Click to see the mission!
We’re back in the America route. Last time we were here, the Nanajin started going crazy right as Shou appeared in our world – we’ll see where that takes us next. Heroman, Cao Cao and Aesap are deploying as event units, though they can all still be set with partners.
Here’s how we’re going:
Arnie/Saya
Kurou
Shinn/Luna
Heroman/Setsuna
Kazuki/Eida
Lockon/Koyo
Cao Cao/Aesap
Tactician: Sima Yi.
Off we go.
: Burn Bunnings!
Burn charges after Shou.
: What have you ever gained from wallowing in all that hate?!
: Power and cunning! And with those, victory will be mine…!
: I will not kill another man! Rather, what I’ll kill is that hate…!
: Urgh…!
: Hrk…! Ci-Ciela Lapana…!
: PURIFY US!!
: (I’m sure I’d died taking out Burn back then…)
: (And that woman’s voice I heard right as we were surrounded by light…)
: (That wasn’t Ciela’s… Who was it…?)
: Shou!
: Marvel?! You… You’re alive!
Marvel closes in.
: That’s what it looks like, yeah. I could’ve sworn I’d been killed by the Spriggan, but…
: I saw it too… but here you are. Did Ciela’s purification do this…?
: I don’t know what just happened, but you’re alive and that’s all that matters to me. Honestly, I couldn’t be happier right now…!
: Heheh, I never thought I’d see the day where I’d hear Shou Zama talking like that.
: Hey, don’t laugh. We both apparently cheated death, so excuse me if I feel like speaking my mind.
: Thanks, Shou…
: Now, Marvel, do you have any idea where we are?
: Signs and whatnot are written in English, so this should be the US… but I don’t recognize any of the towns around here…
: It’s like… this is a different US from the one I knew.
: A different one…? And I don’t see Cham, either… Just what is going on?
Beep, beep!
: ?! Hold on, Shou! I’m picking up something on my radar…!
: What…?!
: Huh…?! I’ve never seen jets like those before!
: Contact! Are those the alien mechs intel reported?!
Peeeew!
: Aaack!
: A barrier?! Clever girl…!
: You there, stop! We’re not looking for a fight!
: You think I’m falling for that, alien?! The Union’s our home and your days of attacking it are over!
: “Union”?! What’re you on about?!
: Aesap, over there! Isn’t that an Aura Battler?!
: A new Hojo model…? And it’s attacking the Union forces!
: Did the Nanajin get so agitated because that unit turned up…?!
: Guess so! We need to help the Overworld troops!
: I’ve never seen an Aura Battler like that before… What country does it belong to?!
: Shou, it’s engaging you!
: Rrgh, damn it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv6pooAIgHs
Aesap: “That a new Hojo model? But you won’t be running roughshod if I got anything to say about it!”
Shou: “Back off! I’m not with any ‘Hojo’!”
: (H-He’s strong…! That pilot… it’s like his machine itself is part of him!)
: (I don’t feel any evil in his Aura Power…? Who is this guy?)
Cut to the White House, the president’s aide reports that the unknown units flew elsewhere immediately after engaging their forces. Moreover, they also found one of those mysterious mobile weapons that appeared at the Yokosuka base. Minami reports that his people have confirmed that said robot is working together with the UX.
And what is he getting at? That these questionable sorts are wandering across their nation absolutely unhindered! This will have a very negative impact in regards to how the people look at the Union Army! The president says she’s got more pressing matters to worry about than the army’s prestige, but Minami says NO!
The Union must always be the renowned as the NUMBER ONE nation in the entire world! And while the lady’s the president of the Federation, she is first and foremost the Union’s president! She asks if Minami thinks he’s able to recover this glorious “number one” status for their nation and, indeed, he does.
See, they’ve a bit of a situation right now in that the Skrugg at Center City have deployed a bunch of Balls which are projected to be headed straight towards the White House. Minami has a plan, though, certain none but his mighty intellect can stop this attack. At length, the president lets him handle this issue and Minami gleefully leaves to make preparations.
The aide asks if it is wise to trust that guy, but the president’s already asked Agent Hughes to look into who’s backing him. But what they must focus now is not the scientist, but on stopping the Balls – and she’s willing to use any option to make that happen, including less-than-legal ones.
