Leading the Machines

Izana sure is lively. Even gives Unigan a run for it's money.

Yes. Much like Unigan is for Miglance, Izana is a business hub for Migleina.

So I take it you used come here a lot, then?

I'm afraid not. When I was still in the dungeons of the Wicked Meadow, I had heard rumors...

OH. Right. Sorry. What was I thinking. I had totally forgotten about all that...

It's fine. Now that we're finally here though, I'd like to go back and pay the meadows a visit. Is that okay?

Sure but... Why?

To visit my parents. The meadows were once known as the Land of Ro, which is where my parents once resided.

They were machinists who made you, right?

Yes. Not just any machinists. They were demons who had lost their only child. I was made as a replacement.

Wow, I didn't know that.

With no one left to honor their memory, and their country long since gone... I feel like it is my responsibility to do so.

Okay. Let's be on our way then...

EVERYBODY RUN!! THE TOWN IS BEING ATTACKED BY DEMONS!!

Attacked by what?

Demons?

Hey you, what's going on?

I have no idea! These monstery looking doll-machine whatevers just showed up outta nowhere! AND they had weapons! Lots of em! Sticking out of everywhere!

Armed dolls? It couldn't be...

You know what, you guys figure it out on your own. I am OUT of here!

Hey! Wait!

I have a bad feeling about this. Let's investigate.

Agreed.

Geheh! Pathetic humans!

Hey! You guys okay?!

Aldo, look!

Feh. Things are starting to get complicated. Let's bail!

Damn, they got away!

What were they?!

They were mechanical weapons.

Seriously?!

To the untrained eye they may look like demons. But they can't fool me.

But what I don't understand is why they would randomly start attacking Izana...

...No. We can think about that later. We cannot let them escape!

Right! It looks like they were heading towards the Inanari Plateau.

Let's go!

Heena look!

Persistent little gnats! Who the hell are you two!

No. Who the hell are YOU two?! Why did you attack Izana?!

Ugh. This was supposed to be a simple reconnaissance mission, but it's all gone haywire!

Reconnaissance mission? What for? Tell me what you're planning, NOW!

The destruction of Izana... No. The destruction of the Land of Mi, of course!

The what?

And we won't stop there! We're going after the Land of Shin, too!

It is our god given right as machines!

Rights? What do you mean?

We don't have to explain ourselves to a pair of dumb humans! Now, die!

*Sigh* I should have expected they wouldn't just tell us...

Then you leave us no choice.

You'll regret your words and deeds!

You have weapons built in to your arms? Wait, are you a machine?!

Let's do this, Heena!

Yeah!

You little...

Stop! Don't hurt her!

A human girl?

Hey! You! Over there! Dunno if you noticed, but it's getting kinda dangerous over here!

Why do you stop us?

These two will get in the way of our plans! We must kill them now!

You will do no such thing. That girl and I have some important things to discuss.

If my lady insists...

Okay soooooooo, what just happened? They just...listened to you?

Just who are you?

Heena? Is it truly you? Heh. To think we would meet here. Now.

Who are you? How do you know me?!

Because I am you. Or more like, you are me.

You...are...

I had hoped that one day we would meet.

That I'd get the chance to meet the machine my parents made to replace me.

You can't be!

But I am. I am the real Heena.

But that's impossible! The real Heena died years ago!

Yes, that is what our parents believed. The reason they made you.

But the truth is I was alive! I crawled out from under the dirt, and a traveling salesman saved me. When I finally realized what had happened, I found myself on a distant continent. It took a long time to get back here.

Now wait a second. Something about this doesn't add up. Heena's parents were demons. You look like a normal human. How does that work?

The real Heena was a human, Aldo.

What?!

Look at me, I am made to look human, am I not? That should be enough proof.

Well, yeah now that you mention it...

My real parents were human carpenters that lived in the Land of Ro. But they died in an accident. So I was entrusted with friends of my parents. A pair of machinists. They did not have children of their own. So they raised me as if I was.

And when they had thought you died... They went sick with sadness, and made me to fill the hole in their hearts.

But why... Why would that Heena want to attack two countries using demon-like machines?

Because I am the daughter of machinists. And these two are their creations!

I don't get it. You do know they are trying to destroy the Land of Mi and the Land of Shin, right?

