I read through my last chapter and hoo boy it is chock full of mistakes. I'm going to finish this arc for Tora then there's going to be a lull in chapter updates as I go back and edit previous chapters. I'm going to fix the last chapter first as I forgot to put something in that is going to be important later on. I'm going to fix punctuation and grammar mistakes as well as change up some dialogue to make it seem more authentic. Plus some of the formatting got messed up in translation so I'm going to have to fix that. Although for sure this arc is definitely going to be more of the same with Brandon just shoehorned in. It's really the next arc that will actually be original as Brandon separates from the main group.
Plus I read through that new fic, A Purpose for the Gift of Life and dang, that writer portrayed Nia really well. Yes I do read other fics on this website. Yes not all of my ideas are original. My story at the moment seems like an amalgamation of half the things on this website even to me.
Answering reviews:
RedBurningDragon: Oh lol, totally misinterpreted what you were saying, well he tried his darnedest but forgot about the battery which again will be covered later (he also built it out of old phone batteries which idk if I'll even directly mention so I'm going to say it here just in case.) I would have made the fight longer but I'm honestly rushing through the first few arcs because I do really want to get to some original arcs. Sorry about the relatively late update.
On with the show!
"So this is the imperial capital," Rex whistled as he took an appreciative look around.
Brandon grumbled under his breath. "If you're okay with it being from conquering others." Rex heard and decided to ignore Brandon's indecipherable complaining as he focused on the positives.
"Such a big city! Maybe there places selling rare junk parts for upgrading Poppi!" Tora eyes gleamed in anticipation of saving more money, "time to go look!"
"Masterpon," Poppi almost whined, "Poppi would rather use new parts if possible."
"Meh meh!" a turquoise Nopon's voice suddenly called from the side, "is that you there, Tora?! Have not seen Tora in long time! Remember me - Muimui?"
"Hm? Why random old guy know Tora's name?" Tora scratched his head with a wing in confusion.
"Oh... Tora not remember me at all! It Muimui!" the Nopon said in hopes of jogging Tora's memory, "I was assistant of Professor Soosoo, your Grampypon!"
"Ohhhh! You that old Muimui guy?" Tora said, "of course Tora remember! Muimui should have said to start with."
"Muimui did say," the Nopon huffed.
"Oh, right! Muimui not very interesting," Tora said frankly, giving up the pretense of remembering "so Tora forgot he exist."
Brandon sighed as he pinched the top of his nose. "You can't just say that to someone's face."
"No no, I do not blame Tora," Muimui assured, "Tora was very young back then. Not surprising he forget."
"Besides, Masterpon was quite distracted just now," Poppi added on further, "only thinking of how to upgrade Poppi."
"Why, could it be?" The Nopon looked over the robot in a newfound excitement, "this look like artificial Blade!"
"Muimui right!" Tora exclaimed, proud of his accomplishemnt, "Tora studied Grampypon and Dadapon's blueprints carefully and finished construction!"
"How wonderful!" Muimui then took on a wistful look, "if only Professor Soosoo still here to see results of hard work!"
"Muimui," Tora suddenly said as a thought entered his head, "you have any idea where Dadapon went?"
The turquoise Nopon sighed with regret, "that day, when the lab was attacked, Muimui was out on errand. When I got back, Professor Soosoo's body was lying there. But there was no sign of Professor Tatazo."
Tora looked down dejectedly, "I see... Even Muimui not know…"
"Do not feel down, Masterpon. We will find Dadapon someday," the artificial blade's voice then took on a more robotic tone as if to reciprocate for the unbased claim, "though no evidence for this hypothesis."
"Anyway, Muimui apologize for interrupting your trip when you just arrived in city. Friend of Muimui run an inn just up ahead. Place with famous hot springs. If you like, Muimui can try to get you discount!" The Nopon offered help in the only way Nopons know how to, with monetary incentive.
"Muimui is best friend!" Tora exclaimed in delight, the shrewd Nopon obviously having reconsidered his opinion of his grandfather's assistant. The turquoise Nopon gestured at the group to follow him as he led them across the city to the aforementioned inn. He talked to the worker at the front desk and managed to obtain a good sized discount for their large party. Even Brandon who had long since stopped caring about money, had given a small sigh of relief as the prospect of saving some money for later on.
