What if Chapter 9, an evangelion fanfic

Hello everyone, Calborghete here, how are you all? Here's another chapter for you.

Don't forget to like the page on Facebook, the direct link can be found on my Fanfiction profile page, or if you prefer, search for "Calborghete" and find an image of Shinji and Asuka. On this page I will post updates and it will also be easier for you to contact me.

So without further ado, read on.

"Dialogues"

- Thoughts -

"Radio Talk

"Self-talk."

Responsibility note:

Evangelion, its characters and setting are the property of Hideaki Anno. Any brands, films and series mentioned in this fanfic are the property of their creators.

(*)

Chapter 09

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

"Energy systems working as expected, minimal losses."

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

"Starting up LCL filtering systems."

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

"Communication with positive feedback."

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

"Life support working 100%."

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

"Positive return of vital signs, telemetry Ok..."

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

Shinji opened his eyes as he found himself inside unit 01 again, looking at the display now turned off, he clenched his hands together as he controlled the emotions of piloting again, squeezing the controls in his hands tightly, he closed his eyes.

- ...Hello, Miss Misato... - Shinji remembered when he saw his guardian for the first time in his life, the sound of the first angel walking through the city still vivid in his memory.

- Call me Misato... Miss makes me feel old. - The memory of Misato laughing flooded his mind, those were happy times.

- Pilot the EVA Shinji! Only you can do it! - Misato giving him the strength to overcome his limits, he really was feeling like a hero.

- She's the pride of the German air force, this is Asuka Langley Shikinami, pilot of unit 02 and yours sparring partner, who knows what else? - Shinji remembers feeling his face flush with Misato's teasing, just as he remembered, those were happy times.

- I'm going to live here now, so you can get your things and go... - His first official conversation with Asuka hadn't been a good one, but something about it had piqued his interest, as always she cared about showing who was the best, he felt a tightness in his chest, Shinji slowly took a deep breath and tried to push the feelings out of his heart, he couldn't go back to the way he was before, he couldn't let them manipulate him again.

- Your breathing is bothering me... - Shinji remembered when he had first kissed Asuka, how she had held her breath because she was uncomfortable, he remembered the softness of her lips, her sweet strawberry scent emanating from her beautiful red hair, but like every good human being he had to breathe, but if it was possible, he wanted to keep it forever.

- You loser! You still have the nerve to say that's a kiss! - Shinji still remembered her heavily flushed face, he wanted to answer, but something had held him in place, he could see through all that anger, all that aggressive posture she always had, with a smile he watched her run off to the bathroom.

Calmly, he breathed again, a mere addiction for a person whose lungs were flooded with LCL, but he didn't bother anymore. With his eyes still closed, his mind searched for even more memories, entering an area that he had tried to keep locked away for many years.

- Miss Misato... What's going on? - Shinji began to remember when he woke up inside the warship Wunder, clenching his wrists as he still felt the metal holding his limbs together, he felt like an animal that day.

- Ritsuko's voice flooded his mind, he could see everyone's eyes still on him, judging him, shouting for him to be executed right there, feeling his heartbeat racing with the emotions he was trying to control.

- Put him in the cell!...- Misato's commanding voice flooded his mind, it was like a super nightmare that massacred him every moment, this was not the woman he had known in his life, the woman who had taken him into her home when no one else wanted him, in many years he still remembered wondering if she really cared about him.

Feeling his hands squeeze tightly, Shinji's eyes were closed, his mind acting like a video showing him all the worst moments of his life, he struggled not to get carried away, but he was failing perfectly.

- I'll never fly an EVA again! - He remembered the despair of knowing he had caused the third impact, all the agony of having hurt so many people.

- Pilot EVA 13 Shinji, he'll be your co-pilot - His father's cold voice took over his mind.

- Pilot! -

- Hello, my name is Nagisa, Kaworu Nagisa. - Kaworu's look of peace and tranquility still brought him calm, he was the only person he really trusted in this world, the only person who had explained to him what had happened in the world he had accidentally caused.

- We can fix this... - Shinji remembered this, he remembered when a small spark of hope hit him, the feeling was like being born again.

- Stop it brat! - Asuka shouted on the radio the day he sadly had her as his enemy, he didn't want her to get hurt, he didn't want to hurt anyone, he just wanted to reverse what he had done.

