Hey everyone, TheDrock900 here with a quick A/N. If you haven't already noticed, Torna is now going after not just the Aegis, but also Robyn and Lilika. This shows that this not canon at all than the original, whereas in canon they just go after Pyra/Mythra. This chapter is going to be more of that, and it will be going rather all over the place with Torna. If you are not familiar with the canon timeline, it might be a good idea to familiarize yourself while watching cutscenes or a let's play of it. I recommend Chuggaaconroy's let's play. Anyway, on with the chapter.

After the gang got some equipment that they'll need for the hunt for Lila, they were still wondering how to find her. Unfortunately, asking around proved no use since the incident took place at night.

But then, they remembered that the list Tora provided contained a familiar item that Rex, Mythra, Azurda and Tora acquired some time ago.

"That Bion Connector was meant to be easy to salvage around Gormott right?" Mythra asked.

"Now that you mentioned it, I do remember you guys getting Bion Connectors. Plus…Lila and Poppi need them." Robyn stated.

"Then whoever we're looking for would have to import them from Gormott." Rex assumed.

"Then perhaps we will find some leads at the port." Dromarch said.

"This good idea." Tora said.

"I have an idea. While you guys look into the port, me and by Blades might do a little recon out behind that plateau from earlier last night." Robyn said.

"Sounds good to me." Nia said in agreement.

"Alright Jacu, Vale, let's move out." He said as they left.

"Mayonaka, Corvin…let's get to it." Lilika said while the rest of them went to the port.

They arrived at the port where they came from. They went around looking for someone that can aide them in their hunt. Eventually, Rex sees a familiar face from Argentum.

"Huh? You're…Periperi right?" Rex asked the Nopon.

"Ah Rex! Such coincidence to meet here." She spoke.

"You haven't brought any cargo from Gormott have you?" Rex asked.

"Have so." Periperi confirmed.

"Did Periperi transport large quantities of Bion Connectors recently?" Tora asked.

"Meh-meh-meh! Talking about contents in shipment is violation of trade confidentiality." Perierpi said with disappointment.

"We need to know so we can track someone." Lilika stated.

"Surely you can assist us in locating Lord Tora's father?" Mayonaka asked.

Periperi thought about it for a few seconds until she looked back at them.

"If it's a search and rescue, then very well. Oh and Periperi's name isn't Surely. Anyway, Periperi carried Bion Connectors in yellow barrels. 10 at least." She said while recalling what she did with them.

"Where are they now?" Mayonaka asked.

"Cargo always taken off towards city. Perhaps friends should check at inspection point near elevator." Periperi suggested.

"Alright. Thanks Periperi." Rex said.

After they left, they returned to the checkpoint and looked around for yellow barrels. Unfortunately, they found nothing.

"Hmm…weren't there some over there the first time we checked." Nia asked as they regrouped next to the elevator.

"I do recall something of that nature." Azurda said.

"According to memory of Poppi, yellow barrels were definitely there." Poppi said while pointing at the location specified.

"So that means…someone must've picked them up already?" Rex asked.

"I can only assume as much." Dromarch said.

"No idea what is going on, but I feel like we are back to square one….what's a square?" Finch asked.

"Well, that leaves us with out leads…" Mythra said in defeat.

"Aww man! Hope Robyn is having better luck." Rex said.

"GUYS!" Robyn shouted as he and his Blades were running towards them. "I got leads!" He yelled.

"Really!?" Lilika asked.

"While on our recon, and busting creatures' heads, I saw some sort of abandoned factory of such. By it were barrels. I thought they looked familiar. And that's when it hit me. These barrels must be connected to Lila." He explained.

"Good job Robyn!" Nia said with a big smile.

"No doubt…they are." Mythra said with a brightened mood.

"There were also green barrels over there as well, but they were marked with strange signs that make no sense." Robyn continued.

"What now?" Lilika asked.

"Tora remember there was junk shop in Alba Cavanich. We ask for info there." Tora suggested.

"Another rare good suggestion from Masterpon." Poppi said while looking at the Nopon.

'Burn…but harsh.' Robyn thought on that.

