Together, as We Are

Power system... Auto controls... Originium warmers... They're now completely bust! And my massager as well...!

*Sigh* When will I ever finish these repairs... I got myself a Leithanien oil painting online... Now I don't even have a proper place to hang it.

Director Qin is really on my back... Oh dear! I got too many things on my hands! I must fix this lab or it'll be of no use to me.

Did someone say something about fixing their lab —

Yvonne? And the Endmin? Why are you here?

Hold on. Are ... are you saying that there's something wrong with the package...?

Uh-huh... Since you've got a bigger problem to deal with, I guess I'll overlook your crime of wasting the Endmin's time.

Hoo? I thought you'd want to see the Endmin. After all, it was —

Ahem! I decided to pay you a visit 'cos I heard your lab got struck by an Ankhor. You should be thankful!

Hmm... No matter how many times I look at your decor, I find it simply tasteless...

No matter. Since I'm already here, I'll help you "transform" this dump. Unlike you, I'm decisive, which makes me three times more efficient.

Quick clarification: I'm not doing this for free. Free dinners — Nope. Lend me your etching machine for a month.

Of course! Definitely... So I'll hand this place over to you. We got a generator gangway malfunction and Director Qin wants me to help. I gotta head over quickly.

Oh, right! Endmin, we might need your help with this. The generator gangway issue might affect the power supply for the AIC Research Center. To completely fix this issue, we'll need your Originium Arts...

But since the Endmin agreed to help you... Andre, this means I'll be playing with your etching machine for two months! And you best hurry up! I have plans to take the Endmin to other places.

And don't you worry about your lab. I'll take care of it! Be ready to see something fantastic when you get back!

Uhm... about my lab, Yvonne. I've been using it for nearly a decade, and I can find everything I need — even with my eyes closed. A total overhaul might get me confused...!

Stop dilly-dallying and get going already. Your lab's in my super capable hands!

*Sigh* She's quite a handful, isn't she? Endmin, I gotta pick up some tools. Let's meet at the generator gangway.

I'm here to settle the score for making the Endmin run errands! Speaking of which, this Ankhor did quite a number on this place...

Wasn't Tata parked here before? That means it was really close to...

Uh, absolutely... But ... wouldn't this take up a lot of your time?

Your lab needs a total makeover, and I happen to be an expert in that. Bet you know who has the most stylish, practical room in Valley IV, right?

That's really low, Andre! I booked the Endmin's schedule ahead of time!

Ah, yeah... I, uh, got a secret question to ask. When Yvonne received that package ... how did she react? Is she alright?

What?! She used it for graffiti...?

Let's head up, Endmin.

Hmm. Yvonne is the sort who would do that. And it doesn't sound like a bad thing!

Oh... Is that so? No wonder you're tailing her all over the place.

Well then, Endmin, I'll leave everything in your capable hands.

Ah, the paint... I can't really tell you much about it. It's better for Yvonne to tell you herself.

Endmin, don't let this old boy mislead you. Let's head back once we finish collecting what we need!

Collecting?

Oh... Don't you want to share the inspirations for your new work with me?

Not. A. Chance — Well, if you can keep your opinions to yourself, I might consider showing them to you.

Alright. I think I know what that means. I'll just admire the work once it's finished...

Right here all along!

Time to go, Endmin! I simply can't wait to finish my work!

Professor Crowe, what are you going on about with the Endmin this time?

By the way, Yvonne, have you found more "friends that make you happy"?

Hahaha!

Superb, Endmin! You still got that incredible efficiency from all those years ago.

I wonder how Yvonne's doing. My poor little lab... What if it turns into a house of horrors?

She has the creativity of a burdenbeast that broke free of its reins. You gotta run faster if you wanna stop her. Well, if it makes her happy, I might as well go along.

Okay. Let's hold that thought and head back to my lab. What do you say?

Alrighty. Let's be off, and quickly too!

Sure. Just let me know when you're ready.

How's it going, Endmin? Let's get back to the lab if we're done. I got tons of work to do.

Alrighty. Let's be off, and quickly too!

My precious machinery is about to get kidnapped... Endmin, we gotta hurry.

Andre, I reviewed the safety measures of your lab and the result is — MAJOR NON-CONFORMANCE! But I fixed everything and even freed up a lot of clutter for you.

