Episode 22

**My Mother, the Machine** is the 22nd episode of the *Edens Zero* anime.

A flashback shows Homura and Valkyrie's past together, and why the latter leaves her student...

## Summary

After the recording in the B-Cube is shown to the group, shocking Shiki and Rebecca, Homura runs to someplace else in the Labor District. A flashback occurs, taking place ten years ago on Oedo. A young Homura trains under Valkyrie, who remarks that although the civilization isn't as advanced the place is lovely to live in. Homura adds that the sushi here is delicious, to which Valkyrie agrees and reminds her not to move. The android expresses that she's still surprised that a crying mess of a girl wants to learn how to use a sword. Homura replies that she wants to be stronger to help her next time. Sometime later, they eat Dango together and Homura compliments her mentor's kimono. Valkyrie notices that her student never lets go of her doll and wonders why. Homura explains that it was a gift from her mother, so she carries it around with her so that she'll be able to find her. Valkyrie is surprised that her mother's alive, having been sure that she passed during the war, which student informs her that she left the planet before the war started to earn money. Three women gossip about Valkyrie from afar, wondering why a robot who wreaked havoc in the war down south is doing in their town, and notes how terrifying that she's playing mother to a human girl. Homura talks back to the three, stating that Valkyrie is her mentor. An embarrassed Valkyrie takes her away, asking why she says everything that comes to her, yet adds that it is one of the best things about her.

Five years later, a teen Homura is cornered by Kenta and his friends, who want Homura to give her robot mother to them. She repeatedly denies that Valkyrie is her mother and that she is an object, eventually leading to a fight. Kenta's Father, the magistrate of the town holds a court for the fight. He proclaims that since it was a quarrel between children, he would like to resolve it peaceably. He states they will drop all charges if Homura apologizes, but she refuses. The two teens start arguing again, and Kenta's father orders his men to stop them. Now alone with Valkyrie, the magistrate tells her that if she can't discipline her child then she should stop pretending to be her mother, though remarking that this is what he gets for spoiling his son and that he at least can love him. He clarifies that it isn't about humans or machines, rather parents can love their children because they are their own flesh and blood and that Valkyrie is not the girl's mother. As they walk, the girl states that they should've apologized and cries. Because of this Valkyrie couldn't find the words, and decided to find Homura's real mother. She goes to Mildian, which Xiaomei remarks that she left the child alone and that the neighborhood cat stole the note she left. Valkyrie is shocked about this, making it seem that she left without saying anything, but brushes it off as she'll come back after she completes her goal. She states that Homura needs her real mother and asks Xiaomei to tell her where she is. Xiaomei states that she will see for her the location of Homura's mother, Kurenai Kōgetsu.

On Sun Jewel, Valkyrie finally finds Kurenai in the Labor District. She introduces herself and informs her of Homura, noting that Kurenai's been through a lot. Kurenai states that women who live there don't live normal lives and that the planet is ruled by the lecherous Baron Mordo. Valkyrie says that it will. Be alright as she will bring her back to Homura, but Kurenai doubts it because of her collar. Valkyrie anticipated this and introduces her to Paul, who can remove it with his ability. He's been following her ever since her first fight there, which he states that it's actually inspiring after seeing her beat someone that bad. He claims that he just had to make her his mentor, but she never agreed to it. Kurenai notices that he still has his collar and wonders why if he can remove it. He informs that although the metals they mine get sent to Mordo, sometimes a rare ore, Lacrima, doesn't get sent and can sell a hefty sum. Kurenai appreciates the offer, but cannot as she made an enormous debt in the wealthy sector's casinos. If she doesn't pay it back, then they'll go after Homura. Valkyrie then comes up with a solution, she will take Kurenai's place to pay off her debt so she may return to Homura. She says she would be a disgrace to the Four Shining Stars if she returns home without accomplishing her goal. Kurenai cries, saying she will remember her kindness for the rest of her life.