"A junk shop huh? Yeah, they might know a thing or two about parts for artificial Blades." Rex said.

"Then what're we waiting for?" Nia asked before they left to return.

Upon returning to Alba Cavanich, the gang sought out the junk shop called Belchett Recycling. The shop definitely had plenty of junk being sold there.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Nia asked the shop keeper.

"Buy something then we'll talk." The boy named Isset said.

"Let me handle this." Jacu said as she approached her and squat down to him. "Hey sweetie. You tell us who bought certain parts or took them to someone, and we will make it worth you while." Jacu said with a motherly approach to him.

"Uh…what sort of parts?" Isset asked while blushing a bit.

Lilika presents to him the list Tora wrote to them of the parts. Agate knelt down to his height.

"Here is a list of parts we need to find." She said.

He scrolled down the list until he sees something that caught his eyes.

"Wait! This one, Black Ash, is familiar." Isset said.

"Black Ash?" Lilika asked.

"This old man says he had a regular customer come in and put large amounts on it. He says that he'd be rolling in cash for a while." He explained.

"It also critical to shield agent in ether furnace." Tora added.

"I see." Lilika said.

"Wait…would these ashes be in green barrels?" Robyn asked.

"Hmmmmm…I think so." Isset said.

"I KNEW IT!" Robyn shouted as he realized that his recon with his Blades might have found what they're looking for.

"Thanks sweetie. We'll put in a good word for you since you been a big help." Jacu said while rubbing the kids head playfully.

"Let's be off then." Mythra said.

"Alright! Follow me everyone." Robyn said as they began to leave.

They went through the wasteland area past the city, and they saw many vicious monsters along the way. Many of them looked hungry, but with their combined efforts, the gang fought them off like it was nothing.

After a bit of walking, they spotted the barrels by an old rustic building.

"Here." Robyn said as they approached the barrels.

"Bion Connectors and Black Ash…" Mythra said.

"Materials for creating artificial Blades no doubt." Dromarch said.

"The only question is, where are they going to be taken." Mythra wondered.

"Perhaps taking them to the highest bidder to oversee final preparations?" Roc asked.

"Maybe." Wulfric said.

"There is more here written in Nopon." Poppi said while pointing at the same markings that Robyn explained earlier.

"This Nopon writing, but Tora can't make it out due to bad scribbling." Tora said while trying to figure out what it says.

"Is like baby scribbles." Poppi added.

"Neither of you can read it? Wow. That really must be bad." Nia said while trying to believe what she was hearing.

"Perhaps we will have to decipher it ourselves somehow." Dromarch said.

"How?" Lilika asked while turning towards the Blade.

"Well…I got one idea. How about we leave it to a mercenary mission or something?" Robyn suggested.

"That's an option." Rex said.

"Which shall we go for then?" Mythra asked.

"Good question…Robyn?" Rex asked as he turned towards him and sees him frozen up.

"Okay…don't make any…sudden moves. We got company." He said as he felt a tip of a sword on his back.

"Who goes there?" Mayonaka demanded.

Robyn slowly turned around and they were looking at what appear to be twin glaring at them.

One of them looked like a young woman with tanned skin, blue hair in an untidy appearance and purple eyes. She wore white armor over a black wetsuit open at the stomach. Her hair, legs and arm had bulbous purple attachments modeled of water balloons. Her legs had slimmer blue attachments and had heels exposing her feet. She had an eyepatch covering her right eye.

The other woman is a bit shorter but is made of sharp spears of ice and harsher lines. She was slightly stronger, her blue hair is paler, and blue eyes. Her attire consists of a black tabard with a white crop-top, loose black trousers and bronze ornamentations. She had an eyepatch over her left eye.

What really stood out to them was the 'V' shaped crystal on their chests.

"They're Blades." Robyn said.

"Back away! We have an important mission to accomplish!" Mayonaka demanded.

"Silence! You're coming with us…Robyn." The shorter one spat at him.

"You won't get him." Lilika said while stepping towards him and held his shoulder, only for the tall one to aim a lance at her.

