AN: Well, here's chapter seven. It's been forever, I know. Sorry about that. If any of you read my other fics then you partially know why this is so late. If you don't read them, well, this is why. Work is very time consuming when you're taking extra hours. Aside from that I've also had quite a bit of writer's block with this story. I don't know why either. I just couldn't seem to get the right words down for this chapter, not until recently. Anyway, I won't waste everyone's time with a long AN.

Now then, ready?

Let's get on with the show!

Blackout

Misato, Mari, and their fellow Nerv personnel escorted Shinji's class to Central Dogma where the Commander was already waiting. He eyed them, scrutinizing the civilians now occupying Central Dogma, but said nothing. As this was an emergency, and he'd authorized their presence in Nerv today in the first place, becoming upset over his own decision would have been unbecoming of his station. As this happened, Rei, Shinji, and Asuka made their way to the Eva cages after changing into their plugsuits. They boarded their Evangelions, fought the Angel, and defeated it while showing Toji how wrong he was about being a pilot.

That's what was supposed to have happened, anyway. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the actual chain of events had not gone so smoothly.

On the way to Central Dogma, the lights began to flicker and before anyone knew what was going on, the lights all over Nerv went out. The students and the teachers panicked and looked to the Nerv personnel escorting them, unsure if this was supposed to be happening or not. Misato frowned as Mari looked around in the dark. Regardless of the lack of light though, Misato continued on as one of the students closest to her – Mayumi to be exact – murmured a question.

"What's going on?" asked the bespectacled girl.

"Don't know," replied Misato as casually as possible, which was actually fairly casual. She assumed the back-up generators would kick in and restore some modicum of power soon. Besides, she'd experienced enough weird crap in her life that while this was certainly unexpected, she wasn't as surprised as someone should probably be in a situation like this.

"We'll find out soon enough though, I'm sure," added Mari, sending a smile Mayumi's way; she had noticed the concerned look on Mayumi's face. Misato's words hadn't done a thing to dispel the girl's worries. Of course, the Lieutenant Colonel hadn't had any intention of doing anything like that from the beginning. She was in all business mode now, Mari noticed.

Soon after Mayumi's question, the group stopped in front of the doors to Central Dogma and it was apparent to everyone present that they weren't about to open. Misato didn't mind though. After all, she had plenty of people with her. Turning around, she addressed the students and her personnel.

"Grab hold of the doors. We need to get in and they're certainly not opening themselves," said Misato, a certain edge in her voice. She was slightly more concerned now that she'd noticed the back-up generators didn't seem to be doing their job.

A simple blackout shouldn't be able to take out the back-ups, thought Misato, scowling, something's not right about this.

Shinji frowned as he let his plug suit tighten around his body. The power had gone out shortly before the three of them had made it to the changing rooms – and it hadn't come back on. He was fairly certain that this hadn't had anything to do with the angel that had attacked shortly after the blackout in his dimension, but if nothing else he was sure about which angel would be the next of his kin to do battle with him. He hoped he'd be right, anyway.

Matarael, huh? Thought the young pilot as he made his way out of the changing room, stopping to wait in the hallway for Asuka and Rei.

Shinji remembered that one – not that Matarael had been an extraordinary challenge or anything. Matarael was only even an issue because of the blackout. Even that had more to do with the fact that Asuka was too stubborn to let Rei lead them to Central. If she'd been less concerned with being in command at the time, the three of them would have made it to their destination much faster.

But that wasn't all that important right now.

"What do you think has occurred?" Rei inquired as she approached him, her expression ever stoic.

"I'm not sure," he replied – and that was the truth. He never had discovered why the power had gone out in Tokyo-3 that day, though considering all of the events that followed he did have his suspicions. At present though, the only thing he was positive of was that the Angel had not been at fault.

"Doesn't really matter right now anyway," Asuka interjected as she made her way over to her fellow pilots, "let's just meet up with Misato and Mari. Hopefully they've already met with Ritsuko and have some information for us." Shinji and Rei merely nodded at the plan before the three of them were off.

Ritsuko looked to the commander, though she knew she needn't explain anything to him. He'd heard what one of the tech's had said just as she had. The two of them had effortlessly put the puzzle pieces together following that moment. And it seems Misato – whom had joined them only moments ago – had as well.

"Someone's causing this blackout," scowled Ritsuko.

"The Angel?" inquired Misato, a frown making its way onto her face as well.

"It's possible," Ritsuko replied, "but I can't be sure until I look into this further."

