Gunnm :: Kishiro Yukito
 VOLUME 1
:: translated by maduin ::
:: fight 1 :: fight 2 :: fight 3 :: fight 4 :: fight 5 :: fight 6 :: fight 7 :: volume 02 ::

volume 01 fight 01

Rusty Angel- Reclamation

Text: The scrapyard. Home to the rubbish and refuse--Both human and non--Of Tiphares, a utopia above the clouds.

Daisuke: Hm..? Wh-wait a second! I dont believe this! *holding the head and upper body of a girl, she looks a bit cyborgish, he's laughing*
Man: Collecting scraps, are you Daisuke?
Daisuke: What are you calling scraps? Can't you see, Gonzu? She's a genuine human being!
Daisuke, looking at the body of the girl on a table: Judging from the look of the body parts, I'd say it was a two or three hundred year old model...
Daisuke: It's a miracle her brain is still intact...sort of in hibernation
Gonzu?: Sounds nice.
Gonzu: Hey look! She's awake!
Daisuke: Hi! My name's Ido. Whats your name?
Girl: Na..me..?
Gonzu: Too bad Ido, she's lost her memory.
Daisuke{He's ido, btw}: She'll remember! It's only a matter of time. *hugs the girl*
Gonzu: You gonna raise her?
Daisuke: Maybe I'll have to restore her body..but first..Hm! I got it!
Daisuke: Alita! Starting today, your name is Alita!
Gonzu: Wait a minute---wasn't that the name of your cat, the one that died last month?
Gonzu: Wasn't it a BOY?
Daisuke: *touch Alita's face* I don't care! It's just until she remembers her OWN name.

Later..who knows how long?

Daisuke: Our house is over that way...In the "Scrap Yard".
Daisuke: Up there is Tiphares. The mid-air city. They look down on us.
Daisuke: I want to know more about you Alita. You must have a real name, a family, a home town..
Alita: My... real name...
Alita: I don't know {Okay, so she's just a head here and such. Heh, shes still talking!}
Daisuke: Well theres no rush! You can live with Alita for now, Right?
Alita: Yeah!
Daisuke: Hm...I was hoping to find some things to use for your body..but it doesn't look that way...
Daisuke: Damn! Damn! *bang stuff into the ground*
Daisuke: Look Alita---It'll be sometime before you're up and running..But i'll make it worth the wait, I promise. You'll cherish these days, these memories.

Somewhere else..a woman stands with a cigarette in her arm, which just happens to be a cyborg arm.

Woman: Who's there?!

The woman's head explodes, or so it seems. The location switches, Alita and Daisuke are talking, Alita has new cyborg arms that look exactly like the ones the woman had.

Daisuke: That's it! Now give them a try, Alita.
Alita, holding out her arms: They're beautiful!
Alita: Thankyou, Daisuke...but weren't they expensive?
Daisuke: Oh, I just found them at the used parts store.
Daisuke: Next we'll get your legs...

Later, Daisuke in a cloak, hiding his face.

Daisuke: I'll make you even prettier yet...*Walks out of his house with a rolling suit-case wearing the cloak, with a hat.*

Alita, who now has legs, runs across the room

Alita: Mr. Gonzu!
Gonzu: Well, if it isn't Alita, up and running around.
Gonzu: I almost didn't recognize you.
Alita: I know! Isn't it great?
Gonzu: You watch yourself at night, you hear?!
Gonzu: Theres another one of those crazies out there, slitting the throats of cute young things..just like you...
Daisuke: Those legs working alright, Alita?
Alita: They're wonderful!
Alita: Daisuke! What happened to your arm?
Daisuke, holding out his wrapped arm: Oh--you mean this?
Daisuke: I got a little careless, I guess...no big deal.
Alita: Are you sure you're alright?
Alita, thinking: What is he hiding? What?
Daisuke, to a patient: ...Looks like your problem is metal fatigue.

Later, That night..

Daisuke, flashback: You must have a real name, a family, a home town..
Alita: Right now, Daisuke is all I have...
Alita: And thats enough..I dont need a real name...
Alita: I'll just be "Alita"
Daisuke, flashback: It'll be awhile before you're up and running..but I'll make it worth the wait, I promise!
Gonzu, flashback: "...Slitting the throats of cute young things..."
Alita: What's going on? I HAVE TO KNOW!! *Runs outside, following Daisuke, who's wearing the cloak again*

A woman walks down some stairs, Daisuke holds a weapon in his hands, Alita stands hiding behind him, watching

Alita: It can't be! Daisuke..lying in wait for that woman..
Daisuke, attacks the woman but is stopped by Alita
Alita: Don't!
Daisuke: ! Alita you don't know what-!
Alita: I know all about it Daisuke! These arms and legs..you KILLED people for them, didn't you!?
Daisuke: What did you say?
Alita: Dont!--You can't make me a part of this!
Daisuke, spinning around, looking for the woman: Ughn! She's gone!
Daisuke: ALITA!!
Alita: Daisuke...
Woman: *attacks Alita, knocking her down*
Alita: Eh? *ducks, dodging*
Daisuke: This woman's the killer!
Alita: ! *dodges more, the womans still attacking her* {I like this part ^^ Alita looks all freaked out, her face is just..so unique ^^}
Woman, still attacking: Gya-Saj-Aval!!!! {Eh?! I dunno what on earth she said, I think it's like a noise.}
Daisuke, getting attacked, and taking the hits: Uh oh!
Alita: *tackles the woman, pushing her down as both of them slam on the ground* You think..I'll let you..kill...Daisuke?!
Daisuke: ALITA!!!
Alita: *flips into the air hitting the woman hard, then spins hitting the woman again, and kicks her in the back of the head and finishes by hitting her in the back with her feet, then lands*
Woman: Gyaaaa *shes bloody, and she finally dies on the ground*
Daisuke: A-Alita..
Alita, turns around: What in the--?! {I think she's shocked at what she did ^^}
Daisuke: The panzer kunst! Only one type of humanoid cyborg ever mastered that technique! But how..

{Just for referance, the Panzer Kunst is said to be the most powerful of all the various fighting techniques developed by humanoid cyborgs}

At the factory 33

Machine: So the murderer was a mutant woman who went berzerk, huh? Considering the looks of her, I can see why she only went after women.
Machine: You really went the distance for this one, eh, Ido?
Machine: She's worth a full hundred chips though!
Machine: You still need female body parts? Got a nice new shipment...

