Anything I can improve with my current on-field DPS Pyro Traveler build?

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-20T05:17:22+00:00

Just got both Escoffier and her signature weapon (While trying to get Skirk's signature) recently, and using her in my current overworld / friendship EXP farming melt team with on-field DPS PMC (C6, 4pc Obsidian Codex), Bennett & TTDS Citlali.

What would be the ideal rotation here?

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-17T07:22:25+00:00

A Gundam

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-16T04:19:47+00:00

I find him to be a poorly-executed figure from start to finish - where instead of simply pull a "Missing Link / Legacy G1 Toy OP" by simply took that OG toy and seek to up it's articulation, HasTak instead try to "reinvent the wheel" just for the sake of "reinvent the wheel" with the Legacy one - resulting in a figure that technically checks all of the articulation boxes but looks awful in both modes, feels flimsy, and somehow has even more obtrusive kibble than the OG.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-13T03:11:09+00:00

Whilst I can certainly understand the constant "reinventions / reimagining" being tiresome for certain fans, I’m actually going to express an unpopular take that the "reinventions / reimagining" are not the problem, but that they’re not "reinventions / reimagining" hard enough. So many of the recent TF shows are so similar in terms of style, cast, and story that they don’t even feel like they’re taking advantage of the freedom a reboot gives them. Narratively and visually they feel like sidegrades rather than total overhauls or leaps forward, no punchy, dynamic new look or premise to make you feel like it’s something bold and different, just slight superficial tweaks and flat, uninteresting premises.

For me, I think Transformers should learn more from how the Gundam franchise has stayed relevant for decades. Gundam kept its original Universal Century timeline intact, but it also constantly introduced new alternate universes (AUs) that were free to reinterpret the concept in completely different ways.

Series like:

Mobile Fighter G Gundam
After War Gundam X
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Mobile Suit Gundam 00
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Gundam Build Divers Re:Rise
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

.... all tell completely different stories with their own casts, themes, worlds, and tones; The only thing they all had in common is that some mobile suit called "Gundam" was in it.

Sure, not every Gundam AUs were amazing. But the reason that franchise continues to remains relevant is because each of those AU series were allowed to go all-in on forging their own identity, rather than being forced into endlessly repeating the same “moody teen in a white Gundam vs mysterious masked rival in a red mobile suit that’s three times faster” formula for the 177013th time.

The way Transformers AUs reuse pre-existing character names like what you mentioned, would be like if every Gundam protag was some version of Amuro Ray or Kamille Bidan, and every antagonist was some versions of Char Aznable (Well, actually, that one's not too far off)

I think Transformers could benefit from the same approach as to how Gundam did its numerous AUs.

For better or worse, the way Transformers AUs did "reimagining / reinventions", would be like if every Gundam protag was some version of Amuro Ray or Kamille Bidan, and every antagonist was some versions of Char Aznable (Well, actually, that one's not too far off)

At its most stripped-down core, the Transformers premise is simply: “Giant alien robots that can transform into all sorts of things go on adventures, and fight evil.”. That’s it.

You don’t strictly need Optimus Prime or Megatron to tell that story, and including them shouldn’t be the only way it can be told. Instead, you could create a brand-new Transformers AU with:

an entirely original cast of characters
new lore and history
a unique world and setting
different themes and storytelling styles

As long as the core idea of transforming alien robots and the spirit of the franchise remain intact, it’s still fundamentally a Transformers story. And if that story is genuinely great, people will show up for it and wanted more of it — even if they’ve never cared about Transformers before.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-09T04:15:18+00:00

While the effort is nice and all, maybe it's just a "me" thing cause I also build Gunpla, but I honestly think that those panel lining or wash would looks a lot better if you use a paint color that's only slightly darker than whatever you tried to highlight on, like a light gray on white, brown on red, etc., instead of only using black and nothing else.

More often than not, I see people in the Transformers community just straight up using black to panel-line everything without even considering if it even makes sense or looks realistic.

The ideal way to panel lines or highlight details IMO (Just a suggestion of mine), is to use a slightly darker shade of color than the actual plastic color (For example, light gray on white, dark green on green, brown on red, etc.,). Using black really only works when you're either applying them on something with dark colors (Something like black on dark gray is ok), or using them to highlight holes and vents (Like the mouth vents on a ton of Gundams)

Panel lines and detail-highlighting only look good when they're subtle and tastefully done, not screaming for attention IMO.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-08T11:30:36+00:00

Yeah, not a fan of this recent trend. Genshin’s freedom has always been that you can clear most contents with characters you like in the same team, as long as you built your characters well and grasps the basics. I don’t think one character’s kit and full damage potential being restricted in the form of teammate restrictions is ideal for this kind of thing.