Gendo's expression was hidden behind his glasses and his hands, but one thing was for certain – he was not pleased. Of all the times for someone to make an attempt of some sort against Nerv, now was not the time. Casting a glance to Misato and the group of students with her, his eyes narrowed and he made his decision.

"Look after those children Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Akagi, look into this – issue of ours," he said as he stood to his feet, "Fuyutsuki, take command. I am going to prep the Evangelions."

"But we have no power," responded the Deputy Commander, possibly the only person Gendo Ikari could call a friend – Kozo Fuyutsuki.

"That's what Diesel generators are for," responded Gendo as he made his way out of the room. With him gone, Fuyutsuki sighed and muttered something about his friend's smart responses before he composed himself and looked to Misato.

"Where are our pilots?"

"Not far, I'm sure. they should be here momenta-" Misato was interrupted then, a voice that everyone was familiar with, especially at its current volume.

"What's going on? Why's the power out!?" yelled Asuka, drawing a sigh from her cousin. Everyone in Central Dogma turned to the door then, now looking upon their three pilot's.

"No one's really sure," Mari replied, attempting to calm her cousin. As Shinji and Rei merely looked on. They knew she was going to ask Misato and Ritsuko for answers upon arrival, but they hadn't quite expected it to be like that.

"Right now, all we know is that this blackout is definitely being caused by someone… or the Angel," Misato added. Shinji knew better than to think it was the Angel and right now it didn't matter much anyway. The only thing that was important at the moment was getting to the Evas.

"What about the Evas?" he asked, Misato shook her head.

"Right now the Commander is having them prepped using the diesel generators, but that will take some time. Until that's done all we can do is wait," she replied.

"And my mother?" asked Asuka.

"She hadn't left the Eva cages from when we were down there earlier, so she should be with the commander and our personnel," Misato added. Asuka nodded and then all was silent as they did the only thing they could do at this point.

Wait.

Sister, I am sorry.

I know. It is okay my brother, I know this is not what ye wish.

Regardless… if I was only strong enough to resist…

Do not do this to thyself, brother Matarael. There is nothing ye could have done about this. If father did not grant thee the gift of free will, your only path is to do as his will dictates. Do not feel as though ye are in the wrong…

But I am… What our kind is doing – it is wrong.

You do not desire this outcome, brother. When you consider your circumstances, that is enough… Listen, I will tell brother Seraphiel how you feel. He will understand and will not hold it against thee, just as I do not find ye at fault.

I thank thee, Leliel. At least this way, when I die, I die knowing that I had more kin who did not hate me than I first thought… I shall see ye and Seraphiel on the battlefield… fair thee well.

I will miss you, Matarael. I will miss you indeed.

Only an hour and a half had passed since his father went to go prepare the Evangelions and Shinji desperately wished things would speed up. Central Dogma was getting hotter by the second and it didn't help that there were more bodies present than there usually was. Personnel and civilians alike were fanning themselves with whatever they could find and all the candles that were keeping the place from being pitch black were seemingly negating their efforts. If that wasn't enough, Toji was glaring at him and Asuka. His jaw was tight, his fists were clenched and the look in his eyes was darker than he'd ever seen before. His stance made it clear that he was ready for a fight any moment – him being in Nerv didn't even seem to cross his mind.

Hikari noticed this as well, and with a small frown she put her delicate hand on his shoulder and though her touch was almost feather light, Toji looked to her anyway. His glare softening as she looked up at him.

"Toji… please, you need to calm down," she whispered. Toji's fists clenched even tighter, his knuckles turning white.

"But you heard what she said!" he whispered back harshly, his deeper voice drawing the attention of close by classmates and Personnel.

"I know," Hikari replied, just as softly as she had before, "it was wrong of her."

"Exact-"

"But," said Hikari, interrupting him as her soft voice grew just a little more stern, "so were you." Toji began to reply – probably something angry and betrayed, but Hikari shushed him before he could start.

"I know what happened to your sister was painful – it hurt all of us," she said, gesturing to Kensuke, Mayumi, herself – and even Shinji, "but you need to take Shinji's situation into account. We don't know what piloting is like."

"but we were in the simulators. It wasn't-"

"That hard?" Hikari finished for him, "you know that's a lie. The first two Angels were manageable – in groups of three. Alone we couldn't defeat them. And the last one? Even together we could not find a way to kill that Angel – Shinji fought the first two alone and he defeated Gaghiel alongside Rei and Asuka. They did what we couldn't. And Asuka – she said something about syncing. We don't even know what that is, Toji. Obviously, it wasn't in the simulators."

