Click to see the mission!
We’re back at the Tatsumiya route, where Liu Bei has just proven himself to be the TRUE WARRIOR OF THE THREE KINGDOMS – that’ll teach those Wei and Wu upstarts to mess with glorious and benevolent Shu! But we’re still busy today, with Kouichi, Moritsugu and Setsuna all deploying as event units. Here’s how we’re going:
Shinn/Lunamaria
Liu Bei/Allelujah (shrug)
Sun Quan/Shouko
Kouichi/Michio
Mamoru/Deceive
Kenji/Domyoji
Sakura/Shangxiang
Cao Cao/Zhang Fei
Kazuki/Athrun
Kira/Graham
Lockon/Tieria
Yamashita/Yajima
Setsuna/Yulianne
Moritsugu/Soubi
Arnie/Saya
Maya/Akira
Rina/Guan Yu
Canon/Miu
Tactician: Zhuge Liang
Off we go.
: The Advancers posted at the Union have all disappeared?
: I’d say Cristopher Rubens is likely the one behind it.
: He never approved of The Advancers, but now he’s finally gained the power to take action…
: Masaki, what’s the status on our plan?
: We’re seeing some major deviations – far more than expected, and beyond The Advancers’ capacity to correct…
: And the source of the problem would be…
: The UX, yes… and Kouichi Hayase.
: …
: Why? He’s no fated child, much less a chosen hero…
: Or, perhaps, that is precisely why? Is it because he’s nothing but a stupid kid you could find on any corner?
: …
: Could another possibility be born to this world…?
: Commander…
: …
: (I must see it for myself…)
: How’re things with the island’s systems?
: It’s not perfect, but we’ve verified that everything’s running stable.
: Hopefully this means no one else’ll fall ill like Cmdr. Makabe.
: It’s still too soon to relax, though. The substitute core can only ease the strain on the primary core for a few weeks…
: Any longer than that, and Seri’s life’ll be in serious danger…
: …
: Which is why you should surrender already. That way, everyone can be safe.
: You’re still going with that?! Did you already forget what Kazuki told ya?!
: That story about me imparting stuff to our Mir?
: I’ve already passed on all information I have to the Mir. What else would I impart to it?
: How about the way you feel about this? Tell it that you don’t want us to fight.
: I can’t. To put it in your words, the Mir is the equivalent of God for us.
: You can’t disobey God’s will, yes?
: That’s only what you’ve convinced yourself of.
: ?? What do you mean?
: Weren’t you watching before? My bro showed all the proof ya need!
: The will of us, humans, can compel even the heavens, even God!
: It’s not that simple…
: But what harm is there in giving it a try anyway?
: It’s only by talking that we can understand how we, and others, feel. If you don’t talk, then you’ll go nowhere.
: …
: The Mir would never listen to someone like me.
: You’ll eventually give up when you’re faced with someone that’s just not willing to hear you out, right?
: Nope, I still wouldn’t give up.
: Huh…?
: Even if our words aren’t getting through, we gotta keep trying – as many times as needed – to understand one another.
: Just like Setsuna’s been doing.
: Yeah, like that time he decided to bumrush a gaggle of ELS. Did he even ask himself if he was about to get mind-zapped? Nope.
: If there’s still a chance that we could establish dialogue with each other, then I shouldn’t let it go to waste. That’s what I thought back then.
: …
: Kurusu, no one here wants to join you in a campaign against the world.
: Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t be me if I did something like that.
: I wouldn’t be me either if I did as you suggest.
: Kurusu…
Door opens.
: E-Everyone… we’ve an emergency!
: What happened?!
: Th-The… The old JUDA building has come under attack by the Katou Organization!
: Wh-What?!
(on TV): And that’s how things are looking at the present.
: The SDF is currently engaging the Katou forces, but they’re unlikely to hold out for long.
: What is going on? JUDA’s long stopped working as a defense organization for Japan. They won’t get anything from attacking it now…
: On the contrary: as far as the Katou Organization is concerned, there’s still another very important target there.
: If we assume that they’re still working towards their goal of destroying every existing Machina, then…
: Mr. Ishigami’s Judah…!
: Exactly.
: What are we to do? If we leave here and the Festum launch another offensive…
: Relax. Now that the substitute core is in place, the island’s defense systems are all back online.
: And we’re the adults around here. We gotta show the world what we’re made of once in a blue moon!
: Mr. Mizoguchi…
Door opens.
: Mind if I come with?
: Kurusu… you?!
: Why? You’ve never asked anything of the sort before.
: You guys have made me curious.
: Like, what was the light you gave out when you fought that man, Lu Bu?
: And if this “dialogue” of yours really is capable of reaching God and compelling Him to act, then…
: Then, maybe, I could potentially understand what Soushi Minashiro was trying to say.
: …
: Alright, I’ll allow it.
