Bright Light, Shine through the Darkness

Bright Light, Shine through the Darkness (光よ, 闇を照らせ, Hikari yo, Yami o Terase) is the third episode of the Trigun Stampede anime.

Synopsis
A party was being held in Jeneora Rock to celebrate the resolution of the robbery of the plant by the Nebraska father and son. Peace seems to have arrived, but then, suddenly, a number of self-propelled bombs attack the residents, and the threat of death descends.

Vash discover that the bomber, E.G. Mine, is responsible for the attacks, and he cooperates with Meryl, Roberto, and others to stop the bombs, but then a man appears...

Summary
The news channel warns that the strong air currents had increased the size of the sandstorm that formed in the middle of the continent and will soon his the west.

After the explosion, the residents run in panic. Nebraska cries for his son, saying that he run outside so that other people don't get hurt. More automation bomb show up and attach themselves to people. Roberto tells Vash to not touch them as this must be the work of E.G. Bomber, and an amateur won't be able to dismantle them. One of the residents end up having few bombs who activate. He then runs away from the rest to not harm anyone as he explodes and asks Vash and the rest to save the town. Roberto explains that the bomber's real name is Ethan Gilbert Hamilton. He takes lives so easily that earned himself the nickname "Easy Bomber". They don't know what he wants and will need to find him and ask him. Roberto explains that the bomber is someone who likes to watch his "work" play out. Vash then looks around for a place with a good look. He then spots one and shoots at it, causing E.G. Bomber to shows himself and starts running. They chase him, but he leads them to a mine field, where another resident dies after stepping on a mine. E.G. Bomber states he has been reborn and now has a new name, E.G. the Mine.

E.G. enters a spike cage vehicle which then turns into a wheel and heads towards the Plant. Vash realizes it and goes after him. Roberto figures out why Vash is called the Humanoid Typhoon as the moment you get involved with him, you are swept into trouble. He tells Meryl to stay back or she will get killed and shows that his bomb had activated. Thinking about suicide, Meryl gets an idea. Outside town, one of the residents sees a person coming and warns him to stay back as the town is full of explosives.

E.G. takes the plant. Vash jumps on his cage and tells him to disable the bombs since he already got what he wants. E.G. tells him that he isn't killing to steal, but stealing to kill. Vash points his gun at E.G., who then crashes on purpose. E.G. manages to take Vash's gun and is excited that he managed to beat Vash himself. Roberto and Meryl then run and grab E.G., telling him to tell them how to disable the bombs or they will die together. Vash also grabs E.G. leaving him no chance to escape. As the bombs are about to explode, E.G. states they need to push the red button on his back. Vash quickly pushes the button and all the bombs get disabled.

Roberto and Meryl tie up E.G., but Nebrashka points his rocket launcher at him for killing his son. Vash stands in Nebraska's way and tells him that there is no point in revenge. Vash then hears music and as he recognizes it, he tells everyone to run and leave town. E.G. gets up and runs. Nebraska shoots at him, but E.G. dodges the rocket. Following the music, E.G. then runs to the diner, excited to see his master again, Knives Millions, but ends up getting killed by Knives as he cuts E.G. arms. Vash also comes and points his gun at Knives, who note that Vash is still having that gun. He explains he is there to take back their plant, but Vash states he won't let him. Knives states it must feel nice. He did so much to be thanked by the people, a cure for his loneliness. Vash states Knives haven't changed at all and Knives says the same about Vash. Knives then touches Vash's gun, causing a small blue fire and smoke to come out. Vash find himself in an unknown space, floating and being a child again. Knives states he still can't control his gate.

Knives leaves the diner, but Nebraska finds him and shoots him with his rocket launcher. The rocket hits Knives, but Nebraska can't find where Knives when after that. The explosion, brings Vash to normal and he comes out and tries to warn Nebraska, but its too late as Knives attacks him and cuts his right arm. Rosa faces Knives and wants to stop him from taking the plant. Other Knives allies show up and William tells Rosa that she doesn't stand a chance. Knives tells William to take the other plant, while he will take this one. Rosa and the other women start shooting at Knives, but with no effect. Knives then kill the two women leaving only Rosa alive. He proceeds and cuts a hole into the building and takes out the plant. Vash tells Knives to leave the plant, but as Knives doesn't listen, Vash starts shooting at Knives, however Knives easily blocks the bullets using his blades. Knives then creates more blades above the town. Vash realizes that he intends to destroy the town and takes Rosa and starts running. Knives then cuts Jeneora Rock to pieces as Vash runs and wonders why.

The town is in ruins. Meryl and Roberto manage to survive without injuries. They see Vash and Rosa and run to them only to see Rosa holding Tonis who is heavily injured. The Nebraskas father and son are still alive, but injured. Rosa says they lost everything and won't be able to survive. She can't believe Vash had such a monster as a brother. Vash promises to return the plant one day, but Rosa tells him to leave the town and never show up again, blaming him that if he didn't show up, this wouldn't have happened.

Vash leaves. Meryl follows him and wonders how he can smile after he was told this. Vash explains he doesn't deserve to cry. She wonders where he is going. Vash states he is going East, to the third city, July, as that's where Knives is.

Appearances

 * Vash the Stampede
 * Meryl Stryfe
 * Father Nebraska
 * Roberto De Niro
 * Rosa
 * Tonis
 * E.G. Mine
 * Gray the Ninelives
 * William Conrad
 * Elendira the Crimsonnail