Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Smile in the Moonlight (10,000 Words Lifted)

As the time approached twelve o'clock in the morning, the lights gradually faded away, and in the end, all of Japan except Shinji was fighting at the place of battle. The rest of Japan is completely gone. Yes, in order to complete the Misato Yashima operation, the whole of Japan was in a state of blackout, and every qiē looked so dim. All the electricity was sent to Mt. Futako, the battle fortress where Shinji and the others were located.

"The starry sky is really beautiful. Isn't it? Shinji walked on the special platform in the cockpit of the first plane, crossed his hands behind his head like pillows, and looked at the starry sky. On the platform of the zero machine next to her, Rei, who was wearing a white combat uniform, crossed her hands and knees, looking at the third new Tokyo city in the distance. With almost no light on the ground, the starry sky at this time is particularly fascinating. The moonlight shines on the land, bringing an unusual romance to this place full of fighting atmosphere.

"Hmm." Leigh replied softly, but her eyes did not look to the sky, still staring at the position of the apostle in the distance. His eyes were a little dazed, and he didn't know what he was thinking.

Shinji, who was lying on the platform, saw Rei in such a state, and his heart fluctuated a little, and he moved his gaze to the starry sky again. The two entered a brief period of silence.

"Leigh. Why would you want to drive an EVA at all? Soon, Shinji broke the brief silence and sat up to look at the girl not far away. I asked the doubts I had always had in my heart.

The girl turned her head to look at the puzzled boy, and then moved her gaze back into the distance, but there was a hint of determination in her trance-like eyes. "Because of the bonds."

"Fetters?"

"Yes. Fetters. ”

"With whom? My father? Or EVA? ”

"It's a bond with everyone." Leigh's eyes became firm again.

"Everyone?. Hehe, it's so strong. Shinji saw the girl's eyes like this, and his heart was slightly soothed. But the good times didn't last long, and the girl's eyes dimmed again. I only heard Rena's somewhat green words. "I ...... Nothing else at all. It was as if I had come into this world to drive Eva, and if I didn't become an EVA driver, I wouldn't have any meaning in this world. Because, beyond that, I have nothing. Isn't that the same as death? ”

Seeing Rei's dim eyes, Shinji had an indescribable sourness in his heart.

"Nothing? How so. Actually, you've always had a lot of things, you just don't know it. Shinji turned his gaze to the stars again. Rei didn't respond to Shinji's words, just quietly looked into the distance......

"What about Shinji-kun? Why drive EVA? Leigh turned her head and asked the same question.

"Huh? Me. Shinji looked thoughtfully at the girl's ruby eyes. After a long time, Shinji's eyes became firm and softened. "Of course I'm here to keep ......"

Drip! Drip! Drip!

Before Shinji could finish speaking, a shrill siren rang out throughout the fortress.

"It's time. Let's go. Leigh's tone was a little lost. Maybe I didn't hear Shinji's words, maybe it was something else. The white face was restored to its original cold state.

"Goodbye. Shinji-kun. ”

The platform of machine zero slowly moved to the position of machine zero, and the girl stood up, and the delicate curves were visible. But in the red eyes of the girl at this time, there was an indescribable loss and gloom.

In the moonlight, Rei's delicate body in a combat uniform looked so sacred, but the cold goodbye made Shinji's heart feel stinged fiercely.

"Why? Why say goodbye? Shinji looked at the girl's distant back and muttered to himself. I feel very uncomfortable, what is it that makes this angel-like person have such an empty heart? Shinji is too focused on Rei's back. I didn't notice that on the platform of machine zero, a glasses case that had been held by Li in her hand had quietly fallen to the ground at this moment. It seems so cold, so sad.

―――――――――――――――――a.tfield――――――――――――――――――

Morning

With the ticking of the timer, zero o'clock has finally arrived, and the Yashima operation has officially begun!

"It's time. The battle begins! Hinata stared at the clock and reported to Misato, who was also in the makeshift command car, as the clock ticked to midnight.

