Chapter 160 192: The Power of Mother and Daughter.

"What on earth is happening?"

Misato Katsuragi looked down for the umpteenth time, but could only see several EVAs standing motionless.

Setting aside the pulverized Unit-03, Unit-00 stood guard with its rifle, while Unit-01 and Unit-02 stood together. The former had its hand placed on the latter's head. Surrounding them were a dozen large vehicles as NERV technicians connected cable probes to Unit-02's body.

Further away, dense clusters of tanks and fighter jets had surrounded the old city district. Officers, drenched in sweat, paced back and forth, clearly uncertain which side's orders to follow.

"You're an adult; try to be a bit more composed."

Ritsuko Akagi sat with her legs crossed, tapping away at a keyboard as Maya Ibuki continuously relayed streams of data.

"Are you worried about Shinji-kun or Asuka?"

"Can't I be worried about both? We can't afford to lose either of them."

Ritsuko glanced at her and nodded in approval, feeling that Misato was finally showing a bit of maturity.

"The situation has become complicated," Misato grumbled, her confidential phone ringing incessantly.

"Commander Ikari is asking for an update again. Still not answering?"

"Ignore him. We just need to execute Shinji-kun's orders."

"He must be under a lot of pressure over there."

Shinji's act of driving back the UN forces had indeed broken the rules. It would be a miracle if SEELE didn't cause trouble, and Gendo Ikari was the one caught in the crossfire. With no room for excuses and no way to stop Shinji, he was truly the man in the middle.

"Serves him right."

Ritsuko smiled, leisurely swinging the high heel at the tip of her foot.

"Isn't Gendo Ikari's purpose to take the fall? As the Commander of NERV, he should shoulder his responsibility to coordinate with the nations and report to SEELE."

'Oh, so now he's the Commander.'

Misato offered a second of silence for Gendo Ikari and Kozo Fuyutsuki. Sometimes she felt they were truly pitiful—not only were they marginalized, but they also had to hold their noses and clean up the mess.

But then again...

'I don't care.'

Misato's stance was firm. She leaned over to look at the curves on the screen and frowned slightly.

"The mental contamination fluctuations are massive. It's like a roller coaster."

"That's a good sign. It proves Shinji-kun's plan is working. He has entered Unit-02's core to strip Bardiel away on a spiritual level."

Ritsuko wasn't worried at all. After all, she was dealing with a powerhouse who could crush an Angel with his bare hands. If Bardiel hadn't taken Unit-02 hostage, it would have died eight hundred times over by now.

"The important thing is that Asuka doesn't suffer any permanent aftereffects. She's already been exposed to high levels of contamination."

That was Misato's real concern. Looking at the charts, at one point Asuka's mental contamination had spiked far beyond the danger threshold.

"Shouldn't you be secretly happy?" Ritsuko glanced at her.

"I'm not as petty as you think." Misato was genuinely annoyed, her brows knitted tight.

"The final decision can only be made by Shinji-kun. There shouldn't be any 'accidents' mixed in, so I have to keep a close eye on a 'bad woman' like you."

'Keep an eye on me, like Asuka and Rei? This is making me feel young again.'

Ritsuko adjusted her glasses, not bothering to address her friend's hostility. In her eyes, these people just had too much free time. It was one thing for those two clueless teenage girls, but a woman nearly thirty playing the "pure love" game?

"Isn't our greatest advantage our bodies? Hmm, Shinji-kun seems to lack those impulses. Is his will so strong it suppresses instinct, or is it a long-standing habit he hasn't adjusted to?"

She analyzed it with a scientific mindset, concluding it was likely both.

Shinji had told her that to avoid unnecessary corruption, Astartes used physical means to suppress instincts like fear and desire. Even after returning to a normal human body, those long-held habits would persist.

"Hey, what are you thinking about? I rarely see you space out during a battle."

Misato gave her a nudge. Ritsuko snapped back to reality, looking surprised.

She had actually spaced out, and over such worthless thoughts. Clearly, the "idiot virus" was contagious; even she couldn't stay tense.

"I was helping you think of ways to win over Shinji-kun."

"Tch, you're not that kindhearted. But... I suppose I can listen."

Misato leaned down to hear Ritsuko's whisper. Within seconds, her entire face turned beet red.

"Bah! I knew you were up to no good! How could I do something like that? I wouldn't be able to face the other two!"

"Ignorant. This is the most efficient method. Besides, those two might even thank you for making Shinji-kun 'awake.' It's something those two little girls could never achieve."

Ritsuko spoke dismissively, watching Misato's expression waver in struggle before she finally shook her head firmly.

"No, no, no. I'm already being greedy as it is; my conscience pricks me every day." Misato shook her head vigorously, her gaze turning sharp.

"I'm warning you, don't you dare do that, or I'll blow your head off."

"You're just like you were in university—a brute who doesn't listen to reason." Ritsuko shook her head as well, her gaze disdainful.

"Mind your own business!"