Back at Daisuke's place

Daisuke: In the old days, before the factories took over, there was something called a police force that dealt with criminals.
Daisuke: That just wouldn't work in the scrap yard though, so the factory 33 pays off big in chips for any of us stupid enough to take the chase.
Alita: Sorry I jumped to conclusions Daisuke..
Daisuke: Sorry?! I was trying to help you, and you saved my life! Thankyou Alita, you're an angel.
Alita, thinking: You gave me my life Daisuke..if I'm an angel..what's that make you?
Alita: You think?
Daisuke: No more stunts though--You hear?
Alita, who's body's been taken off for work: Yes sir!
Daisuke: Your body still needs alot of work...

Translators Note: I'm really fond of this manga, but what gets me is how Alita can be considered human when she's a talking head at first, AND how she lived. Blah, I dont understand how that works, but this story takes place in the future, so maybe it has something to do with that. I also think you'll notice I really hate Daisuke x.x; and you'll probably see why. Anyway...
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volume 01 fight 02


Fighting Blood- Awakening

Alita, infront of the factory 33 building, aparently rebuilt: I'll become a hunter warrior too, just like Daisuke!
Daisuke, later on: WHAT KIND OF NONSENSE IS THAT!?!!
Daisuke, yelling: I didn't dig you out of the rubble because I saw a monster, a military machine..
Alita: But..
Daisuke: I saw something beautiful!--And you grow more beautiful everyday!
Daisuke: But fighting..Fighting is an ugly thing!
Daisuke: And ugliness is the last thing I want for your life!
Alita: But I can't just stand by while you risk yourself Daisuke..
Alita: And besides, why should I live the life YOU chose for me? I've got to find my own way!
Later, Alita in the Factory 33: Isn't anyone around?
Cylinder: Whats your business honey?
Another Cylinder: Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?
Third Cylinder: But Ch'are, Blanche Ch'are!
Fourth Cylinder: OMIGAWD! {Oh, by the way, the cylinders are machines made by the Factory, thats where the bounty hunters go to get paid. Earlier I called the machines, now, I refer to them as cylinders, because Alita does.}
Alita: AH! Cylinder..?
Cylinder, the first one, with a number 12 on it: Here to register as a bounty hunter eh?
Cylinder #12: For that, you'll have to go to cylinder # 10.
Cylinder #10, Alita walked to him: No moving! I'm burning an id stamp on the inside of your brain! No moving.
Alita: On my BRAIN? But I can't afford to become any more stupid then I already am. {Someone has low self esteem}
Cylinder #10: No worry. It won't damage your neurons, just put the hunter seal on your neuroglia {One of the two types of cells that make up the brain, neurons occupy a mere 2.85% of the volume, with the greater being filled by the glue-like neuroglia}
Cylinder #10: You cyborgs have no natural cell patterns so we can't identify you with finger prints, voice prints, or retina patterns, brain stamps are the only way.
Daisuke, flashback: Don't you understand Alita?! Hunting is a dirty work! The dirtiest!
Daisuke, flashback: I'll behead as many criminals as it takes--for you child! Splash me with blood. But YOU must remain pure, unsulled, as you are in my dreams!
Alita, flashback: Your dreams!? But what about me!?!
Alita: -Idiot..-
Cylinder #10: Stamping complete.
Alita: Gee, it's easy to become a hunter warrior, isn't it?
Cylinder #10: Easy to get registered, yes. But the deed itself--Thats different.
Cylinder #10: What possessed you to become a hunter, baby?
Alita: -I've been asked that question long before now..-
Alita: I know what I have to do!

Somewhere else, an old man sits on a bench

Old Man: Good Pooh! Good!
Voice: Hey pops!
Old Man: Huh?
Izuchi: How much will ya' take for the dogs brains?
Old Man: His what!? Pooh here's my only family..Why..?
Izuchi: Uh oh..
Bigger man: *groans*
Izuchi: Ya know pops..You're really gonna regret this. You'll wish you'd given up the dogs brains and been done with it.
Old Man: Why would you want something like BRAINS?
Bigger Man: *rips off his cloak*
Bi-stander: Pah-lease! What a display!
Bigger Man: *snatches a woman out of the crowd, roaring*
Izuchi: Ha, heh, heh, It's started and there aint no turning back!
Bigger Man: *prays the womans skull open with ease, and sucks her brains out*
Bi-Stander: Oh, yuck! I don't believe it...!
Izuchi: He ain't hungry or nuthin'...
Izuchi: ...Just your run o'the mill addict! The boss is an endorphin junkie! If he doesn't eat brains, he goes into withdrawls! {Endorphin- A narcotic produced in the brain}
Bigger Man: So good...*attacks the crowd grabbing loads of people*
Bi-Stander: RUN FOR IT!!
Izuchi: Ha ha, do you regret it? Speak up, Pops!
Old Man: N-no I don't..
Text: ...DON'T! Please---!

..Somewhere else..

Daisuke: Damn! Damn!
Alita, flashback: Your dreams!?! But what about me!?
Daisuke: *pant..pant* ha..hahaha...
Daisuke: You're right, Alita..You're right!
Daisuke: How arrogant to dream of controlling your life or anyones! {Erf, I hate him! He's lame.}
Daisuke: Your life is your own..*laying down on..cement?* but why...why of all things..a hunter?
Daisuke: -Does she have fighting blood in her lost memory?-
Alita, flashback of using the panzer kunst, with text: The panzer kunst technique Alita used unconciously the other day..
Daisuke: -I guess it's..- Destiny..
Daisuke, walking: But there's one thing you've got wrong Alita...
Daisuke: You are not the only reason I live on as..
Daisuke: a "hunter warrior" ...

Somewhere else..

Izuchi: Heehee...lookin' after the boss is gettin' to be alot of work..
Izuchi: To think that I, the great Izuchi, has gotta hunt dog heads!
Izuchi: But that look on pops face earlier was killer..
Izuchi: Huh?!
Daisuke, swinging his axe through Izuchi's neck: -I live for this rush..this one moment of ecstacy..-
Daisuke: -I kill for my own sake..-
Daisuke, picking up Izuchi's head: -Nothing more..nothing less..-
Daisuke: -I didn't want you to see this side of me..didn't want your life to turn towards the shadows..oh Alita..-

Meanwhile..

