Opening Credits
Asuka is being escorted around the Ohtori Academy by Wakaba while a crowd of curious onlookers follows them. Asuka is the new kid in school, and her presence is as interesting to them as Utena's initially was.
Wakaba to Asuka: I'm sorry we got off to a bad start the other day.
Asuka to Wakaba: Are you and Shinji dating?
Wakaba to Asuka: Dating?
Wakaba looks nervous.
Wakaba to Asuka: Um...not really. We've known each other for about a year and he's never seemed interested in that sort of thing.
Wakaba looks at Asuka.
Wakaba to Asuka: Say?
Asuka: Hmm?
Wakaba to Asuka: They say you've already graduated from a German University.
Asuka nods.
Asuka to Wakaba: Yes, with honors.
Wakaba to Asuka: That's great! But why are you coming here if you've already graduated from a university?
They come to the end of the walkway, and the two of them lean up against the railing. We see Asuka's Rose Signet briefly as she grips the railing.
Asuka to Wakaba: The jerks at NERV told me I had to attend school at Ohtori as long as I was in Japan. I'm not fluent enough with Kanji yet, so I'm taking some Japanese classes along with some others I wasn't able to take in Germany. I think it's busy work, but it still stinks. It's very insulting.
Wakaba to Asuka: All of the other pilots go to school here too.
Asuka to Wakaba: I know. I spent a few months here learning how to fence along with the others when everything was just getting underway.
Wakaba to Asuka: Oh? Are you going to be joining the fencing team here?
Almost on cue, Juri and Utena are walking onto the Ohtori grounds. The typical attention they generally garner is not there today, for most of the school is interested in Asuka. Asuka and Wakaba turn and watch. Wakaba looks happy, and waves to Utena, who waves back. Asuka looks darkly at Juri. Juri doesn't notice.
Asuka to Wakaba: Friend of yours?
Wakaba to Asuka: Mmm-hmm. That's Tenjou Utena. She's the...what did you call it? Oh yeah, Fourth Children.
Asuka to Wakaba: Oh...the other pilot. So she's close with Arisugawa.
Wakaba nods.
Wakaba to Asuka: I suppose so. They are rooming together. Many of the girls here refer to them as the Two Princes.
Asuka laughs at this.
Asuka to Wakaba: They refer to Juri as a prince?
Asuka looks back down at Juri.
Switch to Juri and Utena.
Utena to Juri: It's nice not having the constant crowd around today.
Juri to Utena: Yes, I quite agree.
Utena waves to Wakaba again as Wakaba and Asuka begin walking off.
Utena to Juri: I guess they've found someone new to follow. That's Asuka up there, isn't it? Walking with Wakaba?
Juri looks up and nods as Asuka and Wakaba walk off.
Juri to Utena: Yes, that's her. The Second Children.
Utena watches Juri's expression as Juri looks at Asuka. Her expression remains even.
Switch to Misato, Mikage, Gendo, and Ritsuko. They are watching footage of the fight with the Sixth Angel. The angles are all different, like they came from the tower of the carrier.
Ritsuko to Misato: Where did you manage to get a hand-held recorder out there?
Misato to Ritsuko: One of Shinji's friends brought it. Rather fortunate.
Ritsuko to group: From the time Unit 02 drew the Progressive knife till the time the Angel was killed, only 36 seconds had elapsed. She defeated the Angel before the internal batteries could run out. Granted, she had help from the Pacific Fleet, but it's still a great accomplishment. Combat-maneuvering, decision making skills, however you choose to look at Asuka, she's practically perfect. Her synch-rates just before leaving Germany beat out Miki, Shinji, and Utena, the sole exception being when Unit 00 manifested an uncharacteristically strong AT-Field protecting Unit 01.
Misato to group: Which was probably like a surge of adrenaline in a burning house granting previously unknown strength. Utena's synch rates are slightly below Shinji's in all normal tests.
Mikage to Ritsuko: Where's Unit 02 now?
Ritsuko to Mikage: We've got it caged with Units 00 and 01.
Misato to Mikage: Asuka's currently enrolled at the Ohtori Academy, as you requested. She put up quite a stink about it though, since she has graduated from university already.
Gendo: What's the repair status of Units 00 and 01?
Ritsuko to Gendo: Both Units fully repaired from any damage suffered during the fight with the Fifth Angel. All feedback errors in Unit 00 have been corrected. By all visible evidence, we currently are operating three functional Evangelion units with three functional pilots.