Is she talking about contacting the UX again? Minami notwithstanding, the fact remains that they are mercenaries. Can they entrust their nation’s security to such people, her aide wonders? It’s better than having their faceless mooks valuable soldiers die pointlessly, though. And in the eventuality that we fail? “If that happens, then…”
Over by the Hadou manor, we hear what the White House is planning, and that is nuking the Skrugg and their Balls. But what’ll happen to Center and Arkham cities if they do that?! Sounds to Kurou that they’re washing their hands on his and Joey’s hometowns, and he doesn’t like it one bit. But, as Saya points out, it’s our job to make sure it doesn’t come to that: if we can stop the Balls’ attack, there’ll be no nukes. Eida figures the Union president doesn’t want to use them either.
Well, do we have a way of stopping the things? Arnie remembers how we managed to destroy ONE before, and now there’re a whole lot of them. In regards to that, Denton says he and Rachel have detected rather unique EM waves being transmitted from the Skrugg mothership to the Balls they deployed. It’s pretty clear that’s how they’re controlling the things, so if we can get in there and stop the transmission, the things will follow suit.
As Psy praises Denton’s good work, Lina speaks up and asks to come with us for this mission. Joey immediately argues that we’re going after the Skrugg HQ – who knows how dangerous it’ll be! Still, that’s where her brother is and she wants to find a way to free him.
Joey’s still uncertain but Shinn is up for it. “She’s his sister, so maybe her voice is just what we need to help him get back to normal,” he says. “I know full well how much it hurts to lose your family, and I wouldn’t want anyone else to have to go through that… if there’s even a tiny chance it could work, I think we should try it.”
Joey thinks for a bit but eventually relents. In exchange, however, he wants Lina to promise not to try any crazy stunts out there – and she promises. Seems to Al that our showdown with the aliens is nigh, but, of course, we should expect the Skrugg mothership to be crawling with the buggers. How are we gonna get in there? The guitar strat again?
Indeed, Denton thinks it won’t be that easy: even if we are to use our sonic weapon, we’d still need to first break through the Skrugg’s significant defensive perimeter. There’s a plan, though…
: A diversionary attack…?
: Indeed. The one tasked with being the distraction will draw the enemy’s attention, and our main unit will use that opening to charge through their perimeter.
: It is hardly ground-breaking strategy, aye, but it is a tried-and-true method when attacking a fortress.
: I see what you mean, but isn’t that also a very risky proposition? The one drawing the enemy’s attention will be completely exposed to all their concentrated firepower…
: You needn’t concern yourself with that. I shall be the one seeing to that task.
: Whoa, are you serious? There’re tens of thousands of Skrugg around the place – you’re gonna take them all on?!
: Hah… Tens of thousands of roaches are nothing compared to the one million soldiers in Yuan Shao’s army.
: O-One million?! And you fought all those by yourself?! That’s nuts…
: Moreover, I believe doing this to be necessary to dispel the suspicion your forces feel in regards to me.
: Lord Cao Cao…
: …
: (My lord was only able to rout the Jizhou forces because he had the power of the Celestial Armor…)
: (He now lacks the Yùxǐ, yet still marches towards nigh certain death. Indeed, his true reason for doing so must be…)
Beep, beep.
: Sumeragi, we’ve a situation! A mobile weapon has been sighted in the vicinity of Center City and is engaging the enemy!
: A mobile weapon?! Is it the Union or the Federation armies?!
: No, it’s… the Aura Battler Aesap fought, I think!
: It’s him…?!
: That’s got to be Shou and his Bilbine!
: Shou Zama… the Holy Warrior from your world, Cham?
: Right! I bet he attacked the Skrugg to try and protect the Overworld!
: Please, we need to help him! He can’t beat all of them!
: B-But we can’t just…
: …
: Madam Sumeragi, this could well be a golden opportunity to execute our strategy.
: We can take advantage of the chaos already sown through the enemy’s ranks and strike at their headquarters in one fell swoop…!
: … Alright, we’ll go with your plan!
: One minute, please! Can you let me take part in the diversion too?!
: Aesap?! What are you even suggesting?!
: I’ve been thinking about something for a while now… How I more or less fell into piloting the Nanajin and fighting in general…
: I’ve been on the fence pretty much every step of the way. Could I really help you at all with that kind of attitude?
: Aesap…
: But that man, Shou… I felt such a rock-solid will behind his Aura Power!
