When Lovecraft Meets Three Kingdoms and Pop Music: Super Robot Wars UX

[Brunom1]

Alright, the vote’s over and here’s what we got:

Demonbane: 10
Fei-Yen: 9
Heroman/Mark Sechs: 7
Orphes/Linebarrel/Cao Cao: 4
Mazinkaiser: 3
Mark Destiny: 2
Buncha stuff: 1

I confess, when I called this vote, while I absolutely expected Kurou to win, I sure as hell didn’t think Fei, Shouko and Joey would claim the top 3.
And I really like the character Shouko’s become in UX, so… screw the rules, I have 25 million robobux and I’m FUBing all four of them!

Plus, truth be told, I’ve a sinking feeling if I didn’t do this, they’d top endgame vote. Best to give them their due now and leave the path open for the later arrivals to get a boost.

[NotoriousFAP]

Celebratory Demonbane music

[RYNO_Ross]

Damn, no Mazinkaiser. Aw well, there’s always next time. Congrats to the four finalist! Go out there and kick some giant metal/alien ass!

[Mattman324]

(It’s not much, but this is the best I can give you. May you find peace beneath this blue sky, Ryuuga…)

Given we know that directors can make choices the SRW makers have to follow (FREE MY BOY KITTAN), little things like this push me in the direction of that having been an issue with Demonbane.

[NotoriousFAP]

Doubtful.
This was the only appearance Ryuuga ever makes in the anime. Which is to say, in a still shot in the ED for a couple of seconds. Likewise, Metatron was only in the anime for a single second in the first episode. No reason to adapt Sandolphon into the game if you aren’t going to adapt Metatron, to say nothing of the fact that they only have the anime license.
I highly doubt it’s anything more than a little nod to the source material, of which there are three more of in the game.

[Brunom1]

Click to see the mission!

Behold! Unlimited power! As per the vote held, Kurou, Shouko, Fei and Heroman have all been maxed out, which makes them the first of our units to break into the highest tier of Squad Bonus (as if Kurou needed an even stronger barrier – 1500!).
Following the Fafner kids all taking some time off last mission, we’ve our whole crew back today, so here’s how we’re going:

Fei-Yen/Lockon
Kouichi/Kiki
Dancouga/Canaria
Sun Quan/Eida
Kazuki/Allelujah
Mazinkaiser/Hebi
Heroman/Shouko
Liu Bei/Rennie
Shinn/Luna
Zhang Fei/Sun Shangxiang
Demonbane/Deceive
Setsuna/Luca
Shou/Marvel
Arnie/Saya
Alto/Klan
Aesap/Painkiller
Cao Cao/Moritsugu
Michel/Kenji
Mamoru/Sakura
Tactician: Romina ( bring in Romina if you’re still gunning for the other Tobikage secret )

Now off we go.

We open up aboard the G-Excellent, where Annex is being informed of that unit Grathan had been working on: a certain machine that’s been passed down generations back at Planet The Boom, and, after much effort, it’s finally been restored! Charme is confused, as said machine was supposedly lacking some core data that made restoring it impossible.
That’s correct, but they simply used data on Tobikage, provided by Ylbora, to fill in that gap. Annex enjoys the irony of the machine made to return Tobikage to the void being given life by it – thus, he decides to christen it the Zerokage. Charme praises Grathan on his accomplishment and tells him to deploy said Zerokage and bring the Elshank to heel ASAP.

… Well, there’s a bit of a problem with that. See, while the machine itself IS complete, they can’t actually activate it yet. What is the damned point of finishing a mech that can’t even move, then?!
Ylbora intervenes, saying they’re working diligently to determine the cause of Zerokage’s slumber – he’s confident they’ll figure out how to make it work in the near future. Annex’ll trust them to do that, but warns that they’d best not take too long.
What does he mean? Well, Annex had much faith in Grathan and, thus, elected to let him handle the Elshank… but that hasn’t happened, has it? If his string of failures continues, the Emperor might just finally run out of patience. Grathan gulps and stammers an assurance that they WILL succeed next time! Look forward to the good news!

As the call ends, Charme asks if Annex is sure about doing that. While the thing is still inert, Grathan did succeed in restoring that legendary machine – wouldn’t it be a bit of a waste to put him down? Maybe, but they must make haste. Romina has awakened all three Ladorian machines, and if it turns out that she’s already managed to find the ninja…
Charme understands: Annex is worried the Ladorians may find a way to bring out the humongous power told of in the Ninja Legend. And that cannot happen – at least not for the Ladorians. On the flip side, if they can tap into that power with the Zerokage, that’d be great.

On to other matters, though: has Charme managed to reestablish contact with Planet The Boom? Not yet, and it seems the warp to get here has resulted in some misalignments in their star charts, which makes it difficult to home in on the homeworld. Annex suspects it’s related to whatever caused them to spend way more of their kylhasium stocks to go through the warp than they should have.
But, in any case, Annex wants the problem solved right away, but, inwardly, he’s pensive: “What unease is this? I feel like an animal that’s fallen into a trap…”

Over by JUDA, Damian is trying, and failing, to get the Kurojishi to work for him. He’s been doing this nonstop lately – Ennea’s seen him – and despite it all, the bot hasn’t budged once. Still, Mike tells him not to give up yet, as it also took them a while to get the Ladorian machines moving flawlessly. Before he gives it another go, though, Joey and Kurou suggest Damian get some rest – doesn’t he also have his intelligence work to do? He’s going to burn himself out.
Damian appreciates their concern, but isn’t about to take it: even Karen left The Boom Army to fight alongside us, while he’s always stuck on the ship. But not anymore! He wants to also be capable of protecting what’s dear to him when push comes to shove (or, if she’s dead, to make sure the life she sacrificed herself to save isn’t wasted). Karen thanks him for that vow, and is certain that his heart’ll get through to the Kurojishi just as it did to her.
Denton detects, for a split second, a response coming from the Kurojishi – did something happen or was he imagining things?

Door opens.

: Hey, stoking your inner fire’s all fine and good, but you don’t wanna push yourself too hard and screw up when it actually counts, right?
: Lockon? Are you done training Maya for the day?
: We just finished, yeah. Of course, this being my first actual training session, a whole lot went waaay over my head.
: No way, girl. If you ask me, for someone who had to rush through pilot training, you’re a dang good shot.
: And I can’t believe how well you keep your cool under pressure thanks to that “altered consciousness” business…
: I have to say, little Maya here might just be able to snipe with the best.
: Really? You think I can follow in your and Lockon’s steps?
: Take care around Michel, Maya.
: Next thing you know, he’ll find you when you least expect and go: “our eyesight’s the same as our lives to us snipers, so how about we enjoy some stargazing together?” Don’t buy it.
: H-Huh…?!
: Hmhmm, so that’s the kind of man Michel is? I’ll better take care not to fall for his sweet talk, then.
: Dang it, no! Alto! You’re giving them totally the wrong idea!
: Is he, now? It doesn’t take a stellar memory to remember that, yes, that’s exactly what you usually do.
: Psh, I swear… between Michel, Hayase and others, we got way too many folks ‘round here who’ve no idea how a lady’s heart works.
: Speaking of, I haven’t seen Hayase for a while now. Did he go somewhere?
: He did, yeah. I saw him leaving with Moritsugu, Kongming and some others.
: With them…?

Location: Tokyo – Old Warehouse

: What’s Moritsugu up to, bringing us to a place like this?
: Arnie, you hear anything about it?
: Nope, none of us have. I’m just here as a stand-in for the Major since he’s busy with something else and couldn’t come.
: And what something is that?
: Don’t ask me. I just know he couldn’t come.
: …

Door opens.

: Sorry for the wait.
: Where’d you run off to, Moritsugu? Don’t you think it’s about time you told us why you brought us here?
: …
: Do you remember me mentioning a question that’d bothered me for a while?
: Whether or not we could trust your Machinas and Mr. Ishigami, right?
: Right. The reason I brought you all here is for us to get answers.
: There’s someone I’d like us to meet.
: And it seems they have just arrived.

Door opens.

#1: Oh, my, now isn’t this a big group that’s come to meet us.
#2: Hmhmm, I’ve half a mind to bow and thank you for honoring us with this.
: You’re…?!
: I hope the day finds you well, my UX friends.
: Hisataka Katou?!

: So, Maya’s just about ready to start flying a Fafner legit?
: Though I’d rather she didn’t have to. The battles are only going to get worse from here on out…
: Being a pilot means setting your life on a very difficult path. There’ll be plenty of moments that’ll put your soul to the test.
: Honestly, this isn’t something we should be asking children your age to do but…
: … I know. But I still want to do this.
: I’m tired of staying cooped up inside, safe, while Kazuki and the others are out there fighting.
: Maya…
: Hey, can I ask why do you guys fight?
: “Why”?
: I mean, fighting brings you so much anger, pain, sadness and whatnot, right?
: So why do you guys do it?
: Well… I, for one, would just feel like garbage if I could do something to help and didn’t.
: The Festum are constantly attacking us. It’s to be expected that humanity fights for its survival, no?
: Yeah, and I also really don’t feel like letting bad folks call the shots with my life or with the world.
: I might not have come into this willingly at first but… now I’ve been given all this power, and I’d like to make good use of it and put a stop to those who’ve gone in the wrong direction.
: I guess what it all comes down to is that we’re a bunch of suckers who don’t know how ignore stuff when we see it go down.
: …
: And if what if all that’s for naught…?
: Huh…?
: What if you could see the future, and knew that no matter how much you fought, you couldn’t save anyone – that there’s no hope for them…?
: If you knew that all this is pointless, what would you do?
: Could you still bring yourselves to fight?
: You…
: That’s not the question, though – not really. The question is: pointless or not, could I just throw my hands in the air and do nothing? Could I live with myself doing nothing…?
: Heh, I really don’t think I could.
: Kurou…
: Same here. Even if you say our destiny’s already set, that doesn’t mean we’re just going to take it.
: But your destiny is never set in stone. Rather, it’s something you carve out yourself.
: …
: (And there she was, asking me if I wouldn’t make a choice…)
: (You make it sound so easy…)

: When you said we were meeting someone here, that’s about the last people I figured would be coming through that door…
: Oh, don’t be a stranger, honey. What’s a little secret get-together between enemies?
: Yulianne and I established a comm channel with each other during the Kiriyama incident, so I reached out and set up this meeting. I’ve questions I’d like to ask you.
: Is that so…? Go right ahead, though, please, keep it short.
: I’ll get straight to it, then. What, exactly, are the Machinas?
: You know that, no? They are giant humanoid weapons, pure and simple.
: That doesn’t explain what happened with the Painkiller, the Machina we found at Shimane the other day…
: Any way you look at it, the circumstances around it choosing Miu Kujo as its Factor are odd to say the least.
: Meaning?
: The Painkiller deemed her life was at risk and, thus, made her into a Factor.
: Now this is purely conjecture, but…
: Do the Machinas turn people into Factors on purpose?
: Heh, yes, they do.
: What for?!
: You should already have an idea why.
: Huh…?!
: Machinas are built in a way that they prioritize human life above all else.
: As such, they are incapable of doing harm to humans by themselves. In which case…
: …
: A Factor, essentially, is the component a Machina needs to enable itself to kill humans. Is that correct?
: …?!
: Very much so.
: What does that mean?! Why would the Machinas need to kill people?!
: There are plenty of reasons, but if I had to pick one that’d be easy for you to understand, I’d tell you this…
: They do it to oppose the Linebarrel.
: “Oppose the Linebarrel”?!
: … I see. On to the next question, then.
: Wait, hold on! I wanna hear the rest—
: Kunio Ishigami… what is he truly after?
: To bring a Factor for all existing Machina, I’d say.
: Put it differently, his goal is to give all Machinas the Factor they need to kill…?
: However, doing that won’t be easy in the slightest. For you see…
: The last Machina is squarely within my grasp.
: And, of course, you have no intention of providing it with a Factor.
: You didn’t need to ask that, did you? Of course, knowing Ishigami, he likely already has a plan.
: After all, it’s a certain Machina of his that’s been advising him on what to do all along…
: Ishigami’s… Machina?!

: …
: Oh? You didn’t accompany Moritsugu and the others?
: Heh, you ask, like you don’t already know everything. What an awful sonovagun we got here.
: Hey, now, I’d like to consider myself a good soul. I am respecting your wishes and keeping quiet to the team, no?
: Fair enough…
: And I guess you don’t have it easy, either. The ability to see into the future can be a nasty thing every now and then, right?
: All that said, I’d like you to come clean with them and soon. If you don’t, it might just mean trouble for the upcoming plan.
: I know. I’ll tell them everything… before the time comes to leave this world.
: …

: So Mr. Ishigami was a Factor all along…?
: I have just one more question… What is the Linebarrel?
: Ah?
: Hmhmhm, by the look on your face, I’d say asking that’s the main reason you called for this meeting.
: The Linebarrel is the Counter Machina, one meant to destroy all others of its kind.
: And, at the same time, it’s also a man and where it all began.
: …?!
: The Linebarrel’s a man…?!

Ring, ring!

: Urgh, what is it now…?!

Bloop.

: We need your group to come back and rejoin the squad immediately! The Boom Army is closing in on JUDA!
: Copy that! We’re heading over right away!

: I suppose our chat has come to an end. We’ll take our leave, then.
: Next time we meet, we’ll be back to being enemies, honey.
: Hold on, this talk’s not over yet! Tell me what you meant by all that!
: Heh, I’ll leave you with one last morsel of information, then.
: Humanity will go extinct 32 years from now.
: Wh-What?!
: Is that supposed to be funny?! Do you seriously think any of us would believe that?!
: Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you. But the end will come, I assure you.
: What if you could see the future, and knew that no matter how much you fought, you couldn’t save anyone? If you knew that all this is pointless…
: Could you still bring yourselves to fight?
: …

: It’s almost time for the attack. The Zerokage won’t be available, I see…
: Why?! The machine has been restored to perfection, so why isn’t it activating?!
: A machine that none can activate… just like the three machines kept in Planet Ladorio across the ages…
: What?! Then you mean the Zerokage also needs that “power of a ninja” garbage?!
: The power of a ninja, hm…
: Rrgh… I’d never have used Tobikage’s data if I knew this is what I’d end up with!
: But the fact is that you wouldn’t have completed the Zerokage at all without that data.
: Maybe, but…
: …
: (Why am I so much on edge?)
: (Planet The Boom and Planet Ladorio, two different worlds with legendary machines of their own…)
: (And at the center of it all is Tobikage and that “legendary ninja”… What does any of this mean?)

Mission 30 – Grand Quickening

: E-Sensor’s got a read! The enemy units are entering our airspace!

: Come and face me, UX!
: Cmdr. Ylbora, you’ll pit yourself against us once more?
: Indeed, but there won’t be another time! Today is when I’ll end your lives and take Princess Romina!

: Shut your noise-hole, Ylbora! What’s gonna happen today is that I’m bringing an end to your bull!
: All units, deploy and support—… Urgh!
: Major…?!
: I-I’m fine. Troops, scramble ASAP!

: Why am I the only one on standby, Minashiro?
: Because it’s too soon to send you into actual combat. Stay in the hangar and wait – if worst comes to worst, we’ll bring you in.
: Roger.
: He’s attacking us with that few troops…? What are you up to, Ylbora…?
: The enemy must have some sort of plan in mind! Keep a close eye on their movements, everyone!

Kill the Boom Army, don’t lose any ship or Joe. Nothing we haven’t done plenty of times before.

Secret Alert!
Tobikage Secret #1 – 5th step: set Romina as your tactician and have Joe shoot down Ylbora.

Ditto.

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

SRW UX - Deus Machina

Damn, son.

