Part 49: Mission 29 - Hades, Sortie at Dawn - Part 2
Back at Last Guardian, Miku is so very happy to see Masato back. He, however, doesn’t see it like that: he is neither Masato nor Masaki. He can no longer be either, even.
He is a clone of Masaki Kihara, implanted with the guy’s original personality via the Zeorymer – when that happened, he was supposed to have become Masaki himself. Yet, Masato Akitsu, that ordinary fifteen-year-old boy, did not disappear amid that entire process. That dumb kid still lives, struggling and screaming against Masaki Kihara’s schemes. So the question remains: “Who am I?”
Miku doesn’t waver in her answer: “You’re Masato… the same Masato I’ve known all this time.”
Masato marvel at what a gentle person she is – not just her, even. All of the Hakkeshu had such noble hearts… how can it be that he, their creator, is such scum? Miku disagrees, saying they were created as they were precisely because there’s something pure and beautiful within him.
She asks him to leave the Zeorymer and come with her elsewhere – that way, she’s certain he’ll remain Masato. He thanks her for the offer but it can’t be done, not while his other self remains with the Haudragon.
Right then, Oki enters the room: a transmission for Masato has just come in… from Yura. Masato will take her call, as part of his final duty.
Yura figures he already know everything and Masato confirms; she proclaims that the victor between the two of them will emerge as the true Hades. Now, she’s staring at a switch that, once pressed, will destroy the entire world – if Masato wishes to stop that, then he’d best come for her.
Yura ends the call and Masato tells a worried Miku that he can’t run from this. He needs to settle things with his other self and erase Masaki’s lingering evil for good. Miku wants to come with him but Masato isn’t willing to let her and the rest of the Magnate Ten get further involved in this.
He leaves, saying he’ll take care of it by himself.
: (… Yes… It should only be me… It’s time to put a definitive end to that man’s… Masaki Kihara’s evil.): (Though this might not stem the tide, ever flowing towards the end… if they – the Magnate Ten – are around, then maybe…)
: Masato…
: Mr. Oki… be well…: Is there nothing I can do, Masato…?: …: …I see.: Don’t... don’t tell the Magnate Ten about any of this, please. : Just let them know that… the Zeorymer and Masato Akitsu vanished along with their destiny.: …*Door opens.*
: …
: Miku… you…: … I have some memories of where the Tekkoryu Castle is located. We should be able to teleport there if we follow them.: …
: Please… let me come with you.: …
: …
: You’ve come…!
: Zeorymer of the Heavens…!: …
: Zeorymer… and Masato Akitsu. Your Dimensional Coupling System is a major hindrance to our plan. : …: In the name of our grand new world order… we are here to take you, the Zeorymer and its system!: Please, stay out of our way.
: Hrm?! This reaction is…! Seize him – so ordered the commander!*The Zeorymer breaks through their lines, towards the Tekkoryu Castle*
: …: …
: This is…: Our fate…
: And now… we’ll all be the true Hades…!
*Alert! And RUUUUUUMBLE!*
: Hrm! What the?!
: W-Was that a shockwave?!
: Look – the western sky!
: !!
: Wh-What is that cloud…?!
: O-Oi, that’s…!
: N-No way, man!
: Report, Torres!
: We’ve detected a massive explosion in the vicinity of point G2547!: Was that where—?!: Where the Haudragon HQ was located…!
: Do you think the Zeorymer…?
: Torres, is there any sign of the Zeorymer?!: Unknown – the blast from the explosion is interfering with all our sensors!
: Damn it…!: Did Masato and Miku…?: If they were at the center of that explosion, then I don’t think even the Zeorymer…: …!
: Hold your horses, there! I ain’t buying that until I see it for myself!
: Right… It’s too soon to give up hope.: All hands, shift to level one battle stations! We’re headed to point G2547!
: …: … Miku… are you alright?
: Yes… somehow… The Zeorymer’s immobile, though.: Heh… hahahah…
: Masato…?
