-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Episode 43: "Unto the night, into the darkness . . ./ A
Fusion of wills . . ."
Yui: I've never seen Professor Fuyutsuki so surprised in my life!
Misato: you should be getting used to it by now . . .
Yui: I suppose. . .
(deep in the brightly lit corridors of Nerv's eastern wing, Rei Ayanami and Misato Katsuragi wait at the elevator door, as the lift slowly ascends to their level)
Misato: How do you feel?
Yui: I feel . . .
Misato: . .?
Yui: . . . alive. It is so wonderful . . .
Misato: That's good.
(Their is a momentary silence as the two watch the indicator above the elevator door-it has momentarily stopped at G42-three floors below theirs)
Yui: When will I be allowed to see the EVAs?
Misato: Right now, if you want.
Yui: Yes--I'd like that very much-
(her words are cut off, however, by the sound of a bell, indicating the elevator has reached their level. The two turn from each other, to the doors, which slowly slide open--)
(And, at that instant, the smile which has decorated Rei Ayanami's pale young face since earlier that very morning-
-fades . . .)
Yui: . . .
(There, standing on the other side of the heavy steel doors of the elevator, is the cold, silent figure of commander Ikari.)
Gendo: . . .
(for an instant, time stands still-
Rei is motionless-Locked in an eternal abstraction
of light and shadow, her eyes are unblinking as they affix themselves on
the man standing not two feet directly in front of her. . .
In a mind that is not her own, thousands of unfamiliar images-memories, visions, or perhaps both-flash by in an instant, clouding the girl's thoughts with millions of senses, words, forms, and emotions. . .
And, in the space of mere seconds , dozens of voices
echo through her memories:
Rei: My body feels as if it is melting
Rei: Don't you trust your own father?
Shinji: Of course not!
Rei: Commander . . .
Shinji: father . . .
Rei: Ikari
Asuka: You're just his doll!
Lyn: You don't talk much, do you?
Asuka: You would kill yourself if he asked you to!
Rei: if ordered to, I will . . .
Gendo: She's not dead yet-
Shinji: Father! No! For God's Sake, Stop it! Stop! STOP! STOP! STOP! STOP!
And finally, as the parade of terrifying imagery comes to its cold, horrid climax, the world seems to collapse in unto itself. As madness gives way to despair, and icy lances of pain steal across her vision, the song of a million voices raised in unison, screaming to the heavens of injustices done and forgotten, of death, and of pain . . fills Rei's ears . . .a bloody chorus which shouts to the girl that only one thing and one thing alone can be done . . . )
(suddenly, Rei begins to tremble-her vacant face twisting into one of contorted rage and anger--)
Yui: . . UUUUGH!!
(There is an sudden rush of air, followed by a sharp "Crack" which shatters the dismal silence that has descended upon the three . . . )
(an instant later, an orange-hued pair of glasses tumbles to the ground. As they land, white lines of fracture crisscross their smooth, yellow surfaces as the safety-glass lenses shatter.)
(Gendo Ikari's head is thrown to the side by the sudden blow-four red, bloody lines marring his stony face. . .
. . . And yet, he makes only the smallest sound . . .)
(Rei pants heavily-her left hand still poised from the strike, as the wetness begins to gather in her eyes. . .)
(Misato cannot move. The horrid reality of the situation grips her like a paralysis, causing every muscle in her body to tighten. She cannot budge-neither to intercede, nor to run away . . .)
(At last, the Commander turns back to young Ayanami-blood slowly welling up from the four thin gashes in his cheek, his expression, for the moment, remains unchanged . . .
. . . And then, to the continued surprise of the young woman standing before him-
he grins.
(He does not stop eyeing her even as the door closes; Even as a barrier of plastic and alloy steel is once more raised between them. . .
. . . and no more is said as the elevator ascends
. . .)
(For a long time, Misato and Rei stand there--Ayanami, her hand still raised, and Misato, frozen in shock . . .)
(At last, the younger girl lowers her throbbing palm, bloodied bits of skin still trapped beneath her fingernails . . . coldly, she looks at her reflection in the elevator doors, trying to find the words . . .)
Yui: . . .
Misato: . . .
Yui: (still staring at her image) . . . In. . .
Misato: . . .
Yui: . . . in . . . the name of God . . .
Misato: I-
Yui: (quietly) . . . Take me home..
(Misato simply nods)
Yui: (whispering) Please .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-(Flashback)-
2003 AD
Hakone.
Gendo: Dr. Naoko Akagi, Allow me to introduce my wife--Yui.
Akagi: It is--a pleasure to at last meet you.
Yui: (taking her hand in hers) My husband has said so much about your work-
Akagi: (eyeing Gendo) has he?
Gendo: . . .
Yui: Yes. He tells me you are a computer theorist?
Akagi: That I am. . . I take it this is Shin-chan?
Shinji: . . .
Yui: (laughing) He is still shy around strangers-
Akagi: It is understandable for a young man to be shy around women. . .
Yui: My husband tells me you have a daughter.
(Naoko seems to force a smile, producing a photo from her lab coat pocket)
Akagi: Yes-Ritsuko. She's currently attending the university of Tokyo 2.
Yui: You must be proud-. . . -She looks very much like her mother.
Akagi: Thank you.
Yui: You carry that photo with you always?
Akagi: A mother's duty. . .
Gendo: (impatiently) If you are both finished, Dr. Fuyutsuki is
waiting for us in the observation center-
Yui: Ah! It will be good to see him again after so long . . .
(as Yui exits ahead of them--Akagi turns to Gendo, coldly)
Akagi: You did not tell me she would be bringing the child . . .
Gendo: The decision was hers.
Akagi: Was it. . . ?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
( the Present, 2015 AD . . .)
(As The car weaves slowly through the city,
Rei Ayanami sits in the front
seat, her eyes fixed on her palm . . . Though the pain has gone, a
sense of numbness remains . . .)
(Misato glances at the girl from behind the wheel, then back to the road. As the car downshifts on a turn, she breaks the uneasy air of silence that has stayed with them since leaving Nerv Central . . .)
Misato: What happened . . . back there?
Yui: . . .
(Misato does not press on when the girl fails
to respond-
Another quick glance over to the passenger side reveals that the
child is still staring at her hand . . .)
Misato: . . .
Yui: . . . I
Misato: . . ?
Yui: (quietly) I don't know . . .
(Misato realizes that, as the words come out, The voice is almost Rei Ayanami's . . .)
Yui: . . It . .just . . .
Misato: . . .
Yui . . . happened . . .
(suddenly, the girl snaps out of her reverie-turning to Misato, an apologetic look on her face,)
Yui: I'm so sorry, Major. If I've gotten you into trouble-
Misato: If you did, it wouldn't be the first time. Don't worry.
Yui: But still . . .
Misato: We should just forget about it.
Yui: If you say . . .
(for several moments, no more is said.
Finally, however, Misato's
eyes perk up as she applies the brake-)
Misato: Ah! We're here-
(There is a slight screech of tires as the car comes to a stop in the Housing district of Tokyo 3's Northern prefecture. Before them, a building of older design--almost 10 floors high--fills the view, blocking out the noon sun. Around them, the sound of construction can be heard, as crews go about repairing the damage caused only 4 weeks earlier . . .)
Yui: Where are we?
Misato: Huh? What do you mea--
(She pauses and, realizing her mistake, slaps
her forehead)
Misato: Aww, Jeez!
Yui: What is it?
Misato: This is Rei's place--! I'm sorry-when you said to take you home, I just assumed-
(she shuts her eyes, shaking her head)
Misato: (to herself) Katsuragi, you're an Idiot!
Yui: It's okay-
Misato: (starting the engine once more) Well, it won't happen again-
(Looking over her shoulder, Misato reaches
for the stick, to
shift the car into reverse. . . Suddenly, however, she feels Rei's
hand fall on top of hers--)
Yui: Wait!
Misato: (surprised) What?
Yui: . . wait . . .
(The girl's eyes are locked on the apartment complex ahead of them as she opens the passenger door-stepping outside . . .)
(shrugging, Katsuragi stops the car, getting out herself. . .)
Misato: Is something wrong?
Yui: (quietly) You said--that 'Rei' lives here. . .
Misato: Yes.
Yui: can--Can I see it? her . . .her apartment?
Misato: If you want.
(Rei is silent, still gazing at the building. Finally, she responds,)
Yui: Yes . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: Hey, why so gloomy?
Shinji: I don't want to talk about it.
Asuka: Well, all you've done since you've come home is mope around-it's really depressing.
Shinji: (quietly) I'm sorry.
(meanwhile, back at Misato's apartment, Shinji Ikari has returned from the hospital. . . Although, he does not seem to find any sort of joy in his latest homecoming . . . He sits in a chair, outside the open balcony door. Far below, the sounds of the street can be heard--)
Asuka: Well? What's wrong?
Shinji: Why are you so interested in my problems?
