Phase 10 - Vacation
Deep within the confines of NERV, Kenji enters Akira Kimura's private office. Working on something on his computer, Akira asks Kenji how things went. Kenji explains how the Titan attacked the convoy, but that everyone thinks that it was after EVA-Delta. Akira smirks and nods, then asks how 'it' is. Kenji places the briefcase he was carrying on the ship onto Akira's desk, and states that he doesn't want to transport 'it' around anymore, as it just feels strange to be around 'it'. Akira acknowledges him and opens the case, gazing at what's inside. Akira congratulates him on a job well done, and dismisses him. As Kenji leaves, Akira closes the case and looks over what is on is computer display, a shot of what is left of the North Pole.
Elsewhere, Tetsuo is heading home after an eventful day at school, joined by Toby and Toshio who are tagging along to study for a test. Mari was introduced to the rest of the class, her cool and confident attitude quickly winning them over. Toby was incensed by this, and refused to let Toshio hang out with her. Tetsuo mostly ignored the excitement, preferring to sit with Haruko and quickly talk amongst themselves. Walking with Toby and Toshio, Tetsuo listens to Toby vent about how stuck up and elitist Mari is. Toshio smiles politely, but thinks that Toby is overreacting. When asked what he thinks of Mari, Tetsuo merely states that as long as she does her job and stays out of his life, he doesn't care what she does. Toby complains about Tetsuo's attitude as they step out of the elevator and toward Ayako's apartment. Tetsuo asks to be reminded why they have to study at Ayako's place, to which Toby and Toshio offer a thin reply. Tetsuo shakes his head, and says that they shouldn't humour Ayako and the way she teasingly flirts with them when they come over. Toby and Toshio remind Tetsuo that not everyone is a robot like him. As they approach the apartment, Tetsuo notices an assortment of boxes outside the door, and wonders what's going on. Toshio comments that it looks like someone is moving in. Tetsuo says that there isn't anyone that would move in with them, and opens the door. Standing there before them with her hands on her hips is Mari, who admonishes them for taking so long getting home. Tetsuo stares as she orders the other two to help carry the boxes inside. Toshio gladly helps out, while Toby grudgingly chips in after a icy stare from Mari. Tetsuo demands to know what's going on. Ayako pokes her head out from the kitchen, and announces that Mari will be staying with them, explaining that while Mari had been originally assigned with her own apartment, she specially requested to move in with Ayako. Tetsuo glares at Mari, and starts to head to his room. However, he finds all his things thrown in boxes and sitting outside his room, with many of Mari's things moved in. Standing there with a blank expression, Tetsuo slowly clenches his fists. Mari peers over his shoulder, and announces that since she is a girl, she gets the bigger room, while he gets the smaller closet like room across the hall. Grinning, she comments how a gentleman like him wouldn't mind, and musses up his hair. Suddenly, he whirls on Mari, gripping her by the shoulders and pinning her against the wall, a look of rage on his face. He yells at her angrily, telling her never to touch him, and never to touch any of his things. Mari glares at him and struggles against his grip, cursing at him in German and kicking at him with her legs. Ayako quickly hurries over and tries to pry the two apart, yelling at Tetsuo to calm down. Tetsuo freezes, and lets go of Mari, a numb expression on his face. Looking around awkwardly for a moment, he apologizes to Mari and goes into his new room, locking the door behind him. Mari attempts to go after him, but Ayako cuts her off, telling her to simmer down. Mari, angered at how Tetsuo treated her, goes into her own room, locking herself inside. Sighing, Ayako looks over at Toby and Toshio, who have been silently watching the whole time, and asks them if they'd like to stay for dinner.
The next day, Ayako is ordered into the control room by the commander. It is explained that a Titan has been found deep inside the Mount Asama volcano, and to make matters more interesting, it's in a embryonic state. The Commander tells Ayako to organize a mission using the EVAs to capture the Titan in a specially crafted electromagnetic cage, as it could prove useful for research into the nature of the Titan's. Ayako confirms that EVA-Delta indeed has equipment built for it that would be perfect for just such a mission, and jumps right on organizing it. As she leaves, the commander wonders why Ayako was so excited. Keiko shakes her head and smiles, explaining that Mount Asama has a popular hot springs resort as she walks off to follow Ayako. Back at her apartment, Ayako presents a pamphlet for the hot springs resort to Tetsuo and Mari. Still not talking to each other, the two look it over. Ayako explains that they can show up a few days before the equipment for the mission will be delivered, and enjoy a little vacation at the resort. Tetsuo expresses his displeasure at making light of a serious situation with the unborn Titan, but Mari is all for the trip. Ayako explains that everyone in the EVA crew will be coming along, including Toby and Haruko. Tetsuo reluctantly agrees to come along early with the others after some convincing from Ayako and Mari.
A few days later, the whole EVA crew flies out to the resort in a helicopter. Upon landing, much to Ayako's displeasure, they are greeted by Kenji. Ayako demands what he's doing at the resort, with Kenji explaining that NERV sent him to make sure Ayako doesn't get into any trouble with the EVA crew. As Ayako argues with Kenji, the young EVA pilots unload their baggage from the helicopter, and quickly carry it inside to avoid the dispute. Keiko shakes her head and follows the kids. Later, after things have calmed down, everyone decides to go relax in the hot springs. The girls all go to the female spring, while the guys head to the male spring, each divided by a tall bamboo fence. Tetsuo opts to relax in the far corner of the spring, while Toby and Toshio, who Toby asked to be allowed to tag along, hang out with Kenji, mostly because he slips in some sake for them.