Gendo: Very good. That will be all.
The group, including Mikage, leaves. When Gendo is alone, Kaji walks out of the shadows.
Kaji to Gendo: Three Evangelions, it sounds like everything is working out well. It turns out the little trouble I phoned you about was no trouble at all.
Kaji moves over to Gendo's desk, handing him a package.
Kaji to Gendo: It's alive, that's for certain, even restrained in bakalite. This is it, isn't it? The key to the Human Revolutionary Project?
Gendo to Kaji: Yes. This is the first human, Adam.
Shot of the box's interior, where a small humanoid creature is curled in a fetal position.
Switch to Utena walking with Rei on the Ohtori grounds.
Utena to Rei: So I have to meet with Juri later. More dueling lessons, and getting introduced to the new pilot. But I should be free after that.
Rei is still quiet. Utena's many faithful admirers are still calling to her now that Asuka is elsewhere.
Utena to Rei: Say, Ayanami?
Rei looks at Utena.
Utena to Rei: Is it true that you've never made friends since you've been here?
Rei to Utena: What need have I of friends, Tenjou-sama?
Utena grimaces.
Utena to Rei: Um...I really wish you wouldn't call me Tenjou-sama.
Rei looks at Utena, then looks at the many admirers calling out "Utena-sama!" Then back to Utena. Utena looks a little embarrassed.
Utena to Rei: Okay...it's alright for them to call me that, but when you say, it's like you mean it.
Rei to Utena: I shouldn't call you that, then? Aren't you one of the Two Princes?
Utena to Rei: The what?
Rei to Utena: You and Arisugawa-san. The Two Princes.
Utena rolls her eyes.
Utena to Rei: Oh, man. So that's what all that's about.
Rei to Utena: That's why you wear boy's clothing, and why you pilot Eva, isn't it? To be a Prince?
Utena nods.
Utena to Rei: Yeah, I suppose.
Rei to Utena: Well, then.
Rei walks off.
Rei (leaving) to Utena: I will see you after your lessons, Tenjou-sama.
Utena shakes her head.
Utena: That definitely didn't go the way I planned it. She's a strange one.
Switch to NERV. Ritsuko is in the lounge, looking over some documents. Kaji comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her.
Kaji to Ritsuko: You've lost some weight.
Ritsuko to Kaji: Have I?
Kaji to Ritsuko: And you're in a very sad love.
Ritsuko to Kaji: Am I now?
Kaji to Ritsuko: Those who have a mole along a tear's path are fated to have a life full of them.
Ritsuko to Kaji: Trying to seduce me? It won't work, you know.
She indicates towards the nearby glass wall, where Misato is giving both of them the evil eye. Kaji smiles back at Misato, letting go of Ritsuko.
Ritsuko to Kaji: There's a very scary lady watching your every move, Kaji-kun.
Kaji to Ritsuko: Long time, Rit-chan.
Ritsuko nods.
Ritsuko to Kaji: Mmm-hmm.
Misato now walks in.
Misato to Kaji: What are you still doing here? The transportation of Unit 02 is complete. You should be going back to Third Branch.
Kaji to Misato: Just received my official notice of transfer this morning. So I get to stay here.
Misato grimaces.
Misato: This just keeps getting better and better.
Switch to NERV infirmary. Asuka opens up the door to Miki's room, stands in the doorway looking at him for a little while, then comes in and sits next to him.
Asuka: So this is what happened to you.
Miki, of course, says nothing, still in a coma.
Asuka: Poor boy...and now someone else is piloting your Unit 00.
She takes one of his hands between her own and strokes it gently as though she can comfort him.
Shinji (off): So where's Asuka staying?
Scene changes, now we see Shinji and Wakaba together on the Ohtori grounds.
Wakaba to Shinji: In the Dormitory, I think. She didn't say much about herself. She was very curious about the other pilots. She almost seemed like she wasn't here.
Back to Asuka in Miki's room.
Shinji (off): So you're friends with her now?
Wakaba (off): I don't know. Maybe. She doesn't seem like the type who makes friends easily.
Shinji (off): Maybe she's not the type who can keep friends once they see her true face.
Wakaba (off): That's mean, Shinji-kun. Don't compare her to Arisugawa like that.
Asuka doesn't cry while she's in Miki's room, but she almost looks on the verge of it as Wakaba says her last line. After Wakaba's line, she finally breaks down and does.