: Does this mean… this is my fate…? I, alone, survive, after sacrificing every single one of them? I was supposed to have disappeared along with the Zeorymer, yet… : But you’re not alone, Masato… I’m here with you.: …!: I’m right at your side… so you’re not alone.: But I and the Zeorymer should have been erased from the face of this world – to atone for all of Masaki Kihara’s crimes… So why did I…?!: This might be your— rather, our fate…: To live on, carrying the weight of Masaki’s karma…?: … Right. There must be a reason why we survived.: …: There are still things we must do in this world.: “Things we must do”, huh?: You should know what it is, Masato.: … Yeah, I do. There are still plenty of people who’d bring about the end of this world, just like the Hades Project would have… So, I…*ALARM!*
: Ah?! This signal is!!
: Gahahaha…HAHAHAHA!
: I-It’s…!
: The Gyandolar…!
: Much appreciated, boy! We found a very nice area thanks to you!: Huh…? What do you mean?!
: We wur looking a new place tae settle doon, ye ken. ‘N’ jist when we wur thinking thare wis nowhere guid, BOOM!: So we decided to come and check out this newly vacated plot of land. : What for?!: I jist said it – we’re settling doon ‘ere! Oor days of hanging around pinheid’s belly are dain!: That’s right…! And we’ll be doing our thing from now on! Come on, Lord Gades – bring your illustrious self to this land!*RUUUUMBLE!*
: Wh-What?!: This is… space-time is trembling! (Oh, god, not again!): Something… Something’s coming here?!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDnsaUt_YV0
: Uurk…!: Masato, look!
: Is that…!: Hood ae ye like it? Surprised? That’s Laird Gades’ hame… The Demon Castle!: Demon Castle…?!
: Very well done, all of you.: Thank you, Sir Grujios.: Now we can truly scour this world for the Hyribead… Lord Gades is pleased.: Yes, sir!: All that’s left noo is getting rid o’ that bloke thare!: Miku, is the Zeorymer still immobile?!: Yes, our output isn’t coming back up yet…!: Hahaha! You’d best just give it up! Your heads, and your mech, are going to make a nice gift for Lord Gades!
: W-We’re surrounded!: 'n’ fair warning! If yer hoping that someone’s gonnae save ye, don’t! Nae even ‘im’s enough of a ballheid tae come waltzing in ‘ere!: “Him”…?!: Does he mean…!: Och! Ah, noo… Speak o’ the devil an’ ‘e’ll appear… Again. If ‘e actually did, it’d jist be the werst.: Hmhmhm… you’ve no reason to fear Rom Stoll. If he showed his face around here, all he’d find was the full might of the Gyandolar and a one-way ticket to Hell.: So, go! Finish them off!: So this… truly is my fate…?
: Don’t give up, Masato! For what have we survived up until now if you’ll simply throw it all away here?!: You’ve survived to meet your death here, fools!: !!: Take this as your final lesson in life: there’s only so much luck to go around. And it’s not enough that help would come for you now!: And now you’re off to the other side!
: HOLD IT!! 
: ?!: Th-that voice… can it be?!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=calE8ub0Lpo
Captions.
: When evil stars filled the heavens, a grand shooting star emerged… : Before its light of truth, the evil stars lost their shine and, soon, fell to earth…: That is what people call… retribution!: Wh-who goes there?! Name yourself!!
“You do not deserve to know my name!!”
: Wolf Blade! Call forth the thunder of courage!!
: Gaah, the ballheid really came ower!
: TOAAAAAAAAH!
: Now!
: ! Even his goons are here?!
: Drill, Leina! Take them!
: Right!
: You got it!
: Are you two all right?: Y-You’re…!: … It’s been a long time, Rom Stoll.: I say the same… you’ve also returned from Hell, hm?: Heheheh… I did tell you “I shall return”, no? (he says this in quality engrish, FYI!): I’m already very aware of what you’re planning, Grujios… and Gades!: While we’d hoped it’d be longer before you realized our presence here, it matters not. So long as Lord Gades and the Demon Castle are here, this planet is bound to go the same way of Cronos as we lay claim to its Hyribead! Oh, yes.: The heavens themselves may allow your villainy but I and the Wolf Blade shall not!: Take a look whaur ye ur, why don’t ye? This is the Demon Castle! Meaning yer jist like a flame jumping at the moth! : Ergh, jings…! A moth jumping at the flame, Ah mean!
