"The target not only possesses ultra-long-range, high-precision striking capability, but also has a comprehensive automatic defense mechanism."
Ritsuko Akagi watched eva unit-01, which was attempting an outflanking maneuver, be forced back by several small beams on the screen. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with worry.
"Anything that approaches it will be subjected to indiscriminate, devastating strikes."
Just as Ritsuko Akagi said, the missiles launched by the Ground Support Unit were precisely detonated by the beams Ramiel fired while transforming, turning into a few futile yet dazzling fireworks in the sky.
"What strong defenses!"
"Conventional weapons can't break through the defense at all."
"Damn it, it looks completely impossible to break through!"
Inside the Command Center, everyone was discussing heatedly.
"Damn it!"
Misato Katsuragi frowned deeply, her gaze serious: "If we don't neutralize its Field, we can't fight!"
"Stuck in a stalemate? Then let's try unconventional methods."
Hansen's voice suddenly cut into the Command Channel, tinged with a hint of laziness.
Unconventional methods?
Asuka was startled, and the image of that man, unrestrained and graceful, immediately appeared in her mind.
Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist!
"Rei, can you still move?" Asuka gritted her teeth, fighting spirit reigniting in her eyes.
"Anytime."
"Good! And Idiot Shinji, let's teach this block a lesson!"
"Got it!"
eva unit-02 suddenly rushed out from behind cover. At the same time, eva unit-01 and eva unit-00 launched simultaneous surprise attacks from the left and right flanks.
Ramiel transformed again. This time, its body split into several geometric facets, and multiple beams locked onto the three units simultaneously.
"Now is the time..."
Shinji Ikari took a deep breath.
"...I cannot run away!"
Inside the cockpit, the boy's eyes became exceptionally clear.
His breathing rhythm changed, becoming long and deep, as if he had merged with the purple giant beneath him.
Just as the beam was about to hit, eva unit-01 took up a strange posture.
The massive purple unit slightly opened its palms and lowered its center of gravity. That enormous steel body actually exuded a water-like sense of flexibility.
The next second, Ramiel's judgment descended.
Another Positive Particle Cannon beam, powerful enough to vaporize steel, blasted straight towards eva unit-01's face!
"Shinji! Dodge it now!" Misato screamed.
But Shinji did not dodge.
Facing the devastating beam, eva unit-01's hands suddenly drew a circle. A layer of light blue Qi Energy actually appeared on the unit's surface, intertwining with the brilliant and colorful AT Field to form a rapidly spinning vortex.
"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist: Flowing Water Array!"
Buzz—!
An incredible scene occurred.
The Particle Cannon, which had been traveling in a straight line, was forcibly deflected the moment it touched the light blue Field in front of eva unit-01's palms!
Boom!
The beam grazed past eva unit-01's shoulder, instantly leveling a hilltop behind it, the cut smooth as a mirror.
And eva unit-01 was completely unharmed!
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle—!
The beam grazed past eva unit-01's shoulder armor, instantly leveling a distant mountain peak.
After a brief silence, the entire Command Hall erupted in noise.
"W-was that a trick?!"
"An AT Field... can be used like that? Did he turn the Field into a wave state, forming a Fluid Shield effect?"
"That method of energy flow... it's practically like turning the AT Field into a stream of water!"
Asuka stared blankly at Shinji, who was displaying immense power.
Can the things that man taught be used even by an EVA?
An intense desire to win surged up in her heart again.
Since that Idiot Shinji can do it, there's no reason I, a genius, can't!
"Don't underestimate me! I won't lose!"
The tsundere girl roared, refusing to be outdone: "eva unit-02, move it!"
An orange halo also erupted around eva unit-02. It was the result of the combination of Flowing Water Qi Energy and the AT Field—her own exclusive special effect!
Although not as smooth and effortless as Shinji, eva unit-02 relied on its ferocious momentum to pull out its High-Vibration Particle Blade and slice open the beam heading towards it!
Although the unit was shaken, causing sparks to fly everywhere, its fierce bravery was moving.
"Hraaaah!!"
The three units weaved through the rain of light, deflecting and evading fatal attacks again and again, blocking left and parrying right, forcing their way through the barrage with movements that were extremely strange yet full of aesthetic beauty!
However, reality was cruel; they were still unable to break through Ramiel's absolute defensive perimeter.
Ramiel wasn't just a turret; its energy was nearly inexhaustible.
But EVAs have limits.
"Beep—beep—beep—"
The piercing alarm sounded.
"Crap! eva unit-01 and eva unit-02 only have less than a minute left on internal power!" Makoto Hyuga shouted.
That last burst severely depleted the units' energy reserves.
"Tch... at a time like this..."
Asuka looked at the flashing red countdown on the screen and slammed the Control Panel. "Damn it, is this where it all ends?"
"Once the power is gone, the EVAs and pilots are just sitting ducks!"
Misato Katsuragi gave the order over the Operations Channel, her voice resolute: "Retreat! All personnel retreat!"
Just then, Ramiel seemed to be thoroughly annoyed by these few ants.
It stopped drilling, and its body underwent another violent transformation. The original Regular Octahedron actually changed into a massive five-pointed star shape, and the core in the center began gathering unprecedented, terrifying energy.
In that instant, heaven and earth changed color.
"Retreat quickly!!" Misato shrieked.
"It's too late..." Shinji Ikari looked at the imminent eruption of Radiant Light, a feeling of helplessness rising in his heart.
An attack of this magnitude could no longer be blocked by the Flowing Water Fist, which he had not yet fully mastered.
"Then let's go all out!" Determination flashed in Asuka's eyes. "Even if I die, I'll take a piece of Him down with me!"
"Such a nuisance."
Just as everyone fell into despair, Hansen's voice sounded again.
"Rei, go pull the plug on eva unit-01 for me."
The entire area fell silent.
"Huh?!" Asuka wondered if there was something wrong with her ears. "Pull the plug? Are you crazy? Without power, eva unit-01 is just a pile of scrap metal!"
"Do as I say." Hansen's voice was absolute.
"Yes."
Rei Ayanami did not hesitate in the slightest.
For her, Hansen's command took precedence over everything else.
eva unit-00 turned around and grabbed the Umbilical Cable connected to the back of eva unit-01.
Snap!
Sparks flew everywhere.
The thick cable was forcibly pulled out, and the light in eva unit-01's eyes instantly extinguished.
The massive unit weakly lowered its head, like a corpse that had lost its soul.
Horror Story: eva unit-01 Runs Out of Power.JPG
Ramiel: How can you be so rude?!
At the same time, Ramiel's long-charged destructive strike finally descended!
"It's over..."
Inside the Command Room, Gendo Ikari remained silent the entire time, and many people closed their eyes in despair.
However, Hansen excitedly stretched his neck.
On the consciousness level, he had already used the Divine Power Link to communicate with his God-Awakened, the gentle soul slumbering in eva unit-01's core.
[Yui, allow me to borrow your body for a moment. I might as well... stretch my muscles a bit.]
[As you wish, My Lord.]
Thump-thump—
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