The group has finally made it to Imperial City of Atlas and it was quite a journey for them to reach the city. Pete and his team runs ahead of the group, gazing intently at their surroundings.
"You're gaping like a fish out of water." Rei joked.
"We were just checking out the city. Even if it is the Empire." Pete defended.
"You've changed, Pete. You were always marching to your own beat... impatient, even. In a good way." Gat commented as he place his arm around Pete's left shoulder.
"Maybe it's because I've seen more now. Never imagined I'd ever come this far away from home. Hey, Link's here in the city, isn't he? He's a tough one. I wonder how he's doing." He curiously asked.
"You always were a soft touch, Pete. You know what's amazing? I thought I'd go my whole life without meeting people like the Princess, or Lord Link. And here we are in the capital!" Scratchy said.
"I know! It's a little over my head sometimes." Pete admitted.
"Good, Pete. You've come to understand the difficulties of serving royalty." Ethan said to him.
"Hey, I'm just along for the ride." He replied.
"That wasn't a complaint, was it, Ethan?" Kid asked as Ethan clears his throat
"Right. Let's get moving." He announced, much for Rei's annoyance.
"Hey, don't change the subject!" Rei complaint.
"Right." Ethan apologized, and noticed that Evelyn is smiling at exhange. After the group proceeds a little further into the town...
"We go our separate ways here, Pete. We've some business to attend to. We'll meet again later." Atomic said as he and his team even Fiona walks away
The group con through the town, eventually coming across a Cab which would take them to Draklor Laboratories. However...
"Only those with 9 or more chops may ride this cab, boy. Nothing personal, I assure you." The cab said.
"A chop? What's that?" Kid asked.
"If you lack a chop, you pay coin. That's...1000000 gil, thank you." He offered much for their shocked as they have their jaw dropped.
"What? That's crazy!?" Rei said in disbelief
"Having a spot of trouble, are we?" The cab guessed then they saw Detective Chimp including the Cat Team.
"I've a message from Master Balthier. He's waiting in Central. He says to come quickly." Chimp informed.
"On this? But we need a...a chop. What is a chop, anyway?" Pete asked.
When a cat wants information...that's right... A cat pays. 2500 gil sounds about right." Professor Puss offered, much for Pete and his team annoyance and so they payed them to know about it.
"Why, any upstanding citizen of the Empire carries a chop. It's a mark of status sometimes, a writ of transit others. If you were aiming to go to Central, where the gentry live, I'd think you'd need 9 chops." Scaredy Cat explained.
"How do you get them?" Kid asked.
"Like he's said, the key is knowledge, cat. You do your part here on the street, talk to the right people, you'll earn your chops in no time." Cool Cat said.
"That doesn't sound so bad." Pete said hopefully.
"Oh, people in the city of Atlas love doing good deeds. Why, if they're helping you out, it must mean they're superior. Understand?" Hawk car asked.
"Uh... Not sure I do, but I'll give it a try. Thanks, Jules!" Pete said as he smiled, then he and his team ran off.
"A friend to the Space Cat Patrol is a friend of our." Chimp commented while Fiona is staring at him and then walked away.
Pete and his tsam goes around, earning chops from people and they began to listening to someone's story, memorizing it, and reciting it to someone with a tale of their own. After 9 chops... They head back to tell the guide about their work.
"Ah, I see you have some chops, sir. Splendid. To Tsenoble?" He asked and they agreed to go, and so they use his hovercar and headed off to Tsenoble, Pete and his team exits, and sure enough, The Space Cat Patrol are standing there.
"Ah, so pleased you could join me. Jules had a morsel for us: a light airship used by Draklor researchers is just up ahead. We'll take that and go in through the service entrance. Let's make haste, shall we?
In the next area, three soldiers run up to a low-ranking Judge guarding the entrance to Draklor Laboratories...
"The complices of the Senate have been quelled, Your Honor. Our forces sustained but light casualties." The soldier said.
"You have leave to withdraw. One detachment will remain here to guard Draklor." The judge said as the soldiers salute and depart... and the Judge walks into the building. Nearby, hidden around a corner, Purring Pet, his team, Atomic, his team and and Ethan strategize.
