86: Eighty Six Part 2

Lena secures resources while Shin adjusts to life under Federacy protection after waking from a dream.

Weeks after Shin and his friends vanished, Lena lost her Spearhead command but remains the military’s top Handler. She leverages this status to gain resources for her conventional 86 unit under Cyclops and secure loyal officers. Meanwhile, Shin awakens from a dying dream to find himself and his companions in the custody of the Federacy of Giad, the successor state to the toppled Empire of Giad. Ernst Zimerman, the provisional president, reveals they were rescued from Legion custody and promises guest treatment. After a month of isolation, Ernst grants them citizenship and allows them to reside in his home, where they meet Frederica Rosenfort. Following dinner, they retire for the night. Ernst questions his actions, revealing Frederica is the former Empress. Shin is troubled when Ernst returns a tag he carved in Shourei’s memory.

Shin and friends decide to return to battle despite Federacy citizenship and Ernst's objections.

One month after becoming Federacy citizens, Shin and his friends struggle with civilian life, feeling they do not belong due to guilt over lost comrades. They conclude they must return to the battlefield, shocking Ernst, who warns that overriding their choice mirrors the Republic. Ernst agrees only if they enroll in the Special Officer's Training School. Frederica joins them, revealing her true identity as Augusta Fredrica Adel-Adler, the last Empress of Giad. She explains her royal blood allows her to view the past and present, having witnessed Shin free Shourei from the Legion. She asks for Shin's help in freeing her knight, Kiriya, who has become a Legion Shepherd. Shin agrees, and the group departs for officer training together.

Shin and friends join Nordlicht Squadron, rebuild Fido, and face Legion attacks with Eugene.

Shin and his friends complete officer training and join the Nordlicht Squadron under Lt. Colonel Grethe Wenzel. Grethe takes them to a Federacy-reclaimed site where they recover wrecked Juggernauts and build a memorial using names Shin collected. They also restore Fido’s intact core into a new body, with Frederica joining as the unit’s official mascot and returning Shin’s handgun. Shin and the squadron begin piloting Reginleif mechs based on Juggernaut designs to assist Federacy forces. During combat, Shin reunites with Eugene, a former friend who joined the army to support his sister. Following a Legion attack, Shin finds Eugene mortally wounded and is forced to mercy kill him. Shin then receives orders to prepare for another impending Legion assault as the battle situation worsens.

Grethe reunites Shin with Nordlicht Squadron while Frederica reveals Kiriya's tragic past to Shin.

Amidst predictions of a massive Legion offensive, the Federacy military reorganizes its forces. Grethe reunites Shin with Nordlicht Squadron, briefing them on the impending attack and the discovery of surviving countries, though the Republic remains unresponsive. Shin reports on the Reginleif’s performance and warns of the Legion’s strength, but Grethe doubts his estimates. Frederica visits Shin to explain the history of Kiriya, a Nouzen clan member and distant relative who went mad fighting domestic rebels after the Empire’s war. She reveals that Ernst captured her and faked her death, leading Kiriya to surrender to the Legion. Frederica urges Shin to consider his future, reminding him of Lena. Meanwhile, Lena continues preparations in the Republic as Legion forces approach the borders.

Legion launches massive offensive while Frederica warns Shin of his descent into madness

The Legion initiates a coordinated assault on the Federacy, Republic, and allies with unprecedented forces. Although Federacy lines nearly collapse, the Nordlicht squadron’s rapid counterattack allows reinforcements to stabilize the front. Shin independently destroys numerous Legion units, prompting Frederica to have a vision of his enjoyment in battle, which reminds her of Kiri’s madness. She also sees the Republic’s defenses failing. The Legion subsequently withdraws from the Federacy, and Frederica cautions Shin about his resemblance to Kiri. In the Republic, Lena’s uncle attempts to delay the enemy while Lena uses an upgraded Para-RAID to link with all 86 pilots. Back in the Federacy, Frederica alerts Shin and his friends to the Republic’s crisis as both sense Kiri preparing to bombard their base.

Shin and friends launch deep strike against Morpho railgun while Republic faces ruin

In the Federacy, Shin, his friends, and Frederica survive bombardment caused by the Legion's massive railgun, codenamed Morpho, which destroyed forward bases. Although a cruise missile damaged the weapon, analysts predict it will soon target allied capitals once repaired. With limited options due to its extreme range, the Federacy orders the Nordlicht on a deep strike mission to destroy the railgun. Grethe is furious about sending Shin and his friends on what is expected to be a suicide mission, but none object, preferring to fight the Legion rather than flee like the Republic did. Meanwhile, back in the Republic, the capital and Lena's home are shown to be in ruins as Lena organizes a desperate last stand against the invading forces.

