EVA: Shinji Ikari Returns from Tiga

Chapter 192 But I refuse!
"Really, you like to talk to yourself."

Shinji Ikari narrowed his eyes and looked at the Spark Prism in Kaworu's hand with utter disgust... Shinji could feel a strong sense of aversion from that thing.

This feeling... is definitely not a mere imitation—the last time I had the same feeling... was when Masaki Keigo once stole the Spark Prism from me and created Evil Tiga.

"So... you're going to use that thing... to fight me?"

…Could it be that this world also has a native giant of light…? No, the giant of light in this world… should be the one known as Adam’s first apostle.

So, this thing in Kaworu's hand... must have been extracted from his own genes, right...? It's from that attack.

After a brief moment of thought, Shinji Ikari recalled... When the black-clad Rei Ayanami broke free from NERV, she had stabbed his arm with a weapon capable of teleportation, thus plundering a large amount of blood and energy.

…Unexpectedly, Cerebro was able to create a Spark Prism that was exactly the same as his own, based solely on the information contained in his blood. It seems I truly underestimated this bastard.

"Do not."

Kaworu shook his head again with a bitter smile, because he couldn't guarantee that... with this thing... he could defeat Shinji Ikari, who was the real Ultraman Tiga.

"If I let you fly directly to Berlin... you'll definitely clash with Gendo Ikari... He wants me to defeat you with this Ultraman Tiga transformed into evil. But... I really don't want to be your enemy... I deliberately brought you to this Imaginary Realm just to persuade you. And, not only to persuade you, but also..."

As he spoke, Kaworu suddenly waved his hand... The cockpit door, which had been slightly ajar, suddenly opened... and then two slightly disheveled figures stumbled and fell to the ground.

“…………I’m talking to you guys…”

Shinji Ikari sighed… Although the situation wasn't particularly dangerous at the moment… it would have been fine at home. But why was he pulling this stunt of ruling from behind the curtain in a place like this?

"And also to advise...the two behind you."

Kaworu smiled with satisfaction... because in the one-on-one negotiations, he knew that he could not persuade Shinji Ikari to give up being an enemy of Gendo Ikari.

But—if Rei Ayanami and Asuka were also involved… the situation might change.

"...What exactly do you mean?!"

Ignoring Shinji's utterly speechless expression, Asuka walked straight towards Kaworu Nagisa... She had never had the slightest liking for Kaworu.

"It means exactly what it says—Asuka…you should have sensed it too. Even though Shinji likes you a lot, he's always been trying his best to suppress his feelings…"

"..."

Asuka didn't respond, her expression complicated... What Kaworu said was true, and Asuka knew that very well.

But—she always thought it was because she lacked feminine charm, and because Shinji Ikari was concerned about Rei Ayanami's existence… that he was constantly torn between them and unwilling to give a sincere answer so as not to hurt either of them.

"If Shinji's eyes are only on you and Rei, how could his energy be insufficient? Up until now, Shinji has been thinking about far more than just the happiness between the three of you."

Kaworu's words were all undeniable facts, leaving Asuka momentarily speechless with any reason to refute them... but—

"But! Now that most of the apostles have been wiped out! As long as we defeat all the apostles... and then destroy the monsters! Wouldn't everything be over!?"

Asuka pointed her finger directly at Kaworu's nose and spoke with great confidence.

Yes, this is what Asuka has always longed for... If we defeat all the Angels and monsters that are destroying the human world, everything can be put back on track...

After that, I'll have plenty of time... to capture Shinji Ikari's heart.

—However, faced with this seemingly unproblematic situation… Kaworu Nagisa laughed. His laugh sent chills down Asuka's spine.

"Asuka... no, one of the members of Billionaire Lee Rin... do you really... think so?"

'"…………What's the meaning?"

"Do you really believe... that as long as the apostles and monsters are destroyed, this world... can usher in peace?"

Seeing Asuka's expression of genuine contemplation, Kaworu mercilessly delivered a bitter sneer to the girl.

"The sea has died, and the world's resources have been depleted to the extreme... Even in such times, Li Lin still manages to create... an organization called SEELE that craves this sinful fate. There are also men like Gendo Ikari who... attempt to hold the gods firmly in their own hands... Whether it's SEELE or Gendo Ikari... do you think they are apostles... or monsters?"

"...!!"

Asuka was speechless for a moment... because every word Kaworu Nagisa said was an undeniable fact.

Even without apostles or monsters... there will be arrogant and foolish humans... pushing this world to the brink of destruction time and time again.

It could even be said that... without SEELE... without the Human Instrumentality Project Committee... the Second Impact would not have happened, and the Angels would not have attacked.

If Gendo Ikari hadn't craved Cerebro's power... there wouldn't be so many monster-based chimeras.

The ones who push this world to the brink time and time again... are never the external enemies like apostles or monsters... but humanity itself.

"Then... then... as long as you give both SEELE and Gendo Ikari..."

"You mean you just want to defeat them all?"

Kaworu's harsh words completely shattered Asuka's resolve.

“If SEELE is defeated… BEELE and CEELE will emerge… If Gendo Ikari falls… Park Wondo and James Gendo will appear… As long as they are called Angels, Monsters, or Ultraman… these beings that are beyond the scope of what Li Lin should touch are still within Li Lin’s reach! Shinji will never find happiness!”

—What is the source of this world's distortion and near-collapse? It's the Human Instrumentality Project Committee... In the hope that the so-called Human Instrumentality Project would allow all humans to return from individuals to a whole, they dug up the sleeping Adam again, causing the world to become like this.
If we want Shinji Ikari to no longer have to worry about this miserable world... there are only two feasible methods... one is to control all of humanity... even kill them all! Let Ultraman Tiga rule this world like an absolute god.

