Untitled

NEON GENESIS
EVANGELION: R
ILLUSTRATED ORIGINAL FICTION

Prologue, part I
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Episode 27: Catharsis/ Catharsis

(The scene is far below central dogma. A figure--almost an apparition--walks a
darkened hallway in dead silence, save for the echoing of soft footsteps off the hollow
metal walls. What minuscule light there is, provided by the emergency lights lining
the ceiling, shines off the being's pale white skin as it makes its way aimlessly down
the path that stretches on endlessly into the darkness. . .

Every few moments, the figure stops: running its delicate fingers over each of the cold,
metal doors it happens upon. In time, we see that is, in fact, Rei Ayanami, in a possessed,
vacant state, who wanders the corridoor . . .

Seemingly , she is devoid of any real destination . . . as shown by the listlessness in her deep,
alizarin eyes, and the weary sluggishness in her gait . . . )

Rei: . . .

(She continues onward, stopping at each door, only to run her hand over its titanium-alloy
handle, then move on. . .)

Rei: . . .

( Finally, after several moments of this desultory wandering, she places her hand on yet another door,
not minding the number displayed on its frigid metal surface . . .

. . . And is surprised to find that this one, unlike the others before it, is unlocked. )

Rei: . . ?

(She stops in her tracks as the heavy steel portal swings open with a high-pitched
metal creak--a piercing noise which reverberates down the empty hallway for countless
minutes as she stands there, frozen in place . . . )

(Then, Moving toward the entrance, almost unsure of herself, the girl steps inside.)

(The room is completely dark at first, as there seems to be no light at all. From the small amount of
illumination provided by the hallway outside she can see, near the opposite end of the room, something massive
enshrouded by a blanket of shadows . . .

Then, as her eyes adjust to the darkness, realization dawns, and the girl shudders . . .

. . . for she feels she has been here before . . .

In the darkness, Ayanami begins to make out nearly a thousand dim, pulsating lights:
each lining an enormous form of some sort in the very center of the room--

Stepping closer, she sees that it is, in fact, several computer terminals: each having
been placed in emergency standby mode. Together, they surround a large, cylindrical
vial that runs from the floor to the ceiling; a tube of yellow crystal whose surface is,
strangely, damp with moisture . . .

As she inches closer, however, her eyes slowly widen--
for she can make out a large, tangled mass inside . . .

It is then that she realizes that there is, in fact, a person, inside-- suspended
by hundreds of lines and tubes, all seemingly feeding into its limp form.
As her eyes adjust further, it becomes obvious that it's a boy; he seems frail, somewhat
emaciated, with a face many, many years younger than hers. Above his head, sparse
clumps of white hair peek out from between thousands of lines of tubing, all of which lead
into a massive hole in the ceiling of the vial, save for a few hundred lines running along the
floor into the darkness.

As she examines his face, it becomes eerily evident that his eyes are open, but there is only the
white--whatever it is, it appears to be inactive.

As she steps closer, however, there is a sudden movement.

Without warning, The child's irises slowly lower from beneath their lids-- nearly colorless,
save for a slight yellow mottling around the pupils, their image burns into Rei's memory like a
white-hot brand as the creature affixes her in an unholy, piercing gaze. Startled, Ayanami steps
back just as it raises its arm from its limp position . . . pressing the delicate fingers against the
transparent barrier of glass . . . )

Rei: . . .?!

( as its mouth opens for sounds that do not come, the girl's eyes widen--

. . . seemingly, it is reaching out to her. . .

Ayanami, however, does not return the gesture.

We see no more of her reaction; only the sound of hurried footsteps, quickly growing faint, can be heard . . .

. . . and, inevitably, the creature drops its gaze: returning to its previous state . . )

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Nurse A: Hasn't anyone come to visit the child?

Nurse B: No. And her condition hasn't improved.

Nurse C: She presents an interesting case . . .

Nurse A: (interrupting) You sound interested, but you're no doctor.

Nurse B: (Laughing)

Nurse C: NO thank you! That's not what I was getting at.

Nurse B: There's nothing physically wrong with her--what wounds she had have healed up pretty well, actually-

Nurse C: But--she still hasn't woken up! It's been so long, now . . .

(The scene is the registration desk of the base hospital inside NERV Where
Asuka Langley Soryu, the second child and former designated pilot of Evangelion unit 02,
has been placed after emotional problems, coupled with a psychological attack
from one of the previous angels, have left her comatose, and unresponsive.