: Nobody’s laughing at your stupid act!: Sh-Shut yer geggy!
: Don’t let the girl get to you, Devil Saturn 6!: Sorry, sis…: But, either way, what will you do now, Rom? Will you try to settle the score with all of us, right here and now?: It is not the time for that just yet…!: Excuse me…?!: But remember: I will set foot here in the future and, then, I will end the lot of you!: Hah! You’re gonna run off just like that? Do you really wanna save those two that badly? : …!
: The lives of comrades in arms versus all your lives… I’ve never seen a more unworthy trade!: You… you guys really came here just to save us…?!: Leina, Jet, Drill, Jim! We’re leaving!: Aye, aye, Rom!: You may keep your lives for now, Gyandolar! JEEEEEEEEEEEET!!*Everyone leaves.*
: Th-They really ran…!: Heheheh… so, now it’s you who says “I shall return”? Then, please, come try your hand whenever you like, Rom Stoll – the moment you do, it’ll be the time of your death! GWAHAHAHAHA!! 
Boss man Gades welcomes his faithful servants, with Grujios leading the procession presenting them before him. Deondra quietly sniffs at his “loyal warrior” shtick despite the fact that he’s only now actually taken to the field (then again, that’s Grujios for her).
Still, Gades praises Deondra for all the scouting she’s done in this world and she confirms that, indeed, they managed to find new Hyribead via their usage of the Gulfer. Of course, Gades has heard that this planet is chock-full of obstacles to their conquest.
First in his black list is Rom’s posse, of course, and Ashura quickly requests permission to lead the hunt against them. Gades likes his pluck… but only if he can back it up.
Thus, he calls out to all of the Gyandolar’s commanders: bring him the head of that hateful Rom Stoll and claim the Hyribead, destroying any who gets in the way. Might alone is the code of the Gyandolar!
GADESSIR!
We’re all back at GEAR HQ and Hayato has a question for Masato: “Who are you”?
“I am both Masaki Kihara and Masato Akitsu… but I will not be Hades. I’ll carry on my life as Masato Akitsu…!” is his answer and Miku is very happy to hear it. Seems to Ayato that Masato’s found himself and Hayato is satisfied with his answer.
Masato ponders that, all this time, Masaki had fought in search of a place where he’d feel at home… the problem is that the place he found was the throne of Hades, sitting at the end of everything. To Masaki, that empty world, where nothing but him exists, is where he’d be at peace.
Of course, as Domon sees, Masato rejected that idea and Ayato knows why: because he already had a place where he belongs. Ryouma also agrees, noting that the world will never turn him away so long as he loves it. Duke throws in his two cents, too, pointing out that Masato has plenty of comrades – friends that will welcome him.
The kid is thankful for their kind words. While he still isn’t sure if this is where he should be, he’ll help them protect this world as he searches for it. And Miku will be there for every step of the way because he is, and always will be, Masato to her.
And they all lived happily ever after – Judau likes it and so does Roux, knowing this to be a good ending from the smile on Miku’s face.
Asuka also approves: managing to make a clean break from your problem is always better than angsting about it nonstop like someone. When Amuro asks, Bright sees no problem with Masato and Miku staying with the team; now that the Haudragon and their plans are no more, they’re free to do as they please.
Misato isn’t too happy, though, as while that’s one enemy force taken care of, another one has truly set itself on the board now.
Rom and co. are still here after bringing the Zeorymer back and Domon wants to take this opportunity to talk: would he be willing to tell us who his group is and what do they want? Indeed, Rom ponders that the time might have come to do just that.
Jet confesses to being a bit bashful in seeing us face-to-face, despite how many times we’ve seen each other in the battlefield. On that subject, Quattro extends them our thanks for all that help but Jet figures it wasn’t anything special – no need for thanks (Kaine watches with a grin as the two sunglasses finally meet).
