Let’s Blog: Ar Tonelico III – #20: Back Alley Doctor

Somehow it’s getting harder to think of remotely witty blog entry titles; I’ve resorted to stealing them from TVTropes. I’ll probably never be able to match the magnificent serendipity of “Cake and Death.”

This entry covers the journey through the Jouteimon Underground Channel as well as the first part of the Mebius Factory dungeon.

Spoilers, as usual.

After going a short distance down the Empire’s Road (which looks just like every other road they’ve been on,) Aoto will stop the party and tell them to head down a ladder instead.

Once you climb down a few ledges, grabbing a chest along the way, you’ll find a cave filled with rubble. Finnel remarks that it’s almost blocked, and Aoto says that the entrance was buried in an earthquake, but if they clear it they should be able to continue on to Jouteimon. He admits it’s a little dangerous, but less so than attempting to force their way into Jouteimon through the main entrance.

Tatsumi wonders how Aoto knows about this passageway. Aoto admits, with a bit of hesitation, that he was born in Jouteimon and discovered the passage when he was young. This concerns Tatsumi, but Aoto says since it’s been ten years since he left and his parents are dead, so he doesn’t think anyone will recognize him. Uncharacteristically, Tatsumi apologizes for prying.

As they finish their conversation, the earth suddenly shakes…

Clusternia’s just launched a fleet of airships. Hikari remarks, “An amazing number… That must be the Prohm Wall I’ve heard about…” He explains the Prohm Wall is the plasma barrier that separates Clusternia from the lower world. “Up until now, I hadn’t seen them launch such an army the Prohm Wall became visible. They must really be serious this time.” Tatsumi remarks it doesn’t look like they intend to keep their promise with the Alliance.

Aoto says he doesn’t know what Clusternia is planning, but he still intends to protect Saki. He sets a bomb and blows up the rubble blocking the cave entrance. With it clear, you can continue into the cave, which turns out to be more of an artificial tunnel next to a dry canal bed.

A short distance in, Aoto stops and attempts to turn a valve, but isn’t able to do it. Tatsumi asks what the valve is for, and Aoto says it will make the water flow. He explains that by controlling the water flow, you can reach a lot of places. A tutorial afterwards shows that you’ll have to drain the water from various areas to climb down into the canal bed and reach new areas of the dungeon.

A fairly complex dungeon it is thanks to this, although I’m once again cheating and just following the PV rather than playing along on my own PS3. >_>

Once you make it to the other end of the dungeon, you will reach Jouteimon, where you’re immediately plunged into a 2D event scene. Tatsumi remarks, “So that passage really did lead to Jouteimon…” and Hikari observes the area doesn’t seem to be that heavily guarded. Tatsumi advises them to just walk around as if they belong.

Finnel wonders where in town Saki is being kept, and Hikari reminds her she’s probably in the Mebius Factory. He’s been inside it a few times, so he can lead the way.  Tatsumi recalls that it was Clusternia’s base of operations, and Finnel worries that it’ll be heavily guarded, but Hikari says he knows a rear entrance they can use. Aoto is impressed by the doctor’s knowledge, and Hikari explains he has a friend named Katena who is a researcher there and taught him a few things about the place.

After that, you can explore the town, which has an inn, Dive Shop, and the other usual amenities. The PV went to the inn and had Finnel name another skill of Tatsumi’s, then viewed a Talk Topic where Aoto chats with her about his return to Jouteimon.

Once you’re done with your preparations, it’s time to head to the area marked ‘Mebius Factory’ on the town menu… but once there Hikari explains that the place he’s lead them to isn’t the Mebius Factory yet, but instead is the inside of Jouteimon’s outer wall. He explains that from within here, they can enter the Mebius Factory without alerting the guards. Aoto remarks that he never knew about that, despite being a native. The doctor replies that it’s something only staff members know about.

This dungeon is a pretty nice looking area, compared to the uninteresting roads and caves we’ve been on before.

After going through a couple of screens you’ll reach the rear entrance of the Mebius Factory, which has the crest of the Arkia Laboratory above it. At the end of the corridor, you’re treated to a cutscene where a pair of Clusternia soldiers are trying to intimidate someone into leaving a locked room. Hikari recognizes the voice as Katena’s. Aoto loudly exclaims, “Your friend?!” alerting the Clusternians, whom you’re forced to wipe out.

Afterward dealing with the enemy Reyvateils, they head to the room Katena is in. He lets them in after recognizing Hikari’s voice. Katena wonders what the doctor (whom he calles ‘Gojyou’) is doing here, asking flippantly if he’s started working for Clusternia now. He introduces himself, and thanks them for lending him a hand; he doesn’t know how long he’d have been trapped there if they haven’t arrived.

Katena asks them why they’re here, as surely they didn’t show up just to rescue him. Aoto explains they’re looking for a Reyvateil who was captured by Clusternia. Katena recalls that he heard there was a Reyvateil being kept in a special room, and wonders if that might be her. Aoto asks him to show them the way, and he agrees to do so.

In the hallway outside, Katena tells them to be as quiet as they can. Since the PV proceeds to walk instead of run as they follow his directions, I presume something bad happens if you ignore his advice, Eventually, you’ll reach a door guarded by Clusternians, whom you’ll have to fight your way through.

Within the room is an unconscious Saki. Hikari says she’s still under the effects of the sleeping drug, and that he’ll revive her. He does so, and the very beginning of a touching reunion follows, as well as the end of the PV and of this entry. >_>

Tags: ar tonelico, ar tonelico 3, gust, jrpg