"Wait a minute…who are you, and why are you after me?" Robyn demanded.

"Yeah, because you mess with him, you mess with all of us." Vale added as she was getting angrier.

"You'll be worth a lot for our employer." The tall one said.

"Especially since from what we learned, you're the strongest and dumbest one of the two." The other one said.

"OH! GIVE ME A KITKAT BREAK!" Robyn shouted in anger.

"I don't know what this KitKat is, but it sounds like an old piece of candy." Jacu said.

"Theory, ready to do this?" The tall one asked the Blade named Theory.

"Of course Praxis!" Theory said to the Blade.

"Listen here Missy! I don't come cheap. You'll have to fight me. If you win, I'll come quietly. If I win, you two scram and not return." Robyn threatened them.

"You'll regret those words! Let's go!" Praxis yelled as she prepared to strike.

"Vale!" Robyn yelled as he outstretched his hand for her lance.

"Of course my dear Driver." Vale said while tossing it to him.

Theory readied her sword and Praxis, and Praxis was about to charge in.

"DRAW!" He shouted and they fought.

"Roc, see if you can get help." Rex said to his Blade.

"At once Rex!" He yelled before taking flight.

"Corvin you're up!" Lilika yelled.

"Dromarch!" Nia yelled while readying her rings.

"We must aide Robyn." Corvin said while tossing his sword to Lilika.

"Mythra! Let's give it to them!" Rex yelled.

"You got it! Now focus!" Mythra yelled.

"Robyn, this is strange…why are they only after you?" Lilika asked while preparing to strike if needed.

"I guess I'm worth something. Bandits perhaps…NNGH!" He grunted as he was in a lock with the twins. Robyn kicked Praxis away and grabbed Theory by the wrist and threw her to the side. "Vale!" He yelled as he tossed her the lance.

"At once. Blood Altar!" She yelled as she hit Theory with her lance and began jabbing her all over, causing her to fall to a knee in pain.

"Mythra! Let's follow it up!" Rex yelled while tossing her the sword.

"Photon Edge!" She yelled as she summoned a ray of light to rain down on the twins.

"GAAAH!" Praxis screamed as the attacks continued to rain down on them.

"Dromarch! Wild Roar!" Nia yelled while tossing him the rings.

"At once!" Dromarch yelled as he roared into the rings and a few powerful rings of water struck Praxis.

After the twins recollected themselves after those attacks, they glared at them.

"My turn…ICE SLASH!" Theory screamed as she threw ice knives at Robyn. After Robyn curled himself to try to minimize the damage, he saw Theory charging at him and began slashing at him.

"Not so fast!" Vale yelled as she intervened and created an ether shield. After Theory jumped backwards, Vale lowered the shield. "Not my Driver you bitch!" She sneered at them.

"Thanks Vale. Take five." Robyn said to her and took Jacu's ether cannon.

"Dromarch, take a rest. Finch, you're turn!" Nia yelled while switching Blades and weapons.

"Okay!" Finch yelled.

"NOW PRAXIS!" Theory shouted to her sister.

"Right! Geyser Spring!" Praxis yelled. She began to channel ether into her lance and fired a powerful burst of water right at Robyn once again. This time, he got it a full douse of it.

"Looks like you're all washed up now." Praxis mocked him.

"You're lucky because your Driver isn't….wait a minute." Robyn said until they all realized something…their Drivers were absent.

"Finch, we got the advantage now." Nia said with a grin while wielding the hammer.

"And that's…good right?" Finch asked.

"Very good." Agate said.

Realizing that they were right, Praxis and Theory looked at each other and nodded.

"Time we ended this." Theory said.

"Right!" Praxis said while they launched their next attack.

"Robyn!" Everyone yelled.

"Heads up!" Jacu said while using herself as a shield to protect him from the oncoming attack.

Except…nothing happened.

They looked towards where they were, only to find them gone.

"Who-wha-what? Hey, where'd they go?" Robyn yelled as they looked around.

"Huh? What happened to them? Finch doesn't see them anywhere…right?" Finch asked with confusion unrivaled by nobody.

