Leave Bangor Dome and head south to Trann Dome. Buy the Autogun, Iron Mail and Iron Helm from the guy there and then use the Enertron. Once you've done that, leave Trann Dome and head north, past Bangor Dome, to Lab 16. Touch the rat thingies and they'll steal either a Tonic, or if you've got less than five Tonics, some money from you, so it's wise to avoid them. Head right along the bottom and then up to get a Beserker. You can avoid most of the fights here but it's worth it just to keep your characters levelling. Make sure you get the Lode Bow for Marle and there is a third Lode Sword here which nets you 2000 gold when sold. You should end up leaving the first screen through an exit in the top-right. Now it gets a bit harder. The monsters here are pretty much immune to physical damage so Flame Whirl is a godsend, especially against Shadow's since they CANNOT be hit by. After leaving the screen, you should find yourself back out in the wastelands. Go to Arris Dome and talk to Doan (the old man). Use the Enertron here and then head down the ladder. Take the top-left ladder and then make your way across the girders to the stock room. An important note is that if you press X in the room just after the girders, you'll be attacked so equip and heal yourself out on the girders for safety's sake.

Head through into the back room, check the body and get the Mid Ether. Head out back to the girders and chase down the rat. You can't afford to get caught up on any of the corners or it'll get away. Once you've caught it, exit south and then hold L and R while pressing A at the right-hand console, thus lifting up a floor panel. Remember that combination, you can use it later on in Arris Dome. Head through the now accessible doorway and head straight up to get a Mid Ether. Go back to the entrance and take the steps to the left, following them round to the other side of the room. Get to the doorway and take the steps at the top. Follow them round and when you go down to the floor, do the same again. Enter the doorway and you should find yourself inside a console room where a rather important part of the plot is divulged. If you don't know what to say here, I'll give you a bloody good clip around the ear! Leave Arris Dome, making use of the Enertron before you leave and then head into the Sewer Access. But wait, Proto Dome is through Lab 32. Why are we going this way? Trust me, you'll want to get what's in here.

I'll tell you right now, it WILL be hard in here since you're not supposed to go through here for a while, but it is perfectly possible to do so and I believe it's worth the risk. In any fight here, take out the Nereids first and then the Egders. Head right and get the 600 gold. Then go left across the bridge and then down the stairs the frogs used. Head left and read the note. Got the idea? Head right and avoid EVERYTHING! Otherwise, you get two or three Nereids after your blood. Get past the obstacles and up the stairs. You're almost done here, just a little bit more to go. Skirt around the Egders to the left and then head upwards, pressing against the wall to the right. You should pop through a short tunnel and come out by a switch. Press it and then go back to the main thoroughfare. Head upwards and then go round to where the door opened up. Go right and then up and you should find what we've been searching for. A Rage Band. Holy mother of God is this accessory sweet and so damned good at this early a stage of the game. It makes getting that Lode Sword from Melchior seem like absolutely nothing. Go across to face the boss of this small section.

Follow the path downwards and around, PAST the exit. Take the Bolt Sword (Finally, a sword that's better than the Lode Sword) and then flip the switch. Cross the bridges to the exit back up to Arris Dome and Lab 32. You may want to pop back into Arris Dome and use the Enertron again. When you've done that, head into Lab 32. Go up to the strange vehicle and a whole bunch of Proto robots should turn up. Not to worry, an even stranger guy turns up and calms them down while introducing himself as Johnny. Now, just kick his arse in the race, simple as that. Don't waste your turbos until the end of the race to make sure you cross that line ahead of him. Oh, and keep bumping off the front of him, that'll boost your speed up, not that it matters right now. I'm just a bastard and like to cause him suffering!

If you want to know more about the racing, see the mini-games section at the end.

Leave Lab 32 and head for Proto Dome. Fight the Buggers (no really, that's what they're called) and then inspect the strange bulk at the top of the screen. It turns out to be an inactive robot and Lucca gets to do her thing on it.

What a crappy theme tune... and trust Marle to give your new companion a crappy name like Robo! Ever heard of creativity you dumb blonde?! Well... strawberry-blonde. Anyway, now comes a choice. Who do you take with you; healer Marle or pyromaniac Lucca? It's really up to you but I prefer to take Lucca with me since Robo can heal as well. Once you've made your choice, leave Proto Dome and head north to the Factory.

Prev: The Trial (1000AD)
Next: The Factory Ruins (2300AD)