SRW UX - My Fate

SRW UX - Love Survivor

: Ylbora… I’ve nothing more to say to you.
: You’ve betrayed us for The Boom Army and now work to wound so many… I’ll put a stop to you myself!
: I’m simply following my beliefs, Your Highness. They command me to see something done, and, for that, I’ll…!

Gameran attacking: “Curses… It’s Joe’s fault that Sir Ylbora’s on their side…!”

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

: What happened to all your pride and your feelings for the Princess?! I want an answer, Ylbora!
: I’m under no obligation to tell you anything! I’ve found another course to follow – and I’ll follow it alone!

Shangxiang attacking: “Are you seriously fine with what you’re doing?!”

: I’ll spare no quarter to any foe who seeks to do us harm, even if said foe used to be an ally!
: As do I – I’ll do as I must, whoever the enemy is. Now let’s see whose resolve emerges victorious!

SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit

: There’s nothing more to be said… we both have our own reasons for doing this, our own beliefs leading us into battle!
: What a fine attitude from the old deserter…
: Then, come! Can your beliefs overpower mine, or will mine crush yours? Let’s find out!

SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness

: You’ve really fit in with the invaders, haven’t you? Is fighting with The Boom Army enough for you, Cmdr. Ylbora?!
: Hmph… a woman who questions her very being wouldn’t understand even if I said anything!
: ?! I-I’m…!

SRW UX - Linebarrel

: Ylbora, you…!
: So, the self-proclaimed Champion of Justice wants to try and convince his enemy?
: But this is no piece of fiction! Words will avail you not! If you wish to stop me, take sword in hand and come!
: Then that’s exactly what I’ll do…! I’ll fight your plans with everything I’ve got!

SRW UX - Life Goes On

: What pushed you to join the enemy, to try and hurt those who meant so much to you?! What’re you struggling with?!
: Only with you people, and nothing more!
: And if you’ll stand in my way, then I’ll cut you down!

SRW UX - Love Survivor

: You never learn, do ya? Don’t you get that you’re the reason Romina’s so sad?!
: Silence! I’m using The Boom Army as a means to seize the future!
: And that’s why I’ve to surpass you, Joe… I’ll surpass you in strength and as a man – I’ll rise above all that you are…!

: Hrgh! N-No, I’m not done yet…!
: He’s going to keep fighting even after all the hits he took?
: I-I cannot die here… My life… my very soul belongs to…
: Such tenacity… What is it that impels him so?
: S-Sir Ylbora…
: I must carry on… and for that, I… I!

: Rrm?! What just happened to him?!

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

: Where’d that unit come from?!

: UUUOOOOOAAAARRGH!

I’m including this scene in the video below!

: Y-Ylbora was taken into that machine?!
: Th-The hell is that thing?!

: Mwahahaha! You’ve done it, Ylbora!
: I can’t believe you’d be the one to activate the Zerokage! Color me surprised!
: Z-Zerokage?!
: That’s right! It’s The Boom Army’s ultimate weapon, made whole from Tobikage’s own data… the Zerokage!

: …
: Tobikage?!
: What’s going on?! We hadn’t met the conditions for him to show up yet!

Tobikage flies towards Ylbora.

: Why’re you doing this, Tobikage…?!
: Hmhmhm… Tobikage senses it, I see.
: He knows the Zerokage’s his fated nemesis…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D9XZmDYjjA

: TOBIKAGE!!
: N-No way… that invincible ninja bot was…!
: Wonderful… is this the might of the Zerokage? I feel power coursing through my entire body!
: Not even Tobikage can give me pause anymore! I’ll put the lot of you six feet under!
: Don’t let him finish Tobikage off! Build a perimeter around him, troops!
: Hmhmhm, is that the best you can do…?

: Wha—?! The Zerokage’s vanished!

: Where exactly are you looking at?

Everyone loses 10% HP!

: Hrk… that unit is…!

: I-It disappeared again!
: Bwahahaha! You’ll never be able to see through the Zerokage’s camouflage attack!
: It’s using some optic camo?! Then we’re all sitting ducks here!
: We’re working on a countermeasure! Just hang in there and buy us some time!
: And we’ll also need to run defense for Tobikage while we’re at it…!
: Can we even manage something like that?!
: This isn’t a matter of “can or can’t”! We have to make it happen!
: Shou…!
: The moment you lose in your mind is when you lose for real! Have faith in yourselves!
: We need to have faith in ourselves and make it happen…!
: What he said! Let’s get to it, guys!

Tobikage’s immobile and losing him’s a game over, but his stats are still massive and, really, he’s far enough away that no enemy should be anywhere near him. Fighting Grathan’s still the same as before, but you should keep in mind that Ylbora’s still prowling about…

: We’ve lost his signal again! No sensors are picking him up!
: Oh, come on! You mean we’re gonna have to eyeball this?!

And there’s the gimmick of this stage. Every couple of twin enemy units you destroy, Ylbora’ll pop out and shave off another 10% max HP from your guys. He’ll also do this at the start of every player phase, so you can see how the damage can pile up real quick. Your Prevail’d units should be fine, but keep close watch on those without, as even the Shamans and Banks will only need one clean hit to down a weakened Real.
Spread your heals around and hang in there – the plot kicks in when you’ve brought the enemy twin units under 7 or after 4 turns have passed.

: We’re going to be in big trouble if we keep taking hits like that!
: But we can’t even get a fix on the enemy…!

SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens

SRW UX - Love 14 ver. HD (Vocal)

: Y-Your Highness…
: Do not give in! Have faith in Joe and all our allies…!

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

: We’re not making any headway here! Isn’t there anything we can try?!
: He emerges for a split second when moving to attack us, so if we could just get a good hit in at that moment…
: Only he’s also taking care to stay well out of our shooting range.
: He knows our forces inside and out. We’re going to need to try something different to deal with him…
: We already have that “something”, I say. Our team has a sharpshooter not found in any previously collected data.
: …! You’re right - Maya!
: Hm, she might just be able to take him by surprise…
: But the situation’s too dangerous to deploy her! And trusting a critical mission to a pilot with no combat experience is just…
: I’ll do it.
: Toumi…?!
: Shouko and the others always carried out their missions despite all the pain they had to go through.
: And I’m here to do the same.
: But…!
: Alright, then I’ll play bait and bring him into the open!
: Joe?!
: That way Maya won’t need to worry about keeping tabs on where he might pop out! Sounds better to you, Soushi?!
: But if you do that you might…
: No time for nagging, dude! You ready, Maya?!
: I am.

Joe runs up north.

: What’s the matter, Ylbora?! I thought we were gonna settle things today! You ain’t killing me with bug bites, ya know!

: If you’ve that much of a death wish, I can just as well kill you first!

: Hrrrgh…!
: N-NOW!

: Hm…!

: They managed to counter the Zerokage’s camouflage attack?!
: Alright! The bot’s stopped zipping around!
: Hrm… Joe, you worm!
: Heheh, sucks to be you… Ylbora…
: But that won’t stop me from claiming your head! Prepare to meet your end, Joe!

Flash!

: Tobikage?!
: Impossible! It shouldn’t have any strength left to do anything!
: …
: Tobikage… I get it. You’ve always been there too…
: …
: You’ve always been protecting the Elshank alongside us…

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

: Come on, TOBIKAGE!

: Now Joe’s inside Tobikage…!
: They’ve merged just as I did with Zerokage?!
: It’s like I’m moving my own body… Alright, I got this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_BNqHLBCH0

: Kch…! You’ve pushed your strength to new heights by combining with Tobikage, eh?
: That’s what makes you a fitting prey for the Zerokage! Face me, Joe!
: Bring it on, Ylbora! I’m pulling the plug on your party!

And, bam, Joe’s earned his upgrade and is now in control of Tobikage… which, in turn, actually makes the bot weaker since Joe doesn’t have AI Tobikage’s massively inflated stats! But, hey, that’s a good power boost for the guy – especially with his new Ninja Awakening skill, which grants a 10% damage boost over 130 morale.

Same goes for Ylbora and the Zerokage: the bot’s got better baseline stats than Tobikage, but can’t hit as hard. Ylbora hulking out has also given him Ninja Awakening, so keep that in mind when engaging. And, of course, he also has an All Canceller and Bunshin no Jutsu, so you really should come packing strike, especially as Ylbora’s HP dips.

Secret Alert!
Tobikage Secret #1 – 5th step: And there’s also this. Joe has to shoot down Ylbora again.

Fafner Mark Sieben (Maya Toumi)
Pilot Skills:
Synergetic Code L3
Support Attack L2
Support defense L1
All Attack L1
Gunfight L3
Spirit Commands:
Strike
Focus
Alert
Mech Features:
Gun
Norn System
Siegfried System
Squad Bonus: Ranged Weapons’ attack +100, Accuracy +5 (Ranged weapons +200, Accuracy +20, Range +2, S in Air)
Maya’s voice actress: Marika Matsumoto (other roles: Rikku in FFX, plus a bunch of TV dramas).

One of the best snipers in the game (won’t say she’s the best since it’s a very close race), Maya stacking the highest natural Gunfight across all our guys plus a Synergetic Code that, like Kazuki’s, goes all the way to L9 means she’s getting a ton of boosts to an already top tier stat pool (+2 from her Squad Bonus, Snipe and Gunfight means she can hit from miles away, too).
She doesn’t have Hit & Away now, which is irksome, but she’ll actually learn it later in the game – if you’d rather save the Skill Part, pair her up with someone that has it. Lockon, Michel, Yamashita and Miku would be naturally good fits, especially with the latter two’s lack of flight.

As for the bot, the Mark Sieben’s the polar opposite of the Mark Fünf, in that it’s all about keeping distance with MASSIVE reach in all weapons except the Mine Blade. Her two Dragon’s Tooth shots go up to, respectively, 1-6 and 3-10 range (without Snipe)! It follows the B pattern in its weapon upgrades, so it can easily stay relevant for the entire game – especially with more stuff it’ll pick up – meaning Maya ought to be a priority pick for any team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnHmVpvZh0A
Of course, the bot isn’t really upgraded and the mooks all have about a 30+ morale lead on her… blah.

Regardless, we’ll deal with Ylbora first since he’s closer and then wipe the floor with Grathan.

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens

SRW UX - Deus Machina

SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ByFODJ0MQI
We get a Rainbow Carrot from him (Evasion and Defense +10, Skill +5).

: Try as you might, you’re still no match for the Zerokage and I!

: U-Uurrgh!
: W-We can’t be beaten… not by someone as empty as him…!
: Tobikage, are you still good to go…? Rrgh…!
: What’s the matter, Joe?!
: …! Don’t tell me that attack you took before…!
: That’s the end of this battle, Joe. And now to hammer the final nail in your coffin!
: Yl…bora…!
: Joe, everyone…
: Grr…!

Runs off.

: Damian, where’re you going…?!

: Damian, don’t! We’ve just recovered the Kurojish!
: Right, we haven’t even started repairing and resupplying it!
: Besides, you couldn’t get the thing to move before, right?
: This isn’t a matter of “can or can’t”! I have to make it happen!
: Damian…
: …
: Everyone’s out there risking their lives in battle. I can’t take just watching them go anymore!
: I wanna lay my life on the line like they’re doing – for Karen and my friends!
: B-But…
: Kurojishi, please! Give me the power I need to do that!

: O-Ooorgh!
: Joe…!
: You might’ve merged with Tobikage but that didn’t do anything to change the outcome of this battle!
: Farewell, Joe…!

: Hrk… Who?!

: …
: The Kurojishi?! It can’t be – Joe’s over there…!

SRW UX - Love Survivor

: Well, Joe’s not the only one who can control the Kurojishi!
: Damian… it answered to your heart?!
: Let’s combine, Joe! We’ll take him out in one swing!
: Your timing couldn’t be better! Here we go!

: Hmph, and how do you think combining into the Juuma is going to help you beat the Zerokage?!
: Damian’s spirit managed to get the Kurojishi moving! Like hell we’d get dropped by garbage like you!

: Th-That’s…?!
: Haaaaaah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_tUSAQ08D8

: Gwaaaaargh!
: Th-They beat the Zerokage in a single attack…! Was the Juuma always this strong…?
: (Th-That was… I see it now…!)
: (That attack’s shed light on everything! The Zerokage and the Tobikage are…!)
: (Then what I must do is…!)
: You’ve lost, Ylbora! Put down your weapons and accept it!
: …
: My struggles aren’t over yet…! Should you set yourself before the Zerokage again, I’ll make sure none of you live past that encounter!
: And that applies to you, too, Your Highness!
: …?!
: Farewell!

: How could he say such a thing to the woman he once served? He has degenerated wholly into a Shura…!
: (He’d never treated Romina as an enemy before, even during all those past battles…)
: (Ylbora… what the hell are you thinking…?)

Kurojishi (Damian)
Pilot Skills:
Ninja L6
Ninja Awakening*
Support Attack L2
Support Defense L2
Break Morale Limit*
Predict*
Dash*
All Attack L2
Infight L4*
Spirit Commands:
Gain
Invincible
Strike
Spirit
Damian’s voice actor: Masamichi Sato (other roles: Portos in the anime version of the Three Musketeers, and a handful of small roles here and there).

Damian’s stats as a pilot are about on par with Joe, just a little bit lower, but you might’ve noticed something with that pilot skill list: Joe, when combined to a Ladorian machine, passes ALL his skills on to the main pilot (the ones tagged with a *), making them waaaay stronger than before. And you can trigger that combination at will – no need to fiddle with HP %s anymore – so long as Joe and the receiver’s morale are over 120.
This, in turn, actually makes it a worthwhile proposition to have Joe tag in with any of them when it’s time to tango with a boss because, in terms of raw firepower, the Kuuma matches Tobikage (and has a MAPW) and the Juuma and Kaima are outright stronger (the latter being the strongest). After all this time, we can finally have fun with those units!

But that’s for later – Grathan has got to go now.

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

: The Kurojishi answered my will to help the others…
: So now it’s my turn to answer the Kurojishi in kind! We’re doing this, bud…!

–

: I’ll admit I underestimated you, Damian! I’m amazed someone other than Joe and his cronies can get those machines working!
: The Kurojishi heard my call and decided to help – help me put a stop to your evil and keep my friends safe!

SRW UX - Linebarrel

: You’ve got no pattern recognition skills, do ya? Don’t you get tired of getting trounced after your new plan goes south?
: I’m all out of second chances…! I have to destroy you now or my future’ll go up in smoke! Die, UX!

SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit

: My mind isn’t set on not losing today… No, it’s screaming that I HAVE to win…!
: This hasn’t anything to do with my status as a commander! I’ll wipe you from the face of the universe as a proud warrior of The Boom Army!
: We’ve a duty to see done just as much as you do! And we’ll make damn sure ours doesn’t bend before yours!

SRW UX - Love Survivor

: Not content with Planet Ladorio, you set yourselves to invade our second home… And in that case…!
: That’s rich, but it won’t be long before that spirit of yours comes crashing down!
: Just as it did when we laid waste to Ladorio…!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QKRBcPMcSI
Putting this video here so you can hear Houchu Otsuka go nuts. We also get a pair of Alex’ Sunglasses from this (Melee and Accuracy +10, Evasion +5).

: Madness! This backwater planet can’t be where it ends for me…!
: That’s what you get! All this happened because you went and put that fake Tobikage together!
: And we managed to grow even stronger thanks to that!
: Blast you all… Are you telling me the Zerokage caused something to awaken within the Tobikage?!
: (…! N-No, that’s not what happened…! Can it be that…?!)
: (If I’m right, then the Tobikage is… the Ninja Legend is…!)
: This is the end of the line for you and your evil, Grathan!
: No, no! I cannot let you people leave here alive…!

Grathan blasts forward!

: The enemy battleship has shifted its vector towards the Elshank!
: He’s going to ram them?!
: Gameran, evasive maneuvers!
: You’re coming with me to Hell, ROMINAAAAAaaaaaa!

