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Womb of the Wombat (ウォンバットの子宮)

Super ElamenSTAR Episode 423

Aired 26th February 2000

Summary

This episode begins with a student named Oleyoda listening to Chef Ecreek relate the tale of the wombats, an ancient and extinct race of baby-devouring monsters. Oleyoda points out that Elemental Wombats and Zombie Wombats are still an integral part of basic Elemenstation, although the Grand Elemenstors keep the Necrowombicon in the Forbidden Library where all dangerous texts are kept for reference purposes.

"Aye," replies Chef Ecreek, "But those manifestations are mere shadows of the once powerful wombat hordes. When the mighty Gespechio had them wiped out, it was because he foresaw a great war, in which wombatquakes and zombie wombats plagued the lands. The wombats were destroyed to prevent those dark times."

"But what if, in destroying the wombats, Gespechio's agents actually set in motion events that led to the creation of the Necrowombicon, which has been used throughout history to rain fire and blood and wombat corpses on the innocent?"

Chef Ecreek considers this, and merely replies, "Stranger things have been known to happen, child. That is the pain of hindsight, I suppose."

In the next scene, we see the newly completed Cerulean Citadel besieged, not by War Men or Myrkmoomin for once, but by a torrential rainstorm. Outside the walls, a cloaked figure begins rituals of Blood and Unlight, calling upon the gods of the NastiestPlanes to bring forth a giant beast...

When an army of zombie wombats, led by one gigantic wombat, assaults the Cerulean Citadel, Phila immediately consults the Necrowombicon, but it is of limited help. The Four lead their students against the encroaching hordes.

Back in the kitchen, Chef Ecreek is confronted by a cloaked figure.

"I've come for you, vile Ecreekem."

"Actually," responds the chef, "The singular of Ecreekem is just Ecreek. But I suspect you already knew that... Mortal Wombat."

The last living wombat reveals herself, and the two enter into a discussion of what it means to be the last of one's kind. As they talk, they circle one another slowly, cautiously... when the Mortal Wombat declares that once she has personally slain the last Ecreek, she will invoke Wombageddon.

"You can't do that!" cries Chef Ecreek. "The ultimate destruction of Battal requires the ritualistic sacrifice of an unborn wombat fetus! No such thing has existed since... since..."

The Mortal Wombat smiles wickedly and touches one claw to her belly.

"It's not possible..." breathes Chef Ecreek.

At this point Oleyoda falls from the rafters; apparently she has been eavesdropping and now has decided to be more literal about her activity. The Mortal Wombat pulls back in shock. "You!" she hisses.

Oleyoda, dazed by the fall, looks around. "Me?"

The Mortal Wombat takes on a completely different attitude. "You are Oleyoda, are you not?"

"How do you know my name?"

The Mortal Wombat murmurs to herself, "Is it timesorc'ley... or something more?"

"What are you going on about, you filthy animal?" demands Chef Ecreek.

"Hold your tongue, mudbeast. I once had a friend, an Elemenstor named Oleyoda. She sought to rebuild the glory of the wombat age. As an old woman, she found a way to combine Original Wombamancy with her own New Wombamancy to create an embryo within me. She gave her own life to begin the spell, but she warned me that the unborn fetus would remain in a state of suspended animation until she could return to complete the Elemenstation. I had... given up hope."

"Could it be that Oleyoda has been... reborn to finish her task?" asks Chef Ecreek.

The sounds of battle can no longer be heard in the background. Oleyoda approaches the Mortal Wombat carefully. "I do not know how to complete this Elemenstation," says Oleyoda. "But if you will allow it, I will travel with you, and learn from you, and perhaps... in time... there will be a future for you where before there was only darkness."

The final scene shows the Grand Elemenstors presenting the Necrowombicon to Oleyoda on the steps of the Cerulean Citadel. The Mortal Wombat departs with her new companion. As they disappear into the distance, Lander asks, "Do you suppose she really is Oleyoda reborn?"

"Only time can tell," Phila responds. She turns to Chef Ecreek, asking, "How are you feeling about all this?"

The old Ecreek shakes his head. "All things end. The Ooamp or the Ecreekem, the Men or the wombats, even the Hierarchs must go to oblivion sooner or later. Oleyoda did not promise the Mortal Wombat a future, she promised something far more precious. She gave the Mortal Wombat hope."

"And you?" Phila asks.

"I," the last Ecreek replies, "Have supper to prepare."

Notes

While by no means unique in Japan, this episode is considered controversial in the West for many reasons, including the occult rituals, the mature themes (including an implied abortion being used to bring about the end of the world), the existentialist ending, the copious bloodshed and incidental nudity during the battle scenes, and the concept of rebirth into another lifetime. It aired in Japan shortly after the first season of The Wizbits Cartoon ended in the United States; consequently this was one of the episodes cited in the decision to ultimately discontinue English localization of the series.

Presumably, the giant wombat is the same one banished by Mo-pi.

The only significant wombat-related piece of history that does not make some appearance in this episode is the Wand of Wombamancy.

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