Asuka: (placing a hand on his shoulder) I got nothin' better to do.
(to her surprise, Shinji stands-shrugging off her hand, he begins walking in the direction of his room--)
Asuka: Unh--?
Shinji: . . .just . . .leave me alone.
Asuka: But-?
(the boy simply shakes
his head as he enters his bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind him.
Asuka stands there for a moment, as her expression changing from one of
dismay-
-to one of anger . . .)
Asuka: Well, FINE THEN! See If--See if I give a Damn about
your stupid problems! You're no better than 'Wonder-girl!'
(furious that her willingness to be open has been refused, she clenches her fist tightly, turning away in disgust--)
Asuka: (shouting) You're nothing but a fucking hypocrite, Ikari!
(she grunts, kicking Shinji's now empty chair over--)
Asuka: AARGH! Der Heuchler!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aoi: (sighing) . . .
Lyn: . . .
Aoi: (nudging him) Why don't you open yourself up more, huh?
Lyn:. . . not that kind of person.
Aoi: What do you mean?
(on the hillside far above the city, Aoi and
Lyn still stand
on the pass overlooking the entirety of the landscape below. . .)
Lyn: I . . . just . . .
Aoi: What are you thinking? Just tell me!
Lyn: I - - can't.
Aoi: Why?
Lyn: . . .
Aoi: 6!
Lyn: . .um . .
(the boy's voice is distant-seemingly, he is paying little attention to the girl next to him . . .)
Aoi: Don't I mean a little bit more to you than that?
Lyn: . . .
Aoi: . . . !
(Tamashii's eyes widen when the boy does not
answer-and
then, a complete change comes over her . . .)
(To Anouilh's surprise, Aoi suddenly stands--
pushing him away forcefully--)
(he looks back at her in mild shock and sees
that, in her eyes-
are the beginnings of tears . . .)
Aoi: (angrily) Fine then, you stupid Jerk! Just ignore me!
(she turns, visibly hurt, and runs down the
road . . . attempting to
hold back the anger that threatens to rush forth . . .)
Aoi: (distant) See if I want to hear your problems!
Lyn: . . .
(within minutes, she disappears around the
corner--
and all falls silent once more. Anouilh looks in her direction
for a while,
contemplating what to do . . .
then, he turns back to the scenery below,
gazing at the tops of the buildings in
the distance once more as a gentle breeze begins billowing in from
the east . . ..
Strangely, there is little guilt in his heart . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yui: This is the one, isn't it?
Misato: Yes
(Inside the apartment complex, Ayanami and Katsuragi have stopped at the door marked 402. As Rei's hand goes to the doorknob, she takes a deep breath, turning it slowly--)
(As the door opens, Misato takes a step forward-but Ayanami raises her hand, looking at the darkened room ahead.)
Yui: No-
Misato: What is it?
Yui: Let me go in alone.
Misato: are you sure?
Yui: . . . I must.
(Misato nods, taking a step back. Slowly, Rei opens the door fully-stepping inside . . . She stands at the threshold for a moment-
--then closes the door behind her . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside the apartment, the only sound to be heard is Ayanami's quiet breath as she gropes for a light switch on the wall to her right . . . upon reaching it, however, she finds that it does not work-
It would seem that the power has been shut off recently . . .It quickly becomes irrelevant, however, as her eyes adjust to the darkness- )
Yui: . . .
(the girl makes no sound as her eyes begin to pick out familiar shapes in the gloom. . . a chair, a bed, a dresser, a sink . . . a steel table. . . )
Yui: . . . this . . .
(Ayanami walks over to the sink-running her hand along its smooth, ceramic edge . . . as she does so, an incredible sense of familiarity-almost recognition-forms in her mind. )
(She looks at the sink, tracing its contour several times with her fingers, as she tries to understand the meaning of the feelings which have begun to assault her senses . . .)
(Then, suddenly-The images come. . .In an unrelenting wave, they race across her mind-)
-(flashback)-. . . A pale pair of hands, bloodied and trembling,
running along the edge of the sink. Through clouded
vision and throbbing pain, they grope desperately for
something at the very edge of the washbasin . . .
. . . A pair of broken glasses-
Yui: Uuunnngh!
(the girl doubles over-as if stabbed in the gut by some unseen blade-and falls to the floor, trembling . . )
Yui: (gasping) . . . what . . is . . ! !
-(flashback)- A fire, burning brightly from outside. . . In the orange
glow
of the inferno, the image of a slowly spreading scarlet pool . . .
and an overpowering sanguineous smell in the air . . .
Yui: . . .
(Slowly, she stands-staggering over to the bed. Collapsing on top of the neatly folded sheets, the child's galvanic sense gives way to yet another vision . . .)
-(flashback)- Bandages-covering the face, a broken arm, and legs.
The harsh light of a halogen lamp burns brightly overhead as shaking fingers
peel away the dirtied gauze of the old dressings; ripping away the scabs
and stitches that have dried onto them . . . releasing a fresh wave of
crimson to pour forth, staining the bed-sheets underneath . . .
Yui: . . . No . .m . .
(the girl tumbles slowly off the bed. She crawls along the floor, desperately trying to move away from the causes of the pain . . . in doing so, she reaches for the dresser, pulling herself to her feet . . .
. . . and then, tortuously, the final tide comes . . .)
-(flashback)- Another child in the apartment . . . a boy. . . he
wears the
precious glasses . . . in anger, she reaches to pull them from
his face. Surprised, the boy slips-grabbing onto the girl's wet
shoulders for support . . . the two stumble, and fall--the boy's
bag catches onto the drawer handle, spilling under-things on top
of the pair as they go down - - - he is on top of her, paralyzed at
the site of the naked child underneath . . .
-(flashback)- Rei: . . . Will you get off?
Yui: . . . . Shinji!?!
(the girl cries out once more-falling to the ground . . .)
(only seconds later, the door opens-and a worried Major Katsuragi steps inside--)
Misato: Are you alright? Rei--?
(a quick scan of the room, however, reveals a dreadful sight--)
Misato: . . .
(Ayanami lies in the corner, huddled in a fetal
position, shivering . . .
She whimpers quietly, as the tears flow freely. . . )
(Misato, horrified at seeing her in such a
wretched state, runs to the child and reaches out--)
(But The girl only recoils at her touch-curling
into a tighter ball as small cries escape her lips--)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, on the other side of town--the sound of a doorbell rings loudly in the apartment belonging to Major Katsuragi. Seconds later, an eager-eyed Asuka is at the door)
Asuka: Coming!
(with the press of a button, the door slides open--revealing the visitor)
Asuka: (surprised) Anouilh?
Lyn: (bowing slightly) Hi, Asuka. Is Shinji home?
Asuka: Well . . . yeah-
Lyn: May I come in?
Asuka: Sure. . .
(inside the living room, Soryu returns to her seat on the floor, in front of the television. . . Lyn looks around for a moment, then turns to her)
Lyn: Where is he?
Asuka: He's in his room--you can try to talk to him, but I don't think he wants to see anyone right now.
Lyn: Well--thanks.
Asuka: Eh.
(Anouilh walks out of the room, down the hallway, and stops at a familiar sliding door. He takes a deep breath, then knocks three times . . .)
(a moment later, when there is no response, Lyn puts his head close to the door, calling-)
Lyn: Shinji? Shinji, it's me-
Shinji: . . .
Lyn: Can I come in?
Shinji: . . .
Lyn: . . .
(The boy steps back, shaking his head-and returns to the living room)
Asuka: No luck, huh?
Lyn: No.
Asuka: Well, don't ask me--I don't know what's wrong with him.
Lyn: (flatly) You don't?
Asuka: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Just calm down-
Yui: No. No. I'm okay-just give me a minute. . .
Misato: We're almost home.
Yui: . . .
Misato: this is all happening way too fast,
Yui: Major Katsuragi, I'm alright now. . . really.
Misato: What happened?
Yui: . . . It was . . . nothing . . .
(for a long while, nothing is said between the two as the car speeds home. . .
then--)
Yui: (softly) Major?
(Misato looks at the girl, seeing that she is once more looking at her palm. Her eyes, obscured by the bangs which hang down from her forehead, cannot give Katsuragi any clues as to Rei's expression . . )
Misato: Yes?
Yui: (quietly) Tell me. . . about my son . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(An hour later, the doorbell to Major Katsuragi's apartment rings once more . . .)
Asuka: Would you get that?
Lyn: Sure . . .
(The boy stands from his seat next to Soryu, walking over to the doorway. . .)
(Opening the door, he takes a step back at the site of Misato and Rei standing on the other side. Ayanami looks at the floor with a distant, unhappy expression on her face, while Misato is equally dis-shelved, obviously from the long day . . .)
Lyn: Oh! Um--hello, Major.
Misato: (in passing ) That's 'Misato' . . .
Lyn: (embarrassed) Uh, right. . .