Misato settled down and began to issue orders. "Battle Yashima begins! Battle Yashima! Preparation for sniper by the electron cannon. The first connection begins! ”

"Understand, the first connection begins, and the first and second substations in all aspects begin to convert! Full voltage switch input! Hinata received the order and began her intense work.

"Shinji-kun, we're now handing over all of Japan's energy to you. Don't let us down, come on! While Misato stared at the number of screens, she didn't forget to give Shinji some encouragement. But after getting Shinji's answer, Misato was a little confused. Because she didn't hear Shinji's confident answer. In its place was a spiritless "Yes." ”

Shinji, who was sitting in the first machine at the moment, lowered his head and frowned, thinking about the goodbye that he had just said...... His heart felt as sour and aching as if it had been poured with sulfuric acid. I closed my eyes, thinking back to the gloomy eyes I had just seen, and at the same time asked myself in my heart, why? Why is Rei's heart so hollow? So cold......

"Shinji-kun? Shinji-kun! Misato's anxious call woke Shinji up.

"Ahh I'm sorry Miss Misato. I just got distracted. Shinji said apologetically after coming back to his senses.

"Shinji-kun, the battle is about to start, please concentrate!" Misato knew that Shinji never wandered during the battle, and something serious must have happened that affected him, but the battle had already begun, and Misato couldn't care about it so much, so after a simple reassurance, he returned to command. "Shinji-kun, no matter what you're thinking now, I'm willing to listen to you after the battle, but right now, we need you!"

"Drink...... ...... "Shinji let out a long sigh of relief and quickly forgot what had just happened. "I'm sorry Miss Miri, it was me who was wrong just now, don't worry, the other party is just a target that can't move now, give it to me!" Shinji quickly adjusted his mindset and smiled confidently at Misato.

Seeing that Shinji had regained his former self-confidence, Misato smiled with relief, and then continued to issue orders, and the intense battle was still going on.

"All switches are put in, and the connection begins!"

Hiss, click!

The transformer outside began to change shape with the command post issued by the command post, and the huge voltage quickly changed, flashing a trace of blue electric light on the thick cable.

"The power stations are running at full capacity, and the transmission of power from 1 to 803 has begun!" With the flip of the switch, the bottom row of icons on the screen facing Hinata lights up. All the makeshift transformers on Erzi Mountain began to hum.

"There is no abnormality in the first level of power supply. The frequency conversion capacity is increased to 65 million kW, and there is no abnormality in the full transformer device. The first blocking system is activated sequentially. Voltage steady, please indicate! Hinata reported to Misato in turn.

"The second connection begins!" Misato ordered after hearing the good report.

"Roger! The new Goden substation was put into operation, the new Yuno substation was put into operation, and similarly, the new Tangheyuan preparatory substation was put into operation, and the voltage fluctuation range was not abnormal, and the positive electrons began to flow in. The accelerator starts running, forces the condenser, starts! The cooling unit is running at full capacity! "The icon at the bottom starts to light up to the layer above. The completion of the second phase is announced.

"The third connection begins!"

"Understand, start the third connection, and all the electricity is sent to the Erzishan temporary substation! The power voltage transmission is maintained to the maximum value! The full cooling system is running at full capacity, and there is no abnormality. The charging rate of the superconducting power storage system group reached 78.6%, the instrument was normal, and the flywheel began to operate. The third connection is no abnormal! With a sound of orders and reports. The entire Erzi Mountain began to emit bursts of roars, and the operation of the huge machine qì made the entire mountain peak shine with a strange electric light.

"Give an order to the fourth and fifth fortresses, the reconnaissance aircraft will evacuate and start inducing the attack!" As soon as Misato saw that it was all right, he began to give orders for the apostles to attack.

