Thanks for spending time to read this! I hope you enjoy!
Much to my surprise, I have yet to see a Palutena and Shulk story out there; they actually have something about them that might make them click, don't you think? For those who have played Xenoblade Chronicles, you may know where this is going...
BUT, this will not simply be a vanilla romance story of sorts. This is merely an introduction, and I intend my story to have a slow start as I will be adding more to it than just a simple relationship. For now, let's just stick to the basics; I've kept this in my head for a very long time.
Also, if you were hoping for a lot of lovely-dovely content, I may not exactly be the right person for this... But who knows?
(This is in no way religious, just a heads up)
As much as he appreciated the excitement in the Smash Stadium, however he felt that his fans and friends alike would have to lower their volumes if they wanted to be any more helpful. The constant cheers and yells were beginning to cause his ears to throb as the hot afternoon sun streaked light on his face, making him have to squint.
"Feel the burn as you stretch!" he recalled, as he reached both arms to his back, one tugging the elbow of the other. While he continued with his warm up exercises, the constant blaring of air horns were certainly getting on his nerves.
"YOU GET EM' SHULK! JUST GIVE IT SOME OOMPH!" A familiar voice screamed from the stands.
Turning to face the source, the young Homs merely gazed at his childhood friend who was following up with erratic blasts of the airhorn. A Nopon had hopped on to his face in an attempt to stop him soon after, finally putting an end to that. Shulk couldn't help himself but let out a short sigh in slight embarrassment.
That is so YOU, Reyn.
"Is the contestant ready?" a voice boomed through the speakers.
Nodding to no one in particular, Shulk took a firm grip on the hilt of his weapon, while faint characters of different colours began flashing on the layers of glass.
All I need is 6 seconds.
3!
2!
"Do you think he stands a chance, Lady Palutena?"
"Mmm... I'd say as good a chance as Snake returning. How about you, Pit?"
"That sounded really harsh, Lady Palutena. Does he really pose that little of a threat?"
"Pit, as long as Captain Falcon somehow doesn't beat my record, I'd bet my whole suite that he wouldn't even hit three thousand six."
"Isn't two thousand and six like, THE worst? Thats like 0% aura Lucario on a bad day. Heck, that's even an insult to 0% Lucario! You wouldn't wanna make him mad!"
"THREE thousand and six HUNDO, silly."
"Oops... So umm, Lady-"
"Now shush! Back to the contest."
Leaning over the balcony along side many others, the lady in white and gold made sure to keep a good eye on the fellow contestant. Something about him - perhaps some potential that still remained buried deep within, had always caught her attention.
The moment a "GO!" shook the entire stadium, a slit edge to air slash was swiftly performed,
8 seconds.
followed by multiple juggles. The purple "斬" character stood out brightly as the sandbag continued to be ragdolled.
5!
A new symbol on the weapon appeared almost as quickly as the one earlier had; this time a red "擊" came in its place. With one last swoop, the homs made a slide over to the homerun bat that lay in a corner, before making a mad dash back, ready to swing it.
2!
Skidding into a stance, Shulk had made sure to maintain a good posture, ensuring his arms formed a triangle ranging between his elbows. As he pulled the black bat as high up as he could-
1!
"PING!"
Had he been short for a tenth of a second or more, he would have been disqualified for sure. Letting it rip, the Sandbag had already took to the skies like it had been hit by a truck. The crowd burst into applause at his performance, some squealing in delight.
"YEA, YOU GET EM' SHULK!"
Grinning in satisfaction, the young homs waved to the audience (which made more applause), descending the steps from the risen platform and heading back to the participants' vomitorium.
"Now, we will once again have to await for the sandbag to return. In the meanwhile, please feel free to do as you please, or remain to watch the post-event matches before the next time slot..."
Stepping out of what resembled a High Entia transporter into the "stadium-box (as in like a theater box), Shulk was greeted with a warm welcome by a group of smashers, most giving words of praise and assurance.
"And someone earlier was seeking for advice?" Ike laughed, patting the homs on his shoulder.
"Despite your lack of experience in this department, you sure did a really decent job," Marth continued.
While the others such as the likes of Luigi and sheik provided simple praises or nods of approval, Shulk was soon approached by a young angel followed by his Lady.
"Nice one out there! You were really turning up the heat!" Pit spouted in enthusiasm.
