Watch out everyone! We will have more Audience Participation(TM) this time!
Episode 13
Why did everything take a turn for the worse!Yes, all episode titles have to end with an exclamation mark. It's super robot law.
Gou: Doctor Aoi, please tell us everything that happened.
Kiriko: Not going to call me "mom", Gou? Anyway, it's nothing special. Just a giant catastrophe that killed millions.
Gou: Whaaaat!
Gil Berg: That's correct. By the way, I was still on the line! Too bad that only half of this slaughter is a result of my direct actions.
Rosa: A half? That's too high an estimate, but we'll believe you for now. Who did the rest?
Gil Berg: Humans themselves, who else!
Anna: Humans? That can't be!
Kiriko: No, it's true Anna. Someone dropped the colony Junius Seven on Earth and caused horrendous damage and casualties. Naturals blame Coordinators, Coordinators wage war on Naturals, and people are being killed even now. Here's a recording from ZAFT. It was broadcasted everywhere not too long ago.
Click!
Durandal: We, the nation of PLANTs, have given condolences to our Earthborne brethren, and offered help. And how do you answer in kind?
Gilbert Durandal, chairman of PLANT coloniesDurandal: You blame Coordinators, start oppressing and murdering them en masse! Don't you see that you are manipulated by the Blue Cosmos racists? ZAFT will not stand idly while this happens. To secure safety of Coordinators, both on Earth and in space, we declare war - not on humanity, but on Blue Cosmos itself. With me is the famous Lacus Clyne, voicing full support.
Anna: What, they have Lacus?
Shizuru: Wasn't she supposed to be neutral?
Lacus Clyne, leader of the independent Clyne Faction, also an idol singerLacus: The Chairman's words are true. All Coordinators must stand together now and face the adversity!
Gou: That's strange. During the last war, Lacus was trying to stop both sides from fighting, not support any of them. What changed her mind?
Kiriko: Whatever the case, I don't intend to follow her example. Can you give me Mist for a second?
Mist: Stupid humans, always inventing new excuses to kill each other... Coordinator, Natural, who gives a crap...
Anna: I think he's angsting in a corner. Mom...
Kiriko: Yes?
Anna: Can you prepare something good when we come back?
Kiriko: Heh. Count on me!
Politics, terrible slaughter and cooking aside, it's nice to see Dannar Base again.
Konami: Sir! There's an emergency transmission from Neo UN!
Or not.
Kagemaru: It must be Hestor. What could she want from Dannar Base?
Kiriko: I think I know already.
Hestor Gallop, commander of Neo UNNo picture because meh.
Hestor: Professor Aoi - considering our state of war against the PLANTs, and your current refusal to cooperate with Alliance forces, you obviously know why I am calling you.
Kiriko: Indeed. And before you say anything more, I refuse. Dannar Base was created to fight monsters, not men. It will continue to do so, and I refuse to be a part of your political machinations!
Djibril: Are you sure about that?
Lord Djibril, leader of Blue CosmosDjibril: This is a dramatic time, time for fellow Naturals to unite and fight treacherous Coordinators. If you are not with us, I simply cannot guarantee your safety...
Kagemaru: Was that a threat?! If you try to endanger Dannar Base in any way...
Kiriko: Calm down, Kagemaru. I have nothing fellow with your kind, Lord Djibril. My decision stands.
Hestor: You made a terrible mistake.
Oh boy. The sooner Daiku Maryu makes its way to Dannar Base, the better. IF it manages to make it that is.
Gainer: Princess? You look sad - what happened?
Ana: It's nothing. I just... miss my father. That is all.
Lou: Umm... I am sure you'll see him eventually...
Sara: Lou, you shouldn't be up already!
Lou: I'm sorry, but. Can you please tell me about your father?
Daiya: Why the angry face now?
Re Mii: I wanted to cheer Ana up! As a fellow princess, you see.
Ruuji: But Lou was faster. Still, as long as she's cheered up... ow, what was that for!
Re Mii: Stupid!
Shizuru: So, Lou feels better now. How are you going to...
Gou: About her father? I'll have Franklin break the news to her. Gently, if possible.
Shizuru: Poor girl.
Suddenly, alarm! It just
so happens that Daiku Maryu flies by an island that just so happens to serve as temporary base for a group of old friends of ours. No, not Suspage. Someone else, who had a cameo appearance in ep 3.
Michio: Remember, our priority is to find Tatsumiya Island. It's cloaked so you can't see it.
Mudie: We all know! Aah, this is so pointless. Let's just fire randomly and see what we find in explosions!
Shams: That's a good idea. Much better than grueling searching mile by mile!
Michio: Yeah... let's not do that. Hey, what is that thing?
Rosa: Captain, there are Alliance troops ahead of us!
