Part 125: Mission 51 - Strange Eons - Part 1
And we’re back, having wrapped up the Frontier plot, Shot Weapon gunned Hester down (killsteal!) and blew himself up, and Master Therion decided to summon frickin’ Yog-Sothoth into this world. Also, everything is alternate universes!
Midorikawa needs to be put in his place, and Kurou, Arnie and Saya are deploying as event units. We’ve 20 slots available, so here’s how we’re going:
Joe/Ylbora
Aesap/Sakomizu
Liu Bei/Kiriyama
Kazuki/Maya
Setsuna/Brera
Shou/Tsubasa
Mazinkaiser/Vardant
Alto/Fei-Yen
Shinn/Luna
Mamoru/Shouko
Lu Bu/Seri
Cao Cao/Domyoji
Sakura/Kenji
Dancouga/Eida
Heroman/Miu
Mamoru/Shouko
Kouichi/Kiki
Sun Quan/Rennie
Kira/Athrun
Ishigami/Katou
Masaki/Allelujah
Tactician: Ruri (if you’re on track for the Demonbane secret)
Off we go.
: It’s been a long time since things got to this stage, huh?: What’s next? Will Kurou and his gang go through Yog-Sothoth’s gate?
: There’s no point in wondering that.: Kurou Daijuuji will come, as he always has.: Hmhmhm, you’re just as unchanging yourself, with that wish to face him.: …
: (Master…): Despite all the hundreds of thousands, hundreds of millions of times this rondo has been repeated, you never seem to tire of it…: And I could say the same for you, yes, Etheldreda? You’ve always been tagging along with him.
: Nya… you talk too much.: Ooh, how scary.
: As far as being unchanging goes, doesn’t that apply to you just as much?: Ah, I figured you’d turn up, Novel Dylan.: Now, like before, you’re here to take a stab at your “new possibilities”, hm?
: ...: Hm...?: Oh, my dear Novel, this just won’t do. She just might be your biggest failure thus far.
: …?!: She just pales in comparison to the previous “life”...: That was Saya, wasn’t it?
: You’re getting ahead of yourself. We won’t know if Ayul is or isn’t a failure until the end, yes?: Besides, I’m certain you, of all people, are aware that this time is different from the previous ones.: Hmhmm, you mean all the aggregated possibilities? Still, that doesn’t make any difference to us.
: We will be victorious. It’s for that reason we came here today.: Is that so? A man without a fate will be victorious? : …!: Cpt. Spencer…: …: I’m not like you, Master Therion.: I may be surrounded by despair, but I’ll never let it break me. I’ll show you what human pride is about.: Hah, a pride that pushes you to fight even as death looms over you? You amuse me…: Then, I trust you won’t mind if I just sit back and watch.: Will the end of the Yuga arrive, or will the possibilities of you humans prevail?: I look forward to seeing which outcome awaits us…
: A space beyond space…?
: Aye, ‘tis that which lies through Yog-Sothoth’s gate…: ‘Tis a dead space that links to all that was, is, and will be – including the Dark Tapestry, the lair of the Great Old Ones…
: And those “Great Old Ones” are?
: Evil gods spoken of in legends. It’s said they ruled the universe during ancient times.
: It’s also said that if they ever showed on up Earth, they could wipe out the entire planet in the blink of an eye.: However, those are, ultimately, tales woven by man.: In reality, what they are is the void.
: The void…?: Aye. A boundless nothingness, wherein there is no life, death, light or darkness…: Before life began, ‘twas the void that ruled the cosmos…
: A nothingness where there is no light or darkness…
: The Festum once told us that they were going to revert the universe to nothingness and ascend to a higher dimension…
: We didn’t understand the significance of life. : So we tried to turn the world back to a state where all was united, where there was no life or death…If Misao’s dead:
: I saw the nothingness inside the Festum before…
: Akira…
: The Festum didn’t understand the significance of life. : So they tried to turn the world back to a state where all was united, where there was no life or death…Common ground:
: This is what you meant when you said that the disorder between yin and yang – the state of the universe before light and darkness came to be – was the way towards the heavens, right, General Lu Bu?
: Then, the space beyond Yog-Sothoth’s gate was the Festum and Lu Bu’s endgame?
: Aye, but that is not all. I would wager the void is also what Master Therion is after…
: He wants to turn himself back to nothingness, then…?: However, if the boundaries of the world beyond are weakened, the Great Old Ones shall be unleashed…: That is to say, the void will encroach upon the cosmos once more.
