Chapter2


	Episode Two: The Third Child/Angel Attack. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (It is a week later, and the scene is a very different one. It is late afternoon in Tokyo-3, and although the day seems peaceful, it is anything but........calmly, almost peacefully, a massive humanoid shape can be seen gliding beneath the waters of Tokyo-3. With each stroke, it’s immense form moves closer to the fledgling city... Up on the surface, and a road built onto the side of a mountain, a huge battery of tanks can be seen, their massive cannons facing out towards the ocean and the giant form that for the moment is invisible... The city itself seems absolutely devoid of any life. The train services have been cancelled, and there is not a soul in sight. Suddenly, over a city-wide loudspeaker, a calm male voice can be heard.) Announcement: Your attention please. The government has issued an A12 statement surrounding the Chubu and Tokai regions in the Kanto diistrict. All citizens please report to your designated shelters for the duration of this excercise. Repeat... (The announcement continues to echo across the city, even as through the deserted streets, a lone black sports car roars along, it’s driver obviously in a big hurry. As it speeds through the traffic lights, not caring whether they are red or green, we can see inside cabin of the car. A lone man, dressed in a black uniform and sunglasses sits at the wheel, his eyes watching both the road and the small city-screen he has on the dashboard. The song “Shallow be thy name” (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) plays in the background.) Man: (muttering) Of all the times he could arrive, he had to choose when we were under attack....kids.... (As he mutters to himself, we can see a file sitting on the seat beside him. Amongst several other documents is a photograph of a young boy, with the words “Shinji Ikari” written beneath it in japenese.) ------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- --------------------------- (Meanwhile, in an empty subarban street in uptown Tokyo-3, a young teenager stands with his ear to a phone, but only getting a busy signal. Suddenly, he hears another voice over the phone.) Announcer: We’re sorry. Due to the current state of special emergency, all our lines are down. Please try again later. Boy: (taking the phone away from his ear) Huh, it’s no use. This is dumb.... (Putting the reciever back on the phone, he looks at a photo in his hand whilst bending down to piick up his bag. We can see the photo is in facta picture of Misato Katsuragi, with the words “I’ll come get you myself! Look forwards to seeing you!” scrawled across it. There is a small arrow drawing attention to her breasts, wiht the words “attention to this!” next to it.) Boy: I shouldn’t have come....maybe I should find a shelter... (Suddenly, the boy notices a young girl a long way off, standing in the street, looking at him. Before he can take this in, however, a flock of birds takes flight from a nearby powerline, drawing his attention away. When he looks back....the girl is gone. The boy looks confused for a moment, before suddenly cringing as an almighty explosion shakes the ground around him. As he covers his ears from the deafening noise, he sees a squadron of VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) craft flying backwards slowly, their attention obviously on something huge. As the boy watches, he see a huge humanoid shape walk into view, roaring loudly as it does. He watches in dumbstruck awe as the VTOL craft make their attack.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------- ------------------------------ Meanwhile, in a chamber far from the public eye, deep inside NERV headquaters, a large tactical map shows the creature’s position and the position of the friendly forces.) Announcer: the target is still advancing!! (Up on a podium above the other operators, three generals in UN uniforms sit, barking orders.) General A: Stop it’s advance! Fire everything we’ve got!! General B: Mobilise the Atsuki and Aruma forces! General C: Don’t hold anything back! We’ve got to stop it!! (Behind them, a man sitting at a desk observes the events through indifferent eyes. A man standing behind him speaks.) Man: It’s as we expected. Man at desk: Yes. It’s been fifteen years. Well now we know for certain. The Angels are back. ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- (Back outside, the boy ducks screaming as two missiles shriek down the street, and join a multitude of others in striking the behemoth. As it is hit with enough firepower to vapourise several nearby buildings, the behemoth staggers backwards momentarilly, but is otherwise unharmed. One of the lead VTOL pilots can be heard over the radio;) Pilot: Every single missile hit the target!! AAARRRGGH!! (With one lifted arm, the behemoth fires a long energy lance from it’s palm, slicing a wing off the lead VTOL. As the craft’s crew scream over the comm, the aircraft plummets to the ground, landing a short distance from the boy. As he drops to the ground, covering his face, the behemoth leaps into the air, and lands atop the VTOL, crushing it under it’s immense weight. As the boy prepares to be blown apart, suddenly, something blocks the explosion enough for him to lower his arm. In fornt of the behemoth’s foot, a black sports car has just slid to a halt, and it’s passenger door is open to reveal a man wearing a black uniform sitting at the wheel, beckoning to him.) Man: Don’t just sit there, kid! Get in! NOW!!! (Overhead, a UN bomber launches an immense missile at the behemoth, which lifts one giant arm to catch it in mid-flight. Below, the man drops the car into reverse, floors it hard enough to spin the car around to face the opposite direction, and shunts it into first, roaring back off down the street just as the missile contacts the behemoth’s arm, and explodes. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ------------------------- ----------------------------- Back in the Command Centre at NERV, the tactical screen shows the behemoth shrugging off the explosion, and continuing it’s assault.) General C: That can’t be! That was a direct hit! General A: The fourth battalion’s been wiped out! Guided missiles and rockets have no effect at all! General B: (thumping the table) We’re using everything we’ve got, and we’re not even denting it!! (Behind them, the two men confer again.) Man: As we suspected. An A.T. Field. Man at desk: Yes. Conventional weaponry will have no effect on it at all. (On the general’s desk, a very important telephone rings. Swiping an access card through the reader once, the second general picks up the reciever and listens.) General B: I understand, sir. We’ll execute the backup plan. -------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, back outside, the car continues along the roads at a high speed. Inside, the boy looks at the man whilst hanging onto the dashboard. Noticing the boy’s gaze, the man grins once and looks back to the road, offering a hand to shake.) Man: Sorry for the hectic intro, kid. I’m Colonel Matt Eklom. I’m picking you up on behalf of Captain Katsuragi. (The boy takes the proffered hand, smiling nervously as he does.) Boy: Oh...hi...I’m Shi- Matt: I know, you’re Shinji Ikari. We’ve been waiting for you, mate. Sorry your first visit had to be marred by- what the? (Shinji follow’s Matt’s gaze, and sees through the rear view mirror as the VTOL surrounding the behemoth behind them quickly turn around and fly off.) Shinji: What the- Matt: They’re using an N2 Mine! HEADS UP!!! (As he gets the car onto a straight section of road, Matt pulls it to a halt and throws himself over Shinji in an effort to shield them both from the flash and blast. With an almighty BOOM the explosion thunders across the city, it’s immense blast creating a huge mushroom-shaped cloud. As the blast wave reaches them, the car is broadsided by the shockwave, flipping it over twice before it coems to a halt 100 meters later.) ------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------------------------- -------------- (Back in NERV H.Q., a great cheer goes up from everyone as the blast engulfs the behemoth and removes it from view.) General C: (turning to look at the two men behind him) Well, Ikari! It looks liike you won’t get a shot at it after all! (Gendo accepts this with a resigned shrug as the shockwave obliterates the external camera views.) --------------------------------- ------------------------------ ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- (Back outside, the two occupants of the car climb out, and check each other over.) Matt: You okay? NO broken bones or anything? Shinji: I’m okay..but my mouth is full of dirt... Matt: Well, at least you’ve got your health. C’mon, we better roll this car back over. (With some degree of difficulty, the two males manage to push the car back over and onto it’s wheels again. Wiping the dust from their hands, they look each other up and down for the first time.) Matt: So, you’re the