: Are you insane?! He’s a Festum!
: If there’s still a chance, then we shouldn’t let it go to waste, right?
: The way of war isn’t the only one that exists between us and the Festum… we all know that, no?
: I… I guess, but…
: I’m glad that you welcome me. Now I can continue to watch you fight.
: I’m not going there just to fight, FYI. There’s also something I need to tell Katou…
: Hayase, is that…
: Yeah. The last will and testament of Prof. Amagatsu Kizaki.
: He… Katou never heard Prof. Kizaki’s final words…
: But if he hears them, I think he…
: Hayase…
: (Wait for me, Hisataka Katou! I’m coming to open your eyes!)
Mission 43 (Tatsumiya Route) – Singularity
: Gwaaaaaaaah!
: That giant Arma is…!
: A model specialized in area control, by the looks of it. That’s quite the thing Katou put together.
: Hmph, confident, aren’t we?
: But we’ll see how long that attitude lasts when faced with my Kagaseo.
: Mr. Ishigami, whatever you’re planning will not save you. I’ll destroy your Judah here and now.
: Destroy Judah, hm…?
: That’s not your only objective, though, is it?
: …
Alarm!
: They have come…!
SRW UX - Rebellion Against Fate
: That’s the end of the line for you, Katou Organization!
: Took you long enough! You’ve kept me waiting, UX!
: All their captains, and, additionally, that gigantic Arma… The enemy has launched an all-out offensive?
: And they did it exactly during the time we were away…!
: It’s been a while since we’ve seen these guys, but I can tell they’re still as tricksy as ever!
: Target identified… moving to eliminate.
: You are welcome to try. As mighty as you may be, you will find the Kagaseo to be more than well-equipped to withstand your assault.
: I look forward to seeing you try and fail to conquer that walking fortress.
: What a load of nonsense.
: Excuse me…?
: Yes, it’s a gigantic unit; and that makes its weaknesses both easy to spot and easy to exploit.
: From where I stand, I see nothing but a huge target… and I don’t need special strategies for targets.
: You’d tar my Kagaseo as being a target…? Let’s see if you can land a bullseye, then!
: Troops, Moritsugu shall subdue the giant Arma!
: The rest of you are to secure his path to it and cover his advance!
Kill everyone, don’t lose the Ptolemaios, Kouichi, Moritsugu or Setsuna.
We’ve already had this battle plenty of times before, only now there isn’t even the danger of Lu Bu oneshotting someone. Reznor and his Kagaseo aren’t actual enemies, so you’ll just have to contend with their antics (see below) – you COULD always rush Moritsugu up top with Accelerate/Tailwind casts and/or Zeal/Enable (Shouko has it), but the simpler way is just to move as a group and mow down the opposition.
Jack and Sawatari are still glass-cannons, so your biggest concern should be Masaki’s MAPW and getting mobbed by the decently powerful new Armas. Keep a Confuse cast ready just in case.
And when the enemy turn rolls over…
: Observe the firepower at my Kagaseo’s disposal…!
Blaaaaaast!
Everyone loses 10% HP.
: Waaaaaaah!
: Hrm… his Arma’s as insanely strong as the last time I saw it!
: The enemy Arma’s readying another barrage! Keep a close eye on the damage your units are taking, guys!
As Ylbora did before, Reznor’ll shave off 10% of all units’ max HP every turn. No worries for your hardier guys, but make sure your Reals don’t pile on the evasion decay and get nicked.
: The future your eyes… or, rather, Kunio Ishigami’s eyes are set upon isn’t the correct one.
: And it’s today that you’ll come to understand that.
SRW UX - Azure
What wrong BGM? I told you I was setting it for all Fafner units.
Final Mission ~ Quantum Burst 1
: Psh, trying to take these guys on with a frickin’ Arma’s just not gonna fly…
: Still, I’m way too stubborn to back away from a fight!
: I figure you got your reasons for turning on us, but I don’t give a damn what those are!
: You’re our enemy now, and that’s all that I need to kill your ass!
: You’ve always been such a crude man, Sawatari. How are you ever going to get a nice girl with that attitude?
: Hmph, the day brings all-out war with them? Win or lose, I shall regret nothing!
: Come! Summon forth every ounce of your strength and face me!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: It’s impossible for you to defend anything. Not your friends, and certainly not the future of this world.
: Nay, I will defend it all! And it is through what I inherited from my father and brother, what Zhou Yu awakened me to, that I will succeed…
: I will defend it all through the true courage that lies within me!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qABg0vBB29A
And here’s Kazuki’s best non-combo attack.
Final Mission ~ Quantum Burst 1
: The aura of your bushido is striking, even through the shell of my unit! You deserve my undivided attention today!
: Hah, I say the same of your aura. You are worthy of the name Mr. Bushido!
