Chapter 1 - The Fall of Micro Terra
If things like the Waruders exist, it means humanity may not be alone in this universe. In fact, there was life on most planets that exist outside of the Milky Way… until they were deprived of their resources by these nefarious Waruders, leaving empty husks in their wake. Led by the Emperor whose name strikes fear into the hearts of every planet, the Waruders were unstoppable in their pursuit for food and dominance in the universe. Nobody was safe from them, nobody, not even infants. One of the planets, Micro Terra, a futuristic version of Earth (so small, it only has one city), apparently tried to negotiate their planet’s safety to the Emperor, in particular their top scientist, Arthurius Pharoid.
Arthurius: Your excellency, please spare our planet and we will help you find a better offering, a bigger planet, whatever you want.
The Emperor: Hmm, your offer does sound tempting. But I refuse! My scouts already found me worlds to get rid of their energy and resources, so you practically have nothing to offer to us. Waruders, eat it all!
To Arthur’s horror, the planet was completely drained of its energy and resources, but its populace was nowhere to be found. Believing to have achieved what he came for regardless, the Emperor and his Waruders take their leave, with Arthur left mourning the planet’s slow doom… or so we thought! It turns out the reason for the populace’s absence is because they were biomechanically turned into cyborgs and shrunk down to 3.75 inches/9.5 cm to avoid Waruders. Arthurius then sheds his organic suit, revealing to have also undergone the process, minus the shrinking part. After he undergoes the shrinking process, the populace expresses worry about how they will survive, since their planet will soon become an empty wasteland. They eventually decide to search for a new planet that is inhabitable and will hopefully be able to defend itself from the Waruders. With his handheld Terraterium, he locates a populated planet inside the Milky Way, deciding that they must study their ways before they join that planet.
Civilian #1: Will we find peace, doctor?
Arthurius: That I can’t be certain of. But we can be sure we can enjoy our time there while it lasts and hopefully find a way to defeat the Waruders.
Civilian #2: What if the populace of that planet won’t accept us?
Arthurius: They don’t have to, because we will live there in secrecy until the time is right for us to tell them of our plight. We can only hope they will help us rebuild our world so we can return. Things do take time.
Civilian #3: But I don’t want to leave my home. This is our planet, we should rebuild it.
Arthurius: We no longer have the resources to rebuild our planet. To survive, we have to leave the planet and live on Earth until we can gain their trust. Only then they will offer their assistance in rebuilding our planet. Earth is our best and possibly last hope, so let’s go to my spaceship.
Civilian #4: You have a spaceship? You built a spaceship, but you can’t rebuild the planet.
Arthurius: I built the ship before the Waruders arrived, because I knew we couldn’t stand a chance against them. The ship has stasis pods, so we can preserve what little energy we have in our bodies. The journey will be long, so please rest easy.
And so the intergalactic journey to Earth begins, a journey that can potentially be dangerous. Though wanting to settle on Earth to continue his scientific pursuits, Arthurius can’t help but feel homesick every time Micro Terra pops into his head, worrying if it’s too late to save the planet and wishing he could have done more to help the citizens with their predicament, but alas, such compromises have to be made for other choices do not exist. The citizens, meanwhile, are even more homesick than Arthurius, constantly convincing themselves that his plan will be worth it in the end. Unfortunately, Waruder Grapplers see the ship and try to devour it, but Arthurius wakes up, thanks to the alarm, and activates the ship’s forcefield. Since the ship only has enough power to enter the Milky Way galaxy, the shields immediately turn off, allowing the Grapplers, led by a Warudroid named Warukar, once again try to feast on the ship. Arthurius goes outside the ship to confront the invaders and Warukar.
Warukar: Your ship looks tasty. Can we have it for dinner?
Arthurius: Over my dead body, Waruder. Only thing you’re getting is a crack to your cranium.
Warukar: What?
Arthurius: It means your head, you mindless wretch! Get off my ship and ruin someone else.
Warukar: No thanks! Either give us the ship or you will be destroyed!
Arthurius: Do your worst! I’ve already lost a planet, I don’t plan to lose this ship!
Determined to see the journey end, Arthurius and Warukar fight to their hardest, but when the ship is getting close to Earth’s atmosphere, Warukar orders all the Grapplers to retreat while Arthurius returns to the ship’s command room and into a stasis pod as the ship draws closer to Earth. It eventually crash-lands somewhere in Russia, where it lays there while its occupants slumber for only God knows how long.
Chapter 2 - A New Beginning
While slumbering, Arthurius dreams of his time at the Haskara Academy for the Gifted, doing what he did best: science.
For a few days, he and his best friend, Nash, worked together on a shrinking ray project, which they say can save the populace “someday”, but others think they are just wasting time tempering with biology. But Arthurius and Nash didn’t care, believing their invention will eventually make the naysayers “eat their thoughts”.
Nash: Forget those naysayers, Artie. The path of evolution is the path of science. They’ll soon eat their thoughts after seeing the usefulness of the shrink ray.
Artie: I know this, Nash. Thanks for the speech, you’d probably make a good mayor some day, if you study hard.
Nash: You think? Thanks for the compliment, but I doubt I'd be a good mayor, due to responsibilities and stuff. I much prefer science. Does the ray work?
Artie: Yes, I used it on a chair and look how small it is!
Nash: Woah, that’s great! We’re getting close, I can almost see the naysayers eat their thoughts!
Artie: Not yet, Nash. There’s an exhibition coming up in three months, so we still have time to do more tests and see if the process can be reversed.
Nash: You’re correct, sorry for getting ahead of myself. But man, we’re close. Very close.
The science bros then continue to run tests on the shrinking ray, shrinking whatever they found and creating an “enlarging” ray to reverse the process and return the objects back to their normal sizes. But…
Arthurius wakes up amidst the damaged ship, eventually getting out in the harsh temperatures of Russia’s forest. He immediately realises he is on Earth and wakes most of the passengers from their slumber, only to see that half the crew is missing! Did they wake up and abandoned the ship? Getting cold, he remained inside until the weather was more bearable. Next morning, the sky was clearer and Arthurius was ready to explore the surroundings, armed with a cannon arm replacing his left forearm (he is a cyborg, after all). Through the forest and frozen grass, he could barely see civilization or even a village, much to his chagrin, but he is able to recharge thanks to solar panels that unfold from his back, which also charges the cannon. As he is walking, he is thinking about that exhibition on his home planet, in which he and Nash were about to change expectations…
Three months later, the science exhibition is taking place at the Haskara Academy, with many people similarly wanting to change their world with their inventions. Artie and Nash were about to face competition, especially from an arrogant scientist named Mantlo Xarza and his shapeshifting armour.
Artie: That’s quite the competition we got. What if we don’t win?
Nash: Second place is good too. It’ll motivate us to do better next year. Whatever happens is going to happen.
Xarza: Is this your shrinking ray? It looks just as puny as two are! It will be nothing compared to my armour that can transform into whatever I want. Better give up now!
Nash: Say what you want, Xarza! Size only matters as long as it's used properly. Maybe tell your armour to morph into a jet so you can make your escape. Go now, you’re taking up a lot of space.
Angered, Xarza takes his leave, vowing to win this year’s science exhibition. Underrated, Artie and Nash make the final adjustments to the shrink ray and continue to wait until their turn comes…
Arthurius snaps back to reality when he spots a large tower from a distance - he is near Saint Petersburg, the largest city in Russia! Although he wanted to see the city closer, he knew he must return to his people and see how they can fit in this “ginormous” city. Back at the ship, Arthurius tells his people of his discoveries and that they should seek shelter there.
Civilian #1: But what if humans won’t accept us? What if they kick us out?
Arthurius: They won’t find out, because I have a plan. I have built this human-sized mech while you were sleeping and will use it to masquerade as a human while you will be my “action figures” with no life of their own and act as display pieces.
Civilian #2: Can we even do that?
Arthurius: I’ve installed deactivation switches on your back while you were asleep, to reactivate you when necessary and to preserve energy until I find a suitable power source.
Civilian #3: How long will we be in this deactivated state and hiding?
Arthurius: Until I gain their trust, since this is their planet, so I will obey their rules until then. I will also, when I have time, look for our missing people. Please, you must be patient, until we see our home again.
While reluctant, people agree to follow through until the end. Far away from their crash site, a Japanese man is seen coming close to the ship. Can he be trusted?
Chapter 3 - The Shocking Truth
After suiting up, Arthurius spots the Japanese man and requests assistance. The man comes and offers to escort him to Diaclone HQ, when he finds out about his intellect. As they walked, the man called Tahashi, tells a story of how the military defeated the Emperor and forced the Waruders of Earth.
Tahashi: These aliens were threatening our planet, desu. But thanks to our mechs and a lone Warudroid, their Emperor was killed and the Waruders haven’t set foot on this planet ever since, at least not as often. Who are you, desu?
Arthurius: Just call me Arthur. How long has it been since the Waruders’ defeat?
Tahashi: Ten years, desu. Ten. Long. Years. Even after their defeat, Waruders still showed up to feed, some and other soldiers remained on standby to repel them. I’m not complaining or anything, I’m just a little peeved that I don’t get to go to Japan as often as I’d like, desu.
Arthur: (in his mind) So we’ve been asleep for that long?! What if Micro Terra can no longer be inhabited?! No, I must remain focused. (out of his mind) So is this “Diaclone” that popular.
Tahashi: Have you been under a rock, desu?! Special Military Diaclone is the global alliance that fought the Waruders with giant mech suits, led by Commander Diac Quronus, Commander Q for short. You may want to be careful around him, because he doesn’t take incompetence very well, desu.
Arthur: I’m sure it’ll be fine, as long as I get to do what I do best.
Tahashi: And what do you do best, desu?
Arthur: Science, my friend. With your machinery and my intellect, we can build a better future.
Tahashi: Then you gotta meet Doctor Apex Quronus, desu. He is the one behind creating the mechs and more! Your services will be valued.
Arthur: I’m sure they will.
We kept talking until we reached the headquarters, where they met Commander Q, about Arthur joining the team for scientific research and studying aliens. He isn’t very sure, but after hearing Arthur’s knowledge, he agrees to let him prove his intelligence and if he passes, Arthur’s in. With his mastery in science and knowledge, Arthur aces the test, to the Commander’s surprise, claiming no one but his brother ever passed this difficult test, which was twenty years ago! Impressed, Commander Q allows Arthur to join, even giving him a room he’ll share with Tahashi and Jones, to the former’s chagrin. In the room, Jones introduces himself in the most hilarious way: in the style of a martial artist, even sounding like an imitation of an actor who does his own fight choreography.
