Timaeus

…Taking their mask, right? And by extension, revealing the person behind it. It breaks character.

Gugalanna nodded and held up the rubbery mask– it looked a little creepy without a face inside it.

Gugalanna

I haven’t lost a match in a long time, amigo. I could take all of you on in one go. But El Demonio is no mere human… You’ve seen what it can do! Can El Toro Del Cielo stand against the metal beast?!

Timaeus

Well, if any of us can do it, it’ll be you, right?

Gugalanna

I know, that’s why I’m worried!! If I can't put a dent in it, you all are fucked!

Timaeus

…I mean, yeah, but do you have to say it like that?

Gugalanna

But I won’t let it get off on knowing that! We'll just have to... find another way, right? Hit it below the belt. Except it doesn't have a belt. But you know what I mean!! And until then…

She pulled her mask back on, fluffed her hair out, and struck a little pose.

Gugalanna

…I’ll keep up the act!! El Toro Del Cielo never gives up! Not until her enemies are crushed beneath her golden size 5 boots!! Wahahahahahaha!!!

Timaeus

…Alright, ahaha. You’re right, there’s gotta be something else we can do!

Gugalanna

That’s the spirit, El Timeo!! Who does that scrap metal monster think it is, anyway?! We’ll find its weakness… then I’ll dropkick its ass into hell and tear it limb from limb!!! Hyaaaaaah!!!!

I was surprised MONO-9000 itself didn’t show up then, with all the racket she was making…

Timaeus

About that… Can I ask you something?

Gugalanna

Huh?

Timaeus

Where did you get your stage name from, anyway? Is it from the Epic of Gilgamesh?

Gugalanna

Uh, yeah, but…

Timaeus

But…?

Gugalanna

It’s… a long story now shoo I gotta change!!

I guess I’d pressed my luck too far. She shooed me out of her room just as abruptly as she’d invited me in, and slammed the door behind me.

Gugalanna was absurdly strong, determined and stubborn… and even she was scared of MONO-9000. No way could we face that thing head on, but she was right– there had to be a weakness somewhere, a way to “hit it below the belt.” And maybe her bravado would keep our spirits up for long enough to find it.

The thing I was most curious about now, though, was her stage name. If it did come from the Epic of Gilgamesh… she knows what happens to the Bull of Heaven, right?