one the commander was asking for, Shinji. Thanks for the hand. Shinji: Yeah, that’s okay...but I should be the one thanking you, Colonel. Matt: Eh, just call me Matt. You don’t answer to me anyway. C’mon, we better get going. Something tells me you just signed on for the biggest adventure in your life, kiddo. ---------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------- ------------------------------------- (Meanwhile, back in NERV H.Q...) General C: What’s the status of the target? Tech: We’re unable to confirm. The E.M. Pulse knocked out all external sensors. General C: It must be dead! It took the full blast! Announcer: External sensors online. (Suddenly, on the tactical screen, a huge energy spike appears.) Tech: High energy reading coming from the epicentre! General A: It can’t be! Announcer: External cameras online. (The screen reveals the behemoth- still standing, although now it’s face hangs loose from it’s ‘head’ and it is covered in numerous wounds. However, for the most part, it is still alive. Every rises to their feet in horror, unable to comprehend how it is still standing.) General C: NO!! General A: (dropping back into his seat) That was our last resort.... General B: (falling back into his seat) No effect at all.... General C: (thumping the table) It’s a demon! (Behind them, Gendo and his subordinate converse again.) Man: So it’s capable of repairing itself... Gendo: Yes. Without that ability, it couldn’t operate without support units. (As everyone watches, the behemoth suddenly emits a strange glow from its eyes...and the view is promptly destroyed, causing all but Gendo and his subordinate to gasp.) Man: Well, it can upgrade it’s operational capabilities... Gendo: Hmm... Man: It should renew it’s attack any time now. ----------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------ (Back outside, the car is once again on the road, although now it has dents all over it. Inside, Matt talks on a sat phone whilst Shinji looks out the window at the city.) Matt: Look Misato, I don’t give a shit if they didn’t have a choice. NERV is paying for the damage to my car. The least you could have done was ring me so we knew it was going to happen! Yes, don’t worry, protecting him is my top priority. I’ll see you in a while then. Seeya. (As he puts the phone down, Shinji looks across at him and speaks.) Shinji: Uhh..Matt? Matt: (looking across at him) Yeah? Shinji: Why exactly was I asked to come? Matt: Your Dad didn’t tell you? Shinji: Well..no...he just said it was important. Matt: (looking back towards the road) Well...maybe he was right not to tell you just yet... Shinji: What do you mean? (Matt grins, and looks back at Shinji.) Matt: Err..never mind, you’ll find out soon enough. (Shinji looks back to the road, confused as ever as the car continues onwards into the tunnel.) ------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------- (Back in NERV H.Q., Ikari now stands in front of the three generals on the podium. As one of them puts down a phone, he addresses Ikari.) General B: Command has been entrusted to you, Commander Ikari. Don’t betray our trust. Gendo: Yes sir. General A: We’ve already seen our weapons have no effect on the Angels. General B: Are you sure you can beat them? Gendo: That is the sole reason NERV exists. General B: I pray you’re right. (With that, the podium lowers, eventually dissapearing from view. Fujutsuki, standing behind Gendo, turns to face him.) Fujutsuki: The U.N. Forces are exhausted. What do you plan to do? Gendo: (turning to face Fujutsuki) I’ll activate Unit 01. Fujutsuki: (astonished) Activate it? But we have no pilot! Gendo: (turning away again) Not anymore. A replacement is already being delivered. ------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ------------------- (Deep in the heart of NERV, along one of it’s many catwalks, Matt leads Shinji along. As the moving catwalk reaches another door, the door snaps open, taking them into an expansive chamber that seems to go on forever. A thermal updraft roars past them temporarily, rustling the edges of Shinji’s shirt.) Shinji: Umm..are you sure you know where we’re going? Matt: Pretty sure. This place is pretty expansive, but once you get to know it it’s a hell of a lot easier. Which reminds me... (Matt reaches into his coat, and withdrawing a sat phone, dials a familiar number. After a short discussion, he puts it away. Shortly afterwards, as they get off the catwalk, they are met by two other individuals.) Matt: Ladies. This is Shinji Ikari. Shinji, this