I also upgraded your lab bench. When you have people over for dinner, just WA-PAP the button twice and it'll auto-transform to party mode.

As for that auto-massage machine? FFFF. The motor is even older than my great grandfather. They don't make it anymore! BUT! I managed to get it working again. Please, just apply for a new one.

You fixed them all?! By Talos... You're awesome, Yvonne!

Oh, Fabian just messaged us and asked where you are. Did something happen?

The Endmin and I are planning to create something spectacular. So, we experimented with some ideas at the Park... Don't tell him where we are, Andre.

Anyway ... my spectacular extravaganza still lacks inspiration. Seen anything impressive or stimulating recently?

Now that question came out of nowhere... Oooh! I got it! Try visiting the generator gangway we just fixed.

Sounds interesting. Let's be off! Time to admire the fruits of your labor.

WHA... WHAT IS ALL THIS?! SQUAAAWWWK —!

We'll be running a power restoration test soon. All the lights will come back on. You're in for a very pretty sight.

By the way, Endmin. There's just one more thing about Yvonne...

Our Prototype Project was a success, but I still know nothing about her plans for her own future...

Now Yvonne might seem like the happy-go-lucky type, but she really looks up to you. Would you mind asking her about this?

By the way, Andre, don't forget to check your lab. I left you a surprise!

It's alright! As long as it's good-looking enough! You gotta trash the old to take on something new. This change of style ... isn't that bad. Really.

Endmin, I got some ideas about the graffiti! But ... I don't think they're enough.

Are there any other special places besides the Hub and the Originium Science Park?

Origin Lodespring... Alright. That'll be our next stop! To the Lodespring we go!

My lab...

Yvonne, look! Lighting is back online!

I didn't come here often, but ... I'm struck by how different it is from before.

Yeah... that's true. It was a terrible event, but everyone's still working hard to turn it around... There's always hope!

Alia? Alright. Let's ask about her whereabouts!

So, where is this friend of yours, Endmin?

Endmin? Are you ... are you here to take part in the Send-Off?

Yeah. A few fellow crew mates passed away during this incident. We're giving them a formal send-off.

But it's actually more like ... helping us, the living, to cope with the reality.

Alia should be looking after the children who lost their parents.

We're really short on people so she might be reassigned to another role. Patrolling, cleanup, battlefield salvage ... anything's possible.

Why are there so many rock bugs...? Oh, Endmin?!

No. You looking for her? I just came back from a team patrol in the Old Mines.

We were only able to retake that area thanks to you and Rossi.

We've been putting off this moment for far too long... Now's the proper time to honor our fallen.

Hrrngh! I was so close! I gotta slap a manglerbeast see-through vision mod on my Frost-e-Bytee... I won't lose to the Endmin next time!

I WON! Hah! I'm the most powerful manglerbeast ever! You got a lot of catching up to do, Endmin —

This is so fun! Can we play again?

Hmm... Not now! You gotta keep your word, kiddo. Now, tell me where Alia went.

Fine...

Miss Alia said everyone's heading to the Cradle of the Ages. So she definitely went there early!

Is that so? Well, thank you very much, my baby burdenbeasts. Next time, we'll play some serious Bastion Defense with my Tweety-Bombs!

YAYYYY!

Thank you, Endmin.

This was my mistake... I didn't expect the Aggeloi to be crawling all over the place again. I must warn the others quickly.

At least the place is safe for now!

Before I forget, I need your help with something. The Endmin said you're super familiar with this area. Is there any place that looks particularly impressive?

I actually could have taken you to quite a few places ... if you'd come earlier...

But now ... everything here has been wrecked by Ankhor shockwaves and Aggelos attacks. Even my favorite spots have changed ... completely...

We want to restore this place to its former glory, but ... I don't know how long that would take.

Your name is Alia, right? This is for you.

What is this?

It's... It's just paint. I wanted to use it for a painting and ordered plenty of cans. You can have one.

Just picture how this place would look after it's rebuilt — mining trucks cruising along the roads, tower cranes swiveling about, and glittering Originium crystals showering the entire place with reflected light...

When that happens, just use this can of paint and draw that beautiful-looking oak!

Sure! Thank you for the gift.