"Ahhhhhh," Nia sighed as she slipped into the hot spring, "that feels good."
"Such wondrous bliss," Poppi agreed, "makes aching of journey melt away."
"Hang on," Nia looked over at the robot quizzically, "should you even be in the bath? Won't you rust or something?"
"There no problem," Poppi answered "Poppi made from special alloy. No rust or need for oil!"
"Tora thought of everything, huh?" Nia propped an elbow up onto the ledge.
"Masterpon is finest artificial Blade maker in all the world," Poppi stated, no hesitation in her voice.
Nia's ears twitched as she settled back into the water, "hey, Pyra," she greeted the familiar footsteps. "Come on in, the water's great…" she gave a start as she looked back to see a shock of blonde, rather than red, hiar. "Wait, Mythra?! Huh?!"
"Is there a...problem?" The blonde Aegis asked.
"I... I guess not, but…" Nia stuttered, looking up and down Mythra's body with slight envy, "n-nice bod you've got there."
"Thanks," Mythra said as a light started glowing from her core crystal as she changed back into the more familiar red headed girl.
"When I told her there was a hot spring here, Mythra was dead set on trying it out," Pyra gave a small teasing smile at the expense of her sister. Her core crystal gave another flash as she turned back into her blonde haired counterpart.
"So...here I am," Mythra declared. She took off the towel covering up her body as she slipped into the steaming water, giving a stretch of satisfaction. Nia sweatdropped.
"Must be interesting for you guys…" Nia said awkwardly. She relaxed for another couple minutes before standing up. "I think I'm heading out now."
Mythra looked over at the Gormotti girl. Shock filled her eyes as she took in something. "Nia, are you?"
"Mm, well... Yeah." Nia subconsciously turned her body slightly.
"Do you want us to keep this quiet?" Mythra asked as Nia had yet to reveal it to the rest of the group.
"I'd appreciate it, yeah. For now."
"Understood," Mythra nodded then flashed a small thumbs up, "you got it."
"Thanks." Nia said appreciatively.
"Whew, that was a good bath," Nia stretched appreciatively, dressed back up in her unique jumpsuit.
"Mythra seem very pleased," Poppi observed.
"Well, it was my first bath in 500 years," Mythra replied in her snarky voice, "I think I have the right to savor it."
"Can you just switch whenever?" Nia asked.
"With Pyra? Of course." Mythra then proceeded to change into Pyra to prove the point.
"Our memories are shared, so it doesn't really matter to us that much who takes control," Pyra explained then turned back into Mythra.
"Huh. Sounds pretty handy." Suddenly a rumbling went through the entire inn. The girls sprinted over to the guy's room, whom were all clamoring to look out the window, except for Brandon who looked like he was shaken out of his bed.
"Hey, what the hell was that?!" Nia exclaimed.
"I cannot say," Dromarch stated. "It sounds like some kind of disturbance."
"Let's find out. Come on!" Rex said as he turned around. He made a sound of confusion as he spotted Mythra.
"What's that look for?" Mythra crossed her arms.
"Oh, I was just - surprised to see you." Rex said sheepishly.
"You'd rather I was her?" Mythra asked.
"I-I didn't mean it like that…" Rex shoved the foot he already put in his mouth even further.
Mythra harrumphed. Brandon started leading the way as the group made their way to the balcony. Brandon immediately ran to the railing, Rex quickly joining him, to look over the tall buildings to see if he could find the source of the disturbance.
"Hey, can I ask something?" Mythra suddenly spoke up.
"You need permission now?" Rex snarked as he looked at her over his shoulder, "yeah?"
"Do you mind if I stay like this for the time being?" she asked.
"Like this? You mean as Mythra?" Rex asked.
"It hasn't been long since I woke up, and this is all new to you. We need time to adjust to using my power," Mythra explained. Her core crystal then flashed as red particles flew off her body.
"She and I talked it over together," the redhead said, "Mythra's power is much stronger than mine, but it has its limitations. It can be difficult to use in tight spaces. It might be best if you get used to using her in different situations."
"I mean, I don't mind at all," Rex said with a smile on his face, "I'd like to learn more about you, too."