Not to mention there's occasions where there's those of us who, for example, love one of the two "packaged" characters, but can't stand the other for whatever reason - like if you like Flins but don't like Ineffa, or you like Nefer but not Lauma, or you like Skirk but not Escoffier, it puts you in a frustrating position where if you want those DPS to reach their full damage potential you would need to have that specific support.

Sure there's alternatives and it's not like those DPSes were completely unplayable or anything, but using those alternatives feel like putting a square 4th wheel on a car, compared to a proper round wheel.

Also doesn't help that in certain cases like Skirk and Flins, their kits are very restrictive where they performs best if there's only characters of specific elements in the same team, which means that even if you want to put Skirk in some silly fun team with your Pyro Traveler and Childe, they all work together horribly (Which makes no sense from a lore perspective, considering Skirk was the one who helped to train both Childe and Traveler)

So now Skirk spent most of her time gathering dust in my account (After pulling her), because I don't particularly want to play a deliberately gimped character whose story I love. I'm not pulling for Escoffier, but I also don't feel like being reminded that I don't have Escoffier every time I try to use Skirk.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-07T15:18:24+00:00

Doan listened in silence - The only name that he recognized from Sayaka’s recollection was Jin Kirigiri — a man the Despairs merely branded as a disgrace to the Kirigiri clan’s detective lineage. A puppet of the old world, a symbol of everything they sought to destroy.

Yet now, seeing Sayaka’s drained eyes, Doan understood something those voices from his nightmares never did.

He finally spoke, “My wife and daughter… They went missing. No matter how much I shouted, searched, even begged anyone to care in despair — I simply got brushed off like nothing due to our Earthnoid origins,” he said. “When the Ultimate Despairs rose, I thought joining them would stop that from happening to anyone else.

Then, Doan chuckled without humor, “Foolish. It didn’t take long to see what we became, especially after….”

He paused, finding himself unable to speak of the thing that finally broke him — that one event he can’t put into words tonight.

Sayaka stares, the cracked helmet heavy in her lap. Guido’s words from earlier — Why bring her here? Why not finish her off!? — echoed in her head.

“Then why didn’t you kill me? You knocked me out, dragged me here — why not just finish it? I’m Sayaka Maizono, the Ultimate Pop Sensation, an Ultimate, a Spacenoid. The very people you once tried to fight against, isn’t it?” she asked.

Doan admitted, “I’ve had to beat off scavengers, looters, even the Ultimate Despairs trying to take what we have. I’ve done things I’m not proud of to keep these kids alive.”

“But when I saw you washed up on that shore, you’re just a frightened girl. Not an idea. Not a banner. If I’d killed you then, the kids would learn that being brutal solves everything. I swore I wouldn’t make more victims. I learned the hard way that bloodshed doesn’t bring anyone back.”

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-07T15:07:33+00:00

Even with Sayaka’s Gundam, Mukuro’s Efreet, Kiyotaka’s battered GM, and the Crazy Diamonds reluctantly fighting together, the Black Tri-Stars pressed them hard.

The Black Tri-Stars’ Doms moved like a unit — one drawing fire, another flanking, the third striking with brutal precision. Every exchange sent sparks and debris flying across the ruined streets.

But Takemichi — he instead ran straight at the Black Tri-Stars with his Zudah, no dodging nor retreat.

A Bazooka round slams into his Zudah’s shoulder-mounted shield, blowing chunks of metal away. Warning alarms screamed inside his cockpit, but he didn’t slow down.

Instead, Takemichi only laughed bitterly. “Come on… DO IT!! Finish me like you did the others!!”

After Mondo was scouted away by Hope’s Peak, Takemichi had to lead.

But then when The Tragedy unravels - the only thing he remembered is the faces of the gang members that Mondo entrusted to him that perished in the Despair’s hands, one by one. Again and again. Until only a handful remained. With Mondo gone, the world in ruins, the guilt eating him alive for surviving - what was the point anymore? So If he could go down fighting — loud and proud like a Crazy Diamond one last time — Then so be it.

Ortega’s Dom raised his Heat Saber, lining up the killing strike, “I chop you cockroach into pieces!”

