SHANGRI-LA Volume 1

A-000000
Story: As the result of global warming and a radical afforestation program, Tokyo takes a turn for the worse, becoming the inhuman hellhole known as Shangri-La. An organ from the central government as well as a portion of the wealthiest classes migrate to an artificial land, the multi-storied superdreadnought [tn: That's a warship.] Atlas. Meanwhile, those who were left on the ground barricade themselves into the Cathedral, a gigantic slum-like town, resisting a furious nature's advance as well as pressure from the government...

Caption: The comic's 1st volume!! A new world as you've never seen before, drawn in a tempestuous style!

001
*KABOOM*
Voice: A prisoner restrained in the isolation quarter for criminals of critical importance has broken out./The escapee is a vicious terrorist.//And is to be shot down on sight. I repeat:/The escapee is to be killed on sight.

002-003
Scenario: Ikegami Eiichi
Art: Karasuma Tasuku
SHANGRI-LA

005
Radio: We have just received some information according to which...//Early this morning, Houjou Kuniko (18), the to-be leader of the anti-governmental organization Metal Age.../has escaped her reform school for young females in Kantou.

006
Radio: As of now, the police is actively pursuing the investigation....../Now the weather broadcast for the first level.

007
*vrooom*
Radio: Today the temperature will reach a 41 degrees maximum...//Making it the 90 consecutive day of tropical climate.//Not unlike what occurred last year.
Takehiko: THIS FOREST IS SAFE, MY ASS!!/EH, KUSANAGI-SAAAN.
Kusanagi: We've escaped our pursuer, haven't we, sir?
Takehiko: SAY WHAT?/IF WE HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING.........
Kusanagi: I'm not too fond of the forest either!! Please be patient.

008
Takehiko: PATIENT...?/TO HELL WITH THAAAAT.

009
Kusanagi: Wwaah.
Takehiko: KUSANAGI, DO SOMETHING.
Kusanagi: Could you please keep quiet for a minute?!!!
Takehiko: AAAUUUUUGH.//Di... Did we make it?
Kusanagi: .......

010
Kusanagi&Takehiko: !!!
Takehiko: Bloody hell... It's flying.//HEY. THA HELL IS IT DOING?!!!//I will protect our leader...

011
Takehiko: YA SON OF A BIIIITCH*SBOM*
*bah*
Beardie: Gahahahah.//IN YOUR FACE/LOUSY INSECT...

012
Kusanagi: No way... That was an antitank round.
Takehiko: ... Fracking asshole.//THA HELL'S YER BODY MADE OOOF?
Kuniko: Continue to Ookubo Avenue./Once there, turn right.
Kusanagi: But ahead from there...
Kuniko: Do it.

015
Kuniko: Sorry I ruined your garden.//I'm about to return home, and it's been a couple of years./Forgive me.
Takehiko: I'm relieved we could make it this far!!!/The government's assassins should be no problem!!//We'll get out of Shinjuku forest straight to the Cathedral, Ma'am.
Kuniko: Good.

016
Kusanagi: For my part/it's gonna be one less thing I need to worry about.
Kuniko: Hey you.//You're so stiff it's almost painful./Take me on your back.
Kusanagi: ... Kuniko-san./You may be Cathedral leader in name only, but all the same.//It would be embarassing.
Kuniko: Oh noooes. It's embahrusshiiing. Now move it.
Kusanagi: Why me?
Kuniko: Blame your driving skills.
Takehiko: START WALKING NOW. NIGHT IS COMING.

017
Wall: Welcome to the Cathedral.
Takehiko: WAKE THE HELL UP!!!//BEHOLD KUNIKO-SAMA'S MAGNIFICENT, TRIUMPHAL RETURN.//THIS IS GONNA DO THE GUERRILLA A LOT OF GOOD, YEAH?!!!
Kusanagi: How did I... end up like this...
Takehiko: ATTENTION PLEASE!!/JUST ONE MORE MINUTE!!!
Kusanagi: !!!

018
Crowd: KUNIKO-SAMA/WELCOME HOME.
Kusanagi: ...Wha/What's going on...
Takehiko: You've kept the lads waiting.
Kusanagi: Kuniko-sama.../We have arrived...//Duh?//WWWAAAAAH
Crowd: It's Kuniko-sama/Welcome, Kuniko-sama./Welcome.
Takehiko: OH, SHIT. NOT AGAAAAAAIIIIN

019
Kuniko: I'm back, Cathedral.//?!!
Momoko (Momoka's cousin?, LOL): It's been a while, Kuniko...

020
Momoko: You've become quite the celebrity./Now that you're back to Cathedral, it's only fitting that you greet me, the great Momoko-sama first thing, isn't it?
Takehiko: FUCK YOUUU MOMOKOOOOOO.

021
Momoko: Ahahaha.
Kuniko: Waaah.
Momoko: Is that all you can do?!!//Is that our leader? Don't make me laugh.
Kuniko: !!!//Waaaaaaah.
Momoko: ... Maybe I should.../make you suffer a little bit.

022
Kuniko: ... You haven't changed, Momoko./You're as pretty as ever.//Drag queens really don't age, I see. [tn: The term "okama" is ambiguous, in that it can mean "gay" or merely "male transvestite".]
Momoko: Tha... That's right. I'm an eternal 28-year-old.//But that's not the point./I don't want you to get in harm's way.
Kuniko: It's okay. /I'm your disciple, after all.
Momoko: Wai... Kuni......