Jones: So you’ll be our new roommate? Name’s Jones, by the way.
Arthur: I guess I am. The commander said so. I’m Arthur, the “junior” scientist.
Tahashi: Why couldn’t the commander give him his own room, desu? This room isn’t fit for three people, desu!
Jones: Maybe because the military can only afford so much. We’re lucky to even have showers and quality food. Yo, Arthur, hope you ain’t claustrophobic or hate sharing.
Arthur: I think I’ll be fine, at least I get to do what I do best. Things like rooming are hardly new to me. I used to share a room with someone and became best friends afterward. We even worked on a science project for an exhibition at our own academy for the gifted.
Tahashi: And how did it go, desu?
Arthur: Well…
Arthur tries to remember what happened at the exhibition and eventually remembers the outcome:
After Xarza shows off the shapeshifting armour, Artie and Nash’s turn to showcase the shrink ray and how useful it could be. What it can be used for is to minimise luggage and reduce the space required to store stuff. Unsurprisingly, the people in attendance applauded in approval, earning the Golden Medal for Innovation, to Xarza’s chagrin, who claims that his shapeshifting armour is more impressive than a shrink ray. When no one paid any attention to him, Xarza stormed out of the exhibition, feeling insulted by losing to some “small inferior minds.” The crowd continues to cheer for Artie and Nash, who are quite surprised they actually won the exhibition, which signals great things to happen…
Arthur: ...and that’s how we won, funnily enough. I almost knew I would take second place to that shape shifting armour of Xarza. That was quite unexpected.
Tahashi: Indeed, desu. But where is this academy, desu? Is it outside Russia?
Jones: Yeah, I don’t know anyone named “Xarza”.
Arthur: (his chest opens up) I believe you can tell I am more than meets the eye.
Tahashi: Is this a dream, Jones-san?!
Jones: No, it’s too f***ing real, man!
Chapter 4 - Responsibility
Tahashi: Oh my God, desu! You are so tiny, almost like the toys of American hero toys in the 80s!
Arthur: Yes, I am. I’m from Micro Terra, a planet similar to Earth, except in size, of course. It’s so small, there’s only one city on my planet, which has no name.
Tahashi: Were you always this small, desu? And robotic?
Arthur: No, I became a cyborg as a means to survive the harsh environment that my planet has become when it was invaded and stripped of its resources . Then I downsized myself for fuel conservation, but that wouldn’t be enough to survive there. So, along with most citizens, we embarked on a spaceship to get to your planet and gain your trust so that, someday, you can help us rebuild our planet. But we were attacked and fell into a deep sleep for a very long time.
Jones: That’s pretty sad. Who attacked your planet? Who attacked your ship?
Arthur: The Waruders. We tried to offer them assistance in exchange for sparing our planet, but they refused. I was glad to hear that you defeated them.
Jones: It was a team effort, actually. And we only defeated their Emperor, so the Waruders are still out there, but I can bet they are directionless now.
Tahashi: You mentioned “citizens”, desu. Where are they?
Arthur: Right here. (points at the table) They’re frozen in stasis via deactivation switches I installed on them when they were sleeping. But half the population went missing, so I must also search for them while gaining your military’s trust.
Jones: Can we speak with them?
Arthur: Can you two keep the secret until I gain the military’s trust?
Tahashi: We’ll certainly try, desu.
With the “introduction” over, Arthur reactivates the civilians, telling them Tahashi and Jones can be trusted. After that, everyone goes to sleep, where Arthur dreams about the aftermath of the exhibition:
After the end of the exhibition, Artie and Nash get a boost of confidence from winning the Golden Medal of Innovation. Nash, in particular, wants to focus on building a spaceship which can travel vast distances in short periods of time. Artie does see it as a good way to minimise the time needed to travel from planet to planet or one galaxy to the next. While they talk about the ship, Xarza rudely blows the conversation, clearly still salty for losing the exhibition.
Xarza: Why do you need a spaceship? Deserting your planet? Abandon your people?
Artie: That’s not true. Of course we don’t want to leave the planet, we’ll just use it to expand our planet and make it, you know, spacious.
Nash: Plus, the only one who should desert this planet is you, sore loser. You’re just jealous you lost. If you have nothing nice to say, be gone!
Xarza: Fine, but I’m warning you. Not all your inventions will benefit our planet, certainly not from outsiders of other planets.
With Xarza gone, Nash continues to talk about how to build the ship, though Artie can’t stop thinking about the meaning behind Xarza’s words. But whatever happens, it’s gonna happen…
Jones is seen imitating an alarm clock to wake Arthur, who’s deep in his sleep. When he finally wakes up, he’s told he’ll meet Doctor Q for his first assignment. With his lab coat and a fresh breath, Arthur goes to the lab, asking Doctor Q about the assignment. Battles01’s left landing skid got damaged from an accident while patrolling and it needs to be fixed before going on patrol in one hour. Arthur manages to finish the repairs in forty-five minutes, a feat that impresses Doctor Q.
Doctor Q: Did you really do that by yourself?
Arthur: Pretty much, not as complicated as removing the broken skid. That was the hard part.
Doctor Q: Which school did you attend??
Arthur: I… will answer that some other time.
Doctor Q: Alright, but a bit jealous. Just a bit.
Arthur: Don’t worry, I won’t replace you.
Doctor Q: I… Nevermind. Go take a coffee break and I’ll call you if I need your expertise.
Arthur: Alright, doctor. Don’t hesitate.
Arthur goes to the cafeteria and sits at a desk with Tahashi and Jones. When asked if Doctor Q discovered the truth, he simply said he will at the right time and place… and situation. While they eat, Arthur can’t stop thinking about what the future will hold for him, no matter how bleak the situation can look. Jones snaps him back to reality and him about it, to which he replies “I was just daydreaming, that’s all”.
Chapter 5 - MechRadiCass
A week later, Arthur is seen tampering with an old boombox, while Jones pretends to be playing video games, doing their sound effects. Then Arthur asks Jones why people don’t use boomboxes anymore.
Jones: It’s because CDs and DVDs replaced the cassettes. They are still used as radios to listen to stations, but that’s old school people we’re talking about. Unless it’s for history reports, no kid is touching these old suckers. We rarely even look at our past now.
Arthur: So as humans progressed, they practically discard what they have built before. Never gave that thought honestly. But if boomboxes can be reused, why don’t people still use them?
Jones: Because as each generation unfolds, boomboxes tend to be forgotten, as if they never existed. They’re usually sold at specialty stores and stuff, but I doubt they sell good, if at all. Things change, people change.
Tahashi: (enters the room) What’s going on, desu? Did I miss something?
Jones: Just a history lesson in boomboxes. Arthur is just fiddling with one he found in the trash.
Tahashi: Ew, desu!
Arthur: I actually found it at an antique store and bought it for a thousand rubles.
Tahashi: Nani?!?! That much?!
Arthur: Well it is certainly old and I wanted to modify it for my needs. And listen to the news.
In case you didn’t know, Arthur actually wants to create a robot that transforms into a boombox, since on his planet, he once owned a toy robot called “Sound Warrior”, who had speakers on his legs and chest compartment to store “data blocks”, which can store up to, in human terms, one hundred thousand terabytes. Believing it can benefit humanity, Arthur worked on the boombox day and night ever since he got it, with minimal results, but hey, if it’s possible, it’s possible. Jones and Tahashi, meanwhile, still believe it’s not possible to create a robot out of a boombox, until one Friday.
Arthur: Jones! Tahashi! I’m finished! Come take a look!
Tahashi: Do you think he gave up, Jones-san?
Jones: Probably, because what are the odds of making an advanced robot out of an old boombox? Old and new don’t mix well. (looks at the robot, which is no bigger than an action figure, with speakers on its legs) WHAT?! Was that the boombox?!
Arthur: Of course. Isn’t it great?
Jones: It’s not great. It’s awesome!
Tahashi: It is, desu. If it were a toy, I’d certainly buy it! But, can it play cassettes, desu?
Arthur: It can. Do you have any preferences in music?
Jones: Here’s a cassette my dad gave for my cassette player… which I sold to get a car! Play it!
Arthur: Okay. Here we go. (inserts the cassette in the robot’s chest, playing “Dare” by Stan Bush)
Jones: Hell yeah! Come on Tahashi, let’s sing!
Both Jones and Tahashi beginning singing the song, while Arthur couldn’t help but laugh at it, which reminds him of the time him and Nash created a satellite to listen to alien music, including Earth’s:
At their workshop, Artie and Nash build what looks to be a satellite for whatever purpose.
Artie: It would be great, wouldn’t it? I never heard music before in my life. It would be a subtle but nice change of pace.
Nash: I know, right? I can hardly contain myself!
Artie and Nash continue to work on the satellite while humming, with music in their soul. When they were finished, they listened to music all night long…
Doctor Q: Are you done daydreaming?
Arthur: (snaps back to reality) Huh? Oh! Yes, I am awake. What are you doing here, doctor?
Doctor Q: I heard singing from your room. Very bad singing, believe that. What is this robot?
Tahashi: It's a robot that turns into a boombox, desu. We couldn’t help but sing, desu. Ain’t it right, Jones-san?
Jones: Yeah, we just couldn’t help singing the song of good old Stan Bush! (does a brief “The Touch”)
Doctor Q: Enough! I get it, but what does the robot do?
Arthur: In addition to playing cassettes, it can also store data blocks.
Doctor Q: What are data blocks?
Arthur: Cassette-shaped blocks that can store up to a thousand terabytes.
Doctor Q: That’s certainly a lot of data! What else can it do?
As they continue to discuss, a shadowy but familiar figure looks through the window, snarling at them. When Doctor Q asks the robot’s name, Arthur says it’s “MRD (MechRadiCass)”.
Chapter 6 - Xarza’s Mean Path
Remember Mantlo Xarza, the mean-spirited scientist who thought he was above everyone? He wasn’t always like that, you know. I will explain how he ended like that, right now.
Born at the beginning of a new stellar cycle, his father taught him all the basics in science, though he never knew who his mother was. Whenever he asked his father his mother’s whereabouts, he only said that she probably works on another planet in another galaxy, but shouldn’t think too much about her. Unfortunately, his father passed away before he entered the Haskara Academy for the Gifted. On his deathbed, his father tells him to succeed, become the greatest scientist and let no one slow him down. With that in his mind and heart, Xarza began his journey of being the very best, like no one ever was… or so he thought. Although he was obviously talented and pretty modest, he was very mean and belittled anyone who even tried to either top him or “equal” him. He sure needs a hard lesson in humility or he’ll be a loner for life. Anyways, one student actually tried to get close to Xarza, but…
Xarza: What do you want?
