Part 85: Mission 48 - A Single Flower and a Green Planet - Part 1
We open up at the Skull Moon Base, with Rubina about to take off to meet with Duke – she’s heard he’s coming here. King Vega tells her that they won’t find the place regardless, not while it remains hidden under its camouflaging shield. That’s precisely why she wants to head out and see him.
King Vega stomps that Duke’s their enemy but, of course, that’s only because he trashed Planet Fleed. The same applies to the Earthlings: they’re only fighting back because the King went and attacked and Rubina asks that he call this off.
King Vega says that with their homeworld gone, taking over the Earth is the only option, but Rubina disagrees. Planet Fleed is recovering after being contaminated with Vegatron radiation – she saw it with her own eyes and came here to tell Duke this.
King Vega still isn’t budging. He’s hellbent on conquering Earth, adding its forces to his own and going on the take over the entire galaxy – merely claiming Planet Fleed means nothing to him. In that case, Rubina vows to do what she feels is right and runs off.
King Vega sulks at how his daughter doesn’t understand him but Zuril soon runs in with dire news: the other planets under Vegan rule are rebelling one after another. The king tells him not to bother him with trivialities: he's to put down the rebellion with military force as usual and immediately execute those responsible.
The problem is that with so much of their forces concentrated on taking over Earth, putting down those revolts will be quite the difficult, lengthy process. All because of how difficult this planet has proven itself to conquer.
Still, King Vega says there’s a more serious matter: Rubina. He tells of how she’s left to meet with Duke and orders Zuril to go and bring her back. As for the rebelling words, King Vega will personally suppress them after Earth is his.
Rubina is the priority now, though, and Zuril promises to get her back at whatever cost.
Back to our crew, if you’d gotten the MP Great way back when and Tetsuya had 50 kills prior to the split, we’ve just received a unique MP Great from Umon. Its body’s been colored jet black, so Chibodee dubs it the Black Great! Sai likes it – the color makes it look like a special edition kinda thing and while it doesn’t have a Scrander, Jun sees that its offensive capabilities are equal to the original’s.
Maria asks Tetsuya if she could pilot it and he sees no problem, provided she can actually manage it. See, the Great was a Mazinger built to fight the Mycenae so even an MP model will require plenty of resilience and skill from the pilot. Sai laughs at Tetsuya talking himself up but Allenby sees no problem: everyone’s entitled to be proud of strength earned with training.
Tetsuya’s attention is diverted as Boss waves him over – he’s seen fit to paint the kanji for “Original” onto the Great’s crotch. His reasoning is that we’re bound to run into more MP Greats when we fight the Vegans, so it’ll help set our unit from theirs.
Tetsuya seems a bit miffed at his tinkering and Mucha yells that he told Boss they should’ve painted “Nº 1”. Nuke disagrees, saying they should’ve gone with True/真because Shin Great Mazinger sounds way stronger.
As Tetsuya seethes further, Kouji suggests Boss and crew make a run for it. Still, Maria thinks they had a good idea – she also figures they should prepare for any eventuality and asks Tetsuya if she could tie a ribbon on the Great. Tetsuya’s frown says no.
Kouji quickly shifts the subject to Daisuke, who’s rather quiet. He comes back to when Maria and Hikaru poke him, though his sister sighs that he seems to be a thousand miles away. Rain points out he’s not looking too good and suggests he rest until we reach the moon. He agrees and takes off.
George figures it’s understandable that he’s on edge, since he’s on the verge of having his showdown with the group responsible to wrecking his planet. Argo agrees but points out that him getting too overeager can be dangerous. Hikaru decides to go after Daisuke and Domon requests that Maria stay here rather than accompanying her.
Why? Is she not allowed to worry about her brother? Domon’s a bit queasy when it comes to explaining what’s what, stuttering when Maria gets in his face. Kouji comes to his rescue, asking Maria to help him run maintenance on the MP Great. Fine…
Hikaru quietly thanks him and Domon before leaving, Rain patting Domon on the back for being so unusually sensitive. He grunts that he just thought it’d behoove Hikaru to have a chance to heart-to-heart with Daisuke before the big battle. Rain pokes him, saying he needn’t worry about making these transparent excuses.
Allenby and George are rather impressed that Domon’s grown so much that he’s developed some romantic insight. All thanks to Rain’s influence, no doubt, though he blushingly tells the two of them off.