Asuka: You poor fool.
Asuka wipes her tears, stands, and leaves.
Scene changes: Asuka is walking alone through the Ohtori Academy. She eventually wanders by the music hall. From inside, she hears someone playing piano...badly. The song is a very poor rendition of "The Sunlit Garden." Asuka winces once as the player hits a very bad note, and she looks inside. Inside, we see Kozue playing the same piano we've seen Miki play in flashbacks. Asuka approaches Kozue.
Asuka to Kozue: Are you sure you can play that thing?
Kozue looks up.
Kozue to Asuka: You're Soryu Asuka, aren't you?
Asuka nods. A glint of recognition hits her eyes.
Asuka to Kozue: You're Kaoru Miki's sister, aren't you?
Kozue nods.
Kozue to Asuka: Kaoru Kozue. Miki talked about you often, before you went back to Germany.
Asuka to Kozue: Oh. I see. He mentioned you fondly as well. He said you and he used to play together.
Kozue chuckles.
Kozue to Asuka: If you can call it that. When we were really young, we used to play music together all the time. I wasn't any good, but since my brother's a genius, he could play along with me and make me sound as good as him. I haven't touched one of these things in a long time.
Asuka to Kozue: It shows.
Kozue to Asuka: That bad, huh?
Asuka nods in that peculiar way one does when admitting a hard truth, moving closer.
Kozue to Asuka: Thought so. I'm never going to be that good at it, but I thought that maybe, maybe if I can play his song for him, that it might help him to wake up.
Asuka to Kozue: His song? He wrote "The Sunlit Garden?"
Kozue nods.
Asuka to Kozue: But it's a really famous song.
Kozue to Asuka: Like I said, my brother's a genius.
Kozue starts playing again.
Kozue to Asuka: But I don't know why I'm doing this, it's not like they're ever going to allow me inside NERV to see him.
Ohtori Fencing Gym. Juri, Utena, and Shinji are there. All of them are in their fencing gear. Shinji and Utena are practicing, Juri is watching them work together. Shinji and Utena spar for a little while, and both of them strike together, each scoring a simultaneous touché. Juri looks a little surprised. So does Utena as she removes her mask.
Utena to Shinji: A draw.
Juri to Shinji: That was very good move, Shinji-kun. You're more focused today than normal. Had you reacted quicker you might have beaten her.
Shinji looks at Juri like she's never complimented him before.
Shinji to Juri: Thank you, sempai.
Juri to Utena: You, however, are distracted.
Utena to Juri: I know.
Juri to Utena: Remember the rules. When you step in here, forget about everything else. Concentrate only on the duel. It's the same when you pilot Eva.
Juri to Utena and Shinji: Again.
They put on their masks and being again. As they duel, Asuka enters the gym, also in her fencing gear. Juri turns her head as Asuka enters, the two of them looking at each other hesitantly as Utena and Shinji fence. Before their duel is over, both fencers realize Juri is looking at someone else and stop.
Asuka: Ritsuko-san told me the Eva pilots were meeting here to practice.
Juri nods.
Juri to Asuka: You've met Ikari already. This is Tenjou Utena, the Fourth Children.
Juri to Utena: The Second Children, Soryu Asuka Langley.
Utena and Asuka nod to each other. Asuka looks devious.
Asuka to Utena: So, if I beat you will the other students call me Prince, as well? Or will I have to wear a boy's uniform too?
Utena: Huh?
Asuka to Shinji: How did you get left out of this "royal court" anyway? Shouldn't you be the Prince? After all you're the only boy here.
Shinji to Asuka: What are you talking about?
Asuka to Shinji: Maybe they stuck you with the title of Princess. At least you don't have to wear a girl's uniform.
Asuka thinks for a moment.
Asuka (coy) to Shinji: Oh yeah, you did wear mine, didn't you?
Shinji fumes.
Juri to Asuka: That's enough.
Asuka (coy) to Juri: Certainly, my Prince.
Asuka puts on her mask.
Asuka: So, who's first?
Shinji to Asuka: I am.
Shinji puts his mask back on, and moves into position.
Juri to Asuka: Do you remember everything you were taught?
Asuka to Juri: Remember, sempai? I continued my studies while in Germany. I'm better.
Proving her point, she handily defeats Shinji.
Utena (mumbled) to Juri: She's good.
Juri nods.
Juri to Asuka: So I see.
Juri's phone rings. She walks over to her duffel bag, pulls out the phone, and answers it.
