Part 127: Mission 52 - The Beginning of Life - Part 1
Here we are at last – the finale. Last time we trashed Nyarly’s plans of freeing the Court of Azathoth and beat Master Therion into submission. The spawn of Yog-Sothoth is our buddy now. All is not roses, though, as that ‘gather at the beginning’ voice started chirping again, so we gotta do something about that.
Arnie and Saya are deploying as event units, and we’ve 21 slots available, so here’s how we’re going:
Joe/Ylbora
Aesap/Sakomizu
Liu Bei/Kiriyama
Kurou/Deceive
Kazuki/Maya
Setsuna/Brera
Shou/Tsubasa
Mazinkaiser/Moritsugu
Alto/Fei-Yen
Shinn/Luna
Lu Bu/Seri
Cao Cao/Domyoji
Sakura/Kenji
Dancouga/Eida
Heroman/Miu
Mamoru/Shouko
Kouichi/Kiki
Sun Quan/Rennie
Kira/Allelujah
Ishigami/Katou
Therion/Athrun
Tactician: Zhuge Liang (Fei-Yen, Ranka, Arnie and Ishigami are also good picks – we’re going up against a lot of debuffs. The first’ll protect you against everything, the latter three’ll cover one, but provide other buffs).
Off we go.
There was only one Beginning. From it, various wills took root, giving birth to just as many lives.
Amid the recurring beginning and end, possibilities turned into fate, life turned tangible, wholly flooding the universe.
And now…
: Humanity has gone extinct, and it won’t be long before the universe reaches its end as well…: Once again, fate could not be overturned…
: But you knew that’d happen from the start, no?: I assume that’s the reason why I’m here. : Hm, you assume correctly…: But by embracing this fate, you…: This is the answer you picked from an infinitude of possibilities, right?: In that case, I’ll just carry on my assigned role.: Besides, there’s something kind of thrilling in setting yourself up as foundation for the upcoming new universe.: Richard…: Do you… regret any of this?: I don’t – same as you.: …: Very well. Let’s begin, then.: Lepton Vectrers, synchro-overdrive!*Power uuuup!*
: By linking the Odyssite-catalyzed Accelerated Particle Engines together, you’ve managed to use the magnified Willpower to create a similar phenomenon to Yog-Sothoth’s gate…: You’re quite something, alright.: You do understand that if this fails, you’ll vanish into nothingness forever, yes?: And even if the warp succeeds, there is no guarantee you’ll retain your current memories…: Naah, I just need to follow the voice and I’m sure I’ll arrive at the future… so to speak.
(Saya): …: How much of the truth do you want me to tell the girl once she’s up and about?: There’s no reason to tell her anything. The possibilities who’ve conquered fate will guide her, I’m certain.: Alright, then. See you around, Prof. Novel!: Here’s hoping we’ll meet again in the “past future”!
: …: Richard, Jin, Ayul…: And all the countless possibilities that fell without ever reaching this stage…: I will now give of myself to your spirits.: So that all life that dwells in this universe may earn a beginning…!
This scene only plays out if you got EVERY secret character. If not, you go straight to the title card.
: Looks like everyone’s here.
: …
: …
: Hm… The Grand Master of the Black Lodge, the King of Hojo, Lu Bu and Diaochan, the Black Knight, Cmdr. Ylbora…
: Plus the Festum boy, Brera and even Will…
: A lot of the people here once fought each other as enemies.
: That’s not the end of it, though. There’re also guys like Mamoru and I, who just barely managed to escape certain death.
: In other words, the men and women gathered here are…: Yes… They are all people who, by rights, shouldn’t be here.
: Shouldn’t be here, huh…?
: And, yet, we still are.: As the Samsara churned around us, we each confronted our fates…
: And we prevailed…
: Only those who embrace the voice of their souls are capable of seizing proof of the lives led.
: That’s right… What we all sought was our very beings.: Hah, it could very well be said that I have existed for this very moment.
: Then, we stand at the conclusion of the Samsara…?: For all possibilities to come together as one, emerging free from the rule of the Samsara…: That has always been the ultimate desire of every single life of this universe.: The ultimate desire…: How many times has this cycle been repeated? How long has passed before we reached this point…? 
