Click to see the mission!
Back again, Kenji has closed the gap with Daiya ever-so-slightly, but it’s still quite the tight race.
In regards to upgrades, a good bunch of the cash I made last mission went towards giving the Dancouga a few pips and, more importantly, getting Goh up to 50% (I’d been neglecting his upgrades a bit).
His Squad Bonus actually changes between the Dannar, Godannar with Mira and Godannar with Anna: all forms get melee weapons’ power +200, armor +150 and movement +1, but the last bit can be EN +100 (Dannar), Accuracy +15 (Mira) or Mobility +15 (Anna).
For Skill Parts, Kouji took Guard and Daiya got Infight up to L3.
Dick, Daiya, Norza and Lee are deploying as events, so we change accordingly. Do note that the Daichi and Tenku Maryu take up unit slots, despite being ships; we’ve 18 slots available now, so keep that in mind.
Ozma/Luca
Asuka/Domyoji
Kouichi/Quatre
Iczer-3/Zechs
Kenji/Kyo
Jeeg/Micchi
Voltes/Yanma
Alto/Michel
Combattler/Rei
Shinn/Puria
Goh/Anna
Tetsuya/Canaria
Shinji/Rey
Kouji/Yagyuu
Dancouga/Hilde
Ichitaka/Miu
Also, make note that there’s a not-insignificant amount of water in this stage.
Lady Une’s given Lulu full authority to represent us in the meeting with Emperor Darius. The girl promises to rise to the occasion, but is warned to keep in mind that this might be a trap. Be careful.
By the hangar, Ichitaka and Kouichi are filled with glee over seeing all three Giants of Flame before their eyes. Daiya had told them about the other two before, but nothing beats the real deal! This is our first time meeting most of these people, so this calls for some introductions. Ichitaka does have a warning for Kouichi: “Things are a bit crazy right now, so maybe hold off on asking for autographs?”
Hey, now, whoever would be so shameless to try something like that! “I’m not a fanboy, you know!” Kouichi objects… though that holds little water when, as Nagisa points out, he can’t even look us in the eye when saying it. Whatever the case, we’ll start with Lee, who Noin remembers as piloting one of the Gaiking support units – the Serpent.
He’s got the Vulking now, of course, but is always ready to deploy in his old unit if the situation calls for it. As for the Raiking, it’s manned by the northern general, Norza. That’s quite the old-school rank, thinks Heine, but Kain explains it’s due to him being one of the former Darius generals. He obviously quit the job when he turned against Proist, though.
That’s all in the past for Norza, but Jack can still tell from his stance that he’s a warrior of considerable skill. Would he care to spar later? Sure, when there are no enemies left to keep his blade busy.
Next up is Vestanu, former western general and leader of the Iron Beast Corps. She also couldn’t abide to Proist’s foul tactics and left the Darius Army, bringing her subordinate, Rebecca, along. As for Kain, he’s Norza’s right-hand man.
Puria makes note of how Lee’s also Daiya’s kenpo teacher… though the man himself admits the kid’s already stronger than him. Daiya doubts it, saying he still needs to polish his skill a whole lot more to get on Lee’s level.
Speaking of, Daiya thanks Ichitaka for covering for him while he got the Shinryu Hydro Blazer ready. Kouichi’s proud of him and Alice mastering their new finishing move. Turns out Ichitaka taking a cold shower when he did actually helped him figure out what needed to be done – all thanks to Kenji and Tsubaki’s convo giving him the idea. Well, if he’s grateful, Kenji suggests he can treat him to lunch sometime!
Sounds good, and there’s this kickass ramen stand near his house – they give out student discounts, even! Kenji can hardly wait but, of course, that all depends on how well our meeting with the Emperor goes, and whether we can wrap up the battle with the Darius.
Over by Lulu’s room, she’s getting a visit from Dick. He can tell she’s nervous about meeting the Emperor, and she won’t deny it. The guy’s talk about his people moving into space would be great if true, but the suddenness of it all has her suspicious, isn’t that right?