is Captain Misato Katsuragi and Doctor Ritsuko Akagi. You’ll have a lot to do with them while you’re here. Misato: So, Shinji Ikari. We meet at last. (As Shinji shakes Misato’s hand, Ritsuko simply nods.) Ritsuko: We’re running out of time here, captain. (At this, Misato looks at Ritusko....and for a moment there is a flash of annoyance in her eyes....then she smiles at Shinji in a way that causes him to blush.) Misato: Perhaps we should show you what you’ll be doing here, Shinji. (As Misato leads Shinji off on a different route, Matt and Ritsuko are left alone.) Ritsuko: You haven’t told him yet, have you? Matt: Told him what? That the only reason he’s here is to pilot Unit 1 and risk his life to save a bunch of people he doesn’t even know? Sure, I broke that to him first thing, Doctor. Ritsuko: .... Matt: (calmer) I..I’m sorry. It’s just I’m still a little annoyed about that N2 incident. If we’re supposed to be protecting this poor kid, they should at least wait until AFTER he’s cleared the blast radius. Ritsuko: Well, it can’t be helped now. Let’s just hope he can take it. Matt: .... --------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------------------------- (Back in the control centre, Gendo steps aboard a miniature elevator, and looks to Fujutsuki.) Gendo: Take command here. (With that, he presses a button and descends to a lower level.) Fujutsuki: (lookin thoughtful) Their first meeting in three years.... Tech: Sir? The target has renewed it’s attack. Fujutsuki: Very well. Let’s assume battle stations. Level One. ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ (Deep inside NERV a short time later, Shinji, Ritsuko, Misato and Matt stand in the cavernous hanger of EVA Unit One. Shinji is awestruck by the leviathan standing barely a meter in front of him, immersed up to it’s shoulders in cryo-stasis fluid.) Ritsuko: (with pride) This is mankind’s ultimate fighting weapon. Evangelion. Unit One. Designed and built here in secret. It is mankinds last hope. Shinji: (more to himself) Is this my father’s work? (Suddenly, a voice from above causes Shinji to jump.) Gendo: Correct. (Shinji looks up to see his father, Gendo Ikari, looking down upon them from a booth just above the EVA’s immense head.) Gendo: It’s been a while. (Shinji, however, cannot look his father in the eye, instead opting to look at the floor, his mind awhirl with memories. Up in the booth, Gendo snorts to himself before giving an order.) Gendo: We’re moving out. Misato: (in disbelief) Moving out?! But Unit Zero is still in cryo-stasis! (Suddenly, her eyes widen as she realises.) Misato: Wait! You’re going to use Unit One?! Ritsuko: We don’t have any other choice. Misato: But Rei’s not ready to try again, is she?! We don’t have a pilot! Ritsuko: (calmly) We just received one. (In the silence that follows, Ritsuko’s words sink in.) Misato: You don’t mean... Ritsuko: (looking at Shinji) Shinji Ikari? Shinji: ? Ritusko: You will pilot it. (As Shinji’s eyes widen, Misato leaps to his defense.) Misato: But it took Rei four months to synchronise with her EVA! There’s no way he can do this, he just got here! Ritsuko: He just has to sit in the cockpit. That’s all we ask. Misato: You’re serious... Ritsuko: Listen. Beating that Angel is our top priority. If there’s a chance this boy can do it, we’ve got to risk it. You do understand that, don’t you Captain? (As the chamber goes silent again, Misato nods in defeat.) Misato: (quietly) Yes ma’am. (As the chamber echos with her last words, Shinji looks up at his father with tears in his eyes.) Shinji: Why did you send for me? Gendo: You know why I sent for you. Shinji: So, you’re expecting me to pilot this thing, go out there and risk my life for you?! Gendo: Correct. Shinji: (angry) How can you do this to me?! I thought you didn’t want me! Why did you call me now, father?! Gendo: I called you because I had a new use for you. Shinji: (quieter, but sadder) But why? Gendo: Because there is no one else who can. Shinji: No! That’s not true! I’ve never even seen anything like this before! There’s no way I can pilot it! Gendo: You will be instructed. Shinji: But still, there’s no way! I can’t pilot this thing!! Gendo: If you’re going to do it, then do it. If you’re not, then LEAVE. (As Gendo’s words echo across the chamber, Ritsuko, Misato and Matt all have the feeling of being somewhere they would rather not be. Across the chamber, technitians who still have nothing to do listen with interest to the conversation. Suddenly, from above, a mighty explosion goes