: Looks like we don’t have time to waste, then.
: Aye, we could never allow our world to be turned to nothingness!
: We’re off, then! Set a course to Yog-Sothoth’s gate!: …: Would you do that… if it meant you would be unable to return to this universe?
: Huh…?!
: Wh-What’d you mean?!: …
: This is a one-way trip… There’d be no coming back here.
: But… I see in your eyes that you’re still going, right, Ensign?: Yeah. I don’t see any choice there.: If nothing’s done, all the wishes people entrusted to us would be for nothing…: …: I suppose so. And, besides…: Yeah… I’m sure we’ll find Jin and Ayul over there too…: …: I wonder… why did Novel Dylan create me?: What meaning does our awakening to life hold?: I couldn’t tell you; but there’s one thing that’s perfectly clear.: That if the repeating cycle between existence and death is what life is about…: Then we’ve only learned half of it. There’s still the other half left.: The other half of life…: Death is also part of life…?: …: Do… Do we really have to fight those two?: …: Yes. Because we still haven’t reached the Beginning…: But…: That girl, Saya, is another of my mom’s creations.: So, wouldn’t that make her my older sister?: Why must we, artificial beings, risk our lives fighting each other…?: …: There’s also something my mom said…: She told me that it’s likely the universe is on the verge of reaching its end, so this will be our last chance…: But I still can’t do anything right…: Don’t worry. I promise I’ll help you seize your destiny.: I’ll readily die if it’ll help you awaken to life…: If that’s what it takes, then I want no part of it!: Ayul…!: …: I don’t want to lose you…: Rather, I want to stay with you! Now and forever…: …: Thank you, Ayul. Just hearing you say that has given my life meaning.: Jin…: But you cannot turn away from this.: Even if all this is for naught, we still must stand tall and face the incoming despair…: That is human dignity. The majesty of a proud life…: …: Come on, Ayul. Our Beginning awaits…: Cmdr. Katou, do you have a moment?
: What do you need?: I’ve something to ask you before our showdown with Master Therion.: it’s about my grandfather, Kozo Hadou…: …: You’ve been alive and squaring off against the world since the Pacific War, so I presume you knew him.: What can you tell me of how he lived, of what he was after…?: In a word… he was a man who knew only hope.: Hope…?: Aeolia Schenberg, Amagatsu Kizaki, Kozo Hadou…: All of them were men who foresaw the future of mankind and chose to defy the destruction that awaited us.: So, my grandfather really did know the future…?: Hm. But he kept hope alive within himself, and opposed the forces of despair that gripped the world.: Of course, as a result of that, Arkham City became the one place on Earth that The Advancers could not reach.: Did you meet my grandfather, Cmdr. Katou…? I presume so, since you know so much…: I did not, actually.: Or… perhaps I could say that I did. But in an unconventional way…: …?: But I digress. It’s quite clear to me that the Demonbane’s inherited Kozo Hadou’s will…: The Demonbane’s…?: If this is a universe where past and future repeat, where myriad possibilities become more and more intertwined with each cycle, then…: Then, couldn’t it be said that the Demonbane’s taken in Kozo Hadou’s soul several times, like Joe and Tobikage?: …!: Furthermore, you and Kurou Daijuuji also possess an equally fierce will within yourselves…: If Deus Ex Machina was a Human Machina who acquired a life of his own…: Then, the Demonbane, having taken your souls onto itself, is yet another Deus Ex Machina.: Personally, I believe a god to be simply a personification of human souls.: …: Hm, that may be so…
: (Forgive me, Kurou…): (‘Tis my mission to do battle with the evil gods. I could not simply bring you and our comrades into that eternal war…): …: Come, Demonbane. Let us set off to our battle.*Steps.*
: Planning on taking off by yourself, Al?: Kurou…! What are you all doing here?!
: What else? Didn’t we all say we were gonna fight this together?
: You’re not getting a leg up on the competition, Al.: …: A war with inhuman creatures need only be fought by an equally inhuman being. Your assistance is unnecessary.: I see. You’re that set on doing this, huh? But, then…: You wanna explain to me why you’re crying?: …?!: Do… Do not be ridiculous… I would never cry…!: Quit being so arrogant, you idiot!: Do you believe I’m coming with because I’m some lost puppy that’s latched onto you or something?!: I am not arrogant! Do you deem me to be so weak that I could not prevail against them by myself?: I understand this makes me an unreliable grimoire, and I apologize, but…!: No, you don’t understand. Who’d want to set off into battle over reasons as shallow as that?!: No, the reason I’m coming with you is much more selfish…: It’s just that… I don’t want to be separated from you.: …!: …: Fool… Who in blazes who would let his heart be swayed by a book…?: The guy standing right in front of you. That’s just the way it is.
