Crystallized honey the insects collected.
It's beautiful!
It smells nice.
Here.
Don't you think?
I don't know.
Because I'm just a puppet.
That doesn't matter.
You're the only one I've told about this place.
Popo, your face is all white.
Popo...
Yes?
I want you to come with me to Xian's hometown.
You want me...
You want me to go with you?
Mother! I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
But Palme wants me to go with him! He wants ME!
Popo!
You've got the wrong idea, you pile of junk!
You're a puppet! You shouldn't go around messing with people!
You can't hide that.
Mother, please! Let me go with him!
Let go! Mother, please! Let me go with him!
Let go!
But I've never... I've never...
Take your hands off me!
The best thing for you to do is listen to me!
I'm just... I'm just...
I'm just your puppet in the end!
How... how dare you speak to me that way!
Mother? Mother!
Palme!
That old lady will never let her go.
C'mon, let's go.
Are you OK? We're going Below, you know.
You shut up.
Shatta! You shut up.
Shatta!
Roualt!
Popo!
Keep back! Popo!
Keep back!
Stay there, you old cow!
Shatta, I'll trade you the girl for the oil in the puppet!
Don't be stupid, Roualt.
That oil is Palme's blood.
Have you gone nuts?! That oil means real money!
If you aren't going to, then I'll take over Flamingo!
Come here, Palme!
Hurry up! Don't you care what happens to her?
Palme!
You can have my oil.
No! Stop it!
Palme!
Stop, Palme!
Popo!
Uncle...
I'll be back, Roualt.
Shatta!
Crickle! Quit your lollygagging! I'm setting sail!
From Mother?
Father!
Mother... I'm sorry!
Popo...
Let's go.
Okay.
Stay away from me! Get out of here!
Th-that thing is possessed by Koram!
My mother's dead. What can a dead woman do?
Are you Shatta? You're alive?!
Then you're Koram's son. What did she say?
Did she really go to Touto?
I don't know.
Look at this.
Sawadust!
You'll never get oil raising plants like these...
...oil raising plants like these...
Crap!
Come here!
It's faint, but it smells like down Below.
What?! A way in?
Sawadust found the old entrance.
A smell?
Koram and I were still infants when we came up here,
but I remember the smell.
Ever since I can remember, we were scouring the earth
looking for the stone pillar that leads up to Touto.
The brave Sol Tribe were the chosen warriors.
Our parents were willing to risk their lives.
The people of Tamas placed their hope in a new lifeform...
The human Soma made... Laala.
"Human?"
In Tamas there's a giant kooloop tree.
Zakuro said it had miraculous powers.
Try to find that kooloop.
You know, you'll never get oil raising plants like these.
You'll never get oil raising plants like these. You know, you'll never get oil raising plants like these.
You'll never get oil raising plants like these.
Th-the kooloop's talking! You'll never get oil raising plants like these.
Th-the kooloop's talking!
You'll never get oil raising plants like these.
The kooloop tree feeds on the memory of civilization You'll never get oil raising plants like these.
The kooloop tree feeds on the memory of civilization
that is dissolved in the soil and reacts to it.
It's a mutation.
Soma is a kooloop tree that evolved
over centuries of those mutations.
But Soma grew old just like any other kooloop.
The tree began to wither.
And that monster tree bore fruit...
For long ages Soma acted as a god.
But there was one essential thing he couldn't put into Laala.
A soul.
The energy that is the source of all things exists in Touto.
That's why we headed to the Roof!
In order to find the Egg, we journeyed into unexplored regions.
The expectations placed upon us kids was overwhelming.
So it really is true that a person was made from a kooloop tree?
Yes...
If that's the case, then I absolutely must go see Soma!
Popo! Maybe I can become a human too!
If I bring him this, I'll bet he'll make me human!
Make you human?
It's no good being a puppet.
If I were human, your mother wouldn't talk to me like that.
You want that?
Yes.
What are you doing, silly?! It's only this deep!
What's so funny?
What an old dock!
It's falling to pieces!
The pit leading Below is just up ahead.
You know, I don't think this is a very good idea.
If this doesn't work, the only other way
is the Stone Pillar of Toto we climbed
when I was still a child.
The Stone Pillar of Toto?
Palme!
Huh? Palme!
Huh? Run!