Daisuke is, indeed, nervous about the upcoming showdown and mumbling to himself. We’ll soon reach the moon, where King Vega awaits. It’s his duty as Duke Fleed to end that demon’s life and get revenge for his parents and his homeworld.
Kyral walks on over, having just been passing by and apologizing for interrupting Daisuke’s train of thought. Still, since he’s here, he decides to give Duke – not Daisuke – a talking to. Despite his blind eyes, he can easily see the anger and hatred welling inside his heart. He says that these emotions CAN grant strength, but even if one's adversary is defeated, they cannot make one a true victor.
Duke protests, saying that Vega deserves even more hatred than he can muster - defeating him is all that he can think of. But will that bring peace to Duke’s heart? Again, while anger and hatred may grant strength, they ultimately keep him bound to the past – a true victor must have his eyes set on the future that lies beyond them.
Kyral continues, saying that when the light faded from his eyes, he hated life, the world, and other people from the depths of his being. Guided by that hatred, he trailed the path of darkness and earned the name of “Kyral the Grim Reaper”: a brutal monster who assassinated other Gundam Fighters before their fights happened.
Duke can scarcely believe Kyral used to be like that and the old man says he found a new light when he fought Domon – the bonds that bind people together, and hope for the future. He knows there’s no way to atone for all the wrongs he committed, but he's chosen to live with his shame and do what he can for the future rather than pay with his death.
Smiling, he tells Duke to treat all of this as nothing more than idle ramblings as he begins to walk away – Duke refuses, saying that he will instead ponder the words. “You are a very honest man… then mull to your heart’s content. I’m certain the light will come once you’re done,” Kyral says. “And do remember that amid your doubt and anguish, you still have friends and comrades.”
As Kyral excuses himself, Daisuke ponders what could lie beyond his anger and hatred. Hikaru catches up right then and she can see he’s thinking about the upcoming battle. At length she asks: what will Daisuke do once this is over. He won’t have to pilot the Grendizer anymore, right?
Daisuke hadn’t given that much thought but he figures he’ll continue to help this adoptive father and working at Danbei’s ranch. Hikaru thinks that suits him just fine, and Daisuke muses aloud that, after all, this whole fight is about making enabling everyone to STOP fighting. He thanks her for reminding him of this crucial fact, and asks her what she plans to do.
She thinks a moment, and says that she wants to do whatever Duke wants to do, always by his side. He likes that, eager to see the day where she needn’t risk her life in combat anymore and they can both go back to enjoying their time working with Danbei’s horses.
But that’s for later as the alarm starts blaring – did the Vegans decide to intercept us before we reach the moon? Time to get out there and find out.
Mission 48 – A Single Flower and a Green Planet
A single Midifoo pops up on our surprisingly sleek shuttle’s path – a scout or a trap? Duke deploys ahead of everyone, asking to take care of this. We don’t know what the enemy’s up to but the Spazer should have no problem with its superior mobility in the void of space. Kyral tells Kouji not to worry - Duke has shed his indecision.
Domon asks if Kyral gave Duke some advice but he says he simply rambled for a bit – it was Hikaru who showed him the way. She herself says she did nothing but Boss and Sayaka praise her strong love. Regardless, Kouji’s happy to hear that and Duke’s closing in on the UFO.
It’s Rubina aboard and she instantly recognizes the Grendizer. Duke opens the comm and demands the Vegan explain what’s going on – depending on the answer, he WILL open fire. The threats come to a stop when Rubina answers and he recognizes her. Is it really Rubina? Indeed, she’s came here alone to meet up with him.
Kouji and Maria see that Duke’s talking with the pilot but can’t tap into the conversation. Rubina tells Duke that she does not wish to fight – rather, she has something important to tell him about and asks him to follow.
She retreats into a nearby satellite and Duke sees in her willingness to expose her back to him as a show of good faith. Before he can follow, Kouji and Maria get in touch to ask where he’s going – who was in that Midifoo? When he tells, Maria recognizes the name of the Vegan princess, daughter of King Vega.
Duke apologizes but says he needs to go after. Why? Kouji asks him to share his reasons with us or at least explain what his relation with Rubina is. “Had the war with Planet Vega not broken out, it’s like the two of us would have…” Duke needn’t finish the sentence for Hikaru to know what’s what. Regardless, Duke trusts Rubina enough to follow her into the satellite.
Tetsuya at least sees a good opportunity for us: if we can capture the Vegan princess, we can find out where the enemy base is located. Boss likes it – we might even be able to force King Vega to call it quits in his invasion.