: Now draw your blade and face me, Samurai of the Skies! (Reference to Saburo Sakai’s autobiography, which shares the same name in Japanese. In the English version, it’s just titled “Samurai!”)
Graham attacking Jack: “I, too, trailed the way of the warrior once. Face me with your very best and I shall do the same!”
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: I feel no hesitation whatsoever in your blade… I suppose you possess a cause to see fulfilled!
: However, ‘tis the same for me! If you’ve the resolve to trail this path, then face me!
: I am no less inclined to prevail today! By my honor as a warrior, I shall not yield!
: Mr. Samurai… Do you still believe an Arma like you stands a chance against a Machina?
: Bushido is the way of death…!
: To defeat you is my greatest ambition, and, upon my honor, I shall see it done! To arms, Reiji Moritsugu!
: Who you tag as a rival is your own business, but I just don’t have the time to indulge you. Let’s make this quick.
Clever girl…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABzFnt1EA5Y
Fine, be that way. I needed something to showcase more of Liu Bei’s new attacks. We steal more of Jack’s milk with this.
Oh, and Liu Bei attacking: “Your ambitions end here, Katou Organization!"
: Hrm… The Katou Organization is no longer any match to the UX…
: ?!
: Now – arrest him! Show them all what the SDF can do!
Grab!
: Grgh… That I would not have a chance to settle accounts with him… Blast it all!
: Huh, those SDF guys ain’t half bad. We better put our backs into this and go earn our keep!
SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me
: We’ve been killing each other for long enough, so let’s drop the chit-chat and get to the point! Pit your power against mine and we’ll see who comes out on top!
: Power is just that: power…
: So it won’t be that what I’ll pit against you, but my wishes for our future!
: This isn’t about revenge or anger or whatever anymore!
: I’m here fighting to help pave the way for our future!
: Heh, whatever floats your boat – none of that’ll change me or what I want!
: That’s why I’ll always be right here, looking to bash your face in! Come on, Horns!
: Tsk… my Arma’s already totaled! Maybe I oughta just blow myself up and take them out like that?!
: Oh, I really wish you wouldn’t.
: Rgh…! Yulianne, the hell are you doing?!
: You still have a very important part to play, see.
: We can’t have you exiting the stage just yet.
: A “part”…?!
: I’m bringing you in, Sawatari. Don’t try anything funny.
: Kch…!
Beep.
(on the phone): It’s done. I’ve captured Sawatari as ordered.
: Hmhmhm… Good job, Yulianne.
“My hands have uprooted yet another possibility…”
: Kch…!
: Come on, bring out your thing already. We know you’re not finished yet.
: I’m impressed. It’s not everyone who can force the Naked out the Glain-Neidr.
: That said, you’d best not take it to be a mere defensive mechanism.
: Got that second wind out of your system? We’ll put you down quick, then!
If Michio isn’t here:
: Whereas you ought to know that we are hardly fighting with our full might!
: We shall end you quickly!
: Mr. Amagatsu gave me both the Linebarrel and his will!
: And I’m not going down ‘til I’ve passed that will along to Katou!
: It was a fluke that gave you this power. Do you honestly believe you can best the commander with it?
: You are an irregularity, nothing more. Do not oversell yourself, Kouichi Hayase.
SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me
: You reject others’ visions for the future simply because it is not the future you want. Your struggles are pure hypocrisy.
: But I’ll still keep on fighting. I want to believe that the future we chose is the right one…
: Because that’s what I’ve steeled myself to do, and the path I’ve chosen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSWyw_bp6pU
I just remembered I never showed off this attack and its DK. Surprisingly, you only get Kira’s multi-lock cut-in in the MAPW version.
: Urgh… They are so powerful… Is that really the way it is?
: Were Cmdr. Katou’s suspicions correct? Do they represent another possibility to this world…?
: (Wait just a bit longer, Masaki…)
Kill everything and Moritsugu’ll move into position right away:
: How simple it is to close the distance with you.
: A target’s nothing but a target – all the overblown confidence in the world won’t change that.
: Hah, I’ve got you now!
: It’s those things they used with the sat weapon…!
: That Arma had such a trick up its sleeve?!
: You figured all you had to against a foe this big was to move in and aim for the cockpit, didn’t you?
: But you made one fatal mistake: my Kagaseo may be a target, but it’s absolutely no sitting duck!
: M-Mr. Moritsugu…!
: This is bad… he’s gonna swatted down!
: Mr. Moritsugu, it’s too dangerous! Pull back!
: I’ve no reason to.
: Huh?! B-But…!
: As I said, this thing’s just a huge target.
: Bwahahaha! And you think running your mouth’s going to help you get out of the mess you’re in…?
: Was I not clear?
: You are a target, and I’m done holding back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ9pkPnONRA
This new attack is a major power boost for the Vardant: with 5500 baseline attack power, the only Machina that hits harder is the Linebarrel with its Override attack.
