Part 17: Chapter #9: Legendary Light, Part 2

It's an abstract and unhelpful way of measuring your morale. As to what that means...I'll get to it when it matters.


Eh, I probably worry more about character death than I need to.... And as to whether the TIC-TAC is more powerful than the Ultragunner, it's essentially a wash, although I will grant that the TIC-TAC has the best attack you'll get in the game. 

Chapter #9 Continued



: This day is merely the start of something great. I can feel it!
: Today is a triumph for the Kingdom, Your Highness, but remember there are many battles yet to come.
: I'm proud of you, Bastion! So tell us, how does it feel to control Ultragunner? What does the cockpit look like? We all want to know!
: Really?
: Of course! In fact, Barlow has gone on a hunger strike until you give us some juicy details.[/img]
: Mmmmm...juicy...w...WHAT? I never said anything about a hunger strike!
: I wouldn't mind hearing about the Ultragunner either, my friend. It is one gorgeous ATAC.
: I believe we are all in agreement to a surprising degree for once. So, let's hear it, Bastion...
: Well, not long after I ran into the temple, I stumbled my way into a dark chamber....



: It's immense! This must be the Ultragunner! But this is not an ATAC. It's statue carved out of stone. A solemn tribute to an eternal legend. Wait! Gratia is glowing! My thoughts seem to be making it grow brighter!



: This is no statue! The layer of stone was merely an illusion which Gratia has stripped away! This is the ATAC which I was born to control! This is the ATAC which can bring peace to the world![/i]
I do enjoy the fact that Bastion keeps talking about bringing peace to the world when he really means that he's going to the beat the shit out of anyone who opposes him.
: Now I have to learn how to use it in time to help my friends outside!



: ...without realizing it was the biggest, baddest ATAC of them all!
: What an amazing story, Bastion. Now, you're sure that you're not exaggerating.
Yeah, Reyna, Bastion is lying, he only found the Megagunner.
: Of course His Highness is telling the truth! He knows his words are to be shared with generations to come!
: I highly doubt that, Galvas.
: You don't understand, Your Highness. Everything you do from this moment onward shall be legend! This is the day when you discovered the key to liberating the Continent!
: I...I don't know if I care for that very much, Galvas.
You know, the problem with giving a jRPG hero the ultimate weapon before the eleventh hour is that the writers then have to find a way to make him angst about it.
: But that is something to discuss at another time. Where is Milea? I'd like to make sure she's alright.
: Uh, now that you mention it...I saw her only a few minutes ago. She didn't look very happy.
Puck, who had apparently been waiting just for that prompt, arrives with news...
: Bastion! This is BAD!
: What's the matter, Puck?!
: I just found a note from Milea! She's run away!
: What?!
: Why would she do that?!
: This is my fault! I should have been watching her more carefully! I should have known she would blame herself for what happened!
: Happened? What are you referring to, Reyna?
Apparently Zeira wasn't paying attention during the last battle. I can just see him kicking back in his ATAC, listening to some Lynyrd Skynyrd, a cheap domestic beer in one hand, a joint in the other...or would he use a pipe? I think I've got an idea for the next challenge...
: Don't you see? She blames herself for being kidnapped, and being used to manipulate Bastion!
: That's ridiculous! But there's no time to examine motives now. We have to find her. Let's go!
I'm sure a team go-getters won't fail at the simple task of tracking a young girl on foot.



You're all fired.
: It's not your fault, Reyna. It's mine.
Well, I suppose Bastion is responsible for trusting you all.
: (I feel your pain, Bastion, even if you'd never believe it. To lose on so close is to die to love.)
I checked this several times, and that is an exact quote. As to what it means... I would guess he's referring to Cecelia, who will not even appear in the Kingdom Branch. 
: Not to worry. I shall commission a search party this moment. If she's out there, we'll find her! A young girl of her delicate composition won't get far on foot in such a short time.