Lulu’s surprised that he can read her so well but, regardless, if the Darian people really are going to search the universe for a new home, she’d like to help. “Well, wherever you go, I’ll follow,” Dick proclaims. “And when this battle’s over, when your dream’s been fulfilled… I…”
The talk’s interrupted when Rosa calls in; they’re getting close to the specified area, so Lulu has to get back to the bridge.
As we’re arriving, Naoto spots a Giant up ahead. That’s the Darius Emperor or, rather, what Vestanu and the others believed to be the Emperor. The Daiku Maryu moves to settle down next to it.
: I am Misato Katsuragi, LOTUS’ commanding officer.
: Lulu, captain of the Daiku Maryu.
: I am Emperor Darius XVII. The Giant you saw is my facsimile… Or perhaps it is best described as my castle.
: Regardless, as I said previously, I no longer wish for us to fight.
: Still, Emperor, you must understand that it’s hard for us to simply believe you after everything that’s happened.
: And I do not blame you. However, I speak no lie – rather, I swear it upon my name. All I want now is to stop Proist. The Daiku Maryu stands for all of mankind, and that is my request to you.
: And I vouch for the Emperor’s words as another Earthling.
: Dad…!
: It’s been a long time, Daiya.
: Dad… you were alright… Thank God. Now you can come home with me! Mom’s waiting for you!
: … I cannot do that. I’ve a duty as a scientist to help the Emperor.
: Dad…
: Very well, Emperor Darius. If you’re willing to proclaim as much, then we are willing to cooperate with you.
BOOM!
: What?! An attack?!
: Over there! Something’s headed this way!
: It’s the four generals’ Galeans! And Proist!
: So it WAS a trap!
: No! I ordered none of this!
: Father… I’ve come to welcome you when I heard that the King Darius had reached the surface… but, pray tell, why are you in the company of the Daiku Maryu?
: Proist! I… I want to put an end to your offensive against the surface! It was with that in mind that I met with them to secure an alliance…
: End my offensive? Why do you want that? All I’ve done was to create a beautiful world, of beautiful people, just for you…!
: Oh, I see… It was you. You people fed my father lies, didn’t you…?
: You filthy surfacers! I’ll slaughter the lot of you!
BOOM!
: All hands, execute Plan D! Move to engage the enemy!
: Your Majesty, it is dangerous to say here! Come with me!
: Where’re you trying to take my father, Doctor Two?!
CRAAAASH!
: GAAAH!
: Emperor! Dad!
: Watch out!
Jump and grab!
: Urk…
: Are you well, father of Daiya?
: Thank you, sir. I’m fine… but the Emperor is…
: Aah! Father!!
: Pro…ist…
: I was trying to rescue you! Why didn’t you stand still? I wasn’t going to attack you…
: …
: Father…? What’s the matter, father? Why won’t you speak to me?
: Aah—AAAAAAAH! FATHER!! You… you…!
: You vermin!! It’s because of you that my father died!!
: What the hell?! Any way you slice it, you—
: SHUT UUUUP!! You… You’ll all pay for this!!
Mission 25 – A God to Bring Woe and Grief to an End
Now in stereo!
If you’ve got some 50-ish minutes to spare, do listen to Dvořák’s full 9th symphony.
: That’s!
: Hmhmhm… The Chou Maryu Final Dvorak is made perfect at last!
: What an intimidating visage… It sure deserves its title…!
: And now, you filthy bacteria, shut your traps and listen to my grand symphony!
: Launch all troops! Hurry!
: I can’t believe this… the energy readings we’re getting from the Dvorak are far stronger than the original one’s!
: I suppose she wasn’t just showing off when she said it was perfect.
: But we can’t let her scare us! That selfish girl needs to be put in her place!
: Take a look, dad! We’ll take Proist down and protect both the surface and the Darius World from her!
Mission Objective: Destroy all enemy units
Mission Failure: Any battleship, Gaiking, Raiking, Vulking or the Kill Jaguar shot down
Pretty much a retread of the previous fights, only with some added stuff for you to watch out for. First and foremost, the terrain’s kind of against your grounded troops: there’s a river running straight across the battleground, the northern corner’s sea, and there are forests everywhere. Anyone that can’t fly will be moving slower than most (remember your good friend Yanma).
