Yes!
Damn! Our sneak attack was a bust!
Then we'll just have to go for it!
Tor Kokonoe...
Lilith.
Now, let us dance...
...the Survive--to the accompaniment of clashing swords and smoking guns.
We lived in a closed-up past
With an ever-distant future and time unmoving
Finding in our battle now what we were searching for
The power to believe in each other, beyond even destiny
We'll get stronger, you and me: a pair to the end
This light reflects a bond even deeper than our wounds
I want to protect you... and so my soul runs out to you now
Just hand it over to me (all of it)--even your pain
We're together (together) that's why (that's why) we can make it our strength
I'll be your shield, and yours alone
My back to yours, I believe in miracles (in meetings)
No one can intrude on that (can't stop it)
Looking down on our limits from far above: Absolute Soul
"Survive"
I didn't think we'd meet like this. What a pleasant surprise.
Now, let's get down to business.
Before we do, can I have a word?
What?
I'm sorry for turning down your Duo request.
I never did apologize properly back then... and I'm sorry.
Why bring that up now? You think I'm going to go easy on you?
No, I hope you don't. I want to fight you at full strength.
Eh?
If we both clash at full power, we'll understand each other after.
Once we acknowledge each other, we can be friends.
That's how I see it, anyway.
What are you, an idiot?
Sometimes I think I might be.
But this is the only way I can do things.
Fine. I just wonder if you can keep up with me at full power!
Quit breaking things! The poor shopkeeper!
Relax. I'll fix it up so it's better than new.
Pretty reckless to rent out all of A La Mode for your Survive battle!
But it's a party!
Much more fun than school, don't you think?
Just this side of manageable at this distance.
Wow, calculating the trajectory from the angle of the barrel? Nice!
You ain't seen nothing yet!
Cut her down!
Julie? She's early!
Using decoys and an ambush to induce me to dodge here,
then finishing me off with a blow from your best fighter?
Someone put this together right!
However...
You need to put more thought into an Exceed's physical capabilities.
If her timing hadn't been off, I might have been in a spot of trouble.
Tor Kokonoe, you seem rather amusing.
I shall leave you for my main course.
Ow...
You okay, Hotaka?
K-Kokonoe...
Thank you.
D-Did you see anything?
Nope. You can rest easy.
Was that...
Let's work out what we'll do next--and fast.
"Sky" "Central Court" "Standby" "Green" "Beach" "Lilith Start"
Right now, Lilith is fighting in the Sky Court up ahead.
We either go after her or we wait here to intercept her.
We go after her, obviously!
No objections here.
I-I'll do my best!
Something wrong, Julie?
Nej. I'm with you, Tor.
Oh, okay.
Then it's settled.
There are two routes into the Sky Court.
Kokonoe, you three take the main route.
We'll go the long way in hopes of attacking her from both sides.
Tor...
Don't tell me... it's over already?
Where are you?!
If you're going to fire...
Tatsu!
I happen to be quite skilled in hunter's camouflage.
Listen, you're the main dish. Be a good boy and wait already!
Sorry--I can't stand waiting!
And I can't stand impatient men!
She's going to shoot me at this distance?
Dammit!
We'll take the rest nice and slow once I've taken care of the others.
Wait, Julie! We need to join up with Tachibana first!
Nej--it's all right!
An all-too-straightforward move.
Too bad, Julie Sigtuna.
I had expected you to put up a better fight...
Julie!
Guess you couldn't stand by her after all.
Not so fast!
Kokonoe! Let's go!
Got it!
She's not coming after us, eh?
Just as she declared. Looks like she wants to leave Tor for last.
Did you get hit?
Are you all right, Tomoe?
This? It's nothing.
You took some damage on your shoulder there--
Tomoe!
I'm so sorry. This is all my fault.
It's only natural to protect your friends.
But...
You seem overeager today. Is something going on, Julie?
Nej, nothing.
Okay.
But don't forget: Your weapon has a lot to do with speed
and keeping a cool head to find just the right moment.
Ja...
Now, how are we going to take her down?
It looks like we'll have to wait for our chance at close combat.
But...
Tachibana's in no shape to fight,
and Julie's injuries are affecting her combat strength.
Hotaka's lance can't maneuver well enough to trap her.
Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.
For raw destructive power, I think you've got us all beat, Hotaka.
Kokonoe...
She's one nasty woman, that's for sure. And so damn cocky!
Talk about irritating.
Cocky? Yeah...
That might just be... no.
What is it, Kokonoe?
Tor...
Julie? Come on, now--you have to wait in your assigned position.
I'm sorry. I wanted to talk to you. Just for a second.
All right. What's up?
Tomoe was right. I was trying too hard.
Is this about the Duo thing?
You turned her down, Tor.
But if you acknowledge each other through this Survive, then...
I get it... So all this time, you...
I want to protect you, Julie. To be your strength.
Tor...
I'm sorry I worried you.
But you're my Duo. Absolutely and for always.
Ja.
Have you forgotten you're smack in the middle of a Survive?
You startled me. I didn't pick up on your being here at all.
Erasing your presence is Hunting 101. That, and picking up on things.
So...
Let's not beat about the bush.
I've come here, just like you wanted me to.
You really are an irritating woman.