"Do you think they're on to us?" Pete quietly asked.
"It would seem not, though this will make our task more difficult still." Atomic stated.
They try to enter, but the Soldier keeping watch sternly says no one will be allowed into Central... the area housing the Laboratory... at this time. The group backtracks.
"Certainly took your time getting here, didn't you. Off seeing the sights, perhaps?" Crab Tabby said.
"Not likely. Do you know how long it took to get the chops to get up here?" Tom asked.
"What's that? But I gave Detective Chimp and the Cat Team some chops..." Atomic recalled.
"Guys!" Pete called out as he saw them behind.
"Tsk, tsk. A squad of Judges has been sent to Draklor. You'll find the service entrance rather a difficult proposition, I'm afraid." Professor Puss said.
"Your doing, no doubt. You knew the Ministry of Law would move, so you had Pete and his team out collecting chops until the Judges could reinforce Draklor. Of course... Tell me, how much did the Ministry pay for word of the prodigal son?" Power Puss asked.
"The Ministry?" Detective Chimp repeated and then realized. "Oh, Judges make poor customers, my friend. Too many rules, too many laws. Perhaps you didn't know, Atomic, that Draklor is a toy box these days, filled with your lord father's conceits..."
"All developed without the Senate's knowledge, of course. Why, not even the Emperor knew the full extent of Dr. Cid's operations. Now, here's the catch: since Vayne had himself declared dictator, nary a peep has come out of that laboratory. I know people who would sell their own mum for the merest scrap of information about the goings-on inside Draklor." Professor Puss stated.
People like...Rivers sympathizers worried about the Empire's weapons programs, and anyone else who might be opposed to House of the Empire hegemony. So, we create a disturbance, and you get your windfall of dirt on Draklor." Atomic replied.
"And in exchange for your service, I've spoken to a cabbie. When he asks where you want to go, tell him: "You know where to go." Simple, no?" Scaredy Cat answered.
"Ah, a deal, brokered in true Archades fashion. Why, it's just like old times, guys. Brings a tear to my eye." Atomic Cat said and then walked away.
"Good to be back, eh? My regards to your lord father, Master Johnny..er, rather, Master "Atomic." Anon, anon." Detective Chimp commented.
Meanwhile, Pete, his team and Atomic, his team are having a conversation onboard the Hvercar.
"So, this Detective Chimp and the Cat Team...are they some kind of other people from another world's from yours and theirs, Atomic? You, your friend's and them seemed...close." Kid recalled.
"Close enough for claws..." Atomic sarcastically said. "Driver! Faster, if you please. I would be loathe to expend any of the violence in my present mood on my companions." He demanded.
"S-Sir? Yes, sir!" The Cab hesitate
The cab arrives at Draklor Laboratory, a truly towering structure. The group debarks.
"Where to?" Pete asked.
"Come this way!" Crab Tabby said.
They're now inside... Draklor Laboratory
"It's too quiet." Ethan suspected.
"Passing strange. There are supposed to be guards here." Atomic agreed.
"Maybe we're just lucky?" Pete suggested.
"Maybe you're just optimistic." Crab Tabby added.
"Something may be afoot. We proceed with caution." Ethan warned.
"No time for caution. Step to it! Cid's chambers are on the top level." Power Puss stated.
The group proceeds forward... bodies of fallen soldiers line the floor. The group proceeds from the 66th to the 67th, entering a room called "C.D.B."... a bookshelf is toppled over, and papers are scattered on the ground.
"He's had visitors. Ones lacking manners, by the look of it." Fiona commented.
"Someone after the nethicite?" Pete noted as Ethan approaches a table and looks over some papers...
"The Jagd Difohr was it? Six years, and ever since you got back, this... What madness found you there?" Ethan wondered.
Then they began to soldier shouting, and they know that they're going to find them.
"They found us!" Tom exclaimed.
"His earlier visitors, more like. We should lie low for now." Fiona said.
"No, we'll use their confusion. We need to find Cid. Now." Ethan declared
Pete grab the key card They make their way through the Laboratory, eventually reaching the 70th floor... They all exit the elevator, and then Ethan... but he suddenly looks to his left, when a black cat in a traveler outfit is wielding a pair of blades runs up to him and strikes, but Ethan narrowly jumps out of the way. Ethan stops his arm on a 2nd strike...
