Revolution -- The End

With the Student Council out of the way, the only duel left is Revolution, and Utena will be put through the worst trial of her life. Her prince has contacted her via letter, and the time for the Revolution has finally come.

It's not just Anthy and Utena feeling the rush, the entire campus seems to be aware of it, the on=coming change inevitable. But who will be the victor? And what changes would be made?

However, Utena and Anthy seem to be experiencing some unrest with each other during this time. Perhaps it's because Anthy feels jealous that Akio's been paying a bit more attention to Utena lately? Or added to it, Anthy is supposed to Utena's friend. Perhaps Utena's jealous of Anthy for the same reasons?

Anthy attempts suicide, but Utena pulls her back, asking weren't they supposed to be enjoying tea together ten years down the road. Anthy claims she cannot live with the pain anymore, but what does she mean? The emotional baggage she'd been carrying around from the life lived in servitude, or is it something else?
Both admit being mean to each other, even if it was only in their hearts and not in their actions.

Utena goes to the dueling arena one last time with Anthy to find out who the Ends of the World is, and duel one last time. To her surprise, or wasn't she? She finds Akio, dressed as Dios would have been, her long lost prince. Akio admits to being the prince that saved her all those years ago, and that it was becuase of Anthy that she decided to become a prince, not him.

Akio tells her she's become a beautiful princess and that they'll live in the castle, happily ever after, just like in fairy tales. He even dresses her in a gown similar to Anthy's when he takes the Sword from her chest. Entranced by his words, she plays along, until she realizes...What happened to Himemiya? What would become of her if she and Akio were to stay in the castle happily ever after? Would she get a happily ever after too?

No, Akio tells her. She will stay the Bride of Roses. And like it. Utena takes back the sword, remembering what it was that had brought her this far. And so the duel commences. However, Akio makes several comments that this duel would not be like the other duels she'd fought in. Those duels were play duels. This one....would be frighteningly real.

Utena holds up against Akio fairly well, even managing to drive him nearly to defeat. When he realizes he may not win, he calls Anthy to his aid. Anthy comes and does his bidding, betraying Utena and nearly killing her by running her through. Staggering and limp on the floor, Utena struggles to breathe, while Anthy brings the sword to Akio.

With that out of the way, and Utena too, or so Akio thinks, Akio proceeds to the Rose Gate. Utena tries to make Anthy stop, but can't, she's too late, and Anthy is hung upon the sword that has kept her, waiting for humanity's hatred to manifest itself.

Utena, still lying on the floor, is confronted by Dios. But he offers no comfort this time. He only taunts her. He offers weakly that he will help her wounds later. But when is later? Utena and Anthy need help now. With a burst of determination, Utena forces herself to her feet, just as humanity's hatred focus on Anthy, as a thousand swords that proceed to pierce her flesh.

Time is running out, and Utena knows it. So does Akio. While humanity's swords of hate fly over his head, Akio proceeds to try and force the Rose Gates open. However, to his dismay, the Sword of Dios fails him, and breaks. It doesn't seem to be the first time, however. He turns, and is surprised to find Utena, nearly broken, on her way to the Rose Gates as well. She pushes him away when he offers help, falling at the doors and forces herself up by climbing on the thorns that hold the Gate shut. Akio walks away indifferently and goes to sit with Dios and watch the whole ordeal as if it were a movie.

Utena keeps checking on Anthy, horrified to see the swords still coming, still throwing themselves at her. She alone manages to open the Gates, and Dios leaves, his duties done. The Swords freeze. Time seems to stop. The Gates are open, to Akio's horror.

Utena struggles with a coffin door to get it open, hoping to find Anthy inside. Deep inside, Anthy sleeps, safely tucked away from the Swords of hatred. She doesn't seem to recognize Utena at first, but then slowly, it comes back. She tries to warn Utena to get away, but Utena doesn't listen. Instead, she urges Anthy to hurry and take her hand, so she can escape her coffin too. But Utena is too late. The arena collapses, the coffin falls, snapping shut with Anthy still inside.

Utena is left lying on the platform on her stomach, staring down at the empty gorge where Anthy used to be, completely unaware that the Swords of Hatred now have a new target. Like a swarm of hornets they descend and take their prey.

A few months later, Ohtori Academy is still going strong, as if no Revolution had occured at all. However, it's not the way it used to be. One person did touch the lives of several, even if her name was no longer remembered, save for a few people. It didn't matter that she didn't cause the Revolution. Revolution wasn't what she wanted. She wanted freedom for those around her who were bound.

Anthy decides to leave Ohtori for good to find that person, as she realizes, she was her prince after all.

But what does it mean, if there was no revolution? Did Utena fail? No. Utena got what she wanted when she opened the Rose Gates. She wanted to break the chain the bound Anthy to Akio. She wanted Anthy to think for herself, and stand up for herself. She wanted to be the prince that would save the damsel in distress, and she did. Inadvertantly, she also freed those around her, whome Akio had used as pawns in his dueling game. They no longer needed Utena, but Anthy did. And so Anthy went, to find her prince.