off as the Angel above fires another energy blast into the city. The entire chamber shakes violently, causing everyone to hang on tight.) Gendo: (looking up) It’s close. It must sense us. (As another explosion goes off, Ritsuko looks to Shinji urgently.) Ritsuko: Shinji,k we don’t have any time left! If you’re going to do it, do it now! (As Shinji looks to Ritsuko, his mind is reeling with the situation...looking to Misato for help, he finds her stare to be almost icy, but there is a hint of warmth in it.) Misato: Get inside... (Behind her, Matt looks more apologetic. He looks up to the booth Gendo is in, and calls out.) Matt: Surely there’s another way... Gendo: There is no other way, Colonel. Unless of course, you want to try piloting it. (Matt gives the man a cold look.) Matt: You know perfectly well that’s not an option. Gendo: .... (The room is silent again for a while as everyone waits for Shinji to make a decision. Finally, Gendo looks to his right and calls up a viewscreen.) Gendo: Fujutsuki! (On the screen, Fujutsuki’s face appears.) Fujutsuki: Sir? Gendo: Wake up Rei. Fujutsuki: Are you sure you want to use her? (Gendo is silent for a moment before answering.) Gendo: She’s not dead yet. Fujutsuki: Understood. (With that, Fujutsuki’s face dissapears. Although the new face that appears is hidden, we can hear a voice.) Gendo: Rei, our spare is unusable. You will do it again. Voice: (young girl, obviously strained) Yes sir. (Below, Ritsuko looks at Shinji one final time before looking to the techs.) Ritsuko: Re-configure Unit One’s system for Rei. Then activate! Announcer: Roger. Aborting current task and beginning reconfiguration. (As Ritsuko and Misiato walk in opposite directions off the bridge, Shinji is left with Matt. As Shinji’s head remains bowed, his eyes wet with tears, a door at the opposite end of the catwalk opens to reveal three medical staff wheeling a portable gurney in with them. As it is stopped in front of him, Shinji looks down...to see a beautiful young girl lying there, about his age, with blue hair. However, her features are marred by the large number of bandages wrapped around her. As she makes a move to get off the bed, she stifles back a cry, and it is obvious that she is in a great deal of pain. Shinji looks on, paralyzed, unable to even think as Matt moves to help the girl. Suddenly, from above, the Angel fires again. This time, however, the blast smashes through the heavy armour, dislodgin several building from the ceiling of the Geo-Front. As the blast reaches NERV, the room shakes violently enough to drop everyone to the ground, and tip the gurney with the girl on it over. Suddenly, with a wrenching sound, a huge light from above breaks loose from it’s moorings, and comes down...directly over Shinji.) Misato: Look out!! (As Shinji cowers in fear, Matt throws himself over the boy. Suddenly, there is a huge splash..and with a wrenching sound, a huge arm comes out of the water rapidly, and knocks the light away before it can land on Shinji. As everyone looks on in amazement, the announcer backs up everyone else’s thoughts.) Announcer: The EVA just moved by itself! It ripped right out of the left arm restraint!! Ritsuko: That can’t be! The entry-plug wasn’t even inserted yet! That just can’t happen!! Matt: (looking up the the leviathan arm with wide eyes.) Fuck me! (Shinji meanwhile has found his footing, and runs over to the fallen girl. Trying to help her off the ground, he suddenly becomes aware of a sticky sensation on his hands...looking at the hand he helped the girl with, he sees it is covered in blood...and as he realises it is her blood, his mind suddenly becomes more focused. Closing his eyes tightly, he starts chanting..) Shinji: I musn’t run away! I musn’t run away! I musn’t run away! I MUSN’T RUN AWAY! I’ll do it!! I’ll pilot it!!!! --------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ (Ten minutes later, a very nervous Shinji Ikari sits inside the Entry Plug of Evangelion Unit 01.) Matt: (Over the comm) Shinji, are you okay? Shinji: Uh..sure... Tech: Final sychronisation checks complete. Filling the entry plug. (It takes all of Shinji’s self-control not to leap screaming out of the plug as it is suddenly filled with a water-like substance.) Ritsuko: Don’t worry! Once your blood is oxygenated, the L.C.L. will take care of the rest. Just breath normally! Shinji: I think I’m gonna be sick..... Hyuga: The Angel’s moving again- it will arrive directly above us in two minutes!! Misato: There’s no time left! Begin launch sequence! (As the EVA is moved up to the launch bay, Shinji steels his nerves for what he hopes will be a simple task. Finally, with a massive THUD, the EVA is secured into place on a launch scaffold.) Tech: Opening a route to the surface. (Above the EVA, a door opens, followed by another and another and another until finally they go out of sight. However, the door’s huge light flashes green.) Tech: Launch passage is open...Evangelion is ready for launch. Misato: Launch EVA!!! (With a massive blast of charges, the EVA is propelled to the surface along the launch scaffold, it’s pilot hanging on for dear life in the cockpit. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (As the giant finally reaches the surface with a massive CRASH. As it’s final safety locks are released, the immense form of the Third Angel, Sachiel, lumbers into it’s fearsome glare. Inside the entry-plug, Shinji shakes, looking with terror at the Angel, and now finally truly realising the depth of the position he is in. As the last safety lock comes free, the EVA slumps fowards slightly, now freestanding. Meanwhile, in control, Misato looks over the tactical map, and speaks.) Misato: EVA Unit One! Move out!! (As Shinji struggles to understand, Ritsuko speaks to him through the open channel.) Ritsuko: Shinji. Just concentrate on walking for now. Just walk like you normally would. The EVA will do the rest. Shinji: W...walking.... (Slowly, pondorously, the EVA takes it’s first step forwards, it’s immense foot shattering the concrete around it as it hits the grorund with a bone jarring THUD.) Ritsuko: He’s walking!! (However, as the EVA goes to take another step, Shinji rethinks the step....far too late. With a sickening CRASH, the EVA topples, landing face first on the street. As Shinji lies in the plug, groaning, Misato’s frantic voice finally connects with his stressed mind.) Misato: Shinji! Are you okay?! You have to get up! Look out!! (As Shinji looks up, he sees the huge form of the Angel looming over the fallen EVA. With one huge arm, it reaches down, and picks the EVA up by it’s head. Lifting it high into the air, with it’s other free hand, it grabs the EVA’s left arm, and stretches it, attempting to break the arm. In the plug, Shinji screams, clutching his arm in agony as the pain is transferred along the neural links to his body.) Ritsuko: Shinji! Calm down! That’s not your real arm!! (With a sickening crack of bones and tearing of sinews, the arm snaps, hanging loosely to one side of the EVA. In the plug, as Shinji’s overwhelmed mind deals with the incredible pain, he hears the technitians at NERV making frantic observations.) Tech: Left arm damaged!!! Matt: Shinji! Fight back! For god’s sake, fight back! (The arm now broken, the Angel lifts the EVA higher...and then as it holds it in the air, an energy beam sprouts from it’s right forearm, which moves backwards..and then continues to hammer slowly away at the EVA’s face, each blow cracking the heavy armour more and more.) Tech: We’ve go major damage to the braincase! Ritsuko: That armour won’t take much more! (Outside, as the energy bolt hammers away, it finally penetrates, smashing through the EVA’s right eye, and hurling the EVA across the city to smash into a building more than 200 meters away. As the energy beam dissapears, the EVA slumps forwards, it’s head spewing blood across the ground and buildings.) Hyuga (tech): We’ve lost readings on the pilot! We can’t monitor him! (The EVA remains completely silent, not moving an inch...everyone in the control centre remains silent, looking with horror as their last chance for victory dies.... then..... The EVA’s left eye glows. It lifts it’s head slowly to look at the Angel...and gnashes it’s teeth menacingly... and screams!!) EVA-01: GRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGHHH!!!!!! (In the control centre, everyone gasps as the EVA stands to it’s full height.) Tech: Unit 01 has reactivated! Maya Ibuki (tech): This can’t be happening! It’s not possible! Misato: My god... Matt: Jesus.... Ritsuko: Berzerker! (The EVA throw’s it’s head high, and roars, an ear splittign sound that reverberates across the city in an undulating wail. Then it drops low to the ground, and leaping high into the air, lands atop the approaching Angel, a hate filled gleam in it’s eyes. The Angel retaliates, throwing the EVA off. The EVA, however, lands in a backflip a hundred meters later. The EVA turns back, and runs at the Angel, still roaring. However, as it reaches the Angel, it is stopped suddenly by