Chapter 19: Are We Made For Those Who Challenge?
Was life supposed to continue not giving her any answers? The only hope Misato had that her small investigation was yielding any results was that she would receive another call from Kyoya that night. The longer she waited for the opportunity to hear from him however, the more she began to doubt he would need her in this instant.
The mysteries that Kaji could not uncover in NERV had to remain hidden for what little remained of the year 2015. Another year was about to pass and there would be a seemingly limitless number of issues that would have to be faced for her and humanity. Most importantly, the continued attacks of the Angels.
Laying down on her side on her futon, Misato tried to force herself to go to sleep only to find that her worries continued to be too prevalent to worry about. The more she tried, the more apparent that she was not even concerned about what might have been happening in the world at large. She wanted more than anything for the world to be about her again and she trusted one person to do that for her.
Before Misato could ponder what was holding Shinji away from her she heard her bedroom door slide open before hearing the boy in question ask, "Miss Misato... Are you awake?"
While Misato did not allow slumber to take her before, she could not bring herself to muster the will to face Shinji with the sense of confirmation he was looking for. From being torn over how to feel about Asuka's return to still being buried in the secrets of NERV, she could not force herself to put on an act that he would easily be able to see through. The opportunity to even fake that sense of assuredness closed as she heard her door close and quickly began to wish she could beat herself for letting Shinji step away with a sense of hopelessness again.
Her self-loathing was brief as she felt something against her back she did not expect. It was another individual who came to lay next to her and did not even seem to care if she could register his presence or not. Without a confirmation of who was next to her, she was forced to remain in place trying to imagine how her inner hopes were being answered.
For the first time in a long time, Misato could not be more pleased to hear, "Miss Misato..."
It was unmistakable. Shinji had come to Misato's side and was taking hold of her from behind. That shaky and worried boy who it seemed just now began to see her as trustworthy was longing for her presence. As confirmation she felt Shinji's arms wrap themselves around her stomach under her breasts before placing his chin on her shoulder.
It seemed too unreal for this to be happening. Misato could not have imagined that anything would have made Shinji of all people want to take charge himself and request her presence even if she did not answer him. There were no cues she could think of when she saw him and Asuka for dinner earlier and he seemed to be more dismissive than anxious.
The cause for this approach was lost on Misato as she tried to determine what led to this happening and with time began to lose interest. Much happened over the day that caused her to question her effectiveness. Having the boy she allowed to come much closer than she should have be next to her was all the consolation she wanted to have for the night.
As she slept through the night, Misato was reminded that Shinji was still more of a morning person than she was as she heard a pair of footsteps walk away from where she slept. She was even more disappointed as she felt the embrace she shared with him was no longer held as she looked down to see his arms no longer present. She looked up before seeing the morning sun outside and fully registered that it was time for her to face whatever this day might bring.
Bringing herself upright, Misato saw Shinji making his way to the door and asked, "You sleep well Shinji?"
Turning around to confirm his presence he greeted back, "Good morning Miss Misato. Yeah, I did."
Attempting to lighten the mood he was demonstrating, Misato suggested, "I hope I don't have to expect this as the only time you try and take the lead."
Shinji wished he was able to take such a comment with a sense of embarrassment like he used to but was forced to face this situation head on by answering, "I... didn't come just for that."
It seemed he was still allowing the sudden change in Asuka weigh on him just as it did when he first revealed his grief about her return. Believing it was still the cause of his confusion, she asked, "Nothing else is bothering you is it?"
He felt guilty describing what he was going through but Shinji found himself completely at Misato's mercy as he admitted, "I didn't want to be near Asuka was all."
It was clear there was no way to make him feel any easier about the situation as Misato warned, "I noticed. You know you aren't going to get her to understand if you just stay away from her don't you?"
Turning to face the door and prepare for the challenges of the day to come, Shinji leaned against the door as he asked, "I know. But what can I tell her?"
Misato could not decide if it was fear for the rest of the world or for the situation he found himself trying to manage. It was a scenario that few people imagined realistically finding themselves in given the current state of the world but one of the youngest members of the human race was right in the middle of one. The relationship she was in with him needed firm commitment from both of them and needed to be solidified as soon as possible.
