After leaving Spirius HQ, the group try to help Alvin secure a contract by acting as passersby, however, they heard a commotion going on with Alvin's business partner, which prompts a battle with Ivar, causing the whole ruse fall apart. Ludger even decided to help Elize find a Bunnykins as a gift for Elle. While stopping in Hamil, Ludger runs into David and Sectonia again.
David Episode 1- Finding the Perfect Link
"Ah, Ludger! Perfect timing!" David said. "I never see them in my home or Elympios, but Pokémon are very plentiful here in Rieze Maxia."
"It might be because the mana in Rieze Maxia is very diverse, causing them to be more situated to its atmosphere." Sectonia points out. "Maybe you'll even find your Perfect Link in this world."
"Perfect Link?" Ludger asked.
"I've read about them before. Links are connections between humans and Pokémon." David told Ludger. "Perfect Links are special because depending on the person, they can only be formed with certain kinds."
"I know. I happened to get clobbered by one." Sectonia commented.
Elle gave Sectonia a flat look. "That doesn't sound like something to be proud of."
"I was in a dark place when the Dimension Mirror took hold of me. That moment made me think about Perfect Links."
David then motioned for three Pokémon to come towards the group. "It's okay. They're friends." A Snorunt, Formantis, and Combee, all female, came out and went towards the group.
"Are these...your Perfect Links?"
"Not quite. I'm still conserving my options."
Elle asked in amazement of them. "So, you narrowed it down to three?"
David nods at this. "Yep! I've researched their evolved forms and they all have loads of potential."
"Why are they all female, though?"
David was trying to find a way to put it without sounding like Zelos. "I guess you can say that I work better with female Pokémon. I'm a guy who believes in chivalry, so I'm very protective of females."
"I see."
"However, I fear that when I choose one, I'll end up breaking the other two's hearts. I don't want to resort to favoritism."
Ludger responded to this. "Just go with what's best for you."
"Really? That's what I should do?"
Elle smiled at this. "Yeah! You can form Links with multiple Pokémon, right? And they're all still in their first stage, so you should spend some time with them, and you'll form a Perfect Link with who you find the most compatible."
Ludger is amazed at Elle's knowledge on the subject.
"I see." David said, taking in the info.
Sectonia adds to this. "Besides, these kinds of things don't happen right away. You just need to be patient and wait for it to come naturally."
David nods to the group. "Thank you everyone. I have a really good feeling about this now."
"Glad we can help." Elle said with a smile. "Though, what would everyone else's Perfect Links be?"
"I'm not entirely sure. But I do know one thing." David said with a smile. "A new world of possibilities has opened up for us."
Character Episode End
After paying off another portion of Ludger's debt, he gives David the GHS as Vera calls.
"Vera from Spirius Corporation here. We've detected a new fractured dimension. As a dimensional agent, Mr. Kresnik has been assigned the task of eliminating it. Anyone who wishes to assist him can do so. This is your first mission, so please make sure that you're fully prepared, then come to the Spirius building." Vera hangs up, and David gives the GHS back to Ludger.
"You think we'll find Julius there? Maybe we'll even run into Chronos." David wondered.
"Probably." Ludger responds.
When the group gets to Spirius, they find Vera and Nova arguing about something.
"I told you, that's a company secret." Vera tells Nova.
"But my lips are sealed!" Nova tries to reassure her. "You must know what happened to Julius, right?"
Vera looked over to see Ludger in the group just in the nick of time. "Mr. Kresnik...and associates."
Nova looked to see them. "Hey, guys!"
"Hi, Nova." David said.
"Word around the watercooler is that a certain someone just got hired as an agent! Congratulations! Like big bro, like little bro, right? I know how much you wanted the job."
"Thanks." Ludger tells Nova.
"That reminds me, what bring you here, Nova?" Sectonia asked.
"Just gossiping with my twin sis." Nova said with a wink.
"Now that you mention it, you two do kind of look alike."