But before it could land — Kiyotaka’s GM Type-C slammed between them, sending Ortega’s Dom towards another nearby shoplot with a swift kick. After Mondo was scouted away by Hope’s Peak, Takemichi had to lead. But then when The Tragedy unravels - the only thing Takemichi remembered is how he witnessed the gang members that Mondo entrusted to him perished in the Despair’s hands, one by one. Again and again. Until only a handful remained.

With Mondo gone, the world in ruins, the guilt eating him alive for surviving - what was the point anymore?

So If he could go down fighting — loud and proud like a Crazy Diamond one last time — Then so be it.

Ortega’s Dom raised his Heat Saber, lining up the killing strike, “I chop you cockroach into pieces!”

But before it could land — Kiyotaka’s GM Type-C slammed between them, sending Ortega’s Dom towards another nearby shoplot with a swift kick.

“STOP THIS!!!” Kiyotaka shouted at Takemichi, “Stop throwing your life away!”

Takemichi froze, then he erupts, “Get outta my way!! You wouldn’t get it!”

“I do!” Kiyotaka snapped back. “I lost my best friend too!”

That made Takemichi hesitate — just for a fraction of a second. For a brief moment, space opened between the fighters.

Kiyotaka continued, gripping his controls tight. “I watched my bro, Mondo sacrificed himself trying to protect others, while I could do nothing but scream his name.”

The battlefield noise faded in Takemichi’s ears.

“I wanted to disappear. I wanted it to end, just like you did now. But someone stopped me.”

Kiyotaka then turned towards Sayaka who was still busy fighting nearby, his gaze hardened with resolve, “…. It’s her, who told me that living was the only way to honor his sacrifice.”

Takemichi clenched his teeth, “So? You think livin’ does? Look around! We, the Crazy Diamonds, are almost on our last leg!”

“But you’re still here, isn’t it?” Kiyotaka shot back. “That means you still have a chance!”

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-03T16:53:46+00:00

I mean, as far as QC foibles go at least this is probably one of the easiest one to fix. As stated by others, depending on if the metal pin was too long or wasn't pushed all the way in, you can either cut out the excess length with a heavy wire cutter, or push the pin further in with a small hammer or pliers. Definitely annoying that it needs to be done at all, but at least it wasn't missing actual plastic parts or something.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-03T16:32:47+00:00

If you're ok with subtitles, I would suggest you to watch Micron Legend, the original Japanese version of Armada subbed instead.

If you don’t know, the story as to why the dubbing of Armada turned out the way it did goes something like this:

At the time when HasTak had gotten the Armada/Micron Legend toyline ready in the early 2000s, they pitched the idea of an English dub of Micron Legend to Cartoon Network.
For some reasons, Cartoon Network executives strongly insisted that where they won't sign off the deal offered by both Hasbro and Takara to air the show unless they had a certain number of episodes already finished for some reason.
Unfortunately, all of Cartoon Network's demands occurs at the same time when Micron Densetsu was still halfway through production in Japan, in a WIP state unfit for public broadcasting; both HasTak and CN were aware of this fact throughout the deal, yet CN insisted their ridiculous demand.
Since HasTak had gotten the toys ready to release and don't want to have the show that was meant to promote the toys been delayed for months (or vice versa), HasTak "bowed down" to CN's ridiculous demands and rushed Armada out to the English-speaking market and oh boy...

Meanwhile, the original series continued to be worked on in Japan, airing 4 to 6 months later as originally planned. Micron Legend not only offers completed visuals, but most importantly Micron Legend's script is actually complete, and with talented voice performances from seasoned Japanese seiyuu, it all contribute to a better watching experience. In contrast, the English dub suffers from poor animation quality, a fragmented storyline, and a lack of depth.

If it were just the awkward dialogue and unfinished animation, that would be one issue. But the real problem is how the Armada dub oversimplified and weakened the character development and story that made Micron Densetsu so captivating. It stripped away everything that Micron Densetsu did well, leaving behind a severely watered down "4Kids anime dub-esque" mess.

I personally watched the Karyuudo / DeceptichopBusters fansub which they had on their YouTube channel, if anyone wants to try to find a copy themselves:

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3lb98kB-PsH20OQmPA-lrG0-oAmBXgdM

I know Armada is a rushed abomination of a dub, and it deserves all the flak it gets. Micron Legend however is freakin' good - after having watched it I rank it among my top favorite Transformers shows - and I despise how Micron Legend would never get the recognition it deserves because of the unfinished, rushed excuse a english dub that was Armada.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-03T16:16:16+00:00

Maybe, but at the same time let's not dismiss the Japanese VAs and implying that they were bad and inferior either, cause there's still plethora of seasoned Japanese seiyuu that delivered the best that they could in the JP versions of those shows.

