After a bit of flying, the gang returned to a mid-level point of the tree. They made their way through many rooms while planning out what to do. Poppi remained in her QTπ form for the time being.
"Hmm…you know. I've been thinking about Amalthus." Rex said out of the blue and gained everyone's attention.
"Huh?" Robyn asked while they looked at him.
"What about that corrupted man? Sure, his voice is soothing enough to tell a bedtime story, but…" Lilika was saying until she stopped herself.
"That guy…reading a bedtime story!? Are you nuts?" Adenine asked her.
"Anyway, what's wrong Rex?" Perun asked.
"If what Jin said is true, the Praetor doesn't just hate Blades…but humans too. I mean, he basically hates the whole world, seems like." Rex explained.
"How so?" Nia asked.
"In old Torna, humans lived together with Blades that eventually become Titans. So destroying Torna was the same as destroying the titans. Amalthus must have known that the Titans have been dying off over the last few centuries." Rex answered her.
"Cannot live without Titans! Everybody go bye-bye!" Tora exclaimed.
"Perhaps with Operation: Green Aura, it might give us some better clarity of a new potential solution." Robyn thought out loud.
"All living creatures depend on Titans to live. Why would he wish such a thing? No one would have a place to survive on!" Mayonaka pointed out.
"Maybe the Praetorium saw it as an obstacle to their power. If the Blades were Titans and creating new land, people might have faith in the Blades. If a new faith emerged, like this Operation: Green Aura, it would threaten the Praetorium and its dogma." Mòrag said more of what Mayonaka was saying.
"I understand that much. That's just war and politics. But…" Rex said but wasn't quite sure how to proceed.
"Rex..." Pyra said with worry in her voice.
"Hating people, hating yourself…where does it end? What do you do when you hate the whole world?" Rex asked.
"I can relate…but you knew that already, which doesn't need repeating." Robyn answered.
"You mean…" Nia asked with concern.
"Destroy it. That's all that's left. Tell me I'm wrong." Rex begged a bit.
"Rex…" Robyn said.
"That's a leap of logic…but I think a lot of mortals are like that." Brighid said.
"D'you remember? Talking to the Praetor…I said it felt like talking to Malos." Rex asked them.
"Yeah. You did say that." Nia said.
"Lilika also brought up how his heart also inspired Malos to do what he's been doing." Jacu said.
"It's a funny thing. Malos and the Praetor, they want the same thing. Lilika might've been right from the get-go." Rex said.
"I figured he'd have a dark heart." Lilika said.
"Let's just press on for now. So be it if we need to get involved against the Praetorium. In fact…Galea! You around?" Robyn called out.
"For you guys, always." Galea said when she appeared nearby.
"Do we have any defense systems for both in and out of the World Tree?" He asked her.
"Sure do. In fact…" She said when a droid approached them.
The droid was about as tall as Lilika and was heavily armored that is mostly white It had a large rifle attached to its back. It had a bright blue HUD and a visor in its head with a black and blue pauldron and kama on its waist.
"This is Sigma. He's a general of all the drones and sentinels in the tree. He will assist you for combat." Galea finished.
"This is truly incredible!" Brighid said while holding her heart and starred at the general.
"Greetings. I shall assist you for what is to come. Madam President, we must proceed. Something is happening near the tree." Sigma spoke with an emotionless voice.
"Are you able to give us a visual?" Lilika asked when she approached him.
"Yes. Behold." Sigma said when he showed a security camera of a different ship nearby the tree.
"What's that?" Robyn asked.
"It is a ship of sorts similar to that of the Monoceros." He answered.
"Torna must be there!" Praxis yelled.
"Let's go!" Wulfric yelled.
They ran throughout the lab structures and dealt with a few vermin along the way. The further they went up the tree, the more amazement they saw from what the World Tree and to offer.
After a while, they finally took a moment to rest.
"Well, no way I'd ever guessed the World Tree was like this on the inside." Zeke said.
"It definitely appears to have been man-made. Created by the same civilization as Morytha." Dromarch said.
"The birthplace of the Architect. That's what Jin called it." Rex said.