Toji's fists trembled, not wanting to believe what she was saying – even though he knew Hikari was right. With a growl he turned away from her and walked towards the pilots. Hikari, Kensuke, and Mayumi followed him cautiously, not wanting him to do something brash. As for the pilots, Asuka tensed at Shinji's side, rounding on Toji and shooting him one of her fiercest glares. He should be commended for not cowering beneath it. Mari frowned his was while Rei looked at him, her brows furrowed ever so slightly.

Shinji merely looked Toji in the eyes as he approached. Not too far away, Misato observed the possible confrontation. Her gut told her not to interfere and she knew that even if things got a bit dicey, she wouldn't need to. Shinji could take care of himself and even if he wouldn't hit Toji back, Misato assumed Asuka and Mari surely would.

Toji stared Shinji down once he'd stopped in front of him. The staring contest lasted for nearly two minutes, neither boy looking away from the other. Finally, Toji opened his mouth.

"What is it? That syncing thing? What about it makes piloting so much harder, huh?"

Shinji was slightly surprised to hear this question. He didn't think Toji's anger could even allow him to ask such a thing.

Hikari truly does wonders for the guy, he thought. Taking a deep breath, Shinji decided to go ahead and answer him.

"Unlike the simulators, sitting in the entry plug isn't enough to get an Eva moving. It requires a more intimate connection between the pilot and the Eva. We call it a sync ratio," Shinji replied, "the higher the synchronization, the better a pilot can control the Evangelion, but high sync ratios also present a drawback. You feel everything that happens to your Evangelion in battle."

Shinji's words drew a few gasps from eavesdropping students and Hikari put her hands to her mouth as her eyes widened. They'd all had their chance in the simulators and the injuries they'd accumulated – the pilots had to actually feel that?

"If the Eva's arm breaks you feel it, if it gets run through by something sharp you feel it, if a hole is being pounded into its head…" Shinji trailed off here, putting a hand to his eye as he remembered Sachiel's blows, "you feel it. The only way to avoid the pain is to cut the connection, but if you do that you'll no longer be able to move the Eva and you'll die anyway."

Toji stared at him again for yet another minute longer before clicking his tongue, turning, and walking away. He needed to think. Kensuke, Mayumi, and Hikari followed after him – but not before giving Shinji lingering stares. It was brief, but just from that he knew that they still cared to some degree.

He still had a chance to keep his friends.

It seems your dilemma regarding your friendships will be resolved soon, Seraphiel. Shinji's eyes flicked to his left at the intrusion into his mind. Floating next to him was Leliel.

Hopefully, he replied, What are you doing here?

I met with Matarael. I just wanted you to know that he does not want this. Shinji was surprised to hear this. Leliel had said that there were some Angels who didn't wish to end the human race, but to actually meet one aside from her… he didn't expect it. Truthfully, he had been in denial about it. He never truly believed that any of the Angels (aside from Leliel and Tabris to some degree) didn't want the humans dead.

And while he trusted Leliel, he still couldn't help but be skeptical now. He'd give Matarael a chance to prove that, but for now he'd assume he was no different from the rest of their kin. Leliel could sense his reluctance and merely accepted it.

You will see, brother, she said before she began to fade away.

Wait, Shinji called out to her. Leliel's fading ceased as she waited for him to continue.

Can you do me a favor?

Of course, brother. What is it that you need?

Someone is causing this blackout and I never really found out who was responsible in my dimension, do you know?

I do. I've noticed them a few times while watching the events unfold in various dimensions. What of it?

I know you don't like killing humans… but this is important. I'm assuming these guys have some connection to SEELE and they don't need to know anymore about us than necessary… do you think you can pay them a visit and make sure they don't get what they're looking for? Oh, and if you could, I would appreciate it if you got our power back.

Not exactly the most savory of tasks, but these SEELE people having less cards to play would certainly lessen the possibility of what you call instrumentality. I'll take care of it. Give me some time. Shinji nodded, and with that she faded away.

Just in time for Dr. Soryu to walk into Central Dogma.

"It's time to sortie," said Kyoko. The pilots nodded.

Their battle was upon them.

Shinji, Asuka, and Rei sat in their entry plugs, waiting for the go-ahead. They'd gotten to the Eva's faster than they had the first time, so he could only assume that they were unlikely to get stuck in the shaft Matarael was dropping his acid into. That being the case, Shinji knew that the battle with the spider-like Angel would not be anything like it had been the first time.