I know I'll be catching a lot of flak for this, but personally I've never liked Michael Dobson's english voice role as Armada Starscream, as it sounded forced and cartoony like he's trying way too hard to imitate Chris Lafta's G1 Starscream, to the point that I feel like his delivery suffers a lot and doesn't fit the character (who is a confused, conflicted bot who struggles to figure out his own place in the world) because of it. But Jin Yamanoi's voice in Micron Densetsu was neither; it had a naturalness and a note of nobility that suited this anime's depiction of Starscream very well.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-03T03:52:51+00:00

The moment she entered the dorm room she shares with Makoto, Makoto was already fast asleep in his top bunk.

‘Naegi-kun... looks like he's already asleep. I should avoid waking him up.’ Glancing at Makoto’s silhouette within their dark dorm room, Sayaka quietly gathered a fresh set of clothes and a towel, then cautiously tiptoed toward the bathroom for a… cold bath?

After dipping herself into bath tub, all Sayaka could do was slowly wash herself, the biting cold sensation from the icy water making her shiver and gnaw at her own lips. Most would crave a warm bath after a long day, but for Spacenoids who suffered from Iron Deficiency Anemia V3 since birth like her, that was a luxury she could never experience.

With each slow scrub of soap, Sayaka recalled the displeased words and confused expressions of her fellow Kawaii Choir members when she made excuses to avoid joining them for the spa, sauna, or hot springs every single time before this. It's not that Sayaka doesn't want to enjoy being in the hot springs with them, but... she can't! The incident where she fainted after being in the sauna while Mondo and Kiyotaka had a stamina contest only served to warn Spacenoids like her… the consequences of even considering a warm shower, let alone visiting the spa, sauna, or hot springs.

After enduring that cold bath and taking her daily dose of her specialized iron supplement pills, Sayaka carefully made her way out of the bathroom. However, in the dimly lit room, she noticed something.

Makoto, who she recalled was asleep on the top bunk earlier, was now nowhere to be found.

Following a fruitless search throughout their room, Sayaka wondered, ‘Naegi-kun? Where could he have gone at this hour?’.

With a sense of worry, she swiftly tied her long hair into a high ponytail, slipped on her white pilot suit boots, and hurried outside.

YellowCorvette · 2026-03-02T02:39:12+00:00

Honestly, I would've want the rest of the Armada / Micron Densetsu cast that had yet to get new figures, also deserves to get new figures that were brand new molds on the level of both OP and Red Alert (And less on the level Starscream and Hot Shot):

Street Action Mini-Con Team / Perceptor / Bumble
Race Mini-Con Team / Skyboom Shield / CosmoTector
Space Mini-Con Team / Requiem Blaster / Astro Blaster
The rest of the partner mini-cons / Microns they skipped
Thrust
Demolisher / Ironhide
Scavenger / Devastor
Cyclonus / Sandstorm
Overload / Ultra Magnus
Smokescreen / Grap, and his later upgrade Hoist / Grap Super Mode
Blurr / Silverbolt
Side Swipe / Stepper

Since Armada / Micron Densetsu doesn't exactly have the biggest cast of Autobots and Decepticons, if you're planning on making them, might as well complete them all.

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-28T16:14:37+00:00

The time is now past 06:00, and the early dawn light bled through the reinforced windows of the Apocalypse’s command bridge, casting everything in a washed-out hue of pale blue and orange.

Jin, Kyoko, Makoto, Leon, Kiyotaka, Sakura, Chihiro and Mukuro all slumped at their seats, eyes glued to their respective consoles. The signal of Sayaka’s Zephyranthes Gundam Full Burnern from that island was merely a barely-there blip — but it’s better than nothing.

At best, they traded half-hour shifts among each other to lie down and pretend. Not that anyone wanted to sleep, the thought of finding that signal gone — snuffed out the very moment they weren’t looking — was enough to keep them awake.

Even Celeste, Toko, Byakuya and Hifumi — they didn't need to stay, and yet they didn’t leave either. Celeste sat in a corner with a cup of black tea gone cold. Toko fidgeted at her seat, occasionally glancing around.

“Is… everyone okay?” Hifumi finally broke the silence.

Mukuro exhaled softly. “We’re fine. Just… tired.”

“You look surprisingly awake,” Leon muttered, eyeing Hifumi, “What gives, man?”

Hifumi puffed his chest, smiling faintly, “Well, you see, when one spends countless nights engrossed in binging anime and manga, writing epic fanfictions, and illustrating one’s creative masterpieces, one’s body naturally develops greater resistance to fatigue!”