(He turns to Rei, who still stands at the threshold. Somehow, the boy manages a smile--)
Lyn: Hi Rei! How are you feeling?
(The girl's eyes slowly rise to meet his-and a look of recognition passes over her face . . )
Yui: I remember you--you were that boy that came to the hospital
to see me earlier today, weren't you?
You're Lyn, right?
Lyn: Yeah . . . Lyn Anouilh . . . guess you're still a bit out of it, huh?
(the girl's face lowers once more-and remains so as she steps inside . . .)
Yui: (sighing) You have no idea . . .
(Lyn cannot help but eye her as she steps into the apartment. With a low pitched 'whoosh', the door closes. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: Asuka, did anyone call while I was out?
Asuka: (not taking her eyes from the T.V) Yeah-Dr. Akagi did,
about 10 times. She said you weren't
answering your cel-phone.
Misato: What?
(Katsuragi reaches into her jacket pocket,
producing the small black cellular.
Pressing the "on" button several times, she is surprised to find it
does not respond . . .)
Misato: Huh? The batteries are dead?
Asuka: Ha! Told you! You should take better care of your things, Misato . . .
Misato: (her voice trailing off as she goes into the kitchen) But I changed them a week ago . . .
(Her voice is cut off as the kitchen door closes behind her)
(Lyn returns to his seat, picking up his magazine from its resting place . . .)
(Ayanami stands behind them, looking at the two as they go about idling their time away. On the television is a game show, in which contestants seem to be spinning some sort of wheel . . . Rei looks at Soryu for a moment, who is intent on the show, and nothing else . . .)
(a moment later, Neither Lyn nor Asuka see Ayanami wander down the Hallway leading to Shinji's bedroom)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Shinji lies motionless on top of his bed, his headphones in his ears, as he stares at the wall. There is no music, however, as the batteries in his portable stereo have long since run out. . .
As result, he is easily startled by the sound of three short knocks at his bedroom door . . .)
Shinji: . . .
(When he does not respond, the knocks are heard
again only a moment later)
Shinji: . . .
(still, he does not answer. . .)
(Finally, there a new sound: It is the
door slowly sliding open.
He shuts his eyes, feigning sleep in the hopes that the visitor will
go away. . . )
(indeed, a moment later, he hears the sound
of the door shutting.
His senses, however, inform him that he is no longer alone in the room.)
Yui: (softly) Shinji . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: . . .
(She stops a moment-looking around the room.
Eventually,
her eyes gravitate toward his desk, on top of which sits an open physics
book, a wallet, and a watch . . .)
(finally, the girl takes a seat on the bed at his feet, watching him carefully for any response . . .)
Yui: . . .
(when none comes, her hand reaches out, instinctively,
to touch him--
but then, she thinks better of it, returning it to her lap)
(For a long time, she simply sits there-looking
at the boy through troubled,
longing eyes. . . Shinji, however, makes no movement; giving no indication
that he is, in fact, very awake. . .)
(finally, Rei's hand reaches out once more-gently
touching his leg . . .
She does not know that It takes nearly every nerve in the boy's body
to stop
from recoiling at the feeling . . .
(She rests it there, slowly running it up the
length of his side,
then back down . . . It is a mother's caress. )
(a moment later, She looks to the floor, returning
her hand to her lap,
and speaks to herself softly--)
Yui: My poor Shinji . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: (shutting her eyes) You've changed . . . so much . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: I know now that . . . I was never there for you . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: You've been so alone. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: . . . You've grow up . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: You don't remember me . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: . . .
Shinji: . . .
(her hand goes to her mouth-stifling a cry that threatens to come out. . .)
Yui: You are a young man now . . .
Shinji:. . .
Yui: . . . and . . . your father. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: I wish I could tell you . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: But I am just a monster. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: This girl . . . Rei . . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: What did she do to you? To make you so. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: But, I don't even know . . . who I am anymore. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: I wish you could hear me. . .
Shinji: . . .
Yui: I only want . . . for you to find happiness. . . Shinji . . .
(Quietly, the girl stands-Looking at him once
more, she bends over his
"sleeping" form-stopping only inches from his face. . . her breath
is shallow
and quick as she gazes at him. . .
(. . . a second later, Shinji feels something warm and wet fall to his cheek. It runs down the curve of his jaw, onto his lips . . . where, he finds, it has a salty taste . . .)
( Wiping away the tears from her eyes, Ayanami steps back. She opens the door, taking one last look at him, and then shuts it carefully behind her. . .)
(Inside, Shinji Ikari opens his eyes . . . his hand goes to his mouth, then to his face: he looks at the clear, warm liquid on his fingers for a long time . . .
before pulling his pillow over his eyes, shutting out the world completely . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, Far below, in the dimly lit office
of Supreme Commander Gendo Ikari . . .)
Fuyutsuki: . . . I had an interesting run in with Rei Ayanami today . . .
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: Major Katsuragi filled me in on the situation . . .
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: . . at least, from HER understanding.
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: Do you care to offer-
Gendo: (interrupting) Dr. Akagi informs my that Rei's current
state is. . . .
most likely . . . due to mental contamination from
unit 01.
Fuyutsuki: Really?
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: And why wasn't I informed of this?
Gendo: Because it is not a matter open to discussion
Fuyutsuki: On who's judgment?
Gendo: . . . We cannot even be sure if it is really manifestation-or simply delirium.
Fuyutsuki: Hmmph.
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: Whether or not it really is her . . . You must also know--
Gendo: (interrupting) I know.
(Fuyutsuki looks down at the man behind the desk, deep in thought. For a while, nothing is said . . .)
Fuyutsuki: By the way, you didn't mention where those cuts came from-
(Fuyutsuki's casual demeanor vanishes, however, as Ikari glares at him coldly.)
Fuyutsuki: Well . . . I won't press you . . . though, I must say--I am surprised.
Gendo: . . .
Fuyutsuki: I never expected you to be so accepting of the fact you cannot see her.
Gendo: . . .It would be unbecomming of me to embrace a lie.
Fuyutsuki: Hmmph. Indeed.
Gendo: Besides, I know that, underneath, you share my sentiment . . .
Fuyutsuki: (thinking) Only in my darkest moments . . .
(Vicefully, the sub-commander eyes Ikari one last time, before taking his leave . . .)
Fuyutsuki: Why must she suffer eternally at your hands, Ikari . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: Don't push me, Misato. That's all I can tell you for now . .
Misato: But--Are you sure?
Ritsuko: I ran the test 6 times after I took him in today. It was the same result each time.
Misato: Then--what does it mean?
Ritsuko: That's the problem. I DON'T KNOW.
Misato: What did the data say exactly?
Ritsuko: (sighing) Shinji's pattern has shifted by 3%. That's 3 points down from his last test.
Misato: That doesn't sound so bad . . .
Ritsuko: But the last test was only four days ago!
Misato: Could it have something to do with Rei?
Ritsuko: Of that, you can almost be sure.
Misato: . . .
Ritsuko: Where is the girl now?
Misato: She's here.
Ritsuko: How did the test go? Did you take her to the places we decided on?
Misato: Yes. . .
Ritsuko: And--What happened?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Several minutes later, Misato steps out of the kitchen . . . Asuka and Lyn are still on the floor, watching television. )
(Misato looks around for a moment, then turns to the two-)
Misato: Have you guys seen Rei?
Asuka: She stepped out.
Misato: (shocked) What?!
Lyn: Is something wrong?
Misato: How long ago did she leave?
Asuka: Oh, about 15 minutes. You were on the phone a long time . . .
(Misato's demeanor suddenly changes to one of desperation)
Misato: Did she say where she was going?
Lyn: No . . .
Misato: Damn it!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(On the subway line leading to the 23rd access gate, a lone figure sits in an almost empty car as the train speeds toward its destination. . . .
(Rei Ayanami fingers the red bow on her collar-looking at her reflection in the cracked and dirty window across from her, she attempts a smile--but cannot hold it, for it does not reflect the emotion she is truly feeling . . )
(A moment later she turns away, lifting a small, flat object from the pocket of her pale blue dress . . .
It is Shinji Ikari's security card.)
(She looks at his picture for a long time, her face betraying the utter sadness she feels at knowing that, truly, she does not know him . . .)
(And, perhaps, there is also a touch of pride . . .at seeing him dressed in a plug suit.)
Yui: (Quietly) At least. . . if I couldn't be a part of your life . . .you are a part of my work. . .
(unable to stand the tide of emotion brought on by the sight of his image any longer, she returns the stolen card to her pocket, concentrating on the task at hand . . .)
(She looks at herself in the window once more--this time, a determined look on her pale face . .)
Yui: I'm going to find out who you really are . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Ten minutes later, at the entrance to Central
dogma . . . Rei stands at the security gate, producing the stolen card
yet again from her pocket. . .
(. . . She eyes the picture once more, then turns it on its side-running it through the card reader. With a high-pitched confirmatory tone, the computer grants access--opening the large metal gate which leads into the outer depths of Nerv headquarters . . .)
