2023-05-27: Intrigue

• Log: 2023-05-27- Intrigue
• Cast: Alexis Kerib, Kaiju Navi (NPCd by Riika Sheder), Takeshi Todo, Mikoto Utsugi, Ennil El, Spike Spiegel, Kaworu Nagisa, Sayaka Yumi, Emalya Zamana, Guy Shishioh, Gridman, Liam 7-020, Yuka Ohta
• Where: Nouvelle Tokyo - G-Island City
• OOC - IC Date: 0097-05-26
• Summary: Alexis Kerib creates a problem in Nouvelle Tokyo, and a moment later, it's followed by the Aura of Dawn's forces. While Alexis had only intended to create a distraction, he gets somewhat more than he bargained for in the process. Takes place concurrent with 2023-05-26: Broken Mirror.

---

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

After a brief stop-over at the Silent Castle, Alexis remembered he did owe the Vist Foundation his...

... assistance would be a strong word for it, perhaps? But he certainly owes Martha Vist Carbine the 'distraction' he agreed to provide her, to keep the full might of those who might object to the Vist Foundation's efforts from rushing to Dakar in the face of their newfound will to move violently.

"Hm," Alexis muses, as he stands atop Nouvelle Tokyo's Fujiyokidai neighborhood's administrative center. He looks off toward G-Island City... but his gaze tracks down to the train tracks, instead. Oh, sure, the technology is just a bit more modern, and it's a good few miles away from where he would've stood in another lifetime...

This world has three such places, now. Or was it one billion such places...? Seven billion...?

... and yet, all of them carry the same nostalgia.

"Ah, well. Some things remain valuable no matter how many of them there are... even if one or two of them are destroyed," Alexis muses. He looks at a pair of dolls. 500 yen's worth of creative effort, in some time or another. The limited legacy of dreams obscured, dreams denied, dreams abandoned.

Is it the fate of a monster to die, to die, to die, for the sake of entertainment?

That's certainly one way of looking at it.

"Instance Abreaction!"

---

Two kaiju take the field. The first is a familiar sight, save for the hollow, dark eyes. Mecha-Ghoulghilas -- CK-11 -- menaced the world three times. It seems to be here for a fourth -- but something is different about this one.

Rather than wait patiently for its targets, the way Mecha-Ghoulghilas did in Kabukicho and Paris, as if daring Gridman to take the initiative... Mecha-Ghoulghilas immediately orients the heavy smoothbore guns on Bay Tower and fires once, twice, four, eight, sixteen --

There is no screech. There is no cry. This kaiju carries no emotion -- only the all-consuming need for "was" to become "is," and "is" to become "was."
POT: Teletha Testarossa is now set observer.

KTS: Alexis Kerib has placed a bucket with capacity 3!
KTS: Gridman has joined Alexis Kerib's bucket!
KTS: Kaiju Navi has placed a bucket with capacity 3!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has deployed in Evangelion Unit-00.
KTS: EN Barrier activated!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has deployed in Mazinger Z <Jet Scrander>.

<Pose Tracker> Kaiju Navi has posed.

When Alexis calls, kaiju come. And not just Mecha-Ghoulghilas.

There is also a second kaiju. Perhaps fifty meters tall when standing, it is a large kaiju with wings instead of arms - not bird wings, but something more like immense glider flaps, as they connect all the way down the sides of the body right down to the foot. The kaiju's head body is deep midnight shades - blue and purple - that begin to fade to black out down the length of its wings; a golden stripe runs down from its neck down its stomach.

Unlike Mecha-Ghoulghilas, this kaiju looks completely organic. Its body is strong-looking, if not very broad, with a blunted reptilian head with distinctive downward-pointed tusks and a whole arrangement of sharp teeth; its movements look more animalistic than cunningly planned, like a feral animal.

And of course it's flying. Why wouldn't it be flying? It glides as if it owns the air, very occasionally giving a single mighty beat of those wings; it doesn't look like this would provide enough upward force to hold it up for very long, but it nonetheless stays up without any apparent issues.

It's the *other* side of the wingbeat that's the problem. Whenever this kaiju goes up, its heavy wingbeat blasts a gale of wind downward, and not the normal amount. It's enough to shatter windows, to scatter cars; it slams down as a solid wave, cracking asphalt and denting buildings beneath its slightly meandering flight path.

KTS: Kaiju Navi has deployed in Gorudaa.
KTS: Gridman has deployed in Powered Zenon.
KTS: Gridman has deployed in Full Powered Gridman.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has deployed in Commando Shinobilar.
KTS: Emalya Zamana has joined Alexis Kerib's bucket!
KTS: Ennil El has deployed in AMX-000-14 Doven Wolf Skoll.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has placed a bucket with capacity 4!
KTS: Ennil El has changed loadout.
KTS: Ennil El has changed loadout.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has deployed in NRV-00 Neo Helios.
KTS: Emalya Zamana has deployed in VF-19A Excalibur.
KTS: EN Barrier activated!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has changed loadout.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has deployed in GaoGaiGo.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has deployed in GaoGaiGar.
KTS: EN Barrier activated!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has joined Alexis Kerib's bucket!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has joined Takeshi Todo's bucket!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has joined Kaiju Navi's bucket!
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has joined Kaiju Navi's bucket!
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Takeshi Todo!
KTS: Ennil El has placed a bucket with capacity 3!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has left Alexis Kerib's bucket!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has joined Ennil El's bucket!
KTS: Kaiju_Navi has deployed as a Boss for 2 opponents.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team has left all buckets!
POT: GaoGaiGo Team is now set observer.
CHANSYS: No channel with that name or alias found.

KTS: Alexis_Kerib has deployed as a Boss for 2 opponents.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has joined Kaiju Navi's bucket!

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

"Well." There is a man atop a building in Nouvelle Tokyo (New Tok City??). This by itself would not be unusual, given how populated the bustling island metropolis of the future is on an average day. But what is unusual-- perhaps even concerning-- is the way the pits of this man's eyes pulse and glow with the light of Dawn.

Somewhat more concerning is, of course, that this man is none other than Takeshi Todo, former wunderkind of cyberspace, former software developer, current member of GGG (Orange) and loyal apostle of Cosmic Law. He watches impassively as, in the distance, kaiju materialize to wreak terrible havoc upon the metropolis.

Kaiju-- which are not his kaiju. Kaiju which he recognizes as being affilated with a particular Hyper Devil. Bile burns briefly at the back of his throat, but he closes his eyes and takes a breath and smothers the hate in his heart with the warm glow of cosmic certitude. Not today. Today, this represents a convenient opportunity. He must keep himself under control.

There are other matters at stake, after all, than his own petty grievances. After the last time, there must be no mistakes. Takeshi adjusts his glasses, the lenses briefly catching a glint of sickly cosmogonic light. "It seems we've an interesting opportunity..." He places a hand to his ear, "There are kaiju in the city, Commander. It looks like I'll be able to lend more of a hand than expected." There's a beat, he nods. "Yes, of course. She will not fight alone." His hand falls, gaze still fixed on the blank-eyed colossi in the distance. Takeshi can't help but allow himself a brief sneer, "...Hmph. I trust you to take care of it while we're busy... Show these cretins what a real kaiju looks like, Shinobilar."

A nearby security terminal flickers then fades in a burst of static, before erupting in a blaze of orange light. When it fades, Takeshi is gone, and in his place...

No, in the sky above where he had been only moments ago, a great orange gate appears like a rift in space itself. A spark of brilliant, white light races down and slams into a busy thoroughfare. The light condenses, resolving into-- something that looks a lot like Anti did, to those who might have fought him while he was still nothing but a Kaiju. Humanoid, covered in violet carapace with greyish accents and a leering, crimson visor. It's armed to the teeth, each limb equipped with some manner of weapon, whether a bowgun or a claw. Its right shoulder menaces with a four-tube missile launcher, while its left houses a wicked-looking blade and a brace of grenades.

And unlike the other kaiju, this one...

This one's visor blazes with bright, intelligent light. There is nothing hollow about it, nothing empty. It was made with heart.

But it also should never have returned to this world.

This Kaiju was destroyed by Gridman... decades ago.

KTS: Spike Spiegel has deployed in Swordfish II.
KTS: GaoGaiGo Team's GaoGaiGo has been disabled.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Utsugi has posed.

        Takeshi had always tended toward operating on his own from the rest of GGG, so it might come as a surprise that another figure stands atop the roof near him. She looks over the forming battlefield without her traditional green visor, the golden light in her eyes visible if one can look close enough. She was in an old GGG uniform, a whjite and pink dress with an open red and gold vest, and a red scarf around her neck.

        This was inevitable. They all knew it. The more 3G pushed back at them, eventually they would have to strike. That Alexis Kerib was the one giving them the opportunity sat ill with her... but it all sat ill with her. Nonetheless, it was her duty. The miracles had to end, for the good of the universe. And that too meant this universe had to end.

        "I'll oversee things from here," she says, not bothering to hide the emotion in her voice. "...Good luck, Takeshi-kun."

        She didn't need the Tsukuyomi with her for this. She could easily track the movements through the limpid channel. They would know someone was there... but that was part of the point.

        For those who could feel the psychic realm, there is suddenly a presence- and a powerful one. The presence of the Light of Dawn.

        From a top the roof of the skyscraper, Mikoto Utsugi watched- and waited. Waited to see who would be there.

        "Guy... Please... Stay away."

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Kaiju appear. Chaos ensues. A Doven Wolf hurtles down out of the atmosphere.

It should be easy to notice a mobile suit of this size approaching - but of course, it wasn't here a few moments ago, before the sky split open. It lands heavily, scraping across the ground, wreathed in orange.

Her disgust with Alexis Kerib might not be as... elemental as Takeshi's, but there's still a tight scowl on her face to see Akane's designs dragged back into the world. Though it's hard to tell if it's the appearance of one of Akane's kaiju, exactly, that's troubling her... so much as the inevitable response.

Well, she was going to have to deal with him again at some point. Cosmic Law doesn't make exceptions. And she's witnessed for herself that Gridman and his other selves are without a doubt 'intelligent life'.

As long as it's just a job... That's something she can do without question. She's always been a very good Vulture. She's always loved the feeling of settling into the controls, the weight, the subtle balances of an MS pushed to its limits...

But lately, it just hasn't had the same spark. Without her heart and life on the line, it's just work. Something needs a shake-up.

Maybe the Chief's latest plan will fire them up.

<Pose Tracker> Spike Spiegel has posed.

Spike Spiegel had been in Nouvelle Tokyo to pick up something for Jet. He holds the slip of paper in his hands, squinting both his natural and cybernetic eyes at it. "What the hell," he asks the world, "is the difference between French and Italian bread?"

He has a baguette in his hand. Then, the rumbling explosion of gunfire in the distance makes him drop the baguette. It hits the ground.

His eyes no longer narrow. Instead, one eyebrow twitches.

---

"SPIKE!" Jet shouts over his radio. "Bounties are coming through on those kaiju. Local council members, up for reelection."

"Accept it," Spike says, as he throws the Swordfish II up into the air. The Mono Racer lifts, the VTOL shooting it upward; the large, winged kaiju visible as he does. "Also, see if they'll include a baguette."

"Why a baguette?"

"It didn't make it."

"Spike..."

The Swordfish II lifts up -- and Spike's eyes linger, for a second, on the monster. The gale force winds from its wingbeats shatter windows below; they blow the Swordfish II backward, almost throwing it off-kilter...

But the VTOL holds. It holds even as space opens -- and another kaiju is dropped down -- and then the thrusters fire, and the Swordfish II goes rocketing forward. One missile drops off a wing hardpoint -- and then goes screaming off for Gorudaa.

"It's like we're in a damn horror movie!" Spike says. Then, he opens a line to the local defense forces. "Yo. This is Spike Spiegel, in the Mono Racer. Consider this part of my consulting duties."

KTS: Spike Spiegel targets Kaiju Navi with Anti-Air Missile!
KTS: Spike Spiegel has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has joined Takeshi Todo's bucket!

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        It's different from usual, and yet, exactly the same. Kaworu reflects on this as he observes transmissions of Nouvelle Tokyo, both the air and the ground, from within Unit-00. NERV, as always, has been quick to respond; Kaworu and Gridman, having been walking through Tokyo-3 at the time, had been called in. Kaworu had been sortied via Unit-00, and Gridman been allowed to ride along on the transport train that would take the Evangelion to the nearby city.
        
        It's essentially a glorified freight train, but much faster than usual. Yuka Ohta would be transmitting that visual as well as audio to Unit-00 as the train rolls in; Gridman would be in the car to one side, sharing space with the orange giant, conversing via loudspeaker as necessary.
        
        The roof shutters open rapidly, and Unit-00 rises as if from a coffin. She looks down at their little companion, and within her, Kaworu smiles.
        
        "Shall we go then, Gridman, Yuka?" Kaworu transmits. Unit-00 looks around at the several kaiju, from the empty one firing upon the city, to the full-hearted one blazing with intelligent yet unnatural light, to the one soaring overhead. Then she lifts up a robot-sized rifle as she nimbly leaps up and out of the car.
        
        "How like Knight, when he was Anti..." Kaworu murmurs as he takes in the full-hearted one. His red eyes narrow. It's not simply its resemblance. Motes of Zero Particles radiate from the skyscraper roof--several signatures, and one hurtling down from the skies--but particularly about where that kaiju appears... and the feeling of this heart...
        
        Unit-00 turns towards it. "Hey," Kaworu's voice transmits from her, casual and almost friendly. Almost. "Are you helping Alexis Kerib this time? I thought you despised him."
        
        The orange Evagelion, and Kaworu within her, then glance at Gridman--whether he's tiny or grown by now. There is of course Mecha-Ghoulghilas, but this is clearly a being of interest to Gridman too. And then of course there is the rapid approach of Ennil, who is of significant interest to Vit. In deference to all of that, he wonders, "Yuka, I'm counting on your support no matter what, but, Gridman... who shall we oppose?"

KTS: Takeshi_Todo has deployed as a Boss for 2 opponents.
Rakshata Chawla teleports in.
POT: Rakshata Chawla is now set observer.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has joined Takeshi Todo's bucket!

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

In the dead of the night, Japan Time around 2 AM, a transport made its landing near the Photon Power Labs. And accompanying it was a note from one Sayla Mass, on her way to resolve some unfinished business with the Red Comet.

Had she not admitted she wouldn't be doing it alone, Sayaka and Koji probably would've followed her right to Dakar. There's no room for hestiation as an additional threat looms above them; a force of two kaiju threaten to level Nouvelle Tokyo.

"That's a... Shinjo-type kaiju. Perhaps the designation is more aptly Kerib-type now." Sayaka glances at the monitor, eyeing the mechanical beast that is Mecha-Ghoulghilas. "Koji, I'll charge you and Shiro's Third Squadron with taking care of the Lab. Alexis Kerib must be planning something, and I don't like it." Sayaka's already wearing her piloting suit, preparing to sortie.