023
Kuniko: I'm back./Momoko.
Momoko: .....Welcome home./Kuniko.

024
Takehiko: RETURN KUNIKO-SAMA TO US./WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER........
Momoko: ...... Responsible?//You guys... responsible for her, yes?/Now that's rich.//Lemme seeee.
Kuniko: Wah.
Momoko: Make sure you're unhurt./Oh, my. You're still an A-cup.//If she has even the tiniest scratch on her, say your prayers.
Takehiko: Wha?!! Say what?
Momoko: And what if I were an assassin...?/What would you do?

025
Momoko: YOU GUYS ARE WORTHLESS AS BODYGUARDS!!/I'M NOT GONNA LEAVE MY PRECIOUS LITTLE GIRL BETWEEN YOUR HANDS!!!//By the way, Takehiko.
Kuniko: Yikes.
Spider?: !!
Momoko: Can you tell me something?//Who does a nubile girl need most? A mother or a father?
Takehiko: Like hell I'd know.//YOU BITCH-ASS FAG.
Momoko: ... Precisely.

026
Momoko: A "FAG" CAN BE BOTH
Kuniko: Eeeek./Auuuugh.
Momoko: Now, Kuniko.
Kuniko: !!!
Momoko: Let's start training right away!!

027
Momoko: Follow me as if your life depended on it!!!/HOHOHOHOHOHO.
Kuniko: Move out the waaaaaayyyy.
Bycicle: Oh?!!
Kuniko: Eeeeep./?!
Seller: Welcome.
Momoko: A helping please.*twang*
Momoko: Ack.
Seller: Yes. Coming.
Kuniko: ....Ah.
Momoko: Not half bad......../Kuniko.......

028-029
Sayoko: ... Indeed...//History had lost trace of this for a very long time./The Mirror of Yata. The real article...//Now the day she'll be allowed under the sun is close at hand./Mikuni-sama shall be most pleased.
Mutant: Hahaa.
Sayoko: Which reminds me/Your Atlas rank is a D, isn't it?

030
Sayoko: As a reward I'm going to promote you./You are now a C-rank.
*beep*
Mutant: !!!
Sayoko: Now your life should be a lot easier.
Mutant: I... I'm so happy. Thank you...!!!
Sayoko: Look up. Show Mikuni-sama how happy you really are.......//The ground is so hot it can't be good for your health.
Mutant: Whe... when I think of you, Mikuni-sama...//I feel like my loving reverence to you.../would sustain me even on the hell that is the ground level.

031
Sayoko: ...What did I hear...?
Mutant: Huh?
Sayoko: ... I'm dumping your sorry ass to G-rank... With your eyes gone you won't notice when you're brought down to the ground.//ASSWIPE...
Mutant: Aaaaah.
Sayoko: DON'T YOU SPEAK OF LOVE TO MIKUNI-SAMA. LOUSY DRUDGE.

032
Mutant: SPA... SPARE ME......
Sayoko: A lowborn such as yourself has no business voicing such words.
Mutant: Hic.//I'll do anything./Please, I'm begging you.
Sayoko: Ever since she was born./Mikuni-sama's had such a poor health she couldn't go outside.//She's never been to ground level. Tell her of things she doesn't know./If it proves worthwhile....../I'll consider letting you live.
Mutant: I... I can't s...

033
Sayoko: MIKUNI-SAMA...*BONK*[tn: Everyone in this series seems to be fond of speaking very loudly.]
Sayoko: My wretched self is to blame/for allowing such an individual in your presence.*bash bash bash*
Servant: Eeek.
Sayoko: I can offer nothing but my life to make up for my sin.
Servant: Sayoko-sama./Sayoko-sama, please stop this!!!

034
Sayoko: Now that the Mirror of Yata is between your hands...//The day when the 2 remaining Treasures fall within your grasp/that day is nigh. [tn: Together, the Mirror of Yata, the Sword of Kusanagi and the Yasakani no Magatama necklace are the Sacred Treasures, or Japanese imperial regalia. Tradition has it these objects come straight ouf of mythology.]
Sayoko: Someday, Mikuni-sama/will extend her rule upon this country.
Servant: Sayoko-sama?!
Sayoko: Even if my body falls apart. Even if I'm reduced to a mere strand of hair...

035
Sayoko: Without fail, I, Sayoko/shall bring you along to a pacified land.

036
Kid: Good mooorniiing!!!
Woman: Yep. Have a good day.*KABOOM*

037
Hippo: Furnace number 8: 80% operational. Carbon emission over 120%.
Hippo's shoulder: Kuniko *heart*
Takehiko: STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!//I NEED MORE HEAT//Kuniko-sama back/No more quarter.//LET'S SHOW ONE THING OR TWO/TO THOSE ATLAS GOVERNMENT RASCALS!!!!

038
Kid: Mister.//Say, mister./You're a soldier, aren't you? So where's your weapon?
Kusanagi: ....... Aren't you a sharp one./I don't need a weapon.
Kid: Whoa.//OOOOOOOOH.
Kusanagi: Now I may not look like it
Kid: Awesum
Kusanagi: but I'm quite busy myself.//... I've got a lot on my plate...

039
Kuniko: ... YAAAAWWWN.../...... Ah?
Kid: There's smoke, look!!
Other kid: The furnace has been lit up.
Kuniko: Uuuuh..../What a ruckus...
Kid: Hey, hey, Kuniko-sama./Let's eat breakfast together pleaaaaaaase!!!