(. . .at this, Ayanami smiles. Pocketing the card once more, she steps through. A moment later, the door closes behind her with the sound of heavy steel bolts locking into place. . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-(Flashback)-
2003 AD
The MAGI supercomputer installation.
(the sounds of construction fill the air)
Yui: The-Magi? yes, my husband mentioned them several times . . .
Akagi: They shall be the very epicenter of Gehirn's operation--
and our crowning achievement . . .
Yui: (Smiling) Really?
Akagi: (grinning) Besides the EVA, of course . . .
(Yui pauses, looking at the three massive towers under construction)
Yui: The name is very familiar . . .
Akagi: Mmm?
Yui: I've heard it somewhere before . . .
Akagi: In Biblical times, The Magi were the three wisemen of the east-
Yui: OH! Of course. . .
Akagi: Dr. Fuyutsuki would need no explanation. He at would least know the origins of the name--.
Yui: (jokingly) He would be ashamed if he knew of my forgetfulness . . .
Akagi: Indeed . . .
Yui: So--this is the basic theory you've been working on all this time?
Akagi: It is my life.
Yui: . . .
Akagi: Your husband knows this--hence the reason I became project leader in your absence . . .
Yui: Of course . . .
(Naoko looks at Shinji, who naps in his mother's arms)
Akagi: (smiling) How can he sleep with all this noise?
Yui: (indicating the sleeping Shinji in her arms) Oh--I
really don't know. Maybe he just feels safe
around me . . .
Akagi: In a mother's embrace? Perhaps.
Yui: Hmm?
Akagi: We'd all like to think so . . . wouldn't we?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(the Present,
2015 AD )
Announcement: . . . The 42 Stasis crew, the 42 stasis crew, report
to
EVA maintenance in cage 04 for the evening shift. . .
Professor Ladat . . .Professor Ladat . . . Please call the
central office at extension 0318. . Attention, The 42
stasis crew, the 42 stasis crew, report-.
(Rei looks around her as she travels down the escalator descending further into the Nerv Subcomplex . . .)
Yui: (to herself) It was down here . . . I'm sure of it . . .
(10 minutes later, Ayanami finds herself outside the area housing the triad of towers that is the Magi's control center . . . Luckily, for her, It is late evening-- well past the check out time for the main shift.
(. . .inside, it is nearly deserted, save for
two technicians who man the station atop of Balthazaar.
Ayanami waits for several minutes at the window overlooking the bay,
as the two techs go about routine maintenance . . . and chat about nothing
of any real importance . . .)
(almost ten minutes pass and, just as the girl begins to grow more and more impatient at the sound of the day's gossip, the two techs finally complete their task and stand to leave. Ayanami steps aside as they walk out the door--ignoring her completely . . .)
(She looks around herself once more, to be sure she is not being watched, then steps inside, the door shutting with a subtle "hiss" behind her . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(elsewhere, far outside the city . . .)
(a twisting, winding shape--nearly 600 meters long and almost 20 meters wide--makes its way slowly over the hills and mountains that lie on the outskirts of Tokyo 3. . . in the ever dimming evening twilight, there is only the sound of underbrush being crushed beneath its massive weight . . .
. . . as well as the ambient drone of a thousand voices raised in a continuous wail . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, far below . . .)
06.06.2015.40
MAGI SYSTEM 1.5
MAGUS CASPAR
ACCESS CODE REQUIRED_
(Rei sits back a bit, scratching her head)
Yui: Access code . . .
(suddenly, her eyes widen-and her hand goes to the security card in her pocket-)
(--carefully, she types in the 9 digit code number underneath Shinji's picture . . . and, an instant later, the computer beeps again--)
0003-336-10
WELCOME SHINJI IKARI
OMEGA LEVEL CLEARANCE CONFIRMED
YOU HAVE ENTERED-
SEARCH:
(Ayanami swallows, and begins typing . . .)
SEARCH DATABASE:
Ayanami, Rei_
SEARCHING . . .
(An instant later, the computer responds with a lower-pitched, negative tone--)
ACCESS DENIED:
ERROR #0000363
THE FILE DOES NOT EXIST
NEW SEARCH
Y/N_?
(Rei sighs, hitting the 'N' key . . .)
(defeated, she stands from the console, which is situated on the smaller of the three octagonal I/O towers housing the Magi supercomputers. . . Looking around the empty, hangar-sized room once more, she steps toward the door, her hands returning to her sides. . .)
(Suddenly, she stops in her tracks--feeling something in her other skirt pocket . . .
She removes the first object--a broken pair of glasses . . .
She puzzles over these for a moment and, not realizing their significance, shifts them to her other hand as she digs in the pocket once more . . .
This time, however, she finds-
it is her own security card . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: You WHAT?
Misato: (her voice is tinny over the phone) You heard me-I said I lost her.
Ritsuko: HOW could you be so CARELESS?
Misato: (angrily) Well, I would have been able to keep better
track
of her if I wasn't on the PHONE all the time!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside Dr. Akagi's office far above the Magi's
housing area, Ritsuko
sighs, rubbing her temples with her free hand . . .)
Ritsuko: Look-what's done is done-we have to figure out where she may have gone.
Misato: Hey-you're the one with all the ideas.
Ritsuko: . . . well, I'll welcome anything new . . .
Misato: . . . Hmm . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
0001-225-09
WELCOME REI AYANAMI
BETA LEVEL CLEARANCE CONFIRMED
YOU HAVE ENTERED-
SEARCH:
(A puzzled look crosses Rei's face--)
Yui: B-Beta level? Why does she have such high clearance?
SEARCH DATABASE:
Ayanami, Rei_
SEARCHING . . .
(once again, the computer responds with a low pitched, negative tone--)
ACCESS DENIED:
ERROR #0000363
THE FILE DOES NOT EXIST
NEW SEARCH
Y/N_?
Y_
SEARCH DATABASE:
(Rei considers for a moment-then types in something new--)
EVA
SECURITY CLEARANCE CONFIRMED
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
_ _ _
(Ayanami rests her chin in her hand as the data begins to scroll by--schematics, diagrams, test results . . .
. . .And pilot data . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Almost ten minutes later, Rei steps back from
the console-her hand goes to her mouth as she attempts to comprehend what
she has seen . . . As she does so, she realizes-
--her body is trembling. . . )
(She nearly jumps at the sound of the door behind her opening--immediately, she clears the data from the screen with a push of a button--turning around to find an unfamiliar face looking down at her curiously . . .then again, there is something familiar about it as well . . .)
Maya: Ayanami . .?
Yui: (smiling weakly) Y-yes??
Maya: What are you doing here?
Yui: (stumbling over her words) I was-um-just ---checking on the-uh-
Maya: . . . ?
Yui: I was-looking for Dr. Akagi. Where-um-might I find her, miss?
Maya: She's in her office, on the 24th level-are you okay?
Yui: Oh! Of-of course. I've never been --better-um---I'll--
just be leaving now-Thank
you very- much . .
(Ayanami smiles nervously as she steps toward the door--her hand reaching frantically behind her for the access panel. A moment later she finds it, stepping outside with the utmost haste . .)
(As the door closes, a look of bafflement crosses Maya Ibuki's face--She looks from the door, to the control panel, then back to the door again . . . )
Maya: M . . "Miss?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Once outside, Rei leans against the door,
letting out a deep sigh. . . )
(She looks down the hallway in either direction, to be sure no one is watching her-
And then falls to the floor, wondering aloud . . .)
Yui: Nothing. No history; no medical files; nothing!
(She looks at her hands, which are pressed against the starched pleats of her dress . . .)
Yui: It's like she doesn't exist. . . !
(At that moment, her fingers close around the contours of a foreign object in her pocket--withdrawing it, she finds it is the same broken pair of glasses that had been there earlier. . .)
(The girl puzzles over them in the darkness of the dimly lit corridor for a moment, holding them up to the minuscule light provided by the hallway lamps. Experimentally, she places them on her face-
(It only takes one look to realize they do not belong to her . . .through cracked glass of the orange-tinted spectacles, the world becomes even darker-wildly out of focus and distorted by lenses not designed for her eyes . . .)
(Then, suddenly, recognition hits--in a dizzying cloud of imagery more powerful than any before, a vision comes-)
(. . . in the empty hallway outside the Magi's control center, the girl clutches her brow, in pain, as she doubles over-)
( . . . and, with the warped view provided to her by Gendo Ikari's glasses, finally comes clarity . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: (calling into the door) Shinji! . . .Shinji, are
you going to
stay in there all day? It's already past seven!
Shinji: . . .
(outside the door to Shinji Ikari's bedroom, Misato Katsuragi zips the fastener on her jacket, preparing to leave. . . )
Misato: Look--I have to go out. I won't be back until late,
so don't wait up for me.
Shinji: . . .
Misato: Shinji?