"Then maybe the Architect built this thing. DO you really think we're going to find him at the top? And Elysium too? From what we saw in Morytha, it seemed like all that stuff happened a gazillion years ago. Or maybe two gazillion, I don't know. Not even Titans live that long." Zeke explained.
"Even Pyra and Mythra have never actually met him. But the tower's right here. It's real…so…" Rex said.
"'Seeing is believing,' is the phrase, hmm? We'll just have to find out for ourselves. There's no use speculating." Mòrag said.
"Then let's go!" Nia demanded.
"Nia, what's wrong? Is tummy started rumbling?" Tora asked her.
"No, Tora. We need to see what's going on!" Nia yelled.
They pressed on and continued to climb the tree. They eventually saw daylight from a distance. However, just before they reached the opening, they felt the ground shake and an explosion nearby.
"An explosion?" Rex asked.
"It sounded close." Robyn said.
"A battle, perhaps?" Mòrag asked before they ran outside.
Much to their shock, they saw the outside of the World Tree.
"So, this is what the World Tree's really like…" Rex said while they looked around.
"These…these aren't leaves…they're glyphs?" Nia asked when she looked at what was beyond that of the tree.
"No wonder why the tree looked like it was glowing. They seem like…date recordings." Robyn said.
"Hey look!" Tora yelled while looking beyond the glyphs.
They looked towards where Tora and Poppi were pointing at. They saw the ship that Sigma pointed out. What they weren't expecting was what was on the other side of the ship.
"Is that…INDOL!?" Robyn shouted with fright as they saw the Titan flying above the Cloud Sea.
"What's going on here? Why are they fighting?" Floren asked.
"Amalthus must be finishing where he left off!" Adenine yelled.
"An old Tornan warship. Didn't think there'd be any of those left." Azurda said.
"Never mind that! What's this? I had no idea Indol could make it up this high." Nia said.
"Cloud Sea, looooooooooooong way down!" Tora exclaimed when he and Poppi looked down.
"It appears that Indol has modified their Titan as old Temperantia did with theirs. But that much firepower…I did not know Indol possessed so much force." Azurda said while the Titan continued to fire so many weapons and laser beams at the ship.
"Wait…they weaponized their Titan…!? OH MY GOD, THAT'S SO GOD! DAMN! COOL! Robyn shouted with amazement.
"No need to ask what they plan to do with it." Brighid said.
"They anticipated it. That Jin and Malos would try to ascend." Mòrag said.
"So…Jin is inside that thing?" Rex asked when they faced the Inquisitor.
"Yes. No doubt." She answered.
"What we do?" Finch asked.
"We need to stop them. Stop them, however we can." Robyn said.
"It'll only be a matter of time before they enter. They could ruin our plans for the tree." Sigma said.
"Then…we have to hurry!" Lilika yelled.
They began to make their way further up to where the Torna ship was heading. They took out several creatures that stood in their way. Sigma proved to be a deadly sharpshooter as he took out several flying creatures with his rifle.
"Sigma, there are two Torna members that are potential turncoats. Their names are Akhos and Patroka. I want eyes on them if they enter." Robyn said to the droid general.
"Understood." Sigma said before pulling a device. It turned into a Raven drone. You will search the Torna ship and steal their plans. Report them back to me." He ordered it before it took flight.
"I hope you're right about them, Robyn." Nia said with uncertainty in her voice.
"Yeah…me too." He said as they watched the ship.
"Up ahead!" Rex yelled as they saw a few people standing in front of them. "Indoline warrior monks?" Rex asked.
"To the Aegis and her Driver. We are here to pass on an order from His Eminence. You are to use the Aegis's power to bring down that ship." The leader monk said.
"We have to obey, Rex…right?" Finch asked with confusion.
"NO…no he does not, Finch." Nia said.
"What's wrong? This is your duty, pilgrim." He said.
"My only duty is to open the way to the World Tree." Rex said to him.
"You cannot do it?" The monk asked.
"He doesn't need to. He's under our jurisdiction. You have no power here." Robyn said while stepping forward.
"If so…then we must take the Aegis into custody." The leader said.
