EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 66: The Rain Angel Subjugation is Completed!

"AT field! Full blast!!"

After taking a short deep breath, Ayanami Rei poured all her will into Unit-00... By resonating the synchronization rate to the maximum, she made Unit-00 rush forward in the fastest and strongest form possible!

If possible, it would be best to not have to bear the second dissolution and directly give the Eighth Apostle to—

"coming…!"

It wasn't that easy after all... Three steps, about 180 meters... the Eighth Angel had already unleashed his third burst of acid. At this distance, Unit-00... naturally couldn't reach the Angel.

Prepared to use its body as a shield... Unit 0 sheathed its dagger and covered its chest and head with its arms, minimizing exposure of its vital parts...

"Uh! Uh...hmm...ah..."

The moment they made contact, a sizzling sound that made one's scalp tingle... accompanied by a sharp pain that felt as if even the bone marrow was melting instantly, spread throughout Ayanami Rei's body... If Katsuragi Misato was still in command at this time, she would definitely order the nerves connecting the arm to be cut off to relieve the pilot's pain.

But now Rei Ayanami is alone, so naturally she can't do it... and there is no time for that - Asuka's Unit 2 is running behind her... If she is even the slightest bit slow or cowardly... she will become an obstacle to Asuka!
“Step Four…!”

I resisted the pressure, resisted the instinct to flee backwards... even my cheeks were ignited by the splashing acid, and the burning sensation instantly rushed into my nose and throat...! It doesn't matter!!

Step 5——!! Arrived! Reached!!

He absorbed all the remaining acid with his own body... Unit 0's hand finally touched the body of the Eighth Angel.

"AT field! Full power...! Neutralize!!"

In an instant, the AT stand of Unit-00, which was not strong to begin with, was completely eroded by the AT stand of Unit-0, and the excessive secretion of acid had caused almost all of the Eighth Angel's eyes... to close.

"Asuka! I leave it to you...!"

Unit 00 also completed all of its missions, and in order to make way for Unit 2, it took the initiative to free fall to the side and rear...

“What a fool!—!”

"Asuka!?"

The arm, irritated by the acrid fluid, felt a powerful presence... Unit 2 actually grabbed his hand!?
This doesn't go along with the previous battle plan. I've already created the conditions for Unit 2... Unit 2 should only need to focus on delivering the final blow to the Eighth Angel... Why should it—?
"You big idiot! What do you mean you don't want to see me get hurt... Do I really want to see you get hurt?!"

With both feet stuck into the wall, Unit 2 was firmly nailed in front of the apostle. With its left hand, it grabbed Unit 0, which was about to fall hundreds of meters. Unit 2 used its only remaining right hand to activate the high-frequency particle dagger.

"An apostle of this caliber...! I can handle him with just one hand!!"

The dagger pierced the eighth apostle's last eye, and the ball in the center of the pupil... was His core!
"Uhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

A roar erupted, and countless sparks flew from the tip of the knife... and the apostle's blood.

"ah!!"

Asuka was filled with intense pain all over her body. She should have guessed this earlier... Since this disgusting spider can secrete acid... isn't it obvious that its blood is also corrosive?
"Damn it! This... damn...!"

He used all his strength to thrust the dagger in his hand into the Eighth Apostle's eyes, but the huge monster did not intend to die so easily.

It was impossible to tell whether it was blood or tears... The Eighth Apostle, on the verge of death, squeezed out all the corrosive liquid.

Unit 2, having endured the entire corrosive liquid at close range, has almost no intact skin [armor] left on its body.

"Ten seconds left until the EVA ceases operations! Nine, eight, seven...!"

"Hey! Stupid Ali, how long are you going to rest until!?"

He pulled Unit-00 with his left hand and smashed it towards the apostle like a blunt weapon.

“…! Ming…! I understand!”