Hikaru shoots those ideas down right away, though. Daisuke trusts that woman, so we should trust him accordingly. Kouji agrees and asks that we simply wait right here. Tetsuya won’t press the subject but Sayaka asks Hikaru if she’s OK with this? She is, if it’s Daisuke’s choice.
: Duke…
: …: Oh, Duke… I’ve so wanted to see you again…!: Hold on a second! First, have you any proof that you’re actually Rubina?!: Hmm… During my stay at Planet Fleed, you once took me out aboard your rowboat. Do you remember?: During that time, you said I was beautiful as a red flower…: I remember…
: Back then, my father wanted you to take me as your bride… : …: You didn’t say anything against it, so I imagined you were open to the idea.: …But I’m afraid to say the Duke Fleed of those days is long gone.
: Huh…?: The man that stands before you is your enemy.: No, Duke – I don’t think of you as an enemy at all…: Still, that doesn’t change the fact that it was the Vegan Empire that murdered my parents…!: …I admit that I don’t know what I should do face that… I can only beg your forgiveness.: Moreover, Planet Fleed was forever scarred by the waves of Vegatron radiation – your people reduced it to a dead world.: No… Maybe it was by chance but Planet Fleed was not wholly devastated, Duke.
: What?!: I went and made sure of it with my own eyes en route to Earth. Take a look at this picture.: It’s true… the eerie glow of the Vegatron radiation that enveloped the planet is fading…: And with the radiation weakening, life is slowly returning to Planet Fleed.: Life is returning to Planet Fleed…: Yes. So, please, Duke, stop fighting and return with me to Planet Fleed! If this conflict continues, it will only lead to the destruction of both the Vegan army and Earth …: Only by joining hands can we force my father… can we force King Vega to stop his offensive.: But…: There are already rebellions breaking out across many of the Vegan Empire’s conquered planets… It’s only a matter of time before the empire itself falls apart. So I don’t want this pointless battle to carry on.: Please – for the sake of peace across the universe – come with me to Planet Fleed!: Rubina… that’s…*
*: !
: Your time has come, Duke Fleed!*Zaaaaaaaap!*
: You’re—!
: Chief Zuril!
: I am here to claim your head, Duke!
: Damn it, this was a trap?!: N-No, it wasn’t, Duke! I didn’t know Zuril was also here!: Urk… How could you betray me like that?! I was a fool for trusting you!: No, you’re wrong! I’ll help you, Duke!: Step aside, Princess!: Hrm…!: Die, Duke Fleed!: Watch out!*Zaaaaaaaap!*
: Gaaaaah!!: Rubina!: Wh-What?! She shielded him with her own body…!: Zuril…! You—: I… I’ve shot the King’s daughter… I…! Duke Fleed! This is your fault… yours!*Zuril runs off.*
: Rubina!: You’re safe… thank goodness…: Don’t try to speak, Rubina! I’ve to close this wound…!: Duke… the Skull Moon Base is on the dark side of the moon... point 0314…: Why are you…?: I wanted you to trust me…: I do…! I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t!: Hmm… Thank you…: Stay strong, Rubina!: Duke… I’ve a favor to ask… Once Planet Fleed is verdant once more… I’d like you to name the first red flower that blooms “Rubina”…: A red flower…?: Yes… That flower will be me… and I’ll bloom and return to you every Spring.: No, you can’t die like this! You can’t! Let’s go back to Planet Fleed together! Please!: Duke… I won’t die… I’ll always be by your side… as that red… flow…er…: Rubina! Rubina!: AAAAAAAAH! RUBINAAAAAAA!!
Back outside, Argo’s thinking that this is taking too long. Sai immediately assumes Duke and Rubina are going at it inside and immediately earns a verbal lashing from Allenby. How about showing some consideration for Hikaru? Hikaru seems halfway defeated, sighing that Rubina IS Duke’s old fiancée.
But whatever may be going on in there, Kouji is also getting a bit worried – Duke should’ve at least sent them a call or whatever. Everyone does an immediate double-take when Zuril’s Mother Burn shows up right next to the satellite. George figures the UFO camouflaged itself with a special shield.
Said UFO runs off in a hurry, with the Grendizer returning right after. When Maria asks, Duke tells us about Rubina’s death and how she protected him from Zuril’s attack. He does not wait for us before running in pursuit: “I’ll make them pay… The Vegan Empire – these demons of space – will pay for this!”