040
Kuniko: Seconds please!!
Miiko: Not so fast!!! Kuniko!!!/You do have the money, don't you?!!
Kids: Ooooooooh.
Kuniko: Ah, yeah. It's been pretty noisy.
Miiko: That's right./They're resuming the heat production!!//During those two years when you were taken as a hostage.../Things have been pretty tough here, what with the regulations and oppression...

041
Miiko: That's why/everyone's been expecting you.//By the way. Here!!!/Momoko-nee-san took great care of this!!
Kuniko: Gnat'ch my...
Miiko: You're going to lead us all/So how about you put something on?

042
Miiko: Waaait, Kunikoooo./Take your Miiko-Special lunchbox with you.
Kuniko: Oh./That's very thoughtful of you. Now what could it......... OH, THE SMELL!!!
Miiko: That's one's for freeloading in my restaurant. Feeeel my wraaaath...

043
*VLAM*
Kuniko: ?!!
Miiko: Wha?!/What the heck?!//That's my shop's signboard!!!
Kuniko: Miiko, take care of the kids!!
Miiko: Wait. Kuniko?!!

044
Kuniko: My uniform...

045
Kuniko: !!!
Takehiko: I SEE YOU'RE UNHARMED, KUNIKO-SAMA!!!//?!!//I was wondering when I'd get to see you... I can't believe an assassin from Atlas has slipped into our ranks...../... That's gotta be the biggest mistake in my whole life.
Kusanagi: At first I thought I'd just let it slide. But it turns out you are indeed a thread, my lady.

046
Kusanagi: The ground level here has no future./Today, this is the end for you, and for the Cathedral.
Takehiko: KUSANAGIIIII/YOU AAAASSHOOOOOLE!!!! [tn: LOL, "Boisterous" doesn't even begin to describe the man.]

047
Takehiko: Heh./In yer freakin' f...//face...?!!//Agh.

048
Kuniko: WATCH OOOOOOOOUUUUUT!!!
Takehiko: Gasp
Kuniko: That was faster than I expected./I thought you'd take a bit more time to size me up...
Kusanagi: ......./You live up to your name...

049
Kusanagi: Just as I thought. Your continued existence/will usher in calamity someday.//I shall take your life here and now./Kuniko-san.

050
Kuniko: Oooh?!!
Kusanagi: (She dodged it?!!/No way...)
Kuniko: Whaddayaknow? You've become a pretty good shot.
Kusanagi: (She must have lucked out)

051
Kusanagi: ........ How about/now we get serious? .......
Kuniko: ....../He's gone?!!//Wow.//Aah./That was a close call.//Uh?

052
Kuniko: ?!!//ACK.
Kusanagi: Did I get her?! Regardless, she can't have avoided my knives a third time...//After all, no one comes anywhere close to me in speed........

053
Kusanagi: ... Wh. Wha

054
Kuniko: You sir/have piqued my interest.
Kusanagi: (Silent assassination...//is the cornerstone of my fighting style.../Which means open confrontation would be the epitome of foolishness./... Despite this)

055
Kusanagi: (When I try to go for her openings/My body won't listen/my legs are shaking//... Could it be...//ABJECT FEAR?!!)
Kuniko: If I win, I'll make you my underling.

056
Kuniko: Cuz Takehiko is way too boooooriiiing.//You're a sharp one. That's gotta be more fun.
Kusanagi: .....//I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here.../I'll have to retreat for a little while...
Kuniko: AH. NOT AGAIN!!!//?!!
Kusanagi: We shall meet again......
Kuniko: Make sure you catch this.

057
Kuniko: My fist will send you/straight to La-Laland
Kusanagi: .....//... Too bad. But once I've erased my presence, it's impossible even for an animal to detect me...

058-059
Kusanagi: BWARGL

060
Kusanagi: .....!!!/ACK!!!!
Kuniko: Ah. You're still alive.//By the way./You lose. Now you're my underling.
Kusanagi: Gah.//Even with you hostage, the only reason this district hasn't been wiped out/is because the government didn't feel like it.

061
Kusanagi: And now/playtime is over.//This town has been overlooked out of sheer luck.//But now that you've renounced your duty as an hostage/the government will regard the Cathedral as an enemy location.
Kuniko: Ah.

062
Kuniko: Wah!!!
Kusanagi: You brought this upon yourself.

063
Kusanagi: The Atlas Government has issued a decree against the Cathedral, as well as Metal Age./The whole area shall be disarmed, and the unlawful habitations evacuated.//... Without you around, the Cathedral is but an incoherent mass...
Kuniko: Momoko always told me...
Kusanagi: ?!!
Kuniko: When a drag cross-dresses.//It's not to conceal himself./It's preparation to appear in his greatest glory//And against those who can't even manage to fight one-on-one.

064
Kuniko: Houjou Kuniko won't hide./Houjou Kuniko won't flee.

065
Kuniko: I'll take you on whenever you want.
Kusanagi: ....../.......Kof...//Very well.
Kuniko: I swear when I get my hands upon you.../HEY THERE. WAIT...

067
Kuniko: Waaah.
*rubble rubble*
Kuniko: That was a cheap trick, Kusanagiiiii.
Man: Kunikooo.
Takehiko: Kuniko-samaaaa.
Kuniko: NEXT TIME WE MEET/IT'S GONNA BE YOUR FUNERAL!!!

068
Ryouko: ... Just now./... That was a bombardment. By the anti-aircraft artillery.......//I guess that means someone's been beaten./What was the name again? Eeeeeerm.//No matter. There's no point in learning the name of a loser./Things are pretty much working in my favor.

