History Heartwarming / HonkaiStarRail

** Past final bosses were to be defeated by the heroes, whereas Sunday is a WellIntentionedExtremist that they understand and have to fight this time in not just a physical altercation, but in ideals as well. This is reflected in the [[BackgroundMusicOverride music takeovers]] in their boss fights: Cocolia has the determination-reigniting [[https://youtu.be/SxlW79tDhCA?si=Y_uhWMQGFQndQh7L "Wildfire"]], while Phantylia's [[https://youtu.be/jqXnFmgXGag?si=cbpKfCkFIeFcmEXk "Ephemeral Cycle" gradually heralds the coming victory of "Even Immortality Ends" and "Demiseless Existence"]]; Sunday's divine chorus of [[https://youtu.be/3vDNylR2FD4?si=z-B65CN16PBxcngK "Infirma Nostri Corporis" and "Symphony No. 8 'A Thousand Suns'" get abruptly knocked out by Robin's "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers"]], a pop song encapsulating the hopes and dreams for the people of Penacony's freedom. In other words, [[ShutUpHannibal Penacony's people are telling him they aren't as weak as he thought]].

** Throughout all of 2.2, it's clear that as much as Sunday's [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill outlook on freedom]] comes from a sympathetic place, his [[BlackAndWhiteMorality arguments]] fall short in the face of other perspectives like the Astral Express crew, Firefly and Robin, all of whom know that labelling who's weak and who's strong isn't up to one person to decide. But even when defeated, Sunday falls from the theater in his Harmonious Choir form to show he's still trapped by his ideals. As the scene plays out to the [[LonelyPianoPiece lonesome piece]] of [[https://youtu.be/MncDEvVj3gs?si=gc_8C39Edm_lymzE "Morns Like These"]] however, Robin falls after him and [[CooldownHug hugs him]], replacing Sunday with his original self, the older brother closing his eyes in contentment. The scene cuts to a flock of Charmony Doves flying freely past the pair, [[CueTheSun the sun dawning in the horizon]]--Sunday, the caged, flightless dove, had intended to fall alone for the many, only to be saved by Robin, the dove who flew free for the many but unwilling to live in the skies alone.

* Heading to the theater after Sunday's fight has Robin message you for help in searching for her brother's whereabouts, who disappeared in reality after they both fell to the ground. A search has you find a journal belonging to Sunday, which creates a burst of memoria bubbles echo a conversation, Sunday telling Robin to finish him off but the latter refusing and wanting to do be together; Sunday then sounds on the verge of tears, saying, "If only... I could..." It's also noted that the pages bear words resembling Robin's name. Later after giving Robin the journal, though her minute reaction implies Sunday had died, she states her belief that he's still alive somewhere.

* Sunday's fight can be considered this:
** Past final bosses were to be defeated by the heroes, whereas Sunday is a WellIntentionedExtremist that they understand and have to fight this time in not just a physical altercation, but in ideals as well. This is reflected in the [[BackgroundMusicOverride music takeovers]] in their boss fights: Cocolia has the determination-reigniting [[https://youtu.be/SxlW79tDhCA?si=Y_uhWMQGFQndQh7L "Wildfire"]], while Phantylia's [[https://youtu.be/jqXnFmgXGag?si=cbpKfCkFIeFcmEXk "Ephemeral Cycle" gradually heralds the coming victory of "Even Immortality Ends" and "Demiseless Existence"]]; Sunday's divine chorus of [[https://youtu.be/3vDNylR2FD4?si=z-B65CN16PBxcngK "Infirma Nostri Corporis" and "Symphony No. 8 'A Thousand Suns'" get abruptly knocked out by Robin's "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers"]], a pop song encapsulating the hopes and dreams for the people of Penacony's freedom. As it turns out, Penacony's people aren't as weak as he thought.

** Throughout all of 2.2, it's clear that as much as Sunday's [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill outlook on freedom]] comes from a sympathetic place, his [[BlackAndWhiteMorality arguments]] fall short in the face of other perspectives like the Astral Express crew, Firefly and Robin, all of whom know that labelling who's weak and who's strong isn't up to one person to decide. But even when defeated, Sunday falls from the theater in his Harmonious Choir form to show he's still trapped by his ideals. As the scene plays out to the [[LonelyPianoPiece lonesome piece]] of [[https://youtu.be/MncDEvVj3gs?si=gc_8C39Edm_lymzE "Morns Like These"]] however, Robin falls after him and [[CooldownHug hugs him]], replacing Sunday with his original self, the older brother closing his eyes in contentment. The scene cuts to a flock of Charmony Doves flying freely past the pair, [[CueTheSun the sun dawning in the horizon]]--Sunday had intended to fall alone like a flightless dove only to be saved by a flying dove named Robin; after all, doves always fly in flocks, [[YouAreNotAlone not alone]].

* The scene after the aftermath report is of a "[[UsedToBeASweetKid Trustful Boy]]" and a "Guileless Girl", talking about stars and the boy explaining that some lights still come from those long since dead. The boy thinks that their ideal paradise should contain one such star that will spread the light of happiness forever, but the girl counters that they should have lots more, with the boy coming to agree. Though Robin and Sunday's ideals had diverged from each other in the present, it was clear they had--and still are--close siblings.