"Nova, we've got work to do." Vera told Nova.
Nova crossed her arms at that. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I should probably get back to bean counting. Oh, almost forgot! Let's all get together to celebrate your new job whenever you're free." Nova leaves the group at that.
"I still can't believe he told us about all of this fractured dimension stuff." Scott said.
"Well, knowing Ludger, he wants us to come along." Sheena said.
"You guys will really help me?" Ludger asked.
"This isn't just Elympios' problem." Rowen told Ludger. "An old man's wisdom won't be wasted in these circumstances, rest assured."
"No way I'm sitting this out." Leia said. "It's the scoop of a lifetime!"
"You're coming along, too. Right, Elle?" Colette asked. Elle nods at this.
"I guess I'll tag along, too." Alvin said.
"Poor little buddy. He hates being left behind." Teepo said.
"Got that right, spud. I'm over the loner act."
"And I'll be coming, too, of course." Jude said.
"Don't worry. It's already been established that you're all willing to assist Mr. Kresnik in this operation, however..." Vera says before Rowen finishes.
"Everything must be kept in the strictest confidence, correct?" Rowen asks.
"I'm glad we have an understanding. Now, allow me to commence the briefing."
"Cool! Agent talk!" Elle said in amazement.
"The object of each DODA operation is to infiltrate a fractured dimension and destrot its divergence catalyst. All fractured dimensions form around a catalyst. It could be an object, or perhaps an entity."
David was intrigued. "I see. How do we find it?"
"It's typically the object or entity that differs the most from its original nature in the prime dimension. You'll need to be cautious, particularly when the divergence catalyst attaches itself to a person." Vera took out her GHS and pressed some buttons. "I've transmitted the coordinates of the target rift to your GHS. Use it to enter the fractured dimension."
After making the necessary preparations, the group enter the fractured dimension into a familiar place.
"I guess this explains this funny feeling we've all been having." Alvin said.
David then looked around. "How did we end up in Trigleph?"
"It can be assumed that this is the rift." Sectonia answered.
"But...is this really a whole different world?" Scott asked.
"It sure doesn't look all that different to me." Ramona said.
The group was shocked when Ludger's GHS rang.
"Wait... How is Ludger getting reception here?" Scott asked.
Ramona decides to retort. "You've seen me travel a Subspace Highway in your mind, and you're wondering how Ludger's getting reception?"
"What? I didn't think communication between worlds would be normal."
Ludger answered to hear Vera's voice. "We've comfirmed your entry into the fractured dimension. Commence your search for the divergence catalyst.
Ludger asked Vera what was on Scott's mind. "The GHS still works here?"
"You can thank your chromatus for that. It maintains a link to the prime dimension."
"We just need to look for whatever seems most out of place in this dimension, right?" Zelos asks.
"Correct. The catalyst should reveal itself when anyone with a chromatus approaches."
"And if we destroy it, the world will disappear." Scott concludes.
"Exactly, but there's a catch. Only the wielder of a chromatus can destroy the catalyst."
"Are you serious?"
Ramona spectulates. "Which means the only one who can find and destroy these catalysts...is Ludger."
"Well, that kind of takes the fun out of it." David said in disappointment.
"One last thing. So long as the divergence catalyst exists, you cannot return to the prime dimension." Vera hung up at this.
"Why did she wait until the last minute to tell us this?"
"So much for goofing off on the job." Zelos comments.
The station intercom started to go off. "The train to Oscore will be departing from Platform One shortly. Repeat: the train to Oscore will be departing from Platform One shortly."
Sectonia looked at the train schedule. "The Oscore train's still running?"
Scott looked over. "Hey... Maybe in this dimension, the train hijacking never took place."
"We can't just go about on assumption. We need answers." David said. "Let's split into groups."
"Jude and I will take afew people and ask around town." Leia proposed.
"Ludger, you head to Oscore." Jude said, in which Ludger nodded.
