Episode 25' - Air

"The fate of destruction is also the joy of rebirth."

The last Angel is dead, signifying the final phase of the scenario -- the effectuation of the Instrumentality Project (HCP). SEELE immediately instructs Gendou and Fuyutsuki to complete the Project using Eva-01, but the two are reluctant to carry out a plan that will bring about the death of all people, and they rebut SEELE's wishes. However, SEELE is not one to overlook this betrayal, and MAGI's alarms screech out that following dawn. It is an attempt by the other MAGI located around the world to hack the original. This is followed by the issuance of Special Order A-801, which strips NERV of its legal backing, and is also SEELE's ultimatum. Although NERV narrowly fends off the hacking attempt by reinstating Ritsuko, it is powerless against the subsequent invasion by the Japan Strategic Self Defense Force (JSSDF), which cuts through NERV like a hot knife through butter. Even NERV which successfully repulsed the Angels is feeble against other humans. "Why do they want the Evas so badly!?" [Maya's] half-screamed question fades unanswered amidst the sounds of gunfire and screams....

A False Rebirth

Sohryu Asuka Langley had lost everything. Her mother, her confidence, her pride, and even the will to live.... Then, reports of the JSSDF's attack cause Asuka to be sealed up inside Eva once again. The explosions and vibrations shake Asuka to her very soul, and her murmuring gradually changes to screams. "I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I don't want to die... I DON'T WANT TO DIE!! ... Mama!!"

Inside Eva's womb, Asuka realizes that she is with her mother -- that her mother is by her side. The swarming enemy are no longer a match for Asuka, and even the nine Eva series units cannot stop her. Eva-02 careens valiantly across the battlefield, soaring, crushing, toppling, stabbing, strangling, kicking, sweeping, shooting, striking, running, stopping, and stopped... its operational limit reached. The nine Eva series units alight on top of the motionless Eva-02 -- and the violation of Eva by Eva begins.

"We'll do the rest when you get back..."

SEELE forcing through the Instrumentality Project (HCP), Gendou's maneuvering, and the JSSDF invasion of NERV.... Misato and Shinji rush through gunfire and smoke; two people with a delicate relationship: mother and son, older sister and younger brother, lovers, adult and child, superior and subordinate.... Shots ring out! As Misato covers Shinji, her legs buckle and the two tumble toward the back of the passageway. Tears and anger mix, and naked emotions clash. Choked words, exasperation, the baring of one's heart, affection, and the meeting of two people's lips -- passing from a mere brushing of lips to an adult kiss. In many ways, Misato was Shinji's first woman.

"We'll do the rest when you get back..." were her words, but Shinji knew there would be no "rest", for Misato's still warm hands and lips were covered with blood...

Episode 26>

 

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