Beside them, Maya Ibuki listened in stunned silence.

'What are these two talking about? Why don't they seem worried at all? Where did the cold, rational Ritsuko-senpai go? Why has she become as unreliable as Major Katsuragi?'

"Senpai! The probes have detected a new neural response!"

Maya loudly interrupted their bickering. Ritsuko froze, checked the screen, and her face immediately lit up with joy.

"It's a success."

"What? What succeeded?"

"Look at this data. This is a new neural response. It's not Asuka, and it's not Bardiel. Remember what Shinji-kun said?"

Misato caught on instantly and whipped her head around to look at the crimson EVA below.

"Unit-02!?"

-

-

-

'Am I dying?'

Asuka opened her eyes to see only the murky LCL fluid. This substance, which maintained the pilot's vitals, needed to be cycled, otherwise the pilot would physically suffocate.

She could see nothing; the interior of the Entry Plug had reverted to its metallic gray. The girl curled into a ball, hugging her knees, and instinctively let out a smile.

Just now, she had a long, beautiful dream. She had actually dreamt of her mother, that idiot, and a lady named Yui Ikari.

In the dream, Mama said she had always been watching over her. The nightmare childhood wasn't her fault; it was a case of the spirit being willing but the flesh being weak. She even saw the continuation of that nightmare—certain people took the opportunity to conduct experiments; Mama didn't commit suicide.

At first glance, this was also a cruel reality, but for Asuka, it was more than enough.

'Mama lost her maternal personality for the sake of the EVA, which is why she ignored me. She didn't hang herself; she was used as a test subject.'

Asuka felt a surge of anger, but she also knew the cruel nature of this world. Since the Second Impact, far too many people had been sacrificed to ensure the survival of humanity; she had simply become one of the victims.

"As long as Mama loves me, it's enough."

She murmured to herself, unable to muster much desire for revenge. She could even understand why those people did what they did, because what Asuka craved wasn't much—she could be the price, she could be the victim, as long as she received her mother's recognition in that moment.

Asuka stretched her limbs, lying back in the seat. As Shinji had said in the dream, there was no point in chasing the truth; what mattered was that the scar in her heart had been mended.

"Thank you. This was the most beautiful dream I've had since I was born. So this is what I was chasing all along."

Whether it was real or fake didn't matter. Time couldn't be reversed. Even if she was lying to herself, she would accept the answer from the dream as the truth. That was perfect enough.

Her mother's touch, her mother's embrace, and her own confession—things she had fantasized about thousands of times had come true in the dream.

"Hah, I feel light all of a sudden. Is this what the old folks call 'traveling light'?"

Asuka smiled, her grin incredibly bright. She didn't know what was happening outside or how much time had passed; she only felt a sense of clarity.

'In return, let me take you with me on the journey.'

Her left hand reached behind her and gripped the self-destruct handle. There was no longer any hesitation, nor any fear or lingering attachment to life.

It was enough. It was more than enough. Asuka was almost eager to embrace death, as if she could return to that dream and enjoy her mother's embrace once more. She still had so much to say.

"This time, I'm going to have a good rant to you about Rei Ayanami... actually, never mind, I'll wish her well. That idiot is technically my best friend, after all."

Asuka closed her eyes and pulled hard. Then, she quickly turned her head.

'Eh? Why won't it pull?'

The self-destruct handle had been modified according to Shinji's requirements; it was a loyal mechanical structure not connected to the EVA's neural network. Theoretically, one pull meant an explosion. The chance of it jamming was less than one in a million.

It was a warrior's final honor and dignity. But this time, it was jammed.

Asuka saw bubbles churning around the handle. Even with the LCL fluid's pressure and her face turning red from the effort, it wouldn't budge. This immediately made the competitive girl grit her teeth and fight with all her might.

'You won't let me die? Fine, I'm going to blow up anyway! I'll set off the most spectacular fireworks!'

Asuka put all her strength into the struggle against the machine, when suddenly her hands stiffened. She could no longer exert force.

'So warm.'

A very familiar sensation brushed against her cheek, like a mother helplessly stroking a stubborn daughter. This feeling was so similar to the dream that it felt as if she were being pulled back into it.

'Am I still asleep? Am I trapped in a multi-layered hallucination like 'Inception'?'

Logic flashed through her mind, but it was quickly captured by that gentle stroke. She instinctively opened her mouth.

"Mama!?"

The voice echoed within the Entry Plug. Asuka was not a psychic and could hear no response, but she felt her soul become intensely warm. Then, she saw the cold metal walls of the cockpit emit a brilliant glow like the Aurora Borealis. This light reflected in her azure eyes, like a little girl seeing grand festive fireworks.

It was so beautiful, so warm, that Asuka refused to blink. She opened her heart to embrace this dream, regardless of its reality.

[Sync rate detected: 80%... 87%... 95%] [Unit-02, activating!]

"What? The power should have been depleted long ago!"

