EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 148 Asuka! You've already won!!

"What...what did you do?!"

Faced with such a perilous situation, even Mari couldn't suppress the tension and repression in her heart... She could only angrily imitate what she had just done and roar at Kaworu.

However, now... although Unit-06 still floats like an angel under the bright moon, it no longer gives Mari any response.

They simply sat aloof in the sky like true angels, coldly observing this ugly world.

What to do... what should I do?!

I'm the only EVA left who can fight... but—

Can't win.

There's no way to win.

This was a beast-like intuition… Mari could clearly sense… the completely mutated Thirteenth Angel before her…

Just as humans cannot fight against typhoons, earthquakes... or even solar storms...

Humans are no match for natural disasters! And with this ridiculous toy, they can't possibly win against... this monstrous beast before them!
At times like this... one can only look on with confusion and despair, their gaze falling upon the still silent Unit-01.

"Shinji..."

"Shinji-kun..."

"Shinji-sensei...!"

NERV headquarters, Mari Makinami, Toji Suzuhara, and even Hikaru Toki and Sakura Suzuhara hiding in the shelter... all prayed desperately for Shinji Ikari's name after this.

"...What are you doing there!?"

There were only two exceptions.

"Princess…?"

I heard Asuka's voice... It was the resolute voice of someone who had overcome fear.

"Hurry, get back to your sniping position—Miri, get the maintenance crew...charging the Yoko cannon!!"

Faced with the terrifying beast descending before her... Asuka's choice was to make Unit-02, who had already lost both arms, was battered and on the verge of death, stand up once again...!
"Please, open... the armory!"

On the other side, Unit-00 had moved to the EVA assembly platform. After Shigeru Aoba opened the armory, he barely managed to tuck the new weapon under his arm with his arm that was now devoid of even fingers.

The weapon chosen by Unit-00... was... the N2 thermobaric bomb, which ignites upon impact at point of contact!
"Korea?!"

Misato Katsuragi instantly realized what Rei Ayanami was about to do… She wanted to stop her, but didn’t know how to start—because if this monster were to infiltrate headquarters… everything would be over.

"Princess...do you still want to continue fighting? Can't you...feel it? That guy is just like Ultraman Tiga—! He's not someone EVA could easily defeat with a simple Beast Mode...!!"

Unable to move... Even though Unit-08 wasn't damaged at all... Mari knew that when facing the Eleventh Angel at this moment... she couldn't even lift her arms!

This is a difference on a biological level, making it impossible for me to even entertain the thought of resisting this monster...!
So… Mari really can’t understand why, in the face of this hideous angel… Asuka’s spirit can still drive that dying body to stand up once again!
"...This seems to be...the first time you've shown weakness to me, Glasses Girl."

Asuka's voice didn't tremble at all... Was it ignorance? Or... a hymn of courage that had transcended fear?!
"But, sorry... I'm an idiot just like Shinji. So, I don't understand things like 'I can't win at all'."

"?!"

Even with only its legs left, Unit-02 made a starting motion... facing the Eleventh Angel, which was slowly floating in mid-air... all the limiters on Unit-02's back heated up once again!
"...Mari, you idiot Shinji... I'm counting on you—"

That was a voice without a trace of regret... In Asuka's words, there was only a lofty awareness and a sense of relief.

"Asuka..."

"...! All the maintenance workers have run away!! I'm leading the intelligence team to the positron generator!"

Inside the command center, Shigeru Aoba took a deep breath and slammed his fist on the table.

The eleventh apostle is currently very close to the yang generator, so the entire maintenance crew has been evacuated... Someone needs to restart the clutch!
"Mr. Aoba...!?"

"Maria! Get back to your sniping position! I'll risk my life to get the positron cannon charged again...!! The data analysis at headquarters is in your hands!" Looking at the suddenly enraged Aoba Shigeru... Hyuga Makoto and Ibuki Maya were both completely bewildered...

—Does it make sense?
Is there any point in continuing the fight?
Even the ordinary Eleventh Angel... was barely defeated only after humanity exhausted all its fighting power and used up five EVAs...

Now, facing this enhanced Eleventh Apostle...does humanity really have to continue this ugly and shameful struggle?
"Humanity has not lost yet!!"

Seemingly noticing the frustration in Hinata Makoto's eyes, Aoba Shigeru grabbed his friend by the collar and stared at him, enunciating each word clearly.

"...I know you stayed behind to be with Acting Commander Katsuragi! But since you're still in this position, you must fight on...!! As long as humanity continues to fight...! As long as we continue to fight! Humanity has not lost!!"

"Well said—!"

The door suddenly opened... Kenzaki Kyoya and Kaji Ryoji, still pale-faced, walked in... and they were already equipped with the equipment department's helmets and toolboxes.

"...We can't give up! We must fight to the very end as humans! So...we'll go with you, even if it means death, we'll make the Yoko Cannon...charge once more!"

...Perhaps everyone knows.

One Yangzi cannon shot is not enough to eliminate the current Eleventh Apostle.

Actually, Asuka and Rei Ayanami knew this too.

With the Beast Mode of the dying Unit-02 or the N2 bomb self-destruction offensive of Unit-00, the Eleventh Angel could not be eliminated.

but----

Does the outcome of the game really matter that much?
This is a story of humanity, a story that belongs to us... even if this story is so unreasonable that there is not a shred of redemption or hope!
And at the end of this story, let's depict a chapter of human pride!

This is what that idiot taught us about the meaning of resistance...!
The light of the human spirit that shines brightly during this resistance! It is something that no matter how dark the ending... it cannot extinguish—!

One last sprint, Unit 2… Mom! …Please, just this last time, indulge your daughter's whims!!
"Code Reversal...! Cipher!!!"

With a final stomp of its feet, Unit-02 transformed into a humanoid blazing sun, charging towards the Angel Beast! Towards Destrudos Angela... in its final assault...

"what…"

Dodge, don't open...

It was the same attack as before, with ribbons on both sides of the wrists... but this time, its speed and destructive power were on a completely different level.

Asuka could already see her head being sliced ​​in two... but there was nothing she could do...

Can't do anything?
That's not how it is—! I can still keep moving forward…!! This is the only thing I should be doing!!!
Humans can be killed by bastards like you…!!

But humanity will absolutely not be defeated by something like you!!!
Pfft—

That was the sound of flesh being crushed...

Wow————

Then came the sound of blood gushing out.

But... the expected pain didn't affect Asuka at all...

"Asuka..."

It seems I heard that idiot's voice... and felt that idiot's warm embrace.

"...Well done. You've won. It's your victory! It's humanity's victory!!"

"…!?"

Then, Unit 2 saw... and tore the attacking claw apart completely!
The silhouette of the giant of light standing before me, protecting me from any calamity or harm in this world!

“Idiot Shinji… no…”

"Tiga————!!!!"

(End of this chapter)