Part 103: Mission 42 (Tatsumiya Route) - The Dragon's Radiance - Part 2
Soaring Emperor Liu Bei Gundam (Dragon Frame)
Mech Features:
Sword
20% HP and EN regen
Liu Bei has finally fulfilled his destiny, unlocking the Soaring Emperor skill, which transforms him into this mode either when over 140 morale, or when under 30% HP. When he’s like this, he gains a significant boost: +5 to all stats, +1 movement, gains flight, an added 10% to all his regens and a biiiig increase to his attack power (oh, and his morale gains get even better, too).
Ranges are about the same, and everything except his weakest attack still goes right through barriers; attack costs have increase some, but the added regen offsets that almost entirely. Considering the major increase in firepower and the effect of Soul of the Three Sovereigns still in play (and how he also knows Soul), Soaring Emperor Liu Bei packs some of the strongest offense across all units we’ll ever have. He no longer has his combined attack with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei… but that won’t really be an issue. Depending on what you do, Liu Bei will either be in the top three strongest or be the outright strongest fighter in the game.
Secret Alert! SD Gundam secret – 9th step: take down Lu Bu with Liu Bei.
Also keep this in mind, if you’re on track for it.
: Away, young tigress! Those who cannot wield the power of the soul are not worth my time!
: Hrm…! I won’t be beaten by you… I refuse to! Father, brother… lend me your strength!
: I never wanted us to enter this cycle of hurting and being hurt by others…: We can’t even see the sky anymore! Why do battles like this have to happen?!: A blade wielded by a sniveling hand shall not cut me! If you wish to gaze upon the heavens, then set your soul alight!
: It is through death that life shines… Those who do not seek to understand that truth could never tread the path of the soul!
: “Life shines through death”… So, what you’re getting at is that people ain’t really alive unless they’re killing and being killed, ain’t it?! What a load of rubbish! 
: This world is not meant to be one of nothing but warriors! On the contrary, all it needs are those willing to live in peace with the land they cultivate!
Zhang Fei taking little damage: “What’s up? Hurry and show me that soup of yours!”
Zhang Fei attacking: “I’ll pay you back in spades for what you did to my shoulder, Lu Bu!” (Take a look at the right shoulder of his sprite in contrast to his left – it’s been rebuilt.)
: I can sympathize with your quest to grasp the law of the heavens, but why did you have to involve the island as well?!: As of this moment, this island is the pinnacle of strife between lives…! Thus, it is where I found the battlefield of my soul!: Did you choose to trail the path of a Shura to sate your own desires, Flying General?: In which case, I’ll show you that even a Shura can be outdone in combat!
Graham attacking: “I’ll spare you no quarter! I know full well that doing so would only insult you!”
: Ye shaper of destiny! If the wish of your soul is to save your future, then I demand that you showcase it to me!
: Death being what makes life shine… I sure as hell won’t accept something like that as the truth!: Our world, and its future, shines because of the lives of all those who dwell in it!
Shinn attacking: “I’ll set your soul free!”
: Oh…? You have touched the demon’s life? Then I see you to have the capacity of rousing my soul.
: The “demon’s life”? Are you talking about Mr. Amagatsu?: Jeez, you and Katou really do deserve each other! Neither of you can say anything without making it extra-cryptic!
Lu Bu attacking Kouichi or Miu: “Justice? Hilarious. This strength of mine is true justice!”
: The soul gives out its true light only when one’s life stands at its limit… that is, when one is pushed to the brink of death amid the raging battlefield!: And now it is your turn! Let me see how bright your soul shines!
: There is no light in death! And if you’d spread it across our world, then I’ll tear down the corruption in you!
: I won’t sit by and let you drag our island into your self-centered agenda! This is Soushi’s home!: Hahahah, yes, good…! That powerful will for the dead is what leads one towards both Penglai and the pathway to the heavens!
: Hmph, those eyes of yours… You have fully awakened the soul of the tiger, driving out the darkness within your heart.
: I have not forgotten my father and brother’s deaths at your hands for even one moment!: However, I will not be ruled by my thirst for revenge any longer! The courage of the entire Sun family rests in me and it’s through it that I now end your life, Lu Bu!
: “The path for the soul to commune with the heavens”…: What is it that you saw down said path? What changed you?: Hmhmhm… I applaud your keenness in deducing that much, fenghuang.: But you should already know: the only way you will gain answers is by defeating me!
: Hmhmhm… I hear the voice of your soul, echoing from within…!: And I see the light of your life – a light that was bolstered through death!
: You’re right. It was Saya’s life and Maj. Richard’s sacrifice that became the cornerstones of my own life.: But this light you see isn’t one that’s bolstered by death! It’s the light of a life that’s taken upon itself so many wishes for a better tomorrow!