As the trio get drunk and loud, the girls on the other side of the fence are also sipping a bit of sake. The only exception is Haruko, who like Tetsuo sits off by herself. Mari loudly complains about Tetsuo's attitude, as well as his violent behavior. Ayako tries to calm Mari down, but then Keiko explains that Tetsuo isn't entirely to blame for his behavior. She continues, revealing that Tetsuo has a form of Downs Syndrome known as Asperger's. While he doesn't have any issues that stem from normal Downs, he suffers from several symptoms that makes him come off as antisocial. Mari and Ayako are surprised to learn this, Ayako nudging Keiko and asking her why she didn't know this. Keiko shrugs, explaining that it was written down in his file, and that she must have not read it. Ayako grumbles and gulps down her sake. Mari rests her chin on her knees and looks thoughtful. On the male's side, Toby and Toshio are goofing around while Kenji makes his way over to Tetsuo, offering him some sake. Tetsuo declines, and asks Kenji why he's really at the resort. Kenji muses, and states that he's there to tie up a loose end, adding that Tetsuo should know what he's talking about. Before Tetsuo can reply, Toby and Toshio start getting rowdy. Tetsuo attempts to break it up, but all three end up falling through the fence, into the women's spring. There's a moment of silence as all parties involved are in a state of shock. Toby and Toshio stare, as does Tetsuo, who's nose begins to bleed. Finally, Mari shrieks, covering herself up and bouncing a bucket off Tetsuo's forehead. Haruko covers up, red in the face as Tetsuo tips backwards. Keiko groans, and Ayako tells them to 'take a picture, it lasts longer!'. Toshio obliges, taking a photo with his digital camera. The girls chase Toby and Toshio around while Tetsuo floats in the water in a daze.
The next day, the EVAs and the special equipment for the mission arrives on site near the volcano. Everyone on the EVA crew is hung over, with Tetsuo suffering a nasty bump on his forehead. Toshio takes photos of the EVAs being set up, while Ayako and Keiko nurse a cup of coffee over in the observation area. Mari brags to the other EVA pilots how her EVA had special equipment built for it for special missions. The discussion turns into a explanation of Delta's D-Type equipment, and how it allows EVAs to enter extreme environments, such as the heart of a volcano. However, when the group sees it, Toby can't help but laugh. The D-Type Equipment ends up looking like a comically oversized old fashioned diving suit. Mari herself hadn't seen it before, and becomes annoyed by Toby's comments. Later, as Mari and Tetsuo get into their EVAs, Ayako goes over the plan. EVA-Delta will lower down into the lava, it's life support cable protected by the same materials used in the D-Type suit. EVA-Alpha will maintain Delta's support cable, while Gamma and Beta will lower the special electromagnetic cage into the lava with Delta. Upon getting to the Titan embryo, Delta will carefully place the cage around it, and signal for the cage to be raised. Prepped up, the operation begins. Everything goes smoothly, with Delta getting down to the Titan. However, as Mari starts to place the cage over it, there's a reaction from the embryo. It glows, then suddenly forces Delta backwards, ripping the cage apart as it quickly grows into mature form.
Tetsuo struggles to hang onto Delta's lifeline, as Keiko confirms that the embryo has grown into a full grown Titan, codenamed Iapetus. Mari grits her teeth as Iapetus quickly zips around her, seemingly immune to the lava's heat. With Delta stuck in the D-Type equipment, her only weapon is her progressive knife at the D-Type suit's hip. However, when she tries to draw it, Iapetus tears it from her grasp, sending it falling into the lava. Mari curses, her mind racing. Tetsuo tells her to watch for an incoming weapon. Holding onto the lifeline with one hand, Alpha reaches for it's progressive katana, and drops it into the lava. Mari watches it's decent on a screen closely, then catches it by the handle as it passes. Before she can do anything with it though, the Titan tackles Delta several times. Outside the volcano, there's two sharp, audible cracks as Alpha's shoulders separate, the tension from holding into Delta during these attacks too much for it. Tetsuo grits his teeth and refuses to let go. Ayako tells Mari that she has to defeat the Titan quickly, or Alpha will be pulled into the volcano unprotected. Cursing, Mari carefully waits for Iapetus, clutching the katana tightly. As it gets close, Delta lunges forward, plunging the blade into the Titan. The Titan flails wildly before dying, severing Delta's lifeline. Alpha falls backwards as Delta plunges into the lava.
Suddenly realizing the danger Mari is in, the sound of a trigger echoes through the mountains, as Alpha roars. Tetsuo, without speaking, wraps the lifeline around Alpha's waist before leaping into the volcano. Ayako is shocked, and asks Keiko how long Alpha can survive in the lava. Keiko admits she doesn't know, and the whole crew waits with baited breath. Toby and Haruko hurry over to the crane that the lifeline is hooked up to, and take hold of the cord. Toby goes to pull right away, but Haruko tells him to give Tetsuo a chance to save Mari. Deep in the volcano, Delta drifts down into the lava. Mari sits there, wondering if these will be the last moments of her life. Suddenly, Delta is jerked upwards. Mari looks up to see Alpha clutching it by the arm. Tetsuo, in a strained voice, tells Toby and Haruko to start pulling. Soon after Alpha and Delta are outside the volcano. Strangely enough, Alpha only suffered minor damage from the heat. Breathing heavily in Alpha's cockpit, Tetsuo tells Mari that she owes him twice now. Mari frowns, but doesn't say anything. The next day, as the team is getting ready to go, there's a knock at Tetsuo's door. He answers, to see Kenji standing there. Before he can say anything, Tetsuo nods, and says that he did sabotage the Gilgamesh project. When Kenji asks him why, Tetsuo says they can talk about it another time, then heads out to meet the others. With Toshio taking a quick picture of the whole group outside of the resort, they all head back home.