Stage 63 -- Battle Response

Cover: Rei in different school uniform (plaid skirt with light
sailor-type blouse) sitting on wooden steps by a simple fence at the
seashore

Scene: Misato and Makoto rush into the Command Center
Ritsuko (turning): You're late. What were you doing?
Misato: I have no excuse. Present status?
Ritsuko: The target has closed to an aerial position over Oowakudani and
is currently rotating around a fixed point. Eva-00 has been launched
from gate No. 32 and is moving to the intercept point. Eva-02 is
assisting as backup.
Misato: What about Eva-01?
Ritsuko: Standing by in the No. 4 cage. The freeze status has not been
canceled yet.
Misato: ..... And in its place you've sortied Eva-02.
Ritsuko: Commander Ikari's orders. Is that a problem?
Misato: No. Let's see what he can do.

Scene: Kaworu and Rei inside the Eva-02 and Eva-00 entry plugs as the
Evas approach the Angel, Shinji watching from inside the Eva-01 entry
plug
Shinji (thinking): Damn... I disliked fighting so much before, but now
it's so hard to wait. And again it's only me just sitting here with my
arms folded. If anything should happen to Ayanami and the rest again...
if anything should happen... I...

Shigeru: It's a standoff. And without first being able to determine the
enemy's means of attack...
Makoto: The pattern is changing cyclically from blue to orange!
Misato: What does that mean?
Maya: MAGI is indicating response not possible.
Ritsuko: It means the data is insufficient to reach an answer. But, one
thing for certain is that that shape is not a fixed form.
Misato: So, we can't make the first move... (on radio) Rei! Just observe
its status for a bit.
Rei (in entry plug): No. It's coming.
(The Angel transforms from the double helix ring to a solid band and
breaks the ring with one end rushing toward the Evas)
Shinji: Ayanami!
(Eva-00 raises its rifle and fires, but the shots have no effect, and
the Angel rushes toward Eva-00. However, just before it strikes, Eva-02
shoves Eva-00 out of the way and then fires its own rifle at the Angel.
However, again there is no effect, and this time the Angel turns toward
Eva-02)
Kaworu: The rifles have no effect! Is there anything else?
Misato: I'll send out the dual saw! Run to point C-883!
Kaworu: Roger!
(The Angel rushes at Eva-02, but Eva-02 dodges it by leaping up into the
air. The Angel changes course and thrusts up at the Eva, but Kaworu
(with a very alive expression) plants Eva-02's foot on the tip of the
Angel and executes a beautiful back flip off and out of the way.
Shinji (thinking/stunned): Incredible...
Misato: What moves... Asuka was also good, but this surpasses even that.

(A huge double-bladed chainsaw rises out of the ground. Eva-02 grabs the
chainsaw and fires it up)
Kaworu: Sorry, but you'll have to let me win this one. The scenario says
that you are the one that has to disappear.
(The Angel plunges at Eva-02, but Eva-02 blocks and attacks it with the
chainsaw. Then suddenly, the other end of the Angel rushes at Eva-00.
Rei is surprised and Eva-00 raises its rifle and fires, but again to
little effect.)
Misato: No! Get out of the way!!
Makoto: It's no good! She won't make it!
(The end of the Angel splits into seven strands which encircle Eva-00
and strike it from multiple directions. The Angel strands penetrate into
the transfixed Eva-02.)
Misato/Ritsuko: Rei!!
Rei (suffering): Unh...
(Eva-00 grabs an Angel strand in one hand, presses the rifle against it
and fires, but to no effect)
Kaworu (thinking): Eva-00... It's been caught... and I even said the
rifles were useless. (Eva-02's chainsaw grinds at the Angel with no
visible effect) Damn. Does this also have no effect?
(The Angel turns and strikes the side of the chainsaw, and begins to
penetrate and spread throughout the chainsaw.)
Kaworu (surprised/thinking): !? Not good -- a penetrating type!!
(Ayanami writhes and suffers as the Angel continues to penetrate and
spread throughout Eva-00)
Shinji (frantic): Ayanami!!

- End Stage 63