Dodge!

: Gwaaaaaargh!
: Grathan’s ship is careening towards the earth… It’s over…
: …! No, wait! There’s someone there!

: E-Ennea?!
: What’s she doing in a place like that?!

: Ennea, watch out! RUN!
: …
: Kurou, I…

b BOOOOOOOM[/b]

: ENNEAAAAAAAA!

: E-Ennea… why…
: We were… We were all talking, and playing together just a couple of hours ago… sob
: What the hell happened…?! Why was she there in the first place?!
: We’re not sure. One moment she was aboard the ship with us, and the next thing we knew, she was gone…
: Then why didn’t you keep an eye on her?! She was just a little girl!
: Are you suggesting Lu Xun’s at fault here?! None of us thought she’d leave the ship with a battle going on!
: That’s not the goddamn point…!
: Enough, Kurou!
: …?!
: Say someone is to blame, what then? It will not bring Ennea back!
: What you are doing now is simply lashing out at our comrades.
: …
: We managed to turn that fight around, but this doesn’t feel like a win at all…
: …
: Could you still bring yourselves to fight if you knew that all this is pointless…?
: (That’s… that’s what Katou said!)
: Is this what you meant…? Ennea…
: Kurou…

Door opens.

: E-Everyone, we’ve a situation! Come up to bridge!
: Wh-What’s gotten you in that much of a hurry, Shaff?!
: We… we just got a transmission…
: A transmission from Emperor The Boom!
: Wh-Whaaat!?

: I am Annex, Emperor of The Boom Empire and ruler of the galaxy.
: So he’s the emperor…
: And I saw that you bested Grathan. However, that was hardly the full might of The Boom Army.
: Did you reach out to us just to act as a sore loser? You must not have much to do with your time.
: Hmph, I appreciate your attitude. This wouldn’t anywhere as amusing without it.
: No, what I reached out for is to ask that you decide, right now, what you’ll do: will you continue with this exercise in futility or will you surrender?
: Surrender?
: Your comic timing could really use some work, ya blueberry!
: Hmhmhm… will you be saying that after seeing this?

Beep.

: Th-That’s… the main The Boom fleet?!
: There’ll be no victory for you against my all-mighty fleet and the Zerokage. Don’t you think, face the alternative, that it’s in your best interest to capitulate?
: Planet Ladorio fell to that fleet in the blink of an eye. If it comes here, the same might just happen to Earth…
: O-Oh, no…
: What will it be, Ultimate Cross?
: …

SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate

: Did you honestly expect these childish threats to sap our will to fight?
: Excuse me…?
: Time and again my comrades and I have stared death in the eye and found a way to prevail.
: There isn’t a soul within the UX that would waver when faced with a powerful foe – not after everything we have been through!
: Your Highness…
: Plus, a buncha enemies means we get to wreck even more stuff! And ain’t that just dandy?
: So, if you were looking to get us shaking in our boots, your plan just backfired big time, boss!
: Oho…
: Plus, I’m not so sure that your video of that huge fleet’s legit.
: Indeed, assembling a large mass of troops in order to intimidate your enemy into surrendering is quite the bog-standard tactic.
: But even if you do have all those forces, we’d still never bow down to invaders!
: We’re going to fight you to the bitter end, The Boom!
: As you will… I’ll enjoy watching you batter yourselves against my fleet. I look forward to us meeting in person.

Bloop.

: We’ll never yield either Earth or Planet Ladorio to you…!

: They dare spurn the Emperor’s benevolence? They won’t live to regret this day!
: But the confidence they displayed there… Indeed, they must have found the ninja.
: …
: The Ninja Legend… the story of how, in ancient times, The Boom Army had invaded Planet Ladorio, only to be wiped out in mere moments by one such being…
: And that power is within their grasp…?
: However, now we have the Zerokage at our disposal. And we’ll put you to excellent use, Ylbora.
: Your Majesty, words cannot express how honored I am that you would not only grant me the Zerokage, but a flagship and the title of commander.
: I trust you will not disappoint. Don’t forget that Romina’s life depends solely on your actions.
: Yes, Your Majesty!
: (I’m certain what I felt when I crossed blades with Tobikage was…)
: (I have to make sure… I have to know whether it’s Zerokage or Tobikage that are meant to save Her Highness!)

: Emperor Annex The Boom… the big bad finally steps into the limelight.
: We cannot allow the tragedy of Planet Ladorio to befall another world.
: And, so, I ask that you lend us your strength, Joe… or, better put, the Legendary Ninja.
: Wait, Joe’s…?!
: Yes, there’s no more questioning it. Joe merged with Tobikage…
: This proves that he’s the legendary ninja we sought!
: …
: (That sensation I got when I was fighting with Ylbora…)
: (If I’m really the ninja, then what the hell did I feel…?)

Alarm!

: Wh-What’s going on?!
: We’re picking up an urgent transmission from Mr. Kojindani of the WSO! I’m putting him through!
: UX, you must head towards the Machine Island on the double!
: Did something happen, sir?!
: The Gravity Generator was supposed to have been stabilized, but we just picked up its Final Alarm once again being broadcast!
: If it’s not stopped, it’ll break down and the gravitational collapse will eradicate all life on Earth!
: C-Collapse…?!
: Copy that… set a course… for Machine Island…
: Maj. Richard…?
: Haah, haah… I-I’m fine…
: I’m just a bit woozy…

Heatbeat.

: …?! Graargh…!

Faint.

: M-Major!
: …
: Major! Stay with us! MAJOR!

After this battle, the Fafner trio has added up 159 kills and 8 Triple Dog uses, so tag that secret requirement done way ahead of time. And here are the convos we didn’t get today:

: Not only did the Zerokage merge with someone, the Tobikage did too?! Is this also part of the Ninja Legend…?!
: But it doesn’t matter – there’s no turning back for me! I’ll snuff out all your lives even if I have to die for it!
: Come on, then, Grathan! My and the Tobikage’s combined power’ll put a definitive end to this annoying little relationship of ours!

–

: Whatever is going on inside your head, I’ll treat you as I would any other enemy if you present yourself as one.
: That’s good, because I’ll do exactly the same! Now draw, Reiji Moritsugu!

[RYNO_Ross]

Oh Hallelujah, you and your magnificent lines.

[Mattman324]

So I pointed out at one point early on that a lot of the early Tobikage stuff in UX is them taking the entire first major arc of the show (the cast arriving on Earth) and mixing it with the early stuff that happened on Earth. Grathan was dead before they hit Earth, and with his death, we’re finally done with all the stuff from there… just as the original plot is hitting the third arc, where Tobikage’s joined with the cast.

…also, pretty sure at this point in the manga Ishigami had revealed he was a Factor? I feel like that was a thing.

But anyway, next episode’s good fun. First series to be completely done - although technically one other one is getting closure and a third is getting a massive moment - and one of the most important moments to the OG plot in the game.

[NotoriousFAP]

Was it mere coincidence that this mission’s upload date happened to land on Mother’s Day, or are we entwined in some deeper web of fate?

[smallfrozenthing]

[Brunom1]

Click to see the mission!

We’re back, and what you don’t see is me having to record this long-ass mission twice because the first one didn’t have sound! And, then, I forgot to take pass by the squad-deployment screen before setting off… blah.
But what we have here today is ALL THE EVENT DEPLOYMENTS with Saya, Arnie, Mazinkaiser/Tsubasa, Shou and Fei-Yen on deck (the first two are flying solo). Oh, and Kurou is too bummed out to fight. With that in mind here’s how we’re going:

Dancouga/Deceive
Mamoru/Sakura
Maya/Tieria
Kazuki/Allelujah
Kouichi/Kiki
Shinn/Luna
Ozma/Lux
Setsuna/Luca
Michel/Kenji
Damian/Hebi
Alto/Klan
Zhang Fei/Sun Shangxiang
Aesap/Painkiller
Joe/Canon
Heroman/Shouko
Cao Cao/Moritsugu
Liu Bei/Rennie
Sun Quan/Eida
Tactician (Cheerleader): Cham

Secret Alert
Dunbine secret – third step: did you take the US route (or NG+ it) on mission 13 and have 100+ kills with Shou and Marvel by the end of the last mission? Then tag Cham in for this one. Just a +5% evasion bonus means we might as well have no tactician running, but whatever.

Now grab some popcorn, folks, because we’ve a lot of stuff to get through today. Off we go.

: Lord Garan, our scouts report that those men have returned to the Machine Island.
: It seems they call themselves Ultimate Cross now.
: The group we met in the outside world, hm? I can hazard a guess as to why they are here… the Gravity Generator.
: Likely due to the fact that the generator has been growing further and further out of control ever since that devil’s mysterious activation…
: The other devil, the counterpart to the one with the skull…
: An uncontrollable weapon is no better than a blunt stick. That said, I do not mind it serving as a lure for them.
: Burn, how fare our preparations for combat?
: The new weapons are already in order. We are prepared to depart on your command.
: Hmhmhm… it has been a while since my heart has throbbed so. How much stronger have you become since our last bout, Ultimate Cross…?
: And, Burn, it seems the time for your fated clash is almost at hand.
: …
: My lord, I am forever grateful for you. You took me in when I arrived, lost and confused, in this world and lead me until today.
: However, your cause notwithstanding, my one true goal has always been Shou Zama!
: I understand. The moment any man rises and faces his fate is the climax of his life…
: That applies to all of us.
: Lord Garan…
: …
: Let us march! We’ll snap the chains of fate ourselves!
: Yes, my lord!

: Hmph, yeah, you go and tear each other apart! While you’re doing that, I’ll help myself to that little devil of yours…!
: Heheheh… I’m gonna show you all that power’s meant to be used!

RUUUUUUMBLE!

: Wh-WhaaAaAat?!
: Tsk… It’s been ages since we’ve been to the Octagon but it really don’t look like we can chill right now, huh…
: Unfortunately, yes… the Gravity Generator already looks to be in critical condition.
: The frequent gravity discharges coming from it have triggered volcanic eruptions and tore crevices across the whole island.
: The Octagon’s keeping together thanks to our barrier, but even that’s just delaying the inevitable…
: But the Generator should have been pacified after we silenced the production plant at Kiba’s fortress, no?
: Why is it running out of control again?
: We wouldn’t be in this situation if we knew that, don’t you think?
: But, whatever the case, the point is that Earth’s magnetic field’ll be torn apart by the gravitational collapse if something isn’t done soon.
: And if that happens, there won’t be any life left on the surface…
: Considering the situation, I presume the only way to solve this is to shut down the Gravity Generator itself, yes?
: Cmdr. Kojindani did say that we had free rein to deal with this in any way we deemed fit, but…
: Lady Aila, I presume the Octagon and island won’t go unaffected if we do shut down the Gravity Generator?
: The Generator is the heart of Machine Island… without it, the island itself will die as well.
: All production plants will stop functioning, and no one’ll be able to live here anymore.
: Same goes for the Octagon?
: Yep, that’d be about game over for this place.
: Oh…!
: But I don’t think that would be a bad thing. Quite the contrary.
: The old scientists who once lived on this island… they sought to tamper with the taboo and twist Man’s very fate…
: I say that forbidden research is best buried beneath the waves forever…
: Lady Aila…
: (A forbidden research…?)

: M-Maj. Richard only has six months left to live?!
: He’s pushed his body too far over the years. His cardiac functions, in particular, are severely debilitated.
: Th-There must be something you can do, right?!
: I’m so sorry, but there isn’t… this isn’t something current medicine can solve…
: N-No…!
: Saya, if I may ask… you already suspected something was wrong with him, right?
: …
: I pretty much always knew about it.
: Ms. Saya…?!
: What?! Do you think knowing meant I could’ve stopped him from doing what he wanted?!
: And this’ll happen to you too… you were aware of that from the start, weren’t you?!
: …
: But…!

Door opens.

: Hey, you know it’s rude to talk about people behind their back.
: Major…! Shouldn’t you be resting right now?!
: Resting won’t fix what’s wrong with me, will it? I figured I might as well do my part, then.
: Hah… even standing up must be tough for you, yet here you are. What a stubborn man.
: I’d rather you called it being “dutiful”, thanks.
: Now, before it’s time for my trip to the great beyond, I’ve got something I need to tell everyone…
: …

: Lady Aila, we were told that it was two hundred years ago that this island first started conducting its research.
: The research institute built here was tasked with finding a new energy source during the fossil fuel shortage that followed WWII. And it was them that first discovered Gravity Energy…
: That’s correct.
: But, then, said institute was suddenly shut down… Do you know why?
: That’s…
: Rumor also has it that many unethical experiments were being made in there.
: Please, tell us what that “taboo” you mentioned was! What were the island’s scientists doing?!
: …

Door opens.

: If you don’t mind, I’ll answer that.
: Maj. Richard!
: Are you feeling well, sir?
: The “Hell’s Executioner” can’t just bite it like that, right? I’d be the laughing stock of the merc world.
: Hah, when you’re right, you’re right.
: …
: The taboo of the Machine Island… it all started two hundred years ago, right when Odyssite was first discovered here.
: Odyssite? What’s that?
: A unique mineral found only on this island. The Gravity Generator works by using it as a catalyst.
: And if I remember right, we’re also using those as fuel for the Elshank, no?
: Right. We’d normally use the kylhasium found on Planet Ladorio, but…
: We’d spent most of our stock as we warped to Earth, so we had no choice but to use that Odyssite as a replacement fuel.
: You say “had no choice”, like it’s a bad thing. You oughta be grateful we were lucky stuff like that’s around!
: In truth, Odyssite is said to be a mineral capable of “magnifying Man’s Willpower”.
: Man’s Willpower?
: Yes. And considering the Odyssite reacted with the Elshank, it could be that it has some kind of system that channels that power.
: Huh… Princess, do you know about that?
: N-No, I don’t…
: But if the Elshank and our three machines are equipped with such a system…
: It’d explain why Tobikage always showed up exactly when we were in trouble.
: He was reacting to our wills, huh…?
: (No, Joe… not our wills, but your – the Legendary Ninja’s – will…)
: Now, the eggheads on this island figured they’d put that Odyssite to use and develop a bunch of strong weapons with it.
: Put it simply, they put together a system that magnified Man’s Willpower and converted it into energy.
: It converts human will into energy…?
: That’s a lot like an Aura Machine…
: Problem is, the Odyssite didn’t just magnify that power.
: The scientists later found out that said magnified Willpower was also traveling through time and space.
: Say what?!
: People’s thoughts were travelling across time and space… Is that even possible?!
: Why are you so surprised? We are already familiar with a handful of items that work in similar ways, no?
: Similar…?
: For one, the earring belonging to Sheryl that’s in Alto’s possession.
: …?!
: Sheryl’s earring… that jewel that transmits thoughts…!
: And, also, the Wings of Rean shoes.
: Huh…?!
: And there is also the Yùxǐ, a sacred relic from our land of Mirisha…
: Th-The Yùxǐ…?!
: I know it can summon amazing stuff like the Celestial Armors, but…
: You mean the way the Wings open passageways through space-time is also through Willpower…?
: Then, perhaps the Wings of Rean proper and the Celestial Armors could be deemed as manifestations of the will of man… or, better put, the will of the heavens…
: …
: Furthermore, another example would be…