Nordlicht Prepares for Mission Using Prototype Nachzehrer Aircraft

Nordlicht utilizes the prototype ground effect airplane Nachzehrer as transport instead of slower helicopters, with Grethe volunteering as pilot due to her unique experience. Frederica fails to dissuade Shin from the mission, fearing he might die or transform like Kiriya. Zimerman, unable to halt the operation, privately vows to destroy the world if Shin and his friends do not return alive. The Federacy and allies launch a full-scale assault on the Legion to create a diversion, breaching the defensive perimeter. This allows the Nachzehrer to launch toward the Morpho. During the flight, Shin hears the Black Sheep's voices and smiles.

Nordlicht attacks Morpho while Shin evades Kiriya's trap and pursues enemy forces.

The Nordlicht endures anti-air fire near the Morpho, prompting Nordlicht to airdrop as the Nachzehrer distracts Legion defenses. Nordlicht breaches enemy lines to approach the Morpho, but Shin realizes the damaged unit is bait for a second Morpho gun operated by Kiriya. Nordlicht narrowly avoids the shot and retaliates. Shin succumbs to battle lust until Kurena is forced to fire on him. With surprise lost, Kiriya receives withdrawal orders from his superior, No-Face. Shin and his friends pursue Kiriya while Nordlicht holds back Legion reinforcements. The main Federacy force recovers Grethe and survivors but cannot support Shin. During a break, the group discovers Frederica has stowed away in Fido's cargo trailer. Despite their anger, they must bring her along during the pursuit of Kiriya.

Shin and friends pursue Morpho while Grethe returns to aid the frontlines.

Shin and his companions continue hunting Morpho, accompanied by Frederica. The Federacy launches diversionary attacks against the Legion to distract them from Shin’s group. Grethe rejoins the Nordlicht unit, now resupplied and prepared to assist Shin. In enemy territory, Raiden confronts Shin about his reckless combat style, warning that it endangers everyone. He emphasizes their unity, assuring Shin that his friends will support him so he need not fight alone. During the pursuit, Frederica asks the group about the ocean, and they all promise to visit it together after the war. That night, Frederica shares her fear of losing purpose, admitting she misled herself regarding Kiriya. She advises Shin not to fear an uncertain future while he has friends. Shin confesses that after his near-death encounter with Shourei, he feels no desires and questions his own aliveness. Meanwhile, No-Face warns Kiriya that enemies are tracking him and orders him to handle the situation.

Shin battles Kiriya while allies delay Legion forces and Frederica intervenes in the conflict.

Shin and his companions pursue Morpho but face Legion reinforcements. Anju, Theoto, and Kurena remain behind to delay enemies or provide support, while Raiden is injured protecting Frederica. Shin orders Frederica to stay with Fido as he confronts Kiriya alone. Although Shin sustains damage to his cannon, leaving him with one shot, he struggles to close the distance due to Morpho’s abilities. Unknown long-range artillery, likely from Lena, damages the Morpho and distracts Kiriya. Frederica arrives and pleads with Kiriya to stop. When his rage persists, she points a gun at herself. Kiriya moves to intervene, allowing Shin to destroy Kiriya’s core. Frederica witnesses Kiriya entrusting her care to Shin before Shourei escorts him to the afterlife. Kiriya’s death triggers Morpho’s self-destruct sequence, causing an explosion that engulfs Shin and Frederica.

Shin survives a blast and has a nightmare about survivor's guilt before meeting Lena in Republic territory.

Shin survives a blast and falls unconscious, experiencing a vivid nightmare about his loss of purpose and survivor's guilt. Upon waking, he sees a Legion unit approaching to harvest his brain, but Lena intervenes to save him. Unaware she is speaking to Shin, Lena questions his presence in Republic territory. Shin recognizes her but conceals his identity, asking about her motivation for continuing the fight. Lena explains that her experiences with Spearhead inspire her to survive so she can catch up to Shin and the others. Before Shin can exit his Reginleif, Federacy reinforcements arrive, revealing that Shin's friends and Frederica survived. Lena is escorted back to the Republic while Ernst announces a rescue mission for other survivors. Frederica notes that Shin has found a reason to live again. During a debriefing, Grethe embarrasses Shin by playing a recording of his emotional conversation with Lena. His friends are relieved that both he and Lena survived and express newfound respect for Lena's perseverance.

Handler One