Proist will still hang back for a long time, but her goons will all rush in from the get-go. Keep an eye out, as the Galeans can hurt and even a Super may be in trouble if they decide to focus fire (to say nothing of how the Darius mooks pack a heftier punch than most).
As for the Final Dvorak, it’s everything the original one was, but better (except its regen, which is worse). Proist is still a monster of a pilot and the thing’s still got plenty of accuracy, range and power.
But what you REALLY wanna keep an eye out is her new Hellfire Bullet MAPW: it’s got that +30 accuracy modifier but, worse, it is now a targetable 4x4 AoE anywhere in an 8-tile radius around her. It can’t hit point-blank, but that doesn’t really matter because she’ll be raining it down on your guys as they approach.
I can’t really give you any big tips here outside of try to keep your guys as spread out as can be. Easier said than done, of course, as there’s a bevy of enemies in the way and only so much room to move around due to the water and forests. Worst case scenario, pack you reals inside a ship and ferry them over, though they should all be capable of taking at least one hit on the chin.
Let’s get to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2y-kZ1z9TA
Gee, Asuka, how come Gendou lets you have TWO knives?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OswTHXLVOk
And I’ve finally managed to find an opportunity to show off Rey’s strongest attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8tChci744I
Aha, got the Valeon’s attack to connect. I kinda wish we could hijack a couple of these Darius Giants for us to use…
Lee’s HP draws in a bunch of enemies, so never be afraid of answering with his Corona Blast to neuter a few of them for a turn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5B_U5wdUpQ
: Alright! That’s one of her generals down!
: Hmhmhm… useless.
: What?!
: She can regen even other units?!
: Which is why I said it’s useless! You’re powerless! It’s impossible for you to stop me!
: We can, and we will, Proist! I’m shutting down all your plans!
: If we go for the four generals, the Dvorak will simply restore them as it did just now. Think before you attack or we’ll exhaust ourselves!
: Aye, aye!
Oh, yeah, there’s also that. Until you get rid of Proist, she’ll simply heal her goons to full; also, she’ll spawn eight fresh enemies whenever their numbers fall under 12 (only thrice, though).
FYI, the generals will only give out cash the first time you kill them, so don’t get clever and try to farm them. Feel free to take the mooks if you’re not strapped for resources, of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoaM8l8wtw
Here’s the Daichi Maryu’s strongest attack (DK included) outside of its combined one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymrB3Zmi0xU
As I’m moving in, of course, Proist starts firing. Shinn, Quatre and Domyoji take some decent damage, but overall our folks are fine.
The second time she does it, though, the Big Shooters, Yagyuu, Alto and Michel lose some 80% of their HP. Still fine!
I suggest leaving Iron Walled ships behind to draw the attention of the generals.
We also get this nice little set-up.
Cha-ching!
And now for Proist herself.
: Now this isn’t an enemy we can beat the regular way…
: The other shoe dropped, eh? I’m the strongest being alive. You don’t have a one in a million shot at winning this!
: Doesn’t stop me from rolling the die. And, whatever the case, ours isn’t a “regular” group.
: That’s how I know this battle WILL end in our favor. You’re right that our odds aren’t one in a million – they’re a million in a million!
Dick: “I’m not letting you get even one fingernail on my goddess!”
: The Daiku Maryu dares fight the Chou Maryu? You idiots don’t get that you can’t win, huh?!
: Kch…! W-We…!
: Remember, Lulu. You’re not facing her by your lonesome.
: We’re all here with you!
: Go, Lulu!
: Guys… thank you! She won’t break me!
: Angle the Daiku Maryu towards the dead center of the enemy forces and charge! Our bonds will crush her!
–
: We’re still here, and you’re not wasting everything dad and Emperor Darius did on our watch!
: Daiya Tsuwabuki… It is time to pass judgment onto you. Your sentence…
: Is DEATH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d91p2bE8jQc
: Enough… Would someone please kill them… bring me some measure of peace…
: Give this heartbroken girl a GODDAMN BREAK!