Shatta!
Let him go!
Back off! Let him go!
Back off!
Popo!
Palme!
Get off!
Please! Take me! I want to see Laala!
You have a warrior's blood. That woman, she's your mother, right?
Wait! Wait for me!
Wait!
Fool!
Damn!
Palme!
Are you OK, Palme?
Yes.
I'll pull you up. Hang on tight. Yes.
I'll pull you up. Hang on tight.
Shatta...
I'm glad he's alright...
Hey Shatta! Is it far to the Stone Pillar of Toto?
I don't know.
It's pretty big, so we should be able to see it if we head due west.
What's that darn Popo doing now?
C'mere, c'mere!
C'mon! This way!
Look, Palme. The floating grass follows you!
Hey, Palme!
Man, they're slow. Wasting time...
Mu, come with me!
Watch this, Palme!
Here goes!
Yahoo!
Look, Popo! It's like a balloon!
What's the matter, Popo?
It's just a piece of dead grass! Come on.
Yeah! It's just a piece of dead grass!
Palme!
Hota, are you OK?
I think we've ended up near the Tamas border.
The village is in ruins!
The Mohi Tribe's been wiped out?
There's no sign of most of the border tribes. They've all been slaughtered.
Help us. If that capsule is the real thing...
it must be destroyed right away.
A revolt against Soma?
Soma's rapid aging has left us like this.
The life force is disappearing from everything here Below.
Isn't that why Laala was to be born?
That's what we thought.
But Soma's killed more than half the people of Tamas...
and the rest are dying.
Why?
Is this Soma's will?
Soma's intelligence comes from the memory of ancient civilizations.
They say they flourished, then fell to slaughter and destruction.
It's only a guess, but perhaps the memory is repeating itself.
Or perhaps Soma intends to negate the world he created, including us...
and give it to Laala.
"Negate?!"
We shall prevent the birth of Laala and break away from Soma!
We of Tamas shall take control of our destiny!
Father...
Popo!
Where are you?
A bola...
Did you show me a dream of my father?
Come here...
Here she is! Come here...
Here she is!
Palme! I found Popo! Palme!
We've been looking all over for you!
What were you doing?!
You shouldn't be wandering around like that!
Palme?
A bola!
I'll get rid of it!
No! I'll get rid of it!
No!
This one's gentle...
Popo!
You! Get out of here!
Stay away from her!
No, Palme! The poor thing!
I was worried about you!
Popo, you're acting strange!
Things like this start hanging around
because you never cheer up and act human.
At this rate I'll never become human!
I... I...
Shatta...
Palme... that's enough.
Come on, Palme.
Popo...
Look! That's the Stone Pillar of Toto, right?
Yep. We're almost there.
An aguri!
It's just a baby! What's wrong? An aguri!
It's just a baby! What's wrong?
It's shaking!
Take cover!
Shatta!
Wow!
You're the aguri from earlier today!
Come here...
Come on! That's it.
Nice aguri...
That's awful!
And after we went to the trouble of saving it!
Palme, did you do this?
No!
Then who did? No!
Then who did?
Who else could have?
I... I don't know anything about it! I don't! I don't!
How long are you going to stay like that? Enough already!
Do something, Palme! She's been like this all day!
It's time to go.
Do you want to turn to stone?
I want to become human.
Aren't you sad?
I'm a puppet.
You didn't used to be like that! You're strange now!
I know I'm strange! That's why I'm trying to become human.
Palme...
What's this?!
Hurry.
Soma awaits.
Hurry.
Soma is waiting for you.
For... for me?
Soma is waiting.
Soma's waiting for me?
Soma is waiting for you to come.
Hurry.
It's gone!
What was that? A ghost? It's gone!
What was that? A ghost?
Soma's waiting for me!
Hurry, Popo! Quick!
Palme! Take it easy!
Palme...
What, Shatta?
Are you OK, Popo?
Show me that capsule.
Something about it bothers me.
You want to steal it!
Huh? Palme...
I knew it! You're from Below, just like those men!
What are you talking about? Shatta wouldn't do that!
This is the most important thing I have!
I won't let anyone touch it! Not even Shatta!
Suit yourself.
I don't need this thing from Below.
I'II... I'll be fine without you, Shatta!
Soma will protect me!