: Kurou’s told you how he feels, Al. What about you?: …: O-Of course…: Of course I care for him as well!: Al…: Throughout these thousands of years I have lived, I have never felt such powerful emotions!: Not as my master or as my comrade in arms… I love the man, Kurou Daijuuji!: Everyone here can relate to how you feel.: …?!
: We all have people we wish to be safe, just as you and Kurou do.
: And it’s because we wish to protect them and this world, because we’ve emotions we don’t want to see gone…
: That we’re all here right now.
: We’re all resolved to see this through, so there’s only one thing we should be thinking about.
: …: Aye, you are correct. In which case, let us fight together, Kurou. And you as well, my comrades!
: You shoulda just said so from the get-go and spared us all that drama!
: Let’s get to it, folks. It’s time to settle everything.
: Hell, yeah! Whatever world awaits us across that gate, we’ll go on fighting to the last second!: We’ll keep going even if its eternity we’ll find over there!
Mission 51 – Strange Eons
: This is what’s inside Yog-Sothoth…?
: The whole space’s giving out a very bad vibe.
: More than that, I feel like I’m being stalked by something…: We’ve been waiting, UX!: …!: …: Here you are… Jin!
SRW UX - Prologue: Arnie, I…: …
: (Those two are just like Joe and I…): Jin, I’ve already said all I had to say to you.: Now I’ll just accept your resolve and face you with all I have!: Heh, that is just what I hoped you’d do…: I won’t be bested by you, my sister!: I’ll not only seize my destiny… but I’ll save Jin’s life as well!: Ayul, we are cut from the same cloth. Both were made to grasp and awaken to life… SRW UX - The Will of Man Awakens: But we cannot step aside either! The future of the very universe lies on our backs!
: My friends, victory must be ours! The fate of the universe depends on it!
Kill everything, don’t lose Kurou, Arnie or Saya.
It’s the penultimate mission, so there’s plenty of stuff to deal with. Straight ahead is Jin and his Riot Army. He and Ayul are the same as ever (unless you MAPW, the plot kicks in once one is dropped), but now the piddly Army of Mankind mooks have all left and you’re faced with nothing but Riots, all having plenty of HP and decent stopping power for mooks and regen EN, so they can be plenty liberal with their biggest weapons.
Also, the standard “green soldiers” that piloted the Riots have been replaced with upgraded “PURPLE soldiers”, which actually have pretty impressive stats for mooks (plus L3 on both Support Skills). Keep an eye out. That said, our guys are upgraded enough that major players should be able to two shot the Riot Cs.
And special note should be given to the brand new Riot Xs – the final form of the Riots. Like the Riot C, it covers both short and long range well and it has a good bunch of power on both of its primary weapons (4200 to 4100), so make sure not to eat a clean hit with someone who isn’t tanky. If anything, the strongest, point-blank attack has +20 accuracy modifier, so engaging at range 2 is best, since it’ll force them to use their vulcans.
SRW UX - The Eternal Soldiers
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
SRW UX - You Are Similar to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9EAxG8EMMk
And here’s the Riot X’s strongest weapon. As is typical for the bots, it looks pretty nice.
SRW UX - FINAL MISSION ~ QUANTUM BURST 2
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: I’ve killed many men, and made just as many choices, to get to this point…!: All so that I could lead her to the Beginning!
: Everyone may decide how their existence is shaped…: That said, we’ve also made our own choices: to be here, fighting with our friends! We can’t be beaten now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xhRXnh3Xyo
I might not have room for Masaki in the final team, so let’s get his DK out of the way now.
Shiiiit, guess who forgot Jin’s MAPW had this AoE? There go Domyoji and Tsubasa (thankfully, I’d already Wing Crossed the SKL).
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: My other… Among so many possibilities, you and I started off as being the same.: But our paths diverged, and now we’ve traversed too far to turn back…: So, I’ll have to defeat you and keep moving onwards! Here I come… my sister!
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: Words will get us nowhere – the only thing left for us to exchange are attacks!: It’ll be Ayul and I who’ll change this world’s future!