He does listen to Hikaru’s cries and Tetsuya’s aghast that he seemingly wants to take on the Vegans by himself. Akira can see how crazy that is – even the Grendizer will get destroyed against those numbers.
Domon can see that Duke’s heart is now overflowing with anger and hatred… and it will lead to his death. Not if we can help it, though, and Kouji has everyone chase after.
Back at the Skull Moon Base, Zuril returns and informs the King of Rubina’s death – all Duke Fleed’s fault, of course. King Vega is heartbroken of these news, she was supposed to inherit his crown and rule the Vegan Empire with Earth as their new home. Why did she have to leave him alone?
Gandal cuts his moaning short, yelling that they’re detecting a unit on approach. Duke’s already here and while Gandal doesn’t know how he found the place, Zuril says it’s their chance to get revenge for the princess.
King Vega allows it. If Zuril can destroy the Grendizer, he’ll forgive him for not bringing Rubina back… but he better return victorious or not return at all. As everything deploys, Duke’s calling for bloody murder.
Zuril laughs at Duke thinking he can take them on by himself but Duke swears to kill King Vega even if it costs him his life. All that his fought with the Grendizer has been for this!
As the King sics Zuril forward, Duke turns his thoughts to Rubina: “You’ve sacrificed your life to tell me of Planet Fleed’s rebirth… but I fear I might not be able to see it happen. I cannot help myself… I’ll let fury guide my hand if it’ll help me destroy these demons of the Vegan Empire!”
Might as well start working on stuff, though make sure to keep Iron Wall on just to be safe.
You could trigger the plot early by getting Zuril under 30% but that’s not too easy without wasting SP on valor.
Enemy Phase!
Speaking of.
: Duke Fleed! It is your fault that Princess Rubina is dead!
: I won’t deny it… I might well have pulled that trigger myself… And that is why I swore to her soul that I’d bring peace back to the universe!
And then Duke gets mobbed. The other Midifoos die while Saucerbeasts all get weakened.
Fast forward another turn, which only Zuril and the higher end mooks live through and…
Player Phase!
: The Magnate Ten are here!
: Duke, you goddamn idiot!: Kouji…
: He’s right! You’re an idiot, brother!
: You cut this out right now, Duke Fleed!
: Open your eyes, Duke!: Maria… everyone…: Where do you get off, pulling something like this?! You trying to get yourself killed?!: I…
: I get how you’re feeling, OK? We’re supposed to be friends, so how could you go and ditch us like that?! Didn’t we swear that we’d keep on fighting together until either peace returned or we died?!
: Kouji’s right! Your anger is our anger… and your battle is everyone’s battle!
: You’re not doing any of this alone and you can’t forget that!: We know you aren’t some detached avenger. Rather, you’re a fellow warrior who shares in our love for peace!: You…
: Daisuke, you didn’t fight all this time just to get yourself killed! You said it was to bring an end to all this violence, right?! You have to remember that!: Right! And if you die, I… I… I don’t want to be all alone again!: Hikaru… Maria…
: You’re my… You’re everyone friend, so let’s take them on together, Duke Fleed! We all banded together as a team because we wanted to protect that beautiful blue planet, right?: …: I’m sorry, my friends… I’d lost sight of what’s important again. I am the prince of Planet Fleed… but, right now, I am Duke Fleed of the Magnate Ten!
: Daisuke…
: Absolutely! You do not stand here by your lonesome!
: You’ve got all your comrades-in-arms by your side!
: And friends that want you to be well!: Then I ask that you lend me a hand! King Vega is inside that base!: ‘Course we’ll give you a hand! We’re not gonna ignore some guy that insists on attacking Earth and wrecking peace around space!
: Come, Vegans! The wishes of my parents, Mors, Rubina, of the people of Planet Fleed and all those who hope for peace are with me, and it is with them that I’ll fight! : In the name of every single person on Earth and across space… and of a single red flower!
: Damn you, Duke Fleed…! Your spiel is making me sick! Gandal, get out there as well and bring me his head!
: Yes, your Majesty!
: You see that, Tetsuya? I knew they were gonna send some other fake Greats our way!
: Hrm… I suppose your graffiti wasn’t a waste…!: Come, Duke Fleed! By my pride as commander of the Vegan army, I’ll rend all of you to pieces!: Our main targets are Zuril and Gandal, everyone! Take them down and we’ll force King Vega out his hole!: Aye, aye! Let’s go crazy!