Misato Katsuragi rushed to the window. Sure enough, Unit-02's four electronic eyes lit up simultaneously. The unit began to move, reaching out to tear away the dense web of cables attached to its body. Surrounding NERV employees scrambled to escape.

"Berserk? Unit-02 can go berserk too!?"

Ritsuko Akagi clearly knew the secrets of Unit-02, but she hadn't expected that the protective "motherly" berserk state she had tried so hard to understand wouldn't happen first to Unit-01, but to Unit-02.

"Senpai! Major Katsuragi! The UN forces are starting their attack! They're ordering us to clear the danger zone and evacuate Unit-01 and Unit-00!"

Maya Ibuki shouted in panic. Only then did they notice the artillery barrels in the distance were raised.

During this time, the UN had deployed massive amounts of heavy weaponry. In the sky, dozens of heavy bombers carrying N2 mines were circling. Anticipating that Shinji might be unable to strike, they intended to "help."

"Tell those idiots to terminate the operation. I am the commander on the scene."

"No use! UN Command has overruled the proposal. They say they cannot allow temporary sentimentality to endanger all of humanity!"

'Damn it.'

Misato cursed under her breath. She couldn't exactly blame the UN for being wrong; currently, Unit-02 was an Angel. Why should they care about the feelings of Shinji, Rei, or Asuka?

Everyone had their duty. No one could convince the other.

"Ms. Misato, tell them to wait a little longer."

Rei Ayanami's cold voice came through. She had directly deployed her AT Field and pointed her rifle toward the distant tank fleet.

Without Shinji's order, she was determined to protect Asuka, regardless of the consequences.

"Shinji, was it a success or a failure?"

"Success. But don't bother explaining too much. Tell the UN forces that if anything goes wrong with Unit-02, I will handle it personally. Tell them to stay calm."

Shinji never wasted words, and his words were more effective than Unit-00's gun muzzle. The aerial fleet immediately retreated. They had no choice; they couldn't bomb Unit-01 and Unit-00 along with it.

Especially Unit-01—without him, how would they fight the Angels?

A crisis was easily averted. Unit-01 stepped back, watching Unit-02 struggle. It tore off all its cables and began slammed its head frantically against the ground.

"Is this 'Berserk'?" Shinji suddenly asked. Obviously, Unit-01 was the authority on the subject.

"Yes. Taking direct control. You are too reliable; you've never given me a reason to go berserk."

"I can solve problems myself, so there's no need for you to step in, Mother. Do you think Unit-02 has a chance?"

Shinji knew it wasn't over. He had only activated Unit-02's machine spirit. The next part was the battle between Unit-02 and the Angel. He couldn't interfere.

"Of course it does." Yui Ikari's voice suddenly became light and cheerful, as if she were talking to herself. "Never underestimate the heart of a mother protecting her child."

BOOM—

An intense AT Field was released. The resulting shockwave sent Unit-00 tumbling back. Unit-02 crouched on all fours, arching its back like a cat, as the restraint bolts driven into its flesh popped out one by one.

Then, its helmet cracked. Its jaw unhinged, revealing rows of dense, sharp teeth. It flicked out a long tongue and let out a piercing, high-pitched screech.

"Beast Mode?"

Shinji's brow furrowed. Unit-02 had become even more terrifying than the previous Unit-03. The UN forces trembled in fear; if Unit-01 weren't standing right there leaning on its sword, N2 mines would have already been dropped.

Unit-01 was the source of humanity's confidence. If Shinji didn't move, no one dared to make a sound.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Unit-02's claws ground deep furrows into the earth, as if venting all its power, fighting against itself.

"It's working."

Shinji suddenly breathed a sigh of relief. He saw the blue veins occupying a third of Unit-02's body converging toward the chest. His eyes scanned the rapidly scrolling data.

The Angel was being concentrated, forcibly driven to one spot by Unit-02. Then, a scene beyond mortal comprehension occurred.

A massive lump of flesh suddenly protruded from Unit-02's chest, as if growing out of thin air.

[Biological wavelength detected. The Angel is retreating from Unit-02, concentrating at the chest.]

Rei immediately pivoted her rifle, but then saw Unit-01 raise an arm and slowly lower it.

"This is for them, mother and daughter, to settle. No need to interfere."

Shinji was there as the safety net. He watched as the tumor desperately tried to spread, only to be crushed into a ball by the intense AT Field. After a few more seconds, the beast-like Unit-02 raised its hand and plucked the growth right off. The AT Field was entirely concentrated in the center of its palm; no matter how the tumor twisted, it couldn't break the defense.

This level of intensity and precision far exceeded the capabilities of a pilot. It made sense—an awakened EVA was essentially no different from an Angel. It crushed its palm down inch by inch, the collision of two AT Fields distorting the air.

Both sides were giving their all, but the parasitic Bardiel was clearly the weaker one. It struggled violently, shrinking smaller and smaller, until finally—

Squeltch.

Right in Unit-02's palm, it exploded into a mist of blood.

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