She tried to make sure he understood the sort of strength he would need to demonstrate one day by warning, "At some point, it has to be what you really want from her. And for both of us."
With so little reason to find himself remaining courageous in the face of adversity, Shinji feared he was losing Misato's faith as he continued to provide uncommitted answers. Keeping her from learning everything about what he had gone through at once seemed to be the only way he would be able to keep the way things were. It was one of the most intimidating situations he could conceive of but it was the only way he could see himself having any sort of future with one of the few people he could trust at this point.
He finally admitted the weakness he had by telling Misato, "I thought I was able to. But I don't know what I can do now."
What kept the day from progressing as a normal one was the arrival of another Angel bound for Tokyo-3. Its sudden appearance was alarming to the occupants of the city as it signaled not only preceded an uncertain amount of damage but also placing the entire human race on the edge of extinction again. Hope was far from lost however as NERV was prepared to demonstrate the true power that three fully prepared pilots might be able to achieve.
A towering white being floated through the skies resembling a head with a towering pillar where its core was adorned. It made its progress through the air undeterred without any signs of being ready to display its offensive capabilities. Its simple passing through the skies served as an ominous sight for those who were about to challenge its advance.
Makoto was the first to announce his observations of the incoming Angel, "We have nothing on this things advance."
Misato watched the Angel known as Turel make its progression as she asked, "Are there any signs that it's going to make a descent at all?"
Makoto checked his computer while watching the estimations light up and answered, "Negative. The target hasn't done anything."
Ritsuko suggested, "It's possible the target is searching for our location."
Maya tried to understand the premise by deducing, "You believe it will be like the prior ones that attacked from the air?"
"We won't know which one unless we make it react. We should send the Evas out to determine its approach." Aoi reminded the others of the presence of the MAGI technicians as she suggested the time had come to move forward with the assault. Misato looked at her briefly before returning her attention to the image of Turel making its advance. While she could not say she was angry, the purpose for her, Satsuki and Kaede being there did nothing to build her enthusiasm for battle.
Misato nodded as she prepared herself for the building battle and ordered, "Launch all units."
Once the order was given, Units 01, 02, and 04 shot to the surface. While the three units had no means of reaching Turel where they stood, the pilots knew the opportunity would have to present itself. The Angel could not hope to reach where Adam supposedly lay dormant from the air and had to make its descent at some point.
Asuka looked up at the progressing Angel and asked, "Are we going to be fighting it any time soon?"
Misato kept her focus in Turel's progression before answering, "Until it comes to us, we don't get much say."
Kensuke was able to come to this conclusion as he requested, "Please tell me that we're clear to start shooting that thing."
Deciding it was the only way the battle would begin anyway, Misato ordered, "Draw its attention but be ready for it to retaliate. Shinj, Asuka, use your handguns for better accuracy."
Kensuke did not need any further instruction as he reached for the side of the gate he ascended from to take his pallet gun in both hands while Unit-01 and Unit-02 followed. Bullets shot up into the air towards Turel but were immediately followed by what many of NERV feared would occur. The familiar pattern of the A.T. field emanated from the contact as the bullets dispersed.
Asuka observed, "That's no good."
Misato watched Turel stop in place as it turned slightly to continue its advance. She warned the pilots, "Be ready. You've got its attention."
Shinji looked up at the towering Angel in the sky as he forced himself to be ready for what might have been another challenge before he heard Asuka ask," You're not afraid are you Shinji?"
Despite the concern sounding genuine, Shinji struggled to keep himself from snapping as he told her, "It's not down here yet. Let me find out."
What grounds for argument there might have been were lost as the three pilots looked up to see Turel stop its advance but began another movement entirely. It began a descent with the same destination in mind. Its eyes remained as determined and unmoving as its first appearance but brightened the closer it came to seeing the Eva opponents on the ground.
Kensuke tried to prepare the others by warning, "That thing has a field. Let's get ready to break it down." At those words of encouragement, Unit-04 drew its progressive knife and prepared the blade for its attack.