A Sign with the words "First Cranial Nerve--section 002" hangs
on the partition leading into the wing, As the first nurse joins her collegues . . .)

Nurse A: What about one of the other children? Besides that boy . . . the pilot?

Nurse B: None of the other children have come to visit her lately. There really
isn't much more to say. . . perhaps they don't want to see her in that kind of state . . .

Nurse C: Well, I don't think what the girl needs is a doctor . . .

Nurse A: What do you mean?

Nurse C: Her kind of illness is not in the body.

Nurse B: Oh?

Nurse C: It's of the mind . . .

Nurse B: (sarcastically) What gave you that idea . . . ?

Nurse A: Kids these days . . .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji: Asuka . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Asuka . . . ?

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Why don't you move? Why won't you speak?

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Say something, Dammit!

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Call me a name . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: please . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: You don't have to act alone anymore!

Image by Elaine Cardenas

(Inside Soryu's hospital room, the young, redheaded pilot lies
deathly still-- fed intravenously from plastic bags suspended on the
bedpost, her form is completely silent. Beside her, Shinji Ikari stands, frustrated
at her unresponsiveness . . .)

(ed. note-the little "scene" Which takes place in the movie has not
occurred and will not occur here--while some generally see it as a sign of
Shinji's having grown up, there seems to be little evidence later
on in the movie to support this. Therefore, as it is not vital to the plot,
and since this takes place on a plane separate from that of the movie, it is disregarded)

Shinji: Asuka . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Asuka!

Asuka: ---

Shinji: (shuddering)You always close yourself off.

Asuka: ---

Shinji: You always turn me away . . .

(Suddenly, wrapping his fingers around the base of her neck, Ikari begins
shaking her relentlessly)

Shinji: (yelling) Wake UP!!

WAKE UP!!!!

GOD DAMMIT, WAKE UP!!!

You don't--!!

Shinji: (releasing her) You don't . . . have to . . .

(distraught, he collapses in the chair by the bed . . .for several
moments only the sound of his quiet sobbing can be heard)

Shinji: . . . Act so alone . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Please wake up. . . I need to talk to someone . . . Somebody . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Please move . . .

Asuka: ---

Shinji: Please . . .

(He waits there for a long time, but of course, nothing happens--all that
can be heard is the hum of the R. H. L. M. that sits on the other side of the
bed, and the subtle hint of his own shallow breathing . . .)

(Finally, Shinji stands, looking over her once more.)

Shinji: Please . . . at least . .

Shinji: . . .Say something. . .

(Several more seconds pass. The girl, however, remains still . . .)

(slowly, almost unknowingly, the boy's hand comes to rest on the sheets
that cover her frail form. . . . with a shaking, unsure grip, he takes the girl's shoulder
in hand, pulling her toward him . . .

. . .causing the blanket covering her to fall away . . .

then, at that moment, something in his mind calls to him-

-screams to him-

-as the sight of the naked girl underneath reaches his eyes.

In the space of a thought, a decision is made in the child's tormented brain:

and suddenly, he drops the sheets over her once more.

taking a step back, he stares at his hand--his eyes belying a searing degree of
deepening self-hatred . . .)

Shinji: I'm . . . I- . . .

(He swallows hard--shuddering with thoughts of the levels of sheer
desperation he has fallen to . . .)

(Finally, without another word, the boy slowly backs into the door and,
fumbling for the handle, he exits . . . shutting it quietly behind him. He clutches the
knob for a moment, shutting his eyes with a disquieted sigh . . .)

(With this, the room becomes silent once more . .

a moment later, however, one more, faint sound can be heard -

it is there for only the briefest instant . . . )

Asuka: (shuddering) M . . . Mama . . .

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(Meanwhile-several thousand feet below. . . below the base of the I/O tower that houses
the Magus Melchior . . .)

Misato: . . .Mmmph . . .

Misato: Okay . . .just twist here . . .and . .

(Major Misato Katsuragi is crouched beneath the console, attempting to
gain entry to the computer's innards. Having already removed the first access
plate, she grumbles to herself as a confusing mess of wires and circuit boards
comes into view . . .)

Misato: This . . .. Argh!

(She grunts loudly as the screwdriver falls from her hand)

Misato: Stupid . . .mmrph-she made this look so easy . . .

(Her voice is muffled as she places the implement between her
teeth--freeing up both hands to do the work of sliding circuit boards out of place . . .)