- Asuka please let me reverse this! - A feeling of despair overtook his body as he remembered, but as always his fears were right, they never cared about him, he would always be an inferior being, squeezing his guilt even tighter.

- Brat! You can't reverse anything! We won't let you destroy what little is left! - Asuka was angry that day, but for Shinji, knowing that he was no longer trustworthy in their eyes still hurt, and that pain had yet to end.

"Pilot Ikari? Your heart function is racing, is everything all right?" A woman's voice flooded the input plug, Shinji could have sworn it was Maya's voice, but now he was struggling to keep his mind in order.

Shinji hadn't listened, his mind still too focused on his memories, he didn't remember being like this before, the seven years he'd spent away must have made him lose his touch, calmly in front of him the EVA's systems began to activate, but this hadn't been noticed by Shinji.

- The angels are back, you damn Lilin! - Shinji remembered Kaworu giving him the news about the new war of the angels, how the Lilim had been irresponsible enough to bring that hell to humanity's doorstep again, and again the anger was coming back.

- Shinji-kun... -

- Ikari Shinji-kun... -

- Dear Shinji... -

- Baka Shinji... -

Not receiving the answer she wanted, Maya looked away as she saw the pilots' video feed, she could see that Shinji had his eyes closed, she knew he was lost in memories, with more authority she called him again.

"Shinji!" Jumping as he made it back to the real world, Shinji looked ahead at all the workers walking in front of EVA 01, some giving him glances, but the vast majority were focused on their work, the large pool now being emptied so that the giant could be moved.

Taking a deep breath, Shinji returned to the real world.

"Commander Ibuki..." She said in a deep voice, calmly he concentrated on improving his synchronization with unit 01.

Maya looked at the screen calmly, next to her were the former members of the Wunder crew, she knew what that look on Shinji's face was, he was fighting against memories, but now was not the time for that, he had to concentrate on the fight ahead of him.

"His heart rate is now stabilizing, but before it was very high."

Shinji calmed down again, running a hand over his eyes, he knew he had to be prepared to finish off the enemy that was surrounding the coast, he had to stop these people from taking everyone back to the hell that was the red world.

"It was nothing, just a slip on my part, it's been a long time since I've ridden an EVA."

Maya smiled at this, she wished the pilots would never have to fly again, it really did feel like a curse.

"I know, your numbers aren't bad, but you still have to improve." She said humorously, as she looked at the graphs of how units 02 and 05 were doing, Shinji wasn't much different, but she felt that they could all improve.

"Where's Kaworu?" Shinji asked genuinely curious, he hadn't seen his friend for a long time, a feeling of fear began to take over his body, after all Kaworu was an enemy of WILLE before.

Maya thought about what she would say, but Kaworu still hadn't returned from where he had hidden unit 13, but at least they would have three EVAs against a single angel, it shouldn't be a difficult job.

"He hasn't come forward yet, he must have hidden it very well in unit 13 to take so long." Maya thought back to the years she had spent in front of the computer looking for the missing drive, but it had proved impossible.

Shinji nodded, even he didn't know where he was, but he hoped Kaworu was okay.

"I hope so."

"We're going to transport the EVAs to the transport ships, they're adapted for it and they have the power connectors." Maya reported professionally, he judged that someone important was close by, soon he thought of Misato and her father, both had almost the same personality, she was only a short time away from becoming him, a wave of sadness washed over his body.

"Okay." That was the cold response he gave when he thought of his former guardian.

(*)

"Okay." Shinji's cold voice flooded the newly activated command center, Maya was at her new console in the throes of battle, all her old friends were by her side, Shigeru let out a laugh, Midori looked at him angrily when she saw him in such a good mood, she herself was scared to know that an angel was nearby.

"What's so funny, you idiot?"

Shigeru didn't even care; he calmly returned to his work.

"Nothing girl, I'm just in a good mood."

Midori didn't like this, but Misato soon approached everyone in the center of the room, and she went back to doing her job.

"Reports of people panicking in the city center."

"Have the police take them to the shelters, use of force is authorized." Misato spoke coldly, Maya looked at her slightly shocked, it was still strange for her to see her old friend like this, calmly she looked at Ritsuko who looked at her seriously, a look that told her to keep quiet.