He knew he could not allow Turel to continue going unchallenged but doubted what could be achieved as Shinji asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea Kensuke?"
Undeterred, Kensuke continued his charge as he proclaimed, "I don't know what else is!"
Within the bridge of NERV's headquarters, Shigeru watched the next attack progress before determining, "Unit-04 is advancing. It's approaching the Angel."
Misato gritted her teeth and ordered, "Kensuke pull back, we don't know what it can do."
Kensuke did not acknowledge the order and kept his focus on the target that was coming closer un range. Unit-04 charged with its knife in hand and before long found itself right under the shadow of Turel. The Angel's approach to the ground continued to be a slow one but the blow of the descent caused everything around Unit-04 to be pressed against the ground. The unit in question remained undeterred as it held its knife ready and waiting for the chance to attack its target.
Kensuke looked up and grinned, "Looks like it's time for the soft underbelly this time!"
Just as soon as Kensuke thrust his knife into the air above him, the A.T. field that surrounded Turel appeared again. This time the collision caused the legs of Unit-04 to tremble as the pressure from Turel's descent. It became so great that Kensuke felt himself leap backwards as he feared he might eventually be crushed under the weight of the Angel if not its field.
Accepting he could not attack from below, Kensuke prepared himself for a frontal attack. The presence of the blue core at the top of Turel's head seemed to be the one opportunity he had to deal a mortal blow to the recent threat to humanity. With this reasoning, Knesuke lunged forward as though he completely forgot the obstacle of the A.T. field protecting Turel.
Colliding with the field again, Turel was prepared again as its eyes emitted a bright light before igniting its attack. A pair of beams shot out of its eyes but were quick to bend and change before hitting the left side of Unit-04. Its target was forced to the ground but was uninterested in causing it further damage now that it was unimpeded. Unit-04 remained smoldering from the recent attack but Turel continued to dig itself underground to where its destination lay.
Having just witnessed Turel's offensive capability, Misato requested, "Knesuke, are you alright?!"
Kensuke groaned before answering, "Little roughed up Major..."
Misato cut off any further comment by ordering, "Remain where you are! Do not move!"
Kensuke protested the order, "But Major that thing is right there!"
She was thankful Unit-04 was struggling to move at this point but insisted with her previous order, "And you're in no shape to attack! Do not move!"
Cutting Kensuke out, Misato heard a report from Maya reveal, "We have a reading of the field Major. It's more than we anticipated."
Misato turned to the others demanding, "How much more?"
Ritsuko revealed a screen evaluating what was determined of Turel as she answered, "Readings are estimating it to be as powerful as all three of the previous Angel's three A.T. fields combined at minimum."
The reveal made the pit in Misato's stomach feel even deeper than it was before as she struggled to keep herself from succumbing to the challenge in front of her. Turel's dig underground signified that it did indeed have the intention to reach Adam and would attempt to do so in a manner similar to Ramiel's method. If she did nothing, she would find herself face to face with Turel as only a select few Angels were capable of accomplishing before.
Attempting to keep herself stable, Misato ordered, "Shinji, Asuka, move in and raise your synch ratios as high as possible."
Shinji accepted, "On it."
Asuka took the opportunity to tell him, "Stay beside me Shinji, I'll make sure you stay safe."
The display of adoration that once came off as mocking sounded as genuine as Shinji imagined she could have said it. With the threat of an Angel in the distance and its threat to reach the geo front where NERV headquarters lay. The two units were about to discover quickly just how difficult stopping Turel's descent would be.
Turel's eyes shined again the area underneath it began to form a crater the slowly encroached the rest of Tokyo-3 but was stopped when it saw it's two new targets charging towards its location. With the targets in sight, Turel fired another pair of beams that seemed to bend and change in random directions. The beams tore through a pair of buildings before one hit the center of both units and sent them flying back.
A charred black surface was on the chest of both units as they endured the damage. Unit-02 forced itself up and saw Turel remaining stagnant as it registered its opponents still being alive. Desperate to keep itself defended, Turel's eyes brightened again this time prepared to focus on its next aggressor.
