In the peaceful town of Torigoth, Rex and Pyra were out getting some parts needed for a special project for a new acquaintance and Nopon, Tora.
"I can't wait to see what this artificial Blade is gonna turn out. Hope it's great." Rex said to her, who's wearing a disguise due to her being a prime target by the Mor Ardain Empire.
"I know it will be." Pyra said with confidence.
"Getting these Bion Connectors is gonna be such a drag. Good thing I know these salvagers codes well." Rex said as they were making their way towards a salvager jump.
"Let's do this Rex!" Pyra yelled with determination.
Rex's gramps and former Titan, Azurda, jumped out of Rex's helmet and began to fly next to Pyra. Meanwhile, Rex began to change into his gear.
"You know the drill. Good Luck." He said to Rex.
"No problem gramps. Off. I. GO!" Rex shouted as he ran and jumped off the ledge and into the cloud sea.
As they waited, Pyra began to sway around a bit and hummed to herself while Azurda was in deep thought.
"I do tend to worry about that boy Pyra. He can be too nice for his own good sometimes." Azurda said.
"Oh really?" Pyra asked as she turned towards him.
"When you've known him for as long as I have, you tend to know these things. Then again…he used to have a lot of gear for cooking, sleeping and more before I became like this." Azurda explained to her.
"That makes sense." Pyra said.
After what seemed like hours, the sun had already begun to set. Azurda and Pyra began to get worried.
"Rex usually doesn't take this long." Azurda said as he began to fly towards the ledge and looked down into the Cloud Sea.
Pyra got next to him and looked down as well.
"REX! ARE YOU OKAY!?" Pyra screamed. Just then, an anchor hook latched onto the ledge. "Oh!" She yelled in shock.
"Ah! Speak of the Hades. Here he comes." Azurda said as they backed away from the ledge.
Rex jumped out and landed in front of them…empty handed and had a look of shock.
"PODS!" He screamed.
"Wh-what!?" Pyra asked with the same shocked expression.
"I saw pods! They had a person in each of them…frozen. Looked like cryo-freeze." Rex said as he was trying to calm down.
"Interesting." Azurda said as he was pondering about this.
"The looked like the same pods you were in when I found you Pyra, except they looked like they were forced into them against their wills." Rex said.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go save them!" Pyra said.
"The pods are bigger than you think! We may need more salvagers for this load. Fortunately, the salvagers station nearby has some. 4 should suffice, and a balloon will be a big help." Rex said while thinking this through.
"Well done Rex for taking this responsibility." Azurda said.
They left to tell the salvagers of what Rex has found and presented evidence: pictures of the pods.
"How soon can we get them out?" Pyra asked.
"This balloon will get the pods out in no time." Rex said.
"That's good." Pyra said.
"I'm sure Tora will be fine if he waited a bit longer. And I do hope that Nia and Dromarch are gonna be okay." Azurda said.
"They better. I best be off. See you shortly." Rex said as he put his gear back on. Pyra nodded and Rex left with the salvagers.
"What's friends of Rex-Rex doing taking so long!?" A voice yelled nearby. They saw their Nopon friend Tora running towards them.
"Sorry Tora. Rex went salvaging but made a big discovery." Pyra answered.
"Tora was getting curious. What did Rex-Rex find?" Tora asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Some pods that contain a person in each of them. Rex and the others should resurface any minute now." Azurda said.
Pyra just looked down at the cloud sea and was getting worried.
"Please hurry Rex." She whispered.
After a while, a massive balloon emerged from the cloud sea and indeed, two pods surfaced. Rex and the other salvagers got them to land. They saw a man and a woman frozen inside the pods.
"Who are they?" Pyra wondered.
"Same here. I neve seen their faces before." Rex said while looking into the glass.
"Even I don't recognize them." Azurda said.
"Let see if Tora can tinker with one of them." Tora said.
"Okay. By the by, I found some Bion Connections you needed." Rex said as he showed them the parts.
"MEH-MEH! Excellent." Tora said as he jumped for joy.
"Is that everything?" Pyra asked.
"Just need a Perfect Range Sensor at Margia's Odds and Ends shop. It's right across the salvagers station." Tora said as he began to tinker with one of the pods.
"Right…" Pyra said with a bit of uncertainty in her voice.
It took some time, but Tora was able to activate one of the pods that contained the woman. The pod began to defrost the woman and she finally thawed out, rendering her unconscious.
Meanwhile during that time, Rex delivered the parts and Pyra pocked the sensor in her disguise.
"Success!" Tora yelled.
"Incredible job Tora!" Pyra yelled with happiness.
"Yeah, way to go!" Rex said with agreement.
"Yep yep! Now onto the next one." Tora said as he went to the other pod
Meanwhile, Pyra checked on the woman.
"Is she even still alive?" Pyra asked.