Of course! It was I who told them to do it!

What?!

You...can't be behind all this?!

She gave us our lives back! She gave us purpose!

The purpose of revenge! A great purpose indeed!

Stop this foolishness! I have already exacted the revenge you seek. With these hands I avenged our parents! There is no need for you to do this!

Shut it. I'm not after some two-bit thugs here. I am after all the pissants that live in Mi and Shin. They will know the pain I felt. It is my RIGHT to show them! And as one of my parent's creations. You have a responsibility to join us!

What?

You are made to be me, are you not? Then you must act like me and DO AS I SAY!

You want me to help you destroy whole countries?

That's crazy talk!

Meet us at the Temple Ruins when you're ready. I will attack, regardless if you come or not. Remember that.

Wait!

Heena! We have to follow them!

...I need some time to think.

You do?!

She allowed me to make my own decision. So I want to give it proper thought.

You can't be serious?!

Don't be ridiculous, Aldo. But there is a part of what she said that deserves consideration... So before we go after her...Heena... I would like to visit the Wicked Meadow.

The place you were...

The place where my parents lived.

If that's what you want. I'll go.

Are you sure this is the right place? I don't see a grave anywhere?

I was taken right after they died. I never got the chance to give them the burial they deserved. So I made this piece of land, the place where their house once stood, their grave.

But all that's left is this stone.

I see... So this is where you grew up, so to speak...

Indeed... Me and all the other machines they created called this place home. The real Heena, too. Of course.

Do you remember much about the past?

I'm afraid not... Anything that happened before I was given a soul is a blur.

But the life they lead... I feel it in my heart. They loved me as if I was their real daughter.

They sound like really great parents...

But if their love was real, it was meant for the real Heena. Not me. I stole their love like a thief in the night. Real love belongs to a real girl, not a fake one.

Heena, what she said to you... Are you thinking you actually have to help her?

I do not know. But... I have already taken the lives of those who drove my parents to death. Maybe if I hadn't done that. And allowed her to take her revenge out on them... She wouldn't have been driven this far.

You heard what she said right? She plans to take her revenge out on ALL the people in Mi and Shin. It has nothing to do with you!

I stole the love meant for her, now I've stolen her anger. I feel as if I have no right to get in her way.

So, what? You just let those machines become tools of destruction? You'd just let her do that to them?! Machines aren't just tools! They have minds of their own! You know that better than anyone!

I...

And on top of that, do you think your parents made those machines so they could kill people? I think not.

You're...right. The weapons I have are only for self-defense... They were not put here to wage war.

I apologize, Aldo. I don't know what I was thinking. It made sense to me that the fake Heena shouldn't interfere with the real Heena's plans, but... I can't stand idly by while she kills innocent people and uses machines to her do her dirty work. Even if she is the daughter of my creators.

No. ESPECIALLY because she is the daughter of my creators.

Now you're talking sense. I don't think Mi or Shin will go down without a fight. And if this goes down, things could go bad real fast.

Indeed. If she attacks with my parents' machines alone, she is sure to fail.

I've made up my mind! ...But if I am to stop her, I will need your help, Aldo.

You got it!

She said she'd be waiting at the Temple Ruins, so let's go pay her a visit.

So you've decided to join us, then?

Negative. I've come here to stop you.

To STOP me?!

The machines our parents made are strong, but they alone are not enough to take down the Lands of Mi and Shin. All that will come of this is the loss of innocent life.

Our parents would never approve of your "revenge!"

Heena's right. It's not too late to stop this.

Heh...

Stop? You want me to STOP? THEY were the ones who started this fight. I'm just here to finish it! But if you are intent on getting in the way, then you give me no other choice.

Boys!

Aye!

Get rid of those two, will ya?

If words aren't enough then we will have to stop you by force!

It's not like they're giving us much of a choice in the matter!

It's over.

All your machines are gone. Give up this foolish revenge.

Give up?

Gi..hehe.ve..heheheheHAHAHAHA!

What's so funny?!

Those machines you just destroyed? I was going to get rid of them... And you just did all the work for me! Thank you both. You saved me a whole lot of trouble!

Ummmm... What?

What have you...done?

Izana? Lovely in the spring! Revenge? Too much stress! What I was really after was...

THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL OF MY PARENTS' MACHINES!

What?!

I couldn't destroy them on my own, if they attacked me, there's no way I'd survive! So I came up with a "plan" to seek out revenge blah blah, you know the rest.

You were planning to destroy machines this whole time?!

BINGO! But, wow what luck to have run into you, right?

...You were trying to get me to join you so... ...You knew I was going to try and stop you, right? To...make me destroy them?!

Why do this?!

I couldn't forgive them for making machines that weren't ME! Do you think I could just let that stand?

What did you just say? Machines that weren't you?!

The only machine deserving of their love is me! ME!!

You can't be...

And yet, I am. I am just like you!

Except they made me way, way, WAY, before they made you!

So, does me not being the real Heena make you sad? Or happy? A little bit of both?

Neither! I don't care if you're the real Heena or a fake. If you were made by my parents, then it is I who must stop you!

You say it like it'll be easy? With all that fighting you look a little worse for wear there, Heena. But anyway, now I can finish you off, and I will be the only one left!

How could...this...

For our parents, and for you. This is a battle I cannot lose.

Urgh... And after I've come this far...

What the?!

Where'd she go?!

Aldo! We must hurry and find her!

Right! I hope she isn't thinking of attacking the town by herself...

She isn't!

Oh.

In the shape she's in...

Sorry, I'm not following.

Nevermind. Let's just hurry up and find her. I have a feeling she's headed for the Wicked Meadows. There's no other place she would think to return to!

Okay. Wicked Meadows it is!

Father... Mother... Forgive me...

My dear Heena... If only I could see you one last time...

So you knew the real Heena.

I was created to be her babysitter.

I was with her all day, everyday. She was the purpose I had for living.

You loved the real Heena as much as her parents did.

And so you hated this Heena for being made as a replacement for her, is that it?

When she died, they made you and then so I left to find another family. I wanted a new lease on life! But I couldn't get one! Because...

The Land of Ro was destroyed...

I was left with no purpose, no goals... I didn't want to be Heena's replacement, either.

I was a machine created my parents. That's all I had! I wanted to prove to them that I was their most beloved machine... So I... So...I...

If that's what you wanted, why didn't you take better care of yourself?

So you know...

Of course I know! You've done no maintenance on yourself. It's as clear as day! You were on the verge of breaking down even before we fought!

Breaking down? Really? We have to fix you!

No. It's too late for me. I've lost all purpose in life. Now, if you would allow me to quietly...

Allow you to what?

You think I would just let you die?!

What would you have me do, then?!

If you have no reason to live, I will give you one!

But...I was going to destroy you?

Do you think I care?! We are sisters! Sisters fight all the time, but when times get tough, they support each other! Always!

Sis..ters?

Yeah! Sisters! So, starting right here, right now... Your new purpose in life is to be my big sister! Be there for me when I need you, just like any sister would!

Big...sister? It's been so long since I've been called that... Heena...used to call me that... With those adorable eyes, and her sweet, sweet voice. "Hey big sis!", she would call out to me...

Big sis! Get a hold of yourself!

You know...your voice sounds just... like...hers... You...really...are...

Heena! My dear sister!

......

I couldn't save her... Father, Mother, Heena... I'm sorry... If only I had gotten to her sooner...

You did all you could, Heena. Just before she passed, I saw her smile. Accepting her as your sister did save her in the end.

...You truly think so?

Yeah. I do.

Thank you, Aldo...

Aldo. There's something I need to ask of you.

What is it?

I want to give her a proper funeral. Here. In the place she was happiest.

Of course!

I hope with this her soul can finally be at peace...

Yeah.

Aldo, there was something I realized during all of this.

What's that?

Machines need a purpose to live. But there are machines out there that have lost their way, or maybe even misunderstood their purpose. Like those machine demons, or my sister.

You might be right...

That's why...

If there are any other machines out there like that, I want to help them.

I believe that is my new purpose.

I couldn't think of a better one for you.

In order to find more machines in need, I would like to keep traveling with you. So that no other machine has to suffer the same fate as my sister.

Sounds good to me! I'll do whatever I can to help, too! Anything to help you help your kind find a way to live life for themselves.

And what better time to start, but now!

Indeed. I appreciate all your help, Aldo.