I suspected you may come to Sun Jewel,
so I've held this for you.
The object in your hands contains the record of Valkyrie's truth.
I can't believe it. This is Valkyrie's truth?
10 YEARS AGO PLANET OEDO
While not very cultured, this planet is still rather pleasant.
MY MOTHER, THE MACHINE
Oh, yeah!
The sushi is delicious, isn't it?
Yes, indeed, this is quite delicious.
Hey, there! I told you to stop moving!
Sorry, Teacher!
Oh, boy.
I'm surprised such a little cry-baby
would desire to learn swordsmanship from me.
I want to become stronger, and when I am,
I'll be the swordswoman who helps you out when you're the one in trouble!
I'm way too embarrassed to admit this out loud right now,
I secretly love you, Teacher!
Don't move.
You got it, Teacher!
-Yum! -This stuff is really delicious.
Teacher, the kimono looks really good on you.
Oh, you think so?
You look really cute.
That stuffed animal.
You carry it everywhere. Does it hold some significance for you?
It's important cuz my mom gave it to me.
Ah…
I always bring it wherever I go.
That way, my mom can find me again.
Oh…
Hold on a second, is your mother still alive?
I thought she died in the war.
Hmm-mm. She's alive.
She left this planet before the war started.
But why?
Mom said she was going away for a bit to get money.
I see.
There's the robot everyone's talking about.
The one that went on a rampage in the southern conflict?
Oh my!
Why does that killing machine have a human girl with her?
Please, don't tell me a robot's pretending to be her mother.
She's not my mother! She's actually my teacher!
Valkyrie is a really strong teacher, and she's also very kind!
Homura, please, stop saying everything that pops into your head!
But they were…
Although, your honesty's what's so nice about you.
FIVE YEARS LATER
Homura, your mom is like super cool.
I mean, after all, she is a robot.
Yeah, Teacher's cool, but she's not my mother.
Hey, uh, are your mom's robot boobs soft?
Yo, could we borrow your mom, so we can like find out for ourselves?
You gotta lend her to us! She's so cool!
Listen, she isn't my mother, and she's not an object.
Don't you know robots are considered objects, you stupid idiot?
They're not humans, obviously!
Robots have hearts.
-They do not! -C'mon, Homura, just gimme your robot!
I wanna touch it! Really badly!
Stop being ridiculous or I'm going to get angry!
What?! You're the one who's being ridiculous!
I told you to give the robot to me, so do it!
News flash, my dad is the city magistrate!
Do it or else I'll go tell him!
And then your dumb, robotic mother will get torn up into a zillion pieces!
Uh… what the heck is up with that face?
Cut it out! You want us to beat you up?
Valkyrie, Homura, you may raise your heads.
After reviewing the incident, I'd like to settle this matter amicably,
and I'd like to do so with grace and honor,
despite the fact that this was a children's squabble.
That's much appreciated, Lord Magistrate.
Homura, if you apologize to my son, Kenta, right here and now,
you shall not need to be punished.
Tell me, "Sorry."
Homura. We must do what he says.
I won't.
Huh?
Using Ether Gear to combat the weak isn't honorable.
It's not a fair fight. What you did was just violence.
Say you're sorry.
Your teacher orders you.
No way.
You're seriously not going to apologize?
My father is promising you'll be forgiven if you just apologize to me!
You're the ones who should apologize!
Huh…?
You and your friends insulted my teacher!
Say sorry!
Huh?! What do I need to apologize for? I'm the one who's hurt here!
'Cause you lost the fight!
Then went crying straight to your father even though you were barely hurt!
It's embarrassing!
Excuse me? What did you just say?
Father! I want her branded as punishment for her crimes against me!
Oh, good grief.
We'll brand Homura's forehead with "Daughter of a Mechanical Mommy."
You jerk!
-Homura! -What the heck?
You're gonna pay!
Send the children outside.
Yes, sir!
It's Valkyrie, correct?
If you can't properly discipline your kid,
then you ought to stop pretending to be that child's mother.
This is not… how I raised her.
Well, I suppose I'm hardly one to talk, am I?
Unfortunately, my son is the result of spoiling a child,
and yet, I'm still able to love him.
You're implying that machines are incapable of feeling love?
Oh, no.
This is not about being a human versus a machine.
The point I'm trying to make is,
raising kids won't always go the way you think.
However, you are still able to love them,
because of the fact that they're your flesh and blood.