After a moment of surprise, Ayanami Rei immediately understood Asuka's intention... using the centrifugal force of being thrown up by Unit 2, she used her right foot, the only leg that was still usable, which had been saved by being stuck in the wall to stabilize her body.

"Drink!!"

It let out a cry that was too delicate for Asuka, but an unprecedented battle cry for Ayanami Rei... Unit 0-0's right foot kicked hard on the dagger that Unit 0-0 had inserted into the apostle's pupil.

With the powerful force of this last kick, the dagger completely penetrated the apostle's body... and even came out from the other side.

“————————————!!!!”

The apostle's body tensed instantly, and after emitting a sharp, piercing death wail that was incomprehensible to humans, he collapsed.

"success…"

"We did it! Asuka! We did it...!"

Asuka listened to the adorable sound of joy beside her ears...it was really hard to imagine that this was...the first qualified candidate who was once like a doll and had no expression.

"Apostle! Complete silence!!"

The Eighth Angel, Rain Angel! Defeat Completed!
Without relying on any power from Tiga... relying on the hands of humanity itself! The subjugation is complete!
"...Two, one, zero! EVA Unit 2, EVA Unit 0! Complete silence!" "Huh?"

However, there was no time for celebration... The two EVAs, completely out of power, fell from the air in a magnificent free fall...

“…Oh no.”

"You're kidding! From this distance...if you fall, you'll die!"

“Aaaaaaaaa… ah?”

But unexpectedly, the impact of the free fall, even though I was prepared for death... did not come as expected.

Just after falling 300 meters, that is, landing on the mobile channel where the two people attacked, a pair of strong hands caught the two falling EVAs.

"…Back power supply…replacing?!"

The cockpit screen, which had been blacked out due to exhaustion, once again displayed the surrounding scene... and the first thing it saw was—

“Ikari-kun…!”

"Really?! Where did you go to play?! Stupid Shinji!!"

The two people's vision was restored, and they saw the familiar purple-green machine...EVA Unit-01.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but as if to reward the bravery of the two... even Unit-01's mouth seems to have a faint smile.

"I just arrived. Misato-san asked me to bring a replacement battery. I happened to see your heroic act."

"Is it…"

"Hehe! See that! Stupid Shinji! If I get serious! Apostles of this level would be a piece of cake!"

Although I know it won't have any effect...but just the thought of him seeing my heroic and handsome posture makes the joy that surges in my heart even more intense.

"Um, Ikari-kun..."

"Hey! Idiot! You've been late and slacking off for so long, why don't you say something to us fighting on the front lines?"

Shinji Ikari scratched his face shyly... He had already thought of what to say, but when it came time to say it... he felt a little embarrassed.

However, Ikari Shinji could intuitively sense the two girls' eager anticipation, so—

"Well done, Ayanami...Asuka. I'm...proud of you both!"

"Ikari...! I'm...happy."

"Stupid, idiot! I, I, I'm not related to you... What do you mean you're proud of me? Stupid Shinji!"

Very good--

"Let's go up... I heard the electricity will come tonight. Let's go up from this deep pit and park the machine on the back hill first."

That’s great, really great—

"Eh...it's already night. No wonder I'm hungry. It's pitch black in there...I have no idea what time it is."

That's great! I was worried for nothing. This is really great—

Even if I knew the truth about Ayanami and Shikinami, I could still get along with them as always, with my original heart, without any difference.

Yes, no matter their origins or past, only the two people who appear before Shinji Ikari now are the ones he knows.

"Ayanami, Asuka..."

"?"

"what happened?"

"………………It's okay, I just suddenly wanted to call you."

"Huh?! Are you stupid?"

"Ikari-kun, that's strange."

"Haha, no, it just came to me on a whim..."

The second half of the sentence omitted by Shinji Ikari was - You two, don't disappear easily... I will protect you.

The reason he didn't say it out loud was because—this sentence wasn't just an empty promise he made to the two of them.

It is an oath of the soul, sworn to one's own heart.

(End of this chapter)