"I get it now. They just wanted to use Mythra's power to burn up their little problem. Nothing new under the sun." Azurda said.
"These people have our full consent to climb the tree with Pyra. You can tell that corrupted man that he has no right to accost her just because he awakened Malos." Lilika said while getting in front of everyone.
"You dare speak such ill words to His Eminence!? Prepare for an immediate chastisement!" The leader said before they aimed their lances at them. Another Indoline warrior monk flew down on a draconic beast and prepared to strike.
"Deal with the monks. Sigma, that creature is yours." Robyn said while readying his ether cannon.
"Acknowledged. Setting target to Indoline Star." Sigma said while readying his rifle.
As the fight commenced, they took on the monks with everything they got. One of them got into a lock with Lilika while she wielded Corvin's sword.
"His Eminence will have your head for this, ancient one." He said.
"My name is LILIKA! CORVIN, YOU'RE UP!" She shouted to her Blade.
"Toss me the sword!" Corvin called out.
She tossed it and he slashed through the monks, dealing light damage. "Impact! Fuga Daemonum!" He yelled as light swords slashed around them.
The Indoline Star began to charge up an attack.
"Jacu!" Robyn yelled.
"Coming up! Water Barrier!" She yelled as she slammed her fist into the ground, creating a barrier for everyone from the blast of flames from the Star.
They began to overpower the monks with their combined efforts and power. The monks retreated onto their transportations and flew back to Indol.
"That'll show them." Dromarch said.
"They're gonna tell the Praetor. That we're…" Rex was saying but was stopped when the tallest tower began to channel some energy and shot it into the sky.
Just then, the Blades began to feel funny, and heavy. Even Nia was being affected. They began to grunt as they began to kneel.
"Brighid!" Mòrag yelled when she saw Brighid growing pale green.
"What's happening!?" Jacu yelled.
"Guys" Robyn yelled.
"Mythra!" Rex yelled.
"AH! What's going on here!?" Praxis yelled.
"What on…? S-something…someone…!" Dromarch yelled while trying to stand up.
"Th-this effect…can it be…?" Azurda asked while he was being affected by the tower's power.
Just then, a hologram of Amalthus towered above them over the ledge of a railing.
"Please forgive my interference. Time runs short." Amalthus said.
"A-Amalthus!?" Rex yelled.
"You…!" Robyn growled.
Just then, a blue triangle formed on Amalthus's forehead. This caused Mythra to gasp at the sight of it.
"That's…Haze's Core Crystal!" She yelled with shock.
"Fan la Norne's…? Oh, that's it all right! The other half…!" Nia yelled.
"So Robyn was right!" Lilika yelled while looking at him.
"What is it?" Rex yelled.
"He stole Fan's Core Crystal, so he can use that power against the Blades." Robyn sneered.
"Not only that. This is in fact my original, primal power." Amalthus added.
"A-Amalthus…he took Fan la Norne's Core Crystal…he's using…her power! Gah…!" Nia yelled as she felt her power continue to be restricted by Amalthus.
Just then, Mythra began to channel her power due to Amalthus.
"Mythra!" Rex yelled while facing her.
"Th-the Artifice…n-no…s-stop!" Mythra begged as she was about to fire the Artifice's power.
She used her willpower to force herself to redirect the attack.
"Mythra! Mythra!" Rex yelled as he held her.
The Artifice fired a beam onto the Tornan warship.
"Amalthus! Enough of this!" Robyn demanded.
"And why should I?" Amalthus asked when he faced him and Lilika.
They approached and presented their badges, showing him their position of power.
"I am the President of this great power. Your own means nothing to me!" Lilika yelled.
"As is my power. On behalf of the Great Tree Restoration Organization and as Vice President of the World Tree, withdraw your forces, shut down the towers and your power, surrender now and stand trial for your actions, Amalthus!" Robyn demanded.
"Never! I am the Driver of the Master Blade. Bow before me…the Master Driver. I possess the power to command all Blades. Every Blade alive. Indeed…even the very Titans are under my control." Amalthus demanded while looking back.
Robyn began to realize something about what he was going with. He knew all along that he was a terrible person with a heart as black as a black hole, but there was something about him that didn't sit right with him. But then…it hit him.