: So maybe if I get in touch with him again, it’ll help me do away with that doubt…
: B-But…!
: Then let’s go, Aesap!
: Erebos…?!
: I know what’s going on! The Aura Powers of the two Holy Warriors are calling out to each other!
: So we need to believe in Aesap, and in the miracle of the Wings of Rean…!
: …
: You may be right… And I do believe in you, Aesap!
: Thank you, Lux!
: I guess that’s that. Let’s get to it, then! Set a course for Center City and the Skrugg HQ!
Mission 16 (America Route) – Alive
: Marvel, is it true that the American army won’t fire their nukes if we take these guys out?!
: Right! The transmission I intercepted from their planes said their Ball weapons are headed for the White House! If they’re not stopped, and soon, though…!
: Hrm… Why are the armies up top always so trigger-happy with their nukes…?!
: Curse these obnoxious flies…! Destroy them!
: These are definitely not human enemies… Are they really alien invaders?!
: Urrgh…!
: You alright, Marvel?!
: The converter’s still going, yeah! But the problem is that we’re too badly outnumbered…!
: DAI GURENZAN!
: Gyaaaaaargh!
: Th-That was…!
SRW UX - The Legend of Mirisha
: You must be Shou Zama, the Holy Warrior!
: Who…?!
Picture Aesap spawning right now… if only I hadn’t set him already in Cao Cao’s team!
: W-Wait just minute, please!
: It’s that Aura Battler from before…!
: Are you trying to start something with me again?!
: No, please hear us out!
Aesap flies closer to Shou.
: Shoooou! I’ve finally found you!
: Cham?! You’re OK?!
: You’re the Holy Warrior, right? My name’s Aesap and I’m not here to fight!
: Cham, did he…?
: Hmhmm, Aesap’s done a lot for me!
: Earth’s under attack by these aliens! We and our friends are fighting back, but we could really use your help!
: It’s true! Those roach-like guys are aliens called Skrugg!
: I don’t see any reason to think he’s lying to us. Shou…!
: Yeah, I know! Come on, Aesap – join your Aura Power with mine!
: (This feeling… the Nanajin’s scared?! No… it’s trembling with excitement…! This is…?!)
: Get your Aura Power in sync with his, Aesap!
: O-Okay, I’ll try! Uooooooh!
: Haaaaaaah!
: Their Aura Powers are resonating and magnifying each other…!
: Yaay! Our Holy Warriors are all together now!
: You’ve seen the light, haven’t you, Aesap? And in that case… HAAAAAH!
: DAI GOKUENZAN!
: Look! He cracked the Ball!
: Do it, Holy Warriors!
: Let’s go, Aesap!
: Alright!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YbqL2ySYDQ
: W-We did it…!
: Impossible…! Curse these Earthlings!
: Whaat?!
: We’ve made it through their perimeter! The Skrugg mothership is in sight!
: You’re up, Psy! Play them the melody of our counterattack!
: You got it!
: Guwaaaaaaaargh!
: Now! Deploy all forces!
: Those Balls are as hardy as ever but, as we’ve seen, they’re not indestructible. Let ‘em have everything you’ve got, troops!
: Right… The two of us couldn’t beat them before, but we’ve come a long way since then. Here we go, Heroman!
: Hmm…!
: Your objectives are to wipe out the opposing forces and conquer the enemy’s vessel!
: CHAAAAAARGE!
Kill everything, don’t lose the Ptolemaios or Heroman. Aesap and Shou have maxed out morale and Cao Cao’s already at 130, so even a side glance from them will make the weakened Skrugg explode.
There are a handful of Balls spread around the area, and while they’re still rather bulky, our people can deal with them without any major issues. Go forward and try to let your secret-relevant folks have fun – of note, Shou and Marvel are in that group, too. They need a total of 100 kills between them by the end of mission 30.
Bilbine (Shou Zama)
Pilot Skills:
Aura Power L5
Holy Warrior
Support Attack L1
All Attack L1
Spirit Commands – Shou:
Accelerate
Focus
Sense
Spirit Commands – Cham:
Cheer
Trust
Adaptation
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Transform
Aura Barrier
Off-Shoot
Squad Bonus: Melee weapons +100, Mobility +5 (Melee weapons +200, Mobility +20, S in Air)
Shou’s voice actor: Shigeru Nakahara (other roles: Masato in Dancouga, Android #17 in Dragon Ball stuff, Trowa in Gundam Wing, and many more).
