Ep. 26 - Return

[Andy00]

Yep. The last episode. There's an episode 27 and 28, but DVD only.

Episode 26 - The Return

We see funky "gate" effects as Tsukasa, Subaru and Mimiru are presumably pulled towards the Voice.

Tsukasa is warped into a desert, though we see the foreground"block" and tone effect. So have Subaru and Mimiru, but in different sections. (away from each other, whom we also see, Subaru getting up off the ground, and Mimiru wandering. All are looking for the others)

We see Bear and company in the church, their eyes closed as if in a trance. Or else checking their e-mail. They can't contact any of the three. They can't have logged out, and if knocked off, they would of had time to log back in. The notion of them being in coma's is dismissed as being worst case scenario. They've run into many levels in The World, like Net Slum. It would seem that Tsukasa and the others may be there now. In the clutches of the enemy or, as Crim puts it, about to face the Final Boss.

Tsukasa seems to encounter Subaru, under a tree. Seems to, but the rather evil glint in her eye is a pretty strong indication to us that somethings up. He offers to heal her, in case she's injured, but she's more interested in berating him, telling him she should of never got involved with him. Too much pain, too much awful things happen to her when she tries to help him. Tsukasa stammers that he should of known better, that he's sorry, he smiles at her, tells he "he had fun" and that he'll leave some healing potions if she needs them, but "Subaru" just wants him to leave.

Next we see an encounter between "Tsukasa" and Mimiru. This Tsukasa sneers at Mimiru's promise to protect Tsukasa, saying that she hasn't done a very good job at it. It's rather interesting how these scenario's actually use events they know about. Indication that The Voice is omnipresent. "Tsukasa" tells Mimiru that they're trapped here forever, and can't do anything about it.

Subaru encounters "Tsukasa" We see this from above, where those slug-things (that the Voice used in previous ep to punish Tsukasa with, by doing bad things to Aura)

This Tsukasa accuses Subaru of abandoning him (or he her, whichever) and sneers at Subaru's attempt to be optimistic, that bad things happen, and she can't change them. Negative emotions are the ideal of humanity, not positive. Besides, if she met Tsukasa in real life, she'd probably be "disappointed and offended." She needs to accept that humanity is rife with things like death....or car accidents. (low blow)

Now it's time for "Mimiru"/Tsukasa. Pretty much the same deal "Subaru" gave Tsukasa, about him causing trouble and pain. Then.....the Voice makes a mistake. She has "Mimiru" start to diss Subaru, saying she doesn't want anything to do with her.

Here's where Tsukasa realizes that something is up. Tsukasa is the president of the "I hate Tsukasa" club, so the bizarre situation of everyone hating him just as they're under attack didn't raise too many questions. But Mimiru giving up on someone else? On _Subaru?_ No, no, no. Mimiru wouldn't do that. Tsukasa asks who this is.

The Mimiru construct dissolves into a pile of slugs.

The scenery surrounded Tsukasa fades away and is replaced by a gridwork of blue hexagons. All three are reunited. But no time for explainations, as the floor fades away, and they all fall to The Voice's Domain. Aura is hanging upside down.

Random observation: The floor here is a circuitboard.

I kinda wonder _why_ The Voice brought them here, seeing the Evil Twin illusion seemed to be her primary weapon against them at this time. Unless it's part of the Epitaph programming she couldn't stop.

Aura's name is spoken, and Tsukasa asks if she can hear him. She gives a "gasp" and the Sleeping Girl floats down in front of them, still asleep. Tsukasa strokes Aura's cheek, and the Voice tells him to get away from there. (Sora is watching, unseen)

The Voice tells Tsukasa to go anywhere he wants, just leave this place and the girl.

Tsukasa smiles, and tells her that he's doesn't have to listen to her anymore.

:commercial:

Bear and company are outside the church. SilverKnight's worried that the longer they wait, the worse it will be. Bear assures everyone that Helba will come through, because he knows her type. It's Helba's pride as a professional that will ensure she do everything she can.

Back at the Domain, Tsukasa thanks The Voice. He doesn't know what she is, he doesn't know why she did what she did to him, but he does know that she doesn't want Aura to awaken.

The Voice states that he has no more function any more. He was supposed to Play a Role (roleplay) Tsukasa challenges her, saying he has one more thing to do.

He will awaken the Child!

Bear receives an e-mail from Helba. She's made provisions, but it can only be done at Net Slum. Bear says that there's still time to log out, but it will have to be done now. Everyone agrees that they're in this to the end.

Tsukasa tells the Voice that he's grateful (but not grateful enough to obey the Voice) because of her, he's met so many people now important to him. Subaru, Mimiru, Bear, etc. He drops his staff, and holds Subaru's hand.

He understands now. To see, he must open his eyes, and see what's precious. No matter what the pain, it's worth it. The Voice is bewildered by this "self-help booklet" (as Kefka from FF3/6j would put it) but it's Mimiru who declares that it makes sense to even her, and she's not the smartest one around.

The Voice asks if they think themselves heros, and Subaru tells her they merely wish to be free.

The Voice tries once more to threaten them. It's because the Voice is afraid. Afraid of Aura, and afraid of Tsukasa, who can awaken her. But Tsukasa isn't afraid, not anymore. Not of the Voice, OR Tsukasa's father!

Tsukasa then declares that he will now leave, and be with the ones he loves, in the place where he should be!

Aura gasp....and awakens.