Misato: (muffled) This----isn't ---

(shifting a panel of wires to the side, she reaches for the portable keyboard
by her feet (marked 06), connecting it to the Input port she has just exposed . . .)

(She is startled, however, by a sudden voice from above . . .)

Ritsuko: You're asking for trouble, you know . . .

(Surprised at the unexpected sound of Dr. Akagi's voice, Misato nearly
jumps-banging her head on the underside of the console with a hollow clang . .)

Misato: OW! Dammit . . !

(Rubbing her head, she takes the keypad in hand, sliding out from underneath the computer.
Standing above her, Ritsuko eyes the Major coldly--)

Misato: What do YOU want?

Ritsuko: (flatly) Digging onto things that are not your concern is not advisable, Misato . . .

Misato: Hmmph.

(The major turns, disregarding Ritsuko's warning, and begins typing in commands in the console beneath her--)

Ritsuko: It won't do you any good to ignore me-

Misato: (angrily) I thought you'd already learned that lesson yourself!

Ritsuko: . . .

(Dr. Akagi is silent as the words hit home . . . and the memory of the
Dummy system fabrication facility once more invades her mind . . .)

(Misato does not take her eyes off of the readout as she continues . . .)

Image by Maher Al-Samkari and Elaine Cardenas

Misato: (coldly) You've been gone for a few days--I half
expected you to still be sitting in your cell . . .

Ritsuko: . . . You're partially correct . . .

Misato: Oh?

Ritsuko: (kneeling) The only reason I'm not still in the brig is because
'commander' Ikari found a new 'use' for me.

Misato: (sarcastically) How thoughtful of him. . .

Ritsuko: (flatly) My court-martial has been . . . prorogued . . .
indefinitely . . . while I "update the Magi's security protocols."

Misato: . . .

Ritsuko: At least, that's how he put it.

Misato: (annoyed) If you don't want any of this, then you'd
better leave--I don't have time to trade lies.

Ritsuko: I'm not the one that'll get burned, Misato. If you get caught, you'll be
bringing this whole house of cards down on your head.

(Misato pauses, slamming her hands down on the keyboard in frustration.
Slowly, she turns and stares up at Ritsuko, wearing an accusing look-)

Misato: That's all it is, isn't it? A house of cards.

(Ritsuko is silent as Misato stands, meeting her gaze--)

Misato: (coldly) Everything. Just one fucking secret after another, isn't it?

Ritsuko: . . .

Misato: Don't you dare lecture me . . . We both know what you are. . . !

(Dr. Akagi, strangely, finds she cannot keep Misato's icy gaze.
Eventually, her eyes fall to some distant corner of the bay . . .

. . . A moment passes, in tension, as Misato stands there, waiting
for a response . . .)

(When there is none, she turns, wordlessly, and kneels again-returning
to the keyboard at her feet. . . several moments pass, and the only sound
to be heard is the slow typing of untrained hands . . .)

(finally, Ritsuko finds the will to speak once more . . .)

Ritsuko: (Turning away) I don't . . . want you to end up like Kaji, Misato.

(Misato freezes for a moment, the sound of Ryouji's name echoing loudly in her ears . . .)

Misato: . . . Get the hell out of my life. . . 'friend'.

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(Meanwhile . . . in the office ot Nerv's supreme commander . . .)

Fuyutsuki: A--another Child!!? Are you insane?!

Gendo: Questions of my mental condition aside, We cannot ignore the obvious.

Fuyutsuki: . . .

Gendo: With the second child no longer viable . . and the 5th child dead . . .
we find ourselves at a crossroads.

Fuyutsuki: . . .

Gendo: . . Unit 02 is without a pilot.

Fuyutsuki: But--

Gendo: (firmly) We need the Eva to be operational.

Fuyutsuki: . . . you still don't know if there is any truth behind these rumors of an attack--

Gendo: (interrupting) Regardless, it would be unwise to accept the risk of such an event occuring--
everything we have planned up to this point is at stake!

Fuyutsuki: Even with unit 02 operational, it won't be enough. Not if they do indeed attack.

Gendo: There is more.

Fuyutsuki: . . .

Gendo: I have made a formal request to the United Nations that the city undergo
reconstruction and restoration.

Fuyutsuki: . . .

Gendo: The request was confirmed, and accepted under an hour ago . .

Fuyutsuki: Tokyo 3? You're not serious . . .

Gendo: They believe that, in the wake of victory, the city should stand as a "symbol" . . .

Fuyutuki: (disgusted ) . .you mean a monument to our boundless arrogance . . .