After the rack unmanned reconnaissance plane left, with the third new Tokyo city as the center, a strong roar began to spread on the surrounding mountains, and various missile groups were opened, and tens of thousands of inducing missiles flew towards the apostle. Japan, which had just been under black pressure, instantly became full of flames and gunsmoke.

The missiles began to approach the Apostle, gradually entering the Apostle's domain. The Apostle could not move because he drilled into the ground from the main body, but this did not affect the Apostle's attack, and the body of the Apostle's octahedron began to shrink and split, turning into countless small octahedron rotating around a slightly larger octahedron in the center, and then connecting from the outside to the inside, unfolding, and began to rotate like a Russian turntable. With an eerie scream, an ultra-long-range particle cannon shot out, circling around the Apostle's field field. Sweep away the missiles in range.

Boom Boom Boom Boom !!

Explosions erupted one after another. Before the explosion was over, the apostle's location lit up again! A loud explosion was heard again, and this time at the missile launch ports of the various fortresses. Under the brutal attack of the apostles, none of them were spared, and all of them were destroyed. Even the hill where the missile swarm was located was razed to the ground by the apostles' attack.

"The third enemy system evaporates!" Hinata nervously reported that he didn't expect the Apostle to annihilate a fortress's enemy system with a single blow.

"Was it discovered? Don't give it a respite, keep attacking. Misato's face did not show panic, after all, he was the Minister of Operations, and he must be in danger at all times. With Miri's order, the railgun group on the other side of the mountain, one battery after another, launched an unrestrained attack on the Apostle in another fortress, but how could this Apostle, known as the Flying Fortress, be so easily injured? After feeling the artillery fire entering his domain, the apostle instantly changed his form, like a thick city wall, supporting the mighty A.Tfield. withstood the heavy shelling. Then the body changed again, turning into a body like an ion battery, and with a strange scream, the group of batteries behind the mountain was shattered by the apostle's scorching particle cannon.

"The second battery has been shot! The eighth LVS group evaporated, and the sixth missile position was completely destroyed! "On the big screen, one attack point after another began to attack, and then one attack point after another was destroyed. A red siren instantly filled the screen.

At the same time......

"Positive electron accelerator charging! The number of retracting revolutions remained at 38,000 revolutions. The compression density is output to the emission point. Cut off the damaged circuit, and the voltage is allowed to run at the allowable value. The system protection loop is in operation! Ibuki's sweet voice looked a little nervous at the moment. Captain Katsuragi, there is no abnormality in the fourth connection, please instruct. ”

A cold smile drifted into the corner of Misato's mouth, "The safety device is finally lifted!" "The cursor on the screen converges to the very top.

"Pull the bolt!" Hinata gave an order to Shinji.

Click.

The bolt of the huge cationic rifle was pulled up by the first machine. The rifle's scope appears in both Hatsuki and Shinji's field of view.

"Shooting with automatic parameters. Start typing! Correction of Earth's rotation and gravity errors. +0.0009, the firing disc automatically tracks the target. The sight is automatically aiming. The positive electron accelerates, and it is 0.20.1" from the critical point.

"The fifth final connection begins!" Misato commanded loudly. All the light on the screen is focused on one point, and that is the cation gun in the hands of the first EVA machine.

"Received, full energy sent to the ultra-high voltage discharge system. The first to ninth discharge plugs are charged and the cation accelerator tube is finally corrected. ”

Shinji, who was sitting in the first plane, took a deep breath and held his breath after exhaling a quarter of his breath, as a professional sniper, Shinji quickly found the sniper's calmest breathing point. He stared intently at the Apostle in the scope, without a trace of relaxation, and the entire cockpit was unusually quiet, without a sound.

"Cationic rifle, ready to launch countdown. 10，9，8……”

With a countdown, everyone's hearts were raised, and victory or defeat was in one fell swoop!

“3，2，1。 Launch! ”

Bang!!!