SRW UX - Prologue

: The Linebarrel’s Override and the Orphes’ warp abilities.
: …?!
: Th-The Linebarrel too…?
: Hey, hold the phone! It’s true that the Linebarrel can teleport when Kizaki and I want it to, but…
: My Painkiller can also teleport, yes…
: Not exactly. A Machina teleporting to answer its Factor’s call, and the Linebarrel teleporting with its Factor aboard are two very different things…
: …!
: Ah…
: What we call Override – the act of executing chain-teleports with the Factor aboard – is a form of teleportation made possible by the Linebarrel perceiving the Factor’s future location.
: It’s pretty much a type of time travel.
: …
: I get it now… Back when I did that last warp to go after the nuke…
: I warped to where the missile was projected to be when I got there…
: …
: When I did, I was also travelling through time… I was crossing space and time …
: Exactly. The Orphes’ engine, the Lepton Vectrer… its prototype was an Accelerated Particle Engine developed on this island.
: …

: …
: Ennea… why…
: Kurou, we were the ones who didn’t keep an eye on her… You can’t blame yourself for what happened.
: But it doesn’t change the fact that I couldn’t keep her safe.
: Kurou…
: Are you going to mope for the rest of your life?
: …
: Because Ennea will not return even should you do that.
: I say you cannot allow the past to consume you! Remember that we still have a duty to fight for the future!
: I know that…
: I know, but… it’s not that easy…
: Hrm…!
: …
: Let’s go, everyone.
: What, you’re just gonna leave him like that?
: Kurou needs time to put his heart in order.
: (Al does, too, I think…)
: …
: (More and more Kurou suffers, and I simply cannot get through to him …)
: (Because, ultimately… ‘tis a false warmth that lies within me…)

: That Accelerated Particle Engine used Odyssite as a catalyst and, so, magnified the Willpower of its pilot.
: But human hands just couldn’t control an infinitely accelerating energy.
: And the end result… was that the Accelerated Particle Energy ran amok halfway through the experiment and vanished across time and space.
: It triggered a particle annihilation, then?
: No, a better way of putting it is that the Engine going out of control wound up calling out to a new Willpower.
: A new Willpower…?
: In other words, the magnified human will and the Accelerated Particle Engine warped through space-time…
: And another will switched places with them, coming in from a different world.
: W-Wait a second… that sounds like!
: Like when the Fenrir explosion and the Wings of Rean caused Shouko and the UX to switch places…
: …
: And who was it that was switched in?
: That would be Fei-Yen.
: …?!
: So, Fei’s not a robot they built on this island…?
: (But, then… just what is all that music deep down in my memories…?)
: I figure you know what happened after, yes, Ms. Aila?
: …
: After the failed experiment, the scientists redoubled their efforts in order to try and find a way to control the Accelerated Particle Engine.
: And in doing so, they reached out and touched that which Man should never have touched – that which was taboo…
: And that taboo is…?
: …
: Erbsünde…
: …?!
: “Erbsünde”… that’s German for “original sin”…
: Correct. It took Willpower to keep a human will accelerating into infinity under control…
: And with that in mind, the island’s scientists decided to infuse a will into the Odyssite itself, creating new “life”…
: Put it simply, they created artificial humans that would serve as control keys for the Accelerated Particle Engines.
: A-Artificial humans…?!
: New life, created by human hands…
: An act of defiance against God, indeed…
: Thus, “original sin”…
: …
: And the beings they created were our fathers…
: Then, you’re…!
: Yep. “Those born branded by the stigma of the sin”, that’s us…
: We’re all descendants of the original Erbsünde…
: And it’s not just us, but Kiba and Garan too…
: Well, damn… so those crazies also had that kinda fate thrust on them…?
: Maybe that’s why they did what they did – to rebel against it…
: …

Alarm!

: Wh-What is that racket…?!
: Lady Aila, Garan’s Forces are heading this way! Our scouts are sending a feed!

Beep.

: Th-There’re so many of them…!
: Shou, look! That black Aura Battler!
: It’s the Zwarth…!
: The Ace Killer we fought back at Normandy?!
: This is going from bad to worse… if we lose too much time here, the Gravity Generator’ll start breaking down…!
: What do we do, Maj. Richard?!
: Troops, hustle to your mechs and launch! We’ll bust through Garan’s bunch and pull the plug on the Gravity Generator!
: Y-Yes, sir…!

Everyone leaves.

: …
: Haah, haah… Rrgh!
: Major…!
: Maj. Richard… you really are…
: Heh, yeah, I am…
: This is what’s left of the man who’s crossed space-time and seen the Hell on the other side…
: Major…
: Saya, if things go south… You understand what I’m getting at?
: …
: Yes, sir…

: Garan and Kiba… two men who could only oppose their fate through battle…
: Ryo, dude… don’t tell me you’re letting that sob story get to ya?
: Hah… Do I look like that sort of person to you?
: Oho, look at this badass over here. And we ain’t pulling our punches against whatever we find out there, right?!
: Of course not. You find us in the battlefield, you’ll soon find yourself splattered over the Kaiser’s knuckles.
: Damn straight! And that’s ‘cause we… are HELL!

Mission 31 – Final Count

: Hey, what gives?! Why isn’t the Demonbane out here?!
: (Kurou… you still haven’t recovered…)

: Oh, wow, and that’s just the first wave? Pretty major party they’re sending our way.
: (That man, Garan, always talked like he knew a lot about me…)
: (He’s not here yet, but I’m sure he’ll turn up!)

: The Aura Battler!
: Why do you seek battle so doggedly, Black Knight?!
: It’s one of those warriors from another world…
: That should be obvious, I think! What I desire is a showdown with my nemesis!
: I knew it… Burn Bunnings!
: At long last we meet again, Shou Zama! How have I looked forward to this moment!
: Welp, looks like we are gonna have to fight our way out of this…

: Then you won’t mind if we lend you a hand, right?
: Y-You’re…!
: All of us are warriors of the Octagon!
: And we’re not the kind of women to just sit back and be protected!
: Fine, then the Psycogear Squad will follow the commands of Lt. Yuki!
: Can you handle it, Lt.?
: Y-Yes, ma’am! It’s an honor to fight with all of you!
: The honor’s all ours, girl!

: We’ve got almost no time before the Gravity Generator breaks!
: Hurry, hurry, guys! Get rid of them quick and then go shut that thing down!

Destroy everything, don’t lose a ship or any of the event deployments. Most of them should be fine, but be especially mindful of Tsubasa if you haven’t been using her. Of note, however, is that she’s unlocked her new attack with the Octagon girls, so that’s a decent power boost.
As for the battle, this is pretty much a repeat of the fight we had with Burn back in the Europe Route. The SKL mooks have decent firepower, but their accuracy still suffers, so Burn is the only real threat here unless you decide to let Evasion Decay pile up.
And speaking of Burn…

Secret Alert!
Dunbine secret – fourth step: have Shou attack Burn, and both must survive. Afterwards, reduce Burn’s HP under 10% with anyone.

Simple, but remember that Burn hits hard, is surprisingly survivable and will pop that Off-Shoot like no one’s business, so come packing Strike.

SRW UX - Shangri-La

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_SuRoLXWkw
And here’s Tsubasa’s Maximum Honey Combination.

SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD

SRW UX - Dunbine Flies

: Why are you doing this, Burn Bunnings?! What’s the point in us fighting when the country you served doesn’t exist anymore?!
: There is no “point” and I’m well aware of it! But I must still end things with you or I’ll never be able to move on!

: Stop being so fixated on Shou, Burn Bunnings!
: I’m sure you could look for something else to do with your life, no?!
: Humans are nowhere as free as you think! They are bound by fate, and by their own hearts! Thus, what I’ll do with my life is seek closure!

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

: I’d wished to repay you for Normandy for a while. It may seem trivial to you, but I am a knight and I will wipe away that dishonor with your blood!
: I have heard that knights are warriors meant to protect the people!
: And if you will turn the other cheek to this catastrophe in the making, then you have no right to call yourself as such!

SRW UX - My Fate

: All that matters to me is Shou Zama! If you’ll impede me, then your heads shall roll!
: What a powerful spirit…! He may be misguided, but his Aura Power has been honed to the Nth degree!
: This is how powerful the guy who fought Shou – who fought a Holy Warrior – is…?!

Aesap attacking: “No hesitation at all…?! So that’s how Burn Bunnings is like…!”

SRW UX - Lion

: This mech… It’s the Ace Killer we fought in Europe…!
: And he’s as crazy strong as he was before, I see. But if you think that’ll let you do your thing, you’re in for a surprise!
: Your yelling does not impress me. All the bravado in the world will not save you if you lack the ironclad resolve to support it! Such is the battlefield!

SRW UX - My Fate

: These are Aura Battlers from the other Byston Well…? However, with the exception of Shou, all are exactly the same to me: unimportant!
: A black Aura Battler?! And the way it moves… this guy’s good!
: He may not be a Holy Warrior, but his sword-arm has clearly been tempered in the fires of battle. A very strong fellow…!
: If the old man’s saying that, then we better stay on our toes!

:argh:

There.

: I will not give in! My arrival in this world would be utterly meaningless if I let this be the end!

: He’s going Hyper?! No, his Aura Power is…!
: Have at you, Shou Zama! Face me if you dare!
: Shou, don’t! You can’t fight him like that!
: No… Shou, that man is haunted by his fixation with you. And so long as that stays, he’ll never be able to right his life…
: Draw your sword and cut out that cancer in his soul!
: I could say that I don’t resent how my life was led astray due to your actions, but that would be a lie.
: Nevertheless, the smattering that remains of my pride as a knight demands only one thing at this moment…
: And that is one final duel with you, Shou Zama! Let’s end this…!
: …
: Then I accept your challenge…

SRW UX - Dunbine Flies

: Burn Bunnings!
: To arms, Shou Zama!

Burn attacking: “What I seek is only to settle accounts with you…! Face me, Shou Zama!”
Shou attacking: “If this is the will of Byston Well at work, then I’ll accept it!”

This scene only plays if you did the secret. The common version’ll be at the end of the update.

: Hrgh…! Hah-Hahah… Defeated, once again…
: But I have no regrets… because this is the path I – and no one else – chose…
: Burn!
: Are you really satisfied with letting things end like this?! Don’t just throw your life away!
: Y-You…!
: I know our Byston Well was purified by Lady Ciela, so don’t you want to know for what purpose we wound up here?! Your hatred is gone, so why not?!
: Purpose…?
: There are forces at work in this world, like the Wings of Rean, that’ve transcended the limits of the human will…
: And I’m sure it’s not too late for us to find an answer…
: …
: I-I…

: Garan…!
: Took you long enough, boss-man!
: Lord Garan…!
: I pity you, Burn… ever at the mercy of fate, even after transmigrating into this world…
: (“Transmigrating”…?!)
: But, Burn… It’s clear that this is not where your struggle with fate comes to an end.
: Follow your heart, and seek out whatever battlefield it guides you to…
: …
: My lord… I shall never forget the kindness you have shown me!

: Farewell, Black Knight…
: However, here is where I end my dispute with fate. Here and nowhere else!

Common ground:

: Riots…!
: He’s really managed to mass-produce the things with the data he got at Normandy…!
: The time is come for me to claim your lives and sever the chains of fate that bind my life!
: Are you done talking…?
: What…?

SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers

: You can only prove your existence through battle. That makes you little more than garbage.
: Hah… Hahahahah. Oh, yes, I remember you – that other Erbsünde…
: Say what?! Magami’s an artificial human too…?!
: I won’t deny that our lives were fabricated. But what does any of that matter?!
: Our will is our own! Our lives may be artificial, but I’ll live the rest of my days according to my own will!
: Magami, you…!
: Live the rest of your days, eh?
: …
: You amuse me! I say this calls for a duel!
: Will it be my pride or your will that emerges victorious? Steel yourselves and come, my nemeses!
: Ya didn’t even need to ask! Bring it on, Garan!

Garan’s the same as back in the Europe Route, only with a boost to all his stats. Comparatively, our guys are now way stronger, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Just don’t let him get a clean hit in and attack from beyond point-blank to neuter his strongest weapon.

SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens

The few mooks he’s brought in are of no consequence when our morale’s this high.

This next convo plays for either Shouko or Karen, whoever goes first:

SRW UX - Dunbine Flies

: Now what is this? Someone who’s broken free from the wheel of fate…?
: If Man is capable of living outside the flow of karma, then I demand you prove it to me through your strength…!

SRW UX - Life Goes On

: Your life is man-made – so what?! That doesn’t justify what you’re doing to prove you’re in control…!
: But you must take control of your life, or you’ll never be your own man in this harsh world!
: You have been given a proper life, so I doubt you could understand what I feel.
: Maybe not, but I’m still putting a stop to you! Whatever your issues may be, involving the rest of the world in them is just plain wrong!

SRW UX - Shangri-La

: I am simply an empty vessel made for combat. But I’ll fill that vessel, and through battles of my choosing!
: Even someone whose life was made for combat can still decide what that life’ll amount to!
: Why do you feel like this is the way you have to use all the power you were born with…?!

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

: Begone, knave! Every frontier my sword has cut into is my domain! None can oppose me!
: War itself is what you desire… and, indeed, it shows in the astonishing might you display.
: However, if your gaze is not set beyond your war – if you have not the ideal to establish a grand nation through it – then you cannot be deemed a true conqueror!

SRW UX - A Bird’s Song

: If it’s my fate to do war, then I need only emerge as the supreme victor and tear those chains asunder!
: Listen, I can kinda sympathize with the bad hand you were dealt, but…
: People’s lives aren’t set in stone after they’re born! The way you’re born into the world doesn’t change the fact that you get to choose what to make with your life!

SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit

: Lt. Magami, Maj. Richard, the Octagon ladies… everyone’s been living their lives defying the fate they’d been given!
: Garan… whatever past you might have, I won’t hesitate to put you down…!
: Hmhmhm… Such a killer resolve. I have long wished to crush a man like you.
: I challenge you, warrior of the UX! Now we duel!

SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness

: I will not be beaten… but not because of my fate, or my origin, but because of the man who’s showed me the way!
: I cannot perish, either. Not just for myself, but for all the subordinates who’ve laid down their lives for my cause!
: To battle, girl! Muster your life and your beliefs and pit them against mine!

SRW UX - LOVE 14 ver. HD

: So the once-sealed away Sleeping Beauty now presents herself as an enemy of my conquest…
: Curious, indeed…! If this is fate at work, then I’ll soon uproot it!
: My appearance here is part of the reason why this man is like this…
: But I still want to know why I’m here! So, I won’t – I can’t – let this world be destroyed!

SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers

: It’s you… Hmhmhm, I’ll be sure to savor every moment of this fight to the death with a fellow Erbsünde.
: Hah, the big man’s really getting into this. What say you, Magami?
: A fight to the death is exactly what I want…!
: It’s not my origin or fate that dictates my life. Everything I do is because of my will, and I’ll make him painfully aware of how strong it is!

And we get another Kaido’s Hand-to-Hand Teachings from him.

Aaay, we’re starting to learn Valor too!

: U-Urrgh…!
: We got him?!

Beep.

: Lord Garan…!
: I apologize, Himiko…
: I will not be capable of uncovering the truth of this world for you…
: The truth of this world…?
: Listen and listen well, my nemeses!
: This entire world, this universe… all is bound by unseen, yet gigantic, chains of fate!
: Th-that’s…!
: …
: My clan was created with the purpose of keeping the gateways of Hell shut…
: Kiba’s clan was created as keepers of Sleeping Beauty, while Aila’s was meant to keep the island isolated from the outside world…
: Aila’s clan…?!
: That’s right… It was Aila’s parents who once draped the island in the Gravity Curtain…
: …
: What…
: And then Aila wound up reaching out to the people of the outside world, and awakening the Sleeping Beauty within Kiba’s fortress… what an ironic coincidence, no?
: …
: However, struggle as you might, everything is happening squarely atop the spiderweb of fate…
: The more we wriggle about, the closer we are brought towards the center of the web…
: Garan, you said your clan was bound to the gateways to Hell. Just what is that thing?!
: Who lies at the center of that spiderweb…? What is the truth of this world?!
: That’s—

: It’s THIS!!