"Yes ma'am." Says the girl as she begins to give her orders, Hyuga hangs up the phone with the search teams.

"You have to take it easy on the civilians, they've been without the threat of the angels for a long time." Ritsuko spoke calmly as she watched the monitor with the enemy's movements over the waters off the coast.

"We have to get everyone to safety, in time they'll understand." She says as she looks at the woman who started all this again.

"And whose fault is that?"

Ritsuko felt it hitting her mind, but now she didn't have time to debate, she calmly returned her attention to the information screen, Misato stared at her for a few seconds before thinking of an attack strategy.

"Any news of the pretty boy? I wonder where the snowball went." Mari's voice flooded the room, Misato frowned as she listened, Mari didn't seem to be taking the situation seriously, but it was a good question.

"We still have no sign of Nagisa or unit 13." Tama reported as he looked at the systems again, he could feel

"The coward must have run away." Midori spoke angrily as she thought of the NERV pilot, her system still disgusted at being with them again.

"I doubt that very much." Ritsuko said as she stopped next to Maya.

"He cares too much about Shinji to do that, he would never leave him behind." Concludes the doctor as she looks at the screen with the faces of all the pilots.

(*)

Asuka looked again at the video feed on her control panel, looking to the side she could see unit 01 being placed inside the transport ship, she wondered what Shinji was doing now, closing her eyes and letting herself be carried away by the feeling of comfort she always felt inside unit 02, she smiled as she felt at home.

"Princess, are you looking forward to being on the front line again?" Mari asked as she appeared in front of Asuka.

"No, for me it's like riding a bike, you should be worried about the idiot over there." Asuka lied to Mari, she was afraid to fight again, her hands were shaking slightly, flexing to control the fear that gripped her body, Mari noticed.

"You know, there's no shame in being afraid." Mari says as she looks for Shinji, her eyes focused on the giant now inside the large ship.

"He must be scared."

Asuka looked down at her lap as she thought about it, there really was no shame in an ordinary person being afraid, but she wasn't an ordinary person, she was an elite pilot, trained to be the best, she didn't have the privilege of showing fear.

"Of course he must be scared, he's a brat."

"That's not cool, Asuka." Mari tried.

"One day your pride will hurt you."

But Asuka didn't think about her next sentence, angry and still processing the idea of being by Shinji's side again, Asuka looked at the screen showing Mari's face, she wanted to know what was inside that damn box, angrily she spoke.

"Secrets too Mari.

Mari shook her head as she heard this and with a frustrated sigh she switched off the communication, thinking of how she could make Asuka understand her point. Running a hand over her face, she wished she could reveal who she really was, put an end to this damned secret that plagued her mind.

"All right pilots, in a few minutes we'll be close to the angel's position, equip yourselves with type B equipment, it's very likely that we'll have to fight underwater." Misato spoke over the radio, her voice as cold as ever, Asuka wondered if one day she would ever be at least a little bit like she used to be.

"Understood." Asuka spoke professionally.

"Better than two ducks together." Mari says cheerfully.

"Right." Shinji spoke coldly, but his voice showed anxiety.

(*)

"Okay, get ready." Misato said as she crossed her arms to look at the panel, next to her was Rei looking at the display.

"Ma'am, I think I'd be more productive in the infirmary with Dr. Suzuhara, I'm useless here." Rei said categorically as she thought of how she could be useful.

Misato inhaled when she heard this, she wished Rei's battle experience could help, she spoke calmly but her face was focused on the main screen.

"I understand Rei, but your previous combat experience could be useful here." She says as she crosses her arms, her eyes focused on the screen showing the enemy swimming in circles.

"Your ideas can help if necessary, you've always shown yourself to be a good strategist and if necessary, you'll certainly be useful, so please, if you have any good ideas, let me know immediately."

Rei nodded at the coldness in Misato's voice, but she understood the moment they were going through.

"Understood, I'll help in any way I can."

Misato nodded slightly, but her focus was on the battle that was about to take place.

"EVA units ready for deployment, power systems at full power." Tama reported upon receiving Hyuga's information.

"EVAS with type B equipment at the moment, just waiting for orders." Hyuga reported as he typed into his console.