Student: Just if you want… to… mmm… be my friend.
Xarza: Friend? (laughs mockingly) I am a scientist, I don’t and never will make friends, at all. If you want to become someone, end all of your friendships so they can’t weigh down. Friends will only slow you down. Now, scram, your presence alone is annoying.
Student: But… (cries and runs away)
That’s how it usually works: you try to befriend Xarza, only to mock you and your friendship. Yup, a loner indeed. However, he did do amazing things, such as the humanoid drone Akroyer, which made him a winner in the science exhibition. For this year’s exhibition, he created a set of armour that could shapeshift into almost anything he desired. But, before he has a run-in with another scientist who is, soon enough, gonna rival him.
Xarza: And who are you?
Arthurius: I’m… Arturius. Second-class scientist. And you?
Xarza: You don’t know who I am?! I’m Mantlo Xarza, your superior elder. Show me some respect!
???: Respect, my bottom! Leave him alone, you high and mighty. I’m Nash, his friend.
Xarza: You dare disrespect me? Mark my words, as long as I live, you will never see the end of your education!
Nash: Hmph, I’m sure we will see the end of our education. Come on, Artie, this one’s full of himself!
Artie: O-okay.
Xarza: That’s right. Be gone before I report you two to the principal for wasting my precious time! (now all alone) Huh, who do they think they are? They think they can match me. Absolutely not! They won’t get away with this!
Yeah, I wouldn’t be so sure about it. During that science exhibition, he (deservingly) lost to Artie and Nash’s shrinking ray, which naturally infuriated Xarza to no end. After talking to the duo and storming out like the sore loser he is, he eavesdrops on the two’s plan to make a spaceship, which gives the perfect idea for revenge: by making that ship their last hope. After the ship is completed, Xarza uses an intergalactic communicator he invented to reach the Emperor of the Waruders.
Xarza: Your excellency? Can you hear me?
The Emperor: Yes, I do. What do you want from me?
The Emperor: Micro Terra? I heard of it, but are you sure?
Xarza: I’m sure because this planet is too small to experiment. I need something bigger. Are you interested?
The Emperor: Very well. Hope you are prepared to flee.
Xarza: Oh, I will be ready. Prepared for a new beginning.
That’s right, this sore loser of a jerk just offered Micro Terra to the Waruders on a silver platter! His jealousy just has no boundaries! Anyway, you probably wonder what happened to the crew that went missing when Arthurius woke up, right? Well…
Three days ago, before Arthurius woke up, Xarza woke up first and proceeded to wake half of the crew, ordering them out, presumably intending to abandon the rest to deep sleep. Once outside, he tells them that they’ll survive by other means, proclaiming himself as the one to conquer this planet and make it their own. Unsure of his motives, but with no better ideas in mind, the people agree to follow Xarza until they find a place they can call home. Inside his twisted and hate-filled mind, Xarza does believe he can do better Arthurius could, and now that the people are on his side now, nothing will stop him, not even them. He’ll definitely show the world, the whole universe, that he is the special, the genius, the “One Above All” (in other words, a massive delusional jerk).
Xarza: Nothing. Just offering you my planet and its resources for a satisfying snack: Micro Terra.
The Emperor: Micro Terra? I heard of it, but are you sure?
Xarza: I’m sure because this planet is too small to experiment. I need something bigger. Are you interested?
The Emperor: Very well. Hope you are prepared to flee.
Xarza: Oh, I will be ready. Prepared for a new beginning.
That’s right, this sore loser of a jerk just offered Micro Terra to the Waruders on a silver platter! His jealousy just has no boundaries! Anyway, you probably wonder what happened to the crew that went missing when Arthurius woke up, right? Well…
Three days ago, before Arthurius woke up, Xarza woke up first and proceeded to wake half of the crew, ordering them out, presumably intending to abandon the rest to deep sleep. Once outside, he tells them that they’ll survive by other means, proclaiming himself as the one to conquer this planet and make it their own. Unsure of his motives, but with no better ideas in mind, the people agree to follow Xarza until they find a place they can call home. Inside his twisted and hate-filled mind, Xarza does believe he can do better Arthurius could, and now that the people are on his side now, nothing will stop him, not even them. He’ll definitely show the world, the whole universe, that he is the special, the genius, the “One Above All” (in other words, a massive delusional jerk).
Chapter 7 - Room Alone
Days have passed and Arthur is really fitting in at Diaclone HQ, to Jones and Tahashi’s approval. But what does it leave Arthur’s little tribe? Despite having room for himself and Jones and Tahashi knowing the secret, Arthur still can’t leave the tribe active, lest they risk being exposed to the military and Arthur’s secret getting out. Despite Arthur promising to keep them safe, the tribe, particularly Zoral, wasn’t happy having to remain in stasis and just wait. Dreaming can't even keep them from reality! One day, Arthur is listening to his people, but the only thing he hears are questions and anxiety.
Civilian #1: How long do we have to remain deactivated? I’m getting tired of just dreaming!
Arthur: I know, but the Special Military Diaclone just isn’t ready to integrate you into society. There is still a long way until that happens.
Zoral: Are you sure you’re even trying? If anything, you should let us wake up so we can explore this room. We won’t leave the room nor let anyone see us.
Arthur: That won’t happen. Besides, even if I do that will you really be safe, even in this room. You’ll attract quite an unpleasant welcome.
Zoral: Just keep us activated or I’ll go crazy inside my head!
Arthur: The final answer is no! (Jones screams from outside the door, asking if he’s ready to go) Go on ahead, I’ll catch up! (turns his sight to Zoral) I’m sorry, Zoral, but I can’t let you be active, I’m sure you understand.
Zoral: Understand what? That you keep your mind inside your body because you don’t have the manifolds to…
Arthur deactivates his people before Zoral even gets to finish his sentence about his inability to give back what he took. Arthur then leaves the room, locking as he leaves with Jones and Tahashi to buy some parts to build presumably something grand. With pain in his chest but resolution in his mind, Arthur goes on. However, it shall change, at least on borrowed time…
During a rainy thunderstorm, lightning strikes into the antenna, going through the cables and into Arthur’s room, reviving the tribe in shock. While the people are a little fuzzy, Zoral sees this as the “best opportunity in a long time”. The first thing they do is… read a book about heroes and mutants. Zoral even notes the similarity between them (the people) and the mutants, as they remain incognito for their safety. Next, they surf the World Wide Web for information on Earth’s state, finding it similar to Micro Terra, except bigger. Zoral wonders if they coexist with the humans someday, as Arthur promised.
Civilian #1: Man, I wish we could go outside and explore the world up close.
Zoral: And risk getting stomped on or captured for experimentation? We wish, but this Internet is good too, very informative. I wonder if humans ever went outside Earth.
Civilian #2: (searches the web) According to this article, the first time it happened was in 1969 when two humans went to the moon in a primitive rocket. After that, they didn’t go any further.
Civilian #3: Presumably humans are more fragile, just like we were before we upgraded ourselves to withstand the vacuum and the lack of organic food. If we can convince the humans to come with us, maybe we can enlist their help in restoring Micro Terra.
Zoral: That would be a possibility, but for now, whether I like it or not, we have to rely on Arthur and his two human allies to convince the military to support us. (sigh) This wait is boring me to death.
Before he can talk any further, Zoral notices someone spying on the room but quickly hides away. When he goes to the window, he sees the intruder - it’s a Warudroid! The Warudroid is Warukar, who helped the military defeat his former emperor and mostly disappeared from their radars, with nothing but solar energy to sustain him. What is he doing near the base? Is he looking for food? Regardless, Zoral orders his people to conceal, since they don’t have the power or weaponry to take on a Warudroid. Arthur, Tahashi, and Jones return to the base, with Warukar running away to avoid them. In their room, Tahashi is surprised the tribe reactivated, but Arthur is mad at them, with Zoral claiming they couldn’t help it and they didn’t even leave the room, let alone get spotted.
Zoral: We just avoided being spotted by a Warudroid! Good thing you scare it away.
Tahashi: Warudroid, desu? Could it be…
Jones: Nah, it can’t. We haven’t seen him in ten years, no way he could have survived that long. Do you know about the Waruders?
Arthur: Of course. They’re the reason I’m here, along with the populace of Micro Terra. Zoral, until this Warudroid is located, you remain hidden.
Zoral: I know how to defend myself. You watch your back, our fearless chosen one.
Arthur: Very funny.
Chapter 8 - Robo-Herbie
One day, Jones and his dad browse some car dealerships for Jones’s first car. Jones spots a dirty-but-functioning Volkswagen Beetle, which he is a fan of after watching that movie where the car is sentient and became a racing champion. But his dad doesn’t believe the Beetle is “a real man’s car”, so to Jones’s chagrin, he purchases a 1967 Chevy Impala instead.
Jones: Seriously, dad. Do you really not respect the classics?
His dad: Of course I do. But that is as dirty as a motherf***er. A real man goes for something clean, not dirty.
Jones: But it can be cleaned. If we get the Beetle…
His dad: We aren’t getting the Beetle, my boy. I’m sorry, but you gotta give up those silly fantasies to be recognised as a real man.
Jones: But dad…!
So his dad got the 1967 Chevy Impala for his son instead of the Volkswagen Beetle his son actually wanted and drove off in this new car out of the dealership. The car is cool, but that doesn’t please Jones in the least. From that moment on, Jones never spoke to his father ever again, not even giving him a call from time to time. He did eventually get a Volkswagen Beetle… only to sell it so he could get the money to enlist in the Special Military Diaclone in Russia, much to his own chagrin. He still hopes to get another Beetle, preferably in white with red and blue stripes from the back to the front and the number “53” slapped on the hood. But until then, the only things he is concerned about now are keeping his team in check and defeating aliens… and beatboxing.
Years later, Jones is seen in a room he shares with Tahashi and Arthur, mostly doing beatboxing to amuse himself and his friends and roommates. While Arthur browses through an old cars catalog provided by Jones, Jones glances at the page that showcases the Volkswagen Beetle, until it is flipped. Knowing that Arthur is a genius who recently created a boombox that can transform into a robot, Jones asks him if he can make a Volkswagen Beetle transform into a robot too.
Jones: So… Can you do it?
Arthur: It depends. Where do we find a Volkswagen Beetle?
Jones: I know this car dealership that ain’t too far from the base. That dealership is very old, so they should have a Beetle lying around. Are you coming?
Arthur: Sure. Never had cars on my home planet so I definitely want to watch what you humans use for transport.