: Rrgh…!
: Wh-What…?!
: Lord Garan…!

: Hah-Hahahahah… fate mocks us so…!

: GARAAAN!
: Who is that…?!
: Yaahahaha! It’s been ages, Skull-face!
: You’re… Kiba?!
: You’re still alive?!
: I am! I clawed my way from the bottom of Hell!
: All so I could wring the life out of you with the other devil… the Iron Kaiser!
: Iron Kaiser?!

Twooeeeeeeeeeeep.

: The Kaiser’s reacting to that other machine…!
: Then the gateways to Hell that Garan talked about…
: You got it! It’s the devil the Odyssite called through space-time when the Gravity Generator first got turned on – the Iron Kaiser!
: So Garan’s clan was charged with keeping that machine sealed away…!
: Then, what triggered the Gravity Generator’s recent breakdown…!
: Was that machine coming back online?!
: Hyaahahahahahaha! Bingo!
: And I’m gonna use this baby’s power to trash the entire planet!

: Th-That’s…!
: Gravity waves from a Graviton Reactor…?!
: Kch… Its power is tremendous!
: AHAHAHAHAAAA! How’dya like them apples, Skull-face!
: Gch… that sonuva…!
: W-We can’t move…!
: Gravity waves are still growing! Our machines’ll be crushed if that keeps going…!
: Have some more!

: O-Oorgh…!
: Come on, people! Isn’t there anything we can do?!
: Kch… At this rate, we…!
: Singing Maiden…
: Huh?! M-Me…?
: You should understand by now…
: You, like the devils, were summoned from across space and time by a will within the Odyssite, so I’m sure you understand…
: Understand what…?!
: Let everything pour forth – your feelings, your prayer!
: My feelings? Prayer…? That’s…!
: Quit with that blah-blah-blah! This ain’t none of your business!

: Ghk… Gaaaaah!
: Sister…!
: Aila… We were all being guided by the same force…
: As is that devil…
: …?!
: Seek out the truth… The meaning behind our births… lies beyond…!

: SISTER!
: H-How could you…!
: Hehehe…! And you’re all up next!
: …
: You’re a very lonely man, aren’t you…?
: Whatchu say…?!
: You’re incapable of accepting anyone who so much as annoys you, so you do nothing but kill.
: And you don’t – or maybe you can’t – even notice how flawed your soul is. What a sad, lonely man.
: Eh?! Start making sense, goddamn it!
: Oh, well… I guess it’s up to me to fill that empty heart of yours with some positive energy.
: That is my mission, the reason why I was called to this world…

: Fei…?!
: I remembered… my feelings, my prayer…!
: Emotion, the energy overflowing within the chest. Turn your heart into wings and set off into that boundless sky…
: Listen to my song! (The above lines were lyrics for another Virtual On song, like Love 14. It’s called…)

SRW UX - Believe ver. HD

We’ll see this in a jiffy.

: Gwaargh! H-her song’s…!

: The Gravity waves are gone…?!
: Our units can move again…! No, that wasn’t all she did… This is!

Everyone maxes out morale… only we were already there, so no one gets anything!

: It’s like a surge of power coming from inside me…!
: She’s converting our emotions into strength…!
: Fei’s song is doing this?!
: Heheh… Well, now ain’t this cool!
: Grrgh… Y-You think I’m gonna let you get away with this?!

: Alright, no more tricks! I’m gonna rip you all apart!
: Hmph, ya buncha rats!
: Kiba…! I’ll show you all the power you awakened inside me!

Our good friend Kiba’s back and he’s pissed. Stats are even better than Garan and the Iron Kaiser hits hard and has a two-pronged directional MAPW that blasts up to 8 squares ahead (with a 2x4 AoE in the last 4 squares on each side). He’s not TOO accurate, either, but Prevail L7’ll offset that some, so watch it.
At 100k HP, he’d be the bulkiest enemy we’d had to fight thus far, but Miku shaved off 40% of that, so now he’s got less than Garan did. You should have a few Daunt casts handy and, if you’re like me, nearly all mooks are already down, so he won’t be building up to 130 morale before it’s go-time.
Can’t debuff him, either, so just toss whatever you’ve got left and wrap things up in one turn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_3GFfIK_aI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyJUicyhuMg
And here are Kiba’s big weapons. Now we can go!

LOUDNESS - The Eternal Soldiers

: I’ve come back from Hell to settle things with you, Skull-face!
: Have it your way… This world doesn’t need two Kaisers in it!
: And you’ll learn that you didn’t come back from Hell… because the two of us and the Mazinkaiser are Hell!
: And we’re about to burn what’s left of you!

: So many times you hounded us, Kiba, but that also ends today!
: The Octagon women?! After I’ve killed the four of you, I’ll take my time with that haughty leader of yours!
: You dare threaten Lady Aila…?!
: But you’re not getting even one finger on her, you wretch!
: We’ll take you out for good and then we’ll find a way to stop the Gravity Generator…! Psycogear Squad, forward!

: This is it: the greatest kind of freedom there is! I’m now too damn strong for anyone to hold me back!
: You think that’s being strong? Seems to me that you don’t know jack.
: Yeah? Then why don’t you come over and showcase what you think the real deal is!
: Oh, don’t worry, I will! This is the strength that comes from fighting for others…
: It’s the strength of a CHAMPION OF JUSTICE!

: What did you want all this power for?!
: For booze! And women! And for power itself! If I want something, I go and get it! That’s the Kiba Lifestyle and I’d like to see you try and stop it!
: While mine is to put an end to those that’d throw the world into chaos! That’s the mission we were given!

: You, Aila and Garan were all the same, right? Then why were you fighting with each other?!
: Pah, you think I give a rat’s ass about that sorta stuff?! You rub me the wrong way, you’re dead! That’s the long and short of it!
: But that’s… I can’t even begin to say how evil that is! We have to stop him, Heroman!
: Ooooh!

: It’s game over for you! The Iron Kaiser and I are invincible! No one can handle us!
: So many people are risking their lives to protect this world – including the Major…!
: And I’m not about to let someone like you destroy it!

–

: This isn’t due to yours being a manmade life… I can tell. Your bloodthirst, your brutality, is just your nature…!
: Well, that’s real kind of you to say! And you’re right! The past can eat it for all I care!
: This hunger for power? Mine! This overwhelming toughness?! Mine! This raised fist?! MINE! It’s all meeee!
: Then I’ll wipe you and that power from the face of the planet! The darkness beyond the original sin is waiting!

: This power’s the BEST! Now that I’ve the Iron Kaiser, the entire world’s my oyster!
: But that oyster’s hanging over the edge right goddamn now!
: We don’t have any time to waste on you! Come here and I’ll make this quick!

: Weren’t you and Garan born for the same reason? Why couldn’t you live with each other…?!
: What’re you getting at, eh? This island wasn’t big enough for the two of us and that’s all the reason we needed to get with the killing!
: Don’t even try it, Shangxiang. Our words will not work on this one, and we haven’t the time to try…
: Thus, I, Sun Quan, swear by my ancestor, Sun Tzu, to mete out your due punishment!

: You got a lotta nerve pulling that stunt with me! But, now, my devil’ll turn you and that power of yours into ancient history again!
: Song and Willpower are one and the same…! And as long as my song’s in everyone’s hearts, this power’ll never disappear!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpRYqZ5AlLE

: Gwaaaaaaaargh!
: And how do you like them apples, prick?!
: Gch-Gch-Rrrr! I’m not going down like this!
: If that’s how it’s gonna be… then I’m taking everyone with me!

RUUUUMBLE!

: Whoa…! What’s he doing?!
: It’s…! Guys, we’ve got trouble! The Gravity Generator just had a major spike in activity…!
: What did you say?!
: The way it’s looking, we’ve only a few moments before the gravity collapse occurs…!
: HYAAHAHAHAHAAH! You’re all gonna die! There won’t be anything left!
: This son of a bitch…!
: Isn’t there anything we can do to stop this?!
: There’s… only one way.
: Talk to us, then! What do we do?!
: Himiko explained it to me when she died…
: If you send that energy back to its source, it’ll revert to the raw state it was in originally…
: That’s…!
: What does she mean?!
: The Iron Kaiser’s Graviton Reactor is essentially a miniaturized Gravity Generator…
: So, if we can get their particles and anti-particles to collide, and trigger a particle annihilation…
: Particle annihilation…?!
: …
: Understood.
: What… did you even hear me?! I’m all but asking you to go on a suicide mission!
: Didn’t you say that’s the only way out of this? Then we don’t mind.
: Lt. Kaido…!
: We just blow up the Iron Kaiser and the Gravity Generator at the same time, right?
: Plus, solving this problem with one BIG explosion instead of powering the thing down like a bunch of wimps sounds perfect for us!
: But we’ll need your help to make it work, Lt. Yuki! We’re using that!
: …
: I-I…!
: Why are you hesitating, Yuki?!
: Cpt. Scarlet…!
: Are you just going to let their resolve go to waste?! What did I give you the Wingle for if not for this exact moment?!
: That’s…
: Yuki…!
: …

SRW UX - LEGEND OF KAISER

: Detaching Tiara Aile and Arsine Guard!
: Make sure to match its speed…! Cross Sequence, countdown initiated!
: I dunno what you’re up to, but I ain’t letting it happen!
: Oh, no, you don’t!

: Graargh!
: Now, Yuki!
: Wing Cross!
: Haaaaaah!

: Th-The Kaiser…!
: It combined with the Wingle’s wings!
: Here’s the little ace up our sleeve! Say your prayers, Kiba!
: Y-You two wanna get yourselves killed?!
: What’re ya worried about, ya goddamn cockroach?!
: Now, are we gonna be the first to bite it, or will you be the lucky winner? Gambles like this are kinda fun once in a while, I say!
: Gaaaaaaah! You… you’re all 100% crazy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pGVngTixNA

: GYAAAAAAAAAARGH!
: It ain’t over yet! We got one last game to take you on!

Beep!

: Excuse you, but that’s my part to play!
: What…?!

SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness

: The Riot…?!
: Is that… Major?!
: Haaaaaah!

The Riot grabs the Iron Kaiser and drags it towards the Gravity Generator!

: Guh… Y-You bastard!
: The hell do you think you’re doing, geezer?!
: A particle annihilation from the Riot’s Proton Generator should also be more enough to gobble up both this guy and the Gravity Generator!
: Wh-What…?!
: You two still have plenty of work to do, no?
: I’m just a scumbag with one foot in the grave. But I can still decide how I go out, so let me have this.
: Maj. Richard…!
: You know what you have to do, right, Saya?
: …?!
: Accelerated Particle Engine, full throttle!

: Gh-Gweeaaaaaaaaah!
: Uoooooooh!
: M-Major…!

Saya flies towards them.

: Ms. Saya…!
: I… I…!
: Now, Saya! FIRE!
: Uwaaaaaaaaah!

…

: Saya…?!
: …

SRW UX - Prologue

: I-I can’t do it…
: Y-You…!
: I can’t… I can’t shoot you, Major…!
: Ms. Saya…
: I can’t… I just can’t!
: Kch…. Aaaaaah!
: …

Arnie flies over.

: Ensign…?!
: You may be a merc… and this might be your mission…
: But no child should have to gun down her own father…
: Ensign Berge…
: Maj. Richard, I…
: I’ll take up your will onto myself!
: Arnie…!
: Hahahah… Thanks, Ensign…
: Deeeyaaah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ci4mdprJDs
Arnie: “Maj. Richard… I’ll do the deed with my own hands. That’s the least I can give you!”
Richard: “Take care of my daughter… and your future…”

: Major…!

: Goodbye, Saya…

: MAJOOOOOOOR!

: I see. Richard is…
: You don’t look all that surprised, sir.
: He came to me before and explained his condition.
: I knew he’d eventually want to pass his will on to the next generation and settle accounts with fate…
: …
: Is… Is that everything you have to say?
: Hayase…?
: He’s dead – your friend is dead!
: And you just sit there, acting like it’s not that big a deal to you! Don’t you feel anything for him?!
: If you think tears would make Richard happy, then you can go and cry until your eyes bleed.
: But can you end these battles with tears? Can you save the world with those?
: Even I know that! But you could…!
: Tch…!
: Hayase…
: …
: (Hisataka Katou spoke like he knew how the future would play out…)
: (And if Mr. Ishigami and Maj. Richard also did, then…)

: Hrm… Wh-Where…?
: You’re awake. We’re inside one of our motherships.
: Shou Zama…!
: Hm… I suppose you found me passed out…
: Garan is dead, so there’s no reason for us to fight anymore, right?
: …
: So I should come with you? Is that what you’re implying…?
: The old Black Knight – that warrior filled with hatred – is gone.
: And if that’s the case, why not help us as just another warrior willing to fight against fate?
: Shou Zama…
: The way I see it, the three of us may just be in the same boat.
: The same…?
: We were also ready to face death at one point.
: But we managed to overcome that death through our Willpower, and now we’re here…
: And if Willpower can transcend time and space, and even change fate itself…
: Then I believe that we should use that power for others… or, better yet, for the future of this world.
: For the future, hm…?
: Hah, maybe there is truth to what you say…

You obviously only get this scene if you did Burn’s secret. Now we have him and the Zwarth, which not only is pretty dang powerful, also has a combo attack with the Bilbine!

: …
: Ms. Saya, I…
: “Should you find yourself fighting against friends or family, could you bring yourself to pull the trigger?”
: I gave you that whole lecture on professional commitment, but I couldn’t do anything myself…
: Ms. Saya…
: I wanted to do as was needed… I told myself it had to be done…!
: You, the Major… everyone was prepared to risk everything they had during that battle…!
: And I still froze…!
: …
: Ms. Saya… despite all that, I don’t think that was a shot you should’ve made…
: Ensign Berge…
: I don’t know what the Major said to you, but…
: Orders or not, you’re his daughter. You shouldn’t have to do that…
: …
: I’m not his daughter…
: Huh…?

SRW UX - Prologue

: A will infused into Odyssite, to serve as a control key for Accelerated Particle Engines…
: That’s what I am…
: Wh-What…?! Then, you’re…!
: Another Erbsünde, yes… a manmade life…!
: Christ…!
: Do you see how it is now?!
: I was created to synchronize and manage the Orphes and Lyras’ engines… but it’s too much for me. That results in the Orphes performing imperfect warps, each and every one of them eating away at yours and the Major’s lives…
: Imperfect warps…?
: Everything that’s happened to you and him is my fault! My will – my life – was too weak, and that’s why he…!
: sob Aaaah…!! It’s… all my fault…!
: …
: No, Ms. Saya… don’t blame yourself…
: Ensign…
: I can’t even begin to imagine how god-awful it must’ve been for you…
: Trying so hard to carry out your mission and keeping us going, all the while knowing the warps were imperfect and would get me and the major killed… I shudder to even think about how you must’ve felt.
: …
: sob Ensign, I…

Door opens.

: Saya… so you knew everything. I thought as much…
: Ms. Aila…!
: What do you mean? Were you also aware of her secret?
: …
: The name “Saya” comes from an ancient word for “life”…
: Apparently, a scientist who worked on this island had a habit of giving names meaning “life” to the will-infused Odyssite.
: The names of life…
: Then it was someone who worked on this island who named Saya…?
: I believe so. And that scientist was called…
: Novel Dylan…
: N-Novel Dylan…?!

