Part 27: Mission 16 (Chongqing Route) - Bright You Now
Misato reports two available routes to take us to Chongqing: one through the Yellow River and the Qinling Mountains, the other is trailing the Yangtze River by way of Shanghai. In other words, Haruka surmises, the first is through northern China, the other through the south.
Mind, the Giganos have descended upon the north, so the Yellow River route would likely have us being attacked… but the southern one would have us dangerously close to the Tekkoryu territory. Bright opts for the northern route, which is near enough to several Federation bases to get help if worse comes to worse.
Cut to THE Shaolin Temple, where Zuizen and Keiun (with the beard), report Argo’s arrival to Sai. The two fighters greet each other for the first time since the Baam War.
Sai apologizes for calling him all the way here but Argo is fine with it, knowing the Shuffle Alliance can’t sit still with the Devil Gundam making a return. When Argo asks, Sai tells that Allenby will be here soon while George and Chibodee are up in space, meeting up with Domon.
Sai asks Argo to take a seat and have some tea but, before that… Argo goes and attacks! Sai avoids the hit, though Argo still wrecks the floorboards; neither of them seems to have shirked their training.
Zuizen remembers what Domon said and figures that Argo’s one of the reported clones. He’s here looking for a fight and Sai is more than willing to give him one – just outside.
Mission 16 (Chongqing Route) – Bright You Now
Zuizen and Keiun aren’t too keen that they’re busting out the Gundams but Sai counters that they ARE Gundam Fighters. Besides, it’s been ages since he had an opponent he could go all-out against.
That’s all Argo needed to hear, so it’s off to the usual business.
: Gundam Fight!
: Reaadyyyy!: GOOO!
Simple business, so let’s jump right in. Argo’s deceptively accurate, especially with the unupgraded Dragon Gundam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxlX733CpTw
Just get him under 50% HP for the plot to kick in.
As things go on, Zuizen and Keiun see in this a recreation of the Guiana Highlands battle. Argo likes what he sees from Sai, though the kid asks if he’s gone a bit soft… or is the old man holding back?
Argo concedes he wanted to go full-force on this but the circumstances have changed; Sai agrees, confusing the two monks. “Heh, I figured out whether you were the real one or not the second we crossed fists,” Sai explains. Turns out this IS the real Argo and he was putting Sai through the same test.
Zuizen and Keiun apologize for suspecting him but Argo knows this is just how things are. Sai would like to have tea with his friend now… but they haven’t the time just yet.
“Come on out! We know you’re here!” he says.
And out comes the actual Argo and Sai DG Clones. Sai figures the clones understood they couldn’t fool Domon or any of the Shuffle Alliance folks, so they decided to simply come and take out the originals.
Clone Sai appreciates that they’re so perceptive, as that speeds things up. Clone Argo promises the originals that they’re about to see power far beyond their stature.
Sounds interesting – time to put that to the test.
Dragon Gundam (Sai Saici)
Pilot Skills:
- Super Mode
- Prevail L3
- Sword Cut L3
- Counter L3
- Double Image
- Focus (15)
- Accelerate (5)
- Alert (10)
- Valor (35) – the next attack does double damage
Bolt Gundam (Argo Gulskii)
Pilot Skills:
- Super Mode
- Prevail L3
- Support Defense L1
- Guard - -20% damage taken when over 130 morale
- Iron Wall (20)
- Strike (20)
- Invincibe (10)
- Valor (40)
Two sides versions of melee attackers: Sai’s speedy, Argo is tanky. They’re pretty much evenly matched in stats, though I tend to prefer the Dragon Gundam. As bulky as the Bolt is, it’s still a Real so you shouldn’t expect it to handle too much punishment without Iron Wall. Comparatively, Sai’ll be dodging left and right when he gets Double Image going.
As far as damage goes, they’re about the same though Argo, as you’d expect, hits a wee bit harder. You can absolutely make use of them both in an endgame team, though.
Let’s get this going.
: Heheheh… You’re bound to that ridiculous power while I’ve embraced it in its rawest form… We’ll see who’s the strongest real soon…!
: …!
Zuizen notes that the clone fights in the same way as Argo.
Still, Argo says that the guy is just a clone. The clone isn’t so sure, what with the marvelous DG Cells on his side.
Enemy Phase!
DG Sai is still coming, but the Argos trade blows.
Player Phase!
Now for you two.
: There’s no way some imitation’s taking me out!
: Hah! It’s you two who cannot win against us!!
Keiun’s also worried: the clone’s technique is exactly the same as Sai’s.
Sai’s actually impressed, quipping that he’s got some pretty nice moves. Granted, the clone promises he won’t be giving props – or anything else – very soon.
Reduce either clone’s HP to get things rolling – DG Sai is obviously flimsier.