"Well, as soon as it is... WHAT HAPPENED!" Misato asked sharply as she saw one of the ships disappear from the system.

"It looks like it's been sunk by the enemy!" Shigeru reported as he tried to search for a satellite.

(*)

"He wiped out a frigate like it was nothing!" Asuka stared in horror at the huge ball of water that emerged from the sea.

"He seems to be using his body as a weapon, like a battering ram!" Mari reported thoughtfully.

Just ahead, Shinji watched as the great white angel leapt out of the water like a great whale. With a slow, graceful movement, it fell over a small boat that was sailing nearby, its enormous weight crushing anything below.

"My God." Shinji spoke as he saw yet another boat being swallowed up by certain death, angrily he clenched his knife adapted for underwater combat and headed for the sea.

Seeing this made Asuka angry, she quickly attached the power cable to her unit and headed towards Shinji.

"Hey brat! We still don't have a strategy!"

Mari closed her eyes as she realized that this fight wasn't going to be easy. She sighed as she realized that Shinji wasn't going to cooperate.

Shinji didn't care, he promptly ordered his EVA to jump into the sea, adjusted his vision so that he could see better, he could see angel swimming gracefully in the background next to the pieces of ships sinking into the ocean.

"Son of a bitch!" Shouted Asuka as he saw the purple giant plunging into the depths of the sea, he cursed as he learned that his unit still didn't have the energy to go to his aid.

(*)

"What the fuck is he doing?" Misato grumbled out loud as she saw the image of Shinji jumping into the water, while Ritsuko put her hand over her face as she realized that this wasn't going to be easy, now they had no strategy left.

"It seems he has other plans."

"Status of unit 02 and 05?" Misato spoke without blinking from the panel showing the battle, Rei frowned at the sight of Shinji's strategy, she felt a pang in her soul at the movements of Kaworu and the angel, her red eyes looked to the far corner of the map.

"Still charging the batteries, the cables weren't ready for underwater use." Maya reported that when she saw the percentages of both EVAs, she wanted to find a way to improve this, but nothing seemed feasible.

"I hope he dies." Midori spoke quietly, beside her Tama looked at her, he felt afraid of the angels and if it meant tolerating Shinji around, he would.

"At least the type B armor is working as it should." Sumire reported on receiving the first reports.

"Where's unit 13?" Misato asked as she began to lose patience.

"No sign yet." Misato clenched her hands in anxiety, Kaworu was taking too long to return and she began to wonder if he had really run away.

Rei closed her eyes as she concentrated on the people's AT fields, she could feel Kaworu's coming back, he was stronger than the others but she could still sense it, calmly she spoke to Misato.

"Don't worry, the pilot Nagisa will show up, I feel he won't abandon Shinji or everyone."

Misato looked at Rei cautiously, but trusted his judgment.

"I hope you're right."

(*)

Sinking almost to the bottom of the sea, Shinji saw the angel stop in its tracks and turn around, the great monster stared at Shinji, he could have sworn that the beast was smiling at him, with a roar it moved towards his position.

"Come on you miserable angel!" Shinji spoke as he raised his knife and waited for the impact, the angel swam fiercely towards him, opening its mouth as it showed its huge, sharp teeth, Shinji waited for the impact.

With a ferocious thud, the enemy swallowed the purple giant, Shinji roared in pain as he felt the angel's sharp teeth sink into his armor, even though he was armored and wearing type B equipment... it hurt.

"Ah!" He groaned as he felt his back taking the brunt of the damage. He promptly grabbed his knife and plunged it into his enemy's flesh, trying to cause as much damage as possible, but it didn't even seem to be getting in the way of the big monster.

Feeling his body being butchered by the angel's teeth, he soon felt his body being pressed against the seabed, felt his back being crushed by the stones of the sea floor, it was like being in a grinder as the angel swung sideways.

"Damn it Shinji!" Misato's voice flooded the communication system, the man quickly looked around for something that could help him move, but the angel's teeth were clenched tightly in his back.

Feeling his body being whipped around, he could feel his limbs struggling to keep up, he was feeling the stress of having to force the fish's mouth open, but it seemed that not all his strength was having any effect.

"Let me go!" growled the man as he tried with all his might to penetrate the angel's strong skin, but like all the others he failed, only a small cut that was not influencing the enemy at all.