: This strength pouring forth from within me… I can feel the lives of all those who dwell in this land. This is the will of the heavens made manifest!: Hear ye! I am the Soaring Emperor, Liu Bei! The heir to the title of the ancient god of war!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbBcFTT4SyY
Captions are available.
And Lu Bu gives us another Rainbow Carrot.
: Uuaaarrgh!
: W-We did it…!: No, not yet! SRW UX - The Legend of Mirisha: Hah… hahahah…! Indeed, I was not mistaken at all!
: What…?
: The cycle of life, ever-repeating since the creation of the earth and the heavens…: I see it… the answer to it all!
: The radiance of the heavens clamors as part of my soul!: Lu Bu! The heavens are not stirred by your will alone!: …?!
: Do your eyes see this light?!
: The justice that resides within me!
: Ideals...!
: Courage…!: The power born of all our wills is the very foundation of the heavens!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bj1aOygiSc
Captions are available.
: Rrrrgh!
: Your end comes, Lu Bu!: Hrm… Raaaaaargh!
: F-Fengxian!
: Wh-What…?!: A…rgh…
: Rrraaaaaah!
: Brother…!: Th-This cannot be! Why did Diaochan…?!: …: Why have you come…?
: H-Hah, hahah… because I wished to…: You…: Only those who embrace the voice of their souls may leave proof of the life they led…: Was it not you who taught that to me, Fengxian…?: Hah… Indeed…: I am here, Fengxian…: And I shall accompany your soul even to the bowels of Hell…
: I have reached it at last…!: The destination of life… The heavens…!*BOOOOOM!*
SRW UX - Prologue
: Aah... Aaaaaaaah!
: (Lu Bu, Diaochan… you…!)
: The Festum…!
: They’re retreating…
: …: (The light of life…): (It shines in colors both joyous and sorrowful…)
: …
: Huh… That isn’t the happy face of a man who’s avenged his father and brother.
: It’s kind of hard to be happy after seeing them go down like that…: What do you think those two had been looking for?
: We can only guess.: He did say that death was the answer to life, but…: Don’t be ridiculous! If life exists only to die… then, for what are people even born, for what do they live?!: Brother…: …
: There’re a couple of things Lu Bu said that caught my attention, mind you…
: What things?: Well, first off, there’s that ‘Disorder between yin and yang’ bit.: In the context of what he said, that expression is very significant. It refers to a time without light or darkness, the chaos that reigned before heaven and earth were created… that is, before the universe began. : In fact, the disorder between yin and yang is referred to right at the start of the first chapter of the Nihon Shoki.: Oh, but considering Mirisha has a lot of similarities to our world’s ancient China, maybe a better comparison would be the Huainanzi.
: I-I hear you speaking words, but they mean exactly zilch to me…: What I’m getting at is this: why would General Lu Bu of Mirisha be familiar with our world’s culture and history?
: Yeah, I wouldn’t exactly take that guy to be a scholar.: Exactly, so I’m wondering if he could’ve read it from that G-Records scripture in Mirisha…
: The G-Records is both a legend of Mirisha and a historical account… However, none in our world have read the entirety of it.
: Moreover, we have also yet to fully decipher the text. : Meaning that even if the thing does have some passages in common with the Nihon Shoki and Huainanzi…: It’s still strange that Lu Bu had knowledge of them.: Right.: And, on top of that, he also mentioned Penglai, remember?
: Yeah, and General Sima Yi mentioned it was the afterlife…: As I told you back there, Penglai’s a legend from ancient China. It’s said to be an island floating in the eastern end of the Bohai Sea. : That said, while this is first and foremost a Chinese legend, Japan has a different interpretation of it in the form of their legend of Horai.: And, from what I see, the Mirishan version of it seems closer to Japan’s…: Aye. Penglai, as told in the G-Records, is a land of eternity…: That is to say, it is supposed to be a different world from Mirisha. : Ah, I get it. That explains why you say it’s the afterlife. 
: W-Wait a minute! That’s starting to sound like…!: Yeah… it’s just like Byston Well!: And there’s the question. : Byston Well is said to be where the souls of humans head to upon death, which would make it afterlife – that is, Penglai – for us, right?: Sure…: But, from what Lu Bu said, it’s not Byston Well that’s Penglai, but this world itself.: Which would imply that…
: I get it! It implies that we’re all dead!: Aah?!
: N-No, Your Highness… Maybe you should come with me and let them see to this discussion…?: Well, exCUSE you, Lu Xun! You’re nowhere smart enough to give me that kind of attitude!: Actually, I believe the Princess’ hypothesis raises a very important matter.: Huh…?: If death is not the end, then where is the ultimate destination of life?: It may be that what Lu Bu sought as an answer to that question.: The destination of life…: Life lasts but an instant, whereas death is everlasting. All is emptiness, with the world being simply molded by our consciousness… Emptiness in the Buddhist meaning of the word, as in “no-thing” – things that while appearing tangible have no inherent self. As Wikipedia explains: “Everything we conceive of is the result of the working of the five skandhas—results of perception, feeling, volition, and discrimination. The five skandhas together compose consciousness. The "things" we are conscious of are "mere concepts", not noumenon.”