: Heheheh…: Ahahahaha!
: Self-regeneration…: These two can do that too, huh?: Heheheh… Our strength’s an even match right now…: But our bodies can regenerate as many times as needed.
: This isn’t good! Sai Saici and Mr. Argo’s are still humans of flesh and bone!
: Sooner or later, they’ll exhaust themselves, unable to keep up with their regeneration!: That’s right! Even if you fight until your arms fall off, you still won’t win this!: …: …: Oh, what’s wrong? What happened to that pep from moments ago?: Heh… these guys’re selling the Shuffle Alliance short.: A lot.: What…?!
: Let’s do this, old man!: Hm!*Sai goes after DG Argo and vice-versa.*
: Wh-what are you up to?!: Technique versus power!: Power versus technique! : We’re switching things up!: Morons! Changing opponents won’t do anything!: So long as we’ve the DG Cells, we cannot lose…!: Right on! That’s a power none of you have!: But you’re in that same boat!: We’ve also got power you don’t… and it’s time we showed it to you!
: Sai Saici, the Ace of Clubs!
: Argo Gulskii, the Black Joker!: And we, the Shuffle Alliance!: Will tear that revived monster apart!: Ooh…!: It’s the strength of the Shuffle Crests!: Heheheh, you’ve finally gotten serious, eh…?: But even busting that out, you still can’t beat us…!: Save that line for after you’ve won!: Let’s do this…! Come on!: Gundam Fight!: Reaadyyy!: GOOO!!Enemy Phase!
Good on them to be sportsmanly and attack the different guy.
This doesn’t take long, so here’s the summary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMWW89jek74
: His moves are so different!: I dunno about the real one, but a fake Sai can never pin me down!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHu3EOOveNY
: Hrm…! What is this speed?!: I’ve been training to beat the old man...! A clone doesn’t really deserve to see this, but I’ll show you what that gave me!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLloq4rZxAk
: Th-This can’t be! The regeneration isn’t keeping up?!: This is what you amount to when you get stronger without training…!
: Rrrgh! Damn it all!!
: Guoorgh! My… My body’s…!: You see that? That’s the power you don’t have!: Gr—Graaaaaaah!!
And that’s game. As the monks are overjoyed to have witnessed the power of the Shuffle Alliance, Sai proclaims the score against Argo is now one victory, one tie to him. Argo objects, saying HE is the one with one victory. There’s no time to settle this dispute now, though, as the main event’s arrived: Michelo and the Death Army.
Keiun and Zuizen freak out of at the Gundam Heaven’s Sword as the guy was supposed to have been beaten by Sai and Argo; indeed, Michelo loudly proclaims that he’d been waiting in Hell for when he’d have the opportunity to tear those two limb from limb.
Sai and Argo aren’t impressed, saying it’ll just end as it did before – time for Michelo to go right back to Hell. Maybe, but he insists on taking them along for the ride and, until it happens, he’ll just keep on reviving!
He’s obviously not getting the point, so it falls on Sai and Argo’s fists to get it to sink into his skull. Michelo, however, warns them that he and his peers have also gained new powers of their own.
Michelo taunts them with the question of why they, who were all supposed to have been destroyed, are back around… why did the Devil Gundam revive NOW? Not that he’s going to give them an answer, of course.
Before Michelo can exact his revenge, though…
It’s Allenby and the Nobel Gundam – the Gundam Fighter of love and justice!
She apologizes for taking so long to get here and Michelo is amused to see an “old comrade”. Allenby tells him to get bent and not bunch her with cowards like him who can’t fight without relying on DG Cells.
Michelo laughs, asking if she’d have no problem if he used “that person’s” powers to revive the Walter Gundam as well, then. That tells Sai and Argo that it’s a person who’s responsible for bringing the DG Cells back around and Allenby confirms; that’s why they need to pry out a name from Michelo.
Not happening, because he swears we’re all about to die by his silver legs!
It’s the enemy’s turn, which is good as half of them closes in and speeds up the impending slaughter.
Player Phase!
In comes the Nahel Argama, though Argo mistakes it for the original model. Domon’s told Sai of the new ship, mind.
Torres pings the Death Army and we spot the Shuffle Alliance in the distance – quite the surprise for Kaine, seeing how we were on edge against potential Giganos attackers. Hugo himself is scowling over running into the things, including one of the Devil Gundam’s underlings.
Everyone deploys and Bright gets in touch, offering our support. Sai remembers Bright and figures now he really can’t put on a poor showing. Ayato’s a bit taken aback by Michelo’s unit, surprised it’s a legit Gundam; meanwhile, Michelo has actually been briefed on Ayato and the RahXephon by “that person” and isn’t too happy to see that he’s with our crew.