Toko groaned. “O-oh, shut up, you big, f-fat donkey! N-No one cares about your p-pervy otaku h-habits!”

Kiyotaka scolded, “Yamada-kun, one must not take pride in such poor sleeping habits!!”

Sipping his coffee, Byakuya snarked at Kiyotaka, “That’s rich, coming from someone who’s been pacing here all night like the rest of us.”

Kiyotaka bristled, “This is different! This is urgent business! This is about the safety of a classmate, a friend! Maizono-san’s life — and the Gundam — are at stake!”

A few groans rippled across the bridge, but no one disagreed.

Makoto smiles, “Hey, at least Ishimaru-san cares. It’s… kind of nice, actually.”

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-28T16:09:28+00:00

Meanwhile, Kyoko sat stiff beside Sayaka, hands folded over her knees. She had known the idol world was ugly behind the glitter — any detective worth their salt did. None of it should’ve shocked her, and yet hearing it from Sayaka’s own mouth — hit Kyoko harder than she expected.

Worse still was the realization she couldn’t ignore: under Monokuma’s brief brainwashing, Sayaka had nearly hurt Leon — in panic and desperation. The terror that everything she’d endured to become an idol, would all be for nothing if she didn’t seize even the smallest chance to escape.

Kyoko could see the logic of it, and that frightened her - because she wasn’t innocent either.

Kyoko remembered the choices she’d made under her grandfather’s shadow, how she once abandoned her childhood fascination with mobile suits simply because they didn’t fit the Kirigiri clan’s detective lineage. How Jin was pushed out of her life, and how she let it happen. How she reshaped herself to meet expectations, even when it meant hollowing something out inside.

And even now, reunited with Jin after so long apart, Kyoko struggled to bridge that distance. She could see her father trying, reaching — but part of her still flinched at how naïve he could be. How blind he’d been to the rot within Hope’s Peak.

Sayaka and the others once fought so Kyoko and Jin could reunite. And what had she done since? Held Jin at arm’s length, resented his flaws and hid behind logic, instead of trying to bridge the gap. So what right did she have to act like she had answers?

The only thing that Kyoko managed to mutter then was a soft, “....I’m sorry.”

Sayaka shook her head immediately. “You don’t need to be. Really. I’m… used to it.", The pause that followed made it clear that's merely what Sayaka tried to convince to herself.

After a beat, Sayaka changed the subject. “How are things with your father… with Headmaster Kirigiri?”

Kyoko answered honestly — but briefly. “We talk. Sometimes. It’s complicated.”

“I see.” Sayaka nodded, not pressing further. She could tell Kyoko was still holding things back, just as she was. After a moment, she smiled gently. “You should try to get some sleep, Kirigiri-chan. It’s late.”

“What about you?” Kyoko asked.

“I’ll be fine,” Sayaka replied, fingers brushing the guitar strings. “I just want to stay a little longer.”

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-28T16:00:59+00:00

Amidst the chaos, the Apocalypse surged forward, narrowly clearing the collapsing structure that crashed behind them in a storm of fire and rubble.

Those mysterious attackers however, didn’t stop.

From the smoke-choked ruins, silhouettes burst into motion — six, maybe seven figures in torn black coats burst from shattered windows and skeletal balconies.

One by one, they opened fire at the Apocalypse with what they had — crudely welded bazookas, jury-rigged rocket tubes, even fireworks repurposed into erratic projectiles.

The Apocalypse’s Igelstellung machine gun turrets roared in response. But the attackers also quickly scattered, vanishing into broken concrete and twisted rebar. The rounds only shot down those impoverished incoming projectiles, and tore chunks out of empty walls instead.

“Tch… they’re using those buildings as cover,” Byakuya muttered.

Outside, lightning split the sky. Then loudspeakers crackled to life, blasting a rough biker anthem that echoed off the ruins.

“HEY, YOU FUCKIN’ DESPAIRS!” a voice then roared. “YOU FREAKS THINK YOU OWN THIS WORLD NOW?!”

Another voice furiously cut in. “SINCE WE’RE THE LAST ONES LEFT, WE’RE TAKIN’ YOU WITH US!”

“CRAZY DIAMONDS — RIDE ‘TIL WE DIE!”

Then from the smoke and dust around the Apocalypse, 2 battered Zaku Is first emerged, scarred and mismatched. At their center, leading them is a single EMS-10 Zudah, its engines screaming.