Jones: You never had cars on your planet?! Then how did you walk from your house to the academy?!
Arthur: (thinks for half a minute) By walking.
Jones: By walking?! Say no more, my man. I’ll show you what a real car is. Tahashi, will you take care of our room until we get back?
Tahashi: You got it, desu. This room will remain as you leave it, desu.
Jones: Alright! Arthur, hurry up and get dressed! We’ll go bug hunting!
Later at the dealership, Jones has a few flashbacks to the first time his dad took him to the dealership, his words haunting him. He and Arthur eventually find and purchase the Beetle, driving it to base and causing memories of Jones’s time owning the car to flood his mind. At the garage, Arthur works on the car for three days but eventually finishes and calls Jones over to test the car.
Arthur: Just give a command.
Jones: Okay. Uh… Transform! (the car transforms into a robot familiar to a certain yellow robot...) Oh my gosh, it’s awesome! I can’t believe my eyes. (slaps himself in the face) Great, it’s not even a dream. Thank you, doctor!
Arthur: You’re welcome. Shall we let the others know of its existence?
Jones: Absolutely not! Commander Q will only want to weaponize this sucker! I’ve lost a car before, and I’m not losing this bug again, especially in the military.
Arthur: Alright, then this should be our secret, okay? So, what do we do now?
Jones: We watch a movie in the car. I have this portable DVD Player and the disc that has the movie. Wanna watch it?
Arthur: Sure, but first… Transform! (the robot converts back to vehicle mode) Let’s watch.
Jones and Arthur then watch the movie about this racing driver that gets into possession of the titular Volkswagen Beetle and gets involved in racing, discovering the car to be “alive”. After they watch the movie, Arthur asks Jones what the car will be named. Jones excitedly declares the car’s name will be…
Chapter 9 - Whatever happened to Nash?
(Before the exhibition)
Nash: Forget those naysayers, Artie. The path of evolution is the path of science.
(During the exhibition)
Nash: Second place is good too. It’ll motivate us to do better next year.
Determined to find his friend, Arthur tells Tahashi that he is going outside for some “fresh air”, which Tahashi allows. In the forest, Arthur eventually finds tiny footprints in the snow. He examines them and follows the trail to a cave, which happens to belong to a bear but manages to not wake it up. Thinking the other crew relocated to another city, he goes back to base and asks Doctor Q about another branch of the military.
Doctor Q: There is another branch in Magadan, where soldiers called “The Brave Four” guard it. Why do you ask?
Arthur: I… I’m trying to locate a friend of mine that went missing. I think he might be in that town. Can I go there?
Doctor Q: And who will accompany you?
Arthur: Jones, since he has a new car. I’m sure the trip will be worth it. Do “The Brave Four” need any help?
Doctor Q: Vadel said he needed assistance with some unusual minerals he found in the cave. You can go to my place, since I’m busy inspecting Big Powered GV.
Arthur: Thank you, doctor! I’ll tell Jones to prepare for the journey!
Hurrying back to the room, Arthur tells Jones to pack up the necessities, because they’re going for Magadan, to Jones’s excitement that he gets to drive the Beetle for a long trip. Saying goodbye to Tahashi, Zoral and the tribe, Arthur and Jones put their things in the car’s trunk, board it and then roll out for Magadan! On their trip, Arthur once again thought of his friend and their achievements:
At their workshop, Artie and Nash build what looks to be a satellite while humming, with music in their soul. When they were finished, they listened to music all night long.
Artie and Nash showcase the shrink ray and how useful it could be. What it can be used for is to minimise luggage and reduce the space required to store stuff. Unsurprisingly, the people in attendance applauded in approval, earning the Golden Medal for Innovation. The crowd cheered for Artie and Nash, who are quite surprised they actually won the exhibition.
Jones, on the other hand, sings “Never gonna give you up” while driving, but Arthur doesn’t seem too disturbed by it, but that can’t be said for the drivers that pass Jones’s car, yelling at him to stop singing, but doesn’t give a damn about it. Once they reach Magadan, they are greeted by Nikolai, who berates Jones for not showing up as often, with Jones saying he had beatboxing lessons because he didn’t have a car at the time. Arthur then presents himself, asking Nikolai if he witnessed anything unusual, but Nikolai doesn’t really know, suggesting Viktor might know since he is always on air duty. Arthur then goes to Viktor, who’s taking a break but doesn’t get much information since Viktor isn’t much of a talker, except that he spotted “ants” heading towards the warehouse. Thinking the rest of the crew and Nash might be there, Arthur heads towards the warehouse, where he spots a hole in the wall to the right. However, no tiny cyborgs there, to Arthur’s disappointment, who prays for Nash’s safety. He then heads to the mine where Vadel is examining the unusual minerals Doctor Q was talking about. Scanning them, he realises the minerals are from Micro Terra but chooses to keep that a secret, telling Vadel that he’ll keep one of the minerals for further study. Outside, Arthur refuses to give up the search, even if the results won’t be pretty.
Elsewhere, Xarza and his tribe have a campfire, discussing their future deeds.
Xarza: Arthur betrayed us by joining the humans. But we don’t need humans, not at all! Only together, we can prevail. Isn’t that right, Shan?
Shan: Indeed, humans are weak, we are strong, we make better machines. No human will withstand us. Not even Artie. Yes, we’ll prevail even if Artie must die.
Xarza: Correct. Arthur is inferior, we are superior.
Civilian #1: But he saved us. We shouldn’t even mess with him.
Xarza: Fine, but if he gets in our way…
Shan: He’ll either join us or die!
Xarza: Plus, we have a new ally, who wants revenge on humans: Warukar.
Civilian #2: Warukar… the Waruder! You want us to ally with Waruders, the ones who ruined our planet?!
Xarza: He’s an outcast now, after the Emperor’s death. We can only conquer when united, understand?! (the civilian remains silent) Good, soon it’ll be the time. Soon it’ll be the time for the ultimatum. Be prepared! (laughs maniacally)
Chapter 10 - A Friendship Shattered
Arthur keeps looking for the missing crew for an entire week, without much luck, to the amusement of Xarza. Shan asks why he hates Arthur so much, to which Xarza answers that he stole “his winning spot” and he must pay for it by any means.
Meanwhile, Tahashi and Jones try to calm down Arthur, who’s worried about his missing crew, including Nash.
Jones: Gotta chill out, man. You won’t go anywhere worried like this. Russia is big, so they definitely just got lost somewhere.
Arthur: I’m aware, yes. But it’s my friend we’re talking about. I… just want to see him safe as payment for sticking with me despite all odds.
Jones: I understand you. But tell me, who was in your crew?
Arthur: A lot of civilians, including Nash and Xarza.
Jones: The guy who bullied you and Nash? What if the disappearance of your crew is intentional?
Arthur: You mean Xarza may be behind this? I’m not very sure even he would do something like that… I think.
Jones: Then it’s gotta be him, probably out of jealousy for losing that medal to you.
Arthur: I never intended to win that medal! I was quite sure his shapeshifting armour would win for sure. But if he is behind half my crew disappearing, we have to find him before he does something reckless!
Xarza, eavesdropping on their conversation, doesn’t want Arthur to find him, so he sends Shan, equipped with a Scope Laser and a Microx Gun, to eliminate Arthur before he investigates further, to which he complies.
As Tahashi is busy fishing with Dimitri, Jones continues to ensure Arthur of the missing crew’s survival. Just when Arthur is ready to accept Jones’ reassuring words, an unexpected guest drops in on both of them - it’s Shan!
Arthur: Who are you?!
Shan: Wrong question, traitor!
Arthur: I never betrayed anyone!
Shan: But you abandoned our planet instead of finding a way to bring it back to life! You just wanted an excuse to explore the galaxy.
Arthur: I only did it because there was no way of revitalizing Micro Terra without organic resources! Even if we stayed, we would be doomed to a slow, painful death from lack of proper electricity. The humans of this planet can help us. They can provide us with some of their resources to…
Shan: Silence, you fool! These weaklings are nothing like us! Here’s your final choice: join us to pillage this planet or refuse so you can watch them suffer before your eyes! Arthur: You’re leaving me no choice… (puts his arms in a cross) Mechamorphosis! (an anime-esque transformation occurs, shedding the synthetic skin to reveal the cyborg within) In the name of my friends, I won’t allow the likes of you to harm this planet. Be prepared!
Shan: So you refuse?
Arthur: I am. We will see our planet restored, but not at the cost of another planet!
Jones: (a little dizzy from the impact) Arthur… is that you?
Arthur: Jones, tell the others to suit up and come here, I’ll hold this thug off.
Jones: It is you. Got it. (runs off)
Shan: My name is Shan, by the way.
Arthur: Either way, you will lose.
Shan: Fat chance. Let’s do this!
The two opposite cyborgs start shooting at each other, causing considerable damage to the area. With his rocket boots, Arthur manages to dodge Shan’s Microx Gun shots, while the Scope Laser damages his left thruster, causing him to crash at the dock. Shan marches towards him, with both Microx Gun and Scope Laser aimed at him. Just before his inevitable destruction, Arthur apologizes in his mind for failing to find the missing crew, which causes Shan to hesitate to shoot him for some reason. Out of nowhere, a blast shatters Shan’s helmet and Arthur catches a glimpse at his face - it’s Nash. The cavalry soon arrives, forcing Shan to flee, telling Arthur it’s far from over. At the warehouse, Arthur is shocked that his attacker was none other than his best friend, but Tahashi thinks there must be a reason for his defection to “the dark side”. Jones returns to tell Arthur he is needed back at Diaclone HQ in Saint Petersburg before Commander Q blows a fuse. Arthur, still upset, agrees to return, knowing he must focus on improving his reputation.
Back at the camp, Xarza is furious at Shan for nearly getting defeated by Arthur, only for Shan to tell him that Arthur has access to a new, attack-focused form up his sleeve.
Xarza: Is that so? Then that would make this difficult. Did he take a glimpse at your damaged helmet?
Shan: He did.
Xarza: Hah, at least he’ll be at a disadvantage since he can’t hurt his “best friend”. This is why he’s weak and he won’t live long enough to hear the end of this. Of my plan! (laughs maniacally).
Chapter 11 - Dr. Arthur and Mr. Traitorous
Xarza is getting worried about Arthur now knowing of Nash’s survival, despite Shan’s attempts at calming him down. Xarza just grows paranoid at the thought that Arthur will take away his achievement the same way he did during that exhibition.
Xarza: This is bad! I won’t take another loss or I’ll eat my brain!
