Chapter 1710
The Mockery of Fate!
Chapter 1710 The Mockery of Fate!
Throughout the battle, it's clear to anyone with eyes that from the initial probing to the entry of Unit-01 into the fight, the black machine from the Earth Federation Forces' Punishment Division has not been using its full strength.
Every time it manages to break through the AT field, countless unexpected situations arise, causing the Banshee Gundam to withdraw its attack and hand over the main offensive role to Unit-01.
Perhaps, to most people, this was a fierce battle between humans and apostles, but in reality, it was a war of teaching.
A teaching battle modeled on the Fourth Apostle, an apostle of God.
Gendo Ikari's lips, hidden by his folded hands in front of him, tightened continuously, and his eyes behind the yellow glasses revealed a hint of solemnity.
As the executor of the plan, Gendo Ikari was well aware of the power of the Angels.
However, this powerful, impactful Apostle of God was used as a teaching model by others, guiding Shinji Ikari on how to fight against the Apostles, providing future combat strategies for the Earth Federation pilots lingering around this battlefield, and allowing these pilots to broaden their horizons and witness the dramatic changes in this world.
"Colonel Ming."
Although Gendo Ikari had some expectations of Colonel He Ming, it now seems that he underestimated He Ming's methods and his plans.
It's likely that Colonel Akira of the Punishment Squad had already begun his scheme from the moment he appeared in the Third Tokyo City Cluster and met Shinji Ikari.
Does this mean that Colonel Ming knew the whole picture of the plan, or was it a precautionary measure based on his vigilance against the dramatic changes in the world?
Everything is still unclear.
We can only continue to wait and see.
However, given that Colonel Akira of the Punishment Squad could enable Shinji Ikari to master the AT field so quickly, he must have already gained Shinji's trust.
"Won!"
Under He Ming's guidance, Shinji Ikari continuously "cooperated" with Banshee Gundam's attacks, successfully forcing the Fourth Angel to retreat repeatedly. Unable to withstand the combined attack of Unit-01 and Banshee Gundam, Shinji Ikari inevitably became somewhat arrogant after achieving such results in his first real battle.
Unexpectedly, the Fourth Apostle, who had staggered back two steps, suddenly looked up, and the eyes beneath his shattered mask burst forth with a terrifying power.
Caught off guard, Shinji Ikari and Unit-01, who thought victory was assured, were both enveloped by this force.
"what?!"
"Unit-01's situation! Quickly! Report the situation!"
Everyone was startled, and Misato Katsuragi immediately ordered an inquiry.
"Yes! Unit-01, no, Unit-01 is intact, all data are stable, no abnormalities!"
"No. Is it an AT field?"
Upon hearing the CIC report, Ritsuko Akagi immediately made a deduction.
"No! Director. The AT field hasn't been activated!"
But the result was not an AT field.
"What? The AT field didn't activate, so why wasn't Unit-01 damaged?!"
Unexpected events always seem to follow one after another.
Whenever Shinji Ikari feels a little bit of beauty, the things around him, the people, or even the world always attack him, shattering the beauty he feels right before his eyes.
As the giant purple cross spread wildly across the city, Shinji Ikari, finally recovering from the attack, saw a familiar figure standing in front of Unit-01.
That was none other than Banshee Gundam.
At this moment, the golden light on the Banshee Gundam's body began to flicker.
"Colonel Ming?!"
Shinji Ikari felt a sense of relief and quickly controlled Unit-01 to move forward, only to see Banshee Gundam suddenly kneel on the ground, the golden light dissipating, its armor closing and falling silent.
Shinji Ikari's calls went unanswered. The Banshee Gundam, now back in its unicorn form, seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep, losing all responsiveness to the outside world.
"That Colonel Ming blocked the Angel's attack for Unit-01?" Misato Katsuragi immediately realized.
However, no one, including Misato Katsuragi, knew how the Banshee Gundam managed to do it.
In that instant, all the surveillance cameras were overwhelmed by the intense light emitted by the Fourth Apostle, making it impossible to see what was inside the beam.
The only thing we know is that Unit-01 is intact and has not been damaged in any way.
"Unit-01, move out again! But something's not right!"
"what?"
Inside the cockpit of Unit-01, Shinji Ikari turned his gaze away from the Banshee Gundam, which was kneeling on the ground and in a deathly silence, his expression constantly shifting.
There was hesitation, resentment, and fear, but beneath these emotions, a small flame was burning.
This was a flame he had never experienced before in his life, a life filled with torment and oppression after being abandoned by a man named Gendo Ikari in his relatives' home.
No matter how others treated him or how they mocked his life, he silently accepted and endured all of this life imposed upon him by others.
However, in this imposed life, on that dimly lit street, a car approaching from afar brought a ray of warmth that allowed him to feel a touch of warmth in this malicious world.
however,
however,
however!
Just when he thought he could catch up with that light, the fate that had mocked, oppressed, and ridiculed him in his past life stood before him once again, wantonly and wildly uttering those familiar laughs at him.
"Look at this guy, he has a dad who can save humanity, yet..."
"Hahaha! Shinji Ikari? You're nothing but a..."
As the sounds of past mistreatment at his relatives' house seemed to echo in his ears once again, Shinji Ikari's anger suddenly erupted.
"Why?!"
A warm current rose in Shinji Ikari's throat, which even the LCL (Water of Life) poured into his lungs could not make cold.
Why are you treating me like this?!
"Why!!!"
A fierce rage burned within Shinji Ikari, causing Unit-01, which stepped forward and stood in front of the Banshee Gundam, to undergo some kind of transformation.
"Roar!!!"
As Unit-01 roared, its enormous mouth slowly opened amidst the billowing heat.
"Shinji Ikari's condition! Quickly!"
Ritsuko Akagi quickly asked.
"No. All vital signs are normal! It's just that the mental indicators are abnormal, seemingly exceeding the limit."
The moment CIC reported, Misato Katsuragi also thought of a very terrible situation.
"What? Could it be...?"
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Ritsuko Akagi's face.
"out of control···"
"How is that possible? The candidate's vital signs are still stable at a normal level. It shouldn't be possible for him to lose control and go berserk."
"possible."
Gendo Ikari denied Ritsuko Akagi's speculation.
However, his expression grew increasingly solemn, and compared to Unit-01, which seemed to be going berserk, his gaze never left the Banshee Gundam, which was kneeling on the ground in a deathly silence.
(End of this chapter)