: And, now, we’re carrying the thoughts and prayers of everyone and everything.
: Then, the rest is clear. We won’t disappoint them, even if I’ve to turn my body to ash…! 
: I’ll stake my pride and my very self on this!: For the sake of our friends… and of the entire universe!
: And so we may weave a beginning for all!: To arms! We shall now give birth to a new legend!
Mission 52 – The Beginning of Life
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: You have arrived, Ultimate Cross…: I appreciate you answering my call.
: You’re Novel Dylan…
: The developer of Accelerated Particle Engines…
: And the one who unlocked the Machine’s Island taboo research…: It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And…: It’s been a very long time, hasn’t it, Ensign Agnès Berge…?
: …: Prof. Novel, you…
: You’re the spider, eh?: “Spider”…?
: The one who can be seen, yet is not, who can be heard, yet is not…: It’s you who sits at the center of the spiderweb, weaving the threads of the Samsara, hm? What are you after?: Hmhmhm… If you wish to know, you’ll first have to win this melee.
: Melee…?!: Explain yourself! What reason is there for us to fight?!
: We all heard your voice the moment we went across space and time…
: Meaning that you were the one who called us to this world, right?!: Again, if you wish to know, then you’ll fight me.: Prof. Novel!
: …: There’s… no other choice, is there?: Correct… This is the final ceremony leading to the Beginning.: Whether or not a new Yuga’ll come to be is all up to you.
: A new Yuga…?
: Hrm… What is the goddamn point of us fighting now?!
: But we have to. If we don’t, then…: We’ll all just cease to be.: …?!
: We ain’t got time to wait around. They’re already moving in! 
: Hrm…! We have far too much depending on us!
: Mankind’s finally opened its path into the future… we can’t have it be lost to us now!
: Let’s go for it! That’s all we can do now!: Tsk…!
: Come, then! Show me the fruits of the possibilities you assembled!I’m not doing all tacticians, but I’ll select a handful to translate since this IS the finale:
: If Prof. Novel’s involved in everything, then we’ve no choice…: Everyone forward! Now we’ll seize the truth and our future!--
: We’ve no need to think twice about this!: The meaning behind our being here… is to defeat her – that is all!--
: Psyche yourselves up, fellas! You gotta take her out or that’ll be curtains for everything!
: Go, Ultimate Cross! GET! THE! FUTURE! (Lina does a lot of Engrish in her cheers.)--
: All our past struggles were for this very moment, my companions!
: Bring down Novel Dylan and claim a future for our universe!--
: All troops, imagine! Imagine the ideals each and every one of you hold within your hearts!: It’s our duty to see those ideals made real! And if defeating Novel Dylan is needed for that, then so be it!: Heed my call and follow me into battle! Attack!--
: We’ve made it through a lot, folks, so how about one last push?: She’s the only one who knows the whole truth. And we’ll claim not only that, but the future as well!--
: Everyone forward! We’ll bring all the wishes entrusted to us together!: And once she’s beaten, we’ll truly pry open the doors to our future!--
: We can’t think twice about this right now. We have to do something about her!: If we don’t… then that’ll really be the end of everything!--
: We can ill afford to hesitate now, my friends!: There is only one thing to be done – and that is to defeat her!--
: All answers await us beyond her!: Manifest our will to that woman! Troops, CHARGE!--
: Recall all the battles we fought to arrive here, my friends!: This is the very last one: a battle to claim the future of our universe! Strike down Novel Dylan!
Alright, starting off the finale is an even bigger mob of Riots than we had in the previous mission. You already know what to expect from them, but be extra diligent in conserving SP – especially with anyone who can cast Confuse, as you’ll need it later.
First and foremost, make sure you clear out all of the mooks before dealing with Novel. The plot kicks in once she’s dropped, and things’ll go more smoothly if you do that.