Juri: Arisugawa. (pause) Understood.
Juri to pilots: The Seventh Angel has been spotted. We're to report to NERV immediately.
Outside the gym, we see the pilots leaving with Juri. Rei is in the distance, watching them go.
Switch to NERV: Control room with Misato, Ritsuko, Maya, Kaji, Juri, Shigeru, and Hyuga.
Shigeru: Large moving object discovered underwater near Kii peninsula.
Maya: Pattern confirmed blue.
Ritsuko: The battle capability of Tokyo-3 is down since the previous battle. Only 26% has been restored.
Misato: Then we'll have to defeat it before it reaches us here. Continuous, close combat attacks by all three units.
The three Evangelions are positioned to attack when something emerges from the water. Evangelions 00 and 02 are carrying long, spear like weapons. Evangelion Unit 01 has a rifle.
In Unit 02's Entry Plug:
Asuka: You two are unnecessary. All they need for this mission is me.
In Unit 01's Entry Plug:
Shinji: Feeling overconfident, aren't you?
Unit 02's Entry Plug:
Asuka: I've already beaten you today, haven't I?
Unit 00's Entry Plug:
Utena: Will both of you just let it rest?
Unit 02's Entry Plug:
Asuka: Of course, my Prince.
Back at NERV Control room.
Misato: My Prince?
Kaji: Oh?
Misato looks flustered.
Misato to Kaji: She's not referring to you, Kaji.
She pauses, looking over at Ritsuko.
Misato to Kaji: And neither am I.
Back at the battle site: the Seventh Angel pops up out of the water.
Shinji: Here it comes.
Asuka: Cover me!
Unit 02 charges after the Seventh Angel.
Utena: Soryu-san, wait! Ah, forget it. Ikari-kun!
Unit 00 charges after Unit 02. Unit 01 begins firing at the Seventh Angel. The volleys hit the Angel, but smoke begins surrounding it and it's impossible to see if it's actually hurt.
Back in NERV Control.
Kaji: Not much of a team, are they?
Misato: Doesn't look that way.
Unit 02 leaps into the air majestically and comes down with a mighty swipe, cleaving the Seventh Angel nearly in half. Unit 00 comes to halt, seeing this.
Utena: Oh, I guess she did do it alone.
Asuka: Combat must be elegant and clean. See how it's done?
As Unit 00 and Unit 02 are walking back, the Seventh Angel splits in two, regenerates, and begins to function as two beings.
Unit 01's Entry Plug:
Shinji: Um...it's not over yet, you two.
Back at NERV control:
Ritsuko: It split in two?
Misato: That's not fair!
The Seventh Angel leaps simultaneously at Units 00 and 02. Both Units are caught off guard and are knocked over almost in unison. The Evangelions both rise to their feet and are immediately on the defensive. (When a pilot is mentioned, the scene shifts to them)
Shinji looks hesitantly between the two halves of the Angel.
Shinji: Which one do I target?
Asuka (gritting her teeth): You're supposed to be covering me, you idiot!
Utena (gritting her teeth): Fire at the one attacking Unit 02, Ikari-kun!
Asuka blinks.
Asuka: No, fire at the one attacking Unit 00!
Shinji growls in frustration. Unit 01 begins firing intermittently at both targets. The Angels turn towards it in unison. Unit 02 spears the core of its target with its weapon, and nothing happens.
Asuka: What the? No!
Back at NERV:
Kaji: It has two cores.
Juri: And thinks with one mind.
Ritsuko: One entity working as a pair.
Unit 00 kicks at its target, Unit 02 rams into its target. The two halves strike each other, recombining.
Misato: Utena! Asuka! You must hit both cores at once! Shinji, distract it!
All three pilots nod their agreement. Unit 01 fires the rifle at the Seventh Angel. It begins walking towards Unit 01. Asuka bellows a battle cry as Unit 02 takes to the air again. Utena looks focused as Unit 00 slides in low. Split screen shot of Utena and Asuka's faces as the Eva's close in. As Unit 02 slices through it again, Unit 00 slices through samurai style horizontally. Both cores are hit as the blades go through, the Angel falling into four pieces as it explodes.
When the smoke clears, all three Evas have been knocked over.
Utena to Asuka: All we needed was you, eh?
Asuka to Shinji: If you hadn't have clouded up my vision, I would have seen the second core!