Gendo: Either way, it will further serve our purposes. The news has been
disseminated to all centers of media within our realm of influence.

Fuyutsuki: . . .So you intend to use it as a shield . . .

Gendo: Precisely. Seele would do anything to remain out of the public eye . . .
            even if it means allowing us to live a bit longer. Though it will be
            quite a while until the city even begins reconstruction, it is still a
            step in the right direction . . .

(A cold, despondent silence descends upon the spacious hall--the two men,
regarding each other out of cast away gazes, each seem to see the logic--and irrationality--in
the words that hang in the stale air . . .)

(Finally, Kozou Fuyutsuki utters something in a low voice . . .)

Fuyutsuki: (quietly) Where will you get him? . . . Or . .her?

Gendo: . . .

(Beneath his tinted frames, Ikari's eyes narrow into slits--)

Gendo: . . . Dr. Akagi informs me that our current pool of candidates may be polluted.

Fuyutsuki: . . .

Gendo: Therefore, I have extended the search for viable pilots into select areas outside that pool.

Fuyutsuki: You run an even greater risk of contamination, then.

Gendo: Perhaps. But I doubt the committee would expect us to make such . .rash . .
maneuvers.

Fuytsuki: . . .

Gendo: And that, professor, is why I make them.

Fuyutsuki: I'm more than curious as to why you find yourself able to trust this woman's
word. Was she not responsible for the destruction of the dummy system?

Gendo: Indeed she was. However, I made her an offer she simply could not refuse.

Fuyutsuki: . .?

Gendo: It is in her best interest to cooperate . . . no matter how unstable she may be.

Fuyutsuki: (thinking) . . . sometimes, Ikari, you make me wonder if she is really worth it . . .

(Taking note of the older man's resentful gaze, Ikari smiles wryly--)

Gendo: All is going as planned, old friend. don't worry.

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(elsewhere . . .in a place far from the outside the bounds of the physical world . . .)

. . .

. . .

Asuka: -:-:-:-

    Friend?
    . . .

    I . .. have no friends . . .

I . . . am unworthy . . .

unfit to pilot EVA . . .

. . .

unfit to live . . .

Das zweite Kind. . . ?

I . . .

I want to die . . .

(Suddenly, within the young pilot's subconscious, another voice registers . . .)

Voice: . . .my Asuka, you are imprisoned . . .

Asuka: M . . mama?

Voice: Come . ..

Asuka: . . .

Voice: . . please . . .

Asuka: . . .why . . . ?

Voice: Now . . .don't you want to be with me?

Asuka: . . .Mama . ..

Voice: Come to heaven with me . . .

Asuka: . . .

Voice: Be with me . . .I love you, Asuka . . .

Asuka: . . .but . . . I don't want to die!!

Voice: . . . they do not love you . . . they hate you. . .

Asuka: they loved me when I piloted EVA . . .

Voice: That is now gone.

Asuka: I . . .

(suddenly, yet another voice can be heard echoing through
the reaches of her mind-)

Voice: She is strong.

Asuka: . . .

Voice: She needs no one.

Asuka: . . .father . .?

Voice: she needs no love.

Asuka: . . .

Voice: exist alone.

Asuka: . . .alone . . .

Voice: She needs me . . .

Voice: She needs no one . . .

Voice: Die. my Asuka, be with me!

Voice: Die, Asuka, and be alone.

Asuka: NEIN!!

Voice: Mother, Like daughter--both insane.

Rei: Why do you run?

Shinji: because she hates me

Asuka: . . .

Rei: Why do you hate?

Asuka: Shut up!

Rei: Why do you hate?

Asuka: I hate you! I hate everybody!

Shinji: . . .why do you hate me?

Rei: Why do you hate yourself?

Asuka: SHUT UP! You're nothing but a fucking doll!

Rei: does she then love me?

Asuka: YOU'RE NOTHING!!

Voice: Be good, my Asuka,

Asuka: LEAVE ME ALONE!

Rei: But you are alone. . .

Asuka: Verdamnt! SHUT THE HELL UP!!
            I DON'T NEED YOU!!
            Why won't you look at me, Mama!? I'm your
            Asuka! Not her!! NOT THAT DOLL!!!

(Then, in an image which burns at the very edges of the girl's ebbing sanity, It
seems that the doll which her mother holds--

--is a child REI . . .)

Image by Elaine Cardenas

Chibi-Rei: Look at that girl, mama . . .