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?" Mythra stuttered as she changed back, "I don't see how I'm any different from her, really."
"Really?" Rex asked, a touch of sarcasm in his voice as he raised an eyebrow, "you can certainly be more touchy sometimes."
"W-well, that's just who I am! What do you expect me to do?!" Mythra replied touchily.
"You see what I mean?" Rex said, feeling vindicated.
Mythra threw Rex a harsh glare. "What's that smile for?" She snapped.
"No, I just thought...it's been fun lately," Rex explained "a lot's happened since meeting Pyra. And now I've met you too."
"A lot of that stuff can't have been easy, though," Mythra countered, "so why the smile?"
"Even rough patches can be valuable experiences. Is that so weird?" Rex asked in return.
Mythra sighed, "always the optimist…"
"Gramps gets mad at me for being TOO positive sometimes," Rex chuckled sheepishly.
"More like all the time," Gramps said, sticking his head out of Rex's helmet.
Brandon jerked backwards and bumped into Rex as the building rumbled again.
"I think that was from over there!" Brandon pointed off in to the distance.
"I think so!" Rex responded.
"Gah!" Brandon swerved as he rounded the corner, nearly tripping over the bodies of unconscious Ardanian troops.
"What the-?" Rex exclaimed spotting a silhouette. "Who's that?"
"Meh?" Tora exclaimed as Poppi activated her eye flashlights and illuminated the figure, revealing a mechanical being, very similar in appearance to Poppi. "L...Lila?" Tora stuttered in astonishment. The robot took no notice of the Nopon as she simply turned around, activating her jetpacks that had been fashioned as hair, and took off, leaving the group in the dust.
"Wait!" Tora hopped a couple steps forward into the fastest sprint the Nopon had ever run in his life, "Lila!"
"Wait up," Rex shouted as he broke into a run to catch up to the stubby Nopon, "Tora!"
"Not here," Tora mumbled as he came to a stop, "where did she go?"
"Tora, wait up!" Brandon panted as he stopped beside his Nopon companion. "Do you know who that was?"
"She seemed somehow similar to Poppi," Gramps astutely observed.
"It was… Lila," Tora finally answered.
"Lila?" Rex asked in Brandon's stead as said scientist was stooped over, heaving at the physical exertion.
"The artificial Blade Tora's Dadapon and Grampypon were making," Tora explained, "Tora recognize her anywhere."
"Masterpon, there an ether furnace reading nearby," Poppi informed then pointed, "up there!"
Tora looked up, confirming what he already knew, "Lila! It is you!"
"Ether furnace reading detected. Initiating protocol," the more mechanical voice of Lila stated as she flew down, ready to fight the group. Everyone took a defensive position as they drew their weapons. Lila made the first move, firing a cluster of small seeking missiles that flew toward the group rapidly. Brandon, having been taken off guard, barely managed to trigger his missile defense matrix, a grid of lasers flying out of his gauntlets with pinpoint accuracy, each striking and disabling it's target causing the missiles to miss and clater harmlessly to the floor. Seeing her attack countered so easily, Lila decided to change tactics, rocketing up for close combat with her jetpack. Everyone split apart like the Red Sea, each aware and extremely wary of the power that a robot could pack behind it's fists.
While the jetpack made Lila fast, it did not make her maneuverable, causing her to charge at each member with wild abandon like a bull seeing red. She did not manage to connect once. Taking advantage of the simple strategy employed by the robot, Brandon took a couple free electrically charged shots at the robot while it made a pass at him. He scoffed at the poor design as a small part of the electric flow slid up into the fuel tank, igniting the rest of the fuel in Lila. While sturdy enough to easily survive the blast, especially one triggered by so little fuel, Lila still lost her mobility, making her an easily target for the rest of the group with slow moving and clumsy strikes. Everyone seemed to realize this at the same time.
"Probability of success falling. Switching to strategic retreat mode," the robot declared as it turned around toward a gated area. It used it's powerful hydraulics in its legs and easily bounded over the thick metal gate, leaving Brandon's crew on the other side, unable to give chase to the fleeing robot.
"Lila, wait!" Tora exclaimed but the robot had already disappeared from sight. Without a moment of hesitation, Brandon sprinted at the gate, easily clambering up the gate and jumped down to the other side, rolling as he landed and smoothly transitioned into a sprint. Everyone else followed but it took them some more time to get over the gate than Brandon.