Now that you've mentioned ... reflections from Originium crystals... It reminds me of a place that might interest you.

Oh? Tell me about it!

The Cradle of the Ages. That's where the Endmin fought and defeated a giant Aggelos!

Although none of us witnessed the fight, that moment definitely deserves to be immortalized.

Endmin, take me over there, please? And you gotta tell me what happened back then! Gimme as many details as you can!

We should go there together. I'll lead the way.

The Cradle... That's also where we're going to perform a ... ceremony.

A giant Aggelos... Would that be the Triaggelos?

The mining spot, the watch tower, and the plaza... Granny said there used to be a Great Originium Oak here ... and it was a beautiful sight.

Endmin, look there... Those are the kids who played games with us.

Everyone's praying and saying farewell to their fallen friends... Let us ease the sadness away, and ... keep them close in our memories.

The living shall carry on, and bear the burden of nostalgia and dreams.

...

Why is everyone so quiet?

Mom ... Dad... Where did you go? Hik, hik...

Do you see these lights? They were once part of a really, really tall tree.

Mom and Dad are just like the tree. They went to another world but left these pretty little lights behind.

These lights shall protect you, just as they protect this Originium sapling.

I got a secret to share. Once the mines are rebuilt, Miss Alia will draw a GIGANORMOUS Originium Oak on the wall over there.

Miss Alia has a can of super bright paint. She can definitely draw a tree sparkling with lights, just as beautiful as these.

When she starts painting, you'll help her complete the drawing. And then you'll grow up nice and well underneath the new Originium Oak! Okay?

OKAY!

Endmin! I've decided what to draw. Our next stop will be the Æther Test Site!

Thank goodness you came here in time, Endmin. Who knows what would've happened otherwise...

Tata... My baby bot protected everyone.

Professor Crowe! How are things over here?

We're making good progress, thanks to you and Tata. There are a few disturbances here and there ... but we're looking at a bright future.

Hmm... I guess the UW hasn't changed a bit. The battlefield is barely cleaned up, yet everyone's already back at work.

...Anyways, thanks to your efforts and that stash of valuable data, we managed to seal the rift.

We made a major breakthrough in our research. Nothing can be better than that.

We still have some data here. I'll send you a copy. Old rules, though. It's classified, so you must follow the UWST procedure.

Ugh. The UW procedure is such a hassle... Fine. I guess I'll talk to Andre about this. There's always a way.

Thanks a lot, Professor! This will really help me out. Maybe one day ... Tata can be restored.

Greet ... greetings! Are you Yvonne the genius? Can I take a photo with you?

Huh, g-genius? Me? A photo with you? Seriously?!

I've read a lot of your papers! Professor Crowe keeps talking about you. I totally didn't expect to run into the actual you today —

Restore it...?

Endmin, Yvonne.

She was never this happy when she worked for me. Sorry to trouble you, Endministrator, but please take care of her.

I don't know how to say it ... but the girl is always a loner. She prefers the company of robots, and doesn't really care about the opinions of other people.

Everyone knows Yvonne is a genius. Plenty of companies tried to recruit her, even before she got her diploma.

She first went to the TGCC but got tired of their relentless pursuit of profit and cost-performance indices. She later went to HAS. It only took her two days to start complaining about the lack of excitement with her peers. She just couldn't stay there.

I wanted to keep her on the team, but her way of doing things really disagreed with the UWST procedure. We argued all the time. There wasn't a single day of peace.

She finally told me she wanted to leave. I was actually happy that she was honest about it, but I couldn't bring myself to let her go completely. The Prototype Project was too important. It was only safe in her hands.

I did ask her afterwards. What's so nice about Endfield that convinced her to stay?

"Friends that make me happy."

So in the end, I had to ask Andre to help.

I used to be worried that she was too isolated. But from what I see now, I think she just lacked a friend who could keep pace with her.

Now I feel pretty comforted seeing that she's free at being herself.

What happened to Tata really affected her. She never intended to make Tata sacrifice itself to stop the Æther.

Perhaps Yvonne felt responsible for the robot. But I can see she's not mentally prepared to make another unit herself yet. Can you —

Haha. Then I can feel at ease.

By the way, Endmin... Yvonne mentioned the word "restore", right?