Episode 22 - Pain to Pain
On board the Saint's Cradle, Quattro and Dieci are in the Throne Room with Vivio. Dieci looks at Vivio whimpering in pain, and says that she doesn't like doing this, especially to someone so small and helpless. Quattro assures her that it's justified because of all the good that will come from Scaglietti's work. Unconvinced but seemingly resigned, Dieci says that she'll follow her orders, and leaves the room carrying her energy cannon. Quattro, who is watching various battles on her monitors and controlling many of the Gadgets, thinks to herself that toying with the lives of 'weaker' beings is fun.
In hospital, Vice wakes up to see a news broadcast about what's happening. Zafira, who is sharing his room, tells him that it's been a week since the attack on Riot Force Six. As Vice is processing this, a young girl enters the room — the same girl that he once accidentally shot (according to his Flashback in episode 17): his sister Laguna. She tells him to recover quickly, and says she'd like things to go back to how they used to be between them. Before Vice can reply, a nurse comes and ushers her out, telling her to evacuate. Vice mutters that he's never faced up to his responsibility, only run away from it. Zafira tells him it's up to him how he chooses to live and fight, then leaves, saying there's something he needs to do himself.
Caro and and Erio are still fighting Lutecia and Garyuu, and Caro asks again why they are fighting. Lutecia finally tells her that Scaglietti has promised to help her find the number XI Relic, and use it to revive her mother — then she won't be unhappy anymore. Caro replies that Lutecia can't find happiness by hurting people and causing destruction; but if she'll trust them, Riot Force Six can help her and her mother. At this point Quattro, who has been monitoring them, contacts Lutecia and tells her not to listen. When Lutecia hesitates, Quattro activates a control on her computer, taking control of the summoner's mind via a 'consideration console' implanted in her by Scaglietti. A red haze comes over Lutecia's vision and her expression turns murderous; she abruptly summons more creatures and orders them to attack, screaming "kill them!"
In the underground base, Fate is busy fighting Tre and Sette when Scaglietti appears on a monitor to mock her. While Fate is thus distracted, magical bindings appear out of the floor and trap her. Scaglietti then arrives in person, telling Fate that she's a lot like her mother Precia.
Up in the sky, Signum and Zest continue their battle, until Zest gains a momentary advantage and knocks Signum out of the air. She's unhurt, but Zest and Agito are able escape, continuing towards Ground Forces HQ. Zest remarks that Signum is a true ancient Belkan knight, and tells Agito she might make a good master for her.
Subaru and Ginga have begun to battle in the abandoned city. Unwilling to use her deadliest techniques against her sister, Subaru proves at a disadvantage in the fight, and is soon knocked to the ground. Ginga still doesn't respond to Subaru's repeated entreaties.
In the Saint's Cradle, Nanoha continues fighting her way toward the Throne Room. She is thinking about Vivio and some of their recent time together. The Saint Church has determined that Vivio was cloned from someone who lived on ancient Belka around 300 years ago, meaning she has no living family. Nanoha isn't sure if she'd be a suitable mother for her, though — her job is dangerous, and she's been badly injured once already. But she continues relentlessly battling her way through the ship to reach her erstwhile daughter.
As Nanoha obliterates every Gadget and obstacle in her path, Dieci contacts Quattro and says she can't stop her. Quattro is unconcerned, saying that Nanoha will just die in the Throne Room instead. For her and all their other opponents, defeat is just a matter of time. All they have to do is wait.
The Cradle will reach orbit in 1 hour and 44 minutes...
Tropes
- Abandoned Area: The abandoned district where so much of the action has taken place is given a name: the "7th Abandoned City Area". There's still no explanation for why Mid-Childa's capital has what seems to be an entire abandoned city just sitting next to it.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Quattro inflicts this on Lutecia, thanks to some of Scaglietti's hidden programming. The combat cyborg magical signature briefly appears around Lutecia when this happens, implying that Scaglietti's 'consideration console' may be cybernetic in nature.
- Four Lines, All Waiting: Having split everyone up in the previous episode, starting here the focus begins shifting around between the various protagonists and their battles. This episode focuses on Caro and Erio versus Lutecia and Garyuu, Fate and Schach in Scaglietti's hideout, and Nanoha in the Cradle heading for the throne room. Subaru and Teana are only seen briefly, just long enough to show that they're still alive and fighting.
- Hate Sink: Quattro pretty much cements her place as the franchise's biggest example since Precia. If you didn't already hate her before this episode, you certainly will by the end of it.
- Kick the Dog: Although it's been clear from the start that Quattro is not a nice person, this episode is where she really starts playing puppy football in earnest:
- She airily tells Dieci that it's no problem if they kill thousands of people, adding that the population should recover in a century or so.
- After Dieci expresses her misgivings, Quattro mentally mocks her, calling her (as well as Sein and Cinque) boring and stupid for caring about lesser beings.
- She then gleefully says that tormenting and toying with weaker lives is "so much fun!"
- She puts Lutecia under mind control and forces her to try and kill Erio and Caro, even to the point of harming her beloved summoned creatures in the process. Made worse because it also seems to cause Lutecia physical pain.
- Mind-Control Eyes: Lutecia, after Quattro activates her hidden programming. They somehow manage to look both vacant and murderous at the same time; it's quite creepy to see. In addition, tears are running down her face throughout.
- Token Good Teammate: Dieci is clearly unhappy about what Scaglietti and the Numbers are doing, especially to Vivio, and goes so far as to voice her concerns out loud. Unfortunately, the person she voices them to is Quattro, so it doesn't do much good.