"Be careful, David." Sectonia said worryly.
"Ah... You too, Sectonia." David says as the group splits up, leaving Ludger with Elle, Rollo, Alvin, Elize, Teepo, Rowen, David, Sheena, Presea, and Raine.
(Bonus Scene: David)
"I was hoping that we'd be able to find Perfect Links for everybody in the fractured dimensions, since it would mean more options." David said before he looked down. "But...after knowing that the entire dimension will be destroyed once we defeat the catalyst, the plan has already grinded to a halt."
"You'll just have to make do with what we find in the prime dimension." Ludger rsponded.
"I guess you're right. No use moping about it now." David said with a smile. "Speaking of which, when we get back, you have GOT to show me how to get that ringtone!"
"You really liked it?"
"Of course. There's a reason why I liked it, but I can't really find out what that reason is. Eh, I'll worry about it later. Let's go find that catalyst."
Ludger nods, ready for the task.
(Bonus Scene End)
The group decided to take the train to the Oscore Plant.
When the group got to the Oscore Plant, they were fascinated by the sights, and couldn't believe it was all destroyed in the prime dimension. Alvin decided to take up a conversation with David.
"Hey, Dave." Alvin said.
"Yes?" David asked him.
"Let me ask you something. Have you heard of Furious World?"
"Furious World? Oh! You mean that tournament where people from different worlds compete?"
"The very same. I've been told of your fighting style and think you might be perfect for it."
"Really?! Competing in it would be so cool!"
"Unfortunately, the damage done in the final round of the last tournament will ensure that there won't be a new tournament for a while."
"Aw, bummer..."
"That just gives you all the more time to keep getting stronger. You, Sectonia, and your team."
"Got it. Thanks, Alvin."
"By the way, for those of new to this technology, what's a natural resource plant?" Sheena asked.
"It's a factory that puts out veggies, and stuff like that." Elize answered.
"Puts out weird vibes, too." Teepo added.
"It's pretty standard for Elympios." Alvin tells the group. "Well, except for its size. None of the others are this big."
A man then walks up to the group. "Well, if it isn't Alfred." Alvin looks over to see a man in shoulder-length hair.
"How the hell?!"
"You'd address the heir of the Svent family like that? Or has your mind strayed to a time when you were still the legitimate heir?"
"Are you telling me you're the heir?"
"I take it that you know thia man." David theorized.
"Knew him, more like it."
"This is Gilland, Alvin's uncle and the former leader of Exodus." Rowen tells the group. This left them, except for Alvin, Elize and Teepo shocked. "However, he seems to have confused Alvin with the Alvin of this world."
"Hey, Alvin. Maybe if you be nice to him, he'll let us through."
Elize looked down at that. "They don't really have that kind of relationship."
"It's tough to explain, is it?"
"Yep." Teepo commented.
"Yes, but don't forget we're in a fractured dimension. It just might work." Raine theorized.
"Right." Alvin said before walking up to Gilland. "Forgive me, Uncle. I must've forgotten my place."
"You are forgiven." Gilland tells him.
"I was hoping you'd give my friends a tour of your amazing plant."
"Why not?" Gilland said, leading the group.
(Bonus Scene: Alvin)
"Oscore's success will only serve to broaden the Svent family's influence, cousin." Gilland says, striking a conversation with Alvin. "You'd better start acting the part. Poor Leticia is quite upset over your lack of decorum."
"Mom?" Alvin asked, shocked to hear about her in this dimension.
"Indeed. She's had it with your constant gallivanting."
"She's alive..."
"Who are these people?"
"My entourage. They're quite a bunch, yeah?"
"The world is full of dubious sorts, looking to sponge off of us. You should choose your friends more carefully."
"They don't get much more dubious than yours truly..."
"Hm?"
"Um, nothing, Uncle. Thanks for the advice."
(Bonus Scene End)
Gilland brings the group to the elevator. "As you know, the Great Spirit Aska was thought to be nothing more than legend. That is, until I found, captured, and bent it to my will."