Do you understand what I mean? You are not her mother.
It's so unfair!
They are the ones who should apologize to us!
It's just so frustrating!
I had no words. Normally,
I would have been able to think of something comforting to say to her.
However, for some strange reason, I was at an utter loss for words.
Perhaps, it might have been because Homura was holding
the physical embodiment of her connection with her mother.
It was at that point in time,
that I decided I would go off and look for Homura's real mother.
And so, you left that little girl behind?
Homura can handle herself now.
I was the reason she was being harassed by the members of that community, anyway.
Besides, I left a note.
Well, you see, a neighborhood cat ran off ith the note before Homura could find it.
What the heck?!
I saw this occur.
Good grief.
Seems I left without saying goodbye.
Well then, it's a good thing I plan to go back after I'm done.
Won't be an issue.
By which, you would mean, after finding Homura's biological mom?
Impressive. I guess you really do know everything.
I am the Time Oracle!
I think it's clear Homura needs her mother.
So, will you tell me
where her real mother is?
I will take a look.
Homura's mother…
Kurenai Kogetsu's whereabouts.
I finally found you, Kurenai Kogetsu.
-Who are you? -My name is Valkyrie Yuna.
Kurenai Kogetsu? You are Homura's mother?
Homura?
Oh, I see.
She's still alive?
My daughter?
It seems like you've received quite the harsh treatment here.
Of course I have.
This whole planet is ruled over by the lecherous Baron Mordo.
It's all okay now.
I can take you off of this planet and back to Homura.
What are you talking about?
As long as I've got this collar on, I'm just a slave to this place.
Taken care of. I've brought someone who can remove that.
Yeah, that's correct, Valkyrie. I could remove Kurenai's collar
with my Steal Hand Ether Gear,
but I'm not looking for any trouble, you hear?
This guy's Paul the Bandit.
Paul the Former Bandit!
If you can remove collars, why haven't you removed your own?
Thank you very much for asking.
I wish to continue working as a miner on Sun Jewel,
because there are some rare ores you can find on this planet
that actually don't get transferred to Baron Mordo.
I'm talking about concentrated Ether.
Lacrima, AKA Celestial Tears.
These precious gems can fetch a pretty high price.
Trust me. Don't worry about Paul the Bandit.
-Huh?! -That being said, let's go.
Homura's waiting for you.
I'm genuinely thankful for the offer,
but I can't go with you.
What?
I have a lot of debt, more than you could ever imagine.
I traveled here to Sun Jewel in order to get rich quick,
but all I got instead was a massive debt to the casinos.
If I don't repay what I owe to Baron Mordo,
they'll come for me! She'll be in danger!
That's why I can't run away from my enslavement.
I won't risk her getting hurt.
-I see. Well, that's easy enough. -Huh?
Paul, please transfer Kurenai Kogetsu's collar onto my neck.
-Huh? -Then I can pay off her debt, see?
Simple solution.
No way!
You can't do that!
I understand well how the system works here.
Leave it to me.
I'm a combat specialist.
But, Teacher, no…
I would bring shame to the name of the Four Shining Stars
if were to leave without freeing you.
Please, Kurenai.
I must fulfill my objective.
This is why I came here.
Go back home and see Homura.
I will never forget about this debt for the rest of my life.
As long as I live, Lady Valkyrie.
TWO YEARS LATER
Well, I've got to say, that truly did not last very long.
Did it, Teacher?
Huh? What do you mean?
I just heard a rumor about the woman you're attempting to save
by putting your life and freedom on the line.
You know, Kurenai Kogetsu.
It turns out, after I took the collar off of her neck,
she stayed here and went on to marry that Baron Mordo.
Kurenai didn't go back and reunite with Homura?!
Next time I see her, I'm going to drag her back there!
Well, here's the thing.
That woman assassinated her new husband, Baron Mordo.
Then took complete control of this planet,
and now, Kogetsu calls herself Madame Kurenai.
I don't understand. What happened?
That's simply the kind of person this woman was.
Oh, please don't hold her deeds against other humans, Teacher.
Don't worry. I know.
Humans and androids have potential to be cruel.
Hey, Paul, take off my collar!
I'm going to correct that woman, and set her head straight!
Right!
What the--
Over there. By the mines.
A horde of bloodthirsty Stones?
Lady Valkyrie! Help us out!
It's the fault of that woman who took over for Baron Mordo!
She demanded we harvest more metal.