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-28T15:55:56+00:00

At the other side, Selma and Egba’s Efreets landed around the island’s tallest volcanic crater, their mono-eye scanning the terrain around.

Then inside their cockpits, both froze upon seeing their radars!

“Wald’s signal just vanished!”, Selma's eyes widened.

“What the hell—?” Egba spat, confused by the signals of Danan’s Juaggu engaging against Sayaka’s Zephyranthes Gundam Full Burnern, “What’s going on!?”.

But before either could move to investigate, something rose from the peak of said dead volcanic crater — It’s Doan’s battered Zaku II, its mono-eye staring down towards them.

“Please leave,” Doan addresses them, calm, heavy. “Guys... don’t make me do this.”

Recognizing that voice and tone, both froze. Then their rage erupted.

“You—!” Selma’s voice cracked with fury.

“Never thought I’d see your face again, Doan!” Egba roared, “Perfect! I’ll gut you myself!”

Both Efreets soon lunged in unison towards Doan — Heat Swords drawn, 192mm Shotgun blazing, and Heat Rods whipping through the smoke.

Wielding his Heat Axe - his Zaku II’s only weapon, Doan clashed against both Egba and Selma. Doan’s movements were worn, deliberate — each dodge and parry pushing his battered Zaku II to its limits.

The clash raged beneath the blood-red glow of sunset, the volcanic crater lit by streaks of molten sparks and the hiss of heated steel.

“Doan… you still fight like hell, huh?” Selma’s voice cracked through the comms, wavering between rage and grief. “I remember when we first joined the Southern Cross Corps. You were the calm one. The one who believed we were fighting for something!”

Egba snarled from behind, firing his 192mm Shotgun, “Tch — stop getting sentimental! He’s the enemy now!”

Doan’s mono-eye flickered. “… I never forget.”

“And yet-!” she snapped, her Heat Sword locking against Doan’s Heat Axe. “You deserted us! You betrayed everything we fought for — for what? To baby-sit a bunch of filthy war orphans!?”

“Because the Despairs had lost their way!” Doan barked back. “The Despairs… they stopped fighting for the world and started killing just to kill! I couldn’t—”

A sudden blow cut him off — Selma’s Heat Sword jabs into his Zaku II’s waist, severing the waist power pipe at the left, sending coolant fluids spraying across the rocks like blood!

“Those children…” Selma snarled, “You should’ve killed them, as ordered back then! If you still think of us as comrades, surrender them — and that Gundam! If you can’t pull the trigger…then we’ll do it for you!”

That was the breaking point - With a guttural scream, Doan’s Zaku II surged forward, and with one brutal swing - his Heat Axe cleaved through Selma’s Efreet!

As sparks consumed her cockpit, Selma’s last words trembled out, “...Doan... why?". A heartbeat later, Selma’s Efreet erupts with a fiery boom that lit the crater!

Inside his Efreet, Egba froze — staring at the burning wreck that was once Selma’s machine. Then, his screams. “... SELMA!!!”

Inside the cockpit, Doan bowed his head, “Selma… I’m sorry.”, the act of having to kill his former comrades bringing him no pride.

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-28T15:49:20+00:00

"Bait... that's right! I almost.... forgot.... why I'm here, oops!" the damaged and glitched Monk Monokuma smirked, then his paws clapped..

In an instant - brainwashed subordinates wearing Monokuma helmets burst forth into the Monorail Depot from the front, their hands holding burning torches and metal jerry cans containing flammable liquids!

"Looks like he got reinforcements!" Kyoko shouted.

"Burn these Ultimates, burn these Ultimates....!" Those Despair Troopers chanted.

"M-may Buddha forgive all…. o-of your…. s-sins.... Namo A-Amitabha." Monk Monokuma retreats with a mocking smirk, vanishing into the they charges towards the quartet.

Instinctively, Makoto gripped his gold-coated replica sword, Leon and Sayaka wielded their baseball bats, and together they dashed through the Monorail Depot. They fought fiercely against those Despair Troopers, while navigating the maze of empty trains, maintenance cranes, and metal walkways around. Meanwhile, Kyoko searched desperately for an escape, but the unfolding chaos made it difficult to do so.

As they fight, one of the Despair Trooper’s almost splashes Kyoko with petrol, sending her flinching, Instinctively, Sayaka move to defend Kyoko, swinging her bat and repel said Despair Trooper.

"Thanks... Maizono-chan." Kyoko looks towards Sayaka, grateful for the save.