: If that’s how you feel, please stop attacking! Let’s calm down and talk! I’m sure we can—
: Don’t tell me what to do, worm! Maybe I oughta kill you first!
: Not while I’m around! I’m gonna give you your just desserts, and then Nagisa won’t have to worry!
: I’m surrounded by garbage who can’t even do as told!
: I hate them… I hate the masses, I hate you, your friends, your pets, your families AND your filthy kind! I hate everything, including this stupid world that refuses to BOW DOWN TO ME LIKE IT SHOULD!
: And as long as you let yourself get caught up on that stuff, you’re not winning this!
: Love, and being loved… that’s what keeps us firm! A wacko chick like you ain’t taking us out!
: You took my dear father from me! And right when I was about to become the true empress before his very eyes!
: It was by no one’s hand other than yours that things ended like this, Proist!
: If you’d done as Emperor Darius asked of you, none of this would’ve happened!
: SHUT YOUR MOUTH! My father and I are the only ones who deserve to mold this world!
: What good are all those other maggots?! All they do is suck in air and crap out even more worthless spawn!
: No room for sympathy with this one, that’s for sure…! The Dannar and I’ll sweep away your dark flames!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIIz7SHCHVw
: I’ve just had fun little idea.
: I promise I won’t destroy one country in exchange for your own father’s life.
: Now make your choice! Your father, or all of a country’s people?! HAHAHAHAAH!
: My dad’s protecting me from this awful, cruel world… That’s how I looked at it, but I was wrong.
: Now… now it’s my turn. Yes, there’re a lot of bad things in this world, but there’s also a lot of good. And I want to keep that world safe!
: I’m sick of toying with you… It’s time for all your pointless lives to get incinerated!
: There’s no such thing as a pointless life… All life’s the same, whether you make something out of it or not!
: And, you? You don’t get to deny any of them!
: A beautiful nation, of beautiful people… that was the paradise I would have made for my father and me…
: If you wanted make a beautiful nation, then you should’ve started by bettering yourself, Proist!
: What did you say…?
: I said that your heart’s hideous! And it shows with everything you do!
: Once more into the fray, Tenku Maryu…! We’ll carry on fighting until the Raiking’s run out of energy!
: You knights were all completely worthless…! Nothing but a mob of fools who dares rebel against their master!
: My master is, and has always been, Lord Norza! I’d never pledge my allegiance to someone who disregarded the Emperor’s will!
Kain: “For all of the Darian peoples!”
: After oh-so-many experiments, you were given the honor of serving as my spare parts… But, alas, how the mighty have fallen! You are now simply a rabid dog, who’s long forgotten who his master is!
: And, of course, had you simply defeated the Gaiking in the first place…
: Then I wouldn’t have KILLED MY FATHER! A weakling like you doesn’t deserve to be my spare parts! The trash heap is all you’re getting!
: I won’t deny that I might’ve been your spare parts in the past. But now it is different!
: What’s different?! Trash is still trash! There’ll be nothing but your ashes when this is over, but not before I gouge out your eyes with all my power!
: Hmph, you are simply clueless. Victory does not go to the strongest… but to those who refuse to surrender until the very end!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc76-Nn4PG8
: Gworgh…!
: There you have it, Proist! That’s all our power for you!
: No, no, nonononoNONO! The Final Dvorak can’t… I CANNOT HAVE LOST!!
: Y-Your Highness!
All four generals fly towards her.
: All hostile signals are gone! The Darius Core’s confirmed intact!
: Does that mean…?!
: That the battle with the Darius is over!
: Very good. Now we just have to send a team to recover the Core.
: Well done, Daiya. You’ve grown so strong…
: Dad… I trained so hard to get like this. “I know my dad’s alive, and, someday, I’ll save him”… that’s what I believed, and why I fought all this time!
: You went through a lot of hurt because of me, haven’t you…
: That… That doesn’t matter. What I wanna know is why were you with Emperor Darius…?
: You are aware of all the people trying to live their lives despite the government’s abuse in the Darius World, right?
