Episode 18

**Words Will Give You Strength** is the 18th episode of the *Edens Zero* anime.

The crew meets Xiaomei, the Time Oracle, who reveals to the crew that they will have to win four rounds for her to give them Valkyrie's location. However, during the battle, Homura is chosen for the final round and faces a surprising opponent.

## Summary

Shiki's group finds themselves in the Mildian Battle Coliseum with a crowd of the planet's residents. Xiaomei appears and explains that as she knows the past, present, and future, she knows everything that will happen and finds it boring. So she puts one restriction on her ability to know, being the outcome of a battle, and gushes about it. She goes on about how the results of battles excite her. Shiki asks what is going on, which Xiaomei explains that one from his group will battle one of her warriors, where if they win she will answer their question. Homura offers to fight, but Shiki decides to do it instead. Happy asks if Xiaomei doesn't know how the battle ends, then that means she shouldn't know the future that happens after it. However, Xiaomei explains that the future branches into several possibilities, having seen one where they win and one where they lose, stating that the future is not set in stone.

Xiaomei then presents the challenger, Shiki, and his opponent, Metal Bogey from the planet Zorg. The others are worried about the opponent, but just as the battle starts, Shiki rushes and punches Bogey in the stomach and knocks him out. Xiaomei is in awe, as while she did predict that Shiki would win, she expected the battle to take longer and gushes at how delicious it is. Xiaomei then congratulates them on making it through the first round, much to their annoyance that she didn't mention it. Shiki excitedly asks who's next, but Pino and Happy ask about the rules and number of rounds. Xiaomei explains that there are four rounds, with each opponent being more powerful than the last and that she'll be the one to pick the match-ups. Rebecca and Weisz complain about having to fight as well, but Xiaomei points out that they're part of their ship's crew so they have to put themselves on the line and prove it. Weisz asks if they can use weapons, which Xiaomei confirms but that they can't kill. She states that the battles are one-on-one, so if they try to help their teammate then it's an immediate disqualification. If they defeat their next three opponents then she will tell them where Valkyrie is. Xiaomei then starts the second round, with Rebecca for the Edens Zero team, allowing her to team up with Happy, who then turns into his Happy Blasters form.

Her opponent is introduced next, Flanker Yocchi, the flea weight champion. Rebecca recognizes him from his Bon-Bo-Bon channel and asks what he's doing here. Yocchi responds that he's working part-time and has heard of her as well, adding that he'll upload this battle to his channel. The fight starts and Yocchi fires bullets from his boxing gloves. Rebecca dodges it and fires back, but Yocchi puts up a Protection Matrix. The bullets on the ground then squirt out Tatter Slime, dissolving parts of Rebecca's clothes making Yocchi chuckle as he repeats that he'll upload it to his channel. Annoyed by his perverted glee, Rebecca rushes to him. Yocchi reminds her that Ether bullets don't work on him, so Rebecca just jump-kicks him in the face and wins the match. Xiaomei then starts the third round, having Weisz fight against Highway Ena. Almost immediately, Ena starts running on the walls and proclaims no one can catch him. Weisz asks if he can use Pino as a weapon, which Xiaomei allows. Weisz asks Pino to use her EMP as their opponent's power is Ether Gear. She complies, making Ena fall to the floor and at the mercy of Weisz, who stomps on him over and over again. Now having three wins, the group thinks the last round will be easy. Xiaomei is overzealous over the battles and prepares the battle she's been waiting for. She calls Homura for the final round, who promises to win to find her mentor. Her opponent steps out and Xiaomei reveals she made special arrangements. She introduces her opponent, a replica of Valkyrie.

Homura is shocked to see a replica of her teacher. The replica Valkyrie then greets her, stating that she has all of the original Valkyrie's data and knows Homura was her original's student. Homura is enraged, calling the copy a mockery of her mentor and charges towards her. The replica claims she knows Homura's sword style and easily blocks her attacks. She adds that she also knows her weaknesses, kicking her and slicing her headband's rabbit ears. Homura proclaims that the replica is not her teacher and came to find the real Valkyrie. Her attack is blocked once more, where the replica points out her pivot foot and trips her. The replica Valkyrie points her sword at Homura, claiming she hasn't grown at all since they last met. The others are worried for her, but Shiki is sure she can win. Homura then kicks the replica in the face but has her foot caught and thrown to a wall. She charges to attack but gets sliced as well, noting how identical the replica is to the real Valkyrie. She thinks to herself that she feels like she's battling the real Valkyrie, but stands firm that the replica is not her and reminisces the time she first met her teacher.