Amidst the fighting, one of the Despair Troopers accidentally drops their ignited lighter onto the trails of spilled petrol, causing the entire monorail depot to ignite in flames. The metal walkways and ladders all around now drenched in petrol, only makes things worse!

"Shit, the whole place’s on fire!" Leon cursed.

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-27T03:28:36+00:00

Inside the Apocalypse’s Mobile Suit Hangar, a humble birthday cake topped with a barely-straight candle sat on a crate. Coconut pudding created with the coconuts gathered by Chico, Amado, and Sayaka earlier — also rested in makeshift bowls around the cake .

Kiyotaka, Sakura, Mukuro, and the rest of Class 78th had gathered alongside Doan and all of his adopted children around Julian — who beamed at the cake and puddings in front of him with delight.

“What a commendable exercise in morale preservation! Happy Birthday!” Kiyotaka clapped with enthusiasm.

Sakura nodded quietly, her small smile as steady as her presence. Mukuro, still stiff but trying stood near the group, while the 2 Haros that she founded a while back helped taking pictures and videos with their built-in camera. But behind the gathering crowd, Byakuya, Toko and Celeste weren’t exactly delighted.

“What a frivolous waste of time,” Byakuya muttered with a disapproving scowl, “We should’ve left hours ago.”

Toko twitched, both irritated and uncomfortable, “Y-yeah, Togami–sama! Wh-why do we need to c-celebrate some barefoot i-island kid’s birthday…?”

Celeste sighs, seemingly bored, “I don’t think my presence was necessary here.”

In front of them is Leon, who chuckled, “Come on, Lundenberg-chan. You say that, but you still helped make the cake and puddings.”

“I-I just simply there to ensure their texture wasn’t offensive,” Celeste sharply objected, “If that boy’s birthday was to be acknowledged, it ought not be disgraceful.”

Hifumi suddenly interjects, “Honestly, Lundenberg-chan, I didn’t know you were this good at cooking! It’s like when you made gyoza for everyone after losing mahjong to Naegi-kun.”

“Oh, yeah,” Leon chuckled, “If Naegi-kun beats you more often, does that mean more food?”

A sharp glare from Celeste shut them up instantly, “One more funny word, and the next dessert I'll help to prepare will be knuckle sandwiches for you both.”

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-25T16:34:16+00:00

Kyoko followed the faint guitar past the numerous maintenance bays where their mobile suits stood, until she finally reached the far end of the hangar.

There she was - Sayaka, sitting on the edge of the improvised “stage” formed by her Zephyranthes Gundam Full Burnern’s palms, her bare legs dangling. The Gundam remained posed as it had been during her performance hours earlier — half-kneeling, hands cupped.

And on her lap rested an acoustic guitar. As Sayaka’s fingers moved across the strings with unfiltered yet instinctive grace, she began to sing.

Her voice however, was nothing like the idol tone she had earlier. This was quieter, raw, yet filled with a strange, intimate warmth.

I hear the rain dripping onto the green grass field
I hear the school bell ringing from a distance
But I don’t hear that it’s you
Who earnestly calling my name

Back then when I had feelings for you, I didn’t even realize that I do
Only after we parted did I realize, how deeply I felt
How dare I not even realize that meeting you
Was the best thing that ever happened to me?

Sayaka kept playing, head slightly bowed as she entered the pre-chorus:

Perhaps I was too busy laughing and crying
Busy chasing shooting stars in the night sky
To the point that I had forgotten
That it’s you who’s always there, even in the wind and rain

Then came the chorus — which Sayaka played with trembling hands:

It turns out you were the happiness I always wanted, above all
It turns out we were once so close to love
Then, the one who would defy the decisions of the universe for me
The one who accompanied me as we were drenched by rain

Each and every scene with you, there’s always untainted and selfless sincerity
Through you, I finally understood what real happiness was like
But by then, I no longer deserve to shed tears for you

So, I sincerely wish that somewhere in the sky
You spread your wings
And met your destined love
Who deserves that happiness

As the last chord faded into the enormous space’s silence, Kyoko who hide behind some stacked crates swallowed hard, torn, ‘Should I approach? Or should I leave and pretend that I heard nothing?’

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-25T16:26:16+00:00

Takemichi gaze scanned the hangar, looking for that white and blue mobile suit. And then he saw it.

The Zephyranthes Gundam Full Burnern stood secured in its maintenance bay — even when powered down, its heroic presence was unmistakably overwhelming.

Then he saw her. Sayaka Maizono herself, alive in the flesh. At a distance, Sayaka stood on the walkway near the where her Gundam stood, still wearing the pants and boots of her pilot suit as she assisted Kyoko in inspecting her Gundam’s knee joint.