: I am.
: I wanted to save their future… which is why I proposed the Ark Project to the Emperor, and helped him advance it. If his people had the option of migrating to a new world, there’d be no need for them to invade the surface, or for more blood to be spilled without reason.
: Dad…!
: Hey, your dad’s a pretty stand-up guy, eh, Daiya?
: Yeah… he wasn’t helping with anything bad, just as I thought!
: As I thought, indeed…
: Proist?!
: You’re the one… the one who tricked my father into betraying me…! Both of you’ll die for this!
: What the hell?! Didn’t we beat her?!
: She came back with the lives of her four generals?!
: I did. After all, my loyal commanders were simply biological parts grown for such an eventuality. Higant, Banishum, Telmina, Nikita, you shall live eternally within me!
: What… How can you think it’s OK for anyone to exist just for someone else’s sake?!
: Shinn…
: I’m sorry, but are you giving me attitude? Lest you forget, I have just lost my beloved father… Sorrow grips the heart of the greatest of all beings…
: And I’ll make you vermin pay for all of it! With my father gone, I am now the leader of the Darius! And I’ll show you all the power that gives me!!
: Th-That’s… Emperor Darius’ castle…!
: It is the mightiest of Giants. A guardian of steel that only the Darian ruler may command…
: Its name is King Darius XVII! Oh, wait, I guess its XVIII now!
: Come on, Earthlings! This is where it ends, and I won’t stop until every single one of you have been crushed into bloody paste!
: Damn it, she just won’t quit!
: But I’m sure she’s on her last legs! Go for it, guys!
And here it is, Proist’s last trick. On one hand, it is better than the Dvorak in most ways with more HP, range, defenses, power, the works. That said, it is not perfect: for one, its MAPW is only directional (3x7 line), instead of a selectable target – way better for us – and its two strongest moves only have +10 accuracy modifiers.
All other Darius mooks have died, so we don’t have them wearing us down either. Depending on how crazy you got, you might be running out of juice, but the good thing is the King Darius doesn’t regen like the Dvorak did.
That said, since most of your guys have likely moved, I suggest you spread outside her MAPW range and bite the bullet for a turn. You’ll likely need most of your units to take her in one round, and you don’t want Proist to blast you while running Prevail.
Like so.
Thankfully, Kyo dodged it. After the first battle…
: Damn, that thing’s strong…!
: Oh, King Darius… you are overwhelming in your splendor. Not even the Final Dvorak could compare.
: Col. Katsuragi, we might want to consider a temporary retreat to reorganize…!
: We also can’t ignore the increasing damage to our forces!
: Hrm…
: But we’ve no idea how long the Darius World will last without the Darius Core… We must fight to the bitter end!
: Your attitude annoys me… Do you fancy yourself the heroine of some light novel?
: Proist, stop! The Emperor wouldn’t have wanted this!
: And who was it that turn said Emperor against me…?
: That was you, and there’ll be no forgiveness!
: And, actually… You’re gonna go through the same pain as me, Daiya Tsuwabuki! Wait, no, you’ll taste a Hell a thousand times worse!
: What’re you doing, Proist?!
: Open your eyes! Watch as your dearly-missed father and the Daiku Maryu go down in flames!!
: !!
: Stop!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGBRel7siJk
Proist: The Daiku Maryu shall now fall to earth. > Scream for them, Daiya Tsuwabuki!!
Dick: You’re not hurting Lulu!
: Dick?!
: Psh… I’m supposed to be the level-headed guy. What was I thinking with this…?
: Daiya… take care of Lulu’s dream.
: Huh…?
: … Good luck!
: DIIIIIICK!
: No… this can’t be real…!
: Damn… A God of Death isn’t supposed to die, man…!
: HYAAHAHAHA! At least now there’s a bit less trash in the world!
: How could you…! We’ll get you for this!!
Here are the rest of Proist’s attacks before we get going:
: How can you not be ashamed of your idiocy… You are not worthy of being Empress!
: Cheeky ‘til the end…! But the hooey that comes off a traitor’s rotten mouth means absolutely nothing!