Brandon panted as he sprinted, now in his comfort zone of sprinting but not marathoning, knowing that if he just ran fast enough to catch up to the robot the torture that was running would be over faster. He finally made it to a large open section of the city. He looked around but saw no sign of the artificial intelligence. He groaned as he realized that he had lost Lila in the crowd.
"Ether furnace reading lost," he hear Poppi declare behind him, "it seem she has escaped."
Brandon whirled around to the group who had caught up to him. He approached the Nopon menacingly. "Explain," he stated, winced at his own hypocrisy, but chose to ignore it for now.
"Long time ago," Tora said, "Grampypon Soosoo and Dadapon Tatazo were working on her. Her name was Lila. Grampypon and Dadapon and Tora all wanted to become Driver. However, not single one of us have potential. So we decide to work together and make artificial Blade. Blade even we can use! But then…" He trailed off, looking wistfully off into the distance.
"Lab was attacked, Tora sure that they there to steal Lila and blueprints for artificial blade." Tora looked more certain than he had before. "After that, Tora hide out in Torigoth city. Making Poppi based on blueprints and ether furnace Dadapon left for Tora."
"Don't you have any idea who the attackers were?" Mythra asked.
"Tora not know who, but they definitely wanted to steal Lila," the Nopon repeated.
"If it was Lila they were after, how'd she end up here in the Empire? It looked like there were imperial soldiers after her," Nia recalled.
"Tora have no idea. But one thing is most confusing," Tora stated.
"That is?" Brandon prompted.
"When bad guys attacked the lab, Lila was not finished. There only one who could finish making Lila: Dadapon Tatazo!" Tora declared, excitement in his voice.
"Which means…" Rex trailed off in amazement.
"Tora's father must still be alive somewhere?" Gramps finished for him.
"Dadapon must be held captive by whoever using Lila," Tora deduced.
"You there! Don't move!"
"Is it me or does this seem familiar?" Brandon sighed as he activated his gauntlets.
"Imperial soldiers," Gramps said, worry in his voice.
"You!" Nia gasped as the familiar face of the Special Inquisitor came into view.
"So we meet again, Driver of the Aegis," Mòrag said cordially at Rex.
"Lady Mòrag, she's the one. That mechanical girl took down our squad!" The soldier pointed at Poppi who raised her eyebrows in confusion.
"What?! Hang on a minute!" Rex waved his hands frantically in the air.
"Where the hell'd you get that idea?" Nia said in outrage.
"Unfortunately, they cannot tell difference between Lila and Poppi," Poppi stated sadly.
"So… Rex, was it?" The Special Inquisitor continued without waiting for a response, "Rex, I'm very disappointed to find you stooping to such lowly crimes."
"Lowly crimes?! What the heck?! I'm telling you, you've got the wrong guys!"
Brandon just sighed at Rex's naivety. "Rex, the Empire doesn't care." He kept his voice low, taking care to make sure that the Inquisitor didn't hear, "Remember Torigoth? They pinned down Nia with a half assed poster that looked more like Dromarch than her. I'm honestly shocked that they technically pinned the right person that time. This time just goes to show that they would have pinned anyone who was even remotely similar and they just got lucky." Brandon fired up his gauntlets, sending sparks of electricity running down them for as much of an intimidation factor as Mòrag whipping up flames.
Brandon didn't wait to fire a bolt of electricity at the empire's strongest blade - driver combo. The pair easily saw through his attack and split left and right, letting the beam simply drive through the middle. The Inquisitor took the opportunity to send her whipsword burning past. Rex jumps backwards, barely avoiding the scorching flames from the sword.
"Your skills have improved, boy!"
"Mythra!" Rex called.
"I know, I know. I won't use that power, OK? Let's stick to Foresight for this. If you really need to attack, I'll hand it over to Pyra."
"Thanks!"
"The Aegis has changed," Mòrag noticed, "what happened to her appearance? Answer me!"
"You want answers, then put the swords away!" Rex said, "what's wrong with you?" Rex blocked several more thrusts from her swords.
"I'll listen to your confession while you lie defeated!" Mòrag yelled, pride getting the best of her.
