"What are you doing?" Rex walked up to Pythra as they analyzed a peculiar machine that they had found in the World Tree. Pandoria was busy trying to power a door, so they had some time.

"Hmm? Oh, sorry, we wanted to see if we could get this thing to work."

"Any luck?" Rex leaned over at the device.

"Not yet. It's really peculiar, but it doesn't seem to be working at the moment."

"Hey!" Pandoria called, "I got it working!"

As the electric blade spoke, the machine that they had been looking at spurred to life. Looking back over at it, the Aegis girls were only able to look on in confusion before a pulse encompassed them and their driver whisking them away.

"Uh…did I do that?" Pandoria shuffled sheepishly.

"Ngh," Mythra groaned as she forced herself up off the ground. Ground? What happened to the metal floor? Looking around Mythra saw grass, trees, and rocks. Definitely not still in the World Tree.

However, Pyra was soon taken off guard by an abrupt switch leaving her active, "Huh? Mythra, what's…oh." Pyra got her answer as off in the distance she saw something she had only ever seen in Mythra's memories. The capitol of Torna.

Rex picked himself up from the sandy beach he had found himself on. That was…unusual to say the least. He did not recognize the area he was at though. It was fairly green surrounding the lake. Was it Gormott?

Looking at his waist, he saw Mythra's sword shift into Pyra's. Speaking of which, he did not see either of them anywhere, and that made him start to worry a bit. He really did not want to get separated in unfamiliar territory.

"Pyra!" Rex cupped his hands, "Pyra!" Though, it seemed the local fauna did not care for his yelling as he was soon beset by a monster he had never seen before. Getting into his battle stance, Rex prepared for battle. Even without Pyra and Mythra, he was no slouch when it came to swinging a sword. That said, he was less then familiar with this type of foe keeping him on his toes.

However, Rex received some unexpected help in felling the creature. As it fell, Rex got to see who had decided to help him. He was a man in clean silver armor with matching hair, golden eyes, and a ludicrously wide grin.

"These things are murder this time of year," He laughed with a voice that seemed…familiar somehow, "You handled yourself pretty well though. A fan of Mythra's I take it?"

"Huh?" Rex raised a brow in utter confusion.

"Your weapon. It has a gem not unlike hers. Pretty spot on, I must say, though the sword itself is pretty different. Never seen anything quite like it." The man shifted his attention away from the weapon and back to the boy waiting for his response.

"You…know Mythra?"

"Hah, well I'd hope so. I am her driver."

"Her driver?" The cogs in Rex's mind were practically smoking, "Y-you're Addam?"

"Ah, so you have heard of me," Addam grinned, "But tell me, you're Leftherian, right?"

"Um, yeah."

"So what are you doing all the way out here?"

"I, um, think I'm a bit lost," Rex responded sheepishly.

"Ha! I bet you came out here after hearing of the rumors about how attractive the Aegis is. You wouldn't be the first young man smitten with her. Too bad for you that she's out on an errand or two."

"Uh, n-no, I was with my friends and we got separated. I…really don't know how to get back either."

"Hmm," Addam rubbed his chin, "Well, why don't you come on back with me, and we can see about finding your pals?"

"What? But you just met me." Normally Rex was the one being a little too trusting.

"You seem like a nice enough guy. Plus, I found you. You were kind of minding your own business fighting for your life and all. I was just passing by and thought I'd give you a hand. Now, what do you say?"

Rex thought it over for a moment. If he really was in Old Torna than he really was lost. He had no idea how to get around this place, and he definitely was not familiar with the local monsters. Without a blade, it could get dangerous. If he left before Mythra got back, maybe it would not be so bad.

"Alright, guess I can come along."

"Wonderful!" The man beamed. He certainly was energetic, "My place isn't far from here."

After they had walked a short way, Addam spoke up, "Say, er, I don't believe I caught your name actually."

"Rex, sir," The driver responded in a stiffly formal manner. He did not know the procedure for talking to ancient heroes.

"Alright, Rex, I've been meaning to ask, but that getup is quite unique. What on Alrest is it?"

"Oh, this? It's a salvaging suit."

"You're a salvager? At your age?"

"Yeah, I started young to help my village."

"A noble endeavor indeed," Addam grinned, "Still, that suit is unlike anything I've ever seen. Especially from Leftheria."

"It's…one of a kind. Some very close friends of mine made it for me," Technically all true.

"Ah, then it must be quite special to you."

"It is," Rex nodded, but he was still worried. He had not seen Pyra and Mythra anywhere since arriving in Torna.

