Gundam Wing Ep. 36: Sanc Kingdom’s Collapse

Duo attends a meeting with colonial guerillas who debate who they should join up with in their fight against Romefeller. The men ask Duo for his opinion, and he tells them they have to think about what happens after Romefeller is defeated. He then leaves and meets with Hilde in a park. He looks out and wonders what peace means, but then laughs and takes it back. Hilde then suggests they go somewhere fun and drags Duo along. On Earth, Noin reports to Relena that Romefeller’s forces have surrounded the Sanc Kingdom, so it’s only a matter of time before they invade. Relena decides to speak to Dermail over Noin’s objections, citing the kingdom’s belief in pacifism and her desire to avoid war. Later, Noin tells Heero that she understands Relena’s ideals, but it’s clear that Romefeller will invade. Heero says that Relena is too caught up in her ideals, and that as things stand now, total pacifism is impossible. But he adds that pacifism is what people are hoping for, and they need hope to live on. Noin asks Heero if he has any hope, and he answers that he only wants to fight against conquerors. Quatre wanders the desert alone and hears the sound of battle nearby. Rashid and the Maganacs are in a heated battle against Romefeller Virgos, and Auda spots Quatre running toward them. Auda tells Quatre that they have something for him, and he says it’s what he came back for. Using the rebuilt Gundam Sandrock, Quatre begins slicing apart the attacking Virgos and Leos. Once they’re all destroyed, Rashid greets Quatre. Quatre then apologizes to everyone for being gone, but they thank him for saving them. Rashid asks if he needs the Gundam again, and Quatre says there’s something he has to take care of. Elsewhere, Duo and Hilde have fun at the circus and watch as a lion attacks a clown, who jumps and lands on the lion. Duo looks at the clown and recognizes him as Trowa. After the show, Catherine congratulates Trowa on a job well done. Duo comes backstage and starts to ask Trowa about the other pilots, which sets him into a panic. Catherine tells Duo that Trowa won’t be fighting anymore and demands that he leaves. In space, Tubarov supervises the construction of OZ’s gigantic battleship, which is draining space’s resources. Dermail tells Tubarov that he doesn’t want to hear excuses about the ship’s completion because they need a new symbol to replace Treize. On Earth, Romefeller commanders set their target for Sanc’s capital, New Port City. Noin reports the troop movements to Relena, who states that Dermail told her the invasion was due to the kingdom’s acceptance of OZ deserters. Noin leaves to fight, and Relena asks Pagan to evacuate the students. Heero launches in the Gundam Epyon and tries to fight against its combat system.

The Sanc Kingdom’s defense force of Tauruses and Aries engage the Romefeller forces outside the border of New Port City. Romefeller transport planes begin dropping Virgos, and Noin orders the Tauruses to retreat to their defense line. Cancer and Pisces units join the attack, but they’re destroyed by the arriving Maganacs. Dorothy tells Relena that even the Sanc Kingdom has been dragged into battle. She asks Relena if she plans to keep resisting, or get support for allies. She says that if the Sanc Kingdom falls, so will the idea of total pacifism. The Virgos continue to advance toward New Port City, and Heero begins attacking them with the Gundam Epyon’s heat rod. Noin tells him that he’s straying too far from the capital, but he thinks to himself that if he loses control again, no one can stop him. Dorothy tells Relena that total pacifism is impossible because man is born to fight, and the winner of a battle should be the one to rule. Dorothy asks what pacifism can accomplish in the face of battles around the world. Quatre and the Maganacs try to hold back the Virgos, and Noin says they can’t let the enemy past the defense line. Just then, more transport planes appear in the skies and drop Virgo reinforcements. A stray blast hits the school, and Dorothy tells Relena she has to fight if she doesn’t want to become prey. Relena still believes peaceful solutions can be found, and Dorothy is impressed by Relena’s devotion to her ideals. Relena says that if she and the kingdom are the cause of a war, she’ll do what she has to. Heero sees that the city is under attack and has a vision of Relena being killed. Dorothy connects Relena to Romefeller’s space and private lines and wonders what good it will do. Relena states that the Sanc Kingdom is under attack from OZ, and Tubarov wonders if she’s appealing for assistance. Zechs takes off from the Peacemillion in Wing Zero and wonders if he can make it to Earth in time. Relena declares that she’s disbanding the kingdom because she thinks that pacifism shouldn’t be the cause of war. Dermail is impressed by her shrewd move and wonders if he can use that to his benefit. Relena hopes that her people can forgive her because there was no other path for her. Dorothy and Relena take off in a private jet, and Noin asks Quatre to come with her to space. Relena wonders how she can make her ideals a reality now, and Heero continues to fight the Virgos in the forest. After destroying all the Virgos, Heero asks where his enemy is.