Shan: There’s nothing for you to fear at all. We’ll get back to…
Xarza: Nothing?! You just showed him a glimpse of your face and he may figure out I did it. But I can fix this! By turning Arthur to my side!
Shan: With what? The magic word?
Xarza: No, you buffon! With my mind-altering chip! (shows it to Shan, which actually looks like a tiny floppy disk) With this, I can keep him close and once I’m done using him, I will… destroy him!
That’s the evilest plan I heard before… Anyway, yes, Xarza did brainwash Nash into his service (Shan is an amalgamation of Nash), to hurt Arthur for winning the medal and messing with him. God knows when Nash will return to his senses.
Back at Diaclone HQ, Arthur is studying the mineral he got from his trip to Magadan. He can’t help but flashback at his glimpse of Shan’s identity as Nash, until the alarm brings him back to reality, showing Shan menacing some civilians. Hoping to bring his friend back, Arthur asks Commander Q for permission to accompany Jones on this mission, having the perfect tool to paralyze him. Commander Q does allow it and Arthur rolls out with Jones in his car. Arriving at the scene and helping the civilians escape, Arthur tries to reason with Shan, telling him to remember who he was, but to no avail. Jones remains on the sidelines until Arthur gets slashed in the torso by Shan’s arm blade, causing him to shoot like a Stormtrooper (hope no civilian gets injured… or child). One of the shots eventually hits Shan’s helmet, forcing him to retreat. Back at HQ, Arthur, after healing the wound from his torso via the regenerating chamber, goes to the central computer and downloads all kinds of sensitive material from the military (like Doctor Q’s collection of Einstein posters and Commander Q’s video collection of The Rock), planning to use them to blackmail the military into giving him the mechs. Tahashi enters the room, but Arthur manages to download the material before he is caught in the act.
Arthur: What are you looking for?
Tahashi: Oh, I just happened to walk by, desu. Why are you so close to the main computer, desu? I hope you’re not creeping there.
Arthur: Creeping? I… also happened to be walking by and couldn’t stop staring at how beautiful the screen was.
Tahashi: O… kay. Are you sure you weren’t smacked in the head by that maniac, desu?
Arthur: Maybe just a little. It was quite a fight and situation. Shall we visit the cafeteria?
Tahashi: Yes, desu!
Arthur: Alright, but first, I need the bathroom.
Making a dash for the bathroom, the evil Arthur regresses back to the good one, the only thing to remember is that he is going to the cafeteria with Tahashi. With no time to think more carefully about the situation, he goes to the cafeteria while thinking of Shan. There, Jones tells Tahashi about the time he replaced the shampoo from his academy’s shower with an indescribable chemical and when his drill sergeant washed his hair with it, his hands got stuck to his head! And then, when he left the shower, Jones was in the locker room, imitating a dog to scare the sergeant away, cursing whoever was in the locker room (as his eyes had soap in them) that he’d pay. The sergeant never found out about Jones’s prank, like ever. Arthur expresses confusion over the nature of the prank, but Jones assures that it was funny… to him, at least. Tahashi also finds this funny, secretly wishing for the same thing to happen to Commander Q for not letting him go to any anime convention. Not sure of what to say about the matter, Arthur finishes his food fast and heads to his room, claiming he still has work to do. Inside, he peeks at the calendar indicating it’s almost the last day of October. Recalling what he saw on the Internet of a special celebration on that last day, Arthur contacts Xarza, telling him of the celebration which brings most humans together, suggesting an ambush.
Xarza: Good. Good. The time has come for humans to be reminded that they are not alone in the universe. The time to take over this continent and soon the whole world. Tick, tock, tick, tock…
Chapter 12: A Halloween Invasion
The final day of October has come and we all know what this means: Halloween, the time when most people dress up as monsters (or other things) to go Trick-or-treating for candy while playing pranks to those who refuse to give up candy. Even Diaclone HQ is prepared for this, mostly Jones and Tahashi (dressed as a cop and ninja, respectively) while the others remain on watch duty. Arthur goes along too, mainly to observe the celebration and those faces on the pumpkins (in truth, he wants to be there when Xarza launches his attack on humans), utilising his cyborg form as a Halloween costume. Commander Q orders them from afar to watch for anything strange happening, with Jones replying they won’t even get a rat away with stealing candy. Outside, the trio walks around the neighborhood, witnessing six houses giving candy to children and six houses getting punished for refusing to hand over candy. Jones then remembers the time his dad wouldn’t let him go trick-or-treating because it wasn’t manly enough for someone who grew up. And then he remembers the time he was at a beach with the drill sergeant, where he wrote the word “dork” on his chest with lotion when he was asleep, as punishment for making his run ten miles barefoot on the “sands of Hellfire”, causing him to be called “Sergeant Dork” for an entire day. Tahashi laughs loudly after hearing the tale, despite having to be silent as a ninja. Arthur, on the other hand, doesn’t understand the humour of the tales at all (did that mind-altering chip change him this much or it’s his alien nature, since he had never heard of the word “fun” before in his life?). He gets a sudden call from Shan, telling him that Xarza will ambush when the humans do their “parade”, Arthur agrees and ends the call before Tahashi can even take notice. Ten minutes have passed and humans do the parade in their costumes, Tahashi and Jones included, with Arthur in the crowd. Just when the humans are having a lot of fun, they are ambushed by some cyborgs and a cybernetic humanoid alien appears before them - it’s Xarza!
Xarza: Humans of Earth, your planet is vast and abundant in resources, which are enough to restore Micro Terra. Though eager I was to restore my home planet, I’ve experienced a change in plans! I don’t plan to restore Micro Terra, instead, I want to conquer this planet, with you as my slaves, serving us with your food and technology. It’s simply bigger and vast, giving me a lot of space to expand my inventions… (as he keeps talking, Jones whispers to Tahashi to get into position and wait for his signal, while Arthur goes to Xarza for whatever reason)... This will be my home, where everyone serves me and follows me as I take my revenge on the Waruders for destroying my planet, then take control of them, becoming their new… (a stray bullet passes him) What are you doing?!Jones: This planet ain’t gonna be yours, fool because we are Diaclone! Tahashi, now! (using a rope, Tahashi kicks Xarza away from the stage) Arthur, let’s punish this arrogant prick! (Arthur helps Xarza get up) What the hell?!
Arthur: Sorry, Jones, but Xarza is my master now. Kneel before him.
Tahashi: But didn’t you say you hated this guy, desu?? Why this sudden change of heart?
Xarza: (laughs maniacally) Let’s just say my words reached him, agreeing to serve like he was supposed to!
Tahashi: Liar! You big liar! Arthur would never join the likes of you, desu! You must have done something to him right under his nose! And I will beat you down until you let him free, desu!!
Xarza: And how will you beat me down with? Your puny bravado?
Tahashi: No, with this! (points to the sky)
Is it a bird? Nope, more like a plane. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s the new Alpha Spartan with Storm Jacket, flying down to Tahashi, as it merges with the vehicle, giving the mech new shoulder pads with guns, new forearms, leg extensions with thrusters and wings with swords. What remains of the Storm Jacket detaches, upgrading Spartan into Storm Spartan! The cockpit opens up and out comes a new head, with Tahashi boarding it and unsheathing the swords. With a strong resolve and a pose from a stereotypical Japanese superhero show (which I don’t even know the name of at all but you probably do), Tahashi clashes with Xarza swords-and-arm-blade in front of the watching audience, including a dazzled Jones. Overconfident that he’ll win, Xarza taunts the soldier until he slashes off his blade arm, falling back to the ground in pain. With Shan guarding the base, Xarza really chose the wrong time to be the helpless victim, as Tahashi approaches slowly, demanding he return Arthur back to normal. Xarza does so, but also removes his memories from his brain as a last ditch effort, escaping the scene as he gloats that it’s far from over. Jones rushes to the scene, helping Arthur get up, a bit light-headed.
Jones: Arthur, man, you alright?
Arthur: Arthur, who is he?
Tahashi: What?! No, that sore loser… How do I explain this to Doctor Q, desu?!
Jones: So… what now?
Tahashi: Good question, Jones-san, good question…
Chapter 13 - Doctor Amnesia
Halloween has ended and everybody had a blast, except Tahashi and Jones, who are stuck with an amnesiac Arthur to deal with. They ask Zoral if there’s a way to restore his memories and intellect.
Zoral: I think there is a way, by making him remember his past, but it could be a challenge.
Jones: Do we, like, tell him of his life story or something like that?
Zoral: More gets him to first remember his life on Micro Terra. Though I never knew Arthur until he saved us from the doomed planet. There was one person who was close to him.
Tahashi: Nash, desu. That dude actually helped him in the Academy, so maybe he knows him pretty well.
Jones: Except we don’t even know where the hell he is. The only thing we know is that he is among the missing crew. Maybe that Xarza may have something to do with it.
Tahashi: Xarza, that mad alien, desu. He either holds Nash captive or maybe… maybe he was brainwashed the same way Arthur was, desu.
Zoral: That could be it. Xarza wasn’t the nicest person in the Academy at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if Xarza was behind everything, including him stealing Arthur’s memories. If we can catch him, I’m sure everything will get better. I can only hope we can catch that mad loser before he does something crazy.
Well, now that’s jinxed because from where Xarza is located, he feels desperation that his memory theft will eventually end in failure once they figure out where his base is. Remembering there was a Waruder who was the brother of the Emperor’s right-hand subordinate, he and Shan go to his last whereabouts to recruit him. There he lies, drinking what looks to be a bottle of expired wine and a barrel full of frozen wine. Though unwilling to recruit him, he works up the courage to approach him and ask for his assistance in taking over Earth.
Xarza: I hear you’re the only Waruder stuck on Earth, am I correct?
Warukar: Correct, I’m Warukar, the former Commander of the Army. I’m stuck here because my brother fell in battle. Even if I were to leave this planet full of dirt, I’d have no place among my kind, especially after losing to a human-controlled mech on the Moon. This is my exile.
Xarza: But what if I offer you a chance to defeat the humans that humiliated you and your brother?
Warukar: I’m not very sure. I had enough time to think about it and concluded that the Waruders were the problem, not the humans, who were only defending their planet. While I don’t forgive them for killing my brother, I won’t help them either. I think you should leave this planet before it’s too late.