"YOU! You stole Jin's sword from us! You wanted me and Lilika to get you easier access to Elysium! So you can kill the Architect and take his power for yourself!" Robyn yelled while calling him out.
"I hope you now realize what needs to be done, ancient one. That connection will make me the most powerful being on Alrest!" Amalthus stated.
"HA!" Robyn laughed at him.
"It seems that Dark Lord Amalthus is letting his authority and power get to his head a little…Master Rex, I think you'd better have a talk with him." Mayonaka suggested.
"Now is the hour of their doom. You leave me no choice but to perform your duty for you." Amalthus said as he used his power to take control of Mythra again. The Artifice fired again, only to miss the Tornan warship, which began to make its way towards the tree. "Hngh! You resist? Again? You defy me again?" Amalthus asked the Aegis.
"Amalthus! You won't get what you want! I…I'm…Rex's Blade!" Mythra yelled while fighting him off.
"Th-that's right! Rex! You're the Aegis's Driver! There is nothing he can do that you can't!" Azurda said.
"Does this mean…?" Rex asked while looking down at his hands.
"Rex, it's true! Power depends on the heart of its wielder…right?" Nia asked.
Rex then looked back at Mythra, who nodded back at him. He then pulled his sword and aimed it up high. He used his power to fire a beam into the sky. It overwhelmed Amalthus and he disappeared. Because of this, the Blades were freed.
"I can…move." Mythra said while standing up. Just then, Rex fell to his knees. "Rex!" Mythra yelled while going to him and supported him.
"I…I won't let him get away with this anymore. He's just manipulating humans and Blades alike. That's not the Architect's will at all! Give it up, Amalthus! You can leave Jin and the rest to us!" Rex yelled.
"It is only a matter of time before things start to fall apart for both ends. Observe." Sigma said while pointing at the warship.
They saw many artificial Blades fighting against the Indoline forces.
"Oh goodness, this is not good." Mayonaka said.
"At least they aren't under the Praetor's control." Wulfric said.
"But their movements are…strange." Robyn said.
"How so, Robyn?" Lilika asked while they all looked at him.
"An invasion on the World Tree I can understand. But one thing doesn't add up. Why would they be wasting more forces on Tora rather than us? Unless…" Robyn said while thinking.
"The only assumption is that their movements are predictable." Mòrag said.
"You will assume nothing Inquisitor." Sigma said while raising a hand at her. "It is possible that we are receiving sympathy from within their own ranks. Someone that once aided you in the past." Sigma added.
"Aided us…wait a minute!" Rex yelled.
"FAN!?" Many of them shouted.
"What a relief she's still around to help us!" Agate yelled knowing the reality of their ally being alive.
"She's in greater danger! Sigma, can you order some Colossi to retrieve her and send her to a place she'll be safe?" Robyn asked.
"Affirmative. Sending two Colossi to Indol to retrieve her." Sigma said while activating a communicator.
"Let's go! We need to stop them!" Roc yelled.
"Yeah!" Praxis yelled.
As they continued to climb, the raven drone returned, and Sigma was getting the plans.
"Madam President, according to these plans, it seems that Malos and Jin have already exited the ship. Also, the ones you and Vice President Robyn described Akhos and Patroka, are on the verge of exiting as well. Their pilot is staying behind." Sigma explained to her.
"The pilot? Ah! That's right…Mikhail! Why is he staying behind?" Lilika asked.
"According to these schematics…protocol: warrior mode." He answered.
"'Warrior mode?'" Nia asked.
"It appears that it is heavily modified to transform. The pilot seems to have been the one to do it." Sigma answered.
"INCOMING!" Rex screamed.
"FALL BACK!" Corvin screamed as well when he grabbed Lilika and Nia and force them back.
A massive burst of energy impacted the World Tree. An explosion blasted after the impact, sending them backwards.
"GAAAAHHHHHHH!" Everyone screamed from it.
After it ended, they saw the hole where the blast hit.
"That too close! Meh! If we just a little bit higher, it would have hit us!" Tora yelled.
They looked towards where the blast came from. To their horror, a massive Titan emerged from the Cloud Sea.