Asuka panted from the earlier attack but proclaimed, "I'll get you!"
What little of the old Asuka remained was made apparent to Shinji as he saw her prepare to charge ahead of him and towards the Turel. Whatever hope he might have had in hearing her was lost as he realized the Angel was preparing another one of its attacks. Desperate to save her from a fatal blow, Shinji threw Unit-01 to the ground before reaching for Unit-02's left ankle and call out, "No Asuka!"
Instead of directly hitting any of the Eva units this time, the beams bent and wove through the air before making their way towards the targets. While it seemed impossible for many to dodge the wayward angles of the beams, Shinji's attempt to save Asuka proved itself to be a brief few seconds of accomplishment. His hopes were undone as he saw the beams shoot overhead but then sever the umbilical cable of Unit-02.
The continued struggle of the two Eva units trying to come anywhere close to Turel left Misato in such a fixed gaze that she almost forgot any of the discomfort she was feeling earlier. The situation proved to be even more desperate when she heard Makoto announce, "Unit-02's cable has been detached! 5-minute countdown has begun!"
Realizing how much more difficult the battle was about to become, Misato called out to the remaining pilots, "Shinji! Asuka! Your window of attack is closing!"
Within the cockpit of Unit-02, Asuka was forcing herself to focus now that the danger of being completely helpless in the presence of Turel was about to overpower her. In such a desperate hour she found greatly conflicted. Shinji's attempt to save her from being hurt brought her in such a narrow frame and at best seemed to only buy her more time before she potentially died.
Deep within her mind she shouted, "You stupid Shinji! You never do anything right for me! You still think I'm worth humiliating after this?! You honestly want to make my life this much of a living Hell?!"
All of these thoughts ran through Asuka's mind but could bring herself to proclaim , "Shinji... I'm here for you!"
Releasing Unit-02's ankle from the hold that kept it on the ground, the Eva unit shot up and made a rush towards Turel. Without a cable to hold it back and without backup to assist, Unit-02 was up in an instant and rapidly approaching its target. Turel recognized this as it stopped its penetration of the Earth and prepared for another beam attack.
The technicians of NERV watched Unit-02 make its dash towards the Angel while Misato asked, "Asuka! What are you up to?!"
Ritsuko discouraged further intervention by reporting, "This might be turning to our favor. Her synch ratio is rapidly expanding."
Maya confirmed the report, "Her ratio has already hit 120%!"
Unit-02 crashed its fists into the AT field of Turel to cause the wave of ripples that kept its opponent from advancing before firing its beams. The seemingly random directions once again hit Unit-02 in the chest but did nothing to push it away from its field. Despite the damage it was forced to endure, Unit-02 did not allow itself to be forced back as it continued to tear away at the AT field.
Makoto warned, "Damage levels are approaching maximum levels! Unit-02 can't take much more of this!"
Misato felt as though she was about to hurl what remained in her stomach at the sight as she asked, "Can we not get through to Asuka at this point?!"
Ritsuko corrected, "It may not be necessary. Synch ratio has continued to increase."
Maya found herself astonished as she confirmed, "It's now reaching... 167%?!"
As Unit-02 continued to endure the beams, it finally tore away the field that separated it from Turel and shot its way through the newly formed hole. Not unlike Unit-01's pounce on Zeruel, Unit-02 took hold of the top of Turel's head and forced it to the ground. The Angel was not stopped however as it prepared its beams again this time causing the attack to weave its way around the area the two beings clashed upon before hitting Unit-02's back.
The building damage Unit-02 was forced to endure did nothing to stop its attacks as it brought one blow of its fists onto the Angel's core after another. The blue gem on the top of Turel's head continued to crack with each blow as the Angel readjusted its beams and caused a frantic bending of the beams to land upon Unit-02's back. Raising its right fist high above its head, Unit-02 gave another mighty blow to the gem this time piercing its hand all the way through the core to shatter a hole right through it.