: The Neutrino Generators seem to be running nicely.
: Yes, they are. We should be ready to attempt a synchro-overdrive next time.
: The Neutrino Generator… the new Accelerated Particle Engine developed from the Proton Engine…
: The question now is whether we can get them to sync up properly. It’ll all come down to mine and Ayul’s skill…
: Or, rather, to the strength of our wills…
: Correct. The catalyst for all Accelerated Particle Engines is the light of the Odyssite – in other words, it’s Willpower itself…
: You two need to learn how to make proper use of that power, which is why I’m assigning you to assist the Black Lodge next.
: The Black Lodge…?!
: That group in Arkham City…?! Master Therion’s group…!
: Oh, right, you have some rather unpleasant history with him.
: But I ask that you let go of that. The sorcerers can help you understand the root of their magic, and that’s something indispensable for both of you.
: …
: Cpt. Spencer…
: No, I understand. The past doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.
: I’ll do whatever I have to in order to bring about Ayul’s awakening!
: Very good. Her awakening is what’ll lead the way to the future of this universe…
: Ayul… i.e., the name of life…
: The name of life… the meaning behind my existence…

[i]Finally, Burn’s also a Tactician and his bonuses are, respectively, +10% Melee attack power and Defense.

Speaking of, if you didn’t get his secret, the scene that plays after him and Shou duke it out is:[/i]

: F-Farewell… Shou Zama… my worthy nemesis!

Explode.

: Burn Bunnings…
: Was there no other way…? Are you happy with how this ended?!
: Shou…
: If the will of Man can cross through time and space, then what did it bring us into this world for?!
: …
: Burn Bunnings…! I… I!
: Raaaaaargh!

Garan appears.

: You have fallen, Burn…
: Garan…!
: Took you long enough, boss-man!
: Hmhmhm, it has been a while, hasn’t it, Ultimate Cross…
: And I hear you are now renowned as saviors of the planet. Indeed, you have become worthy nemeses!

And then the rest plays out the same.

[RYNO_Ross]

Okay, I knew what was going to happen, but still… wow. Just wow. The SRW team pulled out all the stops with the story on this one.

[ZanzibarHoward]

Not to rain on your parade, but while the UX story is pretty up there in SRW’s, the whole “Will is the key power” thing seems contrived as it could be to me.

[NotoriousFAP]

Emotion-activated plot devices seems pretty standard fare.

[ZanzibarHoward]

It would be cool too, if it wasn’t overly used. Anyways, the next stage should be a big one. I look forward to the translations.

[Mattman324]

Superior Sniper Miku is officially online, let the enemies cry out to the tune of her song.

And… ah hell, it’s Wingcross Kaiser. So, if you’ve missed it, Wingcross’s attacks all look really, really fucking bad. It’s one of the worst MCs in UX, and isn’t much of a visual upgrade over the original Kaiser.

The OG song that plays over Richard’s death makes me sad. Richard’s death makes me sad. He’s probably not going to be saveable in OG either.

So, first off, note how a lot of the Burn speech involves the previous two secret characters. Expect a LOT of that in the later parts of UX. Secrets feed into secrets as your squad breaks further away from fate.

Also - the hilarious bit about Zwarth is it’s actually more of an upgrade for Marvel, who is a better pilot than Burn due to having an attack modifier.

Emotion-activated plot devices seems pretty standard fare.

Hell, X just used the plot point again, albeit in a somewhat different context.

[Brunom1]

Click to see the mission

Welcome back, and our group’s a lot beefier after that bombastic last mission – and things aren’t about to slow down today. Arnie, Saya and Kurou are set as event units, so here’s how we’re going:

Lockon/Fei
Kouichi/Kiki
Dancouga/Deceive
Sun Quan/Eida
Kazuki/Allelujah
Heroman/Shouko
Liu Bei/Rennie
Shinn/Luna
Burn/Tsubasa
Setsuna/Luca
Shou/Marvel
Alto/Klan
Aesap/Miu
Cao Cao/Moritsugu
Michel/Kenji
Mamoru/Sakura
Maya/Tieria
Joe/Canon
Mazinkaiser/Amalgan
Tactician: Ruri (set Ruri if you’re still on track for the Demonbane secret.)

Off we go.

SRW UX - Prologue

: Major, we’re all set and ready to deploy.
: Jesus, girl… how many times have I said you can call me “dad” or “daddy” when we’re not working?
: But I’m not your actual daughter, or a human to begin with…
: See, that right there is a very poor way to look at things.
: Your life might’ve been manmade, but you still have a will – you still have a soul.
: And I think the realization of that fact ties directly with the beginning of life.
: The “beginning of life”…

: Rrgh… Haah, haah…
: It’s happening again, Major…?
: Hahah… Just desserts, and that jazz, right?
: …
: I’m so sorry. This is all because I can’t do my job properly…
: Don’t beat yourself over it. I knew from the start what I was getting into, remember?
: Besides, my living or not won’t change the future.
: What’s important here is your own will, and what you’ll do with it.
: But…
: I have bet all my chips in the huge potential you have, after all…
: Major…

: Now, Saya! FIRE!
: …
: I-I can’t do it…
: Y-You…!
: I can’t… I just can’t!
: Kch…. Aaaaaah!

: …
: Major… I…

: Now that the dust has settled, what was that Iron Kaiser anyway?
: From what I could gather, the Odyssite being used as a catalyst for the Gravity Generator sent a will across space-time, which called that mech over from a parallel universe.
: Another devil that came from a parallel universe…
: But if that’s the case, what about Kaido and Magami’s Kaiser?
: Well, both bots did look pretty much like polar opposites, so maybe…
: Our Kaiser also came from another universe?
: Dunno, don’t care.
: Ah…?
: I mean, what difference does it make?
: Where we came from, where we were born… that stuff’s just a buncha baloney.
: We’re here right now. That’s all the reason we need to fight.
: We’re here right now…
: Hmph, I suppose even a broken clock is right twice a day…
: Now, how about we cheer up some? The old man’s gonna come back to haunt us if we don’t.
: Lt. Kaido…!
: Why would he need to turn into a ghost for that? We are Hell, remember?
: Heheh, true, true. And if he went to Hell, that means he’s always gonna be with us.
: Lt…
: Always with us, huh…?
: (Alright, old man, then keep close and watch over us. I don’t mind…)
: (Garan, I’m done denying my fate. I’ll just live on and on… I’ll survive for the rest of my days!)
: (Lord Garan… I’ll seek out an answer for our fates alongside these people… and, in time, I’ll find it!)
: …
: Is something wrong, Fei?
: … No, nothing. I was just thinking that I’d like to stay with our group forever.
: Well, that’s to be expected! We’re all friends, aren’t we?
: … Yes, we are.
: (That girl’s song called out to me when I came to this world…)
: (I’m sure it’s because of her that I am who I am right now.)
: (So, I’d like for us to sing together… other me…)

Door opens.

: Looks like everyone’s here.
: Ms. Aila…
: Could I ask why you called for all of us…?
: It’s about what’s in store for the Machine Island and its people.
: As you are well aware, this land has died with the disappearance of the Gravity Generator…
: And, at that, Lady Aila has a proposal for you…
: Would you be willing to let Hurricane’s squadron and I accompany your group?
: You’re offering us the Psycogear Squad? That’s a very generous proposal, but are you certain…?
: Well, it just wouldn’t do to seal our Psycogears away and let them gather dust.
: If anything, we’d much rather carry on fighting together with people we trust.
: Right, so we’ll keep riding formation with the Wingle like we did in the last battle.
: That’s that done, Yuki. Looking forward to working with you again!
: I say the same!
: But what about you, Ms. Aila? What are you going to do?
: I’d like to learn more about the world beyond the island.
: The world?
: Himiko sought to uncover the truth, so I believe I’ll inherit her dying wish and travel the land…
: Then you should look for Marina Ismail.
: Hmm, yes. Princess Marina could certainly be of assistance to her.
: She’s a woman trying to see where our world is headed. I think there’s much you two could learn from one another.
: You’ve my gratitude. I’ll be sure to pay her a visit.
: And with this talk wrapped up… I guess it’s about time to say goodbye to the Octagon, huh?
: Not yet. There’s still one more thing…

Door opens.

: …
: Saya, Arnie…!
: Are you two feeling better…?
: Better isn’t the word I’d use…
: But we understand that staying depressed won’t change what happened.
: And, in that case, we should keep moving onwards. We owe it to the Major, too…
: Saya…
: …
: That’s about the best we can do to honor those who’ve parted, hm…?
: Yes. And also…
: We thought we needed to pull ourselves together before we talked to you about something.
: About what…?
: It’s about me, and Maj. Richard. And…
: About a scientist who used to work on this island: Novel Dylan…

• :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: *

: Oh, my faithful acolytes, how long have you waited!
: Indeed, how long. And all your perseverance has been for this very moment – for this day, when we shall raise our kingdom onto the Earth…!
#1: Our messiah, Master Therion!
#2: Our messiah, Master Therion!

: This is what the Black Lodge is like…?!
: Take a good look. Willpower can well be said to be at the root of all sorcery.
: Thus, the more Willpower you amass, the more it’s magnified.
: That’s…
: Yes. The light from the Accelerated Particle Engines catalyzing the Odyssite is born of the same process.
: And that ties directly to your own life’s awakening, Ayul…
: Life’s awakening…
: …
: (Master Therion… the man responsible for throwing mine and Arnie’s fate off track…!)

: I declare, here and now, that I will destroy all those blasphemers who would turn their eyes from the Truth!
: I declare that evil shall be used for evil’s sake!
: By the way of our castle, the mobile fortress Illusory Heart Mother…!

• :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: *

#1: Master Theriooooooon!
#2: Master Theriooooooon!

: The Grand Master has become quite good at inflaming the masses…
: But this time brings a different climax than usual.
: Novel Dylan… show me which realms your grasp has managed to reach.

• :bravo: :bravo: :bravo: *

: Hmph… a pathetic ceremony for just as pathetic people.
: Doctor, are you sure you shouldn’t be there-robo?
: Nope! My work is my life – period! I don’t have time for their nonsense!
: But, then, why are you with the Black Lodge, Doctor-robo?
: That should be obvious! I’m here because it’ll help perfect my GLORIOUS, BEAUTIFUL RESEARCH! The Black Lodge’ll help me get to the truth!
: ??? I don’t get it-robo.
: Ah, but you will – and soon.
: For you are Elsa, the android given an ego and a heart by my incredible intellect!
: I foresee many great things for you! Action! Life-threatening danger! A professor with a mind-controlling flute! DRAMA!
: But, as it all draws to a close, I know I’ll be beside myself with joy as my Pinocchio becomes a real boy… err, girl! Woohoo!
: Oh, Doctor, you’re getting a bit too excited there-robo.
: Still, I admit that I am a bit curious about things like “life” and “heart”-robo…

: …
: I see… so you’re an artificial being like us…
: I am…
: …
: (Now that I think about it, there were plenty of times where she acted kind of weird…)
: (I guess Maj. Richard had her do that on purpose to keep our attention away from what she was…)
: (And this girl’s immunity to that spell at Innsmouth… it was due to the fact that she was not human either…)
: Well, I don’t see a problem there. We already got a bunch of folks from tons of different backgrounds.
: Right. We’ve even got robots and fairies around, so it’s a bit too late for us to start caring about stuff like that.
: Borrowing what Kaido said, you’re here and you’re you – that’s all that matters.
: Everyone…
: On the other hand, I’m concerned about this scientist you mentioned, Novel Dylan.
: You knew her as a researcher for the Federation Army, Ensign Berge?
: Right, she was the developer of the Riots and was working with Jin and I as a technical advisor.
: Could this researcher for the Federation and the scientist who delved into the Machine Island’s taboo share the same name…?
: But all that stuff that happened here on the island was around two hundred years ago, right? It can’t be the same person.
: On the contrary – it is, without a doubt, the same Novel Dylan.
: What makes you so sure?
: …
: Do you remember what the Major said about an accident with an Accelerated Particle Engine running amok mid-test?
: Yes, the Odyssite-magnified will couldn’t be controlled, and the Engine was lost across space-time…
: Exactly. The one leading that experiment then was Novel Dylan… And the pilot of the unit equipped with the Accelerated Particle Engine…
: Was Maj. Richard.
: Wh-Whaat?!
: B-But didn’t that happen two hundred years ago?!
: He transposed space and time due to that accident. I’d wager centuries do not mean much in that situation.
: Ah…
: Then Major Richard had travelled from the past to the present as he crossed space-time?
: Hmm… I’d say no – it wasn’t the present.
: What do you mean?
: I am merely hypothesizing, Saya, but do tell me. Could it be that the accident with the Accelerated Particle Engine… actually wound transporting Maj. Richard to our future?
: Huh…?!
: O-Our future?!
: The answer lies with the Orphes’ Lepton Vectrer. It is an engine that applies the same principles as the Riot’s Proton Generator, however…
: The technology found in it is far more advanced than the supposedly cutting-edge Riot.
: Then, the Orphes…
: Is a mech that came from the future…?
: And the one who built the Orphes in said future was also Novel Dylan, was it not?
: …
: Master Kongming’s correct.
: The accident with the Accelerated Particle Engine flung the Major into the far future, and he met Prof. Novel Dylan there.
: H-Hey, hold on! Then that lady can just live for hundreds of years?!
: Or maybe she can time travel at will?
: I don’t know enough about her to talk about her life-span… but I don’t think it’s very likely she can time travel at will.
: After all, it was a complete coincidence that the Major and I ended up travelling to this era…
: Hmm…
: Another “coincidence”…
: In any case, it was in the future that she gave the Major the Orphes and Lyras and left me in his care.
: Whuh…?! Then you were also born in the future?
: Yes. I was made as a control key to keep both Lepton Vectrers from running out of control…
: But, in the end… I couldn’t do anything of the sort…
: Ms. Saya…
: What did I come to this era for if I couldn’t even do my part…?
: And as I failed, the Major was still risking his life to try and to change the future…!
: “Ch-Change the future”… You mean—?!
: I understand now. The “Hell” that Maj. Richard said he saw…
: Must have been the world post the death of mankind, as Hisataka Katou warned us about…
: N-No way… then that guy was telling the truth when he said humanity was gonna go extinct in 32 years?!
: …
: “If you knew that all this is pointless, what would you do? Could you still bring yourselves to fight…?”
: Kurou…
: (Ennea… did you know what our future is…?)

Beep, boop.

: We’ve a transmission coming in from NIA agent Axel Hughes.
: From Hughes?!
: Someone you know?
: Yeah, he helped Isabelle and I a ton back when I was working as a journalist.
: That wasn’t all he did, mind.
: The video footage he uncovered was also essential in clearing your name with the Federation Parliament.
: So, he’s like a major supporter of ours?
: Very well. Put him through.

Beep.

: Hello, everyone. It’s been a while.
: It has, yeah. But why’d you call us as suddenly as this? Did something happen at the Union?
: As a matter of fact, it has. The Black Lodge is on the move and things are looking bad.
: The Black Lodge?!
: As I’m sure you’re aware, Ms. Hadou, there’s a part of Arkham City where the populace is forbidden from entering, yes?
: That would be Sector 13. A past spell left the area hopelessly tainted and it had to be sealed off.
: And, by the looks of things, the Black Lodge went and built a gigantic fortress beneath said Sector.
: Wh-What?!
: Much as I regret to say it, the Union Army’s weapons are very outmatched against the Anticross and their sorcery.
: And, so, I make this call at the behest of the President. We’d like to ask that the UX intercept and repel the Black Lodge’s offensive.
: Understood. We’ll confer on this matter and get back to you shortly.
: I eagerly await a positive reply.

Boop.

