Chrono Trigger/The Factory Ruins

Chapter 7: The Factory Ruins (2300 A.D. first time)

The Factory
You'll need to pick Marle or Lucca to accompany Crono and Robo, I personally prefer Marle because she has the Aura spell.

Interact with the computer screen, Robo will disable the security laser so you can use the conveyor belt on the right, however you'll be forced to fight an acid. Just use slash or some non-physical technique to kill it. Three security robots patrol the front hallway, they will start moving if you get too close to them. After you've dealt with them or not, you can take the left or the right passage to the lab or the factory proper (this area is split into two main areas). You'll probably want to head into the factory first, although if you feel like cheating you could skip it all together and head directly to the lab.

Right path, the factory
On the factory side of things, search the room for chests. The first one is hidden in a passageway just to the left (head down, left, then back up and climb the little ladder through the door), you'll find the Mid Ether in the top right corner (the room is L shaped). Check out the conveyor belt to the south; first climb down the left ladder and follow the path all the way to the left where you can grab the Robin Bow. Head back, then take the right ladder down to where the room is (DON'T GO IN IT). Your goal will be to cross over it to the left, without bumping into any of the robots. If you touch a robot you'll have to go through a long series of fights before you get back where you started. It's easiest to wait until a group of two robots has gone by than run as fast as you can until you reach an alcove. The second alcove has an Ether in a chest, also note that you'll probably have a close call when running on the conveyor belt. Keep making it all the way to the end and then head south to enter a new room.
 * Items: 2x Mid Ether, 1x Robin Bow, 2x Ether, 1x Mid Tonic, 400GP, 1x Shelter, 1x Bolt Sword

You'll be forced to fight four Bugs. Afterwards, climb the ladder and head through the door into the main conveyor belt room. Cross the walkway and head to the far right corner for a Mid Tonic. Go through the right door then grab the two chests: you'll get 400GP and another Mid Ether. Interact with the computer to learn the two codes which control the crane,, and. After you end the dialogue, the two robots that were stored in the wall will burst out, and then criss cross about the room in a mirrored fashion. Wait until a gap opens, then run down and out unless you wish to fight them.

Head into the left door to reach the control panel for the crane (that claw thing suspended above the conveyor belt). Two Proto 3's will be patrolling, you can sneak by if you're patient but if you fight them you'll also have to fight two Debuggers. Grab the Shelter and another Ether before heading south to the control panel. Enter the codes you learned (one pair at a time) to move the barrels out of the way. This will open up a path to a new area and back to the start so you won't have to repeat the conveyor belt sequence.

Exit back through the room (avoiding the Proto 3's if you wish) and then head down the ladder to the left. Run to the left and go through the door to the north. Pick up the Bolt Sword for Crono, then use the computer to learn the security password ZABIE. Go back to the elevator (just head right following the conveyor belt and climb the ladder) and head out. Go down the other elevator, this time to the lab.

Left path, the lab
In the lab, you can save if you'd like but head north and fight the Acid and the two Alkalines. Grab the Shelter, then activate the computer to open the hatch to the next level. Go down the hatch, head west across this first room where you'll be forced to fight two Alkalines, one at a time. Loop around south into the center room. Grab the Titan Vest on the left side of the room and the Hammer Arm on the right, then equip both on Robo. Use the computer to the north to disable the lasers around the lab. You'll have to fight three Acids and two Alkalines at the same time for a semi-difficult, Mp draining fight. Use AOE techniques (Slash or dual techs work well). When you're ready (you could save if you like), head down a level either by using the hatch in the center room or the elevator (it moves up and down). Head north in the long passage, grab the Plasma Gun and then use the computer that requires the ZABIE password (press, , , after the prompt).
 * Items: 1xShelter, 1xTitan Vest, 1xHammer Arm, 1xPlasma Gun

Regardless of whether or not you completed the factory portion of the place, you can just enter in the code "---" to skip to the last part of the level.

Head north and use the button on the wall. An alarm will sound and you'll need to escape the factory before it goes haywire. Head south, where you'll almost get stuck in the hallway, then head up the ladder because the elevator has been shut off. You'll eventually come to the long walkway with robots embedded in the wall. Upon entering Robo's old buddies will come out, beat him up and then throw him into a wall compartment.

Crono and whichever partner you picked will need to take on all six R Series robots alone. Crono's Cyclone technique works well, but Fire Whirl works even better (you can hit three enemies for massive damage). Have the other partner heal or provide support.

After the battle you'll pull Robo out of the wall and drag him back to the Proto Dome. Marle and Crono will sleep as Lucca pieces Robo back together. After his revival, Robo will want to join the crew in hopes of saving the planet. Together the group heads into another time gate.

Challenging Lavos
Impossible during this stage of the game since you have no access to a time gate.