It's the Plot Messenger Service!
: What say you?
: I...I'm afraid to tell you, sir.
So...good news, then?
: Speak! We haven't time to waste in foolish indecision, woman!
: Uh...yes...sir. We have received word that coup d'etat has taken place in Aylin, capital city of Avalon.
: I pray this is a terribly timed joke, because I find it to be not the least bit amusing.
: A revolt in Aylin?! Impossible!
: Anything is possible, Reyna. Anything at all.
: The mutineers have taken civilian hostages throughout the city, Duke Zeira.
: And what are their demands?
: Only one, sir...They want you to come to Aylin at once and speak with them directly. Commander Ione has already gone to Aylin, and is preparing an assault on the renegades.
: Mmmm. I've paid so much attention to Bastion's trials that I've neglected my duties at home.
: Ione is a skilled leader, Zeira. Surely she can regain control of the capital!
: Agreed. Ione shall be a general one day very soon. In fact, I would not be surprised if she ruled Avalon!
Uh...Zeira...you do understand how a hereditary monarchy works...yes?
: However, this is not a crisis to be left at the door of another. It is my responsibility to take care of. Bastion, I must depart for Aylin at once. I hope you understand. Whoever has staged this revolt has orchestrated the conditions of my return very carefully...
: Duke Zeira, you must be careful! Perhaps I should accompany you to watch your back!
: No, Reyna. With two ATACs lost from his force, Bastion would be too vulnerable. You must stay.
: But...
: If you think we would continue on our journey with your home in danger, you're mad, Zeira.
: What?!
: I admire you, Bastion. I can't help but respect any man who can make a woman yelp like that.
: Do you realize what you're saying, Highness?! If we leave now, we also leave behind Milea!
Who? Oh, right, the one with the blue-hair...
: Exactly! I thought you cared about her, Bastion! We all did!
I want you to remember what Devlin says here. It'll be funny in roughly forty updates...
: I DO care about Milea! Of course I'm concerned for her! But I can't always take the actions which benefit me. I need to act on behalf of my friends as well. I can't begin to repay Duke Zeira and Reyna for all the ways in which they have helped me until now...But helping them with the situation in Aylin is certainly a start.
: Bastion...
: You're a noble man. Foolish...but noble. And, I like that.
Yeah, ensuring that a coup doesn't depose your best ally is way more foolish than looking for a little girl.
: You're certain about this, Bastion? Absolutely certain?
: Absolutely, Reyna. Now let's go!
: Thank you, Bastion.



On the way to Avalon...Great, now I'm thinking about Led Zeppelin. More specifically the Battle of Evermore.
: Yes, Galvas?
: Now that Ione has departed for Aylin, and we have departed the front...Araba Castle is especially vulnerable. Someone must stay here to protect it. I humbly request that duty. If you wish me to remain with you, Your Highness, I would gladly do so.
: No, Galvas, you're right. Araba needs adequate protection, and I trust you to provide it.
: C'mon, Galvas! Why don't you just come out and tell His Royal Person here what you REALLY plan to do?
: What do you mean?!
: You're going to search for Milea, because you know how much she means to Bastion. Am I right?
: What...what idiocy! I would never jeopardize Araba to undertake a search for a lost child!
: Calm down, Galvas! You don't need an excuse. What you're doing for His Bad Self is a wonderful thing. You know, I was thinking about staying behind myself. Looking for girls can be very, ah, rewarding.
: I think not, ninja!
: Well, then, I leave Araba and Milea in your care.
: Thank you, Galvas.
: Your Highness, I...uh...
: Make me proud, Galvas. Do not allow the Empire to reclaim what we have taken from them.
: Never, Your Highness! Any Imperial who dares venture here will be a recipient of extreme punishment! Good fortune in Aylin, Your Highness. And take care of yourself.
: I will, Galvas.
: And watch yourself Andrew. If any harm comes to His Highness, I shall hold you responsible!
: I'm shocked that you would even think such a thought, you decrepit sack of sagging flesh! Begone!



Next Time: The Avalon-Contra Scandal! _{Alternate Title: Bastion causes some Allendeath}