Xarza: Baahh, you fool. I went through a lot of trouble to invite you to my cause, but it seems you got better things to attend to than do something with your meaningless life. You are a lost cause! Shan, annihilate this vile hermit! (teleports away)
Warukar: (Sigh) Pride really is a sin…
Shan appears before Warukar, wielding two arm blades and taunting him. In almost the blink of an eye, Warukar defeats Shan, bringing him to his knees. Just when he is about to feast on him for sustenance, Tahashi, in his Storm Spartan suit, spots him and lands on the ground, telling him to stop. Obliging, Warukar throws the unmasked Shan on the ground, telling Tahashi that Xarza is dangerously prideful, before running off to parts unknown. Checking on him, he realizes that Shan really is Nash, who wakes up and does not know where he is but remembers about Micro Terra.
Tahashi: You remember Xarza, right, desu?
Nash: That prideful, pompous prick who bullied Arthur? Of course, I remember him, though I wish I didn’t.
Tahashi: Thank you for the unexpected miracles, desu!
Nash: Huh? Who are you?
Tahashi: I’m a friend of Arthur and he’s got amnesia thanks to Xarza, desu! Do you remember him and Micro Terra, desu?
Nash: Yup, about as clear as glass. Where is Arthur?
Tahashi: I’ll show you. Follow me, desu!
Tahashi rushes back to Diaclone HQ with Nash in tow, back to the dormitory where Jones is watching over Arthur together with Zoral. With a little memory jolt, Arthur remembers who he is and why he is on Earth, happy to be reunited with Nash. The only thing he remembers from his time with Xarza is something about conquering the planet with the Waruders, with Warukar being the first to join, which didn’t go as planned. Jones isn’t sure what to say about it, since most Waruders have left the planet after the death of their emperor, plus he doesn’t have any means of contacting them.
And just when I said it, Xarza is seen hijacking a satellite to offer the Waruders a chance to avenge their emperor. What do they say? They’re in!
Chapter 14 - A Clash of Ideals
Inside the dormitory, Arthur and Nash are discussing the possibility of restoring Micro Terra. Arthur does want it restored, though Nash isn’t so sure.
Nash: I get that the planet is my home, but it’s ridiculously small. It’s like half the size of Earth’s Moon!
Arthur: Yes, but I did promise our people we’ll restore it and some of them are homesick.
Zoral: Then tell them to suck on it. One day, they will like it here!
Arthur: You’re telling me to throw their worries out the window. A leader is supposed to listen to his people, not do whatever they desire!
Zoral: Then what about Adolf Hitler?
Arthur: The human who led an entire nation to commit genocide on humanity due to imperfection? What he did was madness and I won’t let it repeat again.
Zoral: Sure, because Xarza is definitely following in his footsteps so he can make this planet his. Maybe we should put him down for good before he does just that.
Arthur: Maybe he’s just misunderstood and needs help becoming a better individual.
Nash: Right, a lot of help… after I beat him up for making me his slave!
Before Nash can rant about his “temporary” life as Xarza’s butler, Tahashi bursts in, claiming the Waruders are coming back to Earth for whatever reason. Thinking Xarza is behind it, Arthur asks Tahashi to lead him outside. To his horror, the Waruders come to Earth via Wormpods crash landing on different sides of the world, killing maybe dozens of humans as they land, feeding on their corpses to survive. He spots one Wormpod heading towards Saint Petersburg, causing Arthur to head towards there in Jones’s car. There, he plans to stop the pod from damaging the civilian area.
Arthur: I cannot kill anymore people! (puts his arms in a cross) Mechamorphosis! (an anime-esque transformation occurs, shedding the synthetic skin to reveal the cyborg within) In the name of my friends, I won’t allow the likes of you to harm these civilians. Be prepared! (destroys the pod with a goddamn mighty punch) (looks around) Everyone is safe, what a…
Xarza: You always ruin me! It’s time I ruin you!
Arthur: We don’t have to fight. We have to work together to restore Micro Terra.
Xarza: I will restore Micro Terra without your inferior expertise. I’ll simply take Earth’s resources by force and leave its remains to the Waruders, as promised.
Arthur: So it was you who called Waruders from outer space?! How could you?!
Xarza: Because I could, while you did nothing but these parasites with their meaningless problems.
Arthur: They aren’t meaningless and I’m sure we can make peace with them and…
Xarza: You make peace with cockroaches because I got better things to do than socialise!
Arthur: Why can’t you see the reason? All you do is either take over the world or destroy me. Did my winning the medal affect this badly?
Xarza: Oh, you have no idea. It was me who should have won, not you. Everything is your fault!
As Arthur and Xarza continue to bicker and argue about peace and hatred, Tahashi arrives in his Alpha Spartan suit, telling Xarza to stop the Waruders. Unwilling to comply, Xarza simply shoots Tahashi, who survives thanks to the suit’s density. Xarza refuses to call off the Waruders, but he is willing to do it if they give him Earth’s resources in one week. Otherwise, the Waruders will simply eat the whole planet. Just when Arthur and Tahashi seem uncertain of how to act, Jones shows up inside the Big Powered GV, taking out several Waruders still in the city.
Tahashi: Jones-san, you son of a show-off!
Jones: Do you kiss your mom with that mouth?
Tahashi: Of course not and I’m not even close to her due to my hobby.
Jones: Do you never call her?
Tahashi: Not without her worrying about me, even if she knows I’m an adult.
Jones: Well, I’m not calling my dad either, not after he bought me the wrong car. And gave me the wrong instructor.
Tahashi: You think you have issues. Before I joined the military, my mom was always embarrassed, in public, at home, at school, at conventions, and at MMOs.
Jones: My dad only wanted to hear what he wanted to hear, such as me wanting to be a real man, which I didn’t! Some dad he was.
Xarza: Are they stupid or what?!
Arthur: Honestly, I don’t know.
Chapter 15 - The Continuing Battle
And now we’re back from an abrupt ending, because I had no better idea how to end the battle. But it’s gonna end, right…
Tahashi and Jones continue their pointless (but hilarious) conversation about boring stuff. It’s not until Xarza brings the attention that the two finally stop yammering.
Jones: Are you still there? I thought you left with your unwitting servants.
Xarza: As if I could leave a battle so unfinished and have such a meaningless conclusion. Your pointless stuff makes me puke!
Tahashi: Don’t you have a family, Mr. Egomaniac-san?
Xarza: I’m Xarza, you fool! I had a father that taught me anything there is to know about science, who unfortunately passed away before I entered the Academy.
Jones: And your mom?
Xarza: I never knew her… Hey, don’t you distract me! (fires at the giant mech)
Arthur: Talking is cheap! Let us battle and decide the future of this planet already!
Xarza: Finally something we can agree on!
Xarza initially holds advantage thanks to his suit giving him more agility, allowing him to dodge laser fire and punch Arthur into a building. Even Storm Spartan’s firepower can barely keep up! In an attempt to distract him, Jones makes the sound of a parrot saying “dork”. Bursting into laughter, Xarza makes himself open to get blasted by one of Storm Spartan’s bullets. Big Powered GV eventually forces the Waruders to flee the city and Arthur recovers from his crash into the building, witnessing the Waruders retreat and Xarza ready to kill Jones from behind. With an energy-filled knife, he cleaves off Xarza’s right arm before he can carry out the assassination. Outnumbered and badly injured, Xarza launches himself into the air and into space, claiming the battle is still not over. Exhausted from the fight, Arthur collapses, reverting back to his normal state. Back at Diaclone HQ, while Arthur is in recovery and Commander Q ranting about the destruction in the city, Nash, Tahashi, Zoral and Jones discuss what could happen next.
Zoral: I’d say we destroy that mad fool while the iron is still hot!
Nash: That will be suicide and lead to a lot of losses before we even reach Xarza. He may be mad, but he is a genius.
Tahashi: What if we do the Trojan horse and defeat Xarza from within, desu!
Jones: Maybe we could lure Xarza outside, trap him in a cage with a lion.
Nash: I think Xarza would scan this “Trojan horse” and obliterate it in an instant. As for luring outside, I doubt it will actually work on someone as paranoid as Xarza.
Tahashi: Then what is your plan, desu?
Nash: I ain’t sure. I never even knew him! But the best thing we can do is rescue that missing crew from his clutches.
Jones: Do you know where they are?
Nash: Presumably at his hideout, that’s all I remember from my life as “Shan”.
Tahashi: And where is it, desu? Nash points the location to be somewhere on Mount Elbrus, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Europe. Tahashi doubts it’s even possible to set up a base on a freaking volcano, but Nash does believe it’s possible - after all, Micro Terra technology is more advanced than human tech. Before they can talk further on, they get a transmission through the computer screen - it’s Xarza, issuing a challenge to them.
Xarza: Feeling comfortable in your cozy base?
Jones: Always feeling like a sore loser? Give it up already and we won’t hurt you.
Xarza: Hurt me? You’ll be the only ones hurt because I never give up. I’m giving you a challenge.
Tahashi: What kind of challenge, desu?
Xarza: I have half the crew missing from Arthur’s pitiful spaceship.
Nash: I already figured that out. What will you do with them?
Xarza: Simple, I’ll scatter them all over the world, with no memory of their origin. They’ll walk aimlessly, without companionship or a future to look forward to. And then, with a special device implanted in them and a controller on my forearm, I can tell them to kill every human in the area, leaving no survivors!
Nash: Why would you do this? They never did anything to you!
Xarza: Simple, to prove a point. That humanity is weak and shouldn’t own this planet but me! A new era will emerge, one under MY rule! (transmission ends)
Tahashi: What do we do about this, desu?
Jones: Only one thing, boy. Time to call for backup!
Chapter 16 - Gotta rescue them all!
With the knowledge of the missing crew’s whereabouts around the world, Jones calls the rest of Big Powered GV’s pilots to the cafeteria to get them to help. Alex doesn’t really want to help aliens, especially after hearing about the return of the Waruders, Jones tells him that not all aliens are bad. Bongo also thinks aliens can’t be bad, to the chagrin of Alex and Spike, who believe all aliens must be killed to ensure Earth’s safety.
Jones: What if I tell you of an alien who isn’t hostile? Will that ease up your stubbornness?
Spike: Maybe just a little. I still won’t trust aliens a bit. Isn’t the military supposed to protect Earth?
Alex: That’s right, making peace with aliens is stupid. Waruders were a pain to deal with.
Jones: Just listen to me. If you don’t believe me, then follow me to the dormitory. Promise you won’t sound the alarm!
Alex & Spike: Fine, we promise we won’t sound the alarm when we see the alien.
Bongo: Are aliens really harmless?
Jones: You’ll find out soon enough.