"Ah. My apologies. You bear not the stench of Cid's lackies." The cat apologized.
"And you are... our earlier visitor." Ethan guessed.
"Yes, a valuable man, one I'd sooner not lose. Yet he knows too much." The cat said.
They turn around, and notice the voice is coming from the top of a darkened staircase... The cat grunts, and runs up the stairs. The group soon follows. At the top of the stairs, in a gorgeous sunlit room, stands black cat and grey cat named Cid shocks wearing a lab coat and glasses.
"Cid! You know deifacted nethicite brought down the Leviathan! How can you persist in this folly?" The cat angrily asked.
"And you've come here to stop me? I'd fain see you try." Cid mocked him
"Consider your bones, geezer. You're outmatched." Atomic called out to Cid.
"Patrol scum of the galaxy. What brings you here?" Cid asked.
"Mission. What else would a patroller want? We'll take the Dusk Shard." Atomic answered.
"You've come all this way for that trinket? I thought you above this." Cid recalled, then he look "Hm? What's that?" He turns to face the group again, emitting a knowing... he looks at Evelyn "The Princess from Planet Acme come to visit? She's not entirely without merit. A test of sorts for our princess?" He wondered and she glared at him.
"You're a babbling fool." Evelyn said coldly.
"A trial for Evelyn the Cat! You lust for the Stone's power, do you not?" He asked as she gasped.
"Lend him not your ears, m'lady. He means to use you." The cat warned as the Mist begins to surround Cid, as well as several of his floating mechanical creations. He lets for a maniacal laugh... and in the end, is holding a pair of energy rifles
"Manufacted nethicite! Like Bergan." Fiona warned.
"How could you do this? How could you fall this far?" Atomic sadly asked as he and the group began to battle Cid and his 4 rooks. After destroying one of the rooks... "Always hiding behind your toys. Pity if anything were to happen to them." He said
As Cid & his rooks get defeated. At the battle's conclusion, he's slumped on the ground, and drops his guns. The black cat races in with his swords, and jumps in the air... but is sent backwards by an energy barrier appearing around Cid... Cid stands up
"Venat, you shouldn't have." Cid said as the black-faced white-skinned creature that appeared with Mjrn and Bergan appears beside him.
"This creature... So this is your Venat?" Atomic asked he look shocked for this and then the creature fades away
"Evelyn the Cat from Planet Acme! Just how far will you go for power? Does your lust for nethicite consume you?" He asked as he reaches out, and we see he's holding nethicite in both his hands. She gasps. "Am I right? I am, aren't I. A worthy daughter of the Dynast-King! You would do well to go to Giruvegan. Who knows? You may receive a new Stone for your trouble." He smirked as he he walks away, as one of those hovermachine "Atomos" units descend. He approaches it.
"Your words mean nothing to me!" Evelyn yelled at him.
"The reins of History back in the hands of Man. I too make for Giruvegan. Give chase, if you dare it!" He declared as the unit flies off with him on board.
Atomic Cat groan. "I hate it when he does that." He complaint.
"Mayhaps you think me remiss! The Lady Evelyn the Cat of Planet Acme." The black cat recalled as he approaches her "The space pirate Reddas, at your employ." He saluted.
The Imperial Senate, powerless to resist House of the Empire brutal purge, was dissolved. Vanitas reigned supreme over the Empire. Though this upheaval shook the Imperial bastion to its foundation, these developments were, to say the least, welcomed by her military. The authoritarian rule of the Judges, in tandem with the impending threat of Rivers invasion, served to foster camaraderie among its ranks. For our part, the Resistance mustered strength in the border-skies, making ready for the task ahead. A war to decide the doom of Planet Acme and the rest of all planeta would soon be upon us.
Then a large fleet of spaceships... specifically, the Resistance Army Fleet, heading by the Flagship Garland. On the bridge, Yuki and his assistant are there
"Squads Flametongue and Ogrenix are away! All ships reporting in. They're breaking to begin ship-to-ship maneuvers against us." The Pilot stated.