Shinji to Asuka: Don't even think about pointing the finger at me. You were the one who charged headfirst into things.
Back at NERV: Gendo rises from his point over the control room.
Gendo: Enough.
All three pilots shut up immediately.
Still wearing their plug suits, Shinji, Utena, and Asuka are all standing in front of Misato, Mikage, and Gendo. Juri is standing with the pilots.
Gendo to pilots: Your performance was disgraceful. Do you know why you are here?
Asuka to Gendo: To pilot Eva?
Gendo to Asuka: No, to defeat the Angels.
All three pilots: We did defeat it.
Mikage to pilots: Barely. Your lack of teamwork and unwillingness to cooperate with each other almost cost you all your lives. We shouldn't need to remind you of what a defeat will mean for humanity.
Gendo to pilots: There will not be a repeat of today's incidents. All of you consider yourselves warned.
Gendo and Mikage leave.
Misato to Juri: I'm entrusting you to make certain things go more smoothly in the future.
Juri to Misato: Yes, ma'am.
Misato leaves.
Asuka: Jeez, you'd think they could congratulate us or something.
Utena and Shinji don't look happy, and after giving Asuka the silent treatment they both leave as well. Juri looks down.
Asuka to Juri: Aren't you going to say something too?
Juri shakes her head. She is not sarcastic when she speaks.
Juri to Asuka: No. I think everything that needed to be said was said. You defeated the Angel. Congratulations, Soryu-san.
Juri walks out.
Juri (leaving): I expect to see you tomorrow with the other pilots.
Asuka looks conflicted as Juri exits.
Switch to the NERV Lounge. Ritsuko brings Misato a cup of coffee to replace her empty one.
Misato to Ritsuko: Thank you.
Ritsuko to Misato: You're welcome. It's rare to see you sober at night.
Misato to Ritsuko: I've got a lot of my mind, it seems.
Ritsuko to Misato: Today's close call? You know, I ran the data on the combat. Utena and Asuka struck the cores within .00005 seconds of each other. That's practically miraculous timing considering how all three of them were bickering.
Misato to Ritsuko: Many things, actually.
Ritsuko to Misato: Still in love?
Misato to Ritsuko: Don't be ridiculous. How can anyone love that kind of guy? Despite being young, my dating him is the biggest stain on my life.
Ritsuko to Misato: I was referring to Kaji-kun.
Misato looks embarrassed.
Ritsuko to Misato: You seem moved. I seemed to have touched a nerve. Your reaction proves it.
Misato to Ritsuko: I doubt it.
Ritsuko to Misato: A lot has happened in the last eight years.
Misato chuckles.
Misato to Ritsuko: Nothing's changed.
Switch to Shinji and Wakaba. They are watching the stars.
Wakaba to Shinji: I'm glad you didn't get hurt today.
Shinji to Wakaba: Me too. I'm still amazed that we won. Thank you for letting me come meet you out here. I really didn't feel like going home.
Wakaba blushes.
Wakaba to Shinji: Oh, you're welcome.
Switch to Kozue in the Music Hall. She has fallen asleep at the piano. She wakes up, slowly focuses herself, picks up the sheet music and walks out.
Switch to Utena and Rei in the Rose Garden.
Utena to Rei: I'm sorry I didn't tell you-
Rei interrupts, speaking as calmly and emotionlessly as ever.
Rei to Utena: I heard the alert. I knew where you were.
Utena to Rei: You heard the alert? But Tokyo-3 wasn't under attack.
Rei looks over her shoulder as she fills up the water pitcher. Utena tilts her head.
Utena to Rei: You work for NERV, right? Like us?
Rei to Utena: After a fashion.
Utena to Rei: With Commander Ikari?
Rei nods, looking back to the pitcher. She turns off the water, and begins carrying it. She looks down at her reflection in the metal surface of the pitcher, and for a split second, she sees a different pair of eyes looking back at her. This startles Rei, and she drops the pitcher though she doesn't cry out. Utena looks at her, concerned.
Utena to Rei: Ayanami?
Switch to Asuka. She enters into her dorm room, turns on the light, closes the door, and sits alone on her bed. It's very quiet. She pulls out her cell phone and makes a call. We hear an answering machine pick-up.
Machine: This is Kaji Ryouji. I'm not available. Leave a message and I'll return your call. Bye now.
Asuka shuts the phone off without leaving a message. She looks around at her empty room again, lays down on the bed, and stares up at the ceiling.
End Credits