"Check her pulse Pyra." Rex suggested. Meanwhile, Tora activated the other pod
She inspected her wrist and neck. She felt pulses from them.
"She's still alive!" Pyra said.
"What a relief. Hmm…her clothing seems outdated." Azurda said as he joined her and saw the woman. Her lab coat and dress underneath were tattered.
"Oh! I'll go get her some new clothing." Pyra suggested.
"Good idea." Azurda said.
"Be right back!" She sang as she left.
Shortly after Pyra left to get some clothing for both the victims, the other pod opened up. Rex checked on the man to see if he was still alive. Fortunately, he was much to Rex's relief.
Just then, the man's eyes shot open and grabbed Rex's face.
"TRAITOR!" He screamed with anger while Rex was struggling to get freed from his grip.
The people around began to panic as he lifted Rex up and he risen from the pod.
"WAIT! Don't hurt Rex-Rex!" Tora yelled with fright.
"WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" The man screamed with fright and dropped Rex.
The woman's eyes shot open from the scream.
"Robyn!?" The woman yelled as she sat up.
"Lilika!?" Robyn yelled as he saw her getting out of the pod. They approached each other and held each other's shoulders, relieved to know that they were okay.
"How long have we've been out?" Lilika asked with all the confusions. She then saw the people around them. "Who…who are you people?" She asked again.
"Easy my dear." Azurda said while saying in a calming voice.
They were surprised to see the small creature flying by them.
"What are you? More like, what are many of you people. Some don't look human." Lilika asked once more.
"A lot has happened." Azurda said.
"You look like a flying, talking build-a-bear plushie." Robyn said as he looked closer at Azurda.
"Pardon!?" Azurda asked with a raised eyebrow. Lilika explains what that was since it was rather popular back then. "I see. Reminds me of that little toy Rex used to have growing up." Azurda said with a bit of a chuckle.
"GRAMPS!" Rex whined.
"Anyway, this must be a completely new world than from ours when we were betrayed." Lilika said while looking around a bit.
"We're definitely not in Kansas anymore." Robyn said as his curiosity was rising.
"Oh! Good! You're awake!" Pyra yelled as the red-haired doll arrived with some new clothing for Lilika and Robyn. "Hopefully, they'll help you fit in here on Alrest." Pyra said.
"Th-thank you." Lilika said with a bit of surprise to see how cute Pyra was with that innocence.
"Alrest? You mean Earth?" Robyn asked as he received the clothing.
"No…this world is Alrest. How did you get trapped inside the pods?" Pyra asked while holding one of her arms. Lilika and Robyn looked at each other for a moment and they were rather unsure of how to answer that question. "Maybe later then. The name's Pyra. Nice to meet you." She added.
"I'm Rex, and this is my Gramps." Rex said.
"Tora's name is Tora." Tora said as he began to flap his wings with happiness.
"I'm Lilika, and this is my childhood best friend and colleague Robyn." Lilika said with a big smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Sorry about the grab by the way Rex. Hopefully, I'll make it up to you." Robyn said with guilt on his face.
"Forget it. Come on, let's get going." Rex said.
They began to make their way towards another portion of Gormott. Lilika and Robyn were still looking around, adapting to their new environment. They were also wondering more of where, and most importantly…when they were.
"Everything is so different from what we remember. Plus, we've nowhere to go. Looks like we are on our own." Lilika said with a bit of sadness.
But Robyn took that the worst.
"No…our families." Robyn whimpered before kneeling and wept. Tears were pouring down his eyes. Lilika knelt and held him, causing him to look at her, then looked at the distance. "Is that? Is that…no it couldn't be!" Robyn yelled in shock when they saw the World Tree.
"HUH!? The Great Tree!?" Lilika yelled in shock.
"That's the World Tree. It lies in the very center of Alrest and the cloud sea. At the top of the tree said to be the paradise called Elysium. I'm taking Pyra there as a promise to her for when she saved my life not long ago." Rex explained as he helped him up.
"Paradise?" Robyn asked.
"Elysium? I don't recall ever there being any plans for making something on the tree." Lilika said while processing what she learned.
"Maybe if we get close enough, then we'll know more of how it came to be." Robyn said while he too was thinking about what he learned.
They arrived at Tora's house where he was putting on the final components for what appear to be some sort of android.
"Tora, how much longer till the Blade is complete?" Pyra asked.
"All it need now is electricity. The storm coming will be big help for Tora." Tora said as he turned towards everyone.
"Blade…? What's going on?" Lilika asked as this was something not even, she could understand. Sure, there was a sword, but this was new.
"Tora tried out to be Driver last year, but…" Tora explained about what has happened to him.
"How are you still alive from all that blood lost if you had a nosebleed for days!?" Robyn asked with a lot of shock.
"Tora don't want to talk about it!" Tora yelled out of annoyance.
"Mind giving us some clarity of Blade and Driver?" Lilika asked.