Come on, Popo!
Palme!
You talk big for a puppet! There's no way you'll ever become human!
Shatta!
Popo! We're almost there!
I'll become a human! A human!
It won't be long now!
Soon! Soon!
Soon... Soon I'll be with my father...
We leave tomorrow, without the girl.
Gandel, what are you saying?
Do you intend to leave Koram to die?
The future of Tamas is in our hands.
I won't allow any more setbacks.
She'll die!
I don't care. I have sons.
Father...
I'm better now.
I'm all better!
We're almost there, Popo. We've got to go down.
No, Palme.
I can't!
What are you saying? After we've come this far?
All we have to do is go down there! C'mon!
Popo! We're going down! Now!
Ow! Popo! We're going down! Now!
Ow!
Ow! Soon I'll be human! Don't give me any more trouble!
Soon I'll be human! Don't give me any more trouble!
Think more about MY predicament!
Popo! What's the matter?!
P- Popo!
Wh-what's wrong? What is it? C'mon, get up!
Popo! Popo!
What do I do? What do I do? What am I going to do?
Damn these things!
Tamas is down there.
It's pitch-black!
Look!
Soon I'll be human, then I can be with Popo forever!
Father! Father!
Father!
I warned you about the storm!
Gandel! Hang in there!
It's no use. His foot's caught in the roots!
Someone get down there!
I'll do it! Someone get down there!
I'll do it!
Koram!
Just a little bit more, Father! Just a little bit!
OK! He's free!
Now! Heave! OK! He's free!
Now! Heave!
Heave!
Well done, Koram!
Father! Are you all right?
Gandel!
Father!
How could I have been so careless?
Father...
That smells nice...
I like you just the way you are, Palme. The way you are right now.
Can you walk?
Palme! Your arm!
It's nothing. I just got too much sun on it.
Popo!
Palme!
Baron!
It's definitely there! It's reacting to a very strong will!
Quick, before Soma notices!
Don't take the Egg! Please! Stop!
I need it to become human!
Popo, help! Where are you, Popo?!
It's all right. We're just taking out the capsule.
Palme...
I heard that my mother left Tamas when she was a baby.
We've risked our lives to bring that capsule here!
I'm amazed you brought the Egg of Touto.
How ironic for the brave warriors of Sol!
Watch your mouth!
What's that?!
What's that noise? Is it Soma?!
Captain! It's coming from the lab!
Popo!
Palme!
Was it that puppet?!
What about the capsule? Didn't you get it? Find it!
He's going to see Soma!
Palme?
Shatta!
Did you do this?
Help me!
Answer me! Palme!
Father! Where are you?!
Mother!
What's happened?!
It can't be!
Palme!
Popo...
Let's go see Soma.
Popo!
No! No!
Stop, Palme!
I'm sorry, but I can't let you go see Soma.
Besides, what's inside that capsule you've got isn't the soul of Touto!
Soma won't take it.
Palme!
You're lying! Soma said he was waiting for me!
Listen, Palme... it's my mother who's in that capsule.
The spirit of my dead mother!
Stop it, Shatta!
Look! I've got the capsule!
So I'm going!
I'm sick and tired of being a stupid puppet!
I'm going to become a strong man like you!
I'm going to become human for Popo's sake.
I want to stay by her side forever!
Please! Let me become human!
Palme!
No, Palme.
My mother's spirit is crazy. You can't give that to Soma.
Come on, Palme, let's go...
let's go to see Soma.
Popo!
What... what are you thinking?! Don't be a fool!
You're a human! Think!
You've heard what's happening in Tamas!
We can't let Laala be born!
Stop or I'll cut you down!
Don't you care what happens here Below?! People will die!
Don't listen to that... that damn puppet!
Palme isn't a puppet.
You... you...!
Look!
Quick! Soma's mobilizing!
When you find that puppet, destroy it along with the capsule!
Palme!
Popo, we've got to hurry!
Father, where are you?!
I did... what my brothers couldn't.
I did it!
Father!
Popo!
Palme!
My body!
Soma!
Run!
Damn!
It's as though we're living inside of Soma! There's no way we can win!
Popo! Popo!
Palme! Hang in there!
Fight it, Palme!
I want... to be human...
Popo!
Come on, Palme! Keep fighting! Just a little more!