"Rex! After this Foresight, I'll switch to Pyra!" Mythra said,
"Understood!" Rex's eyes narrowed in concentration as he observed the Inquisitor's future movements.
"Impossible... He dodged it?" The Inquisitor exclaimed in shock.
"Now it's my turn!" Rex yelled as a light emanated from Mythra, signaling the change back to Pyra.
"Lady Mòrag! Look at the Aegis!" Brighid gasped.
"So you can change at will!" The Inquisitor observed.
"Eat this!" Rex yelled as he swung his sword, sending a massive blast of fire at the pair. Rex hesitated as the blast stopped just short of the Inquisitorial pair. "Pyra?" Rex asked, looking back over his shoulder..
"We can do this without hitting them," she said.
"Hah! It's like you read my mind," Rex faced forward again.
"Are you holding back on me again, boy?" Mòrag pointed her sword threateningly at the Aegis' driver.
"We just don't have any reason to fight you," Rex said, lowering his sword in response.
"Enough! Both of you!" A deep Nopon voice suddenly sounded.
"I know you," Mòrag said to the Nopon, "you're from the Argentum Guild's Intelligence Division."
"Lady Mòrag, stand down arms! These not the ones who infiltrate the facility and attack your soldiers."
"Then the culprit behind the attack… was not the artificial Blade standing here now. Is that right?" Mòrag pieced together.
"They very similar, but not the same," Niranira informed, "Niranira saw her with own eyes."
"I had a feeling we were being watched since our arrival," Dromarch said, confirming his earlier suspicion.
"I quite sorry for causing concern. Niranira has been auditing Argentum Trade Guild."
"Ah, so you were keeping an eye on us because we came in on a Guild ship," Nia deduced.
"How ironic that your suspicion should happen to prove our innocence," Dromarch joked.
"It appears I was too hasty in judging you. I should not have attacked you so suddenly. My apologies," Mòrag bowed down in apology, her soldiers following suit.
"N-no, that's fine. Nobody got hurt in the end. I'm just glad it all got cleared up now," Rex waved his hands hastily in the air.
"An apology from the illustrious Flamebringer? A rare reward in itself," Gramps said.
Brandon crossed his arms and harrumphed, "you're letting them off just like that? What if they had won, we'd be stuck in prison with no trial."
"I will do what I can within my own means to compensate you," Mòrag said, still bowing. "By the way, the culprit who fled the scene- might I ask what manner of connection you have with them? You must tell me all."
"Well, we think that artificial blade was built by Tora's father," Rex said, "we think he's being forced to do it."
"I see. It seems it would be best for all of us if we worked together for the moment," Mòrag said.
"Work with you," Brandon repeated in disgust.
"Indeed," Mòrag said, almost oblivious to the malice dripping off of Brandon's voice, "my goal is to capture the artificial Blade and track down the criminals behind its actions. And from what you just told me, those I seek likely have Tora's father held captive. Would you not say our interests align?"
"Well, it's definitely better to have her working with us than against us," Mythra said, We shouldn't take the power of Brighid, Jewel of the Empire, too lightly. If she went all out on me, even I wouldn't be able to hold back. And then… we'd burn this place to the ground."
Brandon crossed his arms.
"I am honored that the Aegis herself thinks so highly of me."
"You may not remember it, but... I've faced you a few times before. Let's just say it wasn't easy," she sighed, "but that's a story for another time. What do you say, guys?"
"I can't deny I'd rather avoid making an enemy of them," Nia admitted.
Brandon grumbled but didn't protest.
"All right, then. So, from this moment on I suppose we're allies!" Rex said optimistically.
"For the moment, I will return to the palace. If you learn anything new, please send word," the Inquisitor said, "I will instruct the palace guards to allow you audience with me."
"All right," Rex agreed. Brandon gave a sigh of relief.
"So we're not actually working side by side," Brandon said as they walked out of earshot.
"Why do you hate them so much?" Rex asked.
Brandon paused, "it's not that I hate them in particular, I hate what they stand for."
Rex looked puzzled, "I mean I'm not the biggest fan of war or conquest but you're hatred seems excessive."
Brandon gave Rex a pointed stare. "You know very well why I hold anger to the Empire."