: And there we have it… Ensign Berge, Saya, what are your thoughts on this?
: Ours…?
: You two are Maj. Richard’s heirs, no?
: Th-That’s…
: And he was a key figure in bringing the Ultimate Cross together. We’d like to give his daughter and successor’s wishes their due.
: …

SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate

: Alright. Then I say the UX should head for Arkham City!
: Ensign Berge…!
: Ms. Saya… I’d always wondered just what was the Hell that Maj. Richard had seen…
: But now I finally understand what it was and what it meant to him.
: That man saw a future filled with despair and decided to take a stand against fate to change it…
: But he…
: I know. He’s no longer with us… but that’s why we have to keep fighting.
: As the people who’ve taken up his will onto ourselves…!
: Ensign…
: Anyone here disagree with their opinion?
: Nope, we’re all on the same page as Arnie!
: Right on. We’ve all been given the power to bite back on evil, so let’s see it done together!
: And even should the future already be set in stone… we shall not yield before the tides of fate!
: Rather, we’ll find a way a to change it! Right, Mr. Asuka?
: Absolutely. Let’s set off, Arnie!
: Thank you so much, everyone!
: Call the Elshank and Ptolemaios and have them take formation alongside the Quarter!
: We’ll be Folding all the way to Arkham City!

Location: Arkham City – Abandoned Building

: Almost time for the C Project’s grand finale.
: …
: Is something the matter, Augustus?
: … Do you not find the Grand Master’s actions to be strange?
: Oh, are you doubting the Grand Master? That alone is essentially high treason, no?
: Consider past events, if you would. He ordered a retreat right as Kurou Daijuuji was moments away from defeat…
: And he proclaimed that we did not need either Al Azif or the Tyrant to execute the C Project.
: Hmm…
: Moreover, he’s even allowed outsiders to take part in today’s operations – as though he does not trust us to see it done…!
: You mean the group that came with that Novel chick?
: And, with this, I now have a question to ask of you all.
: Do you believe the Grand Master is truly suited to be the conductor of the C Project?
: …
: …
: …
: Augustus… what are you planning?
: To see that the C Project is properly executed, naturally.
: But first… we must carry out our assigned roles…
: My grimoire, The Golden Bough!

Magic!

: De Vermis Mysteriis – time to party!

Tentacle Magic!

: Ｃｔｈａａｔ Ａｑｕａｄïｎｇｅｎ！

Rumbling Magic!

: Celaeno Fragments!

Angry Magic!

: Book of Eibon!

Gentlemanly Magic!

: Cultes des Goules – we go to battle!

Sword Magic!

: The Anticross have started? Then we should do the same, Etheldreda.
: Yes, Master.
: Awaken, Big C!
: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn! Chhhhh’R’llllyeeeeh! Ia! Ia! God! ( In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming! Cross over, R’lyeh! Hail! Hail, God!)
: Cthulhu! Cthulhu…! CTHULHUUUUUU!

Big Magic!

Mission 32 – Big “C”

: De-Fold complete. No issues across our vessels.
: Wh-What the hell is that?!

: How could something that size be hidden beneath Sector 13…?!
: Much as I hate to admit it, that is pretty impressive!
: My Lady…
: N-Nothing good can come out of such insanity…!
: Heads up! We’ve got stuff coming out of that big UFO-thing!

: It’s those Deus Machina!
: Those guys we fought at the Hadou Manor are there too!
: And now we gotta take on all four of those monsters at once…?!
: We’re getting out there, troops!

: Heheh… Here you are! I’m gonna pay you back in spades for before!
: Hm…? I do not see the Demonbane.
: (Kurou, I believe in you. I’m sure you can pull yourself back together again!)
: …
: Ms. Saya, I know there must be a hundred things going on inside your head right now but…
: I understand. You’ve steeled yourself to face what’s ahead, and I’ll do the same.
: I’ll fight in a way worthy of Richard Krueger’s daughter!
: I confess I did not expect the Black Lodge to mount an attack of this scale…
: But we still cannot give in to them! Ever!
: By my name as a Hadou, I’ll strive to protect this city – this world – to the bitter end! All troops, engage!

Wreck everything, don’t lose a ship, Saya or Arnie. This one’s a bit more dangerous because we’ve got all 4 Anticross bosses bearing down on us and they’re all big, beefy bruisers – Titus and Claudius won’t hang back for long, either, so you’ll need to contend with them as you build morale.
Tiberius still has his many debuffs, so be especially wary of leaving anyone who can’t dodge in his range, as you don’t want them to be sitting ducks for all the Destroyer Robos and Anticross. Your guys are at about the point where they might be starting to learn Confuse (かく乱), so it might be good for you to pop it when you’re in the thick and morale isn’t quite there yet.
Approach carefully and as a group, because letting someone get mobbed is a recipe for death here, and take out the Anticross one by one – they all got decent levels of Prevail and you don’t want them all running it.

Titus (Ogre)
Pilot Skills:
Sorcerer L5
Grimoire L5
Prevail L5
Support Attack L2
All Attack L2
Infight L2
Titus’ voice actor: Joji Nakata (other roles: Wesker in Resident Evil, Ishigami in Linebarrel, Ahlforz in SRW V, Balgias in BX, and many, many more).

Jack Smith, only he’s a tank now and has Infight and does a lot more damage. His weapons all have S ranks on land, so approach with flying units or make sure your guy can dodge. Best attack is range 1-3, so see if you can’t attack from beyond that if you’re looking to save on SP.
That aside, we’ve dealt with his kind before and he doesn’t have any unique tricks worth noting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syP5Debzl8c

SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit

: Major… I’m not sure I’ll ever be as strong as you were, but still…
: Saya and I’ll take up your dying wish and carry it on!

SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens

: The heroes of salvation, Ultimate Cross…
: Perhaps you’ll be the ones capable of sating my thirst for combat…? (Where’s Lu Bu when we need him?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPxPgsCQvYw

SRW UX - My Fate

: Oohoohoo, this world’s going to be so messed up when Big C awakens. Isn’t that wonderful?

SRW UX - Shangri-La

: Ｒａａａａｒｇｈ！ Ｉ ｗｏｎ‘ｔ ａｌｌｏｗ ｙｏｕ ｔｏ ｓｔｏｐ Ｂｉｇ Ｃ‘ｓ ａｗａｋｅｎｉｎｇ！

SRW UX - Roulette

: Alright, folks, which of you wants to be fed your own liver? Just line up and I’ll be right there with your order!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6eOGs0FMA

SRW UX - Obelisk

: Hahahahah! Look at you zipping around like you own the damn place, not even paying Lord Byakhee its due!
: But gimme a sec and I’ll have your wings and your body broken so bad you won’t ever fly again!
: Like hell you will! I’m going to keep on flying – not just for me, but for them…!

And as you start thinning out the mooks…

: Look! There’s someone on top of that fortress!
: Th-That’s…!
: Hmhmhm…
: Master Therion…!
: Hear me, Ultimate Cross!
: It’s all due to your blind stupidity that this most joyous of days has arrived.
: Come again…?!
: And, as such, I would like to offer a small token of my appreciation.
: I have selected you to be the sacrifices for our dream, the C Project. Glory will be yours.
: Go to hell!
: Ensign…?!
: How many lives have you taken, how many fates have you torn apart…!
: You’ve done so much evil and that’s still not enough for you?!
: Hah… I know not who you are, but if you take issue with what I do, feel free to step forward.
: I’ll make you our first sacrifice.
: Shut your mouth, you monster!

: R-Rrgh!
: Ensign Arnie!
: Kch… I-It’s!

SRW UX - The Proud Challengers

: Target located. Moving to engage!
: J-Jin…!
: Copy that! Neutrino Generators, synchro-overdrive initiated!
: “S-Synchro-overdrive”…?!

Power uuup!

: Synchronization coefficient 97, 98… Pressure set, safety lock released!
: Haaaaaaaaaah!

: Th-This can’t…! How are they using technology from our future…?!
: No units but the Orphes and Lyras should be capable of synchro-overdrive…!
: Eat this, Arnie!

: Gwaaaaaaargh!
: Arnie!
: Haah, haah… Ayul, how’re the Engines?!
: Inner pressure is stable! No signs of anti-particles running out of control!
: O-Okay…! Then let’s carry on with the… Urgh!
: Cpt. Spencer?!
: D-Don’t worry about me! Think just of what you have to do!
: C-Captain…
: Hrm… Jin, what are you doing?! You’re with the Army of Mankind! Why are you helping the Black Lodge?!
: Because I’ve given myself to fate, is why!
: Wh-What…?!
: I’ve a mission – a destiny – to fulfill… and I’ll even deal with the devil himself to make that happen!
: Hmhmhm, splendid.
: As the light of your soul grows brighter, the shadows turn deeper and darker…
: So, please, let your pained blood and desperate tears pour in a beautiful cascade – it’s through them that Big C’ll descend on this world.
: Hrrr…! Kurou, are you still not going to take action even after hearing him?!
: Al…
: Our nemesis stands before our very eyes! Our companions have taken to arms and are risking their lives!
: And, yet, here you are…!
: …
: Al, I…!
: Jin… That’s too much, even for you!
: This is the Black Lodge we’re talking about – they care absolutely nothing for how precious life is! And if you’ll help those people… then I will make you answer for it!

: Ensign…!
: Ms. Saya, please back me up!
: He’s sold his soul to the devil… and we need to put him down!
: Copy that, Ensign.

Saya tags in with Arnie.

: We’re getting in formation too, Ayul!
: Aye, aye!

Ditto.

: Watch Arnie’s back, troops – that was a pretty big hit he took there!
: Keep a close eye on the Orphes and pound the Black Lodge back underground!
: Mission accepted!
: Come on… Jin!
: Bring it on, Arnie…!

I seriously hope you didn’t trigger this event on the enemy turn, because Arnie’ll likely be within spitting distance of not only Jin and Ayul (who’ll always prioritize him), but also Tiberius and Caligula – odds of him surviving that when he only has 700-ish HP aren’t good at all.
Oh, and the plot kicks in when either Jin or Ayul are downed, but you can just weaken both and kill them together with a powerful squad.

SRW UX - The Gate of Neidhöhle Opens

SRW UX - LEGEND OF KAISER

: Ｈｒｍｍｍ， ａ ｄｅｖｉｌ ｗｉｔｈ ａ ｓｋｕｌｌ？！ Ｔｈｅｒｅ‘ｓ ｏｎｌｙ ｒｏｏｍ ｆｏｒ ｏｎｅ ｓｋｕｌｌ ｉｎ ｔｈｉｓ ｂａｔｔｌｅｆｉｅｌｄ！
: Hah… our unit’s design was never really a concern for us…
: But if you care that much, then we’ll just bash your own skull open! Then there’ll be only one left and you can be happy!

SRW UX - The Proud Challengers

: How are you pulling off a synchro-overdrive, Jin…?! Just what is that machine?!
: Did you think you had exclusivity over that trick?
: I… No, we’ve surpassed you two in all regards…!

–

: How is your unit capable of synchro-overdrive?! That technology shouldn’t exist in this era…!
: All power has an origin. And the moment you come into contact with the origin of yours is when your defeat is sealed…!

SRW UX - Dunbine Flies

: You noisy little bug! We’ll see how zippy you’re feeling after I’ve clipped your wings and nailed you to a building!
: What a foul-mouthed boy! He needs to be taught a lesson!
: An Aura Battler’s a living machine, and I’m not about to let you torture it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L07kWFHr4_o
And here’s the combo attack with the Bilbine and Zwarth (doesn’t even need to have Burn – you can set Marvel in and she’s good too).

: Oowww… alright, now you pissed me off! I’m gonna get you for this… and real soon!

SRW UX - A Bird’s Song

: I dunno what you Black Lodge folks are up to, with all your gods and whatnot…
: But we clearly can’t just look the other way and let you keep doing your thing.
: Why don’t you pack up your bags and go home before you get hurt?
: Ｙｏｕ ｇｏｔ ａ ｂｉｇ ｍｏｕｔｈ．．．！Ｍｙ Ｃｔｈａａｔ Ａｑｕａｄïｎｇｅｎ‘ｓ ｐｏｗｅｒ‘ｌｌ ｔｅａｒ ｙｏｕｒ ｓｏｕｌｓ ｔｏ ｐｉｅｃｅｓ！
: Bring it on, big guy! The only thing that’ll be in pieces by the end of this is your pride!

SRW UX - Envoy from Jupiter

: Ｇａａａｈ！Ｉ ｗｏｎ‘ｔ ｆｏｒｇｅｔ ｔｈｉｉｉｉｉｓ！

SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend

: You’ve got stones blindsiding me back then. But now my pretty ghosts’ll give you what you deserve, little plushie!
: Ye fiend who trifles with life and death… My crimson flames shall burn your rotted soul to ash!

SRW UX - My Fate

: Ah, you’re such a cutie. I’ve been thinking about you since our last fight… you’ll make a good addition to my ghosts!
: It’s that creepy zombie guy that attacked the Hadou Manor! And his Aura’s just as nasty as it was back then!
: I know what you mean – it’s a sinister Aura Power that inverts life and death themselves! No way I’m letting that thing take us in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ATAVq2qFBo
And I finally remembered to show the DK for Aesap’s new finisher!

: Oh, dear, I’m running late for a very important show! See you guys later!

SRW UX - The Proud Challengers

: You get here and fight me! Arnie and Saya have just lost Maj. Richard and I’m not going to sit by and let you put an even bigger load on their backs!
: But this isn’t your part to play. Our battle with those two is fate as it’s been decided.

SRW UX - The Proud Challengers

: You “giving yourself to fate” is your problem, but how can you side with the Black Lodge?!
: It doesn’t matter where I am or who I’m with. I’ll use anything and anyone if it’ll bring life’s sacrament closer to our reach.

SRW UX - The Proud Challengers

[i]Jin drops Patrick’s Night Cap (Ranged and Defense +10, Evasion +5), and Ayul drops a Pure Shield (Defense and Melee +10, Ranged +5).

If you down Ayul:[/i]

: A-Aaaaaieeeee!
: Ayul…?!
: I-I’m okay… I can keep going!
: Because I… I’m carrying the same pride you are within me, Captain!
: Ayul…!
: Then, in that case… give me synchro-overdrive one more time!
: Yes, sir! Neutrino Generators, emergency acceleration!

And if you down Jin:

: U-Uurgh…!
: Cpt. Spencer…?!
: I-I told you, don’t worry about me!
: Our problem is them… give me synchro-overdrive one more time!
: …
: Yes, sir. Neutrino Generators, emergency acceleration!

: In that case, we’ll answer with our Hell Stringer! Ms. Saya…!
: Roger that! Lepton Vectrers, emergency acceleration!

Power up!

: S-Synchronization coefficient… 97, 98… A-Aaargh…!
: Ensign Berge…?!
: Haah, haah… P-Pressure set… safety lock released!

Crash.

: Ensign, what’s going on?! Don’t tell me…!
: M-my body… it won’t move! Why now…!
: Haaaaaaah!
: Ensign…!?

Saya: “Ensign, get back!” > “I-I… I can’t be beaten by you – not here!”

: Ms. Saya…?!
: U-Urk…!

SRW UX - Prologue

: Ms. Saya…!
: Arnie… are you all right? Thank goodness…
: W-Why did you…?!
: …
: I told you that I would also steel myself, no…?
: …?!
: All this time… I’d been running from everything.
: I couldn’t bring myself to accept the Major’s resolve, his kindness… I couldn’t even make peace with my own fate…
: Ms. Saya…
: But I… I’ll waver no more!
: If this really is my fate… then I’ll face it all of my own will – with every ounce of strength my life has!

: Th-That light is…!
: Oh…?
: Is that the light of the Odyssite…? No… it can’t be!
: The light of life…?
: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens

: Th-This is…!
: The Orphes and the Lyras…!
: They’ve combined…?!

Power up!

: The synchronization coefficient’s at a flat 100%…! The Lepton Vectrers are fully linked?!
: Th-That’s not possible…! Their Accelerated Particle Engines are synchronized perfectly…?!
: This… is the strength my will’s given me!

