"Here we go here we go here we go!"
"Finally time for this lady to shine!"
Receiving the sortie order, Asuka was exceptionally excited. Changed into her red Defense Force Suit. Directly entered Unit-02's Entry Plug.
Skillfully activated Unit-02's systems. Mind filled with thoughts of making a big splash.
"I'm saying this upfront—don't you dare steal my spotlight later."
Asuka told Rei through comms.
Last battle with an Angel, that alien Shinji stole all the glory. She accomplished nothing.
Though she'd since realized she couldn't compete with an alien.
Now, with an Angel appearing again, she'd prove herself humanity's strongest pilot.
"Mm."
Inside Unit-00, Rei responded faintly.
She truly had no competitive thoughts. Just needed to complete the mission.
"What's with that? So boring."
Seeing this reaction, Asuka pouted.
The world's most awkward thing—having a straight man with no one to play off.
Did this girl have zero competitive spirit?
"Asuka, Rei—target is beneath Tokyo-3's bay. Moving toward shore."
Misato also arrived at the command room. Quickly organized the situation. Began directing.
"This time, we eliminate it before it reaches land."
Tokyo-3's defensive fortifications were partially destroyed in the previous battle with the Fourth Angel, Shamshel. Suffered severe damage fighting the Fifth Angel, Ramiel. Current repair progress wasn't even halfway. Could only move civilian living areas underground. Couldn't provide much support during battle.
"Understood."
"Got it!"
Both EVAs were transported from the base to the surface. Then via large transport aircraft toward Tokyo-3's harbor.
"The Seventh Angel... Israfel."
Arriving at the command room, Gendo sat on the elevated platform. Looked at the massive figure partially emerging in the harbor. Identified it.
Humanoid purple giant body like a bat. Crescent-shaped legs. Arms directly connected to head. No neck.
"Angel about to make landfall. EVA Unit-02, EVA Unit-00—arriving at combat positions!"
Technicians in the command room reported the scene. Projected images onto the large screen.
In the harbor where many half-submerged buildings had sunk into seawater, two EVAs descended from above trailing extremely long power cables. Holding firearms and a spear forged from special alloy respectively.
"Target locked. Combat begins."
After locking the target in her cockpit, Rei pulled the firearm's trigger. Attempted to use firepower to prevent Israfel's landing.
NERV Headquarters. Hidden monitoring room above the command center.
"Professor Fuyutsuki, that child..."
Yui watched the images displayed on the command room's large screen. Seeing the blue-haired girl, felt slightly dazed.
Too similar... that girl's appearance shared too many similarities with her past self.
"Correct. That girl is a product Gendo cloned using your DNA fused with Lilith's cells. And inside that shell is Lilith's not-yet-awakened soul."
Professor Fuyutsuki stood beside her. Also stared at the command room. Answered.
Originally, this girl was also one of their tools.
"Using my DNA?"
Yui was surprised.
"Does that mean... she's also my child?"
She'd imagined Gendo might take extreme actions. But casually treating a life as a tool was too cruel.
"No. Your DNA only occupies a portion. More is Lilith's DNA."
Professor Fuyutsuki answered.
"When Lilith's soul inside her awakens, she'll transcend humanity's category."
Genes from the creator meant Rei couldn't be viewed as an ordinary human.
"I see... but that child must also be very lonely inside."
Yui watched Rei's image. Could sense her incompleteness as a person.
About this, Professor Fuyutsuki didn't respond further.
They indeed hadn't treated Rei as human before.
"Watch me finish it in one strike!"
While Unit-00 maintained fire output, Asuka saw her chance. Piloted Unit-02 holding the alloy spear. Leaped before the Angel in the shallow water.
Swung the spear with all her might.
"SLASH!"
Powerful force swept vertically from Israfel's head down through its entire body. Split it in two. Exposed purple flesh. No organs inside.
"Success!"
"My first kill!"
Seeing this result, Asuka shouted happily.
As expected, she was humanity's most excellent pilot.
She turned back. Just prepared to claim credit. Suddenly—mutation!
"ROAR!"
"ROAR!"
Israfel, split in two, suddenly made twisted movements. The halved body each restored into complete forms through writhing flesh. One enemy became two!
"Eh..."
"GYAAH!"
Closest to them, Asuka instantly suffered the Angel's counterattack. Both Israfels simultaneously swung their arms. Sent Unit-02 flying.
SPLASH!
Fell into seawater. Half of Unit-02's body exposed above the surface.
"TAT-TAT-TAT!"
Seeing Asuka knocked down, Rei immediately controlled Unit-00 to attack. Machine gun swept. Tried to block the Angels' advance as much as possible.
"An Angel with splitting ability... this is troublesome."
In the command room, Misato saw this scene. Frowned.
Originally two-on-one, they thought they had the advantage.
But didn't expect the situation to shift so rapidly.
"Asuka, quickly leave the Angels' attack range!"
"Use ranged weapons. Avoid close combat with them!"
Misato ordered.
If Unit-02 lost combat capability now, real trouble.
"Can't! Too late!"
Israfel's movements were extremely swift. The moment they knocked Unit-02 down, already advanced. One used its AT Field to resist Unit-00's attacks. The other already pounced toward Unit-02.
"Despicable bastard... get off me!"
Asuka controlled Unit-02 to deploy its AT Field. Resisted the Angel's attack. Simultaneously ejected the Prog Knife from the shoulder armor.
Grabbed the Prog Knife. Stabbed it into Israfel's abdomen.
"SCREEE!"
This stab hit Israfel's core. Made it emit a pained shriek.
But merely piercing one Israfel's core wasn't enough.
"AAAGH!"
Israfel extended its hand. Grabbed Unit-02. Clutched Unit-02's neck. Synchronized pain transmitted to Asuka. Made her cry out.
Israfel's core also repaired at visible speed.
"Split individuals... must destroy both their cores simultaneously?"
Seeing this scene, Misato quickly judged this battle's key.
"In this situation..."
"Huh? Why is Unit-01..."
While thinking of countermeasures, suddenly the command room received news Unit-01 was being transported to the surface.
Unit-01 shouldn't be operable anymore. And... she hadn't received Unit-01's sortie authorization either.
"I approved it."
Sitting on the elevated platform, Gendo looked at the screen. Said in a low voice.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (80+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/DarkGolds
Happy reading, everyone!