Rex returned the stare. "All I know is that you refuse to say more than oh look at me I fought against an oppressive empire," he snarked.
"I…" Brandon trailed off
"Come to me when you're ready to talk," Rex said, "until then, you have no right to judge someone you don't know anything about." Rex huffed in annoyance and strode ahead, Gramps stuck his head out of Rex's helmet and the two seemed to bicker as well.
"What the hell was that all about?" Nia asked, "don't tell me you messed up buckethead."
Brandon scratched his head sheepishly, "I kind of went overboard with my disdain for the Empire, Rex called me out on it."
"Sheesh," Nia breathed, "I think you two have some issues to work out."
"Yeah," Brandon admitted, "we consider ourselves brothers you know? Means we bicker like siblings as well. We don't always see eye to eye."
"I can relate," Nia agreed.
"Urk, siblings," Brandon mocked groaned and the two laughed their way back to the inn.
"It sound like you have quite the adventure," Muimui said in response to Rex's story, "but it good that you work things out."
"Anyway, we'll see if we can track Lila down somehow ourselves," Rex said determinedly.
"I too will see if I can find any leads," the turquoise Nopon added on, "no matter what, Muimui and friends will find Professor Tatazo!"
"Alright," Rex rubbed his hands together as he addressed Brandon, seemingly over his anger earlier, "what's the plan? I doubt we can just ask around like we normally do."
"Hm," Brandon raised a hand to his chin in thought, "I mean we could, we'd just have to be specific about who we ask and what questions we use."
"Elaborate," Rex prompted.
"Easy, I'm getting to that part. Anyways, Tora?" The Morythan scientist turned to the Nopon engineer.
"Yes?" Tora responded.
"Do you know the materials that constitute Poppi?"
"Yes!" The Nopon responded excitedly, "Tora has all parts memorized to heart!"
"Alright then, whoever's built Lila would have used your dad's blueprints, meaning the same materials. My idea is that we go around and ask shopkeepers and suppliers. I'll head out with Rex and Tora, the rest of you look around for some clues."
"Right," they all respond as they rush to complete their assigned tasks.
"So," Rex started reporting back in the office of the Special Inquisitor, "It sounds like there's some kind of old factory out in the wastelands that all of the materials are being delivered to."
"I see," the Inquisitor brought a hand up to her chin in thought, "there was indeed once a factory there. However, it was abandoned some thirty years ago."
"So you think we've got 'em?" Nia asked.
"We can't be certain unless we investigate," Mòrag sighed while Brandon started.
"We'll go!" Rex said stepping forward.
"You?"
"We won't do anything reckless," Rex almost pleaded as if a child to a parent, "if it seems dangerous, we'll turn back. How's that sound?"
"Hmm," the Special Inquisitor contemplated, "to tell the truth, it would be difficult for me to dispatch the military so quickly. Would you?"
"Sure thing!" Rex exclaimed.
"Now, let me share what information I have found," the Inquisitor said, "there are rumors about town that an esteemed Nopon merchant is involved in this affair."
"An esteemed Nopon merchant," Brandon and Rex shot each other a look
"Chairman Bana?" Brandon asked, addressing Mòrag without an ounce of loathing in his voice for the first time.
"Well, we're currently searching the transaction records. If we find anything, we will inform you," Mòrag said reasonably.
"Pretty busy huh?" Rex asked.
"I don't deny it. I will head to the location myself as soon as I am able to mobilize some troops."
"All right, then!"
Again sorry for the late update, AP Physics has been kicking my ass pretty hard over the last couple days. Ugh, I feel so frustrated that I can't just go and let Brandon spew expositional dialogue and I feel like that's going to be shared by some readers. I really want to get into the original stuff to explore some of Brandon's background but it's taking me a long time to do that. Plus I want to go back and edit to fix a bunch of mistakes but that's also going to take time. Juggling this on top of school, life, eSports, etc is tiring. I'll try to get the next update up on Friday. I'm gone on a band trip all of Thursday so don't expect anything other than maybe a small edit I get up during school when I have some free time. Also dang, 2000 views, please leave a review so I know what to do for you to enjoy it. As much as I enjoy RedBurningDragon's reviews, it doesn't bode all too well that they're the main source of a review count.