069
Ryouko (Man, getting raped in JUNK really messed her up!): Now it's time for me, Ryouko-sama/to start having some fun.

071
Dude: Kuniko-sama/huff/huff/Kuniko-sama//Hey/Do you know where Kuniko-sama is?!!
Fatso: What's your problem?
Dude: Please. It's an emergency.
Fatso: I don't know a thing!!
Dude: I...
Fatso: ?!!

072
Fatso: Hagh.
Ryouko: You don't even know where your leader is./Useless ground-dwellers.

073
Ryouko: Oh, well. Even looking for her should be quite an amusement.//I hope I can see you soon./Houjou Kuniko.

074
Radio: The government offers a ￥100.000.000 prize for Houjou Kuniko (18)/The vicious criminal is currently in hiding in the refugees' quarter.//The anti-governmental organization Metal Age has repeatedly failed to comply with the demands to turn her in. [tn: Roughly ＄9.75 million.]
Customer: Hullo.
Shop owner: Welcome.

075
DS owner: Those Atlas dudes
DS: ....
DS owner: They're sure wetting their pants before Kuniko-sama.
Boy(?): You're gonna hack Atlas net broadcasting again?/What if you get caught?
Shop Owner: Here!!!/Two large helpings, with their roasted pork!!
Frog:: *slurp slurp*
DS owner: How've you been doing after the last bombardment?*snap*
Boy: *puff puff*/My roof's been blown away.../Now the sky itself is our ceiling.

076
Boy: I'm glad Kuniko-sama is back... It's not like I can't eat my steaming hot ramen./But now that means the government has turned its attention to us, right?//And what of the "Round Slice Killer"?/Gottat be the government's handiwork. That's spooky...
DS owner: Look who's talking... Who's got pictures of Kuniko-sama?//And when she returned/And who's been shouting KUNIKO-SAMA I LUV YOUUU at the top of their lungs?
Boy: Yipes. Stop it!!

077
Kuniko: ... Somebody called?//I'M IN TOP FORM TODAY/AND THE MEAL WAS WONDERFUL!!!
Boy: Gasp
DS owner: Borf

078
DS owner: KU./KUNIKO-SAMA!!!!
Shop owner: What?!!
Kuniko: Ah./Crap.//Your cooking was top-notch today as always, sir./And I'm not Kuniko-sama, by the way. Farewell.
Boy: I luv youuuu.
Kuniko: ... Well*yank*
Shop owner: KUNIKO-SAMA. THE BILL!!!!
Kuniko: Is there a greater reward than a customer's satisfied smile?
Shop owner: YES. MONEY.
Kuniko: You lousy cheapskate.../You're no better than Momoko

079
Momoko: WHOOOO DAAAAARES.../WHO CALLED ME A STINGY SCHEMING OLD WIIIIIITCH???
Kuniko: Cripes.
Momoko: Now that's funny./Uh-huh?/I'm pretty sure Kuniko would volunteer to clean up the shop.
Kuniko: Wait. It's a mistake./I'm not Kuniko-sama!!

080
Momoko: SILENCE
Kuniko: I'M SORRYYYY!!!
Momoko: Listen up./You gotta do what mommy says, alright?/YOU GOT THAT?!
Kuniko: ... Yes Ma'am.

081
Momoko: Is that so?/Then I'm sure you can help me out with something. Like right now.
Kuniko: Ooh.
Shop owner: Hey.
Momoko: OOHOHHOHOHO.
Shop owner: IT'S EAT AND RUN AGAAAAIN!!!
Momoko: HOHOHOHOHOHO
Passers by: Woops./What's that?/A ghost.
Shop owner: ... I got scammed again.
Boy: Kuniko-sama...

082
Announcer: After the Transvestite Trio/the Tropical Fish gives you its pulchritudinous owner, in the role of a Phoenix!!!

083
Announcer: Is it the gods, jealous of her beauty/who cast her down on Earth in the skin of a man?...//Behold our Venus, the goddess whose beauty gives even the gods pause./MOMOKOOOO.
Momoko: I'll allow you to dream of me tonight./Alright, boys?

084
Miiko: Momokooo!!!/You're awesome.
Momoko: ... Awesome?//Don't be silly, Miiko.//I AM THE BEST!!!

085
Momoko: Kunikoooo./You're lagging behind!
Kuniko: Okay okay okay.

086
Momoko: Lift that leg higher!
Kuniko: Pfokay./Pfokay.
Momoko: You're out of pace and your steps are all messy!!//You kick like a child! Higher.//More!/Your pivot leg is placed wrong.
Kuniko: Eeep.
Momoko: Put some more strength and grace in your dancing!

087
*paf*
Dancer: Oops
*roll roll roll roll*
*BONK*
Kuniko: Gasp*splat*
Crowd: The pillar!!!/Aaaaargh.
Momoko: Uh!!!/Oh, crap. The ceiling...!!!

088
Momoko: Oh, well. It's just a ceiling after all... And nothing beats a bath in open air.//We're gonna have to work on your dancing skills, Kuniko./I don't have much in the way of advice.//But next time, I'm gonna lend you this.

089
Kuniko: AAAARGH. MY EEEYES
Momoko: ... You see, a jewel/will play in favor of the woman who wears it.
Kuniko: But I'm Metal Age's leader!!!/Not a dancer.
Momoko: HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA.//You're still a cute little girl in body and mind./Do you seriously think you can take up a leader's mantle? Now that's funny.

090
Kuniko: Momoko you can't understand.
Momoko: I do understand.
Kuniko: ?!!
Momoko: And in minute detail, too!!//Because you're my daughter...
Kuniko: I HATE DANCING!!!

