Knives activates his own full Plant power, creating a massive energy sphere over July City. Vash tries to contain it but loses control. Wolfwood shoots at Knives to distract him – it fails. Zazie (the giant worm) tries to help but is swatted away.
Meryl and Roberto are caught in the chaos. Roberto shields Meryl from debris, sustaining a fatal injury. He tells Meryl to "tell the story right" – a direct callback to his earlier cynicism about journalism. He dies. Trigun Stampede -Dub- Episode 12
Vash realizes the only way to stop Knives is to absorb the energy sphere himself. He fully unleashes his Plant form (white wings, geometric halo). The strain cracks his body. Knives screams that Vash is betraying their kind. Knives activates his own full Plant power, creating