Nobel Gundam (Allenby Beardsly)
Pilot Skills:
- Prevail L3
- Sword Cut L2
- Support Attack L1
- Hit & Away
- Focus (15)
- Alert (10)
- Spirit (40)
Allenby deserves better than the Sailor Moon Gundam… As a pilot, she’s on par with any of the non-Domon Shuffles and can absolutely hold her own; the problem is that she’s held back by how middling her unit is. If only it had a Super Mode equivalent.
While it DOES have a combined attack with Domon, the other guys are all superior by their lonesome and get better together. With as few slots as this game gives us, that’s not great.
You can still field her well enough, I guess, but your overall power will take a bigger dip than with the other G Gundam guys.
Gundam Heaven’s Sword (Michelo Chariot)
Pilot Skills:
- Support Attack L1
- THAT’S IT
What the hell is that skill list, son?
This guy’s a glass cannon through and through. His Gundam’s got an S in the air which gives him respectable accuracy and stopping power (with long range, too) but he can’t survive worth a damn.
Get defensive measures rolling and watch as he melts away.
Let’s kick things off with Allenby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pM19LZYquM
Good show.
Sai and Argo each pick a target and go to town. The rest will all die when they inevitably attack next turn.
Meanwhile, our main group will tear their side apart. There isn’t really any strategy involved here – these Death Army units are made of tissue paper, so spread out and kill. Let’s abridge this, yes?
And, boom, that’s the Argama’s side all cleaned out in one turn!
Enemy Phase!
Rather than chase down Sai and co. as I expected, Michelo’s decided to pick on Kaine.
: HYAHAHAHAHA! Flaps your wings with all you’ve got, LITTLE FLY, you still WON’T keep up to my Heaven’s Sword!
: Shut your trap! My laser sword’s about to make some yakitori outta that chicken bot of yours!
Easy peasy.
And there goes the rest of the Death Army.
I took the liberty of leaving one alive to showcase Allenby’s Beam Ribbon attack, though!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU7CHecyKSY
And now we’ll wrap up Michelo.
: Your PATHETIC eyes could never see through my Heaven’s Sword’s moves!
: The Dragon’s not about to be beaten in an air battle!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oamjkNlJqz8
One positive thing about Michelo is how crazy his yelling gets.
: …!
: What is it, Hugo?!
: (The Devil Gundam really is making a comeback… The monster that annihilated our squad…!)
: I’ve acquired new powers! My Heaven’s Sword and I are INVINCIBLE!
: Hrm! Once I’ve grabbed you, I’m wringing your bot into spaghetti! Or maybe I’ll tear a hole through you and make it some macaroni instead!
: HYAAAHAHAHA! Think you can keep up with my moves?!
: Zip it! You better not be thinking that you’re the only one who can turn into a bird!
: This Gundam’s almost like a saucerbeast, switching forms depending on the situation…!
: Why, you…! Don’t you DARE batch my Heaven’s Sword in with those VERMIN!!
: So, how do you wanna be cooked this time? Speak up and I’ll make it happen!: This damned BRAT! I’ll ram those flags through your HEAAAAD!
: Your body’s once tasted the bliss of the DG Cells… You’re not going ANYWHERE!
: I’m not the same person you knew! Domon and everyone in the Shuffle Alliance taught me what it means to fight and how wonderful bonds forged with your own fists are!
: I wasn’t told to leave you be… so I’m NOT holding anything back!
: Wh-What’s up with him…?!
: Next time, you’re gonna end up way worse than as some fried chicken!: SHUT UP! Now it’s your turn to be squashed under my boot!!
Michelo’s regeneration isn’t cutting it against us but, of course, he won’t answer Allenby’s questions as to who brought them back to life. And it wouldn’t matter if he did – the end of this word is nigh and, even with all our powers, we cannot stop it!
He runs off and Torres can’t trace him – his signal just vanished. If anything, Sai admits that the guy’s good at running; unfortunate that we couldn’t get any clues as a result.
When Maria asks, Aqua figures this “end of the world” business would mean the DG Cells multiplying and spreading throughout all living creatures; In essence, everything that’s not the Devil Gundam would be absorbed. Maria’s scared at the idea of all being brought together as one and that includes even the Vegan Army, Aqua adds. Dreadful.
Misato and Haruka frown at the discussion but, yeah, Hugo finds Aqua’s description to be analogous to the end of the world. Hell, if the Devil Gundam keeps growing out a control, it could even reach and devour other planets.
Still, so long as Sai, Argo, Allenby and the Shuffle Alliance are around, that won’t happen. By the guidance of their Shuffle Crests, hand-in-hand with their new allies.
Notable loot is a Repair Kit, a Shuffle Crest and a High Spec Sight.
