"The train will arrive at the terminal shortly. Please... prepare to... disembark..."
The announcement grew colder. More distorted.
Hearing it, several sleeping passengers mechanically opened their eyes. Rose in unison. Walked toward the station outside.
"Damn... I missed my stop."
Yamato heard "terminal station" and immediately realized his mistake. A huge blunder.
"Young man, where do you live? Going home alone this late is dangerous. Let me take you."
Yamato stood as well. Spoke to Shinji beside him.
As a teacher, he couldn't bear watching Shinji go home alone.
Already missed his stop anyway. Might as well escort this boy.
"Um... I live in Tokyo-3. Should be far from here."
Shinji looked at the blank station name outside the train door. Realized he'd truly entered another dimension. Fortunately, there was still one normal person beside him.
"Tokyo-3?"
"Never heard of it... I only know Tokyo."
Yamato heard the strange city name. Tilted his head. Confused.
The two followed other passengers off the train. Arrived at the empty station.
"Strange... even late at night, a station shouldn't be completely deserted."
Yamato looked at the vacant platform. Sensed something wrong.
"This place... should be another dimension."
Shinji said.
"Another dimension?"
"Right. Like in urban legends. We're in a space that doesn't exist."
Shinji recalled urban legends he'd read. Explained to Yamato.
Hearing this, Yamato frowned. Surveyed the surroundings. Used his unique vision to spot disharmony in this space.
"Looks like... we fell into some kind of trap."
"But don't worry. I'll get you out."
Yamato promised Shinji.
After he spoke those words—
Two men in security uniforms approached from the distance. Held batons. Expressions cold.
"Humans still awake."
"Come with us!"
The two guards neared Yamato and Shinji. Revealed their true forms. Green-headed Alien Bam.
"Invaders."
"Get behind me, boy!"
Seeing their true faces, Yamato immediately threw his briefcase aside. Raised his hand. Blocked a descending baton.
But in that moment, Shinji didn't choose to hide obediently behind him.
This was his first time facing enemies with just his body.
Can't run. Can't run...
Shinji encouraged himself internally. Then spotted an opening—while the two Bam aliens fought Yamato, he stepped forward. Kicked!
WHAM!
One kick sent a Bam alien flying three meters back.
Success!
After landing the hit, Shinji quickly adopted a fighting stance like Natsuki taught him. Prepared for the next Bam alien. Two steps brought him beside Yamato. They attacked in coordination.
BAM!
Yamato punched the remaining Bam alien back. Then looked at Shinji with surprise.
"Impressive, kid."
He'd planned to protect this boy. Didn't expect him to have this kind of fighting ability.
And... this fighting style. Felt strangely familiar.
"What's your name, boy?"
Yamato asked.
"Shinji... Shinji Ikari."
"Shinji?"
"I see... I thought you were Senior Lias. Hahaha..."
Yamato realized he'd mistaken him for someone else. Scratched his head awkwardly.
He thought Senior Lias had come to Earth to visit him.
"Lias... you mean Natsuki-san?"
Hearing that name, Shinji realized the man before him wasn't simple.
"Natsuki?"
"Never heard that name."
Confusion crossed Yamato's face.
Shinji realized then—Natsuki might have changed his name later.
"Yamato-san... can you tell me more about Natsu—uh, Lias?"
Shinji asked earnestly.
"Want to know about Senior Lias?"
"You know him?"
"Yes."
"Oh... that's amazing."
"But we need to escape this place first. Let's talk on the way."
Yamato knew the priority was getting this boy out of this dimensional space.
Inside this dimension, even his transformation ability was blocked.
But typically, dimensional spaces connected to reality had hidden nodes. Destroy them, and the space's influence would weaken significantly.
"Okay."
Shinji matched his pace. Together they searched for the hidden node.
"Senior Lias is a very brave and reliable senior."
Soon, they discovered a hidden factory. On the way there, Yamato spoke to Shinji.
"When I first joined the Space Garrison, I knew nothing. Thought fighting invaders was simple. But when I actually executed missions, I learned how much trouble and danger existed."
"Back then, Senior Lias helped me tremendously. Guided me through that initial confusion."
"The Negative Energy Investigator position—Senior Lias recommended me for it."
Yamato recalled his past in the Land of Light. Nostalgia filled his heart.
"Many warriors in the Space Garrison deeply respect Senior Lias. When mentoring newcomers, he's genuinely enthusiastic. We've all received his help."
Shinji listened.
Agreed completely.
Meeting Natsuki-san at life's crucial turning point, during his most confused moment—that was his greatest fortune.
"We're here."
"So many guards. The device must be inside the factory."
Yamato led Shinji to the factory entrance. Quietly observed inside.
"Shinji-kun, wait here. I'll destroy the device inside."
He turned back. Told Shinji.
"No."
"I'm coming with you."
Shinji firmly refused.
"The courage Natsuki-san taught me tells me I must act now!"
Seeing Shinji's determined eyes, Yamato hesitated one second. Then nodded.
"Alright. Stay close. We'll make this quick."
This was a brave boy. He wouldn't dampen that spirit now. Besides, working together would be more efficient.
"This way."
Yamato slipped into the factory from a corner. Shinji followed close behind.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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