The mighty attack proved to be the killing blow as Turel fell on its back and what resistance remained faded from it. The beams that tried to wear away at Unit-02's armor faded as Turel's eyes faded to black from the life leaving it. While much of Tokyo-2 was forced to endure another Angel attack that left much damage, the defeat of Turel became an assuring sight that humanity was safe once again.
Misato heard confirmation of this achievement as Shigeru reported, "No signs of movement Major. Target has been eliminated."
Before she could give another order, Misato struggled to keep herself from releasing everything in her stomach. After feeling a mighty weight lift from her shoulders at what was another demanding battle, she realized just how frail her state had become. She had just endured another day of commanding the Eva units against the Angel's but for some reason felt more anxious than prior instances.
Much to her relief, she did not hear anyone request her input as Misato turned away from the command bridge and ran down the halls to find the nearest restroom. Ritsuko noticed her absence but dismissed it as s behavior she came to expect. Many of the onlookers who remained however were fascinated by one if the most effective attacks Unit-02 had accomplished in weeks. Its brutal display along with the abnormally high synch ratio Asuka achieved leaving much of NERV speechless at what had been achieved.
Aoi remained indifferent as she looked up at the screen of Unit-02's recent victory and evaluated, "This has surpassed our expectations."
Satsuki agreed, "It is possible that the second child having a motivation has allowed for her to form a new fighting spirit. For all we know it could be what caused her to be so successful today."
Aoi considered the newfound possibilities as she suggested, "If it was possible with her, then we might expect similar results with the others. We must ensure our findings are maintained."
Kaede was less enthusiastic as she pointed out, "This was not done of her free will, and we do not know the state of her relationship with the Unit-01 pilot. If any of this can fall apart, her exposure to this false reality we have created can undo everything we have achieved."
Aoi dismissed the concern by pointing out, "A reality that is currently false but can be true if she continues to permit it to be so."
Forcing his eyes open and seeing the environment around him, Shinji saw Unit-02 kneeling on the ground and charred from the heat of Turel's beams. He could only imagine what sort of damage Unit-04 had just endured but the immediate sight of the one that saved him made him wonder if Asuka was even alive by now. Both Unit-02's loss of power and the damage it was asked to endure became a sight that struck humility in him the same way only a few times prior did.
Hopeful to discover there were no causalities, Shinji called, "Asuka? Are you okay?"
'For all the help you were! Sending me out there like this! You want me like this don't you?! I'm just a perfect shield for you this way aren't I?!'
The sound of Shinji's voice was all Asuka needed to flip her head up and ask, "Shinji! Weren't we amazing?!"
While Shinji was thankful to hear Asuka was still alive, the tone she responded with left a familiar pit in his stomach upon hearing her. She spoke to him with the same adoration and hopefulness she had around him ever since she came back. He could not recall a time where he was more conflicted to see anyone confirm they were indeed alive.
Forcing himself to accept Asuka's observation, Shinji admitted, "Yeah... You really helped..."
Looking at the damage state of Unit-04, Kensuke struggled to contain his disappointment in his recent performance. He heard Shinji greet, "You feel okay Kensuke?"
Kensuke sighed before answering, "As good as I can be. Really wanted to do more than that though. Just one hit and I was down for the count. Really sucked to deal with that."
"You kids should be glad you stayed out of as much as you did. Repair teams are going to be on crazy overtime with Unit-02." One of the technicians overlooking the loading of the Eva units told them.
Kensuke pointed out, "That's something I should hear from the Major. Isn't she supposed to be here grilling us right now?"
The technician corrected, "Unit-02's pilot is already hearing the worst of it from her. I sure hope she's in a more grateful mood today though. Even when it was the only option we have she just worries about others too much. You know from experience don't you Shinji?"
Kensuke asked, "You know him?"
Shinji shrugged as he admitted, "Not really."
The technician realized how unfamiliar he was to the boys before introducing himself, "There never was a reason for you to. You can call me Koji. Anyway, when did Unit-02's pilot start liking you so much?"
It was a serious thing to consider but Shinji found himself forced to admit the only answer he felt comfortable with, "I... wish I knew."