Punching his knife into the angel's hide, Shinji struggled to penetrate its strong skin, it was like hitting a hard wall, just as he struggled, soon another person entered the fray, feeling a heavy thud in front of him, Shinji watched as the red giant struggled to hold onto the angel's back, he wanted to deny it, but it was good to see Asuka.

"You stupid brat!" growled Asuka over the radio, she wanted to use some strategy to kill the angel, but Shinji had changed his plans, as always, struggling to get behind his enemy's back.

"Hi cub." Mari happily approached, using her hands to try to free the back of unit 01 from the angel's teeth, but even her efforts couldn't move the strong bite.

"A little help would be great, puppy."

"What do you think I'm doing?" The man retorted angrily as he felt his muscles being bitten again.

(*)

Misato was upset to see the images broadcast from the EVAs, she really wanted to punish Shinji for ruining her plans for this battle.

"Irresponsible idiot."

Rei looked at everyone struggling to get some advantage over the angel, she could see small wounds that the knife had caused, calmly she spoke.

"Madam, I believe you have an idea."

"Speak." Misato had her arms crossed over her chest, but her attention shifted to Rei.

"Shinji's knife blows did little damage, I believe that the weaponry Shikinami is carrying could open a small hole in its skin." She says as she thinks of all the options for killing the creature.

"And then implant a small explosive to blow it up from the inside out."

"That doesn't sound very useful." Misato looked at the screen calmly, it was a risky idea, but anything could be useful.

"Do you have a better idea?" She asked sulkily as she stared at her fellow soldier, knowing she wouldn't get an answer, she opened a communication channel.

(*)

Asuka struggled to stay on her enemy's back, like Shinji she was trying to sink into the thick skin, but nothing but small cuts.

"Asuka, use your shoulder weapon to open a skin wound." Misato began to explain Rei's plan.

"What do you think I'm doing!" She shouts, annoyed to see that her blows are doing nothing.

"Don't argue with me, dig a hole and drop a bomb in it, we believe it's easier from the inside out!" She says with more authority, she didn't want to waste any time.

Asuka blinked as she heard that, she wanted a way to be able to stand up long enough to cause damage like that, in a hurry she grabbed her shoulder weapon and implemented her AT field to help her stance, she finally managed to stand up as best she could, Asuka grabbed her machine gun that she had fixed to her back before the mission, with determination she started firing at the angel's back.

"Take that asshole!"

Shot after shot hit the angel's tough hide, small wounds began to appear, but nothing so great as to influence the fight.

Seeing that he had to get out of this situation as quickly as possible, Shinji spoke to Mari.

"Do you have any explosives on you?"

"Yes, but I don't know where that would help here!" Mari spoke breathlessly as she used all her strength to open her huge mouth, but it gave her a good idea, Misato's plan could start here.

"Let's make a little opening in his mouth, come on puppy, give it your all!"

Shinji closed his eyes as he used all his strength to push the controls, inch by inch the controls lowered and the huge mouth slowly opened.

"This is our time!" Mari shouted happily as she opened the compartment in her shoulder and threw a small grenade into the enemy's mouth. Shinji hoped that this would at least loosen him up.

Just as expected, a thud hit the trio, and feeling a sense of relief in his back, Shinji quickly managed to free himself, seeing the pieces of teeth sinking right next to him, he wasted no time in moving away along with Mari.

"Any ideas cub?" Mari asked when she saw Asuka still firing at the angel's back, who promptly began to move away from the threat.

"Let's try to put a bomb inside him!" Shinji spoke as he launched himself forward, if Asuka could punch a hole in the angel's back, he could do it, Mari smiled as she understood the point, they both used their AT field to get closer.

"Stay still!" Asuka snarled as she began to lose what control she had gained, the angel's every move was difficult to circumvent, but she managed to keep her aim very well, looking sideways, she soon saw the other two giants falling beside her, she wanted to use her weapon against Shinji to teach him a lesson, but now was not the time.

Mari and Shinji as well as Asuka grabbed their smaller weapons and the trio began firing at the angel's back, slowly a small hole appeared in the enemy's heavy skin, LCC began to mix in the blue water.