Cham’s voice actress: Maria Kawamura (other roles: Higgins in Brain Powered, Jung in Gunbuster, Quess in CCA and many more)
Dunbine (Marvel Frozen)
Pilot Skills:
Aura Power L2
Holy Warrior
Support Attack L1
Support Defense L2
All Attack L1
Spirit Commands – Shou:
Gain
Focus
Alert
Mech Features:
Sword
Gun
Aura Barrier
Off-Shoot
Squad Bonus: Accuracy +5, EXP +10% (Accuracy +20, EXP +20%, Mobility +10)
Marvel’s voice actress: Mika Doi (other roles: Misa in the original Macross, Houquet in Mospeada, Alice in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, and many more)
Shou’s everything Aesap was, only even better because he’s a fully-grown Holy Warrior. Dodgy as no one’s business, nice stats where he needs them and packing huge power in all his attacks thanks to that superlative Aura Power, he’s a very easy fit on any team. That’s especially true since Cham’s a fine supporter as well (though she can be assigned to the Dunbine, too).
As for Marvel, she’s good enough that you could lead with her, but not so good that she can keep up with all the protagonists. Those damage boosting skills do make her hit harder than most sub-leaders, too (though her Squad Bonus isn’t too hot and the Dunbine’s range is about half of what the Bilbine has).
Mind you, Shou and Marvel have a combined attack, though she needs one more level in Aura Power before it’s usable.
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: Every universe has its share of fools who harbor ambition far beyond their stature…
: However! Such ambition shall not be tolerated by the heavens!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mySOJnxuovE
Jesus, Cao Cao, calm down!
: I’ve no idea if this is the US I know…
: But even if it isn’t, I’m not about to let it burn under an alien invasion and nuclear blasts!
: The enemy’s over there, Shou! Attack! Attack! Attack!
: Back with the usual, huh, Cham? Still, I’m really glad nothing happened to you.
: Now let’s get to work! We’ll fight tooth-and-nail against anyone who tries taking a stab at the Overworld!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgzyf5yLI9Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH1WvWIyo88
Aesap’s morale is about 20 points higher than Cao Cao’s, but the big man still outdamages him. Bow before your overlord!
When you get to turn 3…
: It’s…!
: Brother!
: …
: You’re in there, aren’t you?! Please, you need to open your eyes!
: Come on, Nick! Get yourself back to normal already!
: …
: Not even a twitch… Tsk, we might really need to beat them up!
: What?! But they’re people!
: Everyone, listen up! We believe those helmets are how the Skrugg are controlling them!
: Meaning they might come back to their senses if we bust those?!
: O-Okay! I’ll find a way to make it happen!
: Please, Joey…!
: Hold on, Lina! I promise you… I’ll get Will back to normal!
No need to worry about reducing them to a specific HP threshold or anything – just beat both Nick and Will into submission and carry on.
: Nick, it’s me! Pull yourself together!
: Rgh, hrrmm…!
: Kch… We just need to break his helmet! Come on, Heroman!
:argh:
Take that!
Nick gives us a HEYBO (+10 Accuracy and Ranged, +5 Evasion).
: Waargh!
: Do you hear us, Nick?! Snap out of it!
: Urk… Joey…?
: Right, I remember… You’re Joey. And I’m… Nick!
: Oh, thank god you’re okay, Nick. Now come with us, quick!
: What are you on about, Joey? I’m strong now! I’m finally my own man!
: ?! Nick…!
: All my life, I’ve been sucking up to others. Not a day went by that I wasn’t scared, that I didn’t worry about what folks thought of me …
: But now I don’t have to worry about any of that crap ever again! How come you don’t get that?!
: …
: I’ve power now! Power! POWER! And with it, I can do anything! Same as you, right?!
: No! I…!
: You’re making a mistake, Nick! Please, don’t do this!
: Shut up! Don’t tell me what to do! I’m done being a human… I’m now a Skrugg!
: Nick, why…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvzzb-hU_Ow
While setting up for Will, we trashed the surviving Skrugg mooks.
: Go back to being you, Will! Lina’s here too!
: …
: It’s not working… Breaking that helmet really is the only way!
Will gives us Lina’s Pom-poms (as in, the Cheerleader things – Melee and Evasion +10, Accuracy +5).
: Gaaaah! K-Kill… the earthlings!
