Tear Jerker / Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

As is the case with all pages detailing Tear Jerker, Spoilers Off So Beware

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Some of these characters have been in pain, misery, and suffering.

Chapter 1

• The story starts sad when Hilda leaves her old home after a disastrous reunion with her mother, whom she forgot all about and replaced with another daughter who can use mana and call her Hilda. While walking for miles behind her old home, Hilda remembered her mother's words she wished that she had never given birth to the monster and told her to leave and never comeback, and she felt sad and heartbroken.
  • After all these years, she had been through fighting dragons and being Zola's plaything to survive long enough to escape, and in the end, it was all for nothing as she abandoned everything at Arzenal, and now she has nothing. Poor Hilda.
• As Hilda gets beat up badly by four cops, she loses the will to keep going, whether it is execution, torture, or return to Arzenal, it is all the same at the end.

Chapter 2

• When Rio saves Hilda as he cleans and heals her injuries, Rio hears Hilda whisper mama and sees tears come out; he feels sorry for her after what she has been through.
• When Hilda is eating breakfast, she stops halfway and begins to cry as she hears her mother's last word.

Chapter 3

• Rio revealed that he gave up everything, including his real name, life, and family, to join the Network. And in that time, he did a lot of things that he regretted, like killing those cops as many of them had families.

Chapter 4

• After Dark is defeated, Rio stops Hilda from going to the Misurugi to get herself killed while restraining her until Hilda explains to him why she wants to save her.
  Rio: Look I get it. You want to help your friend but...
  Hilda: She's not my friend! I hate that bitch! She's spoiled, arrogant, and thinks the whole world revolves around her. She hogs every kill, never thinks of anyone but herself, and it was because of her that Zola died. She didn't even say she was sorry.
  Rio: If that's the case, why are you so desperate to help her?
  Hilda: (cue tears of anger and frustration) Because we're Norma! You humans took everything from me. My home, my mother, everything! You threw me into Arzenal where I had to fight every day just to survive. And when I finally managed to get out...it was because of Ange. And now she's going to die and not even her own family cares! Just because she's a Norma...like me. (Hilda leans back against a wall and slumps to the ground) But what do you care? You're a human. You have no idea what it's like to be powerless.
• Rio looked at her so helpless and alone; it reminded him of that night. It was revealed when he was 11 years old he had a Norma friend named Sarah who they took away as he tried to save her, but he was weak and helpless and ended up exposing himself to the public. He shamed his family and was exiled to a boarding school on the other side of Rosenblum. At that moment, Rio changes his mind and helps Hilda save Ange by risking his life and knowing that there are consequences for his actions.

Chapter 5

• In Rio's childhood memories he revealed that when he saw Norma when a group of people took away a baby Norma from her mother in a local clinic and began to question everything he learned from the world.

Chapter 6

• Ange thinks back to when she first met Tusk, wonders if he is still on the island, and prays that he'll never forget about her. As she is about to be executed, her little sister deliberately strings her along before torturing and lashing out at Ange for being Norma.

Chapter 7

• Hilda sees Rio getting beaten by the Wild Pack for going off script to help her save Ange and tries to intervene until Tusk stops her, saying that Rio knew this would happen and take the punishment from his comrades. Realizing that he knowingly helped her despite knowing the consequences without demanding anything from her, Hilda is shocked and ashamed. It drove her back to Arzenal before he could get into any further trouble on her behalf.

Chapter 8

• As Ange and Hilda are in confinement for desertion, Hilda confesses to Rosalie and Chris that they were never friends as she sees them as tools for her survival, thus breaking their relationship as they leave Hilda behind. Ersha was utterly disappointed as she told Ange and Hilda they had no reason to leave Arzenal.

Chapter 11

• 11 years ago, Sarah first came to Arzenal; she didn't want to be a soldier and was forced to change outfits and give up her bracelet, which was made by her friend to remember him.
• The Inspector walks with Rio (disguised as Captain Algren) to perform his duties but is interrupted by Cynthia while accidentally kicking a Soccer ball. Inspector Bronson scolds Cynthia for ruining the Captain's credibility and demands an apology from her, but Rio finds it overreacted and sad and decides to let it slide.