: I-Impossible… He destroyed them all?!
: Oh, wow… Looks like Moritsugu was the real threat around here.
: I-Is that… what “true brutality” is like…?!
: Nope, Moritsugu’s still not fighting 100% for real.
: Aack…!
: Bullseye.
: Gwaaaaaaaaaah!
: The giant Arma has gone silent! It’s showing no signs of movement!
: An excellent performance, Mr. Moritsugu!
: That’s all the captains dispatched, but there’s still…
: Yeah, him.
: …
: We figured you would turn up, Hisataka Katou!
: I confess I never imagined your group to have grown this strong…
: Oh, Katou… This shall be a day to remember.
: As the day of the Katou Organization’s complete and utter defeat.
: Excuse me…?
: I’ve got something to tell you, Hisataka Katou!
: Kouichi Hayase…
: If you’re really looking to take up Prof. Kizaki’s dying wish, then, please, listen to me!
: …
: Kouichi… Just who are you?
: Huh…?!
: You’re an average kid in all regards, so how did you come to inherit the Linebarrel?!
: Are you telling me some kid has become the Singularity of our possibilities?!
: (Singularity…?)
: Katou, I…!
: I will not accept that…! I cannot!
: I am the true heir to Amagatsu Kizaki’s will!
: Hrm… Such ferocity!
: Hayase, you must first immobilize his unit!
: Once that’s done, then you can try and talk to him!
: O-Okay!
: Troops, concentrate your firepower on Katou’s Arma! Charge!
: Let’s see what you’ll do now…
Yet another gaggle of Armas, but Katou’s pretty much the same as the last time we fought.
Secret Alert!
Linebarrel secret – 5th step: shoot down Katou with Kouichi.
Just keep this in mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeSmkaLzOw
And here’s Super Liu Bei’s “weakest” attack.
: You don’t seem all that sure of yourself. Is the Katou Organization faltering just as much?
: This is nothing, and wholly within the scope of my imagination…!
: But, ultimately, it’ll be me who conquers all possibilities! And I won’t allow any hardship to keep me from doing so!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: You are well aware of the destruction in our future, are you not, Hisataka Katou?! Then why do you seek to harm the people further?!
: I must do this because I know the future that awaits us! This is what he wanted!
Final Mission ~ Quantum Burst 1
: Where does your imagination lead you, Hisataka Katou? What future do you envision for our world…?
: The Innovator… As revolutionary as your powers may be, it’s still beyond you to transform fate itself!
: Heeheehee… We just have to kill you and that’ll be the end of the Katou Organization!
: The world is about to get a step closer to peace!
: Someone with such a feeble imagination could never end my life!
Miu attacking: “The enemy commander’s right in front of me… Then, he dies right now!”
: There’s a way our world is truly meant to be, but we’ll never find it if we can’t bring ourselves to see the big picture, if we’re not willing to make sacrifices!
: You may face away from death and seek only to defend life, but that won’t lead the world in the right direction!
: That’s a load of crap! The world doesn’t need sacrifices to be capable of heading in the right direction!
: Rather, it will head in the right direction, because that’s the kind of creatures us humans are…!
SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens
: Prof. Kizaki’s passed his will on to Hayase, and I’m sure you understand that!
: Silence! Linebarrel or not, I’ll push onwards… I will not and cannot stop!
: Hisataka Katou… What you’re trying to accomplish really is…!
: We’re all fellow men and women, but for so long you’ve fought and wreaked havoc upon society…
: All to make them imagine their own deaths… What is even the goddamned point of something like that?!
: Life can only exist because death exists as well! Surely you’re well aware of that!
: Stop this, Katou! Mr. Amagatsu—
: Don’t you dare speak the professor’s name, Kouichi Hayase!
: Damn it, he’s not leaving me any option here…!
: Fine, then I’ll just have to put a stop to you! And I’ll do so with the Linebarrel, this Machina bearing all of Mr. Amagatsu’s wishes!
Katou drops a Men’s Super Robots Monthly.
: Argh…!
: It’s over, Hisataka Katou! Your unit’s in no condition to fight after all the damage it’s taken!
: N-No, I won’t let it end here… I still have a mission to see through…!
: That’s enough, Katou!
: Rgh…! Kouichi Hayase…!
: I’ve a decent grasp of the world you came from, thanks to what Mr. Amagatsu showed me.
: And I also understand what you’ve been trying to do all this time!
: Idiocy! What makes you think you understand anything about me or my mission?!
: I do understand. People who’ve lost their imagination become incapable of living as humans!
: And that’s why you’ve been going around, trying to force them to imagine their own deaths: to save mankind from the Suicide Switch coded into their DNA!
: Wh-Whaaaaat?!
: Then, he was…
: Trying to save mankind…?
: …
: Katou… you saw the destruction in our future for yourself.