"Wait, you actually managed to do all of that?" Sheena asked. The way she had Summon Spirits bend to her will was to form a pact with them through combat to prove herself worthy of them. Some of them took some doing, though.
"Indeed. Aska's spirit power is more than sufficient to operate this facility in its entirety."
"I've never even heard of that spirit before." Elize said in amazement.
"I have." Sheena said. "In my world, he is the partner of the Summon Spirit of Light, Luna, whom I have formed a pact with."
Gilland was amused at the revealing. "Ah, so you're a summoner. Very interesting."
"That's why it feels wrong to just have them chained up like you're doing."
"I understand your sentiment, but I have no doubt spirits will become a crucial resource in Elympios. The very key to its future."
Alvin looks to Ludger. "My uncle's not the catalyst, is he?" Ludger shakes his head no. "So, uh... Do you keep Aska down in the basement here or what?"
Gilland answers Alvin's question. "There is no basement. Aska's imprisoned in the central portion of the dome."
"In that case..." Alvin hits Gilland with the back of his gun, knocking him out. "Kind of disrespectful, huh?"
"Was the really neccesary, Alvin?" Presea asked.
"If he's not the divergence catalyst, then chances are that Aska spirit is. But it's not like he was gonna sit back and let us thwack it, right?"
"I guess you have a point. Besides, we came to this dimension..."
"...to put it out of commission. Isn't that right, Ludger?" Ludger didn't know how to comment to that. Nonetheless, he had a job to do.
As the group look around the indoor greenhouse, Elize brings something up.
"I can't believe that Elympios has Great Spirits, too!" Elize said in amazement.
"In fossil or spyrite form, sure, I could see that. But a physically manifested Great Spirit? Didn't see that coming." Alvin points out.
"I would imagine that his existence here is only due to this being a fractured dimension." Raine said.
"Sheena mentioned that Aska is one of the Summon Spirits of Light." David said.
"I hope his temprament is sunny, too." Teepo commented.
"I've learned not to expect too much from the temprements of Great Spirits." Alvin said. "I've had a bad experience or two."
"Tell me about it."
"Rowen, Sheena, are there any other Great Spirits?" Elize asked.
"Well, we've encountered the four Great Spirits of earth, water, fire, and wind, as well as the Great Spirits Celsius of ice and Volt of lightning." Rowen told the group. "I've also read about Shadow, the Great Spirit of darkness, and Pluto, ruler of the underworld."
"Whoa, Rowen! I didn't know you were so knowledgable of spirits." Sheena said, as she is able to summon them all except Pluto.
"Don't forget Muzet!" Elize said.
"And then there's Maxwell, who rules over them all."
"That's what most people in this world believe." Rowen said. "However, some scholars believe there may be a Great Spirit even stronger than Maxwell."
"A Spirit for powerful than Maxwell? Is that even possible?"
"It's most likely Chronos." David speculates.
"Well, let's hope we never run into that guy, then." Alvin said.
"If we're going to reach the Land of Canaan, a confrontation with him is inevitable." Raine tells Alvin.
"Way to sour my hopes, teach..."
After more traversing, they reach a room where there was a huge light inside a pod. Some of the members had to cover their eyes.
"It's so bright!" Elle said.
"Then this must be Aska." Sheena said, feeling bad for having to destroy an alternate version of one of her compatriots. "Ludger, you know what to do."
Ludger shook his head, indicating he can't do it.
"I've got this." Alvin said, pointing his pistol.
"Me too." David said, pointing his.
The two were going to shoot their bullets, but got shot themselves and were met by Gilland.
{Cue Song: Life or Death- Tales of Xillia}
"I can't believe you'd sink this low, Alfred." said Gilland, angrily. "You'd sabotage my life's work?!" Gilland shoots again, narrowly missing the group.
"Hey, knock it off!" Alvin said, trying to reason with him.