"This time, I'll be borrowing you again," She whispers as she climbs into the cockpit of... Mazinger Z! Aphrodite Areia is her machine through and through, and it's already carried her through so many battles, but it's not like she has no experience with the Castle of Iron, and against such massive kaiju, some extra firepower might be necessary.

https:'www.youtube.comwatch?v=XgrbL3b1M6Q Theme of Z (Mazinger Z: INFINITY)

Pulling an all-too familiar lever, the silouette of Mazinger Z rises from the Photon Power Labs' pool, and the Pilder Sayaka flies in on docks with the head becoming its cockpit. "Pilder On! MAZIN GOOOOOOOOOO!" Sayaka roars. "Doctors, send in the Jet Scrander! Destination, Nouvelle Tokyo!" She'll be careful with the Kabuto family heirloom, after all, they're part of her family too in a way. "Scrander Cross!"

Arriving at Nouvelle Tokyo, the situation's not good. The Ruin Apostles take advantage of the situation, sending in a kaiju of their own bathed in orange light. A massive mobile suit too. The solution's clear: wipe out the kaiju before they make ruins of Nouvelle Tokyo. The Castle of Iron's sensors lock onto Gorudaa, the flying one. Would've been a pain for the scrander-less Mazinger Z of old for sure. "You can fly, can you? No problem! Southern Cross Knives, shoot it down!" Mazinger Z in flying pose, blades scatter from the Jet Scrander, aiming to cut through Gorudaa's comparatively 'softer' body.

"Yeesh. Unlike the other one, this one's nothing like a kikaiju..." Sayaka muses. "Spike, is it? You'll get used to the horrors." A feminine voice responds to his opened line, from the Mazinger Z. "And, this is.. actually not Koji Kabuto this time. Sayaka Yumi, Photon Power Labs Director, but also pilot for the time being. Let's go!"

KTS: Sayaka Yumi has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi targets Kaiju Navi with Southern Cross Knife!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaiju Navi fails to Intercept Spike Spiegel's Anti-Air Missile, taking 2560 damage!
KTS: Kaiju Navi partially guards Sayaka Yumi's Southern Cross Knife, taking 3895 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has changed loadout.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has deployed as a Sub Pilot for Kaworu Nagisa!

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

There are many reasons for a businesswoman to be in Nouvelle Tokyo! Emalya Zamana is here for one of the oldest: she had to bring something here. Sensitive objects and data are better sent by courier than by basic transport, especially when one considers the elements of crime that could otherwise get in the way. So, sending an old Meltrandi warrior is a good bet.

As it happens, it's useful for another reason.

The kaiju take the field, and Emalya was on her way back to her VF to communicate the completion of her mission, but suddenly she stops. It has menaced the world, though she didn't see it...

The Bay Tower is fired on. There is no emotion. And she narrows her eyes. In moments--

"Nouvelle Tokyo defense forces, this is Stragetic Military Services pilot Emalya Zamana. Please include me in your communications as I am launching to assist you." She pauses. Then smiles. "We will have negotiations later!"

The Excalibur rises for a vertical takeoff, still in fighter mode for the moment. It shoots out of the spaceport at high speed, rising into the sky in pretty blues. Then, Emalya does a roll, spinning toward that Doven Wolf. It is marked as enemy, and from that orange energy...

Buzzing close to he buildings, the Excalibur shifts suddenly to GERWALK mode and lands, pointing its rifle straight for the Doven Wolf's center. "I cannot allow you to be helping these kaiju," Emalya says over an open band. "Nor to destroy this city."

She fires, and a powerful blast rockets towards the Doven Wolf.

KTS: Emalya Zamana targets Ennil El with Mounted Beam Gun Pod Shot!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El blocks Emalya Zamana's Mounted Beam Gun Pod Shot, taking 2380 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

The Space Development Corporation Tower isn't, properly, a GGG facility, anymore. It's not even strictly a Space Development Corporation facility, with various sublets to a few utility providers, the Senpuuji Concern, et cetera.

But GGG still remembers its own.

When the even more monstrous Mecha-Ghoulgilas' barrage begins, it should blast holes clear through the building...but after one shot whizzes a window, the second SLAMS into an invisible force, crackling against a bend in space before firing off into the bay. The third, the thirtieth, all do the same, the horizon disappearing for a moment amid waves brought high by explosions.

        *

ORBIT BASE:

"Chief!" Hana Hatsuno yelps. They're a bit short-staffed today; Hinoki and Alouette have both skipped planetside, and of course Akane is off on her road trip, leaving Orbit Base's Main Order Room manned primarily by Mobile Operator Hana Hatsuno, Intelligence Operator Kamuy Pauvre-Saginomiya, and Science Operator Tamara Gogol. And in the Chief spot:

Guy Shishioh stares harshly at the screen. "That's...an attack on Bay Tower!?"

"Looks like the Protect Shade we erected is holding but these readings look like CK-11 and it will NOT repel firepower of that magnitude!" Tamara babbles, her usual excited rapid fire.

"Seeing other signals starting too, Chief. More Kaiju," from Kamuy.

"Alexis Kerib," Guy spits. "Hatsuno! Move the Order Room to the Yamatsumi! We're going down!"

        *

The clouds part around the double-hulled Intelligence Mirror Raid Warship Yamatsumi. Guy is already on standby in a fused GaoGaiGar on the Mirror Catapult, but...

        "Chief! I'm seeing several Elementary Particle Z0 hotspots! The Ruin Apostles are here!" Kamuy belts over the comm.

        'Guy....Please...Stay away...'

Guy Shishioh balls his fist so tightly that GaoGaiGar's armor groans. "You know I can't do that," he whispers to the air. Then, louder, "I'm going! Get everyone in the air! I doubt this is all of it!"

Soon enough, GaoGaiGar - not GaoFighGar, not GaoGaiGo, not some other newer King of Braves - roars across G-Island City one more time, StealthGao's engines flaring with the familiar light of its thrusters. Amid a halt in Mecha-Ghoulghilas' barrage ("The Bay Tower's Protect Shade won't last much longer!" "IT WON'T NEED TO!"), it descends rapidly, then lifts its knee -

And SLAMS its heel into the warped enemy that once killed GaoFighGar! "YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Guy roars. "I won't let you just run wild!"

KTS: Guy Shishioh targets Alexis Kerib with Axe Kick!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Guy Shishioh's Axe Kick, taking 2775 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 27815
KTS: Guy Shishioh has engaged Alexis Kerib!

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Akane and Rikka are having a great time on their vacation. Gridman's been pleased to receive pictures and messages, replying back with enthusiasm. It makes him even more excited to potentially take a trip of his own with Kaworu and Rei!

There hasn't been a reply today yet, though. Gridman checks his phone again, as he walks with Kaworu. There's no reason to worry. It's normal for Akane and Rikka to be focused on each other, especially on a special occasion like this.

Snapping a quick selfie of himself and his boyfriend, Gridman sends it to the two girls.

>hope youre having as much fun as we are :D

"So I was thinking." Gridman says, sliding his squishy creature-like phone back into his pocket. "There's lots of beaches, apparently. We've got to narrow things down a little more, and Rei actually mentioned--"

BEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP

"Oh no." Gridman breathes. The Primal Accepter can only herald one thing: a kaiju attack. A specific kind of kaiju attack.

He's far from Tsutsujidai, now, far from Junk. Thankfully, Kaworu's intel gets them information quickly. The Neon Genesis Junior High Students are sent ahead of them to the battlefield, moving quickly through the network of Shuffle Alliance transportation.

Kaworu is given a quick kiss and whispered thanks just before he boards Unit-00. Gridman should arrive to the location of the fight just as his comrades do, bringing Junk with them. NERV's transport train isn't exactly built for comfort, but that doesn't matter now. Gridman is quiet during the journey, hands held still in his lap.

"I'm ready, Kaworu!" He calls back on the loudspeaker. The Neon Genesis Junior High Students are waiting as the transport pulls in, just finishing setting up Junk as Unit-00 rises from her resting place.

"Doctor Yuka, I'd be very grateful if you could watch over Junk for me." Gridman says, with a quick bow. "Please take care of yourself."

With that, he's off, running to meet his comrades. Max greets him with a dour look. "Mecha-Ghoulghilas has made yet another appearance. We made the decision to come as a group, in order to provide the most firepower."

"Right." Gridman says, a little pale. One of Akane's fiercest creations... "This can only be Alexis' doing. We'll figure it out later."

Five matching Accepters are held up to the ancient computer, and with a flash of light, the Hyper Agents vanish. Emerging again in a shock of pixelated electricity, Full-Power Gridman brandishes his axe before the kaiju.

Though there are others on the battlefield, Mecha-Ghoulghilas has already begun its attack, and Gridman cannot pause to get his bearings. With a cry, he charges the armored kaiju, trying to draw its fire away from civilian areas.

"I've got this one!" Gridman shouts back to Kaworu, attempting to deflect the smoothbore guns' bullets with his armored arm. Glancing around the battlefield, he does a double take. Is that Anti?! No. Whatever it is feels awful, though.

Who else... Sigma -- no, Takeshi, inside Gridman's brother's body. And--

"Ennil." Whispers Sky Vitter, his pang of heartache echoing through the shared psychic space of his comrades. "She's here."

"Stay calm, Vit." Calibur intones, quickly cut off by Borr.

"ENNIL EL, YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU VANISH AND THEN SEND US A PACKAGE AND THEN SHOW UP HERE!" Despite the ferocity of their words, Borr sounds every bit as emotional as they did back when Ennil's betrayal first was made clear. "GET OUT OF HERE!"

"Kaworu!" Gridman yells, over Borr's shouting. "Go for the one that looks like Anti! It's freaking me out!"

Is that the truth, or is it simply too horrible for Gridman to send his partner to fight his brother or a lost comrade..?

It doesn't matter! He can't think about that!

"Calibur!" Gridman shouts. "Cut through its neck, we have to end this fast! There's too many enemies!"

The axe's hilt glows blue in answer. "Right. Full Powered--"

"SLASH!" Gridman finishes, bringing his weapon down with all his strength on the kaiju's armored, extended neck.

KTS: Gridman targets Alexis Kerib with Full Powered Slash!
KTS: Gridman has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Gridman's Full Powered Slash, taking 2160 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 25655
KTS: Gridman has engaged Alexis Kerib!
KTS: Gridman begins a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Kaiju Navi has posed.

The Gorudaa-type kaiju - for that is its name, though most people here aren't likely to know it - is a kaiju in the traditional sense: a giant monster, but one that acts more like an animal than anything else. It has instinct and reactions, not plans.

But this one's an attack animal. It is, after all, Alexis'. In its current state it is a city-attacking monster - the kind that the kaiju defense organizations were originally founded to deal with.

Gorudaa beats its wings again, scattering vehicles (mostly parked, thankfully) beneath it before it comes under attack. It notices the Swordfish II accelerating at it, and it beats upwards, opening its mouth wide and exhaling a blast of heat and wind.

While this causes the missile to vibrate ominously as it is buffeted, it does not actually set the warhead off early, and Spike's missile cruises in without any more trouble. The explosion draws a reptilian roar from the thing, and it reverses -

Almost directly into the Southern Cross knives of the oncoming Mazinger Z. Gorudaa curls slightly, wrapping its wing around its body; before it drops more than a few meters, Mazinger Z's scattered blades hit it. And bounce, mostly; not entirely, but that wing is made of tougher stuff than the membrane it resembles.

Catching itself before it falls too far, Gorudaa lets out another reptilian roar. It beats its wings rapidly, churning the air around it into a maelstrom of whipping gale-force winds in an attempt to protect itself before releasing them with a single stroke into a line of wind sufficient to send the relatively light Swordfish II tumbling end over end.

Very sharp-eyed onlookers may notice that this also causes a matching gale along at street level. Blocks away, a street cart's umbrella catches the wind, tipping the entire hot dog stand directly onto a baguette that someone dropped and that rolled away.

Cleared from that, Gorudaa reorients on Mazinger Z. Its mouth opens wide again and it releases a white-red beam of pure heat, attempting to melt the thing that just stung it with knives.

KTS: Kaiju Navi targets Spike Spiegel with Wingbeat Gust!
KTS: Kaiju Navi targets Sayaka Yumi with Heat Ray Beam!
KTS: Kaiju Navi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Focus Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Liam has not had a good few weeks, to put it mildly. Between the attack on Metis Colony, and the... thing that happened at the climax of the Kafims' ritual, he has experienced some horrible, scarring things. He's been sleeping worse than usual. Even simple tasks, like eating, cleaning, and exercising, have become more difficult now that he's back in his apartment, with no one to care for and no one to care for him.

        Maybe it'll pass. Maybe he just needs to shake himself out of it by making himself do something.

        And so, Liam was on standby when the call went out, reading a book of short stories in one of the Geofront's little ready rooms. At Central Dogma's summons, he suited up and joined Kaworu on the field.

        The Neo Helios touches down in an intersection, the faint beginnings of a heat haze building around it. It clenches its fists, slips into a boxer's stance, and looks out at the field, its head darting back and forth in a distinctly humanlike--and distinctly over-alert--manner.

        "<Three kaiju confirmed on visual,>" Liam says. "<Visual of CK-11 confirmed.>" Guy's got that one handled, so it falls to him to--

        "<What the--!?>" Brain fog clouds Liam's thoughts for a few crucial seconds. "<Anti?!>" No. No, that's not him, he realizes a moment later. His heart no longer feels quite like it's going to leap from his chest, doubly so because of unmistakable T0 signals. But that's not the only threat Liam recognizes. "<Gridman, watch that one! That pilot's--">

        Someone Gridman knows, Liam remembers.

        Liam grits his teeth. "<Moving to kneecap,>" he says, and the Neo Helios' thrusters ignite again. It tears off down the street, rising off the pavement in a leaping, jet-assisted kick--aimed right at Shinobilar's left knee. The Neo Helios is small compared to the kaiju, but this is hardly the first time Liam's fought something this big.

        But that gleam in its eyes...

KTS: Kaiju Navi rattles Spike Spiegel, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Spike Spiegel fails to evade Kaiju Navi's Wingbeat Gust, taking 3600 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Takeshi Todo with Blazing Charge!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi fails to evade Kaiju Navi's Heat Ray Beam, taking 4800 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to rush.
KTS: [Mirage] Takeshi Todo's Shinobilar Illusions activates, and he slips into a mirage.
KTS: Takeshi Todo partially guards Liam 7-020's Blazing Charge, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Takeshi Todo!

<Pose Tracker> Spike Spiegel has posed.

"That's--damn."

Spike squints for a second. He knows the Mazinger Z from the history videos. He pauses for only a moment, before he nods. "Yeah. Got it, Sayaka Yumi," he says. "Spike Spiegel, at your service. I'm a cowboy." He smiles, easily, and almost sincerely. "I get used to things fast."
%More defenders are coming out, which makes the battlefield more hectic. Spike spares a brief glance at GaoGaiGar and Gridman, but then his eyes are back on the sky, on the cityscape, and on the flying kaiju that is right ahead of him.

The kaiju opens its mouth, breathing out a blast of wind that makes Spike grit his teeth and grunt -- then crack a smile, when he sees his missile keep flying on and detonate against it. The kaiju's wings beat, and the massive blast oif wind catches the Swordfish II.

"Shit--!"

Spike has the altogether disconcerting experience of his plane moving backwards, as the wind catches it and hurtles it backward, and then into a tumble. Spike grabs both control sticks, yanking--

--and the VTOL bursts to life, causing it to come out of the tumble into a wide, banking arc. "Sayaka--" They're on a first name basis. He's kind of like that. "--I'm coming in for a strafing run. Look out, those wind blasts are wreaking havoc on the streets."