: …?!
: That light is…!
: Yeah… I know what it is too!
: We all do…
: That’s life…!
: A will sprouted within her facsimile of a life… turning into a real soul!
: What a warm light that is…!
: Ms. Saya, if that light’s the proof of your life…
: Then I’ll answer that life with my own soul!

: Arnie… you—!
: Take a close look, Jin – these are two souls joined as one…
: And the start of a new life…!
: Seeeiiiyaaaaaaaaaah!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IltBDF_YdX0
Captions are available.

: Gaaaaaaaah!
: C-Captain…!
: They took out the enemy mech in a single attack…!
: Such a fearsome strength…!
: Heh, that was truly wonderful.
: Well, well, I have to tip my hat to you, Novel Dylan!
: That said, your peering into the realm of the Gods is starting to push it a little…
: I-I won’t—
: Captain, we’ve to retreat!
: Wh-What…?!
: We… I mean, I’m not strong enough to fully synchronize the Neutrino Generators right now!
: If we stay here…!
: …
: Tsk…!

: (Jin…)
: Ensign, the battle’s still going!
: I’m on it! We’ll push back the remaining enemies!

Odyssea (Arnie Berge, Saya Krueger)
Mech Features:
Gun
Space-Time Warp – upwards of 35% chance to outright dodge an incoming attack, determined by difference between pilot and enemy’s Skill stat. Also spend no EN when moving and rough terrain properties don’t hinder your movement. Activates over 130 morale.
30% EN Regen
Squad Bonus: Armor +150, Crit +20, EN +100, HP +500

It’s still named Orphes but, screw it, that’s the name we’ll be giving it soon enough.

And, boom, Arnie just unlocked his upgrade and jumped straight to the front of the pack as one of the best units in the game: the Odyssea hits like a truck, it’s very survivable, it covers its ranges nicely, it regens 90 EN per turn just by itself, it flies – it’s got it all.
Better yet, the bot now takes a page off Baldios’ book, in that it can just teleport when moving around, so enemies and rough terrain won’t slow it down. Best attacks – Hell Stringer and End of Reverse – are point-blank range, but that annoyance is mitigated by the warp skill.
Mind you, do note that UX follows L’s rules when it comes to combinable units: they’ll deploy solo and you’ll need to plug them together during the mission. So, either make sure the combined units works nicely by itself (give it All Attacks), or do what I did in L and set the Lyras with another unit’ll that get plopped onto another (the R-Daigun sounds good, whenever the Nova can do that again) – once combined, the main units will still have a partner and you won’t be left with anyone running solo.[/i]

SRW UX - Linebarrel

: So, you are the famed twin-horned demon. Let us see how well your swordsmanship fares!
: Alright, you asked for it! Machina vs. Deus Machina… time to figure out which is better!

: Hmm… Could your blades endure those borne by a man who has reached the zenith of strength?
: People getting high on their samurai schtick are a dime a dozen nowadays, hm?
: Then draw, Mr. Bushido. I’ll show you what real swordsmanship is like.

: This is fine. Retreating!

: It’s over by the looks of things…
: No, we’ve got incoming – something with enormous power…!

: Th-That unit is…!
: Master Therion’s Deus Machina… the Liber Legis!
: That was quite the fun show you put, Ultimate Cross…
: Indeed, a very amusing way to celebrate the success of the C Project. You’ve earned my praise.
: Psh, you just can’t stop acting like a smug dingus, can you?
: So, what, you guys put together that stupid golf ball there? That’s your big plan?!
: Hah… You don’t understand, I see.
: In eons past, several almighty beings descended upon the Earth, they who were known as some of the Great Old Ones…
: And of those, there is the God of the Sea, he who sleeps eternal, interred within the sunken city of R’lyeh and watched over by the Deep Ones…
: The god of R’lyeh?!
: And this fortress is the medium through which we shall rouse his power.
: “Big C”… you mean Cthulhu! Your C Project is his revival?!
: Hmhmhm… And it’s now too late for anyone to stop me.
: Do it, Etheldreda.
: Yes, my Master.

Flash!

: Waaaaaah!
: J-Jeez… that guy’s as stupid strong as he was before!
: Hmhmhm… It’s almost time.
: Come on, now! Come on! Show me a great drama! Show me an ending that leads back to the beginning!
: Hrm…!

: If everything really is pointless… if our future – all of it – has been set from the start, then…!
: FOOL! Would you open your damned eyes, Kurou?!

Slap!

: Gch… Al?!
: “Pointless or not, could I just throw my hands in the air and do nothing? Could I live with myself doing nothing…?”
: You said that to Ennea before! Or were those words false?!
: …
: Stand up and reclaim the strength I know you possess! Reclaim your pride!
: I am certain you are capable of fighting… Your soul has not yet given in to despair!
: But I…
: And if you still cannot bring yourself to fight…
: Then I shall grant you the strength to do so…!

Kiss.

: Al…!
: Do not bear it all alone. Pain, suffering, regret… Let us share their burden with one another!
: Kurou Daijuuji, my dear master… I have faith in you!
: …
: Maj. Richard knew what future awaited us…
: But he still never lost hope. Why was that?
: That is…
: There’s only one answer: he believed we could change that future. And he chose to let fate take his life in order to make that happen…!
: In order to change the future…

SRW UX - Deus Machina

: I realized that watching Arnie and Saya fight…
: While your words and your feelings have renewed my strength!
: You’re absolutely right, Al. My soul hasn’t given in to despair yet!
: Kurou…!
: So, let’s get out there and just fight ‘til we can’t anymore!
: From the hate-scorched sky, with righteous anger in our hearts, we draw forth the sword that smites Evil!
: Thou art the innocent blade… DEMONBANE!

: Mr. Daijuuji…!
: You show yourself at last, Kurou Daijuuji!
: I knew it…! I always knew you’d come, Kurou!
: Sorry to have you folks worried. But I’m finally back – my eyes have been opened!
: If you fancy yourself some incarnation of evil, Master Therion, then I’ll be a force of justice to match you and more!
: Hahahah… Master of the Necronomicon!
: That is precisely that makes you a suitable nemesis!
: Master Therion weaves comedy with Evil, and Kurou Daijuuji spins tragedy with Justice!
: You are two sides of the same coin. The two melodies of Earth’s Rhapsody!
: Come on, come on, come on! Raise the curtain on this enormous farce!

: Blah, they’ve even brought a bunch of other goons along!
: Ignore those insects! Master Therion is who we must defeat!
: Let’s begin, Kurou Daijuuji, Al Azif!
: This body of steel! This soul of mine! Their power’ll destroy you and all that is evil!
: Bring it on, Master Therion!

Can’t lose Kurou and the mission ends when Therion goes down. He’s still as powerful as he was back at the start of the game, but we’ve bulked up way more than he has – even with all the previous stuff diminishing your resources, you should still have enough juice to take him out.
Just be mindful of this:

Secret Alert!
Demonbane secret – 5th step: set Ruri as your tactician and shoot down Master Therion with Kurou.

Easy money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYn7DG_3OmI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kojvODd9l3E
Have a couple new attacks – I wrecked the Destroyer Robos just because I could.

SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens

: The pain I felt when piloting the Orphes just vanished after the Lyras combined with it. I can’t even believe it…
: Ms. Saya, is this the power that slept within you – the power of your life?
: That’s right, Ensign… It’s the power dad left me: the light of life, which’ll shine the way for our future!
: And we’ll seize that future with it!

–

: Two men and two women beckoning the light of life to gather. Indeed, I can see the hand of fate behind your confrontation.
: Just as I and Etheldrera are fated to clash with Kurou Daijuuji and Al Azif.
: “Beckoning the light of life to gather”…? Are you talking about us and Jin?!
: The tunes of your fated rivalry may just bring some interesting notes to this dull comedy. Let’s put that to the test.

SRW UX - Roulette

: Hmhm, you’re certainly a curious one. Through all the battles I’ve had, I can’t recall anyone ever facing me with a toy.
: Heroman’s no toy!
: He’s a hero who fights to protect our world, who bears the wishes of so many people!
: Hrmmm!

SRW UX - Dunbine Flies

Against Shouko, Karen or Burn:

: Come. Show me what potential significance the dead still have upon this stage.
: ?! He’s looking our way…?
: He called us “dead”…? What is that supposed to mean…?
: I’m not dead! I’m here… I’m right here!

SRW UX - Tobikage Appears!

: The void’s emissary has finally acquired a human will…
: Then bring forth all your power! I trust you’ll be able to entertain me!
: I’ll entertain you halfway to death, guy! Come closer and you’ll get an eyeful of how strong Tobikage is after merging with me! (Um…s-sure.)

SRW UX - Believe ver. HD

: Hmhmhm… I have high hopes for all the possibilities you represent, otherworlder. I’ve grown rather weary of always seeing the same events play out.
: My possibilities…? I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.
: BUT, I’m the one who decides what goes with my life – and I’m not taking your suggestions!

SRW UX - Deus Machina

: Take a look, Ennea… It might be a future full of despair that’s waiting for us, but I’m never giving up hope again!

–

: Kurou, I presume you are sensing it yourself, but his powers are still akin to divine – if not greater! Attack with all your might or there shall be no victory here!
: Aye, aye! I’m blasting him with everything I have right from the word “go”!
: Indeed, you are a worthy opponent.
: Now, let us raise the curtain on this pulse-pounding play. Set my soul ablaze, Kurou Daijuuji!

And, much to my surprise, I later found out that Michio has a convo with the guy:

: So, he’s Master Therion, eh…? That’s some strong killer intent he’s giving off, alright.
: Still, you know they also call me Master Therion? I gotta live up to that name – I’m sure you understand!
: I praise your courage in pitting yourself against me.
: On the other hand, you are blind to where you stand. And that’ll cost you your life.

We get another Nameless Grimoire from him.

: Hahahahah… I’d expect no less from you. There’s no understating how I long for these moments!
: Princess, do you hear me?! I’m accessing the Hilanipla System! Send the Naacal Code!
: Understood! Transmitting the Words of Power!
: Decompressing spell data!
: Haaaaaaaaaah…!

: Take this! Lemuriaaa… IMPACT!
: Sublimate!

: Hyperborea Zero-Drive!

: Goddamn… How strong is that guy?!
: That was… absolute zero?!
: It might surprise you to learn that the Liber Legis’ ultimate weapon is the antithesis of your Lemuria Impact.
: A burning white blade of extreme cold. Should both attacks collide, they will simply cancel each other out, you see.
: If two exact opposite forces clash, all that awaits is mutual nullification…!
: Hah, sounds good! Let’s give it a go and see if that’s what happens!
: Hold, Kurou! Something approaches…!
: What…?!

: Those aren’t the Deus Machinas we fought before…!
: The Anticross?!
: You… Why have you left your posts to come here?
: It was a personal decision of mine, Grand Master.
: You see, the C Project’s success demands that any obstacles be eliminated with extreme prejudice…
: You overstep your bounds, Augustus! Every moment of this game between Kurou Daijuuji and I is invaluable!
: And I will not tolerate you interfering with it! Leave…!
: I’m afraid I cannot do that, Grand Master.

: …?!
: Th-The hell?!
: One of the Anticross stabbed Master Therion…?!
: Titus, you…!
: We have always been villains. Surely you did not expect loyalty out of us?

: Rgh… What?!
: Master…?!
: Ohohoho! Sorry, Grandmaster, but we’re just being true to your teachings, you know.
: Yeah, “do what thou wilt”!
: The… the Anticross are mounting an insurrection…?!
: Grand Master… You have deceived us.
: You were not looking to revive Cthulhu to create our utopia!
: No, it was all for your personal agenda… you want nothing more than to destroy the world entire!
: And that’s a problem, since we wanna rule the world! We’d be screwed if you went and trashed the place!
: You…!
: And that is why we, the Anticross, have reached a decision…
: Master Therion, you are a traitor and we shall now bring judgment to you!

: Hrm-grrgh…!
: Master!
: Graaaaaaaaaargh…!

: No… way…
: Master Therion was…?!
: Such a fierce melee would have exhausted anyone, even the Grand Master.
: Ａｎｄ ｎｏｗ ｉｔ‘ｓ ｙｏｕｒ ｔｕｒｎ！

: Hrk… Guess “enemy of my enemy” doesn’t apply here!
: D-Damn it… Then I’ll take them all out with another Lemuria Impa—
: Oh, no, you don’t!

: Gwaaargh!
: Kurou…!
: Damage across the magic circuitry’s at 74%…!
: This ain’t good – our guys are still reeling from the fight with Master Therion!
: Mr. Daijuuji…
: We’re gonna start this slaughter with you, Kurou!
: Stop them! All troops, move in and cover—
: You will not interfere!

: Rrgh…! W-We need to do something or the Demonbane’ll…!
: (Our hope in the battle against evil is going to… Kurou is going to be killed…!)
: (There is only one thing I can do…!)
: Farewell.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqQiVkIbWsw

: Aaaaaaaaah!
: KUROU!

: My name is grimoire Al Azif, also known as the Necronomicon.
: My masters were never meant to be more than a tool meant to carry out my purposes…
: …
: Kurou Daijuuji… my master. You were just the latest of many, sooner or later to become another stepping stone on my path ahead.
: That… is what I thought…
: But… how can you stand pain like that? To just watch in silence, unable to even cry as you lost people again and again…?
: Pain? I felt none. Neither did I feel sorrow.
: Once a master perished, I would seek out another and set off to do battle again. Such is my fate…
: However… I have never felt as I do now…
: You’re not as cold or as hard as you think…
: You’ve held your emotions in long enough, haven’t you? There’s nothing wrong with crying…
: Kurou…
: And you said it yourself: “pain, suffering, regret… let us share their burden with one another”, remember?
: I do not understand… why am I feeling this way?
: Al… I’m here for you.
: Kurou… I do not wish to lose you. I could endure anything, but not that!
: And if it will prevent that from occurring, then…!
: Al…
: I understand… what I feel is…
: Kurou, I—…!

: Kurou… Kurou!
: U-Uurk…!
: Ah, thank god! You’re awake!
: Damn, dude, you had us on pins and needles there!
: This is… the Elshank?
: But we were… What happened?! Where’re the Anticross?!
: I hate to tell you this but… we couldn’t do anything against them…
: They’re currently holed up inside their fortress, high above Arkham City.
: We… the UX lost…?
: But what matters is that you’re all safe. And while you live, you can always recover and fight again.
: While you live…
: Ah, and what about Al?! Is she safe…?!
: …
: Hey, Al. You okay? Snap out of it…
: Come on, wake up already…!

: Wait… I-Is that?!
: Her body’s… breaking into pages…?!
: Those… Those are her fragments!
: N-No… Then Al’s…?!
: Th-This can’t be real…! Al, please, say something!
: …

: A-Al… AAAAAL!

[RYNO_Ross]

Yay! We finally got Arnie and Saya’s ultimate bot! …and that’s the only good thing worth cheering about. Dammit Demonbane plot, I know you were originally an h-novel, but you weren’t supposed to screw Kurou like that.

[Mattman324]

Oh god, I love the Odyssea. While I do question the fact that they just outright give you its finisher immediately, the mech, its theme, and all of its attacks are just fucking amazing… even if the animation isn’t always the best. Also I can’t get a certain attack quote out of my head, but that’s for part 3. On the other hand, I still think Jin and Ayul’s mechs are shit and should have combined.

Yay! We finally got Arnie and Saya’s ultimate bot! …and that’s the only good thing worth cheering about. Dammit Demonbane plot, I know you were originally an h-novel, but you weren’t supposed to screw Kurou like that.

Unless my memory is seriously playing tricks on me, you only get this scene in the VN if you’re already deep into the Al route. So…

[NotoriousFAP]

Unless my memory is seriously playing tricks on me, you only get this scene in the VN if you’re already deep into the Al route. So…

It’s around this time that the routes diverge from the common route. So it’s more of the start of her route.