"Such gall!" Gilland shoots again, this time hitting the mechanism keeping Aska contained. This shocks Gilland as he didn't intend that. "N-no... Aska!"
The light leaves the cage and materializes into a giant bird-like creature that screeches as it attacks the party.
"It's so powerful!" David exclaimed.
"Another fight with a Great Spirit, huh?" Alvin asked.
"Is this not what you wanted?" Raine asked.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Anyway, Aska's element is Light, so I'm better off on healing duty."
"Sheena, you know what to do, right?" Teepo asked.
"Got it! Just give me some time." Sheena told the group.
The group went on to fight Aska. They found out that he's weak to Ludger's guns and dark-elemental attacks. The group dealt significant damage thanks to Elize's Negative Gate and David's Freeze Lancer. They both Sheena enough time for the summoning.
"Here we go!" Sheena said getting a black card out. "I call upon the Envoy from the Dark Abyss. I summon thee... Come, Shadow!" A dark humanoid figure appears, and unleashes a dark fissure on Aska, knocking him out before returning to Sheena.
{End Song}
"Looks like Aska wasn't the catalyst either." Presea said.
"So...what now?" David asked.
"We could let him go." Sheena suggested. "But without Aska to power this place, the factory will shut down."
"Why should it matter? Once we destroy the catalyst, this dimension will be destroyed anyway."
Ludger was left with two options. He can either take David's suggestion and let Aska go or take Sheena's suggestion and recapture Aska for the sake of the plant. After much pondering, Ludger made his decision. "David's right. We should let him go."
"Thank you, Ludger."
"Alright, but don't blame me if people don't get fresh produce for the time this dimension stays up." Sheena tells the group.
Ludger and David shuts off the mechanisms, freeing Aska.
Aska gets up and speaks, surprising everyone. "Scion of Kresnik. The Land of Canaan. The Universal Core. Do you yet seek them? If you wish to live with us in harmony as your ancestor did so many years ago, you must hasten your journey. It has been nearly two millennia but time grows short. Origin, the Great Spirit of the Void, cannot continue purifying souls much longer."
"The Great Spirit, Origin, huh? Can't say I've heard of him before." Alvin said in thought.
"Back in my world, Origin is the King of Summon Spirits, and arguably the most powerful of them all." Sheena said.
"Ah, so I see the roles of the Spirits are similar in different worlds, I thank you for this information, dear summoner." Aska told Sheena.
"What are you all babbling about?" Gilland asks as he walks to the group. "You fools. Do you have the slightest idea what you've done?!" Gilland then continuously shoots Aska, who surprisingly is unfazed unlike with Ludger, Alvin, and David's barrage earlier. "Without Aska to power this plant, hundreds of thousands of people will starve to death! Why would you throw Elympios' future away on a whim like that?!"
"You moron! Stop!" David said before Aska flew to Gilland and killed him. "I'm sorry, Aska. I tried to stop him, but..." Aska cuts David off.
"Worry not, young one." Aska tells David. "A heart as pure as yours is very rare in the times we live in. No matter what happens, never stray from your path." With that, Aska turns into a ball of light and floats away.
The rest of the group came in, and both sides tell each other their findings. Ludger, Alvin, Jude, Leia, Sectonia, Zelos, Ramona and Raine decide to head for the wastelands near Helioborg while everyone else gives Gilland a proper burial.
When the group made it to the cliff, they couldn't find anything there.
"This is where the breach was before, right?" Alvin asked.
"Did it vanish once the schism got dispersed?" Leia asked.
"You know, maybe it was never here at all. After all, Gilland was living here in Elympios. I'm just saying."
"Yeah... You're right." Jude said in thought. "The schism is still here. The dimensional breach never opened."
"Wait... I just remembered something." Ramona said. "We found two Universal Core keys in our dimension, right?"
"Yeah, but what's that got to do with it?" Zelos asks her.