an invisible field which surrounds the Angel.) Misato: That’s an A.T. Field! As long as that’s up, he can’t break through! Ritsuko: Where are his defense systems?! Maya: His field’s not unfolding! Ritsuko: It’s not up yet?!?! (The EVA lift’s it’s damaged left arm...and suddenly, it regenerates.) Hyuga: The left arm’s regenerated itself!! Ritsuko: Is that even possible?! (Outside, the EVA jams both hands into the centre of the field, and begins to tear at it with the fury of a madman. Suddenly, the field gives way, and the EVA tears it to shreds.) Misato: (amazed) It tore through the A.T. Field like it wasn’t even there!!! (The EVA grabs the Angel’s left arm, and with a huge wrenching motion, tears the arm free with a sickening crunch of bones and tearing of sinew. Lifting it’s right foot high, it kicks the Angel across the city. As the Angel slides to a halt in front of a building, the EVA is hot on it’s tail, charging after it with a look in it’s eyes that would freeze carbon. Running into the Angel with the force of a train running into a mountain at full speed, both are carried along by the momentum, along with a huge building. Now standing over the Angel, the EVA smashes repeatedly at the giant red orb mounted in the Angel’s chest. Finding no success at breaking it this way, it tears free another of the Angel’s spikes, and wielding it like a knife, raises the makeshift blade above it’s head and drives the knife into the core.... again and again and again, each blow cracking the orb more each time. Suddenly, the Angel screams, and leaping up, it seems to liquify, wrapping itself around the EVA’s head.) Misato: It’s gonna self destruct! (With a huge ringing sound, the Angel detonates, the explosion going off right in the EVA’s face. The explosion reaches high into the air, forming a giant cross that can be seen for hundreds of miles in any direction. As the staff at NERV look on...the EVA’s huge sillhouette can be seen striding from the inferno, it’s one remaining eye glowing a balefull yellow. Inside the entry-plug, Shinjii opens his eyes...and remembers where he is. As he looks to one side, he sees the armour plate covering the EVA’s head fall away. Looking at the EVA’s reflection in a glass building, he can see it’s huge head for what it truly is. Suddenly, the gaping hole where the EVA’s right eye once was fills, and the eye regrows. It looks right at Shinji...and the last thing Shinji can remember before blacking out is seeing that one immense eye. Staring him right in the face.... and almost winking.) -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ---------------- Matt: Are you okay, Shinji? Shinji: I think so. Though I can’t remember anything about what happened. Dr Akagi said it had something to do with neural feedback, or something..... Matt: Hmm. I guess you should know, Shinji. You did it. I don’t know how, but your EVA went berzerk, and killed the Angel in a heartbeat. You saved the entire city, kiddo. Misato: You saved us all....You’re a hero, Shinji.... Shinji: ..............I guess......... (The scene is in a hospital. Shinji Ikari, the Third Child, and now designated pilot of Unit 01, now packs his things in a small bag, after recovering from the ordeal a day before.) Matt: So, what are you going to do for accomodation? I hear Captain Katsuragi here has arranged some quaters for you..... Misato: If you want them, they’re yours, Shinji. Shinji: Oh. Well, thanks, yeah. (But Matt and Misato are not so easily swayed...) Matt: You mean you intend to live by yourself, kid? In a strange town, where you don’t know anyone? Misato: I can’t just stand by and allow that! Shinji: I’ll be okay. I’ve pretty much lived by myself since mom died..... (An uneasy silence ensues...) Matt: Shinji, I think I have a better idea.... ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- --- Ritsuko: He WHAT?! Misato: He’s moving in with Matt. When he offered, Shinji decided he couldn’t refuse. (It is late afternoon, outside NERV. A massive chain of bullets, each the size of a mack truck can be seen getting lowered into the Geo-Front, alongside a massive rifle obviously meant for the shells. Ritsuko sits inside a NERV transport, hanging out the window to talk to Misato.) Ritsuko: I guess the Colonel’s a bit more hospitable than we originally thought.. Misato: Actually, he seems quite nice. I’ve come to know him a bit since he moved in next door. Ritsuko: Been having secret meetings after work, eh? Misato: Hey, it’s nothing like that. We are coming to be friends, though. Ritusko: Well, good luck. I guess we’ll all know him well soon enough. Anyway, I better get back to work. I’ll see you later. Misato: Okay. See ya. ---------------------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- --------- Matt: This is the place right here, mate. Shinji: Doesn’t Major Katsuragi live in this complex as well? Matt: Yeah, as fate would have it, next door to me. What a coincidence, eh? Shinji: Heh, yeah. (As Matt opens the door to his apartment, he flicks on the lights, giving Shinji a look at his new home. The loungeroom is clean, with two couches and two easy chairs sitting in front of a massive stereo system and wide screen television. The apartment’s design is identical to Misato Katsuragi’s, only reversed slightly.) Shinji: Nice looking place.... Matt: Well, it ain’t much, but it’s home. (Matt walks into the apartment, looking back to see Shinji taking his shoes off.) Matt: You don’t have to do that if you don’t want, Shinji. I’m not fussed. But if it’s tradition for you, go ahead. I’ll try to remember. Shinji: Well, this is your place. I just gotta remember that. (Matt turns to walk into his home, when he hears Shinji behind him....) Shinji: I’m home! (...and realises.) Matt: (Turning to face Shinji) Jeez, I completely forgot that custom....er....(slapping his forehead) AH!! Welcome Home! (Shinji smiles at Matt stumbles over the words for a moment.) Matt: Boy, I guess I”m not making a very good impression to start with, am I? Shinji: You can speak Japanese pretty well. That’s a good start. Matt: Well, I had to learn it when I found out about my mission over here. Shinji: Mission? Matt: Didn’t Misato tell you what I’m doing here? Can’t you tell I’m not Japenese? Shinji: Well, she did say something about an Australian EVA.... Matt: <In English: Oh boy> Seems I have some explaining to do.. ----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- (Half an hour later, Shinji is settling into his new room, after learning what Matt is doing in Japan. As the boy unpacks, however, suddenly he hears a loud burst of music from the lounge. Looking into the room, he sees Matt chugging back on a bottle of beer as he drops into an easy chair (the song is ‘Into My Arms’ by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds).) Shinji: Interesting music..... (Matt stands, an apologetic look on his face.) Matt: Sorry, mate, I forgot. Are you okay with this? I listen to quite a lot of rock music, you see, and all of it quite loud...... (Shinji listens to the music for a moment, before looking at Matt.) Shinji: Well, it’s your home...you can listen to what you want...besides...it’s not that bad.... (Matt smiles, thinking how much he could learn to like this kid. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Matt walks over to answer it as Shinji moves back into his room to continue unpacking. As he does, he takes in his new room fully. A ceiling height closet sits in one corner, next to a small desk. On the dresser next to his bed, a large mirror sits against the wall, partially blocked by a small stereo.) (As he continues unpacking, he hears the conversation outside..) Matt: Oh, hi Misato! Misato: Hi-i! I was just wondering how Shinji’s settling in? Matt: Yeah, he seems pretty good. He’s already said he didn’t mind my taste in music, and right now, he’s unpacking. Misato: Are you sure you’re okay with this? It’s a big help. Matt: Of course I’m sure! It’ll be good to have some company at night. Besides, I got two spare rooms not getting used, so he’s no inconvenience. I like the idea of having a roommate. (Shinji finishes unpacking, and then makes his way out into the lounge, where he finds Misato sitting on one of the couches.) Shinji: Good evening, sir! Misato: Shinji, we’re off duty. You can just call me Misato. Shinji: Uhh, okay si- I mean Misato. (Misato smiles as Matt walks in carrying two beers and a can of something else.) Matt: Ahh, Shinji. Did you want a drink? I’ve got pretty much anything.... (Shinji takes the proffered can, and seeing it is a can of Coca-Cola, happily drinks. After everyone takes a long drink, Matt looks to Shinji.) Matt: So, what do you think of your new room, Shinji? Shinji: It’s really nice! Thanks for letting me stay here, Matt. Matt: No praw, Shinji. It’s good to have some company at night for a change. (As everyone sits down around the lounge suite, Misato can be heard to utter..) Misato: Well, it’s been an eventful few days, don’t you think? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be continued...........