091
Kuniko: I don't even have your big breasts. I'm no adult./I can never become like you.//So forget about it!!!//...Hah.
Momoko: ... Indeed. You're probably right...//You're not me./You should probably be making your own decisions.../That said
Kuniko: Momoko...

092
Momoko: THAT WAS NO WAY/TO ADDRESS YOUR PARENT!!!//You stay there and count to 1000. That should give you the time of reflection!!!
Kuniko: *glub glub*//Ooone. Twooo.

093
Kuniko: Fooour. Fiiive.*slam*
Momoko: (... I hope/I'm making the right decisions...//Eh, Nagiko.......)
Kuniko: 866... 999/1000.//Stupid Momoko...
*SBAM*
Kuniko: GASP?!!

094
Kuniko: ?!!
Ryouko: We meet at long last./Kuniko-sama.*heart*

095
Kuniko: A bounty hunter......
Ryouko: The paltry ￥100.000.000 from Atlas?/I can't even buy a dog house with that.//Now tell me. Before you lose consciousness.

096
Ryouko: I want one of the three Sacred Treasures.
Kuniko: Ugh...
Ryouko: Tell me the location of the Yasakani no Magatama.//Next time I ask, I'm gonna take my time to do it. Physically.
Kuniko: .......

097
Ryouko: ?!!
Momoko: ... You were taking forever./So I thought maybe you'd run away before you were done counting...//Now who do I have the honor to speak with?

098-099
Momoko: Sorry, but this isn't a bathhouse, here.//Or maybe... Could you be a relative?
Ryouko: Who are you?/Do you mind stepping out of my way?//I have no intention to fight you, lady./Understand?
Momoko: ... No way. She's gone?!!

100
Momoko: Just joking.
Ryouko: WHAT?!!//(Crap. Must be the bloodstain.)/I'm still not ready for real combat...
Momoko: You don't really think you can lay your hands upon my child/and walk away like nothing happened, do you?

101
Ryouko: PRETTY PUFFED UP, ARE YOU/FOR A CHRISTMAS CAKE!!! [tn: "Christmas cake"="a woman past her prime". Imagine a Christmas cake (the pastry) after December 25th. It's still good, but its glory days are clearly behind it.]
Momoko: Hell no./I'm still in my twenties.

102
Ryouko: YAAAHAAA./"TWENTIES"? THAT'S A CONVENIENT WAY TO PUT IT.
Momoko:!!

103
Momoko: MY COVER'S BLOWN?!/I'M STILL IN MY TEENS ACTUALLY!!/Now it's over.

104
Ryouko: !!!//...GH.
Momoko: I think I've seen that face somewhere.//You're Ex-Prime Minister Naruse's granddaughter, aren't you?

105
Momoko: Certainly you're not after the prize money. And I don't think you belong in the military./What do you want with Kuniko? Who sent you?
Ryouko: ......
Momoko: Oh, my. Some tough boobies, you got there.//I'm wondering what grandpa would say/if he could see his grandchild in such a situation.
Ryouko: Kh kh...?/Kh hihihihihi.
Momoko: Uh? Is that kid really serious?/Ow, bummer.

106
Momoko: Yikes!!!//(... No way.)/Wha?!!

107
Momoko: (That was a boomerang.)
Ryouko: Ow./Oww.//Let me tell you something...

108
*sharp pain*
Ryouko: I hate it when someone inferior makes a fool out of me. It gives me headaches.
Momoko: .......Gh.//I'm a goner...!!!
*BOM*

109
Momoko: GAH.//??
Ryouko: What's wrong?//Where is all that energy you showed me earlier?!!//What, mommy, your batteries are out already?!!!
Momoko: Agh!

110
Momoko: Gasp.
Ryouko: Bow down./So I can kill you more easily.
Momoko: GH!!!
Ryouko: Come on, quick!!*stomp stomp stomp*

111
Momoko: ... Aaah. So good./I'm gonna cream my pants.//Give me more./Please.
Ryouko: You goddamn freak.*sharp pain*
Ryouko: I'll grant you your wish then./I'm going to hurt you good.
Momoko: Ah-hah. Then if...

112
Momoko: THAT'S THE CASE//I'LL PASS!!!!
Ryouko: Gwah.

113
Momoko: I've been that twisted since the day I was born./And even before that.*searing pain searing pain*
Momoko: I'm a queer after all.
Ryouko: DAAAMN YOOUUUU.

114
Momoko: !!!!
Ryouko: Wha//She stopped it with her leg?!!

115
Ryouko: Ugh.//GAH
Kuniko: ...Momoko told me

116
Kuniko: What makes a drag queen's strength/It's not a question of defeating somebody else./It's about not losing to yourself!!!

117
Kuniko: Your defeat was set in stone
Ryouko: Silence./Silence./Silence.
Kuniko: the moment you switched opponents from me to Momoko.
Momoko: Kuniko...
Ryouko: DON'T./DON'T YOU DARE MAKE FUN OF MEEEEE.
Kuniko: YUP.

118-119
Kuniko: YAAAAAAAARH
Ryouko: GH!!!

120
Ryouko: ERGH.//She's... she's able to wield.../Ama no Murakumo...? [tn: The alternate name for the Sword of Kusanagi. Made all the more necessary as that name was already taken.]
Kuniko: Awesome weapon you got there./I like it!!!!