: And, so, you decided you’d do whatever was necessary to change that future, didn’t you?
: …
: Even if it meant taking the lives of others…
: You were ready to stain your own hands with blood because you believed that it’d lead us to a better future, right?!
: Wh-What of it…?
: What are you getting at?!
: Just one thing: if you really want to save mankind…
: Then, I want you to help us!
: …?!
: Wh-What did you say…?!
: Hayase, you…!
: …
: (Kouichi…)
: “Humans cannot create their fates, but they can still choose which one to follow…”
: Those were Mr. Amagatsu’s last words!
: That’s… the professor…!
: Our methods were very different, but I’m sure we’re all fighting for the same thing!
: So, it’s not too late! You can still make a choice…
: …
: D-Don’t…
: Don’t give me that shit, Amagatsu!
: …?!
: Damn, cover our troops—
: Aaaaah!
: Are you kidding me?! Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I started trailing this path, all that I’ve done for this?!
: And now you expect me to drop it all for a brat who’s only been a Factor for a fraction of that time…?!
: Hrm… He’s gone nuts!
: Talking isn’t getting us anywhere with him! But if we rush him down right now, we—!
: No, I promised Mr. Amagatsu that I’d shoulder the weight of all of mankind’s lives as a Champion of Justice!
: That I’d be true to my ideals and change this world!
: B-But…
: In that case… I’ll pry that path open for you!
: Setsuna…?!
Setsuna repositions at the center of the map.
: Activating the Quantum System! I’ll cover this area in a mental-affinity field!
: Setsuna, stop! The Quantum System still hasn’t…!
Beep, beep. Power uuuuuup!
: We’ll change ourselves…! If we do not, then we’ll never be able to challenge our future!
: This is what the 00 Qan[T] was made to do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PKENxzW1ic
: Th-That light…!
: The GN Particles are… Light is spreading all around us!
: Gch… Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Tzeeeeeeeep.
: Katou…
: P-Professor…!
: Thank you so much. You’ve fought, alone, for so long – all in my stead…
: Professor, I…
: But you’ve done enough. You don’t have to continue that battle anymore.
: B-But…!
: Remember, Katou… humans can always, always choose their fates.
: ?!
: Please, help them destroy the future penned by the Machinas.
: Help Hayase, Emi, and their allies…
: PROFESSOR!!
: …
: Humans can always… choose their fates…
: That’s right… We keep on planting those flowers, regardless of how often they’re blown away…
: Because we know that, in time, new flowers, of new colors, will take root and bloom. And we’ll do it again and again, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, until it finally happens…
: …
: Have… Have I been mistaken all this time…?
: Katou…
: (Professor… I…)
: He left…?
: Did Kouichi and Prof. Kizaki’s wishes not connect with the guy…?
: No, I’m sure he understood everything.
: He just needs time to put his thoughts in order…
: He’s spent so long believing in something, and now he has to let it go and start over…
: It’s not an easy thing for people to do…
: …
: (Humans will follow through with the choice they made… even if it means letting go of what they once believed in…)
: …
: I’ll be waiting for your answer, Hisataka Katou…
: …
: Psh, I can’t believe all three of us got caught…
: Especially you, Jack. I wouldn’t have put money on you letting those goons reel you in.
: Reiji Moritsugu felled the Kagaseo with extreme ease. Moreover, he did not even need to claim Reznor’s life.
: …
: And from what they’ve told us, it seems even the commander was beaten by them.
: Do you believe us to be capable of prevailing against such a group?
: What, then, are you two just gonna surrender?!
: Perish the thought. I would never pervade my beliefs.
: However…
: Yeah…?
: Looking back at the commander’s recent demeanor… I cannot help but feel that a major secret lies in the shadows of our battles.
: …
: Yeesh… “Don’t use the Quantum System, Setsuna. It’s not ready,” I said. And what does he do? He uses the thing.
: I guess we’ll need to redo the set-up now.
: S-Sorry. It was my fault that he…
: Don’t worry about it. I made a decision and did what I had to do there.
: B-But…
: You heard the guy: don’t sweat it. You did a bang-up job out there.
: Yeah, talking down the enemy boss is no easy feat.
: Absolutely. For all the missteps you made when you first started this…
: I think you’re doing great now, Kouichi.
: Ki-Kizaki… What was that you just said?!
: Huh? Wh-What’s what…?
: Well… you always called him “Hayase”, and now you’re going with just “Kouichi”…?
: Ah…!
: Oho, is that how close you two have gotten?
: N-No… That’s…!
: Heheh, good for you, I say. It shows how much you two have changed.
: …
: …
door opens
: Everyone seems to be having fun, huh?
: Kurusu…
: I was watching throughout the whole thing. I saw how you fight, and how you managed to get through to the other side…
: And did that help you find an answer yourself?
: Hmm… Honestly, I’m still not sure.