She purposefully aggravated the Stones waiting for us in the mines!
Kurenai!
They're all heading toward the residential district!
Defensive line, now!
We have to stop these monsters, right here!
Retreat! Protect the residential district!
Huh? What about you?
I'll hold the line here and stop these beasts!
I'm responsible for freeing that evil woman!
I can handle this one alone!
You're crazy! There's too many of those things!
Go!
Valkyrie Battle Attire System Online!
Activate Odin Strike!
I shall show no mercy,
and teach you what the Sword of Edens can do!
Oh, look!
It's raining precious gems!
I'm going to be filthy rich!
Well done, industrious yet expendable prisoners!
I know you're not my mom, but I love you.
Now, I realize…
I never did let you know
that I feel the same, that I…
…love you too.
Teacher…
No…
This can't be!
It can't be true…
Lady Valkyrie died trying to save all the prisoners on Sun Jewel…
Sacrificed herself.
Teacher…
I… wanted to… see you…
…again, Teacher, at least once more!
This isn't right!
Hey, Teacher! It's me! Can you hear me?! It's Homura!
Please, answer me!
Teacher!
Please!
Wake up!
Wait, I know! Weisz can fix Teacher, right?
Or Sister, maybe?!
Unfortunately, when an android's core has stopped,
it is the same as what humans would call death.
No way!
I can't believe it. No!
I refuse to believe I won't be able to see Teacher ever again!
How's Homura?
Not good. Homura has not left Valkyrie's side.
Guess the Four Shining Stars will never come together.
I suppose not, Happy. I believe you are right.
I had no idea that young woman outside is Homura.
Everyone here has pledged themselves to Lady Valkyrie.
Been calling ourselves Valkyrie Clan since she died.
If that's really true,
then why have you left Valkyrie's body out there?
It's not like that at all!
The remains of Valkyrie's last stand is our symbol!
Even in death, Lady Valkyrie gives us the strength to go on!
And besides, we had a feeling Homura might come one day,
and thought we shouldn't disturb Valkyrie until she did.
Oh, I see.
All us prisoners have been secretly preparing ourselves to join forces
and overthrow Madame Kurenai and we're calling it the Resistance.
The Resistance?
Now that Homura's finally arrived, our plan has the last piece of the puzzle.
She will want to join our fight, won't she?
I think it'd be for the best if we give Homura some space right now.
Your teacher sounds absolutely awesome.
So strong, and incredibly cool, too.
And, I mean, she fought to protect people.
That's very brave.
Your Teacher must've had a really kind heart.
I'm sure she would've been one of my best friends if we met.
Shiki…
I might not be able to…
ever recover from the loss of her.
You know, Homura, that's fine for now.
No, really…
I may not be able to…
I just can't…
Well, when my Grandpa, the Demon King, passed away,
I was also really depressed.
But luckily, I had Michael and all my other friends in the Granbell Kingdom.
They helped me get back on my feet.
You have friends who will help you, too, Homura.
That's why I'm certain you'll be able to move forward.
Crimson Eyes.
Targeting the labor district.
Inputting radiation code.
Commencing weapon system check.
You can't be serious!
There are tens of thousands of people in that neighborhood!
There's no more money to be made there.
More importantly, however,
I won't stand those pieces of trash rising up against me,
not while my prisoners worship that scrap pile, Lady Valkyrie.
Lady Valkyrie?
But I thought that the android had freed you and saved your life!
Of course, that's not what happened.
I merely used the bot like the tool it was.
There's no reason I should have to put up with their scorn.
The laborers are garbage, unworthy of life on my planet.
Besides, Valkyrie didn't free me,
she was sending me back to my daughter and the prison of motherhood.
What a sanctimonious automaton!
I purposefully left that annoying brat behind!
Which of one you jerkwads is Madame Kurenai?
Who's asking?
So it's you!
I'm bringing you to the labor district to see Homura.
'Cause that's what her teacher, Lady Valkyrie, wanted.
Homura? What's she doing on this planet?
Is she mad at me?
Or is the cry-baby sobbing over the fact that I abandoned her?
I think I'll let Homura decide what should be done with you.
I'm sorry, but your plan isn't going to work for me.
Unfortunately, I'm not at all interested in having a daughter.
What the heck? The floor is collapsing!
You're coming with me.
First I'll knock some sense into you!
Oh, how scary! I'm shaking in my high heels.
UNTIL THE DAY IT TURNS TO STRENGTH