Fight through the aerial battle and Floating Continent, defeat Atma Weapon and return toward the airship after the statues scene.
Walkthrough
Choose to approach the Floating Continent on the Blackjack. Survive the airship encounters, the Ultros and Chupon sequence, and 
Air Force. Lightning is useful against several machines. In Pixel Remaster, the Air Force Bit has a specific appearance condition, so completionists should check that edition’s bestiary instructions.
On the continent, touch switches and examine platforms that reveal or change routes. 
Shadow joins if there is room. Search the blue treasure spheres, use the save point, and return to the Blackjack from the available exit if you need to change the party before fighting Atma Weapon.
After Atma Weapon and the statues scene, the escape is timed. Follow the retreat path, defeat 
Nerapa and reach the airship ledge well before time expires. Refuse the first offer to jump, return to the ledge if prompted again, and wait for Shadow until he arrives. In the original-release route, reaching the jump point only in the final seconds can make the party leave without him.
Checkpoint
On the airship, Air Force’s separate parts matter for completion tracking in editions with a bestiary. Pixel Remaster’s Bit appearance differs from some earlier instructions: its 
Laser Gun must be destroyed while the conditions for the Bit remain available. On the timed escape, approach the last treasure by the longer route; a direct approach can drop its platform.