黙示戦隊スカイファイター
Apocalypse Sentai Skyfighter

Mission on Counter-Earth!

Terry volunteers for a dangerous mission in the ruins of Counter-Earth with Alex!

Summary

A whole phalanx of Fangwings marches across a burnt out street, while Alex and Terry watch from the safety of behind a blown out bus. Terry dryly wonders why he's even here; Alex reminds him that he was the one who volunteered for this mission on Counter-Earth in the first place. She didn't need his help collecting the Super Battery, which she holds onto tightly. He responds that he just didn't want her homecoming to be so lonely. Before she can ask him to elaborate, the Fangwings notice them! At first they try to fight back, but even after transforming, they seem to make no progress in fighting the massive army, and are forced to flee.

They wind up in an apartment building that Alex seems to recognize, and after pushing through a throng of destitute squatters, she leads him up to the penthouse; or rather, what would have been the penthouse, if the roof hadn't been torn in half. It's just a good vantage point now, she explains. Then she asks what he meant by making it less lonely; he reponds by explaining that he knows what it's like to have big shoes to fill, and wants her to know that he'll be there for her, even if the others are strangers. Eventually, he reveals that he actually is attracted to her; Alex, however, is too overwhelmed with the feelings she's received from Alexander's transformer. Terry, again, understands.

Managing to spot a hole in their troop movements, Alex proposes that they get moving back to the gate. They take to the streets, only to discover right before the gate that it was, in fact, an ambush! The monster Eclip overpowers them, neither able to break his shield. Alex orders Terry to take the Super Battery, saying she'll distract him while he leaves. He doesn't like it, but he agrees, leaving Alex to fight him alone.

She tries to hold her own, losing the fight but refusing to stay down, frustrating him. Just as it seems he's about to get the advantage, suddenly all five other Skyfighters fly through the gate, attacking him. Terry grabs Alex and they escape back through again, closing it behind them. He asks why she stayed behind, and she admits that out of the two of them, she's the expendable one. He snaps at that, telling the others that the old Alex never would've said something like that. The old Alex would've believed in them coming back to rescue her; but he blames the other Skyfighters for not giving her anyone to believe in. Ashamed, they agree to try to be more supportive of her, and that it's their own responsibility to make her believe in them as much as Alexander did. Once they're alone, Terry reminds her that, even after turning him down, he wants to be her friend. Alex smiles and says that he was wrong; she did have faith in him.

Quotes

Alex: "What did you mean by 'make it less lonely'?"
Terry: "Well... I've seen the way everyone else treats you. They think you can't live up to the old Alex's legacy. I didn't know him very well, but I do know what it's like to have big shoes to fill. I figure us legacy Skyfighters have to stick together; even if everyone else is a stranger, I want you to know that I'm here for you."
Alex: "Thanks. I appreciate that."

Terry: "I can't lie; you are a very beautiful woman, and after all this is done, I would like to go on a real date with you. If you'd like."
Alex: "Terry... were you the first person to use your Skyfighter transformer?"
Terry: "Uh. No, that would be my mother. Mine's not like yours, it's not coded at all; anyone can use it."
Alex: "This is going to sound crazy, but do you think they could have a memory?"
Terry: "Oh, I am so glad you said that. Sometimes I keep thinking that I'm crazy. Yes, I think they do. It's like I can remember things that happened to my mother as if it was me; nothing everything, not even a lot. Just exactly how she was feeling during her last moments. Right as she died."
Alex: "That's a relief. I'm glad to know it's not just me."
Terry: "It hurts, doesn't it?"
Alex: "Like no one would ever believe. And trust me when I say that I already like you, and I'm so glad I have someone who understands what that's like, but... well... can you imagine what the other Alex's dying thoughts were?"
Terry: "I don't know, that's-- [ Realizing. ] oh. Of course he would've, that sappy romantic. It's her, isn't it?"
Alex: "Yeah... yeah, it's her. [ Long pause. ] All he could think about was Kari. So I'm sorry, and I really wish I could help it, but I can't be more than friends with you: I'm just as in love with that girl as he was. Don't ask me how that makes sense, don't ask me to reconcile it. She's a girl, and she resents me, and we've just only met, but..."
Terry: "You don't have to explain it. I understand."

Comments

• The romance with Terry wouldn't ever be revisited.
• This episode pretty much marks the end of Terry mattering at all to the series.
• The crossover on Mask Ronin V takes place sometime between the end of this episode and the next one, although it's really very vague. It definitely didn't occur concurrently, not least of all because it would mean they spent two whole weeks on another parallel world.