Big Guy(earlier referred to as The Bigger Man): *munch munch* gyahahaa
Alita: -Get ahold of yourself Alita..you're stroner than you know..-
Alita: *flips up and knocks off the big dudes arm* -No! My technique isn't good enough!-
Big Guy: *slams his arm down ripping off Alita's lower body*


Translators Note:: Ack! So, Already Alita is getting an arse kicking! Really fast paced story, but 'tis good just the same. I don't know how exactly to describe the fight scenes, and as you prolly guessed, this is a story mainly about fighting. Good lord, I hope you understand -.-
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volume 01 fight 03

Torn Asunder- Values

Alita: Got to stop my fall----(she catches herself on her hand and flips back into the air, she's missing her lower body {ouch})
Alita: Got to spin---(she spins around and knocks off the bigger guy's arm {Eventually i'll find his name..really..})
Ido(just walked up): A-Alita!
Alita's arm is stuck in the bigger guys eye, it's ripped off her and she's falling AGAIN.
Big Guy: Girl!! (Caught Alita)
Big Guy {Hey his name is Makaku!} M-My eye! The Great Makaku's eye! P-Pain! N-Not enough N-n Endorphines.
Makaku: Got to suck braiiins
Ido: BASTARD! (swings his axe and does some serious damage on Makaku)
Ido: DIE! (swings axe at makaku's head)
Ido: H-huh? Where's his head? {K i'm not sure if thats what he said or not, it's the closest I can get...}
Ido: Gone, I guess...smashed to dust..
Ido: Alita! The poor thing..(Alita's unconcious on the ground)
Ido: Her skull..it's cracked..got to fix it right away
Makaku: {He's just a head..you'll understand more later.} Gwahahahaha!
Ido, turning around: Huh?
Makaku: (flying into Ido's stomach launching..a spike thing out of his head) hahaha
Ido: Oh! Aghhh!!
Ido: So..you were only a head all along (wincing)
Text: I don't care who you are..
Makaku: NOBODY CAN TAKE MY LIFE!!
Makaku: Hm! Right! I've burned both your faces into this eye (meaning he took a note into his brain, like when you make a recording or a mental image) and I won't forget! Without fail! Without fail I am going to slurp up those brains of yours!
Ido: Since loosing your body you've become very articulate haven't you? (wince)
Makaku: Heheheh..I suppose my intellegance can be impacted by the body I possess.
Makaku: It's like Nieztche said..
Makaku: The mind is just the plaything of the body!!! (he flies off, he looks like a giant tadpole or something..)
Ido, sitting with a spike through his stomach: Damn he's scary..
Ido: There's been a price on THAT head for years..but no one's had the guts to go after him..
Ido: Makaku..so thats him..
Ido, turning to look at Alita: Alita..
Ido: Took on more then you could handle..first time out..bad luck eh?
Ido: Well DAMN luck then!
Ido: I won't let you rott in a place like this!
Ido: I won't let you end up as a meal for that monster! (rips the spike out of his stomach, blood goes everywhere)
Ido: I've got to fix your body (wince)

Somewhere Else, Ido's walking home carrying alita

Announcer: It's the finishing blow! "Grind Cutter"!
Announcer: The warriors insides are spilt all over the mat!
Announcer: The champion Kinuba has successfully defended his title for the sixty-third time!
Ido, outside on his knees: Alita! A warriors spirit needs a warriors body..
Ido: One fit for battle..with the power to take a life with a single blow {i think he's at his house..}
Ido: My dream will have to die..for you to survive..
Ido, picking up a payphone: {he's still in the scrap yard n/m} Theres no other way to make it... in the scrap yard.
Gonzu, at home: Who'd call this late at night?
Gonzu, on the phone now with Ido, Ido explains the situation and asks Gonzu to pick him and Alita up: Yeah!
Ido, back at the payphone, holding alita's torn up body: There's nothing in this world of value..nothing worth risking out lives for..
Ido: Except maybe..what little we can create ourselves..
Ido: ..Without you Alita..my life has no value..

Translators Note: IDO IS A DOPE. I DO NOT LIKE IDO! x.x okay so I put up the third battle..how many more now? 7? wow -.x; k i think ill go die in a corner. The next section is pretty cool tho, from here on out this volume's pretty nice. You get to see a little bit more of Alita's real personality, and you get a very nice view of her fighting skills. Yay.
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volume 01 fight 04

Berserk's Reborn

Text: A child crying somewhere in the distance
Text: Abandoned... alone..
Alita: That's me...

a scene of the scrapyard, pieces of cyborgs laying everywhere, and a crane picking some up.

Ido: It's all right now...
Alita: Ido...

back in the clinic

Gonzu: Looks like her brain survived without any damage...
Gonzu: ...She's having a dream.
Ido: I hope it's a good one.
Gonzu: Always mooning over Alita...
Gonzu: Isn't it time you worried about yourself a little?
Gonzu: You were lucky to escape with your organs intack, Ido!
Gonzu: Blood loss is bad enough--- but one wrong move and those quack doctors would have made a cyborg out of you!
Ido: I'm greatful, Gonzu.. Really.
Gonzu: Being a cyborg might not be so bad buy carrying around those Doctor's bills for the rest of your life--- that's a real tragedy.
Ido: Yeah, I'm not sure which is worse--- to be left for dead, or being chased after for loan payments... Either way you lose, ha ha!
Ido: (Thinking) Makaku... he memorized our faces, swore vengence... he's sure to come after Alita and me...
Ido: (thinking still) ...We have to ready our counter-attack before then... I've got to fix Alita's body...
Gonzu: You worked so hard to put her body together and Alita loved it so much. Now what are you gonna do?
Ido: I've made up my mind.
Ido: Give me a hand, Gonzu.
Gonzu: Hmm?

Under the Clinic- A lab

Gonzu: How long has this been under your clinic?
Ido: It's sort of a secret of mine. This is sort of my collection room.
Gonzu: These things work?
Ido: I wouldn't touch them if I were you!
Gonzu: Whew--- you're some kind of crazy, aren't you?
Ido: This is it!
Gonzu: {He's staring up at a giant metal bot. Or it looks giant.} What is this? Some kind of piecemetal Android?!
Ido: I'll turn the power on.
Gonzu: Oh. Well!

The Android's body parts kind of.. pull together. It looks like a robot now.