Spike sends the Swordfish II soaring, with a sharp turn as it banks around one skyscraper, and then comes rushing in for Gorudaa's left side. It shoots in, flying towards its back, and the underbelly machineguns roar to life. Shells pour down for the back of the kaiju, before the Swordfish II pulls away and shoots back over the tops of the buildings.

KTS: Spike Spiegel targets Kaiju Navi with Machinegun Rundown!
KTS: Spike Spiegel has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

To say taking the rails with Kaworu and Gridman has been an enlightening experience is, distinctly an understatement. She's been catching up as much as possible with them, along the way... There's been quite a bit going on in all their lives after all. So she's happy to just have some time for small talk along the way, and even making a few jokes.

When NERV sent out a message to deploy, she had been swift in responding... In truth, she felt a need to. Recent events have been eating at her. Particularly her trip in a certain battleship, and what she had witnessed there.

Something like this, that she could sink her teeth into and give her all to helping out with, is exactly what she needs. She's getting her drones adjusted and set for deploying, when Kaworu speaks up. "You'll get my best, no matter who you pick. I'm just gonna do thiiiiis, and that one can be on auto while I give your fight full focus." What she was doing? Setting up one of her remotes to safely observe the UNUSUAL kaiju in the area. A flying type she's not spotted before, that needs cataloguing and understanding. And of course, sample gathering once it registers the fight as completed. That task doesn't require any input from her now! So she'll be free to get multiple angles on Kaworu's fight, so she can offer tactical suggestions, and possibly even conduct some strategic sabotage upon their opponent of choice.

Gridman has a request for her as well. Keeping watch over Junk? She can handle that, and monitor it for any fluctuations or abnormal issues. "You can count on me, she won't get even a tiny dent or scratch while you're gone." And the way she says it... she seems to have the UTMOST confidence in that statement.

After all. Nothing that's out here today can fray at the depths of her soul the way that emptiness did.

She's already getting her remote units in the air, taking off and scanning. Collecting data to transmit back at Kaworu... and Liam? "See what you can do with this, hope it's useful." Seeing how this Anti-like-kaiju moves... Hmm, she may need to prep a special trick or two. That's going to take time though, to set up a countermeasure.

KTS: Yuka Ohta targets Kaworu Nagisa and Liam 7-020 with Insight L2.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaiju Navi fails to Evade Spike Spiegel's Machinegun Rundown, taking 3000 damage!
KTS: Yuka Ohta shares insight with Liam 7-020, making his next attacks more accurate!

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Mecha-Ghoulghilas barely reacts as GaoGaiGar intervenes. It seems to intend to destroy Bay Tower, regardless of what happens to the kaiju itself -- is this a new strategy, a hope for some sort of synbolic victory, or something else entirely...?

Whatever the case, as that drill digs into its body, it doesn't so much as move. It simply stands there, continuing to fire, even as a small hole forms in its thick armor. A moment later, Full Powered Gridman brings a blade down on the kaiju's neck; while it does shift its plating slightly to deflect, that leaves a heavy score in the drill-plates.

Alexis begins to speak as Mecha-Ghoulghilas rears back and shifts position. He can't communicate with Gridman psychically directly, but... he can transmit to GaoGaiGar, and then transmit to Gridman that way. "Ah, right on time," he muses. "So lovely to see you, King of Braves. Gridman." Something about his delivery today seems -- playful, in a way it usually isn't. A little bouncier. "You guys are right on time. For the record -- strictly speaking, I'm not here with the Aura of Dawn contingent..."

Mecha-Ghoulghilas whirls its head around, mouth open as something charges up. A beam of heat issues forth, sweeping across GaoGaiGar and Gridman; it's a probing attack, at this stage -- to get a sense of the relative strength of GaoGaiGar and Mecha-Ghoulghilas... and to see if time has strengthened or eroded Gridman's resolve.

"... but their arrival does suit my purposes!"

Alexis had always been less enthused about the consistent presence of the Aura of Dawn at his coattails than Akane, during Akane's time with Alexis. ... Why the sudden shift in priorities?

Alexis spares yet more words. "So, Gridman," he continues, conversationally. "Have you discerned yet why I was uninterested in a piece of your heart...?"

KTS: [Spirit Defense] Gridman's Hyperlink Combine activates, and the spirit is adjusted.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Gridman
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Gridman with High-Intensity Heat Array Twirl!
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Guy Shishioh with High-Intensity Heat Array Blast!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 125.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 40.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Dawnlight flares up, the Valkyrie's gunpod splashing against the mobile suit's focused aura. It jets sideways in turn, not truly able to weave through the urban environment, being among the more massive of mobile suits... but before it crashes against one building, it simply bounds over, twisting to spray vulcan fire in return on the nimble VF as it jets closer. As usual, the Wolf's pilot would rather settle things with tooth and claw.

<"Let's see you stop me, then. I could use a little excitement...">

Hearing Gridman's chatter is one thing. Even Vit's dismayed voice is to be expected. She can swallow the pang that follows - she has been for months.

It's Borr's voice that makes her flinch, and not just from the volume.

What did the others expect from her? Not like she could just hang around and get purified. Something twists in her heart and decides to roar back.

"How about you get lost! Did I vanish, or were you just not looking hard enough? How much of the world have you bothered seeing, outside the cozy little nest Akane built for you?! What do you actually know about me?!"

KTS: Ennil El: Will Barrier Activates.
KTS: Ennil El targets Emalya Zamana with Head Vulcans Dash-and-Fire!
KTS: Ennil El has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana fails to rush.
KTS: Emalya Zamana's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Emalya Zamana partially guards Ennil El's Head Vulcans Dash-and-Fire, taking 2542 damage!
KTS: Ennil El has engaged Emalya Zamana!

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

Mikoto was a good... 'friend?' Maybe so. Takeshi offers her a nod and a smile before he vanishes into that terrible light. "You too, Utsugi-san. Stay safe, okay? Hopefully this won't take too long."

And with that, he's gone-- but he leaves Shinobilar in good hands. And besides, as he is now...

It's not as if he's truly gone, is he?

Enemies begin falling in as expected. It's not as though NERV can very well leave Nouvelle Tokyo undefended. Shinobilar stands quietly as they appear, as if it were... waiting for them, perhaps. It did not seem interested in wanton destruction of the surrounding city, after all. The Kaiju that looks like Anti regards Unit-00 with a canted head, cyclops to cyclops. "Father is not here," Shinobilar says with an even, if gravelly tone. This-- is another way it's like Anti. A kaiju that can speak is highly unusual. "But his hatred has not changed. Only the circumstances--"

Gridman appears. The kaiju seems to bristle, its clawed hand reaching for the weapon at its shoulder, when--

Someone goes charging directly into its knee. Shinobilar's visor gleams with golden light as Liam--

Goes straight through its body, as if it were not there at all.

No. Not quite. The instant he passes through, he feels that cloying warmth pass over him as well. As if the kaiju were suffused with the stuff, too. Liam passes emerges from the other side as if he had tackled a ghost, and--

Something 'beeps' at his feet.

It's a grenade.

"'Anti?' I am not 'Anti,'" the Kaiju answers, leveling the bowgun on its wrist at the evangelion-- and unloads a series of slender bolts at its cranium. "I am Ninja Kaiju Shinobilar! Father's enemies... Even if they are not 'Gridman,' they should still be a fun challenge. Ahahahaha!"

KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Liam 7-020 with Shinobilar Grenades!
KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Kaworu Nagisa with Bowgun Impalement!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Takeshi Todo's Shinobilar Grenades, taking 2450 damage!
KTS: Gridman retreats from the attack!
KTS: Gridman successfully evades Alexis Kerib's High-Intensity Heat Array Twirl
KTS: Yuka Ohta shares insight with Kaworu Nagisa, making his next attacks more accurate!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa successfully evades Takeshi Todo's Bowgun Impalement

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

First Mazinger Z, now the original GaoGaiGar on the same battlefield - it really is a day for the history books. Sayaka opens a line in response to his arrival. "3G, this is Sayaka Yumi! The Photon Power Labs are happy to back you up. Even if it means facing them." Koji has more experience than her against Ruin Apostles specifically from when they appeared in Tsutsujidai, but a kaiju's a kaiju. The giant of light Gridman's here too, and fighting these things is quite literally his job title.

Spike's pretty easygoing for support. A cowboy, huh? For a moment, her mind flashes to the Neo America or Texas Colony type of cowboy, like you'd see on TV. "I can tell it's not your first time on the battlefield." Sayaka replies. "I'll be counting on your backup!"

While the Southern Cross Knives are successful in pelleting the kaiju, they aren't successful in clipping the kaiju's wings like she'd hoped. In return, it fires off a ray of heat that melts a layer of Mazinger Z's tough Super Alloy Z armour. "Tsk... you're tougher than you look, aren't you?" She mouths, as Mazinger Z reorients into position.

Spike warns her of the wind blasts tearing apart the city, and Sayaka nods gravely. "Right. We'll need to keep this battle contained, and fast."

"The Southern Cross Knives weren't enough? Thankfully, Mazinger Z has other tricks to clip your wings! REITO BEEEEAM!" Mazinger Z's eyes glow a chilling blue as they fire an ice-cold beam of energy, attempting to freeze the wings instead, locking it down hopefully for a coming beatdown.

KTS: Sayaka Yumi targets Kaiju Navi with Reito Beam!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaiju Navi successfully avoids Sayaka Yumi's Reito Beam

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Back in Tokyo-3, Kaworu returns that kiss with a fond smile. No words; there's no need for them.
        
        It's good to have a chance to talk to Yuka along the way as well, even if Gridman is mostly quiet. It's true that the transport rail isn't built for comfort. Fortunately, the Neon Genesis High School Students have gone ahead and fetched Junk so that Gridman is ready to transform as soon as they arrive--and Yuka has her own equipment, in addition to being tasked with watching over the ancient computer.
        
        Ultimately, Gridman tasks him with taking on the entity that looks like Anti, while he faces Mecha-Ghoulgilas--Alexis's creation. Kaworu nods, and Unit-00 nods with him. "Very well. I'll make sure you don't need to worry," he replies, and turns again to regard the full-hearted kaiju as Liam and Neo-Helios touch down nearby. Other defenders sail in--some new faces, some new only this time around--and Kaworu considers them for a moment. Unit-00, however, remains locked on Shinobilar, and Kaworu soon follows suit.
        
        Someone Gridman knows. Yes. It's no wonder the sight would agitate him, Kaworu muses as his eyes tinge with melancholy.
        
        All of this orange.
        
        Yuka transmits data on the Anti-alike to Unit-00 as the kaiju responds. Kaworu scans it over as he says, "Thank you, Yuka. This should be quite helpful." Before he actually attacks, though, he considers the kaiju's response. (Rare as it is for kaiju to speak, Kaworu takes it fully in stride--maybe interesting information for Shinobilar and his father.) Shinobilar's claim that his 'father' isn't here gets a low, thoughtful hum. "I see. Yes, his heart would be the same, yes? Only his priorities have changed."
        
        There's something understanding, even sympathetic--even pitying--about his tone. He does note the way Shinobilar bristles at Gridman, though, and when he engages in a counter-attack after Neo-Helios's charge fails, Unit-00 side-steps and spins around behind a nearby skyscraper. The bolts from Shinobilar's bowgun carve themselves deep into glass and steel but at least for now, Unit-00's cranium remains intact as she keeps using that skyscraper for cover and raises her assault rifle. Within the entry plug, the sights begin to converge...
        
        "Ninja Kaiju Shinobilar... I'm intrigued to make your acquaintance. My name is Kaworu--Kaworu Nagisa. You may call me the Fifth Child if you wish," the Evangelion pilot replies, as conversational as if they were having a tea party. Except-- "I look forward to seeing what sort of challenge you present as well."
        
        With that laidback counter-challenge issued, a single decisive bullet erupts from the rifle's muzzle, aimed for that kaiju's eye. It may not land on target--Kaworu expects Shinobilar would not be so easily felled--but Shinobilar had aimed for his head as well. It wouldn't be much of a challenge for either of them if he didn't take him seriously in return, would it?

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Takeshi Todo with Sniper Rifle Sighted Shot!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

Emalya's VF can't quite catch the Doven Wolf--in GERWALK she rushes close, but doesn't get in without uffering some fire from those vulcans. She doesn't smile--she is not that kind of fighter.

"Fighting is not the place for emotion," Emalya answers. "I will do so."

Still, they're up close now, and she may as well make use of that while she can. Or at least, that's her plan at first...

She hears all the other communications, obviously. But most are not her concern for the moment. "So you are... Ennil El?" Emalya says.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asks, feeling awkward. "I do not wish to place myself in, what do humans call it, a 'lovers' bolt?'" Quarrel, bolt. Same thing, right?

However, she can't just leave, so, "Well, tell me if this is the case. Until then, I will continue fighting."

A missile suddenly takes off, firing straight towards the Doven Wolf, a powerful armament that will explode at its chest to give the VF time to transform into Battroid mode, raising its shield up in front of itself.

KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana targets Ennil El with Little Rock Launch System Single Missile!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El successfully evades Emalya Zamana's Little Rock Launch System Single Missile

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Utsugi has posed.

        Guy was there anyway. Like she knew he would be. It seemed no matter what...

        He couldn't stop being the man she loved.

        Takeshi's words were a comfort, if a small one. She gives a sad smile back, before Takeshi vanishes.

        She closed her eyes. It wasn't just Guy she knew down there. There was another old friend, sitting at the controls of Mazinger Z. "Sayaka..."

        She opened her eyes again, and Sayaka can hear Mikoto's voice, clear as day. The Limpid Channel was still a mystery in many ways- but with the Oath she swore, she didn't need the manage machine to use it.

        "Sayaka... please, leave. You should spend the time you have with Koji." There's no trickery or aggression, just an earnest, genuine plea. The loneliness in Mikoto's voice is palpable. The sadness. "You two at least deserve to be happy, and together. Until the end."

        The way Guy won't.

        Her desperate plea sent along that one way connection, Mikoto returns her attention to the batlefield, her eyes watching GaoGaiGar and Gridman fight Alexis Kerib's Kaiju.

KTS: Mikoto Utsugi targets Sayaka Yumi with Demoralize!
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Guy Shishioh's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Guy Shishioh blocks Alexis Kerib's High-Intensity Heat Array Blast, taking 1860 damage!
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi demoralizes Sayaka Yumi, reducing her Morale drastically.

<Pose Tracker> Kaiju Navi has posed.

There are a lot of units on the field, it's true. Gorudaa is ignoring most of them - really, any of them that do not attack it. Now that it's been given targets (if only by them drawing its attention by attacking it) it seems to be pretty focused on them.

Of course, Spike and Sayaka may not appreciate that attention.

Having dropped down during its defense and subsequent strike, Gorudaa is low and out of position. It is hastily rising back up, wings beating (and *not* shredding the ground beneath it, even though debris is blowing around; it's trying to ascend, not attack) but it's pinned down when Spike's strafing run begins. It bellows out a roar as it's struck and gives one particularly mighty flap, launching it back upwards like it had jumped.

