Artesia (0094)

Released in 0094, Artesia is an alternate historical musical film produced by Side 3 Pictures and directed by Yenn Trafalgar. The film focuses on an alternate history in which Artesia Som Deikun, Zeon Zum Deikun's youngest child, survived the purge of the Deikuns by the Zabi Family. The film opens in 0068 with the purge and Artesia being evacuated at the last minute with her brother Casval Rem Deikun, but being separated in the violence and blacking out. The film then moves to March, 0080 the opening number, 'Gossip in Zum City', where rumor abounds that Artesia lives and that Linya Ral- a fictional character representing the last scion of the Ral family- offers a reward for Artesia's safe return to Zeon. In Side 1's Shangri-La, a duo of con-artists (Mina Crow and Zin Melse) see their opportunity to get off Shangri-La and live like monarchs off the reward. They leave their damaged home and go to find an appropriate girl.

At the same time, Sarah- a girl with amnesia and nothing more her name than a junked Haro with a faulty hard drive that only stores a lullaby- leaves her orphanage to make room for other children, and sings to herself about how she'll forge ahead ('Steps to the Future'). Mina and Zin see Sarah and decide she will be the ideal Artesia and try to get her to join their scam ('Picture Perfect Princess'). Sarah is reluctant, but relents when she's told how she could use her position to help orphans like her. Mina makes plans to get to Side 3, while Zin- a former supporter of the Deikun family- educates her on the finer points of Artesia Som Deikun ('A World You Wouldn't Know'). Inadvertently, Sarah mentions that she called her Haro 'Lucifer'- the name of Artesia's cat before the purge- Zin starts to get anxious about the plan. Mina informs them that it's time to leave, however, and the trio leave for Side 3.

The story cuts to a dark room under Side 3, where a half frozen body with a gunshot wound in the head sits silhouetted. A woman walks over to him and injects something into it, to no avail. The woman enters into an angry song about the way her deceased love was treated, and reveals him to be none other than Gihren Zabi ('Injustice for Gihren'). The woman, now known to be called Cecily Irina, is a disgraced Flanagan Institute scientist. However, she sees the report on the search for Artesia and reasons that if the death of Zeon Zum Deikun gave life to the Zabi Dynasty, perhaps the death of the last Deikun could give life to the last Zabi ('Blood for Blood, Death for Life').

Linya Ral, meanwhile, rejects her fourth false Artesia in the day, and has decided enough is enough, and informs her staff that the search will end- Lady Artesia is simply no longer among the living. The group arrive only to be turned away. Zin seems quietly pleased with the outcome, and suggests they return to their lodgings and return to Shangri-La the next day. Mina, however, isn't having it- in her song 'Escaping Paradise', Mina reveals that this effort cost them everything, and she has no intention of going back to Shangri-La. She swears she will get Linya Ral to see them, one way or another. Zin and Sarah go to find a place to stay, while Mina works out a plan.

At the hotel, Zin asks what Sarah will do now, as the plan has failed and she is the one most impacted by their carelessness. Sarah simply tells him she will forge ahead with kindness as she always has . Zin questions her, and tells her of his past as an aide to the Deikun family, and his failures on the night of the purge, telling her it would simply be best to return and live a quiet life ('Footsteps in Reverse').

Mina, meanwhile, catches Linya Ral leaving the government building for the evening and attempts to reel her in through flirting and confidence tricks. Linya seems to go along with them, and they go to a bar to talk. Once in a booth, Linya Ral reveals that she's knows Mina is a conwoman ('I've Read Your Book') and demands to know what Mina wants. Mina tries to get her to see Sarah, and Linya reluctantly agrees and points out that she had better be real- as it would be a shame for such a charming moron to have to spend her life locked up. When Linya leaves, Mina let's out a sigh of relief having no idea how she got through that one ('I'm Lucky I'm Cute').

After Zin falls asleep at the hotel, Sarah steps outside and voices her doubts to Lucifer the Haro ('Steps to the Future (Reprise)'), only to get attacked by Cecily Irina- Sarah tries to fight back, but struggles against her opponent. Zin runs out to try and help, but is shot in the leg by Cecily who escapes with Sarah. Mina gets back in time to patch up Zin, and the two give chase. Sarah, meanwhile, wakes up in the lab where she is restrained. Cecily has taken a blood sample and confirmed it- Sarah is Artesia Som Deikun ('Blood for Blood, Death for Life (Reprise)'). She moves to transfer Sarah's blood into Gihren's body, but Sarah struggles and is cut. Her blood falls into the wound on Gihren's head, and his eyes crack open.

At the same time, Zin and Mina arrive, and Mina knocks out Cecily while Zin frees Sarah. Gihren's body rises, and attempts to kill Zin and Mina both. Lucifer's speakers start playing the lullaby, and Sarah sings along, and the undead Gihren succumbs to death once again ('Astraea's Lullaby'). It is then that the Federation Military Police charge in and arrest everyone- before Linya Ral steps out and has them released. She is convinced of Artesia's legitimacy, and requests they speak of it tomorrow.

The next morning, everyone is well fed and well dressed, and Linya Ral makes a plea for Artesia to take charge of the Republic- only for Artesia to refuse. Artesia feels that Zeon should make it's own way forward, and not rely on ghosts of the past. It is better that Artesia Som Deikun remain gone. She'll be happy to be Sarah, the orphan from Shangri-La. Zin offers to adopt her, and Linya insists that she at least be allowed to see they are provided for. Linya then asks Mina what she wants, and Mina simply asks for another drink- this time without the threats.

The final shots of the film show the group saying their goodbyes, and Sarah and Zin departing on a ship to Side 6 before the credits roll.

The movie received a number of awards, but saw only middling success- it was originally scheduled for April 0093, but was delayed by more than a year following the Axis Shock. It was noted for it's animation style, and it's attention to historical detail, despite the supernatural elements. A single of 'Steps to the Future' was released by the newly debuted Lacus Clyne to tie in with the movie, and reached number 9 on the charts. The film had a moderate box office take, making a small profit and Side 3 Studios said they were happy with the result. It won several awards, including best score, best animated feature, best song ('I've Read Your Book') and best performance (Priscilla St. Auguste as 'Cecily Irina'), as well as that year's kid's choice award for best mascot in Lucifer the Haro. In addition, a limited edition 'Lucifer' Haro preloaded with 'Astraea's Lullaby' as well as the film's soundtrack. The film seems on track to gain a cult following, but director Yenn Trafalgar recently refused to allow a stage adaptation saying "I just wanted to hope for a happy ending for Miss Artesia. That story's been told now. Leave it be."