: …: Master Kongming, would you be willing to teach me what you know of the G-Records?: The G-Records…?: Yes. Why did Lu Bu arrive at the conclusion he did? What similarities, and differences, are there between our worlds…: I have the feeling that putting the G-Records under the microscope could help shed some light onto all these questions.: Hmm…: In that case, I believe General Sima Yi to be far better equipped than I to see to this. He is a tried and true expert on the subject.: Oh? You are that familiar with the G-Records, Master Sima Yi?: Aye. And, if I may, I also find the knowledge you possess to be quite fascinating.: It would be my pleasure to tell of the G-Records to you, though would you also be willing to share your own information with me?: Of course; and thank you for agreeing!: …: Something wrong, Saya?: N-No…: …?: (If death is not the end… then, what lies beyond it would be…)
: Aaand there. Is everything looking good for you?
: Yes, thank you so much for helping!
: Well, color me surprised…: We’ve plenty of people who want to communicate with the enemy, but this is my first time seeing anyone building graves for them.
: We’re just here to help. This was Seri’s idea.: Yours…?: Tsubaki tried to help the enemy understand our sorrow… : But I just can’t do anything myself… I know I’m talking crazy, but…: No…: We’re capable of shouldering the burden of our allies’ deaths, but all we can do for the enemies we’ve killed is etch them into our memories. Forever…: Cmdr. Makabe…: …: Seri, I have a favor to ask of you. : And I think it’s something only you could do.: Me…?
SRW UX - Separation: …
: Are you sure about this, Seri?: I can ease the burden placed on the core by becoming a substitute core myself. : And if I do that, not only will Tsubaki be safe, but so will the island…
: Seri, I…: Rina… Please don’t forget about Tsubaki.: !: She worked so hard to try and stop this war.: And I, too, believe that it can be done…: …
: Wait for us, Seri. We’ll put an end to this and, then, we’ll get you out of there.: And we’ll make sure we and the Festum really understand each other this time…
: We swear to restore the blue sky you sought…: Thank you. I’ll be looking forward to it…
: …: Activating system.
: …: (I… I’m not afraid, Tsubaki…)
: (Thank you, Seri…): (Tsubaki…): (We’ll see this through together…): (Yes…): Seri…: …: There would’ve been no need for this if you’d just let us assimilate your Mir earlier.
: Do you really not understand what Seri wanted…?: What she wanted…?
: You also thought the sky was pretty, didn’t you?: I did, yes. What about you?: I can’t really see the sky anymore…: …
: Kazuki…: And, in time, I won’t be able to see anything at all.: But my fingers serve as my eyes, showing what’s around me. : …: Your fingers show what’s around you…: I’ve been thinking about this for a while… about what it was that Soushi wanted from you.: Could it be that it’s for you to impart something to your Mir?: Impart… what?: That what you’re doing will not bring peace.: You’re running from your pain, lashing out on others for it… but you’re not stopping to think how you could actually make that pain go away.: My purpose… is just to present you with a choice!: And you? What is it that you choose?: Huh…?: Kurusu… Are you there?: …: I-I…
Location: New York – Graveyard
: …
: I never thought your father would leave us so quickly… You have my deepest condolences.: Surely you didn’t come all the way here just to say that.: True. I simply felt I should extend a formal greeting to the new head of the Rubens Foundation.: …: Mr. Kizaki, let me start by saying this to you…*
*: I’ve absolutely no intention of continuing this charade as my predecessors did.: …: Pointing a gun at me? What is the meaning of this?: The Rubens Foundation has long been feared as powerful Fixers within the Union.: But the truth is that we were nothing more than a front for the real Fixers: you Advancers.: Now, I cannot speak for what my predecessors thought… but, personally, I do not like that arrangement at all.: And your point is? : The world won’t simply be yours for the taking, even if you do gun me down.: Perhaps, but the same cannot be said about the truth inside your head. : The truth…?: The truth about the enemy we, humanity, must defeat… and how to accomplish that.: …: And your conspiring with the Frontier and PLANTs’ governments was also done with that purpose in mind, hm…?: The Rubens Foundation will now assume its rightful place as true Fixers.: Which means our relationship with the Katou Organization ends here.: That is most regrettable, Cristopher Rubens…*Bang! Dead.*
: …*Beep.*
: It’s me. I’ve collected the final set of data.: We are finally ready to proceed to the next stage.
(on the phone): …: All pieces are now in place. We’ll only have one chance at this.: Don’t mess things up on your end, Ishigami…
: …And the host I was using for a webm of Liu Bei's transformation decided to delete it, so here's a video I found with the scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTDri_jA9AA#t=459s