Hestor: It's a Coordinator attack force. Stop it by any means necessary!
Kanon: Roger.
Shams: Finally, something is happening!
Mudie: You know what they say - the only good Coordinator is a dead one.
Sven: ...
Rosa: And they do not look too friendly.
Garis: It's an ambush. There's no time to waste by outmaneuvering, we'll have to break through!
So be it. All my units advance forward, and then...
Garis: More hostiles on our back?
It's a trap!
But then, an unexpected ally appears.
:
Stop this fighting at once!
Say hello to the Marty Stu extraordinaire, a controversial figure with battleship plating-grade plot armor:
Kira Yamato, independent ace pilot and the Ultimate CoordinatorKira: I didn't disable any critical systems. You should retreat while you can!
Sven: Freedom Gundam!
Michio: It must be Kira Yamato. This won't be an easy fight...
Mudie: He joined ZAFT? The traitor reveals his true colors!
Murrue: Daiku Maryu, can you hear me? This is captain Murrue Ramius of the Archangel, speaking.
Murrue Ramius, as she just saidMurrue: The Three Ships Alliance will support you.
Cagalli: Kira, Murrue? Is it really you guys?
Kira: Cagalli! So good to see you.
Murrue: Wasn't Athrun with you? Where is he now?
Cagalli: He sneaked out and returned to ZAFT.
Kira: Athrun...
But no time for touching reunions. It's time to fight!
Shizuru:
I won't back down just because I'm fighting humans!
Standard mass-produced Dagger Ls are... kinda crappy. One of the weakest mooks in this game, I shouldn't have trouble finishing them off.
Angelica: That looks like an improved version. Watch out, Mist!
Mist: Humans always make the same mistakes.
Violence won't solve anything! Take this!
Windams are slightly better but it's still more of the same. Wait, Mist's theme? Weren't we supposed to have Angelica's this time?
Gou: Godannar's power won't be used for evil!
Anna: Nor Okusaer's!
Gravity Bomber!
Water is a mixed blessing on this stage. Most of my units perform badly in aquatic environments (unless they have a Screw Module like Godannar - pun not intended). But the enemy is even worse! Most of their weapons deal minimal damage to robots that cowardly hide under the waves.
Lee: Watch out, Daiya! Two beam sabers? What insanity is this?
And finally, the Slaughter Daggers. Possibly the strongest of the mook trio on this stage. Not that it's saying a lot. Okay, actually they can be quite damaging so watch out.
Wait, I said there are three types of mooks on this stage just now, didn't I? I meant three
Gundam SEED Destiny mooks. There's more!
Gainer: What are these strange machines?
Sara: Whatever they are,
they're coming this way!
Gnosis-model Fafners. Which series are they from? Hint, it's in the name. Anyway, they're not too tough, despite wielding awesome, awesome railguns.
A few kills later,
this happens.
Kouji: Woah, what was that?
Cagalli: It's SEED mode! Didn't you know? It can occur in some, very few people. Like Kira.
Kira: I can see you...
Stat-wise, SEED is another Mazin Power-like power. Speaking of which, still no Mazin Power? Bummer.
Roll: Everyone, I need your strength!
Spiral KNUCKLE!
Michio: We lost how many units already? That's bad... c'mon Kanon!
We gotta give our all!
Kanon: You won't hit me if I'm underwater!
For better or for worse, Kanon copies my aquatic strategy.
Shams: Hey, leave something for me! Verde Buster,
engaging in long distance combat!
They think they're so clever, but now it's my time to attack.
The only target Kira can reach is Kanon. He deals pathetic damage, because beam rifles have terrible ranks underwater. But it's more than the minimal 10 damage, because that's Kira for you.
Van: I don't like fighting women... but sometimes there's no helping it!
Boss: Borot's here to save the day!
Ah, peace! Peace! I didn't mean to!
Kanon: I can't counterattack! My weapons won't work!
Oops, I guess we'll know better than to go underwater if our attacks don't work there.
Kenji: Dynamite Kick!
Ra Kan: I'll handle this one!
Michio: Damage's on the critical? We gotta retreat!
Shams: Pfeh, so much for Neo UN. Come Mudie, let's show them how Phantom Pain does its job! ... Mudie?
Mudie:
I'm in trouble here, Shams!
Sara: Hey, that combination should have finished it off! What's going on?
Many SEED units, this Blu Duel included, have Phase Shift Armors. Non-beam weapons deal significantly less damage to them! Especially if they block, like just now.
Sven:
Strike Noir, engaging the enemy.
Daiya: That speed!
Sven's the most dangerous from the miniboss squad. Which is why he attacked last. Why not sooner? He does not care for his friends, I guess.
Murrue: Archangel is ready for action. Is Lohengrin ready?
Mirallia: Yes, Captain!