"Launch!" called Dr. Soryu from below them, safely situated on the walkway across from the Evangelion's. With that, the same process as the last time they fought Matarael began and they soon found themselves climbing up a shaft. Asuka's complaints though, were not the same.

"Your friend is an arschloch, Third. Who the hell does he think he is? Coming here and acting like what happened to him gives him the right to badmouth us," Asuka grumbled as her grip on the controls tightened. She looked straight ahead with a scowl that left nothing to the imagination in concerns to her mood. Just looking at her right now made Shinji feel a little bad for Matarael. She was undoubtedly going to take out her frustrations on him.

"I find pilot Soryu's observation to be agreeable," Rei commented. She still sounded rather monotonous, but Shinji could make out the smallest of frowns on her face. The boy's brows rose up at that. He knew the two of them had been getting closer (though not as close as Shinji wanted yet), but the Third Child hadn't expected her to be upset like this over some things Toji said. This was a huge step for their relationship.

"He's just a hot-head," replied Shinji, "He's not a bad guy once you get to know him."

"I don't want to get to know him!" Asuka screeched as her face contorted into that of an angry snarl. Seeing her like this actually warmed Shinji's heart. A bit odd for him to feel that way about it– but it reminded him of the days when she and Toji would fight at school. Those days felt so far away for the boy and he wanted nothing more than to have them in his life again.

"He's just upset about his sister, Asuka – and I get where you're coming from," Shinji added hastily; he'd seen Asuka getting ready to snap at him for defending the boy, "That doesn't give him the right to badmouth us and it doesn't make him special. There were plenty of people before him that had to endure similar situations or worse, but – that doesn't mean his pain isn't there. I'm not saying he's justified in his actions or anything, but I understand why he's acting this way so I'm not going to hold his actions now against him. Not all of them anyway."

Asuka merely stared at him through the Eva's screen as they continued to climb; the noise of their limbs making contact with the walls of the shaft was the only sound that surrounded them. Finally, after a long minute Asuka looked away with a sigh.

"Whatever, Third. You're too nice for your own good." With that, silence claimed the three pilots once again and they continued up the shaft. It took some time, but they eventually made it to the surface. Asuka was the first to see the light of day and her happiness over being out of the shaft was palpable.

"Finally!" she cried, lifting her Eva's arms in victory. Shinji looked on as he helped Rei out of the shaft, wondering if Asuka had considered the shaft as some sort of challenge. He knew better, of course. Asuka wouldn't act that way, but he needed just a bit of silliness running through his mind to help calm his nerves. Matarael could show up any minute and he wanted to be ready – even if Matarael really wasn't intent on killing him and the human race.

I trust Leliel's word, but… He trailed off as another voice invaded his mind.

I see that our sister could not convince ye…

Can you really blame me for being skeptical? Shinji inquired, looking around in an attempt to locate his kin. Matarael was being far sneakier than his last encounter with him. That did not sit well with Shinji, not at all. As the Third child waited for a reply, Misato's face suddenly appeared before him. He could see his friends and some of the Nerv personnel behind her on the small screen.

Your help is greatly appreciated, Leliel, Shinji offered, not sure if she could even hear him. He didn't know the range on this whole telepathy thing and quite frankly he wasn't sure if Leliel was close or not in the first place.

Think nothing of it. We are kin, she replied, appearing overhead within the entry plug. She looked displeased, a small frown present on her face as she looked ahead, seemingly unfocused on anything in particular. Shinji guessed she truly found taking the lives of humans to be unsavory, even if it was for the greater good.

"We have power again," Misato announced, "Make your way to the umbilical cables."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Asuka smirked, making a dash for the closest cable cache.

Skepticism is understandable in your situation, came Matarael's reply, forgive me, brother… I do not wish for this.

That was the only warning Shinji was allowed before a steady blast of green, almost yellow liquid overtook the cable cache and slammed into Asuka, eliciting a pained scream shortly after.

"It burns!"

"Asuka!" Shinji was already running towards her before her name had passed my lips.

"It's acid," frowned Ritsuko as they watched Unit-02 writhe, Asuka's screams overtaking the noise in Central Dogma. Misato cursed at this development – the fight had only just begun and one of the pilots was already in trouble. "On the bright side, the pain she's in is interfering with her sync ratio. It's dropping," Ritsuko added. Misato's only reply was a curt nod.