Jones leads the pilots into the dormitory, where Nash and Arthur are located. After the doors are closed, Arthur shows the pilots his true body inside the mech suit, to the amazement of Bongo and Buster and the disgust of Alex and Spike. When Bongo asks why he is on Earth, Arthur retells the fall of his planet Micro Terra, the crash landing, his awakening, and how he met Tahashi and Jones. Alex remains unimpressed, asking why they have helped him fix his own mess. Arthur explains that he only wants to know his people are safe from Xarza, his main rival. The only thing he asks is to borrow their mech’s strength to locate the missing crew and bring them to safety and help restore Micro Terra, after which he will remain on Earth to help humanity in science, a statement which astonishes Nash.
Alex: So you want to give up your freedom in order to restore your planet and rescue your people?
Arthur: Nothing is more important to me but the safety of the people I have sworn to defend until our planet is restored. Help me accomplish this task and I will help the military evolve until you are strong enough to protect your planet from threats like the Waruders.
Tahashi: Come on, Alex-san! Gotta snap out of your pride or you’ll end up like that bad alien, desu!
Alex: Fine! (inhales) Very well, I’ll help locate your alien people, but I’m keeping my eye on you, Doctor Zin!
Arthur: Thank you! You won’t regret it and my name is Arthur!
The first of the missing crew is located at the top of the Empire State Building in the United States of America. Inside Big Powered GV, they roll out across Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, eventually arriving in less than forty-five minutes. With a cry of “System Fusion”, the transformation begins BiPowered02 lands on top of BiPowered01, its thrusters transferring to the latter and giving it the power of flight. BiPowered03 then connects to the rear of BiPowered04 and BiPowered05, transforming into legs, standing up, and ejecting BiPowered03’s cockpit. The flying BiPowered01 lands on top, the thrusters transforming into arms and opening the chest compartment for the Powered Suit to dock. The compartment then closes and does an epic head reveal, completing the transformation to
Big Powered GV! They rescue the alien, who spouts gibberish nonsense, and is delivered to the base where Arthur assures him that everything will be okay. Then the Big Powered GV flies off to the next coordinates to save the missing crew:
77One is bound to the Eiffel Tower in Paris
One is at the top of the torch held by the Statue of Liberty in New York
One is at the top of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil
One is at the top of the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt
One is at the top of the Taj Mahal in India
One is stuck behind the Statue of Unity, also in India
One is stuck in the backyard of Zonnestraal in the Netherlands
One is at the top of the Atomium in Belgium
One is bound to the Naval Memorial in Germany.
The last crew member is located at the top of the statue “The Motherland Calls” in Volgograd, Russia. Xarza, in his hideout, is unhappy that the military managed to rescue almost the entire missing crew, so as an f-bomb, he presses a button on his forearm which blows up the statue and the crew member along with it! Big Powered GV arrives at the remains and the pilots are enraged that Xarza blew the symbol of Russia, which killed the poor crew member. Arthur, initially hoping Xarza will abandon his evil ways, curses him for what he did.
Arthur: (in his mind) If it’s a war you want, Xarza, then you’re leaving me no options…
Chapter 17 - The Ballad of SovTube
While the situation with Xarza is pretty serious at the moment, there’s a bigger problem in the world that can affect the online world of Europe. The government of Russia, after discovering the large number of viewers on SovTube is a younger audience, they decide to shut down the video platform for not putting restrictions on their videos. In response, SovTube decides to go after their content creators for not properly labelling their videos, handing a penalty of two hundred rubles to them for videos that seem kid-friendly but have a lot of profanity. At Diaclone HQ, Tahashi is outraged by this, since he does videos on SovTube on anime, which is anything but kid-friendly, having only two options available: either quit or continue on with the fear of getting fined.
Tahashi: This is outrageous, desu. Outrageous!
Jones: What’s outrageous, man?
Tahashi: They want to shut down SovTube because some irresponsible parents allow their children to watch SovTube unaware of its contents, desu! Since SovTube has everything, this means they are vulnerable to profanity, nudity, and inappropriate videos on video games that are for older audiences, desu!
Jones: And what’s SovTube gonna do about it?
Tahashi: They’ll go after videos of content creators that weren’t properly labeled, charging two hundred rubles per video, desu! First will be the big fish and eventually small fries, desu!
Jones: Okay, that is pretty bad. You do anime reviews on SovTube, right? How will that affect you?
Tahashi: It’ll devastate me, desu. While animation is pretty and cute, the stories behind them are NOT kid-friendly. They contain violence, sexual innuendos, and blood, meaning I likely get the two hundred rubles penalty. But I don’t wanna give up doing it either, but what should I do?!
Jones: Simple, you tell SovTube how wrong they are about blaming the creators of content.
Tahashi: It’s actually the government that needs to understand the difference between kid-friendly and kid-appeal, since they’ll only want what appeals to kids, regardless of content.
Jones: Then talk to the government to forgive SovTube and blame the parents of the platform’s younger demographic.
Tahashi: I would, but I’m ashamed to do it because I’m a soldier who does anime reviews on a video platform. Commander Q even said I have to put my image as a soldier above my personal interests. If I reveal to the government what I do, I’ll become the laughingstock of the military. Commander Q would…
Jones: Forget about Commander Q! He may be your commander, but he ain’t your dad. At least tell the government your concerns about SovTube going after their content creators’ ass, and tell them what can be done to minimise the problem. How long until the termination of the platform.
Tahashi: The CEO of the platform is actually negotiating with the Prime Minister about implementing a law that forces the creators to label their videos or get the penalty. It’ll come in full force at the end of March.
Jones: Then what are you waiting for? To prove them wrong!
After the exchange is over, Tahashi runs to the hangar, boards the Storm Jacket and flies off, as Commander Q just walked in. When he asks why Tahashi flew without his permission, Doctor Q thinks he is going on patrol.
Meanwhile, inside the dormitory, Nash, Arthur, and Zoral discuss the loss of that crew member and what they should do to Xarza, who’s going too far in his goals.
Nash: I still say we should attack Xarza while the iron is hot! He is too dangerous to reason with.
Zoral: That’s right! He is really going too far for his own good. Either we take him down or humanity is screwed for good!
Arthur: I know, I know! But we need a good strategy or he’ll either wipe us out on the spot or escape. First, we need to speak with Commander Q about this, because playing hide-and-seek inside the HQ is over! (speaks into his forearm communicator) Commander, we need to discuss right now.
Commander Q: (20 minutes later, enter the room) What is it you… What the frag?!
Arthur: In case you’ll wonder, no, I’m not here to invade your planet and we need your resources to stop a rogue alien that wants to take over your planet.
Commander Q: I… I would love to help, but… look outside. See anything different?
Arthur: There… multi-colored lights? For what occasion?
Commander Q: Christmas is approaching, my boy, the holiday season!
Nash: Christmas? What is Christmas?
Zoral: And what is the holiday season?Arthur: (sigh) This will be a long explanation…
Chapter 18 - How Xarza (almost) ruined Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner for the citizens of Russia, who all decorate their Christmas tree and feast upon twelve dishes. At Diaclone HQ, on the other hand, the soldiers are stuck on duty since “bad things don’t take holidays”, according to Commander Q. But this doesn’t stop Jones and Tahashi, who don’t give a crap about rules, from celebrating Christmas by decorating their Christmas trees and wrapping gifts for each other. Nash is confused about all of this, but Arthur explains to him its meaning.
Arthur: It’s to commemorate an important figure in humanity’s religion. It’s a time when all families come together to celebrate it and to be good. Gift exchange is also part of it, but it’s said that it’s better to give rather than receive. There’s also music…
Nash: Music? Is it any good?
Arthur: Listen to this. (plays a portion of Jingle Bells to Nash’s left year)
Nash: Oh, why do I feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. Is Christmas this powerful?
Arthur: This isn’t the power to cause reactions to your body. Christmas has the power to melt hearts and reduce anger.
Nash: If only it could work on a certain scientist…
Arthur: I’m certain Christmas can warm the heart of someone even as harsh as Xarza.
Zoral: Yeah, when the turkeys learn how to fly.
As Nash and Arthur watch TV for some Christmas-themed shows, Tahashi is pissed that he was forced to miss the latest anime convention, blaming the commander for always keeping him down. But he also worries that his message to the government about shutting down SovTube didn’t reach them, spouting nonsense like a moe character under stress. Jones is seen staring out the window at his car parked outside, mumbling “Eat your damn words, Dad”.
From his hideout, Xarza is pissed at how humans are able to celebrate their “idiotic celebration” when he just blew up the statue “The Motherland Calls” previously. He wonders what humans like about the holiday.
Xarza: Bah! Just some human nonsense a genius like me doesn’t need to dig into too deep. Hmm, maybe if I ruin their holiday, they’ll see me as a proper enemy. Waruders! (the Waruders arrive) I need you to steal all the Christmas decorations all around Russia! If necessary, annihilate anyone who stands in your way, be it an adult or child! (the Waruders leave) Let’s see how you stop me this time, Arthur! (laugh maniacally… until he coughs).
The Waruders are seen swooping all around Russia, stealing most of the Christmas decorations and killing three or four humans. Back to the hideout, one of the Waruders lets slip by stating there are Christmas decorations at Diaclone HQ.
Xarza: Hmm, this won’t be easy. But, I can easily impersonate a soldier. Waruder, bring me back a soldier! (thirty minutes later) Alright! Your end is here, human…
Xarza immediately executes Spike without remorse or care and, with his shape-shifting armour, replicates the soldier’s appearance and gets ready to steal the decorations himself.
At Diaclone HQ, “Spike” searches around the base, only for Buster to run into him and take him to the cafeteria to feast on the turkey. After launch, “Spike” goes invisible, takes as many decorations as he can (including the tree!), and exits the base without intrusions.
When Christmas Eve gets near, everybody at the base panics because the decorations are missing, wondering if it was an act of the Waruders or an act of a certain alien - Arthur!! But Jones points out that Arthur was inside the room the whole time, leading Arthur to deduce that Xarza may have done it, in an elaborate scheme to ruin Christmas in Russia! They receive a call from Xarza himself, stating he’ll burn the decorations in the center of Moscow! All the pilots embark on Big Powered GV and arrive at the center of Moscow, but it’s too late: Xarza is ready to torch the decorations! Despite all the pleading to not ruin Christmas, Xarza, predictably, sets the decorations on fire anyway, which horrifies all the pilots and the civilians.
Xarza: (laughs maniacally) Now you know what I’m capable of! I give you a choice: surrender to me or burn!
The people didn’t give a damn to Xarza and began singing Christmas carols, which evolved into a full chorus around the city. According to Arthur, the spirit of Christmas is about being together and doesn’t depend on material things to be enjoyed. Enraged that his plan didn’t pan out, Xarza points the flamethrower at the people, only to be stopped by Arthur and Nash. Since Waruders are incapable of combat in cold weather, Xarza retreats, declaring revenge on everyone. Everyone resumes singing as it begins to snow.