Rom quickly introduces himself and his companions, with Duke remembering what he heard of them back in Planet Fleed. Rom confirms his origins as a Cronosian, saying it was the Wolf Blade that guided them to this world.
When Kouji asks, Rom materializes said sword out of thin air to show it to us. It holds the power to traverse dimensions and thus it guides them. Tetsuya is curious how, exactly, the blade guide them. Why did it bring them to Earth?
For JUSTICE, Rom says with a completely straight face, much to Kaine’s amazement. Light, however, expected Rom to be just like this, considering the way he enters the battlefield.
To put it in more tangible terms, Jet says they were brought here in pursuit of the Gyandolar. And while we’re somewhat familiar with the criminal syndicate from their cooperation with the Gulfer, they are far more so than that: their operations run on the galactic level.
The appearance of the Demon Castle, their HQ, in this world shows that they’re for real now. Kouji and Akira ask what interest Earth holds for the Gyandolar in the first place – is all this just to steal Data Weapons?
No, while Rom concedes that the creatures’ power would interest the Gyandolar, there is only one thing they truly seek: that which is called Hyribead. Back in Cronos, Hyribead is a legendary treasure said to promise eternal life to anyone who claims it. Hayato laughs at the thought of even interplanetary machine overlords being drawn to the idea of immortality.
Still, Ryouma is confused: the Hyribead is a Cronosian legend, yet, it can be found on Earth? Rom can’t answer that question but knows that, if anything, he and his comrades will not sit idle and let the Gyandolar run amuck. Bright knows from what we’ve seen that the syndicate brings only conflict and chaos to Earth, so he asks if Rom would like to join forces.
Amuro and Daisuke add that we’re also fighting forces that threaten our world, so the Gyandolar and Gulfer obviously fall in that category. Quattro knows it’s only going to get worse, so we need all the help we can get to oppose the incoming tide.
Rom accepts our proposal (
), adding that he and his group came to meet with us precisely because they were considering that alliance. 
Jet and Drill concur, having seen our righteousness over our past shared battles. They know we’re the real deal. Domon’s seen the same thing and though we’re not of the same race, he has no problem whatsoever with trusting them to watch his back.
Rom feels the same way and, bearing faith in each other’s fists, they shall fight together until the forces of evil lie in ruins!
… Of course, there’s still the question of why any of this is happening considering Leina vividly remembers them destroying the Gyandolar before. So does Jim and, yet, the villains are not only back to life but they’ve no memory of their defeat.
Drill figures they’ll find an answer to that question as we hunt them down. With all this done, Misato wants us to get back to GEAR on the double – Maria agrees, also worried about the Data Weapons.
When Rom asks, they tell him about the two-headed beast that attacked them. His shocked reaction indicates he knows what the thing is; and if it’s what he’s thinking, Rom says we’ve no time to lose.
Back at GEAR, Eris has figured out what’s wrong with the Data Weapons: they’ve been infected with a virus. In truth, the creatures are essentially programs given form – their bodies are just data, which is why regular attacks can’t do any lasting damage to them.
The two-headed beast’s fangs weren’t regular attacks, though, and Rom knows exactly what it was: Ragou, a demon that sows terror and destruction where it treads. This is the kids’ first time meeting Rom face-to-face, though they recognize their regular savior right away.
After a quick introduction, Eris wants any information he can offer on the RoBeast that did this; he doesn’t have much to offer, but rumor has it that Ragou’s the pet of the Gulfer Emperor.
The problem to Eris is that we still have no idea how that creature managed to bite and inject this virus into beings whose bodies are intangible data. As an analysis of the Data Weapons comes in, we see a whole lot of red – the virus has already corrupted about a third of their data.
Eris and the girls have been running anti-virus programs but all that’s doing is holding the corruption at bay. It’s only a matter of time before it fails, though, as whatever vaccine they try, the virus quickly starts evolving to resist it.