A flashback occurs, where a young Homura is cornered by three thugs who plan to sell her off to Guilst. Suddenly the three are struck down by Valkyrie, who asks the young girl if she's hurt. The swordswoman then rests by her, remarking how cruel the planet is with its constant war. She then wants to take her to her parents, but the girl declines and nods when the android asks if she has no parents. Valkyrie then asks for her name, but she remains silent and tells her to get away from there as it's still dangerous. As the android walks away, Homura finally says her name. Valkyrie introduces herself and says to the young girl, if she wants to say something then she should say it, as words will give her strength. Back to the fight, Homura charges again and attacks the replica, claiming the real Valkyrie is stronger, more inspiring, and caring. She swears to find her, that she must find her as she has things to tell her. The Valkyrie replica compliments her on her lunge but says she can't beat her and hits her pivot foot. However, Homura anticipated this and surprises the replica by using Dragon Flash and knocking her down. The replica in defeat congratulates Homura as Xiaomei announces that the match is over. Homura then states to the replica that if she were her real mentor, then she would never have landed that attack. The group cheers Homura for her victory and the replica Valkyrie praises her strength before transforming back into her true form, a training android, TB 7000. Xiaomei reveals that she lied about making a replica, as the Demon King's Four Shining Stars are unique, instead, she used the training android and installed Valkyrie's personality and strength based on what she knows. She adds that the bot could not surpass Valkyrie's, which Homura calls a tasteless joke. The swordswoman then requests she gives them the information they need, which Xiaomei happily obliges.

Xiaomei snaps her finger and everyone sinks into the floor once more, returning back to the Temple of Knowledge with their clothes fixed. Xiaomei then reveals where they will find Valkyrie, the Planet of Gemstones, Sun Jewel. Now knowing where she is, the group prepares to head off, but Xiaomei stops them, and Shiki thanks her. However, Xiaomei says she's the one who should be grateful, thanking them instead and gives them one more piece of knowledge. Shiki declines at first, but the Time Oracle states it is about their quest to find Mother. She confirms that Mother does exist somewhere in their universe, as she was the one who gave her her powers. Rebecca asks if she knows where Mother is, but she does not as in exchange for her powers she lost her memory of Mother's location and her right to this information. Xiaomei confirms that she had met Mother and that there is no wish she cannot grant. Everyone gets excited about the wishes and Xiaomei states this is why so many seek her out and warns them of the many battles that await them during their quest for Mother. She requests that they ensure Mother will not fall into wrong hands and Shiki accepts. Xiaomei wonders to herself what they will find when they get there and gives her farewell to the audience.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Rebecca Bluegarden
2. Homura Kōgetsu
3. Happy
4. E.M. Pino
5. Weisz Steiner (X442)
6. Shiki Granbell
7. Xiaomei
8. Metal Bogey *(Debut)*
9. Flanker Yocchi *(Debut)*
10. Illega *(Flashback)*
11. Highway Ena *(Debut)*
12. TB 7000
13. Valkyrie Yuna *(Flashback)*
14. Mother *(Flashback)*

## Appearances

	+ Mildian
		- Temple of Knowledge
			* Mildian Battle Coliseum
	+ Oedo *(Flashback)*
	+ Sun Jewel

**Powers and Abilities*** Ether Gear
	+ Satan Gravity
	+ Soul Blade
	+ Fleet Ether Gear
* Happy Blasters
* Electromagnetic Pulse

**Techniques*** Magimech Attack: Gravity Fist
* Warrior Maiden Single-Sword Attack: Dragon Flash

**Items*** Protection Matrix
* Tatter Slime

**Creatures*** Picoratta

**Battles and Events*** Shiki Granbell vs. Metal Bogey *(Started & Concluded)*
* Rebecca Bluegarden vs. Flanker Yocchi *(Started & Concluded)*
* Weisz Steiner (X442) & E.M. Pino vs. Highway Ena *(Started & Concluded)*
* Homura Kōgetsu vs. Valkyrie Yuna (TB 7000) *(Started & Concluded)*