If rain pours from the sky, it's no big deal.
If spears pour from the sky, it's no big deal.
No matter what happens, it's no big deal.
Eila-san! Not using a shield is dangerous.
Huh? Who do you think you're talking to?
Huh?
And there you have it.
I-Incredible!
itsuka itsuka yakusoku no sora
いつか いつか約束の空
Someday, someday, in the promised sky.
kimi to nara mata toberu yo
君となら また 飛べるよ
If I'm with you, I can fly again.
kuyashikute tsurakute nemurenai yoru
悔しくてツラくて眠れない夜
A sleepless night when you feel regretful and bitter...
dare ni demo aru yo
誰にでもあるよ
...happens to everyone.
sonna toki ha yonde kaketsukeru kara
そんな時は呼んで 駆けつけるから
At such a time, call me, because I'll rush to you,
oto no hayasade ne
音の遼さでね
at the speed of sound.
sore ga sadame demo ne aragau yo
それがさだめ でもね あらがうよ
That's destiny, but I'll fight against it.
kimi ga hora waratte ne kureru kara
君がホラ 笑ってね くれるから
Because, look, you'll smile at me.
kanaetai yume tooi kedo
叶えたい夢 遠いけど
The dream I want to fulfil is far away.
isshou nara dekiru yo muteki no yuuki de
いっしょなら出来るよ 無敵の勇気で
But if we're together, I can do it, with an invincible courage.
kirakira hikaru sono namida
キラキラ光る そのナミダ
If I can turn your sparkling tears...
egao no mahou de ne tsubasa ni kaetara
笑顔の魔法 でね 翼に変えたら
...into wings with the magic of smiles,
kitto kitto habatakeru kara
きっと きっと 羽ばたけるから
surely, surely you'll be able to fly.
niji wo koe sono saki made
虹を越え その先まで
So go over the rainbow, to beyond.
That's all of them?
Looks like we shot most of them down.
But this is odd; there's no response.
They're all drones.
We're looking for the one in command.
So it's still fully operational?
Sure we didn't shoot it down at some point?
Once the Neuroi controlling them is gone, they should vanish.
What is that thing?
It goes right up through the clouds.
Wow.
Could that be the one controlling them?
You guys, wait here.
Major!
Such high altitude...
Is that the core?
I guess I can't go any higher.
This is going to be a pain.
We're retreating. Return to base.
But the enemy is still...
We'll adjust our plan back at base.
We've been out too long today.
We won't make it back to base if we don't leave soon.
Episode 6
「Higher Than the Sky」
What is that?
What's the big idea?
Is it some sort of branch?
Leave me alone. It's nothing.
Where did you find it?
Why do you have it?
What difference does it make?
Would it kill you to just show it to me?
How can you move so quickly, Eila-san?
It's not just quickness that lets me move like this.
I have magic that lets me see into the future.
Whether it's you or the enemy,
I know exactly what the next move will be.
Haven't you been paying any attention?
I don't like to brag, but I've never used a shield during battle.
People dependent on them are second-tier to me.
That's not fair!
People say I'm only good for my shield!
Don't be so mean to her, Eila.
Hmm?
Welcome back, everyone.
Sanya.
Sanya-chan.
Oh, so you're on night patrol.
Yes.
Hold on, Sanya. You're relieved of tonight's duties.
Head back to base with the rest.
Yes, ma'am.
We've received a communiqué from central command.
About the Neuroi we faced today?
Yes.
We're taking over for the Romagna Air Force and Navy.
Oh?
I'm sure they're looking for results.
Shall we show them what we're capable of?
Carrying this big thing around all the time must be really difficult, huh, Sanya-chan?
Not really. I'm used to it.
Sanya has solo night patrol a lot.
She uses the Fliegerhammer here when she has to fight.
Wow, that's amazing.
But I bet it's less lonely with someone else, right?
Yeah.
Oh, right.
Here...
Oh, that...
Is that a conifer twig?
Take this, Sanya.
But it's just a twig.
Oh...
Thank you, Eila.
Where we were flying today, there's a cypress forest just ahead.
It kind of looked the way Orussia does in the winter.
There were a bunch of those trees where I used to live.
Yeah?
Really?
Air force spy planes took these photographs.
It just looks like a bunch of noise.
This is the Neuroi we spotted this afternoon.
This is what happened when they tried to photograph the whole thing.
Estimates put it at over 30,000 metres long.
30,000?!
So it reaches an altitude of 30 kilometres?
Um, so compared to Mt. Fuji, it's...