"Mor Ardain!? Impossible!" Mòrag yelled while her eyes shrank.
"Whoa!" Lilika yelled while holding her beating heart.
"Another Titan surfacing!" Tora yelled while looking in another direction.
"Is that…Uraya!?" Zeke yelled.
Uraya roared into the sky. Energy beams shot out from its head and back, and it was heading towards them.
"HIT THE DECK!" Robyn screamed when they dove to the ground.
"AH!" Agate screamed when the beam hit the wall by them.
The impact caused explosions everywhere. Poppi hit a wall, which reverted her back into her α mode. Pandy was sent over the ledge from the blast.
"PANDY!" Zeke shouted as he got up and grabbed her to prevent her from falling into the Cloud Sea. "I got you!" He yelled when he pulled her up.
"Thanks, my Prince!" She yelled when she hugged him.
After the explosion, Robyn and Lilika got burned from it. From the warship, Akhos and Patroka saw the results and they were heartbroken that they were targeted.
"Akhos…enough is enough. Screw Malos! Robyn and Lilika are our priorities now!" Patroka said as her rage built up.
"Agreed. This is going way too far!" Akhos yelled.
Back with the others, they were tending to their burns.
"Ugh…I believe that the Healers may be of some use at present." Brighid said while kneeling next to Lilika.
"Yeah. But first." Theory said as she and Perun approached their respected Drivers and channeled some ice onto their bodies, freezing the burnt flesh off of them. "Healers, you're up." She spoke.
"My lady, you know what to do." Dromarch said.
"Yeah." Nia said as she took the rings and performed a Healing Halo, and Mayonaka performed a Moonlight Miracle.
After they were healed, a droid called a Familion Sovereign appeared and stopped by Sigma.
"Sir. A Colossus managed to successfully retrieve Fan La Norne. However, the Praetorium might be on to what we are doing. She insists on speaking to the Master Driver and the Aegis of a structural weakness to the mind control power." It spoke.
"Very well. Madam President, what do you say on this matter?" Sigma asked.
"Acknowledged." Lilika answered.
"Also, we have engaged Malos and Jin, but we are suffering heavy losses. However, Jin has taken some serious damage along the way." The droid said.
"What do you suggest we do?" Lilika asked.
"If we are to stop them, our best bet is up." Sigma said.
"To keep climbing?" Lilika assumed.
"Affirmative." He spoke.
Just then, they saw the Colossus heading their way with Fan in its arm. She jumped off and ran to them with a big smile of excitement. She hugged Lilika tight upon reuniting with them.
"Hello! Are you in need of my assistance?" Fan asked when she faced the others.
"We were told you knew a weakness to stop Amalthus from using your power." Rex said.
"Indeed. You are a Master Driver as well, Lord Rex. So you should be able to do the same things as Amalthus can. All you have to do is use her power on those towers around the big one to do so." Fan explained while aiming her staff at said towers.
But before they could formulate a plan, Mor Ardain began to charge up again.
"Is it going to shoot again? That is not good. The Ardanian Titan is said to be at the end of its lifespan. If it were to release more of the ether energy stored within its body…" Azurda said while watching the massive Titan.
"What would happen?" Nia asked.
"It would collapse, its joints giving away under its own weight." He answered.
"NO!" Agate yelled as fear grew within her.
"Where would everyone there live? What about all the flora and fauna!?" Floren asked while running to the railing and looking out to it.
"That's just it…" Jacu said.
Just then, the Tornan warship began to go through a transformation when it was far enough away from the tree. It turned into a large fighting robot.
"Their ship, it's…" Rex was saying.
"That shape…it is just like a Titan." Azurda said.
Its booster ignited and it charged in at Indol. It was a clash of the titans. (See what I did there?)
"So it begins…now is the time. Let's get after Jin." Zeke said.
"But the Titans…" Rex said while looking at the fight.
Rex let's focus on what we can do right now. Don't worry. The Emperor's my brother after all." Mòrag said
"I'm on it…" Rex said.
"Lady Mòrag, do you believe he will be alright?" Mayonaka asked her.