'I don't like this,' Mythra complained as Pyra entered the city limits.

'I know you don't, but we need to find Rex. Besides, maybe we can deduce when exactly we are.'

'I know, I know, but let's just hurry it up. I don't know what Rex might get himself into. What if he meets a younger me?'

Pyra giggled softly to herself, 'For his sake let's hope he doesn't.'

'Hey now!'

Pyra giggled louder before taking a moment to look at the city, "Wow, it's really quite remarkable."

'Yeah,' Mythra grumbled making Pyra wince. That was probably not the most tactful thing to say. Still, she had not seen this place for herself; only through Mythra's memories.

'Mythra–'

'Shh!'

The redhead scowled, 'I'm trying to apologize.'

'Not that! Quick! Hide!'

Pyra was confused but obliged anyway and hid herself in a shop pretending to browse. After a few seconds, she picked up on what had Mythra so up in arms. Walking down the main street was a blonde blade who looked beyond annoyed.

'I saw enough to remember this day. Addam sent me to run errands to try and teach me humility or something.'

Pyra thought how that it did not work if that was the goal, but she kept that to herself, 'Okay, so now what?'

'Stay out of…her way until I can see if we can track down Rex through our connection. It's worth a shot at least.'

'Alright. Will do. Oh, that's lovely,' Pyra caught sight of a hat that struck her fancy.

'Focus, Pyra. Besides, Rex has the money. Not even sure if it would spend here anyway.'

'True, true, but I think I may still look around while you do your thing.'

'Ugh, fine. Just be careful.'

'I know.'

"Is there something on my face?" Addam finally broke the awkward silence causing Rex to quickly look away.

"Sorry, I just don't really know how to act around a hero."

"Hero? Is that what they're saying about me in Leftheria? Maybe I should go visit and set the record straight."

"But you're Addam!" Rex looked at him in shock, "Driver of the Aegis!"

"Ah, yes," Addam rubbed his neck, "I am, but it's not all it's cracked up to be."

"It's not?" Rex knew it could be hard, but he would not have traded his time with them for anything.

"No. For one, the Aegis has an attitude like you wouldn't believe. You should have seen her face when I asked her to go take care of some things for me in the capitol." Addam sighed, "I want to teach her some responsibility and humility. She's far too reckless. She's strong, but she's far too confident in that power and her ability to control it. The kind of power she wields…is not something to be taken lightly."

"No, I…guess not. Surely it's not so bad though."

"She…has her moments," Addam grinned, "There's a good person buried somewhere under all that sass. I'm almost certain of it. But enough about that, welcome to my humble abode!"

Rex looked up in awe at the manor, "You live here? Certainly beats my shack on Gramp's back."

"Ah, I make do."

"My prince!" The guard saluted as Addam approached causing Addam to sigh, but he knew better than to argue at this point.

"Please send word to the chef that we'll be having a guest for dinner."

"Wait, what?" Rex looked flabbergasted at Addam, "I don't want to impose."

"Nonsense. The misses loves company."

"I'll have to ask you to leave your weapon here," The guard stopped Rex as he tried to enter.

"Oh, um," Rex did not want to part with it, especially not while they were separated. Fortunately, Addam seemed to pick up on this.

"It's alright, I trust him."

"You would allow an armed stranger into your home?"

"Yes, yes, I don't need another lecture about being too trusting. Look, I'll be armed as well. Besides, I think he's a good kid, and, well, he's pretty young. How much trouble could he be?"

'Hey, Pyra?'

'Hmm, what is it?' Pyra asked walking down a more secluded street. One that Mythra had not walked down when she was here on her errands. Still, she was fascinated by what she saw. Spending time with Rex had really opened up her appreciation for these kinds of things.

'Do you think we could…save it? Torna I mean.'

'Mythra, it'd be meddling with the timeline. We don't know what could happen. How things might change.'

'But they'd be alive, Pyra! So many people wouldn't have to die or lose their homes because of what I did. Besides, what could be so bad about the new future?"

'What if we don't meet Rex?'

'I–' She wanted to say that it would be a small price to pay, but how could she tell her that? Pyra was head over heels for him, and he was the reason she wanted to keep on living. Then there was the unspoken accusation: What if Mythra did not make Pyra at all? Was it worth losing the most important people to her? Would it even affect them in the here and now? Even if it did not, what about the others?

"Excuse me, miss?" Their conversation was interrupted by a young boy's voice. Pyra turned around to see a young Gormotti boy the sight of which made Mythra gasp.