She ascends into the sky, and as her eyes open (she's got the same color eyes as Tsukasa, purple), the darknened skies brighten. And nothing will ever be the same again in The World. She comes down, and Tsukasa's greets her with a smile and a hand-gesture, which she returns

And we see the Voice's power, as she brings down thunder and lightning. Sora decides to jump in, and tells them to get out of there. He wants to be Tsukasa's friend. Tsukasa agrees, not really knowing _who_ Sora is, but not being against the idea. Tsukasa warps out, and Sora sticks around to gloat over betraying the Voice.

....quite possibly the dumbest decision, ever made.

Sora can't warp out. The Voice tells Sora that she's going to show him that there are Worse Things then Death. Sora is then crucified to a giant cross/Q staff, and raises into the air. He screams, as something monstrous and only vaguely humanoid takes his place.

Skeith, First Phase. The Terror of Death. Morganna orders it to go after Aura.

In the real world, we see a young boy playing on his computer collapse in a coma. The camera pans a calender on the wall. (Whoops! Someone forgot to translate the significance. It's a fourth grade school schedule, telling us how old Sora was in real life)

Ouch. Poor Sora. Kid never understood that what was happening was "real" and not part of a normal video game. He didn't deserve that.

Tsukasa, Mimiru, and Subaru meet up with the rest at Net Slum. They see that Aura is awake, and ask if she's the Key of the Twlight. Tsukasa doesn't know.

But they've got bigger problems. Skeith is phasing into Net Slum, and Helba can't stop it. They ask if he can be stopped, but Helba doesn't know. (Having played the games...no, they couldn't do a thing to him) So, Helba is going to do the one thing she can do. Crash Net Slum, which will eject everyone in it. Tsukasa gives a start when he realizes the implications of that.

The screen goes blank.

In the real world, (black and white) we see the real Tsukasa (a girl in a skirt with short hair. ) getting out of the hospital. She thinks in Tsukasa's voice that she's back, then actually says it. Her real voice has a feminine lilt to it. It's a pity english doesn't cover the significance of her changing from using "Boku" (masculine "I") to Watashi. (a more feminine form) Tsukasa had used "Boku" throughout the series.

She walks down the street, past a girl being pushed in a wheelchair. Long hair, glasses They keep going their own way, and then stop. And turn around to look at the other. Recognition. It's Subaru's player! Color seeps into reality as this realization occurs, and they both make the hand-gesture that Tsukasa gave Aura. "Welcome Home" we see on the screen, indicating Subaru's words. "I'm back!" Tsukasa's words indicate (we see their mouths move, but not hear the words over the violin music)

Subaru's overcome with shyness, but Tsukasa throws her bag to one side, and races towards her. Subaru responds and runs (er, wheels?) towards Tsukasa. This was orginally in complete slo-mo, I'm noticing Cartoon Network sped it up. Tears in their eyes, they reach towards each other. Their story is over, for now.

No, they are not stuck in some Matrix-esque simulation. The japanese books and episode 28 show that.

Cut to The World, we see the giant cellphone thingie from the beginning, and The Voice gives her line "We will walk together" etc. I suspect this is part of the Epitaph of Twilight, part of the core programming in The World.

The war is not over. It has just begun.

[YashaOokami]

-applauds- Very well done,Andy ^^;

"The Voice gives her line "We will walk together" etc. I suspect this is part of the Epitaph of Twilight, part of the core programming in The World. "
That part..reminds me of this:
"Perhaps then the Wave is just a
beginning as well."
Dont know why but,it just seems that way :/

[CRtwenty]

Great Job Andy!

... Now that the series is over though, it looks like you'll have to find a new hobby.

[RaveWinger]

Yes great job Andy! Thanks for all the work!

[Cobweb]

(Cries) We'll *all* have to find new hobbies ... still, you did a great job, Andy00.

[SilverEyes]

That was a good summary!

The slow-mo kinda made it look like the "Real" Tsukasa/Subaru were bouncing in place...or else it was just me and my friend. But it still looked funny.

[Dark770]

wait when bear said "and the other hackers" what does that mean!?!??!?!? Does helba have a group of hackers?

[Jerec]

Dont think I've ever commented on your summaries.

Anyways, all the summaries you've written have been excellent and I've enjoyed reading every one that I've managed to find.

Hmm.. thought about summarizing Liminality, Udeden, or perhaps even the games?

[CRtwenty]

wait when bear said "and the other hackers" what does that mean!?!??!?!? Does helba have a group of hackers?

Yes, Helba does have a group of Hackers... well she at least has a minion, we see him in Liminality 3 and 4.

[Laxjeff2002]

ARG!!!! NO!!!!!! IM SO PISSED OFF! I MISSED THE LAST EPISODE!!!

[wave master]

A grate summary, for a grate episode! But what happens now? Dos play it from episode 1 at 12:00 am. or dos it go to toonami, no, not a nuff action. Confuzzled me is.

[Rubedo]

Very well done, indeed, Andy00.
And, I must say, that the scene were Skeith was created, is one of the best. To bad, it was only like a minute long. >_>

[thedudewhosadude]

yeah, and that's my favorite scene! (no offence Sora) They also put the "Aura" music very low during Morganna's speech. You could barely hear it! I still love that scene.

[RayJNT]

Since ive never commented on your summarys, i say excellent job. You bring back the "Mary" in summary, or something cheesy along those lines. I suggest summarizing the games, for those who haven't played them yet or don't have ps2s.

[Rue Waltz]

I've read all the summaries on this page and I have to say they were fantastic! Now it makes me want to get the final DVD even more! (I refuse to shell out the money for cable ) I'm definitely looking forward to seeing these final episodes! Thanks, Andy.