Two years later, Paul finds out from Flappy that Kurenai never left Sun Jewel and instead married Baron Mordo. Annoyed, Valkyrie promises to drag her back to Homura. However, Paul adds that Kurenai assassinated Mordo, claiming power over the planet, and now calls herself "Madame Kurenai". Valkyrie wonders what happened, but Paul reminds her that Kurenai was the type to rack up a debt in the casino, saying she never changed. Though, he asks the android to not distrust humans for this. Valkyrie says she won't, as being human or machine has nothing to do with making evil choices and asks Paul to take off her collar. However before he could do so, they hear an explosion by the mining site. They head there and find a swarm of stones that are attacking the miners. The trio of men informs her that Kurenai ordered them to get more metals and she agitated the Stones, making them stampede. One of them guesses at this rate the Stones are going to stampede into the residential district, filled with women and children. They prepare a line of defense to keep the Stones there, but Valkyrie tells them to let her handle it. She claims that this is her responsibility for releasing that woman, and activates her armament system, slaying a number of Stones. Kurenai is ecstatic to get so many metals in just one fight as Valkyrie continues to fight off the monsters. She gets severely damaged but manages to finish off the last of the Stones. She stands down, thinking of Homura saying that she loves her. Valkyrie realizes that she never told her student that she loves her too. In the present, Homura and the others find her where she last was, now deactivated. Paul sobs, telling them that she was protecting them when she died.

Homura is grief-stricken, she cries and tries to get Valkyrie to respond as the others mourn. She thinks Weisz or Sister could fix her, but Pino sadly tells her that an android's core stopping means the same as death for humans. Homura mourns that she'll never see her mentor again. Later, Rebecca, Happy, and Pino stay at the tavern. Happy wonders where Homura is, which Pino responds that she hasn't left Valkyrie's side. The three men are surprised to learn that the girl was Homura, telling Rebecca how they held Valkyrie with the highest respect, calling themselves Valkyrie's Army. She asks why they left her out there, which they answer that she's their beacon that keeps them going and that they feel they shouldn't touch her until Homura came. One of them states they've been preparing the rebellion against Madame Kurenai for a long time. They ask if her group will fight with them, but she responds that for now, she'd rather let Homura grieve in peace.

Meanwhile, Shiki goes to Homura, saying how great her mentor was and would have made a great friend. Homura responds that she doesn't know if she'll recover from this and doubts she ever will. Shiki relates, having felt the same when Ziggy died, but adds that he had Michael and the others to help him keep pressing on. He states that she has friends as well and knows that she can keep pressing on too. He passes by Paul who gives him a thumbs-up, Shiki now having a serious look. Meanwhile, Ward prepares the Occulus Kurenai, locking on the entire Labor District. Nino questions Kurenai, as there are tens of thousands of people there. She answers that they aren't making her money and that they worship Valkyrie. Nino interjects, stating that she save her from the Labor District. Kurenai corrects him in that she merely used the android and that she rose in power all by herself, having done nothing to earn the spite. She remembers how Valkyrie requested she returns to her daughter, laughing at the thought, as she ditched her to come to this planet in the first place. Suddenly, Shiki comes crashing in, demanding to know which one of them is Kurenai. He states that he's taking her to see Homura, as that's what Valkyrie wanted. Shiki says Homura will decide what they do to her, but Kurenai states she has no interest in her daughter. An angered Shiki uses his Ether Gear to collapse the floor and states that Kurenai is coming with him after he beats her up.

## Characters In Order of Appearance

1. Homura Kōgetsu
2. Kenta *(Flashback)*
3. Kenta's Father *(Flashback)*
4. Xiaomei *(Flashback)*
5. Kurenai Kōgetsu
6. Valkyrie Yuna
7. Shiki Granbell
8. Rebecca Bluegarden
9. Happy
10. E.M. Pino
11. Paul
12. Yak
13. Eagle
14. Van
15. Ward
16. Garrot
17. Nino
18. Baku

## Appearances

	+ Sun Jewel
		- Labor District
		- Gold Palace *(Flashback)*
	+ Oedo *(Flashback)*
	+ Mildian *(Flashback)*
		- Temple of Knowledge *(Flashback)*

**Powers and Abilities*** Ether Gear *(Flashback)*
	+ Soul Blade *(Flashback)*
	+ Satan Gravity
* Battle Dress *(Flashback)*
	+ Valkyrie Armament System *(Flashback)*

**Techniques*** Odin Strike *(Flashback)*

**Items*** B-Cube *(Flashback)*

**Creatures*** Stones *(Flashback)*

**Battles and Events*** Shiki Granbell vs. Kurenai Kōgetsu *(Started)*