: If that’s the only sort of dialogue you’re open to, then fine!: I, Setsuna F. Seiei, will wipe away that stubborn mentality of yours!
: Regardless of what your will is, we are going to fight!
: I don’t really understand these notions of yours… but I guess that boat’s sailed, so I’ll do this your way.: Stay this course and you’ll only wind up hurting the people around you… and I really don’t want to see that!
: You would tread the path of the soul? I see the concept of clashing yin and yang is familiar to you!: There are as many treads of fate as there are lives, but only one of them will be given the future…: Now we’ll see which of us will reach the Beginning!
: When mighty nations vie for supremacy, the only possible end is for one to rise above the others… As far as we have come, that remains a constant of war!
: If you shall not make way, then show us how you would rise as a conqueror!
: If we both deem ourselves to be just, then it falls upon our wills to decide with whom the heavens side! To arms, Jin Spencer!
: Living is hard, isn’t it…? I’m sure all of us are pursuing the same thing, yet here we are fighting. (First part is, surprisingly, a reference to Yurin in Gundam AGE): As I’m sure you understand, it’s only through the clash of lives that we can mold our destiny!
: We do understand, which is why we’ve taken up arms again – so we can make the world of our dreams a reality!
: We’ll take up both your lives and the future onto ourselves!: And then we’ll carve out our destiny!
: Victory will be mine. For my fallen comrades and subordinates…: But, most of all, for Ayul!
: What a powerful Aura… it’s like his whole heart is poured in it. Is that how determined he is? That said, we’ve just as much cause to win this!
: Yeah, we absolutely cannot lose now! Get him, Shou!
Jin drops a Kazuki Curry.
If you went after Ayul and weren’t combined:
: A-Aargh…: A-Ayul…!: Now! We’re combining Saya!: Roger!*Combine*
: Lepton Vectrers, full blast! You’re done!: AYUL!But if you went after Jin:
: Gwaaargh!: Captain!: Now! We’re combining Saya!: Roger!*Would combine if you hadn’t.*
: Lepton Vectrers, full blast! You’re done!
: Waaaaargh!: C-Captain…!: Stay away…!: …?! SRW UX - Prologue: You have… to stay there…: Jin… You!: O-Open your eyes and watch…: This is… the answer of my life!
: Jin… I knew it, you’re…!: That man also has his gaze set upon the heavens… to that which lies beyond death!: Haaaaaaaaah!
“Get back, Jin!”
: A…Aah…!: A-Ayul…?!: What… How did you?!
: I-I… I’ve finally found it! Existence and death are both part of life…!: Jin, this…
: Is what life is…
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: AYUUUUL!!: D-Damn it…: Ayul…: …
: Jin…?!: This isn’t about fate or my mission anymore…: I only want one thing… as just another man, another human!
: And that is one final battle with you, Arnie!: I accept your challenge… Jin!: COME ON!!
And now you get to do it again. I suppose I should’ve gone for Ayul since she also has a drop and you don’t get an extra paycheck by dropping Jin twice, but eh. This goes quicker if Arnie still has his move, because he can run back to our folks and draw Jin in on the next turn.
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers
: Could it be that you were a different Singularity…? However, my imagination no longer cares for such a possibility!: Maybe not, but I’m not about to let my possibilities be severed. Here I come, Cmdr. Katou!: Or, rather, Hisataka Katou…!
: His resolve is palpable, Kurou! Keep your wits about you, for he may well challenge us!
: Yeah, I’m on it. This guy’s also standing up to the despair around him, so all we can do is have at it and see who comes out on top!: The only way we can keep hope alive is by taking him out!: The mechanical god who molds fate… I’ll rise above them both and claim the future that lies ahead!
: If the Wings of Rean led us into this battle, then I won’t hesitate to face you!: The Wings of Rean… wings of life which materialize in response to the will of man.: But it’ll be our lives that lead all to the Beginning!
: Possibilities are born from various chains of events… You may have once tried to change the world, but events have now made you nothing but an animal for me to crush!
: Then put your money where your mouth is, and see what that gets you, pal!
: You’ll find we’re not so nice as to let folks talk to us like we’re washed-up nobodies!
: Whatever you’re feeling right now, I assure you we’ll match that and then some!
: Humans are animals. So, you better be paying attention, ‘cause you’re about to get an up close and personal look at the wild strength we all have!