Letting out a long roar as he realized that his best defense was broken, the angel struggled with all his might to remove the trio from his back, with a strong whip he succeeded, feeling his body losing its posture, Mari's eyes widened as he saw himself heading in the direction of unit 02.

"Princess, look out!" She said, hoping it would help, but nothing stopped the two units from slamming into each other. Shinji struggled to stay on his feet, but the force was too strong against him, feeling his body slipping down the angel's side, he managed to hold on to the wound Asuka had inflicted on his enemy.

"Damn it!" Asuka growled as she saw her body falling to the side, she was feeling exhausted from having to use so much force to maintain her AT field, she felt her EVA sinking into the water, she looked ahead to see where the angel was going, frowning as she saw that Shinji had managed to hold on.

"Colonel! What weapons do I have!?" Shinji asked, hoping to get some ideas.

"A missile launcher has been installed on his right shoulder!" Ritsuko replied in Misato's place, Shinji looked away as he thought of an idea, opening the compartment, he could see the weapons, using his free hand he promptly grabbed one of them.

Concentrating on activating the weapons, he wasted no time in approaching the opening he had made, the angel swam quickly to try to get rid of the enemy on his back, using all his willpower, Shinji sank his hand into the wound.

"Die now!" Shouted the man as he crushed the bomb in his hand so that it could be fired.

"Ah!" With a loud explosion, Shinji felt the pain of having his hand blown off, he felt his body flying away, he looked ahead to see a big red blob where the angel was, he felt it wasn't over yet, he quickly ordered all his shoulder missiles to be fired, one after the other all the missiles hit what was left of the angel until there was nothing left but flesh.

Shinji looked at what was left of his hands, but now it was only destroyed flesh, the pain was strong, but nothing he couldn't bear, he looked at the angel again, with a strong glow the flesh expanded to the sides and then contracted again.

"Damn." Knowing that this was it, Shinji just waited, as expected, a strong thud hit his body throwing him away against a rock, on the surface a huge cross of energy was forced, the angel had died.

"Go back to the surface, the rescue will pick you up and Misato wants everyone in her living room when you get back." Ritsuko warned over the radio, Shinji knew she wouldn't be happy with what he'd done, but the angel was dead, he pressed a few buttons on his console, some air pockets opened in his EVA, calmly he began to climb.

After a few minutes of climbing, Shinji looked at the ships now removing units 05 and 02 from the water, but what shocked him most was seeing unit 13 sitting casually on the edge of the large ship.

"The snowball has arrived." Mari said as he saw unit 13, Asuka glared at him over the radio.

"Kaworu? When did he arrive?" Shinji asked confusedly.

"A few minutes." Kaworu replied calmly, he could see the whole fight using his angel gifts, turning his head and looking at the skies, he smiled as he saw some seagulls flying quietly, completely oblivious to the conflict that had taken place on the seabed a few minutes ago.

"And wanting to help nothing, typical of the NERV pilots." Asuka spoke with venom, Kaworu didn't even care, they could take care of their remaining brothers.

"You did very well, pilot Shikinami, I'm waiting for your orders." He said as he saw the cranes removing the EVAS from the water. Calmly, he began the shutdown procedures, his face maintaining its best smile, even though his angelic side was burning with his brother's defeat, but he had to maintain control for Shinji's sake.

Finally emerging from the entry plug, Shinji looked out to sea as he felt a chill run through his body for not knowing how to swim, but he quickly looked at all the other WILLE workers, feeling all eyes judging him.

"Don't mind them Shinji, we're here to help the world, not them." Kaworu said as he approached with a towel for Shinji who promptly took it and wiped his face, he could feel Shinji's emotions and felt his guilt, all of which only made him angrier at the Lilin.

Shinji was focused on keeping his emotions at bay, but a hand grabbed his shoulder and turned him around, and he could see Asuka's smoldering gaze on his face, he felt that this wasn't going to end well, but deep down he knew he deserved it.

"Do you know how irresponsible you were!?" She shouted as she tried to punch Shinji in the face, which was promptly blocked by Mari.

"Why didn't you wait!" She says as she tries again to hit Shinji.

"You think we're joking here!"