As Shinji pulled the trigger, a large blue electronic cannon fired at the Apostle. The fierce artillery fire penetrated the apostle's a.tfield in an instant, hitting the core of the apostle, and the apostle, who had no time to react, was instantly hit by the yang electron cannon. When the artillery fire ended, an eerie scream rang out, and the apostle's body took the shape of a giant sea urchin, but it showed signs of shattering. A manhole cover-wide piercing hole appeared in the center of the apostle, and bright red blood spurted out, staining the buildings of the Third New Tokyo City one after another.

"Hit!" Misato shouted excitedly as she looked at the wounded and bleeding Apostle on the screen.

"That's not right." Shinji's eyes froze, "Missed!" Shinji's voice resounded through the microphone system throughout the war room. Misato who listened was even more surprised, "How is it possible?" ”

At the moment when Shinji fired, the apostle subconsciously sensed the danger and immediately transformed into the strongest form of A.T. Field to meet the blow. Although he was shot through by Shinji, he was not mortally wounded. I saw that the apostle's shattered body began to recover, and the S2 mechanism in its center was not damaged in the slightest, and the huge piercing began to be covered with new tissue, and the apostle once again transformed back into the octahedral air fortress.

"Wouldn't it? It dodged that situation! Hinata looked surprised. Misato's eyes widened as well.

"There is a high-energy reaction within the apostles! Ibuki hurriedly shouted when he saw the change on the screen.

"All members of the team are prepared for the impact!" Misato hurriedly ordered.

The apostle's body changed again, turning into a huge five-pointed star, and it unfolded backwards, and another layer of five-pointed stars, unfolded again, and then transformed again into a huge five-pointed star, which pierced outward. The whole body was like a charged battery, and after three charges, the Apostle aimed the muzzle of the cannon at the location of the first EVA machine. The energy visible to the naked eye begins to gather towards the red ball in the center. With the apostle's eerie scream, the apostle's most powerful particle cannon attack shot out towards the location of the first machine!

Bang!!! Bang!!!

A huge explosion resounded throughout Japan, and a hill separated from the first machine evaporated in an instant. Fortunately, the power of this cannon was reduced by the blockage of the hill. But the remaining power was enough to inflict massive damage on the first machine. Bursts of shock waves were set off on Erzi Mountain. Quite a few trucks carrying transformers were overturned, and many cables were blown off by the shock wave. The first machine was directly hit and flew out, but fortunately Shinji kept A.Tfield on. The damage wasn't too great, but that's it, and most of the surface armor of the first machine was melted down. The scorching heat scorched Hatsuki and Shinji.

The command vehicle was swept away by the shock wave for a long time, but fortunately, it landed smoothly in the end. "It hurts. Abominable apostle. Misato struggled to get up from the ground and asked Hinata, who was also getting up. What about the energy system? ”

"It's okay, it's been recharged again." Hinata sat up in pain.

"Where's the electron cannon?" Misato asked, picking up Ibuki, who had fallen to the side.

Ibuki returned to his seat with the help of Misato and looked at the screen. "I'm alive, I'm cooling the cannon body, but the cooling device of the converter is damaged, I'm afraid it's ......"

"Whether it can be used or not, we will only know when we hit it." Misato's brows tightened. "Shinji, are you alright?"

"Ah, still alive." Shinji climbed up with difficulty in the first machine, rolled over and sat on the ground, gasping heavily. The apostle's shot just now caused the first machine to be injured a lot, and this is still under the condition that there are mountain peaks blocking it, otherwise, the current first machine must have evaporated.

"Well, let the first machine return to the sniper point." When Misato saw that Shinji was fine, the big stone in her heart was half relieved.

"Understood." Shinji, who received Misato's order, just wanted to stand up. However, due to the injuries he received in the morning, and now it is another heavy shot, the high temperature of the LCL solution makes Shinji a little dizzy, and before he can stand up, Shinji falls heavily to the ground with the first machine. "Whew...... Call...... Miss Misato, let me catch my breath. Dr. Ritsuko, please hurry up and help me cool down. With that, Shinji struggled to get up again. Since he was crawling, he was now on all fours, which gave Shinji a little balance. The scorching heat scorched him, making his blood boil a little. However, the temperature of the LCL has not changed in the slightest.