Gonzu: Creepy! This body's alive!
Gonzu: (staring) It's... it's magnificant! Why didn't you attach it to Alita in the first place?
Ido: Well, Gonzu...
Ido: Nothing is ever simple. This is the body of a "berserker".
Ido: Several years ago, I discovered the remains of a space ship at the bottom of the ravine to the west. It was the first time I had ever seen a space ship, but it was clear to me that this vehicle was meant for battle. Long ago, there had been a war in the sky... Now, even after the own's brain was gone, the warrior's body was breathing quietly. Just as if it had been waiting for a new master...
Ido: It was a work of art... created with a high technology and craftman's ship that have since been lost. I was fascinated, to say the least.
Ido: But as I studied it's structure, my thinking changed.
Ido: This machine--- it's a murder weapon! The design makes it good for only one thing.
Ido: It's creators wanted to make a human being into an efficient weapon!
Ido: They say in the olden times, able bodies were made over and sent to war-- as "berserkers". This discovery was my first taste of the true madness of war.
Ido: To think of human beings as nothing but tools... unforgivable.. and so I locked the berserker body down here...
Gonzu: . . . . .
Gonzu: But still, you've made up your mind to attach this to Alita?
Ido: I don't know... maybe I'm wrong.
Ido: But one thing is certain-- this girl knows how to use power.
Ido: The only thing I can do for her now, is give her that power.
Gonzu: Hmmm... I see... But... Now that I look at it...
Gonzu: This is a man's body!
Ido: Not for long.
Ido: By inputting some values through the keyboard, the variable skeletal muscles [*] can be set for either a man or a woman. [* - Because they are composed of fine metal elements, they are strong and soft, and have the ability to change their shape.]
Ido: I guess Alita will never have to worry about getting fat, eh?
Ido: Because of this wound, I can't move up and around--- I need you to do the operation for me.
Gonzu: What?! {He's freaking out}
Ido: I'll support from the monitor...
Gonzu: Impossible! I can't do that! {That is a lot of sweatdrops.}
Ido: Gonzu, didn't you tell me you were a cyberphysician when you were young?
Gonzu: Cyberveterinarian! Years ago!
Alita: (thinking) Ido...

In Alita's head... I'm assuming o.o;

Ido's voice: "Alita!"
Ido: Starting today, your name is "Alita"!
Alita: Alita?
Ido: (flashback) You must have a real name, a family, a home town.
Alita: (flashback) My... real... name...
Alita: (Present) Right now, Ido is all I have.
Alita: And that's enough. I don't need a real name.
Ido: No!

There's a scene of a monster attacking Ido, Alita appears and destroys it. This is -still- in Alita's unconscious state.

Alita: Wh-what am I?
Alita: This-this power! Where does it come from?
Alita: Inside me... is another me...
Alita: ... struggling to break free!
Alita: {she's flying, although I don't know what through} If I can just fly a little father...
Alita: I can almost see touch her!
Alita: !
Alita: My body!

There's a picture of Makaku laughing with Alita broken in half, falling in front of him.

Alita: (Waking up) Oh!
Gonzu: She's awake!
Ido: Alita!
Gonzu: Well, how is it Alita?
Ido: Does it feel strange?
Alita: Huh...
Alita: Oh...
Alita: My new... body?! {She looks really happy ^_^}
Ido: It may not look as good as the old one, but it's a warrior's body.
Alita: ... (she swings her fists a few times)
Ido & Gonzu: Success!

that night

Alita: (thinking) Ido's stomach... that wound...
Alita: (thinking still) That monster with the huge face must have gotten him. Ma-- kooky something...
Alita: (punches the wall) Well watch out!
Alita: Next time I see you, I'll splatter your brains!

At the fighting Arena

Announcer: The helpless champion has been cornered by Zaariki's incredibly fierce attack-- "The Dance of the Sabato Crab"!
Zaariki: This fight is mine!
Champion: I don't recall being cornered. (punches Zaariki)
Champion: I was just saving myself the extra walk home!
Champion: (attacking with chains from his fingers) Next time you want to challange me, you might want to try a stronger body! Ah!
Zaariki: Yah!? Yaaah...
Announcer: The Champion's "Grind Cutter" explosive death blow! He pulverizes the challenger's enormous body in an instant!
Announcer: Truly unrivalled! Undefeated in 281 fights, the champion Kinuba!

There's a sign, it says waiting room.

Makaku: Gwa, hee, hee!
Kinuba: Who are you...?
Makaku: {it seems he's stolen a little fat guy's body this time o.O}Gwa hee hee. Oh no one whose name is worth mentioning.
Makaku: I saw that contest just now and have become a big fan of yours, you see.
Makaku: Gwa-hee, Gwa-hee! Yes, you certainly are powerful.
Kinuba: Hmm... I don't know how you managed to slip past the guards to get here...
Kinuba: ...but drink up!
Makaku: Gwa, hee, hee! Why thank you!
Makaku: That weapon built into your right hand... sensational, isn't it?
Kinuba: Heh, heh... It's because of this that I can claim to be unrivalled.
Kinuba: (he's showing off his chains) Through the super vibration actuator[*] these finger-tips can move at three to four times the spead of sound! I can cut through ceranuc armor as if it were jelly!
Kinuba: Not exactly easy to come by you know.
Makaku: Gwe hee hee, I like them.
Kinuba: Huh?
Makaku: That power... that body (his body kind of.. shreads off)
Makaku: (in his true body) The great Makaku will take them if you don't mind! Gwahahahaha!

They fight, Kinuba attacking with his chains. Makaku manages to paralyze Kinuba's left arm.

Kinuba: My left arm--- it won't move!
Kinuba: gu... go...
Makaku: (basically, trying to snatch Kinuba's body) Gwahahahaha!
Kinuba: Y-you bastard...
Kinuba: You can't just take over my body! I'll shread myself to pieces first!
Kinuba: Eat this!

There's an explosion in the room.

Makaku: (he snatched Kinuba's body) ...Now, nobody...
Makaku: Nobody can stop me!
Makaku: NOBODY! Gwahahaha
Makaku: I've taken the strongest body on earth!
Makaku: Now to retaliate!

Alita and Ido standing outside in the scrap yard, looking up at Tiphares

Alita: What is that sound?
Ido: It's the sighing of the tubes that connect Tiphares to the factories here on the ground.
Ido: It's caused by the changes in Tiphares's altitude--- which in turn is caused by the moon's gravitational pull.
Alita: What an awful sound...
Alita: ...Like the moans of thousands of people... {this is a really cool picture of her standing with her arms folded.}
Ido: (smiling) You're starting to seem more grown up, Alita.
Alita: Really!? (blushing)
Ido: My!
Ido: (thinking) I wonder if attaching a berserker body has affected her mind...
Alita: I know what you're worried about, Ido.
Alita: But believe me...
Alita: ...No matter how I seem to change from this point on
Alita: I'll still be the Alita you know, always.
Ido: I believe you.

They start walking again and arrive at a bar-type place. Or, the stairs outside it.

Alita: What is this place?
Ido: "Kansas". It's a hangout...
Ido: ...for bounty-hunters, like me!
Bounty-Hunter: Hey doc!
Bartender: Here's doc in a wheel-chair!
Bounty-Hunter(2): Doc!
Ido: Zapan, how's the arm?
Zapan: {Remember him from earlier? ^_^} Oh, it's great, doc!
Bounty-Hunter 3: Pay you back next time I see you, okay?
Alita: Everyone calls you "Doc", Ido.
Bounty-Hunter (2): So, is this Doc's assistant?
Bounty-Hunter (3): Whoa, she's a cutie.
Bounter-Hunter (4): Hey, honey, join me in a drink!
Bartender: (talking to Ido) I heard the news from Gonzu. Some kind of calamity, huh?
Ido: Yeah, quite a mess...
Ido: (yelling) Everyone! Listen up!
Crowd: What is it, Doc?
Ido: We're after that monster Makaku. Will you guys lend us a hand in bringing him down?!
Crowd: Uh.. uhm.. ....
Alita: ?
Ido: What's wrong, guys?