: I don’t think I’m capable of following the example of that man, Katou, and letting go of my God…
: There is no God in this world. If anything exists… it’d be the will of man.
: The will of man…?
: In the neverending flow of time, our lives are given to us for the most fleeting of moments… (Reference towards the meaning of Setsuna’s codename. As told in the Newtype Magazine of September/2008, Setsuna F. Seiei stands for “刹那 From 聖永”, a.k.a., Setsuna From Seiei – A moment from eternity.)
: It is because we burn so brightly in those fleeting moments that Man knows the meaning of life.
: Their will is something that transcends even God.
: …
: The light that Liu Bei, Cao Cao and Sun Quan showed me was so dazzling…
: And I could feel all your emotions within the light of the GN Particles…
: And what did you think when you saw all that?
: …
: That I want to experience that light for myself.
: And that was your own will speaking.
: …! I have a will…?
: Of course you do. You said you wanted to experience that light for yourself, but no one ordered you to feel that way, right? You just did, as any person would.
: And you thought the sky was pretty when you were born, right?
: You should try and teach your God what it’d mean to have that taken away from you.
: …
: My… My God is…
: Excuse us.
: Oh? What brings you all here?
: We’ve a few things we’d like to ask you, Mr. Ishigami…
: Hahaha, you do remember that JUDA’s gone as a company, yes? You don’t need to call me “Mr.” anymore…
: Very well. Then, allow us to rephrase our statement.
: Kunio Ishigami, former captain of the Katou Organization’s 1st unit… we have questions we would like to ask you.
: ?!
: …
: Hmhmhm, I see. That Quantum System is quite something, isn’t it?
: I didn’t think it would even grant you access to Katou’s memories.
: We know of how you first met Katou, and how you eventually decided to break ties with his Organization…
: But those were all memories taken exclusively from Hisataka Katou’s point of view.
: What’ll it be, then? Do you want me to tell you what you couldn’t learn from Katou’s POV?
: That’s right. Ishigami, what was it that you saw the day you first entered Judah? What did you see the moment you became its Factor?
: You’ll have to forgive me, but I—
: You shall withhold answers no longer, Ishigami!
: …
: We let you off the hook before because you said that revealing information could change events down the road, but we’re not taking that excuse anymore.
: Because, as Katou himself said, Kouichi Hayase’s become the “singularity” of our possibilities. I would expect the future to have already changed due to that.
: …
: Mr. Ishigami… I’d wager things are progressing far beyond what Judah predicted.
: It is time you told us the truth you have kept to yourself…
: Tell us who is the true enemy we are to face!
: Hmhmhm… The “true enemy”, eh?
: Okay, you win. And, really, Judah said this would happen.
: I’ll tell you everything I know.
: Sir…
: But only after you guys have taken care of a certain situation over by the Union.
: The Union…?
: You’ll understand once you get there.
: Yet another of Judah’s future predictions?
: Maybe. It could be that the outcome has already changed, as you said…
: And if that’s caused fate to diverge into a new possibility, then I say we see where these new tides take us.
: Fine. But we’ll be coming back to talk to you soon.
: Until then.
Everyone leaves.
: Phew… Oh, that was scary!
: My heart was all the way up in my throat thinking Lord Cao Cao was about to run me through.
: Have you seen that saw-like sword of his? What if he’d decided to go all “Surrender or die!” on me?
(This was originally a reference to a rather memetic Cao Cao quote from other SD Gundam Sangokuden media, such as the manga… but it’s just the equivalent to yelling ‘Silence!’, so I figured simply translating it wouldn’t get the joke across. Cue Dynasty Warriors to my rescue.)
: Sir… are you sure this for the best?
: Who knows? As they say, whatever will be, will be.
: …
: (The future may already have changed, hm…?)
: (I would really like to believe that to be the case…)
And that’s the end of the route split, bringing us with another three tacticians/cheerleaders unlocking their final bonuses:
- Cham: +10% attack power during the player phase
- Erebos: acquire one random Skill Part at the end of the mission (the RNG decides on the part at the start of the mission, so, no, you can’t game the system with quick-saves right at the end!)
- Fei-Yen: +10% HP Regen to everyone.
: It’s been a long time coming, but it’s time to hammer the final nail in the Black Lodge’s coffin.
: I wish we could have the Tatsumiya team helping with this, though…
: They’re busy fighting other enemies right now. We’ll have to make do by ourselves.
: We’ve received word from Maj. Ronin that the Union’s Pacific Fleet’s been dispatched to help us, so that should offset our diminished forces somewhat.
: However, the evil god is shielded by a mighty magical barrier. Conventional weapons will, at best, slightly hamper its movement.
: Meaning we just have to hit it with UNconventional weapons, then.
: Heh, I guess that’s what it boils down to.
: That makes us the last hope of mankind. We gotta make it happen!