: Huh?! We got rid of his helmet! Why’s he still like that?!
Joey moves closer.
: Will, please, pull yourself together! You don’t wanna make Lina sad, do you?!
: Rrrgh…! Gwaaaaaaaaargh!
: STOOOOP!
: …?!
: Brother, please, stop! Come back to me! I’m begging you!
: Uugh… Li-Lina…?
: ?! Brother?!
: I… I remember… Gogorr changed me…
: You’re you again, Will?!
: Haah, haah… I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Lina. I’m free now…
: Hmph, so the mind-control really wasn’t flawless.
: Gogorr! How dare you do this to me…!
Will turns friendly!
: That Skrugg… he’s their leader?!
: Hmhmhm… I believe introductions are in order. My name is Gogorr, and I am the ruler of this planet.
: The what now…?!
: Why are you doing this?! A civilization as scientifically advanced as yours could have easily approached us in a different way!
: I never wanted anything like this to happen when I contacted you!
: Idiocy… Tell me, doesn’t your kind simply kill your cattle? What makes you think you can call us into question, then?
: …?!
: Are you saying we’re cattle to you?!
: Easy, Psy. It seems talking with him won’t get us anywhere.
: Hmhmhm, that’s right! We, the Skrugg, do not negotiate! You will either surrender or die!
: How quaint. Then allow me to retort!
: Threats will avail you not against me! I will cut down all who get in my way!
: Gogorr, I’ll make you pay even if it kills me!
: We can’t lose this one…! We won’t let him turn Earth upside-down!
: Come on, Heroman!
: Hmm!
Just need to take out Gogorr, and losing Will is also a game over.
Gogorr
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L4
Support Attack L2
All Attack
Mech Features:
30% HP and EN Regen
All-Canceller
Gogorr’s voice actor: Unsho Ishizuka (other roles: Guld in Macross Plus, Fudou in Aquarion, Mr. Satan in Dragon Ball, and a whole lot more).
Gogorr is exactly what you’d expect from the Skrugg boss: big stats all over, really dodgy and accurate thanks to pairing S rank on land with an S size. We’ve fought way stronger bosses, though, and his size means he’ll take extra damage from many of our guys. 30% HP regen is plenty, so make sure you down him in one round.
: Why are you so hell-bent on attacking us?! Get off our world and leave us alone!
: Hmph, cattle such as you thinks he can talk to us as equals? Don’t make me laugh!
: You’re wasting your breath with him, Kazuki! They may be capable of speaking to us, but they’re no different from the Festum.
: Tch…!
SRW UX - Future-Bound Fighting Spirit
: We’ll never stop fighting against you! Why don’t you cut your losses and forget about Earth?!
: You’re in no position to parley with us! The only way this battle will end is with your death!
: Then you leave me no choice! I fight to protect human lives… and, so, I won’t think twice before taking you out!
SRW UX - Shadows that Rend Darkness
: I’m impressed that you’ve managed to oppose us for as long as you have… but cattle that does not obey will simply be put down!
: Let’s see you try! I’ll make you painfully aware of all the power life gives us!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKx475CqQdA
I needed someone to showcase Gogorr’s kung-fu, so in comes Luna.
: Gogorr…!
: Hmph, we’ve no more need for your data, Experiment #01. You are a defect and I’ll scrap you myself.
: Don’t call me Experiment! My name… is Will Davis!
: Hrgh…! What’s this dark, evil aura that surrounds him…?!
: Hmm, a new kind of living weapon…? Hahaha, how curious! I believe I’ll take you as a sample!
: No, you won’t - not if the Nanajin and I have anything to say about it!
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
: You’re quite the interesting-looking being. Yes, you’ll make for a valuable sample to dissect!
: Ye invader bereft of ideals… The price for your insolence shall be your miserable life!
: Guh… Th-This cannot be!
: That’s it for your agenda, Gogorr!
: Rrgh… You impudent beasts!
: What?! He…!
: He went Hyper?!
: I never thought I’d get overwhelmed on this backwater planet!
: But I won’t let it end like this! If I’m dying, I’m taking you with me to the Underworld!
: He looks even more monstrous now…!
: Argh, this stupid cockroach! The guy’s as tough to kill as his smaller cousins!
: Maybe, but he’s on his last legs! Troops, focus fire on Gogorr and wrap this battle up!
