Awesome / Taking Sights

• Moment of Awesome - Asuka vs Sandalphon.
  • To elaborate: after the Angel's telepathic attack leaves everyone except Gendo and Asuka unconscious - including Units 00 & 02 - Asuka uses Unit 01 to fight Sandalphon. Towards the end, the battle has spilled over into Terminal Dogma, the two combatants duking it out right in front of Lilith. Skipping to the awesome: Asuka, through sheer bloody-mindedness and willpower, triggers Unit-01's Berserk State... except she's still in total control. At the end, she rips Lilith's mask off and uses the sharp edge to hammer/stab Sandalphon's core until it dies.
• Shinji, resident Extreme Doormat, takes a few steps toward developing a functional spine in this continuity that manifests itself in several surprising moments:
  • Having the guts to actually attempt Calling the Old Man Out when contacting Gendo in order to return to NERV and continue battling Angels after he quit. It doesn't turn out well for him, but still, damn.
  • Actually managing to peg Asuka after enduring weeks of emotional abuse, and forcing her to back off when she gets more aggressive. And breaking her nose with his fist after she crosses the line and tries to choke him out. It doesn't turn out well for him or for Asuka.
  • Hauling off and outright assaulting Gendo in an elevator after Sandalphon's attack, causing Gendo to sport a shiner for several days. It doesn't end well for him.
  • Finally finding the courage to ask Hikari out on a date, and getting her to say yes. It turned out well for him.

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