Sai was expecting his group to go and rendezvous with ours, not the other way around; regardless, Bright is very grateful to have them aboard one way or another. They’ve all been briefed by Domon and are in agreement with getting back together.
Meg sees that Bright and the Shuffles already seem to know each other and Argo explains how they fought together against the Devil Gundam. On that subject, Sai is curious as to where his other bros, Amuro and Camille, are.
Amuro, of course, is with the Nadesico and ought to have met up with Chibodee and George. As for Camille, Bright says he’s still recovering from being mind blasted by Scirocco; he was initially in a coma, though eventually recovered. Still, he was in no state to be fighting which is why he didn't join in on the old World Gundam Federation.
At least, Bright says Camille's rehab is going nicely so we needn’t worry. When Maria asks, Sai explains that the World Gundam Federation was a massing of all those units in preparation for the final battle against the Devil Gundam. Quite the impressive sight.
Bright quips how Amuro took a little while to have a good night’s sleep after the whole thing was over. Understandable, considering what the others made him take part in. But Sai won’t tell, not wanting to incur the guy’s wrath. This only makes Maria more curious but them's the breaks.
I dunno if this is ever clarified but, considering I had to search quite a few old 2ch threads and wikis to figure it out, I’ll just say it now lest I forget: it’s implied that Amuro was one of the Gundams who took part in Kyral’s Mandala Enjin Gokurakuoujou (small Devil Gundam spoilers here).
Also, if we consider this game’s quasi-sequel status to Impact, we also had Christina Mackenzie, Shiro Amada, Kou Uraki and Seabook Arno as part of the Gundam Federation. So imagine all of them striking kung-fu poses.
Regardless, Bright says we’ll be hanging around this area for four hours while we gather intel, so Sai offers some Shaolin-style food since we took the time to come all the way up to his home. When Meg asks, Argo explains that the kid’s quite the skilled chef.
Sai’s not one to brag but says he makes a pretty mean Chahan – Megumi and Maria are very interested and even Bright fancies some Chinese food every once in a while. He’s on the verge of offering Misato some when he notices she’s not around; Haruka’s gone, too, Megumi notices.
Where could they be?
: Hmm…
: …Odd…
: What’s wrong, Misato?
: And you, too, Haruka… why are you staring at that Gundam?
: There’s just something…
: Familiar about it.: ?
: What, is my Nobel Gundam that unique?: “Unique”, huh…?: Maybe, yeah…
: ???: Hey, does this Gundam, by any chance, throw tiaras?: No, it uses a ribbon and hula-hoop…: Does it fight “in the name of moon” or something like that, then?
: Can it wrap itself with water, maybe…?: Oh, but isn’t that more of a “in the name of Mercury” thing?
: Huh? Really?
: …What are those two talking about?: I’ve no idea…
The monks deliver their food and everyone’s pretty impressed. Tap already busy eating a bunch of everything, prompting Light to warn that it’ll get the tastes all mixed up.
Asuka meanwhile, is getting in Kouji’s face for hogging the turntable. Can she grab some dishes for him, then? Why would she ever need to do that?! Standard table manners when eating Chinese food, Kouji argues.
More important to Aqua is what she’s actually eating… frog, Hugo says. And it tastes good, he promises. Next up is some snake eel... that’s edible? Absolutely and Hugo says he often ate everyday snakes during some missions.
“Food around the world is a lot more varied than you think, you know,” he argues. What, would he eat anything, then? Even the mold growing in his room? No, Hugo draws a line there as he doesn’t want an upset stomach (or worse).
Still, it’s clear to Aqua that he’s lead a much more impressive live than she imagined.
Nearby, Ryouma’s a bit miffed that we couldn’t pick up any relevant info regarding the Devil Gundam; Benkei figures the only way to deal with this problem is one step at a time, though.
Akira agrees, though he’s much more focused on the tasty food; Mari is quick to chide him for speaking with his mouth full. Michiru agrees, prodding Ryouma and Benkei that they’re no longer kids and should have better manners.
Daisuke’s already getting seconds from Sai and while Maria wonders if he’s not overeating, he says it’s all to help him power through the progressively harsher combat. “Don’t start with that kinda boring talk, man. Just say it’s because the thing’s tasty and leave it at that,” Boss sighs.
Megumi’s all up in her sister’s grill, asking if she should be drinking beer right now. Haruka and Misato swear it’s just barley tea… except, as Hikaru points out, barley tea doesn’t foam.
It is beer but Haruka promises to wash it down with some coffee and even go run on the treadmill some to burn the alcohol. In that case, Bright suggests they do that right now because they’ve a meeting scheduled for right after this meal. Off go the two sighing ladies, while everyone else keeps chowing down.
Even Rei finds it in herself to join in, asking Sai for some garlic ramen – minus the roasted pork.