"Shinji, get Asuka to the water and throw her in. If we can wash the acid off she should still be good to go. Rei, provide them with cover fire. Keep your eyes sharp you three." Upon giving their assent, the two remaining pilots leapt into action as the Nerv personnel and their guests watched on. Hikari and Shinji's friends watched in silence. Mayumi's book was firmly closed; her eyes glued to the screen much like the rest of them. Kensuke was biting at his lip as he looked ahead while Hikari had her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide with worry for her friend. Toji watched as well, his fists clenched.

Seeing them do battle like this was a completely different situation than doing battle themselves in the simulators and it was different still from the time they'd seen Shinji fight Shamshel. Then, they'd only seen him level the city and Shamshel in kind with what looked like little effort to them. Now though, seeing how hectic things were in Central Dogma, knowing that they felt the pain their Evangelions felt – hearing the truth behind that statement… they were beginning to understand the true magnitude of what being a pilot meant. Sure, they knew Shinji risked his life before now, but seeing it like this was just… it was more than they had anticipated.

Shinji hurriedly picked up Unit-02, grunting as he felt the acid on him as well. As he took off down the road headed towards the shore, Rei locked onto Matarael. She wasted no time in firing. Unfortunately, she pulled the trigger in vain. In a show of speed none of them expected, Matarael quickly sidestepped the gunfire and leapt at Unit-00, crashing one of its long limbs into the blue giant as it landed in front of Rei.

Unit-00 was pushed back, skidding to a halt a few feet away as liquid seemed to pool behind one of Matarael's many eyes. Rei knew what was coming and ducked down, narrowly escaping the acid spray as she moved in. Drawing her prog knife, she made a swipe at Matarael's legs but the Angel was prepared, it leapt straight into the air and Rei looked up just in time to see acid gush out of the largest eye on its body. Gripping the controls, she made her Eva dodge – unfortunately that was not enough. Though she'd escaped some of the damage her right arm and leg had been hit and she crashed into a nearby building, bringing it down.

"Shit," Misato cursed as she listened to the First Child's pained grunts, "Rei's down, Shinji. How's Asuka?"

"I'm fine. I'll show that Angel that it can't get me by surprise again!" growled Asuka, fire burning behind her eyes in vengeance.

"Good. Provide support while Rei gets her bearings then I want the three of you to find some way to aim for the large eye on its underbelly."

"Are you sure that's its weakness?" Mari questioned, voicing her cousin's thoughts to Misato's orders.

"No," came Misato's reply, "it is, however, the least protected part of its body."

"We'll take it down," Shinji voiced and Misato nodded.

"Good. Now get to it."

He's a lot faster than the last time I fought him, Shinji thought as he and Asuka ran towards Matarael, dodging acid as they neared. Near Asuka one of their weapon caches opened up, revealing a pallet rifle that the German pilot grabbed as she rushed by. Brandishingthe rifle in front of her, Asuka aimed and let loose a hail of bullets upon the Angel only to watch in frustration as its stringy – yet surprisingly powerful – legs propelled it to the side, allowing it to dodge and move in on her.

"Damn this thing!" She yelled, her gunfire trailing behind Matarael every time she tried to catch it. She was so close, yet so far.

As I said before, brother Seraphiel, said Leliel as Shinji helped Rei to her feet. She'd calmed down a bit, her pained grunts reduced to winces that were far and few in between. Her strength was something Shinji was proud of as her brother. Unfortunately, now was not the time for such things. Matarael does not wish for the end of the human race. The last time thou did battle with Matarael he walked as slowly as possible so he could avoid reaching thine base quickly and ye were lucky enough to be within that shaft when ye found him. You were too deep within the shaft to be noticed and thus ye could easily attack our brother. Now though, thou hast reached the surface, and though he wishes not to, that means Matarael must put forth his best effort to fight thee.

This sucks, Shinji growls out.

Indeed it does, my brother, Matarael replies as he dodges more gunfire from Asuka before smacking her aside with one of his legs, lunging at Shinji soon after. Clicking his tongue, the First Child grabbed his prog knife as he erected an A.T. Field, blocking the acid Matarael had just shot at him. He dismissed the field soon after and thrust his knife forward. Matarael met it with the bottom of one of his legs as acid built up behind his eyes.

I am sorry things must be this way.

Me too, I guess, Shinji replied offhandedly.

Ye believe me? asked Matarael, surprised. Shinji had shown no inkling that he had any trust in him thus far.