"Friends! Poppi spots Core Crystals!" Poppi yelled while pointing down at Jacu's foot.

They looked down and indeed they saw dimmed Core Crystals.

"Oh!" Robyn yelled while picking up the crystals.

"Everyone!" A guard yelled as Roc and a squad of soldiers arrived. "Is everyone alright?" The captain asked.

"Looks like it." Lilika said while everyone put their weapons away.

"So…does this mean I win?" Robyn asked while looking down at the crystals.

"That you did. Seems like their Drivers have reached their end of their lives." Mythra said while patting his back. Robyn then struck a victory pose and hummed to it. "Okay don't get carried away." Mythra said while shaking her head.

"With that diversion taken care of, we need to decipher the writing." Mayonaka said while looking back at the barrels.

"Let me see if I can make it out." One of them said. It took a moment while looking at the baby writing Nopon language. "Ship…to…Mor Ardain Titan…chest." The troop said.

"Perhaps it's time to report back to Mòrag?" Mythra asked assuming that they found what they were looking for.

"We will take you to the palace." The captain said.

"Thank you." Agate said.

They were escorted back to the capital towards the palace. Robyn had to be held a bit due to him being slightly injured, but it wasn't bad. They met up with Mòrag and Brighid. They told them of the situations and what they discovered.

"I see. That location was an abandoned factory. That was some thirty years ago." Mòrag explained more of the place they were at.

"So you think we got 'em?" Nia asked with curiosity.

"We can't be certain unless we investigate." Mòrag said with disappointment.

"Maybe we can look into it." Robyn suggested.

"You!?" Mòrag asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Sure." Agate said.

"We won't do anything reckless, except maybe Robyn." Rex said.

"HEY!" Robyn shouted anger.

"If it seems dangerous, we'll turn back. How's that?" Rex asked the inquisitor.

"Am I being ignored?" Robyn asked while still being upset.

"You are the more reckless one out of the both of us." Lilika pointed out to him.

"…" Robyn glared at her with annoyance.

"By the way, I was informed that the Core Crystal Hunters attacked you. Are you alright?" Mòrag asked.

"Yeah…but for some reason they seemed to be more interested in me. But we got them here." Robyn said while showing her the dimmed crystals.

"Would you like us to give them to the military? The Blades look like they are sisters." Lilika asked.

"If you wish. As for the task at hand, it would be difficult to dispatch the military so quickly. Would you?" Mòrag asked Rex.

"Sure thing." Rex said.

"We'll make sure to hold their hands if needed." Robyn said.

"You can depend on us." Mayonaka said.

"Now, let's me share you all what information I have found. There are rumors about town that an esteemed Nopon merchant is involved in this affair." Mòrag explained.

"An esteemed Nopon merchant…Chairman Bana!?" Rex asked in shock.

"Bana…is his whole name Banana?" Robyn asked, causing everyone, even Brighid to laugh at his joke.

"No it isn't. Bana is a notorious and sketchy Nopon merchant." Brighid said while recollecting herself from the joke.

"Well, we're currently searching the transaction records. If we find anything, we will inform you. Now about the crystals?" Mòrag asked Robyn.

"Well…is it possible that I can hold onto one of them." Robyn asked.

"Very well. One should suffice to tracking down the rest of their gang." Mòrag said while Robyn handed over Praxis's crystal.

"Let's get moving." Nia said.

While they were heading for the factory that Mòrag talked more about, Robyn was looking at Theory's crystal. He constantly thought why so many people want their hands on him and Lilika. It was to the point when he began to fear that most of their lives on Alrest would have to be them in hiding.

"What bothers you?" Agate asked as she took noticed of his behavior.

"It's just…I think Torna is just one of many to be going after us now. And to think Theory was a part of them." Robyn answered.

"Hey, she's gonna be on our side now." Jacu assured him.

"AAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Someone laughed nearby.

"The sky laughs!?" Finch asked with shock.

"I know that laugh…" Robyn said as his eyes widen a bit.

As if was on cue, Zeke and Pandoria emerged from the corner.