In fact, Domon and Rain see a very disturbing pattern in this continuous self-evolution and multiplication in response to the environment… the virus is acting pretty much like the DG Cells would.
Ginga asks what’ll happen once the virus turns all the Leo and Unicorn’s data all red... and Eris slowly says that they’ll disappear. Ginga begs Eris to say that she can cure them but her silence speaks volumes.
Rain and the other tech folks are doing everything they can but their survival depends on them finding a vaccine that truly works against the virus. Domon and Rom seem to have a way to make that happen: how is it that one makes an antivenin? From the enemy that produced the poison in the first place.
Inoue sees their point, figuring we may be able to make a proper vaccine for the virus if we had Ragou’s data to base it on. That means capturing the thing, an idea Eris finds insane not only due to how its venom would be deadly for anything but also how the thing’s likely inside the Spiral Castle.
Hokuto and Ginga are still going, though, and Rom approves: “Those are fine eyes… these boys have the strength to fight for what is dear to them.”
“Of course,” Domon adds, “they already are fully-fledged warriors.”
Eris isn’t sure about this but Hokuto and Ginga are: if Ragou’s data is the only way to save the Unicorn and Leo, then they’re going to get it. Aiko doubts the Dendoh can take that thing on by itself but Hokuto and Ginga figures the jury is still out on that; plus, it’s not like they have a choice. The Data Weapons are their friends and they won’t give up on them.
Vega agrees with their point – the Unicorn and Leo are irreplaceable, not just for the kids and Earth but for the entire universe. Rom concurs, having heard legends of the Data Weapons’ holy powers. We have to do everything possible to preserve them.
And, ultimately, Ginga and Hokuto’s friends are our own friends; Domon and our crew are ready to help save them. Vega will pass on our plan to Bright and Misumary, while Eris will do whatever she can to keep the virus at bay. Ginga and Hokuto will be doing their part, so they ask her to care of the Leo and Unicorn – they will be bringing that data back.
Misumaru’s already approved our operation, though Bright knows we can’t simply ignore all other hostile forces acting on the surface right now; thus, the Magnate Ten will be split in half. Misumaru does warn Bright to be careful when dealing with the Giganos on the moon.
Operation Moonraker, their anti-Giganos offensive, is getting ready to go as we speak; he’d rather us not give the enemy cause to be further wary on the verge of it happening. If we run into the guys, prudence is the word.
Bright confirms and Misumaru does add that, once our lunar operation is finished, that half of our crew will take part in Moonraker. The operation’s command wants our firepower as part of the main offensive force. And, with that, Misumaru ends the call.
Vega thanks Bright for helping this happen but he’s well aware of how important the Data Weapons are. Now we need to set up our teams and considering Moonraker will have us dealing with Giganos – and, likely, Martian Successors – Bright decides to have Ruri lead that group.
The Dendoh crew will obviously be going, plus the Cronosians since they also have info on the Gulfer. The Aestis go where their ship goes, of course, and our MSs are well suited to dealing with Metal Armors.
Finally, if we’re also dealing with the Successors, Saburouta figures we gotta bring the Daimos crew along. Hugo and Aqua have free rein to choose where they’re going, so here’s how it is:
Space Route – Nadesico B:
- All Gundams, except the Gundam Fighters
- Dendoh
- Daimos
- Aestis
- Machine Robo
Surface Route – Nahel Argama:
- Getter
- Mazingers
- Grendizer
- EVA
- Dragonar
- Raideen
- Zeorymer
- G Gundam
- RahXephon
Once the choice is made, the Nadesico will be headed to the moon as soon as resupplies are concluded. Shibuya tells Vega that Eris will remain here to watch over the Data Weapons; plus, the Cell Fighter’s being changed into the Cell Booster for her to use. Vega promises to use it to claim Ragou’s data.
Shibuya’s dejected that once again they must force such a difficult battle onto Bright and Ruri’s teams but she doesn’t mind – this is what we’re here for. Bright agrees, saying we’re simply doing what’s necessary to protect Earth and peace.