121
Kuniko: Oh. It's coming back. It's coming back.
*SBAM*
Kuniko: Eh?!!
Momoko: Woops...

122
Momoko: Auuuugh.
Kuniko: BWWWWWAAH.
Momoko: MY THEATEEEEEER./Aaaaaargh.
Kuniko: Momoko!!!!
Momoko: MY SOOOOUUUUL.
Kuniko: Momoko, quick!!!!//WOOOPS.
Signboard: Tropical Fish.

123
Momoko: Put me down.
By passer: Woops.
Kuniko: Shut up.//I'm taking you straight to the hospital!!/Now be silent!!!
Momoko: Saved by a kid./How unsightly...
Kuniko: No, really!!!/And you're supposed to be the adult!!
Momoko: (And here I was, thinking I would protect you forever...)/... Kuniko

124
Momoko: Whether you carry on dancing or not/that's your decision.
Kuniko: EH?!
Momoko: Don't worry about the theater. I was planning on some modifications anyway.
Kuniko: Uh-huh...
Momoko: Now....... The real problem is this.../how should I put it...
Kuniko: So... I'M SORRY MOMOKO!!!/I DIDN'T DO THAT ON PURPOSE!!
Momoko: ... It's okay./To me, you're worth just about any jewel.
Kuniko: ... Momoko.

125
Momoko: ... LIKE HEEEELL/I DIDN'T MEAN A SINGLE WOOOOORD*BLAM*
Momoko: You gonna pay me back, you will./A lifetime of service in my establishment.
Kuniko: Whaaaat? Forget it.
Momoko: There's still an alternative. I could hand you over for the bounty......
Kuniko: AAAAAAAAAARRGHH.

126-127
Voice: Here, son. I'll leave you between the hands/of her royal majesty Mikuni-sama's personal bodyguard. [tn: Here, "son" is to be understood in the military sense.]
Kusanagi: So that's what the Atlas corporation is like.........
Sayoko: Hey. You.

128
Sayoko: What are you doing, sublieutenant Kusanagi?/Start walking immediately, will you!!//Or should her royal majesty be delayed at the discretion of a military-hired civilian?
Kusanagi: Most certainly not./I was merely stupefied by the solemnity of the premises.
Courtesan: Hhe hhe hhe hhe.
Sayoko: ... Humph.
Courtesan: Hhe hhe hhe.

129
Sayoko: Don't fret./You won't be staying all that long anyway...
Dude: I... If you stay here you're doomed...
Sayoko: !
Dude: Doomed.//There's no escape from "it". For anyone...//There's no one left. "That" is no longer human. Everyone's gonna die./Me. You. Everybody's...

130
Dude: ... doo...
Kusanagi: Doomed this, doomed that./Stop. Just stop.//I may not look like it but I'm easily scared./So please.//......Though I must say/your royal majesty's caprices go well beyond reason.
Sayoko: What?
Mikuni: ... SAYOKO!!

131
Mikuni: I've been expectantly awaiting your return.
Sayoko: Mikuni-sama.
Mikuni: I've seen everything these men had to offer./Kusanagi, was it? Make your way over here.

132
Mikuni: Come on./Let us play.

133
Plane: Aircraft 776 now flying over the target area./O-5-O-O... Unloading Daedalus.
Daedalus: *roll roll...*

134-135
Sign: Shinjuku (Train) Station.

136
Ape: EEEEP
Daedalus: *Munch munch*

137
*BLATANT*
Plane: Daedalus' implantation, confirmed.//Returning to base.

138
Worker: HEY THERE.*creak*
Worker: No dawdling around, you fuckers!!!
Takehiko: If the government sent its army at us they'd squash us without even breaking a sweat!!!//Where the heck is Kuniko-sama when you need her? ...

139
Takehiko: Ow maaan!!/You little pests will be the end of me!!!//!!!*creaak creaaak*
Takehiko: Leave that alone.*snap* *snap*
Takehiko: The wire's...

140
*SBOM*
Kuniko: HEY TAKEHIKO./Did you buy the ice-creams I asked you for?

141
Kid: That's right. Toss 'em over here.
Takehiko: !!!//Kuniko-sama, currently the reparations are the topmost priority...
Kid: That's guy's so boring. Let's play something else./Say, say.
Kuniko: Okay then. It's been a while since we last played "chimney dive".
Kids: Yaaaaaay.
Takehiko: ENOUGH'S ENOUGH!!!//I'M GETTING SICK OF THE CONSTANT PRANKING./CARE TO SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE CATHEDRAL'S FUTURE?!!
Kuniko: Aaaaaah.

142
Kuniko: Mhhhhh. Well.../Spending my life playing games every day sounds good.
Takehiko: Kuniko-sama, we men are ready to lay down our very lives/You need only order it!!!*spittle spittle*
Takehiko: Today. Yes, today./Uuurgh. Uurgh./I shall speak my mind.
Kuniko: Ah.

143
KUNIKO-ZA/MBAH?!//Hop hop hop. Woow./That thing weighs a ton!!!//There is no doubt that someday you will play a decisive part in taking down Atlas. I'm sure of it!!

144
Takehikko: That's how important you are. Yet with your current behavior/AAAAAAARH/There is no way you could look at those who died straight in the face!!!!//Ah?//Ugh./Gunigo-za...mba...
Kuniko: ... Always with the long face...

145
Kuniko: Takehiko./You're still as big a moron as ever.[tn: Says the irresponsible little brat.]
[Flashback]Nagiko: What a fool you are./Takehiko...
Narrator!Takehiko: Ah, yeah... Back then...