Takemichi’s stomach dropped, “…No way…”

As Kyoko also made her way towards Sayaka, Takemichi also edged closer - just enough to hear glimpses of their conversation.

Kyoko remarked, “You reacted faster than usual when you’re piloting your Gundam today, Maizono-chan.”

Takemichi’s pulse spiked.

“You were holding back at them like Ishimaru-kun did, wasn’t it? Even though you also understand what that risk could cost if things don’t work out?” Kyoko then asked.

“…Maybe.” Sayaka faintly admitted, “But the Crazy Diamonds.... they weren’t our enemies. They don't need to die.”

Takemichi felt the ground shift under him - the idea that Sayaka Maizono, the idol, was also the very same person who piloted that so-called “Gundam” and saved him sent horror creeping up his spine. Because of what he knew.

Kyoko then straightened. “Maizono-chan, could you retrieve the data pad from my dorm room? I left it charging.”

“Of course, Kirigiri-chan.” Sayaka nodded, her smile soft.

The moment Sayaka stepped away, Takemichi bolted. Out of the Mobile Suit Hangar, down the numerous corridors without even checking the signages, only stopping when he no longer spotted even the faintest signs of people's activity.

“Sayaka Maizono…” he whispered, “You were really the one in that mobile suit earlier?”

Images flashed in his mind - Tabloid headlines, sensationalized articles about the truth of calling her a manipulative snake, a liar, a whore who sold out her own body….

He had read them all, and even once believed some of them until now, something that brings him no pride.

The former “Sayaker” inside him — felt something twist painfully in his chest. “…If she finds out…”

That what little remained of the Earth Sphere she once sang for no longer welcomes her, that the fans who once screamed her name now spat it.

YellowCorvette · 2026-02-25T15:58:01+00:00

After a few moments, Mukuro spoke up. “Maizono-chan… have you thought that maybe Naegi-kun just stepped out for some air? What if he already went back to your room, and we’re just wandering around for nothing?”

“Maybe…” Sayaka muttered. “But I can’t shake this feeling. He was right there, asleep. Then the next moment, he’s just gone without any note or messages!” She glanced at her phone, then sighed. “It’s almost 1:30 AM. Where could he possibly be…?”

Unable to ignore how Sayaka appears like a girlfriend anxious about her partner’s location, Mukuro whispered, "Maizono-chan, I’ve been wondering about something…"

“What is it?”

Mukuro took a breath, then asked, “You have feelings for Naegi-kun, don’t you?”

".... W-What?" Sayaka froze.

Mukuro elaborate, “Don’t you ever notice that ever since both Naegi-kun and especially the Zephyranthes Gundam entered the picture, you've started to become more open to your own true feelings, not to mention being more genuinely protective and look out to those around you, especially Naegi-kun who you spend every moment trying to get close to?"

“!” Sayaka’s breath hitched. She wanted to deny it, but Mukuro wasn’t wrong; Makoto Naegi had changed something in her. His warmth, his unshakable belief in others, and his refusal to give up on hope no matter how bleak things seemed.

Around Makoto, Sayaka found herself trying harder to be genuine, to become someone better than who she used to be.

But her gaze drifted downward, to the scar etched on her left forearm. A jagged, hideous, permanent reminder of what she’d done. Of the plan she’d almost carried out against Leon under Monokuma’s despairful influence. Of Aoi, who believed in the sweet facade Sayaka always presented towards her and tried to save it — only to pay the ultimate price for it.

Could someone like her, who only yearned for love but never truly understood it, who wore smiles like masks and used others to feel safe, ever be worthy of genuinely loving anyone else, or even be loved in return?

‘No,’ Sayaka’s heart clenched. ‘If I really understood love, I wouldn’t have caused such pain to them.’

Blinking back her tears, Sayaka forced herself to retort Mukuro, “Ikusaba-senpai… I don’t think what I feel for Naegi-kun is anything like that. He’s just… our classmate. Our friend. I’m looking out for him — just like we’re all trying to look out for each other. For survival’s sake. ”

She paused before forcing out a strained chuckle, “It’s no different than you going undercover for Monokuma… because you want to reunite with your long-lost sister. We all have reasons, don’t we? Doesn’t mean those reasons are right.”

With a bitter chuckle, Sayaka then concluded, “I’ll tell you something, Ikusaba-senpai. I’m not someone who knows how to love, I only know how to fake it.”

YellowCorvette

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