"Shinji-kun, I'm sorry. The cooling system of the LCL of the first machine was damaged in the attack just now. The life support of the driver's suit has been driven to the maximum, you ......" Ritsuko was a little unbearable, but still said it.

"Cut. Nasty feeling! All right. I can do it. Shinji's face was filled with disdain, and he reached for the rifle that had fallen to the side. But before he could catch it, the body of the first machine stumbled and fell down again.

"Shinji-kun!" Looking at the screen, Misato shouted anxiously.

A cold voice came out of nowhere. "Now replace the pilot of the first plane, and let the zero machine act as a sniper." At the nerv headquarters, Gento Ikari watched every move of the battle situation.

"Ikare, you ......" Dongyue, who was standing aside, was a little unbearable. However, Yuandu's expression remained unchanged, and he said coldly, "If you can't use it, you can only give up." ”

"Wait a minute!" Misato's avatar appears on the screen at the NERV headquarters, with a determined look on her face. "Commander Ikari, Shinji he hasn't given up, please let him take a break, I'm sure he'll be able to recover soon, I believe Shinji-kun, I believe in the pilot of the first plane, and please believe in your own child." Misato couldn't look down on the commander's attitude. I couldn't help but tell Yuandu Ikari what I thought.

"yes, what are you talking about, Dad!" Shinji climbed up again. Breathing heavily. "Your agreement with me is not over yet! How could I just fall like that? Shut your mouth and give me a good look! "This time, Shinji was really angry. Without too many words and ignoring his father's attitude, Shinji turned off the communication video. It's just that the intercom system is turned on.

"Shinji-kun, why did you turn off the video?" Misato was puzzled and hurriedly asked.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

On the screen, the first machine pounded his chest vigorously. And the situation inside the cockpit is unknown.

"Don't ask, woo wow!" Shinji's voice of pain came from the intercom system.

"Shinji-kun, what's wrong with you? What are you doing? Shinji-kun! Hearing Shinji's voice, Misato became even more anxious.

"Don't ask! Poof! Shinji's voice came again. It's just that this time the voice seems to be very energetic, not as weak as it was just now.

"Whew...... It's so much more comfortable. Miss Misato, please prepare the second shell. Dr. Ritsuko, help me increase the LCL concentration by 20%" Shinji, who had eased his spirits, grabbed the rifle next to him. Step by step, he walked towards the sniper point. No one knew what Shinji had done. But from the strange behavior of the first machine just now, everyone seems to have guessed something.

"That kid ......" Ritsuko was a little touched. Ibuki. Dilute the LCL solution after filtration and reduce the concentration by 20% quickly. ”

"Yes, but why?" Ibuki was puzzled, although his subordinates were still operating, but the doubts in his heart did not decrease.

"I think that kid must have used extreme methods to dissipate heat for himself." Ritsuko was a little unbearable, but she still answered Ibuki's doubts. "All the blood of the human body is supplied by the heart, and the blood is replaced every minute, about 120 days is a large cycle, when the human body loses blood, the heart will increase the load, that is, the heart beats faster to help the human body restore blood circulation, and at the same time, the various functions of the human body will speed up to help the body recover. In this way, the heat dissipation of the human body will also be accelerated. In traditional Chinese medicine, it has also been recorded that when you have a fever, it is said that it is appropriate to bleed and dissipate heat. However, it is very dangerous to do so, if the blood loss is not enough, it will not only hurt the body, but also will not achieve the effect, and if the blood loss is too much, it will be life-threatening. He said that if the concentration of LCL is to be adjusted upward, it means that there are impurities in LCL now, and in order not to affect the synchronization rate, it will be required to be adjusted upward, and the impurities are ...... I can't help but say that that kid is gambling with his life. Hearing Ritsuko's explanation, Misato's heart trembled violently. Immediately the order was given: "Prepare for the second shell!" ”

After being attacked by the apostles, wisps of green smoke rose from the fortress, and the scorching earth scorched everyone. But no one was deterred by the wounds.