The next morning, as Tahashi and Jones open the gifts they exchanged, Arthur looks out the window, having second thoughts between returning to Micro Terra and remaining on Earth.
Chapter 19 - The Rebirth: Part 1
Two months have passed since Christmas and Xarza is growing paranoid that, one way or another, he will lose to Arthur the same way he lost the Golden Medal of Innovation to him previously. He then gets flashbacks to the conversation he had with him after the exhibition:
Xarza: Why do you need a spaceship? Deserting your planet? Abandon your people?
Artie: That’s not true. Of course, we don’t want to leave the planet, we’ll just use it to expand our planet and make it, you know, spacious.
Nash: Plus, the only one who should desert this planet is you, sore loser. You’re just jealous you lost. If you have nothing nice to say, be gone!
Xarza: Fine, but I’m warning you. Not all your inventions will benefit our planet, certainly not from outsiders of other planets.
Xarza starts to think about it until he realises something: it was Xarza who “encouraged” Arthur to go to Earth. He then denies it, claiming there was no way he would have helped someone inferior.
Xarza: There’s no way I helped my rival, my nemesis get this far. That’s impossible! There’s only one way to stop this nonsense. I will destroy Arthurius!
Thinking of ways to dispose of him, he calls over one Waruder, telling him to capture the deserter Warukar. Since he was responsible for losing the brainwashed Nash to Arthur, he decides the death of that “vile hermit” should be the first priority and gives himself more time to think of ways to annihilate Arthur. As he walks to the exit, Xarza gets a little hesitant, but eventually works the courage to exit his hideout.
Xarza: I don’t know how I’ll do it, but I’ll destroy him and those meddling humans off of this planet! Nothing will stop me. Nothing!
Meanwhile, at Diaclone HQ, Arthur talks with Commander Q in his office about the alliance between Earth and Micro Terra, provided that Earth will help restore the planet. Commander Q isn’t very sure it will be good, but Arthur insists he’s doing it for the crew, recalling the time they were uncertain about leaving the planet:
Civilian #3: But I don’t want to leave my home. This is our planet, we should rebuild it.
Arthurius: We no longer have the resources to rebuild our planet. To survive, we have to leave the planet and live on Earth until we can gain their trust. Only then will they offer their assistance in rebuilding our planet. Earth is our best and possibly last hope, so let’s go to my spaceship.
Civilian #4: You have a spaceship? You built a spaceship, but you can’t rebuild the planet.
Arthurius: I built the ship before the Waruders arrived because I knew we couldn’t stand a chance against them. The ship has stasis pods, so we can preserve what little energy we have in our bodies. The journey will be long, so please rest easy.
Back to the present, Commander Q begins to understand what Arthur is trying to convey. Although humanity feels salty about “befriending” aliens after what the Waruders nearly did to Earth, he is sure they’ll understand that not all aliens are bad.
Arthur: All I ask is a chance. Maybe let the President know about it.
Commander Q: Maybe I will, but I don’t think even the President can change the minds of an entire nation. Then again, our President is a beast of a man, doing feats no ordinary man can accomplish! Making peace with aliens should be OK.
Arthur: Thank you, Commander. Your trust will never be betrayed.
Arthur rushes back to the dormitory to give the good news, but finds Tahashi on his bed, looking nervous. When asked about it, Tahashi says he’s worried that his speech at the government may not be enough to prevent the “demise” of SovTube, which will come under the influence of the “kid-friendly” law at the end of March. He is considering deleting his channel since he may no longer be able to share his passion with the world. Arthur says even if SovTube shuts down, there have to be other ways to express oneself. Tahashi says there are, but isn’t sure if it will be the same as SovTube was. But suddenly, a huge explosion shook the base and the soldiers into awareness, bringing them outside to be shocked by what they saw: the destruction of the Trinity Cathedral! Swarms of Waruders rain down from the sky, surrounding the soldiers as Xarza confidently gloats at how easily he drew the humans out. Before he can run towards Xarza to smack him, Nash is pulled back by Doctor Q.
Nash: What are you doing?! I wanna destroy that traitor!
Doctor Q: You’ll get to destroy him, some other way.
Nash: What do you mean?
Doctor Q: Follow me if you want to get strong.
(Inside Doctor Q’s lab)
Doctor Q: I believe you’ll like this one. (pulls out the cover) Think you can use him?
Nash: I think I can and will use this to put down Xarza. He will be stopped, no matter the cost.
Chapter 20 - The Rebirth: Part 2
The soldiers and pilots of Diaclone HQ start running towards Xarza to capture him, but the Waruder Grapplers immediately capture and devour them, from limb to limb. Tahashi and Jones look horrified at this human slaughter but choose to return to the base to think of a good strategy. Arthur again tries to tell off Xarza about his bad deeds and why he is doing it.
Xarza: Why not? You already took the medal away from me, so I’ll rob humanity of its freedom and give it to our people. Have you forgotten your objective?
Arthur: A little bit, but I’m close to getting help restoring Micro Terra.
Xarza: Who cares about that minuscule sphere? No wonder it was easy for the Waruders to suck out its resources. I can’t believe they agreed to consume it.
Arthur: Consume it… Were you the one who called the Waruders?!
Xarza: Of course I did! Because I wanted something bigger to experiment with.
Arthur: And you want this planet to be used as a giant experiment. Never! You’ll suffer for this!
Xarza: Ha! You will be the one to suffer!
Even in his cyborg form, Arthur stands no chance against Xarza, who has improved his armour since last time. But before he can finish off his most hated rival (while reciting Shakespeare), he is blasted away by a brand new mech piloted by Nash - it’s the new TriDasher, the first transformable mech without breaking apart! As Xarza crawls away bleeding, he still gloats it’s not over, only to be shot again by the mech. He utters his final words: “The Waruders need an emperor. Thankfully, he will be back…”. He then falls down, dead. Before Tahashi, Jones and Nash can celebrate the fall of the mad scientist, Arthur points to the sky, looking at ships transforming and forming a robot, with a head that has big eyes, announcing that the Waruders have a mech too! Inside their Powered Suits, the pilots shoot everything at the giant Waruder, with little effect. Out of options, Arthur decides to fly inside the monster to deactivate it from within using TriJetter.
Nash: But you may not survive this! A human should do it!
Arthur: The Waruders are an outside threat! Humans have fought them before, but I will end this so that humanity can know that not all extraterrestrials are evil. If I don’t survive, you must carry on.
Nash: Arthur!!!
Inside the TriJetter, Arthur manages to trick the monster into opening its mouth and going inside it. After much exploration, he eventually finds the control center, intending to shut down the mech as promised. Before he can reach the panel, something comes out of the wall and snarls at Arthur. Looking closer, Arthur discovers it’s the former emperor of Waruders, who laughs maniacally!
The Emperor: It’s good to be back! Thanks to that scientist, I live to command the Waruders as before. Are you here to stop me?
Arthur: I am. I’ll make sure you threaten humanity and the universe no further!
The Emperor: Why throw away your life so meaninglessly?!
Arthur: That’s a question you should ask yourself.
The Emperor: I will crush you with my hands!
The combatants start fighting with each of them dishing out quite the arsenal. Unfortunately, even with everyone depending on him, Arthur gets weaker after each attack, with the emperor getting stronger with each shot. As he lays down weak, Arthur pleads with the emperor to leave the universe alone, but the emperor doesn’t care. Before he can deal a fatal blow, Warukar smacks the emperor away and helps Arthur up. When asked why he helped, Warukar simply says he’s only doing it for Earth, since it’s more “alive” than most other planets. Arthur gets to the control panel while Warukar keeps the emperor busy. On the screen, instead of deactivating the monster, Arthur sets it to teleport to an uncharted region in the galaxy, along with other Waruders who are tied to it. Before he can escape, Arthur wants to take Warukar with him, but he declines.
Warukar: I have to stay here and keep the emperor in place.
Arthur: Will we see you again?
Warukar: Maybe in an afterlife, because I don’t expect to survive this experience. Just go already!
Arthur: I won’t forget you!
Warukar: Me neither! (after Arthur leaves) Okay, your “excellency” guess a new region awaits us!
The Emperor: How could you do this?! I’m your emperor!
Warukar: You’re nobody’s emperor! Prepare for the inevitable!
The giant Waruder mech then disappears in a flashlight, to parts unknown. While flying down, TriJetter runs out of fuel and falls out of control, but it’s rescued by TriDasher in its robot mode. At the hangar, Arthur explains that he teleported the giant mech to an uncharted part of the galaxy, just outside the Milky Way, along with most Waruder Grapplers.
Arthur: Warukar helped too, by keeping the Emperor busy while setting the coordinates.
Tahashi: Where is he now, desu?
Arthur: He was still inside the giant Waruder when I escaped. I doubt he’ll survive the Emperor’s wrath.
Jones: The Emperor is alive?! But how? I saw him die with my eyes.
Nash: Apparently Xarza revived him somehow. But at least he won’t bother us now since he’s far from Earth. So, Arthur, what do we do with Micro Terra?
Arthur: I believe we should ask the crew about it.
Back at the dormitory, Arthur and Nash share the good and bad news: Xarza’s dead, but the Waruder Emperor returns, previously killed by the combined might of Dia Battles V2, Big Powered GV, and Battle Buffalo. When asked if they want to return to Micro Terra now that the humans will assist in revitalizing it, Zoral says the crew is no longer interested in returning to Micro Terra since they’re now accustomed to Earth, believing even if they lost one home, they now have a new, “spacious” one. Since everything he did was for them, Arthur accepts the proposal to remain on Earth, now embracing it as their new home. Jones and Tahashi are happy about their decision to stay but are uncertain of one thing.
Jones: Where will you live?
Arthur: We’ll live at the base. Will that be a problem?
Tahashi: No, definitely no, desu. But I have bad news: SovTube got shut down and many content creators lost their platform of entertainment.
Nash: That’s sad. I would have loved to see what humans call “anime”.
Tahashi: But there’s still hope: SovTube isn’t the only video platform in this wide world, so I’ll definitely start on another, teen-oriented demographic, desu.
Arthur: That’s one quality all humans possess: they persist.
And so another good story comes to an end, for now at least. After all, the Emperor lives and there are new Diaclone mechs to showcase, so it may continue… next year. Until then and until YouTube is no more, stay gold. Hado-BAAAAANG!
Vlad-Andrei Pirvu-writer,
SimplyTexMedia
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