Ido looks around and spots Zapan

Ido: Zapan!
Zapan: Hmph! None of my business!
Zapan: We bounty hunters are lone wolves!
Zapan: You bring down your own prey by yourself!
Bounty Hunter: Only an idiot would go after that slimeball Makaku.
Another Bounty Hunter: Heaven help us!
Third Bounty Hunter: That's one bounty that's just too dangerous!
Fourth Bounty Hunter: So far, at least ten hunters have been killing trying to get him.
Ido: We can't just pick and choose the criminals we go after! It's not right!
Ido: If a friend were about to be killed by Makaku right before your eyes, would you just turn the other way?
Zapan: Shaddap! Nobody preaches to me!
Zapan: Avoid the risks as best you can, bring down your prey efficiently and carefully, then take home your chips. That's what it means to be a pro!
Zapan: This isn't a hobby for us, Doc! We ain't got your brains--- but we know how to stay alive!

A glass of beer or something hits Zapan in the face. Alita hops ontop of a table, looking really pissed off.

Zapan: Hey!
Ido: !
Zapan: Who's this bitch?
Alita: Some "pro" you are!
Alita: Why not just be honest and say "I don't want to fight Makaku because he scares the piss out of me"!
Alita: There are only two Hunter-Warrior's in this room!
Alita: Ido and I will just have to take this bounty on our own!
Alita: The rest of you cowards can just stay here and rot!
Zapan: (pissed) .....
Ido: (thinking) T-this is bad...
Ido: Alita! Apologise to everyone.
Alita: (turning back towards Ido) No way!
Zapan: (pissed) I don't care if you are a woman--- I can't let you get away with this shit.
Zapan: Maybe I'll rip out your arms and legs and roll your head in the street to teach you some manners.
Alita: (smirking) Big man...
Alita: ...Just try it.
All of the Hunters, except Ido: That's it!

They start attacking Alita but she dodges all their attacks and starts fighting back.

Zapan: Damn it! Don't go easy on her!

Alita is still dodging their attacks with quite efficiantly.

Hunter: Why you--!

Alita stomps her foot down, then grabs the Hunter around the waist from behind.

Hunter: Gah! Oops I-I'm sorry! {he thinks he attacked someone else}
Hunter: I-It's not me!
Hunter: (to Alita) Dammit! Would you let go of me?!
Alita: Tee-hee. (she body slams him)
Hunter: Wah!

She attacks a bit more, knocking down the remaining hunters. They're in a pile, all but the bartender

Bartender: D-Damn..
Alita: Now-- Don't that make you feel a lot better?
Ido: (looking miserable) I'll pay for the broken chairs and tables...
Bartender: That girl must be the origin of your calamity!
Baby: Yip! Yip!
Bartender: Damn, she's tough.
Bartender: You'd never imagine it to look at her...
Hunter, knocked down: Weird techniques and incredible power... this girl's not just anybody!
Same Hunter: Who the hell are you?!
Alita: A- li- ta!

Outside the bar. It seems the other hunters got kicked out.

Hunter: Uhhh... Ouch...
Zapan: Hey, you guys all right?
Another Hunter: My arm's gone!
Zapan: Next time I see that girl I'm gonna make her pay.
Hunter: Aghhh! (he got stepped on)
Zapan: Wh-what the hell?!
Zapan: Ah! Ahhh!

Inside the bar, Alita is standing by a dog. Very cute.

Alita: Heh..
Hunter: (one of the remaining ones?) I don't care how strong you care! You think you can get along in this town...
Hunter: ...after making enemies of most of the bounty hunters?
A different hunter: An earthquake? Now?
Bartender: What the---?!
Dog: grrr
Alita: !
Voice: Kinuba! It's champion Kinuba!
Another voice: Wow! Is it really him?!
Ido: The hero of the coliseum! What's he doing in this place?
Bartender: In my bar!
Hunter: (runs up to ''Kinuba'') I-I'm a big fan of yours. Can I have an autograph?!
"Kinuba": Sure. (slices the Hunter up with his chains)
Hunter: Wee! (falls apart) Hee?! !
"Kinuba": (his face falls off, basically. It's Makaku) Gwahahaha! I've come to see you, baby!
Ido: Makaku! (thinking) This... thing... has gotten ahold of Kinuba's power?!

Kansas gets trashed. Again.

Makaku: (holding the baby, from earlier) Ah, pretty thing! You've gotten ahold of a new body, too?
Alita: (staring down Makaku. Her trench coat is blowing in the wind from the.. explosion?) Ah! (thinking) Some kind of sensor---He's probing my body!

Maduin's note: *_* the fight scenes in this chapter really are to die for. Although I'm not dead. Contrary to how very little I update. x.x; I still don't like Ido. Ido sucks. But I like Alita. She's fiesty, and yeah. She rocks. And some of the conversations in this chapter between Alita and Ido are really sweet. The reason I have been slow is because my friend is also reading the books, so she's been borrowing them. She finished volume 1, so I got it back. *_*;; expect updates. Hopefully she won't take forever in getting Volume 2 done. At least, not longer then I take in translating. *_*;;
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volume 01 fight 05

Hell Trap

Makaku: I want you
Makaku: And what I want I get
Makaku: I'll never forget the agony of having this eye crushed (he's got his hand over his eye.. reminds me of X..) but I won't kill you...
Makaku: My desire, pretty little thing...
Makaku: ...is to rip off your limbs while you still are alive... to turn you, crying, into a living pendant to wear around my neck! (The scene shows Alita, and her torso as a pendant. Kind of creepy.)
Makaku: There is nothing that could make me happier then to hear your voice pleading every day!
Makaku: Don't you agree that it's a wonderful idea?
Alita: (looking frustrated with a 'oh brother' face) Oooh...
Alita: (expression kind of amused) So wicked... so vicious... so sad.
Alita: If pain is all that can make you happy, I believe we're now beyond good and evil. How pathetic.
Makaku: Gwahaha! Take it or leave it--- I'm just a little maggot-worm! Gwahaha! (he's.. like.. flying around..)
Makaku: Gwahaha
Ido: (he's kind of in the background sitting infront of the bar.) Oh no...
Makaku: (looking at the baby) Hee, hee..
Makaku: My life began with pain and fear, little one...
Ido & Bartender: !
Makaku: But "fear" and "pain" can be over come if you know the right way!
Makaku: These two feelings -- like water -- are always flowing to a higher and a lower place
Makaku: As long as I subject these feelings on others, I am protected from them myself..
Makaku: But such torture requires power and the power to thrust others into pain and fear is my goal!
Makaku: (he's showing off his chains) Power like this, you see?
Ido: (looking surprised) The grind cutter! Run, Alita!
Alita: .... (she looks bored)
Makaku: (attacking with chains) On your knees, girl! I may be but just a maggot-worm, but I am the king of them!
Alita: (annoyed) You think this a threat?
Alita: (kicking) Don't underestimate me, you snake-neck!
Makaku: Heh heh, you don't comprehend my power, do you?