The ascent gives it enough distance that it now has room to maneuver. Which it does, banking smoothly before rolling halfway through a wingbeat, giving it a sudden surge 'sideways' (from Sayaka's orientation, or an observer on the ground; 'up' from Gorudaa's own) that a plane certainly couldn't manage in an attempt to dodge the incoming beam. It misses by inches, close enough to sizzle, but it fails to get a solid connection. Fighting this thing is not like fighting a huge Valkyrie or flight system-equipped Gundam or even most kikaiju.

Finishing its roll and flying straight again, Gorudaa inhales sharply, the frill on its back quivering as if it's under pressure. It exhales a moment later, not really causing a single beam of energy but a rolling wave of heat and light that blasts away from it in a hemisphere. On the plus side, it is no longer aiming at the city; most of that wave is angled upwards, towards the two airborne fighters it is engaging.

KTS: Kaiju Navi has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaiju Navi targets Sayaka Yumi and Spike Spiegel with Heat Wave.
KTS: Kaiju Navi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel successfully evades Kaiju Navi's Heat Wave
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi fails to evade Kaiju Navi's Heat Wave, taking 3870 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Spike Spiegel has posed.

"It comes with my line of work," Spike says, with a smile across his face. He keeps his eyes on that icy beam -- the incredible things these robots can do takes him by surprise, even now -- but he focuses more on flying.

He has to focus more on flying.

The Gorudaa launches up as he flies away, and he starts to turn sharply -- and then sees how quickly it rolls, how it dodges that beam of ice. Spike sucks a breath in with surprise, and then he sees the rolling wave of heat. It shimmers, like a mirage, across his vision.

"Shit--UP!" Spike yells, yanking back the control sticks, and the VTOL thrusters spin -- and the Swordfish II launches straight over that blast of heat, which boils the air underneath it.

"Looks like you've got some tricks up your sleeve," he says, tipping two fingers to his brow. "Or your... horrible... wing membrane."

The Swordfish II goes rocketing inward. "Going left!" he tells Sayaka, as he shoots around a cluster of towers. Through a gap in the skyscrapers, he fires a trio of missiles -- they launch off the wing hardpoints, then bank around the skyscrapers to come hurtling for Gorudaa's side.

The Swordfish II breaks around that skyscraper, then comes hurtling in for the side of the kaiju. As Spike brings the Mono Racer in closer, the machineguns blaze to life. Rounds slash through the air, straight for Gorudaa, as he does another strafing flyby.

KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel targets Kaiju Navi with Hop and Skip!
KTS: Spike Spiegel has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

GaoGaiGar recovers swiftly from that smash to the skull, sweeping his feet back under himself and sweeping his fists immediately into a ready stance. "Good to have you, Sayaka!" Guy calls back. "This..." He falters, just for a second, then clamps his teeth tight. "Thanks. Stay safe. Watch yourself. Something's up." NONE of the people here are the sorts to just launch a blind attack with no apparent motive.

Mecha-Ghoulghilas' head whirls up to charge, and Guy thrusts his arm forward. "PROTECT SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAADE!" he screams, and a rippling barrier of force comes into being. The beam from Mecha-Ghoulghilas slams into it, and spins through rotating planes of space, rerouting around itself until it fires right back out, scoring across the mecha-kaiju's front arc.

"Always quick to point that out, but you keep showing up at the same time, Alexis Kerib!" Guy snaps back. "What purpose might that be, huh!? Just wreaking having isn't your style!"

KTS: Guy Shishioh targets Alexis Kerib with Protect Wall Reflect!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Guy Shishioh rattles Alexis Kerib, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Guy Shishioh's Protect Wall Reflect, taking 3330 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 22325
KTS: Guy Shishioh continues a Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        'Father is not here,' the kaiju says, and the tangle of emotion in Liam's chest threatens to spill out. It talks. It talks.

        But there's a more urgent problem to deal with, namely: Shinobilar is as tricky as one would expect a 'ninja kaiju' to be. This is not the first time Liam's come into contact with something infused with Triple Zero, but the touch of it triggers a whole-body shudder that the Mobile Trace doesn't process. That persistent feeling of unwelcome warmth clings to him as the Neo Helios tucks into a roll, and lands in a crouch on the street.

        A grenade beeps at its feet. Liam's eyes widen. The machine thrusts its hands outwards, and its vent covers unlatch, floating in its magnetic field to clamp into place. The grenade detonates with a thunderous BOOM, but it's met primarily with the shields on the Neo Helios' forearms. Debris still spalls the Mobile Fighter's arms, legs, and torso, but it's not as catastrophic as it could've been.

        Armor's intact, Liam thinks, through the haze. And then, an idea.

        "<Administrator, stand back,>" Liam says. The Neo Helios rounds on Shinobilar again, an uneasy glow rising beneath the ablative paneling on its chest and shoulders. The novel alloy there starts to melt as heat sinks channel thermal energy into it--just as designed. The Mobile Fighter spreads its arms, and then the molten, ablative goo erupts from its frame in a cascade of superheated metal. Liam's positioned near Shinobilar, trying to ensure the kaiju soaks as much as possible.

KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Takeshi Todo with ASTRA - Superbolide!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaiju Navi fails to react to Spike Spiegel's Hop and Skip, taking 4680 damage!
CHANSYS: You're not in that channel.

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Gridman recognizes Liam's voice, glancing across the battlefield to locate his friend. "That's not Knight, don't worry, Liam! Stay focused and take it down! We're going to be fine!"

Alexis' voice broadcasts to the Giant of Light, working with whatever method allows him to connect to the communications of his allies. Phones are connected to human lives, after all, how different can radios be? Once the Hyper Devil's words reach Gridman, he visibly shudders, breaking the rhythm of his attack to glance around the battlefield.

"We've got your back, Kaworu." Gridman manages, as he keeps looking for Alexis. "You and Liam have got this."

He's distracted. The potential of destroying Alexis Kerib is intoxicating. Today, maybe, he could end everything, and accomplish his mission at long last. Then--

Then.

"Gridman, stay focused!" Max calls, as the Giant's heart falters.

Calibur comes down with a resounding CLANG against Mecha-Ghoulghilas' neck, leaving a deep cut. It's not enough -- the kaiju is still in one piece.

"Show yourself, Alexis Kerib!" Gridman shouts, wrenching his axe free. "Stop hiding behind Akane's creations and face me!"

"Okay, why does he seem cheerful?" Borr asks, revulsion in her voice. "It's disgusting."

Mecha-Ghoulghilas opens its mouth, but Gridman's fought this kaiju before. Recognizing the imminent beam attack, he leaps into a backflip, cleanly dodging the stream of heat.

"I don't care what you think about my heart!" Gridman retorts. "Akane Shinjo is safe! There's no point to your cruelty anymore! Borr!"

"Right, Gridman!" The twin drills at Gridman's shoulders whirr and lock into position, aiming at Mecha-Ghoulghilas. "Twin Drill Break!"

With explosive force, Borr launches her drills at the kaiju, hoping to crack its silvery armor. Aiming for the place GaoGaiGar struck previously, perhaps it will be enough to break through!

"You have no purpose. It is clear your actions are nothing more than the desperate struggles of a dying beast." Max yells, an unusual fire in his voice.

"Your days are numbered." Calibur says darkly. "The fact thay you're working with those you hate is proof."

Gridman raises his axe high. Lightning arcs from the weapon to his body to the ground, a display of the sheer excess power within the Giant of Light. "We'll finish this thing and help the others!"

Ennil's accusatory voice rings in the Hyper Agent's shared space, breaking their harmony. Electricity gutters out, and Gridman lowers his axe.

"Shut the fuck up!" Borr shouts, furious. "Vit looked everywhere for you! We didn't see him for--!"

"Stop it, Borr!" Vit shouts. "There's only one way to reach her. Gridman--!"

"Go." Gridman responds.

In a heartbeat, Sky Vitter detaches from Gridman, folding into himself until he's taken his fighter jet form. With a burst of sound, he crosses the battlefield, reaching out to Emalya.

"Normally I'd be pissed to see someone beating up my girl." Vit strafes over the Valkyrie, kicking up a cloud of dust to hide Emalya's movement. "But you've got the right idea. Sky Vitter, ma'am, at your service."

"The fucking nerve of her..." Borr hisses. "Gridman, take this thing down so I can go give her a piece of my mind!"

KTS: Gridman targets Alexis Kerib with Twin Drill Break!
KTS: Gridman has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Gridman has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Emalya Zamana
KTS: [Mirage] Takeshi Todo's Shinobilar Illusions activates, and he slips into a mirage.
KTS: Takeshi Todo blocks Kaworu Nagisa's Sniper Rifle Sighted Shot, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to Parry Liam 7-020's ASTRA - Superbolide, taking 5280 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Takeshi Todo!
KTS: Liam 7-020 roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Gridman's Twin Drill Break, taking 8060 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Gridman's Telepathic Link activates, causing Insight L1!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Gridman's Mediumship activates, causing Nullify!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 14265
KTS: Gridman completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

The full weight of the context is somewhat lost on Yuka, admittedly. Gridman's past history and family, those aren't things she's yet been entirely clued in on. And it feels a bit too personal to just ask them about it. But... she DOES understand the weight of 000. That it hurts, seeing people you have a connection to, in a state like that. ...Were this Shinobilar not under its influence, she would adore the chance to speak with it. To learn much about how it thinks and feels. Kaiju who can communicate are so rare to come across after all. Much less those with familial bonds.

And she is after all, the parent figure to a little kaiju of her own these days.

"I'm readying something I think will stop the kaiju from becoming intangible briefly. But I need more data on it. In the meantime, I'm sending something to interfere with its offenses." Loaded onto one of the drones, Yuka starts up the command sequence for it to approach Shinobilar with a sonic assault that will do no outright damage, but... It utilizes a specific frequency noted through research and field-testing to be effective at disorienting and confusing bipedal kaiju. She's aware the drone likely will get smacked from the sky afterward, of course... but that's why they've budgeted her to have so many of these in the first place.

KTS: Yuka Ohta targets Takeshi Todo with Jam!
KTS: Yuka Ohta has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

"Definitely," Sayaka replies to Guy about something being weird about this attack. "Whatever's going through that Alexis Kerib individual's head, I don't like it at all. Hopefully there's no trouble back at the Lab..." And does it mean something that this is happening exactly after Sayla set off to settle things with Char?

Peeling her attention away from the battle, Sayaka hears a voice she hasn't heard for a very long time, yet it's instantly recognizable as an old friend. "Mikoto...?" She gasps, and perhaps it's this moment that leads to the slightest misfire of the Reito Beam, leading her to fail to freeze the kaiju solid.

It's an earnest plea and a heartfelt offer, but it's one that Sayaka can't take in her heart of hearts. "I'm sorry, Mikoto.... I'm not the type to accept 'just a little' time with Koji. I'm stubborn and I don't make compromises, and that means fighting so that we can grow old together." Making her point clear, she pauses for a moment, before she adds,

"All the better if it means you and Guy get that time together too. I know as much as anyone that you deserve it, even if Cosmic Law's telling you otherwise."

Her position made clear to Mikoto, she turns her attention back to kaiju Goruuda. The heat wave continues to melt against Super Alloy Z, but the Castle of Iron stands tall, Japanium shining brilliantly.

This entire time, Sayaka's been showing off Mazinger Z's ranged capacities, from the southern cross knives in the Scrander to the Photon Reactor's Reito Beam. As Spike announces he's going left, Mazinger Z's thrusters take her right to close in on the kaiju. "I think it's time we take this to close quarters," Sayaka decides. The Mazin charges for Goruuda, first marking it with a fist of iron to the face, and next...

"IRON CUTTER!" Going for a clean slice with the iron cutter blade once it's locked in for a devastating melee set-up attack, aiming to pierce and puncture its flesh.

KTS: Sayaka Yumi has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi targets Kaiju Navi with Iron Cutter Chop!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Emalya's deadpan response actually brings out a low chuckle, Ennil's eyes glimmering as the Doven Wolf makes a surprisingly nimble pivot around the missile streaking at it, streets spraying up asphalt as its heels grind back into the dirt.

<"Oh, I don't agree at all! There's no point in combat that doesn't make your heart pound. I was a bit worried no one interesting would show up, but I guess the Chief has a way of picking targets.">

Missiles are answered with missiles in turn, the Doven Wolf's launchers opening up. There's a moment of hesitance as Vit swoops in overhead... and then, violently, the Wolf blasts towards the dust cloud, driving as close as it can. At this range, it'll certainly have to endure the backblast - but of course, when it comes to battles of attrition, the Aura of Dawn is a pretty significant advantage.

Emalya's second question actually makes Ennil give an awkward chuckle. Maybe it's a bit disrespectful, honestly, having this argument in the middle of a battle... but they're the ones that started yelling at her. <"That's not quite the expression... but don't worry. They've got their hands full, too, and Alexis is the kind of guy who'd stab them in the back the moment they turned around. We can enjoy our dance.">

Something about Borr's assurance that Vit actually did go looking for her... she bites her lip and considers.

<"Just wandering around chasing my tail won't get you anywhere! Aren't you being a bit superficial?">

KTS: Kaiju Navi fails to react to Sayaka Yumi's Iron Cutter Chop, taking 5160 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Sayaka Yumi's Light of the Future activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has engaged Kaiju Navi!
KTS: Ennil El targets Emalya Zamana with Large Missile Barrage!
KTS: Ennil El has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Emalya Zamana retreats from the attack!
KTS: Emalya Zamana successfully evades Ennil El's Large Missile Barrage
KTS: Ennil El: Will Barrier Activates.
KTS: Yuka Ohta jams Takeshi Todo's sensors, reducing his accuracy.

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

"'Kaworu Nagisa.' Are you human?" Shinobilar's question is a simple one, but it is delivered with genuine curiosity. Though it is quite the doozy of a question, isn't it? Why would it... "Normal humans would not meet kaiju with anything but fear or aggression." Oh, that might be it.

So perhaps-- Shinobilar does not consider Kaworu 'normal?' Or maybe there's something about how Kaworu is speaking through Unit-00 that's throwing it off. Regardless, that singular bullet races downsights, aimed directly for Shinobilar's glowing visor. But--

Again, it passes through, as if being fired directly into a heat haze or illusion. The kaiju's body does not even seem to ripple or distort around the round. "Father's wishes are embodied in me. This place is to be turned to ruin, and none shall stand in his way. But from my perspective--"

Liam. Shinobilar rounds on the smaller machine as it unleashes that blast of molten metal. At the very same instant, a pulse of electromagnetic interference passes through its form. "RRRAAAGH!" The Kaiju roars, pain splitting its voice. Slag hangs from its body as it lunges in, reaching out to grab hold of the Helios' outstretched arm-- to hurl it into a nearby building.

...And then, it draws its sword.

The blade radiates menace. As if it were forged of something truly... malefic. Devilish energy wafts from its edge, a terrible unlight that contrasts only more powerfully against the blaze of Dawn. To Gridman in particular, the sensation would be familiar in the worst possible way.

Shinobilar takes the blade in both hands-- and brings it down into the Helios in a vicious slash.

It launches itself with the shockwave, sailing through the air to come crashing down, claw-first, into Unit-00.

KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Liam 7-020's Spirit Endurance activates, and the spirit is adjusted.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Liam 7-020
KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Liam 7-020 with Digifer Blade Grapple Slash!
KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Kaworu Nagisa with Shinobilar Claw Grab!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has completed their actions for the round.
<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Alexis steps -- and appears next to Mikoto on the skyscraper, gazing out alongside her. "Ah, so you've returned to this place. I suppose those who move the way we do are all ultimately drawn on by the same thing." He seems almost amused. ... almost. "You miss this place, don't you? Your heart longs to spend one more minute here -- with the Evoluder."

He glances off. His gaze, were one to track it, turns inexorably toward a middle school in the Fujiyokidai district. "As long as you are bound by the universe's 'rules,' it's impossible, you know. Your parting is foreordained. You and the Evoluder... as long as you are the way you are, and him the way he is, your parting is part of the rules of this universe. Such stories are common." There's an almost wry note as he adds, "Would it bring you solace to know that another 'you' had a chance to unite with another 'him'? Would it make you happy, Semi-Evoluder, to know that at least one universe existed where divine providence did nothing to harm you?"

Mecha-Ghoulghilas receives a taste of its own medicine -- which slices through the armor plates on its hands, taking off one of those sharp claws. It doesn't seem to care; nothing about it suggests it's concerned about its own well-being. Alexis returns to transmitting to Guy and Gridman. "Oh, if you really must know -- this is a favor I owe. A friend of mine is on a scavenger hunt!" There's indisputable malice in the way he says those words.

Borr fires their drills, and Mecha-Ghoulghilas, already off balance, topples. There's a horrifying thud as it hits an office building, and when it stands up, there's already a gaping hole from his attack. Still -- Mecha-Ghoulghilas lets out no sound but functional ones. It regards her -- regards all of Full Powered Gridman, really -- with the same emptiness as before.

It doesn't even stand up before it begins counterattacking. The smoothbore guns begin to fire on both the Evoluder and the Giant of Light, solid-state rounds issuing like thunderclaps.

KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Gridman with Smoothbore Rapidfire Gun Penetrator!
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Guy Shishioh with Smoothbore Rapidfire Gun Penetrator!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 91.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 80.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

Vitter's reaching out to her gets her attention at least. "I would hardly calling it an up beating so far," Emalya says in turn, "But noted! I will appreciate your assistance."

For her part, Emalya keeps moving, and her next answer is to Ennil. The machine is very nimble indeed. How much of that is the energy of Ruin?

"Hmmm. I suppose combat does raise one's heartrate. That is true."

This makes her interesting?

The launchers open up, and the dust cloud helps, as it turns out; switching abrubtly to Fighter mode, the Excalibur surges out of the cloud, zooming away and spinning out of the way of the missiles that continues to follow it until they have all detonated.

"Oh," Emalya answers of the expression. "I see... Well, all right."

"I will accept this metaphor of dancing!"

Then, she banks up, moving at speeds that should rightly crush her but don't, on account of her hardened body. Then she is flying upside-down right for the Doven Wolf again, still in fighter mode, firing many shots for its 'face' this time of beam after beam to maneuver into better position.

KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana targets Ennil El with Mounted Beam Gun Pod Maneuver Shot!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Alexis Kerib rattles Gridman, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Gridman fails to Evade Alexis Kerib's Smoothbore Rapidfire Gun Penetrator, taking 5220 damage!
KTS: Alexis Kerib roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Kaiju Navi has posed.

Gorudaa shakes its head after it emits the wash of heat and light, still flying easily through the sky, a combination of powerful wingbeats interspersed with long glides. It's hurt, but not so hurt that it's about to fall.

Being so much larger than Spike, it hasn't really chased him through the maze of high buildings. Gorudaa prefers to stay over the lower ones, or over roads, where the sky is clear; it tends to give skyscrapers a fairly wide berth (which is for the best given how much damage it would do to one if it hit... sure, they're reinforced, but do you really want to test that?).

It does mean that Spike gets some room to maneuver as he shoots around the skyscrapers. Gorudaa hasn't precisely lost track of Spike, but he was lower priority when he was out of sight, perhaps retreating - it isn't as if Gorudaa doesn't have something else it needs to fight!

But as soon as he attacks again, the Gorudaa's attention returns to the Swordfish II. Machine gun rounds strike home, and draw another roar, this one with pain behind it as much as anger. Gorudaa draws its wings back as far as it cans, and *beats* -

What comes out at Spike is more like a tornado turned on its side than anything else. It goes between those buildings too, aimed right at the Swordfish II, but even so the sides of the blast shatter windows and tear material from the frames of the skyscrapers, making it a whirling storm of debris as much as literally cutting wind capable of slicing cleanly into the small MONO.

And it looks about to do it again until Sayaka dives down.

The big iron fist connects with Gorudaa's jaw, jamming it shut and sending it tumbling. No more vortexes come from its wings as it tries desperately to recover without crashing into anything, and fails; it actually lands for the first time, skidding along the street as its feet dig in. It's battered, halfway to beaten.

But still it takes off, roaring its displeasure to the skies and emitting a much brighter, more focused beam of white heat directly at Mazinger Z. It didn't melt before, but Gorudaa is perfectly willing to give it another solid try - it's enough to literally drill a hole through a mobile suit, and though Mazinger Z is tougher, in Gorudaa's animalistic mind it can't be THAT much tougher.

KTS: Kaiju Navi has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaiju Navi has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaiju Navi targets Spike Spiegel with Vortex Cannon!
KTS: Guy Shishioh successfully avoids Alexis Kerib's Smoothbore Rapidfire Gun Penetrator
KTS: Alexis Kerib roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
KTS: Kaiju Navi has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaiju Navi targets Sayaka Yumi with Heat Ray Melter!
KTS: Kaiju Navi has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Utsugi has posed.

        The presence suddenly beside her causes Mikoto to startle, and step back. For as much as what she was now- as much as what Pasdar had done to her all those years ago, as much as the Oath enhanced her- Alexis Kerib was still a threat.

        He could drain Triple Zero long enough for Guy to purify Renais- and force her to live in this world they had to stop.

        That meant Alexis could nullify the Oath long enough to kill her.

        And her sense of duty (her love for Guy) couldn't allow that.

        "Alexis Kerib." There is hardness in Mikoto's voice, even after flinching. She brings herself back to her full height.

        But she can't deny what he says. "...I do. But I can't. There's no going back."

        The words don't bring her the comfort she wished for. The certainty of the Oath Over Omega was certainty.

        It wasn't warmth.

        Each of Alexis' words is a knife in Mikoto's heart, wounds that her body wouldn't just heal. "...I can't go against the Cosmic Law. We all made our choices... Guy... chose differently."

        'Would it bring you solace to know that another 'you' had a chance to unite with another 'him'?'

        Mikoto's heart leaps into her throat, and her voice catches. She steps back again, the look on her face showing Alexis verbal spears hit their mark. Tears reach her eyes. For that universe to exist, it would have to be a Miracle.

        And that means in that universe would have to end too.

        She turns her back to Alexis, the distress noticeable, as she reaches out through to Limpid Channel, the light in her forehad glowing orange. "Ennil-san, Shinobilar-san... we can't lose here! Not now... We can't let them keep fighting us."

KTS: Ennil El's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Ennil El blocks Emalya Zamana's Mounted Beam Gun Pod Maneuver Shot, taking 1290 damage!
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi targets Takeshi Todo and Ennil El with Awe.
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi inspires awe, increasing Takeshi Todo's Morale!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa's EN Barrier activates, negating 1500 base damage.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa fails to react to Takeshi Todo's Shinobilar Claw Grab, taking 2600 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Kaworu Nagisa!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has activated the Trust Spirit Command.
POT: Julia Ampere is no longer set observer.
Julia Ampere teleports out.

KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Sayaka Yumi partially guards Kaiju Navi's Heat Ray Melter, taking 5035 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 blocks Takeshi Todo's Digifer Blade Grapple Slash, taking 3150 damage!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Liam 7-020!
KTS: Takeshi Todo begins a Formation attack!

KTS: Mikoto Utsugi inspires awe, increasing Ennil El's Morale!

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        Gridman encourages him, and Kaworu smiles back at the image of him in his sensors. He leaves it at that, though; he knows how much it means Gridman to be able to face Alexis, and he has no intention of distracting him.
        
        When Liam warns him away, Kaworu bids Unit-00 withdraw fully behind her skyscraper cover. Her A.T. Field would protect her anyway, but it's quite a sight anyway, seeing Neo-Helios melt as designed and use that molten energy to flow over Shinobilar. Even if his gunfire doesn't land, instead fading in the haze between illusions, that's fine. It's already such an exciting battle.
        
        "Understood. We'll continue to engage Shinobilar so that you can better decipher its abilities," Kaworu transmits to Yuka. "Liam, you continue to engage in melee; I'll support you from afar." That way, Liam can fight without worrying about friendly fire, literally.
        
        Shinobilar asks that question. Kaworu doesn't say anything at first; this gives the kaiju time to explain what he means. He chuckles a little. "Normal humans? Perhaps not. But I don't believe I am regarded as 'normal.' Indeed, there are many humans who have what might be considered abnormal reactions to kaiju."
        
        Right, Yuka? ...he doesn't voice aloud. He doesn't want to bring Shinobilar's attention to her directly. But to Yuka, Liam, and other NERV operatives, it might sound as though he says it all the same.
        
        Then: "From your perspective?" he prompts, sounding genuinely interested in what Shinobilar has to say. If there's to be a response, it won't be right away, as the kaiju responds with violence to Neo Helios's attack, smashing into him with the demonic unlight of a massive sword, then rides up on the force of that attack to bare its claws at Unit-00. Crystalline light erupts before her, neutralizing some of the force of that descent--but the spillover of that energy destabilizes Unit-00's footing, and the next instant, both of them go down, Shinobilar on top, his claws ready to rend into her.
        
        So much for keeping her distance. Kaworu, rocked in the entry plug by the force of impact, only looks up with a smile.
        
        "Excuse me," he says. Unit-00 reaches up to one of her shoulder pylons, which opens up--she grabs the progressive knife therein--and then stabs with merciless force towards Shinobilar's neck. Whether she strikes true or not, Kaworu then prompts anew, "You were saying?"
        
        Definitely not normal.

KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Takeshi Todo with Progressive Knife Thrust!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to parry Kaworu Nagisa's Progressive Knife Thrust, taking 3780 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Takeshi Todo!
Lucine Azul teleports in.
POT: Lucine Azul is now set observer.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

Mikoto...he can all but sense her, even without the Z0 Similar reactions telling him something more than just Shinobilar and Ennil are here. Where is she, he needs to--

Guy shakes out his head, sucking in a breath that vibrates even GaoGaiGar's face plate. Focus, is what he needs to do. Focus on the enemy. "We have a rear guard at Orbit Base, we'd have heard if something were happening there..." That thought, half-directed at Sayaka. Then, switching thought trains: "Good shot, Full-Power Gridman!" Guy calls, because that's how a Brave addresses a five-man combiner. "Let's keep the pressure on! But keep an eye out!" He repeats the warning he gave Sayaka: "I don't think this is all that's going on!"

Oh, please don't be Goldymarg. Or King J-Der. Or Genrujin. Or Gouryujin...or Tenryujin...so, don't be anything.

Mecha-Ghoulghilas, flopped on its side helplesly, fires wildly, and Guy charges straight into that barrage and thrusts the Right Arm of Protection forward, light crackling along it before: "PLASMA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!" he roars, and tendrils of lightning thread across the distance to attach to the massive mechanical beast and lift it into the air, despite its momentous size! Guy roars with exertion and HURLS it aside, smashing it down back into the pavement. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

KTS: Guy Shishioh targets Alexis Kerib with Plasma Hold Grappling!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Guy Shishioh rattles Alexis Kerib, making his next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to Evade Guy Shishioh's Plasma Hold Grappling, taking 4590 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 9675
KTS: Spike Spiegel successfully evades Kaiju Navi's Vortex Cannon

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        "<Acknowledged,>" Liam says. His voice is tight. He's fighting something unquestionably intelligent, driven by Triple Zero, and capable of immense destruction. It reminds him of a young kaiju he once helped, and who helped him. He's going to have to kill him.

        "<Does your father,>" Liam begins, opening the channel to Shinobilar, "<know a young woman? Akane Shinjo?>" Guilt twists his guts. Is he putting Akane in danger? Surely Triple Zero would know of her already, given they were there when NERV and their allies showed up to kill CK-12.

        What Liam does not yet know cannot gut him in a single, effortless stroke. It has to wait to do that.

        The Neo Helios darts back, ducks, and tries to roll out from under that massive hand, but Shinobilar is too fast. Vertigo settles in Liam's stomach as his machine is picked up and thrown. The Neo Helios SLAMS into the office building, a wave of dust and debris flying into the air. New armor extrudes, and bits of desks, flooring, and pipework embed themselves in the taffy-like metamaterial. Liam sucks in a gasping breath, nearly winded from the Trace System feedback.

        Shinobilar draws a sword. Liam doesn't recognize it. "<He's escalating,>" he chokes out, and his voice wavers, but... then the implants get to work, sculpting the adrenal response, as they were built do.

        Shinobilar winds up for the followup. Liam tenses, and floors it. The jets ignite, ripping the Neo Helios free; it roars forward, past Shinobilar's shoulder. Gripping and hurling it was like tossing the proverbial hot potato. Now, Liam comes down in tandem with Kaworu's strike, plasma pouring into a containment field in his machine's hand. He hooks the Gundam around, towards the kaiju's back, and immediately drives it towards where the shoulderblade would be. Should be. Might be.

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

As her friends contend with Shinobilar not terribly far away, Yuka is hard at work, cross-referencing data points and examining comparisons to the illusions and cloning abilities of a few kaiju on record, alongside a few rare types which render their bodies partially out of step from physical reality. She's come up with what she believes should be the solution! Her new program is already being sent out, even as the kaiju and Kaworu have their conversation. One she can feel the essence of, as her heart races off. She knows of course both what he's getting at, and what he's avoiding saying. And why, of course.

"This should... if not negate the effect entirely, at least make it unstable. You'll have a brief window to force it into retreat." And soon enough, her secret weapon is unleashed. She has, mercifully, spared the pilots an explanation for the mechanics of how it works, but knowing Liam was able to feel the aura of 000 from its intangible form allowed her to rule out afterimages and illusions in this case. Though really, that made this a far more difficult task. "I hope once he's purified he'll allow me to question him, and study exactly how this works. The applications for it could..."

KTS: Yuka Ohta targets Takeshi Todo with Nullify!
KTS: Yuka Ohta has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Takeshi Todo with Starshard Knife!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: [Mirage] Takeshi Todo's Shinobilar Illusions activates, and he slips into a mirage.
KTS: Takeshi Todo parries Liam 7-020's Starshard Knife, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Takeshi Todo!
KTS: Yuka Ohta nullifies Takeshi Todo's defensive abilities.

<Pose Tracker> Spike Spiegel has posed.

"Got it," Spike answers Sayaka. "Then I'll stay out of your hair."

