"Then the culprit behind the attack was not the artificial Blade standing here now. Is that right?" Mòrag asked, in a much less aggressive position on Corryn's back, simply sitting with a leg crossed over the other.

"They very similar, but not the same. Niranira saw her with own eyes." The Nopon agent, Niranira, stated.

"I had a feeling we were being watched since our arrival." Dromarch added, everyone gathering around.

"Same..." Corryn added too.

"I quite sorry for causing concern. Niranira has been 'auditing' Argentum Trade Guild." Niranira apologized, facing Corryn's group.

"Ah, so you were keeping an eye on us because we came in on a Guild ship..." Nia understood. "How ironic that your suspicion should happen to prove our innocence." Dromarch mused.

"It appears I was too 'hasty' in judging you. I should not have attacked you so suddenly. My apologies." Mòrag said with a thin smile.

The entire force she had brought bowed their heads towards the group.

"I think it's fine." Corryn said with a sigh, resting his head on his arms.

"Tora still not happy! Should get year's supply of Tasty Sausages as compensation!" Tora whined.

"Masterpon. Have some self-respect..." Poppi scolded in disappointment.

"Tora, I told you, I buy every last one in each city. When does it end..." Corryn said in exasperation.

"Hmm... I will do what I can within my own means to compensate you." Mòrag said politely.

"Please don't entertain him." Corryn commented.

"By the way, the culprit who fled the scene... Might I ask what manner of connection you have with them?" Mòrag asked, glancing down at Corryn. "You must tell me all."

"I'll be sure to do that— when I can breath naturally!" Corryn shouted.

•

"I see. It seems it would be best for us all if we worked together for the moment." Mòrag suggested.

"Us work with you?" Azurda asked, everyone's eyes widening.

"Indeed. My goal is to capture the artificial Blade and track down the criminals behind its actions. And from what you just told me, those I seek likely have Tora's father held captive," Mòrag said before looking perplexed.

"Would you not say our interests align?"

Corryn remained silent, and Pyra switched with Mythra.

"Better to have her work with us than against us. Thought that was obvious." Mythra commented. "Shouldn't take the power of Brighid, Jewel of the Empire, too lightly."

"I'll have you know I've held my own on two occasions now!" Corryn said with a scoff.

"Two occasions of scurrying away, and you on the floor." Mòrag smirked.

Corryn sent her a glare, and she sent one back, fully confident in another fight.

"Quit it. Just agree. If she went all out, I would have to as well. Can't burn this place to the ground..." Mythra said in annoyance.

"I am honored that the Aegis herself thinks so highly of me." Brighid said with a nod.

"You may not remember it, but, I've faced you a few times before. It wasn't easy," Mythra said with a smile, but shook her head. "That's for another time. You're the leader here. What's the verdict?"

"...On two conditions." Corryn began.

Mòrag waited quietly for them.

"As she said... I'm the leader. I know you're a military expert or something, but I want to hold some weight over our teams actions," Corryn exclaimed.

"I've experienced your tactics firsthand, and for a teenager, you have my respect. Granted." Mòrag agreed.

"The next... I want to learn the sword." Corryn said with a glare.

"Oh?" Mòrag questioned.

"I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just swinging it around like it's a weapon... not a tool. I think it'd go a long way if actually... knew how to use a sword." Corryn said looking at the Aegis in his hand.

Mythra could feel that he was blaming himself... and even she felt it was his fault, deep down. They all knew that they should've ran when they had the chance.

He was too stubborn to leave, and almost died over his thirst for vengeance, getting Vandham killed in the crossfire.

The bags under Corryn's eyes made Mòrag hum.

"Deal." She said with a nod, holding out her hand.

"I guess we're allies now." Corryn said shaking her hand.

"For the moment, I will return to the palace. If you learn anything, please send word." Mòrag informed. "I will instruct the palace guards to allow you audience with me." Mòrag added, before taking her leave with Brighid.

Corryn smirked, looking at the others while jabbing his thumb back at Mòrag.

"She thinks she's too good for an inn— OW!"

A whip hit his rear.

~•~

After a long day of investigation, speaking and reporting to Muimui, and then even more boring investigation, Corryn had finally found a lead after bouncing ideas and discoveries off of Muimui.

An abandoned factory, which had recently had exhaust come from its pipes.

"I see..." Mòrag began, sounding stressed.

The group were within the Empire's walls, but nowhere near the domain of its ruler.

"There was indeed once a factory there. However, it was abandoned some thirty years ago." Mòrag exclaimed.

"You think we got 'em?" Nia asked hopefully.

"We can't be certain unless we investigate." Mòrag stated.

"Then let's go." Corryn said to his friends, getting ready to leave.

"You?" Mòrag asked, making him stop.

"Uh... yeah. Why not?" He asked in confusion.

"Oh, no reason at all. I'm just... surprised you're so willing is all. You aren't in the best condition I've been told." Mòrag said shaking her head.

"...who snitched?" Corryn said turning to his friends with his arms crossed.

"No matter," Mòrag interrupted anyway. "Now, let me share what information I have found."

"There are rumors about town that an esteemed Nopon merchant is involved in this affair." Mòrag began.

"Supposedly, Chairman Bana is the prime suspect. We are currently searching the transaction records. If we find anything, we'll infor—" Suddenly, everyone gasped for air at the sudden spike in air pressure.

"...I knew it..." Corryn muttered as he balled his fists.

"What... is this...?!" Mòrag and Brighid asked, stammering from the weight.

"Corryn, stop!" Mythra shouted, patting his arm as she barely held herself up, hands on her knees.

Corryn closed his eyes and let out a very obviously angry sigh, throwing his fists down as the pressure was relinquished.

"Truly a Celestite..." Mòrag said, rubbing her temple with a low hum.

"Sorry..." Corryn apologized.

"It's fine. I've been told you have some connection to him. Regardless, I will head to the location myself as soon as I am able to mobilize some troops." Mòrag said with a nod.

"Later." Corryn said with a wave.

•

"You've got to control you temper." Pyra scolded as they walked up the cliffside.

"It's hard to." Corryn said with a shrug, making Pyra think he was blowing her off.

"I'm serious. You can't do that to Mòrag, right after we teamed up with them. I get you're upset but can't you channel it elsewhere when it happens?" Pyra asked.

"..." Corryn kept quiet and stopped walking.

Suddenly, a tear in the air appeared sliced forward.

Pyra looked down at his finger, and saw it twitch from the sudden jerk outward.

"Is that why you don't use your powers for more than transportation?" Nia asked. "Yeah... it takes a lot of focus... or none..." Corryn said ominously.

"And just like that factory on this mountain... it's too easy,"

•

The twenty foot steel doors of the factory they were looking for were torn off and sent flying inside the place.

"To tear people apart." Corryn finished as he walked in, the group having been nearby outside.

The first thing they noticed was dozens of conveyor belts moving war-machines, seemingly artificial Blade copies, and ether furnances.

The line of production didn't seem to stop.

"These are all... artificial Blades..." Nia muttered.

"Then Dadapon must really be..." Tora trailed off without solid evidence.

"What exactly are they planning here?" Azurda wondered.

Walking down what seemed to be a large catwalk to spectate, the group dove further into the unknown.

•

"So... do I just go ahead and find him, or do we keep walking?" Corryn asked after five minutes of aimlessly treading the place.

"What?! I was following you!" Nia said in shock.

"I saw Pyra start walking. Thought she knew something." Corryn shrugged.

"What? No, I just thought... well, you know, to investigate and look for him. Kinda forgot he has the sense thing." Pyra shrugged.

"...Found him." Corryn said with a sigh. "Only one Nopon in sight. Goggles, jumpsuit, gloves I think." Corryn described.

"That must be!" Tora said with glee.

"Surprisingly, he's the first door on the right. Like a control room. Someone's in there with him. One sec." Corryn described, before flicking his wrist.

A cry of shock was heard, before a squawk followed.

"Now we can go." Corryn said with a smirk.

The group rushed down the hall, and opened the first door on their left, a bit of resistance due to the unconscious bird fellow against the door.

Pushing it open, Tora rushed in, the two Nopons noticing each other immediately.

"Tora... that you?" Tatazo asked in disbelief.

"You really Dadapon Tatazo?" Tora asked similarly.

The two jumped at each other an enveloped in a hug, tearing up. "Tora!" "Dadapon!" They cried.

"Tora miss you so much...!" Tora said closing his eyes and embracing the warmth. "I miss you too." Tatazo whispered.

"Man... I should go visit my mom." Corryn said with a smile, letting them enjoy the moment.

"Who all these people?" Tatazo asked, breaking from the hug.

"They Tora's new friends!" Tora said with a nod, sure of the bond they had all formed.

"Wonderful! They come here for you? You have good friends...?!" His statement began to sound like a question when he spotted Poppi among them. "Oh! That artificial Blade..."

"This is Poppi! Tora make her by improving on blueprints for Lila!" Tora said proudly. "Meh! Most impressive! Tora must have worked hard!" Tatazo complimented.

"If I may..." Dromarch interrupted. "I know there's a lot of catching up to do, but perhaps we should escape!"

"A very good point. Come on, Corryn!" Azurda agreed.

"Not so fast intruders—"

Corryn twitched his finger, shredding the air in between the sudden arrival of four birdmen, and surprisingly Muimui.

"Oh shit! My ba—... wait..." Corryn said after recalling what he shouted.

"You're with them?!" Nia shouted, shocked.

"Muimui... give you information on purpose, to lure you to factory." Muimui said a bit timidly now that his defense was sprawled on the floor. "If we not want you here, you would never find this place so easily!" He exclaimed.

"How dare you!" Tora shouted, pulling out his shield drill. "Masterpon is really angry." Poppi informed.

"And so am I. I don't think you understand what you've done." Corryn said with a smirk. "This whole operation's done for." Corryn said twirling out the Aegis.

"That is, if I actually know what's going on. So spill it." Corryn said with a glare.

"Ordinary business! We innocently mass-produce ether furnaces and artificial Blades, and sell to people who want them!" Muimui squeaked, quick to tell.

"They threaten Tatazo, and force to participate in production process..." Tatazo added, making Corryn slowly lift his other hand.

"And next you wanted to get your hands on Poppi?" Azurda asked.

"How greedy... I'm not sure we can let that slide." Corryn said, wagging his head.

"I knew as soon as I saw her! That artificial Blade uses lost ether furnace designed by Professor Soosoo! That is why..." Muimui revealed.

"That is right. Even I could never make such incredible furnace as my own Dadapon." Tatazo confirmed.

"So... risking the entire identification of this operation, for not making a scene in the city... you hope to take us down quietly?" Corryn questioned, his free hand slowly glowing green.

"Q-Quite right, yes..." Muimui nodded.

"Muimui was part of group plotting to steal artificial Blades all along. While he my Dadapon's assistant, he sell information to contact in Guild and had them attack laboratory..." Tatazo explained, giving his side of the story as the victim.

"What...?! Then it all his fault that Grampypon was killed?!" Tora shouted.

"Indeed... it was." Tatazo reinstated.

"The greediest bastard arrives... Chairman Bana." Corryn scoffed, turning to the door on a balcony to their right.

"Indeed, it is I." Bana said smugly, Lila by his side.

"...I'm gonna kill him." Corryn stated, eyes shinning green with murderous intent.