The following article contains spoilers for Tiger & Bunny 2 Episode 23, "Lookers-on See Most of the Game", now streaming on Netflix.
Tiger & Bunny 2's twenty-second episode ended on the revelation that Gregory Sunshine, during his takeover of Abbas Prison, had managed to join forces with L. L. Audun -- a vigilante and the former archnemesis of Mr. Legend, who was eventually arrested for the murder of several police officers.
Audun has had much foreshadowing throughout the course of this season. He Is Thomas has noted on several occasions that despite the controversy surrounding him, Audun remained his hero, with Thomas having internalized his motto of ''believe in nothing but your own strength'' to an unhealthy degree.
The Heroes of the First League Are No Match for Audun
Thomas's idolization of Audun was matched by Fugan and Mugan, the villains of Tiger & Bunny 2's first cour -- whose love for the rogue hero culminated in their plan to defeat 18 superheroes each in order to top Audun's record of 17. After being set up as a sinister figure, it comes as a surprise when L. L. Audun jovially greets Gregory with a smile, before declaring himself the champion of justice. Gregory is shocked to learn that his sleeping gas didn't knock the mighty prisoner out, and the villain is terrified he won't be able to control Audun with his powers. However, Gregory manages to trick him by appealing to his strong sense of justice, claiming that the First League Heroes are villains threatening the peace in Stern Bild City.
After making quick work of Blue Rose and Golden Ryan, L. L. Audun raids Stern Bild's hero museum in order to retrieve his old hero suit. Now fully geared up, Audun and Gregory set out to stop the other ''villains'', starting with Fire Emblem and Sky High.
After Fire Emblem and Sky High's signal is cut off, Agnes switches to their body cams, and is horrified to see Gregory Sunshine taunting over their unconscious bodies. Dragon Kid and Magical Cat arrive to rescue their fallen comrades but are no match for Audun's Hundred Power -- a stronger variant of Kotetsu and Barnaby's power, taking only a minute to recharge compared to the duo's hour.
Rosicky's Plan to Assassinate Aurora Comes to a Head
With six of the heroes now downed by Audun's hand, Barnaby and Mr. Black head over to deal with the self-proclaimed champion of justice. Meanwhile, the mayor hosts a conference welcoming Little Aurora to Stern Bild City. Mattia, watching the conference on TV, makes a chilling realization -- the right-handed mayor is using his left hand, right before his eyes glow a familiar yellow. Mattia then realizes that the same NEXT who brainwashed him is doing the same to the mayor. Despite still not knowing the culprit's identity, Mattia is correct -- Sigourney Rosicky, mastermind of ''Mission A'', has control of the mayor, having used Gregory's Abbas breakout as a distraction as she assassinates Little Aurora.
After Mattia informs the heroes, they speculate why someone would be controlling the mayor, correctly deducing the plan to assassinate Little Aurora in order to sow further division between NEXT and non-NEXT. Kotetsu rushes off to stop Rosicky, while Origami Cyclone and Rock Bison stop Audun from pursuing him.
Rosicky, in the mayor's body, makes a speech mocking the notion of coexistence with NEXTs, before pulling a gun on Aurora. Just as she prepares to shoot her, however, her gun is knocked out of her hand by an arrow engulfed in blue-and-green flames -- Lunatic has arrived. Kotetsu appears just in time to protect the mayor from Lunatic's wrath, explaining that he's being controlled by a NEXT.
Aurora is escorted away from the mayhem, but unfortunately, Rosicky manages to take control of Lunatic's body and flies off in pursuit of Aurora. Meanwhile, Audun knocks Rock Bison to the ground; Origami Cyclone rushes to help his partner back up to his feet, using Rock Bison's not-so-subtle hints about a present he got Origami Cyclone as motivation for the pair to see this battle through in one piece.
Kotetsu and Barnaby Are Pushed to Their Limits
Unfortunately for Origami Cyclone, however, Rock Bison explains that the present in question was for Agnes, who Bison reveals he's long had a crush on. Regardless, the two partners triumphantly stand back to back, ready to charge Audun once more.
Rosicky corners Aurora, and Kotetsu jumps in the way of a blast of fire meant for her. Barnaby, having arrived to face Audun alongside Mr. Black, is desperate to help his partner, but is hesitant to leave Mr. Black alone -- that is, until He Is Thomas arrives on the scene to help his former buddy.
Thanks to Thomas's sudden return, Barnaby is able to rush to Kotetsu's aide, but both heroes are clearly at their breaking point. With Kotetsu struggling to withstand Rosicky's flames, and Barnaby's leg still causing the hero great pain, it's hard to see how they'll make it out of this battle victorious -- but if anyone can do it, it's Tiger and Bunny.