Makaku attacks, and Alita dodges a bit, managing not to get hit by the chains.

Makaku: (still attacking) 300 miles per hour.. 400 miles per hour... how fast do you want me to go?
Makaku: Gwahaha, how fast do you want me to go?
Alita: (thinking) I'm way too small... the only way I can possibly bring Makaku down is to fly into his face and deliver a killing blow
Alita: (attacking) Let's go!

Alita jumps up and runs across the grind cutter toward Makaku's face

Makaku: What?! Running along the grind cutter---!
Alita: Get ready, Makaku!
Makaku: (attacking with other cutter) Gwaha, you DO make this fun!
Makaku: But there's more--!

He attacks and knocks alita down, she slams into the ground.

Ido: No! Alita!
Alita: (picking herself up) Uh..
Makaku: Gwahaha! It's so cute, how angry and upset you get. Can't take a little teasing, can you?
Makaku: Alita, if I were a cruel man, you'd have been in pieces a long time ago! You see, there are grind cutters built into all FIVE fingers of my left hand.
Ido: (thinking) Even with Alita's "panzer kunst" and "berserker" body, she's no match for Makaku's new form. {He's such a dork. No faith whatsoever in his creation...}
Ido: (thinking still) And in this damn wheel chair there's nothing I can do to help!
Ido: (glancing at Makaku and Alita, thinking still) But there's something I don't get. On the surface, he seems to be picking on someone weaker then himself, but that can't be it. Could it be that he's...
Ido: (eyes widening, looking like he's going to be sick, and thinking still) In love with Alita?!
Hunter: We'll all be killed...
Hunter 2: Is it true that with your brain eaten you can't be brought back to life, even as a cyborg---!
Hunter 3: Yuck! I don't want my brains to be eaten!
Ido: Shut up, all of you!
Dog: Bark!

Makaku uses his grinders to grab the baby... although i thought he had her earlier...

Hunter: Koyomi!
Makaku: Gwahahaha
Hunter: (assuming this is her father) Please! The baby! Give Koyomi back, please!
Makaku: Now you see me... now you don't.
Makaku: (putting the baby on his tongue) Hmph! This brat is no fun, but she looks tastey..
Alita: Stop! (climbing to her feet, looking pissed)
Alita: The baby has nothing to do with this, now does she? Let her go!
Makaku: Is this your kid?
Alita: Of course not! {She's a cyborg.. how's she gonna have kids? oO;;}
Makaku: Well, Alita, it's time to put my foot down.
Makaku: Cutting you to ribbons wouldn't be as fun here..
Makaku: So let's play a game! (he stomps down hard and the ground breaks, he falls through)
Makaku: If the brat means so much to you, come get her yourself!
Makaku: I'll be waiting, pretty thing!
Dog: Bark! (jumps down after Makaku)
Ido: Duke! Come back!
Hunter: Oooh-- it's no good. That child won't come back.
Other Hunters: We made it! We're alive!
Different Hunter: Looks that way. Makaku's gone.
Another Hunter: All right!
Hunter 3: What luck we have!
Hunter 4: Ahh! A second ago I felt more dead than alive!
Hunter 3: Too bad about those guys who were killed-- guess they weren't as lucky as us!
Hunter 4: You said it! I never want to see that monster again!

Alita starts to walk off, ignoring the cheering of the hunters. She looks pained.

Ido: You musn't go, Alita!
Ido: Don't let him lure you in! It's a trap!
Other Hunters: ??
Alita: I know...
Alita: (her back towards them all) ...But I said we had to take on Makaku, and I meant it. Someone has to take this responsibility.
Ido: Eh?
Alita: And besides, Koyomi's such a cute baby. You'd rescue her, right? (she flashes Ido a confident grin)
Ido: ...
Alita: (grinning still) We'll both be back, Ido. Just wait and see.
Alita: (jumping into the hole Makaku created) I promise!
Ido, from above: Alitaaaaa!

Alita falls through the hole into what looks like a sewer

Alita: So this is what lies beneath the scrap yard...
Alita: (falling still, thinking) That concussion I got earlier... still pretty dizzy... (she starts flipping around, knocking cement pieces away from herself)
Alita: (putting her finger against a cement pole, using it to stop herself and hang from it, thinks) Makaku...
Alita: (looking over landscape, thinking still) Where are you...?
Alita: (pole breaks, alita grabs a wire from the inside of it) Eeek! (she falls and hangs upside down, clinging to the wire above what looks to be water)

Back in the Pub

Ido: Alita...
Ido: I should never have given her that berserker body! (slamming his fist against table)
Ido: Now all I can do is sit here waiting for her to return safely!
Bartender: I don't understand it. She had a chance to escape with her life, then she just threw it away as if it were nothing...
Ido: (punching the bartender) That's not a stranger you're talking about! This wouldn't be happening if you all had helped to fight Makaku!
Koyomi's Father: Doc.. Alita... she said she'd bring back my Koyomi safely... said it was a promise..
Koyomi's Father: Such bravery... to go against that monster all by herself.. but Doc..
Koyomi's Father: Does that child even stand a chance..!?
Ido: (pausing, turns to Koyomi's father) I doubt even Alita's "panzer kunst" cn match Makaku's grind cutters. The only possibility is her berserker body.
Ido: (looking distant) ...That alien technology packed in several functions even I haven't yet discovered. Perhaps the 'survival mode' with enhanced weaponery..
Ido: Just what it might be.. but with a hidden power inside.. Alita can possibly match the grind cutters..
Ido: (the scene is Alita, but Ido's still talking) The survival mode switch is connected to the cerebral cortex deep inside her brain.. It may be her only hope.. (On the bottom of the page it reads: Cerebral cortex- The region of the brain that controls large-scale movements of the muscles. This 'crocodile brain' manages the primitive/reptilian instinctive actions)
Alita: (climbing out of water, shaking herself dry) ugh
Ido: (the scene is Alita running) The command that activates survival mode is possibly an intense will to live-- a deep desire to hang on to life at all costs.
Alita: (hopping around in the sewers, thinking) I gave my word I'd deliver the baby to safety..
Alita: (thinking) ..that I would come back alive...
Alita: Ahh! (something swam by, frightened her)
Alita: (sigh, thinking) Ido, I'm afraid...
Alita: (thinking) But these feelings are too real to be ignored
Alita: (thinking still) Something deep within me is being touched again... and responding.
Alita: Even in someone like me there's a fragile heart deep inside... (she;s standing infront of a large.. cliff like thing)
Alita: (spots the baby) Koyomi!

