Episode 20

**Stones** is the 20th episode of the *Edens Zero* anime.

After the robbers are dealt with Shiki and Homura are sent to the Labor District as sub-criminals and must collect the planet's metals to gain their freedom.

## Summary

After Shiki and Homura are sent to the Labor District, the Punishers fly off while Rebecca promises to get Shiki and Homura back. Meanwhile, the two find themselves in the caves of the Labor District. They notice they have collars displaying "100,000" when they encounter a horde of bugs. Shiki is paralyzed with fear at the sight of them, leaving Homura to defend themselves. She slices a number of them, but is soon overwhelmed. Suddenly a trio of men appear and kill all the Stones, saving them.

They welcome Shiki and Homura to the Labor District and Eagle explain that the monsters they faced are called Stones and everyone there are hunters to mine the metals off them. These are then sent to Madame Kurenai and that they have a quota to fill, the numbers on their collar. Shiki asks who Madame Kurenai is, which Van answers is the highest authority on the planet and they have to work for her to get out of the Labor District. Shiki pities him, but he points out they also have to, making him worried about fighting the bug Stones. Though they inform that the bugs are low tier ones and that bigger Stones come in different shapes. Homura notes how unfavorable the situation she is in. Nearby they see the warden beat up a man, Ban explains that there's no law in the Labor District and while Eagle states that the warden works directly under Madame Kurenai and introduces him as Benzaiten Garrot. Shiki stops the man, but Eagle tries to stop him as he shouldn't defy Kurenai's group. The mechanical bird from early watches this all transpire.

The trio of men tells them to stop, because if one rebels then they all get punished for it. The Punishers prepare their weapons as the others cower. Garrot realizes that the two are new and prepares to teach them a lesson, whipping them and forcing them to kneel from his whip's stunning effect. He then focuses on Homura and lashes her, enjoying the sight of her in pain. Shiki takes a hit for her and glares at Garrot, however, the warden reminds him what happens if he defies him. Garrot then ties Homura and drags her away. She stops Shiki from doing anything as she plans to get information from him and that he doesn't know she has Ether Gear, but Garrot points out that he heard everything. The other miners worry for her and want to save her, but are unable to themselves, however, Shiki declares that he can.

Meanwhile, Ward introduces Cedric, a model from Genos, to Madame Kurenai. She requests that he undresses for her, to which he complies. He compliments her beauty and power over the planet, stating that he'll do anything for her as his attendant and caresses her face. However, Kurenai disapproves of him, finding him vulgar for touching her face without permission. Cedric apologizes, but his face is grabbed by Kurenai, and he asks her not to damage his face. Kurenai sadistically decides to do so and burns him and calls for the next candidate, but Ward informs her that he was the last one. She then asks if he knows anything about the Edens Zero, but he does not. She explains that Drakken Joe is after it and wants her to find it, giving 30% as her share. However, she plans to outwit him and steal it for herself. In the caves a giant monster wanders through, with smaller bioluminescent bugs float near it.

In the Edens Zero, the group notes how powerful the radar and jamming waves are, preventing them from contacting Rebecca. Hermit isn't as worried as the radar will never find their ship. Back at Casino Paradise, Rebecca fails to contact the others at the ship, when Labilia reveals herself to them. She informs them that she saw what happened and that there's no normal method to get to the Labor District, but that she knows how to reach it. She offers to tell them if Rebecca does a favor for her. Rebecca asks about this favor, who answers that since Rebecca has gotten popular then they could collaborate. She adds that she hasn't been able to thank Shiki for saving her from the B-Cuber kidnappings and that a collab would benefit the two of them. Rebecca asks what the favor is, which Labilia wants her to cosplay as "Little Mage Girl Wibble Wobble Ruby Bobble" an anime for children. At first, she declines but quickly accepts to get information about how to get to the Labor District. Suddenly, someone starts singing the opening theme of the anime, which Rebecca recognizes as the ultra-famous B-Cuber Nino. As the crowd becomes excited at seeing two famous B-Cubers, Nino compliments Rebecca's cosplay and decides to join the audience after realizing this is Labilia's project. Labilia then gives Rebecca a script for the video, telling her that if she planned her videos then she would get more views, to which Nino agrees. Rebecca is amazed, learning a lot about video making.

Rebecca thinks to herself how well she and Labilia are getting along and promises to rescue Shiki and Homura as Labilia films her video. Her last request for Rebecca involves her saying Ruby's signature phrase on stage. She does and everyone cheers, but Labilia activates her trap, dumping soup over Rebecca and laughs at her with the crowd following suit. Happy scolds Labilia for this not being part of the script, which Labilia answers that it was a prank video and the crowd laughs at Rebecca. Pino asks what's funny about this and demands them not to laugh at her friend as she cries. Rebecca brushes this off for trusting Labilia. She then asks how to get to the Labor District, but Labilia runs off, making them have to gather information again. Nino hands her a piece of paper that says Madame Kurenai listens to every conversation that happens there and that he knows how to get to the Labor District. Meanwhile, Garrot has Homura tied up and admires the view. Homura tries to use her Ether Gear but finds that she can't. Garrot explains that using Ether Gear means to reconfigure the Ether in their bodies and that she can't use it if she can't use her hands. Just as he's about to begin his fun, a door crashes down and Shiki arrives. Garrot reminds him what happens if he defies his orders, but Shiki declares that he doesn't follow his rules and that his friends are important. Threatening that if he hurts his friends, then he'll show what kind of demon king he can be.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Happy
2. E.M. Pino
3. Rebecca Bluegarden
4. Shiki Granbell
5. Homura Kōgetsu
6. Eagle *(Debut)*
7. Van *(Debut)*
8. Yak *(Debut)*
9. Garrot *(Debut)*
10. Flappy
11. Ward *(Debut)*
12. Cedric *(Debut)*
13. Kurenai Kōgetsu
14. Witch Regret
15. Sister Ivry
16. Mosco Versa-0
17. Hermit Mio
18. Weisz Steiner (X442)
19. Labilia Christy
20. Kris Rutherford *(Flashback)*
21. Nino *(Debut)*

## Appearances

	+ Sun Jewel
		- Gold Palace
			* Casino Paradise
		- Labor District
	+ Edens Zero
	+ Blue Garden *(Flashback)*
	+ Guilst *(Flashback)*

**Powers and Abilities*** Ether Gear
	+ Soul Blade
	+ Satan Gravity

**Techniques**
**Items*** Kurenai's Gauntlet
* Edens Zero
* B-Cube

**Creatures*** Stone *(Debut)*
* Punisher