** Throughout all of 2.2, it's clear that as much as Sunday's [[EvilsOfFreeWill outlook on freedom]] comes from a sympathetic place, his [[BlackAndWhiteMorality arguments]] fall short in the face of other perspectives like the Astral Express crew, Firefly and Robin, all of whom know that labelling who's weak and who's strong isn't up to one person to decide. But even when defeated, Sunday falls from the theater in his Harmonious Choir form to show he's still trapped by his ideals. As the scene plays out to the [[LonelyPianoPiece lonesome piece]] of [[https://youtu.be/MncDEvVj3gs?si=gc_8C39Edm_lymzE "Morns Like These"]] however, Robin falls after him and [[CooldownHug hugs him]], replacing Sunday with his original self, the older brother closing his eyes in contentment. The scene cuts to a flock of Charmony Doves flying freely past the pair, [[CueTheSun the sun dawning in the horizon]]--Sunday had intended to fall alone like a flightless dove only to be saved by a flying dove named Robin; after all, doves always fly in flocks, [[YouAreNotAlone not alone]].

** Past final bosses were to be defeated by the heroes, whereas Sunday is a WellIntentionedExtremist that they understand and fight this time in not a solely physical altercation, but in ideals as well. This is reflected in the [[BackgroundMusicOverride music takeovers]] in their boss fights: Cocolia has the determination-reigniting [[https://youtu.be/SxlW79tDhCA?si=Y_uhWMQGFQndQh7L "Wildfire"]], while Phantylia's [[https://youtu.be/jqXnFmgXGag?si=cbpKfCkFIeFcmEXk "Ephemeral Cycle" gradually heralds the coming victory of "Even Immortality Ends" and "Demiseless Existence"]]; Sunday's divine chorus of [[https://youtu.be/3vDNylR2FD4?si=z-B65CN16PBxcngK "Infirma Nostri Corporis" and "Symphony No. 8 'A Thousand Suns'" get abruptly knocked out by Robin's "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers"]], a pop song encapsulating the hopes and dreams for the people of Penacony's freedom. As it turns out, Penacony's people aren't as weak as he thought.

** When Sunday falls back in his Harmonious Choir form, the scene playing out to the LonelyPianoPiece [[https://youtu.be/MncDEvVj3gs?si=gc_8C39Edm_lymzE "Morns Like These"]], Robin falls after him, replacing Sunday with his original form, and [[CooldownHug hugs him]], the older brother closing his eyes in contentment. The scene cuts to a flock of Charmony Doves flying past the pair, [[CueTheSun the sun dawning in the horizon]], as though telling them that there is hope for Sunday even after all that has happened.

** Past final bosses were to be defeated by the heroes, whereas Sunday is a WellIntentionedExtremist that they understand and fight this time in not a solely physical altercation, but in ideals as well. This is reflected in the [[BackgroundMusicOverride music takeovers]] in their boss fights: Cocolia has the determination-reigniting [[https://youtu.be/SxlW79tDhCA?si=Y_uhWMQGFQndQh7L "Wildfire"]], while Phantylia's [[https://youtu.be/jqXnFmgXGag?si=cbpKfCkFIeFcmEXk "Ephemeral Cycle" gradually heralds the coming victory of "Even Immortality Ends" and "Demiseless Existence"]]; Sunday's divine chorus of "Infirma Nostri Corporis" and "Symphony No. 8 'A Thousand Suns'" get abruptly knocked out by Robin's "Hope Is the Thing With Feathers"]], a song encapsulating the hopes and dreams for the people of Penacony's freedom. As it turns out, Penacony's people aren't as weak as he thought.

** When Sunday falls back in his Harmonious Choir form, the scene playing out to the LonelyPianoPiece [[https://youtu.be/MncDEvVj3gs?si=gc_8C39Edm_lymzE "Morns Like These"]], Robin falls after him, replacing Sunday with his original form, and hugs him, the older brother closing his eyes in contentment. The scene cuts to a flock of Charmony Doves flying past the pair, [[CueTheSun the sun dawning in the horizon]], as though telling them that there is hope even after all that has happened.

* Going back to Firefly's secret base after finishing certain sections of the story has the Trailblazer experience a lot of mixed feelings, from sadness and regret for failing to save her from her (apparent) death, to uncertainty about whether or not their night in the Golden Hour was all a lie, but after finishing 2.2, going back one more time has them being much more content and happy about how things turned out:
--> This observation deck has breathtaking views. You can almost see the entire Dream's Edge at a glance. It's not an easy place to find. The person who introduced it to you truly values your friendship by sharing this view. The memories you created with that girl are too many to count. Whether they were happy or otherwise, they will become part of you, like an Oak Cake Roll eaten and ending up in your belly. The previously mixed emotions have gradually disappeared, replaced by a palette of serenity, a night sky of reality unstreaked by shooting stars. You know that both of you have a mission to complete be it in the Dreamscape or reality. To this end, you two are forced to go separate paths, towards your own pre-ordained destinies. When all this is over, you will see each other again-that is what you believe. You hope she will be safe and well then.

* As the PetTheDog section in Aventurine's entry states, he bribes random NPCs with gems in exchange for information about "Death" in Penacony. Some or all of them are people you've encountered and conversed about their stories through sidequests or simple dialogues like Larose (a singer and follower of Beauty) and Uma (a newscaster involved with an in-game event). From these people's perspective, a rich stranger suddenly walks to them and hands them gems and words of wisdom, then walks off to who knows where. It's not unlike Dr. Ratio giving him a piece of advice for him to read when the time arises. Two of his encounters happen to be persons who are rather unlucky:

* Despite the hallucinations of Aventurine being mostly a source of pain as his other self keeps throwing his own demons at his face while his younger self reminds him of what he had lost, at the end they reveal themselves as being manifestations of Aventurine's "future" and "past" selves and their purpose was to allow him to make peace with himself before he stages his "grandest death", letting Aventurine play his last gamble without regrets.