: Hell, yeah. Bring out your evil gods or whatever, my sword’ll chop ‘em up but good!
: Sheesh, look at them. Everyone’s really fired up for this, huh?
: You say, like you’re not feeling the exact same way.
: I hear ya. And we’ll burn like there’s no tomorrow when we get out there!
: Well, well. I must say, it’s quite reassuring to listen to you all.
: W-Winfield! Are you feeling better already!
: But…
: Hmph, these puny humans mean to challenge the Great Cthulhu? How quaint.
: Augustus… What is your take on the Demonbane?
: You mean about the power it displayed when it killed Tiberius, hm?
: Me, the overlord of the entire world… AAAAAUUUUgustuuuuus!!
(Nero): Ar…gh…
: The Dancouga and R-Daigun’s combination mechanism?
: I understand the situation, but, unfortunately, I cannot grant your request.
(TV): Why?!
(TV): You’re not seriously giving us the run-around now, of all times, are you?
: Cthulhu, dead ahead! Distance: 5000! We’ve several hostiles incoming!
: The Quarter and the Demonbane’ll break through their lines! Order all troops to intercept the enemy troops and head towards the fortress!
: That’s Cthulhu?! It’s even bigger than I thought…!
: ‘Tis Cthulhu’s! The minds of those lacking in magical fortitude cannot withstand it, so do not allow it to engulf you!
: Hrgh… We’ve come too far to let an Aura like this do us in!
: Push forward and bust the enemy formation!
: All units, spread out! Formation Planet Dance!
: I’m on it! Come on, Tobikage!
: Outta my way, ya mooks! We’ve got bigger fish to fry!
: Aah! They got the Elshank…!
: Wh-What in blazes are these tentacles?! We cannot move…!
: Eida, we’re going in!
: I got it! Danblade Twin!
: Haaah! Dankuuzan!
: Thank you for the help!
: It’s…! We’ve several flying humanoids headed our way!
: We’ll drop them before they get their claws on our ship! Speedy targets…
: Are our specialty!
: Go, you two! Aura Slash!
: Now! Attack Cthulhu’s outer shell!
: God-Beast Bullets… You mean these?!
: Here goes! OOORYAAAAA!
: Indeed. A moment’s distraction shall bring nothing but a quick death. You would do well to steel yourselves.
: You are the only ones capable of quenching my thirst for combat now that he is gone.
: He’ll trail the Way of the Shura to the bitter end… he fights for nothing but the thrill of battle!
: You sad, sad man… Blood is not something that can sate the thirst you feel.
: Ooh, we’ve got a full house today. Nice! Hey, galaxy, listen to my song!
: Let’s go, Doctor!
: Ante up your Way of the Shura and we’ll see if it beats our Way of Hell!
: Yeah! He’s going to chop every last bit of that evil Aura Power of yours!
: If you’re that strong, then why do you only use it for battle?!
: (Live by yourself, and die by yourself…)
: You’re…!
: What, are you going to fight us by yourself? Sure you don’t want to call out any allies for help?
: Wait, don’t tell me… you killed the other guy?!
: “Kaiser of Earth”…?
: Ohoho… You’re calling yourself a Kaiser right in our faces? Now them’s fighting words! (
: Psh, shows what you know.
: Yeah, especially with that god-complex and that ‘I rule over EEeeverything’ shtick!
: How’d you like that?!
: A-Are you kidding me?! All that pummeling and he’s looking brand new again?!
: Aaaaieeeee!
: Th-This is the power of a god…?!
: It’s like the guy’s gone Hyper…! How are we supposed to beat him…?!
: Transcend a god…?!
: They’ve combined?!
: Tsubasa wa, kaze ni note…! ♪
: Oozora ni inoru, tori no uta…! ♪ (
: W-Wow. That’s…
: That’s the true power of the reborn Demonbane…
: And the Dancouga’s!
: It’s that Deus Machina…!
: Yoohoo! How’s it going, guys?
: E-Ennea…?!
: Wh-What are you talking about, Ennea?!
: And I see you’ve really come to master the guns I gave you.
: Wh-What did you do?!
: (Aah… I see how it is, Nero. You’re going to have Kurou do what you cannot do yourself…)
: Do you know something…?
: She’s using Cthulhu’s power again?!
: A-Aah… Ennea!
: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kurou Daijuuji… and you, the lost children of the Samsara.
: Y-You… didn’t you die?!
: Stop talking riddles! Who are you, then?!
: Yes, Master.
: Hrgh… W-We’re—!
: But considering they left the area, would that mean restoring R’lyeh was never their real objective?
: Maybe it was for the Anticross, but I think Master Therion himself is after something else.
: And he said he’d ‘reincarnated’…?
: Going by that word, I believe he used Ennea as a vessel for his rebirth. That likely was his plan all along.
