Don't You Tell Me What You Think That I Can Be
Yoko: And no kid of mine is gonna turn out 100% pure anyway, so that's the end of that. Now come on. It's Interceptor-sensei's class this morning. And you know what that means.
Ash: ...Dude, are you blushing? Wait, if you can blush could the actual Jupiter too? Like if I shouted something nasty up at it would it just turn red or somethin'? 'Cause that'd be sick.
Mahvash: Oh? Want to put yourself at my beck and call? Okay, using and abusing.
Martin: I um, I've been meaning to ask, or well that is...I really like you, and the time we've spent together has been great. So I was wondering, um that is, if we could be officially together. I mean, if you would be okay being my girlfriend. Or whatever equivalent you might use...
Ever Green: Given that we have received no formal training prior to this practical, (which would take at least a full school year, multiple for dealing with supervillain hostage situations such as the one currently presented) we should not engage the enemy at all. We should instead send for help from one of the heroes or police officers that specializes in hostage situations. Following that, we wait for the arrival of qualified personnel and only intercede at their instructions. [Slightly sweeter] Speaking of qualified personnel, Mr. Interceptor, I was wondering when they would arrive. Will they show up after the segment with you?
Mahvash: Well, Ever Green certified approval. Okay then.
Martin: So your plan is for you, a human, to blow up an expensive space station, killing a group of other humans. Proving that the designs are flawed enough that we would give resources to other races for better technology, not to mention turning public opinion against those with extremist ideals? You could be building that future you want to see, you have the tools and intelligence but we are here talking over a phone while you scare children and teachers with your army of robots.
Martin: I'm going to beat Gaea and stop that future we saw. What we saw isn't going to pass, their hatred, their fear, all of their malice, none of that makes the future. Our bravery, strength, our will creates it. So if you guys don't think you can do it, if you really don't think you are strong enough and that wasteland is the only future available to us, then just follow behind me and I'll show you how to do it. But if you know that you can win this too, then just try and match my speed. Now, we have hostages to save. I need a group to get the children out of the radius, and any stealth we have to make your moves.
Ash: But hey, if you think us group of #$&%ing first-year amateurs can fix an actual goddamn hostage situation through brute force then be my guest. Oh, wait. We got second-years in here too. Praise the lord.
Finn: Hey, what you pulled there was not okay. Look, I get the conceit and I don't know fully know everything but, I think really hurt a good chunk of us. I know I am just some impulsive kid but, I don't think this was the best way to do it.
- First Post: 5 March 2019
- Short Synopsis: The scars from the future (and some from the present) haunt the class as they go into a training exercise that, beyond all expectation, only manages to twist the knife further.
Tropes
- Broken Pedestal: Martin is rather unhappy that Saint and Interceptor put them through such a scenario so soon after their bad future experience.
- Cutting the Knot: As soon as Interceptor announces the hack, Ever Green simply sends roots to cut the room's power.
- Deity of 'Human' Origin: Yoko ascends at last.
- Entitled to Have You: Dante acts entitled to have Mahvash, stalking harassing and planning to harm Martin for the sheer temerity of...being involved in a relationship with her. Finn and Shane call him out for it, with Shane in particular likening Dante to an incel.
- Green-Eyed Monster: Martin can't really do anything right in Dante's eyes. For some reason...
- Heroic BSoD: Mikael gets this from Martin's announcement that he and Mahvash are together.
- Heroic Safe Mode: Aster goes through the motions like a robot.
- No Delays for the Wicked: Gaea calls a press conference... after being implicated in an attack on a domestic institution involving nukes and widespread city destruction. Not to mention they have no public records.
- Relationship Upgrade: Happens twice this episode:
- The first is Martin and Mahvash, who officially get together at the start of the episode.
- The second is Ryuu and Sally at the end of the episode.
- Sanity Slippage: The future, Dementius's kidnapping of the Carnival King, and Martin's news all hit Dante a bit hard. Shane similarly is being driven to a near frenzy by what he experienced in the future.
- Sadistic Choice: Leon demands that Martin murder the Saint or himself in exchange for the villain's word that he'll let the hostages go.
- The Chains of Commanding hit Mahvash over the head when Dante tries to drag her into a public spectacle and she comes within a hair's breath of smiting him for the impiety. There were witnesses... Even during and after the incident, her concerns are the Iridium Wonders' unit cohesion and record.
- This Is Not a Drill: The test is in fact a drill, but part of the simulation was that the students did not know that.
- Villains Never Lie: Leon's whole plan relies upon Martin (or anyone) taking his verbal assurance that the hostages will be let go.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Shane and Finn call out Dante for his creepy and possessive attitude and behavior, and Ellie in turn calls them out for getting very combative during the course of it. Shane and Finn still push for Dante to have to go see Laurie, due to numerous Ripped from the Headlines incidents involving people with similar attitudes.