Chapter 12

• Jasmine brings Rio to the graveyard and tells him that although Norma mostly dies in combat against DRAGONs, Norma also dies of health problems. In contrast, others eventually gave up and took their own lives, and only a few managed to die of old age, like Penelope, who was the owner of the mall back in the old days. As Jasmine led Rio to the gravestone, there came a shock when he found out that Sarah was dead several years ago.
  • What's even worse, Jill appears, telling him how she died as Rio snaps and tries to punch her, only for Jill to dodge and knock the wind out of him first before giving him a piece of her mind:
  Jill: What did you think was going to happen? Did you really think you could just fly in here like some hero and carry her off? You and your friends, you say you want to protect the Norma but you don't know a damn thing. Take a good look around. This is what it means to be a Norma. Why aren't you getting furious over their deaths? And what about Lisa? Have you already forgotten about her? Or do Norma only matter if you know them? All that talk and you don't give a damn about any of them. And now, because of your selfishness, you've endangered Libertus itself. The Inspector may be naïve but she isn't stupid. The minute she lays eyes on you she will know that something is wrong. I should have known better than to trust the Network. You failed us just like you did before.
• Rio became depressed and devastated and was carried by Jasmine to the guest villa, realizing after all these years of finding Sarah had been for nothing. He completely lost it and trashed the master bedroom while Momoka was in horror as she tried to comfort him.
• Jasmine came back with a video camera containing Sarah's final message in case Rio came to Arzenal. This message revealed the reason why she was joining the first squad.
  Sarah: "Is it on?"
  Rio: Sarah
  Sarah: Okay, Hi Aaron. It's been about four years since they caught me. It hasn't been easy. I miss Mom and Dad. And I miss you too. But I've tried to be brave and Ms. Jasmine-she used to be the commander-she taught me how to survive here. She made a deal with me where I could keep this even though Norma aren't allowed to bring anything in from the outside. And I've made friends too. That's why I'm making this tape. There's a girl here named Zola. When I first arrived, some of the other Norma bullied me until she stood up for me. When we got older, Zola was put into First Squad and I got put in reserves. But about a week ago, she was injured during a DRAGON attack and lost her eye. Maggie-she's the doctor here-she says she won't be able to fly until she heals. And in that time she'll be fined for missing duty. I can't let that happen to her, so I talked to Commander Jill and she said that if anyone in reserves volunteers to take her place, she won't be fined. I...I'm scared. I've seen what happens sometimes to the Para-mail pilots when they come back from an incursion. Aaron, I still believe that you'll come for me. But...I don't know if I'll be here when you do. So I went to Ms. Jasmine and I bought this camera to ask you something. If something happens...please don't be sad. And please don't blame anyone for it. Commander Jill, she only does what the humans force her too. And despite everything I can't hate the humans...because that would mean I'd have to hate you as well. You showed me that not all humans were the same. And because of that...I still believe that humans and Norma can live together. So please, don't lost that part of yourself because of me.
  Sarah: Goodbye Aaron. Please tell Mom and Dad I love them. And...thank you.

Chapter 13

• Ersha came to the second squad's funeral to mourn Lisa's death in their last sorties. She also visited Zola's grave to pay respect to her, and told her about the first squad after her death.
• It revealed how Zola became like she is now. It turns out it was because after Sarah died in her last sortie, she realized that her life as a Norma had no value in the eyes of the world, so she enjoyed herself as much as she could before the inevitable and her hedonistic behavior was all cover to hide her pain.

Chapter 14

• Salia tries to master the Villkiss with Ange's ring but won't respond to her. Salia hears Jill's words, says she can't pilot it and denies anything that Jill said until she remembers their last meeting with Rio, saying only the norma with the royalty blood can pilot the Villkiss. That is when Salia realizes Jill lied about the Villkiss and regrets disobeying and stealing her order.
• After the Dragon invasion, Hilda returned to Arzenal hangar to find Rio. She saw him lying down, significantly injured, and worried that he might die after the fight with Hekiryugo.

