Shinji caught the detonator button as it fell.
A multicolored shadow slipped out of Misato's fallen body, revealing Alien Yapool's outline.
"So you chose to do it after all."
Just before the Light Bullet struck, Alien Yapool had separated from Misato.
Looking at Shinji's grief-stricken, furious face, Alien Yapool taunted him:
"Hahaha! You killed someone precious to you with your own hands!"
"I've thrown your heart into turmoil! You and Zero can no longer fight properly! Hahahahaha!"
Alien Yapool had learned from Hayato that the Knuckle Alien had once hurt someone important to Shinji to unsettle both him and Zero, so he had chosen to make Shinji do it himself.
Besides, Misato had nothing on her chest that could block an attack. He would not repeat that old mistake.
Alien Yapool's spectral form vanished with a peal of laughter.
After Alien Yapool left, Shinji dropped his expression of grief and anger and took a breath.
"We finally tricked that bastard into leaving Miss Misato's body."
Zero breathed a sigh of relief as well. "Good thing this gun can fire more than destructive beams. Otherwise, this would've been tricky."
As it turned out, Zero's Glasses Gun could fire a paralyzing Emerium Beam. Zero had counted on Alien Yapool not daring to risk taking the hit, since it would kill him along with his host.
So he had secretly told Shinji, while wrapping a little energy around the paralyzing beam to burn a hole in the clothing over Misato's chest.
"Thank goodness. Miss Misato's all right, too." After checking her carefully, Shinji confirmed that Misato really was only paralyzed.
Just then, Kaji rushed in with his gun raised.
"Shinji? Where did you run off to earlier?"
Shinji picked up Zero's Ultra Glasses and placed Misato in Kaji's arms. "Sorry, Mr. Kaji. I'll