Alita leaps from the cliff, hopping around to get to Koyomi

Alita: Ah!
Alita: (sees Koyomi's carrier hanging) Thank goodness you're all right! (thinking) I don't see Makaku
Alita: (thinking) But I can feel his presense, his energy is here..
Alita: (thinking) Something evil so close.. it's very very close..
Alita: (thinking) Danger.. threatening to engulf me.. gotta get away..

Grind cutters fly at Alita from all angles, she jumps around, dodging them carefully.

Makaku: Gwahaha (comes out of the ground)
Makaku: Welcome to my old home.
Alita: Makaku! (she's kneeling in water)
Makaku: I went easy on you, girl.
Makaku: ...Nevertheless I'm impressed that you can move your body at the same supersonic speed as my grind cutters.
Alita: (looking up, ignoring the praise) 'Old Home'? What's that supposed to mean?
Makaku: Take a good look around you. This is where I was born and raised!
Alita: (-.-) Nice place.
Makaku: These are ruins of a megalopolis from ancient times-- buried here, beneath the ground!
Makaku: The trash from the floating city of Tiphares falls to the scrap yard, and the sewage of the scrapyard flows down here.
Makaku: I survived by eating the putrefied waste of you surface dwellers!
Alita: (looks at Koyomi hanging, then leaps and grabs Koyomi)
Makaku: That child has served it's purpose. (sends grind cutters out)
Alita: (lands, away from the grind cutters) !
Makaku: (pissed) My mother gave birth to me in a toilet, and flushed me into these pits!
Makaku: (pissed still) But you, Alita.. you're risking your own life to save someone elses child!
Makaku: I won't let you live!
Alita: (holding Koyomi) ...!
Makaku: (starts attacking with grind cutters) You can't move at supersonic speeds while you're carrying that brat!
Makaku: (wicked grin) And her precious little body can't withstand such speeds! This time, I will cut you to ribbons!
Alita: (looks worried) No!
Koyomi: (crying) wahhh!
Makaku: Take this! (more grind cutters)
Duke: (grabs the grind cutters in his teeth, stopping them)
Makaku: Gwaah! What is this?
Alita: Duke fang!
Duke: (attacks Makaku's face, pulling apart the cyborg body)
Alita: (happy) You're alive, too!
Makaku: (knocks the dog away) Gwah
Alita: Good job (smiles fondly at Duke)
Makaku: (freaking out) Gah! it hurts! Brains! I need brains!
Alita: (ignoring him) Take care of Koyomi, Duke fang! (puts the baby's carrier in Duke's mouth)
Duke: Arf!
Alita: Go on! hurry! (waving Duke off, he takes off with Koyomi)
Makaku: (one hand over face, left hand out stretched) You think you can get away, you mangy cur?!
Alita: (pulls back arm, fire erupts around it and she punches off one of Makaku's arms, then lands and wipes her finger tips in blood. Then she traces the blood over her cheeks, under her eyes.) Don't touch the baby of the dog...
Alita: (pissed, fire around her arm, her shirt sleeve burns off) Not when Alita is your opponent!

Maddie's Ramblings: If you've seen the ova for Gunnm (called 'Battle Angel') you'll recognize Makaku from the first episode. He's the one who sliced apart the dog, etc. The fire attack thing is also from the first episode. Koyomi wasn't in it, but the dog was, and if you remember from the first part where Makaku showed up, the guy with him was the one whose head Alita punched off. ^.^;; Ido's faith in Alita is so amazing, eh? I think he should have more faith in his creation. He irritates me. I like Alita a lot in this chapter, for some odd reason.
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volume 01 fight 06

Conquering Angel - Struggle

Makaku: ! My 'power-arm'! How could it explode so easily? (looks at Alita in shock)
Alita: (thinking.. and narrating) At that moment, I couldn't understand myself.. I just naturally responded that way.. with those moves.. like streaking the blood under my eyes.. it was not something I thought about, but more a natural reaction. Something I had to do!
Makaku: ! Her new functions! Explain them, boarhead!
Boarhead: O' master of this mighty 'power-body', here is my response. The enemy you see before you blasts the inhaled air through her body and out her finger, having heated it to such high levels using the electrical discharge her body emits! This creates a 30,000 degree attack, "Plasma Jet"!
Boarhead: In addition, she created a powerful magnetic field on the plasma and by controlling the air, is able to make her hand move at unusually high speeds! With only this 'power-body', you may not defeat her!
Makaku: (freak out) What is my most powerful attack, boarhead?
Alita: (thinking still) Only one thing rang true in my mind..
Alita: (thinking) The fear that had over taken me was lost in the rush that came with the desire to bring down the monster standing before my eyes!
Boarhead: Do not let her close the gap between you!
Boarhead: Finish her off with your grind cutters while she is still far away!
Makaku: (powers up grind cutters and sends them at Alita) Maximum power! Five-finger simultaneous attack!

Makaku attacks and Alita jumps out of the way but the grind cutters are faster than her

Boarhead: Target speed mach 0.94! Her speed is 75% slower than the grind cutters-- her death is certain!
Makaku: ! The recoil of the grind cutters! I've lost my footing!
Alita:(takes this chance to dodge the grind cutters) You fool! The faster you throw your grind cutters, the harder the recoil! Without balance, you can't handle that!
Boarhead: ! Enemy approaching!
Makaku: (realizes how close Alita has gotten) You little--!

Alita jumps up and smashes the grind cutters, whirling around his arm quickly, her metal fingers cutting into the metal. Makaku strikes back but misses and Alita lands on the top of his head, powering energy from her metal body.