: She knew what fate had in store for her…
: It’s fine. The satisfaction that this moment has arrived at last will tide me over for a while.
: Cellular restoration is stable. Just a bit more and it’ll be finished.
: Our king is about to be reborn!
: …
(on TV): Yes. The entire building has been covered by this unknown 
: And the Union Army? What’re they doing?
: And that’s where we come in, right?
: …
: Mind you, this was a real rush-job, so it’s only gonna last one shot.
: Yes, and that is why you’ll be supporting them in the operation. If need be, you and your Raija can supply the necessary energy.
: But do we really need for you guys to go in there by yourselves, Joey?
: I had no idea…
: All right, here’s a thought! I will go and accompany Joey’s group in today’s mission!
: Cut the chatter! They’re here!
: Hmmm!
: Save your glee for later! We’ve more incoming!
: …
: Hrm…!
: Hey, now, I hope you didn’t forget about us!
: Th-This can’t be happening! I’m a Skrugg… I’m supposed to be better than all humans!
: You can. You’re still here, right?
: OOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRGH!!
: …
: Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
: UWOOOOOOOOO!
: You look surprised! But, of course, I doubt you’d understand!
: Professor, I have to ask: since when have you been working on that guy’s MR-1?
: I guess we owe a little bit of gratitude to that buffoon, Minami. A very little bit. Microscopic, even!
: Mr. Rubens, we’ve received a call from the White House.
: Good. Have the backup plan scrapped and resume our regular operations.
: “Backup plan”?
: Mr. Rubens… may I ask the purpose of this meeting?
: …
: …
: The “truth”…?
: …
: …
: Huh? M-Me…?
: Katou’s losing his footing…?
: Hmhmm. The Advancers are being weakened daily due to Christopher Rubens growing political influence.
: But Katou should still have one last ace up his sleeve, no?
: Why?
: Athrun…
: That doesn’t answer anything-robo!
: Huh…?!
: Observe…?
: I-Inside the moon?!
: The Idaten…
: Yulianne…!
: Neutrino Generators are all green!
(Knack): Ready to engage on your command, captain!
: Haaaaaaaaaaah!
: Aah! C-Captain Sanada!
: Shou, was that light just now…?
: The Shangri-La’s…?!
: Space-time anomaly detected within the moon! We’ve a lock on the source!
(TV): This is the ZAFT Lunar Fleet! Relay Colonies Fauré and subsequent have begun to reposition! 30 seconds until it’s complete!
: We’re reading a REQUIEM blast! It struck the moon!
: Wh-What the hell…?!
: …
: T-They’re all ginormous babies!
: 
: …
: Jack, would you form up with me?
: Hm… Aye!
: Reznor, board the Shangri-La! Provide us with airborne support!
: They were on the receiving end of a REQUIEM blast and that did nothing to stop their invasion…!
: And that is to make them imagine their deaths at the hands of the Katou Organization…!
: The voice of Poseidon has given me the strength to live… and showed me the fate I’m to conquer!
: Do you hear the will of the land…?!
: While the fires of battle rage, the Shura know not death!
: Your end comes! Behold— MY SOOOOUUUUL!
: …
: T-The warp field’s open again…!
: A-Annihilation?!
: Deploying field! Maximum output!
: DON’T DO IT!!
: W-We did it…!
: C-Come again?!
: We have to focus on the Human Machinas, as they’re not going to wait around for us…
: Then, if we want to take the fight to their leader, we’ll first need to destroy that facility…?
: O-Oh, I get it…!
: Hmhmm, sounds good. And I reckon that’s our job to tackle, right?
: …
: Young Suzuki, can you keep up?!
: Warriors who would confront the tides of fate! Open your ears and listen to the will of the land and of the heavens!
: …!
: Haaaaaaaaaaah! Behold— MY SOOOOUUUUL!
: …
: …
: …
: I’m very glad to hear you say that, King Sakomizu!
: Would you people just quiet down? If you want milk that badly…
: Where, exactly, are you ogling at, you gigantic fool?!
: MS. YULIANNE!
: Jeez… doesn’t even look like our final battle with the Human Machina’s right around the corner…
: I guess… everyone’s just trying their best to be positive…
: Oh, the Feds’ll be helping us?
: Roger! Roger!
: Deploying Rifle Bits! Deploying Rifle Bits!
: …
: Pretender, launching!
: …
: What?!
: Then, I… I’ll surpass my humanity!
: …
: …
: We fight and we crush because we want to! And if we ever run out of folks to fight…
: But didn’t Aesap and Kouichi say that they also saw that city in their vision of the future?
: Cmdr. Makabe, we’ve received a message from the UX.
: Excellent. Looks like they might just make it in time.
: But I doubt it’ll just listen to us even if Misao Kurusu does come back.
: You don’t mean…!
: Mommy, why are we going to the ALVIS doctor? I’m not sick.
: Hmm, why