Portrait of a Ruined Country
The Tallgeese arrives at the European HQ where Zechs is stationed, and testing on it begins. Lt. Otto has already done some piloting with it, and was injured due to the strains it has on the pilot. Zechs wants to pilot it as well, and tells Noin about his plans to use to to conquer Sank Kingdom.
Duo and Heero participate in the activies at a high school they're attending, while planning an attack at a nearby naval base. Then suddenly Relena arrives at the school grounds, stating that she wanted to see Heero again.
The attack on the base in the old Sank Kingdom begins, and Zechs pilots the Tallgeese for the first time. The mobile suit was more difficult to handle than Zechs thought, and he is suddenly scared. The only fragile thing in the white suit is the pilot... As they realise the defense was much heavier than expected, they abort the attack.
Treize and Lady Une plans the next step in their strategy - world domination. Treize means that this will make them the enemies of the world, everyone will hate the OZ, and that hate will act as a motivation for OZ...
Quatre gets scolded by the Maganacs for taking off on a dangerous mission by himself, and has to promise them he'll never act independantly again. Quatre tells Rashid about the other Gundams, and explains that they're all his friends. When Rashid questions this, Quatre explains that he knows because his space heart told him so.
At the circus, Trowa and Wufei share a quiet cup of coffee while pondering the war. Wufei expresses his doubt in himself, he doesn't think he can do it anymore.
Zechs realises that the Tallgeese isn't your average type of mobile suit. As it doesn't take the pilot into consideration, you can only use it if you're prepared to die - you have to be commited enough to your mission to be willing to sacrifice your life for it. As Otto overhears this, he decides to die for Zechs. He steals Tallgeese, and heads for Sank Kingdom.
Relena thinks of Heero and her father when an explosion suddenly rocks the nearby naval base. Duo and Heero executes their mission, demolishing the base.
Meanwhile, Otto heads for Sank in Tallgeese, intent on sacrificing his life for a victory for Zechs. As he arrives at the base, he immediately drives Tallgeese right into it, demolishing the base and getting himself killed at the same time. Zechs arrives shortly after, and visits his old home - the royal palace of Sank. Standing in front of the portait of his father the king, Zechs takes off his mask and explains to the painting that he's a hopeless son. He's gone against his father's every wish, and his hands are now so blood stained that he cannot ascend the throne. He explains he'll let his younger sister, Relena, be the one to restore the ideal of peace.
At the school by the now ruined base, Relena meets with Heero and Duo once again.