Chapter 15

• Salia sat in the first squad's briefing room alone and humiliated and waited until Jill came to and demanded why she took Villkiss and nearly destroyed it. Salia claims that she wants to prove her worthiness to her, but Jill accuses Salia of using the Villkiss to make Rio fall in love with her and calls out at her for choosing to follow her idea fantasy rather than responsibility as captain. Thus, Jill has decided to demote Saila.
  Salia: Jill,
  Jill: On your feet! What were you thinking? Do you have any idea of what you've done? Villkiss was nearly destroyed because of YOUR actions! What do you have to say for yourself?
  Salia: I...just wanted to prove that I could do it, I wanted to prove that I could be of use to you.
  Jill: To me? Or to him? I see the way you look at him, did you think that if you proved you could pilot Villkiss then he would fall in love with you? It's time you woke up. This is no fairy tale. Your role is to be the Captain of the First Squad. Ange's role is to pilot Villkiss. But because you chose to ignore that for the sake of a fantasy, you nearly cost Libertus everything. I told you once that you can't do what you can't do. And if you still can't understand that then you have no place here! If it weren't for the fact that we've sustained such heavy losses, I would throw you into the brig. But right now I need every pilot I can get. So for now I'll settle for demoting you. As of right now, you're no longer captain of the First Squad.
  • Jill is about to leave when Salia demands to explain why she didn't tell her the truth about the Villkiss, as she feels hurt, angry, betrayed, and breaks down to tears.
    Salia: Why didn't you tell me? You said that a royal ring was all that was needed. But you lied! I never had a chance of piloting Vilkiss! Why? Why didn't you tell me the truth?
    Jill: You didn't need to know.
    Saila: Why didn't you tell me?

Chapter 16

• Rio offers Hilda to leave, but she rejects it since there's nothing for her outside of Arzenal. Rio insists he will not leave; however, Hilda tells him to leave as his mission is over, and the inspector will find out eventually. She calls him out for doing so out of sympathy and questions whether he saw her as a replacement for Sarah.
• It revealed that Hilda came back because she blamed herself for causing Rio to face his punishment for being involved in their mission, and it could get worse if she didn't decide to come back. Hilda knew that by returning to Arzenal, she'd face solitary confinement and be branded as a pariah.
• Salia tries to confess her feelings to Rio, but he rejects her because she is confused and only sees her as a friend. Salia desperately proves her feelings are real if he returns them. However, Rio asks her to leave when Salia jumps on him and tries to take advantage of him until he pushes her off and gets angry at her.
  Rio: Salia...I'm flattered. I really am. But what you're asking...I can't give you that.
  Salia: But why? Is it because I'm not pretty enough?
  Rio: What? No! You're very pretty. You're actually really cute. But...look. I'm the first man who's set foot on this island in years. You're just confused!
  Salia: No I'm not!, I'm in love with you! Does that not mean anything? I'll even prove it to you right now!
  Rio: I think you should leave. And don't worry about Hilda. I'll go and talk to her myself.
  • Salia was sad, heartbroken, and broke down into tears as she was under emotional distress from the realization Jill had lied to her about her potential to pilot Villkiss. Poor Saiila.
• Ersha tries to confront Hilda about rejecting Rio and how is not too late to make up with him. Ersha tries to explain that Rio is a kind-hearted person, and he had an effect on Hilda as her behavior changed. But Hilda denies it and tells Ersha that Rio deserves to be someone else who appreciates him.

Chapter 17

• Three events that eventually happen in the canon.
  • Ersha was devastated when she saw a group of schoolchildren get killed, including Miss Mary.
  • As Hilda's squad is about to take off when a couple of Mana soldiers come and fire at them, Chris gets shot in the head mid-takeoff, and Rio confirms her death, Rosalie's tearful reaction is heartbreaking, given how close the two were. Chris has always been fearful of dying and believes that Rosalie abandoned her and Hilda betrayed her again.
  • Saila plummeted toward the sea when her Para-mail was damaged. She suffered an Emotional Breakdown after being betrayed by Jill, rejected by Rio, and beaten by Ange.
    • All of them were saved by Embryo, he resurrected the schoolchildren for Ersha, saved Chris from Near-Death Experience, and rescued Salia. It turns out that it was part of his plan to recruit pilots for his Ragna-mails.

Chapter 18

• When Hilda discusses the fight with Rio with Vivian, looking back on when Zola was alive, Zola was furious at Hilda for disobeying her orders and risking her life. Zola told Hilda that being a Norma has no value in life and fighting is the only way to survive.