Shinji: . . .
Misato: Can you hear me?
Shinji: . . .
Misato: Okay--I'm coming in-
Shinji: . . .
Misato: Okay?
Shinji: . . .
(Scowling, the Major slides the door open roughly-stepping inside the darkened room)
Misato: Shinji? Didn't you hear me?
Shinji: . . .
Misato: I know your not asleep--your light's still on, and you haven't done all-
(Suddenly, a powerful sense of uneasiness comes
over her-
and she steps toward the bed, where Ikari lies motionless on top of
the sheets . . )
Misato: Shinji? Are you okay?
Shinji: . . .
(When there is no response, her hand goes tentatively to his shoulder-and she finds, to her surprise, his shirt is damp . . .)
Misato: Hey - -
(Quickly, she turns on the lamp above his bed-turning him over, onto his back . . .revealing an disturbing sight . . .
( . . . The boy is trembling, his eyes open and his face covered with sweat-)
Misato: SHINJI!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Seconds later, in the living room outside-a desperate Misato Katsuragi can be heard calling from the hallway--)
Misato: (shouting) ASUKA!! LYN!! Call an ambulance!
Asuka: (looking up from the television) What?
Lyn: What's wrong!?
Misato: It's Shinji! Something's wrong-H-He's got a Fever!
Asuka: A fever?!
Misato: He's burning up! HURRY!
(In an instant, Asuka is at the phone-instinctively
dialing the
all-too-familiar emergency number . . .)
( A moment later, Misato steps from the hallway,
carrying Shinji's limp
form in her arms-carefully, she lays the boy on the couch, pressing
her
hand to his forehead once more . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Elsewhere . . .
Far outside the turmoil of Katsuragi's apartment,
in the darkness of the overcast, starless night sky,
A long, snakelike form slowly makes its way over the hills and bluffs surrounding the outskirts of Tokyo 3, toward the bright city lights in the distance . . .)
( . . . With its intended target in sight now, the ear-piercing moan that has followed the creature since its very arrival slowly grows stronger-becoming a loud, continuous scream . . .)
( . . . and it is with that very noise--the sound of a thousand voices raised in a single, perpetual shriek-- that the beast prepares to announce its advent to the rest of the world . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Meanwhile, far below Tokyo 3 . . . in the spacious, darkened office of Gendo Ikari . . .
(A lone, feminine figure approaches the wide steel desk belonging to Nerv's Supreme commander. Her gait is slow and steady, as she looks around herself cautiously. . . As if afraid of something lurking in the shadows that surround her. . . )
(As she touches the desk's cold, smooth surface, thoughtfully running her palm in large, slow circles over its top, She sighs deeply, turning to the plethora of symbols and diagrams which cover the floor and ceiling of the office like a mural . . .)
(The picture is a familiar one-unmistakable from the others that adorn the mess of imagery that is her mind. . .
. . . The Tree of life.)
(suddenly-from the shadows behind the desk, comes a voice which is almost cold with amusement . . .)
Gendo: So . . . They are as you remember?
(Rei does not take her eyes from the image of the Qabbalah as the sound of Gendo Ikari's voice rings in her ears . . . indeed, it seems that she is not surprised to hear it at all . . .)
Yui: (not looking) . . . Exactly. Although--they are slightly larger than I recall.
(A stifled sneer-almost a laugh-can be heard coming from the darkness . . .)
Gendo: . . . At least you still have a sense of humor.
Yui: Without it, I would have killed myself several hours ago . . .
(Rei turns from the diagrams on the ground, to face the man seated in the darkness. Her expression is flat as she speaks . . .)
Yui: I thought that I could learn the truth by searching Naoko's database in the Magi.
Gendo: And?
Yui: I was surprised-when I found out that the truth was not there . . .
(She pauses, pointing at her right temple . . .)
Yui: . . .but here.
Gendo: . . .
Yui: This girl-'Rei'-knows. . .
Gendo: . . .
Yui: About the EVAs,
Gendo: . . .
Yui: About Shinji . . .
Gendo: . . .
Yui: About the horrible things you've made him do.
Gendo: . . .
Yui: She even knows about the so-called 'Human instrumentality project . . .'
Gendo: . . .
Yui: . . worst of all ,
(She looks at the symbols on the floor again, her hand balling into a fist . . . although her voice remains calm . . .)
Yui: She knows about the horrible things you've done to her . . .
Gendo: . . . You sound very sure . . .
(At once, the girl's voice drops to a whisper)
Yui: . . .worst of all . . .
Gendo: . . .
Yui: She knows . . . how You betrayed them.
Gendo: . . . Whom did I betray . . ?
(there is a long silence before the same, quiet young voice answers with a single word . . .)
Yui: Seele. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suddenly, in the control room only 10 levels below, Warning sirens blare as the room lights go red, indicating an emergency of the utmost consequence . . .)
Shigeru: Sir! Periphery warning system has detected a large object approaching from the west!
Fuyutsuki: What kind of 'Object'
Shigeru: Preliminary analysis is just coming in--visual data coming up on 3 . . .
Fuyutsuki: Notify commander Ikari--go to first stage alert!
Shigeru: Yes sir!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Throughout the Nerv Complex, the red lighting of the second-stage alert system illuminates the walls, prompting technician and security officer alike to man their emergency posts . . .
And, inside the office of Gendo Ikari, the warning does not go unnoticed . . .)
Yui: Wh-What's that?
Gendo: That is the first stage warning system. We are under attack.
Yui: Attack!? By whom?
Gendo: (standing) Who else?
Yui: . . ?
Gendo: The angels, of course.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: Sir! Sensors indicate the object is well over 100 meters in length-
Hyuga: It came in right under the Early warning system!
Fuyutsuki: How is that possible?
Shigeru: Unknown, sir--it must've stayed under our surveillance net somehow . . .
Fuyutsuki: (baffled) Would you explain how something THAT large avoids detection?!
Shigeru: . . .
Hyuga: . . .
Fuyutsuki: Never mind. Evacuate the city-and prepare the
EVAs for launch!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far above, throngs of people flock to the emergency shelters that dot the mountainsides which surround the city. As the streets empty, the wail of alert sirens blast loudly into the night air. . . And, Moments later, the buildings of Tokyo 3 lower once more into their attack-formation positions.)
(Below the Geo-front, in the bay housing the four massive Evangelions, Units 00, 01, 02 , and 06 are moved to the loading cage- )
(As The transport elevator lowers into the bay, however, it would seem that there are only two--rather than the normal four--pilots on hand to take on the mission . . .)
(Dressed in their plug suits, and having been briefed on the situation, Lyn and Asuka eye their EVAs nervously from the grating in the elevator door.)
(A moment later, Anouilh turns to his companion--who seems absorbed with her plug suit's wrist cuffs for the moment . . .)
Lyn: . . . Asuka?
Asuka: . . .What. . ?
Lyn: Do . . you think Shinji will be alright?
Asuka: (not looking) Misato said they're going to do everything they can for him.
Lyn: I know that--but do you think he will be all-right?
Asuka: If Misato says so . . . then there's a good chance . . .
(Lyn pauses for a moment, looking through the grating thoughtfully . . .)
Lyn: She cares a great deal about you two . . .
Asuka: . . yeah . . .
Lyn: . . .
Asuka: I guess she does . . .
Lyn: . . . almost . .
(he stops, shaking his head)
Asuka: . .? What?
Lyn: . . . nothing . . .
Asuka: No, come on . . . tell me!
Lyn: . . .
(he looks at Asuka apprehensively, scratching
the back of his head . .)
Asuka: (angrily) Anouilh-
Lyn: . well--it seems . .as if-
Asuka: Go on . . .
Lyn: she's almost like--a mother to you both. . .
Asuka: . . .
(Soryu looks away from the boy, her eyes falling to her wrist once more-)
Lyn: . . . sorry . . .
Asuka: She's our guardian.
Lyn: . . .
Asuka: And . . . nothing more . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shigeru: The pilots have been inserted in the EVAs. Units 02 and 06, ready for launch.
Fuyutsuki: What about Unit 01?
Hyuga: The hospital reports the 3rd child has been stabilized.
Ritsuko: He's in no condition to pilot--again.
(sitting at the desk on the platform overlooking the control center, Gendo Ikari shakes his head .)
Gendo: Launch the EVAs now. We've no time to wait.
Shigeru: Yes sir!
(Makoto immediately complies, keying in the necessary
commands-on the readout, the launch is confirmed, as the two EVAs are sent
to their destination in the city streets above . . .)
Hyuga: (turning to Fuyutsuki) Commander--where is our head of operations?
Fuyutsuki: Major Katsuragi has other duties to attend to at the moment.
Hyuga: (to himself) More important than this?
Ritsuko: Don't worry--she'll be along soon . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: I'm sorry--you Can't go in there!
Yui: But-Why!?