: My thoughts are turned to just one thing: the future of the Darius…! The army may have lost its way, but I have never betrayed my people!
–
: Look at how strong that flame burns… I’ve no idea if even my Giant of Flame can handle that one.
: Losing your nerve, are you, surfacer?!
: Come now, don’t sell me short. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t see this through!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVMy8585YyU
Here’s her strongest move.
: I know firsthand how much it hurts to lose your dad! And if this battle keeps going, the world’s gonna be full of people like us!
: What is your point…?
: Are you comparing the grief of garbage like you to mine?!
: I killed my own father! Even if millions of your pathetic, trifling parents got slaughtered, your suffering would still mean peanuts next to that!
: That’s where you’re wrong! And if you refuse to stop, then I’ll just have to make you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXfFW3zauuo
And her second weakest, which is actually pretty elaborate.
Now we wrap this up.
: It’s your fault that my father’s dead! Only your lives could ever start to make up for that!
: And what about all the people that’re dead because of you?! I’m sure there were tons of fathers you took from their families!
: Don’t you dare compare the lives of trash to his! The only life that could ever match my father’s is mine!
: …! You…!
: You’ve no right to say that! No one has that right!!
: Is it your turn to be killed now, maggot?
: Screw you! What I’ll do is back up Daiya and my friends all the way through this!
: Because I’m Puria Richardson, the top ace of the Daiku Maryu!
–
: Trust me with your lives, my friends! We’ll bring an end to the war with the Darius here and now!
: The engine’s in the red! We’re good to go!
: You insects are getting too uppity for my tastes!
: Proist…! The red flames within us will never fall to a monster like you!
: What the hell is the point of just your group coming up to the surface?!
: All your subjects are still back in the Darius World! Didja ever think about them?!
: Whoops… I only cared to pick the best of the best, but I guess you’re kinda right… Oh, well!
: What?!
: My Operation’s the only thing that matters now! Just this battle! Everything else can eat it!
: You are a real monster…! I can’t let you live!
: How can you still not get it?! It’s wrong to think that you’re better than everyone else!
: This maggot’s still ranting about that even after seeing my power…? Guess you’re a bona fide idiot!
: Being an idiot’s fine with me if the other option’s being kill-crazy tyrant preying on the weak!
: This battle’s just the prelude to the end of this world. Rue your weakness and just die. And don’t worry… You’ll have company soon!
: We still have much we need to do. Taking back our own Earth from the Katou Organization, for one!
: And until that happens, come what may, we refuse to die!
: I got a score to settle with you… might as well be now. I’ll give back a million times what you gave me!
: We’re pulling the plug on this war today… So not only are you not settling that score, we’ll be adding to it and dunking you straight into the pits of Hell!
: A crab… You got a death-wish, I see!
: Y-You’re not scaring us off…!
: Everything we did was for this day!
: You might kill us, but we’ll at least get one punch in on you!
–
: You truly are the spawn of nightmares… but soon you’ll be no more…!
: Proist, wait! I’ve recovered the remains of your late father!
: My father’s…?
: And by his heart, I uncovered a device containing his last will and testament. This device… it is a regulator for the DNA of the ancient Zelans, the ancestors of the Darius.
: The one who inherits this is Emperor Darius, and it’s the duty of the previous Emperor to nurture his or hers successor as a suitable vessel for it.
: At the crowning ceremony, the successor’s mind bonds and becomes one with the souls stored within.
: The Emperor said that he wanted to give the Zelan DNA a chance to endure.
: “Let your soul join and be purified by the spirits of Emperors past, and set out to a new world…” That was his message for you.
: What… I… I’m just a vessel…?
: Please, Proist, call off this battle and take up your due legacy! It is consensus among the Emperors that this war wasn’t supposed to happen!
: No… No… NOOOOOO!
Bzzzt!
: Hrk?! The flames of her hatred destroyed the device…!
: Daiya Tsuwabuki! Surfacers! I’ll swear it once more… I’ll massacre every single creature in this world!
: Enough with your tantrum! We’re not gonna let your selfishness destroy our planet!!