Is it over? I hit one of you, and another seems pretty slow.
Did you leave them behind?
Nej, Tomoe and Miyabi will both fight with us.
Your hearts are one, are they?
I can't say I hate that kind of sentimentality.
Now, let's begin!
Time for the last dance!
Good blow! It had a lot more feeling to it.
But it looks like I did some lasting damage.
You're too slow!
Blaze!
Well done!
Don't forget about us!
Oh, I haven't!
Not so fast!
It's not over yet!
Tor!
Don't worry about me! We're going in for the win!
You are? Like that?
Yep. I've finally got you right where I want you.
Mjölnir!
Nicely thought out! But I'm still--
I won't... be defeated!
Julie! Now!
Ja! It's over!
The only one it's over for is you.
Julie...
Such a pity. It was a fake-out.
You honestly thought I needed to reload it like this?
Yeah, I saw that possibility coming.
What?
That is, I saw through your lies and got you to uncover the truth!
That makes it... checkmate.
No, but--I'm sure I shot right through your chest!
So that's why you moved so slowly. You were fighting together.
I get it now: there were two of you waiting in ambush.
You almost had me at first. But then I remembered:
The first time I saw your Blaze.
Nothing gets past you, does it.
Lilith, this can't go on.
C'mon, Lilith--
Don't tell me again!
I am not about to give up--not yet!
Tor!
It's not... her Blaze. It's... a real bullet!
That was a close one, Lilith Bristol.
Lilith, who are these guys?
I have no idea! Who are you? What do you want?
We come bearing an invitation from Equipment Smith, master armorer.
That should tell you what you need to know.
Ah, I see. You're their...
But I refuse!
I will not accompany anyone with the temerity to crash my dance party!
Pardon me.
We're to bring you in, even if it means getting a little rough.
Those are our orders, so...
Why, you...!
No way--sure, we're exhausted, but still!
Our attacks?
Exceeds aren't the only ones who've surpassed humanity.
That's all.
Quiet now...
I don't want my trigger finger to slip.
Stop!
I'll accept your invitation. Just don't hurt her!
You have my thanks. Now I can still show my face to the bossman.
Go right on up, if you would.
Lilith...
Sorry we couldn't finish things properly, Tor Kokonoe.
Who the hell were those guys, anyway?
Who cares about that?!
We've got to get Lilith back!
Ja.
Isn't that just like you!
Kokonoe...
We'll all come back together. And when we do...
...meet us with a smile, okay?
Uh-huh...
Tor Kokonoe!
Why are you here?
To get Lilith back!
Stand down! What do you think you can do in your condition?
It's like you said: We still haven't finished things between us!
Don't make me tell you again, you fool!
The same goes for me! You think I'm going to stand for you disappearing
before we can clash at full strength, before we understand each other?
I'm afraid we don't have the time to be party to your little farce.
Stop!
Putting the last of my strength into this single blow and...
Shatter!
You must be getting desperate.
Don't you get it? Don't you know where we are?
No!
Lilith!
Tor Kokonoe!
Julie! Tora!
Ja!
We got this!
To resort to such a tactic...
Lend me your strength, Lilith!
Blaze!
You pull the trigger!
It's over!
You sure about this?
Of course. You want to clash with me at my full power
so we can understand each other, don't you?
I'm pretty beat up, though.
And I've hurt my arm. We're even.
Well, I won't object to settling this once and for all.
Attaboy!
My apologies. The unit got a little scuffed up.
The adjustments have yet to be made anyway.
The data you got is plenty.
What shall we do about Lilith Bristol?
She's an intriguing subject, but there's no need to go overboard.
The one I'm really after is...
The witch who's pulling the strings: Blaze Diabolica.
I half thought she'd show her face here today.
She's keeping herself fairly guarded...
Say, how are those Exceeds she made, anyway?
The Exceeds?
H-Help... me...
I think they'll be quite amusing.
I'm so bored. Ugh, I wish I could start moving again...
Nej. You must stay in bed.
Julie's right.
She certainly is. You were beyond reckless.
Come in.
Lilith?!
What do you want?
It's only natural to visit your injured friends.
What? Isn't it?
You said we'd be friends once we clashed at full power!
And, uh... thank you for coming to rescue me.
Sure.
And I'm sorry for slapping you the other day. It must have hurt.
It's all right.
Oh...
And you, too... I'm sorry I didn't take you seriously.
It actually turned out to be pretty good experience for us.
Uh-huh!
By the way, Tor Kokonoe... is that other thing still a no-go?
Sorry. I have a Duo who's important to me.
All right.
But if you ever change your mind, do tell me.
Tor is my Duo.
Ooh, scary!
Oh, and one more important thing...
I won't tell you again, so listen closely.
I've decided you will be my future husband.
What?!
Tor! So you two have been...
K-Kokonoe, you skeev!
H-H-Have you no shame?!
No! That's not it!
Hey, Lilith--wait!
I'll win your heart... you can count on it, Tor!
About being Tor's Duo--I haven't give up yet.
Nej. Tor's Duo is...
Then I won't give up, either!
What?
Th-Then, I won't give up, either!
"Silver-Blonde, Yellow Topaz"
Next time: "Silver-Blonde, Yellow Topaz."
I won't give up, either!
What?