(Outside the door leading to Shinji Ikari's hospital
room, Major Katsuragi stands, barring a desperate Rei Ayanami from entry
. . .)
Misato: That's a quarantine in there--he's not well!
Yui: Can't I just see him?
Misato: NO. That's an order!
Yui: I'm not under your jurisdiction!
Misato: No, but Rei is.
Yui: . . .
Misato: Trust me. It's for his own good . . .
Yui: . . . his . . . own good?
Misato: . . .yes . . .
Yui: . . ..
(Misato turns, looking toward the door.)
Misato: The doctors have done everything they can for him.
(She looks back to Rei, who has finally calmed down)
Misato: They'll be needing me in the control center.
Yui: . . .yes . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyn: It's almost pitch black out here!
Asuka: Give it a minute-the ground lights should come on any second now . . .
(as if prompted by Asuka's words, nearly a dozen floodlights-set atop the surrounding buildings which have remained above ground-illuminate the area around the two EVAs. . . and, in the falloff of the light, a large, ominous shape can be seen in the distance, approaching the city at a slow, winding pace. . .)
Asuka: There!
Lyn: Is that the target?
(In Anouilh's ears, Ritsuko's voice can be heard over the radio)
Ritsuko: Correct-you both must exercise extreme caution in your approach . . .Asuka?
Asuka: Yes?
Ritsuko: You will move out ahead. Once its field is down, you'll know what to do.
Asuka: Right!
(With this, Soryu's EVA, its blazing red finish shining brightly in the artificial light, lifts its progressive knife to the ready position. Slowly, the blade extends . . .)
Ritsuko: Lyn?
Lyn: Yes Ma'am?
Ritsuko: You will stay behind and back Asuka up.
Lyn: Yes Ma'am.
Asuka: You heard the woman-give me room to work!
Lyn: Yeah, yeah . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: The object is now under a kilometer from the intended
engagement zone . . .
(suddenly, the door opens, and Major Katsuragi enters. . . behind her, Rei Ayanami stands, watching the drama of the control center unfold before her . . .)
Ritsuko: You're late, Major!
Misato: Sorry, it took longer than expected. What's our attack status?
Maya: Unit 02 armed and ready . . . Unit 06 has taken standby.
Misato: What's the target's current position?
Shigeru: .75 Km outside the Western sector--it's closing in at
60 Kph. ETA, 42 seconds.
Misato: get ready--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: Ready and willing!
Lyn: . . .
(a moment later, inside unit 02, sensory equipment begins to buzz with incoming data . . .)
Asuka: I've got it! it-
(Her voice falls, however, as the sight of the creature . . .)
Lyn: Is--is that it?
Asuka: Du . . . meine Güte. . . .
(As it comes into the light, the creature rises from the ground. At its full height--almost 30 stories in all--it casts an imposing shadow over the buildings around it: its twisting, snakelike form glistening brightly, and its stony, vacant face betraying no emotion of any kind . . .)
(Immediately, Unit 02 cocks its arm back. Holding the prog. Knife low, it begins to edge forward, stepping over small armory structures in its way. The creature watches curiously--coiling itself almost in anticipation as the form of Asuka's Evangelion approaches, obscured by the blinding bright lights behind it . . .)
Lyn: Be careful . .
Asuka: (whispering) Shut up! I know what I'm doing . . .
(Unit 02 weaves to the left, then, with unbelievable
swiftness, dashes toward the target and attacks--)
Asuka: AAAAARGH!!
(suddenly, the angel feints to the left, then dodges right--narrowly avoiding the blow. In that instant, its body coils, not unlike a cobra ready to strike--)
Lyn: Asuka!!
(As the creature lunges, Unit 02 leaps--sending the angel's head crashing into the ground, throwing large chunks of pavement into the air . . .)
(10 meters away, The Evangelion lands, the ground shuddering beneath its weight. Immediately, Asuka raises Unit 02's prog knife again, taking the open opportunity-
and, with the grace of an assassin, EVA 02 brings
the blade down on the creature's twisting spine in a vicious arc-)
Asuka: EAT THIS!!!
(The knife sinks into the angel's armored flesh with a resounding screech, creating an gash along its midsection that nearly tears the beast in two . . . at once, the blood starts to flow, as the creature howls in agony-)
(suddenly, however, it whips its head around-catching Unit 02 off guard, it strikes-- sending the EVA tumbling into several armory structures almost 24 meters away . . .)
(At that moment, Lyn takes action-bringing his cannon to bear on the target, which has begun approaching the fallen unit 02 . . .)
(With a staccato of deafening blasts, Unit 06 fire's a burst from its rifle; the high explosive rounds impacting the creature's wounded middle, shearing the surprised beast in half-
(With the sound of its shocked scream filling the air, the angel collapses--crushing several small buildings beneath its tremendous weight . . .)
(As the dust clears, Asuka recovers . . .approaching the target cautiously, both EVAs hold their weapons at the ready . . . )
Lyn: Is it dead?
(suddenly, to the surprised horror of the two pilots, the two halves of the creature merge-fusing instantaneously as the angel rises once more--)
Asuka: It's not-
(in the blink of an eye, the angel's massive, bladed tail whips through the air--catching unit 06 full in the midsection, the EVA is thrown to the ground, its rifle torn neatly in two . . .
(in the same movement, the creature brings its head around--hitting EVA 02 with equal earth-shattering force . . .)
(Asuka's Unit 02 is thrown head over heel once more,
its progressive knife flying from its grip as the EVA lands in a heap nearly
10 blocks away . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: No! How'd it do that:?
Ritsuko: It's displaying incredible regenerative capabilities-
Shigeru: Major! We're detecting a reaction of some kind inside the target-
Misato: What is it?
Hyuga: Unknown! But the Angel's Waveform signature value has doubled in the last 20 seconds!
Misato: (turning to Ritsuko) What does that mean?
Ritsuko: (eyes on the monitor) Look!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Outside, the long, twisting form of the 20th angel has begun to coil itself-winding into an almost 40 story spire, its very body begins to glow. . .)
(Suddenly, an ear-piercing, grating screech fills the streets. Around the creature, the very air begins to distort as the sound gradually doubles in intensity . . .)
(Inside unit 06, Anouilh covers his ears-wincing in pain at the shrill which has begun to assault his senses . . .)
(Meanwhile, in unit 02's cockpit, Asuka desperately turns off the EVAs external pickups-but it is to no avail, as the sound penetrates the haven of the liquid-filled entry plug with deafening ease . . .)
Asuka: .......sheeeisst . . . !
(Then, without warning, the noise increases in pitch as the light from the angel's body grows, filling the city streets. . .)
(Then, at once, it all reaches an apex--with a blinding flash, the sound ceases-
and suddenly, all becomes silent . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far below, in the corridors of Nerv, the lights go out, and everything, from computers to machinery,
. . . ceases function.)
(Inside the control room, the air is filled with surprised gasps as the entire facility is suddenly thrown into complete and utter darkness . . . )
(A moment later, Misato's voice echoes loudly through the stunned control center. . .)
Misato: What the HELL!?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Far above, the city streets have been cast into
cold darkness once more as the illumination provided by the 15 or so floodlights
simply vanishes, leaving only a pitch-black void behind . . .)
(in the entry plug of unit 06, Lyn stirs--)
Lyn: Asuka?! What happened?! Where are all the lights?!
Asuka: (over the communicator) I don't know-!
Lyn: I can't reach Dr. Akagi-
Asuka: Something must have happened in the Geo-front-
Lyn: What about the Angel?
Asuka: . . .
Lyn: Where are you? I can't see a thing!
Asuka: Turn on your Light enhancement mode, dummy! I'm right here!
(Lyn complies and, seconds later, the entry plug is filled with an eerie, luminescent green glow as the EVAs night-vision is engaged . . . at once, the remaining buildings and streets of Tokyo 3 come into view in a blurry, verdant haze . . .)
(Anouilh glances at his instrumentation once more-and,
at once, his eyes widen.
A moment later, the child's surprised voice once more rings over the
net . . .)
Lyn: Asuka! Something's wrong-My EVA's switched to its internal battery!
Asuka: What?
(A moment later, Asuka reveals similar news-)
Asuka: (grimly) Mine has too-
Lyn: (quietly) Bloody Hell. . .!
Asuka: That light must have done something to the power . . .
Lyn: What do we do?
Asuka: . . . How much time do you have?
Lyn: uh-less than five minutes!
Asuka: . . .
(The girl is silent as a dozen possible courses of action race through her mind. . . all lead inevitably, however, to the one which she dreads the most . . .)
Lyn: Asuka!
Asuka: (Angrily) Rrrgh . . .We have to retreat.
(inside Unit 02, Soryu punches her instrument panel in frustration . . .)
Asuka: Dammit!
Lyn: Okay--how do we get down? If the elevators don't work-
Asuka: There's an emergency shaft in sector 15. . . Follow me.
Lyn: Right.