Shulk couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Well, we won't really know how good it was till it hits the ground."
"Exactly. So, Pit," the goddess spoke from behind. "What were you about to say earlier?"
A look of surprise appeared on Shulk's face, as the both of them turned to face Palutena.
"Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me Lady Palutena!" Pit answered. "So were you genuinely going to bet your suite with me?"
"Bet your wha-?"
"Hmmmmmmmmm~~~"
Despite putting on such a bright and beautiful smile, it sometimes brought chills down his spine for unknown reasons. Whether her smiles were sincere or one of mischief, he would never be able to figure it out.
"Maybe. Do you seriously want to take the chance?"
"Heck yeah! I'm not gonna back down just because it's you!" Pit warned.
"Well then, angels first. What do you propose?"
"If I win, I get your suite, and you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep over for a week," suggested Pit.
"Annnnnnnddd when I win?" prompted Lady Palutena. The cheeky smile Pit wore earlier was instantly wiped off, as he began to scratch the back of his head.
"Uhhh... Well... I'll eat soap..?"
"Here's an idea: You'll have to help me wash my back whenever I take a soak in my Jacuzzi," she cooed, a devious grin creeping on her face. Winking at the boys merely made their faces flush even further (if they weren't red enough already).
"Nah, just kidding!" she giggled, with a hand over her mouth. "I don't really know, to be honest..."
"I know! If I lose the bet, I'll do whatever you tell me to!" Pit offered. However, judging by the blank stare he received, it seemed that Lady Palutena was not the least bit impressed. "What. What?"
"That's kind of what you already ARE supposed to do," she stated bluntly. Sighing, Palutena swung to once again lay her gentle eyes on the homs, who had remained silent the for the whole conversation. "I guess we don't have a choice in the matter."
An index finger was whipped towards Shulk at lightning speed, causing him to jump out of shock.
"Propose unto me, thy ideas!" she commanded.
He took a step back, staring at her all wide-eyed. "Wait, now I'm a part of THIS?" he questioned.
"Please, you were part of this since the beginning. Less stupid questions, more productivity!" she clapped her hands together.
"Uhhh... Just make him sleepover with the koopalings? Is that good enough?" Shulk simply mumbled, barely putting any thought into the idea. Much to his surprise, Pit actually had his jaw dropped at such a plan, much to Palutena's delight.
"Ooooh, ain't you a clever boy. See, Pit, Shulk is the kind of person you should aim to be," she praised.
"Hey, I get my jobs done too! And I do them good! ...Or at least most of the time."
"At least you two share something in common!"
"Is that good or bad?"
"Well, neither really. I mean, is being shorter than me going to do any good or bad to you? Anyways, it's decided. If you win, you get the suite, if I win, you get a slumber party~ For a month! Grab your sleeping bags!"
"Actually, do I get any say in this, or do I benefit in anyway?" Shulk queried out of curiositiy.
"I already said, enough with the dumb questions. But I'll make you dinner if I win," she cooed.
Contented with the results, the goddess began to make her way back to the transporter, while the boys just stood in place, staring ahead as they took in what was going on; Oh, especially Pit. He looked like he was about to break down, already having second thoughts about proposing the bet. Shulk actually felt guilty for his suggestion; perhaps he should have kept his mouth shut.
She stopped in her tracks, turning around: "Pit, aren't you coming along?"
"Oh, um! Right away, Lady Palutena!"
As the angel followed her, Shulk merely shook his head. His very first impressions of them were that they would be the more graceful, wise and mature type. Well, turns out he was wrong on the "mature" part; their occasional antics very much proved otherwise. On the bright side, at least he was right about the other two points. He gave himself a 7.8/10 for the guess; too much sensibility.
Well then.
Without much to do here after receiving feedback from the others, there was little reason to remain any longer. Shulk strolled back to the transporter once more, wondering what would be on the lunch menu on this fine day. Hopefully no salads though, yuck.
What do you peeps think so far?
Too short? I'll do my best to get more content in!
Too stale? Could you elaborate a little further?
Punctuation or spelling errors? I'll correct it in an instant!
I already have chapters 2 and half of chapter 3 ready; I just wanted to check out how you readers feel about this.
ANY review and advice, be it harsh or gentle, is kindly appreciated. Once again, thank you, and have a very, very nice rest of your day. ;)