"I know. He's brilliant." She spoke.
"So…shall we get going while they're distracted with each other?" Lilika asked.
"Right, but first." Robyn said before he went to Fan and held her shoulders. She hold one of his hands and looked at him. "Listen, I know you want to continue to help, but you are no longer safe. Go to Leftheria, find Fonsett Village, and stay there. It seems to be the only group of Titans that are not affected by your Driver, the man that stole your core. Do you trust me?" He asked the Goddess of the Praetorium.
"Of course I do, Lord Robyn." She said with a warming smile.
He then cupped her cheek.
"Then go." He spoke. She then held that hand that touched her face. She then ran back to the Colossus and hopped on. "Take her to as close as you can to Fonsett Village! Go!" Robyn yelled to the Artifice.
"By your command!" It spoke until flew off.
"Wait! Another Titan…DAD!" Zeke shouted in fright as they saw Genbu finish rising from the Clouds next to Uraya.
"Tantal too!?" Mòrag yelled.
"Why!? Pandy!" Zeke yelled to his Blade, who tried to reach out to it.
"It's no use, my words can't reach him anymore." Pandoria said with sadness.
"Dammitall! What the hell is the Praetor thinking!? At this rate, he'll destroy all of Alrest before Malos does!" Zeke yelled with frustration.
"Desperation. Desperation at not getting the Aegis. That man…what's his plan? Why would he be so intent on obtaining the Aegis?" Mòrag asked.
"We've…we've got to do something to stop the Titans fighting. As Fan said, those towers need to go, but we're all the way over here! Dammit!" Rex yelled.
Mythra looked towards the pillars and thought.
"And we only want to hit the pillars? It's moving far too much, I can't get a clear shot. This isn't going to work!" Mythra yelled.
'I know-Mythra!' Pyra spoke to Mythra in her mind.
"What?" Mythra asked.
'I got it! Let me take over!' Pyra said before Mythra allowed her to take over. "If we can get a little closer, we might be able to do something.
"Hmm…" Lilika said while looking for an ideal spot for that. She then sees it. "Ah! A level above us might be the perfect location." She said while pointing upwards.
"I see it There appears to be a skyport where we can get in close." Robyn said.
"What do you mean?" Rex asked Pyra.
"Think back, do you remember our fight against Jin? BY rewriting the physical laws of the surroundings…we were able to match Jin's speed. If we rewrote them in the same way, in the midst of battle between those two…" Pyra explained before switching back to Mythra. "From our point of view, it'll be like they've frozen in place, huh…? OK." Mythra finished.
"But how do we get there?" Nia asked them.
"HA! Tora have good suggestion!" Tora called out.
"What is it, Lord Tora?" Mayonaka asked when they faced the Nopon.
"Poppi. Think you can grab Mythra and Rex-Rex and carry up there?" Tora asked her.
"Yes! Poppi can carry two people no problem!" Poppi said.
"Tada!" Tora yelled.
"OK. Let's do this. Everyone else after Jin!" Rex ordered them.
"Hang on!" Zeke yelled.
"We don't have time to argue here. Don't worry. We're going to make this work. Right?" Rex asked Mythra.
"Right!" Mythra answered.
"Rex-Rex! Please remember, Poppi booster time limited!" Tora pointed out.
"Understood! We'll get as close as we can!" Rex said.
They fought their way up to the skyport Robyn pointed out. Unfortunately, Indoline forces blocked their way. It took some tricky maneuvers, but they prepared for the worst.
After they fought past the monks, dragons, and even a Titan, they reached the edge.
"Poppi! Rex yelled.
"Poppi got it. Both friends hold tight." Poppi said as she activated her boosters and held out her hands.
"Let's go!" Rex yelled when he and Mythra took her hands.
Poppi tightened her grip and locked them. They took off and they flew towards Indol. Indol began to fire off anti-air weapons at them. Poppi had quick maneuvers and dodged them.
She then dove towards the head.
"REX!" Poppi shouted while looking at him.
She then threw the both of them right at Indol, and Mythra raised an ether barrier.
"Rex!" Mythra yelled to him.
"Just do it from here, OK!? Rex yelled back to her, making her grin.