It's slowly cruising toward Rome at a rate of 10 km/h.
The difficult part concerns its core's location.
Here.
The very top?
Yes.
I verified it myself.
But our Striker Units top out at 10,000 metres.
Right. So for this mission, we'll need to use this:
A rocket booster.
Then we'll be able to fly up to the core?
No, I don't think it'll be that simple.
Right.
The booster is quite powerful,
but it consumes magic power at a very high rate.
We'll only be able to fly for a short while.
Then we should carry someone part of the way up.
Precisely.
But 30,000 metres up, there won't be any air.
What? No air?
Then we won't be able to talk, either.
Oh, that's probably true.
What?! No sound?
30,000 metres is unknown territory,
well beyond the highest altitude record.
But we're Witches. There is nothing Witches cannot do.
So the one best equipped for extensive and momentary combat is...
Sanya.
Sanya. I'd like you to attack the core.
Huh?
Your Fliegerhammer is critical to this operation.
Excuse me! I'd like to go with her, then.
Oh, right.
Eila, have you ever used a shield, by any chance?
A shield?
I don't mean to brag, but I've never once used a shield in combat.
Then you can't go.
Yeah, exactly.
What?
Yeah, that's not going to do.
Wh-Why not?
Besides using the booster,
this mission will demand survival ability in extreme conditions,
as well as skills for dealing with high levels of magic power consumption.
In other words, Sanya will not be able to put any focus on protecting herself.
We'll need one other person to protect Sanya up there.
I-It's not like I'm not able to use a shield!
But you've never done it in combat.
That's right.
That won't cut it.
Miyafuji, you go.
Y-Yes, ma'am.
What?
You're able to deploy very strong shields.
R-Right...
Huh?
E-Excuse me, do you think you could give me some space?
What do you want me to do? It's cramped in here.
Why on Earth was I asked to come here?
It's because you're always berating Miyafuji.
They say your enemy's enemy is your friend, right?
Just what are you getting at?
And really, saunas and I do not get along.
Whatever! Just help me out, okay?
Sanya-san?
What are you lookin' at, you glasses-wearing snob?
Hey! Could you stop it with the insults?!
U-Um...
Are you sure about this?
I'm sure. Please do it.
B-But...
Okay! Eila-san, pretend I'm Sanya-san and protect me.
Huh? Pretend you're Sanya?
Are you... Are you really sure about this?
Just do it, already!
O-Okay!
A-Are you all right?
Why did you dodge it?!
This training is pointless if you dodge it!
Sorry. But you weren't getting fully into it.
Just whom do you think I'm putting my life on the line for?!
Lynne-san, just shoot, already!
B-But...
I said, do it!
O-Okay!
Wow... I can't do that.
I never thought a skill could actually put you at a disadvantage.
Eila-san!
How many times do I have to tell you?!
I-I'm sorry!
Huh? This is...
Your coat, isn't it?
It's cold up in the stratosphere.
Oh, I see. It's been forever since I've worn it.
So how did it go?
Huh?
Perrine-san's training.
O-Oh? You knew?
Did it go well?
No. It was terrible.
I see.
Huh?
You're taking three scarves with you?
Oh, these?
These are for you, me and Yoshika-chan.
Miyafuji?
Yoshika-chan wasn't able to pack before coming here from Fuso,
so I figured I'd lend it to her.
But...
I wish you were able to deploy shields, too.
Not gonna happen.
Huh?
You can't force something you aren't used to doing.
So you're giving up, Eila?
You can't do what you can't do, no matter how hard you try.
You can't just say you can't do it and give up!
You just can't do it because you've given up.
Miyafuji could do it all along, so just let her protect you!
You're so stupid, Eila!
You're an idiot, Sanya!
Sanya!
Ow!
Oh, so you got into a fight.
It's nothing to laugh about.
So, what do you want to happen?
Me?
I guess you have to obey orders.
They said the Romagna fleet and air squadron engaged the Neuroi early this morning.
The outcome?
Both the Zara and Pola cruisers were defeated and sunk.
I guess it's our turn.
Looking good, Lucchini.
It's like a sauna...
Bear with it, Lucchini.
The stratosphere is super-cold.
I hate the cold!
Now put these on.
So hot...
Barkhorn-san's coat is a little big for me.
Better than no coat.
Hmm?
What's all that?
I decided to try making ginger tea.
It's supposed to warm your body.
Oh, I see.
How is it?
I used a lot of sugar, so it should be easy to drink.
You weren't kidding...
Oh, but it's not as sweet as I expected-
I'll have another cup!
I-It takes a minute to kick in.
If you just think of it as medicine, it's not bad at all.
Why are you wearing Sanya's scarf?
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
The mission will start with launch group #1: five girls with normal propulsion,
to bring them up to 10,000 metres.
Launch group #1 will detach as they top out at 10,000 metres.
They will then quickly ignite the rocket booster.
Miyafuji and Sanya, the attacking group,
will be lifted to 20,000 metres.
Then Miyafuji and Sanya will light another booster.
They will aim for 33,333 meters up, the location of the Neuroi's core.
You are to fire directly toward the core.
Altitude: 30,000 metres. Temperature: -70°.
No air. Without magic, you'd die in a second.
There's no guarantee you'll make it back alive.
It's time!
No!
I'll... I'll protect Sanya!
What are you doing, Eila?
You said it yourself:
That I couldn't do it because I gave up.
I don't want to give up.
I will protect you!
Miyafuji.
Eila-san, let's go up together.
Huh?
Yoshika-chan!
You mustn't! Your magic power won't last!
You won't be able to make it back!
I will personally bring Eila back.
I promise I will.
Th-This is absurd.
Go, Sanya! Eila!
The train goes on and on, all the way to our future.
Even if the emergency lights go out, the prism shows us the way.
But the antenna is useless, so now we can't find the exit.
The stillness of the night feels like it'll swallow us whole.
Just softly grab on...
To my shaky hand.
I want us both to feel each other's anxiety and courage.
I lend my harmony to your song.
I'll guide you, not losing our way in the night.
If we can stay calm for our journey of thousands of miles...
Just let me show you the way, forever.
The tarot card that will tell me our destiny...
Don't turn it over. I want it to stay a secret.
When you've been hurt,
Lie here next to me.
And when you fall asleep, you'll see
Us performing.
Match your melody to the rhythm of my song.
I want to lift the veil off the night.
Together, we can forget all about the lonely times.
We'll be together forever, my dear.
Can you hear me?
Yeah.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, too.
Look, Eila. It's Orussia.
Yeah.
It's like you can reach out and touch the Ural Mountains.
Can we fly over to the other side of the mountains like this?
Sure.
I'd go to the end of the world with you.
No. I'm sorry,
but we have to return.
I think I'm beginning to understand why she wants to protect people so much.
To Be Continued
hitori ja nakisou na hiroi sora demo
ひとりじゃ 泣きそうな 広い空でも
Even under vast sky that would turn you to tears when alone,
nigenaiyo massugu tachimukau
逃げないよ 真っ直ぐ立ち向かう
I won't run away, I'll face it head on,
nakama to isshoni over sky
仲間と一緒に over sky
and go with my friends, over the sky!
tenohira ni kaze wo kanjita no nara
手のひらに風を 感じたのなら
If you can feel the wind with your palm,
mou daijoubu shinjite janpu shiyou
もう 大丈夫 信じてジャンプしよう
you'll be all right. Believe in yourself and jump.
tooku ukabu kumo hitottobi dekiruyo
遠く浮かぶ雲 ひとっとびできるよ
I can make it to the cloud floating in the distance in a single leap.
sonna dokidoki souzou dekinakatta
そんなドキドキ 想像できなかった
I never dreamed I'd be this excited.
minna no ashita no yume mamorunda
みんなの明日の夢 守るんだ
We shall protect everyone's dreams for future.
yuuki arittake
勇気ありったけ
Fly off, grabbing all the courage you can.
saa nigirishimete tobitate
さあ 握り締めて飛びたて
Even under huge sky that would turn you to tears when alone,
hitori ja nakisou na ookii sora demo
ひとりじゃ 泣きそうな 大きい空でも
if you're with friends, you can smile.
nakama ga ireba egao ni nareru
仲間がいれば 笑顔になれる
See? It doesn't take a miracle.
hora kiseki janainda
ホラ 奇跡じゃないんだ
Since we promised each other,
yakusoku shita kara kokoro ni kimeta kara
約束したから 心に決めたから
since we've vowed not to, we won't run away!
nigenaiyo massugu tachimukau
逃げないよ 真っ直ぐ立ち向かう
We'll face it head on!
motto motto suteki na sekai no tame ni over sky
もっともっと素敵な世界のために over sky
For an even more wonderful world, over the sky!
This is an emergency announcement.
Something has infiltrated the base.
Ladies, begin emergency procedures.
Next time on Strike Witches 2:
Episode 7
「Creeping About」
Creeping About?