RI-8 Gavial's Fist

The buildings here are so different from the other tribes...

Crappy houses!

Hm, the architecture and decor is all pretty crude.

Got a lotta weird, broken gizmos all over the place too.

Zumama, you've got a very unique tribe here.

Looks like they enjoy fiddling around with machines just as much as you do.

This is my people's masterpiece.

Yes. They now know the charm of the machines, and they have built the tribe you see here on their passion alone.

Look, it's Gavial!

The Great Chief wasn't lying. She's planning to duel Gavial again with the Big Ugly.

What?! No way I can miss that!

Wow, there's so many people!

Many of them are from other tribes who've came here after the ceremony. They will be joining us.

So, what did you want to say?

Gavial, if you just left without a fuss, I wouldn't have cared. But since you're standing before me once again, I will defeat you right here and now.

Why?

Because you're too strong, Gavial.

Do you still remember that day?

That day?

Before that day, I was just like you. I believed the strength in my fists was everything.

Hah!

Ahhhh!

Gavial wins!

Haha, I win again.

Hmph, another rematch! I'll definitely win this time!

Sure!

Eh, why is the ground shaking?

Look over there!

Wh- what's that?!

It's a big hunk of metal!

That is a Sargon nomadic city...

What's a Sargon?

Sargon is our country.

Then what's a nomadic city?

A nomadic city is a very large tribe, with many people living in it.

I visited once, when I was young.

Don't be afraid. It won't come over here.

It will never have anything to do with us.

......

Zumama, what is it? Are you feeling sick?

No. I'm going home.

Oh, I remember. A Sargon nomadic city was passing pretty close to us that day. You turned all weird after that.

I think you're the weird one, Gavial.

How could you not feel astonished after seeing something like that? How could you not be shocked? How could you not feel like a tiny speck of dust?

I mean, I guess I felt something like 'Wow, that's big.' But what's a big thing got to do with me?

That's our Gavial.

But that's the day I lost interest in fighting with you.

I asked Inam to help me find books on machinery, and began studying Sargonian and mechanical engineering.

Then I met the High Priest, and we began building the Big, Ugly Thing together.

I know. I did go to look for you after all.

Hm? Does that mean that the weirdo over there is your invisible friend?

That's right!

Woah! When did you get here?!

This feller's got the same energy as my Baws, the Emperor...

Emperor? Are you talking about that penguin?

Sure am. Hold on a minute, you know the Baws?

Of course, of course I do. Though it's been a couple of decades since we last met... Eh, was it a few decades? Or a few centuries? Doesn't matter. I can smell him on you.

What's that about a few centuries...?

Lordy loo! Who'da thunk I'd meet a friend of the Baws out here!

So you really do exist. I always thought Zumama got messed up in the head and hallucinated you. I was even researching similar cases at Rhodes Island.

Oh, don't you know, Gavial? Whenever you came to look for Zumama, I was always there watching!

Just like this!

He disappeared!

Hahaha, I wouldn't normally show myself to you, but since I want to pilot the Big Ugly, I have no choice!

Building machines with the little ones is actually a lot of fun!

Speaking of the Big Ugly, shouldn't somebody be driving it? 'cause I'm pretty sure it's about to crash into that house.

Huh? Oh, crap! Gotta go!

Wow, he popped back into that thing quick. Badass.

He'n the Boss really are birds of a feather, huh...

......

Oh, right, our conversation. Zumama, let's get to the point, if we're gonna fight anyway do we really have to talk about all this stuff?

Yes.

I have things to say to you, and to myself.

Did you know, Gavial? You were always my biggest obstacle.

Huh? Really?

Well, not just you, but people like you.

I've tried so many times to teach people about the charm of the machines. But in the end, they're never interested.

Because they look up to strong people, like you.

You teach them that, in this place, you get what you want when you're strong.

It's your strength that stands in the way of progress.

So I decided to change the way they think. I'm going to use an even greater power to destroy this blind worship of strength that you created.

Well, that makes sense to me. What do you think, Doctor?

Doctor, whose side are you on?!

Sounds like yer talkin' sense, but it still don't feel right, somehow...

Hell yeah! That big clanker's badass!

Honestly, I'm almost convinced myself.

But I never wanted to be anyone's role model. When I say fists solve problems, that's just me talking. It's got nothing to do with anyone else.

I know, I'm not blaming you.

Even so, Gavial, I want to defeat you with the power of the Big Ugly.

Everyone, listen up!

The Big Ugly will be dueling Gavial once again!

This battle will decide who is the real Great Chief!

High Priest, it's time to fight!

You got it!

Are you ready, Gavial? Your friends can join the fight too!

Finally!

Step back, everybody. This one's mine.

Come at me!

Let's test its performance first!

Fire!