"OK!" Mythra yelled.
"We're in a good spot! Let's go!" Rex yelled.
Mythra transformed into Pneuma, and the sword transformed as well. Rex fired a powerful blast at the buildings. Pneuma glared at the towers.
"I've locked on. Siren!" Pneuma called out when raising a hand.
A blast of energy shot down from the sky and destroyed the towers. The impact sent them flying back towards the tree.
"Pneuma!" Rex yelled while reaching for her.
"Rex!" Pneuma yelled as she also reached for him.
Rex was able to get close enough and they embraced. He then fired his anchor at a metal beam.
"Come on!" Rex yelled while they watched the anchor.
The anchor hit the beam and they swung onto the skyport and the others returned by their side. Pneuma reverted to Mythra.
"Did it work!?" Rex yelled as they looked at the Titans.
They all saw the Titans stand down and their attacks ceased.
"It's…stopped?" Nia asked.
"Our chum's only gone and done it!" Zeke yelled in victory.
"Poppi do Tora proud!" Tora said as Poppi landed by him.
"No problem at all, Masterpon!" Poppi yelled proudly.
Just then, Indol fired its primary weapons at the gang. Their eyes widen when the shots were fired. They then shut their eyes and covered themselves…only to feel nothing hitting them, except an impact in front of them. They looked up and they saw the Tornan warship intercepting the attack.
"WHOA!" Robyn screamed as it glared down at them.
"Wh-why?" Nia asked with curiosity.
"What are you hanging around here for? Go!" Mikhail's voice spoke from the ship.
"That voice…Mik? That you?" Nia asked.
"You're chasing Jin and Malos, right? I said go!" Mikhail demanded.
"Why would you-" Nia asked but stopped herself.
"Beats me. I don't even know anymore." He answered.
"Mikhail…" Nia asked once again.
"I really hate this world. Like, really. And humans most of all." Mikhail said out of the blue.
"You used to BE human!" Nia corrected him, only for Mikhail to click his tongue and wave a finger at her.
"But, you know what? There were people I loved once. When I look at you guys, it reminds me of them. I wonder…if the people I loved were still around, would things be…different? I wonder that, and I start doubting myself." Mikhail explained.
"Mikhail…" Rex said.
"Even underneath all of that pervert personality you have, you seem like a cool guy." Robyn said.
"Thanks, Robyn. It's Rex, right? Have you found your answer?" Mikhail asked.
"I have, and it's pretty spectacular." Rex answered.
"I see. When then…Lilika!" Mikhail yelled to her.
"Yeah?" She asked when stepping forward.
"Watch over that tree! And Robyn…Patroka…take care of her and tell her that I failed to keep my promise." He spoke.
"Promise?" Robyn asked.
"Rex, I'll leave Jin to you. Now go! Get after him already! Tell him your answer!" Mikhail yelled as he began to face Indol once again and the other ran indoors.
"Hurry, hurry friends!" Finch yelled while she flapped her wings to try to get there quicker.
Just as the fight continued, everyone made it inside…only to be sent flying forward from a massive explosion from both the Titan and the warship. They got back up and looked outside.
"MIKHAIL!" Robyn screamed as they saw the aftermath.
"No…" Praxis whispered while trying to hold back a tear.
"Indol…it's…" Mòrag said while looking down.
"It sinking…" Poppi said while Indol was out of sight.
"Never thought I'd see the day when Torna of all people would be saving our hides." Zeke said.
"Mikhail…we can't let his efforts go to waste." Nia said while clenching her fists.
"You're right. Let's go after Jin. I have to have a word with him about the answer I found." Rex said.
"Right!" Lilika yelled.
"It would seem that the obstacles are going to be more straightforward since we had suffered heavy losses against Malos and Jin. With Jin injured, it is possible he may not last much longer if he fought us." Sigma said.
"That's true." Agate said.
They returned inside the tree and continued to make their way towards Jin and Malos. Little did they know that they're in for an even bigger surprise that will change everything once and for all. How will things play out? Will Robyn and Lilika initiate Operation: Green Aura on time? Find out more in the second part next time as the story continues.