: Roger!
”Hyper” Gogorr’s gained a boost to everything, but his tricks are still the same. Stand by for a turn and then do one last push.
: I’m not about to let the princess’ city get nuked into oblivion!
: What energy is this…?! How are this planet’s weapons so abnormal?!
: ‘Tis the power of magic that you feel… A divine power given form to crush evil like yours! Behold!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkP3lMgdyeE
New kung-fu!
: More and more flies buzzing overhead… but that’ll change nothing!
: You’re just an evil soul that lives for itself! Take all your hatred and go straight to Hell, where you belong!
: Yeah! Off you go!
: Watch it, Joey! This guy’s a whole different ball-game from the other stuff we fought!
: I know! But I won’t let our city go up in flames because of him!
: The gall…! I’ll show you what happens when puny humans dare stand up to us!
: You won’t even try reaching an understanding with us?! Is destruction all that you care about?!
: Would you try to reach an understanding with the cattle you consume and the vermin you kill, in that case?
: It was your invasion that pushed our world into growing as twisted as it is now…! Begone from this planet!
Gogorr gives us Joey’s Coffee (Defense and Melee +10, Evasion +5).
: Ghgrh… This… can’t be! You… beasts…!
: H-He’s still going…?!
: I’ll handle this!
: Joey!
: I’ve always wanted to be like my dad… to keep those I love safe…
: But I was too weak to do anything…! And that’s when I found you, Heroman!
: …
: You’re the one who’s been keeping everyone safe – you’re my hero. But…
: I’ve realized that I need to get strong myself! Just like Kurou and our friends with the UX!
: Joey…
: And that’s why…!
: That’s why the two of us will now fight together, Heroman!
Energy chaaarge!
: Hmmmm!
: Go, Joey! I know you can pull it off!
: Take your stalwart heart and convert it into strength…! Then pour it all into your fists!
: Yeah, kick his ass, Joey!
: Heromaaaan… GOOO!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhyBiblSxMQ
: Haah, haah… W-We did it!
: Excelsior! What magnificent teamwork, Joey! The way you fought, complementing one another…
: I might just say that’s how you two were always meant to work…!
: Joey… That meek boy’s grown a whole lot.
: Yeah, he’s a real powerhouse now!
: That said, that pure heart that wished only to protect others hasn’t changed a bit!
: It may be that that strength lay within him all along. The average men oft change – in ways both good and bad – when they gain great power…
: (Just as my old masters once did…)
: Wait! Where’s my brother?! He’s gone!
: Huh?! But… But he was here just a minute ago!
: You think he ran off?!
: (Sorry, Lina… but I can’t stay with you anymore. Not when I’m like this…)
: Brother! BROTHER!!
: (Take care, Lina…)
: Will…
: We can look for him and Nick in a bit! Remember, we still have work to do!
: Right, the Balls headed towards the White House haven’t stopped yet!
: The EM Waves controlling them are still being broadcast from the Skrugg mothership! You need to deactivate it as quick as humanly possible!
: We’ve only got a few minutes before the nukes’ll be ready for launch!
: This is our one and only chance…! Ms. Sumeragi, take me to the UFO!
: You got it. Everything’s in your hands, Prof. Denton!
Location: Washington D.C.
: Please, Madam President, allow me to handle everything.
: Go on, Dr. Minami. And good luck.
: (Here we go… I’m about to be crowned as the savior of this world. So many times you’ve snubbed me, Dr. West… but the time has finally come for me to one-up you! We’re entering the Age of Minami now!)
: Doctor, it’s time. (Veronica)
: Okay, how about we get started? Laaaadiiiies and gentlemen! IT’S SHOOWTIIIIIME!
: Observe now as the genius Dr. Minami executes his brilliant plan and brings the Balls to heel…! Heeere weee—
: The Balls have stopped.
: Eh…?
: Err… Yeah, they’re not moving anymore. (Stallion.)
But the Doctor hasn’t done anything yet… (Amanorich)
: (The UX have succeeded…!)
: Aah, what a relief! Seems we all worried over nothing! Hahahah…!
: And, even better, we didn’t need to rely on any crazy mystery weapon!
: (Gch, rrgh… Gyaark! S-Someone… SOMEONE STOLE MY GLORYYYYY!)
