Episode 19

original air date: 8.7.02

Recollection

The episode starts off with an askew view of the chaos gate in Dun Loireag. Subaru is then seen walking down a path in the background as we see two other players talking. One comments how Subaru is walking toward them, the other telling him not to be so silly, as it can't possibly be here. He continues to say that there are a lot of HeavyAxe users and he shouldn't be fooled. He agrees, but says he'd really like to meet the real Subaru, only to have his friend say she's probably not accessing anymore. "After the Scarlet Knights was disbanded she got bored," hearing this Subaru (now having walked past them) turns around to look, but then continues on her way.

Now in a snowfield with a large castle in the background Subaru gates in. She kneels down and flicks some snow off of a plant. She stares at it for a while, sighing as she remembers…

***Flashback (*note - from here on out in this summary *** will indicate beginnings and ends of flashbacks) It appears to be in the same area, Crim is there talking to Subaru asking her what she wants to do now. We then see Subaru, she appears the same, but her dress is now shades of pink, instead of the light blue she wears in the present. She starts to speak but Crim interrupts her telling her there is nothing to fear for "the Red Lightning Crim" is nice to females and strict toward males. Just then a blade is drawn, but is stopped by Crim. The blade belonging to another user. "Do you want to die here this time? Don't get involved with this lady. It's your choice," Crim tells the attacker. The unknown attack back up and gates out. Crim tells Subaru that is why he hates males. "When they see you're not paying attention they attack, when you give a good impression they suck up." Subaru tells him that she doesn't give an impression. Crim asks her what she means; asking her which one she thinks she gives. He goes on to tell her about how others players approach him and how he handles it. He advises her not to get too close to them, and they won't get the wrong impression about her. "Just tell them," he says. He goes on to tell her that if you tell them right away they won't be a problem, yet there are still those users who won't understand no matter what. Subaru again starts to speak; yet again Crim interrupts her. "Do you think if you log in you can have fun and play?" he asks of her. Crim then asks her again what she wants to do. "I.. I want to stay here," she tells him. Crim smiles at her saying "Leave it to me!"

 ***END Flashback

Subaru is still staring at the plant; she gives it a slight swipe, sighs and then gates out of the area.

Now in a mushroom field Subaru is walking alone starting into space as she passes through.

*** Crim and Subaru are standing in the same field. Crim asks if she is famous. He goes on to recite things about her in the third person. "She access from noon and stay on for awhile. Seems like a girl, but no other party. Doesn't seem like she is used to net games." He turns to look at her and says that he doesn't mean to check on her real life but… Subaru then asks him if she seems that lost and tells him that she thought she could meet others with out the facts of age, sex, view and hobbies. She is about to go on, but then stops, "Was I… Wrong?" Crim tells her she's not, but that she is missing something. He goes on to give her advice about playing "The World," things like be strong, go out on your own and don't run away. If she does this, the world will come to Subaru. They look at each other and smile when Crim suddenly turns around ready to attack. A group of 3 players is standing behind him with their weapons drawn and smirking. The three attack Crim, and he is knocked down on the ground. Subaru rushes to his side, then stands to face the attackers. "Please stop. It's your own free will to join 'The World' to have fun but please keep your evil actions away from other players," she tells them. The leader of the group tells her to quite talking smart, not to lecture them and that she is annoying. She tells them that it was not a lecture and simply says, "please." Crim now stands next to her and tell them that if they still want to fight they won't go easy on them. "Did you save before you came here?" he asks of them. One of the other players tells him to shut up and ask him who he thinks he is. "Asking us?" Crim starts, "Scarlet Knights Legion, is what you can call us." Subaru gasps, surprised at what Crim has just said. She then turns to the attackers and tells them to never do an action like that again.

Now back in Mac Anu a boat is sailing through the river amidst the crowded city. Subaru is lead to the front of the boat by Crim and then stands proudly atop it.