"Think about it. Jude and Bisley both mentioned that in our dimension, Rieze Maxia and Elympios were two separate worlds until the schism was dispelled a year ago."
"Wait... Then that means..."
Sectonia was shocked at the revelation. "Rieze Maxia and Elympios...are still divided in this dimension!"
Jude looks to the group. "That's actually a good thing. That means Maxwell is still around." A light then shone in front of the group. "Hm? What's that?" When the light fades, there was a figure with long, flowing, silver hair. "Is that the spirit with the long hair?!"
The figure opens his eyes looks around. "If the other worlds are like this, then the sacred land should remain safe."
Sectonia perked up at that. "Sacred Land? Are you speaking of the Land of Canaan...or the Universal Core?" Upon hearing Canaan, the figure shot dark spheres at Sectonia, only for Ludger to transform and take the hit before reverting and collapsing in Sectonia's hands. "Ludger!"
"The Scion of Kresnik, huh? Must you keep insisting on crossing dimensions in search of the key?"
Alvin fired a few shots at the figure. "So, what's your story?"
Ramona decided to ask the figure the question everyone has on their minds. "Are you...Chronos?"
"Correct." Chronos says, revealing that he caught all of Alvin's bullets. "I am known as the Great Spirit of Time, and the guardian of the Land of Canaan." Chronos releases Alvin's bullets, letting them fall on the ground. "I shall hurl you all in the abyss between dimensions, like I did with the new Maxwell, who sided with the humans."
"Wait a second... Muzet said that Milla disappeared." Raine speculated. "Wait... Does that mean?"
Jude looked to Chronos in anger. "He's the one..." He curled his hands into fists and got into a fighting stance. "He's the reason that Milla's vanished!"
Chronos looks to Jude. "So, you wish to defeat me and avenge your former comrade? I highly doubt you can, but I welcome you all to try."
{Cue Song: He Who Protects His Land- Tales of Xillia 2}
The group went to fight Chronos, but none were coming in hot more than Jude, who was still mad for what Chronos did to Milla. After a while, Zelos used Eruption on him.
"Sword Rain!" Sectonia deals multiple thrusts at Chronos.
"Why do you keeping insisting on helping these people, fallen queen of Floralia?" Chronos asks Sectonia. "Do you really think your benevolent acts can mask the atrocities you've committed?"
"It might take time, and people might not accept it right away...but I do know one thing..." Sectonia takes out one of her scepters. "It will happen some day." A magic circle appears under her. "O righteous will, let fall thy sword of lightning upon those who bear fault... Thunder Blade!" A sword of lightning falls on Chronos as the rest of the group appears.
"Is everyone alright?!" Scott asked.
Chronos dusted himself off. "Though a wasted effort, I admire your tenacity."
"No way... Nothing we have is hurting this guy..." Zelos mutters.
Chronos fires a blast at the group, but it was blocked by a figure Ludger knows all too well.
"Julius?!"
Believe it or not, it was actually Julius except there were marks on him just like when Ludger used the Chromatus.
"The seeker..." Chronos mutters.
Julius looks to Ludger. "The watch. Give it to me, hurry!" Ludger does so and Julius transforms even further into a black-like jumpsuit except his head and deflects the blast into a portal. "Ludger!" Julius takes his hand and goes through the portal with him.
"We're out of here!" Zelos says, grabbing Elle and going through the portal.
Everyone except David and Sectonia went through the portal. "Wait... We can't forget Rollo!" David exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I've got him!" Sectonia says as she grabs Rollo and goes through the portal with David before it closes.
"Seems luck was on your side today." Chronos mutters to himself.
A/N: Hey there. I thought it would be better to split the chapter into two parts, since it's insanely long. Also, when it comes to the non-Xillia Character Episodes, I will only be focusing on David and Sectonia's episodes unless anyone else's has a trip to a fractured dimension. I know it's a bit of a bad move, but I've got a Bonus Episode set up before the finale, so I need to emphasize that focus.
A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor