanded Shinji.

This time the angel got his chance to strike back but his blow didn't even flinch 01.

"Thanks, I deserve that. I deserve all the hits in the world for what I have done BUT YOU DON'T DESERVE EVEN TO BREATHE IN FRONT OF ME FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ASUKA." Shinji immediately throw himself in the angel and grabbed him from his upper and lower mouth. He then started slowly ripping them apart.

"COME ON START BEGGING FOR MERCY SO I WILL HAVE THE PLEASURE TO DENIED AGAIN AND AGAIN. SCREAM SO THAT YOUR BASTARDS GODS THAT SPAWN YOU CAN HEAR YOU. "

The angel tried to grab Eva 01's head but Shinji manage to rip his hole upper and lower armour completely, taking also some parts of its outer flesh. Bardiel fall down for good, splattering his LCL around.

"Get up." Said Shinji.

The angel didn't do a thing.

"Get up." Shinji repeated.

Still the angel remained on the ground.

"I SAID GET UP."

The angel slowly got up from the ground and showed the smashed yet regenerated face of his. It looked like it was at it's final moments and yet with one last attempt he tried to threw blow which only followed up with him getting thrown into a near mountain.

Shinji proceed to hit him with an unending blows again and again. After awhile Shinji started to ripping parts of the angel bit by bit.

Technicians in the main deck were watching this event with fear . If the title 'Angel's bane' wasn't earn by that kid yet , this was the moment which earned it the most.

Shinji after literally dissecting the angel he started pummeling the angel so hard that after some moments the entry pod and the core cracked like an egg.

After finishing the with angel with a final blow the eva stayed silent for two whole minutes watching the mess it had created.

"What? What happened here?" Said Shinji as his vision return and saw the giant pool of LCL around the dead body of 03.

Shinji was shocked with he was seeing. He didn't how did this but he started to having an idea. The last thing he remembered was to be choked by the angel and now he awoke only to see this.

"Did I just do that?" He questioned himself.

"Wait, Toji." His view went immediately in the entry pod and the medics surround it.

Shinji exited the Pod the run towards the medics ,they have manage to secure Toji but there wasn't any response from him.

"Please, please let him be alive."

Shinji tried to get closer to his friends but the medics didn't let him.

"Move aside, you are already done enough." Said one of the medics to Shinji.

This comment made Shinji stay back for a moment to remember what happened.

"Clear." He heard one of those medics said. He then repeated the same thing two more times.

Shinji saw the medics stop working on Toji and he run to see him himself but sadly he didn't saw any signs of life.

"Date of death:..."

"No, no, no, no, no."

"Hour of death: 12:00 a.p."

"Please, Toji stay with me."

"Name subject: Toji Suzahara ."

Shinji brust in to tears as he refused to accept his friend's death.

"No, God damnit. No." He couldn't continue talking as his tears and cries took over him. Because once someone close to him had put faith in him and once again he failed to meet their expectations.

A.N: This by far has to my favourite and best chapter I have written so far. It wasn't only interesting to write but it also allows some characters which I kept in the background to get some spotlight.