The scene changes to a knighting ceremony in church. Subaru is seen knighting Ginkan, and many other knights are in attendance. "The person whom I salute. The person which is shame. To hold your responsibility and your duty," is spoken by Subaru as she finishes the ceremony. (this is taken directly from the fan-sub I've seen, I'm not sure of the correct translation) ***

Subaru gates into the field D Hidden Forbidden HolyGround in front of the church (where most likely we just saw in her flashback) and stares up at the massive church. She turns around and there is one of the Scarlet Knights who looks at her, then gets on one knee. "Subaru-sama," he starts but Subaru stops him, "Please don't. I am no longer…" He begs her to listen to him. He tells her he will not move until she lets him. Subaru tells him that the Scarlet Knight Legion no longer exists. "Ginkan alone is trying to make another legion leaving you out of it," he explains to her. She tells him that the person he is working with should tell him this, "Your own path is for you to find on your own."

An image of a pebble dropping into water is seen causing ripples as it hits the water. As we get a better view it is revealed to be the water under the bridge in Mac Anu. Mimiru has dropped it and she and Bear are talking. "So they really did quit. The Scarlet Knight Legion…" We see the boat of the Scarlet Knights now out of the water on a rack sitting on the bank of the city. Mimiru wonders if Subaru will quit too. Bear tells her, "who knows." She glares at him, "Isn't that kinda cold?" "What can we do?" he tells her. He goes on to say even if you quit the legion would you cry and ask her to continue the game?" Mimiru tells him the way he is talking he sounds like BT. Bear tells her that Subaru is ok, and that she won't quit. He asks her if Subaru is the kind of person that quits stuff over little things. Mimiru agrees with him. Bear then says, "In the world the story she started isn't finished just yet."

In a desert field Subaru gates in. She leans against a structure and closes her eyes.

*** Crim and Ginkan are fighting in the desert. Subaru runs up from behind them and see what they are doing. Crim notices her and calls to her, stopping the fighting with Ginkan. "What is the problem here today?" she asks. He tells her "it's more like Ketchikan stuff." She asks him, "Ketchikan?" Ginkan now speaks asking Crim what is with Ketchikan and from his own point of view Crim is the one who's making waves. Crim responds with, "Unable to do his duty, what's wrong with that?" Ginkan tells him that he is no different from an ordinary player. Crim asks if they are really that special, and points out that they really are just working together. "We have a lot of members and boast an attitude, but we are no different." Ginkan is not happy with his reply and tells him he needs to think it over some more. "Should I quit for now?" Crim asks, "Subaru?" "Subaru tells them that she wishes to speak to Crim alone. Now alone with Crim, Subaru asks, "It was on purpose right?" Crim does not understand. "The Scarlet Knights legion became too big. If we don't do something right now, it will fall apart," she explains. Crim asks her if that's what she meant when she asked him if it was on purpose; if she thinks that is the reason he quit the Scarlet Knights. He goes on to ask if she thinks he took the blame for the mistake. She tells him yes. "No, it's not," he says. "Duty and responsibility are enough in the real world. I come here to play." Subaru tries to interrupt, "but…" Crim continues, "Just quit, just one word and it's done." Again Subaru tries to speak saying, "That's…" Crim keeps going saying he understands and that it's ok too, but for now she can go on without him. He tells her he will return to just "Crim" and that he's sorry. He adds though if she needs help, she shouldn't hesitate to ask him for it. Subaru looks upset, to which Crim tells her not to make such a face. He then tells her the same advice from before, and then tells her he's going to show her a spell. ***