Mirallia Haw, Archangel's bridge bunny (and an intrepid journalistThere's also more bridge bunnies on board, but screw them.
Murrue:
Lohengrin, fire!
Sven: Freedom is attacking me?
Kira: If you continue to fight, I'll have to disable your Mobile Suit!
Shizuru: Kouji! Let's do it!
Kouji T: Okay, miss Shizuru! Strong Buster!
Shizuru: Sniper Shot!
Shams: That power... insane!
Mudie: We gotta retreat!
All's left is Sven now.
Mist: Do you take pleasure from killing innocents? Huh?
Sven: ...
Mist: Let's go, Angelica! Let's teach this jerk a lesson!
Angelica: Alright.
It's time for the Chaser Combination!
Sven: Noir is too damaged... I must retreat.
Garis: No more enemies in sights. Very good.
Ruru: Captain, what's that?
Garis: More reinforcements? Wait, I see something more - behind them!
Cagalli: !! No, it can't be! Captain, we all have to run, now!
Kira: What's the matter, Cagalli?
Cagalli:
This!
Cagalli: It's a Festum! It can annihilate you in a single attack - or worse, absorb! We don't have weapons to fight it. If we don't retreat, there will be casualties! Lots of them too!
And so everyone flees, as the Festum is busy destroying the rest of the Alliance force.
Festum: [Is anyone there?]
Pilot: Huh, what's going on! AAAAH!
Garis: Thank you for your assistance, captain Ramius.
Murrue: It was almost a coincidence. The Archangel is actually heading towards Europe. Large forces of both ZAFT and the Alliance are amassed there. We hope to prevent any major bloodshed.
Garis: Daiku Maryu could help with that... but that would mean leaving Dannar Base behind. Hmm...
Cagalli: Kira, we have to talk. It is about the Festum.
Kira: The being that scared you earlier?
Cagalli: I'm not scared! Anyway... the Festum are spreading. And no one in the Alliance has weapons to stop them! But there's someone who does. Tatsumiya Island.
Kira: The mysterious cloaked island? How do you know about it?
Cagalli: Not just cloaked, it moves around too. Because it's artificial! I know this because Orb helped create it. Not only that, I was on the island as a guest for a while. So they'll recognize me! We need Tatsumiya's help to defeat Festum - and they'll need ours. I think they might be in trouble right now...
Black clouds rise as everyone is busy planning for grim, future happenings. Okay, almost everyone...
Kouji: Wow, is it really THE Kira Yamato?
Kira: Well, yes. That's me.
Monko: Such a little shrimp? I expected someone manlier!
Kira: Umm...
Lou: Gou. Please teach me how to pilot a giant robot.
Gou: Why?
Lou: To... avenge my father!
Gou: So, you know already? I'm sorry, but the answer is no. It's dangerous out there. You might even get killed! The battlefield is no place for people without years of experience!
Lou: But... father... if you don't want to teach me, I will find someone who will!
Garis: After discussing things, we came to this conclusion.
Murrue: Archangel will travel to Europe to stop the PLANTs-Alliance conflict, and whomever wants to help us is free to join. At the same time, Daiku Maryu will search for Tatsumiya Island and try to enlist its help.
Kiriko: Your return to Dannar Base will have to wait a little, Anna. Don't worry, I'll have an excellent cake ready for when you're here.
Sheldia: I wanna visit Tatsumiya. That sounds really exciting and mysterious!
Angelica: War isn't about excitement, Sheldia. I'm going to Europe - the more of us go there, the easier it will be to prevent bloodshed.
Sheldia: What about you, Mist?
Mist: Humans waging war on other humans... for ideological reasons. How foolish can they be? Give me a while, okay? I need time alone...
One way or the other, Mist, you will have to
make a choice!
The options here are:
1. Go to Berlin, with the cast of SEED Destiny, King Gainer, Zoids, Mazinger Z, Dangaioh and Angelica.
OR
2. Go to Tatsumiya Island, with the cast of Jeeg, Gaiking, Godannar, Gun X Sword and Sheldia.
Here's where I want your input, once again. Tell me which option you prefer. But wait, there are also secrets! Important secrets, each exclusive to the route taken.
[spoiler]Taking the first option will unlock Gundam SEED Destiny secrets. To be more precise
[spoiler]Rey and Stella[/spoiler]
The second option unlocks Fafner and Godannar secrets - but they're mutually exclusive, although the choice on which one I prefer comes much later. Anyway, these are
[spoiler]Ken from Godannar, and like HALF THE CAST from Fafner. Seriously - five out of nine available pilots, if I recall correctly.[/spoiler]
Spoilers within spoilers![/spoiler]
That being said, I'll be playing favorites this time. Unless a significant majority of votes goes for the first option, we'll take the second one.