Click.

Shinji piloted the first plane, which was already full of smoke, back to the sniper point. The gun carriage is fixed and the bullets are loaded. Prepare to snipe again.

"The fuse was replaced, the barrel cooled. The power transmission system maintains maximum output. Positive electron acceleration. There is no abnormality in each discharge plug. The first machine enters the firing parameters. Forty-five seconds are still before the error is corrected. It takes twenty seconds for the energy to charge. "All the staff were busy. They know that every second counts to them.

"Shinji-kun, now we once again entrust you with the energy of all Japan, our hopes, the future of humanity, and the remaining lives. Come on! Misato clutched the cross necklace on her chest and made a wish. Shinji, you must win. ”

"Ahh What I said will definitely be fulfilled, so now hand it over to me! The first frame set up the rifle and immediately lay down to do the aiming position. Shinji, who was sitting in the first plane, also pulled down the sniper scope. Start aiming again.

Bang!!

Just as the first machine was making preparations. The drill under the apostle finally penetrated the last deck of the underground space, as if it were a declaration of victory, and with an eerie ghostly scream, the red ball in the center began to gather energy again. The energy of the particles visible to the naked eye is converging towards the center layer by layer.

"Target has a high-energy reaction again!" Seeing the abnormality on the screen, Ibuki hurriedly reported to Misato.

"Not good! Shinji get out of the way! Misato shouted anxiously to Shinji when she heard the report.

"Cut. It's too late. There was a helpless smile on Shinji's lips, ready to accept the apostle's fatal blow.

Bang!!! Rumble!!!!!!!

Shinji in the first machine was ready to attack, but the apostle's terrible particle cannon did not hit him, but was blocked not far in front of the first machine. The flames were everywhere. Disperse from the perimeter of the first machine.

It's machine zero! At the last moment, it was Unit Zero that blocked the fatal blow for the first machine with a huge shield.

"!! Li"

Shinji pulled up, sniper scope, and yelled anxiously at Zero not far away.

"Shinji-kun, I'm fine. Please aim. There was a hint of pain in Leigh's voice. Although the light cannon hit the shield, the incomparable burning sensation was destroying the fuselage of Zero all the time.

"Li!! No!!! Get out of the way!! Shinji saw that the dazzling light in front of him was blocked by Machine Zero, and he couldn't sit still anymore.

"It takes twenty seconds to recharge energy, and it takes twenty-five seconds to aim, and you can't hold it!! Get out of there quickly!! Shinji began to roar. If this shell hits him, the cation rifle will definitely fail, but he has a great chance of surviving with the powerful A.T. Field. But what about Leigh? Shinji didn't intend to let Rei go to war from the beginning of the battle. After all, in the current state of Unit Zero, it was difficult to block that terrifying attack.

"It's okay." Leigh's voice came again. "If the shield doesn't work, I'll block it with the body of machine zero, Shinji-kun, you said that everyone has their own value in saving. And that's the value of my zài. Protecting you to complete the task is the meaning of my existence, and even if I die, there will be another me in my place. Leigh's voice seemed to find relief. It's gentle, but it's also cold.

"No !!" Shinji's eyes welled up with tears. Leigh's words hurt Shinji's heart, and the apostle's powerful attacks continued. Watching the shield in Zero's hand shatter little by little, Shinji's own heart also cracked. Due to the impact of the Apostle's laser cannon, the distance between Zero and the first machine is getting closer and closer, and in the end, the shield in the hand of Zero is almost completely shattered, leaving only a small piece of the general to protect the head of Zero, and the rest of the artillery fire is all blocked by Zero with its own body.

