"Shinji!"
"Damn it!"
"Don't approach that beam!"
In NERV command room, Misato watched Unit-01 frozen in place. Hands clenched. Face full of anxiety. Ordered the other three pilots through comms.
In satellite orbit, the Fifteenth Angel—Arael's mental beam continuously irradiated Unit-01.
"That mental wave amplifies the shadows in one's heart. Must shoot it down!"
Seeing this, Albert reminded Misato.
Also wondered internally.
Why?
Why no transformation?
Natsuki-san... what are you doing?
"Unit-01 pilot lost consciousness!"
"Unit-01 ceased activity!"
The data-monitoring technician urgently reported.
This accident—none of them predicted.
Even Ghost Angel manipulating everything behind the scenes didn't expect mental attacks to work so well.
"Shinji... didn't transform into a giant?"
Professor Fuyutsuki watched Unit-01's naturally hanging arms on screen. Wondered internally.
"Does he think it's not time yet, or..."
Gendo crossed his hands. Looked at the screen. Frowned.
On the battlefield.
"Idiot Shinji... answer me!"
Inside Unit-02, Asuka shouted Shinji's name. But got no response. This moment, she panicked.
"Ikari-kun..."
Rei also realized the danger of Shinji's situation.
Units 02 and 00 both violated orders. Ran toward Unit-01. Prepared to shield Shinji from the Angel's attack.
But one figure moved faster than them.
"Shinji... this is also a challenge for you."
"I hope you can overcome it. And... I believe you definitely can."
Kaworu piloted Unit-03 before Unit-01. AT Field fully deployed. Even used his unique power to block Arael's mental attack.
"You guys..."
Misato watched the three pilots' actions. Though angry, could understand why they did this.
Rapidly thought of solutions in her mind.
Shinji was their core. The key supporting all of them now. Absolutely couldn't have any mishaps.
"Use the Spear of Longinus!"
"Any unit works. Throw the Spear of Longinus to pierce Arael!"
At this time, Albert was the most anxious person. Directly gave the method from original history to eliminate Arael.
The Tree of Life birthed Adam and Lilith. Its remaining roots became the Spear of Longinus. Possessed ability to ignore Angel AT Fields—even suppress Adam and Lilith's power. The world's only god-slaying weapon. Also an important tool for Human Instrumentality Project.
Now, it was in Terminal Dogma beneath NERV headquarters. Piercing Lilith's true body.
"Spear of Longinus... is that acceptable, Commander Ikari?"
As Operations Director and someone who personally experienced Second Impact fifteen years ago, Misato knew of this spear's existence. She turned back. Requested Gendo's permission.
Using this weapon required Commander Gendo's approval.
"Approved."
Gendo didn't hesitate much. Directly authorized.
Yui specifically instructed him to protect Shinji. And throwing this spear into space with this mission could also obstruct SEELE's plans.
After getting approval, Misato looked back at the battlefield on screen.
"Rei, return to base first. Prepare to use the Spear of Longinus."
She ordered through comms.
"Understood."
Rei answered. Then controlled Unit-00 toward the nearest base entrance.
Asuka watched Unit-03 blocking the Angel's attack, departing Unit-00, and... Unit-01 still motionless despite escaping the attack.
"Why not let me go?"
Asuka bit her lip. Gaze remained on Unit-01. Asked through comms.
"Because I need you to cover Unit-00's actions later."
Misato's expression serious. At this time, she couldn't accommodate Asuka's emotions.
"I understand."
Asuka silently lowered her head.
Right... calm judgment... these are things that can't be helped.
Yes.
These are things that can't be helped.
"Rei, take the vertical passage directly!"
"We must hurry!"
After Unit-00 entered NERV base, Misato said through comms.
"Understood."
The so-called vertical passage—the elevator shaft with the elevator removed. Let Unit-00 jump straight down the shaft.
"THUD!"
Rei didn't hesitate. Did exactly that. Before reaching the lowest level, grabbed surrounding walls. Decelerated.
Finally landed at NERV headquarters' lowest level. Terminal Dogma.
"Open the gate!"
Misato ordered technicians in the command room.
Soon, the steel gate before Unit-00 slowly opened to both sides. The orange unit strode inside.
This was a massive space. Except for the central passage, all other positions occupied by orange LCL water. Like an orange lake.
Straight ahead, on a massive cross, a white bloated figure was fixed. Only upper body. Red spear pierced her chest.
"Reached Terminal Dogma. Now beginning extraction of Spear of Longinus."
Rei reported once. Then came before Lilith. Controlled Unit-00 to grab the Spear of Longinus.
Seeing this figure, her heart somehow produced a resonating feeling. Wanted to merge herself into this massive white body.
But right now she had no mind to think about why.
Ikari-kun... Shinji is still waiting for me.
"SPLASH!"
The Spear of Longinus was pulled out. Lilith's incomplete lower body instantly restored. Thick legs fell into the LCL liquid lake below. Made a sound.
"Spear of Longinus extracted. Now returning to battlefield."
Rei controlled Unit-00 gripping the Spear of Longinus. Turned around. No longer looked at Lilith. Walked toward the exit.
Lilith's body restored to completion. But still didn't wake.
She was just a shell. Soul no longer inside.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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