Subaru is still leaning against the structure, looking almost asleep. She abruptly awakens and sees a small puchiguso standing at her feet. She kneels down and speaks to it, "come." It walks up to her outstretched hand, sniffs it then turns around and walks away. Just then another player who has the same skin as Subaru, only with purple clothes and orange hair walks up to her and greets her. "I'm Kao-chin, you're Subaru?" Subaru doesn't answer right away so Kao-chin asks her what her name is. Subaru is about to tell her when she interrupts asking if she is a beginner. She says that the Subaru skins are so popular. "But you know, Kao-chin had this skin a long time ago. It's really annoying how they say I copied her." "Copy?" Subaru asks. Kao-chin asks her if she was one of those players that use that skin in order to copycat Subaru. Subaru tells her she is not. Kao-chin tells her that she really hates the Scarlet Knights, and is glad they are no longer around. Subaru asks her why. She tells her that she didn't like the way they were always telling people what to do "don't fight" and "follow common sense." Subaru again tries to speak, attempting to explain, but Kao-chin beats her to it saying, "Protect the Order, and let's all get along, right? But… Why do we have to get along?" She tells Subaru that it's just a game and that they should be able to do what they feel like doing. Subaru points out that there are still rules in the game. Kao-chin is surprised to hear this and asks her if she is someone who really believes that. "Are you the real Subaru-chin?" Subaru recalls what Crim said to her about it being a game, and that life has enough rules, and he should just be able to play. Subaru tells her she gets it, and that she does have a point. Kao-chin then asks her to be friends. "It's ok, isn't it? Kao-chin asks. Subaru has now started to back away from her. Kao-chin, now with a menacing look on her face, tells her she was always watching, from far away. She begins advancing on Subaru as she continues to back away from here. Kao-chin again asks if she is the real Subaru. "You didn't bother to level up, did you?" Pressing harder she again asks to be friends. "Do you not want to? You can drop out. I'll post on the BBS, how Subaru couldn't handle it after the Knights were no more. This will be big news! Or, will you call for help? I wonder who will come to help you." *** Flashback to Crim and Subaru's earlier conversation "I will now teach you a spell," he says to her. "Spell?" "I will tell you my real phone number. It's breaking the rules right? I got bored of being the Scarlet Knight Crim, but I want to be Subaru's Crim." *** Subaru stops her advancement and asks to her to stop in a rather commanding voice. Kao-chin is taken aback by this. Subaru goes on to tell her that either she attack her or not she doesn't care, but she will never by Kao-chin's friend. "I hate people like you! If you want to post it on the BBS, go ahead for it will only show what kind of person you are." With this Kao-chin raises her axe and is quite angered. The scene quickly changes to a shot of the desert sun.

*** Subaru and Crim are on a boat in Mac Anu, he asks her what the meaning of the Scarlet Knights is. She attempts to explain to him, but is confused thinking it's more about power than responsibility and duty. She explains to him that as the Knights try to stand taller they will need the responsibility they asked for. ***

Subaru is lying face down on the ground, her clothes are tattered and she is quite beaten up. She is still in the desert region, but now it appears to be night. As Subaru raises herself she sees her reflection in her own axe.

A dark screen is shown and a glowing bug swirls around, then lands on what we now see is Tsukasa in a curled up position. He is in what appears to be an icy cave. He looks up as if startled by something. We see the boots of Subaru walking along in the same cave. Tsukasa now stands and sees what has happened to her. He runs to her and just looks at what has happened. She stands there for a bit, and then finally asks him, "Why, why are you here?" He tells her he wonders why as well, he's not sure. He tells her he has no reason, but felt if he stayed there he though he could meet her there. "So you were waiting for me?" "Maybe," is his only reply. "The one waiting… " Subaru starts, then she jerks up her head to meet Tsukasa eye to eye, "the one waiting was me!" Tsukasa drops his staff as Subaru collapses into him, and he embraces her. He asks her if it is hard for her, but she interrupts him saying, "Please don't say anything. For awhile, just stay like this." Tsukasa agrees audibly. "I'm sorry," she speaks, "For what?" Tsukasa asks. "Thank you," is all that is spoken by her.

The scene changes to an opening door in the real world. We see a young girl in a wheelchair sitting in front of a computer. Subaru and Tsukasa's conversation continues. "Are you crying?" he asks. She tells him yes, and we see the girl in the wheelchair slump over her computer screen and that she is crying. "It's ok, cry till you feel better," Tsukasa tells her. We then see her keyboard and a single tear falls, but when it hits the keys, the keyboard disappears and we hear a music tone. The tear splashes into darkness as we hear Tsukasa say, "I'll stay here."