Scratching his head at the development, Koji tried to make sense of the situation by asking, "So ever since her release she's been acting like this? And she won't tell you anything about it?"
It was not a welcome feeling to continue having trouble understanding the situation but Shinji admitted the worst answer he could imagine, "She says she doesn't remember."
Koji nodded in acceptance as he prepared his tool set and told them, "I see. Well sorry if I wasted your time but it seems like the Major decided she wants to give you an idea of what your Unit-02's pilot had gone through."
The two watched Koji enter a nearby hallway before turning to see Misato and Asuka walking towards them. While Misato did all she could to remain upright, both Shinji and Kensuke wondered what was causing her to rely on the rails for support. Shinji had little time to wonder as well once he saw Asuka run towards him with her arms wide open.
Throwing herself upon him, Asuka greeted, "Shinji! Oh you helped me so much out there!"
Being forced to communicate with this new version of Asuka he only considered a possibility before made Shinji struggle to comprehend what she was claiming by asking, "H... How? I barely did anything."
Asuka giggled as she told him, "Oh you're so humble. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have wanted to destroy the Angel so much."
Misato added to Asuka's report, "She confirmed that much. She says you did a lot to make her inspired for battle even before this all started."
Turning to see Misato, Shinji wondered just how much displeasure she was holding back. He could not tell if it was from the recent stress of the battle or what Asuka was telling everyone but it was not improving her mood. He became careful and desperate as he found himself walking another thin line that lead to two possible outcomes that threatened to send his life into a downward spiral.
Trying his best to convey a sincere sense of curiosity about Asuka's report, Shinji asked, "Um... When... did I... do that?"
Misato was the first to tip Shinji off his balancing act as she explained, "From what she tells me, it was after you kissed her at school just yesterday."
The fall to uncertainty became fully realized once Asuka added, "It's one of the ways he loves me. He knows how to treat me well, he tells me funny jokes about you..."
The subject of the jokes were not immediately clear but became more demanded as Misato asked, "What kind of jokes?"
Even as she kept her attention on Asuka, Shinji could tell that Misato was not talking to her when she gave that question. There was nowhere for him to run and there was no answer Shinji could have given that would have freed him from this current vice he was in. The truth was what came to be demanded of him and he saw no other choice.
Hesitating to reveal what Asuka was referring to, Shinji forced himself to answer, "The... kind that we... shouldn't be saying here. Especially with everybody else around."
Misato remained unmoved while Asuka pouted, "Fine, if you really don't want to make everybody else laugh..."
Misato patted Asuka's shoulder and told her, "Some things just have to stay private Asuka. I have to say he has been keeping me out of the loop on this one. Maybe it's time he told me when we get home."
In a better time, Kensuke would have found himself laughing at the display bit realized how serious the situation had immediately become. It did not help that having firsthand experience of what sort of "jokes" Asuka was referring to. While he wished he could have done more than just simply watch and listen to what such a difficult period in Shinji's life was coming to, he could not help bit be thankful he would not be the subject of discussion later that night in Misato's apartment.
A/N: Another Angel chapter and I'm sure many of you recognize Turel as one of the Angels from the '93 proposal that never materialized. Sort of fudged the original idea of it anyway since I didn't find a way to portray its mission of self-destruction I admit. If you're having trouble imagining the beam attacks, in summary I basically gave Turel Darkseid's Omega Beams ability. Don't ask why, for some reason it just looks like the sort of Angel that fit with that ability to me.
Koji from earlier? That is another Secret of Evangelion character, Koji Katori. I know he probably wouldn't be in the Eva cages for anything but that is another movement in the background as it were.
The next thing you're probably looking for is the big conversation between Shinji and Misato now that Misato has an idea if what Asuka just heard. That will be covered next time. And considering this is Eva, you probably have an idea of where this could be headed already.
This should be a pretty decent amount of progression but I look forward to hearing any feedback. Do you think forward to seeing future takes on Angels like with Turel and the other conflicts? Are you still invested in the character drama that has been set up? I hope everything continues to be an investing story and I sure hope to see you all in the next chapter.