To make humanity never again dare to easily touch the power they cannot control... To let the whole world live under Shinji Ikari's rule as a utopia... Only in this way can humanity's relentless pursuit of self-destruction be stopped.

Of course, Shinji Ikari... wouldn't allow himself to do that.

So, the only answer is the second one... to turn the page on this dead world and start a new cycle... In the new cycle, there will be no more EVA, and no more Angels... In that brand new world! All humans can be happy... Of course, Shinji Ikari... will be no exception.

"...Really?" From Kaworu's incredibly sincere words, Asuka sensed the credibility of his words. Her initial vehement rejection softened.

"Ah, it's probably true... because when I was in contact with the Tenth Apostle... I did see memories that didn't belong to this time."

Unexpectedly... it was Shinji Ikari who spoke up and affirmed Kaworu Nagisa's plan.

"...Let this world go through another cycle. There is indeed a possibility of resolving all of this."

"...So that's what you think too!? Shinji-kun!"

Seeing that Shinji Ikari had actually started talking about his topic, a hint of surprise flashed in Kaworu's eyes.

"If you really want to—you can stay in this sea of ​​imaginary numbers with Asuka and Rei Ayanami… and then connect to the negative universe. As for me, I'll go back to the real world… and open the door."

As if making a firm decision, Kaworu nodded to Shinji Ikari.

"...I will open the door over there and let the ritual come again...let the world move into a new cycle, and then...even if you lose your memories, you will be able to reunite in the new cycle...in a cycle without EVA and without the Angels."

Upon hearing this, Asuka and Rei quickly looked towards Shinji Ikari's face... If Shinji Ikari nodded here, they would both be willing to... follow Shinji Ikari's answer.

but----

"However, I refuse. What nonsense are you talking about... When did I ever say I would act according to your plan?"

However… Shinji Ikari, without hesitation, with a rude smile overflowing with arrogance, rejected all of Kaworu Nagisa's plans…

"I only said... that what you said wasn't a lie. But I never said... that I should act according to your orders... Kaworu. Don't be so presumptuous."

In that instant, Kaworu realized his mistake...

"Just a dying world... You actually think I can't save it? Kaworu Nagisa. You'd better not underestimate me!"

"But…!?"

Because Shinji Ikari in the past... was cowardly... mentally weak... and when faced with difficult judgments... he was always pushed forward by others.

Therefore… Kaworu would assume that this time is the same—

In this Imaginary Sea, where no one exists except Asuka and Rei Ayanami, no one will force Shinji Ikari to embark on a life filled with suffering...

Here, I might be able to persuade Shinji Ikari... as long as I give up.

If you just give up that filthy world—you can help Shinji Ikari create a world where Shinji can be happy.

However, even under these circumstances... Shinji Ikari is still Shinji Ikari... without hesitation... rejecting his own plan.

"You don't even understand... why I've fought this far. Kaworu, you keep talking about... my happiness, my happiness... but for the sake of Shinji Ikari's so-called happiness, you make me... stand by and watch the whole world die. You're so self-righteous and self-righteous... you'd better have some limits. You bastard!"

Sensing Shinji Ikari's indignation and righteous anger, Kaworu Nagisa quickly spoke up to explain.

"No, that's not it...!? As long as a new cycle begins... the other Li Lins will also..."

"...Dr. Katsuragi never gave up on exploring the future of humanity until the very last moment—and at the critical moment of life and death, she sent her daughter into an escape pod to escape to safety."

"…Eh?"

Kaworu Nagisa was taken aback when he suddenly started uttering incomprehensible words... clearly not knowing what he was talking about.

"Dr. Kyoko Zeppelin... even after learning about Yui Ikari's accident and realizing the dangers of the EVA project... she didn't hesitate to leave her beloved daughter... even after losing half of her soul! She still stayed by her daughter's side!"

"Mother……"

"Dr. Suzuhara was the same! All for the sake of creating a future where their son could live without worries... These people who passed away selflessly burned themselves out!?!"

"Shinji-kun, what...are you saying?!"

"I'm saying that for the sake of this world, I can struggle to get to this point! Even if I'm on my deathbed, covered in wounds... I will struggle to move forward! To those who have passed away!!"

The sudden roar and intimidation completely overwhelmed Kaworu in terms of momentum.

"...In order to keep this dying world alive for a while longer...there has been too much pain and too much sacrifice! All for the sake of pursuing a vague possibility...these departed people have burned their souls to the limit...and now! You tell me to abandon all their sacrifices...just to hide here and wait for you to start the next cycle...all for the so-called happiness of Shinji Ikari?!"

"........."

This time, it was Kaworu Nagisa who was speechless.

Perhaps, as the thirteenth apostle... the angel of freedom... he never understood... never understood the struggle of the insignificant Li Lin from the very beginning.

"I will not allow you to begin the next cycle of reincarnation... I will not allow you to erase everything that happened in this world in the past! This is an insult to the deceased!"

Clutching the Spark Prism tightly, at this moment... in the instant he understood Kaworu's motives.

For the first time, Shinji Ikari regarded the boy before him as an enemy he had to defeat.

Yes... everything that was sacrificed to bring this world to where it is today... so that their deaths would not have been meaningless!
Shinji Ikari will absolutely not tolerate Kaworu Nagisa's wanton trampling of the past!
Life is precious because it is irretrievable!
Destiny... is precisely because each soul is unique that it shines with its own brilliance!
"This is the choice I've made—do you... approve of it, Mom...?"

The moment when you answer from the depths of your heart, to your mother who has always been watching over you...

“————————!!!”

Accompanied by a deafening roar…

The Twelfth Apostle's imaginary domain was suddenly torn apart by a giant hand!
(End of this chapter)