Heh, don't think you'll hit me a second time!

Ah, those are the reflexes I'd expect from Gavial! No problem. Have a taste of my great iron fist!

A test of strength, huh? Sounds good to me!

Wow, Gavial's strong!

Crazy strong! She stopped its fist all by lonesome!

I know I asked way back when I got my first physical, but why is she a medic again?

...You may be my opponent, but I can't help but cheer for you!

It's not over yet though! The Big Ugly has a max performance mode for just such an occasion!

Go!

What?!

That big guy looks stronger!

And it's suppressing Gavial's strength?!

Oh, what a melodious sound...! Hm? Wait, these readings are strange... Whaaa?

High Priest, what's going on?!

Waah, my butt's being cooked!

I'm talking about the Big Ugly!

Oh, I was just sharing my status as well. I think the engine output is too high. I'm losing control of the Big Ugly!

It's actually quite exhilarating!

Get out of there!

Aren't we fighting? Let's just fight like this! Come, Gavial, I'll finish this once and for all——

High Priest!

Oh, fine. What a shame. Looks like I'll have to change tactics.

Zumama, don't worry about me, I'll do my best to stabilize it. You find a way to stop the Big Ugly in the meantime!

...Gavial, you and your people get out of here. This isn't your business.

What are you talking about? Don't you want to beat me?

I do. But not like this.

Come on. Of course I'm going to help. Right, Doctor?

Fight the monster! I'll help!

Eh, you want me to fight that big guy? Really? What a pain.

I'm gettin' overtime for this one, Baws! Triple rate!

Doctor, don't just sit there and enjoy the show! It's time to take command.

You are kind of a pain sometimes, Doctor.

Go and prepare to take command!

Waaaaahhhh! Ugh, hold on. I should do a different cry next time, I'm getting rather tired of this one...

Hey, is he alright?

No need to worry, he'll be back in a minute.

Okay... is he like... a person? I've never heard of anyone like him before.

No idea, the High Priest only told me he's lived here for a very long time.

Alright then. What else can we say...

Phew, he's really something...

Gavial, your head is bleeding. Are you okay?

It's fine, just a scratch. Tomimi, bring me my medical bag here.

Hm? Where did Tomimi go?

Here's your bag. And Tomimi, I think I saw her running off somewhere right before we won the fight.

Thanks. She didn't get scared, did she? Anyway, let's patch ourselves up first.

You go check if anyone's injured, and bring them to me if they are. I'll take care of them.

Leave it to me!

Haha, no problem.

Ugh, what a pain. Fine.

Quit yer belly-achin'.

Doctor... hmm?

The Big Ugly...

Sorry, Zumama. We had to take it apart.

I know.

I checked your engine, I think it's working fine. You can have it back.

Oh yeah? That's great!

You really won't stay, Gavial?

Yeah, just like you, I've found my calling.

To be a doctor?

That's it.

Is doctoring fun?

Is building machines fun?

It is.

Same here.

But you still have to be the Great Chief.

Huh?

Any way you slice it, you beat the Big, Ugly Thing. You won, Gavial.

Look, everyone's here again. They're looking to you.

Tch. Doctor, what do we do?

You're not giving me anything here!

Doctor, I know you're awake! I'm a doctor!

Tch. Doctor, I really want to punch you right now.

Gavial, are you hurt?!

Hm? I'm fine. Where did you run off to?

Huh? Oh, that... I had to go pee!

Okay... Hm?

What's wrong, Gavial? Why are you looking at me like that?

Hm... Haha, I've got it!

Everyone, listen up!

I beat the Big Ugly, so I'm going to be the Great Chief.

And so, my message to you is——

Your fists are everything!

Eh? Gavial, are you staying here to be the Great Chief?

But!

I have something very important I must do, so I have to leave.

Worry not, though! When I'm gone, Tomimi will give orders on my behalf!

Just treat Tomimi as you would treat me!

Eh, w-w-what?

Is that really gonna fly? Don't these people worship strength over everything?

Gavial is the Great Chief after all. She defeated everyone, so her word is law.

Haha. Zumama, machines are pretty cool, but I think I'll stick with my fists after all.

Hmph. Don't forget, I still don't recognize you. I'll build an even greater machine and challenge you again.

Sure, I'll be waiting.

Oh, right. Before that, you need to come with me for a bit.

Why?

You need to come with me to Rhodes Island to get an Oripathy checkup.

Can I refuse? I still have to work on the Big Ugly...

You don't have a choice this time. Besides, until Tomimi takes over, I'm still the Great Chief. I'll bring you back even if I have to kidnap you.

Fine.

...Gavial, are you going to leave after all?

Yep, I'll probably be leaving right as soon as we get the engine back in the aircraft.

......

No.

Hm?

I-I won't let you leave!