"Rei......" A soft, unsympathetic call, and tears welled up in Shinji's eyes. At this moment, it was as if the whole world was silent. The apostle's attack was not interrupted, but the roar had long since died down, and Misato was still shouting anxiously into the microphone, but he could not hear a single sound. Shinji's world seemed unusually quiet at this moment, only he knew that it was the calm before the storm.

―――――――――――――――――a.tfield――――――――――――――――――

“a.t.field…… Full!!! ”

Shinji's eyes were astonishingly murderous, as if he felt Shinji's anger, and with his roar, Hatsuki's eyes lit up. The huge A.T. Field wall of light instantly unfolded in front of the first machine, enveloping the zero machine not far away.

"The synchronization rate of the first machine is up to 100%, 110%, and 120% is still rising!" Ibuki saw the change in the first machine and hurriedly reported it to Ritsuko.

"Rampage? No way? Ritsuko shouted in panic.

"Shinji-kun!" Misato shouted even more anxiously.

"No, the synchronization rate of the first machine is stable at 135%. The driver is sober and there is no rampage! Looking at the number jù on the screen, Ibuki was stunned, obviously the number jù in front of her had broken the routine she knew.

A massive wall of colored light blocked the Apostle's scorching laser cannon. No matter how much the Apostle increased his firepower, the purple particle cannon couldn't get into it in the slightest. The saved machine zero lost the small piece that could still be called a shield, and fell to the ground weakly. The whole body was constantly convulsing, and the signs of armor melting could be clearly seen from the fuselage of Zero. It can be seen how much Li's injuries are at this time!

"Energy recharged!" Hinata shouted. "23 seconds left to correct the error, 22,21 ......"

"Don't mind the error, Miss Misato, I'm going to aim manually! Fast!!! Shinji's roar spread throughout the fortress.

"Switch to manual aiming!" Misato hurriedly turned to Ibuki and ordered.

"But." Ibuki was a little worried.

"Trust that kid." Misato threw a determined look at Ibuki to dispel her doubts.

"Yes, switch to manual aiming."

Click.

A huge scope appeared on the rifle, and Shinji shouted outside as he aimed. "Dr. Ritsuko, tell me its name."

"The Fifth Apostle, Ramile (Lemuel)." Ritsuko said truthfully. "Shinji-kun, you ......"

"Okay, I got it. Thank you. Shinji didn't let Ritsuko continue because he didn't have time to listen. The muzzle of the gun was aimed at the core of the apostle, and it shifted slightly to the upper right, as if to correct the error. "You bastard, let me die!!"

Bang!!!!

With Shinji's roar, the cation cannon erupted. In an instant, it pierced the apostle's particle cannon and flew straight towards the apostle's core.

Poof!

* The piercing sound sounded, and the particle cannon easily pierced through the Apostle's A.T. Field, hitting its S2 trap with unmistakable accuracy. The five-pointed star-shaped body turned back into an octahedron at the moment it was pierced, and a huge explosion was generated in the apostle's body, and the fortress-like body could no longer withstand the pressure of the explosion, with a muffled sound, a large flame erupted out of the apostle's body, followed by a tearing scream, and the apostle's body turned into a huge sea urchin again. It's not the same as last time, though. This time the apostle never recovered. The S2 mechanism exploded with a bang, and the entire body began to crumble, and blood gushed out, flowing down the hole drilled under him into the underground space, and the pyramid building of the NERV headquarters was covered with a layer of blood in an instant, which looked extremely terrifying.

"!! Li"

Seeing the apostle collapse, the first machine immediately threw down the rifle, rushed to the side of the zero, carried the fuselage of the zero, and ran to the lake not far away. "Dr. Ritsuko, cut the nerve connection of Machine Zero!!" Shinji shouted.

Immersing the broken body of Zero in the lake, the scorching temperature made the lake boil instantly, and a large amount of water vapor hissed. After a long time, the first machine pulled up the zero machine, pulled out the particle knife on its shoulder, and began to pry open the protective armor inserted into the outside of the bolt. The armor was pulled up, and the insertion bolt was pulled out by the first machine. The LCL solution is ejected from the drain and the plug is placed on the ground. Shinji also turned off the starting system of the first machine.