: It’s a very fine line that separates those we must protect from those we must destroy…!: And my heart’s compass has you marked as a target!
: One thing I learned from this is that everyone has something they’re determined to accomplish. That’s what pushes them to keep fighting!: As for me, I’ll be a hero who strives to protect everyone! So, I won’t think twice about fighting you!
: The Singularity… I suppose you’re well aware of what makes humans human.
: Whether I am or not, it wouldn’t change what I have to do. And that’s just to ask myself: “What do I want to do?”: And what I want, right now, is to keep everyone safe…! If you’ll be a problem for that, then I’ll put you down!
: We’re all humans here… We understand each other, but there’re also times when we’re just forced to stay our course. I guess now is one of those times, huh? : And, in that case, bring it on! We’ll see which of us is more stubborn!: You’ve the right idea. I’ll rise above you, the end of the universe, and I’ll arrive at the Beginning!
: Hell itself may bar my path, but the thunderclap of my life’ll quake its bowels!
: Heh, you’ll showcase the strength of your will to any who’d try and stop you? Well, I’m not about to gainsay that…
: That said, the second your toes touch Hell, your life’s off to enter King Enma’s book!
: Victory’ll be mine…! : Even if I’ve to sacrifice my life and my pride, the light within us’ll remain in this world. And in that case!
: He’s also bearing someone’s emotions within as he flies… His very soul is laid bare!: But, that’s also the case with us! I’ll take their emotions upon my wings and find my way back alive!
: I’ll take hold of the existence that lies at the tail end of all life!: I’m done hesitating…! If this is what it takes for us to grasp the Beginning of Life, then I’ll part with every bit of my past!--
You can only see this convo in phase one of the fight, when both bosses are alive, since Saya and Arnie auto-combine once you down either one, but I’m putting it here anyway:
: Had we met under different circumstances, I might have walked beside you… But that’s neither here nor there now…!: It was fate who declared that we face each other like this…!: Ayul’s the only one I’m to bring to life! As for you, I’ll bring an abrupt end to your future!
: Th-This isn’t over!
: Jin…: What’s wrong, Arnie?! I-I… I’m right here!: … SRW UX - Roaring Deathblow: Let’s go… Saya!: Right!
: Do you see this, Ayul? Do you see the light of life that dwells within me?!: Do you see my blood, my pride, my soul?!: They’re all burning bright, side-by-side with your own!: I see it, Jin! You’ve also taken hold of your fate…: And now you’re headed to the Beginning of Life…!: ARNIE!: JIN!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4RNBVXESk
Captions are available. One more time, for the road.
: Hah… Hahah…: I have… no regrets…: …: I’m certain that this…: This is our… Beginning…
: …: Goodbye, Jin…: He’s gone, hm…?
: …!
Demonbane OST – The Absolute of Darkness
: Master Therion…!: You show yourself at last!: Wholly incompatible beings, clashing their very souls against one another.: Indeed, you were both two sides of the same coin – yin and yang, black and white. Very much like myself and Kurou Daijuuji.: Two sides… maybe you’re right.: However, Jin had his pride… he had a shining soul!: The complete opposite of a demon like you!: But we appreciate you stepping out to greet us. It saves us from having to find what hole you were in!: So that my lady may be safe…
: And so the universe may be saved, we shall now end your sorry life!
: Hmhm… Of course, this wouldn’t be anywhere as enjoyable if you didn’t try. However, while I understand that you are somewhat worn out, I must insist that you provide me with an enjoyable battle.: That is, unless you fancy being eradicated by this light.
: H-Hey, is that…?!
: The Shining Trapezohedron?!: How did you…?!: Did you think it was yours alone, Al Azif?: He can use that crazy-powerful weapon too?!: (Nay, two of those could never exist concurrently.): (…?! Two of those… the repeating Samsara…): (What is this? For some reason, I am filled with unspeakable dread…): Yog-Sothoth is kept in the physical world by a spell powered by the Liber Legis own energy. : In other words, if you wish to save the universe, your only option is to destroy my Deus Machina!
: Gah, he’s called out even more stuff!
: Guess he’s really going all-in on this one!: Rout the spawn of the gods and carve your way over to me! I trust you will not disappoint!: Don’t worry, that was always the plan! Here’s where it ends, Master Therion!: Finally… Finally! At long last, the stage is set!: The demon who knows only despair, and the hero who knows only hope. The ultimate manifestations of human evil and human good.: Now, fight! Fight and bring about their grand liberation!