"So we meet again Aegis and ancient ones." Zeke said with a smiled.

"Our names are Lilika and Robyn!" Lilika yelled at him.

"Oh, it's Shellhead." Nia said.

"Yes! Wait, who's Shellhead!?" Zeke demanded.

"As ever, your comic timing is exquisite." Dromarch said.

"You will address me as Zeke Von Genbu, Bringer of Chaos! Or Zeke! OR THE ZEKENATOR!" Zeke shouted while pulling his sword out and striking poses with Pandoria.

"Make up your mind. And what the hell is a Zekenator anyway?" Nia asked.

"HA! You may have been lucky last time thanks to a certain unstable cliff…bit this time round, we meet on good old terra firma! If you think you can run from me this time, you are quite mistaken!" Zeke yelled while he just kept moving around.

"Nobody did any running…and anyway, Shellhead?" Nia asked him.

"What?" Zeke asked.

"You answer to that now?" Pandoria asked while facepalming herself when he responded to that.

"I've been wondering for a while now…but what's with the cutesy eyepatch?" Nia asked while pointing at said eyepatch.

"Heh! I'm glad you asked." Zeke said.

Robyn then leaned towards Lilika and whispered, "This should be good."

"It should. Think he's compensating for something?" Lilika whispered back.

"Yeah…an ego. It's hilarious. Sad…but hilarious." He said.

"This eyepatch conceals a power too great for mere mortals to comprehend! The Eye of Shining Justice! I have sworn to keep it sealed until it is needed to save mankind. You should consider yourself lucky. It would turn you into ashes in seconds." Zeke explained.

"Whatever you said pal." Nia said while pinching the bridge of her nose.

"He definitely isn't wearing it because he didn't have the gold for a second contact lens." Pandoria said while stepping forwards while talking and stepping back when she finished.

"How poor are you? And are you that short-sighted!?" Nia asked with confusion.

"By the by, what business might you have with us today?" Dromarch asked.

"Let me guess…you're here for us, right?" Robyn asked.

"Hey, you said it not me." Zeke said while aiming his sword at Mythra.

Mythra looks away with an annoyed look. She has dealt with clichés like theses for hundreds of years, but this is getting ridiculous.

"Listen pal, I'm sorry but we really don't have time to play with you today. So hurry on home, OK?" Nia asked while gesturing him to shoo.

"What's this? Were you so frightened by our power that you wet yourself furry ears?" Zeke mocked her.

"Did I WHAT!? You've got a lot of nerve you one-eyed monster!" Nia yelled back.

Everyone was shocked, and the ladies blushed from those words.

"Oooooh dear." Lilika said while covering her mouth.

"Er…Nia. You do know that one-eyed monster usually means..." Rex was trying to tell her.

"Huh? Means what!?" Nia demanded.

"Um well it's…ah…Mythra why are you blushing?" Rex asked the Aegis

Mythra looked back at him and glared at him.

"Shut up!" Mythra yelled while slapping him hard in the face.

Rex was sent towards the camera lens and shattered.

TheD-Rock900 and Sailor-Touko667 looked at the camera with shock.

"And…there goes the fourth wall." TheD-Rock900 said while fixing the camera. After a little bit, he reactivated the camera. "Rolling, and action!" He yelled.

The opposing sides charged in and began attacking each other, minus Robyn who was shooting water at him. Lilika had her katana and was aiding the fight against Zeke and Pandoria.

"Mythra! You're up!" Rex yelled while tossing her the sword.

"Great! Take this!" She yelled as she fired off a powerful light arrow at Zeke, causing it to explode on contact.

"NNGH! Not bad, but let's see you handle this! Dynamic Spark Sword!" Zeke yelled while charging electricity to his sword and slashed it at Rex, causing him and Mythra some pain.

"I won't let you hurt them more! Corvin! Your turn!" Lilika yelled while tossing him the katana.

"With great pleasure! Lacerna Noctis!" Corvin yelled while dealing a powerful blow to Zeke, followed by a few hits from his wing.

"Come on! Is that all you got!? Then try this! Pandy!" Zeke yelled while tossing his sword.