"Well done princess, I think our hero knows very well that he screwed up." Says Mari as she holds Asuka who was trying to hit Shinji at every moment, Kaworu looks at everyone with an amused smile on his face, he loved these discussions of the Lilin, their fields were intense.

"Ok Asuka, I understand it wasn't my best strategy, but we killed the angel, didn't we?" Shinji tried to defend himself, he could see people staring and pointing at them, feeling his guilt rising even higher, anxiously he began to leave. Kaworu noticed this, he noticed that some people's aura was becoming gloomy and calmly spoke up.

"I think we should go in."

"But you acted like a bastard..." Asuka stopped her attack, as she looked around she could see people whispering and could read Shinji's name, knowing what the subject would be she quickly calmed down, Mari looked around to see what was going on.

"I think we'd better finish now."

"Why?" Asuka spoke indignantly, she didn't want to end this conversation now, but Mari readily spoke, her voice serious.

"Shinji is in danger here, can't you see that the sailors want him dead? We have to keep our eyes open, we can't give the wrong intention to these people." She says as she focuses on Kaworu walking beside Shinji. Asuka finally looked around to see the other men looking at Shinji and Kaworu with strange looks on their faces, she knew very well what they wanted.

"They're not even crazy enough to try anything." She said more calmly, but she was still annoyed with Shinji, but the idea of someone trying something made her even more angry, when they had more privacy she would be able to talk to him.

"I think we'd better keep our eyes peeled." Mari says as she starts heading towards where Shinji and Kaworu went, she thought things would have changed a bit after Shinji reversed the third impact, but it seems that seven years wasn't enough for people to know that Shinji was good.

(*)

"Where did that idiot go?" muttered Asuka as she searched the corridors, Mari by her side with a friendly smile on her face.

"Simple, just look where the LCL likes are." She says arrogantly as she points to the ground showing the path they hold, still smiling she said.

"Are you so eager to see your man again?"

Asuka blushed when she heard this, and looked at Mari angrily.

"Shut up! I want to tell him some truths now that we're alone, I want to look him in the eye and tell him he was a reckless brat!"

Mari laughed when she heard this, she could read people well and spoke calmly after locating the room where the two had entered, she peeked in and saw that there were only Shinji and Kaworu inside, she said as she stopped at the door and listened to the conversation inside.

"At least it's near the cafeteria, I'm hungry."

(*)

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

SOUND OF INSPIRATION.

SOUND OF EXPIRATION.

Shinji sat down in the metal chair as he closed his eyes, every person he passed, every look he received, every second he spent around people was another stark reminder of his greatest sin, Kaworu sat down next to him with a small cup of coffee, he was well aware of the guilt Shinji felt, even though he told himself not to.

Clutching the cup in his hand, Shinji closed his eyes as he tried to control his anxiety, his hand trembling with all the adrenaline coursing through his body, he calmly sipped his tea and let the hot liquid soothe his soul.

"Dear Shinji, why do you still torture yourself so much?" Kaworu asked carefully, he already knew the answer, but it seemed to help.

His hand still shaking, Shinji looked at his friend, letting out a long sigh as he replied that his life was like a broken record that kept repeating the same songs over and over again.

"I can't help it, I can feel people's anger at me, no matter how much I do, it doesn't matter, I'll always be the bad guy." Shinji replied dejectedly, Kaworu was ready to reply, but a female voice caught his attention, and she was the owner of a person he hated deeply.

"You're not the bad guy, just an idiot brat." Asuka stopped in front of Shinji crossing her arms over her chest, she maintained her intimidating pose as always, looking at Shinji with strong eyes, but she had no anger, Mari stopped next to her and looked at the scene, she felt sorry for Shinji.

Shinji looked at the girl he loved, but whenever he thought of her, he remembered how he had failed to protect her from the invasion his EVA had suffered that damn day, he should have done more than just be a damn coward. Asuka seemed to notice his gaze, it was like seeing a person in pain, switching her vision to Kaworu, she could see that he didn't like her, but that didn't bother her.

"Misato's not going to like that move of yours, she's sure to say a lot to you once we get back." She said, trying to show empathy, but that wasn't her best point.

"I know." Shinji said as he thought about it, but he wasn't afraid, he was used to being scolded by people, Asuka still looked at him deeply, she was still thinking about the looks people had given Shinji and Kaworu and it annoyed her.

"But at least you killed that thing, even though it was a stupid and reckless move, I can see that you still know how to use an EVA." Shinji looked at Asuka again, was that a compliment? Especially coming from her, it left him confused, but a small smile appeared on his face.

"Really, it was like riding a bike." Shinji spoke a little more relieved, at least inside this empty room he could feel better, Kaworu looked at Mari and Asuka with strong caution, he felt angry to know that Shinji could calm down around these two people, and it made him angry, how could he still care about them after what they had done?

"Who's hungry?" Mari tried to break the ice, she smiled as she put her hands together in front of her body.

(*)

A few hours had passed since the angel's death, at least they wouldn't have to change the map like before, but Misato was annoyed, in front of her was Shinji standing with a dead look on his face, at his desk showing the damage reports on unit 01, she had completely lost her hand with Shinji's bold move.

"Why can't you follow my orders?" She said it calmly, but her voice was serious, her body as rigid as a stone, her sunglasses hiding her eyes.

He doesn't know why he's always been so reckless, it was like that when he didn't help Asuka, it was like that when he accidentally ended the world and it was like that when he woke up, he didn't hesitate for a moment to break Misato's orders.

"I don't know."

Misato took a deep breath as she heard this, this wasn't easy for her either, she feared for Shinji's safety, the new members of WILLE knew who Shinji was, especially hearing stories from the people who lived in the red land, she didn't want him to give more fuel to the more radicals.

"Do you know that you could have killed yourself? Or killed Asuka or Mari? Or all of us?" She asked with more anger in her voice, the fear of another impact still giving her nightmares, the world wouldn't have another chance.

"I know." Shinji answered sadly now, he still hated to think that he had made Misato or everyone else angry. Taking a deep breath, Misato removed her glasses, she wanted to look directly into his eyes.

"I know you've been through a lot, but when we're in battle, stick to the plan!" She said it with authority, an authority she had cultivated in the years she had commanded Wunder, she wanted to have a conversation with him about what had happened between them many years before, but she lacked the courage to do it, letting out a sigh and seeing that he didn't say anything else, calmly she spoke.

"You can't act like this anymore Shinji, you have to learn that it will be together like before, and I can't think that I can't count on you, I need you to follow my orders." Misato speaks as calmly as possible.

Shinji nodded, he wanted things to go back to the way they were, but was that possible? He didn't know, but she was right, he would have to learn to fight alongside Asuka again, he would have to follow Misato's orders.

"I see."

Misato nodded at this, she knew there was nothing more to talk about at the moment, so she spoke calmly.

"Dismissed, go back to the house and rest, today has been a busy day."

"Yes ma'am." Says Shinji as he turns and leaves, he thought of the house he wanted to go back to, but now he had no chance, leaving her room, Kaworu was waiting for him on the other side with his original smile on his face, he liked to be close to Shinji to protect him, even more so now inside WILLE.

Shinji smiled at the sight of his friend, he trusted Kaworu deeply.

"Let's go home."

"She didn't take it so hard on you, I thought you were going to get punished or something." Says Kaworu as he puts his hands in his pockets, he was feeling all the AT fields around him and nothing seemed to be a real threat.

Shinji walked through the long corridors, his mind thinking of the smile he had given Asuka, he had really wanted to be by her side again, but fate had snatched that chance away from him, dejectedly he passed people and the old feelings returned, lowering his head so he wouldn't have to see their eyes, he walked towards his house.

Standing there looking at the pair walking, a small group of people watched, their intentions not good.

"I can't believe these freaks are walking around without even wearing the DSS choker." Midori said as she finished her juice, even though her family had returned, she had never gotten over the fact that she had lived for years with the sense of loss that the third impact had caused her.

"What did she have in mind to bring them here! So many could be pilots, that woman must be crazy!"

"Not for long, even with Katsuragi protecting him one day he'll falter, and I'll be there." Said another man looking angrily at Shinji, holding a small work tool in his hand.

"If it were up to me, I'd kill him now."

"Take it easy." Midori said angrily as she returned to her post.

"All in good time."

Author's Notes: Hello Calborghete people here, we finally have chapter 09, I hope everyone liked it, as always be sure to follow it and save it in your favorites so you don't miss any more future updates.

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