"Leigh! Don't be fine, Li!! Shinji jumped out of the plug of the first machine and came to the plug where Rei was, and the whole bolt had melted away. You can see how hot the Apostle's powerful laser cannon is.

"Drink!!!!" Ignoring the heat of the plug, Shinji twisted the melted safety door with his own hands. The suit was damaged by the high temperatures, and there was a foul smell of barbecue, but that didn't stop Shinji from acting. Finally, the door opened. Shinji quickly slipped into it, ignoring the heat wave from the pavement.

"Li!! Are you okay? Beautiful!!! ”

Inserted into the bolt, the white shadow was already unconscious on the seat. Hearing Shinji's call, the girl's delicate body trembled slightly, and after a sigh, Liyu woke up faintly, and her bright red eyes looked at Shinji with an anxious face. "Shinji-kun. Am I still alive? ”

"Great. Leigh, it's really good that you're okay. The boy couldn't control his emotions anymore, tears flowed from his eyes, and he hugged the girl with both hands, holding the girl tightly in his arms.

Leigh did not object to the boy's move. Instead, he caressed the boy's back. The next second, she felt the teenager's tears on her shoulder. "Why are you crying?" Shinji didn't answer, but just held the girl's hand tighter.

"I'm sorry, Leigh. I'm really sorry I didn't protect you and hurt you. After a long time, Shinji let go of Rei, who he was hugging tightly, wiped his tears, and met his somewhat reddened eyes to Rei's. His eyes were full of self-blame.

"Why protect me?" Rei was a little touched by Shinji's eyes, and she couldn't understand that feeling. But I really want to find out.

Shinji breathed a sigh of relief. Restored a trace of state. Gently said to Xiang Li, "Do you remember when you asked me, why do you want to drive EVA?" The girl nodded slightly.

Shinji's tearful smile resurfaced on his face, "My answer is, because I want to protect the people I love and love me." So I'm going to drive the EVA...... And you are the one I want to protect. Hearing this, the girl's body trembled again, and the ruby eyes were full of surprise, and then, a thick layer of water filled the girl's eyes.

The boy embraced the girl into his arms again. "Li, don't say that you have nothing, from today onwards, you have a family, me, Miri, Pianpin, and the future. Don't say goodbye when you part, because from this moment on, I will always protect you, and we will not be separated again. Never ......"

"Shinji-kun......" The mist in Rei's eyes disappeared, replaced by drops of crystal tears. I'm sorry. I don't know how to face you. I ......"

"It's okay." Shinji interrupted Rei's words. The sunny smile once again greeted Li's eyes. Gently wipe away the tears from Rei's face. Shinji said softly. "I guess it's okay to be able to see your smile."

The girl was stunned, and she felt that her once empty heart became warm at this moment. Yes, since the appearance of this teenager in front of her, she felt that it was such a beautiful thing for her to be cared for by others. Because in front of her eyes, the boy's smile was warm and charming.

"Hmm." Leigh smiled. Yes, her smile dimmed the moonlight in the sky. Her smile is enough to melt the iceberg. Her smile fascinated Shinji. Her smile has become the most beautiful picture in the world.

"Let's go home." The boy smiled and stood up and held out his broad hand. The girl sat up with a smile and gently placed her petite hand on the boy's hand.

Time stands still, and I don't think anyone can disturb it, nor do they want to disturb this beautiful picture. Yes, no one.

Smile, the smile of a teenager, a sunny smile, a warm smile, a smile of Shinji Ikari.

Smile, girlish smile, angelic smile, beautiful smile, Ayanami Rei's smile.

Smiles, children's smiles, smiles of love, smiles in the moonlight, the most holy smiles.

This moment. Time becomes eternity.