146
Nagiko: ... Now./Come over here.
Narrator!Takehiko: I was unable to open myself to the others around me./But "She"........ [tn: The Japanese "ano kata" means "he" or "she", but conveys an additional notion of respect that simply doesn't exist in English.][/Flashback]
Momoko: Kunikoooo.*whip*
Takehiko: Uh?
*SBAM*
Takehiko: NNRRGH!!!

147
Momoko: Picking up dance from me, the great Momoko-sama turned you into no less than a transcending beauty, did it not?!!/Sure as hell, you gonna help with my establishment's repairs!!!
Signboard: TROPICAL FISH/Closed for an undetermined amount of time.
Kuniko: The old ogress is comiiiing. Run awaaaaayy.
Kids: Waaaaaah.
Momoko: Hey there. Kunikooooo!!!
Takehiko: .....

148
Smokes: This area is so old it got damaged pretty badly.
Helmet: Gotta fix things here post-haste.//The trees grow up so fast. The place would be overrun by the forest in no time.
Smokes: Maybe Atlas is on to something...
Helmet: What, you wanna go there?
Smokes: Tha... That's my business!
Helmet: ... Wait. There's a vine eating its way at the rampart.
Smokes: !!!

149
Smokes: Wai... That's bad news alright.
Helmet: Gotta burn it down right away.
*snip snip*
*GAPE*
Helmet: ......?
*munch munch*
*slurp* *glob*
Smokes: ... Huh?

150
*VLAM*
Smokes: ...... I've gotta be dreaming./When I wake up, I'll be back in Atlas... And then
*MUNCH*

151
*brrrr* *poke* *poke*
Courtesan: bleep//bleep/...The spy-balls are all in position...

152
Courtesan: I'll go ask the administrators for their report./Sayoko-sama.
Sayoko: Don't bother.../These fools are incapable of accomplishing anything anyhow.//We don't have the time to twiddle our thumbs waiting after their half-baked afforestation program//If this experience proves successful/we can wipe out those annoying slums and the guerilla in one fell swoop.

153
Sayoko: All for the sake of Mikuni-sama.../Give it your best shot, Daedalus.

154
People: AAAAAARGH
Kid: Waaaaah.

155
Kid: Waah.
Momoko: You're barely more than a plant yet you're fixating on the boy's asses./There can be only one man-eater here.//Face the great Momoko-samaaaa./HOHOHOHOHO.

156
Momoko: Ho..........//Wai. Wait up./DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME
Takehiko: ROOOAAAR.*DADADADADAM* *POW POW POW*
Momoko: Uh-huh?/.......

157
Takehiko: WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING?!!/LOOKS LIKE IT'S GROWING!!!
Momoko: Takehiko./That thing doesn't prey on everything. It's picky.
Takehiko: Momoko?!//When did a bunch of weed grow a pair of eyes?!/We don't need you interfering!!!//Haa...
Momoko: Never a moment's rest.

158
Takehiko: HEY!/MOMOKO!!!//DOES THIS LOOK LIKE THE PLACE FOR A CASUAL SMOKE?!//MOMOKO!!!

159
Momoko: It's not about eyes or ears./And even less about a nose.//I'd say these plants are like snakes.//They've got some specialized organs/that react to bodily heat.

160
Sayoko: Daedalus choses increasingly high sources of temperature for its prey/It's programmed so that the heat causes it to swell at a literally explosive rate.//In other words, as you keep on fighting it with your heavy firearms/Daedalus will keep on growing.//Mikuni-sama only needs a little bit more patience.

161
Kusanagi: Am I to understand you've been carrying out this experience behind Mikuni-sama's back?/Sayoko-sama.
Sayoko: Says the asswipe who should be busy fighting Mikuni-sama./What happened to that, sublieutenant Kusanagi?
Kusanagi: You can hardly call it a fight. "Massacre" would be more like it.
Sayoko: You administration cur./I won't suffer impertinence from a D-rank Atlas.

162
Sayoko: Listen. Do you know why Mikuni-sama, the first, rightful heir to the royal throne cannot be instated as such?/That's entirely because of the ground level, that has yet to be subjugated.//In addition to which the polluted materials that emanate from there are extremely poisonous to her frail health.*sob...*
Sayoko: The ground must be cleansed free of the ignorant rabble and restored to purity.
Kusanagi: ... This, Sayoko-sama/Is an overstepping of your authority.

163
Kusanagi: Protean suits? I never thought the government had already put those to practical use.
Sayoko: OUR SCIENCE HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO AN OFFENSIVE PLANT LIFE/THAT WILL DEVOUR THE CATHEDRAL DOWN TO THE LAST MAN!!!//Just be content to sit back and watch, sublieutenant Kusanagi./Ha ha HAHAHA.
Kusanagi: (Indeed...)

164
Kusanagi: (Mikuni-sama's unability to ascend upon the throne./doesn't go without its little problems...)
Arcade: Amaterasu Ookami. [tn: God-Empress Amaterasu.]
Kusanagi: (Is the ground level and its pollution really the sole responsible for this?)
Mikuni: Kusanagiii.//Where are you. Are you dead yet?/I wanna play some more.

165
Mikuni: Siiiigh./I'm sick of this place already.//I'M BORED TO TEEEEAAAAAARS!!!/SAYOKOOO!! KUSANAGIIIIIII!!!*DU-DUUUN* *bat bat bat bat bat*

166
Takehiko: (Damn. They're heading towards the heat generators?!)/ACTING LIKE WE OWN THE PLACE, BITCHES?!!//OVER HERE!!!/DRAG YOUR SORRY ASSES THIS WAAAAAY!!!