Chapter 19

• In Rio's past, Sarah is discovered and about to be taken away; Aaron tries to save her but ends up knocked down by the police. He swore he'd protect her but stood there and watched as they drove by with Sarah pleading for help. His parents found out this and were furious at Aaron for disgracing them, implying that his father struck at him and confined him to his room as he was about to be exiled from home to boarding school in a week. While in confinement, Aaron sneaks off to Sarah's parent to apologize but finds them dead while drinking a bottle of poison as losing Sarah was hard for them.
  • As Aaron couldn't find Sarah, he decided to take revenge on the world by tearing down Dawn Pillar. But is stopped by Blitz, who offers him to join the Network to find Sarah and warns that he'll never see his old life ever again. After his training is complete, he goes back to his hometown to visit Sarah's parent's grave and vow that he'd never stop finding her and never be helpless ever again.
• Hilda confesses to Rio about everything on what she did at Arzenal. Pretending to be friends with Chris and Rosalie as she couldn't stand either of them. She endured Zola's antics by being her favorite plaything and for her protection. Took advantage of Zola's death by manipulating Chris and Rosalie using sex for their loyalty. She sabotages the Villkiss and almost gets Ange killed. It turns out all the things she did at Arzenal were excuses for her survival and hope to escape from all that which led to an inevitable conclusion.
  • She wants to make Rio leave because of everything she has done in Arzenal and her actions at the Misurugi. She felt unworthy of Rio's kindness or his protection and worried that he'd abandon her just like her mother.

Chapter 21

• During her argument with Rio, Hilda was angry and hurt as she sat down to rest after distancing herself and Vivian's house. Thinking back, Rio called her out for being selfish and jealous while she accused everything of fraud, including Vivian's mother. Looking back, she was still the same selfish bitch that she always was and questioned whether would Vivian would experience the same thing that Hilda had been through and make her happy.

Chapter 24

• After returning and reuniting with their allies, Rosalie tries to seduce Hilda (in contrast to the canon where Hilda tries to seduce Ange). While taking a shower, she tells her she has been alone since her disappearance and Chris's betrayal. Rosalie admits to Hilda that she has sex with one of their Network allies but realizes she prefers Norma.

Chapter 25

• After Ange got captured, Hilda was confined to her quarters for being involved in their rebellion. Rosalie confronted Hilda and angrily demanded why she let Ange leave, but Hilda refused to answer due to swearing secrecy from Boss. This further damaged their relationship with Rosalie as she felt hurt, angry, and betrayed again.
• Rosalie is about to deliver a document to Jill's quarters as she sleeps, but she finds out that Jill caused the first Libertus to fail (in contrast to the canon where Hilda found out the truth).

Chapter 26

• Rio, Hilda, Tusk, the Normas, and members of the Networks find out that Jill was seduced by Embryo instead of killing him at the first chance, getting her comrades killed. Vulture told Jill that he has friends among the Ancient folks who died on the first Libertus and were living in guilt during the fall of Zion. As she slaps her, Maggie calls out to Jill for being used and betrayed. After discovering the truth, all the Normas and the Networks lost her trust.

Chapter 27

• The reunion of Hilda, Chris, and Rosalie reveals that Chris has always been resenting both Rosalie and Hilda for always being left out and was jealous of being the third wheel in their friendship. Rosalie tries to explain to Chris that she believes to be dead, but Chris accuses them of abandoning her to save themself. One of the rookies, Marika, tried to save her comrades but ended up getting killed by Chris. Thus, Rosalie felt sad and in disbelief that one of her pupils was gone, ruining the trio's friendship.
• Like in the Canon, Ange witnesses Momoka's sacrifice as she falls, and Tusk cuffs her to the Skyhook and confesses that he loves Ange and wants her to live before sacrificing himself to stop Embryo.

Chapter 28

• Ersha asks Embryo to resurrect the children, but he refuses and tells her that he has no use for them in his new world. Ersha gives them a burial with Dark's help to rest in peace. Dark told her this was how Embryo would give them purpose for their role. Ersha comes to realize Embryo's manipulation and abandons her. She felt guilty, heartbroken, and devastated as she wanted to die so she could be with the children, which led her to go back to her friends on board the Aurora.
• Dark's flashback shows that he's a clone from the DNA of Embryo's original followers created specifically to be his personal servant and enforcer. Thus he knows he can never have a life of his own outside of servitude to Master Embryo.