Avatāra (Novel Dylan)
Pilot Skills:
Prevail L8
Support Attack L3
Break Morale Limit
Counter
Guard
All Attack L3
Hit & Away
Command L4
Mech Features:
Sword
30% EN Regen
All-Canceller
Novel’s voice actress: Yukana (other roles: Four in Z Gundam, C.C. in Code Geass, Tessa in FMP, Yumiko and the Sphinx Festum in Fafner, and many more)
You’d think an engineer wouldn’t make for the best of pilots, but you’d think WRONG. Novel is a monster of a pilot, with stats on par with Master Therion. The Avatāra doesn’t hit as hard, but it’s made of sturdier stuff than the Liber Legis.
Additionally, she comes with a directional MAPW that blasts up to 8 squares ahead with a twin-pronged AoE (it spreads into a 3x3 area at the end). It has the Twin Sat Cannon blind-spot, though, so have people approach her from the front. Novel’s more ranged-focused, meaning she can’t use her strongest attack at range 2 or lower – try and engage her from that.
SP conservation is important for what’s coming ahead, so do whatever you can to only cast Valor. Spread command auras and see if you can dodge reliably without casting defensive measures.
SRW UX - The Beginning of Life
Oh, and this stage has an exclusive map BGM. I dunno if it has an official title, but here it is.
SRW UX - Tales of Mirisha ~ The Brave Legend
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers: Mother… Your hands might have created me, but it’s with my own life that I stand here today!: I’ve taken up the Major’s will, and so I’ll fight!: Good. That’s very good…!: Now I’ll ascertain how bright the light of your lives shine - the lives that were refined through Jin and Ayul’s own!: What you’ll do is come clean with us, Prof. Novel!: You’ve swayed mine and Jin’s fate… the fate of so many people! And you’ll tell us why!
SRW UX - Deus Machina
: Heh… Not once did I expect an outcome such as this to await me beyond my despair.: Let us dance as a couple, Etheldreda – now and forevermore.
: Yes, Master. I am with you…
Poweeeeeer!
SRW UX - Roulette
SRW UX - Dunbine Flies
SRW UX - Deus Machina
POWER!
Leave me alone, Novel!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kFgvTLnzxY
Speaking of, here’s her strongest attack.
SRW UX - The Proud Challengers
: We just have to beat you and we’ll figure out what’s what, huh…?
: Talk about a true-to-form “hidden mastermind”.: Still, we don’t appreciate being manipulated. You ain’t getting off with just a stern talking-to, lady!
: We’re not the people we once were! There isn’t anyone who could stop us now!
: Hell, yeah! We don’t let go of the wheel once we’ve grabbed it – and we don’t step on the brakes, either!: That’s how Team D rolls! Let’s go wild!: Hmhmhm, I hear your inner yell. And as those come together, they’ll grow into a roar that’ll pry open the new Yuga!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iUvRUtmb0g
And here’s the second strongest.
Novel vs. Dancouga: “Oh, ones who weave the seeds of life into the future… Showcase your light to me!”
: That will to risk your very self in the defense of others is how you carved out your destiny…: And it’s that power that’ll be key to unlocking the new Yuga!
: And unlocking that “Yuga” is what you’re after…?: Well, you’re gonna spill the beans on that and everything else, Novel!
Novel vs. Tobikage units: “The Ninja Legend – that which creates the future. Its power also stems from life, from the will of man!”
: Hmhmhm… I see you are yet another who knows of the heavens, who seeks what lies beyond!: Oh, heroes who transcended space and time to stand upon this land!: Muster your mighty will – that which compels the very heavens – and repel my own!
: If she’s the one who beckoned us into this world…
: Then, ‘tis also fate that we face her here and now!
: In which case, our blades shall rend the spiderweb you wove around the world, Novel Dylan!
Novel vs. Liu Bei, Cao Cao or Sun Quan: “Justice, Ideals, Courage… Now is when the Souls of the Three Sovereigns will truly shine!”
Novel vs. secret characters: “Oh, beings who should not be here… Show me what possibilities you possess!”; “You have struggled and gained your life, your possibilities! Now display the light you carry within!”
: Hmhm, there’s no need to hesitate – just come and face me. What matters isn’t what you should do, but what you want to do, yes?
: You like to talk, but not about the actually important stuff, huh? This is why grown-ups get on my nerves…!: But, fine, I’ll beat the whole truth outta you!