: Gaaaaah!
: Did we get her?!
: Why… Why?! I was born to be Empress…! I am the greatest being of all…!
: Why should I be unhappy just to bring happiness to my lessers…? I refuse to accept that world!!
: Goddamn, look at how fast it’s regenning!
: There’s no end to this! What’re we gonna do?!
: … There is a way. The Gaiking’s body, the Raiking’s arms, the Vulking’s legs…
: By uniting the strongest parts from every Giant, we may bring forth the ultimate Giant of Flames…!
: They can do that?!
: Theoretically, though we had no pilot who could withstand its supreme might. That said, with the massive growth Daiya’s flame has gone through…
: I believe he could handle… GAIKING THE GREAT!
: “Gaiking the Great”…?!
: Do you speak the truth, surfacer scientist? Could that Giant of Flames actually defeat this monster?!
: Yes…!
: Then it is decided…!
: Set your soul ablaze, Daiya! And burn Proist to cinders!
: Raiking, Part 1! GO!
: Vulking, Part 2! GO! Fly, Daiya! Everything’s in your hands!
: Believe in yourself, Daiya! We do! We know you’ll bring forth a miracle!
: Damn straight, Daiya! You can handle this!
: Give Proist a taste of what your… of what OUR hearts are all about!
: Bring it home, Daiya! That’s what a real man’s gotta do!
: We’ve all seen how bright your flame shines!
: Do it, Daiya! Burn stronger than ever before!
: … All of their flames are joining with mine…
: And with them, nothing can stop me from burning stronger and stronger!!
: Pah, and how do you figure that gigantic mish-mash’ll help you?! Don’t make me laugh!
: I believe in my friends, and they believe in me. I realized the second we joined our powers how amazing that is!
: But you wouldn’t know. All you do is flare up by yourself! And that is absolutely not going to smother our combined flames!
: That’s not true…! VICTORY’LL BE MINE!
: Here’s everything we’ve got! TAKE IT AAALL!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1qCePX-bXA
: Th-These maggots…
: King Darius, signal lost…
: Proist… Our willingness to learn from our enemies… that’s what separates you from us.
: Your downfall was a result of nothing but your own pride.
: It’s over… It’s finally over. And both the surface and the Darius World are safe!
: Badass, Daiya! Everyone here saw the flame of your soul!
: Seriously… that was pretty fantastic. (From across the map!)
…Ah?!
: Dick! You’re alive!
: Don’t kill me off like that, Mister. I’m not one to call it quits at the moment of truth. I do have the goddess of luck on my side, after all.
: Dick… thank goodness…
: Talk about weird, dad… I’ve looked forward to this for so long, and now I dunno what to say…
: I understand; words are failing me, too. Time and again I wondered what I’d say when I went back to the surface and saw you and your mother again…
: Dad…! W-waaaaaah!
: I’m so proud of you, Daiya…
: (Oh, Daiya…)
: D-Damn it! Who’s peeling onions ‘round here?!
: He’s finally found his dad… Ah, that’s just the best.
: Yes… I’m so happy for him…
: Come on, folks. We should give them a moment.
: …
Later, at the Daiku Maryu’s bridge, Garis lets everyone know he’ll be personally taking the Darius Core back to the imperial capital – as an envoy of peace between both worlds. Daiya’s Dad will be coming with, unfortunately, telling his son that he still has work to see to: namely, carrying out the Emperor’s Ark Project.
See, while the Darius World isn’t breaking down RIGHT NOW, it’s still going to do so eventually. So, Dad needs to get the ships ready, gather up the surviving Darians and send them off towards their new homeworld. Daiya’s gonna be a bit lonely up top, but he understands that his father isn’t one to abandon people in trouble. He does promise to come home as soon as it is done, though.
As for the Daichi and Tenku Maryus, Garis says they’ll be staying up top to help LOTUS; consider it atonement for all the troubles they caused the surfacers. Darian warriors always repay their debts, though Norza wants us to know that he ISN’T INTERESTED in making friends.