Boarhead: She's got the top of your head. Game over.
Alita: (pissed) You've lost. And take make sure you no longer hurt anyone, I will disinfect that disgusting brain of yours by burning it away! (powers plasma into her fingers)
Makaku: (laughing) That's my angel, all right. But do you think I brought you to these sewers for no reason?
Alita: (annoyed) What are you talking about?
Makaku: Did you forget what I said? I grew up here. I know these sewers better than anyone.
Alita: What good will that do you right n-- (stops as something wet lands on the plasma) ?
Alita: Underground rain?
Makaku: (laughing) Do you know what this means?
Makaku: Every day, at the same time, the sewage from the surface tanks of the scrapyards is dumped right here! (at that moment, a bunch of liquid and trash is dumped at Alita and Makaku)

(Elsewhere)

Duke: (looks back at the rest of the sewer) arr?
Koyomi: (crying) apoo~~

(Back to Alita)

Alita: The current is so strong! I can't stop myself!
Makaku: The tables have turned, haven't they, Alita? You can't make Plasma under water! And what's more, with the current at my back, I don't have to worry about the recoil of my grind cutters!
Alita: ! Guu~~ (she's underwater x.x)
Makaku: But before that.. (smashes boarhead) 'Game over', you say? Stupid computer!
Makaku: (turns back to Alita) You're next, my darling!
Makaku: (watching Alita drift) And first I will take that nasty left arm of yours-- wait, perhaps I should take your legs, so I can cut your arms off slowly, cutting as neatly and cleanly as I can, and then you can soothe me every day with your cries of despair!
Makaku: (starts to attack) Now, Alita.. (his arm blows up with a rather loud explosion just as he starts to use his grind cutters)

Alita is blown out of the water, and Makaku lands on his head. ^^;;

Makaku: My arm! But how?
Alita: Fool! I did it. I carved into the 'actuators' of your arm, so that next time you tried to use your grind cutter, your arm would explode.
Alita: (holds up her fingers) With these fingers-- see? (fixes her soaken hair, pulling sewage out of it.

Maddie's rant: ^^;; also from the ova. Of course, if you've seen the ova, you expected the explosion to happen. And the cover scene of the next chapter is really fantastic. Alita surrounded by scrapmetal with a flower ^^!
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volume 01 fight 07

An Angel's Tears- Compassion

Makaku flies upward, but Alita stops him.

Alita: You've had your fun, Makaku. But I will not allow you to return to the surface and continue eating other people's brains! I will bury you right here! (looks really angry, with her hair dripping wet)
Makaku: (turns to Alita) Everyone lives by feeding on others! People will take from the weak for their own benefit every day! (glare) Don't pass judgment on me!
Makaku: (dodging an attack) Even you, my angel-- the reward for my crimes is your presense here!
Alita: (spins around, energy on her fingertips) You're so wrong.

Alita attacks and Makaku goes flying. She lands on one knee.

Alita: (....) I have no memory of my previous life, and I don't know what kind of person I used to be. (looks distant for a moment) Life itself remains undefined in my eyes-- be it beautiful or ugly, a sin or a gift..
Alita: (looks up, determined yet upset) But I will find out! I need a sense of purpose--- being a hunter-warrior lets me find myself through battle. The money you speak of has no meaning to me!
Alita: (powers energy into her fist) I walk in the faith that whether it be beautiful or ugly, we can make our own identities! (attacks and destroys the body Makaku is inhabiting.)
Makaku: (flies out as a worm thing) I won't subject myself to your judgment!
Alita: (watches explosion in the distance) So much for the "Maggot King"!
Makaku: (from afar) The things people will do to find themselves.. thats what I like in you, my angel. Pity I'll never have that choice..
Alita: (sticking out her tongue) Boring, Makaku. The voice of you-- twisted, full of self-pity! I've heard enough of it! Show yourself so I can rip your tongue out!
Makaku: (out of nowhere, wraps himself around Alita) Don't try to use your plasma jet, my angel.. we're standing on a tank made of hydride alloy. (an alloy that stores hydrogen. when forced to expell it, it also releases heat.) The heat of your last explosion unleashed a ton of hydrogen.
Makaku: So... if you try anything foolish, you will ignite that hydrogen and blow this entire cavern apart!
Alita: (annoyed) What are you talking about? I won't waste anymore of my plasma on you, you maggot! My electromagnetic power is enough to tear you apart! (starts to attack) Take th--(stops, seeing half makaku's face is blown off) ! The explosion. He's already mortally wounded.. (looks introspective.)
Makaku: (amused) As you can see, I am too far gone.. but I am content, my angel. Content to commit double suicide with you. (one of his worm parts breaks) Lets blow ourselves to hell together!

In the bar, they're watching explosions

Someone1: ! Wah the heat!
Someone2: The fire is coming from the sewers!
Someone3: The hell?
Someone4: It's over in the direction of the eastern dump!
Bartender: ! Doc that's--!
Ido: ! Alita!

Alita and Makaku are surrounded by energy in the huge roaring fires, so they're unharmed.

Makaku: Where am I? My angel? I feel so peaceful.. what an alien feeling..
Alita: The blaze of the flames is a kind of plasma so my electromagnetic field is able to hold it back. (looks thoughtful) Now we can talk as much as we need. I need to know so much..
Alita: (looking down at Makaku) Our bodies-- both are made by someone. Why were you made into such a monsterous form?
Makaku: Monsterous form? Because that is what I wanted, of course.
Makaku: (flashback) My mother gave birth to me in the toilet and flushed me into this pit. All I have ever known is decay. (scene of a child-- makaku.) Decay and longing. How I yearned for the hustle and bustle of the city so far above me all my life..

// flashback //

Random1: What a huge sewer rat.
Random2: Hahahaha, he's running that way!
Random3: burn him! burn him!
Makaku: (narrating) Once wounded, I, like my environment, began to decay-- alive.
Young Makaku: I don't want to die... will anyone ever know I have lived? Or will I dissolve away with no one to remember me? Someone help me! Someone! I'm alive, I'm here.. someone notice me!
Doctor: ! You're lucky. You were dying in the sewer. I saved you. But... your original body, I couldn't save it. So, as a present, I will give you a new body. What is it that your heart desires? I will make you a body fitting for that desire. (the doctor has a mark on his forehead like Ido's)
Alita: ! He was marked on his forehead, like Ido! Where is that doctor now?
Makaku: I don't know. I haven't seen him since then. I was joyous with the maggot body I had been given-- I left to the surface, taking the bodies of others to live, eating brains to soothe the pain my heart felt.. Destroying things reassured me that I was alive and doing something.. but..
Makaku: ... nothing had changed. No one tried to stop me-- no one heard my cries.. that's why.. when you appeared, my angel..
Makaku: I wanted you to despise me.. to smash me into pieces.. to burn my soul to a cinder.
Makaku: (looks happy while dying) And at last, my wish has come true.

There is an explosion and Alita watches it from a large pile of rubble.

Alita: I don't know if it is a sin or something to be proud of, if it is hatred or sadness, but something I cannot explain moves me to tears...

Maduin's rant: yay end of volume one.. that last scene with Alita is beautiful though ^^ and Makaku makes a bit more sense. Still is really annoying though.. and he keeps calling her his "precious angel". >.< But yes, he is dead. ^^
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:: volume 02 ::