187
*blam blam blam*
Takehiko: IN YOUR FRACKIN' FACE!!
*SBAM*
Takehiko: !!!
Momoko: Idiot!! Why are you using fire against it?!!!
Takehiko: What choice do I have? I must protect the heat generators. I'm luring them away. [tn: The tatoo possibly means "Temple of Happiness, maybe as a stand-in for "Cathedral", or is more simply the family name "Kichijouji".]

188
Takehiko: In the meantime, you guys need to...*whack*
Momoko: Takehi...//Noooooooo.
Takehiko: Momoko!!//(After the the first woodlands war made me an orphan...)/AUGH(I'd do just about anything if it meant a full belly.)

189
[Flashback]Narrator!Takehiko: The Cathedral/was little more than a small orphanage when it took me in.//I was struggling my hardest not to die, and little else.//This is the place where/I've been alive for the first time...

190
Narrator!Takehiko: This town/is no less than my family.[/FLASHBACK]

191
Takehiko: ....... Humph./You're attracted to heat, that's right?//THEN I'M GONNA GIVE YOU/THE BEST DINNER OF YOUR LIFE.

192
Kuniko: WHAT THAAAAA HEEEEEEEL/TAKEHIKOOOOOO//STILL FANCYING THIS IS GONNA MAKE YOU COOL OR WHAT?!!/YOU DIMWIT!!!

193
Kuniko: YOU KNOW WHAT?/THAT'S WHAT I HATE SO MUCH ABOUT YOU
Takehko: Kuniko-sama...
Kuniko: We aren't fighting to the death.

194
Kuniko: We're fighting for our lives.

198
Sayoko: IMPOSSIBLE!!!!//No feedback from the Daedalus. It's completely gone./What happened?! Who in Heavens is that girl?!!//FIND ME HER DATA!!
Courtesan: Tchh tchrr
Sayoko: IMMEDIATELY!!!
Courtesan: Searching the ZEUS' Management Domain./Retrieving data. Retrieving data. Retrieveing data...
*beep*
Sayoko: Houjou Kuniko........./Atlas rank..........

199
Sayoko: ...No way. That's impossible.//TRIPLE A?!!!*DU-DUUUN*

200
*twitch twitch*
Sayoko: Are you trying to pull one over me, scrub?/Triple A is the topmost rank in Atlas.
Courtesan: Analyzing data. Analyzing data.
Sayoko: Mikuni-sama is the sole reason why that rank exists at all.
Screen: War[ning] [War]ning. Warning. (Loading bar): Forcibly shutting down system./Restarting in :74s*beep beep beep*
Sayoko: WHAAAT!!!//.....
Courtesan: ZEUS switching over to self-termination mode. Isolating circuits......*CRASH*

201
Sayoko: HOW CAN A CESSPOOL-DWELLING GROUND TROLLOP........../BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS MIKUNI-SAMA!!!!//AAAAARGH.
Kusanagi: (Houjou Kuniko... Who are you exactly.......?)
*twitch* *drop*

202
Sayoko: Notify the Inner Sanctum at once!/Houjou Kuniko must be eliminated!!!//I won't allow anyone to get in Mikuni-sama's way. No matter how many they are!!!//I'll will destroy you flesh. Fat. Entrails. Brain cells. Including your breath of life./Down to your DNA... I shall erase your despicable existence for the aeons to come.

203
Sayoko: JUST YOU WAIT. HOUJOU KUNIKOOOOOOO.

204
Takehiko: KUNIKO-SAMA!!!//I humbly ask that you take our lead/that we may settle the scores with Atlas in battle!!!
Kuniko: ... Yeah, alright.

205
Takehiko: WITH YOUR STRENGTH ON OUR SIDE, BRINGING DOWN ATLAS SHALL NO LONGER BE A DRE.........*WHACK*
Momoko: Can I know why you're causing such a commotion all by yourself?/Uh? Don't make me kiss ya, you got that?/Try not lying entirely on Kuniko's back, for once!!!
Takehiko: Mmghhh.//I'M BEGGING YOU KUNIKO-SAMA!!*shove*
Momoko: Uunh.
Takehiko: FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE!!!

206
Kuniko: Very well. Let's take the fight to Atlas./We're going up there, and we'll be doing it with a smile.

207
Takehiko: GAHAHAHAHAHA.
Kuniko: Woohahaha.
Momoko: Here's to a real moron.
Nagiko: Whaaaaat's going ooooon? Who's responsible for this tasteless dramaaaaaa?
*SBOM*
Momoko: Urgh.

208-209
Nagiko: What a noisy bunch of kids.
Momoko: GH!!!
Nagiko: There's nothing like waking me up to put me in a bad mood.

210
Takehiko: Ah./You, Ma'am?!! It can't be...
Kuniko: Now that's cool!!
Nagiko: I see you still haven't gotten rid of that silly expression of yours...//HOUJOU NAGIKO-SAMA IS BACK./PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!

212-213
Title: OPERATION INVADING ATLAS/BREAKING OUT!
Text: At the topmost levels, the armed group Metal Age breaks into Atlas and its impregnable defensive system! Expecting them, however, is a dreadful, state-of-the-art mass-murdering machine...!!

Meanwhile, will the conspiracy to attempt at the young leader Houjou Kuniko make its move?!

Bottom: (Find out how events unfolds in...)SHANGRI-LA (2)
NEXT ISSUE SCHEDULED FOR Summer 2009__DON’T MISS IT!!!