(As Unit 06 stands, Unit 02 can be seen several meters away, already moving toward Lyn's EVA.
(Anouilh checks his readout once more-which displays 4:31 minutes of total activation time remaining. Slowly, Unit 06 begins to turn--facing Asuka's EVA 02. . .)
(When suddenly, a massive, darkened form rises from the ground in front of him, filling his view and blotting out the city beyond-)
(As realization quickly dawns, Anouilh shouts fearfully into the communicator--)
Lyn: Asuka! THE ANGE--
(the boy's surprised words are cut off, however, by the sound of something large sweeping through the air-
in a single, horrid instant, something jagged collides with the head of Unit 06-tearing into the braincase armor with the sound of metal rending and organics splitting. . .
And, to the surprised terror of the child within, the EVA's very head is crushed- flesh, bone, and muscle pulverized in a blaze of sparks and blood . . .
Inside the entry plug, Anouilh screams in mortal agony, clutching his face as nerve fibers are suddenly torn from their connections, sending a thousand spears of pain lancing through his body in the space of a millisecond-)
(Outside, Unit 06 staggers from the blow-the EVA
falling limply onto its back with a hollow crash as fluid begins to rush
from pulverized mess of gore which, only seconds ago, was a head . . .
(Inside unit 02, as Lyn's image fades from the communicator in a surge of static, Asuka screams into the comm. . . .)
Asuka: LYN!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hyuga: . . . Negative. Everything's down. Magi's output is Null. There is no power . . .
Fuyutsuki: How can that be?
(Far below, in the still darkness of Nerv Central--several candles have been placed around the control room, creating dancing shadows on the darkened consoles and equipment as the command confront the situation . . .)
Shigeru: Unknown, sir . . .
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: Hyuga?
Hyuga: Yes Ma'am?
Ritsuko: You said we detected increased EM activity in the angel
just before the power loss, correct?
Hyuga: Yes?
Ritsuko: Then the answer's obvious. An EM pulse.
Misato: What?
Ritsuko: An Electro-Magnetic pulse. A high frequency energy
wave that
disrupts electrical flow through wires and circuits.
Misato: You mean-like a nuclear bomb?
Ritsuko: Correct.
(Dr. Akagi pauses, looking at the darkened walls around them . . . )
Ritsuko: . . .It seems this one was strong enough to penetrate our
shielding and wipe out the primary and secondary
generators.
(in the minuscule illumination provided by the candles, Misato's eyes widen . . .)
Misato: Then-The EVAs-
(grimly, Ritsuko completes Major Katsuragi's thought--)
Ritsuko: . . . Are without power.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Inside Unit 02, a defiant scream echoes loudly in the confines of Soryu's entry plug--)
Asuka: DER SCHWEINEHUND!! MUTTERSOEHNCHEN!!
Come to ME if you want a FIGHT!!
(With this, Unit 02 charges forward, colliding with the 20th angel in an impact that sends both their tangled forms tumbling through the city-crushing smaller buildings unfortunate enough to be in their path . . .
(As the two come to a stop at the foot of a large tower, The creature recovers-smashing into unit 02's hunched-over figure with its deadly tail. The EVA is thrown nearly a hundred meters back, into the wall of a nearby armory building. The structure promptly shatters with a resounding crash . . .
Asuka: Uuuuungh!!
(inside the entry plug, Soryu shakes her head-attempting to clear the stars which now cloud the very edges of her vision. )
(And, in doing so, her eyes fall to her status console, which now reads bright red:
WARNING!. . . 02:41:10 TOTAL ACTIVATION TIME REMAINING!! WARNING! . . .
Asuka: Dammit!
(As the EVA quickly returns to its feet, Asuka looks toward unit 06, which remains motionless on the ground not 2 blocks away. The EVA's face a broken, gory mess, the horrid spectacle is enough to make the girl shudder.
(She is filled with new determination as she turns to face her enemy once more . . .
But meets a sight, however, that is more horrifying
than the one of the incapacitated EVA 06 . . . )
(Indeed, Unit 02's head turns just in time to meet
the oncoming enemy seconds before impact-)
Asuka: No You-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Misato: . . . you mean to tell me they're helpless?!
Maya: If The EVAs' AT fields were strong enough to withstand
the pulse, then their internal batteries would be nearing red line soon
. . .
Misato: What are our options?
Ritsuko: None that I foresee at the moment . . . Nothing larger
than a
flashlight would have withstood the wave . . . to say
little of our life support--This isn't like last time.
We don't even have the Magi . . .
Gendo: (interrupting) Doctor.
Ritsuko: Yes sir?
Gendo: Is it possible that Unit 01 withstood the wave as well?
(Ritsuko is silent for a moment as she contemplates
the question.
Around her, all eyes focus, awaiting eagerly for the answer . . .)
Ritsuko: Perhaps . . . the S2 organ operates on principles we
don't
quite understand. However, as we are without power, it
would be impossible to tell using the computer. . .
Misato: How, then?
(Ritsuko looks at Misato, and states, coldly, )
Ritsuko: Simple. By attempting synchronization.
Maya: Cold Synchronization? Is that possible?
Hyuga: With who? Shinji's still-
(The man's voice falls silent, however, as the answer becomes obvious to nearly everyone in the room. In a single, quiet moment, all eyes turn to Rei Ayanami, whose pale skin shines brightly in the dim candle light . . . )
(surprised at the sudden attention, the girl takes a step back--)
Yui: . . .What?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: -Don't!
(mere seconds before collision, Unit 02 ducks-bracing itself for contact. As the Angel hits, the EVA stands-catapulting the snakelike creature nearly 30 feet into the air.)
(As the beast lands with a loud crash several meters away, Unit 02 turns and lunges-wrapping its arms around the stunned creature's neck. . .)
(With immense strength, the scarlet Unit 02 begins
to wrestle the beast to the ground. The ferocity of the struggle
is enough to drive the EVAs heels into the pavement as slowly, but surly,
the Angel begins to succumb . ..)
(Suddenly, however, the creature's tail takes on a life of its own-encircling the EVAs neck , it pulls it away from the main body . . .)
Asuka: No!!!
(As Unit 02 is pulled into the Air, the steel coils around its throat tighten-sending waves of pressure shuddering through the Asuka's body. . .)
(Inside the entry plug, She struggles in vain to pull free-as the snake's entire body wraps itself around Unit 02, obscuring her view.)
( Only seconds later, The EVA is quickly
engulfed in the deadly embrace .
And slowly, it begins to tighten. . . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yui: I . . . I forgot how ugly it was . . .
Misato: It's the only chance we've got right now.
Yui: (quietly) What . . . kind of monster did we make this from . . . ?
Ritsuko: . . .
(Far below the city streets-in the shadowy depths
of the EVA containment cage, An uneasy Rei Ayanami stands before the massive
head and shoulders of EVA unit 01-a small emergency lamp has been lit on
the catwalk, to cast at least some light in the powerless hold.)
(Unfortunately, as a side effect, the light creates a vividly terrifying illumination about the EVA's face . . .Reinforcing the hellish evil present in its demon-like countenance and vicious, metal smile . . .)
(This, of course, does little to assure the child who has been chosen to pilot it . . .)
Yui: . . .I . .Can't do this.
Misato: What?
Yui: I can't!
Misato: . . .
Yui: You don't understand!
Ritsuko: . . .We have no more time!
Yui: I-Don't want to . . .
Misato: . . . please . . .
Yui: . . . No . .
Ritsuko: Rei . . . you must.
Yui: . . .
(Rei pauses, staring at the massive grimace of the EVA before her as a tide of conflicting emotions crashes into a mind that has never known them before . . .
Finally, It all comes to a head . . .)
Gendo: Do you fear that which was created by your own hands?
(All three gasp in surprise as Gendo Ikari's voice rings loudly from the platform above the hold. There, nearly a dozen workers struggle to pull the EVA's entry plug free with a complex system of pulleys and cables . . .)
Yui: . . .
(Rei is silent . . .staring at the floor . . .)
Gendo: You have a responsibility.
Yui: . . .
Gendo: The choice is yours.
Yui: . . .
Gendo: I will not force you. . .
(Suddenly, Rei's expression changes-and her head
raises,
shouting toward the shadowy figure high above--)
Yui: (screaming) I CAN'T PILOT THAT THING!!
(For a long time, all is silent-save for the girl's
words,
which echo loudly through the spacious hold -)
(Finally, Gendo shakes his head-turning his eyes to Ritsuko--)
Gendo: We have no choice-bring out our spare.
Ritsuko: But Sir-
Gendo: (firmly) Bring him out.
(Reluctantly, Ritsuko turns to the staff member to her right-)
Ritsuko: Prepare the boy for entry.
(It takes a moment for Major Katsuragi to realize
the
true meaning of Dr. Akagi's words . . .)
Misato: You wouldn't . . .
Ritsuko: . . .
Misato: Ritsuko! You-You wouldn't!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Asuka: . . . NNnnnnnnngggggggg!!!