Novel vs. Kouichi: “Let me see once more the strength of spirit with which you’d surpass your humanity!”
: At last, the theater Nyarlathotep put together has been undone.: If she is aware of that, then I take it that woman has also transcended the Samsara.
: That ain’t all that surprising, when you look at what she’s pulled with us!: C’mere, Novel Dylan! You’re gonna come clear about everything you know!
Novel vs. Kurou: “The innocent blade you wield also stems from Willpower, from the light of life found in all humans!”
: Yours is a kind soul. And it was that kindness that fostered love and provided succor to voices capable of sending ripples across the galaxy…: However, now you must fight…! Show me the contrails of the possibilities upon which you soar!
: Alright, you asked for it… You’ll get an eyeful of the dance I learned from them – my real dance!
Novel vs. Alto: “I see the possibilities you bear upon your wings… Souls also lie upon them!”
: Welcome, Fei-Yen HD. You are… Excuse me, the two of you are also possibilities which conquered fate.: Your wills and the songs you’ve wove together…: They, too, are keys with which to unlock the new Yuga!: … You look at other people and only see pawns, hm? You must be a very lonely woman.: You hurt so many people… Did you figure that was the only way?: If you ask me, what you need right now is to look your weakness and your loneliness dead in the eye and reconsider your choices!
Novel vs. Fei: “I’m certain you realize that your song is Willpower incarnate!”
: The mighty Devil who slays both gods and demons. I have long awaited for power such as this to emerge!: Now show me its full extent! That is, if you wish to have answers!
: We don’t really care about whatever’s going on inside your head!
: But since you went there, you’ll get your wish…: We’ll give you courtside seats to our Hell!
Novel vs. SKL: “The emissary of Hell who’d challenge the very heavens… Let us see the full power of the Devil!”
: You have cleared away the darkness within and reclaimed your azure sky. : However, you must prove the meaning of your very existence in order to exist beyond the Yuga!: I don’t know what your “Yuga” is, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll always find my way over to the place I’m meant to come home to!
Novel vs. Fafners: “Observe… I am here now!”
: Come, child. The being beside you is also another fruit of myriad possibilities.: The will of so many wished for a hero to exist, and so it was that one came to be!
: If fighting you is the only way to keep everyone safe…: Then, fight you is what we’ll do! Not because someone wanted us to do so, but because it’s what we wanted to do!
: Hmmm!
Novel vs. Heroman: “Your pure will once birthed a miracle. Can you make it happen again, I wonder?”
: What the hell are you up to that you’d sacrifice people’s lives and twist their fates?!: What I do may stoke the flames of your raging emotions, but there can’t be a beginning without an end.: The world must first reach its terminus for a new one to be born!
: You may take that to be the right thing to do, but what we see is nothing but pure arrogance!
: We might not know where we came from or where we’re headed… but that uncertainty’s always been abated by the warmth we find the world over…: And we’ll use force as many times as it takes to keep that safe! We do it for ourselves and for the world at large!
Novel vs. SEED units: “That seed is the seed of life… it’s a manifestation of your Willpower!”
: If the Wings of Rean have led me here, then I know there’s more to this battle than what we see. : Plus, my own Aura Power’s telling me that there’s something up ahead!: That’s correct; you have been led, and that guidance has accelerated your fate. In which case, you must pass through me and go seize your answers!
Novel vs. Shou or Aesap: “Your Aura Power is the light of life… it’s the light of possibility!”
: Destruction is rebirth, rebirth is destruction… An Innovator who’s well aware of that fact should be capable of carving out a new fate for mankind!: It’s for that purpose that you and your comrades have carried on your work, isn’t it?: It is. We’ve taken upon ourselves to stand against anyone who’s throw the world off balance, no matter who that is!: Which is why I’m coming for you! For our future!
Novel vs. Celestial Being: “Show me the possibilities that’ll bring about the future Aeolia envisioned!”
: Your heart pried open the Aura Road and fate itself!: Now manifest all the possibilities born of that Aura Power, the strength of humans’ will to live!: If the call of our Auras is what caused us to be here against you, then I won’t think twice about tearing down your plans, Novel Dylan!