There is something awe-inspiring about seeing Mazinger Z rush in and get close with a kaiju. Spike doesn't stop to appreciate it, though; the Swordfish II is always moving, and the kaiju is soon behind his fighter as he boosts away.

Spike sees the warnings flash -- and glances over his shoulder to spot the wings -- and then his eyes widen.

"Any port in a storm!" Spike shouts, before he pulls up. The VTOL works overtime; the thruster ignites, and then the afterburners do the same. G-forces slam Spike back into the seat, as he tears away from the tornado. The winds whip at the back of the Swordfish II, some ailerons flapping despite themselves -- and debris flies overhead.

Spike weaves, dodges, and ducks through chunks of concrete, pieces of glass, and what he suspects is a dumpster. He shoots above it, then levels the MONO Racer out.

The Gorudaa breathes its beam of white heat, right for the Mazinger Z. A moment later, there is a large crackle of blue-white lightning along the cannon on the underside of the Swordfish II. Spike flies in, counting down in his mind. His eyes don't blink.

"Little bit more, and..." His finger squeezes the trigger. "NOW!"

And a massive lance of blue-white plasma explodes from the cannon. It rockets over the Castle of Iron's shoulder, then slams right at the Gorudaa's mouth.

Before, Spike hopes, it can close it.

KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Spike Spiegel targets Kaiju Navi with Plasma Cannon!
KTS: Spike Spiegel has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaiju Navi partially guards Spike Spiegel's Plasma Cannon, taking 6480 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

Vit banks to the side immediately as the Doven Wolf blasts forward, trying to keep from striking Ennil himself. "None of us have given up on you, babygirl. Count on that."

The fighter jet soars into the air and cuts his engines, allowing himself to fall for a few long moments. With a roar, they come back to life, and Sky Vitter circles Ennil's machine, trying to draw her attention. Noticing Emalya's machine transform, he can't help but let out an impressed whistle.

"Very nice! I've never seen you on the battlefield before, ma'am. You on our side generally, or just today?" The suave, charming voice of a man in his 20s echoes from the plane.

Borr shouts in triumph as their drills topple the kaiju.

"Great shot, Borr!" Gridman praises. "Thank you, Guy. I'm glad you're by our side!"

"To fight alongside the King of Braves is an honor, as always." Max intones, seeming having regained his composure.

Gridman charges toward Mecha-Ghoulghilas, axe raised high. If they can just take the monster down now, they can find Alexis..! Before he can reach the toppled kaiju, a wave of malicious energy strikes the Giant of Light, nearly making him stumble.

"What--?"

The sensation is so familiar, but the Hyper Agents have no idea what it is. All they know is how bad it feels. "Kaworu, do you feel that?" Gridman calls. "Something -- I can't identify what's wrong, but something's really awful, suddenly!"

Gridman staggers, his attack running out of steam before it can connect. Mecha-Ghoulghilas is given the time it needs to right itself and launch another attack, and this time, the Giant of Light can't quite dodge around it.

"AH--!" Gridman shouts in pain, bullets piercing his armor.

With a leap, he retreats from the kaiju, ducking around a building. Gridman leans against it, shaking his head. Without Vit, they're slower than they're used to, and have less armor. And that evil miasma still feels like it's hanging off Gridman, impeding his movements...

"We need to finish this, and preserve energy for hunting Alexis Kerib." Calibur murmurs.

"One more hit should do it, if we can hit the damn thing right." Borr adds. They've taken the worst of the damage so far -- their drills and armor chipped and broken around Gridman's body.

"I think I know what to do." Gridman holds his axe in his hands and focuses. Bits of radiant sunlight draw in toward the Giant, suffusing his form with strength. "I just need a little time."

KTS: Gridman targets Alexis Kerib with Full Power Charge!
KTS: Gridman has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to charge.
KTS: Alexis Kerib partially guards Gridman's Full Power Charge, taking 1640 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at 8035
KTS: Gridman begins a Formation attack!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Gridman has activated the Rouse Spirit Command targeting Emalya Zamana

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

<"Of course not... that persistence of yours is a little charming,"> Ennil grudgingly admits. <"Well, if you want to keep chasing behind me, I guess that's your problem. Just don't lose sight of other important things.">

The VF blasts into the sky, and while the Doven Wolf does have thrusters, it doesn't elect to chase. Instead, its hands split away from the body, revealing an array of wire-guided beam emitters. With a thrum, more energy swells to blunt the spray of beam fire, before the INCOMs start on the fighter's tail, slowly building a net to cut off Emalya's options and strike a serious blow.

She can let the Meltrandi lead, for now. When the time comes, she'll bring the Valkyrie to her.

<"That's some talent! Or maybe... serious combat experience?">

KTS: Ennil El targets Emalya Zamana with Wolf's Lash Remote Formation!
KTS: Ennil El has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Emalya Zamana's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Emalya Zamana partially guards Ennil El's Wolf's Lash Remote Formation, taking 2590 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

Guy warns Sayaka again, this time it becomes more clear. About Mikoto, right? "Understood! They could.. definitely bring out a lot more than this if they wanted to, couldn't they?" Between a couple kaiju that aren't even all theirs and a mobile suit, it's not exactly an army on T0's end... and Char's almost certainly out there too. "I'll be careful!" She affirms.

For now, she has more to deal with on her immediate plate as the Groudaa threatens to melt Mazinger Z yet again. Bracing for impact as she can feel Super Alloy Z crackling. "It's not... enough!" Sayaka shouts back in defiance. "You keep treating Mazinger Z as if it's just an ordinary robot... seems you need an education on what it means to surpass a god and devil both! MAZIN POWER, activate!" An ingenious addition to the super robot refined by Koji, allowing a temporary overclock in Photon Power. Shimmering gold as the flame washes down upon Mazinger Z for just a moment, it's just enough to overcome Groudaa's final attack.

Another blast of energy flies above Mazinger Z, enough power to have easily come from a kaiju. A pincer attack?! Thankfully, no, it seems to be friendly fire. "That much sheer output from just a tiny fighter? Very impressive indeed," Sayaka compliments Spike on his plasma cannon.

"Then let's put an end to this!" The Mazin's eyes gleam, still overclocked, as Mazinger Z's fist reaches out in an iconic pose. "Fly, fist of iron! ROCKET PUUUUUNCH!" The fist whirls from Mazinger Z's arm piercing through the kaiju's body with everything it has - and if that wasn't enough, the other arm fires out a Rocket Punch too for good measure. "That second one," she adds, "was for Koji." As it too attempts to pierce through the kaiju's body with a devastating finality, before the twin fists return to their owner.

KTS: Sayaka Yumi targets Kaiju Navi with Rocket Punch!
KTS: Sayaka Yumi has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

This is, for a Devil of the Hyper World... honestly too easy. The barriers enforced on Mikoto's feelings are known to him and the rules of the engagement are quite clear. It has the feeling of eating MacDaniel's -- cheap, unfulfilling...

... and transiently absolutely delicious.

Alexis sees he's hit a nerve. He decides to dig into it rather than flinch from it. "Ah, so because one 'you' is unhappy, the infinite other 'you's who could achieve happiness become loathsome..." His expressionless mask continues its teal-paneled dance.

"Oh, you are the universe's cruelty to itself, Herald of Dawn. That you do not collapse under the strain of having a heart may be the greatest miracle of all."

Mecha-Ghoulghilas is grabbed with the power of Plasma Hold, and Alexis... keeps on talking as Guy hurls it. The beast skids across G-Island City's streets, but just the same, he's feeling extra-chatty to the Vessels of Light today. "At the rate things are going, you may have a secondary problem to clean up -- if not more than one! How cruel it is to live in a larger world, full of people whose values are not a perfect match for yours..." The light of Full Powered Gridman shines down on Mecha-Ghoulghilas; it needs to end this fight fast if it's to end it at all. "Bearing the weight of the era comes with a price, Gridman. Are you ready to bear it alone?"

Mecha-Ghoulghilas is a creature of habit. It ultimately has one move -- everything else builds up to that one move. It rights itself, opening its mouth one final time as the panels along its neck already begin to move to close up; it disgorges all of the remaining energy in its heat array at the King of Braves, before the spines of its neck clamp together and form that familiar drill.

It charges forward heedless of anything, aiming for Gridman's heart. In the end, a resurrected kaiju can only play the same familiar song for the same familiar audience; there's no room for new dreams.

KTS: [Spirit Defense] Guy Shishioh's Spirit Endurance activates, and the spirit is adjusted.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Gridman's Hyperlink Combine activates, and the spirit is adjusted.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Gridman
KTS: Kaiju Navi fails to react to Sayaka Yumi's Rocket Punch, taking 6600 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Sayaka Yumi's Light of the Future activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Kaiju Navi has been defeated!
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Guy Shishioh with Concentrated High-Intensity Heat Array!
KTS: Alexis Kerib targets Gridman with Head-Mounted Drill Assembly Bore!
KTS: EN Regen activates. Your new EN value is 72.
KTS: SP Regen activates. Your new SP value is 50.
KTS: Alexis Kerib has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Gridman has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Gridman has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Gridman parries Alexis Kerib's Head-Mounted Drill Assembly Bore, taking 1620 damage!
KTS: Alexis Kerib has engaged Gridman!
KTS: Guy Shishioh's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Guy Shishioh blocks Alexis Kerib's Concentrated High-Intensity Heat Array, taking 3010 damage!
KTS: Alexis Kerib roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

"Just today," Emalya confirms for the charming young man who is Sky Vitter. "But perhaps another day as well! I work for the SMS, under Nergal. If you enjoy my performance you should consider requesting a contract! Ha, ha, ha!"

As it happens, the INCOMs are quite accurate. While the Pinpoint Barrier System deflects some of the damage, the fighter is scored with scorchmarks and blasted well by that net; she's forced to come back in, for that reason.

But talent? "I would say design more than talent. Though I have not fought in some time. Not since the wars with our people and humans!"

The Excalibur suddenly turns and barrels down towards the Doven Wolf, firing beams from its mounted guns over and over again to cover its approach, only switching to Battroid mode again when she's nearly on the Doven Wolf's toes. "It is, as you say, driving the bicycle?"

But the focus in her voice suggests it's not without effort.

KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana targets Ennil El with Mounted Beam Gun Pod Closing Barrage!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Ennil El blocks Emalya Zamana's Mounted Beam Gun Pod Closing Barrage, taking 2400 damage!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has engaged Ennil El!

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

It is escalating. This much is a fact. After all, it's just as Mikoto says: they must win here. Or at least, hold them off as long as they possibly can. "I will give it my all," Shinobilar growls in response to her encouragement, but to the others around it, those who may not be able to hear the third terminal of Triple Zero's voice radiating across the Limpid Channel, it seems to be little more than a boast.

The Definitely Not Normal Kaworu Nagisa puts proof to how empty such a boast might be. The progressive knife rams deep into Shinobilar's neck-- or rather, its shoulder. "Ghhh--" The blade grinds, its high-pitched whine splitting the air as it chews through the Kaiju's body, only stopping when it nicks the brace of grenades. With a crash of fire and force, the explosives cook off, blasting Shinobilar back.

Just in time for Liam to dart in and--

Again pass straight through. Yuka may be right; whatever the heck this Kaiju is doing, if it can be replicated, the potential applications are incredible. With a loud grunt, Shinobilar kicks out with a suddenly solid foot, knocking the Helios towards Unit-00. "I was saying. From my perspective, it would be a shame to destroy this place without experiencing it properly. But--" Its visor flashes, an orange beacon blazing up from within. "--Father's purpose is clear. A Shinobi is the blade of the heart. I will not allow you to interfere so easily!"

"'Akane Shinjo' is not a name that I know," Shinobilar answers, and in this it at least seems honest. But its sword is in both hands again, and again, that aura of dreadful unease radiates from the blade. It's a hungry thing, a sadistic thing. A darkness that delights in the suffering that it causes, that rejoices in the domination of will and celebrates the quenching of the light of the 'ego.'

That it is wielded now by one who claims to be the blade of Takeshi Todo's heart is-- perhaps not a good sign in and of itself.

Or perhaps there's something more to it than that?

It's immaterial now. Shinobilar takes a sure step forward-- and then there is another. And another. Copies of Shinobilar seem to emerge from its body, sliding effortlessly through solid matter to surround Liam and Kaworu both on all sides. "I will give it my all," the Shinobilar legion repeats, as they surge in as one, "Die!"

Each copy delivers only a single cut before allowing another duplicate to take their place. Again and again they cleave deep, until as one they all leap into the air and descend with swords drawn--

As another wave of interference passes through them and causes a full half of them to dissolve into static. "Ghh-- again! But father's code will not be so easily defeated!"

KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Liam 7-020 with Shredder!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Takeshi Todo targets Kaworu Nagisa with Shredder!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa rushes into the attack!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa partially guards Takeshi Todo's Shredder, taking 7920 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Takeshi Todo's Hyperdevil Survivor activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Kaworu Nagisa!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Utsugi has posed.

        In the end, a Hyper Devil doesn't need power or weapons or kaiju to hurt someone.

        Knowledge and words can be more than enough.

        She's silent, trying to find the words to counter Alexis. That she would resent a version of her that got to keep her happiness. That she would take it from any version of her and Guy that would exist.

        She doesn't have the words to match Alexis here. Her hands ball into fists, as if to impotently show her anger and distress.

        But when a Brave runs out of words... Action carries them.

        She turns back to GaoGaiGar and reaches out across the Limpid Channel not just to Guy... But to Galeon as well. She just needs to see.

        She knows GaoGaiGar's systems as well as anyone. She knows how far it can push. What it can do. She can't touch the GS-Ride. She can't corrupt Guy and Galeon from here.

        And for one shining moment... Love and Courage win out.

        "GUY!" She shouts, and her words carry across the Limpid Channel. "Set full power to the GS Ride! You need to win this! I need you to win this! I need you to live, Guy!"

        Tears stream down her face as, for a moment, she feels like she did back at Bay Tower, sitting at her desk. Taiga's words that rang in her spirit then ring now. "Remember! Victory goes..."

KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi targets Guy Shishioh with Heart!
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Guy Shishioh

<Pose Tracker> Kaiju Navi has posed.

Gorudaa is struggling to get back in the air. It's injured, or damaged - whichever way you want to look at it, given this is an anomalous kaiju, presumably summoned by Alexis given his presence here. It's simply not able to react as quickly as it could at the beginning of the battle.

It's still an impressive presence. Its increasingly frenzied flailing is simply causing randomized damage near it as it tears at the air; slashes of wind that leave cuts - not blunt damage, actual *cuts* - in the road surface and abandoned vehicles and against the reinforced buildings.

It manages to lurch into the air, regaining some of its former grace once it is no longer waddling on the ground (that's the only gait it has), but Spike is there. Weaving through all the debris the Gorudaa threw up and was covering itself with, a nearly impossible flight path - but he's there, firing directly into the side of the Gorudaa as it ascends.

The blast catches it in one wing and it crumples. The Gorudaa roars, twisting around and trying stay up, but it just barely manages. It has to stretch out to do it, arcing its back.

Which is when Sayaka puts a rocket fist through it.

The Gorudaa hangs there in midair, light and air and fire coming from the hole as a second goes right through it. The kaiju roars again, a strangely distorted thing, and explodes in a gout of energy, shot through with sparkles -

- Which draw inward, compressing to a point and vanishing in a flash, leaving only glitter behind that fades in the air.

KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 parries Takeshi Todo's Shredder, taking 2190 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Takeshi Todo's Hyperdevil Survivor activates, causing Sparkle!
KTS: Takeshi Todo has engaged Liam 7-020!
KTS: Takeshi Todo completes the Formation attack!
Gridman has paged Alexis Kerib with, 'how close is Alexis to the fight? enough for Vit to potentially see him?'

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Emalya does her best, but the INCOMs are relentless. Sure enough, though, the VF dives right in... and unleashes a pretty serious barrage. The Aura rises again, but blasts begin to burrow through it, scoring the armor of the Doven Wolf. Soon the machines are face to face, with the Doven Wolf's hands extended out in their chase - the Battroid seems to have the advantage. A low chuckle echoes over the comms... and the wires fall nearly to the ground, enclosing the two fighters, the INCOM components shattering into knife-like shards around the two.

The Aura becomes a hammer, curling around the mobile suit as it simply charges forward, attempting to use its greater mass to drive the Battroid back, into the eager slashing of the INCOM claws.

After all, its main advantage over this nimble machine is sheer mass, simple impact. Battered to bits, high-performance parts will fail - while Ennil can just rely on the Cosmic Will to allow her this freedom. Why bother with caution? Why concern yourself with defense?

...Where's the thrill, when you have nothing on the line?

The wolf's grin falls from her face. God, this stopped being fun a long time ago. But... it's what must be done.

<"Sorry. I'm not in the mood to play anymore.">

KTS: Ennil El targets Emalya Zamana with Radiance Bash!
KTS: Ennil El has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Spike Spiegel has posed.

"There's a reason for that," Spike answers Sayaka, with an easy smile on his face. "This thing's vintage."

He watches the Gorudaa take the final hit -- the rocket fist tearing through it -- and then it explodes apart, then implodes inward. He watches, making a face for a moment, then shakes his head.

"Good shot," he tells Sayaka. He watches a moment more -- then his eyes turn towards the other kaiju, then his screen.

His flight path, though, means is leading away -- and it'll be a good moment longer before he could consider anything additional.

KTS: Emalya Zamana rushes into the attack!
KTS: Emalya Zamana's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Emalya Zamana partially guards Ennil El's Radiance Bash, taking 3960 damage!
KTS: Ennil El has engaged Emalya Zamana!

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

"Behind you?" Vit laughs. "Keep your eyes forward, Ennil. We're going to bring you home before you know it. Pack your things and start buying clothes that aren't orange!"

"Nergal, huh?" A thoughtful noise comes from the plane. "You know, we are in the market for some allies, and you've been more than impressive.. I'll look you up, ma'am."

Vit swirls around Ennil's machine once more, firing his guns just enough to keep her back from Emalya. With that, he arcs into the sky, vanishing in the glare of the sun.

Guy buys Gridman the time he needs to power up. Sunlight illuminates the Giant of Light, brilliant and warm. Gridman steps back out from the cover he'd found, raising his axe to catch Mecha-Ghoulghilas' drill attack and turn it aside.

"I'll bear whatever I have to so everyone can live in peace!" Gridman shouts to Alexis. "I won't have to do it alone, either!"

Though his face doesn't move, there's the hint of a smile in the Giant of Light's voice. "You made sure of that, Alexis Kerib."

"Lady, you better move!"

With a roar of engines, Sky Vitter descends directly above Mikoto, angling his thrusters to try and push her away from the Hyper Devil, back toward the center of the roof she stands on. It's rough, sure, but this woman's practically lousy with dawnlight. She's going to be fine.

Machine guns, already warmed up, fire mercilessly on Alexis Kerib. The roof around him is pulverized, concrete shrapnel joining the spray of bullets.

"Found him, Gridman!" Vit calls, voice smug. "Get over here as soon as you can!"

"Thank you, Vit!" Gridman raises his left arm, allowing his gathered radiance to centralize in the Primal Accepter.

Borr's twin drills light up. "Twin Buster..."

"Grid..." Max and Calibur add their voices to the call.

"BEAM!" They shout in unison.

Brilliance washes over the battlefield as Gridman fires on the kaiju, as he has twice before. Maybe this time, the poor creature's body will be put to rest, as its spirit has clearly left long ago.

KTS: Gridman targets Alexis Kerib with Twin Buster Grid Beam!
KTS: Gridman has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

Is Alexis jeering him about collateral, now?? Lines of light trace up from Galeon and into his eyes, the total fusion of the Superhuman Evoluder and the Mechanical Lion as even their bodily signals become one. "Galeon and I won't lose to this thing a second time, Alexis Kerib!" Guy barks. "We've come far, and we'll keep going! Gridman and I will break through every one of your little schemes, whatever they are!"

...the worst guy he knows does, however, still have a point; Guy really should end this. Pity Goldy's not here...

And then...something he didn't expect. Couldn't predict. He feels her touch across that distance and opens himself without even one second of hesitation, a thought like, "Mikoto..." across the sea.

Win. She needs him...to live. She needs him to live. She...

He sucks in a deep breath, and feels the G-Stones in his every cell ignite like stars.

And then he drives straight into Mecha-Ghoulghilas with terrific speed, grabs one of the pylons on its sensor backpack, and tears it off with a red-glowing right hand. "TO THOSE...!" he screams, and then reaches down, STOMPS on its armored tail, and tries to PRY OFF the entire left arm.

"WITH COURAGE!!!!"

Which he immediately spins around and stabs the mechanized monster in the neck with its own claws.

KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Valor Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        "I do," Kaworu tells Gridman calmly. "The source is the sword of this kaiju, Shinobilar." His red eyes narrow. Liam says he's escalating, and that's true on many levels. "It does feel distinct from the power of the Dawn... Is it that radiant to you?" It's certainly radiant to him, but Shinobilar had been literally on top of him for a moment, cresting off the force of an attack from that sword. If its malefic power is affecting everyone around them... That's much more of a problem.
        
        Those blasts rock Shinobilar off and away, preventing a potentially deadly pin. As Neo-Helios closes in on the kaiju, Unit-00 nimbly flips up and around, fingers of her free hand splayed in a three-point crouch, her mono-eye rising to consider Shinobilar. Kaworu doesn't comment on Liam's question about Akane, leaving Shinobilar to answer or not as he will. But this creation of his 'father's' and Anti really are too similar.
        
        "I see. You're as loyal as he is, too," he remarks. He of course means Anti, or rather, Knight--but he doesn't clarify that. It's enough for Kaworu to confirm that this kaiju, too, has his own feelings distinct from his father's will. Shinobilar will have to come to his own conclusions. "I won't try to convince you otherwise, then." The power of the Dawn makes that especially pointless, anyway. "May I at least ask where you acquired such a blade?"
        
        He may or may not get an answer as Shinobilar creates copies of himself, surrounding Unit-00 and Neo Helios on all sides. They leap up, blades flashing darkly--and then Yuka's counter-program launches, negating a considerable number of Shinobilar's doubles. "As well-done as ever, Yuka," he says, smile returning. "Perhaps in time, you'll have that chance--"
        
        But there are still many doubles left, and they descend blades-first. Several of them bite deep into Unit-00, slipping between chinks of armor. The orange behemoth spasms and rocks her head back, screaming soundlessly into the air. Kaworu, sharing her pain, rocks back in the throne of her soul, teeth gritting to the sensation of blades puncturing him all over his body. One of them coincides with the wound on his back, where he once actually was stabbed--
        
        Unit-00's knife hand rises. With a manic viciousness and relentless fury that seems frankly uncharacteristic of Kaworu, she stabs and stabs and stabs and stabs and s t a b s . Red liquid--eerily colored coolant of some kind, no doubt--floods from her wounds, but that doesn't stop her from doing her utmost to cleave at Shinobilar, even if it's only the afterimages that remain in the wake of Yuka's program, even as the prog knife's vibrations makes her clutched hand slip and slant as her attacks repeat. She simply keeps going and going and going--
        
        Until she doesn't. With the precision of a scalpel, her attack abruptly relents. Her grip on the knife shifts for an instant, turning the blade inward at her own chest, but with a ghost of a tremor, it points downward instead. She sweeps back a step from Shinobilar as if to give Neo-Helios the space to do what Liam needs to do. "Go," Kaworu prompts him, even, his voice as calm as ever.
        
        What was that just now?

KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Mikoto Utsugi bares her heart, letting Guy Shishioh deal some extra damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Enable Spirit Command.
KTS: Guy Shishioh targets Alexis Kerib with Two Powers Into One!
KTS: Guy Shishioh has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has activated the Prospect Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Kaworu Nagisa
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa targets Takeshi Todo with Progressive Knife Drive!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has activated the Resupply Spirit Command targeting Emalya Zamana
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Guy Shishioh's Two Powers Into One, taking 8710 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at -675
KTS: Alexis Kerib has been defeated!
KTS: You're out of the fight. Consider using +eject to leave the battlefield.
KTS: Guy Shishioh has engaged Alexis Kerib!
KTS: Guy Shishioh continues a Formation attack!
KTS: Alexis Kerib fails to react to Gridman's Twin Buster Grid Beam, taking 9750 damage!
KTS: Your unit's HP stands at -10425
KTS: Alexis Kerib has been defeated!
KTS: You're out of the fight. Consider using +eject to leave the battlefield.
KTS: Gridman roots his unit, coming to a standstill and leaving him vulnerable.
KTS: Gridman completes the Formation attack!

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

"Yes!" Emalya answers the plane. "I appreciate this. Please do this thing. I wish to help worthwhile causes."

But: The Aura rises. Emalya does not know what she can do against such a thing as the Aura of Dawn; it is beyond her experience, something she has heard of only in briefings and rumors both. A force that seeks the destruction of all intelligent life...

So, of course, in accordiance with her Meltrandi training and heritage, Emalya charges in harder. The hammer slams into the battroid as the Excalibur charges in in return, slamming its shield forward to counter the attack. However, she's still driven back, and the claws of the INCOMs hack at the legs of her unit. Emaly grits her teeth, feeling the shaking of her unit as Ennil apologizes.

"It was never about 'fun' for me," Emalya answers. "There is no apology required in battle. We will fight, and one of us may die. That is what it means."

Clashing with her shield still against the Doven Wolf, the Battroid Excalibur pulls its beam cannon in its other arm and points, forward. She starts firing shot after shot after shot.

"Humans know much of 'culture' and reasons to battle, I understand... But I was created for this purpose. So whether you are in the mood or not, take my retort!"

KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana targets Ennil El with Mounted Beam Gun Pod Rapid Fire!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

With the combined effort of Spike's Plasma Cannon and Sayaka's Rocket Punch, Gorudaa falls, exploding with no sign of it ever being there except for those curious sparkles and glitter it leaves behind.

"Vintage, huh," she muses as Spike explains himself. "Iiiiinteresting." She adds, with a smile. "Thank you for the assist, Spike. I wonder if we'll cross paths again sometime." He was a cowboy, he said? And they seem to get around everywhere. And as an energy researcher, well, now that Swordfish II interests her.

With one kaiju down, Sayaka'd love nothing more than to jump into battle against the next. A slight problem, though... Mazin Power's run out, meaning Photon output's down to compensate for the previous overclock. The armour's taken a heavy beating as well as it always does in these battles, meaning a trip to the hangar is in order once the chaos settles. The best she will have to settle for is wishing Guy, Gridman and the rest of the combatants the best of luck.

KTS: Ennil El's Will Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Ennil El fails to react to Emalya Zamana's Mounted Beam Gun Pod Rapid Fire, taking 3000 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

Alexis, to be sure, remains immortal and static. Certainly he is much moreso than Mikoto, from whom Vit separates him before blasting him with machine gun fire; certainly in this moment he has pressed her, for better or for worse, to a position where she can live as a human.

When the dust settles, Alexis is still standing -- but there's an irritation in his last transmission that wasn't there before. "Nngh -- this 'you' will forever be incomplete, Gridman. All humans are."

He disappears; his kaiju have done their work. Anything that follows from this -- well, that's not his responsibility.

Guy stops Mecha-Ghoulghilas in its tracks, tearing into the much larger mecha-kaiju with force; even with its considerable size advantage, it cannot stand against the Evoluder. He's fought larger foes before, after all. It's still not enough -- this kaiju has always remained fired up no matter how much damage is done.

... to be sure, it's not fired up at all tonight, but it is a different beast in his hands.

Any residual malice, however, burns away as Mecha-Ghoulghilas is bathed in Light. Gridman's power consumes it entirely; when it passes -- both Mecha-Ghoulghilas and Alexis are gone.

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

<"I guess you have a point. It'd be a little hypocritical for me to lecture you on the human heart - given why I'm here and all. Alright. Let's keep it simple. Though you're at a pretty big disadvantage, putting your life on the line against a Ruin Disciple.">

The nimbleness from before is gone, as is much of the craft. The mobile suit simply wades forward, armor scalded by beam fire, peeling away to reveal a lean and hungry monster of a machine. The claws curl around and settle back into their place on her wrists, and the Skoll lunges, driving its claws forward in a sharp wedge and then slashing them apart, as if hoping to simply tear the Valkyrie in two in one harsh thrust.

<"So instead of saying sorry, I'll thank you - for bringing a little life to our show here today, before the final act.">

Claws slash, and slash, and slash again, shards drawing in to turn them into long, beastly claws as she brings them together one final time, aiming to crush the Excalibur in a deadly vice.

KTS: Ennil El has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Ennil El targets Emalya Zamana with Wolf's Nail Tooth and Claw!
KTS: Ennil El has completed their actions for the round.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        Again, Shinobilar drops out of phase with the rest of the world. Again, Liam's strike meets empty air, tainted with the glow of Triple Zero. It doesn't feel as awful and cloying, this time, as he didn't throw his whole machine through the space the kaiju occupied. It's a small comfort, at best.

        But Liam has a friend in his corner. "<Understood, Yuka,>" he says. And then Shinobilar is physical again, and his foot is racing towards the Neo Helios in an impressive, acrobatic kick. It meets with the machine's floating, vent-cover shield, striking with a heavy CLONG. The Mobile Fighter flies towards Eva-00, and Liam digs in his heels, hitting the jets to stall his momentum. The force of deceleration slams into his chest, but he holds firm. "<Going to need all we can get.>" His voice is a little strained.

        Shinobilar splits. Liam feels his throat tighten; Kaworu seems as easygoing as ever, but the more clones appear, the more tension appears in the Neo Helios' body language. He's surrounded. They're surrounded. Some of the clones wink out in an instant, but there are still too many.

        Liam sinks into the moment. For a few crucial seconds, all the uncomfortable thoughts go somewhere else. There is only action.

        Planes of magnetic force race upward from the Mobile Fighter's palms, joining together and filling with white-hot plasma. The machine grips its new spear and whips around, one-eighty degrees, to parry the first clone's blade. Another lunges. Liam kicks off the edge of that horrible weapon, throwing the spear-haft into the path of that sword. It skitters against the magnetic field, but the containment holds. The Neo Helios drops, suddenly, as another strike comes in, lands in a three-point crouch, meets another strike mid-backflip with the spear. The next tears into the armor at the Mobile Fighter's shoulder-joint.