Over by Center City, Keisha’s on TV and reporting how (surprise) the Union army finally routed the Skrugg; their UFO/HQ has been blown up and not a trace of it remains. Isabelle praises Keisha’s fine work, and she’s honored to receive such accolade from her. That said, both women smell fish in the official announcement that it was the Union that took out the Skrugg.
It’s clear that the MAN is hiding something, but they’ve no idea what. Sakuya asks what they’ll do about this, as snooping into the government’s business could be hazardous to one’s health if they make the wrong move.
Maybe, but Keisha’s willing to face the danger – she can’t stand the thought of the truth being twisted.
A much more chill-looking Axel Hughes wholly agrees with her, and introduces himself as being from the NIA. The journalists know well about the agency and Sakuya wonders what the big-bad agent wants to them that he’d reveal himself like this.
See, he’s currently conducting an investigation on the less-than-savory elements within the Federation army and government, and he’d like to ask for their assistance in revealing the truth to the world.
Cut to the California base, we find Jin fuming that the Union accepted the UX’s help to deal with the Skrugg. Novel asks if that’s such a bad thing – the aliens WERE beaten, no? But that’s not the point here! These are Arnie’s killers the Union’s putting up with! And if Jin were just stronger, he would’ve taken out those aliens himself!
Well, Novel says he’s about to become stronger right now: the all-purpose Riot Cs have just been rolled out, which means his strike team is ready to get to work. But, since he’s the leader, she’s taken measures for him to keep with the Riot A and its stronger engine.
“The new Riot C… I wish he was here to see it” Jin sighs. “Arnie… the two of us, together, got these wings – the Riots – to unfold and take flight. And I promise I’ll use them to put down your killers!”
Back to the Hadou manor, Psy’s mighty irked that the Union took all the credit for our work – including Denton shutting down the Balls. Arnie isn’t bothered by it, though, considering most of the world doesn’t even know the UX exist in the first place.
In truth, Joey’s still waiting for the other shoe to drop face him heading out to work with said UX now. When Lina asks, he says he’s sure about it: he decided to go with them in a bid to try and help the world in any way he and Heroman can manage. Moreover, he figured that’d be the best way for him to look for Will.
Lina’s very grateful and asks him to stay safe, but, of course, he’ll have Kurou around too (that’s only making them worry more, Psy quips). As for Denton, he and the others will head back to help Center City rebuild, so he wants Joey to work hard – they’ll all be waiting for him to return. And, with that, Joey’s off.
Ruri’s actually allowed Kurou and the Demonbane to accompany the UX as well, but he tells her not to worry. If there’s ever any problem with her or the town, he’ll come running as he’s always done. Al’s amused that he’s grown so that he can make that speech with a straight face.
As for Shou and Marvel, they’ll be tagging along as well. Way Shou sees it, they’ve no way of getting back to their world and, in that case, he and Marvel would much rather fight alongside a fellow Holy Warrior. Aesap stammers, saying he’s nowhere near the same level as the two of them. Inwardly, though, Lux disagrees: he is, without a doubt, a true Holy Warrior and she’s certain he’ll be able to control the Wings of Rean.
: …
: May I have a word, my lord?
: Do you need something, Sima Yi?
: Not at all, but… I see that the Yùxǐ did not show itself during the previous battle…
: Hah, I suppose I should not have expected to fool your eyes.
: You set off towards what would have been certain death in a bid to replicate the events at the Battle of Guandu, correct?
: However, this time, the Yùxǐ did not appear…
: Tell me, Sima Yi, have you heard the tale of the Wings of Rean?
: I have, aye. It is said that the soul of a Holy Warrior causes them to manifest themselves, bestowing the power of the very heavens.
: That is correct. Quite similar to our Celestial Armors, are they not…?
: Then, do you take the fact that it was those Holy Warriors that appeared in the last battle, and not the Yùxǐ, to mean…
: Aye. That what the heavens granted us today was not power, but, rather, people…
: Not power, but people…?
: And I believe that, when the time is right, the day will come where all this ties together…
: (Our groups’ encounter happened like clockwork… as though drawn to one another by some force. If this is all due to the will of the heavens, then can we only fall before the tides of fate…?)
And ALVIS finds some FREE REAL ESTATE for a third time.
And Shinn had words for Will:
: You need to get your head into gear right now! Lina’s here for you! She’s your only sister, right?!
: …
: Hrm, why is this happening to them?! No one else should know the pain of losing their family…!