"Well, Blades are physical beings that are born from cubes called Core Crystals. The fighter that awakens them are the Drivers. The Drivers are endowed by their weapon upon awakening of the Blade. They bond together. Rex and I are Blade and Driver. He's the Driver, and I'm the Blade." Pyra explained.
"I guess that explains the gem on your chests. But forgive me for asking, does that also make you two…well?" Robyn asked.
Pyra began to blush a deep shade of red.
"WHAT!? NO! It's not like that!" She exclaimed while covering her face.
Lilika then leans towards Robyn and asks, "She is a doll, isn't she?"
"Yeah, a very shy doll." Robyn whispered back while nodding.
When they returned to Tora's house, Lilika and Robyn changed into their new looks. Lilika now worn a light black/lilac rose short, sleeves dress, black stockings, knee high heels, a dark blue long-sleeve shrug, and black gloves. Robyn sported long blue jeans, black boots, a blue short-sleeve t-shirt under a black trench coat. He had fingerless gloves and multiple pouches and pockets.
During dinnertime while Tora was making the final adjustments for the final step, Pyra and Robyn worked together to make everyone dinner. Pyra was amazed of his cooking skills, and even thought that he could rival her with such talent.
"Now then, perhaps it's time we learned a bit more of your past." Azurda said just as they begun eating.
"Oh man, where do we begin?" Lilika asked herself as she was getting into this unusual, yet tasty meal.
"Well, we were working on the progress of the Great Tree, or the World Tree as you all call it now, what seemed like eons ago. The environments were replenishing thanks to many scientists, like the both of us, and environmentalists. Not to mention many species were not only being discovered, evolved, and even reborn like a few easily domesticated dinosaurs. Sadly, we overheard a few goons that worked for us talking about using the tree for their own purposes. We were caught and forced into the pods. Fortunately for us, Lilika was able to get the local police involved. However, we were frozen inside the pods. The next thing we know we were awoken." Robyn explained.
"And because of this, not only are we the last Earthlings left, but we also now have nowhere to go…no one to go back to in such a foreign world." Lilika added as her sadness grew.
"Well, how about you stick with us?" Rex asked as he stood up.
"R-really?" Lilika asked as she shot her head towards him.
"Well they did reawaken us, so I guess we owe them." Robyn said.
"Then it's settled. Thank you for the offer. We'll make things up to you all for letting us be a part of this in the best way we can." Lilika said with joy.
"Of course." Pyra said with a gentle smile.
Later that evening when the storm came, Tora was finally ready.
"Alright now. Wakey-wakey artificial Blade!" Tora yelled before reaching for a lever.
"OH! That won't do Tora. As the creator, you should at least give her a name. You can't just call her artificial Blade all the time you know." Pyra intervened.
"Oh! Right! Actually…Tora had already thought of the perfect name. Poppi!" Tora yelled.
"A fine name." Pyra said with a smile.
"Now then. Poppi…rise and SHINE!" Tora shouted as he pulled the lever.
A lightning bolt struck the rod above them, channeling the electricity into Poppi. Tora cut the power and saw Poppi smoking with electricity.
"Did it work?" Robyn asked.
"P-Poppi?" Tora asked.
Just then, Poppi hopped to life.
"How may I be of service master!?" Poppi asked while dancing a bit and struck a pose
Everyone was looking at her with a dumbfounded look.
"WAIT A MINUTE!" Tora shouted before deactivating her. "Forget you see that. Must change the settings!" Tora said before making some adjustments.
"The settings?" Lilika asked.
"You think he intended that to happen?" Robyn whispered to Lilika.
"I hope not." Lilika whispered back.
"Alright that should do it. Second time go better. Power…ON!" Tora shouted as he activated the machine again.
Another lightning bolt struck the rod and Poppi was given more power. She slowly stood upright and looked towards everyone.
"Incredible!" Pyra said with amazement.
"Amazing work Tora." Azurda said.
"Impressive work." Lilika added on.
"Nicely done." Robyn said with a thumbs-up.
Poppi then looked towards Tora.
"Anyway, my name Poppi. Poppi try hard to make Masterpon proud." Poppi said as she gave a bow to Tora.
Meanwhile, Special Inquisitor Morag and her Blade Brighid were investigating the pods.
"Do you see anything that might tell us something?" Brighid asked while looking at the inquisitor.
"Someone was pulled out of these pods. I'm willing to bet that the terrorist's friends were responsible. I want squads to search the area until they are found. I want to ask them a few questions. His Majesty will be quite interested to hear about this." Morag said as she stepped away from the pods and looked further into Gormott.
"Of course, Lady Morag." Brighid said as she too looked beyond.
Lilika and Robyn begin their new adventure with Rex and the gang to save Nia and Dromarch from the clutches of the Ardenian warship. How will they be of any use to the rescue? Find out more as the new adventure begins.