"Yes?" Pyra asked while crouching a bit to be closer to his height.

"I'm looking for a blade. Blonde, wears white, kinda looks like you actually. Have you seen her by any chance?"

"I think I saw her earlier, but it was a while ago."

"Oh, well, no matter. I'm sure I can track her down eventually. She's so hot headed going off on her own."

"Oh, I'm sure that underneath all that she's a good person," Pyra smiled gently.

"Heh, you may look like her, but you don't really act like her. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Oh, I got separated from my driver. In the meantime, I decided to take a look at the city. It's quite impressive."

"That it is. Here," He shuffled around in his pockets for a bit before holding out a coin, "Get something to eat while you wait."

"A-are you sure? I don't want to impose."

"Ah, it's fine. Someone showed me a great kindness once. It's the least I can do."

"Well, then thank you," Pyra smiled as she accepted the coin. They then said their farewells and parted ways. After he was gone, Pyra turned her attention back to her sister, 'Mythra?'

'Let's go. I think I know where Rex ended up.'

'What about Torna?'

'I remember this day…I remember that Milton was a coin short, and I chewed him out for it.'

'Mythra…'

'Let's just…go.'

"So, you're from Leftheria?" Addam's wife spoke kindly as the three sat down to eat.

"Yes, ma'am," Rex replied stiffly. Addam was married? The stories tended to leave that part out for some reason.

"Addam does have a special place in his heart for Leftheria. If he wasn't a prince, I have half a mind that he would just up and move there."

"Now, now, let's not go filling our guest's head with ideas that I'd just up and abandon my country," Addam turned to Rex, "She has a point though. Leftheria is simply beautiful. Wouldn't mind maybe a summer home there or something."

"You're right about that. There isn't a place like it on Alrest. I grew up looking out at the titans swimming around the cloud head. I've been all over lately, and there's nothing quite like it."

"True enough."

"I fear I may lose my husband to the archipelago if you keep that up," His wife teased causing the men to stop gushing over Rex's homeland, "My husband says that you're a salvager."

"Yes, ma'am. Have been for years."

"You're a bit young."

"Maybe, but I did it to take care of my village back home. I'm pretty good at it too if I do say so myself."

"It is good to see such a responsible young man. What village are you from?"

"Oh, uh, I'm sure you haven't heard of it."

"So, Rex," Addam took control of the conversation, "What do you plan to do next? Would you like to stay until Mythra gets back?"

"No!" Rex spoke a little too quickly, "Um, I actually need to find my friends."

"Ah, right. Well, you can stay here the night and search the town in the morning. You won't get much done in the dark."

"I guess not," Rex relented.

"Great! I'll make sure you get a room."

'Are you sure he's there?' Pyra asked as she looked at the town from a distance.

'Unfortunately,' Mythra replied, 'I'd rather Addam didn't see you, but eventually, the other me will get back. Why'd he have to go and run into Addam of all people?'

'You don't think he's a prisoner, do you?' Pyra asked in concern.

"Nah, knowing Addam, he invited him to dinner or something. Still, we need to find some way to meet up with him.'

'He should come looking for us. Maybe we should just wait.' They had made exceptionally good time by using their combined state for a brief bit – which also made Rex glad that he had propped his sword against the table leg during dinner.

'Well, I don't have any better ideas. You up for camping?'

Rex awoke bright and early the next day. Nothing out of the ordinary there. It took a while to remember that, yes, he was somehow in old Torna. In Addam's house, and that he needed to get out before the past Mythra showed up.

Speaking of which, Rex noticed as he jumped out of bed that the Aegis sword which he had left propped against the wall next to the door had shifted to Mythra's version sending Rex into a mild panic. One that escalated when the door opened.

"Ah, good, you're up," Addam peaked in while Rex really hoped he did not come in. Right now, the door was blocking the sword at least, "Came by to tell you that I got some business to tend to, so you'll have to search for your friends alone. If you need anything though, feel free to stop by and ask."

"Uh, thanks," Rex replied awkwardly.

"Alright," Addam waved before leaving the room. Rex went over to look at the sword groaning to himself. Guess he had to wait until they woke up.

Mythra yawned as she stretched. She was not a fan of camping, but at least Pyra had made a campfire. Pyra! Mythra's eyes went wide. She was not supposed to be out. Mentally shaking her sister awake, Mythra practically forced a groggy Pyra to take the lead.

"Mythra?" Pyra rubbed her eyes yawning, "Where's the fire?"

'Har, har. I accidentally took charge while we were asleep.'