        For a few precious seconds, Liam weaves among strikes meant to kill him. He looks like one of the Gundam Fighters he was meant to kill. And then--

        "<KAWORU!>" Horror rises in Liam's voice as Unit-00 falls on Shinobilar in reprisal. Horror for Kaworu's sake, as well as that of the talking kaiju that, for all he knows, might be as capable of thought and self-reflection as Anti.

        'Go,' Kaworu says. Liam hesitates a moment, then reminds himself he can't, this is Triple Zero.

        "<Sorry,>" Liam says, and the Neo Helios jets forwards, into the opening Kaworu just made. Its spear drives for the Kaiju's center-mass, and should it hit, the containment field forks. It forks again and again, for a grand total of sixteen times, which is more than enough to pour fire into Shinobilar's vitals.

KTS: Emalya Zamana has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Emalya Zamana fails to retreat.
KTS: Emalya Zamana's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Ennil El anchors Emalya Zamana, forcing her into close range.
KTS: Emalya Zamana fails to react to Ennil El's Wolf's Nail Tooth and Claw, taking 6840 damage!
KTS: Emalya Zamana has been defeated!
KTS: Ennil El has engaged Emalya Zamana!
KTS: Ennil El roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Liam 7-020 targets Takeshi Todo with Sunbright Spear!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to parry Kaworu Nagisa's Progressive Knife Drive, taking 4860 damage!
KTS: Kaworu Nagisa has engaged Takeshi Todo!
KTS: Takeshi Todo fails to parry Liam 7-020's Sunbright Spear, taking 8160 damage!
KTS: Liam 7-020 has engaged Takeshi Todo!

<Pose Tracker> Yuka Ohta has posed.

With the key piece of her strategy deployed, Yuka feels a momentary weight dropped off her. She can relax, for a second at least. She's still performing her work as a support operator of course, but setting up a proper countermeasure was the stressful part. By comparison, managing attack patterns and coordinating defense is MUCH easier. Really, she's kind of found her groove here, for this particular brand of work.

While her program is running, there's little she can do else to Shinobilar itself. So, she'll have to reinforce her allies instead. She can supply them with a few suggestions for their next attempt... along with a few movement and defensive optimizations. Enough to hopefully keep them safe from reprisal, should the kaiju choose to keep fighting it out. "How are the both of you holding up out there?"

KTS: Yuka Ohta targets Kaworu Nagisa and Liam 7-020 with Insight L2.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has completed their actions for the round.
KTS: Yuka Ohta has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Kaworu Nagisa
KTS: Yuka Ohta has activated the Trust Spirit Command targeting Liam 7-020
KTS: Yuka Ohta has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Liam 7-020
KTS: Yuka Ohta has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Kaworu Nagisa
KTS: Yuka Ohta shares insight with Kaworu Nagisa, making his next attacks more accurate!
KTS: Yuka Ohta shares insight with Liam 7-020, making his next attacks more accurate!

<Pose Tracker> Mikoto Utsugi has posed.

        The gust of the jets shove Mikoto back- but maybe not as far as Vit hoped... The machine gun fire is close, and jagged concrete flies up and Mikoto lifts her arm to protect herself.

        As a Semi-Evoluder, she can regenerate so much. With the Aura of Dawn, she's maybe not as far from unkillable as one might think. A small cut on her arm heals as fast as it opens from a fragment of concrete.

        She'll be fine physically, at least.

        She watches as Guy once again proves he is still him. Still Guy Shishioh, King of Braves. She smiles, sweet and sad.

        And then she feels it. The ES Door opening behind her, and hears Tomoro-117's voice. "Mikoto, it's time to leave," comes the tinny mechanical voice.

        BGM: https://youtu.be/n3Pn4FrqO0g

        Mournfully, she casts her eyes out to Guy one last time. She knows he won't listen. But she has to try.

        She has to try, but the words won't come. It's like Alexis said.

        The rules of the universe dictate that this is how it must be, and Mikoto cannot fight them even if she had chosen otherwise.

        The glow appears on her forehead again. "...Goodbye, Guy. I'll always love you, no matter what."

        And then she steps through the ES Door, and her presence vanishes completely as it closes.

<Pose Tracker> Gridman has posed.

In the moment before he disappears, Borr laughs at Alexis. "You dumbass. Why would it be a bad thing to be so human we take on their flaws?"

"Besides, we are Repli-Compoids." Max says, pride in his voice. "We were created from love and emptiness entwined. You may as well condemn a bird for its feathers."

"Damn it--!" Vit shouts, as the Hyper Devil vanishes. "Gridman, I had him pinned down, and he's just gone. I'm sorry."

Much like its master, Mecha-Ghoulghilas burns away, vanishing entirely once Gridman's beam ceases. The Giant of Light sighs, looking at the damage to the city, but Liam's voice draws him out of his worry.

"Vit! Get to Kaworu!" Gridman instructs, even as he begins to run the same way.

"On it!" With a rush of wind, Sky Vitter appears at Unit-00's side, just in time to witness the furious stabbing. "Kaworu! I'm here, Gridman's coming. We've got you!" A little pause, and then, "You good? That was a lot for you."

Even though Liam seems to have this handled, Vit trains his guns on the kaiju, refusing to take the chance of it striking Kaworu again. Gridman runs, his footsteps shaking the ground, but-- his awareness is drawn away from his partner by a spike of alarm.

"ENNIL, STOP!" Borr screams, and Gridman follows his comrade's gaze, gasping sharply as he witnesses Ennil's machine descend on Emalya. "YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HER!"

Distantly, Gridman and his comrades were aware of Vit's conversation with Emalya, their psychic link making them present even as they fought across the battlefield.

Claws slash, and slash, and slash again. As they come in to crush the Excalibur, though, they're stopped by two armored hands. Gridman, on his knees, holds each of Skoll's claws back, his fingers threaded in between the claws as the Giant of Light was simply holding the dawnlit wolf's hands.

"We're not letting you do something you'll regret." Calibur's voice is gentle.

Gridman's body trembles with effort. He's already used a lot of energy fighting Mecha-Ghoulghilas, despite trying to save his strength. Holding back the wolf is taking all he has.

"Ennil," Gridman finally speaks to her. "You didn't abandon me when I lost myself. You're one of us, and you always will be. We love you, all of us."

"Ma'am, please escape." Max speaks to Emayla. "We cannot hold her back for much longer. Please take this chance."

<Pose Tracker> Takeshi Todo has posed.

        "A gift from father," Shinobilar answers, which is as much of an origin story for that terrible blade as it has to offer. Perhaps there's something it's not telling them. Perhaps it's just a matter of... not knowing the truth of that blade. Perhaps that's something only Takeshi Todo knows for sure. But now is not the time for such truths to be made known. Not yet.

Even in the wake of Shinobilar's onslaught, the Evangelion and the Helios are still standing. The former launches into a fury, knife swinging with an assassin's precision at Shinobilar after Shinobilar, cleaving cleanly through each one until only a single copy yet remains. "Tch, even that... But I will not go quietly, you--"

Liam darts in. With a lance that spreads like a fractal tree of sunfire, he lunges at the Ninja Kaiju. It responds with an attempt to clash blade with spear-- but the lance only forks around the defense. Flame scorches its body as its voice screeches in an increasingly distorted, pained yell. The blaze blasts it back, into the ruins of what used to be another building. Shinobilar forces itself upright, staggering as its form seems to flicker and pop with bursts of static and corrupted data. "I... will not fall here...!" The Ninja Kaiju lifts its blade once more and--

"Enough!"

A conflagration of dawnlight erupts from a dozen monitors. Motes of flame gather, materializing into the now familiar of the Giant of Dawn himself. "You have done enough, Shinobilar! We still have use for you yet." Conquering King Gridman Sigma stands before his nearly vanquished creation... And with a gesture, carves open a gate underneath it. Shinobilar is silent as it disappears. Somehow, its visor glints with... shame?

Gridman Sigma turns his gaze unto Kaworu and Liam both, before vanishing as well.

But... if he could have appeared at any time, why send a kaiju to fight on his behalf...?

...And why, even with the Ruin Apostles gone, is the concentration of Z0 Similar in the area not declining...!?

<Pose Tracker> Emalya Zamana has posed.

"Indeed. For that human heart that touched us so... I will fight!" Keeping it simple is good, but... Ennil is quite correct about her disadvantage. The Meltrandi stares at her opponent's mecha unflinching even so. "In battle there are always advantages and disadvantages. What you say is true. But I will not surrender to your Dawn!"

Even with much of the craft gone, Emalya is hard pressed. The sheer power of the Dawn is terrible to behold; perhaps, were it an ordinary battle, she might have been able to triumph. But it is not, that lean and hungry monster something Other that is daunting indeed. "Perhaps... This is--"

'I'll thank you'.

Claws slash into the Valkyrie again and again, and it takes terrible damage from them, battered even through the Pinpoint Barrier System. Ejection is difficult this close up, in this mode. The Excalibur is not torn apart--yet. But if those attacks continue, it may well be.

Until Gridman's voice comes through. She is surprised, ot be sure, by the way those armored hands move to push apart the claws. They seem to care for this woman of Ruin. And so...

"Very well," Emalya answers, and steps back, her machine transforming not seamlessly and with audible groaning back into its fighter mode, and with a huge report of its engines starts away towards friendlies at top speed. "Thank you. I would prefer not to die today. I have... questions I must answer. Things I must know. And there are those I care for..."

"I hope that you are able to reach you care for, as well."

The Excalibur will need very significant repairs, but... Emalya lives another day.

<Pose Tracker> Alexis Kerib has posed.

If that were it... well, then that would be it, wouldn't it?

Things are never that simple.

"We're receiving a lot of Z0-similar readings from the transit network it looks like the Ruin Apostles were in position to take advantage of the fighting above to infect the transit system," Tamara Gogol reports to Guy, rapidfire as always. "Corrosion is slow transit police stations have already been compromised by Triple Zero energy manual separation of megafloat systems and train systems required to reduce spread."

Sure enough, some of the subway entrances have taken on a dawnlight tint...

<Pose Tracker> Guy Shishioh has posed.

Despite it all - despite what he's been through, despite the cavernous hole in his heart Mikoto leaves every time she walks away. He watches Gridman blow the beast apart.

Which is when he has time to receive the message from Mikoto, the Limpid Channel's glimmering cruciform on his brow.

His fist balls for a second time today. "Mikoto," he breathes, to an empty sea.

"I'll see you again soon. I love you."

He looks to the sky, where he knows she now is, GaoGaiGar's orange eyes staring out from its helmet.

And then he gets a new signal.

"What!" he yelps. "So that's their plan...G-Island's transit hub connects to half of Japan! If they can fortify that...!"

A vision rocks him. Friends and family, smilingly going to war for the destruction of this world. A whole nation blanketed by Dawn's light....!

"Relay to Orbit Base and the rest of NERV! We need as many hands down there as possible!"

<Pose Tracker> Ennil El has posed.

Gridman's hands close around the Skoll's, and there's a brief contest of strength. The Doven Wolf presses closer, its 'teeth' tilting toward's Gridman's neck... But the machine begins to shake, pressed this close to the Giant of Light.

It may dress as a machine, but it's resolve that drives the Skoll forward. And for a moment, it shakes.

<"There are already... lots of things I regret. Now that you're living in this world, and not just Tsutsujidai, you'll start piling up your own... So don't keep trying to take mine, too. Do you really think you can keep saving people who don't want to be saved? Isn't that kinda selfish?">

Makoto falls back. Then Takeshi and Shinobilar. The city itself begins to glow as the second team completes its task.

<"Keep looking for me all you want. But take a good, hard look at the world, too. Do you really think... I didn't want it to end like this, at least a little? And I'm not the only one who'll keep screwing up, as long as nothing changes. We've all made too many mistakes.">

The Skoll slackens, just a bit - as its heels, driven back, slip into an ES window that it topples back into, voluntarily blinking out of Gridman's grasp.

<Pose Tracker> Sayaka Yumi has posed.

It's truly never that simple, is it? Triple Zero infiltrating the transit system is unthinkable, but their forces made one mistake. It places the war firmly in their territory now, and they won't let up.

"I'm going to contact back to the Photon Power Labs and send for as many personnel as we can get!" Sayaka announces. Their main method of getting here, obviously, is compromised. But the Photon Power Labs have their ways.

"So, Taiga... that was your gambit."

<Pose Tracker> Kaworu Nagisa has posed.

        A gift from his father. "I see," Kaworu says to Shinobilar, and doesn't press. He trusts the kaiju to be telling the truth, and if there's more to it than that as far as Shinobilar knows, he respects that that's a secret the kaiju will keep.
        
        Unit-00's counter might well be a scene out of a horror movie--except her blade falls on copy, after copy, after copy, after copy, until only the original can be left, and that is when the blade stops and Kaworu steps back to urge Liam forward. A scene of pristinely controlled ultraviolence. It thus might actually be believable when Yuka asks how he and Liam are doing and Kaworu responds, "I'm doing well enough."
        
        He even smiles ruefully as Vit zips in with his own concern, and he admits as he clutches his shoulder--a motion that Unit-00 mirrors, despite his hands not on the controls, "That last attack did hurt. A bit of past pain flared up, I'm afraid."
        
        He, and Unit 00, look up and over at Gridman as he rushes over at first, but is rapidly diverted to stop Ennil from finishing off her opponent. It's all right; Kaworu understands. Liam's spear forks over a dozen times on Shinobilar to pour in the heat while Kaworu listens in attentive silence to Yuka's recommendations on counters should Shinobilar still be willing to fight after this is done. Indeed, he is still standing, and Kaworu regards him with a faint smile.
        
        But then Gridman Sigma appears directly and calls up a portal beneath Shinobilar, sending him away. Kaworu watches him go without trying to press the attack; when Sigma looks at him and Liam, he and his Evangelion return the gaze until Sigma too is gone.
        
        Curious. But Kaworu keeps his thoughts to himself, for there's something making a more immediate bid for his attention: all of their opponents are gone. But...
        
        ...Kaworu frowns. "The light of the Dawn isn't fading," he says, and for the first time all this fight, a note of urgency resounds in his voice. Guy is quick to expand on this, and Kaworu nods once, curtly. "The message has already been relayed to Central Dogma. Yuka, you should retreat. It's going to be dangerous for someone on the ground here now."
        
        He'll need to fall back for repairs on Unit-00 too. But he'll take his time on that a little bit--enough to have Gridman and his compatriots join him and Yuka on the way back, if they so choose.

<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.

        "<Still combat-capable,>" Liam says, to Yuka. The forked containment field collapses, leaving only a normal-sized plasma spear and a lot of superheated gas. The Neo Helios raises it in defense, and jets back. "<Kaworu, Yuka, he's still-->"

        'Enough!'

        "<You.>" Liam still remembers Central Dogma. "<What's your game here--?!">

        Liam can see that telltale spike of Z0 on the sensors. His guts twist as Gogol confirms what he was dreading. "<A distraction. Everyone in the transit system--!>" Liam's face locks in a look of horror and pain. "<Stop. Contain, purify.>" The horror starts to fade to emptiness, and the mission. "<Returning to base for repair and refuel. Will redeploy.>" Even though it feels like he's hanging onto a fraying rope.