PART I

ACT V

SCENE IV

(The Geo-Front Gates. MISATO and KAJI hastily ENTER, well ahead of the Children. Realizing how far ahead they are, the two stop and turn, looking behind them.)

MISATO: Is Toji alright? Why is he just standing there?

KAJI: He must be scared, Misato. I don't blame him. Rei, Asuka, Shinji, they are brave kids. Had we been young enough, do think we'd have been able to do it?

MISATO: I would have been a different person then, maybe with different problems, but… I don't know, that is a different path, a different world that I can't imagine, Ryoji. All I know is…

KAJI: What the tragedies of our youth have made us.

MISATO: (Confused.) Excuse me?

KAJI: Conn said that we all must rise above the tragedies of our youth and he admitted that he basically ran away from his rather than rise above them. Not that I blame him. I told him about the tragedy of mine and I asked how anyone could have risen above that. He told me he didn't know and then he asked me if either of us could say that we know anyone who has.

MISATO: Did you tell them about Shinji and Asuka?

KAJI: (He nods.) Yeah, I did. I told him that they are doing a good job and that they aren't doing it alone. Makes me wish that you and I had met earlier than we had.

MISATO: Maybe if we had met before college, everything would have been better for us… Do you think it is too late for us, Ryoji?

KAJI: (A look of uncertainty appears for a moment upon his countenance. He then brightens up a tad.) I hope not, Misato. I still have something I would like to ask you when this is all over if the world is still here.

MISATO: (She gives a small smile.) I hope you will get the hance to ask it, Ryoji.

KAJI: (He returns his smile and then looks over his shoulder.) Looks like Shinji and Asuka have been able to help Toji through his fears. They know the way and we better get down to the where we need to be.

MISATO: Yeah, we better. Come on! (She and KAJI EXIT through the gates. ENTER SHINJI, ASUKA and TOJI.)

TOJI: Were either of you this nervous the first time you fought an Angel?

ASUKA: Not really, I was confident I could get the job done and if I couldn't, I had Shinji with me in Unit-02.

SHINJI: I just wish I'd been wearing my own plugsuit.

TOJI: (Laughing.) You did look pretty ridiculous wearing Asuka's spare.

SHINJI: (Under his breath.) Not as ridiculous as you did with Asuka's handprint on the side of your face all day. (Hearing what he said, ASUKA gives a small giggle.)

TOJI: What was that?

SHINJI: Oh, nothing!

TOJI: So, how about it, Shinji? Were you as nervous the first time?

SHINJI: (He pauses, thinking back to his first time in an Evangelion. Finally, taking a breath, he answers.) I was more than nervous… I was terrified.

ASUKA: Hopefully with five Evas, things will not be as bad.

TOJI: Five? You mean the vampire's Evangelion has come in?

SHINJI: Yeah, Unit-04. With this being five against one this could be a short fight.

TOJI: If Count Nagisa doesn't stab us all in the back afterwards.

ASUKA: (With eyes glazed over.) "Count Nagisa?" That is just low-hanging fruit, Suzuhara.

TOJI: I don't the names of any other vampires, alright?

SHINJI: (Grinning.) Fair enough, but we better get on our way. We have an Angel to stop.

TOJI: (Genuinely curious.) You think I'll be the one to land the killing blow on the thing?

ASUKA: Don't count on it. With four other Evangelion pilots, anyone could land it. (SHINJI, ASUKA and TOJI EXIT through the gates. ENTER REI and KAWORU.)

KAWORU: Why such distrust, Rei? Are we not one and the same?

REI: The cobra and mongoose are both animals of the land, should they trust each other?

KAWORU: Are we not on the same side then?

REI: Allegiances change and I do not trust you to stay loyal, Kaworu Nagisa.

KAWORU: (He smiles.) A wise policy… Why don't you join me? A king needs a queen.

REI: And a chess board a full set of pieces. My allegiance is to Commander Ikari and my fellow Evangelion pilots. I told you once I would turn my Evangelion upon yours, if need be, do not make this the day it happens, Kaworu Nagisa. (She EXITS through the gate, leaving KAWORU alone, still smiling.)

KAWORU: (To the audience.) If today I must play the role of Cain, then perhaps some day Rei Ayanami, the First Child, shall be my Awan. If Shinji Ikari, the Third Child, is not… Oh, what does it matter? Rival? Lover? He shall be something, if not the latter, then he shall be my former and what a beautiful rivalry it shall be… Yes, I do believe I would prefer him as a rival than a lover. Asuka can have Shinji's love, I will have Rei's love and if not that her hatred, leaving good Shinji to be my rival, a Great Pompey to my Divine Julius. (EXITS through the gates.)