"All hands, pull ahead flank!" Yuki commanded them.
"We shall make ready to repel their attacks. Counter-air, track them as though they were the enemy." His assistant said to him.
"Counter-air, to your stations!" Yuki commanded again.
"A dispatch from Naldoa Command, Excellency. The space patrol has left Atlas airspace. He makes for Balfonheim with the Lady Evelyn the Cat and her Group." The Pilot stated.
"It is good to know the Lady still lives, but what of our bid for the Stone?" Yuki asked.
"With or without, our Resistance should prove an even match for the Imperial army. These weeks of training have honed our edge." His assistant answered.
"I pray 'tis sharp enough." Yuki said.
Meanwhile, in Artie's Manse at the space city of Metro, Evelyn is looking out a window at the stars.
"They choose to supply the Resistance, yet raise not a sword in aid. What city could do this?" Evelyn asked Artie
"A city of men without planets. People from other planets and of the are they who would fain lay down their lives for a friend, let alone a king." Artir explained.
"Yuki... he is set on war?" Evelyn asked in worried.
"The time approaches when he must make his position vis-a-vis the Empire clear. When he helped you off the Leviathan, he spited the Judges full sore. He cannot sit in idleness and expect to avoid a reckoning. The Marquis shares my distaste for war... yet if it comes to it, he will show no quarter.
Flashback has started.
Artie leans on the edge of his table. Then Yuki walks through the room.
"For the time being, we will continue to train the Resistance army. Enough power on our side... and even Vanitas may see the appeal of the treaty table." Yuki stated.
"Yet Vanitas holds the nethicite. What makes you think he would treat when he holds such power? Power enough to sink the Leviathan." Artie pointed out.
All the more reason for me to support your infiltration of the capital. You said it yourself: the nethicite is a powerful weapon. I would have you acquire it for me." Yuki said.
"I have not said I would give you... the Midlight Shard." Artie corrected him.
"If there is no Stone, I would have to look elsewhere for aid." Yuki replied.
"Then you would ally with River." Artie suggested.
"As I must. Failure is not an option." Yuki declared.
Back to the present
"It's just what Vanitas wants. Lure the Rivers and the Resistance to the field, then crush both with the nethicite!" Ethan exclaimed.
"I think not. Cid has the Stone. We smash it to pieces with the Sword of Ancestors. Vanitas will be left holding nary a thing. Time is short. We follow Cid. He's heading towards Giruvegan." Atomic Cat said.
"Giruvegan." Evelyn echoed.
"It is told of in a song of my people." Fiona answered. "On the farthest shores of the river of time... shrouded deep in the roiling Mist... the holy land sleeps: Giruvegan. Who knows the paths? The way to its doors?"
"Then you seek the Jagd Difohr. Deep within the jungle of Golmore, in a corner of the Feywood, a Mist-storm surges and seethes." Artie informed.
"Then that's it. Let's go!" Pete announced as he and the group ran off except Atomic Cat who seems to be talking to Artie.
"Not coming, Artie? Forget your precious nethicite already?" He proclaimed.
"Cid's words rang hollow to me. I will follow another course." Artie answered.
"Ah, another lead then, is it? You're well informed." Atomic commented.
"I could well say the same to you, pirate." Atomic said it back, then Pete shown up.
"Hurry it up, or we'll leave without you." Pete warned Atomic.
"Ah, Pete! I've had some of my allies check on this Feywood. Best ask what they've found." Artie suggested.
"Ok! Thanks for the help, Artie." He cheered and left, while Artie chuckles.
"Fly first, ask questions later. Your apprentice and his friend are more of a hero than you and your team." Artie commented.
"I don't have an apprentice." Atomic pointed out as he left
And Artie noticed that Evelyn begins to follow him, but then he stopped her. "Princess Evelyn! I would hear your heart. If Doctor Cid has spoke the truth, you may well be rewarded with more nethicite in Giruvegan. Tell me: do you still desire the Stone?"
"I desire its power. I want... yet I also fear. I must protect my planet. I can't afford to fear anything.
"Do not forget Nabudis. That is my only counsel for you." He said as she nodded and left.