(a loud crunching noise fills Asuka Soryu's ears as Unit 02's arms finally shatter under the force of the Angel's deadly grip. With the sound comes a level of agony she has never before known, as the EVA's pain is transferred directly --and mercilessly--into her own.)
Image by Charles Caranam
(Inside the entry plug, the girl's arms are at her sides--pinned there by an unseen force as the pressure on the EVA's frame exceeds its very limits . . .indeed, the only other sound to be heard is her stifled scream, which grows weaker as her airway begins to close . . .)
(Suddenly, however, The sound of an alarm--almost
far in the distance--can be heard. . . As her vision begins to cloud over,
and the blood is forced to her head, Asuka Soryu sees a sight that, in
all her days as an EVA pilot, she never would before have welcomed so much.
. .)
(Below, the instrument panel reads--)
INTERNAL BATTERY: 00:00:00
(Abruptly, all force ceases, allowing her to slump into her seat, gasping for air . . .)
(But it is only a momentary relief.)
Asuka: (weakly) Oh God . . .
(There is a sudden rush, followed by a heavy impact, as the EVA is dropped to the ground. . .)
(And, In the darkness of the inactive entry plug, Asuka Soryu hugs her knees to her chest . .
Awaiting final release . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Moments later, in the containment cage facility far below . . .)
Misato: NO!! You CAN'T!
Ritsuko: Misato-we've got no other choice-
Misato: Don't do this . . .
(Dr. Akagi eyes her coldly as the sound of a hospital
bed being wheeled quickly onto the catwalk grows loud in the silence
of the hold.)
(A moment later, Rei Ayanami Gasps in shock)
Yui: (in disbelief) Wh--What are you DOING!?!
Ritsuko: If you will not pilot-then we will have to use him.
(Ayanami stands over the bed-Where Shinji Ikari lies, unconscious.)
(Suddenly, the Girl turns-casting a look up toward the Man high above their heads . . .)
Yui: (Shouting) HOW COULD YOU! He's your own SON!!
Gendo: . . . We have no other CHANCE. Of all those here, you would understand that best!
Yui: NO!
Gendo: . . .
Yui: You!-You Never once cared for him!
Gendo: . . .
Yui: You've used him!
Gendo: . . .
Yui: You Heartless, conceited BASTARD!! HE WAS JUST A TOOL TO YOU!
Gendo: . . .
Yui: EVERYONE HERE IS JUST A TOOL TO YOU!
TO BE USED AND THROWN
AWAY!
Gendo: . .
(At once, Ayanami begins to break down-clutching her shoulders, her voice becoming shaky and strained as she continues screaming . . .
And suddenly, her voice changes again-taking on a far more desperate tone. . .)
Yui: WHY!? You Never loved me! You never!
I --I thought you didn't
want me! I thought you hated me!!
Gendo: . . .
Misato: (quietly) What . .?
Yui: YOU LEFT ME!! You've used me to KILL! YOU USED
MY FRIENDS! YOU MURDERER!
I . . .I HATE YOU!
Gendo:. . .
Yui: I HATE YOU!
Gendo: . . .
Yui: I HATE YOU!
Gendo:. . .
Yui: I HATE YOU!
Gendo:. . .
Yui: I HATE YOU!
(At last, she can say no more-beside her, Major Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi look on, speechless. Far above their heads, Gendo Ikari is equally silent. . . as the girl turns away from them all, shaking. . .)
Gendo: But will you pilot it?
(The man's voice betrays no hint of emotion-it is as cold and resolute as ever . . .)
(A moment passes before there is any response . . .)
Yui: . . .
(Without a word, Rei nods . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
. . .
. . .
. . .
Hey . . .
. . .
. . .
Shinji? . . .
. . .
. . .
Wake up . . .
. . .
Shinji: . . .
. . .
Shinji: . . . Mmmh . . .
. . .
Shinji: . .Mmm. . .Miss. . .
. . .
Shinji: . . . Misato? . . .
(As Shinji Ikari opens his weary eyes, he is greeted by a familiar, friendly face above him. Around him, the dim, hospital room walls glow with the noon sunlight as the sound of Cicadas fills the air . . .)
Shinji: . . . What-happened?
Misato: I brought you your lunch.
(She stands aside, indicating a tray of food on the cart beside the bed)
Shinji: . . .Um . .. Thank you. . .
Misato: How do you feel?
Shinji: I . . . I don't know. . .Kind of . .dizzy . . .
Misato: The doctors said you had a mild fever--but you're going to be okay.
Shinji: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Simultaneously, In Commander Gendo Ikari's office several hundred meters below . . .)
Gendo: And what of the third?
Ritsuko: His fever broke at 0800 this morning . . . as expected. . .
Gendo: . . . Good work . . .
Ritsuko: He should be able to return to active duty in a day or so . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji: . . .
(The boy is silent, looking at his hands)
Misato: Shinji?
Shinji: Misato-Where is . . . Ayanami?
Misato: She's gone home.
Shinji: What . . . ?
Misato: Last night, when you were unconscious, an Angel attacked.
Shinji: . . .!
Misato: It took out units 02 and 06 . . .
(Misato pauses, her face becoming far more serious as her voice becomes quiet . . .)
Misato: Asuka's okay . . . but Lyn was hurt pretty bad. . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: . . . And the boy has not yet regained consciousness. . .
Gendo: What of the EVA?
Ritsuko: I am ready to write it off as a complete loss.
Both the cranial
nerve bundles, as well as the cerebrum and gray matter
itself were completely destroyed. Considering all the problems
we've had with it in the past, I believe any attempt at
regeneration would be a moot point . . .
Gendo: Unit 00 was salvageable, even though there was far less
to work with . . .
The other EVAs have gone through far
worse . . .
Ritsuko: Unit 06's physiology is far more complex. Our attempts
at hybridization
may have created an inherent weakness
within the EVAs Genome. . . one could even call it a genetic flaw.
Gendo: I understand. You will proceed with the reconstruction, regardless.
Ritsuko: But, it is my recommendation-
Gendo: It is noted, Dr. Akagi.
Ritsuko: . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji . . . then . . .?
Misato: We had to dispatch Unit 01 again . . . with Rei as the pilot.
Shinji: And . . . what happened?
Misato: We . . won.
(despite the news, however, Misato's tone is not one of joy . . .)
Shinji: . . .
(The boy swallows, forcing the question out--)
Shinji: And . . .Ayanami?
(Misato turns her eyes away from the boy, )
Misato: when we got her out of the EVA . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: (quietly) . . . She had no memory of the events of the past three days . . .
Gendo: But you're not sure of what occurred inside the plug?
Ritsuko: The EVA's AC recorder was nonfunctioning . . .
so it
did not document what occurred during the last encounter.
Still, We ran a full examination of her physical and mental state. . .
and no anomalies were detected this time.
Gendo: Then-
Ritsuko: There are no signs of the overlying personality which manifested itself within her . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinji: Then-
(Misato is hesitant-knowing what her effect her words will have on him . . .)
Misato: She's back to normal . . .and She doesn't remember . . . being your mother.
(Ikari is silent once more . . . as the memories of the girl race through his mind a second time . .)
Misato: Shinji?
Shinji: . . .
-(flashback)- Rei: Shinji . . .
Shinji: I . . .
-(flashback)- (Ayanami's embrace . . .)
Shinji: I . . . never told . .her . . .
-(Flashback)- (Rei crying over him . . .)
(The boy's voice becomes shaky-as the terrible reality of the situation finally dawns)
Shinji: That . . . I felt . . . the same way . . .
(As his voice cracks, he can say no more. . .
Misato stands, turning away from the boy .. . )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ritsuko: There's more.
Gendo: More?
Ritsuko: We . . . ran the test results on Ayanami's contaminated
brain-wave patterns from three days ago through our backup
system's records.
Gendo: . . and what was found?
Ritsuko: As suspected . . .there was a partial match for Dr. Yui Ikari. . .
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: However, there was something else-another pattern. Hidden among the results.
Gendo: . . .?
Ritsuko: We extracted it-and found that IT, in fact, was the source
of both the Mental Contamination, and the first child's
subsequent change. . .
Gendo: Meaning . .
Ritsuko: Meaning Yui's pattern was merely a side effect-a small part of a greater whole.
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: We ran the extracted pattern through the analysis, like the previous one.
Gendo: And? What did you find?
(Dr. Akagi says nothing, and gazes thoughtfully,
for a moment,
at the man seated behind the desk before her. . .
Finally, she turns her eyes away from him . . .)
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: . . . The pattern that caused the change in Rei . .
. that
suppressed her true personality and thought processes . . .
Gendo: . . .
Ritsuko: . . .was Shinji's.
(No more is said, as Dr. Akagi walks toward
the exit--her footsteps
echoing loudly off the walls as the doors shut behind her . . .)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To Be Continued . . .