Kyoko: Don't look at that girl, asuka . . .

Image by Elaine Cardenas

Asuka: NO!!

(CAPTIONS)

Komm süßer Tod!!

Was bin ich für ein Trottel !

Lieber Gott, schenk ihm ein Gehirn !!

Angemessen!

Das zweite Kind

Tod

DEATH

LONLINESS

ALONE

ALONE!!

Rei: Alone. . .

Rei: I am alone among the many

Shinji: Alone . . .

Shinji: I am alone among the few

Voice: Alone . . .

Voice: I am alone with this girl

Voice: Alone . . .

Chibi-Asuka: Alone . . .

Chibi-Asuka: I am alone . . .

Chibi-Asuka: Alone with death

Asuka: . . .

(Then, In the throes of insanity and pain, a new image forms in
Asuka Soryu's mind . . . The image of a train car . . . with her, the sole passenger,
bathed in the amber light of a setting sun through hazy, cracked windows . . .

In the distance, the sound a disonant rail bell is heard rising, then lowering in
pitch as the car speeds by . . .)

Asuka: alone . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: But, I am strong alone . . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I am Asuka Langley Soryu . . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I am the . . . the designated pilot of unit 02 . . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I don't need anyone . . .?

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I don't NEED anyone . . .

Asuka: I have myself

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I . . can be strong . . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: But . . . Is it me who is the doll?

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I still . . .fail!

Asuka: I still . . .

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: I still have . . .Have . . him?
            Is he. . . ?
            Does he know?
            Can he forgive?
            . . .
            Is it worth living for?

Asuka: The pain . . . so much pain . . .

Asuka: . . .

(Then, in a deafening, ambient choir, the sound of Handel's
"Hallelujah" Chorus fills the very breaches of the girl's mind--
driving her to new levels of despair . . .)

Asuka: (Shouting) NO!!!

Asuka: WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH, MAMA . .!!!

Asuka: STOP IT!!!

Asuka: STOP IT!!!!!

Asuka: I'd rather die!!!

Asuka: I'D RATHER DIE!!

Asuka: I'D RATHER DIE THAN BE ALONE!!!!

(suddenly, the music ceases, as these last words echo perpetually
within the realm of the child's turbulent dementia . . .)

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: Is it worth living for?
just to feel more pain?
Is it?

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: Is it?

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: Is it?

Asuka: . . .

Asuka: Is it?

. . .

Shinji: Please don't hate me.

. . .

Asuka: . . I don't . . .mean it . .

. . .

Kyoko: Yes . . .

Asuka: . .!

Kyoko: Be free, My Asuka--

Asuka: (weakly) Who is this speaking to me?

Kyoko: I cared for you . . .

Asuka: (weakly) Who?

Kyoko: Do not die . . .

Asuka: (weakly) Is this my mother . . ?

Asuka: (weakly) Is it unit 02 . . .?

Kyoko: do not . . .regret . . .

Asuka: (weakly) . . is it both ?

Kyoko: Asuka, what do you want?

Asuka: I want . . .

Shinji: Please . . .

Asuka: I--I want--

Misato: Work hard, Asuka!

Misato: WORK HARD!

Asuka: I--I--

Hikari: You did your best--No one can blame you!

Asuka: I want --!

Kyoko: Do nothing for others!

Shinji: Only for yourself!

Misato: You don't need them . . .

Asuka: . .alone?

Ritsuko: Alone!

Misato: You can be free alone!

Kaji: free as a bird . . .

Asuka: . . .Kaji?

Kaji: don't do this . . .

Asuka: Kaji . .!!

Kaji: the pain is fleeting. . . If you know pain . . . then it will
be easier for you to be kind ot others . . .

Asuka: . . . for you . . .

Kaji: not for me . . .

Asuka: . . .I--

Kyoko: What do you want?

Asuka: . . . Y . . . you're not my mother!!!

Misato: What do you want?

Asuka: . . . I--

Ritsuko: What do you want?

Asuka: . . . I want--

Hikari: What do you want?

Asuka: . . .

Kaji: What do you want?

Asuka: . . .I--

Shinji: . . . Asuka, What do you want?

Asuka: (shouting) I--I WANT--I WANT

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka: (screaming) I---Ich möchte durchleben!!!

. . .

(It is then--

With a shriek that is heard throughout the halls of the service hospital . . .

and hands that claw the very air, as if grasping for life . . .

Asuka Langley Soryu awakens . . .)

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To Be Continued . . .