Yeah. Guess so, Shinji replied as Matarael's acid shot forth. It bathed him in its searing, liquid grasp. The Third Child screamed out as his sync ratio dropped, his movements becoming a bit more sluggish. Matarael capitalized on this, slamming Unit-01 into the ground with a heavy foot.

But why? Matarael inquired as Shinji bit down on his lip to silence his screams as he forcefully brought his sync ratio higher, allowing its rise to stop only when he was once again in the high nineties. He ignored Misato's orders to drop his sync ratio so he could give himself a chance to wash off the acid, but he had other things in mind – especially when he considered the fact that neither Rei nor Asuka were coming to help him. That meant only one thing to him. They must be up to something.

Shinji threw Matarael's leg off Unit-01 as he lifted himself from the ground. Standing to his feet, Shinji stared his brother down as Matarael backed up, putting distance between them in preparation for another attack.

"Shinji," said Rei as her face appeared on a screen before him, soon being followed by another screen with Asuka's face. Her only indication that he was listening was a brief grunt.

"Would it be possible for you to hold him in place for a moment? We have a plan of action that we believe will work," Rei asked. Offering a smile that turned into a wince, Shinji replied.

"Glad to see you have faith in my dexterity," he gritted out, earning a snort from Asuka.

"I'll take that as a yes, Third. Thankfully for us, you really can take quite the beating. Make sure that overgrown insect can't move, got it?" Said the red head.

"Consider it done," Shinji replied one last time before he ran forward. Matarael prepared more acid in reply.

Leliel, what do I need to do to use my distinction?

Ye need to focus your A.T. Field on the sound – more specifically, the sound that humans are incapable of hearing. As Seraphiel, you have an intimate connection with all forms of sound, so it should not be hard to do this. After that, you need to use your A.T. Field to guide this silence, bending it to your will. Determine where you wish it to go. It will move there and the sound waves that make it up will do the rest, she replied.

Hope this works…

With that thought Shinji did as she'd instructed, he'd brought his own A.T. Field to life, masking it beneath Unit-01's as he focused. The sound around him began to fade away after he gave it some time and soon a whole new congregation of sounds entered his ears. It was nothing like what he'd hear on a daily basis – these sounds were hardly recognizable. Now that he knew what he would be controlling, he reached out with his A.T. Field and all the incomprehensible sounds replied – and soon enough they became his to command.

It was nothing like what he'd felt when he fought Shamshel. The feeling wasn't nearly as heavy, but that was fine. He'd known it would not be as strong as it had been then anyway. Opening his mouth, Shinji let loose another silent roar as he neared Matarael, this time Unit-01 did not mimic him. Still running forward, he focused on where he wanted his sound waves to go and right as Matarael was about to fire, they converged on the ground at his left frontal leg, breaking the asphalt there and creating a crater just deep enough for Matarael to lose his footing at the sudden shift in the ground below him.

Stumbling, Matarael's stream of acid flew off course, rushing by Unit-01's head as Shinji closed in and slipped behind his kin. Grasping Matarael's frontal limbs he lifted him, making sure Matarael's underbelly was showing.

"Firing," came Rei's voice, prompting Shinji to look around until he saw her ahead of himself and Matarael, a rocket launcher hefted onto Unit-00's shoulders. Next to her was Asuka, brandishing the same weapon. As stated, Rei fired and Asuka did the same only a second after her. As they neared, Matarael erected an A.T. Field.

"Not happening," grunted the Third Child as he once again focused his A.T. Field. Just around him and Matarael, everything briefly became quiet before Shinji felt himself tire and Matarael's A.T. Field shattered.

Before you die, I should let you know why I believed you, Shinji thought at his soon to be dead Kin, You had the opportunity to kill Asuka and Rei. With your acid and your agility to back it up, taking them out shouldn't have been an issue for you, he added as the explosives neared.

You held back – and I thank you for that. Shinji jumped back with those words, letting the rounds impact with Matarael's body, hearing a brief "farewell" from his fallen Kin just before that.

Good-bye, Matarael. Rest well.

"Sixth Angel defeated," called Hyuga, earning a sigh from all Nerv personnel present in Central Dogma.

"Call the pilots back," sighed Misato tiredly, "and let's get these civilians out of here. I think they've had more than enough show and tell for today."

Translations

Arschloch – asshole.

Oh! And leave a review? They make the world go round and make chapters come out faster. I don't think the next chapter will take so long to come out this time either. I've had a solid idea of what I wanted to happen here before I'd even finished writing chapter 5, so hopefully nothing slows me too much.