Escaflowne Ep. 19: Operation Golden Rule of Love

In a vision of a possible future, Hitomi stands on Escaflowne as it slaughters a group of Alseides. The Zaibach generals call out Folken, asking him about Escaflowne and Hitomi. According to Dornkirk, an army of ‘Dragons’ will destroy the Zaibach Empire. In a vision, an army of Escaflownes blast down a fleet of Floating Fortresses with beams coming out of their shoulders. Dornkirk appears on a screen saying they must separate the Dragon and Hitomi. Folken says he has a plan involving the attraction between a man and a woman. In Palas, the Crusade crew drink in a bar. It has been three weeks since they have returned from Zaibach. Millerna and Dryden announce their marriage. Dryden thinks with Asturia’s power and his money, Zaibach won’t be able to invade. Thinking of Dornkirk, Van says Zaibach will destroy Gaea anyway. Eries enters and says that ever since Allen and Millerna betrayed the country Aston has been deathly ill. Millerna enters and tells her to stop. Allen kisses Millerna’s hand and congratulates her on her marriage. Later, Millerna asks Hitomi about what dress to wear. Hitomi seems worried, but Millerna says everything will be fine. Hitomi thinks of when she first met Millerna and tells Millerna that she still loves Allen and is being unfair to Dryden. Hitomi thinks to herself why she is even doing this, but says Millerna will regret it if she gets married. Millerna says she sounds childish and asks her to do a reading of her future. Hitomi says she’ll do it later since she doesn’t have her cards with her. Hitomi runs off thinking she’s a jerk. She was relieved about the marriage and feels stupid for saying anything. Van walks up to her and asks what’s wrong. In Zaibach, crew members work on aligning the Fate Alteration Engine as Folken enters a large chamber. Dornkirk is upset, saying Van and Hitomi will become even closer at this rate, but Folken says Van is not yet able to cross the line. Hitomi tells Van what happened as they sit in a barn. Van works on Escaflowne’s sword and tells Hitomi it’s unusual to see her depressed. Van tells Hitomi he wants her to stay with him. In Zaibach, the Fate Alteration Engine detects increasing pressure.

Van tells Hitomi he wants her to stay close to him. Hitomi seems worried and Van starts yelling, saying he needs her power. In Zaibach the pressure decreases and Folken smiles. Van says together they can defeat Zaibach, but Hitomi gets mad and leaves. She throws a rock into the water from a bridge, calling Van an idiot. In Zaibach, Dornkirk says that was too close, but Folken says preparations are ready. Allen stands at his father’s grave and Eries walks up to him and says Millerna will be happy in her marriage. Allen says Dryden is a good man and she will be happy. He says the flowers Eries brought were a favorite of his mother’s. Folken says he will be able to change the human heart, working the external gravity of love on Hitomi so as to get her with someone other than Van. He holds two hairs obtained from Hitomi and Allen from when they were held in cages and says that along with the Fate Alteration Engine they can do it. Naria and Eriya toss a coin to see who gets to be Folken’s partner in the project. It is a rainy night in Asturia. Hitomi stands outside cold and wet and watches a couple nearby. She runs down the street. At that moment Allen is walking away from the graveyard. Meanwhile, Folken and Eriya stand in a large chamber and they activate the Fate Alteration Engine. Folken and Eriya hold hands. Dornkirk watches as the wheel of fate begins to turn. Meanwhile Allen walks down the rainy street thinking of Millerna. Hitomi stands in the field wondering where she could go for shelter. Van goes out to find Hitomi, despite Merle’s complaints. Hitomi wonders what she’s doing here and regrets falling in love with someone from this world. She steps on a bridge and thinks of Amano, and sees Allen walk up to the bridge. Folken and Eriya stand on the corresponding platform in Zaibach. As they hug each other, Allen and Hitomi do the same. Hitomi thinks of Millerna and backs off. Folken tells Eriya to think only of him. Hitomi tells Allen that Millerna loves him, but Allen says he only cares for her. As Folken and Eriya kiss, so do Hitomi and Allen. Dornkirk watches, saying a new destiny has begun. The clouds break, and the sun starts shining. Van approaches the bridge and sees Allen and Hitomi kissing.