It's not much farther!
Palme!
Please! Stand up!
Soma's waiting! You're going to become human!
No! Don't turn into a tree!
No! No!
No!
You said you'd become a human for me, Palme! Come on!
Palme!
It's alright.
No! No!
That's enough! That's enough! Popo!
The girl will be caught in the fight!
The closer they get to Soma, the less options we'll have.
Where's my father?!
Where did you hide him?!
You must know! I want to see him!
I'll go the rest of the way myself.
It's okay.
This is my punishment. It was me who killed that baby aguri.
I can't stay with you.
No! I'll follow you wherever you go! I'll stay with you always!
Answer me, Soma!
Show me my father! Don't hide him from me!
The blast! It stopped?!
Palme!
It's Palme!
Is that what was in the capsule?!
No! That's the Sol woman!
Mother!
Don't let it get near Soma until we're sure the capsule's destroyed!
Yes ma'am!
Palme!
Bolas!
Where did they all come from?!
It's my mother. They're heading for my mother!
We're being overrun by the bugs!
Popo!
Palme!
Popo!
Stop! Popo!
Stop!
Popo, you'll die!
Please! Take me to the top of Palme!
It's going into Soma's forest!
Palme! Can you hear me?
Palme!
Please! Answer me!
It's so quiet...
This place is just so quiet.
Someone's crying...
Who could it be?
A lute...
Palme, can you hear me?! Answer me!
You said we'd go to Xian's hometown! Together!
Please!
Come back, Palme!
I love you...
You don't have to do anything.
Just be with me.
Just stay here.
Palme...
Popo!
Why didn't I realize it before?
It's not the body that matters.
All I need is the heart Xian gave me.
As long as I have that, Popo will always be with me.
Look, Palme!
The lilias are blooming again.
You're right.
You smell like flowers, Popo.
Palme?
I heard your voice, Popo.
What are you doing?!
Save that girl! What are you doing?!
Save that girl!
Grab on!
Palme! Help her!
Help Shatta's mother!
I know how it feels... because I wanted my mother to hold me too.
Popo!
It was you crying, Koram...
You're the one who saved me.
I can't find my father anywhere!
I'm lost!
You're just like I was.
No! You have memories! You have fond memories!
But me... I have none... I have no fond memories!
I never thought a heart would hurt so much.
That song...
I go to the darkness of the white forest's spring
To rid myself of memories
Many bitter fruits of the silverberry
And the sad fruit of the kusupia
In the garden full of black flowers
As my tears flow
It is these I must...
I did the best I could! I did!
It's stopped.
The bolas are leaving.
Yeah!
It disappeared!
Laala!
Palme!
It's Palme!
Palme! It's Palme!
Palme!
Look! He's still got the capsule!
It's heading for Laala! It's going inside her!
Palme?
The negation! It's started!
The destruction's stopped!
Shatta...
I know you're there, Shatta.
Mother?
Forgive me.
I never once held you...
Mother! Mother! Mother!!
Palme!
Popo! Palme!
Popo!
Soma's dead!
Pools of crosskahla oil...
There's so much of it...
You didn't become human, Palme.
Nope.
Popo...
I'm turning back into a tree.
But wherever you are, I'll be watching over you.
I'll always be with you.
I wonder if the blue of the sky
Let's go to Xian's hometown. I wonder if the blue of the sky
Will remain in my heart
Okay. Will remain in my heart
Popo... Will remain in my heart
Let's go. Will remain in my heart
Even now when everything is lost
When you have children...
My heart will be with you
and they play in the flowers, the wind, and the stars... My heart will be with you
and they play in the flowers, the wind, and the stars...
I'll always be watching over them, Popo.
I'll be with you, always
I'll protect you like the wind caressing your shoulders
If the sunlight is too strong
I'll raise my arm to block it
On the day that love envelopes us
Let's make white flowers bloom
See a dream, my dream
And walk without turning back
When you shed a tear
I'll bring you the scent of honey you liked so much
It shined on your fingers
I'll be by your side, quietly
Your smiling face is my happiness
Reflected in the blue of the sky
Is the path to the future you believe in
And it goes on and on
© 2001 Takashi Nakamura GENcO / "A Tree of Palme" Production committee
Ripped by SkyFury