"Yes Zeke! Thunder Doom!" Pandora yelled while slamming the sword into the ground. Just then, a powerful burst of electricity erupted at Robyn, dealing damage to him. "Nothing personal buddy, just following orders." Pandoria said to him, who was on a knee.

"Dammit…" Robyn grunted a bit.

"Stay focused, she's just trying to get under your skin." Jacu said while helping him up.

"Get personal with this! Dromarch! Wild Roar!" Nia yelled to her Blade.

"At once my lady!" Dromarch said while using the rings and roar into them. This made the ether to create a powerful water attack onto Zeke.

Just then, a powerful combination of the light and water combination overwhelmed Zeke, dealing massive damage. Zeke got back up and began getting back into the fight.

"Poppi! This getting tiresome. Jet Bitter!" Tora yelled.

"Roger that Masterpon!" Poppi yelled. She readied her drill and shot out a huge bitter at him, sending him backwards and catching him off balance.

"You guys are even tougher than last time." Zeke said while stumbling a bit more, and Pandoria caught him. "However, your luck ends right here!" He added.

"Oh boy…" Robyn said with concern.

"HERE WE GO! HYAH!" Zeke shouted as electricity was being channeled from his body. "BRINGER OF CHAOS! ULTIMATE LIGHTNING FURY SLASH…MAX!" He shouted when he jumped into the air and slammed his sword onto the ground, causing a burst of electricity to explode from underneath.

"Come on! That was the same as last time!" Nia said while putting her hands on her hips.

"Wait…something feels…different." Vale said as they felt the ground shake.

"Uh…" Mythra said while being concerned herself.

"Huh?" Zeke asked when he saw a large boulder began to roll down towards them. This make Zeke and Pandora scream and ran for it as the boulder began to charge at them. "Pandy! Can't you do something!?" Zeke yelled in a panic.

"Sorrysorrysorry! You know my element's lightning. I'm not cut out for this!" Pandoria yelled.

The boulder caught up to them and sent them flying out of sight.

"S…seriously, what's their problem?" Rex asked.

"Not sure. Just wish we knew why they were after us." Robyn said.

"Ugh. What idiots. C'mon." Nia said while they made their way along the pathway.

As they carried on, they made their way to the factory. When they saw the entrance, they found out that the doors were sealed shut.

"Great. How do we get in?" Jacu asked.

"Door is stubborn! Not opening!" Poppi said.

"I guess security isn't a complete pushover." Lilika said while starring at the door.

"How about Finch try opening it. Open Sesame!" Finch said while outstretching her arms and hands above her. Just then, the doors opened, shocking everyone in the process. "Just as Finch said." Finch said with a bit smile.

"Hey guys! Up here!" Vale yelled while being behind a window.

"How'd you get up in there?" Rex asked.

"I found a ladder to your left." She answered.

"Let's all head inside." Agate said as they finally entered the factory.

Upon entering, they saw large crates stacked up on each other, and a large hallway that led to the production of the artificial Blades.

"So many of them…" Mayonaka said while they all looked around.

"Are all of these artificial Blades?" Rex asked while they looked around.

"Then Dadapon really must be…" Tora was saying while getting worried.

"Hmm…what exactly are they planning here? Well whatever it is, it can't be good." Azurda said.

"Maybe they plan to launch a big attack somewhere? If there is some big world-changing tech, wicked people will find a way to use it for evil." Lilika assumed while pondering of what they could possibly do.

"In any case, it must be stopped quickly." Mayonaka said while preparing her weapon.

"Especially if Torna gets their crummy little paws on them." Robyn said.

"We got no time to waste. Let us smash these plans." Wulfric said while growling.

"All time to lose!" Finch yelled.

"Let's go!" Lilika yelled.

They explored around the facility, and they were seeing nothing, but parts needed for the artificial Blades around them. Boiler rooms, break rooms, even several control centers were everywhere.

With all that has been happening, how will the gang find their target? Will they have more opposing forces trying to stop them? And why is Torna so interested in Robyn and Lilika? More answers will be given next time as the story continues.