Part 54: Chapter #13: Grabbing Gratia

Kids, don't try a fill the void in your life with a Let's Play, use drugs instead. They're way more fun.

Chapter #13: Grabbing Gratia



A new store! With...nothing new to buy! Why? Well, the game is being an asshole, and it's easy to fuck this up unless you've played the game before. I buy the best ninja sword for reasons that will become apparent later this update...

Briefing



: ...and if I run out of energy, you guys can beat Dionne. Okay? Okay!
: I highly doubt it will be that easy, Claire, but this is one time when I sincerely hope that you're right.
: You wouldn't be mad if I totally beat up all these guys, right, Bastion?
: Not at all, Claire. If anything, I hope to catch a nap in my ATAC.
: So let's fight!

Interview

: You don't think Claire's hair in any redder than mine, do you?
: It is a shame that Halak cannot fight with us. I fear that her time in this world is drawing to an end...
That was unexpectedly grim.
: Wish to fight with you, I do...but the pain is too great.
: You are my best friend in the world, Bastion...and my only friend.
Huh...well, this is turning into a downer of an interview session. Claire, your thoughts?
: Sadira, is, like, SO jealous because my hair is redder than hers. Like, can I help my superior genetics?!
Hey, that reminds, has this game just totally ditched the whole 'medieval' aesthetic?

Mission

Back in the arena, and, like last time, I feel like we need some mood music...

For those who think this fight is about justice, also, oddly enough, disco
For those who think this fight is about sport
For those who think this fight is a good excuse to listen to more music from old adventure games



: I was, like, born ready, Dionne!
: Then begin!
These fights aren't very exciting, especially since my strategy is to keep my distance, use Turbulence, and slowly wear down the enemy.

: Damn it!




: Prepare to lose!



Looks like my preparations were in vain.
: Defeated!





: Bugger and bollocks!
Well said.



: Fight!

A round later...

: You're quite an angry young woman, aren't you? I'm sensing that you have a lot of issues.
: I don't, like, have time to lose! And the only issues I have are with sexist creeps like you.
: Big ouch, babe...But I thank you for the great fight!

I could, through careful planning, have Claire win this fight, but, well, she's gotten enough experience this mission...



: I totally SUCK! I'm sorry, Bastion! I blew it!



And, in fact...
: Oh, man! Major humiliation points! I apologize for my utterly crappy performance, Marquis Dionne.



Now, before we get to the dramatic conclusion, let me show what would have happened had Cecilia fought Andrew...

: Cecilia...
: I won't be beaten by you. I would sooner die!
You know, Andrew seems cool, but at the margins, it's becoming rather clear that he's probably a truly awful human being.



: But now you must fight me. Now you will feel the sound of the Roaring Lion in the depths of your soul!



: I'm sorry, Prince Bastion! I should have fought harder!
What can I say, the Marquis hits hard.



The Barbatos is a terrible suit. One Bursting Fire later...



: Oops! I'll try harder next time!



: Princess Sadira, why have you supported Bastion when he is your enemy by blood?
: Because he is NOT my enemy! He and I desire the same thing!
A competently crafted cinematic adaptation of The Incredible Hulk?
: I respect your honesty.



The Marquis like to use Bursting Fire as often as he can. If he hits, it'll basically wreck any of your troops, except maybe Sadira or Bastion, in one hit. But, it doesn't have good accuracy, and it racks up 80 FP, which means that the Marquis will happily dizzy himself trying to kill you.



: Excellent work, everyone!



: Here is your reward. Gratia.



It flashes, but making a third Final Fantasy Tactics joke? That would be too much, I think.
: What was that flash?!
: What's happening?
: You passed the second test, Bastion. You are unmistakably the Prince.
Yep, this is the third time we've seen a variation of this scene, and for the second time, Dionne miscounts the number of tests we've had.
: Only the destine one, the one of pure heart and royal blood, would cause Gratia to react in such a manner.
: You never mentioned anything about a second test, Dionne.
Not true! He went into great deal about the arena battle we just did, which was the second test. What he didn't mention was the third test, which was so secret that it doesn't even have a number!
: That's because you weren't supposed to know about it, my friend. My duty is to guard Gratia, not to reveal its secrets.
: And now that I have Gratia, I can activate the Ultragunner?
: Yes, Bastion, you can.
: Bastion, I'm so proud of you!
: Thank you, Sadira. I'm proud of US!
: I am also giving you an item as a show of respect for your victory. I believe you will make much use of it in your travels.
: There's no time to waste. The temple of the Ultragunner awaits us! Farewell, Marquis Dionne.
: Bastion...The Ultragunner is an enormously powerful ATAC. I hope you will not abuse that power.
: Don't worry, Dionne. Ultragunner is merely the means for me to end the war and maintain the peace.



: Cecilia?
: Yes?
: Remember the gift Dionne mentioned? It's my ATAC...and now it's yours.
: What?!
: Hey, don't worry. I take great care of her! The paint job is brand-new, and I just swept out the cockpit!
: Andrew, I'm honored.
: We are ninjas, Cecilia. We must help each other when we can, because no one else will.
: Thank you, Andrew.
: Yes...thank you, Andrew.



: Let us return to Araba Castle, and find out the latest news, shall we?
: That sounds sensible to me.



: What?! How did this happen?
: It looks like a landslide. I just wonder if it was natural causes, or sabotage!
: According to my topographical maps of the area, Princess, there is a route to the west.
: To the west?! Won't heading in that direction take us through the Muspel Nation?
: Indeed, Princess, it will! You're not very fond of Muspel's desert climate, are you?
What is she worried about getting sand in her v-
: I just always seem to end up with sand in places where sand should most definitely not be.
Oh...so....right.
: Are you sure that sand is your only concern, Sadira?
: The Muspel Nation is a dangerous place, Bastion, led by a very nasty man named Duke Radcot. The sooner we pass through Muspel, the better!
: My father and I never spent much time in this part of the Continent...and now I know why!



: No way, Sadira! Our ATACs aren't outfitted for desert movement!
: Why can't you at least occasionally agree with me, Claire?!

Next Time: Requiem for a Radcot...