Daiya sighs that he’s been working with us long enough that he could stand to not be so prickly. That’s about as friendly as the guy can manage, Kain laughs. “Stop talking this instant, Kain!” Norza yelps.
As Dick bids Norza welcome to LOTUS, Sakuya and Michel wring their fists at him for getting us all worried he’d died. Everyone in this team is insane, Michel grunts. Ichitaka isn’t about to give him too much crap for it, though, as he understands one tends to act without thinking when someone important to them is at risk.
Whatever the case, Duo’s happy the guy survived – it’d suck to be the only God of Death in the team. Granted, Hilde points out that having a bunch of folks with that nickname around isn’t very auspicious…
Whatever the case, we just closed the book on the war with the Darius and took a major step towards bringing true peace to this world. Quite the emotional sight for Misato, seeing races that spent nearly the last ten years fighting come together like this. Kenji was just a kid when it started!
Sounds to Heine that this was less of a victory for humanity, and just a victory for everyone. But what do we do now? There’re no emergencies at the moment, so Misato orders us back to JUDA. Sounds great, especially since Kenji’s FAMISHED.
Cut back to Island 1, Sheryl’s been caught slipping out of the hospital AGAIN, but she needed to have a talk with Grace. She just has one question: “why?” Care to be more specific? Why did she become Ranka’s manager? Why’s she keeping her pretty much locked up in this hospital room? Why does that girl’s song work on the Vajra, and not hers?
As Sheryl starts coughing again, Grace sneers at how pathetic she is. She can style herself an artiste, a singer, but at the end of the day she’s merely an idol – an image without substance, crafted by another’s hands.
Sheryl yells no, saying she got to the top by her own efforts, but Grace doubts it: “Had I not picked you up when I did, you would have met your end as another nobody in the Macross Galaxy’s slums. But that’s over. Sheryl Nome is dead.”
Is that sad excuse for a threat supposed to intimidate her? No, she’s not going to give up on her career, Grace or no Grace. Oh, what an ignorant girl she is. Did Sheryl forget how Grace had her hospitalized for a while as soon as she found her?
So? As it turns out, they weren’t actually HEALING her of anything - quite the opposite. And the disease had simply been dormant until now. See, she wasn’t speaking figuratively: Sheryl is literally a dead woman walking.
: Haah… Kouichi, Quatre, Emi, Ichitaka, where’d you all run off to…? They didn’t even call to celebrate the end of the war or anything…
: I’m feeling so left out here… Hrmm…
: … Risako.
: Huh? A-Aaah!
: It’s been ages, hasn’t it…? You doing alright?
: Ya-Yajima…?!
: …
Now, since the plot stopped us before:
Gaiking The Great (Daiya Tsuwabuki)
50% Squad Bonus: Armor +200, Mobility +15, 1500 Barrier, Movement +1
Play this in honor of the new king.
Daiya has officially become death, the destroyer of games. Gaiking the Great is one of two units that compete for the title of “most goddamn broken thing” in the game, and the first one to arrive (quit faffing about, Yumi!). A.k.a. “the reason why Daiya’ll likely top our ace list”.
It hits like a truck made out of dynamite, any attacks against it hit with the consistency of a spitball (if they ever get through its barrier, which is unlikely outside of bosses), it has 3-7 weapon for range (which causes attack-down); its movement goes to 8 with the 50% bonus, meaning said truck now has a rocket attached to it, and it has S ranks on ALL terrains, meaning Daiya’ll likely dodge very well. Don’t forget that this is all on top of all those Flame bonuses!
Its only “flaw” is that its weapons are rather EN hungry, but 300+ EN means any resupply bot will give it 30 back every turn. EN-Save further reduces the game’s attempt to stop Daiya from killing everything forever. As with Rom, it will not work.
Two things to keep in mind: EN spent with the Gaiking will not be restored when you combine, and Norza and Lee are NOT subpilots. Once you combine, they are effectively removed for the rest of the battle. Way I see it, since they’re both so good by themselves, I can set them aside as a duo of their own and have them play around for part of the mission before going to town.
Respect Daiya, lest he realize he could now conquer the world.