'Oh. You don't think Rex got caught with your sword, do you?'

'Don't know, but let's hurry up and find him before he gets himself in trouble.'

"Right," Pyra said with her fist over her open palm enthusiastically, "Let's get going!"

Rex wandered around the town honestly not knowing where exactly he was going. He really had no idea where Pyra and Mythra were. This meant he was just kind of walking around aimlessly. The town was nice enough, but he really wanted to find them and figure out how to get back.

Fortunately, he did not have to look for long before he heard his name being called. Rex smiled in relief seeing Pyra run toward him. Pyra stopped just short of giving him a big hug. Pulling back with a blush, she still smiled widely at her driver.

"Pyra! Where were you two?"

"We ended up near the capitol. We came here once Mythra was able to track you down."

"Well, now what?" Rex asked, "How did we even get here?"

"Mythra thinks it had something to do with that device that we were looking at. Pandoria's power surge must have done something to it. If we could get another power surge, then maybe we could get back."

"But how do we do that?" Rex was confused, "They're back in the present."

"Well, there is someone else we all know that was alive at this point and would retain his memories."

Rex thought for a moment, "Gramps!"

"Right," Pyra nodded, "He should be around here. That was part of why Mythra was in the capitol. If we hurry, we should be able to catch him before he leaves. We just have to make sure that he never tells anyone before it's time. Mythra might should also do the talking."

"Alright, fair," Rex punched his palm, "Let's hurry up then!"

Mythra took a deep breath as she took charge again. They decided it best if Mythra did the talking here. It would at least probably be the easiest for her to convince him. Down to the womb she went where Azurda was still sitting before he left.

"Mythra! I thought you had left. Wait, what happened to your core crystal?"

"It's a long story," Mythra responded, "I have a favor to ask though, and don't tell anyone about this. Not for a long time at least."

"Hmm. Certainly. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I'm going to be as vague as I can, but just remember everything I'm about to tell you."

"What just happened?" Nia looked dumbfounded from where they had just been standing to the rest of the group.

"I don't know!" Pandoria replied defensively, "I just restored the power, that thing made some noise, and then they were gone in a flash."

"Now, now, let's not panic," Azurda flew into the midst of them.

"Oh, so do you know where they just vanished to?" Nia huffed frustratedly.

"As a matter of fact I do, but before explanations," The titan turned to face Pandoria, "I need you to make another power surge."

"Did it work?" Rex asked Mythra as she approached and shifted into their combined state.

"We'll see," They closed their eyes. They tilted their head for a bit before opening their eyes, "Yes, I can detect the energy buildup. A portal should open up anytime now. Annnnny second now."

After a few seconds of looking around, Rex spoke up, "Nothing's happening."

"Shh!" They hushed him, "Let us focus."

Rex held his hands up defensively and took in the sights instead. Torna really was a nice place. He hated that it had to die, but that was his history. He had a future to save, and friends to fight alongside. There were others depending on him.

"Got it!" The girls brought him out of his thoughts and held out a hand, "Time to go."

"Right," Rex took their hand, "We have a future to save."

In a flash of light, the three were once again in the World Tree.

"Chum!" Zeke grinned, "Good to have you back, buddy. Now, care to tell us where you went?"

"Uh, not just where, but when too," Rex rubbed his neck, "We ended up in Old Torna."

"Torna?" Brighid tilted her head.

"Meet anyone interesting?" Nia asked with hands on her hips.

"Uh, you could say that. Ran into Addam."

"Your predecessor, eh?" Morag put a hand to her chin in thought before lowering it, "Must have been quite the experience."

"It was."

"Let's hope you didn't make too much of a mess of the past," Zeke grinned, "Now come on, we got business to take care of."

"Of course! We've spent enough time on this."

As Addam prepared to finish sealing…whatever this "Pyra" was away, he gave her one last look. Her mannerisms seemed so different from Mythra. It was hard for him to imagine they were the same…if they even were. He honestly had no idea what she was.

"Here," Pyra materialized her sword and handed it to Addam, "Leave this here. For if anyone should ever seek to awaken me."

"Of course," Addam nodded as she turned to enter the capsule. After it closed, Addam went to put the sword in the pedestal. After he did, he started to walk away, but he gave one last look back before sealing the first door. When he did, his eyes widened as he saw the sword clearly from a distance and realized he had seen that sword before.

"Heh," Addam smirked and shook his head, "I guess someone finds you after all. I hope," Addam spoke as the inner barrier slid shut, "He is a better driver than I was."

A/N: Why do Pyra and Mythra have flying dashes?